Weekend Balita- July 11, 2020

LOS ANGELES EDITION

VOL. XXIX NO. 28

July 11 - 17, 2020

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FELLOW FILIPINO-AMERICANS

Are we going back to square one?

LA MIgHT rEINSTATE STAY-AT-HoME orDEr

Pandemic, social unrest highlight import of Census

By Abner Galino and Pauline Allen

By ABNER GALINO

LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti has said during the regular press and public briefing that the city might reinstate the Stay-At-Home order if the number of people getting sick with COVID-19 continue to rise.

Hospitals have reported big number of new admissions during the week.

Garcetti said people should not give up on avoiding the three C’s, particularly crowd, confined environment and close contact with someone not part of one’s household.

ARE WE

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Filipino American Ditas Katague, director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 0ffice

T

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is joined by actor and activist Anthony Anderson at South L.A. clinic where they urge communities of color to seek COVID-19 testing.

2020 is ‘Year of Filipino Health Workers’

MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte, through Proclamation 976, has declared 2020 as the “Year of Filipino Health Workers” to recognize the heroism and self-compassion of medical workers in the country amid the coronavirus

TOP STORIES

Global News Air Force to get 2 more C-130 planes 8  Denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application, dark day for journalism — Malacañang Press Corps 9  New vehicles to boost PH Army’s anti-terror, Covid-19 efforts 9  Palace to anti-terror law critics: Let’s set politics aside 10  Vietnam eyes stronger naval cooperation with PH 11  IATF-EID adopts int’l protocols for inbound flight crew 11  DOJ chief: Slain prosecutor probably handled ‘hazardous’ cases 12  Arrest warrant served vs. cadets in Dormitorio case — AFP 12  Bato dela Rosa: I can live without US visa 12  No new directive on VFA termination — Palace 12 

Sections BUSINESS. BSP Gov. Diokno wants at least 50% of all transactions digital by 2023 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Sharon Cuneta reveals she had 2 miscarriages 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. 2 local manufacturers ‘willing’ to produce COVID-19 vaccine — DOH 19 

disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Duterte signed Proclamation 976 on July 6, as he noted that the Covid-19 crisis has posed a daunting challenge to the country's health sector.

“There is a need to commem-

orate the immeasurable acts of heroism and selfless compassion of nurses, midwives, and all health workers, and give due honor to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of service, especially during this extraordinary time,” he said in

the proclamation.

Under the presidential proclamation, the Department of Health (DOH) is tasked to lead, coordinate, and supervise the nationwide observance of the Year of Filipino Health Workers.

2020

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he social disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the mass protests against police brutality — following the death of Black American George Floyd — should be regarded as among the motivating reasons to participate in Census 2020.

These were some of the messages relayed by Filipino American Ditas Katague, director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 0ffice, to the members of the Philippine media who participated in a special online conference organized by the Ethnic Media Services (EMS) this week.

Katague said that Census offers opportunities to “change some of the systemic barriers that are out there around race and communities.”

The CCC director said that “civic engagement starts with being counted in the Census.”

PANDEMIC

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ABS-CBN ‘deeply hurt’

by House panel’s denial of franchise MANILA (Mabuhay) — ABSCBN Corp. expressed dismay on Friday after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted to deny its franchise application.

“We are deeply hurt that the Committee on Legislative Franchises has denied the franchise application of ABS-CBN,” ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said in a statement.

The House panel on legislative franchises adopted the Technical Working Group’s (TWG) Committee Resolution recommending the denial of the network's franchise application through 70 yes votes, 11

no votes, two inhibitions and one abstention.

“We believe that we have been rendering service that is meaningful and valuable to the Filipino public,” Katigbak said.

“Nevertheless, we would like to thank the Committee for allowing us a chance to air our side on all the issues raised against us,” he said.

Based on the TWG report, ABS-CBN violated its old franchise, described by the panel as a privilege, because of the following reasons: its former chairman Eugenio Lopez III was both a Filipino and American citizen, the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts

supposedly favoring foreigners, inappropriate program content, meddling in politics, tax avoidance schemes;less than exemplary labor practices, among others.

The TWG also said ABS-CBN cannot invoke the freedom of the press in justifying its franchise application.

Nevertheless, Katigbak said ABS-CBN

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Fil-Am

Community Visit www.Balita.com

Fil-Ams demand action from local execs on racism incidents

“W

e are united in our call for action, and we dem and accountability from the Patrick J. Furey, Mayor of the City of Torrance, Patrick Q. Sullivan, Torrance City Attorney, and Eve R. Berg, Chief of the Torrance Police Department.”

“Hear us as we say we will not let Lena Hernandez’s criminal acts of assault, battery, criminal threats, and child endangerment fueled by the hate of our status as Asian-Americans go unnoticed. We demand that you not let these criminal acts of hate go unpunished.”

“On October 11, 2019, Kayceelyn Salminao, a Filipina-American Torrance resident, was physically assaulted by Lena Hernandez inside a restroom at the Del Amo Fashion Center.”

“Lena Hernandez physically pushed Kayceelyn to the ground and yelled, “You better not get the F*** up, or else!”

“When Kayceelyn got up, Lena Hernandez grabbed her by the hair, pushed her head toward the ground, and punched her multiple times in the back of her head.”

“This blatant attack was independently corroborated by an employee at the Del Amo Fashion Center, as well as Kayceelyn’s husband. It is evident Lena Hernandez’s actions were criminal.”

“To date, there has been no justice,

notwithstanding the fact that Kayceelyn has expressed to the Torrance Police Department that she was desirous of prosecution.”

“These criminal acts of assault and battery were left uninvestigated and Lena Hernandez has not had to answer for the crimes committed upon Kayceelyn.

Even more unfortunate and misleading is the fact that the Torrance Police Department publicly stated on Instagram that Kayceelyn “initially filed charges but then decided to not follow through and retracted those charges.”

“Kayceelyn has never retracted the charges. She has always wanted to follow through. She has remained consistent and steadfast in her desire for justice. And she remains desirous of prosecution.”

“Most recently on June 10, 2020, Lena Hernandez physically and verbally assaulted yet another Filipina-American Torrance resident, Sherry Bulseco, while Sherry was working out at Wilson Park.

The verbal assault was captured on video.

Sherry was within her right to workout at the park, and was not interfering with Lena Hernandez’s ability to travel down the stairs.”

“Yet, Lena Hernandez went on a tirade, verbally assaulting Sherry and threatening her safety and well-being.”

“In her racist rant, Lena Hernandez yelled at Sherry to “go back to whatever f***ing Asian country you belong in!”

“To be clear, the City of Torrance is Sherry’s home. America is Sherry’s home.

Sherry belongs in THIS country. Sherry reported this incident to Torrance Po-

lice Department, and Lena Hernandez’s actions were downplayed by responding officers.”

“During the responding officers’ investigation of the incident, Sherry expressed to the police that she felt threatened by Lena Hernandez’s words and actions. It was clear she was a victim, but she instead felt like she was the one who was being investigated for wrongdoing.”

“To date, Sherry’s demand for justice continues to be ignored.”

“A second incident occurred on the same day wherein Lena Hernandez can be seen in another viral video referring to, a Japanese-American Torrance resident as “Chinaman” multiple times and mocking him in a derogatory Asian accent.”

“The Victim, who wishes to remain anonymous for the safety of his children, asked for respect from Lena Hernandez, and in return she retorted “you are going to get f***ed and your kids are going to get f***ed.”

“Lena Hernandez criminally threatened the Victim and his two minor children. Lena Hernandez’s actions not only victimized him, but endangered the emotional and mental state of his two minor-aged sons. The Victim expressed to the Torrance Police Department that he was desirous of prosecution, but was later informed by the Detective that the City Attorney’s Office would likely not bring any criminal charges against Lena Hernandez.

“According to the press release by Torrance Police Department dated June 17, 2020, Torrance Police located and inter-

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Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

ArE WE... froM PAgE 1 The mayor also reported that more than 50% of the people who are testing positive for coronavirus in Los Angeles County recently are between 18 and 40 years old.

The county recorded 2,496 new coronavirus cases and another 65 deaths as of Wednesday, bringing the total to 123,004 cases with 3,642 deaths countywide.

“All options remain on the table. We will do whatever is necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease,” Garcetti said.

The LA mayor iterated to business operators that “there are rules to follow” and that they need to follow all of them rather than picking only the rules that they like.

Businesses, Garcetti said, should protect not only themselves but, more importantly, their workers and customers.

Last week, the city announced the employment of a threat level sharing information through color-coding. The spread of the disease are to be broken down into four categories, namely: red, orange, yellow and green.

In a related development, Garcetti has launched the Emergency Renters Assistance Program that would seek to provide $100 million to help renters stay in their homes.

“It gives financial relief and additional protection to renters as well as support to landlords.

It’s really a win-win,” the mayor said.

In another development, Garcetti has encouraged more residents in communities of color to get tested for COVID-19 and talked about free testing available to vulnerable Angelenos.

The Mayor was joined by Councilmember Curren Price and actor and activist Anthony Anderson at the Kedren Community Clinic in South Los Angeles.

“Testing saves lives, and we have to deliver more testing to the people hardest-hit by COVID-19: communities of color and vulnerable Angelenos,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“We can only defeat this virus if everyone does their part and if we tackle the deep racial inequities baked into our health system. We have tests prioritized for you if you have symptoms or think you have been exposed, and we need everyone to wear a face covering, stay home when you can, and avoid gatherings with anyone outside your home.”

With recent Los Angeles County public health data showing that Black and Latino Angelenos are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to white Angelenos, Mayor Garcetti, Councilmember Price, Anthony Anderson, and other key public sector and health care partners highlighted strategies for communities of color to avoid contracting and spreading the virus, including testing.

The event was held at the Kedren Community Health Center, a walk-up testing site in South L.A. that makes testing easy for Angelenos without a car.

Other nearby testing locations include Inglewood, Charles Drew University in Willowbrook and the Crenshaw Christian Center, which can test more than 3,000 people per day.

The City of Los Angeles has spent nearly $100 million to bring free testing to Angelenos and it was one of the first large cities in America to offer testing for anyone, with or without symptoms.

With the support of the Los Angeles Fire Department, the City has partnered with the County and Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to provide free testing sites until community health centers, clinics, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and other medical providers could provide COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

On Tuesday (July 7), some 20,000 people were tested --- the most ever conducted in a single day. And by Thursday (July 9) total tests led by the City and County exceeded one million since public testing began on March 20.

While the City conducts the majority of testing in the region, the demand for testing has increased significantly in recent weeks.

Residents should check with their health care practitioners, as well as the nearly 100 State, County, and community-based providers who offer free testing in the L.A. area. People can find those providers through the City testing website at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing.

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

Community

SAN MATEO — CALIFORNIA’S #1 CENSUS SUCCESS STORY S

By PILAR MARRERO Ethnic Media Services

an Mateo County has achieved the highest census self-response rate in California by working with local organizations that know their communities intimately and by targeting messages to them.

Those efforts by trusted, countywide, “on-the-ground” messengers were funded by more than $1.3 million from state and county monies, officials said during a June 30 conference call hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

San Mateo County has reached a 72.8% self-response in the 2020 census, higher than the state’s 62.9% average and the nation´s 61.8%.

This means that almost three out of four county residents already have filled out the population questionnaire, well ahead of the start of door-to-door visits by census enumerators, which are slated to start in mid-July for some U.S. locations and in August for the rest of the nation.

San Mateo County, located in the Bay Area on the San Francisco Peninsula between the cities of San Francisco and Palo Alto, is composed of dissimilar communities, and the high self-response number varies greatly. Some cities in the county, like Pescadero and East Palo Alto, are way behind in the count, according to local groups.

Megan Gosh, census management analyst of the San Mateo County Office of Community Affairs, said the county began working on the project to boost census responses back in January 2018.

“We had plenty of challenges: 13 of 20 cities in San Mateo have a combination of hard-to-count census tracks, as well as unincorporated areas all over the county,” she said.

Hard-to-count groups include renters, noncitizen residents with limited English proficiency and children under 5 years old, she added. California itself is a hardto-count state.

