Weekend Balita- July 18, 2020

loS aNgElES EDITIoN

VOL. XXIX NO. 29

July 18 - 24, 2020

TOP STORIES

Global News Foreigners with existing visas can enter PH starting August 1 8  Palace to US lawmakers: Philippines no longer an American colony 9  Duterte dismantled 11k jobs, not oligarchy after ABS-CBN closure — Hontiveros 9  Over 1,000 mayors pushing for constitutional reforms — Chavit Singson 11  Trillanes slams Go over cybercrime complaint vs college student 12  De Lima tells Duterte: ‘Kung pagod ka na, mas pagod kami sa pamumuno mo’ 12  PH hopes for justice 6 years since downing of MH17 flight 12 

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

mULTI-rACIAL AmErICANS HoLD “HEALTHY” ANTI-rACISm ProTEST IN TorrANCE

By ABNER GALINO

wE have been seeing a lot of protest actions lately against racism, but probably, none of them has fallen under what we could consider as a healthy kind of protest. And when I said healthy, I meant healthy — literally.

Sections BUSINESS. Gov’t should look at MSMEs as venture capital firms amid COVID-19 pandemic — Zobel De Ayala 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Gary once courted Pops, Martin reveals 15  HEAlTH & FAMIly. Duterte eyes purchase of high-flow nasal cannula for COVID-19 patients — Palace 18  FEATURE. Mom decries how militant group stole her son’s dream 16 

Well, a multi-racial group, mostly Asian Americans, did just that (staging a healthy kind of protest) at the Wilson Park in the City of Torrance last weekend.

Dressed in black shirts and armed with colorful placards denouncing racism, the demonstrators massed up

$600 Million in Homekey Funds for homeless Californians

on the park’s green and started doing group calisthenics.

“They were about eight fitness instructors who joined us on that day,” recalled lawyer Sandy Roxas, one of the organizers of the event.

There was no untoward incident during the protest, Roxas narrated, except for a few persons MULTI-RACIAL

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SACRAMENTO — Building on the success of Project Roomkey, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the availability of $600 million in funding for Homekey, the next phase in the state’s response protecting Californians experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19.

Asian Americans show healthy way to stand up against racism – A multi-racial group, composed mainly by Asian Americans gather with their placards to denounce racism and as well as to wake up an apparent unresponsive officialdom of the City of Torrance.

The demonstrators later did calisthenics numbers through the guidance of fi tness instructors who attended the protest action at the Wilson Park last weekend. Photos by Ren Arrieta

Gocernor Gavin Newsom

Administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Homekey will be the largest expansion of housing for people experiencing homelessness in recent history, while addressing the continuing health and social service needs of this vulnerable population.

The $600 million in grant funding will be made available to counties, cities, and other government entities to purchase and rehabilitate housing including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other types of $600

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Palace snubs call to prove Duterte is 88% healthy

MANILA (Mabuhay) — De Leon explained in his letter Malacañang on Friday spurned that Roque, as Duterte’s spokesthe call of the lawyer who wants person, may have “both factual public disclosure of President and legal basis” to claim that the Rod r igo Duter te’s President is still in the health records to show “pink of health.” proof that the 75-year“In light of the imold Chief Executive is portance of the Pres“88 percent” physicalident’s health to the ly healthy. public, as well as the This, after lawyer people’s right to be Dino de Leon wrote assured that the statea letter on Thursday, ments of the Presidenasking Presidential Atty. Dino de Leon tial Spokesperson are Spokesperson Harry accurate, I respectfulRoque to prove his recent claim ly request that you provide the that Duterte’s physical health is public with that basis of your at 88 percent. conclusion that the President is PALACE

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US lawmakers urge Philippine gov’t to repeal anti-terror law MANILA (Mabuhay) for the Philippine — At least 45 lawgovernment to remakers in the US peal the Anti-Terurged the Philiprorism Act of 2020 pine government to that risks further immediately repeal undermining huthe recently-signed man rights in the Anti-Terrorism Act Philippines,” Schaof 2020. kowsky said.

In a virtual press " This law is conference on overbroad and we Wednesday night believe it's already Rep. Jan Schakowsky ( Ma n i l a t i me), being used to stifle R epr e s ent at i ve peaceful dissent Janice “Jan” Schakowsky of and target civil society includIllinois called the law a new ing human and labor rights ‘weapon’ to suppress dissent groups in the Philippines," she in the Philippines. added.

“We stand together in calling The lawmakers sent a letter to US LAWMAKERS

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

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CALIFORNIA’S INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY MAKES ACCURATE CENSUS COUNT DIFFICULT Ethnic Media Services

SAN FRANCISCO — California’s rich diversity of ethnic populations makes an accurate census count extremely challenging, says Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data.

“California’s diversity is the source of our strength. There's a lot that we gain from having the kind of racial diversity. At the same time, those factors make it more challenging to count,” said Ramakrishnan, who serves as the associate dean of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy, and professor of public policy and political science.

Ramakrishnan cited a lack of in-language resources, geographic diversity, including populations living in rural areas, and first-generation immigrants who may not understand the census process or its importance as barriers to getting an accurate count of California’s population.

Many immigrants also fear the information they share on the nine-question form may be shared with immigration

Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data enforcement authorities or the Internal Revenue Service. “It's important to reassure them that all of the information they provide is protected by law,” and not shared with other agencies, said Ramakrishnan.

“The census is constitutional-

ly mandated by the US Constitution to make sure that every person counts. So this includes citizens as well as non-citizens regardless of their immigration status or what kind of visa that they have,” he said.

Reaching the Asian American

Establishing an antiracist LA County policy agenda

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up er v i s or Ma rk R idley-Thomas is set to introduce a motion titled: Establishing an Antiracist Los Angeles County Policy Agenda at the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting on July 21st.

Noting the legacy of slavery continues to disadvantage African Americans, the motion calls on the Board to declare that racism is a matter of public health, and to prioritize its elimination from County policies, practices, operations and programs.

The motion also calls for making legislative, policy and programmatic changes to prioritize physical and mental health, housing, employment, public safety and justice in an equitable way for African Americans. Finally, it calls for tracking progress by reporting annually on the State of Black Los Angeles County.

"It is incumbent upon those of us who sit in positions of authority to begin dismantling systemic racial bias within the entities for which we are responsible," Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said.

"It's no longer sufficient to support diversity and inclusion initiatives. The County has made great strides toward addressing and eliminating implicit bias; it is time to advance to the next level.

The County must move to identify and confront explicit institutional

racism to set the national standard and become a leader of antiracist policymaking and program implementation.”

The motion comes in the wake of the May 25th killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis that set off nationwide protests against structural racism and discrimination, asymmetrical consolidation of power, and extreme wealth and income inequity – all of which disproportionately disadvantage Black people.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has fought against racism throughout his 40-year career, beginning with a decade of service as the executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles (1981-1991), whose national organization was co-founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the past year alone, the Supervisor advocated for implementing the recommendations of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's groundbreaking Ad Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness, which identified racism as the primary driver of homelessness among African Americans. He also convened a coalition of African American leaders to create an Agenda for California: An African American Perspective that was well received

by Governor Gavin Newsom, and CONTNUED ON PAGE 4

Pacific Islander population poses some unique challenges, said the researcher, noting that a large percentage of the population of California are first generation AAPIs with limited English language proficiency.

“So it's so important for us to make sure that we are reaching out to them in a language that they understand and that we're using trusted messengers, people that they trust from their faith-based associations to nonprofits that serve them so that they can be reassured that this information is protected,” said Ramakrishnan.

The U.S. Census Bureau conducted a survey of Asian Americans, Blacks, Hispanics and whites two years ago. Twothirds of Asian Americans surveyed said they were extremely to somewhat concerned that their data would be used against them.

About 43 percent of AAPIS surveyed said they would not likely fill out the Census form.

Only 22 percent said they were familiar with the Census.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also made it harder to reach populations that have had a history of non-participation. “The disease and the economic fallout are hurting communities that are least likely to be counted by the census,” said Ramakrishnan, advocating for investments in health care and economic assistance for vulnerable communities.

Census data, collected every 10 years, is used to allocate federal resources and accurate representation in Congress. Businesses also use data from the decennial survey to determine where to set up shop.

As of early July, more than 46 percent of California households had filled out their Census forms, according to the California Census 2020 Campaign. San Mateo County had the highest response rate in the state, with over 72 percent of residents returning the survey, which can be mailed in or filled out online.

Enumerators do go door to door to reach households who have not filled out their census forms.

mULTI-rACIAL... from PAGE 1 who got bitten by bees that get excited after they were accidentally disturbed in their hive.

Roxas said that she believes that the protest action provided courage to the other victims of racism.

The protest action was meant to bring to the forefront of public attention certain incidents of racism wherein two Filipina Americans, Sherry Bulseco and Kayceelyn Salminao were victimized by a suspect named Lena Hernandez.

Bulseco was allegedly physically and verbally assaulted while doing a workout at Wilson Park on June 10, 2020.

Salminao was allegedly also physically and verbally assaulted by the same person on October 11, 2019 inside a restroom at the Del Amo Fashion Center.

Roxas represents both women in lawsuits filed against the suspect.

Apparently a positive offshoot of the recent protest action, a male Japanese American and his 13-year-old son have also filed cases against a white male suspect who physically and verbally attacked them during an apparent case of road rage.

During the said incident, the suspect challenged the victim to a fight, pushed him and yelled racist remarks at him, particularly saying: “Get out of this country” and “Go back to your country.”

Roxas said that she accompanied the victims to the Torrance Police Station last July 7 where they were reportedly made to wait for almost two hours.

The wait took that long allegedly because the police considered the complaint as a “low priority.”

“It’s disheartening that the Torrance Police Department considers hate crimes to be “low priority.” The fact that law enforcement views these types of crimes as “low priority” is essentially condoning these types of criminal

acts,” Roxas said in a text message sent to Weekend Balita.

Previously, a group of Torrance residents sent a statement to Weekend Balita demanding “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.”

The residents further said in the statement: “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.”

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Governor Gavin Newsom Lays Out Pandemic Plan for Learning and Safe Schools Plan centers on rigorous instruction for students even when schools are physically closed

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his plan for learning and safe schools ahead of the 2020–2021 school year, as the California Department of Public Health issued a framework for when and how schools should reopen for in-person instruction.

“Learning is non-negotiable,” said Governor Newsom. “The virus will be with us for a year or more, and school districts must provide meaningful instruction in the midst of this pandemic. In California, health data will determine when a school can be physically open – and when it must close – but learning should never stop. Students, staff, and parents all prefer in-classroom instruction, but only if it can be done safely.”

The Governor’s plan centers on five key areas: 1) Safe in-person school based on local health data The California Department of Public Health today issued updated schools guidance that includes using existing epidemiological metrics to determine if school districts can start in-person instruction.

CDPH currently uses six indicators to track the level of COVID-19 infection in each California county as well as the preparedness of the county health care system – data that includes the number of new infections per 100,000 residents, the test positivity rate, and the change in hospitalization rate, among others. Any county that does not meet the state’s benchmarks is put on the County Monitoring List.

Schools located in counties that are on the Monitoring List must not physically open for in-person instruction until their county has come off the Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days. Schools in counties that have not been on the Monitoring List for the prior 14 days may begin in-person instruction, following public health guidelines. School community members – including parents, teachers, staff and students – can track daily data on whether and why their county is on the Monitoring List at https:// covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/#track-data.

There is a single exception. Local health officers may grant a waiver to allow elementary schools to reopen in-person instruction if the waiver is requested by the district superinten-

LA COUNTY PROPERTY VALUED AT $1.7 TRILLION FOR 2020 Reflects pre-COVID Market Conditions

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os Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang certified the 2020 Assessment Roll, reflecting economic growth and an increase in the assessed value of all taxable real property and business personal property countywide.

The 2020 Assessment Roll (Roll) grew by $95.9 billion (or 5.97%) over the prior year to $1.7 trillion in total net value. In addition to the values of the County’s 2.38 million real estate parcels, this total amount reflects $87.9 billion in business personal property, which includes boats, machinery, equipment and aircraft.

The $1.7 trillion total net value translates into about $17 billion in property tax dollars for vital public services such as public education, first responders and healthcare workers, as well as other County services.

