Nursing home industry wants Trump to rescind staffing mandate
COVID’s rampage through the country’s nursing homes killed more than 172,000 residents and spurred the biggest industry reform in decades: a mandate that homes employ a minimum number of nurses.
But with President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the industry is ramping up pressure to kill that requirement before it takes effect, leaving thousands of residents in homes too short-staffed to provide proper care.
The nursing home industry has been marshaling opposition for months among congressional Republicans — and some Democrats — to overrule the Biden administration’s mandate. Two industry groups, the American Health Care Association and LeadingAge, have sued to overturn the regulation, and 20 Republican state attorneys general have filed their own challenge.
Consumer advocates, industry officials and independent researchers agree that the incoming administration is likely to rescind
As health care access passes in state ballots, so do ballot restrictions
AS state ballot measures advancing health access are advancing nationwide, so are those restricting ballot access.
In 2023 alone, 75 bills were introduced in state legislatures to make the ballot measure process harder for voters to use; in 2024 so far, there have been 103 such bills.
“Ballot measures are a form of direct democracy, across party lines. They let voters make meaningful change on issues they care about, even if they’re not being addressed in their state legislatures” — particularly health issues, said Avenel Joseph, interim executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at a Friday, November 22 Ethnic Media Services briefing about ballot access.
The ballot measure landscape
A recent study by Health Affairs found that, of the 534 U.S. state referenda and constitutional amendment ballot initiatives passed between 2014 and 2023, 63.5% were health care-related, most commonly
War against corruption far from over, Pres. Marcos says
Marcos says PH aiming to be leading global investment hub
by luiSa cabaTo Inquirer.net
MANILA – The administration has been “trying very hard” to make the Philippines a leading investment hub in the world, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. He said this during a courtesy call with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng in Malacañang
California’s first Fil-Am state senator takes office
THE
State’s first Filipino American to serve in the state Senate was sworn into office on Monday, December 2. Christopher Cabaldon officially took office on Monday, the first official day of the 2025-26 regular session, to represent California state Senate District 3, which covers Wine Country, the Delta, North Bay and Sacramento Valley. Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire led the convening session that officially began the upcoming two-year legislative session. Senator Cabaldon was sworn into office by the Honorable Patricia Guerrero, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. Following the Oath of Office Program, Senator Cabaldon’s
invitees, Pro Tem McGuire, current State Senators, other dignitaries, and constituents from the Senator’s district and across California congratulated the incoming State Senators on the Senate Floor and from the Senate Gallery.
With his oath of office, Cabaldon not only embarks on a new chapter in public service but also makes history as the first Filipino American to serve in the California Senate and the first LGBTQ+ senator elected north of San Francisco and Stockton.
During the 2024 general election in November, Cabaldon garnered 62.6% of the votes (277,092), beating Republican challenger Thom Bogue who got 37.4% of the votes (165,742).
Prior to the state Senate, Cabaldon
on Wednesday, Dec 4.
In their meeting, Marcos stressed the importance of engaging allied countries to position the Philippines as a leading investment hub.
“We’ve been trying very hard to restructure ourselves so just to make us more businessfriendly, investment-friendly. And that’s why such all of these, our interactions, are important to us,” Marcos told Ng.
Ng and her delegation are in the country for
Jessica Caloza assumes office as assemblymember for District 52
by Krixia SubingSubing, Melvin gaScon, Tina g. SanToS Inquirer.net
COMELEC ROADSHOW. Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia leads the kickoff of the automated counting machine nationwide roadshow in Manila on Dec. 2, 2024. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan
by Catherine S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
by WilliaM b. DepaSupil ManilaTimes.net
by AJPress
by AJPress
War against corruption...
institutionalized the Integrity Management Program (IMP), providing a clear anti-corruption framework. It served as a tool to enhance both individual and systems integrity across the bureaucracy.
“However, a decade into its execution, several challenges persist and prove to be unexpectedly complex,” the president said.
“Gaps in implementation, evolving political climates, and systemic vulnerabilities remind us that the war against corruption is far from over,” he added.
Marcos said the Philippine government must encourage the practice of core values that help promote integrity.
“We must shift away from merely enforcing compliance with laws, rules and regulations, to steering our people towards the practice of integrity in their daily lives,” the president said.
Marcos said the government employs a “two-pronged approach” in the fight against corruption — digitalization and people participation.
He said streamlining and digitalizing government processes would minimize the avenues of corruption as government transactions
became more transparent and accessible to the public.
The initiative was being undertaken through the New Government Procurement Act, which establishes standardized electronic bidding and payment systems through the enhanced Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, the president said.
“The integration of data analytics with the procurement process facilitates informed decision-making by procuring entities and the identification of suspicious, fraudulent, and non-competitive practices. This will in turn provide transparency and proactive government monitoring, thereby ensuring judicious government spending,” Marcos said.
“By streamlining and digitalizing processes, we are improving the efficiency and fostering trust and accountability between government and the public,” he added.
Marcos also emphasized empowering the people to participate in good governance through the electronic Freedom of Information platform.
“Through the electronic Freedom of Information platform, citizens now have avenues to exercise their right to vital government information.
Our national budget, which is detailed to the project level, is published online, allowing our people to know how much and for what public funds are being spent on,” Marcos said.
“The New Government Procurement Act also includes measures that ensure the accessibility of procurement processes and contract implementation information; engage observers and Civil Society Organizations in procurement; and make all procurement-related conferences available for public viewing,” he added.
The UNCAC is an international anti-corruption treaty ratified, accepted, approved and acceded to by 180 countries.
It aims to promote and strengthen State Parties’ measures to prevent and combat corruption more effectively and efficiently; to facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in preventing and fighting corruption, including asset recovery; and to promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and properties.
The government signed the convention on Dec. 9, 2023, and was subsequently ratified by the Senate on Nov. 6, 2006. n
Marcos says PH aiming to be leading...
PAGE 1 the Team Canada Trade Mission Philippines, happening from December 4 to 6.
Moreover, Marcos emphasized that trade has become more important especially after the challenges brought by the pandemic.
“We have big plans and I think one of the many things that we picked up from the conference just like Davos with interactions with other leaders and other countries, is that it really requires transformation. But trade has become more important than ever,” Marcos told Iweala.
For her part, Iweala commended Marcos for the Philippines good economic performance despite global challenges.
“I want to start by
congratulating you because I was looking at the numbers of the economy. And you are not doing badly at all. Six percent per annum growth rate in an environment of high inflation in the world, low growth rates.
So I think the Philippines is doing reasonably well under the circumstances,” Iweala said. The WTO official is in the Philippines to meet with the Secretaries of Finance, Trade, and Agriculture. n
California’s first Fil-Am state...
PAGE 1
brings over two decades of leadership as the mayor of West Sacramento, which earned national title of America’s Most Livable Small City. His tenure was marked by groundbreaking initiatives such as universal preschool, college savings accounts for kindergarteners, paid internships for high school students, and the firstever citywide program offering free community college with automatic college admissions for every graduating senior.
The former state highway between Capitol Mall and Highway 50/Business 80 was renamed as the Christopher Cabaldon Parkway in honor of the comprehensive and profound community transformation he shepherded during his long tenure, according to his Senate biography.
Representing nearly one million Californians, Cabaldon will be introducing legislation in the coming weeks important to Senate District 3 and the state of California. n
Overseas voter registration
PAGE 1
election,” Garcia said.
Based on records, Garcia said, the biggest number of overseas registrants were recorded in the Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates, where there are large concentrations of Filipino workers.
In areas like the United States and Europe, where Filipinos can apply for dual citizenship, the number of registrants was low, maybe because they feared that registering to vote overseas might hurt their application for other citizenship, he said.
Garcia also said he was optimistic that voter turnout among overseas registered voters would be high because internet voting, to be carried out for the first time, would prove to
be easy.
“Once they experience the ease of voting online. I’m sure the number of overseas voters who will cast their votes will dramatically increase compared to 2022,” he added.
“For me, if the overseas voter turnout [in 2025] would be higher, that would accomplish our goal,” he said. The poll chief said the implementation of internet voting is really meant to increase voter turnout among Filipinos abroad at less cost to the government.
Garcia said the Comelec spent more than P400 million for overseas voting in the May 9, 2022 elections but voters’ turnout was only 39 percent and even much lower in previous elections.
“Spending P411 million (for
low...
overseas voting) but resulting in a dismal 39 percent turnout is not value for money... Why are so many overseas Filipinos not voting personally or by mail? Maybe they need another mode,” he said.
Overseas voters during the 2022 and earlier elections cast their votes either by mail or voted personally at the Philippine embassy or foreign posts where they were registered. Overseas voters, like the local absentee voters, only vote for president, vice president, 12 senators and one party-list group. In the last election, overseas absentee voting started 30 days before the start of the regular elections but simultaneously closed along with the local voting. n
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and his father, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Photos from the Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos and Wikimedia Commons
Christopher Cabaldon, former mayor of West Sacramento, assumed office to represent California state Senate District 3.
VP Duterte faces 2nd impeach...
PAGE 1
Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, who earlier criticized President Marcos for trying to persuade his allies in the lower chamber not to file an impeachment complaint against his erstwhile UniTeam partner.
Former Bayan Muna representative and lawyer Neri Colmenares will serve as the group’s legal counsel.
No Palace hand Malacañang has distanced itself from the impeachment cases against Duterte, with the president himself earlier admitting that he had advised lawmakers to steer clear of such moves against the vice president and focus on the bigger issues facing the nation.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 3, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin reiterated that the Office of the President had nothing to do with the petitions initiated by private individuals.
“The impeachment complaint filed in the House by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement [is] the prerogative of any member of the House,” he said in a Viber message to Palace reporters.
“The Office of the President has nothing to do with it,” Bersamin emphasized.
He also noted that the president’s earlier statement expressing disagreement with the filing of an impeachment case against Duterte is “unambiguous.”
“What will happen if somebody files an impeachment? It will tie down the House; it will tie down the Senate. It will just take up all our time and for what? For nothing,” the president told reporters on Friday last week, Nov. 29.
Bersamin repeated Mr.
Marcos’ statement to dispute insinuations that Malacañang was behind the moves.
“Any suggestion that that is politically motivated or instigated by our side—no, that is never true,” he said.
