Weekend Balita- July 4, 2020

LOS ANGELES EDITION

VOL. XXIX NO. 27

July 4 - 10, 2020

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

DUTERTE SIGNS ANTI-TERROR BILL INTO LAW TOP STORIES

Global News Palace confident lawmakers will consider ABS-CBN workforce in franchise decision 8  No decision yet whether to allow entry of more foreigners — Palace 8  Pangilinan mulls questioning anti-terror law before SC 9  Critical care utilization in Central Visayas private hospitals reaches ‘warning zone’ — DOH exec 9  Philippines warns China of ‘severest response’ if exercises reach PHL seas 10  Coast Guard to file charges vs. HK vessel in Mindoro sea collision 11  Customs seized P244-M smuggled PPEs, medical supplies from March to May — DOF 12  Suicide bombers escaped after cops killed soldiers in Jolo - Army 12  No hit-and-run on PH fishing vessel, HK cargo ship crash - PCG 11 

Sections BUSINESS. Temporary pay cuts needed to preserve jobs — Chua 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Dingdong Dantes leads new actors group to build stronger nation 14  HEALTH & FAMILY. DOH wants health workers’ benefits to continue sans Bayanihan law 19 

MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that seeks to give the country more teeth to curb terror threats and acts, Malacañang announced on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed in separate text messages that the anti-terror bill is already passed into law.

“Signed the bill into law earlier,” Medialdea said.

The Palace has yet to release a copy of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

This developed a day after Malacañang said the proposed anti-terror act was under final review at Medialdea’s

office.

Duterte earlier certified as urgent the anti-terror bill to toughen up the government’s anti-terrorism policies.

The new law repeals Republic Act 9362 or the Human Security Act of 2007.

It seeks the detention of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days sans a warrant of arrest.

It also allows a 60day surveillance with an allowable 30-day extension that can be conducted by the police or the military against suspected terrorists.

DUTERTE

County leaders urge public to be Safer at Home on 4th of July

Fil-Ams mourn veteran and leader who succumbs to coronavirus

By Abner Galino and Fe Koons

J

ohn Eric Swing, 48, a former US Marine soldier who subsequently turned into a consummate community leader, was a hands down choice when the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) was looking for someone to become its executive director.

Jessica del Mundo, executive secretary of SIPA Board JOHN ERIC SWING of Directors, recalled how everyone in the organization was so happy about the conclusion of the year-long search to fill up the vacancy of the organization’s top staff position.

“Because we all know that he was the right choice,” del Mundo recollected, adding that Swing was the only “from the ranks” candidate that was considered for the said post.

On June 28, Swing died in a hospital in Los Angeles after battling the coronavirus disease for about two weeks.

FIL-AMS

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MEMBERS of the Malaya Movement, a US-based human rights alliance, held a demonstration in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles last June 29.

The activists protested the Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 which they said might “lead to the targeting of the critics of the political administration.

Now that President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday (July 3) signed the said bill into law, the group fears that people could be arrested without warrants and held in detention for weeks without due process.

The law would affect both Filipinos living in the Philippines as well as Filipinos living abroad.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY leaders are urging residents to stay home this 4th of July holiday weekend to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the healthcare system is not overwhelmed. They are asking each resident to do their part to keep the County safe and moving ahead toward recovery.

Rather than going forth on the 4th, residents should celebrate with members of their

own households, avoid large gatherings, and practice the basic rules that keep everyone safer during the pandemic: cloth face coverings, physical distancing of at least six feet from non-household members, frequent and thorough hand-washing, and resisting the urge to touch your face.

With COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations on the rise, the County moved swiftly to modify its Health Officer Orders this week. To prevent gatherings where the virus can spread, all beaches, beach parkCOUNTY LEADERS

2,000 tablets for students of LA County schools LOS ANGELES COUNTY families will have athome access to tablets to use for educational activities, thanks to a donation from Amazon.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Safer at Home order, students across Los Angeles County

have been attending school remotely.

As we move into summer, the need for remote learning continues and the donation of Fire 7 tablets helps ensure families across the County have access to necessary technology.

“It’s a matter of eq2,000 TABLETS

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Buy local, save jobs — DTI chief MANILA (Mabuhay) — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has urged Filipinos to continue supporting local products to save local jobs.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Thursday, Lopez said buying lo-

cally made products will help stimulate demand for Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Only with this support from our fellow Filipinos, we will reopen our economy,” he said.

He said even though BUY LOCAL

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

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Fil-Am assembly candidate signs “#NoCopMoneyCA” pledge

F

ilipino A mer ic a n assembly candidate Godfrey Santos Plata (D-53) has recently announced his pledge to support the #NoCopMoneyCA pledge and called on other candidates and elected officials to sign too.

“The No Cop Money California pledge asks candidates, including incumbents, to refuse contributions or endorsements from police or correctional officer unions, and instead, support the movement for Black lives,” Plata said when announcing his pledge.

“We cannot say Black Lives Matter without actively working against systems that perpetuate racism and anti-Blackness,” he added, “In this case, we must work to dismantle our systems of incarceration and policing.”

Plata joins State Senator Scott Weiner and State Assemblymember Ash Kalra in signing the pledge.

By signing the #NoCopMoneyCA pledge, Plata agreed to these four commitments: • To not accept contributions from police PACs

• To commit to protecting Black lives and communities • To work towards dismantling the prison industrial complex in order to abolish systems that rely on the oppression of black people • To call on other candidates to make this same commitment to justice and putting people over profit If he wins, Plata would bring into the 80-member assembly organizing experience specifically against the school-to-prison pipeline, the systemic set of practices and policies that disproportionately funnel Black, Indigenous, and other students of color from educational systems into prison and detention systems.

These policies often include investing in police presence in schools instead of funding mental health services, counseling, and other social supports.

The Assembly District 53 incumbent, Miguel Santiago has taken at least $123,200 in police PACs since his election in 2014. His record shows that he is a candidate in the pocket of police unions rather than an

advocate for the people.

Plata said, “Police departments were invented — and are protected — to keep a certain social order, to enforce laws created to maintain white supremacy and discourage Black folks from resisting unjust treatment. In order to truly dismantle racism, we must challenge an institution that protects the lives of certain racial and social classes at the expense of the lives of others.”

Plata is a Koreatown renter, Filipino immigrant, educator and organizer running in AD 53, which includes Huntington Park, Boyle Heights, Little Tokyo, Vernon, East Hollywood, Larchmont, MacArthur Park, Pico-Union and most of downtown Los Angeles.

If elected, Plata would be the first assemblymember in the assembly’s 140-year history to be both an immigrant and an out member of the LGBTQ community. He’d also be the first Filipino elected to represent the Greater LA area, despite Filipinos being the largest group of Asian Americans in the state.

Saturday-Friday | July 4 - 10, 2020

2,000 TABLeTS... FroM PAge 1 uity that all of our students have access to technology in order to stay on a level playing field with students able to afford computers, tablets and other technology,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis.

“I am grateful to Amazon for stepping in and ensuring that 2,000 of our students in need are not left behind as they study and learn at home.”

“Thank you to Amazon and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis for the generous donation of tablets for the children of El Monte. Our Saviour Center will begin using these tablets on Monday, July 6 during our Summer Program,” said Jane Fall, executive director of Our Saviour Center.

“Children grades K-8 will easily engage in quality, online educational experiences through our regular supervised learning. Additionally, our youth will participate in virtual trips, virtual fitness classes, virtual nutrition workshops and more.”

Access to on-line resources are critical to families throughout Los Angeles County. The digital divide should not impede access to food or other necessary support services during these very difficult times.

These tablets will improve child development beyond remote learning by also connecting families with mentors and healthcare providers that can offer virtual assessments by viewing body language and sharing coping skills through relationship building.

“As students connect, learn, and grow using technology to ensure their health and safety, I’m immensely thankful Amazon generously donated 500 tablets to our Antelope Valley community as a gift to foster youth and their families,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“Antelope Valley Partners for Health and other local organizations will identify and distribute these valuable resources, which will help families in need and equip youth with tools to succeed.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the challenges that many families in the Antelope Valley already face when connecting to vital supports. Ensuring that our most vulnerable school aged children have a device to access the internet is more than an education issue, it is a child development issue as well,” said Roxana Martinez, from First 5 LA, representing the Antelope Valley Resource Infusion, a collaborative working to increase resources in the area.

“Students are now engaging virtually not only to attend classes, but to access life-skills workshops, connect their family to critical resources, and communicate with adult supports and mentors. These tablets will allow for virtual interaction that can help deepen connections in the absence of in-person interaction and help them to develop the life skills necessary to thrive in this world.”

“We are humbled by the work Los Angeles County is doing to help community members during these challenging times and we are glad to support their efforts by donating Fire 7 tablets,” said Marc Whitten, vice president Amazon Entertainment Devices and Services.

“We are hopeful these devices can help students and families continue learning and ensure they are able to stay connected to community support services.”

The 2,000 tablets will be distributed as follows: • Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH will manage the distribution of tablets across the Antelope Valley in coordination with the local Departments of Children and Family Services) • Bassett Parent Center (Bassett Unified School District) • Bell Gardens Neighborhood Youth Center • Boyle Heights Beat • Casa Cultural Saybrook • East Los Angeles Community Youth Center • ELAC (South Gate Satellite Campus) • La Causa YouthBuild • Los Angeles Conservation Corps • Los Angeles County Office of Education • Our Saviour Center • Pomona Economic Opportunity Center • Project Caring & Sharing • Prototypes • Spiritt Family Services • SBCC Thrive • The Whole Child The organizations will distribute the tablets to families participating in their programs.

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Conversation with Children’s Advocate Mayra Alvarez

Kids Could Go Hungry If There’s A Census Undercount School lunch programs – an essential lifeline during the pandemic — are going broke, and a 2020 Census undercount will damage them even more, says children´s advocate Mayra Alvarez.

By Pilar Marrero Ethnic Media Services

S

chool lunch programs, which fed nearly half of American’s schoolchildren before the Coronavirus, have turned into a lifeline for families hit by unemployment and rising food prices during the pandemic.

Many of those programs are now going broke, and their very existence over the next decade depends on the population numbers being gathered by the U.S. Census in communities that are considered “hard to count,” says Mayra E. Alvarez, President of The Children’s Partnership, a nonprofit which advocates for underserved children.

When asked about the impact of the U.S. Census, which is conducted every ten years and has been delayed and disrupted (but NOT canceled) by the pandemic, Alvarez mentions this program first, although it’s hardly the only one that would be affected if there is a severe undercount of children and low income families.

In the past three months, school lunch

programs have lost at least $1 billion during lockdowns and school closures that eliminated the revenue from families who were able to pay for the meals.

At the same time, costs have outstripped federal reimbursements for the emergency meals. Relief bills passed

by Congress have helped, but the longterm survival of the programs depend on data from the 2020 Census.

For populations concerned with survival, filling out or responding to the 2020 Census may seem a distant priority.

But nothing is more important for vulnerable families than an accurate count, says Alvarez.

For starters, the biggest, most impactful federal and state programs that serve the health and well-being of children and families depend on formulas driven by census data.

The more people that are counted, particularly in those communities that need a variety of programs, the more money is allocated to serve them.

“We can point to Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program),

two fundamental programs for health care, which are partly based on census numbers,” said Alvarez.

“The programs that rely on census data are the ones the majority of people rely one, like Medicaid, food stamps, cash assistance”.

Medicaid, for example, is “part of a formula that distributes money to states, based on population and income; the states put money in and the federal government matches it.”

Experts estimate that the federal government provides between $1,700 and $2,000 for each person counted in the census.

For a minimum wage earner who’s a single mother of two, being counted or not counted in the census “can make a whole world of difference,” Alvarez says.

“If there is no adequate reflection of people like her in the census data, she may not be able to qualify for food stamps or enroll her children in child care because there won’t be enough slots”, Alvarez explains. ”She may also lose out on health coverage for her children, not find space

“Library To Go” will open at 18 of the City’s branches Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has launched the “Library To Go” — that opened 18 Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) branches for curbside pickup and drop off across the city.

“Our libraries are anchors of academic achievement and lifelong learning — and by bringing curbside pickup to these beating hearts of our communities, we will reopen doors of creativity, discovery, and imagination for all of us,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“Learning to live with COVID-19 means finding new ways to reconnect us with critical public resources, and Library To Go will provide Angelenos with access to this civic and cultural treasure.”

With Library To Go, patrons will be able to pick up materials they requested, but were unable to collect when LAPL closed in March due to COVID-19. They will also be able to place new holds using the online catalog and pick up books and other materials at one of 18 branches in neighborhoods across Los Angeles, including: • Arroyo Seco Regional Branch • Central Library • Echo Park Branch • Exposition Park Regional Branch (beginning July 7) • Fairfax Branch (beginning July 7) • Junipero Serra Branch • Los Feliz Branch • Mar Vista Branch • Northridge Branch • Panorama City Branch (beginning July 7) • Pio Pico-Koreatown Branch • San Pedro Regional Branch • Sherman Oaks Branch (beginning July 7) • Silver Lake Branch (beginning July 7) • Studio City Branch • Sylmar Branch • Westwood Branch

• Woodland Hills Branch "We are thrilled to be launching the Library To Go pickup service! We know that Angelenos love their libraries and have missed them," said City Librarian John F. Szabo.

"And while we have remained very much connected online — through extensive virtual programming and our wonderfully diverse e-media collections — there is just something magical about being able to bring home new library books.

