122317 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

December 23-26, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 103 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

SWS: Duterte receives ‘very good’ satisfaction rating for end of 2017

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte’s net satisfaction rating increased by 10 points in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The poll result, which was released Friday, December 23, showed that Duterte’s score rose to 58 percent from the previous

DATELINE

48 percent, classified as “good,” in September.

Figures from the poll showed that 71 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with the president’s performance, 13 percent were dissatisfied, and 15 percent were undecided—giving an overall “very good” net satisfaction rating.

According to the poll agency, the president’s 10-point rise can be attributed to the increases of

14 points in Balance Luzon, 11 points in Metro Manila, 10 points in the Visayas, and 3 points in Mindanao from September to December 2017.

Duterte’s rating in Balance Luzon went up to “very good” 50 percent (64 percent satisfied, 14 percent dissatisfied) in the fourth quarter from the previous “good” 36 percent (59 percent satisfied, 23 percent dissatisfied)

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SIEZED. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the inspection of the surrendered firearms, which were presented during the event dubbed ‘Panaghiusa Para sa Kalinaw (Unity for Peace)’ at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City on Thursday, December 21. Also in the photo is Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

Second complaint filed against Aquino over Dengvaxia controversy

USA

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Senators, White House to bring a solution for DREAMers in the new year Immigrant rights advocates urge Congress to pass DREAM Act Since entering the presidency last January, it has been one of President Donald Trump’s campaign priorities to revamp the United States immigration policy.

After previously promising to protect undocumented youth (DREAMers) under the Obama-era program the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), in September the White House abruptly announced that it would end the program, leaving nearly 800,000 DREAMers unsure of their futures.

Due to the spending legislation deadline on Friday, December 22, Democrats are backing away from a pledge to force a vote this month. Previously, they also promised to withhold support if the Republicans didn’t

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A 13-year-old student, who has no previous history of dengue, showing her rashes, which she said started to appear days after receiving her third shot of Dengvaxia in November.

Philstar.com photo by Elizabeth Marcelo

FORMER Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is facing another complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with his administration’s P3.5 billion purchase of the controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

A second criminal complaint has been filed against the former president on Friday, December 22 by more than 70 mothers of children from Valenzuela City who

were administered with the vaccine under the government’s mass immunization program.

Apart from Aquino, also tagged in the complaint were former Health Secretary Janette Garin, former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, and former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

Several pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur officials were also named as private respondents, including the company’s Vice President Guillaume Leroy, Chief Executive Officer Olivier Brandi-

court, Medical Director Ruby Dizon, Asia Pacific Head Thomas Triomphe, and Sanofi-Aventis Philippines Country Chair Carlito Realuyo.

The complainants, led accompanied by Gabriela party-list Representatives Emmi De Jesus and Arlene Brosas, wanted Aquino, his former officials, and Sanofi executives to be held accountable for allegedly violating Section 3 (e) and 3 (g) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

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Duterte vetoes 5 Train provisions

by BEN

O. DE VERA Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed certain provisions of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (Train), raising its net revenue gain to P90 billion, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said on Friday, December 22.

A copy of the veto message showed that the president rejected the line that reduced income tax rate of employees of regional headquarters, regional operating headquarters, offshore banking units and petroleum service contractors and subcontractors.

President Duterte said he constrained to veto the proviso that maintained the special tax rate of 15 percent of gross income

for such employees, as it was violative of the Equal Protect Clause under the 1987 Constitution as well as the rule of equity and uniformity in the application of the burden of taxation.

“Given the significant reduction in the personal income tax, the employees of these firms should follow the regular tax rates applicable to other individual taxpayers,” the President said.

The president also vetoed the zero-rating of sales of goods and services to separate customs territory and tourism enterprise zones, citing that it “goes against the principle of Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senator Bongbong Marcos limiting the VAT [value-added tax] zero-rating to direct exporters.”

Inquirer.net photos

Philippine VP poll recount Filipino doctor in US granted probation Philippines deadliest country for journalists in Asia to begin in February 2018 in sexual assault case AJP

by RAE

A FILIPINO doctor who was charged a year ago with sexually assaulting his 53-year-old male patient in Bridgeport, Connecticut was placed in a special probation program on Tuesday, December 19, according to a report.

The judge agreed to grant former Bridgeport Hospital physician, Louie Mar Gangcuangco, his request for accelerated rehabilitation which is a pretrial program available to those accused of nonviolent crimes.

Both the victim and the prosecutor also agreed with the decision.

“I had been prepared to go forward today with the trial but the victim has decided he [wanted] to get on with his life,” said the prosecutor as reported by the Connecticut Post.

Under the one-year probation program, Gangcuangco’s original charge of 4th-degree sexual assault may be dismissed, granted he does not get re-arrested during the probation period.

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ANN VARONA AJPress

THE Philippines remains the deadliest country for journalists in Asia, according to a year-end overview of journalists killed, held hostage, detained, or reported missing around the world.

The Philippines comes after warzone countries Syria, Mexico, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

At least five journalists in the Philippines were targeted in 2017, with four of them dying from their injuries, said the report by free press advocating organization Reporters Without Borders (RWB), which was released on Tuesday, December 19.

“The Philippines thus resumed a grim trend going back more than decade —

by

According to the media watchdog’s yearly round-up, four of the five journalists targeted by gunmen were killed in the Philippines this year. Philstar.com photo

one that was interrupted only in 2016, an exceptional year in which no journalist was killed,” read the report.

The report cited current President Rodrigo Duterte as being a concern, including in its Philippine assessment one of the president’s

most highly cited remarks.

Not long after being elected in May of 2016, Duterte — who only allowed staterun media to cover his inauguration — made an alarming comment, that RWB said turned out to be more

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www.TravelTradeConsumer.com Asian Journal’s series of annual events showcasing tourism, trade, and business opportunities in the USA and Philippines.

THE Philippine Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), is set to begin the recount of votes for vice president in February 2018 in connection with former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s electoral protest against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

According to Robredo’s counsel, Romulo Macalintal, the PET will start collecting ballots in Camarines Sur on January 22, with the “revision” slated for the second week of February.

“Collection of ballot boxes in Camarines Sur alone will start on January 22. Examination of ballots is expected to start midFebruary,” Macalintal said in a forum held at Cafe Adriatico in Ermita, Manila.

This will be followed by revi-

RESS

sions in two other pilot provinces Iloilo and Negros Oriental— which were tagged by Marcos in his poll protest as the “best provinces” where he could prove the irregularities in the vice presidential race.

In his poll protest, Marcos accused Robredo of benefiting from “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” during the vice presidential election in 2016.

The revision stage is the third part of an electoral protest, in which the questioned ballot boxes will be opened and votes will be recounted and tallied. During the revision of ballots, uncounted votes as a result of human error will be claimed as valid votes.

Among common human errors include checking or half-shading

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A december 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

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

From the Front Page

SWS: Duterte receives ‘very...

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in the third quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, his ratings in Metro Manila went up to “very good” 55 percent (73 percent satisfied, 18 percent dissatisfied) from “good” 44 percent (68 percent satisfied, 24 percent dissatisfied).

In the Visayas, his ratings rose to “very good” 53 percent (72

percent satisfied, 18 percent dissatisfied) from “good” 43 percent (64 percent satisfied, 21 percent dissatisfied).

On the other hand, Duterte’s net satisfaction rating stayed “excellent” in Mindanao at 80 percent (84 percent satisfied, five percent) from 76 percent (82 percent satisfied, 6 percent dissatisfied).

The poll result also showed that Duterte’s net satisfaction rating was “very good” in both urban (63 percent) and rural (54 percent) areas, and in all classes (66 percent).

The president also scored “very good” among both men (61 percent) and women (55 percent); among 25-year-olds and above (63 percent), and in all educational levels (69 percent).

The survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents nationwide via face-to-face interview from December 8 to 16. It has a sampling error margins of ±3 nationwide, ±4% for Luzon, and ±6 each for the Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Respondents were asked the following question: “Please tell me how satisfied or dissatisfied you are with the performance of Rodrigo Duterte as President of the Philippines. Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, undecided if satisfied or dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, very dissatisfied, or you have not ever heard or read anything about Rodrigo Duterte?”

Among the core issues prevailing amid the data collection included the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, the passage of the P3.767-trillion 2018 national budget and the tax reform bill. n

CHRISTMAS AT THE ZOO. Manny Tangco (center), owner of Malabon Zoo, gathers orphaned children around an orangutan named ‘Manny Pacquiao’ and a baby tiger ‘Lenlen’ on Thursday, Dec. 21, four days before Christmas Day. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Second complaint filed against...

PAGE A1 t

“Respondents’ acts are both cruel and appalling, as it affects us and the more than 800,000 other children who were inoculated with the controversial vaccine,” their complaint read.

Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 prohibits public officials from causing any party undue injury, or giving

any unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference to any private party.

Section 3 (g), meanwhile, prohibits public officials from entering into a contract or transaction grossly disadvantageous to the government.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), more than 830,000 schoolchildren—up from an earlier estimate of about 730,000—were administered Dengvaxia since the Aquino administration launched its mass vaccination program in early 2016.

The program was continued under the current administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte but was suspended earlier this month after the drug manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur cautioned that Dengvaxia poses more risk if injected to those who were not previously infected by the dengue virus.

In their complaint, the group said Aquino, Garin, Ochoa, and Abad are “guilty of gross inexcusable negligence when they inexcusably failed to duly review and assess the efficacy of the vaccine and to do what was obviously expected of them as public officials.”

The complainants also insisted that Aquino “cannot feign ignorance and claim” that he ordered

the purchase of the vaccines for the safety of the children.

“The fact remains that whether he (Aquino) acted in conspiracy with Sanofi officials or miserably failed to exercise sound judgement or discretion, the lives of more than 800,000 children are now at risk because of his acts and billions of pesos from the government coffers have been disbursed illegally under his incumbency,” they added.

In response to the new complaint, Aquino, through his spokesperson Abigail Valte, assured that he will answer all the accusations hurled against him over the Dengvaxia issue.

“The former president’s attendance at the Senate committee hearing has proven one thing: he takes accountability seriously and will continue to answer any and all allegations thrown at him,” Valte told reporters.

During a recent Senate hearing on the Dengvaxia controversy, Aquino said he was not told of Dengvaxia’s possible risks when his administration bought the vaccine and implemented the immunization program.

On December 15, former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr. filed mass murder and plunder complaints against Aquino and Garin, calling the DOH’s mass immunization program “illegal, unjust, improper, inefficient, life-threatening and outright unconscionable.” n

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

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2017

Duterte vetoes 5 Train...

PAGE A1 t

CHRISTMAS RUSH. Passengers take their flights to celebrate the holidays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Wednesday, Dec. 20. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) earlier said it expects a total of 20 million passengers this vacation, higher by 1.8 million from the previous year’s 18.3 million passengers.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Philippines deadliest country for journalists...

PAGE A1 t

than just talk this year.

“Just because you’re a journalist, you’re not exempted from assassination, if you are a son of a b*tch,” RWP quoted Duterte saying. “Free speech won’t save you, my dear.”

The Tuesday report follows another that was released in April that ranked the Philippines as 127th of 180 in its World Press Freedom Index. At the number one spot as having most press freedom was Norway, the last being North Korea.

PH journalism and impunity Despite being a democratic nation (the longest-standing one in Southeast Asia and a member of the Community of Democracies), advocates and organizations for press freedom like RWB say that dangers for journalists in the Philippines are long standing, with impunity being a recurring issue.

“Private militias, often hired by local politicians, silence journalists with complete impunity. An airtime rental system known as blocktiming is widely practiced, allowing anyone to host their own political program. This in turn blurs the frontiers of journalism,” read a profile of the Philippines by RWB. According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) which has been recording journalist deaths around the world since

1992, the Philippines saw a number of fatalities in all but six of the past 25 years.

A total of 79 journalists have been killed according to its collective data, with 77 of them being targeted for murder, and 69 of the murders carried out with impunity — 42 were in the past decade.

The Philippines was placed fifth on CPJ’s 2017 Global Impunity Index, which highlights nations where journalists are murdered while their killers go free.

One journalist killed this year was print reporter Joaquin Briones of Masbate, who was shot four times in the back, dying on the spot. No suspects were arrested nor identified, but police had suspected either local politics or personal grudges as possible motives for his killing.

Lydia Buena, the managing editor of national tabloid newspaper Remate where Briones worked, told AFP that his “hard hitting” reports were most likely what led to his killing. Many of his articles were on issues like illegal fishing, gambling, or drugs.

“He had received many death threats because he had written many articles about Masbate,” she told AFP. “He was pretty tough. He had a lot of enemies in the local community but he would continue,” she added.

The most harrowing singleevent incident for journalists in world history was in 2009, when 30 Philippine journalists and two media support workers were attacked and brutally murdered while traveling to Maguindanao province alongside a fleet of people intending to file gubernatorial candidacy papers for a local politician.

A total of 57 people were murdered in what was seen to be driven by political clan rivalry. The bodies were widely reported to have been dumped in a mass hillside grave in Ampatuan.

In a report made by Philippine press organizations — the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and MindaNews — the victims were mostly workers of Mindanao-based newspapers and some from radio and television.

“The massacre claimed nearly an entire generation of journalists from the small print and broadcast communities of General Santos, Koronadal City, and nearby areas,” said the report.

Out of many, the prime suspect was quickly found to be Andal Ampatuan Jr., then a local mayor in Maguindanao province, who was charged with multiple

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President Duterte likewise vetoed the exemption from percentage tax of gross sales and receipts not more than P500,000, as such “will result in unnecessary erosion of revenues and would lead to abuse and leakages,” further pointing out that these taxpayers were already VAT-exempt.

The fourth veto involved the Train’s exemption of various petroleum products from excise tax when used as input, feedstock, or as raw material in the manufacturing of petrochemical products, in the refining of petroleum products, or as replacement fuel for natural gas fired combined cycle power plants.

“The provisions run the risk of being too general, covering all types of petroleum products, which may be subject to abuse by taxpayers, and thus lead to massive revenue erosion. At any rate, the Tax Code already identifies which petroleum products can be exempted,” the President said.

Finally, President Duterte also vetoed the provision involving earmarking of incremental tobacco taxes, as such “effectively amends the Sin Tax Law or Republic Act No. 10351, which provides for guaranteed funds for universal health care.

“The provision will effectively diminish the share of the health sector in the proposed allocation,” the President explained.

Dominguez said these were also approved by the President last Tuesday, the same day that the chief executive signed package 1A of the Train, which will slash personal income tax rates while also jacking up or slapping new taxes on consumption starting January next year.

In a press briefing after the Development Budget Coordination Committee meeting, Dominguez said the veto will raise to P90 billion the net revenues from tax reform package 1A from just P82.3 billion in the Train version approved by Congress’ bicameral committee on tax reform.

According to Dominguez, the veto “will make it (the Train) more internally consistent to the original objectives” of the law, without elaborating.

The Finance chief said that they expect revenues from tax package 1B, which involve general and estate tax amnesty, higher motor vehicle user’s charges as well as tax administration measures including bank secrecy on criminal cases, to reach up to P40 billion.

Dominguez had said that Con-

gress already committed to pass package 1B in the first quarter of next year.

The DBCC hence reduced its revenue target for 2018 to P2.789 trillion from P2.841 trillion previously “because we did not get the full amount [of revenues from the first tax reform package] right away,” Dominguez said.

The DBCC also adjusted to 4952:$1 the foreign exchange rate assumption for the 2018 to 2022 period from 48-51:$1 previously.

“This adjustment should be a

A3

cause of deep concern. A peso depreciation is favorable to our fiscal position,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said.

Exports growth, meanwhile, was raised to 9 percent in 2018 from 7 percent previously, while keeping the 10-percent growth target for imports for the period 2018 to 2022.

The inflation rate target was kept within the range of 2-4 percent until 2022, while gross domestic product growth will still be 7-8 percent during the period. ■

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A december 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

El Cerrito swears in its first Fil-Am, LGBT mayor

by Rae

Dateline USa

Despite compressed sign-up period, ACA enrollment nearly matches last year’s

by Julie

RoVneR Kaiser Health News

ann VaRona AJPress

mayor of color. those before him were El Cerrito’s first AfriEl CErrito’s first Filipino- can American city council memAmerican and lGBt council- ber and mayor letitia Moore member became the city’s first who served in 2004 and 2008, Fil-Am and lGBt mayor on and Chinese-American Mayor tuesday, December 19 during Ann Cheng who served in 2011 the reorganization of the city as the first Asian American to hold the position as well as the council at El Cerrito City Hall. in all of the city’s 100 year his- youngest. of the new position, Quinto tory, Gabriel Quinto is the third

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http://www.asianjournal.com â&#x20AC;˘ (818) 502-0651 â&#x20AC;˘ (213) 250-9797

El Cerrito City Mayor Gabriel Quinto

told the Asian Journal in an email that he is â&#x20AC;&#x153;humbled and honored to be the first Filipino-American mayor and the first lGBt mayor in El Cerrito,â&#x20AC;? given that the city has always been a â&#x20AC;&#x153;melting potâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;diverse and inclusive city.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As mayor of El Cerrito, i know that there are not many Fil-Am, Asian-Pacific islanders (APis) and lGBt Mayors in California,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With my leadership i hope to inspire a new generation of Fil-Ams, APis and lGBts to represent their communities. itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to represent and an honorable way to give back to your community.â&#x20AC;?

NorCal local Born in Berkeley, California, Quinto went on to graduate from El Cerrito High school in 1979.

Quinto then briefly went down to southern California to study at long Beach state University where he graduated with his B.s. in radio, tV, and Film in 1983.

Pangasinan roots Quintoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late father santiago, and his mother isidra, are originally from the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. santiago Quinto, was in World War ii where he served in the U.s. Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2nd Filipino Battalion in the Battle of New Guinea.

Community involvement Before being elected into council in December of 2014, Quinto had already built experience in public service through political and community empowerment volunteer work. His resume includes working with the sierra Club Bay Chapter, the league of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County, and as an obama delegate in 2012. He was also an Alternate of the Marin Clean

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A day after President Donald trump said the Affordable Care Act â&#x20AC;&#x153;has been repealed,â&#x20AC;? officials reported that 8.8 million Americans have signed up for coverage on the federal insurance exchange in 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; nearly reaching 2017â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number in half the sign-up time. that total is far from complete. Enrollment is still open in parts of seven states, including Florida and texas, that use the federal healthcare.gov exchange but were affected by hurricanes earlier this year. the numbers released thursday by the Department of Health and Human services also did not include those who signed up between midnight Dec. 15 and 3 a.m. Et on Dec. 16, the final deadline for 2018 coverage, as well as those who could not finish enrolling before the deadline and left their phone number for a call back.

And enrollment has not yet closed in 11 states â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including California and New York â&#x20AC;&#x201D; plus Washington, D.C., that run their

own insurance exchanges. those states are expected to add several million more enrollees. the robust numbers for signups on the federal exchange â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 96 percent of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total â&#x20AC;&#x201D; surprised both supporters and opponents of the health law, who almost universally thought the numbers would be lower.

Not only was the sign-up period reduced by half, but the trump administration dramatically cut funding for advertising and enrollment aid. republicans in Congress spent much of the year trying to repeal and replace the law, while trump repeatedly declared the health law dead, leading to widespread confusion. on the other hand, a trump decision aimed at hurting the exchanges may have backfired.

When he canceled federal subsidies to help insurers offer discounts to their lowest-income customers, it produced some surprising bargains for those who qualify for federal premium help. that may have boosted enrollment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enrollment defied expectations and the trump administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to undermine it,â&#x20AC;?

said lori lodes, a former obama administration health official who joined with other obama alumni to try to promote enrollment in the absence of federal outreach efforts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;the demand for affordable coverage speaks volumes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; proving, yet again, the staying power of the marketplaces.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;the ACA is not repealed and not going away,â&#x20AC;? tweeted Andy slavitt, who oversaw the ACA under President Barack obama. the tax bill passed by Congress this week repeals the fines for those who fail to obtain health coverage, but those fines do not go away until 2019. still, that has added to the confusion for 2018 coverage.

And it remains unclear whether Congress will make another attempt to repeal the law in 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;i think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably move on to other issues,â&#x20AC;? senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell (r-Ky.) said in an interview Friday with NPr. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Justin Huang helps a client sign up for a health insurance program under the Affordable Care Act at the offices of the Midwest Asian Health Association in Chicago on Dec. 15.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images courtesy of Kaiser Health News

Philippine VP poll recount to begin in...

