070117 - La Weekend Edition

July 1-4, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 53 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Duterte on his first year of presidency: It’s been a ‘roller coaster’ ride

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

FOR Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, his first year in the office thus far has been filled with unpredictable highs and lows.

It’s been 12 months since the tough-talking former Davao mayor was sworn in as the 16th president of the country, becoming the first Mindanaoan and the oldest — at 72years old — to take the highest political position after winning the May 2016 election by an overwhelming margin.

While Duterte refused to make any personal assessment on his own performance, he likened the first year of his journey as the Philippines’ chief executive to a “roller coaster” ride.

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

City of LA announces new resource for low-wage workers

The LA Worker Center Network to advocate for workers’ rights, protect wage theft victims

WITH its rich community of immigrant and low-wage workers, the city of Los Angeles boasts itself on being an advocate for workers rights.

To affirm that role, this month the city announced the establishment of a new alliance of workers rights organizations called the LA Worker Center Network, which strives to provide necessary resources to low-wage workers.

The network has a specific role in combating wage theft and enforcing workers’ rights laws, including the county-wide minimum

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Pew survey: Most Filipinos trust Trump in world affairs

Fil-Ams react to survey results

WHILE there is not a lot of support from other countries for United States President Donald Trump, more than half of Filipinos, however, expressed confidence that the American leader would make the correct decisions concerning global affairs.

A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 37 countries showed that the Philippines is Trump’s greatest supporter.

Results show that 69 percent (roughly 7 in 10) of Filipinos in the Philippines are “confident” that Trump would do the right thing when it comes to world affairs.

Trump also received high confidence ratings in other countries including Vietnam at 58 percent, Nigeria at 58 percent, Israel at 56 percent, and Russia at 53 percent.

In contrast, 23 percent of Filipinos showed distrust towards the U.S. president. Trump also received the lowest scores in Mexico and Spain, with trust ratings of only 5 per-

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“It’s a roller coaster actually. While you are there, it’s a roller coaster,” Duterte told reporters.

Duterte, who marked his first year in office on Friday, June 30, said he would only assess his leadership at the end of his sixyear term.

“I do not make any assessment. I only make [an] assessment after my term,” he added. “So, it should be at the end of the ride — If I get to live, then I’ll tell you. If I don’t exist anymore by that time, you make your own assessment. Just be fair.”

Since assuming the presidency, Duterte’s unorthodox style of governance, policies, and fiery speeches made a combination of surprise, applause, and anger from different

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President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday, June 29, that he expects the conflict in Marawi City to end soon as government security forces continue to gain ground against the Maute terrorist group. “We are winning the war. Do not worry,” he said in his speech during his visit to Camp Quintin M. Merecido in Davao City.

Malacañang photo by Karl Alonzo

Malacañang launches #Change365 Duterte on VP Robredo: to mark president’s first year in office ‘She’s the constitutional

successor to presidency’

A MONTH before Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Malacañang on Wednesday, June 28, unveiled #Change365 campaign to mark the Filipino leader’s accomplishments during his first year in the office.

According to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, #Change365 is a “plain narrative of accomplishments” of the Duterte administration in its first year of leadership.

“We want to know if they accomplished the promised outputs based on the first SONA of

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

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PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, June 27, stressed that Vice President Leni Robredo is the only legitimate successor to his post in case his term ends prematurely, as provided by the Constitution.

Speaking before the 120th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), Duterte said that the Philippines is facing another problem as there are “two claimants to the presidency.”

Philstar.com photo While pointing out that Robredo is his lawful successor, Duterte added that there is another “pretender to the throne.”

“Kaya sasabihin ko sa inyo na per dollar from 50.50 against may problema rin tayong isa (I the U.S. dollar last Wednes- tell you we have another probday, June 28. lem) because there is a pretend“Basically if there is some er to the throne, assuming that I downgrading of the U.S. die within maybe tomorrow, next economic prospects, that’s year, or next month,” Duterte a negative to emerging said in his speech. markets because the U.S. He then cited habitual nuicontinues to be an impor- sance bet and suspended lawtant trading partner,” Diwa yer, Elly Pamatong, who earlier u PAGE A2 proclaimed himself as the new

Peso falls to 10-year low, stocks fall anew THE peso hit a 10-year low, while the stock market bled again on Thursday, June 29. This was after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) withdrew their positive outlook to the U.S. economy, despite the increased demand for the dollar before second quarter ends.

The Philippine Stock Ex-

change closed at 7,788.06, slipping below the 7,800 mark, with an index lost of 69.12 points or 0.88 percent.

The peso is now trading at the bottom level since 2006 due to a “gloomy prospect” on the country’s current account. The local currency lost three centavos at 50.53

Vice Pres. Leni Robredo

Philstar.com photo

president of the Philippines amid Duterte’s recent long hiatus from the public eye.

“There are two claimants to the presidency. Ang isa, nagorganize na at he (One of them) has claimed that he has deposed me, presidential candidate… si Pamatong,” Duterte said.

In a viral video posted June 17, Pamatong announced that he

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Zuellig family, Medved-Po among Forbes’ 2017 philanthropy heroes

by IRIS

GONZALES Philstar.com

Daniel Zuellig, David Zuellig and Nanette Medved-Po

Philstar.com photos

COUSINS David and Daniel Zuellig of the Zuellig Family Foundation as well as Nanette Medved-Po, founder of Generation Hope and Friends of Hope, have made it to the Forbes 2017 Heroes of Philanthropy list in the Asia-Pacific.

Since 2008, Forbes has been drawing up the list of philanthropists who have made the news with their donations and recognizing those with a long record of supporting worthy

causes. Its honorees include billionaires, business people and celebrities who are making a mark with their generosity.

Forbes listed 40 philanthropists from 14 countries this year.

In the Philippines, it recognized the Zuellig Family Foundation because of its improved health care services in poor rural areas, significantly reducing mortality rates for infants and mothers.

“The family’s Zuellig Group

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A JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Duterte on his first year of...

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individuals and groups locally and even abroad.

Perhaps among Duterte’s most controversial policies is his anti-narcotics campaign — the so-called “war against illegal drugs” — that has been heavily criticized by human rights

groups over the supposed statesanctioned deaths, which in turn, was repeatedly refuted by his administration.

The president has also begun seeking an improved and closer relationships with the Philippines’ non-traditional partners, such as China and Russia, under

his independent foreign policy.

In turn, he has brought home billions-worth of investments into the country.

However, at the same time, the firebrand Duterte constantly lambasted other nations in his explicit speeches, particularly the Philippines’ decades-long ally, the United States, as well as the European Union (EU), for criticizing his drug war and supposedly intervening in the Philippines’ affairs.

Robredo: Mix of achievements, shortcomings While Vice President Leni Robredo also declined to person- TRIBUTE TO SM FOUNDER. Two hundred fifty-six SM Scholar-Graduates pay tribute to Mr. & Mrs.Henry Sy Sr. during the 21st Presentation of SM ally rate Duterte’s performance, Scholar -Graduates Batch 2017 held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, June 28.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan she said that the administration, including her office, both had achievements and shortcomings.

Robredo, who likewise kamali kayo ng kampo ha. Dito dinner. marked her first year as the PAGE A1 t Robredo said the dinner has country’s second top leader, said “assumed full-fledged powers of tayo sa Constitution (Leni is it would be “unfair” to Duterte if the presidency,” saying that the here. You might join the wrong yet to happen, citing Duterte’s presidential post has been va- camp. Let us side with the Con- successive foreign trips and the she was the one to grade him.

“For me, there were many cant. The video description also stitution). There is a successor conflict in Marawi.

The country’s two top officials positive things and there were read that Pamatong received “re- there,” Duterte said.

For her part, Robredo affirmed have notable clashing stances many shortcomings as well, liable information that Duterte is that she and Duterte are main- over some political policies though we can work on those either dead or dying.”

Earlier this month, Duterte did taining a good working relation- — among which includes Robreshortcomings together,” the not make any public appearanc- ship despite being unable to talk do’s dissent over Duterte’s war vice president said. against illegal drugs.

Asked to further elaborate es from June 12 to 16. This was for almost three months.

In a radio interview, Robredo In December last year, Robrewhat she meant by the govern- followed by another prolonged ment’s shortcomings, Robredo absence from June 21 to 26. The said the last time she had a con- do also retired from her cabinet told reporters that the country is turn of events led to speculations versation with Duterte was dur- post as the chair of the Housing that Duterte is suffering from ing the graduation ceremony of and Urban Development Coorstill facing various problems.

“The government always has grave illness, which Malacañang the Philippine Military Academy dinating Council after Duterte (PMA) class of 2017 earlier in barred her from attending cabimany weaknesses. With the repeatedly denied.

“Nandiyan si Leni. Baka mag- March, when he invited her for net meetings. n great needs of our people, no matter how hard-working you are, no matter how many you have helped, it would still not be enough,” she explained.

“The peso is weak and it looks Megaworld, Meralco, DMCI Senate on Duterte’s perfor- PAGE A1 t Guinigundo, Bangko Sentral like some investors are closing and SM Prime all declined by over mance If he could grade Duterte’s Deputy Governor told reporters their positions for the second 1 percent while Ayala Corp., BPI, performance in his first 12 at the sidelines of an event in Pa- quarter,” said veteran stock bro- BDO , Security Bank, Metro Paker Joseph Roxas, president of cific and Semirara, also tumbled. months in the office, Senate say City.

Outside the PSEi, another de“[The U.S. continues to be a Eagle Equities Inc. told the InPresident Aquilino “Koko” Picliner was Pilipinas Shell, who mentel II said he would give him major] source of investments quirer.

Losers outnumbered gainers lost 2.17 percent of its market — whether portfolio or foreign dia nearly perfect score.

Market losers swell at 135, value.

In a chance interview earlier rect. So that could be a negative,” outnumbering the 78 gainers, On the other hand, SM Investthis week with reporters, Pimen- Guinigundo added.

The IMF revised its 2017 GDP while the other 40 remained ments, URC, Metrobank and JG tel said Duterte deserves a score of 8.5 to nine out of 10 for keep- growth forecast for the US. From unchanged. The heavier index, Summit are the day’s biggest ing his campaign promise of the previous 2.3 percent, it de- which represent all shares, also prevailers.

SSI also continued to rebound, creased to 2.1 percent accord- declined 34 points, or 0.7 per“change.”

Citing Duterte’s independent ingly, due to the administration cent marking at 4,662.65, on a gaining 0.97 percent for the day due to the “investors anticiforeign policy, the Senate presi- of President Donald Trump’s “in- value turnover of P7.8 billion.

PLDT tumbled by 3.59 percent, pated a recovery” after the retaildent explained, “Sa foreign re- ability to implement its economic prompting the investors to sell er company implemented their lations na lang, kitang-kita na policies.”

Meanwhile, stocks experts re- down their shares, while Ayala rationalization program. (With ngayon na (In terms of foreign relations, we can clearly see veal the downturn of investors as Land and ICTSI both fell by more reports from Jennifer Soriano/AJthan 2 percent.

Press) u PAGE A5 the peso weakens.

Duterte on VP Robredo: ‘She’s the...

Peso falls to 10-year low, stocks...

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 1-4, 2017

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Zuellig family, Medved-Po among Forbes...

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– a low-profile but powerhouse pharmaceutical company in Asia – has contributed an average of $2.3 million annually over the last five years to the foundation,” Forbes said.

With only 83 staff members, the Zuellig Family Foundation trains rural governors, mayors and their staff on leadership and good governance.

Forbes said the foundation only served nine municipalities when it started in 2009, but has since grown the program that it now caters to 640 municipalities or 42 percent of the country’s total number of towns.

“The program is also implemented through partnerships with the Philippine health department, the UN and the US government,” it added.

In recognizing Medved-Po, Forbes said the former actress and model started Generation Hope, which donates all profits made from the sale of “Hope in a Bottle” bottled water to the Friends of Hope, a nonprofit organization that builds classrooms around the country.

“She began the venture in 2012, has spent nearly $900,000 and has sold almost 9 million bottles, built 37 classrooms and improved the learning environment for more than 7,000 students,” Forbes pointed out.

Medved-Po explained why she focused on building classrooms. “I believe investments in education carry the greatest ripple effect to narrow the wealth gap over time and my building a classroom was tangible and easy enough for everyone to understand.”

To make it to the list, Forbes said it only looks for “true philanthropists, people who are giving their own money, not their company’s (unless they own most of the company), because we don’t consider donating shareholder funds as charity.”

“And we also don’t list people who work in philanthropy solely as foundation heads, volunteers or fundraisers. We want to focus on the people supplying the financing and sketching the broad vision. If our effort in compiling this roster encourages more people to support worthy causes, then we’ll consider it a good deed,” it also said.

Forbes also listed former Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming for equipping and training students in sports, especially in schools that are in the remotest regions of China; and Charles Chen, co-founder of Tencent, who committed $320 million to improving education last year. The money will fund the Yidan Prize to be awarded

each year to support the most transformational ideas in education.

From Australia, it listed iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest, founder & chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, which donated more than $300 million in May to various causes, including cancer research, education and greater opportunities for indigenous people.

Indonesia’s Tahir, founder and chairman of Mayapada Group, also made it to the list for contributing $2.2 million to Syrian refugee families in Jordan, providing them with a monthly allowance and solar panels for their schools. Tahir also donated $1 million last year for the winter coats of 10,000 refugees and $2 million to a UN campaign to provide temporary shelters for two million refugees.

For the first time, philanthropists from Myanmar and Vietnam also made it to the list.

Forbes recognized Ken Tun, founder and CEO of Parami Energy Group, who donated more than $1 million for rural development, reforestation and education in Myanmar over the past few years. He also founded the PyninYawDaya (Ray of Education) Foundation this year to develop social enterprises to support monastery schools and its graduates. ■

Duterte on his first year of...

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that) the world believes that we have an independent foreign policy. Hindi po tayo dinidiktahan ng kahit anong bansa (We are not being dictated upon by any nation).”

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said he would also give Duterte a high score of eight out of 10.

“Will rate him an 8. The former government completely disregarded the problem of illegal drugs. Now we are holding the bull by the horns,” Sotto told Rappler.

In contrast, for minority senators, Duterte’s first year in office was far from a success.

For Senator Leila de Lima, Duterte’s first year of leadership “has been a year of lies, flawed policies, and reckless violence.”

“What has been the President’s go-to solution? More lies

just to hide the lies, the incompetence, and the bloodbath he has started. I am the red flag that he waves at the Filipino people to distract them from his broken promises and their sufferings under his rule,” the detained senator said.

De Lima, one of Duterte’s fiercest critics, is currently in detention on drug-related charges.

“One year. I can weep about my 127 days in detention, but my personal sufferings are nothing compared to what our people have suffered in one year of broken promises and misrule,” she added.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said it has been a year of “misogyny.”

While Duterte affirmed that he has high respect for women, some of his previous “jokes” and behavior that has been

deemed sexist and offensive for women’s groups, like catcalling a news reporter during a media briefing, was subject to criticism.

“The first year of the Duterte government is a dangerous year to be a woman. It is marked by a colossal human rights crisis. It is the year of misogyny and extrajudicial killings It is a year of national grieving,” Hontiveros said.

Citing the alleged extrajudicial killings in the drug war, Hontiveros said she would give Duterte a grade of “eight to 12,000.”

“Even as the government downplays this colossal human rights crisis and in some cases, even denies the very existence of these killings, we need to remember. We must never forget or dismiss this sanctioned and deliberate crime against the people,” she added. ■

MORAL SUPPORT. “Huwag po kayo mawalan ng pag-asa, babangon muli ang Marawi.” This was stressed by Senator Sonny Angara as he talked to the men and women evacuees in Iligan who were forced to leave their homes in the war-torn Marawi City. Angara, who is the chairman of the Senate committee on local government and a vice chair of the Senate finance committee, assured the people he will do his best to help in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the city. The senator, who met with Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra during his visit, distributed several relief goods to the provincial gov’t as well as to various evacuation centers in Iligan City.

Senate photo

Pew survey: Most Filipinos trust Trump in...

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cent and 7 percent respectively.

Overall, Trump received a median trust rate of 22 percent, which “stands in contrast to the final years of Barack Obama’s presidency, when a median of 64 percent expressed confidence in Trump’s predecessor to direct America’s role in the world.”

Trump’s global rating is also the lowest compared to the three other major powers in the survey: German Chancellor Angela Merkel at 42 percent confidence rate, Chinese President Xi Jinping at 28 percent, and Russian President Vladimir Putin at 27 percent.

Likewise, Pew Research Center said that Trump’s ratings are “at some of the lowest levels” it measured “over the past decade and a half.”

It explained that confidence in Trump is “influenced by reactions to both his policies and his character.”

“With regard to the former, some of his signature policy initiatives are widely opposed around the globe,” it said. “His plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, for example, is opposed by a median of 76 percent across the 37 countries surveyed.”

“Trump’s character is also a factor in how he is viewed abroad. In the eyes of most people surveyed around the world, the White House’s new occupant is arrogant, intolerant and even dangerous,” it added.

Results show that 75 percent of the respondents viewed Trump as arrogant, 65 percent as intolerant, and 62 percent as dangerous. Positively, 55 percent viewed him as a strong leader.

The survey also revealed that slightly more than half of the Filipino respondents have confidence in the Russian and Chinese leaders.

According to the survey, 54 percent of Filipinos trust Putin in world affairs while 53 percent trust Xi. The study surveyed around 40,000 people in 37 countries from February 16 to May 8.

Pew Research Center is “a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.”

Fil-Ams react to survey Perhaps because of the proximity to U.S. affairs, Filipinos in the U.S. tend to have a more negative view of the president.

Like all Asian American voter groups, Filipino Americans generally tend to lean more liberal.

Jeannie Tabay, an English major at the University of California, Los Angeles, expressed “shame” upon learning about the survey’s findings, saying that Trump’s policies and agenda “directly misaligns” with Filipino values.

She also acknowledged Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte -- who has spoken highly of Trump -- and how both leaders are alike in their candor, which

may attest to Filipinos’ confidence in Trump, according to Tabay.

“It’s shocking, but also weirdly not shocking to find that Filipinos look up to Trump,” Tabay, 25, told the Asian Journal on Wednesday, June 28. “It’s shocking because growing up, I always thought Filipinos valued decency, goodwill and, for the most part, equality, and these are things that we haven’t seen valued by our president. But it’s also not shocking because the Philippines also has a rather uncouth leader who spouts vitriol for the sake of being not politically correct, and a lot of them seem to like him for that.”

Ron Chan, also a student at UCLA, mirrored Yepez’s sentiments and mentioned his parents, who are immigrants from the Philippines as well as fervent Trump supporters. He made the argument that Filipinos’ devout Christianity plays into their political leanings and opinions.

“Coming from a mostly Trump-supporting household it’s not surprising to me at all,” lamented Chan, who “isn’t too happy” with the Trump presidency. “My parents compare him to Duterte, and do so with joy. I think they appreciate someone who doesn’t beat around the bush, but I don’t think it’s very presidential. A strong president can be firm in his beliefs but also has the power to be civilized in his speech.”

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Dateline USa

A JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

MalacaĂąang launches #Change365...

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the President last year,� Andanar said in a forum in Manila. “We want to check and we want to present their current projects and future projects vis-a-vis the Build, Build, Build program of the president,� he added.

The contents, he noted, would be released through the different government-run media outlets such as the PTV-4 television channel, dzRB radio station, the PCOO website, and Radio-TV MalacaĂąang, among others.

#Change365 will also be posted on the Philippine News Agency (PNA) website.

The PCOO secretary said that “before [the Duterte administration] came in, the PNA website, which started in 1993, has no social media.� “Form a mere 3,000 followers during the past administration, now we have 1.3 million viewers,� he emphasized.

Andanar, a former radio broadcaster, also vowed that all the government-run news agencies would

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remain free from “fake news.� #Change365, likewise, was formed to prevent false facts from spreading in social medias and other websites by issuing correct information, he added.