We look forward to seeing our patrons again soon!"

Once materials have been reserved online, Angelenos will receive an email or telephone call with instructions on scheduling an appointment for pickup.

When collecting library materials from tables located outside the libraries, patrons will be required to wear masks and wait in a physically-distanced holding area.

All materials will be isolated for 72 hours before being returned to shelves or being reissued, as recommended by public health experts.

Materials checked out before the LAPL closed due to COVID-19 have been extended to September 30. The due date on items checked out through Library To Go will follow the standard borrowing schedules of three weeks for books and audiobooks and one week for DVDs and CDs. In December, Mayor Garcetti announced that LAPL would be ending late fines for all library patrons, which came into effect starting this Spring — making LAPL the largest public library in America to eliminate overdue fines.

With 73 branches of the LAPL closed to the public, staff will be available to answer questions from the public here. For more information about Library To Go Services, please visit lapl.org/Library-To-Go.

in a neighborhood school and have to bus her children to another school.

She might have to go farther away to find a hospital if the child gets sick because the hospital wasn’t built in her community since the population count did not reflect her presence,” she continues.

“This could be a very dire situation if the undercount is severe.”

“It is so much more important to be accurate right now because so many families are struggling,” Alvarez says.

“These programs pretty much impact every aspect of their lives”.

Going back to school lunches, Alvarez says, an undercount of children and families could mean more hunger at a time when it’s unclear how soon will schools be able to go back to some kind of “normality” “If families that have kids that depend on free and reduced lunch are undercounted, there will not be as many resources to make sure they are eating when they go to school”, Alvarez says.

“These are kids that may not be able to eat at home or bring money for lunch”.

FIL-AMS... from Page 1 Del Mundo said the officers and staff of SIPA have stopped working together in an office setting since March 15 as a reaction to the pandemic. All activities and communications of SIPA are being conducted through phone or online since then.

As SIPA is among the organizations in Los Angeles actively educating the community on how to confront the pandemic, many people are puzzled how Swing contracted the deadly virus.

In a related development, the Coalition of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce (COFACC) also mourned the loss of one of “its brightest young leaders.”

Swing was one of COFACC’s directors.

Neil Estrada, of the leaders of COFACC, described Swing, not only as a committed and talented community leader, but as well as a “real person with a big heart.”

“He would always greet you with a smile. And when he talks to you, he wouldn’t just go through the formalities, he would always bring up meaningful conversations,” Estrada recalled.

Swing, who was better known in the community as John, was also COFACC’s executive trainer.

“John helped COFACC develop tools and strategies to become a better organization,” Estrada added.

Estrada recalled that he and his colleagues participated in successions of online Novena prayers for Swing.

“We started the Novena when we learned that he got sick, and then when he was in critical condition and when we learned that he has died,” Estrada recalled.

In April, Swing participated in a food delivery project for seniors and minority families in the Historic Filipinotown (HiFi) in Los Angeles, an endeavor that was mainly supported by the Office of California State Senator Ling Ling Chang.

Ron Fong, executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, also expressed sadness over the passing of Swing.

“We are devastated by the passing of our colleague, John Swing. He

cared deeply for his extended family --- SIPA, the HiFi neighborhood and the many entrepreneurs that he had worked with.”

Karen Bromley, a sister of Swing, has sent out an invitation for her brother’s memorial on Tuesday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. (PST).

“As a family, we want to let you know that your support, prayers and love have given us strength. Kuya’s (Swing) spirit is so big and warm.

I know he continue to live in each and every one of us. Kuya threads people together because he knew and taught us how it is to connect. I ask you to honor him by continuing his life’s mission of building our community,” Karen said.

SIPA has posted the following on its website: “Swing had worked at SIPA since 2015, leading the organization’s small business counseling services and programming. He most recently managed SIPA’s entrepreneurship program and multiple volunteer service projects.”

The Board of Directors issued the following statement: “The entire board and staff of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans mourn the loss of our beloved leader, colleague and friend John Swing. John is known throughout the community for his dedicated, compassionate service in Historic Filipinotown, and we are proud of his latest achievement in being appointed our executive director. John was an extraordinarily kind and selfless human being, and we will carry on his legacy of community service and empowerment.

We respectfully extend our deepest sympathies to John’s family, particularly his wife and children.”

Swing left behind his wife Ellen Rodriguez-Swing, their children are Zachary, Joshua, Chloe and Mackenzie. He also had stepchildren are Nico and Sasa.

Swing was also one of the directors of the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC). He was also an officer of Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI) and the Asian Pacific Health Foundation.

Swing’s father and a younger brother are both US Armed Forces veterans.

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Learning how Poet Francis Scott Key, wrote the lyrics of the "Star-Spangled Banner"

O

n a recent Public TV program from the Maryland Public TV Access, it featured 35 - year old, poet and lawyer, Francis Scott Key, (born on August 1, 1779), in Frederick County, Maryland, who wrote the lyrics of the "Star-Spangled Banner,."

He was inspired to write the poem on September 14, 1814, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor, during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.

The national motto became "In God We Trust" which was derived from a line in "The Star Spangled Banner."

"Key was also inspired by the U.S. flag with its 15 stars and 15 stripes, that's why he gave it the name "Star Spangled Banner," flying triumphantly above the fort during the U.S. victory.

Following the War of 1812, and subsequent U.S. wars, other songs also emerged to compete for popularity at other events and among them was "America The Beautiful," which in itself was being considered before 1931 to be the national anthem of the United States.

The poem was reported to have been intertwined with a popular song written

by John Stafford Smith, for the Greek Anacreontic Society, a men's social club in London entitled "To Anacreon in Heaven," (or the Anacreontic Song), with various lyrics which was already popular in the United States. This particular song was then renamed "The Star Spangled Banner," which soon became a well-known U.S, patriotic song, that had a range of 19 semitones and was known for being difficult to sing and though the poem actually has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sang today. Other patriotic songs such as "My Country "Tis of Thee," whose melody is identical with "God Save The Queen," was the national anthem of United Kingdom, which also became popular.

Key was a lawyer in Maryland and Washington, D.C., for four decades, becoming well-known for working on important cases, including the Burr conspiracy, where he argued numerous times with the Supreme Court, thus be-

ing nominated for District Attorney for the District of Columbia by President Andrew Jackson, where he served from 1833 to 1841, He was a devout Episcopalian.

He owned slaves from 1800, during which time abolitionists ridiculed his speeches, including his claim that

ing the War of 1812, after witnessing the Second Corps of the Colonial Marines - a British military corps composed of fugitive slaves from the U.S. who were fighting against American soldiers. This was when he was quoted saying that "blacks were a distinct and inferior race of people whose experience proves to be the greatest evil that afflicts a community," according to a non-fiction historical account in "Snow Storm In August," (Knopf Doubleday, 2013) by Jefferson Morley.

As a family background, Key's father, John Ross Key was a lawyer, a commissioned officer of the Continental Army and a judge. His mother, Ann Phoebe Dagworthy Charlton was born February 6, 1756 to Eleanor Harrison of Frederick and Arthur Charlton, a tavern keeper in the colony of Maryland. He grew up in the family plantation called Terra Rubbra in Frederick County, Maryland (now Carroll County). He graduated from St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland in 1796 and apprenticed law under his uncle, Philip Barton Key, who was loyal to the British Crown during the War of Independence. He married Mary Tayloe "Polly" Lloyd on January 1, 1802. She was the daughter of Colonel Edward Lloyd IV and Elizabeth Tayloe. And, according to the re-enactment segment on PBS, his wife revealed that their children's names were: Philip Barton Key II, Elizabeth Phoebe Key, Elizabeth Howard and Philip Barton Key. She died at the age of 74 on May 18, 1859.

In 1889, "The Star Spangled Banner." was recognized for official use by the United States Navy and by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, It was eventually declared as a national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931 (46 Stat.

1508 codified at 36 U.S.C. 301) which was signed by Francis Scott Key and his wife, Mary Tayloe “Polly” Lloyd Key President Herbert Hoover.

Before 1931, other patriotic songs served as the America was more like "the Land of the hymns of officialdom, such as: "Hail; Columbia," serving at official functions for free and the Home of the Oppressed." most of the 19th century.

As District Attorney, he suppressed Finally, on January 11, 1843, Key died of pleurisy at the age of 63, in the home of abolitionists and did not support an his daughter, Elizabeth Howard in Baltimore, Maryland, He was initially interred immediate end to slavery. He became at the vault of John Eagle Howard in Old Saint Paul's Church but in 1866, his body a leader of the American Colonization was finally moved and buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland."

Society which sent free slaves to Africa.

For the benefit of those who wish to learn the patriotic and meaningful lyrics in He freed some of his slaves in the 1830's the complete version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," below is the complete lyrics paying one of his slaves as farm fore- from Francis Scott Key's manuscript, in the Maryland Historical Society's collection: man, He publicly criticized slavery and gave free legal representation to some "O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, slaves seeking freedom and he also repWhat so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming. resented owners of runaway slaves. He Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight has publicly criticized slavery's cruelties O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? and in a newspaper editorial, he stated And the rocket's red glare the bomb bursting in air, that he often volunteered to defend the Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, downtrodden sons and daughters of AfO say does that star spangled banner yet wave rica. The editor further said that Key O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? convinced him that slavery was wrong - radically ‘WRONG.' However, inspite On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep of his anti-slavery position, he expressed Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, white supremacist points of view, durWhat is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep.

And it fitfully blows half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 'Tis the star -spangled banner - O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country, should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd as a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And thus be our motto "in God is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

“The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics will forever remain Francis Scott Key's legacy for all of us to sing in joyful celebration, especially during holidays. Wishing you all a safe and HAPPY JULY 4th holiday celebration!!!

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“SAN MATEO – CALIFORNIA’S #1 CENSUS SUCCESS STORY”

By Pilar Marrero Ethnic Media Services

S

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The county’s lack of affordable housing means many addresses are not known to the Census Bureau because they are tied to “nontraditional” housing units, such as converted garages and recreational vehicles.

In other cases, people living in rural areas would not get the letters or questionnaires because the bureau will not deliver them to post office boxes, which most rural residents rely on.

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

That county project was able to add 2,000 addresses to the census master fi les. Using a conservative two persons per household, those additions would have

Updates to 2020 Census Operations

T

he U.S. Census Bureau continues to monitor the impacts COVID-19 has on 2020 Census operations and follow guidance of federal, state and local health authorities to ensure the safety our staff and the public. The Census Bureau is ready to announce resumption of other operations in addition to the Update Leave operation and fi ngerprinting of new hires, which are already underway, in order to conduct a complete and accurate 2020 Census.

As of June 12, over 91 million households have responded to the 2020 Census. People can still respond on their own online, over the phone or by mail — all without having to meet a census taker.

The operational updates outlined below include the Nonresponse Followup operation, partnership events, Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program, and the integrated communications and partnership campaign.

The Census Bureau will begin a soft launch to Nonresponse Followup.

The Census Bureau routinely “soft launches” operations to ensure systems, operations and field plans work as they should. Starting in mid-July, six area census offices (ACOs) (one per census region) will begin the operation of interviewing households that have yet to respond to the 2020 Census. The six ACOs will be announced by the end of June.

Additional ACOs will be announced for a second wave soft launch to occur later in July. Aside from ACOs that are part of the soft launch, all remaining ACOs will begin the Nonresponse Followup on August 11 and conclude no later than October 31.

All census takers will be trained on social distancing protocols. They will be issued PPE and will follow local guidelines for their use.

The Census Bureau’s Community Partnership and Engagement Program (CPEP) has resumed in-person events.

In coordination with local guidance, partnership specialists resumed in-person efforts in early June working with the over 370,000 partner organizations and attending in-person events across the country where it is safe to do so. Over the past few months, CPEP outreach efforts have been largely comprised of virtual engagements to support stay-

at-home orders and social distancing.

The Census Bureau’s Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) program is being modified to reflect the current environment.

We anticipate that MQA staff may be able to resume offering in-person questionnaire response assistance in selected areas based on current health conditions. This program will also add to its portfolio of activities to include direct outreach efforts within the lowest responding neighborhoods throughout the nation. All Census Bureau staff involved in MQA will follow local guidelines with respect to PPE and social distancing.

The Census Bureau will continue its communications campaign through October 2020 — the end of 2020 Census data collection operations.

The Census Bureau has adapted the communications campaign and launched a series of new advertisements aimed at increasing online response to the 2020 Census while much of the nation remains at home practicing social distancing. Additional paid media is planned for July, August and September.

The expanded advertising campaign reaches new audiences in 33 languages, raising the total to 45 non-English languages receiving some level of paid media support. The expanded languages will receive some combination of paid search, print or digital advertisements.

In addition, the Census Bureau expanded the list of media vendors to increase Census Bureau reach of historically undercounted populations through paid advertising on digital, print, television and radio platforms.

The updates to operations outlined above all incorporate the latest federal, state and local guidelines regarding PPE and regulations. For the safety of our staff and the public, the Census Bureau has ordered PPE for all field staff, including those that work in a field office. These materials will be secured and provided to staff as operations begin.

Census Bureau staff will follow local health official guidance when wearing PPE. The Census Bureau will continue to update the public on 2020 Census operations. Visit the 2020 Census operational timeline for further details.

resulted in $4 million per year for the county because population counts are tied to distribution of federal and state resources.

