Philippine News Today

1 November 11-17, 2021

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

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THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961

Vol. 61 No. 14 November 11-17, 2021

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

SARA EXITS DAVAO RACE, TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

May banner ex-President Arroyo’s Death penalty: Lakas party with Bongbong for VP ok for Pacquiao, no for Lacson

By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief

DAVAO CITY/MANILA – In a day of twists, withdrawals and speculations, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio dropped her reelection bid in Davao City in favor of her younger brother Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte but made supporters and the opposition hanging as she did not announce her next move amid the clamor for her to run for president. Page 9

Relaxed protocols may spur COVID resurgence in PHL

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

Page 9

Former Senator Marcos and Mayor Sara Duterte.

Global COVID-19 cases surpass 250 M, WHO eyes oral, nasal vaccines GENEVA/MANILA —Novel coronavirus infections have surpassed 250 million worldwide with over 5 million deaths as the World Health Organization (WHO) is looking forward to more oral and nasal vaccines to fight the deadly virus. Page 8

MANILA – No less than the Health department warned this week that the sharply falling COVID-19 cases of recent weeks could take a 180 degree turn if the public ignores the minimum public health standards.

By Claire Morales True

Sen. Pacquiao and Sen. Lacson

PASAY CITY – Senator and presidential aspirant Emmanuel Manny Pacquiao disclosed to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) that he The government eased re- supports the revival of Page 8 strictions in Metro Manila late last week, resulting in residents flooding parks and malls, often disregarding the social distancing protocol that is a key step in arresting the spread of Page 8 COLMA, California Twenty four Filipino World War II veterans are among the latest to receive the US Congressional Gold Medal awarded by the United States Congress.

The 24 honorees of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal were: Marcelo Acosta; Marciano AgVP Leni Robredo bunag Sr.; Balbino Page 10

Kin of 24 Filipino veterans get US Congress medal

Leni vows stop to contractualization

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda QUEZON CITY – Pursuing her campaign for the presidency, Vice President Maria Leonor Leni Robredo said she will end labor contractualization in case she wins in the elections.

Robredo said her stance on workers’ rights has not changed since her days as a la- Page 8

Senate fails again to nab Lao, Pharmally execs

Gen. Carlos named new chief of PNP VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

SPORTS

Guidelines for travel to the United States

John Lloyd Cruz joins GMA, teamup with Bea expected

FilAm Donaire girds for December bout in Carson

By A�y. Lozano

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 NATIONAL NEWS

November 11-17, 2021

2

Dionardo Carlos named new PNP chief MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has named Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos as the next chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) starting November 13.

Duterte signed Carlos’ appointment paper on November 10, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

“We confirm that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed today, November 10, 2021, the appointment of Dionardo Bernardo Carlos as the new Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), effective November 13, 2021,” Roque said.

Roque said the Palace is confident that Carlos could lead the police force.

“We are confident that Gen. Carlos will continue making the PNP a professional, capable and reform-oriented organization that we envision it to be. We wish Gen. Carlos all the best as the new PNP Chief,” he said.

Carlos will replace PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar who will bow out of the service on Nov. 13 upon reaching the manda-

tory retirement age of 56.

Prior to his new stint, Carlos served as the PNP chief of the Directorial Staff, the fourth highest position in the PNP. Carlos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, also became the PNP Director for Integrated Police Operations in Visayas and in Southern Luzon.

He also served as head of the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group, the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management, and the Directorate for Police Community Relations.

Carlos was also the former spokesperson of the PNP during the tenure of erstwhile police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año also confirmed the appointment of Carlos whom he described as “very professional police officer.”

“I have observed the way he performed, and I can say that he is capable of doing the job as next chief PNP, he went through the ladder,” he said in a statement.

Año said Duterte’s decision placing Carlos at the helm of the PNP is guided, as always, “by cautious consideration of a candidate’s seniority, merit, track record, and service reputation.”

“Lahat naman sila kasi ano magagaling talaga, may mga tinatawag tayo na magagandang service reputation, mga tinatawag natin na mga high caliber, pero ang tingin ko ang isa sa naging edge nya ay (They [candidates] are all really good, we what we called good service reputation, high caliber, but I think his edge is) seniority so, and you know that’s very important also because he will be working hand in hand with the Armed Forces,” he added.

He said he expects Carlos to hit the ground running and intensify efforts to counter illegal drugs, fight criminality, and end

the communist armed conflict in the country.

“We expect that he will set the highest standards for himself and the rest of the PNP orga- Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos nization on their performance and discipline especially on the goal of cleansing the police organization, leaving no room for scalawags,” Año said.

“We look forward with optimism that his leadership will bring about innovation and reform in the police organization in the fulfillment of the PNP’s duty to serve and protect the people, especially during the Covid-19 public health emergency,” he added.

Senate fails to arrest ex-DBM head, 2 Pharmally executives PASAY CITY — The Senate has ordered the arrest of former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao and two others in connection with its investigation into the controversial multibillion peso deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutials.

But the Senate reported it has failed so far to arrest Lao and Pharmally President Twinkle Dargani and Secretary Mohit Dargani.

Lao, a Davao city-based lawyer and former head of the Department of Budget and Management’s procurement service (PS-BDM), was cited in

contempt for snubbing the Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings on the government’s pandemic supply deals.

Lao was nowhere to be found in his address in Metro Manila just like the Darganis.

“We attempted to serve the arrest order for Atty. Lao in his known address in Metro Manila. But the residential condo was unoccupied and reported to be in another individual’s name,” Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Maj. Gen. Rene Samonte said.

Samonte said they will again try to serve the arrest order in Lao’s other ad-

dresses in the Visayas and Mindanao “within the next coming days” as well as the Darganis.

Lao skipped the past four hearings of the Blue Ribbon Committee. He stopped appearing after President Rodrigo Duterte barred Cabinet members from attending the inquiry.

But Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Richard Gordon said that Lao is not covered by the President’s order since he is no longer a government official.

The Senate has also failed to arrest Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. execu-

tives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani. Both are allegedly “in hiding.”

They were cited in contempt for refusing to submit documents subpoenaed by senators.

Another Pharmally official - Linconn Ong - has been detained in the Senate since September for allegedly lying and evading lawmakers’ questions.

The Senate is investigating PSDBM’s deal with Pharmally for the procurement of “overpriced” personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing kits.

Comelec poised to declare 205 ‘nuisance’ candidates MANILA — The Commission on Elections is poised to declare 205 aspirants for national posts as nuisance candidates for the May 9, 2022 elections.

“For the position of president, mayroon pong 82 na petitions na finile ang

Comelec (82 petitions were filed by Comelec), 15 for vice president, and 108 for those who filed for the position of senator,” said Director Elaiza SabileDavid of the Comelec’s Education and Information Department.

Sabile-David said the nuisance candidates will be removed from the list of people who can run in the elections.

According to Comelec, a nuisance candidate is someone who puts the election process in mockery, causes confusion among the voters, and who has clearly demonstrated that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for public office. The nuisance candidate’s

certificate of candidacy “may be denied due course or may be cancelled,” it added.

Based on Comelec’s tentative list of candidates, 97 registered their presidential candidacy, 28 are seeking the vice presidency, and 174 are pursuing a Senate seat.

A final list of candidates is expected before the year ends.

Comelec sets longer voting hours for 2022 polls Affidavits, SPA, Deed of Absolute Sale, Etc.

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MANILA — The voting period for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections will run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., an hour longer than the last general polls, the Commission on Elections announced.

Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo made the announcement in a House of Representatives committee hearing, confirming that the schedule has been approved by the poll body en banc.

However, he added voting precincts would likely not be closed on the dot, as they would still accommodate voters within 30 meters from the polling center.

“So we don’t expect it will end at 7

o’clock, but we will continue until all those inside or within 30 meters in front will be catered,” Casquejo said.

During the 2019 midterm elections, voting ran from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Comelec earlier said stretching the hours would be necessary for next year, as it will limit the number of people per precinct to ensure physical distancing amid coronavirus threats.

Late last month, the commission held a voting simulation to assess protocols and give the public a sneak peek of what to expect when they cast their votes next year.

3 November 11-17, 2021

 NATIONAL NEWS

Remain loyal to the Constitution, AFP officers CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., reminded all military personnel to remain loyal to the Constitution as it celebrated the 31st anniversary of the AFP Code of Conduct.

“It is our responsibility to uphold integrity and honor as we execute our mandated duty to serve the nation. We must always be reminded of our sworn duty and loyalty to the Constitution and its democratic institutions,” he said in a statement.

The AFP chief’s message was also read simultaneously by unit commanders nationwide followed by the reading of the renewal of Pledge of Allegiance

to the AFP Code of Conduct by officers and personnel.

“I urge everyone to continue to contribute and cooperate in maintaining a transparent and accountable Armed Forces, one that will help us realize our vision of becoming a source of national pride,” Faustino said.

All AFP Major Services, Unified Commands, units and offices nationwide joined the renewal of pledge through virtual teleconferencing in accordance with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health and safety protocols.

The AFP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) spearheaded the activities for the annual commemoration.

It also facilitated the OESPA Family Conference on the proper accomplishment of the Citizens Charter, in compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

The AFP Code of Conduct Day is one of the ways that continuously remind soldiers of the firm respect for law and its legal processes. It further reiterates to members the utmost degree of fidelity and good faith in public service.

The code serves as a framework on how officers and personnel ought to carry themselves with professionalism and transparency.

Since its implementation, it became a strong foundation for every AFP member to walk with the highest conduct of decorum and integrity.

Unemployment up in September due to extended MECQ percent from 8.1 percent in August.

Labor force participation also declined to 63.3 percent from 63.6 percent in the same period.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said these numbers led to an employment loss of 642,000.

“These results were expected as many parts of the country remained under stringent and blanket quarantines for most of the survey period. In particuMANILA – The unemployment rate lar, the modifi ed enhanced community in September slightly increased to 8.9 quarantine (MECQ) was extended in the National Capital Region (NCR) up to September 15,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Karl Kendrick Chua said.

Aside from the extended MECQ in September, weather disturbances particularly Typhoon Jolina affected some 30,000 hectares of agricultural land in regions of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas contributed to the employment losses in the said month.

NEDA added that some 414,000 jobs were created that tempered the net employment loss in September. Most of these jobs are in the wholesale and retail trade.

“Overall, the economy has generated 1.1 million employment above the pre-pandemic level. This signals the Philippines’ continuing recovery. We look forward to the expansion of the alert level and

granular lockdown system to the whole country to recover more jobs and livelihoods,” Chua added.

On the other hand, Chua is expecting better employment labor force numbers for October as the government started to ease quarantine measures in Metro Manila and some parts of the country.

Amid the call of the business sector to lower the alert level system in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Alert

Level 3 to Level 2, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said he supports the further reopening of the economy.

Lopez asked businesses to respect the announcement of maintaining NCR under Alert Level 3 and wait for another week before the alert level system will be lowered to Alert Level 2.

“By November 15, there is a high chance that we will be under Alert Level 2,” he said.

 METRO NEWS

November 11-17, 2021

Mayor Vico lauds Pasig barangay’s ‘Basura to Ayuda’ program

1ST ANNIVERSARY. Pasig City Mayor Vico So�o and Barangay San Antonio (BSA) chairman Raymond Lising flash the “One” sign represen�ng the first anniversary of BSA’s “Basura to Ayuda” program.

PASIG CITY – Mayor Vico Sotto lauded Barangay San Antonio (BSA) in Pasig City led by its chairman Raymond Lising for sustaining its “Basura to Ayuda” program which he said should be imitated by other barangays in the city.

“Napaka-gandang initiative ang ‘Basura to Ayuda’, sana ay ma-expand pa natin sa ibang mga barangay ng lungsod Pasig. Magandang ehemplo talaga ito ng Barangay San Antonio, sina Kap. Raymond Lising marami silang magagandang programa tulad nito na magandang gawin sa mga ibang barangay sa Pasig

(Basura to Ayuda is a very good initiative, hopefully we can expand it to other barangays in Pasig City. This is really a good example of Barangay San Antonio.

Chairman Raymond Lising and other village officials, they have many good programs like this that are good which should also be implemented in other barangays),” Sotto said.

“Congratulations, Barangay San Antonio at sa lahat ng partners nila dito sa ‘Basura to Ayuda program’ (and all partners of this ‘Basura to Ayuda program’).

Happy first anniversary!,” he added.

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Lising said they were flattered and honored by Sotto’s acknowledgment of their “trailblazing” project.

“Rest assured that we will continue this program as it has already been a habit for our kabarangays to segregate and recycle,” he said.

During the program’s anniversary, over 200 kilos of plastic waste have been collected by the BSA from residents.

Lising said they are very elated that it has been a habit for residents to recycle due to the “Basura to Ayuda” program which shows a whole-of-community approach to recycling.

This sustainable project of the barangay manifests the community’s commitment in protecting the environment, he added.

“I am very thankful to our kabarangays for taking part in this notable program. This is our barangay’s contribution in taking care of our environment” he said.

The “Basura to Ayuda” program of BSA also eased some burden on the part of garbage collectors as many residents now segregate their wastes. Before, it takes so much effort and time for garbage collectors to segregate the wastes of residents.

4

MMDA starts clearing Parañaque River’s ‘garbage island’ PARANAQUE CITY – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) vowed to remove the “garbage island” at the mouth of the Parañaque River as part of the agency’s flood control measures.

During the inspection of the desilting operations, MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said it would take about three to four months to eradicate the island, made up of about 26,000 cubic meters of garbage and silt.

He noted that shanties have already been constructed on the island and are used as a resting place by fishermen.

“If we don’t act on this, more structures will be built in the area. But the most alarming possibility is its effect on the water flow along the river and the waste will be very toxic to the community and surrounding waters,” Abalos said.

He asked the public to help in the cleanup and maintenance of Metro Manila by disposing of their garbage responsibly and reporting clogged waterways.

“I call on everyone to report to the MMDA problems like this where there is a mass of garbage that needs to be addressed and removed immediately,” Abalos said.

5 November 11-17, 2021

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

Cebu City mayor: Get jab first, then drop face shield CEBU CITY – Acting Mayor Michael Rama said city residents who are calling on the government to revoke the policy mandating the use of face shields in public places or transportation should get themselves vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a radio interview, Rama said he supports the executive order issued by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia limiting the use of face masks to crowded and enclosed areas.

Rama, as PNA reported, said the people should show their sincerity in cooperating with the government in its effort to reach the desired population protection before the end of the year by submitting themselves to vaccination.

“Even Pope Francis described being vaccinated as an act of love. To avoid transmitting the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and to avoid being infected and to make the virus to totally surrender because we will have this so-called herd immunity, then be vaccinated,” Rama

said in a mix of Cebuano and English. and barangay peace and security officers (BPSO) will The acting mayor also said the downtrend in Cov- also step up the apprehension of health protocol violaid-19 cases here should not become a reason for the resi- tors. dents to relax, instead, they should work with the city government and police to sustain the gains in the fight against the disease.

Rama’s remarks came as Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) deputy director for operations, Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, said despite the drop in the number of cases here, the minimum health protocols will still be strictly enforced down to the sub-villages (purok) through an enhanced roving patrol system by barangay peace officers.

In a presser on Tuesday, Parilla said cops assigned at the around 40 barangay control points will be designated as team leaders for village watchmen in the conduct of foot patrols down in the purok.

Apart from strictly implementing a liquor ban or drinking in public places, Parilla said the patrolling cops

Legazpi City radio station shut down, owner cries politics LEGAZPI CITY – Zagitsit News FM, a local radio station, has been padlocked for alleged lack of franchise and permit to operation.

Hermogenes Alegre, station owner, decried the closure order on the media network, claiming it was a political move.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Bicol served on Monday a cease and desist order (CDO) on the station’s operation allegedly due to an expired temporary permit, absence of a transmitter link license, and violation of the terms and conditions of its provisional authority.

The NTC order was in compliance with a directive

from the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises which also required the commission to explain why it has been allowing Zagitsit News FM -- which business permit is under the name of Hermogenes Alegre Jr. -- to use one of the frequencies assigned by the Hypersonic Broadcasting Center Inc., (HBC), the franchise permit holder.

The closure order took effect on Monday and the station management was given until November 19 this year to file a motion for reconsideration.

“Politics was behind the closure on Monday of the Zagitsit News FM station here by the NTC for operating with an expired temporary permit,” Alegre said.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

November 11-17, 2021

19 airport, 33 seaport projects completed

Newly completed Port of Talibon project in Bohol

MANILA – Fifty two airport and seaport projects have been completed in the last three months under the government’s massive infrastructure “Build, Build, Build” program, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade.

In his report during President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘Talk to the People,’, Tugade said the DOTr, under the Duterte administration, has completed a total of 233 airport projects as of November 2021.

Tugade said the completed airport projects include the Bicol International Airport, Butuan Airport, Catarman Air-

port, Siquijor Airport, corporate building and second runway of the Mactan International Airport, General Santos International Airport, among others.

In the maritime sector, he said a total of 484 projects have so far been completed by the Duterte administration.

“For a period of barely three months, nakakumpleto ho tayo, Mr. President, ng (we have completed, Mr. President,) 33 seaport maritime projects,” Tugade said.

Some of the recently inaugurated seaport projects include Tagbilaran Port in Bohol, Port of Maribojoc, Port of Loon, Port of Talibon, Port of Ubay, Port of

Tapal, among others.

Next week, he said 11 seaport projects will be simultaneously inaugurated in a virtual ceremony in Calapan, Mindoro.

