PNEWS 2.22-2.28,2024

CONGRESS SUBPOENAS PASTOR QUIBOLOY IN ABUSES PROBE

UPSIDE

Honoring Black FilAm achievers

POLITICAL PIONEERS (from le�, top): Bobby Sco�/Office of US Rep Sco�;Thurgood Marshall Jr./Campaign Legal Center and Glenn Sylvester/City of Daly City; (from le�, bo�om) John William Marshall/Library of Virginia; Jus�n Jones/Tennessee Assembly and Alexander Walker Griffin/City of Hercules.

FILIPINO Americans have much in common with African Americans.

Church sect leader faces arrest if he won’t show up, blames US for ordeal

MANILA/DAVAO CITY/LOS ANGELES – Controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC), who is on Most Wanted List of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has been subpoenaed by the Senate and the House of Representatives to appear before them to answer allegations of abuses against him and his church in the Philippines and in the United States.

Quiboloy admits going into hiding due to ‘death threats from US’

MANILA -- Where in the world is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy?

The Jewish experience in the Philippines

They speak many languages, FilAms having descended from multiple colonizers, and African Americans from ancestors enslaved from various nations in the continent.

Family is the center of their universe.

Both their earliest ancestors arrived involuntarily: Filipinos who landed in 1587 on the shores of what is now Morro Bay, California, were conscripted into the Spanish galleon trade; in 1763 more jumped ship on the bayous of what is now Louisiana. Africans were captured by slave traders from what is now Angola and shipped to the British colony in Hampton, Virginia, in 1619.

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor 

Page 4

He says he’s in hiding because the US is after him, while also saying that he has not left the country but is only cooling his heels in his Davao compound.

The controversial Quiboloy had suddenly made himself scarce, with rumors swirling that he had flown out of the country in his private jet.

Massachusetts braces for migrant crisis

By Gilda P. Balan, Correspondent

BOSTON -- The state of Massachusetts is expecting an influx of migrants to pose a threat to its limited resources and wants nothing more to avoid hate crimes against the newcomers, who may not be able to find decent shelter. There is little available shelter for more migrants as the state’s budget for emergency housing has

MANILA -- Except for a small number, most of the Manilaners somehow survived the horrors of World War ll in the Philippines, especially the deadly retaking of the capital City of Manila by US and Filipino forces.

According to Lee Blumenthal, executive director of the Jewish Association of the Philippines (an affiliate of the World Jewish Congress), the last of the 1,300-plus Jews who were welcomed by President Manuel Quezon had left by the 1970s. Most had

families by then, and they generally headed for the US or Israel.

There are, to be sure, descendants of the 1300, but most have totally assimilated and are plain and simply Filipinos, although they may still have a mestizo complexion. And in all probability, they have become Christians, probably Roman Catholics like the majority of the population.

Blumenthal told Philippine News Today that there are anywhere from 100 to 200 Jews permanently residing in

Page 9

Divorce bill revived in Congress

by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

By the Philippine News Today, Manila research team (Second of 2 parts)

Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss with Rico Garin, father of the fallen Israeli Defense Force soldier Cydrick Garin

Rabbi Jonathan Goldschmidt with PNToday Manila Editor

Laygo Dolor

Jonathan

with

US Coast Guard to help build PHL, others vs. illegal sea activities

“[T]he Coast Guard as we operate, it’s in accordance with the agreed international order, rule of law, the conducts and codes that govern how mariners and military vessels operate and conduct themselves at sea,” Fagsn said.

“And we will continue to operate and engage that way as a demonstration of sort of the importance of rule of law and ensuring that nations have capacity and capability to counter illegal activities or other encroachments of sovereignty,” she added.

Just last year, the USCG made a historic first when the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) visited partners in Tacloban in October.

At that time, a team from the US Coast Guard District 14 and US Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam discussed with the US Embassy in Manila mutual capabilities, training opportunities, and community engagement between the two states.

In a telephone briefing, USCG Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan said the USCG’s sees its partnerships with states contributing to the promotion of a rulesbased order in the wider Indo-Pacific region.

While in Tacloban, the crew, with support from the Maritime Security Response Team West, also hosted a subject matter expert exchange on maritime law enforcement with Philippine Coast Guard colleagues.

PHL Air Force gets another C-130 aircraft from US

CLARK AIR BASE – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received another Lockheed C-130H “Hercules” cargo transport aircraft from the United States.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the aircraft landed at the Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampan-

ga on Feb. 16.

“The aircraft was ferried from Waco, Texas to the Philippines by (a) US aircrew,” Castillo said.

The new C-130H, which has a tail number 5157, is the second of two C-130 aircraft given by the US to the Philippines through its Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program.

The first unit was delivered on Jan. 29, 2021, and formally turned over to the PAF in February of the same year.

“The new addition will bolster the PAF’s cargo airlift fleet and support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, and various military missions,” Castillo said.

A formal acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony for the aircraft is scheduled tentatively at the end of February or March.

The PAF is known to operate four older versions or models of the C-130 for its heavy lift missions.

USCG Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan (Photo courtesy of USCG)

Meet Monica’s Happy Clients:

made

MANILA – The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is committed to helping the Philippines and other Indo-Pacific partners build capacity to counter “illegal activities” within their waters.

Trouble in PHL land transportation: Millions of vehicles unregistered, car plates, card driver’s licenses short

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

QUEZON CITY — There is big trouble besetting land transportation in the country.

After the Land Transportation Office (LTO) admitted that 30 percent of cars and other vehicles plying the roads are not registered, the agency said it will soon run out of plastic cards for printing driver’s licenses and its backlog has soared to over 3 million.

LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II said only 14 million out of the 38 million vehicles nationwide are registered. The agen-

cy said the government would lose about P37 billion this year if the same number of vehicles remains unregistered.

At press time, the LTO admitted it has only 137,945 remaining plastic cards on hand which is good only for two weeks or less.

Reports indicated the backlog in driver’s license cards increased after a Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a writ of preliminary injunction last October, temporarily halting the delivery of plastic cards to LTO.

Mendoza said LTO issues 15,000 card driver’s licenses a day and present supply would last only for 10 working days.

During the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation hearing, 1-RIDER party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita asked LTO how it plans to allocate the remaining supply.

Mendoza replied that the priority would be OFWs.

To address the backlog and the regular demand, the LTO is eyeing to pursue agency-to-agency procurement for the 6.5 million plastic cards.

Requests for proposals were made with three recognized government printers- the National Printing Office, the APO Production Unit and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP, however, submit-

ted a letter of regret.

Once a memorandum of agreement is signed, the first batch of 500,000 license cards are expected to be delivered two weeks later, Mendoza said.

The Office of the Solicitor General also sought a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals to allow the delivery of remaining 3 million plastic cards from Banner Plasticards Inc. to push through, according to the LTO chief.

Mendoza is also considering to use e-licenses as alternative to the physical driver’s license card. He expects it to be ready for a pilot run by the third quarter of this year.

Vatican grants pontifical coronation to Marikina’s Our Lady of Fatima image

MARIKINA CITY -- Pope

Francis has granted canonical coronation to the image of Our Lady of Fatima, enshrined in the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Paul of the Cross in Marikina City.

The Diocese of Antipolo, where the parish belongs, said it received the news from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments on Feb. 14.

A canonical crowning is a pious institutional act in which the pope, through a bull, designates a crown or stellar halo

to be added to a Marian image under a specifi c devotional title in a particular area or diocese.

Bishop Ruperto Santos said the “enormous and symbolic gift” from the pope “will surely deepen our devotion to the Mother of our Lord Jesus, who is also our mother.”

“It is with grateful hearts that we, in the diocese, share and off er this tremendous blessing after blessing to all of you,” Santos said.

There are now six images of the

PNP boosted with P20-M drones, radio equipment

CRAME, Quezon City – The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) operational capability got a boost with the acquisition of drones and other modern equipment.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. and Okada Foundation Inc. president James Lorenzana signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the acquisition.

Under the MOA, the PNP would get P9.99 million worth of radio communication equipment and P9.96 million worth drones and drone jammers from the company.

“By providing funds for essential equipment such as radio communication devices, drones, and jammers, we are prepared to confront the evolving challenges of modern policing,” Acorda said.

The PNP also received vehicles and television units from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI).

Acorda received the four Toyota Innova vehicles and 28 55-inch TV units from PSMBFI president and chief executive officer Jose Chiquito Malayo in simple rites.

Blessed Virgin Mary in the Diocese of Antipolo that have been granted the privilege of pontifi cal coronation.

The fi ve others are:

Nuestra Señora Dela Paz y Buenviaje from the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo

Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados from the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina

Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu from the Diocesan Shrine – Parish of Nuestra

Quiboloy

(From page 1)

Quiboloy, however, came out in the open just long enough on Wednesday, Feb 21, to claim that he really was hiding because the US with the consent of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had given orders for him to be killed.

In a 36-minute voice message posted on YouTube, Quiboloy said he was initially planning to host a press conference to explain his absences from Congressional hearings, but changed his mind “because my life is under threat that is why you won’t see my face, for now.”

Instead of being arrested by US authorities, Quiboloy said the new plan was to enter his compound “and they will have me kidnapped, or they will have me murdered.”

He also mentioned that his enemies were trying to “demonize me and destroy my reputation.”

What is true is that Quiboloy is in the FBI’s most wanted list of fugitives from the law. He is accused of multiple crimes in the US, including attempted gun running and dollar salting, as well as sex trafficking.

The Quiboloy saga took an odd turn when several local news organizations reported that former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte had recently visited the religious leader’s compound, and left with “bags of firearms.”

Without answering the allegation, VP Duterte said all the negative publicity recently surrounding her and her family was the handiwork of “presidential aspi-

Señora de Aranzazu in San Mateo Nuestra Señora de la Lumen from the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Light in Cainta Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario from Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Cardona; and The bishop said the rite of canonical coronation of the image of Nuestra Señora de Fatima de Marikina will be held during Mass at 9 a.m. on May 12.

rants.”

Besides the Senate, Quiboloy had also snubbed the House of Representatives multiple times. The House Committee on Legislative Franchises is investigating the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), founded and owned by Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ church for alleged violations of its franchise.

Unless he shows up, the House body has threatened to cancel SMNI’s franchise, which is currently suspended by the National Telecommunications Commission after it failed to heed the original 30-day suspension from broadcasting following complaints from House Speaker Martin Romualdez that the station had aired false data about his travel expenses.

The Senate had been investigating alleged crimes of Quiboloy against women, several of whom had testified that the religious leader had turned them into virtual sex slaves.

Senator Riza Hontiveros threatened to cite Quiboloy in contempt if he still refused to show up at the next scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Women and Children, which she heads.

Quiboloy’s odd accusation that the US – specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation – was after him following unconfirmed reports that a $2 million bounty had been placed on his head.

Divorce in Catholic PHL finally? Solons re-study bill in the House

By Jennifer T. Santos

QUEZON CITY - Divorce in the Philippines finally?

Among Muslims in Mindanao, divorce actually is allowed for years now.

Thus far, only Christian Filipinos have no divorce as Philippine laws allow only legal separation. and annulment by Church and/or the court.

As of now, the Philippines and the Vatican remain the only states that do not authorize divorce.

After so many attempts in Congress to enact a divorce law, it is again trying to pass one a divorce bill has been revived and refiled in the House of Representatives, almost a year after a House panel endorsed its enactment. The Senate is also consid-

ering their own divorce bill version.

