THE U.S. Supreme Court’s watershed decision on homelessness on Friday, June 28 will make it easier for elected officials and law enforcement authorities nationwide to fine and arrest people who live on streets and sidewalks, in broken-down vehicles, or within city parks — which could have farreaching health consequences for homeless Americans and their communities.
In a 6-to-3 ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the justices in the majority said allowing the targeting of homeless people occupying public spaces by enforcing bans on public sleeping or camping with criminal or civil penalties is not cruel and unusual punishment, even if there are no alternative shelter or housing options available for them.
Marcos seeks coalition based on ‘ideology’
by CATHERINE VALENTE AND RED MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net
AS part of his quest to forge a strong coalition for the 2025 midterm elections, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, June 29 led the signing of an alliance between his political party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and the National Unity Party (NUP), the fourth political group to join the “Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines).” Marcos, PFP chairman, witnessed the signing of a partnership that was “more than a political maneuver for the 2025 elections.”
In his speech during the event in Makati City, the president said the alliance between the PFP and NUP was “not a marriage of convenience” with the singleminded goal of dominating next year’s polls but an “ideology.”
“As the party alliances, especially on an individual basis, can be seen as merely marriages of convenience. And, once again, since we are bringing all of disparate forces together — not so disparate, but separate forces together — we will again be seen and commented upon and said to be another marriage of convenience,” Marcos said.
“So, that is why I think that we are making a very important change in the thinking, in the politics of the Philippines. That is based not on political expediency but on ideology. And what is the ideology that we are espousing? We speak now of unity, we speak now of Bagong Pilipinas, bringing the country, transforming the country to another place to a better place than we had found it,” he said. Marcos said that although there might be political forces that could impede the achievement
Groundbreaking cancer study focuses on Asian Americans
“It’s hard to imagine the chaos that is going to ensue. It’ll have horrible consequences for mental and physical health,” said Ed Fil-Ams can participate in the National Cancer Institute initiative
FILIPINO women in the United States have been reported by the National Institutes of Health to present more advanced breast cancer compared to White women, and Filipino immigrants also show a higher annual percentage increase in incidence across all subtypes of thyroid cancer. Despite these increasing incidences, a national longitudinal study on cancer in Asian Americans has never been conducted—until now.
The National Cancer Institute has recently launched a groundbreaking $12.45 million initiative for the first national long-term study aimed at understanding cancer in Asian Americans, as well as investigating health disparities and risk factors. Leading this landmark study are researchers from UC San Francisco and UC Irvine. They are focusing on various
Malaybalay, Bukidnon
China to US: Stop support of PH ‘provocations’ in SCS
by JAVIER JOE ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net
CHINA urged the United States to cease bolstering and endorsing the alleged “provocations” of the Philippines in the disputed territories in the South China Sea (SCS).
In a statement posted on the Chinese Embassy website Friday night, June 28, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said that Beijing’s message was conveyed by Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in a phone conversation with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, where
the two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views” on the current ChinaU.S. relations and issues of mutual interest.
Mao Ning said Ma Zhaoxu urged the U.S. to act on President Joe Biden’s “five-noes” commitment, which included not supporting Taiwan independence, not challenging China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, not interfering in China’s internal affairs, not using Taiwan as a bargaining chip, and not engaging in military or official exchanges with Taiwan.
He urged the U.S. to earnestly respect China’s sovereignty, security and PAGE 4
In ation, corruption most important issues – survey
by FRANCO JOSE C. BAROÑA
ManilaTimes.net
FILIPINO households see rising prices and inflation as the most important issues for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address alongside strengthening the economy and curbing corruption, the results of a new nationwide survey released on Sunday, June 30 showed. In the Pahayag Second Quarter 2024 survey conducted by Publicus Asia from June 15 to 19, respondents said they believed that tackling inflation
was crucial as it directly affects Filipinos’ ability to afford basic needs.
At the same time, the Pahayag survey showed that while the economic and financial outlooks show a slight improvement from the previous quarter, they remain low.
The same survey indicated that a growing number of Filipinos remain undecided on their stance toward both the current administration of President Marcos and the political opposition, with 43 percent and 52 percent saying they remain undecided, respectively.
The Pahayag survey also showed that positive views on the country’s state and direction remain at an all-time low, with increasing indecision among Filipinos who are polarized when it comes to their overall positive sentiments about the country.
Those that held a negative presentiment about the state of the government heading to the next quarter were nearly equal to those that had a positive outlook.
Despite this, the survey showed that the majority of Filipinos were generally happy,
with over half of the respondents feeling “somewhat happy.”
About 40 percent of the respondents felt they were close to their best possible life during the second quarter of the year, while 20 percent believed they were already there.
Universal social pension for seniors and enhanced cybersecurity for government agencies received the highest support, the survey showed.
The arrest of controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJ) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for human trafficking was the
PH Senator Risa Hontiveros takes on a ‘role of a
by DENNIS HERUELA AJPress
lifetime’
IN her teenage years, Risa Hontiveros captured the fancy and following of the Filipino audience as a budding theatre performer, and later as a broadcast journalist. “That was before I got happily hijacked by activism,” she quipped.
In many ways, her foray into public service is but a performance, one that demands not only for her to show up and deliver the lines but also to translate everything into action and results that would truly benefit the Filipino people for generations to come.
“After formal politics, I’ll go back to theater and music. Whether nanay or lola roles, I’m open. I just want to go back to theatre.” She says it with that signature twinkle in her eyes and vibrance that exude star quality. But for now, she is tackling the biggest role of her life and from the eyes of those truly seeing her, being Risa Hontiveros – a Filipino senator carries with it a complex pursuit and a very busy one as well.
Being one of the 2 opposition senators in the current senate, she understands how tough it could be to face adversarial attacks especially foul and malicious ones. But Sen. Hontiveros is not to be derailed.
“I always remind myself to stay true to the path I
Duterte tells VP Sara: Don’t seek presidency
DAVAO CITY — If there is one advice former President Rodrigo Duterte would give his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, it is to forget any plan for the presidency in the 2028 elections.
“They worry about Inday (Sara)? Inday, don’t seek the presidency. If you are hearing this, avoid it. Give it to ambitious ones, instead,” Duterte said during a press conference on Sunday, June 30 in Tacloban City.
And even if Sara ignores his call and eventually becomes president, it would still not guarantee that the country would be better, he said. The former president also rejected Sara’s earlier pronouncement that he, along with his sons Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, would all run for the Senate in the 2025 elections.
Duterte said people should not believe everything his daughter says, as sometimes she has the
Vice
From the Front Page
Duterte tells VP Sara...
tendency to make jokes.
“Do you believe her? My God. She’ll take you for a ride if you are not asking the correct questions,” he said.
To prove his point, Duterte cited his age, a diminished popularity and lack of funds.
“I won’t go back to politics. I am done. I am no longer popular. I do not have the funds, I have nothing. What is left is my cockiness (yabang na lang),” Duterte said.
“Besides, where could you find a father and his two sons running together for the Senate? What will we do in the Senate?” he added.
The former president also clarified that the group Hakbang
ng Maisug is not calling for the ouster or resignation of President Marcos, pointing out that every administration has its own mistakes and that Maisug is just there to call out the mistakes of the Marcos administration. “Marcos should not lose any sleep. I want him to work for six years. He was voted by the people to work for six years. You do your work
there. Do not worry, nobody is interested in removing you. It is a waste of time,” Duterte said. “I am praying that he should live till the end of his term.” The Hakbang ng Maisug group has been going around the country, holding prayer rallies to protest against the people’s initiative signature campaign for Charter change. And even if he is the face of the group, Duterte denied being behind the movement.
“Maisug is not me, and I am not Maisug. There are other people behind it, businessmen. I cannot say anything, but I hope that whenever there is a rally, it should be peaceful,” Duterte said
‘Find your peace’
On the recent tirades of former Senator Leila de Lima, Duterte said “she should be at peace with her life now.”
“Even if she submits herself to crucifixion, whatever she would do now, she still shamed the entire generation after her. They will bear her name but the shame will be there,” Duterte said.
“Find your peace where you are
now. Don’t look for trouble, you will only regret it. Why would you get back at me? I don’t do rock and roll,” he added, in apparent reference to a video showing De Lima dancing in a rock concert of a convicted drug lord inside the Bilibid prison.
Duterte also warned the International Criminal Court (ICC) over an alleged impending service of a warrant of arrest against him.
“I don’t give a s**t whether they come in. For me, they have no jurisdiction. The Philippines already left ICC. We are not part of the ICC. If they would insist that there is a case there that would warrant my arrest, I will wait for them,” he said.
The former chief executive added that he does not want any official of the Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation to serve the warrant.
“I want the ICC representative to bring me that paper because the moment that person gives it to me, I will let you eat that paper or I will deliver you to hell,” Duterte said. g
Marcos seeks coalition based...
PAGE 1
of that goal, the alliance would serve as a mechanism to settle contradictions and differences and present a united front.
“Of course, there are political forces that get in the way, but that is the whole point of these alliances that we are making. That is the whole point because we now formalize and put together a mechanism,” he said.
The president said if there were contradictions or differences, there was a method for resolutions “without going to extreme, undertaking extreme measures, like moving away from the party, running as independent, both allies fighting against each other politically.”
He said that more than just supporting each other in the next election, the newly-formed alliance built a common purpose and consensus of making the Philippines a “better place.”
“We are uniting behind the dream of transforming the Philippines and that dream will be achieved by unity. So, congratulations on joining that ideology, for believing in that ideology. It is the only way that we will make our country the country that the Filipinos deserve,” Marcos said.
The NUP is the fourth major political party to sign an alliance with Marcos’ PFP.
Led by party Chairman Ronaldo Puno, the NUP was founded in 2010 by former members of Lakas-Kampi CMD (ChristianMuslim Democrats).