“Completed expansion and construction, ongoing construction pati ‘yung (including) procurement, 11 ho’ at gagawin natin ‘yung seremonya sabay-sabay, (we will hold a simultaneous virtual ceremony for 11 projects),” Tugade said.

One of these projects, he said, is Calapan Port’s new passenger terminal set to become the biggest passenger terminal in the country with a maximum passenger capacity of 3,500.

He noted that this will be immediately followed by the Zamboanga Port with an even bigger maximum passenger capacity of 4,000 concurrent passengers.

In the railway sector, he said a total of 451 kilometers (km) of railways have so far been built, a far cry from 77 km during the start of the Duterte administration.

“Bago ho matapos ang termino ninyo, hahabulin ko ho ‘yung 1,090 kilometers (Before your term ends, we will strive to reach 1,090 km),” Tugade told Duterte.

In the road transport sector, he showcased the recent rollout of the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) 10-year valid driver’s licenses for drivers with no infractions, the free and online comprehensive driver’s education program, and the PHP1 billion fuel subsidy for 136,000 public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers and operators.

29.8M Filipinos complete Covid-19 vax doses MANILA – The Philippines has already administered 64,947,366 doses of coronavirus vaccines, with 29,809,085 Filipinos fully protected against severe infection as of November 9.

The country’s average daily vaccination rate recorded in the past seven days has increased to 781,958 doses, compared to 459,876 doses the previous week.

National Task Force Against Covid chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., welcomed the arrival of 793,900 AstraZeneca doses donated by the German government, which brought

the country’s total received vaccines to 114,245,400 doses.

Galvez reiterated the need to address vaccine hesitancy among senior citizens.

“We need to concentrate our vaccination on the elderly. Right now, we have 59 percent of the coverage of the elderly. This month of November, we will try to push for 70 percent,” he said.

Galvez expressed optimism that the National Capital Region (NCR) will be able to vaccinate 100 percent of its eligible population before this year ends.

“Imagine ang first dose nila is 98 per-

cent then dumagadag pa ‘yung 1.2 million na mga bata na babakunahan nila so nakikita ko ang NCR, ‘yung honest to goodness [opinion] natin is makakaya niya (Imagine, they already administered 98 percent of their first dose with additional 1.2 million children to be vaccinated, so I see that in NCR, in my honest to goodness opinion, I think they will be able to hit it) by end of December,” he said.

The government targets to fully vaccinate at least 50 million and up to 70 million Filipinos by end of this year to achieve population protection against Covid-19

Nat’l Covid vaccination drive set Nov. 29-Dec. 1 MANILA – The government is set to hold a three-day national Covid-19 vaccination drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.

In his “Talk to the People.” Duterte said the simultaneous massive vaccination drive also coincides with the commemoration of the life of national hero Andres Bonifacio on Nov. 30.

“In this, we want to convey a message that every Filipino who get vaccinated-

-are heroes,” Duterte said.

National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer, Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., earlier said the eyed three-day vaccination program targets to increase the country’s average daily vaccination rate of at least 1 million doses to achieve population protection.

Galvez said the government, in partnership with the Philippine Medical Association and its allied medical groups

within the Rotary Club, will hold the inoculation “by mobilizing the NGOs (nongovernment organizations), government agencies, private sector, and the volunteers.”

He added the initiative aims to further accelerate and expand the country’s vaccination program, wherein some schools will be converted into vaccination sites for the event, likening it to holding elections.

6

Manila scraps use of face shield except in medical facilities MANILA – The city government of Manila led by Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso has scrapped the mandatory use of face shields in the city, except when in hospitals or medical facilities.

The lifting of the mandate is provided for under Mayor Domagoso’s Executive Order (EO) 42.

Some establishments, however, continued to require the wearing of face shields.

Bureau of Permits Director Levi Facundo, said that they have already communicated EO 42 to all malls and establishments in the city.

“As per the information relayed by mall managements, informed lahat ng (they have informed all) security guards on the implementation of the non-mandatory use of face shields inside the malls,” Facundo said.

Manila’s directive runs counter to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s pronouncement that local government units must wait for the final decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) regarding the removal of face shields as additional protection against Covid-19 infection.

He reminded mayors that they are still “under the control and supervision of the President in the executive branch of government” and the IATF-EID’s decision also reflects that of the Chief Executive.

Floods likely as shear line brings rains over parts of PHL

QUEZON CITY – The weather bureau has warned of possible flooding in some areas of the country as the shear line continues to bring rains.

In a bulletin on November 10, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the Visayas, Palawan, and the Caraga and Davao regions.

“Light to moderate, with at times heavy rains will be experienced over these areas, so flooding and landslides are possible,” PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said.

Light to moderate rains will also prevail over Cagayan Valley but this is due to the northeast monsoon affecting most of Luzon.

Estareja said the rest of Luzon will only have isolated rains.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas.

Gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of northern Luzon.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

Over Mindanao, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.

7 November 11-17, 2021

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

PNP gets 240 patrol cars, new vehicles worth P818 M

ENHANCED MOBILITY. New police vehicles are parked inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City before their blessing.

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) operational capability and visibility got a big boost with the acquisition of some 240 new vehicles worth P818 million.

During the blessing of the vehicles in

Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said the vehicles were procured by the PNP Bids and Awards Committee using funds from the Capability Enhancement Program 2021 with a total contract price of P818,175,

766.

The vehicles consist of 10 utility trucks, 13 shuttle buses, 90 4-wheel drive troop carriers, and 127 police patrol vehicles.

PNP acting director for logistics, Brig.

Gen. Ronaldo Olay, said the 10 utility trucks will be issued to the five Area Police Offices for North Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao, while the 13 shuttle buses will be distributed to the Police Regional Offices and the PNP Academy.

The troop carriers will be issued to Police Mobile Forces and Municipal Police Stations with rugged and mountainous terrain, while the 127 patrol vehicles will be distributed to police stations, Olay said.

PNP spokesperson, Col. Roderick Alba, said the police force is currently maintaining a fleet of 20,000 ground mobile assets representing 53 percent of the required 37,000 units to fully support police operations nationwide.

Eleazar attended his last flag-raising ceremony as he is set to bow out of the service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on November 13.

During the ceremony, Eleazar, to-

gether with National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chairperson Vitaliano Aguire II, Ateneo de Manila University School of Government (ASoG) dean, Dr. Ronald Mendoza; and Ptr. Cirilo Sazon of the Bless Our Cops Movement, Inc. (BOC), awarded scholarship certificates to eight personnel from different units of the PNP. The full scholarship grant was awarded to personnel after qualifying the stringent screening process to pursue the graduate degree of Master in Public Management under the PNP, ASoG, and Bless Our Cops Emerging Leaders Fellowship Grant which aims to develop the best and brightest of the PNP with the end to strengthen its leadership pipeline and build a cadre of ethical reform allies that will propel and sustain the institution towards good governance.

“I express my sincere appreciation to Ateneo de Manila University School of Government and Bless Our Cops Movement Inc. for extending this wonderful privilege and opportunity to police personnel and for the continuing support to PNP’s learning and growth program for the benefit of every member of the organization”, Eleazar said in his message.

PAF now has 16 new ‘Black Hawk’ helicopters

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The delivery of the 16 Polish-made S-70i “Black Hawk” combat utility helicopters in the country has been completed, according to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The PAF ordered 16 S-70i helicopters from Polish company PZL Mielec worth US$241 million (about P11.5 billion).

Col. Maynard Mariano, PAF spokesperson, said the last batch of five S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters were trans-

ported to the Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga on November 8. “(The last five S-70i helicopters), it was transported by an Antonov aircraft (An-124) that landed in Clark around 10:45 a.m. Again the (manufacturing) company is the PZL Mielec from Poland. (They are the company that has the license from the US) to build the ‘Black Hawk’,” Mariano said.

He added that they have started the technical inspection of the brand new aircraft before commissioning them into

service. to conduct various operations, including “Every time (there is a delivery of air humanitarian assistance and disaster reassets), it has to go through processes, so sponse missions. it has to go through acceptance, it has to go through the checking of all the systems (before we accept it),” Mariano added.

Mariano did not give a timeline on how long the inspection will take but said this involves a rigorous process.

“So if these items will not pass the tolerance in the given checklist and the test then it will not be accepted by the Air Force, (and we will have the) manufacturer come in or they have to bring the aircraft or equipment back to have it fixed,” he added.

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.

These helicopters will boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capability

 NATIONAL NEWS Global...

November 11-17, 2021

8

of infections in more than eight months, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 2,806,694.

The death toll rose to 44,567 with 46 new deaths as active case tally further dipped to 30,544 -- lower than Monday’s 32,077.

Tuesday’s new cases are lower than the 1,557 infections recorded on February 24 this year.

Another 2,941 new recoveries were also recorded, pushing the total tally to 2,731,583.

This developed as latest data showed daily COVID-19 cases has started to pick up again since mid-October, with some European countries reporting surges in daily figures.

WHO experts warned of potential outbreaks involving new variants of the coronavirus if the uptrend in infection cases continues.

WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the organization was looking forward to the “second generation” of COVID-19 vaccines, which could in-

clude nasal sprays and oral versions.

WHO has only given emergency use authorisation to 7 COVID-19 vaccines: those created by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, Sinovac and last week Bharat Biotech.

The new vaccines would be easier to deliver than injections and could even be self-administered.

There are129 different candidate vaccines that have got as far as clinical trials while 194 are in development stages.

Temporal Epidemiological Modeler for Early Detection of Diseases) added that in these scenarios, active cases may reach up to between 25,000 and nearly 30,000 by the end of this month, and more than 52,000 by mid-December.

The situation would be so much better if only the general public followed the basic health protocols, said the Health department. These include the continued wearing of face masks, practicing social protocols, and frequent washing of hands.

The department estimated that active cases were between four to five times higher by the end of this month and 16 to 20 times higher by mid-December compared to scenarios where the recommended health protocols were followed.

The government lowered the warning for Metro Manila from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 effective Nov. 5. This was

when the dam broke and people stepped out of their homes in large numbers.

It was noted that most of the main thoroughfares were almost as busy as the pre-pandemic days, while children were back in leisure places like malls and parks. By Sunday, Nov. 8, churches and other places of worship were again full for masses and other services.

The Philippine National Police had its hands full in apprehending and/or warning people who did not follow the usual protocols.

In Metro Manila alone, 97,635 were apprehended, while nationwide 144,295 were caught for the period Nov. 5 to 8.

The overwhelming majority were simply warned, while some 12,000 were meted fines.

Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire had warned at the start of this

week that “improvements in case trends should not result in complacency.” She added that local responses in all areas had to be strengthened “to hammer down daily cases.”

The public, she said, should avoid the 3Cs of closed, crowded and closed contact settings.

The DOH also warned that a new variant known as B.1.627.1 was detected in Pampanga, the first time it had been detected in the country.

The Health department said the new variant, formerly referred to as the Kappa variant, could still pose “a future risk.”

At worst, it could have a similar effect as the Delta variant, which caused a second wave of coronavirus infections earlier this year. At its worst, the Delta variant caused more infections than the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PDP-Laban presidential candidate pushing for the reimposition of death Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a former penalty in the country.

Philippine National Police chief, is also This as another presidential aspirant, convicted plunderers and drug traffickers.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, said he has withdrawn his authorship of a bill seeking the imposition of death penalty on individuals convicted of heinous crimes.

LAW OFFICE OF Lacson said he was having “second thoughts” on his stance regarding death penalty, a position that drew praise from the Catholic Church.

Speaking to CBCP secretary-general Bernardo Pantin, Pacquiao said he would & ASSOCIATES bat for reimposing capital punishment on those conditions.

“Itong corruption ay mas malala pa sa 3255 Wilshire Blvd. Ste# 1010 ating problema sa droga. Ito ang tunay na Los Angeles, CA 90010 nagpapahirap sa ating mga mahihirap. We Tel: (213) 388-9925 will punish them and give back their illFax: (213) 388-6080 gotten wealth to our people, “ Pacquiao said. ocampolawofc@yahoo.com But Pacquiao, as quoted by ABS-

CBN, assured he would push for wideranging reforms on law enforcement, prosecution, and the judiciary.

Lacson said he has sent a letter to the Senate’s Secretary requesting that “his bill, Senate Bill 27, no longer be considered for deliberation by the Senate panels concerned.”

“Mas mainam na ang guilty ikulong habang buhay sa halip na inosente maexecute dahil sa pagkakamali,” said the lawmaker who was once chief of the Philippine National Police.

Lacson said he changed his mind especially after watching the movie “The Life of David Gale”, which is about an advocate for death penalty elimination who was falsely accused of a crime and found himself on death row.

His running mate in the 2022 elections, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, has also changed his stance on the issue.

(From page 1)

In the Philippines, meanwhile, as cases continue to drop allowing reopening of businesses and relaxing travel rules and health protocols, vaccinated Filipinos reached 29,809,085 as thousands more vaccines arrive in the country.

At press time, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 1,409 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the lowest single-day number

Relaxed...

(From page 1)

the virus.

Children especially had been practically locked up in their homes since March of last year when the global coronavirus pandemic was first felt in the country. The minors were finally allowed to freely move around outside their homes this week.

A data analytics team from the Department of Health warned in a statement over the weekend that “an uptrend in active cases was observed in scenarios where there is increased mobility from 82 percent to 91 percent and a corresponding decrease in the compliance to minimum public health standards by 26 percent.”

The analytics team known as FASSSTER (Feasibilility Analytics of Syndromic Surveillance using Spatio-

Death...

(From page 1) death penalty but only for

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(From page 1) Leni... bor lawyer and as a lawmaker.

“Since congresswoman ako naging vocal ako on contractualization, saka strengthening ng security of tenure sa paniniwala na dapat ang manggagawa binibigyan siya ng seguridad na pag nagkaroon siya ng trabaho ay tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho,” Robredo explained.

She said the practice of “endo” is not right.

“Laganap kasi ang practice na ang employment hanggang 5 months lang, tapos papahingahin sila ng sandali tapos iha-hire na naman at a later time para nalulusutan ang required na pag-regularize... mali ito,” Robredo said.

The presidential aspirant made known her stand in a gathering of workers and officials of project development company Metro Stonerich Corporation.

She stressed worker’s rights to job security should be upheld.

At the same time, Robredo vowed to fill the gaps in the country’s COVID-19 response in her first 100 days in office if she becomes the next Philippine president, even as the pandemic lingers.

In a speech to the members of Rotary Club of Makati, Robredo said it is also important that elected leaders become accountable for the “sufferings and aspirations” of the Filipino people.

Robredo said as ABS-CBN reported how some health frontliners died amid the lack of personal protective equipment last year, and touted her office’s response to help students and workers affected by lockdowns.

“Reaching out, listening, and imagining ourselves in the shoes of the people we wish to serve. If we open our hearts to them and dig deep, we will arrive at the central revelation of our interconnectedness: Ganito pala ang hinihiling sa atin upang mabuhay sa mundo,” Robredo said.

9 November 11-17, 2021 Sara...

 NATIONAL NEWS (From page 1)

But allies of the feisty 43-year-old lawyer-mayor led by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda were clear in their expectations: Mayor Sara will run for president possibly under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as runningmate.

Mayor Duterte will have to beat the November 15 deadline for substitution set by the Commission on Elections to make official her presidential run to be able to succeed her father President Rodrigo Duterte and so too with Marcos.

Marcos’ party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), however, insisted that its presidential candidate Marcos will not slide down to the vice presidency which could mean it would be a MarcosDuterte slate, not Duterte-Marcos, in the May 9, 2022 elections. The final team of both groups would be known on or before November 15.

Presidential aspirants Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Moreno, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson downplayed Mayor Sara’s presidential run, adding they are not bothered by a possible Sara-Marcos teamup.

Robredo, for her part, said Mayor Sara’s candidacy for president will work to the advantage for the opposition.

This as presidential aspirant Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao met in Mala-

canang with President Rodrigo Duterte, a staunch ally turned critic, and Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, a candidate for VP of the PDP-Laban, reportedly to “renew friendship,” but speculations are that they could be cooking some political arrangement for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

Mayor Sara’s candidacy for president has long been expected as she continues to lead surveys in the presidential race. Her Hugpong ng Pagbabago leaders and supporters have set a caravan to the Comelec this week to dramatize their clamor for her to run for president.

“I think she will make a good president in the first place,” Salceda said, adding he expects her to file her CoC for president as a substitute candidate before the November 15 deadline for substitution of candidates before the Comelec.

Partido Federal Pilipinas (PFP) Secretary-General Thompson Lantion, however, dismissed the claims Rep. Salceda that Duterte-Carpio would run for the country’s top post, describing it as merely the lawmaker’s opinion.

A faction of PDP-Laban chaired by President Duterte which has Sen. Dela Rosa as presidential candidate with Sen. Go for vice president, meanwhile, said it is closely watching Duterte-Carpio’s moves since any decision to run for a national position in 2022 “will affect the political landscape.”

“PDP-Laban watches with keen interest the developments on Sara Duterte’s decision to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, especially considering the public support

she enjoys,” said Energy Secretary and PDP-Laban President Alfonso Cusi.

Salceda said he believes that vicepresidential aspirant and Senator Bong Go will withdraw his bid as the administration will be supporting a “singular candidate for president.”

In Antipolo City, Go already admitted a possible change in the political landscape and his possible withdrawal of his candidacy.

“I have been a candidate for vice president for 38 days but there will be changes in the candidates in the next hours. If I need to step aside, then I cannot do anything about it. The only thing I can promise is, even as an ordinary Filipino, I will continue providing service to the public,” he said in a speech before supporters.

The camp of presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos said they would “respect” Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s decision if she runs for higher office next

year.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ chief-of-staff, said it would be “very inappropriate” if they would comment anything about the issue.

