The enormous power of the untapped AAPI independent vote
THE large, largely untapped bloc of Asian American Independent voters could deliver the win to Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris or her opponent, Republican Donald Trump in an extremely tight race.
The New York Times/Siena College poll, released one day ahead of the muchanticipated Sept. 10 debate, showed Trump leading Harris by 1 point, with a margin of error at +/- 2.8 points. The two are in a tie in the critical swing states of Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Arizona. Harris edges out Trump by the slimmest of margins in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina, while Trump prevails by 1 point in Georgia. The critical swing states are home to about 1.75 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who are eligible to vote. They may represent just 3 or 4% of the voting population in their states, but that small percentage could deliver the margin of victory.
Missing Fil-Am nurse found dead, neighbor faces murder charges
Family and friends started to worry when Melissa Jubane did not show up for her morning shift at the hospital
A FILIPINO American nurse from Oregon, who went missing after returning home from her Hawaii wedding, was found dead Saturday, September 7. Her neighbor was arrested and charged with murder, police said.
On Sept. 4, 2024, 32-year-old Melissa Jubane, a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in Southwest Portland, failed to show up for her morning shift and was reported missing. She had just returned from Hale’iwa in Oahu, where she got married to Bryan Llantero last August 24.
After not hearing from Jubane for days, her family, friends and co-workers started to worry and reported her to the police as missing. In a Facebook post, the Beaverton Police Department confirmed receiving a welfare
City and Quezon City courts on Friday, September 13.
Quiboloy – who calls himself the “appointed son of God” – entered a not guilty plea before the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 in the morning along with his co-accused Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Sylvia Cemanes and Pauleen Canada.
“He pleaded not guilty because he is innocent, that’s all,” said Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy’s lawyer. “We will not make any statement because the case is already in court.”
Security was tight during their arraignment.
Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo confirmed that the accused pleaded not guilty.
“All the accused entered the not guilty plea to two counts of qualified human trafficking,” she said at a press briefing.
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will skip the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this month as he has “limited his trips” for the rest of 2024, said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez on Thursday, September 12.
According to Romualdez, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo will instead represent Marcos in the assembly, which will be held in New York City from September 22 to 23.
“Sec. Manalo [will attend the UNGA], [The]president is limiting his trips up to the end of the year,” Romualdez told
INQUIRER.net. Meanwhile, in a Viber message to reporters, Press Secretary Cesar Chavez said Manalo’s agenda in the assembly includes “articulating the country’s responses to global challenges.”
“[Sec. Manalo] will articulate the country’s responses to global challenges which we assert should be resolved within the framework of peace and cooperation enshrined in the UN Charter,” he said.
Asked if there will be bilateral talks with China on the sidelines of the UNGA, Romualdez responded: “None.”
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PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, September 12 awarded cash incentives and citations to the Filipino athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
The president, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons William Vincent and Joseph Simon, welcomed the paralympians in Malacañang.
During the ceremony, the president handed P1 million each to Cendy Asusano (athletics), Agustina Bantiloc (archery), Allain Ganapin (taekwondo), Ernie Gawilan (swimming), Jerrold Mangliwan (wheelchair racing) and Angel Otom (swimming).
Each athlete also received a presidential citation from Marcos.
The president was joined by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo during the ceremony.
The Paralympic Games were held in Paris, France from August 28 to September 8. n
MANILA — The House of Representatives confirmed on Friday night, September 13 that it has served the warrant of arrest against former presidential spokesman Herminio Roque Jr. after he was cited for contempt by the Quad Committee on Thursday.
In a viber message to The Manila Times, House SecretaryGeneral Reginald Velasco said that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) served the order although neither he nor his
staff has received it. When pressed on the whereabouts of Roque, Velasco said that police personnel were "still looking for him," The Manila Times has reached out to Roque for comment. Roque was cited in contempt by the Quad Committee due to his refusal to submit the documents that were required by the panel, which included the deed of sale of a 1.8 hectare property in Paranaque,
US extradition request for...
Ty said in mixed Filipino and English in a televised briefing.
Ty said any extradition request from the U.S. would first be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs before it is forwarded to the Department of Justice.
The Philippine government will have to scrutinize if the case involves an offense covered by the country's extradition treaty with the U.S. If it does, "a case will be filed at the Regional Trial Court, where it will be determined if Pastor Quiboloy should be extradited," Ty said.
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In March, a judge from the California Central District handling Quiboloy's case unsealed the warrant of arrest against him and his co-accused.
The move was regarded as a possible precursor to the U.S.’ request to extradite the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder.
After dodging Philippine authorities for several months, Quiboloy was taken into custody on September 8. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos first announced that the doomdsay preacher was "arrested" but later clarified that he surrendered to military intelligence agents after being cornered.
Arrest warrants for Quiboloy from Davao and Pasig courts were issued all the way back in April.
Quiboloy counts among his allies former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, both of whom have repeatedly condemned authorities' attempts to arrest him. The former president has taken over Quiboloy's assets after a freeze order on the KOJC founder's bank accounts.
Extradition process
Extradition is a formal
procedure where one country transfers an individual to another jurisdiction where they are accused or convicted of a crime. The process in the Philippines is governed by Presidential Decree No. 1069, or the "Philippine Extradition Law."
As explained by Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to Philstar.com in February: “Under our extradition treaties, a formal request through diplomatic channels is required to trigger the process.”
Besides the United States, the following countries have an extradition treaty with the Philippines, according to the Department of Justice:
Australia
Canada
China • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
India
Indonesia
Korea
Micronesia
Russia
Spain
Switzerland
Thailand
United Kingdom
United States. (Philstar.com)
Pres. Marcos to skip UNGA...
The Philippines has been embroiled in a long-standing dispute with China, which claims the majority of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, through its so-called “ten-dash line.”
However, China’s claims were effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling, which stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013.
China has consistently ignored the ruling and continued to encroach on the country’s exclusive economic zone.
In response, the Philippines has continued to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. (Inquirer.net)
Quiboloy pleads not guilty to human trafficking...
Fajardo said one of the complainants in the case against Quiboloy in the Pasig City RTC, identified only as “Minor AAA,” was in the courtroom during the arraignment.
In the afternoon, Quiboloy and the others again entered a plea of not guilty to charges of child abuse before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 106 through video conferencing.
After their arraignment in Pasig City, Fajardo said Quiboloy’s lawyers filed a motion for him and Ingrid to be placed under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Davao City, citing their existing medical condition.
Their counsels manifested that the two were having a hard time at the PNP Custodial Center, especially in addressing their medical needs.
Fajardo said Quiboloy is taking maintenance medicines for an unspecified ailment.
Prosecutors objected to the religious sect leader’s request.
“It defeats the purpose of having him transferred from Davao – only to send him back there,” Fajardo said. She said the PNP has its own hospital which can address Quiboloy’s medical needs.
Fajardo said the judge ordered the PNP to have Quiboloy checked by government doctors while Ingrid’s motion was junked.
Transferred
The court then issued an order transferring Quiboloy’s coaccused to the Pasig City Jail. He will remain at the PNP Custodial Center while his medical condition is being evaluated.
“Pending resolution of their motion to have him checked by government-provided medical doctors, he will stay temporarily at the custodial center,” Fajardo said.
As of Friday afternoon, Quiboloy’s co-respondents were still at Camp Crame where they want to remain, based on a motion for reconsideration filed by his legal team before the Pasig City RTC for them to be allowed to stay at PNP headquarters.
A member of Quiboloy’s legal team, lawyer Mark Tolentino, said that apart from security considerations, it would be a pity if Quiboloy were to be left alone at the PNP’s custodial facility.
He said the KOJC leader dreads an environment where he could not use social media or listen to religious music.
Quiboloy was brought to the courtroom before 8 a.m. under heavy security, with at least 100 police officers deployed around the city hall grounds.
Clad in black pants and orange detention shirt, Quiboloy also wore a helmet and bulletproof vest. He concealed his face with a mask and sunglasses.
As he was being ushered to the courtroom, Quiboloy was asked for his message to his followers to which he replied:
“Tatag lang, tatag lang (Just be strong, be strong).”
Quiboloy and his co-accused were arrested on the night of September 8 at the KOJC compound in Davao City, following a two-week manhunt by thousands of policemen in the 30-hectare property.
He could face additional cases after several of his alleged victims came forward to accuse
him of sexual abuse.
Investigate Duterte As more witnesses have come forward to pin down Quiboloy and his cohorts, Gabriela Women party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said former President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials should be investigated and prosecuted for aiding the sect leader in hiding from authorities.
“His potential involvement in shielding him from justice must be scrutinized,” Brosas said, referring to Durterte.
She cited Quiboloy’s earlier pronouncement that he had appointed his friend and former president as administrator of KJOC properties.
“We cannot allow this culture of impunity and fear to persist. No one should be above the law, and the cries for justice from these young girls must be heard and acted upon without delay,” she pointed out, referring to Quiboloy’s alleged victims of sexual abuse.
“The details about Quiboloy’s alleged crimes are the work of someone who is pure evil. It is a grave injustice that Quiboloy has operated with impunity in Mindanao for decades, possibly leaving behind a trail of countless victims who have been too terrified to speak out,” she added.
The lawmaker said that Quiboloy must face the “fullest extent of the law for the crimes he has committed against women and children.” She said the KOJC leader “should rot in jail” and that “all those who aided and abetted his actions, including powerful figures and public officials, must be held accountable.”
Still no U.S. extradition request – DOJ
Meanwhile, the United States has yet to formally request for extradition of Quiboloy, who is facing labor and sex trafficking charges before a federal court in California.
“There is still no official request from the United States,” Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said in Filipino during an interview with “Storycon” on One News on Friday.
