Los ANGeLes — Alexander Baldonado, a filipino American physician from Queens, New York, has been found guilty of submitting over $24 million in fraudulent claims to medicare for unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces.
Court documents show Baldonado, 69, received tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering laboratory tests, including expensive cancer genetic tests that were billed to medicare.
Baldonado authorized hundreds of cancer genetic tests for medicare beneficiaries who attended CoVID-19 testing events at assisted living facilities, adult day care centers and a retirement community in 2020.
“Baldonado was not treating any of the patients who attended the testing events and, in many cases, did not speak to or examine the patients prior to ordering cancer genetic tests and other laboratory tests for them,” stated a press release from the U.s Department of Justice, dated feb. 11.
Baldonado also billed medicare for office
What does Pres. Trump’s birthright citizenship order mean for immigrants?
the three weeks since President trump’s inauguration has brought a regular slurry of executive orders — including one ending birthright citizenship. the order, issued on the first day of trump’s presidency, January 20, argued that the policy granting automatic citizenship to babies born on U.s. soil — as ensured by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution granting citizenship to people “born or naturalised in the United states and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” — does not include people with no U.s. citizen parent.
Although the order is effective february 19, at least eight lawsuits have been filed against it by at least 22 states and several civil rights organizations, and three federal judges in Washington, maryland and New hampshire have blocked it. the order would apply if a child’s mother were undocumented or had a legal but temporary immigration status, and if the father were not a U.s. citizen or a legal permanent resident.
Marcos
Palace on Duterte’s tirades vs Marcos: ‘No comment’
mANILA — the Palace has “no comment” on former President rodrigo Duterte’s tirades against President ferdinand marcos Jr. during the proclamation rally of Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) senatorial bets. reporters sought a reaction to Duterte’s remarks during thursday evening’s (february 13) rally. Presidential Communications office Acting secretary Cesar Chavez only said, “No comment here.”
In his speech, Duterte once again accused marcos of being addicted to illegal drugs, saying that by the age of 80, marcos is probably “no longer moving.” merong isang presidente na talagang bangag. [hindi naman] buang, pero ‘yung bisyo ng droga long term ‘yan. maging ulol si marcos. maybe constant use of heroin — aabot pa siguro siya ng 80, pero sa panahon na ‘yan, hindi na siya gumagalaw,” Duterte said. (There is one president who is really on drugs.
mALACAÑANG has ruled out any Cabinet reorganization amid rumors that two more members of President ferdinand marcos Jr.'s official family have resigned. speaking to reporters in Pasay City on thursday, february 13, executive secretary Lucas Bersamin said he does not want to "dignify speculations."
"I do not know yet how true they are or if there is any basis. But usually, speculations are very ... are always there," Bersamin said when asked if Information and Communications technology secretary Ivan Uy and Presidential Communications
secretary Cesar Chavez are on their way out.
"And we cannot tell you until it already happened because, you know, we do not have compelling reasons. But speculations are rife. so, we just cannot dignify speculations," he added.
Uy has been criticized for spending more time traveling abroad than running his department. the president has so far resisted making any changes.
Chavez announced on thursday he would go on leave and named Presidential Communications senior Undersecretary emerald ridao as officer-in-charge of the
mANILA — President ferdinand marcos Jr. asked voters to choose between returning to the horrible times or moving toward a brighter future, as he once again endorsed the administration's senatorial candidates.
In his speech during the rally of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in Iloilo City on thursday, february 13, the president told filipino voters to choose with their future in mind. the president said the candidates of the administration slate were "not here to oppose; they are here to propose.”
Iloilo province is considered a vote-rich area with 1,649,730 voters, according to the Commission on elections (Comelec). should we go back to the past where our country is being sold off as a gambling pot for foreigners? must we go back to times when our streets are filled with blood from innocent children taken away from their homes and mothers, their future being snatched?" marcos said, without specifying who he was referring to.
"You know, we are only choosing between two options. shall we choose to go back to those terrifying times or move to a future that is bright, peaceful, and better for all filipinos," he added. n
are
“either nakatindig lang ‘yan sa kuwarto niya or natutulog,” he added.
(Either he is standing in his room or sleeping.)
Duterte also made a remark suggesting that current senators should just be killed to make room for the PDP slate.
“Ngayon, marami kasi sila. Ano dapat ang gawin natin? eh ‘di patayin natin ‘yong mga senador u
Not crazy, but drug addiction is long-term. Marcos will be crazy. Maybe constant use of heroin. Maybe he could reach the age of 80, but by that time, he is no longer moving.)
a bill that
visa process to reunite filipino World War II veterans with their families. the filipino Veterans family reunification Act of 2025, reintroduced by senators mazie hirono (D-hI) and Lisa murkowski (r-AK), along with representatives ed Case (D-hI)
“Despite the service and sacrifices of
soldiers who bravely fought on behalf of our
World War II, many of these veterans still haven’t been able to reunite permanently with their loved ones in the U.s.,” said hirono in a statement. “the filipino Veterans family reunification Act would help expedite this process so these veterans can finally
mANILA — health secretary teodoro herbosa says the Philippines should not solely rely on international donors as the government scrambles to look for alternative sources to fund crucial programs worth $262 million (about P15 billion) following U.s. President Donald trump’s order to halt tens of billions of dollars in overseas aid.
the freeze order will affect the Department of health’s (Doh) human immunodeficiency virus
and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (hIV/AIDs), malaria and tuberculosis (tB) programs amounting to $168 million (P9.77 billion), and the Department of education’s (Deped) 5-Point reform Agenda worth $94 million (P5.5 billion). these are all supported by the U.s. Agency for International Development (UsAID).
“With growing nationalistic and individualistic idealism spreading across countries,
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang file photo
by AJPress Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa
A BIPArtIsAN group of United states lawmakers
reintroducing
would speed up the
Palace on Duterte’s tirades...
ngayon para mabakante. eh
kung makapatay tayo tanang mga kinse na senador, eh pasok na tayo lahat.” (right now, there are many of them. What should we do? Well, let’s just kill the current senators so there will be vacancies. if we manage to kill all 15 senators, then we can all get in.)
It was not the first time that Duterte accused marcos of using illegal drugs.
In January 2024, Duterte claimed that marcos was a “drug addict then and a drug addict now as president.”
he added that marcos was allegedly once on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA).
After Duterte accused him of being a drug addict, marcos released a medical certification
(left) and former President Rodrigo Duterte
proving there was no trace of drug abuse in his body. he also attributed the allegation to Duterte’s alleged fentanyl use.
“I think it’s the fentanyl. fentanyl is the strongest painkiller you can buy. It is highly
addictive and it has very serious side effects and PrrD (Duterte) has been taking the drug for a very long time now,” said marcos in an ambush interview then. the PDeA denied Duterte’s claim that marcos was on a drug watch list. n
Fil-Am doctor convicted of $24M Medicare...
visits but many of the patients testified that they had never met the fil-Am physician. In some cases, the patients never
NO. SP614R-25
the southern California regional rail Authority (sCrrA) is seeking proposals for It staff Augmentation services. Proposal documents may be downloaded at sCrrA’s website at http:// www.metrolinktrains.com/ contracts. Proposals are due on 04/10/2025. for further information contact: tammi Phillips, Contract and Compliance Administrator, at Phillipst@ scrra.net.
2/15/25
CNs-3890978#
AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
received the results of the tests billed to medicare.
An undercover video presented as evidence showed Baldonado receiving a large sum of cash in exchange for signed prescriptions for orthotic braces.
“the medically unnecessary laboratory tests and orthotic braces that Baldonado ordered in exchange for illegal kickbacks and bribes caused medicare to be billed more than $24 million,” the press release said. medicare paid more than $2.1 million to the laboratories and the durable medical
equipment supply company involved in the schemes.”
Baldonado was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud; six counts of health care fraud; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United states and to pay, offer, receive and solicit health care kickbacks; one count of conspiracy to defraud the United states and to receive and solicit health care kickbacks; and one count of solicitation of health care kickbacks. Baldonado is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26. (inquirer. net)
US senators reintroduce bipartisan bill...
be reunited with their families.
these soldiers served our country with honor and courage and this bill is an important step towards helping them receive the benefits they deserve.” the legislation aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by exempting the children of naturalized filipino World War II veterans from existing visa quotas, removing the decadeslong backlog that has kept them apart.
Nevada, home to one of the largest filipino American communities in the country, stands to benefit significantly from this legislation.
“filipino veterans served our country admirably during World War II, but outdated laws have prevented them from reuniting with their loved ones in the United states,” said senator Jacky rosen (D-NV), who helped introduce the legislation. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to expedite visa processing for the children of these heroes to ensure they can reunite. I’ll always push to honor our veterans for their service to our nation.” more than 260,000 filipino soldiers fought under the American flag during World War II, answering the U.s. call to defend the Philippines and the Allied cause. however, despite their bravery and sacrifices, these veterans were denied U.s citizenship and military benefits due to the rescission Acts of 1946, which stripped them of the same rights granted to other Allied soldiers.
It was not until 1990 that President George h.W. Bush granted citizenship to approximately 26,000 filipino veterans, but the law failed to extend citizenship or residency rights to their children. As a result, many families remained separated, with visa applicants often waiting decades due to immigration caps. to address this, in 2016, senator hirono successfully advocated for the filipino World War II Veterans Parole (fWVP) program, allowing veterans to temporarily reunite with their adult children and other close relatives. however, fWVP did not provide permanent residency solutions, and the backlog continued. the filipino Veterans family reunification Act of 2025 provides a long-term fix by ensuring these children can obtain green cards without being subjected to global visa limits.
the bill enjoys bipartisan and bicameral backing, with cosponsors in both the senate and the house, including senators Dan sullivan (r-AK), richard Blumenthal (D-Ct), Cory Booker (D-NJ), maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez masto (DNV), tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie sanders (I-Vt), Brian schatz (D-hI), and elizabeth Warren (D-mA).
In the house, representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Jill tokuda (D-hI) have also signed on in support.
“the filipino veterans who fought for their homeland
and for the Allied cause in World War II are seeing their numbers dwindling and have been patiently waiting for the time when they can finally reunite with their loved ones,” said representative ed Case. “As these veterans near the end of their lives, they deserve the certainty of a non-revocable permanent solution.” the bill has been supported by Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AfL-CIo Church World service, filipino Young Leaders Program, human rights first, Immigration hub, Interfaith Welcome Coalition - san Antonio, Japanese American Citizens League, Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National federation of filipino American Associations (NaffAA), National Immigration forum, Pilipino Workers Center, PWC, search to Involve Pilipino Americans (sIPA), southeast Asia resource Action Center, UndocuBlack Network, Veterans for American Ideals, Wind of the spirt Immigrant resource Center. If passed, this legislation would mark a historic step in recognizing the sacrifices of filipino WWII veterans by ensuring their families are finally given the chance to reunite in the United states. As the number of surviving veterans dwindles, lawmakers and advocates stress that time is running out to grant these families long-overdue justice. n
What does Pres. Trump’s birthright citizenship...
how many immigrants may have their citizenship stripped, were the order to take effect?
