Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) January 16, 2021

LOS ANGELES / ORANGE COUNTY

Globe blocks over 2.5K sites to combat child pornography PAGE 10 VOL. XXX NO. 3

January 16 -22, 2021

TOP STORIES

Global News Cayetano questions timing of House Cha-cha hearing, calls it politicking 8  Solon pushes for exemptions in land ownership by foreigners 8  House leaders sign manifesto of support for economic Cha-cha 9  Respondents in Dacera case could face perjury, NCRPO chief says 9  Repatriated OFWs due to COVID-19 pandemic hit 342k — DFA 11  ‘Urine’ sample from Dacera’s body led to more questions — Dr. Fortun 11  Duterte: National recovery from COVID-19 crisis within sight 12  Strict biosecurity needed to aid hog raisers amid ASF outbreak 12  De Lima on Aguirre’s appointment to NAPOLCOM: Duterte really good at recycling waste 12 

IN OTHER AREAS OF CALIFORNIA: PEOPLE 65 AND UP CAN ALREADY START LINING UP FOR VACCINES

By ABnER GALino

GOVERNOR Gavin Newson has announced on Wednesday (January 13) that people 65 and older are already eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Certain quarters expressed support to the governor’s decision to broaden the priority list beyond healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staffers, and they think that such might diminish the surging cases of COVID-19 cases.

In a statement, Newsom said expanding the list for vaccinations is a positive step forward that will provide access as quickly

Sections BUSINESS. DOF bares how P82.5-B budget for COVID vax program will be sourced 13  ENTERTAINMENT. Derek Ramsay speaks up after being linked to Ellen Adarna 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. QC closely monitoring 1st UK Covid-19 variant case 18  TRAVEL. Int’l cruise ship terminal to rise in Albay 16

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



“There is no higher priority than efficiently and equitably distributing these vaccines as quickly as possible to those who face the gravest consequences.”

— Governor Gavin Newsom

as possible to people 65 and older, a group that has suffered disproportionately from the virus.

“There is no higher priority than efficiently and equitably distributing these vaccines as quickly as possible to those who face the gravest consequences,” Newsom said in a statement.

However, in other areas of the state, particularly in metropolitan areas such as IN OTHER

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LA County Library surpasses 3 million Sara for President? Duterte says eBook and audiobook checkouts in 2020 presidency not for a woman

LA county Library has announced that it has reached a record-breaking 3,109,225 digital book checkouts via OverDrive in 2020, a 34% increase from 2019, making it one of the top 15 public library systems worldwide for total annual digital circulation.

This accomplishment illustrates the continued growth and importance of library digital lending of eBooks and audiobooks, especially in a year with

building closures due to the global pandemic. LA County Library is one of 102 public library systems worldwide that surpassed 1 million checkouts.

LA County Library has been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks and audiobooks for several years through OverDrive and its award-winning Libby reading app. Reader interest and usage has grown every year.

"At LA County Library, we pride ourselves on removing

barriers to access, and we are always working toward expanding and supporting our digital library, adding more content, and making it easier to find and use,” said Skye Patrick, Library Director.

“The tremendous increase in checkouts of eBooks and audiobooks this year illuminates their growing importance to the people we serve, who want to be able to access library materials, wherever they are. This digiLA COUNTY

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MAniL A (Mabuhay) — naaawa ako sa dadaanan There are people who are niya na dinaanan [ko],” urging Davao City Mayor Duterte said.

Sara Duterte to run for “Hindi ito pambabae.

President in 2022 but Alam mo the emotional the incumbent Rodrigo set-up of a woman and a Duterte claimed he would man is totally different. have none of it.

Maging gago ka dito,” he Speaking at the inaugusaid. ration of the Metro Manila The Philippines already Skyway Stage 3 in Quehad two presidents who Mayor Sara Duterte zon City, Duterte said the are women -- Corazon presidency was not for women.

Aquino from 1986 to 1992, and Gloria “My daughter, inuudyok naman Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2010. nila, sabi ko ‘My daughter is not runWomen leaders such as Angela ning.’ I have told Inday not to run kasi Merkel in Germany, Jacinda Ardern SARA

Cebu

Lechon • BBQ & Deli

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

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Saturday-Friday | January 16 - 22, 2021

How safe is the right to vote in America?

Advocates warn about “whitelash” against the empowerment of voters of color, as reflected in last week´s violence.

By JEnnY MAnRiQUE Despite historic voter turnouts on November 3 and January 5 in Georgia, voting rights advocates warn that last week's assault on the Capitol constitutes a violent “whitelash” aimed at suppressing the growing empowerment of voters of color.

They also warned against complacency once Joe Biden is in office and the need to closely monitor the damaging effect disinformation will continue to have on his efforts to heal the country.

“We should not view the riots as an isolated incident.

They were part of a broader effort undertaken in the halls of state and federal government to undermine the will of the people”, said Judith A. Browne Dianis, a civil rights attorney and co-director of the Advancement Project during a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services.

“These riots were motivated by the same anti-democratic sentiment that inspired lawmakers to challenge November's election results based on baseless conspiracies and lies and misinformation about voter fraud perpetrated specifically in communities of color.”

For Browne Dianis, Wednesday's attempted insurrection that left five dead and 12 wounded, is reminiscent of the Reconstruction Era of political violence, fueled by the ”racism and hatred" from those who feel they are losing power in the country, in front of a "rising majority" of voters of color.

"They came carrying Confed-

erate flags with the idea that the Confederacy would rise again," said Browne Dianis. "The police response to that moment underscores for us the unequal treatment of people," added the lawyer, referring to the tepid response of the police on Capitol Hill in comparison to the use of military force to disperse the Black Lives Matter protests.

The last elections saw the highest voter turnout in the history of the country, with a record number of voters of color in cities such as Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Detroit and Atlanta.

This despite strict voter identification laws in states like North Carolina and Georgia, and attempts by local legislatures like Pennsylvania and Michigan to toughen standards for signature matching on the ballot.

This despite the complications to vote for homeless people, those unhoused or with address difficulties, a population that increased dramatically due to the eviction crisis caused by the pandemic.

This despite the redistricting that has allowed the Republican Party to draw their jurisdictions to exclude voters of color, and being reelected several times by their white constituents.

"As we become more and more successful (as voters), there are more repressive mechanisms, they are very subtle sometimes and sometimes they are less subtle," said Gabriela D. Lemus, board chair of Mi Familia Vota (MFV), an organization that promotes the vote in states with large concentrations of Hispanics such as

Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and Texas.

In 2020 MFV launched a $10 million campaign called #BastaTrump (Enough of Trump), which extended its work to the swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia.

Their efforts were undoubtedly successful: more than 14 million Hispanic voters participated in the presidential elections, 8.6 million did so during early voting, and 2.4 million were new voters. But analysts fear that other factors, such as the extensive use of misinformation through social media and complacency over Biden's victory, will decrease turnout in upcoming elections.

“As a group (Latinos) we are low-propensity voters and we don't need to be more discouraged”, said Lemus. “But the level of misinformation is so extreme, especially in Spanish-language media that sometimes is not overseen as closely by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) as English media. That is something we fight on a regular basis. " According to Myrna Perez, director of the Brennan Center's Voting Rights and Elections Program, this risk could add to the tendency of voters to “take something this cataclysmic”, to participate at the levels seen in 2020.

“Because this election turned out the way that some people wanted it to, folks could stop feeling the urgency to participate in things that happen at a local level… and down-ticket races matter a lot.”

Perez explained that while

the pandemic put barriers to voting in person, 35 states changed some policy to make voting by absentee ballots easier and more affordable. This as a result of the pressure on institutions from activists, lawyers, athletes, celebrities and people from all walks of life.

“The barriers that black, brown, and Asian communities have to deal with all the time ... suddenly (because of the pandemic) became extended to communities that are usually not disenfranchised, and then people started saying: ‘oh my gosh, there's a lot of cracks in the system’.”

The Brennan Center tracked 340 cases in which the election results were litigated; most of them failed in the attempt to flip the presidential election results.

But while there were no coordinated assaults to sabotage the elections, “we did have a lot of what I call random jerks with guns and trucks blocking access to the polls, scaring and threatening voters at much higher rates than I had ever seen before, " said Perez.

There were also death threats against election administrators.

Not in the Constitution

The paradox is that in a country that has a robust electoral calendar each year to elect officials ranging from trustees of school boards to legislators of different chambers, the right to vote does not explicitly live in the Constitution.

"What we hope is that we can get to a point where is acknowledged in the Constitution so that when we bring lawsuits,

the courts will treat it the same way they treat the First Amendment", said Browen Dianis of the Advancement Project. She worked with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Durbin on Joint Resolution 75 that seeks to guarantee the universal right to vote, even for people with felony convictions.

Congress is also expected to discuss the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, that seeks to restore full protection from the original bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law was seriously affected by the 2013 Shelby County decision, which allowed several states to pass voter suppression laws without preclearance, disproportionately impacting minorities, the elderly and the young.

The John Lewis Act comprises a list of seven categories of changes in voting rights that states can only make with federal authorization, (for example moving ballot boxes), increases notice and waiting requirements for these changes, and adds a force of federal observers to protect the vote, explained There is also the H.R.1 Act that seeks to reduce the election administration's problems and the influence of big money on politics.

The panelists insisted that to combat the structural racism that permeates the elections, it is necessary to invest in voter education with a focus on new citizens, in closing the digital divide in marginalized communities and in having contingency plans to shield the process from extraordinary situations like a pandemic.

IN OTHER... FROM PAGE 1 Los Angeles, health officials expressed concern that the expansion was too early to be implemented.

There has been a slow rollout in many counties across the state due to an array of problems that include insufficient doses for distribution and not having enough healthcare workers who could administer vaccines.

In Los Angeles, public health officials said people 65 and older won’t have access to the vaccine until the county finishes vaccinating front-line workers.

“The county plans to vaccinate 500,000 more healthcare workers by the end of January, but currently does not have enough doses to meet that goal,” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

“We’re not done with our healthcare workers.”

As of last week, L.A. County had administered only about 151,000 doses of the more than 490,990 it has received.

On Tuesday (January 12), more than 194,000 first does of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to those in Phase 1A. In addition, more than 44,000 second doses have been administered.

The public health department added

that it is ramping up capacity to complete vaccinations for the approximately 500,000 frontline healthcare workers.

The county has added pharmacies and healthcare clinics to its vaccination efforts, aside from of five new large-capacity vaccination sites that the county is set to open next Tuesday.

These said vaccination sites are only open to healthcare workers in Phase 1A. Healthcare workers can register for an appointment and must show job verification when showing up for their vaccine.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Office to the media, it said that “those in Phase 1A – health care workers and longterm care residents – remain the highest priority to receive vaccines.”

“With our hospitals crowded and ICUs full, we need to focus on vaccinating Californians who are at highest risk of becoming hospitalized to alleviate stress on our health care facilities,” said Dr. Tomás Aragón, Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer.

“Prioritizing individuals age 65 and older will reduce hospitalizations and save lives.”

“Following a bipartisan letter from nine governors including Governor Newsom on

January 8, the CDC announced changes yesterday to its vaccine plan including making more of the coronavirus vaccine supply available to all states.”

“Along with the increase in vaccine supply, the federal government encouraged states to expand the pool of those eligible to receive the vaccine to individuals 65 and older.”

“The Governor also announced a new system to let people know if they are eligible to receive a vaccine, and if not yet eligible, to register for a notification via email or text when they are eligible. That system is expected to launch next week.

A second phase of that system will help counties, cities and others run mass vaccination events. This will include a way for eligible members of the public to schedule their vaccination appointments at those events. Community vaccination events are only one way for eligible Californians to receive their vaccines. When available, the public can also go to their doctor or pharmacy to receive the vaccine.”

“Governor Newsom has aggressively led the state to increase the pace of vaccine administration. He laid out the goal of 1 million additional vaccines administered by the end of this week. At the direction of the Governor, the state has tackled the

problem with a multi-pronged approach, including: 1. Increasing the number of people who can provide vaccinations by more than 100,000 health care professionals a. Last Monday, added 36,000 dentists to the pool of health care providers who can administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

The state has already received anecdotal reports of dentists actively administering vaccines after completing the required COVID-19 training. b. This expansion comes on the heels a similar waiver in late December allowing pharmacy technicians overseen by licensed pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. There are 69,000 pharmacy technicians in California.

2. Directing Resources, Driving Commitment  The Governor’s office has convened meetings with leaders across the public and private health care system and received commitments to cooperatively accelerate the pace of vaccine administration.”

For more information on the state’s efforts to distribute a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine in a fair way to everyone who wants it, visit the Vaccinate All 58 webpage.

3 BALITA Community Congratulations to PeDRO and its 2020-2022 officers Saturday-Friday | January 16 - 22, 2021

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By LYDIA V. SOLIS

antos ‘Jun’ Capistrano, Jr. is the newly-inducted President/Chairman of the Philippine Disaster Relie f Or ganiz a tion which was founded in 2004.

He studied at the University of the East, served with the US Navy Submarine Service and graduated from the University of Baltimore with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He also has a Master of Information Technology from the American Intercontinental University.

Married to Elizabeth, they have a son and a daughter, and three grandkids.

