Man who pushed elderly Fil-Am into BART train misses court appearance
SAN FRANCISCO – The man charged with murder after allegedly pushing Filipino American Corazon Dandan into a BART train last week failed to appear at his arraignment on Monday, July 8 as he was confined in a hospital.
The Monday arraignment was set to continue on Tuesday, July 9, but the suspect – Trevor Belmont, 49, also known as Hoak Taing –remained at a medical facility for mental health evaluation, according to the San Francisco public defender’s office.
Belmont, 49, has been charged with murder and elder abuse after he allegedly pushed Dandan into the path of a Millbrae-bound train around 11:06 p.m. on Monday.
The Daly City resident, who fell onto the platform and sustained severe head injuries, was rushed to the San Francisco General Hospital, where she later died.
Dandan rode the BART train every day to her
the 2016 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration is "a testament to our unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of dispute." The decision favored the Philippines and invalidated China's claim of historic rights over almost the entire South China Sea. "Over the years, the Philippines has continued to demonstrate this commitment to peace even in the face of the unlawful actions which have caused serious incidents in the South China Sea," the DFA said.
WITH the 2024 Paris Olympics set to kick off on July 26, the anticipation for outstanding performances from the Philippine delegation is at an all-time high.
Following Hidilyn Diaz’s historic gold medal win at the 2020 Summer Olympics, the country is eager for more moments of triumph. Among the athletes ready to make a mark is Filipino American track and field star, Lauren Hoffman.
To get to know her more, here are four key facts about this athlete, whose passion will bring her to new heights.
National record holder Hoffman has written her name into the record books as Duke University’s record holder in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 55.67 seconds. She also set a new national benchmark in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.34 seconds at the Duke Invitational in Durham, North Carolina.
MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) admitted on Thursday, July 11 that they cannot impose their stance against divorce but remained firm that the Philippines should not join the “bandwagon” of legally dissolving marriages.
In a statement, the CBCP questioned why the country must follow the rest of the world in implementing an absolute divorce law.
“We are indeed the last country in the world that has not yet legalized civil divorce. Should we therefore join the bandwagon? Of
course, we can, if we want to. Despite what religionists might think, we do have religious freedom in this country, and we uphold the principle of separation of Church and State,” it said. “The Church is in no position to dictate [to] the State what is best for Filipino families. We know that our stubborn assertion that a genuine marriage cannot be dissolved, is not necessarily shared by all religions; and we respect that. But before we join the bandwagon, shouldn’t we ask ourselves on the basis of research and statistics, if the legalization of divorce all over the world has indeed helped in protecting the common
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed the proposed Philippine National Police (PNP) Organizational Reforms Act "to ensure that any changes in our police force are fair, clear, and truly beneficial to everyone involved," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Thursday, July 11.
In a statement, Bersamin said that the proposed law seeks to impose changes to police salaries that could cause "unfair disparities" among officers. "The president believes it is
essential to maintain fairness and equality in compensation for all members of the PNP," he said.
The bill also creates new offices within the PNP, which according to him, "could lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and inefficiency."
"Our administration's goal is to streamline operations, not complicate them. Furthermore, adding more liaison offices could pose security risks. The current structure already provides robust oversight and coordination," Bersamin said.
"It is also crucial that the
MANILA — House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco believes Vice President Sara Duterte may just be joking when she talked about appointing herself as a “designated survivor” because there is no such thing in the country. Velasco on Thursday, July 11 was asked about Duterte’s statement that she will be skipping the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22.
“I think she is just joking … because we do not have such thing as a designated survivor. In the U.S., there is. You have seen the series on U.S. TV, they have a designated
US, Philippines to hold foreign...
to the expeditious conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement, as well as the bilateral Philippines Security Sector Assistance Roadmap.
Kyodo News said the two sides plan to conclude the proposed military intelligence-sharing deal. The Philippines and Japan on Monday, July 8 signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement
(RAA), which allows Japanese and Filipino forces to enter each other’s territory for joint combat training.
Senate President Francis Escudero has expressed support for the early ratification of the RAA.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa paid a courtesy call on Escudero last Tuesday, July 9.
Escudero welcomed Kamikawa’s visit to the Philippines and expressed his desire to further strengthen friendly relations with Japan.
Meanwhile, the RAA signed between the Philippines and Japan is none of China’s business, Teodoro said on Wednesday, July 10 when asked to comment on China’s criticisms of the deal, which is comparable to the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the U.S. g
VP Duterte as ‘designated survivor’...
survivor — a cabinet official, a cabinet secretary will not be attending the SONA and the person is secluded,” Velasco said in Filipino in an interview with select reporters.
“And then whatever happens to the president and the immediate successors— because in the U.S. SONA, like us, the vice president is there who’s the head of the Senate, and then the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the speaker of the House, so the immediate successors are all attending the [SONA] that is why they the so-called designated survivor,” he added.
Article VII of the 1987 Constitution explicitly states the line of succession in case a sitting president dies or becomes permanently disabled.
Section 7 states that the vice president will succeed the president if “at the beginning of the term of the president, the president-elect shall have died or shall have become permanently disabled.”
The vice president will also be president to serve the
unexpired term of the president “in case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation.”
Suppose the president and the vice president die or become permanently disabled. In that case, the Senate president or, in his or her inability, the Speaker of the House will act as president until candidates for the vacant spots have been elected and deemed qualified. Bills on designated successor have been filed in Congress, but these have not been enacted.
Several netizens questioned whether Duterte’s statement was a veiled threat because it seemed to imply that something wrong might happen to the country’s leaders who would attend the SONA.
Not a confirmation For Velasco, Duterte’s statement does not count as a confirmation of her attendance or absence in the SONA as it was not a reply to the Houseissued letter.
“Well as of now we have not yet received a formal confirmation, a letter from the Office of the Vice President or at least an official of the Office
of the Vice President telling us that the vice president wouldn’t come or will not come to the SONA,” he said.
“So until we receive that confirmation, we assume that she is still going,” he added.
Velasco earlier said an interagency panel would decide on the seating arrangements for the SONA, after being asked what would be the seating plan given the changes in the political landscape due to the Marcos-Duterte rift.
In past SONAs, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and the vice president were seen seated beside each other. But last April, the first lady admitted snubbing the vice president after she attended prayer rallies where President Marcos was called a “drug addict” by former President Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president’s father.
Last June 19, the vice president resigned from her post as Education Secretary and other roles in the Marcos cabinet — a move seen by many as the formal dissolution of the Uniteam, the campaign tandem of Marcos and Duterte. g
8 years after South China Sea ruling...
It added that it has protected its people's right to a "responsible enjoyment" of the country's legal maritime entitlements.
The DFA highlighted how different countries have ushered international affirmation of the legal value of the award as a "positive and legitimate source of international law."
In May, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) issued an advisory opinion on climate change where the South China Sea ruling was cited as an authoritative precedent by the court and referenced by at least 26 states or groups of states during the proceedings.
This gave the ruling an "unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law," the DFA said. China to this day refuses to recognize it even as other foreign powers have done so.
The DFA hailed other countries' recognition of the finality and binding nature of the 2016 arbitral award, including the G7 group of nations' consistent reaffirmation of its importance for the peaceful
resolution of maritime disputes.
The G7 refers to the informal bloc composed of seven of the world's advanced economies: the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.
"With our national interest and sovereign rights in mind, the Philippines will move forward to chart a course anchored on peace, security and prosperity in our region," the DFA said. Escalating skirmishes between Chinese vessels and much smaller Filipino boats in the West Philippine Sea pushed Philippine officials to hold a dialogue with their Chinese counterparts in early July to deescalate tensions.
This comes after a June 17 altercation where Chinese Coast Guard members repeatedly rammed Filipino rigid-hull inflatable boats in an attempt to foil Philippine forces' resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded atop Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila's territorial claim.
The clash injured a Philippine Navy servicemember, Seaman First Class Underwater Operator
Jeffrey Facundo, who lost his thumb when he attempted to stop the "high-speed" ramming of the Chinese boat. At least seven others were also injured. Prior to the incident, Chinese vessels have also routinely shadowed, blocked and doused with water cannons Filipino vessels delivering food and supplies to the handful of marines stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre. Philstar.com's monitoring shows that the altercations in the contested waters took place alongside Chinese state media's repetitive attempts to portray the Philippines as a provocative and aggressive country on Chinese social media platforms.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said that there is a "need to do more" beyond filing diplomatic protests against China, as over a hundred have already been lodged as of June.
In 2023, the Philippines launched its transparency initiative to raise awareness of China's actions at sea, where it published maritime incidents happening in the West Philippine Sea through statements, videos and photos. g
CBCP says it’s still against divorce...
good and the welfare of the family?” the CPCP asked.
The CBCP also questioned whether the state “really wants to make it easy” for married couples to separate when they “want out” or when they don’t “feel like it” anymore.
Furthermore, the religious group asked Filipinos to reflect on the times their parents fought and were tempted to call it quits, and to imagine the hardships they would have faced if divorce had been available during those times.
“While it is true that some marriages might indeed be beyond repair already, isn’t it just as true that going through times of marital crisis is almost a normal thing for all married couples and need not end too quickly in a parting of ways?” it added.
“Shouldn’t we also listen to the stories of couples that have crises related to their marital relationship and, after many years have looked back, realized that their bond had not been shattered? That it had actually been strengthened by the crises?” the group further said.
Nevertheless, the CBCP pointed out that they can only “propose but never impose” their take on the issue. Last June 22, family-based ministry Couples for Christ (CFC) urged the government not to “weaken” marriages through the proposed divorce law and to focus instead on strengthening families. In a manifesto, the group suggested that working rigorously on the implementation of the Philippine Family Code is a “more viable option” that can elevate Filipinos into law-abiding and emotionally stable citizens. g
4 things to know about Fil-Am Olympic...
This achievement surpassed a 17-year-old record previously held by Sheena Atilano, reaffirming Hoffman’s status as one of the Philippines’ brightest athletics prospects.
Despite finishing second to American athlete Skyla Wilson, who clocked in at 13.36 seconds, Hoffman’s display of speed and skill was nothing short of extraordinary and something she can definitely bring to Paris. Serial record breaker Hoffman’s recent accomplishments mark the fifth time she has broken a national record.
This year alone, she twice shattered the indoor marks in the women’s 400 meters. In January, she set a new record with a 53.91-second performance at the 2024 Clemson Bob Pollock Invitational.
