120724 - Los Angeles Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

First Fil-Am California state senator takes office

the Golden 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.

Lawmakers vow support to Marcos

national stability by declaring their loyalty to marcos. recognizing the significant challenges facing the president and his administration, we unite in declaring our firm support for the president and his vision for a Bagong Pilipinas," the manifesto read. the manifesto also stressed that any threat against the president "is a threat against the republic."

in safeguarding democratic principles and

IN 2017, the republicans who controlled Congress tried mightily to slash federal spending on medicaid, the governmentfunded health program covering low-income families and individuals.

California, like other states, depends heavily on federal dollars to provide care for its poorest residents. Analyses at the time showed the GoP’s proposals would cut medicaid funds flowing from Washington by tens of billions of dollars, perhaps even more, forcing state officials to rethink the scope of medi-Cal.

But the GoP efforts ended in failure — iconically crystallized by Arizona republican sen. John mcCain, sick with terminal brain cancer, issuing his decisive early-morning thumbs-down.

more than seven years later, here we go again.

With Donald trump preparing to reenter the White house, bolstered once more by republican majorities in both houses of

mANILA — manny Pacquiao is about to enter boxing immortality. the Philippines’ greatest boxer to ever lace up a pair of gloves leads the latest class of elite personalities to be inducted in the International Boxing hall of fame on June 5-8, 2025 in Canastota, New York. the International Boxing hall of fame and museum announced that Pacquiao, along with 13 others, will be joining its ranks during its induction rites next year.

In a statement, the 45-year-old Pacquiao

"We shall remain vigilant and resolute in ensuring his safety and the stability of his administration," the lawmakers said. "We categorically condemn any attempts to destabilize the government or subvert the administration's programs aimed at advancing national progress." the lawmakers vowed to protect "the integrity of the president's mandate, enabling him to lead the country effectively toward sustainable development, good governance, and genuine reform." the manifesto also condemned efforts to destabilize the government.

welcomed the latest accolade in his decorated career.

"I am so happy that I have been selected to enter the International Boxing hall of fame. this certainly is a wonderful Christmas gift. throughout my career, as a professional fighter and a public servant, it has been my goal to bring honor to my country, the Philippines, and my fellow filipinos around the world,” said Pacquiao, the only boxer in history to win eight world titles in as many weight classes. he follows into the hall of fame his countryman Gabriel "flash" elorde, a

mANILA — If Vice President sara Duterte is impeached, who will replace her?

Gloria Arroyo replaced him. the vice presidency was left vacant. What she did was, she appointed a vice president from Congress,” escudero explained in filipino.

"At all costs, we will stand united with President ferdinand r marcos, Jr. to uphold and defend the u

VP Duterte faces second impeach rap; Palace disowns moves

by Gabriel PabiCo lalu Inquirer.net

mANILA — Vice President sara Duterte was slapped with a second impeachment complaint filed by over 70 representatives of progressive groups who trooped to the house of representatives on Wednesday, December 4. the progressive groups, led by Bagong Alyansang makabayan (Bayan), submitted their impeachment complaint before house secretary General reginald Velasco at 3:38 p.m.

According to advance copies of the impeachment complaint sent by Bayan to reporters, the ground for impeachment used is a betrayal of public trust due to a myriad of issues that stemmed from her offices’ use of confidential funds (Cfs). the office of the Vice President (oVP) and the Department of education (Deped), which Duterte previously headed, have been the subject of a house investigation due to questions on how their Cfs were utilized.

According to senate President francis escudero, the president will nominate the next vice president.

this is pursuant to section 9, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution which states that whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the chief executive shall nominate a replacement from the senate and the house of representatives.

“We saw that happen when then-President Joseph estrada was ousted and then-Vice President

Lawmakers from the senate and the house of representatives already possess the following qualifications: natural-born filipino citizens, registered voters, residents of the Philippines, and able to read and write. however, their ages need to be checked because as per Article 7, section 2 of the charter, the vice president must be at least 40 years old.

“No senator is aged below 40, so all senators now are qualified. But some congressmen are below

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. Contributed photo

Lawmakers vow support to...

Constitution, ensure the welfare of our people and safeguard the future of our nation," it said. the manifesto was signed by speaker martin romualdez, senior Deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., majority Leader manuel Jose Dalipe, LakasChristian muslim Democrats secretary General and Agusan del Norte rep. Jose Aquino II, National Unity Party President and Camarines sur rep. Luis raymund Villafuerte, Nationalist People's Coalition President and rizal rep. michael John Duavit, Nacionalista Party member and surigao del Norte rep. robert Ace Barbers, Partido federal ng Pilipinas member and san Jose del monte rep. florida robes, and Partido Navoteño President and Navotas rep. tobias tiangco. During the gathering, the house members also presented marcos with a copy of resolution 277, which expressed "the unwavering and unqualified support and solidarity of the house of representatives" to the leadership of marcos and romualdez. n

Manny Pacquiao banners latest...

1960s super featherweight world champion who died in 1985 and in 1993 became the first Asian inducted into the hall. today, I am humbled knowing that in June, I will receive boxing's highest honor, joining our national hero, flash elorde, as well as my trainer and friend freddie roach. I am very grateful to those who voted for me, and I look forward to celebrating with family, friends, and fans at Induction Weekend in Canastota, New York,” he added.

even before reaching the end of his career, Pacquiao was already considered by pundits as a first-ballot hall of famer.

he compiled a pro record of 62-8-2 (with 39 knockouts), winning championships at flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight.

In 2019, at age 40, Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history by taking a split decision over American Keith thurman for the World Boxing Association crown at 147 pounds. Among the top fighters to fall at Pacquiao's hands were Americans oscar de la hoya and shane

mosley, mexico's Juan manuel marquez and marco Antonio Barrera, Britain's ricky hatton and Puerto rico's miguel Cotto. Pacquiao last fought professionally in 2021, losing to Cuban Yordenis Ugas. But he did not completely leave the boxing spotlight, taking part in a couple of exhibition fights afterwards. Joining Pacquiao in the Class of 2025 are fellow men’s modern category inductees Vinny Paz and michael Nunn; Yessica Chavez, Anne sophie mathis and mary Jo sanders in the Women’s modern

category; Cathy Davis in the Women’s trailblazer category; referee Kenny Bayless; cut man Al Gavin (posthumous); and referee harry Gibbs (posthumous) in the Non-Participant category; broadcaster/journalist randy Gordon and television producer ross Greenburg in the observer category; rodrigo Valdez (posthumous) in the old timer category and owen swift (posthumous) in the Pioneer category. (With a report from AFP)

California’s first Filipina in state Legislature...

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.”

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

How potential Medicaid cuts could play...

Congress, expectations are high that the GoP will quickly resurrect its long-desired goal of cutting medicaid. republicans want to finance large tax cuts, and the GoP platform under trump pledges not to touch social security or medicare. to be sure, that’s not set in stone. But for now, as my Kff colleagues have noted, medicaid looks an awful lot like low-hanging fruit. (Kff is a health information nonprofit that includes Kff health News.) health officials in California and across the nation are on edge about the possibility of large-scale medicaid cuts being enacted as soon as next year. such cuts would have an outsize impact in the Golden state, whose 14.7 million mediCal enrollees exceed the entire populations of all but three other U.s. states. medi-Cal provides health coverage for over 40% of the state’s children and pays for nearly 40% of births. It is a crucial source of funding for safety net hospitals and community clinics. And over 60% of its $161 billion budget this year comes by way of Washington. the potential for big federal cuts to medicaid may have been a factor in Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to call a special session of the state legislature this week. California could seek to offset a sharp drop in federal dollars with higher taxes or cuts to other state programs. But both those options could be politically untenable. that’s why many health experts think leaders in sacramento would almost certainly have to consider shrinking medi-Cal. that could mean cutting any number of optional benefits, such as dental services, optometry, and physical therapy. It might also mean rolling back some of the ambitious expansion mediCal has undertaken in recent years. that could include some aspects of California Advancing and Innovating medi-Cal, a $12 billion program of services that address patients’ social and economic needs in addition to their medical ones. some observers fear federal cuts could affect the approximately 1.5 million immigrants living in the U.s without authorization who are enrolled in medi-Cal at an annual cost of over $6 billion, nearly all of it funded by the state. But others say a more likely route would be to reduce payments across the board to the managed care plans that cover 94% of medi-Cal enrollees, rather than target any specific groups of people. medicaid is on the chopping block, and I don’t think that’s speculation,” says Gerald Kominski, a senior fellow at the UCLA Center for health Policy research. “It is widely viewed by potential members of trump’s administration as a program that is too broad and needs to be brought under control.” Whether they can succeed this time remains to be seen. But

California falling short of enrollment goal as

by Christine Mai-DuC

CALIforNIA’s new initiative to compel treatment for some of the state’s most severely mentally ill residents — many of whom are living on the streets — is falling short of its initial objectives. But with the program expanding from 11 counties to all 58 on Dec. 1, state officials are projecting confidence that they can reach their goal to help 2,000 adults by the end of the year.

