FEATURE tHe leGaCy of fraNCisCo“dodoNG” NemeNzo, Jr.
OPEN FORUM tax Bills suGGest oBliviousNess to our daily struGGles
BIBLE REFLECTIONS Hard Pressed But Not CrusHed WHeN We Walk WitH God
CANDID PERSPECTIVES
JudGe dale Ho is filiPiNo ameriCaN irrelevaNt to tHe adams Case But Not to our demoCraCy
Trump went on the popular Joe Rogan show extolling the virtues of tariffs, as he has done frequently. He said, “To me, the most beautiful word – and I’ve said this for the last couple of weeks – in the dictionary today and any is the word tariff. It’s more beautiful than love, it’s more beautiful than anything. It’s the most beautiful word.”
Clearly, tariffs are not more beautiful than love. It’s not even beautiful. What tariffs will do is take money out of your pockets and make life more financially difficult than it already is for millions of Americans.
Trump would like Americans to believe that other countries will pay for tariffs. But how does it really work? Tariffs are taxes on imported products. The importer or U.S. retailer of goods will pay the government a tariff-tax for the goods it imports. And when the U.S. importer-retailer must pay a higher tariff-tax as what Trump is proposing (and in some cases already implemented), that cost will be passed on to the consumers – to us.
For example, in this hypothetical, if there is an increase of 60% tax on all Chinese goods (which Trump proposed but hasn’t done yet) that includes an electronics gadget from China that Best Buy or Walmart currently sells at $100, Best Buy and Walmart must now pay the government an additional $60 tariff-tax for that imported electronics gadget, bringing the total cost for that same product to $160.00. In turn, Best Buy and Walmart will not absorb all that extra cost without passing all or at least some of it onto consumers.
It’s not just finished products that could be targeted like clothes, toys, tools, snacks, food, etc but also raw materials like lumber and steel that’s used for homes and infrastructure which could affect entire industries like real estate and construction.
So, potentially consumers, businesses, industries and the entire U.S. economy could be harmed by increased tariffs, depending on how and to what extent Trump will use his executive power.
The purpose of targeted tariffs is to protect certain domestic sectors in the U.S. economy that warrant strategic support. Targeted tariffs can help sustain and support the development of key industries and maintain them during periods when trading partners are engaged in market-distorting subsidization of their exports.
The idea behind targeted tariffs is also to boost domestic manufacturing of specific industries. Previous administrations have used targeted tariffs on items like semiconductors, cars, solar panels and computer chips, coupled with massive investments in these industries’ products. The problem here is that U.S. manufacturers of these products – should some of them even return to the U.S. from their more profitable hubs abroad – would also need to import raw materials for many finished products which could also be subject to tariffs.
In general, targeted tariffs can be effective and utilized properly. It could also work to boost certain manufactu-
TPublisher & Executive Editor
he price of living in paradise could get higher as President Donald Trump rolls out broad tariff hikes on Canada, Mexico and China, and additional targeted tariffs to most other countries. The full impact of these newly increased tariffs has yet to kick in but already consumers and businesses are bracing for the additional costs they will have on goods. For our cover story this issue, associate editor Edwin Quinabo reports on which goods could see price increases, what this tax could cost you annually, the types of tariffs Trump is modulating and why. Also, Gov. Josh Green, U.S. Sen Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep Ed Case tell the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle how our state would be affected and members in our community express their frustrations. It’s an important issue that will have consequences on everyone’s personal finances.
HFC columnist Will Espero contributes “The Trump-Musk Presidency” an article on Elon Musk’s big role in Trump’s government. We have a second editorial on Musk as the head of Trump’s DOGE and his plans to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
This issue we also have several features on exceptional Filipinos. First, HFC contributing writer Federico V. Magdalena and HFC contributing editor Belinda A. Aquino submit “A Legacy of Academic Activism: Francisco ‘Dodong’ Nemenzo, Jr.,” the 18th President of the University of the Philippines. “His leadership transformed UP into a more modernized university…that fostered critical thought and academic excellence,” his daughter Lian said. Second, HFC columnist Carlota Ader submits “A Woman Before Her Time,” a feature on Enriqueta de Peralta, an Ilocano poet, civic leader, social worker and champion of women’s rights. The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu held a book launch for “Enriqueta de Peralta: a Woman Ahead of Her Time” on January 10, 2025. Both Nemenzo Jr. and Peralta have passed on but will be remembered for their lasting contributions.
HFC columnist Emil Guillermo writes about a Filipino American making history of his own -- Judge Dale Ho, the judge presiding over the corruption case of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. HFC columnist Rose Cruz Churma does a Book Review on “His Name Was Absalon, A Family Odyssey,” a fascinating book that will pique your interest. In the Bible Reflections column, HFC contributor Bermie Dizon writes “Hard Pressed But Not Crushed When We Walk With God,” an article in the context of those rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the recent California wildfires.
Lastly, Keli’i Akina, president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, submits an Open Forum article “Tax Bills Suggest Obliviousness to Our Daily Struggles.” He writes, “An unofficial tally of potential tax or fee increases under consideration during the 2025 session found at least 60 sprinkled throughout the more than 3,000 bills that were introduced, including the so-called green fee.” We hope you enjoy these and our other columns and news.
As always, thank you for supporting the HFC. Visit thefilipinochronicle.com to get your free e-copy of each issue. For your advertising needs, contact us at: filipinochronicle@gmail.com. Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!
ring like high technology. Old, heavy manufacturing will likely never return.
But what Trump has proposed is not targeted tariffs, but across-the-board or broad tariffs on countries like China, and even allies like Canada, Mexico and perhaps as he suggested Europe, which experts say is bound to elicit a tariff retaliatory response and potentially explode to a full-blown trade war.
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Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.
Publisher & Managing Editor
Chona A. Montesines-Sonido
Associate Editors
Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo
Contributing
Editor
Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.
Design Junggoi Peralta
Photography
Tim Llena
Administrative Assistant
Lilia Capalad
Editorial & Production Assistant
Jim Bea Sampaga
Columnists
Carlota Hufana Ader
Rose Cruz Churma
Elpidio R. Estioko
Willie Espero
Emil Guillermo
Gary Hooser
Arcelita Imasa, M.D.
Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
J.P. Orias
Charlie Sonido, M.D.
Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.
Contributing Writers
Clement Bautista
Edna Bautista, Ed.D.
Teresita Bernales, Ed.D.
Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.
Dr. Dylan Bothamley
Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D.
Linda Dela Cruz
Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand
Amelia Jacang, M.D.
Caroline Julian
Max Levin
Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D.
Federico Magdalena, Ph.D.
Matthew Mettias
Maita Millalos
Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D.
Renelaine Bontol-Pfister
Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
Jay Valdez, Psy.D.
Amado Yoro
Philippine Correspondent:
Greg Garcia
Neighbor Island Correspondents:
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Grace LarsonDitas Udani
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Maui
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President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) boss Elon Musk are on a tear firing federal workers and downsizing or closing federal agencies in the name of financial retrenchment. Cutting cost in theory where waste exists is acceptable, but we’re seeing almost indiscriminate slashing of government just for the sake of shrinking government without much thought to long-term consequences and without much real savings as advertised.
Save the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (C.F.P.B)
One disturbing and dangerous development is the tearing down of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Americans should be alarmed that the TrumpMusk tandem has shuttered the CFPB headquarters, halted most of its operations, laid off workers and looking to completely dismantle the agency. Why should Americans, particularly, the typical main street American care what happens to CFPB? It’s because the CFPB is the federal agency that acts like the policeman over banks, credit unions, secu-
In a trade war, this hurts all those involved, and in the long-term will only push away the U.S.’ trusted trading partners like Canada and Mexico to seek other trading partners not in a trade war with them. And it will happen quickly, depending on how severe Trump’s tariffs are. Do we really want Canada and Mexico expanding their trade (which they already do extensively) with China or other countries?
Tariffs are regressive
rity firms, payday lenders, mortgage-servicing operations, foreclosure relief service, debt collectors, for-profit colleges, and other financial companies in the U.S. The CFPB protects consumers from financial exploitation and fraud.
The CFPB was formed in response to the great financial crisis of 2008 that had predatory mortgage lenders push the American banking system to the brink of collapse. Tens of thousands of Americans were tricked into subprime loans and eventually saw their properties foreclosed. The founding of the CFPB brought consumer protection—regulation, supervision, and enforcement— under one roof to ensure consumers are no longer scammed by financial institutions.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren said if the CFPB shuts down, “it’s open season on everyone who has a credit card, a mortgage, a car loan, a payday loan, a student loan, or uses an online financial app.”
