LA Midweek Edition -- September 7 -- 9, 2016

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September 7-9, 2016

T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

Volume 26 - No. 72 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Fil-Am news anchor to moderate VP debate eLAINe Quijano, anchor of CBs’ digital network CBsN, is making history as the first Asian American and first digital network anchor to moderate a national debate during the general election campaign. the 42-year-old filipino-American anchor is also one of the youngest debate moderators. the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced last week that Quijano will moderate the only debate between vice presidential nominees senator tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Governor mike Pence (r-Ind.) on tuesday, oct. 4 at Longwood University in farmville, Virginia.

According to the CPD, the 90-minute debate will be broken up into nine segments of 10 minutes each and will be broadcast without commercial interruption on the CBs television Network and CBsN at 9 p.m. et.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to help bring the issues of this critical election to the public,” Quijano said, as reported by CBs News. the filipino-American is a weekday anchor for CBsN, CBs News’ 24-hour digital streaming network, and spearheads its political reporting. she is also an anchor of the sunday edition of CBs “Weekend News” and contributes to “evening News with scott Pelley” and “CBs this morning.”

Quijano, who is currently based out of New York, has been with CBs since 2010, with

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DHS considers ending use of private prisons to house detained immigrants A DePArtmeNt of homeland security (Dhs) advisory council has until November 30 to decide whether the federal government will continue holding detained immigrants in for-profit prisons, or end its use of private detention centers. homeland security secretary Jeh Johnson commissioned the Dhs review on friday, August 26, then publicized it at a press event the following monday, according to Politico. the investigation comes amidst mounting scrutiny from humanitarian groups, and just over a week after officials at the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced they would not renew contracts with private prison operators.

Johnson said the council had been tasked “to review our current policy and practices concerning the use of private immigration detention and evaluate whether this practice should be eliminated.” for-profit facilities have faced criticism from civil rights watchdogs and immigration advocates who decry reports of abuse and substandard housing conditions, as well as the expansion of the private prison industry. A July report from human rights Watch

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Duterte’s obscenities directed to reporter, not Pres. Obama Obama cancels bilateral meeting, Duterte regrets remarks

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

After initial reports that indicated Philippine President rodrigo Duterte called U.s. President Barack obama a string of obscenities — including “son of a b****” — transcripts from that press conference reveal that he was actually referring to a reporter, not obama.

During a Q&A with reuters on monday, september 5 in Davao City, a reporter asked Duterte several questions regarding the upcoming bilateral meeting with obama. the reporter in question asked: “sir, there have been concerns on extrajudicial killings, sir. And you will meet leaders, any line of communication that we have prepared to address this issue in front of other foreign leaders?”

According to Duterte, the reporter “just threw questions and statements” to which Duterte responded with his trademark offcolor manner of speaking.

“Iyong mga kolumnista diyan na ‘wait until he meets,’ who is he? (there are columnists out there that write headlines such as ‘Who is he?’),” Duterte told the media, referencing anticipatory media reports preceding the meeting. “I am a pres-

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President Rodrigo Duterte salutes the honor guards upon his arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos on September 5 to participate in the ASEAN Summit.

Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD

Obama reaffirms U.S. commitment to Asia

by Christina

A powerful blast ripped through a crowded public market in this city before midnight on Friday, Sept. 2, killing 14 people instantly and leaving more than 60 others wounded.

UN, foreign governments condemn Davao bombing by dana

siOsOn AJPress

foLLoWING the deadly market bombing in Davao City last friday, sept. 2, the United Nations and governments around the world have spoken out in support of the Philippines.

As a result of the attack, 14 individuals have died, while over 60 were injured.

In a statement released on monday, sept.

6, UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished speedy recoveries to those injured. “the secretary-General stresses the need to ensure accountability and to bring to justice the perpetrators of these terrorist attacks,” adding that “he stands with

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Duterte signs proclamation on state of lawlessness P2M bounty offered for the arrest of Davao suspects

by Christina

M. Oriel and dana siOsOn AJPress

the Philippines is in an indefinite “state of national emergency on account of lawless violence” following the deadly blast in Davao City last week, according to a proclamation signed by

M. Oriel

sociation of southeast Asian Nations (AseAN) summit on tuesday, sept. 6 in Vientiane, Laos.

DUrING his 11th and final trip “We’ve sent a message that we’re to Asia, President Barack obama here to stay.” pledged that the United states has he added that the country’s continued strong commitment to presence in the region, as evithe region — one that would last denced by his administration’s even beyond his presidency. “pivot to Asia” — is not “a pass“the United states is more ing fad,” as it reflects “fundadeeply engaged across the Asia- mental national interests.”

Pacific region than we have been the president laid out the in decades,” he said at the Asu PAGE A2 AJPress

President rodrigo Duterte on monday, sept. 5. on friday, sept. 2, an explosion went off at a night market in the president’s hometown, killing 14 individuals and wounding 67 others. the morning after, Duterte verbally declared “a state of lawlessness,” which allows the military to work with the police

in tightening security through checkpoints and increased patrols.

“I am declaring now a state of lawlessness. It is not martial law.

It has nothing to do with the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. We go about but I said there will be checkpoints,” Duterte told reporters in Davao City on satur-

day, sept. 3. the proclamation was also prompted by hostage beheadings performed by Abu sayyaf Group (AsG) and the escape of terrorists from a Lanao del sur prison, executive secretary salvador medialdea said. the president formally signed

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Ramos source of drug list

by Catherine

s. Valente ManilaTimes.net

NoW it can be told. the list of officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade was given by former president fidel ramos to President rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte made the admission during his speech before the filipino community in Laos monday night, september 5.

Duterte, in Laos for the Association of southeast Asian Nations summit, said ramos showed him the drug list when the latter was trying to convince him to run for president. “he was strongly urging me to run. he said only you can stop this. then he showed me

1

End Of

Former President Fidel Ramos

a list of generals into drugs,” he said. the President said the list is so thick and he has not finished validating all the names.

In July, Duterte named five police generals allegedly protecting drug syndicates. he also named the country’s big-time drug lords, as well as local officials who are also in the drug trade.

Duterte also released a matrix showing sen. Leila De Lima on top of the drug trade at the national penitentiary. n

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

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

From the Front Page

Duterte’s obscenities directed to…

PAGE A1 t

ident of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony.

I do not have any master except the Filipino people.”

“You must be respectful,” he continued, speaking directly to the reporter. “Do not just throw questions and statements. Putang-ina, mumurahin kita diyan sa forum na ‘yan (Son of a b****, I will curse you in that forum).”

Fil-Am writer Nizza Gueco clarified the Philippine president’s comments in a column on liberal news site “Liberal America” in which she translated and contextualized Duterte’s remarks.

She said that Duterte’s choice phrasing was an attempt to uplift Filipinos and emphasize the autonomy of the Philippines.

“As Filipinos, we have already accepted the fact that he does that a lot. He curses in public and it’s not that big of a deal for us,” Gueco wrote. “It’s not because we want to be seen as a country without class or breeding, but it is because we know it is just his

expression that is being taken out of context.”

Following media reports falsely reporting he directed these comments to Obama, the White House confirmed that the muchanticipated bilateral meeting between the two leaders was canceled. The two were scheduled to meet privately on Tuesday, Sept. 6 during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and western leaders summit in Vientiane, Laos.

Leading up to the summit, Duterte said that he would not discuss human rights issues with Obama until the U.S. apologizes for the pacification campaign of the Moro people in Mindanao at the turn of the century in which 600 died.

He even told American officials to look into the police shootings of black men in the U.S., saying they are “still human rights violations.”

Obama responded to Duterte’s vulgarities, offering a reason for the cancellation.

“He’s a colorful guy,” Obama joked. “I always want to make sure that if I’m having a meeting that it’s actually productive.”

Later, Duterte expressed regret for his comments that have caused local and international uproar.

“I do not want to quarrel with him. He’s the most powerful president of any country on the planet,” Duterte said of Obama after arriving in Laos for the ASEAN summit Tuesday, September 6.

Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Obama’s decision to cancel the meeting was “appropriate” considering the nature of the comments.

“With respect to the Philippines, President Obama made exactly the right choice,” Clinton told the media on Tuesday.

“When the president of the Philippines insulted our president, it was appropriate and a very lowkey way to say, ‘Sorry, no meet-

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In this photo released by Malacanang Palace Presidential Communications Operations Office Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, comforts a victim outside a hospital where people injured in Friday’s explosion at a night market were brought in in Davao city, his hometown on Saturday, Sept. 3. Duterte declared a nationwide “state of lawlessness” Saturday after suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists detonated a bomb at the market.

Photo by Kiwi Bulaclac/Malacañang Palace Presidential Communications Operations Office Presidential Photographers Division

Obama reaffirms U.S. commitment…

PAGE A1 t

“principles for peace and progress” in the region, including “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of each nation and upholding human rights.

Though not directly naming China, he said that “bigger nations should not dictate to smaller nations, and that all nations should play by the same rules.”

“And across the region, including in the East and South China Seas, the United States will continue to fly and sail and operate wherever international law allows, and support the right of all countries to do the same,” he said, referring to the territorial disputes many ASEAN countries have with China over the waters.

He also touched upon the controversial Trans-Pacific Part-

nership, a trade agreement that the U.S. has with 12 countries, including Singapore, Japan and Malaysia. The Philippines did not sign onto the TPP, though the country has expressed interest in joining in the future.

“TPP is a core pillar of America’s rebalance to the Asia Pacific.

And the trade and the growth it supports will reinforce America’s security alliances and regional partnerships,” he argued, adding that it would have “economic consequences” and “would call into question America’s leadership in this vital region” if it does not move ahead.

He went on to say that the U.S. has been working to “rebalance our foreign policy” in the region by creating military alliances with countries like Japan and Korea.

“And with our new access

agreement with the Philippines, our militaries are closer than they’ve been in decades,” Obama noted in his speech.

Earlier in July, the U.S. pledged to give the Philippines $32 million in aid for military training and services, including upholding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two countries.

Obama’s trip marks the firstever visit by a sitting American president to Laos.

The U.S. president was slated to have a bilateral conversation with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, but canceled following controversial comments from the Philippine leader. The two were supposed to discuss issues such as the Philippines’ war on drugs and the South China Sea territorial disputes. n

UN, foreign governments condemn…

PAGE A1 t

the government and people of the Philippines,” the secretarygeneral’s spokesman said in a statement.

The UN Security Council, which is comprised of 15 nations, also “condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.”

“The UN statement reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to justice,” Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said in a statement.

The United States also offered to aid in the investigation of the terror attack.

“We understand that local au-

thorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion in the night market, and the United States stands ready to provide assistance to the investigation,” Ned Price, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government on Monday, Sept. 5, also expressed its “deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the victims.”

Spain added it hoped the “coward perpetrators of this crime be brought to justice as soon as possible and be held responsible for their actions,” reiterating its “complete solidarity with the Philippines in its effort to combat terrorism and guarantee security throughout its national territory.”

China also conveyed its firm opposition “to terrorism in all forms, and strongly condemns

the violent terrorist acts targeting innocent civilians.”

“Shocked to learn of the terrorist explosion incident in Davao City of the Philippines, I am writing to Your Excellency, on behalf of the Chinese Government and the Chinese people, and in my own name, to express my deep condolences to the deceased civilians and my heartfelt sympathy to the injured and the families of the victims,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his letter to President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, Sept. 4.

He assured that China stands ready to work with the international community to combat terrorism and maintain peace and stability.

Earlier, the European Union, Japan, and France also expressed condolences to the victims of the bombing. n

Duterte signs proclamation on state…

PAGE A1 t

the one-page proclamation before departing for the ASEAN summit in Laos on Monday afternoon.

The order also allows military and police to warrantless arrests and seizures under certain circumstances, such as committing or attempting to commit an offense in front of arresting officers or arresting a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment, among others.

“In case of police/military checkpoints, inspection shall be upon request to roll down vehicle windows, search for things in plain view,” the order read. “No further intrusive actions shall be taken such as the demanding the opening of trunks or lids or asking persons on board to step out, unless the subject individual consents or agrees thereto.”

The proclamation “remains in force until lifted by the president,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) assistant secretary on foreign and legislative affairs Kristian Ablan.

Ablan told GMA News that the measures are in place to prevent further lawless violence

from spreading in Mindanao and across the country.

Unlike martial law, which has a 60-day limitation, the Constitution does not have a time limit for the state of lawlessness.

Amid fears that martial law could be imposed, government officials assured that the public should not be worried.

Medialdea said the rumors that the president would declare martial law were “unfounded.”

“This is not martial law and it is not going to be martial law,” he said.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has offered a P2 million reward for the arrest of the night market bombing suspects.

The Philippine government has said that it believes the ASG, which has ties to the Islamic State, is behind the deadly attack.

“I tapped funds from the city government — P1 million for information on the name and whereabouts of the suspect and another P1 million for whoever can deliver the person to us,” Duterte-Carpio said on Monday, September 5, according to reports from ABS-CBN.

The mayor — who is the daughter of President Duterte — said the business sector is helping raise the other half of the bounty.

She added that the government wanted the perpetrators to be caught alive.

“We want to talk to him and find out who ordered the bombing and why it was carried out.

We want to know who his cohorts are, their group, and their other terror plans,” she said.

Head of Davao police senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria told reporters on Sunday, Sept. 4, that a man was seen leaving a bag with an improvised bomb at the market who was later followed by two women.

He suggested the bomb must have been detonated through a cellphone.