In the first nine months of CAre Court, 557 petitions were filed by first responders, families, or local health officials, all of whom can now request help for individuals who are ill. As of the end of June, 100 people had been placed in court-approved treatment plans, according to the latest data available.

“We’re pleased to see how many people have come through and how appropriate those referrals have been so far,” said Corrin Buchanan, a deputy secretary for the California health and human services Agency, which oversees the program. these are the right kinds of people we were hoping to serve.” the Community Assistance, recovery and empowerment (CAre) Act — the first law of its kind in the nation — empowers civil court judges to order adults into monitored plans that include

housing, social services, and treatment for addiction or mental illness. Until now, counties such as Los Angeles, san Diego, and san francisco have been piloting the program, which Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has called a “paradigm shift” to prioritize the Californians who are sickest and most in need.

But officials in counties that have already launched the program said the low number of cases reflects the amount of time it takes — sometimes weeks or months — to find people and persuade them to enroll. And judges dismissed nearly 40% of petitions in the program’s first nine months, in part because of the program’s narrow criteria to target only those with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

state officials have estimated that between 7,000 and 12,000 people will be eligible for a CAre plan. the state has directed $358 million in one-time funding, and it projects it will spend $108 million a year on the program. CAre Court is one of a raft of changes Newsom has spearheaded to address rampant homelessness, including overhauling the public mental health system and funneling billions of dollars for counties to execute those changes on the ground. recent moves include loosening conservatorship laws

and passing Proposition 1, a voter-approved measure that gives the state more control over mental health funding previously managed by counties.

Local health representatives say they’re juggling the governor’s initiatives as he demands results to reduce homelessness.

While CAre Court was meant to target people who cycle in and out of jails and hospitals and onto the streets, county officials said they’re encountering a substantial number of clients who already have housing and, in some cases, private health insurance.

many family members have had their hopes dashed when they find that only a small number of people qualify for CAre Court resources and that ultimately treatment is largely voluntary, county officials said. Unlike in a conservatorship, which hands all decision-making power over to the state or an adult guardian, counties can’t treat or medicate participants against their will. But counties can rack up steep court fines if a judge determines the county hasn’t provided help. there’s been a tremendous need for the management of expectations, especially with family members,” said Amber Irvine, program manager for san Diego County’s CAre Court. she added that while she considers the program a success, “we need to, as a whole, adjust our expectations of what can be accomplished in a year with such a complicated program and such a complex population.”

san Diego County’s program has been among the most robust, with 221 petitions filed since it launched in october 2023, although a third of the county’s participants were already under conservatorship. Irvine said 76 of the state’s 100 CAre plan participants are from the county. But it’s not easy. It takes county outreach workers there an average of 54 days of casual conversations, encounters in encampments, and distributing food or supplies — activities the state doesn’t typically reimburse for — to persuade someone to accept services. In some cases, that number stretches to more than four months, Irvine said. she and others credit the state for funding CAre programs,

First Fil-Am California state senator...

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 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 first-ever

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. (AJPress)

Christopher Cabaldon, former mayor of West Sacramento, assumed office to represent California state Senate District 3.

Fake European noble to plead guilty to scam targeting elderly Fil-Ams

Sylvein William Maximilian D’Habsburg XVII allegedly targeted elderly Filipino church parishioners

Los ANGeLes – A businessman who pretended to be european nobility has agreed to plead guilty to operating a Ponzi scheme that targeted the filipino community, including elderly church parishioners.

sylvein William maximilian D’habsburg XVII, 48, of West hills in Los Angele County’s san fernando Valley, who also falsely claimed Kobe Bryant and michael Jordan were among his investors, allegedly took in more than $5.9 million from the victims.

D’habsburg is expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks to one count of wire fraud, according to the U.s. Attorney’s office.

he is not a descendant of the holy roman emperors and the Austrian emperors,” a Department of Justice spokesperson told KtLA. from January 2018 to June 2023, D’habsburg hired recruiters to identify potential investors for his two companies, Wild rabbit technologies LLC and BAI Intelligence LLC, targeting the local filipino community, including elderly church parishioners, according to his plea agreement filed tuesday, December 3 in Los Angeles federal court.

D’habsburg had his name legally changed to resemble that of the famous european family and he is not a descendant of nobility, a spokesperson for the U.s. Attorney’s office told City News service.

At investment presentations, D’habsburg claimed that he had an artificial intelligence technology that could predict the future and detect a CoVID-19 infection based solely on a video recording, among other things, court papers show. Prosecutors say he also falsely claimed to potential investors that he had received about $500 million in investments for his companies from retired pro athletes and other well-known people, including Bryant, Jordan, and Apple Computer co-founder steve Wozniak, and that he would use the funds to hire personnel and obtain patents.

however, D’habsburg used the victims’ money to purchase luxury cars, such as a 1933 rolls royce Phantom II Continental sedanca de Ville by Barker, and rare antiques, such as a pair of Italian carved Giltwood thrones from the 1800s, prosecutors said. As a result of his scheme, the U.s. Attorney’s office said, D’habsburg caused his victims a total of about $5.9 million in losses.

once D’habsburg enters his guilty plea, he will face a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, prosecutors noted. the house of habsburg-Lorraine is the former royal house of the defunct Austro-hungarian thrones. (inquirer.net with cNS report)

California falling short of enrollment goal...

which has enabled county staff to conduct intensive outreach. san Diego County boasts the state’s first CAre graduate, a participant who was able to exit conservatorship and leave a locked psychiatric facility. though Irvine thought the county was overprepared with 15 new hires, the staff was able to take on less than half the anticipated caseload. other counties have had to shift personnel from understaffed departments to prepare for CAre Court. staffing needs remain uncertain with the remaining counties set to launch CAre programs, said Jacqueline Wonghernandez, chief policy officer for the California state Association of Counties. In september, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have provided scholarships to mental health professionals if they agreed to work for CAre Court, citing budget pressures.

Alameda County’s contractor has prepared for the Dec. 1 launch by hiring a team of more than a dozen, including a fulltime nurse, case managers, employment coordinators,

and a clinician to prescribe medications.

officials there are identifying clients already known to cycle through crisis services, so they can file petitions on their behalf. And the county is figuring out how to tap state housing funds that allow clients to stabilize in short-term housing.

“It’s really a lot to set up,” said Kate Jones, who is helping to oversee the county’s rollout.

mark Ghaly, who was the chief architect of the CAre program before leaving his post as California’s health secretary this fall, said he worked for many years at the county level and empathizes with counties struggling to implement multiple initiatives at the same time. he added that CAre Court was never meant to be launched in a vacuum.

“We’re going to have to see this whole tapestry of efforts come together to really make the kind of dent that I know we can as a state,” Ghaly said. state sen. tom Umberg, a Democrat who co-authored CAre Court legislation, said that more health care providers need to be made aware of the program

so they can help spot potential enrollees.

still, one county representative worries that the public could conflate court-approved treatment plans for the severely mentally ill with solving homelessness. In 2023, California had an estimated homeless population of more than 180,000.

“the solution to homelessness in California is housing, and the more people are prevented from falling into homelessness in California, the fewer county behavioral health clients we will have,” said michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral health Directors Association of California.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes california Healthline, an editorially independent service of the california Health care Foundation.

Escudero: If Sara Duterte is impeached...

40, so they will not be nominated because they are not qualified,” escudero said.

“so the president will choose and after he’s chosen, it will get confirmed by majority vote from the Congress and the senate by separate votes. If that happens, that person will become the vice president,” he explained. Duterte was slapped with

two impeachment complaints on monday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 4. the first impeachment complaint was filed by civil society organizations and endorsed by Akbayan party-list rep. Percival Cendaña. the second impeachment complaint was filed by over 70 representatives of progressive groups and was sponsored by

VP Duterte faces second impeach

some of the revelations were the acknowledgment receipts (Ars) for the Cfs signed by a certain “mary Grace Piattos” whom Antipolo 2nd District rep. romeo Acop said has a first name similar to a coffee shop and a last name that is a famous potato chip brand. the Ars signed off by Piattos were part of the liquidation reports discussed during the hearing on the P23.8 million in Cfs covered by 158 receipts. the first impeachment complaint was filed on December 2 and was endorsed by Akbayan party-list rep. Percival Cendeña.

According to former senator Leila de Lima, who accompanied the complainants, among the articles of impeachment cited in the first complaint were

rap...

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco received the second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Dec. 4, 2024. The complaint was filed by progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and sponsored by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel. Inquirer.net

photo by Gabriel Pabico Lalu

ACt teachers party-list rep. france Castro, Gabriela party-list rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list rep. raoul manuel. escudero previously told senators not to make any public comments in relation to the impeachment complaint against Duterte because the senate stands ready to fulfill its mandate with integrity and impartiality should the case push through. n

Duterte’s alleged Cf misuse, threats to ranking government officials, and her supposed involvement in extrajudicial killings when she was Davao City mayor. n

DAteline PhiliPPines

ordered by SC

Philippines to protest China’s ‘escalated’ maritime aggression

by Christina Chi Philstar.com

mANILA — the Philippines will file another diplomatic protest against China over its hostile maneuvers against Philippine fisheries and Coast Guard vessels near two disputed features in the West Philippine sea on Wednesday, December 4 with Chinese warships joining for the first time in blocking and shadowing Philippine ships.