Asked about the difference between #Change365 and the SONA, Andanar explained that the former will only highlight the Duterte administration’s accomplishments.

The SONA, on the other hand, will encompass both the accomplishments and future projects of the president. “#Change365 is (a) plain narrative of accomplishments of the administration while (the) SONA is still being crafted because we are still collecting data from government agencies,� Andanar further said.

Duterte, who assumed presidency in June last year, is scheduled to deliver his second SONA this July.

Citing an example, Andanar said among the contents of the #Change365 would include that achievements of Duterte’s controversial war against illegal drugs.

The campaign, he said, resulted in the surrender of millions of users, the confiscation of billions of pesos worth of drugs, and the discovery of drug laboratories.

Andanar also mentioned the at least $35 billion worth of investments from Japan, Middle East, China, and other countries; as well as the peace negotiations with Moro and communist rebels headed by Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. He also cited the Freedom of Information (FOI) executive order which mandates full public disclosure of government dealings. n

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As Marawi siege rages, US troops train Filipinos in urban warfare

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

AS Filipino security forces struggle to liberate a small pocket of Marawi City from the hands of Islamist militants, the Philippines turned to the United States to train its soldiers in urban warfare, the American embassy said on Friday.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said that American Marines are training their Filipino counterparts to improve their basic urban warfare techniques based on the feedback from security forces fighting in Marawi, a once-vibrant town of 200,000 which has been into an urban battlefield by the clashes between government troops and Islamist rebels.

The embassy said that the urban warfare techniques covered by the training in Zambales last week included how to clear classrooms, hallways and multilevel buildings.

The statement said that forces from the U.S. Marines’ 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 3rd Marine Division trained Filipino troops as part of the Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama 2017. “During Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama 2017 last week in Zambales, Philippines, U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 3d Marine Division helped Philippine Marines to improve their basic urban warfare techniques based on feedback from Philippine military forces in Marawi,� the embassy said. “These techniques included how to clear rooms, hallways, and

multi-level buildings.�

The American outpost said that the exercises were meant to strengthen “cooperation and interoperability� between the two armed forces.

The training came as the siege of Marawi entered its 39th day on Friday, a sign of the difficulties that the Philippine government has been facing in trying to rid the city of militants who attacked the town on May 23.

Based on latest government figure, the clashes have killed 303 Islamist fighters, 82 security personnel and 44 civilians.

Ernesto Abella, a presidential spokesperson, said that the local government and non-governmental organizations had been able to remove 1,713 civilians from the conflict zone. Security personnel were also able to confiscate 382 firearms.

The Philippine military continues to pound around four villages at downtown Marawi where the remaining militants are entrenched.

Aside from the training, the U.S. military has provided its Filipinos with “technical support� on information gathering.

The U.S. is the Philippines’ strongest ally although relations between the two nations have been frayed under President Rodrigo Duterte who said that he wanted American soldiers to leave his home island of Mindanao.

As its relation with the U.S. became complicated, the Philippines under Duterte started to cozy up with China and Russia as he tried to woo in investments and business to finance his massive infrastructure projects and lift millions out of poverty. n

American soldiers trained Philppine troops in urban warfare as the battle of Marawi contiues to rage.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

City of LA announces new resource for...

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wage increase set for Saturday, July 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Honest work, fair pay!â&#x20AC;? the crowd full of members of labor organizations chanted at a press conference at the Pilipino Workers Network (PWC) on Wednesday, June 28. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Workers centers, in Los Angeles especially, have been at the forefront of workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rights, of immigrantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rights,â&#x20AC;? Meagan Ortiz of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of the organizations here today have been working for a decade together on that in-

tersection.â&#x20AC;?

Organizations included in the network include the PWC, NDLON, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA), CLEAN Carwash LA, Garment Worker Center (GWC), Instituto de Educacion Popular del Sur de California (IDEPSCA), Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA), LA Black Worker Center (LABWC), Restaurant Opportunities Center of LA (ROC-LA), Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE) and the UCLA Labor Center.

Along with government officials, the network strives to uphold workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rights and provide assistance to all low-wage workers who have not been paid the wage they deserve. The network has the full support of the city and county, both of which have made combating wage theft a top priority in recent years.

The announcement coincided with the minimum wage increase that was approved last year. On

Saturday, July 1, the minimum wage for small businesses that employ 25 employees or less will increase to $10.50/hour; for businesses that employ 26 or more employees, the minimum wage will increase to $12/hour.

Every year, the minimum wage is set to slowly increase until it reaches $15/hour, pursuant to the approved bill. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here to make sure that all workers that are entitled to the minimum wage are paid the minimum wage, and we will hold those businesses accountable for not doing so,â&#x20AC;? said Director of the LA County Department of Consumer Affairs Brian Stiger, who emphasized that the city and county will provide assistance to any worker regardless of immigration status.

Despite the celebration of the LA Worker Center Networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to combating wage theft -- which afflicts many Filipino caregivers in the county -Lolita Lledo, associate director of the PWC, believes that the city

doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do enough to enforce laws that protect overtime pay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We appreciate what the city has done for wage theft, but the city and county have not tackled overtime violations, which is usually large and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the cause of exploitation of home care workers, many of whom are live-in caregivers,â&#x20AC;? Lledo told the Asian Journal.

According to Lledo, the process of reporting an overtime violation isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as stringent as it should be. Once a violation is reported, the city checks to see if the employer followed minimum wage laws. To combat an overtime violation, workers must file a complaint with the state, which takes much longer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not correct to only look into minimum wage requirements but to also consider the overtime violations because they go together. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outrageous that you have to go to two separate places to complain about two things which go together,â&#x20AC;? Lledo said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Filipino American Danny Calatcat, who is working and volunteering with PWC, spoke about his experience in wage theft and his fight for justice for all low-wage workers.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

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Dateline USa

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A

PH retains good grade in US State Department report on human trafficking

by Dona

Z. PaZZibugan Inquirer.net

THE Philippines retained its highest grade in the U.S. State Department’s ranking of efforts by governments to fight human trafficking, but still fell short in assisting victims and prosecuting officials involved in the heinous industry.

The latest U.S. State Department annual report released on Wednesday, June 28 said the Philippine government “fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking… therefore the Philippines remained on Tier 1.”

The government “demonstrated serious and sustained efforts by convicting and punishing more traffickers, identifying more victims through proactive screening procedures, and expanding its efforts to prevent trafficking of Filipino migrant workers,” the report said.

At the same time it noted the government’s shortcomings.

“Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not expand the availability and quality of protection and assistance services for trafficking victims, particularly mental health care and services for male victims,” the report said.

“Further, the government did not vigorously investigate and prosecute officials allegedly involved in trafficking crimes nor expand its pilot program to address the backlog of trafficking cases in the courts,” it added.

The U.S. State Department urged the Philippine government to strengthen measures to assist and protect trafficking victims, prosecute officials involved and to stop child sex tourism and online child sex abuse.

Its recommendations include: increase the availability of services for trafficking victims with a particular focus on expanding access to mental health care and services for male victims; increase efforts to expedite victim-centered prosecution of trafficking cases especially in cases involving child victims; increase efforts to investigate and prosecute officials involved in trafficking; increase efforts to identify internal labor trafficking victims especially children, and prosecute labor trafficking cases; expand the victim and witness protection program throughout the criminal proceedings; implement programs to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts including child sex tourism and online child sexual exploitation; expand government support for long-term specialized services for trafficking victims; expand efforts to prevent re-traumatization caused by multiple interviews and facilitate timely reintegration of child victim witnesses with community-based followup services; increase training for community members and military and law enforcement personnel on appropriate methods to protect children officially disengaged from armed groups and vigorously investigate alle-

RELIEF DISTRIBUTION. A child looks on as members of the International Committee of the Red Cross-Philippine Red Cross distribute relief items in Ditsaan-Ramain in Lanao del Sur, east of Marawi City where fighting has been going on for more than a month.

ICRC PHOTO

PH, US hold coordinated patrol in Sulu Sea

by Frances

Mangosing Inquirer.net

THE Philippines and United States held coordinated patrol in Sulu Sea in a bid to detect and deter threats to maritime security, the US Embassy in Manila said.

The littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) completed the patrol in Sulu Sea, the triborder area between southern Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, on Saturday, July 1.

“These patrols enhance regional peace and stability,” said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, Commander, Task Force 73.

“Our at-sea operations with the Philippine Navy demonstrate our commitment to the alliance and deter piracy and illegal activities,” he added.

The embassy said the activity was upon the invitation of the Philippine government.

A few sailors of the Philippine Navy went aboard the USS Coronado to coordinate communications and movements between the two ships.

“The Philippine sailors also exchanged best practices with their U.S. counterparts in visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) techniques and information sharing,” the embassy said.

The patrol aimed “to respond to piracy and transnational criminal activity at sea,” and also to highlight the US commitment to

the security of the Philippines and promote stability and prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, it added.

Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia launched joint patrols in the Sulu Sea last month to combat terrorism and transnational crimes.

This came as clashes in Marawi City between government troops and IS-linked terrorists dragged on for more than a month now.

USS Coronado recently completed the Maritime Training Activity Sama-Sama with the Philippine Navy in the vicinity of Cebu, which also aimed “to sharpen tactical skills in maritime security operations that were employed during the coordinated patrol.”

President Rodrigo Duterte, a staunch critic of the United States wanted the Balikatan, the biggest of the joint Filipino and American drills scrapped last year but eventually softened his stance.

But other PH-US drills like the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) and Cooperation Afloat and Readiness Training (Carat), which focus on external and maritime security, were scrapped The two countries, however, continued their regular bilateral exercises such as the Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama, the Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC), the Asian Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus), and other bilateral subject matter expert exchanges. n

gations of abuse by officials; and develop a data collection system across agencies of anti-trafficking activities including victim identification, services provided, investigations, prosecutions and convictions.

From April 1 to December 31, 2016, the government charged 441 alleged traffickers (from 569 in 2015) and secured convictions of 55 traffickers (from 42 traffickers in 2015). These cases involved 131 victims, 78 of whom were children.

However of the 20 labor trafficking cases prosecuted, none resulted in a conviction, the U.S. State Department report said.

The government did not file criminal cases to punish the recruitment and use of child soldiers by armed groups, it added.

By the end of last year, more than 1,100 trafficking cases remained pending in court “due to endemic inefficiencies such as non-continuous trials, large caseloads, limited resources and in some cases, corruption,” the U.S. State Department said.

It added that while the government convicted four perpetrators of online sexual exploitation of children, police and prosecutors did not have adequate personnel and resources.

“The government’s investigation and prosecution of these cases relied substantially on the support and cooperation of foreign law enforcement and NGOs,” it said. n

MONEY FROM COCONUT HUSKS. Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Agriculture committee, checks on residents engaged in coconet weaving following the inauguration of the Coconet Weaving Center at Golden Acres, Talon 2, Las Pinas City. Coconet weaving is one of the livelihood projects being offered by the senator and Villar SIPAG to give residents of poor communities a chance to earn money.

Senate photo

Pew survey: Most Filipinos trust Trump in...

PAGE A3 t

Despite a majority of Filipino Americans’ dislike for Trump, Filipino Americans are the biggest Trump supporters among the AAPI groups. During the election, the National Asian American Survey (NAAS) released a study that found that a majority of the Filipinos (54 percent) surveyed planned to vote for Trump.

Ryan Yepez, a self-identified

conservative and former volunteer for “FilAms For Trump,” presented a reframed argument for both leaders’ use of coarse language, suggesting that both leaders are “real” and “say it like it is.”

“Trump says things that many politicians won’t, and I think that’s exciting to a lot of Filipinos,” Yepez told the Asian Journal in a phone interview. “I

am happy to hear that Filipinos have confidence in Trump, and it makes sense to me. When Duterte came on to the scene, it was like he was a breath of fresh air, and it’s the same with Trump. Filipinos are tired of Establishment politics and just want someone real and who brings in an outsider perspective.”(Dana Sioson and Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

A JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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Fil-Am MMA fighter gets another shot at redemption

FILIPINO-American mixed martial artist AJ “The Mercenary” Matthews seeks to redeem his career in an upcoming fight against Andre Fialho at Bellator 181 on July 14.

Matthews and Fialho will go head-to-head in the Bellator’s welterweight division to be held at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Bellator 181, is an event of the Bellator MMA, an American mixed martial promotion company, where tournaments for each weight class are held over a three-month period.

Coming off from his three consecutive losses, Matthews is going all-out in his training before facing Fialho, a Portuguese MMA star who is coming to the

FOR MARAWI KIDS. Teachers hold classes inside one of the ‘tent schools’ in Lanao put up for more than 900 pupils and students displaced by the fighting in Marawi City. The Department of Education is seeking donations for the tent schools as well as to rebuild school buildings destroyed by the fighting.

ManilaTimes.net photo AJ “The Mercenary” Matthews

match with an almost perfect 7/8 record so far in his career.

The 28-year-old Fil-Am fighter moved to the Philippines with his team, MMA Alliance, to prepare for his upcoming fight.

“AJ has been a working progress for us,” Eric Del Fierro, co-owner of MMA Alliance told Sherdog.com In the Philippines, Matthews sparred against fellow Filipino fighters and several team members who are Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champions.

“I see a bright future for AJ as a mixed martial artist” Dominic Cruz, former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion, told sherdog.com.

“He’s got some of the best cage defense I’ve ever seen on anybody,” Eric Uresk, Wrestling Coach on MMA Alliance, added.

Matthews’ career thrived after his four consecutive wins at the onset of his career in 2007, where he mainly fought for California-based promotions such as King of Cage and Gladiator Challenge.

After his triumph in 2015 against Emiliano Sordi at the Bellator 141, his career started to go downhill and lost his next fights.

Matthews is moving forward and is now even more determined to win back the momentum of his career. (With reports from Larizza de Vera/AJPress, Inquirer.net and Sherdog.com)

Bradley: Pacquiao can keep on going

by AbAc

cordero Philstar.com

MANNy Pacquiao, according to Timothy Bradley, holds the key to the fight.

The American who fought Pacquiao thrice said Thursday, June 29 that the fight at the Suncorp Stadium will end when Pacquiao says so.

It’s really up to Pacquiao.

“For how long Manny wants it to last,” said Bradley at the lobby of Sofitel Hotel.

Bradley, one of only three men to face Pacquiao at least three times inside the ring, is in town to work and call the fight for ESPN. “I think Manny will do well in the fight. I think Jeff Horn’s style suits Manny well. Manny will do very well,” he said.

The legend from Panama, former world champion Roberto Duran, is also in town as Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley member of the broadcast team that includes Juan Manuel Mar- and fighting at the highest level. Manny always challenges quez.

But Duran has reserved his the younger guys, the undefeated guys,” he said. comment.

Pacquiao said that he’s start“I can’t tell. I have to see the ing to feel his age, and yet, boxers first,” said Duran.

Bradley showed a better pic- Bradley thinks he’d seen nothture of the fight, which could ing to think that way.

“Come on, he still can fight. be a crucial fight for Pacquiao, who at 38 is trying to extend his He still has the speed, the power, the reflexes and everything stay in the sport.

“Manny still wants to show to be at the top of boxing. He he’s still fighting young guys can keep going,” said Bradley.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

“The first thing that leaves you as a fighter is the reflexes.

Manny’s reflexes haven’t gone anywhere. He’s a phenomenal athlete. He can still continue to fight,” Bradley also said.

What happened last November, when Pacquiao faced and defeated the younger Jessie Vargas will happen here in Brisbane.

“It won’t be any different here,” said Bradley. n

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A

MILF signs pact with gov’t, may now arrest drug offenders Resorts World Manila resumes gaming operation against illegal drugs) in those areas that are considered conflicted areas.”

THE country’s largest armed While there is due considergroup may now arrest drug of- ation to the existing mechanisms fenders within their areas of influ- between the two parties through ence. the AHJAG , Lapeña said the proThe Moro Islamic Liberation tocol on cooperation would have Front (MILF) signed a protocol of to remove some of the steps so cooperation with the government anti-drug operations in MILF arto support President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal campaign against illegal drugs on Friday, June 30.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Chief Isidro Lapeña said the MILF can now conduct activities against illegal drugs, further stating “citizen arrests” as an example. The suspects would then be turned over to government authorities for further appropriate action.

Lawyer Abdul Dataya, Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) representative for the MILF, said the group’s role is limited to coordinating with government forces and furnishing a list of drug personalities in their areas.

Dataya revealed that it will be the government’s call to determine whether or not the MILF can take a “direct part” in anti-drug operations within their “areas of influence.”

“We leave that to regular (government) forces. But the MILF will assist in trying to prevent possible a mis-encounter. We have a group who will coordinate with the Armed Forces,” said Dataya.

Chief Supt. Pierre Bucsit, AHJAG representative for the government, said the protocol would be used as a standard guideline to be followed in all anti-illegal drug operations in MILF-influenced areas The signed agreement contains the role of the decade-old MILF and the government in their effort to curb illegal drug activities in the country.

Further, Lapeña explained that it was the MILF that initiated the partnership.

“There was an offer by the MILF to help in the campaign against illegal drugs in those areas that are affected by the conflict with the MILF. And you know, the law enforcer cannot just enter into those areas that are… where they have their presence,” he said. “We have to involve them para makasama sa kampanya against illegal drugs (for them to join in the campaign

by Jennifer

Soriano

AJPress

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

RESORTS World Manila (RWM) on Thursday, June 29 resumed its gaming operations after the stateowned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) lifted its suspension order on the company’s provisional license to operate casinos and gaming facilities.

In a statement, PAGCOR said it lifted its suspension order “after careful scrutiny and deliberations” of the Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. (TIHGI) compliance with the government’s “required security and safety improvements.”

RWM is owned and operated by TIHGI. PAGCOR said among the security improvements include the hiring of a new security agency and experts to assess and improve safety and security systems; increasing of x-ray machines and metal detectors; and doubling up of deployment of guards with firearms.

It also include ongoing review and improvement of safety and security protocols for various emergency scenarios; conducting of additional safety and security seminars for employees; having professional structural engineers assess building to ensure structural integrity; and obtaining a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate.

Apart from the RWM’s compliance with security and safety im-

Resorts World Manila (RWM) resumed Thursday, June 29 its gaming operations after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) lifted the June 9 suspension order of the company’s provisional license to operate casinos.

provements, PAGCOR added that it lifted the suspension order “in consideration of TIHGI’s 6,000 gaming operations workforce, whose livelihood are now affected.”

It noted that the government also “loses an average of P14 million per day or P434 million a month as a result of the suspension order.”

PAGCOR, however, clarified that the lifting of suspension order “does not disregard TIHGI’s officers and personnel of any criminal liability, which is to be determined by government investigating bodies.”

Earlier on June 9, PAGCOR suspended the gaming license of RWM after a lone gunman, identified as heavily indebted Jessie Carlos, stormed the casino and set fire to the premises, causing the deaths of 38 individuals, including

the assailant himself.

“With the lifting of the suspension order, PAGCOR enjoins TIHGI as well as all gaming operators to continuously improve their safety procedures and protocols to ensure that this tragic incident will not happen again,” it said.

For its part, the TIHGI welcomed the PAGCOR’s decision.

“With PAGCOR’s assistance and guidance, we can now start the difficult task of rebuilding as it is also our responsibility to take care of our 6,000 staff and personnel,” Travellers International President and CEO Kingson Sian said.

He added, “We are bringing back the gaming operations on the ground and third floors of our integrated resort. The second floor will no longer be used for casino operations and will be utilized for other non-gaming purposes instead.” n

Duterte stands by Chinese billionaire facing bribery raps PRESIDEnT Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his support to Huang Rulun, an embattled Chinese billionaire who played a “crucial” role in mending the once-distraught ties between Philippines and China “When you are a friend, you do not treat him badly before the public. You don’t humiliate an ally, and at all cost you must save the friendship as an ally and friend so that you can help each other in the world of geopolitics,” Duterte said.

Huang, is under investigation by the Chinese government for

bribery allegations, according to Rappler, citing a report by the Financal Times last Tuesday, June 27.

