FTC scores win in suit targeting fraud in the gig economy
HOW does making $18 per hour sound working from the comfort of your own home? For those looking for flexible work hours, a stay-at-home parent, for example, it’s a tempting offer.
But in a first-of-its kind case, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has highlighted the perils for consumers lured by promises of big pay in the gig economy.
“The nature of flexible work can definitely appeal to people who have a need for more flexible hours or to work from home,” says Taylor Arana, an attorney with the FTC based out if its Midwest Regional Office in Chicago. “And those things are aspects of work they may not be able to find in other
MANILA — The chief of the Philippine National Police on Tuesday, July 23, confirmed the removal of police officers from the security detail of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying they were transferred to beef up street patrols, especially in Metro Manila. Earlier in the day, Duterte released a statement saying the PNP had issued a “Notice of Relief” to 75 personnel posted under the Office of the vice president (OVP).
“I want to assure the public that [the
Filipino American leaders endorse VP Harris for president
With Biden dropping out of the race, Democrats across the country divert support to Harris
KLARIZE MEDENILLA
IMMEDIATELY following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he is dropping out
of the 2024 presidential election, Democratic leaders across the country—including several Filipino American lawmakers and politicos—publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
Metro Manila now under state of calamity
due to Typhoon Carina
by JOHN ERIC MENDOZA, ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Wednesday, July 24 approved a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the capital region due to the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon. It enables the release of calamity funds for 16 cities
and one municipality in Metro Manila and allows the implementation of price control in the region.
The resolution was approved during the MMC meeting at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) PAGE 2
Ranking members and leaders of the Democratic Party have for weeks urged Biden to drop out in favor of Harris—citing Biden’s several recent flubs and health
by
MANILA — Heeding the clamor of lawmakers, business groups, civil society and even his economic managers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 22 banned all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) effective immediately.
“Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture,
What Marcos said in his third SONA, from A-Z
by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address began with a by-the-book reinforcement of his technocratic image as an economic manager, then ended with his rousing pronouncements calling to protect the West Philippine Sea and ban all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Met with swelling applause, Marcos’ third SONA was expectedly
free of personal digs to his former UniTeam allies and peppered with minutiae details of the economic, education, health and social programs to come.
Here, we break down the one-hour speech into easily digestible topics from A to Z. Agriculture
Like last year, Marcos opened his speech with plans to galvanize the agricultural sector, starting with the provision of more seeds, fertilizers, livestock, boats and technical and
EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
SONA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, outlining his administration’s achievements and plans for the Philippines.
JULIE M. AURELIO Philstar.com
Vice President Sara Duterte and PNP Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil Inquirer.net photos
F rom the F ront P age
Filipino American leaders...
concerns, as previously reported in the Asian Journal.
Biden officially dropped out of the race on the morning of Sunday, July 21. According to the Harris for President campaign, the likely nominee for the Democratic Party raised $100 million between Sunday and the following Monday evening, a record-setting haul that included more than 1.1 million unique donors.
If officially nominated by the Democratic National Committee, Harris—who is of Indian and Black American heritage—would be the first Asian American presidential nominee in American history.
Filipino American California Attorney General Rob Bonta shared his endorsement of Harris in an email to supporters. Like Bonta, Harris held office in the Bay Area, serving as San Francisco district attorney from 2004 to 2011 and then California district attorney from 2011 to 2017.
“As our former AG, Kamala knows firsthand the importance of protecting our fundamental rights as the People’s Attorney and keeping our communities safe as our Chief Law Enforcement Officer. She will no doubt do the same as president,” Bonta said, adding that Harris has supported climate change initiatives, affordable health care, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Democratic congressman of Virginia Bobby Scott—who is of Filipino descent— shared his support of Harris on the app formerly known as Twitter: “The only person best situated to build on that record and defeat Trump is our Vice President @ KamalaHarris. She is ready to serve and will make a great president. Let’s get to work!”
Filipino Americans for Harris (FAFH) thanked Biden for stepping down and honored his 54 years of public office
Metro Manila now under...
PAGE 1
headquarters in Pasig City on Wednesday afternoon.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and MMC chairman and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora presided over the council meeting.
“There is a motion to declare Metro Manila under the state of calamity by Mayor Francis Zamora and [MMDA] Chairman Don [Artes],” Abalos said.
“The motion is now approved. Metro Manila is now under the state of calamity,” he added.
In a separate meeting on Wednesday morning, Abalos recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in Metro Manila to
Marcos bans
1
service.
“President Biden’s tenure in office has been particularly meaningful to Filipino Americans,” the FAFH team wrote in an email, highlighting the Filipinos who have served his administration.
“President Biden's commitment to the Filipino American community is also reflected in the historic number of Filipino American delegates attending the Democratic National Committee Convention and appointments throughout his Administration—including Nani Coloretti, Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget, Gina Ortiz Jones, former Under Secretary of the Air Force, and Camille Calimlim Touton, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.”
The FAFH officially endorsed Harris on Tuesday, July 23.
Noted lawmakers and leaders in the vast Southern California Filipino American community like Melissa Ramoso—Artesia councilmember and co-chair of FAFH 2024—celebrated the “historic milestone” of Harris’ campaign for presidency.
Ramoso said, “[Harris] would not only be the first woman to hold the office but also the first Asian American and the first Black woman President. This is a powerful testament to the values of diversity and inclusion that the country strives for, bringing hope and inspiration to millions of people from all backgrounds.”
Mario Salazar, national co-chair of FAFH 2024 and former political organizer, also highlighted Harris’s impact on the Filipino American community, noting her track history of supporting “policies that benefit Filipino Americans, from healthcare reforms to economic benefits.”
Harris is expected to be officially named the Democratic nominee for president at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. g
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “Because of what is happening, Mr. President, especially in Metro Manila, our recommendation here is that maybe we can declare a state of calamity in Metro Manila,” Abalos told Marcos, speaking partly in Filipino, during the briefer on the country’s current status amid the effects of the typhoon and the southwest monsoon.
Under Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, a state of calamity is declared during “a condition involving mass casualty and/ or major damage to property, disruption of means of
livelihood, roads, and normal way of life of people in the affected areas, as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard.”
Many parts of Metro Manila have been flooded since Tuesday, July 23 due to the heavy rains brought by Carina and the southwest monsoon.
Several roads were also left impassable.
As of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Carina was last spotted 345 kilometers northnortheast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 205 kph, the state weather bureau said. g
POGOs, cites ‘disorder’ it...
[and] even murder. The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop,” the president said during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), eliciting a standing ovation and chanting of his initials “BBM” among lawmakers, government officials, and other guests at the Batasang Pambansa’s session hall.
“The disorder that it caused our society as well as the desecration of our country must stop. Effectively today, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos firmly declared toward the end of his speech, which lasted an hour and 22 minutes.
The president instructed the state regulator, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), to “wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.”
He then directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with his economic managers, to “use the time between now and then to find new jobs for our countrymen who will be displaced.”
The DOLE earlier said that some 25,000 workers could find themselves jobless should Congress enact legislation banning POGOs.
The chief executive stressed that the ban on POGOs “will solve many of the problems that we are encountering, but it will not solve all of them.”
He urged all government
officials and employees, law enforcers, and the Filipino people to “always be vigilant, principled and think of the nation” in order to “solve all the problems that we have been suffering under.”
Marcos’ pronouncement ended speculation over his stance on POGOs, amid the involvement of illegal offshore gaming hubs in crimes ranging from financial crimes to kidnapping, human trafficking, and murder.
Pagcor Chair Alejandro Tengco vowed to comply with the president’s order on POGOs in the remaining six months of 2024.
“We have to start the process. We cannot just do it by the end of the year, there will be a process first. Many of those to be affected are legally working. We have to explain it to them,” Tengco told reporters after Marcos’ speech.
Tengco said he was not surprised by the president’s pronouncement, adding that he had no qualms about implementing it, even if he was in favor of stronger regulation rather than an outright ban.