The county’s lack of affordable housing means many addresses are not known to the Census Bureau because they are tied to “nontraditional” housing units, such as converted garages and recreational vehicles. In other cases, people living in rural areas would not get the letters

or questionnaires because the bureau will not deliver them to post office boxes, which most rural residents rely on.

“We worked with city planners and local organizations to canvass areas with those nontraditional units and add their addresses to the master list of the census,” Gosh said.

That county project was able to add 2,000 addresses to the census master files. Using a conservative two persons per household, those additions would have resulted in $4 million per year for the county because population counts are tied to distribution of federal and state resources. They also are used to create electoral districts that are meant to ensure political representation of all communities. Undercounts tend to shortchange that representation.

Gosh and other county and community leaders described the more than two-year effort to get up-close, personal knowledge of those communities and what makes them tick, sometimes having to correct course and tailor messages to convince residents to participate in the census.

“For example, we received word that Daly City renters were hesitant to take the census due to lack of trust in sharing their information,” explained Melissa Vergara, a census specialist with San Mateo County. “So we created a targeted door hanger that spoke specifically about confidentiality laws for the census.”

Other areas are receiving “hyper-targeted” messages through social media campaigns and internet ads by zip code, videos and bus shelter billboards. Also helping was outreach through faith congregations and in different languages, depending on local ethnic composition.

Creativity and f lexibility are key components of the strategies local organizations have used. Rita Mancera, executive director of Puente de la Costa Sur in Pescadero, said her community was seriously undercounted in the 2010

fIL-AMS... froM PAgE 2 viewed Lena Hernandez in a park in the City of San Pedro.”

“However, to this day, Lena Hernandez remains at-large. On numerous occasions, the Torrance Police Department diminished and decriminalized Lena Hernandez’s acts of hate as “unfortunate incidents.” These are more than “unfortunate incidents.” These are, in fact, criminal acts fueled by hate and racism.”

“We urge the Torrance Police Department and City Attorney to pursue public safety and protect the Victims’ rights. Torrance Police Department has a duty to thoroughly investigate all crimes. The Torrance Police Department has failed in this regard especially as it relates to Kayceelyn for allowing her case to remain uninvestigated until the June 10, 2020 incidents occurred.”

“If Lena Hernandez had been held accountable for the October 11, 2019 incident, her criminal behavior could have ended at that point.”

“However, due to the Torrance Police Department’s inaction, she was emboldened to victimize other Asian-American residents of Torrance.”

“Lena Hernandez’s criminal acts have garnered worldwide attention to the City of Torrance, whose population is made up of approximately thirty-seven percent (37%) Asian-American residents.

“The Torrance City officials and law enforcement have a duty to protect all Torrance residents regardless of race. Do not let these crimes go unaccounted for because of our status as people of color and Asian-Americans.”

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census, and “not one platform works by itself” in reaching everyone.

“The 2010 census counted 2,019 residents in our community, but we knew we served at least 1,600 individuals, so our estimate is that we had between 5,000 and 6,000 residents, most of whom had been missed,” Mancera said. She estimates that only about 33% of the community was counted in 2010. So far this year, Pescadero’s response rate is 46.1%. “And it was very hard to get there,” she adds.

Many immigrant residents have trust issues because of their experience in their home countries, Mancera says. But the organization has used its relationship with those communities and families to get them to participate in the census.

“We distribute help to about 200 households every Thursday, urging them to use phones to respond to the census,” she explained. “We hired one person to call about 250 families that had received school supplies from us last year, so we could assist them in answering the census over the phone. There is also a lot of informal communication going on.”

An example of how a motivated community working with a trusted local organization can surpass expectations also occurred in Pacifica, a city where the self-response rate has been higher than that of neighboring, more affluent San Carlos.

“We leverage the trust they have in us,” said Anita Rees, executive director of Pacifica Resource Center. “Our organization has been serving the area for 45 years. This is a passionate community, often divided on issues, but the census has become common ground. For us, the message that the census is their voice being heard has worked, and also the community is competitive — they wanted to beat out San Carlos.”

Outreach to the Asian community has been highly targeted, said Nina Li, outreach coordinator for San Mateo County.

More than 30% of the population of the

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county is Asian. Chinese, Tagalog and Hindi are the most spoken non-English languages, aside from Spanish.

Immigration status has been key to reach the diverse Asian populations, aside from language, said Li, who like many in her community is a non-citizen legal permanent resident who is experiencing her first decennial census.

“For many in our community, this is a new concept, and they have the misconception that this is similar to an election where you have to be a citizen to participate, which is not the case,” Lee said.

Li says their outreach efforts have used We Chat, a social media platform popular in Asia, and targeted messages to permanent residents and even temporary visa holders.

“I am not a citizen, but I go to parks and libraries, I use public transportation, and my daughter is going to go to public schools, all services impacted by the 2020 census for the next 10 years,” she said. “We make sure people know that.”

Lisa Tealer, executive director of the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council, said African Americans, Latinos and others in East Palo Alto respond to the idea of regaining the power of “being counted,” a phrase that historically has had negative connotations because the census was used to discriminate against some communities in the past.

“We now claim it as power, we want to be counted because we helped build this country,” Tealer said.

Similarly, the Pacific Islander community residents respond to the idea that the census is a way to ensure resources for the new generations, said Talavoy Aumavae, leader in the San Mateo County Pacific Islander Complete Count Committee.

“We stressed the fact that our ancestors had migrated here for better opportunities for their families, and it’s imperative that we tie the census response to our futures,” Aumavae said.

Pilipino po tayo!

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, P.C. ATTORNEY-AT-LAW

*Certified Family Law Specialist The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization - Certified Family Law Specialist - Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) -J.D Southwestern University Law School Los Angeles, CA - B.S Accounting California State University, San Bernardino, CA

CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 213-204-6366 or

kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com

FAMILY LAW - Divorce - Community Property Division - Child Custody and Spousal Support - Domestic Violence Restraining Order - Legal Separation and Nullity - Parentage - Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

IMMIGRATION - Marriage Petitions - Relative Petitions - Removal of Condtional Green Card - Humanitarian Reinstatements - Child Status Protection Act Issues - Deportation Defense - Employment Based Petitions and PERM - H-1B Visas

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Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

People rally vs “Anti-Terrorism” Law in SoCal

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ore than 300 people from all over SoCal joined a public rally over Zoom video against the new “Anti-Terrorism” law signed by Philippines President Duterte.

The law will give the Philippine state the authority to label any government critic or protester a “terrorist” and subject them to warrantless arrest, wire-tapping, and life imprisonment.

The “Junk Ter ror Law” forum and rally was organized by the Southern California chapter of the Malaya Movement, the leading organization in the US resisting fascism in the Philippines, along with BAYAN Southern California and the International Coalition of Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP-Socal), as part of a global day of action against the new Philippine law.

The rally involved a lineup of 11 speakers from Filipino organizations (Malaya Movement, Anakbayan Los Angeles, National Ecu-

menical Forum for Filipino Concerns-Inland Empire, Filipino Youth In Action, Southern California Pilipino American Students Association (SCPASA), Gabriela Los Angeles, Migrante USA, and Bayan) as well as non-Filipino organizations (Philippine US Solidarity Organization, Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES-LA), ICHRP-SoCal, and Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA).

Speakers condemned the Anti-Terror law, called on Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike in the US to oppose it, and

promoted a campaign to push the United States Congress to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act --legislation that would freeze security assistance to the Philippines until the Philippine government is able to

Governor Newsom announces more firefighting support amid pandemic

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overnor Gavin Newsom has visited McClellan Air Force Base to highlight the state’s wildfire mitigation capabilities and discuss new efforts to protect emergency personnel and evacuees from COVID-19 during wildfires.

The Governor also announced the state would hire 858 more firefighters and six California Conservation Corps (CCC) crews through October because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor was joined at McClellan by CAL FIRE Chief Thom Porter and CAL OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.

“Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the State of California hasn’t taken its eye off the threat of wildfire,” said Governor Newsom.

“California is better prepared against the threat of wildfire today than at any time in our history. Even in a challenging budget climate, we have undertaken major action and made significant investments to fortify our state and help

fight increasingly severe wildfires.”

In the past year and a half, California has taken major action and made critical investments to fortify wildfire preparedness and response capabilities.

CAL FIRE completed the last of its 35 emergency fuels management projects in May, making 90,000 acres safer ahead of wildfire season and protecting 200 vulnerable communities.

Major investments include augmenting CAL FIRE air fleet with new FIREHAWK S-70i helicopters and C-130 airplanes, and bolstering firefighting surge capacity and pre-positioning capabilities. The state also launched an Innovation Procurement Sprint to develop early warning technologies and place fire detection cameras across the state.

This year’s budget included $85.6 million in new, ongoing dollars to fund permanent firefighting positions, and continues the funding for CAL FIRE to procure innovative technology that

demonstrate human rights standards and hold accountable perpetrators of human rights violations.

Speakers also announced a protest in front of the Los Angeles Philippine Consulate scheduled for July 27, to

allows us to model fire behavior.

Ahead of wildfire season, the state won critical safety victories from PG&E to make the utility more accountable to the state and ensure wildfire safety and reliability are top priorities. The state gained new oversight authority over wildfire and public safety power shutoffs and increased safety expertise inside the company.

counter the Philippines President’s State of the Nation Address.

Six artists submitted their work to feature during the rally, including a remake of Philippine hero Juan Luna’s Spolarium.

The Governor also signed SB 350, which enacted real consequences if the company doesn’t act safely – up to and including a company takeover. The state bolstered requirements for all of the state’s investor-owned utilities’ wildfire prevention operational plans and requires utilities to invest $5 billion in infrastructure.

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PANDEMIC... from Page 1 Not participating, Katague added, gives license to certain sectors to ignore us, particularly “those in power that are using the system to run our democracy.”

Katague cited as example her 17-yearold daughter who she said is not yet old enough to vote but who could participate in the Census so “she could stand up and say I am a Filipino American and deserved to be counted.”

Answering queries from the media, Katague said Census and voting are this generation’s foundation to rise and be heard.

She said the present generation should take the opportunity to be counted, to register to vote, participate in organizing and being vocal about their sentiments.

The Fil-Am Census executive recalled how her generation was taught to just blend in and assimilate.

But this generation, Katague stressed has the opportunity to build up a movement “to make sure that voices that are not being heard are heard.”

At the start of the video conference, Katague recalled an incident in her childhood in Modesto California wherein the father of her friend suffered a heart attack.

Because the new subdivision that they lived in was quite far from the hospital, her father’s friend suffered life-long damage as a result of the incident.

“Looking back, if that emergency room was at least 10 minutes closer would he had suffered less damage?, Katague asked.

Census helps government to plan the deployment of resources to communities.

Katague admitted that the Filipino American community is among the communities that are hard to count. And among the reasons cited were: Filipino Americans live in many households that have multi-generational residents who mostly support each other (particularly

those who under uncommon circumstances) and that many Filipinos are usually not at home because they are working in other places.

Thus, Katague said Census is calling on employers, business chambers and other entities to help in reaching out to these Filipinos --- many of whom are in the front line of this pandemic.

She also called on the media to help emphasize that Census offers confidentiality and that data obtained in the process are not shared with law enforcement agencies.

Participants should know, Katague added, that Filipinos “got their own box” in the Census form as far ethnicities are concerned. “”Take the opportunity to check Filipino or write it in … the more it is written, the more it rises up because we are growing and we deserve to have our own box (in the Census form),” Katague said.

Katague’s family migrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1958 and later resettled in Kansas City, Missouri.

She recalled that her parents raised without ever knowing how to speak Filipino because “they did not want me to have an accent.”

Katague recalled that the number of Filipinos in the US in the 1960’s were barely 150,000.

Other details revealed during the online conference include: The Census has so far covered 61. 8 percent of the population on the national level and it has covered 62.9 percent of the population of the state of California.

In the southern California, the counties of San Mateo, Santa Constanza, Santa Clara, Venture, Marin and Orange are topnotch in terms of the number of residents covered in the 2020 Census.