Huang earlier donated P1.4 billion worth of funds to the Philippine government for the construction of two drug rehabilitation centers.

The Philippine president who has found an ally in the person of Huang described the 66-year-old Chinese tycoon, as a “good samaritan.”

“He just came out of nowhere and went to my office and said that he would help me solve the

drug problem,” Duterte recalls.

Huang and Duterte crossed paths twice, on June 28, and on June 30 during the inauguration of Duterte as president. Then on July 27 of last year, the Chinese businessman made a proposal to Duterte to help the Philippines in its campaign against illegal drugs, during a meeting between the two in Malacañang.

Huang owns the real estate company Century Century Golden Resources Group, which boasts of 5-star hotels, shopping malls, and investments in various coun-

u PAGE A9

eas could proceed “more expeditiously.

“What’s important here was the cooperation, the manifestation of support and assistance in the anti-illegal drug campaign which we appreciate very much,” the PDEA chief said.

Citing the illicit narcotic

u PAGE A11

A8 JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Rebuilding Marawi

THE battle for Marawi is expected to be over soon, according to the government.

The next phase will be the tortuous road to recovery. With much of the city razed by war, and with the lingering threats posed by those who staged the siege, the task can prove to be more challenging than the reconstruction of Tacloban City and other areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

In shifting from war to reconstruction, the government may want to take a page from the military’s counterinsurgency playbook: “clear, hold, build.” Clearing Marawi of Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists is still ongoing. Once the AFP considers its mission accomplished, the government must move in and ensure that the victory is sustained.

The terrorists must not be allowed to regroup and rebuild their strength for another strike anywhere in the country.

This entails cooperation from the local political leadership all the way down to the grassroots. The military offensive, backed by police commandos, indicated that the Mautes received support from a segment of the Marawi community, which provided funds, guns, ammunition and other supplies to the terrorists. The local supporters might have also had links with fighters of the Islamic State, whose commander in the Philippines, the Abu Sayyaf’s Isnilon Hapilon, could have escaped the govern-

ment offensive in Marawi.

Now that Marawi residents — and the rest of the nation — have seen the atrocities that the Mautes are capable of perpetrating and the suffering inflicted on the city, there should be greater readiness to work with the government in permanently neutralizing this threat.

Residents’ cooperation is critical in rebuilding Marawi from the ashes of war.

The Mautes and their supporters may try to derail reconstruction work. City residents should be at the heart of efforts to thwart any such attempt.

In Tacloban and other areas ravaged by Yolanda, the mantra was to build back better. This can also be done in Marawi. As President Duterte has vowed, the city will rise again. The sweetest victory, and the best way to reject the Islamic State and its gospel of violence and hatred, is to show that Marawi not only recovers but also becomes a better city. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Knock off the self-destructive tweeting, Mr. President — You are sabotaging your own agenda!

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS “MY advice to President Trump about his incessant ‘Tweeting’ that undermines his ability to govern: knock it off,” was the message of Fil-Am Republican leader Rudy Asercion in the Facebook forum “Fil-Am Voter.”

This could not be more relevant than ever.

Trump said he would not give up tweeting because it is his direct line to communicate to the American people as the nation’s highest leader but many times during his six-month presidency, his “incessant tweeting” even at 3:00 a.m. has created more problems and controversies for him that have been sabotaging his own agenda of “making America great again.”

Take this latest Twitter war he waged himself against the hosts of MSNBC’S “Morning Joe,” Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, two of Trump’s most outspoken critics on the liberal network channel.

Trump tweeted on Thursday, June 29: “I heard poorly rated @

Morning Joe speaks badly of me (don’t watch anymore. Then how come low IQ Crazy Mika, along with psycho Joe, came”...”to Mara-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year’s Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face lift. I said no!”

MSNBC responded with the statement: “It’s a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job.”

Trump’s controversial tweets came amid so many challenges he has to spend his time and energy on, like the danger posed

by North Korea and the muchdelayed tax reform. And not to mention, the health care bill that he and the Republican Party have been so obsessed with to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Yet, after all these years, they have not been able to offer a viable alternative that is acceptable to the American people which will and can give them better help they are now finally getting under Obamacare.

He could have used Twitter instead to explain to the American people the details of the proposed health care bill and just how exactly it can deliver better health care than how Obamacare is helping them now. Does he even know the details? Does he even care about the concerns of the 83 percent of Americans who are not on board with the Republican health care bill?

And yet what consumes this president is to fire back against anybody he deems to be critical of him and his policies. He demonizes them with such vicious toxic words that we, as parents, would not want our children to hear from anybody, especially from the President of the United States!

This is not an isolated case.

Trump has time and again been accused of his assault against women, about their looks, especially strong women who challenge and criticize him. Is this a good role model for our children?

Is he modeling how to respond to people with dissenting opinions?

And then he acts like he is

the “victim,” and his surrogates and fan base would contend that Trump is just defending himself -- that he is tough and won’t allow himself to be “bullied.” Who is the real bully here?

The problem with Trump tweeting is that he is consumed by his unbridled emotions and unrestrained knee jerk reactions to spew tweets that in many cases are not substantiated by facts and evidence.

Trump has used Twitter to accuse former President Barack Obama of wiretapping him, the UK of doing the espionage on behalf of the latter. He used the social media platform to “threaten” former FBI Director James Comey about the “tapes” that he later on admitted do not exist. There are so many more examples to list.

As president, Trump should listen to the members of his own party who have publicly voiced out their opinions about this issue: “Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with Ameri-

can politics, not the greatness of America.” — Republican Senator Lindsey Graham “Obviously I don’t see that as an appropriate comment.” — House Speaker Paul Ryan “Please just stop. This isn’t normal and it’s beneath the dignity of your office.” Republican Sen. Ben Sasse “Stop it! The Presidential platform should be used for more than bringing people down.” — Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski “This is not okay. As a female in politics, I am often criticized for my looks. We should be working to empower women.” — Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins “It’s incumbent on all of us, then — from the President to Congress on down — to be responsible for our speech.” — Republican Senator Orrin Hatch “This has to stop – we all have a job – 3 branches of gov’t and media. We don’t have to get along, but we must show respect and civility.” — Republican Sen. Susan Collins Republican commentator Ana Navarro said in an interview on

CNN: ”I thought, this dude has such a fixation with women and blood, what is wrong with him…Then you remember that this dude, this disgusting dude is the President of the United States and you realize just how much he is diminishing the presidency of the United States ... he is embarrassing. He is shameful. He is disgusting.”

Navarro also pointed out that Trump’s family, friends, and fellow Republicans are tolerating and enabling his behavior. ”I’m really tired of hearing words like disappointed, disturbed, like I’m bothered, like I wish he wouldn’t do it,” she said. She added that they should “confront this and confront this hard or it will never stop and it will embarrass all of us. It will take the presidency low, low, low.”” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

To defeat IS, Mindanao Muslims must reject it

Opinion

RICARDO SALUDO THE battle is just about over.

The war is just beginning.

As the Armed Forces clear Marawi of remaining terrorists, and government agencies, private firms, and foreign aid groups help 200,000 displaced residents rebuild and recover, the anti-terror war shifts to the vastness of Mindanao.

Having shown that Islamic State-driven guerrillas can take and hold sizable city districts against a full-scale military assault, IS and its cohorts will now use the Marawi conflict to raise funds and recruit fighters.

Funds will come mainly from abroad, with IS and its backers keen to show the flag and flex their might outside the Iraqi and Syrian redoubts where the terrorist group is losing ground to the armies of two regimes, backed by Western and Russian air power.

Warm bodies too are flocking to Mindanao: the Southeast Asian extremists who joined IS in the Middle East and are coming back to the region. So warned experts at a major international security conference in Singapore in April.

Why IS targeted Mindanao The Marawi conflict shows that Mindanao offers a prime area for

IS expansion. The region has millions of impoverished, poorly educated Muslim youth, who can be lured with IS cash and propaganda. Plus: indigent parents willing to let jihadists take boys supposedly for madrasah instruction, plus board and lodging.

IS-driven groups, which include Abu Sayyaf, Maute, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, have carved out secure enclaves beyond military or police control. They can also find shelter in rebel-held areas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has extremist elements in its fold.

Not to mention the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), despite its 1996 peace accord with the government, and the communist New People’s Army (NPA), which continues to attack security forces and business establishments despite on-and-off peace talks.

Also helping fuel extremism in Mindanao are centuries-old grievances of the Muslim minority, who feel robbed of their freedoms and ancestral lands by the Spanish and American colonial regimes in centuries past, and by the Christian-dominated Philippine government and rich, powerful and well-connected Christian settlers and big businesses, including multinationals Dole and Del Monte, taking over vast lands.

Peace negotiations are supposed to blunt jihadist appeal,

but the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, born of the MNLF pact, remains the most impoverished region in the country, where kidnappings, killings, and bombings are still facts of death.

Besides Mindanao’s rich recruiting grounds with guerrillaheld areas, there are the interminable and largely unsecured coastline, among the world’s longest, and corrupt or lax border controls with hardly any maritime patrols to watch for IS infiltrators on boats.

As if all that weren’t enough to get IS cells mushrooming in Mindanao, drug lords are joining forces and wallets with jihadists, as President Rodrigo Duterte tells it.

And local politicians, too, like those whose signatures appear on checks found in a terrorist lair in Marawi, part of the P79 million in plastic-wrapped wads of cash and bank checks captured

by Marines.

Can the jihadists be stopped?

With all that going for the terrorists, can they be stopped?

It’s a terrible thought, but given what terrorists and rebels have done for decades, and the IS support local extremists now get, jihadists will unfortunately still wage violence and build forces, at least in the immediate future.

Think about it: After many months of sustained military offensives, the Maute and Abu

Sayyaf groups were still able to build forces, plan, coordinate and mount the Marawi attack, taking over much of the city, and holding out for more than a month.

And don’t for a moment think that jihadists and the young, impressionable minds they sway would see Marawi as anything but a great triumph stalemating a vastly superior enemy, helped

by Western military advisers and surveillance aircraft.

Nor are they scared of the joint air and sea patrols mounted by Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The waters and beaches of Mindanao are just so vast, and the modes of concealed transport so difficult to interdict, that many extremists and weaponry can get through.

Islam can stop Islamic State This is not to say that security initiatives can do nothing against IS-driven groups in Mindanao.

Indeed, under martial law, key Maute family members, including the matriarch thought to handles finances, have been arrested. Ditto other operatives like the man who allegedly smuggled arms and ammunition into Marawi, and spirited out wounded fighters via Lake Lanao.

The fighting men and the weaponry, material and money expended by the terrorists are gone, and building up forces of the same size and power is probably no longer possible, at least for some years.

But zeroing IS recruits, fund-

EXODUS. Photo shows residents fleeing Marawi City in Mindanao by road and sea, and strict security checkpoints on the highway going to Iligan City. President Rodrigo Duterte imposed military rule in Mindanao on Tuesday, May 23 and said on Wednesday, May 24 he might expand it to Luzon and the Visayas if terrorist attacks spill over.

Contributed photos

ing, and arms is highly unlikely, too, just as the AFP could never wipe out the MNLF, MILF, NPA, or even the 400-strong Abu Sayyaf. IS is here to stay, at least for some years, and its cohorts will mount more attacks, though probably not another Marawi.

But for all their potency, it is not security counter-measures that will decide how far jihadists go along their bloodstained roadmap of terrorism and caliphate ambition. As we are seeing in the Middle East, what will decide how far and wide IS and other extremists reach is Islam itself.

On the sands of Arabia and now in the fields and streets of Southeast Asia, Muslims high and low are having to choose between the tenets of peace

and spirituality which true Islam has espoused for centuries, and the brutal, insane perversion of Mohammed’s teachings which IS foists.

In Mindanao, Muslims are being lured by a foreign ideology that beheads innocents, trains kids to shoot and bomb, uses hostages as human shields and conscripted fighters, and forces women into sex slavery, as recounted by rescued Marawi residents.

Our Muslim compatriots must decide if that is really what Islam is. If IS ideology wins, Mindanao could descend into civil war, as President Duterte warned. If Muslim Filipinos reject it, both their religion and our republic triumph. In sha Allah. So help us God. (ManilaTimes.net)

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A

IMPROVING TIES. Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi face the media on Thursday, June 29 after holding talks on many areas of cooperation, which aims to enhance further the renewed China-Philippines relations, one of significant achievements of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in his first year in Malacanang.

PNA photo by Jelly F. Musico

PH-China enter â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;golden periodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of relationship

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE Philippines and China have entered a â&#x20AC;&#x153;golden period of fast development,â&#x20AC;? according to a Chinese official.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, June 29, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi applauded the two countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; improving relationships, citing the the increasing trade agreements and mutual efforts in settling maritime disputes.

According to Yi, the governments of China and the Philippines have recently signed 22 cooperation agreements in different areas of infrastructure, commerce and trade, and agriculture.

He also cited the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea that aims decrease tensions in the long standing territorial dispute over parts of the resource-rich waters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our two countries have set up a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea

issue and also a mechanism for cooperation between the coast guards,â&#x20AC;? said Wang, as quoted in a Reuters report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If anyone wants to reverse the current progress it will harm the interests of the Philippine people and that is not what we would like to see,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office in June last year, has been seeking to amend Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stiff relationship with Beijing, which has been likely strained due to years of maritime conflict.

Based on a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nine-dash-line,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; China has claimed sovereignty on almost all of the South China Sea, resulting in territorial conflicts with the Philippines and its neighboring countries like Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

China has also reportedly built artificial islands along the disputed waters for military purposes.

In turn, the previous administration of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III filed a case before an arbitral tribunal

to assert the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdiction over some parts of the South China sea.

In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim to almost the entire South China, and ruled that artificial islands along the Spratlys violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

But Duterte, in bid to renew the two countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strained friendship, has chosen to temporarily set aside ruling.

Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less aggressive stance compared to his predecessors has earned him criticisms, getting accused of giving up on the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; claims.

MalacaĂąang, however, repeatedly assured that the administration is not giving up the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sovereign rights in its territories.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), chaired by Duterte, is currently working together with China in forming a code of conduct aimed to address issues concerning the disputed sea. n

Duterte stands by Chinese billionaire facing...

PAGE A7 t

tries including China, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark, and the Philippines.

The Chinese tycoon is the 49th wealthiest businessman in China, with his net worth amounting at around $3.6 billion in 2016, according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, speaking in a more

West Coast

objective stance, Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael Banaag said that Huangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation is an â&#x20AC;&#x153;internal issueâ&#x20AC;? and that the Philippines respects China in its probe against the Chinese businessman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On Huang Rulunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implication on corruption charges, that is of course internal to China. Rest as-

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DOT chief: Initial positive response to Nickelodeon project is just part of the job “Trabaho lang, walang personalan” (It’s work, nothing personal).

The popular Filipino quote seems to explain the reason why Department of Tourism (DoT) Chief Wanda Teo initially gave her positive response to the now controversial Nickelodeon theme park project in Palawan, which drew strong opposition from Haribon Tourism Sec. Wanda Teo AJPress photo by Noel Ty Foundation and other environ-

mental groups.

In a statement from Japan where she is on official trip to promote the Philippines, Teo said that the project, proposed by the Coral World Park Undersea resorts Inc. and Nickelodeon’s parent company Viacom Inc., was “ part of [my] job to encourage investment in new Philippine tourism projects”.

Teo, however explained that that it does not mean that she is throwing her support to the project.

Furthermore, the DoT chief denied that it has approved the Nickelodeon theme park in Palawan, saying it has to go through an impact assessment by appropriate agencies.

“We must see first if the project proponents can make good on their assurance to us that their project will not damage the environment, and that this will have a strong positive impact on the people of Palawan. The primary agencies to determine this are the DeNr and the Palawan local governments, and we will defer to their assessment,” Teo said.

Teo also expressed that tourism projects should also be environmentally-sustainable.

“We are supportive of new tourism projects that would make the Philippines more attractive to foreign tourists and provide new rest and recreation havens for Filipinos. But these new projects, and even our existing tourism spots, should be havens as well for all living creatures. And the natural beauty that attracts visitors in the first place should always be preserved,” she said meanwhile, the DoT quoted Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez affirming that no application for the Nickelodeon project has been filed yet.

“Forget what Nickelodeon is saying because they are just teasing your imagination. There is no such plan. There is no application.

And beside, they will not be allowed to construct underwater. Is it very clear?” Alvarez had said. early this June, Department of environment and Natural resources (DeNr) Secretary roy Cimatu said that he has instructed attached agencies Biodiversity management Bureau, environmental management Bureau and the DeNr-mimaropa to undertake an inquiry into the proposed plan in Coron after reports that the project will push through. (Jennifer Soriano/aJPress)

More than 7,700 attendees participated in this year’s Metro Manila Pride March on Saturday, June 24.

Photo from Metro Manila Pride Facebook page

‘Here together’: LGBTQ+ community marches as one amid adversity

by Nathalie

Robles

AJPress

CoLorS, smiles and pride filled the streets of marikina as members of the LGBTQ+ community graced Plaza de los Alcaldes last Saturday, June 24.

Taking a huge step towards a more loving and accepting mindset for diversity in the Philippines, metro manila Pride (mmPride) held their annual march with a theme “Here Together,” where they gather the metro manila LGBTQ+ community, family, friends, and allies to celebrate LGBTQ+ lives and shine a spotlight on the community’s issues.

Word spread like wildfire for the 23rd annual march as the number of attendees significantly grew from 4,500 last year to 7,718 this year. marikina City mayor marcelino Teodoro welcomed those who participated since it was the city’s first time to host such gathering where attendees came from different areas of metro manila.

Senator risa Hontiveros addressed the crowd as she continuously encourage the community to not lose heart despite the challenges presented by the society.

Celebrities including superstar Nora Aunor and miss Intercontinental Philippines 2017 Katarina rodriguez also graced the event.

HIV/AIDS advocate and writer Wanggo Gallaga in his Instagram post reiterated the poem he performed during the march.

They want us to be straight but the world is round

and the heart is curved.

Everything bends, even light Known as the longest running pride march in Southeast Asia, mmPride once again proved that the LGBTQ+ community and their allies are capable of showing love amid criticisms, bullying, violence and discrimination.

Keara eugenio, a student from the University of Santo Tomas shared her sentiments regarding the said march.

“I felt overjoyed (by) how love, acceptance and unity could be celebrated all in just one event by a diversity of people who share the same sentiments with gender equality,” she said.

Pride march started off in Quezon City back in 1994 led by different organizations.

In their campaign, Here ToGeTHer, mmPride aimed to create safe spaces that would enable, empower, and move individuals to participate in creating positive impacts on the LGBTQ+ community.

“All of this, because we love; simply because we have committed ourselves to be here for each other,” they said in their website.

“Being part of this year’s pride march felt refreshing since I was a witness of lovers who don’t choose who they love. I was a witness of a beautiful day with beautiful people,” said Anthony Dungan, another participant.

Despite LGBTQ’s call for acceptance and love, religious leaders from across the country were adamant to preach their

message during the march. organizers of the event dealt with them peacefully while several participants even offered them a hug.

Celebrating pride, freedom and diversity the said march also aimed for the passing of Senate Bill 935 or also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB). mmPride is volunteer-managed, non-partisan, and notfor-profit organization that also holds events throughout the year in order to strengthen the metro manila LGBTQ+ community.

“For those who came before us and for those yet to come. We are here for you. We are here for each other. We are Here ToGeTHer.” Fil-Am leaders celebrate pride in NY Voices of Filipino-American leaders resonated loudly as they expressed their support to the LGBTQ+ community on New York City’s 48th Pride march last Sunday, June 25.

According to a report by ABSCBN News NY, Fil-Am Jennifer Baquial, the president of Sirens Women motorcycle Club NYC, signaled the start of the march as she led her pack of bikers to parade along Fifth Avenue.

LGBTQ community rallied across the street as they fear on losing their rights under the current administration, after US President Donald Trump broke the annual tradition of declaring the month of June as the National Pride month.