“On Sara’s intention to vie for a national office, BBM says such idea deserves respect and any comment for or against it is very inappropriate,” Rodriguez said.

“In the meantime, let’s just all wait for what her decision would be,” he added.

Rodriguez reiterated that Marcos Jr. will not back down in his presidential bid. Any cases against his decision is “obviously a nuisance,” he claimed.

Earlier in the day, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) which Marcos Jr. chairs, said that the party and its leaders continue to believe in Marcos Jr. and that Duterte-Carpio could be a good running mate.

November 11-17, 2021

Kin...

(From page 1)

Anzano; Jose Aragon; Henry Arenas; Eugenio Baloca; John Bamont; Atanacio Bayan; Dick Bilyeu; Louis Gadduang Sr.; Pablo Gonzales; Andrew Huliganga; Cesar Lucero; Casiano Magdaluyo; Ramon Melgarejo; Silveno Mina; Felix Pabros Sr.; John Padua; Juanito Patalinghug Sr.; Marcial Peteros; Lucio Ragucos Rabe; Celestino Sabado; Pantaleon Sagun; and Gorgonio Salvador.

The medals were received by their relatives in ceremonies in Colma.

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer joined the awarding ceremony organized by the Bayanihan Equity Center (BEC) and the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Program (FilVetREP)—in commemoration of U.S. Veterans Day, and the 4th anniversary of the awarding of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. In his remarks, Ferrer said that the award received by the Filipino World War II veterans from the U.S. Congress “was a watershed moment almost eight decades in the making, when the heroism of more than 260,000 Filipino veterans was finally recognized with the highest civilian award the U.S. government can bestow.”

Consul General Ferrer told the surviving kin: “They may be your fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, brothers or uncles, but for the rest of us, they are our heroes. Their hardships and sacrifices paved the way for the peace and liberties that all of us enjoy today. Rest

assured that the legacy of your forebears will never be diminished nor forgotten by future generations of Filipinos and Filipino Americans.”

As the Philippines and the United States mark 75 years of diplomatic ties this year, Consul General Ferrer also recalled the contributions of Filipino veterans during the Second World War in the “strong Philippines-U.S. alliance that we continue to enjoy today.”

During the ceremony, Colma Mayor Dianne Colvin paid homage to the Filipino World War II veterans by issuing a proclamation, enjoining the citizens of Colma “to recognize the valor and devotion of the brave veterans.”

Consul General Ferrer echoed the call of BEC Executive Director Luisa Antonio for living Filipino War War II veterans as well as the surviving kin of those who have already passed on, to receive the bronze replicas of the medal.

Public Law No. 114-265, signed by U.S. President Barack Obama on 16 December 2016, legislated the conferment of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II veterans. The original medal, made of pure gold by the U.S. Mint, is currently housed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Since the first presentation of the medal in 2017, bronze replicas of the original medal have been received by mostly descendants of the Filipino veterans. To date, 541 Filipino veterans have been honored with the award in the State of California.

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer pays homage to the Filipino veterans of the Second World War in a speech during the United States Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Colma, California on 8 November 2021. (San Francisco PCG photo)

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer (third from right) joins one of the surviving kin of a Filipino World War II veteran during the United States Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony in Colma, California on 8 November 2021. Also in the photo are Bayanihan Equity Center Execu�ve Director Luisa Antonio (le�), Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army Mark Benton (third from le�), and Filipino-American Colma Councilmember Joanne Del Rosario (second from right). (San Francisco PCG photo)

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11 November 11-17, 2021

 OPINION Why care about Redistricting?

R

EDITORIAL

T

Graft, corruption, incompetence remain rampant in our homeland

he Duterte regime’s mishandling of the global pandemic continues with two potentially serious missteps looming on the horizon.

FilAms can ask their relatives and friends back home what they dislike most about the government’s response to the pandemic and most will say they do not understand why everyone but everyone is forced to wear face shields over and above the mandatory face masks.

The Philippines is said to be the only country in the world where the use of face shields is mandatory for all citizens. There is a reason for this. Face shields have never been proven to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. But don’t tell that to the government of our beloved motherland.

The face shields are little more than cheap plastic sheets worn over the face. They are not only uncomfortable, they also block the users’ vision, especially for those who wear glasses.

The ordinary citizen is also burdened by the fact that the face shields have to be purchased as they are rarely given free. And herein lies the rub.

A Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing has determined that the face shields are grossly overpriced, just as the face masks are sold at overly high costs tantamount to profiteering.

At the start of this week, the mayor of the Philippine capital of Manila declared that the use of face shields will no longer be mandatory except in hospitals. Now a presidential candidate, Isko Moreno issued an executive order, which the Duterte regime quickly declared as null and void.

Worst of all, the regime’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is reportedly mulling the possibility that goggles be used soon in place of the face shields.

This can only cause frustration on the populace, with some raising the possibility that the government still has an ample supply of face shields that need to be disposed of, after which another product will be ordered from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which then earns a huge profit. Again.

The Duterte regime’s highly questionable actions vis-à-vis the Chinese company that was awarded billions of pesos to deliver pandemic supplies without benefit of a public bidding is proof that graft and corruption is rampant at the highest levels of the government. So says the Blue Ribbon committee, which is expected to soon follow up its initial report with a final version that will show just how the president of the Philippines allowed his Chinese friends to make big money out of the pandemic.

Such is the sad state of the government in the waning months of the Duterte regime. It should be noted that the IATF is comprised of various Cabinet secretaries, few of whom are qualified to handle a deadly pandemic.

They are led by a retired general who has even less experience in handling the kind of health crisis the Philippines faces now.

Expect more financial scandals to emerge as corrupt government officials guarantee themselves golden parachutes, even as they push for the candidacy of whoever they know will allow them to continue their ways for another six years.

Upside

EDISTRICTING, the once-in-a-decade process of redrawing district lines based on US Census data, affects all residents of the United States, but its importance eludes many.

While the federal count rolled out like a media hurricane last year, 2020 redistricting ensues with little notice, leaving few aware of ongoing public hearings conducted by the State Redistricting Commission until Dec. 22. By then, information collected will determine if current district lines will be preserved or redrawn.

The final maps are due on the desk of the Secretary of CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO State on Dec. 27.

No one would know about the process in progress unless they log on to specific websites, particularly those of their elected officials, who were the traditional managers of redistricting until this century. For this reason, those concerned about the outcome of the process joined voices recently to call attention to how redistricting builds or breaks community empowerment.

Ethnic Media Services recently held a briefing shining the light on the big picture and the stakes at hand for California.

A State Redistricting Commission was convened, said demographer Paul Mitchell, among other tasks to avert manipulation favoring a party or a class – also known as “gerrymandering.” Its members applied and were screened for independence and awareness of issues. Five are Democrats, five Republicans, and four unaffiliated with either parties.

Two of 14 members of the current State Redistricting Commission attended the EMS briefing to send a resounding message: Representation matters.

“Redistricting is an esoteric idea, it’s not what moms sit around talking about on a regular basis, not the conversation you have at the water cooler or over coffee,” said Sara Sadhwani, state commission chair. The assistant political science professor at Pomona College said she was motivated to apply to the commission to, “at the very minimum….diversify the pool of candidates,” after reading an LA Times report on the “predominantly white and male” applicants for the then-upcoming countrywide activity.

“It’s such a fundamental component to ensuring responsive representation,” the social justice activist and mother of three reminded the media of their responsibility to spread the word.

She shared her earlier research finding “politicians who really don’t listen too much” to their constituents or “are self-interested for their own betterment, and yet we know communities in the ground have their needs.”

The Commission is in the midst of “visualizations” for a responsive state based on testimony from “communities of interest,” Sadhwani bared, and matching it with the current census data.

CA.gov defines “communities of interest as “a contiguous population that shares common social and economic interests that should be included(Continued on page 27)

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 OPINION

November 11-17, 2021

PerryScope

A

s book author, columnist and active Evangelist, I am delighted to know that members of the GOLDEN GATE CHJRCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California dubbed as “Golden Gate Saints” (living Saints) will be joining the Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, November 13, ART GABOT MADLAING 1-3 pm at 716-720 8th Avenue (walking distance from the Golden Gate Park) in San Francisco, California to get to know our neighbors in the community.

The Golden Gate congregation was invited to the Neighborhood 8th Avenue Block Party by the co-hosts Jim and Carol Aldrich through James Quitoriano, Minister of the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California.

In conjunction with the global My Angel Radio San Francisco live broadcast every Saturday, 11:00 am to 3 pm anchored by James Quitoriano at the studio inside the church building, many Golden Gate saints decided to join the Neighborhood 8th Avenue Block Party to reach out to the community and the immediate neighborhood.

It’s God’s providence that last Sunday, October 31, 2021, James Quitoriano, Minister, shared a timely message entitled “God Knows His Saints”. During the Sunday morning (11am) worship services. James Quitoriano mentioned that: 1. GOD KNOWS HIS SAINTS BY INDIVIDUAL NAMES (John 10:14, Galatians 2:20, 3:26-27, NKJV)) 2. GOD KNOWS HIS SAINTS BY OUR TRUE LOVE ( 1 Corinthians 8:3, Hebrews 6:10, 1 John 8:3,, NKJV); 3. GOD KNOWS HIS SAINTS BY OUR SEAL (Ephesians 1:13-14,NKJV).

The Apostle Paul called the early Christians as saints (living saints). In Romans 1:7, he wrote: “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” In Ephesians 1:1, Apostle Paul wrote: “To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus.” Also in Philippians 1:1, Apostle Paul wrote: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Finally, in Colossians 1:2, Apostle Paul wrote: “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, who are in Colosse.” I frequently address my brothers and sisters in Christ as “fellow saints at Golden Gate.”

Yours truly and fellow book author John Jeffrey will be attending the Neighborhood 8th Avenue Block Party on Saturday, November 13, 2021, 1-3pm at 716-720 8th Avenue in San Francisco, California. As part of the BOOKS MINISTRY, John Jeffrey will give autographed copies of his book “JESUS CHRIST” subtitled “The Final Days on Earth Before His Return to Heaven.” I will also be giving FREE autographed copies of my two latest books “LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY” (390 pages, Amazon price is $25.95 plus shipping and handling) subtitled “How to be Healthy Emotionaly, Financially, Physically, Sexually and Spiritually;” and “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.”

As book author and columnist, I cordially invite our readers and the general public to come visit and meet us during the Neighborhood 8th Avenue Block Party on Saturday, November 13, 2021, 1-3pm at 716-720 8th Avenue (near the Golden Gate Park) in San Francisco, California. Snacks and refreshments will be served. If you can come early by 11am, you can tour the My Angel Radio San Francisco studio inside the church building as our special guest. This is your chance and unique opportunity to greet and meet the two authors. You will have also opportunity to get your FREE autographed copies of the three books (more than $50 value) mentioned above. RSVP: Call (650)438-3531 or (415)5847095 or email:agmadlaing@hotmail.com WATCH “MY ANGEL RADIO” Every Saturday 11:00am Via Facebook Live and/or at http://www.myangelradio. com SEGMENT I –“Sisters Act @Golden Gate” with Rose de la Cruz, Deborah Quiniones Marcos, Virginia Jimenez Madlaing & other ladies; SEGMENT II – “READING FOR THE MASTER” with John Jeffrey, Wallace Patton and Art Gabot Madlaing and other men; SEGMENT III – “VOICE OF THE MILLENIALS” with young brother Kenneth Wilson, Mercyllena Talon Madlaing and other young people; SEGMENT IV – “The Gospel Warriors” with James Quitorano, Steven Prine, Bert Tupas, Marcus Dancer (Continue on page 27)

M

“Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day.

In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!”

- From A Psalm of Life

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“

ARTIAL LAW VICTIMS ASK COMELEC: DROP MARCOS” is the headline of the November 3, 2021 issue of a leading Manila daily.

The so-called martial law victims refer to individuals who were arrested or destined or tortured during the Marcos martial years. This is the noisy crowd which has been filing cases in court, HOMOBONO A. ADAZA here and abroad, In fact, they are not the only victims of the Marcos Martial Law (MML), all the people of this country are victims except – the Marcoses, their cronies, their relatives and friends, their civilian and military officials.

I, too, am a victim of martial law –detained in the Marcos political prisons of Camp Crame and Fort Bonifacio for eighteen months and eleven days, ranking as First Honor to genuine political Opposition figures like Senators Jose W. “Pepe” Diokno as Salutatorian for having been detained for twenty months and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. as Valedictorian as he was detained for six years.

Many people know I have not been bellyaching about being a victim of the martial law of Marcos or using it as a badge of honor whenever I move around or run for public office like other people do. In politics as in war, imprisonment is a part of the game - that is why I am not a claimant for damages against Marcos and his family.

BongBong candidacy: The “martial law victims” want BB Marcos to be disqualified to run for President in the May 2022 elections. Can he be disqualified? I maintain the view that – he cannot be disqualified. First, his conviction by the RTC of Quezon City was modified by the Court of Appeals – deleting imprisonment and substituting it to a fine. Second, there is nothing in the decision which disqualifies him to be candidate for public office or to hold public office. Third, he has been elected congressman, provincial governor, senator and even run for Vice-President and he was not disqualified in any position he was running for. Fourth, moral turpitude cannot be applied in his case because if it does disqualify him on this ground, then none among the popular candidates will be left because they too can be disqualified on the bases of moral turpitude. For what is moral turpitude? It is nothing but shameful, wicked and immoral conduct. Tell me who among the popular candidates for President is not assailable for conduct involving moral turpitude?

In brief, filing this case for disqualification is an exercise in futility. It is typical of the conduct of these “victims” of martial law and that of the incompetent Cory government that we have come to this point – the Marcoses riding the crest of wave, holding public offices and strutting around like peacocks as though they still own the country. What a national shame!

Remedy: What should these petitioners do so BB M does not get elected President? First, overwhelm mainstream and social media with propaganda detailing reasons showing he is unfit to be President. Second, produce pamphlets in all languages in the country showing the misdeeds of the Marcoses complete with pictures and undeniable details. Third, campaign all over the country against BB M. Fourth, see to it that PR Duteerte does not use the military, police, Comelec, teachers and other public officials to make a mockery of the elections.

That way, they can produce good results not only for themselves but more so – for the country and the people. This is the way to demolish BB M and his ilk.

Fault: Why is BB M and the other Marcoses still around and holding public offices. This (Continue on page 27)

Diliman Way

V

IRGINIA DEMOCRATIC gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe and his Republican rival Glenn Youngkin were neck-and-neck in a dead heat with five days left of the gubernatorial election last November 3. On Election Day, Youngkin won 50.9 to McAuliffe’s 48.4. What the heck happened?

PERRY DIAZ It all began on September 29 when McAuliffe said during a debate, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”

Whoa! What did he say? Yes, he said that and it turned out to be a 50-pound sinker that sunk his campaign into the murky depths of politics. Game over. Kaput!

And his Republican rival, who had avoided controversial subjects, quickly took notice of McAuliffe’s gaff and used the controversial line in campaign ads… and gee… it was so effective that it put McAuliffe on the defensive, never to recover again. And once CNN had projected Youngkin to win, he went on stage and in a Trump-like act – clapping his hands and pointing his fingers at the crowd – he buoyantly cheered the audience.

Lost opportunities Youngkin’s victory shook the Democratic Party so badly that it unleashed a tsunami from Democratic leaders in Washington DC. They vented their angst – nay, anger – at two maverick Democratic senators – Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema -- whom they blamed for their failure to pass the $1.75-trillion social safety net or Build Back Better proposal, which caused the legislators to be wary over a proposal to create a “billionaires tax.” Hey! What’s 15% of roughly 200 companies with more than $1 billion in profits? That’s loose change to the billionaires, right?

Had they passed the Build Back Better legislation it would have uplifted the Virginia voters who had ranked the economy as the top issue facing the commonwealth. Just imagine how Biden could have highlighted his economic agenda in bold strokes while campaigning for McAuliffe. But it never gained traction and it lost the opportunity that could have made a lot of voters happy.

But it was education policies that created a new front in a culture war as resentments over McAuliffe’s remarks, mask mandates, and anti-racism curriculum reached a boiling point.

McAuliffe’s remarks had caused a strong pushback from irate parents. And they directed their frustration at McAuliffe. But while I agree with the parents’ concerns, I was shocked at the speed at how the outrage had spread like wildfire across the country to every county school board in the country. Parents – who previously did not participate in school boards -- began running for school board seats to make their presence known so that they would see to it that school boards are there to educate, not to indoctrinate. However, by doing so, they run the risk of politicizing education. And that’s where the danger lies.

The school boards are no longer impartial and apolitical bodies of citizens who are driven to promote good citizenship, good education, and good behavior in the classrooms. Now, the landscape has changed dramatically. Parents are now involved in “political” stuff like race and critical race theory (CRT). They want to have a say in what is being taught to their children. And they started running for seats on the county school boards with a political agenda.

Critical Race Theory Suddenly, parents are awakened by the politicization of school boards. School boards have become political battlegrounds between conservative-leaning parents and progressive-leaning parents. The political battles have spread out into the communities with each side of the political divide holding protests and counter protests outside the school board meetings. Some of them even bring their children to these protests, which present an unhealthy environment of infighting within the communities. And pretty soon these protests would be divided along racial lines – whites vs. blacks. It’s going to turn ugly.