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

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Current administration's problems now being compared to Great Depression U.S. President Herbert Hoover's one-time presidency

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urrently, here in the United States, we have now reached more than half of this year's unprecedented list of various problems. The year started off with President Trump's impeachment trial, now followed by the Pandemic, which is the worst health crisis in 100 years and also looming is an impending recession with millions of people unemployed sparkling both national and worldwide protests on racial inequality due to the death of George Floyd and finally of course, Trump's insistence to "go back to work, open businesses back as well as open schools," to enable the economy to rise of course, due to the upcoming presidential elections.

As we all knew from historical accounts, America's 31st President, Herbert Hoover was the President (1929-1933) during the Great Depression in 1929 when the US economy plummeted from 3 percent to 23 percent in 1932. In his article on Jericho News, writer-friend, Doug Kisaka recently wrote "Fate Can Be Unkind, Just Ask President Herbert Hoover."

In the article, he wrote, "the Great Depression of the 1930's began after the stock market crush of October, 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Over the next several years, consumer spending and investments dropped causing steep declines in industrial output and employment, as failing companies laid off its workers.

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which President Herbert Hoover reluctantly signed raised tariffs on thousands of imported goods and initiated a trade war between the United States and Europe, thereby exacerbating the global economic downturn.

Although Hoover ran for reelection on his second term in 1932, his inability to mitigate the negative economic consequences of the Great Depression had made him widely unpopular. He lost the election to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt. Unemployment remained above 14 percent from 1931 to 1940.

Currently, on the impending possible repeat of the Great Depression in 2020, economists had warned of an inevitable economic downturn after a 12-year non-stop economic boom, but Trump's Tariffs triggered the downward spiral.

His tariffs reduced U.S. economic activity in three ways: 1) Consumer and capital goods became more expensive; 2) Business uncertainty increased, thereby reducing or slowing investment, and 3).

Other countries, most notably, China, im-

Donald John Trump 45th US President

Herbert Clark Hoover 31st US President

posed retaliatory tariffs, making U.S, exports more expensive and thus reducing them. But, as usual, Trump keeps trying to paint a rosy picture fearing a recession would hurt his re-election chances.

But 'fate is not always kind.' The Covid-19 virus found its way from China to America's borders. And Trump predictably gave mellifluous forecasts on its progression - 'it would disappear like a miracle.' He hooted his failure to act, coupled with his incessant cliff into another Great Depression, with the looming possibility of 16-20 percent unemployment or as many as 60 million Americans."

As a brief account on Hoover's background, "Herbert Clark Hoover was born on June 10, 1874 in West Branch, Iowa.

He was the first U.S. President born west of the Mississippi River. He was the second of three children in a family of Quakers, who valued honesty, industriousness and simplicity. His father, Jesse Clark Hoover (1846-80) worked as a blacksmith and his mother, Hulda Minthorn Hoover (1848-84) was a teacher. Orphaned at age 9, Hoover was raised by an uncle in Oregon. After attending Quaker schools, he became part of the first class of students who entered Stanford University when it just opened in 1891and graduated four years later with a degree in Geology and launched a lucrative career as a Mining Engineer.

Intelligent and hardworking, he traveled all over the world to find valuable mineral deposits and establish business enterprises to extract its resources. His work made him a multimillionaire and on February 10, 1899, he married his college sweetheart, Lou Henry (1874-1944), and the couple had two sons: Herbert

(1903-69) and Allan Henry (1907-93).

At the start of World War I (1914-1918), Hoover dedicated his talents to humanitarian work by helping 120,000 stranded American tourists return home from Europe when the hostilities broke out and coordinated the delivery of food and supplies to citizens of Belgium, after the country was overrun by Germany.

When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924) appointed Hoover as Head of the Food Administration.. He encouraged Americans to reduce their consumption of meat and other commodities in order to ensure a steady supply of food and cloth-

goVErNor... froM PAgE 4 All three large IOUs have taken steps to reduce the size and scope of public safety power shutoffs by hardening infrastructure, reducing hazards through vegetation management, sectionalizing the grid so that smaller areas can be taken offline, and improving weather monitoring technology and modeling.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CAL FIRE has adjusted firefighting operations to mitigate the spread of the virus within its own crews by holding virtual briefings and keeping non-essential base camp staff off site. CDSS and CAL OES have updated mass care and sheltering protocols to include health screenings, dedicated cleaning staff and medical professionals on site.

“Wildfire season this year carries an extra layer of danger as the state responds to the spread of fires and the

ongoing heath pandemic,” said Chief Porter. “It is of the utmost importance that we keep our crews healthy so they can continue their work and that we adjust evacuation and shelter plans to protect communities from the spread of COVID-19.”

All new sheltering protocols require: • Health screening on entry • Dedicated cleaning staff at all sites • Pre-packaged meals • Medical and mental health professionals on site In the event of an evacuation, the state is prepared to secure hotel rooms, college dormitories, Airbnb, fairgrounds, and campgrounds to allow individuals to shelter in non-congregate settings.

ing for the Allied troops, After the war, he became Head of the American Relief Administration, arranged shipments of food and and aid to war-ravaged Europe, which earned him worldwide acclaim for his humanitarian efforts.

His success earned him an appointment as Secretary of Commerce under President Warren Harding (1865 - 1923) and he continued in this position under President Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933).

And, during the fast - paced modernization of the 1920's, Hoover laid the groundwork for the construction of a huge dam on the Colorado River, between Arizona and Nevada, now known as Hoover Dam which opened in 1936.

When he ran as the Republican nominee for the presidential election in 1928, and defeated Democratic candidate Alfred E. Smith (1873 -1944), the governor of New York, he set a record margin of 444 electoral votes, but only seven months after he took office, a precipitous drop in the value of the U.S. stock market sent the economy spiraling downward and signaled the start of the Great Depression" and the rest was history.

That is why today, with the current administration's various problems and the current economy spirals down, it can thus become similar to President Hoover's 'Great Depression Years.'

Therefore, let us all reflect and still be hopeful that America's problems will be resolved by excersizing our dutiful voting rights this coming election. As the patriotic song goes: "God bless America, our home, sweet home."

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Weekend

Job Loss Due to the Virus?

Here’s How Bankruptcy May Help

BANKRUPTCY is often a last resort for people who are in serious debt trouble. But if you’re one of many millions of people who have suffered a job loss due to the COVID-19 crisis, it might make sense if it’s your only hope of being able to survive financially during these tough times.

This is a very unpredictable time for all of us. Just when we thought that businesses can start re-opening slowly after being closed down for months, the government re-imposed some of the former restrictions last week and this could just be the beginning. The IRS stimulus checks proved to be a temporary financial band-aid, and the extra $600 weekly EDD payment ends this month. In the meantime, a lot of people have not paid their rent or mortgage in the last 3 months.

It is unlikely that whatever further relief the government decides to provide will keep everyone afloat as the virus crisis continues unabated. For those who were able to get temporary payment forbearances from their lenders and credit card companies, they now have to work out a resolution to catch up on missed payments. How can they do this if they have less income now than they did when the pandemic started?

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If you don’t see a clear pathway through the virus crisis after you have lost most or all of your income, bankruptcy may be inevitable for you. But before you get to that point, there may be some advanced planning needed to avoid problems later.

For example, what chapter should you be filing? Do you have any assets that may be at risk? How do you protect those assets, if possible? Which debts can be wiped out, and which debts still have to be paid back after bankruptcy? When is the right time to file? How does filing bankruptcy affect your ability to credit again in the future, and how long will it take to rebuild credit?

What about asset transfers? Have you transferred assets or given money to family and friends to get them out of your name (and if so, how does that affect a bankruptcy filing?). What happens if you file bankruptcy and you’re behind on your mortgage payments?

These are questions I came up with just off the top of my head that people often ask when consulting with me. These are IMPORTANT questions and sometimes they are best asked, not when a person is about to file, but way before a person files so that they can obtain the maximum protection afforded by law. Most people do not realize until

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it’s too late that a lot of bankruptcy cases require careful analysis and planning with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Yes, there are traps for the unwary that can be avoided with proper planning.

If you have been recently laid off, don’t automatically assume that you qualify to file bankruptcy to wipe out of your debts just because you’re not making any money at this time.

The courts look at your income for the last 6 months as well as current income. And that may also include unemployment benefits that you’ve been receiving since you stopped working. All of this requires a thorough analysis.

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(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

THERE seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this question a lot from our family law clients.

The fact is that California is a no fault state and you do not need your spouse’s signature in order to get a divorce. What is more important is being able to properly serve your spouse with the divorce petition and satisfy the jurisdictional requirement of the Court by showing that either you or your spouse resided in the State for at least 6 months prior to filing the petition and in the County for 3 months prior to filing the petition.

When you file a divorce petition, you have to serve your spouse with the summons and petition. Your spouse then has 30 days to file a response after being served with a divorce petition. If your spouse fails to file and serve you with a response, you can file a request for default against your spouse after 30 days. You can also file a proposed judgment for the court to approve. The default procedure can be done even if there are issues of property division, custody, visitation, and support. However, the Court will still review your proposed judgment and property division to make sure it conforms to the policy towards equal division of community property. Meaning, you have to propose a division of community property that is pretty much equal between the spouses. If your proposed property division is one sided such as distributing all community property to you and giving all the community debts to your spouse, the Court would probably not grant your judgment. The Court would probably set a hearing for you to explain why this is an equal division of community property.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at TollFree 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. ***NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video. Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me. Questions? Email me at gethelp@rjb-lawoffices.com.

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuse to sign?

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California Housing Market update

THE coronavirus pandemic has gone global and the California real estate market got impacted by it.. Before the coronavirus outbreak, the declining interest rates bolstered February home sales and price in the California housing market. The no. of home sales in February went up 6.6 percent from the 395,700 level in January, marking the first time in three months that sales jumped above the 400,000 benchmarks. February also marked the eighth consecutive month of yearover-year sales increases, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

According to a United States Department of Commerce report, the median price nationwide for a home sold in February was $345,900, up 6.3 percent from January. As the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, the sales activity in the California housing market took a sharp decline. Many buyers backed out of purchase due to coronavirus concerns. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the new California home sales also began to drop from March onward.

Here’s the review of the California real estate market from March onward. The immediate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the California housing market was that realtors canceled their open houses and half of all agents reported a drop in buyer interest. A flash poll conducted by C.A.R. between March 14-16 found that 54% of realtors had buyers who backed out from buying a home because of the coronavirus, and about 45% had sellers who backed out from selling a property. The pandemic further impacted buying or selling of a house as California issued a statewide ‘stay at home’ order on March 19 to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

All non-essential businesses were essentially shut down. The real estate industry and many businesses that support it have been deemed non-essential. Real estate transactions like home buying, title research, residential leasing, and renting were allowed to continue. So were things like building maintenance and cleaning. Home construction was typically allowed to continue, as well. This meant that

BARRISTER’S CORNER… FROM PAGE 6 The only time you may need your spouse’s signature is if your spouse files a response to your divorce petition. This is called "contesting" the divorce. If your divorce is contested by your spouse, you can resolve the case either by "settlement" or by "trial." However, you do not have to settle all the issues in the case at once. Under the concept of divisible divorce, you can settle some of the issues and set the other issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on for trial. Our office try to resolve cases through settlement because it is more cost effective and the parties are usually happier with the outcome. In that situation, the parties may avoid the cost and uncertainty of going to trial by executing what is called a stipulated judgment which is in essence an agreement as to all the issues in the divorce case.

For issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on, you will have to go through the litigation process which involves obtaining discovery, exchanging declarations of disclosures, and preparing the case for trial. Ultimately, you will obtain your divorce at trial in addition to adjudication of the distribution of community assets and debts amongst other issues. It is in the best interest of the party to retain the representation of competent counsel who will assert his or her rights under the family code.

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, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com

people could continue to live in their apartment and call the property manager to get the plumbing fixed.

Home sales and purchases already begun could be completed. However, it became much more difficult to arrange open houses or take photos of a property for sale. Some realtors adapted by setting up virtual showings of properties, whether it was via cell phone video, high-resolution photos, or drone. However, photographers can’t travel to properties, while stagers and appraisers can’t travel to homes that owners want to sell.