They also are used to create electoral districts that are meant to ensure political representation of all communities.

Undercounts tend to shortchangethat representation.

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

“For example, we received word that Daly City renters were hesitant to take the census due to lack of trust in sharing their information,” explained Melissa Vergara, a census specialist with San Mateo County.

“So we created a targeted door hanger that spoke specifically about confidentiality laws for the census.”

Other areas are receiving “hyper-targeted” messages through social media campaignsand internet ads by zip code, videos and bus shelter billboards.

Also helping was outreach through faith congregations and in different languages, depending on local ethnic composition.

Creativity and flexibility are key components of the strategies local organizations have used. Rita Mancera, executive director of Puente de la Costa Sur in Pescadero, said her community was seriously undercounted in the 2010 census, and “not one platform works by itself” in reaching everyone.

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

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

“We distribute help to about 200 households every Thursday, urging them to use phones to respond to the census,” she explained.

“We hired one person to call about 250 families that had received school supplies from us last year, so we could assist them in answering the census over the phone.

There is also a lot of informal communication going on.”

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

“We leverage the trust they have in us,” said Anita Rees, executive director of Pacifica Resource Center.

“Our organization has been serving the area for 45 years. This is a passionate community, often divided on issues, but the census has become common ground. For us, the message that the census is their voice being heard has worked, and also the community is competitive — they wanted to beat out San Carlos.”

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

More than 30% of the population of the county is Asian. Chinese, Tagalog and Hindi are the most spoken non-English languages, aside from Spanish.

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

“For many in our community, this is a new concept, and they have the misconcep-

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Mortgage Rates Are Headed Higher Bound to Happen THE fates of the economy, the housing market, and interest rates remain closely intertwined with coronavirus. The pandemic is clearly responsible for the record-setting drop in economic activity (including the housing market). Except for thousands of homeowners refinancing to all time low rates.

And it has clearly been the key source of motivation for both stocks and interest rates (which we can follow most objectively via 10yr Treasury yields). The trend however is changing as far as how the rates follow the Treasury yields, in a normal market when the Stocks for up the Treasury goes up with it and therefore will bring the rates higher in theory.

However, different times calls for different measures, whereas when the Stocks are up the Treasury will then retreat and come down, which means the rates will move down depending on how much change in Treasury market. From my many years of following the trend between Treasury Bond and rates, it always happens in unchartered markets.

A US Treasury Note is a debt instrument just like a mortgage.

The 10yr US Treasury yield is a rate of return just like a mortgage rate. Historically, the average 30yr fixed mortgage lasts less than 10 years before the home is sold or the mortgage is refinanced. As such, 10yr Treasury yields should behave similarly to mortgage rates over time as both offer investors a fixed rate of return over a certain period of time.

As the initial panic of March and early April subsided, and people began returning to work, it was perfectly reasonable to expect markets and the economy to begin

bouncing back (i.e. higher stocks and bond yields).

That is what happened in April and May. We've even seen several areas of the economy experience their first corrective bounce, such as New Home Sales (note: this chart of New Home Sales looks nothing like the Existing Home Sales chart above because it constitutes a smaller portion of the market, and pertains exclusively to new construction). The Sales Data is based on a very anemic inventory of homes, which to me is not accurate at all, there are still much more demand than supply which is good for home prices in some area.

But now the market is having second thoughts due to accelerating case counts (and hospitalizations) in several states. Stocks and bond yields have been trending lower since topping out in early June.

The fate of this market correction will be decided by the course of the pandemic--especially the resurgence of cases in the U.S. If more people can return to work without hospitals being overwhelmed, the less resistance there will be for interest rates and stocks to move higher. In fact, it's safe to say that WILL happen. The question is "when?"

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There are other questions too.

Which parts of the market and the economy will bounce back sooner and better? After all, we've already seen a pronounced difference between mortgage rates and the Treasury yields that typically follow the same trajectory.

The gap between the two was much wider in April and May. As the normal relationship slowly returns, mortgage rates will be less capable of defying marching orders from the broader bond market.

In other words, if the market finds a reason for stocks and bond yields to move higher, mortgage rates are increasingly likely to follow.

So will the market find that reason? Again, we already know THAT it will. We just don't know

WHEN it will. That answer depends entirely on coronavirus.

What we DO know is that the bond market's movement is similar to that seen during the financial crisis--something we didn't expect to see again so quickly.

That past example suggests some caution. In early 2009, the economy hadn't even bottomed out yet. Few were expecting to see rates move higher in any sort of threatening way, but that's exactly what they did. This speaks to a certain market psychology that spontaneously finds a limit to how much lower rates can go and for how long.

Mortgage rates wouldn't move higher nearly as fast in this unpleasant scenario, but they would still move higher. To be clear, this is not a prediction. It is a fact.

Rates will move higher. We just don't know when. The point is to be ready to react when that happens. What does readiness look like for you?

Lock your loans now, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group for your refinancing needs, call Ken at 562-508-7048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net.

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DO I HAVE A COMMUNITY PROPERTY INTEREST IN A HOUSE WHICH MY SPOUSE ACQUIRED BEFORE OUR MARRIAGE?

GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under family code section 760. How do you characterize real property purchased prior to marriage but with the mortgage principal paid down using community income or funds during the marriage? The community in this situation acquires a pro tanto interest in the ratio that the payments on the purchase price made with community funds bear to the total payments on the purchase price and any appreciation should be apportioned accordingly. Marriage of Moore (1980) 28 C3d 366, 371, 373, 168 CR 662, 664, 665. Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance. In essence, the real property would accumulate both a separate property and a community property component by the date of separation. The appropriate remedy in this situation where separate property is subsequently paid with community funds is “apportionment.”

The process of apportioning between the separate and community property component is laid out in the Marriage of Marsden.

In that case, the court determined the ratio or percentage in which the mortgage loan principal was reduced during the marriage and applied that percentage to the appreciation of the real property during the marriage. The community property component would then consist of the reduction in the mortgage loan principal during the marriage plus the portion of appreciation during the marriage applying the ratio discussed above.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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LIKE most people, you’ve worked hard and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But in life, at one time or another, all of us get into a situation where debt can be overwhelming. Money problems can easily overlap into other areas of our lives. Many people feel hopeless and

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powerless over their debt problems.

If you are currently in debt, rather than allowing your money problems to affect your life in such a dramatic way, filing for bankruptcy protection may help you get your life back on track.

If you’ve suffered a job loss due to

BARRISTER’S CORNER… FROM PAGE 6 In the Marriage of Marsden, the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage. The original mortgage was $30,000. By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage. Marriage of Madsen (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910.

During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation. The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage ($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%. This percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husband’s separate property.

The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component.

The Marsden apportionment method is also applicable to situations where a community real property is later transmuted into one spouse’s separate property through execution of a quit claim by the other spouse but is subsequently paid using community funds. Marriage of Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, 257 CR 397. In litigation, the community interest in the situations mentioned about is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA. Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property acquired prior to marriage, one has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own property and you are contemplating of getting married. There are several ways of avoiding the creation of a community interest on your separate real property. One, you can sign a prenuptial agreement. Two, the parties can execute a postnuptial agreement if the parties are already married. Three, the parties can execute a transmutation agreement with a waiver of any family code section 2640 reimbursement claim. If your divorce case involves complex issues of asset distribution, it is best to retain the representation of competent counsel.

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.

COVID-19, are facing foreclosure or have bills you can no longer afford to pay, Congress has enacted bankruptcy laws that can help you get your finances in order. I know that the mere thought of bankruptcy makes most people nervous; so, they avoid exploring their options until it’s too late. I find this unfortunate because in a lot of cases, people could have turned their situation around much sooner had they taken the time to find out what their legal rights are.

Some people wait too long to file bankruptcy even when it is their only option. In the process, they use up hard-earned assets like their retirement plan, savings accounts, etc. but in the end. they realize that this was nothing more than a temporary fix to a lingering problem.

Sooner or later, these people realize that they would have been better off filing bankruptcy before losing everything that they had worked so hard for. Don’t let this happen to you!

If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, it is time to face your debt problems with dignity and do what your situation calls for.

I am not saying that bankruptcy is for everyone but after being a bankruptcy attorney for 22 years now and having represented thousands of clients in bankruptcy, what I have seen is that oftentimes, bankruptcy is THE ONLY WAY for most people in debt to get a fresh start when they are in over their heads in debt.

If bankruptcy is the best option for you, you don’t need to keep living paycheck to paycheck while digging a deeper financial hole every single

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month. Yes, bankruptcy may be a scary thing for a lot of people who don’t understand the process but once you’ve taken the time to find out how it works and how it could help you get out of debt, you may realize that it’s actually not as difficult as you first may have thought.

Dealing with financial problems ca n resu lt i n st ress, fea r a nd embarrassment. Maybe you hesitate seeing an attorney for fear that you bankruptcy may not be right for you.

Remember this: With the current economy in turmoil, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy protection, so you are not alone.

The stigma that once surrounded bankruptcy has almost disappeared.

Once you consult with a bankruptcy attorney, you may soon discover that the law is actually on your side and that you just need to let the legal process work for you.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at TollFree 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you. ***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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C A R EGI V ERS work i ng i n Residential Care Facilities provide an important service to elderly and disabled individuals, as well as their families. These caregivers often work up to 24 hours per day, providing necessary care and supervision to ensure the health and safety of each facility resident. However, many facility caregivers are grossly underpaid for the services they provide.

Fortunately, California law protects caregivers who work in licensed Residential Care Facilities from wage theft. Specifically, all facility caregivers are entitled to receive at least minimum wage for every hour they work, including all hours they are required to be present at the facility. The current minimum wage rate in California is $12.00 per hour for employers with 25 employees or less, and $13.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. Additionally, w it h some exceptions, facilit y caregivers are a lso entit led to overtime compensation for a ll hours worked in excess of 8 per day or 40 per week, and double time compensation for all hours worked in excess of 12 per day.

In light of these requirements, facility caregivers who work 24hour shifts must be paid at least $456 per day to comply with California’s minimum wage laws. That includes 8 hours of pay at the minimum wage rate of $12.00/hour ($96), four hours of pay at the overtime rate of $18.00/ hour ($72), and 12 hours of pay at the double time rate of $24/hour ($288).

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FACILITY CAREGIVERS: Are you paid at least $456 a day when working a 24-hour shift?

In lieu of paying overtime and double time wages, many employers pay facility caregivers a fixed salary, regardless of the actual number of hours they work each day. However, paying an employee a daily, weekly or monthly salary does not disqualify that employee from the minimum wage or overtime compensation requirements. In actuality, under California law, payment of a fixed salary to a non-exempt employee only compensates that employee for their regular, non-overtime hours worked. This means that a non-exempt facility caregiver who receives a fixed salary has probably not been compensated for any hours he or she worked in excess of 8 per

day or 40 per week. Furthermore, those uncompensated hours are considered overtime and double time hours, compensable at a rate one-and-one half times or two times the facility caregiver’s regular rate of pay.

If you are a facility caregiver receiving a fixed salary for working 24-hour shifts, you may have a substantial unpaid overtime claim.

For purposes of illustration, below is an example of how wage and hour claims are calculated for facility caregivers under California law: Tony is a facility caregiver. He works 24 hours per day and is not allowed to leave the care facility at any time during his scheduled shifts.

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Tony’s employer also requires him to sleep in the facility at night and the residents frequently wake him asking for assistance. Tony receives a daily salary of $100 each day he works. This makes Tony’s regular rate of pay $12.50 per hour ($100/8 hours per day).

Subject to that calculation, Tony’s overtime rate is $18.75 per hour and his double-time rate is $25 per hour, respectively. Because Tony’s daily salary of $100 does not compensate him for any overtime hours worked, Tony’s employer owes him $375.00 per day in unpaid wages: 4 overtime hours x $18.75 (Tony’s overtime rate), plus 12 double time hours x $25.00 (Tony’s double time rate).

If Tony works 5 days per week, he is owed $1,875 per week, which equals $97,500 each year he works.

If Tony brings a claim against his employer for these unpaid wages, he can seek unpaid wages going back three to four years, along with interest, attorney’s fees and costs, liquidated damages and penalties.

Caregivers work hard to provide support and assistance to our loved ones, and they should be paid in accordance with California law for their invaluable services. If you are a caregiver working in licensed Residential Care Facility and you are not being paid according to California law, we would like to help. Please contact our firm at (818)807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. We love helping caregivers get the overtime compensation that they deserve.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Lauren J. Peterson, 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.

No decision yet whether to allow entry of more foreigners — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government has yet to decide whether to allow the entry of more foreigners amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the matter is still being studied by a technical working group created by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the country’s policy-making body on COVID-19 response.

“Bagama’t bumuo po ng technical working group para tingnan kung talagang mayroong urgency na papasukin, lalung-lalo na iyong mga dayuhan sa Build, Build, Build [program], pero wala pa pong desisyon,” he said in a televised briefing.

“Ang desisyon po ay huwag papasukin muna ang kahit sinong dayuhan.”

The panel’s creation last month was prompted by the appeal of a foreign embassy for the Philippines to ease inbound travel restrictions to allow the entry of foreign workers in flagship infrastructure projects and permanent resident visa holders.

Only Filipinos, their spouse and children, accredited foreign government and international organization officials, as well as foreign airline crew are currently allowed to enter the country.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) said at least 2,739 returning overseas Filipino

workers (OFWs) have tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in the Philippines, as of Wednesday. Of the number, 1,690 cases have recovered and one case already died.