One of the issues during the election in Virginia is “critical race theory.” I searched the Internet looking for the right definition. And here is what I believe that describes it: “Critical race theory is a movement that chal- (Continue on page 27)

‘Martial law’ victims and ex-Senator Bongbong Marcos

Golden Gate Saints join neighborhood block party Health & Wealth

The politicization of education

12

13 November 11-17, 2021

 OPINION

Offline

E

very time people wear the plastic face shield when they go to indoor business establishments like shopping malls, they are reminded of Pharmally’s multi-billion-peso contracts awarded in haste by an official appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

It has been almost a year since Duterte mandated the wearing of face shields as an MANNY MOGATO added protection against the transmission of the coronavirus. No other country in the world had mandated the wearing of face shields, except the Philippines.

But there is really no scientific proof to show that the plastic face shields can block the transmission of the deadly virus.

In fact, an engineer had conducted simulations showing that the face shield could actually capture the dangerous virus and could increase the chances of a person getting infected.

In fact, the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases increased after the wearing of face shields was imposed in December. The number of cases in 2021 exceeded the number of cases last year.

It only goes to show that the plastic face shields are ineffective in giving added protection to the people.

Medical experts have found the face shields to be totally unnecessary. Even experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not recommended the wearing of face shields as a policy.

Last year, the government, through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PSDBM), bought more than two million face shields from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. for about P38 million, or roughly P19 per piece. On the streets, the face shields were sold at P10 per piece.

Nearly 500,000 face shields remained sitting in the government warehouses at the end of 2020, an indication that PSDBM had bought too many supplies.

This year, the government again bought face shields for health workers but the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee found out that Pharmally had tampered with manufacturing dates to make it appear the items were newly manufactured, even if some of them were soiled and substandard.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros presented an anonymous Pharmally warehouse staff who testified that they were ordered to change the manufacturing date of the face shields to make it appear the items were new.

An official from Pharmally admitted to the irregularities but later took back her testimony at a lower house hearing.

The Pharmally official who ordered the tampering has disappeared, and refused to cooperate with senators looking into the questionable transactions.

Pharmally got a total of nearly P11 billion in 15 contracts from three government agencies in 2020 and 2021. However when it was set up in 2019, it had a paid capital of only P625,000.

In June 2020, three months after it got its first medical supplies contract from PS-DBM, it was already awarded a whopping P8.5-billion deal, about 13 times its paid capital. This year, the company got an additional P2.3-billion contract from the Department of Health and another agency.

More than 55 percent of the P8.5-billion contract awarded to Pharmally were for three types of testing kits, and nearly 40 percent were personal protective equipment (PPEs). The surgical masks and face shields were only about 3 percent of the total contracts.

For a poorly capitalized company based in Davao City, there was so much windfall in just three months. It appeared the medical supplies sold by Pharmally were grossly overpriced.

For instance, the surgical masks were sold at P28 per piece when a local manufacturer sold them for only P13 a piece.

When costs of the surgical masks went down in late 2020, the local maker was forced to bring down the price to P2, losing hundreds of millions in investments.

Pharmally had delivered all of its 12.9 million surgical masks at P287.8 million, avoiding a potential loss from price cuts due to oversupply in the market.

Senators were not surprised at all after they learned the group of Chinese businessmen (Continue on page 27)

IN THE TRENCHES

T

he six serious candidates for the Philippine presidency should, by this time, have already assembled their campaign teams. In many ways, the personal popularity of a candidate is not enough to win as big a prize as a six-year term in Malacanang.

Leni Robredo, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Isko Moreno, BETING DOLOR Manny Pacquiao, Ping Lacson, and Bato dela Rosa may all want to be president, but conventional wisdom says that it will really be a one-on-one between two bets.

Most political analysts will say it’s a race between Robredo and Marcos Jr., but this need not be so. One only has to take a look back at the 2016 elections to see that the presidential race had candidates moving up and down the popularity charts.

This was also true in the past elections such as 2000.

Six years ago, it appeared like then vice president Jejomar Binay was a cinch to clinch the presidency. After all, he had been campaigning for the post almost as soon as he won the vice presidency in 2000.

As his popularity faded with revelations about his unexplained wealth, Grace Poe rose in the rankings. Her campaign was based on little more than her being the adoptive daughter of the late, great King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe, Jr. Sound familiar? Like Marcos Jr., she had little more to offer the electorate than her father’s name.

Towards the homestretch, however, the two leading candidates were Mar Roxas and eventual winner Rodrigo Duterte.

A sad last placer was Miriam Defensor Santiago, who was gunning for the presidency for a third time. She almost made it in her first attempt, but lost out to Fidel Ramos. She did not do as well in her second try, and her third try was truly pathetic to watch.

This could be a warning to Ping Lacson, who is also running for a third try at the presidency.

Go back further and recall that in 2000, billionaire Manny Villar was initially the favorite to win it all. But Benigno Aquino III skyrocketed to the top, helped partly by the massive support he received following the passing of his mother, the beloved President Cory Aquino.

So now we have five men and one woman all seeking to succeed Duterte. Oddly enough, Duterte’s bet is the weakest of the six presidential candidates, Senator Bato dela Rosa.

His chances of winning are about as close to zero as possible. Only massive cheating on a scale never before seen can do the trick for him. This is not to disparage dela Rosa, but he is a neophyte senator best known for crying whenever he receives bad news. He is also a co-accused with Duterte in the mass murder charges the president faces before the International Criminal Court.

What then are the chances of the “lesser” bets Moreno, Pacquiao and Lacson?

Between the three, it was the Manila mayor who made waves when he first announced that he was running for the country’s top elective post. But his campaign got off to a bad start after his campaign manager quit on him, his top senate bet Noli de Castro also backed off, and the young and popular mayor of Pasig Vico Sotto distanced himself from the former movie actor.

Worst of all, his candidacy is now being handled by a political operative of dubious reputation. Moreno’s attacks on Robredo while avoiding Marcos Jr and his other opponents has also cost him some supporters.

As for Pacquiao, his campaign appears to be aimed at the rural areas where his popularity is unquestioned. I know a key member of his inner campaign circle, and the guy is a true marketing genius.

Pacman’s campaign is based on his generosity, which is the stuff of legend. Long before he chose to run, he had been extremely generous to his followers. He has, in fact, donated 50,000 houses to followers nationwide, using a combination of his own personal funds and the pork barrel he is entitled to as senator.

That’s no typo. The number of mostly small core houses he has donated is about 50,000. That’s a lot of Filipino families he has made happy and who are now beholden to him.

Then there is candidate (Continue on page 27)

Face shields: Symbol of corruption in Duterte’s government

Is “crime involving moral turpitude,” like beauty, in the eye of the beholder?

T

he U.S. Congress made a conviction for a “crime involving moral turpitude” a ground for deportation. Immigration and Nationality Act, Sec. 237(a) (2)(A)(i) and (ii).

Similarly, the Philippine Batasang Pambansa (former National Assembly) made a “crime involving moral turpitude” a ground for disqualification to be a can- EMMANUEL SAMONTE TIPON didate for public office. B.P. 881, Omnibus Election Code, Sec. 12.

But the Honorable (not horrible, stupid) members of Congress or the Assembly did not define what constitutes a “crime involving moral turpitude” nor list the particular crimes that involved “moral turpitude.”

What then? Each court or adjudicator makes its own determination of what is a “crime involving moral turpitude”.

The practical effect is that what is a “crime involving moral turpitude,” like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

As a result, there have been a number of contradictory or inconsistent decisions by courts and administrative agencies, including within the same government agency.

An article “Why Deporting Immigrants for ‘Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude’ is now Unconstitutional” in The Free Library by Farlex says: “the statute authorizing removal of immigrants for “crimes involving moral turpitude” invites officials to base their prosecutorial choices on political or personal views. As a result, defense attorneys advising their clients on the immigration consequences of pleas have no basis for prediction.”

The article noted that Justice Jackson in his dissent in Jordan v De George, 341 U.S. 223 (1951), said that “moral turpitude will always fluctuate with differences in time, culture, and locality,” and that “lower court opinions applying moral turpitude rested not on consistent usage but rather on the “moral reactions of particular judges to particular offenses.” “The chief impression from the cases is the caprice of the judgments.” Jackson asked “How many aliens have been deported who would not have been had some other judge heard their cases, and vice versa, we may only guess. That is not government by law.” https://www.thefreelibrary.com/ WHY+DEPORTING+IMMIGRANTS+FOR+%22CRIME S+INVOLVING+MORAL+TURPITUDE%22+IS+NOW...

-a0559687163 WHAT IS A CIMT Since Congress has not defined “crime involving moral turpitude” (CIMT), the BIA and the federal courts have defined it as “conduct that shocks the public conscience and as being inherently base, vile, or depraved, contrary to the rules of morality and the duties owed between man and man, either one’s fellow man or society in general.” Hamdan v. INS, 98 F.3d 183, 185-86 (5th Cir. 1996), cited by Matter of SilvaTrevino, 24 I&N Dec. 687 (AG 2008).

Mary P. Holper wrote in a law review article “Deportation for a Sin: Why Moral Turpitude Is Void for Vagueness” that this provides no useful definition. Rather, this ground for deportation casts judges in the role of God.” It is obvious that this definition is as vague as the term being defined. What is “base, vile, or depraved” is still in the eye of the beholder.

The Philippine Supreme Court held that whether or not a crime involves moral turpitude is ultimately a question of fact and frequently depends on all the circumstances surrounding the violation of the statute. Dela Torre v. Comelec, 258 SCRA 483 (1996).

ISSUING CHECK WITH INSUFFICIENT FUNDS For instance, issuing a check with insufficient funds (passing a bad check) has been held by the Board of Immigration Appeals to be a CIMT in a number of cases, Matter of Zangwill, 18 I&N Dec. 22, 28 (BIA 1981; Matter of Balao, 20 I&N Dec. 449 (BIA 1992), but not a CIMT in other cases, Matter of Westman, 17 I&N Dec. 518 (BIA 1979), Matter of Bart 20 I&N Dec. 436 (BIA 1992). The Court of Appeals held that a California conviction of delivering or making a check with insufficient funds with intent to defraud was categorically a crime involving moral turpitude. Planes v Holder, No. 07– 70730 (9th Cir. 07 05 2011).

The Philippine Supreme (Continue on page 27)

What’s Up Attorney

Path to the presidency

 IMMIGRATIONS Guidelines for travel to the United States

B

eginning November 8, all U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and U.S. immigrants seeking to enter the United States by air will be required to show one of the following before boarding a flight to the United States: If you are fully vaccinated: Proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days before travel.

If you are NOT fully vaccinated: A negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.

Children under 2 years old do not need to test. There are also accommodations for people who have documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Learn more about these requirements.

Please refer to the CDC and U.S. Embassy websites for further details and guidance on the new requirement: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019The U.S. Embassy in Manila issued a update on the immigrant and nonimmigrant visa processing. As of November 3, 2021 the U.S. Consulate issued the following guidelines: “Routine visa services remain suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines continues to operate with reduced staffing.”

“As conditions surrounding the COVID-19 situation improve, the Embassy will provide additional services, culminating eventually in a complete resumption of routine visa services. The Embassy cannot predict when the resumption of full visa services or processing of a specific category of visa will occur.”

“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 nonimmigrant). Visa appointments and processing for B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) have resumed at significantly reduced levels.”

What happen to the filing fees of those who are waiting for visa appointment?

“We understand that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment. The Embassy will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule a visa appointment with the already-paid fee.”

What is the procedure if an expedite is necessary to obtain a nonimmigrant visa?

“NIV Expedite Appointment Requests: Expedite requests for emergency travel may be submitted via our website at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visaapply.asp. Please note that the applicant will need to book a regular appointment through our appointment system before requesting an expedited appointment through http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-expeditedappointment.asp.

How may applicants avail of the interview waiver program for nonimmigrant visa?

“NIV Interview Waiver: The interview waiver program has been expanded. Information is available at https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates/.

How may visa applicants request to reschedule their visa interview when the regular processing resume?

“Visa Scheduling: After we resume visa processing, which will be confirmed on our website at https:// ph.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-updates, applicants can reschedule the first available visa interview appointment slot by phone at (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223, or through our online appointment system at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/. There is no fee to change an appointment. After routine visa processing resumes, if you have difficulties rescheduling a pending consular appointment, you may send an email to support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com for specific guidance.”

Note: This is not a legal advice.

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

Bankruptcy Basics 1.

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

2.

If you are being sued by your creditors, most money judgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy.

3.

Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement.

4.

Chapter 7 will eliminate all unsecured debts. If you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts.

China may annex the Philippines 1.

China may annex the Philippines after the May 2022 election because of China’s ambition to control the West Philippine Sea and the important sea passage. When this happen, all of us including our children and grandchildren will become slaves of Communist China. We will have no more country. We need to unite in order to defeat the current administration and its allies running for President. 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/

November 11-17, 2021

14

PHL economy grows 7.1% in Q3 as recovery continues

MAKATI CITY – The Philippine economy expanded by 7.1 percent from July to September, among the highest thirdquarter growths in the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations and East Asian region amid the pandemic, boosting optimism about staging a strong recovery next year.

The third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) was higher compared to -11.6 percent in the same period in 2020, but lower than the 12 percent in the second quarter this year mainly driven by base effects. Year-to-date growth is currently at 4.9 percent.

“Our progress in the third quarter shows that the recovery is accelerating, and it is very likely that we will hit or even exceed the high-end of our growth target for 2021.

Of course, this entails everyone’s cooperation, it entails managing the risk better and moving forward towards Alert Level 1 by the end of the year or early 2022,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in a virtual press briefing.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said the country’s GDP should grow at 5.3 percent during the fourth quarter to hit the highend of the 4 to 5-percent growth target for this year, and about 1.7 percent to achieve the lower-end of the target.

Reading a joint statement of the government’s economic managers, Chua said

the economy expanded by 3.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter basis, indicating sustained recovery despite two weeks of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and a month of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the country’s economic centers.

To further sustain the country’s growth this year and next year, Chua said the government will further accelerate the vaccination program, reopen to Alert Level 1 in January 2022, and maximize the use of the 2021 budget.

As of Nov. 7, a total of 64.2 million vaccine doses have been rolled out. Of these, 34.7 million doses were administered as the first dose and 29.5 million were administered as the complete dose.

“So long as there is no unexpected new risk like a stronger variant or a global surge, then, I think we are clearly on track to a strong recovery,” he added.

Chua, chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said the country will also continuously monitor the global oil prices.

“As we are seeing now, the future prices are on the downtrend so our policy respond will also be based on whether this is a temporary or a more permanent increase in the oil price but so far, we are seeing it is a downtrend and our policies I think have been all been laid out to address the temporary increase in oil prices,” he added.

SMC’s Ang willing to sell Petron back to gov’t MANDALUYONG CITY – San Miguel Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang said he is open to sell Petron, the oil company subsidiary of SMC, back to the national government amid the successive price hikes.

During the House of Representatives ways and means committee hearing on the price monitoring of petroleum products, Ang told lawmakers he is willing to sell Petron, which was once state-owned and controlled, to the government at the market value of the firm.

‘Yung sina-suggest na bilhin ng gobyerno ‘yung Petron... anytime po puwede ko pa ipautang sa Philippine government, bilhin ninyo ito ng over five years to pay. I swear kung gusto ng gobyerno bilhin handa niyo na, sabihin niyo na, bebenta ko kaagad sa inyo.

Pagawan niyo na ng valuation immediately (Suggestions for the government to buy back Petron... anytime I could sell it to the Philippine government and they could pay for it within five years. I swear, if the government wants to buy it, just tell us, and I could sell it immediately to you.

You prepare now a valuation immediately),” Ang said.

During the same hearing, the panel created a technical working group (TWG) to craft a substitute bill reducing fuel excise taxes imposed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

The proposal will completely suspend

Ramon Ang excise taxes on diesel (from P6/liter) and kerosene (from P5/liter) from Dec. 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022, while reducing excise taxes on gasoline by as much as P3/ liter.

The TWG would also be tasked to differentiate rates between premium and unleaded gasoline, given the use of unleaded gasoline by the public transport sector.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the proposal will result in foregone revenues of P37.5 billion.

Committee chair Joey Salceda said this can be offset in part by increases in valueadded tax (VAT) collection due to higher prices.

The DOF also estimated that Salceda’s proposal could increase disposable incomes by 0.22 to 0.48 percent, increase consumption by around 0.2 percent, and reduce inflation by around 0.14 percent.

The TWG was also directed to mandate the DOF and Department of Energy

15 November 11-17, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

Janno Gibbs and Manilyn Reynes reunite in ‘Mang Jose’

“Mang Jose”, the superhero that Parokya ni Edgar created and introduced as a song back in 2005, will be seen first on Vivamax Plus this November! Now a superhero movie with a twist, “Mang Jose” joins other extraordinary films that Vivamax is known to deliver.

Janno Gibbs stars as Mang Jose who has a special ability of energy absorption and redirection.

People in need of saving call upon him. But the catch is, they must have some savings to be able to pay him thereafter. Mang Jose’s services can actually cost a few thousand bucks.

Now causing havoc in the city is King Ina, played by Janno’s former love team partner, Manilyn Reynes. When people drink the milk tea called Peace Tea, King Ina is able to control their minds and

make slaves out of them. King Ina’s army is called the Turborats.

When the Turborats abducted Tina (Bing Loyzaga), her son Tope (Mikoy Morales), a call center agent, hires Mang Jose to get her back safe and sound.

This rescue mission will most likely cost Tope a fortune, but the discovery that he and Mang Jose will make along the way is priceless.

The movie is full of fight and laughout-loud scenes. Mang Jose and his wacky sidekick Charlemagne (Jerald Napoles) promise to take the audience to an out of this world experience.

Janno and Jerald worked together in the recent 2020 MMFF International Film Festival entry Pakboys.

“Mang Jose” also serves as the big screen reunion of Janno and Manilyn after over two decades. The JannoLyn tandem was one of the biggest love teams in the ‘80s, so even if they play rivals in this comedy-fantasy film, avid fans will be delighted about this reunion project.

Bing Loyzaga’s participation in her husband’s movie is an added bonus. As for Mikoy Morales, it can be said that “Mang Jose” is the start of many big opportunities as he is named to join in an iconic superhero series very soon.

Directed by Rayn F. Brizuela, “Mang

Jose” was featured at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in South Korea last July. It was not the first time for director Brizuela to have his movie included in an international film festival. His first feature film, “Memory Channel” (2016) was in competition at the World Premiere Film Festival.

Experience first the power of “Mang Jose” on Vivamax Plus, the newest payper-view service of Viva starting Nov. 17, 2021 and catch it on Vivamax this Dec. 24. Go to web.vivamax.net or download the app and subscribe via Google Play Store, App Store or Huawei App Gallery.

PABATID NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG

Upang tumanggap ng mga pahayag tungkol sa pagsasaalang-alang at maaaring pagtanggap ng mga tagapamahalang distritong hangganan ng San Mateo County matapos ang 2020 Census.

Nobyembre 9 at 16 ika-9:30 nang umaga Para sa mas detalyadong kaalaman tungkol sa pagdinig na ito sa harap ng Lupon ng mga Tagapamahala, tumungo sa https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com.

 ENTERTAINMENT

November 11-17, 2021

16

John Lloyd Cruz happy to make TV comeback on GMA It’s official — very exciting times are ahead as John Lloyd Cruz makes his showbiz comeback through a special Kapuso series soon.

The multi-awarded actor, bankable leading man and top-caliber endorser is rightfully one of the biggest names in the industry. Aside from receiving multiple accolades from local and international-award giving bodies, he also has a stream of certified blockbuster movie hits to boot.

Earlier, John Lloyd signed a partnership agreement with GMA Network for his highly-anticipated program.

“Maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ng tahanan sa aming munting pamilya at programa. Napakalaking bagay ‘ho na nakahanap kami ng tahanan sa GMA. Sa lahat ng mga nagpaabot ng pagbati... sana talaga lahat tayo ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na magkatrabaho. Kung may time kayo sana madalaw ninyo kami sa aming programa. I-we-welcome namin kayo sa aming munt-

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ing pamilya,” said John Lloyd.

GMA Network executives showed their full support and excitement to John Lloyd via Zoom, video messages and their presence at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Films Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan, First Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie A. Magno, First Vice President and Head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia, First Vice President for Legal Affairs Atty. Lynn P. Delfin, First Vice President for Sales and Marketing Riza D. Garduque, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Produc-

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tions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Senior Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, GMAAC Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun S. Ferrer, Assistant Vice President for Program Management Mitzi Garcia, and GMAAC consultant Johnny Manahan.

Wacky Solutions, Inc. Director and Line Producer Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, CEO of Crown Artist Management, Inc. Rambo Nunez Ortega and COO of Crown Artist Management, Inc. Mikki Gonzalez were also present for the momentous occasion.

GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon expressed his delight over the partnership and hopes that the milestone deal paves way for more future projects, “John Lloyd is one of the most sought-after actors of his generation. That’s why I’m very happy he chose to partner with GMA for his TV comeback. I’m sure all our Kapuso viewers are excited to watch and support you as you begin a new season in your life. May we continue to work on more projects in the future.”

Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, on the other hand, shared his excitement over the actor’s showbiz comeback on the Kapuso Network, “We’re very grateful that John Lloyd is making his much-awaited comeback through GMA. No doubt, this partnership will open more opportunities for us to collaborate in the years to come. I wish you all the best in your career and congratulations!”

Gozon-Valdes is equally pleased to have John Lloyd be part of such an amazing project, “I’m delighted that John Lloyd will be working with us and not just as the lead actor of his show, but also as part of the creative team. We are excited to see more of what he can bring to

the table off-cam. These are indeed exciting times for us.”

Abacan also hopes to produce more shows with the talented actor, “We are happy on your TV comeback, John Lloyd. Finally, you’re now doing a show on GMA. We’re also very excited to have you as a Creative Consultant for this special project. I hope we can produce more shows with you.”

Meanwhile, Direk Bobot promises to do his best for GMA, “Nais ko lang magpasalamat sa GMA management. Nagpapasalamat yung buong team namin na binigyan niyo kami ng opportunity na makagawa ng programa dito. We will do our best na makagawa ng isang magandang programa para sa GMA.” Mr. Nunez, John Lloyd’s manager, expresses his excitement on the partnership, “The management is excited in many ways because this is a first between JLC, CAM and GMA. Just the idea of putting together a project that his fans have been waiting for is something that is really worth anticipating. We are looking forward to a fruitful relationship and help each other produce quality projects together.”

John Lloyd Cruz said he and Bea Alonzo would have the chance to tell new stories in GMA Network. “’Yun ’yung maganda, because I think kami ni Bea being here and, like I said, about meeting new creatives, meeting new creators, tingin ko napakagandang opportunity noon for Bea and I,” John Lloyd told GMA News Online in a virtual interview following his official signing with the Kapuso Network.

“We have an opportunity na to encounter new narratives, mga bagong storya, mga bagong kwento na hindi pa namin nagagawa,” he added.

The actor said he was “looking forward to that. Sana lang mainly mag-align ’yung aming schedule, ’yung aming stars.”

17 November 11-17, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

Sharon Cuneta joins ‘Ang Probinsiyano’ cast

It was an easy yes for Sharon Cuneta when she was offered a role in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” the country’s longest-running action-drama series that recently marked its historic sixth anniversary.

In a virtual press conference as reported by ABS-CBN itself, Cuneta said it was ABS-CBN COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes who reached out to her and said they would love for her to join the series led by Coco Martin.

“Ang dali lang. When Tita Cory sent me a text message, ‘We’d like to offer you a role in Probinsyano,’ yes agad. Nagka-Zoom kami na meeting and Coco pitched the story to me, ‘yung character ko. For me, it was a no-brainer. Sino ba naman ang ayaw maging part ng Probinsyano?” she

said.

“Oo agad. It was so easy for me na in spite of the lockdown, in spite of malalayo ako sa pamilya ko. My family is actually excited to see me on the show, buong household namin, pati mga kasambahay. Sobrang thrilled ako to be part of this,” she added.

Another reason why she immediately agreed to join the show is the fact that it was originally the work of Fernando Poe Jr., ABS-CBN reported.

“FPJ was my best, best friend in the business. I really wanted to be a part of this because Coco has maintained FPJ’s legacy and made it shine even brighter. I am grateful to Coco for that and Tita Susan (Roces) also.

This really belongs to FPJ and I am glad that I will be part of it as a tribute to him,” she added.

Since this would not be her firstever action project, can Kapamilya audiences expect action scenes from Cuneta in “Ang Probinsyano”?

“I think magkakaroon ng halo [ng drama and action] kasi tinanong ako ni Coco kanina kung gusto ko daw mag-action. Kasi I’ve worked with the big action stars from FPJ, to Rudy

Fernandez, to Bong Revilla, and of course Robin Padilla. But new image? Sorry, I am bringing you back Sharon na nakasanayan niyo pero mas older, wiser na. Napaka-complicated ng back story, di ba? Malalim ‘yung storya ng panggagalingan ng character ko.”

As she gears up to join the show’s locked in taping, Cuneta said her preparations are more of mental and physical.

“Ang tagal ko nang wala sa groove na meron kang routine every day, na itong oras na ito, gumigising ka… Ang paghahanda is more mental din kasi I will leave my family again a couple of weeks at a time. Hindi ko kaya ‘yung dire-diretsong three weeks to a month.

There are other things, lalo ngayon na we are gearing for a big challenge in our lives,” she said.

While excitement prevails, Cuneta shared there are also things that she is really nervous about.

“Ang nerbyos ko lang, paano kaya gumawa ng teleserye every day?

Sanay ako na movies eh. Iba siyempre, di ba? At ‘yung ang laki-laki ng papasukin kong teleserye kasi it’s been number one for six years.”

While Cuneta has been a Kapamilya for so long, “Ang Probinsyano”

will be her first-ever teleserye with ABS-CBN. When asked why this is so, she said she personally did not want to do any television series before because of its unforgiving schedule.

“Lagi kong inaayawan talaga dahil ‘yung mag-guest ako minsan sa ‘Maalaala,’ hindi ko kaya ‘yung parang morning to morning nagmememorya ka tapos paiiyakin ka or sisigaw ka kapag dramatic. ‘Yung tuloy-tuloy.

Para kang gumagawa ng pelikula na usually shinu-shoot mo between a month to six months depende sa director, tapos biglang ginagawa mo in three days. ‘Yun ang takot na takot ako sa teleserye,” she said.

Thankfully, she heard that the working hours on the set of “Ang Probinsyano” are very decent, that’s why she did not have apprehensions to do it.

“Everybody has to be at their best pagdating sa set. There is a 12-hour cut off for everyone. That’s amazing.

It’s a good example sa set. Because your performance also suffers. Kapag ‘yung teleserye walang konsiderasyon sa cast, magsa-suffer ‘yung teleserye mismo kasi everyone’s gonna look tired. Pero here, I hear talagang maayos,” she said.

 ENTERTAINMENT

November 11-17, 2021

18

Metro Manila filmfest returning to theaters next month?

After going digital for the first time in 2020 due to the pandemic, Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries will be shown in theaters this December as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve.

Reliable sources from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said preparations are ongoing for the film festival.

MMDA/MMFF Executive Committee Head Chairman Benhur Abalos has been pressing for the re-opening of the cinemas so the annula film festival will resume.

“If the downtrend of COVID-19 cases continues, expect the cinemas to open in increased capacity,” MMDA general manager Romando Artes said earlier.

“We are hoping that the situation will improve and that the MMFF will be shown exclusively on cinemas,” he added.

The release of the MMFF entries will be on the second week of November, it was gathered. from the MMDA official.

Earlier on, the MMDA/MMFF has helped vaccinate film industry members, production companies and our partner-theater operators to ensure the safety and welfare of our stakeholders, and attempt to restart our economy by pressing to the IATF (where MMDA is a part of) the reopening of the cinemas.

After careful and thorough deliberations with the IATF, the MMDA and the MMFF Execom upon consultation with the CEAP has been working for the gradual easing up of the restrictions and finally the November 10

gradual re-opening of the movie houses, PEP reported.

“With this partnership, we hope to expand the audience percentage by holiday season so that MMFF may reach more people and the Filipino Christmas experience will be complete by watching MMFF movies,” sources said.

MMDA/ MMFF Execom Chairman Benhur Abalos said as PEP reported” “We enjoin the public to be one with the entertainment industry and the other stakeholders including the MMFF beneficiaries who have been hardly hit by this pandemic to make this re-opening of the theaters and this year’s MMFF 2021 a success.”

It was gathered there are 19 finished film submissions for the filmfest and the selection committee shall be evaluating them in order to come up with the eight official entries which will be announced in the next two weeks, PEP reported.

It was reported that this year’s MMFF will not have the movies of Senator Bong Revilla, Vic Sotto, and Vice Ganda.

It was learned that Mudrasta starring Roderick Paulate and directed by Julius Alfonso could be an entry.

Another possible filmfest entry is Big Night of Christian Bables, and directed by Jun Robles Lana. Co-stars are John Arcilla, Eugene Domingo, Gina Alajar, Gina Pareño, Janice de Belen, Ricky Davao, Nico Antonio, Alan Paule, Soliman Cruz, Ogie Diaz, Martin del Rosario, Awra Briguela, Sue Padro, and Cedrick Juan.

Also expected is Ang Huling Baklang Birhen sa Balat-Lupa which is launching film of Teejay Marquez and directed by Joel Lamangan.

Another Joel Lamangan film is Deception with Claudine Barretto and Mark Anthony Fernandez

reunited for the moive.

The star-studded trilogy Huwag Kang Lalabas directed by Adolf Alix Jr. could also be an entry. In the case are Kim Chiu, Beauty Gonzalez, Aiko Melendez, Jameson Blake, Elizabeth Oropesa, Matet de Leon, and others.

Another possible entry is Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether The Weather Is Fine) with Daniel Padilla at Charo Santos.

A Hard Day with Dingdong Dantes and John Arcilla and directed by Lawrence Fajardo could also be an entry together with Ngayon Kaya starring Janine Gutierrez and Paulo Avelino and directed by Prime Cruz.

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 for the second half of October. Under this status, cinemas are allowed to reopen at 30% capacity to fully vaccinated individuals only.

OPM Multi-Artist Craig Abaya’s 2 Entries in the 64th Grammys OPM Multi-Artist Craig Abaya’s 2 Entries in the 64th Grammys This year, Grammy voters are presented with 2 works from OPM multiartist, Craig Abaya.

Although a majority of his music falls into the “rock” category, Abaya has been honored by Billboard Magazine with songwriting awards in multiple genres.

“Will I Walk on Water” is Abaya’s offering in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song category, where he delivers a compelling rock prayer; composing and playing all instruments and singing the lyrics he co-wrote with Jo Anne Lorenzana.

In the Best Music Video category, Craig offers the song “Regret,” where he shares his emotional response to betrayal. An accomplished filmmaker who has worked with some of the most famous artists in popular music, Craig filmed himself singing and playing the instruments. He wrote the words and music in a rock-blues-jazz fusion he calls “rock noir.”

Craig produces and engineers all of

his recordings in his home in the U.S. Both songs can be heard on Spotify, Apple Music, and other popular music services and their respective videos can be viewed on YouTube.

19 November 11-17, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

Philippines’ Cinderella Obeñita wins Miss Intercontinental 2021 crown Another Filipina has ruled a global beauty pageant.

She is Cinderella Obeñita who was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2021 in Egypt.

She is the second Filipina beauty queen to win the title.

She competed with 70 other candidates to make it to the Top 6 wherein she was also named Miss Intercontinental-Asia and Oceania for this year.

This is the second Miss Intercontinental title won by the Philippines following the win of Karen Gallman in 2018.

During the question-and-answer portion, the 25-yearold beauty queen was asked, “As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English is important for Miss Intercontinental? Why or why not?”

Her answer: “As an ambassador, I don’t think that speaking a specific language is very important here in Miss Intercontinental or any pageant at all.”

“As long as that woman is a woman of power and grace, commitment, and intelligence, no matter what language she speaks and that woman is actually a woman of style and substance then she can win any pageant or any endeavor that she is into,” Obeñita said.

“Also, it’s very important, I have learned here actually in Miss Intercontinental that a woman should be or should possess power of substance and I believe I am that woman because that is the essence of a modernday Miss Intercontinental, that we are living in a world wherein it’s very hard to survive. And as Miss Intercontinental, I would like to be that source of hope, that source of inspiration on the true power of beauty and that is felt on the kindness of our hearts and definitely on the sincerity of our loving actions.”

Miss Intercontinental runners-up are: first runner-up – Mexico; second runne

FilAm Olivia Rodrigo leads American Music Awards nominees Award-winning young Filipino American singer Olivia Rodrigo has something to celebrate again.

This as she leads the 2021 nominations for the American Music Awards with seven, according to organizers.

Rodrigo is up for some of the biggest awards of the night, including artist of the year and new artist of the year, the organizers announced.

Following the teen star are five-time AMA winner The Weeknd, who scored six nominations this year. He was also nominated for artist of the year, favorite music video and favorite pop song.

Bad Bunny, Doja Cat and Giveon each scored five nominations.

The event will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m.

EST/PST on ABC and stream next day on Hulu.

The list of nominees is as follows: ARTIST OF THE YEAR Ariana Grande BTS Drake Olivia Rodrigo Taylor Swift The Weeknd NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR 24kGoldn Giveon Masked Wolf Olivia Rodrigo The Kid LAROI COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR 24kGoldn ft. iann dior “Mood” Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez “DÁKITI” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy”

Doja Cat ft. SZA “Kiss Me More” Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon “Peaches” FAVORITE TRENDING SONG Erica Banks “Buss It” Måneskin “Beggin’” Megan Thee Stallion “Body” Olivia Rodrigo “drivers license” Popp Hunna “Adderall (Corvette Corvette)” FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) “Leave The Door Open” Cardi B “Up” Lil Nas X “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” Olivia Rodrigo “drivers license” The Weeknd “Save Your Tears” FAVORITE MALE POP ARTIST Drake Ed Sheeran Justin Bieber Lil Nas X The Weeknd FAVORITE FEMALE POP ARTIST Ariana Grande Doja Cat Dua Lipa Olivia Rodrigo Taylor Swift FAVORITE POP DUO OR GROUP AJR BTS Glass Animals Maroon 5 Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) FAVORITE POP ALBUM Ariana Grande “Positions” Dua Lipa “Future Nostalgia” Olivia Rodrigo “SOUR” Taylor Swift “evermore” The Kid LAROI “F*CK LOVE” FAVORITE POP SONG

BTS “Butter” Doja Cat ft. SZA “Kiss Me More” Dua Lipa “Levitating” Olivia Rodrigo “drivers license” The Weeknd & Ariana Grande “Save Your Tears (Remix)” FAVORITE MALE COUN-

TRY ARTIST Chris Stapleton Jason Aldean Luke Bryan Luke Combs *Morgan Wallen FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST Carrie Underwood Gabby Barrett

Kacey Musgraves Maren Morris Miranda Lambert FAVORITE COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP Dan + Shay Florida Georgia Line Lady A Old Dominion Zac Brown Band

FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM Chris Stapleton “Starting Over” Gabby Barrett “Goldmine” Lee Brice “Hey World” Luke Bryan “Born Here Live Here Die Here” *Morgan Wallen “Dangerous: The Double Album”

 REAL ESTATE

November 11-17, 2021

Recovery of office leasing in Cebu seen

CEBU CITY – The demand for office leasing in Cebu’s business districts is projected to significantly recover next year and sees sustained employment in the outsourcing industry.

