100417 - Los Angeles Midweek

OCTOBER 4-6, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 80 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

Palace: Office of the Ombudsman ‘showing its true political color’

by IAN

NICOLAS CIGARAL AND ALEXIS ROMERO

MANILA— The Office of the Ombudsman is “showing its true political color,” Malacañang said on Tuesday, Oct. 3, as it stressed that the anti-graft body must not become a part of a “demolition job” against President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

The Palace’s remarks came after the ombudsman, acting on a case filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, recently announced that it was launching a fact-finding probe into the alleged billions

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DATELINE

Philstar.com

Presidential spokersperson Ernesto Abella and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales Inquirer.net photos

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Congress fails to renew Children’s Health Insurance Program by budget deadline Congressional committee introduces new replacement childcare bill

AS Washington continues the battle over the future of American health care, the United States Congress over the weekend failed to renew federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), allowing the program to expire by the end of the year.

CHIP is a program created under Medicaid

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Senate committee holds hearing for DACA, future for DREAMers

SIXTH VISIT. President Rodrigo Dutere made his sixth visit to Marawi City on Monday, October 2, where he led the inauguration of the Bahay Pag-asa Project at Barangay Bito Buadi Itowa that is intended for the residents of Marawi who were internally displaced due to the conflict in the area.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

Filipina girlfriend remains person of interest in Las Vegas shooting Over 50 killed; shooter sent $100,000 to PH days before massacre

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

A FILIPINA remains a “person of interest” and may have key information on the deadliest shooting attack in modern U.S. history, Las Vegas police said on Tuesday, October 3.

Marilou Danley — a 62-year-

old Filipina who holds an Australian passport — was reportedly out of the country on Sunday, October 1, during the shooting that left at least 59 people dead and over 500 injured. She is said to be the shooter, Stephen Craig Paddock’s companion or girl- Marilou Danley

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Photo courtesy of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

There is still tight security and police presence along Las Vegas Boulevard where Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is located. On Sunday night, October 1, Stephen Paddock sent bullets and terror down on thousands attending a country music concert from his 32nd floor hotel room in Mandalay. Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured 527 more in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

Duterte challenges Sereno, Morales: Let us open our bank books

Davao Gov. Vicente Duterte—were included in the computation.

“I have told you that mine could not be PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte more than P40 million. It is a lifetime savon Monday, October 2, challenged Chief ings. I’m 72 now, I started working when I Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Ombuds- was 27, I became prosecutor along with the PH Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano Inquirer.net photos Panelists encourage Congress to man Conchita Morales to join him and make land I inherited from my father,” Duterte retheir bank accounts public. marked. pass a permanent, long-term plan In a speech before the government troops But if anyone can prove otherwise, the for undocumented youth and displaced residents of Marawi City, the president said, “You can shoot me or overTHE Senate Judiciary Committee held a con- president maintained that he has never com- throw me.” gressional hearing for Trump administration’s mitted any corrupt practices as he denied He challenged the Chief Justice and the

by AJPRESS ending of the Deferred Action for Childhood Ar- anew the allegations that he has billions of Ombudsman to “resign” with him. He also rivals (DACA) on Tuesday, October 3, just two illegally amassed wealth. dared them to open their bank accounts The president also insisted that his total with him before Congress to show the Filidays before many DACA recipients must renew THE Philippine government is assets would not reach P40 million even if pino people who was really corrupt. their permits. ready to welcome experts from the properties he inherited from his father—late u PAGE A2 United Nations (UN) who would u PAGE A4 conduct an objective assessment of human rights situation in the country, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.

Cayetano relayed this message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during their first

by PATRICIA LOURDES VIRAY sounding their sirens to sig- meeting in New York on Friday, Philstar.com nify their opposition to our ves- September 30, according to a MANILA — Magdalo Partyl- sels visiting or patrolling the statement from the Philippine Deist Rep. Gary Alejano expressed sandbars,” Alejano said in a partment of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“We will fully cooperate and work concerns over the rising tensions statement.

The lawmaker said that he has with you on a rationale, open, fair in Manila-claimed Pag-asa Island received information that three dialogue on our campaign against and its three sandbars.

Alejano claimed that Chinese vessels of Chinese maritime mi- crime and illegal drugs,” Cayetano forces are employing new tactics litia and a ship of the People’s told the Secretary-General.

In this Monday, May 11, 2015, file photo, the alleged on-going reclamation of Subi Reef by China in the disputed West Philippine Liberation Army Navy have been The top diplomat, however, reis seen from Pag-asa Island in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, western Palawan quested the international body to spotted one to fi ve nautical miles Sea. Province, Philippines. China’s campaign of island building in the South China Sea might soon send representatives who have from the three sandbars of Pag“They are harassing our paquadruple the number of airstrips available to the People’s Liberation Army in the highly trolling vessels by continuously u PAGE A5 “no bias against the Philippines.” contested and strategically vital region.

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Agnes Callamard, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings

Cayetano: PH open to UN probe but asks for someone ‘without bias’

Chinese forces harass Filipino ships near Pag-asa, says solon

He specifically ruled out UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard, saying she had already “prejudged the human rights situation in the country” and even referred to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as a “murderer.”

“How can someone who is in league with our political opposition conduct a fair and objective assessment of our human rights situation?” Cayetano said.

He added, “All we want is an impartial assessment and not outright condemnation to help us understand the extent of the problems that we are confronted with.”

Callamard has been a vocal critic of Duterte’s so-called drug war and of the alleged thousands of summary executions and human rights abuses linked to his antinarcotics campaign.

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Palace: Office of the Ombudsman...

PAGE A1 that Duterte’s family supposedly owned.

Duterte has described the accusation as “garbage” and has vowed to step down if proven that he or any member of his family is involved in corruption.

“The Office of the Ombudsman is showing its true political color.

We must remind them that it is an independent, anti-graft body that is supposed to conduct an impartial and fair investigation,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press conference.

“It should not play into the hands of those who cannot accept the fact that the president won in the 2016 election. It should not be a party to a demolition job.

We have seen this before, this is déjà vu,” Abella added.

Shortly after the ombudsman bared its plan to probe the president’s wealth, Duterte said he would form a commission that would look into allegations of

anomalies and “partiality” in the anti-graft agency.

He also threatened the officials at the ombudsman with arrest if they do not comply with court summons.

Duterte likewise declared he would not recognize the investigation to be conducted by the ombudsman as he accused the constitutional body of corruption and “selective justice.”

Asked why Duterte suddenly proposed to create a commission to investigate the ombudsman after the constitutional body disclosed that it would look into the president’s wealth, Abella said: “Well, this was the opportune time to do that.”

“He saw it fit to do it at that stage.”

‘Go against the facts’ Last week, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang was quoted as saying that his office had already received the bank transaction record of the president’s family from 2006

to 2016 from the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

But AMLC later denied that it had provided the ombudsman with a report detailing the transaction history of the first family’s bank accounts.

Duterte’s chief legal adviser Salvador Panelo said Carandang had violated the code of conduct for government personnel when he revealed that he had received bank transactions from the AMLC. But Carandang insisted that he observed confidentiality on the probe and claimed that he was just reading through the documents shown to him by the media.

“Carandang states that he was reading through the documents shown to him by the media during the ambush interview, in response to media’s inquiry on the status of the complaint after more than a year since its filing and in stating that a request was PAGE A5

SENATE SYMPATHIZES WITH AYTONA FAMILY. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (3rd from right), on Monday, October 2, present Resolution 519 expressing the Senate’s sympathy to the family of former Senator Dominador Aytona, who passed away last September 26, at the age of 99. Also in photo are together with Senators Cynthia Villar (4th from right) and Gregorio Honasan (extreme right).

Senate photo by Romeo Bugante

Duterte challenges Sereno, Morales...

PAGE A1 “Justice Sereno and I can resign, we give problems to Filipinos. The Ombudsman says I have billions. We can sign and bring our bank books to Congress. They can give the three of us a table, and we sign. We show our bank (accounts),” the president said.

As he accused both Morales and Sereno of corruption, Duterte went on to say, “That’s my challenge to every government officials and those who are pretending to be clean. Let us open our bank books so the people will know who are thieves and who are not.”

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman begun its probe into the allegations of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that the president and his family amassed ill-gotten wealth.

But Duterte, claiming that Morales herself was corrupt, vowed that he will not to recognize the

investigation being conducted by the anti-graft body.

“I will not submit jurisdiction to the ombudsman because it’s a lousy thing,” he said in a speech during the oathtaking of new officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) local chapter in Davao City last Saturday, September 30.

Duterte also slammed overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang for saying that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) provided his family’s bank records. The AMLC, however, denied that it gave records to the Ombudsman, clarifying that the latter’s request was still being evaluated.

The president claimed that the supposed report of the AMLC on his bank transactions were “fabricated” and “illegally obtained.”

“Waving fabricated evidence in front, lying through his teeth in front of the nation. And then you

Cayetano: PH open to UN probe...

PAGE A1 At one point, she described campaign against illegal drugs “cruel.”

Last August, she reiterated her call that “all unlawful deaths must be investigated.”

But Cayetano clarified that the Philippine government values human rights.

“We’re not turning our back on human rights,” he maintained.

“Our campaign against crime and illegal drugs is not intended to violate human rights; it is intended protect the human rights of our people.”

He also blamed the western media for supposedly exaggerating the human rights situation in the country.

“There are real problems but perceptions have overtaken us in western media that make it appear the situation is worse than it actually is,” Cayetano said.

CHR defends Callamard Defendending Callamard, Philippine Commission on Human Rights Chair (CHR) Chito Gascon said the UN rapporteur is known globally for her “truthful” work.

“Special Rapporteur Callamard

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno Philstar.com photo

want me to submit to the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman and who will now investigate?” Duterte said.

Carandang has been authorized

by Morales to investigate the bank transactions of the Duterte family based on Trillanes’ complaint.

Morales previously said she has inhibited herself from acting on any case filed against the Duterte family as her nephew, lawyer Manases Carpio, is married to Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. ■ has longtime experience in human rights work that she is globally recognized for her competence and professionalism,” Gascon told Inquirer.

“She conducts her work around the world purposively…dealing with facts as she sees them. She is just being truthful,” he added.

The CHR chair also expressed that it is Cayetano who should be “first to understand and appreciate that the UN system takes the process of vetting persons [who are] given particular responsibility to conduct human rights investigations under the Special Rapporteur Mandate System.” ■

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A OCTOBER 4-6, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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New legislation protecting consumers with automatic service purchases signed SB 313 requires businesses signing up consumers for free trial services to disclose the cost of any automatic renewal of the product

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg, (D-Van Nuys), announced on Friday, September 28, that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed his legislation that protects consumers who sign up for automatic renewal purchases by requiring disclosure of the cost and greater ease in canceling the arrangements.

SB 313 requires businesses that offer online signups for services or subscriptions that are automatically renewed to also offer a similarly straightforward way online to stop the renewal.

Businesses often sign consumers up for a free trial offer of a product or service without clear-

ly informing consumers that it will be automatically renewed at some time in the future for a charge.

“Clarity and transparency on automatic service purchases benefit consumers and enhance the marketplace,” Hertzberg said.

“Consumers need to know what they are signing up for and that they can just as easily cancel any service or subscription online as when they started it online.”

In recent years, consumer complaints regarding automatic service renewals have triggered numerous lawsuits, including class-action lawsuits filed against Hulu, Dropbox and Spotify.

While current law says the terms of trial offers and automatic renewals must be conspicuously posted on websites or communicated directly to consumers, canceling the service can be difficult to do.

The legislation was sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California.

“SB 313 promotes basic fairness by ensuring that consumers know exactly what they are agreeing to, and it makes it just as easy to cancel a subscription online as it is to sign up online,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. n

Congress fails to renew Children’s Health Insurance Program...

PAGE A1 that has funded affordable healthcare for nearly 9 million children of low-income families. Through the program, states receive federal funding to establish low-cost health insurance for children.

Congress was set to re-establish the $15 billion allocation towards CHIP, which had been backed by Democrats and Republicans since it was passed in 1997. The deadline to take action in CHIP’s renewal was Sept. 30.

A delay in renewing the program may have been the result of Congress’ ongoing saga of the Obama-era Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA). Agreement on renewing the program was reached as recently as midSeptember, according to Bruce Lesley, president of children’s advocacy group First Focus told the Los Angeles Times.

“Momentum was building,” Lesley said of the plan to renew CHIP but as soon as Graham-Cassidy, the GOP health bill looking to repeal and replace the ACA, was introduced “we couldn’t even get a meeting. No one was even taking our calls.”

If Congress doesn’t take action to reinstate CHIP, states’ children health programs that are under CHIP may be forced to deplete their resources or even shut down.

The Children’s Partnership, a children’s non-profit advocacy group in California, warns of dire consequences with the end of

funding for CHIP. Mayra Alvarez, president of the organization, said that CHIP was essential in providing access to health care for children and their families and urges Congress for the program’s reauthorization.

