Philippine News Today

1 February 4-10, 2021

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

www.pnewstoday.com

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

Vol. 60 No. 26 February 4-10, 2021

PHL IS ‘SINKING,’ GOV’T ADMITS Losing P2-B daily due to COVID-19, Duterte vows to keep economy afloat

By ALFRED GABOT and BETING DOLOR

MANILA – As the Philippines is in a frenzy trying to stem the tide of the Covid-19 pandemic and readying the vaccination of millions of Filipinos, President Rodrigo Duterte, backed up by his economic team and business leaders, admitted this week the bitter truth - the Philippines is in a sink hole as it is Page 9 losing P2 billion a day due to pandemic.

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

Military coup in PHL? No way, says Lorenzana

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – A coup or a military takeover in the Philippines?

That is unlikely, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana assured as the military and the police fully support President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lorernzana made the statement after the military staged yet another coup in neighboring Myanmar alleging cheating in the last election. “(That) will never happen,” Lorenzana said. “The military and police are happy with PRRD. He Page 8 has our full support.”

Biden appoints more FilAms to gov’t posts

PHL’s COVID cases surpass 530,000; vaccines arriving

By Claire Morales True MANILA — The country’s infections.

COVID-19 cases topped 530,000 Globally, over 103.8 million on February 3 after the Department have caught the coronavirus, acof Health confirmed 1,266 more cording to data from Page 8 SECRETARY OF STATE. Governor Newsom swears in Secretary of State Dr. Weber

Newsom swears in Weber as California Secretary of State

By Jo Erlinda Yabut SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has sworn in San Diego Assemblymember and Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus Dr. Shirley N. Weber as California Secretary of State.

Dr. Weber becomes the firstever African American to serve Senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña passes away at 86, story on page 13

as Secretary of State in California history.

“On the eve of Black History Month, California once again makes history in swearing in Dr. Weber as Secretary of State,” said Governor Newsom in a statement sent to Philippine News Today. Page 8

WASHINGTON D.C. - More Filipino Americans, including two more Filipina leaders, have been named to top government posts under the administration of United States President Joe Biden.

The FilAm community immediately lauded Biden for the appointment which they said is an affirmation of the government’s track towards diversity in America’s leadership.

Earlier, President Biden appointed Filipino American Gloria Steele, a career officer, as acting administrator of the United States Agency for Development (USAID) and Jason Tengco, former executive director of the National Federation of Page 8

Nation mourns passing of Sen. Osmena

Senate ratifies nuke ban treaty VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

SPORTS

‘Remembering Rizal in Trump’s now repealed travel ban’

John Lloyd, Bea Alonzo ready for their reunion movie

Pacquiao stripped of WBA belt, eyes fight vs Garcia

Page 13 By A�y. Liangco

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P2

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

$1.00= P48.04

as of Febuary 4, 2020 1:25 am

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 NATIONAL NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

2

Senate ratifies nuclear ban treaty PASAY CITY – The Senate has adopted a resolution expressing its concurrence to the ratification of a treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW).

Introduced and sponsored by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senate Resolution 620 was unanimously adopted with 23 votes. The resolution was co-sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros and all other senators.

“The Treaty further reinforces commitments against the use, threat of use, development, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, transfer, stationing, or installation of nuclear weapons,” said Pimentel, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

President Rodrigo Duterte immediately hailed the Senate for concurring in the ratification of a treaty that would ban the development and use of nuclear weapons.

In a statement from the Office of the President, Duterte described the ratification of the Treaty of the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as a “milestone”, reinforcing the country’s resolve together with the international community in pursuing a world free of nuclear weapons for peace, security, and the survival of all humanity.

Duterte said that as State Party to the TPNW, the Philippines is faithful to the policy of freedom from nuclear weapons

in our territory as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.

He said the ratification builds on the Philippines’ principled commitment to work towards the complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction, citing the country’s earlier adoption of the Bangkok Treaty establishing the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ), the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions.

“As I said during my address at the United Nations General Assembly General Debate, the Philippines joins hands with like-minded states in pursuing for the complete prohibition of the development, possession, use, and transfer of nuclear weapons,” Duterte said.

Senator Pimentel said highlights of the treaty include the prohibition to: --Develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices; --Transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or control over such weapons or explosive devices directly or indirectly; --Receive the transfer of or control over nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices directly or indirectly; --Use or threaten to use nuclear weap-

ons or other nuclear explosive devices; --Assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Treaty; --Seek or receive any assistance, in any way, from anyone to engage in any activity prohibited under this Treaty; and --Allow any stationing, installation or deployment of any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in its ter-

ritory or at any place under its jurisdiction or control.

Pimentel said the treaty is the “first globally applicable multilateral agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons on the basis of international humanitarian law.”

He said the Philippines is among the first states to sign the treaty, along with other 52 countries.

By Claire Morales True

newable energy, and reducing risks from natural disasters,” the US embassy said.

The USAID will implement projects to increase access to clean energy and water, improve natural resource management, and protect Philippine landscapes, wildlife, and fisheries.

Its partner agencies include the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, and Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as well as local government units.

“We will work together to address many environmental challenges. Together, we will strengthen government

and community efforts in responding to environmental challenges to achieve our shared vision for safer and more resilient Filipino communities,” USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II said.

“Our assistance will help protect the forests, fisheries, and water and energy resources for millions of Filipinos, increase livelihoods and promote nature as an engine of sustainable growth,” he added.

This bilateral agreement is one of the four new five-year USAID-Philippines development assistance launching in

2020 and 2021, with an anticipated total value of P32.7 billion (US$675 million) over the next five years.

The other fresh agreements are focused on strengthening the country’s health systems with the Department of Health; accelerating inclusive, marketdriven economic growth in partnership with the Department of Finance; and strengthening education governance with the Department of Education.

Over the past 20 years, USAID has provided over P216 billion (US$4.5 billion) to advance the country’s development goals.

THE SENATE in session in pre-pandemic days.

PHL, US sign new P7.25-B environmental accord

MANILA – The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) have signed a new five-year bilateral assistance agreement worth over P7.25 billion (US$150 million) to protect Philippine environment.

“Through this agreement, the United States and the Philippines deepen their commitment to protect the environment by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, expanding access to re-

Notary Public & Real Estate Broker

*Commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (BRE#00635976) in California since 1981. Author, Columnist, and Member, National Notary Association (NNA)

House okays bid for Charter economic amendments, Senate urged to follow QUEZON CITY – The chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments has appealed to the Senate to give the proposed amendments to the economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution a chance.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., committee chairman, made the call a day after his panel adopted Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2, which seeks to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 34-year-old Charter by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” even as the proposal was shot down by various sectors which claimed that the measure was not a guarrantee for speedy

economic growth.

The resolution particularly seeks to introduce five amendments to Article XII (National Patrimony and Economy), one amendment to Article XIV (Education, Science, and Technology), and one amendment to Article XVI (General Provisions).

“Sana bigyan ito ng tsansa ng ating counterparts sa Senado (I hope that our Senate counterparts would give this a chance),” Garbin said in a media forum.

The measure prescribes a constituent assembly to propose amendments to the Constitution, which requires a vote of three-fourths of all the members of Congress, each house voting separately.

3 February 4-10, 2021

 NATIONAL NEWS

2 more congressional districts for Rizal Ok’d

By Claire Morales True ANTIPOLO CITY – Rizal province, once the country’s richest province until several towns were annexed to Metro Manila, may yet have two additional congressional districts.

This as the Senate, with 23 affirmative votes, zero negative, and zero abstention, approved on third and final reading a bill reapportioning the second district of Rizal into three legislative districts.

Leaders of Rizal province and its capital city of Antipolo immediately lauded the approval of the bill which they said could ensure faster growth and development for the new districts.

The House of Representatives approved last year Bill No. 6222 authored by neophyte Rep. Fidel Nograles which aims to retain part of the second district of Rizal, composed of the municipalities of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jalajala, Pililla, and Teresa, and establish the municipality of San Mateo as the third congressional district; and the municipality of Rodriguez as the fourth legislative district of the province.

Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bill, said that with this measure, he is hoping that the proper representation will help the local government units involved to better respond to the needs of the people and also help

facilitate in the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity building efforts of the province following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The call for apportionment is not only based on today’s realities but also a resounding echo from the past, recognizing the unique histories of the towns which have molded and shaped the growth and character of the localities and the residents therein,” he added.

Tolentino said the qualifications for the reapportionment have been met given that the new 2nd district has a population of 449,103; San Mateo (3rd district) has a population of 252,527, and Rodriguez (4th district) has a population of 369,222.

According to Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory; and a locality with at least 250,000 residents is entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives.

During the consideration of the bill on second reading, Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, and Senators Pia Cayetano, Win Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Joel Villanueva, requested to be made co-sponsors of the bill.

The House of Representatives passed the same measure on June 1, 2020.

Child car seat law takes effect, gov’t postpones implementation amid protests

MANILA – Those who cannot afford to purchase child car seats amid the prevailing coronavirus pandemic will not be apprehended or fined yet, Malacañang assured even as various sectors called for a review of the law and implementing rules required the use of child car seats.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry

Roque made this comment after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) postponed the full enforcement of Republic Act 11229 or the Child Safety In Motor Vehicles Act as it finalizes enforcement protocols for the law.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO), an attached agency of the DOTr, also said authorities will not apprehend or issue tickets against drivers who will fail to comply with the law within six months. Instead, they will first educate drivers and parents on the law.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte himself recognizes that the country’s economy is “in bad shape” as millions of people have lost their jobs and livelihood.

“Nangako ang ating DOTr na hindi muna po sila manghuhuli pagdating dun sa mga wala pang mga car seats (The DOTr promised that they would not apprehend those who don’t have child car seats yet),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

While RA 11229 was supposed to take effect Tuesday, Roque said the DOTr decided to defer the implementation of the law due to the current economic situation.

“Ang nangyari po diyan talagang nasa bastas merong one-year period no na para hindi muna ma-implement ‘yan nang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makabili, makaipon ng mga car seats. Pero tinamaan nga po tayo ng Covid so ngayon po dahil siya ay epektibo na by law, nangako naman po sila, naintindihan nila ang ating kalagayan ngayon (What happened is it’s in the law that there’s a one-year period before it is implemented to allow people to purchase, save up for child

car seats. But we were hit by Covid so now that it’s in effect, the DOTr promised not to apprehend, they understand the current situation),” he said.

In a statement, the DOTr said the LTO is in the process of finalizing enforcement protocols, considering that special training is needed due the involvement of children.

“Both the DOTr and the LTO are in agreement that a deferment of the full

implementation/enforcement of this new rule is warranted, especially given our current economic situation amid this still raging pandemic,” the DOTr said.

The DOTr said the LTO was supposed to conduct an Enforcement and Communications Planning Workshop on the implementation of the law last March 19, 2020 but it was canceled due to quarantine restrictions.

 METRO NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

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leak kills Isko OKs face-to-face classes Ammonia 1, hospitalizes 76 in Navotas for UST health courses

FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES. Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso approves UST’s plan to hold limited face-to-face classes for their allied medical and health courses amid the pandemic.

MANILA – Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso has approved the University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) plan to hold limited face-to-face classes for its allied medical and health courses amid the health crisis.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte, on recommendation of the Commission on Higher Education, approved plans to allow face to face classes in medical schools.

The mayor’s approval may later include other medical schools which will seek sanction on face to face classes, including the city’s Pamantasan ng Lungsod

ng Maynila, which is one of the country’s best medical and nursing schools.

UST officials led by vice-rector for academic affairs Cheryl Peralta, UST faculty of medicine dean Odette Maglinao, UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences dean Anne Aseron, as well as Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital director Merle Sacdalan presented to Domagoso their plans for the face-to-face classes while ensuring that health and safety protocols will be properly observed.

“Consider it approved. We will just follow the memoranda of CHED [Commis-

sion on Higher Education],” Domagoso told the UST officials.

CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) required higher education institutions who wanted to conduct physical classes to consult with their respective local government units and inform them of their plans without foregoing imposed minimum public health safety standards.

UST officials who visited Domagoso also laid out their contingency plans in case a student, faculty, or staff member starts to manifest Covid-19 symptoms.

Domagoso told UST officials not to force students who refuse to participate in the face-to-face classes.

During the meeting, Domagoso said teachers are among those on the priority list of the city government for the inoculation.

“Teachers will be included in the first batch for the vaccine. Whether you’re a Manilan or a non-Manilan, as long as you’re working here in Manila, you will be included in the list for the vaccine,” he said.

He expressed optimism that when both teachers and parents are vaccinated against Covid-19, the chance of infections occurring in schools would decrease so students can safely go back to physically attending their classes.