First petition
On Monday, December 2, an Akbayan-endorsed impeachment complaint filed by 16 individuals from various civil society and advocacy groups, as well as relatives of the victims of the war on drugs was filed, citing five of the six grounds for impeachment listed in the 1987 Constitution.
Former Sen. Leila de Lima, who serves as the group’s spokesperson, said they are charging Duterte with culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. Treason is the other cause for impeachment under the Charter.
Both complaints will likely be consolidated before it is put to a vote.
An impeachment proceeding starts with the House committee on justice, which reviews whether the complaint is sufficient in form and substance.
After its investigation, the committee must submit a report to the House within 60 session days with a resolution, which will be considered by the House within 10 session days.
Following the committee’s review, the members of the House will vote on whether to adopt the articles of impeachment, and the concurrence of a third of all members is required to move the process forward.
If the House approves the articles of impeachment, the case moves to the Senate, which acts as the impeachment court, as provided in Section 3(7) of the Constitution.
A two-thirds majority of all
senators is needed to convict and remove the vice president, which means at least 16 out of 24 senators must vote in favor of impeachment.
Impartiality
Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday called on his colleagues to refrain from making any public comments regarding the impeachment complaint filed against Duterte.
He said the filing and endorsement of a complaint in the House “marks the beginning of a process enshrined in our Constitution to ensure accountability among our highest public officials.”
“Should the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or prejudgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public’s trust in the Senate as an institution,” he explained.
“In light of this development, I reiterate my call to my colleagues in the Senate to refrain from making any public comments or statements regarding the allegations in the complaint’s articles of impeachment,” Escudero said in a statement.
According to Escudero, while impeachment is often described as a political exercise, it is crucial that members of the Senate approach it “with the impartiality and objectivity demanded of us.”
“We must remain steadfast in upholding the principles of justice and fairness, ensuring that every step of the process adheres to the Rule of Law,” he stressed.
No distraction He also reminded senators that the impeachment complaint should not distract them from performing their jobs, noting that impeachment proceedings are “inherently divisive and have the potential to polarize the government and the public.”
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino agreed, saying it would be unethical for senators to comment on the impeachment complaint filed against Duterte.
“As chair of the Senate committee on rules, any member should not make any comment because if ever it reaches the Senate, we will be the impeachment judge. So we should not comment on something that we may later decide on. So to be ethical and also based on the rules, we should refrain from issuing statements or comments,” he told reporters. n
With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight
by Noam N. Levey KFF Health News
WORRIED that President-elect
Donald Trump will curtail federal efforts to take on the nation’s medical debt problem, patient and consumer advocates are looking to states to help people who can’t afford their medical bills or pay down their debts.
“The election simply shifts our focus,” said Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy at Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that has worked closely with the Biden administration and state leaders on medical debt. “States are going to be the epicenter of policy change to mitigate the harms of medical debt.”
New state initiatives may not be enough to protect Americans from medical debt if the incoming Trump administration and congressional Republicans move forward with plans to scale back federal aid that has helped millions gain health insurance or reduce the cost of their plans in recent years. Comprehensive health coverage that limits patients’ out-of-pocket costs remains the best defense against medical debt. But in the face of federal
retrenchment, advocates are eyeing new initiatives in state legislatures to keep medical bills off people’s credit reports, a consumer protection that can boost credit scores and make it easier to buy a car, rent an apartment, or even get a job.
Several states are looking to strengthen oversight of medical credit cards and other financial products that can leave patients paying high interest rates on top of their medical debt.
Some states are also exploring new ways to compel hospitals to bolster financial aid programs to help their patients avoid sinking into debt.
“There’s an enormous amount that states can do,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, who leads health care initiatives at the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York. “Look at what’s happened here.”
New York state has enacted several laws in recent years to rein in hospital debt collections and to expand financial aid for patients, often with support from both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature. “It doesn’t matter the party. No one likes medical debt,” Benjamin said.
Other states that have enacted protections in recent years include
and Washington. Many measures picked up bipartisan support.
President Joe Biden’s administration has proved to be an ally in state efforts to control health care debt. Such debt burdens 100 million people in the United States, a KFF Health News investigation found.
Led by Biden appointee Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made medical debt a priority, going after aggressive collectors and exposing problematic practices across the medical debt industry. Earlier this year, the agency proposed landmark regulations to remove medical bills from consumer credit scores. The White House also championed legislation to boost access to government-subsidized health insurance and to cap outof-pocket drug costs for seniors, both key bulwarks against medical debt.
Trump hasn’t indicated whether his administration will move ahead with the CFPB credit reporting rule, which was slated to be finalized
Member FDIC | Est. 1890
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island,
SEASON OF GIVING. The “Pamas-Cong Handog” Christmas bazaar of the House of Representatives in Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, photographed on Tuesday, December 3, includes items donated by lawmakers. The bazaar will be open until Dec. 5. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
VP Sara Duterte Photo by Richard A. Reyes Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Photo from House of Representatives photo
California’s first Filipina in state...
Legislature, I’m honored to break this glass ceiling because women—especially women of color—belong in all spaces where decisions are being made, including at the Capitol,” Caloza said in a statement.
Caloza captured 66.9% of the votes (108,882) during the 2024 general election, beating fellow Democrat Franky Carrillo who got 33.1% of the votes (53,820).
“As an immigrant and the proud daughter of workingclass parents, I’m deeply grateful for the outpouring of support,” Caloza said. “Thank you to the voters of Assembly District 52 for placing their trust in me.”
As she assumes office, the assemblymember said she is “committed to serving the needs of all our diverse communities. More importantly, I will work to deliver results for our most pressing issues—tackling the cost of living, building more affordable housing, creating good-paying jobs, protecting our environment, and investing in our public schools.”
Jessica Caloza made history as California’s first Filipina in the state Legislature on Monday, December 3 as she assumed office to represent Assembly District 52.
In 2019, Caloza was appointed as a Public Works Commissioner where she led infrastructure projects, expanded goodpaying union jobs, raised wages for workers, and required equal pay for women while increasing transparency and accountability. She went on to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, where she worked to reduce crime and gun violence,
helped survivors of sexual assault receive justice, and taken bold action to protect the environment.
As assemblymember, Caloza’s priorities include reducing the cost of living, building more affordable housing, investing in public education, supporting small businesses, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and ensuring California leads the nation and world in fighting the climate crisis. n
Nursing home industry wants Trump to rescind...
the rule, given the first Trump administration’s “patients over paperwork” campaign to remove “unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome health regulations on hospitals and other healthcare providers.” Among other things, Trump aided the industry by easing fines against homes that had been cited for poor care.
“The Trump administration has proven itself really eager to reverse overreaching regulations,” said Linda Couch, senior vice president for policy and advocacy at LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit elder care providers. “We think it’s got a pretty good chance of being repealed, and hope so.”
Issued in April, the staffing regulation requires nursing homes to have registered nurses on-site around the clock — something that the industry has endorsed — and to maintain minimum numbers of nurses and aides. Four in 5 homes would have to increase staffing. The requirements would be phased in, starting in May 2026.
Even before the election, many experts and activists had doubts that the rule would be effectively enforced, given the poor results in states that have imposed their own minimums. In New York, California, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts — states with the most robust requirements — many homes remain below the legal staffing levels. Governors have given many homes reprieves, and other homes have found that paying penalties costs less than the increase in payroll for additional staff.
The federal government estimates the average annual cost over a decade to meet the Biden mandate would be $4.3 billion a year, a 2% increase in expenses, though the changes do not include increases in federal Medicare or Medicaid payments.
“Staffing is everything in terms of nursing-home quality,” said R. Tamara Konetzka, a professor of public health sciences at the University of Chicago.
While the rule’s effectiveness was uncertain, she worried that repealing it would send the wrong message. “We would be losing that signal that nursing homes should try really hard to improve their staffing,” she said.
Advocate groups for nursing home residents, who had criticized the Biden administration rule for not requiring even higher staffing
levels, have since pivoted and are trying to protect it.
“We’re hoping the presidentelect will come in and take a look at the science and data behind it and see this really is a modest reform,” said Sam Brooks, the director for public policy for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit. “We’d be devastated to see it fall.”
The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment, but in a court filing it argued that nursing homes should be able to reach the required staffing levels.
“There is more than enough time to identify, train and hire additional staff,” the Biden administration wrote.
The quality of care in the nation’s 15,000 nursing homes and the lack of adequate staffing for their 1.2 million residents has been a concern for decades.
Inspection reports continue to find homes leaving residents lying in their own feces, suffering severe bedsores and falls, contracting infections, choking on food while unattended, or ending up back in a hospital for preventable reasons. Some nursing homes overuse psychotropic medications to pacify residents because they do not have enough workers to attend to them.
Leslie Frane, executive vice president of the SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which represents health care workers, said in a statement that “far too many nursing home owners will not do the right thing and invest in workers without oversight and binding regulation.”
The nursing home industry says many homes cannot afford to increase their workforces, and that, even if they could, there is a scarcity of trained nurses, and not enough people willing to work as aides for an average $19 an hour. A registered nurse earns $40 an hour on average in a nursing home, less than what they could make at a hospital, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Biden administration noted in its court filing it was planning to spend $75 million to recruit and train more workers, and that there were more than 100,000 workers who left nursing homes during the pandemic and could be lured back if salaries and working conditions were better.
How many nursing homes could afford the increased cost remains
a mystery because of weaknesses in the government’s requirements for financial transparency.
About half of homes lose money, according to their reports to Medicare, but some nursing home owners grow rich through clandestine maneuvers to siphon profits into their own pockets.
Last month, owners of Centers Health Care, one of New York state’s largest nursing home chains, agreed to pay $45 million to settle allegations by Attorney General Letitia James that they diverted $83 million intended for resident care to themselves during the pandemic.
Maryellen Mooney, a spokesperson for the Centers Health Care chain, which denied the allegations, said in a statement that Centers was “committed to fully implementing the settlement terms, including a significant investment in resident care.”
About three-quarters of nursing homes are for-profit. The industry, though, highlights the most sympathetic examples: rural nonprofit nursing homes like Kimball County Manor & Assisted Living in Kimball, Nebraska. Its staffing levels for registered nurses are 40% below what the new rule would require, federal data shows.