“Moving forward, office leasing will be driven by companies based in the US and other major economies that continue to expand and outsource activities from hubs such as the Philippines,” said Joey Bondoc, Global realtor Colliers

International associate director for research.

Bondoc said Cebu will remain attractive due to its quality workforce, improving infrastructure, and relatively cheaper cost of living compared to Metro Manila.

“To sustain growth post-pandemic, companies in major economies are expected to continue outsourcing. We saw this after the global financial crisis.

Firms are likely to continue outsourcing to sustain growth beyond 2021,” the analyst said.

Maricris Joson, Colliers’ director for office services, said as the government is expected to further reopen the economy moving forward, most outsourcing companies will also start assigning their workers to the office set-up.

This will definitely drive demand for office space, she said.

Joson added that while office work among outsourcing employees is expected to make a comeback, the work-from-home and on-site hybrid is expected to stay in the industry.

Colliers cited office leasing enablers as the economy moves toward the end of 2021.

The government’s sustained and aggressive vaccination program is expected to help drive the sector beyond 2021 as more people go back to the office.

Colliers also noted the quickly improving infrastructure developments in Metro Cebu.

Some of these infrastructure projects include Cebu Monorail, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Metro Cebu Expressway, and the highly anticipated Cebu-Cordova Bridge, which is due for completion in 2022

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20

1.2 Millions Homeowners reached the maximum limit for loan forbearance Forbearance is when a mortgage servicer or lender allows a borrower to pause or reduce mortgage payments for a limited time while the homeowner regains financial footing.

Based on CoreLogic’s figures, the analysis reveals that borrowers in forbearance who are behind on their payments generally have a much higher unpaid principal and larger monthly payments, in addition to other telling trends.

While forbearance exit plans will not be one-size-fitsall, the analysis points to some workout options borrowers should be considering to avoid the hotly debated foreclosure wave. The first wave ended in September 2021.

The first wave of borrowers to exit forbearance will be the largest. These are the borrowers who entered a Covid-19 forbearance plan in April 2020, shortly after the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

Fortunately, with home price growth surging over the last two years, many borrowers have sufficient equity in their home. But once you are in forbearance getting a refinancing loan to lower your mortgage rate could be a challenge.

Typical equity of those in forbearance is over $120,000 after subtracting missed payments. And with the mortgage rate spread for non-payment borrowers averaging over 1 percentage point, many could benefit from rate modification. At the end, based on the exits so far, only about 16% of forbearance exits are without a loss mitigation plan in place.

The Covid hardship forbearance applies to all federally backed and federally sponsored mortgages, including HUD/ FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage loans. This includes most mortgages.

Homeowners with federally backed loans have the right to ask for and receive a forbearance period for up to 180 days—which means they can pause or reduce their mortgage payments for up to six months.

Additionally, borrowers can request an extension of forbearance for up to 180 additional days, for a total of 360 days.

If the mortgage is backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, borrowers can request up to two additional threemonth extensions, up to a maximum of 18 months of total forbearance. But to qualify, they must have received their initial forbearance on or before February 28.

If the mortgage is backed by HUD/FHA, USDA or the Department of Veterans Affairs, borrowers can request a similar amount of extensions, for up to a maximum of 18 months of total forbearance. A borrower must have received initial forbearance on or before June 30, 2020.

Other mortgages may also provide similar forbearance options. If homeowners are struggling with payments, servicers are generally required to discuss relief options, whether or not a loan is federally backed.

In the early days of the pandemic, homeowners reported trouble getting through to servicers by telephone. Now, many mortgage servicers have increased their capacity to respond to customers. Some servicers also have websites for borrowers to understand their options and request forbearance.

If you are out of forbearance and would like to refinance your loan, make sure you are getting a loan with minimal to no loan closing cost. You most likely have a limited amount of equity and to use it to buy down a rate just to save a few bucks might not be a smart move.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-508-7048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

21 November 11-17, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

Donaire says he’ll KO Gaballo in Carson bout next month Filipino American boxer Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. is all set for a mandated title defense against countryman Reymant Gaballo on December 11 in the United States.

“May the best man win. This is why boxing is a gentleman’s sport. You have two guys respecting each other but going after each other inside the ring,” said Donaire, a long-time resident of the San Francisco Bay area.

But it will be all business, Donaire

said, when he meets Gaballo in the boxing ring at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The reigning WBC bantamweight champion said that if he gets the chance, he will knock out Gaballo, the interim champion, because that is the way he has been wired.

Donaire (41-6, 27 KO) was supposed to face WBO bantamweight king John Riel Casimero in a title unification match, but was forced to pull

Yuka Saso

POC chief Tolentino thanks Yuka Saso for donning PHL colors

TAGAYTAY CITY – Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Representative Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino thanked Yuka Saso for having represented the country in major global competitions with a flourish and expressed belief that despite her decision to embrace Japanese citizenship, “she remains a Filipino by heart.”

“Still, she was born here in the Philippines so by heart she represents both,” said Tolentino the day after Saso told Japanese media that she will opt for her father’s nationality when she turns 22 in two years.

“I would like to thank her personally for representing our country for the past years,” Tolentino said. “Her personal business decision will help her develop more as a person and athlete … carrying a Japanese passport for every international tournament helps a lot, imagine no visa needed.”

Tolentino added: “Health care and social benefits, too, plus the big sponsorships from Japan.”

The Philippines lost a gem after reigning US Women’s Open champion Saso announced last week her decision to choose Japanese citizenship when she turns 22 on June 20, 2023.

Japanese laws allow its people with dual citizenship to choose their nationality when they turn 22.

Saso was born to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

“I chose Japan because of its nationality law,” Saso told Japanese media on Wednesday. “I have in my heart that I am both Japanese and Filipino no matter which one I choose.”

“I am full of gratitude for being able to play in Japan again,” said Saso, a twotime winner in the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour.

Saso won individual and team gold medals at the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games and represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics along with Bianca Pagdanganan and Juvic Pagunsan.

out when the trash talking went out of hand.

“Usually naman kahit magkaibigan kami ng makakalaban ko tulad ni (Jorge) Arce, ni (Carl) Frampton, todo talaga ang ibinigay namin.,” said Donaire in an interview on PlayItRight.

TV with Dyan Castillejo and Joaquin Henson. and reported by ABS-CBN. “For so many years habol talaga natin ang knockout, iyon ang inisip ko every single time. It’s very difficult to stay away from what you already know,” he said.

Donaire and Gaballo’s fight will be the main event of a Showtime triple header.

Gaballo (24-0, 20 KO) earned the mandatory shot at Donaire since he is the interim WBC bantamweight champion.

Donaire said he respects Gaballo because of his accomplishments in the ring, but the Filipino Flash said he’ll do what is required to retain his crown.

“Sa loob ng ring po walang personalan sa loob ng ring, it’s like you turn into a different person, walang kapatid, walang kaibigan. Parang robot on a mission lang po,” he said.

“I got the biggest respect for Reymart, being the future of Philippine boxing, pero ‘yung (ginagawa ko) sa loob ng ring is a habit I’ve created for years,” he added in the interview.

Donaire credited Sanman Promotions’ JC Mananquil for grooming Gaballo to be a respectful fighter.

“I just want to thank JC and Reymart for giving honor as a Filipino. It’s not about trash talking, it’s about appreciating what we have and may the best man win,” Donaire said.

“Dapat ganito ang mga Pilipino, nagrerespetuhan sa isa’t isa, hindi yung nagtatrash talk. Kasi sa loob ng ring gagawin namin lahat ng magagawa namin.”

This was not the case when Donaire was promoting his fight with another Filipino champion, WBO bantamweight king John Riel Casimero.

Donaire was supposed to face Casimero in a title unification match, but was forced to pull out when the trash talking went out of hand.

“Ang maibibigay ko lang talaga is big respect for Reymart. Nagpapasalamat ako na he’s a standup guy, and JC for making a fighter like Reymart.

Saludo ako sa inyo for creating a fighter that we can be proud of. Nandoon pa rin ang pusong Pilipino, hindi tayo Amerikano. Hindi tayo mahilig sa (trash talk),” Donaire said.

“May the best man win. This is why boxing is a gentleman’s sport. You have two guys respecting each other but going after each other inside the ring.”

QUEZON CITY — Basketball fans can expect to see more Filipino-foreigners in the next season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said interested Fil-foreigners will only need to have a Philippine passport for them to be eligible in the rookie draft.

Meanwhile, NorthPort continued its roster shuffle ahead of the PBA Governors’ Cup, this time acquiring Arth dela Cruz in a trade.

For the second straight day, the Batang Pier was on the trading block again, getting dela Cruz from Barangay Ginebra for Sidney Onwubere.

The PBA trade committee approved the deal.

The trade means a new lease on dela Cruz’s career as he never got to play for Ginebra during the Philippine Cup. Onwubere, on the other hand, was among those whose numbers improved for NorthPort also the last conference, averaging 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks a game in 13 outings.

Both teams somehow addressed their situation at the small forward position with the said trade, although the Batang

Pier previously got Arwind Santos in a Monday trade with the San Miguel Beermen for Vic Manuel.

“We will basically look at Fil-foreigners less stringently now. As long as they have Filipino blood and they can get their passport, they are able to come and play for us,” the league official said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.

“We will look at them with less rules to disqualify them,” he added.

The PBA chairman added that the league will increase the allowed number of Fil-foreigners per team from five to seven.

“In that way, we’ll make the PBA exciting,” Vargas said.

The PBA previously required Filforeigners to submit documents from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration to apply for the rookie draft.

This prevented several FilipinoAmericans including Jason Brickman from joining the last rookie draft as they were ruled ineligible.

“We’ll bring the world to the PBA just like the NBA but at the same time, (we’re) trying to balance it so that we’re able to give jobs to our (local) players,” Vargas said.

PBA relaxes eligibility rules on foreigners of Filipino descent

November 11-17, 2021

22

Q: What is reverse mortgage?

A: Reverse mortgage is when anyone sixty two or older who owns a significant equity from their home uses that equity to have a lender pay the rest of their monthly mortgage payments of their mortgage loan. The homeowner does not have to pay any of the money back to the lender making the payments unless they leave, or sell the home. As long as they live in the home the home is theirs and they are in no danger of foreclosure. Also, they must continue paying the property tax and the insurances and at the same time keep up the maintenance of the house.

This program was created in order for elderly who are receiving very little income cover their health costs but the money that they end up keeping every month as the lender pays for their home has no requirement as to where it is spent.

If the owners die then the amount of the money paid out by the lender plus any interests will be taken out of the estate.

What reverse mortgage is not is a sanctuary for people who are about to lose their homes to foreclosure or simply cannot afford to pay their homes anymore. It cannot save someone from defaulting on their homes. This is not what it is meant for.

A client called me one day who was fair aged and was asking that if she entered into reverse mortgage, will she have to keep paying her home? The answer is yes ideally if she qualified. But she did, not due to her age and size of equity.

Ating lesson, Pamamahay na di kayang bayaran, ito ay ibenta at palitan ng iyong kakayahan.

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We only provide Federal Trade Commission compliant programs. Go with Debt Aid Consulting!

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 COMMUNITY NEWS

November 11-17, 2021

24

Children 5 years and older now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

SAN FRANCISCO - Children and teens are catching and spreading COVID-19 at an increasingly high rate.

Even if your child or teen has not yet contracted COVID-19, they are at risk, especially with the low number of vaccinated residents in certain states and the fact that children make up one out of five new COVID-19 cases nationwide.

Children and teens in particular are back in school, seeing friends, and doing activities such as music lessons and

sports—which means the chances of them bringing COVID-19 home to you and the elders in your family are greater than they have been since the start of the pandemic.

If you want to worry less when your child gives grandma a hug or goes to visit auntie, here are some steps you can take to protect them and your entire family.

Get Your Child Vaccinated Now The best way to protect your child

Music Therapy for St. Jude set

LOS ANGELES - The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has partnered with MYX Global for a special livestream DJ event, Music Therapy for St. Jude.

During this two-weekend DJ Mix-athon, renowned DJs will come together on Twitch, an interactive livestreaming platform, to celebrate and raise awareness for the mission of St. Jude — to defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases — through the gift of music. #MusicTherapyForStJude is a DJ

Mix-a-thon produced by MYX Global for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Support @stjude on Nov. 13-14 and Dec. 4-5 with star DJs like @djicyice, @ nicoakablitz, @djkriscut, @djremark, @ djshowtime and more. Channel your love of music into helping St. Jude end childhood cancer. https://myx.global/stjude St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has helped push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.

from COVID-19 and all the potential complications — including spreading the disease to loved ones at home — is to get them vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. The COVID-19 vaccine is free, widely available, and highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Like most vaccines, some minor side effects may occur, such as a sore arm or slight fatigue, but the symptoms and long-term impact of contracting COVID-19 are much more serious. Ultimately, it is much safer for children and teens to get a COVID-19 vaccine than getting the disease itself, and being vaccinated reduces the risk of spreading the disease.

Practice Prevention If your child is not eligible to be vaccinated, you can still keep them safe from COVID-19 by practicing recommended prevention methods such as physical distancing when possible and continuing to wear a mask, especially in crowds or while indoors. Even people who have been vaccinated should wear a mask in crowds and public indoor places. Most children can safely and effectively wear face masks, so it’s important to remind

them that it keeps them and other people safe, and to set an example by wearing a mask too.

Encourage Adults in Your Child’s Life to Get Vaccinated Ensuring that those who spend time around your child are vaccinated helps keep an unvaccinated child from getting sick or spreading COVID-19 to other vulnerable people. Talk to the adults in your child’s life—grandparents, friends’ parents, and teachers—about getting vaccinated to protect themselves and your child.

Children and teens are just as susceptible to COVID-19 as adults, and they can spread the virus to others who are at even greater risk, such as the elders in your family. A growing number of children and teens have been hospitalized with COVID-19. Getting all eligible children and teens vaccinated and following simple prevention measures will protect them, your families, and friends, and get us one step closer to getting this pandemic under control.

For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www.vaccines.gov.

25 November 11-17, 2021

 COMMUNITY NEWS

Parents encouraged to vaccinate their children 5 to 11 years old

LOS ANGELES - Since March 2020, nearly 81,000 children 5 to 11 years old have tested positive for COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and nearly 400 children 5 to 11 were hospitalized. Of the 996 new cases reported today, 140 were among children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) encouraged parents to protect their children and prevent transmission of COVID-19 by getting everyone in their family vaccinated who is eligible. Now that Los An-

geles County vaccine providers are administering Pfizer vaccine to children 5 to 11 years old, anyone five years and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated.

Similar to making a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for adults and teens, parents can make an appointment for their children by using MyTurn.CA.gov or the County website at VaccinateLACounty. com and for more information about vaccinations. Also on VaccinateLACounty. com, is a list and a map that allows people to click to find a pediatric vaccination

site near them.

A network of over 800 providers countywide will offer vaccines to children between the ages of 5 and 11. All Public Health sites are offering Pfizer for children 5 to 11 years old along with many pharmacies and clinics. Some sites require appointments; walk-ins are welcome at the Public Health sites. Vaccines will also be offered at 480 school-based events with a focus on schools in highneed areas this month, and 172 County mobile vaccination teams are also offering vaccines to children.

Children getting vaccinated need to bring with them a consent form signed by an adult responsible for the child; the consent form can be signed by the adult at the vaccination site. At some vaccination sites, including those run by Public Health, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You do not need to show identification in order to get a vaccine, nor do you need to be a United States citizen to be vaccinated. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

At California Economic Summit, Governor Newsom Highlights Investments in Small Businesses, Climate Resilience and Equitable Economic Growth

MONTEREY -- Governor Gavin Newsom participated in a fireside chat at the 2021 California Economic Summit in Monterey, where he discussed his California Comeback Plan’s bold investments and initiatives to equitably grow California’s economy while also making the state more environmentally sustainable.

“California is leading the nation in job creation while exceeding our ambitious climate goals, showing what is possible when we reject the false choice between job creation and climate action,” said Governor Newsom. “As our economic gains in the clean economy continue to grow, we’re committed to ensuring all regions – from Siskiyou to Kern County to Los Angeles and beyond – reap the benefits of a cleaner, greener future with highquality jobs in sustainable industries.”

California has the most innovation, venture capital and small-business investment in the country and the state’s economic growth rate has outpaced the United States, Germany and Japan. The Governor today discussed the state’s nation-leading economic recovery from the pandemic and comprehensive recovery package tackling the most persistent The Governor par�cipates in a fireside chat at the 2021 California Economic Sumchallenges facing California. Creating mit in Monterey. Photos by Roby Behrens for California Forward. the largest small business relief program in the nation, the Governor has advanced $4 billion in direct grants to California’s transitioning to a clean economy under small businesses – on top of $6.2 bil- the California Comeback Plan’s $15 billion in tax relief and an additional $120 lion climate package – the largest such million for the California Competes Tax investment in state history. Supporting Credit grant program.