Just a few of what CFPB does: 1) finalized a rule that would prohibit agencies from listing medical debt on credit reports, 2) investigates deceptive telemarketing, illegal fees, 3) seeks to regulate payday
The Americans who will be most harmed by tariffs are lower and middle-income Americans because tariffs are regressive taxation like sales tax. Both the rich and everyone else will pay the same price for higher tariffs, which means the poorer you are, the more tariffs will hurt you. This undercuts Trump’s campaign promises to help bring down the cost of living for struggling Americans, which is turning out to be more campaign rhetoric by
lending, debt collections, credit ratings, 4) ordered the reduction in credit card late fees and other bank fees, 5) looks into online banking and e-commerce, 6) writes and enforces rules for financial institutions, 7) monitors and reports on markets, as well as collects and tracks consumer complaints, 8) sues the big banks that do not comply with the laws.
Once a financial institution acquires $10 billion in assets, it falls under the guidance, rules, and regulation under the CFPB. The bank will then be known as a CFPB regulated bank. The CFPB will examine the institution for compliance with bank regulatory laws.
Sen. Warren, who helped get the agency up and running, pointed out Musk may well have a personal interest in defanging the CFPB. Since taking over Twitter and changing its name to X, Musk has talked about transforming the platform into an “everything app” offering services like online banking and e-commerce. Last month, X announced a partnership with Visa to create X Money Account, which would enable its users to buy stuff online and make peer-to-peer payments. In theory, such a business could well attract the attention of the CFPB,
Broad based tariffs should they go into effect could also raise the prices of select groceries which Americans are already furious about – that Trump’s campaign promise of lowering grocery prices is not working. Did he even attempt to do anything on this issue?
It’s not just American consumers who are worried about increased tariffs. Businesses, from large Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, are also concerned that Trump’s weapo-
which has been expanding its authority over big online-payment systems.
Warren said, “The banks see themselves having a more profitable future if they can get rid of the CFPB.” She adds, “The CFPB is living, breathing proof, every day, that we can make government work for regular people. That we can use government to level the playing field, so that students don’t get cheated on their education loans, or a family can take out a mortgage to buy a house without worrying there’s a trick back on page thirty-six that means they are going to lose the house in two years. That’s government working the way it should.”
The large banks have long lobbied Congress for less regulations and CFPB has been the government’s enforcer along with other federal regulatory bodies like the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
Trump is doing what the big banks want, evidently. One of Trump’s first acts this second term was to appoint an acting director of CFPB who immediately ordered the bureau to stop regulatory
nization of tariffs will hurt their bottom line.
So far, Trump’s tariffs implementation, pauses and threats have no rhyme or reason to them. He’s paused tariffs on Mexico because there has been some success in getting Mexico to cooperate fuller with border security. But then, he’s still threatening tariffs on Mexico. Soon enough, countries will catch on to Trump’s weaponization of tariffs and seek more trustworthy alternative trading partners.
activity.
The CFPB ultimately is about promoting fairness, transparency and protection for the consumer, the typical main street (as opposed to Wall Street) Americans – the exact group that Trump vowed to work and “fight” for in his “populist” campaign.
But as the weeks pass into Trump’s second term, increasingly more Americans are starting to think that Trump is a bait-andswitch candidate as his approval polls descends! Donald Trump the candidate promised to fight for typical working Americans but instead as President he’s given up on lowering the cost of groceries, increased some tariffs and is poised to elevate them higher which is bound to hurt consumers financially.
Now this disempowering of a regulatory consumer protection agency that looks after the interests of typical Americans and given that there is an increasing need for financial protection as scams proliferate in the digital age, it’s looking apparent that Trump is as many are saying – he’s a bait-andswitch politician siding with powerful monied institutions over the American people. We need more consumer protection, not less!
In Trump’s first term his increased tariffs hurt U.S. farmers as China retaliated on them. Farm bankruptcies then spiked by 20% that even the government’s support of trying to keep farmers afloat did not work. Trump didn’t learn his lesson. Instead, he wants to expand tariffs. Americans must understand how tariffs work and call out Trump on his weaponization of broad tariffs that would mostly hurt average Americans and American businesses.
By Edwin Quinabo
he impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs has not taken full effect yet, but both consumers and businesses executives are spooked over developments.
TThe latest tariff schedule reported by Forbes has 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% (totaling 20%) on China effective March 4. Bloomberg also reports 25% on steel/aluminum for most nations starting March 12 and a reciprocal tariff on all nations pending a review deadline on April 1.
The Economic Policy Institute says American households will bear most of the burden of tariffs in the form of higher prices on imported goods and for domestic goods that compete with imports.
The Petersen Institute for International Economics projected across-theboard tariffs could lower the U.S. economy by one percentage point by 2026 and boost inflation by two percentage points. Broad tariffs could cost the average American household $1,200 to over $2,600 a year. If consumers are making large purchases like a car or a home, that amount could be higher. Because most American cars are partially made in Canada and Mexico, a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico would raise the price of cars by about $3,000, experts say.
Worse yet for middle-to-lower income Americans, economists say tariffs are a regressive consumption tax which means people with lower incomes will pay a larger share of their earnings in taxes than high-income people, making it difficult for those already struggling with inflation to meet additional costs for basic needs like food, clothes, transportation and energy.
“Trump’s proposed tariffs could add $272 billion a year to tax burdens,” said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay Cross-Border Solutions.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green told the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, “Tariffs are likely to increase costs for our people, so his [Trump’s] approach could
really hurt Hawaii residents. Tariffs on our allies like Canada, many of whom come to Hawaii, seem poorly thought out. I also have serious concern that this approach will increase the cost of housing, because the cost of materials will soar. That’s the last thing we need.”
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz told the Chronicle, “Prices for everything – including groceries – continues to rise. Hawaii is already one of the most expensive places to live and what the [Trump] administration should be doing is lowering costs, not raising them. But that’s exactly what tariffs will do. When the government places tariffs on imports, those taxes aren’t paid by the big corporations importing those goods. Like everything else, they pass those new taxes on to customers. That means higher prices for things like pork, cell phones, and vegetables. It’s bad for working people and small businesses in the Filipino community and across Hawaii.”
The Peterson Institute for International Economics said Trump’s aggressive tariff campaign will force American consumers to pay more for practically everything — from foreign-made sneakers and toys to food. They can also lead to trade wars, the Institute adds.
Trump said America needs a fairer trade policy that makes U.S. goods more attractive on the market. “The United States is one of the most open economies in the world, yet our trading partners keep their markets closed to our exports. This lack of reciprocity is unfair and contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit.”
He said, “I’m going to be announcing tariffs on cars and semiconductors and chips and pharmaceuticals, drugs and pharmaceuticals and lumber, probably and some other things over the next month or sooner.
“Prices could go up somewhat short term, but prices will also go down,” Trump said. “So, Americans should
prepare for some short-term pain,” he added.
Historically, the U.S. has used tariffs to protect its manufacturing industry, farmers, technology and national security interests. In Trump’s first term, he used tariffs heavily, but experts say his second term proposals are like a wrecking ball because he’s said he’ll place tariffs on many goods broadly and even on goods that the U.S. doesn’t even produce.
Corporate America has lobbied hard against Trump’s tariffs because of fears of rising inflation and slowing down the economy. Last month, the Wall Street Journal’s editors, who typically side with the president’s policies, called Trump’s tariff plan “the dumbest trade war in history.”
Economists say if tariffs remain in place on a sustained basis, it could have long-term effects as some businesses could attempt to shift supply chains to other countries to avoid paying higher tariffs. As supply chains broke down during the height of the pandemic, economists point out recovering from supply chain disruptions could take years.
The White House says the President has broad authority over tariffs under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.
U.S. Rep Ed Case told the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, “Under our trade laws, a President does not have full authority over whether and how to impose tariffs. Under our Constitution, Congress has the power to regulate commerce, and under our trade laws Congress has a specific role on tariffs
as well. So, Congress always has the right under our Constitution to oversee the administration, partner with it on specific trade policies, and ultimately direct the administration through our lawmaking authorities.”
He added, “I hope my Republican colleagues will decide to differ with the President and engage on effective and fair-trade policies. Either way, I will continue to join my fellow Democrats and any willing Republican in advancing more targeted and strategic use of tariffs that are tailored to specific national goals, that protect especially vulnerable businesses and workers from unfair trade practices by countries such as the People’s Republic of China, and that bring down the cost of living for businesses and consumers.”
Sen. Schatz calls on Hawaii residents to become active in the process. “While Democrats may not control Congress or the White House, we are not powerless. We have seen that when people across the country speak out against bad policies, the administration backs down. We’re doing everything we can in Congress to stop policies that will raise costs for people in Hawaii, but you can help. Your voice matters too. It’s important for everyone to be part of the political process.”
Across-the-board (broad tariffs), targeted tariffs (selected tariffs) and reciprocal tariffs
Across-the-board tariffs are broad and applies a uniform percentage reduction to all imports. While it can be a source of added revenue for the government, it could jolt world trade and set off trade wars, economists explain.