Sarah Stull, Kimball’s administrator, said recruitment had always been challenging and that temporary nursing staffing agencies charged more than double what she paid her own staff.
“We had to pay $65 for a nurse aide during covid, and that’s insane,” she said.
The government estimated that about a fourth of the nation’s nursing homes would be eligible to apply for hardship exemptions if there were a documented shortage of nurses and aides in their communities compared with the national average.
But Nate Schema, the chief executive of the Good Samaritan Society, which runs 133 nonprofit homes mainly in the rural Midwest, estimated that only seven would be likely to qualify for a hardship waiver.
“Philosophically, they sound great,” he said. “But in practicality and how they’re put together, they won’t do much for us.” (Jordan Rau/KFF Health News)
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
As health care access passes in state ballots...
PAGE 1 concerning abortion and Medicaid.
In the November 2024 elections alone, voters in seven states passed ballot measures guaranteeing abortion rights in their state constitutions; voters in Nebraska, Alaska and Missouri passed measures approving paid worker sick leave; Missourians voted to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour; and measures restricting the ballot measure process failed in Arizona and North Dakota.
“It’s no coincidence that efforts to restrict ballot measure access are increasing while advances for a more just America are passing at the ballot box through policies like paid leave, minimum wage and abortion access,” said Joseph.
“Often, these restrictions are made because legislators say it would protect the state from influence by outside politics or money,” she continued. “But elected officials are often more likely to further corporate or partisan interests than are the communities that they represent, who are coming together to collect those signatures … while efforts to restrict ballot measures frequently come from partisan special interest groups.”
In Florida this November, for instance, although over 57% of voters approved protecting abortion access up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, the measure failed to pass due to a 2004 constitutional amendment, backed by the GOP and supporting business interests, which raised the threshold to pass constitutional amendments from 50% to 60% of voters.
“Whenever we get community voices not only heard but enacted on, there’s going to be creative backlash, like raising the threshold,” added Joseph. “This is because policies directly beneficial to an average person, like the paid leave and minimum wage measure in Missouri, may not be as beneficial to corporate interests.”
Missouri
“The ballot measure process has existed in Missouri for over 100 years, and it serves as a crucial check on our legislature, especially in years when the latter isn’t meeting the needs of our people,” said Richard von Glahn, political director of Missouri Jobs
for Justice.
Before the November 2024 passage of Proposition A, guaranteeing paid sick leave and $15 minimum wage by 2026, as many as one in three working Missourians — about 730,000 — lacked access to a single minute of guaranteed paid time off.
“This is part of access to health care, too,” explained von Glahn, who worked as campaign manager for Proposition A. “If you have insurance but you can’t afford to take a day away from work, that insurance isn’t worth anything to you because you can’t use it … living check-tocheck.”
In Missouri, a full-time minimum wage worker currently makes less than $500 a week before taxes — not a living wage in any county in the state, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
To put Prop A on the ballot, nearly 900 Missourian volunteers gathered over 210,000 signatures; in the final 10 days of the election, over 1500 volunteers knocked on over 150,000 doors to tell people about the measure, which passed with a 58% majority.
“A leader of this campaign, a fast food worker named Fran Marion from Kansas City, told a story about when her daughter was sick and staying home from school. She had to leave that child to go to work and put food in the pantry, and her child asked: ‘Why won’t you stay and take care of me?’” said von Glahn. “To feel like you can’t be there for a child in need — no one should have to make those choices.”
Over 500 businesses, mostly small, supported Prop A “because they know that safe, fairly treated workers are what drive economic growth by spending their income back in local economies,” he added. “Nor is it a partisan divide — in rural counties, as many as one in four workers voted both for Donald Trump and Proposition A … Ballot initiatives are synonymous with whether or not we’re placing exploitative profit above the needs of workers in our community.”
Protecting ballot access
“Just because we won something on Election Day, doesn’t mean the work is over, especially in these coming months,” said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative
Strategy Center (BISC) Foundation, adding that ballot measures, trends and attacks are tracked nationwide through the BISC Ballot Hub.
“While we make sure that these measures are implemented well, we also may face major attacks” through bills raising the threshold percentage needed to pass measures; requiring more complicated language to get the measure on the ballot; or introducing restrictive geographic distribution requirements that make it harder to get signatures, “especially for underfunded grassroots organizations in rural communities,” she continued.
This November, for example, Issue 1 — an Ohio measure which would have created a citizen commission to draw congressional and state legislative districts, thereby making it harder to gerrymander redistricting — failed 46% against a 50% threshold, largely due to confusing ballot language.
Also in this election cycle, Florida used taxpayer funds to oppose an approved ballot measure by sending police to the homes of people who signed a validated petition supporting Amendment 4, a ballot measure which would have overturned the state’s six-week abortion ban; although most voters supported it, the measure fell short of the 60% threshold.
“In any other state, 57% would be a significant majority. They were able to get 1 million more votes than Governor Ron DeSantis,” said Figueredo. “We expect to see pushback like this in other states as well, where many down-ballot measures over-perform elected state officials … because people look at these issues without seeing a party ‘D’ or ‘R’ next to them and think, ‘Yeah, I’m struggling to make ends meet. I want to raise the minimum wage, that’s a nobrainer.”
“It speaks to the distress with government institutions that we have now in the U.S.,” she added. “People trust themselves and their communities first, and ballot measures can be a bridge to restore that trust to our democratic institutions by letting people directly improve the material conditions of their health.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Sevices)
House can expedite VP Sara impeachment process – De Lima
by Jown Manalo Inquirer.net
MANILA
– The House of Representatives can fasttrack the proceedings on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, if they wish, former Senator Leila de Lima said on Tuesday, December 3.
De Lima, who also serves as the complainants’ spokesperson, said that despite challenges and time constraints, particularly with many House members preparing for the 2025 midterm elections, they can still expedite the impeachment process if they prioritize it.
“Naisip po namin ‘yan, na may constraints sa time. Pero ang pananaw ko po is kung gugustuhin nila, gagawan nila ng paraan. Kung gugustuhin nila, pwede nilang i-fast-track,” de Lima stated in a Teleradyo interview.
(We realize that there are time constraints. But my view is that if they really want to, they will find a way. If they want to, they can fast-track it.)
On Monday, December 2, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco explained that
the impeachment proceeding will take at least 130 days.
According to Velasco, he and House Speaker Martin Romualdez have 10 session days to act on the impeachment complaint.
After which, the House Committee on Rules and the Committee on Justice will each have 60 days to deliberate.
“All in all, there are 130 days for this process. That’s days only, but some are session days.
So that’s what any impeachment complaint would face,” Velasco stated.
De Lima, however, pointed out that the House need not wait for the 10-session-day period to pass before the impeachment complaint can be referred to the proper committees.
“Pwede naman hindi i-maximize ‘yung period na ‘yan. Pwede nilang bilisan, depende na ‘yan sa determination din nila,” she expressed.
(They don’t have to maximize that period. They can speed it up; it depends on their determination.)
She also mentioned that if the House is willing to act on the complaint promptly, it can file its own resolution of impeachment
with the approval of one-third of its members.
“And then alalahanin niyo po, may isang third mode na sa tingin ko mas mabilis, ‘yung diretso na mismo ng Kamara, House of Representatives, na magpasa sila ng sarili nilang resolution of impeachment na aaprubahan ng one-third of their members,” de Lima said.
(And then remember, there’s a third mode that I think is faster, which is directly through the House of Representatives, where they pass their own resolution of impeachment, which can be approved by one-third of their members.)
De Lima, during the interview, reiterated that there are a total of 24 articles of impeachment in their complaint.
Among the 24, she highlighted that the most serious grounds for impeachment include the “misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, unliquidated expenses and cash advances, notices of disallowance and suspension, and charges from the Commission on Audit.”
All of which, according to De Lima, are considered acts of graft, corruption, and even plunder. n
Harry Roque likely left PH illegally; falsification rap eyed – BI
by John eriC Mendoza Inquirer.net
MANILA — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque may have left the country through illegal means, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, December 3.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Roque “likely left the country via illegal means, possibly aided by unscrupulous individuals.”
“It’s impossible that he left via formal ports. His name is in the BI’s Lookout Bulletin, and he is a very well-known public figure. You can spot him miles away,” he added.
Viado also said the BI is looking
to file a falsification of public documents complaint against Roque.
“He most probably falsified immigration clearances to be accepted by his destination country,” he added. Roque’s exact whereabouts are currently unknown despite revealing that he had his counteraffidavit notarized in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.
His counter affidavit was lodged in response to the qualified human trafficking complaint filed against him which stemmed from his alleged “active participation” in the operations of the raided Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore
gaming operator in Porac, Pampanga suspected of engaging in illegal activities.
Roque has vehemently denied this, saying the charge is a “political harassment.”
He argued that there was no evidence indicating that he participated in the acts of trafficking nor was it established that there was a conspiracy.
He is also facing an arrest order from the House of Representatives after being cited for contempt and ordered to be detained due to his failure to submit documents that would justify the alleged sudden increase in his wealth.
“Flight is an evidence of guilt,” Viado said. n
SMC leads 7 Philippines firms in Forbes top employers list
by RichMond MeRcuRio Philstar.com
MANILA — Seven Philippine companies, led by diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), have been included in this year’s roster of the World’s Best Employers by Forbes magazine.
SMC ranks the highest among Filipino firms on the Forbes 2024 list at No. 89.
As one of the country’s largest employers, SMC had a direct workforce of 53,184 employees as of the end of 2023.
“For each job created within the San Miguel ecosystem, many additional jobs are generated through suppliers, distributors, retailers and other business partners. At present, we have more than 100 major facilities in the Asia-Pacific region,” SMC said.
Meanwhile, Ayala Corp., the country’s oldest conglomerate, is ranked 273rd on the list of 850 firms.
Two companies in the banking and financials services industry –Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. and Land Bank of the Philippines – are at No. 415 and No. 454, respectively.
Taipan Lucio Tan’s LT Group Inc. is ranked 694th, while the Century Pacific Group of the Po family is 701st.
“We are deeply humbled to be included on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers list, alongside companies whose workplace cultures and achievements greatly inspire us. An engaged workforce is essential in creating shared value and driving positive impact. We see it as our responsibility to create a culture that fosters growth, sparks purpose and promotes teamwork,” Century Pacific Food Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Po said.
