LA Midweek Edition -- December 08 -- 14, 2016

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Vice President Robredo resigns from Cabinet position Palace: Duterte uncomfortable working with VP

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL AND DANA SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo has resigned as housing secretary, citing “major differences in principles and values” from President Rodrigo Duterte, who barred her from attending future Cabinet meetings.

Robredo revealed that she received a text message from Secretary to the Cabinet Jun Evasco, Jr. that said Duterte has

DATELINE

ordered her to “desist from attending all Cabinet meetings starting Monday, December 5.”

This prompted Robredo to resign from her post as the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

In her resignation letter addressed to the president, she pointed out that remaining in Duterte’s Cabinet has become “untenable” and has made it difficult to perform her duties.

“I have exerted all effort to put aside

our differences, maintain a professional relationship, and work effectively despite the constraints because the Filipino people deserve no less,” the vice president’s letter, dated December 5, read.

Despite leaving the housing post, she will stay on as vice president of the country.

“We will not allow the vice presidency to be stolen because that is against the voice of the majority,” Robredo told reporters in Manila, referencing an alleged plot to unseat her from the nation’s sec-

ond-highest office.

Malacañang clarified that the president’s decision to ask Robredo to not attend future Cabinet meetings has nothing to do with her political affiliation, but rather, it was primarily because the president felt “uncomfortable” with some of her political engagements, according to Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella.

The spokesman, however, did not elaborate on what those engagements were and what conflicts the president

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NBI: Espinosa killed in rubout, not shootout

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump supports Duterte’s drug crackdown

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

The president-elect makes first phone call to Duterte

IN the first official phone call between the two leaders, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that United States President-elect Donald Trump expressed that the Duterte administration is handling the Philippines’ drug problem in the “the right way.”

“He understood the way we are handling it and I said that there’s nothing wrong in protecting a country,” Duterte said in a statement following the phone call on Friday, December 2. “It was a bit very encouraging in the sense that I supposed that what he really wanted to say was that we would be the last to interfere in the affairs of your own country.”

Duterte said that the seven-minute phone call covered a wide range of topics, including Duterte congratulating Trump on his victory and reassurance of the solid ties between the Philippines and the U.S. Duterte’s positive feedback of the call comes after months of the president’s straining of the longstanding alliance between the two nations, which mostly resulted from his aggression toward President Barack Obama

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US envoy vows to expand ties with PH MANILA, Philippines — The new US ambassador has vowed to expand ties between Manila and Washington, which have been strained by differences over President Duterte’s war on drugs.

Ambassador Sung Kim issued the statement after he presented his credentials to Duterte at Malacañang on Tuesday, December 6, where he and the President talked for about an hour.

“I am very pleased to have presented my credentials to President Duterte. We had a lengthy, substantive discussion. I am grateful for the time the President afforded me,” Kim told Palace journalists.

“It is an incredible honor for me to be in the Philippines and to have this opportunity to contribute to one of America’s most enduring partnerships,” he added.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the conversation between Duterte and Kim was “fruitful.”

Kim said Filipinos and Americans have a “deep bond” and a relationship with tremen-

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Vice President Leni Robredo

ESPINOSA KILLING PROBE. Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin M. Drilon fields queries to various officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, on the third day of the Senate investigation on the shooting and death of former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, on Monday, December 5. Also in photo is Senator Paolo “Benigno” Aquino IV.

ALLEGED drug lord and Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was slain in a ‘rubout,’ and not in a shootout incident, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) concluded in its investigations.

“After conducting an exhaustive investigation of the incidents surrounding the killing of Mayor Espinosa and Yap, the NBI concluded that the testimonies of several witnesses had disputed the claim of an alleged shootout between the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) Operatives and Inmates Mayor Espinosa and Raul Yap but a ‘rub out,” the NBI said in a statement on Tuesday, December 6.

According to the initial police report, Espinosa Sr. was fatally shot inside his cell at the Leyte Sub-Pro-

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Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

Supreme Court rejects Revilla’s petition to dismiss plunder case

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday, December 6, rejected former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s petition to dismiss the P224-million plunder case against him in relation to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

With a vote of 13-1-1, the majority of the judges affirmed the filing of the plunder and graft cases against Revilla.

Among the judges who affirmed were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno, Senior Justice Antonio T. Carpio, and Justices Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro, Arturo D. Brion, Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Mariano C. del Castillo, Jose Portugal Perez, Jose Catral Mendoza, Bienvenido L. Reyes, Estela M. Perlas Bernabe, Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen, and

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Dayan released from Senate custody

by PAOLO

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Witness Ronnie Dayan was released from Senate custody on Monday, December 5, to allow him “space to reboot his memory,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday, December 6.

“We let him go. Since his arrest, he has not rested, that’s why his mind is confused. We advised him to compose himself, rest so that he can remember what he needs to remember,” Lacson said.

Dayan was allowed to go back to his safehouse in Pangasinan and to be with his family.

Lacson stressed this would give Dayan more time to prepare himself to reveal what more he

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Ronnie Dayan, the driver-bodyguard of opposition Senator Leila De Lima who went into hiding after being linked to the illegal drugs trade, takes his oath at the resumption of the Senate probe on alleged extra-judicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 in suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. The Senate probe was called following the killing by police of Mayor Rolando Espinosa of Albuera township, Leyte province, while inside his jail as well the ambush of Police Chief Inspector Jesus Son.

Duterte’s style like Lee Kuan Yew’s – Arroyo

by JAIME

G. AQUINO ManilaTimes.net

President Rodrigo Duterte

Lee Kuan Yew

FORMER president Gloria Arroyo likened President Rodrigo Duterte’s style of governance to that of Singapore’s esteemed leader Lee Kuan Yew. “We want the Philippines to be peaceful and safe, and a model of clean governance. I believe President Duterte’s strong governance is very much like Lee Kuan Yew,” she said in her speech at the 9th Global Congress and Conferment Ceremony of the Royal Institu-

tion of Singapore held at the Manila Hotel.

She said Duterte is practicing the theme of Tuesday’s event— “Organizational Transparency: Bedrock of Good Governance.”

Arroyo, who was honored as patron of the Royal Institution of Singapore, urged the audience consisting of Filipinos and foreigners to support Duterte’s government, saying Filipinos want to follow the progress of Singapore.

Arroyo said the resignation of Vice President Leni Robredo

from her Cabinet post was inevitable because of her differences with Duterte.

Among the Royal Institution officials who welcomed Arroyo were Dr. Athena George Ang, president; Dr. Clarke Slemon, chairman; Dr. Samuel Salvador, chancellor; and Dr. Helen Molano, chief compliance officer.

The honorees included former senator Santanina Tillah Rasul and Secretary Martin Andanar, head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. ■ THURSDAY~WEDNESDAY • DEC 8-14

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From the Front Page

Vice President Robredo resigns from…

PAGE A1 t

had with Robredo.

During a press conference on Tuesday, December 6, Abella said it was the president’s “personal choice” to bar the vice president from the Cabinet. “...[S]hould the president come to the point where he feels that he cannot fully work with or is uncomfortable with a particular Cabinet secretary, then it is his prerogative to release such a member,” Abella said.

Robredo, who belongs to the Liberal Party, has vocalized her disapproval of some of the president’s actions and remarks.

“Since I assumed office, I have been consistent in my opposition to issues such as the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, extrajudicial killings, reinstating [the] death penalty, lowering the age of criminal liability, and sexual attacks against women,” the vice president noted.

As reported by Rappler, Evasco said, there is “no point” for Robredo to attend meetings if “her position is always contradictory to the president’s.”

Robredo’s resignation comes a week after Maria Serena Diokno stepped down as chairwoman of the National Historic Commission of the Philippines, following Duterte’s decision to bury late president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the National Heroes’ Cemetery. n

HOLIDAY BLOOMS. Potted poinsettias in full bloom during the Christmas season are sold at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta

NBI: Espinosa killed in rubout, not…

A photo of the text message sent to Robredo. Photo by Barry Gutierrez

PAGE A1 t

vincial Jail in Baybay City after allegedly resisting arrest and exchanging shots with the CIDG on November 5.

Another inmate, Raul Yap, was also killed during the supposed resistance while the CIDG was serving the warrant.

The NBI, however, said its investigations revealed that Espinosa and Yap were murdered “defenseless.”

“From the pieces of evidence, the NBI concluded, it is patently clear that the acts of the CIDG operatives showed a community of purpose or an implied conspiracy. There was unison in their purpose and action, signifying they were all moved by a single criminal intent,” it said.

The bureau also stressed that “there is no indication that the police operatives who participated in the killing had desisted or those who acted as lookouts had prevented the raiding team from shooting the victims.”

The NBI had released its findings to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and said it had recommended that the Department of Justice (DOJ) file multiple murder and perjury cases against 24 police officers allegedly connected with the killing.

Among the CIDG 8 operatives recommended for raps include: Superintendent Marvin Marcos, the head of the raid group; Superintendent Santi Noel Matira; Chief Inspector Leo Laraga; Senior Inspectors Deogracias Diaz III and Fritz Blanco; Senior Police Officers 4 Juanito Duarte, Melvin Cayobit, and Eric Constantino; Senior Police Officers 2 Benjamin Dacallos and Alphinor Serrano Jr; Police Officers 3 Johnny Ibanez and Norman Abellanosa; Police Officer 2 Niel Centino; Police Officers 1 Bernard Orpilla, Lloyd Ortiguesa, and Jerlan Cabiyaan; and Cristal Jane Gisma and Divine Grace Songalia.

Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

Also recommended for similar charges were officers from the Regional Maritime Unit: Chief Inspector Calixto Canillas; Inspector Lucrecito Candilosas; Senior Police Officer 2 Antonio Docil; Senior Police Officer 1 Mark Christian Cadilo; and Police Officers 2 John Ruel Doculan and Jaime Bacsa.

Last August, Espinosa surrendered himself to the Philippine National Police (PNP) after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a “shoot out” order if the former did not surrender. The mayor resumed his post and was later detained in Baybay after he was charged in court.

Before he was killed, the late mayor was supposed to provide authorities a list of drug protectors and government officials allegedly involved in narcotics.

During the Senate inquiry on his death, some senators believe that Espinosa was murdered to prevent him from exposing drug personalities.

Meanwhile, his son, Kerwin Espinosa — also an alleged drug lord — previously said he believed his father’s death was the result of a rubout. Kerwin Espinosa also insisted that his father could not testify in drug trades since he was not involved in the illegal operations in the first place. n

From the Front Page

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A

Dayan released from Senate…

PAGE A1 t

has to offer about the links of his former boss, Sen. Leila de Lima, and other personalities to the illegal drug trade.

“I think that is a proper approach so as to reboot his memory… So we deemed it wise to give him some more space, some more time, to really compose himself,” he said.

Dayan was declared in contempt by the Senate upon the motion of Sen. Manny Pacquiao during a hearing last Monday for apparently trying to downplay his role in De Lima’s alleged dealings with confessed drug dealer Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa, and hiding other crucial information.

Dayan was picked up by his wife and daughter from the Senate and was escorted to his safehouse in Pangasinan by members of the Senate security and a police SWAT team.

Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Sens.

Gregorio Honasan and Pacquiao talked with Dayan for about an hour over coffee and biscuits while he was detained.

They decided to have him released for humanitarian reasons.

Lacson is the chairman of the Senate committee investigating the killing of Kerwin’s father, Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. on Nov. 5.

FUND-RAISING. Workers set up tents for a Christmas bazaar to raise funds for a Miss Universe event in Burnham Park but Baguio City traders are up in arms, protesting what they said was unfair competition that the bazaar is giving them. Reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and 20 pageant contestants are scheduled to be in Baguio and visit the presidential Mansion and the Philippine Military Academy on Jan. 18.

Inquirer.net photo by Vincent Cabreza

US envoy vows to expand ties with…

PAGE A1 t

dous kalooban or will, extraordinary spirit, warmth and strength.

He said the two countries have a close friendship, strong alliance and economic ties that are “longstanding and extensive.”

Kim said he is enthusiastic about the potential to grow the two countries’ two-way economic partnership.

“Over the weeks, months and years ahead, I look forward to working closely with the Philippine government and Filipino people, to expand our relationship and to engage in many areas of mutual interest,” he said.

“This important relationship is based on mutual respect. I am confident that our mutual respect, combined with the close ties and shared history and values, will ensure stability in our relationship over the long term and the years and decades to come.”

Kim said he is grateful to Duterte for his warm welcome and that he is looking forward to knowing the

Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

On the other hand, only Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. dissented, while Justice Francis H. Jardele-

for Kerwin.

Pacquiao said he had the impression that Dayan was meeting other drug lords.

Lacson said Dayan also mentioned during their conversation that he and De Lima visited Leyte, where the Espinosas run their drug operations, a few times before the elections.

