Philippine News Today

1 October 21-27, 2021

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

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Vol. 61 No. 11 October 21-27, 2021

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

DUTERTE IN PHARMALLY ‘GRAND CONSPIRACY?’ As Senate recommends charges PHL, US okay ‘full scale’ vs execs, Palace dismisses claims military exercises in 2022

By ALFRED GABOT and BETING LAYGO DOLOR

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go signal for a small private Chinese company to win multi-billion peso supply contracts in what could be a scheme or conspiracy to defraud the government of funds.

This was the conclusion of the preliminary report of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee which it released this week after extended hearings on contracts worth P8.6 billion to P11 billion awarded to the Chineseowned Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. by the Department of Health through the Department of Budget’s procurement services. Page 9

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The annual “Balikatan” exercises between the Philippines and United States will go full scale next year, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Jose

Groups hoping for ‘miracle’ Sara running for president in 2022

Lakas-CMD eyes Multi-ethnic coalition to open Sen. Revilla Larry Itliong for president Resource Center

By Claire Morales True MANILA - Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla for president?

This is possible if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will not run for president under the Lakas-CMD, the political party of Senator Revilla former president and House speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

This was disclosed by Depu-Page 19

TAGUM CITY – The convenors of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Davao de Oro chapter has called anew for Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte to reconsider running for president in the 2022 polls.

This as PDP-Laban party president Alfonso Cusi said Mayor Sara has been clear in her statement that she will not run under the ruling party amid speculation she is the group’s eventual presidential bet. Page 8

By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

RECENT California Hall of Fame inductee and Filipino American labor organizer Larry Itliong Jr. lived and died believing solidarity overcomes adversity. In the spirit of that credo, Itliong’s allies and their descendants will come together to preserve his vision for empowered rural communities at a first-ever all-day commemoration of his birthday that will inaugurate the Larry Itliong Resource Center Oct. 24 in Poplar, California.

On the eve of Itliong’s birthday this year, Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Delano, UC Davis’ Bulosan Center of Filipino Page 8

Faustino Jr. and US Indo-Pacific Command head, Adm. John Aquilino announced.

The two top military officials made the announcement after their meet- Page 8

Mayor Sara Duterte

Covid cases hit 2.7-M, deaths in PHL at 40,997; downward trend noted MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on October 20 reported 3,656 new Covid-19 cases, the country’s lowest daily tally in over three months, bringing the total number of active cases nationwide to 67,061, with 40,977 deaths.

This as researchers have observed a

downward trend in COVID-19 cases in the “NCR Plus Eight” bubble, with reproduction numbers at 0.55 or below.

In a social media post, OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David said that the National Capital Region’s COVID-19 reproduction number further dropped Page 8

Newsom expands drought emergency statewide

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Locate business in ASEAN, envoy urges US VIEWS & COMMENTS

Do you have a problem to apply for Naturalization?

By A�y. Lozano

Page 14

SHOWBIZ

JM de Guzman, Sylvia Sanchez top Star Awards winners Page 17

SPORTS

FilAm Wesley So wins 3rd US Open Chess Championship Page 21

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 NATIONAL NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

2

‘Bato-Bong Go’ tandem ‘100 percent’ final: PDP-Laban MANILA – Is the tandem of Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go for president and vice president in the May 9, 2022 elections final?

For the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) it is almost “100 percent final.”

PDP-Laban secretary-general Melvin Matibag said dela Rosa and Go remain to be the party’s official presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, for next year’s poll.

“I will base my answer on the present situation which is today. So if you’re asking today, ang isasagot ko (my answer) today [is] I am certain that it is 100 percent sure that our tandem is Bato-Go, president and vice president,” Matibag said.

Originally, Go and President Rodrigo Duterte were nominated as PDP-Laban’s presidential and vice-presidential bets, re-

spectively.

Duterte, however, announced on Oct. 2 that he will be retiring from politics after his term ends in June 2022.

Go, on the other hand, declined to be the PDP-Laban’s standard bearer and instead decided to run for vice president under the ruling party.

Dela Rosa then made a surprise move when he filed his certificate of candidacy for president under PDP-Laban on Oct. 8, the last day of filing.

He, however, is seen as a “placeholder” candidate for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who repeatedly refused to join the presidential despite mounting calls for her to seek the country’s highest post.

Matibag said the PDP-Laban is not waiting for any particular candidate to take the place of dela Rosa and Go. “Wala po. Sabi ko nga, if you’re basing your question on my answer today, wala po kaming hinihintay (There is none. As I

said, if you’re basing your question to my answer today, we are not waiting for anyone),” he said.

Matibag said the party is “ready” for any changes before or on Nov. 15, the last day of substitution of candidates for the 2022 elections.

“Nakahanda po kami lagi kung ano ang mga magiging pagbabago o changes pa na mangyayari Senator Dela Rosa and Senator Go. bago mag-November 15 or ity the PDP-Laban is preparing for, Mation November 15 (We are ready for any bag said: “Well, uncertain ho kasi (that’s eventualities or changes before or on No- uncertain because we cannot say.” vember 15),” he said.

“Ang sinasabi ko lang (What I’m just The country’s Omnibus Election Code saying is) we are prepared for any changallows any political party to replace their es or any eventuality na puwedeng mangoriginal candidates who die, withdraw, or yari po (that can happen before or on Noare disqualified for any cause. vember 15,” Matibag added.

Pressed about what specific eventual-

30 public schools to have in-person classes on Nov. 15 PASIG CITY – Thirty public schools will proceed with the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes set on November 15, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma said the 30 schools have passed the DepEd’s school safety assessment.

On October 2, there were 59 schools that passed the assessment of the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau and were tagged as minimal or low risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Garma explained that regional directors were instructed to conduct a “quick validation” of the 59 schools which

were reduced to 30 schools for the twomonth pilot run of limited in-person classes.

“Ang objective natin dito ay buuin ‘yung 100 na pampublikong paaralan (Our objective here is to complete the 100 public schools), he said.

The 30 schools are Gutusan Elementary School (ES) in Masbate City; Mary B. Perpetua in Milagros; Sinalongan ES in Masbate City; Mayabay ES in Barbaza; Igsoro ES in Bugasong; Laserna Integrated School in Nabas, Aklan; Basak ES in Samboan; Mahanlud ES in Malabuyoc; Cabagdalan in Balamban; Luyongbaybay ES in Bantayan; Cañang-Marcelo Luna National High

School (NHS) in Oslob; Busay NHS in Moalboal; Pilar NHS in Pilar; Siocon ES in Bogo City; Siloh ES in Siay; San Vicente ES in Payao; Manga NHS in Pagadian City (Capital); Manga ES; Lala ES; Sominot NHS Sominot (Don Mariano Marcos); Tabina ES, Tabina; Guipos NHS in Guipos; Dalama Central ES in Baroy; Babalaya ES in Bacolod; Napo ES in Linamon; Masibay IS in Nunungan; Tambacon IS in Magsaysay; Marcela T. Mabanta NHS in Kauswagan; North Cotabato; Paco NHS in Kidapawan City; and Bato ES in Makilala.

However, there are 46 schools that are appealing to the DepEd so they can

participate in the pilot implementation of in-person classes.

“May mga LGU [local government unit] na humihiling na sana masama rin ‘yong kanilang lugar, mga eskuwelahan sa kanilang mga lugar (There were LGUs requesting for their areas, the schools in their areas to be included),” Garma said.

Meantime, DepEd Director for Planning Services Roger Masapol said international schools were also recommended to participate in the limited in-person classes, but their participation must be approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Bello eyes OFW deployment ban to Saudi MANILA – Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to consider the possibility of a ban on deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) due to “still” unpaid wages worth P4.6 billion.

“I sent a memorandum to the President requesting his permission to consider a deployment ban to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia kung hindi nila mababayaran ‘yun pera na pinaghirapan ng ating mga OFW for so many years. So ‘yun po ang plano, pag-aralan namin (if they cannot pay the money that our OFWs have worked for so many years.

So that’s the plan, we’ll study it),” he said.

In 2016, Bello said 11,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia have not received their salaries, prompting Duterte to authorized “me to bring all of them home.”

“We repatriated our compatriots involving about P3 billion to be able to bring all of them back home. But be-

fore doing that, we authorized a lawyer “Maybe it’s high time, we have been toiling for years just to get these provided by the assistance to national to show the people of Saudi that our claims of theirs,” he said. by the DFA (Department of Foreign people deserve justice because they’ve Affairs) to pursue the claims of our OFWs,” he added.

Bello believed that the host country should prioritize the plight of the Filipino workers since there is already a ruling for the OFWs to be compensated.

“That was 2016, it is now 2021 there is already a decision, to pay our overseas workers but they are still not being paid. There’s the money, the Rate: RN- $75/ hour claim of our overseas workers amounts to P4.6 billion that is due to our more LVN- $50/ hour than 9,000 overseas workers. So, I said Referral fee: $25/shift if they don’t pay that, there is no use sending our overseas workers there,” he said.

He said he directed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Hans Leo Cacdac and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) head Bernard Olalia to study the possibility of a deployment ban.

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3 October 21-27, 2021

 NATIONAL NEWS

PAF gets 5 new Black Hawk choppers, 4 aerial drones CLARK AIR BASE, Pampanga – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has formally accepted five S-70i “Black Hawk” combat utility helicopters and four units of ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS).

Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, led the acceptance and blessing of these equipment in a short ceremony Wednesday at the Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

Lorenzana said these additional assets are seen as “crucial in keeping our communities and people safe from traditional security threats and disasters”.

“With additional four long-endurance, low-altitude ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles, our aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities will be enhanced. With five more Black Hawks,

the Philippine Air Force (PAF) can now better provide prompt and sustained day and night tactical heli-lift and combat and non-combat search and rescue operations,” he added.

The PAF has an order of 16 S-70i helicopters from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o. worth US$241 million (about P11.5 billion).

The first six were delivered in November 2020 while the second batch of five was delivered this June.

One unit from the initial six units delivered in the country crashed last June 24 while on a night-flying exercise.

The S-70i helicopters that were blessed last Wednesday belong to the second batch of five helicopters delivered last June.

The third and last batch is expected by

yearend.

Meanwhile, the four ScanEagle UAS turned over by the US military are worth P200 million.

These platforms will provide additional capabilities in unmanned intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and in support of counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

Meanwhile, 10 UH-ID helicopters, which were acquired in 2013 to 2014, were also decommissioned.

PAF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano, said UH-ID were retired as these have already served their purpose.

These helicopters were acquired from the US-based Rice Aircraft Services Inc. from 2013 to 2014 as an interim solution for the PAF’s relief transport requirement.

IATF asked to include US, Canada in no-quarantine list MAKATI CITY – Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has welcomed the lifting of mandatory quarantine from “green” countries but is hoping that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Diseases (IATFEID) will also grant lesser restrictions for travelers from North America that includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

During Go Negosyo’s Bakuna Town Hall virtual meeting last Friday, Concepcion said lifting the mandatory quarantine reduces cost for travelers and will help in reviving the tourism sector.

However, it may not be enough to help airlines and tourism enterprises to recover as the Philippines is not a popular destination for countries in the green list.

“Green list” economies

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include Algeria, American Samoa, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Falkland Island, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustasius, Solomon Islands,

Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Yemen.

“We’ve requested that they include countries in North America, Canada, and some European countries. Because what we see, Thailand and Singapore are starting to open up and redefining these country levels, allowing America. So, I feel that hopefully we hope to move towards that level,” Concepcion said.

 METRO NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

83 areas in Metro Manila under granular lockdown

TAGUIG CITY – Some 83 areas in Metro Manila remain under granular lockdown despite the region’s shift to the more relaxed Alert Level 3 over the weekend even as the Department of Health reported that COVID-19 cases in the metropolis are slowing down.

Based on the latest data, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said these include 29 areas under the Quezon City Police District; Manila Po-

lice District, 25; Eastern Police District, 17; Southern Police District, 10 and Northern Police District, two.

These areas are located in 53 villages across the region.

The NCRPO has deployed a total of 238 police officers to secure these areas.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has ordered all unit commanders in Metro Manila to coordinate with local

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government units (LGUs) to determine whether there is a need to deploy more police officers in public places and leisure areas.

“We still need to ensure the safety of our people because complacency might cause another surge in Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases in NCR,” Eleazar said.

This came as the PNP recorded a total of 19,014 violators of minimum public health standards and curfew hours during the first weekend of the implementation of Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila.

Among popular destinations which saw an influx of visitors include churches, malls, the Manila Bay dolomite beach, and Rizal Park.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments can operate at 30 percent indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Religious gatherings, dine-in, and personal care services are allowed at 30 percent indoor capacity for fully vaccinated persons only and 50 percent outdoor capacity for all persons, regardless of vaccination status.

4

Metro mayors allow travel of minors under Alert Level 3 MAKATI CITY – The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has allowed accompanied minors to travel throughout the region which is currently under the more relaxed Alert Level 3.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said these minors, those aged below 18 years old, are allowed to travel in private vehicles and public utility vehicles (PUV) such as jeepneys or trains as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

“Kung ito ay walang kasama na magulang o guardian, sisitahin ang mga bata, at of course, ang kaukulang proseso ay gagawin. Ito ay po ay ginagawa para proteksyunan ang mga bata (If they are not with their parent or guardian, they will be called out, and of course, the appropriate process will take place. This is to protect the children),” Abalos said.

He said allowing “intrazonal and interzonal” travel of minors was based on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) “Guidelines on the Implementation of Alert Level System for Covid-19 Response in Pilot Areas.

5 October 21-27, 2021

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

2 nabbed, P1.6-B ‘shabu’ seized in Dasmarinas City anti-drugs op DASMARINAS CITY, Cavite – Anti-drug operatives and police and military agents have arrested two suspected drug dealers and confiscated P1.65 billion worth of “shabu” from them.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar lauded various anti-illegal drugs units for their successful buy-bust operation in Barangay Salitran, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

“The operation prevented the illegal drugs from being used especially by the youth,” he said, citing the proper coor-

dination between the police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The buy-bust operation conducted on Saturday in a parking lot in Barangay Salitran 2 along Aguinaldo Highway resulted in the arrest of Wilfredo Blanco and Megan Lemon Pedroro, both residents of Montalban, Rizal.

Seized from the two were 240 kilos

of shabu and the van reportedly being used by them in the transportation of the illegal drugs.

The operation in Dasmariñas City was part of the series of anti-drug operations that started with the confiscation of some P3.4 billion worth of shabu in Zambales and over P1 billion worth of shabu in follow-up operations in Bataan and Cavite.

The three other opera-

2 priests running for mayor, 3rd priest for councilor LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur - Two priests are running for mayor in a town in Camarines Sur and in Davao de Oro while a third priest is running for councilor in Albay.

Radio Veritas identified the three priests as Fr. Granwell Pitapit of the Diocese of Libmanan, Camarines Sur, who is running for mayor; Fr. Emmanuel Alparce of the Diocese of Sorsogon, running for councilor in Bacacay, Albay; and Fr. Emerson Luego of the Diocese of Tagum, who is seeking the mayoralty post in Mabini, Davao De Oro. This as a retired Catholic prelate reminded church servants, including priests, who are running for public office that the Church law allows them to run only in “extreme cases” and under the

guidance of their bishops.

Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. said there are extreme cases when a priest can run but must secure the permission of the bishop.

“Without the permission of his bishop, there are consequences for his performance as a priest,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The bishop added that as a citizen, a priest has the right to lead but as a church servant, his involvement in politics is just to guide the electorate in choosing their leaders.

“We priests should be involved in politics but we should not be political.

We are involved as priests and not as politicians. Ours is not to hold government power but to guide the people to

live and choose the right leaders,” Bacani said.

Canon Law 285 states that clerics are forbidden to assume public offices, which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.

“Without the permission of their ordinary, they are not to take on the management of goods belonging to lay persons or secular offices which entail an obligation of rendering accounts. They are prohibited from giving surety even with their own goods without consultation with their proper ordinary. They also are to refrain from signing promissory notes, namely, those through which they assume an obligation to make payment on demand,” the Code of Canon Law states.

tions conducted last month were based on coordination among the PNP, BOC, NICA, and the AFP with the PDEA as the lead agency.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

DoE chief Cusi, Dennis Uy, others face raps over Malampaya shares deal

Sec. Cusi and Dennis Uy MAKATI CITY – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Davao-based business Dennis Uy and other officials are facing criminal complaint over the acquisition by Dennis Uy’s company of the 45-percent share of Chevron in Malampaya.

Cusi shrugged off the charges saying they could be a political move, adding that the DOE has vowed to answer the allegations in the proper venue after receiving the official copy of the complaint.

The criminal complaint against Cusi, Uy and others was filed by geologist Bal-

gamel Domingo and concerned citizens Rodel Rodis and Loida Nicolas Lewis.

Cusi and other DOE officials noted that two of the alleged complainants are Filipino-Americans who were reportedly identified with the ‘Oust Duterte’ movement in the United States.”

The complainants allegedly involved Cusi and other energy officials giving “unwarranted benefits and advantage” to Uy’s UC Malampaya in the buyout of Chevron’s share in Malampaya.

The DOE added this could be a political move as Cusi is also the incumbent president of the PDP-Laban led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Coincidence or not, the timing of the filing of the case is curiously close to the onset of the political season with the recent filing of the certificates of candidacy of national and local candidates for elective office,” it said.

The energy department added the complaint is “speculative, without basis and malicious”.

“Those who reportedly filed this unwarranted action want to present them-

selves as patriots when the truth is they are not even residing in the country. They would want to dictate government policy while living comfortably abroad. I say let them come here, so they can be within reach of our justice system when we get to establish that they are guilty of perjury,” Cusi said.

In a statement, holding firm Udenna Corp. said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint and will address all the allegations raised against the company.

“At this juncture, we maintain that the acquisition of UC Malampaya Phils.

Pte.,Ltd. (UCMP) of the shares of Chevron Philippines in Chevron Malampaya LLC is within the parameters of the law,” Udenna said.

Udenna, through its subsidiary UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd., bought the 45-percent stake of Chevron Malampaya LLC in Malampaya.

Another Udenna unit, Malampaya Energy, also bought 45 percent shares of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) in the natural gas field.

Fisheries bureau to file protest anew vs. foreign vessels in West PHL Sea QUEZON CITY – The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file new diplomatic protests against the continuous presence and activities of foreign vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the DA-BFAR expressed “serious concern” over the continuous presence of foreign vessels conducting fishing operations in the WPS. During the past months, over 200 warships, Coast Guard and civilian ships have been detected within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

It said Chinese Maritime Militia vessels had been monitored in big numbers in the WPS, among other concerns.

“These foreign vessels have no clearance from the Philippine government or any existing fisheries cooperation agreements with the country that allow them

to conduct any fishing operations,” the agency said, adding that their fishing activities, therefore, are considered Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing within the Philippine territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Following the directive of the NTFWPS, the DA-BFAR maintains the deployment of its law enforcement vessels in the WPS. With the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between DABFAR and the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group, the conduct of joint seaborne patrol in Philippine seas, including the WPS, will be further intensified with members of the latter to serve as ship riders on DA-BFAR vessels.