Although the bomb used a mortar shell similar to those used by “threat groups” in central Mindanao, Chief Inspector Andrea de la Cerna, said they were not ruling out other motives for the attack.

“We have copies of the CCTV (closed-circuit television), we have eight possible witnesses but we have named no one (as sus-

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2016

A

Siblings in US scoff at drug accusations against Baraan brothers by jun

nucum Inquirer.net

SAN LORENZO, California — U.S.-based siblings of two former Philippine officials expressed shock and disbelief after their brothers’ names were included in the so-called drug matrix that President Rodrigo Duterte recently presented to the public.

The siblings of Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Francisco “Toti” Baraan III and former Pangasinan provincial administrator Rafael “Raffy” Baraan said they were saddened by the president’s accusation that their brothers were involved in the trade in illegal drugs.

The Baraan siblings Epifania “Epie” Baraan Colobong, youngest brother, Jerome, both in San Lorenzo, and youngest sister, Rowena, who is in Las Vegas, spoke through Fr. Geoffrey Baraan, the fifth of nine siblings and longtime pastor of Ste. Anne Catholic Church in Union City, California, before he was transferred last month to St. Joseph Church in Pinole, California.

They said they were “bothered and scared for what may happen to our brothers because of the unfair accusations leveled against them” and they believed

this was “happening as part of efforts to discredit former Justice Secretary (now Senator) Leila de Lima.”

“We know our brothers Kuyang Raffy (eldest) and Kuyang Toti (second eldest) very well, looked up to them as they were both ex-seminarians having attended Maryhurst Seminary in Baguio City in the 1970s. The Christian values they acquired in the seminary are still very much with them. In fact, they were my inspiration in my pursuit of priesthood,” Fr. Baraan stated.

‘Decent public officials’ “There is no truth to what is being heard and read in the news about the so-called drug matrix because they were very decent public officials who also care for their own families very much,” the priest added.

He said their family is not involved or even rumored to be involved in any wrongdoing “much less illegal drugs” until Duterte’s “matrix” came out.

“As a family, we made sure that we protect our family’s name by never doing anything to hurt nor dishonor it and by living a simple life in modest homes,” Fr. Baraan explained. “Our brothers both have their chance to make millions considering their positions

in government yet they shunned the opportunity because we were not raised by our parents that way.”

Asked on why their brother, Toti, was mentioned, the priest believed that it was because Toti was in charge of the Bureau of Correction in his capacity as DOJ undersecretary, who also had administrative supervision of other agencies under DOJ such as Board of Pardons and Parole, Parole and Probations Administration, Office of the General Corporate Counsel, among others.

‘Not in charge of prisons’ “It must be a made-up story because in the first place, he is not in charge of operation as the Bureau of Correction (BuCor) has its own director. Even if he was the undersecretary that has administrative supervision over BuCor, he was not always there to take care of the day-to-day operations of the Bilibid as he also had to take care of some other tasks. How can he even allegedly be linked to illegal drugs?” said Fr. Baraan.

He reported that his brother Toti just laughed at the possibility of being a state witness as being bandied about in the news, because he really has no involve-

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Duterte’s obscenities directed to…

PAGE A2 t

ing.’”

Clinton also noted that Duterte’s apology and expression of regret were also “appropriate.”

“We have a lot of ties between the United States and the Philippines. And I think it’s very important that we have a relationship, but there has to be a certain level of respect that’s expected on

whore.’ Terrible!” Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. said that the bilateral meeting will be postponed to a later date.

“While asserting the intent to chart an independent foreign policy and promote closer ties with all nations, he expressed his deep regard and affinity for President Obama and for the enduring partnership between our nations,” the embassy said in a statement released Tuesday.

“Of course, there were 14 “[Duterte] looks forward to ironpeople dead and 67 wounded, ing out differences arising out of so somebody is responsible for national priorities and percepthat. In military parlance, we call tions, and working in mutually it command responsibility,” he responsible ways for both counsaid. tries.”

He added that a list of replaceAs the Asian Journal previously ments had been submitted to the reported, the leaders were to disDavao City mayor. cuss a variety of issues including Senior Supt. Michael John the South China Sea dispute and Dubria was also relieved from the human rights concerns amid his position as the city police the escalating drug-related killdirector. n ings in the Philippines. n both sides,” Clinton added.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump took to Twitter to comment on Duterte’s remarks, denoting the “terrible” treatment Obama has received on his Asia tour.

“China wouldn’t provide a red carpet stairway from Air Force One, and then Philippines President calls Obama ‘the son of a

Duterte signs proclamation…

PAGE A2 t

pects),” she told Agence-France Presse.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio also relieved the commander of Task Force Davao, Col. Henry Robinson Jr., from his post in connection with the bombing.

Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año said Robinson was dismissed under the principle of “command responsibility.”

BANK ACT AMENDMENT HEARING. Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies Chairman Francis “Chiz” Escudero questions officials of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) led by Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. about a proposal to amend Republic Act 7653, also known as “The New Central Bank Act,” during a committee hearing on Monday, September 5. The proposed amendment to the bill, once enacted into law, will empower the BSP to effectively respond to the challenges of a globalized economy, and more significantly, in performing its constitutional mandates for a competitive, robust and inclusive economy that will support a higher quality life for Filipinos.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

Historic farmworker overtime bill awaits Governor Brown’s nod

by Viji

Sundaram NewAmericaMedia

AFTER decades of pushing for fair pay, California farmworkers will finally be paid overtime when they work more than eight hours a day -- if Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill that is now on his desk.

AB 1066, authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzales, DSan Diego, will give fair pay to the state’s estimated 825,000 farm laborers who “ensure that we have fruit, vegetables and wine on our tables,” said Arturo Rodriguez, president of the United Farm Workers of America, which sponsored the measure.

The law will be phased-in over four years, starting in 2019.

“Today, every single worker who touches our food – from the driver, to the cook to the waiter – gets overtime after eight hours, everyone, that is, except for the farmworker who picked the food,” said the bill’s coauthor Assemblymember Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, in a press release. “Under current law, we are sending a message to our

farmworkers that they are different (from) other workers, that their work is less valuable than other workers.”

The California Assembly passed the bill 44-32 on Monday after a lively debate. More than 100 farmworkers cheered as they watched the debate on a livestream feed outside the Assembly room.

Opponents of the bill, many from agricultural regions of the state, said it would increase costs for farmers and could lead to unfair hiring practices.

Supporters, meanwhile, characterized it as a human rights issue. Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, D-Richmond, said it was about giving farmworkers “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”

A 2010 effort to give farmworkers a fair shake in overtime wages was vetoed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Existing law sets wage, hour, meal break requirements and other working conditions for employees. It also requires an employer to pay overtime wages as specified to an employee who

works in excess of a workday or workweek, and imposes criminal penalties for the violation of these requirements.

Agricultural employees are exempt from these requirements.

They currently receive overtime pay after 10 hours and don’t have a 40-hour workweek.

Beginning January 1, 2022, the bill would require any work performed by a person in an agricultural occupation, to be paid double their regular rate if they were over 12 hours in one day.

Last week, Bonta and two members of his staff observed a 24-hour fast to support the bill.

The bill is particularly important to Bonta, who was raised in La Paz, Calif., the headquarters of the United Farm Workers (UFW), where his parents organized Filipino American and Mexican American farmworkers. Bonta is the godson of José Gomez, who was the executive assistant to Cesar Chavez.

A spokesperson at Bonta’s office said the bill would cost the state about $300,000 to $500,000 a year in administrative costs. n

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Food bank launches hunger action month LOS ANGELES – This month, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, together with the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, is mobilizing communities across all 50 states in an effort to fight hunger. Hunger Action Month is designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of the fact that 48 million Americans, including 15 million children, are food insecure, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In Los Angeles County, more than 1.4 million people struggle with hunger and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. That number includes one in four children who may not OUTSTANDING COPS. Senator Cynthia A. Villar poses with the 2016 awardees to the Search for Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in have enough to eat.

Service (COPS) launched by the Metrobank foundation, Inc. (MBFI), together with the Rotary Club of New Manila East and the Philippine September marks the ninth Savings Bank. For this year, four police commissioned officers and six non-commissioned officers joined the rank of 128 Outstanding Police year the Feeding America netOfficers who have been honored by the foundation since 2002. Also in the photo with the senator, chair of the Final Board of Judges, are work of food banks has orga(L-R), Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, Pres. Metrobank Foundation, Inc., Vicente R. Cuna Jr., Pres. Philippine Savings Bank; Engr. Manuel Gorospe, Pres. Rotary Club on New Manila East; Arthur V. Ty , Chairman (Metrobank) & Vice Chairman (Metrobank Foundation), Vice President nized this annual call to action.

Maria Leonor G. Robredo (Guest of Honor); Interior and Local Government Sec. Ismael Sueno and Fabian Dee, President, Metrobank and The Hunger Action Month 2016 Trustee, Metrobank Foundation.

Senate photo campaign asks people to consider how it must feel to live with an empty stomach, which puts a healthy life and a promising future at risk.

However, recent moves by the detention centers. Some officials PAGE A1 t “Despite the improved econo(HRW) attributed seven out of warn that if private detention DHS and DOJ bring attention my, Los Angeles County has more the 18 deaths that occurred at centers close, asylum seekers, to growing concerns about the people experiencing food inseimmigration detention centers to undocumented immigrants, and management of America’s in- curity than any other county in green card-holding residents mate population. inadequate medical care.

A DOJ report released in Au“We certainly see a lot of these awaiting immigration hearings problems magnified when a com- could be sent to state and local gust noted higher rates of aspany is seeking to extract as much jails where they would face even saults on both prisoners and prison employees at for-profit PAGE A3 t profit as it can out of a detention worse conditions.

“Before this ever happens, the institutions versus federally-run ment whatsoever in the allegacenter,” the executive director of tions being leveled against him.

Grassroots Leadership, Bob Libal, facilities we currently use have detention centers.

“The fact of the matter is that In a press statement, Toti Barato be replaced — that’s basically told the Los Angeles Times.

However, sources from Immi- the only way, or it will shut us private prisons don’t compare an asked for fairness and due gration Customs Enforcement down,” said Chris Crane, presi- favorably to Bureau of Prisons process, a chance to vindicate (ICE) told the LA Times that dent of the National Immigration facilities in terms of safety or se- himself in a formal proceeding moving thousands of incarcer- and Customs Enforcement Coun- curity or services,” said Deputy where he can present his side.

“All I can say now is that this is ated immigrants out of private cil, which represents federal de- Attorney General Sally Yates in an August memo instructing DOJ something I totally cannot imagfacilities could take over a de- portation officers.

Even if the federal government officials to allow private prison ine myself being involved in; it cade and cost taxpayers billions.

Private contractors are cur- cuts all ties with private prison op- contracts to lapse. “Now with the contradicts the deepest Chrisrently responsible for housing erators, the industry would con- decline in the federal prison pop- tian values I hold dear. I know two-thirds of the approximately tinue to survive because state and ulation, we have both the oppor- myself, and in due time the truth 31,000 people held in DHS cus- local clients make up the over- tunity and the responsibility to will prevail. As Undersecretary whelming majority of its clientele, do something about that.” (Eric having limited administrative sutody on a day to day basis.

Anthony Licas / AJ Press) pervision of BuCor as Bureau, I ICE does not maintain its own according to various sources. did never did oversee, either on the ground or from a distance, the prison operations in Bucor’s seven penal colonies, more so CNN, covering the White House, linois at Urbana-Champaign. She PAGE A1 t coverage including the Boston the Pentagon and the Supreme started her career at WCIA-TV in Marathon bombings, Superstorm Court. Some of her work in- Champaign, Illinois and then as a nal’s MDWK Magazine in 2008.

Sandy and the 2014 World Cup cluded the Sept. 11, 2001 terror- general assignment reporter for There will be three debates for in Brazil. According to a release ist attacks and major highlights WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida. presidential nominees Hillary by the news organization, she of President George W. Bush’s “I’ll keep doing broadcast jour- Clinton and Donald Trump, with was part of the team that won an term, such as his inauguration nalism until I don’t find it fun or the first one scheduled for Sept.

Alfred I. duPont Award for cov- and the War on Terror. interesting anymore. You have to 26 at Hofstra University in Hemperage of the 2012 Newtown elQuijano grew up in the Chica- have an intense passion for this. stead, New York to be moderated ementary school massacre. go suburbs of Morton Grove and The day that it stops being fun and by NBC News’ Lester Holt. The She was previously a Wash- Skokie and earned her journalism interesting, I’ll know it’s time to subsequent ones will be on Oct. ington, D.C. correspondent for degree from the University of Il- go,” Quijano told the Asian Jour- 9 at Washington University in St.

DHS considers ending use of private prisons…

the United States,” said Michael Flood, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “Hunger Action Month provides a great opportunity for everyone to take action and make a difference in the lives of those in need.”

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has teamed with local chefs to spread awareness about Hunger Action Month. In September, video and photos on the Food Bank’s website and social media pages will feature chefs including Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Mud Hen Tavern); Yousef Ghalaini (FIG); Robert Irvine (Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible”); Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill) and others sharing messages supporting Hunger Action Month and inviting Angelenos to help support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

“With the combined effort of Feeding America, the nationwide network of food banks and hunger advocates across the country, the goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about hunger and inspire Americans to get involved,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “The Feeding America network is leading the fight to end hunger in the U.S.

We all have a role to play in getting food to our neighbors in need. Advocate. Educate. Volunteer. Donate.”