This froze the housing market for the most part due to shelter-in-place orders. Financial services were considered essential; this included banks and mortgage lenders. Unfortunately, the shutdown of up to 80 percent of the country means many are afraid to take out a home loan even if they still have a job. That is why mortgage applications fell by 30 percent in the last quarter of March 2020 while unemployment applications hit a record three million.

U.S. Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims are that over 40 million people have already lost their jobs.

As new coronavirus cases were detected in California and the ‘shelter-in-place’ mandate was extended, a sharp sales decline resulted in an increase in unsold inventory – leading to a balanced real estate market.

The COVID-19 pandemic kept both buyers and sellers on the sidelines in the California housing market. Many potential sellers delayed putting their homes on the market, which led to fewer new listings. Some of the buyers excited and decided to not enter the market due to their weak financial condition. California home sales ex-

perienced the worst month-to-month sales decline in more than four decades.

Home sales dropped sharply in April from both the previous month and year as the housing market began to feel the full impact of the state’s stay-at-home order, according to C.A.R. This was because of a decline in open houses and home showings which are impossible to be held in such conditions. Existing, single-family home sales totaled 277,440 in April on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, down 25.6 percent from March and down 30.1 percent from April 2019. Additionally, sales in escrow were also delayed by the closure or limited availability of all the essential services related to a home sale.

The statewide median price remained above the $600,000 benchmark for the second consecutive month in April, price growth showed clear signs of softening when compared to the past six months. The April statewide median price of $606,410 for existing single-family homes in the state dipped 1.0 percent from March, and the 0.6 percent gain was essentially flat from April 2019, when the median price was $603,030. The yearover-year price gain was substantially smaller than the six-month average gain of 7.8 percent recorded between October 2019 and March 2020.

This year is a year for all of us and our families to stay safe and alive.

Hopefully this will all be over soon and we can get back to our normal lives. Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group for your mortgage Financial needs, call Ken at 562-5087048 CABRE01021223 NMLS238636.

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CAREGIVERS IN A TIME OF CRISIS EVEN in normal times, when the economy is growing and our health care systems are free from pandemics, caregivers are vital to our society. Neither the economy nor the health care system can survive without people willing to do the hard work of caring for our elderly population.

However, with the advent of COVID-19, caregivers are being asked to do the extraordinary.

Many caregivers are sheltering in place w ith their clients.

Family members may be fearful to even visit their loved ones due to the possibly of passing a disease they may not even know they have.

Some caregivers, working in care facilities, have also been asked to shelter in place, even as residents get sick. These caregivers are placing themselves in great physical peril to ensure that the elderly get adequate care. Caregivers may also be facing growing insecurity in terms of wages and may not even know when their next paycheck is coming. Caregivers may not have access to groceries, and some may even be

rationing food with their clients.

Despite all of this, caregivers continue to do what they do, which is care for our loved ones.

If you are sheltering in place and have to stay at a facility or at the home of a client, you deserve to be paid overtime. Not only is it the law, but the work caregivers perform is fully deserving of fair and adequate compensation.

California law recognizes that caregivers, and in fact all employees, are entitled to compensation for all time that they are required to be at the worksite, under an obligation to respond to the client. The California Supreme

Court again reaffirmed that point in February of 2020.

To be entitled to compensation, you do not have to be actively discharging some assigned duty.

All you have to do is be present and available for your client.

That, as the California Supreme Court recognized, is still “work” and it is still valuable to your employer. Therefore, you need to be paid for all of that time.

Just like you, the attorneys at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson are still working. We have moved our offices to our homes and will not stop working to protect our caregiver clients. We recognize and value the vital work that our caregivers do and will not stop working for our caregivers.

If you are sheltering in place, or are working 24-hours, without overtime compensation, please contact our firm at (818)807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. We love helping caregivers get the overtime compensation that they deserve. We are here to take your calls, and can even sign you up remotely, so we can still maintain social distance.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Kevin Rehwald, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills, Ca. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter.

The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation.

Or visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

CHED: 2,000 small universities may not be as prepared as big schools for flexible learning MANILA (Mabuhay) — Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Prospero De Vera III on Thursday expressed concern over the level of preparation of nearly 2,000 small universities in the country for flexible learning.

In a press conference, De Vera said the CHED together with other big universities set up a program to train faculty members of small universities for flexible learning.

“A lot of big universities have been doing a good job in training faculty members, but there are close to 2,000 public and private universities in the country…I am concerned that the smaller universities especially in the far-flung areas may not be as prepared,” he said.

De Vera said these small universities do not have internal capacity to do the training program or have fewer resources in preparing for the resumption of class in August.

Due to this, CHED launched HiEd Bayanihan, through which well-prepared universities can input ideas to smaller universities through training programs for faculty members.

“We are going to target faculty members of smaller universities that have limited capacity to do training programs for their faculty members,” De Vera said.

Training providers include Philippine Normal University, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Central Luzon State University, Enverga University, Far Eastern University, and Tarlac State University.

Due to the threat of COVID-19, some universities will implement a flexible learning approach with reduced face to face classes to avoid the transmission of the virus.

(MNS)

DE VERA III

Air Force to get 2 more C-130 planes M A NIL A ( Mabu hay) — T he Philippine Air Force (PAF) will acquire two more Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft to add to its existing fleet of five used to transport medical supplies and personnel tasked to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

"Based on our current status reports, one of the C-130s is expected to arrive this month (July) while the other one will arrive before the end of the year. Both have no specific (a rriva l)

dates yet," Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

The cost of acquisition for the two C-130s is PHP2.5 billion.

"Cost is PHP2.5 billion. They (C-130s were) co-financed by the Ph i l ippi nes (who cont r ibuted PHP1.6 billion) and the US through FMF (Foreign Military Financing) program worth (PHP900 million)," Andolong added.

The US FMF

program provides grants and loans for the acquisition of US defense equipment, services, and training.

T he C-130 i s a fou r-eng i ne turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now known as Lockheed Martin.

Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft.

(MNS)

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New vehicles to boost PH Army's anti-terror, Covid-19 efforts

◘ The Philippine Army receives vehicles donated by the Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association Incorporated (AFPMBAI) in a Blessing and Ceremonial Turn-Over in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday (July 10, 2020). The new vehicles are expected to boost the Army's capability in curbing terror threats and battling the Covid-19 pandemic. (MNS photo)

Denial of ABS-CBN's franchise application, dark day for journalism - Malacañang Press Corps MANILA (Mabuhay) — The denial of the franchise application of ABSCBN Broadcasting Corporation by the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises is "yet another assault on press freedom in the country," says the Malacañang Press Corps.

"Today is a dark day for journalism," the organization of journalists regularly covering the President and Malacañang activities said in a statement.

"We deplore the blatant and arrogant abuse of power. This is a warning to the press: do not offend the powers that be. One less watchdog is one step towards tyranny," the group added.

The Committee on Friday voted to deny ABS CBN's franchise application, as it opted to adopt the Technical Working Group’s (TWG) Committee Resolution recommending the denial

of the network's franchise application through 70 yes votes, 11 no votes, and three who did not participate.

The TWG report that ABS-CBN violated its old franchise, described by the panel as a privilege, because of the following reasons: its former Chairman Eugenio Lopez III was both a Filipino and American citizen, the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts supposedly favoring foreigners, inappropriate program content, meddling in politics, tax avoidance schemes; less than exemplary labor practices, among others.

"We grieve for the public. In this pandemic, we need more media organizations, not less, to inform the public of the dangers and risks of COVID-19 and how the government is responding to the crisis, and to make them accountable for their missteps," the Malacañang Press Corps said.

DILG allays safety concerns over physical barriers for motorcycle back-riding MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday allayed safety concerns over the required physical barrier for couples planning to ride on the same motorcycle, saying the barriers were approved by transport regulators.

The approved design of the physical barrier, proposed by Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap, was studied by experts and the Land Transportation Office, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.

Some motorists have expressed concern on the use of the barrier, which they say might affect balance when riding a motorcycle.

"Ito po ay nasuri din ng ating mga eksperto at maging ang LTO ay sumusuporta po sa paglalagay ng physical barrier so we do not see this as a possible safety concern," Malaya said in a virtual press briefing.

Malaya said the government is still accepting more proposals on the design of the physical barrier for motorcycle-backriding "Kailangan lang po talagang maging maingat dahil kahit walang physical barrier ay mayroon po talagang nangyayaring aksidente 'pag tayo ay naka-motor," he added.

Motorcycle back-riding was allowed by the government starting Friday, July 10, but only for married couples.

Malaya said the National Task Force on COVID-19, the implementing arm of the government's pandemic response policies, is expected to issue specific guidelines on motorcycle back-riding on Friday.

"Sa ngayon po, magwa-warning muna ang ating kapulisan pero sa mga susunod na araw kung wala pa ring dokumento man o physical barrier na nakakabit, baka magkaroon na po ng physical apprehension ang ating kapulisan," Malaya said. (MNS)

The group also pointed out that network employees are in danger of losing their jobs as the country is in the thick of efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The organization pledged its support for the Network's "fight against this State-backed repression of private media."

"While we grieve, we are not cowed.

We are more emboldened to carry the torch to carry out our mission to inform the public and keep power in check," the group said.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The nine vehicles donated by the Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI) to the Philippine Army (PA) will help the latter further carry out its anti-terrorism and coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) containment missions.

“On behalf of the Philippine Army, I thank the AFPMBAI headed by its President and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Robert) Arevalo, for this generosity. Your grant of nine units of vehicle(s), in addition to the 16 you have already donated last year, will not only boost the capability of the Army in the war against terrorism and the impact of the pandemic," Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said in his speech during the blessing and turnover of the vehicles at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday.

Army personnel, along with those of the Navy and Air Force, have been deployed to man various quarantine control points when the enhanced community quarantine was declared in Metro Manila and nearby provinces early this year.

Aside from this, PA medical personnel and their counterparts from the two services are helping care and monitor patients infected with Covid-19 in various government health facilities across the country.

Gapay added that these new vehicles would also uplift the well-being of PA personnel who are engaged in anti-terror operations and Covid-19 front-line duties. (MNS

"A thousand little cuts do not make us weak, these only make us stronger.

History is never kind to tyrants," they added. (MNS)

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Palace to anti-terror law critics:

Let’s set politics aside MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday appealed to critics of the anti-terrorism law to set aside politics and instead help the national government on its continuous fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said they should be a concerted effort to prioritize the pandemic instead of using the controversial law to put President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration in a bad light.

“Uulitin ko lang ang panawagan ni Presidente, isantabi muna po natin ang pulitika. May panahon po para sa lahat, ngayon po tutukan po muna natin ang Covid-19 (I will repeat the appeal of the President, set aside politics.

There is a time for everything, now is a time to focus on Covid-19),” he said in a virtual presser.

Roque said the public can express their discontent in the administration by voting during the next elections.

He also reassured that the anti-terrorism law only goes after terrorists and that it has enough safeguards to prevent human rights abuses.

“Lahat po ng aabuso sa batas na iyan ay mayroon pa ring pagkakakulong ‘no at bukod pa po diyan ay nandiyan naman po ang ating mga hukuman (All abuses in the implementation of the law will meet imprisonment and besides that, there are judges),” he said.

Roque said legal remedies are available such as the writ of habeas which can be used to secure the release of a person who is being unlawfully detained and writ of amparo which can be used if a person’s right to life, liberty and security has been violated or under threat are also in place.

On the issue of designating individuals and groups as terrorists, Roque said the law has adopted resolutions issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“Dito po sa mga UN Security Council resolution, lalung-lalo na doon sa mga nagbabawal doon sa mga pagpasabog, nagkaroon po ng depenisyon na ang terorismo raw po ay kahit anong bagay na nagkakalat ng takot at kalituhan at panic sa general public. At ito naman pong depenisyon na ito ay in-adopt po ng ating Anti-Terror Law at ng mga batas sa iba’t iba pang mga bansa (Here in the UN Security Council resolution, especially on prohibiting

bombings, there is a definition that terrorism is anything that can be defined as anything that can spread fear, confusion, and panic to the general public. This is the definition adopted by our anti-terror law and other laws from other countries),” he said.