At a press conference, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at least 92,967 repatriates—including sea-based and land-based workers—arrived in the country, as of June 30.

Vergeire said they are still trying to gather data on the total number of returning OFWs who tested negative upon arrival, but tested positive when they returned home to their provinces.

“Pagbalik nila sa areas nila, doon sila nagpa-positive. Ang sabi ko nga, it's a point in time lang ang isang test na kapag ti-nest kita ngayon, maaring bukas, sa makalawa ma-expose ka ulit sa disease,” she said.

“So, tinitignan pa rin natin kung ano ‘yung real cause kung bakit. Why is it they turned negative when they got here, but turned positive when they get back to provinces,” she added.

DOH said most of the emerging first positive cases in some Mindanao areas, previously COVID-free, were actually returning OFWs and locally stranded individuals.

In Northern Mindanao, around one to three new cases were reported in Bukidnon, Lanao Del Norte, and Misamis Occidental, as of June 30.

First batch of positive cases were also recently reported in Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental in Davao Region, as well as South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in Soccsksargen region.

Maguindanao in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also reported first cases.

Vergeire said the government initially required returning OFWs COVID-19 testing, 14-day quarantine, clearance based on test results before going back to provinces.

Due to the observation, Vergeire said local government units may require another COVID-19 testing and quarantine period for their returning residents. (MNS)

Palace confident lawmakers will consider ABS-CBN workforce in franchise decision MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang said Thursday it was confident that lawmakers would consider the welfare of ABS-CBN workers in deciding the fate of the media giant's franchise.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated that the media network has to secure a license to operate even as he recognized that many ABS-CBN workers are at risk of losing their jobs as the coronavirus pandemic persists.

"Tingnan natin kung ano ang maging desisyon ng Kongreso, pero hindi po natin sila pupuwedeng panghimasukan bagama't sigurado po ako na iko-consider din ng mga congressmen at ng mga senador ang kapakanan ng mga mawawalan ng trabaho," he said in a Palace press briefing.

Some 11,000 workers are at risk of losing their jobs as ABS-CBN has yet to secure a fresh 25-year franchise.

ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak earlier said that retrenchment might start next month, with the company losing P30 million to P35 million in daily revenues since the broadcast shutdown in May. "Gaya po ng buong Pilipinas, talagang malungkot po na baka dumating na ang punto na marami ang mawawalan ng trabaho sa panahon ng pandemya," Roque said.

In April, unemployment ballooned to a record 17.7 percent, which translates to around 7.3 million jobless Filipinos.

On Thursday, the Department of Labor and Employment said it "denounces" supposed attempts by ABS-CBN lawyers and officials to "misrepresent its position to deceive members of the House of Representatives in its bid to gain congressional approval for a new franchise."

"Our labor inspectors found violations of laws and standards by ABS CBN. And on account of those findings, the company took steps to correct those infractions," the labor department said in a statement. (MNS)

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Pangilinan mulls questioning anti-terror law before SC MANILA (Mabuhay) — The t wo senators who voted against the passage of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 on Friday said they will not back out from their call to junk the "unconstitutional" and "draconian" measure which has now been signed by President Rodrigo Duterte into law.

Opposition Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said he expected the decision of the President but maintained that the fight is not yet over.

"I am not surprised. From Day 1, this Administration unleashed draconian and authoritarian measures as a showcase of its brand of leadership. These draconian measures however have been exposed as nothing more than a show of senseless, mindless violence as means to sow fear amongst the people," he said.

He pointed out that the administration's drug war allegedly failed to capture big-time drug lords, the martial law in Mindanao has failed to address the reconstruction of Marawi, and "longest" lockdown did not stop the spread of COVID-19.

"Patunay lahat ito na hindi kamay na bakal ang solusyon sa ating mga problema," he said.

Pangilinan said he is ready to challenge its constitutionality before the Supreme Court.

"Basura ang pilit na isinusubo sa taumbayan.

Dapat ibasura ang walang kwentang batas na ito at handa tayong kwestyunin ang constitutionality ng batas na ito sa Korte Suprema. Hindi pa tapos ang boksing. Hindi pa tapos ang laban," he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, also from the minority bloc, said Duterte's approval of the measure exposed the priorities of the administration while the country is grappling with the health and economic impact of the pandemic.

"While the country’s COVID-19 cases have gone past 40,000 and while 7.3 million Filipinos have lost their jobs and livelihood, Malacanang has instead signed the Anti-Terrorism Law that it will use to trample on Filipinos’ basic rights and freedoms," she said.

She added that the reason for the timing of the

SEN. PANGILINAN

anti-terror law passage was the administration's fear of the "growing discontent of the people with the government's incompetence and abuses during the global pandemic."

"This law, with its vague and unconstitutional provisions, will provide government with fearsome legal tools to oppress and silence those who speak out and resist the injustices, the violence and the corruption of those in power," Hontiveros said.

"Pero hindi tayo papatinag. Mas lalo nating palalakasin ang ating boses laban sa paniniil ng ating kalayaan," she added.

On Friday, Duterte signed the anti-terror law despite the call of several human rights advocates and militant groups for him to junk it.

Among the controversial provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act that have been pointed out by critics were the extension of detention period for those arrested without warrant from the current 36 hours to 14 days, which is extendable by 10 more days; the court's issuance of preliminary proscription order within 72 hours; and the allegedly "ambiguous" definition of what constitutes terrorism.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson, who are among the proponents of the law, lauded Duterte's decision. (MNS)

Critical care utilization in Central Visayas private hospitals reaches ‘warning zone’ — DOH exec MANILA (Mabuhay) — The critical care utilization rate at private hospitals attending to COVID-19 in the Central Visayas region has already reached the "warning zone" of 70%, according to Department of Health-Region VII spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche on Friday.

Dur ing t he DOH's v ir tua l presser, Loreche presented a July 1 data which showed that 76.8% of isolation beds at private health facilities in the region are occupied, 74.7% of beds for severe cases are in use, and 70% of COVID ward beds are filled.

Meanwhile, the utilization rate of ICU beds and mechanical ventilators in private hospitals are still below the warning zone at 52.6% and 52.1%, respectively.

Loreche explained that the limited number of designated

COVID-19 beds plays a factor in the high utilization rate figures.

"Ta ndaa n po nat in na ito pong sa mga pribadong ospital, depende po iyan sa number of beds that they have allocated for COVID-19 patients so kung maliit po ang kanilang inallocate sa atin, madali pong mapuno iyon," she said.

"We also understand where the private hospitals are also coming [from] because they need to take care also of other non-COVID patients," she added.

Nonetheless, the health official said the private hospitals are trying to increase their capacities to accommodate more COVID-19 patients.

Central Visayas' overall regional critical utilization rate is lower, compared to that of private hospitals alone, but is also nearing

the warning zone.

Based on Loreche's presentation, 60.1% of isolation beds, 59.5% of beds for severe cases, 58.3% of COVID ward beds, 49.6% of ICU beds, and 47.8% of mechanical ventilators available are in use.

The DOH-Central Visayas aims to optimize the utilization of community isolation centers to decongest the hospitals.

"Makikita po natin na marami pong mga mild to moderate cases na nasa ospital po. If all of these patients can actually be brought to the isolation centers, malaking bagay po ito," she said.

As of July 3, Central Visayas is the region with the second highest reported cases of COVID-19 at 8,401, following the National Capital Region with 19,420 cases.

(MNS)

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Philippines warns China of 'severest response' if exercises reach PHL seas MANILA (Mabuhay) — Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday warned China of the Philippines' "severest response" if it would conduct military exercises in Philippine territory in the South China Sea. The statement came after China's Maritime Safety Administration on June 27 issued Navigation Notice No. 00-69 on the conduct of military exercises by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the contested waters, particularly off Paracel Islands from July 1 to 5, 2020 and banning navigation in the area.

"The Chinese naval military exercises, if they stick to their coordinates, do not impinge on Philippine territory. These exercises are taking place in waters off Xisha Islands —the Paracels — over which Vietnam claims sovereignty. Should the exercises spill over to Philippine territory then China is forewarned that it will be met with the severest response, diplomatic and whatever else is appropriate," said Locsin in a strongly-worded video statement.

"My standing instruction to the Department of Foreign Affairs is that countries, which for now lack the puissance to respond appropriately to challenges to their territorial integrity, must aim for accuracy in law and in geography."

From the said dates, China's maritime directive said that no vessel would be allowed to navigate within the prescribed area and all vessels should follow the guidance of the commanding Chinese ship onsite.

China’s unilateral action is seen to further inflame tensions and seriously complicates the disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing insists historical and indisputable sovereignty nearly in its entirety.

China, Philippines, Vietnam, Ma-

laysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are locked in decades- long territorial conflict in the waters, where oil and gas deposits have been discovered in several areas.

The South China Sea territorial disputes are crucial to Asian and Western governments, which use the strategic waters to transport their oil and other inputs that power their economies.

"At a time like this, one would think that simulated military exercises would be more in keeping with the spirit of friendly cooperation that China has encouraged everyone to take. On the practical side, there are the open seas.

Unless again the purpose is to establish a perennial and unchallenged presence that may in time congeal into right," Locsin said.

"To be sure China is just as entitled, as any other power, to invoke freedom of navigation in its military exercises.

But that freedom, it bears reminding, requires a straight and uninterrupted voyage."

In its bid to exert control over the contested waters, China announced on April 18 that its so-called districts of “Nansha” and “Xisha" will have authority over the Spratlys and the Paracels, respectively, under the authority of the local government in Sansha, a city in the southern island of Hainan.

Beijing also gave Chinese names to the features in the disputed waters.

Both moves were rejected by Manila, calling it illegal and an infringement of Philippine sovereignty.

"The creation of Sansha City is null and void ab initio for being devoid of basis in international law. This is the problem with playing fast and loose with historical narratives and historical names; they open themselves to error; unless the real purpose is to excuse unchallenged mistakes that may over time harden into rights," Locsin said.

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navirus pandemic, Locsin called on all parties "to refrain from escalating tension and abide by the responsibilities under international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. UNCLOS is a maritime treaty signed by 163 nations, including the Philippines and China.

He also called for adherence to the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea, particularly the exercise of self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. (MNS)

No hit-and-run on PH fishing vessel, HK cargo ship crash — PCG MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship MV Vienna Wood did not commit a “hit-and-run” when it left the fishing vessel (F/V) Liberty 5 after their collision last Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

PCG Commandant, Vice Admiral George Ursabia Jr., said a PCG probe found that after the collision, MV Vienna Wood attempted to keep a safe distance from F/V Liberty 5 to avoid another collision.

“Hindi naman nag-com m it ng h itand-run ang MV Vienna Wood. Lumayo lang sila to achieve a safe distance. Tapos, napansin rin nila na may pitong vessels ang nag-respond sa capsized vessel,” Ursabia said.

Based on the probe, he said the MV Vienna Wood also cited rough sea conditions as to why they did not deploy a rescue boat.

“Hindi sila nag-initiate na magbaba ng rescue boat. A factor would be 'yung laki ng alon. They prioritized 'yung proper navigation ng vessel dahil may mga maliliit na vessels na rin sa incident area,” Ursabia said.

The PCG’s investi-

gation also found that the MV Vienna Wood’s equipment was functioning properly, including its two radars, which detected F/V Liberty 5 before the crash, he said.

Howe ver, Ur s a bia noted that even after the ship attempted to change course, the collision with the fishing vessel still occurred.

“Yung mga barko kasi, ‘di tulad ng mga sasakya n sa ka lsada, mas komplikado i-maniobra dahil may glide,” Ursabia said.

Following the conclusion of their investigation on the Hong Kong-based merchant vessel, he said the PCG’s lawyers in Mindoro have been collecting sworn statements from t he mariners and fishermen who initially responded to the incident.

“We are now building up pieces of evidence to file criminal charges against MV Vienna Wood,” Ursabia said.

Rescue ops shift to retrieval ops Meanwhile, after five days of search and rescue operations for the 14 missing fishermen and passengers aboard the F/V Liberty 5 with no survivors found, he said the PCG has shifted

its efforts to search and retrieval.

He said the change occurred after t hree full days of finding no survivors.

“Usually ho kasi, after three full days of search and rescue operations, kapag wala pa rin tayong naililigtas, nag-shi-shift na tayo sa search and retrieval (Usually, after three full days of search and rescue, if we still haven’t found a survivor, we shift to search and retrieval),” Ursabia said.

While there is now a higher chance of finding bodies instead of survivors in the next few days, he said finding survivors is still a possibility.

“Hindi naman tayo nawawalan ng pag-asa.

Miracle is a reality. May posibilidad pa rin na buhay pa sila,” Ursabia said.

By Sunday, he said, the PCG would evaluate whether to extend the search and retrieval operations by another two days and eventually terminate the operations if bodies and survivors are not found.

The PCG and the PCG Auxiliary will extend financial assistance to the families of the 14 missing Filipino mariners, Ursabia added.

(MNS)

DepEd: Distance learning does not require gadgets, internet connection MANILA (Mabuhay) — Students and teachers are not required to purchase laptops, desktop and internet connection under the blended learning system for the upcoming school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education said Friday.

Educat ion Undersecreta r y Nepo Malaluan made the assurance citing the use of Modified Modular Distance Learning program pioneered by the DepEd Navotas—a system wherein learners will be provided self-learning packets in print or digital format while teachers will use mobile messenger chat or text messages to monitor and track the learners.