“The consequences of not passing a clean CHIP reauthorization bill could have serious implications for the 1.4 million children in California who depend on CHIP for coverage,” Alvarez said in a statement sent to the Asian Journal. “Without federal support, California will have to make difficult decisions that will undoubtedly impact the health and well-being of millions of children across the State. The successful CHIP program has long had bipartisan support in Congress, so vague promises of action later in the year are not enough. We urge Congress to move forward with a clean CHIP reauthorization bill immediately and make sure they put our children, our future first.”

However, the Senate Finance and House Energy Commerce committees submitted a bipartisan bill on Monday evening that would extend CHIP funding for the next five years with a gradual decrease of the 23 percentage point funding increase guaranteed under the ACA by 2020.

The new reauthorization bill, called the Helping Ensure Access for Little Ones, Toddlers and Hopeful Youth by Keeping Insurance Delivery Stable Act

of 2017 (HEALTHY KIDS Act), was introduced by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and didn’t specify how the government would pay for the funding extension.

Former President Bill Clinton signed CHIP into law in 1997 and has had overwhelming bipartisan support. CHIP was pivotal in reducing the amount of uninsured children from 14 percent in 1997 to 4.5 percent in 2015.

Approximately 1.3 million children in California are enrolled in public health programs through CHIP, the highest enrollment rate of any state that runs out of funding this year. About 3 out of 4 of those children are children of color.

The program provided a whole host of medical services for underprivileged children: routine check-ups, immunizations, emergency services, prescriptions and inpatient and outpatient hospital care to name a few.

In addition to providing coverage for children, CHIP also provides for more than 370,000 pregnant women a year.

Though current authorization has expired the program’s funding, states may use any unspent money to continue their children’s health programs under CHIP. Many states, including California and Arizona, are slated to run out of money before the year ends, but most have enough to last until next summer. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

HEARING ON KILLINGS INVOLVING CHILDREN. Senators JV Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson, Grace Poe and Bam Aquino on Monday, October 2, listen to the testimony of two witnesses who testified that 19 year old Carl Arnaiz, who was killed during a police operation in Caloocan City, was kneeling and handcuffed when he was allegedly shot dead by two policemen last August 18.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

Filipina girlfriend remains person...

PAGE A1 friend.

The shooting began at around 10:08 p.m. over the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a country music festival which was just ending its third and last day of weekend festivities with over 22,000 people in attendance. The festival’s headliner, country singer Jason Aldean, was rushed off stage mid-song, while witnesses initially thought the gun sounds were fireworks.

Police identified the shooter as 64-year-old Paddock, who fired a storm of bullets from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, about a quarter-mile away from the Las Vegas Village venue. Police were reportedly able to identify where the shots were coming from because smoke alarms were set off.

Paddock was found dead when SWAT entered his hotel room from what looked like self-inflicted wounds. Investigators later found cameras set both inside and outside his room.

“This is a crazed lunatic full of hate,” Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman told reporters Monday.

Police were first prompted to suspect Danley’s involvement after Paddock had used her ID documents to check into the 32nd floor hotel room. She was later ruled out as a “person of interest,” as she was believed to be either in the Philippines or Japan with friends.

However, Lombardo told reporters on Tuesday that they are continuing the investigation on Danley.

“She has probably the best insight into the mind of Paddock prior to him killing all these people,” Steve Gomez, a former FBI agent, told ABC News. “So they definitely want to hear from her what was going on in his life.”

Danley is expected to return to the U.S. on Wednesday, as of this writing.

Paddock was recently reported to have sent $100,000 to an account in Danley’s home country of the Philippines a few days before the shooting. According to NBC News, law enforcement are still unsure of why the money was sent, but a source close to Danley’s family claimed the money was to help the family build a home.

The relationship between Paddock and Danley was not immediately known, but public records found that they lived at the same address.

Paddock’s younger brother Eric Paddock told CBS News that Danley was Paddock’s girlfriend. According to a deleted LinkedIn account, Danley had worked as a “gambling and casino

professional” in Reno from 2010 to 2013.

“She is a nice lady. I’ve met her three or four times,” said Eric Paddock. “She’s got a Facebook page. She sends cookies to my mom.”

“Lone wolf” attacker Paddock was believed to have acted alone in the shooting, and was described as a “lone-wolf type actor,” according to Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo.

More than 10 guns and at least one automatic rifle were found in the hotel room. An additional 18 firearms, explosives, and bullets were found in his home. In a report by the Wall Street Journal, weapons were said to include “AR-15-style and AK-47-style rifles,” according to an unnamed law enforcement official.

It is still unclear as to how or where Paddock got his weapons, but gun shops who have sold to Paddock in the past say he cleared background checks. Law officials thought he may have altered a rifle to work as an automatic.

No known motive of gambler, son of bank robber The motive behind the attack has yet been determined. Paddock — who has been reported to have been an accountant, and was a licensed pilot who owned two planes among other properties — was not found to have had a criminal record aside from a citation.

“We have no investigative information or background associated with this individual that is derogatory,” said Lombardo on Monday. “The only thing we can tell is he received a citation several years ago; that citation was handled as a matter of normal practice in the court system.”

Several media reports have found Paddock to be an avid gambler. Eric Paddock, told the Washington Post that Paddock often gambled in tens of thousands of dollars.

“My brother is not like you and me. He plays high-stakes video poker,” he said. “He sends me a text that says he won $250,000 at the casino.”

According to the Washington Post, the younger Paddock has reportedly shown the FBI three years of text messages from his brother, but has no idea whether or not the latter had lost substantial amounts of money.

Their father, Benjamin Paddock, was reportedly on the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted list in the 1970s, and had a criminal record of bank robberies and prison escape. He was also diagnosed a psychopath.

Senate committee holds hearing...

PAGE A1 The hearing was the first of step of finding a solution for DREAMers, who are set to lose benefits once the program expires in March 2018.

In September, the Trump administration made an astonishing announcement that it would phase-out DACA, which has provided nearly 800,000 undocumented youth with renewable two-year permits for valid work authorization and protection from deportation.

In his opening statements, committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) denounced DACA, which he said “never operated in the way it was supposed to,” referencing one case where a DACA recipient was arrested for child exploitation.

Despite his criticisms of DACA, Grassley expressed the administration’s “empathy” for DREAMers “who came to this country through no fault of their own.”

“The wind-down is simple: to get Congress to adopt a longerterm solution — a legislative one,” Grassley said at the hearing. “So here we are, almost a month after the administration’s announcement, and now’s the time to start considering a path forward with earnest.”

DACA recipient and UC Berkeley graduate Denisse Marquez, who arrived in the U.S. from Mexico in 1990, calls DACA “the answer that lifted the ceiling to my educational and career ambitions.”

Marquez is currently a medical student at Mount Sinai in New York, and with the termination of DACA, she said her goals will be once again “unreachable.”

Although she spoke highly of DACA, she proposed Congress to

come up with legislation to provide a long-term solution and suggested reviving the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. A revived version of the DREAM Act was first introduced in 2001 but hasn’t been passed despite several bipartisan efforts. In response to Trump’s rescission of DACA, a bipartisan effort led by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called for the Senate to promptly pass the DREAM Act before DACA expires.

“I understand that it can be difficult to relate to this situation,” Marquez told the committee. “However, you do know what it’s like to make investments in your future; you have invested in your education, pursued your career aspirations, applied for jobs, and made a living to provide for yourselves and your families. I ask that you and your colleagues restore these opportunities for us as well.”

According to a Politico/Morning Consult poll from last month, 76 percent of Americans — from both parties — support granting DREAMers citizenship or legal permanent residency.

DACA recipients whose permits expire by March 5, 2018 must turn in their renewal applications by Thursday, October 5. Attorneys encourage those to complete renewal by Tuesday and send their applications overnight via FedEx to be received by USCIS by Wednesday morning.

A group of 37 senators — led

by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)

— have been urging the administration to extend the Oct. 5 deadline, referencing the destruction brought by Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria that have stifled many DREAMers’ applications.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the shootings, stating that Paddock had converted to Islam a few months ago, but FBI special agent Aaron Rouse said Monday that no connection to an international terrorist group has been determined as of yet.

Officials react Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Angelito Cruz said that the Consulate is looking into the state of the Filipino community in Las Vegas which he described as a popular tourist destination for Filipinos from the U.S. and the Philippines.

“We are coordinating with Las Vegas police authorities and with the leaders of the Filipino Community to check on our kababayans there,” said Cruz in a statement. “We hope and pray that all of them are safe and accounted for.”

As of Tuesday, one Las Vegas-born Filipino-American was reported to have been shot, but is expected to recover. Arthur “Arty” Andrade Jr., 21, was at the festival with his girlfriend when he was shot in the stomach, reported the Las Vegas Review Journal.

During an official visit to New York, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement, “We mourn with the families of those who perished and hope for the speedy recovery of the more than 400 people who were reported injured.”

National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)’s Desert Mountain Region Chair Amie Belmonte applauded first responders, like the LVMPD. “It is their stark bravery that offers a glimmering light of hope in the shadow of the cowardly act of hate,” she said.

In a Monday morning White House address, President Donald Trump called the shooting “an act of pure evil”, and ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff.

“In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one — and it always has,” said Trump who will visit Las Vegas on Wednesday, after a scheduled visit to hurricane-stricken Puerto Rico. “Our unity cannot be shattered by evil; our bonds cannot be broken by violence.”

Aldean, who was the festival’s headliner, posted on Instagram, “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.” n “These major hurricanes significantly disrupted day to day living and operations in these states and territories,” the lawmakers wrote.

“It would be appropriate for the government to extend the October 5, 2017 deadline nationwide to allow individuals adequate time to meet the government’s recent request.”

DACA provided a profound impact on all undocumented youth, especially Asian DREAMers. Since its inception in 2012, more than 16,000 Asian immigrant youth — including between 4,000 and 6,000 Filipinos — were granted benefits and protection under DACA. David Palau, a recent graduate of Cal State LA, was brought to the U.S. from the Philippines when he was two years old. He told the Asian Journal that DACA has been “instrumental” in his academic success.

“DACA opened doors for me that I never thought I would get to open,” Palau, 25, told the Asian Journal at a DACA press conference in September. “Ending it means that people like me, people who just want to work and be a part of the American Dream, have to struggle again. After years of being able to do everything other American kids can do — even something as simple as driving — this feels like a hard blow to the stomach.”

“It would be great to have a path to citizenship like the DREAM Act, but what do we do until then, you know? It just feels like we’re in limbo right now, and there are so many of us just waiting to find out what will happen with our lives,” Palau said, adding that “it’s scary to think that the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids are in the hands of a few people in Washington.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Aguirre files wiretapping case against Hontiveros

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

MANILA - Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday, October 2, filed a wiretapping complaint against Senator Risa Hontiveros in connection with the controversial capture of his phone message.

In his complaint before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office, Aguirre said Hontiveros violated Republic Act 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Act when she publicized his exchange of text messages with a former congressman last month.

The justice secretary said he would also file a separate ethics complaint against the senator over Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday, Oct. 2 filed a wiretapping case against Sen. Risa Hontiveros at Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office—an office under his jurisdiction as justice the same leaked messages.

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban PAGE A7 chief.

Chinese forces harass Filipino ships...

PAGE A1 asa Island.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is yet to validate the claims of Alejano.

“We need to confirm this with our defense colleagues,” DFA spokesperson Rob Bolivar said.

One of China’s artificial islands, Subi Reef, is near the sandbars. Beijing has installed military facilities in Subi Reef, which used to be a low-tide elevation.

“The sandbars lie within 12 nautical miles of both Subi Reef and Pag-asa Island. However,

the difference is that Subi Reef was once a low-tide elevation and was only later on reclaimed

by China,” Alejano said.

As a low-tide elevation, Subi Reef cannot generate territorial waters nor a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. This was part of the July 2016 ruling of the United Nations-back tribunal based in The Hague.

Pag-asa Island, on the other hand, is a high-tide elevation feature and is the second largest island in the Spratly Group. The island is part of Palawan island in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

According to reports, China is shifting away from its nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea for a new sovereignty claim in the disputed waters.

The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Chinese Foreign Ministry has laid its “four sha” claim in a closed-door meeting with U.S. State Department officials. China’s new sovereignty claim covers maritime entitlements from four island groups in the disputed waters—the Pratas Islands, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands and the Macclesfield Bank area. n

Palace: Office of the Ombudsman...

PAGE A1 made to AMLC as part of the investigative process,” the statement read.

But Malacañang is not buying Carandang’s claim.

“The Office of the Ombudsman was being economical with the truth when it said it has observed confidentiality in its investigation of the graft complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte…

These go against the facts,” Abella said.

Abella said Carandang’s claim is contrary to the earlier statement of the AMLC that the overall deputy ombudsman sent a

letter dated August 17 to initiate an investigation of Duterte’s alleged bank accounts.

“What all this confirms is that there is indeed a deliberate effort to discredit the president, mislead the public, and to create popular outrage against the duly elected Chief Executive,” the presidential spokesman said.

“The public’s mind seems to be being set,” he added.

Asked if Malacañang is directly accusing the ombudsman of discrediting the president, Abella said: “There is no accusation here, we are just simply pointing out… simply describing

the landscape.”