Several petitions challenging the constitutionality of the anti-terrorism law have been filed before the Supreme Court (SC).

Last July 5, Roque said the Palace will leave it to the SC to decide on these petitions and will abide by whatever the ruling is.

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or Republic Act (RA) 11479, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3, repeals the Human Security of 2007.

Under the law, suspected terrorists can be detained up to 24 days without the filing of any charges.

The law states that acts intended to cause death or serious injury to any person, extensive damage to a government facility, and extensive interference with destruction to critical infrastructure are likewise considered as terrorist acts.

It also states that individuals who either use weapons, explosives, and chemical weapons or release dangerous substances causing fire, floods, or explosions are considered terrorists. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

DOH cautiously accepted forecast of 100k COVID-19 cases by end-August MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health accepts the projection that the COVID-19 cases will reach 100,000 by the end of August but noted the estimate should be interpreted with ‘caution’.

In a press conference on Wednesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire pointed out that some factors can still affect the scientific models used to make the assumption.

“Lagi namin pinapaliwanag kapag estimates katulad ng sa UP (University of the Philippines), tinatanggap namin 'yan,” she said.

“That serves something that we can refer to kapag nag-a-analyze kami pero kailangan nating i-interpret with caution kapag estimates,” she added.

On Tuesday, Guido David from the UP Institute of Mathematics and Ranjit Rye of the UP Department of Political Science said the actual number of cases may still go beyond the 100,000 projection.

“So ‘yang 95,000 o 100,000 na nga ngayon ay ginawa nila base sa ganyang kalkulasyon at pinakikinggan natin sila,” Vergeire said.

With this projection Vergeire encouraged the public to do their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

“So tayo, kasi nakikita at naibigay sa akin ‘yung impormasyon na iyan, ay pinaiigting natin ang impormasyon sa ating kababayan ngayon na sana ginagawa natin ‘yung dapat nating gawin for us to not to be able to reach that 100,000 by end of August na estimated by the UP group,” she said. (MNS)

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Vietnam eyes stronger naval cooperation with PH MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vietnam has expressed its willingness to strengthen its naval cooperation with the Philippines.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Manila Hoang Huy Chung made this assurance in a courtesy call on Philippine Navy (PN) chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Thursday.

"The Vietnam Ambassador also expressed the willingness of Vietnam to strengthen its coordination with the Philippines, particularly in the areas of maritime security concerns and to enhance both countries’ naval cooperation," PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a statement Friday.

Other highlights of the meeting include future engagements of the PN and the Vietnam People’s Navy which include the latter’s participation in the upcoming Philippine-hosted Western Pacific Naval Symposium and other international naval activities where both Navies will participate.

Chung held various high-ranking positions in Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being appointed to his present post.

"This courtesy call is yet another manifestation of the PN’s unfaltering commitment in promoting stability, protection, and cooperation in the region, the Philippine Navy is firmly dedicated to continuing and further enhancing its commitment to strengthening ties and friendship with other regional Navies," Roxas added. (MNS)

◘ COURTESY CALL. Vietnamese Ambassador to Manila Hoang Huy Chung (left) and Philippine Navy chief, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo (right) pose for a photo opportunity during a courtesy call at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Thursday (July 9, 2020). During their meeting, Chung expressed Hanoi's willingness to beef up maritime security cooperation with Manila. (MNS photo)

IATF-EID adopts int’l protocols for inbound flight crew M ANIL A (Mabuhay) — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has adopted the guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for inbound flight crew, Malacañang said on Friday.

In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who also serves as IATF-EID spokesperson, said the IATF-EID’s latest decision was contained in Resolution 53.

Under the resolution, the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies such as the Civ-

il Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines are directed to issue the necessary guidelines.

The guidelines should also specify that “inbound flight crew must remain in their accommodation establishments upon arrival to avoid transmission,” according to the resolution.

ICAO, through the Council Aviation Recovery Task (CART) Force, has guided governments and industry operations to restart the international air transport sector affected by the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic.

ICAO, in one of the modules included in the CART Take-off guidance, provides harmonized health protection and sanitation considerations applicable to flight crew throughout the world.

The considerations include a restriction on possible access to the f light deck, reduction of people's interactions with cabin crew, and the removal of flight crew members displaying Covid-19 symptoms from the flight deck.

On July 6, the Philippine government allowed the non-essential travels abroad amid the Covid-19

outbreak.

The travel restrictions were lifted as the government seeks to gradually reopen the economy.

ICAO noted that airports have seen a 28.4-percent decline in global passenger traffic volumes for the first quarter of 2020, which is equivalent to a reduction of 612 million passengers.

It also estimated that by the end of 2020, the Covid-19 impact on scheduled international passenger traffic could reach reductions of up to 71 percent of seat capacity and up to 1.5 billion passengers globally.

(MNS)

SELF-CARE COVID-19 SELF-CAREDURING DURING COVID-19 SELF-CARE DURING COVID-19

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Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

DOJ chief: Slain prosecutor probably handled ‘hazardous’ cases MANILA (Mabuhay) — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said he is confident that the ambush-slay of Manila Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jovencio Senados will be solved soon, adding that the 62-year-old official may have handled "hazardous" cases in his "many years" in the service.

Senados, chief of the inquest division of the Manila prosecutor's office, was gunned down in Paco on Tuesday. The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident.

“NBI operatives are working on the case. It will be prudent to let them build up the case quietly for now. I am confident that they will be able to solve this crime very soon,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

"Prosecutor Senados had been in the prosecution service for many years. As chief of the inquest division of OCP (Office of the City Prosecutor) Manila, he had probably handled hazardous cases that had placed his personal security at great risk," he added.

Guevarra earlier confirmed that the inquest division has been abolished by the new city prosecutor, who farmed out all inquest cases to the office's divisions "after noting that the number of inquest cases in 2019 almost equalled the number of cases for regular preliminary investigation."

Inquests are summary investigations in which prosecutors decide whether to release, charge, or further investigate persons who were arrested without a warrant.

Last March, Senados as chief inquest ordered the release of more than 20 people who were arrested for allegedly

violating Manila's curfew ordinance.

Some 50 lawyers, prosecutors, and judges have been killed since 2016, according to the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers.

In one case, which involved Quezon City Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco, the prosecutors who investigated murder allegations against three policemen dismissed the complaints in 2019 due to "insufficiency of evidence."

Velasco was killed in his car by four gunmen on May 11, 2018. His daughters, who were with him in the vehicle, survived the shooting. (MNS)

No new directive on VFA termination — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — The termination of the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States (US) remains suspended and is not lifted, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte is not giving any fresh directive about the fate of VFA which was revoked by the Philippines.

“Hindi pa po nagbabago ‘yung huling binitawang salita ni Presidente na ipagpapaliban po ng six months yung pagte-terminate sa VFA (The President’s recent directive about the VFA termination

for six months remains the same),” Roque said in a virtual presser aired on staterun PTV-4.

Roque made the clarification a day after Senator Ronald dela Rosa, an administration ally, announced that the US embassy allowed him to reapply for a visa following Duterte’s phone call with US President Donald Trump in April.

Roque, nevertheless, said the Palace was elated by the US’s latest decision to allow Dela Rosa to process his visa.

“So nagagalak po kami na nalinawan ang mga Amerikano na hindi dapat ganiyan ang pag-trato sa mga halal ng taumbayan ng mga

Pilipinong opisyal (We are happy that Americans now realize that they should not treat elected Philippine officials that way),” Roque said.

Duterte scrapped the VFA following the cancellation of Dela Rosa’s US visa, as well as the criticism of some US senators against his drug war.

The VFA, a military pact signed between the Philippines and the US in 1998, allows American troops who are participating in joint military deals to visit Manila sans passport and visa.

The VFA was supposed to be abrogated 180 days after the Philippines sent a formal notice of termination to the US on February 11.

However, Manila notified

Washington in June about Duterte’s decision to suspend the revocation of the VFA. The abrogation of the military deal between the two countries was suspended “in light of political and other developments in the region.”

The suspension of VFA’s termination is effective for six months but can be extended by the Philippines for another six months, according to the diplomatic note dated June 1 and addressed to the US. Roque said nothing has changed when it comes to Duterte’s stance on VFA. “Iyan pa rin po ang posisyon (The position remains the same),” he said.

(MNS)

Arrest warrant served vs. cadets in Dormitorio case — AFP MANILA (Mabuhay) — The arrest warrant issued against the three cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) implicated in the death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio has been served, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Friday.

"The warrant of arrest issued by Presiding Judge Maria Ligaya V. Itliong-Rivera was served to the three accused PMA cadets by the commanding officer of the Military Police Battalion and the designated custodial officer of the AFP Custodial and Detention Center, Army Maj. Evangeline Nualda," AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said in a press statement.

Arevalo, who also heads the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command, said the warrant would be returned to the court on Friday as the three cadets had been detained at the PMA and were transferred to the stockade of Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last January 17.

"The accused cadets and three others face criminal prosecution for violating Article of War 97," he said.

Arevalo noted that the AFP commits “to secure, present and/or deliver the living body of any or all the accused cadets to the proper authorities when so ordered, including pertinent orders or directives from the General Court Martial and the Honorable Court.”

On Wednesday, the Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 5 ordered the arrest of cadets Felix Lumbag Jr. and Shalimar Imperial Jr., who were charged with murder and hazing, and cadet Julius Carlo Tadena for hazing and less serious physical injuries.

The court did not recommend bail. (MNS)

Bato dela Rosa: I can live without US visa MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is happy over the news that he will be granted a US visa anew, but he maintains he ca n live without it.

“Masaya, masaya [ako] dahil iyon nga, n a -

DELA ROSA

lungkot tayo nung nawala, masaya na naman tayo ngayon kung ibabalik. Ibalik nila o hindi, alam naman natin na privilege lang ‘yan. We can live without that,” Dela Rosa said at a virtual forum.

Dela Rosa earlier said he received the information when a representative of the US Embassy in Manila called him up, but added that he has yet to figure out the next steps in applying for a US visa.

“Nakatangap ako ng tawag, nagpakilala, taga US Embassy, di ko maalala kung anong date, ang sabi, ibalik, ayusin raw visa ko. ‘Di ko alam process na gagawin, re-apply siguro, kasi kinancel kasi dati kong visa, baka re-apply siguro,” Dela Rosa said.

“Tapusin ko muna itong COVID-19 pandemic bago ako pumunta sa US Embassy,” he added.

Back in January, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened that he will abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement—a pact which allows US troops to train and advise the Philippine military in its fight against terrorists but bans US forces in

combat operations—if the US does not rectify its cancellation of the US visa of his trusted ally, Dela Rosa.

The President eventually abrogated the VFA, but the implementation of such abrogation has been suspended.

Dela Rosa, however, stressed that he did not seek the President’s help over his US visa problem and that he did not plead for the US government to reconsider the cancellation.

“Hind ko kinausap si President na i-work out na maibalik. Di ko diniscuss sa kanya,” Dela Rosa said.

“Saka conduct unbecoming naman on my part as a senator kung magmamakaawa ka sa kanila. Kung ayaw nila, huwag. Kung gusto nila ibalik, okay. Alam ko naman na privilege lang iyon,” Dela Rosa added.

Dela Rosa, however, admitted that he thanked the President upon learning that his US visa can be granted again.

“After nung sinabihan ako na ibabalik ang visa, nag text ako sa kanya, nagpasalamat ko sa kanya dahil ibabalik na ang aking visa,” Dela Rosa said. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

Philippine trade deficit narrows 48.9% in May M ANIL A (Mabuhay) — The Philippines's balance of trade in goods posted a narrower deficit in May as decline in exports is slower than the drop in imports during the period, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday.

Data from the PSA showed the country’s trade gap stood at $1.865 billion, down 48.9% from a $3.649-billion deficit in May 2019.

The narrower deficit resulted from slower exports decline of 38.7% to $3.99 billion compared with import’s 40.6% plunge to $5.85 billion.

Balance of trade in goods is the difference between the value of export and import. A deficit indicates that the value of a country’s imports exceeded export receipts, while a surplus indicates more export shipments than imports.