To learn more about the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and other ways you can get involved for Hunger Action Month in Los Angeles County, please visit www.lafoodbank.org or HungerActionMonth.org.

For 43 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize resources in the community to alleviate hunger.

It provides food to more than 300,000 clients monthly and in 2015 distributed 62 million pounds of food. The Food Bank collects food from hundreds of resources, which it distributes through a network of 625 partner agencies throughout Los Angeles County. With the help of 27,000 volunteers annually, 97 percent of funds raised and in-kind donations go directly to programs.

The Food Bank was recognized by the LA Business Journal as the Organization of the Year in 2013 for nonprofit organizations with an annual budget exceeding $10 million. In November 2016, the Food Bank anticipates distributing its one billionth meal since its inception in 1973. n

Siblings in US scoff at drug accusations…

Fil-Am news anchor to moderate VP…

the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinglupa,” stressed Toti adding that his job was limited to reviewing and countersigning for the Secretary’s final signature of Bucor contracts/documents, which were in turn reviewed and endorsed by the agency’s technical services.

As for their other brother, Raffy, who reportedly laughed off at the allegations as a joke, Fr. Baraan disclosed that as Pangasinan provincial administrator Raffy had no need go to Bilibid much less had connections with people there.

‘Friend at odds with De Lima’ “Granting that Kuya Raffy was close to then-Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino as provincial

Louis presided by Martha Raddatz of ABC News and CNN’s Anderson Cooper and on Oct. 19 at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas anchored by Chris Wallace of Fox News.

The lineup of debate moderators comes after the CPD was urged to select more diverse journalists.

(Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

administrator, Espino is at odds with then-Justice Secretary and now Senator de Lima because of the case she filed against Espino.

How can they be doing business together if they are not on good terms and do not even see eye to eye?”

Fr. Baraan wondered. “It only makes the matrix funnier, laughable even. Those who are trying to implicate them should have really done their homework with prudence and more care.”

The accused brothers reportedly prefer to stay silent for now, although they are very careful of what they say or do.

“As a family we have fear of what might happen next. We do not even know from who are weaving these stories and where this information is coming from. They are accusing the good people, pointing to the wrong persons,” the priest lamented.

“We are a family of peace. We believe that there are misguided persons who are out there to destroy them. Those who did this are now also in our prayers,” intimated Fr. Baraan. n

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A

Dateline PhiliPPines

Robredo belittles Duterte drug war

by LLanesca

T. PanTi ManilaTimes.net

SENATE REWARDS HIDILYN DIAZ. Senate President Koko Pimentel (right) hands over a check worth P500,000 to Hidilyn Diaz (3rd from left), who won a silver medal in the recently held Rio Olympics. A native of Zamboanga, Diaz qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics after winning three bronze medals in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championship in Houston, Texas. “Her achievement is an example of the courage and indomitable will of the Filipino athlete,” Pimentel said. Also in photo are Zamboanga City Councilor Rommel Agan (left), Diaz’s parents, and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Adelino Sitoy (2nd from right).

Senate photo by Alex Nuevaespaña

DOH confirms 6th Zika case in PH by sheiLa

crisosTomo Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — A married woman from Iloilo was documented over the weekend with Zika virus, becoming the sixth case in the Philippines.

Speaking to reporters, Department of Health (DOH) spokesman Eric Tayag on Monday, Sept. 5, said a team had been dispatched to Iloilo to check if other Zika cases exist.

“If there are local transmissions, we should expect additional cases. We make sure we do not miss any case,” he said.

“The only way they can spread it to others is through sexual transmission.”

Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo said the patient had no history of travel abroad and she could have been infected locally.

“There is still no local transmission of cases in the country,” he said. “We cannot yet say for sure how she got infected but it is possible that this is sporadic and no other people will be infected.”

Bayugo said a locally infected mosquito could have bitten the patient, but the infection will not

be transmitted to others, just like what happened to the 15-yearold boy from Cebu who was the country’s first Zika case in 2012.

“We are hopeful that no other people will be infected,” he said.

“I think the patient is an outpatient, but she is being monitored by health personnel.”

In her mid-40s and married, the patient had sought treatment in a health facility in Western Visayas after she developed rashes last month.

When her urine was examined, it tested positive for Zika virus.

Bayugo said the sample collected from the patient was re-tested here and abroad and she was confirmed to have Zika virus.

Her husband could have also been tested by now, he added.

The Philippines had recorded its first Zika case in 2012, a 15year-old boy from Cebu City who got the virus locally.

Four other cases have been documented separately since, including an American, two South Koreans and the companion of one of the South Koreans.

Bayugo had reiterated the call for the public to eliminate all possible breeding sites of mos-

quitoes.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial earlier said no locally transmitted Zika case has been reported.

The public has no cause for alarm despite reported cases in Singapore and Malaysia of locally transmitted Zika virus, she added.

Ubial reported yesterday the DOH had been conducting tests on 126 symptomatic patients since January.

“Actually, we’ve been testing people and there are no positive (cases) so far,” she said.

All 86 suspected cases last Friday tested negative for the Zika virus, she added.

Ubial said five cases – four foreigners and a Filipino – have tested positive since 2012, but that the cases “were imported.”

“We test all the people who are symptomatic that are coming into the country,” she said. “They came from endemic countries.”

Last week, Ubial said the Zika infection is mostly “self-limiting, mild and not fatal” but that it is being linked to birth defects like microcephaly, a condition characterized by small heads. (With Christina Mendez)

THE surrender of 700,000 drug users and peddlers to authorities is not an accomplishment for the anti-drug war, Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo said on Tuesday.

Robredo made the observation after a briefing of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development and other partner agencies on the status of the drug rehabilitation centers and initiatives in the country.

The briefing had been requested by Robredo.

“Yes, we have 700,000 surrenderers but that should not be treated as an accomplishment. It is just a means to reach a target, that is to pull them out of addiction. Surrendering will not solve it. It’s just step one,” the Vice President said.

Robredo cited the case of a 22-year-old drug user Jeffrey Guarin, who confessed to killing nurse September Ann Paz and later turning himself in to authorities.

“Where are these 700,000 surrenderers? I’ve been going around, seen them surrender before mayors, but the mayors are saying they don’t know what to do with them,” she said.

Robredo then shared that in a recent meeting with the Department of Health, she learned that only 70,000 of the 700,000 surrenderers need confinement in rehabilitation centers and a smaller number should be sent to mental institutions.

The Interior department has identified four classifications of drug users: experimenter, occasional user, drug dependent and heavy compulsive or those who should be brought to mental hospitals.

“We have to make it a point that drug rehabilitation is the way to go. Our office can be of help. You can tell us five locations where the surrenderers are so we can start working. Just tell us where the surrenderers are, and our office will sponsor pilot areas for drug rehabilitation. We should pool our resources and do something now,” Robredo said.

“There is a lot of work to be done, and we are looking for

ways where our office can plug the holes. We can’t go back to scratch because it is not as if we only had drug rehabilitation programs after these 700,000 emerged. There are existing mechanisms.

We don’t have NO BIG DEAL Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo is all ears to luxury of time,” Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno during a briefing on the status of drug rehabilitation efforts held at the Department of the Interior she noted.

Robredo, a and Local Government office on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City on Photo by Ruy L. Martinez former Cama- Tuesday, September 6. rines Sur repShe cited that in the Women’s resentative, was referring to the Correctional in Quezon City Naga City Anti-Drug Abuse Coun- alone, at least 70 percent of the cil, as well as the Ugnayan ng Ba- inmates are imprisoned because rangay at Simbahan (UBAS) and of drug-related crimes. the Barangay Anti Drug Abuse “We should also include the inCouncil (Badac), which imple- mates because what will happen ments drug rehabilitation pro- to them if they already served grams for drug dependents, an their sentence? If there is no initiative that also involves fami- intervention, then they will be lies of drug users. in the same situation,” Robredo The Vice President said exist- said. ing initiatives should be improved “We have to make it a point because a number of these drug that rehabilitation is the way rehabilitation programs have to go. Whatever lens we would been inactive. want to use, I would say we are “There are 26,000 barangay all in agreement that treatment, (villages) under UBAS, but there rehabilitation and reintegration are those who are only organized is the way to go. So everyone on paper. A lot of barangay re- who could be of help should do quired Badac, but not all baran- something now,” she added. gay have Badac. Others who have Interior Secretary Ismael SueBadac, on the other hand, are not no and Cabinet Secretary Jun active. Rehabilitation is not that Evasco assured the Vice Presieasy. It should be a community dent that drug rehabilitation will affair, and we have to organize be an integral part of the Duterte the families of the drug depen- administration’s intensified war dents,” Robredo added. against illegal drugs.

The Vice President pushed “The Vice President’s chalfor inclusion of those who are lenge will make us work harder,” in prison under the drug reha- Sueno said. bilitation program, considering “We have to take care of these that not all of those convicted of people [700,000 drug surrenderdrug-related crimes will stay in ers], turn them into productive jail forever. people,” Evasco said. n

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OpiniOn

Features

Sharp-tongued

U.S. President Barack Obama has described the Philippines as America’s oldest ally in Asia, a relationship bound by friendship and mutual respect.

This may not hold true for his Philippine counterpart because even before leaving for his first official foreign travel, President Rodrigo Duterte has managed to cause an international stir with a “son of a b*itch” comment that many media said was direct toward Obama.

Duterte warned the American president not to question his ways over extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in the Philippines, which have been gaining scrutiny over the past months.

“I do not respond to anybody but to the people of the Republic of the Philippines,” the Philippine president said.

The two presidents were set to have a rendezvous at the sidelines of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos. However, the bilateral meeting was called off by the U.S., saying that this may not be the right time for the leaders to have a dialogue.

“Clearly, he’s a colorful guy,” Obama said. “What I’ve instructed my team to do is talk to their Philippine counterparts to find out is this in fact a time where we can have some constructive, productive conversations.”

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) instantly went to damage control. It said that Duterte “continues to value the Philippines’

ties with the United States despite his profanity-laced remarks against” the U.S. president.

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippines and the U.S. “share common goals in their pursuit of the war against drugs, terrorists, crime and poverty. President Duterte explained that the press reports that President Obama would ‘lecture’ him on extrajudicial killings led to his strong comments, which in turn elicited concern. He regrets that his remarks to the press have caused much controversy.”

It added that “while asserting the intent to chart an independent foreign policy and promote closer ties with all nations, he expressed his deep regard and affinity for President Obama and for the enduring partnership between our nations.”

Before deciding to throw expletives to Obama, perhaps Duterte needs constant reminders that being the President means embarking on business meetings with other foreign leaders to address global challenges and ensure stability for their people.

He may also need to be reminded that for decades, the United States has maintained strong bilateral relations with the Philippines, based on a number of factors including robust domestic support for international security, joint strategic goals in the Asia Pacific, a mutual commitment to demo-

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

cratic values, and historical ties.

There are currently 300,000 American citizens living in the Philippines and millions of Filipinos in the U.S. This is one of the most enduring aspects of the US-PH partnership, the binding and personal ties between people. These bring political, economic, and strategic benefits to both Filipinos

and Americans.

This relationship is bound by democratic values and moral responsibility to ensure peace and security not just for their own people, but for every citizen of the world. This bond will only further flourish if both countries continue to commit on the same goals. (AJPress)

Do you agree with Pres. Obama’s decision to cancel the bilateral meeting after Duterte’s insults and profanity?

“PUTANG ina mumurahin kita diyan sa forum na iyan…(Son of a whore, I’ll curse you at that forum).”

These are just some of the toxic words spewed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as a warning to U.S. President Barack Obama, when asked in a press meeting what he would do if Obama questions him about the extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in his war against drugs. His own words on the eve of his flight to Laos for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit include: “Who does he think he is? I am no American puppet. I am the president of a sovereign country and I am not answerable to anyone except the Filipino people” Duterte’s statements have been the subject of news headlines and commentaries all over the world. The recent comments add to the profanities he unleashed against Pope Francis and the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines and his statement that the mayor (Duterte) should have been the first to rape this beautiful Australian missionary who was abducted, raped and killed in his territory.

“I have seen some of those colorful statements in the past, The Fil-Am so clearly he is a colorful guy, ” President Obama said in a Perspective news conference on Monday.

He asked his team to evaluate if pushing through with the bilateral meeting with Duterte would be productive and construc- gel SantoS-ReloS tive, considering the statements Duterte just made against him.

“Fighting narco-trafficking is tough, but we will always assert the need to have due process,” the U.S. president added.

Obama eventually canceled the meeting Monday afternoon and decided to meet with the president of South Korea instead. As a result, Philippine stocks stumbled, with international investors expressing concern about putting their money in Philippine market.

Duterte issued a response to the media through his surrogates, which stated: “While the immediate cause was my strong comments to certain press questions that elicited

concern and distress, we also regret it came across as a personal attack on the U.S. President.

Our primary intention is to chart an independent foreign policy while promoting closer ties with all nations, especially the US with which we have had a long-standing partnership.”

We look forward to ironing out differences arising out of national priorities and perceptions, and working in mutually responsible ways for both countries.”

Duterte’s statement also said the meeting between the United States and the Philippines has been mutually agreed upon to be moved to a later date.

CNN reported that in his speech last Monday, Duterte blamed the United States for causing the unrest on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao.

“As a matter of fact, we inherited this problem from the United States,” Duterte said. “Why? Because they invaded this country and made us

their subjugated people. Everybody has a terrible record of extrajudicial killing. Why make an issue about fighting crime?”