Completing the Filipino companies on the 2024 Forbes World’s Best Employers list is Alliance Global Group Inc., the listed conglomerate of
Overall, topping this year’s list is Microsoft, followed by Alphabet at No. 2 and Samsung Electronics at No. 3.
Completing the top 10 are Adobe, BMW Group, Delta Air Lines, Airbus, IKEA, Lego Group and IBM. The Forbes’ list is based on independent surveys conducted globally with over 300,000 employees across more than 50 countries in partnership with market research firm Statista.
Forbes said the respondents were asked whether they would recommend their company to family or friends. They were also asked to rate their companies based on such criteria as salary, talent development and remote work options.
Forbes said participants could also rate companies they knew through their own industry knowledge and through friends and family members who have worked there. n
tycoon Andrew Tan.
FOUNDATION DAY. A street dance competition adds to the festive mood at the 161st Pasay City anniversary on Monday, December 2. Other
activities were a Christmas-themed parade, job fair and concert.
PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Impeaching the VP
AS Vice President Sara Duterte expected, an impeachment complaint was filed against her on Monday, December 2. The landmark complaint was filed by various sectoral groups as well as relatives of several victims of drug killings, and endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña.
These are groups and persons who are not expected to heed what congressmen have described as an appeal by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to his House allies not to waste time in impeaching the vice president. Marcos, acknowledging that he sent the message, explained that Duterte’s impeachment would distract the House and the Senate from pressing matters and would not benefit any Filipino.
Editorial
of impeachment ASAP to the Senate for trial. But this would reinforce accusations that the chamber is merely engaged in a partisan act whose aim is to eliminate Duterte from the presidential race in 2028 and give Marcos’ preferred successor a better chance.
Those who filed the impeachment complaint obviously disagree, believing that the vice president deserves to be ousted for offenses that fall under key categories including culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption and bribery. They also point out that the legislature is supposed to be an independent branch of government and cannot be ordered around by the executive. Certain congressmen also said they did not see Marcos’ message as a marching order to his allies led by his cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, but merely an opinion and appeal.
Impeachment in this country, as the public has seen, is a political process. If the super majority in the House of Representatives would flex its muscles, it could vote overwhelmingly in favor of an impeachment complaint and forward the articles
ALTHOUGH the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States will take place on Jan. 20, 2025, it’s quite clear what the incoming administration’s immigration policy is going to be based on the president-elect’s “Agenda 47” that says mass deportations will be executed, and the public statements of former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deputy Director Thomas Homan, who has been appointed as “border czar.”
An article published by the New York Post lengthily discussed the new border czar’s priorities for mass deportations and strongly advised foreign nationals illegally staying in the U.S. to voluntarily go home to their countries of origin.
“No one’s off the table,” Homan warned. “If you’re in the country illegally, you got a problem.”
IN a country previously disrupted – and set back for years – by failed coup d’états, one can understand why businessmen get the jitters whenever the military gets involved or, in the recent case, when they are dragged into the ongoing and messy family feud. Last week, business and civic organizations expressed concern over the worsening conflict between the Marcoses and the Dutertes. They issued a strongly worded joint statement titled “Upholding the Rule of Law.”
Businessmen know all too well that even coup rumors or ramblings in the military alone are enough to send jitters to the country’s financial markets.
Remember that 1989 coup, said to be the most serious attempt against
The country has seen a president tried by impeachment, although Joseph Estrada was ousted through people power. Renato Corona was ousted as chief justice after conviction by the impeachment court. Merceditas Gutierrez narrowly avoided ouster by impeachment, and thus got to keep her retirement benefits as ombudsman. Last year, she even bagged a seat as a member of the board of trustees of the Government Service Insurance System.
Sara Duterte has become the first vice president to face an impeachment complaint. As several congressmen have pointed out, acting on a verified impeachment complaint is not discretionary on their part but their constitutional duty. Part of this duty is to strictly follow the rules and accord the subject of impeachment due process. It will be the best way to prevent the process – no matter how political it can be – from creating instability in the country. The process should project the strength rather than weakness of Philippine institutions. (Philstar.com)
Trump immigration policy spelled out
The former New York police officer and U.S. Border Patrol agent had earlier issued a strong statement addressed to “the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Biden released in our country in violation of federal law,” telling them, “You better start packing now. Because you are going home.”
Homan’s warning is explicit: “If you’re in the country illegally and you got an order for removal, or even if you don’t have one, if you’re in the country, leave on your own. Because when you leave on your own, there’s no penalties. But if we actually have to deport you with a formal order for deportation, there’s a 20-year ban. That means you can’t get a visit visa, you can’t get a tourist visa. If you have a U.S. citizen child that lives here, he can’t petition for you. So, it’s better to leave on your own rather than getting a formal order of removal.”
This was precisely what I was saying during my initial media interviews following the victory of Donald Trump at the polls, advising those facing immigration problems that if there is no legal path for them to stay in the U.S.,
the administration of then President Corazon Aquino?
Businessmen estimated that the mutiny caused the economy some $1.5 billion. So when an ex-president or some political force tries to persuade the military into rebellion – or something like it – he is no doubt threatening the stability of our constitutional order and country. Said the business groups in their statement:
“The resolution of political disagreements must adhere to legal and democratic processes. Resorting to threats, incendiary rhetoric or any form of violence has no place in a nation founded on the rule of law. To this end, we strongly urge all public officials and political leaders to demonstrate restraint, uphold the dignity of their offices and prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people above political interests.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines plays a vital role in safeguarding the Constitution and protecting
they have to seriously start thinking about going back home – voluntarily, so they can still have a chance to come back at some point legally.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers and other concerned government agencies are looking at every avenue possible to help those facing deportation, this is the best advice to give them at this time.
Heads of post at Philippine consulates in the U.S. will be coming to Washington, D.C. next week precisely to discuss how we can properly advise Filipinos who are facing possible deportation. The DFA and the DMW are also coordinating to outline plans and support mechanisms for an estimated 350,000 to 370,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants working and living in the United States. I’ve always believed that following the law is ultimately the only legal remedy.
Last Tuesday, November 26, Homan announced that they are putting a plan in place and that they are “not waiting until January” to secure U.S. borders. In an earlier podcast
by the President-elect’s son, Donald Trump Jr., Homan also disclosed that people can expect to see “shock and awe” on Day 1 of the (second) Trump administration.
Officials from sanctuary cities are bracing for a possible funding shutdown by the federal government. In New York City, preparations are underway to close down migrant shelters such as the tent complex at the Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn that houses 2,000 asylum seekers. The shelter has caused a lot of division, with critics demanding that it be shut down, saying it has disrupted the surrounding communities with an increase in shoplifting and mendicancy. Across New York City, there are over 57,000 migrants housed in emergency shelters.
Lawyers representing employers are also telling their clients to be prepared, given the statement by the Trump administration’s border czar that “worksite operations have to happen” because many undocumented immigrants are either sex trafficked or are forced into labor, he said.
Employers are being advised to check the I-9 forms of employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the U.S. Managers and business owners who harbor or hide undocumented workers face up to 10 years in prison for violating immigration laws. They could also be fined up to $250,000 and upon conviction of a federal felony, their assets used in the commission of the crime and all proceeds could be seized.
Data from the April 2024 Department of Homeland Security report written by Bryan Baker and Robert Warren covering 2018 to 2022 show that the biggest number of “unauthorized immigrants” come from Mexico, followed by Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and the Philippines at number 5.
“What people don’t understand is that we can’t just put them on a plane,” Homan said, explaining that those facing deportation will go through a process that could take weeks – or longer – which means they will be placed in detention cells until they are deported.
Toxic politics and stability
our nation from threats, both internal and external. We call on the AFP and all institutions to remain steadfast to their constitutional mandates and to ensure that all their actions are grounded on the principles of legality, impartiality and service to the nation. Deviations from their mandate will definitely erode confidence in our country’s business environment and worse, it could endanger the very foundations of our democratic society.”
Signatories are the Management Association of the Philippines, Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Justice Reform Initiative, Ateneo de Manila Law Alumni Association, Energy Lawyers Association of the Philippines, Filipina CEO Circle, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, Institute of Corporate Directors, Integrity Initiative Inc. and the Philippine Women’s Economic Network. They also called on Congress
and other investigative agencies to conduct their inquiries with impartiality.
“Accountability must be pursued within the bounds of due process, ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done,” they said.
They also called on the public to remain vigilant and steadfast in upholding the rule of law amidst political tensions.
“The strength of our institutions and the resilience of our democracy depend on our collective resolve to remain loyal to the Constitution and reject efforts to erode public trust in good governance,” they said.
The organizations have reasons to worry.
Family feud
After all, the family feud between the Dutertes and the Marcoses seems to be worse than the geopolitical tensions surrounding the West Philippine Sea.
My reading of the statement of these organizations – some of them aligned with the yellows, at least once upon a
time – is that they continue to find the politics of the Dutertes as toxic. They knew they had to speak up soon after Duterte urged the military to take a stand and correct Marcos’ fractured governance.
At the same time, they want fairness in the investigations and in the search for accountability involving Sara Duterte.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. likewise continues to push for a pro-investment climate. In the group’s statement lauding the passage of CREATE MORE, FFCCCII president Dr. Cecilio Pedro said a business friendly environment would only flourish when businesses are assured of stability, fairness and competitiveness in the marketplace.
Moving forward, however, businessmen must speak up soon enough and not only when sh*t hits the fan. Otherwise, our politicians will think that businessmen are OK with all the politicking, the violence
There will also be a “targeted approach” that would prioritize the deportation of individuals known as, or suspected of being, national security threats, along with those who have a criminal history and are already in detention, and those who were given “due process at great taxpayer expense and the federal judge ordered them removed, but they didn’t leave, and they became a fugitive.” According to the New York Post, individuals who are on the federal Terrorist Watch List and Special Interest Aliens, those from countries of foreign concern, are all priorities. Homan said he will be working very closely with the FBI and the intelligence community to identify and find these individuals.
As the Trump border czar put it, “The overarching theme is millions of people entered this country illegally – which is a crime.” (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
and the corruption. Weren’t a lot of them as quiet as lambs during the administration of Rody Duterte?