“Once it arrives, there will be a process. It will go through DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), where it will be vetted before it is
Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy (left) and his co-accused in a sexual abuse complaint are presented by PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos at Camp Crame. Philstar.com photo by Miguel de Guzman
Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy pleaded not guilty to charges of qualified human trafficking and child abuse before the Pasig City and Quezon City courts on Friday, September 13. DILG photo
937-9981
FAFHW energized by debate, launch nationwide mobilization with targeted regional efforts
FILIPINO Americans for Harris Walz (FAFHW) is riding a wave of enthusiasm following Vice President Kamala Harris’s commanding performance in Tuesday's (September 10) Presidential Debate against former President Donald Trump. The debate energized Filipino American voters nationwide and across the Pacific Ocean, with over 100 attendees joining virtual and in-person watch parties in cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and in Guam. As the community rallies behind Vice President Harris, FAFHW is excited to announce the launch of several key mobilization efforts aimed at engaging voters in critical battleground states.
In-person watch parties were co-hosted by local organizations, including the Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club and Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats in Los Angeles, the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Greater Nevada in Las Vegas, and the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York in New York City. These gatherings not only celebrated Harris’s debate performance, but also underscored the commitment of the Filipino American community to take action in the weeks ahead.
Gabriel Young, FAFHW West Region volunteer, former White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI)
aide, and current MPA candidate at UC Berkeley, stated in a televised post-debate interview, the strength of Vice President Harris’s policy approach: “She beat President Trump on the policy front — she had concrete plans. Even just today, the Harris Walz Campaign released their AANHPI fact sheet, yet Trump’s campaign has not. Vice President Harris introduced actual policies backed by numbers. In her closing statement, she made it clear: ‘We’re not going back.’ We’ve already seen what a Trump administration looks like — why would we choose to repeat it?
Vice President Harris is focused on building an economy that creates opportunity and hope for the American people, while Trump offered nothing original, only hollow rebuttals.”
Building on the momentum from Harris’s debate performance, FAFHW is now gearing up to
expand its grassroots efforts and mobilize voters across the country. Several field operations are launching this week as part of the broader campaign strategy. The East Region, led by CoChairs Enzo Manzano and Brad Baldia, were scheduled to kick off virtual phone banking on Thursday, September 12 to reach voters in Pennsylvania, while next week will see the launch of operations in North Carolina. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, Regional Chair Abbey Eusebio is partnering with “Operation Swing State” to mobilize volunteers for phone banking and canvassing in Michigan and Wisconsin. The West Region, co-chaired by Chris Mateo and Hon. Juslyn Manalo, is focusing on border state programming with Nevada and Arizona with grassroots efforts across one of the largest Filipino American communities in the country.
In addition to voter engagement, FAFHW East Region has announced a fundraiser concert scheduled for October 4, in partnership with the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York and Taiwanese Americans for Progress. The event will feature performances by Taiwanese American singer/ songwriter Vienna Tengand, Filipino American Broadway talents Renee Albulario (Here Lies Love), Emily Borromeo (School of Rock), and Liz Casasola (Imelda).
The concert aims to support efforts to elect Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz to the White House, as well as re-elect State Senator Iwen Chu, the first Asian American
woman, and Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Legislature. FAFHW is committed to not only electing leaders at the national level but also supporting local candidates who share the values of inclusivity and progress.
In the DNC AANHPI Virtual Spin Room post-debate, Mario Salazar, FAFHW National cochair, encouraged supporters to stay focused on the work ahead: “Vice President Harris articulated a tangible plan for small business owners, students, families, and all those chasing their versions of the American dream — like us, our parents, and so many others in the AANHPI community. It was a stark contrast to the same tired, divisive, hateful rhetoric from former President Trump. Now, in the same way the vice president said we should put Trump and his failed administration behind us — we as a campaign should put the debate behind us and hit the doors and phones over the next few weeks to get the Harris-Walz ticket across the finish line.”
With an energized volunteer base and critical voter engagement efforts underway, Filipino Americans for Harris Walz are fully committed to turning out voters and securing a Harris Walz victory in November. The excitement and energy generated by the September 12 debate are driving the campaign forward into action. All volunteer activities, upcoming events, and registration details can be found on FAFHW’s Linktree (https://linktr.ee/filamsforharris).
(FAFHW Release)
Missing Fil-Am nurse found dead, neighbor...
check request at around 10:18 a.m. after several unsuccessful attempts to reach the Fil-Am nurse.
Arriving at her residence at SW 160th Avenue in Portland, the police officers conducted a search but Jubane was nowhere to be found. There were no signs of foul play inside her unit, the police said.
The police officers and family members continued to reach out to her, but her phone stayed off. A review of her credit card and bank records showed no clues either.
Jubane’s husband had last contacted her around 6 p.m. on the day she failed to report to work, according to KHON. Her sudden disappearance after their wedding drew more questions among family and friends.
A public Facebook group, “Find Melissa Jubane case Discussion and Updates,” was set up on Aug. 26 to help search for the Fil-Am nurse.
By 3:12 p.m. on Sept. 4, she was officially entered into the national law enforcement systems as a missing individual.
Investigators later identified a possible suspect, 27-year-old Bryce Johnathan Schubert, her neighbor.
Schubert, who was also a nurse and a former Providence Portland
Medical Center employee from September 2022 to October 2023, was arrested after investigators found evidence linking him to Jubane’s disappearance.
Schubert has been charged with murder.
“While we acknowledge the significant community interest and concern, we must withhold further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” the Beaverton Police Department said in a Facebook update.
Community mourns Following the news of Jubanes’ death, there was an outpouring of love from colleagues, friends and the health care community. Many have placed flowers near
her apartment.
“She was just very, very sweet, very kind,” said Halina Brant-Zawadzki, one of Jubane’s former professors, recalling her compassion and service as a student nurse. To commemorate her legacy, the Oregon Nurses Association organized a vigil on Sept. 10 at the Ridgewood View Park in Portland.
The Beaverton Police Department is gathering more evidence and has urged the public to come forward with any information related to the case. The department can be reached at (503) 526-2280. (Mary Villegas/ Inquirer.net)
Vice President Kamala Harris
House photo
Melissa Jubane (left) and Bryce Johnathan Schubert. Photos from @iamlegacy23/X
Mass deportations would be disastrous for the US economy
Economists predict the US economy would shrink by at least $1 trillion
by Sunita Sohrabji Ethnic Media Services
REPUBLICAN Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s proposal to deport at least 15 million migrants from the U.S. would be disastrous for the American economy, said experts at a news briefing Sept. 12. Trump has made mass deportations one of the touchstones of his 2024 campaign. He reiterated the threat Sept. 10 evening at the Presidential debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He evaded a question from ABC News anchor David Muir as to how he would carry out the deportations, but did answer that the number of migrants facing removal could be as high as 21 million. On the campaign trail, the former president has said he would use the National Guard, the U.S. military, and local law enforcement to carry out the deportations.
15%
tax revenues, said Dr. Robert Lynch, co-author of “The Economic Impact on Citizens and Authorized Immigrants of Mass Deportation.” Inflation would rise by about 3% he predicted at the news briefing, organized by America’s Voice.
“On the demand side effect, we have 8 million undocumented workers who spend hundreds of millions of dollars in the U.S. Deport them, and you lose that revenue,” said Lynch, professor emeritus at the University of Washington.
“The economy of America shrinks,” said Lynch, noting also that low-skilled white men who work in blue collar jobs would be hardest hit. Wages go down when the economy shrinks, as small businesses shutter or cut down their labor force due to revenue loss, he explained.
The notion that undocumented immigrants are stealing jobs from American workers is a false narrative, said Lynch.
“Americans are not going to go out in the blazing heat to pick cotton or peanuts,” he said.
“Undocumented immigrants take jobs that American workers will not do.”
‘Pet eating Haitians’
At the news briefing, several speakers noted that Trump has
demonized migrants to appeal to his ‘Make America Great Again’ base. But there is scant evidence of such appeal to voters outside the base. Zachary Mueller, research director at America’s Voice, said Republicans have spent $458 million in television ads and a similar amount on social media ads to promote anti-immigrant messaging. “But it has not delivered at the ballot box.”
The most discussed moment of the debate was when Trump alleged that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were capturing pets, and eating them. City officials have said there is no evidence of such claims.
“Trump has dehumanized a group of people, and cast them as an existential threat,” said Mueller. “He is engaging in racist theory, and it is clear there are going to be consequences.”
SAVE Act
Earlier that morning, Springfield City Hall received a bomb threat, which forced all workers there to evacuate. Mayor Rob Rue said the perpetrators had “used hateful language towards immigrants and Haitians in our community.”
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — SAVE — requires voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration. The pending legislation, known as a continuing resolution, has been attached to the budget bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will not allow the budget bill to pass without the SAVE Act also being passed, even if it means a government shutdown, reported the Associated Press.
False narratives
Jonah Minkoff-Zern, codirector of the Public Citizen’s Democracy Campaign, said the statements made in the SAVE Act are not verified by facts. Incidents of non-citizen voting are extremely rare.
“People would not risk their livelihoods and their families to illegally cast a vote,” said MinkoffZern. “Using this blatantly false narrative, Trump is setting the tone to disrupt the election if it doesn’t go his way.” n
The enormous power of the untapped...
Independents are up for grabs At a Sept. 6 Ethnic Media Services news briefing, Republican strategist Rina Shah said the huge bloc of AANHPI Independents is up for grabs by any party who actively engages with the community.
The 2024 Asian American Voter Survey revealed that less than 42% of AANHPI voters had been contacted by either party.