PAGE A1 t the oval corresponding to the name of the candidate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;these [ballots] are what we called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;claimed ballotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; under the intent rule Doctrine, meaning there was an intention on the part of the voter to vote for this particular candidate,â&#x20AC;? Macalintal said.

He added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;And in all decisions made by the supreme Court, [votes with] check marks or any indication that there was the intention of the voter to vote

for a particular candidate, [are] considered valid votes.â&#x20AC;? last october, Marcos claimed that he was robbed of four million votes during last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s automated elections, saying that â&#x20AC;&#x153;when the recount begins, the real results will come out.â&#x20AC;?

But Macalintal is confident that Marcos will not overturn the margin of 263,473 votes during the revision of ballots as robredo would also have her share of â&#x20AC;&#x153;claimed votes.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;in this case, [a] miracle will

not happen for Mr. Marcos,â&#x20AC;?

Macalintal said, pointing out that â&#x20AC;&#x153;nobody has won in the recount of ballots since the [start]of the automated election in 2010 until now, because counting machines do not commit mistakes.â&#x20AC;?

He continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;those who claim that something went wrong during the counting of votes were candidates who cannot accept defeat or pretend to be knowledgeable about the elections.â&#x20AC;? n

Filipino doctor in US granted probation...

PAGE A1 t the patient said he was assaulted by Gangcuangco in November of 2016 when going in to get a heart exam. the doctor allegedly grabbed the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genitals, pinched his nipples, then invited him out to eat.

Gangcuangco â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who has maintained a non-guilty plea â&#x20AC;&#x201D; agreed to the probation program on tuesday, but said what he hoped for was an â&#x20AC;&#x153;outright dismissal.â&#x20AC;? in a statement he gave to rappler, he said he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;maliciously accusedâ&#x20AC;? by the patient and described the day of the incident being very busy with â&#x20AC;&#x153;at least 15 people at any one time at the medical clinic.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;the rooms at the clinic also do not have locks. My room that day was right in front of the nurseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s station and at least three

other patients were scheduled to see me that afternoon,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Gangcuangco argued that the patient, after having abnormal lab results from a yearly checkup, required a groin exam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He even scheduled a followup appointment with me after three months,â&#x20AC;? said Gangcuangco in the statement.

He added that the reasons for the accusations were made clear after a background check by an investigator found that the patient had an â&#x20AC;&#x153;extensive criminal history of violent crimes, including multiple counts of murder.â&#x20AC;?

Gangcuangco said his lawyer told him that the patient allegedly wanted hundreds and thousands of dollars to let the case go. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of my silence, i had

been painted to be the villain in this story; but in reality, i am the victim here,â&#x20AC;? the statement read. the Connecticut Post quoted the 53-year-old victim tuesday who said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just not convinced he is remorseful.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;He had no permission, he shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have done it and i just hope he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it again,â&#x20AC;? the patient added.

Gangcuangcoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyer, sean Barrett, said tuesday that Gangcuangco had lost his job at the hospital due to the charges, and will be returning to the Philippines when his visa expires. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has lost his position as a result of the case and up until then he had led an exemplary career as a physician,â&#x20AC;? said Barrett as reported by the Connecticut Post. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 23-26, 2017

A

MCC grant goes to Timor-Leste hours Western Union to refund after Palace announces withdrawal victims of money transfer scams

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

U.S. poverty reduction agency Millennium Challenge Corporation has selected TimorLeste and The Gambia for grant programs focusing on poverty reduction and policy reform, respectively.

The announcement came barely a day after Malacañang revealed that the country has withdrawn its application for a second aid package from the MCC. In a statement released Wednesday, December 20, the MCC noted that the Philippine government decided not push through with a second compact.

“MCC is proud of the achievements of our first compact with the Philippines, and both MCC and the United States are proud of our longstanding positive relationship,” the U.S. agency said.

Timor-Leste was granted a

by Jun

nucum Inquirer.net

Infographic by Philstar.com photo

five-year grant program designed to improve its economic growth and reduce poverty following the country’s “continued strong performance” in the MCC’s threshold program.

The Gambia was chosen for a smaller grant program focusing on policy and institutional reform.

Timor-Leste’s 2018 MCC scorecard showed that the country ranked high in democratic rights such as political rights o 90 percent and civil

liberties on 80 percent while it scored 76 percent on control of corruption.

The Philippines’ scorecard, on the other hand, showed that the country ranked 60 percent in political rights, 63 percent in civil liberties and 50 percent on control of corruption.

The MCC also noted that Timor-Leste has “demonstrated a clear commitment to good governance, investing in its people and economic freedom.” n

Philippines deadliest country for journalists...

PAGE A3 t

mass murder.

The Philippines did drop one place in the index since 2016, but not much progress has been made.

In its impunity index report, CPJ cited President Duterte’s formation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, “which includes a designated team of investigators and prosecutors for the speedy probe of new cases of media killings.”

Though the commission has announced a number of murder investigations, no convictions have yet been made. Also, at the beginning of 2017, former Philippine policeman Arturo Lascanas said in a news conference that current President Duterte ordered him to assassinate radio journalists Juan “Jun” Pala in the highly reported Davao City “death squad”. Duterte, who was mayor of Davao at the time of the assassination, has denied claims.

CPJ further reported that justice for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre victims have not progressed. In fact, three of the suspects were acquitted in July of this year on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan, one of the prime suspects and member of the Ampatuan clan, was even released from jail in

March after posting an P11.6million bail.

International journalism In the past 15 years, 1035 professional journalists were killed according to RWB. In 2017, a total of 65 were reported killed as a result of their work.

Of the 65, 50 were professional journalists, seven were citizen-journalists, and eight were media workers. Broken down by gender, 55 of the journalists killed were men, and ten were women.

Furthermore, the report said that 26 were killed in the course of their work, while 39 were murdered. And like in 2016, the majority of deaths (60-percent) were targeted — usually to silence the journalists.

But 2017 was actually the least deadly year for journalists in 14 years. In 2016, the death toll was at 79.

The downward trend though, has nothing to do with the media or journalism landscape being safer. Rather, RWB suggests that the decrease in journalist deaths may come from efforts of campaigns conducted by international NGOs and media organizations on working to improve protection to journalists.

Rigorous lobbying by government and international bodies by NGOs, such as RWB, have also been productive according to the

Senators, White House to bring...

PAGE A1 t

allow a vote on the Dream Act, which would allow more than 1 million immigrants to legally stay in the United States.

Despite many Democratic lawmakers urging for a DACA solution by the end of the year, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised to bring an all-encompassing immigration bill to the Senate floor if the senators and White House officials can compromise on a passable bill.

“If negotiators reach an agreement on these matters by the end of January, I will bring it to the Senate floor for a free-standing vote,” McConnell said in a statement on Wednesday, December 20. “I encourage those working on such legislation to develop a compromise that can be widely supported by both political parties and actually become law.”

Many key senators have been collaborating with White House officials since September and have begun laying the groundwork for a legislative solution for DREAMers, of whom more than 800,000 have received work authorization, protection from deportation and driver’s licenses among many other benefits.

As previously reported by the Asian Journal, many DREAMers have reported better education and career opportunities since enrolling in the program introduced by former President Barack Obama in 2012.

“DACA was really life-changing for me,” Jennifer, a college graduate, shared with the Asian Journal in September shortly after DACA’s termination was announced. “Getting that real college experience helped me discover my passion which is physical therapy. I felt very grateful being in a family with three kids and being the first to graduate from college. It was so rewarding and I thank DACA. It was all because of that I was able to accomplish all of that.

And I knew it made my parents proud.”

Since the official termination of DACA on October 5, approximately 122 DACA recipients lose their benefits every day, according to civil rights and legal organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice).

Details have yet to be announced for the proposed solu-

tion, but Republicans in Congress and White House officials said that a DACA deal would need to be paired with border security as well as interior enforcement and “reforming important parts of our broken immigration system, including addressing the unlawfully established [DACA] program,” according to McConnell.

“We couldn’t finish this product, this bill, until we knew where the administration was,” Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who had been working on a DACA solution for the last part of the year, said after a meeting with White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. “And that’s why this meeting was so important.

Flake, who has been committed to providing a permanent legislative DACA bill, also said that he’s “pleased that the majority leader has committed to bringing the bipartisan DACA bill we are currently negotiating to the Senate floor in January.”

Delaying DACA also meant delaying any other legislative alternative for DREAMers, including the DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship to qualifying undocumented youth.

Since the termination of DACA, advocates for maintaining benefits to undocumented youth have pushed for Congress to pass a clean DREAM Act, but Congress still has not made moves to bring it to a vote.

Advancing Justice expressed outrage at the continuous delay of ensuring a legislative solution for the “nearly 13,000 immigrant youth [who] live in growing fear.”

“After weeks of public pressure led by undocumented youth, a handful of Senators and Members of Congress pledged their support for a swift passage of the DREAM Act by the end of the year,” Advancing Justice wrote in a statement on Friday, December 22. “For those who were not moved by the hundreds of undocumented activists and their allies mobilizing around the country, you have turned your back to these communities and left them at risk of deportation. There will be another opportunity in the New Year to do what is morally right and pass the DREAM Act. We demand you to do the right thing in January.”

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

organization.

And then there’s the also the unfortunate fact that many journalists are abandoning countries like Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya — often those in need to reporting — because they have become too dangerous. Other journalists have further chosen to pursue less dangerous professions. n

SAN FRANCISCO — There’s good news this holiday season for some victims that used the world’s largest money transfer company to send money to scammers — a refund may be forthcoming to ease the burden of these scam victims.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Western Union (WU) Company agree to return of $586 million to estimated hundreds of victims who used Western Union to unwittingly wire money to scammers.

This repayment is the result of a lawsuit was filed against WU after an FTC, DOJ and U.S. Postal Inspection Service joint investigation of scammers who used the wire transfer services of WU. In a telebriefing held recently through New America Media (NAM), moderated by NAM executive director Sandy Close, FTC Director for the Midwest Region Todd Kossow admitted that “it is unusual to get money back from many types of scams (but victims) now have an opportunity to get back their money back but they need to act quickly in order to do so.”

Kossow litigates and supervises consumer protection cases in federal district courts against companies and individuals. He was joined in the telebriefing by Lois

FTC director for Midwest Region Todd Kossow announced that the $586 million settlement already resolves the FTC’s civil fraud charges and DOJ’s criminal money laundering charges filed against Western Union, the world’s largest money transfer company

Lois Greisman associate director, Division of Marketing Practices in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection warns that even the settlement with the Western Union to refund scam victims may also be a subject of a scam itself considering the huge amount involved.

Greisman, associate director, division of marketing practices in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Money back from WU “Many people who are eligible to get their money back from Western Union are those who thought they won a prize or sweepstakes, owed back taxes from the IRS, or were sending money to get a grandchild out of trouble. But these are all scams,” explained Kossow.

The gist of both the civil and criminal charges is that Western Union knowingly allowed scammers to use its money transfer system to defraud consumers.

“Essentially, it did not do enough to protect people from fraud and it did not properly discipline agent that were facilitating the fraud.”

The $586 million settlement already resolves the FTC’s civil fraud charges and DOJ’s criminal money laundering charges. Kossow advised anyone who sent a money transfer between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017 through WU and lost money to a scam to submit a claim for the amount that they lost for they may be eligible for a refund.

But they must act quickly as filing of claim is only up to Febru-

u PAGE A6

A december 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

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Bonus tucked into GOP tax bill for those aiming to deduct medical expenses

by Michelle

Andrews Kaiser Health News

PATIeNTS scored a victory in the tough negotiations over the Republicans’ overhaul of the tax code.

The deduction that allows people with very high medical costs to shrink their taxable income by subtracting some out-of-pocket medical expenses was a moving target during the congressional debate this fall.

Some lawmakers wanted to repeal it, but people with serious illnesses or who need long-term care said that eliminating the tax break would be a serious financial blow.

Congress has come around to their way of thinking, at least for now. The tax bill passed this month preserves and expands it.

Under the new law, people whose unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income can claim a deduction for those expenses in 2017 and 2018. Then it is scheduled to revert to 10

percent for everyone, said Tara Straw, a senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research institute in Washington, D.C. That’s a lower threshold than current rules, which had required that people’s medical expenses exceed 10 percent of their income to take the deduction in 2017 if they’re younger than 65. For people 65 or older, the threshold already was set at 7.5 percent.

Yet even at the lower threshold, relatively few people can take the deduction because their medical expenses aren’t high enough, Straw said.

To start with, health insurance premiums for employersponsored coverage that many people pay for with pretax dollars generally don’t qualify, she said. “For many people, their premium is their biggest medical expense, and for most people, it can’t be deducted as a medical expense.”

In 2015, roughly 8.8 million taxpayers took the medical expense deduction, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

The House version of the tax reform bill eliminated the medical expense deduction, setting off alarm bells among consumer advocates for seniors and others. Lawmakers initially maintained that tax breaks such as the medical expense deduction weren’t necessary because their tax bill would provide so many other overall tax benefits to families.

The Senate version of the bill included the medical expense deduction and moved the threshold to 7.5 percent, at the behest of Sen. Susan Collins SOUTHBOUND. Hundreds of passengers wait for their bus ride to the Southern Luzon provinces at the Araneta Center Terminal in Cubao, Quezon (R-Maine), who was concerned City on Thursday, Dec. 20. The holiday rush has begun in the Philippines, which claims to have the world’s longest Christmas celebration.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez about high health care costs for seniors.

For the final bill, lawmakers settled on the Senate version. n This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editoriAFTeR tropical storm “Urdu- pathies to the local authorities ment Council show that a total ally independent program of the ja” lashed eastern Visayas and and communities, and assures of 12,682 families are still shelKaiser Family Foundation. southern Luzon, the French and its full solidarity with the Philip- tered in 381 evacuation centers United States government on pines,” it added. in Mimaropa, Bicol, eastern ViAccording to the embassy’s sayas, Western Visayas, Centeral Tuesday extended its full solidarity and prayers to Filipinos press attaché, Camille eve Marie Visayas and Caraga. and the Philippine government Conde, there are no information For its part, the U.S. embassy as it begins efforts rebuilding yet on an upcoming assistance. in Manila said they also offer “None yet so far on assistance. prayers to those killed and disdamaged areas.

In a statement sent to the me- I haven’t read anything yet about placed due to “Urduja”. dia, French embassy in Manila the Philippine government ask“Our thoughts and prayers are said “France expresses its con- ing for assistance,” she told the with those who have lost loved dolences to the families of the Philippine News Agency. ones and hope those who were The storm, which is now out evacuated can return safely and victims of the floods and landslides caused by the Tropical of the Philippine area of respon- quickly to their homes,” US sibility, claimed 41 lives.

Storm Urduja. embassy press attaché Molly Data from the National Di- Koscina told PNA. (Joyce Ann “In these difficult circumstances, France extends its sym- saster Risk Reduction Manage- Rocamora/PNA)

US, France offer prayers to ‘Urduja’ victims

El Cerrito swears in its first Fil-Am...

PAGE A4 t

energy Board.

In el Cerrito specifically, Quinto has served as a member of Human Relations Commission and the Committee on Aging. He is also involved as Council Liaison to Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission, the League of CA Cities/ environmental Policy Committee, the Association of Bay Area Government as a delegate representing el Cerrito, and the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee.

Quinto also serves on the executive Board of the east Bay Division - League of CA CIties; is an executive Board Member of the API Caucus and LGBT Caucuses of the League of CA Cities; is on the executive Committee of the Sierra Club Bay Chapter in which he represents

San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties; and is the Vice President of the West Contra Costa County League of Women Voters.

He is also the elected Delegate on the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County representing West Contra Costa County.

Diverse team backing him up Aside from being the first Fil-Am to become mayor of el Cerrito, Quinto was sworn in by fellow Fil-Am, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Benjamin T. Reyes II. Reyes was the first ever Fil-Am judge to ever serve on the Contra Costa County bench, and was the second FilAm judge to serve in the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties.

Assuming role of Mayor Pro Tem is Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto, el Cerrito’s first biracial

councilmember.

Pardue-Okimoto is African-American and Caucasian.

Quinto told the Asian Journal that among his priorities is building affordable housing for “teachers, students, seniors and people with disabilities.”

“This is a regional problem, not just an el Cerrito problem. We need to find creative ways to fund these projects, so the 15 housing bills that were passed by the Legislature in Sacramento will help give cities the tools to do so. We are in the process of creating a committee to change our city from a General City to a Charter City. This will give my city more local funding to build affordable housing. I plan to put this on the November 2018 ballot, and to let our residents decide,” he said. n

Western Union to refund victims of...

PAGE A5 t ary 12, 2018.

How to get refund “Those that previously reported a transfer through the Western Union to the FTC and to another government agency may have likely already have received a claim form in the mail and they should go to a special web page the FTC setup for this purpose at ftc.gov/wu. Once there click the button that says ‘I have a pre-filled claim form’, they can then use the claim ID and PIN on the form to submit their claim online,” detailed Kossow. “They can make a claim on the amount shown on the form and need not provide additional documentation. They can also make a claim for a larger amount. And then should submit any documentation thy have to support that larger amount.”

Those who did not receive a form in the mail can also submit claims, added Kossow, but should press the button marked “I lost money but did not get a claim form,” which will take them to the online claim form. Consumers using this should submit whatever documentation they have to support the claim such as the receipt or the transfer sent form and make sure they provide as many details as they can remember about the transfer.

Some that may not have any documentation are encouraged to still submit a claim with much-needed information that may make them eligible for a refund, provide their social security numbers (SSN) or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

If they do not have both the SSN or ITIN, they should simply check the box on the form that says they don’t have an SSN or ITIN and when asked to provide a reason, indicate that they are not a U.S. citizen or whatever explanation applies.

“Once a claim is submitted, the DOJ will take steps to verify it. If the claim is verified, it may take up to a year for people to receive a refund. The amount each consumer received depends on how much they lost and the number of people who submit valid claims,” clarified Kossow who also emphasized that even those outside of

the U.S. may be refunded as it is an international restitution claim.

Types of scams The types of scams that may have been employed include: •a) Sweepstakes scams where consumers were told that they won a prize in the Jamaican lottery, and they just have to pay fees through the Western Union for the taxes associated with their winnings before they get the prize; •b) Grandparent scam where a grandparent in the U.S. gets a call from somebody who impersonates a grandchild and ask grandma and grandpa to wire money because he is in trouble in another country to help me out; •c) Romance scam where consumers are asked to send money via Western Union in an online communication where someone outside the country purportedly falls in love with a victim online and suddenly comes up with an urgent need due an accident, illness, being victimized by criminals, etc.) and asks for money through Western Union; and •d) Mystery shoppers scam where somebody is told that they have been hired or is under consideration for hiring as a mystery shopper and they just need to do a couple of test shops using the consumers’ own money through Western Union outlets, among others.

International scope “These scams really are from all over the world. They use wire transfer because you can quickly send money anywhere in the world and it is really difficult for law enforcement to track,” Kossow explained.

Greisman was quick to warn that the huge amount of settlement is too tempting for another set of scammers to take advantage of and victimize those who already have fallen prey to scams.

“Scammers follow the news and you can be sure their eyes are open wide when they $586 million settlement with Western Union.

If you or someone you know was approached by a scammer, please report them immediately to our payment providers such as the Western Union i-Tunes reload, and also file a complaint with the

FTC. Complaints really matter.

Though we cannot help individuals on a one-on-one basis, those complaints help us and may help law enforcers across the country apprehend, identify and steal scammers,” Greisman said.

Con artists Greisman said that anyone who offers to help (process the claim) and request payment, no matter who they say they are, is a con artist. “Never pay for anything via wire transfer, gift card or cash reload card.”

Greisman also announced that impostor scams whether by mail, online or telemarketing are the main types of scams that they are on the lookout for.

“The scammer poses as a government official maybe from the DOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FTC, and the scammer tells you how to file a claim so you can get your money back. Or maybe the scammer will say that he is from Western Union and ready to assist you in filing a claim and ready to issue a refund check put in right on the mail. Whether pretending to be from the government or Western Union, stop right there. Nobody needs to pay to file a claim and only a scammer will offer such help,” Greisman cautioned.

Greisman also wanted everyone to start doubting if someone suddenly asks for upfront payment via wire transfers such as Western Union, or via gift card like Amazon as scammers may also ask that money be deposited on a card like money packs or reload it.

“For this kind of instrument all the scammers want is the PIN code at the back of the card so they can digitally load the money from the card straight into their account. So, anyone who asks any consumer to pay by one of these methods is trying to rip them off.

The bottom line is we don’t want anybody to lose a dime to the scammers,” advised Greisman.