"[We] will be submitting our protest," foreign Affairs secretary enrique manalo said in a chance interview on thursday, December 5.

the Philippines on Wednesday, accused Chinese vessels of ramming and using water cannons against a civilian vessel it deployed to scarborough shoal that morning to "support filipino fishermen actively engaged in fishing in the area."

and conducted island-building activities in the disputed waters.

by Bella Cariaso Philstar.com

mANILA — former Presidential spokesman harry roque has no plan to return to the Philippines unless ordered by the supreme Court, maintaining his right to travel as there is no holddeparture order (hDo) against him.

“I am waiting for the decision of the supreme Court or I will wait for the current Congress to end,” roque said in an interview on Wednesday, December 4 over dzBB.

roque has submitted a counter-affidavit – notarized in Abu Dhabi – on the qualified human trafficking complaint lodged against him in connection with his alleged ties to an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (PoGo) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

he was mum on the statement of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that he did not follow the legal or regular process in leaving the country.

“It is difficult to comment as according to them (BI), they will file a case against me,” he said.

the Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) on Wednesday confirmed that roque and his wife personally appeared at the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi for notarial services.

the DfA said the embassy extended consular services to roque and his wife, as required for documents executed abroad for use in the Philippines. they were able to present valid passports and appear to be staying in the UAe legally,” the DfA said.

roque maintained that he has the right to travel abroad as there is no pending warrant of arrest against him.

“Leaving the country is not proof of any as they claimed that flight is evidence of guilt as the court only issues the arrest warrant,” he said.

he defended his decision to leave the Philippines, saying he only exercised his right. for 40 years, I’ve defended

of the original case filed by the DoJ and was only included after Justice secretary Jesus Crispin remulla said that he is not a fugitive if no case is filed against him.

secretary remulla said that I am not a fugitive if I have no case in court, that is why the case against me was belatedly filed in the prosecutor’s office,” he said. Senator eyes probe sen. sherwin Gatchalian said he is looking at filing a resolution to investigate how easy it is for suspects to slip past immigration despite facing congressional scrutiny for their involvement in illegal PoGos.

the Philippines also accused People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels of blocking, shadowing and carrying out "dangerous maneuvers" against two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels in the vicinity.

"It's very clear - we were within our legal rights," manalo said.

"Certainly, we don't understand why China again is repeating these actions which are clearly illegal."

blocking and shadowing and dangerous maneuvers from a People's Liberation Army Navy warship, and as mentioned by Commodore Jay tariela in the press conference on Wednesday, at a close distance of 300 yards," malaya added.

the rights of others. It is only right that I reiterate my right as a person,” roque said. According to roque, he will only cooperate in the investigation of the house quad committee if the high tribunal directed him.

“first, I don’t expect fair hearing at the Congress since their investigation is in aid of legislation. If we want justice, we should go to the court,” he said.

“If the supreme Court ordered that I need to submit the documents, I will comply with the order of the judiciary but based on my knowledge as a lawyer, I know I am right,” he added.

roque said that he is willing to cooperate with the investigation of the Department of Justice (DoJ) if prosecutors ask for additional information after his counter-affidavit.

“If they have questions, I can answer them via Zoom,” he said. roque said prosecutors can verify the authenticity of his counter-affidavit by simply calling the consul or ambassador in Abu Dhabi who facilitated his sworn statement.

he said no less than the Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) confirmed that he went to the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi to submit his counteraffidavit.

roque said he was not part

he was referring to roque, who was able to go to Abu Dhabi, where he had his counter-affidavit notarized in response to a human trafficking case against him.

this is not the first time a PoGo personality was able to escape, Gatchalian said, citing dismissed Bamban, tarlac mayor Alice Guo who fled to malaysia before hiding in Indonesia, where she was arrested.

this is really concerning, how high-profile personalities like harry roque – who should be easily tracked – were still able to slip past authorities. so it’s either there is a syndicate or corrupt officials, who allowed him to escape. or it can be because of the weakness in the system,” Gatchalian said.

“I am still studying about filing a resolution. I’m looking at this very seriously,” he added. sen. risa hontiveros, for her part, urged the BI to identify those who helped roque escape to United Arab emirates and avoid a congressional investigation into his involvement in illegal PoGo

“I expect the BI, along with our other law enforcers, to identify at the soonest possible time who helped harry roque escape undetected,” hontiveros said. “Dubai is also a PoGo hub, so PoGo actors could have helped roque escape.” (With reports from Marc Jayson cayabyab, Mark Ernest Villeza, Emmanuel Tupas)

Comelec reports low overseas voter registration

by WilliaM B. depasupil ManilaTimes.net

the Commission on elections (Comelec) has failed to achieve its target number of overseas voters, netting only 1,254,240 registrants at the end of the seven-month registration period.

Chairman George erwin Garcia on monday, December 2 said he was disappointed with the results, but noted that even in the past, registration was low for midterm elections.

the Comelec projected 1.5 million registered overseas voters for the 2025 polls. the number was much lower than the 1.7 million migrant workers spread across 92 Philippine posts around the world who registered for the 2022 elections. the 1.2 million is low. really very, very low. maybe because it is a midterm election, but it increases if it is a presidential and vice-presidential 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 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

the PCG vessel BrP Cabra was shadowed by CCG vessel 3104, while PCG's flagship vessel BrP teresa magbanua was tailed by a PLA Navy warship at an unprecedented close distance of 300 yards, according to a statement.

on the same day at escoda (sabina) shoal, Chinese Coast Guard vessel 21549 sideswiped the fisheries vessel BrP Datu Bankaw twice and later intentionally rammed another fisheries vessel, BrP Datu romapenet, causing significant damage. these incidents occurred as the Philippine vessels were responding to distress calls from filipino fishers being blocked from entering the area.

Both shoals — scarborough and escoda — are within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

While a 2016 ruling had invalidated China's sweeping nine-dash line claim to the south China sea, Beijing has never recognized this decision and has instead expanded its presence

China, through its foreign ministry spokesperson, said it "did what was necessary" to protect its sovereignty and maritime rights "in accordance with the law." It accused the Philippine vessels of "intruding" into China's territorial sea and justified its actions as being "lawful, professional and restrained."

Chinese warships' presence Jonathan malaya, spokesperson of the National task force for the West Philippine sea, considers the latest incidents to be a "steep escalation" and a clear sign of provocation from Beijing due to the presence of PLAN vessels, which are Chinese military warships.

"In the past PLAN ships were in the area, but they were just in the horizon. they would not do dangerous maneuvers against our Philippine vessels," malaya said in an interview with ANC on thursday.

"But in this case the BrP teresa magbanua faced

malaya said the Philippines now "reserves the right" to also send Navy ships to the tense waterways amid China's deployment of its own warships.

"We hope that the People's republic of China does not see our diplomatic actions or our peaceful actions as cowardice," the task force spokesperson said.

"We do not want to be sending signals to China that they can do what they want simply because we do not want to escalate," malaya added. "It is they that first deployed the PLAN ship." this latest flareup of tensions comes less than a month after the Philippines condemned China's publication of its self-drawn baselines around scarborough shoal, which it claims to have sovereignty over.

China's attempt to map its claims to the disputed shoal came after President ferdinand marcos Jr.'s signed two new maritime laws that asserted the country's sovereignty over its waters. n

Former presidential spokesperson and congressman Harry Roque Jr. answers questions at the House of Representatives Quad Committee hearing on Aug .23, 2024. House of Representatives photo Roque

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOOD. Customers queue up at a famous ham store in Quiapo, Manila on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Ham is among the food

served in Filipino households during holiday feasts.

photo by Yancy Lim

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

OPiniOn FeAtures

Why meddle in a House mandate?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may have voiced his appeal to the House not to entertain impeachment moves against Vice President sara duterte, but the fact remains that he can’t—and shouldn’t—get in the way of a public accountability mechanism mandated by the Constitution.

operating on the principle that public office is a public trust, the 1987 Constitution drafted after people ousted the marcos dictatorship and restored democracy prescribes that the president, vice president, members of the supreme Court and constitutional commissions, and the ombudsman may be removed from office through impeachment and upon conviction on culpable violations of the Charter, betrayal of public trust, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. the Charter mandates that the house “shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment,” while the senate “shall have the sole power to try and decide on all cases of impeachment.” officials impeached and subsequently convicted shall be removed from office and disqualified from holding any government position.

Editorial

Clear and explicit the constitutional provisions are clear and explicit, leaving no room for mr. marcos to expand on his supposed noninvolvement in the process to impeach Duterte, who had publicly broken away from his administration and declared a possible hit on the president, his wife, and the house speaker, should government forces decide to kill her. the threat comes amid the ongoing house investigation on the vice president’s questionable use of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds.