The Roll is the inventory for all taxable property in the County and, as such, can provide some insight into the health of the real estate market. Although there was a slowdown in sales, there was continued growth in property values.

The Roll is also driven in large measure by real property sales, which added $49.6 billion to the Roll as compared with 2019; the CPI adjustment mandated by Prop. 13, adding an additional $30.8 billion; and new construction added $13.4 billion.

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dent, in consultation with labor, parents and community-based organizations. When considering a waiver request, the local health officer must consider local data and consult with the California Department of Public Health.

The Department also issued updated guidance for when schools must physically close and revert to distance learning because of COVID-19 infections.

Following a confirmed case of a student who was at school during his or her infectious period, other exposed students and staff should be quarantined for 14 days. The school should revert to distance learning when multiple cohorts have cases or 5 percent of students and staff test positive within a 14-day period. The district should revert to distance learning when 25 percent or more of its schools have been physically closed due to COVID-19 within 14 days. Closure decisions should be made in consultation with local health officers. After 14 days, school districts may return to in-person instruction with the approval of the local public health officer.

2) Strong mask requirements for anyone in the school In the updated guidance, all staff and students in 3rd grade and above will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Students in 2nd grade and below are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering.

Students should be provided a face covering if they do not have one. The state has delivered over 18 million face coverings to schools to support them to reopen and ensure all students can participate in learning.

3) Physical distancing requirements & other adaptations In the updated guidance, CDPH requires that all adults stay 6 feet from one another and 6 feet away from children, while students should maintain 6 feet of distance from one another as practicable. Anyone entering the school must do a health screen, and any student or staff exhibiting a fever or other symptoms will be immediately sent home. The guidance also provides that if anyone in a student or staff mem-

Decisions to open in-person will be determined by local data that the public can track on a daily basis Schools open for in-person instruction will implement precautions, including a requirement that students in 3rd grade and above wear masks Newsom: “In California, health data will determine when a school can be physically open – and when it must close – but learning should never stop” ber’s household is sick, they too should stay home.

4) Regular testing and dedicated contact tracing for outbreaks at schools The public health guidance recommends staff in every California school be tested for COVID-19 periodically based on local disease trends and as testing capacity allows. The Governor also announced today that the state will provide resources and technical assistance for COVID-19 investigations in school settings.

5) Rigorous distance learning Over the course of the pandemic, most schools will likely face physical closure at some point due to COVID-19. The Legislature and Governor Newsom enacted a budget that provided $5.3

billion in additional funding to support learning, and set requirements to ensure schools provide rigorous and grade-appropriate instruction. Under newly enacted state law, school districts are required to provide: l Devices and connectivity so that every child can participate in distance learning. l Daily live interaction for every child with teachers and other students. l Class assignments that are challenging and equivalent to in-person instruction. l Targeted supports and interventions for English learners and special education students.

The full guidance from the California Department of Public Health can be found here: https://files.covid19. ca.gov/pdf/guidance-schools. pdf

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L.A. County expands COVID-19 testings in hot-spot communities

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os Angeles health officials today announced details of a focused effort to expand testing capacity by over 65% in targeted “hot-spot” communities in response to data showing a disproportionately higher burden of COVID-related illness in communities of color and those with higher rates of poverty.

Officials also announced a $4 million investment in public-private partnerships, outreach, and community engagement to reduce transmission disparities and facilitate broader access to testing while providing historically under-resourced communities with resources.

The data collected from County-supported testing sites points to a concerning trend in higher test positivity rate by race and economic status and higher mortality rate in Black and Latinx communities, where the age-adjudged mortality rate is twice that of whites.

Test positivity is an important indicator of the trajectory of the pandemic and the ability to provide enough testing needed to keep transmission low.

The rate of test positivity is higher

among the Latinx community than among any other racial or ethnic group in L.A. County; data also shows a direct correlation between poverty level and test positivity.

“This data is alarming and requires urgent focus to do more to expand access to testing and address the health equity issues that COVID-19 makes tragically clear every day,” said Los Angeles County Department of Health Services director Dr. Christina Ghaly.

“We must remember that testing is only one factor. There are underlying reasons why communities of color are disproportionately impacted by worse outcomes of COVID-19—long-standing structural and systemic issues, including social determinants of health, that the County is working to address and mitigate amidst this pandemic.”

Focusing on “hot-spot” areas, the County is adding testing capacity by standing up new sites and adding capacity to existing sites in a manner that addresses the stark disproportionality of testing access facing vulnerable populations identified through heat mapping.

The mapping shows communities with higher test positivity and mortality rates and where the overall testing rate is not meeting the 1.5 tests per 1,000 daily threshold set by the State of California.

The multi-pronged effort includes the following: • Adding six new sites in high-need areas including Montebello, South Gate, Azusa, Panorama City, Compton and Downey/Norwalk, and expanding capacity at existing sites in Bellflower, Pomona, El Monte and East Los Angeles; • Allocating $4 million from a Center for Disease Control grant to support a broadcast media and grassroots in-language, culturally-responsive messaging campaign including work with community-based organizations to perform outreach and education to community members and provide linkages to testing, healthcare and support services including housing, food and health insurance; • Supporting additional public-private partnerships and funding partners embedded in high-risk communities

as trusted messengers to effectively reach the most at-risk and historically under-resourced communities; • And expanding a successful pilot of community engagement at County-operated sites that connects community members to medical care and support services at the point of testing in concert and leverages collaborations with partners to distribute resource kits at other testing sites in high risk area that include protective equipment, basic need materials, food vouchers and multi-lingual and culturally sensitive prevention materials “When we look at areas of highest need, adding testing sites is only one piece of a broader approach and it doesn’t stop there,” said emergency room physician and Department of Health Services’ Director of Language Access and Inclusion, Dr. Erika Flores Uribe.

“We must couple that with funneled medical and social resources to close the disparity gap through highly targeted, layered, in-language and culturally responsive outreach and support.”

Ground Game LA endorses Fil-Am candidate Godfrey Plata

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Hollywood crawls back to life – Patrons, some wearing masks and some are not, return to their favorite watering holes along the stretch of the word famous Hollywood Boulevard during the weekend. Despite the new rounds of strict health guidelines from state and local officials, establishments hardly implement face coverings and social distancing requirements on their patrons. Photo by Abner Galino

round Game Los Angeles has just announced their endorsement of Godfrey Santos Plata to represent District 53 in the California state assembly.

Plata is part of a rising cohort of progressive challengers who have also recently secured Ground Game LA endorsements, including Nithya Raman (CD4) and Loraine Lundquist (CD12).

Running in AD53, which includes Huntington Park, Boyle Heights, Little Tokyo, Koreatown, Vernon, MacArthur Park, Pico-Union, and most of downtown Los Angeles, Plata emphasizes that his experiences as a Koreatown renter, Filipino immigrant, educator, and organizer have all been vital to understanding the concerns of everyday people living in this district.

“I am honored to earn the endorsement of Ground Game LA, given their efforts to elect candidates serious about representing the needs of their communities,” Plata said.

“Democracy only works if everyone is at the table, but in California, we have so many barriers in the way of regular, everyday people engaging in politics that directly impact their lives. Ground Game LA is building people power to ensure the voices and values of our communities influence decision-making all too often dominated by elected officials powered by big money. It’s time we change that. ” Plata underlines that his campaign is

powered for and by people underrepresented in government: “Working people, renters, immigrants, public school students and so on have had such little faith in the electoral process because it has not seen them, let alone served them. What we want to do with our campaign is say, ‘Hey, let’s do something different to engage people civically.’”

During the pandemic, Plata’s campaign has pivoted from door-knocking on thousands of dollars during the primary election to holding virtual community events that emphasize joy and community-building, Plata’s fundraising efforts also reflects the values of his community.

"I have no interest in taking political contributions from police associations or developers. That’s not the democracy I’m fighting for. What we’re doing is having door-to-door (and now, Zoom-to-Zoom) conversations with people who can never write that big donation check. But for us, a $5 dollar donation from 1000 people means so much more than a maximum $4700 donation from a real estate association.”

Plata has also been endorsed by Sunrise Movement LA, Run for Something, and Our Revolution LA. If elected, Plata would be the first assembly member in the assembly’s 140year history to be both an immigrant and an out member of the LGBTQ community.

He would also be just the second renter to join the assembly.

ESTABLISHING... from Page 2 sponsored the “Undesign the Red Line” interactive traveling exhibit to educate the public about discriminatory housing practices against African Americans.

The Supervisor previously authored motions to create the Los Angeles County Equity Initiative and to enhance the training of Los Angeles County employees to stifle implicit biases and subconscious prejudices that adversely affect public service.

This week, the heads of various Los Angeles County departments issued a statement pledging to stand against racism.

“We acknowledge that as government leaders, we have an opportunity to change the narrative on the role of government and its relationship to the communities it serves."

“Collectively, the work of our departments have far-reaching impacts on all aspects of our residents' lives, particularly in the areas of employment, land use, education, voting, housing, health, arts and museums, infrastructure, justice, veteran services, environmental protections, community services, and ensuring a fair and equitable marketplace,” they added.

“We stand against racism in any form, and pledge to use our offices to advance racial and social equity, diversity and fairness.”

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Sad to see the historic San Gabriel Mission Roman Catholic Church ravaged by fire

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n Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 4:24 am, most Filipino catholics here in the Los Angeles area were saddened by the televised news that the historic San Gabriel Mission Catholic Church was ravaged by fire. Apparently, firefighters who immediately arrived at the church tried to save its full historical structure, but according to some parishioners this writer spoke with, large portions of the 215-year old building were falling on them, so they battled the fire from its outside grounds. And, most parishioners were also thankful that there were no people injured, but the damage inside the church was quite extensive.

From its outside grounds, the roof was mostly ravaged and according to some of the parishioners who were there when this writer visited recently, the altar and most of the historic statues and artifacts were saved, but the newly-refurbished pews were destroyed, and as of this writing, the cause of the fire is still unknown, although some parishioners remarked that it might be due to recent protests against historical monuments that once served as painful reminders of our nation's racist history. Thus, it is for this reason why the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is involved in the investigation to see if the fire was intentionally done.

As a brief background, Mission San Gabriel is a "fully functioning Roman SAN GABRIEl MISSION (front view) now temporarily closed after the fire Catholic mission and a historic landmark tresses and tall, narrow windows, which an to be buried on the grounds, at the age in the City of San Gabriel, California. The are unique among the California mission of 101 on February, 1921. Also interred at settlement was founded by Spaniards of chain. A large stone cross stands in the the Franciscan order on September 8, 1771, center of the Campo Santo (cemetery), as the fourth of what would become the which was consecrated in 1776 and twenty-one Spanish missions in Califor- then again on January 29, 1939, by Los nia. Founding priests were: Pedro Benito Angeles Archbishop John Cantwell.

Cambon, Angel De La Somera (1st) and It served as the final resting place for Father Presidente Juniperro Serra (2nd). some 6,000 "neophytes," a small stone The historical building was designed by marker denoted the gravesite of Jose Antonio Cruzada, who built capped but- De Los Santos, the last American Indi-

$600... from PAGE 1 innovative housing, and convert them into permanent, long-term housing for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

“Homekey is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to massively expand housing for the homeless in California with federal stimulus funds,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

“This unique opportunity requires us to move quickly, in close collaboration with our city and county partners, to protect the most vulnerable people in our state.”

Geographic and racial equity have been baked into Homekey, with dedicated funding for various regions and a goal of addressing the deeply inequitable impact of homelessness on Black and Latino communities across California.

Of the $600 million in funding for Homekey, $550 million will be provided to cities and counties by California’s direct allocation of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds, with an additional $50 million provided by California’s General Fund to supplement the acquisition and provide initial operating funds.

Governor Newsom urged cities and counties to move quickly. HCD is expected to begin accepting applications on July 22, 2020, and the first tier of projects will be fast tracked for awards during the first 30 days. Any awards cities and counties receive must be spent

by December 30, 2020.

HCD and the Department of General

Services will provide robust technical assistance to help cities and counties quickly and successfully apply for this critical funding.

In addition to Homekey funding, additional funding for cities and counties will also be available from federal, state, local and philanthropic sources.