Targeted or selective
tariffs are specific levies on certain goods or industries commonly used to protect a good or industry a country wants to boost.
Reciprocal tariffs refer to tariffs the U.S. government plans to levy against global trading partners that are equal to the existing tariffs foreign countries have set against American goods. They are designed to bring trade into balance.
Trump’s tariff plan is to utilize all three types of tariffs to varying degrees.
Case said, “First, I generally believe in fair and open trade among countries with a minimum of protective tariffs. I do believe in selective protective tariffs to defend national security interests, to deter aggression and to defend against unfair trade practices and their impacts on our domestic industries and American workers by other countries. But across-the-board tariffs for no good reason hurt both businesses and consumers alike.”
He added, “This is especially true in our Hawaii where we rely on imports far more than virtually any other part of our country. These imports come directly from the mainland and directly and indirectly from overseas, and higher costs from higher tariffs are just passed along to our small businesses and families.
“Finally, when we impose a tariff on the import of goods and services from another country, the other country’s response is usually to also impose tariffs on the import of goods and services from our country. In the resulting trade war, it is not only our local businesses and consumers that are hurt, but our businesses and workers that export services and goods to another country. For us in Hawaii, this means
many small businesses doing business with the countries of Asia and the Pacific, such as the Philippines and Japan.”
Case said, “Blanket across-the-board tariffs hurt businesses and families throughout our country regardless of whether they are represented in Congress by Republicans and Democrats, and so there is a lot of reasons why these issues and any disagreements with the President should be addressed in Congress on a bipartisan basis (and I regularly discuss these and other issues with my Republican colleagues). However, unfortunately thus far the Republican-majority Congress appears to be supporting the President’s tariff policies or at least to be afraid of disagreeing with him, so that there is no effective Congressional check and balance on disruptive and harmful trade policies.”
Trump has repeated that imposing tariffs will fix the U.S. trade deficit. Josh Bivens, Research and Policy Director, Economic Policy Institute, Washington, D.C., said tariffs will not fix trade deficits “because high and broad-based tariffs will also reduce exports along with imports, and this will leave the balance of trade mostly unchanged. Exports fall when tariffs are introduced.”
Teresita Bernales, Kailua, message to President Trump: “Do not make blanket policies, there is no ‘one size fits all’ for all of the U.S. States. Each community is unique. Hawaii’s residents already face one of the highest costs of living in the U.S. with housing, utilities and everyday goods already straining household budgets. The proposed tariffs on im-
“Prices for everything – including groceries – continues to rise. Hawaii is already one of the most expensive places to live and what the [Trump] Administration should be doing is lowering costs, not raising them. But that’s exactly what tariffs will do. When the government places tariffs on imports, those taxes aren’t paid by the big corporations importing those goods. Like everything else, they pass those new taxes on to customers. That means higher prices for things like pork, cell phones, and vegetables. It’s bad for working people and small businesses in the Filipino community and across Hawaii.”
– Brian Schatz U.S. Senator, Hawaii
ported goods will further increase prices, especially items like food and consumer goods, restaurants and retail businesses, construction materials and housing, and tourism. etc. These increases will disproportionately affect Hawaii due to its heavy reliance on imports and will put heavy financial pressure on families and businesses. Policies that prioritize economic stability and affordability for island communities are critical to ensuring their well-being and sustainability.”
Marcus Salvador, Aiea, independent, said he voted for Trump expecting that Trump would bring down the cost of groceries and lower inflation. “So far, prices are still high, and it looks like he didn’t try to do anything to fix what he promised. If tariffs will make everything cost more, I’m starting to regret voting for Trump.”
Tina Pascual, Ewa Beach, Democrat, said Trump is raising tariffs to raise money for the government so he can shove through an extension on the unpopular corporate tax cuts from his first administration that will be expiring. “Trump is all about helping the ul-
tra-rich. I don’t think he can relate to the average American and our struggles. If he did, he wouldn’t be raising tariffs.”
Trump predicted during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, his tariffs would bring in hundreds of billions of dollars — perhaps trillions of dollars — into the U.S. Treasury.
The Tax Foundation estimates that the tariffs will generate around $100 billion per year in extra federal tax revenue. But it also said not only could tariffs drive up consumer prices but eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs and hurt businesses.
Case said, “Take two of our state’s biggest crippling cost of living drivers, housing and food. Both would be hit very hard by President Trump’s proposed 25% across-the-board tariff on Canada and Mexico.
“Canada is one of the world’s largest producers of softwood lumber, and a 25% tariff on that product will pass through as an increase on the already high cost of constructing homes in Hawaii. Fully 80% of the fertilizer we use to grow crops
By Will Espero
What’s going on in Washington DC?
There’s plenty that Donald Trump is doing, and he’s gotten everybody’s attention.
Trump campaigned on many issues, and now it’s time to see what he can get done. He only has four years, and that time will go by fast. For some, it is not fast enough.
After the midterm elections in 2026, Trump will have two years left in his current term. By then, he will be a lame-duck president, and the race to succeed him in the Republican party will get heated as several high-level appointees of Trump may be potential candidates for
in Hawaii comes from Canada, so the costs of buying locally produced food will increase. Mexico is the largest supplier of fruit and vegetables to the United States, much of which is then shipped to Hawaii, so a 25% tariff on imported food will drive up those costs even further.”
Case added, “These tariffs will have a compounding effect on what is already a major domestic tariff on most all that we import from the mainland. A 105-year-old federal law called the Jones Act creates and maintains a monopoly on shipping that brings in more than 90% of our goods and unfairly boosts the cost of virtually everything for our businesses and families. I am working to exempt Hawaii and other parts of our country who rely virtually exclusively on shipping from this unfair federal law.”
Canada is prepared
president. Regarding Trump’s current bout with hubris and confidence, this is what happens when the United States Supreme Court gives the president absolute immunity for certain actions while the president is in office.
This is what happened on that dismal day on July 24, 2024, when the U.S. Supreme Court basically said presidents are now above the law. Let that sink in.
What a terrible decision by the John G. Roberts, Jr. court. The decision has completely changed the power dynamics of the executive branch and the U.S. government for the worse. Shame on the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress can act and speak up, but from recent actions and experiences, the Republican-controlled Congress appears afraid of
to retaliate against tariffs. Canadian officials said some goods they’re targeting are ceramic products, steel products, furniture, certain alcoholic beverages like Bourbon and Jack Daniels whiskey, orange juice and pet food, among other goods. Canada is prepared to impose $30 billion in tariffs. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 63.2% of U.S. agricultural imports come from Canada consisting of meat, animal products, grains and feeds, and oilseeds and oilseed products.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said they are also preparing to implement their own 25% retaliatory tariffs. Mexico is the United States’ biggest source of fresh produce, supplying more than 60% of U.S. vegetable imports and nearly half of all fruit and nut imports. A retaliatory tariff on the U.S. is bound to raise grocery costs, expert say.
Trump and is willing to let him do things as he wishes.
Republican leaders don’t want to get on Trump’s bad side so they have been very silent on Trump’s questionable and controversial antics, comments, and positions - such a sad state of affairs.
So, the best way to stop Trump or keep him in check for now is to use our judicial system. This is the same system where Trump appointed many of the judges.
Many lawsuits have been filed already, and expect more to come as the circus in Washington DC
Canada and Mexico are two of the top three U.S. trading partners. Gas prices could also surge as much as 50 cents per gallon in parts of the U.S. as Canada and Mexico supply more than 70% of crude oil imports to U.S. Trump previously delayed tariffs on Canada and Mexico because of the two countries commitment to the U.S. to increase border security and stop the flow of undocumented immigrants. However, the President recently went forward as originally planned with his tariff hikes on the two countries.
China is the U.S.’ third top trading country. Should a broad trade war roll out, key products expected to have price increases include electronics, clothing, toys, furniture, houseware, automotive parts. Companies like Apple, which rely
his private companies, so he has no business looking at government costs to cut expenses and possibly receive more money from the U.S. government.
continues.
The problem with the president’s efforts is he has the wrong person in charge. Elon Musk should not have such a big role in Trump’s government.
There are many conflict of interest issues with Musk starting with his receipt of $200 billion from the U.S. government over the last 10 years for his SpaceX company.
Musk has also received millions of dollars in tax credits for Tesla, his electric car company.
It’s not unusual for Musk to have his hands out for our tax dollars to help
on Chinese manufacturing for devices like iPhones and MacBooks, could increase prices as production costs rise. Car parts in the U.S. are also imported from China. With the already implemented 25% tariff, vehicle repair and maintenance costs could climb.
Bernales said, “China, Mexico and Canada have signaled retaliatory tariffs, and this will harm U.S. exporters and escalate trade tensions. Sectors that will be significantly affected by tariffs are automotive, semiconductors, consumer goods, agriculture, energy and green technology and basic materials (metals, wood and plastics) industries. The negative outcomes outweigh the intent of a fair trade balance.”
Experts say tariffs can dissuade buyers from purchasing goods from tariffed countries. In areas
It’s insane that he and his underlings are getting access to sensitive government records and are involved in the termination of thousands of federal government workers.
There is little oversight of Musk, and everyone should be concerned.
Trump needs to find ways to offset the tax breaks for the rich, and Musk is the point man for cutting government expenses. He doesn’t belong in the position and must be removed.
As the richest man in the world, Musk has relationships with many world leaders, countries, business people, entrepreneurs, and other important people.
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where product substitutes or cheaper alternatives are available, consumers will purchase substitutes. But eventually, those substitutes could follow market trends and have their prices go up.
Businesses are worried that consumers will shop less because of added expenses to go toward basic goods. It will ultimately hurt their bottom line.
“We don’t have much of a choice if tariffs will expand to essential needs like food and gas. Increased tariffs will be added hardship for millions of Americans and Congress should do something about it. Trump cannot have his way and go unchecked. Trump ran on helping Americans with lowering our cost of living, not raising it,” said Pascual. “It’s frustrating and frankly frightening for many of us just barely making ends meet,” she said.
By Atty. Emmanuel S. Tipon
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides in relevant part:
“Section. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order No. 14156, Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship, which he signed on January 20, 2025, provides:
“Section 1. Purpose. The privilege of United States citizenship is a priceless and profound gift. The Fourteenth Amendment states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
That provision rightly repudiated the Supreme Court of the United States’s shameful decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1857), which misinterpreted the Constitution as permanently excluding people of African descent from eligibility for United States citizenship solely based on their race.
But the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States. The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
Consistent with this
understanding, the Congress has further specified through legislation that “a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” is a national and citizen of the United States at birth, 8 U.S.C. 1401, generally mirroring the Fourteenth Amendment’s text.
“Among the categories of individuals born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States: (1) when that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth, or (2) when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States at the time of said person’s birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program or visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.
“Sec. 2. Policy. (a) It is the policy of the United States that no department or agency of the United States government shall issue documents recognizing United States citizenship, or accept documents issued by State, local, or other governments or authorities purporting to recognize United States citizenship, to persons: (1) when that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth, or (2) when that per-
son’s mother’s presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.
“(b) Subsection (a) of this section shall apply only to persons who are born within the United States after 30 days from the date of this order.”
Before talking about who is right and who is wrong, was the Fourteenth Amendment constitutionally ratified in the first place?
There is a scholarly and well-researched article written by Forrest McDonald which was originally published in the Georgia Journal of Southern Legal History in 1991, and republished on April 23, 2014 by the Abbeville Institute.org.
Forrest McDonald concludes:
“Clearly, then, the Fourteenth Amendment was never constitutionally ratified, even if it had been constitutionally proposed. The question now becomes, so what? The critics of the 1950s and 1960s, cited earlier, called for the Supreme Court to rule that it was not a part of the Constitution. To the certain objection that such a ruling would overturn a huge body of judicial precedent, they pointed out that the Court had, in Erie v. Tompkins (1938), overturned its earlier ruling in
Swift v. Tyson (1842) and with it nearly a century of case law, and that to right a long-standing wrong was more important than precedent. Perhaps. Even so, though no one ever became rich by predicting what the Supreme Court would do from one generation to another, it seems safe to predict that the Fourteenth Amendment is here to stay, despite its origins. It behooves us, however, to be aware of the Fourteenth’s history, lest similar irregularities should surround another amendment in the future.”
The birthright citizenship issue will definitely reach the Supreme Court. President Trump will raise the issue of the validity of the Fourteenth Amendment since it has not been raised squarely before.
The Fourteenth Amendment was reportedly ratified on July 9, 1868. It was adopted to confer United States citizenship on people born in the United States of African descent. It repudiated the Supreme Court’s decision in
Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1857), which held that persons of African descent born in the United States were not citizens.
In 1868, there were no illegal aliens who crossed the border without a visa and without inspection. There were no temporary visitors who came on a student, work, or tourist visa. Consequently, the framers of the Fourteenth Amendment could not have contemplated the existence of such aliens and give their children born in the United States “birthright citizenship”?
President Trump is right - “the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States, such as the children of alien mothers (1) unlawfully present in the U.S. and (2) temporarily present in the U.S.
Defenders of “birthright citizenship” cite United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898),
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By Federico V. Magdalena and Belinda A. Aquino
As the 18th President of the University of the Philippines, Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr. was one of a kind. He left a legacy that gave a new color to dissent and learning at the University of the Philippines as a premier institution.
Patricio Abinales (retired UH professor), who knows him well, describes Dodong as the “last Filipino Marxist” or “father of Visayan Marxism.”
This monicker was uncommon among the middle class. However, it was a favorite phrase among hardline student activists touted as iskolar ng bayan (country scholars), who loved his lectures delivered with a “thick Visayan accent.”
Nemenzo was born on February 9, 1935, in Cebu City, into a family of intellectuals. His father, Francisco Nemenzo Sr., was a famous marine zoologist known as the “Father of Philippine Coral Taxonomy.”
His mother, Catalina Alfafara, served as a senior librarian at UP Diliman.
From the start, Dodong’s life was steeped in academic rigor, a value deeply instilled by his parents.
As the eldest of three siblings, Dodong’s parents envisioned him pursuing a life in service to the Church. He entered a seminary in Cebu, where he became curious about philosophical and social questions.
However, his clerical life was short-lived. He would soon engage in a lifelong journey of ideological exploration.
Dodong transferred to the University of San Carlos in Cebu for his college education. Later, he moved to UP Diliman, where he completed his Bachelor of Public Administration (1957) and earned his Master’s in the same field (1959).
His thirst for a deeper understanding of Philippine society drove him to pursue a Ph.D. in Political History at the University of Manchester, England.
There, he was introduced to Marxist thought and broadened his perspective on global systems of inequality. This intellectual exposure defined his life.
(WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?: Trump Is Right ....from page 7) a 6-2 Supreme Court decision, which held that a child born in the United States of Chinese parents who have a permanent domicile and residence in the United States, and are not employed in any diplomatic or official capacity under the Emperor of China, is a United States citizen at birth.
Reliance on this case by defenders of “birthright citizenship” is totally misplaced. Wong Kim Ark involved a child born in the United States of permanent residents.
President Trump’s executive order is not about children of permanent residents. It is about (1) chil-
Upon his return home, Nemenzo began his academic career at UP, dedicating himself to political science and governance studies. His commitment to education and activism was already evident in his lifestyle.
He was not merely an academic but a mentor and a “leading leftist intellectual who practiced his ideals,” according to his family.
He also developed amity with Joma Sison, the current head of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, who invited him to join the movement.
Eduardo Tadem (retired UP Professor) says: “Their families bonded together and Dodong and Joma would have joint birthday
dren of mothers who are “unlawfully present in the United States,” and (2) children of mothers whose presence in the United States was “lawful but temporary”.
People who cite precedents should only cite cases which are on all fours with the case at bar. The other “precedents” cited by anti-Trump people are outliers.
Chief Justice Melville Fuller, joined by Associate Justice John Marshall Harlan, dissented in Wong Kim Ark, warning that if ‘natural-born citizen’ ap-
celebrations, their natal days being a day apart.”
These actions put him and his wife Princess at odds with Ferdinand Marcos’s Martial Law regime. He was “arrested in January 1973 and incarcerated for about two years,” and later joined by his wife, added Tadem.
In 1976, he became the dean of the UP College of Arts and Sciences. Recognizing the need for critical engagement with the socio-political climate of the time, he founded the Third World Studies Center in 1977.
The Center became “a focal point for radical thinking and studies…a refuge for activists (and) recently released political detainees” during the Martial Law era, reveals Filomeno Sta. Ana III, UP student leader-turned-activist.
From 1989 to 1992, Nemenzo served as the third chancellor of UP Visayas, further cementing his reputation as a transformative leader.
Known for his analytical thinking, he ensured that UP remained a bastion of academic freedom and progressive thought fol-
plied to everybody born within the geographical tract known as the United States, irrespective of circumstances, and that the children of foreigners, happening to be born to them while passing through the country, whether of royal parentage or not, or whether of the Mongolian, Malay or other race, were eligible to the Presidency, while children of our citizens, born abroad, were not.”
Wow, a child of an illegal alien or temporary visitor could become President of the United States under the so-called “birthright citizenship.” Susmariosep.
lowing the two decades of Martial Law and a turbulent political landscape.
He was joined in this struggle by a “comrade-inpen,” Belinda A. Aquino (Emeritus faculty at UH), then the UP Vice-President for Public Affairs (19891991). Aquino, herself a victim of the despised Marcos regime, has also dedicated her life to institutional reforms, fighting against oppression and corruption while in exile.