CNN further discussed that Duterte was referring to the U.S.’ history as a colonial power in the Philippines, and specifically to one infamous massacre in the southern Philippines -- the 1906 Battle of Bud Dajo -- in which hundreds of Filipinos, including women and children, were killed.

“How many died? Six hundred,” Duterte said Monday. “If (Obama) can answer that question and give the apology, I will answer him.”

President Obama has maintained, “I always want to make sure if I’m having a meeting that it’s productive and we’re getting something done.”

The cancellation of the scheduled meeting just indicates that he deemed Duterte would not be able to make that happen. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

No longer the region’s American boy rect by subsequent SHOCKED or scandevelopments, to be dalized you may be Commentary a total lie.

by President Duterte’s Probably because alleged insult against I had been journalUS President Obama, ist and then a spinthis incident, as well meister as Arroyo’s as his earlier unflatspokesman, it was tering remarks against easy for me to “smell” the American ambas- RigobeRto tiglao that the Americans sador, marks a mowere lying. The term “weapons of mass mentous break from the past.

For the first time ever in our modern destruction” was a propaganda phrase history, Duterte would be the first to de- that created terrifying images of a Hiclare to the world, “I will not be Ameri- roshima kind of nuclear devastation in which hundreds of thousands were ca’s boy in this part of the globe.”

Duterte made it clear that his out- killed in the blink of an eye. Yet the US burst was not just an emotion of the was actually referring to chemical and moment, but reflects his view of our biological weapons, as there was no country’s place in the global scheme way for the Iraqis to have nuclear, deif things: “The Philippines is not a vas- liverable weapons at their disposal in sal state. We have long ceased to be a 2002.

Decision already made colony of the United States. We are not We debated the issue for hours, with the lapdogs of the US.” Was there ever a Philippine President who tried to even only myself and one other Cabinet member insisting that we could not make such a hint?

Undiplomatic Duterte’ statements support a war based on a fabrication. may be, his view of the US is totally During a coffee break, though, very late different from those of all previous in the evening, a foreign affairs official Presidents, who were either ideologi- who represented then secretary Blas cally brainwashed to have the American Ople in the meeting, pulled me aside worldview (as a West Pointer President and told me: “The decision has already I think was), or believed there was no been made, let’s not waste our time.” It other pragmatic foreign policy possible was then I realized why Ople wasn’t in except to be subservient to the US, the the meeting: I was told he also opposed the Iraq war but had to go along with sole superpower in this planet.

I had a first-hand experience of our the decision. I walked out of the meetsubservience to the US when former ing, of course.

After that, however, Arroyo declared President Gloria Arroyo asked her small circle of advisers, which included later her foreign policy that was a deme at that time, to discuss whether to parture from those of previous Presijoin the US demand that we join the ab- dents, one, she diplomatically said, that surdly named “Coalition of the Willing” would have to recognize the economic that supported the American invasion and political realities in our part of the of Iraq in 2002. I had thought it was a world. Everyone, especially the Amerino-brainer, since the US was claiming cans, of course, knew she was referring it needed to invade Iraq because that to the fact that the People’s Republic of country was developing “weapons of China had grown phenomenally that it mass destruction.” Such claim seemed had become the superpower not only in to me then, and was proven to be cor- Asia but the third (or even second) su-

perpower in the world. Arroyo had seen that China would, in a few years time, be our biggest economic partner, which it in fact did in 2012.

Arroyo had cozied up to the Chinese like no other Philippine President ever had. Diplomats in 2000 were talking in amazement how Arroyo and the conservative Chinese President Jiang Xemin seemed like long lost friends singing their hearts out using a karaoke aboard the presidential yacht.

I believe that one way or another — perhaps by providing the Yellow Cult with their PR and propaganda expertise or by tapping her cellphone — the US contributed much to making Arroyo so unpopular, she couldn’t get her candidate win in the 2010 elections.

Arroyo was getting too much Chinese ODA, and, horror of horrors, she let the Chinese telecom giant ZTE —which evolved from China’s Ministry of Aerospace and still had state equity — bag the contract to build the backbone for the country’s broadband, that surely would have made our internet speeds today a lot faster, and probably allowed a third telecom player, owned by the Chinese, in the country. Check the makers of your modem, cheap cellphone, and portable wi-fi devices sold by Globe and Smart: If it’s not made by ZTE, then by its competitor, Huawei.

US worried over ZTE The Americans, of course, were worried that the Chinese could put some software or device that would allow them to tap all communications on the internet, including those of lazy ala Hillary Clinton diplomats. At that time also, the US still had fantasies that its Motorola and its other telecom firms would still be able to recover to be globe’s suppliers of telecom equipment.

President Benigno Aquino 3rd dismantled all goodwill Arroyo built up with the Chinese, as if following the US “pivot to Asia” policy.

Can you think of any more pro-American Philippine ambassador to the US than Jose Cuisia? How can he not be pro-American when he has spent much of his working life as an executive of the American AIG-owned PhilAm Insurance, and even when he was ambassador, remained employed there, and was even the chairman of the firm distributing Chevrolet cars in the Philippines?

Can you think of any other Philippine foreign affairs secretary more proAmerican than Albert del Rosario? His wealth had been due to his businesses with the First Pacific Co., Ltd. (where he was a director for many years), which is 45 percent owned by Indonesian magnate Anthoni Salim, and 20 percent by US mutual funds?

Check out my columns on how we lost Panatag Shoal, which was the reason given by Aquino and del Rosario when we filed the Arbitration Case against China on its territorial claims in the South China Sea. You would be convinced that the Americans expertly played Aquino so that the Philippines would file that case against China over their claims in the South China Sea — and not Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, or Malaysia, which had more resources to spend for such a case.

Ask any diplomat from Asean, and he will tell you that our reputation in the region is that we’re the US’ reliable stooge in the region, its loyal proxy even if we’ve been getting really lousy treatment from the Americans. Asean nations all believe it was the US that prodded (or hoodwinked) us into filing that case against China, and are very happy with it: It created a political obstacle to China’s expansionism in the region, even as Asean nations are so happy that they—especially Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia—can now convince China to give them more ODA, and encourage more Chinese investments and forget the Philippines.

Duterte’s rejection of the role as the American lapdog in Asia, though, is certainly fraught with dangers. Expect the Yellow Cult to beg the Americans for help to topple Duterte before he ends his term.

Lost in translation I have described above Duterte’s insult against US President Obama as alleged, since I had listened to the President in that press conference before leaving the Philippines for his trip, and what I heard was also what the transcripts, as posted on the internet, show.

The relevant parts are as follows; Q: Sir, there have been concerns on extrajudicial killings, sir, and you will meet leaders. Any line of communication that we have prepared to address this issue in front of other foreign leaders?

Duterte: Extrajudicial killings?

Q: Yes, human rights.

Duterte: To whom shall I address myself and who will be asking the questions, may I know?

Q: Like Obama, sir.

Duterte: You know, the Philippines is not a vassal state. We have long ceased to be a colony of the United States.

Alam mo, marami diyan, sa mga kolumnista they look up to Obama and the United States as if we are the lapdog of that country. I do not respond to anybody but to the people of the Republic of the Philippines. Wala akong pakialam sa kanya (I don’t care about him).

Who is he? When, as a matter of a fact, at the turn of the century, before the Americans left the Philippines in the pacification campaign of the Moro on this island, there were about 6 million ang population ng Moro. How many died? Six hundred. If he can answer that question and give an apology, I will answer him …

You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements.

u PAGE A7

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2016

A

Four PH universities in world ranking

by Reicelene Joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

STATE-RUN University of the Philippines rose to the top 400 of the 13th edition of the annual university ranking compiled by British company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), leading three other Philippine education institutions.

UP ranked 374th in the 20162017 listing, a significant improvement from last year when the state university ranked within the 401-410 range.

QS said this was based on UP’s rise in three measures, namely academic reputation, faculty/student ratio, and international faculty ratio.

The Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University stayed at the 501550 range, while De La Salle University of the Brothers of

Christian Schools and the Dominican-run Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST) stayed at 701+.

QS said the Ateneo was the only Filipino university that improved its research impact, measured using QS’ citations per faculty metric.

La Salle, meanwhile, was the only Filipino university that improved its ranking in employer reputation.

It also has the “most impactful researchers, as measured using citations per faculty.”

UST, Asia’s oldest university, entered the published rankings this year, QS said.

QS uses six performance indicators to assess universities’ rankings. These are academic reputation, 40 percent; employer reputation, 10 percent; studentto-faculty ratio, 20 percent; ci-

tations per faculty, 20 percent; international faculty ratio, 5 percent; and international student ratio, 5 percent.

American universities led the world ranking, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at No. 1, followed by Stanford University and Harvard University.

“This year’s rankings imply that levels of investment are determining who progresses and who regresses. Institutions in countries that provide high levels of targeted funding, whether from endowments or from the public purse, are rising,” said Ben Sowter, QS research head.

“On the other hand, Western European nations making or proposing cuts to public research spending are losing ground to their US and Asian counterparts,” he added. n

Arroyo: ‘Freedom is healthy’

by llanesca

T. PanTi

ManilaTimes.net

FORMER President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo faced reporters for the first time on Monday and said being freed from detention has been good for her health.

The former leader, one of the new deputy speakers of the House, was asked how she was doing since the Supreme Court ordered the dismissal of a plunder charge filed against her, and her freedom, in July.

“Freedom is always very healthy. But, I don’t know for sure until I have my check up two weeks from now,” Arroyo told reporters in her first news conference in the House of Representatives since she was placed on hospital arrest in November 2011.

The Pampanga lawmaker is set to leave for Munich, Germany on September 20 together with her husband, lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo, for a health checkup.

The Arroyo couple will visit Paris, France and Hong Kong after Germany.

De Lima probe The former President weighed in on the looming House probe on the proliferation of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison under the tenure of former Justice secretary Leila de Lima, now a senator.

“I am very confident that due process is going to be pursued, unlike the time when I was be-

Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

ing persecuted,” Arroyo said, referring to the previous Aquino administration’s filing of electoral sabotage, plunder and graft charges against her.

The cases have been dismissed, save for the graft charge involving the botched $329-million National Broadband Project still pending before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.

De Lima served as the Justice secretary of the Aquino administration and was crucial in preventing Arroyo from leaving the country to seek treatment for her problematic spine abroad back in November 2011.

‘Duterte a stronger leader’ Arroyo also said President Rodrigo Duterte was the stronger leader compared with her.

She threw her support behind President Duterte’s declaration of a State of Lawless Violence in the aftermath of the Davao explosion last Friday that killed 14 people and left dozens injured.

The declaration allows the President to call out the military to help police suppress lawless violence.

“I did not experience them [se-

curity forces]being abusive, and I don’t think they will abuse it now.

Besides, President Duterte is a much stronger leader than I am.

If I could handle them [security forces]very well, he can handle them so much better,” Arroyo, who was President from 2001 to 2010, told reporters.

Arroyo herself declared a State of Lawless Violence in Davao City in April 2003 because of the twin bombings at the Davao International Airport and Sasa Wharf that killed 38 people and wounded 100 others.

She also declared Martial law in Maguindanao in November 2009 in the aftermath of the Maguindanao massacre that killed 57 journalists.

“I was doing the same thing during my time [as President].

It is the right thing to do. If the threat is national [in scope], then it is right that the President issue such. When I had problems in Mindanao, I would ask Mayor Duterte to handle it for me and he handled it very well. I’m sure he will handle it just as well, if not better, for himself,” Arroyo added.

Duterte had served as Arroyo’s adviser on peace and order as well as drug and kidnapping problems.

“President Duterte knows all the lessons because he was helping me a lot during my time.

When there is a state of lawlessness, I always call upon him. He knows my experience. He knows all the lessons,” Arroyo said. n

COPS VISIT POSH VILLAGES. Police visit posh villages in Makati City on Monday, Sept.5 to urge residents to report ‘suspicious activities’ in their areas and cooperate with the government’s antidrug campaign.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Michael Joe T. Delizo

Cops visit posh Makati villages

by Michael Joe

T. Delizo

ManilaTimes.net

RESIDENTIAL enclaves of the rich are not exempted from the police’s anti-drug drive.

This was stressed by the Southern Police District (SPD) on Monday as it conducted a “reinvigorated” “Oplan Tokhang” operation, distributing flyers to residents of gated subdivisions and calling on them to support the government campaign against illegal drugs.

Tokhang roughly translates to “knock and persuade,” and police knocked on the doors of homes at Forbes Park and Magallanes Village in Makati City (Metro Manila).

But unlike the typically bloody operations in squatter communi-

ties where drug suspects had refused to turn themselves in, police visited the rich villages in a friendly and peaceful manner.

In fact, police even coordinated with homeowners’ associations before conducting Oplan Tokhang.

Sr. Supt. Tomas Apolinario, acting SPD director, said the police’s different treatment of the rich and poor should not be compared.

There were no Forbes and Magallanes residents on the drug watch list, he pointed out.

Police just gave pamphlets and flyers to residents, asking them to report suspicious activities.

Forbes residents include ambassadors.

“Why there are fatalities in some areas? It’s not our fault,

they are resisting. In this area (Makati villages), we coordinate, at the same time, there is no resistance,” Apolinario said.

Village heads Evangeline Manotok of Forbes Park and Armando Padilla of Magallanes Village said there were no reports of drug pushers or users in their respective areas.

Three weeks ago, police went to Urdaneta Village and San Lorenzo Village in Makati.