California’s nation-leading climate agenRecognizing the need for equitable da, the plan advances a $3.9 billion ininvestments in economic growth, the vestment to hit fast forward on the state’s state is focused on addressing the needs Zero-Emission Vehicle goals. Prioritizing of communities from all different back- equity, the package also includes $3.7 bilgrounds. The Governor provided Golden lion over three years to build resilience State Stimulus payments to low and mid- against the state’s multi-faceted climate dle class families for a total of $12 billion risks, including extreme heat, rising sea in stimulus checks – the biggest state tax levels, and environmental justice priorirebate in American history. He also ad- ties. California’s climate policies have vanced $5.2 billion to help low-income seen the state exceed its 2020 climate tarrenters pay 100 percent of their back- get four years ahead of schedule and crerent. In addition, the California Come- ate six times more clean jobs than fossil back Plan includes historic investments fuel jobs. in education, broadband access and afThe summit, now in its tenth year, is fordable housing to ensure communities sponsored by California Forward to conhave the support they need to roar back vene business, environmental and civic from the pandemic. leaders to highlight innovative solutions The Governor highlighted the state’s to promote equity, environmental sustaininvestments in climate resilience and ability and economic growth.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

November 11-17, 2021

26

High compliance noted with vaccine verification requirements at bars, lounges, and nightclubs 11 new deaths, 1,174 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) inspectors continue to visit businesses across the county every day to ensure compliance with required safety measures, including masking guidelines and vaccination verification; provide technical assistance; and respond to complaints of non-compliance.

Between October 30 and November 5, 93% of bars, 94% of nightclubs, and 100% of lounges inspected were in compliance with customer vaccination verification requirements.

Over the same time period, inspectors noted the overall majority of businesses were in compliance with safety requirements. However, only 68% of garment manufacturers, 67% of office sites, 80% of nightclubs, 82% of lounges, and 85% of bars were in compliance with employee masking.

From October 30 through November 5, a total of six citations were issued to businesses including gyms, schools, and a restaurant for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders. A list of non-compliant businesses that received citations can be found online. Violations of safety requirements and dangerous conditions can be reported anonymously to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth. lacounty.gov .

At press time, the Department of Public Health confirmed 11 new deaths and 1,174 new cases of COVID-19.

The number of deaths reported is an undercount due to a technical problem with reporting. Of the 11 new deaths reported today, three people who passed away were over the age of 80, three people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, four people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29.

To date, Public Health department has identified 1,504,843 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,762 deaths.

There are 630 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 27% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 9,180,000 individuals, with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.3%.

“I extend my sincere sympathy to everyone grieving the loss of a family member, friend, co-worker or loved one,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “I am grateful the majority of businesses are protecting their employees and customers by following masking and vaccination verification requirements. These high rates of compliance are a testament to collaborations among business operators, employees and customers to follow common sense safety precautions. The more people who are masking up and are vaccinated, the less likely an activity will result in viral transmission and the more likely we will save lives and move forward on our recovery journey.”

Anyone five years and older living or working in

L.A. County can get vaccinated. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

Vaccine providers across Los Angeles County are also administering booster doses for all three FDAapproved vaccines; Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. People eligible for boosters include adults of any age who received their first Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago, and people who got the second dose of their Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago and are 65-plus years old or are over 18 and live in long-term care settings, have underlying medical conditions, or work or live in high-risk settings.

To find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.

VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound.

COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

LA Public Health provides framework for lifting masking requirements

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has provided the framework for lifting masking requirements at events and indoor establishments.

For outdoor mega events involving more than 10,000 people, Public Health outlined that before masking requirements are lifted, all of the following criteria need to be met: L.A. County case rates must demonstrate three consecutive weeks at or below moderate transmission as defined by the CDC – that is, less than 50 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents; hospitalizations remain low and stable at or below 600 daily COVID hospitalizations for three consecutive weeks; 80% or more of county residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated; and there are no emerging reports of significantly circulating new variants of concern that threaten vaccine effectiveness.

For masking requirements to be lifted at indoor events or establishments involving fewer than 1,000

people, including indoor offices and worksites, sites three waves of vaccine supply by the end of this week; must have a vaccination verification process in place, the first pediatric doses are arriving today with addiand all employees and customers must be fully vaccinat- tional doses scheduled to arrive later this week. If the ed, accommodating with additional requirements those CDC approves pediatric vaccines today. employees with approved exemptions. Additionally, L.A. County metrics must meet all of the same standards as for lifting masking requirements at outdoor mega events.

Indoor masking will remain mandatory due to federal and state requirements on public transit and transportation hubs (federal), and at TK-12 schools, childcare, and youth settings; healthcare settings; correctional facilities; homeless and emergency shelters and cooling centers; and indoor mega events involving more than 1,000 people (state).

In L.A. County, 900,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11 will likely become newly eligible for vaccination this week. The County is well prepared to vaccinate children once the The Philippine Nurses Associa�on of Northern California, Inc. celebrated CDC grants final approval.

Currently, the County ex- its 60th Diamond Anniversary Gala & Awards Night. Vanessa Valerio, Care pects to get nearly 300,000 Indeed’s Chief Opera�ng Officer (second from le� and stunning in all black) doses as part of its first was in a�endance, and Care Indeed sponsored the event.

27 November 11-17, 2021

Upside...

(From Page 11)

Offline

(From Page 13)

within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.” Among FilAms, example of shared interest would the health care profession or faith communities, often boasting high concentrations of FilAm presence. Relationships with politicians or political parties are not included as communities of interest.

“One of the key pieces in redrawing the lines for the state is equal population,” she pointed to target numbers for the US Congress districts as well as the State Assembly, State Senate and Board of Equalization.

“We’re in a phase of assessing what is possible to be responsible to communities of interest, and upholding our obligations to historically excluded communities under the Voting Rights Act,” Sadhwani concluded. – Adapted from original published with permission from INQUIRER.NET. TO BE CONTINUED

Ping Lacson. I have to admit that if Robredo had opted to run for governor of her home province of Camarines Norte, the former Philippine National Police chief would have been my choice.

I am aware of some of the horrible things he has been accused of, but I am also well aware of his honesty. He is so against the pork barrel system that he has refused to spend the hundreds of millions he was entitled to during his stint as lawmaker.

Businessmen who dealt with him during his time as PNP chief will also say that he has refused millions in rebates and commissions.

The worst that can be said about him is his alleged involvement in the killing of the Kuratong Baleleng kidnap-for-ransom gang. He was eventually cleared of the accusations, and besides who really cares if a bunch of vicious criminals met their end the same way they lived?

Which brings us to Robredo vs Marcos Jr. Unless the latter is disqualified by the Comelec and/or the Supreme Court, it really will be a one-on-one between the two.

Marcos Jr.’s camp has done well in making him popular with the younger generation of Filipinos through the use of social media.

But as more and more of our youth are informed of the evils of his father’s martial law regime, he could fade.

This leaves Robredo as the most viable candidate next year. Being the most qualified in the bunch, she will be the subject of relentless attacks all the way to election day.

In her favor, however, is that her popularity has grown into an honest-to-goodness movement, fueled by massive support from all sectors of society. I daresay that she will be an even better version of Cory Aquino, who was ill-prepared for the presidency and who was unfortunately surrounded by some despicable traditional politicians.

Next week, she may face a real challenge if Sara Duterte decides to join the race, replacing Dela Rosa as the administration’s bet.

If it happens, a Robredo-Duterte duel will be one for the ages.

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12)

and other Guest Preachers/Evangelists.

The global MY ANGEL RADIO is now being watched and listened by viewers from all over the United States, Canada, Philippines, Japan, Jordan, Hongkong, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Germany, England, Italy, Kuwait, Africa, India, Nepal and other countries with episodes like “RESCUE MORNING,” RESCUE EVENING,” UPCLOSE,” “CIA,” “TAPATAN TAYO,” Monday to Friday and Saturday. Live broadcast is with the global Director Edwin Bacani in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA; Anchor James Quitoriano in San Francisco, California, USA; and other anchors in Baguio City, Davao City, Butuan City and the latest team in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines with anchor Ed Maquiling (ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE#00535976) in California since 1981. He is the founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California.)

PerryScope...

(From Page 12)

lenges the ability of conventional legal strategies to deliver social and economic justice and specifically calls for legal approaches that take into consideration race as a nexus of American life.” What exactly does that mean? Makes one wonder what the heck they are trying to teach the young schoolchildren?

I also found out that CRT courses are offered in over 20 American law schools and at least three non-American law schools. In addition to law, critical race theory is taught and applied in the fields of higher education, political science, women’s studies, ethnic studies, communication, sociology, and American studies. And nowhere did it mention that CRT is being taught in elementary schools. Simply put, CRT is too complex to teach to elementary school students. I have a problem understanding that myself! And that’s where it gets political.

In short, CRT is an academic movement, which seeks to link racism, race, and political power. Are school children ready for that?

Isn’t it like teaching sex to younger schoolchildren? Are they ready for it? But oftentimes, it’s the parents themselves who can best answer that question. And if the children don’t learn it in elementary school, eventually they will learn it on their own, one way or another, in high school. I would then venture to say that CRT should

not be taught in elementary schools. To do so would be treading in dangerous waters. But the Republicans have whipped up a moral panic that CRT is being rammed down the throats of schoolchildren, which is not true. They’re the ones that were instigating it.

And CRT has reached a point where it has inflamed conservatives. Towards the end of the campaign, Youngkin started using his message about the evils of “critical race theory” in schools. All of a sudden he injected the race factor, which caused the candidates’ approval ratings to go awry to the detriment of McAuliffe, who had been leading in the polls since the start of the campaign. Suffice it to say; when race is used as a wedge issue, it usually favors the whites.

And it worked! It is a case of dog-whistle politics.

With what happened in the Virginia election, should we then expect that the Republicans would use CRT as a wedge issue in 2022? You betcha!

At the end of the day, while parents’ involvement in the school boards is encouraged, politicization of education must be avoided at all cost. It’s not healthy.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

In the Trenches

(From Page 12)

favored contractor. After all, the company was well-connected.

It had the backing of Michael Yang, a Chinese national who had served as an economic adviser to the president.

Lloyd Lao, who used to head the PS-DBM, had apparently failed to exercise due diligence in awarding the contracts to Pharmally. It was not only undercapitalized, it also had no track record of transacting business with the government.

The senators had also found out that the company and its officials did not pay taxes for the billions of pesos they earned from the government contracts.

They even flaunted the money they earned by buying luxury cars, like Porsches and Lamborghinis. Another Pharmally official who showed up at the Senate displayed his expensive clothes.

Most of the items supplied by Pharmally went to health care workers — PPEs, surgical masks, goggles, face shields, and test kits.

But, for the people, the most visible indication of corruption is the face shield which was forced on them. They are reminded of the corruption as they wear the face shield every day.

Some lawmakers, and even Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, who is running for president next year, had criticized the mandatory wearing of face shield as an added burden to the people, an anti-poor policy.

Some people were even penalized for not wearing them. A biker was charged in court for not wearing a face shield when the government already ruled that it was dangerous to ride a bike with a face shield.

However, Duterte continued to defend Pharmally and the questionable deals it won from the government. He has continued to reject calls from several sectors to remove the face shield mandate, requiring the people to wear them indoors.

Duterte is risking his political capital with his continued defense of Pharmally and the face shield mandate.

Last week, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) opinion polls showed Duterte’s satisfaction rating declining by 10 points to 52 percent in the third quarter.

The pollster gave no explanation for the decline but political analysts say the people’s frustration over the government’s management of the pandemic and the perception of corruption in the Pharmally deal could have affected the president’s rating.

Of course, Duterte does not want to see his ratings fall until next year’s elections when his endorsement could be seen as a “kiss of death” for a candidate.

There’s enough time for the president to recover. But he has to cut clean from Pharmally and the group of Davao City-based businessmen behind the perceived sweetheart deals with the government.

Duterte can start distancing from the deals by removing the face shield mandate. No one wants the plastic shield on their faces. It only reminds them that some Chinese businessmen earned millions from it.

Whats up Atty

(From Page 13)

Court held that the crime of issuing a check without sufficient funds in violation of B.P. No. 22 involves moral turpitude and a candidate for Congress who was convicted for violation of the statute and sentenced to one year imprisonment was properly disqualified by the Comelec and his certificate of candidacy cancelled. Villaber v. Comelec, G.R. No. 148326.

TAX CASES There is a conflict of authority in the United States as to whether tax evasion is a “crime involving moral turpitude.” In Jordan v.

De George, 341 U.S. 223 (1951), involving a defendant convicted of conspiring with others to possess whiskey with intent to sell in fraud of law and evade the tax thereon, the Supreme Court held that a crime in which fraud is an ingredient involves moral turpitude. In Carty v. Ashcroft, 395 F.3d 1081 (9th Cir. Jan. 19, 2005), a California conviction for willful failure to file a tax return with the intent to evade taxes, in violation of Revenue and Taxation Code § 19406 involves fraud, and constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude.

However, in United States v. Carrollo, 30 F.Supp. 3 (D.Mo. 1939), the court held that it was not prepared to rule that an attempt to evade the payment of a tax due, “wrong as it is, unlawful as it is, immoral as it is, is an act evidencing baseness, vileness, or depravity of moral character. The number of men who have at some time

sought to evade the payment of a tax or some part of a tax to some taxing authority is legion. Any man who does that should be punished civilly or by criminal sentence, but to say that he is base or vile or depraved is to misuse words.”

The BIA held that a German national was not barred from admission to the U.S. for having been convicted in Germany for possession of untaxed chocolate in violation of the German Tax Code because intent to defraud was not an element of the offense, hence the German had not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.

Matter of R, 4 I. & N. Dec. 176, (BIA 1950). The BIA also held that the willful failure to file an income tax return is not necessarily a crime involving moral turpitude because fraud is not inherent in the crime. Matter of Mazza-Alas, File No. A13-408-039, 15 Immigr.

Rep. B1-88 (BIA Oct. 27, 1995), cited in Crimes of Moral Turpitude, Norton Tooby.

VOID FOR VAGUENESS Is “crime involving moral turpitude” unconstitutionally void for vagueness in violation of the due process clause?

The prohibition of vagueness in criminal statutes “is a well-recognized requirement, consonant alike with ordinary notions of fair play and the settled rules of law,” and a statute that flouts it “violates the first essential of due process.” Connally v. General Constr. Co., 269 U.S. 385, 391, 46 S.Ct. 126, 70 S.Ct. 322 (1926).” Johnson v.

United States, 576 US 591, 135 S Ct 2551, 2556-57 (2015).

The Supreme Court said that the Government violates the guarantee of due process “by taking away someone’s life, liberty, or property under a criminal law so vague that it fails to give ordinary people fair notice of the conduct it punishes, or so standardless that it invites arbitrary enforcement.” Johnson v. United States, supra.

Thus, in Johnson v. United States, supra, the Supreme Court held that the residual clause of the Armed Career Criminal Act, 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B) - defining “violent felony” as any felony that “otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another,” – was unconstitutionally “void for vagueness” under the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

It required judges to imagine a set of facts or conduct and then to determine whether that imagined set of facts or conduct presented a potential risk of serious injury.

Diliman way

(From Page 12)

is the fault of TWA President Cory Aquino and her corrupt and incompetent government. Instead of confiscating the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and his cronies, it organized Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), giving them the opportunity to contest the takeover of companies in court.

As I have written previously in my columns and books, I had this arranged meeting between businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, one of the perceived cronies of Marcos, in a lobby of a five-star hotel in Los Angeles, USA, before the coup of 1989. Considering there will be elections in May 2022 and it is possible that an unfriendly presidential candidate to the Marcoses may win, this conversation is good for him and the country, which went this way“Danding – Bono, you and Cory committed a mistake by creating PCGG. You gave us a chance to fight you in court. Since you created a revolutionary government, you should have just confiscated our properties.

Me – It was not me but Cory and Salonga who committed the mistake. You are right they should have confiscated all your properties. If I were Secretary of Justice, I would not have only confiscated all your properties, I would also have confiscated you.”

Danding – Thanks God, you did not become Secretary of Justice.”

BB M Campaign lines: The campaigners of BB M have several campaign propaganda thrusts. First, that BB M is just like his father – in looks yes, in similarity in speech yes. Other than these, he has no similarity with his father – in intelligence, vision, accomplishment, character, discipline and focus. In brief, on these elements, he is nothing but dirt in the finger nails of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. (FM). Second, if elected President, he will recover the unseen and disappearing Marcos wealth for the benefit of the Filipino people. This is a lot of nonsense. The Marcos wealth is in the hands of more than ten FM trustees. Can BB M extricate these from the hands of trustees? Can he convince the voters that he can recover them from the trustees? I have very serious doubts. The only way he can convince the voters is to have agreements with the trustees and show them to the people.

The moment he does that the PCGG will takeover the wealth – so he will end up getting nothing. Third, he is a convicted tax evader and a pretender to having finished college abroad which he did not. In plain and simple language – he is no different in a number of ways from PR Duterte except that PR D is a lawyer and BB M is not. Fourth, he could not respect a simple commitment and promise. About twenty years ago, I and an army general met with him in a five star hotel somewhere in Metro Manila to talk about the national situation and the necessary remedies for our national problems. He promised to see us within a week. Nine hundred sixty (960) weeks have passed and he never came back to see us. The reason is simple – he has no commitment to our country and our people.

You see, it takes brains in your balls and balls in your brains to be an effective leader and I’m afraid BB M hasn’t got them.

BB M, FM and PR D: BB M is a very poor copy of FM. He is a bad copy of PR D. The PR D presidency is a disaster for our country and our people. A BB M presidency would be worse – it would be a catastrophe for our people and our country.

 HEALTH NEWS

November 11-17, 2021

28

Global progress against measles threatened amidst COVID-19 pandemic ATLANTA/GENEVA --- While reported measles cases have fallen compared to previous years, progress toward measles elimination continues to decline and the risk of outbreaks is mounting, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During 2020, more than 22 million infants missed their first dose of measles vaccine - 3 million more than in 2019, marking the largest increase in two decades and creating dangerous conditions for outbreaks to occur.