“On behalf of the numerous co-authors of House Bill No. 9349 or the ‘Absolute Divorce Bill,’ I would like to extremely thank the Speaker and the Majority Leader for finally allowing this long-awaited measure to be sponsored and deliberated on in the Plenary,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said in his sponsorship speech during the plenary session Tuesday, February 20.

“Millions of Filipino women have been waiting for the enactment of this bill since this is a pro-woman legislation considering that wives are the victims of toxic and destroyed marriages due to the cruelty, violence, or abandonment by their husbands,” he said.

It was gathered that the three most common marriage problems Filipinos face are adultery, abuse, and abandonment.

Supporters of the bill said the best chance for the divorce bill is now as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed support for divorce, although saying it shouldn’t be made “easy.”

Lagman explained that absolute divorce is not a foreign concept to Filipinos, citing that Filipinos’ pre-Spanish ancestors practiced divorce which was available to both husband and wife.

He also cited that during the American occupation, there was limited absolute divorce based on the final conviction of a spouse for adultery or concubinage, while the Japanese occupation expanded the grounds for divorce to include, among others, attempt of one spouse against the life of the other; contagious diseases contracted by either spouse; incurable insanity; repeated physical violence; and abandonment for three consecutive years.

(From page 1) Massachusetts ...

been stretched to the limit.

“Boston communities are split between compassion and concern,” writes Aditya Venkatram in the New England-based AsianAmerican newspaper Sampan.

Venkatram’s piece, Migrant Crisis Update, says the new wave of migrants will be coming from Central and South America. Wherever the newcomers are coming from, whether Asia, Africa, or South America, they will invariably place a strain on state budgets.

What Massachusetts faces is not expected to be any different from what California and New York, among others, are already facing.

State budgets, writes Venkatram, “are not large enough to continue providing essential services such as health care, education, and legal aid to arriving migrants.”

For this year alone, Governor Maura Healey estimated that emergency housing will cost Massachusetts close to $1 billion.

The common factors that cause people to leave their home countries and seek sanctuary in the US are political instability, rising tensions, and economic turmoil.

Families are therefore forced to travel to the US “to find safety, opportunity, and a better life for their children,” says the Migrant

Crisis Update.

Despite its own struggles, the US is still seen as “a beacon of hope for residents of struggling nations.”

The perception that the US provides stability, easier access to health care and education, and higher earning potential “draw migrants from countries where these benefits are no longer available.”

One danger that new migrants will be unprepared for is the possibility of being victims of hate crimes. This may come in several forms, from verbal abuse to hate rallies to physical injury, especially to the most vulnerable migrants – the elderly.

Integration becomes even harder when the migrants land in states that do not have the fiscal capacity to assist them.

For now, Massachusetts must strike the perfect balance between welcoming migrants without depriving its own residents of the political and job stability that they deserve as taxpayers.

Direct assistance from the federal government is seen to alleviate some of the burden that states with growing migrant communities now face.

More importantly, says the Update, “it will be impossible to move forward in solving the crisis” without engaging the community.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate. org/.

Congress....

(From page 1)

Warned that he could face arrest if he fails to appear in the Congressional hearings, the embattled church leader based in Davao City appeared to have gone into hiding as he blamed the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez for allegedly colluding to “eliminate” him.

In a 35-minute audio message made public by the pastor’s camp, Quiboloy claimed that he is being persecuted due to his closeness to former President Rodrigo Duterte which he served as spiritual adviser and alleged that $2 million or P100 million has been offered to “eliminate” him.

“It’s not only rendition but also elimination. If it’s possible, puwede nila akong i-assassinate,” Quiboloy said in the audio message.

Quiboloy, who is originally from Lubao, Pampanga, challenged Marcos, the First Lady and Romualdez to resign if it is true that they collaborated with the US, particularly the FBI and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to “eliminate” him.

In his audio message, Quiboloy made several other accusations, including the US offering $2 million or P100 million bounty for his arrest and a supposed plan to plant evidence against him.

Quiboloy said he learned from “reliable sources” that US government bodies like the FBI and the CIA are eyeing to conduct “rendition” on him instead of extradition.

“Ayaw na raw po nila ng extradition treaty. Ang kanila pong gagawin ng CIA, FBI, ng US Embassy, at State Department, kasabwat ng ating gobyerno ng Pangulong

Marcos at ng First Lady at kung sino pa man ang nasa gobyerno, ako ay rendition ang kanilang gagawin (They allegedly no longer want extradition. What the CIA, FBI, the US Embassy and US State Department, with the help of President Marcos and the First Lady and other officials, plan to do is rendition),” he said.

The FBI, meanwhile, through Public Affairs Specialist Laura Eimiller, said the agency is not aware of any bounty for Quiboloy’s arrest but confirmed that he has an outstanding arrest warrant in the US.

“There is an active arrest warrant for Mr. Quiboloy but I’m unaware of a reward offer,” Eimiller said.

The United States Embassy in Manila, meanwhile, noting Quiboloy’s indictment before a US court for “serious human rights abuses” for years, including rape of young girls, expressed confidence that Quiboloy will “face justice” amid the various charges hurled against him before a US court.

US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay did not further comment on the charges against Quiboloy, noting that information about legal proceedings would have to come from the US Department of Justice.

“For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI’s (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Most Wanted List,” Gangopadhyay said.

“We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes,” he added.

Quiboloy has been indicted by a fed-

eral grand jury in Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

On Nov. 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.

A United States court in California has a new date for the trial for the criminal cases against Quiboloy to November 5, 2024..

Quiboloy, who was first held at the Honolulu International Airport for attempt to smuggle out of the United States, several thousands of dollars purportedly collected from donations to his church, accused the US of plotting to conduct “rendition” on him.

Rendition is defined as the surrender by a state of a fugitive to another country

charging him/her with a crime.

The California court proceedings against Quiboloy and some followers are for charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, coercion, and sex trafficking of children, marriage fraud, fraud and misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, promotional money laundering, and international promotional money laundering.

The Senat and the House of Representatives have issued subpoena against Quiboloy after he skipped the separate congressional hearings on the alleged abuses being linked to his religious group as well as controversies surrounding calls to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which runs and operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

The Jewish

(From page 1)

the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila.

There are also an unknown number of Jews who temporarily reside in the country, such as expats working for multinational companies, or the growing number of Israeli companies doing business in the country.

While synagogues do not have a uniform look, “they should all face Jerusalem,” according to Blumenthal. By tradition, men and women sit separately during service.

Designers of the Makati house of worship wanted to give it a local touch by incorporating bamboo in the design, he said.

All the books in the site are either in Hebrew or English.

New Yorker Blumenthal has been in the Philippines for 35 years, he said, and he plans to head back to the Big Apple when retirement time comes. For now, he is part historian, part caretaker, and fulltime father figure to the Jewish community in the country.

The Torah, the Jewish bible, is written in old Hebrew and has no vowels, he explained. It is therefore read in a singsong manner. The synagogue may be located in the middle of the Makati business center, but the traditions of one of the world’s oldest religions are intact.

He cleared the misconception that Jews have been in the Philippines only in the last century. As far back as the 1600s, the Rodriguez brothers who were then stationed in Spain headed for Manila, then a Spanish colony.

“The fi rst Jews who came here (in larger numbers) was in the 1800s,” Blumenthal said. One of them was Emil Bachrach, the founder of Estrella del Norte, which still exists to this day.

Among the lasting impressions left by those Jews is a street in the Binondo district called ‘Synagog street,’ possibly because services were held there before a formal synagogue was built.

By 1910, businessman Bacarat brought in the fi rst cars in the Philippines, the Ford Model-T.

Bachrach then partnered with the Zobel family to form a taxi company. He then bought a property along Taft Avenue, where the fi rst synagogue was fi rst built. That structure is gone now, taken over by a commercial operation.

“The community was very small, no more than a few hundreds,” he said.

The Frieder siblings would then follow, setting up a cigar trading and later a manufacturing company.

Then came the operation to save as many Jews as possible from what would turn out to be the beginnings of the Holocaust. “The Night of the Broken Glass” in November of 1938 was when crazed Nazis went on an evening of extreme violence, attacking Jews, their businesses, even synagogues and schools.

Two weeks later, the beginnings of the plan to bring in Jews to Manila in large numbers was hatched. It started when then Senator Quintin Paredes led a rally in the Ateneo to inform the Filipino people of the growing persecution of the Jews.

That was when President Quezon

made his historic decision. As an aside, Quezon’s political nemesis, Emilio Aguinaldo, was against the idea.

“The Philippines was the only country in the world who welcomed Jews,” according to Blumenthal, although China also allowed them to enter and leave with no problem.

Quezon, he said, was “an amazing man,” also donating part of his personal property to the Jews who had arrived with little more than the shirts on their back.

“You save one man, you save the world,” Blumenthal quotes and old Jewish saying.

It is the reason Jews in the US or Israel take every opportunity to come to the assistance of the Philippines and Filipinos whenever disaster strikes, Blumenthal said.

Jews in Manila today

Meanwhile, a direct descendant of one of the Manilaners is currently employed at the Quezon City hall, at the Tourism Office. Mayor Joy Belmonte pointed this out when a sisterhood agreement was signed recently between QC and Tel Aviv.

There are also Filipino Jews, some of whom converted to Judaism. Arguably the most famous is Mike Hanopol, the last surviving member of original Pilipino rock band, the Juan de la Cruz band. Hanopol was also the real voice behind Hagibis, the Filipino version of the Village People, but that’s a story for another day.

The story goes that Hanopol had found his way to New York City when his days as a rocker had ended. He had known of family members who were Jews, and it was there that he converted to the old religion.

In practice, however, one must be born of a Jewish mother in order to become a full-fledged Jew.

(Note: There are four main branches of Judaism today namely Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist.)

There are, in fact, Filipinos who reside in Israel who became citizens of the Jewish state, and who also converted to Judaism. The fastest way of becoming an Israeli citizen is similar to how Filipinos can become US citizens, which is by joining the Armed Forces.

One example stands out for being a member of the Israeli Defense Force who was killed in action recently.

As reported in the Times of Israel, Cydrick Garin had been one of 21 soldiers killed due to a massive explosion at Gaza last Jan 22. He had already earned Israeli citizenship by then.

Considered a hero by the Jewish state, the fallen soldier’s parents were also granted Israeli citizenship, as reported by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel. His mother Imelda had been a temporary resident of the state, while his father Rico was actually deported 20 years ago due to issues with his residency documents.

Cydrick Garin is not the only Filipino who has earned Israeli citizenship. Filipino caregivers who opted to stay with the senior Israelis during the Hamas invasion were also granted the same privilege, and they will be receiving lifetime pensions, to boot.

Rockstar rabbi

Despite the relatively small size of the Jewish community in the Philippines, there has always been a rabbi assigned in the country to take care of their spiritual needs.

Today’s rabbi in residence is Jonathan Goldschmidt, a young man who could have been a musician in another lifetime.

In fact, the rabbi frequently jams with the abovestated Hanopol, playing the bass guitar.

Goldschmidt can frequently be seen at the Jewish center headquarters in Makati, which is also where their one and only synagogue is located.

In the course of Philippine News Today’s lengthy interview with the men and women of the center, Goldschmidt’s eyes lit up when talk turned to music.

He insisted on inviting the team to his small music room in the center, talking shop and playing a couple of the guitars in his collection. He also has a keyboard as well as an assortment of small musical instruments which he purchased in his various travels. India, he said, is one of the places where he was able to buy different instruments that border on the exotic.