The SPD is also coordinating with other subdivisions, such Dasmariñas Village and Bel-Air, also in Makati, for police visits.

Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay earlier called on the residents of gated communities to be “more cooperative” in the campaign against illegal drugs. n

No longer the region’s American…

PAGE A6 t

Putang-ina, mumurahin kita diyan sa forum na iyan. Huwag mo akong ganunin.” (End of transcript. Emphasis added.)

It seems plain to me that Duterte wasn’t calling Obama a “son of a whore” as nearly all foreign reports reported, for two reasons: First, it was prospective, that he would curse Obama in that planned forum if the US President raised the issue of judicial killings. It is not even clear if by “mumurahin kita,” he meant he would say “Putangina mo, Obama.”

Second, and more importantly, this is a case of lost-in-translation. Duterte didn’t’ say “Putangina mo, Obama” as he did during the campaign when he clearly said “Putangina mo, Papa.”

He simply prefaced his sentence with “Putangina,” which really translates, not into “son of a whore,” but is a stock exclamation of annoyance, with the meaning closer to “shit,” “fuck”, or the British “bollocks,” with which Americans or their Old World cousins habitually use to preface their sentences when agitated, even in the slightest way. (tiglao.manilatimes@gmail.com)

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

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Philippines ranks 5th in ASEAN for US firms’ expansion by richMond

s. Mercurio

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — US companies remain optimistic about business prospects in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the Philippines their fifth most preferred destination for business expansion in the region this year.

The annual ASEAN Business Outlook Survey released by the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore showed 27 percent of senior executives representing US companies in all 10 ASEAN countries cited

the country as a priority market for future business expansion.

Respondents across the region saw Vietnam (40 percent), Indonesia (38 percent), Myanmar (34 percent), and Thailand (30 percent) the priority markets for expansion.

Philippines and Malaysia each got 27 percent of the US executives’ vote.

Compared with last year’s outcome, the Philippines saw one of the biggest gains in business expansion interest from 20 percent to 27 percent.

The greatest improvement for expansion came from Vietnam (31 percent to 40 percent)

u PAGE B2

Tetangco among world’s top central bankers anew

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines -—New York-based business magazine Global Finance has named Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. as one of the world’s top central bankers for the eighth time despite volatile financial markets overseas.

Tetangco again earned a prestigious “A” grade on Global Finance’s Central Banker Report Cards together with eight other heads of central banks all over the world.

Other heads of the central banks who received “A” grade were from Israel, Lebanon, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

The central bankers of Jordan, Mexico, Morroco, and the US earned “A-” grades.

Tetangco has earned the feat for the past six years since 2011.

Tetangco

He also received the prestigious “A” grade in 2006 and 2007.

He is the first central bank governor to serve the BSP in two consecutive terms after being reappointed by former president Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

Tetangco, who has been BSP governor since 2005, will be in office until July 2017.

Global Finance publisher and

u PAGE B2

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua recently paid a courtesy visit to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez during which the two officials “agreed to explore possible areas of interest” in infrastructure, power, tourism, technology and education, the Department of Finance said.

Philstar.com file photo

by Prinz

P. MagtuLis Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua recently paid a courtesy visit to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez during which the two officials “agreed to explore possible areas of interest” in infrastructure, power, tourism, technology and education, the Department of Finance (DOF) said on Tuesday, September 6.

Agency-specific projects were also discussed concerning the departments of Public Works and Highways, Transportation and Agriculture. No details were released for the

first two agencies.

For the Agriculture department, however, export of Chinese-made agricultural equipment as well as “expansion” of Philippine food exports are being considered.

Trade cooperation was also tackled, particularly trade data gaps, as well as efforts to curb the entry of illegal drugs into the country.

According to government data, China was the country’s biggest source of imports in June, accounting for 18.8 percent or $1.29 billion of total purchases worth $6.85 billion.

China was also the fourth largest destina-

tion of Philippine exports in June, cornering 11.3 percent or $536.14 million of the $4.75 billion shipments.

But in terms of official development assistance (ODA), data from the National Economic and Development Authority showed a “concessional loan” and “preferential buyer’s credit loan” as of 2014 both for a period of 20 years.

The amount of assistance was not indicated, although the two financing needs carried two and three percent interest per year, respectively.

According to the DOF, Dominguez and

u PAGE B2

Duterte attack on Obama, Davao blast yet to sour market – BSP

by Ben

o. de Vera Inquirer.net

MANILA — Neither last week’s deadly blast in Davao City nor President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s profanitylaced remarks against US President Barack Obama have been making domestic markets jittery as the economy stands on strong fundamentals, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Asked at the sidelines of Euromoney’s Philippines Investment Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 6, if Mr. Duterte’s controversial remarks that led to the cancellation of his meeting with the US President affected investors’ view, BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. told reporters: “If you look at market behavior so far, on Tuesday, September 6 and this morning, we haven’t seen any negative market

u PAGE B2

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

Business news

ABS-CBN, GMA both claim ratings leadership

by LoueLLa

D. DesiDerio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — ABSCBN Corp. continued to be the most watched television (TV) network nationwide in August, while GMA Network Inc. claimed it remained the most preferred in Urban Luzon in the same month.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said it registered a 47 percent audience share of both urban and rural homes nationwide in August, higher than GMA’s 33 percent and TV5’s six percent, based on data from Kantar Media.

Kantar Media, which provides TV audience measurement, uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes to represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN said it was the leader in the ratings game in Luzon as it had an average audience share of 41 percent, bigger than GMA’s 36 percent and TV5’s six percent.

PAGE B1 t

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon

In the Visayas, ABS-CBN was also ahead of its rivals with its 57 percent audience share, while GMA had 24 percent and TV5 got seven percent.

ABS-CBN also won in Mindanao with its 60 percent share compared to GMA’s 26 percent and TV5’s five percent.

For the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 midnight), ABS-CBN remained the leader in August as it obtained a 50 percent average audience share, higher than GMA’s 31 percent and TV5’s six percent.

Considered the most important part of the day, the primetime block is when firms put the

bulk of their advertising budget as this is also when most Filipinos tune in to their TV sets.

Aside from primetime, ABSCBN also ruled all time blocks nationwide for the month of August.

In the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon), ABS-CBN accounted for a 41 percent audience share, beating GMA’s 35 percent and TV5’s five percent.

ABS-CBN got a 45 percent share in the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.), also ahead of GMA’s 33 percent and TV5’s five percent.

In the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), ABS-CBN got a higher 48 percent share compared to GMA’s 32 percent and TV5’s six percent. n

Tetangco among world’s top central…

editorial director Joseph Giarraputo said head of central banks are tackling “unprecedented challenges from political upheavals and low commodity prices as well as employment rates that remain weak despite low interest rates.”

“Wise monetary policy can mitigate the negative impacts of political and economic change, but requires stiff resolve to navigate competing interests and visions. As these scores demon-

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strate, some central bankers are more constrained by circumstance than others, while some have shown remarkable agility in driving policy,” Giarraputo said.

The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grade the central bank governors of nearly 75 key countries (and the European Union) on an “A” to “F” scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability

and interest rate management.

“A” represents an excellent performance down through “F” for outright failure.

“As our scores show, some central banks have fared better than others in devising such policies. Our grades also reflect the willingness of central bankers to stand up to political interference as well as their ability to influence government policies on spending and foreign investment,” Giarraputo said. n

HAVE your credit card debts become larger than you have ever expected? Are you struggling to even keep up with the minimum payments required every month? If you are in this situation, maybe you’ve wondered about what the legal repercussions might be once you get to the point where you can no longer continue paying your creditors. Can credit card companies sue you for what you owe? And when they do, what happens when they get a judgment against you? These are the questions I’m often asked by people who seek legal advice regarding their credit card debts.

Of course, credit card companies don’t make it easy for you to catch up once you fall behind.

They are quick to add on additional fees and demand that you bring your account up to date immediately by paying the current amount due, all past due payments as well as late fees.

And if allowed by the agreement that you signed when you first applied for the credit card, your interest rate can also go sky-high upon default.

Before you know it, your debt problems have become a financial nightmare and your phone starts ringing off the hook with bill collectors harassing you at

Have your credit card debts become a financial nightmare? home and at work. What do you do at this point?

If your credit card debts have escalated beyond your control, perhaps you are getting nervous about what your creditors will do next. Can you be sued?

Yes, you can be sued once your creditors are convinced that they have exhausted all other options to force you to pay. Of course, the benefit to be gained by suing you must outweigh the costs so the creditor will take that into consideration as well.

But most delinquent accounts are turned over to collection agencies in high volumes which significantly reduce the creditors’ litigation costs. Smaller companies like credit unions will also sometimes sue you in small claims court and they don’t even need an attorney to file the lawsuit.

I often see people who ignore their debts for a long time until one day they receive a summons at home or at work and only then do they realize the seriousness and urgency of their situation. If you are sued by a creditor, it is very important that you do not ignore the lawsuit or you will definitely regret the consequences once the creditor takes the next step of garnishing your wages, seizing funds out of your bank account, filing a lien against your real property or a combination of the above.

If filing bankruptcy is your

best and only option, it is best to seek legal help right away before your debt problems get worse. Spare yourself the suffering and the agony caused by debt if at all possible. In choosing a bankruptcy lawyer, remember that not all bankruptcy lawyers are created equal and may have different ideas on how to help you. It is important to choose a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who has your best interests at heart.

Most debt problems are solvable but often they get worse if ignored. Don’t make this fatal mistake. If bankruptcy is not your best option, sometimes debt settlement can also be a way to avoid bankruptcy as long as you can come up with a realistic payment plan that your creditors will accept.

If you are in debt and have not figured out a way to get out, constant worrying will not get you anywhere unless you act to change your situation for the better. For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1866-477-7772 and we will help you step by step in finding a solution that’s right for you. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL

Philippines ranks 5th in…

PAGE B1 t

while Indonesia (31 percent to 38 percent) also got a similar hike in interest as that of the Philippines.

Of the US investors surveyed that has operations in the Philippines, 19 percent are planning to expand in the country while 55 percent expect their workforce to increase this year.

The country received low satisfaction ratings in lack of corruption (11 percent), infrastructure and tax structure (13 percent each), ease of moving products through customs (15 percent), free movement of goods within the region (17 percent), and availability of raw materials (19 percent).

Meanwhile, the country got

high satisfaction ratings in sentiment towards the US (77 percent), availability of low cost labor (72 percent), and availability of trained personnel (68 percent).

US investors in the country also gave very positive approval ratings to the Aquino administration, with 45 percent of the respondents saying it was very effective and 38 percent saying it was effective in boosting business confidence and promoting investment in the country.

As far as bullishness in the new administration is concerned, two percent said they were very optimistic that it can sustain reforms of the previous administration, while 43 percent said they are optimistic. n

Philippines, China explore…

PAGE B1 t

Zhao also discussed “revisiting” China and the Philippines’ foreign currency swap agreements, which allow both nations to source foreign exchange needs in case of liquidity problems.

China has the world’s biggest foreign exchange reserves valued at $3.65 trillion as of July.

The Duterte administration has been open and more welcoming to bilateral talks with China, which the Philippines sued before the Permanent Court for Arbitration over its vast claims in

the West Philippine Sea. The court ruled in the Philippines’ favor, although it has not been forcefully implemented.

Under the DOF’s financing plan for next year, 80 percent or P102.26 billion of the P126.26billion in gross foreign borrowings will be sourced through project and program loans or ODA. This marked a change from the previous administration’s focus on commercial borrowings or through bond issuances for its funding needs. n

Duterte attack on Obama…

PAGE B1 t

reaction.”

“I think the market will be influenced more by what the Fed will do and what the other advanced economies will do. So it will be more externally driven at this point,” Tetangco added, referring to the US Federal Reserve’s looming rate hike seen before yearend.

As far as the equities markets were concerned, “there’s been no sell off or major negative impact,” Tetangco said.

The BSP chief nonetheless said: “I think what we would need is to explain better what the objectives of the policies of government are.”

“There are, of course, very important objectives that the government is trying to pursue and this will have to be communicated well to the public to avoid any possible misunderstanding.

We must avoid lack of information that could lead to a different picture,” Tetangco added With regards the government’s declaration of a state of lawless violence, Tetangco said that while it has not affected market sentiment, “the objective of this is, I think, to improve the peace and order situation in the country.”

“That is going to be effective for investments over the longer term. In the meantime, what we need is to communicate the policies of the government better—to explain the actions as well as the intentions,” Tetangco said.

In his speech at the conference, Tetangco said that despite challenges here and abroad, “the Philippines means business.”

“I believe the Philippine economy continues to offer a convincing case for investment and sustained growth. I say this with confidence because the Philippines has a good solid track record,” Tetangco said, citing for

instance the country’s sustained economic growth for 70 straight quarters as well as the recent resurgence of the manufacturing and tourism sectors.

“I wish to emphasize… that the Philippines is a destination not only for flighty capital. The Philippines is, more importantly, a destination for serious investment. I am able to say this with conviction because we do not only have a solid macroeconomic track record, we also have the institutions that are critical to sustaining such a strong economic performance,” Tetangco said.

Despite the potential negative impact of China’s economic rebalancing, concerns on the looming Fed hike and further monetary easing in Japan and Europe, the “Brexit” as well as domestic risks from natural calamities, Tetangco said “the Philippines is not immune to risks but our view is that these risks right now are manageable.”

“On balance, the Philippines continues to forge an economic growth story that puts emphasis not only on strength but also on long-term stability and resilience.