In a text message sent to his house allies last week, the president said: “In the larger scheme of things, sara is unimportant. so please do not file impeachment complaints. It will only distract us from the real work of governance which is to improve the lot of all filipinos.”

After confirming the text message that was

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.”

the former New York police officer and U.s. Border Patrol

purportedly leaked and went public, he added: “this [impeachment] is not important. this does not make any difference to one single filipino life. so, why waste time on this?”

While mr. marcos may be shrewd enough to avoid being seen as the hand orchestrating moves to unseat his erstwhile ally, his unequivocal order against the impeachment move unduly burdens the house from performing its mandate that comes from no less than the supreme law of the land.

Co-equal branches By design, the Constitution has made sure that the executive branch—malacañang—would have no power over its co-equal branch of government. this, even if it’s public knowledge that no impeachment move would prosper without the express support of the Palace and other forces holding, sway over our political system.

But with an impeachment case already filed and another one forthcoming, the president should allow the process to run its course and reach its logical conclusion. the most important step is to ensure that the impeachment process becomes credible, if only to prevent another period of instability and chaos in our already fractured political landscape. to this end, the house would be well-advised to practice utmost transparency and due process in handling the impeachment cases against Duterte despite—or maybe because of—public perception of the brewing hostility and animosity between the subject of the impeachment move and the house led by its speaker, the president’s cousin. this is amply demonstrated by the house’s exhaustive investigations into sara Duterte’s use of confidential and intelligence funds and her father,

President rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. senate President francis “Chiz” escudero rightfully asked senators to refrain from commenting on the impeachment case to avoid perceptions of bias in the chamber where several senators are known Duterte allies.

Not enough time

And while the house can undoubtedly turn the ouster move into a numbers game, time is not on the impeachment author’s side. As house secretary General reginald Velasco pointed out on monday, December 2, while the entire process as prescribed in the Constitution would take 130 days, the house is mandated to initially act on an impeachment case within 10 session days after its filing. “so after filing (on monday), we won’t have enough time because we only have nine session days remaining until Dec. 18,” when Congress

goes on its Christmas break. If, by sheer determination, the house decides to send the articles of impeachment directly to the senate, as done during the case of former President Joseph estrada, the senate would similarly have little time to undertake a credible trial before the current Congress ends.

Given the distractions of the approaching holiday season and the midterm elections just a few months away, the momentum for impeachment might not be sustained without the irresistible force from the powers-that-be. that won’t exactly be a reprieve nor a source of comfort for the vice president, however. even if the first wave of impeachment cases doesn’t materialize, sara Duterte won’t be able to rest easy with a slew of legal cases being filed against her. And her opponents can always try another impeach move next year. (inquirer.net)

Trump immigration policy spelled out

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., 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

Eyes Wide Open Toxic politics and stability

I RI s G onzales

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 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 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

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

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

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. there will also be a “targeted approach” that would prioritize the deportation of

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 proinvestment 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

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

violence 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.

former

PH to continue upholding international laws – Marcos

by MarC Jayson CayaByaB Philstar.com

mANILA — In the face of China’s latest aggressive actions in the West Philippine sea, the Philippines will continue to uphold international laws, push for diplomatic means and deepen cooperation with allies in defending its waters, President ferdinand marcos Jr. said on Wednesday, December 4.

At the oath-taking of newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP) at malacañang, marcos stressed that the country continues to face “complex” and “dynamic challenges” to its sovereignty from “lawless” elements that undermine peace and the increasing frequency of natural disasters.

these require us to remain steadfast, resourceful, unyielding in our resolve,” he said.

“As stewards of our national defense, you bear the solemn responsibility of ensuring the security of our land, of our seas, of our skies, our cyberspace,” he added.

the president’s remarks came as a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel again fired water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship during a routine patrol near Bajo de masinloc early Wednesday morning.

Bajo de masinloc is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (eeZ).

marcos reiterated the country’s continued adherence to the rule of law even as he stressed the importance of diplomatic approaches in protecting its territorial sovereignty.

“In defending our waters, we must uphold international maritime laws, deepening our commitment to regional peace and cooperation. By fostering coordination among nations, we can safeguard stability while advancing our collective interests,” he said.

“Diplomacy rooted in strong legal foundations is our most effective instrument in navigating these endeavors,” he added.

the chief executive also urged the AfP to train troops not only with skills, but with empathy, “ensuring that their actions reflect the highest ideals of public service.”

“As our senior officers of the Armed forces of the

Philippines, I enjoin you to lead with honor, serve with integrity and inspire others with your example. stand with your troops, stand for the Constitution and above all, stand for the filipino people,” he said.

Last month, the AfP launched the Combined Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo in partnership with the United states Indo-Pacific Command.

marcos called this “a leap forward” in the AfP’s modernization efforts by reinforcing its interoperability with allies and strengthening its defense capabilities under the mutual Defense Board Concept Plan.

the military also concluded the eighth iteration of the AfP Joint exercise “DAGIt-PA” or Dagat-Langit-Lupa. these exercises equip our forces as they address evolving security threats and operationalize the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” the president said.

he likewise recognized the military for performing its duties beyond military operations.

“You have been instrumental in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response during some of our darkest hours,” marcos said.

‘Unwarranted, blatant’

senators on Wednesday condemned the CCG and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s latest acts of harassment against three Philippine vessels during a routine patrol near scarborough shoal.

“Unwarranted and blatant violation of international law, these latest aggressive actions of the Chinese Coast Guard against our maritime personnel and scientists should prompt our concerned agencies to elevate the matter before an international body,” senate President Pro tempore Jinggoy estrada said. these hostile acts against the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of fisheries and Aquatic resources (BfAr)’s BrP Datu Pagbuaya performing legitimate duties within our maritime jurisdiction is an affront to our nation’s sovereignty,” estrada added.

the senator urged the international community to join the Philippines in condemning the latest water cannon attack against BrP Datu Pagbuaya, as well as the dangerous maneuvers

against BrP teresa magbanua and BrP Cabra. “I call upon the international community to join us in condemning these acts of aggression and support our efforts in upholding the rule of law in the West Philippine sea. the path to lasting peace and stability in the region lies in cooperation, not confrontation,” estrada said.

for sen. JV ejercito, this brazen attack is “a blatant violation of international law and an affront to Philippine sovereignty.”

“China Coast Guard’s bullying has no place in a civilized and rules-based international order. time and again, they have shown disregard for our rights in the West Philippine sea, trampling on the safety and livelihoods of our fishermen and the dignity of our nation,” ejercito said.

he vouched for the need to fasttrack the AfP’s modernization program to better equip the country’s troops against China’s maritime aggression.

“our Armed forces must be equipped to defend our waters and assert our sovereignty without hesitation. I strongly believe that securing even a minimum credible defense posture is crucial to safeguarding our interests and ensuring these abuses do not persist,” ejercito said.

“We will not be cowed by a bully. With our resolve, combined with reason and the principles of international law, we will prevail,” he added.

‘Unlawful’

the U.s. likewise condemned China’s latest harassment and firing of water cannons at Philippine vessels in Bajo de masinloc yesterday, calling it “unlawful.”

the PrC (People’s republic of China)’s unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers disrupted a Philippine maritime operation on Dec. 4, putting lives at risk,” U.s Ambassador maryKay Carlson wrote on X.

“We condemn these actions and stand with our like-minded friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open IndoPacific,” Carlson said.

the U.s. had warned against Beijing’s use of dangerous, coercive and escalatory tactics in the south China sea against U.s allies.

‘EU will always speak up’ the european Union will

always speak up against the aggressive behavior of China as the regional bloc stands fully behind the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLos) and the 2016 Arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s illegal, expansive and excessive claims in the south China sea, the eU Asia-Pacific chief said.

In an interview, Niclas Kvarnström, managing director for Asia and the Pacific of the european external Action service, disclosed that the eUPhilippines Joint Consultative meeting held in manila last tuesday also discussed the south China sea, with the two sides reaffirming their commitment to upholding international law, the UNCLos and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“for us, the central thing is to follow the UNCLos and the international law, and when that is not being done or when tensions are being heightened, we will speak out,” Kvarnström said at a press briefing.

“And that has been the case. We have done that against the Chinese moves on several occasions,” he added. the eU official said the Philippines has “invested a lot in diplomacy” for the peaceful resolution of its dispute with China.

“But at the same time, that isn’t always enough. And so when you see aggressive behavior, and in our case, since we are very clear from the european Union side that we stand fully behind on UNCLos, fully behind the ruling in 2016,” Kvarnström told journalists. (With reports from Pia Lee-Brago)

Pres. Marcos: War against corruption far from over

by CatheRine s. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PresIDeNt ferdinand marcos Jr. on tuesday, December 3 said that the war against corruption is “far from over” due to gaps in implementation, evolving political climates, and systemic vulnerabilities in the bureaucracy.

marcos issued the statement as he reiterated the Philippines’ position to collaborate with the United Nations in fighting corruption. speaking during the 5th state Conference on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Implementation and review in malacañang, marcos stressed the country would remain as a “proactive member of the global community” in fighting corruption.