Jun was the President of the UE Association of America when he served as the UE Global Reunion chairman in 2010, for which he received a ‘Leadership Award.’ He is the current chair of the 4th UE Global Reunion. In 2016, Jun received the “President’s Award: Profiles in Service, Pillars of Community” from the Philippine Heritage Institute International President Josie E. De Jesus and Executive Director Anna Lourdes Armada Chickey, M.D. “If the University of the Philippines has its Oblation,” stated Jun, “the University of the East has its ALMA MATER, now called Lualhati, the alumni’s gift to the University. Lualhati was sculpted in bronze by well-known artist Guillermo Tolentino,” continued Jun, “and has Miss Ofelia S. Salas as his model.

It was unveiled in 1957, by no less than First Lady Luz Banzon Magsaysay. Lualhati can be seen at the center of the university grounds facing the main gate at C.M. Recto. With hands outstretched in a welcoming gesture, she personifies the cherishing and fostering mother, ever-caring, and ever-loving!”

At the virtual ‘Farewell Celebration and Induction of Officers’ on December 28, 2020, chaired by Zeny Sabocor, celebrant Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz also served as the Inducting Officer for the following, led by President/Chairman Jun Capistrano: outgoing President Benito Miranda, Vice President; Ellen Martires, Secretary; Joey Cruz, Treasurer; and Cirilo Pinlac, Jr., Auditor.

(Editor’s note: author was re-elected PRO.) Also inducted were members of the Board of Directors: Heidi J. Mariano, Lilli Khan, and Manuel Baculi, MD, who led the toast; Lolita Frialde Bandong, Cora M. Cruz, Eleanor Martires, Jose Victor Martires, who offered the invocation; Serry Sabocor, Zenaida P. Sabo-

PeDRO Virtual Induction on Dec. 28, 2020. Lovebirds caught on camera. Photo by lvsolis

Pres. Jun and wife Elizabeth cor, Edith E. Sajor, and PeDRO member Cecile Rosana.

Past presidents are: Bing De La Vega, Gil Mislang, Myrna M. Baculi, who introduced ConGen Adel; and Archerie G. Calunod, Zoom meeting host with his wife Edith Sajor, who gave the opening remarks.

ConGen Adel joined the Zoom meeting along with his wife, Madame Catherine Amon Cruz, Consul Dyan Kristine M. Pastrana, Vice Consul Macrise Corrado, and Cultural Officer Maria Dolor Cruz Salas, among other Consulate staff.

Testimonials were given by the author and past president Benito Miranda.

“I would like to commend PeDRO’s commitment to extending relief assistance to our fellowmen faced with adversities both in the Philippines and the United States,” stated ConGen Adel. “The Association’s longevity and sustained dynamism is indisputable proof of our overseas Filipinos’ love for their roots and desire to be a positive force in their adopted country.”

Emceed by seasoned singer, actress,

SARA... FROM PAGE 1 in New Zealand and Tsai Ing-Wen in Taiwan have also been credited for some of the most successful national responses against the COVID-19 virus.

Duterte made the remark weeks after Sara emerged as a possible contender for the presidency in 2022 after she topped the latest Pulse Asia survey on Filipinos' preferences for President.

Poe Marcos Jr. Pulse Asia said about a quarter or 26% of adult FilDuterte asked pollsters to exclude her ipinos would choose the mayor if the name from future polls. election was held during the November She said the May 2022 election was"23 to December 2 survey period. farthest from the minds of many FiliFormer senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” pinos" and that the focus should be on Marcos Jr. and Senator Grace Poe shared “how to survive the economic and huthe second spot with a score of 14%. manitarian crisis” brought about by the Reacting to the survey result, Sara COVID-19 pandemic. (MNS)

songwriter, director and producer Becca Godinez, musical entertainment was provided

by Lara Avengoza Adrian, a stage actress, award-winning singer and Disneyland Resort UE’s Lualhati evokes the warmth and sincerity of welcoming not only new students, but alumni and visitors as well. performer. (She and husband Evan now reside in New Mexifundraiser on Dec. 5, 2020, at the Hisco.) Other performers were Gelo Francisco, artistic director of the toric Filipinotown, hosted by recording Philippine Chamber Singers LA and mu- artist Apl.de.Ap, in collaboration with sical director of the St. John Baptist de la HiFi Kitchen.

Apl.de.Ap, founding Filipino member Salle in Granada Hills; and Becca herself, who is recognized as the first successful of the Black Eyed Peas, had called on female singer-songwriter of pop music in the community to join them in helping the typhoon victims in the Philippines the Philippines.

The climax of the program was the and said, “I’m proud to collaborate with presentation by Treasurer Joey Cruz of HiFi Kitchen to raise donations through PeDRO’s Christmas gift to ConGen, their our ‘Adobo in Action’ effort.” Using Apl’s secret Pineda family recipe, HiFi Kitchen golf buddy. It is a putter, of course! sold special orders of adobo.

“PeDRO,” said Ted, “has a proven track Donation to PeDRO Ted Benito, Apl.de.Ap Foundation record of directing funds for disaster reInternational Executive Director, has lief to the areas most severely impacted chosen the Philippine Disaster Relief by the devastation.” Ted handed a check Organization as the beneficiary of the to PeDRO for $2,000, which was matched recent ‘Unbreakable Adobo in Action’ by Apl.de.Ap. for an additional $2,000.

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DeltaRex-G Cancer Treatment Gains FDA authorization as first-line therapy for early stage triple receptor - positive breast cancer

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he Aveni Foundation (www.avenifoundation. org) and the Cancer Center of Southern California (www.cancercentersocal.com) are proud to announce that the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has gained authorization for DeltaRex-G Cancer Treatment in combination with "trastuzumab and letrozole" as first-line therapy of a patient with early stage hormone receptor positive and HER2/neu amplified invasive ductal carcinoma of breast.

Triple receptor positive breast cancer is relatively rare and occurs in only10 % of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of breast, which occurs in 1 out of 8 women, in the United States, according to Don A. Brigham, PhD, Director of Business Development of the Aveni Foundation. The announcement was published by WALL STREET Select''s January 14, 2021 issue via EIN Presswire.

In Phase 1/2 study using DeltaRex-G for chemotherapy-resistant Stage 4 breast cancer, DeltaRex-G induced 17.6 % response rate by PET/Choi criteria. 76 % tumor control rate and 83 % one-year survival rate, with minimal, if any, systemic toxicity and with 2 patients still alive, 10 years after DeltaRex-G treatment initiation (Bruckner et. al., Molecular Therapy Vol. 27 No. 4S1, abstract #273).

Dr. Sant P. Chawla, principal investigator at the Cancer Center of Southern California

Don A. Brigham, PhD Aveni Foundation Director, Business Development

Graphic illustration of DeltaRex-G vector. The DeltaRex - G vector displaying a sIG targeting peptide (A), for binding to Signature (Sig) Proteins in the tumor microenvironment (TME) (B), and encodes a dominant negative human cyclin G1 inhibitor gene (C).

According to Dr. Sant Chawla, principal investigator at the Cancer Center of Southern California, "these data suggests that: (1) DeltaRex-G is uniquely safe and exhibits antitumor activity; (2)(PET/Choi are more sensitive indicators of early tumor response to DeltaRex-G and should be used to evaluate efficacy; (3) DeltaRex-G induced long term (10 years) survival in 2 patients with pure bone metastases, who subsequently received DeltaVax immunotherapy; (4) DeltaRex-G may prove to be a biochemical and/or antigen modulator when combined with other cancer therapy immunotherapy; and finally (5) DeltaRex-G is a viable alternative treatment for patients who

choose not to receive standard toxic chemotherapy that may predispose them to secondary malignancies, debilitating peripheral neuropathy and other untoward side effects that impair quality of life while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

DeltaRex-G is a tumor-targeted gene therapy that: (a) displays a Signature (SIG) binding peptide on its surface for targeting the tumor microenvironment; and (b) encodes a designer killer gene for eradicating cancer cells. When injected intravenously, the DeltaRex-G nanoparticles seek out and accumulate in the cancerous lessions where Signature (SIG) proteins are abnormally found, in the vicinity of cancer cells, hence augmenting effective drug concentration.

From our experience in 5 Phase 1 and 2 US-based and 2 Philippine-based clinical trials for metastatic cancer, we have known that intravenous DeltaRex-G has minimal, if any systemic toxicity and may be effective in prolonging life of Stage 4 cancer patients. According to Dr. Don A. Brigham, a retired US Marine Corps Officer and Naval Aviator, who is a Director of Business Development of the Aveni Foundation, “this is the litmus test for DeltaRex-G in

eradicating microscopic disease and preventing recurrence of breast cancer. If successful, this FDA authorization of DeltaRex-G, as first-line therapy for early stage breast cancer, establishes a precedent for the use of DeltaRex-G in patients who refuse to receive toxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy.” ("Right to Try Law of 2018.").

Finally, a Phase 2/3 clinical trial is planned to evaluate if DeltaRex-G is equally effective (not inferior to) than standard chemotherapy/radiation therapy as first-therapy for early stage hormone receptor positive for and HER2/neu amplified breast cancer.

The Aveni Foundation is an IRS-sanctioned 501 (C) (3) public charity whose mission is to expedite the development of tumor and gene targeted technologies for cancer and other unmet medical needs. For those who wish to donate, click the DONATE button at their website: www.avenifoundation.org or send a check to: Aveni Foundation, 2811 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 414 Santa Monica, Ca. 90403. For further information, please contact: Dr. Erlinda M. Gordon, Chair, Aveni Foundation at: egordon@avenifoundation.org or egordon@sarcomaoncology.com.

Saturday-Friday | January 16 - 22, 2021

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Living alone has more impact on mental health of young adults than older adults

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By tHoM FiLE AnD MAttHEW MARLAY

ounger adults living alone were more likely than older adults living alone to report symptoms of both anxiety and depression in recent weeks, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.

The Household Pulse Survey provides insight into the mental health and well-being of adults living alone during the Coronavirus pandemic. The survey asks two questions related to symptoms of anxiety, and two questions about symptoms of depression.

Phase 3 of the survey collects data over two-week intervals, and this article relies on publicly available data collected from Oct. 28 through Nov. 9, a time period in which the Census Bureau sent invitations to 1,035,752 households and received a total of 58,729 responses.

Among adults living alone, respondents age 65 and over reported lower rates of anxiety and depression than those in other age groups.

Those between ages 18 and 29 and 30 and 44 reported higher rates of anxiety and depression. The age groups were not statistically different from each other on either measure.

COVID hospitalizations rise even before expected post-holiday surge hits

By SUnitA SoHRABJi EMS contributing Editor

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ospitalizations from COVID-19 infections in California have risen dramatically in the past 14 days, even prior to the expected post-holiday surge.

COVID infections in California have increased 5.5 percent over the past 14 days: 21,747 people have been hospitalized, and 4,854 people are currently in intensive care units, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California’s Health and Human Services department at a briefing last January 12.

On that day, California crossed a grim milestone of 30,000 COVID-related deaths.

Ghaly said he was optimistic about the numbers: “There is some hope here,” he said, noting that the numbers were lower than expected.

But he cautioned that a post-holiday surge has yet to hit, and expects that the state will start to see the ramifications of holiday gatherings beginning Jan. 15.

Almost all counties in the state are in the high “purple tier,” which indicates widespread levels of infection.

Only Trinity County has moved from purple to red, while Humboldt County has backtracked from red to purple.

The focus of the state’s strategy has been Southern California, where hospitals have been overwhelmed by the

magnitude of the crisis and currently have no ICU capacity. Trucks are being used as makeshift morgues, and ambulance traffic is being diverted to hospitals further away which may have greater capacity.

Low-risk patients are being discharged to facilities with lower levels of care, which is appropriate, said Ghaly.

California currently has 2.5 million doses of the COVID vaccine and has a goal of administering 1 million more shots by this weekend, Jan. 17.

Approximately 784,000 people in the state have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 99,000 people in the state have received the second required dose.

California has planned mass vaccination sites at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, Petco Park in San Diego, CalExpo in Sacramento, and Disneyland in Anaheim.

“We want to vaccinate people as soon as we can, and not just keep doses in the freezer,” said Ghaly. He said extra doses would be given to people lower in the tier so that they are not wasted.

State health officials were expected to meet with federal health officials Jan. 12 to adjust guidelines for vaccine distribution, given a ramp-up in production with more doses expected to soon become available.

LA COUNTY... FROM PAGE 1 tal access has been especially important this year, when access to library buildings has been limited."

The highest-circulating title LA County Library readers borrowed through OverDrive in 2020 was Becoming by Michelle Obama. The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes thrillers, mystery, biography/autobiography, and children/young adult.

The top 10 eBook titles borrowed through LA County Library’s digital collection in 2020: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Becoming by Michelle Obama Educated by Tara Westover Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides The top 5 audiobook titles borrowed through LA County Library’s digital col-

lection in 2020: Becoming by Michelle Obama The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

by J. K. Rowling The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

by Mark Manson Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Educated by Tara Westover Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero 1984 by George Orwell Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis Readers in Los Angeles County just need a valid library card or digital library card to access digital books from LA County Library’s OverDrive-powered digital collection.

Readers can use any major device, including Apple(R), Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle(R) (US only). Visit LACountyLibrary.OverDrive.com or download the Libby app to get started and borrow eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.

Respondents in the 45-64 age group reported symptoms of both anxiety and depression at rates that fell between those of the youngest and oldest respondents.

