LA Midweek Edition -- March 09 -- 11, 2016

M

Los AngeLes

M I D W E E K M I D W E E K

EDITION

www.asianjournal.com

EMarch D I T9-11, I O2016 N

wwwwww. a. aj ds ii ga int ja ol eu dr int ai ol .nc. o c omm

Volume 26 - No. 20 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey

www.ajdigitaledition.com

1210 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204

Tels: 818.502.0651 • 213.250.9797 • Fax: 818.502.0858 • 213.481.0854

1210 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204

Supreme Court rules Poe can run for president

Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey

by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

the supreme Court (sC) on tuesday, march 8, lifted all legal obstacles to the presidential run of sen. Grace Poe, the first foundling to seek the country’s highest post.

With a vote of 9-6, the high Court said the Commission on

DATELINE

elections (Comelec) committed grave abuse of discretion when it disqualified Poe on the ground that she is not a natural-born filipino. those who voted in favor of Poe were Chief Justice maria Lourdes sereno and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Jose mendoza, francis

Jardeleza, marvic Leonen, Benjamin Caguioa and Jose Portugal Perez.

Associate Justices mariano del Castillo, Antonio Carpio, teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion, Bienvenido reyes and estela Perlas-Bernabe voted to disqualify the senator.

Perez was appointed the new

u PAGE A2

USA

FAVORABLE DECISION. The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Senator Grace Poe to reverse the Commission on Elections’ decision disqualifying her from seeking the presidency in the May 9 elections. Nine out of 15 justices, led by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, voted in favor of Poe. Inquirer.net photo

Robredo: Marcos is the man to beat

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

California ethnic communities rally for domestic workers’ rights PomoNA, Calif. — filipino and hispanic community members rallied at the Pomona economic opportunity Center on friday, march 4 to launch the campaign for senate Bill 1015, aimed at protecting the dignity and rights of domestic workers and families. senator Connie m. Leyva (D-Chino), who championed the bill, joined with community members, activists, leaders, and civil rights organizations in support of the law. sB 1015 builds upon Assembly Bill 241, the California

u PAGE A4

Coalition urges Supreme Court to uphold Obama’s executive actions on immigration A NAtIoNAL coalition of local government leaders has submitted an amicus brief with the supreme Court to urge it to reverse a lower court’s decision that blocks President Barack obama’s executive actions on immigration.

“Withholding and delaying these programs [brings] irreparable harms to family unity, the health and welfare of children and families, our public safety and our American economy,” Los Angeles mayor eric Garcetti said tuesday, march 8, during a conference call

by llanesCa

t. Panti ManilaTimes.net

seN. ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. is the candidate to beat in the vice presidential race, Camarines sur rep. Leni robredo, the vice presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (LP), admitted on monday, march 7.

Presidential aspirant Davao city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his running “I would say yes, he’s the one to beat. If you mate Sen. Alan Cayetano visit former President Fidel Ramos. look at his numbers, they are steadily rising.

Photo taken from the mayor’s Facebook account. the rise is not the same for senator [francis] Chiz [escudero] because he has been up early because of popularity and his numbers are going down,” robredo told reporters. the latest Pulse Asia survey showed escuby robertzon ramirez

FVR endorsing Duterte?

mANILA — Did former president fidel ramos endorse rodrigo Duterte?

If Duterte spokesman Peter Laviña is asked, the answer is seen in a photo of ramos raising the hands of Duterte and his running mate sen. Alan Cayetano. “(there are) photos, but no (official) statement,” Laviña told the stAr in a text message, adding that a photo “speaks a thousand words.”

Duterte’s closest aide Christopher Bong Go posted on his facebook wall at 8:46 am on tuesday, march 8, the photos of ramos raising the hands of Duterte and Cayetano.

Although Go did not mention where the photo was taken, it was apparently in an office of ramos. Aside from the raising of hands, Duterte was seen wearing ramos’ cap.

Cayetano was mum on the alleged endorsement but explained that after a meeting, when they were asked

Pacquiao: Only 36 minutes of exposure in boxing match by sheila

Crisostomo Philstar.com

mANILA — senatorial candidate manny Pacquiao is not about to give up his April 9 bout with timothy Bradley.

In a letter submitted to the Commission on elections (Comelec) by his lawyers on tuesday, march 8, Pacquiao, congressman of sarangani, said he would not get undue exposure when he fights Bradley a month before the may 9 elections. he said if the fight would go for 12 rounds, the maximum media exposure that he would get is only 36 minutes based on the mandatory three-minute per round rule.

“It could even be less than 36 minutes, say three minutes only or just a

1

u PAGE A2

by leila and

b. salaverria tarra Quismundo Inquirer.net

the supreme Court on tuesday, march 8, ordered the Commission on elections (Comelec) to issue voting receipts as a verification mechanism for the electorate in the may 9 elections, the first time the poll body was compelled to issue printouts of voters’ choices since automated counting in the country began in 2010.

In a unanimous ruling, the high court ordered the Comelec to use

-Ÿ 32( .%1/i

Opening Soon in Cerritos & Rancho Cucamonga!

Sulit!

5

$ 99

WAS

$6.99

/lb

SAVINGS

14%

Jumbo White Shrimp H/L

g Presyon

5

Sulit!

$ 99 /lb

Salmon Steak Manny Pacquiao

WAS

$6.99 SAVINGS

14%

ManilaTimes.net photo by Dj Diosina

High court orders Comelec to activate voting receipts

THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY MARCH 10-16

g Presyon

MAKATI RALLY Rep. Leni Robredo greets her supports in Makati City.

u PAGE A2

Philstar.com

u PAGE A4

u PAGE A3

Tels: 818.502.0651 • 213.250.9797 • Fax: 818.502.0858 • 213.481.0854

g Presyon

Sulit!

99¢

/lb

WAS

$1.39 SAVINGS

29%

Chicken Leg Meat

w w w . i s l a n d p a c i f i c m a r k e t . c o m

the voter verification paper audit trail in voting machines, which will issue a receipt to each voter after casting his or her ballot. the ruling came just two months before election Day. “the Commission on elections is ordered to enable the vote verification feature of the vote-counting machines, which prints the voter’s choices,” the high court said in the dispositive portion of its ruling.

All 14 justices present at tuesday’s en banc session issued the order in granting the mandamus petition that senatorial candidate

richard Gordon and his party Bagumbayan-VNP movement Inc., filed on feb. 22, which said that such “physical record” of a voter’s selections was necessary to ensure a transparent and credible election. only Associate Justice Arturo Brion was unable to vote as he was on leave.

In its decision, the high court said the Comelec may issue “guidelines to regulate the release and disposal of the issued receipts to ensure a clean, honest and orderly elections,” including

u PAGE A3

A MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

Supreme Court rules Poe can run…

PAGE A1 t

ponencia since his 45-page separate dissenting opinion has become the majority ruling.

It will be the valedictory decision of Perez who is set to retire in December.

Del Castillo, the original ponente, pushed for Poe’s disqualification.

Two Comelec cases reached the SC–the complaints filed by Estrella Elamparo and Francisco Tatad, Antonio Contreras and Amado Valdez.

Another case against Poe is pending at the High Court–a petition for certiorari filed by Rizalito David who questioned the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) upholding Poe’s candidacy.

With the SC ruling on Tuesday, however, David’s petition may also be dismissed as it also questioned Poe’s citizenship.

Tatad refused to issue a statement on the high tribunal’s decision.

He said the National Transformation Council, made up of nonpolitically affiliated civic leaders and Catholic bishops and clergy, met Tuesday afternoon in Butuan City (Agusan del Sur) to discuss the issue.

Victory for all Poe said the SC ruling is not only her victory but also of the millions of Filipinos who have been longing for a government that has sincere concern for the people.

While the decision is not yet final, she noted, there is now a big chance for the country to have real change and a government that will listen and provide the needs of its constituents.

“Ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan na hindi bumitiw at hindi nawalan ng tiwala at higit sa lahat ay nagdasal at nanalangin hindi lamang para sa akin kung hindi para sa hustisya [I wholeheartedly thank our countrymen who did not let go and

who did not lose hope and who prayed not only for me but for justice],” Poe said in an interview with reporters on her way to the International Women’s Day celebration in Manila hosted by party-list group Gabriela.

She also thanked the High Court for choosing to side with the truth, justice and protection of the oppressed.

“To those who do not know their real parents but grew up with integrity and determination, we now have a chance to aspire big. But most important, to our poor and oppressed countrymen, this will be my mission: The government should protect and treat A KISS FOR MAR. Presidential candidate Mar Roxas gets a kiss from his wife, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, during a gathering at Makati everyone equally,” the senator Coliseum on Monday, March 7, to celebrate Women’s Month. Sharing the stage is Roxas’ running mate Leni Robredo (left). said.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez Poe broke into tears upon learning of the SC decision.

Vendors who saw her when she arrived at Quiapo Church noticed that her eyes were swollen added.

PAGE A1 t As of 2014, Robredo’s net from crying. dero ahead with 29 percent, Marcos’ mother, Ilocos Norte worth was P8 million.

The senator said her vehicle followed by Marcos with 26 per- Rep. Imelda Marcos is the secBut despite the Marcoses’ u PAGE A3 cent. Robredo ranked third with ond richest member of the House overwhelming wealth, Robredo 19 percent. of Representatives with a P922.8 is not about to wave the white “I believe that he [Bongbong] million net worth as of 2014, just flag. is a formidable opponent be- behind eight-time world boxing “In all of what I have been cause he has vast resources at champion and Sarangani Rep. through, I am convinced that his disposal. There’s air and Manny Pacquiao who listed a money is not the most important ground support. It is difficult to net worth of P1.35 billion. thing in this election,” she said, match such huge war chest,” Marcos Jr., on the other hand, recalling her unprecedented vicRobredo, wife of former Inte- is the third richest senator with tory over Nelly Villafuerte in the rior Secretary Jesse Robredo, a net worth of P197.47 million.

2013 congressional race. n

Robredo: Marcos is the man to…

FVR endorsing…

PAGE A1 t

for a photo opportunity, they just raised their hands.

“I have high respects for president Ramos. When someone asked for a picture, it just happened… as far as endorsement is concerned, I would rather let him (FVR) tell the people who he is endorsing,” Cayetano said.

Duterte’s supporters appeared divided: some were not happy and some expressed gladness.

A Facebook user, Marbabz Reggie warned Duterte, saying that Ramos is a traitor and will just ride on the popularity of the Davao City mayor.

Jupiter Bangcal, however, said that Ramos made the right move in endorsing Duterte.

Duterte courted the support of the Ynares clan in Rizal province on Monday, March 7.

In a speech, Duterte said he would allow the police and military to kill criminals if elected president. He qualified though that he would not be tolerant of abusive officers.

Meanwhile, lawyer Randolph Parcasio said Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari has not asked for anything in exchange for endorsing Duterte for president.

“There was no quid pro quo agreement,” said Parcasio, Misuari’s designated representative to his engagements with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

He added that this is the first time Misuari endorsed a presidential candidate and that the two were long time friends.

Meanwhile, Cayetano vowed to end corruption in the healthcare sector and strictly enforce the

anti-hospital deposit law if elected vice president on May 9.

He said six out of 10 Filipinos die without the benefit of seeing a doctor, pointing out that the poor are discouraged from seeking help in private hospitals because of the needed deposit and from public hospitals because of the lack of medical equipment.

Cayetano cited a 2014 Global Financial Integrity study which revealed that the Philippine economy was cheated of $132.9 billion or more than P6 trillion in illicit money outflows from corruption in the past five decades, incurring losses of over P357 billion yearly on average.

Cayetano said, if elected, he would push for the full coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Co., as well as the full implementation of PhilHealth’s “zero billing” services to members. (With reports from John Unson and Mike Frialde)

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

From the Front Page

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 9-11, 2016

A

Pacquiao…

PAGE A1 t

High court orders Comelec to activate voting…

PAGE A1 t

mechanics on the storage of receipts.

To stay in precinct The court said the poll body should ensure that “after voter verification, receipts should be deposited in a separate ballot box and not taken out of the precinct.”

The high court has yet to release the full ruling and only came out with the dispositive part of the decision at a press briefing Tuesday.

The Comelec was unable to answer Gordon’s petition as it missed the inextendible Feb. 29 deadline within which to re-

spond. The high court last week junked the poll body’s plea for additional time.

The poll body had decided against using the verification mechanism, saying it might extend voting hours and the receipts might be used in the illegal practice of vote-buying.

In his plea, Gordon said the receipts were necessary to give voters “the opportunity to verify that the choices indicated on the paper record correspond to the choices that the voter has made in casting the ballot.”

Reacting to the Supreme Court decision, Gordon said the ruling was not just his victory, but that

of the citizens whose votes would be a lot safer now.

“Democracy and transparency won today,” he said a statement.

“The vote is a little bit more protected now. They have a piece of paper now to show their choices,” he said in a separate phone interview.

The people now have a better chance of having clean, honest and credible elections.

“Thanks to the Supreme Court, which is truly the last bastion of justice and democracy. The decision demonstrated that government agencies, like the Comelec, will never be allowed to run roughshod over people’s rights and will never get away with flagrant violations of the country’s laws,” he said. n

u PAGE A4

Supreme Court rules Poe can…

PAGE A2 t

JUST TESTING A poll watcher inserts a ballot into a vote counting machine at a mock election in Metro Manila.

