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 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
California forges ahead with social media rules despite legal barriers
CALIFORNIA lawmakers are pursuing legislation aimed at protecting children from the dangers of social media, one of many efforts around the country to confront what U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and other public health experts say is a mental health emergency among young people. But California’s efforts, like those in other states, will likely face the same legal challenges that have thwarted previous legislative attempts to regulate social media. The tech industry has argued successfully that imposing rules regulating how social media operate and how people can use the online services violates the free speech rights of the companies and their customers. A previous effort at confronting the issue, the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act in 2022, now rests with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. A tech trade association sued to block the law and won an injunction from a lower court, largely on First Amendment grounds. The appeals court heard oral arguments in the case on July 17. “At the end of the day, unconstitutional law protects zero children,” said Carl Szabo,
Filipino American leaders endorse VP Harris for president
KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress
Marcos bans Pogo, cites ‘disorder’ it caused PH
by JULIE M. AURELIO Philstar.com
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, [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
West Philippine Sea: PH, China reach understanding on Ayungin missions – DFA
by FAITH ARGOSINO Inquirer.net
What Marcos said in his third SONA, from A-Z
by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com
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 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
Marcos thanks Biden for supporting PH after withdrawal from US polls
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. thanked United States President Joe Biden on Monday, July 22 for his support to the Philippines in “a delicate and difficult time” after the American leader withdrew from the race for the U.S. presidency.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Marcos hailed Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid, calling it a “demonstration of genuine statesmanship.”
“We thank him for his constant and unwavering support for the Philippines in a delicate and difficult time. We wish him well for the rest of his presidency and for all his future endeavors,” the president said. Biden withdrew from the U.S. presidential race and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as the nominee of the Democratic Party.
The DFA did not provide details but said the understanding was reached after consultations between the two countries during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in Manila last July 2. “Both sides continue to
MANILA — The Philippines and China have reached “an understanding” on provisional arrangement for the rotation and resupply missions (RoRe) to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Sunday afternoon, July 21.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in a statement posted on X. Biden offered his “full support and endorsement” for Harris to replace him as presidential candidate in the November 5 elections.
“Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat [Donald] Trump. Let’s do this,” he added. (Inquirer.net)
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and U.S. President Joe Biden Malcañang file photo
Filipino American leaders endorse...
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 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
for president at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. g
West Philippine Sea: PH, China reach...
recognize the need to deescalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea,” the DFA said in a statement.
Earlier, the DFA said the Philippines and China resolved to de-escalate tensions in the region “without prejudice to their respective positions” during the BCM. It added that Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary
Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong had “frank and constructive discussions” during the meeting.
“Noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the DFA said on July 2.
“The two sides discussed their respective positions on Ayungin Shoal and affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions without prejudice to their respective positions,” it added. The WPS is a portion of the South China Sea that falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. However, China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia. The BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to assert the Philippines’ claims to the area. In 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and said China’s claims have no legal basis. g
What Marcos said in his third SONA...
PAGE 1
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 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 MindanaoVisayas 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 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.
Why millions are trying FDA-authorized alternatives to big pharma’s weight loss drugs
by Arthur Allen KFF Health News
PHARMACIST Mark Mikhael
has lost 50 pounds over the past 12 months. He no longer has diabetes and finds himself “at my ideal body weight,” with his cholesterol below 200 for the first time in 20 years. “I feel fantastic,” he said.
Like millions of others, Mikhael credits the new class of weight loss drugs. But he isn’t using brand-name Wegovy or Zepbound. Mikhael, CEO of Orlando, Florida-based Olympia Pharmaceuticals, has been getting by with his own supply: injecting himself with copies of the drugs formulated by his company.
He’s far from alone. Mikhael and other industry officials estimate that several large compounding pharmacies like his are provisioning up to 2 million American patients with regular doses of semaglutide, the scientific name for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus formulations, or tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro.
The drug-making behemoths fiercely oppose that compounding business.
Novo Nordisk and Lilly lump the compounders together with internet cowboys and unregulated medical spas peddling bogus semaglutide, and have high-powered legal teams trying to stop them.
Novo Nordisk has filed at least 21 lawsuits nationwide against companies making purported copies of its drugs, said Brianna Kelley, a spokesperson for the company, and urges doctors to avoid them. The FDA, too, has cautioned about the potential danger of the compounds, and leading obesity medicine groups starkly warn patients against their use.
But this isn’t an illegal black market, though it has shades of gray. The FDA allows and even encourages compounding pharmacies to produce and sell copycats when a drug is in short supply, and the wildly
popular GLP-1 drugs have enduring shortages — first reported in March 2022 for semaglutide and in December 2022 for tirzepatide. The drugs have registered unprecedented success in weight loss. They are also showing promise against heart, kidney, and liver diseases and are being tested against conditions as diverse as Alzheimer’s disease and drug addiction.
In recent years, the U.S. health care system has come to depend on compounding pharmacies, many of which are run as nonprofits, to plug supply holes of crucial drugs like cancer medicines cisplatin, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil.
Most compounded drugs are old, cheap generics. Semaglutide and tirzepatide, on the other hand, are under patent and earn Novo Nordisk and Lilly billions of dollars a year. Sales of the diabetes and weight loss drugs this year made Novo Nordisk Europe’s most valuable company and Lilly the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company.
While the companies can’t keep up with demand, they heatedly dispute the right of compounders to make and sell copies. Lilly spokesperson Kristiane Silva Bello said her company was “deeply concerned” about “serious health risks” from compounded drugs that “should not be on the market.”
Yet marketed they are.
Even Hims & Hers Health — the telemedicine prescriber that got its start with erectile dysfunction drugs — is now peddling compounded semaglutide. It ran ads for the drugs during NBA playoff games. (According to a Hunterbrook Media report, Hims & Hers’ semaglutide supplier has faced legal scrutiny.)
The compounded forms are significantly cheaper than the branded drugs. Patients pay about $100 to $450 a month, compared with list prices of roughly $1,000 to $1,400 for Lilly and Novo Nordisk
products.
Five compounders and distributors interviewed for this article said they conduct due diligence on every lot of semaglutide or tirzepatide they buy or produce, upholding standards of purity, sterility, and consistency similar to those practiced in the commercial drug industry. Compounders operate under strict federal and state standards, they noted.
However, the raw materials used in the compounded forms may differ from those produced for Novo Nordisk and Lilly, said GLP-1 coinventor Jens Juul Holst, of the University of Copenhagen, adding that care must be taken in drug production lest it cause potentially harmful immune reactions.