Financial Stress Economic disruptions such as a loss of income had an impact on the mental health of those living alone, as did the expectation of losing employment income in the next four weeks.

About half (51%) of individuals living alone who either lost or expected to lose employment income reported anxiety, compared with only about a third (32%) of those who had not experienced or expected the same type of economic disruption.

Similarly, about 44% of those who had experienced or expected lost income reported symptoms of depression, compared with about 26% of those who had not experienced or expected economic disruption.

On the other hand, among adults living alone who reported being in poor health, about two thirds reported symptoms of anxiety and depression (around 65% and not statistically different from each other on both measures).

It is important to emphasize that these questions and analysis do not capture causality. In other words, we do not know whether the mental health of those in good overall health was bolstered because of that good health, or whether poor mental health caused people to report lower levels of overall health.

It is likely that both are true: mental health influences overall health and vice versa.

Households with Children Overall, about 36% of all adults reported feeling anxiety in the previous week. Adults living alone and those in households with children were slightly more likely to report feeling anxious (about 38% each) than adults living in households without children (34%).

Meanwhile, about 28% of all households reported feeling depressed over the previous week.

When analyzed by specific household type, about 30% of those living alone and those in households with kids reported symptoms of depression, compared to about 26% of adults in households with other adults but without children.

We examined differences in mental health by racial and ethnic groups for those living alone but the results were generally inconclusive and are therefore not included here.

The Household Pulse Survey asks four questions about mental health over the previous seven days, two relating to symptoms of anxiety and two relating to symptoms of depression.

These questions are collected in partnership with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). This analysis follows an approach outlined by NCHS, which categorizes individuals based on how frequently they reported feeling anxious or depressed, consistent with diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder.

Household Pulse Survey data include Household Pulse Survey tables, Technical Documentation and Public Use File (PUF) microdata.

Thom File is a sociologist in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division.

Matthew Marlay is a sociologist and demographer in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division.

Pilipino po tayo!

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

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

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

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

In the Marriage of Marsden, the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage. The original mortgage was $30,000. By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage.

Marriage of Madsen (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910.

During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation. The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage ($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%. This

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percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husband’s separate property. The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component.

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

Three, the parties can execute a trans-

mutation agreement with a waiver of any family code section 2640 reimbursement claim. If your divorce case involves complex issues of asset distribution, it is best to retain the representation of competent counsel.

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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration.

He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com.

The Feds relations to Treasury Bonds affected by inflation

IF you are a homeowner, you should care about the effects on Treasury Bonds to an inflationary market, I would like to briefly help you understand the importance both plays in the Real Estate Market and Mortgage Interest Rates. This will some how affect the property values and your mortgage payments.

Focus on the 10 Yr Treasury Bonds, this yield has a direct effect on Home Mortgage interest rates. Both bond prices and yields go up and down, but there’s an important rule to remember about the relationship between the two: They move in same directions, when a bond’s price goes up, the home mortgage rates usually goes up depending on how high the yields increased. Recently the 10 Yr Treasury Rates broke above 1% and is now climbing possibly to about 1.5% and its has not dropped below 1% since March 2020 and was up over 3% in 2018.

What is the definition of Treasury Bonds?

What Is a Treasury Bond (T-Bond)?

Treasury bonds (T-bonds) are government debt securities issued by the U.S. Federal government that have maturities greater than 20 years.

T-bonds earn periodic interest until maturity, at which point the owner is also paid a par amount equal to the principal. Treasury bonds are part of the larger category of U.S. sovereign debt known collectively as treasuries, which are typically regarded as virtually risk-free since they are backed by the U.S. government's ability to tax its citizens.

In some cases, a bond’s price is affected by something that is unique to its issuer–for example, a change in the bond’s rating. However, other factors have an impact on all bonds. The twin factors that affect a bond’s price are inflation and changing interest rates. A rise in either interest rates or the inflation rate will tend to cause bond prices to drop.

Inflation and interest rates behave similarly to bond yields, moving in the opposite direction from bond prices.

If inflation means higher prices, why do bond prices drop?

The answer has to do with the relative value of the interest that a specific bond pays. Rising prices over time reduce the purchasing power of each interest payment a bond makes. Let’s say a five-year bond pays $400 every six months. Inflation means that $400 will buy less five years from now. When investors worry that a bond’s yield won’t keep up with the rising costs of inflation, the price of the bond drops because there is less investor demand for it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Chapter 13: Reduce Your Debts And Only Pay What You Can HAS your income been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? If you are currently unemployed and have no resources to pay creditors, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out your debts and start fresh may be the clear and only option.

To file Chapter 7, you generally need to be able to show zero disposable income every month. But what if you had some disposable income but not enough to pay all your creditors? Is there a way to pay only based on how much you can afford?

If you are struggling to pay your bills due to insufficient income and/or excessive expenses, yes, there is a way to make your debts more manageable so you can sleep better at night. For individuals, it’s called Chapter 13.

While every case is different, of course, let me explain in general terms how Chapter 13 works and how it might benefit you if you are in the situation I described above.

Chapter 13 is the section of the US Bankruptcy Code that allows individuals in the United States to reorganize their finances. If you are having difficulty paying your

debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, taxes, late mortgage payments and property taxesall kinds of debts), don’t despair.

Chapter 13 can give you the relief that you need so that you can get back on track as quickly as possible. Let me explain.

We all know how difficult it is to catch up once you start falling behind on debt payments. If you’ve experienced a reduction in income (example: reduced income from employment - or business, if you’re self-employed), Chapter 13 allows you to pay back your creditors (with the exception of a few types of debts, you will also pay 0% interest) over a 3-5 year period based only on the amount of your surplus income every month, not based on how much you owe.

In Chapter 13, you also don’t need to worry about losing any assets you may have because you will keep everything and lose nothing.

And if you are in business, you will be allowed to continue running your business as usual. This is another reason Chapter 13 makes more sense than Chapter 7- when you have assets that cannot be ex-

MORTGAGE UPDATE… FROM PAGE 6

Why watch the Fed? The Fed takes an active role in trying to prevent inflation from spiraling out of control. When the Fed gets concerned that the rate of inflation is rising, it may decide to raise interest rates. Why? To try to slow the economy by making it more expensive to borrow money.

For example, when interest rates on mortgages go up, fewer people can afford to buy homes. That tends to dampen the housing market, which in turn can affect the economy.

When the Fed raises its target interest rate, other interest rates and bond yields typically rise as well. That’s because bond issuers must pay a competitive interest rate to get people to buy their bonds. New bonds paying higher interest rates mean existing bonds with lower rates are less valuable. Prices of existing bonds fall.

That’s why bond prices can drop even though the economy may be growing. An overheated economy can lead to inflation, and investors begin to worry that the Fed may have to raise interest rates, which would hurt bond prices even though yields are higher.

Falling interest rates: good news, bad news Just the opposite happens when interest rates are falling. When rates are dropping, bonds issued today will typically pay a lower interest rate than similar bonds issued when rates were higher. Those older bonds with higher yields become more valuable to investors, who are willing to pay a higher price to get that greater income stream. As a result, prices for existing bonds with higher interest rates tend to rise.

When interest rates begin to drop, it’s often because the Fed believes the economy has begun to slow. That may or may not be good for bonds. The good news: Bond prices may go up. However, a slowing economy also increases the chance that some borrowers may default on their bonds. Also, when interest rates fall, some bond issuers may redeem existing debt and issue new bonds at a lower interest rate, just as you might refinance a mortgage.

Though it’s useful to understand generally how bond prices are influenced by interest rates and inflation, it probably doesn’t make sense to obsess over what the Fed’s next decision will be. Interest rate cycles tend to occur over months and even years. Also, the relationship between interest rates, inflation, and bond prices is complex, and can be affected by factors other than the ones outlined here.

A quick summary on understand Bonds versus inflation. Treasury Bonds have to rise to keep inflation in check. Most of us will just be concerned about mortgage rates versus Real Estate Values, well that is really important. If mortgage rates are higher, that will limit a borrowers buying power or a homeowners opportunity to reduce monthly mortgage payments.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance for your home mortgage needs, call Ken at 562508-7048 CABRE01021223 NMLS 238636

empted in a Chapter 7 case (Most assets can actually be protected in Chapter 7 but this is not true for all cases where people have significant assets).

Chapter 13 immediately stops all collection actions against you.

That means no more annoying creditor calls, collection letters and no marshals at your door. If you are behind on your mortgage payments or worse, about to lose your home in foreclosure, Chapter 13 also allows you to keep your home while including all your back mortgage payments in your debt consolidation.

Once the court approves your proposed Chapter 13 plan, creditors are legally bound by the terms of the approved plan and cannot ask for more money. Your bankruptcy attorney can review your monthly living expenses with you, analyze your income and help you propose a realistic payment plan that you can afford.

In most cases, Chapter 13 is a far better alternative than trying to pay debts on your own or hiring a debt management company. This

is because in Chapter 13, you cannot be sued by your creditors as long as you remain under court protection. And if you are being represented by an attorney, all creditor communications go to your attorney so that you do not have to deal with your creditors directly.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at TollFree 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you. ***NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video.

Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me.

Questions? Email me at gethelp@ rjb-lawoffices.com.

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

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Cayetano questions timing of House Cha-cha hearing, calls it politicking

FORMER SPEAKER ALAN PETER CAYETANO

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday questioned the timing of the Charter change (Cha-cha) deliberations at the House of Representatives, saying that anything not related to the COVID-19 pandemic should be set aside.

Cayetano made the remark as the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments resumed its deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2, which seeks to propose amendments to the "restrictive" economic provisions in the Constitution.

In an interview with reporters in Albay, Cayetano said that while he believes amendments should be introduced to the 1987 Constitution, it may not be the proper time to do so.

"Ako naniniwala na dapat amyendahan. Ang timing ang kwinekwestyon ko," he said.

"Anything na walang kaugnayan sa pandemic, isantabi muna natin," he added.

For Cayetano, Cha-cha is a political issue that the government should not be focusing on in the middle of the ongoing pandemic.

"It’s a human question for us Filipinos. Do we want to focus on the vaccine or the pandemic or gusto ba natin mamulitika? Kasi pulitika tala yang Chacha na yan," he said.

RBH No. 2 inserts the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law" to the constitutional provisions on national patrimony and economy; education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports; and on general provisions to give Congress flexibility to enact laws that would free up the economy to foreign investors.

Contrary to Cayetano's claim, House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chair Alfredo Garbin Jr. said the aim in introducing amendments to the "restrictive" economic provisions is, in fact, to help the country's economy to recover amid the global health crisis.

He said the slight change in the Constitution's language "will improve the investment climate and generate much needed investments and jobs to counteract the economic contraction caused by the pandemic."

He also maintained that the proposed amendments will focus only on the economic provisions, and no political amendments will be discussed in the hearings. (MNS)

Sotto backs creation of overseas Filipinos department MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday said he favors the creation of the

SENATE PRESIDENT VICENTE SOTTO III

Department of Overseas Filipinos because it jives with the Senate's priority of rightsizing the government bureaucracy.

"For the creation of Department of Overseas Filipinos, para kang nag-rightsize because you will be collapsing OWWA, POEA, and other department or other bureaus... mapapasok mo lahat doon sa isang departamento lang," Sotto said during a virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

"So para kang nag-rightsize. Sa lahat ng kine-create na departamento dito ako payag after I reviewed the proposals," he added.

The Senate bill seeking the creation of this new department is still pending at the committee level.

A hearing on this proposed department was cut short last December after Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon moved to defer it until the bill on rightsizing the bloated government bureaucracy is tackled first.

Recently, Sotto said the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos is among the priority measures in the Senate.

Its counterpart bill in the House of Representatives was already approved last March. (MNS)

Solon pushes for exemptions in land ownership by foreigners MANILA (Mabuhay) — A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Wednesday said allowing exemptions to land ownership by foreigners is one way to attract foreign capital and help the economy recover from the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo said the Constitutional provision prohibiting land ownership by foreigners could be amended by adding the clause “unless otherwise provided by law”, which would allow Congress to qualify permissible land ownership.

"Bakit natin pipigilin ang pag-aari ng lupa ng isang dayuhan kung kaya naman nyang palaguhin ang lupa at mag-empleyo ng maraming Pilipino? Pero kung papayagan natin ito, dapat lagyan ng safeguards (Why should we prohibit land ownership by a foreigner when he can increase the land and employ many Filipinos?

But if we allow this, we should put up safeguards)," Quimbo said in a statement.

Quimbo said in other countries, such as Thailand, the general rule is that foreigners are not allowed to own

land but there are exceptions where they are allowed to do so for residential purposes, or for commercial activities in tourist spots, or for business purposes within economic zones.

"Baka pwedeng tulad nito ang gawing modelo ng Pilipinas. (We can replicate this model in the Philippines) We can allow land ownership by foreigners only for specific purposes like manufacturing or tourism. We can disallow the purchase by foreigners of land for purposes of investment or speculation," she said.

Quimbo said the clause, “unless otherwise provided for by law”, is a necessary amendment to the economic provisions in Article XII of the Constitution.

"Congress needs the f lexibility to debate and discuss and properly calibrate the restrictions and make them more competitive for foreign investments at least in the Asean and more responsive to an ever-changing economy," she added.