Meanwhile, augmenting the efforts of the NTF-WPS in monitoring fishing activities in the area is the 24/7 operation of DA-BFAR’s Fisheries Monitor-

ing Center (FMC).

The FMC monitors and tracks activities of Philippine-flagged commercial fishing vessels including foreign vessels equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS), and detects fishing boats that employ lights to attract fish at night using the satellite-based tool, Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suites (VIIRS).

By next week, the DA-BFAR said they can already use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images to reinforce monitoring and analysis of IUU fishing activities in the WPS. “Through these activities, the DABFAR shall continue to assist in keeping the safety of Filipino fisherfolk and exercising our country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights over our territorial waters and EEZ, respectively, in the WPS,” the agency said.

Pregnant cop is PNP’s 123rd Covid-19 death CAMP CRAME, Quezon CITY – Another police officer has succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) death toll to 123.

PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said the latest fatality is a pregnant policewoman assigned in Central Luzon who died on Sunday due to acute respiratory syndrome secondary to Covid-19.

Based on her medical records, the patient was admitted to a hospital in Baler,

Aurora due to difficulty in breathing on October 8. She underwent a swab test which yielded a positive result.

On Oct. 10, the policewoman was transferred to a hospital in Nueva Ecija and underwent Emergency Caesarian Operation, delivering a baby boy who died on the same day.

On Oct. 17, she was also declared dead by her attending physician.

The PNP Health Service also reported only 47 new infections, bringing the num-

ber of active cases to 941.

Another 58 recoveries raised its tally to 40,428, out of the total of 41,311 confirmed infections since the start of the pandemic last year.

Meanwhile, about 85.96 percent or 191,757 PNP personnel are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while 12.31 percent or 27,470 personnel have received their first dose.

Only 1.72 percent or 3,840 personnel have yet to be vaccinated.

6

24M Filipinos fully vaccinated vs Covid-19 MANILA – More than 24 million individuals have been fully vaccinated against the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Philippines, the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 reported.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s taped Talk to the People, NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said 24,498,753 Filipinos were fully vaccinated or 31.76 percent of the country’s eligible population.

Galvez said the Philippines has administered 52.7 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines nationwide, 28.2 million of which were given as first doses.

The government, he said, is targeting to scale up its vaccination rollout to 1.5 million jabs a day to inoculate at least 50 percent of the country’s target population by yearend.

He noted that supply is no longer an issue this time considering that around 38 million Covid-19 vaccine doses are in government warehouses.

“Right now supply is not anymore an issue. We have more than 38 million doses in our warehouses,” Galvez said.

He said the issue now is related to logistics, wherein it takes seven to nine days to deliver Covid-19 shots from warehouses to vaccine centers

New presidential legal counsel named, BCDA’s Dizon resigns MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Jesus Melchor Vega Quitain as the new Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

“In-appoint din ng Pangulo si (The President has appointed) Jesus Melchor Vega Quitain bilang kanyang (as his) Chief Presidential Legal Counsel,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed.

Quitain will replace Salvador Panelo who is running for senator in the 2022 elections.

Prior to his appointment, Quitain was the officer in charge of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP).

He also served as Davao City administrator during Duterte’s term as city mayor.

However, Roque said Duterte has yet to replace former Department of Information and Communications Secretary Gregorio Honasan II and former Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones who are both running for senator.

He also confirmed that Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio “Vince” Dizon has resigned from his post effective October 15.

7 October 21-27, 2021

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

Ongpin charged over cocaine, no bail in raps, under watch order son of former trade minister and businessman Roberto Ongpin, after some 12 grams of cocaine was found in Ongpin’s hostel room in La Union where artist Breanea Bree Jonson was also found dead last September 18.

Ongpin, 29, was earlier arrested for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 but was released based on the order of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of La Union.

The Department of Justice said the criminal complaint against Ongpin, which is non-bailable, would be filed again before the Regional Trial Court in San Fernando, La Union.

Meanwhile, the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation into the death of Jonson is still ongoing.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday advised Julian Roberto Ongpin to cooperate once he is slapped with Ongpin illegal drug possession charges so that he will have the chance to clear his name.

SAN JUAN, La Union – The San Guevarra said it is up to the Regional Juan, La Union police has filed a crimi- Trial Court of San Fernando City, La nal complaint against Julian Ongpin, Union to rule on whether there is prob-

able cause to proceed with the trial of the 29-year-old son of former Trade minister and billionaire Roberto V. Ongpin.

No bail was recommended by the DOJ panel of prosecutors.

“It is best for the accused to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the court so that he will have all the time and opportunity to defend himself in a fair and impartial trial,” Guevarra told the media via text message. “If the judge finds probable cause, a warrant of arrest will be issued.”

Ongpin, who was caught with 12.6 grams of cocaine inside a hostel room in the La Union town on September 18, also has a hold departure order and cannot leave the Philippines.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said that the criminal information against Ongpin will be filed again at the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, La Union following the resolution of the case.

“The same information also states that the offense is non-bailable,” Villar

said.

A precautionary hold departure order was issued on October 8 by the La Union court, directing the Bureau of Immigration to bar Ongpin from leaving the Philippines.

Ongpin was caught with 12.6 grams of cocaine inside a hostel room in the La Union town on September 18.

On the same day, Jonson, allegedly Ongpin’s girlfriend, was found unconscious in their room and later declared dead in a hospital.

Ongpin claimed Jonson, 30, hanged herself in the bathroom.

The autopsy indicated the official cause of death was asphyxia.

The police forensic examination also showed her positive for cocaine use and her body did not show any markings of struggle.

The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of La Union originally handled the case and ordered Ongpin’s release but was directed to transfer all evidence to the DOJ

Cemeteries closed from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 as COVID precaution QUEZON CITY — For the second year in a row, all cemeteries will be closed from October 29 to November 2 in a bid to curb the risk of COVID-19 transmission during All Saints’ Day. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano said

the rule was set by the inter-agency task force on COVID-19 (IATF) which released guidelines to close all cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria from October 29 to November 2.

“Ang ating mga kababayan ay maaaring bumisita sa mga nasabing lugar anu-

mang araw maliban sa nasabing panahon,” Ano told President Rodrigo Duterte in a taped meeting.

These venues should limit accepting visitors at 30 percent of their capacity, added Año.

He said local governments should pass

SC okays resumption of in-court proceedings

“All others who are not required to be in-court but MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has given the green light for face-to-face proceedings to re- wish to observe the proceedings may do so through sume in the Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, and videoconferencing, subject to existing guidelines,” the Court of Tax Appeals, following the easing of the AO read.

Courts and other offices should also maintain a movement restrictions in the National Capital Reskeleton workforce of 30 percent. gion (NCR).

“All appellate collegiate courts within the NCR beginning October 20,2021 until October 29,2021, may conduct in-court proceedings on urgent matters and on matters as may be determined by the presiding justice or the chairpersons of the different divisions,” the SC, through Notary Public & Real Estate Broker acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, said.

Under Administrative *Commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (BRE#00635976) in California Circular No. 83-2021, since 1981. Author, Columnist, and Member, National Notary Association (NNA) dated October 18, “incourt attendance shall be limited to lawyers, parties and witnesses required to participate incourt”.

ordinances or executive orders to ensure public safety during All Saints’ Day or Undas.

Millions of Filipino Catholics typically offer prayers and flowers for their departed loved ones in cemeteries during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holidays.

 NATIONAL NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

Multi ethnic... (From page 1)

Studies and the newly formed Central Valley Empowerment Alliance (CVEA ) will gather at “We are a Living Legacy” to remember and honor the organizers, participants and supporters of the farm worker movement.

“This year, it is with intentionality that we uplift stories of the Farm Worker Movement not often told like the Yemen and Yokut Indigenous and Poplar farm workers’ contributions to the struggle,” said CVEA executive director Mari Perez-Ruiz.

“Our intention is to uplift stories that have not been often told, without being selective because they are still part of Our Story,” CVEA board member Cynthia Bonta echoed the objective to Inquirer.net.

Based in the Itliong Resource Center, CVEA identifies as a community development nonprofit to “empower

PHL...

Central Valley Empowerment Alliance leaders Mari Perez-Ruiz and Cynthia Bonta unite to preserve the legacy of Larry Itliong. Courtesy CVEA

(From page 1) ship between our two militaries and holding of the “Balikatan” exercises was

ing in Camp Aguinaldo during which they re-affirmed the military alliance of the Philippines and the United States.

“Yes, the relationship between our two Armed Forces especially now that for this MDB-SEB (Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board) activity, we have lined up number of activities that will further strengthen the bilateral relation-

Sara...

through transformative change.”

MULTI-ETHNIC COALITION Perez-Ruiz describes membership as “multi-ethnic… grassroots…stretching five counties (Madera, Fresno, Tulare, King, and Kern) within the Central Valley most rural communities and the urban centers of Fresno, Madera, Visalia and Bakersfield.”

They aim to “hold decision-makers accountable to effectively respond to our community’s needs through a vigorous community education and voter registration campaign targeting our most vulnerable community members including low-income residents, senior citizens, and people with disabilities,” says Perez-Ruiz.

Itliong’s fellow labor leader and National Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta will keynote the celebration that will be spread out in 11 hours and span nearly 30 miles, as if to replicate the famous Solidarity March of 1966. That demonstration re- (Continued on page 20)

(From page 1)

Harry Roque, meanwhile, is hoping for a “miracle” that Mayor Sara would run as president in the May 2022 national elections.

Roque said he is still undecided about

Pinay...

as mentioned, we will go full scale ‘Balikatan’ next year,” Faustino said after the 2021 MDB-SEB meeting in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

He added that cooperation between the AFP and the United States has improved when it comes to maritime security, humanitarian assistance disaster relief, cyber security and also information sharing among others.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the

canceled in 2020.

Meanwhile, the number of activities and participants during this year’s exercises held from April 12 to 23 was scaled down in compliance with health and safety protocols.

US Indo-Pacific Command head, Adm. John Aquilino, who was present at the MDB-SEB, said the alliance between the two countries continues to grow stronger.

“We value the capabilities, capacity, expertise that our Philippine counterparts bring but its strengthened by our increased operations and exercises together. Gen Faustino has the lead for the next ‘Balikatan’, I believe we will look to renew and get back to a full scale event and we will both look for opportunities to increase the complexity, the scope all the way to look towards new partners participating in the future,” Aquilino said.

running for senator in the 2022 polls but will consider pushing through if Sara, who filed her candidacy for reelection in Davao City, changes her mind.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has filed his candidacy for president under PDP-Laban, with Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go as his running-mate.

“Yung kay Mayor Inday Sara substituting Bato, that is something na hindi namin na-consider because very clear naman ang statement ni Mayor Inday na hindi siya tatakbo under PDP. So kung hindi siya, paano namin isa-substitute yun?” Cusi said.

Cusi said the daughter of party chairman President Rodrigo Duterte is firm on her stance not to run for president under PDP-Laban.

Former Davao de Oro Governor and now Senior Board Member Arturo Uy, lead convenor of the “Run Sara Run” movement, said in a PNA report that they are still optimistic that she will change her mind.

“Mayor Sara, we have still November 15, many of our countrymen ask for your

reconsideration. That’s why we are begging you to heed the call of the majority especially the Mindanaoans for you to run,” Uy said.

He added that the presidential daughter has the best qualification because of her strong leadership.

“We are still hoping she will change her mind. The ‘Run Sara Run’ will continue to encourage her. And we vow to campaign hard if she runs,” he added.

Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, HNP treasurer, said they were optimistic that there is a “little chance” that Duterte will withdraw her mayoral reelection bid and decide to run for president before the November 15 deadline for substitution.

LAW OFFICE OF

(From page 1)

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TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM TREAT YOU

Covid...

(From page 1)

to 0.52 as of Oct. 19. This is lower than the previously reported 0.55, which was the lowest since May. Meanwhile, all other areas under the bubble also have reproduction numbers of 0.55 or below. Bulacan has a reproduction number of 0.50; Cavite, 0.43; Laguna, 0.45; Rizal, 0.55; Pampanga, 0.52; Batangas, 0.51; Cebu City, 0.44; and Davao City, 0.49.

Reproduction number refers to the number of people that can be infected by a person in a particular population. Medical experts have reiterated that it should be one or less to say that the community transmission is decreasing.

About 77.9 percent of these active cases are mild, 6.8 percent are asymptomatic, 2 percent are critical, 4.6 percent are severe, and 8.69 percent are moderate.

The DOH also said 228 more patients recovered from the disease, bringing the total recoveries to 2,627,331.

It said recoveries account for 96.1 percent of the total case count which has reached 2,735,369 since the start of the pandemic last year.

The DOH also logged five new deaths, bringing the total death toll to 40,977.

According to DOH data on Oct. 18, about 11.6 percent of 42,296 who were tested turned out positive for Covid-19.

“About 20 duplicates were removed from the total case count, and of these, 16 are recoveries. Also, five cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation,” it added.

All laboratories were operational on Oct. 18 while two laboratories were not able to submit their data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System.

The two non-reporting laboratories contribute, on average, 0.5 percent of samples tested, and 1.2 percent of positive individuals based on data in the last 14 days.

To date, 59 percent of 4,300 intensive care unit beds, 46 percent of 21,100 isolation beds, 44 percent of 14,800 ward beds, and 43 percent of 3,400 ventilators are utilized by patients with Covid-19 nationwide.

Meanwhile, 53 percent of 1,500 intensive care unit beds, 39 percent of 4,900 isolation beds, 39 percent of 4,200 ward beds, and 40 percent of 1,000 ventilators dedicated to patients with Covid-19 are in use in the National Capital Region.

9 October 21-27, 2021 Duterte..

 NATIONAL NEWS (From page 1)

It was, according to the panel, nothing less than a “grand conspiracy” wherein the president “allowed his friends to bleed this nation’s coffers dry,” said Blue Ribbon chairman Senator Richard Gordon during its latest hearing as the panel recommended the filing of charges against a former presidential economic adviser, Pharmally executives and Department of Budget and Management officials.

In the same hearing, the Senate panel ordered the arrest of siblings Mohit and Twinkle Gargani, both executives of Pharmally, for refusal to comply with orders of the Senate like submission of documents on their contracts.

At press time, the siblings had eluded arrest and are believed to be in hiding as they were nowhere to be found by Senate Sergeant at Arms Maj. Gen, Rene Samonte in the condominium units that they owned in San Juan and Bonifacio Global City.

Malacañang immediately dismissed as “kuwentong kutsero” or hearsay the Senate committee’s claim on the alleged possible involvement of President Duterte in the supposed “grand conspiracy” on the medical supplies procurement deals with Pharmally which had a startup capital of P625,000 but got P8 to P11 billion in contracts.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the investigation by the Senate panel headed by Sen. Richard Gordon failed to prove overpricing in government’s purchase of personal protective equipment, adding that the Bayanihan pandemic law authorized Duterte to fast track the purchase of the safety gears.

“Malinaw po iyan, so kung wala pong paglabag sa batas at walang overprice, bakit magkakaroon ng grand conspiracy? Usaping kutsero po ng isang taong namumulitika (That is clear. If there is no violation of the law and no overpricing, why will there be a grand conspiracy? That is just hearsay by someone who is politicking.),” Roque said.

Sen. Gordon said that Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. had “unwarranted benefits” and enjoyed “favoritism.” He said the firm only had P625,000 and no enough experience when it bagged some P8 to 11 billion in government contracts last year.

The Gordon panel preliminary report also recommended possible charges against Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executives Linconn Ong and Krizle Mago, former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang and former DBM procurement head Christopher Lloyd Lao. The panel recommended the filing of cases to support the deportation proceedings against Yang for being an undesirable alien. The committee also recommended the filing of graft and corrupt practices charges against Lao, Yang, and other officers and directors of Pharmally.

“Ito po ay partial report at ayokong gamitin pa ito na mitsa na sabihin na tapusin na naman ang imbestigasyon.

Marami na po diyan ang malalagay… si Michael Yang, si Christopher Lloyd Lao, Warren Liong, ang Pharmally Pharma-

ceutical directors and officers,” Gordon said at the resumption of the committee’s hearings.

Lao served as the officer-in-charge of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) until he resigned in June this year. Liong, meanwhile, was a former PS-DBM director.

The possible charges that could be filed against Yang and Pharmally executives Linconn Ong and Krizle Mago include perjury or false testimony, Gordon said.

Gordon also said former officer-incharge of the inspection division of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget (PS-DBM) Jorge Mendoza and PS-DBM Inspector Mervin Tanquintic may be liable for falsification of public documents after they admitted in hearings that they signed inspection reports though the supplies were still in China.

“Disobedience to the summons, ayan sila [Pharmally executives] Linconn Ong, sina Mohit Dargani, Michael Yang, at saka Twinkle Dargani… violation of Bayanihan To Heal As One Act: Michael Yang, Pharmally Pharmaceutical [executives] Linconn Ong, Mohit Dargani, Krizle Grace Mago,” Gordon went on While the Senate panel report was only preliminary, observers said it was clearly damaging to the Duterte presidency.

Pharmally legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio questioned the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s “piecemeal release” of its findings, saying it was a political move to help re-electionists, specifically Gordon, who initially said he was retiring, but recently filed his certificate of candidacy for another term in the Senate.

Topacio said the house arrest order of the Senate should be recalled as a report had already been released.

To this, Gordon said the Pharmally lawyer should take his case to the Supreme Court.

Based on that preliminary report, Mr. Duterte was deemed to be at the center of the conspiracy, led by his friend and former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, executives of Pharmally, and former and present budget procurement officers.

According to the Senate’s findings, the Pharmally contracts had all the markings of alleged scam as the firm is a newly-organized Chinese corporation with a minimal paid up capital of P625,000, and four of its top officers were facing charges in Taiwan with fiscal malfeasance.

Such a scheme could not have taken place “without the imprimatur of the president,” said Gordon.

Various executives of Pharmally have been placed or ordered placed under Senate house arrest, the latest of whom are the Dargani siblings of Indian descent who allegedly refused to surrender documents to the Senate.

Throughout the Blue Ribbon probe, Pharmally had attempted to stonewall the hearings on several instances.

At the same time, President Duterte criticized several times the hearings and senators like Gordon and minority lead-

er Franklin Drilon for various reasons and also ordered Cabinet members and government officials to snub the hearings.

Duterte has allotted big part of his recent national addresses to lambasting the Senate and denying allegations of irregularity and overpricing in the government transactions.

Yang had claimed that he did not speak English or Pilipino, but reports on a video of him chatting with the president in both languages showed otherwise.

Pharmally claimed that Yang was the source of their operating funds, which the Chinese businessman first admitted but later retracted by saying it was actually his “friends” who provided the necessary capital.

A middle executive of Pharmally admitted that they had cheated the government by supplying substandard and/or expired personal protective equipment.

She disappeared briefly, then reappeared at the House of Representatives – which is holding a similar probe – where she also took back her admission to the Senate panel.