For now, we’re getting the feeling that President Marcos is trying to ease the tensions by calling off efforts to impeach VP Sara. That, or he is just trying to distance himself from the issue. It could also be that both camps recognize that everyone will benefit from a holiday ceasefire. How long this apparent peace will last is still anyone’s guess. Unfortunately, history has shown us that in this country, stability just depends on a powerful few, driven by their whims and quirks and vested interests. Rarely is it about the country and our countrymen. (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: eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.
BaBe Romualdez
Babe’s Eye View
Average salary of Filipinos to increase by 5.5% in 2025 — study
by doMinique FloRes Philstar.com
MANILA — The average salary of Filipinos is expected to rise by an average of 5.5% in 2025, according to a consulting firm’s study on remuneration trends and policies.
If the average monthly wage of a Filipino is P18,423, as reported in the 2022 Occupational Wages Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a 5.5% increase would translate to an additional P1,013.
In the latest study by Global consulting firm Mercer, Philippine companies were found setting aside 1% of their total payroll budget for promotions.
The study also revealed that these companies earmarked an additional 3% for “market adjustments,” which encompass changes in salary and benefits to address labor market conditions, inflation and other factors.
“The average salary increase of 5.5% in 2025 underscores the competitive landscape for talent and highlights the ongoing commitment by organizations in the Philippines to invest in their workforces,” Mercer Philippines business leader Floriza Molon said in a statement.
Why an increase? Mercer said that key factors driving this salary increase included Filipinos’
individual work performance, a company’s competitiveness in the job market, salary ranges and inflation.
Citing a “competitive talent market,” the study noted that most surveyed firms plan to adjust their compensation structures — which may include basic salary, allowances, bonuses and other incentives — for 2025.
What firms are doing. Mercer found that 9 in 10 surveyed organizations already offer “short-term incentive plans,” such as bonuses. Meanwhile, just over 1 in 5 Philippine firms provided “long-term incentives,” such as stock options, in 2024 — slightly up from 19% in 2023.
While modest, more companies were also observed offering “flexible benefits” this year compared to six years ago, with a 9-percentage-point increase from 10% in 2018.
“It is crucial for HR leaders to adopt a holistic approach to total compensation. This includes salary adjustments, short- and long-term incentives, as well as addressing the evolving wellbeing needs of employees,” Molon said.
Energy sector with the highest pay
Among the industries surveyed, jobs in the energy sector are the highest-paying in the country and have the lowest
voluntary attrition rate (8%), meaning employees are less likely to leave.
The study found that the highpaying jobs in the energy sector offer about 45% higher annual base salaries compared to other industries.
Meanwhile, the shared services and outsourcing industry had the highest voluntary attrition rate at 17%, more than twice that of the energy sector, indicating a greater likelihood of employees leaving this industry.
Mercer said the high voluntary attrition rate may have been a result of a younger, more assertive workforce seeking career advancement opportunities.
Shorter tenures, averaging just three years, were also observed in the shared services and outsourcing industry.
This is in stark contrast to the consumer goods industry, where the average tenure is nine years. Mercer said this suggests a “higher turnover rate” and weaker job stability in the shared services and outsourcing industry.
The study’s findings stem from Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey 2024, which analyzed remuneration trends and policies across 2,258 job positions from 482 companies in the Philippines, each with an average of 1,000 full-time employees. n
With Trump on the way, advocates look...
early next year. Congressional Republicans, who will control the House and Senate next year, have blasted the proposal as regulatory overreach that will compromise the value of credit reports.
And Elon Musk, the billionaire whom Trump has tapped to lead his initiative to shrink government, last week called for the elimination of the watchdog agency. “Delete CFPB,” Musk posted on X.
If the CFPB withdraws the proposed regulation, states could enact their own rules, following the lead of Colorado, New York, and other states that have passed credit reporting bans since 2023. Advocates in Massachusetts are pushing the legislature there to take up a ban when it reconvenes in January.
“There are a lot of different levers that states have to take on medical debt,” said April Kuehnhoff, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, which has helped lead national efforts to expand debt protections for patients.
Kuehnhoff said she expects more states to crack down on medical credit card providers and other companies that lend money to patients to pay off medical bills, sometimes at double-digit interest rates.
Under the Biden administration, the CFPB has been investigating patient financing companies amid warnings that many people may not understand that signing up for a medical credit card such as CareCredit or enrolling in a payment plan through a financial services company can pile on more debt.
If the CFPB efforts stall under Trump, states could follow the lead of California, New York, and Illinois, which have all tightened rules governing patient lending in recent years.
Consumer advocates say states are also likely to continue expanding efforts to get hospitals to provide more financial assistance to reduce or eliminate bills for low- and middle-income patients, a key protection that can keep people from slipping into debt.
Hospitals historically have not made this aid readily available, prompting states such as California, Colorado, and Washington to set stronger standards to ensure more patients get help with bills they can’t afford. This year, North Carolina also won approval from the Biden administration to withhold federal funding from hospitals in the state unless they agreed to expand financial assistance.
In Georgia, where state government is entirely in Republican control, officials have been discussing new measures to get hospitals to provide more assistance to patients.
“When we talk about hospitals putting profits over patients, we get lots of nodding in the legislature from Democrats and Republicans,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocacy nonprofit.
Many advocates caution, however, that state efforts to bolster patient protections will be critically undermined if the Trump administration cuts federal funding for health insurance
programs such as Medicaid and the insurance marketplaces established through the Affordable Care Act.
Trump and congressional Republicans have signaled their intent to roll back federal subsidies passed under Biden that make health plans purchased on ACA marketplaces more affordable. That could hike annual premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for many enrollees, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank.
And during Trump’s first term, he backed efforts in Republicanled states to restrict enrollment in their Medicaid safety net programs through rules that would require people to work in order to receive benefits. GOP state leaders in Idaho, Louisiana, and other states have expressed a desire to renew such efforts.
“That’s all a recipe for more medical debt,” said Stahl, of Undue Medical Debt.
Jessica Altman, who heads the Covered California insurance marketplace, warned that federal cuts will imperil initiatives in her state that have limited copays and deductibles and curtailed debt for many
“States
METRO SITUATION. Traffic is light to moderate at the EDSA-Ortigas Avenue flyover in Quezon City on Monday afternoon, December 2. Heavier volume of vehicles is expected this month because of the Christmas season frenzy. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9021475
Sharetea Mira Misa located at 9827 Mira Misa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92131. Registrant: H & T Investment Group LLC, 8491 Lower Scarborought, San Diego, CA 92127. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/24/2024. Signature: Tom Ta. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/25/2024. AJ 1555 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/06/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9022541
a. Marilyn Winslow located at 2002 Jimmy Durante Blvd Suite #100, Del Mar, CA 92014.
b. Marilyn Winslow Realty located at 2002 Jimmy Durante Blvd Suite #100, Del Mar, CA 92014.
Registrant: Marilyn Joyce Christopher, 2002 Jimmy Durante Blvd Suite #100, Del Mar, CA 92014. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Marilyn Joyce Christopher. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/12/2024. AJ 1560 11/22, 11/29, 12/06, and 12/13/2024. AJSD 1560
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9022501
MAJESTIC CPR LLC located at 2013 Manzana Way, San Diego, CA 92139. Registrant: MAJESTIC CPR LLC, 2013 Manzana Way, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/02/2023.
Signature: Rex Bautista. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/12/2024.
AJ 1565 11/29, 12/06, 12/13, and 12/20/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9023589
San Diego Community Health Center located at 2630 First Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. Registrant: San Diego American Indian Health Center, 2630 First Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/27/2024.
Signature: Kevin M. Lachapelle. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/27/2024. AJ 1567 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, and 12/27/2024. AJSD 1567
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9023653
Matias Gonzalez Landscape LLC located at 1113 North Fig Street, Escondido, CA 92026. Registrant: Matias Gonzalez Landscape LLC, 1113 North Fig Street, Escondido, CA 92026. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Matias Gonzalez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/27/2024. AJ 1569 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, and 12/27/2024.
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.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS 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. 2024-9023104
Bautista Gardening Services located at 16175 Adams Dr, Pauma Valley, CA 92061.
Registrant: Jose Bautista Antero, 16175 Adams Dr, Pauma Valley, CA 92061. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/10/2000.
Signature: Jose Bautista. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/20/2024.
AJ 1566 11/29, 12/06, 12/13, and 12/20/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9022863
Garza’s Janitorial And Floor Care Services located at 1205 Calla Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932-1708. Registrant: Robert Garza, 1205 Calla Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932-1708. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/17/2024.
Signature: Robert Garza. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/18/2024. AJ 1568 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, and 12/27/2024. AJSD 1568
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9023898 A CAB located at 16229 Stonebridge PKY #412, San Diego, CA 92131. Registrant: Ali Emami Taleghani, 16229 Stonebridge PKY #412, San Diego, CA 92131. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/04/2024. Signature: Ali Emami Taleghani. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/04/2024. AJ 1570 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, and 12/27/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9021882
Meez And Deez Nutz located at 1723 Division Street, National City, CA 91950.
Registrant: Shirley Anne Cirignano, 1723 Division Street, National City, CA 91950.
This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2024.
Signature: Shirley Anne Cirignano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/01/2024. AJ 1557 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/06/2024.
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
EMPLOYMENT
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9021091
Amazing Hair And Nails located at 9918 Campo Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977. Registrant: Trung Nguyen, 5439 Timothy Dr, Sn Diego, CA 92105. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/01/2024.
Signature: Trung Nguyen. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/21/2024. AJ 1558 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/06/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9023130
Purin Village located at 1742 Bramblewood Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Nathaniel Desilva, 1742 Bramblewood Ct, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by An Individual.
REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.
Signature: Nathaniel Desilva.
Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/20/2024. AJ 1563 11/22, 11/29, 12/06, and 12/13/2024. AJSD 1563
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9022624
Romero Glass located at 1151 4th Ave Apt #616, Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: Jose Romero, 1151 4th Ave Apt #616, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Jose Romero. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/13/2024. AJ 1559 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, and 12/06/2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9023143
AUTO MAX INC. located at 8045 Raytheon Road #11, San Diego, CA 92111. Registrant: AUTO MAX INC., 8045 Raytheon Road #11, San Diego, CA 92111. This business is conducted by A Corporation.
REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/06/2024.