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments resumed its hearing to tackle Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2 authored by Speaker

Lord Allan Velasco, which seeks to amend restrictive provisions of the Constitution by adding the phrase “unless otherwise prov ide d by law” to sections of Art icles X II, X I V a nd XVI. (MNS)

MARIKINA CITY REP. STELLA QUIMBO

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BSP governor says Philippines will be coinless society by 2025 MANILA (Mabuhay) — By 2025, the Philippines is expected to be a coinless society as small transactions would then be done by quick response (QR) codes which will be available through the national identification system, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday.

In an interview with BusinessWorld aired online, Diokno said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the country's push to digitalize financial transactions given the need for contactless payment solutions.

"Talking of cashless society, maybe not within my lifetime but I can assure you maybe a coinless society by 2025 for sure, because that will be replaced by the QR Code PH which we are pushing to get our national ID," he said.

BSP has taken charge of the printing of the national ID at a capacity of 154,000 cards per day, with a QR code printed at the back.

"As you know, the central bank is responsible for printing our national ID which will have a QR code at the back and that will accelerate the use of maybe small transactions, you can use that," said Diokno.

In 2018, the BSP introduced the new designs of the New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series in P10, P5, P1, P0.25, P0.05, and P0.01 denominations.

But the BSP governor earlier said he wants 50% of all transactions done digitally by the end of his term in 2023, with 70% of all adult Filipinos having a bank account.

"I think the pandemic has actually accelerated that vision so we'll accomplish all these objectives much sooner rather than later," he said.

"I'm very optimistic that the future will be digitalized, that there'll be less contact in the way we live, in the way we play, in the way we operate, so yes, digitalization will be one of the major beneficiaries of this pandemic," he added.

A study commissioned by global technology firm Cisco found that the digitalization of loca l businesses could add as much as $28 billion to the Philippine economy by 2024. (MNS)

BSP GOVERNOR BENJAMIN DIOKNO

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House leaders sign manifesto of support for economic Cha-cha

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Crossing party lines, leaders of various political groups and blocs at the House of Representatives signed a manifesto supporting Speaker Lord Allan Velasco's proposal to amend the "restrictive" economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution to help the economy recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We believe that now is the most opportune time to resume the deliberation on the amendments to the economic provisions specified under Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 for the primary purpose of mitigating and providing lasting solutions to the devastating economic effects brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic," read the manifesto.

"In doing so, we hope to fortify and safeguard the foundations of our nation from future crises and curtail the severity of other economic regressions going forward," it added.

The signatories of the manifesto include House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for Lakas-NUCD, Deputy Speaker Salvador “Doy” Leachon and Rizal Representative Michael John Duavit for the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers for the Nacionalista Party, and Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. for the National Unity Party.

Also signing the manifesto were Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab for Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero for the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., and Aurora Representative Rommel Rico Angara for the independent bloc.

The signatories assured that consistent with RBH No. 2, only economic provisions will be deliberated and taken up at the House committee on constitutional amendments.

They also maintained that the Senate and House of Representatives should vote separately in proposing amendments to the Constitution.

The proposed amendments will then be presented to the public for ratification in

a plebiscite to be conducted alongside the May 2022 elections, they added.

"The House of Representatives remain firm in our resolve to utilize all means possible within the period left for the 18th Congress to adopt measures and introduce reforms that will provide the maximum benefit to the Filipino people and lead the country towards a robust and sustainable recovery," the manifesto read.

RBH No. 2 inserts the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law" to the constitutional provisions on national patrimony and economy; education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports; and on general provisions to give Congress flexibility to enact laws that would free up the economy to foreign investors.

House committee on constitutional amendments chair Alfredo Garbin Jr. said the aim in introducing amendments to the "restrictive" economic provisions is, in fact, to help the country's economy to recover amid the global health crisis.

He said the slight change in the Constitution's language "will improve the investment climate and generate much needed investments and jobs to counteract the economic contraction caused by the pandemic."

He also maintained that the proposed amendments will focus only on the economic provisions, and no political amendments will be discussed in the hearings.

Despite this assurance, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro maintained that political amendments like term extension and lifting of term limits could still be inserted during the economic Charter change deliberations in Congress.

She said that even as the panel is only deliberating on "restrictive" economic provisions, the Senate could still go in a different direction and tackle political amendments as well.

House panel vice chair Lorenz Defensor assured Castro that the House will only push for amendments to the "restrictive" economic provisions and nothing more.

Respondents in Dacera case could face perjury, NCRPO chief says MANILA (Mabuhay) — The respondents in the Christine Dacera case could be charged with perjur y for retracting some of their statements regarding her death, the acting head of the National Capital Region Police Of f ice ( NCR PO) sa id Thursday.

"Well, nasa kanila 'yun.

Puwede silang file-an ng perjury kasi under oath 'y u n na si nabi n i la," Acting NCRPO director Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao said in an ambush interview.

Dacera, a 23-year-old f lig ht attenda nt, was found unconscious in the bathtub of a Makati City hotel room on January 1, following a New Year’s celebration with her friends.

She was declared dead at the hospital and the reported cause of death was a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Her family, however, believes she was drugged and sexually abused. Her friends who were with her before she died, on the other hand, claim they did not rape or kill her.

Danao denied the respondents' claim that they were forced to lie by the Makati police in exchange for freedom.

According to him, he already talked to Police Colonel Harold Depositar,

Respondents in the Christine Dacera Case

chief of the Makati City police, about the issue and the latter insisted that the respondents were not coerced.

Danao also pointed out that the respondents, in their social media posts, have never mentioned that they were intimidated by the police.

"They have been coming out sa different social media and the same story ang sinasabi nila and noong nagsabi naman sila during their interviews at saka 'yung mga information na inilabas nila sa kanilang Facebook page mismo, wala naman sila nakuwento na nabugbog sila," Danao said.

"E h ba k it ngayon biglang nagkaroon ng bugbuga n? Hindi natin alam for whatever reason... sila lang nakakaalam pero as far as the Makati City Police Station is concerned, per infor-

mation coming from the chief of police himself, there is no such thing as bugbugan, coercion or anything about drugs na kinoerce sa kanila na ibigay na salaysay. There is nothing na ganoon na nangyari," he added.

In a press conference Wed nesday even i ng , Rommel Galido, one of the respondents, claimed he was “forced” by the cops into lying and accusing a certain individual of putting something into Dacera's drink during the group's New Year's celebration.

Galido earlier said Dacera had informed him during the celebration that a certain Mark Anthony Rosales put something in her drink that made her feel unwell.

According to him, he was just forced by the policemen to identify Rosales.

(MNS)

"Ku ng s a k a l i mang may ibang bersyon ang Senado at wala 'yan sa sak law ng ating Hou se resolution.... dapat lang huwag nating ipasok 'yan when we approve t he bicamera l committee report kung sakaling pumasok man tayo doon," he said.

Senate P resiSpeaker Lord Allan Velasco (left) with House Majority Leader dent Vicente Sotand Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right). Photo by Ver Noveno to III said a Chacha du r i ng t he COVID-19 pandemic. remaining years of President Rodrigo The statement of Garbin that the the Duterte's term is almost impossible. Mi- House committee is already sitting as nority Leader Franklin Drilon also said a Constituent assembly did not sit well that talks about Charter change is “an with senators. Drilon said it is a dangerous exercise in futility” and a sin amid the precedent. (MNS)

Sandiganbayan junks graft charges filed vs. Honasan over 'pork' scam MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Sandiganbayan has junked graft charges against former senator and now Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan and seven others in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

In a 52-page ruling issued in December 2020, the anti-graft court said the prosecution's evidence “failed to establish the essential elements of the crime charged and to overcome the presumption of innocence in favor of the accused.

“Accordingly, the cases against the accused are hereby dismissed,” it added.

Honasan is accused of granting at least P29.1 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), commonly known as pork barrel, to a non-government organization without public bidding.

Following the Sandiganbayan's decision, the hold departure order issued against Honasan and his co-accused was lifted, while the bail bonds, if they posted any, were ordered released by the court.

The Office of Ombudsman filed two counts of graft against Honasan in August 2017. He was the fourth senator to be slapped with a case in connection with the multi-billion-peso scam, the others being former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, and incumbeny Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, who were all accused of plunder.

Of the three, only Bong Revilla has been acquitted by the court so far, while Enrile and Estrada are both out on bail. (MNS)

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IN-HOME CAREGIVERS: ARE YOU PAID OVERTIME? IF you are employed as a 24-hour caregiver, working around-the-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 though 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.

Starting in 2021, most 24-hour caregivers working in California must be paid a minimum of $409.50 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 $13.00 per hour, which equals $117.00. Then, for the remaining 15 hours, the law requires overtime payments at a rate of $19.50 per hour, which amounts to an additional $292.50 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 $409.50 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 daily rate of $200/day, your weekly unpaid overtime claim is calculated as follows: Your daily rate of $200 is divided by 9 hours to calculate a regular rate of pay, equal to $22.22 per hour. Your overtime rate is 1.5 times your regular rate of pay, which amounts to $33.33 per hour.

Your pre-determined salary does not compensate you, at all, for the 15 daily overtime hours you work. So, each day, you accrue $500.00 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 $195.00 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 $3,475 in unpaid overtime wages per week. On a yearly basis, the overtime claim alone exceeds $180,000. 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.

Our office is located at 5855 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 400, Woodland Hills, California. We accept cases throughout all of Northern and Southern California. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation.

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

Globe blocks over 2.5K sites to combat child pornography MANILA (Mabuhay) — A total of 2,521 websites have so far been blocked by telecommunications service provider Globe in support of the government’s efforts to combat online child pornography.

In a statement on Thursday, Globe welcomed Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles’ warning against internet service providers (ISP) to put a stop to the circulation of such malicious content or suffer possible sanctions.

Since the passage of Republic Act 9775, also known as the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, Globe has complied and blocked sites that have been identified by law enforcement agencies, those endorsed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for blocking, or identified through Globe’s Security Operations Center intelligence.

It also invested USD2.7 m i l l ion i n a content-filtering system, the “PlayItRight” program, that target illegal/ pi rated content and online child pornography.

Anton Bonifacio, Globe chief information securit y of f ic er, s a id while filtering software was an important

first step in controlling illegal content, there remains a need for lawmakers and law enforcers to “address certain realities.”

“The digital ecosystem has evolved rapidly and ISPs cannot win this battle alone," Bonifacio said.

He noted that most illegal sites are not hosted in the servers of ISPs but are hosted in the cloud or off-shore servers and are fully encrypted, thus limiting the effectiveness of content-based filters.

"In effect, we actually have a very limited view of the content unless we break the encryption, which would be difficult to do without being intrusive to our customer's devices," Bonifacio said.

He said illicit activities use different popular social media platforms to make their content readily accessible, with the United National Children’s Fund specifically citing Tiktok as one of the

highly popular platforms used to circulate malicious content.

“These are easily accessible and shareable to others, and impossible to block without blocking the entire platform completely. The only way to curb this content at these types of platforms is for the government to also pressure social media platforms or content providers to stop delivering this type of content to consumers,” Bonifacio said.

On Wednesday, PLDTSmart said a total of 3,011 websites hosting child pornography have so far been blocked by the ISPs. Earlier, Nograles said the rise of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children during the pandemic has caught the attention of President Rodrigo Duterte and has ordered the NTC to crack down on ISPs for failure to block such content. (MNS)

Ex-SolGen Cadiz, Diokno, 5 others to face Calida in anti-terror law oral arguments MANILA (Mabuhay) — Former solicitor general Jose Anselmo Cadiz, Free Legal Assistance Group chairman Chel Diokno, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, and four other lawyers will argue against the anti-terror law and face off with Solicitor General Jose Calida in oral arguments at the Supreme Court next week.

Thirty-seven groups of petitioners selected 13 lawyers — seven main and six alternates — to argue on the issues set by the SC for oral arguments on January 19.

They are the following: Former solicitor general Jose Anselmo Cadiz, with Integrated Bar of the Philippines official Randall Tabayoyong as alternate; FLAG chairman Jose Manuel Diokno, with former SC spokesman Theodore Te as alternate; University of the Philippines College of Law political law cluster chair Alfredo Molo III; Human rights lawyer Evalyn Ursua, with National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) Assistant Secretary General Josalee Deinla as alternate; Former Bayan Muna representative and NUPL chair Neri Colmenares, with NUPL Secretary General Ephraim Cortez as alternate; Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, with Ateneo law professor Howard Calleja as alternate; and Algamar Latiph of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, with human rights lawyer Bantuas Lucman as alternate Each of the seven main lawyers will argue on a cluster of issues ranging from whether the SC should issue a temporary restraining order to whether the powers of the Anti-Terrorism Council violate the Constitution.

The SC had asked for eight lawyers from the petitioners but they selected only seven, with a request to allow the six alternates to physically attend the oral arguments to assist those who will argue.

They will have a total of 45 minutes to present their arguments.

Calida, who represents the government, may bring only up to three lawyers with him in the first oral arguments the SC will be conducting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All attendees have to present a negative COVID-19 RTCPCR test result taken within 72 hours before the oral arguments, the SC said.

Retired SC justices, lawmakers, activists, students, artists, journalists, labor groups, and many others filed petitions against the anti-terrorism law, raising concerns it could violate basic rights and legitimize supposed state attacks against government critics and activists. (MNS)

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Repatriated OFWs due to COVID-19 pandemic hit 342k — DFA Duterte admin’s intel fund spending hit P13 billion in 2019 — COA MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Duterte administration’s spending on confidential, intelligence, and extraordinary funds (CIF) reached over P13.4 billion in 2019, an increase of P2.03 billion from 2018, the Commission on Audit’s (COA) 2019 Annual Financial Report (AFR) showed.