Immigration reform, education, educational equity, and economic opportunity are key issues that register with AANHPI voters of either party, said Shah. Both parties need to engage more directly with the AANHPI community through not only targeted outreach, but also by addressing specific local concerns, she said, adding such outreach could include hosting community events, working with local leaders, and creating policies that address the unique needs of the community.
“To court the growing independent AANHPI vote, it’s going to take a mix of relevant policy focus as well as genuine engagement,” said Shah.
Many Republicans are dissatisfied with Trump at the top of the ticket, said Shah, who in 2016 headed up Republican presidential candidate Evan
McMullin’s bid for the White House. She noted that they may vote for Harris at the top of the ticket, but continue to vote Republican in down-ballot races.
First time voters
Fifteen million AANHPIs are eligible to vote, noted APIAVote
President Christine Chen. In 2020, about 65% came out to vote. In critical battleground states, roughly one out of four AANHPIs were voting for the 1st time.
In 2020, President Joe Biden won Georgia by less than 12,000 votes. The number of AAPIs who voted in 2020 in Georgia was over 142,000, and 26% were first-time voters, said Chen.
“If you do the math, that’s about 39,000 voters, three times the margin of victory. So these are concrete ways and numbers that we’re seeing where we actually are making a difference,” she said.
Bread and butter issues, along with immigration, and crime are among the most important issues for AANHPI voters, but Chen said that a significant number of voters see little difference in which party can successfully tackle those issues.
‘The reason for victory’
“The AANHPI vote is very significant,” said Shekar Narasimhan, chairman and founder of the AAPI Victory Fund.
“I prefer actually, instead of saying that we are the margin of victory, to saying now that we are the reason for victory,” he said, speaking from the battleground state of Michigan, where he had organized a massive Get Out the Vote effort.
Narasimhan agreed that AANHPI voters of any persuasion need to be more effectively courted. Asian Americans are among the most active on social media, but in 2020, the first truly virtual year for campaigning, more than half the community was not reached.
“Candidates don’t know how to talk to us, which language to reach, which communities to talk to, the WhatsApp channels that we frequent, or the television. And therefore, there is an absence of information,” said Narasimhan, who noted that a huge percentage of AANHPIs are low-information voters. “We tell every candidate to show up in our communities, talk to our voters about the issues that matter to this community,” he said, noting critical issues include immigration, and access to capital for small businesses. Vietnamese American shift left?
Dr. Tung Nguyen, founder and president of The Progressive Vietnamese American u PAGE A5
SAFARI PARK. Local tourists feed African giraffes at Calauit Safari Park in Calauit Island, Busuanga town, Palawan province on Thursday, September 12. Entrance
Quiboloy pleads not guilty to human trafficking...
forwarded to us,” he added.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will then file a petition before a court, which will ultimately decide if the legal parameters of extradition are met.
Ty noted the preference of President Marcos and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for Quiboloy to face charges in the Philippines first before his possible extradition.
But the undersecretary noted that there could be different “permutations” of the process, such as an extradition petition
being heard by a local court while Quiboloy is on trial for charges in the Philippines. “The bottomline is that our country has the call on whether to grant such (extradition) request from the United States,” he said. The U.S. DOJ earlier declined to comment on the matter. “As a matter of policy, the U.S. Department of Justice generally does not comment on extradition-related matters until a defendant is in the United States,” a spokesperson said in response to an inquiry sent by The STAR earlier this week.
Ty said both the executive and the judiciary have to be on board on the matter.
“We’ll have to present in the court if it’s an extraditable offense among other things. There are a lot of issues that have to be resolved before the court ultimately comes up with a decision to extradite Pastor Quiboloy,” said the justice official.
“The discretion of the executive will have to come into play as well,” he added. (With reports from Sheila Crisostomo, Janvic Mateo, Edith Regalado, Bella Cariaso)
The enormous power of the untapped...
Organization — PIVOT — said that Vietnamese American voters, among the most conservative AANHPIs who traditionally vote Republican, are slowly shifting left. “There is a toss-up between Republicans and Democrats, with a significant portion of around 25% who are Independent and can still be persuaded,” said Nguyen.
“There is rampant misinformation and disinformation in our communities, both in English, but especially in Vietnamese, with much of that bad content coming out on YouTube, he said. PIVOT has created VietFact Check. Nguyen described the resource as a “nonpartisan information service that has really served as a model for bilingual antidisinformation work in Asian American communities.”
PIVOT has also created a bilingual Get Out the Vote ad campaign, which the organization is disseminating through many platforms, including conservative, Trump-supporting groups. Additionally, the organization plans to distribute 100,000 handwritten postcards before Election Day Nov. 5.
Asian American conservatism
“Older Vietnamese American voters who use to support Trump are either less vocal about him or less enthusiastic about him or have been turned off by him, mostly not around policy issues, but around character issues. And this seems to have started with the insurrection in January 2021,” said Nguyen. The Biden Administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war has turned off some younger Vietnamese
Americans, who are not yet backing Harris, he said.
University of San Francisco Professor Dr. James Zarsadiaz discussed the history of Asian American conservatism. Until the 1990s, Asian Americans traditionally voted Republican, believing that the party was aligned with their values of traditional families and supporting economic growth. George HW Bush successfully courted AAPI voters in 1992, and Bob Dole followed in 1996, though there was also considerable enthusiasm for Democratic candidate Bill Clinton.
The year 2000 saw a dramatic shift, as AAPIs voted for Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore, who won the popular vote, but lost the electoral college. A wave of anti-Asianism, along with the new “hard right policies” of House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Congress made many AAPIs question their loyalty to the Republican Party, said Zarsadiaz, who is working on a book: “The Asian American Conservative.” Democrats ‘Soft on Crime’
But the shift left may be turning again. “There are a lot of registered Asian American Democrats who are starting to move more right, voting for maybe central left or more moderate Democrats, as opposed to backing folks who are more liberal or more progressive,” said Zarsadiaz.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought with it a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes, Zarsadiaz said many AANHPIs felt unsupported by the Democratic party, which has been characterized as “soft on crime.”
Pennsylvania: The ultimate battleground
Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, spoke to reporters from the battleground state of Pennsylvania, which several pundits believe will determine the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election.
“Pennsylvania is the battleground of battlegrounds. It’s where everything’s going down. And that means that for our community, when we’re the margin of victory, there’s an intense opportunity to build local grassroots political power,” he said, noting that organizations need to be long-term resourced, so that they’re doing day-today outreach in the community, outside of election cycles.
“When we launched in 2020, we doubled the AsianAmerican vote in Pennsylvania, and that doubling provided fully half of President Biden’s margin of victory in the state,” said Seshadri, adding that his organization was also successful in flipping down-ballot races.
“We’re going to knock on 500,000 doors in 22 languages; make 5 million phone calls in 22 languages. We’re going to send a million pieces of mail in the languages our communities speak with representation from our community leaders on it in order to meet every single member of our community where they are, and make sure they know not just how to vote in this critical election, but also which candidates up and down the ballot are actually going to listen to and fight for our communities,” he said. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)
Ang mga Paglilingkod sa Pagtanda ng California ay nag-aalok ng mga Mahahalagang Pagkukunan para sa mga Nakatatanda
Ang mga Paglilingkod sa Pagtanda ng California ay nag-aalok ng mga Mahahalagang Pagkukunan para sa mga Nakatatanda
Habang tayo ay tumatanda, ang ating mga pangangailangan at pagkauna ay nagbabago. Sa California, isang malawak na hanay ng mga paglilingkod ay nakahandang tulungan kayong manatili ang iyong pagsasarili, manatiling may kaugnayan, at nanguguna ng isang makabuluhang buhay. Kayo man ay naghahanap ng tulong sa pang-araw-araw na mga gawain, gabay sa pangkalusugang pag-aalaga, o nagbabalak para sa kinabukasan, ang mga paglilingkod sa pagtanda sa California ay narito upang tumulong.
Pagtanda sa Kinaroroonan Marami sa inyo ay maaaring mas nais na manatili sa inyong sariling bahay habang tumatanda. Ang California ay nag-aalok ng mga programang makakatulong sa mga pambahay na pagkukumpuni, pagbibiyahe, at sa-bahay na pag-aalaga. Dagdag pa rito, ang mga programang pangangalaga sa kalusugan at lipunan, kabilang na ang mga day centers na may mga gawaing gaya ng sa mga sining at pagsasanay, at tutulong sa inyong pagsasarili.
Mga Paglilingkod sa Masustansiyang Pagkain
Kayo ay masisiyahan sa mga hinatid sa bahay na mga pagkain o mga pagkaing para sa mga nagtitipong pangkat sa mga pampook na lunduyan. Sa mga may maliit na kinikita, may mga pagpipilian upang makakuha ng mga sariwang ani at iba pang mga pakinabang ng pagkain sa pamamagitan ng programang Pinalawak na CalFresh.
Gabay sa Pangkalusugang Insurance
Nalilito sa mga pagpipilian tungkol sa pangkalusugang insurance? Ang Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) ay nagbibigay ng gabay sa Medicare at pangmatagalang insurance sa pag-aalaga. Tulong sa mga Nagbibigay ng Pag-aalaga Kung ikaw ay nag-aalaga ng isang mas
nakatatanda, may mga programang gaya ng Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) at ang Family Caregiver Support Program na nag-aalok ng pagpapahinga, pagpapayo, at tulong sa mga panulat na gawain. Ang mga CRCs ay nagbibigay rin ng mga balaking pagkilos sa mga pamilyang may inaalagang maysakit na dementia.
Pambatas na Tulong
Humaharap ka ba sa usaping gaya ng panloloko sa mamimili, pagmamalabis sa mga nakatatanda, o pagtatangi dahil sa edad? Ang mga lingkod pambatas ay nakalaan upang makatulong sa Social Security, pangkalusugang insurance, mga pension, at iba pa. Mga Pagkakataong Magkaroon ng
Hanapbuhay
Naghahanap ka ba ng hanapbuhay? Ang mga walang bayad na pagsasanay at paghahanap ng hanapbuhay na paglilingkod ay makukuha para sa nga nakatatandang taga California. Pagiging Handa sa Panahon ng Kagipitan Ang mga pagbabalak para sa mga kagipitan ay mas mahalaga habang tayo ay tumatanda. Ang California ay nag-aalok ng mga mapagkukunang makakatulong na maghanda sa panahon ng kagipitan sa pangkalikasang kapahamakan, pagkawala ng koryente, at iba pang kagipitan. Ang pagbuo ng isang pansariling balak sa kagipitan, pagkakaroon ng handang pangkagipitang mga gamit, at pananatiling nakakaalam sa mga pampook na mga mapagkukunan ay makakatulong nang husto. Ang lahat ng mga paglilingkod na ito at iba ay mapagtutugma sa pamamagitan ng pampook na Area Agencies on Aging. Alamin ang sa inyo sa pagtawag sa California Aging and Adult Information Line sa 800-510-2020 o sa pagtungo sa aging.ca.gov.
Two US senators denounce ‘escalating’ Chinese aggression in West Philippine Sea
Senators Chris Coons and Pete Ricketts introduce a resolution celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between U.S. and Philippines
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) have denounced the “escalating” Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea as they introduced a resolution celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the United States and the Philippines.
The resolution reaffirms U.S. commitment to defending the Philippines under the treaty “particularly in the wake of persistent and escalating aggression” by China in the West Philippine Sea, the senators said in a joint statement released this week.
“Chinese harassment against Filipinos simply trying to uphold their territorial sovereignty threatens global trade and security and could result in wider conflict,” said Senator Coons.
He said the U.S. is committed to strengthening the U.S.-Philippines alliance and pledged to “stand with our Filipino partners in their efforts to defend their territorial sovereignty and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Senator Ricketts said this commitment is more important than ever given China’s “increased harassment and intimidation of our allies and
partners in the South China Sea.”
Senators Coons and Ricketts are both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Philippine government has recently conveyed to China its “complaint and displeasure” over the ramming by the China Coast Guard of Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Aug. 31.
It was the fifth incident of Chinese harassment to be recorded in only a month. Other incidents included the blocking of a resupply mission to the Teresa Magbanua five days earlier. The resolution urges President Joe Biden to take “appropriate and necessary actions in response to escalatory PRC behavior to restore deterrence and help the Philippines defend itself.”
The resolution reaffirms that Article IV of the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on the armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft of the Philippines, including the Philippine Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea. It considers China’s aggression in the Philippines’ internationally-recognized exclusive economic zone to be direct assaults on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Inquirer.net)
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS. Lawyer Eugenio Insigne (8th from right) visits the Tagbanua indigenous community in the famous Calauit Island in Busuanga, Palawan on Friday, Sept. 13. The Tagbanuas celebrated the 38th anniversary of their
OpiniOn Features
Facing the music
WITH the self-styled “son of God” now losing his seeming invincibility, more people are coming out, claiming to be victims of sexual abuse at the hands of pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The Philippine National Police said parents of the alleged victims, some as young as 12, claimed Quiboloy raped the women and girls, who served as KOJC “pastorals” or assistants.
The accusations are similar to the complaints brought against Quiboloy in the United States, where a federal grand jury in a California District Court indicted him for “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.” A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on Nov. 10, 2021.
The “most wanted” poster of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation accuses Quiboloy of “alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States yearround.”
WHEN Sara Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined forces ahead of the 2022 elections, which ultimately sealed the fate of that historic race, a bizarre torrent of monickers and iconographies burst onto the scene.
For the supporters of the “UniTeam,” the tandem represented an unbeatable coalition between the “Tiger of the North” (Marcos Jr.) and the “Eagle of Davao” (Sara Duterte). Thus, the birth of a surreal cottage industry of posters, memes, and billboards drenched in self-aggrandizing zoological fantasies.
For critics, the so-called “UniTeam” was nothing less than a coalition of brats, namely the alliance of convenience between
Virtual Reality
T ony L opez
IN four days, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made two major and sensational arrests.
One, Alice Guo, aka Guo Hua Ping, accused of various crimes like lying before Congress under oath, human trafficking, tax evasion, money laundering, graft and corruption.
Two, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who has proclaimed generational divinity for himself and been accused of child abuse, sex trafficking, sexual abuse of minors, as well as federal grand jury charges in California of conspiracy, sex trafficking of children and sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion. U.S. federal agents have been looking for him since November 2021. Says the U.S. State Department: “Human trafficking is both a grave crime and a human rights abuse. It compromises national and economic security, undermines the rule of law and harms the well-being of individuals and communities everywhere. It is a crime of exploitation.” Life imprisonment and/or $1.5-million fine is maximum penalty for human trafficking.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, Alice Guo, 34, was seized by Indonesian authorities in the Indonesian city of Tangerang, near Jakarta. On Sept. 5, at 4 a.m., Guo was turned over to the Philippine arresting party composed of
“Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or ‘pastorals,’ for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called ‘night duty,’ ” the FBI poster declared. The U.S. government has declined to comment on whether it would formally seek Quiboloy’s extradition – a move that the pastor’s camp has vowed to oppose through legal processes. But Philippine officials have said there is still no such request, and judicial processes in the Philippines must take precedence before the pastor’s extradition.
Quiboloy has emerged from hiding and is reportedly prepared to face the charges against him. He could have done this earlier if his claim of innocence has basis, to clear his name ASAP, recover frozen assets of the KOJC and get on with his life. (Philstar.com)
After Quiboloy: Are Dutertes next?
the untested and unproven offspring of two notorious Filipino strongmen. On her part, Sara Duterte had no relevant experience beyond local government politics. She simply lacked the audacity and eloquence for national leadership, which would require a certain effortless pizzazz in dealing with global statesmen. She also seemed like a poor copy of her dad—an already problematic original—in wit and spontaneity. As for Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he had all the glamour and eloquence of his parents, thanks to his exposure to the global elite throughout decades at the pinnacle of national power. But the namesake son neither have the gravitas and academic credentials of his dad nor the spontaneous charm of his notorious mom, who dazzled world leaders—from Mao Zedong
Interior and Local Government
Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil who, using a private plane, flew the fugitive to Manila where she was read her rights, processed, handcuffed, fingerprinted and made to wear an orange detainee uniform. The long arm of the law finally caught up with Guo.
At 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8, Quiboloy was arrested, after a 15-day siege by a 2,300-strong arresting PNP force at the sprawling Davao worship compound of the self-appointed son of God. Whether it was divine inspiration or deux ex machina, only the devil can truly relate the circumstances of Quiboloy’s capture by force of arms. Now, I want President Marcos Jr. to execute another kind of arrest. This is arresting the unbated rise in prices of prime commodities, particularly food, and the atrocious interest rates slapped by the Bangko Sentral on hapless money users in the past four years.
There is no fine nor prison penalty for BSP people unilaterally raising interest rates to their heart’s desire. The 91-day T-bill rate has risen more than fivefold, from 1.1 pct in 2021 to 5.61 by 2024. They call rising interest rates a stability measure, although the effect has been one of political instability which cannot be measured by monetary aggregates. The more useful aggregate is solid stone which hungry small folks use when they start storming the palace looking for something to eat or someone to blame. There is also no penalty for unabated
and Fidel Castro to Muammar Ghadaffi—throughout her unforgettably decadent reign as the Philippines’ de facto queen.
The tandem ended up winning the greatest share of votes in more than half a century of presidential elections in the country. And then came the inevitable political divorce. A very ugly one at that. It didn’t take long before former “UniTeam” aficionados turned on each other with gusto.
The most notorious propagandists ended up turning on their former patrons with exquisite brutality. Some went so far as accusing the incumbent of being a “drug addict” (“Polvoron Boy”) and, in a zoological reversal, ended up branding now President Marcos as a kitten (“ Kuting ”) rather than a Tiger (“ Tigre ”).
Bizarrely, former President Rodrigo Duterte has echoed similar statements, thus exposing major political realignments within a
Arrest
inflation.
But the rewards for arrest are huge and are something for the soul, especially if you are a politician, a pro-poor politician. Arrest is a French word meaning to stop or stay. So arrest the rise in prices of food. Arrest the high interest rate regime of the BSP.
In the first half of 2024, the average farmgate prices of the following major crops showed hefty price increases: palay, up 35 percent to P24.74 per kilo; banana 15.3 percent, coconut 17 percent, pineapple 68 percent, coffee 46 percent, tobacco 8.6 percent, abaca 10 percent, tomato 37 percent, potato 2.3 percent, calamansi 8.8 percent and cacao 10 percent.
Production of palay, banana, mango, sugar, onion and mongo declined in the first half. In livestock, hogs 8.8 percent, cattle 9.1 percent, carabao 5.6 percent, goat 13.2 percent and dairy 7.5 percent, all showed large price increases despite higher production.
How important is food and agriculture? Farmers and fishermen are the poorest Filipinos. Their poverty incidence is 30 percent, double the national average. Yes, agriculture employs 10 million Filipinos. The food shortage is 25 percent of demand. The shortage is covered mainly by imports, worth P1.14 trillion a year. Production is hampered by huge harvest losses, 14.5 percent in rice, 16 percent in fisheries, 20 percent in fruits and vegetables, 26 percent in mongo and 32 percent in onion. Food needed to feed the hungry – numbering 15 million – is simply wasted.
tempestuous landscape.
So far, however, “Team Kuting” has proven itself as far more formidable than its former ally, which will likely be redubbed as “Team Itik,” since the self-styled venerable eagle has looked as vulnerable as a baby duck. By all indications, the Dutertes and their proxies have devastatingly underestimated the incumbent.
Mr. Marcos may not be a tiger himself, but he clearly surrounds himself with capable ones. Earlier this year, one of those tigers told me that the president is not going to be a sitting duck. If anything, he will strike back—at the moment of his choosing. And that political moment seems to be arriving, at last.
The “repatriation” of Bamban’s former Chinese Mayor Alice Guo was clearly headline-grabbing news, but the Apollo Quiboloy “surrender” may be the real clincher. After
Inflation is high because of low production or no production of food, which has been half of the inflation rate in the past two years. Yet, BSP keeps imposing high interest rates to solve the inflation problem when it should be focusing on production. According to Economic Planning Secretary Arsi Balisacan, high interest rates cut our economic growth by half percent. And reduced food production. You need money to produce food and if that money is very expensive you don’t produce food instead. So instead of enjoying 6 percent GDP growth we should have had 6.5 percent, the best in Asia. A half percent missed economic growth rate to me means P250 billion worth of lost production and 100,000 jobs that should have been created. Laments Sec Arsi: “Our growth performance could have been even more impactful on all Filipinos if not for the high inflation and interest rates that the country experienced in the last two years. Considering the lagged effect of interest rate hikes that the BSP carried out in response to the high inflation in 2022 and early 2023, we estimate that economic growth could have been over half a percentage point higher in 2023 if such rate hikes did not materialize. More importantly, with slower increases in food prices, our efforts could have reduced the poverty incidence to around 13 to 14 percent in 2023 – instead of the actual reported figure of 15.5 percent – if inflation had been within target during the year. This would have translated to an even higher reduction in
weeks of tense standoff, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III ably salami-sliced Quiboloy’s gigantic compound until the de facto fugitive was forced to come out of hiding. In the process, Torre defied all odds, including constant pressure from Davao’s political and legal establishment, and deftly avoided both violence and fatigue until the enemy blinked.
In retrospect, this should have come as totally unsurprising. As General Torre told me during the first night of siege: “We are under great pressure [to see this through].” Quiboloy’s arrest marks a milestone on many levels, especially for justice, thanks to the tireless efforts of the likes of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who single-handedly exposed all alleged abuses within the controversial pastor’s sect. Most fundamentally, it broke a major psychological barrier, namely the impunity of the
joint kingdom in Davao. As one of Mr. Marcos’ tigers recently told me, there are currently more than 200 legislators who are open to backing impeachment proceedings against the vice president based on a myriad of charges. Another admitted that the International Criminal Court has been communicating with them ahead of a potential issuance of a warrant of arrest. In many ways, this month may end up as the most consequential one in Mr. Marcos’ presidency. Will he decisively strike at the Dutertes, or risk confronting their vengeance in the future? (Inquirer.net)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph
the number of poor people by 4.4 million instead of the actual reported 2.5 million between 2021 and 2023.”(Inquirer.net)
ManilaTimes.net photo
RichaRd heydaRian
Duterte-Quiboloy
Dateline PhiliPPines
Marcos Jr. honors father on 107th birthday
by Helen Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — Calling him his “guiding force” and “steady voice of reason,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honored his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the latter’s 107th birth anniversary on Wednesday, September 11.
“Not a day goes by where I don’t think about my father. His wisdom remains a guiding force, a steady voice of reason reminding me of the principles that should lead our nation forward,” the president said in a post on Facebook.
“Happy birthday, Dad! We continue to celebrate you and honor your lasting legacy,” he added.
In a separate Facebook post, the president urged Filipinos to pay tribute to his father’s memory by reflecting on his legacy and “meaningful” service to the nation.
“He is a symbol of hope, a great innovator and a fervent patriot. Indeed, he was a Renaissance man whose thoughts and ideas were far ahead of his time,” he said.
The president, together with First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos and their sons, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, Simon and Vincent, attended a thanksgiving mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac City, Ilocos Norte before leading a wreathlaying ceremony at the Marcos Monument, also located in Batac.
Marcos’ sister Sen. Imee Marcos and other family members also joined the event.
In his brief remarks after the mass, the president said his father’s 107th birthday is meaningful for their family.
“And for us, the Marcos family, that’s always a significant number because seven is the lucky number of my father,” he said.
Marcos also graced the “Natnateng cook-off showdown,” a culinary event that showcases various signature vegetable dishes in the province of Ilocos Norte as part of the Marcos Day celebration.
Sept. 11 was declared a special non-working day in Ilocos Norte for the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late former president.
As part of the Marcos Day celebration, the president distributed ambulances in Paoay town and assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program or AKAP program in Batac and Laoag.
“We should not only celebrate his birthday with festivities, but rather with the spirit of generosity and bayanihan, through giving back to our people,” Marcos wrote on Facebook.
Marcos Sr. was born on Sept. 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.
He was elected president in 1965.
He placed the Philippines under martial law on Sept. 21, 1972 through Proclamation 1081 until Jan. 17, 1981 – a period that was marked with human rights abuses.
He died in exile in Hawaii on Sept. 28, 1989 at the age of 72.
In 1993, the government allowed Marcos Sr.’s widow Imelda Marcos to bring his body to the Philippines, but refused her demand for a hero’s burial.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte allowed the burial of the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in 2016 amid strong opposition from martial law victims and human rights defenders.
The late strongman’s body had been interred in a glass crypt in the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac City for years.
In an interview in September 2022, Marcos said he is not bothered being called the “son of the dictator” even as he defended his father’s imposition of martial law in 1972, saying it was necessary to prevent rising disorder caused by communist and separatist rebellions at the time.
P157.9 million aid
The Marcos administration on Wednesday provided P157.9 million worth of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Ilocos Norte to help them recover from previous calamities and to increase the production of the agriculture sector.
Marcos led the distribution of farm implements like seeds, tractors, fertilizers, fishery paraphernalia, fuel subsidies and solar-powered irrigation system to some 1,000 farmers, fishermen and livestock raisers from various groups in the province.
The event was part of the celebration of the 107th birth anniversary of Marcos’ late father and namesake in Batac City.
“Because of El Niño, we did not experience rain for six months. Your government recognizes the need to help the needy because crops were destroyed and there was no catch in the fish ponds,” he added.
Marcos assured the beneficiaries that his administration is working to achieve the targets of the agriculture sector.
“This assistance is part of our bigger goal to recognize your diligence and sacrifices for Ilocos and for the entire country,” he said.
Martial law museum still a go – CHR Meanwhile, the martial law museum is still a go under the current administration.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) gave this assurance to the Senate during its budget deliberations on Wednesday.
“Just a curious question: is Malacañang supportive of this?” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) executive director Carmelo Crisanto.
“The Palace expresses its support through the Department of Budget and Management, and I am here to say that during the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, we have never received any instruction to stop what we’re doing,” Crisanto said.
He added that the commission, an attached agency of the CHR, has received its trust receipts as part of its annual funding, as well as increases in its budget under the second Marcos administration.
Crisanto said he was able to talk to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who asked about the delays in the museum.
The museum is 20 months delayed because of the need to relocate the community maintenance office of the University of the Philippines Diliman, which granted free use of its 1.4-hectare land along C.P. Garcia Avenue. The museum will finish construction in 18 months once the land is cleared, according to Crisanto. Republic Act 10368, or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act, which created the HRVVMC, states that a martial
DOJ recommends qualified trafficking charges against Alice Guo
by Luisa Cabato Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Department of Justice has recommended the filing of qualified trafficking charges against ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo (real name: Guo Hua Ping).
This was said by Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty in a press conference on Friday, September 13.
“Ang hatol sa preliminary investigation laban kay Alice Guo ay may finding na prima facie evidence for qualified trafficking in person,” he said.
(The ruling in the preliminary investigation against Alice Guo found prima facie evidence for qualified trafficking in persons.)
Prima facie evidence is defined by the Supreme Court as evidence that is “good and sufficient on its face.”
trafficking, maaari kang madawit sa human trafficking,” the official explained.
law museum shall be created with an annual budget of no less than P500 million sourced from the accrued interests on the P10-billion Marcos illgotten wealth. The museum, which will memorialize the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship, will be called Freedom Memorial Museum. (With reports from Alexis Romero, Marc Jayson Cayabyab)
Ty cited an amendment in Republic Act 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as the reason for the recommendation.
“May napakagandang bagong provision doon sa latest amendment ng ating Trafficking in Persons Act no, ‘yung section 4(l),” he said.
“Nakalagay doon if you organized an establishment that was engaged in human
(There is a very good new provision in the latest amendment to our Trafficking in Persons Act, specifically Section 4(l). It states that if you organized an establishment involved in human trafficking, you could be implicated in human trafficking.)
The Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission and Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group filed the complaint against Guo last June. The complaint was submitted
for resolution on August 6, but the camp of Guo filed a motion to reopen the investigation and admit her counter-affidavit 10 days later.
Atty. Elmer Galicia’s notarization of the counteraffidavit last August 14 raised questions as Guo had already left the country in July. The motion was refiled last September 6.
Guo is under investigation for her alleged connection with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in her town, where abuse and torture also reportedly occurred. n
Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo Inquirer.net photo
President Marcos speaks on the 107th birth anniversary of his father and namesake at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Wednesday, September 11. Philstar.com photo
LOS ANGELES
Columbia to release GMA’s MMFF entry ‘Green Bones,’ ‘Gabi ng Lagim’
GMA Pictures and Columbia Pictures have entered a landmark deal to distribute the upcoming films “Green Bones” — a finalist to the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival in December — and “KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie.” The contract signing took place at Columbia Pictures’ Philippine office on September 5. This marks Columbia Pictures’ return to distributing local films in the Philippines.
Representing GMA Pictures at the signing were GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide and Support Group and President of GMA Films, lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes, along with GMA Pictures Executive Vice President and GMA Public Affairs First Vice President Nessa Valdellon.
Signing for Columbia Pictures were Managing Director Christopher Sy and Sales & Operations Manager Andra de Erquiaga Manas.
“GMA Pictures is proud to announce that two of its upcoming films, ‘Green Bones’ and ‘KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie,’ will be distributed commercially by Columbia Pictures. As one of the leading film production companies in the world, Columbia Pictures has brought some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to Philippine theaters. We are honored and grateful to have Columbia Pictures with us as we strive to produce high-quality films. This deal ensures that these movies will reach more moviegoers,” said GozonValdes.
“Columbia Pictures has always been committed to the theatrical experience, and we are thrilled to partner with GMA Pictures to distribute the MMFF entry ‘Green Bones’ as well as ‘KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie.’ GMA Pictures has a rich legacy of producing award-winning and
Under this agreement, Columbia Pictures will manage the local theatrical distribution of “Green Bones” and “KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie.” This will be the first time in eight years that Columbia Pictures has distributed locally produced films.
At the GMA and Columbia contract signing: GMA Pictures Executive Vice President Nessa Valdellon, lawyer and GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Valdes, ‘Green Bones’ lead actors Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, and Columbia Pictures Managing Director Christopher Sy and Sales & Operations Manager Andra de Erquiaga Manas. GMA photo PAGE B2
MANILA — Actress-singer and theater veteran Lea Salonga is officially the fourth Filipino to have a wax figure made by Madame Tussauds.
Both the entertainment franchise and Lea herself confirmed earlier this year that the award-winning artist would get a wax figure of herself that would be inside Madame Tussauds’ Singapore branch.
Lea’s wax figure was unveiled at a special event held in a resortcasino in Parañaque, a week before the statue heads to Singapore for its permanent home.
The artist was visibly in awe after pulling the curtain that publicly revealed the figure, dressed in a blue gown, while handling a microphone stand.
The dress was designed by Rajo Laurel, Lea’s favorite designer whom she considers a good friend.
Madame Tussauds previously made the wax figures of boxing
Lea Salonga Photo from Instagram/@mtssingapore
champion Manny Pacquio, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Their wax figures are found in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, though Pia’s figure recently
finished a temporary stay in Singapore.
Host-actress Anne Curtis is also getting a wax figure and it will also find a home in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong once completed.
Columbia to release GMA’s
commercial films, which we look forward to bringing to as wide an audience as possible,” said Sy.
The event was also graced by “Green Bones” lead actors Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid.
Directed by Zig Dulay, “Green Bones” is a gripping, inspirational drama that tells the story of a man accused of murdering his sister and niece and a relentless corrections officer driven by an unquenchable thirst for justice. It is GMA Network’s official entry to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival. National Artist
for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee is among the film’s screenplay writers. Meanwhile, “KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim : The Movie” is the film spin-off of the annual Halloween special of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” which features reallife horror-themed stories and episodes. Columbia Pictures, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, has released some of the biggest blockbusters of the past decade, including “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Venom,” “SpiderMan: Across the Spider-Verse,” and the recently released
“It Ends With Us.” In 2023, Columbia Pictures released “Insidious: The Red Door,” which became the highestgrossing film of the year and the biggest horror film of all time in the Philippines. GMA Pictures has become a prominent player in Philippine cinema, captivating audiences locally and internationally. Some of its recent films include “Firefly,” “The Cheating Game,” and the 2024 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entry “ Balota ,” which was produced in collaboration with GMA Entertainment Group. (ManilaTimes.net)
Citizen Pinoy visits Max’s Fried...
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Marcaida, Senior Business Head for Max’s North America, who shared her experiences managing the popular chain in the U.S.
The episode also features questions from Jael and Jharmaine, the daughters of the restaurant’s owner, who are both part of the working staff.
Marylou asked how her niece can come to the U.S. legally to find a job or a husband.
Jenny is concerned about issues with her name on her passport, which lists her middle and last names as “MarcialMarcial,” and wonders how this might affect her ability to petition her husband and kids.
Jael has a friend who came to the U.S. as a visitor and got pregnant. Jael asks if her friend could now get her papers in order through her son, who is turning 18.
Jharmaine wanted to know if their relatives in the Philippines can immigrate to the U.S. to help in the restaurant.
Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions and more in “Your Tanong , My Sagot ” at the Seattle branch of Valerio’s Tropical Bakeshop. Watch this encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, September 15 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.
(Advertising Supplement)
Marylou (right) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Jael (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Lana Marcaida (right), Senior Business Head for Max’s North America, with Atty. Gurfinkel
Jenny (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel
Jharmaine (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel
CDPH encourages Californians to ‘Rethink Your Drink’
Campaign reminds Californians that sugary drinks may be riskier than you think
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with local health departments and communitybased organizations to promote Rethink Your Drink 2024, an ongoing public awareness campaign designed to encourage Californians to consider the risks of sugar sweetened beverages and to make healthy choices when it comes to their consumption.
Rethink Your Drink compliments CDPH’s recently announced Not So Sweet Side campaign, an overarching awareness campaign which reaches California families and communities through digital, radio, video and billboard advertising, as well as community-focused outreach efforts to reach diverse families across California.
“Research shows that sugary drinks are one of the leading contributors to chronic health conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer.
“Through Rethink Your Drink, we empower families to reduce their sugar intake and choose water as a primary beverage.”
Rethink Your Drink is a year-round effort, but CDPH is increasing its efforts this September, working to bring together local health departments, health educators, community organizations, and others to raise awareness about healthier beverage choices and the health risks of consuming too much sugar.
September is also a crucial time for reaching communities and individuals as the backto-school season begins, providing an excellent opportunity for families to focus on healthier beverage choices and build lasting habits as they transition into the new school year.
A significant proportion of added sugars in the American diet come from sugary drinks, and consuming too much sugar has been associated with an increase in chronic conditions and diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay.
• Studies have found that regularly consuming sugarsweetened beverages can increase the risk of both obesity and developing type 2 diabetes.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
• Children with poor oral health and tooth decay tend to miss more school and receive
lower grades than children with better oral health, while adults tend to lose more school or work hours for urgent, unplanned dental visits.
In July, CDPH launched the Not So Sweet Side campaign, an overarching education and awareness campaign designed to encourage Californians to make healthier choices when it comes to sweetened beverages.
Rethink Your Drink, a longstanding awareness effort from CDPH’s CalFresh Healthy Living, compliments the larger campaign, encouraging direct action at the local level.
Partners and families across California are encouraged to join Rethink Your Drink by accessing educational resources on the health risks of sugary drinks, available in English and Spanish:
Whether hosting or attending Rethink Your Drink events in September, activities like educational booths, interactive games, and water taste tests offer fun ways to promote healthier drink choices. For event resources,
SB19’s Pablo excited to mentor future stars in ‘The Voice Kids’
by Jerry Donato Philstar.com
MANILA — Pablo of the popular P-pop boy group, SB19, will show what he is made of as a coach come premiere of “The Voice Kids” on Sept. 15 at 7:15 p.m. over GMA.
It’s a welcome change for him, whose singing, songwriting, and performing skills are unique and unmatched.
Definitely, watching Pablo as a mentor to very young promising and talented kids is a breather from what his following has known him.
“The first time I heard about the offer of me being tapped as a coach for ‘The Voice Kids,’ I was really surprised,” said he about the latest development in his entertainment career in a recent press conference. “I didn’t expect it (to happen) since Stell (SB19 fellow member) is already here (or part of the show).”
“But I got interested (in taking part of it) also because I’m at the point of life na gusto ko talagang ibahagi yung knowledge na natutunan ko ( where I want to impart the knowledge I’ve learned for the past years), especially in performing,” added he.
Being part of “The Voice Kids” is the perfect opportunity for him to fulfill that intention and aspiration.
Pablo thought about it for a while and eventually gave his yes. Pablo will be joining fellow SB19 artist Stell, Julie Anne San Jose and Billy Crawford as co-coaches, with host Dingdong
visit RethinkYourDrinkDay. com. For family-friendly tips on making healthier choices, visit UncoverHealthyHabits. com or follow @ CalFreshHealthyLiving on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. (CDPH Release)
Janet Nepales elected to Golden Globe Awards advisory board
VETERAN Hollywood journalist Janet R. Nepales was recently elected to the Golden Globe Awards (GGA) Advisory Board along with her colleagues, Ramzy Malouki and Asel Sherniyazova.
GGA members voted for Janet, Ramzy and Asel in a recent election for the three open positions on the Advisory Board.
Janet is an award-winning journalist and the first Filipina voting member and Associate of the Golden Globe Awards. She has previously held various positions at the Globes.
A member since 2008, she is a Hollywood columnist and correspondent of GMA-7 TV and News and the author of the coffee table book “FASHION. Filipino. Hollywood. The World.”
Janet is also a board member of the Soho International Film Festival, the Asian World Film Festival and a co-founder and board member of the Manila International Film Festival.
Based in Los Angeles, Janet is a University of Santo Tomas (UST) Journalism cum laude graduate who was recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) as one of the “100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the U.S.” in 2012 and one of the “100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the World” in 2013.
She is a co-author of the first FWN book entitled “DISRUPT: Filipina Women: Proud. Loud. Leading Without A Doubt.” Janet received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. at The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards in 2022 in New York.
She is a consistent winner in the Los Angeles Press Club’s annual Southern California Journalism Awards and the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. Janet was awarded Journalist of the Year by the Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA) in 2022. Janet is also a columnist for the Filipina
and
American News and Chic Compass Magazine. She is married to journalist Ruben V. Nepales, who is also a GGA member, with whom she has two daughters – Bianca Nicole and Rafaella Angelica. Janet R. Nepales was recently elected to the Golden Globe Awards Advisory Board.
Photo by Marq Mendez; digital creator, Keyr Castro; glam, Joel Vera Sebastian; hair, Bongbong Buan; and terno, Amiel Noble of Noble Creations Online.
Photos courtesy of CDPH
SB19’s Pablo excited to...
PAGE B3 promotional activities for “The Voice Kids.”
“Nagpapasalamat din ako dun (I’m very grateful for that warm welcome ),” said he, who also gets to ask Stell, Julie Anne and Billy about their experiences in mentoring talents and handling kiddie aspirants. Stell, Julie Anne and Billy worked together in another GMA reality talent show, “The Voice Generations.” Pablo shared that he has this
“masungit” (moody) reputation among his supporters, who also find him nice and kind, as one may add.
“I’m really excited to meet them (the kids) and of course, I will adjust on how to share my knowledge with them,” said Pablo, who considers the coaches “very helpful.”
For Pablo, it’s very important for kid talents to see that “The Voice Kids,” as a platform, is and
AADAP to honor Kaiser Permanente, John Yamamoto, Marqueece Harris-Dawson,
Trisha Murakawa at ‘Showtime 2024’
LOS ANGELES – The Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) is proud to announce that Kaiser Permanente, John Yamamoto, vice president of Community Health and Government Relations for Kaiser Permanente Southern California; LA City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Trisha Murakawa, Principal and Chief Problem Solver for Murakawa Communications will be honored at the upcoming “Showtime 2024” event, celebrating AADAP’s 52nd Anniversary.
Kuleana Award: Kaiser Permanente & John Yamamoto
The Kuleana Award honors a distinguished Corporate or Foundation partner whose unwavering support has profoundly impacted AADAP’s mission. The award recognizes not only the depth and longevity of their partnership, but also their public embodiment of philanthropic values, reflecting a steadfast resolve to drive meaningful change and support the communities we serve.
Kaiser Permanente and John Yamamoto, vice president of Community Health and Government Relations at Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan, Southern California, exemplify the spirit of Kuleana through their strategic investments in community health, high-wage job creation, affordable housing, and addressing health and economic disparities.
Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is the nation’s largest nonprofit integrated healthcare organization committed to shaping the future of health care with highquality, affordable services.
Serving 12.5 million members across eight states and the District of Columbia, the organization emphasizes total health through its Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and advanced technology, and is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and community support. Yamamoto brings extensive
experience from his previous roles leading Kaiser Permanente’s national legal department and serving as Southern California Regional Counsel. He also contributes to the boards of Maui Health System, Futuro Health, and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
Social Justice Award: LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, 8th District
The Social Justice Award celebrates an individual whose steadfast dedication to combating inequity and discrimination embodies the true spirit of social justice. This award honors those whose organizing, activism, and advocacy have profoundly impacted their communities, championing fairness and equality while inspiring transformative change and resilience in the fight for a more just society.
Harris-Dawson will be recognized for leading community advocacy in South LA, championing AADAP’s Youth and Family Programs at the City Council, and working to overcome systemic barriers to youth services.
As president-elect of the Los Angeles City Council, Harris-Dawson has dedicated over 20 years to community activism and public service. His pivotal work includes coauthoring Proposition HHH, a $1.2 billion bond measure for permanent supportive housing, and spearheading initiatives to support local businesses and feed vulnerable seniors during the pandemic. Harris-Dawson’s innovative governance and
commitment to social justice continue to drive positive change in Los Angeles.
Mike Watanabe Leadership Award: Trisha Murakawa, Murakawa Communications
The Mike Watanabe Leadership Award recognizes an extraordinary individual whose visionary leadership embodies the innovative spirit of Mike Watanabe, AADAP’s esteemed leader for 46 years. Their leadership not only sets a high standard for excellence but also drives meaningful impact, reflecting a deep dedication to advancing both their field and the communities they serve.
Murakawa will be celebrated for her pivotal role as a trusted partner of AADAP, where she has been instrumental in shaping their organizational strategy, creating an unforgettable 50th Gala program, and providing unwavering support to their programs and mission.
TMurakawa, a seasoned expert in the built environment, has over 25 years of experience in project management, strategic planning, and community engagement. Her work with public agencies and her commitment to community service through roles on various boards, including 211 LA County and the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, reflect her dedication to advancing equity and education.
Murakawa’s family legacy of community service and her leadership as president of the El Camino Community College Board of Trustees further highlight her impactful contributions.
“Showtime 2024” will be an
extraordinary evening featuring performances from funk/soul artist Leo Mercedez, “The Voice: Philippines” semifinalist Janice Javier, international sensation 4th Impact making their L.A. debut, and two-time Grammy winner Tia Carrere. The event will be hosted by actor, writer, producer, and director Mark Dacascos, promising an unforgettable celebration.
For more information about “Showtime 2024,” including ticket purchases and sponsorship opportunities, please visit aadapinc.org or contact Paulina Hong at phong@aadapinc.org.
Founded in 1972, The Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) is one of Los Angeles County’s oldest and most respected substance abuse treatment and prevention organizations. AADAP was the first publicly funded agency in the County to operate a substance abuse program specifically targeting Asian Americans. It remains one of only a few programs in the country to specifically provide culturally and linguistically sensitive treatment and prevention services to the Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. At the same time over its 50-year history the agency has broadened its mission and expertise to provide culturally competent treatment, prevention, mental health, youth gang, and employment services to serve all populations affected by drug and alcohol problems in the diverse Los Angeles County.
(AADAP Release)
Gigi De Lana brings ‘Rated Gigi 2.0’ live to Pechanga Resort Casino
TEMECULA — Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment as Gigi De Lana, one of the Philippines’ most electrifying performers, takes the stage at Pechanga Resort Casino on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 8 p.m. Fans of all ages will be treated to a sensational concert in the Pechanga Theater, showcasing Gigi’s incredible vocal talent and dynamic stage presence.
Gigi De Lana, a rising star in the music industry, has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique blend of pop and rock. Known for her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence, Gigi has rapidly gained a dedicated fan base, earning accolades for her dynamic live shows and emotional performances.
Her latest tour, “Rated Gigi 2.0,” is set to deliver an exhilarating experience, showcasing her diverse musical talents and chart-topping hits.
Tickets are available for purchase at the Pechanga Box Office or online at pechanga. com with prices starting at $75. Be sure to secure your tickets early, as this highly anticipated event is expected to sell out quickly.
Located in the heart of Southern California’s wine country, Pechanga Resort Casino offers a world-class entertainment experience, combining luxury accommodations, exquisite dining, and top-tier gaming. With its reputation for hosting some of the biggest names in music, Pechanga is proud to welcome Gigi De Lana and provide fans with a night of exceptional entertainment.
Don’t miss your chance to see Gigi De Lana live in concert as she presents “Rated Gigi 2.0” in an evening filled with music, emotion, and excitement. This is a must-see event for anyone who loves great music and unforgettable performances.
John Yamamoto, vice president of Community Health and Government Relations, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan, Southern California Trisha Murakawa, Principal/Chief Problem Solver, Murakawa Communications LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson
Ensuring child safety and best interests: The implications of California Family Code 3011
FAMILY Code 3011 represents a significant development in family law, specifically addressing cases where there are allegations of a history of abuse by one parent. When allegations of abuse have been brought to the attention of the court and the court makes an order for sole or joint custody o unsupervised visitation to that parent, Family Code 3011(a)(5) mandates that the court state its reasons, in writing or on the record, for determining that an order is in the best interest of the child and ensures the safety of both the child and the parties involved.
This article explores the key aspects of Family Code 3011 and its implications for child custody cases. Child custody cases often involve complex considerations, particularly when allegations of abuse by one parent are present. In the past, courts may have struggled to adequately address these concerns and provide appropriate safeguards for the child’s well-being. Family Code 3011 seeks to address this issue by requiring the court to provide explicit reasoning for its decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Family Code 3011 emphasizes the paramount importance of the child’s best interest in custody determinations. The court is now obligated to consider factors such as the child’s health, safety, welfare, and any history
of abuse or domestic violence when making custody decisions. In cases where there are allegations of a history of abuse by one parent, the court must prioritize the safety of the child and the parties involved. Family Code 3011 requires the court to consider the nature, severity, and frequency of any past abuse when evaluating the appropriateness of custody arrangements. A significant aspect of Family Code 3011 is the requirement for the court to provide a detailed statement of reasons for its custody orders. This includes a clear explanation of how the order serves the child’s best interest and protects the safety of the child and the parties involved.
The purpose of this provision is to enhance transparency and enable meaningful review of custody decisions. The introduction of Family Code 3011 brings several notable benefits to child custody cases involving allegations of abuse: 1. By explicitly considering the history of abuse and prioritizing the safety of the child, Family Code 3011 aims to provide greater protection for children who may be at risk in contentious custody disputes. 2. Requiring the court to articulate the reasons for its decisions promotes accountability and transparency in the judicial process. This allows parties involved to understand the court’s rationale and facilitates effective review of custody orders. 3. Family Code 3011 ensures that allegations of abuse are given due consideration and weight in custody determinations. This provision helps prevent potential biases and ensures a fair evaluation of the facts and circumstances of the case.