The fact that the Philippines has just entered the ‘demographic window’, in contrast to the aging population of some neighboring economies, undergirds our longterm resilience. We have a young and vibrant population that is both a steady employment and consumer base, that opens up a lot of possibilities for investment.

Many industries are already burgeoning and seizing the opportunities the demographics present,” Tetangco said.

“There is fiscal space to pursue infrastructure investments geared towards increasing the productive capacity of the economy. And the new administration has promised to ramp up infrastructure spending,” the BSP chief noted. n

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What’s New

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.”

There is a big difference between the two concepts. With a voided marriage, it restores the couple to status of unmarried person as if they have never been married before. In a divorce, the couple would always be regarded to as married during the period of the marriage.

Unlike Divorce which can be obtained regardless of the reason. Voiding a marriage may only be obtained based on certain grounds. It is void in cases of incest and bigamy. It is voidable in cases of minority, Unsound Mind, Fraud, Force, or Physical Incapacity. Marriages between parents, children, ancestors and descendants, brothers and sisters, half brothers and sisters, uncles and nieces, and aunts and nephews are incestuous and are void from the beginning. So are bigamist marriages where either party was still married to another person when they entered the marriage. Nevertheless, it is best to obtain a Nullity Judgment to clarify the legal status of the parties under these circumstances.

Certain situations does not necessarily make a marriage void but makes it voidable on the parties option. One such circumstance is when the petitioner was under 18 years old when the petitioner

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2016

B

What is new for 2016 education tax credits

• Additional criteria must be satisfied for these refundable credits.

• Must receive Form 1098-T Arlene Al-os, Tuition Statement from an eligiCPA, MBA ble institution by February 1.

• Rules for these credit: must (Part 2) have paid for qualified education FORM 1098-T from an eligible expenses for higher education, educational institution is RE- student must have enrolled at eliQUIRED for 2016 TO CLAIM the gible institution, and student can American Opportunity Tax Credit be yourself, spouse or a depenAOTC (previously Hope Scholar- dent on your tax return. ship Credit), Lifetime Learning • Qualified education expenses Credit LLC, and Tuition and Fees are payments for tuition fees and deduction. required student activity fees.

Here are some tax tips to ben• Not qualified for education efit from these credits in 2016 expenses: room and board, in-

Barrister’s Corner

Community Journal

surance, medical expenses or student health fees, transportation, personal, personal or living expenses.

• For AOTC only. Qualified education expenses include payments off campus or not paid to the school but a student course of study requirements: books, supplies, equipment, and required course book. Must include the employer identification number EIN for any institution to which qualified tuition and related expenses have been paid.

• The annual maximum AOTC per eligible student is $2,500 for the first 4-years of higher educa-

Grounds for annulling a marriage married and the parents did not provide their consent. The Nullity petition based on this ground has to be filed within four years after the party turns 18. The parent of the minor may also file the Petition provided it is filed prior to the minor turning 18. Another situation is a bigamist marriage where the first spouse has been absent and not known to be living for 5 years prior to the second marriage or if the party believed the spouse to be dead at the time of the second marriage.

A Nullity based on this ground may be filed during the life of the other party.

A marriage may be voided if either party was of unsound mind at the time of the marriage.

Unsound Mind means a person is incapable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and the duties and responsibilities it creates which depends on the degree of mental capacity of the party. This may not be a ground if the party later on came to reason yet continued to freely cohabitate with the spouse.

Fraud is another ground for voiding a marriage. The false representation or concealment must relate to a substantive matter and directly affect the purpose of the party deceived in entering the marriage. The fraud must go to the very essence of the marital relation before it is sufficient for an annulment. It is not sufficient simply to contend that your spouse turned out to be a lazy, drunken disappointment. Nullity based on fraud has to be filed within four years of discovering the fraud.

Certain marriages that are entered into by force are voidable. Circumstances that meet these standards requires that the forced party’s free will to have been overcome by the spouse such as through the use of threats. These type of Nullity must be filed within four years from the date of marriage. A marriage where the spouse was found to be incapable of physically engaging in copulation may be voided. It can only be filed by the spouse that does not have the physical incapacity and must be filed within four years of the marriage. Before deciding weather a divorce is the appropriate avenue to end your marriage, parties should evaluate if a Nullity is a viable alternative and weather it serves their best interest. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@ gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any

tion extended through December 31, 2017. If you do not owe tax, up to $1,000 is refundable.

• For LLC only. Qualified education expenses include payments for acquiring or improving student’s job skills: expenses for sports, games, hobbies or noncredit courses. These expenses DO NOT qualify for tuition and fees deduction.

• The annual maximum LLC per eligible student is $2,000 and there is no limit on the number of years.

• If the student withdraws, any amount not refunded, you can claim for the credit.

• Eligible Institution. Schools and institutions offering higher education beyond high school like college, university, vocation-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA

al school, post secondary run by the U.S. Department of Education, accredited public, nonprofit and privately-owned-for-profit postsecondary. The school is eligible if on the U.S. Federal Student Aid Code list. If not on the list ASK the school, it may still be an eligible institution.

• Identification requirements is stricter. No credit allowed if you fail to include the qualifying individual’s name and tax identification number. The tax identification number must be issued on or before the due date for the filing of the return for the tax year.

• You cannot claim the higher education tuition deduction in the same tax year that you claim the AOTC or LLC or if anyone else claims the AOTC or LLC for

the student in the same tax year.

• Use Form 8917 to calculate and claim for tuition and report on the taxpayer’s return.

• None of these credits or tuition and fees deduction is available you are married filing separate.

In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not to be considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for IRS audit, tax dispute, or any other purpose. *** Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and ta x s e r v i ce s to i n d i v i d u a l s, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by

Bringing moxie back “We now live in a cynical age when no one, it seems, can be trusted. Even those institutions we used to hold sacred and sacrosanct are suspect.”

(Part 1 of 2)

DO you sometimes have a nagging feeling that despite what the media paints as a rosy picture of the current state of affairs we are supposed to be having, things are not what they seem to be?

There is reason to believe that unemployment numbers are a work of fiction rather than a reflection of the current situation.

Indicators of economic and social malaise are still very strong.

Several years ago in England, there were 35,000 applicants for 1,000 job openings for the makers of Range Rover. You probably don’t have to look far to see those among us still struggling to find jobs. Many have simply given up and have become part of a statistic that is not factored in when a comprehensive picture of the current state of affairs is presented supposedly by those so called “experts” on the economy. Others are holding down two full-time jobs or even multiple part time jobs just to put food on the table.

Companies can afford to be picky these days. Some even have the gall to fire entire departments, either to cut on costs or to greedily improve their bottom line, leaving just one or two personnel to handle the work of entire departments knowing, in a calculated way, the ones “lucky” enough to retain their jobs won’t balk and put up a fight knowing how difficult it is to find employment in an economy as tough as this. Some soulless companies are gleefully aware that in a shrinking job market, they hold all the aces.

I know of one who had to pull out a hat trick in a fiercely competitive job market. Being out of a job for 2 years, she knew she had to stand out in order to be considered for the job among a sea of job applicants. Aware that her advance age, the influx of new graduates willing to take far less and her years of experience would be regarded as a deterrent to landing a job with fair compensation and benefits, she first became a volunteer without pay for 3 months. She showed the company what she is capable of.

That got her the job. In this economy, it is a game of the survival of the fittest. Throw in a dash of creativity and a ton of tenacity and persistence.

If figures are to be believed, one out of every 6 Americans is still out of a job. The real figure of those without a job is close to 94 million. Every economic and

political pundit is focusing on the need to create jobs that will bring the country back on track.

Even Bill Gates didn’t mince his prognosis of our sick economy. Our economy has been on life-support even with a series of stimulus packages in 2009. You have a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that those at the helm have absolutely no idea besides throwing money on how to fix a broken system.

If nothing changes soon, the debt burden of $20 plus TRILLION will be passed on to the second and third generations.

What a sordid legacy to pass on to the next generations!

Frankly, I think it will take a sea change of heart and spirit not only in the leadership, from top to bottom in the structure of government, but more importantly, among the majority of ordinary Americans to revive this country back to the glory days.

It’s time to bring moxie back.

But first, let’s do a brief autopsy of this moribund mess we are in by asking ourselves a few questions and searching for the answers.

What can you say of a country that has outsourced so much of the production of practically all its needs to China, India and every part of the world, all in the name of improving profits among soulless multinational companies?

What can you say of a country that has forgotten that work itself and the creation of quality products that satisfy the creative impulse of human beings are, in it of itself, a blessing to the people who create them?

To create something from concept to actualization is ennobling. To be rewarded for creating something that people find useful and that lasts, has been the secret of what was once a strong US economy.

We have taken advantage of the low wages and traded on the appalling work conditions of other countries and the lower costs of overseas production but in the process, created a serious imbalance and a lingering malaise in the psyche of the American workforce. Uncontrolled outsourcing has taken away tens of thousands of jobs, which in turn, decimated what was once a strong American middle class.

Perhaps a group of economists and business people with political clout, goofed big time along the way. Whether by plain stupidity or by willful intent to destroy, our political and economic

leaders in the last 30 years, may have placed us on track towards self-destruction with suicidal policies.

You want to finger point and put the blame on the myopic architects of this economic disaster. More than likely, they could be regarded as a band of conspirators, so-called economic experts and politicians, who sold out the well-being of the country with their economic policies which resulted in the conditions that we are seeing and suffering from these days.

If these were Medieval Times, they would be flogged or be found hanging from their toes or boiled in oil in the public square for treason and economic sabotage of the highest order.

But for the unemployed who has lost his home and has trouble putting food on his table, none of the finger pointing and the brilliant but empty rhetoric matters at all. In a situation such as what we have where a significant percentage of the working class is without a source of income, the times call for a crash course on survival where each man must learn to fend for himself.

We now live in a cynical age when no one, it seems, can be trusted. Even those institutions we used to hold sacred and sacrosanct are suspect. We assume everyone is a con artist that lies and lies and lies until proven otherwise.

We have now learned to steer clear of strangers, screen our calls, trash suspicious emails asking us about account information or be wary of just about anything new. We even refuse to answer the door.

In the media and online, we have seen a parade of scandals: from political scumbags, depraved men of the cloth, big-time con artists to scandal-plagued, shameless celebrities who trade on their image to push depraved agendas useful only to the elite class they have created for themselves.

We seem to be breathing their toxic fumes when they self-destruct into flames. Honor, decency, civility and respect are in short supply these days. And we heave a heavy sigh and shake our heads in disbelief.

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

People and Events 17th annual Asian Small Business Expo

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.

Admission to the expo is FREE! It will be held on Saturday, Sept.

10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Almansor Court Banquet & Confer-

ence Center, 700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801. To register, please visit: http://www. eventbrite.com/e/annual-asiansmall-business-expo-tickets23824155691.

Walk-ins are also welcome on the day of the expo. For more information, please visit www. apisbp.org. n

Virgen de los Remedios Festivities at the Los Angeles Cathedral

THOUSANDS of Marian devotees all over Los Angeles will gather at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the Diamond Jubilee of Virgen de los Remedios Canonical Coronation on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m.

The Glendale High School Band, conducted by Grammy nominee Amy Rangel, will lead

the afternoon procession participated by both Filipinos and Latinos in their traditional costumes.

This will be followed by a Solemn High Mass with the joint choirs of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, St. Columban, Couples for Christ and the award winning Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir accompa-

nied by musical artists from the Filipino American community.

Everyone is invited to come and bring their Marian images. Organizations are asked to bring their banners for the procession to begin at the Cathedral Plaza. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707. n

42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia UNITED Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) invites everyone, Bicolanos, devotees and friends to come and celebrate the 42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region.

The festivities will start on Sept. 9, with the translacion at 5pm at the Immaculate of Mary Church (4954 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029.

A nightly novena Mass follows from Sept. 9 to

Sept. 16 at 6 PM except on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 PM and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2;30 PM and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrated Mass at 10 am at Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90031.

Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Berrei (818) 281-3169 or Gene Leano (818) 439-6896. n

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

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENT is a foreign company doing business with a California company since 2012. Client is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of a certain kind of equipment, which CA Company sells and distributes in the United States. Business was good reaching low million dollar figures until CA Company was sued by a person whose relationship to the CA company is am not clear on.

But this plaintiff was able to get a judgment against the CA Company for $1.0M and proceeded to levy the bank accounts of the CA Company. The company appealed the judgment saying that the state court judgment was based on fake documents then filed a Chapter 11 case to shield itself from the judgment levy on its bank accounts so that it could continue operating. Client’s interest in the case is that client gave CA Company a credit line of $3.0M for trade financing of it’s shipments to the CA compa-

EMPLOYMENT

Community Journal

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

Client files adversary against debtor for $370K Senior files Chapter 7 to discharge $40K credit cards

ny. When CA Company filed for Chapter 11, it owed client about $400K unpaid. Client continued to do business with CA Company despite it’s being on Chapter 11 and continued shipping it merchandise. The CA Company continued paying client until the trustee forced the conversion of the Chapter 11 case to Chapter 7.

When the case was converted to Chapter 7, client was still owed $250K, and CA Company had not yet executed the transfer documents for a trademark that client had bought and paid for in the amount of $120K. So, we filed two claims against the Chapter 7 trustee. One claim was for $250K of unpaid merchandise, which we claimed was secured because there was a title retention agreement for unpaid merchandise, and a claim for ownership of the trademark, or $120K. A lot of litigation ensued between client and the Chapter 7 trustee, and the plaintiff who had a $1.0M judgment against the debtor.