To date, according to FDA spokespeople, reports of side effects from taking compounded versions haven’t raised major alarms. But everyone with knowledge of the industry, including the compounders themselves, worry that a single batch of a poorly made drug could kill or maim people and destroy confidence in their business.
“I liken the compounding industry to the airline industry,” Mikhael said. “When you have an airline crash, it hurts everybody.”
Warnings from the past
The industry endured just such a catastrophe in 2012, when the New England Compounding Center released a contaminated injectable steroid that killed at least 64 people and harmed hundreds more.
In response, Congress and the FDA had strengthened oversight. Mikhael’s company is an outsourcing facility, or 503B compounding pharmacy — so-named for a section of the 2013 law that set new requirements for drug compounders. The companies are licensed to make slightly different versions of FDAapproved drugs in response to shortages or a patient’s special needs.
u PAGE 4
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 optin 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 pricesetting 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-of-pocket. 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
BACK TO SCHOOL. New Education Sonny Angara (center) joins his first “Brigada Eskwela” activity at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on Saturday, July 20, flanked by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Acting Chair Don Artes (left) and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. The nationwide initiative, translated as School Brigade, engages all education stakeholders, including parents and students, and volunteers to contribute time, efforts and resources to ensure that public schools are all set for the academic year that opens July 29. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
What Marcos said in his third SONA...
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 NorthSouth 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-wateruse 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 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
Marcos bans Pogo, cites ‘disorder’...
PAGE 1
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 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 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
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo
POST-SONA DISCUSSION. Cabinet secretaries share their insights on the 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the post-SONA discussions on food security and economic development at the Hilton Manila Hotel in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 23. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. (6th from left) said he has allocated a P350 million budget for the procurement of vaccines to check the spread of African swine fever.
PNA photo by Ben Briones
FTC scores win in suit targeting fraud...
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 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 upfront 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)
California forges ahead with social media rules...
PAGE 1
vice president and general counsel for NetChoice, which argued for the tech giants before the federal appellate court.
Like the design code act, the two proposals now working their way through the California Legislature would reshape the way social media users under 18 interact with the services.
The first bill, by state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), prohibits sending push notifications to children at night and during school hours. Skinner’s measure also requires parental permission before platforms can send social media offerings via algorithms, which are designed to offer feeds that children didn’t ask for but might keep them looking at their phones longer, rather than the traditional chronological feeds of those they follow on the app.
The second measure, by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), would amend California’s privacy laws to prohibit businesses from collecting, using, selling, or sharing data on minors without their informed consent — or, for those under 13, without their parents’ approval.
Both bills have bipartisan support and are backed by state Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“We need to act now to protect our children,” Bonta said earlier this year, by “strengthening data privacy protections for minors and safeguarding youth against social media addiction.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has been vocal about youth and social media, too, and recently called for a statewide ban on cellphones in schools. His positions on the two social media proposals are not yet known. “But I think the governor, like most every other Californian, is concerned about the harms of social media on kids,” Skinner said.
California’s efforts are especially significant because its influence as the most populous state often results in its setting standards that are then adopted by other states. Also, some of the big tech companies that would be most affected by the laws, including Meta, Apple, Snap, and Alphabet, the parent company of Google, are headquartered in the state.
“Parents are demanding this.
That’s why you see Democrats and Republicans working together,” said Wicks, who with a Republican colleague co-authored the design code act that is tied up in litigation.
“Regulation is coming, and we won’t stop until we can keep our kids safe online.”
The fate of the design code act stands as a cautionary tale. Passed without a dissenting vote, the law would set strict limits on data collection from minors and order privacy settings for children to default to their highest levels.
NetChoice, which immediately sued to block the law, has prevailed in similar cases in Ohio, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
It is challenging legislation in Utah that was rewritten after NetChoice sued over the original version. And NetChoice’s lawyers
argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that efforts in Texas and Florida to regulate social media content were unconstitutional. Those cases were remanded to lower courts for further review.
Though the particulars differ in each state, the bottom line is the same: Each of the laws has been stifled by an injunction, and none has taken effect.
“When you look at these sweeping laws like the California laws, they’re ambitious and I applaud them,” said Nancy Costello, a clinical law professor at Michigan State University and the director of the school’s First Amendment Clinic. “But the bigger and broader the law is, the greater chance that there will be a First Amendment violation found by the courts.”
The harmful effects of social media on children are well established. An advisory from Surgeon General Murthy last year warned of a “profound risk of harm” to young people, noting that a study of adolescents from ages 12 to 15 found that those who spent more than three hours a day on social media were at twice the risk of depression and anxiety as nonusers. A Gallup survey in 2023 found that U.S. teenagers spent nearly five hours a day on social media. In June, Murthy called for warnings on social media platforms like those on tobacco products. Later that month came Newsom’s call to severely restrict the use of smartphones during the school day in California. Legislation to codify Newsom’s proposal is working its way through the state Assembly.
Federal legislation has been slow to materialize. A bipartisan bill to limit algorithm-derived feeds and keep children under 13 off social media was introduced in May, but Congress has done little to meaningfully rein in tech platforms — despite Meta’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, apologizing in a U.S. Senate hearing for “the types of things that your families have had to suffer” because of social media harms.
It remains unclear what kinds of regulation the courts will permit. NetChoice has argued that many proposed social media regulations amount to the government dictating how privately owned firms set their editorial rules, in violation of the First Amendment. The industry also leans on Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields tech companies from liability for harmful content produced by a third party.
“We’re hoping lawmakers will realize that as much as you may want to, you can’t end-around the Constitution,” said Szabo, the NetChoice attorney. “The government is not a substitute for parents.”
Skinner tried and failed last year to pass legislation holding tech companies accountable for targeting children with harmful content. This year’s measure, which was overwhelmingly passed by the California Senate and is pending in the state Assembly, would bar tech companies from sending social media notifications to children
Why millions are trying FDA-authorized...
The law created two classes of compounding pharmacies: The FDA regulates the larger 503B compounders with standards like commercial drug companies, while 503A pharmacies make smaller lots of drugs and are largely overseen by state boards of pharmacy.
The 503A facilities also are producing compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide for hundreds of thousands of patients. Like the 503Bs, these operations take the active ingredient, produced as a powder in FDA-registered factories, mostly in China, then reconstitute it with sterile water and an antimicrobial in small glass vials.
Together, the compounding pharmacies may account for up to 30% of the semaglutide sold in the U.S., Mikhael said, although he cautions that is a “wild ballpark figure” since no one, including the FDA, is tracking sales in the industry.