Inquirer.net file photo

was approaching the church when she learned about the good news so she decided to make a brief stop at the church to pray before proceeding to the rally.

The Comelec said it respects the SC ruling.

“We have voted on that. Each one of us has our own stand on the matter. But after all that was said and done, I think we did our part, we did our job, and the Su-

preme Court has already ruled on the matter and we have to respect that,” Chairman Juan Andres Bautista pointed out.

Commissioner Arthur Lim congratulated Poe. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate her for this victory. While I wish her all the best, I can only hope for the sake of the country that this is not goodbye to the rule of law,” Lim said. (With reports from William B. Depasupil)

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Now in Service Metro’s Gold Line Foothill Extension officially opened March 5, with large crowds coming out to enjoy live music, food trucks and more at the new Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte/City of Hope, Irwindale and Azusa Downtown Stations.

The 11.5-mile rail line extension connects East Pasadena to Azusa and points in between, providing a relaxing and money-saving alternative to driving the busy 210 Freeway.

Rediscover Gold at metro.net/moregold.

New Line 501 from NoHo to Pasadena Now in Service Look for the all-new Metro bus Line 501, offering Express Service from North Hollywood to Pasadena. Save up to 20 minutes on your commute as you fly down the carpool lane on the 134 Freeway with limited stops and easy connections to partner transit services and Burbank Bob Hope Airport. For detailed timetables or to plan your trip, visit metro.net/line501.

Expo Line Phase 2 Opens May 20 Metro recently announced that the Expo Line Phase 2 will officially open May 20, 2016. The 6.6-mile extension will stretch from Culver City to Santa Monica. Once complete, the Expo Line will offer a faster alternative to the congested Santa Monica Freeway, with train passengers being able to travel between Downtown LA and Downtown Santa Monica in approximately 46 minutes. Learn more at metro. net/expo2.

Regional Connector Tunnel Boring Machine Contest Construction of the 1.9-mile tunnel connecting the Metro Gold Line to the 7th Street/Metro Center station is expected to begin in Fall 2016. Before work can start, the giant drill known as a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) needs a name. Pre-K through high school students are encouraged to help us change its reputation of simply being a big boring machine. Submit artwork and a name for the machine for a chance to win great prizes and make history! Learn more and enter the contest at metro.net/regionalconnector.

metro.net @metrolosangeles losangelesmetro

16-1584ps_gen-v-16-010 © 2016 lacmta

ELECTION PREPARATION. In this file photo, workers unload printed ballots at a warehouse in Marikina. The Comelec transferred 1.7 million official ballots from the National Printing Office to the warehouse, from where they will be forwarded to various regions for the elections. The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, March 8 ordered the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue ballot receipts on May 9 polls. Voting 14-0 in favor of the Bagumbayan-Gordon petition, the high tribunal mandated the activation of Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) features in the vote counting machines to assure the credibility of the elections. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas

few seconds if the fight ends in the first round,” read the letter filed by Pacquiao’s lawyers, Romulo Macalintal and Antonio Carlos Bautista.

The lawyers assured the Comelec of Pacquiao’s compliance with all election laws, rules and regulations, and hinted that the Bradley fight could be his last.

“His determination to hold the event, which may be his last to climb the ring, is not intended to give him undue or unfair advantage. But it has to be done before his youth is gone to give our country and our people the pride and glory they deserve,” the lawyers said.

Pacquiao’s lawyers denied that the megabout would give the boxing champion unfair media exposure over other senatorial bets.

“The law gives all candidates like Pacquiao 120-minute television and 180-minute radio advertisements per station,” they said.

“Assuming the fight can be considered political ads for Pacquiao, all he will get is a 36-minute exposure, leaving a remainder of one hour and 24 minutes and two hours and 24 minutes, respectively, to air advertisements in the same TV and radio stations that will broadcast the fight,” they added.

‘Postpone the fight’ Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said it would be better if Pacquiao postpones his fight.

“He can always fight after the elections,” Belmonte told reporters.

“It doesn’t really matter if he postpones it for a few months and yet it really makes a big difference, in giving the people a sense of fairness, that he has been fair to his opponents.”

Asked about Pacquiao’s apprehension that he might be sued

A MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

US woman gets Zika after Philippine visit

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

MANILA — An American woman who stayed in the Philippines for four weeks earlier this year was diagnosed with Zika virus upon her return to the United States, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday, March 8.

Health Secretary Janette Garin said the woman visited the Philippines last January and was later confirmed positive for the virus.

“We were informed that shortly after returning home to the US, an evidence of Zika virus infection was detected in the patient,” Garin said.

The patient was not pregnant when she contracted the virus.

Garin said the DOH is coordinating with the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the profile of the patient and to find out the places she visited in the Philippines.

Although there is no vaccine against the virus, medical experts said the symptoms of Zika could be treated with common pain and fever medicines, rest, and plenty of water intake.

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Garin said, is capable of testing suspected cases of Zika virus through Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT PCR).

Zika viral disease is characterized by fever, rash, conjunctivitis, joint pain, muscle pain, headache and vomiting.

Although most infected individuals are asymptomatic or do not manifest any symptoms, Garin said patients still have the

Health Secretary Janette Garin said the woman visited the Philippines last January and was later confirmed positive for the virus.

Philstar.com file photo

capability of transmitting the infection.

Zika virus is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito, the same mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya. There were also reports that the virus could be transmitted through sexual contact and blood transfusion.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 55 countries and territories that have reported local Zika transmission from January 2007 to March 3.

The DOH said Zika infection is self-limiting most of the time but its effect on pregnancies could not be discounted.

Zika virus has been linked to congenital CNS malformation like microcephaly.

The DOH had advised pregnant women to avoid mosquito bites especially during daytime and for those suffering from fever, rash, and conjunctivitis to

consult a doctor immediately.

A case of Zika virus was documented in Cebu City in 2012 but no other case has since been reported. Government health experts said the best way to fight Zika virus is to observe personal hygiene and sanitation as well as eliminate possible breeding sites of mosquitoes.

Garin assured the people that there is no Zika virus epidemic in the country and there is no reason to panic.

She further noted that the DOH has 2,000 testing kits and testing centers available nationwide to verify if a person is afflicted with Zika.

“In previous years, Zika virus infection was documented in the Philippines and the patient had no history of traveling outside the country which means it was acquired locally. But it does not means there is a cause for panic,” Garin pointed out. n

Coalition urges Supreme Court to uphold…

PAGE A1 t

with reporters along with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Birmingham Mayor William Bell. Garcetti co-founded the coalition of about 100 mayors and and local officials, Cities for Action, with de Blasio.

The brief is signed by 118 cities and counties across 35 states; the US Conference of Mayors, which represents more than 1,400 cities; and National League of Cities, an organization representing more than 19,000 municipalities. “[We] thought it was crucial for cities and counties to get together and speak from the local perspective, and let the Supreme

Court know what this means for us,” de Blasio said during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, March 8.

Among signatories include cities in states that are plaintiffs in United States v. Texas, the case that has resulted in a preliminary injunction on Obama’s executive orders to expand deferred action for undocumented immigrants.

Obama first announced his executive actions in November 2014, the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs, which would provide deferred action to up to five million un-

documented immigrants.

The brief represents an estimated 55 million individuals, 15 million of which are immigrants, more than 1.5 million of whom could be eligible for programs under the executive order.

“We’re the closest ones to the immigrant communities,” said Bell, who was among five mayors that led the effort to organize cities and counties to support the brief. “We know the issues that they’re faced with better than the state government, and we can no longer make millions of immigrants who qualify under the president’s [programs] wait. We’ve got to take some

u PAGE A5

COMING SOON. Two C-130 secondhand transport planes from the United States are scheduled to be delivered this year– one next week and the other in September. The two assets will give a boost to the territorial defense and humanitarian assistance operations of the Philippine military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is currently modernizing its capability for humanitarian and disaster response and territorial defense amid China’s sweeping expansion in the West Philippine Sea. Photo from Philippine Air Force

California ethnic communities rally for domestic…

PAGE A1 t

Bill of Rights, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013 and grants overtime protections to California’s privately hired domestic workers, improving their quality of life.

SB 1015 builds on that bill’s success by removing the “sunset provision” that designates January 1, 2017, as when the law expires and will no longer be in effect (unless reinstated or extended). Leyva’s SB 1015 will make the law permanent.

“After a long week in Sacramento, I am so happy to be here.

To our domestic workers, thank you for what you do every day,” Leyva said in her remarks. “After all of your hard work, you passed AB 241, and it was a great victory. When the California Domestic Workers Coalition came to me and asked if I would make a bill that would do away with the sunset provision, I could not have been more excited and more honored.”

“This [bill] is about dignity, it’s about respect; it’s about the value of hard work. This is a discriminatory issue, because most of our domestic workers are women,” she continued, looking at the women in the crowd.

“When you’re not paid overtime, we’ve saying that we don’t value your work. And you take care of our most important people--our children, our disabled community, and our parents, who can’t care for themselves.”

The 1930s brought a change of labor laws to the US. However, domestic workers--caregivers, housekeepers, butlers, nannies, maids, assistant “hired help” employees, etc.--were excluded from the rights and protections promised to them, and their work was not valued as “real work.”

In 2005, the California Domestic Workers Coalition was formed by multiple grassroots organizations, as a “statewide network ensuring that statewide laws and agencies protect domestic workers from abuse, and uphold the dignity of domestic work.”

Some of these organizations include the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), Filipino Advocates for Justice and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).

According to the Coalition, many of California’s families, elderly, and people with disabilities rely on the support and care of over 300,000 domestic workers. Los Angeles County has the state’s highest concentration of domestic workers, with over 122,400 people employed in the industry.

“I am very confident with all of your help, with the California [Domestic Workers] Coalition, we are going to make this happen,” Leyva continued. “It’s going to be a permanent law, and

California State Senator Connie Leyva with members of the community in Pomona, rallying for the rights and dignity of domestic workers.

then we’ll have even more work to do.”

Members of CHIRLA and PWC, employees and their families, were present to show their support. Domestic workers told stories about their experiences as in-home care assistants, oftentimes facing abusive and severely overworked/underpaid conditions.

“For almost two years, my employer abused me and pulled my chain,” said Teresita Villasenor, a Filipina member of PWC and caregiver for 45 years. “I worked like a horse for 84 hours in a week, without any break, and was paid about $100 a day. I did not know that domestic workers like me are excluded in labor laws, and my case was dismissed.”

“Last year, I joined [Pilipino Workers Center] and learned about AB 241, that I have rights, that there are laws to protect me and treat me fairly,” Villasenor added. “Now, I am one of the thousands of caregivers in California who are enjoying overtime benefits and allowance. I have more time for my family, for my floral design program, and I enjoy the company of my new employer. My patients and I enjoy doing creative art and activities together. I got my life back!”

Emily Uy, a member of PWC and a personal attended, shared that she worked as a live-in home care worker who was on call for 24 hours a day. Her salary, however, did not match the long hours she worked. “[It] was so little I could hardly make both ends meet,” she said.

“With the passing of AB 241, I had more breathing room and felt less worry and like my dignity was restored.”

Domestic work is essential to the dignity of both workers’ and employers’ families, yet their fair compensation is being challenged by the ‘sun-setting’ of current domestic workers’ rights law, said the CA Domestic Workers Coalition.

“Having labor protections

Pilipino Workers Center members show support for the passage of SB 1015.

feels like a win-win situation for everyone because my employer can enjoy truly loving and quality support coming from a care worker who has dignity and respect,” Uy added.

Workers at the rally called for the passage of Leyva’s SB 1015, to ensure that domestic work remains recognized, protected, and celebrated to improve the quality of life.

“This is another step forward for immigrant workers, for Filipinos, and for women workers as well, because we are taking another step towards really making our rights permanent. It starts with people, word-of-mouth awareness, education and visibility. We are at a new level now,” said Aqui Soriano Versoza, executive director of PWC. PWC provides a multilingual hotline service, workforce and skills training, leadership development, know-your-rights and labor cases workshops for immigrant employees.

“Filipinos have been some of the most courageous coming out, speaking and reaching out to families who want to improve the rights and lives of domestic workers,” she added. “We are building momentum. Immigrant workers know that the work they are doing is important, and that they are deserving of rights. This has been a huge victory for our community.” (Allyson Escobar / AJPress)

Pacquiao…

PAGE A3 t

for breach of contract if he postpones the fight, Belmonte said Pacquiao should set his priorities straight.

“If that’s the case, why doesn’t he back out from the senatorial race?” he said.

He said Pacquiao should have known better before signing a deal to fight Bradley as he is running for senator. (With reports from Paolo Romero)

AJPress photos by Allyson Escobar

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 9-11, 2016

A

Dateline PhiliPPines

US Embassy: Duterte invite nothing out of ordinary

by Niña

P. Calleja Inquirer.net

GENDER EQUALITY. Young men from several government agencies and schools wear high heels as they take part in a solidarity walk for gender equality around the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Monday, March 7 to mark International Women’s Day today.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

China won’t budge on South China Sea sovereignty BEIJING—China’s foreign minister on Tuesday, March 8, took a hard line on the country’s claims to virtually all the South China Sea, saying Beijing won’t permit other nations to infringe on what it considers its sovereign rights in the strategically vital area.