‘No more love, only pity’ De Lima saw Dayan for the first time in months on Monday and was emotional during the hearing, where she appealed to him and Kerwin to tell only the truth.

De Lima told reporters yesterday that she no longer feels love for Dayan but only pity because he was being pressured to testify against her.

“I easily forgive, though I don’t easily forget people who’ve wronged me. I really pity him so may God bless him and his family,” De Lima said.

She said Dayan knows that she is not hiding anything bad about her life.

“But as I said, I feel a moral obligation to really help him in his current situation. But I won’t try to access him as this might give the wrong impression,” she said.

De Lima added she was tipped about some increased threats against her life so she is stepping up her security. (With Eva Visperas)

Trump supports Duterte’s drug…

PAGE A1 t and his administration.

“I appreciate the response that I got from the President-elect Trump and I would like to wish him success,” Duterte remarked.

“He will be a good president for the United States of America. I am very sure.”

The Trump team has yet to confirm the endorsement of Duterte’s drug crackdown, but rather offered a statement on Friday afternoon indicating that both leaders stay committed to working “together closely on matters of shared interest and concern” and acknowledged the “long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations” Duterte also said that Trump invited Duterte to visit him in New York City and Washington, D.C. He also invited the president-elect to the next Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017.

“I could sense a good rapport,

President Duterte chats with US Ambassador Sung Kim during a presentation of credentials at Malacañang yesterday. The envoy spoke of the strong bond and close friendship between the US and the Philippines.

Krizjohn Rosales

of East Asia and Pacific Affairs at the US State Department.

He had also served as ambassador to Korea; political officer at the US embassy in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur, and vice-consul of the US consulate in Hong Kong.

(Alexis Romero/Philstar.com)

Filipino people and traveling to different parts of the Philippines.

Kim is a career member of the senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor. He served as special representative for North Korea policy and deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau

Supreme Court rejects Revilla’s petition…

PAGE A1 t

The elder Espinosa, along with another inmate Raul Yap, were killed during a supposed shootout with police serving a search warrant in their detention cells.

Lacson said Dayan wanted to see his other children, whom he has not seen since he was arrested and detained in Camp Crame last Nov. 22.

Lacson said Dayan committed to appear before the committee when it conducts another hearing.

Senators grilled Dayan and Kerwin on Monday to reconcile their testimonies. Their testimonies were similar on the portion that Kerwin gave a total of P8 million, on three occasions, to De Lima through Dayan as his contribution to her campaign kitty for the senatorial elections.

They also similarly testified that Kerwin and De Lima met in Burnham Park in Baguio City. Kerwin said the meeting took place in November 2015 but Dayan maintained it happened in 2014.

Dayan had admitted having an affair with De Lima for seven years.

Weary after being grilled for over six hours, and after being shown a Facebook post with a picture of the meeting dated Nov. 19, 2015, Dayan conceded that it happened that year.

Pacquiao expressed doubts Dayan was acting as conduit only

violated when he was denied of copies of evidence against him.

“The Ombudsman violated Senator Revilla’s fundamental Constitutional rights to due pro-

za abstained.

In his plea, Revilla said the Office of the Ombudsman lacked probable cause to charge him with plunder. The former senator also said that his rights were

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an animated President-elect Trump. And he was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem,” Duterte added.

Prior to communicating with Duterte, Trump also made a phone call to Taiwan to the surprise of critics, who say that the call may rub China — who has a strained relationship with Taiwan and still sees it as their province — the wrong way.

“The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me

congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!” Trump tweeted on Friday.

Since then, White House officials have been communicating with Beijing about the matter.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Monday, December 5 that the call could put strains on U.S.-China relations.

“Some of the progress we have made in our relationship with China could be undermined by

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Dateline USa

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Commemorating Pearl Harbor and the heroism of Filipino World War II veterans

CHOOSE TO BE SAFE. Members of Ecowaste Coalition display toys that may harm children. With the expected mad rush to shop for toys, the group reminded the public to avoid buying toys that may choke, burn, injure or strangle children.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

CA senator moves to block Trump’s policies with ‘Fight for California’ bills

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

CALIFORNIA State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) introduced bills on Monday, December 5, aimed at preempting some of the controversial proposals put forth by Presidentelect Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.

The “Fight for California” package consists of three proposed items of legislation. Two of the bills introduced would challenge efforts by the Trump administration to build a wall separating California and Mexico or implement a Muslim registry.

“We’re not going to allow a wall that harms our environment and our economy,” said Lara in a statement released on Monday.

“We’re not going to allow per-

Trump…

PAGE A3 t

this issue flaring up,” Earnest said, adding that it was “unclear what the potential benefit” of Trump’s interaction with Taiwan might be.

Upon the backlash he received for the Taiwan call, he tweeted, “Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.”

(Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)

sonal data on individual Californians’ religious beliefs to be used to compile an unconstitutional database.”

Legislation put forth by the senator would prohibit state agencies from divulging information about individual Californians’ religions with the federal government for the purposes of creating such a database. The suggested bill is not intended to interfere with communications between local and federal law enforcement, according to Monday’s statement.

Another proposal in the package would require voter approval for the construction of a border wall. Lara said such a project would have a detrimental effect on trade and tourism and pose a risk to the state’s endangered species and river watersheds.

The third piece of legislation would sever ties between local governments and for-profit immigration detention centers. It would also require detention facilities to adhere to health and safety standards set forth by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Reports describing abuse and substandard housing conditions at some privately run detention centers led the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to decide on Thursday, August 18, that it would leave contracts with for-

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Seventy-five years ago on December 7, Japanese fighter planes bombed Pearl Harbor. On the same day, Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, a U.S. territory at the time. More than 250,000 Filipino soldiers responded to President Roosevelt’s callto-arms to defend the Philippines and the United States. They would go on to endure some of the most horrific conditions anywhere in the world, including the Bataan Death March and the ravages of the bombing of Manila, second only to Warsaw in its destruction.

They would not accept defeat. They would not quit. They would not leave a fallen comrade.

Half of them died in battle fighting under the American flag, making the ultimate sacrifice as soldiers in the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and as guerrilla fighters during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Those who survived suffered the scars of battle and the invisible wounds of war.

They were forced to endure additional humiliation and a slap in the face when the U.S. Congress passed the 1946 Rescission Acts, which stripped them of their rights and promised benefits.

Righting a wrong “This extraordinary moment can only be consoled with the award of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal,” said Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. “Through all this time, the veterans – those who have passed and those still alive today, remained steadfast and resolute hoping our country they had willingly defended would right the wrong brought upon them. Their determination to gain recognition was long and arduous.”

On November 30, Congress finally passed legislation granting recognition to the 260,000 Filipino soldiers for their service and sacrifice. It took more than 72 years.

profit facilities to lapse, as previously reported by the Asian Journal.

However, the DOJ has renewed a contract with CoreCivic (previously known as Corrections Corporation of America), one of the country’s largest operators of private detention centers in the U.S., according to a report published by Mother Jones on Thursday, November 16.

In August, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, initiated a review of its use of private detention centers. In their findings, auditors said financial concerns and a lack of facilities to replace private institutions would require the department to continue its reliance on them, according to a draft report of the investigation released on Thursday, December 1.

Lara’s statement on Monday did not address alternatives for housing immigrants detained in California. The detention center bill included in the “Fight for California” package is an older proposal that had previously been vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

This time around, Lara hopes state legislators will adhere with California’s progressive identity.

“We’re going to fight for California and for our values of democracy, freedom, and basic human decency,” the state senaSenator Bong Revilla tor said. n

“The passage of this bill on the eve of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, and the attack on the Philippines on Dec 8, 1941 is a momentous event, which is now enshrined in U.S. history,” adds Taguba. “Commemorating the anniversary of ‘the day of infamy’ and the courageous response of Filipino and American soldiers to call to duty, should serve to remind us that their uncommon valor should never be forgotten, that this American story should be preserved for posterity. Always remembering what they did is the best way to protect our children and their children from the horrors of war.”

Today, less than 16,000 remain, most of them ailing and in their 90s.

Global conflict The Pearl Harbor bombing led to a global conflict. As a Commonwealth of the United States, the Philippines was inevitably drawn into the war. Filipino soldiers fought the Japanese Imperial Forces from December 1941 to December 1946. Thousands were killed, wounded and captured as Prisoners of War. Thousands more fought as guerrillas until the enemy was finally defeated, liberating the country and preserving freedom and democracy in the United States.

“While Americans of all ages remember Pearl Harbor as a key event that triggered our nation’s involvement in World War II, we rightly commemorate the sacrifices of the brave men and women who fought for our freedom in the years that followed,” Taguba pointed out. “But much less is known or remembered of the thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who fought bravely for our freedom more than half a century ago and half a world away. Granting them recognition ensures that their story is now a significant part of American history. Honoring and remembering them is the best way to keep their memory alive.”

They are America’s Filipino Soldiers of World War II. They are part of our American story. n

Supreme Court rejects Revilla’s petition…

PAGE A3 t cess and to confront the accusations against him. Such rights are not mere rights ‘he believed in’ but are rights that are guaranteed in the Philippine constitution,” Revilla’s plea read.

The PDAF, also known as pork barrel, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013 because it allowed lawmakers “to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, post-enactment authority in vital areas of budget executions.”

Apart from Revilla, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, and former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada were also charged in the case.

Estrada is currently detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City while Enrile was freed on bail last August 2015.

During his campaign, President Rodrigo Duterte promised that Revilla would be released on bail should he win.

“Ako, you can be very sure, lalabas ‘yan, lalabas siya diyan. I cannot guarantee na ‘yung kaso mae-erase, pero (Under me, you can be very sure that he will be release. I cannot guarantee that the case will be erased but) I will see to it that he will be given the right to bail,” Duterte previously said, addressing voters in Cavite where Revilla was once elected as the governor. n

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A

Dateline PhiliPPines

San Miguel Corp. donates P1-B to government for drug rehab centers

by CeCille

Suerte Philstar.com

Felipe

MANILA, Philippines — The government is getting more funds for the construction of drug rehabilitation facilities as part of the effort to fight illegal drugs.

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will hand over Tuesday, Dec. 6 a P1-billion donation to the government for the construction of additional drug rehabilitation facilities in the country.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno thanked SMC vice-chairman, president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang and the entire SMC management for extending support to the government’s effort to rehabilitate drug users.

“We thank Mr. Ramon Ang for the P1-billion donation that he will hand over to us, which will go a long way for our fellowmen who can still be saved from drug dependence through rehabilitaMARY’S CHILDREN. Thousands of Marian devotees join the annual procession of Marian images in Intramuros, Manila on Sunday. The Catholic Church observes the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, December 8.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ DIosina

Abaya charged in license scam 6 other former officials implicated

by Jomar

CanlaS ManilaTimes.net

CRIMINAL charges were filed on Tuesday, Dec. 6 against former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and six other former officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications in connection with the P3.8-billion Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVLPSP) that was disallowed by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Charged at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Government Procurement Reform Act and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees were Abaya; Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, former chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee; Rene Limcaoco, Julianito Bucay-

an Jr. and Dante Lantin, former members of the BAC; Catherine Jennifer Gonzales, overall head of the BAC Secretariat; Alfonso Tan Jr., former chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO); and Ron Salo, corporate counsel of PPI-JKG Joint Venture.

The complaint was filed by the Citizens Crime Watch and Liga ng Eksplosibong Pagbabago.

The complainants said the respondents should be made liable for collecting payments from motorists without issuing the corresponding license plates.

“The conspiracy of the car plate manufacturers to commit the offenses, as charged, would not have succeeded without the knowledge, intervention, act or omission of the members of the BAC,” they added.

The complainants said no post-qualification of the winning bidder was done contrary to rec-

ommendations of the Technical Working Group that would have established if PPI-JKG joint venture had the money to finance the manufacture of the license plates.

“It can be inferred that the DOTC-BAC acted in manifest partiality toward PPI-JKG Joint Venture. The members of the DOTCBAC, knowing the falsity of the documents submitted, qualified the said joint venture and even approved the award of the MVLPSP project to the same,” they added. “Apparently, the award of the project to the same joint venture hinged on the financial and/or material gains that these respondents would get from the same joint venture in the event of a successful award.”

The groups urged the DOJ to investigate the respondents and file charges against them in court

u PAGE A7

tion,” Sueno said.

The ceremonial turnover of donation will be made through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as head of the inter-agency task force on the establishment and support of drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers nationwide.

Ang will be present at the ceremony to be held at 3 p.m. at the SMC Main Building, Ortigas Center, Pasig City along with Sueno, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., DILG Undersecretary for Operations John Castriciones, concurrent chairman of Task Force Agila, and representatives from the Department of Health.

