La midweek edition may 17 19, 2017 by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Am teen killed in car crash after prom Mother sustains non-life threatening injuries

A FILIPINOAmerican teenage girl was killed in a car crash in the Bay Area on Sunday morning, May 14, as she and her mother were on their way home from senior prom. At around 2:30 a.m., 18year-old Shane Alexis Marcelino of Fremont, California was riding in the Filipino-American Shane Alexis Marcelino, p a s s e n g e r ’ s 18, of Fremont, California was killed in a car seat of black crash on Sunday morning, May 14, on her Toyota Yaris way home from senior prom. Photo from Marcelino’s GoFundMe driven by her page created by Noah Dela Rosa mother, Maria. Just a few blocks from the Marcelinos’ home, the Yaris attempted to make a left-hand turn, when it collided with a blue Chevy Malibu traveling in the opposite direction, according to various reports. Marcelino was pronounced dead at the scene, while Maria, 39, was rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver and

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House kills Duterte impeachment rap by DELON

PORCALLA Philstar.com

MANILA - Deemed lacking in substance, the impeachment complaint against President Duterte met an early end at the House committee on justice on Monday, May 15. All 42 of the 50 committee members present at the hearing voted to declare the complaint lacking in substance, effectively consigning it to the trash bin. Forty-one voted that it was sufficient in form. “We will convene again so that the committee will make its report and submit this to the plenary,” committee chairman Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said after banging the gavel

to signal the adjournment of the nearly five-hour hearing on the matter. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas made it clear to complainantendorser Rep. Gary Alejano of partylist Magdalo that it was only “for the sake of liberality” that the committee had acknowledged the complaint as having complied with requisites, as per their agreement in an executive session. Alejano’s complaint was based on allegations Duterte had amassed illgotten wealth and ordered the killing of thousands in the course of his war on drugs. House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas stresses a point during the meeting of the House justice In a supplemental complaint, Aleja- committee that junked the impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte. Beside him is the

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committee chairman, Rep. Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro.

Duterte open to deals in South China Sea by LEILA

B. SALAVERRIA Inquirer.net

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Outside Washington, a more powerful immigrant rights movement emerges SAN FRANCISCO – Immigrant rights advocates say that despite the cloud of fear hanging over communities in the first 100 days of the Trump administration, there is also a growing and increasingly organized resistance. “We are seeing an increase in the number of people apprehended for removal,” Melissa Chua, immigration director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), told reporters on a national press call organized by New America Media and Ready California. “It’s not just growing infrastructure [for future deportations]…we’re seeing it in reality.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce-

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ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

NO WAR GAME. Filipino soldiers alight from a landing craft utility during exercises in Casiguran, Aurora province that focused on humanitarian and disaster response. The head of the United States Joint Task Force praised the level of professionalism and discipline shown by Filipino and American soldiers participating in this year’s Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises. Brig. Gen. John Jansen said the level of training “was inspiring.” ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 16 said that he was open to exploring the resources of the South China Sea with rival claimants China and Vietnam, contradicting Foreign Secretary-designate Alan Peter Cayetano, who said on Sunday that joint exploration was not a direction for the Philippines in the resolution of disputes in the strategic waterway. Mr. Duterte also said he had no immediate plans to pressure China over an international tribunal’s ruling last year that its claim to almost all of the South China Sea was baseless. “If we can get something there with no hassle at all, why not?” Mr. Duterte said at a news briefing in Davao City after his arrival from Beijing, where he attended a new Silk Road conference with leaders and representatives of 28 other countries. Mr. Duterte was asked about a proposal for jointly exploring the waters of the Spratly Islands with China and Vietnam. “Let us see the wherewithals. I will check first if I won’t be disadvantaged. It has to be fair and it has to be bal-

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Martial law eyed in Mindanao by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 16 said he will carefully study the possibility of declaring martial law in Mindanao, specifically in restive Sulu province. This was after the Save Sulu Movement urged the President to declare martial law in six of 19 municipalities of Sulu, in a bid to suppress the lawless acts of Abu Sayyaf bandits. “I need time to ponder on it

deeply and it is not only a political decision, it is an emotional decision. You do not tinker with the… powers of the state,” Duterte told reporters during a news conference upon his arrival in Davao City early Tuesday, May 16. “I would not just tinker with it as if it’s a plaything. It’s a very serious matter,” the President added. The Save Sulu Movement earlier pointed out that the bandit group continues to sow terror despite the President’s declaration of a state of lawlessness in

the province. The six Sulu towns allegedly serving as Abu Sayyaf sanctuaries are Patikul, Indanan, Parang, Maimbung, Talipao, and Kalingalan Caluang. In March, Duterte warned that he might be forced to implement one-man rule in Mindanao, if peace and order worsens in the Janet Lim Napoles (center with shades on head) steps out of the Sandiganbayan building last Wednesday, May 10. beleaguered region. Inquirer.net Marc Jayson Cayabyab “Do not force my hand to declare martial law because if I do, I will solve not only rebellion, I will solve everything that ails Mind-

EVEN IF SHE BECOMES STATE WITNESS

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Robredo wealth shrank in her first 6 months as VP by VINCE

F. NONATO Inquirer.net

Vice President Leni Robredo hopes that the Filipino nation can resolve the country’s problems on its own amid the cases to be ﬁled against President Rodrigo Duterte.

MANILA — Vice-President Maria Leonor Robredo is worth P8,878,111.43 by the end of 2016, reporting that her wealth shrank by P2.175 million during the first six months of her vice-presidency. When Ms. Robredo entered office on June 30, her net worth was declared to be P11,053,138. These figures were taken from the two Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth filed for 2016. The June 2016 figures were contained in her undated entry SALN marked received on August 1 last year, while the December 2016 figures were declared in her annual SALN filed this April 27.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer obtained the three-page SALNs from the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, subject to a P30 processing fee. In this SALN, Ms. Robredo declared her business interest in the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) as “shares of stock” for “different years.” She did not specify just how much her stake at the corporation was. The lack of details regarding the Meralco shares is one of the grounds being raised by the so-called “Impeach Leni Movement,” a group of pro-Duterte lawyers and bloggers whose complaint is still pending endorsement at the House of Representatives. Ms. Robredo declared that her assets declined to P15.78 million by the end of

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Napoles will stay in jail by JOMAR

CANLAS ManilaTimes.net

JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday, May 15 said alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles will remain in jail even if she is admitted to the Witness Protection Program. The assurance came as the Sandiganbayan antigraft court ordered Napoles released from the women’s correctional in Mandaluyong City and to the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. This was because Napoles is no longer a convict, having been acquitted

last week on the charge of serious illegal detention filed by relative Benhur Luy, the star witness in the multi-billion scam that siphoned off Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) of lawmakers to bogus non-government organizations. Aguirre vowed to reinvestigate the PDAF scam cases and said there would be no “selective justice” this time. The Cabinet official lashed out at his jailed predecessor, Sen. Leila de Lima, for running only after lawmakers who did not belong to the erstwhile

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From the Front Page

House kills Duterte... PAGE A1 no also accused Duterte of failing to defend the country’s sovereign rights and territorial claims when he reportedly allowed Chinese presence in Benham Rise in the Philippine Sea. Fariñas said lawmakers cannot just entertain impeachment complaints, especially if complainants do not have “personal knowledge” or authentic documentation of the impeachable acts being alleged against officials. “I am warning you that you may be subjected to an ethics case here because you are stating under oath but as it turned out, your verification is not true at all,” Fariñas told Alejano. The Ilocos Norte congressman cautioned Alejano he could be haled to court for perjury. “Clearly, it is not of his (Alejano’s) personal knowledge, that’s the defect here,” Fariñas pointed out. “If we follow you and take the

complaint to the Senate, we will appear stupid because all we have is evidence based on hearsay,” he said in Filipino. “He didn’t have any personal knowledge, and if you look at the documents, these have not been duly authenticated. These were in effect all hearsay,” Umali said. Alejano and his colleague in the so-called Magnificent 7, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, were allowed to speak and manifest their objections to the junking of the complaint even if they were not committee members. Lagman accused Fariñas of consistently blocking his request to be a committee member. House Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc, chairman of the rules rewriting committee, told his colleagues in the super majority coalition “we are all within our rights to dismiss this impeachment complaint and submit this to the plenary for (final) approval.”

House Deputy Speakers Fredenil Castro and Gwendolyn Garcia agreed, with the former saying Alejano’s fatal mistake was his “categorical, clear admission” of having no personal knowledge of his accusations against the President. Garcia said the impeachment exercise “holds us back from our main job of legislation.” Foolhardy Other administration lawmakers expressed belief it would be foolhardy to attempt to expel a sitting Chief Executive who enjoys overwhelming public support. “It is an exercise in futility, given his overwhelming support not only in the Congress but from the Filipino people as well. My peers are politically astute enough to realize that no impeachment complaint will gain traction among the people,” Rep. LRay Villafuerte said. “We need this impeachment like a hole in the head. I believe that we could better spend our time crafting reform laws that would help President Duterte achieve his government’s ambitious goal

of sustaining the growth momentum,” the Camarines Sur lawmaker added. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said an impeachment complaint will “not prosper in a forum where accepted legal procedures are observed, respected.” “Let’s not be distracted by this divisive political exercise. Instead, let us allow our President to move on with the business of government to serve and protect the people,” the Mindanao lawmaker stressed. Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the committee on appropriations, said the

impeachment complaint is more than just an issue on sufficiency in form and substance. “I’m just happy that this is over and the House can finally attend to other more important issues. There is no wisdom in this impeachment complaint which was obviously a haphazard effort to malign and discredit the President,” he said. Nograles’ brother and fellow lawmaker Jericho Jonas of partylist Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta also welcomed the decision of Umali’s panel. “Why would we allow the impeachment of the President when we are fully supportive of his programs, especially so that some of

President Duterte and China President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing.

Duterte open to deals...