She also encouraged everyone to talk with family and friends so they can be well informed to spot a scam.

For more information and/or report a scam, go to ftc.gov/wu or call the administrator at 1-844319-2124. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 23-26, 2017

A

Dateline PRevilla hiliPPines allowed to spend Christmas Eve outside jail

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

‘VINTA’ IN MINDANAO. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Division Chief, Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, gives an update on the location of Tropical Storm “Vinta” in a press conference held at PAGASA Weather Forecasting Center in Diliman, Quezon City on Thursday, Dec. 21. “Vinta” has maintained its speed and direction as it continues to move towards eastern Mindanao.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

Diokno: PH withdraws MCC grant application due to policy independence

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

In contrast to an earlier statement from Malacañang, a Cabinet official said that the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has pulled out its application from an independent United States poverty reduction agency due to policy independence.

Earlier this week, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed that the Philippine government’s decision to withdraw its application for a second grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has nothing to do with the perceived interference from the U.S. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, however, said in a state-run Philippine news Agency (PnA) report that was not the case.

Diokno claimed that the decision to withdraw was made in accordance with the administration’s independent foreign policy, saying that the president wants to implement projects “without external intervention.”

He further noted that funding offers from donors should be given “out of the goodness of your heart” without any consequence.

“Kung gusto mong magbigay, magbigay ka out of the goodness

of your heart pero ‘wag kami paki-alamanan. (If you want to help give it out of the goodness of your heart but don’t meddle with us),” the budget secretary said on Wednesday, December 20.

The MCC is an independent U.S. foreign aid agency that provides grants to promote economic growth in poor countries that are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investments in citizens, as stated in its official website.

The Philippines received a $434 million grant from the MCC in 2010, which expired in May 2016. The country has been listed as a “candidate country” for a second grant.

But on Tuesday, December 19, Malacañang announced that it has pulled out its application to focus on the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City in Mindanao.

“We have opted to withdraw from the second Millennium Challenge…The decision to withdraw was because of the urgent priority of the administration to rebuild Marawi,” Roque said.

In a briefing, the Palace official explained that the MCC grant would not cover projects that could be used for rebuilding Marawi City.

The Palace official also made it clear that the move has nothing to do with the Philippines’ failure to meet the MCC’s performance standard this year in terms of controlling corruption and of ensuring the rule of law.

In the MCC 2018 scorecard released last month, the Philippines scored zero in controlling corruption and -0.01 in ensuring the rule of law. The country’s percentile ranking in the low-income group category was 50 percent.

Roque likewise clarified that the Philippine government has no objections to any of the conditions set by the MCC in granting the aid, and that the decision to withdraw, has nothing to do with the supposed interference from the U.S. “no, none at all, not at all. not this instance. It was really just that Marawi happened. We did not expect it and it’s going to be very costly rebuilding,” the Palace official said.

While the Philippines has canceled its application for a second MCC grant, Malacañang expressed optimism that the U.S. government “fully understands the decision to reallocate our funding priority for this year and that this will not, in any way, ad-

u PAGE A9

InSTEAD of his detention cell, former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla will celebrate Christmas Eve with his family in Cavite.

This comes after the Sandiganbayan First Division partially granted the former senator’s furlough to spend the holiday with his family in their residence in Bacoor City, Cavite.

In a resolution released Thursday, December 21, the anti-graft court allowed Revilla to leave his detention cell at the Philippine national Police (PnP) Custodial Center no earlier than 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 24.

Revilla, who is facing plunder charges in connection with the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds, was directed to return to the detention center before 9 p.m. of the same day. In addition, the former senator was ordered to shoulder expenses to be incurred by the police escorts.

In a separate resolution, his chief-of-staff Richard Cambe was also granted a 10-hour furlough to celebrate the holiday with his family in Imus City, Cavite, under conditions similar to the former senator’s.

Revilla is accused of receiving P224-million ($5.1 million) in kickbacks through Cambe from ghost projects using the senator’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.

The two have been detained at the PnP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City since June 2014.

Earlier this month, Revilla filed a motion asking the Sandiganbayan to allow him to leave his detention from 11 a.m. on December 24 until 8 p.m. on December 25 and at 11 a.m. on December 31 until 8 p.m. on January 1.

“In view of recent events and the health conditions of his father, Senator Revilla Sr., accused Revilla needs the comfort and security of his family. There is nothing more important for accused Revilla in the these trying times than the love and support of his family,” his motion read.

The prosecution, however, argued that granting the furlough would give a negative impression to the public that the former senator is “a favoured detainee.”

“no less important, if this Honorable Court accedes to accused Revilla’s request, it will grant him a special privilege that is not accorded to an ordinary prisoner and unduly create an impression to the public that accused Revilla, being a high-ranking public official, is a favoured detainee,” the prosecution said in its motion dated December 14. n

Former Senator Bong Revilla Inquirer.net photo

A8 DECEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Protecting the people

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) turned 82 as it prepared for the one-year extension of martial law in the entire Mindanao. It is to the AFP’s credit that opposition to the extension, overwhelmingly ratified by the pro-administration super majority in Congress, has been generally subdued. It is also to the credit of this AFP that people perceive martial law in the Duterte administration to be different from military rule during Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship.

Public trust, however, must be nurtured. The perception that the AFP can be trusted with immense martial law powers can vanish overnight. In recent weeks, complaints have emerged, accusing the AFP of human rights violations in fighting the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists who laid siege to Marawi for five months. So far, however, the AFP is generally seen to have accomplished its mission in Marawi.

The AFP lost scores of its members in driving out the terrorists and killing their top commanders.

The military victory allowed residents to return to their homes for the difficult task of rebuilding a ruined city.

The one-year extension will still be challenged before the courts. But its implementation starts

on the first day of the new year, and the AFP must show that it can sustain its conduct in Marawi in the continued fight against Islamic State-inspired terrorists. Communist rebels have been added to the targets of martial law, which could alter perceptions of the way the battle is carried out.

After President Duterte declared Marawi “liberated” from the IS-Maute threat, soldiers returning from the battle received a hero’s welcome. This was a big cause for celebration yesterday at the 82nd anniversary of the Armed Forces. As the AFP looks forward to another year, its members must not lose public trust. Remembering their anniversary theme would be useful: “protecting the people, securing the state.” (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Ang sabsaban ay naging duyan (From horses’ trough to Jesus’ crib)

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “Thank you for the opportunity of hearing a voice, from an insignificant priest. For me, before, Christmas was all about family. Naturally, I would always be back home. There seemed to be a magnet at home, drawing me back there. For 2 years, that magnet had been defied. Were those Christmases not spent home wasted? I see them as a deeper meaning: as an invitation to discover the many people around me willing to open their doors for me to be part of their families. I think most of us learned the lesson of the first Christmas, when there was no room for Jesus in the inn they were led to the manger, the animals welcomed him because not one of his kind [had] opened

a door for him. Now, [I am] hoping that we learned the lesson: Christmas is openness, openness, openness. Being open to the moment and [to] discover that family is not only back there, it is also in here…on Christmas. God made the whole world his home so that nobody in this world may feel homeless, or fatherless, or motherless or a stranger. It is just amazing how the incarnation of God tamed the animals and in a way domesticated them. Imagine how they lent their most precious possession, their kural [feeding trough for horses or cattle] where they eat, so Jesus can take it as his crib.” – Fr. Aris Martin, December 18, 2017 WHOA…what a revelation. I had not viewed Christmas as a conscious taming of animals by the Higher Being, when unconscious human beings around Jesus’ time had become insensitive to another. Imagine that!

Ponder on that thought for a moment, what Fr. Aris Martin is sharing: “not one of his kind had opened a door for him [Jesus].”

How many times have we closed the doors on folks when they needed us?

Can we really say we know others, our neighbors perhaps?

Or can we even claim that we have broken bread with them?

Do we open our homes such that they can sit down, even to share their sorrows?

Or have we shared moments of our precious life with our church’s parishioners, walking perhaps on a trail in the park, or singing karaoke with them?

As a pastor, have we glanced eyes at the newcomers and welcomed them warmly, as if family members? Or invited them to have dinner with our families on Christmas Eve or dinner?

Or listen to heartbreaking stories of suicides and manage to

understand that after a suicide, the family survives yet permanently tainted with a shadow of this relative’s death, just like the novelist, writer and Soviet spy Ernest Hemingway?

What about our close friends?

We give our precious times with them, as our families. We do not hesitate to say, “Party, party, party!”

Can we say the same, about sacrificing our precious time to make room for Advent and preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus?

I have watched the musicians of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church’s adult choirs as they practice, as they sing their hearts out for Simbang Gabi, and still manage to serve hot meals to the parishioners on one of these cold mornings, while warming our hearts with their vibrance and joyful hearts?

But, they do not stop there.

They invite their musician friends to collaborate for an evening of singing, so they can raise a seemingly distant goal of having a world-class sound system at IHM Church.

Ten years ago, I already heard the pinging, the irritating noises of the church’s sound systems, yet, the choirs persisted to endure this sound system, until no more.

We need to help them acquire a sound system worthy of their joyful, vibrant voices but, also to dignify the world-class talent of their musical director, Pete Avendaño, who is mentoring singers and musicians, starting at second grade up to eighth grade and while they do well in music, they also do well in their academics.

Watch them as they form the only two Catholic schools (Immaculate Heart of Mary and Precious Blood Schools) admitted and qualified to perform with

other world-class singers at the LA County’s Christmas Eve program, performed live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and televised on PBS that same day.

Kung iiisipin natin na ang sabsaban ay naging duyan, diba, ang mangyayari ay pag may dinaramdam ang isang kaibigan, ay ginagawa nating duyan ang ating bahay para sa kanila? Diba, itinatalaga nating na ang kanilang problema ay problema nating lahat? When we think of the feeding trough that has been transformed into a crib, would it mean that a friend’s sorrow becomes ours as well? We empathize and share her sorrowful moments, without directing her path of change.

The homily by Fr. Rey Matunog on Wednesday, December 20 reminded us to count our blessings. What would it say about our lives? Would it say about

u PAGE A9

Duterte’s tax reform: Nothing short of revolutionary An opportunity to modernize Parañaque Commentary

RIGOBERTO D. TIGLAO IT will probably be only years after President Duterte steps down from office that we will realize that his tax reform program which the Congress—surprisingly, really—approved at breakneck speed is nothing short of revolutionary.

Not even the supposedly radical, communist National Democratic Front ever dared to demand—or even think of—what Duterte’s administration has done through the tax reform law, Republic Act 10963, which was passed the other day.

This is to exempt from any income tax the country’s lower classes—up to those receiving around P20,000 per month.

They have been taxed at least 5 percent since 1997, amounting to P14,500 to P50,000 annually.

Some 7 million workers are estimated to be exempted from income taxes under the new law, called the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).

The taxes squeezed from the lower classes for two decades have been actually higher as companies have been required to withhold 10 percent of salaries of all their staff, which they remit to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

In practice, the lower classes mostly no longer file the claims for a tax refund.

Even those with incomes P25,000 to P80,000 per month— roughly the country’s middleclass—will see their income taxes significantly reduced by P55,000 to P98,000 from 2018 to 2023. (See chart) I don’t think I am exaggerating when I claim that this part of the Duterte tax reform is nothing short of revolutionary. Such exemption of the poorest workers from income taxes has never been done. Duterte’s TRAIN has been the most sweeping reduction in income taxes ever.

Past presidents of course all had considered such exemptions or reductions as a way of building up their popularity with the people. They all had backed down after their finance secretaries told them that this risked a drastic fall in revenues, which could lead to a fiscal crisis. Their economic teams have also told them, that, counter-intuitively, such revenues from the lower classes are huge and easiest to collect, since it is the companies themselves that remit the 10 percent withholding taxes.

Perhaps the fact that the tax reform program’s main architect, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, unlike nearly all of his predecessors, wasn’t a big-business finance officer or accountant who see only static balance sheets. Dominguez has been for most of his working life a hands-on businessman, who intuitively grasped the fact that tax-rate reductions could lead to increased consumption of goods and services, and therefore to economic growth.

But it is not just Dominguez

of course who is responsible for the tax reform program. Primarily, it is Duterte’s achievement since, with his overwhelming popularity, and with the acumen for parliamentary work of his handpicked House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd, that the tax reform bill was passed so quickly and overwhelmingly—246 against 9in the House of Representatives and 17 to 1 in the Senate. The sole vote against the tax reform law was that of Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The tax reform project was quite wisely launched as soon as Duterte assumed office, and therefore the law could be enacted at the height of his political support.

The absurdity of the past income tax rates is obvious in that the highest tax bracket are those earning P42,000 monthly or more. This means that the same tax rate applies whether you’re a lower-middle-class employee earning P42,000 per month or a PLDT or an Ayala executive earning, say, P2 million a month.

The new law drastically changes this, with rising rates for four tiers of income: those earning annually P250,000 but not over P800,000; those earning over P400,000 but not over P800,000; over P800,000 to not over P8 million; and those earning over P8 million.

In Duterte’s mind, his tax reform is about freeing the working class from the burden of taxes, and shifting it to the classes that can afford it, the rich.

Indeed, the main tool for

If EDSA has become known as “carmageddon” (or the Armageddon of cars) because of the horrible traffic, Sucat Road AKA as Dr A Santos Avenue in Parañaque easily qualifies as zonageddon or the Armageddon of zoning.

If the concept of zoning had ever crossed the minds of Parañaque officials, that must have been in the distant past. Since then, no one has bothered to exhume the zoning plans from the archives.

Where else can you find on one stretch of road, three SM branches – SM Sucat, SM BF and SM Hypermart – two Pure Gold supermarkets (plus a third inside BF Homes), a WalterMart facility, a Virra Mall branch, a Lianas supermarket and a Shopwise supermarket, on top of ad hoc wet markets or talipapa, three hospitals, several schools and colleges, including Olivarez College, a branch of virtually every known bank in the country, dominated by several branches of Banco de Oro, multiple branches of every conceivable fastfood chain, in addition to several restaurants, two memorial parks, and who knows how many shops providing all kinds of services, from car repair to cargo forwarding to money remittance, some factories, plus an Elorde sports center – and all these on top of several subdivisions, including BF Homes and the San Antonio Valley subdivisions, plus churches (and two more supermarkets) in the residential areas.

And, oh yes, further down Sucat Road, there is NAIA One and a short distance from there is NAIA u PAGE A10 Two.

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA The result is a chaotic traffic situation to rival EDSA. Worst of all, the Parañaque city hall is located in San Antonio Valley One, just off Sucat.

As if this is not bad enough, vehicles (including trucks) wanting to avoid the traffic on Sucat take what they foolishly think is a short cut to South Superhighway by driving through San Antonio Valley into Better Living Subdivision to Bicutan (which qualifies as zonageddon part two, SM also has a Bicutan branch).

But wait. It gets worse. Maynilad, the water provider, has been digging up Sucat Road and the subdivision streets and has not bothered to do a decent patch up job on their diggings.

But wait. It gets much, much worse. The Parañaque city government has been allowing Maynilad to get away with it.’

I remember Sucat Road in 1968 when my wife and I built our house in San Antonio Valley 8. Back then, there were salt beds along the rutted, cogon-lined stretch, the beach resorts near Kabihasnan were still the destination of choice for company excursions, one could actually safely swim in Manila Bay and one could also buy freshly-caught fish from fishermen bringing in their early morning catch. This was

before the full-scale reclamation project along Roxas Boulevard.

South Superhighway was just being built.

When the Parañaque municipal building was moved from the town proper to San Antonio Valley One, we welcomed it because of the convenience the new location offered.

That was many decades ago.

What has happened to Parañaque and the Sucat Road area epitomizes the horrible state of public infrastructure in the country. It’s like having a grown man still struggling to fit into a pair of pants made for him when he was a little boy.

It serves no useful purpose to heap the blame on the current Parañaque government for a problem that began years back and became progressively worse over several municipal administrations and, subsequently, several city administrations (the town became a city in 1998).

In fact, I think that the situation is a golden opportunity for the current mayor, Edwin L. Olivarez, to imbue real meaning to his much-advertised slogan, Serbisyo Lang Po (with the letter “e” in “Serbisyo,” the letter “l” and the letter “o” in “po” highlighted to spell the mayor’s initials).

Olivarez has an opportunity to add genuine meaning to an otherwise clumsy attempt at self-promotion - the opportunity to modernize Parañaque city, to make it look even more modern than Manila, Makati, Taguig, Las Piñas or Pasay City.

Olivarez should move city hall out of the terribly congested Suc-

u PAGE A10

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

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OPINION & FEATURES

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2017

A9

Ang sabsaban ay naging duyan...

PAGE A8 t God’s miracles? For example, a boy born in the provinces, goes to school on scholarships, does well to go for his higher education, goes abroad for his doctorate?

Would it speak about now, your impact on serving other folks, so they can have a hand up?

More than a hand-up Recently, at breakfast, a friend was sharing what he did for a beauty queen — how he would wake up early before his work to give this beauty queen a ride from Mission Hills to Burbank (24 miles round trip) so she can go to film and acting school. After putting in an eight-hour workday, he would pick her up again from Burbank and take her back to Mission Hills — a total of 48 miles, not counting traffic from downtown Los Angeles to the Valley (Mission Hills to Burbank).

I was in awe of what he did — after all, this beauty queen was not a relative, she was a stranger to him. He did not stop there. He introduced her to key folks who would be interested in helping her as well: a photographer, an event producer, a church pastor. He ensured that she was introduced to all the resources she needed to start her life in America.

Did he wait for a thank you?

Did he expect gratitude from her?

What was beautiful or handsome, about my friend, Mike Z. is that he is not waiting for gratitude to impel him or drive him nor motivate him. That is who he is with anyone needing help, he gives his all, including any priest needing his help, or his province, Bulacan.

He is now onto his next project, sharing how he would be doing an essay contest to choose their next scholar — recipients for his province.

He shared photos of boatmen unloading 32 inches flatscreen televisions for all the classrooms and two airconditioning units for one of their province’s elementary schools. These are not used, these are new equipment for their provincial children to use. He wrote: “No donation is too small.

Together, we can make dreams come true for these students. This is just the beginning.”

Their fundraising was just done in Nov. 2017, and barely a month has passed, Mike is already reporting as the chair of the Meycauayan Association of Southern California. How about that for accountability?

Just as the horses and animals

were conscious enough to give up their troughs, their feeding boxes to make room for a crib for Baby Jesus, Mike is creating more heartspaces for others through his association and Pete is doing it with his church choir members.

At 3 years old, Matthew Stepanek wrote poems; by 5, he had a bestseller; and by 13 years old, and when he died, he had five best-selling books. He wrote this at age 6 on Oct. 16, 1996.

With this poem, I wish you all the best of Christmases and the most abundant, most Righteous and just New Year!

If my arms were as long as a rainbow, I would be able to reach all around the whole house, And maybe even up through the rooftop.

If my arms were as long as a rainbow, I would be able to reach around the whole neighborhood, And deep into the woods.

If my arms were as long as a big rainbow, I would be able to reach up the trees and down again, And all the way to the sun and the moon and the stars That shine so brightly onto our Earth.

And if my arms were as long as the biggest rainbow ever…

I would be able to reach all around the whole world!

If I could reach around the whole world, And around the sun and the moon and the stars, And around the neighborhood and the house, I would lift them all up and together into Heaven, So that all the people of earth and of Heaven Could hug and kiss each other.

But, my arms aren’t really that

long, So the only way I can hug and kiss the whole world Is by closing my eyes, And reaching out with my mind, And believing in my Heartsong, And sharing them with everyone and everything.

So in the end, We know that our arms and our minds and our hearts Are all as big as we believe them to be, Which might just be as long as a rainbow.

Just as a prolific, international, multilingual Filipino novelist, NVM Gonzalez once said, “Even The Rainbow Has A Body.” It is now a book of 31 subjects (three Filipinos, 24 Filipino-Americans, and four Italian-Americans) with distinct artistic legacies, which includes their lives of serving and mentoring others, published in California in 2016, authored by yours truly, edited by Nickee DeLeon-Huld, a foreword by Asian Journal Editor Christina M. Oriel with photographs by Hydee Ursolino and others. May your Christmas home be a crib for others! *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She 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, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

LAMPS OF HOPE. Inter-Agency Task Force for Securing Energy Facilities (IATFSEF) Secretariat head Lisa S. Go checks on the lamps which were turned over to Task Force Bangon Marawi. Based on the Department of Energy’s E-Power Marawi unconventional program, a number of solar street lights will be installed before the holidays in the transitional shelter site, while the rest will be used in the main battle area in Marawi City, as part of government efforts to rehabilitate Marawi.