In a previous statement, Ang said peace and order were essential to the country’s progress and development.

Ang likewise said that by supporting government in its campaign against illegal drugs as well as the rehabilitation of drug

dependents, it would help create an “environment of participation and contribution” because it would encourage other sectors to do the same.

Sueno said the DILG, for its part, had been calling for accountability and transparency at the local government level, therefore guaranteeing openness in supervising the construction of mega-drug rehabilitation facilities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Last Nov. 29, the DILG led the launching of the first phase of the mega-drug rehabilitation in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija.

Sueno said the government would continue to receive donations and encourage corporations to exercise social responsibility and at the same time support government’s drive to eradicate illegal drug activities and reform drug users who could still be functional members of society. n

P334 million from 13 donors funded Duterte’s presidency

by Karol ilagan

and

malou mangahaS Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism) — The image Rodrigo Duterte projected of his 2016 presidential campaign was that it was one run on a shoestring budget. It supposedly had no donors with vested interests, and that included big businessmen and mining firms.

But the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) he filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after he won the presidency paints a different picture. According to his SOCE, the P375 million Duterte raised for his campaign came mainly from big businessmen.

In fact, money from his 13 biggest donors who gave him P5 million or more already makes up 89.28 percent or P334.8 million of his total campaign kitty. One of these contributors even belongs in this year’s Forbes list of 50 richest Filipinos. Small donations or those P10,000 and below amount to just P175,313 — less

than half of one percent or mere- nors who donated from P1 milly 0.046 percent of Duterte’s total lion to P3.5 million delivered an additional P31.66 million, or campaign fund.

A second tier of 18 other dou PAGE A7

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A DECEMBER 7-9, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Futile attempt

THE Philippines has been a victim of drug abuse. This is why Pres.

Rodrigo Duterte personally waged war on illegal drugs during his campaign. He promised to rid the country of drugs and crime not only at the streets but also at the higher echelons of society. In doing so, he warned that 100,000 people would fall when he finally launches his war on drugs and crime.

Officials said there are about 3.7 million drug addicts in the country, a figure that they said reflects a problem of “epidemic proportions.”

The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently reported that a total of 5,882 suspected drug dealers, traffickers, and users have been killed across the country since Duterte launched his war on illegal drugs.

The latest PNP data culled from July 1-Dec. 6, 2016, showed that 2,041 drug suspects were killed by the authorities, while 3,841 were “murdered outside police operations” from July 1 to November 30.

Is anyone winning the war on drugs?

For PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, the government is on the winning side with more people now saying they feel safe in their neighborhoods.

“I’m very proud to say that despite all the criti-

cisms and noises, extrajudicial killings and summary killings accusations against me and the PNP, things like that, still we face our mission with more courage because I know that we are working for the people,” the PNP chief said.

He cited that within three months, 720,000 drugs users and peddlers have surrendered and 22,00 others were caught in buy-bust operations as proof that extrajudicial killings were not a recourse in the drug campaign.

“When you hit drugs, when you neutralize the drug problems, it follows that criminality rates will go down. So (you are) hitting two birds [with] one stone,” Dela Rosa explained.

While the government may be celebrating the rise of fatalities as an indication of their impending victory, many others are alarmed by the number of drug-related casualties.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Chito

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

Gascon said that the current data is already higher than the recorded death during the first year of martial law.

Duterte has also managed to lock horns with officials of the United States, European Union and the United Nations, who criticize his leaderships because of possible human rights violations in his anti-drug campaign.

The government can’t win this war alone. If alternatives are not considered now, a lasting solution may never be possible. This is a war with many fronts and needs engagement from both the government and civil society. It also requires a strategy that will weaken criminal organizations, reconstruct law enforcement institutions, and improve the judicial system. (AJPress)

Rebooting our relations with the US

THE six-day firefight in Butig, Lanao del Sur between the military and the Maute Group has devastated the town and displaced residents. But while the Armed Forces has recaptured the area, members of the terrorist group have vowed retribution, promising to behead their enemies including the President. Last June, the military successfully flushed out elements of the Maute Group but obviously, they managed to regroup, with the Maute brothers Omar and Abdullah having reportedly aligned with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS. This potential terrorist alignment with the ISIS underscores even more the importance of maintaining our close relationship with the United States especially with the exchange of vital information.

Over the years, intelligence information from the United States has proven to be critical in helping pinpoint terrorist strongholds in the country.

Even on the issue of illegal drugs, the US has been actively supporting our efforts, cooperating with Philippine authorities with many of the drug busts at the airport having come from tips provided by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Although there are apprehensions regarding diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States – which is quite understandable considering the strong rhetoric of President Duterte against the US in the past, plus the uncertainty triggered by the election of Donald Trump as the next US president – a reboot in diplomatic relations seems to be ready to go. The phone con-

versation last Friday night between President Duterte and president- Babe’s elect Donald Trump is the perfect Eye View way to start.

Our man in the US tells us Trump and Duterte “noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments should babe RoMualdez continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern.”

The brief phone call, which was described by the Palace as “very engaging and animated,” signals potentially warmer relations between our two countries. Things have been quite testy owing to President Duterte’s strong rhetoric against the US and Barack Obama over what he perceived was meddling on domestic issues. On the other hand, there has also been concern with Trump’s pronouncements about reviewing Obama policies, among them the “pivot to Asia” as well as immigration and outsourcing of jobs which could affect many Filipinos in the country.

I spoke to former US Ambassador to the Philippines and first ever Director of US National Intelligence John Negroponte during dinner the other night hosted by former Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario. John told me people at the State Department are also uncertain how diplomacy will be conducted under a Trump administration since the US president-elect has also been unorthodox in his approach. According to Negroponte, being in Washington will be an interesting and cerebral-

ly challenging time.

As I mentioned to Karen Davila during her program “Headstart” aired on the ANC news channel last Thursday, a good headway in the relationship would be for President Trump and President Duterte to meet as early as April next year for the ASEAN, which will be hosted by the Philippines. I am told reciprocal invitations were made for a visit by both leaders.

The arrival of the new US Ambassador, Sung Kim, is also opportune and should augur well since, as I said, he is the first line of official communication between President Duterte and the United States.

I am certain Ambassador Kim, a career diplomat, has been briefed extensively by his staff in the embassy – well aware of the current situation and will do well as far as understanding where the Duterte administration is coming from on many issues. As the new ambassador said, the relationship between the United States and the Philippines has been one of the most enduring, with so many important dimensions that also come with it.

Admittedly, there is the great possibility that diplomatic relations will have a slightly different tone, especially since President Duterte would also like to have stronger ties with other countries such as China and Russia. But as far as military relations are concerned, I agree with many that the alliance between the Philippines and the US is crucial for

security especially in this region. I’m pretty sure president-elect Trump has also been briefed during his intelligence briefing with the US military and the CIA about the critical importance of the areas where the presence of the US is required.

Our agreements such as the EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) can be scaled down to a certain level that could potentially be manageable. Cancelling EDCA completely is unwise because it has been, and will be, beneficial to our security down the road, not to mention the disaster and humanitarian component which is included in the agreement.

Having had the opportunity to interact with the president during his visit to Japan, there is no doubt he has a clear vision of where he wants to take our country. During his meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the latter had impressed upon the president that the relationship with the US is important for the region.

I must admit Karen Davila’s ANC program is one of the most widely watched judging from the numerous text and email messages I received. I must commend Karen for the excellent work she has been doing as a broadcast journalist, proving to be one of the best with the insightful and incisive questions she asks from her guests.

Like I told Karen and her TV audience – any nation in the world, no matter how small, whether friend or foe, should consider the United States as an important country to have to deal with. *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

Public affairs by text messaging and other sorrows

AS an erstwhile newspaper editor and Opinion communications consultant, I do not understand why our public officials do not prepare full public statements when they have to deal Yen Makabenta with an issue of personal or official interest to them.

I also do not understand why editors nowadays tolerate stories from reporters that are driven only by text messages.

As communication tools have multiplied in the information age, many Filipinos have paradoxically become more lazy and inept in communicating.

They don’t take the time to compose their thoughts and messages more coherently. They just reach for the quickest “speed of light” technology to fire away.

This trend is in stark display in the bizarre firing and resignation of vicepresident Leni Robredo from President Duterte’s cabinet. The affair was executed entirely through text messaging.

It was a case of what Barbara Tuchman called, “history being written while it is still smoking.”

Text messages and Twitter statements The Robredo comedy started rolling when Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. on Saturday sent a text message to Vice-President Leni Robredo telling her that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted her to stop attending Cabinet meetings starting Monday, December 5.

The text message read: “Good afternoon, Madam Vice President. Mayor

Rody Duterte thru Bong Go asked me to relay to you his instruction for you to desist from attending all Cabinet mtngs starting this Monday Dec 5, 2 pm. Ty.” Robredo reacted to this with her own text message. She said: “We received a text message last Saturday from Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr., relaying the President’s instruction through [presidential aide] Bong Go for me ‘to desist from attending all Cabinet meetings starting this Monday, December 5.’ This is the last straw, because it makes it impossible for me to perform my duties.

“Hence, I am tendering (sic) my resignation from the Cabinet on Monday, December 5, 2016. With this resignation, you can expect that I will continue to support the positive initiatives of this administration and oppose those that are inimical to the people’s interest.”

But then, the vice president felt she did not say enough. She sent out another text message or Twitter statement: “I had been warned of a plot to steal the vice-presidency.

“However, as your duly elected vicepresident, I will not allow the vice presdiency to be stolen. I will not allow the will of the people to be thwarted.

“I will continue to serve the Filipino family and fulfill their dream of a better life.”

But she was still not done. She hurriedly texted: “The events of recent days indicate that this plot [to steal the vice-presidency] is now being set into

motion.”

Then, realizing what she would be losing in leaving the Cabinet, she wrote wistfully: “We had hoped this day would not come…”

Throughout this drama, it never occurred to Robredo and her handlers to write a forthright statement that would spell out her position and her fears.

Never did they bother to tax their minds for a coherent strategy that would be effective, or a message that would be believed. Laziness was all.

Irreconcilable differences Not surprisingly, the drama did not unfold as Robredo hoped.

Evasco explained the president’s directive as engendered by “irreconcilable differences” between the president and the vice-president. Robredo’s public avowal of differences with the President’s policies would no longer be tolerated. It had reached the point where she could no longer have her cake and eat it, too.

Press Secretary Martin Andanar bluntly stated that the alleged plot to steal the vice- presidency was just coming (an invention?) from the vice-president’s camp. There is no plot in the Palace or the administration.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez took away the fig leaf of resignation by saying that Robredo was fired.

Why did this experiment of working together between the top two officials of the land end so badly and so clumsily?

Robredo from the first did not comprehend the peculiar politics and stakes of her position. She came into the arrangement not only as the second highest official of the government, but also

as the highest ranking member of the Liberal Party (LP), but without being named as party president.

When the tensions between the administration and the LP came to the fore, political demands would be levied on her.

Soon or later, the idea of Robredo as vice-president and housing czar would become untenable.

Robredo needed not only to have the confidence of President Duterte. She needed also to have the confidence of the Filipino people.

Duterte and Robredo initially hit it off swimmingly as DU30 flirted with Robredo and flattered her about her legs, a presidential indulgence that sometimes bordered on sexual harassment. But after five months, DU30’s confidence in the vice-president is now all gone.

What tipped Robredo over the cliff Robredo has real problems with other members of the Cabinet because of her increasingly open dissent with the president’s policies.

If she could recognize the last straw in presidential treatment of her, the Cabinet and the President’s advisers had also seen enough.

From what I could gather, the key issues that tipped Robredo over the cliff were: 1. First, her highly public opposition to the Duterte-authorized Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga bayani (LNMB), which continued even after the Supreme Court had ruled on its legality.

2. Second, her loud criticism of the House probe of Senator De Lima and her dealings with the illegal drugs trade.

3. Third, her public criticism of the

ongoing war on drugs and the alleged extra-judicial killings it has engendered.

To many Duterte insiders, the Vice President appeared to be promoting herself and her politics at the expense of the President and the administration.

When an individual, politician or otherwise, agrees to join the official family of the President, he/she does so on the explicit, not just tacit, understanding that he/she would publicly support the President and his policies, and would work in concert with other members of the administration.

This support Robredo failed to supply.

Her firing from the Cabinet has disrobed her, and she now must find out for herself whether the LP and the Yellow Cult will embrace her as their leader, or whether they have any political clout left.

Media not a stenographer of deceitful statements When Robredo issued her statement that she had been warned of an alleged plot to steal the vice-presidency, she did not say that it was a plot to steal from her, she vaguely suggested that it was a plot to steal the office, which on its face could mean anything.