Aries Dela Cruz of the Fil-Am

u PAGE A11

Revilla on plunder trial: Wealth from showbiz income, not kickbacks

by JeNNifeR

soRiaNo

AJPress

Former Senator ramon “Bong” revilla pointed out that the wealth he is accused of amassing is actually not from his government job, but instead, from his lucrative career in show business. revilla was not able to make it in the first day of his trial to face plunder charges after suffering from hypertension. When he did finally appeared on the second day, he came with a new defense — income from his showbiz career.

The former senator is being accused of receiving P224.5 million worth of kickbacks from his pork barrel projects in collaboration with the acquitted mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. revilla’s defense lawyer, Atty. ramon esguerra, questioned the fourth witness, Junilyn Pagusan, a field investigator from the office of the ombudsman, if she included the senator’s income as an actor in her investigation.

“Did you bother to find out about the movie production of [the] accused revilla?” questioned esguerra. “You did not

bother to find out whether he earned anything from the production of movies and series?”

To which, Pangusan answered, “His production and his movies were not part of our investigation.”

In an interview with revilla after the trial, he again aired his frustrations on the slow pace of the proceedings, a thing he attributed to his being in jail for three years to date.

“Pero wala tayong magagawa, kailangan natin dumaan sa proseso (But there is nothing we can do, we have to go through the process),” he said.

He added that it would be better if the prosecution investigates his movie projects, saying that, “Para mas klaro kung kaya ko bang kumita ng ganung amount, kung mayroon man silang makita sa bank account ko (to make it clear if I am capable to earn that amount, if ever, they can see that from my bank account ),” the accused senator said.

However, lead prosecutor Joefferson Toribio said the Anti-money Laundering Council (AmLC) has earlier investigated revilla’s alleged ill- gotten wealth. In that report, which was admitted as ev-

idence during revilla’s bail hearing, the AmLC found out that the former senator deposited P87.6 million in his and immediate family members’ bank accounts from April 6, 2006 to April 28, 2010. This is consistent with the period principal witness Benhur Luy alleged the senator received kickbacks from the scam. “of course the FIo will not already dwell on that. The testimony of the FIo will not dwell on that because we already presented the AmLC investigator and that there was already a report… As far as the court is considered i think one of the evidence that was considered is the AmLC report, that there were unexplained amounts that entered the accounts of Senator revilla,” Toribio said.

Also accused along with revilla are his former colleagues in the senate —Jingoy estrada and Juan Ponce enrile. estrada was accused of receiving P183.7 million as kickbacks was denied bail, while enrile, now out on bail, is accused of receiving P172.8-million.

Napoles, meanwhile is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig. n

ASEAN ROADSHOW. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar and Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) cite opportunities under the ASEAN economic integration such as the bigger market for Philippine products and services, labor and skills and influx of more investments during the ASEAN roadshow at the Legazpi City Convention Center on Friday, June 30. Andanar also cited accomplishments and programs for inclusive growth under the first year administration of President Rodrigo R. Dutere while Densing benefits particularly in the countryside under the proposed shift to a federal system of government. Also in photo is Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

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A11

PH, France to join forces against climate change, terrorism

by JENNIFER

SORIANO

AJPress

QUAKE DRILL. Pupils of the Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City participate in the earthquake drill held simultaneously in various cities in Metro Manila on Thursday, June 29. The activity, spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, aims to boost public preparedness in case an earthquake occurs.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Lorenzana says rape claims are ‘fake news’

by NIKKO

DIZON Inquirer.net

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday, June 29 said claims that soldiers had threatened to rape women were a “serious matter” and demanded that the militant Gabriela partylist, which made the allegation, to produce evidence and file the proper charges.

“I don’t want to dismiss this allegation if only it were done the proper way – inform us so that we can address it instead of going immediately to the media,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

“This allegation is very serious and I myself will do everything in my power to punish those who committed it whether in jest only as it objectifies and degrades

women in general. These acts if true goes against the Filipinos’ deep-seated respect for our mothers, sisters and womenfolk in general,” he added.

He said the allegation was “fake news” meant only to “find fault” in the action of the troops in Marawi.

The women’s partylist decried Lorenzana’s statement, saying that Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas herself heard such accounts from Maranao women who fled the fighting in Marawi City.

“The fact that there were women in Marawi who complained of rape threats, regardless if they are substantial in number or not, should be enough cause for alarm especially in view of AFP’s record of abuses against

Democratic Club of New York City said that they are also pushing for an anti-discrimination measure for people’s sexual orientation and gender identity to be added on the state’s constitution.

LA pride festival turned into resist march The rainbow-colored celebration of pride and diversity became an avenue of protest

against the current administration as they waved their banners and signs along Hollywood Sunday, June 11.

With their focus on fighting for their civil rights, the participants of pride march in Los Angeles voiced out their concerns regarding Planned Parenthood, racial discrimination and LGBT rights as they paraded on the streets.

According to a report from

in 2013, killing more than 6,000 people and leaving huge damage to property and infrastructure.

Aside from Larcher, the senators also met with a member of the Constitutional Council, Jean-Jacques Hyest, members of the Standing Committee of Law Members, and Nicolas Hulot, minister for Ecological Transition and Solidarity.

Fight against terrorism On the issues of terrorism, the Philippine delegates shared the present situation of Marawi, a southern city in Mindanao that has been facing terrorist attacks since May. The senators assured that the clashes between the terrorists and soldiers would end soon. According to the latest official toll, 82 government troops and 44 civilians slain have already been killed.

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the Philippines and France.

Other members of the delegation included Senators Panfilo Lacson, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Joel Villanueva. ■

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

women,” the group said in a statement.

The statement said this was the reason Gabriela filed House Resolution 1085 last week, urging lawmakers to look into the crisis with “particular emphasis on the impacts on women and The Philippine Senate delegation meets with Mr. Jean- Jacques Hyest, a former senator and member of the French Constitutional Council.

Senator Loren Legarda, President and Founding Member of the Philippines-France Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Association, said that they children.” ■

‘Here together’: LGBTQ+ community marches...

PAGE A10 t

THE Philippines and France have committed to uniting toward the fight against climate change and terrorism — considered two of the world’s greatest threats to “humanity at present.”

Philippine Senator Loren Legarda, who chairs the Senate committees on foreign relations, finance, and climate change, reiterated this statement on Friday, June 30, after the eight Philippine senatordelegate led by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III went on an official trip to France in an effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Terrorism and climate change are two of the greatest threats to national security at present.

France and the Philippines can be partners in addressing these concerns which affect every single one of us,” Legarda said.

As for the environmental talks, Legarda who played a crucial role in steering the Philippines’ ratification of the Paris Agreement, shared how French Senate President Gerard Larcher appreciated the efforts of the Philippines in

joining the climate pact. Further, Larcher also revealed his concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the treaty.

Despite perceived setbacks, both the Philippines and France remain hopeful, shared Legarda, who also leads the PhilippinesFrance Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Association.

“While both nations agree that the withdrawal of the United States from the Agreement poses a great challenge to the achievement of the treaty’s goals, we remain optimistic. The Philippine Senate delegation proposed that France takes the lead in efforts to achieve the goals of and implement the Paris Agreement,” she said.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Philippines experiences at least 20 tropical cyclones every year. Experts say stronger and more frequent typhoons are caused by climate change. Super Typhoon Haiyan (called Yolanda in the Philippines) was one of the strongest storms recorded on the planet, when it hit the country

had an interesting discussion on the history and duties of the Constitutional Council and how laws are enacted in France. In photo (L-R) Senator JV Ejercito, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Mr. Jean- Jacques Hyest, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Senate photo

MILF signs pact with gov’t, may now arrest...

Reuters, the said shift in emphasis drew criticism from PAGE A7 t some in Southern California’s LGBT community, who say the problem as the government and one day of the year set aside to MILF’s common denominator, celebrate their LGBTQ identi- Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, ofties should not be given over to ficer-in-charge of the Department other political causes. of the Interior and Local GovernHowever, organizers claim ment (DILG) affirmed the develthat such is a misunderstanding oping partnership between the since they are said to conduct two. pride festivities across Los An“The commitment of the MILF geles area that weekend. ■ in addressing the drug problem

in their areas will greatly help the war on drugs. The support of the MILF just shows that we could be one in our common goal of providing drug-free communities,” the DILG official said.

The protocol is applicable in MILF areas within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and MILF camps in Western Mindanao, Central Min-

danao and some parts of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, in Davao region, said Dataya.

According to Dataya’s accounts, 366 out of Maguindanao’s 509 barangays (villages) — about 72 percent — have widespread drug problems. Lanao del Sur, which includes Marawi, has 313 of its 1,059 villages (29 percent). ■

Pinapanatili mo siyang ligtas. Pinapanatili ka naming ligtas.

Tingnan, pakinggan at amuyin upang matukoy kung may pagtagas ng gas.

Bilang isang magulang, ginagawa mo ang lahat upang mapanatiling ligtas ang iyong mga anak. Sa SoCalGas, ginagawa namin ang lahat upang mapanatili kayong ligtas. Kaya naman bibigyan ka namin ng maraming tip sa natural gas tulad ng: tingnan, pakinggan at amuyin upang matukoy kung may pagtagas ng natural gas. Kung may naaamoy kang natural gas, naririnig ng tunog ng pagtagas ng gas o napapansing iba pang senyales ng pagtagas: lumikas kaagad sa lugar, at tumawag sa 911 o SoCalGas sa 1-800-427-2200 mula sa isang ligtas na lokasyon.

Alamin kung paano ihahanda ang iyong pamilya sa socalgas.com/besafe

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Journal Filipina beauty wins â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next Top Modelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kababayan Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ends daily programming

by Larizza de AJPress

Vera

FILIPINO-German Maureen Wroblewitz came out on top of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next Top Model (ASNTM)â&#x20AC;? on Wednesday, June 28. Wroblewitz is the first Filipina to win the competition, beating out Shikin Gomez from Malaysia and Thu Minh from Vietnam on the seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; finale episode. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was the last Filipina standing and a Filipina has never won before,â&#x20AC;? said Wroblewitz on her Instagram post on Thursday, June 29.

The Philippines finished first runner-up in ASNTMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first three seasons. Stephanie Retuya claimed third place on Cycle 1 while Jodilly Pendre and Monika Sta, Maria clinched the second spot during Cycle 2 and Cycle 3, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She deserved it because she worked hard for it. Also, for me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a sweet vengeance for me because finally [a Filipina won!],â&#x20AC;? said Pendre told Inquirer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to win this for my countryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Philippines and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy to say that I did. This is all for you guys! We won this together,â&#x20AC;? Wroblewitz said.

The winner was declared by the judges, who include the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s host Cindy Bishop, creative director Yu Tsai, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Nylon Singapore Editor-in-Chief Adele Chan and Storm Model Management Agent Ruby Adler.

The Global Kababayan G. TĂśnGi AFTER 40 years of servicing the local Asian community in Los Angeles, LA18â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local programming comes to an end.

I had been made aware of the changes that were going to take place at the station weeks before it was formally announced by my General Manager, Mr. Dennis Davis. Initially, I was devastated as this was the only platform to

reach the Filipino-American community on terrestrial television where viewers have free access to content that addressed their Chinese, Korean or Filipino cultural sensibilities.

There are many factors involved when a local broadcaster has to make the switchover to digital. It involves a big investment in infrastructure that can really destabilize smaller media companies. With the recent broadcast auctions happening in the market, media conglomerates are quick to pick up smaller stations and integrate them into their portfolios, which causes minority programming to really take a hit.

PAGE B3 G Tongi

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon

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Maureen Wroblewitz

Photos from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next Top Modelâ&#x20AC;? Facebook page

Wroblewitz described her journey throughout the competition as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;roller coaster [ride[ that had its ups and downs.â&#x20AC;? She almost got eliminated twice, and but also won best photo three times.

As part of her prizes, Wroblewitz will fly to London to work under Storm Models Management, she will also be on the cover of

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Nylon Singapore and become the brand ambassador for Subaru. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope I inspire everyone to do the same thing I did. To follow your dreams and to not let anyone bring you down. Do what you love to do! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re capable of doing anything, if you just go out and try! So work hard, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pay off,â&#x20AC;?

Wroblewitz told her fans.

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B2 JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Photos can sing like a Russian novel Nadine Lustre named FHM’s ‘sexiest woman’

by ROSETTE

MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

WORDS are mere grace notes, and I’ve dealt with them all my life.

They are adequate for many of our purposes, even indispensable for most. They can, of course, be immeasurably beautiful and graceful.

But they can’t do everything.

Testimonial to the power of the photograph to present a tapestry of history. Images that capture each event in a split second are told to the eyes in a split second of its happening. Words cannot do that. They can tell us about people and events that shape one’s daily word, but the news photograph bring reality to life in a very special way. The skills of the photographer grabs for us the instant, spontaneous electricity, when they cap off a collection of visual delights of nostalgia, history and drama in whose story needs few words; a paragraph or two in the news columns.

The role of the newspaper, then and now, is essentially the same — to provide readers with vivid communication about the world they live in. Photography, with its vivid communication of reality, is ideally suited to the aims of journalism.

But today, photographers are different than before with visual sophistication: better composed, more artful, less liked poised tableaux. They are better edu-

ADEL

Philstar.com

The family room and winery of Hollymont Castle

cated, better trained not only in technique, but also in visual expression — and there is more competition.

In a broadened range of subjects, photojournalists have covered wars and wonders, entertainers and athletes, fads and fashion, presidents and their celebrations, disasters and discoveries with their skills and extraordinary versatility, and not merely by recording an event. They conveyed a larger meaning combining information with emotion, even comment. Old timers had their quality instinctively: the new ones roaring with their new vigor, have it bred in the bone and polished by training.

They call him Mr. G I’ve seen a lot of photographers on assignment; but Mr. G, you have to find him. You had to look in the shadows. In the last 17 years, he was never where you could see him, because he was always where he could be: hovering in a corner or taking photographs of dull stationary buildings…or the castles all over Europe…with no people, just nunaced around them.

All of a sudden, he’d pick and feel the real subject, the one you had not seen before, he didn’t do these for a prize. Pictures unrelated to news events or feature stories, that makes a nice antidote to the hard, unhappy news of the day. It sets an example to the rest of his colleagues to simply enjoy the fun of pictures; taking what recaptures the enthusiasm that led one to become photographers, to begin with.

His photo of the talisain (a rare Church of the Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia Photo by Sid T. Guererro breed of the Philippines fighting

Photo by Maestro Dexter Grey

ACTRESS and singer Nadine Lustre was hailed this year’s “sexiest woman” by a men’s magazine.

FHM released the names of the top ten female celebrities who made it to the magazine’s 100 sexiest list on Thursday, June 29.

Nadine, dubbed by FHM as “multimedia princess,” topped the roster after getting 491,039 votes or 9.85 percent. She was on the third rank last year.

“Nadine’s ascension to the Throne of Sexy comes as no surprise—not only does she have the most loyal fans, she also has the glowing assets to show for it,” FHM said in its website.

It can be recalled that Nadine’s love team and real life boyfriend, James Reid, last year expressed opposition on Nadine topping the FHM’s sexiest woman poll.

James last year posted a screenshot of the 2016 poll and used an angry emoji. He also called on their love team’s supporter, Jadines, who voted for Nadine to stop voting.

“Jadines, I thought we were on

cock) brought back the excitement of sabong (cockfighting), a favorite sport back home, where the peasants and landed gentry, sat side by side in shared joy, excitement — and loss.

The photo of the pea hen, with all the grandeur arrogance splendor and vanity of its colorful plume be captioned, “Today a peacock, tomorrow a feather duster” was a reflection of the fragility of power. The prize winning photo of the kingfisher and the fish, in a silent romantic conversation, by a brook. was captioned, “A bird may love a fish, but where will they live?” Didn’t Thoreau say that?

When asked about the changes in the la la land of photographers of today, in a scourge of blurry vertical photos by cellphones, iPod users, the elimination of an entire photography department in a big newspaper company — can anything be sadder that photographers reading their pink slips on what they thought was a regular working day?

Mr. G’s thoughts were gentle. ”When things like these happen you can’t respond with anger. Jobs will be gone. Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle as an old hand said, Everyday, we cover life…birth and death and what’s in between…

Photography is something we love, something we do that gives is a purpose, through a journey where there’s storm, pain – but always anchored on the service we give; tomorrow is another day…Press photographers regardless of their affiliations, their cameras will always be there to greet it.”

Joaquin “Jake” Tordesillas

Nadine Lustre

the same team,” he wrote.

Despite this, Nadine still emerged victorious in this year’s poll.

Nadine got more votes than former sexiest women, Jessy Mendiola, Angel Locsin and Jennylyn Mercado.

Below appears the full list of FHM’s top 10 sexiest women in 2017: • Nadine Lustre – 491,039 votes o 9.85 percent • Kim Domingo – 450,192 or 9.03 percent

Philstar.com photo

• Rhian Ramos –359,405 or 7.21 percent • Jessy Mendiola – 350,182 or 7.03 percent • Ellen Adarna – 320,391 votes or 6.43 percent • Jennlyn Mercado – 318,273 or 6.39 percent • Angel Locsin – 248,192 or 4.98 percent • Liza Soberano – 201,925 or 4.05 percent • Maine Mendoza – 200,182 or 4.0 Solenn Heussaff –180,294 o 3.62 percent

Showbiz mourns ‘Bagets’ scriptwriter’s death by

TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA ManilaTimes.net

SHOW business woke up to sad news Friday, June 30 that award-winning movie scriptwriter Joaquin “Jake” Tordesillas, whose credits include the iconic ‘80s youth flick “Bagets,” among many other blockbuster hits, had passed away at age 68.

GMA Network Senior Vice President for Entertainment Lilybeth Rasonable, for whom Tordesillas had been working as creative consultant until recently, posted the following statement on Facebook: “It is with great sadness and deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved Joaquin ‘Jake’ Tordesillas on June 30, 2017.

“Almost two years ago, Jake had an unfortunate accident that resulted in knee surgery. This has caused him extreme pain—not only physically but emotionally as well. Furthermore, Jake underwent both physical rehabilitation and psychotherapy.

“When the excruciating pain continued, he got depressed and had to take personal leaves of absence from his work.”

Besides Bagets, Tordesilla’s filmography also includes defining movies of several generations, such as Maryo J. delos Reyes’ critically acclaimed “High School Era ’65,” the Nora Aunor-starrer “Annie Batumbakal” (1979), Vilma Santos’ “Tagos ng Dugo” (1987), and Alice Dixon’s “My Other Woman” (1990) to name a few.

Eventually turning his sights on television, he has worked for the creative departments of the country’s three major networks—ABS-CBN, TV5, and GMA Network—working and thriving in his last lengthy stint for Channel 7.

There, he helped develop among others the grand period series “Amaya,” the long running drama anthology “Magpakailanman,” the groundbreaking gay-themed soap “My Husband’s Lover,” and also the recently concluded teen prime time hit, “Meant to Be.” The well-loved and well-respected showbiz creative is now lying in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapel along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Funeral services have yet to be announced.

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B3

House on the shoreline

By SEAN

SHONO

PEOPLE living in this kind of house may get an unstable mind and bad influence on their monetary luck.

According to Feng Shui, the environment should be avoided.

A house standing right on the shoreline, which always faces the

waves, will keep giving you constant pressure without notice.

There should be, however, no problem if both sides of the house are protected by a small hill, making it unable to observe the ocean waves. *All of our items have been purified by authentic process of

Feng Shui way.

***

Feng Shui master Sean Shono owns Dragon God, a Feng Shui store in Gardena, California.

He is the U.S. Chief of the International Feng Shui Association. For more information, please call Sean Shono at (310) 787-1891.

Dragon God is located at 1580 W. Artesia SQ. Suite A, Gardena, CA 90248.

Ariana Grande’s Manila concert to push through Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher and more scheduled to perform

ARIANA Grande is certainly the artist of the moment. She has impressively exhibited how to rise from tragedy and use her influence to bounce back from the horrific Manchester bombings during her Dangerous Woman tour in United Kingdom.