About 17.6 million U.s. youth under age 18 lived with at least one immigrant parent in 2022, comprising 26% of all 68.6 million U.s. youth, up from 24% in 2010, 19% in 2000 and 13% in 1990. of these youth, 4.4 million live with an undocumented immigrant parent.
An estimated 1.3 million U.s.born adults age 18 and over were children of undocumented immigrants in 2022.
“historically, the idea of something being one’s birthright meant something exclusionary, like an inheritance of rare wealth or status,” said shanti elise Prasad, campaign manager for stop AAPI hate, at a tuesday, february 11 town hall on trump’s birthright citizenship order hosted by the organization. that tuesday, trump took the maryland federal judge’s nationwide block on his order to the 4th U.s. Circuit Court of Appeals, a sign that he is likely to challenge the Washington and New hampshire injunctions as well.
“the idea of birthright citizenship flips the script, giving everyone the same right, not a gift or privilege, the day they are born in America, independent of who their parents are,” Prasad added.
“It’s fundamental to the dream of America and what it means to be an American.” the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, after the Civil War, with the intention of granting full citizenship rights to freed African American slaves; its birthright citizenship clause has since been interpreted to include all U.s.born children, regardless of parental immigration status. the birthright amendment was challenged in a landmark supreme Court case 30 years
later, in 1898, after Wong Kim Ark, a man born to Chinese parents in san francisco in 1870, was detained upon returning from a trip to China and told he wasn’t a U.s. citizen because his parents weren’t. the supreme Court ruled in favor of Wong that year, affirming that all U.s.-born children are U.s. citizens.
“When I found out about my family’s history, I thought it was history. But now it’s become a very contemporary threat, and it will disenfranchise millions of us,” Wong’s grandson Norman Wong said at the town hall.
“If we’re to be free in this country, if we’re to keep this country together, we need to be welcomed,” he added.
the U.s. is among at least 33 countries where birthright citizenship applies; most are in the Americas, with Canada and mexico among them.
While the president can’t change the Constitution alone through an executive order, the Constitution can be amended by a two-thirds Congressional majority vote.
Cecilia Wang, national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed the first of the lawsuits challenging the birthright citizenship order, two hours after it was released, said of her case “Not only were there pregnant women immigrants involved whose children would be affected by the executive order but our plaintiffs were involved with organizations all of which had members who would be affected by the order.” the organizations involved in the ACLU New hampshire suit include New hampshire Indonesian Community support, make the road New York, Asian Law Caucus, state Democracy Defenders fund and LULAC, the largest community based Latino organization in the country.
“In attacking minority communities, he’s putting forth an exclusive view of what
it means to be American and attacking ‘e pluribus unum,’ ‘out of many, one,’” Wang continued. “there’s no doubt that trump went after birthright citizenship for the same reason he’s going after other antidiscrimination laws.” these include orders rolling back Diversity, equity and Inclusion initiatives and a January 21 order rescinding Lyndon Johnson’s executive order 11246, which had maintained anti-discrimination and affirmative action laws for race and gender among federal contractors and subcontractors. even aside from the lawsuits against it, implementing the birthright order would require a complete rework of the current system for issuing birth certificates and passports.
“ t rump has control over the Department of s tate, which issues passports, but when a child is born in the U. s ., the state issues a birth certificate, and states don’t ask about the parents immigration status,” added Wang. “If they start requiring proof of the parents’ immigration or nationality, that means everybody applying for a passport now has to provide that proof from their parents.” this isn’t just an immigration policy shift. It’s a calculated move within a larger authoritarian playbook aimed at shrinking democratic participation, creating a permanent underclass and expanding right wing control,” said manjusha Kulkarni, cofounder of stop AAPI hate.
“We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without birthright citizenship,” she continued. “It has given generations, millions of us, the ability to build lives and raise families here without a fear for our futures, with equality for all children. this attack on our families is an attack on our identity as Americans,” Kulkarni added. (Selen ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)
PAGE
Bondoc
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Malacañang file photos
Alexander Baldonado, 69, received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering unnecessary laboratory tests Photo from Facebook/AlexBaldonado
As ICE sightings flood social media, Immigration advocates push for accuracy
As reports of alleged U.s Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICe) sightings flood social media and new interactive mapping platforms, immigrant rights advocates are urging people to verify claims before posting.
Posts documenting suspected immigration enforcement have been spreading online since the inauguration of President Donald trump, whose administration has reportedly directed ICe to set quotas for arrests. trump also ended policies that prevented immigration officers from arresting immigrants at sensitive locations like schools and churches.
on Jan. 26, homeland security Investigations’ L.A. office posted on X that it was working with local ICe and DeA partners to conduct “enhanced law enforcement operations” in line with trump administration priorities.
Well-intentioned, unverified and unclear posts documenting immigration activity can lead to “fear and hysteria,” said longtime community activist Carlos montes, and in turn, “people don’t take the kids to school, don’t go to work, don’t go out shopping.”
“It creates this semblance of paralysis in the community,”
said montes, a member of social justice group Centro Cso Groups like Centro Cso and Legalization for All have shared guides for the public to grasp how to film immigration enforcement activity ethically and to recognize the differences between raids, checkpoints, and arrests. they urge the public to take photos or video from a safe distance without exposing the identities of those being targeted and to take note of exact date, time, and location. some guides recommend against livestreaming to avoid creating unnecessary fear if the event is not an immigration operation.
An illustration by Barrio Drive titled, “spread Power Not Panic,” urges the public to report ICe sightings to local rapid response networks. the Los Angeles rapid response Network has been in place since about 2006, but it has taken on an added sense of urgency after trump was elected president in November.
Led by the Coalition for human Immigrant rights (ChIrLA), the network is seeking volunteers to help verify reports of immigration activity.
ChIrLA’s spokesman Jorgemario Cabrera said the public should share their documentation
with the network by calling their hotline at 888-624-4752. he urges people to be as descriptive as they can in their reporting. once they receive a report, the network activates volunteers to investigate and determine if it needs to send an attorney or case manager to the scene, Cabrera said.
By publicly posting unverified reports, Cabrera said, “We’re then spreading panic and we are assisting in the psychological warfare that the trump administration is pursuing.”
“We should be spreading information about ‘Know Your rights,’” Cabrera said. “We want to help the community empower themselves.” on the eastside, the Boyle heights Immigrant rights Network was recently reactivated and also offers a rapid response team. People can call (323) 8051049 to report a suspected ICe sighting.
A new interactive mapping site called People over Papers displays a map of the United states dotted with pins of anonymous users reporting immigration activity in several states like Alabama, texas and California. It urges people to use the information “with caution and account for human error,”
Filipino students at Princeton call for Tagalog language program
Gavin maRtinez Inquirer.net
foLLoWING in the footsteps of harvard and Yale, which have already introduced tagalog language courses, the Princeton filipino Community Board (PfC) recently organized the inaugural filipino Ivy League (fIL) Conference in hopes to integrate a tagalog class offering at the university. the conference was a significant step in amplifying the voices of filipino students across Ivy League institutions, particularly in their advocacy for a formal filipino language program at Princeton. the event attracted over 100 students from various Ivy League schools, with approximately 40 participants coming from Princeton alone.
In an opinion piece published by The Daily Princetonian, a student writer urged the university to offer a filipino language program, drawing comparisons to Princeton’s recent announcement of a haitian Creole course set to launch in fall 2025 or spring 2026. the article argued that filipino students, like their haitian counterparts, deserve the opportunity to deepen their cultural connections through language studies. the demand for a tagalog course at Princeton is about
representation, identity and cultural pride.
With the Philippines being one of the top countries of origin for U.s. immigrants, the inclusion of tagalog in Princeton’s curriculum would acknowledge the growing filipino American presence and their contributions to society.
During the fIL Conference, one of the key highlights was a presentation by a member of the Penn Philippine Association (PPA), who emphasized the importance of preserving the filipino language within the U.s meanwhile, Yale’s Kasama Club shared insights into their successful efforts to introduce a filipino language course at Yale, inspiring Princeton students to pursue a similar initiative.
“our initiative is to try to have tagalog language courses taught here at Princeton,” PfC member soberano stated in an interview with the Daily Princetonian. “We want to use this conference as a foundation to generate significant interest in learning more about filipino culture and language.”
As Princeton continues to expand its language offerings, filipino students remain hopeful that their advocacy will lead to the establishment of a formal filipino language course. n
LOVE AND PEACE. Col. Hansel Marantan, Acting Director of the Davao City Police Office, leads the distribution of flowers to Dabawenyos along San Pedro Street on Friday, February 14. The DCPO’s annual Valentine’s Day tradition promotes peace and reminds residents to share love and kindness. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
US aid freeze affectsP15 billion worth...
the responsibility to fund health initiatives cannot fall solely on international donors. International financing, though crucial, cannot be relied upon indefinitely. sole reliance on external aid is not a sustainable financing model,” herbosa said at Wednesday’s, february 12 first meeting of the Philippine Country Coordinating mechanism for the Global fund.
“Now, it is clear that governments, including ours, must recognize our own priorities and take more responsibility for financing these priorities in our national health budgets—lessening our dependence on international funding cycles and external decisions and protocols,” he added.
Largest donor It was reported during the meeting that the decline in foreign fund allocations may pose significant challenges as the government uses the support of the Global fund to fight AIDs, tuberculosis, and malaria (Gf) for essential commodities, such as secondline drugs, antiretroviral therapy and human resources for health.
the United states, through UsAID, is the largest donor
to the Gf and has contributed $26.31 billion since 2002. Washington committed up to $6 billion for the Gf’s seventh replenishment covering 2023 to 2025.
this current cycle, the Doh is set to receive—and stand to lose, most if not all—assistance from the Gf: $25 million for hIV/AIDs, $136 million for tB, and $7 million for malaria. the Doh assured it was now working to identify various sources of domestic funding through a transition and Public financial management (Pfm) Plan. Pfm aims to increase domestic health financing by mobilizing reimbursements from the Philippine health Insurance Corp., optimizing the utilization of the Doh budget, and securing alternative funding sources, such as grants, loans, and investments from local government units and the private sector.
Saving DepEd programs the Deped, meanwhile, will try to salvage programs supported by UsAID, education secretary sonny Angara said on thursday, february 13.
In a letter to U.s. Ambassador to the Philippines maryKay Carlson, Angara thanked Washington, especially UsAID, for its “long-standing support in
improving basic education in the Philippines.” he also informed Carlson about the impact of trump’s freeze order. the Philippines has five education programs funded and supported by UsAID.
these are the Advancing Basic education in the Philippines (ABC+) aimed at enhancing literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional learning; Improving Learning outcomes for the Philippines (ILoPh) strengthening the comprehensive assessment framework and policies to enhance educational standards; and strengthening Inclusive education for Blind/Deaf Children (Gabay), which supports learners with special needs.