PNA photo

Diokno: PH withdraws MCC grant...

PAGE A8 t versely impact our eligibility for another round of compact assistance in the future.”

The MCC, for its part, confirmed the Philippines’ withdrawal from the aid package.

“The government of the Philippines has decided not to move

forward with the development of a second MCC compact,” the U.S. agency said in a statement.

The “MCC is proud of the achievements of our first compact with the Philippines, and both MCC and the United States are proud of our longstanding positive relationship,” it added.

The agency also announced that it has selected Timor-Leste for a five-year grant program designed to spur economic growth and reduce poverty, and Gambia for a threshold program or a smaller grant program focused on policy and institutional reform. ■

A10 december 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Reuters pushes back, insists it gave Duterte’s office time to air side by auDrey

Morallo Philstar.com

MANILA — Award-winning news agency Reuters pushed back Thursday, December 21, against insinuations that its reporting on a police station in Quezon City manned by cops from Davao City was irresponsible for failing to get the government’s side.

It said President Rodrigo Duterte’s office was given enough time to air its comment.

Reuters journalists Clare Baldwin and Andrew R.C. Marshall detailed in a report how Quezon City Police District Station 6, where policemen from Duterte’s hometown of Davao City operated as a unit, launched deadly anti-drug raids over the past year.

These operations, the report said, made the station the “most lethal” in Quezon City after its officers killed 108 suspects from July last year to June 2017, accounting for 39 percent of the city’s total deaths.

The allegations prompted Harry Roque, a spokesperson for the president’s office, to pan the news organization, which he said gave them only one hour to respond to the story’s contents.

“That was a foul report. Reporter demanded our version within the hour,” Roque said Wednesday.

He doubled down on his criticisms of the news agency on Thursday, calling the report an example of “very bad journalism” as the organization did not get the side of the government.

Roque, however, admitted that he had not yet read the story.

Reuters pushed back on Thursday and essentially belied Roque’s assertion.

“The claim that Reuters gave the president’s office just an hour to respond is untrue,” the wire agency said in a statement.

Reuters said that questions were sent to Duterte’s office a week before the publication of the story, and it confirmed receiving the queries.

The agency said it followed up with phone calls and emails, but the president’s office never responded to its questions.

This is not the first time that Reuters released an article critical of the government’s ferocious war on drugs, a central component of Duterte’s anticrime and anti-corruption platform during the 2016 presidential elections that propelled him to the country’s highest office.

On November 27, it published an investigative story basically debunking police claim that suspects killed in a village in Manila offered violent resistance as they were being arrested.

The story, complemented with a security camera footage, detailed how cops in plain clothes cleared an alley in Tondo district before shooting a drug suspect.

During Senate hearings on the alleged liquidation squad that operated in Davao City during Duterte’s term there as mayor, a witness narrated how the town’s cops carried out the killings upon the orders of the tough-talking leader.

Since July last year, between 7,000 to 12,000 have died in the government’s war on drugs, but government authorities disputed this figure. Senior officials have also denied allegations that the president is condoning rights abuses in his administration’s drug war. n

BBL BRIEFING. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (right) fields questions to members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission during the briefing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law on Wednesday, December 20. The bill would establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, which would replace the existing Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Also in photo are (R-L) Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, along with Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

Opposition solons received zero infra budget

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

spective budgets would not fund “pet projects” but were intended for “essential infrastructure” under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program itself.

“What would be adversely affected are the construction of roads and bridges, highways leading to tourism destinations, diversion roads to decongest traffic, flood protection like dikes and seawalls, and public buildings.

What is worse is that highways and bridges for completion in 2018 would be left hanging and unfinished,” Lagman said.

In a separate statement, Baguilat, also a member of the Liberal Party (LP), described the budget slash as an act of “revenge” that will harm citizens.

“Exacting revenge on the genuine opposition solons by removing projects dedicated not to them but to their citizens shows their desire for autocracy, for dangerous dictatorship. The healthy exchange of opposing views is crucial in a democracy,” Baguilat said.

Stressing that the “constituents in Ifugao are taxpayers too,” Baguilat pointed out that the slashed allocations would have been been used to improve national roads to the rice terraces and poor upland

communities.

Earlier this week, Duterte signed the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA), or next year’s P3.767trillion national budget. A copy of the GAA, however, has yet to be publicly released.

An InterkAskyon report dated Tuesday, December 19 identified seven lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc and five from LP who were denied infrastructure funds.

From the Makabayan bloc, lawmakers include Representatives Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), France Castro (ACT Teachers), Emmie de Jesus (Gabriela), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis), and Sarah Elago (Kabataan).

LP members, meanwhile, include Representatives Bolet Banal (Quezon City), Kit Belmonte (Quezon City), Francis Gerard Abaya (Cavite), Vicente Alcala (Quezon), and Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Island).

InterAksyon also identified District Representatives Antonio Floirendo (Davao), Imelda Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Aurora Cerilles (Zamboanga del Sur), Valentina Plaza (Agusan del Sur), and Milagrosa Tan (Samar) as among lawmakers who suffered the budget slash. n

TWENTY-FOUR members of the House of Representatives who have been critical of the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte received no infrastructure funds for the year 2018, an opposition lawmaker said on Wednesday, December 20.

Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman said he and other members of the group Magnificent 7, as well as other solons known for their “steadfast critical dissent and perceived waywardness,” were given zero appropriation for their infrastructure projects in the newly-signed 2018 budget.

“Vengeance plus caprice equal zero allocations for authentic opposition Representatives and other targeted legislators in the House of Representatives,” Lagman said.

The remaining members of the Magnificent 7 include Representatives Edgar Erice (Caloocan), Teddy Baguilat (Ifugao), Raul Daza (Northern Samar), Emmanuel Billones (Capiz), Gary Alejano (Magdalo), and Tom Villarin (Akbayan).

Lagman did not name the other congressmen who were denied infrastructure funds.

“The zero allocations are projected to punish and silence opposition legislators even as it is their constituencies who are deprived of the benefits of infrastructure development,” Lagman added.

According to him, the slashing of funds was done in the bicameral conference with the Senate, “reportedly upon instructions of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.”

“Why punish citizens and communities for the earnest and valiant efforts of their Representatives to maintain responsible dissent as the bedrock of democracy?” he asked.

President Rodrigo Duterte is flanked by lawmakers as he leads the Ceremonial Signing of the He then stressed that their re- 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, December 19.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

Duterte’s tax reform: Nothing short of...

PAGE A8 t

the redistribution of assets in a democratic, capitalist system has been through taxes, so much so that the most equitable countries in the world, such as the Scandinavian nations and Canada, impose taxes on the rich to take from them half of their income. In some welfare-state nations, taxes on the transfer of inheritance are very steep so as to encourage billionaires to invest their wealth more into industries and philanthropy.

However, the economics behind TRAIN is the belief that a consumption-based tax system, one based on taxing purchases of services and goods, is better than a tax system based on incomes, and even serves to stimulate the economy. Thus, TRAIN, while reducing income taxes,

will expand the value-added tax system and will raise tax rates on the purchase of sweetened beverages, fuels, tobacco, coal and luxury cars.

This of course will also hit the poor in terms of higher rates of inflation, but Duterte and Dominguez’s calculations—to which the Congress obviously agreed by passing the tax-reform law—show that this won’t be big enough to eat into their increased incomes resulting from their being exempted from income taxes.

The big risk in such a program is whether the revenue lost from the reduced income taxes will be bigger than those raised from the consumption tax. Dominguez calculates that the net impact will be P134 billion in revenues, a significant part of which will be

through a more efficient tax collection due to TRAIN’s simplified rates not only for income taxes but for such taxes as donors’ and estate taxes.

But economics is never ever an exact science, and there is really no assurance that Dominguez’s calculations are correct, and revenues may even fall drastically. But revolutions are never, as Mao Zedong pointed out, a picnic.

After Duterte’s TRAIN though, I don’t think any president would even think of imposing taxes on the 7 million he has exempted starting next year.

Even just with this liberation of the working classes from its income-tax burden, Duterte in his 18 months in office has already made his enduring legacy.

(ManilaTimes.net)

An opportunity to modernize...

PAGE A8 t at Road neighborhood and transplant it in the reclamation area now populated by plush casinos and the humongous SM Mall of Asia, the new entertainment and cultural hub of Metro Manila, located right within Parañaque’s jurisdiction.

Frankly, this is a solution to a disgraceful zoning situation that should have been attended to by mayors past. But they did not.

Now Mayor Olivarez has a chance to prove that he is a much better visionary than his predecessors.

For months, all kinds of patchwork solutions have been conceived to ease the Sucat Road traffic problem, but it took an appeal on social media by my eldest son, Ringo to prompt me to pursue this matter. He is the only member of my immediate family still occupying our old house in San Antonio Valley 8 and every day he has to suffer the torment

of negotiating Sucat or Bicutan traffic to get to his job in Taguig.

This is what my son posted on Facebook: “Mayor Edwin Olivarez - It’s high time to think about the worsening traffic situation in San Antonio Valley. This is only going to get worse. Maynilad projects have no end in sight and have left our roads in shambles, traffic volume will never go back to manageable levels, and Sucat is now a major thoroughfare.

Short term solution is getting Greenheights to allow passage to vehicles for those going towards SM Sucat and beyond, and Barangay Village allowing passage for vehicles headed towards the highway to free up San Antonio Avenue. Long term solution is to start considering relocating the Paranaque City Hall somewhere in the reclamation areas. Having it in Valley 1 was okay back in the 70s-80s. This is no longer feasible. The new rubber humps at City Hall and San Antonio

Church serve no purpose except to slow down what already is a crawl through congestion, potholes, and badly made concrete humps. (And by the way, do we really need that many to begin with?).”

Opening up the subdivisions to public vehicular traffic was one of the short-term solutions conjured by Sec. Art Tugade which met stiff resistance from homeowners, especially in the exclusive villages. At any rate, it really is a band-aid solution to an infrastructure deficit problem.

But the idea of relocating Parañaque city hall to the reclamation area, ahead of Pasay City, (which also has jurisdiction over parts of the area) would be a coup. It would also be a lasting monument that will bear Olivarez’s name. It would be a shame if the mayor does not get this done during his tenure. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

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Journal Jericho Rosales to star in directorial Jake Cuenca: Made for Lizardo debut of LA-based Fil-Am screenwriter by

Tessa MauRicio-aRRioLa ManilaTimes.net

DeButInG director and producer Coco Martin was right on the money when he said there can be no other Lizardo to his Panday but the ever evolving actor Jake Cuenca.

The Times watched the newest remake of the late fernando Poe Jr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic comic adaptation, and Jake was just plain wicked from every angle. In the guise of rich unico hijo Antonio, pining for Pandayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girl Maria, he was both slick and smutty. As the reincarnated Lizardo, he was the demon come to lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from his burning gaze, the slight yet threatening tilt of his head, to his slow and

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

After 15 years of working as screenwriter and production manager in various Hollywood projects, Los Angeles-based filipino-American eileen Cabiling, a fellow of the prestigious American film Institute (AfI), is venturing into directing backed by a multi-awarded creative team.

Cabiling, who has worked as a screenwriter and animation writer-for-hire for Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winnie the Poohâ&#x20AC;? and Discovery Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;the terrainialsâ&#x20AC;? (co-creator), is directing a major project consisting of a 20-minute short and a full-length feature film. â&#x20AC;&#x153;the short film is an ambitious international production that is performance, cinematic and choreographically driven,â&#x20AC;? Cabiling told The Star in an interview for funfare. â&#x20AC;&#x153;the script, which I myself wrote, is about self-value, survival and confronting difficult options.â&#x20AC;?

It will be entered at international film festivals and will serve as a significant part of Cabilingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;financing package as proof of style, vision and collaborationâ&#x20AC;? with award-winning members of her creative team to potential investors, studios and production companies for financing the fulllength feature. the short film, titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make You feelâ&#x20AC;?, is about a fisherman named Bong who is faced with the grim reality that the fish are dwindling in his Philippine seaside village because of climate change and overfishing, and his livelihood and familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s survival are in peril. Playing Bong is Jericho rosales who, according to Cabiling, â&#x20AC;&#x153;is a deep talent with a big heart and epic rangeâ&#x20AC;? recognized with multiple Best Actor wins for films like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Balerâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alagwaâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pacquiao the Movieâ&#x20AC;?.

Eileen Cabiling (center) with Jericho Rosales and his manager Tita Marines. The short film, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make You Feel,â&#x20AC;? stars Rosales as a fisherman named Bong, who is faced with the grim reality that the fish are dwindling in his Philippine seaside village because of climate change.

the team is hoping to finish the short film in early January next year as soon as Jericho has time to shoot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;the aim is to film the short in January and move onto the full feature by spring or summer of 2018,â&#x20AC;? Cabiling explained.

Joining the team is Cabilingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-producer Darlene Malimas whose films â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aparisyonâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Da Dog Showâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;SeĂąoritaâ&#x20AC;? were shown in festivals abroad. Malimasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; documentary, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Landscape Withinâ&#x20AC;?, was named Best Documentary at the Chicago reeling International film festival and Best Cinematography at the Byron Bay film festival in Australia. Her horror film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blissâ&#x20AC;? bagged the Yakushi Pearl Best Performance Award at the 2017 Osaka Asian film festival.

Also part of the group are Jae Hyuk Lee, director of photography; and Benjamin tolentino, editor, both AfI fellows like Cabiling; and teresa Barrozo, composer. Lee has worked on feature films in South Korea, the most recent of which was Bong

Joon-hoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cannes Palme dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Or nominated action-adventure film Okja. tolentino edited the movie transit, the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; official entry to the 2014 Academy Awards for Best foreign film. He also has edited features that have premiered at Cannes (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Death Marchâ&#x20AC;?) and Venice (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blankaâ&#x20AC;?).

Barrozo has collaborated with famous filipino directors for movies like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zombadingsâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aparisyonâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Giftedâ&#x20AC;?; and with Brillante Mendoza on â&#x20AC;&#x153;thy Wombâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lola, Captiveâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;tiradorâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rosaâ&#x20AC;?.

Her music won Best Original Soundtrack at the 42nd Sitges International film festival in Spain for Mendozaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kinatayâ&#x20AC;?; Best Sound and Aural Orchestration at Young Critics Circle for Adolf Alixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kalayaanâ&#x20AC;?; and Best Music at the Metro Manila film festival for Joyce Bernalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;10,000 Hoursâ&#x20AC;?.

Cabiling and her team, who are now in pre-production, continue to gather funds for the project and have so far raised half of their target.

ominous enunciation of words and exaggerated laughter.

As the arch nemesis of the third generation super hero blacksmith in 2017 Metro Manila film festival entry, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Panday,â&#x20AC;? the immortal spawn of darkness, according to Jake, is his â&#x20AC;&#x153;most favorite roleâ&#x20AC;? to date. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they give me the Best Supporting Actor Award I will cry! I will really cry because this is my most favorite role ever, in my 15 years in showbiz,â&#x20AC;? he exclaimed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done so many things in my careerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;acting in mainstream and indie, winning awards here and there, studying actingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but this role is really the one, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Jake Cuenca PAGE B2 Photo from Instagram/@junacarloscuenca

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B DECEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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A movie of friendship and gratitude Palace welcomes cartoon version of Duterte in ‘The Simpsons’

by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman, the lead actors of the gay-themed Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Deadma Walking” know they are facing formidable opponents at the box-office.

Both of them are hopeful that this movie, produced by The Times Entertainment Productions and directed by Julius Alfonso, will attract a sizeable chunk of the audience to have a successful run during the festival.

“The success of the film at the box-office rests upon the audience. But we do hope that you can help us spread the word that we a have good project in our hands,” said Joross who graduates to lead status in this Eric Cabahug screenplay, which won second prize at the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature last year. “We hope the movie becomes a blockbuster.

For his part, EA cites the positive feedback garnered by the trailer of “Deadma Walking”.

“We are gladdened by reactions to our movie’s trailer. The comments we’ve been receiving really

Edgar Allan Guzman and Joross Gamboa in ‘Deadma Walking.’

Philstar.com photo

heartwarming,” he said.

Joross describes the script as “very well-written” in featuring situational comedy. “siyempre may wit ang biritan but it is fun to play around with the scenes because our director is very good,” added EA. Meanwhile, they are both elated that their good friend Gerald Anderson agreed to do a cameo for Deadma Walking. “We just sent him a text and asked him if he can do one and he readily agreed. He asked us when’s the shoot and that he’ll adjust his schedule,” said EA.

EA also relishes the fact that he was just a back-up dancer to Joross, and now shares lead billing with him.

“I didn’t expect this to happen but it gives me a great feeling. never did I imagine that one day I’d be an actor but now I am costarring with the man who paved the way for my entry to showbiz,” EA said gratefully.

“Whatever it is that EA and Gerald have achieved, it belongs to them. They made it because they worked hard. I just introduced them to showbiz,” said Joross of his friends.

“I remember telling them before that they might also become a celebrity like me and that they would probably be even more popular than me. And now it’s happened because they worked hard and kept their feet firmly planted on the ground.”

Finally, Eric Cabahug, writer of “Deadma Walking”, said of the MMFF entry, “This is my tribute to friendship and the special role that friendship has in our lives. There are many movies na nasa side ‘yung kwento ng best friends. I really wanted to focus on friendship.”

PH’s DMX-Comvaleñoz dance crew and beatboxer Neil Rey Garcia Llanes still did the country proud with their second and third place finish.

Philstar.com photo

Indonesian illusionist wins ‘AGT2’; PH bets place 2nd and 3rd

by ARlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Las Piñas missed the cut along with child music prodigy Feng E of FILIPIno viewers of the reality Taiwan and harpist Angela July of show, “Asia’s Got Talent season Indonesia.

In the second elimination, ADEM 2,” were ecstatic, thrilled and hopeful at the same time, what Dance Crew of Kyrgyzstan and with three kababayan acts out sobhi shaker of Malaysia were sent of nine making it to the final cut. off the stage, followed by Canion But it was Indonesia’s illusionist shirjrbat of Mongolia, finally leavThe sacred riana who got the ing two Filipinos in the Top 3.

When the illusionist Marie Anmost number of votes across the continent and the $100,000-cash toinette riana Graharani was called first for the Top 2 spot, hopes for a prize in the end.

Placing second was the all-male- 1-2 finish for the Philippines went dressing-as-female dance-gymnas- down the drain.

“We somehow knew that it’s tics group from Compostela Valley in Mindanao, DM-X Comvaleñoz. The sacred riana who would win Third was beatboxer neil rey but we still hoped in our hearts that DM-X Comvaleñoz may have Garcia Llanes.

By the first elimination, the all- gotten the highest number of boy dance group Urban Crew from votes,” said an audience member

at the live viewing of the show on December 14. showcasing their talents one last time, The sacred riana called on the dead to ask what judge Jay Park’s biggest fear was in his mind. she called Park along with several other audience members to the stage to place their hands on a ouija board. The letters spelled, “Unhappiness,” the same word The sacred riana had previously written on a piece of paper as her guess. Her audience was amazed.

Meanwhile, the Filipino dance group performed an adrenalinehigh number, the kind that propelled them to popularity since AGT’s auditions, but their votes weren’t enough to dislodge the Indonesian.

by

Alexis RomeRo Philstar.com

A CArToon version of President Duterte appeared in an episode of “The simpsons,” a popular American television series known for poking fun at famous personalities.

In the “Mueller meets Trump” episode, a framed photo of Duterte and U.s. President Donald Trump doing the Association of southeast Asian nations summit (AsEAn) handshake could be seen hanging on the wall of the American leader’s office.

The photo depicted the awkward handshake of the two leaders during the Philippines’ hosting of the regional meet last month.

The episode portrayed Trump as someone who was willing to pay bribes to stop the investigation on the alleged meddling of the russian government in the 2016 U.s. presidential elections.

The cartoon version of Trump flooded the room with money and offered this to special counsel robert Mueller, the special counsel leading the probe on russia’s involvement in the U.s. elections.

He also offered Mueller the chance to become a judge of the Miss Universe pageant, an allusion to allegations that the American president committed sexual misconduct against women.

“I do the best bribes, everyone says so,” the cartoon version of Trump said.

President Duterte appears in an episode of “The Simpsons” in a screengrab from a video posted on YouTube on Dec. 14. The image was inspired by the awkward handshake between Duterte and President Trump during the opening ceremony of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila last month.

Screengrabbed from YouTube.com

“If you (want to) see the girls, just go in the door that says don’t go in.”