Back on her feet, Smart Music Live—her “Dangerous Woman” tour’s major sponsor in Manila—announced on Wednesday that the artist is all set to bring all the light and love with her when when she performs at Mall of Asia Arena her Dangerous Woman tour on August 21.

A concert to look forward to indeed, “The New York Times” praised rande’s Dangerous Woman as “a show of confidence, prowess and aplomb,” describing the performer as “a former child star who got national exposure on Nickelodeon, [who flaunts professionalism, not skin or profanities.”

Meanwhile, Smart Music Live–which gives their subscribers first dibs on tickets as well as free premium tickets—further informed The Manila Times that “Britney Spears was just the tip of the iceberg” in making up their rest-of-year concert lineup.

Justin Bieber headlines the allstar forthcoming concert series experience like never before alongside Grande, Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher of Oasis, and In

Ariana Grande

the Mix’s 5SoS, Dnce, Two-Door Cinema Club, Dua Lipa, Daya and Zara Larsson.

In September, Justin Bieber will take over the Manila stage for the second time with his ongoing “Purpose World Tour.”

On Monday, the music star

announced he has included the Philippine capital as part of his Asian leg.

According to Smart Music Live, the telecom’s subscribers will indeed have first crack at Bieber tickets through an exclusive ticket selling activity on July 7. The concert is set on September 30 at the Philippine Arena.

Bieber has churned out some of the biggest hits in recent years including the lead single from the album Purpose called “What Do You Mean?” and other hits “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” “Let Me Love You,” “Cold Water,” and his own version of “Despacito.”

Billboard praised Bieber’s vocals in Purpose calling it “smooth as ever” while Entertainment Weekly described it as “a concert that shows, beyond a doubt, that Bieber is back.”

But before Beiber and Grande, Liam Gallagher of Oasis will stage his own concert at the Arena on August 14, followed by a grand gathering of 5SoS, Dnce, Two-Door Cinema Club, Dua Lipa, Daya and Zara Larsson in one concert event dubbed “In the Mix” on August 17.

Finally, as The Manila Times had already announced, Ed Sheeran will bring his muchanticipated 2017 tour to Manila on November 7. (ManilaTimes. net)

ABANDONED BY HER BIRTH PARENTS, WILL NIKKA BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN WHEN USCIS CHALLENGED HER ADOPTIVE PARENT’S ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION HER? Lilia (right) and her husband Peter filed a petition to adopt Nikka (left) when the child was 12 years old. The adoption decree was issued six (6) days before Nikka turned 16 years old, and the certificate of finality came out two (2) months after Nikka’s 16th birthday.

When Lilia and Peter filed an Immediate Relative Petition for Nikka, the USCIS served a Request for Evidence (RFE), challenging them eligibility to adopt Nikka. Lilia and Peter were devastated, depressed, and in despair. Would this mean losing the chance to be reunited with their adopted child - whom they loved and considered their own? Watch how leading US immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL came to the rescue and secured approval of their petition in a mere two months, on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Adopted child receives visa on Citizen Pinoy!

AT two years old, Nikka already captured the hearts of Lilia and Peter, who took care of her and treated her like their own. The couple decided to make the love legal and official by filing a petition for adoption when Nikka was 12 years old. The adoption decree came out before Nikka turned 16, but the certificate of finality was issued almost two months after Nikka’s 16th birthday.

When Lilia and Peter filed for an immediate relative petition for Nikka on their own, the USCIS served them a Request for Evidence (RFE), challenging Nikka’s eligibility for adoption.

Eligibility for adoption requires the child be adopted before their 16th birthday; two years of legal custody (measured from the date of the final adoption decree); and two years of physical custody, meaning the adoptive parents must live under the same roof with the child for at least two (2) years.

The couple was given 87 days to reply to the RFE. This development crushed the dreams of Lilia and Peter. They were so devastated, and scared that they would never be able to get Nikka.

They intensified their prayers, telling themselves that if Nikka was abandoned by her birth parents, they would not let Nikka

feel abandoned again.

Lilia and Peter retained the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel to help them bring their adopted child to the U.S. After thorough research and a compelling and persuasive response to the USCIS’s RFE, leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel and

his team secured the approval of Nikka’s petition.

See how this family’s dream (of being united in the US) came true on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” — on Sunday 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

‘Kababayan Today’ ends daily...

PAGE B1 With the growing population of immigrant communities to the fabric of American society, local programming for minority communities is more relevant than ever. And yet it seems that we are regressing in this nation when we are unable to service all communities of color when it comes to proper representation.

Next week, the station goes dark and I will no longer see all my colleagues who dedicated their careers to serving their own communities. Walking the hallways in the office and seeing sullen faces has been bittersweet, as all endings are. This experience was a first for me in many ways professionally and I am grateful for the lessons learned. I am also choosing to personally see this time in my life as an opportunity for reflection and contemplation of the three years that have gone by and acknowledge the people that made these years memorable and enjoyable.

With the daily grind of content, saying that my job as host and producer of “Kababayan Today” was challenging is an understatement. I could have never survived without my LA18 family. I had the opportunity to work with three associate producers that helped make this position more manageable and I am so grateful to Maureen Roque, Albert Bataclan and Nicanor Evangelista. The production crew always knew that I would have many guests to interview in a short amount of time and they truly allowed me to accomplish my long task lists of shows to knock out. Imagine producing a daily show with only five hours of studio time a week! The sales associates continuously co-

ordinated with clients and hands down were the lifeline of the program. Christine Penning, Larry Potter, Alan Buckman and Krizia Medenilla are to be thanked for all their hard work and contributions to the flourishing of “Kababayan Today.” Having people in the Fil-Am community who always trekked to West Los Angeles during rush hour mornings to make it to tapings made us a program of substance and relevance. I have become truly inspired by the work of people like Aqui Soriano of Pilipino Workers Center, Nikole Kababa of Bayan USA, Alex Montances of Filipino Migrant Center and countless community organizers who have so passionately dedicated their literal blood, sweat and tears to fight for and support our migrant communities. My regular co-host for the Asian Journal every Wednesday mornings, Annie Nepomuceno, for bringing the news every week to people hungry to know about headlines pertaining to the Filipino community. Professor Brandon Reilly, who I have learned so much from who made his “Know History, Know Self,” such an empowering series of segments. Regular clients whom I now call my friends, Attorney Allison Aquino-Silva and Attorney Richard Loew, who shared so much of their expertise and knowledge over the LIVE airways, trying to give the most accurate kind of information possible when kababayans would call in immigration questions. Having to accurately time a live show until the exact second is not a piece of cake, but with them, it actually made it exciting, especially when we would celebrate with happy hour after!

To the sweetest Mia McLeod Mercado, who is expecting a ninja

boy soon with rockstar hubby Len, I can’t wait for her to walk me through the process of owning a piece of America.

Managing this daily Fil-Am show at KSCI has been a very enriching and rewarding experience because of all the people who have been part of my amazing journey.

Next week, I am happy to share that the daily grind of production halts and I can finally catch my breath. Some family members are coming into town and we are throwing a “Kababayan Today” Farewell Feast as the reception for the proclamation the program is receiving from the City of Los Angeles, for its invaluable contribution to the Fil-Am community.

Once again, I will be amongst my community accepting this proclamation. Joel Jacinto, Commissioner of the Board of Public Works, who has served as a mentor to me together with FilAm Arts board member Winston Emano, will be speaking on the podium with me as we thank the city for recognizing all that “Kababayan Today” was and did.

I am grateful for the ride and can’t wait to share some updates on what’s next for the program.

Maraming salamat to all our viewers who supported and watched our program! *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipinos living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only the cultural gap between America & the Philippines but to help with the generational gap between our own people. She is married with two children and is based in Southern California and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans who are empowering the FilAm community.

After 40 years of servicing the local Asian community in Los Angeles, LA18’s local programming comes to an end. File photo shows G Tongi reviewing footage for her show, “Kababayan Today.”

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon

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B4 JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Keeping ‘the lines’ open to Paco Arespacochaga

Getting ahead in life with the right insurance IN today’s world, it is essential to protect yourself from any contingent, uncertain, or exorbitant loss. This is why you need a trustworthy partner that will help you manage risks during unforeseen difficult situations.

Goldhammer Insurance Services is a full-service insurance agency completely devoted to protecting the most important things in your life: family, home, income, and way of life, among others.

Get the personalized coverage you need through various financial services, such as Auto, Home, Life, Renters and Health Insurances, and a wide array of ways to plan for your Retirement.

Being a trusted advisor to the community, Goldhammer Insurance Services takes pride in doing its business the old-fashioned way: one-on-one, with very personalized service.

“You are not just a number

BY MONET

Stan Goldhammer

with us,” Mr. Stan Goldhammer assured.

With a reputation based on integrity and efficiency in doing business, Goldhammer Insurance Services has been in the business for more than four decades now.

“Our agency is family owned and operated, and all of our team are like family members,” Goldhammer said.

From students to the presidents of corporations, and everyone in between, Goldhammer Insurance Services has been serving a wide segment of Californians from all walks of life.

The agency also holds the highest honor of distinction for Allstate’s exclusive agency owners and personal financial representatives by being admitted to the Allstate Hall of Fame. The Allstate Financial Hall of Fame is a highly selective achievement that recognizes an exceptional, consistent commitment to helping customers plan for their insurance and financial needs and retirement savings goals.

Presently, the Goldhammer Insurance Services continues to widen its presence to fully serve the Filipino-American community through the wonderful addition to its family, kababayan Delfred F. Gamboa.

“Mr. Delfred is doing outreach to our Filipino community to help them with their total insurance needs on a one to one basis. We are extremely excited with this addition to our agency,” Goldhammer further expressed.

Goldhammer Insurance Services is located at 21820 Burbank Blvd, Ste 226 Woodland Hills, CA 91367. For inquiries, you may call (818) 227-0700 or send a message to stangoldhammer@allstate.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

LU

BEFORE the emergence of boy bands and K-pop stars, the groups that were born in the 80s or 90s scream for solo artists and pop-rock band performers. One of them bears the name “INTRoVOYS” and have won numerous Gold and Multi-Platinum awards, gained quadruple platinum status earning the band the label “the No. 1 Band in the Land!” and received the Guillermo Mendoza Award.

Paco Arespacochaga was one of the founding members of Introvoys along with 3rd-G Cristobal and Jonathan Buencamino. In 1994, they released an album, “Line to Heaven,” in which Paco sang the title song which he had composed after losing both his parents.

Thankfully, Paco kept his line open to talk about what’s keeping him busy lately amongst other Paco Arespacochaga pretty much takes up the “9-5”. things.

Paco: First off, I’d like to thank I do take the kids to school in the your readers for spending the time morning so that starts my day.

In the afternoon, I spend time to read our interview. And also to you, for featuring me on your with my family – whether it be gocolumn. Currently, the rest of IN- ing out, running errands, grocery TRoVOYS and I are multi-tasking, shopping, etc.

Evenings vary from day to day spending the holidays with family.

Buying gifts and attending Christ- because two days are spent with mas parties have been the norm. INTRoVOYS, three days are spent Simultaneously, we’ve been in the with the wifey at the gym and two studio, rehearsing for our shows days could be gig nights, family in 2017, which includes a North nights or date nights.

I always say, regardless of what America tour with Geneva Cruz, I said, everything is subject to Jo Awayan and Rey Kilay.

M: Are you based here in the change!

M: Please tell us more about U.S. for good? If yes, what made you decide to relocate and settle your journey to the music industry/show business? here?

P: My journey to the music P: Yes, my family and I are based here in the U.S. We’ve been industry was not an easy route. here since 2001. It wasn’t hard to It involved a lot of perseverance, decide to migrate my family here passion, dedication, commitment, when the opportunity came my rejections and setbacks. It was a way. At the end of the day, a better long journey but the payoff was opportunity for my kids was the well worth it!

I “applied” to be an actor for main reason I decided to migrate VIVA Films when I was 12 years to the U.S. M: What is a typical day like old! Haha. What did I know, right?

But my mom, who was always for a Paco Arespacochaga?

P: A typical day for me starts very supportive of me, was always with waking up early, planning there to encourage me. Obviously, what I would do for the rest of I didn’t get the gig.

Three years later, at 15 years the day. Currently, aside from the band and family, I am involved in old, together with Jonathan Buenmarketing for American Profes- camino and 3rd G Cristobal, we sional Ambulance, which provides formed INTRoVOYS. German Moreno gave us a non-emergency gurney transports for patients from Skilled Nursing break to be part of the now defunct Facilities to the Hospitals. That noon time show, “That’s Entertain-

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS IN today’s health-oriented world, the four major players — diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse – are in the spotlight. Diet weighs heavily on this equation and has also been a subject of a lot of pervasive myths and misinformation.

Today, we shall review some of the most popular misconception about diet.

Fasting is the best way to start Fasting is the wrong way to start, or even “punctuate,” your dieting schedule. Fasting has no place at all in controlling weight or quality of nutrition for our body. The temporary weight loss resulting from fasting is thru water loss (dehydration). The best way to maintain your weight is to burn the calories your take in daily (example: if you take in 2000 calories, you should exercise off 2000 calories that day). It is a matter of intake and output, an obvious common sense approach. If one is overweight and wants to lose weight, then the calories burned should be higher than the calories ingested, until the goal is reached… and at that point, the maintenance intake and output formula should prevail. Those who want to gain weight to reach the ideal weight, obviously, should have more intake than output of calories.

Low carb-high protein diet is best Not true. Those on low carbohydrate diet alone, but on high protein (meats, egss, etc) had good initial weight loss, but regained the weight after six to 12 months, as shown by some studies. They faired better than those on low fat diet, which is actually more healthy as far as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic illnesses and cancers are concerned. However, low carb diet, combined with low fat diet and exercise, has been found to be the best regimen. This means the diet mainly consists of fish and bean curd, beans, grains and nuts (as the main source of protein and oil) and a lot of green leafy and other vegetables, and fruits. Among diabetics, fruits should be included in the calculation of the total daily restricted calorie intake.

Enemas aids in dieting.

False! This is a myth that is unhealthy. Enemas for cleansing “to get rid of toxins in our body,” is not medically accepted as a means of detoxification and weight control.

To detoxify our body, the best way

Photo by Jerome Libradilla

ment”. It was a good gig because it helped us build a fan base, one we still take pride of having by our side to this day — 30 years later!

To make a long story short, forming the band was difficult in itself and is filled with memorable stories among all of us. But collectively, our journey as a band was more difficult that forming it.

M: How are the INTRoVOYS doing now? Do you still perform as a band or you went solo?

P: INTRoVOYS did 14 major concerts in the United States and Canada this 2016. In 2017, we are scheduled to do 22 shows in North America, three of which has been confirmed and is now posted on www.INTRoVOYS.com/Shows.

I believe I am more effective as part of INTRoVOYS than being a solo performer.

We recently released our 9th album, “Where We Left Off” and we’re pretty satisfied with its sales, considering that it was independently produced. Like what I said earlier, INTRoVOYS is scheduled to do 22 shows in 2017.

We’re also in production for a new album. And we’ve been doing music videos for our previous hits.

M: If you hadn’t been a musician, what would you be doing right now? Why? P: I would’ve been a movie/television director or producer. It has PAGE B5

Debunking diet myths is to abstain from smoking, minimize alcohol intake and exposure to other toxic agents, eat a lot of vegetables, nuts, some fruits, and to exercise daily. There have been reports of deaths with frequent self-prescribed enemas. They could lead to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, heartbeat irregularity, and bowel perforation. The so-called designer coffee enema for colon cleansing is not only expensive but also useless and very dangerous.

Eating late at night leads to more weight gain and fats This is no more true than the myth that Elvis Presley is alive. Of course, it is best not to have a full stomach close to bedtime. Going to bed 3 to 4 hours after a meal is fine. The calories taken at night have the same effect as those taken during the daytime. While you burn less calories while sleeping, you lose these when you get up in the morning and start your daily routine, especially if you exercise every day.

“Slimming tea” works This is a myth. “Slimming Tea,” or other drinks that are advertised as effective for weight reduction, are per se, useless and a waste of money. Any beverage, so long as they are zero calorie drinks, can help in weight reduction, if taken in lieu of a ton of calories. And I repeat, in lieu of. Not together with thousands of calories. If you drink them and still eat more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight, regardless of what fluid you drink.

There is absolutely NO beverage on the market that will lead to weight reduction, per se. There is no easy solution to overweight; it takes education, discipline, determination and hard work. But the dividends are worth the sacrifices.

Drinking a lot of water leads to weight gain Only if you heart or kidney is not healthy. Heart or kidney failure patients tend to retain water, so water restriction is part of the treatment among many of them.

However, for someone who is otherwise healthy except for excess body weight, drinking two glasses of water before each meal is a great strategy in appetite and calorie control (it “fools” the brain into thinking the stomach is already full), which reduces the food intake, and, subsequently, the weight. The recommended fluid intake is at least 8 glasses of water a day. However, if the beverage ingested is loaded with a lot of calories (like regular cola drinks, fruit drinks, smoothies, etc.), then rapid weight gain results. Fruits juices (fresh fruits

are better than the juice) should be limited to 4 oz a day since it has a high concentration of added sugar. Sugar-loaded pop beverages are among the top culprits in the calorie explosion of today, and should be avoided. Purified water is the healthier and cheaper universal beverage for all seasons.

Eating grapefruit will help burn body fats A caveat to remember: there is no food known to man today that can burn or “melt” body fats, or that can reduce weight without proper dieting. Eating grapefruit is good, if done (again) in lieu of eating tons of calories. Grapefruits, like many fruits and multi-colored and green leafy vegetables, are loaded with good anti-oxidants that protect our body from the ravages caused by free radicals. So, eating them daily is healthy for us, but for fat and weight reduction, the only guaranteed formula is our basic common sense principle: output must be equal to intake (calories taken in = calories burned) in order to maintain a certain weight. And you can extrapolate from there to suit your personal goal.

Are sodas/soft drinks safe?

Soft drinks, regular or diet, cola or uncola, caffeinated or not, are not only unhealthy but toxic to the body, especially for children. They increase the risk for the development of metabolic syndrome, number one killer among diseases. For those on a diet, drinking soft drinks is like pouring water on someone who is already drowning. Taxes for soft drinks, like taxes for cigarettes, are being increased through legislation to discourage people from using these toxic agents.

Diet without exercise While dieting or watching our diet, pushing ourselves away from the dining table less than full to maintain a healthy weight, body, and mind, doing this disciplined strategy, adding exercise to this healthy lifestyle regimen, more than triple its beneficial effects as far as boosting our immune system, our physiology, disease prevention, and overall well-being for health and longevity. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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EntErtainmEnt

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 1-4, 2017

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Why Derrick Monasterio almost fainted on set Now on her third decade in the business, Regine Velasquez talks about her insecurities by lhar

santIago ManilaTimes.net

HE was tied upside down and repeatedly plunged into water. That was the torture scene Derrick Monasterio taped at a bar, which unsurprisingly is his most challenging and physically difficult task for the camera to date.

Another gripping turn of events in the high-flying series, “Mulawin versus Ravena,” the story line presents Joko Diaz—who plays the role of Antonio—believing that Derrick’s character—Rodrigo— has knowledge about the halfhuman-half-bird creatures. And so, to extract information from Rodrigo about the Mulawins, Antonio tortures him.

“The scene was harder than I thought it would be,” admitted Derrick. “It was not easy holding my breath in the water. Iba pag nakabitin ka ng patiwarik at inilulubog ka sa tubig. I swallowed a lot of water. The scene was so real that I almost fainted. But I’m so thankful that the team, the staff and the he crew who were there keeping their eyes on me. Every time they noticed that my face was so red, itatayo na nila ko. Sa totoo lang, I felt so weak after.”

Before the scene was taken, the production told Derrick they would use a double for him since they knew how difficult it would be. But Derrick insisted that to do it himself.

“I decided to do it because I want to learn. Kailan pa ako gagawa ng mga ganitong eksena?