“By learning from and working with other nations, we strengthen our anti-corruption mechanisms while reaffirming our place as a proactive member of the global community,” he added.

In 2014, marcos said that the government 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

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

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 Salamat 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.

Sofronio Vasquez has made it to the finale of The Voice. Photo by Griffin Nagel/NBC via Facebook/Sofronio Vasquez

Citizen Pinoy tackles pathways for Filipino...

for healthcare professionals.

Three attendees posed their questions to Atty. Gurfinkel: Mildred, an RN, asked how she could secure employment in the U.S. without taking the NCLEX and whether it was possible to reapply for a tourist visa to find an employer.

Joan, a Nursing Assistant, wondered how she could pursue work in the U.S. without a family member to petition her.

Meanwhile, Szarmaine, an Infection Preventionist Nurse and single mom, asked for the fastest route to a U.S. nursing job.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions and more in “Your Tanong, My Sagot” at the Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. Watch this encore episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC.

Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

Why ‘Uninvited’

by nathalie tomada Philstar.com

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 fullfledged 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 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.

Vic Sotto makes his dramatic debut in MMFF’s ‘The Kingdom’

by tessa mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

WHEN the announcement came that Vic Sotto — famously called "Bossing" by fans and colleagues — was taking on a serious role for the first time in his decades-long career, it was met with surprise and curiosity.

Known as the king of comedy, his name has been synonymous with laugh-out-loud antics and holiday cheer at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). But this year, in "The Kingdom" — an ingeniously reimagined tale of an uncolonized Philippines — Bossing dons the heavy crown of a ruler torn between tradition and change, cracking not a single joke from beginning to end.

At the grand launch of the movie, The T-Zone asked Bossing how exactly the film's director, Mike Tuviera, convinced him to take on such a transformative project. "Actually, takot ako," Sotto admitted with his trademark candor. "I was scared! It's a serious film — something out of my comfort zone."

He animatedly revealed that his children — Danica, Oyo Boy, Mayor Vico, Paulina and Tali — had actually played a part in his decision, urging him for some time now to try something different.

"They told me, 'Dad, gumawa ka naman ng (why don't you make a) serious movie?' Yung mala(something like) 'Godfather,'" the ever-doting father to his wellknown brood recalled.

"I kind of agreed with them and even joked I could do my version of that grumpy Tom Hanks movie which was popular at that time and call it 'A Man Called Sotto,'" the ace comedian quipped in perfect timing.

So when Direk Mike eventually presented 'The Kingdom's' concept to Bossing, he said to himself, "This could be it. This

is what my children have been asking for."

Pausing as if to reflect on how his big leap turned out, the revered funnyman humbly reported, "I did my best... I don't know if I did good. But I hope my best was OK."

Direk Mike, who directed Bossing in the action-comedy "Mission Unstapabol" — incidentally, the erstwhile MMFF regular's last big box office entry to the festival in 2018 — informed The T-Zone that he was unequivocal in his vision for the film.

"If Bossing said no, there would be no 'The Kingdom,'" he stated firmly.

Direk Mike went on to share that Bossing's wealth of acting experience and depth of character

"This isn't just about

it's a family

explained. "At its

it's about relationships and the sacrifices they demand, and I knew only Bossing could bring that to life."

The plot of "The Kingdom" unfolds in Kalayaan, an alternate Philippines untouched by colonization. The film finds Bossing's Lakan Makisig grappling with the weight of his throne as his family becomes entangled in betrayal and political strife. The drama intensifies when

Mildred

Szarmaine (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel

Joan (left) with Atty. Gurfinkel

The lead cast with director Dan Villegas and producer Bryan Diamante (rightmost) of Mentorque. Photo courtesy of Mentorque Productions

Besides Bossing’s genre crossover, his unexpected pairing with Piolo Pascual is undoubtedly another compelling come-on to the movie. ManilaTimes.net photo made him the only choice for Lakan Makisig, the embattled monarch at the story's center.

spectacle;

drama," he

heart,

Sulo,

outcast from a farming family, played by Bossing's colead Piolo Pascual, emerges as a reluctant hero.

We Are the World, but it’s 3,000+ Filipino Kids and Their New Christmas Song

LOS ANGELES — December

6, 2024 - A Song for the Season

– The Apl.de.Ap Foundation

International and One Down Media have joined forces to release “It’s That Time of Year,” a heartwarming new Christmas song performed by over 3,000 students from the Sisters of Mary Schools in the Philippines.

Produced by Grammy-winning artists Apl.de.Ap and Keith Harris, alongside multi-platinum songwriter and producer David “DQ” Quinones, songwriter Johnny Black, and recording engineer Edgar “Artek” Sinio, the song is a seamless collaboration between world-class talent and aspiring young voices.

Each stream of the song helps fund housing, meals, and education for children in need. Since Filipinos celebrate Christmas longer than anyone else, this track is designed to become an annual tradition. The masters of the song have been donated to the school, ensuring a sustainable, recurring gift every holiday season.

“Having a song with the potential to return every year is an invaluable asset,” said Audie Vergara, Executive Director of the Apl.de.Ap Foundation International. “This song is positioned to become a timeless tradition, providing both joy and lasting support for the Sisters of Mary Schools.”

Empowering Filipino Youth

The students aren’t just performing; they’re learning about the art of making music. For them, this project is an opportunity to explore alternative ways of building a livelihood, including within the creative economy.

“At the heart of this project are the kids—their talent, their

potential, and their future,” said Apl.de.Ap, founder of the foundation. “This song not only captures the spirit of Filipino Christmas but also gives these students a chance to see their creativity recognized on a global stage.”

By involving the students in every step of the production process—from ideation to recording and distribution— APLFI has provided them with invaluable firsthand experience in the modern entertainment industry.

A Unified Global Community On December 12, 2024, the music video will premiere on One Down’s YouTube channel. It tells the story of a lola (grandmother) rediscovering holiday joy through an unexpected visit from young Filipino children at her doorstep. By blending voices from the Philippines with Filipino American talent, the project connects communities across oceans.

One Down has rallied more than 100 Filipino-owned businesses across North America to support the initiative. Their participation demonstrates the incredible impact of a united global Filipino community.

“This initiative represents the best of what we can do when the global Filipino community comes together: empower the next generation, preserve our traditions, and create sustainable opportunities for those in need,” said Leo Albea, CEO of One Down.

How to Help

“It’s That Time of Year” is now streaming on Spotify and other platforms. By listening to the song, watching the upcoming music video, or donating, you can help strengthen the Sisters of Mary

‘Hello, Love, Again’ worldwide gross reaches P1.4B

by ann PasaJol Inquirer.net

“HELLO, Love, Again” made another record as the Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards starrer has so far earned P1.4 billion in sales globally.

The feat was celebrated by productions companies Star Cinema and GMA pictures through their respective Instagram pages on Monday, Dec. 2.

“Thank you for making this journey of love truly remarkable and we hope you continue to come home and fall in love again!” it said, showing a photo of Bernardo and Richards in a group hug with film director Cathy Garcia-Sampana.

“Hello, Love, Again,” which premiered last Nov. 13, is still showing in 700 cinemas worldwide. It earned the biggest first-day ticket sales of P85 million, and achieved the highest single-day gross of P131 million last Nov. 16.

The film became the highestgrossing Filipino movie of all time just 10 days after its opening. It surpassed the 2023

As tensions within the royal family escalate and the Kingdom of Kalayaan is thrust into a battle for its future, pitting tradition against progress, Sulo's unexpected connection to the monarchy forces him to confront his past and embrace a destiny tied to the fate of the realm. With Lakan Makisig wrestling with his legacy as ruler, the two men ultimately find themselves at the heart of a story that explores loyalty, sacrifice, and the power of redemption.

Now, besides Bossing's compelling genre crossover, his unexpected but much-lauded pairing with showbiz's one and only Piolo Pascual is undoubtedly another huge come-on to the movie. Naturally, the next question is, how did they get along, indeed?

Happily, the bond between Bossing and Piolo, as they themselves confirmed, emerged strong — palpable, actually, even during the launch.

Both actors shared, however, that they had to keep their distance at the beginning and through the most part of the film for a reason.

"It was intentional," Piolo explained. "We stayed in character to keep the tension real. And it worked." When asked how he felt working with Bossing, Piolo didn't hold back his admiration, just like Direk Mike.

"Bossing is incredible. I've always been a fan, but seeing him tackle this role with so much dedication was inspiring.

Watching him deliver his lines — sometimes as long as mine — was like witnessing a master at work,"

Schools. Donations can be made at www.thesistersofmaryschools. org/donate.

About Apl.de.Ap Foundation

International

The Apl.de.Ap Foundation International (APLFI), founded by Grammy-winning artist Apl. de.Ap of The Black Eyed Peas, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization empowering communities through education, technology, and the arts. APLFI creates sustainable opportunities by focusing on workforce development, advanced technology, and global creative industries. Support our mission at www.aplfi.org and weareaplfi on instagram.