While the episode was not meant to be flattering to Trump, Malacañang viewed it in a positive light, saying it reflected the impact of the Philippines’ hosting of AsEAn. “That picture of world leaders with the AsEAn leaders has become iconic and has made a mark among the people. And the fact that a cartoon artist of ‘simpsons’…had a creative idea and drew it, it means that AsEAn really made a mark,” Presidential Communications operations office secretary Martin Andanar told radio station dzMM.

“The AsEAn was that successful not only in the Philippines but in the whole world. Even Americans watched the handshake of our President and President Donald Trump,” he added.

While Duterte is being portrayed negatively by several foreign media outlets, Andanar said the cartoon reflected the appeal of the Philippine leader.

“The fact that President Duterte was included, that means that he has a different appeal to the one who made that picture. of course, we are happy that it was created because it showed how successful we were in hosting AsEAn,” Andanar said.

Director Paul Soriano considers film awards a bonus

by GeoRGe

KABRisAnte ManilaTimes.net

AFTEr three failed attempts at fielding his entries in the past Metro Manila Film Festival, movie director Paul soriano is more than thrilled at the prospect of “siargao” being watched by a lot of people.

He admits to the fact that most of his films in the past were mostly limited to niche audiences.

Caveat has seen the remarkable and highly organic cinematography of his films such as his debut film “A Journey Home,” then “Thelma,” “Kid Kulafu,” “Dukot,” and siargao. over the week, he tendered an intimate Christmas party with some members of the entertainment press at his production house called TEn17P at the compound of La Fuerza Building along Chino roces, Makati City.

“Siargao” director Paul Soriano

Caveat had taken a closer look at the spunky interior of the director’s workplace. Its leitmotif is dominated by the perfect contrast of the sheen of black and white which spoke highly of director soriano being touted as an avowed perfectionist.

Calls to mind one time his father, TV commercial and film director Jeric soriano — known for “Hotshots” — in jest referred to Paul being the eldest as the oC (obsessive-compulsive) of the rest of his siblings when it comes to the stringent demands of perfection required of any project.

Considering that perfection can hardly be achieved, direk Paul says he at least strives to make things perfect from his first shot to the last, not leaving anything to chance. He is more than a perfectionist on the set, although he thinks it can be touted either a

MAnilaTimes.net photo

Jake Cuenca: Made for...

PAGE B1 honored to do it with Coco Martin as my lead and director.” reacting to Coco’s statement that he had no one else in mind for Lizardo, Jake, who has chosen to be a serious character actor over the years, genuinely said, “I was so touched by that.”

Likewise confident in their screen chemistry, he explained, “When you put me and Coco in a scene you, never know what to expect. Even I don’t know what to expect! I meant that last fight scene—whew! We shot it for three days, from 6 pm to 6 am. It was a heavy, heavy day but it was all worth it.”

Asked by The Manila Times how he felt to be directed by an actor of his generation and a fellow artist at ABs-CBn, Jake was only too happy to share pieces of trivia to explain his sentiment.

“We were together in GMA pa!” he quipped. “And I went to my first audition as an actor with Coco beside me. After that, we did [the drama series] ‘Tayong Dalawa,’ which was a big hit—and he was the kontrabida there, believe it or not—and so many other milestone projects between that and this movie.

“But I have to say that I love that he’s my director now. I mean he’s always been part of creative, and sometimes it’s gets confusing—not just with Coco—with writers and directors in general who an actor should listen to. And with Coco being both the director and writer of this story, I love it. What had to be done was so much clearer.

Jake in a scene from “Ang Panday.”

“Add to that, he’s also an actor’s director. There’s not a lot of them out there like that who understands everything from scene to scene. We had such a huge cast but he knew how to make everyone look good in the movie—like Kylie [Versoza] and Mariel [de Leon]who were first timers. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of people and that’s a talent on its own.”

Happy with how Coco pulled out the evil in him for Lizardo, Jake said he was so happy after the preview to hear everyone commend him for his originality.

“You know when you come to my house, there’s a painting of Joker [from Batman] in every room. And with the makeup and costume that comes with Lizardo, the hardest thing to do in the movie was not to copy the Joker. I mean, I didn’t go to the states [to study acting]and go through [Hollywood acting coach] Ivana Chubbuck’s master class twice to copy some-

weakness or a strength.

Being both producer and director in all his projects, the challenge is to be in control of every aspect of filmmaking from concept, narrative, structure, marketing and promotions.

As his own director he imposes upon himself to paying close attention to cinematography upon which to show mood shots through color and composition. He wants his viewers to experience and embrace the given mood and color which helps move and enhance the narrative much farther, making a film at hand worth every second of viewing.

What do moviegoers expect to see from his latest opus? It’s his sort of homage to siargao, having visited the surfing capital for the past six years — with topnotch actors like Jericho rosales, Erich Gonzales and Jasmine Curtis with the special participation of local surfers breathing life into their respective characters.

Is he aiming for an award?

He does not work for awards, he points out, but if they come it would be most welcome, an added bonus for all of them in his production team.

Direk Paul is actually not unfamiliar with film awards. He has bagged Best Director and Best screenplay at the Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) for “Thelma.” The same movie also won for him Digital Movie of the Year, Digital Movie Director of the Year and Digital Movie original screenplay of the Year with Froilan Medina in the 28th Philippines Movie Press Club (PMPC) star Awards for Movies in 2011. And it’s not far from possibility he will receive similar distinction in this year’s MMFF.

Photo from Instagram/@junacarloscuenca

one else’s performance, and thankfully, everything worked out.”

Clearly made for Lizardo, Jake Cuenca hopes that the public will support the return of Panday to the big screen, assuring them of time and money well spent.

“I can honestly say this is one movie I put the most effort in, so what more with Coco right? And he did this for the enjoyment of the masses so please, come see Ang Panday because this is for all of you,” he ended.

Joker feel? Hardest thing with the movie was not to copy the joker in my house joker painting in every room. The last thing I want people to say is to ginagawa niya si Joker. I didn’t go to school in the states, Ivan’s to copy someone else’s performance. I’m happy I felt right away they loved the performance. never saw the fight scene in the end. I was at the edge of my seat.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2017

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Vice & Pia: When 2 queens meet

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

One rules the Universe and the other lords over the Tills. So what happens when Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Box Office Vice Ganda meet? The two queens meet, rather clash, in “Gandarrapido: Revenger Squad”, Star Cinema and Viva Films’ entry in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). In one scene (highlighted in the trailer), Pia stuns Vice with a big slap on the face. “It was funny and at first, I didn’t know how to do it so I wouldn’t hurt Vice,” recalled Pia. You see, during the shoot, Pia did so weakly that Vice told her to hit him harder and Pia did just that, prompting Vice to remind her goodhumoredly, “Pia, hindi pa ‘take’!”

Here’s more about the two queens in a one-on-two: (To Vice): You are considered the queen of MMFF. Are you pressured to keep that title?

Vice: even without a title, I still pressure myself to always improve my next project. I’m not contented with whatever I have at the moment. I make sure na pagbutihin ko at lampasan yung ganda ng last project ko.

(To Pia) How was it working with Vice for the first time?

Pia: Working with Vice was a lot of fun. I’m glad that my first starring role in a movie was with Vice. He made it so easy because he guided and was so funny at the same time. We did have some girl talk about love and sometimes beauty tips. Vice is like the sister I never had. He’s amazing!

Describe your roles in the movie.

Vice: My character’s name is Gandarra, a superhero na nakakuha ng kapangyarihan sa bertud ng isang lipstick.

Pia: My character’s name is

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtbach and Vice Ganda

Kweenie, a superheroine with a super power called smizenopsis, a kind of hypnotism with a smize.

What about your best scenes?

Vice: My best scene is the one in which I’m fighting with the major villain. It was very emotional and very dramatic.

Pia: The best are the fight scenes. We were guided by experts who worked in international films so the choreography was really good.

(To Vice) You used to be directed by Wenn Deramas in several hits. Now, you were directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal for the second time (the first was in Beauty & the Bestie last year). Any difference in Wenn’s directorial style and Joyce’s?

Vice: Very different. Parang apples and lemons. Magkaibangmagkaiba. They cannot be compared to each other.

(To Pia) What other roles do

Star Cinema photos

you want to play?

Pia: A lot more. I wouldn’t mind playing a superheroine again though. There are many superheroines with different powers so the possibilities are endless, so many other superheroines to explore.

(To Pia) Three actors you would like to work with?

Pia: enrique Gil, Piolo Pascual and Joshua Garcia.

What do you expect in 2018?

Vice: I expect 2018 to be better even if 2017 has been a good year.

God has been mysterious. He’s like a magician. Ang dami puwedeng gawin sa akin at ipagawa sa akin.

Akala nag-peak na ang career. It turned out that He had many more plans for me. I welcome the new Year and the challenges coming my way.

Pia: We’re working on a travel show. Hopefully, another movie.

I’m planning to release a book.

Keeping my fingers crossed that all of these will happen.

Erich Gonzales to end year with triumphant heart

by MJ

MaRfoRi ManilaTimes.net

Erich Gonzales

In tiptop shape and thriving in showbiz, everything is going great for erich Gonzales. Part of the 2017 Metro Manila Festival entry “Siargao,” she told In the Know at the movie’s press conference that she learned so much in the past year, especially after going through a major breakup.

She started over by deciding to switch to a fresher take on showbiz projects, preferring roles that are bolder and direct to the point.

In Siargao, for example, she is heartbroken blogger who flees to the teardrop-shaped province.

Inquirer.net photo “Maraming makaka-relate sa

character ko kasi marami rin naman nagdaan sa ganoong klaseng pagsubok pero pinapakita talaga rito yung proseso ng pagdadaanan doon,” she said of her role.

Obviously, erich has many similarities with her character’s story, which is why she admitted she had so much “hugot” in her portrayal. She was quick to clarify that her heart has mended and healed, and that she was “whole again” while doing the movie. “naka-move on na po talaga ako noong ginagawa ko ang pelikula at wala na ako hang up. Masaya na po talaga ako ngayon and I intend to keep it that way.”

Nadine Lustre beautifully transformed

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

AT 24, nadine Lustre is one confident young woman not bound by expectations and stereotypes. A singer before she rose to fame as an actress via the 2014 romantic comedy movie “Diary ng Panget”, she is not afraid to speak her mind (Come on, guys, she noted, “It’s 2017 and…” Isn’t there really anything wrong with living-in?). She follows her passions with fervor, and follows her heart without fear.

But not many people know that nadine used to be insecure about herself. She used to sweat the small stuff, worrying about the things she had no control over. She admitted to being a people pleaser, who would do anything and everything just to gain the approval of the public, including her bashers.

“With my line of work as a celebrity, sometimes sa isip namin na ‘Oh shoot, we have to please everyone, you have to make everyone happy,’ ganyan, ganyan,” she said.

Those days are over, bless her! ever since she realized that the only ones she needed to please were herself and the people that truly matter in her life, nadine has stopped worrying about what others would think and say about her.

“With me kasi, I only want to please people who really believe in me, who really accept me for who I am. It’s about being able to show everyone kung sino talaga ako and not being afraid na ma-judge ako.

Or na may masabing masama sa akin ’yung mga tao.” nadine is considered by leading hair care brand Cream Silk as one of its seven Modern Filipinas who worked hard to transform into the best version of herself.

“If you learn to conquer your doubts and fears, good things would come into your life. Be yourself and then conquer your fears,” advised nadine. “That’s how I found myself and stopped thinking about what other people would think, stopped thinking about being scared. When I stopped thinking about these things, du’n ko mas nakilala ’yung sarili ko. From time to time, I would still encounter people who would tell me that I am not good enough. But you know what, it doesn’t hurt me anymore.”

What kind of diet do you follow? “none. I don’t really deprive

Nadine Lustre

Philstar.com photo

myself of the food that I want to eat. I think the secret is you just take everything in moderation.

The more you deprive yourself of, say, a certain dessert, the more you crave for it.”

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

“I always like to have a hearty Pinoy breakfast, especially since breakfast, as they say, is the most important meal of the day. For lunch, I would eat whatever I feel like eating. For dinner, I’d go for steak. nothing beats a good steak to cap off a busy day.”

Any snacks between meals?

“If I don’t like to feel heavy, I’d have some salad or a sandwich.

Salad kasi would make you feel full but not heavy. For me, it’s the perfect meal to stave off hunger pangs in between big meals. Plus, it’s easy to pack and eat whenever I have location shoots.”

What workout do you do?

“Since I don’t follow a strict diet, bumabawi ako sa workout. During my spare time, I do boxing, cardio, weight-lifting and TRX, which helps improve my core, balance, flexibility and strength. TRX is an intense workout, but you only use your body weight in doing several exercises. Plus, you don’t have to go to the gym because you can do TRX anywhere.”

Any other part of your body that needs improvement?

“Siguro more on toning na lang.

I don’t intend to bulk up or have super big muscles. I want leaner arms, stronger legs.”

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

“I think arms. That’s why I love

doing TRX because it’s a combination of cardio and strength training.

It also allows me to do exercises meant to strengthen the arms. Plus, TRX has upper-body exercises that help make the arms look a lot sexier.”

What part of your body is your favorite?

“My legs. I read somewhere that the legs are the sexiest part of a woman’s body. And I agree. There’s something sensual about a pair of shapely, well-defined legs. And I would like to believe that my legs are sexy, too. Hahahaha.!!!”

What part of your boyfriend James Reid’s body is your favorite? “every part!”

Any health regimen that you follow?

“Like I said, I don’t stick to any form of diet. Yes, I do get to relish food items that health buffs would usually avoid, but I also watch what I eat. One can’t have too much of anything. Kasi at some point, if you’re careless, these sinful food would take a toll on your health.”

Favorite food?

“Steak. The steak kasi is a good source of protein, especially when I’m trying to cut back on carbs and trying to lose weight. It can help you feel full. But you have to watch out which cuts you’re getting because some cuts are very high in fat and calories. I eat it in moderation lang.”

How much sleep do you get per night?

“As much as possible, I try to get seven to eight hours of sleep. Sleep is important because it helps me recharge after a super- busy day and it allows my muscles to rest and recover after doing intense exercises.”

Favorite sleepwear? “nighties. They’re comfy and they allow my skin to breathe.”

Do you snore? “no.”

Do you talk in your sleep?

“Yes. Di ko lang alam kung ano ang sinasabi ko. Hahahaha!!!”

How do you cope with stress?

“When the demands and stresses of showbiz get a little too much for me, I would book a ticket and travel.Kahit maiksi lang. Traveling helps me take my mind off of showbiz. It helps me clear my head and put things into proper perspective again. Traveling keeps me sane.

Hahahaha!!!”

Her “American Dream” shattered when her case was denied and her two attorneys told her the only solution was to just “hide.”

Mariel (left) was devastated when her adjustment of status was denied after USCIS concluded she was out of status.

Distraught and lost, especially after her first two lawyers’ only advice was to “hide,” Mariel decided to consult with “Attorney-of-Last-Hope” MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL who sought reconsideration and was able to get Mariel her elusive green card in record time.

Watch Mariel’s dream come true on a encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

‘Ika-6 Na Utos’ celebrates a year of success

by VeR

PauLino Philstar.com

AFTeR a year of airing on national TV, Kapuso network’s “Ika-6 na Utos” remains the no. 1 afternoon series. The drama is not only a TV success as it also consistently tops the list of trending topics on Twitter with the confrontation scenes in the series going viral on YouTube and Facebook.

“Ika-6 na Utos” lead stars Gabby Concepcion, Sunshine Dizon and Ryza Cenon continue to feel blessed over the unexpected success of their series.

“I’m very happy and I feel blessed because the show is a top-rater and award-winner. So I’m very thankful to GMA 7 because it gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent as an actor,” said Gabby, who plays Rome in the teleserye.

“We’re really overwhelmed with this acvhievement and I consider ‘Ika-6 na Utos’ as a blessing and I’m proud for being part of it because it’s tough playing Georgia.

It’s really physically draining,” shared Ryza.

Sunshine, on the other hand, is thankful that “Ika-6 na Utos” has been extended until next year.

“Thankful, grateful and blessed, ‘yan ang nararamdaman ko, all of us including direk Laurice (Guillen) and the production team. Kaya huwag kayong bibitaw dahil marami pang confrontation scenes and pasabog na magaganap,” Sunshine

GMA 7’s award-winning afternoon TV series lead stars (from left) Ryza Cenon, Gabby Concepcion and Sunshine Dizon.

said of what viewers can expect from her character emma.

Since it started airing on Dec. 6, 2016, “Ika-6 na Utos” has been recognized by several award-giving bodies for its stars’ stellar performances, some of which are Best Actress for Sunshine Dizon, Best Actor for Gabby Concepcion and Best Supporting Actress for Ryza in the seventh OFW Gawad Parangal; Most Outstanding Filipino Actress in TV in Gawad Amerika Awards for Sunshine; Best Daytime Drama Series, Best Drama Actor (Gabby), Best Drama Actress (Sunshine), Best Child Performer (Angelica Ulip) in the 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television; Best Actor for TV (Gabby), Best Actress (Sunshine), Best Supporting Actor (Mike Tan), Best Supporting Actress (Angelika Dela Cruz and Ryza) in the seventh edukCircle

Awards; and Asian Star Prize for Gabby in the 12th Seoul International Awards.

Director Laurice shared during a recent set visit at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City that she’s happy that the cast has received awards for the show. “The ratings will speak for itself, nagustuhan ng mga tao ang performances nila, not only the show’s lead stars, but also the supporting cast, that’s why they were recognized by various award-giving bodies,” she said.

Also part of the cast are Zoren Legaspi, Rich Asuncion, Daria Ramirez, Pen Medina, Carmen Soriano, Odette Kahn, Marco Alcaraz, Mel Martinez, Vince Gamad, Arianne Bautista and Chynna Ortaleza.

“Ika-6 na Utos” airs Mondays to Saturdays after “eat, Bulaga!”.

B DECEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS Around 71-72 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. The oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all water on this planet.

The human body is between 50-75 percent water, about 57-60 percent in an average adult and about 75-78 percent in infants, dropping down to 65 percent by age one. our brain and heart are 73 percent water and the brain, 83 percent, body fat, 10 percent, and muscles, 75 percent.

Some organisms contain up to 90 percent water.

While we can survive a month without food, we won’t survive more than a week without water.

Indeed, water is essential to all living things, including animals, plants, and to farming, other industries, etc. Clean water is not only of major importance to our health but to our survival. This is especially true for our drinking and cooking water.

How much water on earth is potable? of the 71-72 percent water on earth, which is massive, only almost one (1) percent is available and usable as drinking water. More than 97 percent of Earth’s water is salt water in seas and oceans, and about 2 percent is frozen in glaciers and icecaps, and some in the atmosphere, salt water lakes and rivers. So, less than one percent is what we have for our use. As the world’s population grows, potable water might, centuries from now, become a precious limited commodity, more valuable than oil, diamond, or gold, possibly a cause of future wars to ensure survival in our planet.

Why is EPA important?

The EPA is one of the most valuable governmental agencies. It regulates water standard and safety to protect and provide the public clean water. Here are some information from the uS EPA: “Because your drinking water comes from natural sources, it is exposed to pollutants. Anything on the ground or in the air can end up in the water.

Some of these things can cause health problems when you drink the water including pollutants like bacteria, lead, and nitrates. There are other pollutants that aren’t dangerous, but cause bad odors and tastes or stain your sinks, such as iron, manganese, and chloride. (Hormones, antibiotics, steroids, pesticides, other medica-

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Is your drinking water safe? tions and cleaning chemicals are also contaminants in 80 percent of our streams.) The united States Environmental Protection Agency (uS EPA) has established Safe drinking Water Standards, based on research and water testing. The Safe drinking Water Standards state what amount of each of these pollutants is acceptable in your drinking water.” (details are on its website.) …”When a public water supply fails to meet the Safe drinking Water Standards for bacteria or a similar pollutant, they are required to notify you and advise you to boil your water before drinking it. Public drinking water suppliers are required by law to conduct regular tests of their drinking water.

The water must meet the uS EPA’s drinking Water Standards.”

Are water filters available for homes?

There are various water filters available in the market, from table top, to under the sink, and to central water tank filters. There are 2- to 7-stage water filtration systems.

The 7-stage basically includes reverse osmosis, with Alkaline remineralization Filter and uV Sterilizers for microorganisms. All these are commercially available for homes. Boiling faucet water is one way to further remove mineral contamination (crystal sediments) and microbes.

What is Zero Water filtration system?