As for the Health department, the Commission on Audit determined that its transfer of P42 billion to the Budget department lacked supporting documents such as a memorandum of agreement.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the contract with Pharmally was allowed because there was a national health emergency where medical sup-

plies were badly needed.

However, the Blue Ribbon committee had determined that Pharmally was not a manufacturer of medical supplies, but only served as middleman by purchasing from actual manufacturers, adding a commission for itself, and then reselling to the government.

Pharmally chairman and president Huang Tzu Yen has denied that they were favored in the government’s procurement of medical supplies in 2020, saying the small company has been “unfairly prejudged.”

Also at the latest Senate hearing, a Chinese medical equipment supply firm admitted that it was not an accredited importer of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

During the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon panel’s inquiry into the purchase of COVID-19 items, Hongzhi Han, country manager and chief representative of Xuzhou Construction, said that the firm has been supplying agencies in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand when they are in need of medical supplies.

“No, I am not. We do not directly import, it’s the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) who gets from us.

The clearance with Customs is handled

by DBM,” Han said through an interpreter.

Asked if they were paying taxes, Han said, “the DBM deducts the taxes from them and gives them the balance.”

 NATIONAL NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

10

OFW remittances hit $2.6-B in August: BSP MANILA – Domestic growth is seen to be continuously supported by inflows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which remains resilient amidst the repatriation of around 700,000 workers since the pandemic hit in 2020.

This as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported the 5.1 percent yearon-year jump in cash remittances last August to US$2.609 billion and the 5.7 percent increase in the first eight months this year to US$20.38 billion.

However, the cash remittance inflows last August are lower than the previous month’s US$2.853 billion, which Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort, in a report, said is fine since the latest figures remain one of the highest since the height of the pandemic last year when strict quarantine measures were implemented.

“Thus, OFW remittances nevertheless remain a bright spot for the Philip-

pine economy, still among the highest since the pandemic started and still near record highs,” he said.

Ricafort explained that said remittance inflows are seen to post further increases as the Christmas holiday nears, thus, a plus for consumer spending, which accounts for around 70 percent of the economy, and the economic recovery.

The further reopening of economies in OFW-host countries is another boost

to remittances, especially in areas where there is increased demand for medical and economic front-liners, he said.

“Sustained growth in OFW remittances would add to the country’s balance of payments (BOP) and gross international reserves (GIR); would also fundamentally provide greater support/ cushion/buffer for the peso exchange rate especially vs. any speculative attacks,” he added

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has finally released information on the initial batch of 52 cases it is reviewing as part of the government’s policy of transparency on the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The matrix included docket numbers, names of deceased suspects, places and dates of the incidents and the review panel’s summary of observations on the cases.

Among the 52 cases, the most number of deaths in a single incident involved the operation in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte on July 29, 2016 which resulted in the deaths of three persons.

According to the police version, the

suspects on board a vehicle refused to stop at a checkpoint and opened fire on the officers.

The DOJ review panel noted that according to the medico-legal report, the victims appeared to have been shot at close range.

The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) ordered the dismissal from the service of those involved.

The earliest case among the 52 involved a man who was killed in a shootout with police in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City in December 2016.

Based on the DOJ review, records of the case did not contain any detailed nar-

ration, no indication of death in the death certificate and no pre-operation report, coordination for, custody form, ballistics or paraffin test result nor autopsy result.

It resulted in a reprimand of the officers involved who were found guilty of grave irregularity in the performance of duty.

The most number of cases, at least 15, involved incidents in different areas in Laguna.

Earliest of the cases involved the death of a man in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on July 20, 2016.

According to the official police account, the suspect was accosted at a checkpoint for operating a motorcycle

with license plates and on the way to the police station, the suspect tried to grab the firearm of one of the arresting officers prompting in the use of deadly force.

There is, however, no autopsy or death certificate on record and resulted in the exoneration for one of the police operatives and dismissal from the service of another.

Earlier, the DOJ said the disclosure was meant to assure the families and loved ones of the deceased that the suspects and the circumstances of each death are undergoing a determination of possible criminal liabilities on the part of police officers being undertaken by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

DOJ releases drug war records

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11 October 21-27, 2021

 OPINION One date, two proclamations Conclusion

W

EDITORIAL

Bannon’s imaginary executive privilege

E

rstwhile media personality Steve Bannon is many things to many people, but he is best known as a Trump supporter who had the ear of the former president despite his dangerously extremist views.

He served briefly as former President Trump’s political strategist, but proved too controversial for his own good. But he remained in #45’s good graces enough to receive a presidential pardon after being charged with a crime involving misuse of investors’ funds bordering on grand larceny.

He and his cohorts had collected millions, ostensibly to help build a border wall but which they mostly pocketed.

In the past several weeks, Bannon found himself at the center of another potential crime that could land him behind bars. He has refused to honor or even recognize a congressional subpoena relative to the investigation being conducted by the January 6 commission.

In refusing to attend the hearings of the panel, Bannon is claiming executive privilege, a right that he never possessed. He knows this yet he is invoking it. To what ends, we do not know. But he cannot not know that executive privilege is a right that only a sitting president can rightfully claim.

It is not only Donald Trump who has invoked executive privilege in the past.

Other presidents have done so, and they were well within their rights to do so.

But that privilege ends when a presidency ends. It does not extend beyond a chief executive’s lawful term.

In some ways, Donald Trump may feel that he still has the right to invoke executive privilege, but even he is not dumb enough to publicly claim he still possesses it.

Steve Bannon is another matter altogether. It is not clear if he has ever received legal advice on the matter, but if he did it was certainly horrible advice that could end up with Bannon in prison, with no presidential pardon to save him.

In fact, Bannon is really daring the House to come and get him. He is treating the lawmakers with contempt, and this is the charge that he will most likely face in the coming weeks.

The January 6 commission appears ready to call Bannon’s dare. To allow Bannon to get away with ignoring an official summons is tantamount to allowing him to spit in the faces of House members, both Democrats and Republicans.

Because of his attitude of feeling himself beyond the law, Bannon has few supporters. We suspect that he is actually putting up a false, brave front because he has painted himself into a corner.

There is every reason to believe that Bannon played a large role in the insurrection that resulted in a handful of tragic deaths and which was clearly an assault on our democracy. His own words prior to January 6 say as much.

With no Trump in office to protect him, he is left to his own devices, and Bannon’s overly aggressive stance may be little more than a desperate maneuver to win public sympathy, at least from the Trump supporters.

Soon enough, the ball will be in the hands of the Department of Justice, and Bannon and the other Trump allies refusing to cooperate with the January 6 commission will learn that the country now has a fully functioning Justice department, one not headed by a Trump sycophant.

Upside

HETHER we were born or naturalized citizens of this country, awareness of its history is vital to understanding our place in this society and our obligation to those who came before and after us. Following is the President Biden’s proclamation of Oct. 11, 2021 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which he also proclaimed as Columbus Day. SOLEMN OBLIGATION “Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and diverse cultures — safeguarding land, language, spirit, knowledge, CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO and tradition across the generations. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.

“Our country was conceived on a promise of equality and opportunity for all people — a promise that, despite the extraordinary progress we have made through the years, we have never fully lived up to. That is especially true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous people who were here long before colonization of the Americas began.

“For generations, Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures. Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society. We also recommit to supporting a new, brighter future of promise and equity for Tribal Nations — a future grounded in Tribal sovereignty and respect for the human rights of Indigenous people in the Americas and around the world.

“In the first week of my Administration, I issued a memorandum reaffirming our Nation’s solemn trust and treaty obligations to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Nations and directed the heads of executive departments and agencies to engage in regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal officials. It is a priority of my Administration to make respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance the cornerstone of Federal Indian policy.

History demonstrates that Native American people — and our Nation as a whole — are best served when Tribal governments are empowered to lead their communities and when Federal officials listen to and work together with Tribal leaders when formulating Federal policy that affects Tribal Nations.

“The contributions that Indigenous peoples have made throughout history — in public service, entrepreneurship, scholarship, the arts, and countless other fields — are integral to our Nation, our culture, and our society. Indigenous peoples have served, and continue to serve, in the United States Armed Forces with distinction and honor — at one of the highest rates of any group — defending our security every day. And Native Americans have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working essential jobs and carrying us through our gravest moments. Further, in recognition that the pandemic has harmed Indigenous peoples at an alarming and disproportionate rate, Native communities have led the way in connecting people with vaccination, boasting some of the highest rates of any racial or ethnic group.

“The Federal Government has a solemn obligation to lift up and(Continued on page 27)

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 OPINION

PerryScope

IVE YEARS and some 200 victims later, a mysterious malady that often starts with a sound -- described as “buzzing,” “grinding metal” and “piercing squeals” -had spread around the world.

The first cases were CIA spies, who kept the attacks secret for a while. But eventually word got out and it spread like wildfire. In late PERRY DIAZ 2016, twenty-six personnel and family members reported a wide variety of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, hearing and vision loss, severe and debilitating cognitive impairment, tinnitus, brain fog, vertigo, and loss of motor control. It affected the lives of diplomats, spies, Defense and National Security personnel working in US embassies around the world and at home. It has come to be known as the “Havana Syndrome” since it first occurred at the US embassy in Havana, Cuba.

The victims complained of being bombarded by waves of pressure in their heads. Some described the noise as an immense swarm of cicadas filling their heads. Others characterized the effects as a wall of sound. Recently, it occurred at the White House victimizing two National Safety Council staffers.

One said that when the attack occurred, he felt “as if I was going to die.”

Act of war Doctors, scientists, intelligence agents and government officials have all been trying to find out what causes “Havana Syndrome,” which originally had struck diplomats and spies in Havana; hence, the term “Havana Syndrome.” Some call it an act of war, others wonder if it is some new and secret form of surveillance. And some people believe it could be all in the mind, which of course is ridiculous considering the extent of the attacks in various cities around the world.

But for lack of solid evidence as to its origin, the Havana Syndrome had been downplayed by government officials who call it “anomalous health incidents.” But the major media outlets label them as “attacks,” as well as top officials, albeit privately, for fear of antagonizing geopolitical rivals without proof. Holy mackerel! Isn’t the multitude of cases enough to prove that Havana Syndrome exists? Is it because doing so would point fingers at the Russians – or the Chinese -- as the source that triggers the Havana Syndrome attacks?

Microwave energy weapons Two reports emerged from the studies conducted on Havana Syndrome. One report concluded that there were four plausible attack vectors on US officials: directed energy weapons, chemicals, infectious agents, and psychological and social factors.

However, they are deemed speculative since they lack scientific evidence with the exception of “directed energy weapons,” which is supported by several officials, particularly CIA Director Williams Burns who emphasized the “very strong possibility” that Havana Syndrome was the result of intentional attacks.

Could he be referring to “microwave energy weapons,” which Russia and China have been involved in their long term directed energy weapon research and development? Incidentally, the Russians have developed portable microwave energy weapons that can fit into a van or SUV with a range of 500 to 1,000 yards, which can be conveniently parked in front of a US embassy anywhere in the world and hit the target at close range.

But due to lack of concrete evidence, neither the directed energy weapon theory nor any proposed alternatives can be proven or disproven, which leaves those suffering from Havana Syndrome living in misery.

A bipartisan group of senators is urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take immediate action to the widespread occurrence of Havana Syndrome. They called the phenomenon “a significant, unmitigated threat to our national security.”

They called on Blinken to “immediately” appoint a seniorlevel official to replace someone who was inattentive to the plight of the victims. What’s the matter with Blinken?

HAVANA Act Consequently, President Biden signed into law a bill – known as the HAVANA (Helping American Victims Afflicted

by Neurological Attacks) Act -- passed unanimously by both houses of Congress that would boost financial support for victims who have suffered brain injuries while working for the CIA or State Department.

(Continue on page 27)

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Updates on Apostille Processing and Options

ld and new clients continue to inquire on the turn around of notarized documents submitted for apostille at the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, in Sacramento or Los Angeles, California.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, when ART GABOT MADLAING the Front Desk was still opened, the normal turn around of submitted documents for apostille was only one day. When the Front Desk was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the turn around in the apostille processing of notarized documents early this year was 3-4 weeks or more. When we had a new Secretary of State, the turn around in the apostille processing of submitted notarized documents improved to 15 days more or less.

Last Thursday, I called a supervisor at the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section in Sacramento, California and asked when the Front Desk will be opened. The supervisor informed me that the Front Desk will still be closed indefinitely.

With the present situation, old and new clients have three options when submitting notarized documents for apostille at the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, in Sacramento or Los Angeles, California namely: 1. Submit notarized documents for apostille by mail to the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section; 2. Take a day off and drive to the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, in Sacramento and personally drop off the notarized documents at the Apostille boxes located at the lobby of the Secretary of State building to be processed in 3-5 working days. 3. Avail yourself of the complete and unique services of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES for the notarization and apostille follow-up of notarized documents needed in the Philippines.

Sheryl, an old client, who had used the three options, called again MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES(MSS) last week for the notarization and apostille follow up of Special Power of Attorney urgently needed by her bank in Metro Manila, Philippines. I asked her why she continue to avail herself with the services of MSS. “Ayaw ko nang ipadala by mail ang mga dokumento.

Maliban sa mabagal nawala pa.” (I don’t want to send documents by mail. It’s not only slow but were lost in the mail).

Sheryl explained in Tagalog.

“Mabuti na lang mayroon MSS (Mobile Signing Services) na completo at pambihira ang serbisyo. Ayaw kong mag off sa trabajo para magpunta sa Sacramento. (It’s good that we have MSS (Mobile Signing Services) with complete and unique services. I don’t want to take off from work just to go to Sacramento), she echoed.

MSS is committed and will continue to assist and help old and new clients particularly the elderly, veterans and the physically handicapped, in the notarization and apostille follow up of Affidavits, Special Power of Attorney, DEED OF DONATION, Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate, DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, Proof of Life and other documents needed in the Philippines and the other member nations of the Hague Apostille Convention. Here are some advantages and benefits with MSS: DISCOUNTS FOR ELDELY AND VETERANS – We offer special discounts for the elderly and veterans.

MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS AND MULTIPLE SIGNATURES DISCOUNTS – MSS offers 10% discounts on multiple documents and multiple signatures for old and new clients.

AVOID TAKE OFF FROM WORK – Like the reasoning of Sheryl, you don’t need to take off from work and drive to Sacramento just to submit the notarized documents to the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, for apostille. MSS will take care everything for you.

SAVINGS ON GAS AND MILEAGE FEES – We encourage old and new clients to come to our home office in San Francisco, California for savings on gas and mileage fees ($50 -$120).

PREE PARKING – When we had our office at the Philippine Center near the Philippine Consulate Office in downtown San Francisco, old clients were complaining for the expensive parking fees. With our home office now, old and new clients can have FREE parking in (Continue on page 27)

12

Of coalitions and chameleons

S

enatorial elections in the Philippines used to be so simple. Eight senators were elected every two years with the two major parties – Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party - fielding eight candidates each, and a few others run as either independents or as representatives of minor parties, such as Lorenzo Tanada’s Nationalist Citizens Party or VAL ABELGAS Raul Manglapus’ Progressive Party of the Philippines.

It was much simpler before 1951 when block voting was still in place wherein voters could just write Nacionalista or Liberal and all the members of the party’s Senate slate get one vote each.

In any given Congress, there were no more than two senators who were not members of the two major parties. And most senators stayed with their parties almost throughout their political lives. One notable exception was then Senate President Ferdinand Marcos, who bolted the Liberal Party and joined the Nacionalista Party to run for president against incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal in the 1965 elections.

With the effective elimination of the two-party system in the 1987 Constitution, senatorial elections, especially when they coincide with the presidential elections, have become chaotic exercises that have candidates from different parties running under multiple coalitions.

While senatorial elections have always been a magnet for all sorts of people filing their certificates of candidacy, the ones held under the 1987 Constitutions attracted more candidates and more coalitions, especially when they coincided with the presidential elections.

The 2016 senatorial elections, held simultaneously with the presidential elections, attracted 50 candidates running under four coalitions and a few independent candidates.

The administration coalition Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid got seven seats – five Liberals (Franklin Drilon, Joel Villanueva, Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto and Leila de Lima), one Independent (Ping Lacson), and one Akbayan (Risa Hontiveros). The opposition coalition Partidong Galing at Puso won two seats (Richard Gordon-Independent) and Win Gatchalian (Nacionalista); and the United Nationalist Alliance garnered three seats (Tito Sotto-NPC, Jose Miguel Zubiri-Independent, and Manny Pacquiao).

On Distant Shore

The mysterious Havana Syndrome

Health & Wealth

F

October 21-27, 2021

In the 2019 mid-term elections, there were four coalitions, the administration Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and the opposition coalitions Otso Diretso, United Nationalist Alliance and Labor Win Alliance. The HNP coalition won nine out 12 seats up for grabs (Cynthia Villar-NP, Bong Go-PDP-Laban, Pia Cayetano-NP, Bato de la Rosa – PDP-Laban, Sonny Angara-LDP, Imee Marcos-NP, Francis Tolentino-PDP-Laban, Koko Pimentel-PDP-Laban, and Bong Revilla-Lakas).

Otso Diretso, composed of six Liberals, one Aksyon and one Independent, was completely shut down, with Bam Aquino placing 14th and Mar Roxas, 16th.

The three other seats were won by Grace Poe (Independent), Lito Lapid (NPC), and Nancy Binay, UNA. In this coming May elections, at least 170 Filipinos filed their certificate of candidacy for the Senate elections, and there are now at least six coalitions – the Moreno-Ong ticket (Aksyon Demokratiko), the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket, the De la Rosa-Go (PDP-Laban) ticket, the De Guzman-Castillo ticket (Partido Lakas ng Masa), the Pacquiao-Atienza ticket (Promdi), the Lacson-Sotto ticket (Reforma).

The Robredo-Pangilinan ticket (which may be identical to 1Sambayan’s line-up) alone has 11 candidates representing seven parties from across the political spectrum. The 12th slot could belong to a member of an eighth party, most probably Bayan Muna or a labor group. Liberal Party, which is headed

by Vice President Leni Robredo as chairman and Sen. Francis Pangilinan as president, has only two members in the ticket.

The Lacson-Sotto ticket has representatives from four parties and three independents, with six coming from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which (Continue on page 27)

13 October 21-27, 2021

 OPINION

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Offline

ast week, National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose raised a ruckus over social media when he wrote that Maria Ressa did not deserve to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

His arguments against the respected Ressa were weak, to say the least.

At first, I thought he should be forgiven for his BETING DOLOR lame arguments. He was, after all, already in his mid-90s.

This is not to say that he is suffering from dementia or anything like that, but he seemed like an old uncle or grandfather mouthing off nonsense during a family gathering. We all want him to STFU. He said he was aware that he would be accused of sour graping, seeing as the Nobel is the one big prize he had always aspired for, and which he is no longer likely to win.

He was right. He was accused of sour graping, because that’s exactly what he was doing. Denials notwithstanding, the very senior citizen was lambasting a journalist who all of us in the industry are aware has been a target of the Duterte administration from the start.