Since 2016, the NUP has also been part of the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)-led coalition in the House of Representatives, the so-called Coalition for Change supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte.
About a hundred members of PFP and NUP, composed of governors, vice governors, local government officials and lawmakers, attended and witnessed the event.
The PFP was represented by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and PFP President South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.
The NUP was represented by Puno, NUP President Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. and Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia.
The PFP in May signed an accord with Lakas-CMD, the biggest party in the House with 100 members, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
Apart from the NUP, the LakasCMD and NPC, the Nacionalista Party also threw its hat into the PFP ring.
During the 2022 national elections, the PFP joined forces with Lakas-CMD, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional group headed by then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the Partido ng Masang Pilipino and guest candidates from different parties to form the UniTeam alliance. The coalition worked as it saw Marcos and his running mate, Duterte, win the polls by a landslide. The latest addition to the PFP comes more than a week after Duterte, whose Hugpong ng Pagbabago was part of the “UniTeam” in the 2022 national elections, resigned as education secretary and vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Conflict (NTF-Elcac) — a move which analysts said ended the alliance that gave Marcos and Duterte the presidency and vice presidency.
‘Logical conclusion’
Meanwhile, Villafuerte said the PFP-NUP alliance was the “logical conclusion” of the party’s two-year working partnership with the administration.
In a speech during the signing ceremony, Villafuerte, the president of NUP, said that the partnership served as a “splendid opportunity for both parties, along with other like-minded groups, to work together on advancing a Bagong Pilipinas that promises a robust and inclusive growth and
development for all Filipinos.”
He also said that the alliance marked another “watershed” in the history of Philippine electoral politics and “best illustrates that true-blue members of different mainstream political parties, given the right motivation or inspiration, can transcend partisan politics or personal interests in pursuit of the longaspired genuine transformation of our public governance, our economy, and our society.”
Villafuerte said the NUP “shared the president’s vision for a prosperous and peaceful Bagong Pilipinas where no Filipino is left behind.”
He said that their commitment to the alliance was based on a conviction that “Bagong Pilipinas” was not just a mere slogan but a genuine agenda to transform the economy, governance and society.
“We are having a formal alliance with the PFP because the NUP is ready and willing to do the hard work that our president needs from all of us Filipinos for Bagong Pilipinas to become a reality. With this formal alliance, we in the NUP say: Onward Bagong Pilipinas, Onward with better lives for all Filipinos,” Villafuerte said.
NUP Chairman and former local government secretary Ronaldo Puno said that the alliance reaffirmed their commitment to putting the interests of people above all else.
“This alliance is a testament to our collective dedication to serving the needs of every Filipino citizen. Together, we are stronger, the more resilient and better equipped to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.” Puno said.
Aside from Puno and Villafuerte, key NUP officials who attended the event were NUP Vice Chairmen Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales 2nd, Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas. g
PH Senator Risa Hontiveros takes on a ‘role...
chose in life. I go back to what inspires me, think of the people who love me and those who I love. I love being a Filipino, the unique arts and culture we have, and I have my faith to hold on to,” she says.
These may indeed have come very handy as she dutifully actualizes her mission in the senate. As she pushes for the Senate Bill 2443 or the proposed “Dissolution of Marriage Act,” challenges from all directions are expected. The “why” of advocating for a divorce option for the Filipino family is something she is clear about: “If the marriage reaches a situation where it isn’t supposed to be and in fact became the opposite of what marriage is like as it has ceased to become a relationship of love, commitment, and care and instead stories of domestic violence, neglect, absence, and repeated adultery have taken place. Why should individuals and families in those situations be denied of a second chance in freedom, life, and love?”
Senator Hontiveros recognizes the role the church – especially the Catholic Church – may play in the conversation. And while supporters of the bill assert that divorce is a public issue and not a religious one, she wants the conversation to be open and inclusive. “We continuously engage the Catholic hierarchy in the discussions and lately, I have been feeling that the pushback has been less, and the position has changed for the better compared to years ago.”
In her recent visit in Los Angeles for a series of meetings with various Filipino American communities, Sen. Hontiveros solidified in her mind what Filipino Americans can do to help Filipinos back in their homeland.
“You can take the Filipino out of the Philippines, but you can’t take the Philippines out of the Filipino,” she happily declared. “Lately there has been a renewed interest in acquiring dual citizenship. This could result to benefits that include OFW absentee voting. This means participation in choosing the leaders. The Philippine Consulate has set up a program and information campaign that will help dual citizens register and vote in the forthcoming midterm elections next year and general elections in 2028.”
Another interest expressed in the meetings would be “medical portability” where retirees can move back to the Philippines but can still enjoy the same pension and healthcare benefits they receive here. “We already have a template on Medical Portability,
Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality – has personally championed and successfully pushed for the creation 25 new landmark laws. She is currently working to pass reforms such as the proposed Lingap Para Kay Lolo at Lola Act, which will establish a system of universal social pension for Filipino senior citizens, and the Free Dialysis Act, which will mandate PhilHealth to provide free dialysis sessions to all senior citizens.
Other legislation: Republic Act 9502 (Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law) –significantly decreases the cost of quality medicines in the country. Republic Act 9700 (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms [CARPER] Law) – improves the agrarian reform program of the government.
Republic Act 10932 (Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law) – strengthens the penalties against hospitals who violate the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.
Republic Act 11036 (Philippine Mental Health Law) –safeguards the mental health of Filipino citizens through education, medical advancements, and other support systems.
Republic Act 11861 (Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act) –provides wider social benefits to solo parents.
Republic Act 11166 (HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018) –expands access to evidence-based HIV strategies and facilitates easier access to learning about one's HIV status.
Republic Act 11313 (Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act) – protects Filipinos (notably women) from catcalling, groping, persistent requests, and other forms of street harassment. Republic Act 11930 (Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Law) – boosts government efforts to end online abuse and exploitation of Filipino children. n
the framework to make it a law has been drafted,” she revealed. She extolled the importance of making parallel efforts when it comes to organizing –whether politically or collaborating on solutions to issues that current Filipinos have felt strongly about: poverty, unemployment, inflation, and corruption which she named as those on top of the list.
“Regardless of political affiliation, every Filipino recognizes the pain of the issues and problems that affect our country. Perhaps this is an opportunity for us to see that even if we disagree politically, we can choose to find solutions to problems we all experience. We need to think of better ways to mobilize our resources and utilize traditional and social media in a way that informs and empower us to form communities and create genuine unity,” she stated.
Senator Hontiveros explained how economic reform and protecting ourselves from the effects of inflation are a concern for Filipinos all over the world. “In the Philippines, economic development should be the priority. While agriculture and manufacturing need to be developed, the necessary infrastructures, such as electrification should be in place. The BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry has been a top contributor to the Philippine economy and needs to be strengthened further through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).” Amid her visions to implement economic agenda for the country, Sen. Hontiveros sees the overarching importance of better governance. “I oppose scandalous poverty and inequality. I oppose manipulation – using disunity and enmity u PAGE 3
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Supreme Court OKs local crackdowns on...
Johnson, director of litigation at the Oregon Law Center and lead attorney representing homeless defendants in the case.
“If people aren’t allowed to engage in survival while living outside by having things like a blanket and a pillow, or a tarp and a sleeping bag, and they don’t have anywhere else to go, they can die,” he said.
The case, the most consequential on homelessness in decades, comes amid widespread public frustration over the proliferation of homeless encampments — especially in Western cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Portland, Oregon — and the unsafe and unsanitary conditions that often fester around them.
An estimated 653,100 people were homeless in the United States in 2023, according to the most recent federal estimates, the vast majority residing in shanties, broken-down recreational vehicles, and sprawling tent camps scattered across urban and rural communities.
The Oregon city of Grants Pass, at the center of the legal battle, successfully argued that it was not cruel and unusual punishment to fine and arrest homeless people living outdoors or illegally camping on public property.
Mike Zacchino, a spokesperson for Grants Pass, issued a statement Friday that the city was “grateful” to receive the decision and is committed to assisting residents struggling to find stable housing. Theane Evangelis, the city’s lead attorney, told the Supreme Court in April that if it couldn’t enforce its anticamping laws, “the city’s hands will be tied. It will be forced to surrender its public spaces.”
In the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch argued that the homelessness crisis is complex and has many causes, writing, “With encampments dotting neighborhood sidewalks, adults and children in these communities are sometimes forced to navigate around used needles, human waste, and other hazards to make their way to school, the grocery store, or work.”
However, Gorsuch wrote, the Eighth Amendment does not give the Supreme Court justices primary responsibility “for assessing those causes and devising those responses.” A handful of federal judges cannot “begin to ‘match’ the collective wisdom the American people possess in deciding ‘how best to handle’ a pressing social question like homelessness,” he wrote. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the decision focuses on the needs of local government and “leaves the
most vulnerable in our society with an impossible choice: Either stay awake or be arrested.”
Elected officials, both Republican and Democrat, have increasingly argued that life on the streets is making people sick — and they should be allowed to relocate people for health and safety.
“If government offers people help and they can’t or won’t accept it, there should be consequences. We have laws that need to be used,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who is an adviser to California Gov. Gavin Newsom on homelessness, referencing laws that allow the state to require mental health and addiction treatment, for instance.
The high court decision could further embolden cities to sweep encampments and could force homeless people to be more transient — constantly moving around to evade law enforcement. Sometimes they’re offered shelter, but often there is nowhere to go. Steinberg believes many cities will more aggressively sweep encampments and keep homeless people on the move, but he does not believe they should be fined or arrested.
“I’m comfortable telling people that you can’t camp in public, but I would not criminalize it,” he said. “Some cities will fine and arrest people.”