About One Down One Down is a media company dedicated to impactful storytelling that highlights Filipino culture. Known for leveraging cultural narratives to drive viral engagement, One Down partners with global artists and organizations to create transformative projects that inspire communities worldwide. Follow us on social media @onedown.media.

About the Sisters of Mary Schools

For over 30 years, the Sisters of Mary Schools have provided free, high-quality education, housing, and meals to children from impoverished families. Having supported over 60,000 children since their founding, the schools boast an 86% success rate in helping graduates break the cycle of poverty.

BINI, Kathryn Bernardo, Kimpau shine in ABS-CBN Christmas ID 2024

by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net

KAPAMILYA stars have once again come together to spread holiday cheer for the ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2024, with P-pop powerhouse BINI, box office queen Kathryn Bernardo, and on-screen partners Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, aka “KimPau,” stealing the spotlight this time around.

Released on Monday, Dec. 2, fans were delighted to witness the eight-piece girl group BINI perform their 2-minute and 33-second song number and solo dance break in this year’s station ID, a noteworthy difference from their 2-second exposure last year.

Upon the release of the Christmas music video, the hashtag BINI at ABS-CBN Christmas ID 2024 landed on X’s (formerly Twitter) trending list, gathering around 50K online impressions at the time.

On the other hand, Kathryn Bernardo, who’s always been a steadfast presence in the festive tradition, once again delighted

“Hello, Love, Again” stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. Photo from Instagram/@starcinema

film “Rewind,” which recorded a worldwide gross of P924 million.

Moreover, “Hello, Love, Again” closed the 2024 Asian World Film Festival in California, which also recognized Bernardo as its Snow Leopard Rising Star awardee.

The movie is the sequel to the blockbuster film “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” which also held the highest-grossing Filipino title prior to “Rewind.”

Piolo genuinely replied. Bossing, in turn, revealed he likewise became a fanboy during filming.

"Piolo is a seriously good actor. I'd watch him during takes and think, 'Ang galing!' (He's so good). I mean, he's the real deal," the veteran actor averred.

With such a strong support cast — Cristine Reyes, Sue Ramirez, Cedrick Juan and Sid Lucero among others — "The Kingdom" promises to be a standout in the MMFF lineup for all these reasons. Its narrative of power, family and sacrifice, coupled with lush visuals of a Philippines that might have been, certainly gives it an edge that sets the movie apart from traditional holiday offerings. And, of course, Bossing's muchawaited leap into drama, bolstered by Piolo's intensity, is a must-see, besides marking a new chapter in his storied career.

That mind, Bossing, who was almost speechless from all the praises of Direk Mike and the dramatic genre's gem in Piolo, turned on the humor again to wrap up this Q&A with The T-Zone.

Asked how felt when he finally completed "The Kindom," the one and only Vic Sotto quipped, "It really tired me out!"

Then, with a glint in his eye, he quickly added, "So after this, Piolo and I will do a comedy. Siya naman ang mahihirapan (It'll be his turn for a challenge), and that will be our next movie together. A joint production of MQuest Ventures Inc., M-ZET TV Productions and APT Entertainment Inc., "The Kingdom" opens in theaters this December 25.

Netizens on X have pointed out Bernardo’s recent achievements in the box office for her film with Alden Richards, “Hello, Love, Again,” as well as bagging acting honors from different awardgiving bodies for this year alone.

Meanwhile, KimPau treated their fans to their unparalleled chemistry as they appeared solo in this year’s station ID compared to last year, where they were accompanied by their fellow stars in the frame.

The hashtags KIMPAU

As of writing, the festive video has reached 1 million views and is still trending on all social media platforms.

2ndXMASID TOGETHER and KimPau Universe are still trending on social media as of writing. Aside from the aforementioned, other beloved Kapamilya stars such as Judy Ann Santos, Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis, Julia Montes, Maricel Soriano, and Sharon Cuneta, among others, have elevated the annual tradition. Giving life to this year’s theme, “Our Stories Shine This Christmas,” the ABS-CBN artists have once again successfully delivered heartfelt messages with charismatic appearance amid the holiday season.

Kathryn Bernardo, and KimPau in the 2024 ABS-CBN Christmas ID

Moira Dela Torre ready to love better as she drops new album ‘I’m Okay’

by hannah mallorca Inquirer.net

PRODUCING new music

will always be a labor of love for Moira Dela Torre, but she disclosed that her new album “I’m Okay” was a moment she allowed herself to go through the pain. “I’m Okay,” released in November of this year, was brought to life for two years. It contains 12 tracks, namely, “Where It All Started,” “Under The Bathroom Sink,” “Bandaid,” “Red Flags,” “Umpisa,” “Ghosts,” “San Ka Na,” “Delusional,” “Gaslighter,” “I’m Okay,” “Wonder,” and “Dinggin.” Dela Torre told TV Patrol in its December 3 broadcast that working on the album was an opportunity for her to get in touch

with her feelings, particularly her pain. “I wanted to allow myself to be angry. I wanted to allow myself

to go through the pain. But also, I didn’t want a rant album. This is a growing-up album, the moving

Bianca Gonzalez, JC Intal renew wedding vows on 10th anniversary

by anne PasaJol Inquirer.net

BIANCA Gonzalez and JC

Intal marked their 10th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows, celebrating the milestone

in El Nido, Palawan, with their daughters Lucia and Carmen. The TV host gave a glimpse of the intimate event through her X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The family of four wore all-white

ensembles, with Gonzalez and her daughters donning flower crowns. “Got married again today to celebrate ten years of marriage, and would gladly marry you

Daniel Padilla chooses action over romance in TV comeback

by nathalie tomada Philstar.com

DANIEL Padilla is turning a new page in his showbiz career, trading his signature romantic roles for action in his teleserye comeback.

The actor, who as everyone knows comes from a family of action stars, has joined the ensemble main cast in Lester Pimentel Ong’s latest actionpacked series “Incognito” under ABS-CBN’s Star Creatives. It will premiere via streaming platform Netflix on Jan. 17, 2025.

In response to a question from The Philippine STAR during a mediacon, Daniel spoke about the challenges and rewards of exploring and finally embracing the hard action genre, which after all is rooted in his DNA.

Nakapag-warm up naman na kami ni direk Lester (Pimentel Ong) sa ‘La Luna Sangre.’ Nakasubok na ng konting action doon,” he said, referring to the 2018 drama. “Of course, it’s very different but iba rin ‘to.”

Daniel further shared the thrill and sense of fulfillment that especially came with executing complicated stunt work.

Simula ng araw mo adrenaline rush na hanggang gabi Pagdating mo sa hotel mo, very fulfilling kasi may mga stunts na hindi madadali pero ‘pag nagawa namin ‘yon, very fulfilling. Kahit papano it’s very new for me but masaya (it’s fun),” he said.

Daniel said he intends to do the action genre for a long time. Matagal-tagal ko rin gagawin ‘to,” he added.

When asked by this paper about how he’s dealing with the pressure of being part of a family known for action stars — from his father Rommel Padilla to his uncle, Sen. Robin Padilla — Daniel downplayed any expectations.

Wala naman silang binibigay na pressure sa akin,” he said. “Wala naman akong nararamdaman na kaba Hindi ko alam. I’m just doing my best. Kung ano kalabasan eh ‘di yun na ‘yun (whatever the result is, then that’s it). And I’m proud sa ginagawa naming lahat as a group.”

Daniel admitted that he’s looking forward to showing the

outcome to his father. “Excited din akong pakita sa erpat ko ‘to Parang panis siya sa akin dito,” he quipped. “Joke lang.”

While recognizing the individual strengths of his family members, it’s not hard to tell that the 29-year-old is looking to establish his own identity and create his space in the action genre. Iba-iba naman ang timpla namin Magaling si Tito Robin, mahusay Ang tatay ko nando’n din Tignan natin kung ano ang mai-o-offer ko. That’s all,” he said.

Besides Daniel, “Incognito” also features Ian Veneracion, Richard Gutierrez, Baron Geisler, Kaila Estrada, Anthony Jennings and Maris Racal.

“It’s a story about seven individuals who are going through a lot of challenges in their lives. They’re at the lowest points of their journey in life.

But this is also the time where they’re aspiring for a second chance,” the director, who previously megged the actionoriented series “Iron Heart,” teased about the show’s plot.

In “Incognito,” Daniel takes on the role of Andres Malvar. “He

is dugong Igorot, makatao and discharged scout ranger,” he briefly described his character. To physically prepare for the action sequences and stunts, the actor said he did a lot of sports — golf, muay thai and basketball.

Daniel, whose last TV drama was “2 Good 2 Be True” in 2022, agreed to the project partly through the persuasive powers of co-stars Ian and Richard.

“When the story was first mentioned to me by direk Lester, sobra akong nagkaroon ng interest. (When they said that this is) about this private military contractor, I thought, ayos yun ah,” he shared.