Just a few weeks later, she surpassed her own achievement
with a 53.71-second run at the 2024 Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational in South Carolina.
Dual degree achiever Balancing academics and athletics is no small feat, yet Hoffman has done so with flying colors. She proudly holds a second degree from Duke University’s prestigious Fuqua School of Business.
On her Instagram, she celebrated this achievement with humor and honesty, acknowledging the challenges she faced: “What like it’s hard?? (actually it WAS hard lol) BUT anywaysss I’m walking away from Duke with a second degree!” Dream come true
Representing the Philippines at the Olympics is a dream come true for Hoffman. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed her gratitude and excitement: “Still feels so crazy to say that. It is such an honor to join my
kababayan and represent the Philippines at the upcoming Olympic Games.”
She further expressed that she’s “feeling beyond blessed.”
“God didn’t just give me the physical abilities to hurdle and run. He gave me the passion to pursue a sport that takes so much mental and physical energy. He gave me work ethic, drive, and a competitive spirit. He sparked a fire in my heart to relentlessly chase after my dreams, no matter how hard the road gets,” she said.
“He gave me an amazing support system of family, friends, teammates, and coaches. He gave me countless opportunities and resources. This achievement could not have been done alone.”
The Philippines eagerly awaits to see her compete on the world stage, carrying the nation’s hopes and dreams with her. (Hans Carbonilla/Inquirer.net)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Philstar.com file photo
Photo from Lauren Hoffman/Instagram
by Jordan rau
FOR hours, John Pernorio repeatedly mashed the call button at his bedside in the Heritage Hills nursing home in Rhode Island. A retired truck driver, he had injured his spine in a fall on the job decades earlier and could no longer walk. The antibiotics he was taking made him need to go to the bathroom frequently. But he could get there only if someone helped him into his wheelchair. By the time an aide finally responded, he’d been lying in soiled briefs for hours, he said. It happened time and again.
“It was degrading,” said Pernorio, 79. “I spent 21 hours a day in bed.”
Payroll records show that during his stay at Heritage Hills, daily aide staffing levels were 25% below the minimums under state law. The nursing home said it provided high-quality care to all residents. Regardless, it wasn’t in trouble with the state, because Rhode Island does not enforce its staffing rule.
An acute shortage of nurses and aides in the nation’s nearly 15,000 nursing homes is at the root of many of the most disturbing shortfalls in care for the 1.2 million Americans who live in them, including many of the nation’s frailest old people.
They get festering bedsores because they aren’t turned. They lie in feces because no one comes to attend to them. They have devastating falls because no one helps them get around. They are subjected to chemical and physical restraints to sedate and pacify them.
California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have sought to improve nursing home quality by mandating the highest minimum hours of care per resident among states. But an examination of records in those states revealed that putting a law on the books was no guarantee of better staffing. Instead, many nursing homes operated with fewer workers than required, often with the permission of regulators or with no consequences at all.
“Just setting a number doesn’t mean anything if you’re not going to enforce it,” said Mark Miller, former president of the national organization of long-term care ombudsmen, advocates in each
state who help residents resolve problems in their nursing homes.
“What’s the point?”
Now the Biden administration is trying to guarantee adequate staffing the same way states have, unsuccessfully, for years: with tougher standards. Federal rules issued in April are expected to require 4 out of 5 homes to boost staffing. The administration’s plan also has some of the same weaknesses that have hampered states. It relies on underfunded health inspectors for enforcement, lacks explicit penalties for violations, and offers broad exemptions for nursing homes in areas with labor shortages. And the administration isn’t providing more money for homes that can’t afford additional employees.
Serious health violations have become more widespread since covid-19 swept through nursing homes, killing more than 170,000 residents and driving employees out the door.
Pay remains so low — nursing assistants earn $19 an hour on average — that homes frequently lose workers to retail stores and fast-food restaurants that pay as well or better and offer jobs that are far less grueling. Average turnover in nursing homes is extraordinarily high: Federal records show half of employees leave their jobs each year.
Even the most passionate nurses and aides are burning out in shortstaffed homes because they are stretched too thin to provide the quality care they believe residents deserve. “It was impossible,” said Shirley Lomba, a medication aide from Providence, Rhode Island. She left her job at a nursing home that paid $18.50 an hour for one at an assisted living facility that paid $4 more per hour and involved residents with fewer needs.
The mostly for-profit nursing home industry argues that staffing problems stem from low rates of reimbursement by Medicaid, the program funded by states and the federal government that covers most people in nursing homes. Yet a growing body of research and court evidence shows that owners and investors often extract hefty profits that could be used for care.
Nursing home trade groups have complained about the tougher state standards and have sued to block the new federal standards, which they say are unworkable given how much trouble nursing
homes already have filling jobs.
“It’s a really tough business right now,” said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of one trade group, the American Health Care Association.
And federal enforcement of those rules is still years off.
Nursing homes have as long as five years to comply with the new regulations; for some, that means enforcement would fully kick in only at the tail end of a second Biden administration, if the president wins reelection.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign declined to comment on what Trump would do if elected.
Persistent shortages
Nursing home payroll records submitted to the federal government for the most recent quarter available, October to December 2023, and state regulatory records show that homes in states with tougher standards frequently did not meet them.
In more than two-thirds of nursing homes in New York and more than half of those in Massachusetts, staffing was below the state’s required minimums.
Even California, which passed the nation’s first minimum staffing law two decades ago, has not achieved universal compliance with its requirements: at least 3½ hours of care for the average resident each day, including two hours and 24 minutes of care from nursing assistants, who help residents eat and get to the bathroom.
During inspections since 2021, state regulators cited a third of California homes — more than 400 of them — for inadequate staffing. Regulators also granted waivers to 236 homes that said workforce shortages prevented them from recruiting enough nurse aides to meet the state minimum, exempting them from fines as high as $50,000.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an acute labor shortage, which allows homes to petition for reduced or waived fines. The state health department said it had cited more than 400 of the state’s 600odd homes for understaffing but declined to say how many of them had appealed for leniency.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in 2022 to loosen the staffing rules for all homes. The law allows homes to count almost any employee who engages with residents, instead
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First national membership organization for AAPI elected and appointed officials launched
LAS VEGAS — During a 3-day summit hosted by the Asian Pacific American Leadership Foundation (APALF) in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside NALEO, over 350 leaders from 26 states (plus the District of Columbia) convened to launch AAPI LEAD (Leadership Elected and AppointeD), the first-ever national membership-based organization for and by elected and appointed officials.
The summit, held on June 19-21, convened the largest gathering to date of AANHPI elected and appointed officials from state, national, and local levels in U.S. history, with the aim of organizing elected and appointed officials. “As the first president tapped to serve with the newly formed AAPI LEAD Board of Directors, I want our new organization to unleash the incredible leadership potential that AAPI elected and appointed leaders represent, because we are truly stronger together,” said Hon. David Chiu, San Francisco City Attorney & AAPI LEAD President. “We have much more work to do, to ensure that progress continues and that AAPIs have a seat at every table.”
The Honorary Advisory Board of Directors (nonvoting) and inaugural AAPI LEAD Board consist of AAPI elected leaders from 15 states and territories, representing all levels of government -- local, state, and national. The next convening is scheduled for July 23-25, 2025, once again alongside NALEO in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit www.aapilead. org." “Over the past 18 months, the planning for this inaugural summit and organizational launch was received with tremendous enthusiasm, said Hon. David Ryu (ret.), Executive Director of AAPI LEAD & APALF. “We extend our sincere thanks to Arturo Vargas and the NALEO team for their invaluable partnership. The level of interest and engagement from elected and appointed members was truly inspiring. My board and I remain dedicated to evolving and growing AAPI LEAD to provide support and infrastructure to our members.”
AAPI LEAD Board of Directors
President: Hon. David Chiu, City Attorney, San Francisco, California
First VP: Hon. Kaohly Her, Speaker Pro-Tempore, State Rep., Minnesota
Second VP: Hon. Nabilah Islam, State Senator,
Georgia
Secretary: Hon. Aftab Pureval, Mayor, City of Cincinnati, Ohio
Treasurer: Hon. Ron Kouchi, President, State Senate, Hawaii
Hon. Betty Lieu, Trustee, Torrance Unified School District, California
Hon. Bev Uipi, Mayor Pro-Tempore, City of Millcreek, Utah
Hon. Duy Nguyen, State Assemblymember, Nevada Hon. Gene Wu, State Representative, Texas Hon. Erica Mosca, State Assemblymember, Nevada Hon. Grace Lee, State Assemblymember, New York Hon. Lori Stegmann, County Commissioner, Multnomah County, OR Hon. Linda Lee, Councilmember, New York City, New York
Hon. Michelle Wu, Mayor, City of Boston, Massachusetts
Hon. Mike Fong, State Assemblymember, California Hon. Naomi Nakano Matsumoto, Trustee, Fremont Union HS Dist., CA
Hon. Phillip Chen, State Assemblymember, California Hon. Sheikh Rahman, State Senator, Georgia. AAPI LEAD Honorary Advisory Board of Directors
Chair: Hon. Judy Chu, Congressmember, California
Vice-Chair: Hon. Jill Tokuda, Congressmember, Hawaii
Vice-Chair: Hon. Ted Lieu, Congressmember, California
Hon. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator, Hawaii Hon. Ami Bera, Congressmember, California Hon. Andrew Kim, Congressmember, New Jersey Hon. Doris Matsui, Congressmember, California Hon. Grace Meng, Congressmember, New York Hon. Gregorio Sablan, Congressmember, Northern Mariana Islands
Hon. Mark Takano, Congressmember, California
Hon. Marilyn Strickland, Congressmember, Washington
Hon. Pramila Jayapal, Congressmember, Washington
Hon. Ro Khanna, Congressmember, California Hon. Shri Thanedar, Congressmember, Michigan g
‘Courage’ exhibit honors heroism of Filipina WWII veteran
SAN FRANCISCO – As part of the celebration of the 78th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is hosting the “Courage” exhibit at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall this week.
The solo exhibit by Coloradobased Filipino American immigration lawyer and bronze sculptor Elaine Antonio Bordeaux marks the second leg of her “Courage” exhibition tour, which was first staged at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain, in November 2023.