The annual drop in May was the third month that total exports was consecutively declining, according to the PSA. Of the top ten major commodity groups in terms of exported value, eight had annual decline which was led by ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships (-70.4%); other manufactured goods (-50.6%); and chemicals (-37.2%), the PSA said.

For imports, the decline was attributed to the decreases in nine out of the top 10 major import commodities which was led by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (-80.0%); transport equipment (-65.6%); and iron and steel (-61.0%).

Meanwhile, the country’s total external trade in goods — the total value of import and export receipts —in May amounted to $9.84 billion, down of 38.7% yearon-year.

The decline in external trade, however, is slower than April’s annual drop rate of 59.5%.

Of the total external trade, 59.5% were comprised of imported goods and the rest or 40.5% were exported goods. (MNS)

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BSP Gov. Diokno wants at least 50% of all transactions digital by 2023 MANILA (Mabuhay) — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno now targets at least half of all Philippine transactions done digitally by the end of his term in 2023.

Diokno on Thursday evening said he is banking on the recent surge in e-payments to boost digital transactions moving forward.

"My goal is to have half of all financial transactions -- in volume and value -- ... in digital form by the end of my term which is midyear 2023," he said in a mobile message to reporters.

"With the quantum jump in the use of digital payments during the lockdown, I'm confident that this goal would be achieved sooner," he added.

Data released by the central bank showed that combined volume of InstaPay and PESONet t ra nsact ions posted a 260% growth in April versus the same month last year.

In May, InstaPay posted a month-on-month growth of 57% in terms of volume while PESONet recorded a 300% growth.

The BSP in November already raised its target to have 30% of all payments digital by 2020 in terms of value, up from 20% initially.

"The BSP is actively pushing for the use of digital payments now as part of a safe and convenient payment system," said Diokno.

To recall, the BSP launched InstaPay in April 2018. It is an electronic fund transfer (EFT) payment system that enables individuals to wire funds across banks in real-time.

Mea nw h i le, PESONet w a s launched in 2017, enabling the government, businesses, and individuals to initiate electronic fund transfers and recurring payments in financial institutions supervised by the central bank within the same banking day. (MNS) DIOKNO

ERC orders power distributors to refund overpayments, universal, FIT-All charges MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Energy Regulatory Commission has ordered power distributors to refund to its customers the overpayments and other charges which are supposed to be suspended amid the implementation of community quarantine measures.

In an advisory dated July 7, released on Thursday, the ERC directed distribution utilities and electric cooperatives “that failed to comply with the ERC’s directives contained in its Advisories... to cause the refund” of feedin-tariff allowance (FIT-All), universal charge-environmental charge (UC-EC).

The regulatory body issued advisories on April 15 and May 5 suspending the collection of FIT-All charge for billing months of March and April. FIT-All charge is the subsidy paid by electricity consumers for the portion of power supply generated from renewable energy sources.

The ERC, likewise, ordered the suspension until

further notice of the collection of UC-EC equivalent to P0.0025 per kilowatt-hour as stated in its May 22 advisory.

The agency earlier said violators of its orders will face administrative sanctions.

Apart from FIT-All and UC-EC, the power industry regulator directed the refund of “overpayments made by consumers arising from monthly billings issued based on estimated consumption and verified against actual meter reading” as well as “overpayments resulting from the non-implementation of the installment payment scheme prescribed by the Commission.”

“The said overpayments shall be accurately and clearly ref lected on the billing statement,” the ERC said.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest power distributor, admitted in a Senate hearing that it failed to clarify to its cus-

tomers what is actual and what is the estimated portions of their May billings.

Meralco vowed to correct the lapse and said it will issue personalized letters to its customers explaining the estimated consumptions in March and April or in some cases in May. The power distributor also reiterated that those who already paid in full the bills that were supposed to be covered by the installment scheme have the option to get a refund and revert to staggered payments.

The ERC said consumers who are entitled to refunds due to overpayments may, in lieu of cash refund, request the distributor to credit the amount to be refunded in the immediate future billings.

“For this purpose, the DUs / ECs shall provide the necessary communication facility where such requests may be forwarded by the consumers. Such requests sha ll be ack nowledged by the DU/EC within for-

ty-eight hours upon receipt of the said request,” it said.

“For consu mers who already paid in full their monthly billings that fell due during the Enhanced Community Quarantine or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine that is covered by the mandated installment arrangement, they shall also have the option to seek a refund and avail of the mandated installment payment,” it added.

The ERC also required power distributors to submit a report on overbillings, by month, and the pertinent refund undertaken on or before August 15, 2020.

Meanwhile, distribution utilities or electric cooperatives in Cebu province, particularly in places that are still under the enhanced communit y quarantine (ECQ), are directed “not to effect any disconnection on account of unpaid ECQ bills of electricity consumers until September 2020.”

(MNS)

‘Build, Build, Build’ important to revive PH economy MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government remains committed to implement its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to revive the country’s economy that entered recession due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang said on Thursday.

“Kabahagi pa rin po at importante pa rin ang papel ng ‘Build, Build, Build’ para sa ating recovery mula dito sa Covid-19 (The role of ‘Build, Build, Build’ in our re-

covery remains important for our recovery from C o v i d-19),” Presidential Spokespers on Ha r r y Roque said in a virtual presser.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte admitted on Tuesday that the Ph i l ip-

VILLAR

pines cannot afford to totally reopen the Philippine economy amid the Covid-19 crisis due to possible spike of cases in the country.

During the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum on Wednesday, Fi na nce Secreta r y Ca rlos Dominguez III said the resumption of infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program is the “best way” to reboot the country’s economy.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, on behalf of the Cabinet’s infrastructure cluster, also reported on the progress of the current infrastructure projects.

In his report during the forum, Villar said the “Build, Build, Build” program can help jumpstart the recovery of the country’s economy.

He added that the infrastructure program would help Filipinos remain employed or find opportunities for employment.

Despite the pandemic, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor

Link, the NLEX-SLEX Connector, the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, the R-1 Bridge Project, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Project, and the Subic Freeport Expressway Project have resumed construction.

Roque reiterated that the resumption of all infrastructure projects will push through but will be subject to “reprioritization”.

He also echoed Duterte’s latest stance that the government has to be “very circumspect” in reopening the economy.

Roque, nevertheless, ensured that the total reopening of the economy would happen in the event that the government is able to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

“Kapag napababa na natin ‘yung banta ng sakit, unti-unti na nating bubuksan ang ekonomiya (Once we are able to lower the threat of this disease, we will gradually reopen the economy),” he said. (MNS)

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Bea Alonzo testifies on how ABS-CBN has changed a lot of lives

B bea aLonZo

ea Alonzo turned to social media anew to air her support for ABS-CBN, after the government forced the shutdown of more of the network’s broadcast platforms.

On Instagram, Alonzo began her post by recalling how ABS-CBN has been instrumental in molding the person she is today.

“Malaki ang pinagbago ng buhay ko dahil sa ABS-CBN. Pero alam nyo na yun. Alam nyo nang naitaguyod ko ang pamilya ko dahil sa tulong nila, at alam nyo na ring malaki ang natutunan ko sa aspeto ng pag-arte dahil sa mga taong nakatrabaho ko mula dito. Alam nyo nang lahat yun,” she said.

“Siguro, ang hindi ninyo alam, maski ako, nagtatanong, bilang Pilipino, ano ba ang tama? Ano ba ang ikabubuti ng karamihan?” she added.

Despite not having an answer to this question, Alonzo shared one thing that she is certain about her home network.

“Ang alam ko lang, sa halos dalawang

dekada ng buhay ko, hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang tao sa paligid ko ang nabigyan ng pagkakataong makapaghanap buhay nang maayos at makatulong sa kanilang pamilya dahil sa ABS-CBN. Kabilang ako dun,” she said.

Alonzo said she is praying for the best for the Kapamilya network.

“Gusto kong magdasal para sa desisyong magbabago ng maraming buhay. Nawa’y gabayan tayo ng Maykapal.

Kahit anong mangyari, babalik ako sa simula, kahit saan ako dalhin, ako’y isang kapamilya, nakaukit yan sa puso ko,” she said.

On Friday (July 10), the House legislative franchises committee, in a vote of 70-11, effectively shuttered ABS-CBN's free-TV and radio broadcast permanently. (MNS)

Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio deny they are now living together MANILA (Mabuhay) — Celebrity couple Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio have set the record straight on speculations that they are now living together.

In an interview, the two vehemently denied that they are now living in the same house.

“Hindi po. Ganun lang namin kamahal ang isa’t isa, lagi kaming magkasama kaya akala nila mag-live in na kami kasi lagi kaming magkasama,” Andalio said.

“Kasi kami ni Ronnie parang magkapitbahay lang kami, Laguna and Cavite. Kumbaga isang exit lang. Parang 30 minutes away lang po yung bahay namin,” she added.

While agreeing with what his girlfriend said, Alonte confessed that they have already talked about getting married in the future.

“Lagi naman. Lagi ko naman sinasabi sa kanya na nararamdaman ko iyon. Alam naman niya yun. Siyempre kami, alam naman naming madami pang pagsubok ang pagdadaanan. Hindi pa ganun kahaba ang relasyon namin pero alam naman po namin sa isa’t isa na kaya,” he said.

“Lagi ko po sa kanyang pinapaalala araw-araw, pagdating ng araw, magkasama na kami sa isang bahay, magpapakasal kami. Excited na ako sa pwedeng mangyari soon sa aming dalawa,” he added.

The two said they have also decided on how many kids they want to have.

“Gusto namin basketball team,” Andalio quipped.

Alonte and Andalio confirmed that they are in a romantic relationship in December 2018.

(MNS)

nadine LusTre MANILA (Mabuhay) — "Your emotions are valid."

These were the words of reassurance of actress Nadine Lustre to those who are struggling with mental health, in a video message in partnership with the organization Mental Health PH.

Lustre first revealed going through depression in 2017. At the time, she said she relied on her loved ones to pull through, and emphasized the need to be open and to seek help.

She echoed the same advice in her message.

"All the feelings that you have, all

Kiana vaLenciano MANILA (Mabuhay) — Does singer Kiana Valenciano have a new man in her life?

In an Instagram post, Valenciano greeted a certain Sandro a happy birthday.

“You bring me so much joy. Happy birthday!” she wrote in the caption.

In the comment section of her post, her mother, Angeli Pangilinan, also greeted Sandro and thanked him for loving her daughter.

"We love you and thank you for loving Kiana so much! Your kindness, thoughtfulness and authenticity blow us away," Pangilinan wrote.

Sandro then thanked Pangilinan.

"Thank you so much! love you," he wrote.

Last year, Kiana also greeted Sandro on his birthday.

Kiana, the only daughter of Pangilinan and Gary Valenciano, famously dated singer-actor Sam Concepcion in the past. Concepcion confirmed their split in September 2018. (MNS)

child star Xia vigor encourages young girls to embrace their natural beauty

Loisa & ronnie

Nadine Lustre shares hope to those struggling with mental health Lustre, 26, has been open about her past bouts with depression and anxiety, as well as losing her brother to suicide.

"Remember that a lot of people love you, a lot of people care about you," she said in the video released on Wednesday.

"Whatever it is that you are going through, always remember that you are going to get through it, no matter what. Just don't lose hope," she said.

does Kiana valenciano have a new boyfriend?

the emotions that you're feeling, those are all valid. Don't be ashamed of it," Lustre said.

"If you want to talk about something, talk about it with someone who you really trust. It's good to let it all out and let it go, so that the weight on your shoulders get lifted up."

Mental Health PH's release of Lustre's video coincided with actress' separate statement addressing former radio host Jobert Sucaldito, who appeared at a House hearing Wednesday on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

Sucaldito aired his grievance against the network for his suspension early this year, after his controversial suicide remark urging Lustre to "jump" amid her reported breakup with her partner James Reid. (MNS)

Xia vigor MANILA (Mabuhay) — Xia Vigor just turned 11 last month but she already knows how to be an inspiration to young girls.

