Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) October 10, 2020

loS aNgElES EDITIoN

DOTR: P16.5 billion modified Cebu BRT project to push through PAGE 13 VOL. XXIX NO. 41

October 10-16, 2020

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

LaWYer LameNTS LIgHT PeNaLTY VS raCIST WOmaN IN TOrraNCe aTTaCKS

Philippines now qualified for a more relaxed e-visa to Russia 8  Companies may delay grant of 13th month pay this year 8  UNHRC assistance to PH ‘very much appreciated’ — Palace 9  Palace hails Duque for being elected WHO committee chair 10  DOE urged to build foundations for sound nuclear power agenda 10  Dive resorts in areas under GCQ, MGCQ may accept recreational divers — Palace 11  Supreme Court to test computerized Bar exams 12  No motorcycle taxis until Congress drafts law — DOTr 12  Sotto: Duterte’s special session call stresses urgency of budget approval 12 

By ABNER GALINO

A mere slap on the wrist.

That was how lawyer Sandy Roxas described the punishment that a local court has handed to a woman who hurled racist tirades and as well as physically assaulted a Filipina American in a mall in Torrance.

“She (suspect) may not even serve a day of that 47 days of jail term,” Roxas said, explaining that the condition prevailing in the local jail as a consequence of the pandemic may prompt authorities to just let the accused walk away.

“It would have been better if the court just ordered her to do community work,” the lawyer added.

Lena Hernandez, 54, of Long Beach, agreed to plead no contest to a misdemeanor battery in exchange for a sentence of 47 days in county jail.

The court also put Hernandez on a three-year- probation while attending anger-management classes; was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away LAWYER

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BUSINESS. DBM urges local firms to participate in pool of suppliers for gov’t’s COVID-19 response 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Julia Barretto: ‘For the first time, I protected myself’ 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. PH starts recruiting participants for Avigan trial 18  TRAVEL. De-stress in 2020: Pulling off a relaxing, safe ‘staycation’teachers, pals 16 

Screengrab: #TFCBalitangAmerica #TheFilipinoChannel #News

COMMUNITY rallies behind Filipina American Kayceelyn Salminao who was racially attacked at SoCal park.

Your vote.

Your voice.

This election year is different.

But don’t let that stop you from voting and making your voice heard.

There’s a lot at stake this year, like strengthening Social Security and Medicare, lowering drug prices, and protecting the health of you and your family.

OU KNOW Y E R U S SAFELY MAKING G S N I I P T R O A V A R TIONS FO .

YOUR OP E OR IN-PERSON M FROM HO .

M HOME ballot and O R F E T st a 1) VO to reque ber 3. e re Novem e deadlin Check th turn it on or befo re where to

EARLY. ng early 2) VOTE s and locations for vontig lines. date nd lo Find the crowds a id o v a to n in-perso

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EMBER 3 V O N N olling SAFELY O 3) VOTE to vote, as your usuaal spk, am here en. Wear ards.

Check w ot be op n ize afterw y it a n m a s e d n a plac , d e if requir bring ID

Learn your options for voting safely, local deadlines, and more at

aarp.org/election2020

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Fil-Am

Community Visit www.Balita.com

Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

"bernie Targa-ganon: breathing life to the Filipino american Community"

Text and photos: Vics Magsaysay, Ph.D.

“Kind hearts are the garden, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the blossoms, kind deeds are the fruit.”

— John Ruskin

"I

was only five years old when my grandmother, Vicenta Gabion introduced me to seniors in our town of Irosin, Sorsogon.

There were times she would bring me along and asked me to dance in front of some sick seniors. Naturally, all the old folks were ecstatic: they really got a kick out of my cute dancing moves. Interestingly, many got well," narrated Bernie Targa-Ganon, FACLA's (Filipino American Community of Los Angeles) first vice president and L.A. Brilliant Lion's Club's president.

Many decades have passed and this indefatigable lady still continues gaining a foothold on her noble work in another country--here in America, in the Filipino American community of L.A. It was early 2001 when her WWII veteran dad passed away.

She had no recourse but to travel to America for the burial. After a few weeks she returned back to the Philippines. "It wasn't even a month and I have to pack up again, and come back--but this time for my mom," she said.

"While here I became very active in advocating the cause of our Filipino American veterans who were given disparaging treatments as opposed to what were promised to them. Yes, we often had to travel to Sacramento to see to it that they-our veterans--be treated fairly,"

Bernie Targa-Ganon (center and seated) poses with Filipino American photographers, painters, musicians and community leaders during an art exhibition. Behind her is former City of Carson Mayor Jim Dear.

Bernie explained with conviction.

It was her dad who admonished to her the fundamental notion of always being of help to seniors. "That is the reason why I worked in FASGI (Filipino American Service Group, Inc.). Under the leadership of Susan M. Dilkes, we came up with healthy and active lifestyle projects for our 'kababayans,'" she mentioned.

When it comes to accomplishing a project, this diminutive lady always has arrows on her quiver. Her background back home in National Teachers College plays a lot of role in her organizational acumen. Bernie was chosen as president of the P.E. Department.

The college even paid her after being selected as one of the three nationwide trainers of trainers for the secondary curriculum on values education, language and culture of groups in educational institutions.

Her grandma staunchly ingrained in her

mind the pain Jesus suffered while wearing a crown of thorns. "She explained that if I am in distress, that is but one spike of Jesus' thorns that is paining me," Bernie elucidated. Steeled by this resolve, no matter the odds, she doesn't throw in the towel when given a task.

In hindsight, she couldn't forget the generosity of her grandma. "My "lola" (grandma) was so compassionate: she would share part of her lots to strangers who didn't have any place to live in," Bernie chronicled. "I must have inherited her genes. Helping others in their grief and suffering perhaps takes the cake in human activity and development," Bernie added.

"For me, it's but a small matter helping these seniors; but to them, the genuine concern is something they will embrace in their hearts forever," she declared.

But there was a time when she was in a state of quandary--the idea of returning to the homeland. There was this haunting thought reverberating in her mind--the subject of "walang iwanan" (no leaving) she imparted to her students back home. "It's this nationalistic fervor of using one's brain and toil to benefit the country...and here I am, in another country. It's kind of ironic. On the other hand, it was also a no brainer--despite the inner turmoil--to help my mother who needed me, too. In this country I also have to help our veterans...and seniors," she succinctly remarked.

"Doing my work is not a walk in the park. I had to undergo so many trainings about leadership and community work.

Beside this, I also have to understand different ethnic group disparities. Yes, I really had to immerse myself with Asian American groups," Bernie explained.

It was her luck to have Rey, her husband in doing community work. "His passion equals mine, too, in many ways.

Without him, one of my hands is tied,"

she reasoned out.

The couple has been of great help in injecting life to our seniors. "There are times we bring them to Santa Monica beach. So many of them have been here for a long time and haven't even been in these places--Santa Monica and Redondo beaches. We even bring them to the Danish village of Solvang and other places for a breath of fresh air. It's truly a joy to see the sparkles in their eyes," she narrated with a smile.

Bernie is also visible in the community promoting the Filipino culture and arts. As the president of PILAC (Philippine Institute of Arts and Culture) she spearheads and organizes events for Filipino native dances, painting, photo and other art exhibitions as well as local poem readings and "Balagtasan" (a Tagalog poetic debate). Teaching native dance movements to seniors gives her joy, too.

The milk of human kindness is inherent in everyone's heart. It breathes life to those who are marginalized or suffering physically, mentally and spiritually.

Dramatic changes happen. The world becomes a better place to live in when each of us are all connected--connected in such a way that we fill each other's cup with a reassurance of love, joy and blessings.

John Hoeven summed it up beautifully in his quote: "Caring for our seniors is perhaps the greatest responsibility we have. Those who walked before us have given so much and made possible the life we all enjoy."

Vics Magsaysay, Ph.D., is a Los Angeles-based writer, fine art nature photographer, painter, sculptor, graphic designer, “makata” (Pilipino poet) and an alternative healer. He also holds a doctorate degree in clinical hypnotherapy.

Copyright © 2020: Vics Magsaysay

3 BALITA Community Who’s really paying for $1.3M grant from NASA for air quality measurements in LA that $10 UBER ride?

Surprise: It’s your driver Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

By SUNITA SOHRABJI EMS Contributor Gig economy workers, who now comprise more than one-third of the U.S. labor force, lost an estimated 75 percent of their income in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gig economy workers comprise app-based drivers for ride-share and food delivery services, such as Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart, and Postmates. They can also work through online platforms, such as TaskRabbit, Fiverr, and AirBnB. House-cleaners, gardeners, temp workers, and independent contractors are also categorized as gig workers. As the pandemic hit, demand for such services exponentially dropped, leaving workers with no money and no financial safety nets such as unemployment or savings.

This emerging labor force is overwhelmingly made up of people of color and newer immigrants, who are largely underpaid, often below minimum wage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in 2017 that 55 mil-

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lion people worked in the gig economy; that number is expected to grow to 43 percent of the U.S. labor pool.

Veena Dubal, a professor of law at the University of California Hastings School of Law, characterized appbased driving as “one of the most dangerous jobs in America,” at an Oct. 2 briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services. She noted that drivers are grossly underpaid, have no health insurance, no sick or paid family leave, and no unemployment insurance.

Drivers work more than 40 hours a week, and net about $10.17 an hour, according to data from the Economic Policy Institute.

“This is a highly exploitative model that really lowers labor costs for companies and and cuts the ability of workers to make a living,” said Dubal.

“Right now, quite frankly, is not a good time to be a gig worker,” said Alexandrea Ravenelle, author of “Hustle and Gig,” at the briefing.

“Gig workers are in jobs that carry a high risk of exposure to COVID beCONTNUED ON PAGE 16

Small business revitalization grant program to provide $30,000 within LA County

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted certain industries more than others. Los Angeles County is stepping in to provide aid to businesses that have been allowed to reopen by the State, but ordered to remain closed by the County of Los Angeles Health Officer Order as of September 4, 2020.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has provided Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to create the Small Business Revitalization Grant Program.

The Program, operated by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), is designed to assist breweries with no kitchen, wineries with no kitchen, miniature golf parks, batting cage facilities, kart racing centers, and tanning salons in Los Angeles County that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Program is not designed to assist businesses operating in the City of Los Angeles.

Eligible applicants will receive $30,000 to use for working capital such as employee payroll, working capital to continue operations, payment of outstanding business expenses, and adaptive business practices needed to remain open.

Applications for this Program will only be accepted for a one-week period, starting October 9, 2020, 12:00 p.m. through October 16, 2020, 12:00 p.m.

“Now that the Trump Administration has made the unconscionable decision to walk away from a stimulus package, it has fallen to Los Angeles County to do what we can to support

local small businesses,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

“We aren’t going to turn our backs on communities during this crisis.

We designed these grants to help the small businesses that were disproportionately impacted by our Los Angeles County health orders.”

Applications will be ranked via a lottery and applicants will be selected in the order ranked per the lottery process.

The lottery will be broadcast live at revitalizationgrant.lacda.org on Friday, October 20, 2020, at 9 a.m.

“It is unfortunate to see the impact the pandemic has had on small businesses that, through no fault of their own, have had no choice but to close their doors not knowing when they will be able to reopen. Through grant programs like the one we are announcing today, we are doing what we can to help ease the financial burdens these businesses are facing, even as some are gearing up to reopen in the near future,” said Emilio Salas, Acting Executive Director, LACDA. Program details are available at revitalizationgrant.lacda.org. The application portal will open on October 9, 2020, 12:00 p.m. and close on October 16, 2020, 12:00 p.m.

Businesses considering applying for the grant should note that the funds being used for these grants are extremely time sensitive. It is imperative that applicants submit all documentation required, apply by the deadline, and respond to all LACDA communications in a timely manner.

Questions regarding the Small Business Revitalization Grant Program can be sent to revitalizationgrant@lacda.org.

O

n California Clean Air Day, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the City of Los Angeles has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to lead NASA’s “Predicting What We Breathe” project — a new initiative that utilizes NASA’s existing satellite equipment to better understand, predict, and address air quality impacts in Los Angeles.

“Clean air is a fundamental human right for people everywhere — and securing it starts at home, with bold steps to fight air pollution and protect the health of communities left to deal with the consequences of dirty air for far too long,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“Our partnership with NASA hands our city another vital tool to predict air quality in our neighborhoods, measure the effectiveness of our efforts to clean our air, create a model for counterparts worldwide, and deliver on our promise of equity and sustainability in Los Angeles.”

NASA’s investment will fund two years of research to devise a platform that integrates data from ground and spaced-based air quality measurements. When complete, the model will be able to provide local officials with new information to predict local air quality, issue more effective on-the-ground intervention tactics, and receive detailed feedback on the impact of current efforts to reduce air pollution citywide.

“A predictive model based on ma-

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chine learning such as the one developed by the City of Los Angeles will enhance and enable focused air quality science investigations and predictions, by facilitating the access, integration, understanding and visualization of disparate datasets locally to satellite sensors,” said Dr. Jacqueline Le Moigne, the Advanced Information Systems Technology Program Manager for NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office.

The project will also provide City officials with data to address air quality measurement gaps that exist in underserved communities, which are often those most adversely impacted by air pollution.

As a part of the grant, hundreds of small-scale sensors will be installed in areas of South Los Angeles, Wilmington, and the San Fernando Valley.