The learning packets will include the following: - Textbooks - a lter nat ive deliver y mode a nd self-learning modules by DepEd - modules/materials prepared by Schools Division Office and schools - worksheets prepared by teachers - lesson guides for parents and guardians - other supplies and materials such as notebooks, paper, ballpens, toys and manipulatives

- hygiene kits which include alcohol, soap, towels, among others.

Under this scheme, the online distance learning will only serve as a support or reinforcement for learners who have access to technology.

“Gusto nating i-assure na hindi natin ino-obliga na bumili sila ng gadget o magkaroon ng internet connectivity.

Ito pong konseptong ito ay para maabot ang lahat ng mag-aaral, considering the situation that they have,” Malaluan said.

DepEd Division Superintendent Alejandro Ibañez, for his part, expressed confidence that such Modified Modular Distance Learning will work since it got positive feedback from learners.

“75% said they expect to understand the lesson by using printed modules while 35% said their parents cannot help them learn online due to different reasons,” Ibañez said.

“The system will engage four actors: teachers, learners, parents and supervisors,” Ibañez added.

Teacher Fati Robles of Bagumbayan Elementar y School in Navotas City also assured the public that the learning packets or school in a box would be age-appropriate.

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IATF-EID approves Phase 2 of action plan vs. Covid-19 — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) has approved the proposed second phase of the National Action Plan crafted by the National Task Force (NTF) to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Na a pr u b a h a n p o ang Phase 2 ng National Action Plan ng NTF,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who also serves as IATF-EID spokesperson, said during the Laging Handa program aired on staterun PTV-4 on Friday.

The IATF-EID’s approval for the implementation of the second phase of the National Action Plan was included in its Resolution 51 issued on Thursday, Roque said.

“Itong Phase 2 na ito, kaya po nating kontrolin ang pagkalat ng Covid kung susunod tayo sa mga health protocols, kung paiigtingin ang testing, kung ipagpapatuloy ang granular at local testing (With the implementation of the second phase, we can arrest the spread of Covid-19 if we follow health protocols,

expand testing, and continue granular and local testing),” he said.

Phase 2 of the National Action Plan against Covid-19 contains eight key features.

Roque said the second phase of the action plan aims to promote change in the people’s mindset with a “strong” focus on health and disease prevention.

The new action plan also seeks to balance health and economic activities, he said.

“K i na ka i la nga n na po t a laga ng bu k sa n ang ekonomiya dahil kinakailangan na nating magkaroon ng hanapbuhay (We need to reopen the economy because people need to go back to work),” Roque said.

The implementation of strict community quarantine in March forced many businesses to temporarily halt their operations.

However, more industries were allowed to resume partial operations after quarantine protocols were relaxed in May. Roque said the second phase also intends to institutionalize the “pre vent-dete c t-i solate-treat-reintegrate”

strategy and the zoning containment strateg y that would be supervised by the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security.

He added that Phase 2 also includes strategies to sustain private and publ ic pa r t nersh ips; enhance risk communication and community engagements, particularly in the observance of health protocols; and highlight contingency, business continuity, and sustainability plans.

Capturing the management of returning overseas Filipinos, locally stranded individuals, and local travelers is also among the key features of the second phase of the new action plan, Roque said.

He said the new action plan would also concentrate efforts on expanded and targeted testing and contact tracing by gradually allowing travel, tourism, and non-disruption of work.

The task group on strategic communications is directed to ensure the effective communication of the new action plan to the public, according to IATF-EID Resolution 51.

(MNS)

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Coast Guard to file charges vs. HK vessel in Mindoro sea collision

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will file charges against the operators of the Hong Kongf lagged ca rgo vessel t hat rammed into a Philippine fishing boat off Occidental Mindoro last June 27, leaving 14 people missing.

This developed as the PCG considers shifting to retrieval operations for the 14 people on board fishing boat Liberty 5, as survivors have yet to be found four days after the incident.

"We are filing a case, we are gathering evidence, kasama iyong mga sworn statements ng mga manginigisda," PCG Commandant Vice Admiral George Ursabia Jr. said.

"Iyong dalawang radar ng Vienna Wood, functioning naman. Hindi rin sila nagpadala

ng service o rescue boat. Meron niyan ang malalaking barko," he added, referring to the foreign vessel involved in the incident.

Ursabia said they have sent lawyers to Mindoro to talk to the fishermen who tried to rescue their peers.

Regarding possible survivors, Ursabia there is only a "slim" chance that there would be any.

"Apat na araw na po, medyo malabo na," he said. "Slim na ang chance na makita natin silang buhay, kaya retrieval na ang magiging punto namin in the next two days.

"After that, we will evaluate if there is a need to extend for two more days or we will terminate our efforts on this," he added. (MNS)

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Customs seized P244-M smuggled PPEs, medical supplies from March to May — DOF MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated P244 million-worth of smuggled, unregistered or counterfeit personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies since late March up to the end of May, parent agency Department of Finance (DOF) said Friday.

In a statement, the DOF said the P244 million worth of smuggled PPEs and other medical supplies were seized from March 25 to May 31 as part of the BOC’s ongoing “efforts to stop the illegal importation, storage and hoarding of goods deemed essential to the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).”

In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the BOC said that while it has released various regulations to facilitate and speed up the process of importing PPEs and other medical supplies, some unscrupulous traders have taken advantage of the coronavirus-induced crisis to smuggle such items into the country.

In his report, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said he has issued 10 Letters of Authority covering the inspection of persons and premises suspected of selling or storing smuggled and/or unregistered medicines and equipment from March 25 to May 31.

“Moreover, profiling/targeting of imported shipments suspected to contain contraband and other smuggled articles were intensified. As a result a total of P244.4 million-worth of smuggled/counterfeit/ unregistered PPE and medicines were seized by the Bureau,” Guerrero said.

Last May 1, various pieces of PPEs and Chinese medicines supposed to cure COVID-19 and estimated to cost around P70 million were seized by the BOC in a warehouse in Singalong, Manila.

Guerrero said in his report that the medicines, which were contained in about 360 boxes, were not

registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Aside from the said unregistered items, the Customs chief said the goods seized by the BOC in various operations included the following: P5 million worth of masks, gloves, goggles, alcohol, thermal scanners, test tubes and syringes under the name of Philmed Dynasty Supplies Corp. based in Binondo, Manila; An estimated P30 million-worth of various PPEs, such as gloves, masks, and googles under the name of ELJ1 Medical Shop based in Sta. Cruz, Manila; and An estimated P9 million-worth of various PPEs, such as gloves, masks, goggles from the Medical Outlet based in Rizal Avenue, Manila.

An estimated P80 million-worth of various PPEs, such as gloves, masks, goggles, medicines, and foodstuffs from an establishment located at HK Sun Plaza, Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City.

An estimated P400,000-worth of various medical supplies and medicines from Ton Ren Tang Chinese Medication, Binondo, Manila.

An estimated P50 million-worth of various medical equipment and supplies from Omnibus Biomedical Systems.

“The cases involving these smuggled or unregistered products are now the subject of forfeiture proceedings by the BOC before the law division of the Manila International Container Port (MICP),” Guerrero said.

The BOC has also seized 2.2 kilograms (kg) of imported Chinese medicines without FDA clearance last April 27, and has initiated the filing of appropriate charges against their importers and consignees.

Another five boxes of Chinese medicines containing 48,000 medicinal tablets and bundled with 238 master

cases of assorted imported cigarettes; four drums of toluene-2.4 diisocyanate; two drums of propylene glycol; two drums of glycerol-propoxylate-block-ethoxylate; two drums of vacuum pump oil; two drums of paraffin oil; two drums of power steering fluid; one drum of sodium hypochlorite; and two drums of siloxane were confiscated from a warehouse in Valenzuela City last April 30.

Guerrero said these were seized and taken into custody by the BOC for failure of the owner to present the required import documents for these items. (MNS)

PCC flags provisions in House stimulus bill ‘curbing’ anti-competition oversight MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has raised the red flag in the House of Representatives’ approved economic stimulus bill, which it claimed will weaken its regulatory oversight over anti-competitive behavior in time of the COVID-19 crisis.

The PCC published a position paper on Friday on pending stimulus measures in the Congress, such as the House Bill No. 6815 or the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy of the Philippines Act (ARISE) approved on third and final reading last June 4.

While the antitrust body supports the overarching purpose of the ARISE bill, the PCC said it “respectfully expresses its reservations on certain provisions of the proposed measure, which may negate not just the welfare-enhancing objectives of this landmark economic stimulus package, but also the overall state of competition.”

The commission said it is specifically

concerned with the potential detrimental impact likely to be caused by Sec. 12 of the ARISE Bill concerning “regulatory relief for business entities.”

The questioned Sec. 12 “Regulatory Relief for Business Entities” of the proposed house bill states: “The BIR, PCC, SEC and other relevant regulatory agencies are likewise directed to desist from imposing fines and other monetary penalties for non-filing, late filing, failure to comply with compulsory notification and other reportorial requirements relating to business activities and transactions that promote continuity and capacity-building in all sectors of the economy.

“For a period of six months from the lifting of the CQ, the PCC, SEC and other relevant regulatory agencies shall review all pending matters before them or those subject of any ongoing review, fact- finding or preliminary inquiry or

investigation, in order that business activities and transactions that promote continuity and capacity-building in all sectors of the economy shall be promptly resolved or otherwise allowed to proceed unimpeded.

“The PCC, during the same period which may be extended for an additional period of six months thereafter, shall desist from requiring any submission by parties to any proceedings before it, including fact-finding or preliminary inquiries, and from issuing any show cause order, cease and desist order, subpoena, statement of concern or similar statement and other similar issuances: Provided, That nothing herein shall prohibit the PCC from issuing decisions approving any transaction or transactions, confirmation of non-coverage, commitment decisions and similar orders relating to business activities and transactions that it shall have determined to promote continuity

Suicide bombers escaped after cops killed soldiers in Jolo — Army MANILA (Mabuhay) — Two female suicide bombers whom the Philippine Army has been hunting down have escaped possible capture due to the killing of soldiers by police in Jolo, Sulu, Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay said Thursday.

The two women were allegedly married to the men who figured in suicide bombing attacks in Indanan last year.

“These are the suspected bombers. So nando’n na, they’re about to capture them, ‘yung bahay na lang pini-pinpoint, and we lost the opportunity,” Gapay said.

“Imagine, these two could make two more Jolo Cathedral bombings ha. ‘Yun ang potential nila,” he added.

CCTV footage showed that several soldiers arrived at the scene of the incident shortly after soldiers were shot dead on Monday.

The Army said no policemen were present when soldiers arrived on the scene.

The soldiers caught on the CCTV video are part of the “takedown team” hunting down the suspected terrorists.

Gapay said he wanted to find the portion of the CCTV footage which captured the killing of his men.

“I ordered to further look into that video and I also ordered to look for that portion. I am looking for the 2:30 to 2:47 because that portion, that segment will show the actual shooting. Nawawala ‘yun,” Gapay said.

He slammed as “malicious” a netizen who uploaded on the internet a portion of the said footage showing the brother of one of the slain soldiers attending to the corpse of his kin at the crime scene.

“Bakit ito lang ang pinalabas? So we find that malicious.

Whoever uploaded that, we find it malicious,” Gapay said.

The Army commanding general earlier said the killing of the four soldiers was a case of murder and not a misencounter as initially described by the Philippine National Police. (MNS)

and capacity-building as well as orders and decisions relating to the enforcement of Chapter III of the Philippine Competition Act (PCA): Provided, further, that all mergers and acquisitions involving enterprises engaged in essential businesses entered into 30 days prior to or during the CQ and for a period of one year thereafter shall be deemed to promote continuity and capacity-building, and are hereby declared exempt from the compulsory notification and related requirements under the PCA.” The PCC said such provisions which “specifically target the functions of the PCC were only proposed and adopted during the period for individual amendments on the House floor.”

“The PCC was thus not afforded the opportunity to be heard and explain to our congressmen how these amendments may result in anti-competitive outcomes,” it said.

The provisions, it said, creates a limit on the mandate of the PCC under the PCA, by requiring it, among others, to desist from (i) imposing fines and other monetary penalties; (ii) from requiring any submission by Parties to proceedings before it, including fact-finding or preliminary inquiries; and (iii) issuing any show cause order, cease and desist order, subpoena, statement of concern or similar statement and other similar issuances.

“Ultimately, the proposal seeks to curb the PCC’s exercise of its core functions of merger review and enforcement against anti-competitive acts for a minimum period of six months,” it said.

The antitrust body said it recognizes the value of regulatory flexibility for business enterprises as they recover from the unforeseen economic hardships brought about by COVID-19.

But, it said, “this should not come at the expense of exposing the general public— who are likewise feeling the financial brunt caused by the pandemic—to potential abuses by unscrupulous businesses brought about by a relaxation of competition law, as proposed by the subject provision of the ARISE Bill.”

“As explained below, an abdication of the enforcement of antitrust law, even though on a temporary basis, will likely create more harm than good, especially at a time when the structural foundations of our economy are still reeling from the ill-effects of COVID-19,” it said. (MNS)

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Temporary pay cuts needed to preserve jobs — Chua MANILA (Mabuhay) — Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua on Thursday said negotiating temporary wage reduction is needed to preserve more jobs amid the pandemic downturn.