He warned that there might be an increase in the number of illegal gaming hubs in the country with the ban in place.
“There should be coordination with law enforcement agencies to counter this,” Tengco added.
Last week, business groups pushed to ban POGOs, a move that snowballed following the congressional
probe on the social ills and other crimes that attended their operations.
On separate occasions, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman agreed that POGOs should be banned.
China, which prohibits all forms of gambling, had long urged the Philippines to ban POGOs, which catered mainly to Chinese nationals.
Cost outweighs benefits POGOs first emerged in the country in 2016, the first year of President Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, as he pursued closer trade and investment ties with China.
But along with the rise of POGOs came reports of serious crimes—killings, kidnappings, blackmail, prostitution, illegal detention, and other infractions that abused the laws of the country and victimized Pogo workers.
In justifying continued Pogo operations in September 2019, Duterte said shutting them down would cause job and revenue losses.
According to data presented by the Department of Finance during a Senate hearing last July 16, the estimated total economic benefits from POGOs amounted to P166.49 billion annually, while the estimated total economic cost was P265.74 billion.
Economic losses included both direct and indirect costs
File photo shows Vice President Kamala Harris during a community event in Las Vegas earlier this July for the launch of AANHPIs for Biden-Harris. On Sunday, July 21, President Joe Biden made a decision to suspend his re-election campaign, making Harris the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2024 presidential election. AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal
financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.
The president said “the hard lesson” of the past year is that data showing the Philippines’ fair standing in the region “means nothing to a Filipino, who is confronted by the price of rice at P45 to 65 pesos kilo.”
The president served concurrently as Department of Agriculture secretary for 17 months before picking fishing tycoon and top campaign donor Francisco Laurel Jr. to replace him.
Business
Marcos noted a rise in the number of new businesses and corporate registrations, including foreign firms, driven by expedited processes for registration and approval.
To bolster economic growth, the president said his administration is pushing for an investment-friendly environment through capital market reforms and the implementation of “green lanes,” which are streamlined processes designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses.
Climate change
Known to speak in broad strokes about the climate crisis, President Marcos this time bannered the country’s proactive stance on global climate responsibility, including being the host country of the board of the Loss and Damage Fund, which seeks to help poor nations cope with costly climate disasters
The president also spoke of ongoing efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and promote renewable energy sources to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Digitalization
Marcos also claimed the government has made leaps and bounds in digitalization, noting that the number of common towers, or shared infrastructure that allow different telecommunications providers to have co-sharing arrangements, has more than tripled due to streamlined permitting processes.
E-visa
Marcos also highlighted improvements in air transport and tourism through the e-travel system, which provides a digital single data collection platform for passengers arriving in and departing from the Philippines.
The president said e-gates (electronic gates) will become “standard fixtures” in airports, while the “e-visa” is next on
What Marcos said in his third SONA... Marcos bans POGOs
of allowing Pogo operations, which include “effects of reputational risks which have an impact on foreign direct investments” and the “negative impact of criminal incidents” to the country’s attractiveness as a tourist destination.
Since last year, several illegal Pogo operations have been raided for being
his government’s digital transformation agenda.
Free Wi-Fi
Marcos mentions another statistic: nearly ten million unique user devices have reportedly benefited from the government’s free Wi-Fi program, which provides internet access in over thirteen thousand locations across the Philippines, including schools and remote areas.
Marcos also announced the completion of phase 1 of the National Fiber Backbone, with phases 2 and 3 underway and expected to be completed by 2026, aimed at significantly boosting the country's internet bandwidth capacity.
‘Generic’ medicine
Marcos announced that PhilHealth has significantly expanded its coverage of generic medicines for outpatient benefits, increasing the number of included generic drugs from 21 to 53. This expansion includes new medications for hypertension, nerve pain, and epileptic seizures.
Hospital decongestion
Marcos also bannered two new specialty hospitals that aims to decongest public hospitals and galvanize the "nation's fight against cancer."
These are the UP-PGH Cancer Center, the first Public Private Partnership project to be approved under Marcos, and the the Philippine Cancer Center of the Department of Health, which broke ground in March.
Inflation
In relation to his plans for agriculture, Marcos listed several measures to reduce food prices and ultimately tame inflation, which at least 74% of Filipinos said the government is failing to manage in a Pulse Asia survey last week.
Due to “illegal price manipulations and smuggling,” Marcos said the government has temporarily set price ceilings on rice and reduced tariffs on rice, corn, and pork until the end of the year and assured the sector these were only “short-term solutions.”
Jobs
In describing his plan to create more jobs in the country, Marcos touted the estimated 202,000 jobs expected to be created from the investment pledges he scored while on his numerous trips abroad.
Another statistic: Marcos cited the Philippines’ increased employment
rate 95.9% and decreased underemployment from 11.7% in May of 2023 to 9.9%.
‘Kadiwa’ expansion
Marcos said his pet KADIWA program was instrumental in helping people deal with high food prices.
He announced plans to expand the KADIWA centers with local government support, aiming to make them permanent and well-distributed across the country.
Law and order
After recently vetoing the proposed Philippine National Police Reform Act due to the absence of strong accountability standards for cops, Marcos reiterated the need for law enforcers to build public trust to maintain law and order.
“We have noted an overall decrease in crime rate and an improvement in crime-solution efficiency. But this is not enough. Our law enforcers need to earn the trust of our people,” Marcos said.
Mindanao-Visayas interconnection
Marcos also mentioned the 450-megawatt Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, which was ceremonially switched on in January, as “a defining moment not only for the power sector but for the entire country.”
With the project, the president said the government has connected the power grids of all three major island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
National learning recovery
Aware of the Philippines' flagging performance in international assessments, Marcos turned his focus on improving the conditions of teachers, who he described as the "core of our national learning recovery."
Marcos hailed recent moves to provide teachers with an annual chalk allowance in the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act and the provision of a personal accident insurance for teachers through the Government Service Insurance System.
"Our national learning recovery program must proceed without the slightest disruption, especially in basic education," Marcos said.
Overseas Filipino workers
After expressing the usual gratitude to overseas Filipino workers for their remittances and their impact on the economy, Marcos said his government has provided "special facilities and services" for them: the OFW lounge
linked to criminal activities, including espionage.
One of these was the police raid of an illegal Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac, following human trafficking and serious illegal detention complaints that were later linked to suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
‘Bloodless’ drug war
Earlier in his speech, the president reassured the
people that the government’s antinarcotics campaign would remain “bloodless” under his watch and that “extermination” of illegal drug suspects would never be a strategy, drawing the first standing ovation in the course of his SONA.
The previous administration’s bloody campaign on illegal drugs attracted international
attention from human rights groups following the mounting death toll it had caused.
Drug suspects killed was officially placed at 6,235 as of Feb. 28, 2022, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, adding that 331,694 suspects were arrested in the 229,868 drug war operations that started on the day Duterte took office in 2016. g
PNP] order will not affect my work in the Office of the vice president,” Duterte said.
“Our work will continue in delivering the services to our fellow Filipinos—especially in the rural and underserved communities in the country.”
“I do hope, however, that with this latest directive of the Chief PNP, we hear [fewer] cries from the people regarding the proliferation of drugs in the country, and that even fewer shall fall victim to various criminal activities,” she said.
Day after Sona absence
The reduction of the vice president’s security force came to light a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address, which Duterte did not attend.
Her absence at the event— plus her earlier remark that she had appointed herself “designated survivor” on Sona day, a supposed joke that Marcos’ congressional allies did not find amusing— was seen as the latest sign of soured relations between her and Marcos, who took her as his running mate in the 2022 presidential race.
In a chance interview with reporters, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil confirmed the pullout of police personnel from the OVP but maintained that Duterte’s office was not being singled out.
The PNP’s Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) coordinated with the chief of staff of Duterte for the transfer, he said.