Her book, Politics of Plunder: The Philippines Under Marcos (1987) portrays the magnitude of cronyism and atrocities prevalent during that period.
In 1999, Nemenzo was elected the 18th president of the University of the Philippines. His tenure as president provided a deep commitment to education reform.
One of his most significant achievements was institutionalizing the Revised General Education Program (RGEP), which provided students with a more flexible and holistic curriculum. RGEP prepared students to think logically and navigate a rapidly changing world.
His leadership transformed UP into a more “modernized university…that fostered critical thought and academic ex-
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SAMONTE TIPON was a Fulbright and Smith-Mundt scholar to Yale Law School where he was awarded a Master of Laws degree specializing in Constitutional Law. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. He placed third in the 1955 bar examinations. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, New York, and the Philippines. He practices federal law, with emphasis on constitutional issues, immigration law, and appellate federal criminal defense. He was the Dean and a Professor of Law of the College of Law, Northwestern University, Philippines. He has written
law books and legal articles for the world’s most prestigious legal publishers including Thomson West and Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Co. and writes columns for newspapers. He wrote the case notes and annotations for the entire Immigration and Nationality Act published by The Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Co. and Bancroft-Whitney Co. (now Thomson Reuters). He wrote the best-seller “Winning by Knowing Your Election Laws.” Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines. Cell Phone (808) 225-2645. E-Mail: attorneytipon@gmail.com filamlaw@yahoo.com. Website: https://www.tiponimmigrationguide.com
The information provided in this article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Publication of this information is not intended to be created, and receipt by you or reading by you does not establish or constitute an attorney-client relationship.
By Emil Guillermo
Donald Trump is doing all he can to destroy DEI: diversity, equity and inclusion.
And not just at the federal level, but everywhere in American society. DEI has become so reviled by some; it’s the new slur.
But why would you want to rid America of a phrase that has so many positive virtues as DEI?
It’s almost like destroying our governing democracy itself, which at times is what this administration seems hell-bent on doing.
Every American should want to embrace a sense of diversity. It is the basis of America’s motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” Latin for “out of many one.” In our land of immigrants, we’ve come together to form one united country.
The phrase in its 13 letters, is also seen as a symbol of each American colony that rebelled against the rule of a king.
Ironically, any positive idea of diversity is being turned on its head by a man who not only wants to abolish the penny where the phrase is emblazoned, he’s the guy who by his actions wants to be king of a country where everyone thinks and looks like him.
He calls it loyalty. It’s more like subservience to a hyper-combover.
Fortunately, Trump and our country will benefit from the good of diversity soon.
Federal judge Dale Ho is a great example of the virtues of diversity.
Ho is the judge presiding over the corruption case of New York Mayor Eric Adams, a major case in this FMOT (first month of Trump).
Ho is Asian American as the name may imply. But
even my advanced “Filipino-dar” failed me. Ho is a Filipino American, who grew up in New Jersey and whose Filipino grandfather fought in WWII.
Yes, of course, those facts are irrelevant to the case as they should be.
But it’s not irrelevant when it comes to a functioning American democracy.
Ho is proof that Asian American Filipinos can rise to levels of prominence in society.
A big deal in 2025? You bet.
When do you see a Filipino anything in American society?
I mention many in my columns. There’s California Attorney General Rob Bonta. And then there’s pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo, half-Filipino from her father’s side. We claim them all.
And now Ho. He’s a bigger deal than you think.
Four million Filipinos in the U.S. and this one judge will decide the case of the mayor of New York City.
But look at what Trump’s done to the notion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in America.
He wants to eradicate it so badly,that you’d think it was a bad thing to be a person of color of achievement.
The Trump anti-DEI sentiment has cast suspicion on us all.
Instead of the positive, “Congrats; You earned it; You belong.” People look at us and question.
How did you get here? What are you doing here? They wonder if we’re here on merit.
News flash We’ve always been.
Successful people of color have always had to achieve twice as much.
To go from below “See level” to compete where the
competition begins is our amazing journey.
Look at a number line. If we start at negative 20 and get to the base of zero, we’ve climbed 20 points.
When we go another 20 points, we’ve gone up 40 points.
The white person we’ve competed with started at zero and has gone up 20 points.
And now we’re in the same position.
Who has risen further? Who is better on the merits?
That’s how hard we have to work to deflect the stigma placed on us. And Trump is only making it worse.
But it’s the reason Ho is the kind of judge you want presiding over a case like Adams.
Adams is accused of corruption including five counts of bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. He has pleaded not guilty.
Reportedly, there were even more charges to come. But then the new second in command at the Justice Department, Emil Bove III, no doubt under the influence of Trump, decided to drop the case.
Eight federal prosecutors have refused to go along, and Bove has had to sign the order himself.
So you have the government and Adams’ attorney saying the case should be dropped. How does a judge
rule? Go along to get along?
Do you even have enough to consider the case on its merits?
Adams is leveraging the only thing he has as mayor to ward off prosecution.
Trump and the feds seek ICE to have access to Riker’s Island, the city’s prison, and everywhere else protected by the city’s adopted sanctuary rules.
The better for ICE to round up all the undocumented criminals it believes are out there.
In exchange, the feds drop the case.
There’s a clip of Trump Border Czar Tom Homan talking with Adams on Fox News about the deal. Homan says semi-jokingly, if Adams doesn’t let ICE in, Homan would be “Up his butt.”
Vulgar but truth and evidence of the deal.
This brings up another Latin phrase: Quid pro quo. A tit for tat. An exchange. It was used by federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon, a conservative and Federalist Society member, who was the first of eight prosecutors to refuse to go along with Bove.
Sassoon in a letter to Trump Attorney General Pam Bondi, said the quid pro quo, the deal made with Adams, would set a “dangerous precedent.”
In other words, you don’t fight corruption with more corruption, not in a society that honors the rule of law. Not even for ICE raids.
It’s also a lousy deal for the American people. And even a lousier deal for Adams because it keeps him on the hook. At any time, the feds can bring the case back up. Which means Adams’ loyalty has been bought. He’ll do anything Trump wants now.
If that sounds like a good deal to you, then you are well on your way to living in a corrupt, dictatorial,
or authoritarian society.
If it sounds crazy and against the rule of law, then congratulations, you are an ethical and good person. Democracy needs you.
With everyone waiting for Ho’s decision last Friday, he did what any prudent person would do.
He asked for more facts. He wanted to hear the other side. Not the “slam dunk-everyone wants this ended-let’s all go home,” way of doing things.
Ho wanted to hear, the facts from the opposing side. He appointed a political conservative who served as U.S. solicitor general during the second Bush administration.
He wanted more briefs and said he’d hold an oral argument on March 14, if he thought it necessary.
If the facts warrant, Ho might even decide that the case against Adams is so strong it shouldn’t be dropped and that a trial should begin.
We need our judges to uphold the rule of law.
Now, compare Ho with Judge Aileen Cannon, the Colombian-born federal judge in Florida, appointed by Trump in 2020.
She’s given Trump all the loyalty and deference in the world. She’s the judge who threw out the criminal case involving Trump’s illegal holding of secret documents in the bathroom at Mar-a-Lago. It was a case considered the strongest against Trump.
And there you have the kind of DEI hire Trump prefers. Like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel. People whose loyalty exceeds their talents.
I’d prefer a judge like Ho who doesn’t play politics and just wants to get at the truth.
Oh, and by the way. He’s Filipino American. EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator. His talk show is on www.amok. com.
By Elpidio R. Estioko
ife is so precious that we need to value our existence while we are still capable of enjoying it because when the Lord calls us, He will come like a thief (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 16:15).
February 16 at Ciders-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
It was so sudden that we even didn’t expect it to happen even in the hands of medical experts in a hospital that offers world-class specialty care. After all, the patient’s life is not in the hands of the experts, but God. The culprit? Cardiac arrest!
rest due to very low blood pressure triggered by high potassium.
We, however, maintained contact through email and FaceBook on a weekly/biweekly basis.
We should be ready to accept it! So, when it is time, all we need to do is treasure the memories we built and time we spent on earth during our lifetime with our loved ones, friends and acquaintances.
I will devote this week’s column to acknowledge and celebrate the gift that is my younger brother Leo Reasonda Estioko’s life to us. But also acknowledge the pain that his demise brings us.
Together, in sharing the joy and the pain, we will lessen the passion and remember more lucidly the joy we spent together throughout his 73 years of his life on earth.
Leo passed away on Sunday evening at 9:45 pm,
When I visited him when he was still in the Bakersfield hospital, I saw in him the courage and strength of survival as he painfully continued talking to me despite his medical condition. I urged him not to talk anymore but he insisted on telling me his desires and places he wanted to see.
He was then diagnosed of stage 4 lymphoma cancer which started in his lower extremities and aggressively moved up to his belly paving the way for a chemotherapy.
He was transferred to Ciders-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for advanced treatment. His brain chemo showed negative results and didn’t affect his brain but after a couple of days, he had a cardiac ar-
In just a day and half, he succumbed to death when all his vital organs stopped functioning. It was so sudden and we never suspected it was coming considering that he was on the verge of overcoming his stage 4 lymphoma cancer.
Leo, being the youngest of 13 children (10 boys, three girls), was very close to our family and to his friends.
Growing up with Leo as my younger brother, we didn’t spend much time together because after high school, I left for college in Manila while he remained in the province.
After graduating high school, he and his twin brother Mar went to the San Carlos Minor Seminary for four years. After their seminary years, they immigrated to Canada and after living there for many years, Leo’s family moved to Bakersfield, California.
(FEATURE: A Legacy....from page 8)
cellence,” daughter Lian proudly admits.
Outside the confines of the university, Nemenzo was a towering figure in Philippine intellectual and political circles. He was a committed Marxist who believed in the power of collective action to dismantle systems of oppression.
His writings, “Marxism in the Philippines: Marx Centennial Lectures” (1984) and “Questioning
There were many wonderful aspects to Leo’s life, and many ways that he touched our lives. He will be remembered as a wonderful brother, a great friend, and a friendly face in his neighborhood. In all his ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller of memories.
Memorial services were held on Friday, March 7 at the Cherokee Memorial Park Vineyard Chapel.
Leo is the 13th of 13 children (10 boys, 3 girls) of our great parents: the late former Vice Mayor of Urdaneta Marciano B. Estioko, Sr. and Leonor Reasonda Estioko. He is survived by his wife Amelia, a Registered Nurse, and his two sons, Matthew from LA and Michael with his wife Michelle and two-year-old boy Noah from Lodi, California.
The four surviving siblings are Romulo, from San Jose; Dr. Manuel with wife Bobbie from Pacific Palisade; Prof. Elpidio from Milpitas with Delia and their six children Gigi from Sydney, Australia and her husband Eric, a Registered Nurse; Jojo and wife Alvi, also a Registered Nurse, with their two daughters
Marx, Critiquing Marxism: Reflections on the Ideological Crisis on the Left” (1992), criticized the rigid Marxist theory and adapted it to the specific socio-political context of the Philippines.
For him, Marxism was not an abstract theory but a lens through which to address the onerous inequalities in Philippine society. He was cool to the Left, and contributed his intellect and leadership to movements, such as Laban ng Masa, advocating for systemic change.
Bibay and Kayla from Jacksonville, Florida who are in their college years; May with her fiancé Steve from Manteca; Charles Jayson from Milpitas; Tweety and husband Sgt. 1stClass Jonathan Rasay and their 5-year old daughter Ellie from Hawaii; and Paul Joseph, also from Hawaii; and twin brother Mar with wife Jill and children Bryan and Valerie from Canada.
Since his passing, there is emptiness, pain, confusion and even anger at death coming after a man of only 72 years old. However, the gift of Leo’s life is still here with us in many ways.
All the memories we built together still linger in our minds and deeply rooted in our hearts forever.
On behalf of the rest of the family, I’d like to thank you all for remembering him and sharing your sentiments about him. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
To you my brother Leo, we will miss you, but you will be with us in our minds and in our hearts… forever! Rest in peace, my beloved brother Leo!
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com
Nemenzo was a pragmatist who essentialized revolutionary thought in the realities of the Philippine struggle.
Randy David, a former UP professor and campus neighbor, declares: “Having distanced himself from dogmatic Marxism, he sought to establish a broader political movement grounded in a uniquely Filipino socialist.”
Throughout his life, he balanced his academic and political commitments
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By Carlota Ader
he Ilocos region in the northern Philippines has produced a number of prominent women who have left indelible marks in history, including Anastacia Giron Tupas, who founded the Philippine Nursing Association, and Josefa Llanes Escoda, war heroine and founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
TWe can certainly add a third historical figure to that list—Enriqueta de Peralta, an Ilocano poet, civic leader, social worker and champion of women’s rights.
In her honor, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu held a book launch for “Enriqueta de Peralta: a Woman Ahead of Her Time” on January 10, 2025. The book is a collection of her work as well as a brief biography. Grandniece Patricia de Peralta was among the attendees.
“Enriqueta was a pioneer and a forward thinker in so many ways,” Patricia said.
“She was ahead of her time because she broke many barriers. While the stereotypical woman of her time was someone who took care of hearth and home, Enriqueta never married and was devoted to community service. The impacts of her contributions extend beyond our family to the cultural history of the Philippines. That is what makes me so proud of her accomplishments.”
Enriqueta was born on July 15, 1882 in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, an agricultural hub in the Philippines that produced rice, tobacco and other crops.
She was the fifth of eight children born to Isidoro and Monica. The family was patriotic and served as active members of the Philippine Independent Church.
She lived during a time when men were largely expected to play a signif-
icant role in service to the nation. She challenged the norms of the late 1800s, even learning how to drive a tractor which was considered for men only.
For the most part, her impacts on society at the time were not via grand gestures but largely through unwavering service and gentle courage. She was a voice that called for recognition of mothers, women’s suffrage and the welfare of children.
At an early age, Enriqueta was a voracious reader and was fond of writing poetic verses. She attended college at Centro Escobar University in Manila but discontinued her studies and returned to Dingras to help her mother with family responsibilities.
Enriqueta was known for looking out for the welfare of her townmates and friends.
She actively engaged in social work and became a highly-respected leader of several women’s organizations in her province, including the Ilocos Norte Women’s Club, the Dingras Women’s Club and the Provincial Women’s Club of Iocos Norte,
She also established the Puericulture Centers of Northern Luzon that cared for women and children, was an auditor of the Rural Credit Association of Northern Luzon, and served as a delegate to the 1920 Infant Mortality Conference in Manila.
Enriqueta also proposed the celebration of a Mother’s Day to the National Convention of Women’s Club and worked for the passage of a legislation that granted Filipino women the right to vote.
While working on a number of women’s causes, Enriqueta kept busy composing poems, ultimately becoming one of the most well-known poets in the Ilocos region.
Her work focused on patriotic themes such as the Philippine flag and included verses directed to Jose
L-R: Mila Wong, Teresita Peralta (IPAD Board Secretary and Editorial Board), Consul Pamela F. Durian-Bailon, (Acting Head of Post, Phil. Consul Gen.), Patricia De Peralta Quiason (Editorial Board Dept. of Indo-Pacific Languages, UH, a grandniece of Enriqueta De Peralta), Consul Liezel Jane Caasi (Dept. of Foreign Affairs) and Professor Aurelio Agcaoili, PhD.
Rizal, Juan Luna and other national heroes.
Written in Ilocano, her poems were lyrical and emotional, cleverly crafted to convey a symbolic meaning. She even translated Rizal’s last poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” from Spanish to Ilocano.
Enriqueta’s inspirational poems have been included in anthologies of Ilocano poetry and served to uplift the status of women
She passed away from breast cancer on April 30, 1940 at the age of 58. She led by example and demonstrated that women have a role in advancing and improving the socio-economic conditions within the region.
With no written account of her life and achievements,
(FEATURE: A Legacy....from page 10)
with his personal life. He was married to Ana Maria “Princess” Ronquillo, a feminist and anti-poverty activist.
They raised three children: Fidel, who would become the 11th chancellor of UP Diliman; Leonid, a physician; and Lian, a preschool teacher. The family upheld the value of intellectual discourse and activism as a way of life.
Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr. died on December 19, 2024, at 89. His passing marked the end of an era, but his imprint continually motivates others. His life was a testament to
her leadership and impact on her community and country. Thus was born the book “Enriqueta de Peralta: a Woman Ahead of Her Time.”
The book includes a collection of her literary works in the original Ilocano language, accompanied by English translations. Reading through Enriqueta’s compiled works provides insight into her impact on literature and social causes, as well as her role as a trailblazer for women’s issues and cultural preservation.
Enriqueta’s name passed into obscurity despite the fact that a statue was erected in her honor by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
That all changed in 2019 when the International Professional Association of Dingras (IPAD) began efforts to recognize local personalities whose achievements not only elevated the prestige of Dingras but also resonated on national and international platforms.
When the role of women was examined in the context of nurturing Philippine nationalism and patriotism, Enriqueta emerged as a larger than life symbol of inspiration.
IPAD’s board of trustees commissioned a book in her honor that delved into
the power of ideas and the importance of standing firm in one’s principles.
At UP, his contributions as a scholar, administrator, and leader remain deeply ingrained in the institution’s fabric. The Third World Studies Center still thrives, carrying forward his vision of informed scholarship. His efforts to instill progressive education reforms have shaped generations of UP graduates nationwide.
Beyond the university, his impact on the Philippine Left and his contributions to Marxist thought resonate with activists and scholars alike. His writings inspire those seeking to un-
Grandniece Patricia said that recognition has been long overdue.