“Then he mentioned sinosino mga kasama. Then Tito Ian convinced me to do this (laughs). Tinawagan niya ako, si Richard din, so na-excite ako para ibang timpla na din. And then yung nabanggit nila na elevation (in terms of action), I really wanted to be part of it.

“I could also see that there was a different fire in direk Lester’s eyes when he was telling this story and the direction of the show. That’s why I said, yes… Thank you guys. Happy to be part of this,” he concluded.

Celebrity couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez

Swiss Miss / Released

By Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

The cast with director Lester Pimentel Ong (rightmost) and Star Creatives business unit head Des de Guzman (leftmost).

Daniel Padilla is making his hard action debut in ‘Incognito’. STAR CREATIVES

Moira Dela Torre

Photo from Instagram/@moiradelatorre

Bianca Gonzalez and JC Intal with their daughters Lucia and Carmen. Photo from Instagram/@tiiinv via @iamsuperbianca, @jcintal7

Why you might want to consider applying for US citizenship

Barrister’s Corner

A PRESIDENTIAL election may result in a new administration that is not friendly to non-U.S. citizens.

As a legal permanent resident (green card holder), you are still considered a foreigner in the United States and may be subject to deportation. To most immigrants, obtaining their green card has been a long and challenging journey. However, it should not be regarded as the final destination. The real American dream is to become a United States citizen.

One way to avoid this risk of deportation is to apply for United States citizenship. As a United States citizen, one is afforded many privileges that are not conferred on persons who only have permanent residence status. A United States citizen is able to petition for the green cards of close relatives, pass on citizenship to existing children and children yet to be born, and vote in elections. Needless to say, naturalization is a very important step that requires familiarity of the requirements and procedures involved. The following is a brief overview of naturalization.

You need to determine whether you qualify to seek United States citizenship. To qualify, one must have held his/ her green card and have been physically present in the United States for a sufficient amount of time. Generally speaking, one

is required to have held his/ her green card for a minimum of five (5) years. In addition, one must reside or even better be physically present in the United States for at least half of those five years. Exceptions to the general rule having to do with, among other things, minor children and marriage do exist that cannot be fully explored in this article because of space limitations. In addition, local residency requirements mandate that the person seeking citizenship reside within the state or district in which the application is filed for at least three (3) months. In addition to determining eligibility to apply for naturalization, one should also consider the practical issues. To become naturalized, determination is made as to whether the applicant is of good moral character. Generally, one is deemed to be of good moral character when it can be shown that one has not committed a crime of moral turpitude or has engaged in so-called “vice” crimes such as prostitution and illegal gambling. Other considerations, too many to go into detail here, exist in making the moral character determination. If one has done something that may adversely affect the determination of moral character, one must seriously consider whether to proceed with the application for naturalization. The application may bring such actions to the attention of the USCIS, which could result in possible denial of the application and deportation. Once one has hurdled over the residency requirements and considered the practical issues, the next issue to consider is the appropriate time

to file the application. One can apply for naturalization in the three (3) months before the aforementioned required period of residency has been completed. The application is a multi-step process. First, necessary paperwork is required to be filed with appropriate fees. Thereafter, an interview is scheduled where further inquiry is made upon the applicant. Usually, inquiry is made into the applicant’s eligibility and knowledge of U.S. government and history. Finally, if the application is approved, the applicant must take the oath of allegiance to the United States.

* *

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

* * *

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the Family law section, Estates and Trust, and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com. Web: kenreyeslaw. com

(Advertising Supplement)

Moira Dela Torre ready to love better...

forward album,” she said.

The singer-songwriter also shared that the record is one of her ways to move forward while hinting that she’s ready to fall in love again.

“I don’t want anybody getting the full blame for anything. There were two people in a relationship. If anything, in this moving forward phase, I’m ready to learn better. I’m ready to love better,” she said. Dela Torre tied the knot with fellow singer-songwriter Jason Hernandez in 2019 but ended in separation after the Paubaya” hitmaker revealed in May 2022 that Hernandez had

been an unfaithful husband. Their annulment has since been ongoing, although it remains unknown when it will be finalized for good. Aside from “Paubaya,” the singer-songwriter is best known for her hit songs “Tagpuan,” Malaya,” “Titibo-tibo,” and “Mabagal,” to name a few.

Advent: A time of reversal, restoration, and transformation

Pastor’s

Notes

ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas

DEAR Beloved Friends,

As we gather to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, let us immerse ourselves in the profound themes of reversal and restoration that permeate our readings today. In our First Reading from Baruch (5:1-4), we find Jerusalem portrayed as a grieving mother, draped in mourning garb, her sorrow now replaced by joy as her children return from exile.

“Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name.”

These words resonate deeply, reminding us that just as mountains are leveled and valleys straightened in preparation for the return of God’s people, we too are called to embrace the journeys of our own lives, transforming pain into joy.

Psalm 126 echoes this

celebration with vivid images of laughter and weeping, saying, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” It signals to us that true joy arises from the acknowledgment of God’s works in our lives, even amid our trials. Continuing this message of hope, in the Second Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (1:4-6, 8-11), we hear Paul’s assurance that “the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” This promise ignites our spirits with hope and compels us to grow in love—love that is both communal, for one another, and universal, stretching beyond boundaries. This is the inclusive love of our God, a love that beckons us to rise and reach out.

In our Gospel Reading (Luke 3:1-6), we encounter John the Baptist, standing on the bank of the Jordan River, calling out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the King of Peace. His proclamation of a baptism of repentance is not merely a call to the Israelites of old; it is an invitation to each of us in this moment. It challenges us to reflect on our lives and recognize the transformations we must embrace. As we consider our own

journey this Advent, we must embody the spirit and passion of John the Baptist. Let us have the courage to acknowledge our need for repentance, for transformation, and open our hearts in preparation for Christmas. Advent is a season of yearning, a time to make room within ourselves for God’s marvelous acts—a time to change our hearts and lives to reflect His grace. Together, let us lift our faces from sadness and despair, for our God is with us. He will save, heal, and restore our lives. Let us echo the voice of John the Baptist in the ordinary moments of our human experience, proclaiming God’s love and mercy to a world that is in need. As we move forward, may we encourage one another to recognize the power of transformation at work and may we remain steadfast in our faith, filled with hope and joy.

Warm blessings to you all, Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and

Bianca Gonzalez, JC Intal renew wedding vows...

again in the next decade and beyond,” she said.

Gonzalez also dedicated an anniversary message to Intal via her Instagram page.

“TEN YEARS! Every year I love you more and more. You, Lucia and Carmen are my everything,” she stated. “Looking forward to the many more decades we will spend together (and marry each other!)”

Intal, for his part, showed parts of their wedding vows via a video on his Instagram page as well.

“I’ll keep loving you, Bianca, even as we dive into the decades ahead,” he captioned the clip.

Gonzalez and Intal first tied the knot in Palawan back in 2014. The couple welcomed their firstborn Lucia the following year, and their second child Carmen in 2018. Gonzalez and Intal also renewed their vows in 2019 when they celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.

Photo from Instagram/@iamsuperbianca

Mutya bet in Miss Intercontinental 2024 sees Filipino heart as advantage

by armin P. adina Inquirer.net

MUTYA ng Pilipinas Alyssa

Redondo is not only aiming to post the Philippines’ third victory in the Miss Intercontinental pageant; she is also hoping to sustain the Philippines’ placement streak in the international competition.

Since Mutya ng Pilipinas

Koreen Medina’s third runner-up finish in 2013, the Philippines has consistently scored placements in the international pageant, which has now run to 10 straight editions of the competition.

“I think the Philippines has always been known as a pageant powerhouse. Other than that, it’s our heart. What we love to talk about, and how we care for

people, it’s not just about winning. It’s something deeper than that; it’s beyond our appearances,” Redondo told INQUIRER.net at her send-off party held at Chef Jessie’s Place in Makati City.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time. You know it’s a big responsibility being able to represent the Philippines. But I’m so grateful because of the support that I have,” continued the 23-year-old vocational nurse from California.

Redondo said she was only made aware of the Philippines’ decade-long placement streak just recently, and it has made her even more nervous. “But I’ll use that as motivation; use it as my fuel to do better and do my best to represent the Philippines,” she said.

Since its inception in 1971, the Miss Intercontinental pageant has only crowned two Filipino queens, Binibining Pilipinas titleholders Karen Gallman and Cinderella Faye Obeñita, who were crowned in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Redondo hopes to become the country’s third winner.

Veteran pageant mentor Rodgil Flores trained Redondo for the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant held in September and is also on top of her preparations for the international competition. Gallman, the first Filipino woman to score an Intercontinental victory, was one of his wards.

The 2024 Miss Intercontinental pageant’s coronation show will be held at the Sunrise Remal Resort in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, on Dec. 6 (Dec. 7 in Manila). Reigning queen Chatnalin Chotjirawarachat from Thailand will relinquish her title to her successor.