To further support speedy implementation of Homekey, Governor Newsom recently signed new legislation providing a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption and automatic zoning compliance for converted hotels, motels, and other housing types that utilize Homekey funding.

“Homekey builds upon the strong collaboration between the state and local governments that led to the success of Project Roomkey,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, which oversees HCD and which includes the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council.

“We must use this momentum to build permanent housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness.”

“HCD is thrilled to administer this historical program to help the most vulnerable amongst us, while also protecting the public health of all,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “HCD is putting forth dedicated resources to ensure cities and counties receive the assistance they need and these funds are distributed quickly so those most in need are served as soon as possible.”

the mission are the bodies of numerous Franciscan priests who died during their term of service, as well as the remains of Reverend Raymond Catalan, C.M.F. who undertook the restoration of the Mission's gardens. Entombed at the foot of the altar were the remains of eight Franciscan priests (listed in order of internment): Miguel Sanchez, Antonio Cruzado, Francisco Dumetz, Roman Ulibarri, Joaquin P. Nunez, Geronimo Boscana, Jose Bernardo Sanchez and Blas Ordaz. Burned among the priests was centenarian Eulalia Perez de Guillen Marine "the keeper of the keys," under Spanish rule and her grave is marked by a bench dedicated in her memory.

According to Spanish legends, one of the priests laid a painting of "Our Lady of Sorrows" on the grounds for all to see, where the Tongva natives designated by the settlers as the Gabrielinos, rhus immediately made peace with the missionaries, because they were so moved by the painting's beauty.

Until today, the 300-year old work hangs in front of and slightly to the left of the old high altar in the Mission's sanctuary.

The Mission is now closed to the public but people can still stop by to see the historical structure. It is located at: 426 South Mission Dr. San Gabriel, CA. 91776.

View POINT

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COVID-19 Pandemic:

Filing Bankruptcy When Necessary Are your Credit Cards still manageable, Are these short term loans helping you?

CONSUMERS weren’t shy about spending this holiday season, as the latest consumer credit report reveals a nearly 10 percent increase in overall consumer debt. According to the Federal Reserve, consumer borrowing surged in November by $20.4 billion raising the consumer debt total to $2.48 trillion. Financial experts at Consolidated Credit advise consumers to reexamine spending habits.

With more consumers turning to credit for purchases, revolving debt showed an 8.5 percent increase. credit card debt accounts for almost all of revolving debt, which rose by $5.6 billion to $798.3 billion. This was the largest percentage jump since March 2008.

We might be feeling better about the economy, in reality inflation is growing higher. Now more than ever families need to work at saving and paying off any outstanding debts. We are spending too much and spending like crazy again! This is concerning as the bills begin to roll in, consumers may find themselves unable to pay them off.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has ordered a review of rules on short-term loans. Three customers say companies lured them into a traps of quick cash and affordable payment terms.

These Quick Cash or Payday loan companies focus on the needy, often operating out of strip malls or corner stores. Interest can be 300%, plus fees.

Borrowers often hand over post-dated checks which are cashed if they do not repay on time.

Unless you have assets or a property to turn your equity to cash to pay off

these debts, you will end up rolling that debt over and incur higher fees.

Short Term loan are easy to get but hard to pay back, usually when you are desperately in need and not thinking right, these loan sharking method of lending is the fastest way to get money. Unless you completely thought out how you will be paying the debt off or knowingly have money coming into to pay it off, you will end up owing much more after said and done.

An alternative if you can afford to wait for a few years before your credit gets back to par is the option of debt consolidation. You have to be careful because there are a lot of debt consolidators that are fly by night companies.

Look for one that has good standing and has been in the business for a long time.

Fully understand the process and fees involve before jumping into it. Fees are high but could be worth it if you have a high debt, remember your credit might be ruined while you are on a payment plan. Mostly importantly if you start it, finish the process.

Better yet, if you own a property and has ample equity, use it to pay off your debts, refinance now while rates are so cheap.

Seniors Financial Advisor thinks that one explanation for Americans’ willingness to take on more debt could be the relative improvement of the economy over the past year, when the workforce added 2.2 million jobs over the course of the year. For consumers with extra money in their wallets, taking on more debt in anticipation of a bonus or a raise may not seem so risky. But that could be a big mistake. We’ve already forgotten

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MOST debt problems don’t go away and solve themselves. They are there when you go to bed at night, and they’re still there when you get up in the morning. They can cause a lot of ulcers, sleepless nights, stress and even physical sickness.

As a bankruptcy attorney for the last 22 years, I have seen the devastating effects of serious debt problems on people’s personal lives, their businesses, their families and their marriages. What I have also seen is that a lot of these effects could have been avoided with proper planning.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 2008 and 2009, and now we’re projecting into the indefinite future and we’re spending based on as if it had already happened. Our default setting is optimistic, and maybe overly optimistic.

If consumers aren’t on steady financial ground, it could put Americans at greater risk if the economy doesn’t improve at a fast enough rate. And it doesn’t help that Americans are not very good savers. Americans have made some progress on debt repayment… but (savings) continues to be the Achilles heel of financial security. And it was never a strong point to begin with.

I feel that if we are all wondering what will be the cause of another financial recession, political turmoil? I think it might be related to consumer debts, credit card loans, student loans etc.

We can’t live paycheck to paycheck just clearing our minimum payments on our debts, sooner than later it will catch up with us and we wont be able to pay it.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Financial at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net BRE01021223 NMLS238636.

Saturday-Friday | July 18 - 24, 2020

BARRISTER’S CORNER… FROM PAGE 6

Facing serious debt problems often causes severe anxiety and fear about the future. What will happen to me and my family if I get sued by creditors? Can they garnish my wages or freeze my bank accounts? Will I have enough to buy food, pay my rent or mortgage, and keep my head above water?

The worst thing that you can do when you are in this situation is to pretend that everything is OK until one day your situation becomes a financial emergency. You have probably heard a lot of negative things about bankruptcy. Maybe you have heard from others that you will never be able to buy anything on credit again. But what if I told you that on average, people who file bankruptcy can rebuild their credit in as little as 3-4 years? That’s right. Although it can be reported on your credit for 7-10 years, the effects of bankruptcy rarely last that long unless you allow it to happen. Bankruptcy is a beginning, it’s not the end of the world.

After bankruptcy, there are positive steps you can take to rebuild your credit. Most people who file bankruptcy have a tarnished credit rating anyway due to late payments, collection accounts, lawsuits, etc. on their credit report and as long as they remain delinquent, creditors continue to report them to the credit bureaus month after month.

Filing bankruptcy stops the reporting of negative information. While payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score, 30% accounts for how much total debt you owe. If bankruptcy wipes out most, if not all your debts, your debt to income ratio improves over time.

Filing for bankruptcy protection automatically stops all creditor actions such as harassing phone calls, collection letters, lawsuits, wage garnishments, foreclosure and repossession. Generally, there are 2 types of bankruptcy for individuals.

You can either wipe out debts you can no longer pay (Chapter 7) or you may consolidate all your debts into one low monthly payment and pay your creditors based only based what you can afford (Chapter 13). Which chapter is right for you will depend on your income, expenses, assets, and your objectives in filing, among other things.

If the COVID pandemic has resulted in loss of income which has made it difficult for you to keep up with all your bills, you’re not alone.

The first thing that you need to do is to protect yourself and your family before anything else. If bankruptcy has become necessary for you to survive financially during this difficult time, there is no shame in doing what you need to do to ensure your family’s financial safety.

Bankruptcy relief can be your first step in rebuilding your finances, your credit and your life. Remember that your past doesn’t equal your future.

You have the power to change your life by taking action now. If you have not read my book, “What You Need to Know Before Filing Bankruptcy”, you can download it free of charge at www.beforefilingbk.com.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at Toll-Free 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.

(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).

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WHAT IS A POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENT?

A POSTNUPTIAL agreement is a contract between you and your spouse entered into after you get married resolving issues in your marriage. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement except it occurs after your marriage. For couples that get married without a prenuptial agreement, it is not too late to have an agreement dealing with issues of property division, management of finances, spousal support, division of a business that takes effect in case of a divorce.

You can enter into a postnuptial agreement even if the marriage is going well. People grow and change over time. You can never predict if your relationship with your spouse will stay the same in the future. In a way, it is a form of planning to cover the contingency in case the marriage does not work out in the future.

If you are the spouse who is the primary breadwinner such as a Registered Nurse, a Physician, or other Professional, California community property law provides for a 50% interest to your spouse for any income earned by you during the marriage and any property acquired by you and your spouse during the marriage. Basically, your spouse has a one-half interest in your salary, earnings, and any assets you acquired during the marriage even if it was you who sweated to earn that money and even if a particular asset or bank account is under your name alone. This 50/50 division can be changed even after the marriage by ways of a postnuptial agreement.

What issues can be resolved in advance through a postnuptial agreement? You can agree on how a business or a professional practice is to be divided in case of a divorce. Through the postnuptial agreement, the division does not have to be 50/50. The agreement can provide that the business will be awarded to one spouse alone or it can provide a certain amount of buyout to the other spouse. There is a lot of flexibility as to how you want to structure this.

You can also provide for how real property is to be divided such as a house or rental property. Typically, a house purchased during the marriage is community property to be divided equally. A house purchased before the marriage is separate property but if there was a mortgage or refinancing during the marriage and the monthly mortgage payment is paid from earnings during the marriage, there could be a community interest in that separate property house which entitles your spouse to a portion of the house. This confusion can be squared away and clarified in a postnuptial agreement. You can provide for who gets the house and what buy out , if any, your spouse will get in case of a divorce.

Spousal support can also be addressed in the postnuptial agreement. A common provisions is to agree to a certain amount of spousal support which varies depending on how long the marriage was at the time the parties divorce.

It is also possible to waive spousal support altogether. However, such waiver of support will be scrutinized as to unconscionability at the time of the divorce.

Other issues that can be resolved

in a postnuptial agreement are division of debts and credit cards, ownership of a life insurance policy, beneficiaries to a life insurance policy, and who gets the family pet.

Since the postnuptial agreement is the first issue that can be attacked in a divorce case, it is best that each party be represented by their own attorney in negotiating the agreement. In that case, there is less likelihood that the postnuptial agreement will be found invalid since you can argue that there was no undue influence since both parties were represented by counsel. Having a postnuptial is definitely beneficial in minimizing the uncertainty in the future pertaining to your marriage and finances.

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

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Saturday-Friday | July 18 - 24, 2020

CAREGIVER LAW OVERVIEW FOR 2020 WORKING as a caregiver in a private home, an assisted living facility or nursing home is hard work. If this is your job, you probably work long hours and return home physically and emotionally drained. You may provide 24hour, live-in help to the elderly or incapacitated.

Ma ny resident ia l pr iv ate households, residential care facilities and nursing homes ignore overtime laws. These violations can deprive caregivers of significant wages totaling thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you are a caregiver employed by someone who refuses to follow wage and hour laws, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Reading up on your rights is the first step toward claiming what you are due. Discussing the matter with an experienced attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson is the next and most important step.

When employers refuse to pay caregivers the legally required minimum or overtime wages, it is a form of wage theft. The employers are essentially stealing wages from workers who care for the elderly.

Thankfully, California law sets minimum requirements for a caregiver’s wages and working conditions. These laws include a minimum wage and overtime in most circumstances. An employer has no right to pay an employee less than the legally required minimum or overtime wages and anyone who does engage in wage theft.

Wage theft takes many forms and may include failing to pay for sleep or “on call” time, paying a weekly or daily salary that is too low or classifying an in-home caregiver as an “independent contractor” to circumvent California’s wage and hour laws.

California provides greater protection to caregivers than exists in most other states. For instance, the minimum wage in California will increase incrementally to $15 by 2022. Cities can enact higher minimum wages.

Caregivers who are victims of wage theft can claim the compensation that is legally due.

On January 1, 2014, California enacted the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (DWBR). The DWBR mandates overtime payments for personal attendants. This law provides that an employer cannot hire personal attendants to work more than nine hours in a day or 45 hours in a workweek without paying overtime.

Overtime under the DWBR is set at one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay.

That means that if you are an inhome caregiver, you are entitled to 150% of your hourly wage for every hour you work over nine hours in any given day, and all hours you work beyond 45 hours in a week.