On Instagram, the child star spoke about how a person should “take the challenge to be ourselves in a society that is trying to make us like everyone else.”

“I realized we can never please everyone whatever we look anyway. I'm just hoping we can learn to appreciate beauty in its most natural form,” she said.

Hoping she could apply this to herself as well, Vigor said: “I won't be pressured to be the beauty that society is dictating us to be!”

While she likes it when she gets dolled up for photo shoots, Vigor said it is her hope that she is not sending the wrong message to young kids.

“Those are just illusions and not reality,” she stated before using the hashtags #LovingMyImperfections, #IndividualityMatters and #YoureBeautifulJustTheWayYouAre. Vigor’s most recent project was the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Miracle in Cell No. 7," a local remake of the South Korean film.

Vigor is also the first-ever child ambassador of Save the Children Philippines. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

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Sharon Cuneta reveals she had 2 miscarriages A

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Actress gets job as waitress in Australia amid pandemic

ctress Sharon Cuneta shared her wish to see the faces of the babies she lost due to miscarriages.

SHARON CUNETA

Cuneta recalled the time she lost her babies when she named the people she wishes to see everyday.

In the caption, Cuneta included the names Andrea and Rafael, "the babies I miscarried," in the list, which also included her parents.

Cuneta has four children. KC Concepcion is her eldest child with ex-husband Gabby Concepcion. She also has two daughters and a son with current husband Senator Francis Pangilinan.

Recently, Sharon could not help but break down in front of her daughter, Frankie Pangilinan, amid a social media storm that has now dragged the names of the music icon's other children.

In a nearly hour-long Instagram live video, Cuneta opened up about the emotional turmoil in her family in recent weeks, in light of a controversial rape threat targeted at Frankie.

Frankie has been a visible figure in the online campaign against rape culture, originating the hashtag #HijaAko and helping shed light on sexual assault of women across industries, and even in schools.

Frankie's movement stemmed from her viral statements against controversial advice of a police station for women to dress appropriately to avoid rape, and the subsequent remark of broadcaster Ben Tulfo that women risk "inviting the beast" out of men if they dress a certain way.

As #HijaAko gained wide traction, Frankie became the target of mudslinging, aside from the rape threat that's now being investigated by authorities.

Particularly hurtful for Cuneta as a mother were comments maliciously comparing Frankie with her half-sister, actress KC Concepcion.

(MNS)

KZ, TJ Monterde push back wedding due to coronavirus pandemic MANILA (Mabuhay) — KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde are pushing back their wedding to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Monterde said all their plans are ready when the global crisis hit.

“Totally, as in move na talaga. I proposed December, January we planned agad. She’s the planner out of the two of us. Siguro mga nasa mga 70% na kami ng planning,” he said.

“Nakausap na namin 'yung coordinator, everybody nakausap na namin. Parang 30% na lang then execution kaya na. Pero 'yun nga, this happened so we had to move it to next year kasi flights aren’t possible yet and then the venue,” he added.

Among the things they had to postpone are the release of some

new songs which they specifically intend for their special day.

“We’re excited about that part.

Isa 'yun sa mga nausog na plano this year. Kasi we’re supposed to release those songs before the wedding. Hindi muna, so wala muna,” he said.

Nonetheless, Monterde admitted that they are mulling to have a civil wedding ahead of the big ceremony with their loved ones.

“Next year na talaga 'yung wedding namin pero we’re considering getting legally wed. Kino-consider namin kung puwede pero I don’t know. Maybe,” he shared.

Tandingan and Monterde got engaged on the penultimate day of 2019. They first became a couple in 2015. (MNS)

Carmina Villarroel launches own YouTube channel MANILA (Mabuhay) — looks like Carmina Villarroel-Legaspi is up for the challenge!

The “Sarap, ‘Di Ba?” host just launched her very own YouTube channel where she

CARMINA VILLARUEL

KZ & TJ

will be vlogging about life at the Legaspi house, and share all kids of home recipes and tips called “Mina Hacks.”

Carmina uploaded a short introduction last Friday, where she explained everything you need to know about her channel.

"I will be sharing my life. The lives of the Legaspi family. I will be sharing tips at tatawagin ko itong 'Mina Hack.' Ganda, 'di ba? Meron din kaming mga challenges, ang tawag namin dito, Mina Dali!” Carmina said.

The “Sarap, ‘Di Ba?” host will also be sharing home recipes that her fellow Kapuso mommies can try at home.

Carmina has been dreaming of starting a channel for a while now, especially since her kids Mavy and Cassy spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos. "'Yung mga anak ko mahilig kasing nanonood sa YouTube. Ang dami nilang nakikilalang YouTubers, ganyan. Matagal ko na siyang iniisip na bakit hindi ako magkaroon ng channel? So nandito na nga!"

Carmina said.

Uploaded on Friday, Carmina's introduction video has garnered nearly 2,000 views.

(MNS)

RICH ASUNCION MANILA (Mabuhay) — Rich Asuncion recently opened up about her life in Australia as she hopes to inspire her social media followers to keep moving forward even during challenging times.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the actress said she has been working as a waitress amid the pandemic.

Asuncion admitted that she had a hard time accepting it first, but she eventually realized that there is nothing wrong with the job.

"Tagal ko ring naghanap ng work. Kailangan mo 'yun dito dahil 'pag sa bahay ka lang, mas lalo kang malulungkot. Marami naman kasing opportunities dito basta 'di ka lang mapili. So 'yun na nga, dahil 'di na ako nagpaka-choosy, sinubukan ko na ang pagwi-waitress. Casual job at a restaurant," she said.

She went on: "Noong una nahirapan akong tanggapin pero na-realize ko ngayon, ano naman ang masama doon? Part pa rin naman siya ng Tourism course na kinuha ko sa UP. At wala akong karapatang mag-inarte kasi nabigyan ako [ng] panibagong chance to start anew."

According to Asuncion, her new job as a waitress is important to her as she, like most people, strives to navigate the "new normal" caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

"I know most of us will need to adjust to a new/different life after this pandemic. And that's not all that bad. To be able to survive through this is already a blessing. As hard at it may seem, look for the silver lining," she said.

"Hold on and say I am still a champion. Be grateful because some people have lost more than you already have.

Sa ngayon ay tanggap ko na at masaya na ako sa bago kong buhay kasama ang aking pamilya," she added.

Aside from being a waitress, Asuncion said she is also set to continue her studies and was offered a full-time job at a day care center, allowing her to work closely with her daughter Bela.

On top of these, she and her husband, Filipino-Australian rugby player Benjamin Mudie, have "put down a reservation for our future home here in Australia."

"Life is indeed a journey full of highs and lows, but you should never stop moving and you should always keep moving forward," she said. (MNS)

16

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ABS-CBN ‘deeply hurt’ by House panel’s denial of franchise froM PAgE 1 “ABS-CBN would like to thank all the congressmen who stood by their bills to renew our franchise, or who spoke out on our behalf during the hearings. We are forever grateful.”

“We also thank everyone who expressed their support and offered their prayers for us. We could not have gotten to this point without you,” he said.

ABS-CBN went off air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist against the network for lack of franchise.

NTC’s May 5 action was a turnaround from NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba’s statement before the House of Representatives in March that they will issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN given that the House and the Senate made communications stating they are in favor of such issuance.

“We remain committed to public service, and we hope to find other ways to achieve our mission,” Katigbak said.

“Together with our employees and our audiences all over the world, we share in your sadness over this setback. We look forward

to the day when we can again reunite under our broadcast. Mga Kapamilya, thank you for keeping the faith with us,” he said.

“Kapit lang, muling magliliwanag ang kwento ng bawat Pilipino.”

Drilon: ABS-CBN franchise denied for ‘stepping on some powerful political toes’

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Friday said ABS-CBN Corp was denied its franchise application because it had “stepped on some powerful political toes.”

“After monitoring the exhaustive proceedings in the House of Representatives, I am more convinced that the only fault of ABSCBN is it stepped on some powerful political toes, hence the sword has been unleashed on it,” Drilon said in a statement.

The Senate Minority Leader did not mention names, but President Rodrigo Duterte - whose allies dominate the House of Representatives - has repeatedly threatened to shut down ABS-CBN, alleging that the network reported in favor of other presidential candidates in 2016.

“ABS-CBN has been through this before

during martial law in 1972. I am confident that it can face this difficult trial once more,” he said, referring to how the network was shuttered after the government seized it assets during the martial law era under the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“The ABS-CBN as an institution can survive this episode, no doubt, but the people whose livelihood depends on the network are the real casualties of this unfortunate and politically-charged event,” he said.

“The 11,000 workers losing jobs next month have families to feed, rent and mortgages to pay and children to send to schools, they will suffer the consequences of the decision of the House of Representatives,” he said.

Drilon also warned that Philippine democracy may weaken should politicians be allowed to wield their power against institutions “at their whim and caprice.”

“Democracy thrives when there is free press and when journalists can exercise complete freedom to do their mandate of reporting facts without fear,” the Senate Minority Leader said.

“The sword of Damocles will continue to

driLon hang perilously over other media networks...

This is when democracy starts to weaken,” he said.

After the House fulfilled Duterte’s threats against ABS-CBN, Malacañang said it remains “neutral” in the network’s franchise issue.

“The Palace has maintained a neutral stance on the issue as it respects the separation of powers between the two co-equal branches government,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“Much as we want to work with the aforesaid media network, we have to abide by the resolution of the House committee,” he said.

(MNS)

2020... froM PAgE 1 All other government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are directed to assist DOH in implementing Proclamation 976.

All local government units, business communities, relevant civil society groups, and professional organizations are likewise enjoined to participate and support the DOH to ensure the effective implementation of the proclamation.

Proclamation 976 also encourages all national and local publications, television networks, and radio stations to promote awareness and gener-

ate public support for the programs and activities relative to the celebration of the Year of Filipino Health Workers.

“The State recognizes the invaluable contributions of nurses, midwives, and all other health workers, as the backbone of the country's health system, whether in promoting health consciousness, performing essential medical and health services, or responding to health crises in various situations,” the order read.

“Thousands of Filipino health workers, who comprise a major component of the nation's labor force, selflessly and tirelessly provide essential, quality, and critical care to individuals,

families, and groups, even in the face of great peril, fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability,” it added.

As of Friday, the Philippines has recorded 52,194 Covid-19 infections, with 13,230 recoveries and 1,360 deaths.

2nd week of July as ‘Nat’l Infection Prevention and Control Week’ Meanwhile, Duterte also signed Proclamation 971 on June 23, declaring the second week of July every year as “National Infection Prevention and Control Week”.

Proclamation 971 also declares the second Saturday of July of every year as “Surgical

Infection Prevention Awareness Day”.

Under the proclamation, Duterte acknowledged the need to emphasize prevention and health promotion as tools to address the threats posed by infection and attain a “safer, more effective, and higher quality of health service delivery.”

“The State recognizes infection as a major health problem, which has a significant impact on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life, and acknowledges that the threats posed by infection resulting in epidemics, pandemics, and antimicrobial resistance have become more evident,” it said.

Proclamation 971 directs the

DOH, in coordination with relevant non-government organizations and professional associations, to promote the observance of "National Infection Prevention and Control Week" and "Surgical Infection Prevention Awareness Day”.

All public and private hospitals, including teaching and training hospitals, local government-owned hospitals, clinics, and health facilities, are encouraged to participate and assist in the conduct of relevant programs, projects, and activities for the successful implementation of the proclamation.

Malacañang released the copies of Proclamations 971 and 976 on Friday. (MNS)

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PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make SELL me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, YouADVERTISE who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done RENT to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this HERE! short dialogue, want to thank You for FOR RENT SALE

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Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the

Female RN edu live-in w/ meals.

Care for wife, $265/day xtra sleep, res time & holiday pays.

Located in the Anaheim CA area.

310-480-9716 Paul.

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RN CAREGIVER

Weekend Balita, Sat. - Fri., September 1 - 8, 2018

ROOM FOR RENT Lake Balboa. Preferably female. No kids, no pets. Near to all. $550/Mo. include utilities, cable, internet. Share bathroom. Call 818-997-9770; 818438-9866.