Lady had sought their services. The initial treatment was affordable, but the full treatment for diabetes was on the pricey side.)

One of his acoustic guitars was bought in India, and despite its being an unknown brand, it had a beautiful feel and sound, he said.

Goldschmidt has been in the Philippines along with his wife and pre-teen daughter, and expects to stay for another year or so, before being reassigned.

Strong diplomatic, economic ties

In 2024, it may be said that economic and diplomatic ties between Israel and the Philippines are as strong as ever.

The office of Ambassador Ilan Fluss provided Philippine News Today with the number of Israeli companies now doing business in the country.

For obvious reasons, defense and security companies are present providing arms and supplies to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police but whose identities are considered confidential.

There are also Israeli companies with Philippine operations in a number of key industries.

In the field of IT/telecoms, there is Amdocs (Israel), while in cybersecurity there is Cyberint. In the field of agriculture, there are the LR Group and Netafim, while in water treatment there is ODIS.

In the energy sector, Ormat Technologies and Ratio Petroleum also have a presence in the Philippines, while in tourism the Abraham hotel group also has local operations.

In cosmetics, there is Alma Lasers.

It must be noted that besides the defense and security industries, Israeli companies in the field of medicine are also present, but the embassy requested that their identities be kept secret.

(Note: Philippine News Today editor Beting Dolor recently went to a highend clinic in Makati run by an Israeli, who told him that a certain former First

In all, trade between the Philippines and Israel can be considered as brisk, with the latest figures from 2022 pegging the volume at $534 million (see graph).

That figure is expected to balloon substantially if negotiations to supply more arms and munitions for the AFP and/or the PNP pushes through.

Last year, for example, Elbit Systems won a $114 million contract to supply two long range patrol planes to the country.

(Note: Israel manufactured the Galil, popular with firearms enthusiasts. Lately, however, the Tavor assault rifle has been the standard issue for the IDF, and the AFP is said to favor the weapon, but for its relatively high price.)

Meanwhile, Filipinos and Israelis can visit each other’s country with no need for a visa. The Open Door policy is no doubt the result of Jews and Israelis never forgetting the acts of friendship extended during their most trying times in the past.

The ties that bind Israel and the Philippines are highly appreciated by the former, and it is for this reason that Jews feel that they can always find a second home in Manila.

As the old saying goes, “Thus has always been, and thus shall it ever be.”

(Contributors to this report are Gilda Balan, Prana Balan, Kahlil Labastilla, with special thanks to Charlie Laureta)

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/.

Rabbi Jonathan Goldschmidt playing one of his guitars

MARILYN

FRANCIS ESPIRITU

Publisher/President

THELMA

NEIL GONZALES Chief Correspondent Northern California LYDIA SOLIS Chief Correspondent Southern California

VAL G. ABELGAS, HOMOBONO A. ADAZA, PERRY DIAZ, JOJO LIANGCO, JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES, ROY C. MABASA, ART G. MADLAING, FR. JOEPEL PADIT, RODEL E. RODIS, LOURDES TANCINCO ESQ, MELANDREW T. VELASCO, DANTES & CYNTHIA VELUZ, CRISTINA OSMENA, LUDY ONGKEKO. COLUMNISTS

Duterte is a danger to himself and to the republic

That old saying, “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad” is most apt for one Rodrigo Roa Duterte, former president of the Republic of the Philippines. In recent weeks, he seems to have lost most if not all his marbles. He is no longer making sense, both in his words and his actions.

For starters, he turned against his most important political ally, incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr AKA Bongbong Marcos, whom he accused of being a drug addict.

He also called BBM an S.O.B. in the vernacular during what was supposed to be a prayer rally.

Then he called for Mindanao to secede from the republic. This was a call that not even his closest allies agreed with. Only one former Speaker lent his support to Duterte, and for all intents it seemed that he was just humoring his old friend.

Oh, but it gets worse.

Prior to his tirade against President Marcos, Duterte admitted to having no less than 300 assorted firearms registered in his name, some of which were semi-automatic assault rifles.

Then last week, Duterte reportedly visited the controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy along with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. It was more than a social call, as the father and daughter reportedly left the Quiboloy compound with bags of guns.

Not just a bag, mind you, but bags of guns. Plural. It could have been dozens or it could have been scores. If they were small arms, it could have even been hundreds.

Add the haul to the original 300 recently purchased, and God knows how many more he has amassed through the past decades, and Rodrigo Duterte may now have an armory large enough for a small nation’s armed forces.

Putting two and two together, it would now seem that the independent Republic of Mindanao that he envisions in his mad mind will indeed have sufficient arms to mount a strong defense should its enemies choose to invade his make believe country

His well-armed private army could conceivably wage war against, say, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or the Philippine National Police, which would have been the first to protect him if the International Criminal Court or the Interpol were to attempt to arrest him for his crimes against humanity.

He cannot win, of course. He may have hundreds of firearms along with hundreds of followers willing to die for him, but in the end Rodrigo Duterte will only end up as a modern day version of Tatang Valentin delos Santos and his Lapiang Malaya movement.

In 1967, Delos Santos and some 380 of his followers tried to wage war against the government of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

It did not go well for his Lapiang Malaya. They were obliterated by the Philippine Constabulary. In their attempt to march to the presidential palace, 33 were shot dead and 47 were wounded. The rest were arrested and charged with sedition.

The same fate awaits Rodrigo Duterte if he does not wake up to reality. His time is done and he will sooner or later have to face the music. He is responsible for the killing of thousands of mostly young Filipino men who were suspected of being part of the drug trade.

Duterte has a date with destiny. At least he will be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and he will be given every opportunity in the world to defend himself.

It is an opportunity he did not give to the thousands who were victims of his war on drugs.

Honoring...

(From page 1)

They have contributed much to building this country. Filipinos were the lifeblood of Hawaii and California farms, Washington and Alaska fish canning industry and the US WWII effort in the Far East. Enslaved people were the backbone of this nation’s early infrastructure, agriculture and service industry.

They love food, music and the arts.

These parallel beginnings and shared experiences brought them together in many ways and in the 20th Century, the first known Black Filipino Americans were born who have further enriched the culture of the United States.

EMBRACING KIN

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

For its second Black History Month commemoration this month, Filipinos in San Mateo, California-based nonprofit organization Peninsula Family Service (PFS) are embracing their Black Filipino American kin.

In its mission to “strengthen children, families, and older adults with the support and tools to realize their full potential and lead healthy, stable lives,” PFS highlights diversity among its agency values.

The DEI team and its D.R.E.A.M Employee Resource group are leading a grand celebration this month with live performances, food, and family-friendly activities. Among presentations is a tribute honoring some of the many Black Filipino Americans who have broken barriers in politics, public service, sports and the arts:

Former Clinton White House Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary Thurgood Marshall Jr. also served as chair of the Board of Governors of the US Postal Service and as member of Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation. He is the eldest son of Thurgood Marshall Sr., the first African American on the US Supreme Court, and his second wife Cecilia “Cissy” Suyat Marshall, a Filipina civil rights activist-historian originally from Hawaii.

His brother John William Marshall was Secretary of Public Safety under two Virginia Governors. He was the first African American and 7th Director of the US Marshals Service. Earlier he was named US Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia after serving with the Virginia State Police.

Virginia US Rep. Bobby Cortez Scott is his state’s first African American legislator since Reconstruction. He is also the first American of Filipino descent to serve as a voting member of Congress. He served with the National Guard before getting elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1978, Virginia Senate 1983 and then the US House in 1993.

Tennessee Assembly District 52 Rep. Justin Jones was expelled last year for violating decorum rules by participating in a gun control protest on the House floor. The lifelong advocate for equality was later reinstated. Born in Oakland, his Filipina mother Christine raised him and his sister while putting herself through nursing school. He says he is proud of his Black and Filipino families, who taught him community involvement, environmental conscience, and spirituality.

Brooklyn, NY-born Glenn Sylvester is Daly City’s first City Council Member of African American descent. The son of a Filipina mother served 33 years in the San Francisco Police Dept., retiring as sergeant in 2011. In 2016 he was elected to the City Council of Daly City and swore in twice the same night as Council Member and then as Mayor because the meeting coincided with the Council reorganization. The Council voted him Mayor again in 2019.

Alex Walker-Griffin officially became the youngest elected councilmember in Hercules, California, in 2020, when he was 23. At age 5 he was introduced to politics when he accompanied his Jamaican-Filipino father, then-Oakland’s Fire Marshal, at an Oakland City Council meeting. At 13 he worked on then-Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2010 campaign.

SOCIAL JUSTICE INFLUENCERS

Kia Michelle Benbow or Kia LaBeijia is a fine artist encompassing dance and photography. Her series, 24, is a sociopolitical commentary on growing up as a young woman of color with HIV. She contracted the virus through perinatal transmission from her mother, Philippine-born Kwan Bennett, who passed away from AIDS-related illness when LaBeija was 14.

Leslie Lewis Sword toured the US and Europe performing in “Miracle in Rwanda,” a onewoman show co-created with and directed by Edward Vilga about the true story of genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza. She is also credited as producer and (Continued on page 20)

Remembering George Canseco

One of the greatest disappointments of my life was that although the National Press Club amd Aliw Awards Foundartion recommended the designation of George Cabnseco as National Artist, they failed.

George Canseco, I believe, was one of the greatest,if not THE greatest, composers and lyricists that the Philippines has ever produced.

I remember George, who was the Chairman of the Aliw Board of Judges, and the lively deliberations we had over who deserved to be Entertainer of the Year.

I remember him on the National Press Club stage, singing “Ikaw”, which , he said, was dedicated to his wife..

I remember meeting him at the National Press Club to discuss the Tribute to him, which never materialized due to his untimely death.

George’s music, performed by the country’s top entertainers, continues to thrill music lovers tothisa day and will do so for gen erations to come.

The strains of his immortal music ring in my ears as I write: “Kapantay ang Langit”,, “Kailangan Kita”, “Dito Ba”, Ako ay Pilipino”, and “Kastilyong Buhangin”, to name a few.

I hear that George was denied the honor of being a NAtional Artist due to objections raised by a fellow composer.

In my mind, however, he is much more than a National Artist without the title.

I remember George Canseco, the man, the genius, and I am proud that , sometime in my life, my path crossed his.

Peninsula Toastmasters meeting for good health and longevity

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, I’ve missed attending the meetings of the Peninsula Toastmasters. Last week, Denise Singh, DTM, active officer of the Peninsula Toastmasters encouraged and reminded me to rejoin the meetings of the club every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

Denise explained that meeting on the 2nd Wednesday is hybrid – combination of in person and virtual online while the 4th Wednesday meeting is completely virtual online.

I’m glad that despite of the rain, I was able to rejoin the in person meeting of the Peninsula Toastmasters held last February 14 2024, Valentine’s Day, at the Conference, 2nd Floor, 333 Gellert Boulevard in Daly City, California.

It’s great to meet in person Denise Singh, Atty. Cesar Fumar, Victor Bruan, and Arsenio Silva.

Some highlights of the meeting include Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance by Victor Bruan, DTM; Word of the Night(LOVE, appropriately on Valentine’s Day) by Arsenio Silva; speeches by Dr. Jack P. Chow, ARMG, CTM, CL, and Victor Bruan, DTM; Jokes by Joke Master Victor Bruan; reports time for the meeting segment and each speaker by Atty. Cesar Fumar. Table Topics segment, which encourages participants to do extemporaneous reasoning and talking, was excluded to give time for the two speakers to finish their speeches.