Signature: Assadullah Haqjoo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/20/2024. AJ 1564 11/22, 11/29, 12/06, and 12/13/2024. AJSD 1564
SAN DIEGO
DECEMBER
Sofronio Vasquez secures
Top 5 spot in ‘The Voice US’
by Jessica aNN evaNgeLista Inquirer.net
FILIPINO singer Sofronio Vasquez continues to raise the Philippine flag as he made it to the Top 5 of “The Voice U.S.” with his heart-rending performance of Elvis Presley’s “If I Can Dream.”
The “ Tawag ng Tanghalan ” alum announced on his social media that he made it to the finale of the singing competition as he asked for continued prayers, as he is now one step closer to claiming the ultimate title.
“WE MADE IT TO THE FINALE [U.S. and Philippine
flags],” he began. “Thank you so much to my Filipinos everywhere and in America who gave so much love and support. And of course, I want to say Maraming Salama t to my hometown, Utica, Upstate New York, Mohawk Valley, and everyone! Grabe kayo One last vote next week for the finale. Please continue to pray for me.”
In an interview with People Magazine , Vasquez shared that he was holding back tears because he didn’t want to appear “too emotional” during his last performance. Vasquez previously wowed the audience with his rendition
of Roy Orbison’s “Crying,” which led him to advance to the Top 8. At the time, he also received a standing ovation from his coach, Michael Bublé. Aside from the Philippine bet, Shye, another contestant from team Bublé, also made it to the top 5 with her performance of “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile. Also included in the top 5 roster are Danny Joseph, whose coach is Reba McEntire, Jeremy Beloate from team Snoop Dogg, and Sydney Sterlace from team Gwen Stefani. The finale is set to take place on Dec. 9 to 10.
Why ‘Uninvited’ is a film you can‘t ignore, according to producer
FOR the producer of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Uninvited,” the drama thriller topbilled by Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach and Nadine Lustre, is a risky but necessary project for taking on difficult themes rarely addressed in mainstream Philippine cinema.
From the trailer, viewers are introduced to the characters of Vilma (as Lilia/Eva), Aga (Guilly) and Nadine who are present at a lavish celebration at an opulent mansion, which spirals into a night of “intrigues, buried secrets and shocking revelations.”
The star-studded cast also includes Tirso Cruz III, Mylene Dizon, Elijah Canlas, Gabby Padilla, RK Bagatsing, Lotlot de Leon, Ketchup Eusebio, Cholo Barretto, Gio Alvarez and Ron Angeles.
The production and creatives are led by Bryan Diamante of Mentorque (same group behind the 2023 MMFF entry “Mallari”) as executive producer and Antoinette Jadaone of Project 8 Projects as producer. Reign de Guzman, Omar Sortijas and Catsi Catalan are on board as supervising producers, while Irene Villamor is the creative producer. Dan Villegas directs from the screenplay of Dodo Dayao.
“It’s overwhelming, but the pressure is on,” Diamante said during an interview at the recent grand party-themed launch of the film. “We’re just starting, and I’m telling you the nine other (MMFF) entries are really good, too, so we have to up our game. That’s why we’re also relentless with ‘Uninvited,’ because a lot of Filipino audiences have to watch this film.”
This means, they are eyeing both domestic and overseas
screenings for the film when the MMFF opens on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
“I’m hoping that we could have simultaneous screenings worldwide on Dec. 25. We’re not only targeting the Philippine audiences but also the international audiences,” he said. They are working anew with Warner Bros. as their film distributor.
Despite targeting a wider cinema release for “Uninvited,” he acknowledged that one of the challenges would be the film’s rating. He said they’re hoping for an R-13 rating.
“We can’t say yet (about the target number of cinemas) because it’s going to be a challenge for me when it comes to the rating. I hope that we’re open also to this kind of film,” Diamante said, adding, “Actually, ang lalim ng pelikulang ito. Nakita niyo yung grandness (from the trailer), but it has a lot of things to say.”
As the trailer suggests, one of the sensitive topics it will explore is abuse of women.
“Feeling ko ha, part of our culture that cannot advance is because we never tackle yung mga bagay na (tinatago and sensitive)... I was really happy, although it’s
really a risk for all of us. Gusto ko matapang yung pelikula ito (We want this film to be brave),” he said. The film originated from a concept by the Star for all Seasons herself, Vilma, which eventually grew into a full-fledged cinematic project. She proposed the idea for a narrative that would unfold within 24 hours.
Diamante said, “This movie, we never thought magkatotoo. Kami ni Ate Vi nung nag-uusap kami, she just wants to create a film, and ako naman gusto ko gumawa ng pelikula (wherein) ibibigay namin lahat. And then we were able to submit (to MMFF), sabi ko, try natin kasi andyan na yan eh. Let’s try to submit it. Sabi niya (Vilma), ayoko nga ng pressure, ‘di ba. Eh nung sinubmit namin, natanggap So that’s what happened.” In asking Vilma, who was vocal about not wanting to be pressured to participate in this year’s MMFF, to do “Uninvited,” Diamante said it was “Mallari” that gave him the confidence to do so.
“Pitch ng pitch ako sa kanya because of course, she’s done 200 films. When you present (things to her), even if she’s not saying it, (she would hint that) nagawa ko na yan. Kaya sabi ko talaga sa
by NathaLie tomada Philstar.com
The lead cast with director Dan Villegas and producer Bryan Diamante (rightmost) of Mentorque. Photo courtesy of Mentorque Productions
Sofronio Vasquez has made it to the finale of The Voice.
Photo by Griffin Nagel/NBC via Facebook/Sofronio Vasquez
San Diego Poet Laureate concludes his tenure with a celebratory poetry festival
Community event will showcase region’s vibrant literary voices at UCSD Cross-Cultural Center
SAN DIEGO
– The City of San Diego’s Poet
Laureate Jason Magabo Perez is set to culminate his transformative two-year tenure this month with San Diego Poetry Futures 2024 Coda (SDPF24 Coda), a free, community-centered poetry festival celebrating the power of words to inspire and connect. The event, which is being held Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the UC San Diego (UCSD) Cross-Cultural Center, promises an engaging day of poetry readings, creative workshops and cultural exchange.
As the peak of Perez’s tenure, this festival is a testament to his commitment to poetry as an empowerment and community-building tool.
“A coda typically signals an end, a conclusion, or an epilogue,” said Perez. “For me, this festival is not just the culmination of my tenure but a new beginning for San Diego’s thriving poetry community. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the stories, histories and futures of our city’s diverse communities, showcasing the transformative power of poetry to inspire, connect and build a shared vision for what lies ahead.”
Since becoming San Diego’s second Poet Laureate in January 2023, Perez has championed poetry as an empowerment and communitybuilding tool, using his platform to amplify diverse voices and create inclusive spaces for expression. He led poetry workshops, hosted readings, attended community events and collaborated with local organizations to amplify diverse voices and foster a deeper appreciation for poetry across the city.
SDPF24 Coda offers a rich lineup of activities, including poetry readings, interactive creative writing workshops, a zine-making lab, a poetry reading room, a special awards ceremony hosted by Poets Underground and a book fair featuring local literary organizations. The festival will then wrap up in a closing session with California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick, former Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Janice Lobo Sapigao, and Perez himself.
“Our San Diego Poet Laureate’s final festival celebrates the diversity of voices that define our city,” said Jonathon Glus, director for the Department of Cultural Affairs. “Jason Magabo Perez’s work over the past two years has demonstrated the transformative power of poetry — not only as a form of creative expression but as a tool for connection, empowerment and dialogue. This festival is a culmination of his dedication to fostering intergenerational and inclusive spaces, and I encourage all San Diegans to experience this
April
P.E.P.
celebration of our city’s vibrant literary culture and shared humanity.”
Presented by the City of San Diego Department of Cultural Affairs, the Academy of American Poets Partners, the UCSD Cross-Cultural Center, and the Pacific Arts Movement, SDPF24 underscores the city’s commitment to fostering a creative and inclusive cultural ecosystem. For more information and a full schedule of the events, visit the Poet Laureate webpage at https://www.jasonmagaboperez.com/event/ sdpf24-coda/.
The City of San Diego Department of Cultural Affairs advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and the institutions and systems that amplify creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/cultural-affairs.
(City of San Diego Release)
Successes continue to grow as CARE Court opens in all 58 California counties
SACRAMENTO — The Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court program is now open in every county across California to help the most seriously ill people with untreated or undertreated schizophrenia get lifesaving treatment and housing they need to stabilize, recover, and thrive.
CARE Court was rolled out statewide through a phased-in approach that began last October. The first locations to open CARE Court launched October 2023 and included the counties of Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, Glenn, and Tuolumne, with Los Angeles opening in December 2023, San Mateo in July 2024, and Kern in October 2024.
“Finding treatment, housing, and support for Californians with the most serious mental illness has been a top priority of my administration and I’m proud to see early achievements from this innovative new model. With every county’s CARE Court program now up and running, I am eager to see even more successes for our most seriously ill Californians, and continued progress in our state’s behavioral health transformation for all Californians,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said, in a statement released by his office.
In August, the first CARE Court graduation occurred in San Diego County. A video of the graduation ceremony is available at https:// www.countynewscenter.com/ care-act-program-celebrates-firstgraduate/. A recent news article provides additional information about the impact of CARE implementation in San Diego County via the San Diego Tribune (https:// www.sandiegouniontribune. com/2024/10/24/scores-turnto-new-court-to-help-severelymentally-ill-san-diegans/).
Support from California’s leaders
CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson: “As of today, all 58 counties are offering this new pathway to safety and wellbeing for Californians with some of the most complex
Boy Regino’s true-to-life story on the big screen
THE Department of Health, in partnership with the Commission on Population Development and The Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., held recently the 2024 National Conference on Family Planning discussing innovative strategies, enabling policies, and collaborative efforts to improve family planning services and sexual and reproductive health across the Philippines.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa delivered Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s opening remarks. Mayors from urban and rural areas in the Philippines, officials from state and private agency partners, and other key local and foreign stakeholders graced the two-day event. They particularly tackled strategic directions to strengthen the implementation of Universal Health Care Act and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of the Philippines in pursuit of better family planning and population management in the country. I had the opportunity to meet the indefatigable man of the hour. Few people know that DOH Secretary Herbosa is the great grandnephew of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, who served in the barrios when he was exiled, and for that “we can cull great inspiration of selfless service and patriotism.”
