Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz meets AANHPI Dems in Las Vegas
This is the Minnesota first lady’s first trip to Nevada since her husband, Tim Walz, joined Harris’ campaign
GWEN Walz, wife of vice presidential hopeful Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, kicked off a major canvassing effort for Democratic voters and volunteers in Nevada on Tuesday, Sept. 17, which happened to be National Voter Registration Day. The event, held at Xiao Long Dumplings in Las Vegas’ Chinatown, was designed to mobilize Nevadan Democrats from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities—the latest in a series of cultural campaign stops from the Harris-Walz team.
Gwen Walz, 58, worked as a public school teacher for two decades before her husband became governor of Minnesota. On Tuesday, she shared that this experience helped her appreciate and understand “the importance of diversity in our classrooms”
San Lorenzo Ruiz, first Filipino saint, honored in NYC
Filipino community celebrates San Lorenzo Ruiz Feast Day at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
THE San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry was honored with a Feast Day Mass on Sunday, Sept. 15, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. The Mass was led by Reverend Gregory Ramon Gaston, Rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome and National Coordinator for Filipino Chaplains in Italy, who served as the principal celebrant and homilist. He was joined
Sara skips truth-telling oath, cries House ‘attack’
by Jacob Lazaro, Nestor corraLes Inquirer.net
MANILA — Pointing to politics as the motivation for the House inquiry into her alleged irregular use of funds, Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, Sept. 18 defiantly refused to take the oath to be truthful in the probe, claiming that it was a “well-funded and coordinated political attack” against her supposed plans to run for president.
Several House lawmakers immediately criticized Duterte for dodging the oathtaking, considered the most basic act of accountability for public officials, saying that it indicated an intention to hide the truth.
During the initial hearing of the chamber’s committee on good government and public accountability, chaired by Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Duterte alleged that the panel’s inquiry was geared toward her impeachment and aimed at ruining her chances in the 2028 elections.
At the start of the hearing, Duterte argued that she should not be required to take an oath before the committee because she was invited as a “resource person,” not as a “witness.” She said she studied the panel’s rules before the hearing and insisted that there was a difference between a resource person and a witness.
Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo backed Duterte’s stance, citing jurisprudence. Arroyo said a person
accused of wrongdoing who refuses to testify had the right against self-incrimination.
Arroyo noted that the Sept. 3 privilege speech of Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano had mentioned acts of “misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance” which the Vice President had allegedly committed.
Duterte asked for a brief recess and approached her allies Arroyo and Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. She later told reporters that she had simply advised the former President and Marcoleta not to stress themselves on the matter.
Chua ruled to proceed with the oathtaking of all invited resource persons. “If the Vice President refuses, we will respect that,” he said.
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” 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
19. 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
MANILA — A complaint of obstruction of justice will be filed against individuals suspected of harboring captured alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said on Sunday, Sept. 15 they launched an investigation to hold accountable those persons who aided the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder.
“We will not tolerate any form of obstruction of justice. Our investigation aims to identify those who knowingly provided refuge to Quiboloy, and we will ensure they face appropriate legal consequences,” Marbil said in a statement.
“Obstruction of justice is a serious offense, and those who aided in shielding Quiboloy from law enforcement will be charged accordingly. The law
is clear — no one is above it, and those who helped Quiboloy will be held accountable,” he added.
The preacher was captured on September 8.
Before that, he had been in hiding for almost 6 months since the warrant of arrest against him was issued on April 3.
Marbil said Quiboloy could not have evaded arrest for a long time without the help of his close associates and legal representatives, whom he said helped the sect leader by “misleading authorities regarding his whereabouts.”
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will facilitate the case build-up and gather pieces of evidence relevant to the case.
On August 24, some 2,000 PNP members served the arrest warrant of Quiboloy at the KJC compound in Davao City.
Quiboloy and four of his subordinates Jackielyn
The statements made in the Senate by an official of the regulatory body appear to corroborate intelligence community chatter about senior law enforcement officers being on the ‘monthly payroll’ of Philippine offshore gaming operators ( POGOs)
MANILA — A retired chief of the Philippine National Police was among the senior law enforcement officers who were allegedly on the
payroll” of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), the head of security of the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) told senators on Tuesday, Sept. 17. At the resumption of the Senate hearing on POGO s, Pagcor senior vice president Raul Villanueva said they have heard “rumors” in the intelligence community that a former high-ranking police official was taking bribes apparently to protect the illegal online gaming business. But Villanueva, a retired Army general, admitted that they have yet to independently verify the intelligence information.
by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
by Jacob Lazaro, Nestor corraLes Inquirer.net
by Marlon raMos, Tina G. sanTos Inquirer.net
by Jacob Lazaro, Nestor corraLes Inquirer.net
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. FILE PHOTO/Screenshot from RTVM
Replying to questions from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the Pagcor official said the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency told him that it did not have a similar report on the matter.
As Hontiveros had earlier revealed, he said they also stumbled upon information that a huge amount changed hands in helping dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo slipped out of the country in July.
Up for validation
The senator had previously said that Guo spent P200 million in buying her way out of the country to evade the Senate investigation and criminal charges filed in the Department of Justice against her and her alleged cohorts.
According to Hontiveros, a “high official” of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) had received the grease money.
“There’s talk that there are immigration (officers) who got bribed. They also included PNP officials. But I could not confirm it because I’m outside of the loop lately,” Villanueva told Hontiveros.
When the senator asked him which PNP unit was supposedly on the take, he said: “It’s not a PNP unit, but personalities. I think it mentioned a former PNP chief.”
“But I could not ascertain where the report came from. It’s just like rumors within the intelligence community. I think they are validating it right now,” he added.
Asked by Hontiveros if the former PNP chief had participated in Guo’s escape, Villanueva
said: “The talk was that [he] was on the monthly payroll (of POGOs) ever since.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada pressed Villanueva to identify the retired senior police official, saying it was unfair to the other former PNP chiefs who might be dragged unnecessarily into the issue.
In response, the official of the state gaming regulator said: “I don’t have the name. The intelligence community is still verifying it.” NBI, PNP probe Angelito Magno, assistant director of the National Bureau of Investigation, said they were already investigating the supposed payoffs involving senior BI and PNP officials.
“We are looking at all these. But at this moment, we cannot comment on the investigation and intelligence gathering that we are conducting,” Magno said.
Brig. Gen. Raul Tacaca, the deputy chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, told Hontiveros that they were not aware of Villanueva’s claim.
“Despite that, our intelligence (unit) is continuously coordinating with other agencies to determine if there are PNP personnel involved (in Guo’s escape),” Tacaca said.
Hontiveros, who headed the hearing as chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, was shocked by Villanueva’s revelation.
“It gets worse and worse. It’s bad enough that P200 million in bribe money was allegedly paid
4
‘US role pushed to help PH missions...
on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
His statement came days after the pullout of the BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) biggest and most modern ships, from Escoda after a five-month deployment.
The 97-meter Teresa Magbanua was called to port and left the shoal on Sept. 14 for repairs and due to limited supplies and the health condition of its crew, who were forced to subsist on “ lugaw ” (rice porridge) for three weeks and on water dripping from the ship’s air conditioning unit.
Recent resupply missions to Escoda were unsuccessful due to the blockade of Chinese ships swarming the resourcerich shoal.
In his recent visit to Manila, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr. said U.S. ships providing escort to Philippine vessels on resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea was “an entirely
Sara skips truth-telling oath, cries...
As in a previous budget hearing, Duterte represented herself and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
The panel had invited officials concerned with the OVP’s programs and disbursements, including its satellite office heads nationwide, but only Duterte faced the committee.
In a statement she read from her cell phone, Duterte told the committee that as the vice president, she was authorized by all OVP officials to represent them “simply because we have not done anything wrong. There is no misuse of funds.”
Take it to court Duterte said that the OVP would “gladly” respond to findings of the Commission on Audit as well as cases filed in court.
“I take notice of the opening speeches (of congressmen) which stated there’s a
“solely aimed at discrediting my name and my office to prevent future political contest,” and that she was leaving the decision on the OVP’s 2025 budget to “the pleasure of Congressman (Martin) Romualdez,” the speaker of the House.
“I am not asking for any special treatment, nor am I asking you to uphold any tradition. There is no disrespect. All I am saying is that you have the complete freedom to do whatever you wish to the OVP budget,” she said.
She told the House that if the documents she had submitted to support the OVP’s proposed budget of P2.037 billion were not enough, “then by all means, don’t give” the budget as requested.
The House appropriations committee had cut more than 60 percent of her budget proposal down to just P733
You can skin me alive, burn me, and throw my ashes to the wind. But let it be known: You will find me unbowed. I will continue to serve the Filipino people, no matter the personal cost or political intrigue,” she said.
The vice president concluded:
“I will not allow myself to be subjected to an inquiry-based on an empty privilege speech just so you can attack me and do indirectly what you failed to do directly during the budget hearings.”
She urged the panel to terminate its probe for its
“clear lack of any proposed legislation or substantive matter for discussion.”