The compounders say the companies should increase production if they’re worried about competition. Like the dozens of other drugs they produce for hospitals and medical practices, the compounders say, the two diet drugs are essential products.
“If you don’t want a 503B facility to make a copy, it’s pretty simple: Don’t go short,” said Lee Rosebush, chair of a trade association for 503B pharmacies. “FDA created this system because these are necessary drugs.”
distribute semaglutide. At least half the companies have entered the market in the past 12 months, driving the raw material’s price down by 35%, according to Scott Welch, who runs a 503A pharmacy in Arlington, Virginia.
Compounders can buy powdered semaglutide from some U.S. distributors for less than $4,000 a gram, said Matthew Johnson, president and CEO of distributor Pharma Source Direct. That comes out to as little as $10 per weekly 2.5-microgram dose – not including overhead and other costs.
While Ozempic or Wegovy patients use a Novo Nordisk device to inject the drug, patients using compounded products draw them from a vial with a small needle, like the device diabetics use for insulin.
Some medical practices provide the compounded drug to patients as part of a weight loss package, with markups.
Last July, Tabitha Ries, a single mother of six who works as a home health care aide in Garfield, Washington, found an online clinic that charged her $1,000 for three months of semaglutide along with counseling. She has lost 35 pounds.
She gets the drug from Mindful Weight Loss, a mostly telehealth-based operation led by physician Vivek Gupta of Manhattan Beach, California.
Compounding semaglutide is a helpful sideline for pharmacists like him, Welch said, especially given the pinch on drug sale revenue that has led many independents to close in recent years. He figures he earns 95% of his revenue from compounding drugs, rather than traditional prescriptions. It’s important to distinguish compounded semaglutide from unregulated powders sold as “generic Ozempic” and the like, which may be contaminated or counterfeit, said FDA spokesperson Amanda Hils. But since compounded forms of the drug are not FDAapproved, those who make, prescribe, or use them also should have “an increased level of responsibility or awareness,” she said. Corporate battles
between midnight and 6 a.m. every day, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on school days. The bill also calls for platforms to require minors to obtain parental consent to use their core offerings, and would limit their use to an hour to 90 minutes a day by default.
“If the private sector is not willing to modify their product in a way that makes it safe for Californians, then we have to require them to,” Skinner said, adding that parts of her proposal are standard practice in the European Union.
“Social media has already accommodated users in many parts of the world, but not the U.S.,” she said. “They can do it. They’ve chosen not to.”
Wicks, meanwhile, said she considers her data bill to be about consumer protection, not speech. The proposal would close a loophole in the California Electronic Communications Privacy Act to prevent social media platforms from collecting and sharing information on anyone under 18 unless they opt in. The Assembly approved Wicks’ measure without dissent, sending it to the state Senate for consideration.
Costello suggested that focusing the proposals more narrowly might give them a better chance of surviving court challenges. She is part of an effort coordinated by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health to write model legislation that would require third-party assessments of the risks posed by the algorithms used by social media apps.
“It means that we’re not restricting content, we’re measuring harms,” Costello said. Once the harms are documented, the results would be publicly available and could lead state attorneys general to take legal action. Government agencies adopted a similar approach against tobacco companies in the 1990s, suing for deceptive advertising or business practices.
Szabo said NetChoice has worked with states to enact what he called “constitutional and commonsense laws,” citing measures in Virginia and Florida that would mandate digital education in school. “There is a role for government,” Szabo said. (The Florida measure failed.)
But with little momentum on actual regulation at the national level, state legislators continue to try to fill the vacuum. New York recently passed legislation similar to Skinner’s, which the state senator said was an encouraging sign. Will NetChoice race for an injunction in New York? “We are having lots of conversations about it,” Szabo said. (Mark Kreidler/California Healthline)
This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Novo Nordisk hasn’t specified why it can’t keep up with demand, but the bottleneck apparently lies in the company’s inability to fill and sterilize enough of its special drug auto-injectors, said Evan Seigerman, a managing director at BMO Capital Markets.
The company announced June 24 that it was investing $4.1 billion in new production lines at its Clayton, North Carolina, site. The FDA last year issued a warning over procedural violations at the site and separate cautions at an Indiana facility that Novo Nordisk took over recently.
Compounding for dummies
At least 28 companies mostly in China, are registered with the FDA to produce or
Gupta said he’s prescribed the weight loss drugs to 1,500 patients, with about 60% using compounded versions from a 503A pharmacy.
He hasn’t seen any essential difference in patients using the branded and compounded forms, although “some people say the compounding is a little less effective,” Gupta said.
There’s some risk in using the non-FDA-approved product, he acknowledged, and he requires patients to sign an informed consent waiver.
“Nothing in life is without risk, but I would also argue that the status quo is not safe for people who need the medicine and can’t get it,” he said.
“They’re constantly triggered by all this food that’s causing their weight to go up and their sugar to go high, increasing their insulin resistance and affecting their limbs and eyes.”
Novo Nordisk and Lilly, in lawsuits each company has filed against competitors, say their own testing has found bacteria and other impurities in products made by compounding pharmacies. The companies also report patent infringement, but compounders, pointing to the FDA loophole for drugs in shortage, appear to have defeated that argument for now. When the FDA removes the drugs from the shortage list, 503B compounders must immediately stop selling them. Smaller compounders may be able to produce their products for a reduced number of patients, said Scott Brunner, CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, which represents 503A compounders. The evaporation of the compounded drug supply could come as a shock to patients.
“I dread it,” said David Wertheimer, an internist in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, who prescribes compounded semaglutide to some patients.
“People are not going to be able to plunk down a grand every month. A lot of people will go off the drug, and that’s a shame.”
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
OPINION FEATURES
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.
Editorial
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 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
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. 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
THERE are historical moments that enable leaders, should they choose correctly, to rise from mere politician to statesmen. Joe Biden found himself in such a moment. And he chose correctly. Since that disastrous, lowenergy performance in a debate with his rival, pressure has been building up from within the Democratic Party for Biden to give up his quest for a second term. The race was basically deadlocked. But the Democrats were in danger of losing down the ballot and yielding control of both houses of Congress. Biden is well loved. His term as president is probably one of the most productive presidencies in U.S. history. He faces a rival who would very likely stand American democracy on its head.
But Joe Biden is 81 and it shows at every public appearance. His every word is belabored and he mixes up names. He has served his country for over five decades and has much to show for it. But he has set himself up for an inglorious end if he persisted in his quest for a second term.