“We didn’t relieve them. We asked them if we could transfer the personnel because we need them in the NCR (National Capital Region),” he said.
“We need to get our people because our policemen are already sleepless and tired
working beyond their shift and nobody would take their place,” he explained.
Mainly PSC’s job Marbil also explained that securing the vice president is mainly the job of the presidential Security Command (PSC), a military unit and that the PNP is only there to augment.
“The security of the vice president is under the presidential Security Command, not under the PSPG. We are just complementing them,” he said.
According to the latest available record, a 2022 report of the Commission on Audit on the OVP, Duterte had a total of 433 security escorts.
Shortly after she assumed office in 2022, the Armed Forces of the Philippines created a new unit—the vice presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG)— just for the OVP.
The VPSPG remained under the PSC’s supervision.
The removal of the PNP component from Duterte’s security force also came just over a month after she resigned as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and five days after she formally turned over the position to Sen. Sonny Angara.
It also suddenly left a gap in the security structure for an official who had repeatedly cited national security and intelligence gathering as part of her areas of concern.
In November 2023, Duterte dropped her request for Congress to give her another allocation of confidential and intelligence funds in the national budget—totaling P650 million for both the OVP and the DepEd—as she conceded that the matter had become “divisive.” (By Dempsey Reyes, Frances Mangosing/Inquirer.net)
KICKOFF. Parents hand over the enrollment forms of their children to teachers of Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Central Elementary School - SPED Center, Davao City on Monday, July 22. It was also the kickoff of the “Brigada Eskwela” pre-school year cleanup and other preparations. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
FEATURES OPINION
Persistent concerns
Inflation. Jobs. Salaries. The top concerns of Filipinos, as reflected in surveys, have remained the same. And President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has consistently received the lowest marks in dealing with these problems, which he tackled in his third State of the Nation Address.
While certain factors affecting these problems are beyond the president’s control, there are other factors in which governance plays a critical role. Efficiency, good government and the judicious use of public funds create the environment necessary for attracting investments that generate meaningful jobs and livelihood opportunities. Business groups have submitted a lengthy list of their proposed reforms along this line, with ease of doing business still a key concern.
Public health care, inadequate as it is, now stands to lose P89.9 billion in funding, thanks to government inefficiency and politics-driven budgeting acrobatics.
Self-rated poverty is at its highest since 2008, at 58 percent. Hunger is pervasive, with poor nutrition leading to physical and mental
THERE is no doubt that we enjoy a strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress and generally from most Americans. Ever since I presented my credentials to then President Donald J. Trump in November of 2017, I can say with certainty that we have been able to build strong relationships with both Republicans and
Democrats.
stunting. This food poverty has contributed to learning poverty. Philippine education is in crisis; new Education Secretary Sonny Angara faces high expectations that he can get the sector out of intensive care. Food poverty needs more than band-aid solutions like Kadiwa. Boosting agricultural production must move from rhetoric to action. As concurrent agricultural secretary in his first year in power, the president had identified what is needed. Among these are an extensive cold-chain network, a reduction in the number of middlemen, and a host of farm support services that have been promised for several administrations now. For national food security, domestic production must be boosted and the country weaned from over-dependence on imports of basic items from rice to pork, milk and even
Addressing these problems could prove to be more challenging for the president with the disintegration of his UniTeam coalition.
A good way to blunt any negative impact of political intramurals is good government. The nation is in a difficult state and needs firm and capable steering.
US bipartisan support for the Philippines
As fate would have it, I was appointed as Philippine Ambassador in July 2017 and during my first two years in Washington, I had the opportunity to interact with most of those who worked with President Trump, among them Ambassador Robert O’Brien who served as the National Security Advisor during the latter part of the Trump administration, along with several members of the National Security Council
at the time. Ambassador O’Brien also happens to be the chairman of the Richard Nixon Foundation where he invited me to a recent special exhibit titled “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” that featured portraits by former president George W. Bush, who was guest of honor.
I met a number of Republicans during that occasion, most of whom will most likely be going back to serve in the event of a
Trump victory. I was assured that the foreign policy of the United States will very likely remain the same as far as the Indo-Pacific region is concerned. Perhaps an early indication is the speech of the Republican vice presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who called for more focus on China, which he described early on as the “real issue” and the “biggest threat” to the United States.
Like us, other ASEAN member-countries believe
America’s continued presence in the IndoPacific region is crucial in maintaining stability and upholding peace and security – a sentiment shared by many nations such as Japan, Australia, Great Britain and Canada.
The recent assassination attempt against former U.S. President Donald Trump was met with a lot of shock, especially because it happened in Butler, a rural county in Pennsylvania known for being a
Republican stronghold. But what could have been total chaos turned into stunned disbelief when the former president, with blood streaming down his right cheek – stood up, raised his fist, shouting “Fight!”
Political pundits say that this narrow escape from death by an assassin’s bullet, captured in the iconic photo showing the former president in that defiant pose surrounded by Secret Service agents, with the
to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which
galunggong and salt.
(Philstar.com)
Babe’s Eye View
BABE ROMUALDEZ
Dateline PhiliPPines
Sara skips SONA even on TV; Bato, Go no-show Divorce, death penalty bills not among Senate priorities
by Neil JaysoN servallos Philstar.com
MANILA — After earlier declaring that she would skip President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s’ third State of the Nation
Address, Vice President Sara Duterte said she would not even watch the live SONA broadcast on Monday, July 22 as she had to pay respects to the late Bohol Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite.
“The vice president will not watch the SONA on TV or gadgets. She is currently in Bohol to empathize with the Boholanos for the death of their vice governor, as well as to uplift the general mood of the people brought about by the suspension of their duly elected local officials,” the Office of the vice president (OVP) said in a statement.
“It is also Bohol Day today, July 22, which makes it an opportune time for the vice president to bring a message of hope,” it added.
On July 11, Duterte said she would not attend the SONA and appointed herself a “designated survivor,” a remark construed as a threat by some lawmakers.
In the United States, the designated survivor role is assigned to a Cabinet official who must sit out the president’s State of the Union Address to ensure continuity of leadership in case the president and all constitutional successors are killed or incapacitated in a terrorist attack or catastrophic event.
Last week, Duterte
maintained that her relationship with Marcos remains “OK” despite her skipping the SONA.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte also did not attend the SONA.
Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, allies of the former president, did not attend the SONA.
House accomplishments
Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday opened the third regular session of the 19th Congress, with 262 congressmen present.
“Our accomplishments reflect our pro-active stance in catering to the needs of the people by passing muchneeded legislation that is attuned to the Philippine Development Plan and the eight-point socioeconomic agenda under the mediumterm fiscal framework of the president,” he said.
“The fruits of our overarching development agenda initiatives for the past two years are now slowly being felt across the nation,” he added.
During Monday’s brief session, lawmakers approved House Resolutions 1799 and 1800 and House Concurrent Resolution 27, which informs the Senate and Marcos of the bicameral Congress’ reconvening of sessions and approves the notice of the president to hear his SONA message.
A joint Senate and House committee was formed to welcome Marcos as soon
as he set foot inside the Batasang Pambansa complex to deliver his third SONA.
Comprising the House contingent, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speakers Camille Villar, David Suarez, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Antonio Albano, Roberto Puno, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Vincent Franco Frasco and Raymond Mendoza were assigned to meet Marcos.
Later in the afternoon, the welcoming party was modified, with Romualdez leading the ad hoc panel, assisted by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, Senior Deputy Speaker Gonzales, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan.
Romualdez cited the average 6.1 percent gross domestic product growth the country achieved from late 2002 to early this year when Manila beat Indonesia (5.1 percent), Malaysia (4.2 percent), Singapore (2.7 percent) and Thailand (1.5 percent).
In May, he noted that the National Economic and Development Authority projected the country’s growth target of six to seven percent this year is achievable.
Romualdez underscored the importance of credit rating company Fitch’s affirmation last June, which upheld the country’s investment-grade long-term foreign currency trading at “BBB rating with a stable outlook.” g
Guo apologizes to Escudero, but ‘done’ with probe
MANILA — Suspended
Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo apologized to Senate President Francis Escudero for her statements against some senators hearing her alleged involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)related crimes, but hinted that she was no longer attending future inquiries.
In a letter addressed to the Senate President dated July 20, 2024, the embattled local chief executive said: "Good day to you. I am writing to you as an elected official and as a citizen facing significant challenges. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to express my feelings and seek your understanding. "First of all, I would like
MANILA – Senate
President Francis Escudero does not consider the divorce and death penalty bills controversial but neither are they among their priorities.
At the press briefing on Monday, July 22 after
opening the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress, Escudero said the two bills will undergo regular process.
to convey my heartfelt admiration for your excellent leadership in the Senate. Your dedication and integrity in upholding the rule of law are truly commendable and serve as an inspiration to us.
"I have great respect for your principle that 'he who alleges must prove the same,' especially regarding the issue
"It will proceed. I don’t consider them actually controversial. It will just have to go through the test of the legislative process and mill. I think one is with the committee and one (divorce) is pending in plenary already," he said. He cited the Reserve
FTC scores win in suit targeting...
work environments.”
Still, says Arana, buyer beware.
Arana was part of the FTC team that earlier this month won a $7 million settlement against Arise Virtual Solutions, a Floridabased company that connects large, Fortune 500 firms with individual gig workers who perform customer service activities for these companies.
In the suit filed by the FTC, the agency charged Arise with violating the Business Opportunity Act, which requires companies to disclose, among other things, accurate earnings opportunities to potential partners, including gig workers.
According to Arana, 99.9% of workers, or “agents” with the company made an average of just $12 per hour, well below the $18 hourly wage touted in its advertising, which specifically targeted Black women and single mothers. Contractors were also required to pay hundreds of dollars in up-front costs for training, equipment and other “usage fees.”
In its filing, the FTC pointed to internal documents with Arise that showed the company was aware that most of its agents were earning far less than what was being advertised.
“A vast majority of the people who signed up for the opportunity did not make what was promised,” said Arana, adding that gig workers for Arise were 90% women, and 60% of them identified as Black, Latino or multi-racial.
Arise claims to have thousands of “agents” across the country.
In March, the company settled another lawsuit, this one filed on behalf of 180 gig workers in Washington DC, for $3 million. In that case, filed by the DC District Attorney’s office, the company was charged with misclassifying its workers as independent contractors despite the “high level of control” the company maintained over its workforce.
“The economic reality of Arise’s relationship with its agents demonstrates the existence of an employer-employee relationship,” the suit alleged. Comcast, which contracted with Arise, was named a defendant in that case. Other companies known to have used Arise’s services include Disney and AirBnB.
The company has denied wrongdoing in both the DC case and the one brought by the FTC.
“Operating in the ‘gig’ economy is no license for evading the law, and the FTC will continue using all its tools to protect Americans from
PAGE 9
unlawful business practice,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement after the $7 million settlement was announced.
The value of the U.S. gig economy, defined as freelance or part-time work typically through digital platforms, is estimated at over $450 billion, with half of all Americans expected to have done at least some gig work by 2027.
Fraud, including wage and identity theft, is a growing concern with some data showing that nearly a third of consumers report having been the victim of a scam while using a gig platform.
The FTC’s suit is the first such case where a company operating in the gig economy has been charged with violating the Business Opportunity Act.
“The whole idea is to require the company to provide information to consumers, so they have more of an idea of what they are getting into before they sign up,” said Arana about the law, which also requires companies to disclose current or former employees in the area who can be contacted by prospective workers to learn about their experience with the company.
The FTC received some 2.6 million reports from consumers in 2023 about potentially questionable marketplace practices. “The more reports that we do get the better we’re able to learn about how best to help consumers,” noted Arana.
Consumers can file reports with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The site is available in multiple languages and the FTC has translators available for those with limited English proficiency.
Arana says it’s important for those interested in these types of opportunities to “do your research.” That includes simple steps like an internet search with the company’s name and keywords such as complaints, reviews or scam. Individuals can also try and find past employees – whether or not the company has disclosed them – to learn about actual earnings and possible up-front costs.
“Take a moment and be skeptical,” Arana stresses. “We just say, question promises of big money or profits.”
Money from the settlement will be distributed among past Arise workers, though the FTC must first scan Arise data to determine who is eligible and for what amount. That process could take months, says Arana.
But, she adds, “Every penny we collect goes back to consumers.” (Peter Schurmann/Ethnic Media Services)
Chiz: No Cha-cha in Senate’s third regular session
by Marc Jayson cayabyab Philstar.com
MANILA — Charter change would not be a priority of the Senate in its third regular session because it is a “divisive” issue, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
“In this final regular session of the 19th Congress, we will set aside items which merely dissipate our energy and divide the public,” Escudero said during his speech in opening Monday’s session, July 22, his first as Senate president.
“For this same reason, pending bills on Charter change will be placed on the backburner and will follow the ordinary and regular process of legislation, if at all,” he added.
Escudero said the Senate should focus instead on bills that are part of the common executive and legislative agenda.
“In its stead, bills which can effect the same result – but without the needless political noise and bickering – will be prioritized. This will allow us to focus our energy on measures which the people truly need,” Escudero said.
“We will tackle items in the common legislative agenda forged with the Executive, and those nurtured by either the House or the Senate. For legislation is not a one-way process,” he added.
At a press briefing after the session, Escudero said he considered Charter change
a “divisive” bill that should go through the regular legislative mill instead of being a pet measure.
“It’s not a priority for me. Since it was not mentioned in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, I don’t think it’s a priority of the LEDAC or the executive either,” Escudero said.
Escudero said it is a time-honored tradition in the Senate to scrutinize laws instead of serving as the administration’s rubber stamp.
“We are not just here to stamp our approval on bills. We also propose legislation which need not come from the executive,” Escudero said.
The Senate president also promised that it would be a productive third regular session in the Senate by focusing on the “quality, not quantity” of bills, even though there are only 70 session days left.
“Quality over quantity has always been the tradition in the Senate. The House has always churned out the most number of bills. But often, it is the Senate that allocates more time in fine-tuning bills that eventually become the version of the law,” Escudero said.
Solid 6 not joining minority
The bloc of former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri bloc will not join the minority and will remain in the majority but will demand one-fourth of the membership of each committee in the Senate.
Zubiri said his bloc – composed of former PAGE 10
Divorce, death penalty bills...
Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) bill which is also being pushed by some sectors.
Escudero said it has been assigned to a subcommittee and went through the ordinary process of legislation.
"Kaya nga umabot sa plenaryo. Kaya lang naginterpolate ako syempre at kung dumating sa punto ng botohan boboto ako laban doon,” (That's why it reached the plenary. But I interpolated of course and when it reaches the voting process, I will vote against it)," Escudero said, adding that voting against ROTC is
a personal view.
The Senate president further explained that special committees are usually created if the bill is urgent or there is a conflict of interest with the committee chairperson.
Before adjourning its second regular session last May 22, the House of Representatives already approved the Divorce bill.
Cha-cha
Escudero further announced that the Senate will not prioritize bills on proposed charter change (cha-cha) "to give way to more important measures that genuinely enhance the lives of Filipinos."
He confirmed that cha-cha proposals would be placed on the back burner and follow the standard legislative process, if considered at all.
“In its stead, bills which can effect the same result— but without the needless political noise and bickering — will be prioritized. This will allow us to focus our energy on measures which the people truly need,” he added.
Escudero said that senators will focus on the common legislative agenda forged with the executive branch and the House of Representatives, pointing out that “legislation is not a one-way process.” (PNA)
Guo apologizes to Escudero...
that I am allegedly Chinese, ensuring a fair and just process.
"Despite my situation, I would like to apologize if there has been any misunderstanding regarding my statements. I have no intention of instructing
or dictating to the Senate what should be prioritized.
I understand that each legislator has their duties and responsibilities to the nation," she said.
According to her, she is ready to face the various cases against her in government offices such
as the Ombudsman, DoJ [Department of Justice], BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue], and courts, and prove her innocence. However, she did not mention or include the Senate, which is currently looking into the charges against her. (ManilaTimes.net)
PH eyes defense pacts with 3 more countries
MANILA – The Philippines is looking to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Canada, France, and New Zealand. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has said.
"We are going to work on an RAA hopefully with Canada, with France, (also) with New Zealand and with other countries that escaped my memory," Teodoro said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday, July 22.
The DND chief also said a similar pact with these countries will center on interoperability between their
military forces.
"They will all look the same, they will allow (the) Armed Forces of these different countries to operate with the Philippine Armed Forces within the Philippine territorial jurisdictions and vice versa so it will increase interoperability between these countries," he added.
The country's first RAA signed with Japan last July 8, aims to lift restrictions on military-to-military exchange between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan Self Defense Force.
The DND chief said he hopes to start
talks with these countries on a possible RAA by next year.
"Hopefully by next year, it is not easy to negotiate the RAA, and that's why we want a Defense Transformation Bill to come out because our staff is limited," he added.
However, despite the DND only having 267 employees, Teodoro said that negotiating and finishing the RAA with Japan is a big accomplishment.
"I'm very proud with what everybody is doing in this department despite its handicap so I hope our legislators listen and capacitate us so that we can do more," he added. (PNA)
What Marcos said in his third SONA...
at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Seafarer's Hub in Manila.
POGO ban
Triggering a standing ovation from administration supporters and critics alike, Marcos announced a total ban on all POGOs across the country and ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to wind down their operations by the end of the year.
Marcos also ordered the Department of Labor and Employment to look for new jobs for Filipinos who will be affected by the ban.
In the past months, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Risa Hontiveros have both uncovered a string of POGOrelated crimes in the country that they say can also be traced back to the public officials who benefited from them, such as suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, whose birth certificate and other claims of citizenship have been tagged as inauthentic.
Quality of life
Marcos also hailed the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s success in “breaking the cycle of poverty” in the Philippines with around 420,000 families who have graduated from the program.
The president also seeks to expand the 4Ps program to benefit pregnant women by capitalizing on the rare window for significantly improving children’s development and quality of life — from mother’s pregnancy to age 2.
‘Railway renaissance’
As part of his ambitious Build Better More infrastructure program, Marcos described an ongoing "railway renaissance" in the country of building more
railways to improve public transportation.
He cited as an example the Metro Manila Subway Project, where tunneling works have reached depths equivalent to three to six floors. He also noted that other railway projects, including MRT-7 and the North-South Commuter Railway, are making steady progress.
Space technology
Marcos also praised the achievements of Filipino space scientists and engineers for reaching new heights in the pioneering field. Since the nation’s foray into space technology, the country’s satellites in space have generated more than 51,000 maps, images and space-borne data, the president said.
Marcos noted that 16 Filipino space engineers are currently in the United Kingdom working on the MULA satellite, which, once completed, will be the country’s largest Earth observation satellite to date.
Tech-voc training
Besides listing his usual expectations for the government’s biggest education agency — the Department of Education — Marcos this time expressed hopes for the much smaller Technical Education And Skills Development Authority to step up its programs to produce more employable graduates.
“Statistics do not lie. Eight out of ten graduates of TVET ultimately land decent jobs. So with its high employability rate, TVET will definitely be instrumental in capacitating our people, and in maintaining our employment rate at consistently high levels,” the president said.
University rankings
The number of Philippine
universities that make it to world rankings appears to be a continuing marker of success for the Marcos administration.
Marcos said this year, 87 higher education institutions (HEIs) have now made it into various world university rankings, 51 of which are public universities or colleges.
Vaccination
As part of the administration's recalibrated approach towards prevention, Marcos said that they would prioritize vaccinations.
The government will continue vaccination efforts, especially for infants and children, particularly in Region 6 and BARMM, where less than half have been vaccinated.
Water security
Marcos laid down his strategy for ensuring water security: by completing irrigation dams to supplement other bulk water projects, especially in underserved areas.
Marcos cited the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Iloilo as an example of his water security programs, which is expected to irrigate nearly 32,000 hectares and also help in flood control, electricity generation, and tourism.
The damage wrought by El Niño to farmers has led the government to shell out over P9 billion in crop insurance payments and explore early adoption of modern low-water-use farming technologies, the president added.
X-periental tourism
To boost the Philippines’ tourism standing in the region, Marcos is eyeing to focus on what the country can offer in terms of experiential tourism, which
US bipartisan support...
PAGE 6
American flag unfurled just above and a bright blue sky as a backdrop, has provided the Republicans with a strong narrative, possibly giving them the edge towards victory.
Not surprisingly, there seems to be a deluge of anxiety among the Democrats who are still dealing with the fallout from the first presidential debate. Despite succeeding media appearances, including a press conference by the president, a lot of Americans are beginning to see that the Republicans may have the upper hand. Calls for President Biden to step down from the race are coming from Democratic leaders, which sources say include former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The clamor seems to be intensifying after the shooting in Butler and now, the president has been infected with COVID-19.
seeks to provide travelers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the destination country’s culture and history.
The president’s vision for the tourism industry is in line with the Department of Tourism’s findings last year when its market survey showed that post-pandemic, travelers would rather spend their money on experiences and not on material things.
Youth creativity
Marcos also wants the nation’s youth to not just be literate but also capable of creative and innovative thought.
Ideally, the president said the education system must also “consciously develop them into problem-solvers, and into critical thinkers — hungry for success [and] ready for the future.”
According to the results of a new Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) global test released in June, the Philippines ranks in the bottom four among 64 economies in terms of creative thinking.
‘Zones’
The proposed Maritime Zones Act — a priority measure that a bicameral conference committee has already approved — was spotlighted as one of two pending legislations needed for Filipinos to continue their “intergenerational mandate” of defending the country’s sovereign rights West Philippine Sea.
The measure defines the maritime zones under the country’s jurisdiction to fend off entities that seek to challenge the 2016 ruling, which dismissed China’s claim of historic rights over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea. g
According to the latest poll conducted by CBS News, former President Trump is shown with 52 percent or a five percent national lead against President Biden’s 47 percent. “Trump is up five points nationally now, and three across the key battleground states. To put that national lead in context: it’s been 20 years since a Republican presidential candidate has won the national popular vote, and over 30 years since a Republican won by more than five,” CBS News said.
Many nations across Europe and Asia and, of course, the Philippines, are keenly watching these developments leading up to the U.S. elections on Nov. 5, with many pondering the consequences or impact of a Trump presidency.
Meanwhile in our country, it’s so absurd and preposterous for some people to claim that businessmen are pulling out their money out of fear over the situation with China. On the contrary, more businesses are coming into the Philippines precisely because of the country’s renewed relations with the Western world, including the United States. In New Clark City alone, investment commitments have reached over P143 billion with P15.9 billion already actual investments while P127.3 billion is in the pipeline, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
In fact, we see more and more of our friends in the U.S. Congress and particularly those working in Washington, D.C. expressing their bipartisan support for the Philippines, like the proposed bill by Republican Senator Bill Hagerty and Democratic Senator Tim Kaine that would provide the Philippines $2.5 billion or $500 million every year in Foreign Military Financing from 2025 to 2029 to boost the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the wake of Chinese aggression.
The June 17 incident in Ayungin Shoal has also prompted Republican Senators Roger Wicker and Jim Risch, ranking members of the Senate armed services committee and Senate foreign relations committee, to write to President Joe Biden saying the U.S. must respond “with visible and concrete demonstrations” of support. The senators also asked for a “full list of military, diplomatic and economic options from the Department of Defense and Department of State to deter further Chinese aggression.”
One thing is clear: regardless of who is in the Oval Office, the relationship between the Philippines and the United States will remain strong and stable because of our many shared values and most of all – the deep people-to-people ties that have always been the biggest hallmark of our relationship. (Philstar.com)
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
babeseyeview@gmail.com
8
Senate President pro tempore Loren Legarda, former majority leader Joel Villanueva, former deputy majority leader JV Ejercito, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Nancy Binay or the socalled Solid 6 – would remain
independent and will not join the minority composed of Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros. The seventh member of the Zubiri bloc – Sen. Sonny Angara – has been appointed as secretary of the Department of Education. g
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Nurse balances work and home by petitioning family member as household help, on an encore of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
LANI, a dedicated nurse residing in Houston, found herself juggling multiple responsibilities between work and home. With a husband, a seven-year-old son, and a mother-in-law under her care, Lani’s days off often felt busier than workdays as she managed household chores, childcare, and caregiving duties.
In a stroke of serendipity, while watching TFC, Lani stumbled upon an announcement from leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel that intrigued her. It highlighted the possibility of petitioning family members as household help or caregivers, offering a potentially expedited process compared to traditional family petitions. This gave Lani the idea to bring her brother Marvin and
sister-in-law Genalyn from the Philippines to assist with household responsibilities.
Her brother Marvin and sister-in-law Genalyn seemed like ideal candidates for this opportunity. Aside from alleviating her own workload, Lani recognized the immense opportunity this presented for her nieces, Karen and Kyla, to pursue their education and have a better life in the United States. It is perfectly legal for family to petition other family members for an employment based green card, which is much faster than a regular family petition, and allowed Lani to live an easier life.
For individuals like Lani, this pathway offers a practical solution to balancing work
12
AN EXHAUSTED, EXASPERATED NURSE PETITIONS FAMILY MEMBER AS HOUSEKEEPER, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Lani (top photo, left), a hardworking nurse in Houston, found herself overwhelmed with household duties alongside her demanding job. After seeing an episode of Citizen Pinoy on TFC, Lani consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (top photo, right) about petitioning her brother Marvin (bottom photo, extreme right) and sister-in-law Genalyn (bottom photo, extreme left) from the Philippines to help her around the house. This case shows that families can petition family members for employment-based green cards, if certain qualifications are met. Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, July 28 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.
(Advertising Supplement)
Nurse balances work and home...
and family responsibilities while providing valuable opportunities (green card) for loved ones to thrive in the U.S.
Watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, July 28 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)
Health@Heart Amazing inventions
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
OUR life today is more comfortable, more convenient, more productive, less physical, and we are healthier and happier because of the inventions of brilliant people around the world. All these innovations also empower people and make the world a better and brighter place to live in, where even international communication happens instantaneously and massive information accessible to everyone within split seconds. Here are some of those wonderful, invaluable, and priceless inventions.
Microscope
Dutch spectacle maker Zacharias Janssen, in Middleburg, Holland, during the Dutch Golden Age, has been considered the creator of compound microscope in 1590. The name microscope (to view little things) was coined in 1656. In 1675, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, using a microscope with one lens was the first to observe bacteria.
The first automobile, Motorwagen, was invented by Karl Benz, in 1886 – his vehicle powered by a gas engine, with patent number 37435.
In 1893, Charles Duryea and J. Frank, bicycle mechanics at the time, designed the first successful American gasoline automobile.
Three years later, in 1896, the founder of Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford, “built his first car and took it for a spin on the streets of Detroit.
Airconditioning
Willis H. Carrier, “The Father of Air Conditioning” who was the chief engineer of the Buffalo Forge Company, invented the first electrical air conditioner unit in 1902, but it was not until 1914 before the first residential air conditioning was installed. The unit was 20 feet long and 7 foot high and cost $500,000 in today’s money. The tinier window version was introduced in 1931. Today, only 10 percent of homes in the United States are not airconditioned.
Television
conceived of a mechanized, searchable storage system of books and media in the 1930s and ‘40s, long before the technology to actually build the internet happened. In the late 1960s, the first workable prototype of the internet came, originally funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. The technology grew in the ‘70s after scientists Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf developed the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet protocol (TCP/IP), a communications model that set the standard for how data could be transmitted between multiple networks.
Refrigerator
Electricity
Electricity was not invented. It has been omnipresent in the atmosphere as a set of physical phenomena since the world came to being. Benjamin Franklin has been credited with the discovery of electricity in 1752 through his flying kite that was hit by lightning during a thunderstorm causing jolts of electricity.
Although the discovery of electricity has been attributed to Thomas Edison (1879) following his extensive studies built on research of many brilliant men like Alessandro Volta (1800), no single person could be credited with the discovery. Instead, countless researchers made the contribution that enabled its discovery.
Thales of Melitus (548/545 BC), the first mathematician, is often credited with discovering static electricity in 500 BC by rubbing fur on amber and other substances.
Telephone
Italian innovator Antonio Meucci invented the first basic phone in 1849 and Frenchman Charles Bourseul devised his own phone in 1854. Alexander Graham Bell won the first U.S. patent for his telephone in 1876.
Philo Farnsworth designed the first electronic television that was demonstrated in San Francisco on September 7,1927 after working on it for 7 years. A German patent for color television was recorded in 1904, and Vladimir K. Zworykin, a Russian inventor, patented his version of color TV in 1925. The medium first burst into popularity in the 1940s and 50’s and transformed American life forever. Color TV arrived in the U.S. in the 1960s, followed by cable in the 70s, VCRs in the 80s and high definition in the late 90s.
Among the early inventors of the TV remote control was Serbian American Nikola Tesla, but the first version of wireless TV remote control was invented in 1955 by Eugene Polley, mechanical engineer at Zenith Electronics. Robert Adler, a colleague of Polley, invented the first wireless remote, using ultrasonic sound, called “Space Command” in 1956. The first patent for Smart TV was in 1994 and the flat screen came out in 1997. By 2010, greater improvements were made, ultimately resulting in the first 4K TV in 2012, with super resolution and clarity.
Internet
Nikola Tesla, in the 1900, toyed with the idea of a “world wireless system,” and Paul Otlet and Vannevar Bush
William Cullen, a Scottish physician demonstrated the first artificial refrigeration in 1748 at the University of Glasgow. American Oliver Evans in 1805 designed the first refrigeration machine blueprint. Albert T. Marshall in 1899 secure the first patent for a domestic (large and expensive) refrigerator. In 1913, the first electric refrigerators for homes were invented and produced by Fred W. Wolf of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the unit placed on top of an icebox. It was in 1927 when General Electric invented the first electric refrigerator (the precursor of our units today) for homeowners that cost around $520, about $7,000 today. The introduction of Freon in the 1920’s expanded the popularity of safer refrigerators in the1930. Today, more than 99 percent of American households have at least one refrigerator (34 percent have 2 or more), most built with various bells and whistles, Bluetooth and wireless (internet) enabled.
Mobile phone
Motorola engineer Martin Cooper, who created the first mobile phone was the first person to use one (called RTS, Radio Telephone System) on October 17, 1973. He never imagined his project would become one of the most valuable inventions in history.
Today, mobile phones are pocket-size, ubiquitous, and so versatile, it functions as a phone, a texting and emailing system, browser, calculator, camera, video-cam, clock, calendar, flashlight, magnifier, reminder, taperecorder, radio, television, GPS, a virtual credit card/ digital wallet, a powerful minicomputer, etc., all-in-one, in the palm of almost every
From left: Lani’s brother Marvin, nieces Karen and Kyla, and sister-in-law Genalyn.
Lani (left) with Atty. Michael Gurfinkel
Filipino American hopeful: Miss New York Marizza Delgado eyes the Miss USA title BREAKING BARRIERS
by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress
MARIZZA Delgado, a 25-year-old Filipino American, made history by becoming the first Filipino American to be crowned Miss New York USA 2024 a few weeks ago. This achievement marks a significant milestone not only in her personal journey but also in the representation of the Filipino American community in the pageant world.
"I am the first Filipino American Miss New York USA, and representation means everything to me," Delgado told the Asian Journal, reflecting on the importance of her win. "Iyak na iyak ako, I was crying so much in my crowning. I was just so shocked; I am just so grateful for this journey."
Delgado's path to the crown was anything but easy. She placed as 3rd Runner Up in both 2022 and 2023, making her triumphant return this year even more meaningful. "Coming back every year is always very difficult, but I always remind myself of my north star, being the first Filipino American and a woman in STEM to be on the Miss USA stage," she said.
Crowned just two weeks ago, Delgado is now preparing to represent New York at the Miss USA 2024 pageant in Los Angeles on August 4. Her preparations include reaching out to Filipino designers to work on her gown and interview, as well as intensive interview preparation. Delgado says she draws inspiration from Pia Wurtzbach, a former Miss Universe from the Philippines. Over the weekend, she wore a modern Filipiniana from Mestizo LA at the Philippines Fest second anniversary event in Times Square, where she expressed her excitement about her new
role.
"I am so excited to be here today, it feels so surreal to be here as Miss New York,” she said. “It’s like Little Manila here today. Filipinos are making their mark."
Delgado, who was born in San Jose, California, to immigrant parents from Pampanga and Cavite, moved to New York City to pursue a career in modeling and data science. She currently works as a fashion model, engineer, and advocate for women in STEM. Her pageant experience is extensive, including titles such as Miss Pacific Teen USA, Miss Earth New York, and a Top 20 placement at Miss Earth 2021.
In addition to her professional achievements, Delgado is actively involved in initiatives like @ GirlsWhoCode, aiming to make a positive impact in her community and the tech industry.
Reflecting on the potential impact of winning the Miss USA crown, Delgado said, "It would mean the world to me if I win Miss USA, and if that happens, I’d be the fourth Miss New York to win the title. It would be such an honor. I’m ready for the crown."
As Marizza Delgado prepares to compete for the Miss USA crown, her story continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of underrepresented voices in the pageant world and beyond.
The Miss USA 2024 pageant will take place on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with the winner going on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico. The event will be broadcast live on The CW network.
Delgado's journey shows how hard work, being yourself, and chasing your dreams can lead to success. Her message to young Filipinas resonates with encouragement and empowerment: "Kaya mo ‘to. (You can do it!) You are capable to do it."
Delgado beat 170 other candidates to wear the Miss New York USA crown Photos courtesy of Miss New York USA
Delgado’s official Miss USA portrait taken by noted fashion photographer Fadil Berisha
Marizza Delgado joined the celebration of the second anniversary of Philippines Fest in Times Square. Photo shows Delgado with Philippines Fest co-founder Augee Francisco and her Kaiser staff. AJPress photos from Momar G. Visaya
GIGIL bags Silver Cannes Lion, delivering Grab
its first win in the world’s top advertising honor
Philippine agency’s win showcases creative excellence with business impact
PHILIPPINE creative
powerhouse GIGIL clinched its third Cannes Lion in four years, winning its first Silver in Film at the 2024 Festival of Creativity, home of the world’s most prestigious advertising awards. The award reaffirms the agency’s position as a leading independent agency and marks a milestone for Grab, which has earned its first ever Cannes Lion.
GIGIL’s campaign for Grab, “Summer” was also the only finalist from the Philippines in the said category. The agency previously won a Bronze Film Lion for RC Cola and Cheers in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
“This milestone pushes us to scale greater heights in the creative industry as we embark on a transformation. Our present and future clients, especially as we expand our reach globally via our New York and Toronto offices, can expect nothing less than a hundred percent from us,” Jake Yrastorza, GIGIL managing partner, said.
Creativity that delivers business results
Grab “Summer” helped the superapp achieve record-breaking transactions for both its mobility and on-demand delivery services after the campaign launch.
“More importantly, this is further proof that GIGIL’s good ideas deliver good business results,” Yrastorza said.
GIGIL’s work is marked by a history of delivering business results. From 2020 to 2023, it won in the APAC Effies, the known arbiter
of marketing effectiveness of advertising ideas.
“Summer” has been viewed over 45 million times and generated over 2.6 million engagements on various social media platforms.
Set in the Philippine summer season, which has brought unprecedented heat levels to the tropical country, the film features a Filipino everyman character who
goes about his day – from his commute, office work, to cooking a home meal – while literally sweating buckets in the middle of summer. The creative team uses this exaggerated depiction of the daily grind to highlight Grab’s services that Filipinos can avail during summer like the air-conditioned GrabCar and the delivery of cold drinks through GrabFood.
Carla Abellana says her heart now happy
KAPUSO actress Carla Abellana revealed that her heart is now happy.
In a report by GMA News, Carla said that she’s in a happy stage right now.
“Thankfully, it’s still alive and beating. But yes, masaya siya,” she said in an interview at the recent GMA Gala 2024.
“Naalagaan na nang mabuti and napaka-valuable and precious,” she added.
Last month, Carla said a Philippine court has recognized her divorce from
ex-husband Tom Rodriguez. The actress confirmed the news during her guesting on “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda.”
“We are divorced. Recognized na po ‘yan ng korte, ng local court natin dito,” she said.
Carla and Tom married in October 2021. In less than a year after their marriage, the two separated.
Tom, who is an American citizen, said in June 2022 that their divorce has been finalized. g
GIGIL first partnered with Grab in 2022, and has delivered some of the most engaging creative work for the brand in recent years. The film is GIGIL’s first collaboration with awardwinning Thai production house Factory01 Bangkok. For more information on GIGIL’s work visit www.gigil. com.ph.
Founded in 2017, GIGIL has become the Philippines’ premier independent creative agency, with offices in New York and Toronto. Known for its boundarypushing campaigns, GIGIL consistently produces content that captures the attention of viewers, generating unprecedented attention and conversations. It has garnered international acclaim, among which are the prestigious APAC Effies for four consecutive years (2020-2023), underscoring the agency’s capability to craft campaigns that not only captivate, but also deliver measurable business results. It has also won the world’s most respected advertising awards, the Cannes Lions, in 2021, 2022, and 2024. GIGIL has also been ranked Number 1 among Network and Independent Agencies in the Philippines by Campaign Brief Asia. This set of recognition cements its dominant market position and provides a testament to its ability to stand among the best networks of agencies in the world. For more information on GIGIL and its body of work, visit www.gigil.com.ph or contact Duke de Ramos via duke.deramos@gigil. com.ph or+639272287446 to discover possibilities for your business.
(GIGIL Release) g
Martha Atienza: 'Our Island' lights up Times Square's Midnight
Moment
MULTIDISCIPLINARY visual artist Martha Atienza's “Our Islands 11°16’58.4"N 123°45’07.0"E” (2017) is the featured work for Times Square Arts' renowned Midnight Moment this July, the world's largest and longest-running digital public art program. This highly anticipated digital art showcase captivates millions of viewers each night, transforming one of the world's most iconic locations into a canvas for contemporary art.
Presented nightly to millions of viewers each year, Midnight Moment showcases the work of contemporary artists on the electronic billboards of Times Square. Synchronized nightly from 11:57 PM to 12 AM on over 92 digital displays spanning 41st to 48th Streets, this program brings public art on a monumental scale to New Yorkers and visitors from all across the globe, 364 nights a year.
As the world’s largest and longest-running digital art exhibition, the Midnight Moment is a staple of New York’s global cultural landscape, displaying innovative artworks across over 95 electronic billboards throughout Times Square nightly from 11:57 PM to midnight. This summer season showcases the height of contemporary video art with digital visions of an underwater parade with divers trudging along the Visayan seafloor.
This mesmerizing piece reimagines a yearly local parade from Atienza’s native Philippines, staging it on the floor of the Visayan Sea. The film’s performers are underwater compressor divers from Bantayan Island, who specialize in a dangerous form of fishing necessitated by the devastating impact of illegal and commercial fishing, industrialization, and climate change in the archipelago.