The implementation of Family Code 3011 represents a significant step forward in ensuring child safety and best interests in custody cases involving allegations of abuse. By requiring the court to explicitly state its reasons for its custody orders, this legal provision promotes transparency, accountability, and fairness. It is crucial for legal professionals, parents, and other stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the implications of Family Code 3011 to navigate child custody cases effectively and safeguard the well-being of children involved.
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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation.
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Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
On living the Gospel in the present moment
Pastor’s Notes
ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas
EARLY in my life as a teenager, I learned the wisdom of living the Gospel in the present moment through my involvement in the Focolare Movement, founded by the Italian teacher and author Chiara Lubich in 1942. The movement aims to proclaim the Word of Life (the Gospel) to all people, inspiring them to put it into practice in the present moment and promoting unity among them.
As a young college seminarian, I would have weekly meetings with a group of fellow students to discuss how to bring the Gospel to life through our relationships with the people we meet daily. Each group member would share specific acts of charitable work we had performed for others. These actions could be as simple as speaking to a stranger or newcomer at school, helping a fellow seminarian with his studies, or showing respect to
a teacher. These weekly Focolare Movement meetings, along with our commitment to live the Gospel in the present moment, had a profound impact on my life. They made me conscious, even today, of the importance of examining how I am putting the Gospel of Life and Love into daily practice.
This Sunday’s (September 15)
Second Reading, James 2:14-18, speaks about living the Gospel authentically through our works: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
The Letter of James’ emphasis on “works” has confused some about the distinction between being saved by faith and by merit.
To clarify this dogmatic conflict, I rely on what my Scripture seminary professor taught me. He explained that our actions are reflections of our faith. In other words, we do not only express our belief in the Gospel by proclaiming it to others;
we demonstrate our belief and the transformative power of the Gospel through our generous, kind, and loving deeds. Indeed, we allow our faith to shine through our acts of charity.
In a similar vein, this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 8:27-35, relates an incident where Peter rebuked Jesus upon hearing him say that he, the Son of Man, would be rejected by his own people, killed, and rise again in three days. Jesus sternly reminded them that their lives must demonstrate self-sacrificial love and service to others if they are to be his true followers. Any egoistic motives for following him as disciples stem from Satan, His Enemy. At any rate, the Scriptures constantly remind us to live authentic Christian lives. To demonstrate this, we must practice mindfully and intentionally in the present moment.
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.
Sandro Muhlach: A time for healing
by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
PENDING resolution of his case — unfortunately for him — Sandro Muhlach will have to contend with an indefinite period of zero showbiz work from hereon.
A number of TV program managers as well as film directors have expressed their reluctance in getting the 23-year-old actor to be part of their projects.
Their collective stand seems valid in the sense that they fear Sandro might not be able to deliver the quality of thespic performance expected of him.
in the hands of his sexual abusers?
“There’s no doubt that counseling is such a big help. But we’re not sure though once Sandro steps out of the session,” the director countered.
In particular, he cited Sandro’s sleepless nights even after more than a month since the incident took place, which he confessed at the Senate hearing.
The director, however, has expressed confidence that it won’t take long before Sandro gets himself back in acting form.
“It’s just that time doesn’t seem to be on his side as I speak now,” he said.
has a friendly environment.
“There’s criticism here and there, pero sa stage nila, mahalaga na may nag-pu-push sa kanila ( but given where they’re at, what matters is that there’s someone who will push and inspire them),” said he, adding that the show is a part of their journey as aspiring singers.
Even if they’re competing with each other, the contestants should also consider the friendships they will form, and the knowledge they will gain.
“Para sa pag labas nila ng ‘The Voice Kids,’ mas ma-enhance nila ang abilities nila at mas ma-proproject nila kung sino sila (so that after their stint in or outside ‘The Voice Kids,’ they will be able to enhance their abilities and project who they are as singers).”
What’s clear is that Pablo, along with Stell, Julie Anne and Billy, are there to give the kids the singing talent experience “they will never forget and the inspiration to continue their dreams,” he said. n
“What if there’s a scene that requires intense emotions, is it not likely that Sandro will lose his focus as he relives his traumatic experience?” a famed director opined.
Ergo, the director vowed he’s not about to take the risk at the expense of the project, all the more for Sandro’s own good.
But isn’t Sandro into counseling to help him overcome the horrors
However, he couldn’t ascertain exactly when Sandro will have put everything behind him.
He may not be a licensed shrink: “It will take a while. But as we always say of any unpleasant life experience that we encounter, ‘This, too, shall pass.’ The least that I can do is not to rush Sandro.
Let it happen on his own terms.”
If it’s any consolation, he promised never to have second thoughts of casting
Sandro in his future assignment once he’s completely out of the woods.
“I heard he’s a good actor. No doubt, he inherited his father’s genes!”
Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
A number of TV program managers and film directors have expressed their reluctance in getting the 23-year-old actor to be part of their projects as he recovers from the resolution of his case
Photo from Instagram/@sandromuhlach
CURRENT Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo believes that “everything happens for a reason.” As a child, she experienced bullying: “Yes, bullying doesn’t stop and still happens to any one... I keep focusing on what I am more passionate about and on what I can only control.”
She adds: “I have always believed that bashing comes from people who are only hurt and negative.” Trials and hardships motivate her to be a better person. Through these means, she has learned to excel in whatever pursuit she does and uses these to do the right thing.
Her parents are very supportive of her dream, stating, “I have always been telling them that I love them and that I am so glad that they have become my parents who are supportive of my dreams.”
During weekends, she spends time with her parents and friends going to Mass and dining out. She has also been supportive of charity works that deal with the youth and indigenous people.
She wants to try acting, singing and dancing in a Filipino theatrical musical play. “Anything that will unleash my star and diva childhood dreams of performing. Whatever comes I would gladly accept. I have actually been dreaming of one day performing as a drag queen.”
This dark-skinned beauty from Bulacan will compete in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico on November 16. Good luck and a myriad blessings!
* * * I am fortunate to have met in
July this year Jo Berry (the lead actress in GMA7’s TV series “Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law”); Dagul, or Romeo Pastrana in real life (a Filipino actor and comedian best known for being a host of the children’s sketch program Goin’ Bulilit on ABS-CBN); and former Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee who holds a special place in her heart for children with developmental disabilities, with autism awareness as her advocacy during the Miss Universe pageant. Thanks to Richard Hinola for letting me to meet them in person during the Legacy Awards.
* * * Jade Maris is my former student at Holy Angel University in Angeles
A look at current Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo
City, Pampanga. She has done several commercials for PAG-IBIG Fund, PsBank, Magic Creams with actor Donny Pangilinan, Grab, Payless Pancit Canton, Jollibee Chicken Joy, Cliqq Card-7 Eleven, Jollibee Aloha Burger, at TGP with actor Jericho Rosales. She also appeared in a movie on the life of Philippine hero Jose Abad Santos played by Richard Cepeda in the lead role (with former beauty queen Marina Benipayo and actor Alex Vincent Medina). She is a resident theater actress of Uyat Artista, an Aliw Award and L.E.A.F. Award winning theater group in Angeles City.
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The planned new Pacific Coast City, which is 80 kilometers from Central Manila, is situated on the eastern Luzon seaboard between Infanta and Dingalan municipalities. It is envisioned to have developed industrial cities, a government center, forest and wildlife preserves, residential areas, a worker’s city, an educational city, a tourism center, a religious center, a movie capital, and a sports center. Infanta, which is considered the “Gateway to the Pacific,” is a first class municipality and the largest lambanog manufacturer in Quezon. Also known for its bayugo (giant mountain snail) dishes, the town is the center of economic activity in the northern part of Quezon province. Meanwhile, Dingalan, dubbed as the “Gateway to Southern Tagalog,” is a 3rd-class municipality in Aurora province. It has several caves, of which the Lamao Caves are the best known. The town’s rough shoreline and very high waves make it attractive to surfers. It is envisioned to be the next Port of Manila.
“In the pursuit and implementation of the strategy of development, a crucial and paramount component is the proper interrelationship among the government, the business sector and the educational system. If each of these three vital sectors performs their designated roles to the hilt, the cycle of economic growth, development and industrialization will continuously spiral towards greater heights,” said New Yorktrained think-tank Atty. Romeo G. Roxas, the man behind the new Pacific Coast City concept and author of the book Pathways to Progress, a compilation of articles
he wrote for the Philippine Star. He continued, “Pacific Coast City is an actual model of a sustainable community with a livelihood component.”
* * * Promising artist and swimmer Isaac Antheo Diaz Medina, a freshman Fine Arts Major in Advertising student at the University of Santo Tomas, divides his love for visual arts and sports. At a young age, he had already joined an arts exhibit in SM mall
in Mandaluyong City and won medals in swimming, having been trained by an Olympic swimmer. He competed in the Philippine National Games in 2023 and is a member of the Philippine Aquatics Inc. and the Palms Kingfisher swimming team in Montalban, Rizal.
* * * Spotted during the recent 2nd Philippines Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers at The Hexagon Events Place in Quezon
City were talented artists and broadcasters from GMA Network, 24 Oras, PTV 4, Aliw Channel 23, DWIZ 882 AM, 97.9 Home Radio, Net 25, DWAN AM 1206, IBC, Light TV, Light Radio, Balitang A2Z, Zoe TV, Media House Express, Sword TV Philippines, and Win Radio 91.5.
* * * Young performing members of the “Sibol” showcased their talents in the recent Goldenberg Concert Series at the Goldenberg
* * * 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
The performing members of “Sibol” with (seated, front row, from right) First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta.
Actress and commercial talent Jade Maris
PFBA awardees: (from left) Rogelio Medina, Net 25’s Wej Cudiamat and Belle Surara.
Young artist Isaac Medina with his artworks.
Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
Mansion, San Miguel, Manila. In attendance were First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos and Presidential Sister Irene MarcosAraneta.