The only real issue against Joe Biden is his age. The presidency
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 galunggong and salt.
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. (Philstar.com)
US bipartisan support for the Philippines
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 Indo-Pacific 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 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
Momentous
is probably the most strenuous of jobs. The nation will suffer if its leader is less than fit. Biden romped to his party’s nomination primarily by the force of the equity of incumbency. In American political history, incumbent presidents get nominated to seek a second term almost as a matter of course. This happens, as in the case of Jimmy Carter, even when the incumbent has become unpopular.
The only exception in recent history was when Lyndon Johnson decided not to seek a second term because of the unpopularity of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war. Instead of seeking another term, he committed to use his remaining months in office to work a way out of the war. He failed. His party’s candidate lost to Richard Nixon who, in turn, brought on one of the darkest chapters in American politics.
This year, American voters are disillusioned principally by the toll on their purchasing power brought on by inflation. The bout with inflation was due to the many disruptions caused by the pandemic. The Biden administration managed to rein in the inflation rate and raised employment. But Biden was still held responsible for the erosion in purchasing power.
There was, from the very start of this electoral cycle,
very little public enthusiasm for Biden’s candidacy. The opinion polls show a very close race – notwithstanding that the incumbent was running against a morally bankrupt rabble-rouser who is now a convicted felon.
Early on, Biden might have considered not seeking a second term. He did not have the energy to inspire the Democratic base and independent voters. He was running mainly on the proposition that Donald Trump was an existential threat to America.
Trump at 78 has always been morally decrepit. Lately, however, he has been exhibiting more signs of cognitive decline. He is not much younger than Biden. He simply has a louder voice unrestrained by facts. At any moment, in the remaining months of this tiring campaign, that cognitive impairment is going to be more obvious.
It was not easy for Biden to withdraw from this race. But each day it became clearer he was running on political vanity alone, thereby imperiling not only his party but also his country.
A few days ago, Biden was infected by COVID. The enforced isolation must have provided a good opportunity to reflect on the fate of his country and on his own mortality. By Sunday, July 21, he was ready to announce his fateful decision.
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.
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
Biden tells us his withdrawal was in the best interest of the country. No one will quarrel with that.
He called on unity to beat back the existential threat posed by Trump and endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential nomination. It is too early yet to be assured the Democratic Party could avoid ghastly factional infighting to determine its nominee. There is not much time left in the campaign period.
It is also too early to say how Harris will fare against Trump. For sure, she is Trump’s antithesis: a woman of color, a former prosecutor who went after sexual offenders and certainly a powerful voice for the progressive social agenda of her party. She will certainly put women’s reproductive rights at the front and center of this campaign. The abortion debate certainly provides Democrats a strong card against the misogynistic Trump-Vance team.
But Harris will not only be up against the seriously undereducated Trump. She will have to break the ultimate glass ceiling in American society. The U.S. was among the last societies to give women the right to vote. No woman has ever won the presidency.
However the dynamics of this presidential contest changes
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
over the next few weeks, the greater probability is that Harris will present a more viable candidacy than Biden. The incumbent is burdened with age-related issues. He does not have the power of personality to overcome that deficiency.
This presidential contest will actually be fought in only a few states. The rival campaigns will focus on winning the so-called “swing states” that effectively decide the electoral college
ManilaTimes.net photo
U.S. President Joe Biden
Malacañang file photo
Dateline PhiliPPines
Divorce, death penalty bills not among Senate priorities
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.
"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 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 nag-interpolate 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.
prioritized. This will allow us to focus our energy on measures which the people truly need,” he added.
Sara skips SONA even on TV; Bato, Go no-show
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.
passing much-needed legislation that is attuned to the Philippine Development Plan and the eightpoint 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
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
Escudero: 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 timehonored 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 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 so-called 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
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)
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
Senate President Francis Escudero Philstar.com file photo
21st Annual New Works Festival to be held in Palo Alto, Aug 9-18
PALO ALTO — Hundreds of lovers of new theatre will gather this August for an advance look at tomorrow’s hits at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 21st Annual New Works Festival. Continuing the company’s legacy of fostering new theatre, this unique festival offers audiences an extraordinary opportunity to experience new plays and musicals in their early stages of development. With multiple performances of each work and input from the audiences, playwrights and composers are able to revise and refine their shows during the festival, allowing audiences to view the exciting evolution of brand-new pieces of theatre. The New Works Festival will also include keynote talks with playwrights and directors, special events, food truck dining on select days, and more.
Selected by TheatreWorks
Artistic Producer of the New Works Festival Jeffrey Lo with TheatreWorks Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli, this year’s offerings include a first look at a World Premiere musical in the making, a madcap musical ride through motherhood, a stirring new drama about two American writers confronting their separate German and Cambodian war-haunted heritages, and a poignant play about a mother-son crosscountry road trip. The popular festival runs August 9-18, 2024 at the Lucie Stern Theatre (1305 Middlefield Rd.) in Palo Alto. Festival passes ($65 general) and single event tickets ($25) can be purchased online at theatreworks.org or by calling (650) 463-1960.
Jeffrey Lo (Director of “Liebling”) is a FilipinoAmerican playwright and director who helmed
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s productions of “Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Language Archive,” “The Santaland Diaries,” and most recently “Tiger Style!”. He is the recipient of the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, the Emerging Artist Laureate by Arts Council Silicon Valley and Theatre Bay Area Director's TITAN Award.
Lo’s plays have been produced and workshopped at TheatreWorks, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The BindleStiff Studio, City Lights Theater Company, and The Custom Made Theatre Company. Directing credits include “Chinglish,” “Hold These Truths,” “The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin,” and “The Glass Menagerie” at San Francisco Playhouse; “Every Brilliant Thing” and “Red Bike” at Center Repertory Company; “Vietgone” and “The Great Leap” at Capital Stage; “Uncle Vanya” at the Pear Theatre; and “A Doll’s House, Part 2” and “Eurydice” at Palo Alto Players (TBA Awards finalist for Best Direction), and many more.
Audiences of TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival will also get the first peek at the extensive remodeling underway at the Lucie Stern Theatre. Final seating will not be in place during the Festival, patrons will be seated on padded temporary chairs. When TheatreWorks audiences return to the Lucie Stern Theatre in December 2024 for “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” it will be to the newly remodeled space, which will feature plush new seats and increased accessibility.
The Festival lineup is as follows: Readings • 5 & Dime Book by Ashley Robinson Music by Dan Gillespie Sells Lyrics by Shakina Based on Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean by Ed Graczyk Directed by Giovanna Sardelli
8/11 @ 3pm • 8/14 @ 7pm • 8/17 @ 8pm
New Works Festival audiences will help shape a premiere musical in the making as TheatreWorks stages readings of this rollicking country musical ahead of its World Premiere in the company’s 2024/25 season.
Set in a small Texas town in 1975, the all-female fan club of 50s heartthrob James Dean hosts a reunion commemorating the 20th anniversary of the actor’s death, recalling the lifechanging period when Dean,
along with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson, were in nearby Marfa, Texas filming Giant. In a dime store alive with jukebox songs and downhome humor, the women share cherished illusions and faded dreams, until they are interrupted by a glamorous stranger ready to expose the truths of their sheltered lives.
The musical is based on the play, and later film, “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” by Ed Graczyk. Both the Broadway production and the film were directed by Robert Altman and starred Cher, Sandy Dennis, Kathy Bates, and Karen Black. Dan Gillespie Sells (Music, he/him) wrote the music for the Olivier Award-nominated stage hit musical “Everybody's Talking About Jamie,” later adapted into a film by Amazon Prime Video. Sells wrote the songs for the stage adaptation of “Brokeback Mountain,” seen in the West End in 2023. He is the lead vocalist and frontman for the rock group, The Feeling. Ashley Robinson (Book, he/him) penned the stage adaptation of “Brokeback Mountain,” wrote the book for “Fall of ’94,” and book and lyrics for “Lockhart.” As an actor, he performed in the West End in “Merrily We Roll Along,” and as the titular role in Floyd Collins, as well as appearing onstage at The Old Globe Theatre, Irish Repertory Theatre, TheaterWorks Hartford, Southwark Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Signature Theatre in Virginia, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Lincoln Center Theater, and Roundabout Theatre Company. Shakina (Lyrics, she/they) made television history on NBC’s “Connecting” as the first transgender person to play a series regular on a network sitcom. She is currently a writer and director on NBC’s “Quantum Leap.” Shakina guest starred in Amazon Prime Video’s GLAAD award-winning “Transparent” musical finale, which she helped write and produce, and Hulu’s “Difficult People” as the iconic trans truther, Lola. Her play “Chonburi International Hotel and Butterfly Club” premiered on Audible in 2020 in collaboration with Williamstown Theatre Festival and was recognized with a 2021 Drama League Award for Best Audio Theatre Production. She is the founding artistic director of Musical Theatre Factory, where she helped to develop hundreds of new musicals including Michael R. Jackson’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning “A Strange Loop” and her own autobiographical glam rock odyssey, “Manifest Pussy.” Recognitions include The Lilly Award for Working Miracles, Theatre Resources Unlimited Humanitarian Award, The Kilroys List, and Logo 30. She is a two-time Drama League fellow and two-time Out 100 honoree. Giovanna Sardelli (Director, she/her) is TheatreWorks’ artistic director. Her many directing credits at TheatreWorks include the West Coast Premiere of “Mrs. Christie” and the World Premiere of “A Distinct Society” in association with Pioneer Theatre Company, as well as “Nan and the Lower Body” (World Premiere), “They Promised Her the Moon,” Rajiv Joseph’s “Archduke,” “The Lake Effect” (World Premiere), and “The North Pool” (World Premiere), “FINKS,” “Somewhere” by Matthew Lopez, and many more. She has directed World Premieres around the country of plays by Rajiv Joseph, Theresa Rebeck, Lynn Rosen, Joe Gilford, Jeff Augustine, Lauren Yee, Zayd Dohrn, Melissa Ross, Lila Rose Kaplan, Matthew Lopez, and Zoe Kazan, among others. Sardelli recently directed “Marvel’s Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show!,” a podcast series by Marvel Entertainment and Sirius XM.
• Molly Bell’s Hysterical Written and performed by Molly Bell
Directed by Timothy Near Musical Direction by William Liberatore
8/10 @ 8pm • 8/16 @ 8pm • 8/18 @ 3pm “Molly Bell’s Hysterical” is an emotional rollercoaster through the life of playwright, composer, and acclaimed performer Molly Bell, inviting audiences to take a madcap musical ride through the terrors and triumphs of a suburban mother with too much on her mind. Struggling to balance family, career, a mysterious illness, and lingering dreams, she embarks on a transformative journey that will stir souls and touch hearts. Molly Bell (Writer/ Performer, she/her) was recently seen as Rona Lisa Peretti in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” She also performed in TheatreWorks’ “Snapshots,” “A Little Princess,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Memphis,” and “Floyd Collins.” Other performance credits include Marin Theatre Company, Center Repertory Company, San Jose Repertory Theatre, and American Musical Theatre of San Jose. She also created “Real Housewives The Musical,” and co-wrote the musical “Becoming Britney” with Daya Curley.
Timothy Near (Director, she/her) is an award-winning director and actor. She won the Obie Award for her performance in Emily Mann’s “Still Life” and a Theatre Bay Area Award for her direction of Athol Fugard’s “‘Master Harold’… and the boys” at Aurora Theatre Company. Near served as the Artistic Director at San Jose Repertory Theatre for 22 years, where she produced over 120 plays including 21 world premieres. Her work has been seen at the nation’s leading theatres including the Public Theater, Guthrie Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Mark Taper Forum, Goodman Theatre, Alliance Theatre, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
William Liberatore (Music Director, he/him) is TheatreWorks’ Resident Musical Director and has worked as a Choir Director at Gunn High School for more than thirty years. Liberatore has music directed 50 shows at TheatreWorks, including the World Premieres of “Being Alive: A Sondheim Celebration,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Prince of Egypt,” and “The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga,” as well as hit productions of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Tuck Everlasting,” “Fun Home,” “Rags,” “The Life of the Party,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Once on This Island” (TBA Award), “Crowns,” “Ragtime,” and “Pacific Overtures.” He has been a frequent recipient of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Direction.
• Liebling
Written by Vichet Chum
Directed by Jeffrey Lo 8/13 @ 7pm • 8/17 @ 3pm With insecure futures ahead, two promising American novelists confront war-haunted heritages, Cambodian and German, hoping to salvage their personal lives in the process. Finding humor and hope in a rundown cottage, pie shop, and prestigious museum, this remarkable new drama captures their loves and losses, missteps, and muted memories.
Vichet Chum’s (Playwright, he/him) plays have been workshopped/produced at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Alley Theatre, Ars Nova, Cleveland Play House, Magic Theatre, Fault Line Theatre, Weston Playhouse, Cleveland Public Theatre, All For One Theater, South Carolina New Play Festival, and many more. He
received the 2023 Lucille Bulger Service Award, a 2018 Princess Grace Award in Playwriting with New Dramatists, the 2021 Laurents/Hatcher Award, a 2021 Edgerton Foundation New Play Award for the World Premiere of his play “Bald Sisters” at Steppenwolf Theatre Company (also seen at San Jose Stage Company), and a special state citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for his play KNYUM at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. He is currently a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, a Sun Valley Writers’ Conference Fellow, a curator for Space on Ryder Farm, a board member for The New Harmony Project, and a steering committee member for the Obie Award and Tony Award-winning organization AAPAC (The Asian American Performers Action Coalition). Chum’s debut YA novel “Kween” was released this last fall with Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Jeffrey Lo (Director, he/ him) is a Filipino-American playwright and director who helmed TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s productions of “Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Language Archive,” “The Santaland Diaries,” and most recently “Tiger Style!.” He is the recipient of the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award, the Emerging Artist Laureate by Arts Council Silicon Valley and Theatre Bay Area Director's TITAN Award. His plays have been produced and workshopped at TheatreWorks, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The BindleStiff Studio,
City Lights Theater Company, and The Custom Made Theatre Company. Directing credits include “Chinglish,” “Hold These Truths,” “The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin,” and “The Glass Menagerie” at San Francisco Playhouse; “Every Brilliant Thing” and “Red Bike” at Center Repertory Company; “Vietgone” and “The Great Leap” at Capital Stage; “Uncle Vanya” at the Pear Theatre; and “A Doll’s House, Part 2” and “Eurydice” at Palo Alto Players (TBA Awards finalist for Best Direction), and many more.
• A Driving Beat
By Jordan Ramirez Puckett
Directed by Shannon R. Davis 8/15 @ 7pm • 8/17 @ 12pm A mother with a history. An adopted son who wants one. Set to the teen’s hip-hop beat, their cross-country road trip is a voyage of discovery, identity, understanding, and the depths of love. Can a white mom and a brown son find common ground in their uncommon pasts? Sometimes it’s the journey, not the destination.
Jordan Ramirez Puckett (Playwright, they/them) is a Chicanx writer from the Bay Area, currently living in New York City. Their plays include “Transitional Love Stories,” “Huelga,” “En Las Sombras,” “To Saints and Stars,” “A Driving Beat,” “Las Pajaritas,” “Restore,” and “Inevitable.” These works have been produced and/or developed by Goodman Theatre, Playwrights Realm, San Diego Repertory Theatre, and San Francisco
The reading for Vichet Chum’s “Liebling” is scheduled for August 13 at the 2024 New Works Festival.
“Molly Bell’s Hysterical,” written and performed by Molly Bell, will receive a reading in TheatreWorks’ 2024 New Works Festival.
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 recordbreaking 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.
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 boundary-pushing 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)
21st Annual New Works Festival to be...
Playhouse, among others. Most recently, “A Driving Beat” was short-listed for the prestigious 2022 Yale Drama Series Prize. Ramirez Puckett is a student of the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at Juilliard.
Shannon R. Davis (Director, she/they) is a Bay Area director, storyteller, educator, and community connector. She participated in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 2021 Writer’s Retreat as part of Theatre of Yugen. Davis has also worked with New Native Theatre, American-Indian Community House, Native Writers Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, American Conservatory Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Aurora Theatre Company, American Repertory Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Ashland New Play Festival, Freestyle Love Supreme, Shotgun Players, Marin Shakespeare, Playwrights Foundation, and others. She served as the Director of Community Connections at American Conservatory Theater, a Guest Artist/Lecturer at U.C. Berkeley, a visiting professor at Saint Mary’s College, and a member of California Shakespeare Theater’s Artist Circle. She is a co-founder of Bay Area Native Theatre Artists (BANTA) as well as the Bay Area Theater Accountability Workgroup.
Special Events: • From Classics to Rap Scripts:
Unlocking The Beat Of The TellTale Heart
8/9
6pm – Welcome Dinner, 8pm
– Keynote Address
Separate admission required:
$299 for welcome dinner and event; $35 for event only.
Bay Area artist Carlos Aguirre (guest star for Freestyle Love Supreme) kicks off the 2024 New Works Festival with a keynote address exploring creativity, adaptation, and hip
hop. During this conversation, Aguirre will discuss working on his original rap and beatbox adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Actor/musician/vocal percussionist/educator Carlos Aguirre has been performing and educating in the Bay Area for over 25 years. He has shared the stage with The Roots, Eryka Badu, Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Jam Master Jay, and L.L. Cool J, and has recently been guest starring with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning improvisational hip hop group Freestyle Love Supreme. Aguirre shares his experience by teaching at various schools and at-risk environments throughout the Bay Area.
• Food Trucks 8/17 @ 1-4pm Food and beverage available for purchase. Between readings of A Driving Beat and Liebling, audiences can enjoy a selection of delicious offerings from local food trucks in the Lucie Stern Theatre courtyard.
• Meet The Artists 8/18 @ 12pm Included in Festival Pass; $25 Single Tickets
The Festival’s featured playwrights and composers share their anecdotes and insights into creating brave new works for American theatre. Audiences are invited to bring questions and become a part of the conversation with writers who are shaping the theatre. This conversation will be moderated by TheatreWorks’ Artistic Producer of the New Works Festival Jeffrey Lo.
• Giovanna Sardelli’s Birthday Party 8/18 @ 5pm
Open to all Festival Pass
holders
In honor of Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli’s birthday and concluding a week full of thrilling new theatre, TheatreWorks will close the New Works Festival with a celebration following the final
performance of “Molly Bell’s Hysterical.”
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s New Works Festival has launched many new works onto TheatreWorks’ main stage and to national productions, including Broadway’s Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Memphis” and the 2018 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play, Rajiv Joseph’s “Describe The Night.” The Festival has given playgoers their first looks at new works by such luminaries as Andrew Lippa, Stephen Schwartz, Wendy Wasserstein, Marsha Norman, Christopher Chen, Rachel Sheinkin, David Hein and Irene Sankoff, Rajiv Joseph, Duncan Sheik, Min Kahng, Kimber Lee, Joe DiPietro, Rehana Lew Mirza, and many more.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, led by Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli, presents a wide variety of contemporary plays and musicals, revitalizes great works of the past, and serves more than 100,000 patrons per year. Founded in 1970 by Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks has grown from a truly original Silicon Valley start-up to become one of the nation’s leading professional non-profit theatre companies. TheatreWorks was honored as the recipient of the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award. TheatreWorks also champions new work, offering artists support and a creative home as they develop new stories for the American theatre. Offstage, TheatreWorks’ arts engagement programs uplift its audiences and strengthen community bonds. Onstage and off, TheatreWorks welcomes the mosaic of people that embody the Bay Area and beyond, celebrating the transformative power of theatre to ignite imagination, inspire conversation, and enliven souls.