Advocates for homeless people say constant relocations will further imperil the health of this population and magnify public health threats, such as the spread of communicable diseases. They fear conservativeleaning communities will criminalize street camping, pushing homeless people to liberal municipalities that provide housing assistance and services.
“Some cities have decided that they want to fine, arrest, and punish people for being homeless, and the majority opinion tells communities that they can go ahead and do that,” said Steve Berg, chief policy officer for the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
“If communities really want less homelessness, they need to do what works, which is make sure people have access to housing and supportive services.”
As they disperse and relocate — and possibly get arrested or slapped with fines — they will lose connections to the doctors and nurses who provide primary and specialty care on the streets, some health care experts say.
“It just is going to contribute to more death and higher mortality rates,” said Jim O’Connell, the president of Boston’s Health Care for the Homeless Program and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “It’s tough, because
PAUNAWA SA HALALAN
IPINAHAHAYAG DITO ANG PAUNAWA na ang Pangkalahatang Munisipal na Halalan ay gaganapin sa Lungsod ng Burlingame sa Martes, Nobyembre 5, 2024, para sa mga sumusunod na tanggapan:: - Upang maghalal ng isang (1) Miyembro ng Konseho, para sa isang kalahating termino nang dalawang (2) taon para sa District 1 ng Konseho - Upang maghalal ng isang (1) Miyembro ng Konseho, para sa buong termino nang apat (4) na taon para sa District 2 ng Konseho - Upang maghalal ng isang (1) Miyembro ng Konseho, para sa buong termino nang apat (4) na taon para sa District 4 ng Konseho
Ang paghahain para sa mga kandidato ay magbubukas sa Lunes, Hulyo 15, 2024, sa ganap na 8:00 a.m. at magsasara sa Biyernes, Agosto 9, 2024, sa 5:00 p.m. Walang papayagang pagpapalawig ng paghahain ng kandidatura.
Ang lahat ng interesadong kandidato ay dapat na mga residente at mga rehistradong botante ng Burlingame Council District sa oras na maibigay ang mga dokumento sa nominasyon.
Ang Lungsod ng Burlingame ay maniningil ng $25 na kabayaran sa paghahain ng kandidatura. Bukod pa rito, ang mga kandidatong gustong maghain ng pahayag ng isang kandidato sa Voter Information Pamphlet ay hihingan ng kabayarang batay sa halaga ng pag-imprenta ng kanilang pahayag. Ang kabayaran ay pagpapasyahan ng San Mateo County Registration and Elections Division.
Ang mga dokumento sa nominasyon para sa ihahalal na posisyon ng Miyembro ng Konseho sa District 1 ng Burlingame, Miyembro ng Konseho ng District 2 ng Burlingame, Miyembro ng Konseho ng District 4 ng Burlingame, ay makukuha mula sa opisina ng Kleriko ng Konseho, sa 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring makipagugnayan sa Kleriko ng Lungsod na si Meaghan Hassel-Shearer sa (650)-558-7203 o sa mhasselshearer@burlingame.org.
IPINAHAHAYAG DIN ANG PAUNAWA na ang mga boto at isinumite na Vote-by-Mail at Conditional Ballots para sa Halalan na gaganapin sa Martes, Nobyembre 5, 2024, ay dapat bilangin sa lugar na nasa ibaba: County of San Mateo Registration & Elections Division 40 Tower Road San Mateo, CA 94402
IPINAHAHAYAG DIN ANG KARAGDAGANG PAUNAWA na sa naturang halalan, ang botohan ay magbubukas mula sa oras ng 7:00 A.M. hanggang sa oras ng 8:00 P.M. sa araw ng halalan, sa Nobyembre 5, 2024. Bukod pa rito, ang mga lugar ng botohan ay magbubukas simula 29 na araw bago ang halalan sa buong County para sa lahat ng interesadong mga botante. Isang listahan ng mga lugar at oras ang ipapaalam sa Voter Information Pamphlet. Petsa: Hulyo 1, 2024 /s/ Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
Kleriko ng Lungsod ng Burlingame / Opisyal ng Halalan sa Lungsod
7/5/24 CNS-3829010# ASIAN JOURNAL (NORTHERN CALIF.)
there’s a public safety versus public health” debate cities are struggling with.
As homeless people become sicker, they will get more expensive to treat, O’Connell said.
“Stop thinking about the emergency room, which is cheap compared to what we actually see, which is homeless people being admitted to the ICU,” he said. “I’ve got 20-something patients at Mass General today taking a huge amount of money to care for.”
In Los Angeles, which has one of the biggest homeless populations in America, street medicine provider Brett Feldman predicts more patients will need emergency intensive care as chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease go untreated.
Patients on anti-addiction medication or those undergoing treatment to improve their mental health will also struggle, he said.
“People are already getting moved and camps swept all the time, so we already know what happens,” Feldman said. “People lose their medications; they lose track of us.”
Homeless people die at rates two to six times higher than residents living in stable housing, according to a May report from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Drug overdoses and coronary artery disease were the top two causes of death since 2017.
Feldman said it may become harder to house people or place them into treatment programs.
u PAGE 5
PH Senator Risa Hontiveros takes on a ‘role...
for political ends. We need to reach out to the Filipinos who lost faith in democracy and help them rediscover it. Perhaps the people don’t see how they can participate in the democratic process and how they can protect it. We need a restart.”
Listening to Sen. Hontiveros talk about how the Philippines could soar to greater heights is an inspiring experience. It leaves one in awe at how a leader
like her appear to be seemingly undaunted when she pursues causes and issues of national interest (read: sometimes risky). She knows in her heart what the people she serves would benefit from. Whether it’s tirelessly pushing for the SOGIE Bill (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression Bill) to become a law or being in the forefront of investigating POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and look into alleged human
afraid
AFFORDABLE. Rice is sold at PHP29 per kilo at the Department of Agriculture’s “Kadiwa” in Quezon City on Monday, July 1. The elderly, persons with disabilities and solo parents were prioritized.
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
The Supreme Court just limited federal power. Health care is feeling the shockwaves.
by Stephanie armour KFF Health News
A LANDMARK Supreme Court decision that reins in federal agencies’ authority is expected to hold dramatic consequences for the nation’s health care system, calling into question government rules on anything from consumer protections for patients to drug safety to nursing home care.
The June 28 decision overturns a 1984 precedent that said courts should give deference to federal agencies in legal challenges over their regulatory or scientific decisions. Instead of giving priority to agencies, courts will now exercise their own independent judgment about what Congress intended when drafting a particular law.
The ruling will likely have seismic ramifications for health policy. A flood of litigation — with plaintiffs like small businesses, drugmakers, and hospitals challenging regulations they say aren’t specified in the law — could leave the country with a patchwork of disparate health regulations varying by location. Agencies such as the FDA are likely to be far more cautious in drafting regulations, Congress is expected to take more time fleshing out legislation to avoid legal challenges, and judges will be more apt to overrule current and future regulations.
Health policy leaders say patients, providers, and health systems should brace for more uncertainty and less stability in the health care system. Even routine government functions such as deciding the rate to pay doctors for treating Medicare beneficiaries could become embroiled in long legal battles that disrupt patient care or strain providers to adapt.
Groups that oppose a regulation could search for and secure partisan judges to roll back agency decision-making, said Andrew Twinamatsiko, director of the Health Policy and the Law Initiative at Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute. One example could be challenges to the FDA’s approval of a medication used in abortions, which survived a Supreme Court challenge this term on a technicality.
“Judges will be more
emboldened to second-guess agencies,” he said. “It’s going to open agencies up to attacks.”
Regulations are effectively the technical instructions for laws written by Congress. Federal agency staffers with knowledge related to a law — say, in drugs that treat rare diseases or health care for seniors — decide how to translate Congress’ words into action with input from industry, advocates, and the public.
Up until now, when agencies issued a regulation, a single rule typically applied nationwide.
Following the high court ruling, however, lawsuits filed in more than one jurisdiction could result in contradictory rulings and regulatory requirements — meaning health care policies for patients, providers, or insurers could differ greatly from one area to another.
One circuit may uphold a regulation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, while other circuits may take different views.
“You could have eight or nine of 11 different views of the courts,” said William Buzbee, a professor at Georgetown Law.
A court in one circuit could issue a nationwide injunction to enforce its interpretation while another circuit disagrees, said Maura Monaghan, a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton. Few cases are taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, which could leave clashing directives in place for many years.
In the immediate future, health policy leaders say agencies should brace for more litigation over controversial initiatives. A requirement that most Affordable Care Act health plans cover preventive services, for example, is already being litigated. Multiple challenges to the mandate could mean different coverage requirements for preventive care depending on where a consumer lives.
Drugmakers have sued to try to stop the Biden administration from implementing a federal law that forces makers of the most expensive drugs to negotiate prices with Medicare — a key cog in President Joe Biden’s effort to lower drug prices and control health care costs.
Parts of the health care industry may take on reimbursement rates for doctors
that are set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services because those specific rates aren’t written into law. The agency issues rules updating payment rates in Medicare, a health insurance program for people 65 or older and younger people with disabilities. Groups representing doctors and hospitals regularly flock to Washington, D.C., to lobby against trims to their payment rates.
And providers, including those backed by deeppocketed investors, have sued to block federal surprisebilling legislation. The No Surprises Act, which passed in 2020 and took effect for most people in 2022, aims to protect patients from unexpected, out-of-network medical bills, especially in emergencies. The high court’s ruling is expected to spur more litigation over its implementation.
“This really is going to create a tectonic change in the administrative regulatory landscape,” Twinamatsiko said.
“The approach since 1984 has created stability. When the FDA or CDC adopt regulations, they know those regulations will be respected. That has been taken back.”
Industry groups, including the American Hospital Association and AHIP, an insurers’ trade group, declined to comment.