Wang Yi, speaking to reporters at an annual news conference in Beijing, said that another nation’s claim to freedom of navigation in the region didn’t give it the right to do whatever it wanted—an apparent reference to the United States, which had sent naval ships past reefs where China had engaged in island-building.

Wang sought to deflect allegations China was militarizing the region by building military facilities on the artificial islands.

He said Beijing’s development there was defensive and that other nations were being militaristic—not China.

“China cannot be labeled as the most militaristic. This label is more suited to other countries,” Wang said.

China has come under fire from the United States and its allies in

recent months over its land reclamation activities in the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes annually.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, but the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims.

The US Navy has carried out freedom of navigation exercises, sailing near disputed islands to underscore its rights to operate in the seas.

Those patrols, and reports that China is deploying advanced missiles, fighters and radar equipment on islands there, have led Washington and Beijing to trade accusations of militarizing the region.

Not free to run amok Freedom of navigation does not equal “freedom to run amok,” Wang said.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has warned of “specific consequences” if China takes “aggressive” action in the region.

He has said the US military is increasing deployments to

the Asia-Pacific region and has planned to spend $425 million through 2020 to pay for more exercises and training with countries in the region that were unnerved by China’s actions.

“In fact, based on the joint efforts of China and other regional countries, the South China Sea is currently one of the safest and freest shipping lanes in the world,” Wang said.

UN case “China was the earliest to explore, name, develop and administer various South China Sea islands. Our ancestors worked diligently here for generations,” he added. “History will prove who is the visitor and who is the genuine host.”

In addition to reaffirming that South China Sea islands were an “integral” part of China’s territory that “every Chinese is obligated to defend,” Wang reiterated Beijing’s refusal to cooperate with an International Court of Arbitration case brought by the Philippines in The Hague over disputed claims in the area.

u PAGE A7

THE United States Embassy on Tuesday explained that the invitation it had extended to presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was nothing out of the ordinary.

“The Embassy routinely meets with a full crosssection of Philippine society and politics to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest,” press attaché Kurt Hoyer said in an e-mail when asked to confirm if the Davao City mayor had indeed been invited to a meeting.

“At this time, no meeting with Mayor Duterte is scheduled,” Hoyer said.

Duterte had disclosed in a speech in Antipolo City that he received an invitation from an “emissary” of the US Embassy to discuss his position on the South China Sea dispute.

Vocal in opposing Edca The candidate has been vocal in his opposition to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) that the Aquino government concluded with the United States, saying that he was “lukewarm towards the United States.”

Duterte has said that he would honor the Edca but that he would put the country’s national interest first before that of the Americans’.

The 10-year-military agreement, which is now being implemented, allows the United States to rotate its troops here and access Philippine military bases. In return, the United States will help in the

Presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gestures during a visit at the Provincial Capitol of Rizal on Monday, March 7, 2016.

Inquirer.net photo / Grig C. Montegrande

country’s defense modernization program.

International trade route The United States has a significant interest in keeping the navigation routes open in the South China Sea where $5.3 trillion worth of international trade passes.

The Philippines has brought an arbitration case to the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration against China’s “indisputable sovereignty” claim over the entire South China Sea. n

Coalition urges Supreme Court to uphold…

PAGE A4 t action now.”

Austin Mayor Steve Adler in a statement said Texas would see a $38 billion increase in its economy and the creation of 4,800 jobs per year throughout the next decade if Obama’s actions are implemented, while the brief contends that relief for these eligible immigrants would contribute more than $800 million per year to state and local government economies.

“Almost half of our undocumented population is eligible for programs that would do that, and these parents and young folks are assets to our city.... Keeping families together just makes good sense for Austin,” Adler said.

In New York, de Blasio said an estimated 250,000 undocumented immigrants would be eligible for the expanded programs.

“There are so many immigrants who contribute in so many ways to our cities and counties, and in New York City, we know of almost half a million undocumented New Yorkers who we see

as families, we see as neighbors.

And at this moment, they need the help that would be provided

by President Obama’s executive action, but that can’t happen until the issue is resolved in the court,” de Blasio said.

The Supreme Court announced in January that it would determine the constitutionality of DAPA and expanded DACA. While the Court has yet to make a decision, immigrant communities and advocacy organizations have urged individuals who would qualify for the programs to continue preparing for its implementation.

Proponents of the executive order have also said that implementation of the programs would help keep families together. “[It’s] important for us to highlight [for] the justices of the Supreme Court how this is not about policies as much as it’s really about people, and it’s about promise. This was legal action taken and it is time for us to recognize our destiny, again, as a nation of immigrants and one of laws. And we praise President Obama for that and look forward to success in court,” Garcetti said.

(Agnes Constante / AJPress)

A MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

OpiniOn

Features

Empowered

ON MARCH 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. It has been designated to acknowledge and celebrate the many social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contributions of women around the world.

According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) was a result of the organizing activities of women in the early 20th century. Between 1909 and 1911, working women in the United States participated in organizing strike activities of the National Women’s Trade Union League and other concerned groups.

They were responding to the low wages, lack of protective legislation and the poor working conditions to which women workers were subjected during that time.

With this year’s team “Pledge for Parity,” people are encouraged to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly—whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to taking pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then one year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn’t

close entirely until 2133.

In the Philippines, March is Women’s Role in History Month.

It is also National Women’s Heart Health Month, its first week is Women’s Week and its 8th day is International Women’s Day. The country was recently hailed by WEF as Asia’s best-performing country and fifth in the world when it comes to closing gender disparity.

Iceland remained the most gender-equal country in this year’s list, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Ireland. Rwanda ranked sixth, followed by the Philippines at seventh. Switzerland, Slovenia, and New Zealand completed the top 10 worldwide.

The Global Gender Gap Index is measured based on four primary indicators which include economic participation and opportunity, education, political empowerment, and health and survival.

In its Global Gender Gap Index, the WEF reported that the major improvement was seen in the economic participation and opportunity indicator after the Philippines recorded more female legislators, senior officials and managers, as well as professional and technical workers. The country also saw slight improvement in its score for political empowerment due to a higher number of women

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

in ministerial positions.

While Filipinas have made strides in realizing their formidable role in nation building, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) still insists that more women initiate genuine societal transformation where their demands would be fulfilled. They must contribute to bridging gender disparities and shortfalls especially in areas with low development

levels such as areas with high poverty level, and are hazard-prone and disaster affected.

For the world to truly enjoy gender equality and women empowerment, men and women alike must continue exerting tremendous efforts to identify remaining difficulties threatening women’s development, not just for their advancement but for the better future of all. (AJPress)

Could the Republican Party establishment stop Trump’s momentum and prevent him from becoming the GOP nominee?

WHAT is going on in the Republican Party nomination contest has become more of a nailbiter than most reality shows, thanks to the unexpected sprint to the front by reality show star and business mogul Donald Trump. Perhaps the Republican Party establishment did not see this coming, thinking that the Grand Old Party (GOP) electorate’s relationship with him was just a “fling”, arousing its curiosity when he announced he was running for president. But now, Trump has proven such fling is looking like a lasting affair, as he has been winning in more states than any of the traditional Republican presidential candidates.

Could it be too little, too late? The GOP has been scrambling to convince voters to think again before voting for Trump. Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had

sogyny, the absurd third-grade even spoken out as one of the eltheatrics.” der party leaders to warn people The Fil-Am Of course, these words went against Trump, delivering a fiantithetical to what Romney did ery speech against their party’s Perspective when he was running against front-runner.

Pres. Barack Obama four years “Donald Trump is a phony, a ago. He courted Trump’s enfraud,” Romney said of Trump. dorsement -- as CNN reported, “His promises are as worthless even after Trump had led the as a degree from Trump Univer- Gel SantoS-ReloS “birther” controversy against sity. He’s playing members of the American public for suckers: He gets a free President Barack Obama, insisting that Obama ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy release his birth certificate to prove he is an American citizen. hat.”

Now the Republican Party SuperPAC has been Romney went on to characterize Trump as somebody the voters should not put their trust spending millions of dollars to attack Trump, but in during this election season, alleging that “dis- the more they do this, the more his loyal fans honesty is Donald Trump’s hallmark,” pointing to came to his defense.

However, it seems some of the criticism may his “bullying, the greed, the showing off, the mi-

have been gaining traction as Trump’s ratings have gone south by a few percentage points leading up to Super Tuesday 2 (Tuesday, March 8).

More consequential primaries and caucuses are taking place this March, and the results of these will prove if Donald Trump can hold on to his frontrunner status, and eventually win enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

However, pundits say if Trump does not win the required number of delegates, we may be expecting some backroom deals happening within the Republican Party leading up to the convention. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

P-Noy is making Marcos look good IT is true. The numbers seem Demand to show that the son of the dic- and Supply tator is gaining quite a bit of support from young people, including those in Met- Boo ChanCo ro Manila. It is a horrible prospect for sure and that’s not good for our national reputation.

And it makes no sense for us to just lament our national amnesia as many did on social media posts and EDSA30 speeches. The blame falls flatly on us, the so called EDSA generation.

We failed to educate our children on the horrors of the dictatorship. Also, we failed to deliver a better nation after Marcos by electing a series of administrations that failed to deliver even on the basics. The mess around us makes some people nostalgic for Marcos.

Things have become so bad that consumer surveys have been revealing over the years that the ambition of many of our young people is to get out of the country. They have lost hope that things will get better any time soon.

How bad do our young people feel?

A friend of mine who runs a call center just told me he conducted a straw vote among his agents who are in their 20s to early 30s and college educated. About 80 percent plan to vote for Duterte Marcos.

My friend asked why. The common response is that making Duterte Marcos win is the best way of sending a strong message to P-Noy they are unhappy over the state of the country.

That’s understandable. Most of them are commuters who use the MRT or get stuck in traffic jams and are unhappy over the quality of their lives. This fits in with Pulse Asia numbers that indicate Mar has less than 10 percent of the youth vote and will miserably lose

in Metro Manila.

I know all about protest votes.

I have been doing that myself in many post EDSA elections. But I think voting Marcos to deliver a message is not a good thing to do specially when Leni Robredo is an infinitely better person to vote for. It is as an old idiom goes… cutting your nose to spite your face.

Voting for Marcos seems pretty irrational specially because the guy refuses to acknowledge where his father went wrong and even denies any hidden wealth. But elecSen. Bongbong Marcos Pres. Benigno Aquino III tions here and abroad are not always about mind. They are frustrated that even the people or the masa because they are the rational choice. It is more of the supposedly conservative candidates economically insecure and their lives emotional response to the current don’t seem to get how badly they feel feel miserable. leadership.

They feel the quality of life has deteabout the status quo.

We can see that in the Trump pheIt is a particularly bad time to be riorated. Their daily life is an endless nomenon. The strong competition Ber- seen as representing the establish- struggle that starts before the break of nie Sanders is giving Hillary Clinton ment in the elections. Sanders is firing dawn so they can catch the MRT or get for the Democratic nomination is the up the young people and the disen- on the road before traffic gridlock sets same thing. chanted middle class. Hillary looks like in.

The Trump voters are voting with she is too cozy with Wall Street and They are deathly scared of getting their hearts. They are very mad, very represents the status quo. Like Trump, sick because a hospital stay can drive frustrated about the state of things Sanders offers no clear path on how a middle class family into the poorand they are hearing the right sound electoral rhetoric translates into gov- house. Don’t tell the working middle bites from Trump. They are sending a ernment programs. class about PhilHealth because we all strong message to the Republican esIt is the same thing here. The Aquino know it barely covers the cost of a typitablishment that they are very unhappy Administration can claim until they cal hospital stay. and are in rebellion.

Crime in the streets is a daily risk. turn jaundice yellow that they delivTrump has not offered any real pro- ered unheard of economic growth. Riding a bus or a jeepney carries the gram of government. Yet, Republican Some macroeconomic figures will bear possibility you will be robbed of your voters in the primaries don’t seem to them out but will not excite the young cell phone, bag/wallet and even mod-

est jewelry. The drug problem is likely at the root of criminality in the streets and the police seem helpless and the judicial system dysfunctional.

That’s why Duterte is resonating among the youth and the college educated in general, as Pulse Asia numbers indicate. The problem may be too big for Duterte to solve in three to six months as he is promising, but he is seen as a reasonable risk to take compared to the others.

Corruption? Of course most voters say they hate it and would want the next president to be clean. That is why Grace Poe is a strong contender. But if she is disqualified, they will vote for Binay instead, even if he is seen as corrupt.

At least, they say, Binay will deliver needed infrastructure, education and healthcare the way he did in Makati.

Never mind these may be delivered at an overprice or that the country’s finances may not allow Binay to be as generous as he was in Makati.

But voting for Marcos? Oh, they just want to piss off P-Noy and if voting for Marcos will do it, that’s what they are going to do. Very wrong but we often do wrong things if only to express our anger as effectively as possible.

Now, let us pray Imelda doesn’t die before election day or we may see the Marcos son repeat P-Noy’s feat. Something like that could happen again.

Some young people see Marcos as the anti-thesis of P-Noy. It is a stupid way of thinking but that’s reality on the ground. And I blame this administration for losing the trust of our youth.

Maybe PNoy should stop talking about Marcos because it only improves the numbers of the Marcos brat. As for Mar, he can probably blame Abaya but that’s like blaming himself. *** Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com.