Also affected are the Nationwide tracer study of Deped Alternative Learning system for 2022-2023, an ALs tracer study that is set for completion this month, tracking the progress and outcomes of students who completed or took part in the ALs program; and the second-Chance opportunities for out-of-school Youth (opportunity 2.0) program aimed at providing alternative learning systems and upskilling opportunities for out-of-school youth. n
Top California democrats clash over how to rein in drug industry middlemen
CALIforNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators in sacramento seem to agree: Prescription drug prices are too high. But lawmakers and the second-term governor are at odds over what to do about it, and a recent proposal could trigger one of the biggest health care battles in sacramento this year.
A California bill awaiting its first hearing would subject drug industry intermediaries known as pharmacy benefit managers, or PBms, to licensing by the state Department of Insurance. And it would require them to pass along 100% of the rebates they get from drug companies to the health plans and insurers that hire them to oversee prescription drug benefits.
But the proposal, which would impose some of the toughest PBm regulations in the nation, faces at least one major hurdle: Newsom. he vetoed a similar measure last year, unconvinced it would lower consumer costs. he signaled his intent to offer an alternative but has yet to reveal it.
Any fight over PBm reform promises to be a pricey one. Interest groups on both sides spent at least $7 million combined lobbying California lawmakers and the Newsom administration on health care last year, according to records filed with the secretary of state. this bill directly threatens the profitability of PBms going forward,” said Ge Bai, a health policy professor at Johns hopkins University who has tracked similar bills in other states. “these bills are really the result of an interindustry dog fight, and these are ridiculously fierce fights because PBms control revenue for pharmacies, as well as for manufacturers.”
the country’s top three PBms —CVs Caremark, affiliated with Aetna; Unitedhealth Group’s optum rx; and express scripts, owned by Cigna — control roughly 80% of prescriptions in the United states, according to the federal trade Commission. In theory, they leverage their buying power to extract steep discounts from drug manufacturers and pass savings along to insurance companies and employers who provide health coverage.
But as prescription drug prices continue to spiral and federal efforts to control them stall, state lawmakers are focusing on PBms, which help insurers decide which drugs their plans cover and how much patients will pay out-ofpocket to get them. however, they have been stymied by the drug industry’s secretive ecosystem of rebates, reimbursements, and obscure fees, thwarting efforts to lower drug costs.
In addition to California, PBm proposals have been introduced this legislative session in Arkansas, Iowa, and at least 20 other states as of feb. 10, according to the National Academy for state health Policy. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., have some sort of PBm regulation on the books.
And although President Donald trump has criticized PBms and vowed to “knock out the middleman,” his recent actions undoing moves to lower prescription drug prices have left some health care experts skeptical that meaningful reform will come from Washington, D.C. meanwhile, state data shows California health plan drug costs have grown by more than 50% since 2017. California
insurers spent 11% more on pharmaceuticals in 2023 than in 2022, with specialty and brandname drugs driving the increase.
Both Newsom and bill author sen. scott Wiener (D-san francisco) have said PBms play a role in high drug prices. While Wiener wants to ban some of their practices outright, Newsom has so far taken a more measured approach, calling for more disclosure and pointing to his plan for the state to manufacture its own generic drugs, which has yet to get off the ground.
In vetoing Wiener’s 2024 bill, which passed in a near-unanimous bipartisan vote, Newsom said he was unconvinced that licensing PBms would improve affordability for patients and instead directed his administration to “propose a legislative approach” to gather more data from PBms. In a statement, Newsom spokesperson elana ross noted that “Big Pharma backed the vetoed bill” and said the Democratic governor, in partnership with the legislature, will take action to address PBms this year. she declined to elaborate.
In his January budget proposal, Newsom said his administration was “exploring approaches to increase transparency” in the entire drug supply chain, not just PBms.
Industry representatives say they’re being unfairly targeted with transparency laws and regulations and blame pharmaceutical companies for setting high drug prices.
“the PBm is taking the risk on price variation, and it allows the client to have certainty on what they’re going to be paying,” said Bill head, an assistant vice president of state affairs for the Pharmaceutical Care management Association, which represents PBms. “We’re hired because it works. It saves money at the end of the day.”
he said PBms pass on more than 95% of the rebates they receive from drugmakers — a number health policy researchers say is hard to verify.
Consumer advocates say drugmakers simply raise their prices to maintain profits and PBms charge insurers far more for many medicines than pharmacies are paid to actually dispense them, a practice known as spread pricing.
A January report by the federal trade Commission found the three biggest PBms appeared to steer the most profitable prescriptions away from competitors and to their affiliated pharmacies, which they reimbursed at markups exceeding 1,000% for some drugs, including some used to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, and serious lung conditions. over a six-year period, the analysis found, those PBms and their affiliated pharmacies made roughly $8.7 billion in additional revenue by marking up prices on a sample of 51 specialty drugs.
Wiener’s latest bill, sB 41,
Authority chief Vivencio Dizon as Bautista's replacement. secretary Jimmy Bautista signified that he might need to rest because of health issues.
And the president was always solicitous of the health of his Cabinet members. so, when the
would ban such markups, as well as spread pricing, and bar PBms from receiving performance bonuses based on drug rebates. similar provisions were stripped out of last year’s bill in the final days before its passage. these are practices that only PBms are engaging in and they’re causing harm, reducing consumer choice, increasing drug costs, and it’s time to address them,” Wiener said. “I’m not going to let that idea just evaporate because of one veto.”
Clint hopkins, who has coowned Pucci’s Pharmacy in sacramento since 2016, said he often deals with complaints from frustrated patients who don’t understand drug pricing schemes and restrictions set by pharmacy benefit managers.
he’s had to turn away customers whose drugs can cost him hundreds of dollars in losses each time they’re filled and says spread pricing is helping drive independent pharmacies out of business.
“I’m not asking to be paid more. I am asking to be paid fairly — at cost or above.”
Under current law, California requires PBms to disclose some information about drug rebates, and other information, to its clients. that data is often labeled as proprietary to the companies, leaving an incomplete picture of the supply chain, said maureen hensley-Quinn, a senior program director at the National Academy for state health Policy.
PBm representatives say pharmacies, insurers, and other actors in the supply chain should have to disclose information about their profits and practices, too.
“You want to look under the hood?” head said. “We’re open to that, but let’s look under everybody’s hood.”
Bai said lawmakers are likely going after PBms because insurers are one portion of the supply chain that they have the power to regulate. But she warned such legislation could cost consumers more if drugmakers and pharmacies remain unchecked. A better approach, Bai suggested, would be to bar PBms entirely from managing benefits for generic drugs, one of their biggest revenue sources.
“In health care, there’s no saint and there’s no villain. everybody’s trying to make money,” Bai said. these fights will bring no benefit to patients unless we go to the root.”
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes california Healthline, an editorially independent service of the california Health care Foundation.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
president and secretary Bautista talked about it, it became clear to the president that secretary Bautista may really need to take a rest from official duties," he said. Bersamin also denied that the president had asked Bautista to resign. n
and to cross-reference with state or local rapid response networks.
Pins in L.A. County on People over Papers range from an alleged sighting of a federal immigration vehicle near a popular shopping center to a photo of a text thread detailing a suspected raid in a warehouse. People over Papers appears to have gone live last week on the digital platform Padlet. Celeste, a user on tiktok, says the site emerged after she and other tiktok creators began collecting ICe activity on a Google spreadsheet. Celeste requested her last name remain private for security reasons. the Beat has not independently confirmed the ownership of the account. the mapping tool began without any restrictions,
allowing anybody to submit and automatically publish a sighting, said Celeste. moderators now review submissions before publishing.
Users are asked for the time and location of their sightings, as well as to detail the number of vehicles they’re documenting and to describe the kind of uniform or clothing officers are wearing.
Pictures or videos can be uploaded. some submit photos of other social media postings from snapchat, tiktok, or Instagram alleging ICe sightings.
As of Wednesday, Celeste said a team of about 25 volunteers was moderating submissions. hopefully this reduces false reporting, duplicate reporting, inappropriate reporting,” she said.
the work has been exhausting, Celeste explained, with hundreds of submissions arriving daily since the tool went live. “I can’t guarantee that those are all accurate; some of these are just alleged sightings,” she said. With time, Celeste hopes to improve the process of removing spam or false reporting.
the work is personal for Celeste, who comes from an immigrant household.
“right now, this is a team of people that have come together with this cause in our heart, that we want to help, and provide assistance, and we’re doing that with the labor of love,” she said. “In the future we’re going to be more organized and we’re going to be able to set it up in a way that is sustainable.” (Ethnic Media Services)
DAteline PhiliPPines
Marcos administration hit for ‘abuses, excesses’
by red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net
mANILA — Davao City mayor
sebastian Duterte claimed that the administration of President ferdinand marcos Jr. has become "abusive" and "excessive," as he called on members of their party, the Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to continue fighting for the country in the pursuit of progress for the Philippines. habang nagsusumikap tayong humakbang patungo sa isang maunlad na bukas, ay pilit naman tayong hinihila pabalik ng administrasyon ni ferdinand marcos Jr. sa isang
mapang abuso at mapagmalabis na pamahalaan (While we are headed toward a prosperous tomorrow, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing us back toward an abusive and excessive government), " Duterte said in his speech at the PDP-Laban proclamation rally of the party's senatorial candidates in san Juan on thursday, february 13. he noted that the PDP-Laban was created more than 40 years ago to curb the abuses of marcos' father, former President ferdinand marcos sr. Duterte, also the party's national executive vice president, said that the party would
continue to stand not only for its members in attendance, but for every filipino whom he said was the true strength and foundation of the party. he also said that the system of government could change through the leadership of his father, former president and PDP Party Chairman rodrigo Duterte, through self-discipline and inexcessive use of public funds.
Duterte implored the party faithful not to waste the mandate of the public and the lives that were sacrificed, especially the police and military, to fight for peace and freedom in the country.
by Dominique niCole FloRes Philstar.com
mANILA — Are the 156 party-lists vying for seats in the 20th Congress truly representative of marginalized and underrepresented sectors?
A recent study suggests that majority are not.
election watchdog Kontra Daya looked into the backgrounds of nominees from each party-list running in the 2025 midterm elections.
It found that more than half (55.13%) of the 156 groups had ties to political clans, big businesses, the police and military, corruption cases or “dubious” advocacies.
this suggests that at least 1 in 2 party-lists on the ballot may not genuinely be coming from the sectors they claim to represent or advocate for.
Political dynasties of the 86 party-list groups flagged, 40 were linked to political dynasties.
In other words, about 3 in 10 party-list groups have nominees from political families. these include:
• 4Ps Party-list - Minority Leader marcelino Libanan’s children
• FPJ Panday Bayanihan - Sen. Grace Poe’s husband and son
• ACT-CIS - Sen. Raffy Tulfo’s wife and in-laws.
• Tingog Sinirangan - House speaker martin romualdez’s wife and son.
ACt-CIs, 4Ps and tingog were among the top five most voted party-list groups in the 2022 national elections, securing two to three seats each in the 19th
Congress.
