040524 - Northern California Edition

Fil-Ams, Indian Americans have lowest poverty rates among Asians in US Study shows that 1 in 10 Asian Americans live at or below the poverty line, but poverty rates vary widely depending on the country of origin

LOS ANGELES – Asian Americans are often portrayed as financially successful when compared with other racial groups, but a new report, released this week by the Pew Research Center, shows that 1 in 10 people of Asian descent live at or below the poverty line. The report shows that more than 2.3 million Asian Americans – or about 10 percent – lived in poverty in 2022. However, the poverty rates

Four years after shelterin-place, COVID-19 misinformation persists

Quiboloy cannot refuse Senate subpoenas – Justice Carpio

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Philstar.com

with five percent, Sen.

Padilla with two percent, Sen. Risa Hontiveros with one percent and Speaker Martin Romualdez with less than a percent of support.

Another poll, this time for preferences for vice president, showed Sen. Grace Poe leading with 35 percent, followed by Senator Marcos with 16 percent, former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Robin Padilla with 14 percent, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri with seven percent, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro with four percent and Romualdez with one percent.

Respondents also mentioned other names as potential candidates for vice president, such as Tulfo, Sen. Bong Go, Hontiveros, former Senator

New York to Las Vegas: Filipino Food Month lineup of events unveiled

Carpio added that the Senate could not violate his right against self-incrimination when he has not even been questioned yet.

“You can’t say that the Senate or the senators will violate your constitutional rights. That’s premature. You are obliged to attend.

As a citizen, you must appear,” Carpio said in an interview over Radyo 630 on Monday,

MANILA — Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and leader Apollo Quiboloy cannot refuse to attend a Senate inquiry on accusations of human trafficking and sexual abuse against him and his members, as it is his obligation as a citizen to attend when summoned, according to retired Supreme Court (SC) justice Antonio Carpio. Carpio said Quiboloy could not refuse to attend the hearings of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality on the ground that the inquiry, the preacher’s camp claimed, violates his constitutional rights to due process and self-incrimination.

Villar patriarch places 190 in Forbes Top 200 billionaires

MANILA — Former lawmaker and real estate magnate Manuel “Manny” Villar emerged as the only Filipino who is included in the top 200 billionaires in 2024 by Forbes Magazine.

Villar ranked 190 out of the 200 billionaires in the world in 2024 with a total net worth of $11.7 billion (P660,125,700,000) coming from $8 billion (P451,376,000,000) in 2023, according to the magazine.

According to Forbes, the former lawmaker’s biggest asset is his stake in Golden MV Holdings, a developer of

of flavors and the vibrant cultural heritage of the Philippines.  Mike Ang, a board member of the Filipino Food Movement (FFM), officially kicked off Filipino Food Month events last week in New York with a simple happy hour at the Gugu Room in the Lower East Side. “We have events here on

In New York, one of the highlights of the month will be FFM‘s collaboration with the James Beard Foundation called “Merienda.” This event will be held at the James Beard Platform, and will showcase some of NYC’s finest Filipino chefs, including Top Chef alums Dale Talde and Leah Cohen, fashion-forward Woldy Reyes, up-and-coming LJ Almendras, entrepreneur Diana Manalang, and James Beard finalist Nicole Ponseca serving delectable food and drinks.

Throughout the month, the Philippine Consulate General in New York has organized various events, including pop-ups and  PAGE 3

Apart from the grand prize, there are various other prizes up for grabs. Ang urged everyone to visit the Filipino Food Movement website for more information about the events taking place nationwide.  “We’re encouraging you guys to post, and for restaurant owners, please visit our website and sign up to participate so that we can get our community out there, get people out there to try our food, and possibly win some really, really fun prizes,” he emphasized. Ang mentioned that this month’s theme will highlight the versatility of the Filipino coconut, offering coconut-related dishes, desserts, and products such as coconut rum, coconut oil, and more.

Pinoys overseas reminded to...

The poll body is also working to adopt internet voting to encourage more participation.

On Tuesday, April 2, the Comelec held the second round of bidding for the procurement of an online voting and counting system for overseas voting.

The poll body is looking for other modes of voting to address the low turnout in overseas absentee voting, Comelec Chairman George Garcia previously reported. g

Villar patriarch places 190 in Forbes...

malls and two office towers, according to Forbes. Villar is the husband of Sen. Cynthia Villar and the father of Sen. Mark Villar and Rep. Camille Villar (Las Piñas).

Villar ranked second next to the Sy Siblings who has a combined wealth of $14.4 billion (P812,476,800,000).

However, the Sy siblings were ranked individually in the world list.

The former legislator also possesses four other publicly traded companies, which include mall operator Vistamalls, home improvement chain AllHome, supermarket chain AllDay Marts and Premiere Island Power REIT.

In June 2022, the company introduced VistaREIT, a real estate investment trust, with an initial collection of 10

It could also be recalled that Villar ran for president during the 2010 elections but lost to former President Benigno Aquino III. Villar also became the former speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2000 during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.

In the Top 50 billionaires in the Philippines, meanwhile,

Villar was followed by Enrique Razon ($8.1 billion) and Ramon Ang ($3.4 billion).

Forbes reported that the number of billionaires worldwide has increased to 2,781,141 more than last year.

This growth comes despite geopolitical unrest and ongoing inflation concerns as their wealth expands. g

will say, ‘no, I will not answer that,’” he added.

The retired SC justice reiterated that the embattled KOJC leader could not assume that he would be asked a self-incrimination question during the hearing and use that as a basis not to attend. Carpio said

“exert all available legal remedies to protect his constitutional rights.” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the committee, earlier said the Senate proceedings were not meant to determine Quiboloy’s guilt or innocence, but rather look at gaps in the law.

filed against Quiboloy before the Davao City Regional Trial Court were for violations of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, according to the Department of Justice.

camp has filed a petition before the SC to stop the Senate from enforcing the arrest order and to stop demanding Quiboloy attend the hearings. Carpio said the SC has already issued several decisions upholding the Senate’s power to summon individuals in legislative inquiries, and this could prompt the high tribunal to either drop Quiboloy’s petition for lack of merit or take it up.

Quiboloy’s lawyer Elvis Balayan earlier said the pastor’s camp will

Hontiveros also assured Quiboloy’s camp that his constitutional rights will be respected should he physically attend the hearings, citing precedents where high-profile personalities were invited to the Senate.

Aside from the Senate inquiry, Quiboloy is also facing criminal charges that have been filed before trial courts in Davao City and Pasig City over his alleged sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking of a then 17-year-old girl in 2011.

The charges that have been

Meanwhile, a case for violation of Section 4(a) of RA 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act of 2003, which is non-bailable, has been filed against Quiboloy and others before the Pasig RTC.

Earlier this month, a California judge ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

Among the cases against Quiboloy involve conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy and cash smuggling. g

Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and preacher Pastor Quiboloy File photo

REMEMBRANCE. The great poet Gat Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar is honored on his 236th birthday at the Garden of Balagtas in Orion, Bataan on Tuesday, April 2. Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Commissioner Arthur Casanova presents a published copy of the books written by Balagtas in front of his monument to Orion Mayor Antonio Raymundo Jr. (center). PNA photo by Ben Briones

Four years after shelter-in-place, COVID-19...

Amid uncertainty about the virus’s origins, some people proclaimed COVID didn’t exist at all. PolitiFact named “downplay and denial” about the virus its 2020 “Lie of the Year.”

Four years later, people’s lives are largely free of the extreme public health measures that restricted them early in the pandemic. But COVID misinformation persists, although it’s now centered mostly on vaccines and vaccine-related conspiracy theories.

PolitiFact has published more than 2,000 fact checks related to COVID vaccines alone. “From a misinformation researcher perspective, [there has been] shifting levels of trust,” said Tara Kirk Sell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “Early on in the pandemic, there was a lot of: ‘This isn’t real,’ fake cures, and then later on, we see more vaccine-focused misand disinformation and a more partisan type of disinformation and misinformation.”

Here are some of the most persistent COVID misinformation narratives we see today: A loss of trust in the vaccines COVID vaccines were quickly developed, with U.S. patients receiving the first shots in December 2020, 11 months after the first domestic case was detected.

Experts credit the speedy development with helping to save millions of lives and preventing hospitalizations. Researchers at the University of Southern California and Brown University calculated that vaccines saved 2.4 million lives in 141 countries starting from the vaccines’ rollout through August 2021 alone. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows there were 1,164 U.S. deaths provisionally attributed to COVID the week of March 2, down from nearly 26,000 at the pandemic’s height in January 2021, as vaccines were just rolling out. But on social media and in some public officials’ remarks, misinformation about COVID vaccine efficacy and safety is common. U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has built his 2024 campaign on a movement that seeks to legitimize conspiracy theories about the vaccines. PolitiFact made that its

2023 “Lie of the Year.” PolitiFact has seen claims that spike proteins from vaccines are replacing sperm in vaccinated males. (That’s false.) We’ve researched the assertion that vaccines can change your DNA. (That’s misleading and ignores evidence). Social media posts poked fun at Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for encouraging people to get vaccinated, asserting that the vaccine actually shuts off recipients’ hearts. (No, it doesn’t.)

And some people pointed to an American Red Cross blood donation questionnaire as evidence that shots are unsafe. (PolitiFact rated that False.)

Experts say this misinformation has real-world effects.

A September 2023 survey by KFF found that 57% of Americans “say they are very or somewhat confident” in COVID vaccines. And those who distrust them are more likely to identify as politically conservative: Thirty-six percent of Republicans compared with 84% of Democrats say they are very or somewhat confident in the vaccine.

Immunization rates for routine vaccines for other conditions have also taken a hit. Measles had been eradicated for more than 20 years in the U.S. but there have been recent outbreaks in states including Florida, Maryland, and Ohio. Florida’s surgeon general has expressed skepticism about vaccines and rejected guidance from the CDC about how to contain potentially deadly disease spread.

The vaccination rate among kindergartners has declined from 95% in the 2019-20 school year to 93% in 2022-23, according to the CDC. Public health officials have set a 95% vaccination rate target to prevent and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. The CDC also found exemptions had risen to 3%, the highest rate ever recorded in the U.S. Unsubstantiated claims that vaccines cause deaths or other illness PolitiFact has seen repeated and unsubstantiated claims that COVID vaccines have caused mass numbers of deaths.

A recent widely shared post claimed 17 million people had died because of the vaccine, despite contrary evidence from multiple studies and institutions such as the World Health Organization and CDC that the vaccines are safe and help to prevent severe illness and death.

Another online post claimed the booster vaccine had eight strains of HIV and would kill 23% of the population. Vaccine manufacturers publish the ingredient lists; they do not include HIV. People living with HIV were among the people given priority access during early vaccine rollout to protect them from severe illness.

COVID vaccines also have been blamed for causing Alzheimer’s and cancer. Experts have found no evidence the vaccines cause either conditions.

“You had this remarkable scientific or medical accomplishment contrasted with this remarkable rejection of that technology by a significant portion of the American public,” said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

More than three years after vaccines became available, about 70% of Americans have completed a primary series of COVID vaccination, according to CDC figures. About 17% have gotten the most recent bivalent booster.

False claims often pull from and misuse data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The database, run by the CDC and the FDA, allows anybody to report reactions after any vaccine. The reports themselves are unverified, but the database is designed to help researchers find patterns for further investigation.

An October 2023 survey published in November by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found 63% of Americans think “it is safer to get the COVID-19 vaccine than the COVID-19 disease” — that was down from 75% in April 2021.

Celebrity deaths falsely attributed to vaccines

Betty White, Bob Saget, Matthew Perry, and DMX are just a few of the many celebrities whose deaths were falsely linked to the vaccine. The anti-vaccine film “Died Suddenly” tried to give credence to false claims that the vaccine causes people to die shortly after receiving it.

Céline Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and an infectious disease specialist, said these claims proliferate because of two things: cognitive bias and more insidious motivated reasoning.

“It’s like saying ‘I had an ice cream cone and then I died the u PAGE 5

From New York to Las Vegas...

marketplaces selling Filipino food.  One of these events is ‘HANDOG: An Exquisite Showcase of Filipino Flavors and Festivities,’ to be held on April 5 and 26, 2024 in collaboration with Hotel Edison. Handog will spotlight a variety of special Filipino food items and products at the lobby of Hotel Edison, with the showcase aligning with this year’s Filipino Food Month theme, “Kalutong Filipino, Lakas ng Kabataang Makabago.”

According to the consulate’s announcement, guests of this event are encouraged to immerse themselves in the diverse and vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine, ranging from delectable snacks to artisanal crafts. The event promises to offer a glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of the

Philippines, right in the heart of New York City.

This week, San Francisco welcomed the festivities with a kickoff reception on April 3 at the Philippine Center. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Filipino American restaurants, chefs, and food enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting lineup of events, including a kick-off ceremony on April 15 at Truffles n Bacon; Restaurant Week with 15+ local Filipino-owned restaurants highlighting coconut in an exclusively curated dish from April 20-28; and Filipino Food Month Grand Finale celebration on April 29.

Ang expressed gratitude to the attendees and the event partners for their support. He encouraged guests to visit the Filipino Food Movement website, tag friends, and share recipes and experiences.

Filipino Food Month, as proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation 469 in 2018 serves as an annual initiative to promote, preserve, and transmit Filipino culinary traditions to present and future generations.

The Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, spearheaded efforts to declare the month of April as Filipino Food Month to further recognize the importance of safeguarding culinary heritage amidst globalization. This year, FFM aims to host over 100 local and international events across various venues, including food festivals, cooking demonstrations, contests, exhibitions, and immersive cooking workshops. g

Raffy, Sara top choices for 2028...

Francis Pangilinan, Duterte, her brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Pulse Asia has yet to issue an official statement on the release of the survey results. An earlier release from the polling firm said that its first quarter Ulat ng Bayan survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. At the Senate, Zubiri dispelled rumors that he will seek public office in 2028. Zubiri thanked Pulse Asia for including him in its last survey for the next vice presidential race as he assured the public that his four remaining years of public service will be dedicated to uplifting the lives of every Filipino through meaningful legislation.

“However, to dispel any rumors that may arise, I would like to make it clear that I will not be running for any public office in 2028 and I am, in fact, contemplating my retirement from almost 30 years of politics,” Zubiri said.

The senate president thanked “my kababayans from Mindanao and the Visayas for their support, making up 14 percent and 8 percent of my Pulse Asia numbers, respectively.” g

KEEPING THEIR COOL. Grade 1 students are made comfortable by an electric fan at Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila on Tuesday, April 2. Some schools canceled face-to-face classes because of the unbearable conditions in the classroom caused by extreme heat. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Fil-Ams, Indian Americans have lowest poverty...

still less likely to live in poverty (5%) than those with less formal education (13%).

3. Nearly 6 in 10 Asian Americans who live in poverty are immigrants. Only a few of these immigrants speak English proficiently.

Among Asian immigrants living below the poverty line, 44 percent are proficient in English while 61 percent of immigrants living above the poverty line speak English proficiently.

financial challenges they faced: 57 percent of Asian adults living in poverty were unable to save for emergencies; 42% had trouble paying their bills; and 38% have received food from a food bank or charitable organization.

Key facts about Asian Americans living in poverty

4. About 1 million Asians who live below the poverty line are located in 10 US metropolitan areas. In fact, more than 500,000 live in just three metropolitan areas: New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

7. A majority of Asian adults who live in poverty (61%) have turned to family or friends for help with bills, housing, food or employment. Nearly half of respondents said they also sought government assistance on a local, state or federal level. Meanwhile, 19 percent of respondents said they have never asked or received support from the government, nor from religious institutions or community organizations.

PH Consulate in SF delivers 1,289 consular services to Filipinos in Washington, nearby states vary widely across the different countries of origin, according to the Pew Research Center’s analysis of US Census Bureau data. Burmese (19%) and Hmong Americans (17%) were among the Asian groups with the highest poverty rates – while Filipino (7%) and Indian Americans (6%) were among the groups with the lowest poverty rates. The report drew from 18 focus groups with participants from 11 Asian groups in different regions across the United States, as well as census and survey data.

1. About 10 percent of Asian Americans overall live in poverty, but poverty rates vary widely depending on the country of origin. Burmese (19%) and Hmong Americans (17%) were among the Asian origin groups with the highest poverty rates. Meanwhile, Filipino (7%) and Indian Americans (6%) were among the groups with the lowest poverty rates.

2. A third of Asian Americans, 25 and older, who live in poverty have a bachelor’s degree. Among non-Asians who live in poverty, only 14 percent have a bachelor’s degree. Asian Americans with at least a bachelor’s degree are

5. Fresno, California (19%), Buffalo, New York (18%) and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (15%) are among the metro areas with the highest poverty rates among Asian Americans. Still, Asian Americans who live in poverty largely reside in places with larger Asian populations than these metro areas.

6. Around 8 in 10 Asian adults who live in poverty (79%) have experienced financial challenges in some way in the past 12 months, according to a Pew Research Center survey of Asian adults conducted in 2022 and 2023. Among the specific

8. Roughly half of Asian Americans who live in poverty (47%) say the American dream is out of reach, but others say they have achieved it (15%) or are on their way to achieving it (36%).

Asians living above the poverty line are more optimistic about their chances of achieving the American dream: 26 percent say it is out of reach for them, while 27 percent say they have achieved it and 46 percent say they are on their way to achieving it. Learn more about Asian Americans’ experiences with economic hardship in this data essay and short film. (Nimfa U. Rueda/Inquirer.net)

Four years after shelter-in-place, COVID-19...

Out-of-control claims

about government control

False claims that the pandemic was planned by government leaders and those in power abound.

Gounder experienced this personally when her husband, the celebrated sports journalist Grant Wahl, died while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Wahl died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm but antivaccine accounts falsely linked his death to a COVID vaccine, forcing Gounder to publicly set the record straight.

“It is very clear that this is about harming other people,” said Gounder, who was a guest at United Facts of America in 2023. “And in this case, trying to harm me and my family at a point where we were grieving my husband’s loss. What was important in that moment was to really stand up for my husband, his legacy, and to do what I know he would have wanted me to do, which is to speak the truth and to do so very publicly.”

At any given moment, Microsoft Corp. co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, World Economic Forum head Klaus Schwab, or Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, are blamed for orchestrating pandemic-related threats. In November, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) falsely claimed Fauci “brought” the virus to his state a year before the pandemic. There is no evidence of that. Gates, according to the narratives, is using dangerous vaccines to push a depopulation agenda. That’s false. And Schwab has not said he has an “agenda” to establish a totalitarian global regime using the coronavirus to depopulate the Earth and reorganize society. That’s part of a conspiracy theory that’s come to

be called “The Great Reset” that has been debunked many times. The United Nations’ World Health Organization is frequently painted as a global force for evil, too, with detractors saying it is using vaccination to control or harm people. But the WHO has not declared that a new pandemic is happening, as some have claimed. Its current pandemic preparedness treaty is in no way positioned to remove human rights protections or restrict freedoms, as one post said. And the organization has not announced plans to deploy troops to corral people and forcibly vaccinate them. The WHO is, however, working on a new treaty to help countries improve coordination in response to future pandemics. (Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu/ KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

SAN FRANCISCO – In partnership with volunteers from various Filipino American community organizations in Tacoma, Washington, an 11-member team from the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco led by Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano conducted a consular outreach mission in Tacoma, Washington on March 16-19, 2024 at the Freedom Room of the Holiday Inn Express in Tacoma Mall, Washington. The team provided a total of 1,289 services, including overseas voting registration, passport, and dual citizenship, during the 4-day outreach. 513 individuals applied for passports, 540 applied for reacquisition or retention of Philippine citizenship, and 44 obtained legal and notarial services. A total of 192 individuals registered for overseas voting. Applicants who were provided services included Filipinos/Filipino Americans not

(IBP-NorCal)

also spoke about the free legal consultations on family and property laws, immigration, bankruptcy, among others, being conducted by IBP-NorCal monthly at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, and offered to provide the same service during the outreach to the applicants. He also indicated that those with legal concerns in the U.S. or in the Philippines, may contact IBP-NorCal for legal advice through the consulate. The outreach in Tacoma was the first consular outreach mission of the PH Consulate in San Francisco for the year 2024. (PCGSF Release)

Foreign trade barriers

INSTEAD of declaring war on pollster Pulse Asia over its latest survey showing 88 percent of Filipinos opposing Charter change, congressmen can read the report of the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which details foreign trade barriers in 59 markets including the Philippines. The USTR report, released on March 29, covers significant barriers overseas to U.S. foreign direct investment, exports of goods and services, and e-commerce export markets.

In the Philippines, the USTR cited “pervasive” corruption as a “longstanding problem” in both national and local government agencies, with the Bureau of Customs meriting special mention. While recognizing the BOC’s modernization program, launched in 2021 to address corruption and efficiency problems, the USTR noted reports of “widespread corruption and irregularities” in customs processing, valuation, inspection and testing of certain products along with inconsistent fee assessments.

Editorial

Published annually since 1985, the USTR’s latest National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers also stated: “Both foreign and domestic investors have expressed concern about the lack of transparency in judicial and regulatory processes. Investors have also raised concerns about courts being influenced by bribery and improperly issuing temporary restraining orders to impede legitimate commerce.”

The report did mention restrictions in the Constitution on foreign ownership and the practice of certain professions, which hinder U.S. investments in the Philippines. But the report also cited recent laws relaxing these restrictions.

IN a statement issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and posted on X last Thursday, March 28, he unequivocally affirmed the sentiment of Filipinos that “…we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience” in the face of relentless bullying and harassment by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea. We received hundreds of messages worldwide expressing full support to the Philippines, inspired by the president’s message which all found inspiring and powerful. So let me share President Marcos’ post in full: “Over the course of these past days, I have met with and spoken to our country’s National Security and Defense leadership. They have made their considered recommendations and, through exhaustive consultations, I have given them my directives.

“I have also been in constant communication with representatives of relevant allies, partners and friends in

Opponents of the latest push for Charter change have cited these laws in arguing that restrictive economic provisions can be corrected through legislation, with no need for Cha-cha.

What cannot be corrected, either by Chacha or additional legislation, is the corruption cited in the report. The BOC in particular has been consistently ranked in all surveys as one of the most corrupt government agencies. But even during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, whose promise to kill, kill, kill was no mere hyperbole, corruption continued in the BOC, with even illegal drugs being smuggled into the country by the ton.

Judicial and regulatory corruption, long cited by foreign investors as a serious problem in this country, also cannot be corrected by Cha-cha or legislation, unless Congress wants to increase the penalties for graft. Corruption may be eased if politicians – including lawmakers – are prohibited from having any say in the system of appointment and promotion in the judiciary. But will Congress members agree to lose this power to make members of the judiciary beholden to them?

There are tough laws against corruption in

the international community. “They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our Sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. “I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed.

“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia. “We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends, but we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience. “Filipinos do not yield.”

While we will continue to do whatever we can to find ways and means to peacefully resolve the situation in the West Philippine Sea, the latest incident involving a civilian charter boat on a mission

to deliver food and other provisions for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal that was hit by CCG water cannons – resulting in heavy damage to the boat and injuries to three navy personnel aboard the vessel – shows the hypocrisy of our neighbor in the north who claims to be “professional, restrained, reasonable and lawful” when its actions clearly demonstrate otherwise.

The continuing aggression displayed by China has caused the gravest concern among members of the international community who have strongly voiced their overwhelming support for the Philippines, among them Australia’s Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, who said her country shares “serious concerns” about the “dangerous conduct by China’s vessels” and noting that this is “part of a pattern of deeply concerning behavior.”

Like Ambassador Yu, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke also expressed their concerns and called for all parties to respect and uphold international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which is “the

basis for peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya reiterated that “Japan stands in solidarity with the Philippines,” while European Union spokesperson Peter Stano called for restraint while expressing concern that the “succession of repeated dangerous maneuvers, blocking and water-cannoning from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia against Philippine vessels… constituted a dangerous provocation” that “put human lives at risk, undermine regional stability and international norms and threaten security in the region and beyond.”

UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils also condemned the harassment, saying it has endangered lives and resulted in significant damage to a civilian vessel, while U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson reiterated U.S. support for the Philippines, saying China’s “interference with the Philippine freedom of navigation violates international law and threatens a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Canadian Ambassador David Bruce Hartman urged a peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with

international law, and at the same time spoke against “dangerous maneuvers and the repeated use of water cannons” that “endangered lives and pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.”

India’s top diplomat Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed his country’s willingness to support the Philippines in upholding its sovereignty and recognized the validity of the July 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, including its so-called nine-dash-line, as without legal basis.

Members of the media – in particular the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) – also called out China and condemned the “false, baseless claims” that journalists are being made to “manipulate” videos “to make sensational news and project the Philippines as a victim” – calling the accusation a “barefaced lie.”

FOCAP said it “takes deep offense at the insinuation that the press is a ‘troublemaker’ and in cahoots with the government to forward a political agenda,” saying that the statements by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson

and embassy are “an insult to the integrity of journalists and an alarming attempt to muzzle an independent press.”

Over the centuries, the Philippines has faced so many challenges, carving its own destiny as a nation that is able to take its rightful place among other nations in the world.

As we continue to face these serious challenges to our sovereignty and sovereign rights, we should all take pride in the indomitable spirit and determination that our forefathers displayed, calling to mind the blood they shed and the sacrifices they made to give us the freedom and independence that we are enjoying today.

The president has taken a firm stand – we will not yield and will not give up even one square inch of our territory.

Now more than ever, true Filipinos should unite and stand behind our beloved country.

God bless the Philippines! (Philstar.com) *

THE first day of April saw an “onslaught” of verbal tirades against the results of the survey conducted by Pulse Asia on whether majority of Filipinos are in favor of Charter change (Cha-cha) at this time.

The latest opinion poll on whether Filipinos favor amending the Charter showed that 74 percent are opposed to it at this time. This result riled up the pro-Cha-cha members at the House who hurled their strong opinions against it. Some cited another survey that contrasted with the Pulse Asia survey results.

Tangere, a marketing research firm established in 2018, released a similar survey showing that 14 percent “strongly agree” and 38 percent “somewhat agree” with constitutional amendments. Their survey was done through random selections of those who have mobile phones. But take note that the greater percentage just expressed “somewhat agree”—not a very convincing

Members of the House of Representatives, especially the loudest pro-Cha-cha ones, need to know about the history of Pulse Asia and this survey. Questions related to amending provisions in the 1987 Constitution have been run for the last 20 years, according to professor Ronald Homes, Pulse Asia president. He explained this in an interview after some of the loudest Cha-cha proponents in the House expressed doubts, even questions on the survey’s methodology. They even claimed that some of the questions in Pulse Asia’s latest survey were “biased and leading.”

stand on agreement, which is usually typical of many people who are unsure of their answers, and could be attributed to their lack of knowledge on the issue.

On the other hand, Pulse Asia has been at the forefront of innumerable opinion surveys since its establishment in 1999, through the initiative of professor emeritus Felipe Miranda of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. Their surveys have stood the test of credibility and substantive content, including timeliness and relevance.

In June 2018, Pulse Asia ran a survey on whether Filipinos favor Cha-cha when then President Rodrigo Duterte was strongly pushing to change our system of government from unitary to federal. According to the position paper by professors of UP’s Department of Political Science, the 2018 survey showed that 67 percent

were against changing the Charter at the time the survey was conducted. Of this total percentage, 37 percent were against Cha-cha “now and in the future” and 30 percent were against it “now but maybe open to it sometime in the future.” Additionally, only 18 percent favored Cha-cha “now” while the remaining 14 percent were undecided.

In that same survey, only 74 percent claimed to have very little to no knowledge at all of the Constitution, and 69 percent said they have very little knowledge of what a federal system of government is.

Another Pulse Asia survey in September 2022 also showed that Cha-cha was not an urgent concern, belying claims that there was a “huge public clamor” to amend the Constitution to address “present-day realities.”

In that survey, respondents did not include Cha-cha as one of

the country’s urgent national concerns. The top issues and concerns mentioned had to do with how the government controls inflation, creating more jobs (especially good-paying and stable ones), and, more importantly, fighting graft and corruption in government.

Based on these and other survey results, UP Diliman political science professors argued that “any attempt to amend the Constitution or change the Charter requires prior consultative and deliberative processes involving a genuinely informed citizenry. The claim that there is public clamor for constitutional change remains unsubstantiated.”

Perhaps our honorable representatives need to answer some critical questions: Will changing the Constitution’s economic provisions especially on the restrictions of foreign investments really lead to a

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Council formed for PH hosting of ASEAN 2026

by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Marcos has formed a council to organize the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit meetings in 2026.

In Administrative Order 17, Marcos constituted the ASEAN National Organizing Council to facilitate the planning, implementation and monitoring of programs, activities and projects for the hosting of the regional meet.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was named chairman of the council, which will have three vice chairpersons – the foreign affairs secretary for ASEAN political community, the trade secretary for economic community and the social welfare secretary for sociocultural community.

The secretaries of the interior, defense, public works, transportation, information and communications technology, tourism and budget departments and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) were appointed as members of the council. The chief executives of local governments chosen to serve as the sites for the hosting of the conference may be invited as

of the President. The director-general for operations will be the head of the council’s executive committee, which was tasked to ensure that the programs, activities and projects needed to prepare for the hosting of ASEAN 2026 would run smoothly.

special

The National

Council is expected to submit for the President’s approval a master plan for the hosting of ASEAN 2026, which shall include the estimated budget and communication mechanisms. It will also monitor the implementation of the work plans of its committees, submit periodic reports and perform other functions. Also created for the event is the Office of the Director-General for Operations under the Office

The committee will be composed of representatives from the foreign affairs, trade, social welfare, budget, public works, interior, defense, transportation, information and communications technology, tourism, finance and environment departments, the PCO, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Management Staff, Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Presidential Protocol and other agencies as may be deemed necessary by the council.

The executive committee will be assisted by seven committees in charge of security, peace and order and emergency preparedness response; infrastructure; transport and telecommunications; tourism, hospitality, tours, social events and site enhancement; finance, budget and procurement; business and investment promotion; media affairs and strategic communications. 

Bill seeks safe ports for Filipino sherfolk in WPS

MANILA — The House of Representatives will push for a bill that will establish fishing shelters and ports in nine occupied maritime features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the Philippine Rise. House Bill 9011 will involve the islands of Lawak, Kota, Likas, Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, Patag, Rizal Reef, and Ayungin Shoal to serve as safe spots for fishers where they can take refuge during unforeseen circumstances, according to a news release on Tuesday, April

2. Bill author Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said the shelters and ports would also store gears, supplies and communication devices.

He said the measure is aligned with Executive Order (EO) 57 that created the National Maritime

Council (NMC) and renamed and reorganized the National Coast Watch Council (NCWC), noting that it would uphold national sovereignty and ease the plight of Filipino fisherfolk. "This measure can sustainably ensure and send a loud message that the WPS and the Philippine Rise are ours," he said. “Our territorial waters are vulnerable, so are the lives of our fishermen -- our food security soldiers.”

Meanwhile, Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul Tupas, chairperson of the Committee on National Defense and Security, lauded the creation of the NMC as a "strategic move" to advance the country's national security, territorial integrity, and sovereign rights amid rising tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes.

He said a central body in charge of formulating national strategies for specific maritime concerns is a significant approach to China's aggressions in the WPS.

"We support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s move to reorganize the National Maritime Council," Tupas said in a statement, also on Tuesday.

"We must protect our fisherfolk making a living in the West Philippine Sea, our Coast Guard and military personnel who protect our exclusive zone, and, as always, be firm with our sovereignty based on accepted international laws," he added.

The members of the NMC are the Secretaries of the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources and Foreign Affairs; and the National Security Adviser. (PNA)

This is what it takes to take on Alzheimer’s.

It’s not easy to accept that memory loss that disrupts daily life could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Or that two-thirds of people diagnosed are women, including Asian American and Pacific Islander women.

But we can watch for signs in ourselves and others. And reduce our risk by staying active and lowering blood pressure.

Because we have what it takes to take on Alzheimer’s.

members of the council.

Organizing

ASEAN HOSTING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. orders the creation of a national organizing council (NOC) for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit 2026. The newly-created ASEAN NOC is tasked to ensure the orderly and seamless hosting of the biannual gathering. Malacañang file photo

Cristine and Baron tackle the complexities of blended families Vice Ganda celebrates 48th birthday in ethereal shoot

Cristine and Baron star as Shel and Deo in "Dearly Beloved." Both separated but still legally married, the two fall for each other after meeting at a bar and soon live together to start a happy home.

effort to be a stepdad. When I courted their mother, I courted them, too. When you show them how much you love their mother, that's when you gain the children's respect."

sons from a previous relationship, besides being a doting dad to their four-year-old daughter together.

With first-hand experiences of living in modern and unconventional families, it goes without saying that this pair of talented actors' newest film, "Dearly Beloved," which delves into the intricate dynamics of blended families, is one that bears much importance and meaning for them to bring to present-day audiences. For as failed marriages, remarriages and pregnancies out of wedlock are no longer considered shocking situations in society, Cristine and Baron believe their Viva Films offering can effectively help those like them in navigating such complex family structures. In a highly anticipated reunion since they last appeared in the ABS-CBN series, "Eva Fonda,"

All seems well, and even strangers would think their family life is perfect, but things are far from being that way. Deo and Shel are living a blended family with all their children – Gelo (Deo and Shel's son), Nathan (Shel's son with her ex-husband), Trixie and Levi (Deo's children with his ex-wife).

And despite the pair and their children being open to their complex setup, other people's judgments and the standards of social norms soon affect them.

Showing both eagerness and sincerity in shedding light on the challenges faced by many like them in blended families, the lead actors dove into a compelling discussion on what — in this case — they believe Deo and Shel need to do to stay together. Baron emphasizes the importance of unwavering effort and unconditional love in such situations. He shared, "From my experience being part of a blended family, it took a lot of

Cristine echoed Baron's sentiments and emphasized the weightiness of the film's theme. "Watch and learn from the story of 'Dearly Beloved.' It's heavy because it reflects the reality of many families in similar situations."

She admitted, "My initial thought about the idea of a blended family was [the sitcom] 'Modern Family,' which I used to watch. But it's a comedy, so they make it light. Here in 'Dearly Beloved,' the approach is different, and audiences will come to see that it takes a lot of compassion to understand the characters' relationship, their relationship with their children, and their relationship with stepkids. It also takes a lot of maturity to handle this kind of family situation because when you think about it, there are already many responsibilities in an ideal family. In a blended family, it's double."

When asked what they hope the film will impart as a whole, both actors point to the need for more understanding in society so that people can have second chances at love and a happy family life.

Meanwhile, curious about the title "Dearly Beloved," The Manila Times Entertainment received an enlightening explanation from the movie's director and co-writer, Marla Ancheta (known for the critically acclaimed "Doll House," which also starred Baron).

She said, "The words 'dearly beloved' are what we usually hear at the beginning of weddings, so [our writing team] thought to use that as the title of the movie as an irony. How people in love so want to get married and hear those words at their weddings only to find out how difficult it is to be married."

"Dearly Beloved" also stars Phoebe Walker as Rhoan (Deo's ex-wife), JC Tiuseco as Keith (Shel's ex-husband), and young actors Althea Ruedas, Robbie Wachtel, Tyro Daylusan, and Charles Law portraying Deo and Shel's children. Other cast members include Ivan Padilla, Rey PJ Abellana, Marissa Sanchez, Ana Luna, Erica Ladiza, Guji Lorenzana, and Nicco Manalo.

‘I’m healed’: Kathryn Bernardo talks about forgiveness following Daniel Padilla split

AFTER the much talked about breakup with Daniel Padilla last November, Kathryn Bernardo reveal that she's now healed. In her interview with Mega Magazine, Kathryn said she's now in a better position in life.

"Now, where I am is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

February for me is the new January. Parang ’yon ’yong tapos na. I know that I’m okay. I can say I’m healed,” she said. "You have to experience all the process, all the pain, lahat. But I always make sure that when it comes to my work, nothing is affected,” she added.

Kathryn also talked about forgiveness in her interview.

Ang lalim kasi ng word na forgiveness. For me, you can forgive people who deserve it. But when I forgive you, it doesn’t mean that I have to keep you in my life. I forgive you for my peace of mind, for clarity, and for everything. But it doesn’t mean na puwede kang bumalik. It depends,” she said.

“I’ll just keep my distance; you keep your distance. We’re okay like that. I mean, kunwari, I got hurt, why would I allow you to come back? It depends. It’s a caseto-case basis,” she added.

Kathryn and Daniel announced their breakup last November 30.

IT was an unforgettable 48th birthday celebration for Vice Ganda whose special day was filled with love from his “It’s Showtime” co-hosts and even a mythical-inspired photoshoot. Vice Ganda was transported to a pink magical wonderland surrounded by flowers. The host-comedian was donning a ruffled mini dress, tulle arm warmers, a headpiece with tulle and flowers, and fairy wings to match the concept, as seen on his Instagram page on Sunday, March 31.

Celebrity stylist Aaron Mangsat, hairstylist R Rodriguez, and makeup artist Jelly Eugenio brought Vice Ganda’s magical look. The photos were taken by photographer BJ Pascual while Vince Uy served as the creative director.

The “It’s Showtime” host also shared an accompanying video of his birthday photoshoot in a separate post.

“Mothering video tutorial from the unkabogable mother of mothering! Daming mother! Waaaah,” he wrote.

Messages of love Aside from the comments in his post, Vice Ganda received messages from his partner Ion Perez and other “It’s Showtime” co-hosts.

Perez, who shared photos of himself with the “Praybeyt Benjamin” star on a swing on Instagram, said their love for each other trumps “all wrongs”.

“Tulad ng sinabi ko dati maraming rason ang TAMA para maging MALI pero ang pag mamahal ko sayo kahit KAILAN walang rason para maging MALI. Happy birthday mybestfriend mysoulmate mybabe my WIFE I

LOVE YOU MOST,” he wrote.

(As I told you, there are many reasons for rights to be wrong. But my love for you will never have a reason to be wrong. Happy birthday, my best friend, my soulmate, my babe, and my wife. I love you most.)

Meanwhile, Anne Curtis took to her Instagram Story to express her love for Vice Ganda. “I’m still going to post this photo na ang ganda mo. Hindi halata na 50 ka na,” she wrote in apparent jest. “Happy birthday my sisterette. I love you so much.” Itchyworms lead singer Jugs Jugueta described the actorcomedian as the “mother of all mothering mothers” in a separate post. “Happy happy birthday to the mother of all mothering mothers, Ate @praybeytbenjamin!!! Enjoy your day,” he wrote. “Mothering” is a slang term often used to describe a favorite female or gay person doing an amazing thing. The ABS-CBN noontime show will broadcast its first episode under GMA’s umbrella starting April 6, taking over the slot vacated by the TAPE-produced Tahanang Pinakamasaya.”

APART from joining Binibining Pilipinas thrice before winning Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach revealed her other struggles, including becoming a waitress in United Kingdom despite being an actress and a celebrity in the Philippines.

“Ilang beses ko na narinig ‘to: sayang si Pia, maganda sana pero hindi nabigyan ng break,” she said at the beginning of her manifesto for the recent Sayang? No, I’m worth it” campaign launch of international beauty brand L’Oreal Paris. During her speech, Pia bared that she was also initially planned to have a love team partner and was offered sexy roles to boost her showbiz career. “Masyado kasi s’yang matangkad, ‘di natin s’ya mabigyan ng love team,” she declared. “Sayang ‘di n’ya tinanggap ‘yung mga sexy na roles. Chance na n’ya ‘yun pero sinayang. Her provincial accent was also cited as among the reasons why she was not offered bigger roles: Sayang, pwede sana ilagay sa roles pero rinig na rinig namin na taga-Cagayan de Oro s’ya. Rinig na rinig namin ‘yung Bisaya accent n’ya tuwing may mga dialog s’ya.”

As a breadwinner, when Pia was unable to rely on showbiz anymore to make a living, she went to the United Kingdom to explore other opportunities.

Sayang, napag-iwanan na s’ya ng mga kasabayan n’ya. Buti pa sila. Sayang, nag-artista, walang nangyari. Ang nangyari, pumunta sa UK, naging waitress sa isang hotel. From artista to waitress –sayang.” But life in UK was not easier for Wurtzbach. Nu’ng nag-culinary naman ako, which is a male-dominated space, sayang din, ako lang ‘yung babae sa kusina. Ayaw nila agad ibigay sa’kin ‘yung trabaho kasi akala nila hindi ko kaya buhatin ‘yung mga pots and pans. So nagtrial muna ako bago ko nakuha.” L’Oréal Paris has tirelessly

advocated for women empowerment through it's tagline - I'm Worth It. Following the reveal of its powerful hero film, the brand officially launched its "I'm Worth It" campaign in the Philippines last March 25.

The " Sayang ? No, I'm Worth It" campaign is anchored on a local cultural insight and is a first for the global brand to activate their iconic Worth lt movement for the Philippine market. Headlined by their ambassadors, Pia WurtzbachJauncey and Iza CalzadoWintle, the launch event was held in Puerta Real Gardens, Intramuros, Manila City. The event held at Intramuros was an intentional choice for the brand — Puerta Real, translated to English means "royal gate." Gates are commonly associated with going through transitions and welcoming new opportunities, and this was the perfect symbol for the advocacy campaign launch to be held here. The event gave Intramuros, also

known as old Manila, a Modern Filipiniana twist, representing the shift in outdated, traditional views on women.

The campaign, led by some of the most prominent names in the beauty industry, serves as a wake up call for anyone who still refuses to recognize that all types of women are worth it, no matter their choices and aspirations in life — turning every “Sayang ka..” into “Sayang? No, I’m worth it.”

“Celebrating women and advocating for their empowerment have always been at the core of L’Oréal Paris, but the (campaign) definitely takes it to the next level," stated the brand's Philippines Brand Head, Von Cruz.

"Together with our powerful brand and campaign ambassadors, I am positive that we will be able to break barriers and be a loud voice for all our fellow women and all the modern Filipinas that constantly redefies expectations and creates her own path."

Cristine Reyes and Baron Geisler, here with child actress Althea Ruedas, reunite in a

Kathryn Bernardo

Photo from Instagram/@bernardokath

Same-sex success story shows how love found a way, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

judiciary officials visit Seattle and Northern California

Avecilla is a passionate entrepreneur, multiple business owner, and investor, and has condensed her decades of sales, business, and

experience into a powerful customer-centric sales system that works. With boundless energy and infectious charisma, Melody consistently achieves top level sales production through skillful business strategy and unwavering commitment to excellence. She is now sharing these insights, strategies and mindset to help those who inspire to be at the top of their game.

SELLebrate™ presents Melody’s formula for lowering costs while building a profitable sales team, packaged as a study guide for employers, employees, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed. Not only is Melody passion-

ate about business success, she is also passionate about helping where she can.

For the first quarter of her book release”, she is pleased to announce that up to $4 from each sale of this will be donated to organizations that help end child hunger. Not only do you get an award-winning sales guide to help your business, but you also help feed a child who’s hungry. For every $50 donated, up to 500 children are fed. Statistics from www.worldhunger.org show that:

• 45% of all child deaths worldwide are from causes related to undernutrition

• About 1 in 9 people don’t have enough food to lead a healthy life

• More than 99 million children under the age of 5 are undernourished.

From left: Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez, Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil. San Francisco PCG photos

PHILLIPS STATION — In the face of the climate crisis, the Newsom Administration is continuing to take action to protect water supplies when it’s dry and to capture more water during wet seasons. In addition to investing billions of dollars to boost water supplies and drastically expanding the state’s storage capacity, the updated California Water Plan demonstrates how planning at a watershed scale provides the most comprehensive solutions for climate resilient water supplies for all Californians.

This plan is directly tied into the Tuesday, April 2 snow survey, a key indicator of expected runoff that this plan helps both state and local governments capture and store. It recorded 64 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 27.5 inches, which is 113 percent of average for this location and above average overall.

“In the past few years alone, we’ve gone from extreme drought to some of the most intense rain and snow seasons on record – showcasing the need for us to constantly adapt to how we manage our water supplies. The water plans and strategies we’re implementing are each targeted components of our overall effort to deliver clean water to Californians by capturing, storing, and conserving more water throughout the state. This plan is a critical component of that effort,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Here are just a couple examples of what California has implemented since the last Water Plan, highlighting its importance:

• Created a Flood-Managed Aquifer Recharge program, capturing and spreading flood flows to recharge aquifers –boosting the state’s water capture and storage abilities.

• Integrated climate science and research to help vulnerable communities defend against floods and drought. This plan is a critical component of how California plans to capture more water, store it in reservoirs, replenish and recharge groundwater aquifers, protect against floods, and more. It’s directly tied to the state’s other water strategies:

• Water Resilience Portfolio. Outlines 142 state actions to protect our water supply from climate impacts by boosting water supplies, restoring natural ecosystems, and building infrastructure to store and move more water.

• Water Supply Strategy. Hotter and drier weather could diminish our water supply up to 10% by 2040, and this strategy offsets that loss – adding enough storage, recycling, and smarter water use to supply 8.4 million households every year. These plans and reports are all intertwined, serving as critical blueprints for managing different parts of California’s complex water supply system – the Supply Strategy is offsetting the 10% loss we’re facing, the Resilience Portfolio boosts water supplies on

top of that by building more and restoring natural water sources, and the Water Plan guides California's water management and conservation. California’s other actions to boost water supplies include:

• Nearly $9 billion in water investments over the last three years. Track water projects in your community at https://build. ca.gov.

• Expanded water supply and storage through groundwater recharge and other projects by over 400 billion gallons.

• Streamlining projects and limiting litigation delays to spur new and improved water infrastructure.

• Large-scale environmental restoration, including the removal of four dams from the Klamath River – the nation’s largest dam removal project.

More is needed to expand California’s water supplies. During this year's storms alone, the Delta Conveyance Project could’ve captured enough water to supply 9.4 million people; the streamlined Sites Reservoir Project could hold enough water for 3 million households’ yearly usage. (Gov. Newsom’s Office Release)

BURBANK — CostWise Insurance, a name synonymous with innovation and customer-centric insurance solutions, is set to make a landmark appearance at the Franchise Expo 2024, showcasing a unique opportunity that promises to bridge the gap between Filipino entrepreneurial aspirations and the American dream.

This April, from the 12th to the 14th, the SMX Convention Center is expected to buzz with the transformative energy of potential franchisees exploring opportunities at Booth Number 352, where CostWise Insurance will unveil its franchising opportunity to the Filipino community.

Melody Avecilla, the visionary behind Cost Wise Insurance, has charted a course that has revolutionized the traditional insurance service model, offering unparalleled efficiency, affordability, and quality customer service. With over 20 years of experience and a broad representation of over 25+ top-rated insurance carriers, Cost Wise Insurance stands as a stalwart in the industry, now looking to expand its horizons across the Pacific.

The Franchise Expo 2024 serves as a platform for Cost Wise Insurance to introduce its franchising model explicitly designed for the Filipino market.

"Our presence in the Franchise Expo is a testament to our commitment to empower Filipinos with an entrepreneurial spirit, seeking to cultivate a future in the United States," said Avecilla. This initiative is particularly tailored to support

Filipinos through the investors visa program, offering them a comprehensive franchising package that includes extensive training, marketing strategies, and the promise of a supportive network. By franchising with Cost Wise Insurance, ambitious individuals can own a piece of a proven business model and a slice of the American pie.

"The dream of owning a business in the U.S. is an aspiration we deeply understand and wish to facilitate for many Filipinos," Avecilla adds. "Our goal is to act as a catalyst for this transition, providing a platform for growth, stability, and success."

The expo is expected to attract thousands of attendees seeking to learn about franchising and business expansion. Cost Wise Insurance's participation is a bold move that highlights the company's growth and its mission to foster strong business relationships with the Filipino community.

Aspiring franchisees are encouraged to visit www. costwiseinsurancefranchise.com for more details about the opportunity and to schedule a meeting at the Franchise Expo 2024.

Cost Wise Insurance stands ready at the helm, navigating a course where Filipino dreams meet American opportunities, and the journey towards achieving them begins at the Franchise Expo 2024.

For further information, contact: Cost Wise Insurance Franchise Department www. costwiseinsurancefranchise.com info@ costwiseinsurance.com.

Unemployment customers can get answers to their questions and complete most claim-related tasks through UI Online. Within UI Online, customers can certify for their bi-weekly benefit payments, check payment information, reopen an existing claim, update contact information, reschedule an eligibility phone interview, and send secure messages to unemployment customer service representatives.

including better service for California’s diverse communities,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “This major boost to customer service will help millions of Californians in the top eight most frequently spoken languages,” Farias added. Unemployment customers will also receive timely updates about the status of their claim and payment notifications delivered via email or text message in their preferred language.

The additional language options are available when applying for unemployment benefits through UI Online after logging into myEDD. Next, EDD will be adding language enhancements for the disability or Paid Family Leave applications and Benefit Overpayment Services.

Applying for unemployment benefits online

EDD customers must first create a myEDD account and then register for UI Online, the fastest and most convenient way to apply for benefits and manage an unemployment claim. For languages other than English, customers should select the globe icon at the top of the myEDD login page, revealing a menu of language options (see the following image). Customers are encouraged to indicate their preferred written and spoken language when applying online, which helps the Department to better serve customers seeking multilingual services.

The EDD has also established dedicated phone lines in the top languages for unemployment customers who need assistance navigating the claim process.

EDD language access initiatives

Expanding UI Online access adds to the Department’s previously announced efforts to better serve limited English proficient (LEP) individuals –people whose primary language is other than English or have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, including deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

The EDD has already:

• Established a Multilingual Access Advisory Committee that will advise on language considerations that affect people seeking and receiving EDD services.

• Opened an EDD Language Access Office directed by its Language Access Officer.

• Increased its website’s translated content, including vital information about all EDD programs, forms and publications, and contact information, as well as providing access to interpreters in over 200 languages at no cost.

• Provided customers with helpful how-to videos for UI Online in different languages.

Expanding language access to California’s diverse communities is part of EDDNext. The multiyear modernization effort is dedicated to completely transforming the EDD’s customer and employee experiences based on customer research and feedback. For more information, please visit Language Resources at https://edd.ca.gov/en/languageresources/. The EDD will share new updates regarding language access improvements in future news releases and its bi-monthly newsletter, which offers the latest information on major changes impacting EDD customers. EDDNext is an ongoing transformation effort that includes updating online applications, contact centers, the claims process, policies, procedures, and forms, to make the EDD experience easier and faster. It involves working with customer service experts, such as Amazon Web Services and Salesforce, to ensure EDDNext is forward-thinking and embraces the best technology and practices. Recently, the EDD started simplifying the unemployment application process by removing some questions and working on a rewrite of the application to make it easier to understand and navigate. The Department also switched benefit debit card services to Money Network which supports providing a new direct deposit option later this year. EDD has also continued to streamline benefit determinations, added customer satisfaction surveys after calls, added text message updates to State Disability Insurance claims, created a new How to Apply for Unemployment guide, launched a new shared customer portal called myEDD, launched dedicated phone lines with EDD staff fluent in California’s eight most commonly spoken languages, and created new multilingual resources pages. (EDD Release)