Follow him on Twitter @boochanco.

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Boulevard Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 Fax: (818) 502-0858 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com

Manila Office: 2nd Floor Units D&E, Fort Palm Springs 30th St., Cor 1st Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • Fax: (632) 856-1661 New York: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858

Northern California: New Jersey: 1001 Bayhill Drive, Suite 200 449 Hoboken Avenue San Bruno, CA 94066 Tel.: (650) 616-4150 • Fax: (650) 616-4152 Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 Tel: (212) 655.5426 • Fax: (818) 502.0858 Las Vegas Sales Office: 3700 W. Desert Inn Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

BELLE M. SISON Executive Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA Senior Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal

IVY MANALANG Vice President - Marketing Los Angeles Asian Journal

SHARON ANN SAN PEDRO Vice President - Sales Balikbayan Magazine

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor DING CARREON Videographer

DANTE SAMBILAY Art Director

ANDY TECSON/TED TALAG BERT JAURIGUE Photographers

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publication.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome.

Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline PhiliPPines

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 9-11, 2016

A

Makati progress a fact – Binay camp

by Janvic and

Mateo Mike Frialde

Philstar.com

MANILA – The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) yesterday slammed Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Manuel Roxas II for saying that Makati City could have been more progressive had it not been robbed by its officials.

UNA communication director Joey Salgado said the national government has repeatedly recognized the progress achieved

by Makati City under the leadership of the Binays.

“According to official government data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of poor residents dropped from 17,630 in 2000 to only 2,645 in 2012,” Salgado said.

Salgado also lashed at Roxas for not mentioning that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had awarded Makati in 2011 with the Seal of Good Housekeeping, silver cat-

UNA communication director Joey Salgado said the national government has repeatedly recognized the progress achieved by Makati City under the leadership of the Binays.

Jun Acculador/CC BY-ND

egory, despite Roxas’ claim of irregularities.

Salgado noted that to win the award, Makati had to meet the criteria set by the DILG, which was previously headed by Roxas.

The criteria included sound financial management measured

by the absence of any adverse Commission on Audit opinion on any local financial transaction and on financial transparency and accountability measured through the implementation of the full disclosure policy. (With reports from Ric Sapnu and Michelle Zoleta)

Women at greater risk for violence at home – WHO

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

MANILA – Women and girls from countries in the Western Pacific Region, including the Philippines, are at a greater risk of falling victim to domestic violence inflicted by someone familiar to them, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thuesday, March 8.

WHO said violence affects women and girls in epidemic proportion across the region, with a severe impact on their health and wellbeing.

In marking yesterday’s International Women’s Day, the global health agency called on the Philippines and other governments in the region to intensify efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.

“Efforts to stop violence against women and calls for greater actions must be sustained. We must ensure that gender equality is upheld so women and girls can achieve the highest standard of health,” WHO Western Pacific regional director Shin Youngsoo said.

The official said there is a need to empower women and girls, noting violence committed against them is rooted in gender inequality.

He said Western Pacific Re-

OUTNUMBERED. Professor Danilo Arao of Kontra Daya confronts policemen who set up a barricade to prevent rallyists from getting near the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) building in Intramuros Manila.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Abby Palmones

No IS threat in Philippines – Palace by delon and

Porcalla Helen Flores

Philstar.com

MANILA — Malacañang reiterated on Tuesday, March 8 that there is no link between a local Muslim rebel group in Mindanao and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria despite the claim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that ISIS is recruiting members.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Palace is standing by the statement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that there is no ISIS presence in Mindanao despite recent incidents of violence in the region.

The AFP also reported last week that it had taken control of the camp of the Maute group in Butig, Lanao del Sur after days of The World Health Organization said violence affects women and girls in epidemic proportion intense operations. Government across the Western Pacific Region, including the Philippines, with a severe impact on their troops overran the main camp health and wellbeing.

Philstar.com/File of the armed group in Barangion member-states are taking tido ng Manggagawa (PM) said steps to promote gender equal- past and present administrations ity and respond to gender-based failed to address problems affectviolence, in collaboration with ing Filipinas.

WHO and its partners.

“The agony of having to en- PAGE A5 t Manila has asked Beijing to reShin said more could be done dure physical and emotional and WHO is ready to support mem- violence, and deprivation due spect the decision, which is exber-states in raising awareness on to economic marginalization pected in May. But China has refused to recthe health and social consequenc- are problems unique to women. es of gender-based violence.

These problems should have ognize the case, insisting all disWomen protection sought long been addressed by past putes should be resolved through A group of women workers and present administrations,” bilateral talks.

In his news conference, Wang took to the streets yesterday to PM secretary general Judy Ann pressure candidates in the May Miranda said. (With reports reiterated that China was quite elections to include women pro- from Rhodina Villanueva, Pia within its rights not to participate tection in their agenda.

Lee-Brago, Michelle Zoleta and and accused unnamed others of being behind the case.

Women members of the Par- Ding Cervantes)

gay Poktan, where the houses of Maute leaders, brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute, were located.

The palace issued the statement after MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim said in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Monday that ISIS was trying to establish a stronghold in Mindanao to capitalize on the growing frustration on the breakdown of efforts to end the Muslim separatist rebellion.

Congress failed to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which would be the legal basis for the creation of an autonomous Bangsamoro region in Mindanao in accordance with the peace agreement between the government and the MILF. “Now, after the non-passage of BBL, we are quite concerned that they (ISIS) can capitalize on this because the sentiment of the people in the area is now very strong. The frustrations after the non-passage of the law, they can capitalize on that,” Ebrahim

said.

But Coloma said that based on Ebrahim’s statement, the MILF leader merely wants the passage of the BBL to continue in the next Congress.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, a former soldier, also dismissed as “psychological warfare” Ebrahim’s claim that the ISIS is trying to gain a foothold in Mindanao.

“What they are doing to us is a psywar. Let’s just ignore them until we can analyze, confirm, validate and say that the MILF was right, but we are ready,” said Honasan, vice presidential bet of United Nationalist Alliance.

Honasan said the MILF’s statement cannot be taken as a valid warning as the rebel group needs to show it is still a force to reckon with. “Otherwise, they lose their leverage,” he said.

The vice-presidential candidate said the MILF believes it also needs to flex its muscle to gain the respect of the next administration. n

China won’t budge on South China…

“The Philippines’ stubbornness is clearly the result of behind-the-scene instigation and political manipulation,” he said, without elaborating.

China has conducted a massive program in the South China Sea over the past two years of land reclamation, piling sand atop reefs then adding airstrips and military facilities.

Neighbors have complained that the work has raised tensions

by changing the status quo in the area, where six Asian governments have overlapping claims and which include some of the world’s busiest sea-lanes.

When asked whether China would allow foreign journalists to visit those islands, Wang stressed that the area also were intended for civilian uses and that once they were completed, foreign journalists would be invited to visit. (Inquirer.net)

A MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 9-11, 2016

BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Only 30% of Filipinos are registered taxpayers – BIR by eva

viSpeRaS Philstar.com

MANILA — Less than a third of Filipinos pay income tax, a high-ranking official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue said.

BIR deputy commissioner for Operations Nelson Aspe said only 30 million out of the estimated 103 million Filipinos are registered taxpayers.

Aspe noted that overseas Filipino workers and a bigger portion of individuals classified as minimum wage earners not

subject to income tax.

Others who are not registered with the BIR but should pay income tax belong to the underground economy.

Aspe said the BIR is embarking on a year-long tax campaign to boost revenues and expand the tax net.

“What is important is you register, file and pay,” he said.

The BIR now boasts of more than 86,000 classrooms built, more than 30,000 kilometers of road networks and bridges

by Richmond

MANILA — The Philippine automotive industry continues to buck the downtrend in Southeast Asia wherein total vehicle sales retreated 3.5 percent to 236,930 units in January this year.

Vehicle sales in the Philippines managed to grow 27.6 percent year-on-year in January while sales in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand declined, latest data from the Asean Automotive Federation showed.

Singapore was the region’s fastestgrowing automotive market during the

u PAGE B2

Megaworld spending P55 B for 2016 projects

City, Bacolod and Pampanga, Megaworld vice president Jericho Go said.

MANILA — Andrew TanThe group, which comprises led Megaworld Corp. has ear- Megaworld, Empire East Holdmarked P55 billion for capital ings, Suntrust Properties, and expenditures this year, largely Global Estate Resorts, is set to to expand its mall and office launch 14 residential projects portfolio as well as develop new in Metro Manila, Pampanga, residential projects.

Iloilo, Tagaytay, Cavite, Davao, The company will start devel- Baguio and Batangas this year. oping new townships in Pasig u PAGE B2

month, posting an 89.7 percent sales increase followed by Vietnam (35.8 percent) and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Brunei’s vehicle sales plummeted 30.9 percent year-on-year.

Indonesia and Thailand – the two biggest automotive markets in the region – fell 9.9 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively.

In terms of volume, the Philippines had the fourth most number of cars sold among the seven Asean Automotive Federation members in January with 23,808 units.

Indonesia sold 84,885 units while Thailand and Malaysia sold 51,821 units

and 44,591 units, respectively.

In terms of production, a total 8,826 units were assembled in the country in January, 36.4 percent higher from 6,470 units produced in the same month last year.

Aside from the Philippines, only Vietnam recorded higher year-on-year production among the five Asean Automotive Federation members that have local assembly operations.

Philippine vehicle production, however, remained at the bottom with Thailand producing 147,651 units, Indonesia at 83,587 units, Malaysia at 46,731 units and Vietnam at 16,150 units. n

PH blocks $870M stolen from Bangladesh

by iRiS

GonzaleS Philstar.com

RIDING THE BOOM. Megaworld’s Jericho Go showing off some of the new towers of the property firm.

File photo by Chris Schnabel/Rappler

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

by daxim

l, lucaS

Inquirer.net

AN ATTEMPT to launder through the Philippine banking system an additional $870 million—funds reportedly stolen by computer hackers from the account of the Bangladesh central bank—was foiled last month after international banks recalled an order to transfer the amount to local banks.

Just a few days before this, however, $81 million, suspected to have come from the same source, managed to enter the local banking system and was released to local clients of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

(RCBC).

Various sources told the Inquirer that the money, worth almost P3.7 billion at the prevailing exchange rate, were channeled to a foreign exchange dealer and then transferred to casinos—Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams and Midas—where they were converted into chips for betting at the gaming tables, then converted back into cash and remitted to accounts in Hong Kong soon after.

All told, these transactions comprise the largest documented case of money launder-

LOS ANGELES

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Inquirer.net file photo

ing ever uncovered in the country by regulators.

RCBC execs knew At the same time, the Inquirer learned that the head of the RCBC branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City where the transac-

TAIPEI

tions were made has issued a statement to the bank’s management that top officials of the Yuchengco family-controlled bank were “aware of the transactions at every stage, from the very beginning to the end.”

u PAGE B3

CEBU

The Best Link to Cross the

Vancouver

7/week

Toronto

Seattle

7/week

New York

Manila

San Francisco

21/week

Los Angeles

Daily

Cebu

Taipei

*starting March 26, 2016

Houston

*6/week starting March 27, 2016

63

Flights A Week

Itinerary

Los Angeles - Taipei - Cebu

Departure Dates

Economy Class

3/26/16 - 5/31/16 8/1/16 - 12/11/16 12/25/16 - 12/31/16

Starting from

6/1/16 – 7/31/16 *EVA Air reserves the right to modify, terminate or otherwise amend offer.

USD650 Starting from

Price includes taxes and fuel surcharges. Ticket must be issued by 3/31/2016.

This offer is valid for flights Mon - Thurs only. A surcharge may apply for weekend travel. Seats are limited. Please book flights in advance. Restrictions Apply.

Please contact your local travel agency or EVA website www.evaair.com.

USD1,050 www.evaair.com Find us on:

B MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

‘Clark a potential Silicon Valley in Philippines’ the Bangalore of the Philippines or Asia,” Wallace said.

“Leave agriculture to MindCLARK FREEPORT — Clark anao and leave manufacturing to can become a business process Cavite, let’s make this (Clark) the outsourcing center (BPO) or the services center,” Wallace added.

Clark Development Corp. presSilicon Valley of the Philippines., according by Australian busi- ident and CEO Arthur P. Tugade said IT is one industry that is in nessman Peter Wallace.

“Up here in Clark, you have Clark.

“From hardware to software, plenty of land that can be developed so it can be done and it’s IT is a business by itself. Clark above sea level so it makes a lot right now, abounds in businesses of sense to decentralize out of related to IT,” he said.

In 2010, CDC was awarded Manila up to here and maybe make this the BPO center of the Center of Excellence in InforPhilippines - the Silicon Valley or mation and Communications

by Ric

Sapnu Philstar.com

and Technology by the Business Process Association of the Philippines, Commission on Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry. Clark has also been officially designated as a Center of Excellence in ICT investments alongside Metro Manila and Cebu.

Wallace reiterated his call to make Clark the Silicon Valley of the Philippines.

He also called on government authorities to consider Clark and Subic to be the next capital of the Philippines. n

Only 30% of… Megaworld spending…

PAGE B1 t

upgraded and more than 22,000 clinics and hospitals built.

The agency aims to collect P2.3 trillion this year.

“What is inspiring here is Filipinos have come of age. Their level of tax awareness is already increasing based on the response of the taxpayers” Aspe said.