Celebrate the holidays while doing your part to keep California clean

DID you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, Americans produce about 25% more waste than any other time of the year? This is a significant increase in waste that can negatively impact the community spaces we know and love by, adding to the increasing litter and debris we see across the state.

I enjoy seeing my community clean and litter free, which is why I’m encouraging all of you to join me in doing our part to minimize the amount of waste we create this holiday season. To help, here are four simple ways we can celebrate our holiday traditions and reduce waste:

1. Use Recyclable GiftWrapping: Instead of traditional wrapping paper that often ends up in landfills, use recyclable or reusable gift wrap such as newspaper or paper bags. But don’t forget to recycle the paper afterward – just remove the tape before putting it in the recycling bin. A creative alternative is to replace wrapping paper with gently used scarves, making it two gifts in one. You can also package baked goods and other edible gifts in reusable containers, making it two gifts in one.

2. Send E-Cards: Send electronic holiday cards instead of traditional paper cards. Or get creative and make your own cards using recyclable paper or paper scraps.

by vince Yuen communitY organizer

3. Use Natural Decorations: For beautiful and more sustainable decorations, choose natural items like pinecones, holly, and evergreen branches, which can often be found on the ground or collected at no cost where holiday trees are sold. You’ll even save money by not purchasing single-use decorations, and with proper organic waste disposal, you can return everything to nature after the holidays by simply adding it to your organic waste bin.

4. Create Greener Gatherings: When gathering for the holidays, reduce excess waste by using real dishware and utensils instead of singleuse disposable plates, cups, and silverware. The holidays are family time – make a new tradition by adding in 30 minutes to the dinner for clean-up. Or opt for compostable single use dishware and utensils to allow for easy composting after dinner is over. Not only will the cleanup be fast and easy, but the host will also thank you. By taking small, actionable steps like the tips listed above, we can help keep our communities clean and green during the holiday season and for celebrations year-round.

Want to do even more?

Get involved in community cleanup! Local cleanups are held throughout the year. Visit CleanCA.com to find one near you and to learn more helpful tips on ways to keep your

community clean. Vince Yuen is a regular Californian who cares about creating a clean environment for future generations. He started out by cleaning his block with his two daughters. Through these local clean-up efforts, he discovered others who felt the same way and were already picking up trash. Word spread to neighbors from all over the city. They came together and joined the Refuse Refuse movement to keep their city clean. Yuen discovered that caring for San Francisco was one of his greatest passions. He established Refuse Refuse in March 2021 and has organized 1,500+ community cleanups. Through a collective community-driven effort of 13,000+ volunteers, Refuse Refuse has collected 800,000+ gallons of litter. Learn more about Vince Yuen and his work at Refuse Refuse by visiting www. refuserefusesf.org.

Mutya ng Pilipinas Alyssa Redondo Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net

Vince Yuen

IT was nice to see again host Audrey Gorriceta as I was amazed by the other hosts of Rise and Shine Pilipinas at People’s Television Network that early morning. It was my first time to meet Patrick de Jesus, beauty queen Meiji Cruz, Dianne Guerrer and Fifi delos Santos. I was with the awards committee chairman Nirro Marcelo of the 2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Achiever Award.

Though it was a brief interview experience at PTV’s Rise and Shine Pilipinas, I considered it memorable. I wanted to talk about science journalism and the successful representation of the Philippines in which it topped the 2024 Science Journalism Forum’s Leaderboard, defeating African and European representatives. Hopefully, next guesting.

* * * Having gone to Tsukuba Science City years ago was very memorable to me. I was the first Filipino journalist to interview Asia’s first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri of Japan, for the defunct Far Eastern Economic Review in Hongkong.

My encounter with Manny and Cynthia Villar

* * * Filmmaker Emille Joson has made a positive impact through her family’s humanitarian foundations and cooperatives (Alaga Producers Cooperative) and empowering films for women. Her films and recent family religious concerts have been mostly praised online. One of her works captured the international audience, including some Hollywood celebrities. Her debut short film, “Adivino,” graced the Philippines’ cinema in 2012 and had a surprising streaming resurgence internationally in the wake of the #MeToo movement one decade later. This feminist horror short film tells the story of a con-artist fortune teller who becomes entangled with her battered female friend’s mess. In spite of the short film’s controversial characters, it swept dozens of awards, including a historic nomination in the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Student Short Film Category.

Since then, Joson has continued to receive many accolades. She has worked with A-list celebrities in critically acclaimed projects like “Sakaling Hindi Makarating,” “My Second Mom,” “C1 Originals: The Comeback,” and “Pagari: Mohammad Abdullah.” She has become known for her unique

approach to writing and selective taste in movie projects, as a filmmaker who is unafraid to tackle diverse, taboo, and intricate themes, showcasing a bold and daring artistic vision in her storytelling. Thanks to her brilliant way of writing, she made Filipinos proud by having her short film gain its own following outside the Philippines.

David Valencia, grandson of the late Batangueño journalist and columnist Teodoro Valencia, is a product of Paref Southridge School and UP Diliman and a doting Christian father to his three children. He and his wife were recently in the United States for a mission.

He treasured the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) pin of his grandpa Ka Doroy that his mom had given him.

* * *

Two persons I would never forget: my editor Kerima PolotanTuvera and my boss Teodoro Benigno.

Mindanao-born Kerima Polotan-Tuvera, a Filipino fiction writer, essayist and journalist, was my editor at the Evening Post. She wrote the biography of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. She was married to newsman Juan Capiendo Tuvera, executive assistant and speechwriter of the late Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos. Her 1952 short story, “The Virgin,” won two first prizes at the Philippines Free Press Literary Awards and at the Palanca Awards. Her short stories “The Trap” (1956), “The Giants” (1959), “The Tourists” (1960), “The Sounds of Sunday” (1961) and “A Various Season” (1966) all won the first prize of the Palanca Awards. The 1961 Stonehill Award was bestowed on Polotan-Tuvera for her novel “The Hand of the Enemy.”

On the other hand, Press Secretary Teodoro Benigno, was my boss at the Office of the Press Secretary in Malacañang. I remember I was trained by him and he had even asked me to compose letter-reply in the French language.

He was with the Agence France Presse for 37 years, serving as Manila Bureau Chief from 1962 to 1987. He was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1989. He started as a sportswriter and police beat reporter for the Manila Tribune in late 1940s.

* * *

One night in November 2006, I was about to enter the Manila Peninsula Hotel’s john when I was surprised to see business tycoon Manny Villar (former Senate president) about to enter the restroom too. And I gave way to him as a sign of respect. I followed him afterwards.

The first time I saw him was years ago when I lived in BF Resort Village, Las Pinas City. It was during his 49th birthday on December 13, 1998, with a thanksgiving party for his constituents. He was then a congressman. A short program was then held in Club Italia’s tennis court inside the village. Another group also held a program in the Villar’s tree nursery.

Manny Villar, one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the Philippines, told me that he used to be a squatter in Moriones in Manila’s Tondo. He was also a vendor selling shrimps in Divisoria. A day before his birthday, he visited his former house in Tondo and a school where he studied – and he gave scholarships to deserving poor students.

I remember his birthday wish was for the country to recover from economic crisis and for every Filipino, especially the poor, to have a better future in the coming

years. “Even if you’re a squatter and if you’ve the patience, hard work and determination, you can have a bright future,” remarked the down-to-earth taipan. He has given essence to the value of instilling entrepreneurship among today’s Filipinos to speed up progress in the country. He admitted that “it takes time for an entrepreneur to reach success, but once he reaches success, he has his own business and he is independent, he is the master of his own fate.” For him, education is not important in entrepreneurship.

“It is better if you have education. But, if you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.”

* * * I am glad to know that my former student at Mabalacat City College, Erna Kayla Flores, placed 3rd (91.25%) in the recent Customs Broker Licensure Exam. I remember in my subject, she obtained a final grade of 99%.

* * * 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.

* * * Congratulations to Andrew Fordy S. Espiritu, son of singer Andrew E (who has his first major concert on December 11 at Quezon City’s New Frontier Theater) and Mylene Yap Espiritu, who graduated recently at De Montfort University Leicester Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities with Bachelor of Arts in Business and Management (Second Class Honours Class of 2024).

* * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com

Rogelio Constantino Medina

Rogelio Medina (center) with former Senate President Manny Villar and current Senator Cynthia Villar at their home in BF Resort Village in the city of Las Piñas. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina Andrew Fordy Espiritu (left) with his proud parents Mylene and Andrew E (right photo).

From left: Patrick de Jesus, Meiji Cruz, Rogelio Medina, Nirro Marcelo, Audrey Gorriceta, Diane Guerrer and Fifi delos Santos.

David Valencia in New York City Director Emilie Joson

Erna Kayla Flores, a former student of the author at Mabalacat City College in Pampanga.

Japanese astronaut Dr. Mamoru Mohri, the subject of an article the author wrote for the Far Eastern Economic Review.

Kerima Polotan-Tuvera (left photo) and Teodoro Benigno (right photo)