The main showcase of the 16-piece exhibition is a bronze sculpture of Filipino World War II hero and “Lioness of Filipino Guerilla Spies” Magdalena “Maggie” Leones, which was unveiled during the exhibit’s opening reception on Monday.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer recognized the heroic acts of Leones during WWII as a bearer of intelligence information and vital equipment that earned her the Silver Star Medal, becoming the first and only Asian to receive one of the highest honors for valor in combat by the US Armed Forces.
Leones was a longtime Bay Area resident before her death in Richmond in 2016. She was later interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in the Philippines.
“To the family of Maggie Leones who are with us this evening, I wish to convey that the Filipino people consider her a hero,” Ferrer said. “Rest assured that her legacy will never be diminished nor forgotten by future generations of Filipinos and Filipino Americans.”
Ferrer said the Philippines-U.S alliance is at an all-time hi.gh, grounded on the legacy left behind by Filipino veterans of WWII.
“While the patriotism of Filipino World War II heroes such as Maggie Leones is often remembered in historical moments such as the Fall of Bataan and the Death March, it must be befitting that their most important legacy is not only the freedom that we gained as a people, but also the independence that we achieved later on as a nation,” the consul general added.
“Courage” showcases Bordeaux’s sculptures in bronze, which depict her Filipino heritage, life experiences in the Philippines and the US, and her aspirations for her homeland. She uses bronze as her medium because of its strength and enduring quality.
Ferrer thanked Bordeaux for bringing her exhibit to San Francisco all the way from Colorado – one of the 10 states under the Consulate’s jurisdiction.
Ferrer also expressed his appreciation for her efforts to create and install a bronze statue of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal in Colorado Springs through
Marcos vetoes PNP reform...
Internal Affairs Service (IAS), responsible for investigating police misconduct, remains independent and impartial. The proposed changes could compromise this vital independence," he added. Bersamin said that some parts of the bill are "unclear, particularly regarding retroactive
Man
her nonprofit, the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation. Ferrer and Bordeaux formally opened the exhibit with a ribboncutting ceremony. Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo delivered her remarks during the program. After a powerful performance by X Factor Philippines finalist Mark Mabasa, a Filipino-themed cocktail reception followed, courtesy of Kusina ni Javen Jesel. A proud Caviteña, Bordeaux is a Filipina American lawyer, immigrant advocate and visual artist. In her 16 years of law practice, she has represented human trafficking victims and Filipino workers in the United States for violations of labor laws. She is a volunteer lawyer of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, where she helps children immigrants from war-torn countries. In October 2023, Bordeaux was inducted into the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women’s Network. The exhibit will run until July
benefits for officers." "The president and our administration are steadfast in our commitment to supporting the PNP and ensuring that any reforms are both fair and effective," he said. "The administration continues to work closely with Congress to develop better legislation that strengthens our police force without causing any negative side effects. We continue to strive to improve our country's police force in the best way possible."
The vetoed measure is a consolidated version of Senate Bill 2449 and House Bill 8327. Its principal authors are Sen. Ramon Revilla and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president's cousin, respectively. g
who pushed elderly Fil-Am into...
job at a hotel in downtown San Francisco, where she had worked as a telephone operator for 40 years, according to her nephew, Dr. Alvin Dandan, a physician in St. Louis. She was returning home from work when she was attacked on the train platform. “She would want to be remembered as a very beautiful, independent, hardworking American woman. Immigrant if you may – who is basically the life of the party and very kind and generous,” Dr. Dandan told ABC7. Dr. Dandan said his aunt helped raise him and put him through
medical school.
Dandan’s co-workers, who started a GoFundMe to help cover her burial expenses, described her as “a cherished and beloved member of our team whose unwavering kindness and dedication has been a pillar of our workplace for decades.” A
Filipino American artist Elaine Antonio Bordeaux (left), with Bay Area Filipino Community leader Polly Cortez, unveils her bronze sculpture of Filipino World War II hero Magdalena “Maggie” Leones during the opening of the “Courage” exhibit at the Philippine Center in San Francisco.
Photo from San Francisco PCG
Dateline PhiliPPines
Roque ready to face Senate inquiry on POGOs
Pampanga raided recently for human trafficking.
MANILA
— Accused of facilitating the granting of license to an online gaming operator now being linked to illegal activities, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque should face the Senate to give his side on the allegations, Senate President Francis Escudero said on Thursday, July 11.
In a text message to The STAR, Roque said, “I will be there (at the hearing).”
“Anyone accused of anything has a right to face his accuser and air his side. I believe that these are serious allegations which Secretary Roque should clarify,” Escudero said.
“I believe that the committee will most likely invite him to get his side on this issue. I hope secretary Roque will make use of this opportunity,” Escudero said.
Earlier, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Alejandro Tengco revealed that Roque lobbied for the issuance of license to Lucky South 99, the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Porac,
Roque denied being a lawyer for the illegal POGO hub. At a hearing of the Senate committee on women, children and family affairs chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Tengco presented the organizational chart of Lucky South which named Roque as legal counsel.
But in the continuation of the committee hearing, Tengco clarified that Roque did not exert pressure, but merely assisted in the dealings of the Lucky South 99 POGO with PAGCOR in July last year.
Tengco said Roque and Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Lee Ong met with him and Jessa Mariz Fernandez, PAGCOR assistant vice president for offshore gaming licensing department, on July 26, 2023. Roque dismissed reports on his alleged lobbying for illegal POGOs as “complete fabrication and a serious misrepresentation of the facts.”
He said “no such statement was made” by Tengco during the latter’s Senate appearance. “On the contrary, he confirmed that my interaction with PAGCOR
was solely to schedule a payment for Lucky South 99, which held a valid license from PAGCOR at that time,” Roque said on his Facebook page.
Hontiveros said Roque and former PAGCOR chair Andrea Domingo would be invited to the next hearing to shed light on the information shared by Tengco.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, for his part, said Roque is free to represent his clients as a lawyer after his stint in government.
The ultimate solution is to totally ban POGOs, Pimentel said, renewing senators’ calls to boot out the offshore gaming companies which are linked to scams, human trafficking, torture and other serious crimes.
“There is really a shortcut to all these problems with POGOS. President Marcos should simply order PAGCOR and other government agencies to stop POGO operations here,” Pimentel said.
“Stop giving licenses and permits. Give the legal ones one month to wind down their operations. Say goodbye to POGO,” he added. g
Quiboloy co-accused arrested in Davao
MANILA — One of the five co-accused of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy was arrested in Davao City on Thursday, July 11.
Paulene Canada was arrested at Emily Homes Subdivision in Barangay Buhangin at around 2 p.m., police said.
Joint teams from the Davao region police, Intelligence Group, Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation Group were responsible for Canada’s arrest.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil were set to hold a press conference at Camp Crame on Friday morning, July 12, although the topic was not disclosed.
Canada is among Quiboloy’s co-accused in the cases of
qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases. She is also listed at the No. 6 most wanted fugitives of Police Regional Office 11, which has jurisdiction over the police forces in Davao.
A bounty of P1 million from unnamed private individuals was put up for her capture.
The four other respondents in Quiboloy’s cases are Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes, who each have a bounty of P1 million for their arrest.
Quiboloy, meanwhile, has a P10 million reward for any information that would lead to his arrest.
Canada was brought to the Buhangin police station for documentation.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started receiving information from tipsters on the possible whereabouts of Quiboloy since the reward money was announced.
After the government put up a reward of P10 million for his arrest, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has started receiving information from tipsters on the possible whereabouts of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief publicist, said on Thursday several people have started calling the hotlines at the Davao region police, claiming they have information on the location of the fugitive evangelist.
“There were calls received by the hotlines after we announced the reward, many were giving information,” Fajardo said in a Camp Crame news briefing.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday, July 8 announced that certain private individuals have put up the P10million bounty against Quiboloy, who is wanted for qualified human trafficking and child
States set minimum staffing levels for...
of just nurses and aides, toward their overall staffing. Florida also reduced the daily minimum of nurse aide time for each resident by 30 minutes, to two hours.
Now only 1 in 20 Florida nursing homes are staffed below the minimum — but if the former, more rigorous rules were still in place, 4 in 5 homes would not meet them, an analysis of payroll records shows.
“Staffing is the most important part of providing high-quality nursing home care,” said David Stevenson, chair of the health policy department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It comes down to political will to enforce staffing.”
The human toll
There is a yawning gap between law and practice in Rhode Island.
In the last three months of 2023, only 12 of 74 homes met the state’s minimum of three hours and 49 minutes of care per resident, including at least two hours and 36 minutes of care from certified nursing assistants, payroll records show. One of the homes below the minimum was Heritage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Smithfield, where Pernorio, president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, went last October after a stint in a hospital.
“From the minute the ambulance took me in there, it was downhill,” he said in an interview.
Sometimes, after waiting an hour, he would telephone the home’s main office for help. A nurse would come, turn off his call light, and walk right back out, and he would push the button again, Pernorio reported in his weekly e-newsletter.
While he praised some workers’ dedication, he said others frequently did not show up for their shifts. He said staff members told him they could earn more flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s than they could cleaning soiled patients in a nursing home.
In a written statement, Heritage Hills did not dispute that its staffing, while higher than that of many homes, was below the minimum under state law.
Heritage Hills said that after Pernorio complained, state inspectors visited the home and did not cite it for violations. “We take every resident concern
seriously,” it said in the statement.
Pernorio said inspectors never interviewed him after he called in his complaint.
In interviews, residents of other nursing homes in the state and their relatives reported neglect by overwhelmed nurses and aides. Jason Travers said his 87-yearold father, George, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button.
“I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed,” Travers said. His father died in April 2023, four months after he entered the home.
Relatives of Mary DiBiasio, 92, who had a hip fracture, said they once found her sitting on the toilet unattended, hanging on to the grab bar with both hands. “I don’t need to be a medical professional to know you don’t leave somebody hanging off the toilet with a hip fracture,” said her granddaughter Keri Rossi-D’entremont.
When DiBiasio died in January 2022, Rhode Island was preparing to enact a law with nurse and aide staffing requirements higher than anywhere else in the country except Washington, D.C. But Gov. Daniel McKee suspended enforcement, saying the industry was in poor financial shape and nursing homes couldn’t even fill existing jobs. The governor’s executive order noted that several homes had closed because of problems finding workers.
Yet Rhode Island inspectors continue to find serious problems with care. Since January 2023, regulators have found deficiencies of the highest severity, known as immediate jeopardy, at 23 of the state’s 74 nursing homes.