Meanwhile, the BIR Regional Office here reported that collection for 2015 grew 12 percent to P9.89 billion. As of the end of February, its collection of P1.875 billion has already exceeded its prior year collection by 33.7 percent.

The BIR Regional Office here also reported that there were 14 cases submitted by its Investigation Division to its national office for filing under the agency’s Run After Tax Evaders program.

For this year, two cases have been submitted for filing with the Department of Justice and three more are ready to be filed locally with the Regional Prosecutor’s Office before April ends. n

PAGE B1 t

Go said the group also remains bullish on the office and retail sectors given the steady growth of the economy.

The group is launching 14 office towers, malls and commercial centers in McKinley West, Uptown Bonifacio, The Mactan Newtown, Iloilo Business Park, Arcovia City, Southwoods City, The Mactan Newtown and Alabang.

With these projects in the pipeline, the company is confident it will hit its rental revenue goal for this year.

“We will certainly achieve the P11-billion rental revenue target by yearend,” Go said.

Last year, the group completed 16 residential projects and six business process outsourcing (BPO) office towers with retail components across its integrated urban townships.

To date, Megaworld has developed 20 integrated urban townships across the country and its total land bank spans over 4,000 hectares across the country.

The company has so far built a total of 27 residential and office towers.

Megaworld owns 100 percent of Suntrust, 82 percent of GERI and 82 percent of Empire East. It has already built over 350 residential, office and commercial towers across the country. n

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng Business owner files chapter 7 as losses mount CLIENTS are spouses who own and run a business together.

They own an S-corporation that has been in business for 20 years.

They have 10 employees. An Scorporation, as distinguished from a C-corporation, is one where the profits of the business “flows through” to the 1040 of the individuals, unlike a C-corporation that pays its own income tax based on corporate profits.

For instance, if the S-corporation business makes a net profit of $100K for 2015, that net profit is added to the gross income of the stockholders of the S-corporation. If you own 20% of that Scorporation, you will have to add $20K to your gross income for 2015 in addition to your income from all other sources. Whereas if that were a C-corporation, the corporation would pay income tax by itself on the $100K profit for 2015, and either keep the net profit after tax in the coffers of the corporation as retained earnings, or distribute the net profit to the stockholders, in which case, the profit distribution becomes a dividend to the stockholder which the stockholders declares as dividend income in his individual tax return. Other than this differentiation in the treatment of corporate profit, both S and C-corporations have all the same benefits that a corporation provides.

Both S and C corporations are legally separate entities from their stockholders. Liabilities of the S and C corporations and deemed liabilities of the corporations themselves and do not transfer to the individual stockholders. This is called the “corporate shield” given to stockholders. For all intents and purposes by law, the corporation is treated as a separate and distinct “legal person” from the individual stockholders.

For example, Volkswagen was recently found cheating on emissions. The company programmed the computers in their diesel cars to act in a way that it appeared that emission standards were being complied with. In fact, they were not. In other words, Volkswagen, the corporation told a bold face lie. When it was found out, there was a big scandal and its stock tanked. Massive penalties for fraud soon followed levied by the Feds in the billions.

There were multiple lawsuits filed against Volkswagen. Buyers wanted to return what they bought. If you were a stockholder of Volkswagen, can you be sued

Community Journal

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 9-11, 2016

Business owner files Calendar of Events across America chapter 7 as losses mount Young client seeks chapter 7 relief for $$70K credit card debt

for this corporate fraud with millions of victims worldwide? If you were a stockholder of Volkswagen, do you have to worry about being sued by the victims because you own shares in Volkswagen, certainly not. Because the fact that Volkswagen is a corporation means that the company is legally a separate and distinct entity from you as a shareholder.

Therefore, you cannot be sued as a stockholder of Volkswagen for the corporate wrongdoing of the company. This is called ‘corporate legal fiction’ which is actually quite a brilliant idea that allows free enterprise to prosper. Without this ‘corporate shield and legal fiction’ people will be afraid to invest in businesses for fear of having their individual assets exposed to liability for anything that goes wrong with the corporation that causes damage to anyone.

In clients’ case, their business was doing well for 17 years. But the last 3 years was bad. Clients had to refinance their house to put in another $80K in the corporation to finance the loss of the last 3 years. Refinancing their house was actually making a bad situation worse. Why suck out the equity in your house causing you to pay a higher mortgage to keep a business that is hemorrhaging to keep it afloat? You’re letting the business loss drag your house down too. The corporation is supposed to be separate from your personal assets, but by refinancing your house, you combine the two together.

In other words, if the business is sinking, why let your house sink with it too? You business can sink and die, that happens many, many times in the world of business. But to link your house to the business, that’s the same as getting a gun and shooting yourself in the leg.

Clients’ S-corporation owes $120K of bank loans and suppliers credit, which it can no longer pay. Clients decided to discontinue the business because of mounting losses. I ask them if they want to continue the business with a Chapter 11 and perhaps get away without paying any of the $120K. They decide for a Chapter 7 because too much competition has made the future of the business very bleak.

Will the S-corporation Chapter 7 affect the stockholders as individuals, of course it will not. The stockholders keep their good credit and everything else. They are not affected by the bankruptcy of the S-corporation, because

after all, even an S-corporation is a legally separate and distinct entity under the law, therefore, it can file a bankruptcy by itself without affecting the individual stockholders.

Young client seeks chapter 7 relief for $70K credit cards Client is 33, and recently married. He also dabbled into business, using his credit cards to fund the business. The business never turned a profit. He maxed out his credit cards at $70K. One credit card sued him to collect $14K of credit card debt. At that time, he was still optimistic that his business would turn around and become profitable. But that was not to be. He entered into a stipulated judgment agreeing to pay $200 a month until the $14K was fully paid off. He just got married and wants a fresh start without debt, and opts for Chapter 7 relief. This will wipe out the $70K of credit card debt including the $14K stipulated judgment. Without debilitating debt, client can look forward to a fresh, new and productive life, and can even start another business that has a better chance of being successful from all the mistakes he learned from his failed business. This is what happened to Mr. Walt Disney who also sought Chapter 7 relief twice before his Disneyland business became successful.

From two bankruptcies, Disney is now a global multi-billion dollar business with the new $6.0 billion theme park opening in Shanghai this June. Who knows, my young client may be another Disney in the making, learning from his previous mistakes.

Maybe 10 years from now, client may become a business tycoon.

Further, client’s decision to seek chapter 7 relief is completely confidential. Nobody needs to know unless he discloses it himself. His new wife is totally not affected even if she has her own assets. Those are her sole and separate assets.

“A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God (Adonai/Yahweh), who does not lie, promised before, the beginning of time.”— Titus 1:2 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M A R C H 1 1 —A P R I L 1

Eagle Rock High School Monthly Open House Tours laureate Open House Tours, from 8-10am during the spring semester on Friday, March 11; and Friday, April 1. Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School serves students in grades 712, and was the first school in the LAUSD to be authorized to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (grades 7-10) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (grades 11-12), a project-based program for concept and content-based learning to promote global mindedness and service to others. The IB Open House is open to all interested students, and will include an introductory presentation in the ERHS library, followed by campus tours, classroom visits, and a short questionand-answer period. To register for the Open Houses, please visit www.erhs.la, and click on the “IB Open House Registration” link. Please email Mylene Keipp mylene.keipp@lausd. net for more information. We look forward to your visit!

MARCH 12

Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. Grand Marshals Gala The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) will launch the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence on Saturday, March 12 with the Grand Marshals Gala at the Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Boulevard in Astoria, Queens, New York 11102). The gala will take place from 7:00pm until 12:30am, honoring Dr. Leonidas “Ned” Pulido and wife Carmencita “Menchie” Pulido, who were chosen as the Grand Marshals of the 2016 Philippine Independence Day Parade in June.

Gala tickets are $100 per person, with formal or Filipinana attire. Please contact the Chairwomen of the Grand Marshals Selection and Gala Committee, Ollie David (732-499-7995) and Helen LaBarbera (516-581-8830), ir OUDCU President Dr. Prospero Lim (347-248-5106) for gala invitations and more information. Interested parties may also call any of the Committee Co-chairs: Drs. Emilio and Fely Quines (347-254-2945), Drs. Rod and Elma Castillo (201-869-4044), Dr. Ely Parico (908-265-1293), Dulce Barangan (516-343-8592), Lauren Martinez (347-284-9886), Thelma Cabralda (631-331-5891), Zita Lapena (917-454-9344), Nida Cortez (646-649-5531), or Angie Molina (917-478-6754) or any of the PIDCI Board of Directors.

FACC-SLAA Induction Gala The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce for South Bay Los Angeles Area (FACCSLAA) presents the annual fundraising gala and induction of its board members, to be held on Saturday, March 12 at 6:00 pm, at the Holiday Inn Los Angeles Gateway-Torrance (19800 S Vermont Ave. Torrance, CA 90502). Philippine Consulate General Leo Herrera-Lim will be the inducting officer, with guest speakers Assemblymember Rob Bonta and former Assemblyman Warren Furutani. Attire for the dinner is Filipiniana/formal. The gala dinner is also a fundraiser for the FACC-SLAA Scholarship project of the chamber raising funds for deserving, eligible Filipino American students who are business (or related) majors in colleges and universities in the South Bay area. Four scholars who will each receive a $500 scholarship award. Fil-Am students applying for the scholarship should have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average, low income/financial need, have no criminal record, must submit a one page essay on why the student is applying, and must be willing to volunteer or intern at FACC-SLAA for 80 hours. The deadline to apply is on Feb 15 to apply. Interested students, please email facc.slaa@gmail.com or fekoons@aol.com. Tickets for the FACC-SLAA Induction and Fundraising Gala are $60 each. Please email facc.slaa@gmail.com for more information, or contact President Cynthia Tan (310) 748-9688 or Fred Docdocil, VP Programs (310) 619-8101.

MARCH 13

Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association Fiesta The Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate their fiesta on Sunday, March 13, at 1:00pm at Sliver Star Financial office (217 N Azusa St. Azusa, CA).

For further details, please call Willie Manacsa (818) 400-7391, Ofie Villanueva (626) 3834152, Rosie Sancianco (951) 898-7628 or Myrna Jaurigue at (909) 545-9876.

M A R C H 1 8 -1 9

5th Statewide Disabilities Conference Agencies, service providers and caretakers, community organizations, consumers, jobseekers, families…please join us for the California Statewide Disabilities Conference from March 18-19, 2016 at The Westin Pasadena hotel (191 N. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA).

Expert panels/sessions/topics to be discussed include special education for those with disabilities, autism, assistive technology, ACA/Health, civil rights, mental health, financial wellness, discrimination, employment benefits, college supportive services, transition to adulthood, and outreach to the diverse Asian American - Pacific Islander community. This event is sponsored by the Asian & Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC), giving a voice and face to Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities, and improving access to resources for API families. APIDC has hosted four major conferences in California.

The conference will also include social service agencies, and exhibitors/representatives such as educators, attorneys, and health care providers. Special gift giveaways and raffle prizes are available to all registered conference attendees. For registration and more information (including scholarships) about the conference, please contact Jamie Hwang at 714-4033188, APIDC@gmail.com, and visit www.apidisabilities.net.

PH blocks $870M stolen from…

PAGE B1 t

A representative of the bank manager—who has since been suspended as part of the bank’s internal investigation—showed the Inquirer documents alleging that the transactions had the imprimatur of top bank officials ever since the manager was ordered to open five bank accounts as early as May 2015.

To support the opening of these bank accounts, the RCBC branch manager was provided with five identification documents or ID cards, all of which were determined to carry fictitious identities after the controversy broke out.

“The branch manager is now willing to speak out because she’s afraid the bank will pin it all on her,” a representative of the official told the Inquirer on late Monday. “But, in fact, she was ordered to facilitate these transactions. You can’t do anything this big without higher-ups not knowing.”

US banks According to the documents seen by the Inquirer, the $81 million in inward remittance happened on Feb. 5. As with all international wire transfers, the funds were cleared through USbased correspondent banks, in this case, the Bank of New York, Citibank and Wells Fargo, according to the branch manager’s representative.

The local counterpart was then notified of the incoming funds using the Swift (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) messaging

B

system commonly used by banks for international transactions.

Businessman, casinos The funds were deposited into the five bank accounts created a few months earlier and were transferred to foreign exchange broker Philrem for conversion into pesos. It was then transferred back to RCBC and consolidated into the bank account of a Chinese-Filipino businessman, who then moved it to the casinos.

Another government source told the Inquirer that the Chinese-Filipino businessman also took care of remitting the funds to Hong Kong after these were moved through local casinos.

System failure “Yes, the casinos were part of the chain to transactions in this [suspected] laundering case, but there were several layers in the banking system before that, which should have detected these suspicious funds and stopped them,” the official said.

“The system failed.”

Soon after RCBC released the funds to its client, the bank received a so-called “MT103” message through the Swift system recalling the $81 million and ordering a stop to another $870 million in inward transfers.

A banking source said the transfer of the $870 million was stopped in time, but the $81 million had already been released and, by the time authorities were alerted, had already been moved back offshore.

Hackers, Federal Reserve Two officials of the Bangla-

desh Bank (the central monetary authority of Bangladesh) were also reported to have visited the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to demand the return of the funds that were allegedly stolen by hackers based in China from its accounts with the US Federal Reserve.