Agencies such as the FDA that take advantage of their regulatory authority to make specific decisions, such as the granting of exclusive marketing rights upon approval of a drug, will be vulnerable. The reason:
Many of their decisions require discretion as opposed to being explicitly defined by federal law, said Joseph Ross, a professor of medicine and public health at Yale School of Medicine.
“The legislation that guides much of the work in the health space, such as FDA and CMS, is not prescriptive,” he said.
In fact, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in an episode of the “Healthcare Unfiltered” podcast last year that he was “very worried” about the disruption from judges overruling his agency’s scientific decisions.
The high court’s ruling will u PAGE 5
China to US: Stop support of PH...
development interests and play a positive role in the steady development of China-U.S. relations rather than doing the opposite.
In Washington, the U.S. State Department said that Campbell “raised serious concerns” about Chinese aggressive actions in a call with Ma Zhaoxu.
State Department spokesman Mathew Miller said Campbell also reiterated that U.S. commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) remained “ironclad.”
China and the Philippines have traded accusations over “dangerous and illegal maneuvers” affecting their
respective vessels around the Second Thomas or Ayungin Shoal, a disputed atoll in the busy waterway.
The Philippines sent resupply missions to soldiers living aboard the 100-meter BRP Sierra Madre vessel, an aging warship deliberately grounded by Manila in 1999 at the atoll to check the advance of China in the hotly contested waters.
The unorthodox tactic to establish the Philippines’ presence on the shoal was in response to China’s occupation of the nearby and thenuninhabited Mischief Reef, also claimed by Manila, a few years earlier.
Beijing has turned Mischief
Reef and other reefs and outcrops into artificial, militarized
1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass of Hainan island.
This means it is inside the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ). A 2016 arbitral ruling supported the Philippines’ claim. An EEZ gives a country sovereign rights to fisheries and natural resources but does not denote sovereignty over that area. g
Inflation, corruption most important issues...
second most supported issue for Filipinos.
Other issues of interest include moving the school calendar back to June-March, adjusting the working hours of LGUs in Metro Manila to ease traffic, and consolidating government aid programs into a National Stipend Program.
The least approved issues, as indicated in the survey, were Charter change, West Philippine Sea disputes and International
Criminal Court actions against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
On the other hand, over half of Filipinos believed in being neutral when dealing with China and the United States. However, between the two, a third of Filipinos preferred the U.S. over China. Dissatisfaction with the weak performance of President Marcos is not enough reason for him to resign, according to six out of 10 survey respondents.
Meanwhile, awareness of the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge is high with mixed sentiments on its recitation during weekly flag ceremonies. Pahayag 2024 used a purposive sampling of 1,507 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 registered Filipino voters maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a United Statesbased panel marketplace with a multinational presence. g
islands to assert its claims in the waters.
Second Thomas or Ayungin Shoal, located in the Spratly Islands, is about 200 kilometers west of the western Philippine island of Palawan and more than
FRESH. Fishers head to the Las Piñas City Fish Port with their catch on Sunday, June 30. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will launch a pilot study that would grant insurance coverage to fishers affected by calamities, initially to cover those from Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Surigao del Norte. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Daly City launches ‘Speak Up’ with CORA to combat domestic violence, intimate partner abuse
DALY CITY – As part of the City of Daly City’s initiatives to combat Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse, the city has partnered with the nonprofit partner Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) to offer “Speak Up,” a program that will educate the community on the signs of abuse.
“Daly City has unfortunately experienced the loss of community members due to domestic violence and intimate partner abuse, so it is important that we educate our community about how to offer domestic violence victims a safe path to seek help,” said Mayor Juslyn C. Manalo. “Following the tragic, violent death of Frances Lucero in front of her two young children in March 2023, I have worked closely with her
mother, Liezel Chan Lucero, to spread awareness about intimate partner abuse and seek resources for assistance that can be shared with the community. Resources, such as Speak Up, will educate and equip community members to help those in need, in hopes that no family has to experience the loss of a loved one due to intimate partner abuse.”
“Speak Up” includes a free 15-minute in-person or virtual training that will provide Daly City businesses and organizations an understanding of Intimate Partner Abuse, how to spot red flags, and what to say to someone they fear might be in an abusive situation.
“Many victims of domestic violence suffer in silence, too afraid or ashamed to speak up — this is where we, as a
community, need to step up and make a change,” said Liezel Chan Lucero. “By speaking up, we show our support for the victims, we break the cycle of abuse, and we hold abusers accountable for their actions. I urge you all, if you see something, say something. Use your voice to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Together, let us create a society where domestic violence has no place, and where everyone feels safe and respected in their own homes.”
“Speak Up” has been funded by the City of Daly City so that it may be offered at no cost to the Daly City community. CORA will be conducting outreach and education in Daly City during the months of July and August 2024.
(Daly City Release)
Groundbreaking cancer study focuses...
1
cancer types prevalent in Asian American communities, including breast cancer among young Asian American women, nasopharyngeal cancer in Chinese Americans, liver cancer in Southeast Asian Americans, gastric cancer in Korean and Japanese Americans and thyroid cancer in Filipino Americans.
How to participate?
The study aims to enroll 20,000 participants this year, with plans to expand to 50,000 in the future. Participants will provide saliva samples and respond to lifestyle inquiries, ensuring comprehensive data
collection. But take note: participation in the study involves being studied over many years, not just for a day or so.
Iona Chen, another principal investigator at UC San Francisco, explains that the study will monitor participants over several years to track cancer development, including types such as lung, breast, gastric and liver cancers. Eligible participants are adults aged 40 to 75 without a cancer diagnosis. There will also be remote interviews, eliminating the need for participants to travel to study sites and thereby
enhancing convenience and accessibility. This approach enables researchers to gather extensive and detailed information from a diverse group of participants across various regions, contributing to a deeper understanding of cancer risk factors in Asian American communities.
If you’re from Southern California, LAist listed the contact information: Cedars-Sinai is enrolling people in LA County at CSCCommunityOutreach@cshs. org, while UC Irvine is enrolling Orange County participants at tanjasir@hs.uci.edu. (Hans Carbonilla/Inquirer.net)
Supreme Court OKs local crackdowns on...
3
“We rely on knowing where they are in order to find them,” Feldman said. “And they rely on us knowing where they are to get their health care. And if we can’t find them, often they can’t complete their housing paperwork and they don’t get inside.”
The Biden administration has pushed states to expand the definition of health care to include housing. At least 19 are directing money from Medicaid — the state-federal health insurance program for lowincome people — into housing aid.
California is going the biggest, pumping $12 billion into an ambitious Medicaid initiative largely to help homeless patients find housing, pay for it, and avoid eviction. It is also dramatically expanding street medicine services.
The Supreme Court decision could interrupt these programs, said Margot Kushel, a primary care doctor and homelessness researcher at the University of California-San Francisco.
“Now you’re going to see
disconnections from those case managers and housing navigators and people just losing touch in the chaos and the shuffle,” she said. “What’s worse, though, is we are going to lose the trust that is so essential to getting people to take their medications or stop their drug use and, ultimately, getting people into housing.”
Kushel said the ruling would make homelessness worse. “Just having fines and jail time makes it easier for a landlord to reject you for housing,” she said.
At the same time, Americans are increasingly frustrated by encampments spreading into neighborhoods, ringing public parks, and popping up near schools. The spread is marked by more trash, dirty needles, rats, and human excrement on sidewalks.
Local leaders across deep-blue California welcomed the decision from the conservative majority, which will allow them to fine and arrest homeless people, even if there’s nowhere for them to go. “The Supreme Court today took decisive action that will ultimately make our communities safer,”
Fil-Am breakdancer earns a spot in the Paris Olympics
by Hans Carbonilla Inquirer.net
ANOTHER Filipino American is set to make waves at this year’s Paris Olympics, but not in a traditional sport like tennis, track and field or ball sports –this time, it’s breakdancing. Logan Edra, widely known as “Logistx,” has secured her name in history by earning a spot on the United States’ breakdancing team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. USA Dance Inc.’s breaking division celebrated Edra’s achievement in an Instagram post, proclaiming, “Congratulations again to @ logistx_ugf for making history!! She earned her ticket to Paris and will officially represent @teamusa at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. See you in PARIS!!”
After an outstanding performance at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest, Hungary, Edra, alongside Jeffrey Louis, secured the final two spots on Team USA’s breakdancing squad. Their journey to the
Olympics was cemented with a fifth-place finish in both the overall standings and their respective categories during the qualifiers. Edra and Louis will join Sunny Choi and Victor Montalvo to complete the quartet representing the United States in breakdancing’s inaugural appearance at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 9 and 10. There will be a total of 32 breakers, featuring 16 male and 16 female dancers, who will demonstrate their skills in this arena. As written on the Olympics official website, “Athletes will use a combination of power moves – including windmills, the 6-step, and freezes – as they adapt their style and improvise to the beat of the DJ’s tracks in a bid to secure the judges’ votes and take home the first Olympic breaking medals.”
After its first run at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018, breakdancing garnered significant acclaim. Building on its success in Argentina, breakdancing was subsequently included in the
BAYAN NG HILLSBOROUGH
Paunawa
“A whole host of existing regulations could be vulnerable,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF. Other consequences are
possible. Congress may attempt to flesh out more details when drafting legislation to avoid challenges — an approach that may increase partisan standoffs and slow down an already glacial pace in passing legislation, Levitt said. Agencies are expected to be far more cautious in writing regulations to be sure they don’t go beyond the contours of the law. The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision overturned Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which held that courts should generally
said Graham Knaus, CEO of the California State Association of Counties.