The Court eventually ruled in favor of client on the issue of the trademark ruling that since client

had bought and paid for it, client owned the trademark. Trustee agreed to not challenge this, and considered it as a final disposition of that matter. So, the trustee transferred the trademark to client. However, the unpaid inventory is still at issue and the trial is next month. There are specific steps that a creditor can take to protect itself in bankruptcy. The first is to make sure that your claim is secured because secured creditors are treated differently from unsecured creditors. Secured creditors have priority over unsecured creditors in bankruptcy. If there is money left in the bankruptcy estate, secured creditors get paid in full first; then, if there is money left, unsecured creditors share equally proportionately. The legal problem that normally surfaces a secured creditor is whether or not its claim is actually secured in the legal sense of the word. For instance, a mortgage that is signed by both parties but not recorded is not a secured debt. It is an unsecured debt. But if the mortgage is recorded, the mortgage becomes

EMPLOYMENT

a secured debt. Even if there is a bankruptcy, the mortgage holder can ask permission from the Court to proceed with foreclosure on the property if the post-petition mortgage payments are not being made. So, in Chapter 13 if the post petition mortgage payment has not been made, the creditor can file a motion for relief from the automatic stay. This motion is normally heard in 30 days. If debtor does not pay the post petition default on or before the hearing date with certified funds, the Court will grant the relief motion and allow the creditor with State law foreclosure remedies.

Next client is a 62. He still works as a radiology technician and makes about $70K a year.

He is single and doesn’t own a house. He has several dependents; his sister and two nieces.

He also sends money abroad to another sister who has a large family because his brother in law does not work. In other words, client has a good heart and all his income is spent to care for his family. The choice now is there is a conflict between money that

has to be sent to his sister abroad, or to pay for minimum payments on his $40K credit cards. He sends $1,200 a month to his sister abroad, while he also needs $1,200 a month to keep his $40K credit cards current. It’s hardly a choice is it? The right choice is to continue sending $1,200 a month to his sister with the large family because they have to continue having a roof over their heads and food to eat. Some of the money sent goes to the college education of his nieces and nephews, which is also good. On the other hand, $1,200 a month to keep $40K credit cards current is a luxury that client can no longer afford. He has paid it for at least ten years, which is a grand total of $144,000. $144K is more than enough to pay off $40K of credit cards, isn’t it? But that’s not how it works. After paying $144K for ten years, clients still owes the very same $40K of credit cards!

It’s totally unfair. But who ever said that the world has to be fair?

Instead of paying for credit cards, client could have bought a house instead, here or abroad so that

SERVICES

the house can be used as a family home for his relatives. Client wants to continue working until forever. I can understand that. As long as one is healthy, one will feel the same even in the sixties, one still feels young. It’s all in the mind. I started counting backwards a long time ago. Truth be told, I don’t feel a day over 28 but that was a long time ago, yet it feels like that was only yesterday.

So this is life. We are only here temporarily and only for a short period of time. To live for eternity in paradise, we have to believe in Jesus Christ who said that “I am the way, the truth and the light; No one gets to the Father, except through me.” That’s pretty simple and clear, isn’t it? If you don’t believe that the Bible is the word of God, consider this: It was written by 11 apostle of Jesus Christ who witnessed his death and resurrection from the dead.”

Jesus said He would die for us, then He would resurrect on the third day, and that’s exactly what He did 2000 years ago as written by the 11 witnesses and their

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

Community Journal

Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative DEAR Attorney Tan, My US Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed the I-130 petition after I came to the US in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines.

Since my arrival, I have lived in the US and have been out of status. Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. Recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition? -Apparently In Limbo Dear Apparently In Limbo, When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFR Section 205.1. However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INA Section 204(L).

Under INA Section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. Surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died.

Section 204(L) relief is also available to derivative beneficiaries in I-140 employment-based petitions where the principal beneficiary has died.

Another requirement for Section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the US. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. At least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.S. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.S. when seeking Section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from Section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, Section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.S. when the relative died.

In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US Citizen mother. Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the US since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the US when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the US. A check of the USCIS visa bulletin indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to Section 204(L).

As a sidenote, Section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved. Section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian Reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFR Section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130.

Relief under Section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly. It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Client files adversary against debtor…

PAGE B4 t

account of what happened is in the Bible! I mean, it’s just totally awesome and amazing. When Jesus resurrected He walked again among the living in Jerusalem and hundreds and thousands of people saw him again walking among them, when He already died! I mean, just think about it.

It’s mind-boggling.

Client decides to get a Chapter 7 discharge, then buy a house here after two years when his credit score is about 650. He’s still paying for a new car, so as long as he pays the car loan on time, his credit score should be over 600 by the second year.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

— John:14:6h *** 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

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2016

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

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

Larger than Life

Fil-Am Artist JeFre mAnuel And his Journey to success in the Art world

by Dana M. SioSon / AJPress

A

NOTHER artist is making his way in the Philippine art industry. With his countless achievements in Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Antonio, London, and Abu Dhabi, Jefrë Manuel took the opportunity to use his skills and talent to craft awe-inspiring, larger-than-life art pieces in Manila.

Retracing his roots Being an internationally-acclaimed contemporary artist and former landscape architect, Jefrë Figueras Manuel, or more known as “Jefrë,” was born and raised in Chicago. His parents were natives of Ilocos Sur and Laguna, and this accounts for his love of the Philippines.

The love of the arts, though, runs in the family.

His mother, who was a nurse, had a creative outlet as a floral decorator. Jefrë recounted the days when he assisted her on weddings and other events. At the same time, his uncle was inclined in architecture and has created exquisite abstract murals from etched metal and paint. This has made

him more inclined in art.

Passion for art At an early age, Jefrë already showed interest in art.

“As children, we all have a sense for creative exploration and experimentation. I remember my mother telling the story of how I love to water our plants with soy sauce or how I would take things apart. But maybe, that was a way to explore objects as individual components and how they work,” he told the Asian Journal.

To further develop his skills, he participated in many art courses, competitions, and even joined drama programs during his grade school and high school days.

“I remember being excited that my cover art was chosen in a contest for the eighthgrade graduation program,” he added.

The path he chose Jefrë’s passion led him to the Art Institute of Chicago.

He wanted to pursue a profession in the arts. But then, he decided to transfer to Ohio State University. There, he took up and finished a degree in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture.

“A starving artist wasn’t really honored in a family dominated in the medical profession,” Jefrë explained. He said that his parents were concerned about him and his struggles in the future if he chose the path of an artist. Thus, he transferred and became a city planner.

For 10 years, he was able to work with various establishments and firms like Skidmore Owings and Merril. He worked for clients, was contracted in partnerships, and gave service to some of the biggest industry names such as Santiago Calatrava, BIG Architect’s, Zaha Hadid, and Philippe Starck.

Everything seemed to be working well until a life-changing incident happened to him.

Not expecting a heart at-

tack at the age of 35, Jefrë underwent triple bypass surgery.

The incident served as an eye opener and made him realize the life that he truly wanted.

Having personally experienced the play of God’s hands, he quit his job and used his more than $400,000 of his retirement funds to participate in different competitions and study morpho-ecological design at the Architecture Association in London, England.

“When I came back from London, I decided not to go back to a firm. I started my own practice (now known as StudioJEFRë) and joined competitions,” he said.

Starting anew Jefrë took the first step of his second life by joining different contests in the United States. The contests — mostly funded by the public — are usually joined by 300 to 400 people. All of them are screened based on their pre-

Photos courtesy of Jefrë Manuel

sented ideas until three finalists are chosen.

“In my first year (of competing), I was a finalist in 12 projects. You hope to win one...

I won eight in my first year. I was the fastest emerging artist to win that number of competitions in my first year,” Jefrë expressed.

The 40-year-old artist then became known for his pieces such as “The Beacon” and “The Code Wall,” which are both showcased in the heart of Lake Nona Medical City in Florida.

His projects are inspired not by a “theme or material-based studio artist” but by the culture and identity of the community locals he works for.

His name continued to rise with his thought-provoking work of art. In 2012, he was named as the “Emerging Artist of the Year.” He has won in various sculpture competitions in Washington D.C., London, San Antonio, New Orleans, Rome, and Miami.

Furthermore, Jefrë was given recognition as the “Consultant of the Year for 2016” by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He was awarded by the Marlborough Gallery in New York City as an “Up and Coming International Public Artist.” Recently, he was also nominated for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum Award 2016 for the Design Mind Category.

Jefrë Manuel today As his career continues to flourish, Jefrë decided to offer his service and “bring the idea of public art and iconic art to the Philippines.” He was commissioned by SM Group to work on “Talking Heads” at SM Ecom 5 and “Sculpture Contour Series” — a permanent art sculpture project at SM Aura.

Jefrë worked with BGC’s most iconic sculpture called “Selfie.”

“I’m an international artist from the United States but I’m a Filipino. This is my first time in my homeland in about 15 years after doing sculptures worldwide,” he confessed. “If I can do the Philippines’ ‘International Monument or Iconic Destination,’ that would be my dream.”

When asked about the kind of artwork he wants to do, Jefrë answered that he likes to make “art that inspires people; art that can one day be considered your Eiffel Tower.”

Looking forward to his future endeavors locally and nationwide, he envisions working in a profession that shapes the world and eventually become a big influence on how art can turn from mere object to public space.

“For me, there was really no ‘perfection’ in art. Art is more of a process,” Jefrë concluded.

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla:

Teen King and Queen no more

by Tessa

Mauricioa-arriola

ManilaTimes.net

After establishing themselves as Philippine showbiz’ teen King and Queen with hit teleseryes (“Got to Believe”, “Pangako Sa Iyo”) and two blockbuster movies (“She’s Dating the Gangster,” “Crazy Beautiful You”) over the last five years, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s much anticipated return to the big screen aims to show their audience a pair of actors who have matured both in their craft and source of emotions. they credit their personal challenges and revered film director Olivia Lamasan (“Madrasta,” “In My Life,” “the Mistress”) for pulling them out of their highly successful teen star molds and take on Star Cinema’s latest drama “Barcelona: A Love Untold,” which opens in theaters nationwide on September 14.

“We were all out in our acting for this movie,” declared Bernardo. “We don’t know how she does it—how she gets the kind of emotion she wants from us be it in a simple or heavy scene. that’s why I really feel she really is Inang [her actor’s term of endearment for Lamasan, which means mother], because the kind of guidance she gave us in this film is incomparable. from how we deliver our lines, how to cry in a particular scene, to how we have

caole Philstar.com

calderon ManilaTimes.net

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are all grown up.

to look in the movie,” added the actress who had to dye and curl her hair in the fashion of Barcelonans for the film.

“Pigang-piga kami dito ni (she really squeezed us dry) Inang,” Padilla jested.

Barcelona follows the story of ely (Padilla)—a young man unable to get over a past love— and Mia (Bernardo), a young woman who moved to Spain to rebuild her life and escape a painful past in the Philippines. their lives collide in the Catalonian city of Barcelona where they fall in love, while secrets of their past resurface, putting their relationship to the test.

“DJ [Padilla’s nickname] and I sort of had to start over for Barcelona. It was as if nothing we learned [in acting]before was enough for what we had to do in this movie. We had to take a

crash course to fit into Inang’s expectations from her actors, and the experience both humbled us and hopefully made us better when you see the film.”

Another source of KathNiel’s “levelled up” acting as their generation of millennials say today is their relationship as a real life couple. finally admitting they are exclusive, Padilla, 21 and Bernardo, 20, were happy to share with their fans the news they had long been waiting for during promotions for Barcelona.

“You can say this is our gift to them,” said Padilla, whose hand protectively covered Bernardo’s throughout the interview. “Let’s put it this way—what they will see on screen, how we look at each other in the scenes, it’s all part of what we are today.”

Vila

JANINe tugonon pushed her career far enough to be noticed by one of the most famous lingerie brands in the world, Victoria’s Secret.

Last week, Victoria’s Secret Pink lingerie line released a new ad which included the former beauty queen playing the role of a college student.

Janine, who is now based in the US and is working under MSA Models, shared the video on her social media page.

Last year, Janine was

JC Santos stars in a different kind of love triangle by ricky

Janine Tugonon continues to make a name for herself by alixandra

entertainment

The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 7, 2016

Janine Tugonon (second from left) is the first Filipino to be featured in a Victoria’s Secret ad.

featured on Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam. She has also previously walked on the runways of Los Angeles and New York fashion Week.

Janine represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant in 2012, but she fell short of winning the title, placing first runner-up.

JC Santos is backed with impressive credentials as he plays third wheel to the day’s most popular love team in James reid and Nadine Lustre, best known by their moniker JaDine.

JC plays Ali, Iris’ (Lustre) best friend, who as the first week of the highly anticipated ABS-CBN teleserye “till I Met You” will figure in a different kind of love triangle with the popular pair.

JC started his career as a theater actor in UP Diliman where he studied theater Arts.

He then worked as a singerdancer in Hong Kong Disneyland, after which he joined the talents of Universal Studios Singapore.

According to JC, he returned to the Philippines because he wants to carve a career both as tV and mainstream movie actor.

One distinct role he has since played which remains in our mind was as cadet commander in Aureous Solito’s “esprit de Corps,” an entry in the Cinema One Originals festival in 2014. for his work in that film, JC earned an Urian Best Actor nomination.