Now that the California legislature has created the right to overtime for personal attendants, an in-home caregiver who is not paid the required overtime wages can claim their unpaid wages. You can recover not just the overtime you are due, but also attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the lawsuit. It is also possible to recover interest and penalties if you are not properly paid overtime compensation.

Caregiver overtime law is highly complex. In fact, an entirely different set of laws apply to a caregivers who work in residential care facilities and nursing homes for the elderly. These caregivers have always been entitled to overtime under California law. These caregivers must be paid overtime for all hours they work in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.

In addition, they are generally entitled to double time payments for all hours worked in excess of 12 in any single day and may be entitled to meal and rest breaks. The rules for sleep time, on-call time and live-ins are also different.

If you are a caregiver and believe your employer has not paid you fairly under the law, you may have a strong case for compensation. Since the laws in this area are complex, you should contact an experienced attorney who has a documented and demonstrated expertise in representing caregivers.

The attorneys at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson have the experience you need.

We are here to help!

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills. 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.

Palace leaves decision on use of ABS-CBN frequencies to DepEd M A N I L A ( Ma bu h ay) — Malacañang on Thursday welcomed a solon's proposal to temporarily make use of ABS-CBN's radio and TV frequencies to provide distance learning modalities to students in the upcoming school year.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, said it will be up to the Department of Education (DepED) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to make the final decision.

“It’s a good idea pero ito po ay dedesisyunan ni [DepEd] Secretary Leonor Briones at ni [CHED] Chairman Popoy [de Vera] (It’s a good idea but Secretary Briones and Chairman Popoy will make the decision on that matter),” Roque said in a virtual Palace

HOUSE DEPUTY SPEAKER LUIS RAYMUND VILLAFUERTE

briefing.

House Deput y Spea ker Luis Raymund Villafuerte filed House Resolution 1044 proposing that educators deliver their teaching modules on the signals vacated by ABS-CBN after they failed to secure a new legislative franchise.

Besides using ABS-CBN’s frequencies to keep students engaged, Villafuerte said they also may be used to disseminate information on coronavirus disease (Covid-19) prevention and control, risk-reduction and preparedness.

On May 5, ABS-CBN was forced to shut down its radio and TV operations, a day after its franchise expired.

ABS-CBN Corp.'s Knowledge Channel earlier offered to share its video lessons for distance learning.

No F2F classes The DepEd is set to implement distance learning strategies as limited face-to-face (F2F) classes are still prohibited, with TV and radio-based instruction being one of the three main setups with modular and online learning as the other two options.

With the August opening of classes just around the corner, Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to decide on whether to allow

limited F2F classes in areas under the least restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

“Ang sabi po ni Presidente i-submit mo sa amin ng written proposals ng ma-discuss ng mas mabuti ‘yan at meron pa namang panahon para desisyunan (The President said, submit written proposals so that we can discuss it thoroughly and we still have time to make a decision),” he said.

He emphasized that F2F classes will not be allowed in areas under MGCQ unless approved by Duterte.

“Meron pong proposal na limited face-to-face hindi pa po ‘yan mapapatupad hanggang di pa po ‘yan a-aaprubaha n ng at ing Presidente (There is a proposal to allow limited face-to-face classes but that will not be implemented until approved by the President),” he said.

The DepEd has scheduled the school opening on Aug. 24, 2020 and the end of the school year on April 30, 2021 but private schools may start earlier upon the approval of regional directors.

In May, Duterte rejected the resumption of F2F classes until a vaccine against Covid-19 is developed.

Briones assured that F2F classes would not take place until it is safe to do so as declared by Duterte. (MNS)

Foreigners with existing visas can enter PH starting August 1 MANILA (Mabuhay) — Despite the threat posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, foreigners who have existing visas can visit the Philippines beginning next month, Malacañang announced on Friday.

This came after the I nter-A genc y Ta sk Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) agreed Thursday to allow the entry of foreigners with long-term visas in the country starting August 1, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“The IATF, however, set conditions prior to the entry of these foreign nationals,” Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, said in a press statement.

Roque said foreign travelers who wish to fly to the Philippines must first have valid and existing visas at the time of the entry.

“This means no new entry visa shall be accepted,” he said.

Roque said foreign nationals traveling to the country are also subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry because returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority.

He added that foreign travelers must also secure a prebooked accredited quarantine facility and a pre-booked Covid-19 testing provider.

The latest IATF-EID’s decision effectively lifts travel restrictions imposed on foreigners.

In March, the Philippine government suspended visa-free privileges of foreigners to arrest the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

Only accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents, as well as foreign spouses and children of Filipinos, are allowed to enter the Philippines amid the pandemic.

In June, a sub-technical working group of the IATF-EID studied the possibility of allowing foreigners to visit the Philippines for “specific purposes.” (MNS)

Saturday-Friday Saturday-Friday || July July 18 18 -- 24, 24, 2020 2020

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Palace to US lawmakers: Philippines no longer an American colony M ANIL A (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday hit back at US lawmakers who urged the Philippines to repeal the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, saying the country is no longer an American colony.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the 45 US lawmakers who made the call seemed to have forgotten that the Philippines is an independent state.

“Matagal na pong independyente ang bansang Pi lipinas sa A meri ka,” Roque said when asked to comment on the matter.

Roque then recalled the atrocities done to Filipinos during the American occupation, including the killing of innocent civilians in Eastern Samar in 1901.

The Philippines officially ceased to be a colony of the US in 1946.

The Palace official added the Philippines has a working judicial system, which will decide on the several petitions seeking to invalidate the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

“To the congressmen who signed it, we have a working judicial system and we can rely on our judicial system to rule on the constitutionality of the anti-terror law,” Roque said.

“Pero huwag na po kay-

ROQUE ong manghimasok, hindi na po namin kayo colonial masters. Independyenteng bansa na po kami.”

As of Thursday, July 16, nine petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court challenging the law, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed on July 3.

The US lawmakers have criticized the new law for allegedly being overbroad as they feared that this could be used to stifle dissent — the same criticism hurled by those opposed to the law, among them student groups, human rights advocates and members of the academe.

The lawmakers sent a letter to the Philippine Embassy in the US to raise their concerns about the legislaton, which will take effect on July 18.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, for his part, urged t he "m isinfor med" US

lawmakers to look at their own law, particularly their Homeland Security Act which he said is harsher.

“Off hand, I would say they are misinformed. Why don’t they look at their own laws? Iyong Homeland Security Act nila? Bago sila mamintas, napakahigpit nung sa kanila,” Sotto said.

Seem i ng ly echoi ng Malacanang, Sotto told t he US law m a ker s to mind their own business as he stressed that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has enough safeguards against possible abuses by authorities.

“They are only saying those things on what they read on social media. Itong sa atin, lunod nga sa safeguards. Mas magagaling pa ang senador ng Pilipinas kesa sa Senador nila. Bakit ba sila nakikialam? pakialaman nila iyong bansa nila,” Sotto said.

Critics have said that the law empowers the government to go after legitimate dissent. They have also warned against the up-to 24-day warrantless detention period for suspected terrorists, and the alleged authority of the Anti-Terrorism Council, a body created under the law, to authorize in writing the arrest of terrorism suspects.

(MNS)

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Duterte dismantled 11k jobs, not oligarchy after ABS-CBN closure — Hontiveros MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte did not dismantle oligarchy but instead deprived more than 11,000 Filipinos of jobs due to the ABS-CBN Corporation's closure under his administration, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday.

"Hindi totoong na-dismantle ang oligarkiya. Ang na-dismantle ay ang buhay ng mga ordinaryong manggagawa.

Solusyon sa krisis ang dapat hatid natin ngayon, imbes na dagdag-krisis," the opposition senator said in a statement.

Over two months after it went off air due to the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission for an expired franchise, ABS-CBN announced that it will start laying off its workers on August 31.

Hontiveros stressed t hat t he i n for m a l workers making a living along Mother Ignacia—like vendors and tricycle drivers—are also bound to feel the impact of the House panel's junk ing of t he media giant's f ra nch i se appl ication.

Earlier this week, a raw audio clip of Duterte's speech in Jolo surfaced and revealed that he actually mentioned ABSCBN when he talked about dismantling oligarchy—the soundbites of which were absent from and believed to have been deleted in the uploaded version of the video.

His remarks on oligarchy came on the heels of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises' decision to mark the end of the road for ABSCBN's franchise renewal bid.

In previous years, Duterte was very vocal about his grievances against ABS-CBN, particularly over unaired campaign ads during the 2016 elections. He even threatened to block the renewal of the firm's franchise.

Despite the surfacing of the supposedly "unsanitized" speech of Duterte, Roque still maintained that the President was not attacking ABSC B N .

(MNS)

HONTIVEROS

10

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GLOBAL NEWS Over 1,000 mayors pushing for constitutional reforms — Chavit Singson Saturday-Friday | July 18 - 24, 2020

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MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Amid the t h reat f rom t he C OV I D -19 pa ndemic, over 1,000 mu n icipa l mayors will campaign for t he D uter te Administration's push for constitutional reforms as these will supposedly empower local government units.

National President of the League of Municipalities MAYOR CHAVIT SINGSON of the Philippines (LMP) and Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson on Friday said the 1,488 mayors were particularly interested in two constitutional amendments that would help them attain economic and social progress in their respective localities.

Singson bared that an LMP resolution was given to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, which endorses a proposal to institutionalize the so-called Mandanas Ruling of the Supreme Court in the Constitution and the lifting of restrictions on foreign investment in industries that are presently limited to Filipinos.

According to Singson, the mayors believe that institutionalizing the Mandanas Ruling will ensure that regions will have a continuous fair share in the taxes collected by the national government.

He said this measure would place poor regions on par with the development of rich ones such as the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and the Southern Tagalog.

"Institutionalizing the Mandanas ruling will be a big help to poor regions. Every municipality especially the poor ones are short of funds and they will definitely welcome all additional budget especially since this will help their development,” he said.

LOS ANGELES EDITION

Moreover, the mayors claimed that allowing foreign investors to own the majority of operations of local firms would be beneficial to their constituents as long as there was continuous protection of workers' rights and a ban on foreign ownership of land.

Meanwhile, Interior Department Spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the national government welcomed the support given by the mayors.

"The municipal mayors are the ones who know

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the real score in the communities, especially in the areas where millions of Filipinos have wallowed in poverty for a long time," Malaya said.

"Their support of this agenda means they recognize it as a necessary corrective measure to achieve the President’s agenda to make our people’s lives better especially now that we need to recover from the impact of COVID 19 on our country’s economy,” he added. (MNS)

Deleted Duterte rant vs. ABS-CBN shows Palace can't be trusted with truth, says Kiko MANILA (Mabuhay) — The apparent deletion of portions of President Rodrigo Duterte's speech before the troops in Jolo earlier this week shows Malacañang cannot be trusted with the truth, opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan said on Friday.

Pangilinan made the remark days after an audio file of Duterte's speech showed that he mentioned how ABS-CBN had mocked him before claiming that he had dismantled the oligarchy in the country.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque in a Palace briefing said Duterte was referring not to the television network whose franchise application was denied by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises but to business leaders in control of water concessionaires.

"It's proof that we cannot trust Malacañang with the truth," Pangilinan said.

"Besides, no less than the President has admitted publicly that of

the five things that he says, three are falsehoods. So, it should not come as a surprise," he added.

Pangilinan appeared to be referring to Duterte's speech back at the Bureau of Customs in 2017 when he talked about some individuals in the media not being attuned to his character.

"Eh sa limang salita, dalawa lang iyong tama niyan; iyong tatlo, puro kalokohan iyan. And so, I’m just fond of doing it. Gusto ko lang tumawa, well, at the expense also of myself sometimes, people," Duterte said.

After the raw audio file surfaced, Roque still maintained that Duterte did not refer to ABS-CBN as the dismantled oligarchy.

Roque said that he was not sure whether the video posted on the government's social media sites was edited.

"Wala po ako sa Jolo so kung hindi ko alam kung ano talaga ang sinabi. Wala naman po akong

kinalaman do’n sa airing ng tape," Roque said.

Asked if it was wrong for the government to edit Duterte's speech, Roque said, "Hindi naman po."