Based on the 463-page 2019 Annual Financial Report, intelligence fund expenses accounted for P6.12 billion, while extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses reached P4.77 billion.

Confidential expenses, on the other hand, were recorded at P2.57 billion.

2019 was also the fourth straight year that the Duterte administration's CIF spending was higher than the previous year's.

From P3.6 billion in 2015, the CIF spending under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte increased to P4.4 billion in 2016, more than doubled in 2017 with P9.4 billion, and hiked to P11.4 billion in 2018.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — More than 342,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned to the country since repatriation efforts began in February last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

Of this number, 327,511 OFWs were repatriated in 2020, said DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Sarah Arriola, citing government data as of January 12.

A number of OFWs, however, chose to remain in their host countries in light of the gradual reopening of economies across the world and vaccination efforts.

“Tuluy-tuloy po iyong sweeper

flights natin. Actually, napansin po namin towards noong December, marami na rin po iyong mga nagdidesisyon na mag-stay,” Arriola said at the Laging Handa briefing.

“Narinig po namin, I think, ang plano po yata ng Middle East countries, iyong GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] is before Ramadan ay magkaroon na sila ng herd immunity.

So marami po sa ating mga kababayan iyong nagbabakasakali na ring manatili po sa mga country of destination.”

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Hans Leo Cacdac earlier said around 80,000 OFWs might return to the Philippines in the first half of 2021. (MNS)

'Urine' sample from Dacera's body led to more questions — Dr. Fortun

Congress is top spender of intel funds Congress spent the highest amount of CIF in 2019 with P3.98 billion, beating the Department of National Defense (P3.087 billion) and the Office of the President Rodrigo Duterte (P2.41 billion).

Rounding up the list of top 10 biggest spenders of CIF funds were the following: Department of Interior and Local Government - P1.794 billion Other Executive Offices - P752.7 million Department of Information and Communications Technology - P307 million Department of Justice - P279 million The Judiciary - P268 million Department of Finance - P90 million and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao - P82.674 million The top three spenders accounted for 70.4% of the P13.4 billion worth of CIF fund disbursed.

The rest of the agencies outside the top 10 highest CIF spenders only accounted for P411.6 million or 3.06% of the P13.4 billion spent.

The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo was the lowest spender with P547,000.

In distant second place is the Presidential Communications Operations Office with P2.9 million spent.

The rest of the agencies with the least CIF spent are: Department of Energy - P3.56 million Commission on Elections - P4.6 million Civil Service Commission - P4.9 million Department of Tourism - P5.1 million Department of Public Works and Highways - P5.3 million Department of Budget and Management - P6.6 million Department of Agrarian Reform - P7.27 million and Department of Science and Technology - P7.35 million The 2019 COA AFR was submitted to the Office of the President, the Senate President, the Senate Committee on Finance, the Office of the Speaker, and the House Committee on Appropriations on December 15, 2020. (MNS)

Christine Dacera was found unconscious in a dry bathtub inside room 2209 at a hotel in Makati after celebrating New Year with her friends. She was declared dead on arrival at the Makati Medical Center.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — A forensic pathologist raised many questions on the report that the National Bureau of Investigation successfully extracted urine sample from the remains of flight attendant Christine Dacera.

Dr. Raquel Fortun said the procedure of how the sample was extracted should be documented.

“Maraming tanong dyan. Totoo ba 'yan?

A nong na kuha nila?

How much? How labeled? Kung ebidensya 'to, at saka may chain of custody mo, so dapat walang question na hindi 'yan yung nanggaling sa kanya. Baka napalitan, baka na-contaminate. Maraming issue dyan,” she added.

According to Fortun, she would be surprised if the NBI really managed to extract a urine sample from Dacera considering that the police earlier reported that her bladder was empty.

“I would be, actually, surprised kung meron nga,” she said.

“Ba k it n i-repor t noong unang doktor na walang laman (ang bladder) and yet 'yung second one, sabi meron…A nd t hat's why ini-insist ko, labanan 'yan ng documentation. Sino sa inyo ang nagsasabi ng totoo?

Sino ang nambobola?

Malaking bagay 'yan,” she added.

Fortun also noted that it could be just embalming fluid and not urine that was extracted from Dacera’s bladder.

“Ang sabi doon sa first report sa Philippine National Police, talagang na kasulat doon, t he bladder is empty. So ibig sabihin, walang ihi,” she said.

“Kaya noong narinig ko na meron daw nakuhang bodily f luid ang NBI doon sa second autopsy severa l days after. Ang tanong ko is paanong…hindi siguro bladder 'yan baka embalming fluid lang 'yan sa mga body cavity. Tapos lumabas 'yung istorya na, hindi, sa ano raw talaga ito, sa bladder,” she added.

Due to this, Fortun also suggested a check on the embalming procedures as well as on the first autopsy that were done with Dacera’s body to better evaluate the extracted fluid.

On Monday, the NBI said at least 100 milliliters of bodily f luids were discovered during the second autopsy on Dacera’s remains, performed in General Santos City over the weekend.

Samples of fluids and organs from Dacera will undergo DNA analysis.

“We have very interesting leads. We have very encouraging results. Kaya malaman kung [may] presence of alcohol, level of alcohol maybe, presence of illegal drugs,” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said.

“May cr i me. L et’s leave it at that. May crime dito,” he added.

Dacera was found lifeless in a bathtub on January 1, a day after she checked into the hotel for a New Year’s Eve celebration. (MNS)

Impact of Traslacion on Covid-19 cases to be seen in 3 weeks MANILA (Mabuhay) — More time is needed to conclude if the Traslacion 2021 caused the recent surge of Covid-19 cases, a health official said Tuesday.

In a virtual Palace presser, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have seen a rise in the number of cases in the past four days compared to the seven-day moving average during the holidays.

"This has to be interpreted cautiously kasi nga alam natin during the holiday period, medyo bumaba po ang laboratory output ‘no by as much as 30 percent.

So, ngayon lang po nagnu-normalize ang ating functions ng mga laboratories natin (because during the holiday period, the laboratory output decreased by as much as 30 percent. So, our laboratories' functions are normalizing just now) and this might have some effect ‘on the number of reported cases," Vergeire said.

Another one week, she added, is needed to get a more accurate conclusion on the trend of the cases.

As for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, at least three weeks is needed to see if the celebration has any impact on the number of Covid-19 cases.

"As we always say, we count 14

days ‘no because this is the incubation period of the virus," Vergeire said.

On Tuesday, the DOH logged 1,524 new confirmed cases which brought the overall tally to 491,258.

Davao City topped the list of places that logged the highest number of new cases with 137 infections. It was followed by Quezon City with 109; Rizal with 92; Davao del Norte with 53; and Cebu City with 51.

Vergeire noted that while there is a growth in the number of cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), "it is stabilizing".

"Dati kasi may positive growth tayo, nakita natin ngayon dito sa ating mga bagong tinatalang mga kaso, ang NCR ay medyo hindi sila nagbibigay ‘no nang pagtaas noong mga kaso, nasa ibang regions natin nakikita sa ngayon (Before we have positive growth, now we found in our newly-reported cases, NCR doesn't log a rise in cases, we can see the rise of cases in other regions)," she said. (MNS)

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Duterte: National recovery from COVID-19 crisis within sight MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed optimism that the Philippines would recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as the government prepares for its mass vaccination program this year.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel. National recovery is within sight,” Duterte said in a video message at the signing of the tripartite agreement involving the local government units and private sector for additional 17 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.

The President also hailed the business community and the LGUs for their support to the fight against COVID-19.

“Our tripartite agreement is a true showcase of unity, of purpose, and principled partnership benefitting our public.

This is bayanihan at work,” he said.

The Philippines expects to receive the first vaccine delivery in February that will be used to inoculate the country’s health workers before distributing the vaccines to the general

POGO-linked kidnap cases rise amid pandemic

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The number of kidnapping cases involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) almost doubled last year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Tuesday.

Citing latest data, AKG director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said a total of 17 POGO-related kidnapping incidents was recorded in 2020, with 10 cases filed, 23 victims rescued, 33 suspects arrested and two suspects killed during police operations.

This translates to an 88-percent increase from only nine incidents recorded in 2019, with 13 victims rescued, 34 suspects arrested and six cases filed.

“There was a slight increase in the recorded cases particularly in the year 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since there was a stoppage on the operations of the online gaming casinos, employers have no profit and in order to survive they will detain their employees and deprive them and ask for money in exchange for liberty to their families abroad,” Estomo told reporters.

He, however, said the AKG continues to enhance its interoperability with local police units to be able to resolve kidnapping cases.

The victims of POGO-related kidnapping incidents last year include 18 Chinese nationals, three Taiwanese, one Malaysian, and one Vietnamese.

The suspects, meanwhile, include 26 Chinese, three Filipinos, two Indonesians, two Malaysians, one Filipino-Chinese, and one Taiwanese.

Meanwhile, the number of gambling-related kidnapping cases in the country last year decreased to 14, a 63-percent decline from 38 cases recorded in 2019.

Earlier, Estomo said they are closely coordinating and liaising with their foreign counterparts, the Department of Justice, National Capital Regional Police Office, the Bureau of Immigration, NAIA authorities, and other PNP territorial units regarding these incidents.

He said the AKG has partnered with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for the procurement of a mobile communication/ investigation van and also set a summit on casino debt-related kidnappings, aimed at forming an action plan to combat these crimes. (MNS)

population. The government aims to vaccinate up to 70 million people in 2021 alone.

“Together, we can ensure a safe, sure and secure rollout of our national immunization program,” Duterte said.

“We now have the weapon to defeat this virus, the vaccine, and let us win the war and save lives and livelihoods.”

The Philippines is seen to lag behind its peers in the Asia Pacific region in terms of fully recovering from the recession which resulted from the global health crisis, according to Moody’s Analytics. Malacañang said it would disprove the forecast.

(MNS) PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

De Lima on Aguirre’s appointment to NAPOLCOM:

Duterte really good at recycling waste MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Leila De Lima on Tuesday mocked President Rodrigo Duterte for appointing former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II as commissioner at the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

"Duterte should appoint himself to the National Solid Waste Management Commission. Magaling talaga siya mag recycle ng basura. #zeroWaste," De Lima, also a former Justice secretary, said in a statement.

De Lima has been detained since February 2017 over drug-related charges. She has repeatedly claimed that the charges against her are all politically-motivated.

De Lima has sued Aguirre in prev ious years for allegedly usi ng c onv ic te d criminals as state witnesses in her illegal drug trading case, and for alleged failure to investigate and prosecute more than 7,000 cases of alleged extraAGUIRRE II judicial killings

in the government's war on drugs.

Back then, Aguirre said he was not afraid of anything that De Lima would file against him because he has nothing to hide, and that he can refute these "baseless" accusations.

He resigned from his Department of Justice post in April 2018 amid criticisms over the initial dismissal of charges against suspected drug personalities.

On Monday, Malacañang announced that Aguirre has been appointed as NAPOLCOM commissioner representing the private sector.

C ont r a r y t o De Lima's take on t h is development, Senate P resident V icente Sotto III said Aguirre was "h ig h ly qua l ified" for the position.

D uter te a nd Ag uirre were law school classmates. They are also members of the San Beda College of Law-based Lex Talionis FraDE LIMA ternity.

Strict biosecurity needed to aid hog raisers amid ASF outbreak MANILA (Mabuhay) — An official of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said on Tuesday the country needs to improve its risk management standards and sustainability measures so hog raisers can survive and thrive amid the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.

“ASF has already taken a big toll on the country’s pig population.

The key to surviving this hog epidemic is a well-studied and properly implemented biosecurity program that will help hog raisers set up practicable measures to prevent or control the spread of infection within a pig farm,” BPI Sustainable Development Finance (SDF) head Jo Ann Eala said in a statement.

Pig Improvement Company (PIC) Philippines general manager Vino Borromeo said analysts projected about 750,000 sows could be affected if ASF continues to spread across the country, causing a supply shortfall and price hike.

The virus will remain in the country and continue to spread until an effective ASF vaccine arrives, and that attaining the supply level in 2019 may take at least 10 years, he added.

“The shortfall will fast track the

transformation of the industry to adopt a more modern system of farming, put technology into the process, and innovate solutions to be more efficient and more conscious of the biosecurity that we need to put in place to protect herds,” he said.

The BPI said until proper biosecurity discipline is implemented, “it will be really tough to repopulate and ensure that you don’t get hit again.”

In 2020, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the establishment of the first-border inspection (FBI) facilities in the country’s major ports, starting at the Manila International Container Port.

It will further strengthen onsite border control inspections for imported animals, plants, meat, and other farm and fishery products arriving in major international seaports in the country.

DA Secretary William Dar said the FBI will be done on all animals, plants, fisheries, and related agricultural products arriving from other countries.

“The FBI facilities will be one of the major accomplishments of the Duterte administration as biosecurity measures like quarantine checks are needed to protect ani-

mal, plant and public health, and animal welfare,” Dar said.

The FBI facilities will also be put up at Manila South Harbor, Subic Freeport Zone, Port of Batangas, Cebu International Port, and Port of Davao.