Victor Bruan delivered a very informative and historic speech on the topic “A Bird and Socialism” with inserted humor and jokes in between. He explained that in socialism (in China, Russia and other communist countries) there is NO INCENTIVE, NO FREEDOM, NO ACCOUNTABILITY. He said that SOCIALISM IS EVIL and we must be ready to fight for triumph of capitalism.

Dr. Jack P. Chow, a practicing dentist, delivered (virtually on line, with other members watching virtually online) an uplifting and encouraging speech on” Dynamic Leadership, Lead in Any Situation.” He described how he got involved with a group of doctors, nurses and dentists in doing humanitarian services through OPERATION SUNSHINE, OPERATION RAINBOW and OPERATION

HOPE as Director of Dental Services since 1966. Leading by example, Dr. Chow showed pictorials of their work in 2007 China Mission in some remote villages in China.

I was privileged to do the evaluation on the speech of Dr. Chow. The General Evaluation of the meeting was done by Arsenio Silva. Denise Singh, DTM, was the Toastmaster of the Night.

I was blessed and fortunate to rejoin the Peninsula Toastmasters meeting last February 14, 2024, Valentine’s Day. Joining Peninsula Toastmasters meeting is good for our mental, emotional, social and physical health.

Listening to good jokes during the Jokes segment and the inserted jokes and humor shared by Victor Bruan made everybody laughing. Regular laughing has the following benefits according to medical authoritiess: 1. Laughing is “internal jogging” an antidote to stress, and good for the immune system; 2. Laughing doubles the heart rate for three to five minutes and gives the chest, neck, face, shoulder, abdomen and scalp a good work out; 3. Hearty laughing reduces muscle tension and helps the body get rid of the greater amounts of accumulated carbon dioxide; 4. Laughing reduces pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. (Source: “LAUGHTER FOR GOOD HEALTH” now available at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback & E-book).

Joining Peninsula Toastmasters meeting is good for social, mental, emotional and physical health and longevity. You’ll meet various professionals (dentists, lawyers, CPAs, doctors, Realtors, Notary Public) entrepreneurs, bankers, students and others. Socializing is the antidote to loneliness and isolation which are two of the causes of depression and even suicide.

Research has shown that an active social life can add nearly 10 years to one’s life. Those with practically no friends, minimal or no social contacts, live 4-5 years shorter. (Source: “LONGEVITY TIPS “subtitled “Secrets You Can Discover and Do for Good Health and Longevity” now available at Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback and E—book).

Do you want to be healthy emotionally, mentally ,socially, physically and have longevity in life? Join the Peninsula Toastmasters meeting every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 7:00pm8:30 pm at the Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 333 Gellert Blvd. in Daly City, California. Contact Denise Singh at (510) 599-4287 or email:denisesingh62@gmail.com

(ART GABOT MADLAING Is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA. He is member of the National Notary Association (NNA). He is also lifetime member of the United Pangasinanes of America, Inc. (UPAI) and the Peninsula Toastmasters International. He can be reached at (650) 438-3531 or (415) 584-7095 or email :artmadlaing@hotmail. com)

The government recognizes the role of the private sector in the country’s economic growth. It is from the private sector that much needed investments originate. Section 20, Article II of the Constitution stipulates “The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments.”

Hope for Bulacan Ecozone Remembering President Ramon Magsaysay: His frugal and simple

The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7916, as amended) was enacted to encourage the flow of investors into special economic zones, among others. Special economic zones as defined in the law refer to selected areas with highly developed or which have the potential to be developed into agro-industrial, industrial tourist/recreational, commercial, banking, investment and financial centers. It further states that an Ecozone may contain any or all of the following: Industrial Estates (IEs), Export Processing Zones (EPZs), Free Trade Zones, and Tourist/Recreational Centers.

Among the benefits generated from economic zones include transfer of knowledge and technology, employment opportunities, and tax revenues accruing to government treasury.

According to the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA), there are 419 economic zones in the country across all industries under the agency as of April 2023. Of these 24 are agro-industrial economic zones, 297 information technology parks/ centers, 78 manufacturing economic zones, 3 medical tourism parks/center, and 17 tourism export enterprises.

Locators in economic zones enjoy both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

On his first day in office, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vetoed a House Bill No. 7575, “An Act Establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport”

Bulacan is site of the New Manila International Airport being built by San Miguel Corporation (SMC). By virtue of Republic Act No. 11506, SMC’s San Miguel Aerocity, Inc. was granted a franchise to construct, develop, establish, and maintain a domestic and international airport in Bulacan.

The P740 -billion New Manila International Airport project will be a world-class airport that will be developed in phases, with an initial capacity of 35 million passengers annually, and upon completion, a target of 100 million passengers per year. It will have a transportation infrastructure network to make it accessible from Metro Manila and provinces in Luzon.

The project will rise on an over 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan and will include various components such as airfield facilities, terminal building, airport and airline support facilities, access roads, parking facilities, utilities, airport city, and other ancillary facilities. It will easily be accessible from Metro Manila and Luzon provinces via a master planned infrastructure network.

When President Marcos Jr. vetoed the bill, SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang remained optimistic the economic zone could still be realized and stimulate the country’s economic growth.

““We respect and abide by the government’s decision. We thank him for recognizing where the proposed Freeport bill can be further improved, and we look forward to working with his administration towards perfecting this. We are eager to continue working with government, and play an active role in helping our country reach its goals — as we have faithfully and consistently done,” RSA was quoted.

Despite the decision to veto House Bill 7575, it was reported that President Marcos Jr. fully supports the creation of the Bulacan Ecozone. Among others, the President’s veto message said the bill “lacks coherence with existing laws, rules, and regulations.” The bill would also have created the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (BACSEZFA), similar to existing investments promotion agencies, to manage and operate the Bulacan economic zone.

Aside from PEZA, other investment promotion agencies created by law in charge of promoting investments, administering tax and non-tax incentives, and/or overseeing the operations of the different economic zones and free ports include the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC, Bataan Technology Park, Inc. (BTPI), and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), among others.

There is hope that the Bulacan Ecozone will soon become a reality with the refiling of Senate Bill No. 2266 by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Last January 31, Senator Grace Poe who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs presided over the public hearing on bills establishing the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport where government agencies, communities and other stakeholders were asked for recommendations to address concerns over the proposal.

As filed, the bill now includes safeguards and provisions to address the concerns raised by President Marcos in vetoing House Bill 7575. The proposed economic zone is envisioned to attract world-class semiconductor manufacturers, battery power storage system manufacturers, electric vehicle makers and

(Continue on page 20)

life

My friend, actually my Beta Rho Omega Fraternity (BRO) brother from UP-Diliman, Atty. Isagani “Gani” Ramos reminded me of the late former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay of his simple and frugal life style, even when he was already the head of state, in his post in our BRO group chat in Viber.

He forwarded to me his post with the permission of his fellow Rotarian Butch Cantos, who originally sent the message to him. He referred me to him and will be in touch with Butch Cantos for more details and other collaboration stories.

His post struck my attention because if we look at the present government, it’s full of lavish spending and the office of the president have expanded government expenses, unlike the term of Magsaysay. Of course, that was in the past with modest spending at that time but still it is worth mentioning because even if in the exercise of his duties, Magsaysay had to charge it to his personal account (salary), not through Malacañang expense budget. That’s something different, I guess!

Gani was wondering, in his post in the chat group, how far removed government officials are nowadays, especially the country’s President, from their version of yesteryears in terms of integrity, honesty and decency particularly in spending public money may be reflected in this story we got from nationalistic chat group we’re part of.

In the forwarded post (Source: Quijano de Manila, Philippine Free Press Online), “When President Magsaysay died on March 17, 1957, all that he left to his family was P2,000 in his vault, He had no bank account. When the family left Malacañang, there was no house where they could transfer to because the modest house built by Magsaysay in the 1930s on Arellano St., Singalong, Manila was being rented out to a Chines while they were in Malacañang.” Call it by other name or word but that’s something to ponder with!

“That house was the only house that Magsaysay ever had in his lifetime., which he was able to build as a mechanical engineer and later as a manger a TRY-Tran Bus transport company in Zambales using borrowed money from the said company which eh via paid salary deductions.

“His daughter Mila was a working student in college and Jun Magsaysay never had a car, even a VW Beetle until Magsaysay died.

“In Malacañang, whenever the children were visited by friends, the food served to them were charged to the salary of President Magsaysay, not to the budget of Malacañang. Mila had a stove in her room to cook for the family and friends.” Presidents have their cooks and they cook not only for the President’s family but for other visitors, correct?

“Nowadays in Malacañang, they would rather have the food catered by expensive hotels/restaurants…” that is if the President’s chef does not cook!

“The Douglas C-47 military cargo transport plane Magsaysay used in his trip to Cebu on March 17, 1957 had no aircon and when the other high government officials complained of heat, the President told them that had the aircon removed so there will be no public criticism.” (Source: Quijano de Manila, Philippine Free Press Online).

Reinforcing Gani’s post was also another UP BROd Pioneer Edilbeto “Bert” Cabardo, who said “I reinforce BROd Gani’s post about Philippine presidents taking commercial flights in provincial sorties. Just to set the record straight, it was ex-President Rodrigo Duterte who fully set the austere norm.

Citing Jelly Musico’s article PRRD commercial flights ‘new norm’: Palace, Bert Cabardo posted: “President Rodrigo Duarte’s decision to take commercial flights would be the new norm to presidential travels,” Malacañang said yesterday. “It is intended to save taxpayer’s money,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Seoul, South Korea.

Gani posted the question: “Magkakaroon pa kaya ulit ng Presidente na ganyan?” You know what, I also asked the same question when I read his post. I think, no more because, aside from the fact that the political landscape is no longer the same, the mindsets of previous and present presidents are far different from that of Magsaysay. They don’t have a lifestyle that is frugal and modest, but expensive and lavish. Even their personal activities are classified as official duties, so expenses are under Malacañang expense budget.

Gani said (as lifted in the same (Continue on page 20)

ART GABOT MADLAING

ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO

MELANDREW T. VELASCO

PHL, US co-host 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila

The Philippines and the United States are co-hosting the 2024 Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) in Manila on May 21, the US State Department announced.

The IPBF, last held in Tokyo, is a US-led initiative that seeks to gather government and business leaders from America and countries across the region to explore partnerships and commercial opportunities.

The forum’s key topics this year will be centered on clean energy, digital transformation, supply chain resiliency, transportation infrastructure and emerging technologies.

The event will also feature enhanced matchmaking to advance business partnerships.

“The IPBF advances a vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient,” the State Department said in a statement dated Feb. 12.

“Together with our Philippine co-hosts, we are underscoring our sustained commitment to the region and highlighting the economic ties that have contributed to

regional prosperity and interconnectedness,” it added.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga said both the US and the Philippines are currently finalizing the attendees.

The IPBF will convene some 500 chief executive officers, project developers, government officials and sources of financing from across the region, according to the US Trade and Development Agency.

It will follow the highly-anticipated US Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines that will be led by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on March 11 and 12.

The State Department said US companies continue to be the top source of foreign direct investments in the region with nearly USD1 trillion in investments. Roughly the same is invested in the United States by firms in the region.

The US also remains a major trade partner with more than US$2 trillion in two-way trade.