Newsom, a Democrat who leads a state with nearly 30% of the nation’s homeless population, said the decision gives state and local officials “the definitive authority to implement and enforce policies to clear unsafe encampments from our streets,” ending legal ambiguity that has “tied the hands of local officials for years and limited their ability to deliver on commonsense measures to protect the safety and well-being of communities.”
(Angela Hart/ KFF Health News)
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
back a federal agency’s statutory interpretation as long as it was reasonable. Republicans have largely praised the new ruling as necessary for ensuring agencies don’t overstep their authority, while Democrats said in the aftermath of the decision that it amounts to a judicial power grab.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Logan Edra, widely known as “Logistx,” has earned a spot on USA’s breakdancing team for the
OPINION FEATURES
Propaganda campaign?
AT the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos shunned vaccines made in China not because of any propaganda campaign by the West, but because it was a fact that Beijing would not come clean on the origins of the new virus, and refused to submit its vaccines to assessment by an internationally recognized stringent regulatory authority or SRA.
These details are useful to remember before the facts become muddled enough to fit Beijing’s narrative on COVID, whose origins to this day have yet to be officially established, thanks to Chinese stonewalling. In December 2019, ophthalmologist
Editorial
Li Wenliang posted on social media an alert about a new virus that was sickening and killing people in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province in central China. Beijing had Li arrested along with seven other COVID whistle-blowers ostensibly for rumor-mongering. In February 2020, Li died of COVID.
Over in Manila, as reports spread about an emerging pandemic, the administration of Rodrigo Duterte refused to impose travel restrictions on visitors from China. The Philippines’ COVID Patients 1 and 2 were a pair of tourists from Wuhan, recorded as early as Jan. 30, 2020. One became the first confirmed COVID death recorded in the Philippines, on Feb. 1, and the first outside China. Even then, Duterte downplayed the threat, saying the virus would “die a natural death.” When
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aptly put it during his remarks at the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command in Palawan last Sunday, June 30 that “we are not in the business [of instigating] wars – our ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino.”
Maintaining that the Philippines is a responsible state that will continue to exercise its freedoms and rights in accordance with international law, the president emphasized that “in defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that would like to settle all these issues peacefully.”
The pride in his voice was unmistakable when he told the troops at WESCOM – the unit tasked to secure the West Philippine Sea: “You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined and yet is compassionate.”
The greatest proof of what kind of people we are is in the over 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed in more than 200 countries worldwide that include Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Everywhere they go, OFWs are much appreciated
AFTER several box office letdowns in 2023, Disney can finally breathe a sigh of relief with the recent commercial success of Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” This sequel to the 2015 animated hit explores the inner workings of a girl’s emotions by following 11-year-old Riley and the various emotions running a command control center inside her head. In the sequel, the original five—Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear—are joined by new characters as Riley goes through puberty: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui.
The movie brilliantly illustrates how emotions influence our decision-making. In the past decade, scientists have understood more precisely how emotions aid rational thinking by helping us assess which relevant information to consider,
the World Health Organization finally declared the existence of a pandemic, Duterte imposed one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world. At the same time, his administration busied itself with the multibillion-peso sweetheart deal awarded to Pharmally Pharmaceuticals.
Reinforcing reports that the COVID virus sprung from Wuhan, China became the first to produce vaccines. Without SRA approval, however, people outside China preferred to wait for a peer-vetted vaccine. In December 2020, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German firm BioNTech produced such a vaccine for emergency use.
The country would later find out that the Trump administration, working with Philippine diplomats, had pushed for Pfizer to give priority to the Philippines, with 10 million doses of its prized vaccine ready for delivery as early as January 2021. But Teodoro Locsin Jr., at the time the foreign secretary, said “someone dropped the ball” and the Duterte administration held off on signing a confidential disclosure agreement sought by Pfizer.
The suspicion was that the Duterte administration
wanted to first unload the China-donated jabs before allowing the entry of the Pfizer shots. No propaganda machine is needed to tell you that those 10 million Pfizer doses could have drastically
We are not in the business of instigating wars
for being hardworking, kind and caring.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, admiration and appreciation for OFWs, particularly nurses and health care professionals, poured in from people like British media personality Piers Morgan, who described them as “unsung heroes.”
“Amazing number of Filipinos working in National Health Service are unsung heroes… Thank you to all the Filipinos who are here, doing all this… These are the immigrants currently saving people’s lives, coming here and actually enriching our country and doing an amazing job. So thank you to all the Filipinos who are here doing all these amazing work…” Morgan said.
When former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized and needed intensive care after contracting COVID-19, he wore a shirt with the word “Philippines” across the chest in what was seen as his subtle way of honoring Filipino nurses and medical professionals who saved his life.
When Hamas militants attacked Jewish communities near the Gaza Strip, OFWs like nurse Angeline Aguirre displayed unbelievable courage and dedication – refusing to abandon her elderly patient, with both perishing in the process. Carer Camille Jesalva also refused to leave her 95-year-old employer.
When Hamas militants broke into the residence, she calmly and bravely faced them, offering all the money she saved for a trip to the Philippines. Camille said she could not have forgiven herself if her employer had died because she abandoned her.
Every visitor who comes to the Philippines says Filipinos are warm, friendly and hospitable. We are a good people – and we are also proud to be regarded as kind, imbued with humanitarian compassion for those who are in need of help.
In 1934, during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon, we opened our doors to Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi purge and made the Philippines a safe haven for them at a time when many other countries turned their backs and closed their doors to a persecuted race. Despite the criticism he received, President Quezon issued Proclamation 173 that has come to be known as the “open door policy” that allowed at least 1,300 European Jews into the Philippines.
Thousands of Vietnamese refugees known as “boat people” who fled during the Vietnam War were also granted asylum to the Philippines on the basis of humanitarian grounds, with the Philippine government during the time of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. upholding the principle of non-refoulement – meaning no refugee was turned away or repatriated back to Vietnam.
We Filipinos are known for being extremely hospitable, good people – always ready to extend a helping hand and respond to a call for help, sometimes even shedding blood in the process. But when push comes to shove, we step up to the plate, like in the Battle of Yultong in 1951 during the Korean War when the 10th Battalion Combat Team that was part of the 7,500-strong Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea sent by President Elpidio Quirino fiercely resisted the 44th Division of the Chinese Army.
During the battle, 900 Filipinos surrounded by thousands of Chinese soldiers lost all contact with the outside world but bravely resisted enemy offensives in two days of fierce fighting – enabling the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 3rd Infantry to withdraw.
When the dust finally settled, 24 Filipinos died but several thousands of the enemy were also killed before reinforcements arrived. The bravery of the “Fighting Filipinos” was such that General Douglas MacArthur was reported to have said, “Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I shall conquer the world!”
Filipinos are unassuming and patient, but it is also in our blood to push back when we are shoved. Whatever freedom we are enjoying today – we fought hard for. We were under Spanish rule for over 300 years when our forefathers waged a war for independence. In the early 1900s,
we fought the Americans during the Philippine-American War to gain independence, only to suffer during the Japanese occupation. We fought with the Americans against the Japanese invaders during World War 2 until we gained full independence in 1946. Today, we have extremely good relations with Spain as well as the United States and Japan who are our staunch allies – proving once again that we are a peace-loving nation.
* * * 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.
President Marcos said “…We will not resort to the use of force or intimidation, or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone. But at the same time, we stand firm. Our calm and peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for acquiescence” – because that is precisely the kind of people that Filipinos are. (Philstar.com)
* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com
Developing our emotional intelligence
including potential threats and opportunities. To guide our thought process, different emotions highlight specific details, memories, and beliefs while downplaying others. For example, the feeling of disgust helps us avoid certain situations that might harm us. Imagine discovering a foul-smelling three-week-old milk in your fridge. Disgust kicks in, and you are absolutely sure that you don’t need to taste it before throwing it away.
Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to understand and monitor one’s feelings and emotions and use the information gathered to guide one’s thinking and actions. The term was first coined in 1990 but it was psychologist and writer Daniel Goleman who brought it to general awareness in 1995. He christened it with its famous shorthand, EQ, and published a book highlighting it as a significant predictor of success. His insights were a stark contrast to the prevailing belief at the time, which solely
put a premium on a person’s IQ levels. Fast-forward to 2024 and skills related to emotional intelligence have become sought-after qualities in leaders and employees. According to the 2023 World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report, organizations are placing increasing importance on socio-emotional attitudes like self-awareness, resilience, curiosity, and flexibility. In a working landscape anticipating massive disruptions due to automation and artificial intelligence, companies seek to build a workforce with high EQ: reflective, adaptive, selfmotivated, and committed to lifelong learning. As a licensed Social Emotional Learning (SEL) trainer for the past seven years, I have noticed that many young people face a significant challenge: they grew up hearing that their feelings are valid, but they were not necessarily taught how to properly assess and manage them, often hindering them
from being able to choose to respond appropriately. This gap in understanding often results in individuals who constantly let heightened emotions dictate their decisions, using unprocessed feelings to justify inappropriate, unproductive, and destructive behavior.
Emotional intelligence transcends mere awareness of one’s emotions. It encompasses the ability to comprehend the nature of these emotions as well as the proficiency to manage them effectively. The five core SEL competencies are selfawareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decisionmaking. These involve recognizing and regulating emotions, understanding others, building healthy relationships, and making constructive choices. Possessing a high EQ means not only recognizing what you are feeling but also understanding that you wield control over your emotions rather than being controlled by them.
Children need to be taught
that: Yes, we should name and acknowledge our emotions. BUT it is equally important to understand that our strong feelings can cloud judgment. Our initial emotions often overlook and obscure considerations that a rational mind would take into account, such as our longterm goals, the values we stand for, and the relationships we care about. For example, when someone has road rage, they are so focused on their anger that they fail to weigh whether the traffic inconvenience they were reacting to is enough to justify harming others.