PAGE A1 anced,” Mr. Duterte said. The Philippines and China open talks on the resolution of their dispute in the South China Sea this week. Ahead of the consultations, Philippine Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue Jose de Venecia Jr., speaking at the opening of the new Silk Road conference on Sunday, proposed a three-way energy exploration effort at the disputed Spratly Islands among the Philippines, Vietnam and China. De Venecia, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that such an effort would promote peace and economic development. But Cayetano, speaking to reporters on Sunday night, dismissed De Venecia’s remarks as his own view. “If you look at the statements of

former Speaker De Venecia when he was still Speaker, he is consistent with those kind of ideas,” Cayetano said. “But that doesn’t mean that that’s the direction of the government because we are bound by the Constitution and our own law,” he said. Asked whether he believed a joint exploration was unconstitutional, he replied, “I’m saying that is [former] Speaker De Venecia’s proposal as of now.” Competing claims China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including waters close to the shores of smaller neighbors in the region. The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as Taiwan, have competing claims in the waterway, through which $5 trillion in shipborne trade passes every year and where islets, reefs

the issues raised in the impeachment complaint were based on hearsay?” he said. Reacting to the House committee on justice’s decision, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the upper chamber has “no other choice but to respect it because in the first place, they were the ones who examined thoroughly and in detail the impeachment complaint.” “The senators sit as judges, hence we should really be passive,” Pimentel pointed out. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a colleague of Alejano in the Magdalo group, said while the rejection was totally expected, it was still a PAGE A4

Malacañang photo

and atolls are believed to be sitting atop vast energy reserves. Mr. Duterte did not mention the other claimants in his talk with reporters on Tuesday. The competing claims to territory in the South China Sea have for decades made it one of Asia’s potential military flash points. Last year, in a ruling on a challenge brought by the Philippines, the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China’s claim to almost all of the South China Sea had no basis in international law and declared Beijing had violated Manila’s right to fish and explore resources in the West Philippine Sea, waters in the South China Sea within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone. Mr. Duterte, who took office last year, refused to pressure China in diplomatic circles and instead sought to repair bilateral relations. He said his decision had earned PAGE A5

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May 19 is Hepatitis Testing Day: ASEAN perception of US drops after Trump backed Duterte’s drug war Get tested for Hepatitis B IN May, medical experts and community advocates in the United States and across the globe will join forces to mark Hepatitis Testing Day, and to raise awareness of a disease that affects as many as two million Americans: chronic hepatitis B. While anyone can contract hepatitis B (hep B), people of Asian descent bear the heaviest burden, representing nearly three-quarters of individuals affected worldwide. Here in the United States, up to one million Asian Americans have hep B—‚that’s half of all cases in the country. But what exactly is hep B, and why is it such a threat to our community? Hep B is caused by a virus that is transmitted via blood and other bodily fluids. Hep B can be managed, and the disease can be prevented—but if left untreated, the complications of hep B can potentially be life threatening. First-generation Asian Americans from China, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India and the Philippines are at particularly high risk for hep B due to low rates of infant vaccination

against the disease in these countries. In fact, most Asian Americans who have hep B contracted it during childbirth from their mothers. That’s why tragically, in this community, it is common to see multiple members of the same family affected by hep B. Despite its high incidence rate in Asian communities, as many as two out of three Asian Americans who have chronic hep B do not know they are infected. That is because hep B does not always cause noticeable symptoms. Chronic hep B can slowly damage the liver over time, increasing the risk of serious liver disease. As Asian immigrants are projected to be the largest immigrant population in the country over the next 40 years, the need to call attention to this so-called “silent” disease is more critical than ever. The good news is that hep B can easily be detected with a quick and simple blood test. Everyone should talk to their doctor about getting tested—especially if you are of Asian descent. If you test negative for hep B, there is a safe and effective vaccine that can prevent hep B, and

it is widely available in the United States. If you test positive for hep B, talk to your doctor about whether treatment would be appropriate for you. Regular screenings to monitor the health of your liver are very important, and there are treatments that may potentially lower the amount of virus and decrease the risk of further damage to the liver—some are just one pill a day. So on Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19, join millions of Asians here in the United States and around the globe and get tested for hepatitis B. Visit hepBsmart.com for information about chronic hepatitis B, and to learn about the documentary film short BE ABOUT IT, sponsored by Gilead Sciences, which chronicles the lives of two Asian Americans, Alan and AJ, as they battle chronic hepatitis B, and how their families cope with the impact of this potentially life-threatening disease. The film aims to educate, inspire and ultimately dispel myths about hepatitis B. BE ABOUT IT is subtitled in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese, and community screening kits are now available. n

Outside Washington, a more powerful immigrant... PAGE A1 ment made 21,362 arrests from January 20 to March 13 of this year, a third more than during the same period in 2016, according to numbers requested by The Washington Post. The figures include 5,441 non-citizens with no criminal record, double the number during the same time last year. The statistics reflect a shift in priorities from the Obama administration, which sought to prioritize certain criminals and recent arrivals for deportation. Under Trump, the deportation priorities have expanded so much that they can be used to target almost any undocumented immigrant. Immigrant and refugee rights advocates say the effect on immigrant communities is palpable. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), described it as “one of the most horrendous periods in American history for immigrant families.” “What we’re seeing,” explained Salas, “is just a harsher way by which DHS [the Department of Homeland Security] is dealing with all matters of immigration, especially when it comes to stays of removal or requests for relief.” Over 38 percent of the individuals detained in the Feb. 9 ICE raids in Southern California, for example, had only minor infractions, many of them from years ago, according to Salas. “The other thing that we’re seeing,” she said, “is that they’re being harsher when it comes to individuals who had … stays of removal. “ICE enforcement is going back and making decisions about those cases,” Salas explained. “Instead of continuing their stays of removal, they’re challenging their stays of removal, their administrative closure.” Since taking office, Trump has signed executive orders that call for “sweeping changes on immigration,” said Chua of IRC, adding, however, that “many of these proposed changes face some real, significant hurdles.” Some, like the construction of a border wall, can’t be implemented without funding. Others have been blocked by the courts, including the administration’s attempt to withhold federal funds from so-called sanctuary cities; and both versions of Trump’s “travel ban,” which aimed to curtail travel from certain predominantly Muslim countries and lower the number of refugees allowed admission into the United States.

Philstar.com

Viray

THE transfer of executive power from U.S. President Barack Obama to Donald Trump seems to have left an “indelible impact” on the country’s global image, according to a survey. In a survey by the Singaporebased ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, the perception of Southeast Asians on Washington’s image has deteriorated in four months. About 64.3 percent of the respondents said that the U.S. cannot be relied on to uphold free trade, human rights and international law in the region. This follows the Trump’s declaration of support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which involved thousands of extrajudicial killings. The expression of support from Trump “no doubt played a role in nudging U.S.’ trustworthiness downward,” the report said. The U.S.’ withdrawal from the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement also contributed to the drop of Washington’s popularity among Southeast Asians. The survey conducted from April 10 to 23 showed that 71.7 percent of the respondents said that their views on the U.S. global image has either deteriorated (46.3 percent) or deteriorated immensely (25.4 percent). “The U.S.’ reliability as an ally/ partner has also decreased in the eyes of Southeast Asians,” the re-

Source: ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusok Institute

port read. About 54.3 percent of the respondents consider the U.S. less dependable than four months ago while 16.2 percent still have confidence in its credibility. Using the purposive sampling method, the survey drew its results from 318 respondents from governments, business, academia, think tanks, the media and civil society across ten ASEAN member states. The independent think tank, through its bimonthly publication “ASEAN Focus,” indicated that its findings do not reflect the views of the whole Southeast Asia. Despite the drop of US global image, Southeast Asians still have

Infographic by RP Ocampo/Philstar.com

high expectations that Washington will continue upholding the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The survey showed that that 67 percent of Southeast Asians believe that the U.S. could find some measures of redemption in the disputed South China Sea. “In this respect, the respondents may be reading the early signs from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s strong rhetoric on this issue during his confirmation hearing in January, as well as the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group in the South China Sea in February,” the report read. n

Fil-Am teen killed in car crash after...

“While many of the changes proposed by the administration may threaten refugees, immigrants and their families,” said Chua, “there still exist some real barriers to implementation, offering some real avenues of hope for immigrant communities.” Advocates say many of these signs of hope lie outside of Washington. “The immigrant rights movement is getting more organized, more powerful,” said Salas, pointing to local and state efforts that seek to protect the rights of immigrants across the country. “What is incredible is the many cities and schools defending immigrants,” she said. On May 1, she noted, about 30,000 people marched in the streets of Los Angeles to defend the rights of immigrants. “California is moving forward a different vision, a different agenda,” said Salas. The state legislature has proposed various bills that seek to defend immigrants’ rights, from Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act), introduced by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), which would prevent state and local resources from being used to cooperate with deportations, to Senate Bill 6, by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, which would provide funding for legal services for immigrants facing deportation. By contrast, Texas’ state legislature is moving further to the right on immigration. Texas Republicans just passed Senate Bill 4, a new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, which threatens law enforcement with jail time if they don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities. “In the mid-90s, California looked a lot like Texas does today,” said Salas, when California voters passed Prop 187. That ballot measure helped get its supporter, Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, elected. But it led to an even bigger backlash against the GOP in the state, and is largely

credited with the mobilization of Latino voters who have changed the face of California politics. “Our community [in California] became engaged,” Salas said. Texas, which has the nation’s second-largest Latino population after California, could see a similar backlash. “What we’re seeing in Texas is the same kind of mobilization,” she said. Meanwhile, immigrant rights advocates are helping their communities stay informed. “There are many families that are afraid,” said Adriana Guzman, immigrant outreach coordinator with Faith in Action Bay Area. “Our message to them is that there are steps they can take right now.” Guzman said she is encouraging individuals to talk to a trusted legal services provider to see if they qualify for immigration relief, to make a family preparedness plan, including who will take care of children if something happens to their parents, and to carry the number of a trusted immigration attorney they can call in case of an emergency. Most importantly, Guzman said, individuals should know that they have certain rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of their immigration status. These include the right to remain silent, the right to not open the door to agents without a warrant signed by a judge, the right to speak to a lawyer and make a phone call, and to not sign anything they don’t understand or that isn’t true. “Thousands of community outreach workers are spanning their communities, delivering Know Your Rights presentations,” said Salas of CHIRLA. From helping eligible immigrants become citizens and register to vote, to protesting in the streets and supporting legal challenges in the courts, she said, immigrant rights advocates have been able to “make a statement in these very difficult days.” (Elena Shore/New America Media)

Robredo wealth shrank...