Meanwhile, Tugon Kabuhayan convenor Asis Perez in a virtual presser said the putting up of a border inspection facility would be of great help in ensuring food safety, especially of imported commodities entering the country.

Perez, former director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said the proper process is that before products entered the Philippines and charged with duties by the Bureau of Customs, they should be first inspected and examined in laboratories for food safety purposes.

“This will not require additional budget on the part of the government because it should be the manufacturers or exporters who should shoulder the lab fees,” he said.

Perez said the good thing is that BFAR has already taken preliminary steps in drafting the guidelines on the inspection and labeling of imported goods for fish and seafood products. (MNS)

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DOF bares how P82.5-B budget for COVID vax program will be sourced MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Finance on Thursday gave some details on how the P82.5-billion budget for the state vaccination program will be funded, and assured the public the money is enough to inoculate 50 million Filipinos against COVID-19.

Under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, P82.5 billion is allotted for the project aimed to cover around 55% of the country's population.

Of the amount, the DOF said, P2.5 billion will come from the 2021 Department of Health (DOH) budget.

Meanwhile, P10 billion will be sourced from the COVID-19 vaccination program allocation under Republic Act (RA) No. 11494 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement.

Dominguez noted the remaining P70 billion will be sourced from loans provided by multilateral lenders, the Philippines’ bilateral partners, and/or the domestic market.

Also, Dominguez said the DOF is processing around P62.5 billion or approximately $1.3 billion through loans with multilateral banks to procure COVID-19 vaccines for adult Filipinos.

“These multilateral institutions include the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB),” he said.

Earlier reports indicated that the govern-

ment is targeting to inoculate between 50 to 70 million adult Filipinos --aged 18 years old and above.

“We have 110 million Filipinos. Of the 110 million, around 40 million are below the ages of 18 and it is not recommended that teenagers and below get the vaccine. So, you knock off 40 million out of 110 million. That leaves you 70 million Filipinos potentially to vaccinate,” the Finance chief said.

So far, he added, COVID-19 vaccines allowed for use in the country is intended mainly for adults aged 18 years old and above, because clinical trials have not involved children yet.

Dominguez noted that initial computations of vaccination cost per person has been pegged at P1,300 --which already includes the required doses, syringe, storage, equipment, information campaign, monitoring and other support services.

At P1,300 per person, the government would be able to inoculate roughly 57 to 60 million Filipinos out of the 70 million that need to be vaccinated, according to Dominguez.

“Now, that leaves you 13 million people.

We expect the 13 million to be covered by the LGUs (local government units), the private sector, and of course, there are the recusants—the guys who don't believe in vaccination,” he said.

“So, basically, we are going to be covered and I think we will be able easily now, with the resources that we have raised, to vaccinate 60 million Filipinos,” he pointed out.

For his part, Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven of the DOF’s International Finance Group (IFG) said the department has begun the process of negotiating with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank at least $800 million or about P39 billion in funds for the COVID-19 vaccination program through a project loan, with the DOH as implementing agency.

This financing support from the ADB and the WB carries low interest rates, with an average maturity period of at least 10 years, Joven noted.

Joven leads a task group on procurement

and financing composed of representatives from the DOF, DOH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that reports directly to the National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. According to Joven, “The budget is cut in two parts. It’s P70 billion plus P12.5 billion. The P70 billion along with the COVAX contribution would be sufficient to fund around 140 million doses of vaccines.”

He was referring to the COVAX Facility, a global initiative that brought together governments and vaccine manufacturers, including 64 high-income economies, to ensure the fair and equitable access of all participating countries to COVID-19 vaccines.

Being a part of the COVAX facility, the Philippines is guaranteed access to vaccine doses for at least 20% of its population.

Finally, the remaining P12.5 billion of the P82.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine budget will be spent on ancillary requirements such as materials, rollout, storage, distribution and other logistical and support services, according to Joven. (MNS)

127 cases filed vs. erring importers, employees — BOC MANILA (Mabuhay) — Over 120 cases were filed against erring importers, brokers, and employees, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Wednesday.

Citing the latest data, the BOC said a total of 127 cases were filed by the Bureau's Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) against erring importers and customs brokers, from calendar year (CY) 2020 to Jan. 8, 2021.

The cases were filed for violations of Republic Act 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other pertinent laws.

Of the number, 75 criminal cases were filed against various importers were filed before the DOJ, while 52 administrative cases were filed against customs brokers before the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC).

For the same period, a total of 370 cases on appeal were resolved by BOC- Revenue Collection Monitoring Group (RCMG), through its Legal Service.

These cases consist of abandonment proceedings, seizure and forfeiture cases, determination of probable cause proceedings, and protests.

It added that a total of 48 disciplinary administrative cases were filed against erring BOC employees from 2019 to 2020, 18 of which were transmitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

For CY 2020, 11 cases were resolved, 17 are for resolution, and 11 cases are under formal investigation. (MNS)

Senator Francis Pangilinan

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Daniel, Kathryn asked: 'Are you ready to get married?'

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everal celebrities got engaged in the past year and in the first few days of 2021, like former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Patrick Sugui and social media influencer Aeriel Garcia, who announced their engagement after two years together, last month.

And in line with this, the couple's friends Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo were quizzed if they plan to follow suit, especially since they have been together for almost nine years now.

Speaking during the finale press conference of “The House Arrest of Us”, Padilla stressed that their timeline as a couple remains unchanged and they still do not want to rush into anything.

“Hindi namin puwedeng biglain 'yung mga ganyang bagay. Sa amin ha? Siyempre iba-iba naman ang trip ng lahat. Pero kami kasi parang nakaplano 'yun, nakalista 'yung mga dapat naming gawin para hindi rin kami ma-rattle sa mga decision na gagawin namin,” he said.

The actor noted that if they hurry into getting engaged and eventually settling down, this might just cause problems in the future.

“Kapag binigla niyo 'yung isa’t isa, doon papasok ang mga problema. Kapag masyadong biglaan ang mga bagay, baka dun kami biglang magkaproblema. Nilalatag muna namin ang mga bagay, pinaplano namin,” he said.

DANIEL pADILLA and KAtHRYN bERNARDo Bernardo, on the other hand, said they would settle with their roles as a bridesmaid and groomsman for now before they think of their own wedding.

“Chill muna tayo. May mga kaibigan kaming engaged. Duty namin maging best bridesmaid and groomsman muna. Iba din naman 'yung age namin sa kanila.

Like what DJ said kanina, iba-iba tayo ng timing lahat. Kami siguro komportable kami na bago tumalon sa ganyang klaseng buhay, kailangan ready kami. Ayaw namin na masira 'yung relationship just because hindi kami ready pareho,” she said.

“Yun y ung natutunan namin sa ‘The Hows of Us’ na kailangan pareho kayong ready and 'yung pamilya namin ready. Baka mahimatay si mama and Tita Karla kapag biglang sinurprise namin sila. Aayusin muna

namin 'yung sa mga kaibigan naming ikakasal. Huwag tayo magpa-pressure just because nag-propose sila, dapat kami na din,” she added.

Nonetheless, Bernardo and Padilla both believe that they have already found “the one” in each other.

“Perfect siya for me because una, I always say this, she makes me a better person. 'Yun lang naman 'yung sa akin. Kapag nawawala ako sa riles, binabalik lang niya ako ng binabalik. Masyado akong makulit na bata. Si Kathryn 'yung gumagabay sa akin. Siya ang ilaw ko,” said Padilla.

“Hindi perfect 'yung relationship namin. Hindi ako perfect, hindi rin siya perfect and alam naman namin 'yun.

Pero 'yun 'yung nakaka-excite 'di ba? Kaya nga masaya siya, kung anong adventure man itong pinasok namin, ilang taon na pero hanggang

ngayon nandito pa rin kami because it’s worth it,” added Bernardo.

Saying Padilla makes her happy, Bernardo confessed she could not imagine her future without him in it.

Hav ing said all these things, are they ready to live together in one house?

“Hindi pa siguro, hindi pa kami handa magsama sa isang bahay. Magpapakasal muna kami saka kami magsasama sa isang bahay dahil si Kathryn nandiyan pa si Lhexine (Bernardo’s niece), bata pa si Lhexine. Siya ang ate nun. Binabantayan niya pa. Ako naman, nandiyan pa 'yung mga kapatid kong babaita na binabantayan ko pa rin. Marami pa kaming mga bantayang magaganap.

Magpapakasal muna kami,” Padilla explained.

Padilla will be turning 26 this year, while Bernardo will be turning 25. (MNS)

Carla Abellana, Rafael Rosell, 'Because of You' win in Faces of Vietnam 2020 MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Carla Abellana won the Favorite Foreign Actress award in Vietnam's "Face of the Year 2020" for her performance in the 2016 GMA-7 romcom drama series "Because of You." Congratulations!

But that's not all. The teleserye was also named Best Foreign Drama, with Carla's leading man in the series Rafael Rosell, winning Favorite Foreign Actor.

On his Instagram account, Director Mark Reyes proudly announced their win, congratulating the team.

Carla proudly announced the news on her Instagram account, saying "I WON AGAIN IN VIETNAM!" "God, thank you for this amazing blessing! And THANK YOU to all my fans who voted for me all over the world, most especially to my Filipino and Vietnamese fans! God bless you all! Thank you, IMC! Thank you @ kenh_todaytv ! I can’t wait to come back!" Carla wrote in the caption of her post.

This is not the first time Carla received this award. The award-winning Kapuso actress first earned the same recognition in 2017 for her drama series "My Destiny."

You can watch or re-watch the series "Because of You" on Amazon Prime Video. Visit PrimeVideo.com or download the Amazon Prime Video app. (MNS)

CARLA AbELLANA

RAFAEL RoSELL

Maja Salvador praises new mom Janella Salvador for being strong MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Actress Maja Salvador praised her "The Killer Bride" co-star, first-time mom Janella Salvador, for being a strong woman.

Janella and her boyfriend Markus Paterson finally introduced their newborn, baby Jude to the public.

"Natutuwa ako na ang strong mo. Hindi ka natakot. Nakakatakot pero naging brave ka kasi alam mo ‘yun, alam mong isang blessing ‘yung ibinigay sa inyo, ‘di ba?” Maja told Janella.

Janella then revealed that Maja knew about her pregnancy journey.

"Every step, nandoon ka, in-update kita. Grabe ‘yung feeling na alam kong may life akong nabuo, may kini-carry akong life, it’s such a big thing. …Kasi when I was pregnant, hindi ko alam parang hindi pa nagsi-sink in agad sa akin na totoo na talaga. But now that he’s here, grabe ‘yung realizations ko. Totoo nga 'yung sinasabi ng mga mom na the moment you see his or her

face mawawala lahat ng sakit,” Janella shared.

According to Maja, she witnessed Janella's happiness after finding out about the pregnancy.

"Sabihin ko lang kung paano niya kinuwento sa akin, ganyan na ganyan. Walang nadagdag, walang nabawas. 'Yang joy sa mata niya, ‘yang ngiti niya, ganyan. ‘Yung parang nandoon nga raw ‘yung kaba pero silang dalawa, iba ‘yung joy na na-feel nila. Pero kasi, iba talaga ‘pag in love,” Maja said.

Janella then revealed how Maja reacted when she told her that she's expecting. “Ay naku isa ka sa best in reaction. ...Pero, ikaw, ikaw umiyak ka,” Janella said.

“Akala mo ano anak na anak?

Kasi kakatapos lang naman kasi ng 'Killer Bride' that time.

So feeling ko, nandoon pa rin ang pagka-Camila ko. So, ayon,” Maja shared.

“Sabi ni Ate Maja, ‘Wait lang naiiyak ako.’ Narinig ko siya sa phone,” Janella added.

MARKUS pEtERSoN and JANELLA SALVADoR MAJA SALVADoR Salvador and Paterson revealed becoming first-time parents in a vlog, confirming months-long speculation surrounding their abrupt exit from showbiz. The two are currently staying in the United Kingdom.

Baby Jude was born in the afternoon of October 20, 2020, as seen in footage of Salvador cradling her baby for the first time in her hospital bed. (MNS)

Entertainment Derek Ramsay speaks up after being linked to Ellen Adarna

Saturday-Friday | January 16 - 22, 2021

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erek Ramsay has finally broken his silence after snaps of him and actress Ellen Adarna from a private group dinner circulated on social media on Tuesday.

Ramsay seemed exasperated by endless rumors linking him to other people. “Lahat na lang, may issue sa akin. Akala ko ba, ayoko na sa babae and I’m gay?” he said.

The actor said that he hosted a dinner last Monday after he crossed paths with John Estrada last week.

Supposedly, Estrada was with Adarna and the production staff of their upcoming show when Ramsay invited them to come over to his house for dinner.

According to Ramsay, he never thought people would think there’s a brewing ro-

mance between him and Adarna simply because of the photos and videos that made the rounds online.

“Hindi ko na naisip 'yun, kasi alam mo naman ako, hindi naman ako nag-iisip ng ganyan, eh,” he said.

Referring to rumors linking him to other girls, Ramsay said: “Grabe na. Nakakahiya kay Pops (Fernandez) na friend ng mom ko. Pati si Bea (Alonzo), binuntis ko raw. Ngayon naman, lalaki?

Hindi ko na alam kung saan nanggagaling lahat ito. Napakatahimik kong tao.”

At the end of the day,

Ramsay stressed that they were all just “having fun” during that dinner.