Media sponsor for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 2023/24 season is San Francisco Chronicle.
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
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.
Jessica Soho, Kara David headline top programs on GMA & GTV; Rolando Inocencio, a seasoned actor
My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
rogelio ConStantino Medina
BY the time my first name
“Rogelio” was being chanted musically at Philstagers’ PSF Blackbox Theatre in Manila on late evening of July 6, 2024, something good was happening on the other part of the globe: my new column P.E.P. (People, Events, Places) for Asian Journal was about to be published in print in the Asian Journal LA Weekend edition in California. That for me is a blessing.
* * *
The No. 1 highest rated show on GMA is “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” and July 7’s episode rated a lately unheard of 18 points, the highest rating of any show in 2024.
Maria Jessica Aspiras Soho, born in San Fernando, La Union, has been the host of GMA Network’s Public Affairs news magazine program “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” since 2004. In 1998, she became the first Filipino to win the British Fleet Street Award for Journalism. In 1999, she and the I-Witness team received the Philippines’ first Peabody Award for producing the “Kidneys for Sale” and “Kamao” documentaries. Her story of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley made her the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival.
Soho attended the University of the Philippines Diliman to study Mass Communication. One of her professors was Luis Beltran who inspired her to finish her studies and practice journalism in Manila. Meanwhile, the No. 1 highest rated show on GTV is Pinas Sarap, hosted by Kara David. It has been rating more than double its TV5 counterpart (which happens to be a drama).
Kara Patria Constantino DavidCancio, a TOYM and TOWNS awardee, is assistant professor at UP Diliman and the current chairperson of the Journalism Department at UP’s College of Mass Communication.
She is the founder and president of Project Malasakit, a foundation that helps the people she has featured in her documentaries. She has won a Peabody Award, the second Filipino to win this award.
She is the daughter of Professor Randy David of UP Diliman and Karina Constantino-David, former chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.
* * *
The 2nd Philippines Finest Business Awards & Outstanding Achievers 2024 will be more exciting this year for it will give recognition to outstanding individuals and companies that have made a difference and impact to society.
One sector is the entertainment industry. Among those to be given awards are Sparkle GMA artists like Ken Chan, Julie Ann San Jose, Rita Daniella, Rayver Cruz, Anthony Rosaldo, Ruru Madrid, Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, Barbie Forteza, Ashley Sarmiento, Marco Masa, Allen Ansay, Sofia Pablo, Boobay, as well as Sparkle GMA Artist Center and UP College of Law lecturer Atty.
Annette Gozon-Valdes, president of GMA Worldwide, Inc. and GMA Network Films.
Likewsie, awardees will also be coming from the broadcast news and information sector: Annabelle Surara, Wej Cudiamat, Dennis Antennor Jr., Braggy Braganza, Earlo Bringas, Audrey Gorriceta, DJ Mama Colleen, Papa Marky,
during the
DJ Kuya Machete, Usec. Robert Rivera, Nerlyza Eliza Francisco Rivera, 97.9 Home Radio, Aliw Channel 23, DWIZ-AM, Media House Express, The Metropolista, Rise and Shine Pilipinas, Light TV, and Win Radio.
In music, awardees will be Lae Manego, Dylan Menor, Merjohn Lagaya, George Sison-Tagle, The Flippers (3rd Gen.), Carmela Betonio, The Voice Academy of the Philippines Inc., and RTU Himig Rizalia. Others are in the field of business or entrepreneurship and professionalism: Salvacion Paparon, Bhinky Reyes, CPA Shirley Belangel, mga photographer Miller Daniolco, Jamin Lim at Bhon Jheo Exconde,
Janice Israel Delima Tentler, Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr., Jeffrey Dy, and Sara Luningning Medina. The PFBA is organized by La Visual Corporation and SIRBISU Channel. The awards night will be held at The Hexagon Events Place in Quezon City on September 8, 2024.
* *
*
Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City celebrated its 10th anniversary by opening the “Eskultura III: Crystal Clear” exhibit featuring some of the Philippines’ top glass sculptors like Marge Organo, Raisa Luz, Jinggoy Salcedo, Anna Orlina, Michael Orlina, and Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Ramon Orlina.
PAGE 11
RA 12001: Essential information for overseas
What overseas Filipinos need to know about the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA)
SAB’s Review
Sharon ann Bathan-San Pedro
UNDERSTANDING RA 12001
On June 13, 2024, President Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12001, commonly known as the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA). This landmark legislation aims to overhaul the outdated property valuation system in the Philippines. RA 12001 standardizes property valuations across the country, aligning them with current market values and international standards.
For overseas Filipinos, this means a more transparent and consistent property valuation system, making it easier to manage and invest in real estate back home.
Key changes introduced by RA 12001
The new law separates the technical valuation process from the political taxation process, establishing a single valuation base for taxation purposes. This simplification will alleviate the complexities overseas Filipinos face when dealing with property taxes and transactions, including:
• Transfer taxes
• Capital gains tax
• Withholding taxes
• Documentary stamp tax
• Value-added tax.
MAKATI CITY — Philippine
Consul General in San Francisco
Neil Ferrer recently participated in a workshop aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives in the Philippines.
The discussions highlighted developments and strategic collaborations in the AI sector, crucial for enhancing economic growth and improving quality of life for Filipinos.
A highlight of the workshop was the presentation by Amini, represented by founder and CEO Kate Kallot and Head of Platforms Zoe Cayetano.
Amini’s mission to democratize AI access in the global south aligns with initiatives to build AI infrastructure and capacity within the Philippines and other regions. Their collaborations with global entities such as NVIDIA and HP, demonstrate their commitment to advancing technology solutions and fostering inclusive growth.
Officials from the Competitiveness and Innovation Group of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CIG) and partners in the private sector, underscored the Philippines’ commitment to leveraging AI for national development. DTI Assistant Secretaries Leonila Baluyut and May Niña Celynne Layug attended the workshop.