The exact coordinates for the dreamlike underwater procession were chosen by the divers themselves according to the tide, current, and time of day. As they trudge across the seabed, Atienza’s cast of characters and choice of setting presents a critical and humorous take not only on society and culture in the Philippines, but also alludes to the threat of climate collapse to which Southeast Asia is increasingly exposed. Part of her continuing series to establish art as an open source for ideas, Atienza’s moving diorama under the sea is a collaboration with the local community, with whom she creates work to empower and amplify seldom-heard voices.
The original version of “Our Islands 11°16’58.4”N 123°45’07.0”E” was awarded the Baloise Art Prize in 2017 and acquired by the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2021, with previous screenings across Asia, Australia, and Europe.
Atienza is a Philippines-based artist whose video work documents issues of the environment, community, and development within her island home. Her observational lens takes on both ecological and sociological concerns as she studies the intricate interplay between local traditions, human subjectivity, and the natural world. By deeply examining the patterns within her immediate surroundings, Atienza explores the potential that the video medium holds as a catalyst for
Receiving GIGIL’s Silver Cannes Lions Award are (from left:) Bev Lubid, group account director; Dana De Leon; associate creative director; and Nanais Hernandez, senior strategic planner. Photos courtesy of GIGIL
GIGIL’s campaign for Grab, “Summer,” won a Silver in Film at the 2024 Festival of Creativity in Cannes.
Carla Abella
Photo from Instagram/@carlaangeline
On changes to Medicare Part D via
the Inflation Reduction Act
CONGRESS recently made some big changes to Medicare’s Part D benefit through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families, selected some questions about these big changes and would like to share the information.
<Q1> What are the changes to Medicare Part D?
The new rules are designed to make it easier for seniors to afford their prescription drugs. For the first time, the federal government negotiates prices on certain drugs covered through Medicare. The law establishes annual limits on your out-of-pocket spending for all drugs, with a special cap for insulin. Beneficiaries are also able to spread out their cost sharing throughout the plan year, and you no longer have to pay out of pocket for adult vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
<Q2> How will my drug costs be affected?
First, if you use insulin, your spending is now capped at $35 per month. This is great news for many seniors with diabetes, especially those in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, who are more likely to have diabetes.
Second, starting 2025, there will be a $2,000 annual limit on how much you pay for all prescription drugs covered through Medicare. This means that no matter how many medications you need, your total yearly cost won't go over $2,000. Note that the annual limit is $8,000 in 2024.
Third, starting next year, you can choose to spread your drug costs evenly over the year instead of paying large amounts all at once. This option could make it easier to manage your budget if you're on a fixed income. But remember, you need to opt-in for this option – it won't happen automatically. If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out directly to your Medicare drug plan insurer.
<Q3> Can I receive more assistance with my Medicare prescription drug costs?
Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for even more savings through the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also called Extra Help program. In 2024, Extra Help is expanded so that beneficiaries who earn between 135% and 150% of the federal poverty level and meet the resource limit requirements can receive full Extra Help benefits. In other words, if your monthly income is up to $1,903 (or up to $2,575 for a couple), you will pay $0 for your Medicare drug plan premium and plan deductible, and a reduced amount for both generic and brand-name drugs. These limits are updated annually.
<Q4> I have heard that the new legislation may impact some of the medications I take – is that true?
Some experts are worried that the price-setting rules of the IRA could have unintended consequences – like slowing down the development of new drugs, especially pills that are easy to take at home, and making it harder for seniors to access medicines they currently take.
A balanced approach to implementing the law could help mitigate these access and affordability challenges. For instance, Medicare officials could monitor insurers to make sure they don't put certain brand name drugs into higher cost categories – which forces seniors to pay more out-ofpocket.
Giving the same level of protection to pills that injectable drugs receive would encourage drug companies to keep developing both types of medicines. This will help ensure seniors can access the best treatments for their personal health needs.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare Savings program, food/home energy assistance, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging today: Call the Senior Assistance Center at – (English) 1-800-3362722, (Chinese Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218, (Chinese Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427, (Korean) 1-800-582-4259, (Vietnamese) 1-800-582-4336; send email to askNAPCA@ napca.org; or send mail to NAPCA, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101.
FICA hosts turnover ceremony, induction of officers
THE Filipino Intercultural and Community Affairs (FICA) organization held its Turnover Ceremony and Induction of Officers on June 22, 2024 at the Peterstown Community Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The event was a blend of simplicity and elegance, reflecting the organization's commitment to fostering community spirit and leadership.
The ceremony, which occurs every two years to mark the transition of officers, started with the singing of the national anthems of both the United States and the Philippines. This was followed by an invocation led by Bishop Dr. Liz Alston, whose inspiring prayer emphasized unity and commitment to the spirit of family under God.
Dr. Greg Agulan delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of the Bayanihan spirit. He encouraged FICA members to continue serving the community, promoting national unity, and striving for a peaceful world. His message resonated with the attendees, reinforcing the values of camaraderie and brotherhood.
Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage sent a congratulatory video message to the new FICA officers for the 2024-26 term and welcomed Consul
General Senen T. Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate, represented by Vice Consul Atty. Paolo Marco R. Mapula. The turnover ceremony was conducted by former President Rev. Edward Busque and other previous executive members, including Vice President for Internal Affairs Bishop Merlyn Velasco
Loja, Vice President for External Affairs Rev. Crispin Lumbay, Treasurer Dr. Cirilo C. Jagopaas, and Secretary Mrs. Christine Rapada. The newly elected officers for the 2024-26 term were introduced, led by President Athanasius Francis Catalan, Vice President for Internal Affairs Dr. Cirilo Jagopaas, Vice President for External
Affairs Mrs. Cathy Tripathee, Treasurer Mrs. Jocelyn Virtudazo, and Secretary Mr. Marlon Magsico. Vice Consul Paolo Marco R. Mapula delivered an inspirational message, emphasizing his sense of belonging to the FICA community.
The ceremony was a testament to the enduring spirit of FICA and its dedication to fostering leadership and unity within the Filipino American community. Dr. Greg Agulan presented Vice Consul Mapula with a copy of his book, “Bayanihan,” as a token of appreciation for his dedicated service.
The event concluded on a high note, with attendees feeling inspired and united, ready to continue the work of FICA in serving and uplifting the community. –With reports from Dr. Cirilo C. Jagopaas and Mr. Marlon Magsico g
Martha Atienza: 'Our Island' lights up Times Square's...
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societal transformation. She was twice awarded the Ateneo Art Awards in Manila (2012/2016) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Thirteen Artists Award (2015). Recent biennials and triennials include the 2nd Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, Riyadh (2024);
17th Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul (2022); Bangkok Art Biennale, Bangkok (2020); Honolulu Biennial, Oahu, Hawaii (2019); and the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane (2018).
In addition to her art practice, Martha Atienza is the president and co-
founder of GOODLand, a platform under her Art Lab that develops and applies a creative and collaborative methodology utilized to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues on Bantayan Island in the Visayas, Philippines. Its mission is to facilitate the realization of an empowered,
Amazing inventions...
self-sufficient, and resilient community.
For those who find themselves in Times Square this July, Atienza's work promises to be a profound and captivating experience, reflecting both the beauty and the critical environmental issues facing her homeland. g
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person around the world, anywhere they may be, at least 12/7 round the year. People leave home and travel perhaps without their spouse, shirt or shoes, but never without their cellphone. Next week’s column will feature more historical inventions.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are
general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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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.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author,
Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, renowned educators, scientists, and political and business leaders (Wikipedia). Websites: www.FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Vice Consul Paolo Marco R. Mapula officiates the Oath-Taking Ceremony of the new officers of FICA Photos by Ian Puracan
The outgoing and incoming FICA officers posed for a group photo with Vice Consul Paolo Marco R. Mapula