The branch manager’s representative, meanwhile, said she was now afraid that she would be included by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in its so-called “orange list” of bankers found to have committed violations of important banking regulations, such as the know-your-customer rule under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Ordered by top execs “The fact is, she was ordered to do it by top officials,” said the manager’s representative. He asked that the identities of the RCBC branch manager and himself be kept confidential due to the sensitivity of the issue until the Senate blue ribbon committee holds a public hearing on the matter on March 14. “[The branch manager] is willing to testify,” he said. “She is clear that she did not violate any banking or antimoney laundering laws.”

Besides the Senate, the National Bureau of Investigation and state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

(Pagcor) are conducting their own investigation of the money laundering incident. Pagcor operates its own casinos and licenses a few private firms to run their own casinos. n

MARCH 19

CSFLU 26th Anniversary The City of San Fernando La Union, headed by Vickie Balcita-Neri, will celebrate their 26th Anniversary on March 19, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Brea (900 E Birch St, Brea, CA 9282). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For invitation and other questions, please call Vangie So at (626) 485-3110.

MARCH 20

2016 Piyesta Pinoy Chicago Sunday, March 20 from 11:45am to 4:00pm is the Philippine Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago), as part of the Neighborhoods of the World series at Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens (Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL). Come travel to the Philippines without ever leaving your backyard! This cultural celebration is free and open to the public of all ages. Join us and enjoy an afternoon of lively folk music, special performances, traditional dance, cuisine, arts and crafts. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) and thevibrant Filipino community of Chicago is so proud to put on this event for the 5th year in a row, and Piyesta Pinoy is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our culture with our people.For more information, or to volunteer, perform, exhibit, or donate, please visitwww. piyestapinoy.net, or email Piyestpinoy@gmail.com.

APRIL 9

Prisoners of War Day at the Filipino Veterans Education Center All WWII veterans and families, please join us as we commemorate the historic 74thanniversary of Prisoners of War Day and the Fall of Bataan, the Day of Valor, on Saturday, April 9th. In the spirit of reconciliation, friendship and international cooperation, let us leave the past behind us as we move forward with joined hands to attain peace for all mankind. The formal Commemoration and remembrance ceremony will start at 2:00pm in the Filipino Veterans Education Center, at the War Memorial Performing Arts Veterans Building (401 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102). This event is open to the public.

Please RSVP RudyAsercion@gmail.com; naffaasf@gmail.com. Tel: 415 564 6262.

APRIL — SEPTEMBER

Pilgrimages to Eastern Europe, Mexico and India Amazing Pilgrimages for the Jubilee Year of Mercy! All are welcome to join Fr. Joe Joseph of Holy Trinity Church for the spiritual and fun-filled experiences of EASTERN EUROPE (April 17- 30): Poland, Czech., Austria, Hungary, Medjugorje; COLONIAL MEXICO/ OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (June 20 - 27): Mexico City, Theotihuacan, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Ocotlan, Xochimilco, Guanajuato, San Miguel De Allende, Guadalajara, San Juan De Los Lagos, Cristo Rey, Zapopan, Tonala; and INDIA (September 15 - 29): Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kerala. For more pilgrimage information and detailed flyers, please contact Bernadette at bcorp1114@hotmail.com OR call 323-344-1548 & 323-547-6618.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

B MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA AMERICA is now a debtor nation owing $19 trillion and still mounting, the last $10 trillion load incurred in the last 7 years.

Economists say that with the current budget passed by the feckless, reckless bunch of politicians of both parties in Congress, this budget will catapult the national debt to $21 trillion in 2 years.

Early warning signs indicate that unless something drastic is done and a tourniquet applied to stop the hemorhage, America is on a tipping point going the way of socialist Greece in a few short years. Greece, long admired as the foundation of Western civilization, has become a case study in modern times on how nations Let me try and break it down for those of us trying to wrap this staggering national debt load in our heads: $19,000,000,000,000.00 or 12 zeroes to the left of the decimal point. A trillion is a million million dollars. If every individual living in this country were to pay this debt just to be free and clear, each one would have to pay through the nose, roughly $70,000 for every man, woman and child.

How can any country sustain its sovereignty with such a staggering load? How can our leaders be so inept as to be unable to bite the bullet and rein in such utterly reprehensible fiscal irresponsibility? How can we leave generations yet to come with such a shameful legacy?

On the more mundane individual level, many people do not realize until it is too late that they have become addicted to the use of credit cards to the point that after just a few years, they seek credit card counselling and in a worst case scenario, bankruptcy relief protection. They have unwittingly entered credit card hell with collection agencies hounding them and recording all sorts of negative entries into their credit history.

How do you know if you are way in over your head with too much debt? There are early warning signs. If you find yourself like an acrobat trying to juggle too many bills, paying one company this month and another next month, borrowing from

Community Journal

Credit card hell on the macro and micro levels “Just because America is $19 trillion in debt does not give us the go-ahead to do likewise in our personal fiscal life.”

— MAM

one to pay the other one and when lenders send you overdue notices, you are wading into the waters of financial trouble.

Making only the minimum payments never really paying down the principal owed is one sure sign. When you have nightmares and begin dreading going to the mailbox and opening your monthly credit card statements, it is time for a reality check.

Face this problem squarely.

Ignoring it will not make it go away. Try discussing this with your lenders to work out a debt repayment schedule. They would rather not seize your property or send the hounds of a collection agency to you. This is their last resort if you try to bury your head in the sand and ignore this problem.

Even if you have defaulted on your credit, you still have certain rights as mandated by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. There are a number of provisions about this act that affords you certain types of protection that you should know. Under the current laws of the land governing this matter, debt collectors cannot use abusive, deceptive or unfair techniques to collect the money that you owe. Unlike in some other countries, there are parameters that a collection agency cannot and should not cross. It will cost them if they do. There are resources in the internet and books in the library to help you through this sticky situation.

Collection agencies cannot threaten you with violence, curse you or verbally assault you with arrest or imprisonment unless they are able to obtain the legal right to do so. They cannot force you to accept collect telephone calls or shame you by advertising your debt. You should know that bill collectors are prohibited from calling you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM, and they may not call you at work if they know that your employer disapproves.

If the collectors violate any of

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes ALL property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in California is community property. Family Code 760. However, there are situations in which the marriage may be held to be null and void.

These situations include, but are not limited to entering into a bigamous marriage, fraud and misrepresentation in entering into a marriage, etc. The legal consequences of having your marriage annulled by your spouse is that it results to you not having any community property interest on property acquired by your spouse during the marriage. A nullity may also cut off your claim for spousal support.

What options do you have if your spouse files a nullity against you? You may still have a claim to community property and support as a putative spouse. A party to a void or voidable marriage has “putative spouse” status only if he or she believed in good faith the marriage was valid. Family.

Code. § 225; Marriage of Guo & Sun (2010) 186 CA4th 1491, 1493, 112 CR3d 906, 908; Marriage of Vryonis (1988) 202 CA3d 712, 721, 248 CR 807, 813. A party who has the requisite objectively reasonable “good faith” belief may be a putative spouse where any legal infirmity in formation of the marriage renders the marriage invalid. Domestic Partnership of Ellis & Arriaga (2008) 162 CA4th 1000, 1005, 76 CR3d 401, 404; Estate of DePasse (2002) 97 CA4th 92, 107, 118 CR2d 143, 155; see Marriage of Vryonis, supra, 202 CA3d at 718–719, 248 CR at 811–812.

A party’s “good faith” belief in the validity of the marriage is not tested by whether he or she be-

the rules of the act, you can sue for damages. But do not look at this as a way to make money.

Know that if the court finds you have acted in bad faith with the collection agency, you may have to pay the collector’s legal bills.

Suing for damages can backfire on you and cause you more trouble.

The rights protect you from abuse but your debts have not been forgiven. Creditors can and will seize whatever assets you have, attach or garnish your wages or foreclose on your home or property if you do not pay what is due them.

Recent legislation that govern bankruptcy protection laws seem to go in favor of credit card companies rather than the consumer. Gone are the times when consumers who have abused their credit lines can seek protection from their creditors by simply hiding their assets and filing for bankruptcy.

If you seek to understand the substantial changes that are shaping the country’s bankruptcy protection laws, go to government internet websites that cover consumer debt and bankruptcy laws. Who would know better than a government mired in debt itself?

For those of us pathetic rubes near or at the bottom of the American social structure who must work or tend to our businesses, there is a basic life lesson to be learned from this cautionary tale of American fiscal recklessness. In our time, this would be the big kahuna of What’s debts.

Bringing this down to the mi- New crocosmic level of our personal lives, there is a simple life lesson to be learned from this monumental fiasco.

Arlene Al-os, When it comes to drugs and CPA, MBA debt: Don’t do it. Just don’t. *** THE IRS requires specified Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is individuals who file FBAR forms SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To with an interest in “specified send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ foreign financial asset” have a asianjournalinc.com further requirement to file From

Putative spouse status as a defense to a petition for nullity of marriage lieved a “marriage” lawfully occurred under some private, secular or spiritual set of standards.

A putative spouse must have had a good faith belief in the existence of a lawful California marriage. Estate of DePasse (2002) 97 CA4th 92, 107–108, 118 CR2d 143, 156; Welch v. State of Calif.

(2000) 83 CA4th 1374, 1378– 1379, 100 CR2d 430, 432–433; Marriage of Vryonis (1988) 202 CA3d 712, 723, 248 CR 807, 814–815 “Good faith” belief is tested by an objective standard based on facts that would cause a reasonable person under the circumstances to harbor a good faith belief in the existence of a valid California marriage. Domestic Partnership of Ellis & Arriaga, supra, 162 CA4th at 1005, 76 CR3d at 404; Marriage of Guo & Sun (2010) 186 CA4th 1491, 1497, 112 CR3d 906, 911; Marriage of Ramirez & Llamas (2008) 165 CA4th 751, 756, 81 CR3d 180, 183. Whether a party had an objectively reasonable “good faith” belief is a question of fact to be determined in light of all the circumstances.

Successfully proving putative spouse status or putative marriage status in court gives rise to certain property, support and attorney fees/costs rights, as well as certain other rights that ordinarily attach only between lawfully married persons. Property that would have been community or quasi-community property had the marriage been valid is deemed “quasi-marital property” and, in a proceeding to terminate the invalid marriage, “shall” be divided between the parties as if it were community. Family.

Code. § 2251(a)(2); Marriage of Tejeda (2009) 179 CA4th 973,

983, 102 CR3d 361, 368; Quasimarital property divided pursuant to § 2251 is also liable for the parties’ debts to the same extent as if it had been community or quasi-community property. Family.Code. § 2252.

In addition, “temporary” and “permanent” spousal support may also be awarded in a nullity proceeding in favor of a putative spouse “in the same manner as if the marriage had not been void or voidable” Family Code Section 2254. The court may also award attorney’s fees pursuant to family code section 2030 in favor of a party found to be “innocent of fraud or wrongdoing in inducing or entering into the marriage, and free from knowledge of the then existence of any prior marriage or other impediment to the contracting of the marriage for which a judgment of nullity is sought.” Family Code Section 2255. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

***

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, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

(Advertising Supplement)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) #2 - FBAR report of financial accounts 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) if on the last day of the tax year the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $50,000 or $75,000 at any time during the tax year.

Filing of Form 8938 does not relieve you of the requirement to file FinCen Form 114.

Q. What is a financial account?

A. A “financial account” includes the following: • Savings, checking, deposit, demand or any other account maintained with a financial institution.

u PAGE B5

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Community Journal

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 9-11, 2016

B

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) #2 - FBAR… PAGE B4 t

• Bank, securities derivatives, securities or other financial instruments accounts.

• Accounts in which the assets are held in a commingled fund including mutual funds.

• Annuity policy and insurance policy with a cash value.

Q. If you own three foreign financial accounts with maximum account balances of $100, $12,000 and $3,000. Do you have to file an FBAR? Do you have to report all three accounts?

A. Yes, because the aggregate value of foreign financial accounts X, Y and Z is $15,100.

Even though two accounts have values below $10,000, you must report all three X, Y and Z. Reporting threshold total value of assets is $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.

Q. Is an FBAR required for accounts maintained with financial institutions located in a foreign country if the accounts hold noncash assets, such as gold or silver?

A. Yes. Whether the account holds cash or non-monetary assets, an account with a financial institution that is located in a foreign country is a financial ac-

EMPLOYMENT

count for FBAR purposes.

Q. If you own two foreign financial accounts with account balances of $3,000 and $8,000, do you have to file an FBAR? Which accounts must be reported?

A. All accounts, albeit no single account is over $10,000, because the aggregate or total value of accounts A and B is over $10,000.

Q. Does the term “other authority over a financial account” mean that a person, who has the power to direct how an account is invested but who cannot make disbursements to the accounts, has to file an FBAR? A. No, because the person has no power of disposition of money in the account, an FBAR is not required.

Q. Is an FBAR required if the account does not generate interest or dividend income?

A. Yes, whether or not the foreign account generates any income, you must file FBAR. Q. Does more than one FBAR form need to be filed for a husband and wife owning a joint account?

A. No, one is enough as long as the Social Security numbers and the names of the joint owners are fully disclosed and the conditions

are met.