During the virtual hearing of the House Committee on Economic Affairs, Chua said the temporary cut in wages is among the immediate steps toward the road to recovery to prevent layoffs and retrenchments as the country gradually reopens its economy.

"To keep as many jobs as much as possible and this temporary wage reduction that is consensual I think is

ACTING SOCIOECONOMIC PLANNING SECRETARY KARL CHUA

the immediate step that we can take," he said.

"Over the long term or the medium term, we know the economy is changing and we cannot keep the same jobs if they are not going to be jobs that are the most efficient and compliant to the new normal so we will have to think about preserving employment and not a particular job," he added.

Chua said the government is considering other policy options like the portability of benefits and pension, active labor market, skills training, and unemployment insurance to help workers.

He also noted that the government is working hard to increase the testing capacity and providing a transport system that is more responsive as the country slowly transitions into the new normal amid the global health pandemic.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo, however, argued that wage reduction has a big impact on the country's poverty rate, adding that it should be the government’s last policy resort.

"I know the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) recently has issued a memo allowing wage reduction so long as it is consensual. The key is consent. That consent is going to be vitiated. [But] you don’t expect workers on a really good bargaining position,” she said.

The labor department has issued guidelines on how employers can protect jobs, and prevent layoffs and retrenchments. (MNS)

6 financial firms tapped to digitize distribution of 2nd tranche of cash aid MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Land Bank of the Philippines have tapped six financial service providers to fast-track the release of the second tranche of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) through digital payments scheme.

This, after, the DSWD and Landbank signed a memorandum of agreement on June 30 with Starypay Corp., G-Xchange Inc., PayMaya Philippines Inc., Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Robinsons Bank Corp., and Union Bank of the Philippines.

The signing was witnessed by officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Under the signed “Multilateral Agreement for the Electronic Payment of SAP Subsidies,” Landbank will be working with the six financial service providers to administer the electronic payment and distribution of emergency subsidies to entitled SAP beneficiaries.

The state-owned lender will fa-

cilitate and execute the crediting of the emergency subsidy of the beneficiaries into their respective nominated account in other financial institutions via electronic fund transfer using PESONet and Instapay based on instruction and payroll documents provided by the DSWD within 24 hours.

Landbank will also credit the program fund in the financial service providers’ funding accounts maintained with the bank’s Batasan Branch or in other financial institutions based on the instruction and payroll documents provided by DWSD within 24 hours from receipt of payroll documents.

“Our partnership marks a significant step towards facilitating the immediate, efficient, and secure delivery of emergency subsidy to disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities who are struggling with the challenges posed by COVID-19,” Landbank president and CEO Cecilla Borromeo said.

“We are confident that with six fi-

nancial service providers on board for SAP 2, our efforts will be multiplied, resulting in a faster and more efficient delivery of much-needed subsidy to the beneficiaries,” she added.

The qualified beneficiaries for SAP’s second tranche are the family-beneficiaries of the first tranche that are under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as of May per Executive Order No. 112, series of 2020, and a Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary dated May 2.

These include the National Capital Region (NCR); Region III, except Aurora; Region IV-A; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo; Cebu Province; Bacolod; Davao City; Albay Province; and Zamboanga City.

As of June 11, Landbank said it has already completed the payout for the second wave of cash assistance worth P6.74 billion to the Landbank cash cards of 1.3 million Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries under SAP second tranche. (MNS)

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POGOs paid taxes 'under the table' — Locsin

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY TEODORO LOCSIN, JR. MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) did pay their taxes but "under the table” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. in a tweet on Thursday.

“The tax-evading POGOs did pay out as you must suspect but under the table which puzzled them. Usually they line up in a revenue office and pay up but this was special: collector whose affiliation to any department was kept a mystery turned up himself like home pick up,” Locsin said.

POGOs usually “line up in a revenue office and pay up” except where a collector turned up “like home pick up,” he added.

Locsin did not elaborate and said only that the collector’s affiliation “was kept a mystery.”

The BIR said in June that offshore gaming firms should not be allowed to reopen unless they pay their tax liabilities in full.

Only 1 Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) hub has closed so far as authorities seek their full tax compliance, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said earlier.

Macau-based Suncity Group is transferring its POGO to Cambodia which is dangling tax incentives to lure back operators it had lost to the Philippines.

Reg ulators ea rlier ba rred mostly Chinese-run POGOs from reopening in quarantine areas unless they settle all tax dues.

(MNS)

NTC gives Dito Telecom six more months to meet commitments MANILA (Mabuhay) — Dito Telecommunity Corp., backed by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, has been given a six-month extension to satisfy its commitments to the government, which the company will unlikely meet by the July 8 deadline.

According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), its attached agency the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a resolution to extend the July 2020 technical audit on Dito.

"In relation to the delay caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the NTC issued a resolution extending the July 2020 technical audit under the CPCN provisions," the DICT said.

"Under the current extension, DITO is given within six (6) months to deliver the commitments for the technical audit requirements- that is to provide a speed of 27 megabits per second to cover 37% percent of the population," it added.

It was referring to the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) which was awarded to Dito on July 8, 2019.

Under the provisions of the CPCN, Dito must meet its voluntary commitments every year for the first five years of operations, else lose its P24 billion performance bond.

In its commitments, Dito vowed to provide a minimum speed of 27 megabits per second and achieve a nationwide coverage of 37.03% in its first year of

operations which will be next Wednesday, July 8.

To achieve a 37% network coverage, Dito said it will have to put up a total of 1,300 cellular towers across the country.

On Wednesday, Dito said it has 1,300 towers in construction, but only 300 of which are already live, giving difficulty to meet the July 8 deadline.

"Most of the scheduled material supplies from China such as fiber cables, DC containers, base stations, towers, and telecom ancillaries failed to arrive as scheduled causing delays in the roll-out," the DICT said.

The DICT clarified, however, that only the technical audit schedule was moved and Dito chief administrative officer Adel Tamano assured that the commercial launch will proceed in March 2021.

"In a report to the DICT on its current progress, DITO Telecommunity is on track for its March 2021 commercial launch," it said.

"According to DITO, they reported the successful series of local and international test phone calls made, with the last of the first test calls made on 27 March 2020 - almost two (2) months earlier than the May 2020 milestone as stated in the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) granted to them by the government," added the DICT. The Dito consortium is made up of Uy's Udenna Corporation, Udenna's subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., and Chinese state-owned China Telecommunications Corporation. (MNS)

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Dingdong Dantes leads new actors group to build stronger nation S

Saturday-Friday July 4 - 10, 2020 Visit www.Balita.com

masyon at likhang sining para sa kapakanan ng higit na nakararami,” he added.

Created on May 30, among the members of the organization aside from Dantes are Angelica Panganiban, Agot Isidro, Iza Calzado, Janine Gutierrez and many more.

In a separate Instagram post, Dantes said AKTOR comprises of the industry’s co-creators, collaborators and the country’s storytellers who will strive in building a stronger nation. (MNS)

everal actors have joined forces to create aKTor – league of Filipino actors, a group that will give voice on issues that pose a threat to freedom of expression as content creators.

In a Facebook Live broadcast, Dingdong Dantes introduced the group as he discussed why he and several of his colleagues have come together and formed it amid this trying time.

Reading a prepared statement, Dantes expressed how the group is against the Anti-Terror Bill, the ABS-CBN shutdown and the new guidelines on filming issued by the Film and Development Council of the Philippines.

“Bakit ganun na lamang ang naging kalakaran? Ano ang mga ito? Ang mga ito ba ay sintomas ng mas malaking sakit na kasabay ng COVID-19?” he asked.

“Hindi maiwasang isipin na ang lahat ng mga nangyayari ay may layunin. Ang lahat ng mga utos na ito ay may layuning kontrolin ang daloy at esensya

ng pagkwento. Ang mapigilan ang paghahayag ng mga tunay na kwento ng bayan. Ang lahat ng ito ay lumilikha ng kultura ng takot,” he added.

Dantes said it is their aim to change the public notion that actors only have a shallow role in the entertainment industry.

“Madalas itinuturing na lamang ang karamihan ng mga aktor na mga manika at tau-tauhan na panlibang at nagdudulot ng saya. Dala na din siguro ito ng maling pag-unawa sa totoong kalagayan ng mga aktor sa kabuuan. Tapusin na natin ang ganoong pananaw,” he said.

“Tumitindig ang AKTOR ngayon bilang responsible at mahalagang ba-

hagi ng lipunan at kinatawan ng industriya. Ipinapahayag namin ang mariing pagtutol sa anumang batas at kautusan na sumasagka sa aming malayang paglikha. Tinatanggihan namin ang anumang panghihimasok sa mga proseso ng industriya nang walang tunay na konsultasyon sa mga manggagawa nito. Iginigiit namin na dapat bukas at malaya ang anumang daluyan ng impor-

DINGDONG DANTES

JANELLA ASKS JOSHUA: ‘BAKIT AKO YUNG CRUSH MO?’

MAnILA (Mabuhay) — Janella Salvador put Joshua Garcia in the hot seat during an online interview recently.

During an episode of Toni Gonzaga’s online show “I Feel U", where they were allowed to ask their own questions to each other, Salvador seemed to have caught Garcia by surprise when she asked the latter why he has a crush on her.

The actor, however, did not need much time to think of a reply.

“Nung time na may dance group tayo sa ‘ASAP,’ ang misteryoso mo para sa akin. Mas gusto ko kasi yung mysterious na tao.

Yung mapapaisip ako na paano kaya ito kapag kasama niya ako, paano kaya ito kapag kami na. Sobrang mysterious mo kaya yun ang naging dahilan [kaya nagustuhan kita],” he said.

Salvador also wanted to ask what was Garcia’s impressions of her before they became friends and when they finally got the chance to work together in “The Killer Bride.”

Answering Salvador, Garcia said: “Maarte. Choosy ka kung sino ang kakausapin mo. Hindi ka warm na makakausap ng lahat. That time, parang hindi pa kita nakakausap.

Ang impression ko naman sayo nung nakilala na kita, friendly pala siya. Hindi pala siya taong choosy and cowboy din pala itong taong to.”

Garcia said that was the time he realized he and Salvador are both

JOSHUA GARCIA & JANELLA SALVADOR

introverts.

Before “The Killer Bride,” Garcia confessed he actually requested if he could have Salvador as a leading lady because he really admires her.

“Actually nire-request ko siya sa head sa GMO Unit before. Sana magka-work kami together. Tanda ko pa dati, hiningi ko yung number ni Janella kay Gian, Star Magic po siya na RM (road manager). Nung tinanong niya si Jea, sabi daw ni Jea, next time na lang daw kapag close na kami. Hindi niya binigay,” he recalled.

Defending herself, Salvador said: “Kasi parang hindi naman siya yung nanghihingi personally.

Sabi ko, hindi naman kami close so bakit ko ibibigay.”

Garcia and Salvador previously described the formation of their tandem, now dubbed “Joshnella,”

as a case of “perfect timing.”

The two had been cast in a number of projects together as early as 2016, but none of them ever made it to the screen — until “The Killer Bride” in August 2019.

After the series ended in January this year, the two worked together again in a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode. Since then, they have yet to act opposite each other anew.

While they wait for their reunion project, Salvador and Garcia admitted they miss working with each other.

“Miss ko na siya. Miss ko na yung trabaho. Yung pagshu-shoot or taping. Gusto ko rin kasi makatrabaho ulit si Jea din,” Garcia said.

“Actually si Josh, grabe siya sa set. Maalaga talaga siya. He’s one of the best na naka-partner ko talaga ever,” Salvador added. (MNS)

Jake Ejercito is now a Star Magic talent MAnILA (Mabuhay) — Jake Ejercito is now part of Star Magic.

This was revealed by Cris Tapang Navarro, who is now Ejericito’s handler within the ABS-CBN talent management arm.

On Instagram, Navarro shared Ejercito’s entry in Star Magic’s Love From Home campaign where Kapamilya celebrities are sharing how they are coping with the quarantine.

In the caption, Navarro wrote: “Welcome @unoemilio to Star Magic family. Jake is ready to show us his creative side! Are you excited to see his work in the next volume of Star Magic Love From Home?”

Ejercito commented in the said post where he thanked Navarro for w e lc om i ng him to the fold.

Ejer icito is the son of former President Joseph Estrada and for mer actress Laarni Enriquez.

RecentJAKE EJERCITO ly, Ejercito spent more than 100 days with her daughter Ellie.

On Instagram, Ejercito shared a couple of pictures of him and Ellie showing how they spend their time together.

“The silver lining in all this is having spent 102 straight days with her as opposed to the usual sched,” Ejercito wrote in the caption.

While the days are long and tough, Ejercito said Ellie has been “a reminder that the world still is beautiful.”

Ejercito has been looking after Ellie in Manila since March after her mother, actress Andi Eigenmann, was unable to pick up her daughter because of the pandemic.

Eigenmann is based in Siargao. (MNS)

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Why JM de Guzman, Arci Muñoz never took their friendship to next level

T

hey are one of the best looking pairs on screen but JM de Guzman and arci Muñoz stressed they never thought of taking their friendship to the next level.

“Kasi best friend ko eh. Parang ang hirap kung pupunta kami sa ganung direksyon, ang hirap na ibalik na ang ganitong klaseng relationship namin as friends. Best friend ko ito eh,” Muñoz said.

According to Muñoz, she and de Guzman go way back and that nothing is worth risking their friendship for.