Despite their ties to political dynasties, these groups say they champion crime prevention and anti-insurgency (ACt-CIs), poverty alleviation (4Ps) and regional representation (tingog). meanwhile, fPJ Panday Bayanihan is a newcomer in the party-list race, claiming to advocate for civic unity and community service among filipinos.
Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao told Philstar.com in a message that the study followed the academic definition of political clans, which is “having relatives in elective and appointive positions.”
“this contradicts Ben tulfo's claim that bailiwick is absolutely necessary. It is not. the key is power and influence,” he added.
Big business
When it comes to big businesses, 25 of the 86 flagged party-list groups had nominees holding high positions in one or more firms.
SA PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG
Case in point: the 1PACmAN Party-list, which claims to represent marginalized and displaced sectors while focusing on sports development. several of its nominees serve as board directors of Globalport 900 Inc., a holding company that develops and manages ports in the country. tGP Party-list, said to represent youth and urban poor sectors, has nominees who hold Ceo positions, including in construction firm teravera Corp. and media company eurotV Philippines. these two party-lists have incumbent representatives in the house of representatives, as they were among the 56 groups granted a seat in 2022. meanwhile, 18 party-list groups in the upcoming elections have nominees with backgrounds in the police or military, including the Duterte Youth, PBBm and Patrol Party-lists. u PAGE A7
sA PAmAmAGItAN NIto AY IBINIBIGAY ANG PAUNAWA na magsasagawa ang Lupon ng mga superbisor ng County ng san Diego ng pampublikong pagdinig sa Valley Center road Corridor Concept Plan sa ganitong paraan:
ImPormAsYoN NG PAGDINIG:
Petsa: Pebrero 26, 2025, at marso 12, 2025 oras: 9:00 a.m.
Lokasyon: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific highway, room 310, san Diego, California 92101
APLIKANte: County ng san Diego (mGA) NUmero NG ProYeKto/KAso: PDs2023-PoD-23-003
LoKAsYoN: saklaw ng Valley Center road Corridor Concept Plan ang Valley Center road at ang nauugnay nitong karapatan sa daan mula sa intersection sa Woods Valley road sa timog, hanggang sa intersection sa Cole Grade road sa hilaga.
PAGLALArAWAN NG ProYeKto: Isa itong kahilingan para sa Lupon ng mga superbisor (Lupon) na pagtibayin ang Valley Center road Corridor Concept Plan (VCrCCP) at ang kasamang ordinansa upang maisama ang VCrCCP sa Code ng mga Panregulatoryong ordinansa, upang malapat ang mga partikular na kinakailangan para sa napapailalim na segment ng Valley Center road. Nangangailangan ng dalawang pagdinig ang aksyong ito. Ihaharap ang ordinansa sa Pebrero 26, 2025, at, kung aaprubahan, itatakda ang pagpapatibay nito sa marso 12, 2025. Kabilang sa VCrCCP ang isang komprehensibong plano sa pamamahala ng access sa corridor para sa Valley Center road sa lugar ng North at south Village ng Valley Center, kabilang ang pagtugon sa kaligtasan at pangkalahatang pagpapatakbo mula sa lahat ng pananaw ng mga gumagamit ng kalsada.
KALAGAYAN NG KAPALIGIrAN: Pinapayagan ng seksyong 15164 ng CeQA ang paghahanda ng addendum sa isang dati nang nasertipikahan o pinagtibay na dokumentong pangkapaligiran kapag maliit na pagbabagong teknikal o pagbabago lang na hindi magdudulot ng mga bagong malaking epekto ang iminumungkahi sa isang proyekto. Inihanda ang isang addendum sa Pag-uulat ng Programa sa epekto sa Kapaligiran para sa Pagbabago sa Pangkalahatang Plano ng County ng san Diego (Numero ng Pangkapaligirang Pagsusuri na 02-ZA-001; sch. 2002111067) para sa Valley Center road Corridor Concept Plan (PDs-2023-PoD-23-003).
tAtAWAGANG tAUhAN: Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa proyekto, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa tagapamahala ng proyekto: Kevin Johnston (619) 458-2473 kevin.johnston@sdcounty.ca.gov PAKIKILAhoK NG PUBLIKo: maaaring lumahok ang mga miyembro ng publiko sa pulong nang personal o sa pamamagitan ng teleconference alinsunod sa mga regulasyon na ipinatutupad sa oras ng pagpupulong. Dapat bumisita ang mga nagnanais na lumahok sa pagpupulong at/o magkomento sa website ng Lupon ng mga superbisor sa: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa. html#watch. Kung mayroon kang anumang katanungan, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa Klerk ng Lupon sa (619) 531-5434 o sa publiccomment@sdcounty.ca.gov. tULoNG PArA sA mGA tAoNG mAY KAPANsANAN: makukuha ang mga agenda at talaan sa mga alternatibong format kapag hiniling. makipag-ugnayan sa kalihim sa pagdinig sa (619) 517-4193 para magtanong o humingi ng suporta para sa may kapansanan. Dapat makipag-ugnayan ang mga indibidwal na nangangailangan ng mga interpreter ng sign language sa ADA title II Coordinator sa buong County sa (619) 531-4908. hangga’t maaari, dapat isumite ang mga kahilingan para sa suporta o tulong nang hindi bababa sa 72 oras nang mas maaga sa pulong upang maihanda pa ang mga kinakailangan para rito. maaaring italaga ang isang bahagi sa harapan ng mga silid ng pagdinig para sa mga indibidwal na nangangailangang gumamit ng wheelchair o iba pang naa-access na device.
tANDAAN: Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa pagiging available ng ulat ng mga tauhan, mga alituntunin ng tagapagsalita, at mga pangkalahatang Pamamaraan sa Pagdinig, mangyaring balikan ang Impormasyon sa Pampublikong Pagdinig ng County ng san Diego na makikita sa website ng Lupon ng mga superbisor: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html.
tANDAAN: Kung kinukuwestyon mo ang aksyon na maaaring gawin sa panukalang ito sa korte, maaaring limitahan ka sa pagpapaabot lang ng mga isyung inihain mo o inihain ng ibang tao sa nabanggit na pampublikong pagdinig sa itaas, o sa sulat na ipinadala sa Pangkat ng Pagdinig sa o bago ang pagdinig. maaaring may limitasyon o kahingian ang mga tuntunin ng Pangkat ng Pagdinig sa pagsusumite ng nasabing sulat.
2/15/25
CNs-3890159# AsIAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
by Delon poRCalla Philstar.com
mANILA — two members of the “Young Guns” group in the house of representatives have proposed that all senatorial candidates – administration or opposition – should make known their positions on the impeachment of Vice President sara Duterte.
Duterte appears to have gone on another trip to Japan amid the looming legal and political storm she might face this year. her halfsister Veronica Duterte uploaded her photos with the vice president Wednesday evening, february 12, showing their bonding as they tour Japan. the office of the Vice President has yet to confirm Duterte’s whereabouts, considering she had also gone to Japan last month.
house Assistant majority Leader Pammy Zamora and rep. rodge Gutierrez, both members of the 11-man prosecution team in the house of representatives, told journalists at a news briefing that the senate candidates should make public their stand on issues of transparency, accountability and judicious use of public funds.
“they (senate bets) should also include in their platforms on how they intend to decide on those who commit what we call culpable violation of the Constitution. this is a big challenge and litmus test as to how strong the values of our candidates have on public service,” Zamora said. Gutierrez echoed the same sentiment. our take here is that voters should no longer base their preferences on popularity or personality politics. At least now, we already have an issue on how we think our senatorial candidates will fare with regard to the Duterte impeachment complaint,” Gutierrez said.
former Bayan muna congressman Neri Colmenares also asked all candidates in the 2025 polls to publicly declare their position on Duterte’s impeachment, emphasizing that accountability for public funds should be a crucial election issue.
former supreme Court associate justice Adolfo Azcuna warned on thursday, february 13 that the impeachment is in danger of being declared invalid, if senate President francis escudero will not act on it
during the remaining days of the 19th Congress. house Deputy majority Leader Paolo ortega V of La Union and manila rep. ernix Dionisio said a conviction in one of the seven articles of impeachment is enough to impeach and remove Duterte from her elective position. the house impeached Duterte on feb. 5, with 215 lawmakers supporting the motion, surpassing the required one-third vote.
A two-thirds majority vote in the senate is necessary to convict and remove the vice president from office. If convicted, Duterte would be the first vice president in Philippine history to be removed through impeachment.
NBI defends raps meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on thursday defended its decision to file a complaint against Duterte, saying it was based on alleged criminal violations and not on her political position.
NBI Director Jaime santiago emphasized that no one is exempt from the law, rejecting claims that the agency was harassing the vice president. santiago’s statement came u PAGE A7
ENDORSEMENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) joins the 12 senatorial candidates of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas during the proclamation rally in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on Tuesday, February 11. In his speech, Marcos vouched for the slate’s tried and tested records in government service. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
OPiniOn FeAtures
Hijacking the party-list
The incoming 20th Congress will have a lot on its plate, foremost of which are the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and reforms in the budget process. Citizen election monitoring arm Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting is pushing for electoral reforms, particularly governing premature campaigning and the display of campaign materials.
this week the Center for People empowerment and Governance also sounded the alarm over the “hijacking” of the party-list system by political dynasties, wealthy businessmen and other members of the elite, at the expense of groups that genuinely represent the marginalized. CeNPeG said the undermining of the party-list system weakened sectoral representation and entrenched elite rule.
In a statement, CeNPeG lamented that “decades of flawed implementation, court rulings that opened the system to almost anyone, and the entry of powerful political families and big businesses have undermined” the intent of republic Act 7941, the Party-List system Act of 1995, to promote marginalized representation.
“Instead of serving as a platform for genuine representation, the party-list system has become a backdoor for traditional politicians and economic elites to further consolidate power,” CeNPeG said. the group is pushing for reforms in the partylist system, starting with the strict enforcement of the original mandate of rA 7941, which envisions house representation for those “belonging
oVer the past two and a half weeks since President Donald trump took his oath of office as the 47th President of the United states, we’re very pleased to note that our relationship with the U.s is very positive and continues in its upward trajectory.
While there are some issues surrounding the relationship – with one of them obviously involving the new U.s. government’s immigration policy which may affect many filipinos in the United states – we are confident that our longstanding alliance and special relations will enable us to resolve these concerns in a positive and mutually satisfactory manner.