Q. What are the exceptions to the FBAR filing requirement?

A. Owner and beneficiary of an IRA ,trust beneficiaries if the trust, trustee, or agent of the trust is a US person and files FBAR disclosing the trust’s foreign financial accounts, accounts in U.S. military banking facilities and an employee or officer of a bank if the officer or employee has no personal financial interest in the account although have signature authority over such account.

Q. How long should account holders retain records of the foreign accounts?

A. You should retain your records for a period of five years.

In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not to be considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for IRS audit, tax dispute, or any other purpose. ***

Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities.

The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

(Advertising Supplement)

EMPLOYMENT

MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT. Jun and Arlene Calditaran of Los Angeles are pleased to announce that they will be married for time and all eternity at the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 5. Families and friends of the couple are requested to check in at the Temple at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

EMPLOYMENT

B MARCH 9-11, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

The Asian Journal

MDWK

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

MAGAZINE

ܯ źÊåÙÅ ¿Öå ¿¯ â¯ÊÅÜ

dž ܯ źÊåÙÅ ¿ ÊÄ

dž ܯ źÊåÙÅ ¿

XXX BTJBOKPVSOBM DPN -PT "OHFMFT LJ -BT 7FHBT LJ 0SBOHF $PVOUZ *OMBOE &NQJSF LJ /PSUIFSO $BMJGPSOJB LJ /FX :PSL /FX +FSTFZ

Photo courtesy of Alvin Cailan

2

cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 9, 2016

Fides Herrera-Lim: Life as a diplomat’s spouse and promoting Filipino culture abroad

I

by Christina

M. Oriel /AJPress

nside the living room of the Herrera-Lim residence are carefully arranged mementos, books stacked on shelves and a hodgepodge of furniture pieces that somehow bring the entire space together. every item that has made its way into this house has a story of its own, accumulated from the different cities the couple has lived in and visited over the last two decades.

Los Angeles has been the home of Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and his wife, Fides, since 2014, though it seems that they have lived here longer than that. in this short period, the couple has found their place in the dynamic of the local FilipinoAmerican community

(the largest constituency ConGen Herrera-Lim has been assigned to thus far in his career), listening to the needs of fellow Filipinos and serving as a liaison with the Philippine government.

A lot has been written about Mr. Herrera-Lim as a career diplomat, whose previous assignments included Washington, dC, London and Chicago, but Mrs. Herrera-Lim has mostly stayed on the sidelines, rarely granting interviews — until now. during a recent conversation with the Asian Journal, she spoke candidly about what life has been like as a diplomat’s spouse and shared her work as the current president of the AseAn Women’s Circle of

Los Angeles (AWCLA).

Making a home away from home Growing up in Baguio City with roots traced to the indigenous ibaloi tribe, Fidelis “Fides” Cariño never imagined she would one day live in some of the biggest cities in the world.

“My mom and dad wanted me to stay in Baguio because they felt that i could make a future there,” she commented.

“For me, there wasn’t any future there, so i went to Manila, which was already a big deal.”

Though she left, she made a point to proudly display her tribal heritage in her daily wear, which she continues to do.

“As long as i have a little ethnicity in what i wear, i’m okay. i want to show that i still have the blood of an igorota [and] i am proud to be an igorota,” she said, describing her support of woven items from different regions in the Philippines, like the Cordillera. in college, she supported herself as a working student; one of her jobs was at the Philippine senate, where she met her future husband, Leo Herrera-Lim. After Mr. Herrera-Lim passed

Some items in the Herrera-Lim residence.

the foreign service exam, he was assigned to the Philippine embassy in Washington, dC, where the couple eventually got married and became a family of four with a son, Leonardo and a daughter, Frances.

While Mr. Herrera-Lim served as a second secretary and then vice consul, Mrs. Herrera-Lim worked at the World Bank, as a staff assistant. it is not uncommon for the spouses of diplomats to have day jobs on top of attending events, so long as the country grants them work authorization, she said. “i loved my job, but since Leo had to leave his stint, he had to go back to Manila for two years,” she said. “it so happened that i was accepted to World Bank in Manila, so it was quite a good move.”

After two years in Manila, the Herrera-Lims relocated to London, where Mr. Herrera-Lim filled roles such as first secretary and consul and then minister and consul general at the Philippine embassy. Meanwhile, Mrs. Herrera-Lim fondly recalled the seven years as “some of the best years we’ve had,” noting that the rich culture kept her fulfilled as an

avid reader and museum buff. she also took a job as a manager at a medical clinic, which exposed her to the British work ethic.

“London was a simple life for us. You would read a lot, get to know their culture and their way of really keeping their heritage… it was a great opportunity for the children to learn a lot about europe in general,” she described, adding that “The British see…how hardworking Filipinos are. We have a system and we’re honest.”

Unlike diplomats who receive training on how to execute the duties of the position, the spouses don’t have that same level of formal preparation in terms of how they must present themselves to society. Almost everything is learned on the spot, as they adjust and have to restart anew every few years. in moving to a new city, Herrera-Lim said the best strategy to adjust is simply to listen and observe the community.

“The way we communicate

PH Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and his wife, Fides.

Photo by Cesar Angeles

with the community is that we’re just being ourselves. We have so much respect for the community and we try to be more of a listener,” she said. “We try to suggest activities that would really show our culture.”

Remarked Consul General Herrera-Lim, “Fides is such a natural...in terms of trying to complement the messaging and in terms of being patient because there are a lot of [personalities] in the community.”

After London, Mr. Herrera-Lim was assigned to Chicago for four years, where he covered 16 states and population of about 329,000 Filipinos.

Mrs. Herrera-Lim found ways to spend her time, from taking an internship at sunda (an Asian fusion restaurant that cooks up some Filipino dishes) to stepping up as president of the Chicago Consular Corps Ladies’ Club. One of her proudest accomplishments while in the Windy City was spearheading the production of “intercultural Reflections in Chicago,” a coffee table book featuring the history, culture and recipes from eight countries, including the Philippines.

Preserving Filipino culture in Los Angeles At the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, the consul general’s jurisdiction covers southern California, southern nevada, Arizona, new Mexico and Texas.

For the past two years, the Herrera-Lims have made their Continued on Page 3 AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

features

3

The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 9, 2016

Kris Aquino makes important life choices Kris Aquino says she will be stepping away from the limelight. in a series of instagram posts on Tuesday, March 8, the TV host-actress said she is leaving ABs-CBN, her home network for almost 20 years, to focus on her health, her family and her businesses.

The announcement comes days after she hinted on social media about making “important life choices in the next days” following recent issues with her health.

“Thank you, Kapamilya,” Kris began. “Our relationship as a The Herrera-Lims’ bookshelf is adorned with items gathered from various cities over the years.

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon family started October 28, 1996 and it will soon end this March 23, 2016.”

“A total of 10,354 days working for ABs-CBN, my life’s most From Page 2 impressed with — or getting to international children’s charity fulfilling professional journey know the LAsA brothers and rounds to the various states, organization that provides fundbecause of your love, acceptance eating at Eggslut. Once we know ing for cleft repairs of children attending community events and loyalty,” she told her more about this, we tell friends. We try in developing countries. Other and meeting with organizathan two million followers on to let them know that there are tions. activities the group has orgainstagram. such things.”

“For us, we just try to be nized were meals to taste other she also said the taping days Last september, Mrs. Herrera- countries’ cuisines, including a curious and understand from the for her morning show “Kris TV” is Lim took the reigns as president bigger perspective of our comtrip to Leelin Bakery & Cafe and set on Wednesday and Thursday. of the AsEAN Women Circle of munity...We try to go out of our its factory. she continued: “Just like Los Angeles (AWCLA), a socioway to meet with Filipinos, some“The activities i always think all of you, i love my FAMiLY. My times we see them at restaurants cultural group comprised of the of are ways of understanding spouses of the consuls general or churches or other events. it each other’s culture and building becomes very interesting to learn from indonesia, Malaysia, Myana friendship among us,” Mrs. Hermar, Thailand and the Philippines. rera-Lim added. about their stories,” Mr. HerreraBut unlike previous years, Mrs. Lim said.

Though they don’t disclose

by Joyce Jimenez Added Mrs. Herrera-Lim, “we Herrera-Lim opened up the exclu- any particular favorite city they’ve Philstar.com sive membership to women in the lived in, they shared that Los usually ask where they’re from MANiLA—Xian Lim and Kim and they usually like talking about communities.

Angeles has proved to be a place Participating in consular asso- friendly to Filipino immigrants, themselves being from here Chiu still don’t want to put a laciations allows her to “show [that] where they can achieve the or there. For me, speaking the bel to their relationship, although Filipinos can be that creative, how American Dream. ilocano dialect, i find it an asset she revealed that they love each because i’m able to become com- we could introduce our culture “We saw how many Filipinos other. or be a team together with other became successful here going fortable with them and they start “Kung ang tinatanong n’yo nations,” she said. to be more open.” through difficult times and going po is kung anong story naming “it’s more of uniting and in addition to partaking in the through the hierarchy of workni Kim, nagmamahalan po kami,” traditional community events, the putting the ladies together. ing until they reached that [level] You have to consider this, when Herrera-Lims noted how amused of success,” Mrs. Herrera-Lim they’ve been seeing second-gen- [the spouses] come move to a remarked. country, usually they don’t have eration Filipino Americans here What’s next for the Herrerafriends. i think having this group in southern California take an Lims? in a few months, all of their is one way of supporting them. active role in learning about their belongings, which have given so sometimes they’ll ask, where’s identities. much character to the consulate “We’d like the second-gen to the best place to buy this? Or residence, will be packed away discover about our culture. some where is a good supermarket?” in boxes, as the couple heads she added. have been detached or some back to Manila to await the next in November, AWCLA hosted assignment. have lost their identities growits first gala dinner and internaing up,” the Consul General’s When asked about where tional bazaar, intended to bring wife said. “We would prefer if they want to be placed next, the younger ones were involved. the Asian communities together. they both joked and agreed that The proceeds of the night were Like, NextDayBetter — those anywhere in Europe would be are good events that we’re quite donated to smile Train, an nice.

Xian Lim and Kim Chiu

Fides Herrera-Lim: Life as a...

most valuable life destiny is to be Mama to KUYA JOsH and BiMBY; and to be a loving, selfless sister to ATE, PiNKY, NOY and ViEL: a BUNsO who doesn’t give them constant worry because of my health and safety.” “i’m not putting a time frame, but with my type of work, it’s realistic to accept by leaving ABsCBN i’ll be replaced and soon forgotten,” Kris added.

“My sons and i will travel, we’ll move to our new home, and i’ll eat healthy, sleep early, exercise regularly, and live quietly-everything to make sure Kuya Josh and Bimb have a healthy mother.”

Kris thanked her endorsements for “sticking it out with me while i work on my longterm health and wellness.”

Kris added that for her “next chapter,” she will focus on her businesses. “i need to continue being WOrKiNG MOM since i’m the sOLE PrOViDEr for my sons, but for now i’ll do it away from the stress of the limelight.” she also said “this isn’t good-

Kris Aquino

bye” but a “i think you’ll miss me and i hope to see you again, soon.”

This isn’t the first time Kris said she will stay away from showbiz. in 2013, after a spat with ex-husband James Yap, Kris said she will resign from show business to focus on her children. in 2010, she also resigned from her showbiz talk shows after her brother Benigno Aquino iii was elected as president of the Philippines, only to return as a TV host a year after via the morning talk “Kris TV.” (Philstar.com)

Xian Lim on Kim Chiu: ‘Nagmamahalan po kami’ said Xian when asked about the real score with Kim, during the press conference of “The story of Us” on Tuesday, March 8.

Xian spoke on behalf of their relationship. “Hindi ako takot na amining mahal na mahal ko si Kim. Hindi ako nag-aalala ipakita sa lahat ng tao na mahal na mahal ko talaga si Kim. Pero

at the same time, ang sinasabi ko lang po, kapag sinabi natin sa lahat baka lang po magkaro’n ng komplikasyon.”

The Kapamilya actor added that he’s just protecting his relationship with Kim from the public eye.

“Once po na buksan n’yo sa publiko, marami pong masabi, marami pong istorya na magawa.

Minsan po may dagdag, may bawas, ‘yon po ang natatakot ako,” he explained.

“Hindi ko po mapapatawad ang sarili ko kung may mangyaring masama sa relationship naming ni Kim. so pinoproektahan ko lang po talaga,” he added.

Although he made clear that he doesn’t plan to hide their relationship from the public, he prefers to be “slowly sharing, slowly letting people know” how much he feels for the actress.

4

features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 9, 2016

Bea Alonzo is PMPC Star Awards best actress; Piolo, Dennis tied for best actor

BEA Alonzo bagged the Movie Actress of the Year for the movie “A Second Chance” at the 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies held Sunday night at Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasig.

Meanwhile, actors Piolo Pascual and Dennis Trillo clinched the top acting honors at the PMPC awards night.

Pascual was hailed Movie Actor of The Year for the movie “Silong” together with Trillo for “Felix Manalo.”