NAVOTAS CITY – A man died while 76 others were hospitalized due to an ammonia leak at a cold storage facility in Navotas City.

The chemical spill occurred at the T.P. Marcelo Ice Plant and Cold Storage owned by the famiy of Mayor Tobias Tiangco’s mother on R-10 North Bay Boulevard South, prompting the evacuation of residents in the area.

DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau director Gloria Balboa said 53 individuals experienced vomiting, drowsiness, and difficulty of breathing and were brought to Navotas City Hospital, while 23 others were sent to Tondo Medical Center.

The casualty was identified as Gilbert Tiangco, 44, a security guard at the ice plant who was earlier brought to Navotas City Hospital.

“All residents near the area were evacuated to a certain evacuation center in Navotas. Emergency ambulances are on standby. BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) contained the ammonia leak,” she said.

Residents have already been instructed to return to their homes around 8 p.m.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), meanwhile, continued to secure the facility, but has yet to identify the cause of the leak.

5 February 4-10, 2021 Complete termination of Sangley Point airport project pushed CAVITE CITY – The Sangley International Airport in Cavite City should be completely terminated to save the waters of Manila Bay from further destruction, and most of all, to prevent the massive displacement of fishing families that would be affected by the project, according to the country’s largest small fisherfolk federation.

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla has cancelled the China-backed Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project which involves reclamation of 2,980 hectares of Manila Bay waters.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said that the airport project would directly and indirectly affect at least 26, 000 fishing and coastal families from Cavite City, Noveleta, Tanza, Naic, Rosario, Kawit, and Bacoor City.

“The project could’ve displaced thousands of fishing families and posed adverse effects to the marine ecosystem, affecting fishing activities in the long run,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.

“We humbly appeal to Cavite Governor Remulla to completely terminate the airport project. The people of Cavite, most especially the fisherfolks and coastal population, do not need an airport.

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

2 teens rescued, American, 3 others nabbed in Pampanga cyberporno raid legal activities for immediate police Prevention Act of 2012). intervention,” Sinas said.

During interrogation, the victims revealed that Mondejar recruited them as models and introduced them to Sanderson.

However, Sanderson allegedly forced them to have sex with BUSTED. Police officers conduct an inventory of produc�on equipment seized from a raid at a cyberpor- him while Robles and Martinez took the vidnography den in Angeles City, Pampanga. eo and recorded the acts on video for upANGELES CITY – Law enforcers have rescued two teenage girls and arrested four loading on pornographic sites.

Sinas said the ACG insuspects, including an American, in a raid at a cyberpornography den in Pampanga. vestigators are coordinating Philippine National Police (PNP) chief with agents from the US Gen. Debold Sinas identified the suspects Federal Bureau of Investigaas Easton Scot Sanderson, an American tion (FBI) to identify porn national, and his Filipino partners -- Rene- sites where the syndicate uplyn Robles, Jann Arielle Mondejar, and loads sex videos, which can Shirley Martinez, who were arrested in be used as added evidence in an operation by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime prosecution.

The suspects were Group (ACG) in Barangay Malabanias, charged with the violation Angeles City on February 2.

“The PNP is going after traffickers who of Republic Act (RA) 10360 Trafficking prey on women for sexual exploitation. We (Anti-Human urge the public to report to us similar il- Act) in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

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Malacanang, senators mourn passing of ex-Senator Osmena

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda MANILA – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo offered condolences to the family of former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña who passed away on Tuesday.

Panelo recalled the “colorful” life of Osmeña.

“Siya po’y naging senador, naging mayor din ng Cebu at siya po ay naging mayor din ng pa Toledo (He was a senator, he also became mayor of Cebu and mayor of Toledo),” he said.

Senators, with a heavy heart, honor the life and death of former Osmeña, who passed away in his condominium unit in Cebu City on February 2. His body was immediately cremated while the cause of his death was still being determined. He was 86.

In a fitting tribute, the Senate on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, passed Senate Resolution No.635, in consideration of Senate Resolution No. 636, expressing “the profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate” on the death of Osmeña, who served the Senate from 1971 to 1972, 1987 to 1995,

and 1998 to 2004.

All senators present were made coauthors of the resolution.

“The demise of a great legislator and esteemed public servant, who had served as senator both under the 1935 and 1987 Constitution, is a great loss not only to his bereaved family but to the nation as well,” stated the resolution, which was authored

by Sanate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro-tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid.

Osmeña’s death shocked senators as the country is still mourning for the death of another great lawmaker, the late Sen. Victor S. Ziga, who succumbed to heart and mutiple multi-organ failure at the age of 75 last January 31, 2021.

Both Osmeña and Ziga were members of the post-Marcos 8th Congress from 1987 to 1992.

In July 2020, Osmeña tested positive for COVID-19 but soon recovered. He was also diagnosed with stage 2 cancer after losing his reelection bid for the mayorship of Toledo City, Cebu.

Sotto, in his sponsorship speech, said Osmeña was born to lead, and “even

mastered it along the way.”

“As a matter of fact, public service was his calling as he started to be in the government as such a young age and continued to be one until his passing,” Sotto said.

“Coming from a wellknown political family, being the grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr. And a nephew of former Sen. Sergio Osmeña Jr., Former Senator Sonny Osmeña it could be surmised that a poration and Public Enterprises. lot of pressure were put on Osmeña, known as the “Lone Ranger” him to be able to follow the footsteps of his grandfather, or leave a lasting for his independent mindedness and taklegacy, like his ancestors did,” he said. ing fearless stance despite overwhelm“But certainly that was not the case for ing odds, was a known graft-buster in Sen. Sonny Osmeña. He made a name the Senate. He founded and organized for himself. He was a great leader in his the “Samahan Laban sa Graft (SALAG)” and spearheaded the Senate investigaown right,” Sotto added.

He said the demise of a “true public tions of many irregular and anomalous servant” whose principles and achieve- government transactions, including the ments “are worth emulating but hard to so-called Petroscam, and those involving the Philippine Airlines and the Philduplicate.”

Zubiri described Osmeña as a “dedi- ippine Ports Authority, among others. cated public servant and an advocate of His exposes have led to the resignation sincere, competent and responsive gov- of corrupt government officials.

He was responsible for the creation of ernance.”

“So Mr President, we asked our dear the Department of Energy (DOE), under colleagues and distinguished institution Republic Act No. 7638, after his Senate to accept this simple resolution, as well Bill was signed into law by President Fias for the family to accept our sincere del V. Ramos in 1992.

Osmeña sponsored among others, a condolences for the death of a great Vinumber of development-oriented bills sayan, Zubiri said.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who authored like the Municipal Telephone Act (RePSR 636, said Osmeña, as a senator was public Act 6849) whereby each municia “fierce debater and stood by his prin- pality will a get a telephone system; the Mini-Hydroelectric Program (RA 7156), ciples.”

“He also showed passion for the ad- which will provide non-conventional vancement of communications, technol- electricity in the countryside; the Public ogy and energy, sponsoring a number Telecommunications Act of 1995 (RA of development-oriented bills,” Gordon 7925), and the creation of the Philippine Postal Corporation (RA 7354). He also said.

As a senator, Osmeña served as Sen- authored landmark bills like the Elecate President Pro-Tempore (1996-2000), tric Power Crisis Act (RA 7648) and the and as chairman of the Committees on Electric Power Reform Act of 2001 (RA Finance, Energy, and Government Cor- 9163), among others.

DILG’S Año extends leave until February 28

QUEZON CITY – Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has extended his leave until the end of the month upon his doctor’s advice to fully recuperate from Covid infection, DILG spokesperson, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.

“SILG extended his leave until the end of the month. The extension was upon doctors’ advice for him to fully recuperate, regain his strength and prioritize his health above all else,” Malaya said.

Malaya said Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. remained as the department’s officer-in-charge until the end of the month.

Año started his one-month leave on Jan. 11 to fully recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Malaya said Año has not taken a single day of leave and even worked during Sundays and holidays since he was hospitalized in August last year due to Covid-19.

Año first tested for Covid-19 on March 3, 2020 and had undergone a second Covid-19 test on April 8 which turned out negative.

On Aug. 16, he again tested positive for the virus.

7 February 4-10, 2021

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

Baguio shivers at 9.4 degrees Celsius BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City’s temperature has dropped to 9.4°C even as the city government stopped the flock of tourists due to the Covid pandemic.

It was the lowest temperature recorded by weathermen this year, according to PAGASA. Ana Clauren, weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the temperature in the country’s Summer Capital dropped to 9.4 degrees at 6 a.m. on Sunday, January 31.

Metro Manila, meanwhile, hit a low 19.9°C as the northeast monsoon gripped Luzon, according to weather forecaster Chris Perez.

The chilly weather, especially in the

mornings, is expected to last until the 3rd or 4th week of February as the cool northeast monsoon or amihan continues to prevail over the country, Perez said.

“For the next 3 days over the area (Baguio), we are expecting at least the minimum temperature will range from about 10-12 degrees Celsius. Now, here in Metro Manila, yesterday we also recorded lowest since 2021. And for the next three days, the minimum temperature range will be from about 20-22 degrees Celsius. So, brace for early morning temperatures,” Perez said.

The northeast monsoon period usually ends at the second week of February, but this time, this could last until the second or third week of February,” Perez said.

Congress okays bill lowering corporate income taxes PASAY CITY — Both houses of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the CREATE bill which seeks to lower corporate income taxes and provide incentives to exporters and domestic enterprises.

The final measure will then go to Malacanang for signing into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. The bill amends provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code.

CREATE or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises, is a priority bill of the administration.

While the bill would reduce government revenues by an estimated P37 billion, the same amount is expected to help businesses finance their operations and retain employees.

The CIT will be reduced further by one percentage point every year from 2023 to 2027.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III described this measure as the “largest fiscal stimulus program for enterprises in the country’s history.”

Albay Rep. and House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Salceda said the measure’s salient features include lowering corporate income tax from 30% to 25% for large corporations, 20% for small and medium corporations (with net taxable income below ₱5 million and total assets below ₱10 million).

The measure also proposes performance-based reductions to encourage job creation and use of local materials.

The minimum corporate income tax for manufacturers will also be lowered from 2% to 1% from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023. Lower taxes on non-profit hospitals, educational institutions and small businesses exempt from value-added tax are also expected.

Apart from tax cuts, the bill pushes for up to 17 years of incentives for exporters and for “critical domestic enterprises” with four to seven years income tax holiday and ten years of special

corporate income tax. Domestic enterprises will receive up to 12 years of incentives while additional tax holidays will be offered to enterprises relocating outside Metro Manila and locating to conflict areas.

Lawmakers also highlighted that the bill will exempt importation and sale of COVID-19 vaccines, drugs, medical devices and personal protective equipment from VAT until December 2023.

The measure will also exempt from VAT, medicines for cancer, mental illness, tubercolosis and kidney diseases.

Senator Joel Villanueva lauded Congress’ ratification of the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law that would now cover training incentives to cushion the impact of automation in employment and upskill workers.

At the same time, Villanueva challenged the Department of Finance (DoF) and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) to fulfill the pledge that more than one million new jobs will be created once the CREATE Bill is enacted into law and implemented by the executive department.

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives Act or CREATE is a muchneeded tax break for many pandemichit companies that are struggling with their finances and as a result, could prevent a wave of insolvencies that could affect the country’s economic growth in the long run, said Sen. Win Gatchalian.

The reduction of the corporate income tax would be a considerable assistance especially to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which comprise 99.5 percent of business establishments in the country and employing approximately 62.4 percent of the workforce.

“CREATE aims to sustain the government’s efforts to protect our people’s health,” said Senator Pia Cayetano, who sponsored the measure and represented the Senate in the bicam.

She added that the bill will serve as a “roadmap to a more sustainable future, as well as our fulfilment of the overdue reforms in the country’s tax and fiscal incentives system.”

Although no voting took place in the Senate, Senator Richard Gordon

manifested that he was against the ratification of the report. When the Senate approved the bill back in November, Gordon questioned a provision which sets up a Fiscal Incentives Review Board that will approve or reject proposed perks.

February 4-10, 2021

Biden...

(From page 1)

Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), as White House liaison of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Steele had served as USAID’s Mission Director for the Philippines, the Pacific Islands, and Mongolia, from 2010-2015, where she oversaw a program budget of over $500 million.

The newest appointees are Camille Calimlim Touton, and Veronica Valdez as Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation in the Department of Interior and as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, respectively.

Also appointed was John Santos, the new special assistant in the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the country’s second-largest federal agency.

Santos previously served as Asian American and Pacific Islander outreach director at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) where he led the DNC’s efforts to mobilize AAPI voters through a close partnership with the Biden-Harris campaign and community leaders across the country.