At the onset, the general tenor has been very cordial and pleasant, beginning with that congratulatory phone call to then president-elect Donald trump by President ferdinand marcos Jr., who expressed his “continuing desire to strengthen” the relationship between the two countries which is “as deep as can possibly be” because it has been in existence for a very long time. subsequently, the call of U.s secretary of state marco rubio to our foreign Affairs secretary ricky manalo – actually one of the first phone calls made by the former
The Long View
manuel l. Quezon III
the story goes something like this. When roberto romulo, who was a former IBm executive was secretary of foreign Affairs, excited staffers presented an ambitious computerization plan during a departmental budget review. the famously peppery romulo took one look at their presentation and asked, “But what about the typewriters? What do you do when there’s a brownout? this is the Philippines, you fools!” true or not, I was reminded of that story as the world’s been both astounded and horrified by the dismantling of the United states government going on under the auspices of elon musk, who cleverly transformed an obscure office, the U.s. Digital service, into the United states Department of Government efficiency (DoGe) service, and subsequently sent
to marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack welldefined political constituencies…” rA 7941 expressly prohibits from the party-list any “religious sect or denomination, organization or association, organized for religious purposes” – a provision that has been ignored, as seen in the membership of the current 19th Congress. CeNPeG also wants political dynasties and big business proxies to be disqualified from the party-list. the 1987 Constitution allocated one-half of the party-list seats to representatives of “labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.”
Under the present system, however, this requirement has been set aside, and party-list groups can represent anything and everything, including the religious sector. Citing legislation, the supreme Court has also ruled that nominees of party-list groups need not even belong to the sector sought to be represented. meaning a billionaire can be the nominee of a group representing security
guards, and a group can claim to represent all sectors of society. the party-list system is a failed experiment in marginalized representation, and needs to be either
Continued upward trajectory: US-PH relations under Trump
senator as secretary of state – was also very encouraging, with the U.s. Cabinet secretary reiterating the ironclad commitment of the U.s. to the Philippines under the 1951 mutual Defense treaty, along with an exchange of views on how security cooperation and economic ties can be expanded for shared prosperity.
this was followed by our inperson meeting with Defense secretary Gilbert teodoro and National security Advisor michael Waltz, as well as Principal Deputy National security Advisor Alex Wong and National security Council senior Director for Asia Ivan Kanapathy at the West Wing of the White house.
Just last thursday, february 6, U.s. Defense secretary Pete hegseth had an introductory phone call with secretary teodoro to discuss the alliance and the importance of re-establishing deterrence in the south China sea by working with allies and partners. Like state secretary rubio, Defense secretary hegseth also reaffirmed the “ironclad commitment” of the United states to the 1951 mDt and its importance in maintaining “a secure and prosperous IndoPacific.”
What was also significant was the discussion about enhancing the capability of the Armed forces of the Philippines – which is another positive sign that the support for our AfP modernization program
will continue, among them the $500-million long-term military financing for the Philippines, which is an initial tranche as we will continue to work with our friends from both sides in the U.s Congress who all support this initiative. on the economic front, the balance of trade between the U.s and the Philippines has generally been in our favor, considering that the U.s. continues to be our largest export market, and the trade imbalance has not been very big, unlike other countries such as China, for example.
Before proceeding to manila, I joined a luncheon forum where former Commerce secretary Wilbur ross was one of the guests, together with former National security Advisor Ambassador robert o’Brien. Both men, who served under the first trump administration, told us that nations that have a good relationship with the U.s. on the aspect of defense and trade will always be favorably looked upon by President trump – unlike some nations that they feel are “taking them for a ride,” so to speak, charging high tariffs for American goods entering their countries.
We have been doing the rounds not only in Washington, D.C. but in other states as well, interacting with business leaders and university students taking up foreign relations and diplomacy to strengthen not only our peopleto-people ties but our economic
relations to elevate the profile of the Philippines.
During an event arranged by the east-West Center in Washington on the growing trilateral partnership between the United states, Japan and the Philippines and how consequential this is for the Indo-Pacific, I spoke about the reciprocal Access Agreement signed last July between the Philippines and Japan, mirroring the Philippines-U.s. Visiting forces Agreement that facilitates joint military training and exercises.
I underscored that the U.s and Japan have committed to bolstering the Philippines economically through initiatives that include coordinated infrastructure development along the Luzon economic Corridor together with other like-minded partners, supporting the efforts of the Philippines to become economically resilient to withstand economic coercion.
there are so many things in the pipeline that we have been working on not only with regard to defense and security cooperation but on the economic aspect as well. As a matter of fact, we had a visit from a private American businessman who paid a courtesy call on the President – which is another encouraging indication that the Philippines is still very much in the radar of potential investors.
We will also be hosting a reception for the U.s.-Philippines
society (UsPs) co-chaired by the highly respected diplomat and former U.s. Ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte, and Ayala head Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. since its founding, the UsPs has been a bridge connecting both nations to ensure continuity in the relationship from one administration to another –building on whatever has been achieved to make it grow and flourish even more.
A private, non-profit organization composed of American and filipino businessmen, the U.s.Philippines society has made it a mission to build on our
longstanding ties and boost economic, trade and investment prospects between the United states and the Philippines. As I have continuously underscored on many occasions, the Philippines must be economically strong and resilient in order to become a strong as well as a reliable partner and ally of the United states. (Philstar.com)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not
* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Not friends, not partners, not even allies
agents to barge into government offices to seize control of their computer systems, putting payroll and human resources into the hands of an agency meant to do to bureaucrats what musk has done to the private sector: slash and burn at warp speed. Beds were moved into the DoGe office so musk’s team of young programmers can work 24/7, a frenetic, private sector pace bureaucracy, which clocks out at regular hours and doesn’t work weekends, can’t match. It sure couldn’t happen here! But it’s happening in Washington. The Guardian reports that the United states Agency for International Development (UsAID) is the world’s biggest donor and provides 42 percent of the world’s humanitarian assistance (a staggering percentage). If you still suffer from the delusion that things on the internet last forever, the disappearance of data on the Philippines, such as mindanao programs, should finally disabuse
you of that notion. All that’s left of what UsAID once upon a time used to do (to the tune of at least $100 million a year: rappler reports us being “the secondlargest recipient of UsAID funding in the east Asia and oceania region”), is the ghostly presence of cheerful press releases on the U.s embassy website. (But for how long?) for once, our usually infinitely resourceful man in Washington, Babes romualdez, seems at a loss. he’d been able to nimbly position the Philippines positively in terms of defense and the economy, but like everyone else, he seems blindsided by the sudden U.s. decision to suspend foreign aid pending a review, which has now become a kind of deathwatch as people place bets on how much longer UsAID has left to live.
Considering Americans are a giving culture, what accounts for this sudden revocation of the post-World War II donor policy of the U.s.? In trying to describe trump’s might makes
right, go it alone unless there’s a transaction mindset, most analysts have described it as his being an isolationist. It’s not that, per se, writes Jennifer mittelstadt who calls it trump’s being a “sovereigntist,” instead. At the heart of such thinking, which dates back to opposition to Woodrow Wilson’s proposing American membership in the post-World War I League of Nations (itself the failed precursor of today’s United Nations), is a rejection of international organizations because they diminish national sovereignty (consider Brexit).
When malaysia cut the umbilical cord of moro rebels because continued conflict risked spreading to sabah, UsAID was instrumental in helping to build up civil society not just in moro areas but in warlord-dominated mindanao in general. Indeed, as civil society in general has withdrawn from active political involvement, it’s been the American umbilical cord that has kept NGos viable. It helped
ensure a steady investment in boring democracy- and economiccompetency-building activities as our political class spent more and more of its time and energy in a kind of arms race with voters, who have become increasingly mercenary even as leaders have run out of ideas (but not appetite).
What now? Like the media, NGos are going to discover that even if they die, no one, relatively speaking will miss them. there will be many celebrating their demise along with the evaporation of American soft power.
As former President rodrigo Duterte used to say, with contempt, the American idea of official hospitality was coffee and a donut while—and here, his expression would become dreamy—the Chinese laid out lauriats for officials. two decades ago, a Chinese filipino civil society leader from mindanao told me that when the U.s ambassador went to their part of mindanao, it was like “a visit of a governor-general,” practically
“an armed invasion,” while the Chinese ambassador, by way of (a very pleasing) contrast, would make a point of visiting Chinese business associations and give them gifts of motorcycles— without preaching.
In 1997, ironically during a journalist’s trip to seoul, Washington, and Pearl harbor cosponsored by the state and Defense departments, a senior Korean editor took me aside and advised me in a low voice, “Never trust the Americans.” It’s a fundamental lesson that nonAmericans who like to believe they are “friends, partners, allies,” can once again be told by America’s enemies to take to heart. (inquirer.net)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* *
ManilaTimes.net photo Babe’s
scrapped or thoroughly overhauled. this, unfortunately, will require legislation. Voters must pick the candidates who can be counted on to push for the necessary reforms. (Philstar.com)
U.S. President Donald Trump
White House file photo
PH never promised China it would withdraw US Typhon missile – NSC
by John eriC Mendoza
mANILA — the Philippines did not make any commitment to China that it would remove the United states’ typhon midrange missile system in the country, the National security Council (NsC) said on friday, february 13.
NsC spokesperson Jonathan malaya made the remarks after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun claimed that manila made such a promise to Beijing.
the Philippines never promised the People’s republic of China (PrC) that we would withdraw the typhon missile system,” malaya said in a regular press conference of the West Philippine sea task force.
“We never made any commitment to PrC with this regard,” he added.
In a regular briefing on Wednesday, february 12, Guo said, “the Philippines has explained itself multiple times regarding the introduction of the typhon system, pledging that the deployment was ‘temporary’ and that the system will be shipped out of the country after relevant
military exercises.”
“however, it has breached such commitments, claiming [it] would acquire its own midrange system and field these deterrent capabilities, and linking the south China sea issue with the typhon system,” he added.
Guo made this statement in response to President ferdinand marcos Jr.’s off-the-cuff offer that manila will “return” the typhon missile launchers to Washington if Beijing drops its claim on the West Philippine sea and stops its harassment of filipino vessels.
“But when the People’s republic of China was asked about this, there was virtually no response,” malaya said of Guo’s response to marcos’ deal. this question was asked point blank and the reply was not responsive,” he noted.
the typhon missile arrived in the country from the United states on April 11, 2024, and was first used during the Balikatan exercises and has stayed in the country since.
Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP) chief romeo Brawner Jr. has even said that he wants for the typhon missile to
stay in the country “forever” and that he hopes the country could acquire its own. to date, the country has its own medium-range supersonic cruise missile dubbed as “Brahmos” which has a range of 290 to 400 kilometers that could travel at mach 2.8, or about three times faster than the speed of sound.
malaya then reiterated the country has a “sovereign and inherent right to upgrade its defense capabilities and opportunities which it deemed appropriate.”
the NsC official then noted that manila has never commented on Beijing’s tests, like its Dongfeng medium-range ballistic missiles which could reach the country.
“We never criticized, we never commented even on their continued improvement of their offensive capabilities,” malaya said.
“so feel that it is deceptive on the part of the People’s republic of China to comment on our right to improve our own defense capabilities and position while they continue to improve their offensive capabilities,” he continued. n
For the people? Political dynasties, big business...
Corruption-linked
Although only seven party-list groups have nominees facing graft, plunder, or corruption cases, the election watchdog warned that this remains a red flag. one example is Gilas Party-list’s second nominee, Junn magno, a former general manager of the Philippine National railways.
In 2019, the Presidential AntiCorruption Commission filed a complaint against him for gross misconduct over the alleged illegal use of P50.9 million in funds.
Dubious A total of 11 party-list groups were flagged for having “dubious advocacies,” which Arao described as a mismatch between their stated mission and the track record of the party-list or its nominees.
the study also found that some party-list groups were flagged for multiple reasons, as some not only belong to political families but may also have ties to big
businesses or have been charged with corruption raps. Arao attributed this issue with party-lists to a “lack of due diligence in screening.” he noted that while some groups have faced scrutiny over their qualifications, others have been disqualified for not being considered marginalized even though they were. But how did the party-list system exist in the first place? the party-list system was established under the 1987 Constitution, which mandates that 20% of the house of representatives must be composed of party-list representatives. these groups are meant to represent marginalized and underrepresented sectors, including laborers, peasants, urban poor, indigenous peoples, women and youth, as defined by law. this mandate is further detailed in the republic Act 7941 or the Party-List Act of 1995. Under section 1, party-list groups must
come from the “marginalized and underrepresented” sectors, particularly those that “lack welldefined political constituencies.” for the 20th Congress, 317 house seats are at stake, with around 63 allocated to party-list groups. to secure a seat, a group must receive at least 2% of the total votes cast. All party-lists are ranked and those surpassing this threshold are eligible for up to three seats, depending on the remaining number of seats.
for example, if only 60 partylists secure at least 2% of the votes, the remaining three seats will be allocated to the top three highest-ranked groups, giving them two seats each in Congress. filipino voters can cast two votes for the house of representatives: one for a district representative and one for a party-list group.
According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the incumbent Congress that 36 of 54 party-list groups — or two-thirds — are linked to political families. n
Declare stand on Sara’s impeachment...
after former presidential legal counsel salvador Panelo accused the NBI of harassing the vice president.
on Wednesday, the NBI filed complaints before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against Duterte for inciting to sedition and grave threats over her remarks in November 2024 suggesting she ordered someone to kill President marcos, first Lady Liza Araneta and speaker martin romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce enrile said sara’s statement directing someone to kill the three if she gets killed has “serious underlying implications.”
executive secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a chance interview in Pasay that malacañang is leaving it up to the DoJ to investigate the grave threat and sedition complaints the NBI filed against Duterte, saying the agency has the “fullest autonomy” on the matter.
on thursday, february 13, Duterte expressed her support for the PDP-Laban’s senatorial slate in a carefully worded statement that creates distance between her and the candidates, considering the legal and political storm she is facing.
In a statement shown during the proclamation rally in san Juan City, Duterte said she was one with PDP-Laban’s supporters in aspiring for the success of their advocacies, but was unsure whether her endorsements would
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harm or bring better chances for the candidates’ bids. (With reports from Neil Jayson
Servallos, Jose rodel clapano, Mark Ernest Villeza, Alexis romero)
ILLEGAL. Workers of the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety remove campaign posters hanging from electric cables under “Oplan Baklas” (tearing down) in Barangay Kamuning early Tuesday morning, February 11. It will be a continuing operation nationwide until election day on May 12 to remove campaign paraphernalia outside designated common poster areas. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Philippines wins historic curling gold at Asian Winter Games
by Ralph Edwin VillanuEVa Philstar.com
MANILA — History for the Philippines.
The Philippine curling team brought home a historic gold medal in the Harbin Asian Winter Games after outlasting powerhouse Korea, 5-3, in a heartstopping final Friday morning at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena.
The Philippines, made up of Marc and Enrico Pfister, Christian Haller, Alan Frei and Benjo Delarmente, did just enough in the nerve-wracking
final to grab the extraordinary feat.
With the final tied at 3-all after back-to-back points in the fifth and sixth ends, the Philippines took the lead for good thanks to a perfectly-placed second stone.
The country was able to protect this stone until the end, which gave them the 4-3 lead. And in the eighth and final end, the Filipinos were able to put up guards that Korea could not get past.
Korea tried to grab a championship-winning twopointer in the end, but ultimately pushed the Philippines’ stone
closer to the house, giving them an extra point as a cherry on top.
The Filipinos drew first blood in the second end, before Korea tied it up in the next one.
The Philippines then scored two points in the fourth end with a picture-perfect final stone.
The Koreans won back-toback points in the fifth and sixth ends to tie the game up, setting up the furious finish.
This is the Philippines’ firstever medal in the Asian Winter Games. It is also the first time the country fielded a curling team in the competition.
successfully fostered collaborations among organizations and individuals to promote Philippine culture, protect the rights of
The Philippine Curling Team makes history with the country’s first-ever medal in the Asian Winter Games. Photo from Facebook / PSC
Iya Villania, Drew Arellano announce
birth of baby No. 5, Anya Love
by annE paSaJol Inquirer.net
IYA Villania and Drew Arellano announced the arrival of their fifth child, a baby girl whom they named Anya Love. Sharing a photo of the newborn via their respective Instagram pages on Tuesday,
Feb. 11, the couple gushed over their child, disclosing her name and birth details.
“Anya Love Villania-Arellano. February 11, 2025. 10:52am,” the caption reads. In a separate post on her Instagram Stories, the 38-yearold actress-TV host showed moments from the hospital
after her childbirth.
“She’s here! And wow, what a delivery!” Villania said. “Got to the hospital at 10 a.m. 10:52 a.m. baby out!”
“The relief of being done with delivery is indescribable. Thank you Lord,” she exclaimed.
Villania and Arellano tied the knot in 2014. They celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary last month.
The pair welcomed their firstborn Primo in 2016, their second son Leon in 2018, their daughter Alana in 2020, and their fourth child Astro in 2022.
Villania and Arellano revealed Villania’s fifth pregnancy in September, with the celebrity mom declaring that this would already be her last one. They announced that they were expecting a baby girl in November last year.
Villania started her maternity break last Jan. 31, admitting she felt “nervous” prior to giving birth.
Dia Mate of the Philippines is Reina Hispanoamericana 2025
by aRmin p adina Inquirer.net
DIA Mate from the Philippines was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 in ceremonies held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Feb. 9 (Feb. 10 in Manila).
Mate, who hails from the political clan of the Remullas of Cavite, bested 24 other aspirants in the Latin-dominated international competition to inherit the title from 2023/2024 winner Maricielo Gamarra from Peru. Her victory is the second time that the country was able to bag the crown after Filipino actress Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez in 2017.
The contest, as in the past, also proclaimed a “Virreina” or vice-queen, Sofia Fernandez of Venezuela, who will take over in the event the winner fails to perform her duties.
Proclaimed as runners-up were:
Primera Finalista – Miss Colombia
Segunda Finalista – Miss España
Tercera Finalista – Miss Perú
Cuarta Finalista – Miss Brasil Quinta Finalista – Miss Polonia Force to contend with
In her sheer Rian Fernandez gold column gown, Mate delivered her winning answer
to the question: What value do you think is the most important to our society, and why do you think this is important?
“I think the one most important value that we should have is kindness. And my experience here in Bolivia is that you have showed me so much kindness and so much love even though racially I am not Latina. And the most beautiful thing I’ve noticed is that even though we don’t speak the same language, we share the same culture, same heart, and same faith in God,” she said.
“And I hope this shows to everybody that if we use kindness, that we are all the same, then we can create a better world and a better society for us all,” she added.
Prior to the coronation, Mate showed that she is a force to contend with, having won the Best in National Costume or the “traje tipico” contest, after showcasing three major Philippine religious and cultural festivals in one ensemble, which featured an intricate gold salakot (native hat) and a heavily-beaded banig (traditionally handwoven mat) gown.
At the coronation proper, Mate was among the beauties chosen to showcase their singing abilities in a brief solo performance at their opening
number. She was off to a strong start when she was called to be part of the Top 12 to advance to the next round.
Mate, a singer and model, is the girlfriend of musician JK Labajo. She first joined the 2024 Miss Universe pageant where she received a special title from a sponsor, but missed the first cut.
She then joined the 2025 Miss World Philippines pageant months later, where she inherited the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas title from Michelle Arceo, who was second runner-up in the global tilt.
Marquez, niece of 1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez, was the first Asian woman to be crowned Reina Hispanoamericana. She won the title in 2017 as the firstever candidate to come from the continent, earning her the moniker, “Latina slayer.”
The Reina Hispanoamericana pageant was established in 1991 as Reina Sudamerica, to promote Bolivia as a tourist destination, and covered South American countries only.
But it has expanded globally and was rebranded as Reina Hispanoamericana to serve as a platform to promote Hispanic culture and welcomed countries outside South America with Spanish influences. n
Andi Eigenmann, Philmar Alipayo patch things up after online rift
by Jan milo SEVERo Philstar.com
CHAMPION surfer Philmar Alipayo revealed that all is well between him and his fiancée, Andi Eigenmann, after a series of social media posts sparked separation rumors.
On his Facebook account, Philmar shared a video with Andi and their daughter.
“It all went way (too) far and should have been handled in private,” Philmar captioned the post.
“Ok na kami sanan ok ra kami,” he added.
Philmar and Andi sparked breakup rumors after they unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Andi then denied cheating allegations involving her fiancé. She also clarified her earlier posts, which some online users thought were alluding to infidelity.
“I am fully aware that my husband never cheated on me with this girl… I am always around when they are together,” Andi said, without revealing the woman’s name.
“I posted because this person betrayed me, encourages my husband to break up with me during every fight even when I also tell my side of the story to her,” she added.
She also commented on the “spontaneous love
Urgent immigration issues under Trump...
Filipino migrants, strengthen economic ties, and celebrate the contributions of Filipino Americans in the U.S. Tackling key issues facing Filipinos in the U.S. Northeast
With the Philippine Consulate in New York covering ten states, Atty. Gurfinkel takes the opportunity to ask ConGen Mangalile essential questions about consular services and the assistance available to Filipino nationals. Among the critical topics discussed in this special episode are:
• Privacy concerns: “When Filipino nationals give their personal information for passport processing, does the Consulate share this information with U.S. agencies?”
• Assistance for undocumented Filipinos: “When a TNT asks for assistance from the Consulate, would they report him to ICE?”
Passport issues: “Why can’t
a Filipina who divorces and then remarries obtain a passport using her second husband’s last name?”
• Dual Citizenship rights:
Atty. Gurfinkel with ConGen Mangalile
Andi Eigenmann
Photo from Instagram/@andieigengirl
couple tattoo” between Philmar and the woman, whose identity was revealed by netizens along with photos of their matching tattoos.
Dia Mate. Screengrab from Reina Hispanoamericana Facebook page.
Iya Villania with her fifth child, Anya Love. Photo from Instagram/@iyavillania
‘Into the Woods’ becomes a family affair for Lea Salonga and Nic Chien
(TGA) is staging Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” to the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT) this August, featuring an all-star cast led by Olivier and Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga.
The Broadway icon who will take on the role of The Witch, is making her highly anticipated return to Philippine musical theater after six years — and this time, she will be sharing the stage with her son, Nic Chien, who has been cast as Jack.
Lea’s last major stage production in the Philippines was “Sweeney Todd” under the direction of the late Atlantis Productions head Bobby Garcia, a beloved figure in Philippine theater. Now, with “Into the Woods,” she finds herself immersed once again in Sondheim’s emotionally rich music.
“The last show I did in Manila was a Stephen Sondheim masterpiece. Now, I’m coming in “Into the Woods,” yet another Sondheim masterpiece! If all I do for the rest of my life is perform in Sondheim shows, I’ll be very happy,” Lea shared in a media statement. “But most of all, to my dear friend, ‘This one’s for you, Bobby!’”
Lea first played The Witch at
the age of 23, and now, three decades later, she is eager to revisit the role with new depth and perspective.
“It’s very exciting, as well as, exhausting. Sondheim is no joke!
Learning the material before day one of rehearsals takes a few weeks because his patterns can be puzzling and challenging but so rewarding once it all comes together,” she said. “It’s also cool that I get to revisit a role that I played as a younger adult.
I was about 23 years old when I previously played The Witch. Playing her again 30 years later is going to be illuminating. So much life has happened in the intervening years. I’m hoping to bring as much of that as I can to this production.”
Adding another layer of excitement to this production is the inclusion of Lea’s only child, Nic Chien, in the role of Jack.
Nic made his professional debut as Alice in Atlantis Productions’ “Matilda” and has since been honing his craft on stage.
“I’m very excited to play such an innocent character. In the past, I’ve played characters who know what’s going on, but Jack is such a pure character. I think it will be so much fun to play,” Nic shared.
“And I love everything about
this show! The music, lyrics, the way things reference each other, how crazy and complicated it may be. Overall, it’s just beautiful! It’s beautiful music with smart, heartfelt, meaningful lyrics. You don’t always find that nowadays.”
For Lea, the chance to act alongside her only child in a fullscale musical is a dream come true.
“I’m most looking forward to working with Nic. We’ve done numerous concerts over the years, but this will be our first musical together,” she enthused.
TGA’s production of “Into the Woods” boasts a stellar cast, with Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, Joaquin Valdes as Prince Charming/Wolf, Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as The Baker and The Baker’s Wife, and Eugene Domingo as Jack’s Mother.
Tony Award-winning creative visionary Clint Ramos, who serves as co-producer, overall artistic director, and stage and costume designer, expressed excitement for Lea’s involvement in the show.
“We are so pleased and proud to have an actress of Lea’s caliber lead the spectacular and stellar ensemble of TGA’s production of ‘Into the Woods,’” Clint said.
Marian Rivera confirms primetime TV comeback
MANILA — Marian Rivera is excited about her projects this year that her management approved for her.
The actress and brand endorser has attributed it to “time management” that made her give her nod to return to primetime TV this year.
Yung isang project, sobrang maikli lang, ” she said. “They just need me to commit my time para matapos ko Nakipag -compromise sila with the other project. That’s why I’m excited.”
After director Kip Oebanda’s “ Balota ” last year, where Marian won Best Actress and Excellence Performance Award, as well as Mae Cruz Alviar’s “Rewind,” the boxoffice Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) topgrosser in 2023, Marian is primed to make another film this year.
She is with manager Michael Tuviera, president and CEO of Triple A Management, Jojo Oconer, CFO and COO of Triple A Management and Jacqui Clara, head of Operations and Sales.
So far, Marian has seen about 10 scripts, according to direk Mike, but the actress has not given her nod to any project yet.
“In the past two years, grabe ang box-office performance ni Marian,” disclosed direk Mike. “She won several Best Actress awards long after ‘ Balota ’ was screened. Ang daming blessings na nangyari sa kanya “What I have to really compliment Marian about, if she chooses her projects, it is she is never about box office or awards, it’s always what she wants to do, what speaks to her heart, what she’s passionate about.
“She always wants to do good work and she always wants to inspire. I guess bonus na lang ang awards and box-office.”
The actress knows she will be really busy this year. “ Kung dati busy ako , ngayon parang times two,” Marian admitted.
“ Nakakatuwa because ang daming mga opportunities and
naka -line up na gagawin ko I look forward to everything that I will do this year.”
On the 10th anniversary of the wedding of Dingdong and Marian last Dec. 30, Dingdong proposed anew to his wife in front of their two children and Marian was simply reduced to tears.
“I don’t want to give full details, but when Dingdong did that in front of our children, humagulgol talaga ako ,” Marian said. Ano ba ang meaning ng pagpapakasal sa amin? Malinaw sa amin at pinagkasunduan namin na ang pagmamahalang ito na tumagal ng sampung taon ay relationship naming dalawa kasama na ang mga bata Gusto naming makita ng mga bata kung saan kami kinasal, kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng love at kung gaano namin kamahal ang isa’t-isa .”
Marian also shared that the children were thrilled, and that was what truly mattered to her. In her children’s eyes and in front of her hubby, she saw the life she had always dreamed of, she said.
“ Kinilig ang mga bata. ‘Yun talaga ang nagma -matter sa akin. Sa mata ng mga anak ko at sa harap ng asawa ko, ‘yun talaga ang totoong buhay na pinapangarap ko .” Will they renew their marriage vows every 10 years?
“ Gusto talaga naming pasalamatan ‘yung nasa taas.
‘Yun talaga ang pinghahawakan namin. Buong pamilya namin ,” she said.
Marian also expressed her desire to return to Spain and visit her dad (Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso) anew in Madrid, this time with their son, Sixto. The family previously visited Spain in 2017, when they
SB19 to kick off world tour in Philippine Arena
by iza iglESiaS
Riyadh, and Jeddah in
October. SB19 also plans to visit Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, with dates yet to be announced.
The tour announcement follows SB19’s Jan. 31 teaser for its upcoming extended play (EP), “Simula at Wakas,” the third installment in a trilogy that began with “Pagsibol” (2021) and “Pagtatag!” (2023).
The trailer featured visual and musical callbacks to the group’s previous hits, including “What?” and “Gento.” The EP is set for release on April 25, preceded by a yet-to-be-titled lead single dropping on Feb. 28.
Also known for their songs “Mapa,” “Go Up,” “Nyebe” and “Crimzone,” among many others, SB19 became the first Southeast Asian act to be nominated on the Billboard Music Awards, and the first Southeast Asian act to make an appearance in the top 10 of the Billboard Social 50.
They also won the Best Artist Award (Singer) and the Hot Trend Award at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards and the Favorite Asian Act at the 2024 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
toured Europe and also went to Greece and Italy. At that time, however, it was only Zia, their eldest, who was with them.
The actress proudly said their family is now doing Bible study every night. “That was what’s new in our bonding,” she said. “ Kahit isang verse lang from the Bible.
“ Kahit nagkakadulingduling na ako sa trabaho , we do Bible Study every night at nakakatulong sa amin . We ask each other what’s the meaning of that particular verse to us, what they can share about that verse.”
Marian reiterates to her children that without the Lord, we will not be here in this world. “That’s what I want to impart sa mga anak ko ,” the actress and product endorser said.
“ Lumaki ako sa lola ko at ‘yun ang pinanghawakan ko ,” Marian added. “Even though I had a broken family at hindi naging maganda ang childhood
ko, dahil sa lola ko binuo nya ang konsepto ng pamilya sa akin at ‘yun at gusto kong ipasa sa mga anak ko .” She strongly prioritizes motherhood and talks to her children about their life in school. “ Kapag uuwi sila ng bahay, hindi pwedeng matapos ang araw na hindi ko kinakausap and do heart-to-heart talk about what happened to their day. Palagi akong involved sa mga bata . Every night, hindi pwedeng hindi kami naguusap. Kailangan mapiga ko kung ano nangyayari sa kanila That’s the challenge to me. Even if I’m tired, I must spend a lot of time with my children.”
Hindi pwedeng bukas na Never akong magpapabukas pagdating sa mga anak ko . If there are activities at school, I cannot be absent. They (my kids) are my priority..”
The swimming coach of her daughter Zia, was the one who invited them to engage in Bible Study with CCF (Christ’s Commission Fellowship).
With her cropped mane and new look, Marian recently renewed her contract as brand ambassador of Ecran de Luxe for her skin and ultimate protection, by founder and CEO Anna Magkawas of Luxe Beauty and Wellness. Ecran is French for screen, as Anna informed. “The cream shields our face from UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) rays. Even if we’re inside the house, we need to protect of skin from the sun. So we need to use sunscreen.
“We need to protect our skin from the blue light from our gadgets. If you will stay under the sun, Ecran really helps your skin and protects it from pre-mature signs of aging.” Anna is amazed at how Marian loves Ecran and how the actress uses the product.
“I’m super happy to see Marian always posting about Ecran,” said the businesswoman. “She doesn’t have to be told or asked, Marian does it. And it’s super big deal to me.”
P-Pop Kings
Do I have a community property interest in a house which my spouse acquired before our marriage?
Barrister’s Corner
Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes
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 Marsden (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910
During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation. The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage ($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%. This percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husband’s separate property.
The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component.
The Marsden apportionment method is also applicable to situations where a community real property is later transmuted into one spouse’s separate property through execution of a quit claim by the other spouse but is subsequently paid using community funds. Marriage of Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, 257 CR 397 . In litigation, the community interest in the
situations mentioned about is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA.
Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property acquired prior to marriage, one has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own property and you are contemplating of getting married. There are several ways of avoiding the creation of a community interest on your separate real property.
One, you can sign a prenuptial agreement. Two, the parties can execute a postnuptial agreement if the parties are already married. Three, the parties can execute a transmutation agreement with a waiver of any family code section 2640 reimbursement claim. If your divorce case involves complex issues of asset distribution, it is best to retain the representation of competent counsel.
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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.
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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. (Advertising Supplement)
‘Mixing love and work’: What Sam Milby learned from Dennis Trillo, Jennylyn Mercado
by KRiStofER puRnEll Philstar.com
MANILA — Actor Sam Milby still has a thing or two to learn about love from his “Everything About My Wife” co-stars and real-life couple, Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado.
The movie, an adaptation of the 2008 Argentine film “ Un Novio Para Mi Mujer (A Boyfriend for My Wife ),” is the couple’s first movie together since 2010’s “Rosario.” Dennis and Jennylyn’s last TV project together was the “Truly. Madly. Deadly.” segment of the anthology series “I Can See You” in 2020, a year before they got married.
In an exclusive interview, Sam told Philstar.com the notable love advice he had learned from working with Dennis and Jennylyn.
Pwede palang ihalo ang work and personal life,” Sam said with a smile. He recalled having relationships with people he worked with and any problems that came between them would affect anything they were involved in.
Sam had said something similar during the media conference for the film, where he noted having last worked with Jennylyn in the 2015 romantic-comedy “The Prenup.” It is his first time to work with Dennis. Di ba sinasabi nila it’s hard to mix work with a love life, but seeing them on set, it’s so easy for them,” Sam shared. “It’s such a refreshing thing to see a married couple work together.”