The opportunity was there and I had to face the challenge. Besides,

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

Derrick Monasterio

if I allow a double, pag pumalpak siya, it will still reflect on me.”

One thing is for sure though, and that is Derrick’s transformation happening soon in the series. From being an ordinary man in Rodrigo, he will turn into the courageous and formidable leader and savior of Avila, the kingdom of the Mulawin, as Almiro.

The transformation is something else. That, everyone has to see. It will be a really glorious moment. We haven’t taped it yet but I’ve read the script already and got so excited.

I don’t know how to describe it, I can’t find the right words. The viewers will surely get carried away by that transformation moment–iba siya talaga,” Derrick promised.

The Kapuso actor is so focused on Mulawin that on days

Philstar.com photo

when he doesn’t have tapings, he spends it in the gym. He said he wants to be ready all the time because his role is physically demanding. As much as possible, he doesn’t want to accept other projects might distract him Mulawin.

Last weekend, however, he temporarily shifted his attention to something he considers equally challenging– hosting. He emceed 2017 Miss Global Philippines with Luanne Dy. “I accepted the offer because hosting is something I consider foreign territory, which I also want to explore. This is the second year that I hosted the pageant and so far, I’m happy with the feedback I am getting.

I hope this hosting stint leads to more hosting jobs for me,” Derrick ended.

Keeping ‘the lines’ open to Paco...

PAGE B4 always been my passion to be in the arts. So it’s safe to say that if wasn’t lucky enough to be in front of the camera, I would definitely be behind it.

M: (If you don’t mind us asking) Are with someone right now? Would you mind sharing some details?

P: Yes, I am with someone right now. Her name is Janelle. We have a daughter named Cassidy Jane Louise, who’s turning 2 in January.

Between the two of us, we have five children.

M: How is your relationship with your kids? How do you maintain your presence in their lives?

P: My relationship with my

children is as good as any parent.

Compared to their moms, I’m less hands on. I’m more of their “mentor”. We hang out. We talk.

We play. I am always in their lives.

And when they hit 18 years of age, I kick them out into the real world!

I did that to my first born, Heaven, and have been proud of what he has become, which is a self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent human being with a good head on his shoulders.

I’m pretty sure, his little brothers know I’m not kidding about them being out of the nest by the time they reach 18.

M: Any words of wisdom you care to share? Feel free to address your fans.

P: I just want our True Fans

to know how grateful I am to be blessed the way I’ve been. I want my fans to know that they can rest assured that I will always remain humble and will continue to write music for them. Because of their support and generosity, I will always be humble. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

IT has been 30 years since Regine Velasquez took her first uncertain step toward stardom. Celebrated for her wide vocal range, “Asia’s Songbird,” as most everyone knows, began her career by joining amateur singing contests.

Trained by her father Gerry, she went on to win the grand prize on the iconic competition Ang Bagong Kampeon on television when she was 14 years old, and from there, armed with sheer talent, she took one big leap after another in the music industry.

With more than 20 albums to her name to date, Velasquez was once hailed by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) as the Philippines’ Best-Selling Artist of All Time, with more than seven million units sold in the Philippines and another two million units in sales across the Asian continent.

With sold out concerts, toprated television shows and even blockbuster movies to add to her credentials, Velasquez—now married to singer-composer Ogie Alcasid and a mother to fiveyear-old son Nate—has indeed attained such a feat beyond wildest dreams.

But despite all her success, the declared idol of the next generation of top performers in the country, including Sarah Geronimo and Angeline Quinto, Asia’s Songbird surprisingly revealed that she still has to deal with a number of insecurities as an artist today.

One is her changing voice. Now at 47 years old, she is unsure of how high she can belt and hit the high notes much unlike when she was younger.

“My voice is different now. It has more texture—there’s huskiness, grit and angst. Actually, I am insecure now that my voice is not as ‘clean’ as before when I sing or compared to when I was younger.

But my husband said that he likes it because you hear passion unlike before. I’d open my mouth and there’s this voice coming out but it looked like I don’t even own that voice. It was like I was lip-syncing,” Velasquez related to the Entertainment press on Tuesday during her contracting signing with Viva Records and Viva Live for her upcoming 30th anniversary album and concert.

“But as far as giving feelings, I don’t have to put in the effort any-

Regine Velasquez

more because I’ve experienced a lot now already now that I am older.

Before, they still needed to tell me stories of heartaches for example, [so I can sing sad love songs]but now they don’t need to do that anymore,” she added.

Moreover, Velasquez said she has to be on her toes all the more these days when she performs because she can no longer just rely on the strength of her voice to carry her through.

“My husband said, whenever I perform now, he sees how passionate I am again with what I do. When I was young, you saw how passionate I was because I had hunger then. But come the middle of my career, I felt kind of lazy already,” she admitted, “and that just led to opening my mouth and singing.

Apparently, the passion is back according to my husband, which is in a way good because I’m no longer here to prove myself. I’ve done that many times already and it’s really my passion for singing that keeps me going now and not [the drive]to out-sing whoever.”

Velasquez then went on to talk about the challenge of being called laos [has been]these days just because she is in her third decade in the business.

“You know it’s very silly because age is not something that we should be insecure about, but as humans, we do anyway. We get insecure about the wrinkles that we see on our face every time we look in the mirror. For an artist, it might make you feel like, ‘Shocks, laos na ako!’

It also doesn’t help that people will actually let you know that you are laos and you’re old. And also on social media, if you’re old automatically means laos ka na. Pero hindi ba pwedeng palaos pa lang?” she chuckled.

“In our industry, people can get very cruel and unforgiving. And sometimes people who are like that and say those things are the young ones. All the same, I’m grateful that there are still lot of people who are supporting me—supporting us— and they are still very much willing to watch the concerts and buy the albums,” she expressed.

“What I realized is that insecurities will always be there but you just need to live with them–you cannot do anything about it. We’re human.

So, despite all that, what gets me going is when I announce something the fans get excited. It helps erase all the insecurities and then I get excited all over again as well and challenged to continue what I’m doing,” she elaborated.

And so to mark her three remarkable decades in the industry, Velasquez is treating her fans to a new album and a grand solo concert, both of which are titled “R3.0.”

“I feel that I have come full circle today because it was Viva that produced my first album in 1987,” she recalled. “Now, after years of recording albums with other labels, I’m back to where I started and this time, it a very album plus a concert to celebrate my 30th year in the business.”

B july 1-4, 2017 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution Brittany Milliasseau and nancy Miller AFTER months of uncertainty regarding the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides immigration relief to certain young people who entered the country as children, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement that sparked excitement and hope in many immigrant communities. In its memorandum issued last Thursday, DHS stated that the DACA program “will remain in effect.” Initially thought by immigration advocates to be a large victory and a change from the Trump Administration’s stricter stance on immigration enforcement priorities, the statement soon began to create uncertainty and confusion, rather than excitement.

A day after DHS’ seemingly optimistic statements regarding the program, officials explained that the statements were only meant to clarify that those enrolled in the program would not immediately be affected by the separate action ending the similar Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program.

In last Thursday’s statement, DHS issued a memorandum rescinding the DAPA program, which was aimed at removing the threat of deportation for the immigrant parents of U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident children.

Initially projected to provide a form of immigration relief to over four million immigrant parents, DAPA was never fully realized due to a slew of legal challenges.

Since last week’s statements, White House officials have further clarified that President Trump “had not made a decision about the long-term fate of the program” and could still potentially follow through on ending DACA which would potentially subject DACA recipients to deportation and take away their work authorization. During his

Fate of DACA remains uncertain after similar program officially ends

campaign, President Trump promised to “immediately terminate” the DACA program upon assuming his duties as President.

DHS’ rescission of DAPA came exactly five years after President Obama announced that his administration would take actions to mend the nation’s immigration policy to make it “more fair, more efficient, and more just – specifically for certain young people sometimes called Dreamers.”

In his June 2012 remarks, President Obama described the Dreamers as “young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, they’re friends with our kids, they pledge alliance to our flag.

They are American in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper.” President Obama further explained “it makes no sense to expel talented young people, who, for all intents and purposes, are Americans.”

Five years later, the fate of the nearly 800,000 Dreamers still remain uncertain. While many have viewed President Trump as being more lenient on the Dreamers, a group that is viewed sympathetically by many Americans, he has not held a clear stance on the DACA program.

He has however implied that he would not try to deport the Dreamers. Nevertheless, many immigrants are still reluctant to apply for DACA due to fear of being targeted for deportation should the program end. In recent months this fear has grown in many immigrant communities, especially as a result of the numerous highly publicized cases of DACA recipients being detained despite them being granted relief through the program.

DACA relief is available to young people under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 who: 1) entered the United States before June 15, 2007 and before turning age 16; (2) have resided in the United States continuously since

at least June 15, 2007 and up to the present date; (3) are currently in high school, have graduated from high school or obtained a certificate of completion or GED, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or U.S. Armed Forces; and, (4) have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors and does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. While DACA relief does not confer lawful status and is not a pathway to permanent residency, recipients are eligible to receive work authorization and removal actions against them are deferred for a period of two years.

Despite the current administration’s mixed-signals regarding the DACA program, it is still in effect and initial and renewal applications continue to be accepted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. However, it is important to keep in mind that the program could end at any moment and DACA recipients could be at risk for deportation.

If you believe you may be eligible for DACA, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your legal options and determine whether DACA is the best and safest option for you at this time. n *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 1-4, 2017

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C JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BuLAon IF you’ve ever been in a situation in your life where you had to file bankruptcy as a last resort in order to get out of debt, you know exactly what I am talking about.

After having counseled thousands of people with debt problems over the years, I have learned that unresolved debt problems can lead to devastating and sometimes irreversible consequences!

For example, did you know that financial problems account for one of the leading causes of divorce in this country? Since one out of three marriages ends in divorce, can you just imagine how many homes have been wrecked by financial problems?

Debt problems can cause a lot of stress at home and sometimes, spouses even blame each other for their present situation.

Like a ticking time bomb, emotions eventually explode. When the debts are not getting paid, bill collectors are calling and basic needs such as food, utilities and rent aren’t even getting

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth ursuA reyes MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees.

Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly.

Community Journal

Filing bankruptcy when financial stress becomes too much to handle

met; trust me, every conversation between husband and wife can easily turn into a big argument. Like pulling a rubber band, as the tension keeps building up, it eventually snaps.

A lot of people coming to me for help with their debt problems tell me that they also have difficulty focusing on just about anything- their job, business or career. Many are stuck with jobs that they don’t even like. They want to go out there and find a job that they would at least enjoy doing but they can’t even afford to take some time off for fear of losing a paycheck. If they miss a paycheck, they will get buried deeper in debt as they can’t even pay their bills as it is now. Can you imagine waking up every morning and going to a job that you don’t even like? You don’t like the working environment, the people aren’t friendly and your boss is always watching you like a fish in a bowl. Besides being underpaid, maybe you feel you’re stuck in a dead end

job with no room for advancement and no promise for the future. Perhaps you’re thinking about going back to school to learn something new and change careers. But you can’t do anything about it because you just can’t afford to look for another job.

If you are in debt, something inside of you tells you that there is something terribly wrong with this situation. Is this the way to live? You’re looking for some peace in your life but peace just seems to elude you. You can’t even sleep at night because you’re worried about what creditors will do next. Maybe for the last few months, you’ve managed to juggle your credit cards by taking money from one card to pay other credit cards but now you’re all maxed out. Your friends and family don’t even return your calls anymore because they assume you’re calling them to borrow money again. You’re feeling sorry for yourself and feel like you’re about to go insane.

u PAGE C4

I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it

Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied.

Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition. If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment.

Child Support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will

try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court.

Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans.

Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement.

QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO).

Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided.

Unequal division of community property in default divorce

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Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

HOW do you answer this question? Let’s check what the Bible has to say about debt.

The Bible says that one should neither be a lender or borrower. It does not seem to recommend the assumption of debt. Otherwise, it should say, it’s OK to be a borrower, but not a lender or viceversa. This statement is clear. It does not sound like fake news. It’s straightforward. It doesn’t sound like a mysterious early morning tweet from the president. On the contrary, the Bible is specific.

Don’t be a lender or a borrower.

Why not a lender? Because you might end up losing your money.

Why not a borrower? Because debt service will end up destroying your life. The debt will literally enslave you with minimum payments to keep them current that will cost you a fortune in the long run. You will eventually lose a fortune that should be in your bank account. You will need this fortune for your retirement but if you have too much debt, instead of having this fortune available for your use to augment your social security when you retire, you will have nothing but debt that keeps on asking for more money from you every month.

For those of you who don’t have debt, read on, so you won’t decide to plunge into a sea of debt.

So how much debt is too much? I posed this question here exactly 20 years ago. If you were 45 then, you would now be ready to retire at 65. Were they 20 long years? No, in fact, they were 20 very short years. Your 5-year-old son is now 25, done with college and working. Your toddler then is now an adult. Your 3-yearold daughter then is now 23, also an adult. She is now a registered nurse. Your son is now a mechanical engineer working for an international construction firm based in Hong Kong.

Your parents who were then 69 are now 89. They have good genes but they have all kinds of aches and pains and both need caregivers to help them along.

So what happened? Twenty years just passed by so fast like a speeding train that you didn’t notice. Let’s just say that 20 years ago, you and your spouse had a net combined income of $4K. I already said you were 45 years old then. You had a house mortgage to pay, maybe a second

How much debt is too much?

trust deed, one of those home improvement loans, had one or two car payments. Your son and daughter were still in grade school. You examined your debt level then when you read my article 20 years ago. You were in fact at a major crossroad in your life. You had about $30K of credit cards, which needed 25 percent of your net household income, or close to $1K to make minimum payments on your credit cards.

It felt like a wage garnishment and your heart was being ripped out through your wallet, right?

What was left was $3K, which you allocated for the house, the cars, food, electricity, insurances and other living expenses. After all these expenses, probably, your household had nothing left.

If you had nothing left, where would you have gotten $1K a month to make minimum payments? By borrowing more. So, in one year you would have had to borrow $12K. So in one year, you owe, not $30K, but $42K, and instead of needing only $1K for debt service, you needed $1300, and so on and so forth. During year three, at 48, you would have owed $66K, instead of $30K, needing almost $2K minimum payments, instead of $1K. You would have dug a hole so deep for yourself that you couldn’t get out of it. You might as well have MC and Visa tattooed on your forehead because they own you and you work for them.

Let’s say that you did get a promotion that gave you an additional $1K of net income.

Should that have gone to debt service of credit cards of $30K? Think about it. $1K of debt service means $12K a year of money that should go to your savings and investments for your future — should it not? If you actually paid $12K a year to service $30K of credit cards, after using all of your additional income to keep your credit card masters happy, you would have paid them $60K in five years, and worst of all, you still owe them the same $30K! Shouldn’t you use the $60K to save and invest for your family’s future instead? Aren’t you sacrificing your family’s financial future and opportunities in favor of servicing your credit cards that are taking 25 percent of your monthly net income? Although you may not admit what you are doing, you are actually killing the ability of your family to save for the future by keeping these

cards current over the years.

If you read my article then and chose not to wipe out the $30K of credit cards 20 years ago, how much money would you have paid your credit card masters?

A lot. You would have paid them $240K in 20 years. You would have paid them a quarter of a million dollars. And how much would you still owe them today?

The same $30K. You are making them rich, while keeping yourself poor. That’s the simple truth.

If you took my advice 20 years ago and wiped the $30K out with a Chapter 7 petition then, how much would you have now that you are 65? You probably would have $500K if you invested the savings of $1K a month for 20 years wisely. Not with Bernie Madoff of course. If you bought Apple shares 20 years ago, you would now be extremely wealthy.

Because $10K invested in Apple only 10 years ago would be worth how much today? That $10K, which was 10 months of minimum monthly payments for you then, would be worth $677,000 today! If you invested three years of minimum payments on credit cards ten years ago, you would have a cool $2.0-M today! What a small change in your life direction would have meant in benefits for you and your family! Our God is so great, indeed!

Because he blesses those who rely on Him with abundance!

You want to be a millionaire when you retire? Get rid of your credit cards now and invest your savings in equities. Twenty years from now, when you check your million dollar portfolio, you will be so glad that you read my article today and made the wise decision of your life. And how would your credit score be 20 years from now if you wiped out your cards now? It would be perfect at 830.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

“THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US, AND WE ARE FILLED WITH JOY.” — PSALM 126:3.

*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 (Advertising Supplement)

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Community Journal

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 1-4, 2017

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Employee misclassification results Permanent residence for crewmen in serious injustice to workers “Independent contractors” lose employment rights

EDUARDO Garcia worked 15-hour days as a port truck driver for Tradelink Transport.

Even after working 15 hours, his boss would wave him back to work. If he said no, he would not be given work the next day. So he went back to work.

Jovanni Castillo worked 20 hours per day, six days a week driving for Imperial CFS. If he did not drive 20 hours a day, his company fined him $200.

Ho Lee had been paying $1,600 a month for two years for a truck in a lease-to-own scheme. When he fell sick and missed a week of work, the company fired him, took his truck and he lost everything he had paid on it.

The above are some of the workers detailed in USA Today Network’s investigative report into the trucking industry. The report highlighted the industrywide but unlawful practice of classifying drivers as “independent contractors.” USA Today Network’s report found that: Employers charged drivers with hundreds of dollars a month for insurance and diesel fuel.

Drivers are forced to falsify work logs that track hours or their companies would not pay them.

Many drivers thought they were paying into their truck like a mortgage. Instead, when they lost their job, they also

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. lost their truck, along with everything they paid toward it.

Serious injustice could result when workers are misclassified as independent contractors (IC). Such workers are deprived of the protections afforded to

ployee or an IC is the employer’s right to control the worker in performing the job. If the employer dictates the type of tasks to accomplish and how to accomplish them, then the worker is likely an employee.

Our law firm has helped hundreds of misclassified workers recover back wages owed to them by companies. More importantly, through litigation, we helped them be correctly classified as employees.

Evaluating whether a worker is correctly classified as an IC may become highly technical.

Workers should not hesitate to consult with experienced employment attorneys to determine if they are really employees entitled to greater rights and protections under the law. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)

“The most important factor to consider whether a worker is an employee or an IC is the employer’s right to control the worker in performing the job.” employees, such as the right to be paid for each and every hour worked, and the right to be paid for overtime, or missed breaks.

They are also deprived of benefits such as health insurance, pension, and workers’ compensation protection. They do not have the usual recourse against wrongful termination. Worse, companies pass on the costs of doing business to them by deducting expenses from their pay.

True independent contractor status is defined by law. The most important factor to consider whether a worker is an em-

Should the IRS conduct a field audit at your home or office?

NEITHER one, actually. You see, IRS conducts field audits where the books and records of a business are maintained. This, of course, is your office, home, warehouse, factory, or store. But I don’t like any of these locations.

What I like is my own accounting office. After representing taxpayers in IRS disputes for decades, I prefer that your memorial services…I mean your audit, be conducted at my office.

Let me tell you why: 1. I do not want a Revenue Agent probing around your place of business.

2. I do not want the agent interviewing your employees.

3. I do not want your customers or clients noticing an IRS agent in the premises.

4. I also do not want your children getting wrong ideas about IRS agents in your home.

It’s not good for business. It’s not good for employee morale.

It’s not good for you and your family.

Here Are Tips To Move IRS Field Audits From Your Place To My Office: 1. IRS regulations state that if conducting the audit at the place of business would essentially require the business to close or

Tax Tips ViCtor Sy, CPA, MBA

would unduly disrupt business operations, the agent can change the place of the exam to an IRS office, but this only my second choice.

2. My first choice is our own office. This shifts the audit venue from your office to mine. We do not have to worry about the agent overhearing employees talking or observing business operations. I can control the flow of information, the timing of interviews, and the general course of the audit at my office.

3. The agent will resist the change so we just have to be persistent. One way is to request for a site where the main books and records are located. The main books are sales journals, cash receipts journals, cash disbursements journals, general ledger, and trial balances that are all located in my office.