Zero Water tabletop pitcher, canister, or portable tumbler filtration system is a 5-stage ion exchange filter that totally eliminates total dissolved solids, but not microorganisms. After water goes through the Zero Water filter, the TdS reading is zero. This, in essence, transforms the chlorinated (microbe-free) faucet water to distilled water. untreated water from wells, filtered by Zero Water system, will not eliminate microorganisms. The 5-6-7 stage systems, with reverse osmosis, membrane filter, and uV lights will.

What is TDS? This refers to the Totally dissolved Solids (inorganic salts like calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates, and traces of organic substances and heavy metals) in water, which give water a bitter or salty taste, and bad odor. TdS does not include microbes. The EPA standard for TdS is 500 mg/liter or parts per million (ppm). using a small TdS meter I bought for less than $20 on amazon.com, I tested the TdS level of water in Las Vegas, Chicago, Quezon City and Cebu,

and found them well below 500 mg/L. non-mineral bottled water has TdS levels less than 200 mg/L. distilled water, like Absolute, has zero TdS. distilled water, devoid of all minerals, is not ideal for regular daily drinking. It is used in machines, like CPAP, in irons, cleaning baby utensils, etc., and in delicate scientific/laboratory instruments, etc., to prevent deposits, corrosion, and damage.

Is bottled water safe?

In general, bottled water produced by reputable companies is safe. The occasional incidents in third world countries where faucet water was used to fill up empty (used) bottles, recapped, sealed, and sold are reminders for us to be vigilant and careful. When ordering bottled water, ask the waiter not to open the bottle; do it yourself to be sure the seal is not broken. When I am in doubt, I use my TdS meter to check. Below 100 is fine with me.

Is alkaline water necessary?

For daily regular drinking, alkaline water is not necessary. occasional use is fine. unless a person has an illness that makes the blood more acidic where the physician might include alkaline water in his treatment regimen, drinking alkaline water under normal situation is a waste of money. Billions of people on earth have been healthy for centuries without alkaline water.

Eating a lot of vegetables, nuts, less red meats, and staying away from tobacco, alcohol, and soft drinks will balance our body pH to more healthy levels, between 7.35 to 7.45, a bit on the alkaline side. Level 7 is neutral. Seawater has a pH of 8, baking soda, 9, and Milk of Magnesia, 10. So, normally we do not need more alkaline blood than 7.45. our body automatically adjusts and balances our electrolyte and pH nonstop, depending on what we eat or drink, unless we abuse ourselves or are ill. So, save your money and enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Go on cruises, instead.

Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas and a magic new Year of good health, love, peace, and prosperity! *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

By Monet

Lu

“BEHInd every man’s success is a woman,” but beside every strong woman is an even stronger man whose iconic existence demands a celebration filled with fun and dancing – Studio 54 style! richard Maghanoy, Coo of Image Body Spa and husband of celebrity aesthetician Imee (and co-owner of Image Spa Md) celebrated his 50th birthday with friends and family at the revolver Video Bar in Hollywood last Sunday. Friends and family kept up with its “relive the magic of Studio 54” theme and partied like the 70s - glitz, glamour, retro and all. richard, a devout Christian and a loving husband is turning 50 on december 31. He says knowing Christ and walking in faith as a family is by far the greatest blessing he’s had. His birthday wish is to have good health and to remain steadfast in their faith, and continue to be happy and fulfilled as a family.

“With all the blessings that the Lord has poured upon our life over the years, I can’t thank Him enough for all the experiences He allowed me to have that helped me become the person I am today. I’d like to thank my wife Imee ong Maghanoy who is the one who led me to the Lord, and loved and supported all these years; as well as my daughter Shannen for being my inspiration,” he said. “I also want to thank my parents for their guidance and for teaching me to be independent. At first, I wasn’t really planning on having a big party but now that I am cel-

Richard Maghanoy, husband of Image Spa MD co-owner Imee Ong-Maghanoy, celebrates 50th Birthday

ebrating my ‘golden years’ with all of you have made this night very very memorable.” richard would like to thank the following people for their presence in celebrating his special day: Alex Pineda, Edward Soriano & Scott, Abby Luz, Frank Villafuerte, Sam Loyola, Lyn Bautista, Monet Lu, Lorraine diego, Filbert diego Kung, Karla Gordy Bristol, Angie Yamini, Jun and Lilibeth Banawa, odette Tan, nicole dy, Tee roy & Suzette, Cheryl Asuncion and Jeff, Priam Guian, Jessie romero, and Benjo Balcobero.

Special thanks to Lou razon,

Vic Perez, Joel Vera Sebastian, Angel Bonila, Angie Mamaril, ruby Pangan, & Marlyn Guian and rod Samson for helping with the preparations. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns.

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Anjanette Abayari tries everything in lifestyle show

by Robbie

Pangilinan Philstar.com

AnJAnETTE Abayari, who now resides in the u.S., is trying everything — from a new TV show to a new lifestyle.

She is currently conceptualizing a 30-minute TV show called “AJ’s Adventures”, which will focus on Southern California.

“It will feature places to go to because Southern Cali is so big.

It will be one part tourism, then we will have an advice segment on beauty and wellness (as well as) lifestyle. We will also feature personalities and local businesses,” says Anjanette (also fondly called AJ), who is best known for her portrayal of Filipino superhero darna at the height of her acting career in the Philippines.

AJ also wants to highlight the Filipinos in Southern California in the show and then expand it to bigger markets.

“I might get a local celebrity as a co-host, I want to make it interesting and different every time,” adds the Bb. Pilipinas-universe 1991 who has an international capital broker dealership career here.

AJ is working in a company called 1 Heart Care Giving Services, a private home care and medical services company that opened 14 years ago. She is the client care manager in charge of making sure the clients and the caregivers are working together smoothly.

“The owner is a Filipina, her

Anjanette Abayari

ABS-CBN photo

married name is Bell Menberd, but she hails from Bacolod so we are both Ilongga so I feel at home with her. I enjoy working with the company because they are very inspiring. I prayed to have a job that gives back, then my friend called me to ask if I would be interested to work for this company. I never thought of doing something like this but I said maybe this is the answer to my prayer so I tried and so far I like it,” shares AJ who has been with the company for four months.

Known for being a sexy actress, AJ keeps her body fit and beautiful by working out at least an hour three times a week. She is now doing workouts with the guidance of boxing trainer Marvin Somodio.

“It’s my first time ever doing

boxing, this is different oh my God, it is really hard. The first time, after 30 minutes, I wanted to give up. I was barely catching my breath and it was just footwork.

But it’s a really great workout,” says AJ who also wants to try jiu-jiutsu.

AJ wants to do boxing as regularly as her cardio and strength training. She eats one big meal and the rest are small meals to keep her metabolism going.

AJ has two boys — 10-year-old Aden and seven-year-old Ashton — who she says are both growing up too fast.

“I want to slow down their growth if I could. They are doing great in school — Aden is up to 93 percent off his grade level in the whole nation and Ashton is in the upper 90 percent. Ashton is into sports while Aden is into the arts and he wants to be a software developer. He’s only 10 but he asked me if I could send him to a coding school for summer,” shares AJ. Aden once asked her, “Mom can we go back to the Philippines and live there for a while?” AJ wants to go back next year and she is eyeing projects like commercials or ads. She also wants to do a cameo.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for so long. In the uS, it’s normal to have a former Wonder Woman do a cameo, so ‘yun ang gusto ko,” AJ says with a laugh. Watch out, Anjanette is coming back in 2018.

Vic Sotto ready for his first Christmas with daughter Talitha

by Ricky lo Philstar.com

For once, Vic Sotto is breaking ”tradition” for Talitha, his month-old daughter with wife Pauleen Luna. usually, Vic and partner (this time Pauleen) would leave for abroad for a much-needed break from the holidays, especially now that he is back in running at the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with ”Meant To Beh” (with a new director for a change, Chris Martinez; co-produced by Vic’s own company M-Zet Productions with octoArts Films and APT Entertainment), a feel-good domestic comedy that reunites him with dawn Zulueta more than two decades after they starred in the fantasy TV series “okey Ka, Fairy Ko”.

“Pauleen and I cannot travel yet because Talitha is still an infant, masyado pang maliit,” Vic told Funfare in a one-on-more.

“Hindi naman puwedeng kaming dalawa lang because Pauleen might suffer from separation anxiety. Last week when ‘Eat, Bulaga!’ celebrated its Christmas party, Pauleen was there but she was in a hurry. Gusto nang umuwi kaagad dahil nami-miss daw niya si Talitha.”

Being breastfed by Pauleen, Baby Talitha sleeps in a crib attached to her parents’ bed.

“Mabait si Talitha,” said Vic. (The baby was named after a baby girl brought back to life by Jesus. Talitha is an Aramaic word that means Little Girl.) Hindi siya

Vic Sotto and wife Pauleen Luna during the baptism of their daughter Talitha.

iyakin pero maingay. When she wakes up, she stretches her body and makes a sound na parang naghihikab, ahhhhh!!! She has to be fed every two hours.”

Asked who does the changing of the diaper, Vic said it had to be Pauleen.

“Ako lang taga-bili ng diapers,” he joked. “Actually, it’s easy to change the diapers. You just tape here and tape there, ayos na. What’s tricky is cleaning the baby when she makes poo-poo or makes wee-wee.”

The couple wasn’t able to celebrate Pauleen’s 29th birthday last nov. 9 because she was in the hospital recuperating from delivering Talitha by Caesarian section three days earlier (nov. 6).

Because Pauleen is a Marian dev-

Philstar.com photo

otee (and so is Vic), they added Maria as the baby’s second first name (Talitha Maria Luna Sotto).

There’s also a Maria in Talitha’s parents’ names — Marvic Sotto and Marie Pauleen Luna. on Christmas Eve, Vic and Pauleen will celebrate with Vic’s other children and their families: danica and husband Marc Pingris and their two children; oyo Boy and wife Kristine Hermosa and their four children; Paulina and her husband; and Pasig City Councilor Vico. Christmas day is reserved for the in-laws or with the other Sottos reuniting at the home of Sen. Tito Sotto and wife Helen Gamboa in White Plains, Quezon City.

Asked how many more chilPAGE B5

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EntErtainmEnt

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2017

B

Coco Martin: The actor, director and producer

by Pablo a. Triman Philstar.com

(L-R) Untitled by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo; Diario de Manila by Juan Luna; Captured Cosmos

by Nena Saguil Philstar.com photos

Enrique Gil buys Old Masters in bulk

by Edgar

o. Cruz

Philstar.com

AT the rate enrique gil is acquiring Old Master artworks, he will soon be in the ranks of the biggest art collectors in the Philippine entertainment industry with the likes of richard gomez, Julius Babao, Aga Muhlach and Joey de Leon.

When it comes to fine tastes that spread from gourmet cuisine to master paintings to multi-karat diamonds, nobody beats enrique who puts his television, film and advertising top-bracket income into high-return investments. This makes enrique as the country’s youngest celebrity connoisseur at 25.

A seven-figure bulk deal, enrique acquired six paintings by Old Masters including a Juan Luna, a Felix resurreccion hidalgo and a nena Saguil on the second day of the ongoing heras (Pamana) Old Masters, contemporary and national Artists exhibit

by Bicol Antique Arts and craft at The carmen hotel, Peñafrancia Ave., naga city. enrique purchased online Luna’s watercolor study for the cover of Diario de Manila nov. 30, 1894 issue of a winged creature in flight battling Japanese warriors.

Known for his european motifs, hidalgo rendered Untitled (Undated), a rare graphite sketch in mint condition of a landscape-cum-seascape of a very rural scene dotted with a nipa hut, coconut trees and bamboo bushes.

From a bling-bling-studded rapper, millennial Enrique Gil turns into Old Masters collector.

Pre-figuring her well-known cellular style as viewed from a microscope, Saguil’s captured cosmos (1964) shows vari-sized spheres, vortices, dots and bubbles in white, red, black and cobalt blue, expressing a deep sense of spirituality.

Serafin Serna’s A Man in native costume and A Woman in native costume (1955), vivid oil on canvas of the half-body portraits of royalties in pre-colonial costumes.

Simeon Saulog’s Untitled (1967), watercolor of stallions on the run.

Facilitated by curator-cum-art dealer Jay cuarto, he reopened in 2006 the ‘60s famous antique dealership of his departed father, Jesus cuarto Sr. “i am humbled to be given this opportunity to take on my father’s legacy and to live up to his name,” Jay pays tribute to the cuarto patriarch.

Vic Sotto ready for his first Christmas...

PAGE B4 dren did he and Pauleen plan (or hope) to have, Vic said, “it depends. if none, OK na rin. We leave it all to god kung ilan ang ibigay Niya sa amin.”

Meanwhile in “Meant To Beh”, chubby-cheeked five-year-old Bae-by Baste (born Sebastian Benedict granfon) is out to prove that he’s more than just a cute little face on television and that his time has come to be in showbiz spotlight. “he delivered all his lines and gave us a very good performance.

Baste will surprise everyone because in this movie, he was able to do everything — from singing, dancing, acting to comedy. he’s a natural born entertainer,” said direk chris.

Vic, who took the kid under his wing since the latter joined show business over two years ago, added that considering his age and that he is still learning to read, Baste was able to deliver what was asked of him. he said

the five-year-old was able to grasp the concept of making a movie and is already conscious of what acting is all about.

“At first, we were just thinking that he would just say a few lines and do minimal acting because he’s never had experience shooting a movie. he’s used to what we do in ‘eat, Bulaga!’ that we just let him sing. i was really surprised.

We were all surprised that he has a talent in acting even if he still cannot read the script.” credit also goes to Baste’s mother, Shiela, who tirelessly read the script and practiced her son on how to deliver and act his lines correctly. She said it was difficult at first, especially when Baste had a hard time pronouncing long Tagalog words, but everyone in the production had been patient about it.

Mommy Shiela and Baste have been inseparable since they moved to Manila from general Santos city almost three years ago.

A cheering applause greeted the showing of the trailer of coco Martin’s directorial debut, “Ang Panday,” which is based on the carlo caparas story franchise.

A distinct visual style is a feast to the eyes, but the uncommon touch is that the film travels effortlessly from fantasy to present-day reality. “i wanted this film to be in touch with present-day life even if it is commonly associated with fantasy. i worked closely with my writer and i felt the project is better off with that personal concept which is strictly my idea. everything has to be real. There are enough scenes that will thrill the kids, but i also made sure the adult moviegoers can connect as well.”

Still, he admits he does not know how to react when addressed as direk coco Martin.

More confessions: “nothing came easy in this project and to top it all, i wore three hats as producer, director and actor. in the first, i am constantly signing checks to cover production expenses. in the second, i have to see to it the needs of the cast are taken cared of. Then i have to think about my role and relate to the rest of the characters. Then it just dawned on me, ‘Ganito pala kahirap mag-direk at magproduce.’”

But he points out that when you are passionate about what you are doing, the difficulties are easy to overcome. “i don’t treat this latest film as plain and simple work. My heart is in it and so is my hard-

Coco Martin is obviously following in the footsteps of FPJ by not only starring in but also directing and producing “Ang Panday”, his 2017 MMFF entry.

Philstar.com photos

earned money. i aim to produce something that will sit well with my audiences and not just to be treated as another blockbuster. i want a film that moviegoers can claim as their own after it hit the theaters. That is my idea of fulfillment as a director and not just to make money.”

The actor said his directorial work was made easy with good people working around him.

“Many years while working with direk Dante Brillante, i realized i wanted to become a director later in my career. So, in every movie i did whether indie or mainstream, i observed people around me and find out how they contribute to the finished product. Of course, directing is a totally different work. But what made it easy was the people who were more than willing to give me endless support. i could feel the love as

well the trust and respect on the set. They were all that i needed to keep me going as director.

When i am not sure about one thing, i consult them like part of family. Tita Susan (roces) was always behind me with some reminders. The children in the cast also contributed a lot. They had become good actors through the months of working with them in a teleserye. Of course, i forbid playing during the shoot. But after the take, they can do what they want.” it was a big surprise that he realized his leading lady, Mariel de Leon, could actually act. “During the negotiation, i actually asked Tito Boyet (christopher de Leon) and Tita Sandy (Sandy Andolong) if they could entrust their daughter to me in this project. They were very supportive. During the actual shoot, i realized Mariel

needed very little coaching. She delivered like a real pro.”

On the whole, direk coco said he gave all he could to make this project really worthy the moviegoers’ time and money. “i did not go into this project to make me feel good as director. i did every frame of this film with the movie audiences in mind.

They kept me grounded when i reported to the set. i wanted to make sure everyone can relate and to have a good time in the theater. What they will see in my film is the sincerity and the desire to project the Filipino family as a fountain of inspiration in good or bad times.”

“Ang Panday” opens in cinemas on Dec. 25. it stars Jaime Fabregas, gloria romero, Julio Diaz, elisse Joson, Mccoy de Leon and Awra Briguela, among others.

B DECEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller IN a continuation from last week, we review a few more cases that remind us why we do what we do. The ability to help others brings us untold joy.

In 2006, “Maria” filed an application for a green card as a derivative beneficiary of her husband’s employment-based visa petition. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services then revoked her husband’s petition, claiming that the employer had submitted fraudulent information. Even though Maria and her husband both strongly denied any knowledge of fraud, USCIS denied both of their green card applications. A few years later, Maria filed another application based on the petition from her U.S. citizen son. But USCIS denied the second application, saying that she was inadmissible for having provided false information in connection with her previous application related to her husband’s employment.

Although severely disheartened by two prior denials, Maria chose to press on and retained Reeves Miller Zhang and Diza (RMZD).

RMZD filed a third application on Maria’s behalf and successfully argued that Maria was not responsible for any alleged fraud on the part of her husband’s employer and that USCIS had failed to demonstrate that the elements for fraud/misrepresentation had been met. After two prior denials and nearly 11 years of fighting to obtain permanent residency, Maria’s feelings of doubt and uncertainty subsided when she opened her mail and found her green card.

In year 2017, we have experienced USCIS’s heightened scrutiny over petitions for nonimmigrant workers such as H-1Bs and L-1As. Boilerplate Request for Evidence notices are routinely issued even on thoroughly prepared petitions.

Small companies are facing increasing difficulty sponsoring

Looking back in order to look ahead

(Part 2) try. We presented overwhelmtheir foreign workers.

In April 2017, “ABC”, a small ing evidence that our client’s real estate management consult- U.S. citizen family was rallying ing firm hired RMZD to file an behind him, and convinced the H-1B petition for their Financial court that, for the sake of his Analyst. USCIS issued a RFE young children, he had turned subsequently, asking ABC to over a new leaf during his time establish the offered position to in detention. Now Michael can be a specialty occupation. Our make a fresh start without the attorneys conducted in-depth le- threat of his prior misdeeds costgal research, provided accurate ing him the right to remain in the guidance to the petitioner and United States.

We are also pleased that we the beneficiary, and compiled a strong response. The case was were able to obtain a conditional approved within 30 days after green card for a newlywed who had entered the U.S. 15 years ago USCIS received the response.

“John” was fighting deporta- with a false passport and who is tion because he had lied to get almost 30 years younger than his latest entry visa. We were his U.S citizen husband. Despite able to prove that John deserved the interviewing officer’s obvious forgiveness for his misrepresen- discomfort with the couple’s age tations to the U.S. consulate in difference, and suspicions about Hong Kong, based on the hard- them as a same-sex couple, we ship that his US citizen wife were able to show that theirs is a would suffer if he had to leave real marriage and that “George” and that his misrepresentation should be forgiven for his fraudwas an anomaly because he is ulent entry because of his own a good an honest person who good character and the hardship made a mistake for which he is that his elderly husband “Edvery sorry. He is now the proud ward” would suffer if George had to leave. holder of a green card.

Our stories are a reminder that A green card was recently issued by USCIS to “Alice” whose one should never give up on purconditional residence expired suing the American Dream. With more than a dozen years ago. hope and competent immigration She had hardly any joint docu- counsel, seemingly impossible ments from the marriage her situations can be overcome. Anyconditional residence was based one with an unresolved immigraon, as she and her husband sep- tion problem should consult an arated in 2005 and he died in experienced and knowledgeable 2013. Overcoming an official No- immigration lawyer in 2018 to tice of Intention to Terminate her finally resolve their immigration conditional status, we were able problems. *** to tease out maximum meaning from the few documents she Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the could provide, including sworn oldest, largest and most experienced statements about the wedding immigration firms in the United States from members of both families, with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, and we proved that she did enter Las Vegas, Manila and China. into her marriage in good faith. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 The application for waiver of the E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com joint petition to remove condi- website: www.rreeves.com tions was approved. *** And in another court case, The analysis and suggestions offered RMZD was able to obtain “Mi- in this column do not create a chael’s” release from ICE deten- lawyer-client relationship and are tion, with his green card intact, not a substitute for the personalized despite a recent drug conviction representation that is essential to for which the judge ruled him de- every case.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2017

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C DECEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ARE you sick and tired of being in debt and having bad credit? Do you want to start over but simply don’t know where to begin? Is filing bankruptcy an option for you or are other options available?