Such an allegation requires substantiation for the public and the media to give it credence. The media cannot be a stenographer for deceitful statements.

During his state visit to China, President Duterte “joked” that the country would have a new vice president if Marcos wins his electoral protest.

That’s when Robredo started seeing a plot to steal her office. (yenmakabenta@yahoo.com)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

P334 million from 13 donors funded Duterte’s…

dates may have some explaining to do with Comelec for their failure to disclose the true identities of their donors, for overspending, for failure to file complete and correct SOCEs, or even for not filing their SOCEs within deadline of one month after the May 9, 2016 elections.

When or how the poll body will act on these matters is the big question, though. Last June 20, Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, filed his irrevocable resignation as head of the Comelec Campaign Finance Office (CFO). This was after four of the poll body’s seven commissioners voted to accept the late submission of SOCEs by the Liberal Party and its presidential candidate Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II until June 30, or three weeks beyond the “final, non-extendible deadline” deadline it had imposed.

In his resignation letter, Lim wrote the Comelec en banc: “Given the Commission’s policy shift resulting from granting the request for extension without any sanctions on the erring candidates and parties—which I had

expressly dissented from and is now incongruent with my own views on the matter—I believe that I am unsuitable to continue with my duties both as the concurrent head and Commissionerin-Charge of the Campaign Finance Office.” According to Lim, the extension of the deadline for the Liberal Party was “illegal... tantamount to an amendment of the law.”

Court case drags In July, Duterte’s political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban asked the Supreme Court to declare the Comelec’s decision “illegal, prohibited, and void,” saying the deadline extension was made to “accommodate” the then ruling Liberal Party.

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the matter. A court official told PCIJ that the justices are not likely to deliberate and rule on the case soon, on account of other pending contentious cases and the usual holiday downtime.

Should the court rule against Comelec, at least 69 winning candidates and 5,836 losing can-

didates for national and local positions in the May 2016 elections could face penalties or sanctions under Comelec’s campaign-finance rules. If it should rule for Comelec, however, the court is likely to court the disfavor of the PDP-Laban party of President Duterte.

But by all indications, whichever way the high court decides — for or against Comelec — the issue has already left the CFO in limbo and adrift, and set back the reforms in campaign-finance regulation that Comelec has been putting in place since the 2010 elections.

More than five months after Lim’s resignation, the CFO remains a headless entity. Indeed, the CFO lawyers have had to seek endorsement from the office of the Comelec’s Executive Director before they could act on PCIJ’s requests for data and interview. Amid this drift, the staff personnel have been left to mind the CFO household even as they have neither mandate nor power to decide on issues, such as what the Comelec en banc alone possesses.

Among PCIJ’s queries pertained to Duterte’s campaignfinance report, which indicated a bevy of donors who shouldn’t have been making campaign contributions in the first place, and ties binding politics and business.

Still, Mazna Lutchavez, Attorney IV at the Comelec CFO, is firm in saying that a careful reading of the poll body’s rules suggests that Duterte’s donors are covered by the prohibition on giving donations, if they are engaged in mining, public utilities, and government contracts.

This is because, she says, the law specifically cites not only juridical persons or companies, but natural persons, too. She adds that the provision citing direct and indirect involvement also pertains to the company owner.

PAGE A5 t

case.

The tribunal also stopped the transportation office from releasing 400,000 license plates for motorcycles.

Named respondents in the case before the SC were Abaya, then-Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., then-Budget Secretary Florencio Abad; and National Treasurer Roberto Tan. In July this year, the COA found the P3.8-billion license plate procurement deal illegal and ordered officials of the DOTC, now

the Department of Transportation, to settle the P477.9 million it initially paid to the plate supplier.

In its Notice of Disallowance, the audit commission said the deal was illegal because the contract awarded to the joint venture of Knieriem BV Goes and Power Plates Development Concept Inc. (JKG-PPI) was not in accordance with procedures prescribed under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. n

PAGE A5 t

eight percent more, to Duterte’s campaign.

No doubt, this is far from how Duterte and his followers had described his campaign team: That the masses who could afford to donate only “Emilio Aguinaldo” money or five-peso coins would be the ones sending him to Malacañang.

By the data he enrolled in his SOCE, only 13 extremely wealthy individuals and 18 other millionpeso donors whose companies do business with the government or engage in utilities, mining and the exploitation of natural resources bankrolled Duterte’s rise to power.

Just six months after the elections, Duterte has appointed at least half a dozen of his donors and their relatives to Cabinet and other positions, even as one campaign contributor has already snared government contracts and flaunted on social media his claimed closeness to the President.

This donor, a Chinese-Filipino business partner of Duterte who runs a cockpit in Davao City, has even posted on his Facebook page his photos with the President and the Japanese premier that were taken from Duterte’s recent state visit, as well as with Duterte, and his children and sibling.

And yet by the rules of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), this campaign contributor and several others should not have donated at all to Duterte’s campaign. Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits “natural and juridical persons” who have business interests in utilities, mining, and the like from making election contributions.

CFO headless, in drift PCIJ curated, digitized, and reviewed Duterte’s SOCE, as well as those that the other candidates for president, vice president, and senator in the May 2016 elections have filed with Comelec. Altogether, these documents, including advertising contracts, broadcast logs, and various SOCE forms, came up to about 12 gigabytes of data.

PCIJ also secured records from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for some of the companies of some of the campaign contributors, and sent letter requests to the candidates and their donors for comment and clarification.

The PCIJ audit reveals that Duterte and some other candi-

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 7-9, 2016

More than a running mate. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was eventually defeated in the vice presidential race, himself donated P71.3 million to President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign kitty Senate PRIB, file for president.

Abaya charged in license…

if it finds sufficient evidence to warrant their indictment.

In June this year, the Supreme Court stopped the LTO from distributing the 300,000 imported license plates confiscated by the Bureau of Customs after the PPIJKG failed to pay the shipment’s duties and taxes.

The LTO wanted to release the license plates to ease the backlog but the High Court issued a temporary restraining order without prejudice to the resolution of the

Then again, Lutchavez allows that the legal doctrine that separates a person from a company offers a loophole that may subject the election rule to different interpretations. For instance, says another election lawyer, a campaign donor engaged in mining, could say as a defense that he owns a mining firm but it is his company that engaged in a mining activity – not him.

The ties that bind To verify the business interests of Duterte’s donors, PCIJ crosschecked details of his SOCE against corporate records obtained from the Securities and

“

A

Exchange Commission (SEC), bid notice and award data from the Procurement Service-Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PS-PhilGEPS), public-works contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), mining-tenements data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and PCIJ’s list of campaign donors culled from Comelec records from the 1998 to 2013 elections.

A person’s tax identification number and a company’s registration number were used to match records from different sources. n

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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal

by Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Real estate consultancy and service provider CBRE Philippines yesterday allayed fears of a potential slowdown in the real estate sector as a result of a shortage in skilled construction workers in the country.

The lack of adequately-skilled workers has reportedly been weighing down private building activities nationwide due to con-

struction delays.

“It’s a matter of developers’ management. Developers are greatly dedicated at completing their projects so whenever there are delays, it doesn’t usually take long, especially that they know they have commitments,” said Kash Salvador, CBRE Philippines associate director for investment properties and capital markets.

CBRE Philippines, which will undergo a major rebranding starting next year, said it remains bullish on its prospects for the

country’s real estate market.

“Over the medium term, we expect to see sustained economic growth in the Philippines, fuelled by favorable demographics, continuing foreign direct investment, further BPOs, strong overseas remittances and continued infrastructure development – all of which will drive robust demand in the real estate sector,” CBRE Philippines CEO Rick Santos said.

“The BPO industry continues to grow as economies in the West

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Bank of Hope and APIASF announce $150,000 funding for college scholarship opportunities

Partnership will provide 52 scholarships to eligible Asian-American and Pacific Islander students for the 2017-2018 academic year

BANK of Hope, the largest Korean American bank in the nation, and The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the nation’s largest non-profit provider of college scholarships to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), today jointly announced $150,000 funding for scholarships to selected college-bound students enrolling for the 2017-2018 aca-

demic year as described below.

The APIASF/Bank of Hope scholarship will be awarded to 52 students in the amount of $2,500 each.

“As a first and only super regional Korean-American bank in the United States, Bank of Hope continues to support education in the communities where we operate and has distributed more than $1.6 million in scholarships

to date through our Bank of Hope Scholarship Foundation,” said Kevin Kim, Chairman and CEO of Bank of Hope. “We believe APIASF’s leadership position and established distribution channels will continue to expand our efforts in assisting students that need help the most. We look forward to the continued partnership with APIASF for the better-

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 7-9, 2016

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B DECEMBER 7-9, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

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Palawan targets 2-M tourists in 2017

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

MANILA, Philippines — Palawan tourism stakeholders are confident tourist arrivals will increase by as much as two million next year with the expected opening of the Puerto Princesa International Airport and other gateways in the province.

In an interview with The STAR, Debbie Tan, president of the Palawan Tourism Council, said industry players in the province are anticipating the opening of the international airport in Puerto Princesa City in the first quarter of next year.

“We’re optimistic that tourist arrivals will increase with the opening of the Puerto Princesa International Airport. We are targeting two million arrivals in 2017,”

Tan said in a phone interview.

But aside from the gateway, Tan said the growth would also come from the opening of the San Vicente Airport, which is targeted in the second quarter of next year, as well as the improvement of the Busuanga Airport in Coron, Palawan.

To gear up for the expected surge in tourists, Tan said the private sector in Palawan has started to invest more in hotels and accommodation facilities.

“A lot of properties have been opening up in preparation for the entry of tourists,” Tan said.

However, Tan said most of the new hotels were small with only 100 rooms.

She admitted the province still lacked investors who are willing to infuse big investments to open hotels with 300 to 500 rooms.

The Palawan Tourism Council, for its part, is also developing new destinations, activities and tour packages within the province.

In 2015, about one million tourists visited the province of Palawan. For Puerto Princesa, alone, around 820,000 tourists stayed overnight.

In an earlier interview, Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron said he expected tourist arrivals in the city to jump to 1.5 million in 2017 due to the opening of its international airport.

He said the airport, once operational, would be positioned as one of the gateways of the Philippines to Asia.

“Next year, when the airport opens, and we solve the traffic problem, I think it would not be hard to attain 1.5 million visitors next year,” the official said. n

Great Place to Work® and Fortune name AT&T one of the 2016 best workplaces for diversity

DALLAS — Global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work™ and Fortune named AT&T one of the 2016 Best Workplaces for Diversity.

AT&T ranked #39 on the list, which is based on employees’ assessments of workplace fairness, opportunities for training, and access to senior leadership, among other factors.

Workplaces that prize diversity and inclusiveness aren’t just good for specific classes of workers. Organizations create winning workplaces by promoting environments that are great for all employees. That’s according to research Great Place to Work conducted to compile the list.

The 50 companies on the 2016

Best Workplaces for Diversity list average 24% higher year-overyear revenue growth than other Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM workplaces that didn’t earn a spot on the ranking.

“A diverse workforce isn’t just the right thing, it’s good for business,” said Cynt Marshall, senior vice president of human resources and chief diversity officer. “We are committed to creating a truly inclusive environment at AT&T. That commitment starts at the top with our chairman and continues with meaningful diversity and inclusion programs.”

“We congratulate this year’s winners for showing that diverse workplaces are good for ALL employees,” said Michael C. Bush,

CEO of Great Place to Work.

“Bottom line? Our research shows that the most inclusive workplaces enjoy significantly higher revenue growth than lessinclusive workplaces—evidence that these organizations are cultivating the full human potential of all their people.”

Great Place to Work published other Best Workplaces for Diversity lists. These include the Best Workplaces for Latinos, the Best Workplaces for Asian Americans, and the Best Workplaces for African Americans. AT&T also ranked #10 on the African American list.

Great Place to Work also produced a report with survey data and workforce practices to help other workplaces become more inclusive. n

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Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BuLAon I CAN’T believe this year is almost over. This morning, I saw a lot of my neighbors starting to put up their Christmas lights.

It seems like 2016 just started.

Where did the time go? For me, it’s going a little too fast these days.

It is usually around this time of the year that people reflect on what they have done or have failed to do in the passing year.

As a bankruptcy attorney, I know that one of the things that people worry about all the time is their finances.

Plagued by the anxiety brought about by debt problems and foreclosure in the last several years, many people found themselves filing for bankruptcy protection in order to recover financially and start over. As we close another year, wouldn’t it make sense to have a plan on how you can better

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENTS are married to each other and they are both seniors.

He is 68 and she is 66. He is a member of the professions and still works in that professional capacity. She is retired. Their residence has equity of $400K. This fact alone knocks them out of Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, the trustee has the power to sell their home, give them their homestead exemption of $175K and use $225 to pay of trustee administrative expenses and trustee’s lawyer.