L.A. County is home to more than half of the state’s most disadvantaged communities, as determined

by CalEnviroScreen, a ranking that uses air pollution and asthma rates as key indicators in their analysis.

“Predicting What We Breathe” is a partnership between a group of public, private, and academic organizations, including: the City of Los Angeles, NASA, the Southern California Air Quality Management District, Safecast, OpenAQ, SmartAirLA, the California State University of Los Angeles, and the L.A. Data Science Federation.

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Community

Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

20th birthday celebration of Kristine Rose Robles – Members and supporters of the Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA) got together to celebrate the 20th birthday of Kristine Robles, a daughter one of their officers that coincided with the house warming rites in Santa Clarita. In the photo are FAPCCA president Benny Uy (extreme right), publisher and editor Val Abelgas (3rd from right) and FAPCCA treasurer Rose Sarreal (seated 5th from left).

Photo by Bobby Crisostomo

National Grassroots GOTV Effort for Filipino American History Month

T

o mark Filipino American History Month (FAHM), the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD) in partnership with the Nevada Asian American and Pacific Islander Democratic Caucus (AAPIDC), and KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress (KAYA) are proud to announce our coordinated grassroots Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) campaign to mobilize Filipinos to vote for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, starting at the highest level of office with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

For the rest of October up until Election Day, our coalition will continue to have weekly phonebanks, events, and forthcoming digital actions to continue energizing our Filipino and AAPI voter base.

“October is such an important month for the Filipino American community. Let’s uplift each other by exercising our right and our power to vote. We have an incredible opportunity to change history for the better – to protect our community, especially our frontline healthcare workers, and all communities who are suffering as a result of the current Administration,” said Jessica Caloza, President of PALAD. In the spirit of this year’s theme announced by the Filipino American National Historical Society, the “History of Filipino American Activism,” our goal and call to action to our fellow kababayans and kaibigans is to engage, volunteer, and help us elect more Democratic candidates who represent our values and lead with integrity. Our collective organizing strategy will

tap into our people power by reaching out to voters in key swing districts, continue investing in paid advertising, and ramping up our digital organizing efforts to amplify key messages.

In Nevada the community will play a crucial role, where Filipino American voters comprise 5% of the state’s voting-eligible population. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won Nevada by less than 2.5%.

Dan Santos, Chair of the Nevada AAPIDC emphasized, "It's so important that Filipino Americans coordinate nationally to get out the vote for our communities, especially in Nevada, a key swing state.

We need to build intergenerational coalitions and combine efforts across organizations to maximize outreach to our communities. So many monumental issues are at stake this November. I'm confident that if we work together, we can elect new leadership that will lead our country out of these dark times."

"We're grassroots organizing for the most consequential election of our lifetime and are proud to do so with this strong coalition of Filipino American partners across the country. In doing so, we are also building our community's organizing muscle for the future. Because of our position on a national level, we are able to mobilize in key swing states. It’s past time that we recognize the power and potential of Filipino Americans across the country in the progressive movement,” added Christian Edlagan, Board Member of KAYA. To volunteer and get involved, please visit www.palad.org

Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

A

s we celebrate this month's Filipino American History event, let us delve into the history of how this celebration was established. It has been known that "the first Filipinos to have landed in the Continental United States was on October 18,1587, at Morro Bay, in Upper California. They arrived aboard the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza, which had sailed from Portuguese Macao, as part of the galleon trade. It took around three days of travels ashore around Morro Bay aboard the ship when the Filipinos came in contact with the Chumash Native Indian community, which sadly resulted in the deaths of two crew members - one Spaniard and one Filipino. And by departing Morro Bay, after the deaths of the two crew members, the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza eventually reached its intended destination of Acapulco, Mexico. No other Filipino landed in California until 1595.

Thousands of years before their first contact with Europeans, the Chumash native Indian community had already established the region around the Channel Islands, starting from the coast areas of San Luis Obispo on the north, all the way to the Malibu coast on the south, as their territories.at the start of the 16th century when European explorers began to explore the Pacific, thus making way for the Spaniards to travel westward, with Vasco Nunez de Balboa, initially seeing the Pacific Ocean from Panama, followed by Ferdinand Magellan, who crossed and reached the Philippines on March 16, 1521.

At the start of the mid-16th century, Spain conducted its campaign to conquer the Philippines, led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi,. thereby concluding a conquest of the Philippines with its Spanish forces in1565 and the Manila galleon trade began sailing from Acapulco, Mexico to Cebu, Philippines initially and after 1571, they sailed from Acapulco to Manila, Philippines. These ships had Filipino crew men on board called "Luzones Indios," as they were known at the time. The hard-working Filipinos who sailed the ships experienced tremendous suffering including

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Celebrating Filipino American History Month and honoring the first Filipino Landing in Morro Bay minimal food rations, diseases, and the lowest pay among the crew.

From 1592 until his death in 1586, Francisco Galli commanded the Manila galleon route, initially as a navigator, but on a return voyage to Mexico in 1584, Galli navigated the ship along the North American coast, which he thought was near the strait of Anian..And in 1585, a mission from Archbishop Pedro Moya de Contreras had instructions to survey the California coast and the westward-bound captain of the Manila galleon, who also happened to be Gali.

While in Manila later that year, Gali died, leaving the mission to Pedro de Unamuno, who had sailed with Gali from Acapulco, and had been paid by merchants there to accommodate China.

Fortunately for him, Unamuno could have received the death penalty for insubordination. Franciscans, on the other hand, who wanted to return to Mexico provided funds to purchase the ship of Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza and one of those Franciscans was Martin Ignacio de Loyola.

Leaving the Far East in mid-July, 1587, the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza sailed eastward across the Pacific Ocean for a very long, arduous trip, and in early September, the ship experienced a sudden crack around it, but luckily they spotted land through a fog and fires were seen onshore. Upon initial reconnaissance, this led the crew to discover Morro Bay, which gave them provisions through the Bay's luscious trees which they utilized for masts while they observed people on a hill looking at their ship.

Thus, on October 18, 1587 the feastday of San Lucas, the initial landing parties came ashore. One party consisted of Unamuno and a dozen soldiers , and the other party were the "Luzones Indios" and a priest, Ignacio de Loyola, nephew of Ignatius of Loyola. Two of the Filipinos went ahead of the parties, scouting for the locals they have seen from their ship. Initial attempts to make contact failed, but when a group of nine Native Americans were observed, they ran off before the landing party could attempt to communicate with them. After taking possession of the land, by placing a cross

LaWYer... frOm Page 1 from the victim; and was banned from coming to mall where the incident transpired.

“And guess who would pay for those anger-management classes? It’s us the taxpayers,” Atty. Roxas said to stress the irony of the situation.

In an earlier interview with the media, Filipina American Kayceelyn Salminao lamented the court only imposed Hernandez the “bare minimum.”

“That’s how they value our (Asian Americans) safety,” Salminao quipped.

The victim said she still suffers from psychological trauma as a result of the attack.

In a statement that Salminao read in court, she claimed that she intervened when she saw Hernandez verbally assaulting an employee at the Del Amo mall in Torrance.

Because of this, Hernandez allegedly assaulted her and pushed her to the ground.

"I attempted to stand my ground.

She pulled my hair, held my head to the ground and punched me multiple times on the back of my head," Salminao told the court.

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Salminao also revealed that the police took no action after she filed her report.

Hernandez was caught on camera twice engaged in racist tirades on Asian Americans at a park in Torrance.

In one incident, she told a woman who was doing routine physical exercise to:"Go back to whatever (expletive) Asian country you belong in."

Before and after the court proceeding, Atty. Roxas took notice of the special treatment accorded to Hernandez by the authorities.

“She was well protected by the police before and after the court proceeding.

But no such protection was accorded to my client,” Atty. Roxas recalled, pointing out that it was Hernandez who had a history of violence and not her client who was the victim of violence in the said case.

It can be recalled that police only arrested Hernandez in July for misdemeanor battery after the video of the attacks went viral on social media.

A large anti-racist demonstration was subsequently held by Asian Americans at the Wilson Park in Torrance.

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on top of a hill as their territory claim, the landing party returned to their ship.

On the following day, after a second landing for exploration and gathering of supplies for the ship, the landing party spent the night ashore. The next morning, part of the landing party were Americans, who ended up taking clothing and canteens from the landing party.

Not long after, an attempt to capture was stopped when a gun was fired.and they were attacked, resulting in the death of one Spaniard and one Filipino, due to javelin wounds and several others were injured. Reinforcements from the shop came, and the following day, on October 21, the galleon departed, continuing its journey to Acapulco.

After departing Morro Bay, the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza sailed southward and in a few days was behind the galleon Santa Ana, which had sailed eastward at a lower latitude and ultimately fell victim to Thomas Cavendish's privateering, a fate which the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza avoided. Attempts to sail southward along the coastline were made difficult due to severe weather conditions including fog. Finally, after a month from departing Morro Bay, the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza arrived in Acapulco. Inland expeditions were prohibited by the Spanish authorities, following the hostility encountered in Morro Bay. After its initial voyage across the Pacific, the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza continued to be utilized in the Manila galleon trade, but was lost

off the coast of Negros island in 1647.

However, there was a documented landing of Filipinos to note, in California in November 1585, when the Manila galleon, San Agustin was wrecked at Point Reyes, the first European ship wrecked on the California coast. Unlike the deadly interaction of the crew of the Nuestra Senora de Buena Esperanza, the crew of the San Agustin did not encounter any hostility with the local people, though later on, the San Agustin was also wrecked, which resulted in several deaths, but the salvaged ship and crew departed until they reached Acapulco.

The landing of the first Filipinos on October 18, 1587 in Morro Bay, actually occurred 33 years before the events at Plymouth Rock, and is often overlooked and although the landing was an important milestone, it was not until the latter half of the 18th century that Filipinos began to settle and become part of the people of the continental United States.

Finally, in early 1992, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) began its effort to commemorate their first landing, and on October, 1995 with the mayor of Morro Bay in attendance, a monument in Morro Bay was placed in Coleman Park .By 2009, after follow-up efforts by FANHS, the Filipino American History Month was finally recognized by California, as well as nationally by resolutions in state and national legislatures. It is now commemorated every OCTOBER in recognition of the first Filipino landing in Morro Bay."

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Saturday-Friday | October 3 - 9, 2020

K-1 VISA: FIANCE VISA TO MARRY U.S. CITIZEN

In previous editions of this article, the process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage was explored. Discussion of that procedure began with the supposition that the couple was married, and continued with the various steps to ultimately gain permanent residence. In many cases, however, a problem exists in even getting to the point at which a couple is married. Often, a foreign national is in his/her home country and, for one reason or another, the U.S. citizen cannot travel to that country to marry him/her. A solution in such a scenario can be found with the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa.

A K-1 visa allows a foreign national to come to the United States to marry a United States citizen. The K-1 visa is valid for ninety (90) days after entry to the United States, during which time the marriage must take place. Once the foreign national is issued a K-1 visa, any of his/her unmarried children under the age of 21 may be issued K-1 visas. Upon arrival in the United States, the foreign national may immediately apply for permission to work.

A two-step process is involved to obtain a K-1 visa.

First, the United States citizen (the petitioner) must file Petition for Alien Fiance(e) along with supporting documents with the USCIS. Through the filed petition and documents, the petitioner must demonstrate three things. To begin, it

must be shown that the foreign national has a bona fide intent to marry within ninety (90) days after arrival. This is often accomplished by producing evidence that a marriage is going to take place—i.e. wedding announcements, catering contracts, etc. In addition, it must be shown that both parties are unmarried and of legal age. Birth certificates, and if one has been previously married, evidence that the prior marriage has been legally terminated are usually satisfactory to accomplish this. Finally, evidence must be provided to show that the parties have physically met each other within the past two (2) years. The petitioner may submit photos of the couple, plane tickets, hotel receipts, etc. as proof that the couple has met. Exceptions to this third requirement apply in certain circumstances that cannot be explored here due to space limitations of this article. The USCIS may also schedule an interview of the petitioner wherein inquiry will be made on the foregoing issues. Once approved, notice is sent to the petitioner and the file is forwarded to the appropriate consulate abroad.

Second, after the petition is approved, the foreign national can apply for a K-1 visa in his/ her home country. An interview is scheduled where the foreign national must provide certain documents for issuance of the visa. An affidavit of support from the petitioner, proving that the foreign nation-

al will not be relying on public assistance upon arrival, in addition to originals of documents mentioned hereinabove, must be presented. Other documents may also be requested by a particular consulate. If all requirements are met, visa issuance will follow. After arrival in the United States and marriage, the foreign national may thereafter begin the process to obtain permanent residence.

The fiance may also bring any children below the age of 21 years old as derivative beneficiary as a K-2 visa. This is another advantage of the fiance visa route. It is not necessary to prove that the marriage to the US Citizen Petitioner occurred prior to the immigrant’s children turning 18 years of age. The K-2 derivative can still adjust to greencard after the K-1 fiance marries the US Citizen even if the marriage occurs after the K-2 derivative reaches the age of 18 as long as they are under 21 years of age.

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 was President of the Philippine American Bar Association for 2005. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Mr. Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. 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; visit at www.kenreyeslaw.com

Americans are already showing signs of maxing out on debt

I was told sometime this summer that consumer debts are on the rise and will to do so without any resistance from credit card companies or subprime auto lenders. Here are some more articles to solidify that this is not a theory but a fact that we should worry about.

• https://www.marketplace.org/2019/09/24/what-you-should-know-abouthousehold-debt/.

• https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/05/consumer-debt-hits-new-record-of14point3-trillion.html https://247wallst.com/economy/2020/09/21/cbo-forecasts-endlessly-risingdebt-and-weaker-gdp-out-to-2050/ How can the following two things be true at the same time?

1. Household debt — in aggregate — is above levels during the economic calamity that hitting America.

2. Everything is fine.

That's a line you'll hear from Wall Street economists, who are noticing the high debt but also telling their clients it won't hurt.

The explanation is wealthy people.

US economic growth has become so skewed toward the wealthiest households that data showing healthy consumer balance sheets masks underlying troubles facing middle-class and poor Americans.

Deutsche Bank's economists tried to wrestle with this issue in a recent note.

They note that, overall, things look OK — households are earning enough to pay back debt that now totals $22.84 trillion — about two-thirds of gross domestic product.

But that big picture is skewed by the booming incomes of the wealthy, and "underneath the surface, there may be incipient cracks forming," the bank's economists say.

"Some measures of income growth have slowed; the saving rate has fallen to near record-low-levels; measures of consumer credit demand and credit growth have weakened, and balance sheets have become more fragile for the lower part of the income distribution."

The rich will be fine Since the crisis, the economy has recovered at a slow but steady pace, allowing the unemployment rate to fall sharply to 4.4% from a peak of 10% during the Great Recession, which lasted from December 2007 to the summer of 2009. The expansion has helped some Americans bolster their finances, but that progress is highly uneven.

In fact, the median net-worth-to-income ratio for all households has fallen since before the crisis, Deutsche said. That's probably explained by a loss in home values during the crisis.

But, "strikingly, all parts of the income distribution have seen their net worth to income ratio decrease except for the top 10%, indicating that the record high net worth to income ratios noted previously are driven primarily by the upper portion of the income distribution," the bank's economists say.

"Despite most households reducing their debt loads, they actually may be in a more precarious situation as they have lost more out of their buffer stock of assets."

Another way to visualize America's economic divide is looking at the ratio between household liabilities and assets.

— The median household overall has seen only a slight increase in leverage since 2007, rising to 0.36 from 0.3.

continued on page 7

viewpoint New Law Provides Greater Protection For Your Home Against Creditors Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

This has got to be the BEST NEWS I have heard recently! Given the huge job losses and high unemployment rate that have left many unable to pay their debts, this may be the biggest change in the law that can help many people protect and keep the substantial equity they have in their family home.

On September 18, Governor Newsom signed AB 1885 into law which takes effect on January 1, 2021. What exactly is AB 1885 all about and how does it benefit homeowners?

In California, prior law (Section 704.730 of the Code of Civil Procedure) provided that a specified portion of the equity in your residence was exempt from execution to satisfy a judgment debt: $75,000 for single person, $100,000 for a married couple (or the debtor and a dependent living in the residence) and $175,000 for homeowners over 65 years of age or disabled. So, for example, if a

judgment creditor were to force a sale of your residence to satisfy the judgment, these were the amounts that they could not take from you. But what if you had substantial equity in your home that was above these amounts? Well, under the law, you were simply out of luck.

These exemption amounts also apply if you were to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

If your home equity exceeded the a l lowable exempt ions a mount, a bankruptcy trustee can force a sale of your home to pay creditors. While the old law did provide protection to SOME homeowners, it still was not enough to protect those homeowners with higher equity amounts. So, if you have worked hard all your life and have accumulated significant equity in your home, the old law not only left you vulnerable to judgment creditors but would have also put your family home at risk of being lost.

MORTGAGE UPDATE… from page 6 — The bottom of the distribution has increased leverage pretty dramatically, rising almost 50% to 0.45 from 0.31.

— The second-poorest quintile has boosted leverage by about 10%.

— The rest of the distribution saw much smaller increases in leverage, or even outright deleveraging at the top end.

This could all sound like a blur to most of you. But just like in the 2005-2008 when I started writing and telling people not to be too aggressively buying up real estate. I think this is that time where I would like to warn people to keep their debts to a conservative check. Be prepared for tougher times and if you have reserves be prepared then to look for opportunities.

The Real Estate Market Cycle is between 7-10 years and history will prove that. We are over due for a cycle and the market will have to correct. There is a saying “Everything that goes up must go down”. I still trying to put my finger to what really might cause a downturn in the Real Estate Economy, the shortage of inventory will prevent a bubble, the tightening of mortgage guidelines will definitely prevent foreclosures, the low rates that we have enjoyed in the past three to four years will also keep our payment affordable and maybe out job market is favorable and strong. Therefore, the only reason for any correction in this market would be tied to consumer debts being too high. This will result in homeowners tapping into their equity to pay off debts, it’s a good thing but rates are rising and if you tap into too much equity with a higher mortgage rate, you better learn to keep those credit card locked up, cuz if you charged them back up. That might be a problem with drowning debts.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments. Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net BRE 01021223 NMLS 238636.

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Enter the new law. AB 1885 was passed to amend these outdated homestead exemption amounts. Beginning the 1st of next year 2021, you now get to exempt the greater of $300,000 or the median sale price of a single-family home last year in your county, not to exceed $600,000. To help you understand what this means for you, here are some projections for several counties: 1. Los Angeles: $600,000 (Estimated Median = $645,000) 2. Riverside: $400,500 3. Orange: $600,000 (Estimated Median = $765,497) 4. San Bernardino: $370,215 So, let us say you were married and lived in Los Angeles County. If your home was worth $550,000 and you still owed $100,000 on it, that means you have $450,000 in equity. Normally, filing Chapter 7 (which only allowed a $100,000 homestead exemption for married couples) would have been a problem. Under the new law, however, since you get to exempt $600,000 instead of only $100,000, you can file bankruptcy without losing you home. Going forward, these dollar amounts will continue to be adjusted by inflation.

In Chapter 13 where the court also looks at the unprotected home equity in determining how much a should pay, the old law made the Chapter 13 plan payment too high and

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unaffordable to a lot of people. The higher homestead protection amounts will now make a lot of Chapter 13 plans affordable by significantly reducing the amount that has to be paid in a lot of cases.

For pe ople i n d i re f i na nc ia l situations caused by COVID-19 who could not obtain bankruptcy relief under t he old law, t his new law provides the greatest protection that we have not had for a very long time.

Homeowners who are crippled with overwhelming debt will now be able, in many situations, to file bankruptcy and discharge their unsecured debt while keeping their home 100% safe.

Of course, every case is different, and you should seek the advice of a competent bankruptcy attorney in order to fully understand your legal rights.

If you are in debt and need to find a way out, I can help you figure out all possible options. NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused

by COV ID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems.

(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).

DEBT PROBLEMS?

TAX PROBLEMS? Don’t Stress!

I will help you find a way out.

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IF you are employed as a 24hour caregiver, working aroundthe-clock to provide care and assistance to an individual inside their home, you are most likely entitled to overtime compensation.

If you are paid a fixed daily rate, regardless of the actual hours you work or the quality and quantity of work you perform, you are not receiving overtime compensation and likely have a valuable claim for wage theft. This is true whether you are hired directly by the care recipient or paid through a home care agency.

In 2014 the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights (“DWBR”) became law in California. The law was passed as part of a movement to enhance the rights of domestic workers, whom the California Legislature deemed to be some of the most invisible and vulnerable workers in the state. Now, under the DWBR, in-home caregivers are entitled to receive overtime wages for all hours worked in excess of 9 in a day or 45 in a week.

In California, most 24-hour caregivers must be paid a minimum of $378.00 per day to comply with the requirements of the DWBR. The first 9-hours of work should be paid at the legal minimum wage rate of $12.00 per hour, which equals $108.00. Then, for the remaining 15 hours, the law requires overtime payments at a rate of $18.00 per hour, which amounts to an additional $270.00 per day.

Unfortunately, in actual practice, most caregivers receive far less than the applicable minimum wage, often earning as little as $180 to $240 per day. A 24-hour caregiver who is earning less than $378.00 per day likely has a very valuable claim for wage theft.

For example, if you are a caregiver working 24-hours per day, 5 days per week for a salary of $1,100 per week (or $220 per day), your weekly unpaid overtime claim is calculated as follows: Your weekly salary of $1,100 is divided by 45 hours to calculate a regular rate of pay, equal to $24.44 per hour.

Your overtime rate is 1.5 times your regular rate of pay, which amounts to $36.66 per hour.

Your pre-determined salar y does not compensate you, at all, for the 15 daily overtime hours you work. So, each day, you accrue $550.00 of unpaid overtime wages.

Employers, who willfully fail to pay an employee the requisite overtime compensation, are also subject to liquidated damages, which could add an additional $180.00 per day to the wage theft claim. Plus, the law provides for

interest, attorneys fees, and penalties.

In the above example, the hypothetical caregiver is owed $2,750 in unpaid overtime wages per week. On a yearly basis, the overtime claim alone exceeds $140,000. We have helped many caregivers whose claims exceed $500,000 in damages with the addition of penalties, liquidated damages and interest, after working for several years.

Caregivers, who are victims of wage theft, may recover their unpaid wages going back 4 years from the date a lawsuit is filed in court. We have helped many caregivers file claims against their former employers. Even if you last worked several years ago, you still have time to pursue a claim.

The one exception is if the care recipient patient has passed away. In that instance, a claim against the care recipient’s estate must be filed within 1 year of their passing, or sooner if an estate has been opened.

If you are a caregiver and are hesitant to proceed with claims for wage theft against your current or former employer please visit our website at www.caregiverovertime.com/pa/concerns/ to review our article that addresses many of the common concerns we have heard from caregivers.

If you are a caregiver working 24-hour shifts without overtime compensation, we want to talk with you about your legal rights. We provide compassionate and confidential consultations. Please contact us at (818) 807-4168, for a free case evaluation.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free case evaluation. Or visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com/ to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

Philippines now qualified for a more relaxed e-visa to Russia

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Starting 2021, Filipinos will be able to apply for an e-visa to travel to any part of Russia, its embassy in Manila said.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the embassy said on its Facebook page, has signed a directive approving a revised and more relaxed pilot visa procedure for the Philippines and 51 other countries.

"As of now, the e-visa will be applicable throughout Russia. Foreigners can enter via the specially equipped checkpoints anywhere in the country and travel throughout Russia," the embassy said.

Also, the duration of a stay for foreigners has been extended from eight to 16 days.

"E-visas will be issued online for tourism, business, humanitarian and guest trips," it said, adding that applicants "do not need an invitation, hotel booking or any other documents to confirm their reasons for travel."

Visa fee is $40 and free for children aged below six.

Application procedures and other details will be announced by the embassy soon.

The pilot e-visa project was first introduced in 2017, but travel was limited to selected Russian regions.

Before, foreigners with an e-visa could only enter Russia through checkpoints in the Far Eastern Federal District, St Petersburg and the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions.

"So, starting from 2021 Filipinos will have an easy way to visit Russia," the embassy said. (MNS)

Companies may delay grant of 13th month pay this year MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Under the law, if a business Department of Labor and Em- establishment is characterized ployment (DOLE) urged com- as a distressed company, it is panies affected by the corona- exempted from giving 13thvirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) month pay. pandemic just to delay and not “We have to come up with an completely discard the grant of advisory to determine what is 13th-month pay to their work- the meaning of a distressed ers. company or a distressed busiIn a v irtua l ness estabpress briefing l ish ment on Thursday, for them to Labor Secretary be exemptSilvestre Bello ed from the III said the issue payment,” on the grant of he said.

13th-month pay Meanneeds to be diswhile, Belcussed by the lo said they LABOR SECRETARY m a na gement are looking SILVESTRE BELLO III and employees. to exempt This came as quarantine re- micro, small and medium enstrictions impaired the econ- terprises (MSMEs) from payomy and affected business ment of 13th-month pay. operations.

“Undersecretary Benjo (Be“Since the businesses are navidez) and I discussed when not doing well and the man- it comes to 13th-month pay, if agement cannot afford to give MSMEs may be exempted and such pay, they may defer it. then those with a capitalization That might be the more ac- of PHP1 million and above may ceptable formula to address be required but this is still bethe issue of the payment of the ing studied, it will be a subject 13th-month pay. They cannot of a tripartite consultation,” he pay it right now, maybe they added. can settle it next year or next President ia l Decree 851 month. That’s an option. The provides for the grant of 13thother option is, if the company month pay as a mandatory benis distressed, (you) are excused. efit for private sector workers But you have to prove that you An employer may give his or are distressed," Bello added. her employees half of the 13thBello admitted that they have month pay before the opening to come up with an advisory of the regular school year and to determine the meaning of the remaining half on or before “distressed company”.

December 24 every year. (MNS)

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UNHRC assistance to PH 'very much appreciated' — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday welcomed the United Nations Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) resolution which calls for a "technical assistance" to the Philippines’s efforts to further strengthen its human rights and accountability mechanisms.

The resolution, adopted by the UNHRC on Wednesday, requests the office of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet to provide support to the Philippine government in its "continued fulfillment of its international human rights obligations and commitments."

It also urges member states and relevant UN agencies to “encourage and support technical cooperation between the Philippine government and OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights).”

“We are thankful for the UN Human Rights Council. Tama po naman iyong kanilang ginawang resolution (The resolution they made is correct),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

The resolution was introduced by the Philippines, India, Nepal and non-member states Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Thailand, and Turkey.

The 47-member intergovernmental body adopted unanimously a decision that recognizes the Philippines domestic institutions’ accountability to address cases of human rights violations alleged by activists and interest groups.

“Ito pong latest resolution ng UN Human Rights Council, nagbibigay ng technical assistance sa atin is (This latest resolution of the UN Human Rights Council giving technical aid to us) is very much appreciated,” Roque said.

Roque said the resolution is proof that the UNHRC believes that the country’s criminal justice system is functional.

“Iyan po ay nagpapakita na nagtitiwala pa rin ang UN Human Rights Council sa mga institusyon para mapanagot po ang mga lumalabag sa karapatang pantao ng ating mga kababayan (That shows that

the UN Human Rights Council trusts in the institutions to persecute those who violate the human rights of our citizens),” he said.

He said the national government will “fully cooperate” with the UNHRC in promoting and protecting human rights in the Philippines, admitting that the government is “not perfect.”

“We will fully cooperate po with the UN Human Rights system, dahil iyan naman po ang gusto natin. We are not saying, we are perfect, kaya nga kung gusto ninyo, huwag na ninyo kaming pulaan, tulungan na lang ninyo kami (because that’s what we want. We are not saying, we are perfect, that’s why if you want, don’t criticize us, help us instead),” he said.

According to Roque, this was a welcome development compared to criticism made by the opposition without providing any solutions to the problem.

“We always welcome cooperation. Ang ayaw lang po ng Presidente iyong pula nang pula, wala namang solusyon ‘no at ito po ay nanggagaling pa doon sa kakilalang kalaban ng ating gobyerno (The President just doesn’t like criticism from the opposition without offering solutions). So, we always welcome cooperation with the United Nations on a very important topic such as human rights,” he said.

In a speech before the UN General Assembly, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed readiness to engage in dialogue and constructive engagement with the United Nations on matters concerning human rights.

Duterte, however, said this dialogue should be done “in full respect of the principles of objectivity, noninterference, non-selectivity, and genuine dialogue.”

A total of 40 states put their names behind the resolution, as its co-sponsors, namely the Philippines, Iceland, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, and Liechtenstein.

Others include Lithuania, Malaysia,

Malta, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkey.

More countries are expected to register as co-sponsors until Oct. 21, 2020.

The UNHRC “recognizes” government initiatives to review and reevaluate the extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations under the crackdown on illegal drugs.

The resolution also noted that government’s “announcement of the creation of a review panel that would reevaluate cases where deaths that occurred during operations under the anti-illegal drugs

campaign.”

The Council’s adoption of the resolution represents a significant reversal of a narrow and contentious decision reached in July 2019 that called for the High Commissioner to report on the human rights situation in the Philippines, on the basis of unverified and sweeping allegations on extra-judicial killings.

That decision was adopted after contentious voting, with 18 yes votes, with the rest of the 47-member Council voting No or abstaining. The Philippines rejected the resolution, citing that it was an abuse of Council processes and it ignored facts and realities on the ground. (MNS)

Anti-terror law IRR in ‘final stages,’ done by Oct. 14, — Guevarra MANILA (Mabuhay) — The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the anti-terrorism law will be finished by October 14, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.

Guevarra said the IRR is in its "final stages," expressing confidence that the authorities in charge of promulgating the rules will meet their deadline.

The IRR will be published after the Anti-Terrorism Council's (ATC) meeting on October 14, he said.

While Guevarra declined to talk about the highlights of the IRR for now, he said there was no provision on social media regulation in the draft that he saw.

Military chief General Gilbert Gapay, early into his appointment, suggested to include social media regulation in the IRR of the anti-terrorism law, claiming that terrorists have been using social media to "radicalize" the youth.

But Senator Panfilo Lacson, a proponent of the law, said the statement was ill-advised. Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon, another proponent, said regulating social media goes against the intention of the law.

The anti-terrorism law mandates the ATC and the Department of Justice, "with the active participation of police and military institutions," to promulgate its IRR within 90 days after it takes effect.

Though the law took effect last July, Guevarra said at the time that it was prudent to wait for the IRR before enforcing it.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana agreed but said the law will be applied in the event of a terrorist act.

The anti-terrorism law is one of the most heavily challenged laws before the Supreme Court, with more than 30 petitions seeking its nullification despite reassurances from the Duterte administration that it is not anti-activist legislation.

Its critics say it could trample on basic rights and legitimize attacks against dissenters. (MNS)

global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS Palace hails Duque for being elected WHO committee chair 10

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MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday congratulated Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for being elected as chair of World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Western Pacific.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duque’s accomplishment showed that the WHO recognizes his capabilities.

“Our congratulations to Secretary Duque and my classmate in the Cabinet at ito po’y nagpapatunay na nagtitiwala po ang WHO sa kakayahan ni Secretary Duque (and this is proof that the WHO believes in the abilities of Secretary Duque),” he said.

Roque said it also means that the WHO acknowledges the Philippines’ efforts in responding to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Siguro po kinikilala natin na sa region eh talagang ang response po natin sa Covid ay mukha naman pong epektibo at naniniwala po ang WHO na tama ang mga hakbang na ginagawa natin para labanan ang Covid-19

habang wala pang bakuna at habang wala pa pong gamot (Perhaps the region recognizes that our response against Covid is effective and the WHO believes the country is taking the right steps to fight Covid-19 while there is no vaccine or medicine),” he added.

The WHO Regional Committee for Western Pacific is composed of health ministers and senior officials from 27 Western Pacific member countries that meet annually to discuss the region’s health issues.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), Duque will lead discussions on Covid-19, vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization, aging and health, safe and affordable surgical interventions, and the program budget for 2022 to 2023.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the committee will convene every year to formulate policies, provide oversight for regional programs, report on their projects and consider, revise and endorse new initiatives.

During the opening of the 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for Western

Pacific on October 6, Duque thanked his fellow representatives for their trust and confidence in electing him as their chairperson.

“The circumstances in which we meet this year are very different from last year when we came together to endorse the For the Future vision. Thank you for your continued commitment in implementing that vision in the time of Covid-19, as we work together to adjust to a “new normal” and create a new future,” Duque said.

He will be presiding over the entire session virtually until October 9. (MNS)

HEALTH SECRETARY FRANCISCO DUQUE III

DOE urged to build foundations for sound nuclear power agenda MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to focus on meeting the necessary steps in the adoption of a national nuclear energy policy before working on the possible use of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

Gatchalian said any discussion on jumpstarting a nuclear policy in the country has to be comprehensively studied and backed by rigorous research while taking into account the different infrastructure issues and how these will fit into the environmental, social, economic, and regulatory bodies to address pertinent issues including radiation protection and nuclear security and safety.

“Instead of wasting time in reviving the obsolete Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the DOE should just focus on setting up the necessary legislation, regulations, and public acceptance through greater transparency,” the Senate energy com-

mittee chairman said in a press release on Thursday.

Gatchalian said the Philippines has yet to ratify the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, and the Amendment to the Convention of Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

On top of t he President Rod r igo Duterte’s directives to conduct a feasibility study on the existing legal framework on the viability of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix through Executive Order No. 116, Gatchalian emphasized the need for the Philippines, as a member-state, to comply with the prescribed guidelines and infrastructure gaps identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He said before embarking on a nuclear energy program, the Philippines needs to address and satisfy at least 19 infrastructure issues of the IAEA through

comprehensive pieces of legislation on regulator, radiation protection, safety of nuclear facilities and decommissioning, energy preparedness and response, processing and transport of radioactive material, radioactive waste and spent fuel, nuclear liability, coverage and safeguard measures, export and import controls, nuclear security, physical protection and illicit trafficking, among others.

Gatchalian echoed the earlier assertions made by Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev on the 43-year-old BNPP as “absolutely outdated” and already beyond revival.

He said the current international safety standards are also much higher than the standards on which the BNPP was built.

The BNPP is located near Mt. Natib, a volcano and an active earthquake fault.

He added that refurbishing the BNPP to make it operational may entail some USD1 billion, based on estimates. It does not

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also guarantee a lower price of electricity.

“Hindi totoo na mababa ang presyo.

Dahil sa dami ng safety procedures at technology na ilalagay mo, tumataas yung presyo, tulad ng naging karanasan ng Vietnam (It’s not true that price [of electricity] will go down. Due to many safety procedures and technology that have to be placed, the price increases, like the experience of Vietnam),” he pointed out.

He said the BNPP is obsolete already, having been built more than 40 years ago.

“Kaya sa aking pag-aanalisa, mas maganda pang magpatayo ng bagong planta dahil obviously mas marami nang bagong teknolohiya at mga bagong safety procedures na naaangkop sa panahon ngayon (That’s why, based on my own analysis, it is better to build new [nuclear power] plant because obviously there are many new technology and new safety procedures that are appropriate nowadays),” he said. (MNS)

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Velasco links Cayetano's actions to 'personal ambition' in 2022 MANILA (Mabuhay) — Speaker Alan Cayetano is refusing to yield the Speakership in defiance of an agreement he was part of because of his "personal ambition" to be President in 2022, Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco said Friday.

Velasco made the allegation two days after Cayetano moved to approve the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 and subsequently adjourn the session until November 16 — a departure from the October 14 timeline of budget approval on third and final reading that Cayetano’s leadership set.

Cayetano’s move extended his Speakership tenure that was supposed to end on October 14 as he agreed upon with President Rodrigo Duterte and Velasco, the other party in the term-sharing deal. House rules provide that Congress must be in session to approve a pending measure and for anybody to move to declare a post — including the Speakership — vacant.

“He is fighting for personal interest and ambition. Akalain mo ba naman, guluhin niya iyong buong budget process. Why? Out of fear. Speaker Cayetano is doing everything to be able to achieve his personal ambition and interes na maging Presidente ng 2022,” Velasco said.

“Pandemic [ngayon], we are looking at the survival of our country. Inuuna muna niya ang kanyang political survival before the survival of our country,” he added.

Cayeta no wa s Duter te's r u nning-mate in the 2016 polls. While Duterte won by a landslide with 16 mil-

lion votes, he finished a far third with 5.9 million votes behind then-Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. with 14.1 million votes and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo with 14.3 million votes.

Duterte, on Thursday night, gave Cayetano and Velasco an ultimatum to resolve the Speakership row especially since the approval of next year's national budget -- the first national budget to figure in the COVID-19 pandemic -- is on the line.

Both the camps of Velasco and Cayetano have claimed that they have numbers on their side.

Velasco’s allies were supposed to move to declare the Speakership vacant on October 14, but this was scuttled with Cayetano’s maneuver of adjourning the session after the second-reading approval of the budget.

Velasco, however, is confident that the House will be able to open session as long as the majority wants it.

“We can change the rules as long as the majority wants it,” he said.

“Even if the session is closed, if the majority wants to open the session, they can open the session,” Velasco added.

The last time that the House of Representatives elected a Speaker even if Congress was not in session was back in July 2018 when then -Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo got majority of the lawmakers to elect her as Speaker to replace Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez. Arroyo's election happened on the same day and hours before Duterte's third State of the Nation Address. (MNS)

VELASCO

CAYETANO

IATF sets protocols for Palawan division plebiscite MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government’s COVID-19 task force has come up with health and safety protocols for the conduct of a plebiscite in the first quarter of 2021 on the law dividing Palawan into three provinces, Malacañang said Friday.

A two-day voting schedule will be implemented and only five voters will be allowed inside the room at any particular time, said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, citing the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved on Thursday.

Registered voters between 18 and 21 years old and those who are 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women may go out of their residences to vote, Roque said.

The task force also encouraged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to devise safety mechanisms and procedures to ensure that confirmed COVID-19 and/or symptomatic patients can exercise their right to vote.

The plebiscite was supposed to be held last May but the Comelec postponed it due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April last year, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11259 dividing Palawan three provinces: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. The three provinces will be created upon approval by the majority of the votes cast by the voters of the affected areas in a plebiscite to be conducted and supervised by the Comelec.

The election of the provincial officials will be held on May 9, 2022.

Proponents of the law had said the split up will address the issue of efficiency in the delivery of basic public services, especially in times of emergencies and calamities, considering the long geographical distance between the provincial capitol in Puerto Princesa City and the southern tip of mainland Palawan. (MNS)

VOTE ON

If Prop 21 seems familiar, it’s because nearly 60% of California voters rejected the same flawed scheme in 2018.

Prop 21 does not protect low-income and working Californians.

• It allows landlords to raise rents on the lowest-income Californians by up to 15%, no questions asked.

• In the current recession, this massive rent hike will lead to mass evictions all across California.

This initiative does not address the real problem.

• It repeals portions of California’s Rent law that protects single family homeowners and has no plan to build affordable and middle-class housing.

Prop 21 will hurt homeowners of color and other minorities who worked hard to purchase a family home.

•

Prop 21 penalizes people of color by devaluing their property and preventing them from renting their homes at a fair price.

VOTE ON

Ad paid for by No on Prop 21: Californians for Responsible Housing, a coalition of seniors, veterans, affordable housing advocates, labor & social justice organizations, sponsored by California Apartment Association.

Committee Major Funding from Essex Property Trust and Affiliated Entities Equity Residential AvalonBay Communities Funding details at: http://www.fppc.ca.gov

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Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

Locsin flies to China for bilateral with Wang Yi M A NIL A ( Mabu hay) — T he Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. flew to China on Friday for a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "Upon the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. will undertake an Official Visit to the People’s Republic of China from 09 to 11 October 2020," the DFA said.

This is Locsin's first official trip

oversea s si nce Febr ua r y 2020 after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak forced airlines and foreign governments to restrict travel.

According to the agency, the two top diplomats are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the advancement of Philippines-China cooperation and the revitalization of engagement across various fronts, under the “new normal”.

"Both Ministers will also discuss regional and global topics of mutual interest," the DFA said. (MNS)

Supreme Court to test computerized Bar exams MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Supreme Court (SC) will test this year the viability of a computerized Bar exam system proposed to take the place of the traditional handwritten examinations for aspiring lawyers.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the 2020/21 Bar chairperson, said the court en banc has resolved to explore the possibility of computerizing the Bar exams under a "localized and proctored setting," envisioning a faster evaluation time and the earlier release of results.

He said the handwritten examinations have long been considered "to affect the evaluation of answers and distorted the playing field."

To test the proposed system, the justice said two mock Bar exams will be held in several law schools, among other activities, within the next few months.

He said the court will announce the modality of the 2020/21 Bar examinations in the first quarter of 2021. In another departure from tradition, next year's exams will be held not only in Manila, but also in Cebu City.

Leonen also said the SC has approved the creation of a three-member Committee of Bar Examiners for each Bar subject to make the preparation of questions and the evaluation of answers more efficient, in anticipation of a projected increase in examinees.

The Bar exams for this year had to be postponed to November 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The exams were previously held during the four Sundays of November at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

"These innovations reflect the Court's leap toward a more inclusive and fair admission to the practice of law. Such measures are not only necessary but also inescapable consequences of our current demands," Leonen said.

"The COVID-19 pandemic ignited the resolve to effect the much-needed reforms in a system long pervaded with inequities. Ultimately, they ensure more reliable and equitable Bar Examinations," he said.

Leonen said last year that he also intended to propose to the court a pass-or-fail exam system.

The Bar exams cover eight subjects: political and international law, labor law and social legislation, civil law, taxation law, mercantile law, criminal law, remedial law, and legal and judicial ethics.

Leonen said in another bulletin that the scope and cutoff of canonical jurisprudential doctrines to be covered by the exams will be extended to September 30, 2020. The cutoff for laws, rules, and issuances remains until June 30, 2019.

The previously issued syllabi remain unchanged, he said.

In the 2019 Bar exams, 2,103 candidates out of the 7,685 takers passed.

(MNS)

Sotto: Duterte's special session call stresses urgency of budget approval MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte's call for a special session next week is just one way of stressing the need for the House of Representatives to end the budget impasse.

This is because the legislative calendar already states that Congress shall be in session until October 16.

"Technically it's the same thing.

We are really set to have sessions till the 16 anyway. So the order of the President puts emphasis on his call for the HOR to approve the budget on third reading and give the Senate time to study, review and pass the General Appropriations Act," Sotto said in a message to reporters.

He added that with the President's move, the possibility of having a reenacted budget next year can be ruled out.

"Yes, as long as both houses toe the line especially during the bicam. No reenacted budget!" Sotto said.

Senate Fina nce Com m ittee chairperson Sonny Angara also appreciated Duterte's decision to call for a special session so that the House could take up the bill and transmit it to the upper chamber as soon as possible.

"Malaking tulong itong kilos ng Pangulo dahil kapag naipasa ng Kamara ang pambansang budget

mapapabilis ang pagpadala sa Senado para maumpisahan ang pagtalakay ng mga senador," Angara said in a separate message.

The squabble over the term-sharing agreement in the lower chamber between House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco is being viewed by some senators as the root cause of the early suspension of session among congressmen.

Approving the budget only on second reading, the House abruptly voted to suspend its session on Tuesday.

Cayetano has vowed to pass the national budget on third reading once session resumes on November 16—a month delayed compared to the chamber's initial commitment to transmit the budget to the Senate before Congress goes on break.

Before calling for a special session, Duterte warned Cayetano and Velasco to resolve their issues and ensure the timely passage of the budget.

"Either you resolve the issue sa impasse ninyo diyan and pass the budget legally and constitutionally.

'Pag hindi ninyo ginawa, ako ang gagawa para sa inyo," Duterte said.

Cayetano accepted Duterte's call for a special session next week.

(MNS)

No motorcycle taxis until Congress drafts law — DOTr MANILA (Mabuhay) — Motorcycle taxis would not be back on the streets anytime soon as there is no legal basis yet for their continued operation, a transport official said on Friday.

DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the Motorcycle Taxi (MC Taxi) Technical Working Group (TWG) has completed the pilot run of MC Taxis back in March.

“There is no longer a pilot run to speak of. So, if there is no Congressional resolution, wala po kaming magiging legal basis sa (we don’t have any legal basis here at) DOTr to continue the operation of MC Taxis. The operation of motorcycles for hire are prohibited under RA (Republic Act) 4136,” Libiran said.

After the completion of the pilot run, she said the MC Taxi TWG, led

by Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante, has submitted its recommendations to the House Committee on Transportation.

“Meron lamang po tayong recommendations na ibinigay kagaya po ng acquisition po ng insurance para po sa mga riders and passengers, 'yung

allocation po ng dedicated road space para po sa mga MC taxis, and pagkakaroon po ng rider's standardized training (We only gave recommendations such as having insurance for riders and passengers, a dedicated road space for MC taxis, and having standardized training for riders),” Libiran said.

She said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has endorsed the drafting of an “appropriate Congress resolution” that enclosed a letter of support from several local chief executives in Metro Manila.

“Bilang bahagi naman po kasi ng IATF-EID, kami po sa DOTr, sa pamumuno po ni Secretary Arthur Tugade, ay wala pong nakikitang problema dito dahil kinikilala po natin yung tulong na maibabahagi ng MC taxis (As part of the IATF-EID, we at the DOTr, led by Secretary Tugade, do not see any problem with their return to operation as we recognize the service that MC taxis provide),” Libiran said.

Aside from endorsing the legalization of MC taxis, she said the IATF-EID

and the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 have also made an early draft on the health and safety guidelines of MC Taxis in the midst of the pandemic.

Sharing helmets, she said, is also not allowed due to its potential to cause infection to all passengers who wear it.

“Kailangan meron pong dalang sariling helmet 'yung mga pasahero at

kailangan po cashless payment 'yung magiging transaction (Passengers will need to bring their own helmets and all transactions must be cashless),” Libiran said.

Once legalized, she said a new technical working group will work with both the IATF-EID and the NTF to draft the comprehensive guidelines on MC taxis. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

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DBM urges local firms to participate in pool of suppliers for gov’t’s COVID-19 response MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service (PS-DBM) is urging local firms to join the government-wide procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies for its response efforts.

In an advisory, the PS-DBM said it will apply “domestic preference” in the purchase of COVID-19 response-related items and goods, pursuant to the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

Under the Republic Act No. 11494 or Bayanihan 2, local manufacturers and suppliers shall be prioritized in the procurement of medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and other related items for the government’s pandemic response initiatives.

According to the PS-DBM, “domestic preference” means that the agency or any procuring entity will be awarding contracts to local firms, “to support business activities and livelihood of Filipinos.

“PS-DBM would like to reiterate that suppliers and manufacturers who wish to benefit from domestic preference must secure a Domestic Bidders (DoBid) Preference Certification,” the advisory read.

The DoBid is a certification that the articles forming par of bid are substantially composed articles, materials, or supplies that are grown, produced, or manufactured in the Philippines.

Citing records from the Department of Trade and Industry as of October 7, 2020, the PS-DBM said that there are only four companies with DoBid certification. These are: Reliance Producers Cooperative, Medtex Corporation, EMS Components Assembly Inc., and Orthone Inc. With this, the agency is inviting more local firms to join the pool of suppliers and manufactures in the government’s procurement of personal protective equipment, testing kits, and other medical supplies.

Based on the PS-DBM data, there are 356 domestic suppliers and manufacturers that could participate in the pool.

Of the number, 299 are registered under the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), with businesses in testing instruments; medical apparel; personal safety and protection; paper products; solvents; cleaning and janitorial supplies; as well as plastic and chemical industries.

Meanwhile, 44 companies had participated in PS-DBM’s

previous procurements of COVID-19 response goods.

There are also 26 local companies that submitted letters of intent to bid during the implementation of Bayanihan 2, which is effective from September 11 to December 19, 2020.

However, the said 356 local companies have no DoBid preference certification from the DTI - Competitiveness Bureau (DTI-CB), which is a prerequisite for this procurement process to grant the bidders a 15% premium over bidders.

“We would like to encourage the following [356] companies to apply for a DoBid certification from DTI-CB,” the PS-DBM said.

Under the procurement rules of Bayanihan 2, the PSDBM should award the contracts to local companies with DoBid certificates that submitted the cheapest deals among domestic suppliers.

The law also allows the PS-DBM to award a contract to the local supplier even its quoted price is higher than the lowest foreign bidder.

“When the bid submitted by the lowest domestic bidder with DoBid is not more than 15% in excess of the lowest foreign bid, domestic preference is applied and the contract is awarded to the domestic bidder,” it said.

The PS-DBM assured that it is one with all domestic industries and sectors in supporting local labor and products.

“With this, PS-DBM encourages all interested bidders to apply for a DoBid today and join our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said. (MNS)

PH inflation slows to 2.3 percent in September MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine inflation slowed in September government data released on Tuesday showed driven by lower food and non-alcoholic beverages prices.

The consumer price index rose at a slower annual pace of 2.3 percent in September, data from the Philippine Statistics showed, within the government's 2 to 4 percent target range.

Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and fuel items, came in at 3.2 percent.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projected September inflation to settle within the 1.8 to 2.6 percent range.

BSP Gov. Benjamin Diokno said Monday the fourth quarter could be "much, much better" as restrictions further ease.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier allowed some industries to operate at full capacity in areas under general community quarantine to boost recovery.

Salons and barbershops were allowed to operate up to 75 percent while dine-in, take out and drive-thru are now allowed 24/7, it said.

DTI allows several businesses to operate at full capacity, salons at 75 pct in GCQ areas Metro Manila and several areas remain under GCQ until Oct. 31. (MNS) BSP GOV. BENJAMIN DIOKNO

DOTR: P16.5 billion modified Cebu BRT project to push through

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Duterte: Philippines got $9.91B in loans, grants for COVID-19 response MANIL A (Mabuhay) — Some $9.91 billion worth of loans and grants has been secured so far by the Philippines to help address the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte told Congress on Monday.

Duterte made the disclosure in connection with the implementation of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Republic Act 11494), which mandates the President to submit a monthly progress report to Congress and the Commission on Audit.

“As of October 2, 2020, the Department of Finance has secured $9.91 billion in budgetary support financing,” Duterte said in his report.

Of this amount, $9.29 billion was secured from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Agence Française de Développement, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the dual-tranche issuance of US dollar-denominated global bonds.

A total of $621.36 million in grant and loan financing from the ADB, WB, and JICA will go to the implementation of COVID-19-related projects.

The President also reported that the Department of Budget and Management has released P3.5 billion to agencies for COVID-19 response.

These include the hiring and training of contact tracers (P2.52 billion), replenishment of the 2020 quick response fund of the Department of Public Works and Highways (P994.74 million) and budget support for Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr’s task as the chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response (P28.37 million).

Duterte signed the Bayanihan 2 law on September 11. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured the public Monday that the P16.5 billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transport Project (BRT) will push through.

Tugade said the project, which was conceived in 2010 and has secured a loan with the World Bank in 2011, has just been modified to suit the conditions of Cebu’s streets.

“When we took over in 2016, we had an inspection there. May mga kalsada na one lane lang, kapag nilagyan mo pa ng BRT, sakit ng ulo ‘yan,” Tugade said.

“Kaya napagkasunduan na gawing multi-modal transportation system na may BRT, LRT (Light Rail Transit), P2P (point-to-point buses). Mayroon rin connectivity from the airport,” he added.

The DOTR chief said the inter-modal system, including the route from the airport to the city proper, is crucial not only for Cebuanos but for all travelers.

“Tuloy po iyon, iyong Phase 1 po ng procurement will be started by the end of the year,” Tugade said.

Likewise, Tugade said the government has yet to disburse the budget for the Cebu BRT project.

“We only paid commitment fee, interest. Pero iyong budget, wala pang (released),” he said.

Senator Nancy Binay earlier questioned the feasibility of the said project, considering its construction is yet to start almost a decade since the project was approved. (MNS)

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“I don’t feel 51” — Alice Dixson

T

he adage, “Age is just a number,” rings true for Alice Dixson, who wowed her followers over the weekend with bare-faced selfies at the beach.

“I don’t feel 51,” Dixson wrote on Instagram, sharing photos of her tanning session. “On my closeup, you can see my freckles and sun spots coming out.”

In a separate set of photos, Dixson similarly posed with “no makeup, no filter,” as she appeared to enjoy the outdoors in her swimsuit.

Her outfit also showed off her fit physique — the result of her fitness regimen and diet which she has been chronicling through her vlogs.

On her widely followed social media accounts, the “Dyesebel” actress has been advocating lifestyle choices that benefit both physical and mental health.

Recently, Alice granted her fans' requests to give a tour of her home in Boracay in her latest vlog.

"I actually split my time between Boracay and Ma ni la. A nd this weekend, I'm in Boracay and I'm going to tour you a r ou nd my

place here on the island," she said.

After showing the garage and receiving area, Dixson led her viewers to the garden and swimming pool.

She then entered her home and showed the kitchen, a guest bedroom, and a balcony that offers a view of the sea.

"Another reason our place is so magical is because of the view... By far, this is one of the best views on the island," she said. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday October 10 - 16, 2020 Visit www.Balita.com

Buboy Villar and American girlfriend split up MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actor Buboy Villar and his American girlfriend Angillyn Serrano Gorens have ended their four-year relationship.

This was confirmed by Gorens through her younger sibling Veybillyn Gorens.

According to Angillyn, she and Villar tried to fi x their relationship but it just really didn't work out. She stressed that it was a mutual decision to end their love story.

“Naghiwalay kami ni Buboy two years ago, pero tinray pa rin naman namin i-work out pero we both realized na it wasn’t working na talaga," Angillyn said.

Villar and Angillyn have two children, Vlanz Karollyn and George Michael, who are both staying with Angillyn's parents.

“Mutual decision naman na maghiwalay kami at maging parents na lang sa mga anak namin. Feeling ko, mas naging okay naman both sides," she added.

“Marami nagtatanong sa akin at sa vlog ni Buboy kung bakit sa bahay nakatira 'yung mga anak namin.

Ang dahilan dun is dati kasi nagti-taping si Buboy halos araw-araw. Hindi niya rin maaalagaan mga anak

BUBOY VILLAR & ANGILLYN SERRANO GORENS namin, at sa bahay naman nila maraming batang inaalagaan mama ni Buboy.

So we both decided sa bahay na lang 'yung mga anak namin dahil maaalagaan naman sila mabuti nila Mama at Papa. Sobrang thankful kaming dalawa ni Buboy sa parents ko kasi sobrang spoiled at alaga sila,” Angillyn shared.

According to Angillyn, she still communicates with Villar through video call.

“Ako, patuloy lang nagwu-work dito sa US para sa mga kailangan din ng mga anak namin at saka makapag-ipon din dahil mag-aaral na rin si Vlanz,"

she said.

Back in 2016, Villar, best known for his portrayal of a young Manny Pacquiao in the acclaimed film "Kid Kulafu," had planned on marrying Angillyn.

They became a couple back in February 2016, and welcomed their first child in September 2017.

Aside from "Kid Kulafu," Villar also appeared on the hit ABS-CBN primetime series "Dolce Amore." His other notable performance was in "Dyesebel" alongside Anne Curtis.

Currently, Villar is busy creating content for his vlog.

(MNS)

ALICE DIXSON

XYRIEL MANABAT REACTS TO DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA MANILA (Mabuhay) — Xyriel Manabat is aware that she recently trended on social media — and not because of reasons she considers flattering.

In an online inter v iew, Manabat said it was disappointing some netizens reacted over her Instagram photos as a young lady.

“Nung una po siyempre 'yung mga articles about nga sa dalaga na si Momay, dalaga na si Madame Anna. Nakakatuwa po kasi naaalala pa rin po nila 'yung mga roles na ginampanan ko po dati. Pero 'yun nga pong sa kung bakit talaga ako nag-viral, which is hindi po siya nakakatuwa or nakaka-proud na reason, it’s about sexual harassment and hindi po nakaka-flatter 'yun,” she said.

Admitting she felt disrespected by some comments, Manabat said: “Hindi lang po

comments or captions ang ginagawa sa pictures ko. May mga nag-e-edit, may mga nagsesend sa groups. Bakit? Ano po 'yung kabastos-bastos doon?

Ngayon lang po ba sila nakakita ng ganung klase ng structure ng katawan? May nanay din po sila. Paano po nila nasisikmura na ganunin ang menor de edad at babae. Kung mag-act sila parang wala silang mga nanay.”

The 16-year-old former child star also shared that she cried over the matter at first. However, she eventually got over it, thanks to her support system.

“Pero after ko naman ilabas ang nararamdaman ko, na-enlighten naman po ako. I know po na I have every right to make an act, a legal act kaya hindi na rin po ako na-down. I feel so empowered po because many people are supporting and protecting me from them,” she said.

‘Pilipinas, Game KNB?’ game show returns with new host Robi Domingo MANILA (Mabuhay) — Robi Domingo will be hosting the new incarnation of the classic TV game show “Pilipinas Game KNB?” Domingo, who has hosted shows like “Pinoy Big Brother” and “The Voice Philippines,” said that it is a dream come true for him to be able to host the fan-favorite game show, which ran

XYRIEL MANABAT Nonetheless, Manabat doesn’t consider this her greatest challenge as she transitions into a fine young lady.

“Hindi ko po ito mako-consider na pinakamabigat lalo na po kapag alam ko na sila naman ang may problema, hindi

for close to a decade in the 2000s, first hosted

by Kris Aquino and then Edu Manzano.

‘Talagang I had to call her, my boss, [and ask], ’Pilipinas Game KNB?’, ‘yung show nina Kris [Aquino] at Edu [Manzano]? Anong yes or no?

Of course yes!” he said.

He added: “Matagal ko nang sinisigaw sa universe ito, matagal lang

naman po ako. Hindi ko siya problema. Problema po nila.

Ang gagawin ko lang po, aaksyunan,” she said.

When asked if she has a message to disrespectful netizens, Manabat channeled her character Madam Anna Manalas-

pangarap. Ang sarap sa puso na ‘yung mga boss mo have this confidence [in me].”

According to Domingo, the new version of the show will “adapt” to fit how the internet is used nowadays, much like how the original embraced the era of text messaging as its theme.

This means, among other changes, that Fil-

ipinos from all over the world can become a contestant, he explained.

More details on the show’s revamped mechanics will be revealed in the coming days.

T he 2020 “P i l ipinas Game KNB?” will be available for viewing on Jeepney TV and the livestreaming app Kumu starting October 12. (MNS)

tas and said: “Sa bawat mga masasamang salita na lumalabas sa bibig niyo, sa mga pananakit niyo sa ibang tao, nakakatulong ka ba sa lipunan?

Sa panlalait mo, sa pambababa mo ng kapwa, nagiging masaya ka ba? Hindi ba’t binababa mo lang lalo ang sarili mo? Alam mo kung ako sa 'yo, magbago ka na. Kuha mo?”

She also has a message to people her age who are also victims of bashing and bullying online.

“Hangga’t alam mong nasa tama ka, kapag alam mong wala kang ginagawang mali, wala kang tinatapakang iba, huwag kang matakot. Hindi ka nag-iisa. Tandaan mo, hindi ka dapat sinisisi dahil isa kang biktima.

Huwag ka mag-alala, nandito ako, nandito kami. Kasama mo kami sa bawat laban mo,” she said. (MNS)

ROBI DOMINGO

Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

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Julia Barretto: 'For the first time, I protected myself'

Barretto is hoping more celebrities will stand up against fake news, after she lodged a formal Julia complaint against former broadcaster Jay Sonza over false pregnancy rumors.

The young actress said that her decision to file a cyberlibel case against Sonza was “not just for [her],” and that she wanted it to act as a reminder for people to “protect ourselves” when it comes to their reputations.

She also said: ”I was proud of myself because, for the first time, I stood up for myself. For the first time, I defended myself. And for the first time, I protected myself.”

The actress was speaking at a virtual press conference confirming her transfer to Viva Artists Agency, from Star Magic.

Her case against Sonza stemmed from the ex-broadcaster’s social media post maliciously claiming that she was pregnant with the child of actor Gerald Anderson. Sonza has retracted his post.

“Marami na akong pinalagpas na mga false information about me, na usually dinededma ko lang. Pero, siguro, I just

felt like it was about time to make an action, to try to stop it,” Barretto said of the rumor.

Barretto added that the claim caused her family stress, and explained that Sonza should have had the common sense to confirm the news first, at the very least with her, before posting it online.

She also argued that sensitive topics such a pregnancies should only be announced by the people involved and their families.

“I’m putting my foot down and showing people that enough is enough. I can’t tolerate fake news anymore especially involving me or my family and anyone close to me,” she said.

JULIA BARRETTO In the same press conference, Barretto also talked about how her having a great support system —family and friends— have helped her deal with the situation. (MNS)

Did Erich Gonzales just confirm her relationship with Mateo Lorenzo?

MANILA (Mabuhay) — After years of being evasive, is Erich Gonzales slowly opening up about her love life?

The actress recently shared how she celebrated her 30th birthday through a vlog on her YouTube channel.

The video began with Gonzales singing the "Happy Birthday" song in the car until she was greeted by the bearded man beside her on the driver's seat.

"Thank you," she replied to the mystery man before smiling giddily in front of the camera.

The next clips showed Gonzales spending the day at a coffee shop and a steak restaurant.

Back in the same car around nighttime, the actress can be heard telling her companion: "Thank you for today."

"You're welcome," the man replied, with the actress heard giggling afterwards.

The date was presumably Gonzales' birthday "salubong"

as the next clips showed her clock at 12 midnight.

"It's officially my birthday!" she said, before blowing her birthday cake and going on video calls with loved ones.

The second part of her vlog showed Gonzales opening her gifts for her viewers to see.

And it seems she saved the best for last -- the actress opted to unwrap everything before picking up the gift of Mateo Lorenzo, who has been rumored to be her boyfriend since 2018.

"Ang tao na 'to alam talaga na mahilig ako sa kape," she said of the businessman, as she thanked him for giving her an espresso pod machine.

Lorenzo's gift came with a letter, which Gonzales opted to read privately. "Sasarilinin ko muna ito ha," she said.

Contrary to her usual evasiveness about Lorenzo and her dating life, Gonzales even promoted his Instagram page in her vlog "if you want to follow him."

MATEO LORENZO

ERICH GONZALES

The actress also included the link to Lorenzo's account in the description of her YouTube video.

On top of these, she posted a screenshot of her in the car with the mystery man on Instagram stories and tagged Lorenzo's account, seemingly confirming that he was her date.

A quick look at Lorenzo's Instagram page shows a photo of Gonzales back in 2017, prompting her fans to speculate that they have been going out for at least three years.

It was back in 2018 when Gonzales confirmed that she has a non-showbiz suitor.

She did not mention names, but she revealed that her suitor is the brother of Claudia Barretto's boyfriend, Basti Lorenzo.

(MNS)

Weekend

BALITA

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Kris Bernal reveals her worried fiance Perry didn't want her to return to taping

KRIS & PERRY MANILA (Mabuhay) — Kris Bernal is back to taping!

On her YouTube channel, she shared some clips during her first taping for a GMA-7 show.

And in the video, Kris revealed that her fiance Perry Choi initially refused to allow her to go back to work.

"Actually hindi ako pinayagan ng fiance ko but I told him na this is my job, eh kung hindi ko to tatanggapin ano na lang gagawin ko, ano na lang gagawin kong trabaho," Kris narrated in the video while she was driving to the taping.

"I have my businesses pero hindi naman siya enough to sustain me, hindi naman ako malaking negosyo diba. I really have to work and this is my passion," she added.

Despite being reassured that there are no COVID-19 cases in the barangay where they will shoot and that there are protocols to be followed, she said her fiance was worried.

In one part of the vlog, Kris showed her fiance bringing her some disinfectants and food for her taping. "He didn't allow me to do taping but he has no choice," she said.

The Kapuso actress said she will be "extra, extra careful."

Every after scene they finish, Kris makes sure that she immediately wears her mask back on.

The couple got engaged on February 6. Kris planned to surprise Perry with a party on his birthday, but he surprised her with a proposal instead.

Kris and Perry have tentatively set their wedding to May 2021. (MNS)

Marian Rivera reveals secret to good marriage, shares relationship advice

MARIAN & DINGDONG

MANILA (Mabuhay) — It’s no secret that Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes’ marr iage is many people’s #RelationshipGoals.

In a “Tadhana” video clip, Marian revealed just how to maintain a good marriage.

“Kailangan talaga buo ’yung pagmamahal niyo sa isa’t isa at kailangan talaga give and take sa relationship,” said the actress.

Should the relationship

turn to unhealthy ways, Marian said both parties should find ways to make it good and healthy again.

“Kung asawa mo, gumawa kayo ng paraan na maging healthy ’yung relationship kasi naniniwala ako na pinagsama kayo, nagpakasal kayo dahil mahal niyo isa’t isa,” the “Tadhana” host said.

“Siguro kailangan niyo balikan ’yung mga nangyari before para maging

remedy na mas matalik na pag-iibigan pa,” she added.

“Naniniwala ako may partner ka para tulungan ka para mas maging magaan ang buhay, maging masaya ang buhay at binigay ’yan ng Diyos kasi alam niya na compatible kayo para sa isa’t isa, so siyempre wish natin sa lahat ng relationship sana maging mas maayos at mas manaig ang pagmamahal sa isa’t isa.”

However, should anyone start to be abusive within the relationship, Marian shared that people must take action and call authorities.

“Pag nandoon na ang term sa abuso, kailangan aksyunan ’yan dahil ke babae ’yan o lalake, dapat walang nang-aabuso sayo ... lalo na babae, dapat nirerespeto at minamahal kung sino man nasa paligid nila at dapat nangunguna diyan ang asawa.” (MNS)

16

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Travel

Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

De-stress in 2020: Pulling off a relaxing, safe 'staycation' MANILA – For many of us, 2020 will not be known for road trips and grand travel plans here and abroad.

At this time of the pandemic, staycation seems to be the best way to get out of the house after being on quarantine for what feels like years.

Even if one doesn't feel comfortable traveling far during the pandemic, it is still important for families to do something together.

However, a staycation in 2020 is unlike what it used to be, with the continuous threat of the coronavirus. Activities are limited, tests are even required in some areas, and most of all, there's the anxiety and risk of getting infected once you step outside your home.

But it can be doable and safe as long as the health protocols are followed by would-be staycationers, said Christine Ann Ibarreta, president of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA).

Speaking with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), she gave the following tips on how people can enjoy their staycation or workcation safely: l Book in advance l Take the antigen test on the same day of check-in (for GCQ areas) l Follow the rules and regulation of the hotel/resort l Make sure that you wash your hands all the time l Wear your mask l Hotels accredited to operate in all community quarantine classifications most certainly have standards for clean facilities, but do spray disinfectant around your room just to be sure l Observe physical distancing and avoid mingling with the crowd "They've been working so hard, they should gift themselves with good sleep and somebody who'd prepare breakfast for them

or lunch or dinner. They deserve to relax. Sometimes you have to be inspired and go to a quiet place and to be pampered so they should stay for a staycation. They have the assurance that health protocols are enforced," she said.

‘A break’ At this time of the pandemic, one family is rediscovering ways to appreciate their own province.

Erica Dizon, a 25-year-old mom from Bukidnon, says staycation is indeed a way to de-stress following months of being cooped up in one place.

This "day off" outside her home was particularly special, she said.

It gave her a break from all the anxiety the health crisis brought, as well as an opportunity to cherish moments with her loved ones, especially her baby girl Matea Elisse.

“We all suddenly can’t go outside, we don’t know when the pandemic will end, we can’t see our friends, it was all just something we never thought would happen but it did. As a single mom, I guess the stress was from my child not being able to play

also made Erica appreciate the equally tourist-worthy places her province offers.

“I’m amazed how much Bukidnon really does have to offer in terms of tourism, which I never got to appreciate because usually we would go to Cebu mostly when we travel because I have family there or to Manila. Because of the staycation, we got to see that Bukidnon really is beautiful and there are a lot of places pala to enjoy,” she said.

"Whether or not we admit it, it really gets to you."

"We don't know when this pandemic will end, so personally I don't think we should just stop our lives because of quarantine.

We all have to learn to adapt to the new normal. Adapting to how we can be careful and still do the things we want to do," she said.

When Bukidnon was placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the most relaxed classification out of four, Erica and her family decided to do a one-day staycation at a resort offering leisurely stay for guests.

outside and meet new friends, what would life be for her growing up? The world she knows now is cocomelon or her toys, and she only has me, my mom, and uncle for social interaction,” she said.

“When MGCQ was declared, my mom decided we needed a break from our thoughts, and we just had to be sure that the place we are staying is following the right protocols. And of course, we did our part also with sanitation, social distancing, mask, etc.,” she added.

Aside from the calm and peace it gave, glamping inside geodesic domes overlooking Bukidnon

‘Fun, quick escape’ Harold Ian Bartolome, a lawyer from Mandaluyong City took two consecutive weekend escapes to Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay City last September.

For the city-dweller, it was a much-needed breath of fresh air, literally.

“It felt so good to get away,” he said. “We picked Tagaytay City because it was near Manila and allowed guests from GCQ areas plus we missed the cool breeze.”

Harold says prior to the pandemic, he frequently goes for short trips to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

"Aside from my home province of Tarlac, we have Tagaytay and its adjacent town of Alfonso as our usual havens whenever we go out. Be it a short trip for a meal, a run for some Hispanis bread, or an overnight stay at Sonya’s Garden, the winding roads outside the city always provide a tranquil setting that signals our time to unwind," he said.

For Harold, the experience at Sonya’s was memorable because it was making the most of a pandemic staycation.

"At Sonya’s, with her lush gardens and towering trees that are home to fireflies at night, one gets to indulge in simple things like having more greens in meals, sleeping al fresco with birds and crickets humming in the background, or playing with their doggo receptionist, Hugo,"

bait-and-switch techniques to lure people in, sometimes into sex work.

“So it's very much a scary Wild West out there for workers who are unemployed or underemployed during this pandemic,” said Ravenelle.

She also predicted that the U.S. labor force would increasingly move towards the gig model, leaving workers without the health and financial protections of past generations.

California voters will get a chance to weigh in on the gig economy this November, with Proposition 22, a ballot measure which seeks to keep app-based drivers classified as independent contractors, and not employees.

Last year, the California state Legislature passed AB5, a measure reclassifying almost all gig economy workers as employees who were eligible for at least minimum wage and health benefits. Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2257 which stipulated that some independent con-

tractors, including musicians and journalists, were exempt from AB5.

Uber and Lyft fought back against AB5, continuing to classify their drivers as independent contractors, in violation of the new law.

In August, California Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman ruled against the companies, citing them in violation of AB 5. He also ruled that drivers in California were owed billions of dollars in back wages, because they had been making less than minimum wage and were often losing money during the pandemic while demand was so low.

Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Instacart, and Postmates have collectively spent more than $184 million on the Yes on 22 campaign, the most expensive ballot campaign in the state’s history. Almost 900,000 app-based drivers work California’s roads.

“Prop. 22 is the most dangerous labor law that I've seen in in my lifetime, said Dubal of UC Hastings, who

is an ardent opponent of the ballot initiative. App-based driving companies are currently unregulated, and huge lobbying efforts have allowed them to be free of enforcement of labor laws, she said.

Drivers only get paid for time in which a customer is in their care; they do not get paid for time driving to the pick-up point, nor for time waiting for a ride.

Prop. 22 is also dangerous for consumers, said Dubal, since it limits the liability of companies. If a passenger gets into an accident while in a Lyft or Uber car, the company is not liable for medical expenses and the like. The liability falls to the driver, from whom it may be impossible to extract damages, she said, adding that this dis-incentivizes companies from making sure their drivers are safe to drive when they get on the road, creating hazardous environments for both drivers and passengers.

If the measure passes, Dubal predicted other companies would use the model

The lush greens at Sonya's Garden (Photo courtesy of Harold Ian Bartolome)

he said.

‘More areas’ Even as the tourism industry prepares to reopen in most parts of the country, travelers have to play by stringent rules, thus the need for research and precision planning.

If you decide to travel, before you book be sure to look up any restrictions and regulations for your destination.

Hotels and resorts in MGCQ areas are allowed to accept the leisure market even from other provinces that have the same CQ classification.

Tourism activities in GCQ areas, meanwhile, are not yet allowed except for staycations in hotels granted with a Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycation (CAOS) and have a 4- or 5-star rating from the Department of Tourism.

In Metro Manila, around five hotels have so far been given the CAOS as of October 6 – the Grand Hyatt, Makati ShangriLa, Nobu Hotel, Okada Manila, and Shangri-La at the Fort.

Hotels have to choose whether to operate for a staycation or as a quarantine facility for arriving overseas Filipinos and front-liners.

“Pinu-push talaga ng hotel owners and some of the directors of hotels, siyempre they’d like to maximize pero ang number one kasi is the health muna ng tao, sanitation (Hotel owners wanted to maximize but, of course, the number one priority must be the health of the people as well as sanitation). We have to choose as of now based on the guidelines,” Ibarreta said.

For guests planning a staycation in GCQ areas, Ibarreta said the estimates include the required antigen at about PHP1,200 plus the room rate that ranges from PHP8,000 to PHP100,000, a bit high since only 4-star and 5-star hotels are allowed. (PNA)

as a means to exploit labor.

“We are considered free human capital,” stated Roberto Moreno, who has been driving for both Uber and Lyft since 2017. Drivers spend 60 to 80 hours a week on the roads, but 15 to 20 hours of that time is unpaid as they wait for rides. Moreover, the company will charge a customer, for example, a $55 fare, but pay the driver his cut of only a $40 fare, he alleged.

Drivers also often have to drive long distances to pick up a small fare: they are not allowed to reject rides and don’t know the length of the ride until the passenger is in the car. Drivers are also not allowed to reject riders with low ratings, which may put them in hazardous situations with unruly passengers.

“Right now we're talking about drivers. But after November, if Prop. 22 passes, I believe we're going to be talking about teachers, nurses, welders, and grocers. All of those people are going to be in the same boat,” predicted Moreno.

WHO’S... from Page 3 cause they are often working in close proximity with strangers, whether they are driving strangers in their personal cars or being asked to go into a stranger's private home to do organizing or cleaning work,” said Ravenelle, a professor in Sociology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who is currently studying the impact of COVID-19 on gig workers in New York.

Many gig workers who were eligible for unemployment chose not to take the benefit, fearing for their immigration status, said Ravenelle.

Moreover, as unemployment levels hit historic highs during the initial onslaught of the pandemic, many former employees turned to the gig economy to make rent and feed their families as unemployment benefits were delayed. This created more competition for existing gig workers, she said.

The sociologist said that gig workers are increasingly vulnerable to scammers amid the pandemic, who use

Balita Weekend Balita, Sat.-Fri., August 18 - 24, Saturday-Friday | October 10 - 16, 2020

2018

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PRAYERS

PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE

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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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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Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master

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inspire (818) 744-5617 the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten Most Holy Apostle St. JudeintoThaddeus, faithful servant and friend of by and You are so but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the (818) 744-5617many, and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances the Heart patron of hopeless cases andyour of things despaired Master of. Pray for Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered beloved me who am so needy; makeOxnard, use, I implore of that particular I have awant beautiful 4 You bedroom house in Silver Strand, CA. Ityou is walking Miracles... of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, to thank for privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where beseech y distance fromtothe beach & harbor.

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October , 2018. your petition) and that1I may bless God with you and all the elect (A person must pray this for three consecutive days withoutRooms stating avaialable experienc throughout eternity.

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Pray for his wish. After the 3rd day thepatron wish will beof granted, no matter cases how Therese, mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my PRAYERS difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has known ev special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY through yo been granted. Grateful Thanks) - God bless - OMEL We are looking for a competent We are currently looking for the following: BLESSED VIRGIN privilegePRAYER accordedTO to you to bring visible and speedy help where JOB OPPORTUNITIES? SERVICES? RENTAL SPACES? NEW OR (Never known to is fail).

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O Star ofparticularly the Sea, (here help in all myassist necessities, and sufferings To perform various administrative and • Warehouse Admin me and show me herein you areand mythat Mother.

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God, Queen of elect Heaven and Earth, you Jude fromtothe • Office Assistant throughout eternity.I humbly I promise beseech you, O blessed be You will undertake a variety of activities in bottom of mythe heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you • Ecommerce Account Manager the office ranging from billing, filing and are none thatever can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to answering the phone to basic bookkeeping.

• Management Trainee pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place encourage devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ABA this cause in your hands (3 times). 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Please send your resumes to: camille@wtdus.com BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it Position will commensurate Office is located at Vernon CA 90058 will be granted to you.- KORY with skills and experience.

Requirement: Very good knowledge of MS Office and Excel TO SAINT THERESE PRAYERS RAYERS PRAYERS LOCATION: PRAYER Please send your resume: Excellent communication skills O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE Very good organizational and multitasking THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTACT: or call and lookHoly for Apostle Vlad/LinSt. Jude Thaddeus, Most faithful servant and friend ofabilities and inspire the human I implore yourhas Miraculous O Glorious St. Therese, whomfamily, Almighty God raisedIntercession. up to aid Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master me see everything and show me the Youhuman are so powerful obtainingyour every need of bodyIntercession. and spirit from and inspire the family, Iinimplore Miraculous into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by who give me the divine gift to forgive You are so powerful every need body and from the Heart in of obtaining God. Holy Mother Churchofproclaims youspirit ‘Prodigy of many, but the Church honors and invokes you universally as the done to me and who are in all instances the Heart ofMiracles...

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Little Flower, lettingHeaven fall from a Heaven a Shower of Roses.

Little Flower,give give d ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention me your childlike faith, to see Face God in the people me your childlike faith,the to see the of Face of God in the peopleand and your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect three consecutive days without stating experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. St. throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever H[SHULHQFHV RI P\ OLIH DQG WR ORYH *RG ZLWK IXOO FRQ¿GHQFH 6W e wish will be granted, no matter how Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea ‘to be made PRAYERS mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my 7KHUHVH P\ &DUPHOLWH 6LVWHU , ZLOO \RXU SOHD µWR PDGH o publish this as soon as your favor has known everywhere’ and I will continue toIXO¿OO lead others toEH Jesus special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage *Full-time or Part-time shifts available.

PRAYER BLESSED devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY through you.known Amen THANK YOU -will SHAHELA nks) - God bless - OMEL everywhere’ and I TO continue VIRGIN to lead others to Jesus (Never known to fail). O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful *New grads welcome.

8 Hrs. shift , 5 Days a week. through you. Amen THANK YOU - ABA Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the

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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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Majority of Filipinos find it risky to go to religious services, markets, work as pandemic persists: SWS MANILA (Mabuhay) — Majority of Filipinos find it "risky" to go to the market, attend religious services and go to their workplaces as the COVID-19 pandemic persists, according to an independent Social Weather Stations survey released Wednesday.

Of 1,249 adult Filipinos surveyed nationwide, 79 percent said they consider it risky to their health and well-being to go the grocery store while 69 percent said it was risky to attend religious services, according to SWS. Some 65 percent of more than half of the respondents with a job during the Sep. 17 to 20 poll said they consider it risky to go to their place of work.

Among them, the sentiment was greatest in Balance Luzon (57 percent), Metro Manila (52 percent), Mindanao (51 percent), and Visayas (43 percent).

The number of Filipinos who find it risky to go the market was highest in Balance Luzon at 80 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 76 percent, Visayas at 75 percent, and Mindanao at 74 percent.

The proportion of those who find it dangerous to attend religious services was highest in Visayas (76 percent), followed

by Balance Luzon (70 percent), Metro Manila (69 percent), and Mindanao (62 percent).

Government last month allowed 10 percent capacity for religious gatherings ahead of the holidays.

The poll was conducted using mobile and computer-assisted telephone interviewing as community quarantine measures eased in most areas of the country. It had a sampling error margin of ±3 percent for national percentages. (MNS)

PH starts recruiting participants for Avigan trial MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines will finally start enrolling patients for its clinical trial that aims to test whether the anti-flu drug Avigan is also effective against COVID-19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday said that they are just waiting for the insurance documents to be finalized.

“May minor na comment ang ating legal service for this insurance document (Our legal service has a minor comment for this insurance document),” she said during a virtual briefing, referring to insurance coverage of the participants “But we already gave the signal to our proponent, they are now going to start recruiting participants for the trial,” she added.

Vergeire said that once participants are recruited, the trial can officially start “hopefully by next week.”

The Avigan or favipiravir trial was supposed to start back in August but unsigned documents and other requirements delayed it.

As early as March, the Philippines requested Japan for access to the drug. It received the tablets in August.

Last month, Fujifilm, the company that developed the drug said their clinical study showed reduced recovery times for COVID-19 patients.

The trial is supposed to last for 9 months and will be conducted in 4 hospitals: Philippine General Hospital, Sta. Ana Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Quirino Memorial Medical Center. (MNS)

DOH: Universal Health Care law implementation a go regardless of PhilHealth status MANILA (Mabuhay) — The implementation of the Universal Health Care law is still a go regardless of the fate of the state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday.

“Whether or not ma-privatize or public [pa rin] ang PhilHealth, hindi matitigil ang pagpapatupad ng UHC law,” Vergeire said in an online forum.

The privatization, if not abolition of the state insurer was raised by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte after

PhilHealth officials were accused of anomalous disbursements of P15 billion worth of Internal Revenue Mechanism (IRM) fund to hospitals.

Still, Vergeire said the controversy will not get in the way of UHC. “Wala pong sinabi na hindi na ito maipapatupad dahil lang nagre-restructure ang ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno,” she added.

Likewise, the Health department also backed the inclusion of mental health expenses under the UHC law coverage.

“We only have one health care

worker for 100,000 individuals. We want to change this, and we want to make quality mental health care services accessible,” Vergeire pointed out.

“Kaya kaisa po kami ng W HO (World Health Organization) in pushing for highest standards of mental health care and well-being at maisama ang mental health [sa coverage ng] UHC,” she added.

The proposed P4.5 trillion budget for 2021 has earmarked P71 billion for PhilHealth, largely for the implementation of UHC law. (MNS)

Feeding program for students to continue amid pandemic MANILA (Mabuhay) — The feeding program for children will continue despite blended learning approaches in schools amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said instead of preparing hot meals for students, nutritious food products

will be delivered to households or picked up by parents from schools.

“Hinahatid po ng barangay sa mga malnourished na mga mag-aaral ang libreng at masustansiyang tanghalian sa kanilang mga bahay (The barangay will deliver them to the homes of malnourished students the free nutritious lunch right in their homes),” he said.

Last month, the Department of Education (DepEd) said there will be changes in the feeding program since learning will now be home-based.

Due to the changes in the school calendar, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the feeding period for this school year is reduced to 60 days for the regular component, which includes nutritious food products, and 50 days for the milk component.

Classes for the school year 2020-2021 started on Oct. 5 after it was moved from its initial schedule of August 24.

Blended learning strategies involve the use of TV and radio-based instruction, as well as modular and online learning.

In June 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, which establishes a national feeding program for undernourished children in public daycare centers, kindergarten, and elementary school.

Under the law, the government shall provide a supplemental feeding program for daycare children, a school-based feeding program for public school children from kinder to Grade 6, a milk-feeding program, a micronutrient feeding program, health examinations, vaccinations, and deworming among others.

The law also includes the creation of a National Nutrition Information System which will harmonize all existing national and local nutrition databases to identify individuals, groups, and/ or localities that have the highest magnitude of hunger and undernutrition. (MNS)

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Get your kids vaccinated for measles — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday urged parents to get their children vaccinated for measles following predictions of a possible measles outbreak in 2021.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque allayed fears against the government’s immunization campaign, saying a measles vaccine is one of the “oldest” vaccines to be used globally.

“Ang mensahe po ng Presidente: Mga magulang huwag po nating katakutan ang bakuna (The President’s message: Parents, don’t be afraid of getting your children vaccinated),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Roque said failing to get their children vaccinated could put their health at great risk.

“Bakit pa po natin i-expose sa aberya ating mga minamahal sa buhay na mga chikiting eh samantalang mayroon naman po tayong tried and proven na bakuna laban diyan?(Why will we expose our children to harm when there are tried and proven vaccines to prevent diseases?),” he said.

He acknowledged concerns over vaccines after issues hounding the

PRRD wants nearly expired DOH medicines released MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte is urging the Department of Health (DOH) to distribute nearly expired medicines to minimize wastage of government funds.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after a Commission on Audit (COA) report showed that the DOH has accumulated PHP2.2 billion worth of medicines and other supplies in its inventory that are either expired, nearly expired, or overstocked and slow-moving.

Of the PHP2.2 billion, PHP29 million were expired, PHP1.14 billion were overstocked and PHP1 billion were near expiry.

“Ang mandato po ng Presidente sa DOH lalung-lalo na yung mage-expire na, pakidistribute na po nang hindi masayang at yung mga overstocked at slow-moving na po ilabas na po natin sa ating mga warehouse nang magamit ng ating taongbayan (The instruction of the President to the DOH, especially for medicines that are about to expire, please distribute them so they don’t go to waste and for overstocked and slow-moving to be released so they can be used by our citizens),” he said.

The COA report said the expired, nearly expired or overstocked and slow-moving medicines “hindered the maximum delivery of the highest quality of medical/health care services to the general public and entailed wastage of government funds.”

It attributed the problem to “poor inventory/supply management system covering procurement planning, monitoring, storage and acceptance/issuance/transfer/distribution of goods.”

“The occurrence of these expired, overstocked and nearly expired inventory items is a manifestation of an excessive expenditure since items were procured more than what is needed,” the COA report read.

Given the findings, the COA recommended the DOH to review procurement contracts to see if expired medicines may be returned and replaced by suppliers.

The COA also urged the DOH to exercise prudence in the use of government resources by ensuring that procurement is limited to those immediately needed or for the current year requirement.

Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine but noted that the case for measles vaccines is different.

“Itong measles naman po, matagal na pong ginagamit iyan so wala po kayong dapat ikatakot ‘no (This measles vaccine has been used for a long time, so you have nothing to fear),” he said.

Last Wednesday, the Department

of Health (DOH) said it will conduct a nationwide immunization campaign to prevent a predicted measles outbreak next year.

An estimated 2.4 children under the age of 5 are also susceptible to measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases.

Meanwhile, Roque also appealed to the public to hang on a bit longer

until a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is available.

“Antay lang po nang konti, konting tiyaga at ang pangako naman ng Presidente, gagastusin po natin ang kaban ng bayan para mabigyan unang-una ang mga mahihirap ng bakuna laban sa Covid-19 (Just wait a bit longer and the President promised that he’ll spend public funds to give the poor a vaccine against Covid-19),” he said.

Earlier, Roque said the government is ready to implement an immunization plan should a Covid-19 vaccine roll out in the future.

He said the government can allocate PHP20 billion to buy the vaccine with the help of the Philippine International Trading Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he will seek a discount from China and Russia on the Covid-19 vaccines that each of the two countries developed and promised to supply the Philippines with. (MNS)

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines decreasing — UP experts MANILA (Mabuhay) — The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has been decreasing, according to the University of the Philippines OCTA Research team.

In its report dated October 6, the team said the country's reproduction number, which describes the reproduction of COVID-19 cases, has kept its downward trend.

“The number of cases in the Philippines has been decreasing, and currently at less around 2,500 new cases per day (based on case reports),” the OCTA Research team said.

This is lower compared to the almost 4,000 new cases per day recorded during the last week of August.

“The reproduction number in the Philippines is 0.87, in line with the downward trend in test reports,” it added. A reproduction number below 1 means a flattened curve, according to the experts.

Based on the report, these findings were based on the daily reports of COVID-19 cases in the country from August 25 to October 5.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region, the epicenter of the pandemic in the country, also decreased to less than 1,000 new cases per day, the team said.

Like in nationwide setting, the reproduction number in the region remained below 1 at 0.82 during the same period.

The positivity rate for NCR decreased now to 8% from the 14% recorded during the end of August. This is still above the World Health Organization (WHO) ideal rate of 5%, the OCTA Research team noted.

“Based on available data, the value of R for the entire Philippines and in the NCR has been on a decelerating trend,” the experts said.

According to the team, the situation in the NCR improved as the rate of transmission, the number of cases, and the positivity rate are all on a downward trend.

However, Professor Guido David said the downward trend has been uneven throughout the country.

“Mahirap pa masabi (kung nafa-flatten na ‘yong curve) kasi uneven ‘yong trend,” he said.

“Sa ngayon kasi ‘yong decreasing trend sa Metro Manila, naka-on the way to flattening na tayo of the curve sa NCR pero sa buong bansa, hangga’t may tumataas na kaso, ‘di natin masasabing nafa-flatten natin,” he added.

David said COVID-19 cases in select areas such as Davao del Sur, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, Western Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Benguet, Baguio City, Nueva Ecija, Quezon and Pangasinan are still increasing. “‘Yong reproduction number natin is still less than 1 pero may increases din sa ibang lugar and kailangan din natin ma-monitor ‘yong mga areas na nagkakaroon ng increases…

Hopefully, ma-control nila ‘yan kasi kaunti lang naman, ‘di naman ganoon karami,” he said.

“Pero I think ‘yong continued implementation sa NCR ng mga health protocols natin, social distancing, ‘yong wearing of face mask, face shield, I think nakakatulong ‘yan sa

It also recommended the strict implementation of the timeline on the distribution/transfer of the inventories.

pag-decrease ng trend sa NCR,” he added.

Not irreversible However, the experts pointed out that these positive trends are not irreversible. Due to this, it advised the government, the public, and concerned sectors to maintain their efforts in sustaining it.

“We believe that the strict and universal compliance with minimum health standards can lower COVID-19 transmissions in country,” the team said.

The OCTA Research team reiterated its recommendations to the government to urgently scale up its test, trace, and treat strategy to control the spread of the virus.

For the experts, the quarantines must also be augmented with better pandemic surveillance, more effective strategies for physical distancing, and compliance with other health protocols.

To avoid future surges The experts said there is an urgent need to scale up the capacities of healthcare system. To deal with future surges, they said the government must ensure the following: increased capacity of the national healthcare system to deal with the potential outbreaks; sufficient testing capability to cope with the expected increase in cases; sufficient PPE supplies for the front-liners; set up more isolation facilities in the NCR and around the country; roll out of an effective and aggressive system for contact tracing With the resumption of many socio-economic activities, the OCTA Research team said the private sector, especially businesses, must also improve their efforts to complement the initiatives of government.

These businesses should ensure safety in workplaces, provide testing as needed, operationalize policies to facilitate contact tracing, and guarantee compliance with minimum health standards.

“The cooperation of the business establishments will significantly reduce the risk of workplace transmission while jump-starting economic recovery,” the experts said. (MNS)

The distribution of nearly expired medicines should also be expedited, the COA said.

The DOH said the expired or nearly expired medicines were purchased back in 2017 and 2018. (MNS)

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$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 — L3242550 & L3242557 Offer Expires 10/31/2020 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL 2020 Outback models in Stock

FINANCE OFFER As low as 1.9% Limited term financing on ALL 2021 Crosstreks in stock

2020 SUBARU

Offer Expires 10/31/2020

Legacy Limited CVT

Model Code: MRH-31 — MH203778 & MH203542 Offer Expires 10/31/2020

Ascent TOURING– 7 Passenger CVT

2021 SUBARU

with Navigation and Power Moonroof

259

$

429

$

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 L3027486 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 10/31/2020 As low as 0% limited term financing on ALL 2020 Legacys in stock

Model Code: MCG-33 — one at this payment M3401908 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 10/31/2020 As low as 0.9% Limited term financing on ALL 2021 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 12-31-20 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.