People need to learn how to pause when dealing with heightened emotions and to practice doing activities that will help them calm their emotional mind so that they can also “hear” their rational mind. This way, they can react and decide with greater intention. For parents and teachers who want to learn how to explicitly teach SEL skills to their children and students. I recommend looking into a host of free online resources developed
by Unesco and CASEL for practical tips and free modules that one could easily integrate into the classroom or at home. While there is an old saying that “Those who can’t, teach,” emotional intelligence is not something one can easily impart unless one makes an active commitment to developing and embodying these skills. Teaching social-emotional attitudes begins with a personal practice: Being more reflective about how we are feeling and being more mindful and deliberate with the way we respond. It is through our continuous growth in this area that we can hope to effectively guide the younger generation toward a more resilient and emotionally intelligent future amid a world increasingly shaped by automation. This skill will serve them (and us) well. (Inquirer.net)
* * * 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.
cut down the death toll in the lethal Alpha COVID wave in the summer of 2021, when vaccination was just starting in the country and hospitals overflowed with patients. (Philstar.com)
Maintaining that the Philippines is a responsible state that will continue to exercise its freedoms and rights in accordance with international law, the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr emphasized that “in defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that would like to settle all these issues peacefully.” Malacañang file photo
Dateline PhiliPPines
Angara named as new DepEd chief
by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara will be replacing Vice President Sara Duterte as the new Education Secretary, the Palace announced Tuesday, July 2. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that Angara will take the helm of the Department of Education (DepEd) starting July 19.
Vice President Duterte resigned as DepEd chief on June 19. She did not provide a definite reason for quitting and only explained that her action was not a sign of weakness, as it was stirred by compassion for teachers and students.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced that he is set to appoint Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara as the new Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), replacing Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned last June 19, 2024, effective July 19, 2024,” the PCO said in a statement.
According to the PCO, President Marcos announced his decision to choose Angara as DepEd secretary during the 17th Cabinet Meeting in the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday.
“Sonny has agreed to take on the brief of the Department of Education,” the PCO quoted Marcos as saying during the meeting. It also noted that Marcos emphasized before Cabinet members the critical role of the DepEd and the necessity for a leader capable of overseeing its operations.
“DepEd is arguably the most important department given the crucial role of education,”
said Marcos, as he pointed out that there were “many excellent candidates” for the position.
The PCO likewise said that Marcos expressed appreciation for Duterte’s service as DepEd chief and that he anticipates a smooth transition with the new department leadership.
In a separate statement, Angara expressed thanks to Marcos for his “trust” in picking him as the new head of DepEd.
“I am committed to working with all sectors of society, including my predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte, to ensure that every Filipino child has access to quality education.
I look forward to building upon her accomplishments,” he said.
“Education is the cornerstone of our nation’s future, and it is through collective effort that we can address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. I am eager to collaborate with President Marcos and the entire administration in serving our students, supporting our teachers, and enhancing the overall quality of education in our country,” he added.
Prior to his appointment, Angara served as a senator from the 16th to the present Congress, or since 2013.
He chaired multiple Senate panels, including the justice and human rights committee, finance committee, and youth committee.
Angara has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economic and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
He also obtained his Master of Laws from Harvard University.
In an ambush interview on Monday, July 1, Angara said he is “open” to being the next DepEd head if offered to him.
“Opo (Yes). Open tayo kung sakaling pagkatiwalaan (We’re open if given the trust),” he told reporters in Baler, Aurora, where the senator attended celebrations for the 22nd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.
Senators have been expressing support for Angara to be the next DepEd secretary, citing his extensive educational background. g
Duterte knows where Quiboloy is, but won’t tell
by diana lhyd SuElto Philstar.com
MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte said he knows where his friend Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy is hiding, but would not say where.
“If the question is, ‘Where is pastor?’ I know where, but it’s a secret,” Duterte told reporters on Saturday, June 29 in Tacloban city.
Duterte, administrator of KOJC properties, said Quiboloy, who has standing arrest warrants for sexual and child abuse and human trafficking cases, does not want to surrender.
“He does not want to surrender. So, don’t surrender,” he added.
The police searched the KOJC compound several times in an attempt to serve the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and
his co-accused but failed to find him. KOJC members have condemned the latest attempt to serve the warrants, claiming that the police have used excessive force in entering their compounds.
Duterte, however, refused to comment on this allegation.
“I have a feeling for the military and police. I am pro-police, promilitary,” the former president added. g
Vice President Sara rejects tag as opposition leader
by Edith rEgalado Philstar.com
DAVAO CITY — Vice President
Sara Duterte disagreed with claims that she is now the leader of the opposition against the Marcos administration.
Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile said he would not run for a Senate seat in the May 2025 midterm elections, contrary to Sara’s June 25 announcement.
“Based on my work, my character and my principles, I don’t act for the benefit of the administration, or the opposition, or for politics,” the vice president told reporters on Saturday, June 29 in Cebu City.
“I work based on whatever is beneficial to the people, and whatever is rightful to (them),” she added.
The vice president earlier resigned as education secretary and co-vice chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
The UniTeam alliance, she said, was a tandem formed only for the 2022 elections.
The Liberal Party has also rejected the idea of Duterte becoming an opposition leader. The LP will field its own senatorial slate in the 2025
midterm elections.
Duterte said she remains focused on her remaining two weeks as outgoing education secretary, stressing that her mind has not yet taken focus on politics.
Last Tuesday, June 25, Duterte said that the former president, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte intend to run for the Senate in 2025.
Sebastian would run for president in 2028.
“You believed Inday? She made a fool out of you. Where can you see a father and his two sons in the Senate?” the former president said on Saturday at a press conference in Tacloban City.
“I will not return to politics. I’m done. I’m old. I don’t have money to spend. Yabang lang meron ako,” he added.
Filipinos should not believe the vice president because “she is just like me, but I have mellowed down since I’m old,” Duterte said.
As for former Senator Leila de Lima, Duterte said he respects the court’s decision to acquit her in her last drug case.
After her acquittal, De Lima warned Duterte that he would
“pay for his crimes.” Duterte reiterated that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.
The vice president spoke of plans to build a senatorial slate for the 2025 polls, which could include Partido Demokratiko Pilipino members.
She founded the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which met great success during the previous midterm elections.
No secret fund for OVP No confidential fund has been requested by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for its 2025 budget, Duterte said. In September 2023, the Commission on Audit confirmed that Duterte spent the controversial P125-million confidential funds in 2022 in just 11 days. The OVP and the Department of Education did not pursue their requested P500-million and P150-million confidential and intelligence funds for the 2024 budget, respectively.
This decision prompted Congress to allocate these funds for the resolution of the West Philippine Sea issue, as well as peace and order.
Duterte’s resignation is effective July 19. g
Senator Sonny Angara
Inquirer.net file photo
by HANNAH MALLORCA
SB19 was honored to represent the Philippines and showcase their vocal prowess in the Japan-based YouTube channel “The First Take,” which aims to show a singer’s abilities in a “single take.”
The P-pop powerhouse appeared on the 449th episode of the music platform, where they did an updated rendition of their smash hit “Gento” on Monday, July 1. SB19 is the first Filipino act and Southeast Asian group to grace the
platform. As in past episodes, SB19, donning casual ensembles, performed in an all-white studio where their singing prowess was recorded in one take.
“It was a true first take. So we were very nervous and overwhelmed, but it was fun and an amazing experience,” SB19 said of their appearance in a press statement.
“Above all, we are grateful for this opportunity and for being able to represent the Philippines by performing our song here. We are honored to showcase our music and culture
to the world through ‘The First Take,’” they continued.
“The First Take” is a Japanbased music outlet that invites artists from around the globe to showcase their music and vocal prowess in one take. Each appearance usually puts the singer on center stage amid a plain background and a microphone.
Popular artists who appeared on the YouTube channel were BTS’ V, Harry Styles, and Avril Lavigne, to name a few.
“Gento,” which was released in May 2023, is included in SB19’s second EP “Pagtatag!” that dropped a month later. It became one of the group’s biggest hits to date, which spawned many covers by artists on TikTok and other platforms.
SB19 was recently nominated for the Favorite Asian Act award at the 2024 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (KCA), where they’re up against K-pop boy group Enhypen, Japanese girl group NiziU, Indonesia’s Tiara Andini, and Malaysia’s Iman Troye.
The P-pop powerhouse debuted in October 2018 with the ballad “Tilaluha.” Composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, they eventually went on to become the biggest P-pop group in the country.
by MARINEL CRUZ Inquirer.net
“I CONSIDER being with him my safe space,” said Barbie Forteza of on-screen partner David Licauco, as a way to explain how they’ve managed to remain good friends even though their supporters continue to “ship” them romantically.
Barbie has been dating fellow GMA 7 artist Jak Roberto since 2017. Her love team with David was formed after they received rave reviews for their portrayals in the 2022 period drama series “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”
should happen naturally, and not because you’re both pressured to get into a relationship as a consequence of being in a love team.”
She continued: “It’s better if you separate your romantic relationship from your professional life. It’s hard when two partners become a romantic couple and then experience lovers’ quarrel on the set.”
"IT'S Showtime" host Ryan Bang is now engaged to his nonshowbiz girlfriend Paola Huyong. Huyong posted on her Instagram photos of their engagement with the caption "God is good."
The photos show Ryan falling down on his knees, presenting the engagement ring to an ecstatic Paola. There is also a close-up photo of the engagement ring and Ryan's handwritten card for Paola thanking her for saying yes to his proposal.
In an interview with Philstar. com during the opening of his restaurant Paldo last February, Ryan talked about his plans with Paola.
"Siyempre, hindi naman ako mag-girlfriend kung (walang balak mag-asawa). I'm more than 30 plus years na e. Hindi naman ako mag-girlfriend kung wala akong plano para sa kanya," Ryan said.
"Siyempre, meron akong plans
talagang
CONTENT creator-singer
Donnalyn Bartolome shared that a pinky promise and JM de Guzman's determination eventually won her over, even though she admitted that she no longer believes in forever.
Donnalyn posted their photos as Hercules and Megara, the Greek couple, on her Instagram early Saturday morning, June 29.
She revealed how JM made her a pinky promise in February 2022 that they would do a collaboration. She found it amusing since she did not know a guy who would want to make a pinky promise with her in the first place.
"I delivered our pinky promise.. and all this happened.
"I thought we were only going to be friends. I was almost certain.. If everyone knew in detail how I felt, and everything that transpired, you’d feel the same, but the stars had something else written in them and during our exclusively dating phase, we assured each other promise rings, linked to the first promise we’d made to each other—a pinky kind for when we’re finally ready to be officially in a relationship," she wrote. She also included a photo of their pinky fingers with their promise rings. She teased that
she will tell the story behind their promise rings in another time. Donnalyn shared that it took JM a year and five months later to court her since she told him he can see other people.
"It was all after asking him to explore other hearts — to just find another heart who’s not mine, but he proved to me that he’s found the heart that made him blind to all other hearts… a blessing it was, that it belonged to me," she revealed. Donnalyn said that they flew to Japan to ask for her parents' acceptance. It was also the reason why they only shared about their relationship now. She said that in June last year,
she and JM wore Hercules and Megara while in a basketball court where she said she made JM's happy dream into a reality.
"His determination caused him to persist… Until one day I just could no longer resist. He awakened the love I didn’t know I still had to give to someone again ever, and even though I no longer believe in forever… I believe in Now.
"Spell it backwards and that’s what he has done, the match to capture my heart, I declare out loud: Juan Miguel won," Donnalyn ended her post. JM left a simple message on the comments section: "I love you baby [red heart emoji]."
“It’s a big factor that David and I are really good friends. I’m the type of girl who, once I already consider a guy as part of the gang, it’s already hard for me to see him as someone more than that. I’m glad that I’ve met a person in David that I now consider my safe space. I don’t want to risk losing that by deciding to take the relationship to the next level,” Barbie told Inquirer Entertainment Barbie said another factor is that she already feels “very secured” in her relationship with Jak. “This isn’t the first love team that I’ve become a part of. I feel like, over the years, I’ve gotten used to working with a partner. To me, it’s just work, and as a professional, I know that the romantic feeling doesn’t have to be real all the time,” she pointed out.
Reel-life romance
As advice to younger actors who are also trying to manage their reel-life romance, Barbie said: “I have nothing against loveteam partners who eventually end up dating each other in real life. My advice is to not give in to the pressure. If you fall in love, it
FOR the first time ever, two of Philippine entertainment's queens come together in the newest murder mystery drama, "Widows' War."
Starring Box-Office Queen Bea Alonzo and Primetime Goddess Carla Abellana, these two actresses are set to captivate audiences in their first-ever teleserye together, a project they have long dreamed of sharing.
During the press conference for the upcoming series, Abellana expressed her excitement about working with Alonzo, saying she never thought she would reach a point in her career where she would finally get to work with her idol.
"I always get starstruck when doing scenes with her. It's the truth. My goodness! She is everything I imagined her to be and more. She's passionate, dedicated to her craft, knows even the smallest details, kind, easy to get along with, never complains, very patient, and, of course, incredibly talented," said Abellana.
Alonzo, equally thrilled, spoke highly of her co-star saying, "I'm glad to have finally worked with Carla because she is very professional, a generous actress, and very gracious. I think she's a gentle soul, and I'm glad I got to know her better," she said.
Abellana also discussed their working dynamics, saying things went smoothly from the start. She emphasized that there was no issue of "upstaging" between her and Alonzo, as they both bring their own unique qualities to the table.
"Right off the bat, there was
Between her and David, Barbie is more experienced when it comes to managing the demands of show biz. She has been working as an actress for over 15 years, and claims to already know “when to be sociable and when to demand for my personal space.”
She added that David would personally seek her advice on this, “because he is very much willing to adjust [in order] to stay long in this industry. I always remind him that his other businesses will benefit if he does well in show business. His [restaurant] business is the one thing that he is really passionate about. I guess he understood what I was telling him, so he adjusted accordingly.”
Barbie continued: “I help him by always trying to make him feel comfortable around me. I’m never demanding, but I encourage him to share more of what’s on his mind to people. I understand him because his popularity happened so suddenly for him, and telling people that he wasn’t prepared for it is not a valid excuse.”
‘Our comfort zone’
David, on the other hand, would often encourage Barbie to put up a business of her own, the actress said. “Surprisingly, the advice he gave me was something that I’m already practicing whenever I create characters for the projects I’m involved in. He told me, ‘Always know your
whats and whys. Why do you want to put up this particular business? What made you decide to invest here?’ I do the same thing with the characters I create. I would ask, ‘What is your character’s personality and her family background? Why does she behave this way?’ It’s good to know that business and acting are quite similar. That felt kind of reassuring,” the actress said. Meanwhile, Barbie said she was pleased that her first bigscreen project with David, titled “That Kind of Love,” is a romantic comedy “that is right within our comfort zone.” She added: “We are both fans of rom-coms. I was also surprised to learn about this from David. This was why work had been easy and enjoyable for us. Also, it’s our first time working with Direk Catherine Camarillo and Pocket Media Productions. It was a happy and memorable experience for us. They were all very professional and hardworking. It was obvious that they all love what they’re doing. Everyone was very passionate.”
In “That Kind of Love,” Barbie plays Mila, a love coach who takes it upon herself to find a romantic partner for David’s character, Adam, who is selfabsorbed and distant. “This is my most sophisticated role so far. I usually play characters who are young and bubbly and sweet. Mila is career-oriented. She helps people find their match or arrange for them to get the guy or girl they are pining for. She considers herself good at her job until she meets Adam, who thinks he is Mr. Perfect. She vows to find Adam a match without realizing that she is slowly falling in love with him,” Barbie explained.
no awkwardness. I wouldn't say we clicked immediately, but we didn't have a hard time adjusting to each other's techniques, processes, and timing," Abellana said.
"Surprisingly, we had scenes, like fight scenes, where we had stunt directors and stuntmen teaching us, but most of them were impromptu. We just flowed together naturally," she added.
Based on the original concept of RJ Nuevas and Ken De Leon, "Widows' War" revolves around Sam (Alonzo) and George (Abellana), former best friends who will go head-to-head to find out who between them is the real sinner or saint.
Sam and George blame each other for an unfortunate event their families experience and everything that follows. Soon, they cross paths again while mourning their husbands. Their sanity and reputation are put at risk when they become suspects in the sudden deaths of Paco and
Basil. As the two widows try to clean their own names, Sam and George uncover a web of lies and deceit. Will they choose to bring each other down or will they become allies to solve the murder mystery? Who can they trust when everyone seems to have a motive? Are Sam and George truly innocent?
This GMA Entertainment Group's latest masterpiece boasts of a powerhouse
including
Barbie Forteza with David Licauco, collectively known as BarDa.
Photo courtesy of Pocket Media Productions
SB19
Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana as Sam and George in ‘Widows’ War.’ GMA photos
Content creator Donnalyn Bartolome and actor JM de Guzman Photo from Instagram/@donna
ensemble,
Tonton Gutierrez, Jeric Gonzales, Juancho Triviño, Jackie Lou Blanco, Lito Pimentel, Timmy Cruz, Rita Daniela, Royce Cabrera, Lovely Rivero, James Graham, Charlie Flemming, Matthew Uy, and Jean Garcia. Joining the star-studded cast in their special roles are Benjamin Alves as Basil Palacios, the competitive husband of George, and Rafael Rosell as Paco Palacios, Sam's loving husband.
sa future namin ng girlfriend ko. Ayoko lang puro salita, ayoko lang ng sweet. Gusto ko
ipakita by action," he added. The two met during a football game.
State leaders announce ballot measure to crack down on property crime, fentanyl
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire and Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, on Monday, July 1 announced a robust ballot measure to tackle property crime and the fentanyl crisis, including through targeted reforms to Proposition 47.
The proposed ballot measure would implement new penalties for repeat offenders, crack down on serial shoplifters, enhance felony prosecutions for fentanyl dealers, and increase resources for drug treatment programs.
“With targeted reforms to Prop 47, this ballot measure is a critical step forward in our efforts to strengthen California’s public safety laws and provide law enforcement with additional tools to address the growing concerns of property crime and the fentanyl crisis. This balanced approach cracks down on crime and protects our communities — without reverting to ineffective and costly policies of the past,” Gov. Newsom said.
“Californians want safer, stronger communities, and we’re delivering exactly that with this commonsense approach,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “These are a methodical set of measures that will crack down on retail theft and hold offenders accountable for hardcore drug crimes, without enacting the draconian policies of the ‘80s and ‘90s that devastated communities of color and cost taxpayers billions of dollars.”
“Here’s what Californians tell us: They don’t want to go back to mass incarceration, and spending billions of dollars to imprison people for years over minor offenses,” said Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “Californians know that approach failed. They want tax dollars going to education, jobs, drug rehab and mental health programs. And they want smart public-safety laws on the books, enforced consistently with clear consequences. Our proposition and legislative package delivers on their priorities. It will stop fentanyl traffickers and hold those who steal from local businesses responsible for their bad actions. It will deliver real results that we can afford. We listened to Californians and are giving them a better choice.”
“Retailers have faced significant challenges with property crime in recent years across the
nation,” said Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association. “Coupled with a robust retail theft legislative package, this proposed ballot measure is a smart solution that will protect our stores, employees, and customers. By establishing targeted penalties and aggregating theft amounts, this balanced approach holds criminals accountable and deters organized crime and serial shoplifters in California — without resorting to outdated and ineffective policies of the past.”