Compared with the previous year, reported measles cases decreased by more than 80 percent in 2020.

However, measles surveillance also deteriorated with the lowest number of specimens sent for laboratory testing in over a decade. Weak measles monitoring, testing and reporting for measles jeopardize countries’ ability to prevent outbreaks of this highly infectious disease. Major measles outbreaks occurred in 26 countries and accounted for 84 percent of all reported cases in 2020.

“Large numbers of unvaccinated children, outbreaks of measles, and disease detection and diagnostics diverted to support COVID-19 responses are factors that

increase the likelihood of measles-related deaths and serious complications in children,” said Kevin Cain, MD, CDC’s Global Immunization Director. “We must act now to strengthen disease surveillance systems and close immunity gaps, before travel and trade return to pre-pandemic levels, to prevent deadly measles outbreaks and mitigate the risk of other vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Lower reported measles cases in 2020 must not mask the growing risk of measles to children worldwide The ability of countries to ensure children receive both recommended doses of measles vaccine is a key indicator of global progress toward measles elimination and capacity to prevent the spread of the virus.

First-dose coverage fell in 2020, and only 70 percent of children received their second dose measles vaccine, well below the 95 percent coverage needed to protect communities from the spread of the measles virus.

Adding to the worsening of immunity gaps worldwide, 24 measles vaccination campaigns in 23 countries, originally planned for 2020, were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic - leaving more than 93 million people at risk for the disease. These supplemental campaigns are needed where people have

missed out on measles-containing vaccines through routine immunization programs.

“While reported measles cases dropped in 2020, evidence suggests we are likely seeing the calm before the storm as the risk of outbreaks continues to grow around the world,” said Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. “It’s critical that countries vaccinate as quickly as possible against COVID-19, but this requires new resources so that it does not come at the cost of essential immunization programs. Routine immunization must be protected and strengthened; otherwise, we risk trading one deadly disease for another.”

Immunization and surveillance systems must be strengthened to reduce growing measles risks The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to immunization services and changes in healthseeking behaviors in many parts of the world. While the measures used to mitigate COVID-19 – masking, handwashing, distancing - also reduce the spread of the measles virus, countries and global health partners must prioritize finding and vaccinating children against measles to reduce the risk of explosive outbreaks and preventable deaths from this disease.

The only way to win Heart of Hope

My grandson Colin, 11, finally got his first COVID-19 vaccine last Thursday, after eagerly waiting for months, “because someone ahead of him had opted out,” his mother, my youngest daughter, Emily, an ophthalmologist in Iowa, texted me.

I would think all parPHILIP S. CHUA ents would be very eager to have their children vaccinated soonest and protected from this deadly COVID-19 infection, which was originally thought to be “kinder” to children. Statistics, however, show that there were about 6.4 million children infected, representing 16.6 percent of all cases of COVID-19 in the United States. The last two weeks of October revealed a 4 percent increase.

Hospitalization rate was about 1.7 to 4.2 percent and mortality between zero to 0.26 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in various States. Certainly, without the vaccines, children are at an equal grave risk like adults, no more immune from getting this killer virus than older people.

Hopefully, parents would not stand in the way of protecting their children and allow them to get vaccinated. Refusing this vaccine for their children (like parents who are against vaccination in general and those who refuse the life-saver Gardasil vaccine against HPV of cervical cancer for their kids), is tantamount to intentionally depriving their children of an available and a no-cost life-saver and wantonly placing them at the mercy of a potential killer, all in the name of the constitutional freedom to choose. Is that love or wisdom?

In my book, Let’s Stop “Killing” our Children (in philipSchua.com and Amazon.com), the basic theme is healthy lifestyle and disease prevention starting from the crib, critically pointing out that some of our actions/ inactions and decisions as parents could be detrimental to our children’s life, albeit all of them are (were) done in the name of love. That saying “no” to our children, whenever appropriate, could be the best lesson they could learn, and that allowing them to say or do whatever they want, regardless of reason or wisdom, could provide them a twisted sense of order, justice, respect

for their fellowmen, and what their constitutional rights, civil liberties in a democracy, properly mean.

The Crisis today The greater dilemma we have during this pandemic is the twenty percent of the population (around 60 million, according to a survey) who refuse to get the vaccine. These unprotected individuals become the primary targets of the SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19 which will live in their bodies and then act as a massive viral reservoir and laboratory, where the virus will replicate and mutate to deadlier strains, with greater transmissibility, and kill others with worse impunity. And the cycle will continue, exponentially, keeping this pandemic with us much longer.

One person, just one individual, like the first Chinese who got infected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, is enough to spread the disease to dozens, hundreds, and thousands within a few days. Today, 23 months later, we have nearly 251.3 million cases of COVID-19, and almost 5.1 million deaths around the world (about 47.5 million cases and close to 776,400 deaths in the USA, and 2,807,000 in The Philippines, with about 44,600 deaths.

When those high-risk individuals (immunocompromised or those with co-morbidities, like diabetes, hypertension, heart or lung disease, etc.) are exposed to even one carrier of the virus, the encounter could turn out to be a death sentence. This happened to two medical colleagues of mine, whose own unvaccinated adult children inadvertently transmitted the virus to them, killing them.

The proper strategy A pandemic, like COVID-19, is like a world war. The global enemy: the killer SARS-Cov2 virus. Medically speaking, sans politics, religion, personal beliefs, there is only one way to deal with an infectious disease, like COVID-19, which is a serious killer. The epidemiologic strategy that can end the pandemic most efficiently, with minimal deaths, is prompt isolation, masking, social distancing, and most importantly, vaccination of every person urgently, without delay, when vaccines become available. This is the only proper way to manage a pandemic and save lives and the nation’s economy. A national mandate, a unified federal approach, is the only effective strategy for a pandemic, which is no different from a world war. Leaving the strategy to win a “world

war” to every individual State (polarized by politics) will lead to chaos and confusion, killing hundreds of thousands, like what resulted in this pandemic. Medically, an endemic may be handled by a State, but not a pandemic. Imagine leaving the strategic decisions during a world war to 50 States! It is plain common sense.

A no-brainer.

Painful reality Every person in a democracy has the right and liberty, guaranteed by our Constitution, to refuse the vaccine. That is an unquestionable personal civil right. An individual in our society has the right to hurt or even kill himself/herself. While I may not agree that this self-destructive act should be committed, I shall defend the right of the individual to do it, akin to the sentiment expressed by the 18th century French philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) about the freedom of speech.

But the sad and unfortunate inescapable reality is that the unvaccinated people are not risking only their lives but the lives of others they come in contact with. While they have the right to refuse the vaccines and get infected, they do not have the right to infect and kill others (albeit unintentionally).

How would the unvaccinated persons feel when people with active highly transmissible tuberculosis or infected with killer ebola (who refuse treatments on constitutional grounds) are not isolated and mingle among them?

Annual COVID-19 shot?

So long as there are people who are unvaccinated and carrier of the virus), COVID-19 will linger around, with no end in sight. There will be outbreaks and surges, every now and then. If there are no hosts (human bodies), viruses self destruct. With so many unvaccinated people, COVID-19 infections will remain with us and it is possible that, later, a yearly COVID-19 vaccine might be necessary, like the annual fly shots. God forbid.

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

29 November 11-17, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS

BEHIND OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINION

By TIM PEDROSA

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but it doesn’t mean that he/she is right and we should listen to that person. People will always have an opinion and usually for selfish reasons. They express their opinion thinking on what is good for them. We should live life the way we want to. It’s very easy to tell others what to do, but difficult to implement it on ourselves. Someone else’s opinion should not define our reality. When we live our life seeking the opinion and approval of other, we become a slave in our mind and soul to others. This is the worst form of slavery. Never let the opinion of others become the measure of your self-worth.

Let us learn from the following narrative inspired by the writings of an unknown writer. We have to be careful not to make the opinion of others be our gauge, then it becomes also our goal. If we concern ourselves with what others think, then we can only go as far as others think. We are better than that! We should not allow anyone to pollute our mind with negative thoughts and negative words; not to allow the opinions of other interfere with our true perception. What our critics say about us is unimportant. We are what we think of ourselves. I have learned that nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one’s own opinions; that nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality. The opinions that are held with passion are always those for which no good ground exists; indeed, the passion is the measure of the holder’s lack of rational conviction. When we develop our opinions on the basis of weak evidence, we will have difficulty interpreting subsequent information that contradicts these opinions even if this new information is obviously more accurate. When another person blames or hates us, or voice similar criticisms, let it go to their souls and see what sort of people they are. We will realize that there is no need to compete with anxiety when somebody holds any particular opinion about us. Many of us judge others instantly by their clothes, their cars, their appearance, their race, their accent, their education or their social status. The list is endless. What gets me is that, many of us decide who another person is before we have even have spoken to them. What’s even worse is that we decide who someone else is and don’t even know who we are ourselves. Many of us do not seem to realize that our opinion is also a confession of our character. The main misfortune, the root of all the evil to come, is the loss of confidence in the value of one’s own opinion.

Some of us imagine that it is out of date to follow our own moral sense, that we must all sing in chorus, and live by other people’s notions, notions that were being crammed down everybody’s throat for selfish reasons. Let us not allow other people’s opinions distort our reality; be true to ourselves; be bold in pursuing our dreams and be unapologetically persistent. There can be so many suggestions and opinions too; what matters is that we acknowledge at our depths and stand by it like a rock. It is therefore worthwhile, to search out the bounds between opinion and knowledge; and examine by what measures, in things, whereof we have no certain knowledge, we ought to regulate our consent, and moderate our persuasions. As long as other people’s opinions matter more than your own, you’re owned by them. You’re not even free – Oprah Winfrey.

The Search for Healing All of us, in one way or the other, we need healing for ailments of the body or spirit, psychological or emotional, healing in relationships and or in our memories. But what is healing really for? What could be considered the worse sickness or ailment? Is sickness of the body worse than sickness of the soul?

Health is wholeness; when we are sick something in us is broken. Healing is restoration to the original wholeness of the person.

REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD One who is healthy, for example, can run around and be in good humor and vigor as he works and deals with other people. But when he gets sick and has flu, he would be in bed, with headaches or aches all over his body, and he would not be able to work or relate to people as he used to. Then, when he is healed, he goes back to his original self as the expression goes. He works as before; he laughs as before; he is pleasant to himself as well as to others around him. Healing renews the energy in the person; it makes the person smile again. In sickness there is no joy, but in healing it restores it in the person. Similar with ailments in our spiritual life, in our soul: When we have done bad things, we feel guilty; we know we hurt a person, we are sad and feeling angry at ourselves; though we may be able to hide the feeling but we know it is there. As we are in sin and sinfulness, we become drawn into ourselves. We avoid people; for we feel guilty or other people avoid us. In sin, we feel alienated. In this way, there is deep sorrow, there is no joy; so, there is brokenness. There is need of healing.

This spiritual sickness can be worse than bodily sickness; for this kind has some divine and eternal implication and consequence. The person sick in sin and sinfulness can already be dead spiritually; thus, needs God’s mercy and forgiveness to restore him to full health in the grace and favor of God. We die when we commit grave sins, for we separate ourselves from God. When we are away from Him, we have no life in ourselves. We only have life in and with God. We must never take for granted God’s instrument of mercy for us, which is the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. We cannot take for granted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that feeds us with the Sacred Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; His words: “anyone who feeds on me will have life because of me (Jn. 6:57).” We cannot underestimate the effects of sin in our life and how it affects our relationship with God and our eternal destiny.

The shrine of the Our Lady of Lourdes, France, is one of the places where many people, not only Catholics, go for healing, or at least hoped for healing of whatever sickness they have. But the relevance of this shrine of Lourdes is not only about these many healing miracles that concerns the body; but also, of the soul. Let us recall a bit the story of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette. In her stories of the apparitions, among many things clear are: the Lady gave Her name, “I am the Immaculate Conception,” and the Lady asked to pray for sinners, and that she drinks from some water nearby which the Lady indicated, and with that water, then and now, many people have been healed. However, we should not overlook the request of the Lady to pray for sinners; for indeed, it is sin that should be considered worse ailment, and which can destroy even the destiny with God in the person in sin. The Lady of Lourdes revealed Her name, and this is not only the confirmation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, but that precisely, Her concern is not so much the health of the body but most especially also the health of the soul of humankind. We have to fight against sin. We have to avoid sin. And when in sin, know that there is profound brokenness in oneself, and such brokenness cannot be underestimated for no doctor can cure it except Him alone, The Divine Healer, Jesus Christ our Lord. Seek healing from all your maladies in our Lord Jesus; and the Blessed Virgin Mary can also help us obtain healing. We call Her, Refuge of Sinners and Health of the Sick. Let us not delay.

Amen.

Aflame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

31 November 11-17, 2021  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Cheesy Baked Embutido Ingredients: 1/2 kilo ground pork 1 cup ham cut into strips 2 cans Vienna sausage, chopped 1/2 cup Spanish chorizo, chopped 1 small size carrot, chopped 1 medium size red bell pepper. chopped 1 medium size onion, chopped 1/3 cup raisins, sultana and pineapple 1-1 1/2 cup coarsely grated cheddar cheese 1/2 cup pickled relish 2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 eggs, beaten salt and pepper to taste Cooking procedure: In a big bowl combine all the ingredients and mix until well blended season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide into four portions, place each portion in a square aluminium foil. Hand roll the aluminium foil with the embutido mixture to form a tightly packed log about 2” in diameter, seal both ends. Arrange the embutido side by side in a baking rack at the center of the oven preheated at 325ᵒF to 350ᵒF and bake for 45 to 60 minutes. When done let it cool and remove the aluminium wrapping. Before serving heat generous amount of oil in a frying pan and sear the embutido on all side. Slice into rings and serve with banana ketchup.

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Siargao gets P1-B sports complex, bridges boosting island as top tourist destination SIARGAO ISLAND – Siargao, the The facility also has a rubberized oval surfing capital of the Philippines and one with two grandstands, convention center, of the famous surfing areas in the world, and swimming pool. got a big boost as a tourist and sports desDapa Mayor Elizabeth Matugas said tination in the country. the complex will inspire more residents This after President Rodrigo Duterte to excel in sports. unveiled over the weekend four big-tick“With this, we are optimistic to proet projects in Siargao Island, Surigao del duce world-class athletes joining the inNorte worth over P1 billion. ternational arena. Thank you, President The President and Senator Christopher Rodrigo Duterte, for your support and for “Bong” Go were joined by Governor Francisco Matugas, First District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II, and other officials.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, who arrived earlier, also welcomed the President and his party.

The projects that are part of the “Build, Build, Build” program under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are the P630.2-million Siargao MAJOR PROJECTS. President Rodrigo Duterte delivIsland Sports and Tourism ers a speech during the inaugura�on of the Siargao Complex (SISTC) in Dapa Island Sports and Tourism Complex and the Catangtown and the Catangnan- nan-Cabitoonan Bridge Three-Point Bridge System in Cabitoonan Bridge Three- Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

Point Bridge System which has an overall budget of P434 million. making this a reality as it helps in proThe President said the accomplish- moting a culture of fitness,” the mayor ments are part and parcel of the people’s said in an interview. money and it is his duty to distribute it The Catangnan-Cabitoonan Bridge for the people to benefit from the projects. (348.8 linear meters) and Libertad Bridge “We are confident that Siargao will 1 (75.8 lm) and 2 (36.8 lm) in General prosper as one of the famous tourist des- Luna connect the villages of Sta. Cruz, tinations in the country. Take care of what Sta. Fe, Libertad, Cabitoonan, and Catyou have right now and preserve it for the angnan. next generations,” the President said in General Luna is considered the surfing his speech. “I love Siargao and the entire capital of the country where yearly interPhilippines because it is my country. As national surfing competitions are held belong as I am the President, I will protect fore the Covid-19 pandemic struck. my country.”

The construction of additional roads “Do not allow anybody to ruin your and bridges in Siargao, Duterte said, is environment here,” Duterte added. important for economic development as it Duterte said he expects the SISTC aims to provide faster mobility and access would promote the social, cultural and to goods and services. economic perspective of Siargao, mak“I hope that you get to build more ing it capable of hosting major sports and bridges in the different islands. It would other big-ticket events. be a very huge improvement of your He said he also hopes the facility will province,” he said. inspire a “greater passion for sports” Duterte lauded Matugas and the among the youth and encourage them to DPWH for the infrastructure projects. take advantage of its facilities to hone “Let us continue working for greater their talents. and inclusive progress for the benefit of “We also believe in the importance of every Filipino. This is our commitment investing in a training facility to develop and this is our legacy to our people,” grassroots, talents to become national and Duterte said. world-class athletes,” he said.

Libertad Bridge 1 Libertad Bridge 2 The 6.3-hectare sports and tourism The President was also joined in the complex, which was started in 2015 and project inauguration by DPWH Undercompleted this year, can accommodate secretary Eugenio Pipo Jr. representing around 1,630 persons; has a gymnasium Acting Secretary Roger Mercado, Aswith three courts for basketball, volley- sistant Secretary Ador Canlas of the Reball, and badminton; the two-storey, six- gional Operations in Mindanao, Regional classroom Siargao Sports High School Director Pol Delos Santos, and Assistant Building that can be utilized for sports Director Nomer Canlas of Regional Ofdevelopment training programs; and an fice 13; and Surigao Del Norte 1st Disathletes’ dormitory. trict engineer Alex Ramos.

Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce

November 11-17, 2021

32

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