The other winners: Movie of the Year - “Felix Manalo” Indie Movie of The Year - “Bambanti” Movie Director of the Year - Joel Lamangan for “Felix Manalo”

Indie movie director of the Year - Zig Dulay for “Bambanti” Best Supporting Actress - Alessandra De Rossi for “Kid Kulafu” Best Supporting Actor - Tirso Cruz III for “Honor Thy Father” Movie Theme song of The Year - “Ang Sugo ng Diyos Mula Sa Mga Huling Araw” for “Felix Manalo” Editor of the Year - Jarrold Tarrog for “Heneral Luna” Indie Editor of the Year - Benjamin Tolentino for “Tandem” New Movie Actress of The Year - Janella Salvador for “Haunted Mansion” New Movie Actor of the Year - Marlo Mortel Best Movie Musical Scorer

award - Jerrold Tarrog for “Heneral Luna” Movie Sound Engineer of the Year - Mikko Quizon for “Heneral Luna” Indie Sound Engineer of the Year - Jess Carlos for “Silong” Best Child Performer of The Year for indie - Micko Laurente for film ”Bambanti” PMPC also handed the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award to Amalia Fuentes while veteran director Mel Chionglo received the Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award.

The first Love Team of The Year award went to Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

(Inquirer.net)

Piolo Pascual

Bea Alonzo

Dennis Trillo

Maine Mendoza to ‘AlDub’ bashers: Nobody’s perfect by

Joyce Jimenez

reminded them that “sana imbes na maghanap kayo ng mali MANILA—Maine Mendoza sa amin, ng kapintasan sa amin, finally speaks up against the e, sana humarap din muna kayo bashers of her love team with sa salamin. Kasi pare-pareho Alden Richards, popularly tayo na hindi tayo perpekto. known as “AlDub.” Lahat tayo nagkakamali.”

On Saturday, March 5, “Hindi ako Diyos pero siguMaine gave a message to their rado ako at sinasabi ko sa inyo, “detractors” during her birthkung anuman ‘yong hindi n’yo day special in “Eat Bulaga!” magandang ginagawa sa kapwa “Message ko lang sa inyo ay ninyo, babalik din sa inyo,” she God bless,” she said. “Ano kasi, added. alam n’yo naman na walang In the end, she thanked maganda o mabuting maidudu- all their fans who continulot ‘yong ginagawa n’yo pero ously supported them in every ginagawa n’yo pa rin.” project since their love team The “Kalye-serye” star also started.

Philstar.com

Maine Mendoza

Cristine Reyes disrespects Vivian Velez The Global Kababayan G. TönGi IN a recent article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Vivian Velez, a Philippine veteran actress who has starred in several films and television projects dating back to the 80s has declared her irrevocable resignation from the ABS-CBN afternoon teleserye called “Tubig at Langis.” According to her interview, Velez claims that Viva talent Cristine Reyes has been disrespectful towards her in numerous ways.

Having close friends who are part of the industry, I was able to confirm that the allegations are indeed true. On location of their TV show, “Tubig at Langis,” the two actresses had to use one standby area because the other location was to be used to film in. Reyes was not happy about having to share a space with Velez and made sure the production staff and Velez knew how she felt. Reyes was also quoted as saying that Velez is old and “laos” na, which really reflects how ignorant the young actress is on the body of work that Velez has over the years.

It reminds me of an instance of when I too had to leave a dressing room of another actress who refused to share her dressing room with me back in our ASAP days. She was dating my co-actor Rico Yan at the time and wasn’t happy about my camaraderie with her boyfriend.

If only Reyes could learn a thing or two from her half-sister Ara Mina, who apparently according to various sources say that Mina is such an amicable and cooperative actor on the set.

Fame and fortune are fleeting and actresses such as Reyes should be disciplined not only by the network that has to endure the backlash of her bad attitude and negative publicity, but her management company (VIVA) as well. ABS-CBN has issued a statement that is included here.

Why popular “stars” on the rise think they are untouchable, indispensable and feel the need to pull their weight around is beyond me! Perhaps because on several occasions, celebrities like this get into scandals where they belittle other people by calling them names or even slapping them, and yet, no repercussions take place.

What goes around comes around?

In preparing to write this article, I notified my industry contacts on Facebook if they had anything to say on the matter above. I got a message

6

FILIPINO

CONDIMENTS

Condiments like patis are high in salt.

Salt is used to enhance other flavors, so even sweet sauces like banana ketchup may be high in salt.

SOUP AND FLAVOR MIXES

Soup mixes used for dishes like sinigang have a lot of salt. An eighth of the pouch of sinigang base contains 810mg of salt.

Cristine Reyes

Vivian Velez

from someone who will remain anonymous who said that when they had worked with Velez years ago, they also got the same treatment Reyes is now dishing back to Velez herself.

The cause of delay was significant too. A 7:30 am call time for everyone else on the set and Velez arrived at past 3 pm with everyone waiting for her. This was for her project with Dennis Roldan at the time was due to Velez either not wanting to wear “dusters” or house clothes, her merely being late because she didn’t feel like coming to work yet or she had not gotten her talent fee yet, just like the other actors on set.

Veteran or not, respect should come from a place where everyone is treated with kindness and equality. By portraying herself as a “victim” in the above story, my source had no choice but to share her experience because she was also under the wrath of the “Diva Attitudes” that stars are known to throw around.

Another director Francis Pasion gone too soon & the need for change!

Director of popular telenovela” On the Wings of Love”, Francis Xavier Pasion suddenly passed away this weekend at the age of 38. The causes are

still unknown and are currently under investigation.

His death has sparked several professionals in the entertainment industry to post on their private Facebook wall on how the death of Pasion isn’t the first and certainly not the last that will happen in an industry that continuously adheres to inhumane working hours of more than 16-20 hours each taping day! Working hours need to be regulated on each and every film and TV set in the Philippines despite the star status of the actors on the set, as well as crew and production staff also who suffer from fatigue and lack of sleep. What happens is that people will not speak up for fear of being replaced by another willing and able body but industry professionals are clamoring for change! When their colleagues are dying because of inadequate sleep and rest, it is time to voice out what all people are asking for in the entertainment industry, which I quote is ”respect and fairness.”

In 1939, The Department of Labor in the Philippines enacted the eight- hour workday yet how come no one seems to be questioning the entertainment industry’s lack of transparency on this matter? I’d like to call the attention of the Department of Health and Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin to investigate the working conditions of people in the entertainment industry who slave away until the wee hours of the morning, just to feed the masses with entertainment, driven by networks who lucratively profit from the sweat on their brows. Let the death of Direk Wenn Deramas and now Direk Pasion spark the muchneeded change in an industry that really needs to protest the artists who put their health and life on the line. *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipino’s living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only the cultural gap between America & the Philippines but to help with the generational gap between our own people. She is married with two children and is based in Southern California and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans who are empowering the FilAm community.

Francis Pasion

DID YOU KNOW?

Filipinos are at risk for high blood pressure. In fact, 3 out of 5 Filipinos have high blood pressure and 1 out of 5 Filipinos have pre-hypertension1.

Pre-hypertension means your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg. This increases your risk for high blood pressure even more.

High blood pressure increases your risk for heart failure and stroke.

Reducing salt in your diet will help lower your risk for high blood pressure.

The American Heart Association recommends to eat less than 1,500mg of salt per day. That is about 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of patis, or 1 tablespoon of bagoong.

CANNED GOODS

Canned goods like luncheon meat and sardines use salt for shelf life.

Eat these less often and in small amounts .

INSTANT NOODLES

Instant pancit canton and instant soups are laden with salt.

They contain up to double your recommended salt intake.

MERIENDA

Crunchy goodies like butong pakwan and cornick are heavily salted.

For smart snacking, have a handful and stick to only eating that amount.

PRESERVED FOODS

A high amount of salt is used in items such as dilis, itlog na maalat, and tuyo.

One ounce of tuyo contains 1,275mg of salt.

Moonlighting

The fall of President Marcos

soldiers to let us proceed, but

by Mylah we were warned there were a de leon few Marcos loyalists hiding in side streets, even as the fighting had stopped.

Within the view of the Palace, I saw people climbing February 26, 1986. There over the railings, pouring into was something odd happening, the gates. With persistence and Camp Crame was the center of determination, the gates flew army revolt. open and we blended with the I wish I could remember it all immense crowd of people of all better without weakening the sexes, age and character. There vitality of the narrative. at Malacañang Palace, Where was a lot of coming and going in the different buildings. Inside the vegetable garden had been, the compound, documents were now lay an empty lawn. all the flying out of the offices. It was a concrete statues were being strange mixture, some looked smashed and carried away. happy, my colleagues said they The workers watched us, as we passed. There were tanks at every felt like victorious insurrectionists. gate — big metal monsters. The Then an armed civilian sent security check was very much in by the rebel troops said we operation. as we walked down to center couldn’t go any further. but it of the road to the Palace, our feet was too exciting to just walk away. an associated Press crunched broken glasses. We photographer just went past the pleaded like children to armed

Mango Mix

guard then, another photographer followed, and another one.

I was the only one left, and seeing that he didn’t shoot them, I surmised that he won’t shoot me so I scuttled past him.

Inside the private chambers of the Marcoses, it was strikingly beautiful. There were precious goods of every kind which surpassed everything I have ever seen before: paintings of the masters, statues, tapestry, russian giant vases, Venetian chandeliers, monogramed towels with the initials of Mrs. Marcos, aubisson bed sheets, fine china on open crater with jade plates so large and vulgar.

Then we went into the Ceremonial Hall where a lot of the schemes of the Marcos era were hatched. People ran, and sat on the former dictator’s throne, began giving mock press conferences, issuing orders in that deep baritone voice, falling

Why should we sleep more?

by Martin

Jason l. ita-as

IN the modern day setting, most people never seem to have time for a proper rest.

There are too many things going on at the same time that we often neglect getting, at least, eight hours of sleep each night. unfortunately, that sort of practice is bad for both our mental and physical health, wearing you down slowly and leading to more severe illnesses.

Having a good night’s rest isn’t just the key to keeping your body fit and healthy, either.

Here are a few reasons why you should sleep longer and better: Better memory retention Did you think staying up late cramming information into your head would help you memorize it better? Think again. That kind of practice only makes you even more tired the next day, making it easier to forget what you spent the whole night trying to keep it in your head. Studies have shown that while we sleep, our brains process our memories much deeper and easier. Lose

sleep and you’ll increase your chance of failing to remember something important the next day.

Clear your mind Staying up late can really do a number on the mental facility, making it harder to focus and concentrate on a single task. you could end up really ruining your day just from the mistakes you make here and there because you aren’t thinking straight. Grab a good night’s rest so you can recharge your body and mind, making it easier to solve problems and zoom through your work or school day.

Perk yourself up your daily coffee intake might help keep you peppy throughout the day, but a

true day-brightener is getting enough sleep and waking the next day feeling totally refreshed and ready to take on the world. you might not naturally turn into a happy camper in an instant, but at least, you’ll feel better about yourself and be ready to face any troubles and trials throughout your day.

Avoid weight gain When you sleep longer and better, you gain the energy to move and be active. This can help keep the weight down as you laze around less and move more briskly, prompting a slight exercise as you move your body. you’ll be able to get up early and exercise better so you can keep those weight goals you might have.

about with laughter or just gawking at the splendor of the hall.

The blue Drawing room was impossible to describe as you gaze at it and words fail you.

There was this huge magnificent library, and the other journalists gazed in wonder at the leather bound, gold gilded volumes and the collection of art books. This was the reference library of Mrs. Marcos, renowned collection of treasures.

We’ve never seen anything of such splendor and no one dared touch the furniture and trinkets. There was the most exquisite marvelous grand piano Van Cliburn played and I couldn’t resist playing Mendelssohn “On Wings of Song” but my colleagues had obviously hoped for something more racy of lofty and patriotic like the “Internationale” or “bayan Ko.” but what was hard to believe was, the whole press corp was there and the

features 5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 9, 2016

Marcoses weren’t. a soldier came in brandishing an uzi ordering us to “Please cooperate.” So we did.

Outside, the awe had consumed itself into the crowd, as they stood by the fountain, looking down at the color lights beneath the Pasig river – not saying anything. They were just a crowd of a happy cheerful world — from the transition of con-

tempt and fury of the populace of the preceeding day, to the affectionate transport admiration and glory of the present moment. but today, 30 years later, it was fireworks. The whole country — not just the city — were celebrating.. ***

com

Lessen your cancer risk While you sleep, your body produces melatonin, a chemical that helps regulate your sleep cycle. This not only helps with your sleep but also helps in eliminating cancer-causing free radicals and increasing the production of antioxidants. When you interrupt or lose sleep, you basically halt the continuous production of this beneficial agent. are those good enough reasons for you to plan on sleeping early on a daily basis? Just take note that oversleeping is just as bad and can really mess up your internal clock and some other body functions. Try to find that perfect balance in the number of hours you sleep and see the benefits of a good night’s rest start becoming apparent.

*** Mango Tours is a provider of quality, affordable and convenient travel services that include low-priced airline tickets, customized Philippine and International Tour Packages, Cruises, Land Transfers, Passport and Visa Concerns. It is the #1 producer of reliable travel services particularly when it comes to Philippine travel arrangements to the Filipino-American community in the US Mango Tours is able to provide its customers with a number of travel options at affordable rates because of its consolidator contracts with over 11 airlines. Book your travel bookings with Mango Tours by calling its 24/7 U.S. toll-free number at 1-866-2MANILA (1-866-2-626452). Visit www.mangotours. com to know more about its latest promos and travel offers.* *Advertising Supplement

salo salo 1/4v

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.

6

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 9, 2016