What this measure does
A property crime and fentanyl crackdown
• Takes down serial shoplifters: Establishes penalties for repeat offenders who are convicted three times for petty theft or shoplifting within three years. Under this measure, an offender with three theft-related convictions over a three-year period, could face up to three years in jail.
• Aggregates theft amounts: Empowers law enforcement to combine the value of multiple thefts — even from different victims — to charge a felony.
• Cracks down on fentanyl lacers: Introduces stiffer penalties for knowingly selling or providing drugs mixed with fentanyl without informing the buyer.
• Holds fentanyl dealers accountable: Establishes a statewide fentanyl admonishment requirement, making it easier for prosecutors to ensure drug dealers who repeatedly sell deadly amounts of fentanyl can be charged with murder if a death occurs.
• Increases resources for drug treatment: Expands mental health and drug addiction treatment programs in communities, improving public safety.
Targeted reforms to Prop 47
Without restarting the failed War on Drugs
Under the proposed measure, the coalition seeks to implement targeted reforms to Prop 47 to allow for increased felony prosecutions, crack down on serial offenders, and hold fentanyl dealers accountable. Passed by voters in 2014, Prop 47 classified certain crimes as misdemeanors, changed resentencing laws, and created the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund to support rehabilitation programs and fund drug and mental health treatment. Since implementation, Prop 47 has saved taxpayers over $816 million through reduced
incarceration costs. Prop 47 was previously reformed once before in 2016 — by Prop 63, which was led by then Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom.
California law is already among the toughest in the nation
California law has existing robust tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to arrest and charge suspects involved in organized retail crime, including up to three years of jail time for organized retail theft. The state has the 10th toughest threshold nationally for prosecutors to charge suspects with a felony, $950. Forty other states — including Texas ($2,500), Alabama ($1,500), and Mississippi ($1,000) — require higher dollar amounts for suspects to be charged with a felony. California’s efforts to tackle property crime
Since Governor Newsom took office in 2019, California has invested$1.1 billion to fight crime, hire more police, and improve public safety. As part of the Real Public Safety Plan, last year the state announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in California history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.
Complementing this proposed ballot measure, the Legislature is poised to pass a comprehensive and bipartisan package of legislation to further crack down on property crime. This package of bills responds to the governor’s proposed legislative framework from January that calls for the creation of new laws and expanding criminal penalties to further crack down on professional thieves — those who profit from stealing goods for resale.
The legislation will bolster law enforcement’s ability to arrest suspects, create a new crime addressing organized auto burglary committed to resell stolen property, and eliminate the sunset provision for the organized retail crime statute. For more information about the proposed ballot measure, go to https://www.gov.ca.gov/ wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ Fact-Sheet-Ballot-MeasureCracking-Down-on-PropertyCrime-Fentanyl-063024.pdf. (CA Gov. Newsom’s Office Release)
SACRAMENTO – With temperatures set to exceed 110 degrees throughout much of the state this week, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging Californians to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July.
The Governor directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center and move into Phase II of its Extreme Temperature Response Plan. This is triggered by National Weather Service (NWS) predictions of excessive heat activity and moves the state into action to coordinate an all-hands response by state government.
The state has already begun outreach to a network of community organizations to ensure the most vulnerable Californians can access resources like cooling centers. Additionally, the state is
enforcing heat protections for outdoor workers.
Excessive heat warnings and watches are in effect for much of California which started Tuesday, July 2 through the end of the week and weekend. NWS is forecasting Extreme HeatRisk for many parts of the state, with hot conditions between 105 and 115 degrees for multiple days and little overnight relief. Extreme heat kills more Americans every year than all other extreme weather, including wildfires and flooding.
“This heatwave is serious. We’re used to hot temperatures in California but this will be several days with little relief overnight. As we come together this week to celebrate the Fourth of July, look out for each other and take steps to stay safe. Don’t let this heat catch you by surprise, California,” PAGE 10
California prepares for dangerous heatwave...
Gov. Newsom said in a statement released by his office.
How you can stay safer from extreme heat
Go to ready.ca.gov to find resources and tips to stay safe from extreme heat, and other natural disasters. Also, heatreadyca.com has resources in many languages, including Tagalog, for information on extreme heat, assessing one’s risk for heat-related illnesses and tips on what to do when there are extreme heat conditions in their areas.
Stay cool (during the hottest times of the day):
• Those without air conditioning should consider going to a cooling center. Check out this list of cooling centers across the state (https://news. caloes.ca.gov/coolingcenters/) or visit a public location such as a library or shopping mall.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even when not thirsty; drink sports drinks (in moderation with water) to help replace electrolytes lost during exercise.
• Avoid sugary, alcoholic, and very cold drinks.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Stay connected:
The Hinabi Project’s new exhibit showcases inabel
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, attended the launch of “Inabel: Weaving Traditions of Ilocos and Abra,” an exhibit by Bay Area-based Filipino American organization The Hinabi Project, at Sentro Filipino in San Francisco on June 22, 2024.
In his remarks, Vice Consul Baccay noted that The Hinabi Project’s first exhibit of 2024, “Philippine Piña: Timeless Elegance – World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage,” was hosted by the Consulate earlier this year. He also said that the inabel exhibit is timely, as the Philippines marks the birth centenary of inabel master weaver and Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Magdalena
Gamayo in August 2024.
Among those displayed is a piece named “Inabel nga Indayon” (“Inabel Cradle”), created by The Hinabi Project Board Member Rachel Lozada, which pays tribute to the manong generation from the Ilocos region who comprised the first wave of Filipino immigrants in the United States in the early 20th century. The exhibit will run at Sentro Filipino, located at 814 Mission Street in San Francisco, until November 2024, and is accessible to the public through a guided tour that requires a prior appointment at The Hinabi Project’s official website (https://www. thehinabiproject.org).
Text and photos courtesy of San Francisco PCG
Six tips to preserve and protect the outdoors this summer
SUMMER is here, and many Californians are headed out to enjoy the warmer weather and wonders of the outdoors with friends and family. Before recreating outside, be sure to think about your impact and do your part to keep public lands clean to protect the natural ecosystems.
Caltrans, Clean California, and California State Parks recommend a few simple tips to help keep public spaces and communities safe and free from litter and debris:
• Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trace by bringing a trash bag, especially if visiting a remote area. Put food waste, napkins, singleuse food wrappers, and other waste in the bags until it can be properly disposed of. For human waste, the use of waste alleviation gel (WAG) bags or other portable toilet options is recommended. WAG bags can be safely disposed of in regular trash receptacles.
• Choose reusable over singleuse items. Reusable containers keep harmful toxins out of our water and community recreation areas and are more cost-efficient in the long run. If you do use cans or plastic bottles, be sure to properly recycle them to help mitigate their impact.
• Pick up small, littered items to make a big impact. Keep
an eye out for bottle caps, food wrappers, cigarette butts, and other small items and be sure to properly dispose of them.
• Properly dispose of large items, such as pop-up canopies, beach chairs, and coolers. Leaving these items on the beach or in a park or near a trash receptacle may be considered illegal dumping. Please haul back broken items and dispose of them properly at a local garbage site.
• Secure your load. Whether you live nearby or are traveling to reach your destination, be sure to properly tarp and tie down items in truck beds, trailers, and boats to ensure items make it to your destination and do not fly out during the trip.
• Prevent wildfires and toxic pollution. The hotter and drier climate in the summer makes for optimal conditions for wildfires. Litter adds to this problem, especially cigarette butts, as they can start and fuel the spread of wildfire. Litter, when burned, can also release toxins into the environment, harming wildlife and nearby communities. Do your part to properly dispose of all items. More tips are available online at CleanCA.com. Before heading outside, do a little research on your destination to scope out trails, reserve picnic areas and campsites, and pack belongings accordingly. To find a state park close to you, visit Parks.ca.gov.
• Californians are also encouraged to check on their neighbors – call or visit higher risk people, and offer to pick up groceries, medication, and other necessities. Older adults, young children and babies, people with chronic medical conditions and those who are pregnant are most at risk.
• Use a buddy system when working in the heat. Stay informed:
• Monitor those at higher risk of heat-related illness including infants and young children; people 65 years of age or older; individuals with chronic illness, disabilities or who are pregnant. Determine risk at heatreadyca. com.
• Make sure you and your loved ones wear properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Several public and private entities make life jackets available to the public on a loan basis.
• Always supervise children by appointing a designated “water watcher.”
• Know your limits. Swimming in a lake, ocean or river is different than swimming in a pool.
• If someone is in distress, seek help from a lifeguard or call 9-1-1 if one is not available.
(Gov. Newsom’s Office Release)
• Check the local news for weather forecasts, extreme heat alerts, and cooling centers. Stay safe outdoors: Warm summer weather is causing continued snow melt from winter’s record snowpack, resulting in colder and faster water that continues today. Remember to always be safe around the water:
fraught with challenges. The family’s initial attempt at an employment-based petition was denied due to the employer’s inability to pay. This led to the family being placed in removal proceedings, creating a daunting and uncertain future. Despite these setbacks, their resilience and faith carried them through.
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel prepared a long-term strategy for Julius and Amelita’s green cards that involved long-term planning and dedication. It required son Nikko to obtain his green card and U.S. citizenship through marriage to his girlfriend, Joyce. Upon Nikko’s naturalization, he was able to petition for his parents, culminating in his parents receiving their green cards.
Julius and Amelita’s journey to legalization spanned 15 years and
the use of the three P’s: planning, patience, and prayer. They also had the strategic planning of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel.
But with unwavering patience, and steadfast prayer, Julius and Amelita’s dream has finally been realized.