As we go into the New Year 2018, this is a good time to look at your finances and see how you can leave your debt problems behind and have a better year for yourself and your family. This is what you want, isn’t it?

I find that a lot of people are mostly concerned about the effects of bankruptcy on their credit more than anything else. Most are under the mistaken belief that once they file for bankruptcy, their credit is ruined forever and that they will never be able to buy a house or obtain credit again. Of course, this is simply not true. Let me explain.

Yes, bankruptcy is reported on your credit record for 7-10 years depending on the type of bankruptcy you are filing but a lot of people quickly bounce back from bankruptcy in as little as twothree years.

I also find that most people

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes TO many people, the New Year signifies a chance to have a fresh beginning. People dispose of old personal items and clean out the closet in order to make room for the new. This is also the time of the year many people realize when a marriage is not working out and it may be time to start a new life as a single person whether or not you have children. You can decide to take action and file a divorce.

Before you take any action, you need to think about your situation carefully. First, you should decide whether you should you move out of the family residence or not? If you and your spouse are communicating and have some type of respect left with one another, it may be more economical to continue residing in the same household until you

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Get out of debt legally and safely for a fresh start in 2018 who are in debt trouble already have bad credit anyway and filing bankruptcy, if anything, can only help them rebuild their credit in the long run. Yes, in most cases that I see, bankruptcy can actually improve credit by allowing the person a chance to start over after wiping out debts.

What most people don’t understand is that creditors look at several factors when evaluating a credit application and that whether or not a bankruptcy shows up on your report is only one of those factors.

For example, when buying a home, banks are not as concerned about it if your bankruptcy is at least three years old and all other credit characteristics are appropriate (good character, stable employment, amount of down payment, etc.).

And if you are buying a car after bankruptcy, this is usually not a problem although, in the beginning, you will obviously pay a higher interest rate or may even need a co-signor until such time you prove creditworthiness.

If you are in debt and your credit has suffered as a result, it may be better for you to just file bankruptcy and start over. Rebuilding your credit after bank-

ruptcy is not as hard as you think and this is often a better strategy than not paying your bills and letting your credit continue to get worse every single month as you are reported to the credit bureaus by your creditors.

If you’ve been struggling with debt for a while now and nothing has changed, when are you going to get so sick and tired of your debt problems to finally do something about it?

I can help you decide if bankruptcy is the right solution for your situation. If it’s not, I can help you explore other options such as debt negotiation.

For a free attorney consultation regarding how you can get out of debt with or without filing for bankruptcy, call Toll-Free 1866-477-7772 to schedule an appointment. I have offices in Glendale, Valencia and Cerritos.

resolve the issues in the divorce case. However, if your relationship is heated and riddled with conflict, then someone should to move out. If your spouse has threatened you, hurt you, or committed domestic violence, you may file a domestic violence temporary restraining order and request the court to order your spouse to move out of the house.

In the same application, you may also request for custody, support, and attorney’s fees. If on the other hand you decide to be the one to move out, you should move somewhere close to your spouse if you have children to make it easier for both of you to co-parent with the children.

Second, you should decide whether your spouse is the type who will disclose all the financial assets or not after you file for divorce. Although the family code (family code 2100 et seq.) imposes a duty to disclose all material facts and information, spouses’

are not always forthcoming in disclosing completely all assets, debts, income and expenses specially after a divorce case is commenced. What sometimes happens is once a divorce case is commenced, assets are either not disclosed, disappears, or documents/ bank statements are not produced even with formal discovery. You should gather and make copies of all financial documents before filing the divorce.

Third, there is an automatic temporary restraining order (ATROS) in place once you file and serve your spouse with the divorce papers. The four standard mutual restraining orders are 1) removing their minor children from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or a court order. family code Section 2040(a)(1) 2) restraint from transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in

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The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs

HAVE you ever felt the profound love of another human being? Have you loved someone so deeply? If you did, then you have experienced what it is to be truly human.

It’s because God created us for love and to be loved. It’s because we came from God, who is love.

We Filipinos are very romantic and sentimental. This is why our “teleseryes” and “peliculas” are filled with stories of love. We long to love and to be loved.

A few months ago, there was a Filipino movie showing in the theaters even here in the U.S. entitled “Seven Sundays.” It’s a story about a father, a widower in his 70s who longs for his children’s love and presence.

One day he discovers that he has *** None of the information herein is in- cancer, and so he calls his chiltended to give legal advice for any dren about this sad news and imspecific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon plores them to spend the remainhas successfully helped thousands of ing seven Sundays with him. The clients in getting out of debt. For a free children, their spouses, and their attorney evaluation of your situation, children hastily and readily replease call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at sponded, organizing a late birthday celebration, sleeping over TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. at their childhood home every (Advertising Supplement) weekend, cooking their father’s favorite dishes, and going to the beach with him as one big happy family.

I won’t tell the whole story;

Starting the new year fresh with a divorce

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Tax Tips victoR sy, cPA, mBA

IF you owe more than $50,000 in delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest to the IRS, you are considered seriously delinquent.

This puts your passport in jeopardy. Take action now before the State Department revokes or denies an application to renew your passport. Here are 10 tips to avoid passport problems: 1. Renew your passport now.

Do not wait until its expiration date. Renew before you are referred to the State Department for passport seizure or renewal restriction.

2. Pay down your total liabilities to less than $50,000. You may owe taxes of $30,000 to

God’s love

otherwise, I’d spoil it for you. But please see it. See it as a family, and you will be inspired to love and be loved again.

God wants us to experience love. In the history of Israel, he showed the depth of his love. No matter how his people turned their backs on him, he still loved them.

The ultimate way that God showed his love to us, his people, is by becoming one like us, by being among us. So God sent his only begotten Son to dwell with us: Emmanuel, God is with us.

Not only that God wants to dwell with us, but he also came to save us. That’s why his Son’s name is Jesus, which means “God saves.”

He suffered and died for us on the cross so that we can be saved and inherit eternal life.

God continues to make himself present to us by giving us the Holy Spirit and leaving us his Church.

God continues to be present to us through his Spirit present in the Sacraments of the Church, as the Sacrament of Reconciliation where he forgives us from all our sins, and the Eucharist, which is the great testimony of God’s love. We celebrate Christ’s eternal sacrifice of love every time we celebrate Mass.

This bottom line, the heart of the matter of Advent and Christmas is God’s love.

We need to show this love to one another then. We need

to show love, especially in our homes. The family is the domestic church. We don’t have to go anywhere. We don’t always have to think of grand ideas and engage in big projects to help the poor and the needy. The poor are near us in our families, our homes.

A few weeks ago I spent time with my sister and her family in the Bay area, and I was amazed by the way they practice advent.

Each day they would do something spiritual and charitable, like baking a cake for the neighbors, sleeping together as one family in mom and dad’s bed, and reading the Scriptures together before a meal.

The family is the church. We don’t have to go anywhere. Let the love of Jesus dwell in our homes and hearts.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ***

From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

10 ways to avoid passport problems with the IRS

$40,000 but penalties and interest can bring the total over $50,000 - right into the arms of this new seriously delinquent category. Be informed that once your tax debt is labeled “seriously delinquent,” paying it down to $49,999 will not get you out of this category. Sorry.

3. Get an Installment Agreement. Submit an application to pay your tax debts in installments. Total taxes over $50,000 are not considered “seriously delinquent” if you have a current installment agreement.

4. Make an Offer In Compromise (OIC). An OIC is an offer to pay off a tax debt below its assessment level. For example, if you owe $100,000, the IRS may accept an offer of say $60,000 or so. If your offer is accepted, you

are no longer “seriously delinquent.”

5. File for Collection Due Process (CDP). If you make a timely request for a Collection Due Process hearing in connection with a levy, you buy time to work out a deal with the IRS. In the meantime, you are not at risk of losing your passport.

6. Try Innocent Spouse Relief.

If you filed a joint tax return with your spouse or ex-spouse who caused your huge tax liability, seek innocent spouse treatment.

7. Promptly respond to IRS notices. Do not ignore IRS notices.

I have seen new clients come to me with unopened letters from the IRS. Open it and deal with it. If you don’t, you could miss a notice with a deadline such as a

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Simbang Gabi 2017 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown Los Angeles, where the nine-day Simbang Gabi began.

AJPress photos by Andy Tecson

The 15th annual Archiocesan Simbang Gabi was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Friday, December 15, with Archbishop José H. Gomez presiding over the liturgy.

Thousands of Filipino Catholics from throughout Southern California kicked off Simbang Gabi, one of the oldest Filipino Christmas traditions on Friday, December 15.

The Mass was preceded by a traditional music band that leads the “Parade of Parols,” or lanterns, of more than 120 parishes from the five pastoral regions in the tri-county Archdiocese (LA, Santa Barbara and Ventura).

Members of St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles were among the participants in this year’s Simbang Gabi at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, which was presented by the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

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Should employees be paid more for working on holidays?

Q: I will be working on Christmas and New Year days.

Am I entitled to holiday pay?

A: Hours worked on holidays are treated like hours worked on any other day of the week.

The law does not require payment of overtime or other special premiums for work during holidays, unless such work goes beyond 8 hours per workday or 40 hours per workweek. The law also does not require that employers pay employees for holidays that are not worked.

The employer chooses when to be open and closed for business. They are not required to close their businesses or give employees the day off on any holiday. If the employer is open on a holiday and schedules the employee to work that day, the law does not oblige the employer to pay the employee anything but the employee’s regular pay.

However, if by working on a holiday the employee incurs overtime hours, then the employee should be paid the overtime premium for all overtime hours worked.

The employer may pay a premium rate for working on a holiday if the employer adopts such a policy or practice. If the employee is subject to a collec-

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. tive bargaining agreement or an employment contract that provides for premium pay for hours worked on holidays, then the employer must pay a premium rate for working on a holiday.

Some employers (bless them!) choose to close their business on major holidays and give their employees paid time off equivalent to 8 hours of work at the employee’s regular rate. Many employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement or an employment contract which provides that the business be closed on holidays and employees be paid time off from work.

Employees are smart to be vigilant about their rights to correct wages. Aside from inquiring into whether they are correctly paid for working on holidays, employees should also ask whether they are in fact paid for all the hours they have worked. Are they paid correctly for any of the following?

1) off-the-clock work 2) missed meal or rest breaks 3) work-related travel time 4) preliminary or postliminary work (such as time spent putting on uniforms or washing tools) 5) work done “at home” 6) controlled on-call or standby time 7) not being provided at least 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep while on a 24-hour duty Having said all that, we wish all employees and their families Happy Holidays! May you continue to enjoy good health and fairness in the workplace! *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic.

All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [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 the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

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Successful settlement of $700,000 judgment for $25,000 without bankruptcy THE clients are husband and wife and they are still young.

When I say young, this means anyone who is 65 and younger up to 17.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently classified people between 17 to 65 as young and 66 to 79 as middleaged. Check it out on the internet -- I am not pulling your leg. Clients bought a house for $800,000 with 50 percent down in 2007; then got a HELOC loan for $400,000. They invested the entire $400,000 in the stock market, probably bought all the wrong stocks like Dendreon, and lost the entire $400,000 when the market collapsed in 2007.

Those of you who have 401K and other retirement accounts invested in stocks saw your nest egg reduced in half that year.

Eventually, clients lost their house and lost their business.

The bank that gave them the $400,000 HELOC filed a lawsuit to collect the loan and obtained a court judgment for $450,000 in 2009. At 10 percent annual legal interest on the judgment, the amount owed became $699,000 now.

They ask me if I can negotiate a settlement of the $450,000 judgment, which is now $700,000.

I suggest a straight Chapter 7 to get rid of it but they would rather have it settled without bk. So, fine, no problem. With a $700,000 judgment, I thought, man this is a formidable task.

To make a long story short, it took me three whole months to settle the $700,000 for $25,000.

That is a 3.5 percent settlement amount and is a record for me.

Normal settlements range between a third or half. But 3.5 percent, that is heaven sent and a Christmas gift from our loving God! Happy birthday to Jesus!

We are now in the season of Advent when the whole Christian world waits in joyous anticipation to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25, this coming Monday. The secular world celebrates the nativity of Christ with gift giving and merrymaking using the icon of Santa Claus. Sure, it’s nice to give and receive gifts to family and friends on Christmas, but don’t forget that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus and by so doing, God became man to fulfill the prophecy of the incarnation of God, to redeem mankind from the consequences of sin.

This concept is not easily understood actually. When the first man, Adam, ate of the forbidden apple, he disobeyed God when he abandoned himself into the temptation by the serpent Lucifer who told Adam that if he ate

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Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

the forbidden fruit in Paradise, he would become like God! On the other hand, God had told Adam and Eve that they could eat anything and everything that were in abundance in Paradise, except the apple in the tree with the knowledge of good and evil.

Well, you know how temptation works. You can do anything except this, so the exception is what you do. That’s just how stupid man is.

Once Adam and Eve ate the apple, they broke man’s relationship with God. That is the biggest deal that ever was. Before Adam and Eve ate the apple, they had bodies that would never die, never age and never get sick. Just imagine if man’s relationship with God was not broken by Adam and Eve, you and I would never die, never age and never get sick! Sin, decay and evil would not have entered the world. But that’s not what happened. So now we only get to live to maybe 80 to 120 then we all die.

But God so loved us that He sent His only Son, Jesus, the restore what was broken. Only God can restore a broken relationship with God. No man or created being can repair the broken relationship because after all a mere created being like man, no matter how saintly, how rich, how smart, is not equal to the status of the Almighty, Omniscient, and all-powerful God. Only God Himself has the status to heal the broken relationship with Him. So He sends his only Son who is also God, consubstantial with the Father, equally God, to earth to become man, and only His Son’s death on the cross can repair the broken relationship between God and man. That’s the way it works. And God the Son, Jesus Christ, willingly accepts this task. Jesus agrees to become man and die on the cross to restore man’s broken relationship with God. I mean, can you believe such humility and love for man from our creator? Our God is all-powerful, He could have destroyed and killed all 6 billion people on earth today, including you and I, to restore that broken relationship. But that’s not what He and Jesus did. Jesus humbled Himself; remember Jesus is also God, to become man and to die on the cross? It’s just mind-boggling. It is so incredible that it must be true.

“Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”

The Bible says that an angel appeared to some shepherds who were tending their sheep: Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men! (Luke 2:10-14).

So the implication is that the heavens opened up at least partially, to make a lot of angels visible, singing like a choir, singing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill towards men!” Obviously, the angels were ecstatic that Jesus had been born and that the broken relationship between God and man would be healed by Jesus.

But why was Jesus only born in a manger and not in Trump Towers or Mar-a-Lago? Because our God is humble of heart and full of love for man. He could have chosen to be born in a place with infinite majesty and wealth with trees and mountains signing about his greatness and glory because our God is all powerful, yet he chose to be wrapped in swaddling clothes and be born among poor shepherds and sheep. Yes, He can make trees and mountains sing! As I said, our God is just incredible and wonderful!! We cannot fathom how He thinks. He holds every atom and molecule in this universe together. If he chose to, the whole universe would disintegrate and disappear into nothingness and we would all die in a millisecond.

Christmas greetings to everyone!

Let’s all celebrate the birth of Jesus next week and prepare with joy this week for his birthday on Monday! Hark the herald angels sing: GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING! 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 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

10 ways to avoid passport...

certified mail.

10. Contact the IRS. Patience 30-day letter that requires a writis a virtue. You’ll need it when ten response in 30 days. Prepare you call these numbers: a protest, sign it and mail it be• Individual taxpayers can call fore the end of 30 days to have (800) 829-1040. a chance to resolve it at the Ap• Business taxpayers can call peals office of the IRS. (800) 829-4933.

8. If you receive a Notice of De• If you’re overseas, call (267) ficiency, respond promptly. You 941-1000. have 90 days to file a petition. If You can also go to www.irs. you miss that window, you lose gov to view your tax account. by default. Malo.

9. Request extensions to re*** spond. Ask for extensions to buy Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude time. Confirm in writing. Use from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State

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University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2017

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Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited an injured person’s right to recover for past medical expenses.

In light of the Howell decision, it is even more important for a person who suffered injury to develop his/her claim for other economic damages. The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by inexperienced counsel.

Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages.

Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider.

After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, Darrick V. Tan, Esq. time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings.

If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim.

*** 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 the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@ dtanlaw.com.

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Starting the new year fresh...

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any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate without the other party’s written consent or court order; fam code 2040(a)(2) 3) restraint from cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability held for the benefit of the parties and their child for whom support may be orders. Fam C 2040(a)(3). 4) restraint from creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer without the other party’s written consent or court order. fam c 2040(a)(4). There

are exceptions to the above restrictions. One exception is for property transfers in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Examples would be property transfers as part of your usual business operations or to pay for usual household living expenses. Another exception is payment of reasonable attorney’s fees. fam c. 2040(a)(2). If you need to do any transactions that may violate the ATROS, it is best to do it prior to filing and serving the divorce petition provided you do not breach your fiduciary duty to your spouse. If you are thinking of filing a divorce, it is best to consult an experienced family law attorney before taking any action.

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 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) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit *** our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

Please note that this article is not legal (Advertising Supplement) advice and is not intended as legal advice.

C DECEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).

D EC E M B E R 28

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers will be hosting an immigration forum on Thursday, December 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be held at Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801); admission is FREE. The forum is about employment-based immigration, information regarding fast-track work visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by Marriage, familybased immigration, employment sponsorship for green card, and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. For more information, please contact Global Law Centers at (714) 657-7460 or www.globallawcenters.com.

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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

& January 2018 priority dates

Immigration Corner

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ 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 last 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 Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

October 1, 2007

January 1, 2005

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below November 1, 21 years old) of green 2016 card holder

February 1, 2016

(2b) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

September 1, 2007

July 1, 2006

Third Preference

married sons and daughters of US citizens

June 15, 1995

March 15, 1995

Fourth Preference

brothers and sisters of US citizens

March 1, 1995

September 1, 1994

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date Current

LABOR CERTIFICATION: Second Preference

Advanced Degree (masters)

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

August 1, 2016 January 15, 2016

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

August 1, 2016 January 15, 2016

an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding

the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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Super consortium readies bid for NAIA rehab BOI: Corruption, high power, shipping costs main burden to industries by iris

GonzaLes Philstar.com

MANILA — Seven of the country’s biggest conglomerates have formally formed a super consortium that seeks to develop the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) into a global gateway at par with the world’s best airports.

They will tap foreign partners as they seek to rehabilitate, operate and maintain NAIA through an unsolicited proposal which will be submitted to the Department of Transportation.

In separate disclosures on Thursday, December 21 conglomerates Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Ayala Corp., Alliance Global, Lucio Tan Group, Filinvest Land Inc., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said their respective infrastructure subsidiaries agreed to form a consortium.

“The consortium believes that the NAIA will continue to be a strategic gateway for our country and a key hub of airline operations for many more years. The consortium will work with foreign technical partners with proven world class track records and experiences in airport operations to improve, upgrade, and enhance the operational efficiencies of NAIA covering both landside and airside facilities,” the consortium said.

They said that like other countries, the Philippines could benefit from having an in-city and outcity airport such as Tokyo and London.

“Numerous foreign and local experts have highlighted the

by richmonD

mercurio Philstar.com

They aim to upgrade NAIA to accommodate an additional 11 million passengers from the current 39.5 million and increase its hourly aircraft movements (landing and take-off) from 40 movements per hour to 48 movements per hour.

Philstar.com photo

advantage of keeping an airport within city limits. Like other major cities in the world, experts recommend an in-city airport and another one outside the metropolis to complement it. Megacities that benefit from a two-airport set-up include Tokyo (Haneda and Narita) and London (Gatwick and Heathrow),” they said.

They aim to upgrade NAIA to accommodate an additional 11 million passengers from the current 39.5 million and increase its hourly aircraft movements (landing and take-off) from 40 movements per hour to 48 movements per hour.

MANILA — The high costs of power and shipping, coupled with smuggling and corruption continue to burden majority of Philippine industries, a report by the Board of Investments (BOI) showed.

In a policy brief, the BOI said opportunities abound for the Philippines to transform and upgrade its industries given the country’s 105 million consumer market, rising middle class, and young and English-speaking workers.