PAGE A1 2016, from P17.95 million declared as of June. Most of her assets were reflected as personal properties, much of it in cash. Ms. Robredo’s cash assets decreased to P8.94 million from P11.115 million in June. Furniture and appliances were worth P1.5 million, jewelry were valued at P100,000, and her prepaid insurance is P630,000. Ms. Robredo also owns two vehicles, a Toyota Innova bought in 2010 for P1.123 million and a Toyota Grandia acquired in 2014 for P1.75 million. She also owns eight real properties with acquisition cost totaling P1.735 million. Just like Davaoeño President Rodrigo Duterte, all of Ms. Robredo’s declared properties were located in her hometown, which is Naga City. These include: her P1.2-mil-

by Patricia Lourdes

lion residence in Barangay Dayangdang built in 1996; two agricultural lots in Barangay Del Rosario bought in 1995 for P195,000; a P250,000 orchard in Barangay Pacol obtained in 1995; a P60,000 residential lot in Barangay Sta. Cruz purchased in 2000; and P30,000 agricultural lot in Barangay Panicuason acquired in 2000. The two other properties—a residential lot in Barangay Dayangdang and a memorial lot at Eternal Gardens—were declared donated. In terms of current fair market value, her Dayangdang house was worth P1,826,875, while the Del Rosario agricultural lots, the orchard, the Sta. Cruz property and the donated Dayangdang lot were cumulatively valued at P2,106,151. This leads to a total of P3.93 million.

Ms. Robredo’s assets, however, were offset by liabilities totaling P6.9 million. These are loans payable to the following: brother-in-law Jose Robredo Jr. (P1.15 million), sister-in-law Jocelyn Austria (P2 million), and mother Salvacion Gerona (P750,000). She also owes the estates of Marcelina and Jose Robredo P1 million and P2 million, respectively. Meanwhile, she declared having two relatives in government service: sister-in-law Josephine Bundoc and brother-in-law Rafael Bundoc, who both work as doctors at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila. According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Robredo’s SALNs for the years 2015 and 2014 reflected a net worth of P8,711,803 and P8,302,123.70, respectively. n

PAGE A1 passenger of the Malibu, who are in their 20s, also suffered minor injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. The Fil-Am teen was an honor student at James Logan High School and would have graduated in June. She played the flute in the school band and was involved with the youth ministry program at her church, CBS said. According to the school’s newspaper, she was “beloved by her classmates and was always a source of happiness and support for the people around her.” “She was a wonderful young lady,” John Mattos, a spokesman for the New Haven Unified School District, told NBC Bay Area. “She was in band and got great grades taking AP and college prep classes, and students really liked her.” No arrests have been made, local police said. Investigators are

Marcelino’s mother, Maria, who was driving the vehicle, suffered injuries but is expected to survive. Photo shows Maria and Shane during a senior night celebration for the marching band, wherein the latter played the flute. Photo from Marcelino’s GoFundMe page created by Noah Dela Rosa

looking into whether alcohol or speeding played a role in the fatal collision. “It looks like they were traveling at a pretty good rate of speed,” Fremont Fire Department Battalion Chief Richard Dickinson said, adding that “it was heavy impact.

Martial law eyed... PAGE A1 anao,” the President said. “Kung ako ang magma-martial law [If I declare martial law], there is no way of telling how long would it take us to restore order or we might not really be able to succeed,” he added. The Abu Sayyaf, established with seed money from Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network, have been kidnapping foreigners and locals for decades and holding them for ransom. They are believed to still hold at least 19 foreigners and six Filipino hostages. Blamed for the nation’s worst terrorist attacks, the Abu Sayyaf has used the support of local communities, millions of dollars

in ransom and collusion with corrupt local officials to defy decades of military operations. Last May 10, Save Sulu Movement spokesman Octavio Dinampo told a Davao City forum that Congress should investigate local officials in cahoots with the Abu Sayyaf. He accused local officials of coddling the terror and kidnapping group and of getting the lion’s share of ransom money paid by victims’ families. In a statement on May 8, the group branded the earlier pronouncements of President Duterte and Armed Forces Chief Eduardo Año that they would crush the Abu Sayyaf as “only good for me-

Napoles will stay... PAGE A1 ruling Liberal Party of former president Benigno Aquino III. “You can be sure that as long as I’m the secretary of Justice, we will only be guided by evidence… and there will be no selective justice like that under my predecessor,” Aguirre said in a television interview.

dia sound bites.” “The ground unfolds a totally different story of kidnapping becoming a cottage industry with local officials acting as promoters, brokers and protectors,” it said. “On behalf of the Save Sulu Movement, we call on the Senate to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the palpable connivance between the local officials and the [Abu Sayyaf]. We also recommend to Congress to criminalize the giving and payment ransom and the receipt of ransom in the guise of negotiation. It is sickening to keep on hearing the no-ransom policy when everyone knows too well that ransom is actually being paid and brokered by the local government officials thus perpetuating the business of [the Abu Sayyaf].” n

He pointed out that only three former senators—Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada—were indicted before the Sandiganbayan on the pork barrel scandal. “She said she would come out with a second batch but did not… that means there was selective justice,” Aguirre said.

On Napoles, Aguirre noted that the businesswoman had been charged with plunder, a non-bailable offense. “I want to make it clear—many people think Janet Lim-Napoles will be freed if she is admitted to the Witness Protection Program or as a state witness—she will not be freed. The cases pending in four divisions of the Sandiganbayan will not be affected,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English. n

minutes of fame of the complainant,” he said. Asked to react to Alejano’s plan to take his complaint against Duterte to the International Criminal Court, Panelo said: “Tell him to plant trees in his province to protect our environment instead of creating a forest of lies against the President.” Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the junked impeachment complaint “was from rehashed, trumped up charges aimed at undermining the duly constituted government.” “The President respects a coequal branch of government and does not interfere in the political exercise. Neither is he beholden to any group and he remains focused on governance,” Abella said. He said improving the welfare of the Filipino people would continue to be the President’s “paramount consideration.” Even Vice President Leni Robredo expressed belief an impeach-

ment complaint against President Duterte would not prosper. “I think it will not prosper in the sense that impeachment is a political process, and our President is very popular,” Robredo said in an interview in Mintal, Davao City. The Vice President made the statement a few hours before the House justice committee voted to declare the impeachment rap as having no substance. “If we base on the statements of the members of the House, it appears that it will only get a little support,” she said. The Vice President, however, cited the importance of the House deliberating on the sufficiency in form of the impeachment complaint as part of democratic process. Robredo is also facing threats of impeachment for allegedly betraying the public trust when she revealed alleged police abuses in the government’s war on drugs in a video message sent to the United Nations. (With reports from Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero, Helen Flores, Edith Regalado, Edu Punay) n

House kills Duterte... PAGE A2 source of dismay. “We were expecting that Congress will be an instrument to find out the truth,” Trillanes said. “Now that there’s a cover-up, we’ll go through other modes of how to expose these truths… but we can’t control the outcome,” he said without elaborating. He, however, stressed the other modes he was referring to were not extra-constitutional. Not surprising For the President’s chief legal counsel, the junking of the impeachment complaint was expected. “The impeachment complaint will not reach first base because the allegations are based on hearsay. Others are outright false,” Salvador Panelo said in a statement. He said Alejano was just after free publicity. “The complaint is intended to besmirch the reputation of (President Duterte) and to get the three

Major damage.” A GoFundMe page has been made to raise funds for Marcelino’s funeral costs, as well as her mother’s medical bills: https:// www.gofundme.com/dk4vmfuneral-expenses-and-medicalbills. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

DATELINE USA

100 YEARS HENCE. In Valenzuela City devotees at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima line up to venerate the relics of child shepherds Francisco and Jacinta Marto. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

SWS: Pinoys remain satisfied with Duterte Cabinet by HELEN

FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA - More than half of Filipinos remained satisfied with the performance of key government institutions in the first quarter of the year, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The poll found 50 percent satisfied, 17 percent dissatisfied and 31 percent undecided with President Duterte’s Cabinet, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of “good” +32, unchanged from the last quarter of 2016.

The Senate received the highest net public satisfaction rating among government institutions. The survey found 65 percent satisfied, 13 percent dissatisfied and 21 percent undecided with the performance of the Senate, yielding a “very good” +52 net satisfaction score. The Senate’s satisfaction rating was four points higher from December’s “good” +48 (63 percent satisfied, 15 percent dissatisfied). The House of Representatives received a “good” +39 rating (53 percent satisfied, 14 percent dissatisfied, 30 percent undecided)

from +36 (52 percent satisfied, 17 percent dissatisfied) during the last survey. The Supreme Court’s net satisfaction rating also remained “good” despite a two-point increase from +38 (56 percent satisfied, 18 percent dissatisfied) to +40 (56 percent satisfied, 16 percent dissatisfied, 27 percent undecided). The poll was conducted from March 25 to 28, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults nationwide. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. ■

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 17-19, 2017

Binigay nila ang lahat sa iyo.

Mocha gets De Lima’s support by MARVIN

Philstar.com

MANILA - Controversial presidential appointee Mocha Uson found an unlikely ally in Sen. Leila de Lima, who urged critics to judge Uson not for her past work but on how she performs in her current job as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). Uson’s appointment to the PCOO, just like her earlier appointment to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board,

generated widespread criticism, primarily because of her previous stint as a sexy performer and blogger. Upon learning about the attacks against Uson, which she said was in effect slut-shaming, De Lima sympathized with her plight and decided to say her piece now. Instead of focusing on her past, De Lima said the public should watch how she would work in her new position, “funded by our tax money.” “For one, I hope that she will be a purveyor of truth, rather

Duterte open to deals...

PAGE A2

the Philippines billions of dollars in Chinese investments and aid. Mr. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the new Silk Road conference, during which

they resolved to strengthen their countries’ friendship. Mr. Duterte said he told Xi and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang that he would not raise the tribunal’s ruling. “We decided that there is a time

than propaganda; of responsibly gathered and vetted facts and news, rather than so-called alternative facts and fake news. She is no longer just a private blogger or social media personality; she is now a civil servant,” De Lima said. De Lima’s comments were clearly drawn from her own experience as a victim of slut-shaming at the height of the hearings conducted by the House of Representatives on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. ■ for me to ask about the ruling but it is not now,” Mr. Duterte said. He said both he and Xi were looking forward to their official meeting later this week for inaugural bilateral talks on the South China Sea as a step toward peacefully managing their territorial dispute. (With repors from Roy Stephen Canivel, AFP and AP) ■

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A6 MAY 17-19, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Determined

“SUFFICIENT in form but insufficient in substance,” the House of Representatives’ justice committee declared on Monday, May 15, as it formally dismissed the impeachment complaint filed against Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. A Philippine president is immune from lawsuits while in office, but he can be removed from office through impeachment. According to the Supreme Court, “form” refers to an impeachment complaint’s technical details following established methods, while “substance” refers to material allegations, of whether or not there is a cause for impeachment. A substance is sufficient if there is a detailed statement of facts constituting the offense charged. The impeachment complaint, filed by Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, accused the president of violating the Constitution by having a hand in the killings linked to the war on drugs and treason in his conferral with China on matters of maritime domain. Alejano accused the members of the panel of ceding their independence, neglecting their responsibility as duly-elected representatives of the people and railroading the process to jettison his complaint. He is now considering going to an international court to hold Duterte accountable for his impeachment complaints. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Alejano called on his colleagues in Congress

and the Filipino people to stand up against the rising number of deaths brought upon by the government’s war on the drugs. He warned that if the president is not stopped he will someday turn into a dictator. Back from his recent business trips to Cambodia, Hong Kong and China, Duterte dared Alejano and his other critics to “go ahead” with bringing a case against him to the ICC. “They are free to do it. This is a democracy,” Duterte said. A complaint against Duterte and 11 others was already filed by self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitman Edgar Matobato before the ICC last April 24. In his 77-page complaint, lawyer Jude Josue Sabio cited the “continuing mass murder” in the country as shown by the thousands of Filipinos killed in the government’s anti-criminality and anti-drug campaigns that began when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City and continues now that he is the country’s chief executive. However, filing a case against the president before the ICC will only be a futile attempt. “The ICC, or any other court or tribunal here or elsewhere, has no business or jurisdiction in the removal in office of President Duterte or any impeachable officer as such is the sole power of the Congress

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

of the Philippines,” House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas explained to ABS-CBN News. There are far more ills in the country that warrant much more attention and resources. Duterte bears these problems as he inherits the shortcomings and wrongdoings of his predecessors.

The dilemma comes with the title, the people voted for him to have. The distinction as the country’s “president” does not compensate for the responsibilities his job entails, and the incorrigible stigma of not meeting the Filipinos’ expectations—administration after administration. (AJPress)

Did Trump commit an impeachable offense when he asked FBI Director Comey to drop the Flynn investigation?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS “HE is a good guy. I hope you can let this go,” was what President Donald Trump told his sacked FBI Director James Comey. This was documented by Comey in a contemporaneous memo on he wrote on February 14, 2017, to document the details of their one-on-one meeting after Trump asked VP Mike Pence and Attorney General Jeff Sessions following

their meeting on national security issues. Comey wrote memoranda after meetings with Trump that made him feel appalled, which he shared in confidence with select colleagues in the FBI. This was characteristic of Comey even during the Bush years. It’s a bombshell that may be deemed as obstruction of justice: to be asked by the president of the United States to drop the investigation into his own campaign which involved

his friend Michael Flynn’s conversation with Russia to ease sanctions Pres. Obama imposed on the country for interfering in the 2016 presidential election. This was reported by the New York Times on Tuesday, May 16, a week after Comey was fired by Trump, the details of which were corroborated by CNN’s reporting through interviews with officials in the FBI who were privy to this turn of events. Zooming out to look at the

big picture, Trump explained that Comey was fired because he has lost in his leadership of the FBI. Despite Trump’s “request”, Comey proceeded with the investigation of the president’s campaign alleged collusion with Russia in interfering with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Trump administration has denied the story -- on the same day that news broke about Trump divulging classified information to Russia dur-

ing his meeting with the Russian Prime Minister and Envoy in the Oval Office. Trump threatened Comey with a “tape” before he fired him, which lawmakers said Trump should turn over to Congress. What Trump did not know was that Comey had been writing those contemporaneous memos that could be material evidence if a case against Trump moves forward. Would Trump bring out the “tape” he tweeted about to support his

side of the story? Expect testimony under oath as this will surely be the subject of investigation. Did Trump abuse his executive power? Is he guilty of “obstruction of justice”? ” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

What the new Cabinet men must do for Duterte

Opinion

RICARDO SALUDO EXPLAINING the flurry of Cabinet appointments, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said his boss wanted to end uncertainty and speculation. Whatever the reasons, President Rodrigo Duterte did squelch further guesswork with the naming of his defeated running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as foreign affairs secretary, Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año as interior secretary, and former AFP chief Roy Cimatu as environment secretary. Now, the tongue-wagging starts on what these new helmsmen mean for the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. And that won’t be so easy to squelch. Into the deep end at the DFA Let’s start with the DFA, the agency most closely watched from abroad. Duterte promised Cayetano either the DFA or the Department of Justice once the one-year ban on appointing election losers ends. But even after the previous secretary, Perfecto Yasay Jr., was rejected over nationality issues, the talk was that Cayetano may be needed in the Senate as advocate of the President’s agenda and defender of the administration. But his defense of the Philippines at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva aced the foreign affairs post for him. He faced more than a hundred nations, and many would not change their assessment, whatever he said.

That’s because for most nations, only their ambassadors may change their positions, and quite a number sent lower-level officials to the rights council meeting. Moreover, the review actually covered the past five years, not just the eight months of the Duterte administration. So, Senator Cayetano had to defend the previous regime as well, when homicides hit between 11,000 and 16,000 a year, far above the level in the current administration. Still, Cayetano and other officials in the Philippine delegation managed to keep the expressions of concern about the anti-drug killings to a minority of 45 states—surely a creditable performance on the international stage worthy of the foreign affairs portfolio. Now, there are even bigger challenges ahead for the incoming DFA head. Bilateral talks with China on territorial and maritime issues begin this month, and Cayetano must balance our positions to assert our sovereign rights while keeping everything friendly, as President Duterte wants it. Luckily, Beijing too wants to avoid frictions, so the talks will probably stay cordial. Ideally, there could be something substantive that Cayetano can push for, though probably later. On the side, former speaker and China advocate Jose de Venecia has urged joint oil exploration in the Spratlys. Cayetano would be wise to thank him for the suggestion, but let the legal experts, including Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and Law of the Sea signatory Estelito Mendoza, study the idea first. A different kind of all-out war Turning to the DILG, the prior-

ity here is internal security. General Año retires only in October, but President Duterte evidently wants him to begin giving his future agency guidance on the comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaign Año is mandated to prosecute. “Whole-of-nation” and “wholeof-government” are the phrases he used to describe his coming internal security thrust. That means harnessing all levels of both government and community in the war on lawless violence. This very approach proved its effectiveness in the interdiction of Abu Sayaff terrorists in Bohol. In beefing up internal security through Año’s appointment, President Duterte may be getting ready for both jihadist infiltration from the Middle East, and the possible failure of peace talks. Recently, a Singapore security conference warned that Southeast Asian extremists returning to the region after fighting for the brutal Islamic State, may seek haven in Mindanao. At the same time, Duterte has expressed concern over peace talks with Muslim rebels due to disagreement between factions. And negotiations with leftist insurgents were recently cast in doubt by the admission of communist leader Jose Maria Sison that he could not control the New People’s Army fighters on the ground. Año at the DILG will certainly give the internal security campaign a tougher hand, which is exactly why leftists in Congress and perhaps even in the Cabinet may try to block his confirmation. The rebel National Democratic Front and the opposition will almost surely portray his appointment as part of Duterte’s creep toward autocracy.

An SWS poll found 50 percent satisﬁed, 17 percent dissatisﬁed and 31 percent undecided with President Duterte’s Cabinet, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of “good” +32, unchanged from the last quarter of 2016.

That won’t get many nods among the people, however. Four out of five Filipinos trust the President, the same proportion who feel safer. They will certainly not lose trust or sleep over a new interior secretary who will fight more vigorously the threats to peace and security. The shadow of Gina Lopez If the future Secretary Año can win kudos for taking a hard line against violent groups, many may also want Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to show toughness, especially against the mining industry blamed by environmental groups for the ouster of his predecessor Gina Lopez. That pressure to maintain her

uncompromising stance toward mining, even instituting regulations not explicitly covered by law, may get particularly strong, if not overbearing, if rumors that Lopez may be appointed DENR undersecretary come true. Then Secretary Cimatu would feel the agitation from both environmentalists on the street and one of his top deputies who used to run the agency. Even without Lopez in the DENR, her sweeping and unprecedented initiatives in protecting the environment from irresponsible mining, unauthorized Laguna fishpens, and other blights, set a high bar for Cimatu even before he took office.

On the other hand, the ex-general with decades of experience on the ground in his military career, knows that stopping environmental destruction takes far more than just issuing orders and talking tough. In the end, the DENR mission has to be a balancing act of safeguarding the environment while harnessing natural resources for economic growth and grassroots development. And in this mandate, there must be paramount adherence to the law. So, those are the challenges that incoming Secretaries Cayetano, Año and Cimatu must face for President Duterte. Good luck. You’ll need it. (ManilaTimes.net)

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reﬂect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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SEEKING ADVENTURE IS STRONG. MAKING IT A WAY OF LIFE IS ARMY STRONG. )LQG \RXU ORFDO UHFUXLWLQJ RIILFH DW JRDUP\ FRP DVLDQMRXUQDO RU FDOO 5RZODQG +HLJKWV &DUHHU &HQWHU WR OHDUQ PRUH

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY OURNAL

Philippines economy expands faster in Q1– Moody’s

consumption,” it said.Moody’s Analytics said exports would continue to recover this year. The country’s merchandise MANILA, Philippines - The exports jumped 21 percent to economy grew at a faster rate of 6.9 percent in the first quarter, $5.58 billion in March from fueled by rapidly increasing pri- $4.61 billion in the same month vate investment and consump- last year, according to latest tion, according to Moody’s data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Analytics. “Net exports should also be In its latest Asia Economic Preview, the economic research a positive, as merchandise exand analysis arm of Moody’s ports have recovered in recent Corp. said the first quarter gross months and service exports domestic product (GDP) growth continue to perform well,” it was faster than the 6.6 percent said. Socioeconomic Planning Secexpansion booked in the fourth retary Ernesto Pernia earlier quarter last year. “Domestic demand continues said the country’s GDP likely to be the main driver, with pri- grew seven percent in the first vate investment and consump- quarter, the middle point of the tion increasing rapidly. Posi- target range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent tive demographic factors and penned by economic managers. u PAGE B3 rising incomes are supporting by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

OFW remittances hit record $2.91B in March by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Remittances from overseas Filipinos reached their highest monthly level in March due to strong demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday. BSP Governor Amando Tetango Jr. said personal remittances booked a double-digit growth of 11.8 percent to a record high of $2.91 billion in March from $2.61 billion in the same month last year, eclipsing the previous record of $2.82 billion booked in December last year. This brought the three-month total to $7.71 billion, up 8.1 percent from $7.13 billion in the same period last year. Personal remittances repre-

sent the sum of net compensation of employees, personal transfers, and capital transfers between households. It measures the total amount of remittance flows into the country, including cash and non-cash items that flow through both formal (via electronic wire) and informal channels (such as money or goods carried across borders). Cash remittances also booked a double-digit growth of 10.7 percent to a record monthly level of $2.61 billion in March from $2.36 billion in the same month last year. The record high amount of cash remittances sent home by overseas Filipino workers surpassed the previous all-time high of $2.56 billion in December. The increase was traced to

u PAGE B3

PAGE B1 t

Bank for OFWs in the pipeline by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - The government is drafting a law that will establish a separate bank for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), President Duterte said. Duterte said the creation of a bank for migrant workers require a new law and could not be implemented through an executive order. He said the administration is in the process of turning the Philippine Postal Savings Bank (Postal Bank) into an OFW bank. “We are acquiring it (Postal Bank). We

are now preparing the law,” the President told reporters in Hong Kong last Saturday. Duterte admitted though the bank may not be operational by October as stated previously by the labor department. “No, it will be difficult. It has to be studied. It has to pass Congress,” the Chief Executive said. Duterte announced plans to convert the state-owned thrift bank Postal Bank into a financial institution for OFWs last year. Postal Bank assistant postmaster general for marketing Luis Carlos has said the government needs to infuse P2 billion to P3 bil-

lion to implement the President’s plan. Duterte has also promised to create a separate agency that will handle the concerns of Filipino migrant workers, whose dollar remittances are keeping the Philippine economy afloat. There are about 2.4 million Filipino migrant workers worldwide. Remittances sent home through banks by OFWs hit a record $26.9 billion in 2016 from $25.61 billion the previous year. Duterte topped the overseas absentee voting during the 2016 elections with more than 313,000 votes. ■

‘Dutertenomics’ goes to China

by ROY

STEPHEN C. CANIVEL Inquirer.net

BEIJING, China—Philippine economic managers will pitch the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program to Chinese officials today in a bid to further boost interest among Chinese firms, months after President Duterte brought home multibillion-dollars worth of pledges

from the private sector here. Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana told reporters on Saturday that cabinet officials would be in Beijing to talk about Dutertenomics, which highlights the government’s ambitious infrastructure projects. International Cooperation While a separate event in itself, this will coincide with the last leg

of the two-day Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation that is also being held in Beijing. President Duterte is participating in the BRF. Sta. Romana said the Philippine Embassy in China had received a number of inquiries from Chinese firms asking about the business environment in the country. While he could not give out their names, he said that these firms

were interested in pursuing projects in the Philippines. Asian powerhouse neighbors “We have asked them to listen to the cabinet secretaries because this is actually the answer to their questions. There will be a number of Chinese companies that will participate in that forum,” he said. President Duterte made a state

u PAGE B3

Business news

B MAY 17-19, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA FOR a steadily increasing number of people who are intent on finding meaning in life—time has eclipsed money in importance. In America as in anywhere else on earth where time is equated with money, there is a tendency to trade each hour for the relentless pursuit of the trappings of an economically successful life. What we do has become what we are. And yet, the truth of the matter is that not all our hours are billable. For immigrant parents with younger children, one of the best things to give of yourself is having more free, unscheduled, unencumbered time with them so that you can make yourself available to them, without having to put them on schedule as though accommodating them in your already crowded appointment book. In the eighties and nineties of the past century, the idea of “quality time” meant that since there was only a limited amount of time to spend with children,

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.” There is a big difference between the two concepts. With a voided marriage, it restores the couple to status of unmarried person as if they have never been married before. In a divorce, the couple would always be regarded to as married during the period of the marriage. Unlike Divorce which can be obtained regardless of the reason. Voiding a marriage may only be obtained based on certain grounds. It is void in cases of incest and bigamy. It is voidable in cases of minority, Unsound Mind, Fraud, Force, or Physical Incapacity. Marriages between parents, children, ancestors and descendants, brothers and sisters, half brothers and sisters, uncles and nieces, and aunts and

Making time for the things that matter

Carpe diem! Seize the day! - Horace

a busy parent “squeezed” as much as could be squeezed out of spending an hour or two or an afternoon with his children once in a great while. While spending limited quality time was definitely better than being an absentee parent altogether, there is still no substitute for spending real“quantity time” with children, even if it means merely hanging out with them. There is a vast array of things that children are offered to learn outside of school—activities that by themselves are intended to prime and prepare them for success in their adult lives, to make them more intelligent, more artistic, more poised with greater self-esteem, more athletic and basically more well-rounded supposedly to be able to compete in the real world. The focus of these activities is on the future rather than the present moment. Try not to rob them of the joy of the moment in the name of the future. Well-meaning but basically misguided immigrant parents

tend to overcompensate and stretch themselves to give their children the advantage they themselves did not have. Some push their children onto too many activities to give them an edge for the outside world at some future date. As promising as these activities may seem, one needs to achieve a sense of balance and understand if the tendency to do so is a personal response to a sense of insecurity. It could be that parents are merely sublimating their inadequacies and imposing these on the lives of their own children. It is not necessary to enlist children in each and every activity that promises to give them an edge. Spending real time with children and kicking back can yield even more tangible results in improved relationships and a better quality of family life. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Grounds for annulling a marriage nephews are incestuous and are void from the beginning. So are bigamist marriages where either party was still married to another person when they entered the marriage. Nevertheless, it is best to obtain a Nullity Judgment to clarify the legal status of the parties under these circumstances. Certain situations does not necessarily make a marriage void but makes it voidable on the parties option. One such circumstance is when the petitioner was under 18 years old when the petitioner married and the parents did not provide their consent. The Nullity petition based on this ground has to be filed within four years after the party turns 18. The parent of the minor may also file the Petition provided it is filed prior to the minor turning 18. Another situation is a bigamist marriage where the first spouse has been absent and not known to be living for 5 years prior to the second marriage or if the party believed the spouse to be dead at the time of the second marriage. A Nullity

based on this ground may be filed during the life of the other party. A marriage may be voided if either party was of unsound mind at the time of the marriage. Unsound Mind means a person is incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and the duties and responsibilities it creates which depends on the degree of mental capacity of the party. This may not be a ground if the party later on came to reason yet continued to freely cohabitate with the spouse. Fraud is another ground for voiding a marriage. The false representation or concealment must relate to a substantive matter and directly affect the purpose of the party deceived in entering the marriage. The fraud must go to the very essence of the marital relation before it is sufficient for an annulment. It is not sufficient simply to contend that your spouse turned out to be a lazy, drunken disappointment. Nullity based on

u PAGE B3

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LBC business solutions supports the SME company of the year at the 2017 Asia CEO awards

THE growth of the Philippine economy does not only rely on the performances of big businesses. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) also play a major role in the development of the economy. This is the driving principle on why LBC has decided to sponsor the SME Company of the Year at the 2017 Asia CEO awards for the second time this year. The Asia CEO Awards is the most prestigious business award-giving body in the country and in Southeast Asia. It aims to recognize business leaders and organizations whose successful ventures have helped stir the country’s economy. “We have always thought of novel ways to support SMEs because they have always been close to the heart of LBC Solutions. We are one with them as they seek to find their rightful place against the bigger play-

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA CUSTOMER Service Dashboard: The goal is provide tools and resources in resolving tax matters. The “Customer Service Dashboard” was launched in March 1, 2017 with estimated time frames for your wait time. For more information go to: https://www.ftb.ca.gov Deductions for Taxes Paid or California Other State Tax Credit (OSTC) Legal Ruling 2017-01: California resident is allowed to OSTC for net income taxes paid to other state. California nonresident is allowed OSTC for net income taxes paid to taxpayer’s resident state that is also taxed in California if the resident state 1) does not tax income of California resident or 2) allows OSTC to California resident on income sourced within the state. California Competes Tax Credit: The credit is an income or franchise tax credit, available to businesses that stay or expand in California. Applications for the credit started from March 6, 2017 through March 27, 2017 at calcompetes.ca.gov or goto:http://

ers”, says Thesa Castrojas, Brand Marketing and Communications Manager of LBC Express. The Asia CEO Awards is one vehicle to make the world aware of their potential to make a stronger dent in the Philippine and Southeast Asian economies. Castrojas adds: “Through the Asia CEO awards, we Filipinos can learn the values that have helped turn the country’s busi-

ness leaders into the country’s economic heroes. It is a platform to showcase the greatness of our business leaders and the path they patiently took to make their business successful and their employees’ lives better.” To know more about how you can nominate for the SME Company of the Year and other categories, you may visitwww.asiaceo.org.com. n

New California laws PART 1

www.business.ca.gov/Programs/ CaliforniaCompetesTaxCredit. New Filing Deadline for Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Who Are Partnerships: The new filing deadline is now March 15 previously April 15, for calendar year filers. For fiscal year filers, the new filing deadline is the 15th day of the 3rd month following the close of the taxable year. Extension deadline is now September 15 previously October 15 for calendar year filers and for fiscal year filers, the extended deadline is the 15th day of the 9th month following the close of the taxable year. For more information go to: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/businesses/City_Business_Tax_Program City County Business Tax Program (CBBT): Starting in January 2017 under a reciprocal fully executed standard agreement, California counties are eligible to exchange taxpayer data. The data exchange will identify businesses that are not reporting income and not filing income tax returns; and give leads to counties locate unlicensed businesses and not paying business taxes. California’s Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal EITC). If your earned income is not more than

$14,161, you may be qualified for the credit and could receive up to $6,000 if you qualify for both Cal EITC and Federal EITC. To amend a previously filed return for the credit, file Form 540X and Form 3514 to claim the credit. Cash and Non-Cash Charitable Contributions: Payments to an individual are not deductible. If you itemize deduction reported in Schedule A of Federal Form 1040, then charitable deduction is deductible in California subject to certain limitations and documentation requirements. To check if the charitable organization qualifies for income tax deduction go to: https://www. irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check Failure to Respond Penalty: The penalty is 25 percent based on total assessed tax liability for failure to file a return and provide information. The imposed penalty will apply if the taxpayer has a tax due and filing requirement. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending.