After they are paid, whatever is left is used to pay the $80K and if there is anything left, probably one dollar will be given to the debtors. It’s strange that $145K can be used for administrative and legal fees to pay $80K of credit cards, but I have seen this happen. It’s really not that unusual. I represent an unsecured creditor for $250K in a Chapter 7 case of a company that had $385K in its checking accounts when the case was converted from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7. In a span of 18 months, the bulk of the $385K

Community Journal

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 7-9, 2016

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Will your debt problems follow you into 2017? manage your finances this coming year? If you are still in debt and your situation has remained unchanged from last year, what is your game plan in resolving your financial difficulties?

Last month, several people came to our office saying that they had decided to file bankruptcy because they wanted to start their new year fresh and realized that they really had no other way out of debt. They said that they had given their decision a lot of thought and realized that the longer they procrastinated about making a decision to start fresh, the longer they were putting their life on hold. I’ve heard this many times from clients.

Most of the time, these people already know what they need to do but what stops them from filing bankruptcy is their fear that once they do, their situation will only get worse instead of better.

Thus, I am often asked by clients whether life will ever become “normal” again after filing for bankruptcy. First of all, what does the word “normal” really mean? If by “normal”, you

mean being able to rid your life of the stress brought about by the problems of heavy indebtedness, I would say that the answer has to be “yes”. If by “normal” you mean being finally able to regain control of your life again once again instead of going through every day with your fingers crossed and simply hoping that your debt problems would somehow solve themselves, I would say “yes” again.

As a bankruptcy attorney, I find that a lot of people are so misinformed about the purpose of our bankruptcy laws that they think filing bankruptcy is admitting that they’ve failed. So they continue to suffer needlessly when the law actually provides a solution for their situation.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that bankruptcy is the solution to all financial problems.

If you are having a tough time financially and are struggling to pay your creditors, I am not suggesting that you should quickly take the easy path by bailing out and giving up without first seriously considering all other

Seniors consider Chapter 13 relief for $80K credit cards Young couple need Chapter 7 relief for $40K credit cards

had been used up for trustee and his legal fees. My client’s $250K which I had to defend vigorously in trial is probably worth 20 percent now. However, what is going on is perfectly legal. Once the trustee and his lawyers start to administer the bankruptcy estate assets, they will make a lot of money. I understand that the moneymaking bankruptcies are offset by the money-losing bankruptcies; so in the end, of course, the trustee has to stay ahead of his expenses. The closest analogy is using a sledgehammer to kill a fly, or paying $10K for a screwdriver. It’s this kind of stuff.

It’s legal but it doesn’t make any sense but we have to live with it.

Aside from owning their residence, clients also own a rental, which has no equity. It’s negative about $20K, and they lose about $300 a month because the rent is less than the mortgage payment and the property management fee. Husband last year liquidated $50K of his $70K 401K to cover the $30K he needed for minimum

payments on the $80K credit cards. After that payment of $30K at the sacrifice of his retirement account, they still owe the same $80K! They have been paying the minimum of $2,500 a month to keep these cards current for a very long time. Even at ten years, and I am sure their credit card debt has been there longer than that, they already have paid $300K and today they still owe the very same $80K! Now being a professional and educated person, husband knows that there is something very wrong in this equation but he cannot get himself to make the right decision. Yes, it’s clear that they need relief from the $80K cards but what should they do at their age? Wife seems to be the clearer thinker of the two as she immediately sees the impossibility of keeping these cards. These cards have wiped out husband’s 401K which should not happen in the first place. A retirement account is for their retirement, not to pay minimum payments

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options that may be available to you. If at all possible, you should find out whether there are non-bankruptcy alternatives in dealing with your debt problems.

However, if you’re already past that point and have exhausted all your options, what I’m saying is that you shouldn’t sit around thinking that your life is over just because bankruptcy is inevitable and that you will never have a second chance. Sure, maybe you’ve made some mistakes that led to your present situation but filing bankruptcy doesn’t mean that you’re a failure. If you focus

on reliving the negative experiences of the past, you’re likely to miss opportunities that lie ahead.

So get back up again and dust yourself off.

Someone said: “Success truly is the result of good judgment.

Good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is often the result of bad judgment!”

You know what that means? That means that you can make mistakes, learn from them and eventually still be successful! Your life can be better and it’s your attitude that makes the difference!

If you are ready to make 2017 a better year but are still struggling

Calendar of Events across

financially with debt problems and don’t know where to turn for help, we can help you figure out all available options. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, please call TollFree 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS D EC E M B E R 7

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - SouthBay Los Angeles Area (FACC-SLAA)’s Business & Professionals Networking Mixer Come celebrate the holidays with FACC-SLAA, and meet other driven Filipino/FilAm businesspersons and professionals in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. It will be at Wednesday, December 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the SOL Venue, 313 E Carson St., Carson, CA 90745. Tickets for FACC-SLAA members are free with pre-registration, $5 at the door. For non-members, $10 for pre-registration and $20 at the door. *Please bring presents ($20 minimum) for the gift exchange, and plenty of holiday cheer! For more information, please email facc.slaa@gmail.com.

D EC E M B E R 1 1

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACC-GLA)’s 15th year anniversary The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACC-GLA) is celebrating its 15th year anniversary by recognizing businesses and community partners and installing officers and board members on Sunday, December 11 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside at 6333 Bristol Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230. The cost to attend is $50 and formal attire is required. Please make your check payable to FPACC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the educational scholarship funds and to help the underprivileged children in the Philippines. For any inquiries, please email info.faccgla@gmail.com.

D EC E M B E R 1 5

Simbang Gabi at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will once again host the Annual Simbang Gabi Advent (night mass) on Thursday, December 15. It is the 14th anniversary of the liturgical celebration of the Philippine tradition of culture, faith, and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Our theme this year is “JESUS, MAKE US GENEROUS DISPENSERS OF YOUR DIVINE MERCY” translated in Tagalog, “HESUS, GAWIN MO KAMING MASAGANANG DALUYAN NG IYONG BANAL NA AWA.” Ministers from parishes of the Pastoral Regions of Santa Barbara, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro and Our Lady of the Angels together with Dignitaries, Civic, Business and Non-profit organizations will march with their banner and parol (lantern), a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. Most Reverend Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, D.D will be the main celebrant. Other Concelebrants will be the Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese. Over 3,000 individuals are expected to attend. The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 555 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Parking is available at the cathedral for $8 or at adjacent lots. For more information, please email Lem Amit at filipinoministryola@gmail.com or (323) 793-5141.

Bank of Hope and APIASF announce $150,000…

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ment of our communities.”

For over ten years, APIASF has provided a critical bridge to higher education by distributing over $100 million in scholarships to AAPI students. APIASF has supported students from cities in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States, who represent all 48 ethnicities within the AAPI community.

More than 50 percent of APIASF’s scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college and nearly 70 percent come from families with incomes of $30,000 or less.

“Bank of Hope’s ongoing support of APIASF is making a significant difference for some of the nation’s most underserved students,” said APIASF President & Executive Director Neil Horikoshi. “With many AAPI students facing financial barriers in the pursuit of higher education, these scholarship opportunities have the potential to be lifechanging.”

To be eligible for the APIASF/ Bank of Hope scholarship, applicants must be of Asian American and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census; be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States; be enrolling in a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 2017 as a freshman; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or have earned a GED; apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); must demonstrate financial need and qualify based on income restrictions and limitations; submit one letter of recommendation online; and reside in one of the following counties: Alameda County, CA; Contra Costa County, CA; Los Angeles County, CA; Marin, CA; Orange County, CA; San Bernardino County, CA; Santa Clara County, CA; San Diego County, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Mateo County , CA; Riverside County, CA; Bronx County, NY, Kings County, NY; Nassau County, NY; New York County, NY; Putnam County, NY; Queens County, NY;

Richmond County, NY; Rockland County, NY; Suffolk County, NY; Westchester County, NY; Bergen County, NJ; Essex County, NJ; Hudson County, NJ; Hunterdon County, NJ; Middlesex County, NJ; Fairfax County, VA; Cook County, IL; DeKalb County, IL; DuPage County, IL; Grundy County, IL; Kane County, IL; Kendal County, IL; Lake County, IL; McHenry County, IL; Will County, IL; King County, WA; Pierce County, WA; Snohomish County, WA; Thurston County, WA; Montgomery County, AL; Troup County, GA; Dallas County, TX; Tarrant County, TX; Harris County, TX; Fort Bend County, TX For details about APIASF’s scholarship programs or to apply, visit www.apiasf.org. Also, follow APIASF on Facebook (www. facebook.com/apiasf), Twitter (@ apiasf) and Instagram (@apiasf).

For information about Bank of Hope, please visit www.bankofhope.com. Applications are due on January 11, 2017 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

About Bank of Hope: Bank of Hope is the first and only super regional KoreanAmerican bank in the United States with $13.5 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2016.

Formed through the merger of BBCN Bank and Wilshire Bank, the top two commercial lenders in the market, Bank of Hope is headquartered in Los Angeles and serves a multi-ethnic population of customers across the nation. Bank of Hope operates 85 full-service branches in California, Washington, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. The Bank also operates SBA loan production offices in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, and Portland,

Oregon; a commercial loan production office in Fremont, California; residential mortgage loan production offices in California; and a representative office in Seoul, Korea. Bank of Hope specializes in core business banking products for small and medium-sized businesses, with an emphasis in commercial real estate and commercial lending, SBA lending and international trade financing. Bank of Hope is a California-chartered bank, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. Bank of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Lender. For additional information, please go to bankofhope.com.

About APIASF: Based in Washington, D.C., the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). APIASF works to create opportunities for students to access, complete, and succeed after post-secondary education; thereby developing future leaders who will excel in their career, serve as role models in their communities, and will ultimately contribute to a more vibrant America. Since 2003, APIASF has distributed over $100 million in scholarships to AAPI students. APIASF manages three scholarship programs: the APIASF General Scholarship, the APIASF Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Scholarship, and the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. n

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Jan Custodio, CBRE senior director for global research and consultancy.

Santos had previously announced his decision not to renew his existing franchise agreement with CBRE and will transition his entire company to the new brand of Santos Knight Frank effective Jan. 1, 2017. n

No foreseen slowdown in…

recover. Outsourcing continues to be one of the most viable options for these companies to cut on cost and to operate efficiently, and the Philippines remains one of the best destinations for these outsourced jobs. This has been driving the office market growth for the past several years,” added

B DECEMBER 7-9, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA “REMEMBER the Wonder” was a catchy TV ad slogan for Wonder Bread. But the phrase can very well be used to refer to the true season of wonder — CHRISTMAS. December days and nights seem to slip from our grasp like fine grains of sand. The hours seem to hurtle through the day as we complete a year’s cycle and move on to the next.

Many of us, particularly the women, try in earnest to mesh the unusually heavy demands of the roles we play in our lives specially this season. If we get completely sidetracked by the minutiae and the methodology, the expenses and the endless activities of what constitutes Christmas, we are more than likely to morph into the likes of Ebenezer Scrooge and be tempted to say “Bah, humbug!”

But unlike the tightwad Scrooge, the cost of doing Christmas has little to do with it. More than likely, the heaviness and drudgery that we seem to associate with this season have a lot to do with the failure to find that

Community Journal

Yet again, remembering the wonder “Lest we forget ……… CHRIST is the reason for this season.” somewhat elusive sense of real joy that this season can bring in abundance to those who are open to it.

Sure, we can go through the motions of Christmas activities, shopping, baking, decorating, partying, drinking and binging. And yet, very often even if we diligently check off all the things in our list, something remains amiss. We fail to catch that Christmas feeling.

As I have written before, the spirit of the season is like a butterfly. If you keep mindlessly trashing about in endless activities, it will elude you. But if you sit very still, that Christmas feeling might simply alight on you.

Be still and soak in the sight, sounds and smells of the season.

One trick I have learned is to SIMPLIFY and not try to take on too much of anything. That includes refraining from maxing out my credit cards, no matter how infinitely tempting it is to rush out and join the shopping madness.

Each day of the season, count at least ONE BLESSING that you may have taken for granted — like YOUR FAMILY, dysfunctional or imperfect the members may be, including yourself, we are all we’ve got.

To borrow from a song, “Love the one you’re with.” That means stop looking elsewhere. The internet and social media could be a minefield of dashed hopes and dreams. For the most part, it is definitely not the place to find what you think is missing in your life. It is an illusion.

If you still have relatively good health and do not have to depend on a cocktail of drugs to get you through the day, REJOICE AND BE GLAD! Many wealthy yet ailing people longing to live a bit longer, will trade places with you in a heartbeat. TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED. Love your life but without conceit. It is simply on loan to you.