117 PPP projects worth P2.5 Trillion lined up

MANILA – The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center currently has 117 projects worth P2.5 trillion in the pipeline for undertaking between the government and private sector.

“This is as of February 2. Particularly, we have a bulk of the projects still in the transportation sector because we are doing a lot of catching up,” PPP Center Executive Director Cynthia Hernandez said in a forum in Makati.

Hernandez said that aside from transportation, other priority sectors include solid waste management, health and water.

“Out of the 117 projects, there are 15 that are expected to be approved in 2024,” she said.

Some of these projects include the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Metro Manila Subway, NorthSouth Commuter Rail O&M, San Ramon Newport, University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital in

Diliman, Cagayan Valley Medical Center-Hemodialysis Center, and the National Capital Region EDSA Busway Project.

Other projects include the O&M of the following projects: Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao City Bypass, Metro Rail Transit-3, and Light Rail Transit-2.

Unsolicited PPP projects for approval this year also include the rehabilitation, operation, maintenance and expansion of both the Puerto Princesa International Airport and the Iloilo International Airport; upgrade, expansion and O&M of New Bohol International Airport; the LongTerm Water Resource Development for Metro Manila Project; and the operation and maintenance of the Philippine Identification System.

Conditional Permanent Residents may petition their children immediately

I always receive questions from newly granted conditional residents if they can petition their children even if they were not yet granted the removal of conditional residence. The answer is “yes”. Many immigrants are having problems with regards to aging out of their children. This is because the processing time for green card is usually lengthy. Once a person is granted a Conditional Permanent Resident card, she acquires all rights of a Lawful Permanent Resident. She can file a petition for her unmarried children, she can travel and work and stay legally in the U.S. The only difference is that she will have to remove the condition in her residence within two years. But you do not have to wait for your permanent resident card to start filing a petition because it will take about 3 or five years later, and the children may reach 21 years of age by that time. So, the best strategy is to file a petition for children as soon as you receive your conditional residence card.

In addition, there immigrants have a common question whether if their children are in the United States and they want the children to study in the Philippines, the question is how long should the children be in the United states before the children can go back to the Philippines. This problem is just a matter of choosing whether the children will apply for a reentry permit to allow them to stay continuously for two years in the Philippines or to keep the children travelling every six months to the U.S. There is no restrictions on how frequent Permanent Residents can travel. They can travel as many times as long as they stay in the U.S. for 181 days in one year.

Conditional Permanent Resident need to file the Form I-751 within 90 days of the expiration of your card to remove the condition on your residence.

How long is the processing time for Form I-751?

The processing time in California Service Center for I-751 is about 18 months. In many cases it takes about two years or more. Lately, the USCIS extended the validity of Conditional Resident Card for another 48 months. Therefore, five years waiting is in the horizon.

“For 2025, we have these projects that are currently in the early stages of development. And the preliminary studies are expected to be completed. Once completed, they can be submitted by the implementing agencies for approval by 2025,” Hernandez said.

These projects include the New Cebu International Container Port, Air Navigation Services-Air Traffic Services Project, Philippine Automatic Fare Collection System, San Mateo Railway Project, Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry Project, North Integrated Transport System, Mindanao Railway Project Phase 3, North Long Haul Inter-Regional Railway Project, and Davao City Bypass Construction Project O&M.

The Laguna Lake Road Network O&M PPP project, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office Building Project, Iloilo-Capiz Aklan Expressway, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Solid Waste-to-Energy project are also

Ayala Land sets P100-B capex in 2024 as property outlook remains rosy

MAKATI CITY – Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) has set P100 billion in capital expenditure (capex) this year as its outlook in the property sector remains rosy, especially in the high-end market.

In a press briefing in Makati, ALI chief finance officer Augusto Bengzon said 34 percent of this year’s capex would be spent on residential projects, 24 percent for estate development, 19 percent for land acquisition, 10 percent for malls, 8 percent for offices, and 5 percent hotels and resorts.

This year’s capex is 16 percent higher than ALI’s actual spending in 2023 at P86.2 billion, which exceeded the allotted capex for that year at P85 billion.

Since the processing time can take between 18 months or longer it is better to file a petition for your unmarried children as soon as you get your conditional residence card to avoid aging out.

Note:This is not legal advice. You need to consult with an immigration attorney to analyze the specifics of your case. Our law firm have 25 years of experience in immigration law since 1999.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. PETITION FOR CAREGIVERS

Our Law Firm entered into agreement with Care Home Facilities in the U.S. to process applicants for Caregivers in the US

You may qualify if you six months experience as Caregivers Applicants Inside the United States or in the Philippines or other countries may qualify.

Bankruptcy Basics

We also process Bankruptcy cases.

1. Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years, not filing bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most of your debts are paid.

If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse, which could lead to deportation and family separation.

Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He has practiced immigration law, bankruptcy, and income tax representation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@ CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/ with offices in Hayward and Cerritos, CA.

Film Council set free Pinoy romance movies to celebrate month of love

Filipinos can continue to celebrate love and bask in the romance by watching selected Pinoy romantic movies for free this February, the month of love.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is presenting the classic and contemporary local filmsat Ayala Malls Trinoma, The Metropolitan Theater (MET) and FDCP Cinematheque Centres in Manila and other cities.

The FDCP led by actor Tirso Cru III said the free movies initiative, called “Sine Sinta,” aims to showcase the best of Philippine romantic films by making them available to the general public for free.

The FDCP said the project’s goal is to encourage audiences to enjoy the communal experience of watching timeless Filipino films on the big screen.

“Sine Sinta” has already shown two popular movies at the theaters — a special screening of “One More Chance” last February 16 and “Kita Kita” last February 18.

Here are more films that Pinoys can watch until February 23:

Giliw Ko

Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa and produced by LVN Pictures, the musical romance film “Giliw Ko” tells the tale of a country girl named Guia who is captivated by Hollywood and the attention of a wealthy suitor named Antonio.

This film is also included in the program “Classic Saturdays,” held every third Saturday of the month at Cinematheque Centres.

Radio Romance

Top-billed by the famous ’90s love team Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan, Jose Javier Reyes’ “Radio Romance” tells the story of a disc jockey who receives a love letter from one of her listeners, professing his desire to meet her in person.

Hey Babe!

Directed by Joyce Bernal, “Hey Babe!” follows a superstitious teenager who thinks she has found the man of her dreams after receiving advice from a sketchy fortune teller.

One More Chance

Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s box-office hit “One More Chance” revolves around a long-time couple who seem destined for each other, but frictions and differing ambitions break them apart.

Never Not Love You

A film by Antoinette Jadaone, “Never Not Love You” tells the story of young lovers who try to build a life together until career opportunities send them to a different country, where their relationship will be tested.

That Thing Called Tadhana

Also by Jadaone, her critically acclaimed film “That Thing Called Tadhana” revolves around two strangers who

form an unexpected friendship that takes them out of a crowded airport and into the secluded city of Sagada, where they try to mend each other’s hearts.

Love You to the Stars and Back

Similarly directed by Jadaone, “Love You to the Stars and Back” tells the story of a young eccentric woman who bonds with a terminally ill man while on the road.

Isa Pa, With Feelings

Prime Cruz’s “Isa Pa, With Feelings” is about a frustrated architect who finds solace from her deaf neighbor, but their relationship gets complicated as miscommunication kicks in.

I’m Drunk, I Love You

Directed by JP Habac, “I’m Drunk, I Love You” tells the story of two college best friends who go on a last road trip where they settle how they really feel for each other.

The first five films can be watched at the FDCP Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Nabunturan and Negros from February 20 to 23.

Meanwhile, “That Thing Called Tadhana” and the rest of the films after it can be viewed at the Cinematheque Centre Manila on the same dates.

Other romance films can be accessed through JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel by February 23.

These movies range from classics that

made a lasting impact on Philippine cinema, to contemporary films that capture the complexities of romance in the present milieu.

These are Ishmael Bernal’s “Ikaw Ay Akin,” Butch Perez’s “Haplos,” Carlos Siguion Reyna’s “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit,” “Olivia Lamasan’s “Got 2 Believe,” Dan Villegas’ “Changing Partners” and “Dwein Baltazar’s “Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus.”

The mentioned films will be available on JuanFlix via subscription, which starts at P99 per month or P499 per year.

There are also the “Sine Sinta Shorts” which feature short romance films, namely:

Living Things (Martika Escobar)

Pusong Bato (Martika Escobar)

Hiraya (Kaloy Cabarrubias)

If I Could Give You the Moon (Francis Tavas)

Within Frames: Us in Different Worlds (Jasper Tan)

Please, Remember This Night (Joshua de Vera)

Two-Part Ways (Aldrin de la Paz)

Love in the Ungodly Hour (Bradley Jason Pantajo)

The short films can be watched at the FDCP Cinematheque Centres in Manila, Iloilo, Davao, Nabunturan and Negros from February 20 to 23.

Celebs cheer FilAm Liza Soberano for debut Hollywood film premiere

Several personalities cheered Filipino American actress Liza Soberano after she reflected on her first-ever project in Hollywood.

The Santa Clara, California-born actress on February 7 described the Los Angeles premiere of her Hollywood debut film, “Lisa Frankenstein” as a “special night,” Interaksyon.com reported.

“I’m so incredibly honored to be around amazing talent and even better human beings! I’m so proud of this wonderfully bonkers film we made that was born out of love for horror/comedy and a passion for storytelling,” Liza, 26, who is Hope Elizabeth Hanley Soberano in real life, wrote on Instagram.

Liza cited her co-stars and the key people behind the film like director Zelda Williams and screenwriter Diablo Cody.

“Words cannot even express how happy I am to be part of your vision @zeldawilliams, thank you for seeing potential in me, even when I had doubts. You were

the heart of this film and we couldn’t have done it without you!!” the actress exclaimed.

“Diablo, thank you for creating the masterpiece that is Lisa Frankenstein, I had so much fun entering your quirky little universe,” Liza added.

“@kathrynnewton and @colesprouse killed it in this one, LITERALLY. They’re such talented artists but more importantly, the best human beings on earth, and deserve all the love and success! Thank you, @focusfeatures, for the opportunity, hope we made you proud!!” she said.

“We hope everyone loves the film as much as we loved making it!!” the actress concluded.

Her post has received over 165,000 likes and several comments so far, including from fellow showbiz personalities, according to Interaksyon.com several days ago.

Actress-fashion influencer Heart Evangelista praised Liza for breaking the norm and following her passion.

“Carving out her own path (fire emoji) this is power!

Proud of you, Liza (smiling emoticon) you went against the flow of the usual norm (heart emoji),” Heart commented.

“The risk of not getting anyone’s approval and still going for what’s in your heart (fire with heart emoji), go for it!! @heyrenzp and @mickeysee, congrats! The [spotlight] is on YOU for everyone to see! (smiling emoticon),” she added, tagging Liza’s hairstylist and makeup artist.

Actress Iza Calzado had a similar comment.

“Congratulations!!! Been your fan since day one. So proud of you!!!” she exclaimed with heart emojis.

Are your Credit Cards still manageable?

Consumers weren’t shy about spending this holiday season, as the latest consumer credit report reveals a nearly 10 percent increase in overall consumer debt.

According to the Federal Reserve, consumer borrowing surged in November by $20.4 billion raising the consumer debt total to $2.48 trillion.

Financial experts at Consolidated Credit advise consumers to reexamine spending habits.