Carpio-Morales has inhibited herself from acting on any case filed against the first family.

Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, is married to Morales’ nephew, lawyer Manases Carpio.

In August, Duterte gave Carpio-Morales a tongue-lashing for supposedly engaging in “selective justice.” He also said the incumbent ombudsman is not entitled to a full term.

The tirade came after the ombudsman criticized Duterte for statements that could be seen as encouraging people to kill. n

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OPINION

One for Las Vegas

FEATURES

“IN moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one — and it always has. We call upon the bonds that unite us — our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity. Our unity cannot be shattered by evil.

Our bonds cannot be broken by violence. And though we feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today — and always will, forever.”

This was the statement made by Pres. Donald Trump on Tuesday, Oct. 2, in light of the deadly mass shooting incident in Las Vegas, Nevada which claimed the lives of at least 59 victims and injured more than 500 people.

It was a fun night on Sunday, Oct. 1, as a crowd of about 22,000 revealers gathered at an outdoor country music concert for the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Across the street, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock was settled in his hotel room 32 floors up at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

As country music singer Jason Aldean was performing, a rain of gunshots began pouring toward the celebrating crowd.

“The gunshots lasted for 10 to 15 minutes. It didn’t stop,” a witness told CNN. It was Paddock.

The lone wolf attacker was several feet south-

west of the concert grounds and equipped with at least 23 weapons and two tripods when fired rifles— clip after clip—out of two different windows in his hotel room.

Paddock killed himself as authorities stormed his hideout.

Authorities believe that Paddock acted alone, but they have yet to determine his motives.

As more details begin to unravel in this gruesome incident, the world joins Americans as they pray for the victims and extend their condolences to the families they left behind.

The Philippines extends its “deepest condolences to the families of the more than 50 victims who died because of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. We likewise pray for the speedy recovery of the more than 500 people who were reported injured,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said during a Palace briefing. “We join the peace-loving people of the international

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

community in denouncing this latest act of violence.”

In this time of distraught, let us express our compassion and pay our respects to the victims of this senseless violence that disrupted what

should have been a joyous occasion. They will be remembered not for giving a reason of mourning, but for uniting the whole world amidst disorder, and making such occasion more meaningful, today and for years to come. (AJPress)

Yellow is the color of hypocrisy ONE way the corrupt try to look clean Opinion is to launch a crusade against corruption.

The impressionable then think that someone waging war on graft would not enRICARDO SALUDO gage in it.

That’s how then President Benigno Aquino 3rd could unleash immense sleaze on the nation, and yet still be seen as “corruptfree,” as his handpicked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales lauded him last December.

In fact, anomalies under Aquino were huge, even unprecedented in some respects, and are still burdening our people today.

Take the mammoth anomalies in the transport department under Liberal Party stalwarts Mar Roxas and Jose Emilio Abaya. Due to an illegal license plate contract bid out and awarded with no budget allocation, hundreds of thousands of vehicles have no license plates, even if owners already paid P400 each for the illegally contracted plates.

Also bedeviled by incompetence or sleaze are driver’s license cards, also unissued by the millions because the Land Transportation Office under Aquino’s shooting buddy Virginia Torres (God rest her soul) delayed payments on the computerized licensing contractor.

But the real bonanza was at the Bureau of Customs, where smuggling trebled to $26.6 billion in 2014, from

less than $8 billion five years before. No wonder the system Aquino left “swallowed” Duterte appointee Col. Nicanor Faeldon, as Sen. Panfilo Lacson put it.

When more than 2,000 cargo containers disappeared in 2011—the biggest spate of smuggling in Philippine history—Aquino never had it investigated. Imagine the racket the yellow camp would have made if that happened under Gloria Arroyo or Rodrigo Duterte.

Still, the most pernicious and antidemocratic sleaze was the use of pork barrel and the illegal Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to induce legislators to pass Aquino’s pet bills and oust impeachable officials he didn’t like.

The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the pork barrel scheme created by Aquino’s mother Corazon, more than doubled under him, from about P8 billion during the Arroyo years, to more than P20 billion from 2011 until the Supreme Court declared PDAF unconstitutional in 2013, and DAP too the following year.

Plus: No less than the Supreme Court in its unanimous decision said that DAP funds were allocated to programs and projects not found in any budgetary appropriations enacted by Congress. Spending public funds in ways not authorized by budget laws

constitutes malversation. So, the high court ordered Ombudsman Morales to probe and charge the “authors” of the P157-billion DAP. The hypocrisy continues Today, the yellow hypocrisy continues, now decrying moves to hold its stalwarts and appointees accountable for gross anomalies. It has balked at impeachment petitions against Aquino appointees Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista, and Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales.

Is the Liberal Party and its allies in business, legal, and civil society groups saying that the issuance of Supreme Court resolutions without the constitutionally required en banc approval is not serious enough to warrant congressional investigation and prosecution? Plus, the alleged manipulation of the Judicial and Bar Council shortlists of nominees to court vacancies, including the post of Associate Justice, prompting the Supreme Court en banc to overrule the JBC? Is it now no longer right to impeach officials for not declaring tens or hundreds of millions of pesos in assets, like Sereno’s earnings from the NAIA Terminal 3 case, and most of Comelec Chair Bautista’s nearly P1 billion in bank deposits, as alleged by his estranged wife with passbooks and account statements?

The yellows cheered when the LPdominated Senate convicted Chief Justice Renato Corona for failing to

declare dollar deposits covered by absolute secrecy—an offense that could have been corrected without penalty under the law. So, why are they changing their tune now that their appointees are accused of hiding mountains of cash?

As for Ombudsman Morales, whose predecessor was impeached for allegedly favoring former President Gloria Arroyo, is it now wrong to hold Moales to the same standard of impartiality in dealing with the past administration which appointed her?

Consider what this wrongly awarded paragon of partiality has done.

Despite a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that programs and projects not appearing in any pertinent budgetary laws were allocated DAP funds—a textbook case of malversation—she has found no reason to charge Aquino, who signed every DAP disbursement, and merely slapped the wrist of the other DAP author, former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

In the disappearance of more than 2,000 cargo containers in 2011, she has exerted zero effort in probing the mammoth smuggling, even if it is so easy to simply grill all those who kept releasing boxes after dozens or hundreds had vanished, so they will point fingers at higher-ups who masterminded the scam.

Are all the foregoing gross and blatant anomalies worthy of the same congressional reckoning which thenPresident Aquino demanded for CJ Corona and then-Ombudsman Mer-

ceditas Gutierrez?

Or does being named or favored by him exempt officials from accountability, like the LP stalwarts spared from pork barrel cases targeting opposition senators, prompting Catholic bishops to decry “selective prosecution”?

Decrying Duterte ‘despotism’ A further argument raised against impeachment is the power it could give President Duterte over the judiciary, the Comelec, and the Office of the Ombudsman if all their heads were removed. Rights lawyer and former De La Salle University law dean Chel Diokno warned of Duterte despotism.

Well, where were these lemon-tinted objectors when their idol Aquino named his election lawyer Sixto Brillantes as Comelec chairman, his Ateneo classmate Sereno as Chief Justice, and the justice who swore him in as Ombudsman?

Didn’t those three appointments also give the yellow gang immense influence over these independent constitutional bodies?

And more to the point, are they now fighting tooth and nail to keep that clout in the Supreme Court, the Comelec, and the OMB? Plainly, if Chief Justice Sereno, Comelec Chair Bautista, and Ombudsman Morales, along with their yellow backers, were keen to keep their offices from falling under the sway of Duterte appointees, they should have kept their noses clean.

But they didn’t. (ManilaTimes.net)

Taking ‘The Knee’: one American’s point of view

Commentary

JOHN DAVIS I PREFER standing for our National Anthem. That’s my choice.

Men and women have fought, died or came home maimed fighting for our safety, freedom and to preserve our American Bill of Rights. One of those rights is to peacefully protest. So I don’t denigrate the players and teams who choose to take ‘the knee’ during the Anthem as their form of peaceful protest.

Instead of spending so much time arguing about this so very trivial matter, how about examining and fixing what these teams are protesting...racism, police brutality and an unequal justice system. Maybe that would be a

better use of our time and airwaves.

We are in bad racial shape folks.

People say it dishonors our military who fought for our freedoms. Hey AMERICA, if you really want to HONOR our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, why don’t we fix our severely broken and disrespectful Veterans Administration?

For decades and through many administrations the VA system has been broken with no true end in sight. How about building just four fewer nuclear bombs and put that money directly towards the Veteran’s Administration. We send our young men and women into horrendous situations, that many of us couldn’t even imagine, and when they return beaten, battered, maimed and forever damaged they are no

longer of value or use to our U.S. military and are dumped into this broken system. They have to jump through hoops just to get the care they HONORABLY EARNED and DESERVE. It must be hard to ‘jump thru hoops’ when you have no legs. Or “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” when you’re missing an arm.

Or to just ‘get yourself together’ when you have a traumatic brain injury or suffer from severe PTSD. I fly the flag on the porch our house because I am proud of what it stands for. But I HONOR the young men and women who gave all to preserve my right to do so. *** John Davis is a former national television host, writer and producer who now works in the Los Angeles funeral industry. Just 1 of 301 million U.S. citizens

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

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TRAINING STARTS. A police officer addresses the more than a thousand Caloocan policemen who were relieved last month. The policemen started their retraining and reorientation on Monday, Oct. 2.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Aguirre files wiretapping...

PAGE A5 Last month, Hontiveros released a photo of Aguirre which was “inadvertently” taken by a photojournalist during a Senate probe on September 5.

In the photo, the justice secretary can be seen texting a certain “Cong Jing,” who, according to Hontiveros, is Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) member and former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto “Jing” Paras.

“Naturuan na ni Hontiveros yung testigo (Hontiveros already coached the witnesses). Her questions are leading questions,” Paras’ message to Aguirre read.

Aguirre was seen typing a reply on his phone: “’Yon nga sinasabi ko kanina dito. Very obvious. Kaya expedite natin ang cases ninyo vs her. (That’s what I’m saying. Very obvious. So let’s expedite your cases against her.)”

But contrary to the senator’s claim, Aguirre insisted that the messages were captured “intentionally, maliciously and unlawfully.”

“It was never an inadvertent act, contrary to the claim of Sen. Risa Hontiveros in her privilege speech.

I was targeted, I was singled out and it was premeditated,” he said.

He added, “The precise timing of the taking or shooting of the photograph, the accuracy of the detail of the image taken and the strategically chosen vantage point all indicate that the media person being referred to intentionally focused his camera or her camera and used the same with the intention to intercept and capture my private text message.”

Aguirre likewise challenged Hontiveros to present the journalist who supposedly took the photo.

He condemned the incident, calling it a “shameless violation of a citizen’s right to the privacy of communication.”

For her part, the senator reiterated that there was no intent to tap or intercept the justice secretary’s messages.

Hontiveros also pointed out that his complaint “confirms the conspiracy hatched by Secretary Aguirre and his VACC to ‘expedite’ the filing of cases against [her].”

She added that the case likewise confirmed that the “Cong. Jing” whom Secretary Aguirre was texting was former Representative Jacinto Paras.

“Caught red handed and still making excuses. He wants to hide behind baseless allegations,” the senator said, calling Aguirre’s move “a desperate attempt to deflect public attention.”

Last week, Paras also lodged a wiretapping complaint against Hontiveros.

‘Yellows’ intensifying ouster plot In a statement on Tuesday, October 3, Aguirre claimed that the “yellows” — likely referring to the supporters of the opposition — have intensified its campaign to oust Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

“They, the yellows, are intensifying the actions against the president,” the justice secretary told reporters.

The color “yellow,” and similar terms like “dilawan” and “yellowtards,” have been associated with the allies and members of the Liberal Party (LP), the political party of Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, which took the current role of opposition.

Aguirre claimed that the corruption allegations against Duterte and his family are supposedly part of the opposition’s black propaganda.

The justice secretary made the claim days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced that they are investigating the accusations of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that the president and his fam-

ily had billions-worth of ill-gotten wealth.

Aguirre also disclosed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking into local and foreign bank accounts of “yellow” personalities.

“We have dug these bank accounts of opposition personalities, mostly ‘dilaw,’” Aguirre told reporters, without providing specifics.

The LP, in response, decried Aguirre’s move as a “threat of persecution.”

“We consider the threat of persecution – especially from a Secretary whose resignation we have openly called for – a sorry, hardly unbiased attempt to divert the public’s attention away from these issues,” the LP said in a statement.

The LP had repeatedly denied allegations of any ouster plot against Duterte. It further maintained that its members and allies had always adhered to its core values of integrity and peoplecenteredness.

“These values compel us to speak up on issues such as the drug smuggling and corruption allegations against those close to the president and the murder of minors and innocents by instruments of the state, among others,” it added.

Last month, the Senate minority bloc, dominated by LP members, reiterated its call for Aguirre to resign from his post over his supposed “unethical actions as a public official” and “propensity for spreading fake information on those he tagged as ‘dilawan,’” among others.