"In the first place, we’re assuming edited. Ako po, wala akong k nowledge because I was not there. Kaya nga po sa trabaho ko, talagang minamabuti ko na dapat palaging kasama kay presidente, hindi lang para marinig siya kundi para makausap siya," he added.

(MNS)

PANGILINAN

IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FRAUD, YOU’RE NOT ALONE “In addition to informing our communities about coronavirus, we are also helping to protect our communities during these difficult Grace Calvelo-Rustia Associate State Director times. We know AARP Pennsylvania that scammers are running a number of schemes like COVID-19 charity scams or fake vaccines claiming to cure you of the coronavirus. AARP is sounding the alarm about coronavirus scams, whether it is through the AARP Fraud Watch Network or through our partnerships with local authorities.

If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. So please encourage our community to speak up about fraud.”

Did you know that 72% of the AAPI community age 50 and over are targets for financial crimes?

Keep close watch for scammers who are using the headlines in an effort to steal our money or sensitive personal information.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM VARIOUS CORONAVIRUS SCAMS HEALTH SCAMS

The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline has received thousands of calls about sales of personal protective equipment, offers for treatments, cures and to reserve a vaccine for when it’s available – all the work of scammers. These fake offers are coming out of the woodwork – by phone, email, text, social media; even in person. There are no cures or treatments or vaccines yet – any offer that suggests so is a scam.

AARP has been working to promote the health and well-being of older Americans for more than 60 years. During this pandemic, AARP is providing information and resources to help the AAPI community and those caring for them to protect themselves from the virus AND scammers, and to prevent both from affecting others.

For more information and resources about COVID-19, please visit

aarp.org/coronavirus

or simply scan the QR code below to follow AARP’s AAPI Facebook page.

CHARITY SCAMS Do your research before giving money to any charity seeking donations to support those affected by the coronavirus – the charity could be a fraud, or the fundraisers could keep most of the money they raise to line their own pockets.

Two good online resources to check out charities include www.charitynavigator.org and www.give.org.

HOW TO REPORT COVID-19 FRAUD If you or someone you know has been the victim of a fraud or scam, call AARP’s Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. Their trained fraud specialists can help you know what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future.

ment s a com leave u now what k s u to let arn ke to le you’d li t! u o b more a

global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS Trillanes slams Go over cybercrime complaint vs college student 12

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M A NIL A (Mabu hay) — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday slammed Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go for filing a cybercrime complaint against a college student.

“Malakas makapang-bully ng estudyante itong Bong Go na ‘to. Siguraduhin mo lang na 'di iikot ang mundo, kundi may kalalagyan ka.

Tatandaan mo, dokumentado yung sabit mo sa frigate scam,” Trillanes said in a tweet, referring to the anomalous frigate acquisition project.

Go, who was then President RodGO rigo Duterte's aide, was accused of meddling in the procurement of two new Navy ships under the military's modernization program in 2018.

Go, who has repeatedly denied the accusation, meanwhile accused Trillanes of peddling fake news.

"Bagyong Trillanes! Isa kang hari ng fake news, manloloko na walang ginawa kundi manira ng kapwa, at alam naman natin na ikaw ang totoong Bikoy,"

Go claimed.

"Kaya nga ako biglang naging senador dahil sa pambibintang mong walang basis at walang katotohanan.

Nagsawa na ang tao sa madumi mong style na puro black propaganda kaya bumoto sila ng mga bago na tunay na magseserbisyo sa bayan," he added.

"Mismong Senado na kinabibilangan mo noon ang nagsabing wala akong kinalaman sa anomalyang sinasabi mo at pawang kasinungalingan at fake news lang yang mga paratang mo," he said.

TRILLANES "Antayin kita dito sa Senado kung manalo ka sa susunod na eleksyon at sabay nating imbestigahan ang mga anomalya mo. Hindi mo na maloloko ang taumbayan."

Trillanes' recent comments stemmed from reports that Go's lawyer filed a cybercrime complaint at the agency's Cybercrime Division against a college student. (MNS)

De Lima tells Duterte: 'Kung pagod ka na, mas pagod kami sa pamumuno mo' MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Filipino people are allegedly getting exasperated over President Rodrigo Duterte's obliviousness to their needs in the past four years and especially now that there is a pandemic, detained Senator Leila de Lima said Friday as the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) approaches.

"Ginoong Duterte: Kung bukambibig mong pagod ka na bilang Pangulo, kahit hindi ka naman nagtatrabaho, puwes, mas pagod na kami sa pamumuno mo!"

De Lima, a staunch critic of the President, said in a statement.

It was read by her chief of staff Fhilip Sawali during a pre-SONA press conference conducted by around 30 militant groups.

The opposition senator said the judgment day for the Duterte administration must come soon as she encouraged the people to let their voices be heard.

"Kung patatagalin pa a ng pa n i n i ng i l, i la ng libo pang maralita ang papatayin? Ilan pang in-

osente, mamamahayag at t agapag t a ng gol ng karapatang pantao ang ipakukulong? Ilan pang media ang ipasasara? Ilan pang matinong pinuno ang patatalsikin para sa kanilang pansariling interes?" she said.

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was ousted in 2018 over alleged integrity issues, also encouraged the people to stop enabling Duterte.

A United Nations expert previously said Sereno's removal from post was linked to Duterte's remarks against her that sent a chilling message to the country's judges.

During the virtual for u m, Sereno sa id t he administ rat ion's pivot to China, the impunity on thousands of violent deaths, and "disastrous" handling of COVID-19 pandemic were just among the sufferings of Filipinos.

"Come, let us all unite and return to the good. The President has abandoned science, reason, and God. Now, look at where it has all brought us— death, despair, the destruction of the economy as well as the violation of human dignity," Sereno said.

"This government treats human beings as if they are not made in the image of G od," s h e added.

The former Chief Justice a lso u rged the people to distinguish suppor t for the government for the common good from "idolatry

of a strongman who cannot save."

She added that tolerating the promotion of evil is a "gross sin." (MNS)

DE LIMA

PH hopes for justice 6 years since downing of MH17 flight MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Phi lippine gover nment, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), remains hopeful that justice

would be served six years since the downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.

"As a grieving nation, the Philippines on this solemn

day renews its solidarity with the governments of other grieving nations who lost citizens in that ill-fated flight, and offers its prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims as they continue to suffer this insurmountable loss," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

"The Philippines remains deeply saddened by this regrettable incident and is hopeful that the victims of this tragedy be accorded the justice they rightfully deserve," he added.

On July 17, 2014, the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 took off from Amsterdam

to Kuala Lumpur but never landed at its destination after it was shot down over the eastern region of Ukraine.

A total of 298 people, including a Filipino woman and her two children, perished in the tragic incident.

A Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT) earlier reported that the flight was shot down by a Buk-missile launched from an agricultural field near the town of Pervomaiskyi, to the south of the town of Snizhne in Ukraine.

Four men were charged with "intentionally causing an aircraft to crash," resulting in the death of 298 people. (MNS)

Leni, other officials also filed cyber libel complaints — NBI MANILA (Mabuhay) — The National Bureau of Investigation will investigate cases of cyber lregardless of the complainants' status and political leaning, the bureau said on Friday.

The NBI released the statement after a critic of Senator Bong Go was invited to the bureau as regards an online post that was critical of the former special assistant of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The NBI said it is open to receiving cybercrime complaints "regardless of their status in life, and political and organizational affiliation."

Complaints may be sent to ccd@nbi.gov.ph.

Cyber crime div ision chief Victor Lorenzo said the issuance of a subpoena is "a way to verify the veracity of the complaint and is a part of due process to give opportunity to the subject of the complaint to be heard."

The NBI on Friday said it had received cyber libel complaints from several government officials including Go and Vice President Leni Robredo.

The NBI said in a statement that its cyber crime division has seen a "significant increase" of cyber libel complaints in the past several months.

Apart from Robredo and Go, Cavite Representative Jesus Crispin "Boy ing" Remulla, Kabataan Party-list Representative Sarah Elago, and other national and local officials from places such as Siquijor, Leyte, and Cebu have filed complaints, the NBI said.

It did not provide details.

The bureau said it had also received complaints from the general public.

Go said he had written the NBI to request an investigation on social media posts that could be possible violations of the anti-cybercrime law and other laws, but said he did not know the student who was invited and the post in question. (MNS)

Business BUSINESS

Saturday-Friday | July 18 - 24, 2020

IATF-EID orders reclassification of some business industries MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has ordered the reclassification of several business industries in the country, Malacañang said on Friday.

The Department of Trade and Industr y (DTI) was tasked to re-categorize certain industries for the resumption of their operations or the gradual increase of operating capacity of those that are now open, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The IATF-EID gave the directive during its meeting on Thursday, Roque said in a press statement.

He said the DTI should consult the departments of finance, local government, and tourism.

“The DTI is likewise given authority of the IATF to issue a negative list of industries, which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ (modified general community quarantine),” Roque said.

The government has further relaxed the quarantine protocols in the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak to allow more business establishments to resume operations, especially in areas placed under MGCQ. He said the IATF-EID’s latest move was meant to revive the economy in Metro Manila and Region 4-A (Calabarzon).

“These recent actions of the IATF are in compliance with the directive to ensure the increase of the capacities of the business sector vis-à-vis available transportation to revitalize the economy in Metro Manila and Region 4-A,” Roque said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday announced the new quarantine classifications in the country for the July 16 to 31 period.

On Wednesday, the President also consulted doctors and experts on the possible reopening of the Philippine economy amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Duterte made the consultation after admitting on July 7 that the country could not afford to completely reopen the economy amid the pandemic.

Doctors and experts told him that the total reopening of the economy is possible, so long as localized lockdown is implemented, the Covid-19 testing capacity improves, and vulnerable groups are protected.

On Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said there are signs that the country’s economy is recovering despite the crisis brought about by Covid-19. (MNS)

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Gov’t should look at MSMEs as venture capital firms amid COVID-19 pandemic — Zobel De Ayala MANILA (Mabuhay) — Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should be given more assistance to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Ayala Corp. chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala said Thursday.

Asked for his input on assistance to such industries, Zobel de Ayala said the government should look at MSMEs as venture capital companies.

"I think sometimes the executive side of government must look at this as the way we would look at, say, a venture capital company," he said in a virtual briefing with the House committee on economic affairs.

"Sometimes companies starting off in businesses in the venture capital world are going through negative cash flows and in a pandemic like this, really, the revenues have come down and almost closed up," he said.

Latest data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) show that MSMEs account for 99.52% of the total 1.003 million business establishments in the country in 2018.

Micro enterprises with asset size of not more than P3 million are allowed to borrow from P10,000 to P200,000, while small enterprises with asset size of not more than P15 million may borrow up to P500,000.

In May, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said over 525,000 or 52.66% of MSMEs in the country had to stop operations due to the lockdowns.

"The venture capital world is full of negative cash flow companies in their own small world. Why not look at this crisis as that? As a need to help restart the MSMEs by providing some type of support, financial support during that period of time," said Zobel de Ayala.

The DTI has already rolled out its P1-billion COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enter- pr ises (CARES) program which grants loans to MSMEs, but the department is now seeking more funds as the program has already been oversubscribed.

"The MSMEs, the pain

is gonna be felt more next year than it is this year. When you look at the non-performing components of banks, they tend to appear about a year later when any kind of crisis hits. We should be attuned to that," said Zobel de Ayala.

"I think we've tried to do our share in the private sector on that front by lessening the pain at least for a period of time," he added.

The Ayala Group allocated P2.4 billion for its emergency response package for its workforce hit by the disease, aside from waiving mall rental fees for tenants during the strict quarantine measures placed across the Philippines.

"Our balance sheets are not structured to do this forever but I think during the period of the lockdown many private sector groups managed to udnerstand that that painpoint was there," said Zobel de Ayala.

"We should as a nation be using our balance sheet perhaps a little more formally to give support to the MSME community that are far more vulnerable than many of us in the larger businesses where the savings are higher and the balance sheets are larger," he added.

(MNS)

AYALA CORP. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JAIME AUGUSTO ZOBEL DE AYALA

DICT earmarks P7.7B under its 2021 budget for free Wi-Fi program MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Friday it has set aside P7.7 billion on its proposed P46.6-billion 2021 budget for the implementation of the "Free Wi-Fi for All" program in Public Places and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

In a statement, DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said that the amount will be utilized to reach the department’s target to establish 23,100 live sites by the end of 2021.