Treasure the hours. Forcibly

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Seniors consider Chapter 13 relief for…

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on credit cards. But when push comes to shove, this is what happens. Desperation sets in and a desperate person will even hold on to a sharp knife to keep afloat as the saying goes.

I explain to clients that Chapter 13 will allow them to pay off the $80K in 60 months, without interest, at the rate of about $1400 a month. The bankruptcy court protects their house from judgment liens from the credit cards and other bad guys as long as the bankruptcy is in place. Once they complete 60 payments, the court enters a discharge order that erases all of the credit card debts. By the time husband is 73 and wife is 71, they will owe nothing on these cards. First, the plan payment of $1400 is more than a thousand dollars less than $2500 a month just for minimum interest payments on the cards. Second, in 5 years, they paid $80K of principal and their balance owed is zero, whereas, without Chapter 13, in 5 years they will pay $150K

EMPLOYMENT

but in 5 years when he turns 73 and she turns 71, they will still owe the very same $80K that is weighing them down today. Wife can clearly see the benefit, so she will convince husband soon to get Chapter 13 relief.

In fact, Chapter 13 is superior to any other method to get rid of the $80K. One method is refinancing the house to pay for the $80K. But converting unsecured debt such as credit cards into secured debt using the house as collateral is risking the loss of your house for credit cards. Once husband stops to work, the higher mortgage payment caused by the refinance will become a very stressful burden and places the house at risk. This is something you don’t want at any age.

Next clients are more than twenty years younger than senior. Young clients are 43 and 42. I’m 44 but I stopped counting a long time ago so I know forties is way young. Forties are like new born babies. Together, husband and wife owe $40K. They don’t

own a house and have two teenagers and one in the oven. They are very tight because only husband works and he grosses $4K a month. There’s really no money left for the luxury of paying for credit cards. No wonder the lawsuits have started. They were just served with summons and complaint to collect $5K. Needless to say, Chapter 7 will give them the necessary relief by wiping out all of the $40K. So, they decide to go for it immediately. It’s the right decision for the family.

“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord, “because you are called and outcase, Zion for whom no one cares.” — Jeremiah 30:17

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What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA 1. YOU are REQUIRED TO FILE an income tax return if your 2016 gross income reaches: A. Single $10,300 (11,850 age 65 or older) B. Married filing jointly $20,300 (21,850 age 65 or older, one spouse) (23,000 both spouses) C. Married filing separately $4,000 (any age) D. Head of household $13,250 (14,800 age 65 or older) E. Qualifying widow (er) $16,600 (17,850 age 65 or older) Elderly and blind taxpayers add $1,250 to $1,550.

2. PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS: $ 4,050 (same in 2016). Phaseouts for personal itemized deduction and personal exemption begins at: single $261,500, head of househo$287,650, married filing joint and surviving spouse $313,800, and married filing separate $156,900.

3. STANDARD DEDUCTIONS: If your combined itemized deductions for interests, taxes, medical and contributions are less than the following amounts, use the following standard deductions: A. Single $6,300 (6,350 for 2017) B. Married filing jointly $12,600 (12,700 for 2017) C. Married filing separately $6,300 (6,350 for 2017) D. Head of household $ 9,300 (9,350 for 2017)

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

Federal tax update for 2016 tax returns Elderly and blind taxpayers get an extra $1,250 for married and $1,550 for unmarried.

4. CHILD TAX CREDIT: maximum credit amount is $1,000 per child (consists of refundable and non-refundable components).

5. EDUCATION CREDITS: A. American Opportunity Credit (HOPE): maximum annual credit is $2,500 per eligible student was made permanent and 40% refundable.

B. Lifetime Learning Credit: maximum annual credit is $2,000 per return and is not refundable.

6. RETIREMENT PLANS LIMITS: A. IRA contribution limits $5,500 ($6,500 age 50 or older).

B. SIMPLE IRA elective deferral limits 12,500 ($15,500 age 50 or over).

C. 401(k), 403(b), 457 elective deferral limits $18,000 ($24,000 age 50 or older).

D. Profit-sharing plan/SEP contribution limits 53,000 ($54,000 in 2017).

7.STANDARD MILEAGE RATES: A. Business: 54.05¢ per mile.

B. Medical and Moving: 19¢ per mile.

C. Charity: 14¢ per mile.

8. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE DEDUCTION LIMITS: $390 to $4,870 depending on age. ($410 to $5,110 for 2017) 9.

ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX (AMT) EXEMPTION AMOUNT INCREASED. The AMT exemption amount is increased

to $53,900 ($83,800 if married filing jointly and $41,900 if married filing separately).

10. FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXCLUSION: $101,300.

11. SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES FOR NEXT YEAR 2017: A. Minimum earnings to be covered by SS increases to $5,200 from $5,040 ($1,300 per quarter).

B. Maximum earnings allowed for 65 increases to $16,920 from $15,720.

C. Maximum amount subject to FICA increases to $127,200 from $118,500.

D. Early retirement age is 62, full retirement 66 (born 1960 & later).

12. ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES FOR A. Estate/gift tax Exclusion: 2016 – $5,540,000 2017 – $5,490,000 B. Annual gift tax exclusion: 2016 – $14,000 2017 – $14,000 In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not to be considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for IRS audit, tax dispute, or any other purpose. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

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Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust

THE holidays and the end of the year is a good time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest friends (BFFs) and *** family members are even deLawrence Bautista Yang specializes in serving of inheriting from your bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil estate. In doing so, you should litigation and has successfully represented also think about which vehicle more than five thousand clients in California. you plan to use in implementPlease call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) ing your estate plan. One of the 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. best vehicle in implementing Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite your estate plan is a revocable 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. living trust. Five major benefits (Advertising Supplement) of establishing a revocable liv-

ing trust are: Your estate can avoid the time, cost, and hassle of going through the probate court process.

If you pass away without a will (intestate) in California, one of your close family would have to file a petition in probate court to probate your estate. Your estate will be divided and distributed according to the California probate code rules of intestate succession. Even if you have a will when you pass away, your family would still need to file a petition in probate court if your estate is worth over $150,000 and go through the probate pro-

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cess. This can become a circus if certain beneficiaries contest the validity of the Will or the distribution of the estate. Your estate will pay for attorney’s fees, probate referee fees, appraisers and other experts, CPA fees, etc. If people contest the case, your estate would end up paying legal fees to defend the estate in litigation. The entire process can take anywhere from 9 months to years depending on the contentiousness of the probate case.

With a revocable living trust, your trustee or successor trustee if you were the initial trustee, would administer the trust and

u PAGE B5

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B

Yet again, remembering the…

PAGE B4 t

yank out just an hour each day to sit in the silence during this season to take the time to smell the coffee, steep the tea or quaff the cocoa in a quiet spot, free of the interruptions of all those annoying electronic beeps.

Unless your job entails spelling the difference between life and death, CUT OFF YOUR ELECTRONIC LEASH, at least for just an hour. Who said you have to be on call all the time?

That hour you gift yourself with is yours to savor and JUST BE. That hour might very well help you to remember the wonder — to get back that gift of amazement we once had when we were children, before we became jaded, cynical FOOLS. Lest we forget, CHRIST IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. Pay no attention to the godless fools who would like to delete Christ from the season. Those are minions of the devil at work in the guise of multi-culti political cor-

rectness.

The strongest evidence of Christ living in our hearts during this season is an inner glow becoming outward display of joy that wells within, overflows and like a heaven-sent viral infection affects those we work and live with within the orbit of our existence.

Sorrow, pain and disappointment, heartache and heartbreak in spades — we will always have.

They have a place in the general scheme of things. They work like a sculptor’s tool kit that shapes and molds the structure of resilient souls that can weather all seasons.

But just for this season, BELIEVE that you are allowed to get a moratorium from all that.

This season is filled with awesome wonders and all it takes is to open our eyes, sharpen our senses and soak them all in. We have become inured to the possibilities of joy each moment brings.

Conditioned by years of mundane repetition, we have lost the magic and instinctive sense of wonder we were born with.

We went through the motions of getting an education, raising a family, earning a living, running a business, working ceaselessly, it seems till we drop down dead or until Social Security says we can stop, (whichever comes first), sleeping and doing the same things all over again at daybreak.

Routine and predictability though calming and reassuring, can numb the soul over time.

Don’t let that happen.

Take heart. This season of wonder, as God intended it to be, will always be a joyful reminder of HIS LOVE for us and its many expressions through HUMAN LOVE. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Five benefits of establishing a revocable…

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distribute the estate according to the trust document without having to open a probate court case.

If the trust is funded with all your assets, it is possible to administer and distribute the trust assets without any Court involvement at all. This process is a lot faster than going through probate.

Your estate is not public record When you file a probate case, the public has access to your probate case file. The public will know the assets of the estate including the values of those assets. If the Will is admitted into probate, the terms of the Will is open to public scrutiny.

Establishing a revocable living trust makes your estate affairs private. Strangers do not have access to the terms of your living trust. Only certain beneficiaries and possible heirs can request a copy of the revocable living trust after you pass away.

You can dictate who will inherit from your estate.

If you pass away without a Will, your estate will be divided and distributed in Probate Court following the rules of intestate succession in the California probate code. Certain relatives will be entitled to a share of your estate even if you feel they are not deserving. Be establishing a revocable living trust, you can

designate who you want to inherit from your estate. You can designate what and how much each one will received from your estate after you pass away. The assets distributed to each beneficiaries does not have to be equal.

The people you designate as beneficiaries to your living trust does not even have to be close family members. You can designate anyone as a beneficiary, with certain exceptions, of your estate.

You can structure your estate to minimize estate taxes If your estate is valued above the estate tax exemption, establishing a trust can allow you to divide up your estate into smaller sub trusts to minimize the overall estate tax effect on your estate. It allows you to set up a vehicle for certain charitable giving which carries tax advantage and asset protection.

You can choose who will administer your estate after your death When you establish a revocable trust, you can appoint someone else as trustee or you can appoint a successor trustee if you are the initial trustee. The trustee will be administering (managing) the trust after you pass away without a need to open a probate court case. This allows for continuity in operating the trust and efficient cost effective distribution

of estate assets. If you are concerned about whether you can trust any family members as your trustee, you can appoint an institution as a professional trustee to carry out the terms of the declaration of trust. These type of trustee services are often offered by banks, financial institutions, wealth management firms, and business management firms for a reasonable fee. This minimizes conflicts within the family and prevents negligence and wrong doing by inexperienced family members. *** 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) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article (Advertising Supplement) is not a solicitation.

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 7, 2016

Driving tips for first-time drivers BEING able to get a driver’s license is an enormous step in a person’s life, whether the new driver is a teen or older. Once the ability to drive is earned, a car and the freedom to travel without the help of others symbolize independence for many, regardless of age.

However, a driver’s license should be considered as a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly. There are many factors that a driver must understand to earn and maintain an excellent driving record.

Learning the rules of the road Prior to and after obtaining a license, the driver must first learn the basic rules of the road to help maintain safety for everyone on the road. Recognizing, following and understanding these rules will help the driver know how to properly drive on any kind of road — surface streets, highways and freeways, and at intersections and special crossings.

Drivers should also know what to do during traffic hazards, as well as know and obey speed limits that may change depending on the road or weather conditions. These can also change according to the

presence of pedestrians, people riding bicycles and in school zones. Understanding traffic and pedestrian signals, traffic signs and pavement markings are essential as well as hand signals. A list of these basic rules is available on the Department Motor Vehicle (DMV) website.

Getting that license Rules and regulations on getting a driver’s license differs from one state to another, but almost all require a written test and a driving test. Apart from these, certain paperwork is needed to prove one’s identity and age. Some states allow teens as young as 14 years old, others 16.

For people under the age of 18, all of the 50 states have some form of graduated licensing system in place that requires them to go through a period with a limited license. This is often called a probationary or intermediate license and will be used before they can obtain their regular license. These licenses will typically restrict how and when the teen can drive and how many passengers they may have in the car, if any.

This type of system is designed to allow the driver to gain the

Prior to and after obtaining a license, the driver must first learn the basic rules of the road to help maintain safety for everyone on the road.

A driver’s license should be considered as a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly.

skills and experience needed to safely operate a vehicle.

Safety first A new driver must make safety a priority at all times as this will lower his risk of causing or being involved in an accident. In short, he must drive defensively as the driver can only control how he drives. This is a method of driving in which the driver anticipates and avoids accidents caused by the action of other drivers.

One part of defensive driving is being alert and attentive to other drivers on the road. There is also a course to master this type of skill.

Other ways of ensuring safety in driving are obeying speed limits and adjusting speed according to weather conditions — fog, rain, and snow — to reduce the risk of an accident.