Lucia Rizal is the mother of his
grandfather. As an emergency doctor, Herbosa has witnessed the struggles of the ordinary Filipino to access healthcare services as well as the gaps that the government can bridge for the people that it serves. That experience honed his perspective and competencies in the field. Having an onthe-ground training, he was molded to act with conviction and dedication in every step of the way. “In times of crisis, you cannot think solely of yourself, as the people already own you. Service lies at the heart of this profession, and though there might have been more economically benefiting opportunities in other places, I stood by my oath to serve the people,” he said to this columnist.
*
* * The late ATOM founder Agapito “Butz” Aquino was honored November 30 during the 2024 Annual Honoring of Martyrs and Heroes at the Quezon City’s Bantayog ng mga Bayani Center. Other honorees were Ramon Alcaraz, Adolfo Alcances, Serge Cherniguin, Ceferino Gaddi, Roberto Jimenez, and Manuel Quiambao. Guest of honor was Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte.
* * * Global icon and Sparkle artist Heart Evangelista headlines GMA Pinoy TV with “Heart World.” Set to captivate audiences as it peeks into her vibrant life beyond the glitz and glam, this feel-good, vlog-style show is produced by Heart herself. Through a mix of personal storytelling, an exhilarating fashion week, behind-the-scenes access to
behavioral health needs. The CARE Act builds relationships and trust between individuals who need more care and the people who seek to get them that care including families, outreach and behavioral health professionals, hospitals, first responders, public defenders and legal services attorneys. CARE also includes a special civil court that protects their rights and focuses on progress toward recovery.”
Patricia Lock Dawson, City of Riverside mayor and chair of Big City Mayors: “With the implementation of CARE Court expanding statewide, all cities have a new tool to provide support for our most vulnerable residents experiencing severe mental health illnesses, many of whom often suffer on our streets. As leaders at the local level, the Big City Mayors of California are at the frontlines of this crisis and we are acting with urgency utilizing solutions such as CARE Court to provide a critical pathway towards treatment, housing and long-term recovery.”
Darrell Steinberg, Mayor of Sacramento: “The State CARE court system provides counties and cities with a crucial legal tool. We must use this tool to intensify our efforts, ensuring that more vulnerable individuals receive the mental and behavioral health care, housing, and supportive services they desperately need.”
Early results Initial results from CARE Court’s early implementation demonstrate the program is making a significant impact by addressing some of the most serious cases of mental health crises on California’s streets.
In the nine counties where CARE Court has already opened, the program is providing hundreds of people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders with crucial treatment and housing plans. This progress reflects a meaningful shift in helping the state’s most vulnerable populations towards long-term recovery and housing stability, showing CARE Court’s ability to reduce the need for crisis services and create a path to lasting
her glamorous lifestyle, and snippets of her private life in Manila, each episode unveils the woman behind the public persona.
* * * Thanks to Sam Azurel for giving me an opportunity to receive the Amerika Prestige Awards Hollywood’s Inclusive Media Excellence recognition and to my fashion designer niece Ann K. Isip with her hubby Robert Bourque who represented me.
*
* * It was nice to know other recipients of the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever (SAPBA) Award through radio and TV guestings. Photographer Jamin Lim and I got to meet awardees Elyza and Robert Rivera, hosts of Pilipinas Ngayon Na! at DWIZ. Then Patrick Saburit of the Kylledmed Philippines and I met awardee Marc Logan (host of Patokitok Kalogan at DWAN AM 1206) and DJ Gabby. Later, Engr. Alyssa Joy Finca of the Finca Engineering Services and I met awardee Jigo Postolero, host of Jigo Live at Abante Radyo Tabloidista. Last November 28, awards committee chair Nirro Marcelo, Saleha Pangarungan Sacar of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and I were guests in awardee People’s Television’s Rise and Shine Pilipinas.
I was joyful when my friends Salvacion Paparon of Sheanne Roll Up Door Construction Services, Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon of ALC Media Group and comedy bar owner Andrew De Real are awardees of the 2nd SAPBA Award to be held on December 8 at Winford
Resort and Casino Manila. Other awardees are broadcasters/ vloggers and radio/TV hosts Wej Cudiamat, Annabelle Surara and Earlo Bringas of NET 25’s Radyo Aguila, Braggy Braganza of 97.9 Home Radio, Dennis Antenor Jr., Conrado Cagas Tacgos Jr. (Johnny Bukol), DJ Mama Colleen, DJ Kuya Machete (Joey Sarmiento), DJ Gilbert delos Santos, Richard James B. Merck, PTV’s Audrey Gorriceta, Miles Ocampo, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, retired PNP Lt. General Rhodel Sermonia of UNTV’s Wonderful Pinas, Isko Moreno of ISKOVERY NIGHT, Ambet Nabus, Dominic Almelor, Gretchen Fullido, Atasha Muhlach, Niño Myrrh C. Tarinay, and Carlo Lorenzo. Awarded singers-actors are Freddie Aguilar, Lae Manego, Carmela Betonio, Jos Garcia, Hagibis, Michael Pangilinan, Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong, Jona, Andres Muhlach, and comedians MC, Lassy, Kuya Isaac Sabaw (Ishaku Ishaya Monday), and Marian Rivera. The other list of recipients are: Alexander John Fong, Media House Express, 97.9 Home Radio, Aliw Channel 23, DWIZ-AM, William Jones, Janice Delima, Shirley B. Belangel, Bon Jheo Exconde, Dr. Elva Evasco-Auza, Edwin Lisa, Conelen Carino, Ravve Jay and Mherie Vic Prevendido, Ira Patricia Malaluan, Julia Mendoza, Jeff Madarang, Jane Darren Genobisa, Cindy Madduma, Keyrol Cabuso, Catherine Veluz-Zeta, Jomerle Evardone Matutino, Angelo Estera, Hazel May E. Baliguian, Dr. Jesus Recasata Jr., NWOW International Trading Corp., JP
wellness. Over 1,400 people have been connected to CARE Courts or to county services directly, based on preliminary data. How we got here CARE Court is a first-in-the-nation approach to create accountability for connecting individuals at the greatest vulnerability to hospitalization, incarceration, and homelessness to the treatment and housing they need. Under CARE Court, families, first responders, health care providers, and others are able to take action and file a petition with their local CARE Court to help people with under or untreated schizophrenia spectrum or psychotic disorders get treatment and housing.
CARE Court’s path to recovery is bolstered by the state’s $15.3 billion in funding to tackle homelessness and $11.6 billion annually in behavioral health services.
In September, Governor Newsom signed SB 42 by Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) to streamline county and court implementation of the CARE Act through improvement of the petition process, facilitate communication between petitioners, respondents, judges, and county behavioral health departments, and strengthening of CARE as a means to ensure participants’ long-term stabilization.
Statewide efforts to transform behavioral health California is transforming our entire behavioral health care system. The result: more and better mental health and substance use disorder care for all Californians. In March 2024, voters passed Proposition 1, which includes two parts: a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond to build treatment settings and housing with services, and a historic reform of the Mental Health Services Act to focus on people with the most serious illnesses, substance disorders, and supportive housing needs. Prop 1 is being implemented across the state at record speed. More information on the latest results can be found at mentalhealth.ca.gov. (CA Governor’s Office Release)
Catering Services, Intele Builders and Development Corp., Lucky GHL Advertising, JFBV, Matty’s Themed Events, Sapporo Products Inc., Lagniappe Printshop, Eyeleen Hair and Make up by Aileen Sebua, Gown and Events Management by Touting, Jam Lim Enterprises, Cave Beach Resort, Alegre de Pilipinas, The Metropolista, Light TV, RCP Ritmo Tambore, Win Radio, Bhylinn’s Modern Fashion, Edwin Lisa Brows and Aesthetics, Venice Handicrafts Wooden Kiddie Stools and Furniture, Links Digital, Through The Glass Creatives, Densol’s Catering, Joyice Philippines, DWAN 1206 AM, Top 5 Mga Kwentong Marc Logan, SCPM Trading, Kpanfuel International Trading, Uno Construction International, Kherk Roldan Whitelabel SEO Solutions, MJ-AM Trading, Better Boneless, The Brewed Buddies Coffee & Tea Creations, Altech Autogate Int. Philippines Inc., SMRD Credit Collection Services, Faces and Curves,
San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez File photo/www.sandiego.gov
G-Film Rental & Capitol Medical Center Inc., Mariel Nicole Santiago of Genuine Diamonds PH, Charlomagne Arceta, Datu Kasan A. Karon Jr., Viomix Philippines, Phisavong World Travel and Tours, and Atty. Persida Acosta.
From right: Dr. Patrick Saburit, Oggie Medina, host Marc Logan and DJ Gabby
From left: Alyssa joy Finca, Jigo Postolero and Oggie Medina
Rogelio Constantino Medina’s awards from the Amerika Prestige Awards 2024.
From left: Julio Diaz, the late Jaclyn Jose, Deborah Sun and Vandolph
Heart Evangelista stars in “Heart World.”
Robert Bourque and Ann K. Isip
The late Butz Aquino (center) with daughters (from left) Jackie and Roxanne.
DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa
Broadband master plan aims to address internet access and digital equity in San Diego
Plan analyzes digital divide to make recommendations on expanding access and affordability
SAN DIEGO
– The City of San Diego has taken the first steps to create a new Broadband Master Plan, an effort that aims to provide an analysis of current broadband access and make recommendations to increase access, adoption and affordability in identified locations.
In historically under-resourced areas such as San Ysidro, data show that over 40% of households do not have a wireline broadband subscription.
“It’s important that all San Diegans and San Diego communities have reliable and affordable access to the internet,” said Jonathan Behnke, chief information officer for the city’s Department of IT. “With the Broadband Master Plan initiative, we look forward to learning how to better serve San Diego and eliminate the digital equity divide.”
A series of focus groups will be held in the coming weeks to gather input and shape the city’s guiding principles for internet access. Residents are encouraged to take an internet speed test and an internet access survey to help the city understand the current landscape.