The vice president’s move was similar to the action taken by her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who refused further cooperation with a Senate inquiry into the pandemic procurement deal with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. when people close to him were slowly being implicated in the alleged irregular contracts. In October 2021, he prevented officials from attending the Senate blue ribbon committee hearings, saying they were a waste of time of officials attending to a public health
Duterte later requested to leave the hearing. She was
Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz meets AANHPI...
which extends to all corners of American life.
“That’s why I’m so proud to support a ticket with a vision for the future that everyone can be a part of, especially our AANHPI neighbors, family and friends,” Gwen Walz said. “Our nation has been blessed by your many contributions. You have enriched our nation with beautiful and diverse cultures and strong values, like hard work, inclusivity, community service, faith and family, and love of country.”
The campaign stop also doubled as a fall celebration where the Minnesotan first lady shared traditional Chinese mooncakes and dumplings while highlighting the HarrisWalz promise to bolster small businesses and “give middleclass families a fighting chance.”
“This election is about who’s fighting for you—Kamala and Tim have spent their careers fighting for middle-class families like the ones they grew up in,” she said. “So when we send them to the White House, they’ll be a president and vice president for all Americans. They’ll lower the cost of your health care and housing, gas and groceries, they’ll make sure you can get a good-paying job, and help new small businesses get off the ground.”
In addition to Gwen Walz, local AANHPI also emphasized key aspects of the Harris-Walz ticket that they say benefit The Silver State’s growing AANHPI community.
‘US role pushed to help PH missions...
the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines should maintain its physical presence at Escoda.
“Since the Philippine Coast Guard suspects that China will reclaim Escoda Shoal, physical presence is important to expose and stop any reclamation,” he said.
Chinese maritime militia vessels were swarming the shoal as of Sept. 16.
According to Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, China does not control Escoda despite the pullout of Teresa Magbanua.
Maya Kwong, owner of Xiao Long Dumpings who is Chinese American, shared her support for the Harris-Walz team— which she said is making sure that small business owners like herself have “an opportunity, not just to get by, but to [go] forward.”
“I know firsthand that opening a business takes more than just hard work. It takes a whole lot of money as well and VP Harris has a plan to increase tax incentives for new small business owners, and for that I’m very thankful,” Kwong said, referencing Harris’ ambitious plan to increase tax deductions for new small businesses from $5,000 to $50,000.
Filipina American Catherine Francisco, president of the AAPI Chamber of Commerce of Southern Nevada, shared that while the Harris-Walz ticket will help the community thrive, the Republican ticket will do the opposite.
“While Kamala Harris is fighting for AANHPI communities – lowering costs, expanding opportunity – Donald Trump is fighting for billionaires and big corporations at our expense,” Francisco said. “As life-long public servants, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have always stood up for the AANHPI community, and they know that the country can not afford four more years of Donald Trump’s divisiveness.”
Gwen Walz’ visit to Las Vegas is the latest of a series of visits to other West Coast stops to drum up support for the Democratic ticket, with less than 50 days before Election Day.
Tim Walz is scheduled to square off against Republican vice president hopeful Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) on Oct. 1 in a debate hosted by CBS News.
Escoda, which is about 139 kilometers west of Palawan province, is within the Philippines’ 370km exclusive economic zone.
In a separate message to the Inquirer , Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst and a lecturer of international studies at De La Salle University in Manila, shared Carpio’s view, saying the Philippines should “supplement our presence” or pursue frequent joint patrols at Escoda with Manila’s allies.
“Physical presence is of utmost importance, particularly when it comes to maintaining our position in the West Philippine sea,” Gill said.
Having joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, he said, would show that the international community of like-minded democracies [is]
“watching China very closely.”
“I think it is perhaps timely to reconsider options that involve bringing in the United States as well, depending on how our next missions would go,” he said.
Escoda, according to Gill, has become “a critical flashpoint” and “a new hot spot for Chinese power projection.”
“[China is] an expansionist power and the only way to address the ambitions of an expansionist power is to ensure that there is a physical presence in order to push back,” he added.
Over 60 Chinese vessels have remained at Escoda despite the pullout of the Teresa Magbanua, the AFP said on Tuesday.
Data from the military showed that nine China Coast Guard vessels, four China warships, and 52
Prepare for ‘longer game’
“Presence is not only defined as physical presence,” Trinidad said. “There are a range of different capabilities that are sea-based, airbased, or space-based—that we are developing in conjunction with our partners and allies to be able to monitor not only Escoda but the entire West Philippine Sea.”
He pointed out that there were contingencies in place for the military’s Western Command based in Palawan “to compensate for the absence of one.”
On Monday, the National Maritime Council (NMC) said another PCG vessel was on its way to Escoda after Teresa Magbanua left the shoal.
The NMC had yet to provide updates on the status of this PCG ship on Tuesday.
Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency initiative of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, said Manila should prepare for the “longer game” as China continues to face opposition from all directions.
“The Philippines will need to play a longer game, recognizing that Escoda itself is not a primary objective of this long struggle. This is a contest over maritime sovereignty, and China is in danger of overextending itself while it has a host of other strategic, military and economic challenges at home and abroad,” Powell said in a message to the Inquirer on Tuesday.
“While China’s current control of Escoda Shoal may seem like a setback, it is a more symbolic than strategic objective,” he said.
First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz
Catherine Francisco, founder and president, AAPI Chamber of Commerce
Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz (front row, 4th from left) with event attendees.
Maya Kwong, owner, Xiao Long Dumplings AJPress photos By Robert Macabagdal
NEVER FORGET. Remedios Mondejar Tradio, 82, recalls the hardships during the Tagbanua Indigenous Community’s five-decade fight to recover its ancestral domain in an interview with the Philippine News Agency in Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan on Friday, Sept. 13. The community marked 27 years since the recovery of parts of Calauit in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Pagcor exec tags ex-PNP chief in Pogo...
in Guo’s escape. It’s even worse if historically, there’s a monthly payroll (that included a PNP chief),” she said.
“This is a big development and horrifying to hear. If this is true, POGO money has indeed reached the highest levels of our government,” she lamented.
Sen. Joel Villanueva said the rather disturbing information that the Pagcor official disclosed should be pursued as it again proved that POGOs had indeed become a national security concern.
“That’s very serious… [but] it’s not surprising anymore because billions of pesos are involved in (POGO) operations,” Villanueva told the Inquirer after the proceedings, which lasted for almost six hours.
“A Chinese national like Guo Hua Ping becoming a mayor is already a national security matter. How much more… the highest position in the police organization being included in the payroll of POGOs?” he pointed out, referring to Guo’s alleged Chinese identity.
Banks’ role in POGO transactions
For his part, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the possible involvement of banks in the construction and establishment of POGOs in the country.
He filed proposed Senate Resolution No. 1193 calling for an inquiry in aid of legislation on the banks’ apparent failure to flag suspicious POGOrelated transactions.
According to Gatchalian, recent Senate investigations revealed the existence of bank
transactions involving companies owned by Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Guo, amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos which enabled the construction and establishment of the POGO hub in Bamban.
“The amount involved is far beyond the financial capacity of the companies as indicated in their financial statements,” he said.
“A remarkable surge in cash flows, check disbursements, and a number of transactions involving the said Guo accounts was highest in 2020, which was highly unusual and suspicious considering that the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzed businesses and economies worldwide,” he added.
He noted that the transactions involved significant amounts of money but were not flagged by the involved banks and financial institutions. n
San Lorenzo Ruiz, first Filipino saint...
by both Filipino and American clergy as concelebrants, with Rev. Erno Diaz acting as the Minister of Welcome.
In his homily, Fr. Gaston highlighted the important role Filipinos play in spreading the Gospel, drawing parallels between San Lorenzo Ruiz, who left the Philippines and brought his faith to Japan where he was martyred, and Filipinos abroad who, like the early Christians, carry the Good Word wherever they go. He emphasized that Filipinos are key partners in the Church’s mission of evangelization in their local communities, likening their influence to that of the early Christians mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (8:4), who preached wherever they were scattered.
Fr. Gaston also commended the vibrant spirit of Filipino parishioners in the U.S., noting that Filipino traditions, such as the feasts of San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, Simbang Gabi, and the Santo Niño celebrations, have been embraced by many U.S. parishes, often with non-Filipinos actively participating. He concluded with a prayer that, through San Lorenzo’s intercession, Filipinos worldwide may continue to spread the Gospel wherever they are.
The Feast Day Mass included participation from various community members, including Attorney Ferdinand Suba, Jr., who served as the Lector for the First Reading, and Susan Gasis, who read the Second Reading. The Gospel was read by Rev. Sebastian Bacatan, with Larry and Cindy Balagtas presenting the water and wine. Ambassador & Mrs. Antonio Lagdameo presented the bread, and Dr. Lorna Avila, Dr. Manny Lagmay, and Marcos Ping Panlilio were among the special gift presenters.
The Mass was attended by prominent figures from the Filipino community, including Grand Hermana and Hermano Mayor Larry and Cindy Balagtas, along with several other Hermana and Hermano Mayores, Terry Beldia, Norma Bhavsar, Vickie Calderon, Petite & Edwin Camarista, Marietta de Perio, Fernando Ian Hinonangan; Loida Nicolas Lewis, Bert Olimpo & Eileen Magno, Dr. Joe and Luchie Quiwa, Loreta Rivera, Ma Evelyn Samson, Elena Santos, and Joan Vinluan. Among the Hermanos and Hermanas were Nilda Adalen, Marilyn Bader, Corazon Canete,
Lou Jaffe, Mitzi Laurente Forman, Evangeline Lazaro, Norma Mascarinas, Aurora Ocampo, Rose Palma, Veronica & Nenito Rosario, and Gloria Uy.
The choir for the event was led by Jessie Duma, musical director of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Apostolic Ministry Choir. Fr. Erno Diaz, Chair of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry (SLRGM), expressed gratitude to the Archdiocese of New York, Fr. Brian McWeeney, Director of Ethnic Ministries, and Fr. Enrique Salvo, Rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, for their support in making this annual observance possible. “It is a joyous spiritual experience for all Filipinos and devotees of San Lorenzo,” he remarked.
San Lorenzo Ruiz, born in Binondo around 1600, was a
married layman who served the Dominicans as a clerk-sacristan. He was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1637 for refusing to renounce his Christian faith during Japan’s persecution of Christians. His steadfast faith has made him a beloved figure among Filipinos worldwide. The SLRGM Executive Committee includes Fr. Erno Diaz as Chairperson, Jose Ramos as Vice Chairperson, Marilyn Abalos as Secretary-Treasurer, and Atty. Ferdinand Suba as Legal Advisor. The Advisory Committee includes Fr. Sebastian Bacatan, Fr. Frank Lazaderas, Myrna and Rolan Gutierrez, and other key leaders. Together, they continue to advance the mission of spreading devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz and fostering Filipino spiritual traditions.
Father Gregory Gaston (center) Principal Celebrant of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Feast Day Mass with Concelebrants Fr Erno Diaz, Fr Sebastian Bacatan and clergy of St Patrick’s Cathedral. The statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz in the foreground permanently resides in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Photo by Troi and Kielan Santos
The San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry Executive Committee pose with Fr Gregory Gaston, Fr Erno Diaz, Fr Sebastian Bacatan and St Patrick’s Cathedral Clergy along with Cora Rivera, Vangie Lazaro, Jose Ramos, Dean Suba, Marilyn Abalos, Susan Gasis and Hermanas & Hermanos Mayor. Photo by Troi and Kielan Santos
Dateline PhiliPPines
Marcos: We must do more to stop online child abuse
by Zacarian sarao Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, September 16 pledged to further intensify efforts to combat online child sexual abuse, expressing his “deep sense of shame” over the continued recording of such cases.
Marcos made the pronouncement in an emotional speech during the 2024 National Summit Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
“As I was listening to the young lady, I could not help but shed a tear to think — to try — to relieve the suffering that they went through. And to think how many other children are even — as we’re here … continue to suffer the same fate as she has,” said Marcos, who was visibly emotional, as he referred to an OSAEC survivor who shared her experience when she was only 13 years old.
“And for us to allow this to happen in our country, brings to me an overwhelming sense of shame because being in government, being in public service, we are not doing enough. We must do more,” he added.
According to Marcos, OSAEC cases remain one of the country’s “greatest challenges” as one in every 100 Filipino children is victimized by abuse.
“It is an appalling statistic. We cannot allow this to continue. We will not allow it to continue,” he committed.
With this, Marcos noted the measures currently being employed by the government to fight this issue, including the passing of the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.
He cited the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center reports that it had rescued more than 1,099 vic-
tims of trafficking in persons and OSAEC and arrested more than one hundred suspects from 2022 to July 2024.
He then called on various agencies to remain committed to protecting children and to develop training programs that would ensure “law enforcement, prosecution, social workers, teachers, and other public servants are wellequipped to handle OSAEC cases.
He also called for a strengthened criminal justice system that will make sure all criminals perpetrating such an “abhorrent crime” are “put behind bars and made to pay for what they have done.”
“I have said it before, I will say it again: this Administration will do everything – we will spare no effort – to combat these heinous crimes against our children,” he said.
“Let us all make the Philippines the absolute worst place for those who abuse and exploit children,” he added. n
PNP set to file a criminal complaint vs...
PAGE 1
Roy, Ingrid Canada, Cresente Canada and Sylvia Cemanes surrendered after they were given a 24-hour ultimatum. Quiboloy is detained in the PNP Custodial Center in Camp
Crame, Quezon City. The other respondents, who were also previously in the custodial center, have been transferred to Pasig City Jail last Friday, Sept. 13. One of the suspects, Paulene Canada, was the first to be
arrested in July and is now detained in Pasig.
Quiboloy and five other suspects pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and child abuse filed before the Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) and Quezon City RTC. n
Roque: I am not a fugitive
by Bella cariaso Philstar.com
MANILA — Now an object of
a police manhunt, former Duterte administration spokesman Harry Roque Jr. scoffs at being called a fugitive.
On Facebook Live, Roque declared: “I am not a fugitive. As an ordinary person, I am just exercising my right. I know that the lawmakers are powerful.”
The House quad committee has a standing order for Roque’s arrest over his failure to submit documents related to his assets, which lawmakers say may be connected to criminal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
“I know that there are so many but as an ordinary person, I have my protection called the Bill of Rights under the Constitution,” he said.
Roque added that he would await the decision of the Supreme Court on his motion questioning the legality of the warrant of arrest issued by the quad committee.
“If the Supreme Court rules to provide the documents, I will comply but I will wait for the decision of the high tribunal and if I was cited in contempt of Congress, I will accept that because I am urging the Filipino people to issue a contempt of the people against the quad committee and this Congress,” Roque said.
He insisted he has no unexplained wealth as alleged by members of the quad panel.
“They want to charge me for unexplained wealth, excuse me, my family was able to send me in the United States, in London and then at the University of the Philippines, this could not be considered as unexplained wealth,” Roque added.
Roque said that he will not allow himself to again be detained at the House of Representatives where he spent 24 hours in detention after being cited in contempt.
“My freedom is very important to me. I will no longer surrender my freedom just like what happened when I surrendered it for one day,” he added.
“(I am) availing of judicial review against an order issued in grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction,” Roque, meanwhile, said in a text
message to The STAR Panel co-chair and Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez condemned Roque’s evasive actions, underscoring that his blatant disregard for the House’s authority is a direct challenge to the institution.
Another committee co-chair, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, said Roque’s refusal to cooperate only deepens suspicions regarding his involvement in the illegal activities in some POGO hubs.
The committee has urged the public to provide any information on Roque’s whereabouts to aid law enforcement.
Quad committee member Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said Roque may be prevented from leaving the country if he fails to show up on Thursday at the hearing of the panel.
Pimentel said the quad committee may ask the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to issue a hold departure against Roque if the latter again skips the next hearing – the sixth on the issue – and evades the “order of detention” issued by the panel.
“So I strongly suggest to Mr. Harry Roque, for him to appear, we will have another hearing this coming Thursday so that he could shed light on the different questions that arise from his involvement in POGO, more specifically in Lucky South 99,” Pimentel said in an interview with
ANC.
The panel branded Roque as a “fugitive” for failing to fulfill his commitment to submit some documents related to POGO operations.
Last week, the House’s Sergeant-at-Arms served the order to his law office in Salcedo Village, Makati but went away empty handed.
Pimentel said the committee secretariat has not received any “pertinent documents” from Roque.
He also revealed the committee also considers issuing a “show cause order” to Roque’s wife Myla, who also snubbed an invitation to appear before the committee.
“She has not appeared so most probably or highly likely during the next hearing, we will already move for a show cause order to Mrs. Myla Roque, why she does not want to appear in our committee,” Pimentel added.
He explained that Myla Roque’s participation in the probe is crucial because her signature is on the lease contract for a house in Tuba, Benguet where two Chinese nationals linked to POGO were arrested.
The house is “owned by a cor poration, and that corporation is owned by a corporation wherein Harry Roque is a majority stakehold er, so in effect it is Harry Roque who owns the house actually,” Pimentel said. (Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla, Mark Ernest Villeza)
Apollo Quiboloy and Rodrigo Duterte Inquirer.net file photos
Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy
photo
Harboring fugitives
IT took considerable state resources, time and effort to find pastor Apollo Quiboloy in the huge Kingdom of Jesus Christ estate in Davao City. The government also had to scramble to track down Alice Guo after the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac was confirmed to have fled the country together with her alleged siblings Shiela and Wesley.
Those involved in the manhunt for Quiboloy and Guo complained that they were misled by supporters of the two including lawyers. In Quiboloy’s case, amid efforts to stop the police search for the pastor at the KOJC compound, even Vice President Sara Duterte said he was no longer there, joking that he had gone to Heaven, while his chief legal counsel expressed a similar view.
Editorial
for facilitating her escape. The man Guo has identified as the person who financed her departure allegedly by yacht from Manila and escape to Malaysia, Singapore and then Indonesia is a Chinese who is reportedly no longer in the Philippines.
On Tuesday, September 17, the Philippine National Police said that aside from indictments for harboring a fugitive and obstruction of justice, the government is studying possible sedition cases against KOJC members who staged mass gatherings during the manhunt for Quiboloy. This week the Department of Justice also said even former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has accepted his designation as administrator of KOJC assets, may be indicted for obstruction of justice.
As for Guo’s escape, a lawyer is in hot water for apparently playing a role in covering up her departure from the country in July. Authorities are still determining who can be held liable
ONE of the crimes considered as the most heinous and serious worldwide is the sexual abuse and trafficking of minors and children who are among the most vulnerable members of society.
Sadly, this type of crime has increased substantially over the past decade. According to the nongovernment organization Save the Children, child trafficking refers to the exploitation of girls and boys, primarily for forced labor and sexual exploitation.
“Children account for 27 percent of all the human trafficking victims worldwide, and two out of every three child victims are young girls,” the organization says. At least 120 million girls (about one in 10) have been forced to engage in sex or perform other sexual acts, says the UNICEF, although the actual number is probably much higher.
Last June, a large-scale joint initiative across 39 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa dubbed as “Operation Global Chain” targeted highrisk criminal organizations
JUST a few days ago, selfproclaimed “Appointed Son of God” and “Owner of the Universe” Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was finally brought to court. He was finally arrested just last Sunday (Sept. 8). Similarly, a few days before, on Sept. 4 (Wednesday), suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo was arrested by Indonesian law enforcement and brought back to the Philippines to answer to the Philippine Senate for POGO-linked crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering, violence against women and children and torture.
Cynics say that the arrests of Alice Guo and Pastor Quiboloy, and its grabbing international news media headlines, amount to nothing but infamy for our country. However, I see this as an opportunity to prove ourselves and overcome challenges.
It’s a new opportunity for us to demonstrate that crime does not pay in the Philippines. No
Following Guo’s testimony yesterday before the Senate, however, authorities may yet nail down persons still in the Philippines who helped her escape. A former “chief PNP” reportedly received a generous amount of money to help, although at this point, this story is more like raw, unverified intel bordering on gossip.
The cases of Quiboloy and Guo have raised questions on the extent of protection allowed under the principle of attorney-client privilege. The privilege is not supposed to extend to cases wherein the services of a lawyer are used or obtained to aid or enable the client to commit a crime. Is the lawyer allowed to help the client evade arrest or prosecution? These issues need to be clarified, if only to prevent more fugitives from evading the law. (Philstar.com)
Extradition treaties – important tool against transnational crimes
engaged in human trafficking, with particular attention given to child victims and cases involving sexual exploitation, forced criminality and mendicancy.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 219 criminals, and over 1,300 potential victims including children were identified. During the week-long operation, 276 new investigations were initiated, while additional 362 suspects were identified.
According to the Interpol, among the most abhorrent cases involved a Hungarian couple who were sexually exploiting six of their children and making them beg on the streets around their village.
It’s not surprising that law enforcement agencies highly prioritize child trafficking and sexual abuse/exploitation cases, working with their international counterparts to go after suspects of these heinous crimes and using extradition as a legal mechanism to bring perpetrators to justice.
Because the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group, took so long, it has now turned into the most watched case all over the world – taking
matter how seemingly powerful the personality, if there exists strong evidence of their crimes and other wrongdoings – and especially if it harms our children, our economy and our national security – then the Philippines can and will bring criminals to justice. Alice Guo and her associates are international in scope with Chinese financiers and “big bosses” having fled abroad, and linked to personalities involved with the notorious Pharmally. On the other hand, the arrests present to us a challenge to vastly augment the abilities of our intelligence agencies. We must realize that these abhorrent criminal incidents involving transnational organized crime have highlighted the highly influential role of understated elements of our national security apparatus – intelligence networks, surveillance operations and its necessary interconnectedness with the international community. It includes the Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA). The arrests of Alice Guo and
center stage in the international media. Quiboloy is currently in the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list, having been indicted by a federal grand jury in California 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” with a federal warrant issued in November 2021 for his arrest.
According to the FBI, Quiboloy is “wanted for his 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 year-round.”
Women were allegedly 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 Philippines and the U.S. signed an extradition treaty in November 1994 and was ratified by the Senate later, with Presidential Decree 1069, also known as the “Philippine Extradition Law,” as the implementing law. According to the Department of Justice, a U.S. extradition request is expected soon.
Under the extradition law, a formal request is coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs, then forwarded to the Department of Justice for evaluation, with the request supported by required documentation. A petition will then be filed in the appropriate court that decides if the request has merit, after which an extradition order is issued.
Undoubtedly, each country has its own laws and naturally, President Marcos needs to have Quiboloy face the charges before the local courts first before extradition, especially with more alleged victims locally – many of them girls as young as 12 – now coming out against the
religious leader, claiming they were subjected to systematic sexual abuse and manipulation.
Many countries, most especially the United States, are known for being relentless when it comes to sex trafficking cases, especially of minors. As one international enforcer commented one time, “We may not get the trafficker today, we may not get him tomorrow, but we’re going to get him.”
Last year, Leonardo JimenezRodriguez, the leader of a transnational sex trafficking ring that lured young women and girls and employed beatings, threats and psychological abuse to force them into prostitution in New York and elsewhere –was extradited to the U.S. from Mexico. According to the Special Agentin-Charge who took part in the operation, Jimenez-Rodriguez’s extradition was the “result of years of extraordinary collaboration with law enforcement agencies spanning multiple countries and investigative jurisdictions.”
Last March, the alleged mastermind of a sex trafficking ring that victimized teenagers from Canada and the U.S.
‘Isang bala ka lang’
Pastor Quiboloy would not have succeeded without intelligence agencies. The Philippines’ National Security Policy 20232028 recognizes the foundational role of intelligence operations. It states “any effort to formulate a National Security Policy should therefore start with an awareness and assessment of the factors and circumstances that can influence or shape the nation’s security outlook in the foreseeable future.”
The Five Eyes, an intelligencesharing alliance among Australia, Canada, New Zealand the United Kingdom and the US, raised the issue of commercial, industrial and conventional espionage by asserting that the “Chinese government is engaged in the most sustained, scaled and sophisticated theft of intellectual property and expertise in human history;” that China state-sponsored hackers have been spying on US critical infrastructure and China has been doing all of it alongside conventional espionage around the world. We are more than familiar with Chinese infringement, interference and infiltration. Strengthening our intelligence apparatus is thus our responsibility to meet the
requirements of our vision of national security.
As Senator Grace Poe, principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, remarked, “nagkandahirap tayo ipasa ang text scam law na finally napasa na[,] pero nagugulat tayo dahil tuluytuloy pa rin ang mga pagti-text ng mga scam sa atin. ‘Yun pala, siguro merong correlation between those scammers and those [POGOs] that were raided just recently[.]” True enough, police raids on POGO revealed droves of cyber-criminals and potential cyber espionage elements being conducted against us inside our own territory.
As a total ban on POGOs is close, despite deportations and other cases in court, it’s inevitable that the most stubborn POGOs would operate underground. Ensuring a just and complete conclusion to this crime-ridden sequence in our modern history requires sufficient support to our intelligence agencies.
Since we now work in the committee on finance in the Senate, let’s put things in perspective here from a fiscal standpoint. It was reported that Alice Guo was willing
to pay approximately P1 billion in bribe money. The 2025 National Expenditure Plan provides the following approximate amounts for specific agencies: P3.5 billion to the NBI; P2.24 to NICA and P896 million to the National Security Council (NSC). In other words, one suspected foreign agent is alleged to be capable of paying an amount so exorbitant that it can cover the entire budget of the NSC, a third of the NBI’s or close to half of the NICA budget. It exposes how currently lopsided the fight is in favor of extremely wealthy criminals and how our intelligence agencies are actually severely underfunded. July this year, just before the president announced the shutdown of POGO operations in the Philippines, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reported that there were 42 licensed POGO operators remaining. Even with just 42 remaining, their combined financial capacity would most likely outspend our entire intelligence network. However, it’s not all bad news.
Alice Guo’s arrest was the product of international, inter-agency coordination. The Philippines and Indonesia can use this recent
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection
who were forced to appear in pornographic videos was extradited to the U.S. from Spain. “We cast a wide net in search of Mr. Pratt,” U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated, adding they are prepared to bring Michael Pratt to justice and thanking the Spanish government for its assistance. Today, child sexual abuse is considered to be the most disgusting, abhorrent crime ever worldwide, more so when perpetrators use the name of God in committing this despicable act. Even ordinary prisoners are well known to have their own brand of justice when it comes to sex abusers of children – punishing the offenders by continually raping them and occasionally subjecting them to various kinds of sexual humiliation. Often, these child sex trafficking criminals are placed in separate isolated cells –but only if they are lucky enough. (Philstar.com)
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com
intelligence victory as a rallying cry in gathering momentum to revitalize “Our Eyes Initiative,” which was envisioned as the ASEAN counterpart of the Five Eyes. As our Alice Guo example has illustrated, two ASEAN members collaborating against crime can lead to a mission accomplished. Furthermore, all agencies are currently eyeing financing for cyber security and capacity building. We need to use these recent events as an opportunity to reflect on what is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all our countrymen. As it turns out, September, under Presidential Proclamation No. 713 dated Sept. 22, 2004, is the “Rule of Law Month.” The arrests of Quiboloy and Guo serve as a stern warning: Wag mong sabihin malakas ka. Wag mong sabihin marami kang tauhan. At wag mo ring sabihin marami kang salapi. Pare-pareho lang tayo, isang bala ka lang!” (Philstar.com)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Brian Poe LLamanzares
ManilaTimes.net photo
Babe’s Eye View
Philippines still deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders in 2023 – watchdog
MANILA — The Philippines remains the most dangerous country in Asia for land and environmental defenders, accounting for 68% of the recorded killings and enforced disappearances in the region in 2023, the watchdog Global Witness found.
Of the 25 defenders in Asia whose lives were taken away in 2023, 17 of them came from the Philippines, where 10 were killed and seven have disappeared. India recorded five such cases, while Indonesia had three.
In 2023, a total of 196 defenders were killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide, with Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, Mexico and Philippines ranking as the top five most dangerous countries.
“The Marcos Jr. administration has failed to stem the tide of violence against those protecting our environment and natural resources,” Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kaliaksan PNE) advocacy officer Jonila Castro said in a statement.
“In fact, repression and militarization have worsened under this regime. Environmental defenders are being red-tagged, harassed, and murdered with impunity,” she added.
Data shows that the targeted killings and enforced disappearances of green activists in the Philippines have risen by 54.5%, up from 11 cases in 2022.
Global Witness has been documenting lethal threats against land and environmental defenders since 2012, and throughout this period, violence toward these individuals has been most concentrated in the Philippines.
From 2012 to 2023, 64% of the 468 recorded deaths and enforced disappearances in Asia occurred in the country.
Who were they? Majority of the 17 Filipinos listed were small-scale farmers, seven of which were tagged as “murdered” and two as “disappeared.”
In a constant battle against land grabbing, indigenous peoples are also common victims of murder and enforced disappearances. One of them was killed and two could no longer be found.
Globally, the report found that nearly half of the total number of defenders killed and forcibly disappeared in 2023 were indigenous peoples and Afrodescendents.
Children and relatives of targeted defenders are equally at risk, constituting three of the 17 killed in 2023.
While Global Witness could not identify the industries behind the attacks, their report revealed that most of the perpetrators were from the armed forces.
Here are the names of the 17 land and environmental defenders who were forcibly taken or killed:
• Ben Fausto
• Arjie Velasco Salvador
• Antonio Diwayan
• Rey Almario Belan
• Ravin Fausto
• Dexter Capuyan
• Lee Sudario
• Gene Roz Jamil De Jesus
• Roly Fausto
• Danny Malinao
• Mariano Jolongbayan
• Crispin Tingal Jr
• Emelda Fausto
• Bea Lopez
• Jose Gonzales
• Norman Ortiz
• Peter Agravante.
Local monitoring findings
Environmental rights group
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), meanwhile, said in a statement that they have recorded an even higher number of human rights abuses against green activists in 2023.
The group tallied a total of 21 killings and 11 abductions in 2023, which Kalikasan PNE said had affected 19 environmental defenders.
Kalikasan PNE and the Environmental Defenders Congress, another green rights group, reported that these attacks target those opposing excessive mining, mega-dam construction and reclamation and quarrying projects.
Attacks persist in 2024
Environmental defender
Rowenda Dasig remains missing even after her reported release from Lucena City District Jail on August 22.
Dasig was arrested alongside community health worker Miguela Peniero by armed forces in Atimonan, Quezon in July 2023 on charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Charges against Dasig were only dismissed over a year after her arrest, on August 13, due to lack of evidence, while Peniero remains in detention.
Dasig and Peniero were
Advertisement
detained while studying the potential environmental impacts of Atimonan One Energy, Inc.’s construction of a combined cycle gas turbine power plant and liquefied natural gas facility.
They were examining how this power plant and facility, which burns natural gas and utilizes steam to generate power, might affect the health and livelihoods of coconut farmers and fisherfolk communities in Atimonan, Quezon.
The Commission on Human Rights has since investigated the case, urging for the stricter implementation of Republic Act 10352 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012.
Besides Dasig and Peniero, two other environmental defenders were reportedly abducted recently.
More are missing
Felix Salaveria Jr., a 66-year-old cyclist and indigenous peoples’ rights activist, went missing on August 28 in Tabaco City, Albay.
This happened five days after labor activist and fellow cyclist James Jazmines disappeared.
Meanwhile, Andy Magno, a graduate of UP Manila and former chairperson of the environment organization Minggin, was abducted on September 11 in San Pablo, Isabela alongside migrant workers’ advocate Vladimir Maro.
Earlier this year, two other environmental defenders Francisco ‘Eco’ Dangla III and Joxelle ‘Jak’ Tiong were found on March 28, days after their abduction in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Attacks against environmental defenders in the Philippines are not limited to killings and enforced disappearances.
Rights groups have reported ongoing red-tagging, intimidation, harassment and arbitrary detention of individuals opposing government and private sector infrastructure projects that exploit the country’s resources and displace communities.
“Environmental defenders play a crucial role in safeguarding our ecosystems and communities from destructive projects masquerading as ‘development’ or even ‘green’ initiatives. Yet instead of recognizing and protecting us, we are being systematically attacked and silenced,” Dangla, EDC spokesperson said in a statement.
(Dominique Nicole Flores/Philstar. com)
Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive written qualifications and proposals for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: CC25-0529-52-00-00 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS (RFQ/P) FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS AT 11 SITES (GROUP A)
Mandatory site visit scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, outside of the main office of Hage Elementary School, 9750 Galvin Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126. Upon completion of the first site, contractors shall proceed to the following sites in the order listed: Angier Elementary School, 8450 Hurlbut Street, San Diego, CA 92123, Florence Elementary School, 3914 First Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, Birney Elementary School, 4345 Campus Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, McKinley Elementary School, 3045 Felton Street, San Diego, CA 92104, Edison Elementary School, 4077 35th Street, San Diego, CA 92104. Mandatory site visit scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024, outside of the main office of Audubon K-8, 8111 San Vicente Street, San Diego, CA 92114. Upon completion of the first site, contractors shall proceed to the following sites in the order listed: Freese Elementary School, 8140 Greenlawn Drive, San Diego, CA 92114, Bethune K-8, 6835 Benjamin Holt Road, San Diego, CA 92114, Balboa Elementary School, 1844 S 40th Street, San Diego, CA 92113, Garfield Elementary School, 4487 Oregon Street, San Diego, CA 92116. Prime contractors must be present at all 11 sites in order to participate in this RFQ/P All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified. org/sitewalks. The RFQ/P package may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All responses to the RFQ/P must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on OCTOBER 14, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a proposal must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC25-0529-52-00-00 Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ/P) for Construction of Solar Power Generation Systems at 11 Sites (Group A). For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” This is a PSA project and the project estimate is $16,884,000, not inclusive of allowances. Please visit our Planroom for more details. The District requires that the prime contractors possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of proposal submission and contract award: A, B, or C-46 or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CC25-0529-52-00-00
Advertisement for Bids
Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for:
CP25-0521-05-00-00 PLAYGROUND MATTING GROUP 2
A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024, outside the main office of Zamorano Elementary School, 2655 Casey Street, San Diego, CA 92139. Upon completion of the first site, contractors shall proceed to the following sites in the order listed: San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, 2425 Dusk Drive, San Diego, CA 92139, Golden Hill K-8, 1240 33rd Street, San Diego, CA 92102, Foster Elementary School, 6550 51st Street, San Diego, CA 92120, Farb Middle School, 4880 La Cuenta Drive, San Diego, CA 92124, Cadman Elementary School, 4370 Kamloop Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117. Prime contractors must be present at all 6 sites in order to bid this project. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on OCTOBER 11, 2024 Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP25-0521-0500-00 Playground Matting Group 2. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $880,000 and $910,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: A, C-61/D-12, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CP25-0521-05-00-00.
Marcos to skip UNGA in NYC, limits foreign...
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.”
Sara skips truth-telling oath, cries...
excused by Chua, who said that she had not taken her oath anyway and that the OVP had lots of work to do.
The panel chair explained that it was the practice of the House to treat resource persons and witnesses the same and pointed out that they were required to take the oath, swearing “to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
He noted that the panel did not force the Vice President to take the oath and even allowed her to make a statement “out of respect to the office and position she represents.”
“But this does not mean we will allow this incident to become a precedent for other committee hearings. All witnesses and resource persons are required to take the oath. In fact, this is a ground for a witness to be cited in contempt,” he stressed, adding: “But out of respect (to the OVP), this was overlooked and we will let it slide.”
Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun, panel vice chair, pointed out that refusing to testify under oath “sends a signal that there is something to avoid.”
No mere formality
Oathtaking during a congressional inquiry
shows a “basic act of accountability” for public officials, the Zambales representative said.
“Taking the oath is not just a legal formality. It is a commitment to honesty. Any refusal to do so undermines trust in public statements.”
Antipolo City Rep. Reynaldo Acop said that refusing to take the oath could damage the public perception of integrity in public office.
Filipinos “deserve honesty and openness from their leaders especially where their actions are being scrutinized,” he said. “Dodging the oath gives the impression that the Vice President may not want the full truth to come out.”
He said that “transparency should never be optional for public officials.”
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said any refusal to take an oath for a legislative hearing “goes against the power of Congress to conduct legislative inquiries.”
Outside the hearing room, Duterte told reporters that she had not considered President Marcos a friend and vowed “never again to team with the Marcoses.”
“We really never speak with each other. First, we are not friends. We only met because we were running mates,” she said in Filipino. “My real friend is Senator Imee Marcos. I’ve known her since 2012.”
LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017268
Paradise Spa Massage located at 6919 Paradise Valley Road #2, San Diego, CA 92139. Registrant: Yuzhen Sun, 3875 Vista Campana S 3, Oceanside, CA 92057. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/23/2024. Signature: Yuzhen Sun. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/23/2024. AJ 1495 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1495
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017673
Jays Auto located at 11530 Paseo Vista, Lakeside, CA 92040.
Registrant: James Lnu, 11530 Paseo Vista, Lakeside, CA 92040. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/29/2024.
Signature: James Lnu. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/29/2024. AJ 1500 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024. AJSD 1500
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018280
a. El Kafecito located at 2455 Otay Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92154. b. El Kafecito Otay located at 2455 Otay Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92154. Registrant: Denisse Melgoza, 553 Oxford St, Apt #1, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Indivdual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Denisse Melgoza. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2024. AJ 1505 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, and 10/04/2024. AJSD 1505
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017663 TT Fashions Shop & Alterations located at 5360 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105. Registrant: Thi Diem Thuong Nguyen, 5360 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Thi Diem Thuong Nguyen. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/29/2024.
AJ 1510 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1510
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018641
Restempt located at 654 Jay Ct, San Marcos, CA 92069.
Registrant: a. Octovio Scott Friz, 3360 Avenida Nieve, Carlsbad, CA 92009. b. Noeh Angel Provencio, 654 Jay Ct, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is conducted by A General Partnership. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/06/2024. Signature: Noeh Provencio. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/13/2024. AJ 1511 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1511
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017352
DERMA BESTIE located at 1730 Monroe Ave, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92116.
Registrant: DERMA BESTIE, 6551 Zena Drive, San Diego, CA 92115. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Alice Mai Lei. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/26/2024.
AJ 1496 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1496
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017517
ITS CAFE THAI located at 2184 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113.
Registrant: Thai Food Station LLC, 3423 Via Beltran, San Diego, CA 92117.
This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/26/2024.
Signature: Ahmed Albatat. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/27/2024. AJ 1501 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024. AJSD 1501
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018229
Total Wireless Connection located at 8365 Paradise Valley Rd Unit 11, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Total Wireless Connection, 1836 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/09/2024.
Signature: Changmin Oh. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2024.
AJ 1506 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, and 10/04/2024. AJSD 1506
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018693
Nails By Tony located at 5063 Federal Blvd, San Diego CA 92102. Registrant: a. Huong Thi Phan, 153 San Jacinto Dr, San Diego, CA 92114. b. Tony Nguyen, 153 San Jacinto Dr, San Diego, CA 92114. This business is conducted by A Married Couple.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/01/2021. Signature: Huong Thi Phan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/16/2024. AJ 1512 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1512
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017046
Top Gun Junk Removal located at 4215 Haines St, San Diego, CA 92109. Registrant: GSL Elite LLC, 4215 Haines St, San Diego, CA 92109. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Guillermo David Sanchez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/20/2024.
AJ 1497 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1497
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017930
Jack Taylor located at 4933 Cape May Ave #9, San Diego, CA 92107.
Registrant: Christopher Jack Taylor, 4933 Cape May Ave #9, San Diego, CA 92107. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/17/2024.
Signature: Christopher Jack Taylor. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/04/2024. AJ 1502 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024. AJSD 1502
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017745
Mission Gorge Auto Repair located at 6045 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120.
Registrant: CarLot Inc, 6075 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/01/2024.
Signature: Zamir Sultani. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/30/2024.
AJ 1507 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, and 10/04/2024. AJSD 1507
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018575
El Sorullo Paletas y Mas located at 3306 Stockman St, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: David Figueroa, 3306 Stockman St, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: David Figueroa. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/12/2024. AJ 1513 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1513
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017123
Grow Your Practice located at 12636 High Bluff Drive #400, San Diego, CA 92130. Registrant: Leverage Group LLC, 12636 High Bluff Drive #400, San Diego, CA 92130. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/16/2024.
Signature: Sameer Kumar. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/21/2024. AJ 1498 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1498
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018031
a. TDYP located at 862 La Senda Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910. b. tilldeathdoyoupart located at 862 La Senda Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: Kyle Nevan Abeysinghe, 862 La Senda Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 6/01/2019. Signature: Kyle Nevan Abeysinghe. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/05/2024. AJ 1503 09/06, 09/13, 09/20, and 09/27/2024 AJSD 1503
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017615
Invisi-Shield LLC located at 4114 Swift Ave Apt 1, San Diego, CA 92104. Registrant: Invisi-Shield LLC, 4114 Swift Ave Apt 1, San Diego, CA 92104. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/28/2024. Signature: Jeremy Stoetzel. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/28/2024. AJ 1508 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1508
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018737
SK Bakery House located at 710 Camino De La Reina, Apt 129, San Diego, CA 92108. Registrant: Silvia Fiorentini, 710 Camino De La Reina, Apt 129, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Silvia Fiorentini. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/16/2024. AJ 1514 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1514
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9016893
E.Z. Keys Locksmith located at 2801 B St #583, San Diego, CA 92102.
Registrant: Best Price Solutions Inc., 2801 B St #583, San Diego, CA 92102. This business is conducted by A Corpration. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Eduardo Burgos. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/19/2024. AJ 1499 08/30, 09/06, 09/13, and 09/20/2024. AJSD 1499
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9017915
KEM COFFEE AND BOBA located at 600 East 8th Street Ste 7, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: Chan Dong Inc., 600 East 8th Street Ste 7, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/01/2024.
Signature: Linh Du. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/03/2024. AJ 1504 09/13, 09/20, 09/27, 10/04/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018602
Captured by Nate and Nicole located at 8684 New Salem Street Unit 163, San Diego, CA 92126. Registrant: Captured by Nate and Nicole LLC, 8684 New Salem Street Unit 163, San Diego, CA 92126. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Nathan A Cespedes. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/13/2024. AJ 1509 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1509
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9018734
Cyrstal located at 857 W San Ysidro Blvd #14, San Ysidro, CA 92173. Registrant: Samira Dawood Oshana, 857 W San Ysidro Blvd #14, San Ysidro, CA 92173. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/16/2024.
Signature: Samira Dawood Oshana. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/16/2024.
AJ 1516 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, and 10/11/2024. AJSD 1516
SAN DIEGO
Sharon Cuneta bares plans to pen her autobiography
by JeSSica evangeliSta Inquirer.net
MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta
shared that she is now “ready” to write a book about her life, as she asked fans to “pray” that she could find the time to do so.
The actress-singer took to her social media pages to say that she is now in the process of “collecting” her thoughts to begin authoring her book.
“I think I am ready. To start writing my book. Just need to collect my thoughts, and slowly, but surely, begin. Please pray for me kasi am so busy taping pa!” she wrote in her caption.
The megastar also “liked” netizens’ comments that expressed support for her decision to write her autobiography.
“An autobiography from Sharon Cuneta herself!!! Wow! What a novel idea! Without a doubt you can do it. Ikaw pa?” said one Instagram user.
Sharon Cuneta
Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
“You have always been a voracious reader hence your wit and intelligence. You will write a beautiful book, no doubt. Can’t wait to read it!” commented another netizen.
Cuneta also responded to a comment that says she should include the “spicy” episodes from her life in her book.
“No negativity in my book!” replied the award-winning singeractress.
On the other hand, the “Mr. DJ” singer previously announced that she and her former husband and on-screen partner Gabby Conception are set to take their reunion concert “Dear Heart” to the U.S. and Canada.
‘I’m a work in progress’: Bea Alonzo
by c. MendeZ leGaspi Philstar.com
ACTRESS Bea Alonzo is glowing as she graced the stage of SM Dasmarinas to face the throngs of fans that went to the launch of Oppo's latest artificial intelligence (AI) phone, Reno12 F 5G.
Bea is an endorser for the smartphone brand.
The actress currently topbills the trending nightly thriller "Widows' War" with Carla Abellana. She is also busy with her other projects, including her own lifestyle brand Bash.
The press present at the launch asked the actress questions that included those that pertain to matters of the heart.
“Okay naman ang lagay ng puso
Bea Alonzo Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo
Cuneta and Concepcion first held their “Dear Heart” show in Cebu and Manila in October and November of last year, respectively. The show is based on the 1981 film of the same name.
The “Family of Two” actress revealed in March 2024 that she and Concepcion were supposed to reunite at an another show called “P.S. I Love You,” but negotiations fell short.
The former couple, who shares their only child actress-singer KC Concepcion, tied the knot in 1984 before their marriage was annulled in 1987.
Cuneta is now married to former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, while Concepcion is now with his non-showbiz wife Genevieve Yatco Gonzales.
Meanwhile, after two years, Cuneta is also set to make her television comeback via the drama series “Saving Grace,” which is the Philippine adaptation of hit Japanese drama “Mother.”
The 58-year-old singer-actress will be joined by Julia Montes, Sam Milby, Janice de Belen, Jennica Garcia, and Christian Bables, among others, in the said series.
enjoys being single
Besides the continued success of “Widows’ War,” what else is making Bea happy these days?
“I strive for work-life balance. And that’s what makes me happy right now,” she beamed, adding, “Most of the time ‘yung three days a week ko, minsan may trabaho, or my hobbies. Self-care, like I go to the derma, I go to the salon. So, I would say I strive for a work-life balance and that’s what makes me happy right now.”
‘Family is the most important thing’: Catriona Gray reflects on London robbery last month
by KriStofer Purnell Philstar.com
MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is looking back at a robbery incident her family experienced last month in London while on vacation.
During the tail end of the trip, which saw Catriona go around England and Scotland with her parents for a special trip for her father Ian — who grew up in Scotland before immigrating to Australia — the Grays' belongings were stolen.
At the time, Catriona shared a photo of a vehicle with its rear window smashed, indicating they just stopped for lunch on their way to the airport and their passports were also taken.
The beauty queen recently touched on the incident again,
posting on Instagram a photo of the iconic Tower Bridge located in the British capital.
Catriona admitted to having newfound tension and anxiousness whenever going outside since the robbery, before going on to share what she learned from it.
"Things are just things and
things can be replaced. Family and their safety is the most important thing," Catriona said. She went on to list practical advice like not putting trust in London's paid parking facilities even with cameras and security, and to always have on hand one's passport and medications. Cationa extended thanks to those who reached out asking how her family was, as well as to those who helped in the travel arrangements and find a doctor with important medications for her dad.
"At first I felt that the robbery and the stress that ensued blotted out the joy and happy memories from the special homecoming trip of my dad. But I decided I won’t let the thieves steal that too. Stay safe everyone," Catriona ended.
Liza Soberano no longer with Careless, James Reid’s label confirms
ACTRESS Liza Soberano is no longer signed under Careless Music, headed by fellow artist James Reid, the label confirmed. Rumors of Liza's departure from Careless emerged when fans noticed she does not follow the label on Instagram.
Talks arose when Liza's former manager, Ogie Diaz, who handled Liza for over a decade with Star Magic until June 2022 when the actress-singer signed with Careless, claimed in a video that Liza is no longer "friends" with James.
ko ngayon. I’m enjoying being single. Marami pa akong kailangang gawin para sa sarili ko and I am enjoying myself right now," Bea said. Asked about possible suitors, she playfully shared that some are showing interest: “But there are people na, siyempre — wow, feeling maganda. Charot lang.”
Would she say she’s in a much better head space now, as compared to a recent turbulence in her love life?
“Yeah. I'm a work in progress. I'm always trying to do my job. I want to do my job, become a better daughter, a better artiste, a better friend. So I'm always a work in progress,” Bea said.
Ogie also mentioned that Liza is in the United States allegedly with Jeffrey Oh, the label's former chief executive officer. This has yet to be confirmed.
Careless then released a statement confirming Liza's departure from the label last July 29.
"It has been a pleasure to have represented her and wish her the best in all of her endeavors," the label said.
Catriona Gray Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray
James Reid and Liza Soberano at the 1st annual Gold Gala in LA. File photo
Earlier this year after Liza's Hollywood debut in "Lisa Frankenstein," James said there u PAGE 10
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 City, Pampanga. She has done
A look at current Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo
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.
* * *
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 York-trained 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
artist Isaac
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
Is that gift card helping your congregation or paying a scammer?
YOU get an email from someone in your place of worship asking you to buy gift cards for a worthy cause. It might look legit, but hold on. Some scammers pretend to be pastors, rabbis, imams, or bishops to steal worshippers’ money. Learn to spot gift card scams — or your money might end up in a scammer’s collection plate. If you get an unexpected message from legitimate looking email addresses asking you to send them money, it might be a phishing scam. Scammers use real religious leaders’ names — and sometimes even your real name — in the message to get you to trust them. They’ll say they need your help buying gift cards for a mission project or a surprise staff appreciation gift (so you don’t tell anyone) — and that you need to act quickly. They might tell you to put money on specific types of gift cards like Apple, Target, or Google Play. Then, they’ll ask you for the gift card number and PIN on the back of the cards. That’s the scam. If you do it, it’s like handing the scammer cash.
Scammers don’t want to give you time to check out what they’re saying. But don’t let anyone rush you. Slow down and take these steps: • Talk to someone. Don’t trust the name on an email address or what the message says. Contact someone from your place of worship using a phone number you know is real, never one that’s in the scammer’s email. Ask if this is a real request.
• Know how scammers tell you to pay. A leader in your place of worship won’t ask you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers off the back, but a
scammer will.
• Learn what to do if you already paid the scammer. Contact the company that issued the gift card. Tell them it was used in a scam and ask them to refund your money. The money you paid might be gone already, but it’s always worth asking if there’s a way to get it back. Share this advice with your congregation and community.
If someone spots a gift card scam, tell them to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
(Terri Miller/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC)
Governor Newsom signs bills to combat deepfake election content
SAN FRANCISCO – Taking action to address the use of deepfakes and other deceptive digitally generated or altered content in election campaigns, Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, September 17 signed three measures to remove deceptive content from large online platforms, increase accountability, and better inform voters.
“Safeguarding the integrity of elections is essential to democracy, and it’s critical that we ensure AI is not deployed to undermine the public’s trust through disinformation – especially in today’s fraught political climate. These measures will help to combat the harmful use of deepfakes in political ads and other content, one of several areas in which the
state is being proactive to foster transparent and trustworthy AI,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement released by his office. Earlier on Tuesday, September 17 the Governor announced signing legislation to protect the digital likeness of actors and performers by ensuring that AI is not used to replicate their voice or likeness without their consent. Building on legislation signed by the governor in 2019 to crack down on deepfakes in elections, the governor signed three bills related to election advertisements and communications. AB 2655 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) requires large online platforms to remove or label deceptive and digitally altered or created content related
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
Liza Soberano no longer
were "projects in the pipeline" for the actress and 2024 was going to be an exciting year for her.
When Liza visited the Philippines as a new endorser of Australian cosmetics brand BYS last July, she told Philstar.com that she signed with talent agency Verve for her career in the United States. The BYS event, which Liza graced with fellow
new endorser Niana Guerrero, was held a day after the date Careless mentioned Liza was effectively no longer a part of the label.
Other notable people signed under Verve include "Before" trilogy star Julie Delpy, actors Matthew Lillard, Tony Revelori, and Brian Tee, "Drag Race" host Michelle Visage, and new "Saturday Night Live" featured player Ashley Padilla. (Philstar.com)
Affordable housing headed to National City
AN exciting groundbreaking on Monday, September 16 in National City marked the beginning of construction for a new multi-family affordable housing community.
Union Tower will bring 94 new affordable homes to 2312 F Ave., the first phase in an eight-phase development. When Union Tower is complete, it will offer residents 45 onebedroom units, 24 2-bedroom units and 24 3-bedroom units along with one manager’s unit.
In addition, 24 of the apartments will be reserved for veterans and provide wraparound supportive services including case management, physical and mental health care and service coordination.
“The County of San Diego has invested more than $314 million in affordable housing since 2017 and is all in on its creation and preservation,” said Caroline Smith, interim director of the Health and Human Services Agency.
“Our $3.5 million investment in Union Tower from the Innovative Housing Trust Fund and allocation of 24 vouchers for veterans will help keep these homes affordable for generations to come.”