Among Jose’s ridiculous claims are that freedom of the press is alive and well in the Philippines, no one’s voice is being silenced, and not a single news organization has been shut down by the current regime.

Hello? Does the name ABS-CBN ring a bell? And the series of lawsuits that the regime has filed against Ressa is proof enough that the press is being muzzled hereabouts. Almost all of the suits have been dismissed, by the way.

Jose also conveniently forgets that there have been numerous broadcast journalists – mostly in the provinces – who have been silenced permanently. They were killed and their killers never apprehended.

There are other ways that the press has been effectively silenced by the Duterte regime, although not as brutally.

President Duterte himself ordered that the book be thrown at the Prieto family, owners of my second favorite local newspaper, the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Sad to say, the never ending threats against PDI have resulted in the broadsheet’s being a shell of its former self. Most of its ballsy editors have been retired, and the paper now reads like an Inquirer Lite.

The pool of tough columnists have either left, or have adopted softer stances against government corruption.

Incidentally, my favorite local paper is still BusinessWorld, but even this respectable broadsheet is not as potent as before, especially after founders Raul and Letty Locsin passed away some years ago. But at least blatant falsehoods AKA fake news are not to be found in its pages.

I am doubly saddened because Raul Locsin counted F. Sionil Jose as one of his close friends. The boss even asked me to a review one of the National Artist’s works of fiction, which I did. I was not impressed, to be honest.

This leaves Ressa’s Rappler as the only truly independent news organization in the country. I read its online site every day and while I perceive some weaknesses in its coverage, it remains a dependable source of unbiased news.

Jose’s personal attacks against Ressa are totally uncalled for.

I’ve met Mr. Jose only once, at an awarding ceremony where I received a certificate and nice cash reward for a work of fiction I had written. We sat in the same table, and I found him to be a most pleasant, likeable gentleman.

Later, my daughter would also win an award for her poetry from the same publication, and she too got to meet Mr. Jose.

She was pretty giddy as she had long admired the National Artist.

After reading his first piece slamming Ressa, I asked myself: What happened to F. Sionil Jose?

He then followed up his written assault two more times (as of last count), where he again said he knew he would be accused of sour graping.

Me things he doth protest too much.

He should put this issue to rest. He’s said his piece and a good many people disagreed with him.

He is known to be an ardent admirer of Ferdinand but most especially Imelda Marcos. That’s his business. She did, after all, create the National Artist (Continue on page 27)

I

Choked supply chain compounds inflation

t’s been several weeks since I’ve contributed a column. It was not my intention, especially not to miss FilAm History month (or Maria Ressa’s Nobel Prize), but I’ve been lost in the alternate reality of writing my own fiction and, like our economy, short on output of other kinds.

When I’m not writing, I’ve been trying to stay tied to reality by following the press coverage on the upward inflationary spiral happening in what seems to be almost everywhere in our economy. It’s a theme that fascinates me and, before I demur, I can’t say I’m the only one.

On my iPhone is a picture I took about seven days ago of a packet of oxtail with a $30.64 price tag. This is a newer version of the picture I posted on Facebook of the packet of oxtail with a $26.16 price tag that I took three weeks prior. Most of the time, I don’t even have $30 in cash in my pocket to buy that packet of oxtail, a key ingredient in my sinigang and most people’s kare kare (I never learned how to make kare kare). I had a lot of comments and good words of advice about this picture…and maybe there are places to buy cheaper meat. The point, though, is that grocery chain CEOs have warned of more pain to come, as much as a doubling in prices over the next year, due to a lack of labor and a disrupted supply chain.

If you haven’t read about it yet, you will. In my combing through of data (when I’m not writing fiction), I have read articles about inflation in meat, grains, steel, resin, semiconductors, shipping, trucking, autos, cotton, natural gas, and, of course, workers. In Malaysia, semiconductor plants (Malaysia has historically had assembly plants that encase processed silicon chips into their packages and solder on the wires) have been under capacity due to ongoing Covid issues. Like the Philippines, many other places in the world have not vaccinated 60% of their population. Ports from Long Beach, California to Savannah, Georgia are also clogged with ships waiting for unload. As many as 13% of the containers typically employed in active routes are waiting to be unloaded. It is possible to blame a shortage of longshoremen or the multi-year decline in the number of truck drivers in the economy. In energy, shale oil investment is facing a 17-year low while the fossil fuel companies, and the bodies that govern them, have undergone some soul searching about their carbon emissions. Coal plants that historically have provided our country with electricity have been decommissioned. Replacement sources of electricity have not been built out fast enough, leaving the natural gas industry to fill in the hole in capacity (have you looked at natural gas prices lately?). Regarding that pack of oxtail, there is a shortage in labor and transportation in the meat processing industry but there is also a oligopoly of four players that will not change any time soon.

I have read many articles blaming the government, many pointing the finger at past policy changes. I wouldn’t say that’s entirely the case this time, much as I also love to blame government. In the past several months, I have fielded incoming calls for jobs I could not take. Why? Because I am also one of those potential workers who has self-displaced. If you ask me where I live, my short answer would be, “it’s complicated,” and my long answer would be, “I’m not sure yet.” I have no doubt that a substantial part of our work force has self-displaced, leaving areas where they lived just because of their jobs, leaving more expensive places for more livable ones, leaving for other reasons I can not guess. It takes more than just a few months to relocate and settle in.

I think one of the greatest arguments the current upward inflationary spiral makes is that this country has outsourced too much to overseas suppliers. This hurt us when we needed facemasks. It hurts us still in our semiconductor-dependent industries. This country should set a multi-decade goal to reduce dependence on a global supply chain as well as the longshoremen’s union and their lax work ethics. It may take a while, but at least, at some point, we can own our own problems. ***Congratulations to Maria Ressa for her Nobel Peace Prize!!

Presidential clashes in 2022

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“And we are here as on darkling plain Swept with confused alarms Of struggle and flight Where ignorant armies Clash by night.”

–From Dover Beach by Mathew Arnold

e live in a confused and confusing time.

Everyone seems lost.

No one appears to know what to do. Year 2022 is a bench mark year – election or no election. Why? There is hardly any choice – all candidates are discredited traditional politicians except one who filed his certificate of candidacy on October 8. So that is the sad situ- HOMOBONO A. ADAZA ation with cascading tears that threatens not to end.

Rodrigo surprise: Before October 1, 2021, President Duterte declared he is running for Vice-President for so many reasons – from queer to irrational, personal to constitutional. But that is Rodrigo Duterte for you – queer like the owl. A few days ago, the queerest happened, he went to the Comelec accompanying his man Friday, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and declaring he was no longer running for Vice-President. Instead, Duterte raised the hand of Bong Go who filed his candidacy for Vice-President – surprise of surprises! It even caught media and political experts flatfooted. I predicted he will not eventually run but not in this smashing sort of way.

Marcos declaration: A few days ago, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong” Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy for President in the May 2022 election. As usual, like other presidential candidates, he has not presented or identified any vice-presidential candidate as his running mate. Does he want to pull a surprise? It is no surprise for me if he does not run for President at all. For the moment, the Marcos and the Duterte families, I suspect, are still busy negotiating on who will run for President or they have already decided but they just want the propaganda mill going. It is good political tactic to keep the voters and their opponents on edge. This is the typical Rodrigo Duterte gimmick in the 2016 elections – I will run, I will not run but eventually he did run and the rest is history. Rodrigo and possibly Imelda want this trick repeated. It worked then, it can work again.

Possibly, it will work. It is next to impossible for Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte to run against each other – it’s simply insane. Why? This will disperse their forces. With them running together, it’s a blockbuster – a surefire formula for winning. It is formidable but not impregnable or invincible. Why formidable? The tandem has everything to win Philippine elections – money, power and machinery as well as influence. This enumeration is a repeat of what I have previously written on this page.

Money - they have the Marcos and Duterte billions. Power - they have the Comelec, military, police, teachers and the board of canvassers. Influence – they have the oligarchs who are like their marionettes plus the Solid North and the Solid North.

Who in the Opposition has these? Isambayan – you must be kidding. Vice-President Leni Robredo – she is an attractive and lovable woman. But beyond that – what has she go? You may say – the Bicol region. But that is not enough to win. You may tell me – some of the oligarchs discontented with Duterte and his administration. But that is not enough either. The people – they are as volatile as the weather and so unpredictable.

A joke: The 2022 elections have become a scandalous joke. Why? Never in the history of this country has ninetyseven (97) candidates filed to become President. This country has really sunk so low – thanks to Presidents Cory, Gloria, Erap, Noynoy and Digong. Now, even a security guard thinks he can do a better than President Digong in securing this country from invaders and rebels. A garbage collector thinks he can do better than Presidents in collecting the garbage of our leaders, oligarchs and our people. Susmariayjosep – Nakakahiya. I am appalled at being a citizen of this country. We are all guilty for what this country has become – for our collective indifference, cowardice and rotten concern only for ourselves and our families. Very despicable and (Continue on page 27)

Diliman Way

Sunset of a National Artist

 IMMIGRATIONS

October 21-27, 2021

Do you have a problem to apply for Naturalization?

W

hen applying for naturalization, there are problems many applicants encountered during the interview process. This is because they look at how you first get your green card and what actions you have made while a green card holder. Listed below are some of them: 1. Proving good faith marriage. You will be surprised that you are applying for naturalization and yet the USCIS is considering you as a green card applicant although your marriage happened ten years ago. If you obtained your green card through marriage, no matter how many years has passed, they always asked questions and documents about whether your marriage is bona fide and what joint documents support this marriage.

2. Proving family relationship if you were petitioned by your parents, siblings or as derivative of your parents. You should be able to show proof of your relationship through marriage certificate, birth certificate, divorce or death certificate, whichever documents applied to your case.

3. If you were involved is a crime, no matter how minor you think it is, they will always look for documentation if you have been convicted and if you served your sentence.

4. There are crimes that will make you deportable when applying for naturalization. This will include committing two crimes of moral turpitude or an aggravated felony. Theft is a crime involving moral turpitude. There is waiver available, and you should talk to an immigration lawyer.

5. Green card holders who obtained their green card through misrepresentation may also be sent to removal proceedings. These include those who committed marriage fraud or declared as single but actually married. If you have this kind of problem, you need to talk to an immigration attorney to find if you qualify for a waiver of fraud or misrepresentation.

6. Failure to file and pay your income tax may also disqualify you for naturalization. If you have a payment plan agreement with the IRS and you keep paying the monthly payments, you may be able to get approved. Again you need to consult with an immigration lawyer about your situation.

7. Failure to pay child support. You may be d. ed if you fail to pay for child support.

8. If you stayed outside the U.S. for more than 180 days in a single year, you may be denied naturalization.

9. If you lack the required period of residency, you may also be denied.

So that you will not have a problem when applying for naturalization, you should consult with an immigration attorney to avoid possible problem along the way.

Note: This is not a legal advice Immigration News Immigrant Visa (IV): The Embassy continues to have a significant backlog of all categories of immigrant visas. We are using a tiered approach to triage immigrant visa applications, based on the category of immigrant visa, as we resume and expand processing. While we schedule limited appointments within all four priority tiers every month, the following lists the main categories of immigrant visas in priority order: • Tier One: Immediate relative intercountry adoption visas, age-out cases (cases where the applicant will soon no longer qualify due to their age), and certain Special Immigrant Visas (SQ and SI for Afghan and Iraqi nationals working with the U.S. government) • Tier Two: Immediate relative visas; fiancé(e) visas; and returning resident visas • Tier Three: Family preference immigrant visas and SE Special Immigrant Visas for certain employees of the U.S. government abroad • Tier Four: All other immigrant visas, including employment preference and Diversity Visas Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV): The Embassy continues to prioritize travelers with urgent (i.e., matter of life and death) travel needs, foreign diplomats, and certain mission-critical categories of travelers, such as students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1, and J-1) and temporary employment visas (H-1B, H-2B, and L nonimmigrants). Visa appointments and processing for B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) remain suspended, with the exception of interview waiver renewals.

The DHS issued a new guideline for the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants. The guidelines focused on national security. crimes and border security as the government priority.

Success Stories For the month of September 2021, we received approvals from USCIS four naturalization applications, two Fiancée visa petitions, three removals of condition on residence and four adjustment of status applications.

Philippine Stories 1. Leni Robredo is the only true opposition candidate among all Presidential candidates. We need to unite in order to defeat the current administration or we will lose our country. There are about 3.6 million Chinese in the Philippines working on POGO. Chinese are registered military personnel of (Continue on page 27)

14

PHL-based firms poised to raise salary budget by 5.6% in 2022 MAKATI CITY – Philippine-based companies are optimistic about their businesses next year as employers plan to expand the average salary budget by 5.6 percent by 2022, the latest survey of global advisory, broking, and solutions company Willis Towers Watson said.

The projected salary increase in the country next year is higher than the forecast average increment in the Asia Pacific at 5.3 percent.

The estimated hike rate in the Philippines is higher than the rates of salary increase in Asia Pacific economies such as Japan at 2.5 percent, Australia at 3.4 percent, Taiwan at 3.5 percent, Hong Kong at 3.6 percent, Singapore at 3.7 percent, South Korea at 4.1 percent, Thailand at 4.6 percent, and Malaysia at 5 percent.

Companies in China are expected to further increase salaries to employees by 5.9 percent, Indonesia by 6.5 percent, Vietnam by 7.4 percent, and India by 8.8 percent.

“Pay rises are making a comeback.

Companies in the Philippines plan to give employees higher increases next year as they recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic and face mounting challenges in attracting and retaining employees,” Willis Towers Watson said in a statement.

The company cited industries that reported the highest average salary budget increments which include medical technology, business support services including business process outsourcing, and manufacturing.

“On business outlook, close to 51

percent of companies in the Philippines expect their business performance to be in line with target while 43.8 percent expect it to be ahead of target this year,” it added.

Of the surveyed firms, 65.3 percent said they plan to maintain their headcount for the next 12 months, 25.8 percent said they will add employees, and 8.9 percent will reduce the number of their employees due to the impacts of the pandemic on their businesses.

The survey showed that firms are likely to create more jobs in functions such as sales, information technology, and engineering in the next 12 months.

“Companies recognize the need to boost compensation, especially in sectors where there may be a manpower crunch. This situation has driven organizations to explore alternative options to fixed pay increases, including sign-on, retention bonuses, functional and skill premiums, mid-year adjustments or pay increases,” Willis Towers Watson Philippines Rewards, Data & Software Practice Leader Chantal Querubin said.

Querubin said the work condition amid the pandemic pushes employers to deliver “a sound employee value proposition” and provide a total rewards program.

“Beyond competitive salaries, which are table stakes at the moment, companies also need to focus their spending on a diverse set of benefits, wellbeing, and upskilling programs to drive employee engagement,” she said.

BCDA has new head as Dizon resigns CLARK FREEPORT – Aristotle Batuhan is now leading the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) after its former president and chief executive officer (CEO) Vivencio Dizon resigned from his post.

The BCDA confirmed that Batuhan was appointed as officer-in-charge of the state-run firm after Dizon’s resignation took effect last October 15.

Batuhan has been a member of BCDA Board of Directors and also a board member of North Luzon Railways Corp., Fort Bonifacio Development Corp., Bonifacio Water Corp., Bonifacio Communications Corp., Filinvest BCDA Clark, Inc., and Philippine Japan Initiative for CGC, Inc. Batuhan joined the Presidential Management Staff in April 1999 with the rank of presidential adviser, wherein he was tasked to review government infrastructure contracts and other projects funded by foreign entities. He resigned from this post in October 2000.

From January 2006 to 2007, he served as senior legal consultant at the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff.

Batuhan was appointed as Undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication in 2010 and

served until 2011.

Meanwhile, the BCDA has lauded Dizon’s leadership for the past five years.

“Under Dizon’s term, BCDA earned P48 billion in gross revenues, the highest by far of any administration, and by itself represents almost 40 percent of total revenues in the last 27 years,” the BCDA said.

Under his watch, BCDA also remitted a record-high proceeds to the Armed Forces of the Philippines at P34.2 billion, which is almost triple than the remittance of the previous administration and nearly double the contributions from 1993 to 2010.

“Major infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration were realized under the leadership of Dizon, including New Clark City Phase 1A and the worldclass Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal Building. The New Clark City Athletics Stadium and the new airport terminal are both nominated in prestigious international architecture awards,” the BCDA added.

It was also during the term of Dizon that the country opened the sports facilities in Clark used during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

15 October 21-27, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

Alden Richards remains with GMA-7 Network When Alden Richards signed a new contract with GMA-7 on October 15, he described his Kapuso journey as “so far, so good” and said that his being loyal to the network has been his “greatest accomplishment.

In his almost 11 years in show business, the Pambansang Bae has been a happy and loyal Kapuso.

“There were times na parang hindi ako sure sa mga ginagawa ko sa buhay, pero nag-stick lang ako doon sa principle ko to be loyal sa GMA,” the bedimpled actor said.

In an interview with the media, Alden stated, “I guess iyon iyong isa sa mga factors na nagdala sa akin into where I am right now.

“I am really proud to say that GMA has been there every step of the way from day one na pumasok ako sa industry.

“Actually, parang hindi lang naman sa network iyong loyalty, e.

“Actually, in all aspects of life, loyalty is a big factor for everyone kasi that shows how genuine you are to this certain commitment.

“And doon mas nakikita iyong test of attitude ng taong iyon towards a certain relationship. ”So ako, being loyal with GMA for the past 11 years has been one of the, kumbaga, greatest accomplishments of my life.

“Parang sa school, di ba, kapag gagraduate meron tayong loyalty awardees, pati sa kumpanya?

“Parang ang sarap lang magkaroon ng ganun kasi isa iyong loyalty ko sa GMA

na masasabi kong paninindigan ko sa buhay.

“Na napanindigan ko iyong pagiging loyal ko sa GMA for this long, and I’m very happy with that decision.”

Present during the Summit Exclusives interview were pep.ph, Smart Parenting, SPIN Life, Esquire, Top Gear, and others.

Alden also revealed that each contract renewal has been his favorite Kapuso moments.

Those are the occasions that remind him of all his achievements as an actor, which he confessed he is prone to take for granted.

“I always look forward to contract signings kasi iyong contract signings, sina-summarize niyan iyong journey mo prior to that moment, e,” he said.

“So isa-summarize nila iyon, gagawan nila ng AVP (audio-visual presentation) and then you yourself will see na, ’Ay, ito pala iyong mga nagawa ko.’

“Kasi everything’s happening so fast in the industry, very busy iyong schedule ‘tapos ‘di mo na namamalayan iyong mga mangyayari.

“Those moments, iyon iyong talagang nilu-look forward ko na kapag contract signings na iku-compile na lahat ng mga achievements and accomplishments as an actor and as an artist of the network.

“So ayon, that would thicken the trust and loyalty I have with GMA so happy ako when I have those kinds of moments with them,” he narrated.

Alden will mark his 11th year in show business on December 8, 2021.