The primary goal of the Broadband Master Plan is to increase the availability and
affordability of broadband in the city with a focus on underserved communities, low-income housing residents, and public-serving city facilities. The plan will also ensure that San Diego meets State of California standards for broadband speeds. Additionally, it will position the city to coordinate, leverage and implement state and federal broadband infrastructure investments and policy, and identify how city and public resources can be used to increase broadband access and affordability. Through the development of the plan, the city will explore publicprivate partnerships and how they can be leveraged. Collaborations have already been identified with six community-based organizations to engage community members and small businesses to better understand their experiences with internet access and those impacted by the digital divide. Those organizations include Casa Familiar, the City Heights Community Development Corporation, the Urban Collaborative Project, the Sherman Heights Community Center, Somali Family Service of San Diego and the County of San Diego Black Chamber of
Commerce, along with the San Diego Housing Commission.
“Access to reliable broadband is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for education, employment, healthcare, and daily life. The Broadband Master Plan is a transformative initiative that addresses a critical community need, bridging the digital divide for underserved populations,” said Mustafa Sahid, Somali Family Service director of operations.
“Somali Family Service is proud to support efforts that ensure equitable access to technology, empowering our communities to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
The Broadband Master Plan is funded by a $500,000 State of California Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant. CTC Technology and Energy has been selected to lead the planning process. All work on the plan development will align with the city’s commitments to equity, sustainability and the City of San Diego Strategic Plan. For more information and how to get involved, visit the Broadband Master Plan webpage at https:// www.sandiego.gov/it/broadbandmaster-plan.
(City of San Diego Release)
Commissioner Lara takes major step to increase insurance availability in wildfire-distressed areas
Strengthens Proposition 103 with first-ever coverage commitments from insurance companies as part of wildfire catastrophe modeling regulation submitted for final approval
SACRAMENTO — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced recently that the California Department of Insurance has submitted the final wildfire catastrophe modeling regulation to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for approval. This “first-ofits-kind in California’s history” regulation strengthens Prop. 103 by establishing unprecedented coverage commitments from insurance companies, aimed at stabilizing the insurance market and expanding options for homeowners and business owners in high wildfire-risk areas. The submission follows several months of extensive public input, expert consultations, and multiple public hearings and workshops held by the Department.
“Consumers want solutions to our state’s insurance crisis. My new regulation will make insurance more available across the state,” said Commissioner Lara. “As California experiences more intense climate impacts, technology will tell us where the risks truly are and accurately price rates that reflect mitigation and hardening investments.”
Under Prop. 103, insurance companies are allowed to raise rates on homeowners, businesses, and consumers, but are not legally required to offer coverage in wildfire-prone areas. This new wildfire catastrophe modeling regulation, as part of Commissioner Lara’s comprehensive Sustainable Insurance Strategy, introduces a requirement for insurers to increase their policy offerings in underserved areas as a condition of incorporating catastrophe modeling into ratemaking. Providing insurers the ability to better assess risk allows them to more accurately price insurance and make coverage more available to homeowners and businesses who live and operate in wildfire-prone areas all the while ensuring that insurance companies commit to increase their writings of these wildfire distressed properties across the state.
In addition, over the past several years, California has invested billions of dollars in wildfire risk reduction and, under Commissioner Lara’s leadership, the Department has implemented several programs designed to reward homeowners and businesses for safety improvements, such as home hardening, property mitigation, and
other fire-resistant modifications. These programs are intended to align insurance practices with the state’s overall wildfire mitigation efforts and investments, which must also be incorporated into catastrophe models as part of this regulation.
The Sustainable Insurance Strategy has already led major insurers like Allstate and Farmers to announce plans to resume or expand their coverage offerings in California when its reforms take full effect.
Key highlights of the wildfire catastrophe modeling regulation include:
• Expanded public engagement: The Department held three workshops and hearings in 2024, which were attended by more than 1,000 interested parties, gathering input and receiving hundreds of public comments which helped shape this regulation.
• Increased coverage in highrisk areas: Insurance companies must increase the writing of comprehensive policies in wildfire distressed areas equivalent to no less than 85% of their statewide market share, whereas there is no current legal requirement for insurers to commit to providing any coverage in high-risk areas.
• Incorporation of wildfire mitigation efforts: Building on Commissioner Lara’s “Safer from Wildfires” initiative – the nation’s first wildfire safety discount program – the regulation requires catastrophe models to account for mitigation efforts by homeowners, businesses, and communities, something not currently possible under existing outdated regulations today.
City of San Diego celebrates completion of community park and phase 1 of AIDS memorial in Bankers Hill
Memorial paying tribute to San Diegans impacted by HIV/ AIDS is first of its kind in the city
SAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria was joined on Sunday, December 1 by San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn and the San Diego AIDS Memorial Task Force to celebrate the completion of Olive Street Park in Bankers Hill and Phase 1 of the City’s first AIDS memorial.
“Olive Street Park represents the culmination of nearly three decades of work and advocacy to create a memorial to honor those impacted by the AIDS epidemic,” said Mayor Gloria. “I’m grateful to our LGBTQ community for their vision and persistence in creating a space that’s much more than just a park; it is a living tribute to love, resilience, and hope.”
The nearly three-quarter-acre park sits on what was previously an empty lot at the intersection of Olive Street and Third Avenue.
This $2.3 million project includes the AIDS memorial, a new playground for children of all ages, fitness equipment, an open lawn area, landscaping, lighting, a drinking fountain, and ADAcompliant pathways to facilitate access for all users, along with an overlook deck to enjoy views of Maple Canyon below.
The pathway that leads through the park and out to the overlook deck is designed in the shape of a ribbon, symbolizing the red ribbon that has long been used to help raise awareness of AIDS and those living with the disease.
the hard work and dedication of city staff and community advocates, whose efforts brought this meaningful space to life.
Its thoughtful design honors history, fosters reflection, and creates a lasting symbol of hope and community for generations to come.”
The city’s project team coordinated the AIDS memorial component of this project under the vision of the San Diego AIDS Memorial Task Force. Memorial boulders and interpretive panels are located throughout the park, sharing the history of the AIDS crisis in San Diego and
honoring the many people and organizations who have served those living with AIDS.
The idea to build an AIDS memorial in San Diego has been around since the early 1990s; the creation of this memorial is the culmination of nearly 30 years of work and community activism.
“After over 40 years of lobbying for an AIDS memorial, today San Diego has joined major cities across the world in remembering the over 9,000 men, women and children who have died of AIDS in our region,” said City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez, founder/co-chair of the San Diego AIDS Memorial Task Force. “What is also important
• Enhanced model integrity: The department is finalizing the hiring of a model advisor to examine model integrity, and ensure public review and compliance with Prop. 103.
• Implementation timeline: Once approved by OAL, the regulation should take effect by year’s end, with the model review process set to begin on January 1, 2025.
In a parallel initiative, Commissioner Lara and Cal Poly Humboldt have established a strategy group to develop the nation’s first public wildfire catastrophe model. This partnership with California’s research institutions is designed to create an accessible, sciencebased model for predicting wildfire risks, ultimately supporting fair and accurate insurance rates. Expected to provide recommendations by April 2025, the group will further support California’s efforts to build safer communities and expand insurance options statewide.
By increasing insurance availability, the department’s approach aims to achieve greater affordability and stability within California’s insurance and real estate markets. The department is on track to complete the regulatory reforms under Commissioner Lara’s comprehensive Sustainable Insurance Strategy by the end of 2024 in order to address current climate risks and increase insurance protection for California consumers. The department’s role includes regulating insurers to ensure accountability, confirm that claims are paid, and verify that consumers are not charged beyond what is necessary and fair. Furthermore, through the department’s rate regulation experts, each and every rate application filed will be thoroughly reviewed to make sure they are compliant with insurance laws, justified and transparent under Prop. 103, and that consumers are protected.
The Office of Administrative Law is now reviewing the regulation for compliance and, once approved, it will become effective by the end of December 2024. This submission represents a significant milestone in Commissioner Lara’s efforts to modernize California’s insurance market with transparent, accountable, and consumerfocused solutions.
(CA Dep’t of Insurance Release)
Why ‘Uninvited’ is a film...
kanya, ‘Ma’am, just tell us what you want.’”
Meanwhile, the producer refrained from disclosing the production budget, but he hinted at the scale of the project.
“Definitely, cast pa lang andun na tayo. I’m really fortunate that every organization, or company, or every person that we tapped to do this film, they all said yes.
We’re very fortunate on that,” he said.
Kung expensive, I think the Filipino audience deserves this type of caliber ng ganitong
pelikula.” Aga and Nadine were deliberate and first choices despite the risks the story posed. “It’s very
sensitive, it can actually make or break their careers,” Diamante said. “Pero nung nagsama-sama sila, I was there at the shoot. Ibang klase.” He shared an anecdote about Aga’s dedication to his role as the main antagonist in the film. “Sa set nga, si Sir Aga, nakikita ko nagsasalita mag-isa, tapos tumitingin sa akin, tumatawa, ‘Ano, siraulo tingin mo sa akin ano?
Ganito ako ka-invested dito.’
“That’s the journey of the character. We never held back because if you hold back, the reality of what we wanted to show… I know that there are compromises, but we don’t compromise that. We really have to have that journey of the character,” he added.
On the technical side, Diamante revealed how they went all-out to ensure the film’s quality. “We made sure mabibigay namin lahat. Mapapansin mo there’s a difference in the look… It’s because we invested in the technical (aspects),” he explained. “Actually, last year with ‘Mallari,’ Alexa 35 camera was first used in the country, so we’re using Alexa 35 now. We’re also using customized lens. Tumataginting din yung lente palang, pwede na pagawa ng pelikula (the cost itself can already finance an entire film). But that’s how invested we are.” He believes that this level of investment is crucial in feeding the passion of Filipino creatives and talents.
The park features a tribute to honor the nearly 10,000 San Diegans who have lost their lives to AIDS. Phase 1 of this memorial includes boulders featuring names of organizations and individuals who worked to improve the lives of San Diegans living with AIDS and panels describing the history of AIDS in San Diego. Phase 2 of the memorial will include an installation bearing the names of people who lost their lives to AIDS to honor their memory.
“The opening of Olive Street Park, which features the first-ever AIDS Memorial in San Diego, is a powerful tribute to those we’ve lost and a celebration of resilience”, said Councilmember Whitburn, who represents District 3. “This park is a testament to
San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria File photo/www.sandiego.gov
CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara File photo/www.insurance.ca.gov