Honasan said the DICT plans to

deploy the most number of sites in public education institutions —10,300 sites will be deployed in public schools while 1,804 sites will be deployed in SUCs and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institutions.

“We are aiming to provide every public school and SUC with free internet connectivity and access to aid our students and teachers adapt to the new normal in the education sector,” he said.

“This is part of our commitment to DepEd (Department of Education),

CHED (Commission Higher Education), and TESDA to ensure the education sector’s access to broadcast, connectivity and digital security this upcoming school year while the country is still under state of public health emergency,” he added.

Part of the planned 23,100 sites, the DICT is targeting to install 5,644 sites in national and local government offices, 3,300 sites in government hospitals and rural health units, 1,505 sites in public parks, plazas and other open areas, 368 sites in public libraries, and 179 sites in transport terminals.

As of 30 June 2020, the DICT said it has installed 4,248 live sites that are now operational under the Free Wi-Fi for All Program.

More than 400 of these are installed in government hospitals and rural health units.

In August 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act. 10929, also known as the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. The measure mandated that the government should provide free internet access in public spaces across the country. (MNS)

COVID-19 pandemic closed 30 percent of PH businesses — Trade chief MANILA (Mabuhay) — Some 30 percent of businesses in the Philippines have closed since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency has yet to determine if the establishments were fully or temporarily closed due to the virus that shuttered businesses in Metro Manila for 11 weeks, leading to the first contraction of the Philippine economy in 22 years.

Around 20 percent are fully operating while 50 percent have partially reopened, Lopez said.

Of those who have partially resumed operations, the income of 90 percent were down, he added.

"Marami pa rin sigurong operating below breakeven, talagang palugi pero subalit sabi nga ng mga negosyanteng nakakausap namin, laban lang, wala tayong choice, talagang pagtulungan natin ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya," he said.

When Metro Manila began to reopen businesses in mid-May, the manufacturing index rose to 74 percent from 72 percent, while the

purchasing managers index rose to 40 percent from 32 percent in April, Lopez said.

The purchasing managers index is a barometer of the manufacturing sector's overall health.

"Nung nagre-open nakikita natin na unti-unti ring bumabalik yung mga tao sa kanilang trabaho, nakita natin ang movement pataas," he said.

"Parang na-hit natin yung pinakailalim at umaangat na tayo unti-unti so ngayon obserbahan na lang natin kung kailan tayo ay makakabalik dun sa pre-COVID volume natin kasi yun talaga ang big challenge." (MNS)

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Bela Padilla responds to question asking if she’s a ‘DDS’

B

ela Padilla clarified on social media her political stand after a netizen asked whether she is actually a “DDS” or a Diehard Duterte Supporter.

A Twitter user questioned her name’s inclusion in a document containing the list of people who travelled up north with director Joyce Bernal to shoot video materials in preparation for the upcoming State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Wait, is @padillabela a DDS? If so, what a plot twist,” said Twitter user David Gusion.

Padilla replied to this and said: “Nope not at all.”

The Kapamilya actress again answered Gusion when he prodded her to explain why her

BELA PADILLA

name appears in the list.

“I was told we were going to shoot for Liter Of Light (which we did)... but as soon as I found out that us being there could have any connection with the SONA, I went home alone, immediately, because I have no participation in it anyway,” she said.

To which, Gusion responded: “In conclusion, you are not a supporter of this admin, and you will not be participating in the SONA in any way. We will take your word for it.

Thanks ulit! Cheers!”

And for Padilla’s last reply to him, she said: “In the most respectful way to everyone involved, yes. Cheers!”

Recenty, Bernal’s team went to Sagada and Banaue but was turned

away due to the travel restrictions still being imposed due to COVID-19.

After it made headlines, Piolo Pascual, whose name also appears in the same document as Padilla, trended online with some netizens questioning why he appeared to be siding with the government, given the difficulties ABS-CBN, his home network, has been having in applying for a new franchise.

In a statement released by the actor last Thursday, Pascual insisted the trip "has got nothing to do with [his] political stand," nor that it meant that he was turning his back on ABS-CBN, as some had suggested. (MNS)

Kylie Padilla speaks about Lauren Young brushes off difficult recovery after criticisms over her weight giving birth to second child

K

ylie Padilla admitted that she had a difficult time recovering after giving birth to Baby Axl last December.

Posting a mirror selfie that showed her body wrapped in nothing but a black sports bra and leggings, the Kapuso actress said she "was feeling out my body, ang hirap kasi ng recovery from giving birth this time round."

Kylie revealed she "could not get out of bed on certain days" and feeling "headaches, shivers and fatigue."

Given the challenges she went through postpartum, Kylie decided to postpone doing any exercise that she said would further prolong her recovery.

"I’m taking it slow. Learning to love how my body has changed, how strong it has remained and how it is slowly healing," she wrote.

Despite days where she feels she's not entirely herself, Kylie said she feels happy nevertheless.

"I have grown to respect that it

ALJUR & KYLIE

will take time because everything good takes time," she added.

Kylie and her husband Aljur Abrenica welcomed their second child Baby Axl last December. Their firstborn Alas is turning three years old in August.

(MNS)

Ruffa Gutierrez still dreams of starring in an independent film MANILA (Mabuhay) — At this point in her career, Ruffa Gutierrez revealed she still has some dreams that she wants to achieve as an actress.

In an interview with her brother Raymond during an episode of “Love Thy Chika;” Ruffa confessed she wants to star in an independent film.

“Pwede ba ako mag-indie movie? Gusto ko heavy drama vibes na walang make up at inaapi-api. Kakaibang role naman,” she said.

According to Ruffa, she doesn’t mind if she won’t get

paid much for it because it is the experience that she’s after.

“I think every actor or actress in their career would like that. I was able to work with Lino Brocka before he passed away and I remember marami siyang plano para sa akin noon but bigla siyang nawala. I think I want to do something like that pa rin,” she shared.

Currently, Ruffa is part of the ABS-CBN series “Love Thy Woman.”

In the interview, Ruffa told Raymond that she took care

of him and their brothers while they were in the United States.

“Baka hindi mo alam, ako ang nagpapalit ng diapers niyong dalawa ni Chard noon at saka ni Elvis,” Ruffa told Raymond.

“Kasi si mommy biglang nabuntis siya kay Elvis.

Biglang nabuntis siya ng kambal. Wala talaga kaming kasama sa States, di ba?

Talagang tulong-tulong lahat sa bahay,” she added.

Having played some role in “raising” her siblings, Ruffa said: “I am very proud of the

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Brushing off all the negative criticism being thrown at her for gaining weight, Lauren Young declares that she's "never been happier."

During an online conversation with fellow Kapuso actors on GMA Artist Center's "Are You Okay: Womanhood," host Ana Feleo brought up the topic of weight and how it can affect actors when it comes to getting jobs.

Lauren opened up, saying "That's happened to me in the past five years."

"I used to be very, very skinny. I used to be very, very fit, and I gained a lot of weight in the past few years," she added.

The actress, however, emphasized that gaining weight was "more than just a physical thing."

"What people don't understand is that, even though I may not be the skinniest girl in town, I have never been happier. Because when I was skinny, I was miserable. Because,

you know, I was tired. It's hard to be skinny!" she added.

Lauren shared how gaining weight helped realize how she could be valued more for her abilities as an actress, rather than her looks.

"I thought I was only valued for how I looked. And then, when I gained weight, and I saw that I was still valued because of my talent and because of the things that I'm capable of," she said.

Moreover, Lauren is proud to represent girls who look LAUREN YOUNG like her.

"I don't wanna lose the weight, because I'm proud to say that I'm a girl on TV who represents the majority of how people look like and thats something that I don't wanna take back," she said.

"And at the end of the day, regardless of how I look like, I will give you the performance of a lifetime.

I wouldnt' be here if I wasn't a good actor," she added. (MNS)

persons that you and Chard have become, including Elvis. Lahat kayong magkakapatid.”

Raymond also asked why Ruffa pushed their parents Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez to let him and their other siblings live a normal life.

“Sabi ko kay mommy, ‘Kailangan ipadala natin sila sa States para magkaroon sila ng normal na buhay with friends na hindi sila kilala, kung sino ang family nila, na hindi artista daddy nila.’ I think nakatulong 'yun Mond kasi importante na meron tayong buhay outside of show business.

Hindi 'yung kapag nawala ang show business sa atin, hindi na natin alam kung anong gagawin sa buhay natin,” Ruffa said.

“We have to remember that fame is fleeting. Today sikat ka, tomorrow hindi mo na alam, especially today. I think I am happy that mom and dad listened to me at that time.

Look how you guys turned out,” she added. (MNS)

RUFFA GUTIERREZ

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Gary once courted Pops, Martin reveals MANILA (Mabuhay) — Gary Valenciano once courted Pops Fernandez, according to his close friend and the latter's ex-husband Martin Nievera.

This was the candid revelation of Valenciano and Nievera in a recent episode of "Straight Talk," an online talk show hosted by fellow music veteran Jaya.

In one portion of the program, dubbed "Trulili or Withcikels," Valenciano and Nievera took

turns in confirming or denying a list of statements. "Trulili" meant true, while "Withcikels" meant false.

One statement read, "Nagkagusto sa same girl."

That round prompted a little known fact — that Valenciano once pursued Fernandez romantically. At the time, Nievera and Fernandez were just friends, but they would later on fall in love.

"In fact," Nievera told Valen-

Liza Soberano launches own YouTube channel 'Life with Liza' MANILA (Mabuhay) — Liza Soberano is the latest A-list celebrity to launch her own YouTube channel, dubbed "Life with Liza."

The 22-year-old actress announced her new venture, with outtakes of her "awkward" introduction. The channel has released its first episode on Saturday.

Within an hour of her announcement, and with zero content, "Life with Liza" already had LICA SOBERANO nearly 15,000 subscribers.

While a channel of her own has long been requested by her fans, Soberano is no stranger to vlogging. She has appeared numerous times in her boyfriend and co-star Enrique Gil's own YouTube channel with his sister.

Soberano is the latest among her contemporaries to turn to vlogging, following Kathryn Bernardo's "Everyday Kath" and Julia Barretto's "Just Julia."

Other notable celebrities with vlogs include pioneer Alex Gonzaga, Vice Ganda, Bea Alonzo, Maja Salvador, and Kim Chiu. (MNS)

K Brosas to hold 20th anniversary concert virtually MANILA (Mabuhay) — Comedienne and singer K Brosas is set to hold her 20th anniversary concert virtually, producer Cornerstone Entertainment announced on Wednesday.

Dubbed "20K20," the digital concert will be held on July 30.

"And with the new normal, the concert stage is just a click away," Cornerstone said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic that has prevented mass gatherings.

Tickets can be purchased via

www.ktx.ph starting Thursday, and will serve as online access to the virtual concert.

Guest performers will be announced soon, Cornerstone said.

K Brosas, 44, has also juggled being a host and actress in her 20-year career. Currently, she is one of the judges in the talent search "Tawag ng Tanghalan."

Previously, music veteran Jed Madela similarly staged a ticketed virtual concert in late June, aptly dubbed "New Normal."

(MNS)

GARY VALENCIANO

POPS FERNANDEZ

ciano, "she would talk to me about all her suitors, and you were one of them!"

Nievera and Fernandez got married in 1986, and have two children together.

They've since separated, but have managed to become close friends again.

Valenciano was also married to his now-

MARTIN NIEVERA wife Angeli Pangilinan in 1986. They have three children together.

Aside from their common romantic history with Fernandez, Nievera said, in jest, that he and Valenciano are both "still in love" with the same girl: another music veteran, Lea Salonga. (MNS)

So far, so good for Assunta de Rossi and her 'miracle baby'

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Assunta de Rossi on Monday admitted that she's a bit emotional over her "miracle baby."

De Rossi , who is five months pregnant, explained that her being emotional was due to the "fear of not knowing" when she had her first imaging test.

"No way of knowing yet if I’m having a coccolino or a coccol-

ina. Hmm... my little miracle from heaven is being pasaway.

Alam na kung kanino nagmana! But seriously, I’m feeling a bit emotional because the last time I had a scan, the baby was as small as a jellybean, if not smaller," Assunta said in the caption "It’s the fear of not knowing.