ABS-CBN singer-songwriter Jayda Avanzado’s ‘Paano Kung Naging Tayo?’ music video wins in New York film fest

NEW YORK - Despite being a firsttime music video director, Jayda Avanzado made an impressive performance as “Paano Kung Naging Tayo” was named as the best music video at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021.

WATCH: “Paano Kung Naging Tayo” Best Music Video, International Film Festival Manhattan 2021 Avanzado was ecstatic when she announced the good news on social media, admitting that she did not expect to win in

the category.

“I’m over the moon to announce that ‘Paano Kung Naging Tayo?’ has won best music video at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021! Never would’ve seen it coming that my directorial debut into the world of music video directing would be recognized as my first win in a category like this,” she said on Instagram.

Avanzado, who also sang the song, starred in the music video along with actor Rhys Miguel. She collaborated with Edrex Sanchez in directing the video.

“My co direk @edrexclyde, we did it rekdi!! thank you for guiding me, collaborating, and being with me throughout this whole process! not to mention, for also helping and allowing me to grow as a creator whenever we work together! I appreciate you,” the singer said.

WATCH: Jayda glows in debut highlights video “You and I both know how much this project means to the both of us, I won’t forget our very emotional session editing this one.”

She also expressed gratitude to ABSCBN Star Music and Miguel for making the success possible: “I say this time and time again but it’s really true that this is

your award just as much as it is ours.”

Jayda ilalabas ang debut album sa Hunyo 25 (Read about Jayda’s debut album) Released on Valentine’s Day this year, “Paano Kung Naging Tayo?” has raked over a million views already on YouTube, as of writing.

Jayda is the only daughter of Filipino celebrity singing couple Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado.

 ENTERTAINMENT

October 21-27, 2021

16

JM de Guzman, Sylvia Sanchez, ABS-CBN top winners of Star Awards for TV

Another successful event of the Philippine Movie Press Club(PMPC) was its recent virtual awarding of the Star Awards for Television held October 17 via STV and RAD channels.

The cut off for all the TV shows reviewed and screened was from September 2019 up to August 2020, which involved the ABS CBN prior to losing its franchise.

The Best TV Station was ABS-CBN 2 while JM de Guzman and Sylvia Sanchez won the Best Drama Actor and Best Drama Actress respectively.

Sunshine Dizon won the Best Single Performance

By An Actress category and Seth Fedelin won the Best Single Performance by An Actor.

Proclaimed Best Supporting Actor was Roderick Paulate and Best Supporting Actress was Aiko Melendez.

Vic Sotto was the Best Comedy Actor and Manilyn Reynes was the Best Comedy Actress.

Recipient of the the German Moreno Power Tandem of the Year was the loveteam of Seth Fedelin at Andrea Brillantes (SethDrea), while Boy Abunda was awarded the Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award and Korina Sanchez was bestowed the Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hosted by Congressman Alfred Vargas and Sanya Lopez, performers of the event were Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gerald Santos, Ima Castro and Christian Bautista.

The 34th PMPC Star Awards For Television is led by its president Roldan Castro with support of the officers and members of the club. Partners for the recent awards night were the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) headed by its Chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra Part of the success was Beautederm CEO and President Rhea Anicoche Tan. The virtual show was directed by Pete Mariano.

The following are the list of winners: BEST CHILDREN SHOW Talents Academy (IBC 13) BEST CHILDREN SHOW HOST Anastacia Paronda, Candice Ayesha Paronda,Madisen Go, Gracelle Joace Jimenez, Sedrick Ganolon (Talents Academy/IBC 13) BEST TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM The Clash (GMA 7) BEST TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM HOST Luis Manzano (I Can See Your Voice /ABS-CBN 2)

BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW Taste Buddies (GMA News TV) BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW HOST Solenn Heussaff and Gil Cuerva (Taste Buddies/ GMA News TV) BEST TRAVEL SHOW G Diaries/ABS-CBN 2 BEST TRAVEL SHOW HOST Ernie Lopez (G Diaries/ABS-CBN 2) BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM The Bottomline (ABS-CBN 2) BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM HOST Boy Abunda (The Bottomline/ABS-CBN 2) BEST MORNING SHOW Umagang Kay Ganda/ABS-CBN 2) BEST MORNING SHOW HOST Daniel Razon, Angela Lagunzad, Angelo ‘Diego’ Castro III, Rheena Villamor, Barba-Cabodil-De Vera, Dr. Joseph Lee and Dr. Bong Santiago (Good Morning Kuya/UNTV 37) BEST NEWS PROGRAM TV Patrol (ABS-CBN 2 ) BEST MALE NEWSCASTER Julius Babao (Bandila/ABS CBN 2) BEST FEMALE NEWSCASTER Vicky Morales (24 Oras/GMA 7)BEST MAGAZINE SHOW Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA 7) Joaquin Domagoso (All-Out Sundays/GMA 7) BEST MAGAZINE SHOW HOST BEST NEW FEMALE TV PERSONALITY Jessica Soho (Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho/GMA 7) Kaori Oinuma ( Mata/ MMK/ ABS-CBN 2) BEST HORROR/FANTASY PROGRAM BEST CHILD PERFORMER Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko (GMA 7) Enzo Pelojero (Starla / ABS-CBN) BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS I -Witness (GMA 7) Aiko Melendez (Primadonnas/ GMA 7) BEST DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM HOST BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR Atom Araullo (The Atom Araullo Special/GMA 7) Roderick Paulate ( One of the Baes/ GMA 7) BEST CELEBRITY TALK SHOW BEST DRAMA ACTOR Tonight With Boy Abunda (ABS-CBN 2) JM de Guzman ( Pamilya Ko/ ABS-CBN 2) BEST CELEBRITY TALK SHOW HOST BEST DRAMA ACTRESS Boy Abunda ( Tonight With Boy Abunda/ ABSSylvia Sanchez ( Pamilya Ko/ ABS CBN 2) CBN) BEST DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Magkaagaw ( GMA 7) Born To Be Wild (GMA 7) BEST PRIMETIME TV SERIES BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM HOST Pamilya Ko (ABS-CBN 2) Dingdong Dantes (Amazing Earth/GMA 7) and Kim BEST TV STATION Atienza (Matanglawin/ABS-CBN 2) ABS-CBN 2 BEST VARIETY SHOW Special Awards It’s Showtime (ABS-CBN 2) ADING FERNANDO LIFETIME ACHIEVEBEST FEMALE TV HOST MENT AWARD Amy Perez (It’s Showtime/ABS-CBN 2) Boy Abunda BEST MALE TV HOST EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING LIFETIME Vice Ganda (It’s Showtime/ABS-CBN 2) ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BEST MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW Korina Sanchez Young Once Upon A Time (NET 25) GERMAN MORENO POWER TANDEM OF BEST DRAMA ANTHOLOGY THE YEARIpaglaban Mo (ABS-CBN 2) Andrea Brillantes at Seth Fedelin (SethDrea) BEST COMEDY SHOW Pepito Manaloto (GMA 7) BEST COMEDY ACTOR Vic Sotto (Daddy’s Gurl/GMA 7) BEST COMEDY ACTRESS Manilyn Reynes (Pepito Manaloto/GMA 7) BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM Healing Galing (TV 5) BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM HOST Edinell Calvario (Healing Galing/TV 5) BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS Sunshine Dizon (Magkano Ang Forever/ Tadhana/ GMA 7) BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR Seth Fedelin ( Ilog/ Maalaala Mo Kaya/ ABS-CBN 2) BEST NEW MALE TV PERSONALITY

17 October 21-27, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

“Golden Arrow” by top female P-Pop group BINI is the Song We Need Today “Golden Arrow” by BINI Music and Lyrics by SAB With additional lyrics by Stacey, Mikha, Colet & Aiah of BINI Produced by Jonathan Manalo Third single from “Born to Win” album

“Grab the ice cream, go turn the clock Dance till midnight, nobody knock...”

When Mikha of leading female P-Pop group BINI rapped these lines from “Golden Arrow,” the third single from their debut album, “Born to Win,” the ladies made no mistake about being dead serious... about having fun.

For sure, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Sheena and Jhoanna are having the time of their lives right now: B2W has peaked at number one on iTunes Philippines’ Top Album Chart with 12 of its tracks making the list of the top 15 songs. It’s more than just an auspicious debut; it’s phenomenal. And the single, “Golden Arrow” captures the essence of the ladies’ massive appeal.

Singer-songwriter SAB reacts to the “Golden Arrow” music video Penned surprisingly by young indie singer-songwriter SAB (who just released her own six-track EP, “Sunsets & Heaven” back in July), “Golden Arrow” is disco pop, quite different from the acoustic ballads that SAB is known for. Showing her range as a songwriter, SAB - a self-professed Bloom - flavored the melody with smooth synths and bass lines guaranteed to move your feet and bop your head. It’s a clean and crisp piece of retro dance pop with a groovy hook.

The result? A playful, throwbackinspired sound and music video where BINI transforms their slumber party into a discotheque with addictive energy, matching positive vibes and glowing confidence.

“Golden Arrow” by top female P-Pop group BINI is the Song We Need Today PASAY CITY – The incentives granted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to entice international productions resulted in P1.089 billion spent here last year.

FDCP Chairperson Liza DiñoSeguerra told a Senate Committee on Finance budget hearing last week the foreign productions also generated jobs for 717 Filipino film workers during the pandemic.

“What’s good about these grants is there are exponential contributions to the economy, with a total of P1.089 billion production spent in the Philippines with the P125.9 million grants we awarded,” Seguerra said. “We’ll never stop hanggang matulungan natin na ang ating industriya ay makabangon (until our industry recovers).”

Aside from 21 international project grants, FilmPhilippines incentives also granted P29.4 million to 50 local film projects.

The incentives involve four programs, namely the Film Location

Incentive Program (FLIP), International Co-Production Fund (ICOF), ASEAN CO Production Fund (ACOF), and CreatePHFilms.

FLIP provides a 20 percent cash rebate of up to PHP10 million to select productions that have a minimum qualified Philippine production expenditure of P8 million within the country while ICOF is a selective fund for international coproduction with the Philippines of up to P10 million with a minimum projected spending of P5 million in the Philippines.

ACOF, on the other hand, supports the production of original regional feature films for Filipino producers who are working with ASEAN co-producer.

CreatePHFilms is a funding program to encourage the production of quality films and the artistic creation of Filipino filmmakers.

Esguerra said FDCP also focused on Covid-19 intervention programs, with 1,115 production activities registered under its safe

filming program for the resumption of film and audiovisual production activities.

There were also 6,019 film industry workers in 2020 under the FDCP national registry of active film workers.

The registry serves as a database for FDCP to monitor, protect, and provide services to film workers nationwide.

FDCP likewise vaccinated 4,970 film and entertainment workers in coordination with the Quezon City and Manila local governments.

Another Covid-19 intervention programs was the Dear (Disaster/ Emergency Assistance Relief) Program, in partnership with the Labor department, for the grant of financial assistance.

A total of 5,000 applications were processed and P28 million cash assistance released.

The FDCP is seeking an increase of 29.45 percent in its budget -from P174.821 million this year to P247.809 million in 2022.

In short: it’s a perfect track to blast away pandemic blues.

And don’t we all need that right now?

 ENTERTAINMENT

October 21-27, 2021

18

‘Nagpapasalamat ako anak’: AJ Raval’s mother thanks Aljur for fulfilling his promise After breaking his silence on Tuesday, actor Aljur Abrenica received a message of support from AJ Raval’s mother, Alyssa Alvarez, for fulfilling his promise of taking care of them.

In a Facebook post, Alvarez shared Abrenica’s scathing statement, which insinuated that Kylie Padilla cheated first in their relationship, detailing how they dealt with heavy criticism from the public.

According to Alvarez, the actor, who recently admitted dating Raval, told him everything which prompted her not to speak out immediately at the height of the issue involving Abrenica, Padilla, and her daughter.

“He told me everything from the start, para makilala ko ang pagkatao n’ya, kung karapat-dapat ba s’yang tanggapin ng pamilya namin. Tao s’yang lumapit sa amin kaya tao din namin s’yang tinanggap. I kept my mouth shut,” she said on her Facebook post.

Alvarez said she had to endure all the hate thrown at her daughter and their family, knowing that the truth will soon come out.

“Nung nagka-issue na, mas pinili kong masaktan para sa anak ko, dahil alam ko darating ang araw lalabas ang totoo. Kinain ko lahat ng mga pinagsasabi sa akin na masakit ng mga walang alam sa nangyayari.

Para lang ‘wag na lumaki pa,” she added.

She then expressed gratitude to the embattled actor for what he has done to them.

AJ Raval on Aljur-Kylie split: ‘Hindi ako naging 3rd party’ “Pero nagpapasalamat ako ‘anak’ kasi tinupad mo ang sinabi mong ‘di mo kami pababayaan ...alam ko hindi lang ito para sa amin, pati na rin sa mga taong nagmamahal at nasasaktan para sa ‘yo,” Alvarez quipped.

Netizens were shocked on Tuesday when Abrenica posted on his Facebook account, urging Padilla to “tell

Kylie Padilla Aljur Abrenica [the public] the truth, who cheated first, who wrecked our family.”

Abrenica also alleged he and Padilla had agreed to keep details of their split private. He, however, opted to speak up after Padilla’s father, former actor Robin Padilla, claimed that a third party on Abrenica’s side caused the separation.

‘Tell them who cheated first, who wrecked our family,’ Aljur Abrenica urges Kylie Padilla in scathing statement Padilla, then, posted what appeared to be a response to the actor’s shocking pronouncement.

AJ Raval Through updates on Instagram Stories, Padilla shared songs that pertained to a relationship’s end and then finding happiness anew.

Without mentioning Abrenica, Padilla also shared the quote: “Never underestimate a man’s ability to make you feel guilty for his mistakes.”

‘Tell the truth’? Kylie has cryptic post after Aljur’s statement In recent weeks, Abrenica became the target of criticism over his blooming romance with Raval, who had to clarify that she was never the third party in Abrenica and Padilla’s marriage.

Joey De Leon is disgusted over fake news MANILA, Philippines — Actor-comedian Joey de Leon on Wednesday expressed his disgust over the fake news spreading in social media platforms claiming that he has endorsed the candidacy of another candidate running for the country’s secondtop position in the 2022 national elections.

In a post, de Leon denied reports that he is not backing the vice presidential bid of his long-time friend Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who is running in tandem with Senator Panfilo Lacson for president.

“Anak ng pating eh halos pitong buwan pa bago

mag-election pero nagkalat na fake news!

Kesyo ako daw, gamit ang mukha at pangalan ko, iniendorso ang isang kandidato!

Pwede ba, nasa litratong ito natural ang aking iboboto. Eh PITONG presidente na kaming magkakasama! Kailangan pa bang i-explain yan?” he said over Instagram.

“Dun sa mga ‘friends’ ko kuno, fact check muna before posting! Erection ang problema ko hindi election! Ginagalit nyo ko eh!” he also said, tagging Sotto in his post.

De Leon’s statement captioned a photo of him with Sotto and actor-comedian Vic Sotto, donning black t-shirts with letters “T”, “V”, and “J” printed on it. “TVJ” stands for “Tito, Vic, and Joey.” Tito and Vic are siblings.

The three – famous for their humor and music – have been known as the force behind the long-running noontime TV variety show “Eat Bulaga.” They have been together for over 50 years.

19 October 21-27, 2021 GARY V. NOT TRANSFERRING NETWORKS Gary Valenciano’s wife Angeli Pangilinan has denied that the singer is leaving ABS-CBN, amid rumors that he is set to transfer networks.

Speculations on Gary’s supposed transfer started on social media last Friday, Oct. 15, when he asked fans to pray for him as he made “major decisions.”

“Pure Gossip. Where did you get that? He had to make a personal decision, not a professional decision,” she told fans. She also assured them that Gary will still appear in the Sunday noontime variety show “ASAP Natin ‘To.” “We respect the decisions of others to move but he is not led to do so,” she added.

She pointed out that Gary has been with the Kapamilya network for 18 years. She then noted that ABS-CBN looked after their family when the singer suffered a “medical crisis.”

Gary served as a judge for the dance competition “World of Dance” in 2019, after he went through heart bypass surgery and kidney cancer.

According to Angeli, her husband “never considered” transferring to a different network. She also thanked those who prayed for their family as she told

the public not to worry for Gary.

“Huwag kayong mag-alala,” she said. “Mananatili siyang Kapamilya.” (Do not worry. He will remain a Kapamilya.

BEA ALONZO CELEBRATES 34TH BDAY New GMA-TV actress Bea Alonzo on her 34th birthday said she had the time of her life—thanks to boyfriend Dominique Roque who went out of his way to surprise her.

In an Instagram post, Bea shared how the romantic he made her day special.

Roque surprised his girlfriend with a box of red roses and cake on the eve of her birthday last Sunday, October 17, 2021.

He also gifted her with a puppy and treated her to a weekend getaway in Batangas, the actress said. Bea shared a barefaced photo of her during the surprise.

“Thank you for all your love and well wishes on my birthday. You never cease to make me feel special on my birthday every year. But for me, this year is different. A lot has happened, and all I have in my heart right now is GRATITUDE. I am thankful for all the lessons and courage that this year has brought me. I am now seeing myself in a different light,” she said.

“What more can I ask for? Thank you, Lord, for a life so beautiful; I wouldn’t want it any other way ,” she added.

 ENTERTAINMENT Joshua Garcia is open to be Ivana Alawi’s friend Actor Joshua Garcia was speechless momentarily when asked about his reaction to a recent interview of actress-vlogger Ivana Alawi who admitted exchanging messages with him.

During the virtual media conference of his upcoming series “Viral Scandal”, Garcia appeared to be caught off guard when quizzed about Alawi, who has a crush on him.

“Kapag may humahanga sa ‘kin, nakakadagdag ng confidence ‘yun para sa lalaki,” said Garcia, who was speechless anew for several seconds. “Di ko alam reaction ko,” the actor added.

Garcia then thanked the popular vlogger, admitting that he saw the interview of Alawi with Ogie Diaz.

“Siyempre thank you kasi na-appreciate ‘yung work kong ginagawa, ‘yung pag-arte. Base sa narinig ko, naappreciate niya ‘yung acting, so thankful. Very thankful ako as an actor. Maraming salamat,” he quipped.

Sen Revilla...

“I’m open maging kaibigan, okay lang sa ‘kin,” Garcia continued.

Last week, Alawi admitted to Diaz about exchanging messages with the actor on social media.

“Cute ‘yung mukha at saka mabait siya. Nakita ko para family-oriented. Pero hindi ko masabi kasi ‘di ko pa siya nami-meet personally,” Alawi said.

(From page 1)

ty Speaker and Lakas-CMD secretary general Prospero Pichay who earlier said that the party could adopt Mayor Sara as its presidential candidate under Comelecapproved substitution which ends on November 15.

Pichay, however, said at press time that Lakas-CMD is no longer expecting a Sara Duterte presidential bid. adding that the party is reserving Sen. Bong Revilla as its standard bearer.

In a television interview, Pichay said Revilla remains an option as candidate for the country’s highest post, despite the party fielding last week the tandem of a certain Anna Velasco and Lyle Fernando Uy. “He remains to be an option, yes,” Pichay said.

“We wanted Bong Revilla to run for president but he declined. We tried to convince him but he declined.

Maybe he will change his mind, we don’t know,” he added.

Pichay said Lakas-CMD is no longer expecting anymore that reelectionist Mayor Sara Duterte will change her mind, despite public clamor for her to run for president.

Pichay earlier denied that the party only fielded a “placeholder” who would eventually give way to the mayor.

“After so many conversations, hindi na po (not anymore),” said Pichay, noting that the party last talked to Mayor Duterte before the October 8 deadline of the filing of certificate of candidacy.

“Wala nang pag-uusap (There are no more talks).

We really have to respect the decision of Mayor Inday Duterte. First, she is still young, she has so many unfinished business in Davao City. We really have to support that,” he added.

 REAL ESTATE

October 21-27, 2021

Big-ticket infra projects propel Cebu’s real estate potential CEBU CITY – With billions worth of infrastructure developments in Cebu, the outlook for real estate investment here remains promising and is expected to boost employment opening in the construction labor pool, an industry leader said.

Ramero Espina, vice president for sales and marketing of Cebu-based developer Primary Homes Inc., said returns on condominium and rental investment remain promising, thanks to the big-ticket infrastructure projects taking shape in the country’s hottest property market outside the capital.

“The future looks good -- new projects have started construction, home buyers and investors are checking out residential projects, interest in financial literacy has generally increased,” he said in Carlo Lorenciana’s PNA report.

Aside from the current property investors both here and abroad, Espina said they hope to influence the younger generation to explore real estate investment with flexible financing now offered by developers.

“We’ve also observed market acceptance for residential investment in some of Cebu’s neighboring places that PrimaryHomes would want to cater to as well. An example would be Panglao Island in Bohol, which also has growing economic activities like

Cebu,” he added.

When sought for comment, Joey Bondoc, associate director for research of Colliers International Philippines, said investors looking to purchase residential properties should consider projects close to upcoming infrastructure developments, including the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, which is scheduled for completion in 2022.

Bondoc also urged developers to continue providing flexible and innovative payment schemes to attract more buyers and market to overseas Filipino workers.

Colliers has observed innovative sales strategies being employed by developers to boost condominium sales, including stretched payment terms and lower down payments, perks like free appliances and hotel stays, and even gadgets.

But on the whole, the condominium real estate sector’s recovery largely depends on the success of the government’s vaccination program and the eventual recovery of the economy.

With developments of residential and commercial properties here continuing, construction jobs are also expected to remain in demand.

Primary Homes has about 2,000 construction-related workers from its affiliates that are involved in all its

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20

Multi ethnic... (From page 8) sulted in the unionization of farm labor.

Following are the highlights of the collaborative celebration: ⁃ Open House Reception and tour of the Center ⁃ Campesino de Poplar, a photo exhibit by photojournalist David Bacon ⁃ Portrait of a Legacy, an exhibit by filmmaker/documentarian/ photojournalist Adam Perez ⁃Born to a Movement, artwork by Carlos Perez David, creator of the Apple logo ⁃Dedication of the Larry Itliong Resource Center ⁃Journey through Poplar’s Farm Workers History, Caravan through Road 192 from Poplar to Delano, Historical Tour of Delano, Solidarity March and rally from Agbayani Village to Reuther Hall in 40 Acres.

“We expect 500 people to attend including the families of movement leaders Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong and Al Rojas,” shared Bonta, who was a student at Pacific School of Religion and member of its Social Concerns Committee in 1965 when she volunteered at the strike in Delano on weekends.

Perez-Ruiz lauded the offices of US Sen. Dianne Feinstein, US Rep. Barbara Lee, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Treasurer Fiona Ma and Assembly District 18 Rep. Mia Bonta for supporting the event.

“The rally will be a fitting close to a day of commitment to a legacy of hard work, perseverance, belief in humanity, passion for justice, solidarity and unity of spirit,” says Perez-Ruiz, who first heard of and was inspired by itliong while attending Larry Itliong Day sponsored by Office of Assembly District 18 Member Rob Bonta. Then-Assembly Member Rob Bonta, one of Cynthia Bonta’s three children, introduced AB7 creating Larry Itliong Day in California enacted June 30, 2015.

“History was changed, but those stories weren’t being told in the history books, weren’t being captured, and it was important to me for that to change especially in the most diverse state in the country,” said now-Attorney General Bonta.

Since Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill designating Itliong’s birthday Oct. 25 to recognize Itliong’s work, advocates for farm workers pause to celebrate the late FilAm leader. Some 1,500 Filipinos joined the walkout clamoring for fair pay and humane working conditions.

MISSION CONTINUES The honoree was born Larry Dulay Itliong in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, on Oct. 25, 1913. He was 15 when he came to the United States as a US National by virtue of the annexation of the Philippines, thereby exempted from the exclusion of Asians by the Immigration Act of 1924.

Itliong defied the “docile Filipino” stereotype. As a migrant worker, Itliong roamed the country where jobs were available. His experience spurred his activism.

In Washington state, he joined the lettuce strike in the 1930s. In Alaska, he co-founded the Alaska Cannery Workers Union.

After World War II, Itliong settled down in Stockton,California, where he eventually led the asparagus strike of 1948. There he formed the Filipino Farm Labor Union in 1956. Shortly afterwards he and other pioneer Filipino workers organized the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. As AWOC head, Itliong reached out to United Farm Workers assistant director Cesar Chavez to join forces in protest. Together, the coalition of Filipino and Latino workers and their allies compelled the growers to abide their demands.

Cynthia Bonta reminded Itliong’s achievement was “not only by bringing together Filipino, Mexican and Yemeni farmworkers to strike, leaving the growers with no one to pick the grapes but also brought millions of people to stop buying them.”

“The solidarity among the farmworkers and the coming together of the community that depended on them for their food was the vital ingredient that brought about success. The October 24 Larry Itliong Day celebration is a call for organizers and the community to come together in solidarity to meet the new problems of the day and do the work that still remains to be done,” she told Inquirer.net.

“We are a Living Legacy” is open to the public. To attend, contact CVEA (559) 854-7251 or visit https:// www.cvempowermentalliance.org/.

Reprinted with permission from INQUIRER.NET

21 October 21-27, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

FilAm Wesley So wins 2021 US Chess Championship

SAINT LOUIS, Missouri - Philippine-born Wesley So flashed his old form as he ruled the 2021 US Chess Championships at the Saint Louis Chess Club in Missouri on October 20 (Manila time).

So, a full-blooded Filipino born in Cavite but is now an American citizen, edged Fabiano Caruana and Samuel Sevian who all shared first place but had to settle the championship during their rapid playoff clash.

So defeated Caruana in 46 moves using the black

pieces, though Caruana stayed in the hunt when he beat Sevian in 49 moves in his next match.

So, who famously switched federations from the Philippines to the United States in 2014, needed only a draw against Sevian to win the title but was superb in beating the 20-yearold American GM in 33 moves.

“I just wanted to play fast today and make some good moves,” said So in an interview with chess. com. “I was playing with no pressure.”

“I did not expect this playoff, so I was just playing chess. If chances come, good. If I lose,

that’s fine,” So said.

The three GMs were tied with scores of 6.5 after 11 rounds of competition, triggering the playoff for the title.

It was the second-straight US Chess title and third overall for the 28-year-old grandmaster after ruling the event in 2017.

A jubilant So posted the news on his win in his Facebook page. He bagged a total of $50,000 for the championship prize while Caruana and Sevian, who

are tied at second place, will take home $30,000 each.

Leinier Dominguez, Ray Robson, and Alex Lenderman shared fourth to sixth places and are set to each pocket a total of $15,000.

So earned his US citizenship only last February after transferring to the United States in 2012.

So posted his swearing in on his Facebook account on February 26 at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in St. Paul Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Born in Bacoor City, So also showed in a picture displaying his new citizenship papers with his left hand and holding a small US flag on the other, with the seal of the US Department of Homeland Security in the background. The other shot showed him being sworn in as an American citizen.

So has been living in Minnetonka, Minnesota with his adopted parents — former PBA player Renato “Bambi” Kabigting and former actress Lotis Key. “For a better future, because this is the land of opportunity,” said So then of his swearing in as US citizen.

“I love the fact that anyone can strive to succeed (in the US). You are not held back by your color, lack of connection and or the amount of money you have,” he explained.

“If you work hard, you have a better chance of making it here than anywhere else in the world. I came here ready to work hard, and it turned out just as I dreamed (it would be).” he said.

So became the youngest grandmaster of the Philippines at the age of 14 years old, one month and 28 days in securing his third GM Norm at the Prospero Pichay International Cup on December 8, 2007.

Jaworski honored with commemorative stamps MANILA - The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has unveiled a special commemorative stamp series featuring Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend Robert Jaworski Sr. PHLPost launched the nine-stamp series with pictures of him playing during his prime days in the ‘70s and the ‘80s.

Jaworski’s son Robert “Dodot” Jr, and his sons, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Mon Fernandez, Jaworski’s bosom buddy during their days with Toyota, and current Ginebra stars Joe Devance, LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, Mark Caguioa, and Scottie Thompson graced the event along with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“Allow me to express my congratulations and appreciation to the Philippine Postal Corporation for issuing a series of special stamps entitled ‘Salamat: Pagpupugay sa mga Alamat’. It is, however, an even greater honor to be included in the list of people who have been chosen by your esteemed corporation to be considered legends of our time. Let me express my profound gratitude for this great honor,” Jaworski said as relayed by his son, who was part of the Ginebra lineup

during his final playing years during the mid-90s.

The unveiling of the new stamps is part of PHLPost’s tribute to Philippine sports heroes as the agency celebrates the 75th anniversary of the issuance of the first mail stamp in the Philippines.

PHLPost previously released a set of special stamps celebrating the successful Philippine team campaign during the Tokyo Olympics with gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial in the stamps.

This time, PHLPost expanded its tribute to Philippine sports heroes by adding Jaworski, who before steering the Tamaraws and the Gin Kings to multiple pro league titles was a vital member of the UE Red Warriors squad that won seven straight UAAP titles during the ‘60s and also a part of the national team.

“Never did I ever imagine that I would be put in the stamp of our beloved republic,” Jaworski’s statement added.

The 75-year-old PBA legend, who became a senator from 1998-2004 following his basketball retirement, could not be in attendance as he is recovering from a rare blood illness as Dodot

STAMPS FOR LEGEND. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Execu�ve Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio, former Pasig Representa�ve Dodot Jaworski, PSC commissioner Mon Fernandez, and the current Ginebra stars pose as they jointly launch the commemora�ve stamps honoring Philippine basketball legend Robert Jaworski.

revealed in an interview with Anthony Taberna.

“How I wish I could be there present with all of you today to personally thank you for this wonderful privilege and honor,” Jaworski rued as his son further relayed.

Dodot, who would enter the politi-

cal arena as well when he became a congressman in Pasig, then called for his father’s fans to continue praying for his health to become better.

“We continue to ask for people to pray that he will get stronger and he will be back to his normal self soon,” the younger Jaworski said.

October 21-27, 2021

22

Q: Do you have a program that will make me debt free in a month?

A: I would be an overnight sensation if I had one. Let me ask this. How many years did it take to create this debt problem that you have? Maybe six, maybe ten years? So what is so urgent that there has to be an overnight fix? Trying to buy a car, or a house even?

Believe me, people have asked me time and time again, how they can get out of debt sooner that they have to be. Even bankruptcy will take at least six months from start to finish. And it will still leave you with bad credit.

Let me tell you about this client who has been through two programs and now wants to move to my program as long as I can do what he asks of me. Which is to get him out of debt and have credit repair done in a short amount of time so that he can do whatever it is he thinks he can do once those mentioned can be completed. I told him that I am not a magician. He should have gone to see David Copperfield if he was looking for a magician. The problem with this client is someone needs to open his eyes to the truth that it can’t be done. What will happen in his search is that a scammer can take advantage of him, tell him what he wants to hear just to take his money and rip him off.

Here’s the reason it can’t be done. Most debts have to age before it goes to a third party collector. The original creditor will not negotiate the clients’ debts until it is discharged. Most cases, after it has been discharged, it will change hands and move to the third party. Once there, this is our opportunity to settle. But there is still something blocking our way. The next question is do we have the funds to settle the debt? In most cases, people do not have the money up front to settle the debt. This is mainly because they do not want to deal with them anymore and just want to move on, unfortunately it is easier said than done. That is why they come to me.

Ating lesson, Utang ay huwag ipunin, nang ang solusyon ay di rin madaliin.

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23 October 21-27, 2021

Romualdez urges US to locate in ASEAN region

The ASEAN Commi�ee in Washington DC, chaired by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, discuss coopera�on on post-pandemic economic recovery with United States Trade Representa�ve Katherine Tai at the Philippine Embassy.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The ASEAN Committee in Washington DC, chaired

by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, met with US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai to discuss opportunities in and prospects for the Southeast Asian region post-pandemic.

The Philippines currently holds the ro-

tating chairmanship of the ACW. In his remarks, Ambassador Romualdez urged Ambassador Tai to “choose ASEAN”, particularly in encouraging US companies to locate their businesses in the region. The USTR official responded by stressing that “the US is very much interested in being a good ally and partner and would like to work towards that

goal.”

Discussions delved on key economic priorities of the ASEAN region, especially on the supply and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines which are key towards the region’s post-pandemic recovery.

In her remarks, Ambassador Tai stressed that the Biden-Harris administration remains committed to strengthening

the US’ trade and economic relationship with ASEAN. She added that the USTR also looks forward to further engagement on supply chains, digital economy, labor, environment, and micro, small and medium enterprises under the US-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Agreement workplan.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

24

2020 Census: Asian Americans in Focus

Improvements made to 2020 Census data collec�on provides a more accurate depic�on of how Asian Americans self-iden�fy By: Staff The U.S. Census Bureau continues to release information from the 2020 Census in order to provide rich information about the changing population of the United States. From the apportionment counts data in April to the redistricting data in August, each data set from the 2020 Census has progressively unveiled insights about the Asian American community.

According to recent redistricting data results from the 2020 Census, there was a noticeable increase in the Asianspecific populations. Over 24 million people (7.2% of the total population) identified as “Asian alone or in combination.” “Asian alone” refers to people who reported Asian and did not report any other race. “Asian alone or in combination” consists of those respondents who reported Asian, whether or not they reported any other races.

The Asian alone population grew by 35.5% between 2010 and 2020. Approximately 19.9 million people (6% of all respondents) identified as Asian alone in 2020, up from 14.7 million people (4.8%) in 2010.

In comparison, the Asian in combination population grew by 55.5%. Approximately 4.1 million people identified as Asian in combination in 2020, up from 2.6 million people in 2010. Approximately 2.7 million people identified as Asian and White, making it the largest Multiracial Asian group.

Hawaii, California, Washington, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Alaska, Massachusetts, and Maryland were the states with the largest percentages of the Asian alone or in combination populations. The 10 states with the largest percentage increase in the Asian alone or in combination population are North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, District of Columbia, North Carolina, Indiana, Texas, South Carolina, Mon-

tana, and Utah.

The new data reflects changes in the population and the improvements in how the Census asked the questions and captured and coded the responses, a process that has changed nearly every decade throughout the history of the Census to reflect social, political and economic factors.

“We’ve made several design improvements to the race question for the 2020 Census based on the research over the past decade,” said Rachel Marks, Branch Chief, Racial Statistics Branch at the Census Bureau’s Population Division. “One of the major changes was adding dedicated write-in response areas and examples for the ‘White’ and the ‘Black or African American’ racial categories, and we also added examples to the ‘American Indian or Alaska Native’ racial category. [For] the Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander categories, we reordered the detailed Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander checkboxes by population size. And in the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander category, we changed the checkbox category ‘Gua-

CARSON - Los Angeles County officials have been working collaboratively since Oct. 6 to investigate and address the pungent odor affecting communities in the area of Dominguez Channel in the City of Carson.

A multi-agency response—including the County departments of Public Works, Public Health, Fire and the Office of Emergency Management, as well as the South Coast Air Quality Management District—was mobilized in response to this incident and to provide rapid relief to residents and businesses that have been affected.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) updated the health recommendations for residents impacted by odors reported in Carson and surrounding communities to avoid prolonged outdoor activities between the hours of 9 p.m. through 8 a.m., based on patterns seen with air monitoring results,

and whenever odors are strong to reduce exposure.

South Coast AQMD continues to conduct air monitoring in Carson and the surrounding areas using a variety of technologies, including handheld hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitors, grab samples, and mobile monitoring.

Monitoring efforts are focused on schools and senior centers in communities impacted. Community monitoring has shown H2S levels to be within typical background levels. However, elevated H2S levels have been detected at various locations along the Dominguez Channel that exceed state nuisance thresholds, but not at levels determined by health experts to be imminently dangerous.

A fixed air monitor was set up last week at the intersection of E. 213th St. and Chico St., near a residential neighborhood adjacent to the Channel, to supplement our monitoring network. The

manian or Chamorro’ to ‘Chamorro’ based on feedback and research.”

The changes provide a more thorough and accurate depiction of how people self-identify. The re-ordered checkboxes for Asian and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander by population size are: Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Other Asian (for example, Pakistani, Cambodian, Hmong, etc.), Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Chamorro, Other Pacific Islander (for example, Tongan, Fijian, Marshallese, etc.).

In order to provide the public with detailed information more frequently, data that were historically collected only once every 10 years by the decennial census long form is released annually through the American Community Survey (ACS). The Census Bureau also releases other data products such as the Demographic and Housing Characteristics file (DHC) and the Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics file (Detailed DHC).

“We have a lot more data to release in the future from the 2020 Census,” said Nicholas Jones, Director and Senior Advisor of Race and Ethnic Research and Outreach at the Census Bureau’s Population Division. “The Detailed DHC will include tables on detailed racial populations. This is where you’ll be able to get data on detailed Asian groups, such as Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Asian Indian, and many more.” Some examples include demographic and housing characteristics for sex and age, household and family type, and tenure (whether a housing unit is owner-occupied or renter-occupied).

“The Census isn’t something that we conduct or something that is done to you, it’s something the American public participates in,” said Michael Cook, Chief of the Public Information Office at the U.S. Census Bureau. “It’s a big effort, and it’s an effort that is done in concert with many partners that have helped us reach each and every community to ensure that people know the value, the importance, of conducting the Census.”

For more information, visit census. gov/2020results.

LA County officials: Avoid prolonged outdoor activities in vicinity of Dominguez Channel 213th & Chico monitor has shown high H2S levels in overnight readings obtained from Thursday, October 14 through Saturday, October 16. The highest 1-hour average concentrations over those three days were 3.7 ppm, 6.2 ppm, and just under 7.0 ppm, respectively.