4. Backup records such as re-

ceipts and invoices are at your place of business and can be produced as requested. It may not work but if you are persistent enough, the agent and his/her manager may permit the change of venue.

5. Lastly, make sure that requested invoices, receipts, bank statements and other documents are at my office; otherwise, the rationale for the change of venue is blown. This would be embarrassing. In the meantime, conduct your business as usual and let me take care of your audit at my office. Under my supervision.

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

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What is the ‘reasonable probability’ test regarding criminal convictions?

QUESTION: I was convicted of an assault charge and have been told that there is a possibility that I can show that it was not a crime of moral turpitude, and therefore, that I would not be deportable. Is this true?

Answer: It is possible in many criminal statutes to analyze scenarios whereby certain conduct under the statute would not be considered to have committed a crime involving moral turpitude. There are courts that have determined that under what is known as the categorical approach, it is insufficient to provide “theoretically possible” conduct that constitutes a non–aggravated felony or crime of moral turpitude to determine that a particular statute is not an aggravated felony.

Rather, it requires proof that the minimum conduct that would make a conviction a non–aggravated felony crime has a “realistic possibility” of being prosecuted under the statute. For example, in one case whether “aiding and abetting” under a vehicle theft statute in California was an aggravated felony and rejected the Ninth Circuit’s determination that “aiding and abetting” a theft is not itself a crime that falls within the generic definition of theft. In so doing, the Court found that when a respondent seeks to create a new “subspecies” of a crime so that it falls outside of the generic definition of the ag-

Estate Corner

Atty. BriAn Lerner gravated felony then he or she has the burden to demonstrate that the statute was applied that way in his or her case or that it has been applied that way in other actual, not hypothetical, cases.

The Court stated: “In our view, to find that a state statute creates a crime outside the generic definition of a listed crime in a federal statute requires more than the application of legal imagination to a state statute’s language.

It requires a realistic probability, not a theoretical possibility, that the State would apply its statute to conduct that falls outside the generic definition of a crime.

To show that realistic possibility, an offender, of course, may show that the statute was so applied in his own case. But he must at least point to his own case or other cases in which the state courts, in fact, did apply the statute in the special (nongeneric) manner for which he argues.

Such an example could be in regard to state firearms convictions requiring that a “noncitizen would have to demonstrate that

the State actually prosecutes the relevant offense in cases involving antique firearms. Other courts have broadened this to show that they must demonstrate a realistic probability by requiring that others had to have been convicted of the hypothetical crime not merely indicted for it.”

Another example might be a statute that on its face covers a controlled substance not included in the Federal schedule, there must still be a realistic probability the state would prosecute conduct that falls outside the generic definition to defeat removability.

Thus, under the “reasonable probability” test, it does make it more difficult to try to carve out sections of statutes showing that the crime should not be an aggravated felony or a crime of moral turpitude, but in fact, it is possible and can be done and applied if properly argued. *** Atty. Brian D. Lerner has been an Immigration Attorney for nearly a quarter of a century. He is married to a Filipina and has helped thousands of Filipino families all over the country.

In addition to his offices in Southern California in Long Beach and Carson, he has an office in Quezon City. He is a certified specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Legal Board of Specialization, California State Bar. The initial consultation is free. Call (562) 495-0554 and/or send an e-mail to blerner@californiaimmigration.us.

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DEAR Attorney Tan, I entered the US in 1998 as a crewman. I have recently married a US citizen and would like to get a green card. However, I have heard that since I entered as a crewman, I cannot adjust my status to a permanent resident. Is this true? --Lost on Land Dear Lost on Land, Under INA Section 245(c)(1), a person who enters the US as a “crewman” is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, analysis of this issue must begin with determining whether you are actually a “crewman,” who is barred from adjustment.

A “crewman” is defined as a person “serving…in a capacity required for normal operation and service on board a vessel, …or aircraft, who intends to land temporarily and solely in pursuit of his calling as a crewman and to depart from the United States with the vessel or aircraft on which he arrived or some other vessel or aircraft.” INA Section 101(a)(15(D). A “crewman” under this definition is assigned a “D” visa classification, but is often issued a dual C-1 transit/ D crewman visa. Because of this, a common misperception exists that a C-1 visa classification is designated for crewmen, and that a person who entered the US under a C-1 classification is by definition a “crewman,” therefore barred from adjusting his status to permanent resident.

However, it is important to keep in mind that if a person entered on a C-1 transit visa, he may not be a “crewman” and may be eligible to adjust status. Further, the facts of a particular case regardless of letter classification of one’s visa upon entry may also be considered. If you entered on a C-1 transit visa, or under circumstances that do not fit the definition of a “crewman,” you may be eligible to adjust status.

If you are considered a “crewman” under the above definition, you can still file for adjustment of status to permanent residence and get a green card in the US if you are covered by INA Section 245(i). To be covered under INA Section 245(i), one must be the beneficiary of a visa petition or labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001. If the petition was filed between January 14, 1998 and April 30, 2001, physical presence in the US on December 21, 2000 is also required.

If you are not covered under INA Section 245(i), and are considered a “crewman” under the above definition, you would need to obtain your immigrant visa at a foreign consular post. Traditionally, persons who were unlawfully present in the US for more than 1 year, and who had to obtain their immigrant visa at an overseas US consulate were subject to an unlawful presence bar from returning to the US for 10 years. That person would be able to seek a waiver of the unlawful presence bar after leaving the US, but if denied, he would be left outside of the US, and away from his family for 10 years. However, under the Provisional Waiver program, you can apply for and get a decision on the waiver of the unlawful presence bar without leaving the US. If the waiver is approved, you can leave the US with some assurance that you will obtain your immigrant visa at the US consulate post and quickly return. Spouses and minor children of US citizens are eligible for provisional waiver relief. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association.

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

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I filed my own divorce but I can’t...

PAGE C2 t cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties.

Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor.

Trying to save on legal fees by handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It

is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. ***

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW

OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.

This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

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C4 JULY 1-4, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

America

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

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People and Events Bugasong Pag-ulikid Foundation USA Inc. will celebrate its 28th anniversary celebration in Long Beach, California ON Saturday, August 26, 2017, the non- profit organization Bugasong Pag-ulikid Foundation USA Inc. will hold its 28th Dinner Dance Anniversary Ball. It will be at the Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport, at 2640 N. Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90815, (562) 597-4401. Nohost cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. and a sit-down dinner with a choice of beef or chicken will be served at 7 p.m. Dinner will not be served after 8:30 p.m.

Dance the night away to the music of The Hill Tops Band.

This year’s theme is Hawaiian; therefore, we would love to see you on your Hawaiian attire.

Tickets are $55 prepaid and $60 at the door.

Bugasong is one of the towns in Antique, Philippines. In 1989, Fr. Joaquin A. Dioso came to the United States to create a foundation that participates in projects and activities for the betterment and progression of the people of Bugasong. Its members largely reside in the United States. The current and previous projects of the Foundation include a Dental

Mission, Medical Mission, Annual Gift Giving, Scholarship Awards, School Feeding program and Tig-Ang contest.

If you are interested in celebrating with us or donating to this foundation, please contact Emily Dioso at (310) 549-6321 or at emilydioso76@hotmail.com.

Or Esong Pactao-in at (714) 8786769 at isong@hotmail.com.

On the next day, Sunday, August 27, there will be a get together at Carriage Crest Park at 23800 Figueroa St Carson, CA 90745.

Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in concert in Las Vegas Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) will hold a concert at the Flamingo Theatre of the Clark County Library at 7 p.m., with touring guest Annie Nepomuceno and special guest tenor Edward Granadosin. Front acts are Michael Perez and Esmeralda Padilla. Please call Dr. Mike Santa Juana at (516) 669-5834, Art Jerus (702) 738-8029 or Randolph Umali (702) 985-5724 for inquiries.

J U LY 8

United Batanguenos of Southern California Induction in Los Angeles The United Batanguenos of Southern California will hold its induction of officers on Saturday, July 8 at Casa Italiana in Los Angeles. Millie Moncada will be inducted as new governor. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions please call Millie at (818) 322-9429; Cely Anuran (805) 630-3377 or Willie Manacsa at (818) 400-7391. Casa Italiana is located at 1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

J U LY 2 1 -23

Filipino Caucus Family Retreat in Lake Hughes, CA The Filipino Caucus of the California Pacific Annual Conference (CALPAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is inviting its members to a family retreat to be held from July 21 to 23. The venue will be the scenic Oak Camps and Conference Center (18651 Pine Canyon Road, Lake Hughes, California). The Rev. Dr. Bener Agtarap, Associate General Secretary of the UMC Board of Discipleship Ministry will be the resource person and guest speaker during the three- day gathering to be marked with group discussions and fellowship. “Rekindling the Flame” will be the theme of this retreat. According to Rev. Nelson Castorillo, the Filipino Caucus president, the goal of the retreat is re-igniting and rekindling the symbolic flame representing the spirit and unity of this growing group of Filipino-American Methodists and hoping this type of gathering will reenergize and revitalize the Church.

The Rosewood UMC, headed by Ding Lapus, is coordinating the event. He is assisted

by Noribel Taguba, Vicky Ignacio, Dennis Mañacop, Auring Garcia, John Umaguing, Revs.

Manny Predas and Lisa Santiago. Food and lodging for three days is $148 and $103 for children 7-12 years old. Check is payable to the Filipino Caucus, PO Box 10435, Glendale, CA 91209. For more information please call Rev. Nelson (909) 538-7606 or email at nelsonpreacher@gmail.com.

J U LY 29

The Filipino-Americans of Contra Costa County, Inc. hosts annual picnic in Hercules, CA The Filipino-Americans of Contra Costa County, Inc. (FACCC, Inc.) invites you to its annual potluck picnic on Saturday, July 29 at Foxboro Park in Hercules, CA. It will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share. FACCC, Inc. will provide barbecued beef, chicken, hot dogs and water. For any inquiries, call Chairperson Roy de Leon at (510) 5655465 or Vice Chair Joe Medrano at (510) 417-0585.

AU G U ST 1 3

University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) induction ball in Whittier, CA The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) will hold its induction ball on Sunday, August 13 at the DoubleTree by Hilton - Whittier (7320 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602). Mutch Carino will be inducted a president of UPAAGLA for 2017-2019, together with the newly-elected officers composed of Ethel Rubio (President-Elect), Nati Matitu (1st VP), Evelyn Andamo (2nd VP), Joy Angeles (Recording Secretary), Yvee Tadeo-Guevara (Corresponding Secretary), Gil Guinto (Treasurer), Melette Lampino (Assistant Treasurer), Dick Cu (Auditor), Benny Uy (PRO) and Bobby Canseco (IT Officer). The 2017-2019 UPAAGLA Board of Directors are Ivy Manalang, Atty. Mary Lyn Sanga, Luisa Lansigan, Ellery Atienza, Mary Trinidad, Sonny Gancayco, Annie Nepomuceno, Mary Drees, Jess Espanola, Bob Shroder, Carina Slepian, Ivy Cosio-Bautista, Ellen Gomez, Tina Escueta Martin and Angie Alvarez. The advisers of UPAAGLA are Dr. Arnel Joaquin, Vicky Gancayco, Jazmin Gaite, Alma Onrubia, Frank Mamaril, Doris Maligalig, and Sonja Menor. Red carpet arrivals and no-host cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. The program and dinner will start at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, sponsorships and souvenir program advertisements, please call Mutch Carino at (626) 716-5442.

SEPTEMBER 1-4

Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School international reunion in Las Vegas Come and celebrate with RMCHS alumni and guests for the third biannual international homecoming. Sing, dance, party, share precious memories and join the fun from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Join the golf tournament in the morning of Saturday, Sept.

2 and then wear your best (black and white) for a dinner dance later that evening. Make this event an opportunity to reunite with your own batchmates, watch a show, visit tourist spots, and stroll along the Las Vegas Strip. For more information, visit the RMCHS 2017 INTL REUNION Facebook page.

O C TO B E R 1 4

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

D EC E M B E R 27-29

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

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

Filing bankruptcy when financial...

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I am not saying that bankruptcy is the solution to all debt problems. In some cases, it should not even be considered. But for your sanity’s sake, if you’ve done the best you can and the best you know how to pay your creditors but you have ran out of options, consider the new possibilities that bankruptcy relief may be able to provide you and your family. It’s a shame that so many people suffer in debt, sometimes for years, when the law provides a solution to their debt problems.

Of course, bankruptcy is not for dishonest people who just don’t want to pay their debts. It is for honest people who need a second chance to rebuild their finances and their life. If you were physically sick, I am sure you would go to the doctor to get help. If you were financially sick, why not get help to regain financial well-being? Debt problems will only get worse over time unless you do something about them now.

Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of

debt. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is right for your situation. Call Toll-Free at (866) 477-7772 to schedule a free office consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and West Covina. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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Filipina businesswoman to keynote AAPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speaker event on July 24 CREATE your own future by joining the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speaker session on Monday, July 24. Keynote Speaker, Mercy Tolentino Steenwyk, president and CEO of ForensisGroup, Inc., will share her experience in forging a path to founding her own company. Beginning with a foundation of looking inward, Steenwyk will discuss five strategic narratives to become the CEO of your life.

Her inspiring story and strategy to becoming the best version of yourself will equip you with actionable next steps to Create Your Own Future.

Steenwyk is President and CEO of ForensisGroup, a multi-million dollar nationwide expert and consulting firm. It grew from just ten engineers in 1991 to over 3,000 consultants, serving over 15,000 clients in 20,000 litigation cases nationwide today. Through the ForensisGroup Give Back Program, Ms. Steenwyk provides scholarships and meals to students in the Philippines, and supports other causes. Ms. Steenwyk was one of the top Five Finalists in Women Making a Difference in Los Angeles.

It will be on Monday, July 24. Registration and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m., with the keynote Mercy Tolentino Steenwyk speaker at 7:30 p.m. It will be held at Southern California Edison, GO-1 Employee Lounge at 2244 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead, CA. Questions? Please contact AAPA anytime at info@aapamentoring.com.

Learn more at http://aapamentoring.com/event/aapa-speaker-session-3/.

Beat the heat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; stay cool, stay hydrated Tips for coping with the hot weather while visiting our Regional Parks

TEMPERATURES are expected to exceed 100 degrees in many areas of the East Bay Regional Park District. Park visitors are urged to stay safe and keep cool.

The Park District offers these summer heat safety recommendations: â&#x20AC;˘ If you visit a park, be sure to wear sunscreen and lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect some of the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy; â&#x20AC;˘ During the hottest parts of the day, keep physical activities to a minimum. â&#x20AC;˘ Stay in the shade. â&#x20AC;˘ Drink plenty of water even if you do not feel thirsty; â&#x20AC;˘ Slow down while hiking. Avoid exertion during the hottest part of the day.

If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the morning between 7 and 10 a.m., and in the evening; â&#x20AC;˘ Never leave infants, children or the frail el-

derly unattended in a parked car. The same goes for your pets! â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need the public to be aware of the dangers of heat-related illness and to use precautionary measures to avoid a medical emergency,â&#x20AC;? said EBRPD Assistant Fire Chief Paul Cutino. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every summer emergency services are called on a frequent basis to assist visitors who have become overheated. Prevent a life-threatening situation this summer by being summer heat smart. Stay cool and stay hydrated.â&#x20AC;?

EBRPD Police Chief Tim Anderson adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dogs are also vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Protect your canine companion by keeping him home on hot days, and going outdoors another time.â&#x20AC;?

For more outdoor safety tips visit www.ebparks. org/parks/safety.

For the Park Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11 swim facilities visit www.ebparks.org/activities/swimming .

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Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I am a green card holder, and petitioned my wife and children.

I know it will take a few years until the priority date on their petition becomes “current,” enabling them to be processed for their immigrant visas.

Would there be a problem if I move back to the Philippines to live, while waiting for the priority date to become current?

Very truly yours, K.M. Dear K.M: If an immigrant (green card holder) stays outside the U.S. for over one year, it could be considered that the green card holder “abandoned” his or her green card. This means he could lose his status as a green card holder.

If that happens, any petition he filed that are still pending could also be abandoned.

I had one case where a father petitioned his adult single son (F2B), but the father liked to stay in the Philippines. Although he got a “re-entry permit” (a document allowing an immigrant to stay outside the U.S. for just under 2 years), he overstayed the re-entry permit by a few days. When he tried to return to the U.S., he was not allowed to board the plane.

The problem was the priority

&

If you abandon your green Trump’s ‘America first’ stance, Duterte’s foreign policy blamed for decline in IT-BPM investments card, you will abandon your family’s petition date on his son’s petition was almost current, but if the father abandoned his green card (by staying outside the U.S. too long) then the son’s petition would no longer be valid as well.

I had to fight the case all the way to Washington D.C. to enable the father to return to the U.S., to keep his green card alive, so we could process the son for his green card. But imagine the stress and trauma the son was going through, thinking after he had waited so many years for his green card, because his father had almost abandoned his green card, the son’s petition may have also been abandoned.

Another problem with a petitioner living outside the U.S. for too long (whether the petitioner is a U.S. citizen or a green card holder) is the petitioner must be “domiciled” in the U.S., meaning they are living permanently in the U.S. If the petitioner is living in the Philippines (and thus not domiciled in the U.S), the petitioner cannot issue an affidavit of support, which the petitioner must do in every single case, even if there is a co-sponsor.

As you can see, it is very important for a green card holder to maintain his green card status to protect any family petitions he

PH eyes spot among top business-friendly nations by

ROY STEPHEN C. CANIVEL Inquirer.net

TRADE and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez is targeting to break the country into the top 20 business-friendly economies by 2020 after years of being among the laggards.

During the 5th Annual Ease of Doing Business Summit on Wednesday, June 28, Lopez said it was possible to reach the target if business processes were not only streamlined, but also automated.

He said this “may help the overall score for the ease of doing business.”

In the World Bank’s 2017 Doing Business Report released in October last year, the Philippines ranked 99th out of 190 economies, up only by a few notches from 103rd previously. It was far behind other Asian neighbors.

The report has become a closely watched measure among foreign investors.

“Remember, as we are doing

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez Inquirer.net photo

these improvements … the other countries are also doing theirs. So, it’s really a race. We are improving and they are also improving so it’s possible that our ranking PAGE D2

Flights from Clark to Hawaii, California pushed

by MIGUEL

D1

R. CAMUS

At present, the airport has international links to Incheon THE state-run operator of Clark and Busan in South Korea, Hong International Airport in Pampanga Kong, Singapore, Macau, Dubai province plans to start talks with and Doha. Starting October this “major carriers” to launch flights year, China Eastern Airlines will between Clark and Los Angeles, fly the Shanghai-Clark route.

“CIAC is also negotiating with California.

Clark International Airport airlines to mount flights via Clark Corp. president and CEO Alexan- to Japan, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, der Cauguiran said they planned Taiwan and Thailand,” Cauguiran to hold negotiations with the air- said.

Clark flights to the US would be lines as early as this year. beneficial to residents of northern Luzon, in particular the Ilocano community in Region 1, a Department of Tourism official said in the statement.

Martin Valera, DOT Region 1 director, said there were three million Ilocanos and their relatives living in the U.S. West Coast.

California accounts for 47 percent of Filipinos in the U.S. while Hawaii comes in second, hosting 10 percent of U.S.-based Filipinos, according to statistics from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

“The Ilocano community in Region 1 is urging Clark airport to market itself to other carriers to service more destinations, particularly Clark-Honolulu and Clark International Airport Corp. president to other parts of the U.S.,” Valera and CEO Alexander Cauguiran PAGE D2 Philstar.com photo Inquirer.net

Business Quote of the Week “Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.”

– William Pollard, physicist and Episcopal priest

may have filed. If you must travel, at least get a re-entry permit, and make sure you come back before it expires.

I strongly advise, however, that you seek the advice of a reputable attorney, who can analyze your situation, and advise you on the best course of action. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

THE head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) blamed the nearly 35-percent drop in new IT-BPM investments in the first five months of the year to President Donald Trump’s protectionism stance and President Duterte’s independent foreign policy.