But I survived my first and

second trimester during a pandemic and lockdown without any complications! Cheers!" she added.

De Rossi confirmed that she's pregnant with her husband Jules Ledesma just last May. De Rossi married Ledesma in civil rites at his hometown in San Carlos City in December 2002. (MNS)

Kim Molina is learning how to play the cello MANILA (Mabuhay) — Singer-actress Kim Molina took to Instagram to share her latest pastime — learning how to play the cello.

Molina said that with the support of her friends and her boyfriend, actor Jerald Napoles, she is trying to learn new things.

"I've always had a huge fascination with this beautiful instrument but never had the chance to learn and fully embrace it. Being surrounded by wonderful talented friends and a supportive boyfriend, I am finally doing it! I may not be able to play as good as cellists my age with years of experience, I've always been told that it's never too late to push yourself and learn something new," Molina wrote in the caption.

'For now I can't play anything yet. Level 1 how to sit and hold a bow pa lang and next is how to play 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.' Hopefully I'll get to look back on this post in the future and be proud that I finally jumped in to a dream I've always wanted to do for myself. Wala lang.

Sharing this happy moment to every one," she added.

When she recently celebrated her 29th birthday, Molina received a sweet message fromher long-time boyfriend, Jerald Napoles.

"I fell in love with my best friend," Napoles wrote in the caption, telling Molina that he loves her.

Molina and Napoles were friends before they became a couple. Their relationship started during the musical KIM MOLINA "Rak of Aegis." (MNS)

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US LAWMAKERS... from Page 1

Mom decries how militant group stole her son's dream

the Philippine ambassador to the US to raise their concerns about the new law.

For adver tising, call (818) 552-4503 • email: adver tising@balita.com Schakowsky noted that the anti-terrorism law can also be used against protesters calling out the abuses in the government, the delay of COVID-19 CAREGIVERS CAREGIVERS CAREGIVERS CAREGIVERS CAREGIVERS aid, or any other grievance.

“The President has shown he is intolerant of RN CAREGIVER CAREGIVER NEEDED MALE CAREGIVER LIVE-IN CAREGIVER CAREGIVERS any and all dissent,” she said. rances Ern Marivegoing at school.

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Call 818-982-6518. increased attacks human rights defenders and pays. college Locatedatatthe Anaheim CA area.pening in school. He was Polytechnic critics of the Duterte government under a climate 310-480-9716 Paul.

University of the Philip- excited that he was acceptof impunity,” she added. pines in Sta. Mesa, Manila ed in The Catalyst (campus Schakowsky also cited reports of human rights in 2016, where he took po- paper), and he was made violations, killings, and arbitrary detention that litical economy. representative of 1st year resulted from the administration’s heavy handed In a phone interview students,” Therese said.

Monday, his mother, TherShe said she remembers focus on ‘national security threat’ and war on ese Fuentes, said he was not seeing Frances bringing drugs. able to finish even his first home some leaf lets and California’s Representative Judy Chu, also the semester in college after he banner of Anakbayan, and chairperson of Congressional Asian Pacific AmerDREAM SHATTERED. Therese Fuentes’ son, Frances Ern (middle) was recruited by militant that she did not give it much in one of the rallies organized by militant group Anakbayan.

Fuentes ican Caucus, said the law was created to target • Boulevard Apparel is in need of Office youth group Anakbayan thought during that time. the group to return Frances and stop the recruitment of young advocates of labor, and indigenous and would eventually join When she discovered that urged Personnel knowledge on ecommerce FULLcommunities.

TIME 6 DAYS A human WEEK rights, IN WEST HILLS (Photo with courtesy of Mrs. Therese Fuentes) rallies and protest actions. Frances was no longer at- people. (i.e, Amazon, Overstock, Ebay).

PART TIME ALSO AVAILABLE Three months after, she tending his classes despite “The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is a threat to Knows how tothe construct She was also one who marketing their family.

Elderly Filipino SuninValley, CA that he •alive. said her son becameCouple a full- inbeing school and NIGHT SHIFT NEEDED democracy and human rights in the Philippines. me that my son is in the time member of thecompanion/caregiver group would fail to come home of- told campaigns.

Seeking female Despite the title, this legislationHILLS is not about ter(NEAR CANOGA PARK AND WOODLAND AREA!) I was surprised how 'Hands Off are Our Children' and abandoned school and ten, she went to PUP. •Visayas.

Quickbooks and photoshop skills a plus. rorism. It’s about silencing dissent,” Chu said.

Preferably in home, 3-5 Days/Week far my son is”.

Just this month, Therese even his own family.

“I went to PUP that time, “The true targets of this law are advocates of Whenever Frances wishes to said Danday told her that she Thereseleave remembered her I was crying.

I reported to Eugene Kaplan Tel.# Please your contact info at: human rights, the environment, workers, the income home, Therese said she does not know where Frances son very well – he was just them that my son is not sales@blvapparel.com (818) 773-0869 digenous communities,” added. would send him money for his is and that he is not with them. (PLEASE 16 then, full of hope, and attending his classes and Email: CALL BETWEEN she 9 AM. AND 5 PM. But Therese said she does During the press conference, former Philippine has always been a source of that he joined Anakbayan fare.

Most of the time, he will not believe what Danday said. pride in the family for being in school, but they only told legislator Neri Colmenares welcomed the support Therese said she recently an achiever. me to just let my son attend arrive in the morning and by from the US lawmakers and noted that it will ‘save EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE early afternoon, he’s all set to learnedASSISTANT about and contact“He was an intelligent rallies," she said. lives’ in the Philippines. ed the Assistant group “Hands kid, an achiever. He had big “During that time, I could leave.

WTD is seeking for an Administrative that off our “We are very glad that our colleagues in the US Frances never slept with Children,” a group of parents dreams. He graduated from not think clearly, I was alis driven, enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to Congress—and our hope, even in the Senate— high school and enrolled in ways crying. I brought with them whenever he would come whose children were reporteddo multi-tasking of various administrative tasks, to militant would support such an act because it matters to ly recruited by various PUP in 2016. He enrolled in me my youngest child who home. support of the Executive Toprovide make the mostfor outthe of activities it, organizations. a lot of Filipino people,” Colmenares said. political economy because newas DD years old for three ededonly rs then ive reg Ca le Management Team • Must have pleasant attitude and isTherese Ma Therese would always cook his With their support, & le he wanted to be a lawyer, and we went to Manila ma “Thank you for all the solidarity support you've Fe • . son’s favorite dishes and tries said she had the courage to fiCA , a team player • Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook, from Cavite," she added. but he didn’t get to finish eim ah An given us. We need it in this times when a dictatorin s itie cil Fa asWord muchand as possible make nally software break her• silence even the first semester in & potential Bonuses.

Excel andtoother computer Office and tell fits ne ship is looming in the Philippines with President be ve lea k fers sic • Of him feel thatinhe loved. California, heroffice story.hours is from college.

We never thought Reaching Medical is located LaisMirada, #.out SS th Wi c Duterte at the helm,” he added. eti erg en & g The last time Frances went 08:00-17:30 Therese always wanted be stron thatstentering school to build Frances, she said, should • Mu Monday to Friday Duterte signed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or home was in January this year. to tell her son that she loves le. hisck dream would only dehave graduated from colab ground Desir Ba Republic Act 11479 on July 3 amid objections Please email your resume to Camille time she him so much and vowed to do stroy that dream,” she said now.

17But his family She said the last 357-by56 (714) lege camille@wtdus.com from various groups, including local human rights and hug his everything in her capacity to doesn’t even know where he was able to kiss at in Filipino.Please call Narrating her ordeal, is and how he is right now. son was in February when he help him. organizations, United Nations human rights body, "I love him so much. Please In the last four years, paid her a visit at work.

Therese said she almost and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

During that time, Therese come home, you have a family broke down because of Therese could only count At least five petitions have been filed before the waiting for you. Don’t believe worrying for her eldest son, the times his son came told Frances to go home.

Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality “I told him that I want him to their lies, just trust me," she said.

Frances. home and visited them. of the Anti-Terror Act. She also urged Anakbayan Therese said she even acShe said her only way change and reminded him how Critics have warned against the up-to 24-day companied Frances when of getting news about him I love him, that he has a family, to return Frances Ern and warrantless detention period for suspected terhe enrolled in PUP, and or send him messages was to not to do anything bad and stop the recruitment of young rorists, and the alleged authority of the Anti-Tercould vividly remember through a certain Alex that I am here for him. He just people.

"Stop recruiting the youth. his excitement at that time. Danday, whom she said nodded but we didn’t have any rorism Council to authorize in writing the arrest Please call You have destroyed many famEvery day, Frances would recruited Frances to join clear discussion," she said. of terrorism suspects.

Because Therese does not ilies and the future of our chiltravel from General Trias Anakbayan.

The measure states that any person found guilty in Cavite to get to school in Therese said she would know who to approach to ask dren. I hope you will underby the court of planning, training, preparing and send a message to Danday help to get his son back, she stand the pain that you have Sta. Mesa, Manila. for inquiries or email resume at facilitating the commission of terrorism will be caused us.

Give back Frances feels that her son’s last four He wouldn’t mind the dis- to ask about Frances, and hrqagandres2@gmail.com penalized with life imprisonment without the tance and travel time and that she would be told: “She years with Anakbayan were to us, and all the youths that benefit of parole. The same penalty will be imwould go home every day would tell me that my son wasted years, and that the you have recruited," she said.

(PNA) and share with her things is doing fine, that he is still group has taken so much from posed on a person found guilty of conspiracy to commit terrorism.

Under the measure, any person who will threaten to commit terrorism will be imprisoned for PALACE... from Page 1 12 years.

The same jail term will be imposed on those who 88 percent healthy,” he told Roque. decision speaks for itself,” he said in for lack of merit.

Responding to the letter, Roque a statement sent to Palace reporters.

The high court also noted that will propose any terroristic act or incite others to said the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling Roque was referring to the SC’s de- Duterte’s regular public appearanc- commit terrorism.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who authored the bill against de Leon’s petition seeking the cision to reject de Leon’s plea to gain es amid the coronavirus disease 2019 release of Duterte’s medical records access to Duterte’s health records. pandemic belie de Leon’s “insinuation at the Senate, earlier expressed confidence that merely proves that there is no need to De Leon’s petition was denied by the that the President is suffering from the law could withstand scrutiny.

He said the Anti-Terror Law has enough safeprove that Duterte’s health remains in high court in May. However, the SC serious illness.” good condition. released its resolution on the lawyer’s Roque said de Leon should accept guards and he will be "eagled-eyed and vigilant" “Atty. Dino de Leon already lost his plea just on Wednesday. his defeat and respect the SC ruling. in guarding against abuses.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, for his part, case in the Supreme Court where he In its five-page resolution dated May “He (de Leon) should accept his said he believes the SC will not be intimidated asked the tribunal to compel Pres- 8, the SC explained it had to junk de legal defeat graciously and heed the ident Rodrigo Roa Duterte to pub- Leon’s request to divulge Duterte’s High Court’s ruling,” he said. (MNS) by the number of petitions filed against the law.

(MNS) licly disclose his health records. The medical results and health bulletins

F

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COVID-19 also presented unanticipat- Nearly 9 out of 10 property owners will ed obstacles to produce this year’s 2020 see only the modest 2 percent adjustment Roll, especially with the closure ofweekendbalita.com County prescribed by Proposition 13. facilities to the public as well as the need Among the benchmarks set by the 2020 to telework because of “Safer-At-Home” Roll is the total amount of $654 million protocols. in tax savings for seniors, veterans and “On any given day, we had 85 to 95 per- charitable organizations. cent of our workforce teleworking.” Prang The 2020 Assessment Roll comprises said.

2.58 million real estate parcels and busi“The 1,400 employees here in the As- ness assessments, including 1,882,121 sessor’s Office delivered a fair, accurate single-family homes, 250,089 apartand timely Assessment Roll, while still ment complexes, 247,562 commercial providing excellent public service, despite and industrial properties and more than significant impediments.”