Homes have been cited for failing to get a dialysis patient to treatment and for giving one resident a roommate’s methadone, causing an overdose. They have also been cited for violent behavior by unsupervised residents, including one who shoved pillow stuffing into a resident’s mouth and another who turned a roommate’s oxygen off because it was too noisy. Both the resident who was attacked and the one who lost oxygen died.
“We’re seeing the collapse of post-acute care in America,” Gamache said.
Many nursing homes are owned by for-profit chains, and some researchers, lawyers, and state authorities argue that they could reinvest more of the money they make into their facilities. Bannister Center, a Providence
Bottom lines Even some of the nonprofit nursing homes, which don’t have to pay investors, are having trouble meeting the state minimums — or simply staying open. Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit Aldersbridge Communities, which owns Linn Health & Rehabilitation in East Providence, said Rhode Island’s Medicaid program paid too little for the home to keep operating — about $292 per bed, when the daily cost was $411. Aldersbridge closed Linn this summer and converted it into an assisted living facility.
OPiniOn Features
Rules-based order
EIGHT years ago, the atmosphere was funereal in the corridors of power in the Philippines. This was in contrast to public celebration over the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which defined the Philippines’ sovereign rights and maritime economic entitlements in the West Philippine Sea, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The PCA ruling also invalidated China’s expansive nine-dash-line claim over nearly the entire South China Sea.
Beijing refused to participate in the arbitration despite being a party to UNCLOS like the Philippines, although it submitted a position paper stating that three international treaties governed Philippine territory: the Treaty of Paris, Treaty of Washington and a pact with Britain defining the Philippines’ southern borders. Retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio has said that in invoking the Treaty of Washington, China has inadvertently recognized the Philippines’ maritime claims in the WPS.
Editorial
Because the PCA ruling was based on an international treaty, the Philippines should have moved quickly to promote global support for compliance. Instead the kowtowing to Beijing of the Duterte administration, which even trumpeted its pivot to China, slowed down the effort. Today, under the Marcos administration, the Philippines is moving to recover lost ground and
FILIPINO Catholics who worry about the absolute divorce bill in Congress warmly welcomed Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary of State for Relations with States and International Organizations, when he arrived for a meeting with Filipino bishops and with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. They obviously thought he had come to intervene in the current effort in Congress to end the Philippines' status as the only country after the Vatican that has not legalized divorce. He did not. Indeed, in one forum, he encouraged Catholics to listen to their pastors on the bill. But he had far broader and more urgent concerns. He was evidently more concerned that the incidents between the Philippine and the Chinese coast guards in the West Philippine Sea could lead to
drum up that crucial international support. The Group of Seven has issued two communiques calling for a rules-based international order and condemning China’s construction of artificial islands and harassment of Philippine vessels within the country’s sovereign waters as defined by UNCLOS. The European Union as a grouping and several of its individual members as well as Australia have issued related statements. The previous administration, in downplaying the significance of the arbitral award, often warned that the Philippines could not afford war with China in seeking compliance with the ruling. The Philippines, however, is not pushing for armed confrontation; the Constitution specifically declares that the country renounces war as an instrument of national policy. All that the Philippines wants is mutual respect for territorial and maritime rights, as defined by international
law.
Vatican deeply concerned about the Philippines
a Philippine-China war or a U.S.-China war. In his meeting with President Marcos in Malacañang, Gallagher said the priorities for the Holy See at this time "are the many, too many conflicts in the world today, and the need to promote peace through dialogue and negotiations... We believe that in many of these aspects, the Holy See and the Philippines share the same values, the same vision of things, and therefore we will likely be able to work together also in the future."
For his part, Marcos was quoted as saying that the Philippines is not only a Catholic country but a "very Catholic country." Malacañang has not provided any elaborate statement on what exactly happened in that meeting, but amid the efforts of various parties to promote conflict between the Philippines and China and between China and the U.S., the Pope's representative is the first foreign dignitary who has come to the Philippines to openly express the need to work collectively for peace through dialogue and negotiations.
assault.
AGGRESSIVE actions by our giant neighbor to the West, China, have been escalating. The Chinese have been using different bully tactics to weaken our will and our spirit to defend what is ours. Filipinos at sea experience firsthand how desperate China is becoming; our troops, fisherfolk, and vessels encounter numerous attempts to block rotation and reprovision missions. There have been countless incidents where they have fired water cannons, and supply vessels now routinely being blocked with intentional collisions. And then, on June 17, China outperformed itself yet again. The China Coast Guard boarded Filipino vessels, performed dangerous maneuvers, seized rifles, and struck inflatable boats with knives. China not only blocked our vessels at Ayungin Shoal but also seized our equipment and injured our people in an act akin to pirates. Armed with axes and knives, the China Coast Guard threatened our soldiers for “trespassing” in their so-called “territory.” A Filipino Navy soldier was injured defending against the violent
What barbarity, indeed. This is where we find ourselves during the eighth anniversary of the landmark ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The arbitral court, deciding on a petition the Philippines filed three years prior, determined that China’s so-called nine-dash (now 10dash) line has no basis in fact and thus, the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is ours. China, of course, smarting from the defeat and humiliation, is obstinate. It does not recognize the jurisdiction of the PCA and thus continues to make its erroneous assertion. It is also trying to twist with their false narrative that the Philippines is the one encroaching on Chinese territory. Meanwhile, the rest of the international community has recognized the ruling. We stand among like-minded partners and allies in this challenge, and our fight goes beyond words that attest to our commitment. The countries that have expressed their support for our victory in the arbitral court and who themselves have done more by extending their help in developing our defense capabilities. After all, this is not just about the predicament of one country, the Philippines,
This is in full accord with Pope Francis' active push for international diplomacy in Ukraine and in Gaza; he is the first pope to attend the G7 summit in Italy to express his concern over pressing global issues, including the dangers posed by the possible misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).
Following Gallagher's meeting with Marcos, which was preceded by a meeting with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo at the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Vatican official flew to Malaybalay in Bukidnon to join the plenary session of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). He was believed to have discussed with the bishops what the Church could do to help ease the tension in the region and the world. Aside from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the risk of war breaking out between the U.S. and China as a result of provocations and counter-provocations in the South China Sea appears to be, in the view of the Vatican and others, the biggest threat to world peace.
Sustained propaganda against China seems to have convinced many Filipinos that we are on the brink of a Chinese invasion of the Philippines.
This is doubted by those who point out that unlike the US, which has invaded so many other countries, China has not invaded any country until now.
But one well-known Filipino archbishop has called on the faithful of the archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in Luzon to "storm the heavens" with prayers ("rosaries") to prevent such an invasion.
At the same time, an online article authored by a layman from Cebu (Jun Abines) asserted that the Philippines is already at war not with China but with the U.S. "We are basically at the start of the second FilipinoAmerican war," writes Abines. "As we speak, the Philippines is already a U.S.-occupied country with nine U.S. military bases scattered all over the Philippines."
[This refers to the nine military sites that the Philippine government has granted the US under their Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to pre-position the latter's troops against China, in violation of the Philippine Constitution, which provides that no foreign military bases, troops or facilities shall be allowed in the Philippines after 1991, except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate, and when Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting state.]
"The USA has fooled us once again," the Abines article continues. "During the first Filipino-American war from 1899 to 1903, the American forces lied that they came to the Philippines to help us fight Spain. It was too late to learn we were sold to the U.S. by Spain [for $20 million]... The U.S. soldiers were already securely garrisoned inside our key cities. We resisted the Americans, and we lost badly. They killed nearly a million Filipinos, women and children [all] over the country.
"Today we let the American military, again, come to the
We shall defend what is ours
that is being bullied by its giant neighbor, China. Rather, this is about the rule of law being supreme and thus must be respected by all.
It is heartening to note that more and more Filipinos are becoming impassioned by the issue in the WPS, and the overwhelming international support is on our side. This is the result of the assertive transparency strategy wherein we publicize incidents that violate and undermine the rulesbased international order.
This is, after all, an issue that not only confronts fisherfolk in the area or our soldiers and the Philippine Coast Guard guarding our seas. It is, rather, an issue that concerns all Filipinos because what is at stake strikes at the very core of our identity and integrity.
In May 2024, the president declared that his administration and Filipinos will not yield. He emphasized that Manila will “not only [be] unyielding in protecting our patrimony, our rights, and our dignity as a proud and as a free country. We are also firm in our commitment to regional and global peace.”
This month, as we mark the eighth year of the ruling, echoing the words of our government leaders, we reiterate our commitment to be steadfast.
Philippines to 'help' us fight China. But as we speak, no American forces are there to back or help Filipino soldiers in confronting China in the South China Sea. Not even a shadow of a U.S. soldier is there." Whether the real danger is coming from China or the U.S., we need the Vatican and all other advocates for peace to help us arrest and reverse the current move toward armed hostilities. We hope and pray that as a result of Gallagher's interaction with the bishops, the CBCP and the entire Philippine Church, instead of taking sides in the rising conflict, would take a more active hand in calling for a definitive de-escalation of tension in the region and genuine efforts toward dialogue and negotiations for peace between the major parties. (ManilaTimes.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.
* * * fstatad@gmail.com
(Inquirer.net) * * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the
We will not yield. We will never yield. We have the whole of Philippine society behind us as we assert our rights in the WPS. Our administration’s pronouncements, complemented by our military’s efforts to boost external defense capabilities through the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, civil society’s contributions in raising awareness and even sending civilian missions to the WPS, and the support of likeminded states in the community of nations give us hope and confidence that we will be able to safeguard our national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic rights in the WPS. There is no place for barbarians in today’s world and in the international order. We are one with the rest of the world in ensuring that the rule of law prevails. Every nation, regardless of size, or military power, must respect the rights of others and adhere to international law.
Francisco TaTad
dindo ManhiT
Such claims cannot simply be plucked out of thin air; to promote global order, they must be based on international rules. The arbitral ruling provided the basis for such claims in the South China Sea, and must be respected by all responsible states. (Philstar.com)
The Chinese have been using different bully tactics to weaken our will and our spirit to defend what is ours. Filipinos at sea experience firsthand how desperate China is becoming; our troops, fisherfolk, and vessels encounter numerous attempts to block rotation and reprovision missions. There have been countless incidents where they have fired water cannons, and supply vessels now routinely being blocked with intentional collisions. Screengrab from the Philippine Coast Guard
SC wants Congress to pass law defining political dynasties ahead of 2025 polls
by FranCo Jose C. Baroña
MANILA — The Supreme Court will make public copies of several pending petitions and other pleadings on political dynasties to compel Congress to pass laws that will finally address this long-standing contentious issue. The move comes as members of well-known political families announced their plan to run for public office in the 2025 midterm elections.