DTI-CIG Innovation and Collaboration Division Chief Karl Lyndon Pacolor underscored that the recent launch of the National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0, and the establishment of the Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) mark pivotal steps towards positioning the Philippines as a regional leader in AI innovation.
“We welcome potential collaborations with CAIR, Amini, and other partners in fostering AI innovation in the Philippines. We look forward to the next concrete steps towards mutual cooperation in advancing AI capabilities in the Philippines,” Consul General Ferrer said.
The importance of RA 12001
Local government units in the Philippines have historically relied on outdated valuation systems tied to real estate taxation. As of 2024, 97 cities and 40 provinces were not compliant with the requirement to revalue properties every three years. This non-compliance has led to a decrease in the share of real property tax in local tax revenues. RA 12001 addresses several critical issues:
• Unified valuations: Eliminates multiple and overlapping valuations from different agencies, providing a clear property value.
• Transparency: Enhances transparency in the property market, boosting investor confidence.
• Automation: Accelerates the automation of the Real Property Information System, streamlining processes.
• Efficiency: Improves the efficiency of tax collection, benefiting both the government and property owners.
Implications for overseas Filipino property owners
With RA 12001 in place, many overseas Filipino property owners are concerned about potential increases in real property taxes and other implications. Here's what you need to know:
• Property taxes: While the new valuation system aims for fairness and consistency, it may lead to adjustments in property taxes. However, the standardized approach will ensure these taxes reflect true market values.
• Ease of transactions: Simplified taxation processes will
• Investment confidence: The transparency and efficiency brought by RA 12001 are expected to enhance investor confidence, potentially increasing the value of real estate investments in the Philippines.
CAIR Chief Dr. Erika Legara discussed strategies to bolster AI research, foster industry-academia partnerships, and ensure responsible AI governance. These efforts aim to drive innovation across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, disaster resilience, and education.
CAIR Deputy Chief AI and Data Officer Dr. Sebastian Ibañez, and CAIR’s main data scientists and industry leaders — including Ionics EMS vice president for Business Development and president of the Electronics Industries
Association of the Philippines Earl Lawrence Qua, and QBO Innovation Hub executive director Jay Fajardo — also participated in the workshop. CAIR aims to establish the Philippines as a leader in diverse AI applications through the promotion of technological innovation and interdisciplinary research. The initiative also places a high priority on cultivating a skilled workforce of full-time research scientists, engineers, and R&D professionals.
(PCGSF Release)
Sparkle GMA artists will headline U.S. shows in Anaheim, CA and San Francisco, CA on August
9 and August 10, respectively. Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
Rolando Inocencio Rogelio Medina and Jessica Soho
Anna Orlina’s glass work, Hagdan-Hagdan. Atty. Felipe Gozon (right) with daughter Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes.
1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran Floirendo (front row, center) with Ramon Orlina and Fr.
Tito Caluag
recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City.
Amini CEO and Founder Kate Kallot leading the AI Workshop at QBO Innovation Hub. Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer meets CAIR Chief Dr. Erika Fille Legarda.
Jessica Soho, Kara David headline top...
It was highlighted by a house blessing presided by Fr. Tito Caluag, and both the museum and the new space being developed were blessed.
“Eskultura III: Crystal Clear” will run until August 18, 2024. For questions or requests for catalogs, you may contact +63917107 -5958, landline (+6346) 413 2581, email: info@museo-orlina.
org.
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Rolando Inocencio, a seasoned actor who appeared recently in “A Thousand Forests” musical film, was invited as one of the three judges (the other two were actor Mon Confiado and Eric dela Cruz) in the recent Philstagers’ PSF Theatre Festival for two Saturdays. (Writer Ymman Jake Biaco and PX Ilano were helping me in the updates there.)
Inocencio started as a workshopper in 1981 in the CCP Student Drama Workshop. Since then, he joined the Bulwagang Gantimpala, Teatro Pilipino, Repertory Philippines, PETA, and Tanghalang Pilipino.
He also appeared in dozens of Jose Javier Reyes films. “He runs a tight ship. No time is wasted,” said Rolando of Joey’s style of directing.
He was the artistic director when Dulaang Talyer performed during Festival Off d’Avignon in 2003 in Theatre du Balcon in Avignon, France.
It is a spontaneous space for creation that sprung up in 1966 in relation to the Festival d’Avignon. Referred to as the ‘festival In,’ the ‘festival Off Avignon’ is today in and of itself one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world. The Festival Off means more than 1,500 shows during the 3-week duration of the festival in July that turns Avignon into one big festival, thanks to the thousands of artists and performers who take over the streets, and the more than one hundred theatres in the city. A unique structure, built on the independence of the theatres that take part in the festival off, the ‘Festival Off Avignon’ welcomes all the rich diversity of French and international artistic creation.
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Sparkle GMA Artist talents Alden Richards, Rayver Cruz (who once went to my house to shoot ABS-CBN’s “All of Me”), Julie
Anne San Jose, Boobay, Ai-Ai de las Alas, and Isko Moreno (who said to me that he is unsure if he would join the political arena in next year’s elections) are all busy
looking forward for the Sparkle Goes to USA performance in Anaheim, California on August 9. The following day, they will perform in South San Francisco High School Auditorium in San Francisco, California.
* * * Navarro Jr., son of the late comedian Rod Navarro Sr., met again the FAMAS ladies headed by its president Francia “Cheche” Conrado and members Christina Aliada and Teresita Tolentino Pambuan (a retired schoolteacher in Hayward, California who appeared in Romm Burlat’s Manang) during the first anniversary of a beauty wellness and spa in Binondo, Manila. They were all invited as VIP guests by top podcaster Cali Manzano.
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On July 21, a month before the
August 21 death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, a holiday in the Philippines, a group of August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) will quietly walk, run, jog and bike along Ayala Avenue at 6:30 a.m. through its ROAR (run on against revision) campaign. Expected to attend are regular runners Kiko Aquino Dee (the Aquino family’s spokesperson), Emilio Aquino (son of former senator and actor Butz Aquino), historian Xiao Chua, Volt Bohol, and Jose Francisco Kawada of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees Inc.
* * * 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
Nurse balances work and home by...
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 and family responsibilities while providing valuable
ROAR participants from a previous year. Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
Rod Navarro Jr. (extreme right) with FAMAS ladies (from left) Tess Pambuan, Christina Aliada and president Francia Conrado.
Regular ROAR runners (from left): Francisco Kawada, Kiko Aquino Dee, Volt Bohol and Xiao Chua.