“It took her so long to be recognized because she did not have an organization behind her that kept her legacy alive. No one ever wrote her biography,” she said.
Philippine President Ferdinand B. Marcos Jr., in the book’s opening message, writes that Enriqueta “embodied the transformative vigor of the Filipina in nation-building.”
“Her life reminds us of the immense importance of those who challenge the status quo, defy boundaries and champion the cause of the marginalized and the oppressed. In her words and deeds, we truly encounter a guiding figure that urges us to pursue a world of justice, equity and compassion.”
ravel the complexities of Philippine society and social justice.
DR. MAGDALENA is an Associate Specialist at the Center for Philippine Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and was a UP graduate student on the eve of Martial Law in 1971.
DR. AQUINO (UH Professor Emeritus), herself a UP alumna, is the founding Director of the Center established in 1975 at UH Mānoa.
Magdalena is a Contributing Writer, while Aquino is a Contributing Editor, at the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle. They acknowledge Generative AI (ChatGPT) as a useful source of information but assume responsibility for any error this article may contain.
By Rose Cruz Churma
On the eve of the Filipino Chamber’s trip to Laoag to attend the Sister-Province symposium on March 3, 2025, an event hosted by the government of Ilocos Norte, it is timely to review this family history titled His Name Was Absalon: A Family Odyssey authored by Kaua‘i resident Catherine Pascual Lo.
The book’s cover is adorned by a photograph of the Laoag Plaza taken around the 1950s or 1960s when the author lived in Laoag. The town held special memories for her, especially this view of the plaza. She notes the location of the Laoag Plaza Lunch, her parents’ restaurant before the family immigrated to Hawai’i.
She also points out the location of the Laoag Public Library—“at the far end of the three buildings, located on the street corner across the post office.”
Even back then, as a school girl, she must have been interested in librar ies, because as an adult, she has chosen librarian ship as her career, retiring as the academic librarian of Kaua’i Community College.
This book was initially conceptualized as a collection of the author’s writings on the Pascual Clan of Laoag. Eventually, she asked her sisters to submit their recollections, which they did.
The resulting book is a compilation of memoirs, poetry, creative reflections, photographs, and memorabilia that showcased their various perspectives that told the story of an Ilokano family’s journey to Hawai’i and beyond.
The author starts with her dad, named Absalon but was called Chicago by his friends—a name that stuck to him until his passing, with that name Chicago inscribed on his tombstone.
As a young man, he learned the restaurant business in the city of Chicago—the name that the American soldiers can remember and pronounce.
Absalon Pascual first left the Philippines in 1928 at the age of 18 to study in the United States, but the Great Depression of the 1930s derailed his plans.
He eventually moved to Chicago and found employment in the restaurant
‘Iliahi as a family affair.”
Her mother embraced her unexpected employment as a cook, housekeeper, and laundry woman for the Burns family, while her father continued as the estate’s handyman/wait-
one another. She also remembers with aloha and gratitude the physicians who “brought health and hope to Kaua’i” which is in contrast to the recollection of other sakada descendants whose remembrance of those days is depressing.
business. In 1933, he had saved enough money and returned home to Laoag and opened the Laoag Plaza Lunch and a two-room inn which he successfully owned and managed until the Japanese Occupation.
The business climate during the post-war years was bleak. Coming to Hawai’i to work in the plantations seemed the best option—so he went to Vigan to apply with the HSPA who were recruiting contract laborers for the Territory of Hawai’i. He was denied—he was too educated.
The next time around, he and his friends downplayed their academic history, roughened their hands and palms with dirt, and were accepted the second time around.
He sailed on the second voyage of the S.S. Maunawili from Port Salomague in Cabugao arriving in Kaua’i on March 15, 1946.
Eight years later, his family joined him in Kaua’i, where they first lived in the ‘Iliahi Estate, home of Caleb and Florence Burns. Caleb Burns Sr. was then the manager of Lihue Plantation.
The story of Absalon Pascual comprised Chapter One. Chapter Two was devoted to ‘Iliahi, the plantation manager’s mansion. The author recalls how her father “envisioned work at the
Chapter Three was devoted to the author’s mother, and the next five were each allocated to the daughters of Absalon Pascual (Catherine was the second oldest). Absalon had five daughters, but Chapter Nine was on Pablo Alejandro—his hanai son, and the five sisters’ hanai brother.
Chapter Ten is aptly titled “The Family Album.” It is formatted as a photo album of the family but carefully labeled and annotated. Chapter Eleven is a short chapter of three pages on the family home in Hanamaulu—republished from the author’s earlier publication called Hanamaulu Town Celebration released in 2005.
Both printed and primary sources were carefully noted. A glossary is also included—where origins of “foreign” words that were used (whether it is Tagalog, Ilokano, Visayan, French, or Latin) are noted.
What fascinated me about this book was the level of detail that the author remembered of her childhood. In the process, we get glimpses of the day-to-day life of that bygone era—whether she was describing the pastoral landscapes of Ilocos Norte or the plantation days in Kaua’i.
The Pascual Family’s links to their employers—Florence and Caleb Burns, are also notable for the mutual affection and respect they held for
We hope others would do the same—write down their remembrances for the next generation. The stories collected here were shared by those who lived it—the primary sources.
For future historians, these publications will be their printed or secondary sources. The author has meticulously checked the accuracy of the shared stories by purposely getting multiple perspectives.
When I arrive in Laoag in a few days, I will view the city with a certain curiosity. I wonder if the plaza still looks like how it is pictured on the cover. The Pascual’s Laoag Plaza Lunch is no more, but there will be other food places—a McDonald’s perhaps or a Jollibee?
The foreground of the photo is the steps to the Ilocos Norte Capitol. When we walk up those steps to pay a courtesy call to the current governor, I will hear the distant rumble of drums, that once upon a time, a girls’ scout by the name of Catherine Pascual had played a snare drum as they marched in the parade in front of the Capitol. Oh, so long ago!
ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an online advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the Philippines and those written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at kalamansibooks@gmail.com.
By Gary Hooser
Dreaming into the wind is not enough. While somewhat therapeutic, it will not solve the challenges before us.
We can march, boycott, call legislators, send emails, and take the miscreants and oligarchs to court - and we should and we must.
At the end of the day, we must somehow chart a course that brings us out the other side, not just intact, but better off from where we entered.
Regardless of political party, Democratic, Republican, Reform, Libertarian, Socialist, Natural Law, Constitution, Democratic Workers, Green, or Independent - we’re all in this together.
My hope is we might find common ground, block the poor decisions of President Trump and Musk, and work together towards a brighter future - for all of us.
Yes, I’m a dreamer. But “You gotta have a dream; If you don’t have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true?” (South Pacific).
To move forward together, we must believe without question every human being, regardless of skin color, country of birth, size of bank account, age, religion, abilities, disabilities, or sexual identity, is entitled to equal treatment under the law and our collective diversity makes us better and stronger.
Kindness, empathy, mutual respect, and giving those with less a hand up when our situation allows us to do so - are essential attributes of citizens in the world I want to live in.
Those who have more must give more. Those who consume more, have a greater responsibility to replenish and preserve the commons.
Those who bring harm
to people and the planet must be held accountable. We must be able to sleep safely in our homes protected by community-based law enforcement professionals. A strong, independent judicial system is a must.
We deserve food, water, air, and a natural environment that’s clean and healthy. We support government oversight that values health, and environmental protection above industry profits. Regulatory capture is unacceptable.
The corporatization of healthcare must end. Medicare for all must be the norm.
Anyone working 40 hours per week deserves a living wage and a safe work environment. All workers are entitled to organize and collectively negotiate with their employer.
Waste and fraud within government is unacceptable and a comprehensive longterm strategy must be developed to address this issue.
Violent criminals must be prevented from entering the U.S. Those here illegally found guilty of committing violent crimes must be deported or incarcerated.
Others who’ve fled their countries due to political strife or societal hardship must be offered options that preserve their safety and human dignity.
We live in a country of abundant wealth. Those at the top must pay their fair share.
The U.S. must embrace its role as a force for democracy and peace in the world.
We must shift from being the largest supplier of military munitions on the planet to being the largest supporter of education, healthcare, agriculture, and energy.
We must expand our interconnectedness with both friends and adversaries rather than pursue a path of isolationism and confrontation.
Corporations are not people. Dark money must be eliminated. Full public funding of elections, with safeguards to prevent abuse, must be the norm.
Our voting systems must be secure, have independent oversight, and include an auditable paper trail.
89 million Americans, 36% of the country’s voting-eligible population, did not vote in the 2024 general election (University of Florida Election Lab).
Hawaii was at the bottom with only 50% of voters turning out,
Both locally and nationally - if just a few more voters showed up, and a few more candidates who share our vision threw their hats in the ring - we could flip this whole thing on its head. It’s not about which political party you support - it’s about core values, getting involved, and taking ownership of our democracy.
GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.
By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
Shiri (32), Ariel (4), and Kfir (9 months) Bibas— three names that have been etched in my heart.
Their names have echoed in my mind as I watched the news of their release—not into freedom, but as lifeless bodies returned by Hamas, alongside retired journalist Oded Lifschits (83).
My heart sank, and my soul ached. That night, as my husband and I prayed, I couldn’t hold back my tears.
We asked God to comfort the loved ones of the Bibas family and all those affected by war. We pleaded for His mercy on the suffering and for justice to prevail over the senseless
loss of innocent lives.
My heart was shattered, yet at the same time, I found assurance—God is still good. He is a God of justice. He still reigns over all the earth, and in His time, He will make all things right and new.
As a parent, I cannot begin to fathom the pain of losing my children. As a spouse, I cannot comprehend the agony of losing the love of my life.
But Yarden Bibas has endured both, along with the torment of captivity, separated from his family.
The Bibas family is not alone. They are a stark reminder of the atrocities and collateral damage wrought by war.
They represent hundreds, even thousands of
families torn apart by conflicts driven by religious, political, and ideological divides.
There are countless unseen and unheard victims—mothers like Shiri, children like Ariel and Kfir, grandparents like Oded—whose lives and dreams have been stolen by hatred and selfish ambition.
And there are grieving parents like Yarden, mourning in silence as the world moves on. All because of war. All because of selfishness. What have
we become? How broken this world truly is.
The brutal deaths of the Bibas mother and children have stirred hearts across the world, igniting cries for justice. I pray for change. I pray for war to cease.
Perhaps it is wishful thinking, but I hold onto the truth that life on this earth is temporary. One day, wars will end. Peace and justice will prevail. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering.
Until that day comes, as we continue to witness strife and heartbreak, let us not lose hope.
Let us pray unceasingly for the innocent caught in the crossfire, for the families waiting desperately for their loved ones to return, and for those forced to flee in search of safety.
Let us not just march in the streets but storm the heavens with our prayers—pleading for peace to reign and for justice to be served.
That night, as I lifted up the Bibas family and all those suffering in war-torn places, I wept. But even through the tears, peace settled in my heart.
My God still reigns. He is still on the throne. Wickedness is fleeting, and in the end, good will triumph. The God of victory is coming again, and He will restore all things. The pain of this world is not forever.
What the enemy meant for evil, He will turn for good.
So in this world of darkness and conflict, let not our hearts be troubled. We can take heart— for He has overcome the world.
By Keli‘i Akina
Hawaii taxpayers have barely had a chance to enjoy the benefits of the personal income tax cut passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Josh Green last year, but some lawmakers already are looking for ways to undermine it.
An unofficial tally of potential tax or fee increases under consideration during the 2025 session found at least 60 sprinkled throughout the more than 3,000 bills that were introduced, including the so-called green fee that would increase the state transient accommodations tax by almost 20% from
10.25% to 12%.
Other tax-hike measures include a new wealth asset tax and a tax on retail deliveries.
Some legislators also proposed a massive proposed carbon tax increase, but that thankfully will not move forward because it failed to meet an administrative deadline.
And then there’s SB1043, which is the good, the bad and the ugly of confusing tax policy all rolled up in one.
In this bill, we find an exemption for groceries and medical services from the state general excise tax; an increase in the GET for everything
else; an exemption for unemployment pay from the state income tax; a restructuring of the deductions and brackets of the state income tax; and a new “privilege tax” of an undefined amount aimed at many state businesses.
Its companion bill in the House, HB959, fortunately has been deferred, but SB1043 is still alive and Hawaii taxpayers can only hope that this will meet the same fate as its House companion. Thankfully, not every one of the dozens of taxor fee-hike bills introduced each year will be enacted into law. Many are introduced simply as discussion-starters.
But this flurry of bills is still worth noting because it shows how oblivious some of our lawmakers are when
it comes to the impact taxes are having on our daily struggles to cope with Hawaii’s high cost of living.
Regardless of whether a bill is well intentioned or features a mix of both positive and negative proposals, lawmakers should not be considering any measure that would ultimately make it harder for us to get by.
There are good reasons Hawaii residents are leaving the state in droves, and the state’s high tax burden is one of them.
For sure, state lawmakers should not be trying to increase the state GET. It is well known that the GET is a regressive tax that falls most heavily on the least fortunate.
Even an increase in
the transient accommodation tax, supposedly aimed at affecting only tourists, is sure to hurt local families.
Lawmakers should be especially wary of claims that a bill will help bring in big revenues for the state, because that’s just code for “This is a massive tax hike.”
No, Hawaii doesn’t need new tax schemes to “generate revenue.” We need policies that will lower our cost of living, increase job and business opportunities, and put our state on a path to becoming more affordable and prosperous for all. Those are the kinds of legislative proposals that I would love to see.
KELI‘I AKINA is president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
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By Bermie Dizon
While picking up our mail at the Pasadena Post Office, I had the chance to talk to fellow Altadenans, all affected by the fire.
Most had lost their homes. Some, like me, had houses that were spared but suffered smoke damage.
As I listened to their stories, my heart ached. Some were renting apartment units, having lost everything—treasured belongings, irreplaceable memories—without the safety net of insurance.
Many looked lost, their eyes searching for hope in the ashes.
That night, sleep eluded me. Their stories played over in my mind.
Then, just a few days ago, I attended a memorial service for an aunt we deeply loved. On that same day, a pastor—a
dear friend, a brother in Christ—died suddenly.
My heart is still mourning. Once again, I ask the question: Where is Jesus in this?
Honestly, I struggle with moving forward.
Yet, I turn to scripture and find these words:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
As a child, I heard stories of heroes who conquered their battles, where hardships were neatly wrapped up with triumphant endings. But adulthood has taught me differently.
Real life doesn’t always bring picture-perfect victories. Survival often looks less like a grand moment of triumph and more like the qui -
(LINGERING THOUGHTS: The Trump-Musk ....from page 6)
He has the resources and riches to do what he wants when he wants.
Who can replace Musk? The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an agency that should be involved with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and not Musk.
The GAO has been in service for our nation for 104 years, and these individuals are capable and qualified to do things properly.
It has been reported that Musk’s net worth
has increased by over $60 billion since Trump has been in office, and we are witnessing firsthand in real-time how big money influences politics and government decisions.
Musk provided Trump with more than $250 million to get elected. His risk paid dividends, and he has carefully used his money to scam his way into the Oval Office and get his greedy hands upon the U.S. Treasury.
Many Trump loyalists say it’s okay because Trump and Musk are friends, and
et endurance of simply moving forward—waking up when you’d rather hide, pressing on when every fiber of your being cries for rest.
Yet, in pain, I’ve discovered something—resilience isn’t about always feeling strong; it’s about continuing even when we feel weak.
When we feel shattered, God’s grace carries us. When we have no strength left, He becomes our strength.
The miracle isn’t just that we endure—it’s that God walks with us through every painful step.
Yes, life can be messy. Yes, the weight of suffering can feel unbearable. But every small step forward is proof that God is holding us together.
Even in the quiet struggle, even in the unseen perseverance, there is victory. There is purpose.
Musk is supportive of Trump. For others, the quid pro quo is nauseating.
The fact is Musk is loyal to his bottom line and those who help him make millions of dollars in profits. His latest best buddy is Trump, and many feel Musk is playing Trump for his own interests. From Trump’s perspective, it doesn’t hurt to have the richest man in the world as a BFF.
Musk is even seen as someone with more power and influence than the vice president, and in
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So today, if you feel shattered, take heart. You don’t have to move forward alone. I don’t have to move forward alone
The One who created us walks beside us, whispering strength into our weary souls. Keep going—not just because life demands it, but because God’s grace enables it.
And in that, we find the quiet miracle of survival.
As I write this, I realize something—I am also speaking to myself.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we feel weary. Life
some quarters, Musk is seen as the de facto president. Yikes! What a terrible thought!
No one knows how long this honeymoon between Musk and Trump will last, but hopefully, it doesn’t last too long as the United States is not for sale to the highest bidder.
Musk knows an opportunity when he sees it, and he’s taking full advantage of it.
The president is playing along because I suspect and predict that in four years after Trump is
feels relentless, and our strength is failing. But we know You are with us. Help us to take one more step, to trust in Your sustaining grace. Remind us that we are not alone and that even in our brokenness, You are working. Thank You for walking with us when we feel so alone. Amen.
BERMIE DIZON is a retired pastor of Grace Communion International (GCI), Glendora, CA and a former writer for USA Tribune for nine years. He is also the author of the book “God, In Every Step” which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other outlets.
out of office, these two individuals will be working on their private interests to benefit their fortunes.
Knowing Trump, this relationship will continue, and the loud voices of opposition and resistance will only grow louder and stronger.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and State Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues
