053124 - San Diego Edition

Zambales fishers defy China ban in West Philippine Sea

by Joanna Rose aglibot Inquirer.net

the West Philippine Sea, and a senior Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer on Wednesday, May 29 condemned Beijing’s unilateral imposition.

skipper Joel Banila, 39, told the Inquirer in an interview that he and his crew of 15 managed to fish near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, also known

by DexteR CabalZa Inquirer.net

MANILA — The government has zero budget set aside this year to procure updated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect vulnerable Filipinos from the new “Flirt” variants driving a wave of infections around the world, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The jabs are seen as crucial to the safety and protection of the elderly as well as people with compromised immune systems from the fast-spreading Flirt variants, which, while not considered deadly, are sparking

concerns of a COVID-19 resurgence four years since the advent of the pandemic.

The DOH spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, said the public’s immunity from the virus due to the original primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots administered from 2021 to 2023 had waned over time, although “not totally lost.”

“There may be some degree of residual immunity left, which is still better than having not been vaccinated at all,” Domingo said in a message to the Inquirer

But the DOH has no budget under the

DFA: China’s Coast Guard rules violate international law

by Dona Z. PaZZibugan Inquirer.net

— The Philippines warned China that it would be “in direct violation of international law” if it orders its coast guard to detain for up to 60 days without trial supposed “trespassers” in the West Philippine Sea where the Philippines has jurisdiction.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said China’s coast guard regulations, set to take effect on June 15, may not be applied in other states’ territories, maritime zones or jurisdictions and would “violate other sovereign states’ rights and entitlements under international law.”

Domestic laws “cannot be applied nor enforced in the high seas under international law,” added the DFA.

“China would be in direct violation of international law should it enforce these new regulations in the waters and maritime features within the illegal, u PAGE 3

Ombudsman suspends Bohol gov, 68 others over Chocolate Hills fiasco

A surprised Aumentado steps aside on Tuesday, says its ‘business as usual’ at the provincial capitol by DexteR CabalZa Inquirer.net

u PAGE 4

President Marcos signs ‘Eddie Garcia’ law

by Jean MangaluZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the “Eddie Garcia” law, said the Palace on Tuesday, May 28. Republic Act 11996 was named after the multi-awarded veteran actor, Eddie Garcia (Eduardo Verchez Garcia), who died on June 20, 2019. The 90-year-old actor suffered a neck injury after he tripped and fell while shooting for an upcoming “teleserye.”

“No agreement or employment contract shall discriminate against a worker who has contracts or projects with other production outfits unless exclusivity is specified in the contract, nor shall any person perform any act involving preference based on race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, or religion, which has the purpose or effect of nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or

The late Eddie Garcia Inquirer.net

exercise on an equal footing of any human right or fundamental freedom,” said the new law. In addition to this, the new law mandates

PAGE 2

MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero has categorically denied that the investigation on the so-called Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leaks, linking President Marcos to illegal drug use, triggered the ouster of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as head of the chamber.

Escudero, however, refused to reveal the reason why 15 senators signed a resolution calling for a change in Senate leadership.

He said even Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, initially thought he was to blame for the change in Senate leadership.

“That’s why Sen. Dela Rosa became emotional, because he said he was the

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and 68 other public officials, including town mayors and local heads of national agencies, have been placed under preventive suspension by the Ombudsman for six months over the construction of a controversial resort near the famous Chocolate Hills.

In an order dated May 22 and released on Tuesday, May 28 the antigraft office said the operation of the controversial Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort at Barangay Canmano in Sagbayan town was allowed even without the required environmental impact assessment, environmental compliance certificate and special use agreement in protected areas from the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“The respondents acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, gross inexcusable negligence and committed gross violations of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (Nipas Act of 1992) and Expanded National

Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (E-Nipas Act of 2018) when they remained adamant and continuously tolerated the operation and expansion of Captain’s Peak despite its lack of environmental clearances and permits,” it said. A first The Ombudsman said the resort was issued with a mayor, business, building and locational permits for the years 2020 to 2024, despite the repeated failure to secure the permits and clearances from the DENR. The respondents are facing investigation for grave u PAGE 3

HONORING PEACEKEEPERS. United Nations peacekeepers from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force suit up during the commemoration

Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado

Photo by Leo Udtohan

Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza 46, is accused of killing his Fil-Am coworker and childhood friend. Photo from the Irvine Police Department

‘PDEA leaks’ probe not behind Zubiri...

reason why Sen. Zubiri was removed. Well, in that case, then we should have just removed Senator Dela Rosa (from his committee), instead. I told Dela Rosa maybe we should have just removed you, not the Senate president? But that (PDEA leaks probe) was not the reason,” Escudero on Sunday, May 26 told dzBB.

To prove that the PDEA leaks probe was not a factor in Zubiri’s unseating, Escudero said Dela Rosa is free to continue the investigation of his committee. At present, Dela Rosa has presided over four hearings in the Senate, all motu proprio.

The Senate president said he has advised Dela Rosa to file a resolution to formally call for an investigation to address questions of some quarters.

“It is an option during the recess to file a resolution, which will be referred to his committee so that his hearing will not be questioned and there will be clarity on the sides,” Escudero noted.

Initially, some quarters suspected that the ouster of Zubiri from the Senate helm was due to the Senate’s failure to support the House of Representatives-initiated people’s initiative, and Dela Rosa’s refusal to conclude the PDEA leaks’ probe which dragged the name of the Chief Executive to illegal drug use.

A few days ago, another factor seen in the removal of Zubiri from the Senate presidency was his refusal to allow Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. to attend the plenary session virtually as his Achilles tendon surgery wound had reopened.

Revilla said Zubiri initially decided not to allow him to participate in the Senate deliberations virtually. However, the Senate itself eventually decided to allow him to join the sessions remotely.

‘Solid 7’ seen to back LEDAC priorities

Escudero said he does not believe that the socalled Solid 7 – Zubiri, Senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian – would serve as a stumbling block to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) since they were the same senators who supported such measures from the very beginning.

“They were the ones promoting it then and I don’t see any reason why (they would do otherwise) because the leadership in the Senate just changed. If we have something to debate, it is the new proposals,” Escudero added.

Meanwhile, Escudero is set to meet with Speaker Martin Romualdez while the 19th Congress is on sine die adjournment to discuss priority bills of the legislative branch.

“I would like to meet with him (Romualdez) during recess to discuss the priority of the chamber as an institution and the priority of each member, may they be national or local. Maybe we can help,” Escudero said on dzBB.

He said he also intends to discuss with the speaker “How to fix the relationship between the House of Representatives and the Senate.”

The relationship between the Senate and the House of Representatives was seen affected by the effort to push for a people’s initiative, a move to amend the 1987 Constitution.

The proposal was pushing for Congress to vote as one, diminishing the power of 24 senators over

350 members of the House.

Escudero said he and Romualdez had already talked over the phone and the Speaker congratulated him.

“We talked on the phone last Thursday. He (Romualdez) greeted me through Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, who called me and coincidentally they were together,” he noted.

Zubiri touts ratification of key measures

Three important priority measures that were ratified by the 19th Congress would stem corruption, prevent smuggling of agricultural goods and protect the rights of Filipino seafarers, Zubiri said on Sunday.

He lauded the ratification, saying he is “confident that these soon-to-be enacted measures will address some of the most pressing concerns of our people. It is important that we listen to the voice of the people and identify the things that should be changed in running our government.

“The ratification of these measures is living proof that the Senate is doing its mandate in serving the Filipino people. The laws we endeavor to pass are consistent with the government’s efforts to improve the lives of Filipino families and help our economy grow,” Zubiri said.

“I’m proud that we were able to shepherd these bills into fruition despite the outside partisan political noises that only serve the interests of a few,” he said.

Before the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourned last week, they were able to ratify the following measures: Senate Bill 2593 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), SB 2221 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and SB 2432 or the Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

“Allow me to thank my fellow senators who made sure that these measures are closely scrutinized so that they will serve their intended purpose,” Zubiri said.

The NGPA, Zubiri said, will replace Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act once President Marcos signs the measure into law.

He said the NGPA, principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, will introduce major reforms in the government procurement process, specifically in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the bidding process and awarding of government contracts.

The former Senate chief said the measure was one of the priority bills of the president identified in the LEDAC.

“We started defending this measure several months ago. I have committed to the president that we will prioritize this, and we were able to deliver on that promise,” Zubiri said.

Also ratified was the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which is envisioned to safeguard the welfare of local and international Filipino seafarers and improve their working conditions.

Zubiri said the measure will likewise ensure that the training and education of Filipino seafarers are compliant with the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

Zambales fishers defy China ban...

previous trip to the shoal two weeks earlier.

He could not give the exact number of China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels but reported that there were ships inside the lagoon and around the vast shoal.

Some of the vessels were following them and preventing their entry into the lagoon, he said.

24-hour voyage

Banila said they left Subic on May 21 and endured a 24-hour voyage to reach the location of their first “payao” (artificial reef), which was about 37 kilometers from Panatag.

“We were still far from Scarborough when the Chinese coast guard began following us, preventing our mother boat from approaching our other payao, which is closer to Scarborough,” he said.

They used small boats to sneak past the Chinese vessels to their other payao closer to the shoal where the crew used hook and line to harvest their catch.

“It’s affecting us deeply. Firstly, it disturbs our fishing activities. Secondly, isn’t the shoal ours? Why is there a fishing ban there?” he said.

China said the annual May 1-Aug. 16 ban was intended to promote sustainable fishing and conserve the marine ecology in the South China Sea.

Covered waters

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has protested against the fishing ban for including Philippine maritime zones over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

The fishing ban covers waters west of Palawan’s Busuanga Island all the way north past

Panatag. The area of the ban includes waters surrounding northern Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan.

Vietnam also protested against the ban because it included parts of its exclusive economic zone.

“We support the statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs and we condemn this unilateral fishing ban announced by China,” said PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

“China has no reason to decide a fishing ban within our exclusive economic zone,” he said during Wednesday’s “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” program.

He said that the PCG, the military and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would intensify their presence at Panatag as part of their rotational deployment.

The DFA earlier protested against Beijing’s new rules that would allow its coast guard to detain for up to 60 days without trial any foreigner or foreign ship that illegally crosses into Chinese territory as Beijing unilaterally defines its maritime borders in violation of international law. The rules will be enforced starting June 15.

If arrests are made…

If the CCG threatens or actually arrests Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, Tarriela said that would be treated as harassment of Filipinos inside their country’s exclusive economic zone.

“They do not have legal basis to do that. But the PCG will be intensifying our presence with more PCG vessels, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.

Another fisherman, Ian Jasper

Tabios, 40, was undeterred by the ban. He said that despite the worsening situation at Panatag, they still plan to return to the shoal as long as the weather permits.

“All of us are fearful. But we will continue to go there, even if there is a fishing ban. We would have gone back there now if the weather wasn’t bad,” he said.

Pamalakaya’s turn The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Wednesday announced that its members would defy China’s fishing ban with an “expedition” to the West Philippine Sea.

“This is a demonstration of the fishermen’s opposition to China’s baseless fishing ban that will cover our territory,” Joey Marabe, Pamalakaya-Zambales provincial coordinator, said in a statement.

“We encourage our fellow fishermen in the province of Zambales to support and join our collective fishing activity for our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Marabe said.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap told the Inquirer on Wednesday that about 40 fishermen with 20 small and large boats would take part in the expedition.

He said they would be heading to their ancestral fishing grounds about 35 km to 55 km off the shores of Masinloc with no PCG or Navy escorts.

Still, his group hoped that the government would conduct round-the-clock patrols of the country’s waters.

“We call on the administration to help the fishermen to freely fish,” Hicap said. —with reports from Julie M. Aurelio, Jacob Lazaro and Inquirer Research n

President Marcos signs...

the new law, workers and employers must also have an agreement executed in a language or dialect that is understood by both parties.

Employers violating the law have a fine of up to P100,000 for the first offense, P200,000 for the second offense, and up to P500,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.

“If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the fines shall be imposed upon the entity’s responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the executive producer, producer, production manager, and business unit manager,” the law said. The measure passed the final reading in the Senate in February. n

‘PDEA leaks’ probe not...

The Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, meanwhile, repeals Republic Act 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. Zubiri said the measure, principally authored by Ejercito, will impose harsher penalties on individuals behind the smuggling, hoarding and cartels manipulating the supplies and prices of agricultural products.

“I’m optimistic that this measure will not only protect our local farmers from greedy opportunists but will also help us attain food security in the years to come,” he said. (by Cecille Suerte Felipe/ Philstar.com) n

DFA: China’s Coast Guard...

null and void, and expansive 10-dash line, which would effectively cover areas of the West Philippine Sea where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, or in the high seas,” the DFA said in a statement on Sunday, May 26.

The DFA reminded China that its domestic laws should “abide by its commitments and obligations under international law,” particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, as well as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

“We reiterate our call for China to comply with international law and desist from any action that would undermine peace and security in the region,” the department said.

Detention

Under the new regulations announced on May 15, the Chinese coast guard was authorized to interrogate and detain for up to 30 days, and up to 60 days in some cases without trial, foreign vessels and persons suspected of crossing Chinaclaimed waters.

Beijing issued the order as the Chinese coast guard has lately been aggressively blocking Philippine vessels at Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, areas that lie within

Ferdinand Marcos

the Philippines’ 370-kilometer (200-nautical mile) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.

China continues to claim most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite the July 12, 2016, ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s sweeping claims and upheld the Philippines’ EEZ.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called China’s regulations “unacceptable” while Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called it a “provocation and violation of the United Nations charter.”

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said the illegal regulations affect not only the Philippines but “every country in the world, theoretically.”

Aside from the Philippines

and China, other claimants to the South China Sea features are Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

‘Advisory opinion’

The DFA again urged China to abide by the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea after the ruling was repeatedly cited by the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos) in its May 21 “advisory opinion” on the obligation of states to protect the marine environment from the impact of climate change.

“This bolsters and reinforces the legitimacy of the final and binding 2016 arbitration award, and its unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law,” the DFA said on Saturday, May 25.

“The Philippines therefore takes this opportunity to reiterate its continuing call for

full compliance with the award,” it added.

The DFA said 26 states or groups of states also cited the arbitral award as a legal authority in their respective statements during the Itlos proceedings. China, which has refused to recognize the arbitral ruling, participated in the proceedings along with the Philippines and several other nations.

In the first international judicial opinion on state obligations concerning climate change, the Itlos said states are under obligation to take all necessary measures to control maritime pollution from greenhouse gas emissions.

The tribunal also said states are under special obligation to protect and preserve the marine ecosystem from the impact of climate change. n

Ombudsman suspends Bohol gov, 68 others over Chocolate Hills...

misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Sought for comment, Aumentado, 46, said it was his first time to get suspended as a government official since he was elected as representative of Bohol’s second district in 2013 until he became governor in 2022.

He said he received the orders from the Ombudsman on Tuesday afternoon.

“I did not expect this. But we can’t do anything about it. We have to comply with the order. We will face this. God knows what is inside my heart,” the governor told employees of the

Capitol.

“My request is for Capitol employees to continue working. Remain clean in serving the people. It’s business as usual in the Capitol,” he added. Aumentado said the Provincial Government of Bohol has no direct participation in the issuance of permits or licenses for the operation of Captain’s Peak Resort.

Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite served as Bohol governor starting Tuesday. Aside from Aumentado, also suspended were Mayors Restituto Suarez III (Sagbayan), Antonino Jumawid (Batuan), Elizabeth Mandin-Pace (Catigbian), Eugeniano Ibarra

(Clarin), Norman Palacio (Bilar), Michael Doria (Sierra Bullones), Dionisio Neil Balite (Valencia) and Conchita Toribio-Delos Reyes (Carmen).

Former mayors who were impleaded in the case were former Mayors Manuel Jayectin (Bilar), Simplicio Maestrado Jr. (Sierra Bullones), Maria Katrina Lim (Valencia), Calixto Garcia (Valencia), Ricardo Toribio (Carmen), and Bilar Vice Mayor Ranulfo Maligmat. Also suspended were Ma. Victoria Abrera, regional director of DENR-Environment Management Bureau; Paquito Melicor; DENR regional executive director; and Gilbert Gonzales, regional director of

DENR-Central Visayas; Eugene Cabrera, regional director of the Office Civil Defense; and Joel Elumba, regional director of Department of Agriculture –Central Visayas, as well as some local village captains in Bilar, Carmen, Sagbayan, Batuan, Bilar, Dagohoy and Clarin.

Geological wonder

The Chocolate Hills, a geological wonder, consist of some 1,776 conical shapes and sizes spread over the towns of Bilar, Carmen, Batuan, Sierra Bullones, Sagbayan and other towns.

According to the DENR, they’re named and protected under the Nipas Act, or Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by

Republic Act No. 11038.

Chocolate Hills Natural Monument is one of the 17 protected areas.

Over the years, there were at least 500 establishments constructed within the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument. Sagbayan Peak in Sagbayan was opened in 2003 and has a viewing deck, a restaurant, a butterfly dome, a little amusement park, a zipline and a swimming pool.

In 2018, Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort was established at Barangay Canmano in Sagbayan town. It has a pool, slides and cottages nestled at the foot of several hills.

In Carmen town, the

Chocolate Hills Complex in Barangay Buenos Aires was established in the 1970s. This is the main viewing point for the Chocolate Hills, which is run by the municipal government.

The Chocolate Hills, the tourism signature of Bohol, is recognized as the first Global Geopark of Unesco.

The hills are composed of 1,776 limestone mounds surrounding the island’s interior plains.

In 1997, then President Fidel Ramos, through Presidential Decree No. 1037, declared the Chocolate Hills as a natural monument, ensuring its protection. —with a report from Dempsey Reyes n

President

Jr., Foreign Sec. Enrique Manalo, and Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Inquirer.net photos

Fil-Am charged with alleged ambush murder of...

a special circumstances allegation of a driveby shooting and murder by lying in wait. He was also facing a sentencing enhancement for shooting a gun causing death.

De Leon was shot 14 times in 19 seconds, prosecutors said. The shooting occurred at about 3 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the intersection of Chrysler and Fleming in Irvine.

Fontanoza and De Leon worked as UPS drivers and both lived in Aliso Viejo in Orange County, California.

Fontanoza allegedly stopped a UPS driver at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday asking if that route was the one assigned to De Leon, and when he was told the victim had another route, the defendant went to the company’s Aliso Viejo station, where he is accused of using a computer there to show driver’s routes, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Fontanoza, who was on disability leave, was scheduled to return to work June 1, prosecutors said.

The defendant, who was in a new vehicle the victim likely wouldn’t recognize, tracked De Leon down on his route and shot him from a pickup truck after the victim made a delivery and got back in his truck, prosecutors alleged.

Surveillance footage showed the suspect’s silver Honda Ridgeline 4-door truck pulling up next to the UPS truck before fleeing on Goodyear toward Jeronimo, police said.

Following the shooting, authorities radioed law enforcement in the area with a suspect description, and just before 4 p.m. Thursday, a sheriff’s deputy found a match on Santiago Canyon Road, and the pickup was stopped near Chapman Avenue. Video from the scene around 6 p.m. showed the pickup pinned by a pair of armored SWAT vehicles, with

additional officers stationed on a hillside above the standoff.

At about 6:15 p.m., officers were seen firing tear gas into the cab of the truck, and a short time later a police dog was deployed, engaging the suspect in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle. After a short struggle, officers moved in and pulled the man from the vehicle and took him into custody.

Fontanoza was hospitalized following his arrest, but the extent of his injuries was unclear.

The defendant did not enter a plea at his arraignment Monday, May 27, and the hearing was rescheduled for June 10 in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Authorities have not released any possible motive for the killing.

“We are shocked and saddened by the latest developments in Irvine,” UPS said in a statement. “… These are highly unusual circumstances and do not represent the culture of our company and the camaraderie among our employees around the world. Our focus now is on supporting our people and their loved ones during this extremely difficult time. Since the investigation is ongoing, we defer any additional questions to the investigating authorities.”

Who is Expedito Cuesta De Leon

Expedito “X” Cuesta De Leon was born on September 27, 1974, in San Jose, Ormoc, Philippines. At the age of 14, he moved to California, where he ultimately achieved the “American Dream,” according to his obituary.

X proudly served in the United States Army as an E-4 SPC artillery soldier from 1994 to 1997. Following his military service, he embarked on a long and successful career with the United Parcel Service, recently celebrating

his 27th anniversary this past January. X was frequently recognized for his outstanding service with UPS.

On November 10, 2011, X married the love of his life, Cindy Yuhico. Together, they traveled the world, creating lasting memories.

X is survived by his beloved wife Cindy, his son Devin (Nicole) De Leon, his daughter Malea De Leon, and Cindy’s two sons, Michael Torrevillas and Dione Torrevillas, and his special companion Mookie. He was incredibly proud of his children and their accomplishments. Anyone who knew X knew his deep love for his family.

X was a kind person with an infectious smile that left a positive impact on many people. He had a passion for rooting for his favorite sports teams, the Raiders, Lakers, and Dodgers, hosting barbecues, and especially mountain biking. He enjoyed the challenges of mountain biking and cherished the sense of community it created. X loved riding with his friends whenever he could. He will be deeply missed by all who know him.

A public viewing was to be held May 29, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 5 p.m. led by Deacon Luis Gallardo at Fairhaven Memorial Services, 27856 Center Drive, Mission Viejo, California 92692.

A Mass was to be held May 30, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Santiago de Compostela Church, 21682 Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest, California 92630. A burial will follow, scheduled from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, California 92122 to honor X and his commitment to the country he deeply loved.

(With CNS report) (By Nimfa U. Rueda/ Inquirer.net) n

Gary V, Apl.de.Ap to headline Carson’s PH Independence...

also serve as the parade grand marshal.

Presented in collaboration with the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, the festivities will commence at 7:30 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. at Veterans Park, located at 22400 Moneta Avenue. And here’s the best part — admission to this cultural extravaganza is absolutely free, inviting everyone to join in the fun.

Organizers emphasized the significance of including Apl.de.Ap and “Mr. Pure Energy” in the lineup, ensuring an unforgettable experience for attendees celebrating the spirit of freedom and unity that defines the Filipino people.

“The Philippine Independence Day Foundation is extremely proud to once again partner with the City of Carson, California, in planning and presenting one of the largest and longest running annual celebrations of Philippine Independence Day in the state and the entire U.S.,” Philippine Independence Day Foundation (PIDF) President Fred Docdocil told Inquirer.net USA.

Docdocil said they are thrilled to have Gary V and Apl.de.Ap headlining the celebration.

“Their talent and passion for music, along

with the rest of the PIDC Carson 2024 performers, embody the essence of our cultural heritage and the resilience of our nation,” he said.

“We’re glad we have someone with Apl’s caliber as grand marshal of the parade.”

Docdocil told a press conference he was proud that the event was taking place in the city of Carson, where 20 percent of the population are of Filipino descent.

“If you factor in the Filipinos in the rest of the South Bay and in the LA area, that’s huge,” he said. There are more than half a million Filipino Americans in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, according to the latest census.

“As Apl mentioned, this is Filipinotown. We may not have that historic designation, but we definitely have that representation in this community,” Docdocil added.

Joining the star-studded lineup are numerous Filipino artists, including Junior New System, Annie Nepomuceno, Jules Graeser, Irene Cruz, Alexis and Jojo Riguerra, Jason Lustina, Jaime Barcelon, Jo Awayan, Kayamanan ng Lahi, Lea Auditor, Hoku Mae’Ole Polynesian Dancers, Chris Chatman, Janice Javier, Kindreds and 4th Impact.

Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes extended her appreciation to the Philippine Independence Day Foundation for their tireless efforts in highlighting the diversity and richness of Filipino culture in Carson.

“Thank you for giving the community the opportunity to see and experience the richness of Philippine history and culture, and for making a wonderful contribution to the ethnic diversity that makes Carson great,” the mayor added.

Docdocil encouraged Fil-Ams to attend the event, saying, “this is the only way our story gets told – if we show up and represent ourselves.”

In other news, The Voice of the Philippines former coach Apl.de.Ap recently visited schools in Cavite to underscore the significance of education in the realm of electrification and electric vehicles, showcasing how it could benefit the country. Additionally, he collaborated with K-pop icon and Filipina actress Sandara Park.

Addressing retirement rumors, Valenciano clarified that he has no plans to step away from the industry, as evidenced by his concert titled “Pure Energy, One Last Time.” (Hans Carbonilla/Inquirer.net) n

DOH: No budget...

2024 appropriations law to acquire updated COVID-19 vaccines considered more effective against the Flirt variants, the official said, noting that the department’s current funding was focused on procuring doses for the routine immunization of children.

“Budget allocations for COVID-19 vaccination are made based on an assessment of public health needs. In situations where the case severity is low or mild only, there may not be an urgent need to budget and procure as before,” Domingo explained.

The country is currently facing an outbreak of measles and pertussis (whooping cough) due to the low vaccination coverage in previous years spurred by pandemic-induced community lockdowns.

1 million doses

For COVID-19 doses, the DOH is relying on donations, including a million doses pledged by the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, a global health partnership formed in 2000 to provide equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries.

The first tranche of 500,000 jabs is set to arrive in the second quarter.

“The DOH is processing this to obtain the best/most updated COVID-19 vaccines given the circumstances,” Domingo said. According to the DOH, it is the duty of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “to encourage and accept applications for registration of the newer COVID-19 vaccines so that they may be made available in the local market.”

The emergency use authorizations issued by the FDA for nine COVID-19 vaccines administered in past years are set to expire in July, a year after President Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency in the country due to COVID-19 on July 23, 2023. This means that COVID-19 vaccines without a certificate of product registration (CPR) from the FDA could no longer be administered or sold in the country.

The FDA did not respond to a request for comment regarding the updated COVID-19 vaccine brands available in the country.

In June last year, the FDA granted CPR to Pfizer’s Comirnaty bivalent vaccine. As of

August 2023, however, it was not yet available in the local market.

Mild symptoms On Monday, the government placed the country’s airports and seaports on heightened alert to thoroughly screen foreigners or Filipinos coming from countries with reported cases of the Flirt variants of COVID-19.

The new strains have been detected in Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and 14 countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom. Flirt (or FLiRT) is an acronym coined from the technical names of the mutations that caused the family of new COVID-19 variants, usually with lineage names starting with KP or JN.

Here are four new variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization (WHO), namely JN.1.7, JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3. All these are descendants of JN.1, an offshoot of the Omicron variant.

The WHO designation signals public health authorities that a COVID-19 variant may require prioritized attention and monitoring.

Citing information from the WHO, the DOH assured the public that there was no evidence to date that the Flirt variants were causing severe to critical COVID-19 cases.

However, the DOH urged Filipinos to continue practicing minimum health standards, advising them to wear face masks when going out in public or entering enclosed spaces with large gatherings.

There are no confirmed cases of the Flirt variants in the Philippines.

The new Flirt variants cause “self-limiting and mild” symptoms, from which most patients will recover without taking any medicines, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante.

These include fever, cough, sore throat, congested or runny nose, headache, muscle ache, and fatigue, he said.

But Solante, the president of the Philippine College of Physicians, said the public must remain cautious as such mild symptoms may turn severe when contracted by the vulnerable population, especially senior citizens and the immunocompromised, even u PAGE 5

Dateline PhiliPPines

8 mayors suspended in Chocolate Hills case

by Ma. Reina Leanne ToLenTino ManilaTimes.net

EIGHT mayors in Bohol province were among those suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman along with Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado over the construction and operation of a resort in the middle of the Chocolate Hills.

Under preventive suspension were Restituto Suarez III (Sagbayan town), Antonino Jumawid (Batuan town), Elizabeth Pace (Catigbian town), Eugeniano Ibarra (Clarin town), Norman Palacio (Bilar town), Michael Doria (Sierra Bullones town), Dionisio Neil Balite (Valencia town), and Conchita Delos Reyes (Carmen town).

The Ombudsman had ordered that they be put under preventive suspension without pay until the administrative adjudication of the case is terminated, but not to exceed six months.

Included in the order were former Bilar mayor Manuel Jayectin, former Sierra Bullones mayor Simplicio Maestrado Jr., former Valencia mayors

Maria Katrina Lim and Calixto Garcia, and former Carmen mayor Ricardo Francisco Toribio.

The order, which listed 69 individuals, was issued by the ombudsman on May 22 and was immediately executory.

Aumentado, who announced his suspension on Tuesday, May 28, has denied involvement in the resort’s construction.

The resort was closed earlier this year.

In September 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a temporary closure order.

The Chocolate Hills were declared a National Geological Monument in 1988, according to the Unesco website.

At the House of Representatives, House Bill 10438 (proposed Chocolate Hills Natural Monument Act) was filed on May 20 by Bohol 1st District Rep. Edgar Chatto, 2nd District Rep. Maria Vanessa Aumentado, and 3rd District Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor and Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez.

“As a testament to the importance of this national geological monument, the same has been subject of the two laws on National Integrated Protected Areas System as well as two presidential proclamations,” the bill’s explanatory note read.

“The issue of the Chocolate Hills, however, is not as simple as it seems. Rights and interests of private individuals as well as local government units exist prior to its declaration as protected area. And this has consequences which cannot be brushed aside without prejudice to legal owners of properties within this natural monument,” it said.

The three Bohol lawmakers said the bill seeks “to set the boundaries of the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument” as well as just compensation for owners of titled lots.

The bill stated that titled lots of private persons or corporations “within the bill’s and the 20-meter drawback” will be appraised by the town assessor or by court order “and subject to just compensation.”

The Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (CHNM), “the original coverage of which was set forth in Proclamation 1037, series of 1997, and amended by Proclamation 333, series of 2003, is hereby established to include the protected area of 1,776 hills and timberland areas, and the buffer zone consisting of the 20-meter drawback from the baseline of every hill.”

“All existing public infrastructures and proposed government projects for public use within” the 20-meter drawback “shall be allowed provided that the infrastructures and projects will not be detrimental to the natural state of the hills and its buffer zone,” the bill read.

“All existing private commercial structures without Protected Area Management Board clearance and an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and those that pose a “detrimental impact” will be “subjected to self-demolition.”

“All existing residential structures prior to ENIPAS (Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018) within the 20-meter drawback shall be allowed to remain,” be improved and repaired, “provided that no expansion will be conducted and the owner is listed as tenured migrant,” the bill read.

The bill added that owners with titles could “harvest planted trees, fruit trees, and other agricultural crops as well as engage in small-scale livelihood projects. This would be designated as a multiple-use zone, the bill stated.

DOH: No budget...

those previously vaccinated. Rainy season

He said Filipinos should also be careful, as the Flirt variants’ emergence might coincide with the arrival of the rainy season.

The wet season typically brings in diseases with symptoms similar to COVID-19, such as influenza, pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus.

“It is just unfortunate that

because of the mutations, we are no longer protected against these new variants from the previous COVID-19 shots we received,” he said. “In fact, there are reformulated and updated COVID-19 vaccines available in the market abroad already, but these are not currently available in the Philippines,” Solante noted. For those who never received a COVID-19 vaccine, the WHO

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recommends one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the general population and two to three doses for immunocompromised individuals.

For the previously vaccinated, the WHO urges revaccination six to 12 months after the last shot, but only among senior citizens, adults with comorbidities, healthcare workers, and pregnant women. n

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Comelec considers ban on AI, deepfakes

by WiLLiaM B. DepasupiL ManilaTimes.net

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) wants to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or digitally manipulated forms of campaign propaganda for the 2025 national and local polls.

Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday, May 29 that he would convince the commission en banc to approve his proposal to ban the use of AI and “deepfakes” that have already victimized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., among other heads of state.

The manipulated voice of the president went viral on social media last month, prompting the Department of Information and Communications Technology and concerned law enforcement agencies of the government to conduct an investigation.

In the said fake recording, the president was heard authorizing the armed forces to also use force against China’s aggressive behavior in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Garcia said he had written the commission about the matter, which will be taken up during next week’s en banc session.

In his letter to the commission, Garcia expressed alarm over the growing concern among several

election management experts about the threat of AI technology and deepfakes to sow deceit and misinformation among voters and candidates for elections.

“The abuse of AI technology and elections and the credibility of public officials, candidates, and election management authorities. The abuse of this technology in campaign materials... or other media forms may amount to fraudulent misrepresentation of candidates,” he said.

“This defeats the very purpose of a campaign, which is to fully and truthfully inform the voting public about the elections and the candidates,” Garcia said.

With four months left before the end of the continuing system of registration, the Comelec said it had already breached its target of 3 million new voter registrants.

Garcia attributed the success to the massive information dissemination campaign and other proactive measures that made it easier for the public to register, particularly the youth who will vote for the first time in 2025.

“Registration will proceed until September 30. We want every qualified voter to register and cast their votes in the upcoming elections,” added

Garcia. Based on the latest Comelec count, 3,210,523 applications for registration have already been received from across all regions.

Calabarzon or Region 4A has the highest number of registrants at 568,411, followed by the National Capital Region or Metro Manila with 463,364, Central Luzon or Region 3 with 372,090, Central Visayas or Region 7 with 218,329, and Davao Region or Region 11 with 184,141. The Comelec also denied for lack of merit the motion for reconsideration of a losing bidder to reverse its earlier ruling declaring the joint venture of SMS Global as the winning bidder for the procurement of Online Voting and Voting System that will be used for overseas voting in the 2025 midterm polls. In a resolution, the ComelecSpecial Bids and Awards Committee said the request for reconsideration of the joint venture of Voatz Inc., ePLDT Inc. and eBizolution did not possess all the qualifications to disqualify the winning bidder. Records show that SMS Global submitted the lowest bid at P112 million, while Voatz tendered P435.53 million. n

FENCING LESSONS. Mandaluyong Councilor Benjie Abalos (left) and Greenfield Development Corp. EVP and GM Duane Santos (right) welcome the young fencers at the opening of the Grand Free Fencing Class in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City on Thursday, May 30. The partnership between Greenfield and the Mandaleño fencing community explores the potential of young fencers. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

SD#0342

Features OpiniOn

Avoiding FLiRT

TRAVEL restrictions aren’t being imposed and mandatory masking is not being restored. But health experts are urging the public to take precautions as the so-called FLiRT variants of COVID-19 spread in certain countries including neighboring Singapore.

On Monday, May 27, the Department of Health confirmed that it had ordered the Bureau of Quarantine, which is under the DOH, to conduct “thorough screening” of arriving passengers at all points of entry nationwide as a precaution against the spread of FLiRT. The BOQ issued a memorandum dated May 24, placing all its stations and other concerned agencies under “heightened alert” for the COVID variants.

FLiRT is an acronym for the sites of the mutations that the variants share on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. The World Health Organization says the FLiRT variants have become the dominant SARSCoV-2 strain circulating globally this year. Unlike previous variants, experts warn that FLiRT may evade antibodies. This month the WHO labeled the FLiRT variant KP.2 as a “variant under monitoring” amid a surge in COVID cases in Singapore, with patients filling up hospitals.

THE ongoing saga of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo continues to keep Filipinos not only riveted but extremely concerned, with the burning question in the minds of everyone who has been keeping track of the Senate hearings: is she Filipino, or not?

It all began with the raid last March on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) located in Bamban, Tarlac due to reports that the Chinese company was engaged in human trafficking as well as a front for scams and other illegal activities. There were also suspicions that the facility was a hub for espionage, hacking and cyberattacks against government agencies.

During the raid, hundreds of workers of various nationalities –mostly Chinese – were found to have no valid working permits. Inside the compound located just behind the Bamban municipal hall, the raiding team also discovered “torture chambers,” vaults containing several millions of pesos, passports of workers and documents showing a possible link between the POGO and Mayor Guo, who owned half of Baofu Land Development Inc., the company that leased the

Most Filipinos acquired vaccine and natural immunity to SARSCoV-2, although this has waned, and the previous vaccines were not designed for FLiRT. Still, while epidemiologists say FLiRT poses “low public health risk” at this point, they also warn that vulnerable sectors such as the elderly and persons with comorbidities must be protected from infection. New COVID cases are generally mild, but hospitalization is still required when patients find difficulty breathing or waking up, feel persistent chest pain or pressure, experience confusion or see their lips or face turning bluish.

Filipinos are familiar with COVID symptoms as well as the basic health safety protocols: hand hygiene, cough and cold etiquette, masking and avoidance of crowded places. Those with symptoms must be responsible enough to isolate themselves until they become well.

Health experts keep reminding the public that COVID continues to kill and impair both physical

and mental health. Hospitalization is expensive.

There are also increasing reports of long COVID, which causes a wide range of long-term debilitation. The problem is still the subject of monitoring and

research, and treatment remains hit-and-miss. When it comes to this continually mutating deadly virus, it’s better to be safe and healthy than sorry. (Philstar.com)

THESE are the three gravest problems of the Philippines. These problems are aggravated by two equally ponderous problems – graft and red tape.

The food shortage is 25 percent of demand. Since food is 50 percent of the consumer basket or price index, a food shortage means high inflation. High inflation means high interest rates. High interest rates mean business and economic slowdown. Economic slowdown means fewer basic goods and services available for the masses. And job shortages. Combine high inflation and high unemployment and you have what is called misery. The job shortage is 1.5 million jobs yearly. The job shortage is so severe the Philippines has exported 12 million humans to over 100 countries in search of jobs and economic security. These 12 million expats are among the best of brain and

Bamban Mayor Alice Guo: Is she Filipino, or not?

property to the POGO.

During the Senate hearings, Mayor Guo’s evasive and dubious answers to basic questions such as her educational background, her childhood, her family ties including the fact that her birth was only registered when she was 17 years old made it look like she “came out of nowhere,” as Senator Risa Hontiveros put it. According to the senator, all these raised the possibility of Mayor Guo being a Chinese “asset” whose supposed Filipino identity is being used to “gain a foothold” in the country’s political system and possibly “even our national security sector.”

While it is true that the burden of proof lies with the ones levelling accusations against the Bamban mayor’s citizenship, it is simply unbelievable that she could not recall the names of teachers who homeschooled her from elementary to high school and does not remember the people who took care of her, since the mayor claims her mother abandoned her.

Residents in her village do not seem to know much about Guo –which is surprising considering that people in the provinces usually know everything about their neighbors. Even if she was raised in a farm, those who worked for her father would have been aware of and,

at some point, interacted with this cloistered child who would have been the subject of village gossip.

* * * Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com Babe’s

brawn of the Philippines, nearly all gone for good. It is manpower the Philippines needs badly to make every Filipino a middle income earner.

In 2021, the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) estimated the jobs shortages by 2025, for the skills that count today: 13,964 in the life sciences, 569,903 in engineering, 9,698 in the physical sciences and 13,285 in math and statistics.

The World Bank’s solution to the Philippines’ severe jobs problem? Let more Filipinos migrate, but in an orderly manner. (See WB February 2023 paper, “Philippine Jobs Report, Shaping a Better Future for the Filipino Workforce.”)

The Philippines receives the smallest foreign direct investments (FDI) among the six major ASEAN countries, only $9.2 billion in 2022, down from $12 billion in 2021. Singapore got $141.2-billion FDI, Indonesia $22 billion, Vietnam $17.9 billion, Malaysia $17.1 billion and Thailand $9.9 billion.

To grow at the level of Vietnam, the Philippines needs annually $18 billion in FDI; we get only half that. Over the

Mayor Guo owns a helicopter as well as over a dozen vehicles, purchased a huge tract of land and financed her 2022 campaign for mayor from her hog raising business that she said suffered during the pandemic. The subsequent hearings with Senator Risa Hontiveros doing the questioning revealed that the mayor’s parents also seem to have dubious origins, since they have no existing records of birth in the files of the Philippine Statistics Authority. Her father is listed as a Chinese citizen in business records but in the birth certificate of Guo and her newly disclosed siblings, he is identified as a Filipino.

Let me very clear however: this column is not about creating an atmosphere of Sinophobia, most especially since many of us have Chinese blood running in our veins. I for one have a Chinese ancestor named Pei Ling Po, possibly from Fujian, who put up a shop in Binondo and later converted to Christianity to marry a Filipina who happens to be the sister of a bishop. Pei Ling Po then took on the name “Luis Romualdez,” adopting the surname of “Father Romualdo,” the priest who baptized him. I also happen to have many

Filipino-Chinese friends who are successful businessmen, doctors, teachers and other professions. In fact, one of my closest friends at the Ateneo grade school was Eddie Chan, the son of prominent lawyer Manuel Chan Sr.

The revelations about the mayor of Bamban, plus the fact that she was able to obtain a passport and even run in the 2022 elections despite her questionable background, are making people concerned about how easy it is for foreigners – not just Chinese but other nationalities – to obtain fake birth certificates, fake passports, driver’s licenses and other government-issued IDs and documents possibly with the help of a syndicate.

What people also find worrisome is the purchase of vast tracts of land in EDCA sites and near major air and seaports by Chinese nationals in connivance with “Filipino enablers,” according to Congressman Ace Barbers, who disclosed that warehouses are “sprouting like mushrooms” in Central Luzon.

The AFP is also looking into the possible security implications of the influx of Chinese nationals of military age that are enrolled in schools near an EDCA site in Cagayan.

Senator Nancy Binay also expressed alarm at the issuance

of special resident retiree visas to Chinese nationals as young as 35 through the Philippine Retirement Authority, whose records indicate the presence of 78,000 foreign retirees in the Philippines, “of whom 38,000 are Chinese.”

We need to seriously vet foreign nationals coming into the Philippines since we are now receiving disturbing reports about members of drug syndicates and criminal gangs or worse, operatives engaged in spying activities. The Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other concerned agencies should coordinate and assess the implication on our national security. Time and again, I have written in this space of how serious and formidable the challenges our country faces today. No one in this country wants to be overrun by unwanted foreigners –except perhaps a few corrupted individuals. (Philstar.com)

Food, jobs, investments

next ten years, the Philippines easily needs P107 trillion ($1.8 trillion) in domestic and foreign investments for its GDP to grow at 10 percent per year (the minimum growth required for the country to catch up with its more prosperous neighbors).

At the same time, gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), as a percentage of GDP, has fallen, from 27 percent of GDP in 2018 to 23 percent in 2023. Fixed capital formation is investments in factories, machinery, equipment, infra – things you need to spend on, to create jobs and modernize. Normally, GFCF should grow, not decline. A 5 percentage fall, assuming a P25trillion GDP, is P1.25 trillion. To create one job costs P2 million; a P1.25-trillion loss means 625,000 jobs not created at all.

Our problem is not China (territorial disputes take thousands of years or an outright invasion to resolve). It is not that lying ex-PDEA agent trying to link Bongbong Marcos to drugs (in 2012 who remembers things?).

Nor is our problem that AIdesigned Bamban mayor of dubious provenance (first time I heard of a girl, without formal

schooling and without capital, build multi-billion enterprises, legal and illegal, from scratch to become one of the richest local billionaires below 40).

Mayor Alice Guo certainly beats the exploits of Alexander the Great, the most famous and greatest home-schooled kid in history (he was taught by Aristotle, about medicine, philosophy, morals, religion, logic and art). In Ms. Guo’s case, her dad taught her Chinese (probably, including magic).

About 25 percent of Filipinos’ food needs cannot be met, by local production nor even by imports. The 25 percent shortage includes nearly all kinds of food – rice, corn, fish, chicken, meat and vegetables.

That is why EVERY day, 95 Filipino kids die from malnutrition. That’s 34,675 kids dying needlessly EVERY year. That’s genocide. That’s more victims than the number of people supposed to have been killed in SIX years during the illegal drugs war of President Digong Duterte.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is running after Duterte for having killed from 6,000 to 30,000 in six years, but

not certain officials, for neglect, resulting in the killing of 34,000 kids yearly from malnutrition. Malnutrition is not just deadly. It also causes mass stupidity.

Filipinos eat on average 136 kilos of rice a year. There are 118 million Filipinos, so you need 16 billion kilos or 16 million tons of rice yearly to feed them. We don’t have those 16 million tons, government claims to the contrary notwithstanding (rice output was said to be 20 million tons in 2023).

Since brain power, assuming one is born with it, is eating the right food in the right volume, malnutrition breeds mass stupidity.

In 2022, in tests given to 15-year-olds of the world, Filipinos came out third from last in Science (after Cambodia and Uzbekistan), sixth from last in Reading (after Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Jordan and Kosovo) and sixth from last in Math (after Cambodia, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Guatemala). If you gather the Ten Most Stupid Teeners on Earth, Filipinos will be among them.

Since one of every five Filipino voters is below 24, naturally

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Filipinos make bad choices during elections. The most incompetent, the most corrupt and the most rapacious get choice positions. And of course, people the likes of Mayor Guo. These elected people then devise the most labyrinthine rules Filipinos must undergo to get the right documentation and to start a business.

The last time the World Bank ranked 190 countries in Ease of Doing Business, in 2019, the Philippines ranked No. 95. Manila ranked 115th out of 180 countries with a score of 34 in the 2023 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), up one spot from 116th in 2022 and up two spots from its worst-ever showing, 117th place in 2021 Among 100 countries with a population of eight million or more (Switzerland is 100th largest in population, with 8.4 million), the Philippines is rated the most corrupt. (Philstar.com)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

ManilaTimes.net

Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo Philstar.com photo

PH to complete environmental case vs. China in ‘few weeks’- DOJ

MANILA

– The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, May 30 said the Philippine government might finalize the case against China for environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea in a few weeks.

The DOJ is in continuous coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to gather solid evidence for a strong environmental damage suit against China, according to DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

“Kailangan ho nating mapatibayan ang lahat ng ebidensiya na kailangang i-attach sa ating complaint. Although confident naman po tayo na in a few weeks ay mabuo na iyong ating complaint at iyong mga attachments na ebidensiya (We need to prove all the evidence that we need to attach in our complaint. Although we are confident that we will be able to complete our complaint and the attached evidence in a few weeks),” Clavano said.

“So, hopefully, with the help of the Office of the Solicitor General, we will be able to file an environmental case against China,” he added.

The OSG has been exploring legal options over the damage to corals and seabed in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the WPS, including the possible filing of a complaint for damages before an international tribunal with proper jurisdiction, such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The

Hague. The National Security Council, for its part, had challenged China to allow third-party inspectors to check on the current condition of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) following the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s denial of reports of environmental destruction despite proof presented by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“In the face of China’s repeated denials, we call on China to open up Bajo de Masinloc to international inspection and we also call on thirdparty inspectors from relevant United Nations bodies or respected environmental organizations to determine the true situation therein in order to protect the environment,” NSC Assistant Director General and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a statement on May 21.

“The PCG has presented clear and convincing evidence that since 2016, it has observed Chinese fishermen transporting large quantities of giant clams, sea turtles, puffer fishes, stingrays, top shells, eels, and other marine animals. Chinese entities have been continuously engaged in large-scale harvesting of endangered species, unlawfully exploiting the vulnerable species with wild abandon.”

New survey should prompt Senate to pass economic

Cha-cha

Marcos admits ‘trust, confidence in Zubiri remains,’ denies hand in Senate coup

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, May 29 admitted that his trust and confidence with ousted Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri remained as he shrugged off speculations that he had a hand in the change in the Senate leadership In a media interview on Wednesday, the chief executive maintained that his knowledge was limited to Sen. Francis Escudero who informed him that he was replacing Zubiri as

Senate president following a vote by the senators. “The decision to change the leadership is not made by me. It was made by the senators. So, that does not reflect on my view on Senator Migz (Zubiri’s nickname) and the trust and confidence that – in my view were – that I have in him,” Marcos told reporters at the conclusion of his two-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam. He likewise dispelled talk that Zubiri’s replacement was due to his “failure to follow instructions from the higher ups.”

“I guess if you’re Senate

President, the only power that be is the president. So, I’m not sure what he is referring to. If that is a specific instance or just as a general principle. I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him about it,” he said.

“The last time I spoke to him we talked about the procurement law. This didn’t come up. So, it’s hard for me to answer simply because I’m not quite sure what he’s referring to because what instructions could there be that hindi niya natapos (he wasn’t able to finish). Yes, that’s still unclear to me what he was referring to,” he said. n

8 mayors suspended in Chocolate Hills...

Senate conducted hearings on the construction of the resort.

MANILA

– Leaders of the House of Representatives on Thursday, May 30 said the new nationwide survey indicating majority support for amending the 1987 Constitution should prompt the Senate to pass the proposed amendments to its restrictive economic provisions.

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said the new Senate leadership should “listen to the people’s voice”, citing a recent poll conducted by big data research firm Tangere from May 21 to 25, which found that 57 percent of Filipinos supported the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions.

“New Senate President Francis Escudero should do what his predecessor failed to do, and they should do it as soon as possible,” Gonzales said.

The House of Representatives passed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, its version of economic Charter change, in March this year.

Meanwhile, its counterpart version, RBH No. 6, is still pending in the Senate.

Gonzales said RBH No. 6 “is now in limbo” in the wake of the recent leadership shakeup in

the upper chamber. Gonzales noted that the public consultations conducted by the Senate special committee on constitutional amendments have been disrupted by the resignation of committee chairman Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who belongs to the bloc of former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

“We don’t know what will happen to RBH No. 6, since that resolution is authored by Senators Zubiri, Angara, and Loren Legarda, who has also resigned (from) her Senate post,” he said.

Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said the Senate could pass RBH No. 6 shortly after the convening of the third and last regular session of the 19th Congress in July.

Dalipe, however, pointed out that the “window of opportunity” for the Senate to approve the economic Charter reforms is “fast closing”, considering that lawmakers and the public would be in campaign-election mode once candidates file their certificates of candidacy in October for the May 2025 elections.

“We won’t be able to accomplish much after that.

That’s the reality of this situation,” Dalipe added.

For his part, Deputy Speaker David Suarez said the Escudero leadership “should pick up the pieces from the recent Senate ruckus” and work on the passage of RBH 6 “as early as possible.”

“So far, new Senate President Escudero has spoken on a lot of things, except the proposed economic constitutional amendments,” he said.

The Tangere survey found that six to seven in 10 respondents believed in the advantages of the amendment proposals, including the creation of more jobs (72 percent), higher economic growth (68 percent), increase in salaries and work benefits (67 percent), and decrease in the prices of goods and services (63 percent).

The survey had 1,500 mobilebased respondents.

Tangere, owned by Acquisitions Apps, Inc. is a full-service market research firm that started as an opinion poll survey before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to its website. It leverages mobile application technology, social media engagement, and big data analytics. (PNA) n

Marcos vows retraining program for returning OFWs

MANILA

– President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the government is doing everything it can to help returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had lost their jobs abroad for various reasons.

Marcos said the government has programs to reintegrate displaced OFWs into the local workforce.

“That’s been going on for a while. It really was born in the time of the pandemic when many of our OFWs were sent home for health and safety reasons,” Marcos said in a press briefing in Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday, May 29.

“As a matter of fact, we will do the training. But we have to be in partnership with the government. And government provides incentives, provides better opportunities for our workers so that they learn new skills and that are relevant to the modern, post-pandemic economy,” he added.

“We had to find jobs for the OFWs that had come back.”

He cited the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), a program for workers who lost their jobs, as well as the available courses and programs at the

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that will help in retraining, upskilling and reskilling OFWs.

“And not only our OFWs, our working population in the Philippines [too]. And TESDA, that’s why TESDA has suddenly grown,” Marcos said.

The government also allotted a bigger budget to absorb displaced or retired OFWs who still like to work in the Philippines, Marcos said.

“So, they had to come home. And so, we provide support to them. We provide outright support in the meantime and at the same time there are livelihood programs that are available to them, both under DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) and TESDA,” the president said.

Marcos concluded his two-day state visit in Brunei on Wednesday afternoon with strengthened bilateral relations, pronounced by a number of agreements for cooperation on key areas such as tourism, agriculture, seafaring and maritime security.

He also met with the Filipino community there and personally thanked them for their sacrifices and dedication to supporting their family and the country. (PNA) n

The Philippines first brought China before the PCA in 2013 and secured a historic win in 2016 after the tribunal firmly rejected Beijing’s expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash line. (PNA) n FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010617

a. Aura’s Beauty XOXO located at 1460 Keck Rd, Chula

by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/24/2024. Signature: Madelyn Kaelani Tirona. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2024. AJ 1423 05/31, 06/07, 06/14, and 06/21/2024. AJSD 1423

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9011214 Leo’s located at 3674 Logan Ave #G, San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Leo’s World Apparel LLC, 3674 Logan Ave #G, San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/28/2024. Signature: Mayra Cruz. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/28/2024. AJ 1424 05/31, 06/07, 06/14, and 06/21/2024. AJSD 1424

Under the bill, alienable and disposable lands and flat lands beyond the 20-meter drawback that are less than 18 degrees in slope “are excluded from the protected areas.”

Both the House and the

The House hearing stemmed from a resolution filed by Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, who had sought an investigation into the construction of the resort and a

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9011012

Abbott Street Apartments located at 2178 Abbott St, San Diego, CA 92106. Registrant: Sandage Abbott LLC, 244-A Palomar St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/26/2022.

Signature: Brent Sandage. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/22/2024. AJ 1425 05/31, 06/07, 06/14, and 06/21/2024. AJSD 1425

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9011013

Banning Street Apartments located at 4354 Banning St, San Diego, CA 92107. Registrant: Sandage Banning LLC, 244-A Palomar St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/12/2024.

Signature: Brent Sandage. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/22/2024. AJ 1426 05/31, 06/07, 06/14, and 06/21/2024. AJSD 1426

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9011045 Keats Street Apartments located at 2830 Keats St, San Diego, CA 92106. Registrant: Sandage Keats LLC, 244-A Palomar St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT

BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/12/2024. Signature: Brent Sandage. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/23/2024. AJ 1427 05/31, 06/07, 06/14, and 06/21/2024. AJSD 1427

resolution filed by ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who also sought an inquiry.

The Senate hearing stemmed from a resolution filed by Sens. Cynthia Villar, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva and Loren Legarda. n

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

o

en su contra. También se puede dictar un fallo en su contra por cualquier otro reclamo o reparación solicitada en estos documentos por el demandante. Puede perder dinero o bienes u otros derechos importantes para usted, incluida la custodia o las visitas de sus hijos. Cuando el motivo del divorcio es indignidades o ruptura irreparable del matrimonio, puede solicitar asesoramiento matrimonial. Una lista de consejeros matrimoniales está disponible en la Oficina del Protonotario, Palacio de Justicia del Condado de Luzerne, 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18711. SI NO PRESENTA UN RECLAMO DE PENSIÓN ALIMENTICIA, DIVISIÓN DE BIENES, HONORARIOS DE ABOGADOS O GASTOS ANTES DE QUE SE OTORGUE UN DIVORCIO O ANULACIÓN, PUEDE PERDER EL DERECHO A RECLAMAR CUALQUIERA DE ELLOS. DEBE LLEVAR ESTE DOCUMENTO A

CASE NUMBER: 37-2024-00022008-CU-PT-NC TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Mekayla McCarty on behalf of a minor filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sophia Rae Haman to Sophia Rae McCarty. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 06/28/2024 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 25 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego North County Division 325 S. Melrose Dr., Dept 25 Vista, CA 92081 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: MAY 14, 2024 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Brad A. Weinres Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1411 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/24 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. To change a name on a legal document, including a birth certificate, social security card, drivers license, passport, and other identification, a certificate copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC-230) may be required. Contact the agency(ies) who issues the legal document that need to be changed to determine if a certificate copy is required. A certified copy of Decree Changing Name (JC Form #NC-130) or Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009499

SSR Supports located at 6106 Lakewood Street, San Diego, CA 92122. Registrant: Ming Ye, 6106 Lakewood Street, San Diego, CA 92122. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2024.

Signature: Ming Ye. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2024.

AJ 1403 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1403

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009648

Date Shake located at 441 Casselman St Apt 13, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Alla Alagha, 441 Casselman St Apt 13, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Alla Alagha. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/06/2024. AJ 1408 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1408

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010423

Otay Warehouse located at 2380 Marconi Ct, San Diego, CA 92154. Registrant: Cores Depot Inc, 2380 Marconi Ct, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by A Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/28/2004. Signature: Pedro M Coronel.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/15/2024.

AJ 1413 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1413

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009521

Myreen’s Hair & Nails located at 3142 E Plaza Blvd, National City, 91950. Registrant: a. Arlan Ivan Arcelon, 1704 La Posada St, National City, CA 91950. b. Jonathan Macaspac, 1704 La Posada St, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A General Partnership. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Arlan Arcelon. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2024.

AJ 1404 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1404

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010146

Panda Pancakes located at 1539 Glenwood Springs Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Sugar Rush LLC, 1539 Glenwood Springs Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Dulce Lozano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/10/2024. AJ 1409 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1409

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009569

South Bay Surveys located at 8685 Rio San Diego, 4214, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Wilson Land Surveys, INC , 8685 Rio San Diego Dr, 4214, San Diego, CA 92108.

This business is conducted by A Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/27/2024.

Signature: Erich T. Wilson. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/03/2024.

AJ 1414 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1414

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9008279

a. Dirty Birds SD located at 253 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. b. SD Dirty Birds located at 253 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.

Registrant: Born In Brooklyn INC, 253 10th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/01/2016. Signature: Scott Rothman. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/17/2024. AJ 1406 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1406

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009523

Todo Blanco Candle Company located at 1990 Kent St, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Liliana V. Bello Recio, PO BOX 210852, Chula Vista, CA 91921. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Liliana V. Bello Recio. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2024. AJ 1410 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1410

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009570

a. Mission Bell Fiduciary located at 8685 Rio San Diego Dr. #4214, San Diego, CA 92108.

b. Virtual Legal Docs located at 8685 Rio San Diego Dr. #4214, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Erich T. Wilson, 8685 Rio San Diego Dr, 4214, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/25/2024. Signature: Erich T. Wilson. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/03/2024. AJ 1415 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1415

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009152

Boba Me This located at 4269 Lowell Street #4, La Mesa, CA 91941. Registrant: Sokha Chouth, 4269 Lowell Street #4, La Mesa, CA 91941. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Sokha Chouth. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/29/2024.

AJ 1407 05/10, 05/17, 05/24, and 05/31/2024. AJSD 1407

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010333

FST Motorsports located at 842 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Broadway Suspension And Tires, LLC, 842 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/30/2024.

Signature: Luis E Lopez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/14/2024. AJ 1412 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1412

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009004

D’Hair Lash Studio located at 940 Eastlake Parkway #33, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Registrant: Dalila Sandoval, 940 Eastlake Parkway #33, Chula Vista, CA 91914. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/25/2024.

Signature: Dalila Sandoval. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/25/2024. AJ 1416 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024. AJSD 1416

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010484

Thai Taste II located at 4252 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902. Registrant: a. Mike Xayavong, 4252 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902. b. Chindaphorn Xayavong, 4252 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902. This business is conducted by A Married Couple. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/05/2024. Signature: Mike Xayavong. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/15/2024. AJ 1417 05/17, 05/24, 05/31, and 06/07/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010615

Star Brows & Lashes located at 2667 Camino Del Rio South Suite#110-2, San Diego, CA 92108. Registrant: Sharon B Saucedo Flores, 2667 Camino Del Rio South Suite #110-2, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/01/2024. Signature: Sharon B Saucedo Flores. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2024. AJ 1418 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010594

JVO Virtual IP Paralegal Services located at 362 Inkopah St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Jonathan Ong, 362 Inkopah St, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2024. Signature: Jonathan Ong. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2024. AJ 1419 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1419

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9009410

a. Synergy HomeCare of Scripps Ranch located at 10085 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 240, San Diego, CA 92131. b. Synergy HomeCare of Poway located at 10085 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 240, San Diego, CA 92131.

Registrant: SD HomeCare Services, 16136 Paseo Del Sur, San Diego, CA 92127. This business is conducted by A Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/25/2024.

Signature: Greg Enrique. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/01/2024. AJ 1420 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1420

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9007675

Peter Ahn Sales located at 8489 Lower Scarborough, San Diego, CA 92127. Registrant: Sales Coach 101, 8489 Lower Scarborough, San Diego, CA 92127. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2023. Signature: Peter Jongki Ahn. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/09/2024. AJ 1421 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1421

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9010557

I&L Ventures located at 5092 Elkhart St, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Hong Tran Thu Le, 5092 Elkhart St, San Diego, CA 92105. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/08/2023.

Signature: Hong Tran Thu Le. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/16/2024. AJ 1422 05/24, 05/31, 06/07, and 06/14/2024. AJSD 1422

SAN DIEGO

Taste of the e Philippinees: Recognizing Filipino talent at the 20024 Jamees B eard Awards

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

A S the highly anticipated James Beard Awards draw near, Filipino talent emerges at the forefront, poised to seize the spotlight. Chefs and creators from the community have garnered nominations and acclaim, boldly waving the flag and propelling Filipino cuisine into the culinary mainstream.

Four Fil-Am chefs were named finalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards where winners will be announced on June 10 during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

Nikko Cagalanan of Kultura in Charleston is up for the Emerging Chef Award. Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles and Tara Monsod of Animae in San Diego are finalists for Best Chef: California while Chris Mauricio of Harana Market in Accord is up for Best Chef: New York State. Kaya in Orlando is up for the Best New Restaurant award. For the Media Awards, which cover outstanding achievements in book, broadcast media, and journalism, there are three Filipino names to watch out for - Erwan Heusaff and his team at FEATR who nabbed three nominations, and two women named Abi – Abi Balingit, nominated for Best Cookbook and Abi Marquez, nominated for Social Media Account. The winners will be announced on June 8 during a ceremony at the Columbia College, also in Chicago.

The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, recognize exceptional and talented leaders in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. The awards celebrate excellence across a range of experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and emerging talents to established luminaries.

Media Awards

“The James Beard Media Awards shine a light on the exceptional storytellers whose work has the transformative potential to educate, inspire, and foster connection through a shared love of food,” said Clare Reichenbach, James Beard Foundation’s CEO. Returning champion Erwan Heussaff, a Filipino-French chef, restaurateur, and content creator, is back after last year’s triumph in the Social Media Account category. This time, his team at FEATR has secured three nominations, spotlighting their impactful docuseries episodes delving into Philippine culinary heritage.

Their ‘Philippine Salt Series’ episode is a finalist in the Docuseries Visual Media category while ‘Most Expensive Chocolate in the World (Heirloom Ingredients of Negros Occidental Philippines)’ and ‘Why Is the Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?’ are two of three finalists under the Visual Media-Long Form category.

In an Instagram post, FEATR expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort behind their success, acknowledging the contributions of artisans and diligent Filipinos worldwide who contribute to the elevation of Pinoy food and heritage.

“Thanks to everyone who worked with us on these stories—the people who shared their knowledge with us and the great storytellers who made these documentaries come to life,” FEATR posted. “It’s been truly a humbling experience to collaborate with the country’s best artisans and the hardworking Filipinos around

the globe who continue to push the boundaries of Pinoy food and heritage.”

Filipino-American author and baker Abi Balingit is a finalist in the Baking and Desserts category for her innovative cookbook, “Mayumu: FilipinoAmerican Desserts Remixed.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Balingit took to social media to share her disbelief and gratitude for the recognition. “LITERALLY CRYING thank you so much @ beardfoundation for the Baking and Desserts cookbook nomination for #MAYUMU!!! Never in a million years would I have thought this would happen for me,” she posted. Content creator Abi Marquez is up for the Social Media Account category, which recognizes excellence in a foodrelated social media account or platform.

Known as the “Lumpia Queen”, Marquez won the 2024 People’s Voice Award for Food and Drink in Social at the 28th Annual Webby Awards held earlier this week. Marquez was recognized for her popular online presence showcasing and celebrating Filipino cuisine, particularly the beloved lumpia dish, through her social media content, particularly on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Restaurant and Chef Awards Nikko Cagalanan of Kultura in Charleston is one of the five finalists in the running for the

Emerging Chef Award, given to “a chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come while contributing positively to their broader community.”

Chef Nikko hails from the Philippines and later moved to the United States in 2011, initially working as a nurse.

Driven by his passion for Filipino cuisine, he decided to transition to a career in cooking.

In 2018, Chef Nikko made the move to Charleston, taking significant steps in his culinary path. In early 2019, he founded Mansueta’s Filipino Food to share his love for Filipino cuisine with the community.

Cagalanan achieved recognition as the Best Filipino Restaurant in South Carolina by Food & Wine magazine, coupled with the prestigious title of Chopped Champion in November. Last year, he opened Kultura, a personal space where he can welcome guests and collaborate with chefs from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to showcase their own cultures through the art of food.

Kaya, a contemporary Filipino restaurant situated in Orlando, is up for the Best New Restaurant Award. This accolade is dedicated to recognizing recently opened restaurants that showcase outstanding excellence in cuisine and hold the promise of making a

Cita Astals reunites with ‘Home Along Da Riles’

significant impact in the years to come.

Kaya is run by Chef Lordfer Lalicon and Jamilyn Bailey, who expressed their profound gratitude for the nod on their Instagram account, stating, “What an incredible honor and testament to the hard work and love of the village that lifts us. We are humbled to represent our culture and our city in this special way.”

“I am floored and humbled to be a semifinalist. I’m proud of the work my team has done and grateful for the support from the community. To be able to create the food I want and push the culture forward means the world to me,” Monsod said about the honor. “The San Diego food scene deserves to be recognized and I’m proud to represent.”

In New York, Harana Market, formerly of Woodstock recently moved to its bigger location in Accord. Their lease in Woodstock ended and since they have been growing since they opened, the owners Chris and Eva decided to expand. They have since become the goto Filipino spot in the Hudson Valley area.

Founded more than 30 years ago, the James Beard Foundation “celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive,” according to its announcement. n

Nikko Cagalanan of Kultura in Charleston File photos Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord in Los Angeles

Tara Monsod of Animae in San Diego Chris Mauricio of Harana Market in Accord

One of FEATR’s stories about calamansi is nominated for a James Beard Media Award Photo from Instagram/@featrmedia

Abi Balingit, author of Mayumu Photo from Instagram/@theduskykitchen

Abi Marquez recently won a Webby Award in New York Photo from Instagram/@abigailfmarquez

Erwin Heussaff won a James Beard Media Award last year for his Instagram account, which highlights Filipino culture and food. His company, FEATR, is nominated for three media awards this year. Photo from Instagram/@erwan

Cita Astals Philstar.com photo

Street sweeping to increase during summer months in Mission Beach

Enhanced street sweeping will help prevent pollution in waterways and protect local marine life

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego is increasing street sweeping throughout the Mission Beach alleyways this summer in response to an increase in visitors during the busy tourist season. The added effort will help reduce pollution from increased trash and debris from crowds and beachgoers, preventing it from reaching the ocean or Mission Bay.

Effective May 29, 2024, Mission Beach alleys will be swept every week on Wednesdays. The summer sweeping schedule will continue through September. The Stormwater Department is using sweeping equipment that will allow it to reach nearly every alley in both North and South Mission Beach.

“Thank you to the Stormwater Department for adding more street sweeping routes in Mission Beach during the summer months, which we know is the busiest season for people wanting to visit the beach communities,” said Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, who represents Mission Beach. “Increased street sweeping will help remove trash and debris in our streets, reducing fly infestations and improving the quality of life for both residents and out-of-town tourists.”

The enhanced sweeping in Mission Beach has the added benefits of reducing the nuisance of insects during the summer and helping improve vector control efforts throughout the community.

“Regular street sweeping is one of our most powerful tools for keeping our neighborhoods clean and preventing ocean pollution,” said Todd Snyder, Director of the city’s Stormwater Department. “The weekly sweeping in Mission Beach will help ensure that San Diegans and visitors alike can enjoy our world-class beaches and bays throughout the summer. We encourage everyone to ‘Think Blue’ by properly disposing of litter and debris so we can stop pollution before it starts.”

Residents and visitors can help improve street sweeping efforts by following posted parking signs, taking in trash cans immediately on trash collection days, and promptly reporting illegal dumping and other problems to the City’s Get it Done application (https://www. sandiego.gov/get-it-done).

Rainfall that enters storm drains is not treated, and that runoff collects pollutants from properties and streets and carries them into localwaterways. Street sweeping helps remove large and microscopic pollutants, such as brake dust, from vehicles before they reach a storm drain. Those particles can be extremely harmful to fish and other wildlife.

Visit the City’s interactive street sweeping map (https://sandiego.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/ index.html?id=ee3b1f22fc6246bbbc9349a0c866132c) for more information about routes and schedules.

San Diego is defined by the natural beauty of its beaches and coastal waters, and keeping those precious resources clean, safe and healthy is the mission of Think Blue San Diego, the educational arm of the city’s Stormwater Department. To learn more about Think Blue San Diego and how to implement a Think Blue mindset, go to thinkblue.org. n

Mayor Gloria issues statement on state legislative packages tackling rising retail theft, illicit drug sales

SAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria on Wednesday, May 22 issued the following statement on a plan by state legislators to advance a package of 22 bills to enhance accountability for retail theft, combat illicit drug sales and increase access to treatment:

“I applaud the Legislature, through the leadership of Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire and Speaker Robert Rivas, for taking decisive action to combat the ongoing issues of retail theft and illicit drug use plaguing communities across California.

“These bill packages give communities like San Diego additional tools to take on organized retail theft and address the scourge of illicit fentanyl.

“As part of this effort, I was encouraged to see one of my sponsored bills, SB 1502 led by Senator Ashby, that will help our efforts to combat the growing threat of xylazine (commonly known as tranq).

“In the weeks ahead, it is my hope that the Senate and Assembly work quickly on a comprehensive package to send to the Governor’s desk for his signature.”

Legislative package overview

The seven Assembly bills to combat retail theft include:

• AB 2943 (Zbur, Speaker Rivas): creates a new felony to combat retail theft, gets at root causes of why people steal, makes it easier for law enforcement to arrest those who steal, and facilitates the aggregation of different thefts.

• AB 1794 (McCarty): allows thefts by the same perpetrator to be aggregated between different places and victims and allows retailers to report crime directly to their district attorneys.

• AB 3209 (Berman, Speaker Rivas): authorizes courts to impose a Retail Crime Restraining Order.

• AB 1779 (Irwin): restores cross-jurisdictional prosecutions.

• AB 1960 (Soria): provides enhanced penalties for individuals who take or destroy property while committing a felony.

• AB 1972 (Alanis): expands the CHP property crimes task forces to combat increased levels

In a Milestone US Tour: Erik Santos live on June 23 only at Pechanga Resort Casino

RISING to stardom after winning the reality talent competition ‘Star in a Million’ in 2003, Erik Santos, a true-to-life singing sensation, will perform live at the Pechanga Theater on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. Along with Santos, special guest performer Stell Ajero renders his musical prowess in the same venue.

Pechanga Resort Casino, conveniently located off Highway I-15 in Temecula Valley, identified as Southern California wine county, is wellknown for hosting only the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers aimed to provide the ultimate experience especially to its Filipino-American patrons.

Santos, a gold and multiplatinum record-selling artist, has been commonly tagged as the “King of Pinoy Teleserye Theme Songs.” His debut album, “This is the Moment,” released in 2004 went 3x platinum. Erik’s other platinum albums include “I’ll Never Go,” “Loving You Now,” “Your Love” and “The Jim Brickman Songbook.”

His best-selling albums, sold-out concerts and demand for performances in corporate shows, as well as accolades from Awit Awards, Star Awards, numerous endorsements and even movie appearances, has earned him great popularity with Philippine and international audiences.

Bagging prestigious awards and other recognition has allowed Erik Santos into successfully bagging local and international performances and invitations.

Stell Ajero, Santos’ special

Show features special guest Stell Ajero

guest performer, meanwhile, is a singer, model/ actor — he earned the ‘most liked video’ in TikTok, and for good reason, he even owns a Japanese blog that is famous in YouTube with his videos having millions of followers.

Ajero is known for his wide vocal range, and is known as the vocalist, dancer and choreographer of the boy band SB19. “The Voice” dubbed Ajero as among the most promising Filipino artists of his generation.

He was also a judge in the show “The Voice Generations” in 2023, along with artists Julie San Jose, Billy Crawford and Chito Miranda. Don’t miss this live entertaining concert! Get your tickets at the Pechanga Box Office or make your reservations by calling 888.810.8871, or by visiting online at Pechanga.com. Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. With 1,200 seats in its theater, each show features state-of-

of cargo theft.

• AB 1802 (JonesSawyer): makes permanent the crime of organized retail theft and the operation of the CHP property crimes task force.

The 15 Senate bills to enhance public safety include:

• SB 1319 (Wahab): Expedites approval of projects that expand the continuum of substance use disorder rehab facilities.

• SB 1320 (Wahab): Requires health plans to develop a mechanism to reimburse providers who provide primary care and behavioral health integrated services.

• SB 1385 (Roth): Supports navigators in hospital emergency departments and in the criminal justice system to ensure patients and justice-involved individuals are connected to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder and to ongoing treatment services. *Would include corresponding budget action to ensure navigators receive support training.

• SB 1442 (Ochoa Bogh & Skinner): Empowers CalRX to supply California with vital United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved testing and health assessment equipment, which will help increase access to affordable fentanyl testing strips

Kiko Estrada pays homage to late grandfather Paquito Diaz

by Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

AS Kiko Estrada plays his biggest role yet in the ongoing TV5-Viva drama “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa,” he couldn’t help but acknowledge the influence of his late grandfather, the famous kontrabida Paquito Diaz, on his acting journey.

Paquito died in 2011 at the age of 73 but a decade before that, he suffered a stroke. He passed on before Kiko started acting but somehow, the veteran movie star, once hailed as the Philippine movie industry’s “King of Kontrabidas,” helped shape the acting path of his grandson.

“(His death) was a long time ago but it was really tough for us. I wasn’t in showbiz then. Before he died, he told me, ‘Ikaw papalit sa akin.’ But I was like, who’s gonna replace a legend, right?” Kiko told The STAR in an exclusive chat.

“I don’t know if he saw that potential in me. Maybe? Maybe it was God telling him to say this to me? Because it was after his stroke, he was half of himself already when he was talking to me. It stuck in my mind.

“I can still remember his face, before and after the stroke, it’s two different people. There was one guy I grew up with and there was this guy that I don’t want to know, too, because I don’t want to see that (to see him like that).

When I close my eyes, I want to remember Paquito Diaz.

“Everybody is saying he was a villain, yeah he was a villain (onscreen) but in my life, he’s the lead, he’s the bida (hero) of my life.”

Nevertheless, those words stuck with him until he decided to enter showbiz.

“So maybe he just told me to try this out, try this act out and I fell in love with acting.”

He further shared his favorite memories of his Lolo Paquito.

“The only thing I can remember with Lolo Paquito was, he was so different from what you see onscreen. He was tender. Yeah he was macho, he was tough, he was like, you know, this hard (character) but he was actually soft, sweet. He was a sweet guy.

He continued, “He hated it if you’d do any activity and you were wearing slippers. So he’d make you wear shoes.

“When he woke up, naglilinis siya ng mga gamit sa bahay. (He was) very organized as a person. He would clean his car, pagkatapos sa labas ng side ng street namin, siya ay nagwawalis para malinis on the street. He loved working out, he was a love boat.”

Some two to three years ago, Kiko got himself a tattoo dedicated to the memory of his grandfather.

“I have a tattoo on me, it’s a butterfly and it’s him… ‘Cause I recently found out and ‘cause I thought that we were well-off ever since we were kids, I didn’t know… I found out Lolo Paquito, you know, he had to grow up under the bridge in Mexico, Pampanga, not well-off and he had to fight. But I never knew.

“He had to fight his way to become (who he was) and that’s why I thought of a butterfly. From a caterpillar turning to a butterfly.”

Asked if there was any memorable character or movie

of his Lolo Paquito, he cited, “‘Asiong Salonga’ where he played the villain, he played ‘Nardong Toothpick. But if I’m gonna make it, I think I will be Asiong hahaha!” Kiko also shared what he learned about acting from his grandfather. “Lolo Paquito had this one thing that he told my mother and then she told me: Acting is about bringing the audience along for the ride. You have to reach a climactic point in a scene. So it’s not a monotone thing. Before you scream or get mad in tone, you have to be light … then it goes up and up and up.

“Of course, there are scenes that the director wants (things to be steady). But yeah, that’s the acting thing that I learned — bringing the audiences to the journey and making them feel something. If I cry right now and there’s tears already, I’m

recalls his favorite memories with late grandfather Paquito Diaz. Photo above shows

as a baby with his lolo.

not gonna bring you there. But if I don’t and then eventually my eyes bawl, (they can say) I felt that. So, it’s about being in the moment. Not really memorizing your lines but being open.”

Just because of his acting pedigree, it doesn’t mean Kiko had it “easier” pursuing a showbiz career.

“How do you say that when the pressure is immense, hahaha! (There’s constant pressure to be like) hey, better be good! Before I acted, I did a year of workshops. I did the basic, advanced and masterclass of Star Magic workshops. I worked hard,” Kiko told this paper.

“People think na just because… that’s why I was saying I hate entitled people and I might be accused of that when I was a kid. But I believe I worked for what I have right now. It was not easy, it was not given.” n

Moira Dela Torre is 1st Filipino soloist to hit 2 billion Spotify streams

Cita

by Kristofer PurNell Philstar.com

SINGER Moira Dela Torre reached a new milestone after becoming the first solo artist and Filipina singer to reach two billion streams on Spotify. The achievement further cements Moira’s as the most-streamed soloist on Spotify, and is only behind folk-pop band Ben&Ben for Filipino artists overall.

Moira shared the data on her social media accounts as she thanked all her fans, “Thank you. TWO BILLION TIMES THANK YOU.”

Among those who congratulated her were Ogie Alcasid, KC Concepcion,

Marjorie Barretto, Jhong Hilario, Kiana Valenciano, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, and Ben&Ben’s Andrew de Pano.

The artist is currently in the middle of the United States leg of her 2024 world tour and will soon hit cities in Canada.

For the past six years, Moira was the most streamed female artist locally on Spotify — averaging 3.5 million monthly listeners — and was even nominated at the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards.

She is best known for her songs “Tagpuan,” “Malaya,” “Patawad,” “Hanggang sa Huli,” “Paubaya,” “Patawad, Paalam” with I BelongTo The Zoo, “Paalam” and “Pasalubong” with Ben&Ben, and “Ikaw at Sila.” n

Moira Dela Torre Photo from Instagram/@moiradelatorre

Kiko Estrada

‘He’s the hero of my life’: ‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa’ star Kiko Estrada

Claudine, Gio and Smokey played the Cosme children, while Maybelyn and Nova played the mother and daughter duo of Maybe and Azon Madamba, respectively. They lived next door to the

San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria File photo/www.sandiego.gov

Expanding opportunities for boys and men of color

AN event was held on Thursday, May 23 at the Southeastern Live Well Center focused on expanding opportunities for boys and men of color in San Diego County.

The county’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) partnered with California Funder’s for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC) and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties to put on the event.

The organizations brought grant makers, policymakers, community-based organizations and local leaders together to strengthen the network of leaders committed to the health

and well-being of San Diego county’s boys and men of color.

The event opened with an introduction and welcome remarks from:

• Chris Cooper, Program Officer, Sierra Health Foundation & The Center

• Andrew Strong, Director, San Diego County OERJ

• Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, San Diego County District Four

• Chet P. Hewitt, CEO, Sierra Health Foundation & The Center

• Megan Thomas, President and CEO, Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties.

The agenda for the event

included presentations on the Forward Change Life Course Framework and investing in narrative change and storytelling in San Diego. Following the presentations, representatives with local community-based organizations participated in a fireside chat and community discussion. The discussion focused on exploring opportunities and addressing barriers for boys and men of color in San Diego.

CFBMoC, which has primarily focused on Los Angeles County, partnered with OERJ to expand their efforts in the San Diego region. Their goal is to work with local philanthropic organizations to show the needs for uplifting boys and men of color. They also aim to find grant opportunities for San Diego-based community organizations.

The county’s 2024-25 Recommended Budget includes $500,000 to implement the Uplift Boys & Men of Color initiative. The initiative would help connect at-risk youth to wrap-around services, trauma support systems and workforce development opportunities.

(Sir Milo Loftin/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

Mayor Gloria issues statement on...

for diagnostics purposes.

• SB 1468 (Ochoa Bogh & Roth): Educates and encourages providers to make use of the new federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rule to allow practitioners to dispense a threeday supply of narcotic medication to start detoxification treatment or maintenance treatment for people who use opioids.

• SB 909 (Umberg): Addresses physician shortages in underserved areas by eliminating the cap on the Steven M. Thompson loan repayment program for physicians who agree to provide direct patient care in an underserved area for 36 months.

• SB 908 (Cortese): Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to spread awareness of the increase in opioid overdoses and develop guidelines to protect and prevent fentanyl-related deaths of

zero to five.

• SB 910 (Umberg): Establishes statewide standards used by collaborative courts to improve programming, drug testing, and medication-assisted treatment for individuals moving through the criminal justice system.

• SB 950 (Skinner): Expands the number of re-entry hubs to provide more warm handoffs and treatment options to individuals returning home from the criminal justice system. *Would include corresponding budget action to align state reimbursement models with federal rules to maximize funding potential.

• SB 1502 (Ashby): Prevents illicit use and trafficking of Xylazine (aka “tranq”), an animal tranquilizer with no approved human use that is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply and has been linked to rising overdose deaths across the country.

• SB 1144 (Skinner): Disrupts the sale of stolen goods on online marketplaces by requiring that third-party sellers be certified, and bans sellers suspected of criminal activity from operating through online marketplace platforms.

• SB 1416 (Newman): Increases penalties on professional organized retail theft in particularly significant large-scale resale schemes.

• SB 905 (Wiener): Removes the locked door loophole for automotive property thefts.

• SB 982 (Wahab): Cements the work California has done on organized crime by making the law on organized retail theft permanent.

• SB 1242 (Min): Requires courts to impose higher penalties on criminals who create fires in order to engage in retail theft. The higher penalties do not impact Proposition 47.

(SD Mayor’s Office Release) n

County highlights resources for Older Americans Month

THE county is honoring the many contributions of residents over 60 on Older Americans Month, which is celebrated every May, and sharing resources available in the region.

The county estimates that by 2030, the number of older adults in the region will climb to nearly one million, up from 783,500.

“We’re seeing rapid growth in our region’s aging population and that is why the County is focused on supporting healthy aging with a framework called the Aging Roadmap,” said Naomi Chavez, County Aging & Independence Services Acting Director. “This Older Americans Month, we’re celebrating by highlighting County resources for older adults.”

The Aging Roadmap, which launched in 2019, outlines the region’s efforts to make sure the needs of older adults are met when it comes to care and support, affordable housing, accessible transportation and opportunities to work and volunteer.

This year’s Older Americans Month theme is “Powered by Connection,” which recognizes the impact meaningful relationships and social connections have on the health and well-being of older adults.

Several county programs help older adults stay connected and provide activities for well-being including:

• The Feeling Fit Club: classes for older adults of all abilities. Classes focus on building strength, balance, cardio and flexibility. There are nearly 40 classes a week held in person or virtually throughout the region.

Tai Chi classes are also available.

• Meals and Senior Dining: hot, nutritious meals are served for people over 60 years old weekly at nearly 30 locations around the region. Many locations also offer transportation.

• Tech2Connect: gives internet-connected tablets and technology training to encourage social connection and resources for mental health. The program is available to eligible In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) recipients who live alone and are at greatest risk of social isolation by calling (858)505-6972.

• Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP):