PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump has promised to launch the largest deportation program in U.S. history.
This was estimated by Vice President-elect JD Vance to involve one million removals yearly.
Can the U.S. afford these policies? What do these crackdowns mean for undocumented and legal immigrants?
Mass deportation
Based on Census data surveys, there are an estimated 11.7 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. as of July 2023 — about 3.5% of the total population, and up 800,000 from the previous July.
The all-time peak is 12 million immigrants, reached in 2008.
The highest year of deportations from the U.S. interior is 238,000 immigrants, reached in 2009.
“Currently, most people we deport are already in detention. The government just picks them up … and figures out whether they’re allowed to be here and how to get them back, and if the country will
Young Fil-Ams invited to apply for 2025 IMPACT! internship program
The application deadline is January 31, 2025
WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Asia Institute (USAI) has opened applications for the 2025 IMPACT! internship program for Filipino Americans.
The program, which will run from June 2 to Aug. 1, 2025, is a nine-week professional development initiative created by the USAI in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2025. The internship program offers a unique opportunity for young Filipino American adults to gain firsthand experience with the U.S. government and political system in Washington, D.C., engage civically and reflect on their potential role as future leaders in strengthening U.S.-Philippines relations.
PAGE 4
Marcos, Trump discuss alliance in phone call
by hElEn FlorEs Philstar.com
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
said he and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump discussed their countries’ alliance and their desire to further strengthen the relationship in a phone call on Tuesday, November 19.
Marcos told reporters the call with Trump was “very friendly” and “very productive,” and said he planned to see Trump as soon as he could.
“I think President-elect Trump was happy to hear from the Philippines,” said Marcos, whose two-year-old administration has strengthened
Manila’s defense relationship with Washington as both countries face common security challenges in the region.
“We continued to talk about the relations – the alliance between the United States and the Philippines. And I expressed to him our continuing desire to strengthen that relationship between our two countries, which is a relationship that is as deep as can possibly be because it has been for a very long time,” Marcos told reporters in Catanduanes where he inspected areas hit by Super Typhoon Pepito and distributed assistance to affected communities.
He also recalled telling Trump of the
‘Drug
war’ witness Garma, daughter detained in US
by
FrancEs
Mangosing JanE Bautista and Krixia suBingsuBing Inquirer.net
MANILA — Retired police colonel and former state lottery official Royina Garma, who had made arguably the most damning allegation yet in the ongoing congressional inquiry into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs, was arrested in the United States last week after her visa was canceled, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has instructed the Bureau of Immigration to facilitate the repatriation of Garma, who was detained by U.S. border control authorities on Nov. 7 in San Francisco, California.
Garma and her daughter flew to San Francisco via Philippine Airlines Flight PR104,
Pres. Biden nominates Fil-Am philanthropist to Millennium Challenge Corporation board
UNITED States President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Filipina American community leader and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis to serve on the board of directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support, the MCC partners with the world’s poorest countries that are committed to just and democratic governance, economic freedom and investing in their populations.
The MCC is an independent agency separate from the State Department and USAID.
Lewis serves as Chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice, LLC, a family investment firm. A lawyer by profession, Lewis made history as the first Filipino woman to pass the New York Bar without attending law school in the United States. Her landmark discrimination case against the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service paved the way for integration within the agency, where she served as General Attorney from 1978 to 1988.
Lewis was Chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice International, a $2 billion multinational food company with operations across Europe, from 19942007. She assumed leadership of the
“overwhelming” support Filipino Americans gave him during the recent U.S. elections.
“So, I’m sure he will remember that when we meet…and I plan to meet him as soon as I can,” Marcos said.
Marcos followed up his remarks with a Facebook post showing a photo of himself sitting at a desk between two Christmas trees and speaking into his smartphone.
The chief executive has sought to rebuild ties that frayed under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who was openly hostile to the U.S. Last year, he made the first official visit by a
by John Eric MEndoza Inquirer.net
MANILA — The “strength” of the United States’ alliance with the Philippines will “transcend” any changes in the administration of the global superpower.
the administration of President-elect Donald Trump would still deliver on providing the half-a-billion worth of military support, which outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken once called a “once in a generation investment.” While refusing to speculate as to what the
Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. highlighted the importance of this transition during a field test in New York on November 7, 2024, which coincided with similar tests in Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Milan, and Washington, D.C. “This is the first time in history that we are carrying out internet voting for our overseas Filipino voters,” Maceda remarked. He explained that internet voting is a response to longstanding requests to make the voting process more PH
Comelec conducts final tests to ensure secure and seamless online voting, empowering over a million overseas voters
by MoMar G. Visaya AJPress
Comelec
President Joe Biden with Fil-Am community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis, who has been nominated to serve on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s board of directors.
Marcos, Trump discuss alliance...
Philippine leader to the U.S. in more than 10 years.
Marcos is the son of the late strongman Ferdinand and former first lady Imelda Marcos, whom Washington helped flee into exile in Hawaii during the 1986 “people power” uprising.
‘How’s Imelda?’
He said Trump had asked about his 95-year-old mother.
“He asked, ‘How is Imelda?’ I told him she’s congratulating you,” he said.
The Philippines, a former U.S. colony, is seen as central to Washington’s efforts to counter China’s increasingly assertive policies in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan.
Also on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command in Palawan, where he reiterated Washington’s commitment to the Philippines under their 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
“Americans are profoundly committed to the defense of the Philippines,” Austin said at a joint press conference with his Manila counterpart Gilbert Teodoro.
“I can’t imagine a day that the United States of America and the Philippines aren’t closely allied,” Teodoro said.
Austin, meanwhile, reiterated his nation’s “ironclad commitment” to its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines. “Let me say again that the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on either of our own armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our coast guards, anywhere in the South China Sea,” Austin said.
The U.S. official said he also visited the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, one of the nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the country.
Teodoro said Tuesday’s activity wrapped up Austin’s two-day visit to the country, with the latter engaging in discussions with WESCOM Commander Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr. and personally witnessing “specific bilateral activities” between Philippine and U.S. soldiers in Palawan.
DND spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said that in their earlier engagement, President Marcos, Teodoro, and Austin “celebrated the remarkable strides the United States and the Philippines have made to expand and modernize the alliance and reinforced their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
$1 million Pepito aid Earlier, Austin announced the U.S. commitment to support the Philippines’ response to Super Typhoon Pepito’s devastation, including $1 million in additional humanitarian assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Andolong said the leaders discussed defense cooperation activities as well as regional security concerns and highlighted the need for deeper coordination to address challenges in the South China Sea, specifically acts of provocation by the Chinese.
At Camp Aguinaldo, Austin and Teodoro signed a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), which aims to enhance information sharing and deepen interoperability.
Andolong said the two defense chiefs also led the groundbreaking ceremony for a new bilateral Combined Coordination Center (CCC).
Andolong said Austin and Teodoro also visited a bilateral C2 Fusion Center –
one of several built by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in the Philippines to enhance information sharing.
The two officials observed a demonstration of a T-12
Unmanned Surface Vessel, one of several unmanned aircraft that the U.S. provided to the Philippine Navy through Foreign Military Financing.
Chinese naval and coast guard ships had repeatedly harassed Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, using water cannons and powerful lasers or engaging the smaller Filipino boats in dangerous maneuvers.
Their frequent encounters at sea have turned the strategic waterway into a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual shipborne commerce, putting it at odds with its Southeast Asian neighbors.
In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, siding with the Philippines which brought the case.
China rejects that ruling, but Washington, which supports it, says that decision is binding. Several other countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and those belonging to the European Union have voiced support for the arbitral ruling. n
PH gears up for first-ever internet...
PAGE 1
accessible, saying, “We are betting that this is a way that it could be made easier for everyone.”
Maceda assured that extensive testing and mock elections would ensure the system’s reliability. “The law requires a field test—a technical rehearsal—to verify functionalities like secure transmission and to identify any issues that need improvement. This will be followed by public mock elections in December, which will allow us to test the system further with actual voters,” he said.
New York Consul General Senen Mangalile, who hosted the field test, emphasized the reduction in workload for consular offices while highlighting plans to assist voters through information campaigns and in-office kiosks. “Although voting is now online, we will provide kiosks in consular offices to guide voters who may need help with the process,” Mangalile announced.
The field tests will demonstrate the system’s capabilities to integrate security measures and streamline the voting process. Maceda noted that international certification entities would evaluate the system to ensure its integrity. “It is important to see if the system integrates seamlessly, is secure, and can handle realworld challenges,” he stated.
“There will be certification and authentication measures
in place, kung ano yung mga common na ginagamit sa mga online applications, yun yung nire -require din natin dito ,” Comelec Information Technology Department Director Eden Bolo said. “ May assurance ang mga tao na secure yung gagamitin for online voting.” The transition to online voting has been met with enthusiasm and cautious optimism. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia has led efforts to enhance voter accessibility through innovative approaches, despite challenges such as varying internet connectivity in some countries. “This is a step forward, and we hope these ‘birth pangs’ of internet
voting will lead to a smoother and more trustworthy election experience for our overseas voters,” Maceda said.
With voting extended over a 30-day window, overseas Filipinos can cast their votes until May 12, 2025. As Comelec continues its preparations, the hope is that this historic move will pave the way for greater participation in the democratic process while preserving the sanctity of the vote. Mock elections in December are expected to provide further insights into the system’s functionality and readiness for the 2025 elections. As Maceda concluded, “Our goal is to protect every vote and ensure that the process is seamless, secure, and trusted by all.” n
VOLUNTEERS. The Philippine National Police-Reactionary
and Pepito in the Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera, Central Luzon and
Bicol regions as of Nov. 18. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Photo shows President Marcos congratulating Donald Trump in his first phone call with the U.S. president-elect on Tuesday, November 19. In his post, Marcos said ‘the overwhelming support of Filipinos in the United States on your triumphant win is a testament to the deep and enduring friendship between our nations.’ Malacañang photo
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. Comelec Information Technology Department Director Eden Bolo
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. and Consul General Senen T. Mangalile discuss the importance of internet voting for the overseas Filipino voters in next year’s national elections.
AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
Does fluoride cause cancer, IQ loss, and more?
Fact-checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims
by saMantha PuttErMan, PolitiFact KFF Health Newa
PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald
Trump’s incoming administration
could try to remove fluoride from drinking water, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy, who was tapped last week by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, called fluoride an “industrial waste” and linked it to cancer and other diseases and disorders while campaigning for Trump.
“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.
Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” Kennedy wrote Nov. 2 on X. Kennedy linked to a video from an attorney who recently successfully sued the Environmental Protection Agency to take additional measures to regulate fluoride in drinking water.
Kennedy, who has long advocated ending water fluoridation, persisted with his pledge following Trump’s election win. When asked before the election whether his administration would remove fluoride from drinking water, Trump said, “Well, I haven’t talked to him about it yet, but it sounds OK to me. You know it’s possible.” Kennedy is an influential vaccine skeptic whose campaign of conspiracy theories earned PolitiFact’s 2023 “Lie of the Year.”
Longtime research has found that adding fluoride to U.S. drinking water is a safe way to boost children’s oral health.
Since 2015, the recommended level in the U.S. has been 0.7 milligrams per liter. Public health organizations, including the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support the practice.
Recent studies, however, have shown possible links between fluoride and bone problems and children’s IQs, particularly when fluoride is above the U.S. recommended levels.
“There is evidence that fluoride exposure has been associated with the diseases [and] disorders that RFK listed, but with caveats,” said Ashley Malin, who is an assistant professor in the University of Florida’s Epidemiology Department and has studied fluoride’s effects in pregnant women. Malin referred to studies showing that higher fluoride exposure, particularly during pregnancy, is associated with reduced child IQ, and that prenatal exposure also is linked to decreased intellectual functioning and executive function. For high exposure in pregnancy, the studies showed symptoms associated with other neurobehavioral issues, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
However, many of these studies took place in countries other than the U.S. and looked at fluoride in drinking water at sometimes twice the United States’ recommended level.
Also, some of the other ailments that Kennedy listed, such as an association with bone cancer, have less robust evidence and need more study.
“Aside from fluoride’s impacts on neurodevelopment, I think that there is more that we don’t know about health effects of lowlevel fluoride exposure than what we do know, particularly for adult health outcomes,” Malin said.
David Bellinger, a Harvard Medical School neurology professor and professor in Harvard School of Public Health’s Environmental Health Department, said the risk-benefit calculation of added fluoride differs depending on whether typical fluoride exposure levels cause health problems, or if problems occur only when recommended levels are exceeded.
“In toxicology, ‘the dose makes the poison’ is a longstanding principle,” he said. “So a general statement that fluoride is associated with diseases X, Y, and Z is not very helpful unless the dose that might be responsible is specified.”
PolitiFact contacted Kennedy through his Children’s Health Defense organization but received no reply. The organization sued PolitiFact and Meta related to a 2020 fact check.
That lawsuit was dismissed by a federal court. The dismissal was upheld on appeal, and the case is pending a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. What is fluoride and what are its benefits?
Fluoride is a mineral naturally occurring in soil, water, and some foods that helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. It strengthens tooth enamel that acid from bacteria, plaque, and sugar can wear away.
Water fluoridation has been happening in the U.S. since 1945.
The federal Public Health Service first recommended fluoridation of tap water in 1962, but the decision still lies with states and municipalities. Around 72% of the U.S. population, or about 209 million people, had access to fluoridated water in 2022, the CDC reported. Fluoride also has been added to oral care products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse.
In 2015, U.S. health officials lowered the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water to 0.7 milligrams per liter, saying a higher level was less necessary given other sources of fluoride, and that the lowered amount would still help protect teeth without staining them.
Pediatric dentists note that applying fluoride with toothpaste and rinses is beneficial, but small amounts circulating in the body via water consumption helps younger children who still have their baby teeth, because it can benefit the developing permanent teeth.
The American Dental Association says studies have shown that fluoride in community water systems prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults and that “for more than 75 years, the best scientific evidence has consistently shown that fluoridation is safe and effective.”
The association says on its website: “It’s similar to fortifying other foods and beverages — for example, fortifying salt with iodine, milk with vitamin D, orange juice with calcium, and bread with folic acid.”
According to the CDC, health experts and scientists from the U.S. and other countries have so far “not found convincing
What Trump’s immigration plans mean...
take them back,” said Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Immigration Council, at a Friday, November 15 Ethnic Media Services briefing on Trump’s promised immigration policies.
“With mass deportations, however, we’re talking about finding people in their communities,” he continued.
“The two branches of the Department of Homeland Security that specifically do that do not have the capacity. It’s extremely expensive … Nor do we have the detention capacity. You’d need a whole new set of asylum facilities and judges before even getting people home.”
Deporting all undocumented immigrants, which represent about 4.8% of the U.S. workforce as of 2022, would cost about $315 billion and have between a 4.2% and 6.8% negative impact on GDP, by conservative estimates.
By comparison, the national GDP fell 4.3% during the Great Recession, from 2007 to 2009.
“For most things Congress will fund, they’ll need 60 votes. Budget reconciliation needs 50. It’s far from clear they can fund these measures … but they can repurpose money from elsewhere,” said Robbins. “It’s possible to use forms like the military, but our resources are already strained.”
The existing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget — $107.9 billion for fiscal year 2025 — exceeds all other federal law enforcement budgets combined.
The current daily detention capacity is estimated around
50,000.
Congress has provided approximately $3.4 billion to detain a daily average of 41,500 noncitizens in 2024, of which 60.1% have no criminal record.
For comparison, funds in 2023 were $2.9 billion to detain an average of 34,000 noncitizens daily.
Along with difficulties getting bipartisan Congressional support, “Biden has already maximally deployed existing resources for enforcement,” said Greg Chen, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “They don’t have the resources to do much more … and contracting with private facilities, or training state and national guards, will mean more expensive delays.”
DHS data from 2023 shows that, in absolute terms, 3.5 times as many people were removed under Biden than under Trump.
Of the 1.4 million arrests made in the 24 months of 2019 and 2020 under Trump, 47% were removed from the U.S.
In the first 26.3 months under Biden, DHS made over 5 million arrests, of which 51% were removed.
Legal immigration
“Trump has been talking so much about mass deportations that we rarely hear about impacts on the legal immigration system, meaning the hundreds of thousands of employment visas, family visas and humanitarian visas coming through every year,” said Chen.
Annual new legal permanent residents fell under Trump from 1,183,500 in 2016 to 707,400 in 2020, according to DHS data;
the numbers have shot back up since then to 1,173,000 in 2023.
“During the first Trump administration, we saw retrogression — meaning it took much longer to process these cases,” Chen continued. “For an employment or family visa that might typically take three to six months, we saw those times typically double.”
He added that these backlogs are often created by understaffing departments and by Requests for Evidence, which are “ways
Young Fil-Ams invited to apply for 2025...
IMPACT! provides young adults with the skills and knowledge to transform into leaders in the democratic and electoral processes, and civil society.
It offers a series of handson and interactive workshops, networking opportunities, placement in professional development and internship positions, one-on-one mentorship and the completion of a civic engagement project.
This program provides young people with the opportunity to intern on a national level in various offices of elected officials, public agencies or in organizations involved in the political, government and policy influencing arena. This opportunity helps develop a stronger understanding of how government and the political system work by experiencing it from an insider’s perspective. Not only is this program
an invaluable professional experience, but also benefits the Filipino American community by increasing the interest of Filipino Americans in American politics and civic engagement in the future.
The program is open to all U.S. or dual U.S./Philippine citizens of Filipino descent, aged 18 to 25, who are either fulltime undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing or recent graduates with an undergraduate degree.
Selected participants will receive the “Filipino American Youth Political Leadership Award” in the form of a $2,000 stipend.
Participants will be responsible for all other expenses, including travel, housing, food and additional costs. After acceptance into the program, participants must also provide proof of health insurance and sign a liability waiver.
For more information, visit the USAI website (https:// www.usasiainstitute.org/ impactprogram). Applications must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2025. (Inquirer.net)
‘Drug
PAGE 1
war’ witness Garma, daughter...
and were marked out by the U.S. Immigration and U.S. INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service), Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, brother of the DOJ chief, said on Tuesday, November 19.
“Over the course of the Senate hearings, her visa was canceled. It appears she tried her luck and went to the U.S.,” Jonvic Remulla said in a press briefing, adding: “We don’t know why Garma’s visa was canceled. Actually, it’s the U.S. prerogative to cancel it. From what I know, they will inform you if your visa is canceled. I’m sure she was informed.”
“They are currently detained and they are in the process of being sent home here back in the Philippines,” Jonvic Remulla said of Garma and her daughter.
Called to testify in the House investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the Duterte drug war, Garma initially denied involvement in the death of three Chinese drug convicts in August 2016.
But she later made a turnaround and revealed the existence of a reward system allegedly put in place by Duterte himself for killing drug suspects during the six-year crackdown.
In the course of the House probe, Garma was also implicated in the July 2020 ambush that killed then-Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
At the time, Garma was the general manager of the PCSO,
where she was appointed by Duterte following her retirement from the police service.
No pending PH cases
Garma may be expected to return to the Philippines “anytime within the next 10 days,” Boying Remulla said.
Once back in the country, however, Garma is free to go home since there are no pending charges against her in the Philippines, the justice secretary added.
But the government, he said, plans to “offer her protection” and ensure she remains in contact with authorities to prevent similar issues in the future.
“In any case, she’s considered a very important witness by the quad comm. That’s why we intend to offer her witness protection for that matter,” Boying Remulla told reporters in a chance interview.
He said DOJ prosecutors had already interviewed Garma as part of the ongoing case buildup being handled by a newly established task force looking into the drug war killings.
“We’re still conducting a case buildup. In any case, that’s already included in the task force.
The purpose of the case buildup is to ensure that the cases to be filed are strong cases. We cannot just file cases that have no legal basis or evidence,” he said.
“She may be part of it in one way or the other or she may be a suspect in one way or [another].
But just the same, we’re doing this also respecting the wishes of the
quad comm. Because we know she’s considered as an important witness by the quad comm,” Remulla added.
The House quad committee on Tuesday confirmed that it released Garma from weeks of detention since she had finished serving the penalty for her contempt citations in past hearings.
Committee chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the panel had “moved forward” from the issues on which Garma testified, referring to the alleged drug war reward system and the Barayuga killing.
The committee did not receive any formal notification about Garma’s trip to the U.S. or why she was arrested, he said.
Earlier bid to enter U.S.
During her first appearance before the quad committee on Sept. 12, Garma said she once attempted to enter the United States in August but was forced to return because her visa was canceled.
In an earlier Inquirer interview, human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, a counsel to the families who lost loved ones in the drug war, said Garma’s visa was canceled possibly because of U.S. restrictions on persons being linked to human rights violations.
Conti saw parallels between Garma’s case and that of former national police chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, the onetime chief enforcer of the drug war, whose U.S. visa was also canceled. n
Pres. Biden nominates Fil-Am philanthropist...
company following the passing of her husband, Reginald F. Lewis, a pioneering financier and the first African American to acquire a billion-dollar company through his leveraged buyout of Beatrice International Foods. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lewis is deeply invested in philanthropy and advocacy. She chairs the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, which supports institutions like Harvard Law School, the Museum of Maryland African
American History & Culture, and Virginia State University. A proud native of Sorsogon, Philippines, she has also contributed to the Lewis College in her hometown. Lewis has co-founded numerous advocacy organizations, including the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), and U.S. Filipinos for Good Governance. Her lifelong commitment to justice and equity has inspired generations of leaders. In a statement, NaFFAA celebrated and showed support for Lewis’ nomination.
“Loida Lewis’ nomination is a testament to her unparalleled commitment to service and justice,” said Brendan Flores, NaFFAA National Chairman. “She has been a trailblazer throughout her career, inspiring countless individuals with her unwavering dedication to uplifting communities and fostering meaningful change.” (AJPress)
US, PH alliance to ‘transcend’ changes...
PAGE 1 PAGE 1
administration of Presidentelect Donald Trump would do, Austin noted that he observed strong bipartisan support for the Philippines. “I believe that [the Philippines] will remain an important country to us for many, many years in the future,” Austin said in a press conference at Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa City. “And the strength of our alliance, I think, will transcend changes of administration.”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) meets President Ferdinand Marcos during
— Former President Rodrigo Duterte is now being investigated by the task force formed by the Department of Justice to probe the alleged extrajudicial killings committed during his administration, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in an interview with reporters on Monday, November 18.
He said that the DOJ’s task force is looking at possible violations of International Humanitarian Law.
When asked about the scope of the investigation, the Justice chief said that the department wants the charges to be “separate from each other.”
“What we charge here and what the ICC (International Criminal Court) charges, if possible, do not overlap,” Remulla said.
“Everything that can be covered. Of course, you are talking about several laws that will come into play. You have the Revised Penal Code and other special laws and you have the Republic Act 9851,” he also said in a mix of English and Filipino. Republic Act 9851 is also known as “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity”.
Meanwhile, the DOJ task force’s probe
comes after the former president attended the House of Representatives Quad Committee on November 13.
During the Quad Comm hearing, Duterte admitted to giving funds and incentives to police officers who conducted anti-illegal drug operations.
The former president also admitted that planting evidence was his strategy in apprehending drug suspects when he was still the mayor of Davao City.
Duterte also revealed that he tapped an “Iglesia ni Cristo” police official to manage the drug war, a claim previously made by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chief Royina Garma during a Quad Comm probe.
The justice department has created a task force consisting of prosecutors along with the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the alleged extrajudicial killings.
The task force also aligns with the ongoing investigations being conducted by the House of Representatives Quad Comm and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee into the war on drugs.
The government data estimates 6,000 deaths during the implementation anti-narcotics campaign of the Duterte administration. However, an international human rights group estimates up to 30,000 fatalities which usually consist of small-time drug pushers and users. (With reports from Dominique Nicole Flores)
Let Duterte run again as president – Alvarez
by dElon Porcalla Philstar.com
MANILA — Inspired by Donald Trump’s reelection as U.S. president, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez wants his friend, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to run again and be reelected as president in 2028.
“Let him run. Let the people decide and if there is a legal issue, let the courts resolve it,” Alvarez said in a statement.
A provision in the 1987 Constitution limits presidents to one fixed six-year term without reelection.
The provision is an offshoot of the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who perpetuated himself in power for 20 years until his ouster in 1986.
“The president shall not be eligible for any reelection,” the Constitution states.
But Alvarez, whom Duterte backed as House speaker in mid2016 until he was ousted in July 2018, believes the prohibition refers only to consecutive presidential terms.
“It refers to the sitting or incumbent president not allowed
for reelection,” he stated.
“That shouldn’t apply to our former president because he is no longer incumbent. He can still run as president. As you can see, lawmakers grilled the ex-president for 13 long hours, but he still ended up strong. His heart is in the right place,” Alvarez said, referring to the quad committee’s investigation on Duterte’s drug war.
The presidential reelection issue was raised before the Supreme Court in 2010 when former President Joseph Estrada, following a presidential pardon for his September 2007 conviction for plunder, joined the May 2010 presidential race, wherein he finished second to Benigno Aquino III.
But the high tribunal left the question hanging, saying the issue had been rendered moot with Aquino’s victory.
“Look at our senators. They can always run after their consecutive terms. The people are allowed to decide whether they want the senator to be reelected. In the U.S., look at President Trump; he was reelected. If we really believe in democracy, then let the people decide,” Alvarez said.
U.S. presidents are allowed two four-year terms. No Duterte bank waiver Meanwhile, the quad committee is not expecting any bank waiver that Duterte has promised to them during his testimony before the committee last week, Laguna 1st District Rep.Dan Fernandez said on Tuesday, November 19. In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Fernandez noted that Duterte had changed his tune and said he would need his wife’s consent since the bank account is conjugal.
“On the issue about the bank waiver, the second day has already passed and it was not signed. There were many reasons that he cited. We are not expecting it anymore,” Fernandez said.
“We are expecting the waiver to be signed. But he has a pronouncement about his wife. He will not really sign the waiver. We are waiting for the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) also,” he added. Fernandez said if Duterte is really determined to sign a waiver, he should have signed
MAINTENANCE. A village workers sweeps fallen leaves in Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City on Monday, November 18. Trash littered the streets despite moderate rains and minimal effects of Super Typhoon Pepito the day before. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Former President Rodrigo Duterte PNA file photo
A test for PH justice
FINALLY, the Philippine government has launched its own probe into possible crimes against international humanitarian law that might have been committed in connection with the bloody campaign against illegal drugs that Rodrigo Duterte launched during his presidency.
Under oath, Duterte had given self-incriminating statements – although peppered with inconsistencies – to both the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee and the quad committee of the House of Representatives. Combined with the sworn testimonies of several witnesses in the congressional probes, state prosecutors should have enough ground to indict Duterte in court for violations of Republic Act 9851. Passed in December 2009, RA 9851 is the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
Editorial
If the case reaches the courts, and the judiciary applies RA 8493 – the Speedy Trial Act of 1998 – plus rules issued by the Supreme Court in line with the constitutional mandate for speedy trial, Duterte and several of his minions could be held accountable for mass killings and penalized within the current administration, long before he dies.
The probe is being undertaken by a task force formed by the Department of Justice to investigate extrajudicial killings believed to have been carried out under Duterte’s so-called war on
OVER the past week, one of the main topics of discussion not only here in Washington, D.C. but in many parts of the globe is the immigration policy of Presidentelect Trump. Many of our media friends from the Philippines asked us how it will affect many undocumented Filipino immigrants in the United States.
A report published by the Pew Research Center estimates that the number of illegals in the U.S. has grown to 11 million in 2022, although these numbers “do not reflect events since mid-2022” as the unauthorized immigrant population “has likely grown over the past two years based on several alternative data sources.”
Based on “Agenda 47” that outlines the policy plans of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States plus his pronouncements, there will be mass deportation of illegal immigrants using federal law enforcement agencies and the military.
drugs. It’s unclear if the DOJ probe will include EJKs perpetrated by a so-called Davao death squad when Duterte was the city mayor, and killings that he himself carried out, as he told the quad committee last week. Also unclear is how the DOJ probe will affect any attempt by the International Criminal Court to get custody of Duterte, who is under ICC investigation for possible murder as a crime against humanity. The ICC probe has been going on for several years now, but the court has failed to get statements from Duterte and his officials who played key roles in his crackdown on drugs, including those who supervised an alleged cash reward system that encouraged police officers to kill drug suspects.
Duterte denied there was such a reward system, but he admitted the existence of a death squad in Davao and killing criminals himself, although he was vague on specifics. He has taunted the ICC to try him before he dies. The Marcos administration has maintained that there is no need for the ICC to step in because the country’s criminal justice system is fully functional. This will be tested by the ongoing DOJ probe of Duterte. (Philstar.com)
Anticipating the Trump immigration policy
Undocumented immigrants will not receive benefits like public housing and shelter, food stamps, health care and welfare checks. The southern border will be closed to asylum seekers, while the “catch-and-release” practice of releasing migrants while they await immigration hearings will be suspended.
Birthright citizenship (acquiring citizenship by being born in the U.S.) for children of undocumented immigrants will be denied. Tourists who give birth in the U.S. will no longer be allowed to extend their visa – and for the baby to acquire citizenship, one of the parents must be a U.S. citizen or resident.
Federal funding will also be blocked for sanctuary cities and counties that allow undocumented immigrants to stay. Under Title 42, which is a public health rule that began in 2020 during the pandemic, border authorities can send back migrants, including children, to their countries of origin. Experts also say that expedited removals could be conducted, which means U.S. Customs and Border Protection
officials could swiftly deport illegals.
But while the president-elect intends to crank up on mass deportation, he also says he wants people to “come in” to the U.S., but legally. Clearly, the top priority for deportation are those who pose a threat to national security and have criminal records.
There’s no doubt, however, that the Trump administration will be strict in its immigration policy, judging from the appointment of former Immigration and Customs Enforcement deputy director Thomas Homan as the “border czar.” Homan, a former police officer who became a U.S. Border Patrol agent, said workplace raids will be conducted to address labor and sex trafficking problems.
We certainly understand the worry and anxiety that our kababayans feel for friends and relatives who may be illegally staying in the US. Which is why we have called all the heads of post at our Philippine consulates in the United States – from Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco as well as Guam – for a meeting in Washington, DC during the
first week of December to discuss prospects under the incoming administration and obviously, number one on the agenda will be the immigration policy of President-elect Trump.
DFA Undersecretary Ed de Vega will be meeting our consuls in Los Angeles end of November to see how DFA’s Assistance to Nationals can be of help to Filipinos facing potential deportation after ascertaining what the new immigration policy will be and the guidelines on its implementation.
Former National Border Patrol Council president Brandon Judd said it’s not as if immigration authorities will just round up people and haul them off – those facing deportation can go before the courts which will hear their cases and rule whether they should be deported or not. We hope to consult an immigration lawyer to help us navigate through this policy.
Long before I even came to Washington, I have been writing about the potential ramifications of evolving U.S. immigration laws and its impact on Filipinos overstaying in the United States.
I knew of so many people who waited until they got deported – completely taking away all chances of ever legally returning to the U.S. Today, more and more countries are facing problems on illegal immigration. There are a number of countries that are now coming out with stricter immigration policies and tightening their borders. Canada, considered to be one of the most immigrantfriendly nations, has reversed its policy due to growing concerns about immigrants contributing to problems related to housing, health care and other social services. Our country is also facing serious problems with illegals coming into the country, which is overwhelming Immigration authorities. An alarming situation is the case of Chinese national Alice Guo using a fake birth certificate and getting elected to public office.
After my initial media interviews regarding undocumented Filipinos in the U.S., there were a few clueless critics who have absolutely no idea of potential problems faced by victims of
human trafficking and those living with the “sword of fear” hanging over their heads. One example is the case of Fedelina Lugasan who I met at our consulate in Los Angeles. She was rescued after being enslaved by her employers. Nanay Fedelina was recruited from Leyte to work as a domestic helper when she was a teenager and eventually brought to the U.S. – enslaved by a Filipino family for 65 years, unpaid and abused, sleeping on the floor with just a thin blanket. Her plight was discovered in 2018 when she collapsed due to hunger while taking care of her employer in the hospital, prompting the FBI’s Victim Protection Unit to investigate and rescue her. It was a heartbreaking story that is forever etched in my mind. I most certainly do not ever want that to happen to anyone, much less Filipinos. (Philstar.com)
* * * 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.
* * *
Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Philippine government probes Rody
unable or unwilling to conduct a credible probe.
many of us who could be dead before a final ruling is handed down.
in the Philippines for crimes against humanity?
MAYBE it’s just my imagination, but there seems to be something akin to panic and dismay in some quarters over the news that the Philippine government has finally launched an investigation of Rodrigo Duterte for possible crimes against humanitarian law.
This is despite the well known animosity between the Dutertes and the current ruling MarcosRomualdez clan, which could make it likely that domestic prosecution would actually result in a finding of guilt that warrants stiff punishment.
The panic and dismay seem to spring from the fear that the Philippine probe, launched by the Department of Justice, will trigger the principle of complementarity and keep Duterte and his minions outside the reach of the International Criminal Court.
Under this principle, the ICC may exercise jurisdiction over a case only when a country’s legal system fails to do so, when it is shown that legal authorities are
Articles 17 and 53 of the Rome Statute, which created the ICC, provides that the court cannot take on a case that is currently under investigation by a country with jurisdiction over it.
Duterte has taunted the ICC to come and get him, but his original statements on the issue seem to be his genuine stand: that he would never submit himself to the jurisdiction of a foreign court. So shouldn’t we be glad that a domestic investigation is underway, not only for individual extrajudicial killings, but for possible crimes against humanity carried out in the name of law enforcement?
* * *
We know what’s fueling public dismay and skepticism: trust deficit. It’s the lack of trust in the integrity and efficiency of the judiciary, which is supervised by the Supreme Court, and of the prosecution service, which is under the executive branch. If the principle of complementarity is invoked and domestic prosecution takes precedence over the ICC trial, it’s not just Duterte but also
And even then, there’s no guarantee that he will be found guilty. Only the minions in this country get thrown under the bus; their bosses go scot-free. We’ve seen this too many times in high-profile cases. Duterte’s aides could go to prison, but he himself could be let off, if only because of advanced age and health. VIPs who face imprisonment always find a health affliction warranting exemption from jail.
Any prosecution of Duterte is likely to be politicized. If he and his relatives haven’t riled the Marcos-Romualdez clan, would he be facing congressional investigations, especially at the House led by BBM’s favorite cousin?
The next leadership change is set in 2028. At this point, Charter change for a shift to a parliamentary system looks dead in the water, so the presidential race is likely to push through. After the midterm elections next year, prepositioning will start for the 2028 race.
What if the political winds blow in the opposite direction while Duterte is still on trial
* * * Department of Justice
Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he did not want the DOJ probe to “overlap” with what the ICC is doing – meaning the ICC card is still on the table for the Marcos 2.0 administration.
How this will work out is unclear. Duterte is being probed by the DOJ, for the first time ever, for possible violation of a law passed way back in 2009, Republic Act 9851 – the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
He’s not being probed for genocide, whether by the ICC or the DOJ. The two bodies are looking at the same possible offense, based on the same pattern of killings arising from the same motives, using (or will be using, in the case of the DOJ) testimonies from the same witnesses, and now the transcripts from the congressional probes.
The ICC has been investigating Duterte and several of his former aides for several years now, for a possible indictment for murder as a crime against humanity. But the court has been unable
to get any sworn statement from Duterte and his aides led by his former police chief, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who said he refused to take calls from persons claiming to be from the ICC.
President Marcos has maintained that the Philippine legal system is fully functional and there is no need for the ICC to step in, thank you. His “little president” Lucas Bersamin said last week that BBM had not changed his position on this.
Remulla at one point said it would be an “insult” for the pillars of the country’s legal system if the ICC would step into offenses committed in the Philippines.
* * * Recently, BBM, Bersamin and Remulla modified their position.
Amid reports that the ICC was preparing to issue arrest warrants for Duterte, et al, the three said while the government was not changing its position on non-cooperation with the ICC, the country remains a member of the International Criminal Police Organization, and is committed to cooperate with the Interpol in case it is asked by the ICC to facilitate the arrest of Duterte.
Since last year, the Marcos administration has also not
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection
stopped ICC probers from coming to the Philippines for informal talks with witnesses, resource persons and victims’ relatives, and to gather evidence. As long as the ICC activities are not conducted under a formal setting, they cannot be stopped by the government, according to administration officials. They said ICC personnel could come to the Philippines on tourist visas but do more than sightseeing, as long as the activities don’t break the country’s laws.
By most accounts, ICC personnel continue to do their work informally in the country, both in person and through digital communication.
So what happens now that the government is out to show that the Philippine legal system can also go after Duterte for crimes against humanity?
If Marcos 2.0 won’t invoke ICC complementarity, the Duterte camp could do so in demanding a domestic trial.
The ICC might be unable to get hold of Duterte before he croaks. (Philstar.com)
* * * 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.
BaBe Romualdez
Babe’s Eye View
Does fluoride cause cancer, IQ loss...
scientific evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effect or systemic disorder such as an increased risk for cancer, Down syndrome, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fracture, immune disorders, low intelligence, renal disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, or allergic reactions.”
The agency says risks of water fluoridation are limited to dental fluorosis, which can alter dental enamel and cause white flecks, spots, lines, or brown stains on the teeth when too much fluoride is consumed.
Do studies show fluoride posing any other risks?
Some studies have said that excess fluoride exposure, often at higher levels than the recommended U.S. limit, can harm infants’ and young children’s developing brains and that higher levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with declines in children’s IQs.
A study published in May that Malin led with University of Southern California and Indiana University researchers suggested that fluoride exposure during pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of childhood neurobehavioral problems and said more studies were “urgently needed to understand and mitigate the impacts in the entire U.S. population.”
Experts noted prenatal fluoride exposure is most strongly linked to children’s IQ loss, and said timing of fluoride consumption might need to be considered when making recommendations.
A federal review of dozens of studies published in August by the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program concluded that higher levels of fluoride exposure were linked to lower IQs in children. But the report was based primarily on studies in countries such as Canada, China, India, Iran, Mexico, and Pakistan and involved fluoride levels at or above 1.5 milligrams per liter, twice the recommended U.S. limit. The authors said more research is needed to understand whether lower exposure has any adverse effects.
In the report, researchers said they found no evidence that fluoride exposure adversely affected adult cognition.
Bellinger, of Harvard, pointed to the review as an
example of how the amount of fluoride matters. He noted how researchers concluded that a very small percentage of people in the U.S. are exposed to levels that correlate with IQ loss.
“Second, the fact that there are now multiple pathways of exposure to fluoride besides fluoridated water (toothpaste and other dental products, etc.) makes it really difficult to attribute a particular adverse effect to the fluoride added to the water,” he wrote via email. “It is the cumulative exposure from all sources that contribute to any adverse health effects.”
In September, a federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because of the potential risk that higher levels could affect children’s intellectual development.
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen wrote that the court’s finding didn’t “conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,” saying it’s unclear whether the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing children’s IQs to drop. But he wrote that there was enough risk to warrant investigation and that the EPA must act to further regulate it. The ruling did not specify what actions the agency should take, and the EPA is reviewing the decision.
After the ruling, the American Association of Pediatrics issued a statement that fluoride in drinking water is safe for children and said the policy is based on a robust foundation of evidence.
Besides dental fluorosis,
experts say that fluoride exposure over many years above the U.S. recommended amount can cause skeletal fluorosis, a rare condition that causes weaker bones, stiffness, and joint pain. Although the Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter for community water systems, the EPA, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, sets enforceable standards for drinking-water quality. Currently, to prevent skeletal fluorosis, the EPA requires that water systems not exceed 4 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water.
Malin said she and her research team are investigating a potential link between fluoride and bone fractures. She said that although several studies have found high fluoride exposure associated with increased risk of bone fractures, and some have linked fluoride with thyroid disease, rigorous, U.S.-based studies haven’t been done.
The CDC concluded that recent research found no link between cancer risk and high levels of fluoride in drinking water.
The American Cancer Society reviewed a possible link between water fluoridation and cancer risk. An organization spokesperson pointed PolitiFact to its review and said it has no data showing a definitive answer.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
What Trump’s immigration plans mean...
3
of asking for more information on a case to ferret out fraud. But if used unnecessarily, it simply becomes red tape … and if immigration is unavailable to people who are trying to come here through legal means, we’ll be seeing greater amounts of illegal migration.”
Currently, immigrants arriving at official crossing points on the border can make an appointment through the CBP One app and wait months to be processed into the U.S. with temporary humanitarian parole.
“People who try to enter between those points have a very hard time qualifying to begin the process towards asylum,” said Julia Gelatt, associate director of the Migration Policy Institute’s U.S. immigration policy program. “Under Trump, we can expect that the CPB One process at ports of entry will end, meaning that it will be very difficult for people coming to the border to access legal asylum proceedings,” she continued.
“Instead, we’ll likely see what we’ve seen before: people paying smugglers to sneak them into the United States, rather than to the border, where many people now present themselves to border authorities to ask for
protection,” she added.
Trump has also suggested that he’ll scale back the use of Temporary Status — which covers over one million immigrants, mostly Venezuelan, Haitian and Salvadoran — and eliminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), on which about 580,000 immigrants rely.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that the president can terminate DACA, a policy which gives some people who came to the U.S. illegally as children the right to study and work in the country.
“Most employers want to hire a legal workforce. If their workers lose authorizations like DACA and TPS, they’ll have to let them go,” said Gelatt. “We’re an aging country … and when we lose immigrant workers, it doesn’t necessarily create jobs for U.S. workers. If an employer loses the immigrant workers they rely on, they might contract out their operation or close up shop altogether. Immigrants and U.S. workers are compliments in the labor force.”
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the unemployment rate for U.S.-born workers in 2023 was 3.6%, the lowest on record.
That year, the share of employed prime-age (25 to 54) U.S.-born workers was 81.4%, the highest rate since 2001. While mass crackdowns on these immigrants “will take more resources than the new administration will have, resulting in economic devastation across the country, they’re still counting on instilling fear in communities,” added Chen. “We have people with legal status calling our attorneys because they’re afraid that they’ll be rounded up because they’ll be profiled. Those are legitimate concerns in this new environment.”
“What does it look like when that intimidation campaign is working? It looks like kids not going to school because their parents fear being deported, shortages of health care workers because people move to safer states or are removed from the country, like shortages of teachers here on TPS and DACA,” said Elizabeth Taufa, policy attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
“Even if they can’t afford to enforce these policies, they’re unraveling the threads of our American communities,” she added. (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)
Longtime research has found that adding fluoride to U.S. drinking water is a safe way to boost children’s oral health. Since 2015, the recommended level in the U.S. has been 0.7 milligrams per liter. Public health organizations, including the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support the practice. Pexels.com photo by Andrea Piacquadio
PNP: No quota on drug war killings, arrests
by JosE rodEl claPano Philstar.com
MANILA — As far as the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police can recall, there was no quota on PNP killings or arrests in the implementation of the war on drugs during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, one of the resource persons invited by the House committee on public order and safety chaired by Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, said on Tuesday, November 19 that based on her personal experience during her stint as station chief of police at the height of Oplan Double Barrel, she did not receive any order for a quota on “arrests or killings” of drug suspects.
“I will speak in my capacity. During the time of former President Duterte, I was the chief of police. I could say in all honesty, there was no quota for us, or in a week you must have arrest of five or you have killed (someone),” Fajardo said in reply to a question of Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, a former police officer himself.
The PNP spokesperson hinted that most police officers in the station, who were at the height of their career, may probably just tried to impress their superiors and deliver accomplishments.
“There is no specific policy given to us, either written or verbal ones. In my personal experience during my time as chief of police and even during my time as a provincial director,” she added.
Fajardo confirmed at the hearing the chiefs of police were required to submit a report on the number of houses, drug pushers or users that they visited in the implementation of Oplan Double Barrel.
Members
the
Fajardo, when she was still a police station chief, denied that they were required to visit at least 50 houses for tokhang in a month.
“During my time, there was none. The houses that will be the subject for tokhang will depend on the number of drug personalities reported by the BADAC (barangay anti-drug abuse council),” Fajardo explained.
“Like I said, Mr. Chair, there is definitely pressure for the station commanders to deliver accomplishment. So that probably really triggered the intention to really deliver in terms of arrest,” she further explained.
Asked by Acop if the pressure on station commanders contributed on the alleged quota of 50-house visitations, Fajardo answered that it is a possibility. n
Let Duterte run again...
PAGE 5
the document right at the hearing of the quad comm that he attended last week.
“We are depending on (former deputy ombudsman) Art Carandang about this issue on the money in banks. We are trying to find out the whereabouts of Carandang,” Fernandez said.
He stated the quad comm’s investigation on the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that allegedly transpired during Duterte’s presidency is already done.
“For me, the EJK probe is already finished. Most likely, we will start tackling Duterte’s Executive Order 13 on POGO (Philippine offshore gaming operators), which has not been tackled yet. If ever we are tackling POGO, we might invite him again,” Fernandez said.
Since all of Duterte’s testimonies were made under oath, the former president’s inconsistencies could constitute perjury, Fernandez said.
“He was under oath. If you closely look at it, there was perjury. He is really liable to his
statement that he delivered to quad comm. We are here to find out what laws we can file and legislate in connection with the hearing,” he explained. He added the invitation of the quad comm to Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go is “openended.”
“It’s really up to them if they want to be present. If they don’t want to attend, it’s their prerogative,” he said.
He said the quad comm is running out of time.
“We have until Dec. 16 (for the regular Congress sessions).
After Nov. 28, we have two more remaining hearings. On our return to Congress on Jan. 15, it will be the start of the campaign period already. We might find it difficult to get a member of quad comm to attend the hearing,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he said that they moved the scheduled hearing of quad comm on Thursday, November 21 to next week, Nov. 28. The hearing next Thursday of the House committee on good government and public accountability chaired by
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua will tackle Vice President
Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5-million confidential intelligence funds in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education when she was the department’s former secretary.
Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan on Tuesday called on the Department of Justice to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation into thousands of drug war-related killings under Duterte. Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said ignoring the ICC’s ongoing probe, launched in 2018, would delay justice for victims and allow the process “to be manipulated” by the camp of Duterte.
“The ICC investigation into extrajudicial killings in Duterte’s drug war has been ongoing. Ignoring this reality will prolong the agony of families seeking justice for their loved ones,” Palabay said in a statement. (With reports from Jose Rodel Clapano, Mark Ernest Villeza)
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NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9022894
Suki Cleaning located at 121 Orange Ave Spc 91, Chula Vista, CA 91911.
Registrant: Angelica Obeso Castro, 121 Orange Ave Spc 91, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Angelica Obeso Castro. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/18/2024. AJ 1561 11/22, 11/29, 12/06, and 12/13/2024. AJSD 1561
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9021312
Solecito Childcare located at 4336 Mayberry St, San Diego, CA 92113. Registrant: Yadira Salazar, 4336 Mayberry St, San Diego, CA 92113. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Yadira Salazar. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/23/2024. AJ 1556 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/06/2024. AJSD 1556
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9023029
VR Couture located at 320 Shady Ln. Apt 27, El Cajon, CA 92021. Registrant: a. Veronica Nissan, 320 Shady Ln. Apt 27, El Cajon, CA 92021. b. Rotana Elia, 320 Shady Ln. Apt 27, El Cajon, CA 92021
This business is conducted by A General Partnership.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Veronica Nissan. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/19/2024. AJ 1562 11/22, 11/29, 12/06, and 12/13/2024. AJSD 1562
of
Manila Police District (MPD) Philstar.com photo
SAN DIEGO
The
Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Pechanga Resort Casino announce partnership benefitting guests of both sought-after
brands
Collaboration marks first partnership with a Las Vegas casino/ resort for tribally owned, SoCal-based Pechanga Resort Casino
TEMECULA – Pechanga
Resort Casino and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas announced on November 8 that the two luxury resorts have signed a first-of-its-kind partnership for the Southern California Native American resort/casino and a Las Vegas casino operator.
Pechanga Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians just outside of Temecula, Calif., and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas inked a deal to give guests of each resort access to the awardwinning benefits, amenities and casino club member rewards. Guests of Pechanga Resort Casino and The Venetian Resort will receive exclusive invitations to events, promotions and
special offers at each resort/ casino. The partnership gives Pechanga Resort Casino guests another opportunity to be uniquely rewarded with incomparable experiences for their loyalty patronage.
Pechanga Resort Casino features the most partnerships with major sports teams and venues among any resort/ casino in Southern California. Pechanga’s guests receive access and invitations to attend Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Wave games, as well as shows and events at Pechanga Arena San Diego, SoFi Stadium and the recently opened Intuit Dome. With the
newly signed partnership with The Venetian Resort, Pechanga guests receive exclusive access to hotel rooms, shows, private parties and more of the amenities at the largest resort in North America. Guests of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas receive the same select access at Pechanga Resort Casino.
“Our team at Pechanga is always looking for unique and truly special ways we can deliver incredible experiences and luxury to our guests,” said Ken Perez, president of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “We’re looking forward to this partnership with such a respected and sought after brand as The
Chelsea Manalo named continental queen of Asia at Miss Universe 2024
by Armin P. AdinA Inquirer.net
CHELSEA Manalo may not have posted the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe victory as she had wanted, but she will not go home empty-handed as she was bestowed a special title from the competition after she was named the first continental queen of Asia. Aside from Manalo, other continental queens are Miss Finland for Europe & Middle East), Miss Peru for the Americas, and Miss Nigeria for Africa and Oceania, as announced at a press conference held following the coronation night on Sunday, in
Mexico City where Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig won the Miss Universe 2024 title. The Filipino queen was proclaimed as “Miss Universe Asia,” one of the “continental queens” that the organization promised to proclaim when it launched the 2024 competition. When Miss Universe Organization (MUO) coowners Raul Rocha and Anna Jakrajutip launched the 2024 pageant, they said that four continental winners will be proclaimed, and will become part of the Top 30. It was not clear, though, if the continental winners had already been predetermined prior to the announcement of semifinalists. The four ladies all hurdled the first cut. Manalo finished in the Top 30, and so was Finland’s Matilda Wirtavuori who was proclaimed as Miss Universe Europe and Middle East. Peru’s Tatiana Calmell, who finished in the Top 12, was proclaimed as Miss Universe Americas, while Miss Universe first runner-up Chidimma Adetshina from Nigeria was hailed as the continental queen for Africa and Oceania. Reports said the continental queens will be traveling with Theilvig in different parts of the world for the Miss Universe Organization.
Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig and the continental queens. Photo from from MUPH EVP Voltaire Tayag
Pechanga Resort Casino located just outside of Temecula, CA.
WHEN I learned from GMA-7 news of Max Soliven's passing away on November 24, 2006, just three days before Ninoy Aquino’s birthday, I was very sad and tried to control my tears. My personal encounter with Max began on August 2, 1990, the day Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. He told me to join him first in a morning breakfast at the lobby of Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati City before I interviewed him about his fond memories of Ninoy Aquino for the Philippine Daily Globe’s August 21, 1990 special focus feature entitled “… Ninoy, the Men Who Remember Aquino”. (I actually got Max’s residence phone number through Mela Soliven-Pascual who I met during the birthday of Mother Socorro Reyes, former directress of St. Paul College of Manila, sometime in September 1989 at the house of Romy Reyes on breezy Acacia Street in Valle Verde, Pasig.)
Later Max brought me to the hotel’s La Bodega (now Nielsen) coffee shop where we saw then Trade Assistant Secretary Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was taking a cup of coffee. Max right away introduced me to Gloria. As I shook her hand, I candidly said to her that she would be the country’s leader in the next millennium as Max smiled to what I was predicting. Gloria just smiled at me for she had no ambition to be president someday. But I was very sure that it would come true. Meanwhile, I bade her goodbye for I had to interview Max Soliven, a multi-awarded journalist who
Donald Trump, the 47th US president; Chelsea Manalo, 1st Miss Universe Asia 2024
recalled how Ninoy used to chide him for having started Ninoy’s career by firing Ninoy from The Guidon, the official weekly college organ of the Ateneo de Manila. Max was then the managing editor while Ninoy was a cub reporter who later joined The Manila Times.
Ninoy had a keen eye and his guts were terrific, and he had what it took to be a successful newspaperman, the ability to detect what was newsworthy and to analyze the news. “The editor of The Manila Times was so impressed with Ninoy that he would translate Ninoy’s dispatches into English,” said Max, adding that it was only Ninoy’s copy that was edited by the editorin-chief. At 17, Ninoy Aquino became Manila Times’ youngest war correspondent in Korea, a feat that had certainly made him famous.
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump will make a dramatic comeback to the White House as the 47th president of the United States of America.
Among the celebrities who supported him are as follows: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Joe Rogan, John Schneider, Rob Schneider, Elon Musk, Hulk Hogan, Megyn Kelly, Caitlyn Jenner, boxer Jake Paul, astonaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Drae de Matteo, Dr. Phil, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, adult film actress Richelle Ryan, modelAmber Rose, Paula Deen, Brett Favre, Victoria Jackson, Joe Exotic, sportsman Harrison Butker, Britanny Mahomes, John Daly, Kelsey Grammer, Tucker Carlson, Jim
Caviezel, Zachary Levi, Danica Patrick, Taryn Manning, Kanye, Dennis Quaid, Randy Quaid, Jason Aldean, Savannah Chrisley, Kodak Black, Dana White, Russel Brand, Roseanne Barr, Kid Rock, Lil Pump, Kevin Sorbo, Chris Janson, James Woods, rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Lil Wayne, rapper Sexyy Red, Trace Adkins, DaBaby, Jon Voight, Scott Baio, Steve Mnuchin, Dean Cain, Rod Blagojevich, and Vinny Guadagnino.
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A new cooking and talk show will satisfy viewers' curiosity and taste buds every afternoon with GMA Public Affairs’ newest talk magazine program, “Lutong Bahay,” which intersects sumptuous yet easy-to-make recipes with feel-good and lifechanging memories, bringing together people in the comfort of their homes.
It is hosted by Mikee Quintos with our new kapitbahays Hazel
Venetian Resort in the Las Vegas hospitality and casino landscape.”
“We are excited to welcome Pechanga guests to The Venetian Resort and providing our Venetian Rewards guests to experience Pechanga, a top casino destination in Southern California,” said Danny Ruiz, chief gaming officer of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
“Together we’re offering our guests exclusive perks seamless access to experiences at both destinations, and a chance to enjoy the best of both worlds like never before.”
Perez said he expects the innovative partnership to usher in more excitement, and ultimately, value to the guests of both The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and Pechanga Resort Casino. The properties’ management teams agreed to a one year first contract with option for renewal.
Pechanga Resort Casino and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas recently both were recognized by readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Pechanga Resort Casino ranked as the only resort/casino on the esteemed publication’s list of Top Resorts in the country. The Venetian Las Vegas has ranked on the Readers’ Choice list of Top Las Vegas hotels every year since 2018.
Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino
experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the best casino outside of Las Vegas by Newsweek, rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002 and the only resort/casino in the U.S. to place in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled California getaway. Offering 5,500 of the hottest slots, table games, worldclass entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features an unmatched destination. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Instagram, Facebook and on X @PechangaCasino. Pechanga Resort Casino is open 24 hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino. Meanwhile, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas features allsuite accommodations across The Venetian and The Palazzo. The iconic resort’s experience is marked by a commitment to sophisticated play and lighthearted luxury, with world-class restaurants from celebrated chefs including Cote by Simon Kim, Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, and Southern California favorite Gjelina; the rejuvenating Canyon Ranch spa + fitness; a five-acre pool and garden deck
inspired by the Italian Riviera including TAO Beach Dayclub, a Balinese-inspired tropical oasis; two landmark casinos and a poker room; Voltaire, a destination nightlife venue that blurs the lines between and intimate club and is home to the Queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese; concert and nonstop entertainment including master illusionist Shin Lim; TAO Nightclub, and unparalleled retail experiences at Grand Canal Shoppes. A premier events and conference center, the resort is home to more than 2.25 million square feet of meeting, exposition, and convention space. The Venetian Resort’s brand-new loyalty program, Venetian Rewards, offers resortwide earning and redemption for gaming play, including slots and tables, as well as experiential spend, such as dining, entertainment, hotel reservations, and more.
The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is the only place fans can get the full experience of Sphere at The Venetian with concert and hotel packages including preferred seating. Sphere is a next-generation venue that will redefine the future of live entertainment.
(The Venetian® and other trademarks are used under license. The names and brands mentioned above are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.) (Advertising Supplement)
Cheffy Anonuevo, Chef Ylyt Manaig, and Kuya Dudut. “Lutong Bahay” airs Mondays to Fridays, 5:45 p.m. on GTV. Global Pinoys can catch it via international channel, GMA Life TV.
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Current Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo, a dark-skinned beauty from Bulacan, extended her utmost gratitude to fellow Filipinos from all over the world for the wholeout support to her candidacy in the recently-concluded 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico. She was declared 1st Miss Universe Asia 2024.
In preparing for the international stage, she sees to it that “whatever it is, I voice it out and act upon it with some pieces of advice and suggestions I get from those close to me. I make sure that I keep up with the current events and I show up to my family.”
Family, the very basic unit of a society, is a vital part of her life. Her parents are very supportive of her dream. “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 weekend, she has been
with her parents and friends going to Mass and dining out. She has also been supportive of charity work that deals with the youth and indigenous people. She believes that “everything happens for a reason.” As a child, she experienced bullying: “Yes, bullying doesn't stop and still happens to anyone... I keep focusing on what I am more passionate about and on what I can only control.”
She elucidates: “I ignore them. I have always believed that bashing comes from people who are only hurt and negative.”
* * * Thanks to 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award recipients Usec. Robert Rivera and Lady Elyza Rivera for guesting Jamin C. Lim and me on their show, “Pilipinas Ngayon Na!” on DWIZ. We enjoyed the discussion on photography and journalism.
* * * I saw young artists, including Winnie Wong (partner of Patrick, the brother of Paul Soriano who’s First Lady Liza Marcos' nephew) at Ronan Art Center in San Juan City attending a Christmas showcase that features art pieces. I also saw writers Peps Bernardo, Carlos Abalos, Queenie Ostulano, Andre Dantis, Nuel Manaligod, and Pia Lorraine Yater-Dalmazo.
* * * 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.
Trials and hardships motivate her to be a better person. Through this means, she has learned to excel in whatever pursuit she does and uses this to do the right thing. “I live up to the principles of goodness, greatness and godliness and these are what help me in pursuing whatever I want to achieve in life,” says Chelsea, a B. S. Tourism alumna of De La Salle Araneta University. “Experiences in life have molded me to look at life more beautiful than being too negative. It made me more stronger.” She reiterates that there is “no label on who I am,” but she has always been kind to other people. Hardships and trials have motivated her to be a better person for “it only makes me better and through it I learn on and apply it in my life.”
* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
City of San Diego plans for impacts of rising sea levels to protect coastal access
SAN DIEGO – To protect San Diego’s valuable coastline and to prepare for the effects of rising sea levels, the City of San Diego recently released a draft Coastal Resilience Master Plan for public review. The city is asking community members for input on coastal resilience projects to help shape the coast’s future.
“Our shorelines are increasingly vulnerable, and the Coastal Resilience Master Plan will implement the most cost-efficient, natural solutions for long-term viability,” said Council President Pro Tem and Environment Committee Chair Joe LaCava. “Backed by science and community input, these projects are designed to adapt our shoreline from the effects of sea level rise while protecting our coastal neighborhoods.”
The city’s more than 17 miles of biologically rich coast serves the economy in trade, recreation, tourism and military. Climate change is accelerating sea level rise, which increases the risk of coastal flooding and erosion, particularly during storm events. Sea levels in San Diego have risen about 6 inches since 1970 and are anticipated to rise up to 0.8 feet by 2050. By 2100, sea levels could rise from 1.6 to 6.7 feet. More frequent and widespread coastal flooding could result in the loss of beaches and coastal recreation opportunities and pose a risk to the local economy.
The draft Coastal Resilience Master Plan addresses sea level rise-driven challenges, such as coastal flooding and erosion, by prioritizing nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions look beyond traditional coastal engineering techniques and incorporate or mimic natural features or processes to protect and enhance the city’s coast. Examples of nature-based solutions can include habitat
restoration, engineered and passive dunes, and waterfront parks, among other options.
The draft plan considers six locations for nature-based solutions projects: La Jolla Shores, Tourmaline Surf Park, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach – Dog Beach, Ocean Beach –Beachfront (Pier) and Sunset Cliffs. For each project site, a high-level concept design is proposed. In addition to improving resilience to sea level rise, the proposed designs also look to benefit wildlife, support coastal access and recreation, and protect historic and tribal cultural resources.
“The coast provides so many benefits to our city,” said City Planning Director Heidi Vonblum. “We have a responsibility to have plans in place to ensure the continued enjoyment and protection of this amazing resource. Input from community members helps us design projects that accomplish this in a way that is most meaningful to the public.”
As the City considers different approaches for each of the project sites, it is asking for the public’s continued feedback. San Diegans can provide their input through an online survey or by emailing ClimateResilientSD@ sandiego.gov. The city hosted a community webinar on Monday, Nov. 18, where people learned more about the draft plan, discussed the project concepts and provided feedback. A recording of the
webinar is available on the Coastal Resilience Master Plan webpage (https://www. sandiego.gov/climate-resilientsd/projects/coastal-resiliencemaster-plan) for those who were not able to attend.
A draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) will be released for the public’s review at the end of November. Community members will have until early January 2025 to submit input on both the plan and PEIR. Feedback received through the public review period will then be incorporated into the plan and PEIR. They are anticipated to move forward to the public hearing process in the spring. Following the plan’s adoption, the project designs will be further refined through initial engineering. The city will also complete additional technical studies, environmental analyses and community engagement. Depending on the availability of funding and resources, projects will move into final design, permitting and construction. The plan is anticipated to be a living document that could be updated in the future to include additional sites. The Coastal Resilience Master Plan is an implementation strategy of Climate Resilient SD, the City’s plan to prepare for, respond to and recover from the four primary climate change-related hazards: extreme heat, sea level rise, flooding/drought and wildfires. (City of San Diego Release)
1960 TOYM awardees (standing, from left) Oscar Yatco, Leonardo Martin, Benito Legardo Jr., Cirio Santiago, Alberto Florentino; (seated, from left) Gabriel Elorde, Ninoy Aquino, Max Soliven and Sixto Roxas. Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
At “Pilipinas Ngayon Na!” radio broadcast: (from left) Jamin Lim, Usec.
Robert Rivera, Lady Elyza Rivera and Rogelio Medina.
From left: Peps Bernardo, Nuel Manaligod, Queenie Ostulano, Carlos Abalos, Winnie Wong, Pia Lorraine Yater-Dalmazo, Rogelio Medina and Andre Dantis.
47th American President Donald Trump at a campaign trail event at a McDonald’s franchise in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in October 2024.
“Lutong Bahay” hosts (clockwise, from left)
Anonuevo, Kuya Dudut, Ylyt Manig and Mikee Quintos.
The Venetian Resort Casino in
Three flu vaccine myths as flu season ramps up in San Diego
FLU cases are on the rise in San Diego County. Last week, 116 cases were recorded compared to 77 the week before. To date, 1,209 cases have been tracked this year, up from 733 at this time last flu season.
Starting in late October 2024, data from wastewater testing is showing increases in influenza virus detection. Wastewater monitoring is used to provide additional information about the presence or spread of disease in our community.
“We are going to have a busy flu season. With holiday gatherings approaching it is especially important to be vigilant by covering your cough, washing your hands and getting vaccinated against the flu,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, interim county public health officer. “Additionally, whenever possible, it is important to refrain from going to any gathering when you know you are sick.”
The flu vaccine has for decades been the best protection we have against the virus. In that time, it has also generated some myths that are important to address.
• Flu Vaccine Myth #1 – The flu isn’t that serious. I don’t need the vaccine
It’s true that many people get the flu and feel better within a week or two. But some people can, and do, get seriously sick and even die. Last flu season nearly 20,000 people got the flu, 1,500 were hospitalized and 60 San Diegans died including two infants. The flu vaccine can help protect you and your loved ones who are most at risk of getting seriously sick like young children or older adults.
• Flu Vaccine Myth #2 – The flu vaccine will give me the flu
The flu vaccine cannot make you sick with the flu. It is made of inactive or dead viruses. The nasal spray vaccine is made of weakened viruses. You may have some side effects from the flu vaccine or nasal spray vaccine like a sore arm or even a headache, muscle aches or a runny nose. These symptoms should not last long and are much less severe than actually getting the flu.
• Flu Vaccine Myth #3 – I had the vaccine and still got the flu, so it doesn’t work
County
Scientists spend a lot of time predicting which flu strains should go into the vaccine each year. Flu viruses can change or mutate similar to other respiratory viruses. Some individuals may pick up a strain that is not in the vaccine however most strains that are active during a flu season are in the vaccine. Even though you may still get sick, you are more likely to have milder flu symptoms. It takes about two weeks to build up the antibodies that protect you. Even with a chance you will still get sick, it is still really important to get the vaccine each year and improve your chances of avoiding getting sick, and maybe even accidentally giving it to the people around you.
If you want to learn more, the County Health and Human Services Agency publishes the Respiratory Viruses Surveillance report, which tracks key flu, COVID-19, and RSV indicators and summarizes respiratory virus surveillance in the region. Visit https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/ content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/ community_epidemiology/dc/ respiratoryviruses/surveillance. html#report.
How to prevent the flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. The CDC also indicates you can get a flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time, including a booster dose. The COVID-19 vaccine does not work against the flu or vice versa. The flu vaccine is especially
important for people at higher risk of having serious complications from the virus.
They include:
• People with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and lung disease, even if symptoms are under control
• Pregnant women
• People aged 65 years and older
• People who live with or care for others who are at higher risk.
The influenza vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies and is covered by medical insurance. People with no health care coverage can get vaccinated at one of the county’s six public health centers or a local community clinic. To find the nearest location, visit the county’s Flu Vaccine Locations (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/ content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/ immunization_branch/Getting_ Your_Vaccines.html) page or call 2-1-1 San Diego.