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(A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks) - God bless - OMEL

Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to We are looking for encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ABA PRAYERS

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India, Canada eye vaccine trials collaboration with PH MANILA – India and Canada have expressed interest to collaborate with the Philippines in their vaccine trials, an official from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) over the weekend, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development executive director Jaime Montoya said the two countries sent separate proposals, coming from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and from Bharat Biotech in India that are developing the vaccines for use in the trials.

"As of now, we are talking about the clinical trial phase 3. India is heading to that phase, while Canada is about to start the phase 1," he said.

Montoya said both countries are possible partners of the Philippines.

"We do not know yet which (of the two vaccines) would be effective, that is why the clinical trial phase 3 has to be done. If the result is good, it would gain fast registration to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) because of the patients' experience and data from the clinical trial where we would participate," he said.

He said India would start the clinical trial phase 3 in September, while Canada may likely start the phase 1 in the first quarter of 2021. Clinical trials would be done in the Philippines once approved and permitted by the FDA of all countries concerned.

"It is required to have the FDA approval of source countries (Canada or India), and (the Philippines' FDA) to conduct the clinical trials here," Montoya said.

The vaccines, he added, should be tested in areas where there are many cases like the Philippines.

“The vaccine has to show that it will be able to prevent cases and protect the people," he added.

In a message to the PNA, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the two countries' interest to collaborate would provide the Philippines with more options of vaccines that can be made available in the country.

"The clinical trials will still determine which of them will be truly effective and protective," dela Peña said. (PNA)

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Over 1K cops with Covid-19 asymptomatic — PNP MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said a majority of cops who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are asymptomatic.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said as of Thursday, they have recorded 1,162 cops who have not experienced any Covid-19 symptoms although they tested positive of the disease.

Banac also said the PNP has recorded 336 cops who have been experiencing mild symptoms of Covid-19 and six cops have severe symptoms.

“Aside from confirmed cases, isinama sa bilang yung nasa ilang probable and suspect cases pero wala pang results or scheduled to undergo pa lang ng (we also included in the count some probable and suspect cases but it is either they are still awaiting test results or are scheduled to undergo) test,” Banac said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

The Department of Health (DOH), in compliance with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), has listed fever, dry cough, and tiredness as the most common symptoms of Covid-19.

The WHO also identified aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, and rash on the skin,

or discoloration of fingers or toes as less common symptoms. It also listed difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech or movement as serious symptoms of Covid-19.

As of July 16, the Covid-19 cases in the PNP have reached 1,335 with 37 new infections.

The PNP Health Service said a total of 565 personnel have recovered from the disease while the death toll remains at nine. It is also monitoring 640 probable cases and 1,391 suspected cases.

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the infected cops came from those who are manning quarantine

checkpoints.

If a police officer tests positive for Covid-19, he/she will observe a 14day quarantine and undergo another test. Once cleared, they have to rest for seven to 10 more days before going back to duty.

At present, the PNP is operating and managing seven quarantine and testing facilities as part of a supportive healthcare system for police front-liners in response to the health crisis.

Gamboa said these quarantine facilities and testing centers are duly accredited and approved by the DOH and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. (MNS)

AFP med units can care for Covid-19 patients — Lorenzana MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can activate field hospitals and deploy medical units to augment public and private hospitals treating people infected with the coronavirus virus disease (Covid-19) should the need arises.

"We can but we may need additional personnel. Our hospitals are also now treating Covid-19 patients and we have also fielded two teams to Cebu," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a message Thursday night when asked if the military can lend a hand should the number of Covid-19 patients continue to rise.

Last June 28, the AFP deployed a military medical team composed of nine doctors, 10 nurses, and 13 medical aides in Cebu to help in ongoing efforts to contain the spike of Covid-19 cases in the city.

Should the situation call for it, then Lorenzana said the AFP can respond to the situation immediately.

"Yes, we can," he added.

The AFP has already deployed 405 medical personnel

in various emergency quarantine facilities nationwide, including the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, World Trade C enter, a nd Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Metro Manila.

Over 1,500 doctors, nurses, and military medical auxiliary are also deployed in military treatment facilities in the country. (MNS)

DEFENSE SECRETARY DELFIN LORENZANA

Duterte eyes purchase of high-flow nasal cannula for COVID-19 patients — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to look for funds that will be

used to purchase high-flow nasal cannula devices to aid oxygen-deprived COVID-19

patients, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte made the commitment during a meeting with experts, which included professors from the University of the Philippines, on Wednesday.

“Tinanong niya, ano na ba talaga ang mga available na mga gamot. So nag-isa-isa po iyong mga kini-clinical trial; mayroon siyang sinabi na pupuwede ba iyong ginagamit sa mga hikain eh gamitin natin – ang sagot hindi po, wala pong datos na nagpapakita na nakakatulong iyan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

“A ng lu maba s po, a ng pinakamabuti ay iyong…high flow nasal cannula, iyan pala po ang pinaka-mas mabuti at

hindi ang ventilators kaya nga lang po, ito po’y manufactured in New Zealand at konti lang ang supply. So ang sabi niya, ‘Well hahanap tayo ng pera, bumili tayo ng pinakamaraming kaya nating bilhin na high flow nasal cannula.’”

Roque also said Duterte asked the experts whether the Philippines could further open up its economy despite the rising number of infections.

The experts replied that it could be done provided there is effective implementation of localized lockdowns and scaled-up testing, tracing, isolation and treatment.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said on Wednesday that the government has so far released P374.89 billion

to finance efforts against the pandemic, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development receiving the largest share in the amount of P200.98 billion for the Social Amelioration Program.

The Philippine government is aiming to raise around P436 billion or roughly $8.72 billion in loans from foreign sources for COVID-19 response and economic recovery efforts.

So far, the government has raised a total of $7.761 billion in loans and grants from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Agence Francaise de Developpement as well as the issuance of global bonds.

(MNS)

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DOH says HIV drugs supply stable MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has assured the community of people living with HIV (PLHIV) that it has a stable supply of life-saving HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) drugs, amidst the “risk of running out” in other countries, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“With the drastic increase of the number of Filipinos getting infected with HIV over the past 10 years comes the continuous increase in budget allocation for procurement of HIV drugs,” DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

Currently, there are 77,882 cumulative cases of HIV that reported as of April 2020, and 45,444 of whom are already on life-long treatment. These free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are available in 160 government and private treatment facilities situated around the country.

The DOH also stressed that most of the much-needed HIV drugs are sufficient until the end of the year, with additional buffer stocks.

There is likewise an ongoing procurement of these drugs that ensures supply for future use. Further, the 2021 procurement plan is being reviewed to consider increasing buffer stocks and higher cost due to issues related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Thus, we call on HIV advocates, concerned individuals, groups, and organizations to help us disseminate this relevant information on the steady supply of HIV drugs to allay the fears and anxiety of our PLHIV,” the DOH chief said, noting that the Department shall be closely monitoring the global situation and exhaust all possible means to maintain stable supply of HIV drugs, including close coordination with international partners.

On this note, the DOH encourages all PLHIV to closely communicate with their Health Care Providers in their HIV treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities for their supply of HIV drugs, and adhere to their treatment regimen.

“Let me reiterate that we are taking HIV’s threat seriously and ensuring steady supply of HIV drugs is one key measure to stop this virus in its tracks,” Duque affirmed. (PR)

PASIG CITY MAYOR VICO SOTTO MANILA (Mabuhay) — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said Thursday winning the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) requires team effort among the national government, local government units (LGUs) and the private sector.

"Wala pong playbook. Hindi po naranasan ito ng mayors before us (There is no playbook. The mayors before us didn't experience it)...(so) we are figuring things out as we go.

But thankfully we have the national government, the private sector that is also helping the LGUs. Team effort po talaga ang kailangang gawin (team effort is what we need to do)," Sotto said in a virtual briefing in Malacañang.

Sotto, however, noted that there is a framework in place to help the government contain the spread of Covid-19.

"We may not have a very accurate playbook because it did not happen before, but... more or less we already have a framework and we already know what to do which include test, trace and isolate," Sotto said, citing some health and socio-economic efforts of the Pasig City government in containing the spread of the virus.

In the city, Sotto said they have been implementing "triaging effort" wherein persons who called the city's Covid-19 hotline or infected persons who go to the health centers and hospitals, are immediately brought to the government quarantine facilities, to ensure that they will not infect others in their community.

Sotto said the local government is

strengthening its triaging efforts for its residents.

Pasig's quarantine houses in Dahlia Hotel are dedicated to probable and suspected Covid-19 cases, Sotto said, while the city's centralized quarantine facility in Rizal High School is dedicated to those with mild symptoms and asymptomatic patients.

Those severe and critical patients are confined to Pasig's referral center for Covid-19, he said.

Sotto said the establishment of the Pasig's referral facility allows the local government to increase the city's healthcare capacity to take in Covid-19 patients.

"So far we have 135 beds including the converted hallways that...we have beds there now wherein 86 are occupied and 49 beds remain vacant," he said. "This is one of the best decisions we made in Pasig, it allows us to treat more Covid-19 patients, it allowed us to reduce the risks of contamination to non-Covid patients, and importantly, it allowed us to maintain the services of our general hospital. Overall it allows us to use our resources more efficiently."

'Oplan Kalinga' On the other hand, Sotto said the Oplan Kalinga will be smoothly implemented in the city and assured the public that no one will be arrested under the program.

"Huwag po silang mag-alala, in close cooperation with the national government, ipapatupad po ito ng Pasig (they should not worry about

Weekend

it, Pasig will implement this in close cooperation with the national government) ... we try to make our centralized quarantine as lively, as comfortable for our patients. Hindi po ito parang ikukulong ang mga pasyente natin (this is not like prisoning the patients)," he said.

"In fact, this is for their [patients] own benefit. I hope everyone will cooperate. Rest assured, this is for the benefit not only of the patients but also the [whole] community in general," he added.

Sotto reminded the public of their responsibilities and contributions to the responses on coronavirus crisis.

"We need to do our part. Wear masks, do proper hand washing, and social distancing. I am sure that we will be able to surpass the Covid-19," he said.

Referral facility Meanwhile, Sotto said the city’s referral facility for Covid-19 patients is nearing its full capacity, citing similar issues and concerns with other hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In a Facebook post, Sotto shared an internal document showing the total bed capacity of the city’s Covid-19 referral center at the Pasig City Children's Hospital (PCCH).

"While the establishment of our Covid-19 referral Center has increased our local healthcare system's capacity, we are also nearing our limits," he said.

The document stated that only 49 beds remain vacant out of the total 135 beds dedicated to coronavirus patients.

"The Covid-19 referral center refers to a hospital that is purely dedicated to Covid-19 concerns. We have one in PCCH. We are actually one of the few LGUs that can do this," he said.

"Overall, I have to admit that the numbers are not that comforting. Social distancing, handwashing, etc. are more important than ever. But in cooperation with the national government and the private sector, we will keep working hard to make things better," said Sotto, citing a total of 405 active cases in Pasig as of July 15.

Pasig's latest data recorded a total of 1,144 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 646 recoveries and 93 deaths.

(MNS)

DOH urges random rapid tests for workers every 2 weeks MANILA (Mabuhay) — The health department urges businesses to screen their workers randomly for the novel coronavirus through rapid tests every 2 weeks, an official said Thursday, as the country continued to restart the economy with relaxed lockdowns.

Rapid tests detect the presence of antibodies, which only emerge between the fifth and seventh day of illness, said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

The test is not recommended for mass screening and should instead be used on a random sample of workers, she said.

"Para lang po makikita ninyo, mamo-monitor n'yo po iyong trend— kung nagkakaroon talaga ng kaso within your company," she said.

The health department also does not recommend "indiscriminate" nasal swab tests, which experts said were more accurate than rapid tests, Vergeire said.

"Testing is a point-in-time event, meaning if you get tested today, tomorrow if you go out for work, you'll get exposed and then maybe you'll get the disease again... Kaya nga po ayaw natin ng indiscriminate ang testing.

Let's go for those high-risk individuals," said the official.

The Philippines has 85 testing laboratories. The government has expanded the testing priority to cover not just those who have other health conditions that make them vulnerable to disease, but essential workers like health workers frontliners, public utility drivers, waiters, teachers, and bank personnel, said Vergeire.

The health department as of Wednesday confirmed 58,850 coronavirus infections, of which 36,260 are active cases. (MNS)

20

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