He was also cast in the Cinemalaya finalist, the Janitor; and the Cine filipino entry “Sakaling Hindi Makarating.” for tV, he was part of the online series “forever Sucks” starring Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and likewise appeared in the tV series “flordeliza” and “tubig At Langis.”

JC said he usually gets the role of antagonist and is not a newbie to auditions, whether in movies or tV. He auditioned for the part of Ali in “till I Met You,” and when asked to return for the second day of auditions was ready to play the role of James’s adversary. But to his surprise, he realized he was

reading to play one of the leads of the show in the Antonette Jadaone series.

Admitting he cannot be happier over this biggest break in his career, JC is looking forward to more challenges in portraying Ali. Based on the first week and trailers of the show, there are hints that JC’s character is gay and in love with James’ Basti rather than Nadie’s Ali. JC told Manilatimes.et that he doesn’t mind portraying a gay character being typecast as such. He’s fine with it as long as the role is a good one.

JC Santos leads the cast of “Till I Met You” with Nadine Lustre and James Reid.

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features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 7, 2016

On Saturday, Sept. 10, FilAm Arts (FAA) will be hosting ‘Arts & Craft’ – a food and beer event that will bring the Los Angeles Filipino community together, and highlight local Pinoy talents in the culinary arts arena.

According to FAA officials, the event is also a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC).

FPAC is the annual arts and culture festival for all things Filipino in Los Angeles, and is the longest-running cultural festival in LA. Supporters of the movement have dubbed it the ‘Official Filipino Party of Los Angeles.’

“In celebration of our 25th anniversary, ‘Arts & Craft’ will showcase the last 25 years of FPAC,” said FAA Board of Directors Co-Chair Jennifer Santos in a statement. The event will be held at the Pico House in El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Monument. Doors open at 5pm, with a cover charge of $40 which gies cooked with coconut milk), gives patrons access to all food or lumpia sariwa (fresh spring and beverage vendors. (Cash rolls). tips are welcome at the bar.)

Clemente says staff at Music is provided by Gingee.

Tacolipino will re-invent menu “What better way to celitems to accommodate dietary ebrate than through food and constraints. He recalls serving drinks. Which is why we’re partan adapted version of lumpia nering with both well-known and sariwa that was a big hit with up and coming chefs to show the restaurant’s very first vegan their craft,” Santos added. customers.

‘Arts & Craft’ features three He also recommends their chefs offering their own unique offerings from the north West food creations, as well as other Coast of the Philippines like beverage partners who will the Ilocos empanadas or dinak- contribute to the event. The dakan. three chefs represent three “Be open minded,” says iconic Filipino restaurateurs in Clemente, who hopes people will explore what his restaurant has to offer.

Tacolipino shines a new

by Boy ABundA light on some of your favorite Philstar.com flavors at 22005 S Main St., Carson, CA 90745. They serve ALTHOuGH she lost her breakfast all day, and their din- voice and she had a fever, she ing room is open from 11am succeeded in wowing the audito 9 pm, Monday through Frience. day, and 7 am till 9pm on the When singer Morissette weekends. For pick-up orders took a bow at the end of her and catering dial (310)-803eponymous Music Muse9989. um show last Aug. 13, she did Online ordering for pickup so to a thunderous applause coming soon. (AJPress) from the sold-out crowd.

(Advertising Supplement) Morissette’s renditions of

Experience a unique take on Filipino food at Tacolipino DInERS looking for a unique twist on the flavors of the Philippines can satisfy their craving for something both familiar and fun at Tacolipino, a Filipino-Mexican fusion restaurant in Carson, California. This cozy eatery with a come-as-you are atmosphere serves reimagined favorites, as well as finely executed classic dishes in healthy portions, all prepared according to each patron’s tastes and specific requests.

Richly textured sisig tacos and burritos are Tacolipino’s most popular dishes.Tender shredded pork with crispy skin is sauteed in onion, garlic, and bell peppers, as well as jalapeno for a customizable splash of heat. It comes served with a vinegary sauce that adds a bright layer of acidity to the savory and moist white meat.

Other choices for burrito meats include adobo, carne asada, and bistek. Tacos can be topped with the same options, as well as fish, pork al pastor or shrimp. Customers can order a combination of any three varieties for $6 a la carte, or $8.99 served with pico de gallo, pinto or black beans, red or green salsa, and their choice of mexican rice or garlic fried rice.

Crispy bagnet with house coconut & red chile sauce is another standout white meat dish that fans of fusion cuisine shouldn’t miss. For $11.99, cooks deep fry pork bellies before cutting them into cubes, which gives the meat a satisfyingly crunchy exterior, while leaving it soft and juicy in the middle. A sweet, creamy, and

mildly spicy coconut and red chile sauce is poured over deep fried decadence. A liberal dose of pico de gallo and mango on top of it all completes the colorful and intricately flavorful dish.

Tacolipino is one of only a handful of sit-down restaurants in southern California offering a hybrid of Filipino and Mexican cuisine, according to Restaurant Manager Arnel Clemente. He says the blend works because their recipes are inspired by an indirect history of exchange between the two cultures via colonial Spain.

Tacolipino also serves a rendition of kare kare that would give any lola’s recipe a run for its money. For $14.99 Oxtail and Tripe are cooked to falloff-the-bone tenderness along with bok-choy and green beans in a filling peanut, onion and garlic stew. The dish is topped by eggplants that are pan seared separately to keep them from taking on a rubbery texture.

Vegetarians can find a variety of enticing options like chop suey, ginataan gulay (veg-

‘Arts & Craft’ – a food and beer event that brings the Filipino community together LA – Stoked BBQ, The Park’s Finest BBQ (of Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives fame), and the widely popular Salo Series.

Aside from the gastronomic offerings, an intimate art exhibit will also showcase the last 25 years of FPAC. FAA Interim Executive Director Tina Salonga-Bulchand said that FPAC artworks and posters from years past will headline the art exhibit, underscoring the rich history of the festival. And because the ‘Arts & Craft’ is a kickoff event for FPAC, one of the key moments of the night will include the unveiling of the poster for FPAC 25.

The Asian Journal, the leading Filipino newspaper in America, has signed on to be the official media partner of ‘Arts & Craft’ and FPAC. Salonga-Bulchand said that the partnership with Asian Journal will enable FAA to reach a wider audience and will help in spreading the word about the upcoming occasions.

Team Food vs. Team Beer For most people food and beer are just two things that are consumed to replenish lost energy. Food provides nourishment for the body, while beer – some may argue – provides nourishment for the soul. To quote the Bible: “Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:6-7) However, for people like

Santos, food and beer are more than just things that hungry humans gobble up and gulp down.

They’re an art form.

Santos, in particular, believes that brewing beer is a craft like no other.

“I’ve been a huge fan of craft beer and it has become very popular here in LA. It’s its own form of art, since there are so many different flavor variations you can make from brewing beer!” Santos says.

Meanwhile, food, through the numerous delicacies across different cultures, has the power to bring together people from all walks of life.

Food and beer. On their own, they’re equally important elements of a healthy diet. But whether you’re on Team Food or Team Beer, we can all agree that together, they’re pretty amazing.

Which is why ‘Arts & Craft’ is the food and beer event that we didn’t know we needed.

Get your tickets now!

Available exclusively through Eventbrite https://www. eventbrite.com/e/arts-craft-afood-and-beer-event-tickets27360749739.

FPAC25 -- the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture and the City of Los Angeles’ Official Filipino Event -- is a program of, and is produced

by FilAm ARTS (Association for the Advancement of Philippine Arts and Culture), a multi-award winning 501c3 non-profit community organization based in Los Angeles, California. (Mico Letargo)

Morissette Amon: the next big diva hits by Adele, Jessie J, Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey — as well as her own chart-toppers “Akin Ka na Lang” and “Di Mapaliwanag” — left quite an impression on those in attendance. In fact, they were already screaming for an encore before she had even finished singing.

The singer billed as the next Big Diva was in a very good voice that night despite the fact that she had just came down

with laryngitis a few days before.

“I lost my voice and I had very high fever,” she explains.

“What went through my mind when I got sick was, ‘naku, kaya ko ba talaga?’ But then I remember the time I interpreted for Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs songwriting contest, when I sang Sir Jungee Marcelo’s “Diamante.” I also got sick but I was able to pull Continued on Page 5

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

What gives cancer its awful power? No one can explain why a malignant tumor strikes one and spares another. anyone whose been to Cancerland is familiar with the scan. they’re like revolving doors, emotional roulette wheels that spin us around for a few days and spit us out on the other side. they come in all shapes, sizes, even flavors. Some required me to drink disgustingly bittersweet liquids, or those that shot a Chernobyl — like a dose of radioactive isotopes into my blood stream — scans that inserted me into a giant doughnut of a machine, and scans that used a machine that looks like a huge daddy long legs and ran a coffin size metal plate over my body. as my cancer scan approached, one becomes increasingly wary, my breathing gets tighter. It is among the most tense moments I have, though there is nothing I can do at each juncture, to affect any outcome. that makes me think it is the only area in modern life and medicine in which progress is not embraced, we measure success in sameness. there was a time when doctors and patients would have given anything to be able

to look inside the human body, but now scans have given us an ailment for the fear we might find. When we do, there’s one thing true about cancer — it’s the unpredictability about whats coming next. that’s why when the oncologist asks me how I was feeling, I’d reply, “you tell me!”

But I believe (and always have) in the benevolence of my doctors’ intentions and skills. together, we fought with knife and laser, radiation and chemical weapons as we run reconnaissance with scans and tests, targeting and cutting the tumor, poisoning them with toxic drugs , hunting down every wayward cell that sneaks away from the original lesion to seed more growth elsewhere. all these perceived as the most aggressive carpet bombing in order to engage an ailment as insidious as cancer. a healthy cell picks up signal to grow and grow, until it becomes a biological enemy, as it infiltrates, overtakes and ultimately shuts down normal tissues and organs. according to researchers, the big C is not one disease, but hundreds, potentially thousands.

Not all cancer are caused by a single agent, virus or bacterium that can be flushed or crushed, but a potentially lethal combination of genes gone awry, of growth inhibitors gone missing, or hormones and epigenoms changing and rouge cells break-

ing free. the cellular saboteurs working as one great armed force in an attack by the equivalent of air, land and sea stealth. the thief and biological con artist, breaking into and taking control of the mechanism of a cell and coaxing it to grow and divide in dangerous ways through its teasing and signaling pathway, and by resisting treatment.

Yet for all the progress against some types of cancer, there are others that have never been but bad news. We’re going to take it out with what? according to the Cancer National Institute this year, an estimated 580,350 people will die of this disease. Last year, another 1.7 million cases were diagnosed and these figures grow as the population ages. One can not know why this rare horrible thing happens.

Our hopes are in the traditional researchers sitting alone or with a couple of oncologists, post docs, in a laboratory somewhere, waiting for that eureka moment.

When I defected to hollywood, I thought of all the movies you can make this way. It’s a new script for an old plot—but there’s still a lot to be written as researchers learn more about the mutations driving most cancers.

Since I only live one day at a time, all I need now is the hollywood ending.

FILIpINa model Kat Gumabao just made a huge statement about empowering women of all sizes. the 28-year-old model/ makeup artist recently walked at the Melbourne Fashion Week plus, the australian city’s firstever plus-size fashion show for women with sizes ranging from 14 to 26. according to reports, Kat stumbled upon the casting call for the fashion show on Instagram. Fortunately, she was allowed to audition despite not being from australia.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 7, 2016

Morissette Amon: the next big...

From Page 4

Morissette Amon

through in the end.”

Morissette leaned not just on her family and friends during that time, but she also talked to God and asked him for help. She asked for God’s help again in the days leading up to her Music Museum show.

God heard her prayers and healed her in the nick of time. “thank God, the Lord was with me, and it just made me believe in him more, kaya sinabi ko sa sarili ko na, ‘hinding-hindi ako susuko. Kaya ko ‘to.’ and then I went to rehearsals at yun, with the whole team, we managed to pull it through, kaya naging panatag na yung loob *** ko before the concert. I made E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.com it,” she says.

Morissette’s battle with laryngitis didn’t keep her from powering through the music set list she and her team put together, especially for that night. She proved her versatility by tackling a variety of genres, Kat shared her incredible runway experience on Instagram from Broadway to gospel to pop and R&B. a clear standby sharing series of photos. out, however, was her perIn an interview with aBSformance of I’m here, a song CBN, Kat emphasized how the philippines would be welcoming from the musical the Color purple. She poured a lot of emoplus-size women in the runway. tions into every note, leaving “We are not as bold, not some members of the audience as diverse and not as open as in tears by the time she finished. to how Melbourne, UK and US Morissette says she are… they have women sizes can’t believe she sold out the 16 to 22 on covers of their Music Museum, which is one magazines. I don’t know when of the philippines’ most iconic the philippines will start being venues. “Simpleng tao lang kaopen to that kind of change. I si ako na nangangarap,” she exhope soon,” she said. (Philstar. plains. “Galing ako ng Cebu and com)

Filipina plus-size model walks the runway at Australia’s fashion show

Katrina Gumabao poses for a photo suring the first ever Melbourne Fashion Week Plus.

features

The emperor of maladies

I never thought I’d actually move to Manila to make my dreams come true. Kasi kung hindi OK sa family ko na gawin ko yun, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. I don’t have the strength to do something that big if I were all alone, so swerte talaga ako that my family

has been supporting me every step of the way.”

Morissette says she’s looking forward to more big moments in her career.

“I’m excited for whatever opportunities that will come my way because I plan to make the most of them.”

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