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Business news

Abandoned wife, Uber driver seek Chapter 7 for credit card debt

FIRST client is 48 and married in the last 4 years. Husband was a foreigner who professed his love for her in so many ways. Unfortunately, his love for her was actually for her U.S. citizenship. Client, who had never been married before, fell head over heels for her newfound Romeo whom she met in a party in her hometown. He looked handsome and dashing in his own peculiar way. Never mind that he was height challenged at 4 feet 4 in and had web fingers and toes. He was an athlete and was the fastest swimmer in their town. His nickname was ‘AquaMan.’ All of these traits did not bother client; in fact, it was these traits that endeared him to her. She called him my “BB” for baby “beluga”. She reasoned that he would have no problem getting a job in California. Sea World in San Diego would certainly offer him a job to swim with the dolphins and whales. Well you know how the K-1 fiancée visa works. You have to prove to the INS that you met your loved one at least two years before the petition date with evidence consisting of pictures with dates on them, cards, letters, emails, the works. It’s just too bad that there is no camera that can take a picture of the real intent of the human heart. Client petitioned husband for his green card as soon as they were married. It wasn’t a $15M wedding like Kanye and Kim’s in 2014. Client’s reception was held in a popular restaurant a block from Trump Towers. All of client’s family, her brothers and sisters attended her wedding, all of them trying to convince her not to marry the guy. “Why him?” “You’re better off being single than marrying that human milkfish!” said her older brother. Her guest of honor, FBI director Comey said, “It just makes me nauseous to see you marry this guy, he looks fishy to me!” But despite all of the wellintentioned objections of family, friends and the FBI, client tied the knot. She charged their honeymoon, a 2-week cruise in the Mediterranean, to MasterCard. That was followed by a romantic river cruise at St. Petersburg in Russia and a 3-week Asian tour of China, Japan, Korea and all the Southeast Asian countries. The

“

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng honeymoon set her back $50K but thanks to MasterCard and visa, she was given the opportunity to make minimum payments of $1500 a month for the $50K of credit cards. Money she thought was well spent. It was her dream come true, to see the world with her prince charming. She was a certified nursing assistant who grossed $3K a month. Her take home pay is $2400. 62.5% of her take home pay or $1500 is for monthly minimum payments on her $50K credit cards. So she has $900 left before rent. They rent a

for divorce from client since he already got legalized and client had maxed out her credit cards. No more honeymoons for free around the world. Thus, being now of sound mind and body, client decided to forget her fake husband and start fresh without accumulated debt. She decided to discharge the $50K of credit cards with a Chapter 7 petition. Finally, she’s making the right decision for herself. Second client is 45. He owes $20K of credit cards. He pays $750 a month for minimum card payments. He is self-employed because he makes his living by driving full time for UBER. By full time, I mean 5 days a week. He has a late model SUV, which he pays $400 a month. His gas expense is $125 a week or $500 a month. So, if you are wondering how much you can make driving UBER 5 days a week, you will gross $3500, less $500 for gas. You can net about $3K without considering car insurance and car payments. In client’s case, he has family abroad and needs to send them money every month. So he decides to discharge his $20K of credit cards with Chapter 7, so he can send $750 back to his family monthly. I have another client who drives UBER part time. He has a full time job. He makes about $800 a month gross from UBER. If you are saddled with debt, now is the time to get them discharged. Better now than later when you are about to retire. But if you have not yet gotten rid of your debts yet and you are now a senior, believe me, you need to get rid of your debts now that your income is less than half of what it was when you were younger. If you need bankruptcy relief, please call my office for an appointment and I will analyze your case personally. “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” PHILIPPIANS 4:13H

If you are saddled with debt, now is the time to get them discharged.

”

room for $600 so she has $300 left for food. What about her husband? Well, he did not want to work because he said that as head of family, she should be the one working. He decided he would just stay in the room and watch Disney movies the whole day. So, client decided to get a second job to pay for monthly necessities and the immigration lawyer fees for husband’s green card. Since the petition was filed before the Trump era, husband beneficiary was not fully vetted. He obtained FBI clearance despite Mr. Comey’s objections, and soon enough he became a legal permanent resident of our country which at that time was not “great again.” Our country, at that time, was just “so-so”. As it turned out, beloved husband was actually secretly married in his country of origin. So again, the FBI did not uncover this anomaly so the INS allowed a criminal bigamist to become a legal permanent resident. “Bigly Bad!” “That’s a no-no!” As soon as he got legalized, he disappeared. Client hired the best private investigator that money, or credit cards could buy. It was finally determined that he had gone to another state. He filed

*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 17-19, 2017

Calendar of Events across

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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 M AY 1 9

National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day Stakeholder Breakfast and Conference in Pasadena, CA National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day Stakeholder Breakfast and Conference, co-sponsored by Hep B Free-Los Angeles and Hepatitis C Task Force for Los Angeles County on Friday, May 19. It will be held at Huntington Hospital (100 W. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, featuring a hepatitis/liver expert panel and roundtable discussion groups. Continental breakfast will be available. Please RSVP by May 12 to Koy Parada at kparada@apu.edu or (818) 599-9132.

AMBOY presents ULAM dinner in LA AMBOY presents a special night on Friday, May 19 with a six course dinner presented by Filipino chefs who will each make one course using their culinary technique and cultural background. Guests in attendance will also receive a VIP ticket to the preview of ULAM – a Filipino food documentary, showing at the Million Dollar Theatre on Saturday May 20th. It will be held at the second floor of Far East Plaza (727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. It is $75 per guest (includes a ticket to ULAM screening). To book online, please visit www.universe.com/amboydinnernight or email eatatamboy@ gmail.com for any inquiries.

M AY 2 0

Carlos Bulosan book club in LA The Echo Park Branch Library* of the LA Public Library system will host the launching of the Carlos Bulosan Book Club (CBBC) organized by Friends of the Echo Park Library (friendsechopark.org) on Saturday, May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The first book will be “America is in the Heart” by Carlos Bulosan. The moderators will be James Castillo, Dr. Enrique dela Cruz, Vicky Perez & Jaime Geaga. The CBBC’s mission is to provide a forum to explore and learn about the Filipino-American immigrant experience as reflected through Fil-Am literature. It will be held at the Echo Park Library Community Room (1410 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). To RSVP or for more info, please contact James Castillo at (626) 241-7010 or admin@friendsechopark.org.

M AY 2 1

Filipino Medical Program hosts mini health fair in Bergenfield, NJ Holy Name Medical Center’s Filipino Medical Program will take part in a mini health fair on Sunday, May 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church - Conlon Hall at 19 North William Street, Bergenfield, NJ. For more information, please call the FMP at (201) 833-3355 or email lavarro@holyname.org.

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

Philippines economy expands...

PAGE B1 t

On the demand side, strong household consumption and government spending are expected to drive the economy. “Consumption and government spending will continue to be a major factor,” he said. On the supply side, Pernia said the agriculture sector is expected to perform better this year and the construction industry is expected to be-

come a major driver of growth. Pernia, however, flagged several internal and external risks to the domestic economy. External risks include uncertain policy shifts in the US and slowdown in emerging economies such as China. Internal risks include weather disturbances and possible delays in the implementation of public infrastructure. He also identified among do-

mestic risks “policy inconsistencies in several areas” as well as the environment department’s decision to close several mines. The Philippines emerged as the fastest growing economy in the region with a 6.9 percent growth last year as election related spending boosted consumption as well as higher investments. This was faster than the 5.9 percent GDP expansion registered in 2015.

OFW remittances hit record... PAGE B1t

the 3.9 percent rise in remittances from the US followed by Canada and the United Arab Emirates with 2.1 percent as well as Japan with one percent. For the first quarter, Tetangco said cash remittances increased 7.7 percent to $6.95 billion from $6.46 billion. This was faster than the projected four-percent growth in remittances set by the BSP. Data showed about 80 percent of the cash remittances during the period came from the US, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong, and Canada. Tetangco said in an interview the phenomenon of de-risking – referring to the withdrawal of

globally active banks from specific jurisdictions to avoid business and reputational risks from customers from higher money laundering or terrorist financing risk - poses risks to the Philippine banking industry. According to him, this is being addressed through the launch of the National Retail Payment System (NRPS) and through the completion of the National Risk Assessment for money laundering or terrorist financing. Tetangco said the BSP and major shareholders have enhanced the anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing legal and supervisory framework to assure international partners. Likewise, the outgoing BSP chief sees minimal impact from

the inward looking policies of various foreign governments including that of US President Donald Trump. Tetangco said the US accounted for 33.2 percent of total remittances but the tighter border controls in the US could only cut remittance flows to the Philippines by 0.2 percent since the stock of Filipino workers at risk of deportation is relatively small at 11 percent of total. He also noted the share of US as a remittance source has been on a decline from a high of 60.1 percent in 2005. Remittances from about 12 million Filipinos living and working abroad account for about 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. n

`Dutertenomics’ goes in... PAGE B1 t

visit to China in October last year, signaling his administration’s shift in foreign strategy as it now edges closer to its the Asian powerhouse neighbors. After the visit, the delegation brought home $24 billion worth of pledges and credit facilities. Of this figure, $15 billion was attributed to the private sector. The cabinet officials first introduced the “build, build, build”

initiative during the Dutertenomics forum in Manila last month. They also brought the forum to Cambodia earlier this month where they spoke with foreign media and investors there. ‘Game-changing’ projects Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in April that the Duterte administration planned to roll out more than P3.6 trillion in public infrastructure projects from 2018 to

2020, promising “game-changing” projects that would roll out and be completed before the end of the administration. In total, Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said P8.4 trillion would be spent on infrastructure during the six-year term of President Duterte, increasing the share of infrastructure spending in the gross domestic product (GDP) from 5.4 percent this year to 7.4 percent in 2022. n

Grounds for annulling a...

PAGE B2 t fraud has to be filed within four years of discovering the fraud. Certain marriages that are entered into by force are voidable. Circumstances that meet these standards requires that the forced party’s free will to have been overcome by the spouse such as through the use of threats. These type of Nullity must be filed within four Years from the date of marriage. A marriage where the spouse was found to be incapable of physically engaging in copulation may be voided. It can only be filed by

the spouse that does not have the physical incapacity and must be filed within four years of the marriage. Before deciding weather a divorce is the appropriate avenue to end your marriage, parties should evaluate if a Nullity is a viable alternative and weather it serves their best interest. *** 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 is not a solicitation. (Advertising Supplement)

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Wednesday, May 17, 2017

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 17, 2017

KNOW YOUR PEOPLE, KNOW YOUR ROOTS: Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by KLARIZE MEDENILLA/AJPRESS

O honor the extensive and often overlooked achievements of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community, the United States designated the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). Just as the U.S. celebrates Black History Month in February, members of Congress in 1977 decided to introduce resolutions to designate a period in which to celebrate the rich history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. It started off in 1979 when Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was celebrated during the first ten days in May. Presidents in the 1980s then continued that tradition until 1990, when then-President George H.W. Bush signed a new law which expanded the observance to the entire month; then in 1992, the U.S. officially began observing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May. Soon after Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was established, Congressman Norman Y. Mineta (D-California) in 1994 founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), a caucus made up of Congress members who were of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to advocate for the APA community. According to the official legislation that established the caucus, CAPAC is designed “to ensure that legislation passed by the United States Congress, to the greatest extent possible, provides for the full participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and reflects the concerns and needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.” It was important to designate the month of May

Photos from SF: Asian & Paciﬁc Islander American Scholarship Fund

their dreams and to share the Asian American identity with folks of all heritages. “It’s to show [our] pride as being Asian American because we’re not guests in this country,” LA Councilmember David Ryu told the Asian Journal earlier this month. “This is our country and we’ve helped build this country. It’s

because it coincides with the first wave of Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843; the month also commemorates the construction of the first transcontinental railroad— which was built largely on the labor of Chinese immigrants—on May 10, 1869. Designating a month honoring the APA community was a huge step in recognizing the historic achievements and celebrating the cultures within the community. The APA community—as detailed in the resolution—encompasses all nationalities, cultures and ethnic populations in the Asia continent as well as the Pacific Islands; altogether, that includes hundreds of unique cultures. “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to our

nation,” Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-California) said in a statement released earlier this month. “From the Chinese railroad workers who helped to build our first transcontinental railroad, to trailblazers like Dalip Singh Saund, the first Asian American ever elected to the U.S. Congress, to visionaries like Patsy Mink, a fierce champion for women’s rights who helped to pass Title IX legislation – AAPIs have played an integral role in contributing to the vibrancy of our country.” APAs who have made great strides in entertainment and pop culture have also been commemorated in various ways this month. Earlier in May, IDENTITY LA, a concert commemorating the community, returned to Los Angeles to celebrate the work of APA artists and creatives, to inspire young artists in the community to chase

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to empower the younger generations. It’s also not to only celebrate amongst ourselves but share our culture with our neighbors who are not Asian American because we draw strength from diversity, and it’s only when we learn about each other’s differences that we grow stronger together.” Throughout the month of

May, all branches of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) are hosting special events for Asian/Pacific American Heritage month like film screenings, calligraphy lessons, Japanese tea ceremonies, Bollywood nights and professional panels. For a calendar list of events, visit http://www.lapl. org./

LA kicks off APA Heritage Month celeberation

Councilmember David Ryu

Far East Movement and Wong Fu Productions

AJPress photos by Mark Xavier Bautista

LOS ANGELES kicked off Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month on Saturday, May 6 with IDENTITY LA, a concert and celebration on the steps of City Hall. Hosted by Councilmember David Ryu and the International Secret Agents, the free public concert drew over 5,000 attendees and highlighted APA history and the population’s contributions to the various facets of the city. Korean RnB artist, DEAN headlined the festival alongside his futuristic underground crew, Club Eskimo. Folk Pop group, Us the Duo, and special guest, producer/electronic music artist Giraffage also entertained the crowd. The rest of the evening featured a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists of Korean, Filipino, Taiwanese, Japanese, South Asian, and Pacific Islander heritage. These performances from fan-favor-

ites, Starro (soulection), Year of the Ox, Kronika (soulection), Doctors&Engineers, Tenelle, Saay, and Dj Zo celebrate APA’s dynamic culture in the heart of Los Angeles. The festival also honored several individuals and groups “that make up the vibrant cultural identity of the Los Angeles region, arts, activism, leadership, youth [and] digital,” Ryu’s office said. The awardees this year were: Awareness Through Arts & Entertainment Award: The Cast and Crew of the film “GOOK” Presented to a Group or Individual for Artistic Achievements that have Contributed to Positive Social + Community Change for the Asian Pacific American Community. • Digital Pioneer Award: Jenn Im Presented to a Group or Individual for their Pioneer-

ing Contributions in Positively Elevating the Asian Pacific American Community through Digital Media. • Activism Award: Taz Ahmed & Zahra Noorbakhsh of #GoodMuslimBadMuslim Presented to a Group or individual for their Contributions in Empowering the Asian Pacific American Community through Activism + Education. • Community Growth Award: EPIC: Empowering Paciﬁc Islander Communities Presented to a Non-Profit Organization for their work at Empowering the Asian Pacific American Community through Activism + Education. • LA Youth Award: Alex Siv Presented to an LA Based Youth (18 or younger) for their work in Empowering the Asian Pacific American Community through Activism + Education.

SHOW & RODEO

Giraffage

Us The Duo

SINCE 1917

Starro

DEAN

SAAY

SCE celebrates business, community partnerships at APA Heritage Month event SOUTHERN California Edison (SCE) held its 12th annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) celebration on Thursday, May 4, during which it awarded business and community partners for their contributions to energy efficiency and the greater Asian American community. The three awards given honored Diamond Wipes International, Inc., a disposable wet wipes manufacturer based in Chino, California, with the energy efficiency participation award; the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP), a non-profit organization, with the community partnership award; and Red Kite Business Advisors, a marketing consulting firm, with the diverse business enterprise award. The event was emcee’d by Bill Imada, chairman and chief connectivity officer of IW Group, Inc. Ryan Patel, a global executive who has worked at startups to publicly traded companies and is an expert in scaling businesses worldwide, served as the keynote speaker. He recently served as the vice president of global development for Pinkberry. “At one point, someone said ‘you can’t do this’ or maybe…it comes to who’s in the

Kevin Payne, CEO of Southern California Edison (SCE).

Bill Imada of IW Group served as the emcee.

Red Kite Business Advisors

Caroline Choi, senior vice presi- Ryan Patel, a global executive, dent of regulatory affairs at SCE. was the eventʼs keynote speaker.

room, [their] ethnicity and age...,” Patel said. “I don’t get caught up in ‘I was the only person in the room that was of this decent…I looked at it as an opportunity to prove to myself and everyone else that my ideas were good no matter what it was.” He shared the importance

of diversity, gender equality and philanthropy within businesses. He added, “I look at heritage months as two things: the celebration of the past — it’s really important to learn from those who have done this, the pioneers — but I’m also here to tell you that don’t take this month for granted. It’s also [about] the future, how are you going to lead the next generation?”

features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 17, 2017

LBC continues to move love to children through Project Pearls LBC Express, the country’s leading courier and cargo, logistics, and remittance company, continues to move communities and help underprivileged Filipino children. This endeavor is in partnership with Project Pearls, a California-based foundation. Starting this month until June 16, 2017, LBC will be setting up boxes in all their California branches which will serve as drop-off points for school supplies that will be solicited by Project Pearls. These donations will be shipped by LBC to Project Pearls Philippines for distribution to beneficiary students. Project Pearls has advocated to help the financially-challenged Filipino children to have a better life through education, empowerment, nutrition and health services. Patricia Garcia, LBC’s VicePresident for Sales and Operations in North America states, “We are happy to be part of Project Pearl’s noble cause. Through this, we hope to be able to encourage the Filipino community in California and other civic-minded citizens to donate what they can so that less fortunate children would be well-equipped with the materials they need when they go back to school this year.”

This is the second time that LBC and Project Pearls have worked together to move assistance to those in need. Two years ago, LBC kicked off Box a Smile, where customers can donate a portion of their shipping fees to give a Christmas gift to a sponsored child in the Philippines. The drive was culminated with a gift-giving event. Through their various platforms and facilities, LBC hopes to make a difference by bridging lives and communities of Filipinos from all across the globe. LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and

agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 60 years. Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to-door delivery in the Philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. LBC can move it for you: visit www.LBCexpress. com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter). *Advertising Supplement

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Sharon Cuneta rules out third party rumors amid showbiz hiatus by ROSETTE

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her favorite aunt is sick, and her film with Star Cinema has been moved to September. Cuneta also cited money problems and being taken advantage of. She lamented how she should be retired by now and reaping the fruits of her labor, but instead, she is still working for the benefit of others. Cuneta then thanked God for all the blessings He has given her. She also assured the public that she is all right and that there is no need to worry about her. The actress, who said she will only take a backseat to focus on her problems for the moment, also promised to be home soon. “Thanks so much for your love, support, and encouraging words. Now, please don’t worry about me na. I am okay. I always am,” Cuneta said as she greeted mothers “Happy Mother’s Day.” Meanwhile, amid Cuneta’s personal dilemma, Pangilinan took to Twitter to greet his wife on Mother’s Day and express his support for her. “Know that as you go through your own life journey I’ll be here beside you & even if I may not be able to solve a number of problems you face,” the senator wrote. “My shoulders will always be here for you to lean on & my arms will always be available for big hugs should you feel the need for them. Always,” he added.

Joung Lee, MD, is an internationally renowned authority in the field of skull base surgery. Dr. Lee served as the Professor and Founding Director of the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Skull Base Surgery Center, where he established one of the largest skull base surgery programs in the world. A noted leader in the treatment of meningioma, Dr. Lee has accumulated one of the largest experiences in the world in meningioma surgery, having performed more than 1,200 cases.

“THERE is no truth to the rumors going around that Kiko (Sen. Francis Pangilinan) and Sen. Risa Hontiveros are having an affair (or held hands).” That is what “Mega Star” Sharon Cuneta said as she broke her silence on her personal problems and dismissed rumors of third party on her marital woes in a lengthy Facebook post published on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14. Cuneta recently announced that she will take a break from work, saying that she has been through “way too much pain and fatigue in the past few weeks” that she has to “collect herself and regroup once again.” This hiatus sparked rumors that she is undergoing a marital problem. Photos of Hontiveros and Pangilinan appearing to be holding hands also surfaced online amid Cuneta’s vacation. Cuneta, however, clarified that the photo circulating online was only edited and there is no Hontiveros-Pangilinan affair. “Okay. Here is the truth. Kung anuman ang pinagdadaanan ko/namin ngayon, HINDI PO ITO KASALI DOON,” Cuneta wrote. “Some people are evil. They have nothing better to do than ruin people’s lives. Wala bang mas matalino or mas challenging na paraan na hindi naman nakaiinsulto sa utak ng karamihan kung maninira ka rin lang ng kapwa?,” she added. Cuneta said that if indeed she discovered that Pangilinan is cheating on her, she will not discuss it publicly because she was raised to be a decent private person. “So if I am indeed going through anything now, IT DOES NOT INVOLVE A THIRD PARTY,” she reiterated. The singer-actress admitted that she is currently “lost” and that she has just being going through so many things. She cited that in the past few weeks, two people close to her have died,

Hollywood Presbyterian Neuroscience Institute is dedicated to providing advanced neurosurgical treatment in a compassionate and caring environment. Our neurosurgeons are highly experienced in all aspects of advanced neurosurgery, including skull base surgery, complex spine surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. In fact, they are the experts who developed some of the newest treatment methods used by other surgeons worldwide.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 17, 2017

The Global Kababayan

Fil-Am actress Belinda Panelo is UCLA bound

G: How does it feel to be accepted into UCLA? B: I feel truly honored. UCLA I fIrst met Belinda Panelo in is one of the top institutions in the late 90s in Manila when she the country and the application was an MtV VJ during the time process is highly competitive as of KC Montero and sarah Meier. you know. Belinda was known as the halfG: Why did you want to apAmerican, half-Pinay beauty who ply to UCLA? always had the wittiest comeB:When I was first looking at backs and who never took herself schools I knew that I could only too seriously. she also went the apply to those that were close artista route when she did a by because I have a family and teleserye directed by Joey reyes it wouldn’t be feasible for us to called “sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka” pick up and move. Luckily, I live as the character tara Ponce. five minutes away from UCLA so In many ways my story is very it was really a no brainer! similar to Belinda’s as she too G: What will you be taking got disillusioned with the local up at UCLA and why? showbiz scene and was looking B: I’m enrolled as a pre-global for some depth to sink her teeth studies major. I’ll have to petition into. Here was a bubbly and at the end of the fall semester to talented woman who grew up in be accepted into the program seattle, moved to the Philippines as they only take 100 students. as a child and began a career in I wanted to study something the local showbiz scene, only to that integrated many different realize that her true passion was disciplines that I was interested to take her craft to the next level. in. Global studies seemed to fit she moved to New York City the bill as it borrows from anthroto train at the Atlantic theater pology, sociology, economics, Company Conservatory, the pres- history, and political science. tigious theater company of actor Additionally, as I’ve gotten older William H. Macy and acclaimed and have become a mother, my writer David Mamet. When she interest in global affairs and how and her husband, pro tennis it impacts our own community is champ Joseph Lizardo, and their now very personal. young son, Devon migrated to G:What are the challenges the West Coast, I was ecstatic to of pursuing higher education as connect. a mom? throughout the years, B: HA! Everything! trying to Belinda Panelo-Lizardo has been balance family responsibilities one of my friends whom I could with school work has been a always depend on, as a work master class in organized chaos. out partner and confidante to there are many more dishes in just rant about motherly woes. the sink and the mountain of When I returned to college, she laundry is laughably limitless, and I were in constant touch as but hey, I got an ‘A’ on my last we were both on the westside test. In addition, being an older of town and were both pursuing non-traditional student carries acting occasionally despite being a certain stigma that you can’t full-time mothers. When she just shake off sometimes and got pregnant with her second admittedly that does bother me child and had to deliver early on occasion. on a Halloween eve, I truly saw G: Being that you are a nonher dedication to her family to traditional student, what was be the anchor that held them all it about higher education that together. Her resiliency is inspiryou wanted to pursue? ing, which is why it is such a joy B: I’ve been wanting to go to share that after two and a half back to school for a very long years of going to community time, but the timing never college, she has been accepted seemed right. As the years went to the University of California, Los by and I got older and older, I Angeles. Here is an excerpt of realized that I could no longer our chat: rely on timing. I needed to leap

G. TönGi

Belinda Panelo-Lizardo

and trust that everything would fall into place. G: What drives you to succeed academically? B: It’s a very personal story that goes back to childhood. In a nutshell, I have something to prove to myself and that drives me every day and night when I hit the books. My age definitely contributes as well as I don’t have the luxury of time to mess around. Granted, her academic life is far less traditional than some, she excels with a 4.0 because she is determined to make the most of her time at school. As a friend who also had the amazing opportunity of becoming a Bruin, not only am I proud of what she has accomplished thus far, but know there is even more on the horizon that she will achieve. It’s going to be an opportunity of a lifetime! Congratulations on being #UCLAbound because all the sleepless nights, focus and determination she has invested to pursue higher education is paying off! GO BrUINs! *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipinos living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only the cultural gap between America & the Philippines but to help with the generational gap between our own people. She is married with two children and is based in Southern California and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans who are empowering the FilAm community.

features 5

Stella Rosa wines of San Antonio Winery now Baste downplays perks of being a presidential son available in the Phillipines! The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 17, 2017

by Maridol

rañoa-BisMark Philstar.com

when I travel. I need to talk to actor. Go home now.”) people and know what’s happenThe showbiz greenhorn isn’t ing.” BEIng a presidential offspring afraid of living to up an image Baste is taking a new trail that — be it that of a self-assured host is supposed to come with a lot appeals to the adventurer and or a fearless adventurer. of perks. But Sebastian “Baste” the team player in him. and he’s Baste’s love for adventure Duterte, President Rodrigo willing to do everything — even makes him explore the road less Duterte’s son and social media to conquer his fears — to make it taken. magnet, can only think of one: a work. “I don’t take the tourist trail free hotel stay. What about girls who flock to him and won’t let him go? “I don’t know why they go near me,” he says in Filipino. “Perhaps because I’m the son of the president? I don’t know.” But adoring girls and free hotel stays won’t keep body and soul together. Like all ordinary mortals, Baste must work for a living. That’s why his mother, Presi21822 Main St. Carson, CA (beside St. Phelomina) dent Duterte’s first wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, was glad when she learned Baste will make his TV s 7EDDINGS s &UNDRAISERS debut as host of TV 5’s new reality s !NNIVERSARIES s "ANQUETS adventure show “Lakbai”. ery, and also be one of the The show features Baste s "IRTHDAY 0ARTIES s (OLIDAY 0ARTIES first to get your hands on the and his friends, lawyer alexis s "REAKFAST -EETINGS s /PEN (OUSE 2ECEPTIONS beautiful, new Pink aluminum Lumbatan, Sboi Malicay and bottles. Stella Rosa Black s "USINESS ,UNCHEONS s 0ICNIC 3OCIAL %VENTS andrei apostol exploring local bursts with delicious notes travel spots and learning about its s #HILDREN S 0ARTIES s &UNERALS of blackberry, blueberry, people. s 3CHOOL #ARNIVALS s 3CHOOL #A and raspberry, while Stella “My mother said, ‘It’s okay. at Rosa Platinum has flavors least may sweldo ka, may trabaho of vanilla, green apple and ka,’” Baste relates. elderflower. The aluminum His dad, on the other hand, also Available: bottles chill easily and can be was less euphoric. When people • Kilawing Kambing +Tax taken outdoors where glass is told him his youngest son will • Papaitang Kambing not allowed, and they have a have a regular TV show, the 1 Lechon • Kalderetang Kambing resealable twist-off cap, mak- controversial president turned to 4 full trays and 1 half tray na Ulam • Adobong Kambing 4 na half trays na Matamis ing them perfect for summer Baste and said, “O, artista ka na. • Sinampalukang Kambing outings. Sige, uwi ka na (You’re already an You can find them at San antonio Winery, located at its original location, just east 21822 Main St. of downtown L.a. Enjoy a 10125 Rosecrans Ave., Carson, CA wine tasting of Stella Rosa, Bellflower, CA 90706 along with our award-win(beside St. Phelomina) ning dry wines, take a tour, and indulge in delicious food 17206 Norwalk Blvd., Inside Island at Maddalena restaurant, Cerritos, CA 90703 Pacific-Cerritos open daily. and be sure to let (inside Eriel Cafe Cerritos) (Weekend and Holiday) your friends and family in the Philippines know they could Tumawag na para sa catering sa inyong mga handaan! now enjoy Stella Rosa there also! For more information, visit www.sanantoniowinery. com and www.stellarosa.com, or call 323-223-1401. We look forward to seeing you here!

/ 08 0 1 & / #ATERING FOR !LL /CCASSIONS

San antonio Winery, Los angeles’ original urban winery, has been producing award-winning wines since 1917, and there is much to stellabrate during its centennial, including the debut of Stella Rosa Wines in the Philippines! This effervescent wine has garnered quite a following in the United States, becoming america’s favorite semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine, and the Riboli family is excited to spread the sparkling fun. Stella Rosa recently had the honor of being a proud supporter of the Miss Universe 2017 pageant in the Philippines this past January. The Riboli family of San antonio Winery created the Stella Rosa brand 14 years ago. It is crafted in the hillsides of Piedmont, Italy. This effervescent wine comes in 15 delicious, award-winning flavors and has become a household name in the U.S. The Originale line has nine flavors of semi-sparkling red, white, and rosé wines while the Imperiale line is fullsparkling and comes in six exquisite variations, including

Prosecco and Moscato Rosé. Fourth generation winemaker anthony Riboli is always excited for an opportunity to share Riboli Family Wines and recognizes that “being a winemaker on several continents is very challenging, but it is necessary to ensure the highest quality of our Stella Rosa wines. With every sip, we invite you to share our deep passion for winemaking.” Stella Rosa wines are best served chilled and can also be used for an array of cocktails. From the sparkling Prosecco that makes the best mimosas to the semi-sparkling Stella Rosa Pink with notes of strawberry and rose petals, there is something unique in every bottle for every wine drinker. These wines are refreshing, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. They can also be presented in a gift basket as Stella Rosa comes in minis (187ML bottles), and new 8.5 oz aluminum bottles. You could find Stella Rosa Black and Platinum aluminum bottles at San antonio Win-

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - May 17, 2017