South Coast AQMD inspectors conducted 24-hour operations through the weekend and obtained instantaneous readings near residences that were significantly lower than the levels detected at the 213th & Chico monitor. The agency continues to provide data to public health professionals. Additional outreach efforts were conducted by DPH and Hazmat at residences closest to the Channel in an abundance of caution.

On October 17 and 18, readings obtained at the 213th & Chico monitor and through handheld monitoring were drastically lower. The highest readings at the fixed monitoring site over the last two

nights were 1.1 ppm and 0.8 ppm. Further information regarding South Coast AQMD’s monitoring efforts can be found on the agency’s website, www.aqmd.gov.

SOLUTIONS TO CHANNEL ODORS A specialized team of scientists and engineers has been working aggressively to develop solutions to address conditions within the channel, alleviate the smell and restore the waterway to a healthy estuary.

On Oct. 15, LA County Public Works maintenance crews began spraying a natural, water-based and biodegradable deodorizer in the channel to neutralize the odor. The community should expect a noticeable reduction in the smell within 3-5 days.

A bubbler system is being installed today to inject millions of tiny oxygen bubbles into the water to increase the levels of dissolved oxygen and prevent the creation of additional hydrogen sulfide gas.

25 October 21-27, 2021

City Funds Visibility Campaign To Combat Anti-Asian Hate, Spur Economic Activity 300 Banners Installed in SOMA Pilipinas for Filipino-American History Month What: 300 New SOMA Pilipinas Banners Installed in the South of Market, SF Where: Throughout Filipino Cultural Heritage District- Market to Brannan, 2nd to 11th St When: UNDSCVRD Oct 16 along Mission Street (Kapwa Garden, 967 Mission Street) Who: Banners feature Residents, Artists, Small Businesses, Community Workers, and Families of the Filipino Cultural Heritage District Why: SOMA Pilipinas aims to highlight the diversity of its community and celebrate their strength amidst the pandemic and spike of anti-Asian hate “Our community was hit hard by the pandemic. A disproportionate number of Filipino nurses lost their lives and many of us lost loved ones. In SOMA, many residents lost their jobs and small businesses closed down. On top of all this, our elderly fear for their safety amidst the anti-Asian assaults in our City” says Raquel Redondiez, Director of SOMA Pilipinas. “This Filipino-American History Month, we wanted to recognize our community heroes-- residents, artists, and small businesses who continued to shine with the bayanihan (mutual support) spirit despite so many challenges. The banners are a declaration that we’re still here, and we will continue to build our cultural district towards an

businesses and develop the Mission corridor as a visible cultural and commercial corridor for the Filipino Cultural Heritage District.

The banners feature a collage of residents, artists, and small businesses framed by the iconic sun of the SOMA Pilipinas logo and brand. “SOMA Pilipinas is not defined by bounding streets, but by a sense of place that radiates a resilient joy and shared determination. It is a district where the sun continues to rise, a living celebration of community, its people, and their stories. SOMA Pilipinas shines in its own light,” says Julie Munsayac, Otherwise Graphic Design Lead for the Banners who also designed the first set of SOMA Pilipinas banners back in 2018.

Original photography on the banners and photos attached provided are by Nix Guirre, SOMA Pilipinas’ Program and Communications Coordinator.

The banners are supported by cultural district grants equitable economic recovery for all City.” generated from the City’s Hotel Tax through the Mayor’s “We’re excited that these banners are flying high Office of Housing and Community Development. While right in time for our UDSCVRD Culture Crawl this the hotel tax suffered an unprecedented decline with the Saturday, October 16, 12-6 pm. We’re bringing back pandemic, one-time grants were made available to help our formula of Filipino arts, culture, and small busiaddress COVID-specific impacts and to support econesses to jump-start economic recovery in our cultural nomic recovery especially within the hardest-hit commudistrict especially, along the Mission corridor,” says Desi nities of color as represented by the City’s nine cultural Danganan, Director of Kultivate Labs which has been districts. leading the effort to cultivate and support Filipino small

 COMMUNITY NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

26

Governor Newsom expands drought emergency statewide, urges Californians to redouble water conservation efforts

SACRAMENTO – Following the second driest year on record and with near record low storage in California’s largest reservoirs, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation extending the drought emergency statewide and further urging Californians to step up their water conservation efforts as the western U.S. faces a potential third dry year.

Bolstering conservation efforts, the proclamation enables the State Water Resources Control Board to ban

wasteful water practices, including the use of potable water for washing sidewalks and driveways, the governor said in a statement sent to Philippine News Today.

The Governor issued an executive order in July calling on Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15 percent compared to 2020 to protect water reserves and complement local conservation mandates. The Governor’s action comes as the Board reports that in August, California reduced urban water use by 5 percent compared to 2020.

“As the western U.S. faces a potential third year of drought, it’s critical that Californians across the state redouble our efforts to save water in every way possible,” said Governor Newsom. “With historic investments and urgent action, the state is moving to protect our communities, businesses and ecosystems from the immediate impacts of the drought emergency while building longterm water resilience to help the state meet the challenge of climate change impacts making droughts more common and more severe.”

The proclamation adds the eight counties not previously included in the drought state of emergency: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco and Ventura. In addition, the proclamation requires local water suppliers to implement water shortage contingency plans that are responsive to local conditions and prepare for the possibility of a third dry year.

Expanding the Save Our Water initiative, a critical resource during the last drought, California has launched robust water conservation public education campaigns in partnership with stakeholders, including public wa-

ter agencies. Statewide per capita residential water use declined 21 percent between 2013 and 2016 and as of 2020, the urban sector is using approximately 16 percent less on average statewide than in 2013. The Administration will continue to monitor the evolving drought conditions and evaluate all tools available to respond in real-time.

California is experiencing its worst drought since the late 1800s, as measured by both lack of precipitation and high temperatures. August 2021 was the driest and hottest August on record since reporting began and the water year that ended last month was the second driest on record. Today’s proclamation authorizes the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance and funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act to support the emergency response and delivery of drinking water and water for public health and safety.

The Governor’s California Comeback Plan invests $5.2 billion over three years to support immediate drought response and long-term water resilience, including $815 million for emergency drought relief projects to secure and expand water supplies, drought contingency planning and multi-benefit land repurposing projects; support for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities; Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation to improve water supply security and quality; and projects to support wildlife and habitat restoration efforts, among other nature-based solutions.

More information on the state’s response to the drought and informational resources available to the public are available at https://drought.ca.gov/.

40 Local Students across Northern and Central California to Receive Annual Better Together STEM Scholarships The PG&E Corporation Foundation Funding Scholarships Totaling $250,000 to Students Pursuing Higher Education in California

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that 40 students from hometowns across its service area will receive scholarships totaling $250,000 from the 2021 Better Together STEM Scholarship Program.

The PG&E Corporation Foundation (The Foundation) funds the scholarships. This year, The Foundation is funding 20 scholarships of $10,000 each and 20 scholarships of $2,500 each. The scholarships are given to students pursuing a degree in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. STEM education fosters ingenuity, creativity, and experimentation, leading to new ideas, innovations, and technological advancements that can have global impact.

Jose Ochoa of Mendota is attending the University of California, Berkeley.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the PG&E STEM Scholarship. Receiving this award encourages me to keep on persevering, making my family proud, and breaking boundaries.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated and inspiring to me. I hope to one day be able to do the same for the youth of the next generation,” said Ochoa.

Scholarship winner Amirlan “Amy” Erdenedalai of Alameda is a sophomore at the University of California, Irvine, pursing a degree in environmental engi-

neering. Erdenedalai hopes to work in the hydrology field to improve universal water quality and promote sustainability.

“When I first saw the email declaring that I was one of the scholarship recipients, I was beyond thrilled and filled with joy. I was practically dancing in line for my school ID. Thanks to PG&E’s extremely generous scholarship, I will be the first in my family to be studying and graduating from a college in the United States.

This scholarship has further motivated me to value my college education and granted me the power to make my dreams and goals a reality,” said Erdenedalai.

Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, demonstrated participation and leadership in school and community activities, and financial need.

“All of us at PG&E and The Foundation are focused on California’s future and supporting inclusive programs that assist the next generation of creators and innovators in STEM-based fields,” said Robert Kenney, PG&E Senior Vice President, Regulatory and External Affairs, and Chair of The PG&E Corporation Foundation Board of Directors.

Winners must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the entire 2021-2022 academic year and be seeking their first undergraduate degree at an ac-

credited four-year institution in California.

Supporting Local Scholars Since 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded more than $6.5 million to accomplished students based on a combined demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement. These charitable donations will come from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.

In addition to the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program, PG&E’s 10 employee resource groups (ERGs) and two engineering networking groups (ENGs) award scholarships to help offset the cost of higher education. The funds are raised totally through employee donations, employee fundraising events and Campaign for the Community, the company’s employee giving program. Since 1989, more than $5 million ERG scholarships have been received by thousands of recipients.

About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www. pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.

27 October 21-27, 2021

Upside...

(From Page 11)

invest in the future of Indigenous people and empower Tribal Nations to govern their own communities and make their own decisions. We must never forget the centuries-long campaign of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror wrought upon Native communities and Tribal Nations throughout our country. Today, we acknowledge the significant sacrifices made by Native peoples to this country — and recognize their many ongoing contributions to our Nation.

Cherie M. Querol Moreno is Executive Editor of Philippine News Today.

Offline

(From Page 13)

honorarium, didn’t she?

Unfortunately for him, he is in the same camp as Carlo J. Caparas, who Gloria Arroyo also made a national artist. Maybe before he steps down, Rodrigo Duterte will make Mocha Uson a national artist for stripping.

So while his local title has lost its meaning, Jose must be seething at Ressa because a Nobel is a Nobel is a Nobel. Her being the first Filipino to win the most prestigious of all prizes is icing on the cake.

In one of his writings, Jose even said that Ressa’s was a Peace prize, not one for Literature, ergo not as respected. The latter is what he has been salivating for for decades, perhaps because it carries a cash prize of $1 million. This is a ton of coin more than the measly P1 million a year he and Caparas and all the other national artists receive year after year.

In one of his newer writings, Jose said he deserved to be respected. To this, a former mutual friend of ours – the Palanca awardee is still my friend but is no longer his – said respect is earned and not demanded.

One print and broadcast journalist whom I have the highest respect for said another thing. He told the national artist that he had read a lot of his works and also read the writings of Ressa.

“She’s better than you,” he told Jose, adding that the dialogue in his novels were too wordy and unrealistic, or words to that effect.

Ouch.

With this column, I will no longer comment on National Artist F. Sionil Jose. I truly feel sorry for him. He should have aged like fine wine, but instead ended up like cheap vinegar. I may even revisit his popular La Solidaridad bookstore when I have the time and the inclination.

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12)

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PerryScope...

(From Page 12)

Meanwhile, uncovering the truth has become a top US national security priority, which one official described as the most difficult intelligence challenge they have ever faced. And because of geopolitical concerns, hard evidence has been elusive, making the Havana Syndrome a battleground for competing theories. But microwave energy weapons have emerged as the likely culprit. First of all, it’s invisible, silent, and portable, which can be moved anywhere.

It all began in 2015 when the US and Cuba re-established diplomatic relations. With its newly opened embassy, the US had started collecting intelligence and pushing back against Russian and Chinese spies. Cuba became the new geopolitical battleground.

It was then that the sounds began.

While the US is cautious not to accuse the Russians and Chinese of the microwave energy weapon attacks, these attacks began in Moscow in 1953, sixty-eight years ago! And the Russians privately admitted this, and justified it because they were simply jamming listening devices on the US embassy’s roof, as reported by the New York Times some 45 years ago: “The Russians have privately admitted to using microwaves, to counter the array of listening devices on the

[US embassy’s] roof.” Some people think they use microwaves to activate their own surveillance devices hidden in the embassy.

But that was during the Soviet communist era and today there is a new sheriff in Moscow disguised as a peaceful world leader. But make no mistake, once a communist, always a communist. So nothing much has changed between the US and Russia, which remains a totalitarian society today. They’re still geopolitical rivals, distrustful of each other.

The July 16, 2021 issue of The New Yorker, said: “Many American officials suspect that Russian operators and technology are responsible for the [Havana] syndrome, but quoted a senior Biden administration official as saying, ‘We have not yet determined intent or motive. We do not have a view on that yet.’” It also revealed that since Biden was elected president, the attacks have largely shifted to Vienna, with some two-dozen directed against American officials. In my opinion, I believe Biden should call the Havana Syndrome the greatest geopolitical issue in the world today. An attack on a US embassy is an attack on US sovereignty.

And this brings the Havana Syndrome to the forefront of US-Russia geopolitical rivalry. I believe that President Biden should make it a high priority foreign relations issue. He must act now!

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

On Distant Shore

(From Page 12)

is Sotto’s party.

The Pacquiao-Atienza ticket has candidates from five parties and three independents.

Four incumbent senators – Chiz Escudero, Migs Zubiri, Joel Villanueva and Dick Gordon are members of all three slates, while former Vice President Jojo Binay, former Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Win Gatchalian are in both the Robredo and Lacson tickets.

The De la Rosa-Go, Moreno-Ong and De Guzman-Castillo tickets have yet to complete their slates, and are almost certain to share some candidates from the three other coalitions.

Lost in all these “unity” coalition senatorial slates are clear-cut issues and agendas that used to define the electoral battles before the declaration of martial law in 1972. The members of the three coalitions that had announced their Senate slates represent opposing stands on many issues that affect the country and the people. There are progressives, moderates, rightists mixed in almost all three coalitions.

It is apparent that the choice of senatorial candidates and running mates is no longer based on their political beliefs or on their performance, but on the “winnability” of certain candidates and on what they can contribute to the overall objective of winning the presidency.

In the pre-1972 elections, the two major political parties chose their candidates, with the administration party fielding the sitting president in what is called the “equity of the incumbent” and if the president is not running for reelection, usually the next highest-ranking party member is chosen as the official presidential candidate in a convention. The opposition party holds its own convention where its official candidates are chosen.

It was much easier for the voters to decide whom to vote. If the party in power performed well during the president’s term, they reelected the president or the ruling party’s candidate. If they were not satisfied with the incumbent’s performance, they elected the opposition candidate.

Of course, there were voters who would cast their ballots blindly because of cash or consideration they got on Election Day. But generally, elections were won on performance or promise of performance.

The lack of clear-cut definition among the coalitions has resulted in the election of popular rather than competent officials, the rise of opportunists, and the emergence of political chameleons, politicians who change party affiliations for political exigency, in the same manner chameleons change their color to match the color of the background.

The instability of these political coalitions reflects, and contributes to, the instability of the country’s political system. Because these parties were formed primarily for the vested interests of its founders and leaders, they are devoid of ideology and platform of government.

The parties change stands on issues, and shift loyalties as often as political exigency demands.

Because they are based on the self-serving agenda of the leaders, parties tend to change platforms depending on what can win them votes at the time, or what can be advantageous to their own objectives. The needs of the people that they are supposed to serve are often overlooked. And because the members join the parties not because of the party’s ideals and principles, there is no loyalty on their part and they become political butterflies, moving from one party to another in the same manner that parties move from one coalition to another.

To paraphrase the late President Manuel L. Quezon, who said “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins,” these political chameleons say “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to myself begins.”

Immigrants Help

(From Page 14)

China. Many POGO do not pay income taxes. Chinese are allowed to enter the Philippines without visa restrictions.

Listen to Percy Lapid (or Lapid Fire) and Waldy Carbonell on You Tube and Facebook for details and more corruption in the government.

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 practices immigration law, bankruptcy and income tax preparation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www. crispinlozanolaw.com/

Diliman Way

(From Page 13)

lamentable! We should all be ashamed for what we have become.

The promises: I have listened to the presidential candidates, before and after filing their certificates of candidacy – from Senator Manny Pacquiao to Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Ping Lacson to Former Senator Bongbong Marcos, Vice-President Leni Robredo to Senator Bato dela Rosa. They made the same promises and motherhood statements like other Presidents before and now. They are all traditional politicians – without exception.

Who is a traditional politician? One who believes in the present system – that all our problems can be solved within the system. All candidates for President and Vice-President for the May 2022 elections are true believers of the current system. They are operating within the box – nobody is thinking outside the box. The box is dark.

It is good for the blind. In the kingdom of the blind – the one-eyed is king. No wonder we have Duterte and a chain of one-eyed kings and queens like Cory, Gloria, Erap, and Noynoy.

Need: If we must have a better life for ourselves and a country worthy for us, as a people – we need to change system. But before we can change the current system – we need a leader who thinks outside the box where there is light. With these as content of his thinking – revision of the Constitution which should be brief in form, broad in scope and clear in meaning; a political system that is federal in form with thirteen states and parliamentary system with a unicameral Parliament with only thirty-nine members, three from each state; a Prime Minister to be elected by the members of Parliament and who shall form a Cabinet composed of members of Parliament and exceptional individuals coming from outside of Parliament; a judicial system where all cases are finally decided within six months from the date of filing; a Supreme Court with only five members with jurisdiction on constitutionality, validity of treaties and death penalty only; an appeal system where cases from metropolitan courts can only be appealed to the regional trial courts; and original cases in the Regional Trial Courts can be appealed only to the Court of Appeals.

On the nature of the country and government – it should be lean and clean; a welfare state with those who have less in life should have more in law; nationalize all public utilities – on water, electric power, transportation, telecommunication; nationalize all schools to give free education from the elementary to colleges and universities; nationalize health services to provide free medical care; nationalize the manufacture of medicines and medical equipment; establish an automotive, air and marine industry; establish a nuclear arsenal as a deterrent not for purposes of aggression; acquire fast moving vessels armed with Exocet missiles; acquire a nuclear submarine armed with nuclear weapons; acquire the most modern aircrafts with the best fighting equipments; develop a mining industry for our uranium, titanium, deuterium, oil and gas; develop wind, solar and nuclear power to generate electricity; develop agriculture industry producing more rice, corn and high value crops and establish selfcontained agricultural communities with parks, medical services, transportation and telecommunication facilities; solve the illegal drug problem in a year; eradicate the graft and corruption problem in three years; terminate the political dynasty in six months; re-orient the military and police as well as the bureaucracy; reorganize the bureaucracy to be lean, clean, efficient based on meritocracy; change the school curriculum with three years of primary education on reading, writing and arithmetic coupled with value formation, development of character and integrity and immersion into love of country; have three years of high school with courses on humanities, skills training, history and always loaded with having the right values, love of God, country and people; two years preparatory law, three years preparatory medicine; abolition of the bar examinations and adopt a system where there are only two law schools in every state except the National Capital Region which should have four with strict government control and supervision that those who fail in fifty percent of the subjects during the first semester should not be allowed to continue to study law, those who fail in twenty-five per cent of his subjects in the second semester should also be out of law school and those who fail in ten per cent of his subjects in two consecutive semesters should be out of law school; the same standards should apply to all other courses, including the military and police academies.

The main offices of the military commands and police shall be dispersed throughout the country – Army in Cagayan de Or City where the military academy for the Army will be located; Navy in Puerto Princesa City where the Naval Academy will be located; Air Force in Lapu Lapu City where the Air Force Academy will be located, and the Police Headquarters shall be in Iloilo City where the Police Academy will be located; the curriculum of these academies should be loaded with courses on proper values, development of character and integrity, love of God, country and fellow human beings.

 HEALTH NEWS

October 21-27, 2021

28

WHO calls for better and fairer opportunities for physical activity to improve health GENEVA - WHO called on decision-makers across the health, sport, education and transport sectors to urgently scale up provision of more inclusive programmes and services and safer environments that promote physical activity in all communities.

The Organization’s new advocacy brief, Fair Play: Building a strong physical activity system for more active people, explains how this can happen.

“There is an urgent need to provide people with better opportunities to live active healthy lives. Today, the possibility for people to take part in physical activity is uneven and unfair. This inequity has only gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Deputy Director-General, “This is why WHO is stepping up actions with its partners around the world to tackle the key barriers impeding people from becoming more active and healthier.”

Up to 5 million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active, however, many live

in areas with little or no access to spaces where they can safely walk, run, cycle or engage in other physical activities. Where opportunities do exist, they may not have been developed to meet the needs for older adults or people with disabilities.

WHO statistics reveal that one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents, do not currently get enough physical activity. Women are less active than men, with an over 8% difference at the global level (32% men vs 23%, women). High income countries are more inactive (37%) compared with middle income (26%) and low-income countries (16%).

The Fair Play brief is being released during WHO’s final webinar in a series convened to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on sport and physical activity. The brief highlights the main challenges and opportunities of how countries can build forward a fairer physical activity and sports system, and calls for all partners to strengthen collaborations and support countries to scale actions on promoting

physical activity in all its form, for all ages and abilities.

Dr Fiona Bull, Head of the Physical Activity Unit, said that the brief “is informed by the insights and experiences, and in line with WHO policies. It provides clear messages to all who work to create a more active society on what we need to do. WHO is calling for industries, civil society and governments, as well as UN agencies to build a common vision for creating more active societies through sport, walking, cycling and playing.”

There are three key actions to help increase participation: (1) stronger partnerships across sectors to deliver effective programs, services and safe environments that engage and support everyone to be active; (2) stronger governance structures and regulations to ensure environments support safe physical activity and inclusive programs and sport; and (3) broader, deeper and innovative financing mechanisms to build sustainable strong system that can provide physical activity and sport for all ages and abilities.

Booster shot?

Heart of Hope

Do people need (is it safe) to be vaccinated against COVID-19? The almost 6.5 billion COVID-19 vaccines given have shown the vaccines are safe and effective. The massive global deaths are a compelling proof we all need the vaccines. Majority of COVID-19 deaths in the UnitPHILIP S. CHUA ed States, the Philippines, and other nations, were among those who refused the vaccines - “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

When dealing with a disease, like COVID-19, we must think like scientists and deal with evidence-based clinical data, and not listen to and be misled by ignorant civil rights agitators, spinesless self-serving politicians, or purveyors of dangerous misinformation in the social media. For our electrical problems at home, who would we believe, plumbers or electricians?

Riskier than Mount Everest Before making a choice, we must first be adequately informed of the facts, not myths, not lies, and be able to do the analysis and the math ourselves. For example: Around 750,000 in the United States have died from COVID-19 and about 7,900 died after receiving the vaccines (Many of them were not directly caused by the vaccine itself). So, which one is the more likely to kill people, COVID-19 or the vaccines?

More precisely, the risk of taking the vaccines is only a fraction of 1 percent (0.0105%), compared to the 10-20 percent risk of dying from COVID-19. Getting the vaccines is at least 90 times safer than getting COVID-19.

The risk from COVID-19 is said to be greater than the risk in climbing Mount Everest. Getting the vaccines is obviously the wiser/safer choice! A no-brainer, even for a 5th grader.

What we now know The scientific facts we know today about this novel COVID-19 (the deadliest pandemic in American history), which started in China in December 2019, are as follows: 1, Masking (covering both nose and mouth) and social distancing greatly reduce the transmission of the virus, which could also be spread in aerosol mode (virus flying in the air) and not only by droplet infection (breathing, talking, sneezing, shouting, coughing, sing-

ing). The trajectory could be 20 feet or more, depending on the airflow. The spread is greatly minimized with 6 feet of social distancing. Cloth masks, even the expensive designer ones, are not as protective as the KN95 masks.

2, Wearing a mask, even for hours does not cause harm. It is best to mask-up, do social distancing, and avoid crowds, even after a booster shot, until this pandemic is over.

3. Governors, judges, and others who are against a vaccine mandate or who mandated against social distancing or masking are doing a great disservice to the public. Their arrogant un-medical harmful advocacies have caused preventable miseries and countless deaths, some victims were children. Albeit not malicious, their reckless actions could lead to potential lawsuits. One person is enough to transmit a killer virus to millions.

How do you think did the one person in Wuhan infected

by SARS-CoV2 virus led to the 242 million cases and killed close to 5 million around the world, nearly 46 million cases and about 750,000 deaths in the United States alone? Indeed, one person can cause a pandemic within days in our shrunken world today where one could have breakfast in Las Vegas and dinner in Paris the same day.

4. The unvaccinated are at the greatest risk to get COVID-19. When infected, they have more severe symptoms and are 6 times more likely to die, compared to those who have been fully vaccinated, and especially to those with a booster. Trying to get infected in order to get natural immunity is insane. Remember the famous personalities who were against the vaccines and ended up getting infected and died? They regretted their previous dangerous advocacy, and before they died, they urged everyone to get vaccinated. They did not survive to benefit from natural immunity.

5. Natural immunity is not as good, not as stable and long lasting, compared to immunity from the vaccines.

Natural immunity (without vaccination) will NOT protect the unvaccinated from getting infected AGAIN by a newer variant! Those who recovered should still get vaccinated to get 2-tiered immunity, greater protection than those who had the two shots but did not get infected.

6. Vaccine effectiveness wanes after 6 months. Those vaccinated need the booster, which will “boost” their antibody titer 8-10 times higher. FDA says mix-and-match boosters are safe. Without the booster, they could still get breathrough COVID-19 infection, like the one that killed Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who had (?) the 2 shots.

7. Vaccines for children 5-11 are here. The new antiCOVID-19 pills will be a game changer. More are in the pipeline. Monoclonal antibodies have saved countless lives. Covid-19 vaccines and the Flu shot (for the winter’s twin-demic) may be given at the same time, just like children getting their multiple shots for school.

A deadly delay The COVID-19 pandemic is being prolonged by the 20 percent of Americans who refuse the vaccines. Their bodies are acting as a huge reservoir where the virus continuously replicate and mutate to more severe (and deadlier) strins. They will spread the virus around exponentially, possibly making it necessary someday for people to need annual COVID-19 vaccination, like the annual flu shot.

Medically speaking, only a federally-mandated COVID-19 vaccination (like children’s legal school vaccination requirements today) could fully eradicate this deadly virus. Vaccines ended Polio 65 years ago. Small Pox and various other infectious diseases are practically gone, thanks to vaccines. But abuse of freedom, political correctness, and cancel culture today are standing in the way. In a democracy, national societal interest and safety must always prevail over individual civil rights.

Think about this: Would you allow people who have active tuberculosis or any deadly infectious disease, who refuse treatment (as their constitutional right) to spread the disease and kill thousands? Would a federal mandate to compel these patients to get treatment to protect the public not justified?

A single individual is enough to perpetuate this pandemic. Why then allow the 20 percent (about 60 million) who refuse the vaccines to hold the majority (260.8 million) of Americans hostage, forcing the 80 percent to face a lingering nightmare and potential death, not to mention a national economic disaster, simply because the unvaccinated are wrongfully invoking the freedom of (a bad) choice that kills? Is this just? Any choice that endagers the lives of others is not the kind of freedom guaranteed by the Constituion.

How many thousands more deaths are we waiting for before we do the right thing?

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

29 October 21-27, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHAKING UP OUR LIFE

By TIM PEDROSA

LET US BE FEARLESS, LET US SHAKE UP OUR NORMAL ROUTINE AND DO SOMETHING DARING. Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to put us to the place we are meant to be. Living our best life does not always mean traveling a linear path. Sometimes we need to shake thing up along the way, throw the plan out the window and go in search of what truly makes us happy. Let us find our fit to discover a sense of purpose and chase down the dreams that mean the most to us. It is about passion. It is about truth and and most of all, it is about listening to our gut, our feeling or reaction based on an instinctive emotional response rather than considered thought. If we lack inspiration, shifting our scenery sometimes works. Changing our scenery does not have to mean traveling halfway around the world. It could also be as simple as changing where we live, taking a new route to work, or exploring a part of town we don’t usually go to. Inspiration will hit when we break up our routine. I have learned that what could move us could be as simple as being around animals, or growing plants, or as big as helping children in need. What we do in our free time is what we could do regularly. Our hobbies can tell us a lot about what really makes us happy. I have learned to stay flexible as we discover what we want from life. Our plan may change; it is important that we change with it. Sometimes things need shaking up. We got to test the limit. Sometimes a break from our routine is the very thing we need.

So when opportunity knocks, let us hurry up to answer the door. No one is going to hand us our dream like a gift, all wrapped up in a bow. Rarely is it that easy. Whether we are shifting gears to go after something new or persistently chasing down what we have always dreamed of, it is going to take grit, grind and a decent amount of hard work. So let us be determined and patient all the time. When we are stuck in a rut, it often feels like we need a big change like: a new job, a dream vacation, or a wildly different way healthier lifestyle. The problem with big changes in life is that they are usually terrifying, challenging, expensive and difficult. So we end up just sitting there in our boring rut, dreaming of a major life overhaul but actually managing to change nothing. Experts are pretty clear to give our big dreams, at least initially and start with small changes instead and warm up to a new life with lots of little actions that expand our horizons, increase our energy, spur our creativity, and provide valuable feedback about what habits and paths will actually work for us.

Above all let us be patient and focused to our goal. I have learned that what I like most about change is that it is a synonym for hope. If we are taking a risk , what we are really saying is that: we believe in tomorrow and will be part of it. Let us take control of what we can control. Incredible change happens in our life when we decide to take control of what we do have power over instead of craving control over what we do not have. If we are bored or in a rut or frustrated with the rat race, adding an entirely new activity can change our outlook, our routine and even our set of friends.

Motions of the Heart

T

he heart knows the reasons behind our actions and our intentions, and it possesses too our secrets. The deep senses of what our heart knows and the dictates to our mind it makes to translate ideas into actions are what I refer also as the motions of conscience. Our works display to others the immediate face value of who we are; however, whatever is visible is just half of the story, the heart possesses the other half of the matter. Our hearts know, we know, whether the good work that we did shows truly what is in our hearts; REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD otherwise, it knows also that it can just be a façade.

We may be mentioning here all in reference to the heart, but this is also in reference to conscience. Our conscience, the sense of the divine, the sense of God’s presence, the voice of God – as we have learned it from our catechism, helps or enlighten the motions and dictates of the heart. So, when we say, for instance, “God lives in our hearts,” it is a matter of reference only, for God is present in the whole person, and what actually professes that is the conscience in us. In this way, the heart and conscience can be inter-changeable in usage.

By conscience, the heart knows the good or bad before we actually translate an idea into action, for it already knows what character such idea possesses while we are still thinking about it. As a matter of fact, dear reader, you and I, know that by heart, we are either praying wholeheartedly or halfheartedly, or we are praying with some reservation avoiding to say we are praying with doubts. You and I, dear reader, know very well what our conscience suggests or commands. Hence, I want us to allow the Lord Jesus to govern and rule our hearts into its deepest recesses. Let us take a second look at the gospel passage of Jesus, Martha and Mary (Lk. 10:38-42). What both the sisters and us must learn from our Lord Jesus is that God must be the single focus of our heart, mind, and whole being: The One Thing Necessary – God. Both welcomed and received the Lord: Martha received the Lord into her home – the physical home – so, she has to be concerned with all the physical chores and duties of the hospitality; while Mary, her sister, received the Lord into her home – the spiritual one - the home of her heart; that is why, her concern was not so much on the fret of doing the physical service, but of the spiritual service of the Lord, which was listening.

Both served the Lord, and we can surely believe, both are loved by the Lord and were blessed by Him in ways best for each of them. To this effect, we are presented here two ways of reception and service of the Lord in one’s life; the first, the most immediate, direct, tangible, and with excitement is the Martha’s way.

The silent and hidden, maybe boring to worldly eyes and minds but wonderful to the heart, more action to interior faculties like the mind and heart compared to the exterior faculties like the hands at work, this is the way of Mary.

To both we may say, they have done nothing wrong. Indeed, for this is not about what is wrong or mistake or sinful; but what is of more value. Both are not committing sin or doing wrong: Martha was not sinning by doing all the chores for the reception of a guest; and Mary was not sinning in not helping her sister Martha while she sits at the feet of Jesus.

Rather, this lesson is about value; what could be of greatest value that matters to the heart and conscience. If what matters to the heart is the good; then, in that moment is the presence of The Greatest Good, the Lord Jesus Himself; so, He should be chosen as most important. If the conscience is about God; then, having the presence of Jesus should be a priority. We must learn, therefore, to be attentive to the motions of our heart and to the dictate of our conscience. We cannot take for granted the motions and actions of the heart when it is about God and anything that is important to Him. We cannot be deaf to the urgings of our conscience when it is about making God center and priority of life. Amen. You may find this article in my website, faithexpressions.org; view us too in YouTube, Faith Expressions, for other adult faith formation reflections.

Aflame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

31 October 21-27, 2021  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Special Vigan Royal Bibingka Special Vigan Royal Bibingka One of the most view recipe of OPC is the recipe of Royal Bibingka.

There were quite a lot of reactions on that post mostly feedback of good results and some clarification of the ingredients and cooking method. There were some readers also that are suggesting some improvements both alternative ingredients and cooking method. As I have mentioned in that post the Royal Bibingka is synonym to Christmas in Vigan. Since Christmas is approaching I decided to make another post on Vigan Royal Bibingka which is a special version. Some of my Ilocano readers will surely know that Royal Bibingka was made about the size of a large plate in the old days. The batter was from wet grinding the glutinous rice using a stone hand mill of which is called gallapong. Today dry starch or flour from glutinous rice are readily available even overseas. The bibingka was then baked in clay stove where hot charcoals can be placed under and over the clay pot. The Vigan Royal Bibingka has now evolved both in size and in cooking method they are now baked in gas or electric ovens the size of muffins.

On this special version of Vigan Royal Bibingka I substituted some ingredients from my original recipe. I now used thick coconut cream in can instead the original coconut powder. The reason I used the coconut powder on my earlier version was to have more concentration of coconut milk (using more coconut milk will substantially improve the taste) which was not possible with fresh coconut milk at that time since the recipe only needs a minimal quantity of liquid. With the availability of concentrated canned coconut cream/ milk now I replaced the coconut powder. I could have used the fresh pure coconut milk that is extracted by mechanical contraption at Metro Manila wet markets but that will wait till my next vacation. I also used egg yolks only instead of whole eggs, this has improved the richness beside the improvement of the color. Another twist I made was the use of fresh milk instead of canned evaporated milk for smoother consistency.

I now made the bibingka the size of muffins using silicon muffin moulds.

The only set back was I could not source the must ingredient, Star Pinoy margarine, although the margarine I used was more superior to the Star margarine the Pinoy aroma of the Pinoy margarine is an essential ingredient.

Ingredients: 2 cups glutinous rice flour 1 cup canned coconut cream 1/2 cup fresh milk 4 large egg yolks 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese 1/4 cup margarine Cooking procedure: In a big bowl place the glutinous rice flour and sugar. Whisk in the milk and coconut cream until runny batter is formed. Add in the egg yolks and continue to whisk until fully blended. Coat the muffin molds with margarine. Spoon the batter into the muffin molds, about 4 table spoon each mold. Arrange the silicon molds in a baking tray and cover with aluminium foil.

Bake in an oven at 350°F to 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Now remove cover of the now half cooked bibingka and top with cheese and sugar. Return aluminium covering and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes. Adjust baking time as necessary. Remove the aluminium covering during the final 10 minutes of baking. Brush with margarine at least twice in between.

When the cheese start change color remove from the oven and brush again with margarine. Let cool down, remove from mold and serve.

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Philippines named Asia’s best beach and dive destination for 2021

MAKATI CITY - The Philippines is again Asia’s leading beach destination and the region’s leading dive destination in Asia at the 28th World Travel Awards.

This was disclosed by the Department of Tourism which said it was the fifth time the country has been named Asia’s Leading Beach Destination.

This is also the third year in a row since 2019 that the Philippines has taken home the title for Asia’s Leading Dive Destination.

Tubbataha Reef in Palawan

Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat said the awards were a big boost to the agency’s efforts to keep the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination for foreign tourists as it awaits the resumption of international leisure travel to the country, consistent with its “More Fun Awaits” global campaign.

“We are elated that the country’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots have once again been cited as the best in Asia by the prestigious 2021 World Travel Awards,” she said. . “We share this recognition with our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and all Filipinos who have been helping us promote our country’s attractions, products, and culture,” RomuloPuyat added.

Some of the country’s top beach destinations, such as Boracay in Aklan, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, and El Nido and Amanpulo in Palawan, have already opened to domestic tourists and are ready to welcome foreign tourists once international borders reopen, the DOT said.

The World Travel Awards is one of the most prestigious travel awards in the world.

It aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

The tourism department continues to identify potential destinations that may be developed for dive tourism.

Among the country’s top diving spots are the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, Malapascua, and Moalboal in Cebu, Balicasag, Panglao, and Anda in Bohol, and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.

Anilao is open to domestic tourists from areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ as long as they have a negative RT-PCR test result, proof of reservation, valid ID, and medical clearance.

The DOT said only MGCQ destinations are allowed to accomodate recreational divers, with the exception of Anilao, which is under GCQ. “Based on Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving health and safety protocols only MGCQ destinations allowed to accomodate recreational divers. GCQ only Anilao is allowed. All are still subject to local government unit restrictions/issuances,” it said.

Infographics courtesy of Dive Philippines In Mindanao, DOT Region 10 Director Marie Elaine Salvaña-Unchuan recom-

Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce

Siargao Island

mended visiting the pristine dive spots in Camiguin and Balingoan, Talisayan, Medina, Magsaysay, and Gingoog in Misamis Oriental.

“I am very happy that we were given that citation. We have been pursuing dive tourism in Camiguin and Misamis Oriental and we are very happy to report that Region 10 has world-class dive sites,” she said.

Camiguin is set to open its shores to tourists this coming October 25.

The WTA aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

The Philippines is still in the running for the following World categories of the 28th World Travel Awards: ·World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021: Philippines ·World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021: Philippines ·World’s Leading Island Destination 2021: Siargao, Philippines ·World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021: Intramuros, Philippines ·World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Philippines, Department of Tourism Voting runs until midnight of October 25, 2021 via https://www.worldtravelawards. com.

October 21-27, 2021

32

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