Car maintenance Equally important to how one drives is the way he/she maintains his/her vehicle. Practicing good car maintenance can reduce the chance of getting into an accident and is good for the environment. It also can save the driver money when it comes to fuel as well as avoiding costly repairs.

A routine car check-up has a great impact on all of these

Equally important to how one drives is the way he/she maintains his/her vehicle.

issues. Checking all four tires for the right air pressure decreases the risk for a flat while on the road. Tires not correctly inflated wear out faster and will require early replacing. They also cause the vehicle to consume more gas.

Checking the motor oil and air filters, as well a routine check on the brake fluid, transmission and power steering coolant is also part of good car maintenance. Cleaning the car in terms of cleaning the windows, mirrors and lights, is

also important and improves the safety of the vehicle. If the driver is unable to perform maintenance on his or her vehicle, a car mechanic may be hired. A qualified mechanic is also needed when spark plugs, brakes and the timing belt need replacing.

Remember, driving is a huge responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Ignoring safety on the road not only affect the driver’s life, but other drivers and pedestrians as well. (AJPress)

Buckle up for safety: Why the seat belt is your best protection deciding whether or not drivers and their passengers survive AJPress a collision is seat belt use.

CONFUSION and panic The National Safety Council often accompany the sounds of (NSC) lists seat belts as the screeching tires and metal slam- best protection against injury ming into metal. A passenger’s during a collision. Analysis of body hurtles forward during a data collected from car crashes front end collision, carried by over the decades suggests that momentum for a few horrific vehicle occupants who don’t seconds after the moment of wear a seatbelt are over four impact. Road conditions, the times more likely to sustain speed at the time of the colliserious injury in the event of a sion and a wide variety of other collision, according to the Road circumstances will affect exactly Safety Observatory (RSO). how that scenario plays out.

A number of studies The number one factor in conducted during the ‘60s

by Eric Anthony LicAs

The number one factor in deciding whether or not drivers and their passengers survive a collision is seat belt use.

PLAY NOW TO DECEMBER 18

and ‘70s showed a dramatic fall in injury and fatality rates amongst seatbelt wearing passengers compared to those who went unrestrained, according to the RSO. In 1968, the federal government passed a law making them a required feature in most automobiles sold in the United States.

Some of the earliest seat belts, patented by Swedish car manufacturer Volvo in 1889, only restrained occupants at the waist, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Over

time, these were replaced by the more effective three-point harness, recognizable in most modern vehicles, which further reduced injury by spreading the restraining force of the harness more evenly throughout the passenger’s torso. They were developed by engineer Nils Bohlin, and became a feature in a production automobile for the first time in 1959 on the Volvo PV 544.

Although seat belts became standard equipment for most models by the ‘60s, veContinued on Page 3

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The A sia n J o ur na l M DW K M A G A ZI N E - D e c e m b e r 7 , 2 0 1 6

Weird on the road: Unusual driving laws you may not know

by Eric Anthony LicAs AJPress The rules of the road aren’t always as straightforward as red, yellow and green. For example, if a police officer were to pull over a driverless car, who would get the ticket? how will cops in states that have legalized marijuana distinguish when drivers are too high to drive without an accurate test like a breathalyzer?

In addition, there are laws on the books in states across the country that might raise at least as many questions as they answer.

In California, whales are the only animal that can legally be shot from a moving vehicle. A similar prohibition enforced in Connecticut does not exclude whales from protection.

The golden state also prohibits women from driving while wearing a housecoat. The law is less clear about the propriety of smocks, bathrobes, dusters, or popovers.

The city of Carmel, California might have taken fashion policing too far by requiring a permit to wear shoes with heels taller than two inches. however, the law was enacted to protect the municipality from lawsuits and isn’t strictly enforced, according to the city’s website.

Meanwhile, although most

Unusual driving laws aren’t restricted to California, they abound across the country. To keep you aware, you may visit DMV.org for a more comprehensive list of some of the most hare-brained driving laws you should be aware of.

states leave camel riders to grapple with ambiguity, authorities in Nevada are explicit: it is illegal to drive one down any of the state’s highways.

The humped beasts of burden were first imported to the silver state in the 1860s and used to transport goods by private companies. Over time, roaming camels started becoming a nuisance on public roads, leading to the passage of the state’s unique rule.

Other laws make so much sense that one might wonder why they had to be passed in the first place.

Daredevils in Glendale, California can be fined for jumping out of a moving vehicle at 65 mph. Laws in Georgia expressly

prohibit motorists from driving through playgrounds. In the frigid state of Alaska, it is a crime to tie a pet to the roof of a car or otherwise transport one outside of a vehicle.

Whether or not travelers plan on bringing their pets with them as they drive out to holiday gatherings, they need to stay wary of the laws governing the roads they travel. Statutes regarding ubiquitous driving concerns like cellphone and seatbelt use can differ from state to state.

When in doubt, it’s best for those braving the roads to minimize distractions and stay buckled up to ensure a ticket and accident-free winter season.

Buckle up for safety...

From Page 2 hicle occupants were not forced to use them at first.

New York passed the first law mandating their use in December of 1984. Since then, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form of seat belt regulation, the last of which was South Dakota in 1995. New hampshire’s rules only apply to children.

Most states employ one of two methods to police these rules. In New York, California and most other states, a seat belt violation is a primary offense and can be the sole reason for a traffic stop and citation. In Nevada and 17 other states, failing to wear a seat belt is a secondary offense that

can only be cited in conjunction with another moving violation like speeding.

Regardless of what their local laws stipulate, drivers and passengers risk having travel plans transform into tragedy if they neglect to buckle up as they head out this holiday season. The chances of getting into a traffic collision are higher now than they have been in the past.

Rising employment and falling gas prices over the last few years have led to more cars on the road and more car crashes, according to the NSC. In 2015, about 38,300 people died in traffic collisions, eight percent more than the number of deaths reported in 2014. In

addition, 4.4 million people were seriously injured in car crashes last year.

The NSC encourages drivers to stay buckled-up, aware, rested and sober whenever they hit the road. They also discourage cell phone use while driving, encourage motorists to become familiar with whatever accident prevention technology their vehicles are equipped with, and recommend vehicles fitted with airbags.

“Americans take their safety on the roadways for granted,” National Safety Council President and CeO Deborah hersman told NPR in February. “engage your defensive driving skills and stay alert so we can reverse this trend.”

Disney’s new heroine shines, saves the day sans love interest by

nAthALiE tomAdA Philstar.com

She’S no damsel in distress waiting for a prince charming to save her.

Disney continues its tradition of empowered, young heroines with its latest animated film “Moana” which tells of an adventurous young woman in the time of ancient Polynesia who takes on the high seas to save her people.

Along the way, Moana (voiced by hawaiian acting newcomer Auli’i Cravalho) finds herself and her place in the world — with help (albeit unwilling at first) from a wisecracking demigod named Maui (voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson).

Love or a love interest for that matter will have to wait (maybe in the sequel?). “In the film, Moana doesn’t have a love interest which I think is very important. The main moral (story) of that is when Moana goes on a journey, she doesn’t need a prince charming because quite frankly you don’t need anyone else to help you figure out who you are,” Auli’i told reporters from all over Southeast Asia during a recent press junket for the

In the film, Moana seeks the help of the demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson). Their interactions can be prone to mishaps but they sparkle with fun and humor. In real life, Auli’i has received sound advice on navigating show business from The Rock.

film in Singapore.

Apart from being an inspiring and sweeping story about self-identity as well as family ties and ancestry, the beauty of this CG-animated feature also lies in the perfect voice casting, beginning with Auli’i whose personality shines through the titular character she has given

Hawaiian acting newbie Auli’i Cravalho is similar to the newest Disney heroine Moana in many ways

life to. Interestingly, discovering Auli’i pretty much mirrored the story of Moana — how right timing or fate figures in Moana’s quest for purpose in the deep, vast ocean that is life. In Moana the film, (spoiler alert!) the ocean particularly beckons to Moana to counter a growing menace that’s enveloping the island she’s lived in all her life.

“I suppose I now believe in fate because I now believe in myself. It has been a very, very growing year for me. For one, I’m traveling and I’m learning so much through the journey of Moana,” Auli’i said. “And you know, I’m getting a little older, I’m a junior now and I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. That’s something that I feel quite a bit of pressure that, I think, a lot of high school students experience while in transition from (high) school to college, where you home in on your skills and what you want to do for the rest of your life. It’s a big thing, so yeah I believe in fate, in that I now believe in going out on a limb and believing in myself and pursuing Continued on Page 4

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features

FilAm Arts presents ‘Sama Sama sa Actor Cesar Montano to head Pasko’ – an annual holiday bazaar The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 7, 2016

Tourism Promotions Board by

FILAM ArtS (FAA), the preeminent Filipino culture and arts organization in Southern california, proudly presents “Sama Sama sa Pasko,” the first ever annual Holiday bazaar that celebrates the true spirit of the Season.

“Sama Sama sa Pasko” will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at the Japanese American cultural & community center. Admission is $5 per person, while children 12 years and under get in FrEE. According to the official Facebook Page, the ticket includes entrance to the venue, as well as free drinks and snacks! there will be kid-friendly activities to keep the little ones busy while you shop!

According to organizers, the event will highlight the unique “Pasko” (christmas) spirit that is unique to the Filipino culture.

“Filipinos are really big on merry-making during christmas and the Holiday season,” said FAA interim executive director tina Salonga-Bulchand in a statement.

“We wanted to showcase our own unique take on the season by putting the ‘Pinoy

Pasko’ spirit front and center,” Bulchand said.

Filipinos from all over Socal are invited to come and join the festivities, which include familyfriendly fare like holiday shopping, Parol (christmas lantern) making, christmas caroling, authentic Filipino holiday food, and so much more.

Bulchand also pointed out that over 20 local artists and vendors will be featured at “Sama Sama.” A various array of unique handmade products, jewelry, health goods, and oneof-a-kind items will be on offer come Sunday, just in time for christmas shopping.

Sama Sama with Startups the event not only highlights the importance of celebrating the unique christmas cheer that Filipinos are known for, but also the true meaning of bayanihan – or sense of community. “Sama Sama” will encourage Filipinos to shop with a purpose: supporting local businesses and Pinoy startups.

Because Main Street will always be more important than Wall Street – startups and local businesses are highlighted in

this year’s holiday bazaar, instead of the usual big corporate chain stores.

“Sama Sama” vendors and artists include Native Sol, three Fourths Art, oSo collection, romeo chocolates, World crave, Forest Lawn, Binhi Kollective, Herbalaria, Vintage renewals, Lularoe, Philippine Expressions Bookstore, tixxi couture, Mae Mae Jewelry, and Simply Gourmet, among others.

“Filipinos pour their hearts and souls into their craft, especially when it comes to christmas. Which is why I’m urging everyone, anyone, to come and support our local artisans and entrepreneurs,” Bulchand said.

And with the Yuletide Season in full swing, there is no better time to show support than right now. *** FilAm ArtS is a multidisciplinary community arts organization whose mission is to advance the understanding of the arts and diverse cultural heritage of Filipinos in the United States. FilAm ArtS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax-deductible.

She continued, “(But now) I can honestly say, I’m so proud of this. I’m so proud of what it has become. I’m so proud of the time and the tons that directors singing. We just knew (it was and producers have researched her). And then, add to all that, this film, to really get connected I took a picture of her in the recording booth and audition, and to our culture, to understand that wayfinding (or) navigating behind her is our fully-designed under the stars was something Moana character and they look that they truly did, and which I’ll alike. that was a bonus.” always be proud of because my the making of the film ancestors did that.” involved several research trips According to the production to Samoa, Fiji and tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand; and repeated notes, central to the film story is actual history of the so-called visits to local communities to “greatest sailors in the world learn more about their culture who masterfully navigated the and their arts, said Shurer.

Asked about her thoughts on vast Pacific ocean,” uncovering the authenticity of the film, Auli’i many islands of oceania in the process. three thousand years admitted that like others, she initially had reservations about it. ago, these voyages were halted, “I admit that before I worked lasting for a millennium. theories abound as to what and why on Moana, I think everyone was these happened. a little interested (at the same In the film, this history in time) a little wary of the film navigation underpins the story of because, of course, we want a film inspired by our culture to be Moana. Despite being confined to the island and its community done right.”

for the longest time, and so, consequently clueless about the wayfinding exploits of her ancestors which have become stuff children storytelling sessions are made of, Moana is inextricably drawn to the ocean. Groomed to become the next most important leader of her community, she takes things several steps further by embarking on a journey that’s bound to change her life and that of others forever.