The agency, however, said various constraints persist which prevent the country from taking advantage of these vast opportunities.

“Based on the review of the roadmaps and industry consultations that were conducted by the DTI-BOI, the most common constraints that were identified were in the areas of infrastructure and logistics, particularly the high costs of power and domestic shipping, as well as in governance and regulation, specifically smuggling, bureaucracy, and red tape and the lack of streamlining and automation of interrelated government procedures,” the policy brief said.

The BOI said the concerns were gathered across 35 industries

“The unsolicited proposal is intended to help accelerate the government’s Build Build Build program. Augmenting NAIA’s capacity is the quickest way to address airport congestion while other airports are being developed outside Metro Manila.

The consortium believes that this approach promotes greater economic benefit and sustainability for the whole country,” it said.

NAIA, which traces its history

by LoueLLa DesiDerio to as early as 1948, was built to Philstar.com handle 30 million passengers but MANILA — Four other comis currently handling nearly 40 panies from Japan, South Korea, million passengers.

which included rubber, copper, biodiesel, furniture, engineered bamboo, chemicals, petrochemicals, cement, motorcycle and parts, automotive and parts, tool and die, iron and steel, plastics, paper, metal casting and shipbuilding.

The report indicated that the high cost of power has been raised as a major constraint by almost all sectors, particularly the copper, cement, paper, auto and auto parts, chemical, petrochemical, biodiesel, and iron and steel sectors.

High shipping and transportation costs, meanwhile, were cited as major concerns by the furniture, copper, chemicals, and iron and steel industries.

The problem of smuggling products has likewise been cited by almost all industries, while the proliferation of counterfeit products and parts has been raised specifically by the motorcycle industry.

“The industries have also indicated the lack of streamlining in government procedures, particularly at the Bureau of Customs,” the policy paper said.

The report also showed that firms in various sectors continue to face major constraints such as lack of domestic raw material suppliers, parts, and components, as well as

lack of highly skilled workers.

“The underdevelopment of parts and components industries and high cost of raw materials have severely affected their competitiveness. In the face of increasing competition from imports arising from the various episodes of trade liberalization, the lack of adjustment measures like temporary industry support measures and training and job search assistance for displaced workers led to the inability of firms to cope with the new operating environment,” it said.

The policy brief also pointed out the weak linkages between the country’s small ad medium enterprises (SME) with large domestic and multinational corporations, resulting in the failure of the growth experienced by the large firms to spill over to the SME sector.

“Compared with large enterprises, SMEs continue to face growth and market entry difficulties due to underdeveloped financial markets, overly complex administrative arrangements, and poor infrastructure. With their subdued performance, SMEs have not generated sufficient manufacturing value added and employment to increase market contestability and improve the country’s industrial source,” the report said.

4 more foreign firms to vie for 3rd telco slot U.S., and Australia are interested to partner with local firms and become a third telco player in the country, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

DICT officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio Jr. said in a press conference companies from Japan, South Korea and the U.S., as well as Australian telco Telstra Corp. Ltd. have also expressed interest to enter the country’s telco industry.

“Right now, there is an offer from a Chinese company. In the same manner, there are offers from Japanese, South Korean, U.S. companies and Australia,” Rio said.

Earlier, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said China Telecom has been selected by China government to invest in the Philippines.

Duterte invited China to invest in the telco industry to break the duopoly and offer consumers another option amid complaints of dropped calls and slow internet speeds.

Given the instructions from Duterte to ensure a third telco provider would be operational by the first quarter of next year, as well as interest from firms to participate in the telco industry, Rio said the DICT and National Telecommunications Commission are aiming to conduct the bidding for the available frequencies within the first three months

DICT officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio Jr Philstar.com photo

of 2018.

“We should be able to award within the first quarter so that upon awarding, the third telco would be able to operate,” he said.

As the Philippine Constitution limits foreign ownership of telcos to 40 percent, the foreign firms would need to partner with local companies to be able to participate in the bidding for frequencies.

Rio said the government would grant frequencies to a telco player that has the financial and technical capability to be able to truly compete with existing players Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. “We would also like to be sure that the one chosen is big enough financially and technically so that it won’t be gobbled up by Globe and Smart,” he said.

He said the aim of the bidding is to have a third telco player that would give the third choice to consumers.

“Farm Tourism Development Act” mandates the promotion of tourism at agricultural destinations through partnerships with the private stakeholders.

Philstar.com photo

Cocoa industry can spur farm tourism DAVAO CITY—The country’s cacao and chocolate industry will have a positive impact on farm tourism, which is getting noticed by both domestic and foreign visitors.

“Farm tourism in the country has thrived on the best practices and growth of cocoa industry,” said Senator Cynthia Villar in her keynote address to over 2,000 cacao growers and entrepreneurs from all over the country, who gathered for the conference and exposition dubbed “Kakao Konek 2017” staged last week at the SMX Lanang, Davao City.

Villar authored Republic Act 10816, or the “Farm Tourism Development Act,” which mandates the promotion of tourism at agricultural destinations through partnerships with the private stakeholders.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Davao City welcomed the participants to the two-day event sponsored by 26 agro-industrial firms and 10 government agencies, including the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

“I am full of optimism that our micro and macro farmers and entrepreneurs will gain more insights in optimizing their productivity and in giving them an upper hand in the market,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Davao City and its environs boast of vast greenery, including nature park and farm resorts, like the Malagos Resort, Eden’s Nature Park, Hijo Banana Resort, Gumamela Caverock Farm Resort, Pearl Farm, among others.

During the two-day conference and exhibit, Duterte-Carpio and officials of the DOT led the launching of the “Chocolate Tour Overload” that featured Davao City as the “Cacao Capital of the Philippines.”

“Accounting for 90 percent of the local cacao production, the spotlight is now on Mindanao with Davao as the country’s chocolate capital, even as the farmers face the challenge to meet the growing demand for Philippine cacao, indicating international recognition of its quality,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“We believe in the perfect marriage of farm and tourism as showcased by the sweet success our cocoa growers and chocolate producers, like the Malagos chocolate,” said DOT Assistant Secretary Eden Josephine David, in behalf of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. David noted that the Malagos Puentespina Chocolates, produced in a self-sustained 12-hectare cocoa farm resort in Davao City, was among the top 50 awardees of the Salon de Chocolat held in Paris recently.

“The challenge of achieving 100,000 metric tons of cacao by 2020 stays, and this can only be achieved with both private and government sectors working together,” said Dante Muyco, president of the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, the event’s main sponsor.

Also present at the conference was Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol who lauded the best practices of Davao’s successful cacao growers and chocolate producers. (ManilaTimes.net)

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How the TRAIN law affects rich, poor Filipinos by ian

nicoLas ciGaraL Philstar.com

MANILA — During his first state of the nation address, President Rodrigo Duterte promised a “simpler” and “fairer” tax reform program, and he delivered after he signed a new law that overhauls the country’s 20-year-old tax regime.

On Tuesday, December 19, Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill, which aims to generate revenue to fund a multi-billion dollar infrastructure program key to the government’s economic agenda.

The TRAIN law is the first package of the administration’s much-awaited Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. It takes effect 15 days after it is published in the Official Gazette or publications of general circulation.

Under the fresh law, personal income tax rates will be reduced while projected revenues to be foregone from lower personal income tax will be offset by higher excise levies on petroleum and automobiles, among others.

According to the DOF, the first tax reform package was “designated to shift the tax burden from the lower 99 percent of the community to the wealthiest 1 percent.”

It would also end the country’s complex tax system that has become vulnerable to evasion and leakages by transforming it into a “simple, just and efficient” structure, the DOF added.

But before this major victory of the Duterte government, the bill, according to the president himself, had met “rough sailing” before it reached his desk. Despite the maverick leader’s huge popularity and Congress being dominated by his allies, Duterte’s tax reform program had encountered some resistance, with some lawmakers criticizing certain “anti-poor” provisions of the bill.

Some sectors also warned that imposing higher excise taxes on cars, coal, fuel, mining, among others, could hurt the robust growth of certain industries.

In that regard, is the TRAIN law really a boon or a bane for both rich and poor Filipinos?

Winners, losers In an opinion piece published on BusinessWorld on December 19, Raymond Abrea, founder of the Abrea Consulting Group, said the “real big winners” are Filipinos making an annual taxable

Assessment is ongoing to determine the extent of damage but “inputs” will be provided to farmers affected by the situation, said City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Nagiel Bañacia.

Philstar.com photo

Agriculture damage from typhoon Urduja hits P702-M

by Louise

Maureen Philstar.com

income of P250,000 and below as they no longer need to pay income tax come 2018.

Meanwhile, those earning above P8 million annually will be slapped with 35 percent personal income tax, higher than the current 30 percent.

Small business are likewise expected to benefit from the TRAIN law, which offers an optional flat 8 percent tax based on gross sales or receipts in lieu of business and income taxes, Abrea also said.

“Part of the tax package is an administrative reform to allow annual and quarterly filing and payment of income and business taxes in lieu of the monthly, even bi-monthly compliance under the current system,” Abrea explained.

“The bigger bonus are the ease-in-tax payment provisions from slushing the 12-page income tax return (ITR) to 2-page ITR to simplified bookkeeping requirements among others,” he added.

“This is exactly what the comprehensive tax reform package means — a simpler, fairer and more efficient tax system.”

Despite these gains, Abrea, citing the looming surge in com-

modity prices due to hikes in excise taxes, noted that “it’s not all good news” as people would have to “endure some sacrifices to make the system work.”

According to IBON Foundation, a non-profit development organization, the TRAIN law would be a big blow to the country’s poorest, arguing that poor families will bear the brunt of higher prices on basic goods and services without getting any income tax exemptions.

IBON also pointed out that the country’s rich would be the “biggest gainers” from the TRAIN act “especially when income taxes are lowered further in 2023.”

“Most of the country’s total 22.7 million families do not pay income tax because they are just minimum wage earners or otherwise in informal work with low and erratic incomes,” IBON said.

“Even if TRAIN reduces income taxes paid by most of the reported 7.5 million personal income taxpayers, this still leaves as much as 15.2 million families without any income tax gains,” it added.

In a bid to allay concerns over

Infographic by Philstar.com

the act’s impact on prices of basic goods, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla said there is no need for any response from the central bank as inflationary effects of the TRAIN law would be “transitory.”

Medalla estimated inflation to go up by 1 percent next year and 0.5 percent in 2019 because of the tax reform law. But over the long-term, he said the TRAIN law should temper inflation as more infrastructures will be built.

He also said the government’s cash grant program and the lifting of quantitative restrictions on rice imports, which could slash riceretail price by P7, would shield the poor from the sting of higher commodity prices.

“You must remember that the long-term effect of TRAIN is different from short-term effect,” Medalla told a press conference on Friday.

“The long-term effect is actually anti-inflationary to the extent that the infrastructure will reduce transportation costs and increase productivity... In the long run, TRAIN should reduce the inflation rate,” he added.

siMeon

MANILA — The cost of damage to agriculture in areas affected by tropical depression Urduja has reached P700 million with the crops sector sustaining the most damage, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

An updated report from the DA showed that agricultural damages have amounted to P701.61 million covering 36,896 hectares of agricultural areas in the Bicol Region, Eastern and Central Visayas, and Caraga with estimated volume of production loss at 17,334 metric tons (MT).

“Significant increase in damages and losses have been reported in rice and high value crops. Most affected rice plantings are in sowing, seedling, newly transplanted and vegetative stages,” said Christopher Morales, DA-Field Programs Operational Planning Division chief.

Rice contributed the largest share of losses at 58 percent or

P408 million covering 33,294 hectares equivalent to 11.4 percent of the total standing crop of 291,746 hectares.

There were also significant losses in the high value crops particularly vegetables in Eastern Visayas. Current damage is about P280 million or 40 percent of the total production losses.

“Most of these are on their fruit-bearing to harvestable stage.

The affected 1,560 mango trees are in their flowering stage while most bananas and sweet potatoes are on their reproductive to maturity stage,” Morales said.

Corn also accounted for 1.4 percent of losses at P7.82 million affecting 2,110 hectares, majority of which are in its seedling to vegetative stage. As for cassava, 17 hectares were affected amounting to about P2.03 million.

In terms of livestock, damages are estimated at P3.3 million which includes 2,534 poultry heads, 307 goats, 350 swines and some carabaos and cattle.

DOF: No delay in infra project rollout Mary Grace Padin

of implementation,” Dominguez said. “This will not happen in the MANILA — The Department of case of the many infrastructure Finance (DOF) vowed there will be projects that will commence in the no delays in the implementation Duterte administration in the next of infrastructure projects under few months. This administration brooks no delay in building the the Duterte administration.

Finance Secretary Carlos projects that the people need and Dominguez committed to ensure the public deserves,” he said.

This, he said, is proven by the the fast and timely roll out of government infrastructure projects. fast implementation of the Clark “In the previous administration, International Airport expansion the projects of PPP (public private project, which is among the first partnership) took an average of 30 big-ticket infrastructure projects months from conception to start PAGE D5 by

Philstar.com

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P15-billion allocated for Marawi rehab in 2018

by Jess

The New Clark International Airport Terminal project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to a venture between Megawide Construction Corp. and India’s GMR Infrastructure. The new terminal would triple capacity at Clark Airport to 12 million passengers annually by 2020.

Inquirer.net photo

PH gov’t awards Clark airport deal Showcase of speed of hybrid PPP scheme, gov’t commitment to boost infrastructure

by Miguel

R. CaMus

Diaz anD Paolo RoMeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — The 2018 national budget President Duterte signed on Tuesday, December 19, allocates P15 billion for the rehabilitation of war-ravaged Marawi City, the chairman of the House of Representatives appropriations committee said.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said of the P15 billion, P10 billion will come from the President’s national disaster risk reduction and management fund (NDRRMF), formerly known as calamity fund.

“In addition to that, there is also a P5-billion allocation in the unprogrammed fund of the budget called Bangon Marawi to augment the repair and rehabilitation program in the city to help rebuild what was destroyed and devastated by the terror rebel groups,” he said.

Nograles and Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate finance committee, also explained the reduction in the calamity fund.

“The NDRRMF is intact. It’s lodged in each agency per their request,” Legarda told reporters.

Nograles said the President had proposed a funding level of P25.5 billion, which included the calamity-related quick response fund (QRF) allocations of nine agencies, “but during the bicameral conference committee meetings it was decided that the QRF allotments which were previously included in the NDRRMF would be transferred back to the departments’ respective budgets as requested by them for immediate implementation in the event of calamities.”

to be built using the hydrid PPP formula. Under the scheme, the government starts the initial phase of the project’s construction and later bids out the project to the private sector.

“This shovel-ready project was approved in the first 18 months of the Duterte administration. In fact, the formal approval came only six months ago,” Dominguez Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez Philstar.com photo said.

financial offers was compressed to two weeks.

The Duterte administration wants to expand Clark Airport, which it sees as a viable alternative to congestion in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It is also moving forward with a Japanfunded railway system that will link Manila and Clark by 2022.

Megawide-GMR, which operates and is expanding the Mactan Cebu International Airport, earlier submitted the best offer to build a terminal with a capacity of eight million passengers a year at the least cost to government.

It bested four other groups, including large state-owned companies from China. Megawide-GMR offered P9.36 billion, about 25 percent below the governments’ ceiling price of P12.55 billion.

This was lower than the offers of Tokwing Construction Corp. and China Machinery Engineering

by JoRDeen sheex lagaRe Corp. (P12.45 billion), China State ManilaTimes.net Construction Engineering Corp.

Ltd. (P12.298 billion), China HarMANILA Electric Co. (Meralbour Engineering Co. Ltd. (P11.73 co), the Philippines’ largest power billion) and Sinohydro Corp. Ltd. distribution utility, will form a new (P10.68 billion). subsidiary that will own, maintain and operate electric vehicles and According to Dominguez, charging stations in a bid to help the proposed new terminal is lower the country’s carbon emisdesigned to handle up to eight sions.

In a disclosure to the Philipmillion passengers per year.

The new terminal is expected to pine Stock Exchange (PSE), accommodate the influx of pas- Meralco said its board approved sengers brought about by the the creation of a new subsidiary rapid development of industries “to engage in the business of in the Clark zone and surround- owning, maintaining, and operating transport service networks ing areas.

He said the airport would of charging stations, batteries, complement the congested Ninoy and vehicles utilizing electric enAquino International Airport and ergy and other alternative energy effectively function as the second sources.”

Meralco will apply for the apairport serving Central and Northproval of its incorporation. ern Luzon.

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Inquirer.net

THE Duterte administration awarded on Tuesday, December 19 a contract to design and build a new passenger terminal for the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, a showcase of both its commitment to upgrade crucial transport infrastructure and the speed by which hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) deals could move.

The New Clark International Airport Terminal project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to a venture between Megawide Construction Corp. and India’s GMR Infrastructure. The new terminal would triple capacity at Clark Airport to 12 million passengers annually by 2020.

The BCDA, in a statement, called it the “fastest” PPP to be auctioned by the national government. The project, which was given the goahead by President Duterte last June, was slated to have its groundbreaking event on Wednesday, December 20.

The Clark Airport expansion project is the first under the ad-

ministration’s hybrid PPP format.

Under this scheme, the government will pay for the construction of the terminal while the private sector will later be invited to bid for the operations and maintenance (O&M) component.

Jake Bingcang, chair of the BCDA special bids and awards committee, said earlier that they had hoped to award the O&M contract by March 2018.

It should be noted that the new Clark Airport terminal EPC deal is relatively less complex than previous PPPs since it did not yet include any O&M. The O&M was typically bundled in with similar PPP deals during the Aquino administration.

Nevertheless, the administration wanted the auction to display how fast it could launch and award contracts via the hybrid PPP route since the procurement process is often cited as a cause of delay for infrastructure projects.

The BCDA kept a tight deadline, accepting bids for the construction of the new passenger terminal last Dec. 5. With the awarding on Tuesday, the entire process of evaluating, opening technical and

DOF: No delay in infra project...

PAGE D3

Nograles and Legarda said the allotments transferred were P1 billion to the Department of Agriculture, P2 billion to the Department of Education, P500 million to the Department of Health, P1.25 billion to the Department of National Defense, P1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways, P1.25 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P100 million to the National Electrification Administration and P500 million to the National Irrigation Authority.

“This is a total of P7.6 billion, which must also be taken into account when considering how much funds we have in the national budget to respond to calamity. Remember, these funds were once joined together with the NDRRMF but we decided to disaggregate them and transfer them to the respective departments and agencies as QRF,” Nograles added.

Nograles pointed out that “based on experience, it takes a longer time to release the QRF if we add another layer to the process and lump it with the NDRRMF.” “We felt that if we disaggregate the amount and place them in the respective departments, access and utilization of the QRF would be quicker and more efficient and effective,” he stressed.

Legarda also said the 2018 national budget will further boost progress for the more than 11 million farmers and fisherfolk in the country.

She said the approved budget

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles Philstar.com photo

of the DA and attached agencies for next year is P110.075 billion, the seventh highest allocation in the budget.

Citing figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), she noted that agriculture recorded a 4.64 percent growth in output in the first nine months of 2017 due to production gains in the crops, livestock and poultry subsectors.

Legarda also said the gross value of production in agriculture amounted to P382.5 billion, following current prices, a 6.27 percent increase over the previous year’s record.

Legarda said the 2018 budget will strengthen the national programs of agriculture agencies; provide for the equipment, machinery, facility and infrastructure needs of our farmers and fisherfolk; and build their capacity to combat climate change and reduce disaster risks; as well as conduct research and development for the growth of the sector.

Meralco to form new e-vehicle unit William Pamintuan, Meralco first vice president and head of its legal division, told reporters the business, which is in its development stage, will put up charging stations and e-vehicles as well as provide EV public shuttles.

He said the unit will focus on Meralco’s franchise area.

Meralco Vice President and Head of Utility Economics Lawrence Fernandez said they will focus on e-tricycles, e-jeepneys, or e-shuttles.

“We see opportunity in the development of e-vehicles moving forward. At the same time, it’s pro-environment,” Pamintuan said. “We also see it as an opportunity since it will also create a market of power users hoping to increase demand of electricity.

As more people adopt EVs, we

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are hoping demand will increase exponentially,” he said.

The planned EV unit will not seek any subsidiary from the government but would consider tapping partners.

Meralco, founded in 1919, holds the largest market capitalization among listed utility and power sector companies in the country. Its units are engaged in the business of engineering and consulting, construction, bills payments, and other electricityrelated services.

In November, Meralco and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. teamed up to build EV charging stations in selected offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

D december 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL

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