The actor’s experience with Jennylyn on “The Prenup” was one of the reasons why
he accepted this new project, adding that she has not changed. He described Jennyn as a “giving” co-actor and a pleasure to work with.
In “Everything About My Wife,” Dennis and Jennylyn portray married couple Dom and Imo, who started very much in love in the first years of their marriage. After years of married life, the couple’s union is threatened by uncertainties and conflicts.
Out of desperation, Dom seeks help from womanizer Miguel (Sam) to seduce Imo, which takes a different turn as Miguel falls for her. Imo realizes the scheme and feels betrayed, opting to part ways with Dom, but love has a way of keeping things together.
The movie, directed by Real S. Florido, hits Philippine theaters beginning February 26.
‘Everything About My Wife’ stars Sam Milby opposite real-life couple Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado.
Photo from Philstar.com / Chyna Merin
My P.E.P.
Atty. Tonette Velasco-Allones, a certified TQ coach
HAVE you heard of Transition Quotient?
TQ “is one’s ability to recognize different stages of life transitions, perceive them as opportunities for growth and skillfully navigate them with compassion, clarity and curiosity.”
Atty. Maria Anthonette VelascoAllones, former Department of Migrant Workers undersecretary, said, “I was in an ‘emerging ending’ phase in my career at the end of August last year. As I sought productive coping, I signed up in a three-month program to be a certified coach on TQ. After eight Tuesdays with chief trainer Kari Cardinale, I earned the distinction to be a part of the pioneer class of 650 certified TQ coaches around the world. It was an empowering, enabling course that equipped me with frameworks, tools and confidence to journey with those who are trying to get out of their chrysalis and soar with the gifts of new beginnings.”
This program was also lifechanging for her for it guided her transition from her 30 years of government work to her new role as chief human resource officer of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation last December 2024. When Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan told her that “this work is also ‘para sa bayan’ (for the country), it was easy to say yes. She quoted William Bridges, “some people fight transition all the way and bewail their fate, while others come to recognize that letting go is not defeat — that it may, in fact, be the start
of a whole new and rewarding phase of their lives.”
* * *
During my mom’s second visit to “It’s Showtime” before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were about to sit in the lower third row in the leftmost side when we were uncourteously told to sit in the far upper side in the mid-portion. I kept my cool but it was alright for my persevering American mom. I was then a journalist for the Philippine Star’s entertainment section under editor Ricky Lo.
The reason why senior citizens and disabled persons are placed in the lower portion is so that it would be easier for them to get out after the show.
In fairness, during my mom’s first visit to the show, we were attended with due courtesy. She was then with my American sister Victoria M. Isip who lives in Green Valley, Fairfield, Solano County, California. They had a brief vacation to the Philippines.
Another incident I could not forget was during a live audience for Pinoy Big Brother one afternoon in 2017. I was preparing to go to De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila to cover the victory of the all-female DLSU Lady Spikers volleyball team in the UAAP Season 79 championship when I received a call from Julie Forbes, young sister of beauty queenactress Ali Forbes, who was a housemate contestant in that PBB house. Ali needed support so I chose to go to the station. As I entered the studio, Julie greeted me and I joined Ali’s parents and younger brother in the audience. We were sitting there for a long time. During the short break, I needed to go to the nearest rest room. Little did I know I entered a secured automatic entrance. As to how I was able to penetrate the locked gate (one could only enter if you had an employee ID), I did not know, perhaps my telekinesis
worked in times of emergency. It surprised me that I was asked to go to the studio’s security management. I refused for I did not do anything wrong. Then came my savior, Col. Dani Enriquez, who was surprised as to what happened. When I got high blood pressure, a medic came to assist me. So I could just hear the PBB happening just outside while my hypertension was being monitored.
I had a brief chat with TV host Robi Domingo (my cousin singer Yeng Constantino’s cousin) as I saw Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant Noven Belleza and Maymay Entrata passed by. We gazed at each other as I predicted these two would be the winners. (It indeed came true for Noven was the Tawag ng Tanghalan Season One grand champion and Maymay was the Pinoy Big Brother Season 7 grand winner.) After the incident, Col. Enriquez told me to write what happened since I was with the Philippine Star, but I did not use my position as a PhilStar writer to reveal what happened.
* * * February is the month of love.
I will feature different stories of love. I asked two respondents: (1) How do you define love? (2) Are you still in love with your spouse and why?
Their replies (third batch) are as follows:
Oly Sason-de los Santos, widow of former Philippine National Police Spokesman Napoleon de los Santos Jr.: (1) “Love is not a feeling. It is a commitment to do good for the other.”; (2) “Love is replaced by good memories and respect for him, for who he was and what he stood for.”
Guia Cruz-Buenaventura, a doting wife of Dan Villarba Buenaventura: (1) “Love is a very special feeling that makes you face life with joy and happiness. It keeps you going through life
which is full of challenges and uncertainties.”; (2) “Yes I still do, he is a part of me and will always be. Life has to go on, focusing on our our son, daughter and furbaby, our present and what lies ahead. His legacy is very much alive as we continue doing what he loved doing then through ‘A Smile From Heaven’ charity efforts.”
* * * I met on West America road (in Green Valley) and asked an 85-year-old lady on how to go to Costco and Safeway on Business Center Drive in Fairfield. Clarita Biscocho, a UST alumnus and a retired teacher (she went to the U.S. in 1983), was kind enough to
inform me of the right direction.
A long walk indeed despite the cold climate. I learned that her daughter, Noralyn Biscocho, a registered nurse, is our neighbor on Overture Lane. Teacher Clarita and her son Almer live on Aria Street not too far from us.
* * * My friend, Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso informed me that he was no longer with the Philippine National Bank as its president. He is now the president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). He was the president and CEO of HSBC Philippines, the first Filipino CEO in HSBC’s 144 years of operations.
* * * After the church service in Northgate, we had lunch at Hibachi Grill & Buffet restaurant on Gateway Blvd. in Fairfield, California. I saw lots of Filipinos. Here I met Edna Arcebal, a retired nurse, with her son Dale Navarro. They live in Vallejo where we used to live. Then came Eleanor Kincaid, sister of Edna.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
Rogelio Constantino Medina
Oly de los Santos (in colorful dress), mother of Miss Aura International
1st runner-up Issa de los Santos, attending to her daughter’s birthday with some special friends at Casa Angela in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Wick Veloso, president and general manager of GSIS
Photo shows (seated, from left) Dale Navarro and Edna Arcebal; (standing, from left) Rogelio Medina and Eleanor Kincaid at Hibachi Grill & Buffet in Fairfield.
Guia and Dan Buenaventura in 2020 Valentine’s Day.
Journalist Rogelio C. Medina in white t-shirt with his California-based mom Rosita C. Medina (left) during the first visit to ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime. Rogelio Medina and retired teacher Clarita Biscocho from Green Valley.
Pinoy artist Ez Mil on his way to conquer the global stage
by Boy aBunda Philstar.com
I’M extremely proud of Ez Mil, who is ready to conquer the global stage with his music. I first met the young musician during the 2021 The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards, which was held at the Carnegie Hall in New York City. I have been hosting the prestigious event for the past 12 years.
Ez Mil was a TOFA awardee for youth in 2021. I had this gut feel that he was going to be a big star the moment I saw him perform his hit song Panalo. He received a standing ovation from the Carnegie audience.
The formal affair paved the way for my first interview with Ez Mil on “The Interviewer,” which can be viewed on the Boy Abunda Talk Channel. The episode was aired in November 2021. The interview took place at the house of my good friend Elton Lugay, the executive producer and founder of TOFA.
Ez Mil was shy and humble throughout the conversation. We talked about his exciting journey while making his way around the American music scene. I asked Ez who his musical influences are. He replied, “Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, Gloc 9, saka si Dello po.”
The stars have aligned in his favor as he is now under contract with global superstars Eminem and Dr. Dre. Eminem has an eye for someone with talent like Ez Mil. The young Filipino artist is featured in the 12th album of Eminem called The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
His powerful voice can be heard on the 14th track titled Head Honcho, where he delivered some
of his lines in Tagalog. I recently had a chance to meet Ez Mil again when he came home to the Philippines for a couple of days to shoot a commercial. He was still the same young man I saw backstage at Carnegie Hall. He remains shy and humble in spite of his promising music career in the US.
Ez Mil always remembers my advice to tell his story, which he is keeping in his heart as he navigates his way across the American music scene. He shared that Dr. Dre welcomed him by saying, “Hey, superstar,” the first time they met. I noticed that Ez Mil was
‘Into the Woods’ becomes...
“This is Lea’s first musical in the Philippines in six years, and what a grand comeback it’s sure to be! ‘Into the Woods’ is a very complex and thoughtprovoking piece. We want to create a version that considers the Filipino condition. Hopefully, our context will give more meaning to the already rich work that is this Sondheim musical. And Lea, with her remarkable talent and abilities, will be very instrumental in imparting that message.”
Directing the production is Chari Arespacochaga, who steps in as a tribute to her late creative partner, Bobby Garcia.
Based on James Lapine’s book and featuring Sondheim’s unforgettable music and lyrics, “Into the Woods” weaves together the lives of familiar fairy tale characters as they navigate their dreams, choices and the consequences of their actions.
“What I love about this piece is the whole ‘what if’ premise of fairy tales. Continuing past ‘happily ever after’ is
very interesting. Through the material, we realize that a witch isn’t always bad, and good people aren’t always entirely good,” Lea mused.
“The famous line from the musical, ‘nice is different than good’ is one that hits home every time. The message is so poignant. The final song, Children Will Listen, is a reminder that what we do as adults impacts impressionable minds. Act One is about fairy tales, but Act Two explores darker, less defined territory. That’s when things get interesting!”
Following the success of TGA’s “Request sa Radyo” in 2024, which also featured Lea alternating with Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon, “Into the Woods” is another milestone for the group as pushes for more world-class theater offerings to Filipino audiences while grounding the narratives in themes that resonate locally.
For details about “Into the Woods,” visit www. theatregroupasia.com or follow @theatregroupasia on Facebook and Instagram. (Philstar.com)
Maris Racal attends Berlinale as ‘Sunshine’ competes in film festival
by KathlEEn a llEmit Philstar.com
MANILA — Maris Racal
fulfills her dream of attending a prestigious film festival as she is currently in Germany for the annual Berlinale, where her indie film “Sunshine” is in competition.
The “Incognito” star, who recently trended when she wore a two-piece in her escape
scene in the show, has landed in Germany where the festival’s 75th edition will take place from February 13 to 23.
“This is crazy,” the actress wrote on Instagram.
“Sunshine” is among the competing films in the Generation 14 category of Berlinale. The category puts the spotlight on narratives that focus on children and young audiences.
“Sunshine” made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September where its three screeenings all sold out despite being at the tail-end of the festival.
The film stars Maris as the titular young rhythmic gymnast who dreams of joining the national team but she finds out that she was pregnant days before her tryout.