With more consumers turning to credit for purchases, revolving debt showed an 8.5 percent increase. credit card debt accounts for almost all of revolving debt, which rose by $5.6 billion to $798.3 billion. This was the largest percentage jump since March 2008.

We might be feeling better about the economy, in reality unemployment is still high. Now more than ever families need to work at saving and paying off any outstanding debts. We are spending too much and spending like crazy again! This is concerning as the bills begin to roll in, consumers may fi nd themselves unable to pay them off .

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has ordered a review of rules on short-term loans. Three customers say companies lured them into a traps of quick cash and aff ordable payment terms.

These Quick Cash or Payday loan companies focus on the needy, often operating out of strip malls or corner stores. Interest can be 300%, plus fees. Borrowers often hand over post-dated checks which are cashed if they do not repay on time.

Unless you have assets or a property to turn your equity to cash to pay off these debts, you will end up rolling that debt over and incur higher fees.

Short Term loan are easy to get but hard to pay back, usually when you are desperately in need and not thinking right, these loan sharking method of lending is the fastest way to get money. Unless you completely thought out how you will be paying the debt off or knowingly have money coming into to pay it off , you will end up owing much more after said and done.

Seniors Financial Advisor thinks that one explanation for Americans’ willingness to take on more debt could be the relative improvement of the economy over the past year, when the workforce added 2.2 million jobs over the course of the year. For consum-

ers with extra money in their wallets, taking on more debt in anticipation of a bonus or a raise may not seem so risky. But that could be a big mistake.

We’ve already forgotten 2008 and 2009, and now we’re projecting into the indefi nite future and we’re spending based on as if it had already happened. Our default setting is optimistic, and maybe overly optimistic.

If consumers aren’t on steady fi nancial ground, it could put Americans at greater risk if the economy doesn’t improve at a fast enough rate. And it doesn’t help that Americans are not very good savers. Americans have made some progress on debt repayment… but (savings) continues to be the Achilles heel of

fi nancial security. And it was never a strong point to begin with.

I feel that if we are all wondering what will be the cause of another fi nancial recession, I think it might be related to consumer debts, credit card loans, student loans etc. We can’t live paycheck to paycheck just clearing our minimum payments on our debts, sooner than later it will catch up with us and we wont be able to pay it.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Financial at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net

BRE01021223 NMLS238636.

Pacquiao accepts IOC decision to disqualify him from Paris Olympics participation

The Philippines best professional boxer ever who won 12 world titles at a record eight different weight divisions in his storied 72 career fights bowed to the decision that he cannot fight again representing his country in the next Olympics.

Manny Pacquiao who ended his career at age 41 in September 2021 to run for President accepted the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to allow him to participate in the coming Olympics in Paris France.

“I respect the decision of the IOC regarding my request to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics…While I am very saddened and disappointed, I understand and accept the age limit rules,” read the Pacquiao statement released to the media.

“Nevertheless, I will continue to support and cheer for the Filipino athletes who will represent our country in the Olympics. Make us proud,” Pacquiao assured.

As for his future plans, Pacquiao is optimistic that he will “bring pride and honor to my country inside the boxing ring in the near future.”

He will compete against Buakaw Banchamek in an exhibition match in April.

Earlier, the IOC decided that it will not change its rules to let the 45-year-old boxing great Manny Pacquiao compete at the Paris Games aged five years beyond the entry limit.

The IOC wrote to POC officials explaining the age limit for boxers of 40 will be upheld. The IOC now oversees Olympic boxing after derecognizing the International Boxing Association governing body.

The age limit for Olympic boxing was raised to 40 from 34 in 2013 -- a move that would have let Pacquiao try to

By Jun Nucum

compete at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He chose not to at the time when he was also elected to be a senator in his home country.

For its part, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in a February 18 release lamented that the IOC has decided to adhere to the Olympic boxing age limit of 40.

“Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris,” POC President Abraham Tolentino reacted.

The POC had talked of trying to get a so-called “universality” entry to the Paris Games. These are effectively free passes to events given to countries that have few athletes at the Olympics and typically struggle to qualify on merit.

disciplines at the last two editions of the Olympic Games,” the IOC said. “This is the case for the Philippine Olympic Committee.”

However, the IOC explained Sunday that the Philippines had been too successful to benefit from the scheme.

“Universality places are not allocated to [teams] with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/

In its response to the POC’s appeal, IOC Director for National Olympic Committee Relations James McLeod explained that the Universality places for the Olympic Games will not be applied to National Olympic Committees that had over eight athletes in individual sports/disciplines in the last two editions of the Olympic Games (Rio and Tokyo). The Philippines had 17 athletes in the Tokyo Olympics, all competing in individual sports.

The Paris Summer Olympics 2024 is set to take place from July 26 to Aug. 11 and will see four Filipinos so far, that have earned slots in the Paris Games, including world No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan and boxer Eumir Marcial.

Home Free Crusade Los Angeles Tour

“There is hope. This is not the end. Peace is found in Christ!”. During the height of the pandemic, Global Evangelist Bishop Jonathan Ferriol envisioned a program that would fight back against the widespread fear and anxiety through the preaching of the gospel of Christ; thus was born the Home Free Global Crusades. What started as an online crusade reaching two thousand viewers, hosted at the PMCC (4th Watch) of South Bay in Gardena, CA, has now transformed into a global phenomenon bringing hundreds of thousands of people together to spread the message of salvation through Jesus and make a positive impact in the world’s communities. Having influence in all seven continents of the world, the crusades have helped conduct massive outreach programs with the partnership of local government officials, world renowned Christian musical artists, and the hardworking staff behind the Home Free Global Crusades. In the end, the heart of this crusade is all about people. Just like how Jesus saw the hurting crowds and had compassion on them, Bishop Jonathan and the team are driven to do the same to a generation in need of deep spiritual healing. This free event is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, March 16 at 3 pm with the message of hope being preaching by Bishop Jonathan Ferriol and special performances by multi-awarded Christian artists Rachel Lampa, and guest appearances by Toni and Alex Gonzaga. Be uplifted by God glorifying performances by the Home Free Worship team and the Saved by Grace dance team. What you’ve been waiting for is now here!

Kapri Walker Latest Filipina to Join Global Strategy Firm Actum

SACRAMENTO – Actum LLC, a global consulting firm, recently announced the hiring of Kapri Walker as a new Director for their Sacramento office. With previous experience working for California State Senator Nancy Skinner, Walker is expected to significantly contribute to Actum’s mission and client service.

“We are thrilled to add Kapri and her unique skill set to our growing global firm,” said Adam Keigwin, a Partner at Actum. “Kapri’s role will involve direct client representation, ensure we help our clients reach their goals, and Actum continues to provide the best-in-class strategy in California, across the country, and internationally.”

Walker, who was born and raised in southern San Diego and attended San Diego State University, credits her work ethic and determination to her grandfather, who grew up in Capas, Tarlac Province, Philippines.

“My grandfather was a traditional Filipino man –stubborn and the hardest worker you would ever meet,”

said Walker. “He instilled in us that family is everything and taught us to take care of each other and our community. Though we came from humble beginnings, he would constantly remind us ‘We are rich in love, Anak.’”

Walker centers her family values in her work and brings a deep understanding of cultural competency and community care to the firm. Actum’s hiring of Walker reflects the company’s focus on bringing in skilled professionals to enhance their team and service offerings.

Actum is a global consulting firm, built to deliver highly meaningful and measurable outcomes for their clients around the world. Their capabilities in strategy, management, execution, communications, government relations, storytelling and narrative development, digital and social media, advocacy mobilization, special groups, political consulting, public opinion research and data, are all best in class. Actum provides seasoned and experienced advisors and partners, from the highest levels of government, media, business, advocacy, politics,

technology and special groups, who lead teams of subject matter experts to deliver exceptional, measurable value and outcomes.

More than 2000 overseas voting applications approved in Q4 2023 bringing total almost 9,000 so far for the 2025 national elections

A total of a total of 8,868 overseas voting (OV) applications have been approved by the San Francisco Philippine Consulate’s Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) so far since registration of overseas voters resumed on 9 December 2022.

This developed after the RERB, composed of Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano as RERB Chair, and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay and Ms. Genevieve Ferrer as RERB Members approved 2,117 overseas voting (OV) applications filed from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023, during the hearing of the Consulate on 16 January 2024.

The Consulate, along with other Philippine embas-

By Jun Nucum

sies and consulates worldwide, will continue registering overseas voters until 30 September 2024.

Filipino citizens (including dual citizens) who will be outside the Philippines, are at least 18 years of age on 12 May 2025, and are not otherwise disqualified by law, may register with the Consulate as overseas voters for the 2025 Philippine National Elections. The Consulate’s method of overseas voting is postal voting, where official ballots are sent to the overseas voter’s preferred address via mail.

Registered overseas voters of previous elections who moved to a new address within the Consulate’s area of jurisdiction, are also urged to visit the Consulate and apply for change of address.

The Consulate covers the states of Alaska, Northern and Central California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,

Northern Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Additional information on the ongoing overseas voting registration is available on the Consulate’s official OV page: Overseas Voting - Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.

Minda Salinas celebrates her 62nd birthday with rela�ves and friends on February 17 at their residence in San Francisco. The joyful celebrant is shown with loving husband Jun; sons: Michael, Jonathan and Jus�n; grandchildren: Kristalyn, Michael Kai, Aliyah and Roxanne; daughter in law Catherine. She is also posing with her celebratory meal and two older sisters Na� and Tess.

Border Crisis issue boils as election campaign further heats up

For many outside the United States, migrating to other countries to seek better life for them and their families is more an act of human survival even if they face multitude of challenges from natural challenges like the weather conditions and terrain situations to being victims of human trafficking including by those so-called paid coyotes (migrant guides often closely aligned with cartels and other criminal organizations) who dump and leave along the way soon as they cross the border.

These maybe extremely dangerous tasks in order to cross the border to best chances in life but it doesn’t much matter to them, with many of them dying in doing so, as long as they can at least try.

And most of these migrants choose the United States as their destination, that unfortunately instead of addressing it with comprehensive and long-term solutions, another series of proposals meant to “harden” policies and “close” the borders advanced by some quarters.

Recently, the Republican party has taken an even more extreme than usual anti-immigrant stance, as its presidential standard bearer Donald Trump insists that immigrants “poison the blood” of the country and Democrats are left to worry about the electoral impact of the issue.

In a national briefing by Ethnic Media Services recently dubbed Border Crisis: What are the Policy Options Given the Polarized Politics, panelists delved into the current proposals, the political consequences of another anti-immigrant cycle, the local response to the arrival of high numbers of asylum seekers, and some of the long-term problems with the very politicized immigration system.

The speakers were Chief Advisor of Policy and Partnerships for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the American Immigration Council (AIC) Angela Kelley, Executive Director of America’s Voice, a Washington DCbased non-profit advocating for immigrant rights Vanessa Cardenas, and Lupita Martinez, Regional policy manager CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

Kelley explained that the the changes in migration patterns to the U.S. and how they are contributing to the crisis at the border and confirmed that the ongoing bipartisan Senate debate around restricting immigration along the country’s Mexican border particularly around parole, which allows migrants to live and work in the U.S. temporarily without visas is happening in the context of debates around a bill to fund aid for Israel, Taiwan and particularly Ukraine.

“Given that supporting Ukraine “to effectively push back on Putin’s intentions” is a Democrat priority, many Republicans echoing former President Trump — like House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson — are threatening to regard the Senate’s compromise as “dead on arrival” and withhold

By Jun Nucum

Ukraine aid if Democrats oppose certain immigration limitations,” Kelley continued.