In addition to getting vaccinated, people should also do the following to avoid getting sick:
• Wash hands thoroughly and often;
• Use hand sanitizers, if unable to wash hands;
• Stay away from sick people;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Clean commonly touched surfaces; and
• If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.
(Fernanda Lopez Halvorson/ County of San Diego Communications Office)
New opportunities launched for employees to seek higher education
Four educational institutions will provide discounted tuition, scholarships and special programs for the city’s workforce
SAN DIEGO
– As part of an ongoing effort to recruit and retain a skilled workforce, the City of San Diego is adding new educational opportunities for its employees to further their career growth and development. On Tuesday, November 19, the San Diego City Council approved agreements with National University, San Diego College of Continuing Education, University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies, and the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management to be the Official Employee Education Program Partners of the City of San Diego.
These partnerships will provide city employees with free and discounted tuition and educational scholarships during the 5-year contract term.
Tuesday’s announcement is a direct response to feedback provided to the city during its 2024 Employee Satisfaction Survey, in which 48% of survey respondents stated they were interested in pursuing professional certification or obtaining a degree. These partnerships are also part of the Economic Development Strategy approved by Council in the summer 2023. By providing these opportunities to employees, the city is continuing to provide a culture of learning to its more than 12,000 employees, while providing pathways for career advancement.
“We are fortunate to be able to offer these new educational partnerships to the city’s workforce through our Corporate Partnership Program,” said Christina Bibler, director of the Economic Development Department. “After seeking city employee feedback on existing education and professional development barriers, the city crafted a partnership response to create diverse pathways for growth and workforce development. After months of coordination, we were able to negotiate these four new partners to meet employee needs in alignment with our economic development strategy.”
City employees will be able to receive tuition discounts, varied educational and development opportunities and scholarships through these partnerships. In exchange, program partners will have the opportunity to familiarize city employees with their educational programs and services through promotional offers, participation in on-site events, exclusive informational opportunities, and other marketing and promotional opportunities.
National University will continue its 10year partnership in which employees have the opportunity to receive a 25% discount on tuition for associate and bachelor’s degrees and 15% off doctoral programs and be joined by three new educational partners. These include free tuition for the San Diego College of Continuing Education; a 10-15% discount offered for UC San Diego-Extension programs; and five fellowships to UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management will be provided annually.
Additionally, scholarship opportunities for National University and UC San Diego-Extension programs will be made available on an application basis each year.
“The city strives to create a culture of learning and to provide pathways for career growth and development for every employee,” said Julie Rasco, Human Resources Department director.
“Engaging in education partnerships through the Education Partners contract will aid us in removing potential barriers to further progress in that direction and to support all employees’ immediate and long-term career goals.”
The partnerships come at no cost to the City of San Diego and the new educational opportunities will be available for City employees to take advantage of immediately.
What the educational partners are saying:
“At National University, we serve ‘And-ers’ –students who are seeking degrees AND working fulltime, raising families, or serving in the military,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University. “The hardworking team at the City of San Diego – police officers, firefighters, and city staffers working to make our community better – epitomize these learners striving to make progress on their higher education journeys even as they make a difference in the community. We are delighted to partner with the city to create pathways for these students to advance their educations and their careers.”
“UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is delighted to join forces with the City of San Diego in this important partnership. By providing city employees with access to our extensive catalog of high-quality courses and certificate programs, we are confident this collaboration will be instrumental in developing a highly skilled workforce equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community,” said Hugo Villar, dean of UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. “Our flexible program formats and expert instruction, designed with working professionals in mind, will empower city employees to advance their careers and contribute to a thriving San Diego.”
“We are thrilled to announce a partnership between the City of San Diego and the UC San Diego Rady School of Management,” said Lisa Ordóñez, dean of UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management. “Up to five qualified City of San Diego employees will be guaranteed tuition fellowships each year for the next five years into one of the Flex programs: Executive MBA, FlexEvening MBA, and FlexMSBA. These programs offer professionals the flexibility to pursue a degree on their terms—whether evenings or weekends—without interrupting their careers. The curriculum is designed to foster innovation and leadership, with a strong emphasis on datadriven decision making, entrepreneurship, and real-world application. This partnership reflects Rady School’s commitment to supporting San Diego’s public sector by making graduate-level business education more accessible.”
“We are excited to be an educational partner with the City of San Diego,” said Tina M. King, Ed.D., president of San Diego College of Continuing Education. “As a college dedicated to adult education and workforce development, we offer no-cost courses in diverse areas such as Project Management, Business, Information Technology, Healthcare, and more, available across seven locations and online. Our goal is to provide ample opportunities that enhance morale, productivity, and professional growth for City of San Diego employees.” (City of San Diego Release)
California Community Colleges celebrates Apprenticeship Week
SACRAMENTO — The California Community Colleges recognizes this week, Nov. 17th through the 23rd, as the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week by “Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion and Innovation.” Apprenticeship programs offer a unique blend of hands-on training and classroom learning, providing learners with valuable skills and hands-on experience to prepare them for future careers.
The California Community Colleges is the largest workforce development and training system in the nation and uniquely positioned to create, pilot and expand apprenticeships across many different career pathways, including nursing, manufacturing and information and agricultural technologies.
The system is playing a crucial role in Gov. Newsom’s goal of training 500,000 apprentices by 2029. To date, 94,000 registered apprentices and 2,200 registered pre-apprentices have stepped foot on one of our 116 California community colleges. This is about 20% of the goal.
“While we celebrate this milestone, we continue to identify student-centered approaches to learning and skills preparation. Through the California Apprenticeship Initiative, the New and Innovative Pre-Apprenticeship and
California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian Apprenticeship Grant Programs and the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant, among others, we are removing barriers and facilitating access to jobs in high-growth, highdemand industries,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. The California Community Colleges apprenticeship training programs are working to achieve multiple goals of the system’s strategic plan, Vision 2030, including increasing the number of students who are acquiring degrees, credentials, certificates, or skills that prepare them for in-demand jobs; increasing the number of career education students who report
being employed in their field of study; and reducing, and fully closing, equity gaps across all career training and employment metrics.
For more information, please see the recently released monograph series, on the California Community Colleges website, focused on the state of apprenticeships in California (https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/ CCCCO-Website/docs/general/ monograph-on-apprenticeshipsat-california-communitycolleges-october-2024-finala11y.pdf?la=en&hash=AE11354 39C15EF5923E762BCBD4DAD 507AB2AA2F).
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to serve our students, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (Formerly Twitter). (CA Community Colleges Release)
Statewide call to action during Crash Responder Safety Week
SACRAMENTO – Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) joined together Tuesday, November 19 as part of Crash Responder Safety Week to remind drivers to move over when safe to do so and slow down near traffic incidents and work zones to prevent serious injuries and deaths on California’s roadways.
California’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane when safe to do so, and slow down when approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles. Crash Responder Safety Week recognizes that the public’s health, safety, and well-being are often dependent on the commitment of first responders to conduct invaluable and often life-saving operations on the side of our roads. When first responders report to an incident, that is a work zone.
According to the National Safety Council, 891 people were killed and 37,701 were injured in work zone crashes in 2022 across the country. During the same period, more than 10,000 workzone crashes occurred on California roadways, resulting in 117 fatalities and more than 4,500 injuries. While all 50 states have “Move Over” laws to protect roadway workers, one-third of the public are not aware of the law.
“Safety is our top priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “We are asking drivers that when near work zones, please slow down, pay attention and move over when you see flashing responder lights. There’s no excuse to speed and
drive recklessly. Make the conscious decision to protect yourself, loved ones, fellow travelers and vulnerable highway workers.”
For more from Director Tavares about the importance of practicing safe driving habits, please view the video at https://www.youtube. com/embed/7HBG0VdPe20?feature=oembed.
“Every day, our officers and first responders put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Crash Responder Safety Week reminds drivers everywhere of the vital importance of moving over, slowing down and staying alert when approaching emergency scenes. Together, we can save lives and ensure that those who serve on California’s roadways make it home safely.”
“Keeping all road users safe is a priority for the DMV,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “That is why we do what we do to ensure all drivers know the rules of the road before we license them.”
Each year, first responders are struck by passing motorists, often while aiding motorists and clearing roadway incidents, resulting in serious injury or death. Traffic-related incidents are the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Services personnel, maintenance workers and tow/recovery professionals. Many of these incidents can be prevented if motorists follow the law.
For more information on the campaign, visit: http://beworkzonealert.com/. (CA Dep’t of Transportation Release)
Tips to reduce food waste this happy holiday season
‘Safe Streets for All’
THE holidays are the season for — food!
And the County of San Diego wants to give you some tips to help make sure you don’t waste a single bite.
Believe it or not, up to 40% of the total U.S. food supply goes to waste every year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The opportunity to waste food increases during the holidays, as our feasts march from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. It’s a waste that can also cost you money. The USDA estimates that the average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food they end up never eating.
And food waste can even make climate change worse. That’s because when you toss organic matter like food waste into landfills to decompose, it creates methane, a greenhouse gas pollutant. In 2022 the EPA said methane traps about 80 times the heat that carbon dioxide does and it is responsible for roughly one-third of the warming from greenhouse gases.
So, in the spirit of holiday giving, here are some simple tips that can help stop food waste, save you some money and even fight climate change! Reduce wasted food — shop and plan wisely
The easiest way to reduce wasting food, during the holidays or just day to day, is to not cook too much, right? One of the best ways to do that is to plan ahead, shop smart and serve just enough food to make