Peza Director General Charito Plaza said new investments in information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector fell by 34.96 percent to P7.08 billion in the first five months of the year from P10.88 billion in the same period last year.

Plaza pinned the blame mainly on Duterte’s move to court Russia and Chinese trade as well as President Trump’s America First policy.

The Philippine government has been pivoting toward non-traditional allies such as Russia and China, which Plaza described as “America’s arch rivals,” in a bid to boost economic cooperation.

At times, such a move came at the expense of the country’s relationship with the U.S.—a long time ally of the Philippines and a main contributor of clients and

investments to the IT-BPM sector —such as when Duterte called for a “separation from the U.S.” after then President Obama criticized his war on drugs.

When asked if domestic political uncertainty and the looming reduction in tax perks were among the reasons for the investment drop, she said “both have effects although investors look at other advantages such as competitive labor wage rates, the quality of the workforce here, as well as the current ease of doing business.”

The Duterte administration is pushing a comprehensive tax reform program, composed of five packages that include proposals to remove the value added tax (VAT) exemption currently enjoyed by IT-BPM companies.

Plaza said Peza had been fighting hard for a status quo in the incentive system for this sector.

Under the first package, which was passed in the House of Representatives last month, personal income tax would be lowered, while offsetting the revenue loss by either increasing or adding new taxes on consumption and broadening the VAT base. The

Peza Director General Charito Plaza

package is now up for Senate approval.

House Bill 5636 includes provisions that would remove the value added tax exemption of certain transactions of export-oriented firms. (Roy Stephen Canivel/Inquirer.net)

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Duterte approves P305.6-B infrastructure, other projects by cAtheRine

VAlente ManilaTimes.net

Memebers of the TNC Pro Team - DOTA 2 visit Sen. Bam Aquino at Senate in Pasay City.

Facebook/Bam Aquino

Esports seen to usher in jobs, businesses into PH

by AJ

BolAndo Philstar.com

MANILA — After two Filipino teams qualified anew to the world DOTA 2 tournament, Esports backer Sen. Bam Aquino sees the potential of the online gaming industry to bring honor to the country while creating jobs and ushering in investments.

“There is so much potential in our gaming industry,” Aquino said, reacting to the teams TNC and Execration’s success in earning another ticket to the prestigious The International 2017 DOTA 2 Championship in Seattle.

Last year, TNC placed eighth out of 16 teams in the annual tournament which saw a record-breaking P1 billion prize pool, while in January they also topped the World Electronic Sports Games in China where they took home an approximately P40-million prize.

In the same event, another Fili-

pino Euneil Staz Javiñas of team PH Alliance emerged champion in the Hearthstone World Finals receiving P7.5 million.

“We have very talented gamers that are winning big in the world stage. But we also have game developers and local studios that are hired to help create some of the most popular games,” added Aquino who helped the two professional DOTA 2 teams to secure U.S. visas last year.

Aside from gamers, the senator also acknowledged the excellence of Filipino developers and studios outside the country.

In Japan’s video game convention the Tokyo Game Show, seven Filipino independent game developers brought home awards, including Keybol Games, Squeeky Wheel Studio, Monstronauts, Unibox, Popsicle Games, Moocho Brain Interactive Designs, and Nico Tuason’s “Games by Nico.”

He also mentioned the game Flippy Bottle Extreme by Derrick Alain Mapagu which became a

global hit, beating out games like Temple Run 2 and even Pokemon Go for a time in the United States.

“This is big business. Gaming can actually bring in money, jobs and livelihood into the Philippines,” Aquino said, who also helped in establishing Philippine esports Association.

It cannot be denied that computer games are becoming more serious as a school in the southern part of the country is offering esports in their curriculum.

In a report, University of the Visayas New School will integrate game strategy of DOTA 2 and will include game design, development animation, 2D and 3D animation and game creation under its senior high track for arts and design.

Come 2022, esports will be an official medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, but will already be introduced as a demonstration sport next year in Indonesia.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved 11 priority projects worth P305.6 billion, mostly infrastructure, including the proposed P211.43-billion Malolos-Clark railway, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, June 28.

Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board, headed by the President, approved “all items” submitted at Tuesday’s board meeting in Malacañang.

The biggest project on the list is the Malolos-Clark railway project, or the Philippine National Railway North 2, worth P211.43 billion. This will span about 85 kilometers and will be designed to link with the NorthSouth Commuter Railway of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Abella said the Malolos-Clark railway project, which was submitted for information, was approved “so that JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) funding can be obtained already.”

The NEDA announced in a separate statement that the board also approved the P35.26-billion Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1 Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment, the P9.89-billion Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, the P12.55-billion Clark International Airport Expansion Project, the P3.47-billion Educa-

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has approved 11 priority projects worth P305.6 billion, mostly infrastructure, including the proposed P211.43-billion Malolos-Clark railway, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, June 28.

Philstar.com photo

tion Pathways to Peace in Conflict-Affected Areas of Mindanao, and the P1.19-billion Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program-Philippines.

Other projects The others are the P10.87billion New Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Systems Development Project: 30-Month Loan Validity Extension and Reallocation of Funds; the P2.8 billion New Configuration of the LRT Line 1 North Extension Project – Common Station/Unified Grand Central Station; the P4.62-billion Change in Scope, Cost, and Financing Arrangements for the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase II; the P10.86-billion Change in Financing of the New Centennial Water Source – Kaliwa Dam Project; and the P2.7-billion Project Approval and Change in Financing of Chico River Pump Irrigation Project.

Abella said approval of the proposed Davao Sasa Port Modernization, however, was remanded to the Department of Transportation, the proponent agency. “This was the recommended action for approval,” he said.

Transport policy The NEDA said Duterte has also approved a National Transport Policy (NTP), which aims to

unify all transport-related projects in the country.

“The policy will synchronize decisions and investments of all transport-related agencies and better coordinate such efforts between the national and local levels,” the NEDA said.

The NTP envisions a national transport system that is “safe, secure, reliable, efficient, integrated, intermodal, affordable, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable and people-oriented,” it added.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, in the same statement, said the primary goal of the Duterte administration is to translate the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017–2022 into actual programs that will benefit Filipinos, considering traffic in urban areas, most especially.

“The government assures the people that the problem of congestion on the roads is still being prioritized,” Pernia said.

“The NTP is a priority strategy reflected in the PDP as we seek to provide accessible social services through better connectivity,” he added.

The NEDA said the NTP’s Implementing Rules and Regulations have yet to be drafted and finalized.

SM opens 63rd mall in Antipolo

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA - Property giant SM Prime Holdings Inc. is opening its 63rd mall in the country this week, further cementing its position as the largest mall developer in the Philippines.

SM Prime said SM Cherry Antipolo will open along Marcos Highway, spanning 27,000 square meters of gross floor area (GFA).

SM Cherry Antipolo brings the total retail footprint of the SM group to 9.1 million sqm in the Philippines.

“SM Cherry Antipolo is the third Cherry Foodarama outlet in the country that SM Prime reopens to the public after acquiring the brand. The opening of this mall provides the company a stronger foothold in the eastern part of Metro Manila along with

our three other malls in Rizal province, the SM City Masinag, SM City Taytay and SM Center Angono,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

SM Prime said the new mall expands the presence of the SM Group in Rizal province by bringing SM Supermarket, Ace Hardware, Watsons and BDO. The three-level mall now has 55 percent of its space leased and will feature an enhanced shopping environment for the community, offering expanded services beyond the traditional grocery experience.

SM Prime has already launched two malls this year, SM CDO Downtown Premier last May 12 and S Maison at Conrad Manila last June 14.

The property firm is scheduled to open SM City Puerto Princesa in Palawan this year.

PH eyes spot among top...

PAGE D1 wouldn’t move. That’s why we have to sprint. We have to jump and target where we want to be,” Lopez said.

To reach the goal, he said automation of business processes in both national and local governments should already happen by 2018. “[This is] so that when we are assessed by the first quarter of 2019 for the October report, we should [already] see an improvement [in the rankings],” he said.

According to National Competitiveness Council (NCC) private

sector co-chair Guillermo Luz, the largest jump in recent memory had been 30 notches when the country reached the 108th spot in the Doing Business 2013 report.

To make the trade chief’s vision a reality, the country needs to leapfrog at least 79 notches in the next few years.

In a separate statement, NCC said it had partnered with the New Zealand government, which currently tops the Doing Business survey, for a technical assistance program on ways to streamline and automate government procedures.

Flights from Clark to Hawaii...

PAGE D1 said.

“In Hawaii, there are more than 250,000 Ilocanos living there. If there will be direct Clark-Honolulu flights, that would be beneficial for Clark and for the Ilocano community as well as more people will be able to visit Region 1,” he added.

The Ilocos region includes the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

Filipinos are the third-biggest ethnic group in Hawaii, next to the Chines and Japanese.

Clark Airport is looking to increase passenger traffic to as much as 1.5 million passengers by yearend. This is still below its capacity of four million passengers annually.

Meanwhile, the Duterte administration is foring ahead with plans to expand the air gateway, which would include a new passenger terminal that would double capacity by 2020.

Mr. Duterte’s infrastructure plan for Central Luzon includes the P12.5-billion Clark New Terminal Building Project and the commencement of a mass transit railway project that will connect commuters from Manila to Clark airport and the New Clark City in Tarlac.

The 106-kilometer railway project, estimated to cost P255 billion, is planned for completion before the end of Mr. Duterte’s term and aims to cut the two-hour travel time from Manila to Clark to 55 minutes.

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Industry pushes bill to back electric, hybrid vehicles Mitsubishi to market e-vehicles when PH is ‘ready’ THE Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is pushing for legislation to support the development of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country.

During a press conference for the 1st ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit at the World Trade Center Thursday, June 29, EVAP President Rommel Juan said the industry would lobby for the passing of electric and hybrid vehicle bill in Congress.

Juan noted that a legislation providing tax perks to the industry would attract more electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers here and promote the use of these ecofriendly vehicles in the country.

Aside from manufacturing, establishing infrastructures supporting electric and hybrid vehicles like charging station should be encouraged by the government.

Trade Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba added that the use of electric and hybrid vehicles would help the country in adhering to its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Aldaba said the government had been supportive of the industry.

For instance, the Board of Investments provide six-year fiscal incentive and duty-free importation of capital equipment for manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles.

by Ma. Lisbet

esMaeL ManilaTimes.net

MITSUBISHI Motors Corporation (MMC) said on Thursday, June 29 it will market its hybrid electric vehicles in the country once it sees that the Philippines is ready with the needed infrastructure support and regulatory requisites for such vehicles.

“As soon as we see everything is properly ready—from regulations to physical life refilling stations—we will go forward,” Dante Santos, vice president for sales and marketing, told The Manila Times when asked if MMC was willing to market its e-vehicles in the country.

He stressed that there are still challenges when it comes to inThe Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is pushing for legislation to support frastructure to support marketing the development of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country. e-vehicles in the Philippines.

“Our infrastructures are not re“If we don’t provide incentives electric and hybrid vehicles.

Next week, various govern- ally that much defined for electric (for the electric and hybrid vehicle industry), it’s not going to take ment agencies will have a stock- vehicles. That means what plate taking on the electric and hybrid number do you use, what is the off,” she said.

On the sidelines of the event, vehicle industry; understanding tax rate that will be applied, how Aldaba told reporters that the first the current state of the industry do you fill up the electric vehicles package of the comprehensive and looking at its potential and when you have long travels, these tax reform promotes the use of identifying government inter- things have to be established,” electric and hybrid vehicles as ventions needed to support the he said.

He said MMC has strategies to it exempts these vehicles from growth of the industry.

“Agencies of the government excise tax.

But she noted that aside from need to coordinate, collaborate exempting from excise tax, other and ensure that our policy direcbills filed in the Congress in the tions are aligned,” Aldaba said.

THE all-new 2018 Toyota Camry past eye duty-free importation for (PNA) will hit the road with class-leading fuel economy, a long list of safety features and prices starting at $23,495 when it goes on sale in July in the United States. added.

The 2018 Camry proved quiet Heradez said MGB director and comfortable in a day driving Mario Luis Jacinto had instructed through the countryside. the bureau to review all the poliToyota achieved its fuel econocies issued which would then be my without resorting to a couple submitted to Cimatu. of new technologies competitors The review is focused on the like the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford ban on the open-pit mining methFusion use: a small-displacement od, which is seen to have a direct turbocharged engine and autoimpact on potential mining investstop to turn the engine on and off ments in the country. when idling.

The most controversial is the Former Environment Sec. Gina Lopez The Camry’s 2.5-liter fouropen-pit banning. But, there’s no extracting ore and which is open cylinder engine is all new. It will legal basis. The only premise of to the surface for the duration of account for about 85 percent of the ban based on the department the mine’s life. sales.

The order was issued even if order is the safeguards on the An optional V6 will power about environment and common good, open-pit mining is allowed under 10 percent of Camrys, with a hythe Philippine Mining Act. The brid accounting for the remaining that’s it,” he said.

“The Philippines is very young Constitution even gives the state 5 percent. so we expect to find mineral de- the duty to explore, develop, Pure gasoline models get a new posits surface over surface. We and utilize the country’s mineral eight-speed automatic transmiscan only technically and finan- resources. sion. The hybrid has a continuously The MGB also clarified that the variable automatic transmission. cially mine the surface or through open-pit. It’s not a choice which ban is not only for the prospective The 2018 Camry uses the same is safe, it’s an economic choice,” mines but also for those that have architecture as the Toyota Prius been already issued declaration of and C-HR SUV. The new Camry is Heradez added.

Open-pit is defined as an exca- mining project feasibility (DMPF), 1.3 inches longer and 0.7 inches vation or cut made on the surface the last permit given to firms to wider than the 2017. Its wheelbase of the ground for the purpose of proceed with their operations. grew by 1.9 inches. The well-

overcome these challenges but they have yet to discuss the plan with the relevant stakeholders.

Santos noted that MMC’s evehicles are already in the market in other countries, such as in Europe, in the Russian territories, and in Australia.

On Thursday, MMC delivered five Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and five Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicles (i-MiEVs) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), along with four electric vehicle quick charger units. The vehicles will be used by the DENR and other government agencies for business use.

The turnover was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in conjunction with the Asean Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit, which is being held from June 29 to 30 with the theme Strengthening Partnerships for Greener Transport in Asean and Beyond.

MMC is participating in the summit as a member of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. “It is our pleasure to deliver five units of our electric car i-MiEV and five units of our plug-in hy-

brid Outlander to the Philippine government. We will also install quick chargers at DENR’s central office and its regional offices in Cebu and Davao. Your vote of confidence in the electric technologies of Mitsubishi Motors is indeed commendable,” said Osamu Masuko, chief executive officer of MMC. Masuko said MMC was pleased to play their part in helping to reduce carbon emissions in the country. He noted that their partnership with the Philippine Government started in February this year through a joint study into environmental load reduction using electric technologies.

“We are doing many things to promote openness with these kinds of vehicles. The partnership is quite okay because it is supporting each other for a common goal,” Santos said.

“We promote clean air—prioritizing health. We have joined forces to be able to do this, and everyone knows that one of the causes of pollution is [carbon]emission, and electric vehicles and hybrids will reduce dramatically the emission,” he added.

2018 Toyota Camry boasts of fuel economy, safety features, style

Review of Lopez mining orders starts

by Louise

Maureen Philstar.com

siMeon

MANILA - The review of all issuances and orders of former Environment chief Gina Lopez, which have been considered as a dampener on the mining industry, has officially began, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said.

According to the MGB, the review would cover all orders with primary focus on the ban on the open-pit mining method, Lopez’s last signed order prior to her rejection as DENR chief.

“All orders issued by Lopez are now being reviewed. The goal is to determine if those are really proper, appropriate and relevant,” MGB Legal Service Division officer-in-charge Larry Heradez said on the sidelines of the agency’s stakeholders forum.

“Everything that Lopez issued are valid in issuance unless after the proper review, Secretary Cimatu would decide to amend, supersede or revise them,” he

2018 Toyota Camry

equipped SE, XLE and XSE models are heavier than last year.

The four-cylinder engine has 25 more horsepower than its predecessor. It delivers plenty of power for everyday driving, but revs loudly under acceleration and climbing steep hills. The suspension absorbs bumps well and is composed in curves.

The V6 is an anachronism in mid-sized sedans. When the new Honda Accord debuts with a lineup of all turbocharged four-cylinder engines this fall, the Camry and Nissan Altima will be the only mainstream mid-sized sedans offering V6s.

That’s likely to give the Camry V6 an edge in performance versus

its key competitors. That’s a minor selling point for mid-sized family sedans, but it complements the new car’s long, low hood, scooped sides, bold black grille and rakish looks.

The eight-speed transmission is smooth and quick, delivering nearly imperceptible shifts, with no hunting among gears while driving through towns, countryside and hills.

Available safety features include pedestrian detection, lane departure alert and assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind spot and cross traffic alerts, low speed automatic braking, hill start assist. (ManilaTimes. net)

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Start your journey of a thousand miles with Browning Mazda If Lao Tzu said “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” then make the right first step with a vehicle that will ensure a smooth ride on that journey.

It begins with choosing where to buy your car; however, it can always be the hardest decision.

At Browning Mazda in Cerritos, California, customers can get the key to unlock their dream car that will usher them toward their journey of a thousand miles — and more!

Whatever suits your taste or lifestyle, the customer service and sales team at Browning Mazda will guide you through your journey to find the perfect car. Not only does this dealership specialize in new Mazda models, but ithas a fantastic and huge selection of used cars for sale.

If you’re looking for a new car, you can start your search at Browning Mazda and take a spin in the sports sedan, Mazda6, bestowed with the newest innovation, SKYACTIVVEHICLE DYNAMICS with GVectoring Control. This new technology helps achieve a smoother, less tiring drive for drivers and passengers. When cornering, the system works seamlessly by adjusting power delivery, shifting vehicle weight on initial turn in and throughout the corner. The effect is subtle, but it’s perfect for your long drive adventures.

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Or, find the space your family needs in a Mazda CX-9, a midsize SUV, which boasts of its indulgent signature trim because when it comes to driving, there’s no such thing as a minor detail.

Supple Napa leather, sculpted aluminum and genuine Rosewood deliver a multisensory driving experience of sophistication and indulgence.

The team at Browning Mazda is dedicated to making your buying experience an easy and fun one by taking the time to get to know every customer that walks through its doors.

Whether you’re from the local community, nearby areas like Long Beach, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, or visiting from afar, the Browning Mazda team will get to know your driving style, needs and desires to help make the car buying and ownership process easy.

Once customers find the one, they can be sure to keep it running like new by establishing regular maintenance with the auto mechanic team at the service center. from routine oil changes and tire rotation to more complex auto repair, Browning Mazda has their customers covered along. In the event customers need more extensive auto body repair after an accident, they can visit the state-of-the-art Mazda collision center.

Browning Mazda also offers

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a wide array of promos, which gives additional value for your hard-earned bucks--These include MX-5 MIATA models, Lease and Purchase, New Cars, Pre-Owned, Service, Parts and Body Shop. Be sure to be updated on their latest promos and incentives by visiting Browning Mazda’s website at www.browningmazda.com.

On top of these promos and discounts, Browning Mazda also offers one-year free maintenance and lifetime car wash on all new and certified pre-owned vehicle as long as you own the car.

Customers may approach Browning Mazda’s very own filipino salesperson, Jun Paguinto, who boasts a 13-year career in sales.

Jun, who is also a huge basketball fan, does not mind talking about sports with his customers and even play with them since he was a 1992 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion back in his college days at far Eastern University.

Customers may also approach the half-filipino Tofan Hans, who can speak four languages: filipino, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu.

To learn more about how Browning Mazda dealership in Cerritos, you may call Tofan Hans at (562) 881-5295 or Jun Paguinto at (213) 321-6728.

Or take a trip and swing by the dealership at 18827 Studebaker Road, Cerritos, CA 90703.

Make that first step toward your amazing journey of a thousand miles at Browning Mazda!

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