“Sobrang comfortable kay JM. Parang wala akong maitatago sa kanya. Kapag masama ang loob ko, siguro siya ang unang taong tatawagan ko bukod sa pamilya ko,” she said.

The two first met when they were college students at the University of the Philippines.

Arci confessed she initially thought de Guzman was gay and she wanted to have a gay best friend. As it turns out, de Guzman wasn’t and he actually had a crush on Muñoz back then.

“Hindi na po lumampas [sa friendship 'yung relationship namin]. Pero nung kabataan namin, crush ko po siya. Nung nasa college kami. Alam naman po niya 'yun ta-

Annabelle Rama grateful over Ruffa’s generosity

ANABELLE & RUFFA MAnILA (Mabuhay) — They may have had their bickerings before, mostly when it comes to the topic of love.

But despite these far-too-often disagreements, there's no denying just how much Annabelle Rama loves Ruffa Gutierrez, glimpsed in her rather touching birthday greeting for her only daughter.

On Twitter, Rama posted a series of tweets to celebrate Gutierrez turning 46 this past week.

She talked about how she's always praying for her, apologized for not being able to be with her during this special occasion, and opened up about the time she got emotional over her daughter's generosity.

"I know you love me. I feel it & I can see it," she told Gutierrez.

Rama also shared how Gutierrez did not hesitate to help her during these "difficult times," when almost all productions for television and film were put on halt due to COVID-19.

"I understand wala tayong trabaho lahat.

Lumabas pa rin ang pera. You touched your savings for me," Rama recalled.

"Alam kong never mong ginalaw ang savings for your kids. Kaya sobrang touch[ed].

I didn't expect anything from you."

"But anyway nag mana ka rin sa daddy mo malambot ang puso at hindi nagtatanim ng galit kaya ka sinisuwerte. Hindi katulad ko sinusumpa ang kaaway."

On her own Twitter, Gutierrez expressed her gratitude towards all the people who greeted her and made her feel special, saying that she's "overwhelmed" by the support she received. (MNS)

pos feel na feel niya. Umaligid-aligid lang ako noon,” he said.

In Muñoz’s defense, the actress said she wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend at that time.

“Hatid-sundo ako nung college. Bawal kasi kailangan makatapos ng pag-aaral. Mahigpit 'yung daddy ko. Wala din talaga sa isip ko mag boyfriend noon,” she said.

When asked why he’s grateful for Muñoz, de Guzman said: “Prangka po siya sa akin.

Kung magsalita siya, diretso sa puso. Siguro sa pagkakilala niya sa akin, nase-sense na niya kung bad trip ako kahit malayo pa ako.

Nandiyan siya lagi para i-lead ako pabalik sa positibo.”

Muñoz returned the compliment saying she is thankful for de Guzman because he makes her life more bearable.

“Hindi niya nakalimutan 'yung times nung college days namin na halos kami lang din parati ang magksama. Thankful ako sa existence niya kasi napapagaan niya 'yung buhay ko,” she said. (MNS)

JM DE GUZMAN & ARCI MUÑOZ

Richard Gomez gives advice to Sharon Cuneta in dealing with bashers MAnILA (Mabuhay) — Richard Gomez gave a piece of unsolicited advice to Sharon Cuneta after the latter admitted that she’s having a difficult time understanding how some people nowadays can just hurt others like it is nothing to them.

“Yon ang problema, kasi sa social media anybody can just post anything -- pagpost ng opinyon nila, post ng galit nila. Siguro tayong mga artista, we have to accept the fact na mayroong may gusto sa atin at mayroong ayaw,” he said.

“So minsan, masakit at napupuno ka na. Kahit naman ako sumasagot ako sa mga ganyan. Tao rin tayo na nasasaktan. Taong may damdamin. Kahit naman ako madaling mapikon so ang ginagawa ko, kung kaya ko silang i-delete, dini-delete ko sila. Kung kaya so silang i-block, bina-block ko sila,” he added.

Recently, Cuneta won-

dered about her countrymen’s moral compass, lamenting how it is easy for some people to utter spiteful words.

“Kay tatapang na nating magbitiw ng 'di lang masasakit kung 'di 'di malunok na mga salitang parang hindi tayo magkakababayan. Masyado nang tino-tolerate, kung 'di man ine-encourage -- at karamihan ay binabayaran pa para manira ng kapwa,” she said.

The screen veteran then compared what’s happening to the world of showbiz, which she grew up in.

“Sa showbiz kung saan lumaki ako, sanay kami sa intriga. At alam namin kung sino ang nang-iintriga sa amin. Sanay kaming humaharap sa isa’t-isa sa interviews at sa sagutan hanggang magkalinawan,” she said.

“Ngayon, a nu ma ng bukambibig ko, ng sinoman sa mga anak kong may kan-

SHARON CUNETA & RICHARD GOMEZ

ya-kanya namang isip, ay pipilipitin at ididikit sa anumang ginagawa o sinasabi ng kanilang ama sa pagiging politiko niya. Damay kami kahit may iba’t-iba naman kaming issue. At ang baluktot, pilit itinutuwid,” she added.

As difficult as the current situation is, Cuneta said she is just lifting everything up to God. “Bahala na ang Diyos sa amin. Siya naman ang may control sa lahat. Huwag natin bolahin ang ating sarili na tao ang may control sa lahat. Bukas puede magunaw ang mundo kung nanaisin ng Diyos. Dapat ang kaluluwa mo ang sure na ihanda mo. Ganon lang po. God bless us all,” she said. (MNS)

Therese Malvar graduates from high school a salutatorian

THERESE MALVAR MAnILA (Mabuhay) — Therese Malvar just graduated from high school as salutatorian.

The young actress' school didn't throw an actual graduation ceremony, so the Kapuso

actress' mom congratulated her daughter with a sweet homemade video shared on Facebook.

"Teri Malvar. Salutatorian.

Congrats baby girl. You made us proud!" Cherry Malvar wrote in a post.

Therese Malvar began acting at an early age, astonishing audiences with her breakout performance as Anita in the 2013 fi lm “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita," which was recently streamed online in celebration of Pride Month.

She recently starred in hit Kapuso TV shows “Inagaw na Bituin” and “Beautiful Justice.”

Now she's among many 2020 graduates who had to miss out on a traditional graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, finishing high school remains a big feat for Therese who has been attending a regular school in between tapings in the hope of attending a great college. (MNS)

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DUTERTE... from Page 1

“SAN MATEO... from Page 5 tion that this is similar to an election where you have to be a citizen to partici-pate, which is not the case,” Lee said.

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

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

“We make sure people know that.”

Lisa Tealer, executive director of the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council, said African Americans, Latinos and others in East Palo Alto respond to the idea of regaining the

power of “being counted,” a phrase that historically has had negative connotations because the census was used to discriminate against some communities in the past.

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

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

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

BUY LOCAL... from Page 1 some businesses have resumed their operation, consumer demand remains weak amid the pandemic.

“We continue to remind the consumers to patronize local products.

In this way, our local companies, which create local employment, will survive. If we buy imported, what we are helping are those companies and jobs abroad,” the DTI chief added.

However, Lopez said DTI is not looking into restricting the entry of imported products in the country just to stimulate demand for local products.

“We follow the free market and in the end, we will create the environment of competition. If we ban the import, we might spoil the local

Saturday-Friday | July 4 - 10, 2020

manufacturing and that’s what we are avoiding. Free market but what we are

asking on the demand side from our consumers, is to prioritize the local

The law also imposes a 12-year jail term on a person who voluntarily or knowingly joins a terrorist organization.

Anti-terror law targets terrorists

In a separate statement, Roque allayed the Bangsamoro leaders’ concerns over the passage of the anti-terrorism act.

Roque ensured that the new law would secure the country by going after terror groups.

Thus, the anti-terror law does not target any regional or ethnic group, Roque said.

“Passing a class legislation against the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), I would like to stress, would not even cross the minds of the proponents of the said bill. This piece of legislation (anti-terror law) is against terrorists and terrorism and not against a particular regional/ethnic group,” he said.

On Thursday, BARMM leaders urged Duterte to veto the proposed anti-terror law.

In a resolution adopted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Moro leaders asked Duterte to “review and address the issue of vagueness” of the measure.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim said the Bangsamoro leaders have raised worry that the anti-terror bill, once enacted into law, would lead to the rise in “incidents of violations of human rights” and would once again subject Bangsamoro people to “discrimination and abuse.”

Roque said Bangsamoro leaders may have prejudged the measure.

“We consider the concern that the bill would lead to abuse, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters, unfounded,” he said. (MNS) produce,” he added.

The DTI launched the Buy Local, Go Lokal campaign to promote patronizing Filipino products and services.

“Let us shop local, eat local, and travel local particularly in areas where the quarantine level allowed local travel. Our objective here is to really bring back confidence, to stimulate demand for products and services provided by our MSMEs,” Lopez said.

(MNS)

COUNTY LEADERS... from Page 1 ing lots, beach bike paths, beach facilities and beach accessways will be closed from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, until 5 a.m. Monday, July 6. Public fireworks displays have been cancelled.

In addition, new Health Officer Orders are in place to comply with new state directives mandating the temporary closure of indoor operations at restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, card rooms, zoos, aquariums and museums.

And if you’re hoping to get in a holiday weekend workout, new County directives require all patrons and employees of fitness facilities to wear cloth face coverings masks and gloves at all times while inside the facility.

Although Grand Park in downtown L.A. will be closed to public gatherings and picnics on the holiday, its annual 4th of July Block Party will go on--virtually. Catch the show on ABC7 Saturday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The program can be viewed on the County Channel (92 or 94 on most cable systems) and streamed at july4.grandparkla.org from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“We all wish we could celebrate at the beach or at a fireworks show, but this 4th of July is unlike any other we have experienced. It will take all of us working together to keep our communities safe and maintain our progress to flatten the curve,”said 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“This is an immeasurably difficult and stressful time for every L.A. County resident.

We are tasked with balancing the health of our community members and our economic resiliency efforts. There are many businesses making meaningful investments to meet new safety measures to keep their crew and customers healthy. Likewise, many county residents are taking the necessary precautions to keep their families and neighbors safe. These precautions are not optional, but necessary to protect everyone’s well-being.

Together, we can carefully continue on our path toward recovery.”

Other members of the Board of Supervisors

underscored the need for the public to recognize the seriousness of the public health crisis and the importance of everyone sharing the responsibility for protecting our communities and each other.

“We must continue to take precautions to keep our communities safe. COVID-19 never left and it remains a threat to families, friends, and neighbors with underlying medical conditions,” said 1st District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Chair Pro-Tem. “Stay safe by staying at home this holiday weekend. Let’s ensure our healthcare system can meet the demand from this pandemic, as well as treat patients with cancer, diabetes, and other pre-existing conditions. We are asking everyone to make collective sacrifices for the greater good by avoiding crowds, practicing physical distancing, and wearing a face mask this holiday weekend.”

“Like everyone else, I am impatient to reopen the economy, jump-start businesses and help people get their jobs back--but the only way to do it is by keeping each other safe,” said 2nd District Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

“We cannot simply wish coronavirus away, and ignoring it won’t work either. We need to take precautions, like staying safer at home or wearing a mask outdoors, particularly this Fourth of July Weekend, in order to continue on the path toward recovery.”

“The Fourth of July marks a day in American history when people agreed to come together against a common enemy, in order that they would all be better off in the long run,” added 3rd District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.

“It’s not so different now. This Fourth of July, do the patriotic thing for your family, your community, and for all of Los Angeles: Stay home, and if you really must go out, practice social distancing and wear a face cover.”

“This is not going to be the type of Fourth of July weekend that most of us are used to -- nor should it be,” said 4th District Supervisor Janice Hahn.

“The spike we have seen in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across our County should alarm all of us. We all have to make

personal sacrifices to protect the people we love and our communities from this virus.

Our beaches will be closed this weekend and everyone should avoid gatherings with people they don’t live with.”

Other County leaders also stressed that, while things will be different this year, the 4th of July can still be celebrated safely.

“Staying safe at home also means keeping your family’s safety in mind,” Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby said.

“Let’s celebrate this national holiday by spending quality time with our loved ones – and avoiding fireworks use and remaining vigilant. Although our Los Angeles County beaches will be closed this weekend to the public, our lifeguards will continue to patrol County shorelines, so everyone remains healthy and safe during this time.”

“Amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, please enjoy the birth of American independence responsibly by limiting gatherings, wearing a face cover, and adhering to social distancing protocols,” added Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

“The beaches are closed this weekend. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be enforcing vehicle and penal code violations, beach parking lot closures, and street parking restrictions to ensure public safety. Please have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend.”

Health care leaders said the region is at a critical juncture in the pandemic that has already claimed the lives of more than 3,400 Los Angeles County residents and infected more than 105,000 people here. People of all ages are at risk. Those with underlying health conditions, who are at higher risk for serious illness or death due to COVID-19, should take special precautions and stay at home wherever possible.

“I know that many residents are frustrated and heartbroken that we may be taking steps backwards, but I am confident that with these actions, we have a chance to really prevent as many future cases, hospitalizations and deaths as we can,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Department of Public Health.

“Over the holiday weekend, I ask that you avoid the Three C’s: Crowds, Confined Spaces, and Close Contact with people from outside of your household. These actions, as well as practicing physical distancing and wearing a cloth face covering whenever you are around others, do save lives.”

Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of the Department of Health Services, also emphasized the need for caution in celebration: “The spike in COVID-19 cases and the uptick in hospitalizations we’ve seen in recent days is alarming and an important reminder of the need to aggressively practice prevention measures like face coverings and physical distancing to limit transmission of the virus causing COVID-19. While prepared to care for an increase in patients, we must all take action to prevent excessive strain on hospitals. The sentinel bell is ringing loudly in every part of our County. As we commemorate Independence Day and the way of life we celebrate this weekend, including access to healthcare, following simple public health guidance will be key to the continued reopening of society and the preservation of our hospital system and its dedicated workforce.”

Norma E. Garcia, Acting Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, urged the public to enjoy the upcoming weekend safely.

"At L.A. County Parks, the Fourth of July is one of our busiest weekends of the year for enjoying our community and regional parks, trails, golf courses, tennis, and campgrounds.

We welcome park guests to visit our facilities safely by following COVID-19 health guidelines of physical distancing, keeping your face coverings handy, and other specific restrictions required based on each amenity outlined at parks.lacounty.gov/covid-19."

Gary Jones, Director, Department of Beaches and Harbors, is already looking forward to a brighter future: “We know people look forward to a day at the beach on the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, that won’t happen this year. We encourage everyone to celebrate Independence Day at home, and we’ll see you at the beach next year.”

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way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

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

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Looking for someone to care for a two year old and newborn and assist with house duties. of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated

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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

PRAYER TO BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail). O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.- KORY

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O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. St. Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea ‘to be made known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen THANK YOU - SHAHELA

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Saturday-Friday | July 4 - 10, 2020

Gov't aims to bring down PH Covid-19 positivity rate to 3% MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government aims fighting Covid-19’’ without the vaccine. to bring down further the positivity rate of the Meanwhile, Año said he expects Cebu City to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country as shift from the stringent enhanced community it ramps up response efforts to the health crisis, quarantine (ECQ) to a more relaxed quarantine Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday. protocol after July 15.

“But if you look at the positivity rate, we are now He made the assessment after observing that the at the 6 percent positivity rate, probably hanggang residents have followed the ECQ protocols which (up to) 7 (percent). Our goal is to bring down the were enforced in the city for being the locality with rate to 3 or even 1 percent,’’ Año said in a virtual the most Covid-19 cases in the country. press briefing.

“We foresee na magkakaroon ng (to have) changCompared to other countries, Año noted that es in Cebu City and the province after July 15,’’ the country’s performance in battling Covid-19 Año said. is good.

He said that the deployment of more uniformed Año cited South Korea as having a positivity rate men from the Philippine National Police (PNP) of 1 to 3 percent which “means they are already and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) winning’’. is another factor that made residents adhere to "Look at the US (United States), 368 persons per quarantine rules. one million population. Sa atin (Ours), it is about In his recent visit to the province, Año said he Fourteen recovered COVID-19 patients were discharged 11 per one million population. In Brazil, it's 127 had a series of dialogues with the local officials, at the Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila on Monday, June 29. To (per one million), so you will see the difference,)" private sector, hospital owners, and residents of date, this is the biggest send-off rendered by the hospital.

(MNS photo) he added.

Cebu province and Cebu City to synchronize the He said with the community quarantine measnational government’s thrust in combatting Covures, the government has managed the severe and critical cases in the country. id-19 with the local stakeholders.

"We are able to buy time to increase our testing capacities, build isolation He also went to the Cebu International Airport which is accommodating facilities, at tsaka yung mga (and those) healthcare capacities. (So) we are the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from other countries where really--very very ready now to fight Covid-19 more than ever," he added. quarantine protocols have been set up.

Año said the rise of Covid-19 cases in the country is expected because it “So I can say that we are going in the right direction hopefully by July 15, means the number of people being tested for the virus is also increasing. maka-graduate na 'yung Cebu from ECQ (Cebu can already graduate from He, however, admitted that “no country can say that they are successful in ECQ),’’ said Año. (MNS)

Philippines includes asymptomatic individuals in COVID-19 testing

5 firms to make enhanced nutribun

MANILA (Mabuhay) — People who do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms are now included in the government’s expanded testing program, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government’s COVID-19 task force approved the measure following the procurement of 10 million RT-PCR test kits by the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management.

Aside from asymptomatic individuals, Roque said other frontliners including media personnel may be covered by the new policy.

“Approved na po na we will test beyond those who are symptomatic pero antayin po natin ang actual guidelines na i-issue ng NTF [National Task Force Against COVID-19] at ng Department of Health,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

Previously, only individuals with COVID-19 symptoms such as fever and difficulty breathing, and those with exposure to COVID-19 patients as well as Filipinos returning to the country were subjected to mandatory tests.

Roque’s announcement comes after 11 individuals representing various sectors on Friday asked the Supreme Court to order the government to conduct free mass testing for COVID-19.

Assisted by the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, the petitioners asked the court to ramp up contact tracing and rapid containment and improve laboratory testing capacity.

"The omission of proactive and efficient mass testing amid the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that a systemic and normalized violation of the right to health engenders the impairment of other human rights and liberties, such as the rights to travel, livelihood or work, education, and access to justice,” they said in a petition.

As of June 30, the Philippines had tested 681,667 individuals, according to government data.

NTF deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon said on Monday that the government aims to test 10 million Filipinos in the next eight to 10 months.

The Philippines has so far reported 40,336 COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 11,073 recoveries and 1,280 deaths. (MNS)

MANILA — At least five companies have already expressed interest to adopt or make the Food and Nutrition Research Institute's enhanced nutribun (e-nutribun), an official said on Friday.

These firms are all located in Luzon and are under negotiation with the FNRI, Director Mario Capanzana told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

He added that the e-nutribun of these five huge companies would be for their social programs and commercial production.

The e-nutribun, he said, is an enhanced and more nutritious version of the nutribun in the 1970s.

"The nutribun in the 1970s, 1980s was big, heavy, hard, so children normally couldn't finish eating it, because of its texture," he said.

FNRI's e-nutribun has an improved texture, while still carrying the requirement of more or less 500 kilocalories.

"Other micronutrients such as Vitamin A, iron, iodine, were added by putting natural ingredients," he said.

Capanzana said squash was among the natural ingredients that the FNRI used to improve the bread's taste.

He said FNRI plans to launch the e-nutribun virtually before the end of July. "We are thinking of launching it online and invite technology With the pandemic having signifpartners. Maybe we would produce icant impacts on both health and some, to be used in a demo," he said. the economy, NEDA UndersecreAfter the launching, the Departtary Rosemarie Edillon said there ment of Science and Technology will be challenges in achieving the (DOST) regional offices would conAmBisyon Natin 2040. duct an online forum for potential "With respect to the COVID-19, bakers and adoptors. The FNRI would na k ita namin ang pina kamashare with them the technical knowcha-challenge really is having the how for free. long and health life, having the "Our only requirement would be a comfortable lifestyle, and actually MOA (memorandum of agreement) down the road 'yung social din ang with our technology adoptors," Camagiging problema natin," she said. panzana said, adding that this is to "In any case, sa health and food monitor if the adoptors are followsecurity ang magiging priority dito ing the right steps and ingredients sa updated PDP," added Edillon. in making the e-nutribun.

Among the specific measures "We need to know if they are doing seen to be taken are strengthenthe right thing because if they would ing the country's healthcare system deviate the process or ingredients, and the focus on the entire food valour purpose for the e-nutribun would ue chain in the short term. be set aside," he said.

"Ito kaagad ang pagtutuunan ng Capanzana said the technology pansin," she said, noting that the adopters have the option to either technology sector will also play a sell the e-nutribun, or donate them. big part moving forward. (MNS) (PNA)

Healthcare, food security to take center stage in Philippine Development Plan update — NEDA exec MANILA (Mabuhay) — Measures on health care and food security will take the center stage at the update of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) moving forward, in efforts to address issues brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to officials of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), it is now updating the PDP to factor in the impact of COVID-19.

"A midterm update has started already prior to COVID and was about to be completed, but to be more relevant what we decided is to postpone the release and to revisit the whole PDP update in light of COVID," Acting NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said during a congressional hearing on Thursday.

"We still have the higher-order vision of Matatag, Maginhawa, and Panatag na Buhay but immediate objective under the updated PDP

will now focus on a healthy and more resilient Philippines," he added.

The six-year PDP was approved in February 2017, covering the period up to 2022. It was due for a midterm update prior to the pandemic, which has been postponed to take into account impacts of the disease.

"In terms of the economy, I think the idea going forward is we have to put more emphasis on the entire agricultural or food value chain next to our healthcare system," said Chua.

"This basic attention to agriculture would be able to give us minimum confidence that at least the most basic needs are made available at affordable prices," he added.

The PDP is the framework for measures to be taken to achieve the AmBisyon Natin 2040, which details the "simple and comfortable life" aspired for by Filipinos.

Saturday-Friday | July 4 - 10, 2020

SoKor firm to donate 10K units of Covid-19 test kits to PH MANILA — SD Biosensor, a South Korean company, is offering to donate 10,000 units of test kits for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) worth USD100,000 to the Philippines.

This was disclosed on Wednesday to the Philippines News Agency by Sanghoon Ko, director general of Korea Trade (KOTRA), a South Korean government agency responsible for the promotion of trade and investment between the Philippines and South Korea.

Based on KOTRA’s letter dated July 1, 2020 to Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the test kits to be donated are Standard Q Covid-19 Combo and Standard Q Covid-19 Ag. Ko said delivery of the test kits will be within this month as soon as the donation will be accepted by the DOH. SD Biosensor is one of South Korea’s leading healthcare companies using advanced and innovative technology.

South Korea has been extending humanitarian aid to the Philippines during calamities for the past seven decades as gesture of appreciation to the Philippines for sending troops during the Korean War in the 1950s.

Since February this year, South Korea has provided over USD5 million (PHP250 million) worth of humanitarian assistance to the Philippines to help combat the deadly Covid-19. (PNA)

STANDARD Q. COVID-19 COMBO (SCREENSHOT FROM SD BIOSENSOR WEBSITE)

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DOH wants health workers’ benefits to continue sans Bayanihan law M A NIL A ( Mabuhay) — After the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act lapsed last month, the Depa r t ment of Health (DOH) is looking for ways to provide comp en s at ion for healthcare workers who died and suffered from severe symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a media forum on Thursday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire sa id t he depa rtment wanted to continue the compensation for health workers but cannot do so until there is a "sound basis" in the form of a law.

The Bayanihan law, which lapsed on June 24,

mandates PHP1 million death compensation for the families of healthcare workers who died from Covid-19. Those who got severely ill while on duty would also get PHP100,000 compensation.

"Humahanap din tayo ng ibang avenue kaya tayo nakikipag-discuss sa iba't ibang ahensiya na hindi lamang sa Bayanihan to Heal As One Act pwede no, baka naman pwede tayo makakuha o makipag-usap, sa tinitingnan na natin ngayon sa mga GSIS and the

other agencies which can provide this basis, also to continue on providing compensation to these health workers na namatay o 'di kaya ay naging severe or critical (We're also searching for other avenues so we're having discussions with other agencies, not just through Bayanihan to Heal As One Act. We might be able to get [help] or talk with GSIS and the other agencies which can provide this basis, also to continue on providing compensation to these health workers

who died or have gone severe or critical)," Vergeire said.

Vergeire said the 34th Covid-19 death among healthcare workers is a barangay health worker in the National Capital Region.

To date, the DOH said about 3,422 healthcare workers were infected with Covid-19. Of the total number of cases, only one or .03 percent is severely ill and there is no health worker in critical condition. (MNS)

20

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Forester Limited CVT

with Navigation, 576 Watt Premium Audio System, Reverse Automatic Braking & Heated Steering Wheel

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

259

$

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model LJD-11 — L3601600 & L3608609 Offer Expires 07/31/20

FINANCE OFFER As low as 0% limited term financing on ALL 2020 Imprezas in stock

2020 SUBARU

Outback Limited CVT

2020 SUBARU

with Navigation & Moonroof

289

$

Model Code: LFI-32 — LH437693 & LH445796 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL 2020 Foresters in stock

Crosstrek Limited CVT

with Navigation & Moonroof

259

$

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model Code: LDF-34 — L3108142 & L3140138 Offer Expires 07/31/20 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL 2020 Outback models in Stock

FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% limited term financing on ALL 2020 Crosstreks in stock

2020 SUBARU

Offer Expires 07/31/20

Legacy Premium CVT

Model Code: LRE-21 — L8236004 & L8232624 Offer Expires 07/31/20

Ascent Touring – 7 Passenger CVT

2020 SUBARU

with Navigation and Power Moonroof

289

$

419

$

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model Code: LAF-34 — one at this offer L3010539 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 07/31/20 As low as 0% limited term financing on ALL 2020 Legacys in stock

Model Code: LCG-31 — one at this payment L3459082 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 07/31/20 As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL 2020 Ascents in stock

“Para sa bagong Subaru, tawagan niyo lang po kami!”

Driving People Happy

SUBARU OF GLENDALE 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204 www.SubaruofGlendale.net

855-230-1547 Andrew Marilla Christian Marilla Sales & Leasing Finance Manager

Enzo Patnongon Sale & Leasing Consultant

Subaru, Forester, Outback, Tribeca, Legacy, Impreza, WRX, STI, and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks. Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintainance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).

See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverage and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 12-31-19 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.