Like Moana, Auli’i’s life has been changed dramatically since nabbing the Disney project. the 15-year-old teen initially didn’t pursue the role. But a Hawaiibased casting director, who remembered her performance in a video submission to a fundraising event, asked Auli’i to try out. three auditions later, and many thanks to her pure, raw talent, she earned the title role. one of the biggest opportunities this film has bestowed on her is that she gets to showcase her singing talent.

She said, “It’s an incredible blessing given to me to play this wonderful character. I do sing in the film. I love singing, I love performing this character because she’s so close to my heart. this film is inspired by the Polynesian culture. I’m Polynesian and to hear those influences in the music, as well as those instruments, those voices in the background helped fulfill (my dream); that it’s not like I was playing a character, which helped me a lot. When I was in recording, I actually asked the lights to be dimmed a bit because I didn’t want to put on a show, I didn’t feel like I have to, not in front of them, as they were family at this point.

“If in fact it does come to a point where I would get to do more singing, or acting or voice acting or more onscreen (work), I’d love that! It’s so much fun.

It’s a passion of mine. I’m happy wherever it leads me.”

Mary Grace Padin Philstar.com

Actor cesar Montano has been appointed by President rodrigo Duterte to head the marketing arm of the country’s tourism department. the Department of tourism on tuesday, Dec. 6, confirmed the appointment of Montano as chief operating officer of the tourism Promotions Board (tPB). “the Dot has received the letter from Malacañang regarding the appointment,” tourism assistant secretary Frederick Alegre said. rumors regarding the possible placement of the actor as head of tPB have been circulating for months before it became official.

Montano is a Filipino actor, film producer and director. He has worked on films such as “Jose rizal,” “El Presidente” and “Muro Ami.” He ran for senator under the administration team Unity of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007. the tPB, under the tourism Act of 2009, is in charge of formulating and implementing an integrated domestic and international promotions and marketing program of the Dot. the board is made up of tourism Secretary Wanda teo as chairman, together with key officials from the tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone, Department of Foreign Affairs,

Cesar Montano

Department of trade and Industry, and Department of transportation, among others.

Disney’s new heroine shines...

From Page 3 things that maybe I don’t think I’m not truly ready for, but maybe I am like this film.”

Film producer osnat Shurer, on the other hand, revealed during the press roundtable: “there were really, really some talented young women who sent in auditions literally from all over the world with the casting directors everywhere. We wanted to find somebody who first of all can really act and sing. And also who embodies some of the characteristics of the character. this is a character who has kind of a balance of compassion and empathy, and kind of an emotional intelligence if you will and with courage, determination.

And she’s strong! So, one of the things we wanted to do was to find someone with that balance.”

Auli’i fit right in like a missing

piece in a puzzle. “We saw Auli’i audition, we love her work, we brought her to Burbank (headquarters of Disney) and she auditioned again,” Shurer further said of Auli’i. “And you know, we tease a lot. We (Disney) are a culture wherein we tease each other, we tease her and she teases right back and these are ron (clements) and John (Musker) who made the movies she grew up in,” referring to the famed old hands at Walt Disney Animation Studios who were responsible for the now-Disney classics the Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

Shurer added, “She has no fear, she’s not afraid and yet is grounded in this great warmth and has a great connection with her culture and incredibly warm and beautiful family. All of that came through in her acting and

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

HOW could it have happened? Pearl Harbor — and its awful treachery and death — is one of the worst battles and defeat ever suffered by the United States. It showed how courage and ingenuity moved upon the smoldering wreckage of towering explosion, monstrous ships moaning as they died, and young sailors trapped in steel hulks.

That infamous attack was so unexpected and brutal, killing 2,400 Americans and drew the U.S. into World War II. That event still has an emotional grip on much of the American public, struggling to understand what happened. No one wants to forget, 75 years later.

When the Americans had cut off Japan’s oil supply, Admiral Yamamoto (Mako), a brilliant Harvard-educated warrior, saw no other recourse, but to launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor where more than 100 ships and about more than half of the entire Pacific fleet were anchored.

Sunday morning, December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m., the Japanese unleashed 183 planes aimed not only at the ships on Pearl Harbor but at all military installations at Oahu. Survivors, now

December 7, 1941: the Pearl harbor moment

well into their golden years, drew sobs as they narrated the sneak bombing during a TV interview.

It was not a drill, the place came high and came in love, in waves of formation, in twos and threes. Past the mist, ringed purple mountains winged toward their targets one after the other, in rapid succession, swooping through the clouds, as they drove, circled and hovered. They made run after run, delivering their loads, sucking the life from the air, and creating nerve-jangling cacophonies as they attacked, strafe pursuing manifest destiny with fanatical dedication.

“On that day that will live in infamy,” as President Roosevelt said.

On any given time, nobody stands taller than the World War II veterans. Feeling proud but forgotten, battle scared and fighting age and illness, they embody poignant messages of duty, honor and undying love, heroism and sacrifice.

They helped define what it was to be an American— “not about race, or the color of one’s skin, but about the manner you serve your country.”

I was encouraged to expand my thoughts on World War II by reading the works of William

features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 7, 2016

Manchester, Ben Bradlee, and Tom Brokaw.

The soldier Kind people, soldiers are.

A respectful son, an affectionate father, a faithful husband, an honest citizen who loves his country; and accepts it as a duty to defend it. He wears his dog tag with a religious medal, on his proud neck, carries a snapshot of his aging parents, or wife and his children, if not a sweetheart he left behind.

To understand a soldier’s life is to find out what he’s looking for. When he kills another man, who would kill him in his turn? Pity is a word that has no meaning in war, it is as simple as, you’ve got a gun, he’s got a gun — you shoot and he shoots. The quicker one hits his target and when he kills you, it is as if you killed him.

When reporters describe people dying in encounters, are you helping abolish war? What makes a man choose to be a soldier? Very often, he is young, looking for excitement to shake him out of boredom or for a purpose that he did not have before.

We see photographs of soldiers, faces blank with sadness and resignation, convincing themselves that they kill in the name of the justice and freedom. What justice, I’d like to ask) young soldiers, with so much longer life to live? Instead of coming

Dennis Trillo, Andi Eigenmann, ‘Felix Manalo’ top 64th FAMAS Awards by arlo

Custodio

ManilaTimes.net

THe Iglesia Ni Cristo-backed biopic of its founder, Felix Manalo, was the big winner at the 64th FAMAS Awards at the Century Park Hotel in Manila on Sunday, Dec. 4. The film was proclaimed Best Picture, while its lead star Dennis Trillo won Best Actor.

Felix Manalo also won Best Director for Joel Lamangan, Best Screenplay for Bienvenido Santiago, and Best Theme Song, “Ang Sugo Ng Diyos Sa Mga Huling Araw.”

Andi eigenmann was adjudged Best Actress for Angela Markado, and in fact was nominated twice for the said category for the horror “Tragic Theater.”

Lorna Tolentino and Gabby Concepcion were declared Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, for the movie “Crazy Beautiful You.” In his speech, Trillo thanked everyone involved in the production of Felix Manalo, especially Lamangan whom he acknowledged as the person responsible for his FAMAS statuette, as well as his first ever acting award as Best Supporting Actor in the 30th Metro Manila Film Festival in 2005 for Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita as transgender woman. eigenmann, on the other hand, said she did not expect to win and attended the ceremonies as her two movies were prominently nominated in the race. She acknowledged her idol, Vilma Santos as her inspiration, and who was accorded the Presidential Award that evening, but said that her “best actress” will forever be her mom, Jaclyn Jose.

Best Child Performer was JM Ibañez for “Crazy Beautiful You.” Best New Female Artist was Ysabelle Peach for “Angela Markado.”

Dennis Trillo as Felix Manalo

Hosts of the program were Robi Domingo, Jean Garcia, enchong Dee, Sunshine Dizon, and Piolo Pascual who was named Actor Par excellence for his own-produced indie movie, Silong. Pascual took time to say he had no idea he was going to be honored by the award giving body that evening. He was only too happy to co-host the awards and was surprised for being recognized.

The rest of the winners are as follows: Best Story, Robby Tantingco for “Ari: My Life With A King;” Best Production Design, Shari Marie Montiague for “You’re My Boss;” Best Cinematography, Rain Yamson for Silong; Best editing, Carlo Francisco Manatad for “Ari: My Life With A King;” Best Visual effects, Vincent llagan and Mike Velasquez for “Angela Markado;” Best Sound, Addiss Tabong, “You’re My Boss;” and Best Musical Score, Cesar Francis Concio for “A Second Chance.”

Carlo J. Caparas was honored for two awards—Director Par excellence and Screenplay Par excellence for Angela Markado. His son CJ accepted the trophies since the director, best known for his massacre movies in the mid-‘90s, was

Meanwhile, Robin Padilla was passionate in his acceptance speech for the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award, as he showed and read the wordings of his absolute pardon and US visa rejection papers. He challenged fellow actors Coco Martin and Dingdong Dantes to continue the legacy the action king left in the industry.

Piolo Pascual and Lorna Tolentino were chosen by a sponsor as the Male and Female Celebrity of the Night, respectively, while the Look of the Night winners were Robi Domingo and Jean Garcia. caught in heavy traffic south of Performers included Dulce, the metro.

Marc Mabasa, Jeremiah and Gloria Sevilla was handed the Morisette Amon.

Lifetime Achievement Award, and in her speech, she said that veterans like her should be respected and not be taken for granted, as they’re the pillars of the industry; the stars now would not be where they are if it were not for them.

Movie scribe Jojo Gabinete was this year’s Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Awardee. The Arturo M. Padua Memorial Awardee was Danny Dolor, and his trophy was received for him by First Vice President Alice Reyes.

The German Moreno Memorial Youth Achievement Awards were handed to GMA Network artists Jak Roberto, Sanya Lopez and Gabbi Garcia. The Master Showman, who died in January this year, was given a Posthumous Award.

Other personalities cited were PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) chief Persida Acosta for her special role in the film Angela Markado; eDSA as 2016 Advocay Film; Doc Penpen Takipslim as Father of Visual Poetry; and actor Arnold Reyes, Recognition Award For Outstanding Performance, for his consistent and exceptional versatility.

Why Alice Dixson wants to be a mom

by Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

ALICe Dixson is in love again – with a 45-year-old european businessman she’s been with these past four years (yes, she’s that good in keeping her private life well, private).

The 47-year-old actress wants to cement the bond between her and the guy who doggedly pursued her, by starting a family with him. You read it right. Alice wants to be a first-time mom.

Alice’s “juniorette” project has kept her away from limelight for a good part of 2016.

“I’ve been doing workups with my OB (obstetrician).

Because of my age, I’ve been seeing a specialist and discussing the topic of hormones,” she told a handful of media men before the press conference of GMA News TV’s “Happy Life,” where she donated Christmas gifts for orphans.

Alice, who is divorced from former husband Ronnie Miranda, admits she’s trying to conceive the natural way. But she and her boyfriend have yet to see the results.

The actress knows she may or may not succeed. This is why she set a time frame – one year

Actress Alice Dixson admits she’s trying to conceive the natural way.

– to get pregnant.

“The oldest person I know who gave birth is Janet Jackson.

She became a mom at 48,” Alice says.

So she’s still latching on that dream -- for now.

And what if her dream won’t come true?

Then, she and her boyfriend

are willing to adopt.

The decision goes well with Alice’s plan to slow down in showbiz three years from now, when she turns 50.

“I think there won’t be much challenging roles for me by then,” she shrugs.

Meanwhile, she’s back in the limelight, starting with “Happy Life” (Sundays, 9:30 a.m.), a lifestyle show that takes viewers around the country and into the lives of people in need. Alice was offered to host the show, but she chose to help off-cam instead.

The show, directed by eric Quizon for White Lion Productions Inc. is about traveling with a cause. The hosts – beauty queen-models Bea Santiago, MJ Lastimosa, Jamie Herrell, Giulia Zahar, Sophie Rankin and Anthea Murfet -- tour the country and spearhead projects for needy people they meet along the way.

Alice chose to help out, and make others happy.

It’s her way of spreading the good vibes she’s overflowing with.

“Yes, I have a happy life,” she smiles before bidding goodbye to everyone and heading for a home filled with all the good things love can give.

5

into the world to die at twenty in an encounter, you come into this world to die in bed, when you’re old, where around there are green trees, clear rivers, and singing children.

Instead, this cult of killing and being killed, no one ever explained why killing to steal is a sin, but killing if you’re wearing a uniform is the height of glory.

War, it is said, is basically

something structured in which armed people shoot at armed people. It has almost a shameless fairness — you kill me or I kill you — and as bullets speaks, happiness vanishes, the holidays and milestones, leaving only rubbles, twisted metals, and the putrid smell of death as it fled.

But why do we accept war, like some inevitable evil?

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 7, 2016

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