Kelley added that the most significant limitation regards the authority of parole, which President Biden has used for generally twoyear increments to bring in people including Afghans, Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans for humanitarian reasons and which many other migrants at the border get through the U.S. Customs app CBP One as a legal pathway, as opposed to using a smuggler.

Another limitation regards the negotiation of a “trigger” to close the border to migrants seeking asylum if there are more than a certain maximum — especially relevant given that President Biden, in an attempt to salvage the ongoing Congress deal, said he’d “shut down the border” if given the ability.

“30 years ago, if the Border Patrol had encountered 4,000 people, that would have been a five-alarm fire. Now we’re seeing 10,000 or 11,000 per day … because smuggling networks have increased and more people — 52% of migrants — are coming from other parts of the world beyond Mexico or Central America,” Kelley updated. “Our policies are grossly inadequate to handle these numbers.”

The House Republican response to unprecedented migration takes the form of a markup hearing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the grounds that he defied Federal immigration laws by allowing millions to enter the U.S. illegally. With this, Mayorkas may become only the second U.S. Cabinet official to be impeached in history, and the first in 150 years.

Cardenas for her part, observed that in this electoral year, immigration is more political than ever in a “perfect storm” intensified by unprecedented migration from destabilized governments and economies abroad, and by 30 years of largely GOP-blocked attempts to update the U.S. immigration system, as she also notes that America has the resources to support immigration – and solve many of our other problems – but fails to do so.

“We saw in 2016 and 2020 what we’re seeing again, when Trump told Speaker Johnson to make no deal with the Senate: immigration is the GOP’s silver bullet. They’re not interested in solutions, but using it to anger and mobilize their base … Of course, Americans are worried about the border, but when presented with actual policies, most embrace America as a nation of immigrants,” Cardenas recalled.

Most Americans, for example, support DACA, while three out of four say undocumented immigrants should be able to stay in the U.S. legally if certain requirements are met.

“When the Trump administration, on the other hand, passed policies that did not fix the problem — like the Muslim ban, separating families at the border and rhetoric around mass incarceration — Americans broadly rejected it,” Cardenas reminded. “They want a

compassionate legal system … but in the absence of reform, the other side fills the void with narratives of invasion … This goes beyond immigration. This is a debate about who gets to be an American.”

Martinez admitted that migrants themselves are nothing new in a major city so close to the border as Los Angeles although the numbers have been unprecedented since the COVID-response asylum restriction Title 42 was lifted last May and “we’ve been receiving buses on an over 20-hour-long ride from Texas.”

In talking about her experience working with new arrivals to the U.S. and how their stories impacted her advocacy and perspective on immigration, Martinez added that only 3% of arrivals to LA stay there and others go to other top cities that include San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose to their sponsors.

“We have been collaborating with the city, county and aid organizations through LA Welcomes Collective to receive new arrivals

with care” including medical attention, translation services, basic needs like food, water and hygiene supplies, and for those staying in LA city orientation, housing and benefits case management, school enrollment and mental health support,” reported Martinez.

“When we talk about immigration, we talk about numbers, but on the ground they’re more than that,” stressed Martinez. “I remember meeting a mother and two children less than five years old, whose father had drowned in the river on the way with them. How can you say — no, we’re not going to help you, when you know you can?”

“We can’t talk about the numbers behind immigration as a policy issue without also talking about the violence and poverty behind it,” she added. “When you’re facing it on the ground, the issue turns into one around what it means to integrate someone new, how you can help them contribute to your community.”

Chief Advisor of Policy and Partnerships for the American Immigra�on Lawyers Associa�on (AILA) and the American Immigra�on Council (AIC) Angela Kelley

Execu�ve Director of America’s Voice, a Washington DCbased non-profit advoca�ng for immigrant rights Vanessa Cardenas

Regional policy manager for the Coali�on for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) Lupita Mar�nez

As I See It

(From Page 11)

source: Quijano de Manila, Philippine Free Press Online), “Sara Duterte used a private jet with all the amenities just to attend a birthday party in Balesin.

“Bongbong Marcos used a 300-plus-person-capacity Boeing 777 to go to Dagos for only a 70-person delegation (bloated pa).

“PNoy used PAL commercial flights always! Background checks lang and other passengers. Lahat ng gustong sumama sariling bayad except official delegation.”

Gani commented, which I concur: “If Filipinos who found out about this are not yet convinced or enlightened about the kind of leaders that they have now, then they deserve the difficult life and hardships that they’re going through now and, in the days, ahead. As they say, you deserve the leaders that you elected. Unfortunately, and tragically, they’re bringing with them the rest of the Filipinos with their ignorance and pathetic judgement.”

Ramon Magsaysay was born on August 31, 1907 and died March 17, 1957 as a result of a plane crash near Cebu. As president, he was best known for successfully defeating the communist-led Hukbalahap (Huk) movement.

A son of an artisan, Magsaysay was a schoolteacher in the provincial town of Iba on the island of Luzon. Magsaysay was of Malay stock, like most of the common people, unlike most political leaders who were of Spanish descent. Working his way through Jose Rizal College, he obtained a commercial degree in 1933 and became general manager of a Manila transportation company. After serving as a guerrilla leader in Luzon during World War 11, he was appointed military governor of his home province, Zambales, when the United State recaptured the Philippines. He served two terms (1946–50) as a Liberal Party congressman for Zambales, his first experience in politics. (Source: Britannica)

Although Magsaysay was a Liberal, the Nacionalista Party successfully backed him for the presidency against President Elpidio Quirino in the 1953 elections. Magsaysay promised reform in every segment of Philippine life, but he was frustrated in his efforts by a conservative congress that represented the interests of the wealthy. Despite initial support of Congress in July 1955, Magsaysay was unable to pass effective land-reform legislation; government indifference to the plight of the peasants then undid most of his good work in gaining the support of the people against the Huks. Nevertheless, he remained extremely popular and had a well-deserved reputation for incorruptibility. (Britannica)

Fellow Americans and my fellow Filipinos (I am a dual citizen), let the Magsaysay lifestyle define our life – We should not live beyond our means!

(Elpidio R. Estioko was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an awardwinning journalist here in the US. He just published his book Unlocking the chain of Poverty: In Pursuit of the American Dream which is now available with Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Xlibris Publishing. For feedbacks, comments… please email author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com).

other

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Sting operation busts unlicensed contractors in Humboldt County

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) joined forces with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office in a recent undercover operation targeting unlicensed contractors.

The sting operation was conducted in the Eureka area during severe storms in early February. It resulted in four individuals receiving a Notice to Appear in criminal court for allegedly conducting contracting activities without the required license. They now face fines and possible jail time.

CSLB and law enforcement officials cited the four individuals for submitting bids that exceeded the legal limit of $500. The bids ranged from $1,400 for an interior paint project to $12,000 for deck work.

According to California law, if unlicensed individuals advertise for construction contracting services, they must clearly state they are unlicensed and cannot bid on a contract for work valued at more than $500, including labor and materials.

“It’s important to hire licensed contractors for any home improvement project, especially after a storm when unlicensed

contractors may take advantage of consumers looking to repair their homes,” said David Fogt, CSLB Registrar. “That’s why CSLB educates consumers on how to protect themselves by hiring a licensed contractor – it takes just a few minutes to find a licensed contractor in California.”

After this sting operation, one individual faces an additional recommended obstruction of justice charge. Investigators say this person posted information about the sting operation on social media right after leaving the sting site despite being told not to do so.

For further information or to report suspected unlicensed contractor activities, please visit the CSLB website at www. cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB toll-free at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). For ongoing information and updates from CSLB, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About CSLB: CSLB operates under the umbrella of the Department of Consumer Affairs and licenses and regulates about 285,000 contractors in California.

Social Security Update

HELP SOMEONE YOU LOVE APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND MORE

By G. Samson Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in the Bay Area

SHARING IS CARING. THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, TAKE TIME TO REMIND YOUR LOVED ONES THAT SOCIAL SECURITY HELPS PEOPLE IN ALL STAGES OF LIFE. WE PROVIDE EASY AND CONVENIENT WAYS TO LEARN ABOUT AND APPLY FOR BENEFITS. USING OUR ONLINE SERVICES, YOU CAN ASSIST FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO:

1. APPLY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI).

CHECK IF THE PERSON YOU ARE HELPING IS ELIGIBLE FOR SSI – AND START THE PROCESS ONLINE – AT WWW.SSA.GOV/SSI.

2. APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI).

WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND A LOVED ONE CAN NO LONGER WORK DUE TO A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION, SSDI CAN BE A LIFELINE. FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.SSA.GOV/BENEFITS/DISABILITY.

3. CREATE A PERSONAL MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT.

IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS PLANNING FOR RETIRE-

MENT OR INTERESTED IN ESTIMATING THEIR FUTURE BENEFITS, THEY CAN CREATE A FREE AND SECURE MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT AT WWW.SSA. GOV/MYACCOUNT AND VIEW THEIR BENEFIT ESTIMATES.

4. CHECK THE STATUS OF A PENDING APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS.

CHECKING THE STATUS OF AN APPLICATION IS QUICK AND EASY WITH A PERSONAL MY SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT. IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN ACCOUNT, YOU CAN CREATE ONE AT WWW.SSA.GOV/MYACCOUNT.

5. APPEAL A DECISION FOR BENEFITS.

IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW WAS DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS OR SSI, THEY CAN REQUEST AN APPEAL. WE PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO APPEAL DECISIONS FOR BOTH MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL REASONS AT WWW.SSA.GOV/BENEFITS/DISABILITY/APPEAL.HTML.

TO DISCOVER MORE WAYS YOU CAN ASSIST OTHERS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.SSA.GOV/THIRDPARTY/.

Upside...

(From Page 10)

actor of films that plumb the depths of the heart. She is one of two daughters of philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis and the late Reginald Lewis, who became the richest Black American as chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice International. Her sister Christina Lewis Halpern is a philanthropistjournalist who founded All Star Code, an education organization for young men of color in technology, and Give Black, a comprehensive database of Black-founded nonprofits. In 2014, the Obama Administration named her a “Champion of Change” for STEM Access. She is in the midst of producing her industrialist father’s biopic. – Adapted from original reprinted with permission from INQUIRER.NETUSA (To be concluded)

SOCIAL JUSTICE INFLUENCERS (from le�): Kia LaBeijia/Wikipedia; Leslie Lewis Sword/Facebook, and Chris�na Lewis Halpern/LinkedIn

new and emerging tech industries. The ecozone is expected to add US$200 billion in annual Philippine exports over the next decade.

measure will propel Bulacan to be the next growth area for ecozones especially now that our economic prospects are brighter.

Jacquelyn Kahulugan was approved for naturaliza�on. A�y. Chris Caday Lozano represented her case from applying for green card un�l she successfully get her ci�zenship.

Homeless, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act

Crimes, drugs, and homelessness have been plaguing our state for a long time, as if we were living in a tiny third-world country. Retail corporations leave one after another. Drug dealers, drug addicts, and homeless people are everywhere. Frank Lee, Director of Outreach of the campaign said, “This is a long-awaited initiative to solve these problems, supported by over 70% of the respondents in a recent survey. We already have obtained over 400,000 signatures, and we need at least about 550,000 valid signatures before April 30th to put this on the November ballot. Please do work with us on this initiative to create a safer California.” Our website is

www.casafecommunities.com.