The petitions cited Article
II Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution that prohibits political dynasties "as defined by law." Article II, section 26 of the Constitution says that "the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." The High Court has previously scrutinized the said provision to resolve similar petitions that were filed in the past.
"Without an enabling law, the Comelec cannot enforce the prohibition against political
dynasties," the Court said.
This includes the petition for mandamus filed in 2012 that asked the high tribunal to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enforce this particular constitutional provision.
The petition, however, was dismissed as the High Court held that the provision was "not a selfexecuting provision requiring as it does the legislative act of Congress to define what "political dynasties" are and to prescribe the scope and limits of such prohibition. g
Quiboloy co-accused arrested in...
abuse cases.
A reward of P1 million each was also put up for Quiboloy’s co-accused: Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes.
Fajardo said Davao police director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III has ordered policemen to validate the information relayed by the alleged tipsters.
She said they are not discounting the possibility that some of the callers are giving wrong information to mislead policemen hunting Quiboloy and the other suspects.
With the information they have been receiving, Fajardo said the PNP is also studying the possibility of also putting up its own reward for Quiboloy’s capture to entice more tipsters.
“The PNP is thinking about offering its own reward with respect to this case but it needs to go through the process in terms of auditing, budgetary rules and guidelines,” she said.
If he wants to prove his innocence, Fajardo renewed their call for Quiboloy to surrender and face the cases against him in court.
She said Quiboloy should also consider the plight of thousands of his supporters who are agitated due to the efforts of law enforcement authorities to arrest him.
On rumors that Quiboloy has already fled to China, Fajardo said the Bureau of Immigration said the KOJC leader has no record that he left the country.
Pastor Quiboloy has “no recent travel in our records,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.
The BI explained that this does not guarantee that Quiboloy is still in the country, since the Philippines has porous borders, and he could have left the country without passing through formal ports.
Quiboloy’s legal counsel
Israelito Torreon had said there were rumors circulating that the pastor might have already fled to China, but he could not confirm this information.
“I just heard,” Torreon had said.
Meanwhile, Fajardo said people should not make jokes of the issues hounding Quiboloy, as the pastor is facing cases for serious offenses.
“Let us not forget that other parties are crying for justice. There are children that were allegedly molested and were subject for trafficking,” she said.
The PNP earlier said it is studying whether to file obstruction of justice cases against former President Rodrigo Duterte, who claimed to know where Quiboloy is hiding.
Later, former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Duterte was just joking.
Face the accusations
Meanwhile, Abalos has echoed President Marcos’ call to Quiboloy to come out and face the accusations against him.
Abalos said Quiboloy should man up and prove his innocence in court.
“If you are indeed innocent, face these allegations head-on
in a court of law. Hiding behind influence or legal maneuvers does nothing to clear your name,” he said in a statement.
Marcos said that there is no issue if private citizens offer a reward for Quiboloy’s arrest to help bring the self-styled evangelist to justice.
Moreover, Abalos gave assurance that they will support the victims and ensure that justice is served.
“The accusations against Quiboloy are grave, encompassing various forms of abuse. It is imperative that we, as parents, acknowledge the courage it takes for victims to come forward,” he added.
Quiboloy is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list for allegedly orchestrating a sex trafficking operation.
Still in the country?
According to an aviation expert, Quiboloy is still in the country, hiding by using unregistered or “colorum” single engine aircraft that may land and take-off in small private airstrips.
“They are just moving around, from one island to another using a smaller aircraft that can land and take off in a private airstrip. It’s just a bit bumpy,” according to the theory of an expert.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said they have no reports regarding “illegal aircraft movements” especially at Davao International Airport, In the city where Quiboloy resides. All aircraft movement in airports under CAAP management are accounted for, it said. g
States set minimum staffing levels for...
nursing home that payroll records show is staffed 10% below the state minimum, is part of Centers Health Care, a New York-based private chain that owns or operates 31 skilled nursing homes, according to Medicare records. Bannister lost $430,524 in 2021, according to a financial statement it filed with Rhode Island regulators.
Last year, the New York attorney general sued the chain’s owners and investors and their relatives, accusing them of improperly siphoning $83 million in Medicaid funds out of their New York nursing homes by paying salaries for “no-show” jobs, profits above what state law allowed, and inflated rents and fees to other companies they owned. For instance, one of those companies, which purported to provide staff to the homes, paid $5 million to the wife of Kenny Rozenberg, the chain’s chief executive, from 2019 to 2021, the lawsuit said.
The defendants argued in court papers that the payments to investors and owners were legal and that the state could not prove they were Medicaid funds. They have asked for much of the lawsuit to be dismissed.
Jeff Jacomowitz, a Centers Health Care spokesperson, declined to answer questions about Bannister, Centers’ operations, or the chain’s owners.
Miller, the District of Columbia’s long-term care ombudsman, said many nursing home owners could pay better wages if they didn’t demand such high profits.
In D.C., 7 in 10 nursing homes meet minimum standards, payroll records show.
“There’s no staffing shortage — there’s a shortage of good-paying jobs,” he said. “I’ve been doing this since 1984 and they’ve been going broke all the time. If it really is that bad of an investment, there wouldn’t be any nursing homes left.”
The new federal rules call for a minimum of three hours and 29 minutes of care each day per resident, including two hours and 27 minutes from nurse aides and 33 minutes from registered nurses, and an RN on-site at all times.
Homes in areas with worker shortages can apply to be exempted from the rules. Dora Hughes, acting chief medical officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a statement that those waivers would be “time-limited” and that having a clear national
staffing minimum “will facilitate strengthened oversight and enforcement.” David Grabowski, a health policy professor at Harvard Medical School, said federal health authorities have a “terrible” track record of policing nursing homes. “If they don’t enforce this,” he said, “I don’t imagine it’s going to really move the needle a lot.”
Methodology for analysis of Nursing Home Staffing
The KFF Health News data analysis focused on five states with the most rigorous staffing requirements: California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.
To determine staffing levels, the analysis used the daily payroll journals that each nursing home is required to submit to the federal government. These publicly available records include the number of hours each category of nursing home employee, including registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, worked each day and the number of residents in each home. We used the most recent data, which included a combined 1.3 million records covering the final three months of 2023. We calculated staffing levels
by following each state’s rules, which specify which occupations are counted and what minimums homes must meet. The analysis differed for each state. Massachusetts, for instance, has a separate requirement for the minimum number of hours of care registered nurses must provide each day.
In California, we used state enforcement action records to identify homes that had been fined for not meeting its law. We also tallied how many California homes had been granted waivers from the law because they couldn’t find enough
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking proposals for Omnichannel Communication Tool. Proposal documents may be downloaded at SCRRA's website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/ contracts. Proposals are due on 07/16/2024. For further information contact: Melissa Cousart, Contract and Compliance Administrator, at cousartm@ scrra.net.
RFP No. EP244-25 REHABILITATION OF OUT-OF-SERVICE BOMBARDIER CARS
SCRRA is seeking proposals for Rehabilitation Services for the Bombardier Rail Cars. Solicitation documents may be obtained at https:// metrolinktrains.com/doingbusiness. Proposals are due at 2:00 P.M. (PT) on 9/23/2024. The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration. For further information, contact Dorothea Cantero, Sr. Contract Administrator, at (213) 452-0302 or CanteroD@ scrra.net.
7/13/24
7/13/24 CNS-3821104# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL
CNS-3829197# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
Asian Journal WKND
Citizen Pinoy airs special ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’ series at Valerio’s Tropical Bakeshop in Chicago
CITIZEN
a delightful twist, Elaine even poses her own immigration question about bringing friends and relatives from the Philippines to assist at Valerio’s.
Elaine asked if it is possible to petition workers from the Philippines to help with the work at Valerio’s.
Other customers who visited the store during
Maris Racal announces break up with Rico Blanco
By Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net
AT a Star Magic media conference on Friday, July 12, “Can’t Buy Me Love” actress Maris Racal tearfully revealed she and her boyfriend of five years Rico Blanco are over.
Saying that the breakup is “fresh” and that it happened only a few weeks ago, Racal’s full statement is as follows:
“Rico and I our universe was so beautiful it was so full of love, music, everything.
“In our five-year relationship, we were always on the same page. I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe I turned to the next page and saw a new perspective in life. I had visions of who I want to become how I want to evolve. I’m so curious
about the world.
“And the truth is, I am going through changes. And we know that yung change is either good or bad. But what I hate about change is it’s inevitable. Hindi mo siya matatakasan. Wala ka nang puwedeng ibang gawin but to confront it and face it (You can’t escape it. You can’t do anything but confront and face it).
“So yeah, I told Rico about it. I told him my problems and my issues and he took it like a man. He took it like a man.
“It was a very difficult talk, cause I love him so much and he loves me. But I have so many questions about my life and how will I go on in life with him and I have so many questions about me and my sense of self.
Faro ManilaTimes.net
ACTRESS-SINGER and television host Karla Estrada appealed to fans to stop bashing her son but did not elaborate in a post on Facebook this week. by Viany
“Panawagan sa lahat ng mga supporters ni Daniel Padilla or DJP, pakiusap lang po... No bashing tayo please (A call to all the supporters of Daniel Padilla or DJP, please... no bashing, please),” she wrote on Wednesday, July 10.
Estrada said that their family did not desire this kind of support for Padilla.
“We appreciate your support, but please, no bashing of others. Be proud of all DJP’s blessings. Respect the blessings of others.
Maris Racal with Rico Blanco Photo from Instagram/@ricoblanco100
St. Jude patient offers her own balloon art to everyone she meets
MISHEEL, bald from chemotherapy, pulls up a chair on the second-floor inpatient unit. A younger child shouts, “The balloon girl!”
Suddenly, she’s surrounded by other children. She reaches into her backpack for colorful balloons and inflates and twists them into a bunny, then a unicorn, then a giraffe, then a butterfly. Then she gives them all away.
During Misheel’s nearly seven months of treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she learned to make balloon creations and gifted them to her comrades in cancer treatment.
Misheel was 11 years old in the summer of
2023 when her parents noticed no matter how much water she drank, she still felt thirsty. At first, they thought it was a healthy habit, far preferable to drinking juice or soda. But her thirst was never quenched. Misheel began excusing herself to go to the restroom so frequently they knew something must be wrong.
Her mother Undrakh took Misheel to the family doctor near their home in Illinois. Tests revealed a tumor on Misheel’s pituitary gland, as well as two other spots in her brain. She was diagnosed with a type of cancer called mixed germ cell tumors.
Soon, her parents obtained a referral to St. Jude. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other lifethreatening diseases.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live. Because of generous donor support, they can provide children cutting-edge treatments not covered by insurance, at no cost to families.
“We were so worried and nervous, but as soon as we walked into St. Jude, we had a feeling that we’d be okay,” said Undrakh.
Misheel learned how to create balloons from her 82-year-old godfather, Robert Dunn. On the circus stage, his name is Robert “Onionhead the Clown” Dunn. Misheel knows Dunn through UniversalSoul Circus, where her father, Gantulkhurr, is part of an acrobatic teeterboard troupe from Mongolia called The Nomads.
When Misheel and her family moved to the U.S. from Mongolia in 2019 for her father’s job, she didn’t speak English. It was a whole
new language and culture. But a circus is a traveling family of sorts, and Dunn, who values education, often purchased books for the children of the performers and encouraged them to read.
When Misheel was diagnosed with cancer, “It tore me up,” said Dunn. “It hurt me so much.”
So, he visited her family at St. Jude soon after she started treatment. To help cheer her up, he taught her how to make a few balloon creations, knowing it might spark something.
“She took it from there and ran with it,” said Dunn. “She’s better than me at making animal balloons now.”
Misheel had come to the U.S., a strange and unfamiliar place, and Dunn showed her family friendship.
Misheel pays his kindness forward every day — or every time she reaches into her backpack for another balloon.
(St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Release) g
A homecoming celebration: Ruby Ibarra, Bolo Music curate the 30th anniversary of the Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture
SAN PEDRO – The Filipino American experience in Los Angeles takes center stage as the iconic Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) returns for its 30th anniversary on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro, California, from 12 PM - 9 PM. FPAC was held at Point Fermin for 19 consecutive years in the past!
This year’s festival, themed “Ang Pagbabalik (The Homecoming),” carries a special significance. Curating the entire program is music industry powerhouse Ruby Ibarra, cofounder and chief executive officer of Bolo Music Group. Ibarra’s journey with FPAC is a testament to the festival’s enduring legacy. In the 2010s, she graced the generations stage as a young artist, later headlining at the 2022 Levitt Pavilion showcase. Now, she returns full circle, curating a captivating lineup that celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Filipino/a/x American arts and culture.
“FPAC has been such a special event for the FilipinoAmerican communities it serves in Southern California; there is nothing quite like it,” says Ibarra. “I’m extremely grateful and honored to help curate this homecoming and 30th year celebration, and just like it has in the previous years, I will ensure that we uplift and celebrate the diverse nuances in Filipino-American art and culture.”
A scouting ground for new talent
Bolo Music Group will be actively scouting musical talent throughout the festival. Acts selected to perform have the exciting opportunity to meet with the label and discuss potential mentorship and opportunities. This adds another exciting layer to the event, potentially launching the careers of future stars.
Beyond entertainment: A celebration of heritage
The 30th Annual FPAC offers more than a day of music. Festival-goers can also expect a cultural immersion featuring traditional dance performances, dedicated children’s, seniors and ancestral village pavilions, and an ArtPHair showcasing the talents of Filipino American visual artists. This free event is a vibrant experience for the
entire Los Angeles community and beyond. A cultural celebration made possible by many The 30th Annual FPAC would not be possible without the support of numerous organizations and individuals.
This year’s festival is proudly presented with support from the California Arts Council, City of Los Angeles Council Districts 13, 14 & 15, Department of Cultural Affairs of Los Angeles, NBC Launch, Arts United San Pedro, Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Ruby Ibarra &
and more! Join us for “Ang Pagbabalik (The Homecoming)” and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Filipino/a/x American arts and culture at the 30th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture this September 14 and register to attend for raffle prizes with many volunteer opportunities to get involved in the Filipino American community! g
Julie Anne San Jose says Rayver Cruz brings out her ‘happiest’ self
the “happiest Julie” she has ever been. She, however, noted that although she already sees Cruz as “the one,” they are not in a hurry to settle down.
“Of course, we really do talk about it. Marami pa kaming mga pangarap individually but of course, being together, we also want to achieve those dreams together,” she said.
“Right now, we’re just not forcing things to happen and we’re not really rushing,” she added.
San Jose nonetheless assured their supporters that tying the knot with Cruz is definitely part of the “goal.”
Ako naman kasi I’m the kind of person na kung sino man ‘yung ka-relationship ko or kung sino man ‘yung other half ko, siyempre ‘yun ‘yung goal ko na gusto ko siya na talaga,” she stated. San Jose and Cruz confirmed their relationship to the public in November 2022 during the actress-singer’s “JulieVerse” concert. (By Anne Pasajo/lnquirer. net) g
Let’s be happy with each other’s success,” she said.
More than 12,000 Facebook users have reacted to Estrada’s message as of posting time, with some agreeing with her.
“True! Let’s support them and be happy for both of them because they made us happy once too. It’s just disappointing that other fans comment or post negative things. Let’s share positivity and be happy with their achievements, blessings, or wherever they are now,” said one fan.
“ The other side should do the same... I call out their fans who bash DJ... because of that, I have deeper respect for you, Ms. Karla... I hope the other side will do the same... for the peace of everyone... Stop the below-the-belt comments... Let’s all celebrate DJ’s success,” another fan wrote.
Estrada did not mention the reason behind her appeal although her son was had broken up with actress Kathryn Bernardo with whom he had an 11-year relationship.
Padilla and Bernardo confirmed on Nov. 30, 2023, that they had
ended their relationship in separate Instagram posts.
Padilla, however, was the target of most of the rumors, which even included accusations that he was seeing someone else. g
Bolo Music Group, Island Pacific Seafood Market, Philippine Expressions Bookshop, SoCal Filipinos, OneDown Media, Aura
Karla Estrada ManilaTimes.net photo
Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose
Photo from Instagram/@myjaps
WCOPA TEAM PHILIPPINES 2024 WINS A TOTAL OF 269 MEDALS AND AWARDS
Extraordinary National Director - Gerry Mercado
Philippine National Director, GERRY MERCADO makes history!
Philippine National Director Gerry Mercado makes history by becoming the first national director at WCOPA to have secured an advisory position in the Worldstars International Board - the governing body of the World Championships of Performing Arts a.k.a. WCOPA International. Mercado has reached the Diamond Director status two times in a row and was commended for developing a tried and tested system that guarantees success in overall team management. Team Philippines , has been known to be the most organized , regardless of the size of its delegation year after year.
As a member of the board of Worldstars International and WCOPA, Mercado intends to work towards the advancement of WCOPA and its participating countries and protect the interest and reputation of WCOPA International as a whole.
Here are the other awards Team Philippines won at WCOPA:
JUNIOR GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE MODEL OF THE WORLD - Andee De Silva
SENIOR GRAND CHAMPION DANCE GROUP OF THE WORLD - BAILES DE LUCES
A total of 95 Gold medals, 38 Silver medals, 30 Bronze medals, 19 Finalist Medals, 33 Semifinalist medals, 44 Division winner plaques, 1 New York Film Academy Scholarship, 5 New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts Scholarships, and 1 Jeff Webber Scholarship.
Below are the names of the 2024 WCOPA Team Philippines official delegates:
ABAGAT, BLESSIE MAE
ABOYME, CLARISA
AGLIAM, MARTIN EMMANUEL ALLADO, RONNIE JR. ALSONG, AGATHA CAMILA AMORIN, MARY ANTHOINETTE
ASISTER, SHYRA RHEENS GUICI ATIENZA, CIANNE KATE BADEO, HANNAH KAYLA BALAGOT, BENEDICT BALDERRAMA, VENNISE ROSE BELEN, JENNIFER BROWN, OLIVIA NAVALES, LUA CADOY, MAURICE ILLAH CONDE, ANGELICA DE SILVA, ANDEE DE VICENTE, NATHALIE
DEL ROSARIO, CYRAH SHYNE
DELA CERNA, MARIA AMYTIS
DELA CRUZ, MA CRISTINA
DELA CRUZ, FRANCIS
DEMAFELIS, DOLLY ROSE
DICTADO, CHRISLYN
DIZON, HANNAH PATRICIA
ELEQUIN, ISAIAH CLIVE
ENGLIS, JOHN RYAN
EQUIÑA, REIGNE GABRIELLE
ESCANDER, MARVIN ESCANDER, TRIZHIA
ESQUILLO, RIAGEANE
GABRILLO, DARWIN
GARGALICANO, CLARENZE HEINEKEN
GOMEZ, REGAINE
HERNANDEZ, ELEYNA LOUIZE
HORNEJA, MARY HUMBELINE
INOCENCIO, PAUL KENETH
JOCSON, RYAN
VASALLO, MART
LONTAYAO, BILLY XANDER
MACHICA, RUSSELL
MADRENA, AIRA ANGELICA
MORANDARTE JENNY
NILLES, IRENE JOY
PABILONA, CEDRIC SPENCER
PANAGLIMA, REXELLA JEANNE
PIALAN, ANALYN
PITULAN, SHANDRO
POLICARPIO, ALRICHE VIENDI
RAGUDO, JELMOND DUFFERGREY
RAMOS, AIKEN EUGENRIQ
RAYNES, LEIRA ANNE
RICAPLAZA, JERICK
RIEL, RICH ADRIANE
SALMORIN, GERELD JOIE
SINGH, PRIYA KAUR
SOLOMON, ZEDRIGEAUX
TAMANI, KATE HILLARY
TAN, MOIRA CLAIRE
TANYAG, CARLISLE JENIEL
TENERIFE, DENMARK
TEROL, RHEALENE
TIKEN, BLESSIE
TORRES, ALGENE
TRONO, KIMBERLY
UTAY, BLYZZY MYRRBYLL
ZURBITO, MARIAN GRACE
WCOPA Team Philippines 2024 multi medalists!
nations WCOPA Team Philippines 2024 Grand winners, Junior Grand Champion Female Model of the
Photo credits: Ding Carreon and Andy Tecson
WCOPA 2024 Junior Grand Champion Female Model of the World, Andee De Silva!
WCOPA Grand Vocal finalist Moira Claire Tan
Junior medalists of Team Philippines 2024
WCOPA Team Philippines 2024 Grand Finalist, Benedict Balagot.
Citizen Pinoy airs special ‘Your Tanong...
the taping were also able to ask their questions.
Benny, a divorced U.S. citizen, wants to know if he can bring his married girlfriend, who has been separated for 15 years, to the U.S. to marry him.
Vency, an employee at the branch, just immigrated to the U.S. She wants to know how she can bring her children, who are 17 and 22 years old, to the U.S. Baby’s daughter wants to petition her dad, who is now Baby’s ex-husband. He is disabled. Baby wants to know if petitioning her ex-husband is still possible.
Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions and more in part 1 of “Your Tanong , My Sagot ”
Valerio’s Chicago branch.
Watch this brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, July l4 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC.
Viewers may download the free app.
(Advertising Supplement)
Skin tags: What it is and what you can do about it
THERE are a number of reasons why one develops skin tags. These small pieces of soft, benign growths that appear on the skin, can be annoying or bothersome, and would appear as bumps and shapes on our otherwise smooth skin. They can also rub against clothing or jewelry and get irritated, which can be painful and uncomfortable.
I have clients asking about skin tags, so I figured it is high time that I share a few details about it in my column.
Much to everybody’s relief, skin tags are very common. They affect both men and women. Researchers claim that half of all adults will have at least one skin tag in their lifetime.
Although, there are many different types of skin tags, they generally tend to be brownish or black, round or somewhat asymmetrical. They can also appear as larger, fleshy, tumor-like outgrowths, or large, flat, wart-like growths. These growths make your skin look dull and unhealthy.While skin tags do not affect your health, they can be unsightly and leave you feeling self-conscious.
What causes skin tags?
Skin tags occur when the body produces extra cells in the skin’s top layers. They tend to form in skin folds and areas where natural movement causes the skin to rub against itself. They often grow in the armpits, eyelids, groin or thighs, neck, under the breasts and on the genital area.
Also, the likelihood of developing skin tags increases with age. You may also be at risk if you have a family history of skin tags, live with health issues such as diabetes, obesity or skin disorders, like BirtHogg-Dubé syndrome. You may also develop skin tags if you have experienced high levels of growth factors, which mostly happen during pregnancy.
Skin tags are usually diagnosed after a brief evaluation. Keep in mind that a dermatologist or a skin specialist is the best person to do this. They are also equipped to help rule out growths that may look like skin tags. Are at-home skin tag removal products safe?
You may have seen or heard about over-the-counter skin tag removal products. But athome treatments come with a higher risk of complications like scars, excessive bleeding, infection, and incomplete skin tag removal, which means it’s likely to come back. Hence, it is important that you get a professional to diagnose your skin. They have the skills and training to treat delicate problems, such as skin tags on your eyelids. They also know how to minimizing scarring, which is important for skin tags on your neck and other delicate parts of your body.
Skin tag removal with iSkin machine technology
We have a procedure at iSkin Med Spa where we clean out, apply our lab-compounded signature numbing cream that is so effective you will not feel a thing (or at least very minimal discomfort) during the skin tag removal. We do this treatment by surface area where we gradually focus on a each part of the body like the face, neck, cheek , abdominal area, as well as a full-back skin tag removal. Normally we start the procedure with recommending a thorough facial (we have a wide and extensive range of specialized facial treatments that is customizable to your needs). This is to ensure that we clean out any clogged pores first to avoid any infection. It is important to note that if you had your entire skin tags removed, it’s not likely to grow back. However, it’s possible to develop new ones so a touchup after four weeks may be necessary in some cases. Some people may need to do it every two years, while others do it after 5 years. Also, after you had your skin tags removed, make a point to check your household if they have it too as it is transmittable through physical contact and even
through sharing clothing. Removing skin tags and warts is essential because they are likely to spread, and it gets itchy to the point of unbearably bothersome. They spread across the face and body and can be transmitted. A few steps you can take to try and avoid it is to maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise and avoiding jewelry and clothing that may rub against your skin. A big part of making “beauty a lifestyle” is taking care of your skin. For some people, the road to healthier looking skin meant a “bump-free” face, neck or eyelids. Either way, ISkin got you covered. If you are in the LA area, feel free to swing by iSkin Beverly Hills. And if you happen to be in the Inland Empire and Orange County, we have MiSkin Spa for your self-love and selfpampering needs. For more information you may visit iskinbeverlyhills.com. Visit iSkin Med Spa and MiSkin MedSpa for a free consultation. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire Blvd. Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 or call 424-382-1002
MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, 91370 or call 909-9898464. You may also follow us on social media: @iskinmedspa and @miskinmedspa or watch her YouTube channel that talks about how you can make “beauty a lifestyle,” on “Beauty Talk with Imee.” * * * Known to several Filipino-American awarding circles, Imee
Atty. Gurfinkel (left) and Elaine Valerio at Valerio’s Tropical Bakeshop in Chicago. Benny (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Valerio’s employee Vency with Atty. Gurfinkel Baby (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Ensuring child safety and best interests: The implications of California Family Code 3011
FAMILY Code 3011 represents a significant development in family law, specifically addressing cases where there are allegations of a history of abuse by one parent. When allegations of abuse have been brought to the attention of the court and the court makes an order for sole or joint custody o unsupervised visitation to that parent, Family Code 3011(a)(5) mandates that the court state its reasons, in writing or on the record, for determining that an order is in the best interest of the child and ensures the safety of both the child and the parties involved.
This article explores the key
aspects of Family Code 3011 and its implications for child custody cases. Child custody cases often involve complex considerations, particularly when allegations of abuse by one parent are present. In the past, courts may have struggled to adequately address these concerns and provide appropriate safeguards for the child’s well-being.
Family Code 3011 seeks to address this issue by requiring the court to provide explicit reasoning for its decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Family Code 3011 emphasizes the paramount importance of the child’s best interest in custody determinations. The court is now obligated to consider factors such as the child’s health, safety, welfare, and any history of abuse or domestic violence when making custody decisions. In cases where there are allegations of a history of abuse by one parent, the court must prioritize the safety of the
child and the parties involved. Family Code 3011 requires the court to consider the nature, severity, and frequency of any past abuse when evaluating the appropriateness of custody arrangements. A significant aspect of Family Code 3011 is the requirement for the court to provide a detailed statement of reasons for its custody orders. This includes a clear explanation of how the order serves the child’s best interest and protects the safety of the child and the parties involved. The purpose of this provision is to enhance transparency and enable meaningful review of custody decisions.
The introduction of Family Code 3011 brings several notable benefits to child custody cases involving allegations of abuse: 1. By explicitly considering the history of abuse and prioritizing the safety of the child, Family Code 3011 aims to provide greater protection for
Called to be like Jesus
reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAs Pastor’s Notes
GREETINGS! One thing is very clear about Jesus’s ministry as we read or listen to the Gospel: He desires that people be healed from all forms of illness, whether it is physical, spiritual, or emotional. He wants people to be liberated from any anxiety and fear, even the fear of death. He wants us to remain calm and peaceful amidst any crisis, assured of His love and presence in our lives. This is how we should relate to Jesus in our daily prayers. This is what we need to fill our minds with—the positive thought that Jesus desires our well-being, the confidence that we will get through any crisis through our faith in God, and the strength He gives us.
Jesus’ healing ministry extends through the people who care for us: doctors, surgeons, nurses, care partners, and caregivers. God uses them as His instruments of healing. That is why we must be grateful to them, acknowledge their noble profession, and pray for them.
Jesus’ healing ministry is also manifested through us— family members, friends, and parishioners. Our compassion, empathy, care, and service to others, inspired by Jesus’s care for the sick and the grieving, reveal God’s love and care. Our world, homes, and communities become glorious places to live because of our concern for others.
There are three qualities that we must have as we serve the needs of the sick, the grieving, and anyone in distress: patience, selflessness, and presence.
Patience is the ability to hold back and be aware of the other person’s timetable.
It’s the ability to understand that healing is a process and
takes time. Selflessness is the quality of losing oneself and transcending one’s ego by aligning with another person’s plan, journeying with them on their pilgrimage, meeting them where they are, and helping them chart their own course. Presence is showing up, being there for someone going through a hard time, not needing to say anything wise, with heightened awareness of what that person is experiencing at that moment. Friends, may we become like Jesus to others by making the sick, the grieving, and others feel loved and cared for with our patience, selflessness, and presence.
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.
Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
Ensuring child safety and best interests...
children who may be at risk in contentious custody disputes. 2. Requiring the court to articulate the reasons for its decisions promotes accountability and transparency in the judicial process. This allows parties involved to understand the court’s rationale and facilitates effective review of custody orders. 3. Family Code 3011 ensures that allegations of abuse are given due consideration and weight in custody determinations. This provision helps prevent potential biases and ensures a fair evaluation of the facts and circumstances of the case.
The implementation of Family Code 3011 represents a significant step forward in ensuring child safety and best interests in custody cases involving allegations of abuse. By requiring the court to explicitly state its
reasons for its custody orders, this legal provision promotes transparency, accountability, and fairness. It is crucial for legal professionals, parents, and other stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the implications of Family Code 3011 to navigate child custody cases effectively and safeguard the well-being of children involved.
* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation.
* * *
Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
Maris Racal announces...
“It was very difficult but a very polite separation. Up to the very end of the relationship it was still full of love and understanding and Rico is one of a kind. If only I could skip through my 20s you know, but I can’t.
“I have to face it, I have to sit with my feelings and acknowledge my changes.” Racal, 26, and Blanco, 51, first collaborated in 2019 for their single “Abot Langit.” They made their relationship public in 2021. The media conference was held for Racal to talk about “Marupok AF,” her new movie now showing in theaters. g
The Miracle of Fatima The Musical in PH, Pilipinas Dream Team at PSBL grand opening at Araneta Coliseum
My P.E.P. (People, Events, Places)
roGelio ConstAntino MedinA
RINA Ortiz, an animal welfare advocate and co-founder of Biyaya Animal Care, is a Filipina who never tires of rescuing stray animals.
Together with over 100 staff members and 15 doctors at three locations and five shelters, Ortiz is making a difference in local communities through rescuing and protecting “abused, neglected, lost, and mistreated animals while serving the veterinary needs of pet owners and individuals.”
She has also a regular podcast, The Rina Ortiz Podcast Season 2, that began with former Senator Leila de Lima. This was followed by Laila “Chikadora” Pangilinan (TV5’s cat mama). She also appeared in Dinah Ventura’s Pairfect of Daily Tribune. Recently, she had an outreach activity held in FPJ Studios in Quezon City for neutering, antirabies vaccination and microchipping of cats and dogs, courtesy of the Quezon City Veterinary Department, FPJ Panday Bayanihan, and Office of Sen. Grace Poe.
On July 27, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Ayala Malls Trinoma Cinema 1, her Biyaya Animal Care will have Marvel Studios’ Deadpool and Wolverine’s block screening for the benefit of rescued cats and dogs of Biyaya Animal Sanctuary in Alfonso, Cavite.
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* American producer and writer Barbara Oleynick, a multifaceted creative professional with a passion for evangelizing the Fatima message through live performances, will bring “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical” to the Philippines. She is a known playwright, composer, lyricist and executive director of Fatima Foundation Inc. Helping her is Dominican director Luis Marcell Ricart, founder of THEAMUS Teatro Musical and musical director of Iglesia Regina Angelorum.
The main characters are the three young visionaries: Lucia (to be enacted by Fatima Marie Mislang and 72nd FAMAS best child actress Elia Ilano who appreared in Vince M. Tanada’s “Maria Goretti The Musical”), Jacinta (to be played by Sophia Marie Banaag and Ramjean Entera who appeared in the recent film “A Thousand Forests”), and Francisco (to be played by Prince Espana who also appeared in “A Thousand Forests” and Kian Co who appeared in the “Mallari” film).
Others in the cast include Terrence Guillermo, Bem Sabanal, Radhni Tiplan, Bryant Aunor, Jerome Fugoso, Elinor Acorda, Jassy Calupitan, Malou Canzana, Sherryl Ilano, Karl Tiuseco, Joselito Reyes, Mary
Grace Sy, Alex Payan, Amikah Brigette Aunor, Maria Krischellei Robles, John Nicolas Gamboa, Randy dela Cruz, Cielo Marie dela Cruz, Crystal Fae Manalac, and Matthew Joseph Escalante. It will be premiered on October 13, 2024 (107 years ago, the “Miracle of the Sun” phenomenon happened in Fatima, Portugal on the same day) in Manila, running every Wednesday to Sunday until
December 22, 2024.
* * * UNKNOWN to many, actresssinger Beverly Salviejo was once a teacher. She first became known in the sitcom “Urbana at Feliza” as the maid of comedian Lou Veloso, which starred Mitch Valdez and Nanette Inventor. Since then she has appeared in some TV shows and movies.
Beverly has also appeared in ABS-CBN TV series “Forevermore,” with Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil and under the helm of director Cathy Garica-Molina. Likewise, she was seen in TV series “Imortal,” “Toda Max,” “Pintada,” “Princess and I,” “My Little Juan,” “Got to Believe,” “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano,” “Pusong Ligaw” and “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko.” Recently, she won in the 2nd Gawad Dangal Filipino Award as best supporting TV actress for her role in “Wish Ko Lang.” (Singeractor Randy Santiago was also recognized by the same awardgiving entity.) Salviejo also appeared in Daryll Yap’s “Maid in Malacanang.”
* * * Nirro Marcelo of SIRBISU Channel, chairman of the Philippine Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers, recently directed Lae Manego, hailed as Asia’s Queen of Fire, in her first solo concert this year at Pier 1 in Quezon City. It was a huge success with Lae’s guests Ivy Violan, Jos Garcia and
The cast of “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical”
Rina Ortiz of Biyaya Animal Care Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina Elia Ilano, who plays Lucia, with American writer-lyricist Barbara Oleynick.
Barbara Oleynick (standing, behind) with the young cast of “The Miracle of Fatima The Musical”
From left: Beverly Salviejo, Randy Santiago and Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Medina Lae Manego with director Nirro Marcelo during rehearsals.
Lae Manego in a New York City billboard.
Composer Louie Ocampo (middle) with Bro. Vince Fernandez, FSC (left) and Nawaf Teody Castro (right), a graduate of LSGH-ALS.
The Pilipinas Dream Team
The Pilipinas Dream Team with NobleLife CEO Lila Macapinlac (seated, 3rd from left) and other doctors. PAGE B7
All roads lead to Philippine American Friendship Day on July 13
CERRITOS
– All roads
will lead to the Don Knabe Community Regional Park on Bloomfield Ave. in this city to celebrate Los Angeles County’s largest 3rd annual Philippine American Friendship Day on Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 pm. The fun parade will kick off festivities, snaking through around the portion of the
sparkling lake proceeding towards the large canopy where food, merchandise and informational booths are arrayed – with a few seconds fronting the stage for group pictorial. Among the early community groups who signified their intention to participate in the parade are the Filipino American Catholic Community of the Holy Family, Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, FilipinoAmerican Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), joint APOGLA and APO South Bay alumni, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos, and Lanao Del SurIligan Association, Adobers, among others. Thereafter, the festivities will commence after the invocation by Rev. Fr. Matthew Ma. Fernande of the Holy Family Catholic Church-Artesia. This will be followed briefly by inspirational remarks from the Philippine Consulate and elected officials. Due to enormous and popular demand, the non-stop free entertainment will be bannered by Junior New System, a runner-up in America’s Got Talent. Other performers include Lanao Del Norte Dance Troupe, Magkaisa Club of Cerritos High School, Jhala Angelique, Ballet Folklorico Almitas, Move Essential, Party of Three, Ardyanna Ducusin, Jane Rock Star Magan Chang, I Dance, Dalisay Filipino American Dance Company, Lyndon Apostol, Shiloh Baylon, Twin Singers, Shekinah Austria, Pamana Kali, Buck Palace Tribe, Love Cats Band, RTPACT, and many more. Thereafter, DJ Marlino will provide danceable music for dance aficionados to cap the day. For further inquiries, interested parties may call PAFD event chair Cerritos Councilwoman Lynda Johnson @ 310-650-6159; Dan E. Nino @ 562-508-8099 or Mary Ann Omega @ 847-777-9811. g
The Miracle of Fatima The Musical in PH, Pilipinas...
the Toshka Band. I first met Lae, now Mrs. Querino Franzani (being married to a Dutch citizen), in September 2023 during PFBA. We were both awardees (thanks to La Visual Corporation). Recently, she appeared in New York City Billboard, courtesy of Janice Israel Delima Tentler. Soon, she will have her concert in Paris, France and The Netherlands.
Lae’s talent became known when she sang Aegis’ “Luha” on December 20, 2019 in GMA7’s Wowowin as part of the studio audience and which reached 16 million views on YouTube.
Ilonggo Bro. Vincent H. Fernandez, FSC of De La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) Alternative Education loves music and songwriting. He had able to compose 11 songs despite his hectic schedule, and I was fortunate to listen to two of his songs when I visited him at LSGH one Saturday morning. He said Louie Ocampo, a Filipino composer and arranger best known for his association with Martin
Nievera, is his friend. Louie is regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music and he is best known for “Tell Me,” “Kahit Isang Saglit” and “You Are My Song.”
“Louie helped me in doing the original arrangement of my compositions,” says Bro. Vince who is the former director of University of St. La Salle’s Bahay Pag-asa for Youth Center in Bacolod City from 2006 to 2009, leading him to be acquainted and engaged in the Philippine Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System.
I was mesmerized by Bro. Vincent’s “Just Believe” and other musical compositions.
“The songs were songs in the musical I also wrote entitled “Animo: One Man and a Dream,” a musical on the life of St. John Baptist De La Salle,” he said.
* * *
Rudy Aquino, or simply Jun, of the entertaining basketball team (Pilipinas Dream Team) said that the grand opening of the Perlas ng Silangan Basketball League will be on Sunday, July 28, at the Araneta Coliseum
with the PDT vs PeekUp All Star Legends. In attendance will be El Gamma Penumbra, Jiji Plays, Cool Kids Crew, Lockdown Band, and Star Magic ABS-CBN Talents.
Jun, the son of the late veteran actress Naty Santiago and favorite visual artist of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, related during the presscon for Noble Life’s 18th year in the Philippines on the topic of lifestyle solutions for diabetes how his family “is thankful to NobleLife for extending for one year and a half her life. We made a good decision to trust Dr. Orteza and NobleLife product. We did not return to the hospital and she underwent no surgery procedures. Thanks too to Lila Macapinlac.”
However, his mom Naty passed on peacefully at age 90.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
LOS ANGELES – The Filipino Channel (TFC) is thrilled to announce the premiere of its newest talk show, ‘Ano Na, BEV: Best Expressed Views,’ hosted and produced by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning veteran journalist, Bev Llorente. The show is set to debut on July 14, 2024, promising to bring viewers inspiring stories and in-depth interviews with some of the most remarkable trailblazers, child wonders, and talented individuals from around the globe. Ano Na, BEV’ will feature a diverse range of guests who have made significant impacts in their respective fields, offering viewers an opportunity to hear firsthand from those who have excelled and inspired. Bev Llorente, known for her incisive journalism and captivating storytelling, will bring her unique perspective and engaging interview style to the forefront, making each episode a must-watch.
“I am incredibly excited to bring ‘Ano Na, BEV’ to TFC. This show is about celebrating the achievements and stories of extraordinary individuals who continue to inspire and break boundaries. I look forward to sharing these conversations with our viewers and highlighting the incredible talent within our community,” said Bev Llorente. The show’s format will include personal interviews, behind-thescenes insights, and exclusive features, providing an in-depth look at the lives and journeys of the guests. Whether it’s a child prodigy making waves in the arts, a trailblazing entrepreneur reshaping industries, or a talented artist captivating audiences, ‘Ano Na, BEV’ will be the platform where their stories are best expressed. Tune in to ‘Ano Na, BEV: Best Expressed Views’ starting July 14, 2024, on TFC. Don’t miss the chance to be inspired by the stories of some of the most dynamic and influential figures today. The show will air at the following times:
• NOLA: Sunday, 3:50 PM Pacific
• EMEA: Saturday, 5:15 PM Saudi / London
• ASIA: Saturday, 10:30 AM Hong Kong / Singapore
• GUAM: Saturday, 12:30 PM Guam. g
The Junior New System dance crew is one of the performers expected at the 3rd annual Philippine American Friendship Day on July 13. Photo courtesy of Dan E. Niño