Senate minority bloc members include Trillanes of the Nacionalista Party (NP); and Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Benigno Paulo “Bam” Aquino IV, Leila De Lima, and Hontiveros— all of whom are members of the LP. ■

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Faster economic growth seen despite manufacturing output slowdown

by Ben

o. De Vera Inquirer.net

ASSEMBLY line in a light manufacturing Inquirer file photo

THE country’s chief economist sees faster economic expansion in the second half even as manufacturing output slowed during the third quarter partly due to a weak peso.

“I think it would be a better second half. There will be more spending, and agriculture is

also improving. Exports are improving. The global economic outlook is better than expected so there are many tailwinds that could drive higher performance,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told reporters on the sidelines of the openfacility at Philexcel. ing ceremony of the 28th National Statistics Month Monday, October 2.

During the first half, the gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an average of nearly 6.5 percent, or at the lower end of the 6.5-7.5 percent full-year growth target for 2017.

u PAGE B4

Government plans NAIA-2 rehab; no decision on PAL offer

by LoueLLa

DesiDerio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The government is planning to spend P500 million to improve Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Eddie Monreal said the amount would be used to rehabilitate NAIA Terminal 2.

“Actually it’s in the process of detailed engineering construction,” he said.

He said the detailed costing for the project need to be finalized before it could be offered for bidding.

Asked about the proposal of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to expand Terminal 2, Monreal said the government is yet to make a

decision on the proposal.

Earlier, PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said the carrier is proposing to build a P20 billion new annex building which would house a passenger terminal designed to handle 12 to 15 million passengers per year and would have aerobridges capable of serving 12 to 17 widebodied and single aisle jets.

The proposed annex building will rise on a 16-hectare area adjacent to NAIA Terminal

u PAGE B4

AirAsia plans IPO next year Philippines AirAsia Inc. is planning to hold its initial public offering in the middle of next year, with the proceeds to be used to support the expansion of operations.

by LoueLLa

DesiDerio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Philippines AirAsia Inc. is planning to hold its initial public offering (IPO) in the middle of next year, with the proceeds to be used to support the expansion of operations.

“Hopefully, we can have it in the middle of next year,” Philippines AirAsia chief executive officer Dexter Comendador told reporters. The plan is to raise $250 million from the IPO. Comendador said the proceeds would be used to expand operations, particularly for planes and new facilities.

“To be able to beat competition, you

should have same number of planes,” he said.

For next year, he said the aim is to have 26 aircraft, with 25 to be used for flights and one as reserve.

For this year, the carrier expects to have 17 aircraft by yearend from just 13 at the beginning of the year.

Comendador said the carrier is increasing its fleet to be able to launch new flights.

Following the launch of the Manila to Iloilo service on Sunday, October 8 he said the carrier is set to start offering the Manila to Saigon service in November.

Within the January to February period, he said the carrier would be launching the Clark to Incheon in South Korea service, as

Philstar file photo

well as flights from Manila to Bali and Jakarta in Indonesia.

He said Philippines AirAsia is likewise planning to start flying from Manila to Osaka in Japan within the first quarter of next year.

Apart from increasing planes being used for flights, Philippines AirAsia would use proceeds from the IPO to build new facilities.

“We need hangars. We need a new office building,” Comendador said.

He said the new facilities would be built in Clark.

The carrier is developing Clark as a hub, in line with government’s thrust to promote the Clark International Airport as an alternative to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

China ready to work with PH on new projects

by MayVeLin

u. CaraBaLLo ManilaTimes.net

CHINA is ready to work with the Philippines on a second basket of infrastructure projects that was pitched for possible financing last week, the Finance department said.

In a statement on Monday, October 2 the department quoted China’s Commerce Minister Zhong Shang as saying that he hoped to “reach a consensus on the working level”.

“We hope that continuous

progress can be made on our priority projects so that we can reach the consensus of our two presidents and we can press ahead with our economic cooperation and trade,” Zhong was said to have declared during a meeting with Philipine economic managers in Beijing last week.

The Finance department did not provide the list of the projects presented to China.

Nevertheless, it said that Philippine and Chinese officials cited efforts to further streamline and expedite approvals of the first

basket of projects.

“We recognize and appreciate the continuing engagement between our governments to speed up the preparations of the big-ticket infrastructure projects.

Both governments are exerting efforts to streamline and expedite the approval process for the flagship projects,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said at the meeting.

The projects up for fast-tracking are the Binondo-Intramuros and the Estrella-Pantaleon bridges in Metro Manila; the Chico

River Pump Irrigation Project in Cagayan and Kalinga provinces and the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project; two drug rehabilitation facilities; the Elevated Expressway in Davao City; and the construction of an industrial park.

Also included are the PanayGuimaras-Negros Island bridges; reconstruction of conflict-hit Marawi City, for which China has already provided a 20-million renminbi ($3 million) donation in kind; provisions under an en

u PAGE B4

B OCTOBER 4-6, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

Housing prices declining in areas outside Metro Manila

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

AVERAGE housing prices nationwide declined 4.6 percent year-on-year in the second quarter as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas noted that real estate costs outside Metro Manila were declining.

The BSP’s latest residential real estate price index (RREPI), which measures the average changes in prices of all types of housing units across the country, dropped to 116.6 during the April-to-June period from 122.2 a year ago and 116.7 a quarter ago.

“Year-on-year, prices of condominium units and townhouses grew faster at 5.1 percent and 2.9 percent compared to the pre-

Source: BSP vious quarter, respectively. How- ter, the BSP said in a statement.

While prices of housing units ever, prices of single detached housing units declined by 9.9 rose by an average of 2.5 perpercent” during the second quaru PAGE B4

(This article is part 1 of several parts)

Atty. LAwrence yAng

HAVING literally represented several thousand clients in successful bankruptcy cases in the last 35 years in California, I have distilled the common misconceptions about bankruptcy into the following: 1. Will debtor go to jail for filing bankruptcy?

NO. The debtor will not go to jail for filing bankruptcy provided he or she is an honest debtor.

An honest debtor is one who truthfully discloses his/her financial affairs, income and expense, assets and liabilities in his/her bankruptcy petition. An honest debtor does not hide the facts in his/her petition and testimony that materially alter information regarding his/her financial situation. Suffice it to say that most debtors are honest in bankruptcy so most debtors do not have to worry about going to jail.

Sometimes debtors go to jail because they committed a bankruptcy crime. For example, the debtor declared in his/her bankruptcy petition that he does not own a house. But the truth is that someone is on the title to a house with a large equity that actually belongs to the debtor. The debtor’s name does not appear on the title but the one on the title is merely holding the house

PH may relax rules for foreign retailers

by MayVelin

U. CaraBallO ManilaTimes.net

MORE foreign retailers will be given the chance to set up shop in the Philippines under planned changes to the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), a Cabinet official said.

Retail trade is one of the industries included in a preliminary list drawn up by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters on Monday, October 2.

Specifically, the paid-up capi-

Common misconceptions about bankruptcy

Debt Relief

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in trust for and for the benefit of the debtor who is the true owner.

Let’s be more specific. The statement of financial affairs of the petition asks if there is anyone who holds any assets in trust for the debtor. The debtor answers that there is no such person.

However, upon further investigation, it turns out that debtor’s mistress, Ms. Bimbo, lives in a house in Bel Air that debtor paid for in cash two years ago. Ms. Bimbo admits that the house she lives in is owned by the debtor because she has no money of her own to buy the house. Ms. Bimbo testifies that the debtor asked her to sign a declaration that she is merely holding title to the house for and on behalf of the debtor who is the true owner of the house. By hiding this transaction, the debtor has committed a bankruptcy crime, therefore he is looking at jail time. Further, the trustee will file an adversary case to get the house into the bankruptcy estate.

Honest and truthful debtors get a fresh start in life without debt and become productive citizens again while keeping most if not all of their assets. This is the purpose of bankruptcy law. Honest debtors can look forward to a new and happy life after filing for bankruptcy. They keep their

income, house, cars, retirement accounts and most everything else they own with applicable exemptions. Yet they get rid of all unwanted debt. Many successful people have gone through bankruptcy at one time or another in their lives. Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy twice before his famous mouse became a successful business venture.

Henry Ford filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1903 but pushed on thereafter to become the biggest car manufacturer in America. Milton Hershey who established the chocolate factory with products that world loves to eat so much filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy before his chocolate business became successful.

And of course, Pres. Trump is no stranger to bankruptcy. His companies have filed for bankruptcy four times during the nineties.

His casinos failed and could not pay hundreds of millions of debt.

Even Orange County filed for bankruptcy reorganization not too long ago. And several Catholic dioceses filed for bankruptcy reorganization to handle the child molestation lawsuits that hit the church with $600-M of liabilities. It was Lucifer’s handiwork, no doubt.

2. Will debtor be able to bor

u PAGE B4

Town mates and Friends:

Please join us in celebration of our

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Nazario Perlas:

nazario.perlas@yahoo.com

Precy Castaneto- Ruedas: Lito Tambo:

pcruedas@yahoo.com lito.tambo@sbcglobal.net

Ludy Lagmay-Ganzon: Mila Tadina: Josie Dolor Etrata:

lganzon@gmail.com mrtadina@yahoo.com wilpenn@yahoo.com

Mary Ann Arichea–Caunan: macaunan@ha.ucla.edu *Discounted Room rates available at Gold Coast Hotel & Casino until September 3, 2017: Code: ABA2017

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAgLAyA MANY years ago, on a visit to my father’s grave site on a quiet, lush, manicured patch of Forest Lawn Glendale, my husband, daughter and I trudged along several tombstones of husbands and wives who lived in the 1850’s and died just before the mid1900’s buried side by side.

My daughter noted the pattern in the weathered bronze tablets of several generations ago. I commented that it is getting harder to find such longevity of devotion these days among younger married couples of the current generation.

Call this the Age of Distraction for the “Selfies” generation. It seems we love ourselves far too much to the exclusion of others.

Perhaps it is because society as a whole, is engaged in far too many distractions and mired in too much self-absorption. Social media enables and encourages a popular culture that fosters selflove to the worrisome point of extreme narcissism. It has become a struggle for many couples just to stay together.

One might argue that the generations before us didn’t have the same challenges that we are having. True, it may have been a far simpler time compared to the complexities we are all faced with. And yet they leave behind lessons of love that result in devotion and fidelity. Surely, we can learn a lot about nurturing human relations from those who have gone before us.

This I have learned from an older generation at an early age.

tal of foreign retail investors will be lowered to $200,000 from the $2.5 million capitalization required under the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000.

Local retailers, meanwhile, “will be forced to be internationally competitive. The purpose is to make the consumers happier,” Pernia said.

The updated negative list is expected to be approved by the NEDA board before the end of the year.

Besides retail trade, contractors and services such as professors being given appointments by local universities will also be

taken off from the list.

The NEDA has said that foreigners will also be allowed full ownership of investment houses.

The FINL identifies economic activities that are closed to foreign investors or where restrictions have been set on foreign ownership by the 1987 Constitution or other laws.

Provided for under the Foreign Investments Act of 1991, the latest FINL was issued on May 29, 2015 by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd via Executive Order 184.

A review was initiated by the Duterte administration in May this year. n

Two magical words

“…And I think about those people who mean so much to me and for so many years have made me so very happy and I count the times I have forgotten to say “thank you” and just how much I love them.”

— “Sometimes”, Richard & Karen Carpenter Of all the powerful words in the English language, the words “Thank you” are like magic wands in helping transform human relationships, marriage in particular, happier. Not perfect … just happier.

You don’t even have to say the words. You can acknowledge anything good done for you by your partner by a sweet gesture, a nod, a smile, a touch or anything else that works for you that says “thank you.”

In short, don’t take your partner for granted. Whether you’ve been together 50 days or 50 years, those words never get old.

If you want that most powerful emotion called love to live on, treat your partner like a gardener takes care of a plant. Most plants cannot survive without water, light, soil and other optimum conditions kept at a consistent basis. The human heart is like that. It grows strong and beautiful with constant, devoted care.

Saying “thank you” to your partner in life as often as you can, simply means you appreciate him. You are validating his worth as a person. Perhaps, being appreciated and shown respect, is next on the list of the most basic needs of a human being after the needs of food, clothing and shelter are met.

The words may not come naturally to you and your partner may be stunned at first but go ahead.

Give it a try and say “thank you.”

Say it like you mean it. Look for the small gestures such as giving you a cup of coffee, opening your car door, doing housework, cleaning your car or filling up your gas tank. Just don’t take what he does for you as a given.

Or how about taking the initiative yourself? If you do it long enough and often enough, he just might mirror your behavior. What goes around comes around.

If he brings home the paycheck that pays for your family life, then treat him like a king. Often, the goodhearted partner will treat you like his queen. There are exceptions, of course. It is only the jerks and the jackasses who abuse their positions of strength.

That holds true for both sexes.

If there is constant, sincere appreciation shifting back and forth between partners, you are, in effect, cementing a foundation for a relationship that would be tough to crack even if a threat to your marriage, like a pretty, young vixen with mile-long legs comes along making a play for your partner. Likewise, a smooth talking, slick Pepe Le Pew character.

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Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property” (Family Code §760). This becomes a problem if you are the spouse that has the substantially higher income or the one who accumulates the majority of the assets during the marriage. You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.”

The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse”) gets half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name or was accumulated solely due to your own hard work.

The out spouse, who stayed home during most of the time, gets half interest on all accumulations during the marriage under California community property law. For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash part of your earnings (while the spouse blows away his/her salary during the marriage), the spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved. Another example would be if you purchased a piece of property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for half interest in it. The same would go if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, it grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in it.

Signing a premarital agree-

“

The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.

(4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.

(5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy. (6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.

(7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty. However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected (Family Code §1612(b)).

Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable party (Marriage of Dawley, su- (Fam.C. § 1612(c); Marriage of pra, 17 C3d at 350, 131 CR at 8; Pendleton & Fireman (2000) 24 Cheney v. City & County of San C4th 39, 53–54, 99 CR2d 278, Francisco, Employees Retire- 288–289; Marriage of Facter ment System (1936) 7 C2d 565, (2013) 212 CA4th 967, 981, 152 569, 61 P2d 754, 756). Premari- CR3d 79, 90).

Under both the Uniform Pretal agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for his marital Agreement Act and prior or her heirs, free of the other par- law, the spouse claiming the ty’s inheritance claims (Estate of agreement is invalid or not enWamack (1955) 137 CA2d 112, forceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation (Fam115, 289 P2d 871, 872.)

Pursuant to Family Code ily Code. § 1615(a); Marriage of §1612(c),“ Parties to a premari- Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 tal agreement may contract with CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson respect to all of the following: (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 (1) The rights and obligations of CR2d 70, 74–75).

However, the UPAA (as each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them amended effective 1/1/02) deems whenever and wherever acquired that a premarital agreement was or located. (2) The right to buy, not executed voluntarily unless sell, use, transfer, exchange, the court makes five prescribed abandon, lease, consume, ex- findings provided for under Fampend, assign, create a security ily Code. § 1615(c): (1) The party interest in, mortgage, encumber, against whom enforcement is dispose of, or otherwise man- sought was represented age and control property. (3) u PAGE B4 ment may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets: (1) already owned by each; and (2) to property and income to be acquired or earned during their marriage. (Marriage of Dawley [1976] 17 C3d 342, 349, 131 CR 3, 7; Marriage of Grinius [1985] 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807).

Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other

The same would go if you owned a business prior to marriage but due to your hardwork, long hours of labor and efforts, it grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in it.

”

Look Maganda

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 4-6, 2017

Calendar of Events across

B

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS O C TO B E R 6 - 8

4th Filipino American International Book Festival in San Francisco Join a weekend of fun literary events, performances and activities for book lovers of all ages! The opening gala will be held on Friday, Oct. 6, while the festival will begin on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 8, it will be from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will take place at the San Francisco Main Library at 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco.

Admission to the festival is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please visit http://www.filbookfestival.org/.

O C TO B E R 7

A3M Starnight 2017 annual gala in Long Beach, CA In the past 25 years, A3M has given hope and a second chance of life to many patients.

Their journeys have inspired and motivated the organization to continue its mission of increasing and diversifying the Be the Match Registry. A3M is committed to supporting patients from the communities that are underrepresented in the Be the Match Registry. To continue its life-saving work, you are invited to support A3M at its Annual Gala Dinner held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802) from 5 to 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.flipcause. com/secure/event_step2/MTk3NjI=/13381.

City of Carson’s Filipino-American History Month Kick-Off The City of Carson will kick off this year’s Filipino-American History Month on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the CJMM Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 980745).

From 8 to 9 a.m., there will be refreshments at the Community Center East Parking Lot. It will be followed by a wreath laying at Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s monument from 9 to 9:15 a.m. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be a program at the Carson Dominguez Room. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

O C TO B E R 7- 8

Adobo Festival in Los Angeles The 12th Annual Adobo Festival is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8 at the Silver Lake Medical Center at 1711 W. Temple St. in Los Angeles. The festival starts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is FREE! For details regarding how to join the Adobo Cook-Off Contest, Kiddie Popstar and for booth vendors, call (650) 2900542 or (650) 290-4457 or log on to www.adobofestivalusa.com.

O C TO B E R 9 -1 3

Glendale Tech Week Glendale Tech Week offers the best of tech from within Glendale and the Greater LA area. Attendees will have access to talent, networking, and business opportunities. Passes, schedule of events, and list of speakers available at Glendaletechweek.com.

O C TO B E R 1 4

26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.

18th annual Asian Small Business Expo in Alhambra, CA On Saturday, Oct. 14, the 18th annual Asian Small Business Expo will be held at the Almansor Court Conference Center (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801), featuring free workshops, exhibitors, networking opportunities, and more! Jonny Hwang, founder of 626 Night Market, is the featured guest speaker with special guest, Jerome Horton, chairman of the California Board of Equalization. It is FREE to attend! The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. For more information, please visit http://www.apisbp.org/expo.html.

O C TO B E R 1 4 -1 5

Award-winning journalist Raissa Robles holds speaking tour in Los Angeles As part of a six-city U.S. tour, Raissa Robles, a Manila-based award-winning investigative journalist, will share her insights into the significance of the rise of the Marcoses and the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Robles is the author of “Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, a brief history of torture and atrocity under the new society,” nearing her the International Award for Excellence in Journalism by the Geneva-based International Christian Organization of the Media (ICOM). The community special events will take place followed by a Q&A. These events are free and open to the public: Saturday, October 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pilipino Workers Center (153 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026) and Sunday, October 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church (6657 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028). For more information, call (323) 606-1322 or email mrjaimeg@ hotmail.com.

O C TO B E R 2 1

City of Carson’s 8th annual Larry Itliong Day Celebration Join the City of Carson for its 8th annual celebration of Larry Itliong Day on Saturday, Oct. 21 with a parade and program. Assembly time begins at 8 a.m., with the parade from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The program will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be held at Veterans Park at 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745. Admission is FREE. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

Price Guarantee

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NaFFAA to celebrate 20th anniversary in Washington, DC The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) turns 20 years old this year. This October, several events are being planned to celebrate this milestone, which coincides with the national observance of Filipino American History Month. They will culminate with NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 21. With its theme “NaFFAA 2.0: One Voice, Four Million Strong,” NaFFAA will recognize the legacy and accomplishments of the organization over the past 20 years, and highlight its comprehensive vision to unite and amplify the voices of the four million Filipinos living in the United States. “NaFFAA 2.0” represents how NaFFAA is honoring its past while forging a new forward-thinking and balanced approach in uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse Filipino American individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy. To learn more about NaFFAA or to purchase tickets for the 20th Anniversary Gala, please visit www. naffaa.org.

Mutya ng Lahi in Santa Clarita, CA To celebrate Filipino-American History Month, the Fil-Am Association of SCV, Inc. proudly presents Mutya ng Lahi (Jewel of Ancestry) on Saturday, Oct. 21. It will be held at the Centre at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351 from 6 to 10 p.m. The program will showcase traditional folk dances, songs, national costumes and an exhibition of Philippine Centennial. Tickets for the dinner and show are $35 for adults, $20 for children (4-12), and free for under 3 years. For ticket sales, please contact the following no later than Oct. 13: Emie R. Carrillo at (661) 877-2699, Zeny Justiniano at (661) 294-0181, or Zony Gordon at (661) 312-3422.

$%3)'.%2 &!3()/. &2!-%3 Priced from $55-$199.

O C TO B E R 27

FACC-GLA’s Halloween Dance Party in Canoga Park, CA

626•918-2020

909•628-5581

The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - Greater Los Angeles (FACC - GLA) invites members and guests to its Halloween Dance Party on Friday, October 27 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the Best Western Canoga Park Hotel. Come in with your scariest attire as there will be special gifts for the best costume attire. Food & drinks will be included. Tickets are limited and entry will only be allowed for those who paid online or through check on or before Tuesday, October 24. Payment can be made through the website www.filamchambergla.org. Strictly NO payment will be accepted at the door.

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

B OCTOBER 4-6, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

Deliquent tax debt could mean revocation of your passport Beginning January 2018, the IRS will start certification of individuals with delinquent tax debt to the State Department.

How will the IRS certification impacts you?

• Upon receipt of certification.

The State Department will either deny application or revoke current passport or both.

• You are overseas. Limited validity passport for direct return to the US maybe issued by the State Department if you are overseas.

• Serious delinquent tax debt.

IRS tax debt of more than $50,000 inclusive of penalties plus interest for which all administrative remedies has been exhausted, and federal tax lien and levy notices have already been issued. A tax debt is not considered serious if there is: a) installment agreement; b) offer in compromise; c) timely collection due process hearing related to the levy; d) innocent spouse relief under IRC § 6015 has been requested and collection is suspended.

• 90-Days hold of application. You will be given 90-days

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA to resolve and enter into payment options with IRS to resolve certification issues by the State Department and will hold your application prior to denial of passport application.

• Be aware of Notice CP 508C. You will receive notice CP 508C upon certification of IRS to the State Department of serious tax debt, by mail.

• Certification reversal CP 508R. The State Department will be notified within 30-days by the IRS to reverse previous certification of serious tax debt once assessed tax debt is no longer serious in 3. above or due to erroneous certification.

• Passport application is denied. You will be notified in writ-

ing by the State Department if your passport application is denied or revoked.

• You owe taxes and cannot pay in full. Apply for installment agreement or offer in compromise if you qualify, to reverse the certification and for issuance of passport.

• Disagreement with the tax amount. Call the number provided on notice CP 508C. For proof of payment, mail to the address on the notice. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

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Do I need a premarital agreement...

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by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. (2) The party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. (3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations he or she was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a docu-

ment declaring that he or she received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information. (4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement. (5) Any other factors the court deems relevant. In addition, the parties are required to provide each other with full disclosure of all material financial information.

A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement (Family Code § 1612(c)). If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory

requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce. ***

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association.

He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He 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.

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

Housing prices declining...

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year-on-year in the National Capital Region, the cost to buy property in areas outside the NCR slid by 8.2 percent, the BSP said.

“In NCR, the higher growth in prices of condominium units offset the decline in prices of single detached houses and townhouses,” the BSP explained.

Condo unit prices in Metro Manila rose 5.2 percent in the

second quarter even as standalone houses and townhouses saw prices going down by 6.1 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.

As for areas outside NCR, “the drop in prices of single-detached houses outweighed the increases in prices of condominium units and townhouses,” the BSP said.

Prices of single detached/attached housing units dropped 10.3 percent year-on-year out-

of condo units and townhouses went up by 5.5 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively.

The BSP said that 75.3 percent of the real estate loans recorded from April to June were for purchases of new houses.

According to the BSP, by type of housing unit, 45.3 percent of residential property loans were for the acquisition of single detached units, followed by condominium units (44.8 percent) and townhouses (9.6 percent). n

credit scores faster YES. Life after bankruptcy is great! No more monthly minimum credit card payments to suck up your disposable income.

You can start saving money again. Keep your disposable income for your family and yourself. No more pressure for credit card payments. Or, become wildly successful as Walt Disney and Milton Hershey! If they can do it after bankruptcy, you can do it too!

3. Will bankruptcy affect a debtor’s immigration status?

NO. Immigration status has nothing to do whatsoever with bankruptcy. It is the debtor’s income that has something to do with immigration status. If you are in the process of getting a green card, what you need to do is show enough income, or if you are short on income, you have to get a relative who is either a permanent resident or citizen who has enough income to vouch for you with an affidavit of support.

If you claim government benefits within a certain period of time after getting your permanent resident status, Uncle Sam will be able to claim these benefits back from your relative who executed the affidavit of support.

Of course, if you are asked during the interview if you have filed bankruptcy and you have, you just have to answer truthfully.

Bankruptcy is not and has never been a legal ground to deny an immigrant permanent residency.

Deportation defense Under the Trump era, getting deported by ICE is your problem if you do not yet have legal status. Have a contingency plan. Be ready to post bail. Have the money ready for bail. Get the money from your credit card. Make sure you discuss what needs to be done to defend you from deportation with your lawyer. You might qualify for deportation relief.

Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorneyclient relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with Attorney. First general consultation is free.

“IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINGS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE.” -- EPHESIANS 1:7 *** 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.

obsession as a health nut or on becoming an Adonis body-building hunk or going to the deep end of things, deviant sex and pornography.

With few exceptions, obsession is unhealthy not only for the obsessed but also for those who live within his or her immediate orbit. Excessive time spent on these obsessions is time stolen from nurturing the love relationship. Watch out for these modern-day distractions and addictions that are just too many to list. Admit them if you have them and break the bonds with firm resolve. If you want true love and happiness, strive for balance and moderation.

In all cases of neglect, love is left to wither and die. Women who feel neglected, if driven to their limits, may throw all caution to the wind and look for love from the first opportunistic guy that comes along ready to engage in mild flirtation, an occasional dalliance or a full blown affair and gives them the attention and validation they crave. Such women can make disastrous, life-changing decisions that cause not only

personal damage but also leave behind in the wake of a messy split, massive psychological, irreversible damage to children and other people involved in the couple’s life.

Say “thank you” and mean it.

Don’t just do it out of habit. Cut off the cellphone “umbilical cord” and make eye contact. Open your eyes and see the good in your partner. Wisdom, as they say, is knowing what to overlook.

Rein in that critical sharp tongue. The tongue is a small yet powerful muscle that can lash out capable of slashing and burning a relationship forever. The effect is amplified a million times when you write it down or use the web to vent your fury. When you document your anger on paper and more frequently these days online, you have entered “scorched earth” territory. There is little chance of ever going back.

(To be continued …)

Manuel Tamayo, undersecretary for the aviation sector at the Department of Transportation, said the improvement of Terminal 2 is in line with the government plans on airport development.

“The direction is to develop both MIAA and Clark,” he said.

The government has started the bidding process for the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the new passenger terminal building for the Clark International Airport.

The government has allocated

P12.55 billion for the construction of a new passenger terminal building which could accommodate eight million passengers per annum, as well as the construction and installation of all required associated landside and airside facilities to support operations for the Clark International Airport.

Based on the timeline released earlier for the project, the government expects to select the EPC contractor by November, while the start of construction works for the passenger terminal is targeted for December this year. n

agers’ Index (PMI) inched up to 50.8 in September, it reflected “continued subdued growth of the manufacturing economy” for the second straight month.

The September PMI score was an improvement of August’s 50.6, which was the lowest reading since September last year.

While last month’s PMI was still above 50, which indicated an overall increase in manufacturing activity, IHS Markit Bernard Aw said in a statement that “the Philippines manufacturing economy ended the third quarter on a weak note.”

“The survey data pointed to further slowing in output growth and a modest sales trend while employment shrank again as firms indicated sufficient manpower to meet production demands,” Aw said.

Also, “the weak peso continued to pose a problem for manufacturers” as “not only did the cheaper currency fail to provide a boost to exports [but also] raised the costs of imports,” Aw added.

The peso started its slide to the 50:$1 level in mid-June, hitting 11-year lows of 51:$1 during the third quarter.n

Common misconceptions...

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row money again after bankruptcy?

YES. Most car dealers will finance a car purchase right after debtor obtains his discharge. In fact, debtors do get offers to finance car loans even while the bankruptcy is going on. Clients usually bring me flyers mailed to them saying that their pending bankruptcy is no obstacle to buying a car in the dealership. They ask me if that is true or a scam.

I tell them it’s true. The interest rate will be higher than someone with good credit. Some clients ask if they can buy a house after bankruptcy. The normal wait is two years. Two years after discharge you can get a mortgage to buy a house. There are lenders who advertise that bankruptcy is no problem to buying a house. Of course, again, the interest rate will be higher than someone with good credit.

There are also companies that specialize in providing credit cards to debtors who have just come out of bankruptcy. These normally have a yearly fee and higher interest. Within a couple of months after obtaining a discharge, these offers of new credit cards will start coming into your mailbox. I always suggest clients take these cards, use them, but pay them in full every month, just so they can start rebuilding their

Two magical words...

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with washboard abs would smell more like Brad’s sweaty armpit and would have no chance with a woman who already has a man at home she can canoodle with. The same is true for men.

Paul Newman simply explained why he remained faithful to Joanne Woodward, “Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?”

What is good for the gander is good for the goose. There may be scores of women out there right now who feel neglected by their spouses. Maybe there’s another woman or man waiting in the wings. But more often than not during this Age of Distraction, the disaffection is rooted in self-absorption. And there lies the problem. Women need, want and crave appreciation just as much as men, if not more.

Self-love takes many forms — whether it is playing video games or social networking on FB, Twitter or Instagram or some such platform on the internet for hours on end; binge drinking; gambling; watching or playing golf or any other sport; vain, self-

*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Government plans NAIA-2...

PAGE B1 t

2, comprising of the now defunct Philippine Village Hotel, former Nayong Pilipino complex, as well as a property owned by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Pagcor said PAL is prohibited under a lease agreement entered into in July 2014 to use the rented property other than as an aircraft parking ramp or apron facility without the regulator’s prior written consent.

In response, PAL said it is willing to engage with Pagcor to resolve the matter.

Faster economic growth...

PAGE B1 t

In a Sept. 28 report, economic managers belonging to the Development Budget Coordination Committee said at least 6.5-percent GDP growth in 2017 was “well within the reach of government.”

Pernia, however, did not comment on the third-quarter performance, citing incomplete government data on economic indicators so far.

In a report Monday, global research firm IHS Markit said that while the Nikkei Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Man-

China ready to work with PH on...

PAGE B1 t

forcement and security cooperation agreement between the two countries; and construction of an agriculture technical center in the Philippines.

Zhong concurred with Dominguez on moving faster with regard to ongoing projects.

He also cited the need to tap additional financing sources

such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank as well as the Silk Road Fund under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. n

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Photos on the cover courtesy of National Archives, FANHS.org and Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe.

2

cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 4, 2017

Tracing hisTory: When and how Filipino-american history Month started by rian

FILIPINO-American History Month is celebrated in the United States every October.

The significance of the month is attached to the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the United States. It was on October 18, 1587 when the “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Manila-built Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza under the command of Spanish Captain Pedro de Unamuno and set foot in what is now Morro Bay, California.

The late Dr. Fred Cordova, along with his wife, Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Founder Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, first introduced October as Filipino-American History Month in 1992 with a resolution from

Mendiola /AJPress

the FANHS National Board of Trustees.

The Filipino American History Month was first recognized statewide in California in 2006 when the California Department of Education placed it on its calendar. California State Senator Leland Yee introduced a resolution, which passed the California State Assembly and was submitted to the California Secretary of State, that recognizes October as Filipino-American History Month.

In November 2009, both the United States House of Representatives and Senate passed resolutions — House Resolution 780 and Senate Resolution 298, respectively — officially recognizing the month of October as Filipino-American History Month in the United States.

Filipino-American History Month is widely celebrated in various states, counties and cities in the United States especially in California and Hawaii, where a large number of Fil-Ams currently reside.

Commemorating 70 years of PH-US military bases agreement This year, the FANHS is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1947 Military Bases Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. Along with it is acknowledging the monumental effect it had on U.S.-Philippine relations and the

Soriano /AJPress

BOTH Americans and Filipinos acknowledge their countries’ relationship is a “special one,” said Frank H. Golay in the book “The United States and the Philippines,” published by the American Assembly. Tracing back the pieces of history until the most recent issues emanating between the two countries, it is likely true. From the issues such as colonization and military agreement, today’s love-hate relationship of the two countries is hard to uproot.

By a way of example is when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s threatened to cut ties with the U.S. government in the past. Latest headlines now say Duterte has changed his mind and now chooses to be friends with the American government. This otherwise complex relationship between the two countries has deeper roots. It has stood the test of time and numerous storms, and keeps on growing. Here are some distinct contributions by Filipinos that helped shaped U.S. history and society: 1) 250,000 Filipinos served under the U.S flag during the World War II Approximately 250,000 Filipino soldiers signed up to U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt’s call-to arms in 1941. These Filipinos soldiers fought under the American flag during World War II, serving under both the U.S. Army Forces in Asia and as guerilla fighters against Imperial Japan’s occupation of the Philippines. These, all to the U.S. government’s promise of a possibility to be granted U.S. citizenship and full veteran benefits.

Although some Filipino soldiers were later granted the muchcoveted U.S. citizenship, their role during WWII and the suffering of the entire Filipino nation are not mentioned in U.S. history books.

Furthermore, five months after the war ended, President Truman signed the First Surplus Rescission Act in February, 1946, which deemed the service of the Filipino soldiers as not full-time, thereby disqualifying them from receiving their rightful benefits.

Today, advocates have fought the inclusion of their stories in public schools starting in California.

The Filipino veterans of WWII are also finally receiving the Congressional Gold Medal on October 25. presentation of the Continued on Page 3

and American identity.

Instrumental in establishing Filipino American History Month was the Filipino American National Historical Society.

FANHS has been observing October as Filipino American History Month since 1991, and was the body to lobby Congress to recognize it on the national level. NaFFAA joins FANHS in commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the 1947 Military Bases Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines, and celebrating FANHS’ 35th anniversary since being founded in 1982.

One legacy NaFFAA is particularly proud of is that of our Filipino American World War II veterans, whose selflessness

ocTober 5 Bindlestiff Studio presents “Welga,” set in San Francisco’s SoMA neighborhood. Community preview on October 5, at 8 p.m. but will run from October 6-21, from Thursday-Saturday. For tickets: http://welga.bpt.me.

State of Illinois FAHM Celebration, Concourse Level at James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601.

Contact Mr. Thomas Choi Thomas.Choi@illinois.gov, co-hosted by the Consulate General of the Philippines.

ocTober 7 Filipino American National Historical Society (FAHNS) 35th anniversary at the Immaculate Conception Auditorium, 820 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA from 5:pm. to 9 p.m. Reception and silent auction at 5 pm., dinner and historical program at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. For reservations: e-mail fanhsnational@ gmail.com or call (206) 322-0204.

City of Carson 2017 Filipino-American History Month Kick-Off at the CJMM Community Center, 801 E. Carson Street. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

3rd Annual Barrio Fiesta at Shaffer’s Farm, 8915 E. 31st Street S, Wichita, KS 67210. Contact: Ms. Rose Axman (316) 648-1364/ roseaxman06@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Filipino American Photos courtesy of National Archives and FANHS.org Association of Greater Wichita (FAAGW). wealth Legislature and the Filipino community FAHM Celebration dinner and dance at Penna’s of Sterling, Filipinos opposed the act at the The history of the alliance 38400 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. Sponsored insistence of then Philippine between the two countries indiby NaFFAA-Michigan, Contact Tony Kho (248) 755-6122 or Becky Commonwealth Senate Presicated an opposition toward the Tungol (248) 755-6119. first attempts at establishing U.S. dent Manuel L. Quezon, who adFilipiniana 2017 Gala - A Colorado benefit dinner by NaFFAA vocated for the passage of the military bases in the Philippines.

Region V at the Radisson Hotel Denver, Aurora Colorado from 6-11 Tydings-Mcduffie Act instead.

The Filipino opposition to the p.m. For tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipiniana-2017This act eliminated objectionbases started when the Haregala-a-colorado-benefit-dinner-tickets-35953391562?aff=es2. able provisions of the HareHawes-Cutting Act was passed Hawes-Cutting Act and provided by the U.S. House of RepreFilipino Children’s Story Hour program launch at the Bergenfield Public Library, Bergenfield, New Jersey from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. For authority for naval reservations sentatives, overriding a veto by in the Philippines, giving the U.S. more information call (774) 257 4669 or e-mail info@filschool-nynj.

President Herbert Hoover, on org. president only the authority to January 17, 1933. negotiate within the Philippine The law promised Philippine ocTober 8 independence after 10 years but government for that purpose. It “Michigan Filipinxs: Our Spaces in History,” at the Philippine was passed on March 24, 1934 reserved several military and naAmerican Cultural Center of Michigan (PACCM) located at 17356 and the Philippines was finally val bases for the United States, Northland Park, Court, Southfield, MI. Contact Aurora Harris granted independence on July as well as imposing tariffs and aurora.fanhsmi@gmail.com.

4, 1946. quotas on Philippine imports. ocTober 9 The Philippine CommonContinued on Page 3 FAHM Celebration in Iowa, a feature display of Philippine arts and crafts, souvenirs and power point presentation. At the Urban Dale Public Library, 3520 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322. Contact Mr. Roel Campos at rfcampos@gmail.com. Sponsored by NaFFAA Iowa.

By eliJah

roderoS AJPress

FILIPINO-American History Month is celebrated annually every October owing to the fact that it was on October 15, 1857 that the presence of Filipinos in the United States was first recorded.

The first Filipinos who came ashore were called “Luzones Indios.” They the boarded Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esparanza and landed on what is now Morro Bay, California, according to the Filipino American National History Society (FANHS).

In in 2009, the 111th U.S. Congress passed a resolution officially recognizing October as Filipino American History month.

Since their arrival in 1857, Filipinos have made their mark in U.S. history and society, raising both the American and Philippine flags.

Here are some notable FilAms, in no particular order: 1. Rob Bonta, California Assemblymember Born in Quezon City, Bonta made history when he was elected to the California State Assembly in 2012, making him the first Filipino-American state legislator. Since then, he has been representing the Filipino community in an effort put their issues forward and advocate for the

ocTober 13 FilAm Creative sponsors “Asian AF Presents: Filipino AF” at UCB Sunset’s Inner Sanctum Stage, 5419 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Free admission.

ocTober 14 26th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more info: www. filamarts.org.

Fil-Am of American Canyon and AmCan Arts Foundation celebrate Fil-Am History Month at the Community Gym, 100 Benton Way, American Canyon, CA from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more info: http://filamcyn.org.

The Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School at 31604 Alvarado Blvd., Union City will celebrate Filipino American History Month from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with keynote speaker Fil-Am NBA player Raymond Townsend.

Rob Bonta, California’s first Fil-Am Assembly member

rights of his fellow.

In 2013, he proposed legislation that would require California public schools to teach students the contributions of Fil-Am farm workers’ in the farm labor movement. It was later signed the same year by Gov. Jerry Brown.

2. Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong, farmers and activists Founders of the United Farm Workers (UFW) Union. They were both leaders for farm worker rights. Cruz was one of the founders of of the Agriculture Worker Organizing Committee (AWOC), which later merged with Cesar Chavez’s National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and gave birth to the UFW. Continued on Page 3

NaFFAA celebrates Filipino American History Month WASHINGTON, DC — The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is proud to celebrate Filipino American History Month (FAHM). This and every October, the observance of FAHM is a time to honor the remarkable history, proud heritage, and innumerable contributions of the nearly four million Filipino Americans in the United States.

As we enter this year’s Filipino American History Month, we reflect on the indelible impact Filipinos have had on the American experience. We are an integral piece of American history, tracing our roots to the 16th Century California shores.

We are part and parcel of the American identity: honorable World War II veterans, brave and outspoken farm workers, passionate educators, and much more. Our presence dots the American landscape; stretching from Hawaii to California to Virginia, we traverse every corner of this beautiful nation.

Collectively, we have helped weave together patches of the American quilt, imbuing it with markers of our Filipino heritage

Events and Celebration

ocTober 6

Filipinos’ contributions Some notable to US history and society Filipino-Americans

by Jennifer

Filipino-American History Month 2017

American advocacy and civic engagement. The honoring of our proud WWII veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal this month is a watershed moment for our veterans—as well as our greater Filipino American community. It shows that our commitment to honoring the past can change the trajectory of our future.”

NaFFAA is also celebratand commitment to duty led ing its 20th anniversary this them to join American forces in month. On October 21, 2017, the fight against tyranny. Last supporters, friends, and family year, Congress rightly voted will converge in Washington, to award these brave patriots DC, the city of our first National the Congressional Gold Medal, Empowerment Conference in the highest civilian honor the 1997. We will recognize the United States can bestow, for legacy and accomplishments of their service and sacrifice in the organization over the past World War II. It has been a long 20 years, and highlight our comfight for recognition for these prehensive vision to unite and veterans, a fight NaFFAA is amplify the voices of the four proud to have helped lead. Fit- million Filipinos and Filipino tingly, the Congressional Gold Americans living in the United Medal Ceremony will take place States. “NaFFAA 2.0” repreon October 25, 2017, adding sents how NaFFAA is honoring significance to this year’s FAHM its past while forging a new celebrations. forward-thinking and balanced NaFFAA National Chairman, approach in uniting, engaging, Brendan Flores, states: “For and empowering diverse Fili20 years, NaFFAA has proudly pino American individuals and been at the forefront of Filipino community organizations.

FAHM Exhibits in Skokie, sponsored by FANHS-Midwest and NaFFAA. Contact Jelly Carandang at (847) 679-7058 or msjellybeans@aol.com.

ocTober 15 FAHM Luncheon Honoring the Most Outstanding Fil-Am Seniors at Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O’Hare Airport 10249 West Irving Park Road Schiller Park, IL Sponsor – PACF, contact Adeline Fajardo at adeline.pacf96@gmail.com or Evelyn Natividad, Ph.D. (773) 426-5459 or e-mail ivynatividad9@gmail.com.

ocTober 21 8th Pamana Heritage Awards The Filipino American Historical Society Rio Grande (FANHS RG) in cooperation with the Filipino American Community council (FACC) will have their annual Pamana Heritage Awards in conjunction with Filipino-American History Month. Event will be at Wyndham Hotel, 2500 NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2 - 4 p.m.

Regional Food Fare* at Filipino Cultural Center, 9810 We 79th St. Overland Park, KS 66204. Sponsored by the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City, contact Lucila Rider, rider1215@yahoo.com or call (816) 522-3854 FAHNS Los Angeles Chapter’s film screening of “Fall of the I Hotel,” a documentary by Curtis Choy at the LA Public Library, Echo Park Branch, 1410 West Temple Street at 1 p.m. Contact (424) 488-3846.

City of Carson 8th Annual Larry Itliong Celebration at Veterans Park, 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free admission, for more info call (310) 952-1743.

ocTober 22 Brooklyn Nets 2nd Annual Filipino Heritage Night vs the Atlanta Braves at the Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York at 3:30 p.m.

ocTober 28 Larry Itliong Day 3rd annual Parade & Festival “Weaving our Communities.” Join the Larry Itliong Day Committee (LIDC) in honoring the legacy of Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong at the Unidad Park (parade) and St. Colombian Church (festival program). Admission is free. For information: LarryItliongDayLA@ gmail.com.

Film showing of the acclaimed writer-director John Sayles’ “Amigo” with Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, Rio Locsin, Bembol Roco and Yul Vasquez. Central United Methodist Church, 8237 N. Kenton, Skokie. Call Mariano Santos (847) 528-4991 for details.

ocTober 29 FAHM display exhibits and film showing of “Amigo” with Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, Rio Locsin, Bembol Roco and Yul Vasquez at Indian Prairie Library at 401 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL. Sponsored

by FAASD, contact Jose Soloria at (630)915-5956 or e-mail jsoloria@comcast.net.

UnTiL ocTober 30 “Filipino History Unveiled Through the Arts,” a display of the collaborative mural by five Fil-Am artists from Chicago and five artists from the Philippines and art work of local Filipino American artists Monica Acosta, Paul Balan, Tita Brady, Fred de Asis, Lea Rivera and Susan Silvano. At Trickster Arts Gallery, 190 S. Roselle St., Schaumburg, Illinois.

features 3

Some notable Filipino-Americans From Page 2

Philip Vera Cruz

Itliong was a labor leader that founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union (FFLU) and was the President of AWOC. He was a self-taught labor leader who handled protests in California and Alaska. Along With Cruz, he convinced Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta’s predominantly Mexican/ Latino National Farm Workers Association to join the Grape Strike and Boycott of 1965 demanding better pay and benefits.

Composed of mainly Filipinos, the AWOC initiated the infamous “Delano Grape Strike” that lasted more than five years since 1965.

Most farm workers resided in Delano, California, have voted to strike against the table-grape growers and demand them wages equal to the federal minimum wage.

A week after the strike began, the predominantly Mexican American National Farmworkers Association (NFWA) led by Cesar Chavez joined the struggle at Delano. AWOC and NFW later banded Filipino and Mexican farm workers and became known as United Farm Workers Union (UFW).

The success of the grape boycott has made the growers sign their first union contracts, granting workers better salary and protection.

3. Monique Lhuillier, fashion designer Cebu-hailed Monique Lhuillier has already etched her name on the bridal fashion industry as she’s

been designing numerous bridal gowns and dresses for Hollywood A-listers and celebrities.

Daughter of real estate investors and jeweler, Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, Monique started her career with Melivier in 1996 as a designer. By 2001, she opened her first store in Beverly Hills and expanded her business to home decors and handbags six years later.

Monique got her big break in 2005 when Martha Stewart Weddings featured her bridal gown.

Now, she’s been the favorite designer of celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Kate Bosworth, Drew Barrymore and Zoe Saldana when it comes to the red carpet outfits.

4. Jose Antonio Vargas A former Washington Post journalist, Jose Antonio Vargas won a Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for covering the Virginia Tech shooting. Jose has also been in the scene of filmmaking and media entrepreneurship.

He founded Define American, a non-profit media advocacy that aims to humanize conversation on immigration, citizenship, and identity through storytelling in the ever-changing America.

In 2011, the New York Times published a groundbreaking essay he wrote which revealed and chronicled about his life in America as an undocumented immigrant.

He then produced and directed “Documented,” a documentary film about his experience as an undocumented immigrant. It was theatrically and broadcasted on CNN in 2004 and received a 2015 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award nomination for Outstanding Documentary.

A year later, he appeared on the TIME magazine cover with his fellow undocumented immigrants, as a follow-up story to his essay.

He since has been contributing editor to Huffington Post on Technology and College Sections.

Other worth mentioning are: • Vicki Manalo-Draves, the first woman to win two gold medals in springboard diving at the 1948 Olympics in London.

• Geno Espineli - Retired

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 4, 2017

Tracing history: When and how...

From Page 2

Monique Lhuillier

baseball pitcher for the SF Giants.

He was born in Houston, Texas to Filipino parents.

• Bobby Balcena - Became the first player of Filipino ancestry to appear in a major league game. He had a long distinguished Triple-A career with the Seattle Rainiers as a center fielder in the 1950s, and in Seattle is fondly remembered to this day.

• Peter Aquino Aduja - The first Fil-Am elected to public office in the United States. He was elected as a representative in the Hawaii Legislature in 1954.

• Benjamin Cayetano - First Fil-Am governor in the U.S. • Mona Pasquil - First Filipino, female and Asian lieutenant governor for the State of California. *Editor’s note: It is a fact that many Filipinos (and not just Fil-Ams) have made their mark in different industries and societies all over the world. May it be in politics, sports, entertainment, technology, military, journalism, culinary and others; it is no doubt that Filipinos are regarded as hardworking, intelligent and persevering people. Unfortunately, we do not have enough space to mention all of them in this piece, but we acknowledge their contributions.

Jose Antonio Vargas

When World War II broke out, the U.S. sought to maintain its military presence in the Philippines. The Military Bases Agreement, signed in 1947, provided basing rights of U.S. forces in the Philippines for 99 years. It also gave the United States the right to recruit citizens of the Philippines for voluntary enlistment into the US armed forces, according to Article 27.

From the Bases Agreement to 1992, when the Philippine Congress voted to end the bases agreement. The country closed the bases, with more than 35,000

Filipinos having served in the U.S. Navy.

Thousands of Filipino men enlisted to Sangley Point Naval Base, the Naval headquarters in the Philippines, due to the declining economic and political environment. The Navy offered higher pay than any other occupation in the Philippines, and additional incentives included traveling the world and the potential opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship.

During their service and upon retirement, these servicemen became American citizens, created families in the U.S. and petitioned for the im-

migration of their other family members. Because of this, they and their families created large Fil-Am communities in different states such as Chicago, Illinois; Providence and Newport, Rhode Island; Long Beach, San Diego, Oakland and Vallejo, California; Jacksonville, Pensacola and Key West, Florida; Kitsap and Seattle, Washington; Charleston, South Carolina; Honolulu, Hawaii.

As a result of Military Bases Agreement, thousands of FilAmes trace their roots back to the Filipinos who served in the military and chose to settle in the United States upon retirement.

A group of Filipino U.S. Navy sailors enjoy a light moment during their break while being stationed in Subic Naval Base, Philippines. (circa 1950s, photo courtesy of Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe)

Filipinos’ contribution to US history...

From Page 2

gold medal to recognize that “the loyal and valiant Filipino Veterans of World War II fought, suffered, and, in many instances, died in the same manner and under the same commander as other members of the United States Armed Forces during World War II.” The medal collectively honors the more than 260,000 Filipinos who lent their efforts on behalf of the United States during WWII. Fewer than 16,000 of those soldiers are alive today.

2) Filipino-Americans contributed significantly to the American labor movement, particularly with the United Farm Workers movement in AJPress file photo the 1960s.

Years of poor compensation and mediocre conditions paved the way for the Delano grape strike. Filipino American grape workers and members of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee walked out on strike against Delano-wine grape growers. Fil-Am farm workers were actually the brains behind what Cesar Chavez and Mexican farmworkers are often credited for.

The strike which lasted for more than five years lead to the signing of union contracts, which finally paved the way for granting the workers better pay and necessary benefit.

Fil-Am leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz reached out to Chavez to help organize the

union. Historians credit Dolores Huerta, one of the many activists for being the first to start the strike.

3) Fil-Ams have been a part of many advocacy movements throughout U.S. history.

In the late ’60s, Filipinos were at the forefront against corporate interest in the U.S. during what they call the “Radical 60s”. Take for example the campaign against the eviction of elderly tenants of the International Hotel in Manilatown area in San Francisco, which housed Asian laborers — with Filipinos being the majority of them. Inspired

by Mao Zedong’s political slogan, “Serve the People,” Continued on Page 4

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Xander Ford shocks, delights netizens

features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 4, 2017

Star Magic Ball couples share ‘kilig’ moments on red carpet tHE 11th Star Magic Ball last Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Makati Shangri-La was not just a party, it was a gathering of some of the country’s hottest on-andoff-screen couples.

Romance filled the air not only due to event stylist Robert Blancaflor’s elegant mixup of flowers, candles and chandeliers, but also because the following pairs showed genuine sweetness and shared their super “kilig” stories on the red carpet.

As event host tim Yap quipped, “Couples make each other more beautiful!”

KissMarc Actress and former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Kisses Delavin had been looking forward for her first Star Magic Ball because as she told reporters: “It’s one of the most glamorous nights of the year. I just want to make my mama and papa proud!”

When Kisses’ love team partner and fellow PBB housemate, Marco Gallo, asked her to go with him to the ball, she told herself, “I’m going to give Marco a chance.” the two, indeed, went happy as they were hailed the Best Dressed Couple this year.

JoshLia “Indescribable! It’s so hard to describe a feeling. I was

Marco Gallo and Kisses Delavin

Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia

very overwhelmed. It felt like a dream!” Julia Barretto said of Joshua Garcia’s proposal for her.

With help from fans, Joshua arranged an entire choir to serenade Julia at her garden.

“I guess, it’s every girl’s dream to experience something like that. So I’m lucky that he’s so romantic and he’s an old soul.

Chivalry isn’t dead after all!”

When Joshua was asked how does she look, he said: “Perfect!”

MayWard PBB Big Winner Maymay Entrata could not believe that she now had the chance to enter one of showbiz’s most exclusive parties.

Edward only had one goal for the night: “I want to make it memorable for her as much as possible!”

KathNiel After days of sleepless nights for shooting fight scenes in “La Luna Sangre,” Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla were happy they were able to relax and catch up with friends at the ball.

He was wearing a purple suit, when the theme was black and white, so when asked

by Philstar.com why he went beyond the theme, he said with a loud laugh: “Meron ba?

Sorry, ‘di ko alam!”

Kath, nonetheless, liked ABS-CBN photos

by Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

COunt Marlou Arizala as one of those who does not believe in the old adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” the Hasht-5 member who first got noticed after viral lipsync “papogi” videos, and got his biggest break when he was asked to guests in “Gandang Gabi Vice,” got sick and tired of being called ugly when he was younger.

So he decided to undergo plastic surgery and morph into the handsome Xander Ford with the clear skin, aquiline nose and fuller cheeks.

Edward Barber and Maymay Entrata

what Daniel wore. “He’s unique, hip, and handsome as usual!”

KimXi According to Kim Chiu, she loves going with Xian to the because he is caring and a good gentleman. Xian, in turn, says he loves going with Kim because she is fun to be with.

Xian allegedly started the trend for grand proposals, but this year, he now just casually asked her “to let the younger ones shine.”

Kim clarified in an interview with Philstar.com that she and Xian did not plan to release their albums before the ball within days from each other.

McLisse It was McCoy de Leon’s third year at Star Magic Ball with Elisse Joson, though this was the seventh ball for Elisse. though McCoy is always perceived as a comic, Elisse guaranteed that McCoy is really romantic, as she experienced in his date proposal.

According to her, through the years, “unti-unti kong nakikita ‘yung romantic side, very sweet” side of McCoy. Bailona PBB housemates Bailey May and Ylona Garcia were among the youngest to attend the ball.

“I’m very excited because it’s a very good experience,” Continued on Page 5

Before and after shots of Xander Ford circulating on social media.

the transformation was so amazing, Marlou and Xander Ford became the number two trending topic worldwide. netizens are having a field day describing his transformation from that of a pinipig to a classy magnum ice cream. up high in the list of most wellloved comments is how “words could affect a person either physically or mentally.” netizens who support Marlou say it’s just right for him to change his looks if it makes him happy. Another says that Marlou’s experience proves that poverty can make one look ugly. now that Marlou is dead, and Xander Ford has taken over, the man of the hour, his parents and growing number of fans agree a brighter future awaits him.

During a recent appearance in “Rated K,” the camera

showed howXander Ford’s fans, waving banners with his name printed on them as they chanted his name over and over.

His parents, Aniceto and Merly, who were present at the studio, shed tears of joy. they went on stage to hug him and show their happiness over his new look.

Xander Ford told the audience he can now finally work seriously as an actor to help his parents. He now talks and moves with more confidence, and his stylist can come up with various types of clothes Xander can wear with ease and composure.

Xander has also become a photographer’s delight as he changes his poses every now and then to look more interesting before the camera.

Star Image Artist is managing Xander Ford.

The Legaspis—(from left) Cassandra, Zoren, Carmina and Maverick.

The Legaspis—a ‘regular’ happy family DESPItE the pressures of being a showbiz family, couple Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villaroel has successfully kept their family of four happy and “regular” by constantly guiding their 16-year-old twins Cassandra and Maverick.

While are not officially “artistas” like their parents yet, Cassy and Mavey has always had their share of the spotlight given their family’s appeal to advertisers. Since they were little, the twins and their parents have been visible in tV commercials and print ads, and the demand to see them has not waned.

The Manila Times sat down with the happy family during

their launch as brand ambassadors for CitiDrug pharmacy where Zoren and Carmina related how they have always taught their children to value their hard-earned money, especially since they also have their share of talent fees for their appearances. “the money they earn from their guestings, for example, is theirs. they can spend it the way they want provided they spend it wisely,” the couple said to the media huddle.

Zoren and Carmina further said that in taking on projects for the family, they are careful to choose concepts that will also have a positive effect on their children.

“With this new endorsement, we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to show Cassey and Mavey how important it is to take care of one another, besides being able to instill further health care awareness among our Pamilyang Pilipino as the establishment’s slogan proudly says,” said the very young-looking mom of two.

In response, Enrico Sta. Ana and William Scheirman, president and CFO of Xentro Lifestyle, Inc. said, “the Legaspi family being caring and nurturing as it is strong and united is what matches the message of the brand in taking care of one another.” (ManilaTimes.net)

Filipinos’ contribution to US history...

From Page 3 Asian Americans invited students to participate the movement. Most of the Fil-Ams who joined the movement were children of farmworkers and WW II veterans who also participated in the Equal Opportunity Program (EOP) or went to college through special admissions for disadvantaged students. According to Estrella Habal‘s book, “San Francisco International Hotel: Mobilizing the Filipino American Community in the Anti-Eviction Movement,“ the Fil-Am community’s involvement in the anti-eviction movement gave way to the rise of a workingclass consciousness, betraying the middle class dreams of their immigrant parents.

In 2015, Alvarado Middle School was renamed the Itliong-Veracruz Middle School after the Fil-Am labor leaders, thanks to the efforts of Filipino-Americans. the school was the first ever school in the u.S. to be named after a Filipino-American.

In 2016, Fil-Ams made a successful attempt to rename the South of Market (SoMa) district of San Francisco to SoMa Pilipinas, yet another historical recognition that manifests the Filipinos and u.S. relations.

4) Fil-Ams have a significant presence in the arts and in hip-hop culture.

You name it — theater, rap and entertainment — Filipinos are there! there’s Lea Salonga who is the first Filipina to win a tony Award, popular musicians like “High School Musical” alum Vanessa Hudgens, singer-

composer Bruno Mars and Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

Fil-Am disk jockeys and beatmakers, including DJ neil Armstrong, DJ Q-Bert, DJ Icy Ice, as well as b-boys and dance crews also rise to popularity. Add to this list the more recent ones — members of groups featured on “America’s Best Dance Crew” like the Jabbawockeez, Super CR3W, and Quest Crew. this has all helped shaped America’s pop culture.

Bailey May poised to go global

by Fiel

estrella Philstar.com

accent and refreshingly cheerful demeanor. They swooned when THeRe are breathless “Awws” he struck up a kinship with fellow housemate Ylona Garcia that whenever Bailey May gently lifts maybe evolved into something the bunny he has been cradling more. in his lap and nuzzles it with his Growing up across the pond nose. Carefully, he presses a kiss Born in Cebu and raised in to its head, and it is at this point england, Bailey has the distinction that the squeals grow deafenof being from two places at once. ing, in a room occupied solely by When he moved to Norwich people who are only doing their when he was four, he had trouble jobs. fitting in at first. But his mom, It just so happens that Vanessa, says that he was quick today, these jobs involve putting to adapt — an ability he deftly together a cover shoot in which exhibited upon his return to the Bailey is the star — along with Philippines. “When I arrived here the rabbit, whose name is Kobe I really felt odd,” says Bailey. and who is quickly threatening “But, you know, I’ve managed to to upstage the 15-year-old PBB alum-turned-actor and singer. But (immerse myself in the culture), nobody, least of all Bailey himself, which is pretty awesome.”

Of his upbringing, he says, seems to mind.

“My parents were just normal parIt was at his dad’s suggesents.” The Mays were strict, but tion that Bailey began to upload fair; they implemented a curfew videos of himself singing on the and always looked out for their internet, covering Sean Kingston son. “They kept me on my feet and Daniel Padilla. He managed and away from bad habits,” he to get 5,000 views on the first adds. “I think they’ve raised me day, and eventually gained a big to be a normal, genuine person.” enough following to audition for In the two years since he “Pinoy Big Brother: 737” in 2015. first came to prominence, Bailey “Actually, I didn’t plan it shares that his life has changed at all,” he recalls. “It just blew considerably. “Before, I was just a up overnight. That was the normal kid. I played sports all the crazy thing about it, because the time, went to school.” Becoming outcome was so unexpected. everything just worked out, (and) a teen idol is not without its difit gave me the opportunity to get ficulties: there’s less privacy, and you’re forced to grow up a little into PBB.” bit. “I don’t know how to say it,” Bailey, who was 12 at the he says. “With the pressure I’m time, became the youngest (under), I feel older.” contestant to ever join the show, Not many teenagers cater to finishing fourth. Young fans were 1.1 million followers on Instagram, smitten with his princely British

Star Magic Ball couples share...

From Page 4 said Bailey, who went overseas to improve a lot on his dancing. He will again go on a talent boot camp next month.

“It’s filled with ups and downs and it’s all crazy!” said Ylona of her own workshop experience.

Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola Before Luis donated more than P200,000 for a cancer patient who was a contestant in his game show, he told reporters that he is already planning a wedding proposal for Jessy.

Jessy said Luis’ mom, Vilma Santos-Recto, is always happy to see her. She calls her “Tita” because she is still “nahihiya,” though Vilma has been asking her to call her “momskie.”

Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia This was the last Star Magic Ball where Billy and Coleen will walk as singles.

“I’m really excited because the next gown I will be in is my wedding gown. We’re just really looking forward to that big day!” said Coleen.

According to her, she is no “bridezilla” because she feels like everything is going to run smoothly at their wedding.

Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon

ABS-CBN photo

“We’re both beach bums and it has a lot to do with our personality, just who we are,” she said of why they decided to tie the knot at the beach.

“We’re really just easygoing and we want to really relax. She’s very OC (obsessive-compulsive) and organized but super chill. Ak o pa ‘yung mas na-strestress!”

Other couples who graced the Star Magic Ball red carpet include Megan Young and Mikael Daez, Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati, Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Boy Sotto, and Rayver Cruz and Janine Gutierrez. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com)

and they definitely don’t spend their weekends performing in front of thousands of people or appearing on millions of television screens. Sometimes he’s had to perform songs he had only learned the day before. “There’s been times where I struggled a bit with it and the nervousness kind of overtakes me,” Bailey says. “But I feel great, you know?

Because I’ve been given the opportunity to do things that kids my age can’t do. So I feel blessed.”

Now, bigger things And it looks like all that practice — and all that dreaming — is paying off in a monumental, possibly history-making way. In August, Bailey flew to Los Angeles with Ylona, AC Bonifacio and Jane de Leon to represent the Philippines in a weeklong boot camp with Simon Fuller, creator of such pop-culture greats as the Spice Girls and American Idol.

The endgame: a coveted spot in Now United, a global pop group that’s the first of its kind, with 11 artists from 11 countries, set for a 2018 launch. Think S Club 7 (another Fuller creation) for a generation raised by the internet.

“We performed in front of Simon Fuller,” Bailey recalls. “It was very nerve-wracking because it’s Simon Fuller — he’s seen so many talented people!” But he says this only inspired him to give his best. “I can say that it was the best week of my life,” he gushes.

“It felt so good to meet new people from different countries

(who shared) the same passion.

It was such a great experience. I learned so much.”

Bailey made the first cut, and after a few nail-biting weeks of hush-hush decision-making, it was announced that he’s been invited to become an official member of Now United. He’s flying back to LA for another boot camp, and he’s ecstatic.

You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Bailey’s only halfway through his teen years. Asked how he’s making the most of his youth, his answer is matterof-fact, and a testament to the earnest young man he’s become.

“I’m just enjoying life,” he shrugs.

“My parents always keep me grounded and I always hang out with my friends. That’s pretty much it.”

“I don’t think I’ve changed,” he continues. “I’m still the same person. I think I’ve just grown up.” He adds, almost coyly, that he’s looking forward to the rest of his future.

It’s a crime to recount Bailey’s one-of-a-kind week in LA without another highlight: meeting Miley Cyrus.

“One day,” Bailey shared, “me and my friend Lamar went outside, and we saw these two girls, and Lamar was like, ‘Bailey!

It’s Miley Cyrus!’ I was like, ‘Really?’ So I was whispering, like, ‘Miley!’ And then she turned around. And then it was Miley Cyrus.”

“We had a conversation about Hannah Montana and

features

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 4, 2017

All grown up: At 15, Bailey is now one of the most watched and followed celebrities in the local scene.

Philstar.com photo

stuff,” he continues. “And she’s like, ‘Why are you guys here?’

And then we talk about Now United.” He grins. “So now she

knows about Now United.”

And it won’t be long, mark our words, before the rest of the world does, too..

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 4, 2017