The intention of this initiative is mainly to change people’s behaviors for the betterment of our state. An analogy can be drawn to speed limit, if the speed limit is 65 miles an hour, people tend to drive 65 miles an hour or below. But if it is changed to 85, then people will drive 85. People tend to adjust their behaviors according to the law or requirements. Tighten up the law a little bit in the above-mentioned aspects is imperative given today’s very chaotic situation. Striking the balance is the name of the game for law-making. The principle of deterrence is pivotal no matter whether it is international

politics or domestic law-making. Deterrence plus education can solve our crime and drug problems eventually.

Frank Lee emphasized, “Our state has been spending a fortune to deal with drugs, crimes, and homelessness. This initiative will reduce all these and thus also will lower the amount of related expenditures. Please do not be misled that this initiative will take away fund from other areas, it is just the opposite. The initiative will likely save much for our state.”

The three key points of this initiative include:

1. Anybody caught with possessing hard drugs, such as opium and cocaine, will be demanded to go for drug rehab, otherwise he/ she will face a felony charge. We believe this “mandated treatment approach” will work.

Let us look at a chart reflecting the big increase in drug overdose deaths in San Francisco starting 2014 when Prop 47 became the law so that possession of hard drugs became only a misdemeanor. This virtually encouraged people to use hard drugs and thus became a key factor causing many more drug overdose deaths. Our initiative will solve or alleviate this problem.

2. Jeff Reisig, Co-director of campaign and Yolo County District Attorney maintained, “Another key point is that this initiative will enhance the punishment of drug

dealers especially fetanyl dealers. This is needed since drugs cause more crimes. Drug addicts have to keep stealing or robbing to get money to buy drugs. Many drug addicts become homeless people. Thus, puzzling out the drug problem will help significantly in resolving the other two problems.”

3. “Finally, anybody arrested the third time for stealing, regardless of the amount, will be charged a felony. This is necessary in light of the current disastrous smash-andgrab problem. The initiative should change people’s behaviors in this aspect rather than anything else. Anyway, the judge still has discretion to allow diversion,” Vern Pierson, Co-director of campaign and Immediate Past President of California District Attorneys Association (CDAA) who sponsors the initiative.

Mayor London Breed of San Francisco, Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, and Mayor Lily Mei of Fremont endorsed the campaign. Criminal Justice Director of NAACP-Oakland, Darren White, also spoke in our press event to support the initiative.

To conclude, we urge voters to sign for this initiative and vote for it when it is on the November ballot. This initiative determines whether we can continue to live in California safely. Let us work together so that we can have a much safer California for ourselves and our future generations!

PHILIP S. CHUA

Heart of Hope

My wife, Farida, and I have just been on a river cruise on the Vikings to historic Rouen, Omaha Beach, Normandy, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Paris, where the Faculty of Medicine at the University in Paris-Cite conducted valuable research on the effects on the brain of snoring with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) (prolonged breath-holding while asleep), with the following findings:

“Those who snore can be aging their brains by years and hurting their brain health by depriving themselves of oxygen and getting deep sleep. Loud snoring and obstructed breathing, often caused by sleep apnea, can lead to higher chances of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or overall cognitive decline:

• Deep sleep is one of the best indicators of sleep quality and the study found that for every 10% decrease in deep sleep, the white matter hyperintensities increased, equivalent to the brain aging 2.3 years.

• The same 10% reduction of deep sleep was also associated with reducing the integrity of axons, and that decrease was similar to the effect of the brain appearing 3 years older.”

These findings were published in Neurology on May 10, 2023.

CPAP versus Inspire

The gold standard in the management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea is called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, using a CPAP machine to force air into the airway (inflating the throat area) to keep it open (unobstructed by a flimsy soft palate, uvula, and the tongue), allowing the person to breathe normally, getting enough oxygen into their lungs. The dangerous breath-holding could occur dozens, or even more than a hundred, each night. CPAP induces good restful sleep, reduces tiredness, accidents due to sleepiness, and lowers the risk for heart attack, stroke, dementia from insufficient oxygenation.

The principle of CPAP was introduced in 1912, using positive pressure during lung surgery. It only became popular in 1965, since Obstructive Sleep Apnea was first recognized as a disease entity. There are about 936 million adults in the world with OSA. It is now used by at least 33 million people in the

OSA & Elixir of Life

USA, including President Biden, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Shaquille O’Neal, William Shatner, Toni Robins, Randy Jackson, Regis Philbin, etc.

In 2014, The US-FDA approved a surgically implanted device called Inspire. It works by electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve (tongue) to keep it from falling back and blocking the airway, which is also accomplished by CPAP with inflation using positive pressure air, without surgery.

Ispire is used only as an option for those who cannot tolerate CPAP because of the original full facemask used, but today, there are comfortable nasal pillows and nasal masks that do not cover the whole face. CPAP is more consistent in its performance, compared to Inspire’s 70-80 percent success rate.

Beware of media Ads conveying half-truths. Always do due diligence. Dr. Google is on duty 24/7.

MedWalk and brain health

A healthy diet, in this case, the Mediterranean Diet, and active lifestyle, like walking daily, lowers the risk of dementia (7th leading cause of death) and cognitive impairment. A combined study, called “MedWalk,” that was just completed in 2023, revealed following a MedWalk program diligently could reduce Alzheimer’s dementia and decline in cognition.

These findings are so far as important to the whole world, where there are 55 million cases of Alzheimer’s, about 10 million a year, or one case every 3.2 seconds. The prevalence: Finland has the highest (54.56 cases per 100,000 population), United Kingdom (42.70), the USA (33.26, currently 6.7 million cases), the Philippines (10.6 per 100,000, currently about 1 million cases).

The M-Diet

The diet based on the historic eating habits of people who live around the Mediterranean Sea, which the American Heart Association recommends for cardiovascular health, features the following: High intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and legumes, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry, non-tropical vegetable oils, and nuts; consume limited added sugars, stay away from sugary beverages (soft drinks), high sodium, highly processed deli foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats.

The Harvard School of Public Health emphasized the importance of healthy fats, like olive oil, nuts, avocados, and oily fish (anchovies, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon,

stripe bass, black cod, blue-fin tuna, cobia, for brain-healthy omega-3). It advises the public to eat red meat only occasionally, and get their protein from fish, seafood (at least two times a week), and small amount of poultry, eggs, and dairy.

The main source of liquid should be water, and, as per the traditional Mediterranean Diet, a small glass of red wine, with lunch and dinner is fine. All the above should be paired with daily physical exercises, like brisk walking as the basic, and an overall wholesome lifestyle and behavior: no smoking, no alcohol abuse, or use of illicit drugs.

The M-Diet has been associated with great benefits to cardiovascular and brain health. The 7-country Study revealed that dietary patters in the M-Diet, and in Japan in the 1960s, these diet patterns were shown to lower the rates of coronary artery disease and all-cause mortality.

A meta-analysis of several independent studies posted in March 2023, with a pooled sample of more than 70,000 female volunteers, has found that, by adhering closely to a Mediterranean Diet, women reduced their risk of cardiovascular diseases by 24 percent and their risk of death from any cause by 23 percent. Women are more compliant with diet instructions than men, the reason the studies chose women as their subjects.

The fable that the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, who died at age 47 from an Indian poison arrow, was searching for “elusive” Fountain of Youth for decades around the world in the mid-1500 has been debunked. Anyway, that “phantom rejuvenating spring,” the “elixir of life,” has always been here: It called “a healthy lifestyle.”

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, educators, and leaders (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Recipe of the Week

Mais at Patola, Sweet Corn and Luffa Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

4 young corn in a cob

2 medium size patola, peeled, cut crosswise

2 medium size eggplant, sliced into strips

1/4 kilo pre-boiled pork, cut into strips

1 cup small shrimp, shelled

2-3 long green chili

1/4 head garlic, chopped

1 small size onion, chopped

1 medium size tomato, chopped

1/4 cup fish sauce

salt to taste

cooking oil

Cooking procedure:

Using a knife cut of the corn kernels of the cob, keep aside, discard cobs. In a sauce pan suttee garlic, onion and tomato until lump. Add in the pork and shrimp, stir cook for a minute. Add in fish sauce and stir cook for another minute. Add 3 to 4 cups of water bring to a boil and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the corn and continue to simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, add more water as necessary. Add in the vegetables and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, correct saltines if required. Now add in the green chili and cook for another half a minute. Serve with steaming hot rice.

Lampinigan and Malamawi islands are Basilan’s gems, eyed as ecotourism zones

ISABELA CITY, Basilan - Unknown to many Filipinos, the southern provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi is teeming with scenic, historical and cultural spots which maybe considered gems in tourism.

Among the potentially rich tourism areas are islands and islets with white or pinkish sand beaches considering that the three provinces are archipelagos by themselves consisting of several islands and islets.

Over the years, the tourism spots have been neglected and not developed nor promoted due to instability in the peace and order condition in those provinces.

With improved peace and order condition and assurances of safety by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), local leaders and the private sector are now in a frenzy in promoting and attracting domestic and foreign tourists in the region.

One such leader is Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Lone District Representative Mujiv Hataman.

Hataman has filed a bill declaring Lampinigan Island in Isabela City, Basilan as a necotourism zone.

Hataman said the growing number of visitors frequenting Lampinigan shows the great potential of the island, described as “one of the jewels,” as an ecotourism zone, PNA’s Zaldy De Layola reported.

He is pushing for the passage of the bill, House Bill (HB) 7159, so that when it becomes a law, the development in the area and boost the province’s tourism industry would be fast-tracked.

Lampinigan Island is described as one of the famous tourist destinations in the capital city of Basilan, with its long shorelines of fine white beaches.

In filing HB 7159 or the “Lampinigan Ecotourism Site Act”, Hataman said tourism is one of the main sources of livelihood of people in Basilan and the province has so many tourist spots that need government help for development.

Hataman, a former governor of the nowdefunct ARMM, has also filed separate HB 6293, or the “Malamawi Ecotourism Zone Act,” to declare Malamawi Island, also one

of Basilan’s hidden gems, as an ecotourism zone to achieve the province’s goal as the next must-see tourist destination in the Philippines.

The Malamawi bill has already been approved on the third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

“Maraming komunidad sa amin ang nabubuhay sa turismo sa dalawang islang ito. At dahil sa kapayapaang pinagtulungang maabot ng mga mamamayan sa Basilan, parami nang parami ang dumadating na turista sa Malamawi at Lampinigan (We have lots of communities relying from tourism in both islands. And because of the peace won through concerted efforts of Basilan, more and more tourists are arriving in Malamawi and Lampinigan),” Hataman said.

He said as the number of tourists clearly grows, the government must prepare the infrastructure in Lampinigan and Malamawi to accommodate the influx of visitors, and to protect the pristine conditions of two islands.

According to HB 7159, Lampinigan is a premier tourism spot in Isabela City that is being frequented by thousands of local and foreign visitors every year. The island is said to be one of the country’s best white beaches, at par with more popular ones such as Boracay Island.

The measure mandates the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other concerned government agencies to prioritize the protection and development of Lampinigan Island.

“Within one year from the approval of this Act, the DOT, DENR, local government of Isabela City in coordination with the District Representative of the Lone District of Basilan, and other concerned government agencies and civil society organizations, shall formulate the Lampinigan Ecotourism Development Plan (LEDP) involving the construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall enhance tourism in Lampinigan Island,” the bill states.