Aside from Ramsay, Adarna and Estrada, also at the dinner party was Ruffa Gutierrez, who was actually the one who first shared the photos and videos on social media.

Gutierrez’s updates romantically teasing the two is the first indication, at least publicly, of a friendship between Adarna and Ramsay.

Both are single, having come from respective controversial breakups. Adarna was most recently with actor John Lloyd Cruz, with whom

ELLEN ADARNA and DEREK RAMSAY she has a son, until late 2019; while Ramsay separated from his last girlfriend, actress Andrea Torres, in November 2020.

Incidentally, Cruz is a former boyfriend of Ramsay’s past girlfriend, Angelica Panganiban. Adarna and Cruz became a couple after the latter’s separation from Panganiban.

Gutierrez and Adarna also have a common ex-boyfriend in Cruz. (MNS)

Pia Wurtzbach, Jeremy Jauncey reflect on first year as couple

Jeremy Jauncey and pia wurtzbach MANILA (Mabuhay) — December 31 was extra special for Pia Wurtzbach and Jeremy Jauncey. Not only was it the New Year’s eve, but it was also the day they marked their anniversary as a couple.

On Instagram, both shared touching messages for each other as they reflected on their first year together.

Posting a photo of them by the beach, the former Miss Universe wrote: “This one's for you, my love. I'm so grateful for you. Thank you for always looking after me, encouraging me and making me feel so loved and supported.”

She then wished for them to have “more adventures, more laughter and more chicken burgers” together.

Jauncey, for his part, shared a picture of him and Wurtzbach taken exactly 12 months ago as they drank from a coconut while talking about all the things they wanted to achieve in 2020.

“Since our very first date we’ve always talked about everything- getting lost in conversation, laughing & joking with each other and although most of the plans we made for 2020 didn’t happen, I can look back on the year happy & hopeful for what’s to come in 2021,” he said.

“There have been a load of personal & professional challenges for me, Pia, our businesses, our friends and our family but we got through them, wiser & stronger,” he added.

The two officially confirmed their relationship last June by appearing on the cover of Tatler Philippines.

Wurtzbach and Jauncey's ties first became the subject of rumors in January 2020, when their followers noticed similarities in their posts, and drew conclusions that they welcomed the New Year together in Bali. (MNS)

Depression once ‘killed’ Ice Seguerra’s soul, but he has now reclaimed it MANILA (Mabuhay) — It has been a long while since Ice Seguerra felt excited about oppor t u n it ie s a nd new dreams, but that time has finally come around again, as the singer shared having overcome depression.

On Instagram, the singer-actor shared a photo of himself smiling, writing, “I am excited.”

Seguerra, 37, then recalled the crippling effect depression and anxiety had had on him — being numb to the point of no longer seeing anything, not even his passion, worthwhile.

“I a m f i na l ly feeli ng things,” he said. “Irritability, sadness - yes. But more than anything, I feel happiness and joy!”

“For the longest time, I have just been cruising steadily. Pero ‘yun lang ‘yun.

Steady pero walang passion.

Dumating sa point na kahit

pagkanta, wala na akong gana. That’s a big thing [because] singing is not just a job; it’s how I express myself, how I connect with people, how I heal myself. Singing is my freedom.”

Seguerra has been singing professionally for two decades.

He first revealed his struggle with depression in October 2019, a month before he staged his last concert, a joint show with Noel Cabangon, in November 2019.

In 2020, Seguerra rarely made music appearances.

One of his few performances was for a collective fundraiser for frontliners amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Iyan ang depression. It just doesn't make us sad or lonely. Pinapatay niya kung sino ka and the very thing that make us want to live,” Seguerra wrote. “Depression kills your passion. It kills your

soul.”

“So yeah, I was there. But not anymore. For now.”

Fittingly at the start of the new year, Seguerra has started “to finally enjoy life” again.

“Enjoying the big and small things life has to offer. Bumalik ako sa diving (yey), excited to train and hopefully join shooting competitions again, write songs, enjoy conversations with my family and friends, and random people who make sense,” he said.

“To sing and play my guitar, to direct films, plays, concerts, and mount events, to create and to produce music, maybe even act again. I can't wait to do these things!”

Seguerra, who traces his showbiz beginnings as a child star in the late ‘80s, reemerged in 2001 as a singer and songwriter, spawning hits like “Pagdating ng Panahon.”

“I may be introverted, but

ICE SEGUERRA my passion is connection.

Connecting not merely by speaking but wanting all of you to see what's inside my heart, through the songs I play and sing, words and music that I write, the concerts or shows I direct, films I hope to make, characters I would want to portray,” he said.

“After all the things I've been through, I finally know who I am. And I am excited.”

(MNS)

How life changed for Charlie Dizon after best actress win

Charlie Dizon MANILA (Mabuhay) — Fresh off her win as best actress in the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival for her performance in “Fan Girl,” Charlie Dizon admitted her life is gradually changing because more people are now noticing her.

“Nagulat ako sa dami ng taong nag-ko-congratulate tapos parang naging busy 'yung social media ko bigla.

Tapos naging sunod sunod yung mga ganap,” she said during the press conference for her upcoming movie “Horrorscope.”

Although it is a bit overwhelming, Dizon said she is happy with everything that is happening and she is just going with the flow.

“Kapag kinakabahan ako nagdadasal na lang ako.

'Yun lang 'yung mga pagbabago so far,” she said.

According to Dizon, getting an acting award is something she has always prayed for.

“Pinagpe-pray ko siya talaga. As in dati pa. As in nung nagsisimula pa lang ako. Lagi ko din siyang in-e-envision na one day mananalo ako or one day may mapapatunayan ako,” she said.

“Kasi 'yun talaga 'yung pinakanahirapan ako na phase ng buhay ko. Parang iniisip ko ang hirap mapansin, ang hirap lahat. So 'yun lang 'yung goal ko, 'yung gawin maayos yung ginagawa ko. Tapos lagi ko lang pine-pray na sana one day ma-recognize,” she added.

After “Fan Girl,” Dizon’s next project will see her play a police officer.

Sharing more about her character, she said: “Ako si SPO1 Ronalyn Teves dito, isang rookie cop, tapos first mission ko 'yun na nakasama ko 'yung dalawang superior ko na pulis. Tapos sa hindi inaasahang lugar ko nakita 'yung ex-boyfriend ko so dun ako mag-dedecide kung gagawin ko ba 'yung tama or kung paano makaka-survive sa sitwasyon ko.”

Titled “Virgo,” it is an episode in the iWant TFC original anthology “Horrorscope,” directed by Ato Bautista.

Other episodes include “Leo,” starring Iyah Mina and Paolo Gumabao; and “Libra,” with Patrick Quiroz and Elisse Joson.

“Horrorscope” was one of the dozens of titles revealed by ABS-CBN late last year as a 2021 offering.

Its premiere date has yet to be announced.

Prior to her acclaimed portrayal in “Fan Girl,” Dizon was most recently seen in the Star Cinema film “Four Sisters Before the Wedding.” Currently, she is also one of the regular hosts of the web series “Rise Here, Right Now.” (MNS)

16

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Travel

Saturday-Friday | January 16 - 22, 2021

Int’l cruise ship terminal to rise in Albay LEGAZPi citY – Another world-class travel facility that could be considered as a mega tourism project will soon rise in this city.

To be built is a terminal that will cater to international cruise ships. Passengers will have a full view of the majestic Mayon Volcano once the ships dock at the Albay Gulf.

Construction of the project will start as soon as the national government transfers an initial amount of PHP150 million to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol.

“We are just waiting for the submission of some documents by the Sunwest

Construction Development Corporation and then the DPWH will issue a notice to proceed (NTP) to start the construction of the project,” DPWH-Bicol regional director Virgilio Eduarte said in an interview on Tuesday.

He said the cruise terminal project will be built along the Legazpi City boulevard that is adjacent to the newly-constructed Sawangan Park, which is now drawing hundreds of visitors every day.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal, in a separate interview said the project materialized after the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) approved the project proposal prepared by

the city government.

“Because the initial construction of the tourism project had already undergone the bidding process, its construction works would now commence,” Rosal said.

TIEZA acts as the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) arm in providing support to infrastructure and facilitating investments in tourism enterprise zones across the country.

Rosal said the project includes the construction of a seaport that can accommodate a 300-meter long tourism cruise ship which is the standard size of international cruise ships.

“Upon completion of the project, Le-

PH open to tie-up with other countries to boost int’l travel: DOT

MAniLA – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the Philippines is willing to tie-up with neighboring countries to create “international travel bubbles” that would allow for international travel and tourism amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement Tuesday, Puyat said these international travel bubbles would demand strict enforcement of health and safety protocols through the establishment of proper infrastructure that is certified by both governments to ensure “symbiotic and harmonious results”.

“Whenever feasible, the Philippines is willing to tieup with neighboring countries first with the main consideration of proximity,” Puyat said.

The return of overseas Filipinos who traveled back to the Philippines before the recent travel ban, she said, has served as a “dry-run” to the potential travel bubble with these countries.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat Local travelers to reboot PH tourism With no end yet in sight for the Covid-19 pandemic, she said the DOT would continue to focus on local travelers to reboot Philippine tourism for 2021.

“Together with the Tourism Promotions Board, we will spearhead product diversification and enhancement activities with the regions and LGUs,” Puyat said.

With the fear of possible transmission of the new Covid-19 variant, she said the country’s entry protocols would have be strengthened,

with the DOT working on the continued development of health and safety guidelines for the operations of tourism enterprises and activities.

“Hopefully, with the improvement of community quarantine levels, efforts will be intensified to help revive tourism activities and restore job and livelihood opportunities,” Puyat said.

For local destinations reopened by their respective local government units (LGU) to tourists, she said the DOT will assist through the standardization of travel protocols and “harmonizing” different LGU requirements.

“To ensure good traveler experience, protocols for each tourism activity should be developed,” Puyat said.

This could be made possible through further development of the Philippine Travel applications to integrate other local and national government systems and platforms and become a “super app that more travelers can rely on”, she said.

To strengthen the coun-

try’s institutional and policy reforms and help prepare destinations for the new normal, she said the National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022 will be aligned with the Tourism Response and Recovery Plan —the tourism industry’s “blueprint for recovery”.

“Recalibration of targets and refocusing to domestic tourism in the short term will be carried out. Such plans will also need to be in harmony with the NEDA’s Ambisyon 2040 and Philippine Development Plan,” Puyat said.

From January to December 2020, the Philippines only received 1,323,956 foreign visitors, a decline of 83.97 percent from the over eight million arrivals in the same period in 2019, according to DOT data.

Total receipts generated from inbound tourism in 2020 registered an estimated PHP81.40 billion, a decline of 83.97 percent from the 8,260,913 in the same period in 2019. (PNA)

gazpi will be the second city after Tagbilaran City in Bohol to have an international passenger cruise ship terminal,” he said.

The cruise ship terminal, according to the mayor, will tremendously uplift the tourism industry in this city that could further boost tourist arrivals from different parts of the world.

The international cruise ship terminal is expected to attract more tourists because of its strategic location, as it lies between the serene Albay Gulf with a four-kilometer stretch boulevard and the panoramic, cone-shaped Mayon Volcano. (PNA)

Passengers transiting to Korea no longer need RT-PCR at NAIA

MAniLA – Passengers from the Philippines transiting to Incheon, Korea, are no longer required to present a negative Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test upon check-in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Korean Air (KE) announced on Monday.

In a Facebook post, KE said this is a directive of the Korean government, and is effective immediately.

"Please note that this exception only applies to transit passengers," it said.

The airline added that requirements from the origin or destination country must be checked separately.

To properly observe measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), KE reminded that all passengers are still required to wear face masks at the transit area. Those without face masks will not be allowed to board.

Further, temperature checks will still be conducted before boarding the flight from Manila.

Those with a body temperature of 37.5 degrees and above cannot board the aircraft.

Also, those originating from the UK and South Africa with temperature of 37.3 degrees and above will not be allowed to board, KE said. (PNA)

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QC closely monitoring 1st UK Covid-19 variant case MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Quezon City government on Wednesday said it is closely monitoring the case of a resident who tested positive for the Covid-19 United Kingdom variant (B.1.1.7).

The patient was tested on Jan. 7 upon arrival from Dubai and stayed at a hotel as part of protocol.

The day after, it was confirmed that the person had the so-called United Kingdom variant after his sample was sent to the Philippine Genome Center.

He wa s i m med iately brought to an isolation facility where he is now being cared for.

He left the Philippines on

Dec. 27 on a business trip to Dubai with a female companion who tested negative upon arrival.

The patient and his companion tested negative before leaving the Philippines, and also tested negative upon arrival in Dubai.

The Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said it has conducted contact tracing on the resident's close contacts upon his arrival like the healthworkers at the isolation facility where he was brought, and the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) that brought him from the hotel to the isolation facility.

The CESU is waiting for the Department of Health to submit the list of passengers who were on the same flight as the patient from Dubai to contact trace passengers who may be from Quezon City.

As an added precautionary measure, the patient’s immediate household contacts have been brought to an isolation facility where they were also tested.

C E SU a l s o i n it i ate d heightened surveillance in the community of the resident to determine the presence of clustered cases.

"We have to remain cautious and vigilant to avert the spread of this new var-

iant. What is important is we take care of the resident, and make sure we don't sow panic in the community," Quezon Cit y Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a press release.

Belmonte also stressed the need to intensify practicing minimum health standards and report all symptoms immediately, following the confirmation of the new variant in the city.

"We are doing everything we can to trace and isolate, knowing fully well that this variant is more contagious but not more virulent”, CESU head Rolly Cruz said.

(MNS)

Pfizer, Gamaleya COVID-19 vaccines may arrive in PH in February — Palace

MANILA (Mabuhay) — COVID-19 vaccines from US-based Pfizer and Russia's Gamaleya Institute may arrive in the Philippines in February, Malacañang said on Thursday, as authorities raced to book supplies of the drug to begin inoculations as the coronavirus pandemic persisted over a year since it began in China.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he was not at liberty to disclose how many jabs from Pfizer would arrive next month. The Food and Drug Administration just approved its application for emergency use approval, which shortens to 21 days the usual 6-month review before local use.

"Makakatanggap na rin daw tayo ng ilang bakuna galing sa Pfizer as early as February... Alam ko po, hindi gaanong karami ang matatanggap natin," he said, quoting vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez.

"Patunay po iyan na di tayo pumapabor kahit anong brand. Kung alin ang makakarating sa Pilipinas sa lalong madaling panahon, iyan po ang kukuhanin natin," Roque told reporters in an online briefing.

FDA head Rolando Enrique Domingo said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has shown a 95-percent success rate, could be effective in preventing COVID-19. The disease has so far infected nearly half a million people.

"Hindi rin po imposible na by February, baka mayroon na rin tayong maangkat [na COVID-19 vaccine] galing po sa Gamaleya ng Russia," said Roque.

Domingo said China's Sinovac Biotech on Wednesday submitted its emergency use authorization application.

That followed the release of late-stage trial data in Brazil

that showed efficacy at just 50.4 percent. The Philippines has secured 25 million doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac, with the first 50,000 to arrive in February.

President Rodrigo Duterte defended the government's purchase of CoronaVac, saying on Wednesday night that it was as good as the shots developed by Americans and Europeans.

The Philippines has trailed regional peers in securing

Saturday-Friday Saturday-Friday || January January 16 16 -- 22, 22, 2021 2021

Sinovac applies for emergency use authorization in Philippines MANILA (Mabuhay) — Chinese firm Sinovac has applied for emergency use authorization (EUA) before the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Thursday.

Domingo issued the remark on the same day he announced that FDA granted EUA on Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine.

“Yesterday, nag-submit ng application ang Sinovac,” Domingo said during a virtual briefing.

Domingo, however, said that Sinovac has yet to complete submission of requirements needed to secure an EUA. “Ang naipadala pa lang nila ay ‘yung results ng Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials. Until we see the results of Phase 3 clinical trials, hindi pa natin ma-a-asses iyong benefit at risk,” Domingo said.

Phase 3 is the human trials.

“Iyong ba lancing kasi [ng benefits at risk], naka-angkla sa results ng Phase 3 clinical trial results,” Domingo said.

Sinovac’s efficacy after human trials has been varied depending on the location where the trials were held thus far.

It registered a 50% efficacy in Brazil, 65% in Indonesia and 91% in Turkey.

The Philippines is hoping to secure 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac during the first quarter according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. To date, Sinovac has secured an EUA in China and in Indonesia.

(MNS) vaccines, with which it hopes this year to inoculate 70 million people, or twothirds of its population.

Galvez, who handles the vaccine procurement for the government, said it has now firmed-up supply deals with Novavax , Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Russia's Gamaleya Institute.

AstraZeneca and Gamaleya have pending emergency use applications with the FDA. (MNS)

Informed consent needed to get inoculated against Covid-19 — DOH MANILA (Mabuhay) — While prioritizing front-line workers, the elderly, and indigents with the limited doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine initially coming to the country starting next month, an informed consent would be needed to get inoculated against the deadly virus, a health official said Tuesday.

"Ang ating agreement diyan, and as recommended by our experts, mayroon naman ho kasi tayong informed consent. So, wala ho tayong maba-violate doon po sa mga karapatan ng ating mga kababayan (Our agreement on that, and as recommended by our experts, we have an informed consent. So, we won't violate any of our fellowmen's rights)," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a televised Palace briefing.

Vergeire was responding to a question if an individual is allowed to refuse getting shots of Covid-19 vaccine.

She explained that individuals will be informed about

the type of vaccine - including its benefits and side effects before they sign the consent form for Covid-19 vaccination.

Choosing not to be inoculated with Covid-19 for

whatever reason does not disqualify a person from being vaccinated in the future, she added.

"Ilalagay lang ho sila sa (Their names will just be placed at the) bottom list so that the other individuals can receive the vaccine," Vergeire said.

She emphasized that any kind of vaccine entering the country is scrutinized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure its efficacy and safety for public use.

"Basta nabigyan na po ng Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) ng FDA of the Philippines, equal footing na po iyan. Kaya hindi po natin kailangan na mamili po tayo ng bakuna.

Kung a no po iyong mauunang ba kuna, at in pong tanggapin iyan (If it's given Emergency Use

Authorization by the FDA of the Philippines, that's equal footing. So, we don't need to choose. We'll receive which ever vaccine comes first)," she said. "Tandaan po natin iyong objective ng gobyerno kung bakit tayo kumukuha ng bakuna ay para maibsan na po natin itong sitwasyon natin ngayon (Let's remember that the objective of the government is to relieve our present situation that's why we are procuring vaccines)," she added.

On Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the first 50,000 of the 25 million doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine will arrive in February aside from 15,000 doses to be used for clinical trials in the country.

Meanwhile, the delivery of 30 million doses of the Covovax vaccine from India will begin in the third quarter of the year.

The healthcare workers, senior citizens, and the indigent population constitute the sectors to be prioritized in the deployment of the Covid-19 vaccines. (MNS)

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Gordon: Saliva test will still use RT-PCR technology Philippines secures additional 17M doses of AstraZeneca vaccine

Senator Richard Gordon, who chairs the Philippine Red Cross, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 shows how saliva testing is done to determine possible COVID-19 infection during the launching of Salivaomics in Mandaluyong City. Salivaomics is a diagnostic technique that involves laboratory analysis of saliva to identify markers of endocrine, immunologic, inflammatory, infectious, and other types of conditions. DANNY PATA

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The saliva test for the detection of COVID-19 will still use the same Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology that is being used for the swab test, Senator Richard Gordon said Wednesday.

"You're not replacing the RT-PCR, you're still using the RT-PCR. Saliva lang ang nabago... hindi na nakakasuya na papasukin ang lalamunan mo o kaya 'yung ilong," Gordon said.

The senator, who also chairs the Philippine Red Cross, said the organization's RT-PCR laboratories will still be used in processing samples for

saliva tests.

"We use the RT-PCR, we cannot do without it. It goes through the RTPCR," he said.

"I'm not gonna let go of the RT-PCR in the first place. It's compatible with the saliva test and besides I can use it for all kinds of testing like leukemia or cancer," he added.

On Tuesday, the humanitarian organization announced that it would conduct COVID-19 tests using saliva among 1,000 health workers in the country in compliance with the Department of Health’s requirements for the full approval of the new testing method.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines on Thursday secured an additional 17 million doses of COV ID-19 vaccine developed by British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.

This brings the total number of doses from AstraZeneca to 19.6 million. The agreement involved the national government, local government units and representatives from the private sector and AstraZeneca.

Last November 27, the country secured 2.6 million doses through a tripartite agreement between the national government, private sector and AstraZeneca.

This setup was also used by severa l local government units ( L GUs) w hen t he y

placed advanced orders for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

AstraZeneca’s application for an emergency use authorization (EUA) has yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Some senators on Monday said the LGUs a nd pr iv ate sec tor should be allowed to deal directly with vaccine manufacturers.

However, Galvez said negotiating with na-

Within a day, the Philippine Red Cross was able to test around 600, according to Gordon.

tiona l governments is the current global practice.

The country has also secured 30 million doses from the Serum Institute of India and 25 million from Sinovac, which applied for an EUA for its CoronaVac vaccine with the FDA on Wednesday.

Vaccine doses from Pfizer-BioNTech, which was granted an EUA by the FDA, might arrive in the country as early as February. (MNS)

"Tomorrow or today, we'll finish the 1,000 and submit it to the DOH and it will be evaluated," he said. (MNS)

Palace: Dengvaxia controversy contributed Consider vaccine's efficacy to to vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos prevent severe disease — expert MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Tuesday said the Dengvaxia controversy influenced the Filipinos’ attitude towards vaccination against COVID-19.

“Hindi po natin made-deny na mayroon pong influence iyan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing.

Roque asked the public not to listen to “self-proclaimed experts,” adding vaccines approved by regulators and that are being used around the world are safe and effective.

“Wala pong dahilan para matakot tayo sa mga ganyang bakuna,” he said.

“Maging kritikal pagdating sa pagtanggap ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa mga bakuna.

Bigyan ng tiwala po ang ating FDA [Food and Drug Administration].”

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday announced that his department will use a “massive” information campaign to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated against

COVID-19 after only 32% of Filipinos said they were willing to get the jab, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The Dengvaxia controversy arose in November 2017 when manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur announced that the vaccine may lead to more severe symptoms of dengue for those who have never been infected by the virus prior to vaccination.

As a result, the Department of Health stopped the school-based dengue immunization program and proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte a panel of Asian health experts that will look into safety issues raised against the vaccine.

More than 100 parents have since blamed the deaths of their children to the dengue vaccine and filed criminal complaints against government officials responsible for the immunization program. Many of the cases are now in court, more are pending with prosecutors. (MNS)

MANILA — A health expert on Thursday advised the public to consider the efficacy of a Covid-19 vaccine to prevent a severe disease and not just its ability to protect people from contracting Covid-19.

In an online media forum, UP-Nat iona l Inst itute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Director and Department of Health Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Salvana noted that most people focus on the vaccine efficacy to prevent the disease in general.

"Let's look at the vaccine efficacy to prevent severe disease. Kasi 'yun naman po talaga ang pinakaproblema natin sa Covid, na nakamamatay ito (Because that's our main problem with Covid, that it is fatal), in about 2 to 5 percent of people," Salvana said.

Salvana defined vaccine efficacy as the result of clinical trials while vaccine effectiveness as "what happens in the real world".

"Kasama na diyan iyong mga taong ayaw magpabakuna or 'yung mga taong nabakunahan pero hindi bumalik para sa (This includes the people who don't want to be vaccinated or did not return for the) second dose. So, generally the vaccine effectiveness will be lower than our vaccine efficacy, but we know what the ideal is and that is what the vaccine efficacy will show," he said.

Contrary to the speculations of many, health and vaccine experts said SARSCoV-2 mutations would not affect the efficacy of the new vaccines as only few mutations have been reported at the moment.

UP-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Director and Department of Health Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Salvana (Screenshot)

"Vaccine efficacy can happen but it's not overnight like 95 percent then immediately zero. It will be gradual, 95, 90, 85, 80, so, kelangan talaga ang surveillance na ginagawa natin ngayon (the surveillance we're doing at the moment is needed) and we'll have other programs that can check vaccine efficacy," Salvana said.

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine (BNT162b2).

AstraZeneca's EUA application for its vaccine is still being evaluated as experts wait for some clarifications from the pharmaceutical firm.

As for the vaccine clinical trials, the FDA has received applications from Sinovac, Clover, and Janssen.

Janssen was given the approval to start with its clinical trials in the country this month.

Meanwhile, the FDA is still waiting for Sinovac and Clover to submit additional documents needed for the review of their application. (PNA)

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Subaru of Glendale is the #1 Subaru Dealer in America #1 Claim based on SOA YTD Sales Report for new car sales in the USA for 2019

Visit Subaru of Glendale to find your dream car at a great price with the help of our friendly, no pressure sales staff.

Whether it’s love at first sight or after your test drive, you’ll have a great experience and leave with a grin on your face.

2021 SUBARU

139

$

Impreza 5-Door CVT

2021 SUBARU

249

$

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

Forester Touring CVT 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 MLB-03 – M3700277 & M3700974

Model Code: MFJ-41 – MH412044 & MH420118

Offer Expires 2/5/2021

Offer Expires 2/5/2021 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% Limited term financing on ALL remaining 2020 Foresters in stock

FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% Limited Term Financing on ALL 2020 Imprezas in Stock

2020 SUBARU

Outback Touring CVT

2020 SUBARU

Crosstrek HYBRID

***This car is eligible for CA Carpool Lane Stickers!!!!****

279

$

279

$

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

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 39 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: LDG-41 – Only 2 left at this payment L3264978 & L3263093 Offer Expires 2/5/2021 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0% Limited term financing on ALL remaining 2020 Outback models in Stock

Offer Expires 2/5/2021 FINANCE OFFER As low as 0.9% Limited Term Financing on ALL 2020 Crosstrek HYBRIDs in Stock

2020 SUBARU

299

$

Legacy Touring XT

Model Code: LRH-01 – LH282834 & LH283445

Ascent TOURING– 7 Passenger CVT

2021 SUBARU

379

$

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: LAL-41 – 1 at this payment L3030907 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 2/5/2021 As low as 0% Limited Term Financing on ALL 2020 Legacys in Stock

Model Code: MCG-33 – M3401908 & M3413789 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 2/5/2021 As low as 0% 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.