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PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

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Balita

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Looking for a live in housekeeper n o d r i v i n g n e c e s s a r y. I n Beverly Hills. Laundry, cooking, housekeeping. Please call (323) 538-1720.

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Beverly Blvd. & Oakwood Ave. LA. No parking avail. Single $700/ mo. For 2 $850/mo. Plus 1 month dep. Call 323-691-0899.

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email: adver tising@balita.com Rooms for Rent

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ROOM FOR RENT Lake Balboa. Preferably female. No kids, no pets. Near to all. $550/Mo. include utilities, cable, internet. Share bathroom. Call 818-997-9770; 818438-9866.

Femaleforonly. $350 $425/mo.

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Fernando Valley. Call 818-9331623.

•

HOUSE FOR RENT LOOKING

FOR RENT RENT FOR

SELL ROOM -$485 HOLLYWOODADVERTISE APT. Utilities included electric, water Large 2 BR, 2 full bath, new wood and gas, a/c extra, street parking.

RENTgood floor, bldg. w/ elevator, Location: Melrose & Western. Call: location $1,900/mo. Near church, 323-868-8333.

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FOR RENT SALE

Contact At: (818) 744-5617

CAREGIVERS

For adver tising, call (818) 552-4503

FOR RENT RENT FOR

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email: adver tising@balita.com

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JAY D� PLUMBER/HANDYMAN APT. FOR RENT Plumbing repair, drain 2 BR, 310 Parkman Ave.cleaning, LA, CA copper bath &213-315-5583. kitchen, remodel 90026.repipe, Call Vicky hydro jetter, toilet, disposal, heating ROOMiron FORworks, RENTelectrical water heater, Northridge/Canoga Good & carpentry. Main linePark. & gas.

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•

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Rooms for Rent Ne

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18

Weekend

BALITA

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Health & & Family Health Family

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

DOH stresses importance of wearing masks MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health on Friday reminded the public to wear face masks, especially since studies show that it can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by up to 85 percent.

“Marami pa rin ang nakakalimot sa ating minimum health protocols. Maaaring ang kailangan natin ay hindi ang pagbalik sa Enhanced Community Quarantine kundi maging mas mahigpit sa pagpapatupad at pagsunod sa mga itinakdang health protocol,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.

Vergeire said in previous briefings that she often sees people walking outside with their face masks on their chins or without physical distancing. She said this shows that the implementation of health standards in communities is lax.

Vergeire said that the effectiveness of such personal protective equipment (PPE) should not be underestimated.

She cited studies showing that wearing masks lowers the chance of transmission by up to 85%, while maintaining a physical distance of one meter reduces the risk of transmission by 80%.

The statement also emphasized the comments of Dr. Edsel Salvana, a member of the DOH Technical Advisory Group and Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines, that the virus is assumed to be airborne in hospital settings due to aerosol-generating procedures and equipment.

“Although more definitive studies are necessary for non-healthcare settings, the public is enjoined to wear masks and practice the minimum health standards to reduce the transmission of the virus,” the DOH said.

Vergeire emphasized that observing health standards is also for the safety of the individual’s loved ones and the rest of the community. (MNS)

DFA: Philippines begins coordination with international partners for COVID-19 vaccine availability MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said the Philippine government has started coordinating with various international partners to ensure availability of potential vaccine against the deadly coronavirus for Filipinos.

“Based on the gathered information by the department, collaboration with Philippine subsidiaries of vaccine developers, engagement with those overseas for conduct of clinical trials, utilization of multilateral efforts to ensure vaccine access, and bilateral cooperation are key efforts that must be pursued to ensure that a viable vaccine can be made available and accessible for Filipinos,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA, through its Foreign Service posts, has initiated coordination and exchanges of information with different jurisdictions across the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa and Middle East on COVID-19 vaccine developments.

Information on vaccine developments and potential international partners were endorsed to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the chair of the Sub-Technical Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials, the DFA said.

“The DFA stands ready to support and complement efforts of Philippine government agencies in response to the current pandemic and eventually secure a viable vaccine for COVID-19 for Filipinos in the soonest possible time,” the department said.

The Philippines has one of the highest number of cases and deaths in Southeast Asia, with over 51,000 reported infections and 1,314 deaths amid government-imposed quarantines and lockdowns. (MNS)

895 indigents get P6.73-M medical aid MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Friday said it has released over PHP6.73 million in medical assistance to almost 900 eligible indigent beneficiaries nationwide.

In a statement, PCSO general manager Royina Garma said the agency has approved the release of PHP6,731,595 worth of medical assistance to 895 beneficiar-

ies as of July 9.

The Medical Access Program (MAP), formerly known as the Individual Medical Assistance Program or (IMAP), is designed to augment the medical needs of indigent Filipinos, particularly hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, and post-transplant medicines.

The program is funded by revenues from PCSO games

nationwide.

Garma said amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis, the agency is continuing to provide medical assistance to the increasing number of indigents seeking help from PCSO. "Rest assured that the agency will find ways to meet the medical and health-related needs of all Filipinos, especially the marginalized," Garma said. (MNS)

Issue on UP-developed COVID-19 test kits solved; ready for roll-out soon — DOH MANILA (Mabuhay) — The defect which caused the recall of the COVID-19 test kits developed by the University of the Philippines has been fixed and its roll-out is just around the corner, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday.

In a virtual forum, Vergeire said the kits already secured a special certification from the Food and Drug Administration, and that the DOH has been coordinating with the developers, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and manufacturer Manila Health Tek Lab, Inc. "Hindi ito ire-recall kung minor ang defect. So mayroon talaga tayong naging issue, deficiency ng ating locally produced test kits... Naiayos nila ang deficiency na iyon," she said.

In April, the DOST said the locally developed test kits are ready for distribution.

However, these were recalled in May after a "minor problem" has been detected during the validation conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

"Ngayon nakapagsubmit na sila ng bago, na-validate na ulit ng RITM. Tinutulungan natin sila ngayon para maumpisahan na natin ang paggamit sa piling laboratoryo dito sa ating bansa," Vergeire said.

Stakeholders are just awaiting a final advisory from the DOH before they start using the locally-developed COVID-19 test kits which are cheaper than foreign counterparts.

"May mga kailangan kasing sundin na instructions 'yung laboratories before they can use that.

They have to undergo this training, of course, kasi bagong test kit 'yan at kailangan may proficiency test sila for that," Vergeire said.

The DOST previously said that COVID-19 tests using this kit would only cost P1,320 compared to the cost of using imported ones which was initially pegged at around P8,000 in March.

The current price of COVID-19 test in the country hovers around P4,000. (MNS)

Health & Family Health Family

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

Visit www.Balita.com

Weekend

BALITA

19

2 local manufacturers 'willing' to produce COVID-19 vaccine — DOH PGH aware coronavirus could be airborne during procedures — exec MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine General Hospital assumes that COVID-19 virus may probably become airborne during clinical procedures, the health facility’s spokesperson said on Thursday.

PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario noted that their health ca re workers have been cautious in light of this possibility.

“Sa hospital po, talaga ng ina-assume naman namin na airborne 'yan dahil lahat naman naka-maskara,” Del Rosario said.

He added that the health care workers wear Level 4 personal protective equipment (PPEs) when conducting aerosolizing procedures.

“We have 'yung ti-

natawag na aerosolizing procedures kapag nag-i-intubate, kapag nagsa-suction, kapag gumagawa minsan ng ibang procedures,” he said.

“So 'yun po talaga, kapag nag-aerosolize naka-level 4 PPE po.

Talaga pong maingat ang mga health care worker,” he added.

On Tuesday, University of the Philippines’ Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnolog y director Dr. Edsel Sa lvana said hospitals have been aware that the virus causing COVID-19 can be airborne.

Salvana noted that their caution on airborne transmission is even before the studies of hundreds of scientists claiming it have been published.

At least 239 scientists in 32 countries outlined the evidence showing that the novel coronavirus in smaller particles in the air can infect people.

Due to t h is, t he group scientists called on WHO to revise its recom mendat ion about the transmission of the disease.

The WHO said the coronavirus disease spread s pr i ma r i ly from person to person t hroug h sma l l droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COV ID-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

On Tuesday, t he W HO a l r e a d y a cknowledged the "evidence emerging" on airborne transmission. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Two local vaccine manufacturers have expressed willingness to produce inoculation against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an official from the Department of Health said Thursday.

Government earlier said the Philippines would participate in 5 collaboration clinical trials with China and Taiwan. The country is also a participant in the World Health Organization's Solidarity Trial for COVID-19 treatment.

Local manufacturers are urged to participate in the collaboration vaccine trials, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

"May paguusap po sa ganyan, ito po ay nasa level ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) natin at meron naman hong 2 nang local manufacturers nagsabi that they can and are willing na magkaroon ng ganitong plant sa ating countr y pero pinag-uusapan pa po yan," she said when asked if the country is planning to produce its own COV-

ID-19 vaccine.

Hospitals identified for the initial vaccine collaboration trials are the Philippine General Hospital, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila Doctors Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, and Vicente Sotto Medical Center.

Vergeire said the selection of these hospitals for the trial have yet to be finalized, adding those in the communities may be included/ "Titingnan in the coming days yung set of criteria. May risks talaga naman kapag tayo ay sumusubok ng bagong gamot o bakuna kaya kailangan very scientific ang mapipiling isasali dito sa trial para makita natin who are qualified and who are not qualified," she said.

The Philippines as of Wednesday reported 50,359 COVID-19 cases, with 12,588 recoveries and 1,314 deaths.

(MNS)

DILG aims to hire 100,000 contact tracers by end of July MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday said the government is targeting to hire at least 100,000 contact tracers by the end of July.

According to DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, there are a total of 54,042 contact tracers or 3,397 contact tracing teams at present nationwide.

"Araw-araw po nadadagdagan ito.

May mga volunteers din po na tumutulong sa atin. Ang gusto po natin ay madoble ito, lumagpas tayo sa 100,000," Malaya said at a Laging Handa press briefing.

"Ang target po sana ng DILG ay makapaghire kami before the end of the month dahil kinakailangan po natin itong mga contact tracers na ito, madeploy na po natin kaagad-agad," he added.

Malaya said the DILG is still waiting for instruction from the Department of Budget and Management as to when they could start hiring more contact tracers.

The funds for hiring is not yet given to the DILG, Malaya said.

"Hindi pa namin natatanggap mula sa DBM 'yung pondo para sa hiring," he said.

According to Malaya, graduates of medical-allied professions and criminology will be prioritized in the hiring of contact tracers. (MNS)

Half of COVID-19 patients administered with plasma treatment recover fast, PGH spox says M A NIL A (Mabuhay) — A rou nd 50 perc ent of COVID-19 patients who received convalescent plasma showed speedy recovery, the spokesperson of Philippine General Hospital said on Thursday.

PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said the health facility is now conducting a clinical trial for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19.

“Yung aming pong initial experience kasi nung una,

compassionate use po ang tawag dun, binibigay namin sa severely to critically ill,” he said.

“Mga 50 percent ng nabigyan namin—we gave 30 convalescent plasma, tapos 'yung iba po, pinamigay namin sa ibang hospital—mga kalahati po ng mga pasyente doon mabilis na gumagaling,” he added.

Del Rosario said the treatment is more effective when administered to patients before their condition worsens.

As they continue with the clinical trial, Del Rosario said PGH will also give plasma treatment to moderate COVID-19 cases.

“Ngayon meron kaming clinical trial na na-approve na, na ibibigay namin kahit hindi se-

verely ill kahit moderate pa lang. Ibibigay na namin 'yung convalescent plasma para hindi na sila mag-detiorate,” he said.

However, t he PGH is shor t on conva lescent plasma supply. According to Del Rosario, the hospital currently has only two bags of plasma.

Due to this, Del Rosario encouraged COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma to help current patients to recover. For those who are willing to donate, they can contact the PGH through their hotline 155-200.

He earlier said some survivors do not want to go back to the hospital due to the fear of catching the virus again, but he noted that the blood donation will be done at a private place, not in the hospital.

(MNS)

20

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Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | July 11 - 17, 2020

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