General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance with the act. “AI-generated deepfakes pose a clear and present risk to our elections and our democracy. AB 2655 is a first-in-the-nation solution to this growing threat, and I am grateful to Governor Newsom for signing it. Advances in AI over the last few years make it easy to generate hyper-realistic yet completely fake electionrelated deepfakes, but AB 2655 will ensure that online platforms
The Union Tower property is centrally located between Interstates 5 and 805, offering easy access to public transit, shopping, and many other community resources. The development was made possible through a collaboration between the county, National City, San Diego County’s Building Trades Unions, Wakeland Housing and Development and other public and private partners. The Tenant Interest List opens in the summer of 2025. For more information, visit Wakeland Housing and Development at https://
minimize their impact. The new law is a win for California’s voters, and for our democracy,” said Assemblymember Berman. AB 2839, an urgency measure by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz), expands the timeframe in which a committee or other entity is prohibited from knowingly distributing an advertisement or other election material containing deceptive AI-generated or manipulated content. The bill also expands the scope of existing law to prohibit materially deceptive content of elected officials, candidates,
www.wakelandhdc.com/ourdevelopments-897717-758249. html. Construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2027. Since 2017, the county has invested more than $314 million into affordable housing, using excess land, its Innovative Housing Trust Fund, and other state, federal, and local funding sources administered by the county. Those funds have helped open doors to over 2,300 homes with 3,300 more on the way. (Anita Lightfoot/County of San Diego Communications Office)
elections officials and others, authorizing them to file a civil action to enjoin the distribution of such material. “Signing AB 2839 into law is a significant step in continuing to protect the integrity of our democratic process. With fewer than 50 days until the general election, there is an urgent need to protect against misleading, digitally-altered content that can interfere with the election. With the enactment of AB 2839, California is taking a stand against the manipulative
2024 Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo (center) with her proud parents, Randy Angeles and Contessa Manalo.
Writer Rogelio Medina with (from top, clockwise) former Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee, Jo Berry, and Adelo Jose Iglesias and
The performing members of “Sibol” with (seated, front row, from right) First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos, former First Lady Imelda
Young
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.
State declares citrus quarantine in Fallbrook
THE California Department of Food and Agriculture declared a new citrus quarantine in Fallbrook on Sept. 16 after detecting the fatal citrus tree disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in one mandarin tree in a residential neighborhood in the Fallbrook area during regular inspections.
This bacterial disease is a major threat to San Diego County’s $138 million annual citrus crop and can impact residential citrus tree owners. HLB causes misshapen, bitter fruit and eventually kills infected trees. There are over 456 businesses that may be affected by the new quarantine, including over 100 growers with approximately 830 acres of commercial citrus, four commercial nurseries, and a farmer’s market in downtown Fallbrook.
This new quarantine adds to the existing HLB quarantines in Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo and Valley Center. It covers the area bordered on the north by De Luz; to the south by SR-76 and Camino Del Rey; to the west by Camp Pendleton; and to the east by I-15. The maps for this HLB quarantine are available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/ pests_diseases/hlb/regulation. html.
The intent of the quarantine is to protect the region’s food supply, agricultural economy, and environmental sustainability by restricting people and businesses from moving citrus nursery stock, plant parts, and fruit outside the quarantine boundaries and off their properties. The only exception is for agricultural businesses that must adhere to specific requirements for treatment, cleaning, and packing commercial fruit prior to movement.
The disease is not harmful to people or animals but is deadly to citrus and could be devastating to the county’s citrus industry. HLB is spread by tiny insects, the Asian citrus psyllid, if they are carrying the bacterium when they feed on citrus trees. Samples from trees on the property where HLB was confirmed — as well as the surrounding area — are undergoing tests for the disease.
“Unfortunatel, Huanglongbing is fatal to citrus,” said San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang, “so our goal is to prevent this disease from spreading. By working together, we can all protect our food supply, local agriculture, and environment
from this devastating disease. Partnering with state and federal regulatory partners, we are working closely with residents and agricultural operators and ask for everyone’s cooperation with the ongoing regulatory activities.”
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will work with residents in the immediate area to arrange for treatment of citrus trees as a protective measure against the disease. County officials are also proactively notifying local citrus growers, plant nurseries, and other related businesses. If the disease is detected in additional citrus trees in the quarantine area, CDFA officials will contact properties regarding treatment and removal of the infected trees.
Nearby trees will be treated, and regulatory survey efforts will be increased to prevent the spread of the disease in the area.
Infected trees may have areas with mottled yellow leaves, generally seen in asymmetrical patterns and bear small, asymmetrical fruit, which is partially green, bitter, and not fit for sale or eating. The disease destroys the appearance and economic value of the trees and eventually causes their death, typically within a few years.
Inside the quarantine area, the County urges residents to take the following steps:
• Do not move citrus plants, leaves, or foliage into or out of the quarantine area.
• Remove all leaves and stems, and thoroughly wash backyard citrus before moving from the property where it was grown.
• Dry or double-bag plant clippings prior to disposal.
• Cooperate with agricultural officials who are inspecting trees, taking samples, and treating for the pest.
• If residents no longer wish
Governor Newsom signs...
use of deepfake technology to deceive voters. I’m thankful that Governor Newsom signed this legislation to ensure that voters are equipped with the accurate information they need to make informed decisions this November,” said Assemblymember Pellerin, Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee. AB 2355 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) requires that electoral advertisements using AI-generated or substantially altered content feature a disclosure that the material has been altered. The bill authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce a violation of these disclosure requirements by seeking injunctive relief to compel compliance or pursuing other remedies available to the commission under the Political Reform Act. “I applaud the Governor for signing AB 2355, my proposal mandating that political advertisements using content created or significantly altered by generative AI, include a clear disclosure of this fact. The availability of tools to doctor images, video, and sound is not new. However, the rapid improvements in AI and Large Language Models have made it easier to create convincingly fake images, videos, and sounds. As these technologies become more accessible and are used in political campaigns, their impact on democracy requires urgent action. Voters must be informed when generative AI is used in political advertising to substantially alter media or create misleading content. Free speech and political expression are a cornerstone of our democracy, but we cannot lose sight of our humanity amid the advancement of artificial intelligence. This is a balanced policy that makes California the first state to include artificial intelligence under its campaign transparency rules,” said Assemblymember Carrillo. Home to the majority of the world’s leading AI companies, California is working to harness these transformative technologies to help address pressing challenges while studying the risks they present. The state last month partnered with NVIDIA to launch a first-of-its-kind AI collaboration, and earlier hosted an AI summit convening leaders from across technology, labor, government, and academia to discuss how the technology can be used to benefit Californians. Last year, Governor Newsom signed an executive order laying out California’s measured approach focused on shaping the equitable and responsible use of AI while remaining at the forefront of AI innovation.
(CA Governor’s Office Release)
City of San Diego launches second year of Employee Child Care Benefit program
Office of Child and Youth Success distributed payments through pilot program funded by federal grant
SAN DIEGO
– In order
to care for a citrus tree, consider contacting a tree removal service to discuss options to help ensure trees do not continue to be a host to the pest and disease.
• Only buy citrus trees from reputable local nurseries.
• Report citrus trees that seem to be sick or dying even though they also appear to be wellwatered and well-maintained by contacting CDFA’s toll-free Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899 or visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/acp.
• Visit CaliforniaCitrusThreat. org to learn more about the pest and disease and to see pictures.
• For questions regarding moving commercial citrus and HLB quarantine regulations, please contact the San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures at (760) 752-4700 or visit www.sdcawm. org. (County of San Diego Communications Office)
to help employees with the rising cost of child care, the City of San Diego is looking to expand its successful Municipal Child Care Benefit Pilot Program, which is now in its second year and accepting applications. Through the program, managed by the city’s Office of Child and Youth Success, city employees can apply to receive reimbursement for child care costs.
During the first year of the program, 230 city employees applied for assistance and 173 employees were initially selected to participate based on their eligibility. Funding for the program is made possible through a $2 million federal grant secured by Rep. Sara Jacobs.
“Having received 230 applications in the first year, we are excited about the continued success of this child care pilot program,” said Andrea O’Hara, executive director of the Office of Child and Youth Success.
“Even more encouraging is the overwhelmingly positive responses we have received from program participants.”
Employees who received benefit payments last year must submit a new
application for year two of the program. In order to be eligible, employees must have an annual household gross income less than 200% of the state median income, based on family size per year and be a permanent City of San Diego employee, working full- or part-time.
Benefit payments may range between $200 to $1,200 per dependent, based on family need ranked by household income. Children must be 12 years or younger. Monthly payments are made directly to the employee’s child care provider and will be available starting Oct. 1, 2024.
Employees who participated in the first year of the program shared their appreciation with the Office of Child and Youth Success.
Here is what some of them are saying:
“This is seriously an amazing program. I’m so grateful to the city for providing this program and prioritizing young families like mine,” said a program participant. “These types of programs make me appreciate working for the city and also will help with employee retention. Thank you.”
“This has really helped me so much. Being a single mom and working along with finishing my BA at SDSU, having the babysitter I can afford with the help of this grant has eased my heart and mind while at work/school,” said another program participant. “It provided me with the professional person who is amazing with the kids. Thank you and I really hope this platform is still being provided in the future.”
“This program has been amazing. I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected to participate. As a single mother, half the battle is finding someone to watch my child while I work,” said another program participant.
“Having the inconsistencies before would heavily impact my work, sometimes having to call off or come in late.
Having reliable childcare has taken a HUGE load off my back. I don’t have to worry and can focus at work knowing my child is taken care of.”
To learn more about the Office of Child and Youth Success, visit the city’s webpage at https://www. sandiego.gov/child-youthsuccess.