In addition to his organizing work, Santos has extensive experience in public affairs and communications having served as Western Region press secretary at the DNC. Previously, he served in the U.S. Army as the Deputy

Newsom...

(From page 1)

“As the state’s Chief Elections Officer, Dr. Weber will continue her lifelong dedication to defending civil rights and will undertake a vital role in protecting our democratic process at a critical time,” Newsom said.

SECRETARY OF STATE. Governor Newsom swears in Secretary of State Dr. Weber Confirmed by the Legislature this week, Dr. Weber was nominated by Governor Newsom to fill the Secretary of State position vacated by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, whom he appointed following the resignation of Vice President Kamala Harris from the U.S. Senate.

“The fact that each citizen is a primary officeholder in a democracy is the lodestone tenet of our system of

Military...

(From page 1)

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Press Secretary for the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve during a year-long deployment in Kuwait and Iraq. Additionally, he previously served as the health policy assistant director for the American Legion and chair for communications at KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress.

President Biden has also appointed Fil-Am Angela de la Cruz Perez, a fresh graduate of Georgetown University, to the White House Communications and Press Staff to serve as a press assistant.

Perez served as a press assistant on the transition, and was a communications assistant on the Biden-Harris campaign.

Dagupan City native Camille Calimlim-Touton, the new Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, is the first Filipino-American to serve in the important agency leadership role, Goodnewspilipinas reported.

Touton returns to the Interior Department after serving as Professional Staff for the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. She was the staff lead on the resiliency provisions enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.

U.S. Representative Grace F. Napolitano released the following statement on long-time water policy advisor, Camille Calimlim Touton, being named Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation: “Ms. Touton is a master of the complicated issues of Western water policy, who fully understands the

grave threats posed by climate change and unpredictable drought cycles. She is well respected by the wide spectrum of water leaders, including Democrats and Republicans, federal, state, and local water officials, and non-governmental groups,” Napolitano said.

Camille Calimlim Touton holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from George Mason University, Virginia.

The Bureau of Reclamation is a water management agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees dams, canals, and hydroelectric plants across the Western United States. It is the nation’s largest wholesaler of water and the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the West.

Veronica Valdez, the new Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, is a former special assistant to both Navy and Air Force leadership and was the policy advisor to the Commission President at the Port of Seattle, a critical gateway to Asia. Goodnewspilipinas reported.

Veronica Valdez received a B.S. degree in International Business from The Ohio State University, a Master’s in International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego, and studied Mandarin at Peking University. Her awards include the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Navy Superior Public Service Award, and Presidential recognition.

government. It is my responsibility as Secretary of State to ensure that more Californians are able to exercise that power through the electoral process, and that our elections remain secure, accessible and fair even under the most adverse conditions,” said Secretary of State Dr. Weber.

“Dr. King teaches us that we are at our best when we stand up in service of others and I am humbled to be able to continue to stand up for Californians as Secretary of State,” she said. “ I thank the Governor for his nomination, the State Senators and Assemblymembers who confirmed my appointment, and the Californians who expressed their faith in my ability to assume this critical office,” Weber said.

“I look forward to lifting up and defending our demo-

cratic values of inclusivity and participation in this new role,” she said.

First elected to the California State Assembly in 2012, Dr. Weber has been a voice of moral clarity in the Legislature, providing leadership on issues of social justice. She authored the California Act to Save Lives, landmark legislation signed by Governor Newsom in 2019 setting new, higher standards on the use of deadly force by police.

Dr. Weber’s ambitious legislative agenda has also included bills on education, civil rights, public safety, food insecurity, protections for persons with disabilities and voting rights. She previously served as President of the San Diego Board of Education and as an Africana Studies Department professor at San Diego State University for 40 years.

Lorenzana also cited Duterte’s consistently high approval ratings as shown in surveys.

“PRRD enjoys (a) very high approval rating (91 percent last quarter 2020),” Lorenzana said.

Early on the morning of Feb. 1, Myanmar’s army toppled the Southeast Asian country’s elected government and arrested its de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar’s military declared a one-year state of emergency, transferring power to military leader Min Aung Hlaing and new acting president Myint Swe, a former general, and vice president.

This, after Suu Kyi and other top politicians were detained by the military after allegations of irregularities and fraud in Myanmar’s multiparty general elections in November 2020.

“Will never happen,” said Lorenzana on the possibility of a coup in the Philippines.

The last time the military played a role in unseating a president was in January 2001 when the Armed Forces

leadership withdrew its support from then President Joseph Estrada amid allegations of corruption. Then Vice President Gloria Arroyo was then sworn into the presidency.

“Myanmar is ruled by a military junta. We are not,” said Lorenzana in dismissing a Myanmar-type coup in the Philippines.

Lorenzana said President Duterte “enjoys very high approval rating,” pointing to the 91 percent approval rating of the President based on a survey by the Pulse Asia released in October last year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar is in touch with members of the Filipino community in Myanmar “through WhatsApp.” There were about 1, 270 Filipinos living and working in Myanmar as of last year.

The embassy urged the Filipinos to remain calm and to stay at their homes for the meantime.

includes more than 2.2 million who lost their lives, and 57.6 million who have recovered.

Cases in the United States reached 26.5 million with 441,000 deaths, 3.3 cases of which are in California which also recorded 41,653 deaths. Cases are high also in Florida, Texas New York and Illinois.

The official DOH tally in Manila now stands at 530,118, of which 31,455 or 5.9% are active cases. This does not yet include the latest data from seven testing laboratories which failed to submit on time, the DOH said.

The nationwide death toll also rose to 10,942 with 68 new fatalities, including 19 who were previously tagged as recoveries. Meanwhile, 130 more survivors pushed the re-

covery count to 487,721.

The DOH, at the same time, reported that 71 close contacts of 12 United Kingdom variant cases in Bontoc, Mountain Province have tested positive for COVID-19.

For the UK variant case in La Trinidad, Benguet, 37 contacts have been reached; five were found infected with COVID-19. Two of the five swab samples were also submitted to the PGC for genome sequencing.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 410 people who came in contact with the 12 UK variant cases have already been traced, 71 of whom tested positive for COVID-19, 197 yielded negative results, while 88 have not been screened and results of 42 individuals are yet to be released.

PHL... (From page 1) Johns Hopkins University. This

9 February 4-10, 2021 PHL...

 NATIONAL NEWS (From page 1)

“We are sinking deeper and deeper,” the Chief Executive stressed during his address at a public briefing with Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go and several Cabinet members led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez.

While making the admission that the Philippine economy is in bad shape, Duterte pointed out that many other countries were also suffering economically due to the crisis which had triggered lockdowns, closure of businesses and industries, halted tourism and schools, among others.

The Chief Executive claimed that the country’s economy was doing well before the pandemic struck early last year. At press time, more than 530,000 Filipinos have been infected by the Covid virus.

“Araw-araw, we are losing P2 billion na pera na para sana ‘yun sa tao.

(Every day, we are losing P2 billion worth of money which should’ve been for the people). The workers, the Filipino workers would have earned that money kung ang ekonomiya natin gumagalaw,” he said in his address in public briefing.

Duterte, at the same time, assured his administration is doing its best “to keep us afloat” after it contracted by a record 9.5 percent in 2020.

“We are sinking deeper and deeper pero hindi lang rin tayo (but it’s not just us)…Pero (But) we are trying our very best to keep us afloat. Ang ekonomiya natin, mga kabuhayan, masama talaga. Biro mo naman, ilang taong walang trabaho (Our economy, our livelihood is in bad shape. Many people lost their jobs). The economy of the Philippines is in bad shape but as I have said, it is not only the Philippines who suffers. We in the world are suffering with everybody,” he said.

Citing Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, he said Filipino workers lose a daily income amounting to P2 billion due to pandemic-related lockdowns.

Duterte appealed to the public to keep their faith in his administration, noting that government is doing its best to balance Filipinos’ health and the economy.

On Jan. 28, the Philippine Statistics Authority said the local economy, as measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), sank by 9.5 percent in 2020, the nation’s worst economic performance since after World War II. Economic managers are optimistic that the Philippine economy will recover this year as it eyes to roll out its large-scale vaccination program starting this month.

Presidential Spokesperson Roque, however, expressed optimism about

the country’s recovery this year, saying the economic growth is projected to reach 6.5 to 7.5 percent in 2021 and 8 to 10 percent in 2022 if the reopening of the economy will be sustained.

“Inaasahan natin next year kung patuloy ang pagbubukas ng ating ekonomiya, ang estimate ng ating economic planners ay magiging positive tayo (We expect that by next year, if the opening of the economy will continue, our economic planners estimated positive growth),” he said.

He reminded the public to continue to observe health protocols, such as wearing of face masks, face shields, frequent hand-washing, and physical distancing from others, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country has locked in 106 to 108 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines after he signed five term sheets with manufacturers.

The Philippines hopes to secure some 148 million doses, aside from the 40 million doses that will come from the World Health Organizationled Covax Facility, to inoculate an initial 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), bewailed that the country “relies too much on lockdowns” and restrictions to curb the pandemic, arguing the casualties of the deadly disease were far fewer than the number of cases in the Philippines.

Other business leaders warned of a slowed growth for the Philippines, saying full recovery could take four to five years if the country will not relax foreign ownership and accelerate consumption.

Calixto Chikiamco, president of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, said the country’s GDP per capita may only go back to pre-pandemic levels within 4-5 years if economic reforms do not push through.

He added that regaining the lost value of the local economy may take two to three years.

With the Philippine economy reeling after four consecutive quarters of negative growth last year, the expected first quarter of 2021 may not provide the recovery necessary to prevent a full blown depression from taking place.

Already officially under a recession, the country is seen to lose P700 million (about $14.6 million) daily with the new Covid-19 variant expected to keep Metro Manila and other regions like Cebu under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said at the start of this week that the Philippines would continue to lose P700 million per day in wages and other income due to the GCQ, which will remain in effect un-

til the end of this month, at the very least.

Chua, who also heads the National Economic and Development Authority, said the contraction of the economy is likely to continue in the first quarter of 2021 because “nothing significant will change.”

After February, however, Chua said “we should be in a better position to relax further” and restrictions can be relaxed.

The Philippines’ gross domestic product shrank by 9.5 percent in 2020 and signs indicate the first quarter of 2021 to be off to a slow start.

But Chua insisted that the country can still attain its targeted growth of between 6.5 to 7.5 percent this year once the vaccines against Covid-19 are rolled out.

Last year, in tourist income alone, the Philippines lost an estimated P400 billion ($8.333 billion) Travel and tourism had been considered a sunshine industry before the pandemic. In 2019, the Philippines welcomed 8.3 million foreign visitors, but this plunged to just 1.3 million last year.

As a result of the severe drop in visitors to the country, 5.7 million jobs were affected.

Because the tourism industry provides countless downstream jobs, the effect of the crash could be deemed

catastrophic.

Just for local travelers, the industry had become a P3 trillion ($62.5 billion) market prior to the global pandemic, according to Tourism undersecretary Roberto Alabado.

As a result, countless hotels and resorts were forced to either suspend operations or shut down entirely. The biggest casualty among the top hotels is the Makati Shangri-La, which shut down its flagship hotel this week.

The woes expanded to the travel sector, and Philippine Airlines was finally forced to announce that it would retrench 2,300 employees by midMarch.

The country’s unemployment rate had eased to 8.7 percent by yearend last year, or around 3.8 million jobless Filipinos. The worst level was reported last April, when it soared to 17.6 percent, then down to 10 percent in July, 2020.

While the government’s economic planners have avoided use of the dreaded wore “depression,” this may be unavoidable as economists define four consecutive quarters of negative growth as a depression.

Two consecutive quarters of negative growth is described as a recession, and the Duterte administration’s economic team has not shied away from the term because recessions are usually easy to recover from.

 NATIONAL NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

10

Red Cross starts saliva Covid tests

ing drive-thru real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) saliva test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in two SM Supermalls.

The PRC, through its chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon, and the management of SM Supermalls headed by its president Steven Tan, held a ceremonial signing COVID-19 TEST. Philippine Red Cross chairman and of the memorandum of CEO, Sen. Richard Gordon, and the management of agreement at the PRC LoSM Supermalls headed by its president, Steven Tan, gistics and Multipurpose sign an agreement for the Covid-19 RT-PCR Saliva Test. Center.

“This is something that will bring back peoPASAY CITY – The Philippine ple to the malls safely”, Gordon said.

Red Cross (PRC) has started conductHe said currently, they have the first

two collection sites in SM Megamall at the Mega A bus bay in Edsa, Mandaluyong; and at the 5 Ecom Open Parking in SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The locations will serve as specimen collection sites while the samples will be forwarded to the PRC laboratories for testing.

Red Cross biomolecular laboratories chief Paulyn Ubial said the process is fast and convenient.

“Ang magada rito hindi na lalabas sa sasakyan yung mga tinetesting inaabot na lang sa kanila yung tube and dun sila mag co-collect sa loob ng sasakyan, ilalagay nila yung barcode at ia-abot sa sample collector, so mabilis lang, 5 to 10 minutes (The good thing about this is that they do not need to go out of their vehicles. They will be given a tube and they will collect their own specimen inside their vehicles. They will place the

barcode and give it back to the sample collector. It will take them only about 5 to 10 minutes),” Ubial said.

Results may be out within three to five hours and the cost is P2,000, way cheaper than the current prices of the RT-PCR swab test.

Gordon said PRC would send the results via e-mail or by text message.

He said while the country is waiting for the Covid-19 vaccines, testing should be intensified.

Even if vaccines become available, he said testing should continue.

Gordon added that aside from SM Supermalls, other mall owners and businesses have already expressed their intention to partner with PRC in conducting Covid-19 testing.

He said those who want to book an appointment for the RT-PCR Saliva test may do so via book.redcross1158.com.

Price ceiling on meat products to take effect Feb. 8 amid protests QUEZON CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the new Executive Order (EO) that imposes a price ceiling on pork and chicken products in the National Capital Region (NCR) is likely to take effect on February 8 amid complaints from hog raisers, traders and market vendors who claim that the

prices set were unrealistic.

“The price ceiling will effectively be enforced by Feb. 8 this year by all the institutions involved,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar told the House of Representatives committees on Agriculture and Food as well as Trade and Industry.

The DA and livestock stakeholders will meet to discuss the repercussions of EO 124 to the industry. The new EO stated that prices of kasim/pigue should be at P270 per kilo, liempo at P300 per kilo, and dressed chicken at P160 per kilo for 60 days.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secre-

tary Noel Reyes reported that the Secretary said it will likely occur on February 8.

DA’s Assistant Secretary for agribusiness Kristine Evangelista also shared that they are taking into consideration to give producers and traders the grace period to earn back their capital.

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 OPINION Miriam/Maryknoller on Biden team First of 2 Parts

P

EDITORIAL

What doesn’t he understand?

W

ith his second impeachment trial set to begin next week, former President Donald Trump seems bent on presenting as his defense an essentially indefensible argument.

He wants to convince the 100 senators acting as his jury to believe that the Nov. 3 election which he lost was null and void because there was massive cheating, that it was rigged.

The five lawyers who originally agreed to defend him all backed out this week reportedly because the former president did not agree that the real issue was the constitutionality of his trial.

As more than one legal expert has stated, it would be wrong to try Trump because the purpose of impeachment is to remove an official from office.

There is no need to do this as Trump is no longer president. His refusal to concede to Joe Biden notwithstanding, when he took that chopper at the front lawn of the White House on the day that Joe Biden took his oath as president, he was effectively abandoning the presidency, and his claim to the office.

Other legal scholars, on the other hand, say that Trump must still be held accountable for his role in the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. He goaded his followers to take action, and they did. As a result, five people died that day.

By finding Trump guilty, he would be deprived of all the benefits due an ex-president. He would also be banned from seeking public office for life.

These are the fitting punishments for the serious crime committed by the 45th president, say the legal minds.

During his trial, it is imperative that Donald Trump prove his innocence by showing that it was never his intention to incite his followers to violence, much less cause loss of life.

He and his lawyers must argue that he can no longer be removed from office as he is no longer occupying that office.

It’s pretty clear that this was the defense that his original team of five top lawyers wanted to present before the senators. But what Trump wanted was to repeat the lie that the elections were stolen from him.

Either he has become totally delusional and can no longer tell the difference between an outright lie from a clear truth, or he believes that no matter what his defense, the Republicans in the Senate would never convict him.

He is therefore bent on turning his trial into yet another publicity stunt to favour his self-image as a winner for life, and consequently set the stage for another run at the White House four years from now.

It is not clear if his second set of lawyers will go back to questioning the constitutionality of the trial, or if they will agree to play his game and insist that he was robbed of a second term.

What will happen next week may well be little more than a circus. It would be a waste of time and a bigger waste of the taxpayers’ money.

But proceed it must. It is the law.

Upside

RESIDENT Joe Biden has named a Filipina American as the acting Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development or USAID in a move seen as honoring his pledge to build a government that “looks like America,”.

Her gender, race and origins, however, merely gild Gloria Diño Steele’s long and remarkable service in the federal government and her readiness for the role.

Armed with a Business Administration degree from Miriam/Maryknoll College in Manila and a master’s CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University, the Philippine-born executive got the nod pending Senate confirmation of actual nominee Samantha Power, Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 through 2017. Power’s Senate hearing was not scheduled at press time.

Biden appointed Steele within hours from his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021.

Steele, a resident of Virginia, is the first known Filipino American woman to hold a top spot along with several agency heads on the Biden transitional team. (Jason Tengco of California has been named White House Liaison for the same. His mother Velma Alinea Tengco happens to be a college classmate of Steele. Biden also named Pangasinan-born Camille Calimlim-Touton as Deputy Commissioner for the US Bureau of Reclamation.)

The appointment puts an exclamation point on Steele’s 40-year service at what is recognized as the premier international development agency in the world. USAID supports advancement of U.S. national security and economic Ac�ng USAID Administrator Gloria Diño prosperity. It states promotion of self- Steele was Senior Deputy Assistant Adreliance and resilience among recipi- ministrator for Asia in 2016. Photo by ents of its funding assistance as a major Nguyen Thac Phuong/ USAID purpose.

Steele officially retired on Dec. 31, 2020 as Acting Assistant Administrator and Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia, her position since 2015. This month she assumed her role as COO of CARE, a non-governmental organization founded in 2000 to combat poverty in 100 countries. Its strategies center on equality, focusing on women and girls, whom it identified as disproportionately deprived of opportunities.

Superlatives have marked Steele’s career for decades, in-(Continued on page 27)

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 OPINION

Health & Wealth

ast week a new client called Mobile Signing Services (MSS) for assistance and help in the authentication and/or apostille of documents needed and required in the Philippines.

Accordingly, Nancy sent a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) to the Philippines without being authen- ART GABOT MADLAING ticated and/or apostilled here in California. The notarized SPA was not accepted in the Philippines because it was not authenticated and or apostilled.

I don’t completely blame Nancy for her bad experience.

The Notary Public who notarized the SPA might be new and is not familiar with the updates in the authentication (red ribbon) and or apostille (red stamp) of notarized documents needed and required in the Philippines.

I told Nancy that as of May 14, 2019, the Philippine Consulate Office in San Francisco, California no longer issue Certificate of Authentication (red ribbon) on notarized SPA and other documents needed and required in the Philippines.

I advised her to have the notarized SPA be returned to her.

Then, we could have it be submitted to the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section in Sacramento, California, for apostille (red stamp).

The bad experience of Nancy was not only waste of time, money and efforts but caused tremendous delay on the part of Nancy. There are still many people (here and in the Philippines) who are not updated on the changes in the authentication and/or apostille of notarized documents needed and required in the Philippines. I would like, therefore, to share some excerpts of the Legal Notice from the Philippine Consulate, Legal Section on the Accession of the Philippines to the Apostille Convention, as follows: “The Philippine Consulate shall no longer issue Authentication Certificates (red ribbon) for documents notarized or apostilled in the United States under its jurisdiction namely: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, Northern Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Northern California.

If you notarized documents before 14 May, 2019, the Philippine Consulate will (1) still accept it for authentication (red ribbon) or (2) you may advice applicant to secure and Apostille. On the other hand, if you notarized documents from 14 May, 2019 onwards, we will no longer authenticate said documents. The applicant should forward it to the issuing State/ Competent Authority for the issuance of Apostille Certificate.

Please note that Apostilled document/s no longer need additional authentication by the Philippine Consulate General.

Once apostilled, it already has legal validity and can be sent to the Philippines for use.”

To avoid committing the bad experience of Nancy, make sure that before sending notarized SPA and other documents needed in the Philippines, they were apostilled by the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, in Sacramento or Los Angeles, California.

MSS is still committed and will continue to assist and help old and new clients particularly the elderly, veterans and those who are physically handicapped, in the notarization and follow up for apostle of Affidavits, SPA and other documents needed in the Philippines.

Most of the time, it is more advantageous, convenient and economical for you to avail yourself of the unique and complete services of MSS. Here are some benefits and savings for you: 1.AVOID TAKING OFF FROM WORK –-- You don’t need to take off from work just to submit and follow up the apostille of notarized documents needed in the Philippines.

2.SAVINGS ON MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS AND SIGNATURES --- MSS offers 10% to 15% discounts on multiple documents and multiple signatures.

3.AVOID DRIVING TO SACRAMENTO --- MSS will take care everything for you. You don’t need to drive to Sacramento just to submit and follow up the apostille of documents at the Secretary of State, Notary Public Section.

4.SAVINGS ON PARKING --- There is free parking on our driveway and street parking spaces.

5.FLEXIBLE TIME AND LOCATION OF APPOINTMENTS –-- MSS offers very flexible appointments for old and new clients during regular office (Continue on page 27)

12

The price of leadership

Wrong reasons, wrong time for charter change

arely a few days after being sworn in as Secretary of State, Antony Blinken spoke with counterparts in Asia, the Pacific, and Europe. The calls included discussions of defense and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The US has pledged to support her allies in maritime disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea. PERRY DIAZ Indeed, the US is eager to renew her alliances with old allies like Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia with whom the US has treaty obligations to defend against aggression. The other treaty allies of the US are South Korea and Israel. In a nutshell, if one of America’s treaty allies is attacked, the US will come to her aid.

President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga talked about the defense of the Senkaku Islands while Blinken pledged to support the Philippines in the event of armed attack in the South China Sea (SCS) of which about 80% of the waters is claimed by China. The area claimed is delineated by the so-called Nine-Dash-Line, which includes most of the Spratly archipelago that the Philippines claimed as her territory.

Blinken “reaffirmed that a strong US-Philippine alliance is vital to a free and open Indo-Pacific region” in a call to Philippine foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin. One might ask: Why didn’t Biden call Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte directly? Well, the relationship between the US and the Philippines is shaky right now considering that Duterte had openly endorsed ex-president Donald Trump during the November 3rd election, the only national leader who did. However, with Duterte administration coming to an end in 2022, there might be opportunities to re-engage in dialogues on how to reinvigorate the teetering alliance.

Defense of Taiwan Blinken’s remarks to Southeast Asian allies indicate the hardline stance will continue for the new administration. And to stress the seriousness of Biden’s commitment, the Pentagon deployed the aircraft carrier battle group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the South China Sea to conduct routine operations “to ensure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that foster maritime security.” It was also at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan have raised the temperature in the Taiwan Strait.

It’s important to note that China vowed to attack Taiwan in 2020. Well, that was last year and nothing happened. But the conventional wisdom is that China would invade Taiwan at some point in time. She is just waiting for the opportune time to do so. In the event of an attack, the US is obligated by US law to defend Taiwan, which means war will break out!

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement the battle group entered the SCS on January 23rd, the same day Taiwan reported a large incursion of Chinese bombers and fighter jets into its air defense identification zone in the vicinity of the Pratas Islands.

The day before, January 22nd, China authorized her coast guard to fire on foreign vessels and to demolish other countries’ structures built on reefs and islands claimed by China, which by inference includes the Pag-asa Island that is occupied by civilian Filipinos and a marine contingent. If China proceeds with the destruction of Pag-asa, that would be considered an invasion since Pag-asa is a municipal town of the province of Palawan. The Philippines could then invoke the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

Defense of the Philippines The question is: Why is the SCS important to the US that she would defend the Philippines against Chinese aggression?

If China restricts American passage in the SCS, it could cause innumerable damage to U.S.’s trade and economy. In 2011, $5.3 trillion in trade passed through the SCS, $1.2 trillion of which was tied to the U.S. About 90% of East Asian energy imports pass through the SCS. In 2014, the U.S. exported $79 billion in goods to countries around the SCS, and imported $127 billion from them that same year. It is therefore in the U.S.’s best interest that the SCS should remain open to maritime navigation.

But the importance of controlling the SCS is that it connects to the Indian Ocean through (Continue on page 27)

“The Constitution is an experiment as all life is an experiment. Every year, if not every day, we have to wager our salvation on some prophesy based on imperfect knowledge.”

-Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes “If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act.” - Justice Robert Jackson

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he present Cory Aquino Constitution needs to amended, nay revised, – for the right reason. It is probably the worst Constitution ever written in this country. Why? It violates the fundamentals of a good Constitution –brief in form, broad in scope and clear in meaning. To borrow the language of our mentors in the UP College of Law, it should not have the prolixity of a Code HOMOBONO A. ADAZA which means – it should not be so detailed as to possibly cover every imaginable situation.

Brief in form: The reason for this is - a Constitution must be designed to be read and understood by every citizen. It is not just made for lawyers, scholars, legislators, judges, Presidents and public officials. It is for all the citizens of the country. That is why it must be short so everyone can read and understand it at the shortest time possible. It being the fundamental law – every citizen should know how to act consistent with it and when it is violated by other citizens, especially by public officials, he should call the attention of the violators.

The Cory Aquino is like a Code – it is quite long. Even lawyers get tired reading it because it so lengthy. They also have a difficult time understanding it – more so with the simple citizen.

Broad in scope: A Constitution is not just formulated for a day, a year or a decade. It is made for all time, thus the words used must be broad to cover all possible emergent circumstances. One example is the Jeffersonian approach in the American Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”.

More examples are the following terms- due process, equal protection of the law, human rights, social justice, independent foreign policy, sovereignty, democratic, republican which could encompass many specific situation under changing times and circumstances.

Clear in meaning: The provisions of the Constitution must be understood by the most simple-minded citizen. This is one of the primary reasons why the words used must be clear in meaning – to avoid unnecessary debate and dispute. Under rules of constitutional and statutory construction when the words used are clear – there is no need for interpretation. And if there is no room for interpretation, there will be no cause for trouble.

Wrong reasons: The administration wants the Constitution amended for the wrong reasons – the economic provisions and the abolition of the party list. Tinkering with the economic provisions is suicidal. It will open the floodgates to foreigners whose only purpose of coming into the country is to make profits. They don’t care what happens to our country and our people. They just want a high return of investments.

We need them like a hole in the head.

Why give them the right to own businesses like telecommunications – radio, television, newspapers, and telephone companies with the same rights as Filipino citizens? Why allow them to exploit our national resources with the same rights as Filipino citizens? Why allow them to own industries which are only for Filipino citi(Continue on page 27)

Diliman Way

Apostille for documents needed in the Philippines

PerryScope

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February 4-10, 2021

13 February 4-10, 2021

 OPINION

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Offline

ext month will mark the first full year when Covid-19 AKA coronavirus turned our world upside down.

Until a couple of weeks ago, most of us were certain that the crisis was about to pass. After all, several companies had developed vaccines to stop the scourge that started in China in late 2019 and spread BETING DOLOR throughout the world in a matter of weeks.

The anti-Covid vaccines came from a number of sources, and they promised efficacy rates ranging from a little over 50 percent, to as high as 90-plus percent.

As expected, the Philippines was at the tailend of countries that would get a sufficient supply of the vaccine, any vaccine, for a majority of the population.

As this is being written, all of the developed countries of the world and a good number of developing nations have started to distribute the vaccines, inoculating their citizens first by the hundreds of thousands, and then by the millions.

As for our beloved Republic of the Philippines, only the Presidential Security Group has been vaccinated, with smuggled vaccines, at that.

Supposedly, a few senators and congressmen, as well as governors and mayors, have been vaccinated, all with smuggled drugs whose efficacy is unknown.

A couple of weeks ago, a well-known Chinese-Filipino testified that tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of Chinese who are residing in the Philippines – legally, illegally, extra-legally, no one knows for sure – had already been vaccinated.

Where did their supply come from? She didn’t say, leading to conjecture that there is now a black market in anti-Covid vaccines, most likely centered in the Binondo area AKA Chinatown.

A few of my doctor-friends admitted that they had heard of the black market, and were sure that the rumor was true.

But they added that they themselves would not prescribe the smuggled vaccine, as these were likely sourced from China, where two companies have already been creating and selling their versions of the medication for months now.

One of the Chinese drug manufacturers is the favoured supplier of the Duterte regime for reasons known only to themselves.

The announced cost of the Chinese medication was in the vicinity of P3,500 per shot, or about $70.

When this tidbit of news came out, our good senators called for an investigation, as most other vaccines were bring bought and sold for far, far less. The average dosage worldwide is in the vicinity of $7 or $8, so clearly some parties were about to make a killing.

The Health department was forced to backtrack on its quoted price by saying they were only quoting prices from Google.

Right. Google was their source of prices. Let that sink in.

Anyway, as a result of the Senate inquiry, the Duterte regime now says that the purchase price is actually close to the global rates, but would not state for the record that actual acquisition cost.

Why the secrecy?

My dirty mind tells me that there will still be commissions or finders’ fees involved, but the amounts will be smaller.

No multi-billion peso or dollar scandal here, folks. Just your usual, everyday graft and corruption, which has again become institutionalized in the country.

Meanwhile, the public has become aware of the new Covid variant, which reportedly emanated from the UK. The new vaccines may or may not be effective against the variants.

Yes, I said variants. The latest medical bulletins say that a number of variants to the original Covid-19 have been sprouting out all over the planet. The news comes with the warning that the Philippines may have its own Covid-19 variant in the near future.

The fact that the Philippines has fallen far behind the rest of the world in disseminating any vaccine has caused a resurgence of the Covid anxiety that became prevalent in the first months of the pandemic.

The Duterte regime still (Continue on page 27)

Senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña passes away at 86

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EBU CITY - At 2:45 p.m. on February 2, 2021, in his home in Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines, former Senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, lost his battle with cancer. He was 86.

Osmena was the eldest living grandchild of President Sergio Osmeña (1944-1946), the son of a hero, and an accomplished politician in his own right.

Sonny Osmeña served two full terms in the Philippine Senate as well as a truncated term prior to the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, two terms (26 years apart) in the House of Representatives, and local positions early and late in his career.

Most recently, he served as Mayor of Toledo City, Cebu.

His political career spanned 56 years, the longest of any member of my family. In it, I am including his time in exile during the Martial Law regime of Ferdinand Marcos, which began for Tito Sonny shortly after the bombing of Plaza Miranda and ended with the People Power Revolution.

He is survived by his beloved sister Annabelle “Annie” Osmeña Aboitiz, his younger brother, former Cebu Governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña, and his son, former Cebu Vice-Governor John Gregory “John-John” Osmeña, Jr. “It’s hard to imagine that he’s gone,” said his only son, John-John Osmeña who now lives in Southern California.

“He influenced almost every aspect of my life. We weren’t always on the best of terms, but the good memories far outweigh the bad. And I’m so grateful that I was able to come back with my family to spend time with him last year. We were able to put things right. I draw a lot of comfort from that right now.”

John-John, who at the time of this writing was making preparations to fly back to Cebu, was referring to his visit in January of 2020 when he was able to introduce his father to his wife and youngest children. It was a fortunate time to make a trip given that global travel was shut down by March of 2020 and Sonny himself was hospitalized in 2020 from Covid-19.

Sonny Osmeña was born on January 17, 1935, the eldest child of Mary Renner Osmeña and Dr. Emilio Osmeña who is considered a hero in my family for losing his life to occupying Japanese forces. In December of 1941, when the Japanese invaded, at the age of five, Sonny and his family were evacuated to a farm outside Cebu City. A few months later, his father, Dr. Emilio Osmeña was captured by the Japanese and beheaded for refusing to serve as military governor of Cebu during the occupation.

Sonny and his family spent the remainder of World War II in hiding until, right after the famed landing of US forces at Leyte Gulf, the family joined President Osmeña in Tacloban and remained part of Don Sergio’s household for the remainder of his tenure as President of the Philippines.

While he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of San Carlos, his political influences were profound, and he went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration from UP Diliman.

Tito Sonny launched his career as a Cebu City Councilor in 1963 when my grandfather, Serging Osmeña, was mayor.

He quickly ascended the political ladder only to find himself a Senatorial candidate on stage in August 21, 1971 when Plaza Miranda was bombed during a rally of opposition leaders.

Among those injured but not killed were Tito Sonny as well as my grandfather, Serging. Tito Sonny spent the rest of his life walking with a limp as a result of the attack.

A longstanding member of the Liberal Party (diehard Democrats should appreciate this), Sonny Osmeña was the most prominent politician in our family in the years after Cory Aquino assumed office, possibly some of the most euphoric times in Philippine politics.

In this time of Covid-19, Tito Sonny has been cremated and will be interred at an undisclosed location in Cebu. Annie Osmeña-Aboitiz, who was with him when he passed, will be holding a mass for her brother.

“Dad was closest to his sister, Annie. He could never say no to his little sister. And she stood by him through good times and bad,” recalls his son, John-John.

This news may reach peo(Continue on page 27)

‘Remembering Rizal in Trump’s now repealed travel ban’

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ne of President Joe Biden’s first acts as president was to repeal the discriminatory “Muslim ban,” a Trump executive order (“EO”) that is called and referred to by many civil and human rights advocate as an anti-Muslim travel ban. The ban initially worked to prevent citizens of seven countries (Libya, ATTY. JOJO LIANGCO Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, and Sudan) from coming and going to the U.S. After a legal challenge, Sudan and Iraq were taken off the list. Then last year, six African and Asian nations were added to the travel ban (including Sudan).

Trump justified his executive order as an “anti-terrorism measure.” The ban caused many families to be separated, denying many U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents of their right to be with their loved ones. *** History tells us that Trump was not the first to order a discriminatory exclusion and travel ban to bar certain groups of people from entering the U.S. The U.S. has a history of passing and making exclusionary laws and acts.

Although the United States of America was founded and has emerged as a great nation because of the contributions and hard work of immigrants and refugees from different lands and shores, it has a long history of restricting certain immigrants and aliens from coming and being in the U.S. In the past, many strong anti-immigrant attitudes and sentiments have even manifested and resulted in hate-crimes and xenophobia. *** When Trump signed the executive order (“EO”) “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” on January 27, 2017, it did not only bring fear among Muslims and refugees but to non-Muslims as well because the order had consequences that affected almost everyone who wanted to enter the U.S. The so-called “port of entries” in the international airports as well as the entry inspection facilities located in our borders became the symbols of America’s closed doors after Trump’s EO--- telling so-called outsiders that they are “unwelcomed.”

I remember the chaos in many U.S. airports after President Trump signed his EO and after the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol started enforcing it. Many travelers were stranded, some were arrested and put-on-hold, and there were those who were rejected outright and were deported. It was clear that the EO also came as a surprise to many airport officials and immigration officers who did not fully understand it, including the sudden changes in the rules and protocol affecting those who were entering the U.S. *** It was good that people reacted quickly to protest Trump’s travel ban EO three years ago, including many immigration lawyers and human rights advocates in the U.S., who rushed to the airports to provide support and assistance to those were affected by the harsh, draconian, and discriminatory Trump EO. This was not the case when Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, first entered the United States in 1888. Rizal’s diaries and letters to his friends and relatives in Laguna about his travel experience in the U.S. (and being subjected to prejudice and discrimination while trying to enter the U.S. through the port of entry in San Francisco, California) showed that he was a brilliant political analyst.

Rizal was held (“quarantined”) aboard his ship for six days before he was allowed to disembark. What Rizal saw in 1888 in a way has similarities to what we witnessed in 2017.

His observation as to why he and his ship and travel companions were being subjected to quarantine were stated in a letter to his parents on April 29,1888--“Here we are in sight of America since yesterday without being able to disembark, placed in quarantine on account of the 642 Chinese that we have on board coming from Hong Kong where they say smallpox prevails. But the true reason is that, as America is against Chinese immigration and now they are campaigning for the elections, the government, in order to get the vote of the people, must appear to be strict with the Chinese, and we suffer. On board there is not one (Continue on page 27) sick person…”

Immigrant’s Story

Covid anxiety getting worse

 IMMIGRATIONS

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Should Immigration Reform Bill be part of Covid Relief Package?

he comprehensive immigration reform bill has not been filed in Congress because there is a developing plan to include the reform bill as part of the Covid Relief Package. The reason is because adding the reform bill to the relief package would only require a simple majority vote in the Senate by using the Budget reconciliation process. Without this method , a 60 votes in the Senate is needed to pass the reform bill. This other process in known as the Filibuster method or long debate method. In my opinion adding the reform bill to the relief package is the better way because the chances of approval is better than having a separate bill.

Democrats are moving forward with President Joe Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that could require they use reconciliation to advance it in the Senate without GOP support. Pelosi and Schumer filed a joint budget resolution that starts the process that would allow Congress to pass the relief package with a simple majority.

A group of 100 lawmakers, led by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, on Saturday urged House leadership to include the path to citizenship, which would apply to about 5 million undocumented immigrants who are essential workers. More than 500 national, state and local organizations — including the Center for American Progress, Immigration Hub and Human Rights Campaign — last month urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Pelosi to do the same.

Democrats in the House and Senate have not yet formally introduced bills with Biden’s comprehensive immigration reform plan. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) are taking the lead in preparing the bill for introduction in their respective chambers. But getting a big bill through Congress is widely expected to be a difficult task given the 50-50 split in the Senate — meaning at least 10 Republicans would have to support the legislation.

Republicans have already been critical of the size of Democrats’ proposed package and some have argued that the inclusion of a pathway to citizenship would be a show of Democrats dropping in unrelated and unnecessary items into the relief bill resolution that starts the process that would allow Congress to pass the relief package with a simple majority.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi does not plan to include a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essential workers, Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status recipients as part of an upcoming coronavirus relief package, despite calls from Democrats and immigrant advocates to do so.

If the House leadership’s plan to keep a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essential workers be on a separate track from its massive coronavirus relief package, it will be a blow for Democrats and immigrant advocates looking for immediate opportunities to move reform forward quickly.

Note: This is not a legal advice.

SUCCESS STORIES 1. For the month of January 2021, we received from USCIS approvals of two relative petitions, one fiancée visa petition and one removal of condition on residence petition.

2. For the month of November and December 2020, we received approvals of four K-1 Fiancé visa, five green card applications and one I-601 Hardship waiver.

3. For the month of October 2020, we received from USCIS seven approvals of Family petitions, and one Removal of Condition on residence.

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 personal injury law since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@ CCLlaw.net

February 4-10, 2021

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Bangko Sentral: Financial crimes soar during pandemic

Governor Benjamin Diokno MANILA – Fraudulent financial transactions, including those involving credit card usage, increased in 2020 during the pandemic, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno.

Diokno said other most common crimes involve unauthorized or disputed transactions due to disclosure of personal information and phishing e-mails based on personal account information and the use of one-time password (OTP).

Diokno said the most common credit card complaint in 2019 was about disputed transactions while it was about credit card fees and charges in 2020.

He said payment networks follow a stringent protocol on the investigation on these frauds.

“In most cases, the charges of fraudulent transactions are normally reversed

through a charge-back or liability shared mechanism,” he added.

As the BSP pushes for greater use of safe digital payments options, Diokno further said they have also increased their programs to educate the public “to address risks related to the increased accessibility of innovative digital financial products and services.”

He, however, clarified this bid is a shared responsibility of the banking public, the BSP, and the BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs).

Diokno said “BSP secures our digital financial system through a comprehensive set of regulations that addresses the increasing propensity and sophistication of cyber-attacks.”

“Collective vigilance is seen to foster greater confidence in the financial system under the new economy,” he added.

 BUSINESS

February 4-10, 2021

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PHL economy contracts 9.5% in 2020; strong rebound seen MANILA – The Philippine economy shrank a record 9.5 percent in 2020 but is expected to stage a strong recovery before the end of the year with the rollout of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported the gross domestic product (GDP) posted a smaller contraction of 8.3 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

“The prospects for 2021 are encouraging. With the continuous calibrated reopening of businesses and mass transportation, and the relaxation of age group restrictions, we will see more economic activity in the months ahead,” said acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, reading a prepared joint statement of the government’s economic

managers in a virtual press conference.

Chua said the Duterte administration’s efforts to increasingly open the economy while fast-tracking the vaccination program and keeping the Covid-19 caseload to the lowest level possible would boost business and consumer confidence that are crucial to a robust economic recovery.

“All of these efforts to contain the coronavirus and revive the economy will allow us to prevent long-term economic scarring and productivity losses and recover to the pre-pandemic level by mid-2022,” he added.

Chua said the country had targeted in 2022 the achievement of two important economic milestones -- achieving an upper middle-income country status and lifting some 6 million Filipinos out of poverty.

“All of these relative to our own performance and the targets we have set are actually on track. And if we work together to address the remaining issues around both Covid and non-Covid issues, then we will be able to achieve the 6.5-7.5 percent growth target this year and the 8-10 percent growth target next year, and those two (targets) will put us right where we want to be based on our PDP (Philippine Development Plan) targets,” he told reporters.

Chua, chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said there is a need to balance to gradually open the economy, avoid prolonged quarantine, focus on localized quarantines, and implement the minimum health standards. “(These) actually can give us a better deal wherein we address both Covid while also addressing non-Covid problems of the people. So going forward, we cannot afford anymore prolonged quarantines or risk aversion...,” he added.

The full-year GDP contraction to -9.5 percent is at the low end of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) estimate of -8.5 to -9.5 percent for 2020.

Alongside the prospects for a mass vaccination program, Chua said the higher government spending through the Bayanihan to Recover as One (Bayanihan 2) and the 2020 and 2021 budgets, as well as the swift congressional approval of key legislative bills, would underpin economic recovery this year and onwards.

He said the 2021 budget amounting to about P4.5 trillion includes an allocation of P1.1 trillion for infrastructure.

“With a multiplier of 2.27, meaning every peso spent creates another

1.27 pesos, some 1.7 million jobs can be created to accelerate the recovery.

Timely implementation of infrastructure projects will have the biggest impact on our recovery prospects,” he added.

The NEDA chief cited preliminary data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showing the actual infrastructure spending was higher than programmed levels in the fourth quarter and full-year 2020.

“We have exceeded the program both for the fourth quarter and the full year on infrastructure disbursement.

The reason why it is negative in the GDP account is we are comparing to the fourth quarter of 2019 where we have the highest ever infrastructure spending as a result of the catch-up plan in 2019,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chua attributed the improved performance of the economy in the fourth quarter to the further reopening of businesses and wider accessibility of public transport since October 2020.

On the demand side, private consumption, which comprises some 70 percent of GDP, remained weak with a -7.2 percent growth, he said.

He added government consumption grew by 4.4 percent despite the high base in 2019. As of Dec. 31, 2020, P109 billion have been released under Bayanihan 2.

On the supply side, Chua added that reopening of the economy led to smaller contractions in industry, manufacturing, and services growth.

However, agriculture performance deteriorated and contracted by 2.5 percent due to a series of typhoons, flooding, and the African swine fever, he added.

PASAY CITYA – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced the retrenchment of 30 percent of its workforce or about 2,300 employees.

The affected workers, combined voluntary separations and involuntary retrenchment, will remain employed until mid-March 2021, the carrier said.

“This has been an extremely difficult and painful decision. For our colleagues who are leaving, rest assured that we are committed to support you through this transition. We extend to you our deepest gratitude for your years of hard work and dedicated service and we will always cherish the ties you have established with the PAL family,” PAL president Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic hit hard the global aviation industry, the retrenchment is part of

the carrier’s overall recovery initiatives, PAL said.

The current number of flights being flown by PAL is still far from what it had pre-pandemic, with operations less than 30 percent of its normal weekly flights due to travel restrictions and low travel demand.

“Since March 2020, PAL has suspended capital expenditures, reduced management salaries, deferred lease payments, and slashed non-essential expenses,” it said.

Flexible working arrangements were implemented during the height of the pandemic.

The retrenchment program was communicated to employees in October 2020.

Affected employees will continue to receive their salaries and medical benefits until the effective date of separation, according to PAL.

PAL retrenches 30% of workforce as pandemic hits aviation industry

17 February 4-10, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

Pinky de Leon sad and happy in California mom was already sick. I knew that it an actress and a singer. I told him that I would be the last time I was talking to loved to sing.” her. She was diagnosed with cancer, not A divorcee, Roy had three children just one but three types. Matibay ang (one of them, a Korean, was adopted) Mommy namin,” she added, “Hudyo and Pinky has three (two from her first kasi, eh. She was Jewish.” (Lilia’s real husband and a daughter from a past relaname was Claire Strauss, that’s why Pin- tionship. Tomas is the youngest). ky uses Eleanor Strauss in her Messen“It’s painful to lose your husband, ger account instead of Eleanor de Leon. ang sakit-sakit,” admitted Pinky. “We Her dad was LVN actor Gil de Leon.), were together for 14 years. We got marshe told Ricky Lo. ried in 2007, a year after I arrived in the “Roy was diagnosed with leukemia. US. He was the love of my life. Walang It was so sudden, so unexpected. He katumbas (beyond compare),” she adwas very strong, very healthy. He ate mitted. only fish and vegetables. He underwent During her current visit, Pinky has chemotherapy and after six months, he been touching base with old friends (Ali had remission. He believed that he was Sotto among them) who would see her at healed and he didn’t want to undergo Christopher and wife Sandy Andolong’s more chemo sessions. Matindi ‘yon, a home for chika-chika, laughing and remcombination of chemo and blood trans- iniscing over meals.

Do you know that Filipino American Her sadness was greeted though with fusion,” she disclosed to the columnist.

“At first, I stayed with Tomas’ family actress Pinky de Leon has been living in the good news that her son Tomas AguRicky reported that he, his friend im- and then I moved to Christopher’s place California for years now? irre and his wife are the new parents of migration lawyer Jemela Nettles met for bonding,” she confided to the columISO 12647-7 Digital Control Strip 2009 Pinky was interviewed by colum100 60 60 100 70 twins, 30 Pinky’s 100 60 first 40 100 40 100and 40 70 40 40 70 70 40 70 40 40 100 70 30 100 top 100 grandchildren.

25 50 75 90 100 70 30 100 40 40 70 Pinky Roy in402011 at40 a 40birthday par- 3 nist. 10 nist Ricky Lo in Manila after she arrived “Dalawa ang nawala, dalawa ang du- ty hosted by Djonna Garcia (remember With Roy gone, Pinky said she now second week of December last year to at- mating,” Pinky told Ricky Lo as report- the Villar Records artist and contract star lives alone in their home in Orange tend to family matters months after her ed in his column Funfare. “God is good. of Nepomuceno Productions launched County, California. mother, actress Lilia Dizon. She went He took two and He gave us two.” in Ang Larawan ni Melissa in the late “I love my life there. Tahimik. I live 100 100 100 100 70 70 States 30 30 last 100 100 60 1002.

100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 migrated 100 40 100 40 40 100 10 40 40 20 70 70 70 70 40 70 40 40 0000 3.1 2.2 2.2 10.2 7.4 7.4 25 19 19 50 40 40 75 66 66 100 100 100 80 70 70 100 back to60the United Feb. Pinky disclosed that she ‘60s?). in a very good place, very safe. I don’t Pinky said she missed her mom who to the United States in 2006 (after do“We met in church,” Pinky told Ricky work anymore. Simple lang ang buhay died in June last year. ing a GMA soap with Regine Velasquez) Lo. “We were two right people meeting ko pero masaya. I have a good support Her mother’s passing came only a and had been visiting her mom and her at the right time. I was free and so was system. I have friends who drop by almonth after she lost her husband, Roy brother Christopher every year. he. He had been single for 18 years. He most every day,” she told Ricky Lo. T:9.75" Tom Coyle, 79, to cancer.

“When I came home in 2019, my didn’t know until much later that I was 3%

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We have the power to harness California’s abundant solar and wind energy. But during peak hours, energy is generated mostly by fossil fuels to meet demand.

Use less energy from 4-9PM to Keep California Golden for generations to come.

L E A R N M O R E AT E N E R G Y U P G R A D E C A . O R G / N E W S PA P E R

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 ENTERTAINMENT

February 4-10, 2021

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John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo ready for their reunion movie

“Tuloy iyan, tuloy ang project.”

These were the words of ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan as she confirmed that Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz will be reunited in a new movie.

“That’s one of the big projects that we have this year,” Lamasan added. “Nadelay lang. Dapat last year iyan, but then pandemic happened ‘tapos kumambyo ng kuwento. So now, it’s going to happen this year.”

In October 2020, the award-winning director said in a press conference that Bea and John Lloyd were supposed to do a movie shot in Florence, Italy, ABSCBN reported.

Due to the pandemic, writer Carmi Raymundo had to revise the story and consider the restrictions, it was learned.

The 2021 omnibus plug for ABS-CBN projects revealed that the Bea-John Lloyd movie is titled “No Goodbyes,” it was reported.

Earlier, Director Lamasan announced at a presscon that ABS-CBN Films has resumed the creative development for the project.

“This time, it’s a collaboration with John Lloyd himself and Bea. So tuloy iyan, tuloy ang project,” she said.

“That’s one of the big projects that we have this year. Kasi, di ba, the many experiences plus iyong talagang innate intelligence naman ni Lloydie [John Lloyd’s nickname],” she added.

“So ngayon, talaga namang umusbong

ang kanyang creativity with everything that he’s been doing and he has truly matured as a person and as a creative person,” the director was quoted as saying by her home network. “ So it’s exciting that he, together with Bea, who has gone through the same journey, collaborate in the project that they’re going to do. It’s something that excites us, it’s something that excites the writer, Carmi Raymundo, likewise the director, Cathy Garcia Molina,” Direk Olive added.

Direk Olive, as ABS-CBN repoted, disclosed that she is also proud that she was one of the first people to handle Bea and John Lloyd, which is why she she said she is really excited about their reunion project.

The first time Direk Olive worked with the team was in the 2002 prime-time series “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” which was also Bea and John Lloyd’s first project as a love team.

“Ako, hinihintay ko na lang mabasa dahil excited na excited ako sa project na iyan. Tandaan niyo, ang John Lloyd and Bea ay nagsimula sa akin sa Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, their very first soap,” she added.

Ahead of their much-awaited movie project, John Lloyd Cruz and director Cathy Garcia Molina reunited for the actor’s Christmas comeback project as an endorser, ABS-CBN reported.

Cruz’s good looks were back in form in Molina’s shoot that capsulized the ac-

tor’s transition as an idol who gave up stardom to become an ordinary citizen and a father within 1,094 days, ABSCBN reported.

“37 years to learn how to be human” and “time Is what you make of it” went the blurbs of the ad, which provided a rare peek of Cruz as a father doting on his 2-year-old son.

Molina and Cruz have a long string of box-office successes with leading ladies Bea Alonzo and Sarah Geronimo, it was reported.

Cruz’s audio visual presentation was the culmination of the star-studded virtual media launch that also featured couple Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola in an

amusing wedding proposal on the beach, Nico Bolzico as Santa Claus, father and daughter Hayden Kho and Scarlet Snow Belo, along with Matteo Guidicelli and other Swatch endorsers.

The Cruz-Molina collaboration is a prelude to a proposed reunion movie with Alonzo under Star Cinema after the pandemic. Also awaited is the release of Cruz’s comeback movie, “Servando Magdamag” directed by Lav Diaz.

Molina had previously told the media that she preferred to handle a CruzAlonzo movie with the same passion and intensity, aspects that have been dampened by the pandemic.

ABS-CBN names Aldrin M. Cerrado as new Global COO ABS-CBN Corporation, a leading media and entertainment network in Southeast Asia with global presence, has announced the appointment of Aldrin M. Cerrado as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ABS-CBN Global Ltd., which oversees all of ABS-CBN’s international subsidiaries and manages its global flagship brand, The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Cerrado succeeds Olivia De Jesus who has retired from the company effective January 31, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Cerrado served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Compliance Officer of ABSCBN Corporation and was immediate past CFO of ABS-CBN Global.

In his capacity as ABS-CBN Global COO, Cerrado will provide the vision and leadership in steering and growing the business in a highly challenging global economic environment and in fast-evolving regional Filipino markets overseas.

Prior to joining ABS-CBN on July 1, 2012, Cerrado was a partner in Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co, the largest professional services firm in the Philippines.

He is a certified public accountant (CPA) with close to 30 years of experience. In 2016, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) gave

Cerrado the Outstanding Certified Public Accountant award at its 71st national convention.

Cerrado completed his degree in business administration from the University of Santo Tomas and obtained his MBA, with distinction, from the Asian Institute of Management.

19 February 4-10, 2021

 ENTERTAINMENT

Tim Yap, KC Concepcion, 31 others fined 1,500 each over Baguio party BAGUIO CITY — Entertainment personality Tim Yap and 32 guests at his birthday party in Baguio City have each paid a ₱1,500 fine for violating COVID-19 health protocols.

A post on the city’s public information office Facebook page stated taht the guests, including celebrity KC Concepcion, each paid ₱1,000 for not wearing face masks and ₱500 for not observing physical distancing as both required by city law.

It was disclosed that even Arlene Magalong, wife of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, was also at the event and given the same fine.

The post showed photos of payment receipts from the violators, including Yap, Concepcion, and Magalong.

The Manor — the hotel where the party took place — was fined a total of

₱9,000 for failing to adhere to rules on face masks, physical distancing, and new normal operations.

The hotel management also sent a letter to the city licensing division, committing to follow health measures, which is required before its business permit can be renewed, the post said.

Yap’s party stirred up controversy on social media after photos and videos of him and his guests were seen neither wearing face masks nor observing physical distancing.

Mayor Magalong later revealed he attended the same event and that there were lapses in protocol. He recently offered to quit his post as the country’s Contact Tracing czar amid the controversy, but his resignation was rejected by the Palace.

Ian Veneracion having an affair?

Is the popular and handsome actor Ian Veneracion having an affair with a young actress?

The poser surfaced as rumors circulated that he is separating from wife, Pam Gallardo, due to a

supposed affair.

Ian immediately denied the rumors, pointing out that he is happily married and stressing: “I don’t need to defend myself from the lies of perverts.”

The actor took to social media and posted an image bearing the words “I don’t want to normalise people exploiting our personal lives for their entertainment.”

He captioned the post, “Once upon a time I was pissed”, and added the hashtag “happily married.”

The issue sparked after a blind item in the Philippine Entertainment Portal or PEP stated that a handsome actor was separating from his wife due to his affair with a younger co-star who is currently dating the son of a prominent figure.

Many assumed that the rumours were about Veneracion and his co-star Sue Ramirez as they were working together on the TV5 sitcom, “Oh My Dad!” Ramirez has been reported romantically linked

to Javi Benitez, son of businessman and Negros Occidental politician Albee Benitez.

Ramirez remains silent on the issue but her rumoured boyfriend had since defended her over on Instagram, it was reported.

 REAL ESTATE

February 4-10, 2021

Residential property demand in Cebu seen to rebound in 2021

20

Best �me to dispute your credit errors

Due to Covid, majority of the customer service business has been affected and employees either were laid off or have CEBU CITY – Global property con- end of the price segments. to work from home. Credit dispute is a redundant work for sultancy firm Colliers International sees In 2019, launches and take-up in the most of the three credit agencies, but this could be an advana rebound in residential property demand province reached a record-high 10,500 tage to a borrower that might want to dispute an error on the in Cebu next year, saying the metro re- units and 9,500 units, respectively. report at this time. The agencies have a certain timeline to report back a dispute from a consumer, if they don’t reply back mains a major investment hub outside of Given the impact of the pandemic, in due time, the bureaus’ have to remove the disputed account Metro Manila. launches and take-up in the first half of automatically. Understanding how they come up with your “Colliers projects a potential rebound 2020 only reached 1,700 units and 3,100 Fico score will help you try and keep your Fico score at a in residential demand in 2021 and thus units, down 72 percent and 42 percent higher level to obtain better rates on cars, home loans and sees a faster pace of price increase from year-on-year. consumer credit cards.

2021 to 2022 to reflect a stronger resiThe demand for mid-income condoFALLACY: My score determines whether or not I get dential market,” said Joey Bondoc, se- minium units has been driving launches credit nior research manager at Colliers Philip- and take-up in Metro Cebu.

FACT: Lenders use a number of facts to make credit decisions, including your FICO score. pines.

In the first half of 2020, the mid-inLender information such as the amount of debt you can reasonably handle given your income, Sharing his outlook for 2021, Bondoc come segment accounted for more than your employment and your credit history. Based on their perception of this information, as well as their specific understanding, lenders may extend credit to you although your score is low, or pointed out that Cebu continues to be a half of take-up during the period. decline your request for credit although its high. premier investment hub outside of Metro “This indicates the rising purchasing FALLACY: A poor score will haunt me forever Manila and has undergone significant power of Cebuano investors and endFACT: Just the opposite is true. A score is a “snapshot” of your risk at a particular point transformation over the past few years. users over the past few years. We expect in time. It changes as information is added to your bank and credit bureau files. Score change “The residential sector of the area is projects under the segment to partially gradually as you change the way you handle credit. For example, past credit problems impact at a discount as compared to projects lo- fuel the recovery of demand in 2021,” your score less as time passes. Lenders request a current score when you submit a credit applicated within the country’s capital. The Bondoc said. cation, so they have the most recent information available. Therefore by taking time to improve proliferation of both local and national Colliers urges developers to continue your score, you can qualify for your favorable interest rates. developers in Cebu has raised land and serving the requirements of Cebu’s endFALLACY: Credit scoring is unfair to minorities property values,” he said. user market.

FACT: Scoring considers only credit-related information. Factors like gender, race, nationality and marital status are not included. In fact, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits The property analyst said this was Aside from condominiums, Colliers lenders from considering this type of information when issuing credit. Independent research complemented by the rising demand for sees that house and lot projects remain has been done to make sure that credit scoring is not unfair to minorities or people with little integrated communities, resort-oriented attractive among overseas Filipino workcredit history. Scoring has proven to be an accurate and consistent measure of repayment for all developments, and projects on the higher ers (OFWs). people who have some credit history. In other words, at a given score, non minority and minority applications are equally likely to pay as agreed.

FALLACY: Credit scoring infringes on my privacy FACT: Credit scoring evaluates the same information lenders already look at –the credit bureau report, credit application and/or your bank file. A score is simply a numeric summary of that information. Lenders using sometimes ask for less information – fewer questions on the application form, for example.

FALLACY: My score will drop if I apply for new credit New Funeral home with Reception Center Flower Shop FACT: If it does, it probably won’t drop much. If you apply Beautiful Garden Memorial Park Cremation Services for several credit cards within a short period of time, multiple We transfer your loved ones to and from the Philippines requests for your credit report information (called “inquiries”) will appear on your report. Looking for new credit can equate with higher risk, but most credit scores are not affected by multiple inquiries from auto or mortgage lenders within a short period of time. Typically, these are treated as a single inquiry and will have little impact on the credit score.

FALLACY: After seven years, negative remarks on my credit report will be removed automatically FACT: It is actually seven years from the last report date.

Creditors may continue to report you even after a few years from the time you filed for bankruptcy or charge off an account.

If they continue to report you then the negative remark will continue to stay on your credit report. You will have to report this to the bureau that these accounts were included in your bankruptcy and provide proof to report correctly.

FALLACY: If I close my account with derogatory remarks, it will make my credit better.

FACT: If you have an account with some late pay, collection or a charged off rating. By closing that account it will not mean that you are deleting that account, it will only mean that you will not be able to use the account any longer. It does not mean that your derogatory remark will be deleted, in fact by closing your revolving accounts with late payments, that will only reduce TTT BBBBBBBBB NNN FFFFFFF HHHH RRRRRRRRR CCCCCC CCCCCCC LLLL your credit accounts and limit. Therefore review your overall account first before deciding on closing any accounts. The scoring system always looks at your open accounts and rate you based on your account balances versus credit limits, your credit history and your length of time you have had credit.

FALLACY: Can I get 100% loan with a 550 credit score.

FACT: Here are the credit limitations for 100% financing as far as my list of investors are concerned. For fully documented files ( verified income ) the minimum credit score is 580. For self employed and wage earners who would like to go with a stated income, the minimum scores required are between 620640 and above. With 5% or more down your options for a lower credit score required are greater.

FALLACY: Does the FICO Scoring system equally rate you based on your current accounts and new credit.

FACT: A confirmed breakdown of it as per www.myfico. com is as follows: (Continued on page 27)

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21 February 4-10, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

Pacquiao stripped of WBA belt, may fight Ryan Garcia in April

MANILA – Eight-division world champion and Senator Emmanuel Manny Pacquiao lost his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight super title after the organization stripped him of the title due to inactivity.

Pacquiao may fight next WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia.

Garcia is turning out to be an intriguing match for Pacquiao because of the age difference; Garcia is 22, 20 years Pacquiao’s junior, ABS-CBN reported.

The American Garcia recently picked up the biggest victory of his pro career, knocking out 2012 Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell of the UK. Pacquiao last fought in July 2019, outclassing Keith Thurman to clinch the WBA welterweight title.

Garcia’s father Henry said the fight could end up being a 10-round exhibition at a 143-pound catchweight.

Tatlong taon matapos magdebut bilang mandirigma sa “I’d like that fight at 143 and I’d love that fight to ibabaw ng ring, hinubadan ni happen in April or May. This one is possibly going to Emmanuel “Manny “ Pacquiao si Chathai Sasakul ng Thailand be in Texas, we’re not sure yet,” he said.

Not only is Ryan Garcia younger than Pacquiao, ng kanyang korona ng WBC sa he also towers over the Filipino champion at 5-foot- flyweight sa pamamagitan ng walong round na pagpapatulog 10, the network reported.

But Pacquiao has the edge in experience with 62 para sa unang pangunahing tiwins and 7 losses, as the unbeaten Garcia has only tulong pandaigdig ng Pilipino.

Ang panalong ito kay Sa- EDDIE G. ALINEA had 21 fights, 18 of which he won by knockout.

The WBA said Pacquiao remains a “champion in sakul ang nagsilbing hudyat sa mahigit isang dekadang kamrecess.”

“Rule C.22-24 states that when a champion is un- panya ng ngayon ay senador nang si Pacquiao para maging able to defend the belt for medical, legal or other rea- kaisa-isang boksingero sa kasaysayan ng sweet science na sons beyond his control, he may be named champion umangkin sa di kukulangin sa 12 korona sa walong dibisyon ng boksing. in recess,” the WBA said in a statement.

Subalit kung gaano kabilis nakamit ni Manny ang kanPacquiao got the WBA super belt after beating yang unang major world title, ganoon ding kabilis nawala ito Keith Thurman in Las Vegas, Nevada in July 2019.

However, he never got to fight for the rest of the sa kanya. Nabawi ng kababayan ni Sasakul na si Medgoen Singsurat ang korona sa pamamagitann ng tatlong round na year to defend his belt.

Worse, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic KO sa pangalawang pagtatangka ni Manny na maipagtangput all of his 2020 boxing plans on hold, eventually gol ito.

Sa tutoo lang, humulagpos na ang pandaigdig na sinturon putting all the focus on his job as a lawmaker.

Speculations are rife on who Pacquiao will fight ng 112 librang dibisyon sa kamay ni Manny isang araw bago next, the “likeliest” of whom being Ryan Garcia, who sumapit ang pagtutuos sa opisyal na pagtitimbang nang lupublicly declared that he is going to battle him soon. mampas sa takdang timbang ang ating idolo Pero naging kasabihan na nga, si Manny Pacquiao ay Meanwhile, the WBA elevated Cuban pugilist hindi si Manny Pacquiao kung hindi siya makababangon sa Yordenis Ugas to super champion status.

Ugas, a former Olympic bronze medalist, was the kanyang kinadapaan.

Tatlong taon matapos ang mapait na karanasang iyon, ang regular champion, beating American opponent Abel Ramos on Sept. 7 (Philippine Time) in Los Angeles. ating si Manny na noon ay nasa ilalim na ng pamamahala ni “Thank God, my agent, my team, family, and fans. Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach ay nakabalikwas at nakToday is a great day for me. Thanks to the WBA for abalik sa dapat niyang kalagyan.

Petsa Hunyo 23, taong 2001, ang tubong Kibawe, Bukidraising me to Super Champion and doing what is best non na si Pacquiao, ay sinorpresa ang libo-libong nanonood sa for [the] sport,” Ugas tweeted.

Despite being the undisputed WBA champ now, MGM Grand sa Las Vegas at milyon pang nasa kani-kanilang the 34-year-old Ugas expressed openness to fight the tahanan nang pabagsakin niya ang Aprikanong si Lehlohonolo Ledwaba sa ika-anim na round tungo sa TKO panalo.

42-year-old Pacquiao for the title.

At mapasa-kamay din niya ang kampeonato ng IBF su“I don’t want this position for easy fights. My team has my consent for my next fight to fight Pacquiao if per-bantamweitght (122-libra).

Dinomina ng noon ay 23 anyos na ama ng limang supling he wants to show who is the true WBA champion,” niya kay dating Sarangani Bise Gobernador Jinkee ang paUgas said. boritong Aprikano mula sa unang tunog pa lamang ng kampana. Duguan ang ilong at mukha ni Ledwaba nang matapos ang unang round.

Pinaluhod ni Manny si Ledwaba sa lona sa pagalawang round, pangatlo at pang-apat habang ang punong-punong ment and equitable allocation of vaccines, treatments manoood ay nagbubunyi hanggang mamagitan ang reperi at and tests to reduce severe disease and deaths caused by hintuin ang masaker para maiwasan ang mabigat na pinsalang maaring mangyari sa kawawang nabubdan ng koronang kamthe coronavirus pandemic.

“Fairness is the foundation of football and all other peon.

“Ito ay isang pangarap na natupad. Ang layon ko ay sports, and this also must be the same when it comes to health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The maging kampeon muli at talagang ibinuhos ko ang lahat sa rules of the COVID-19 challenge are simple: all people ensasyo pa lamang. Salamat sa Panginoon at nagkatutuo ag at risk from the coronavirus in all countries must have pangarap ko,” bigkas ni Pacquiao makaraan ang pinaigsing equitable access to life-saving vaccines, treatments and laban.

Sumampa si Manny sa ring bilang pamalit sa di makaradiagnostics. In just nine months, the world has estabrating na challenger ni Ledwaba sa rekomendasyon mismo ni lished these three powerful lines of defense against COVID-19. But our goal now is to ensure equitable Roach dalawang linggo bago ang takdang paghaharap.

Matagumpay na naipagtanggol ng ating kababayan ang access and continued refinement of these tools.”

Dr Tedros added: “WHO is grateful to FIFA for 122-librang kampeonato subalit higit dito, ang kanyang kateaming up with health partners around the world to bayanihan sa mga susunod pang laban ang nagsilbing hagdapromote the need for the fair distribution of the tools nan niya sa pagiging bayani ng sambayanang Pilipino at ng buong daigdig ng palakasan. needed to defeat the coronavirus.”

Sumunod na siyam na taon, namalas ng sandaigdigan ang The new FIFA-WHO collaboration will amplify pag-angat ni Many mula junior flyweight (106 libra) hanglife-saving messages to a global audience with a series of promotional videos being broadcast during the FIFA gang flyweight, super-bantam (122-libras), featherweight Club World Cup. In the videos, competing club cap- (126 libra), super-featherweight (130 libra), lightweight (135 tains reiterate the key steps for everyone to follow in libras). Junior-welterweight (140 libra), welterweight (147 liorder to tackle and defeat the coronavirus by focusing brqa) at super-welterweight (154 libra).

Sa madaling salita, nang masungkit niya ang kampeonato on hands, elbow, face, distance, symptoms, masks and sa 154 librang dibisyon, nakuhang umakyat ni Manny ng 48 opening windows.

“It is important that we do not forget that health libra mula nang magsimula siya sa kanyang pro-career noong comes first,” said the FIFA President. “Only by follow- 1995, hanggang sa lampasuhin niya si Ricky Hatton sa loob ing the advice of our medical professionals will we be lamang ng napaka-igsing dalawang round noong Mayo 2, able to eliminate the threat posed by COVID-19, and I 2009 sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas.

FIFA and WHO team up vs COVID 19 Star footballers, competing team captains will promote equitable global access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostics GENEVA - FIFA is teaming up with the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote the need for fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, and to encourage people to keep practicing life-saving, everyday public health measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to protect health.

In conjunction with the FIFA Club World Cup 2020, being held in Qatar from 4 to 11 February 2021, FIFA and WHO are launching a public awareness campaign involving star footballers, through TV and in-stadium messaging, to further promote the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator initiative launched in April 2020, and to urge people to practice mask wearing, physical distancing and hand hygiene.

“We all have to play our part in the battle against the coronavirus. We are also calling on the international community to #ACTogether to ensure a level playing field in relation to access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests across the globe,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said during a video conference prior to the kick-off of the FIFA Club World Cup. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO DirectorGeneral, thanked FIFA and the players for helping raise awareness on life saving interventions that all people can follow, and of the importance of intensified global support for the ACT Accelerator to ramp up develop-

Labang naglunsad kay Manny sa lurok ng tagumpay

February 4-10, 2021

22

Q:I did not owe any debt until recently collectors started contacting me trying to collect on debts that I know nothing about...

Q:I did not owe any debt until recently collectors started contacting me trying to collect on debts that I know nothing about. I think my identity has been compromised. Can you help me please?

A: Identity theft is a growing problem here is the US and Canada. Thieves thrive on different sources of information in order to scam, steal, or impersonate you using your own identity.

Someone can actually take out new loans, credit cards and even pose as yourself because they can generate credit cards and ID’s, with their own pictures using your name. In some cases your information may also be sold in Pirate websites for the purposes of using it for fraudulent activities. So! Always be careful with your information.

Here are ways to diminish the chances of becoming a victim to identity theft. By doing the following, we can only minimize the possibilities of being victimized. If someone were to go out of their way to target your information, at least put up a fight.

Be sure to shred credit card statements, applications and other forms of documents containing your precious information before throwing them out as thrash. Your trash is a treasure for thieves.

If you are still mailing payments for your bills, take them straight to the post office rather than leaving it in your mailbox with the red flag raised. When you raise the red flag, it is not just the postman you are telling that you have outgoing mail but you are also advertising that to identity thieves.

You may want to start doing business online which minimizes the chances of identity theft.

Always(daily to weekly) check your credit card statements online to see if there have been unauthorized transactions being posted to your accounts.

Never give your precious personal information to anyone in call centers especially in Asian countries.

Pull your free credit reports from the 3 reporting agencies at least once a year so you may inspect it for unauthorized items. You may go to www.annualcreditreport.com in order to get your free credit reports.

Retail stores will sometimes offer discounts if you apply for their retail credit card. This is not a good idea because you do not know who else will handle your information aside from the store clerk.

Never share your personal information to anyone other than your immediate family, if they can be trusted. Sometimes it is your relatives that will harm you.

If there are unauthorized items, you must do the following: (This applies to the person whose identity has been stolen) File a formal report with your local law enforcement such as police, sheriff or constable.

Listed on the credit reports are the unauthorized items and the banks or institutions where your information was used illegally. Contact each creditor to inform them that your identity was used illegally and mail or email them a copy of the law enforcement report.

Contact the 3 credit reporting agencies and file a dispute for the unauthorized items.

Put an alert on your credit information so you may be informed of unknown activities in your accounts.

Enroll in an identity theft restoration program.

Being a victim of identity theft is not easy. You must go through extreme lengths to undo the damage done to your credit history. And you will always feel uneasy that there is something going on even if there is none.

Ating lesson, Ang ating information ay ingatan nang wala tayong pagsisihan.

If you need help in getting out of debt, call Debt Aid Consulting International. We do not use call centers which keeps your information safe. We have a new program that reconstruct debts for half of what you would pay our competitors. We also provide legal assistance that keeps collectors away. We take Federal Credit Unions, Payday loans and high interest personal loans in our program too. This is exclusively available for Debt Aid Consulting clients. None of our competitors provide this program. You are well protected.

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

Do not fall for marketing gimmicks saying that they have the right program for you. Most marketing companies only have one program and will enroll you in that program whether it fits you or not. So beware!

Ben Lou at your service! I have over 35 years of financial experience. If you would like sound financial advice, call us at Debt Aid Consulting International. We do not use call centers. No one has the right to put your information at risk.

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Tawag na po sa 1-888-341-5234 at tutulungan po namin kayo.

Itama po natin ang mali!

23 February 4-10, 2021

 COMMUNITY NEWS

Super Bowl and Chinese Lunar New Year could spark Covid surge, warns health official

By SUNITA SOHRABJI/EMS Contribu�ng Editor including the ethnic media and in-language content to promote the vaccines safety and effectiveness.

California has experienced a 38 percent decrease in positivity rates over the past 14 days, announced Ghaly. Hospitalizations have also decreased by 29 percent: 14,221 people currently hospitalized with COVID. ICU rates have also decreased by 18 percent: currently, 3,797 people are in ICUs with COVID-related illnesses. The state projects that

The upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year and Super Bowl Sunday are both potential COVID superspreader events, warned Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California’s Health and Human Services department, at a Feb. 2 press briefing.

The state experienced a COVID surge after Thanksgiving last year, pushing hospitals and intensive care units to the brink after people gathered in groups to celebrate the occasion. ICU capacity was at 0 percent throughout much of the state in late December and through most of January. On Jan. 25 California Governor Gavin Newsom nonetheless lifted the state’s stay at home orders, based on projections that ICU capacity will jump to about 33 percent across the state by March 4.

While 54 out of 57 counties in the state remain in the most-restrictive purple tier, restaurants and bars are allowed to open outdoors. Hair and nail salons are also open, and youth sports are allowed to take place outdoors.

“We want to make sure that Super Bowl Sunday is not the next big super spreader,” said Ghaly. He advised people to stay at home for the Super Bowl and Lunar New Year, celebrating with household family members or connecting with people online on platforms such as Zoom. San Francisco, which annually hosts one of the most elaborate Lunar New Year parades, has canceled the beloved event this year. Los Angeles is also limiting its Lunar New Year celebrations.

“Let’s not fumble this,” said Ghaly.

The state is making a greater push for health equity in terms of vaccine distribution, announced Ghaly. “Advancing equity is one of our most important goals,” he said, adding that equity versus speed is “a false choice.” California is implementing a “pay for performance” plan, rewarding vaccinators who are serving in the state’s hardest to reach communities, and with communities of color.

The state is also rolling out a public education plan to help ethnic communities understand the vaccine. A recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation noted that two-thirds of Black and Latinx people surveyed said they did not have adequate information about the potential side effects of the vaccine or its effectiveness.

Ghaly said the state is using trusted messengers,

both numbers will slide down by half by March 4, said Ghaly.

Mutant variants, which may cause higher levels of illness or contagion, are now showing up around the state. Approximately 767 cases of the West Coast variant — B.1.429 — have been identified; the state has also seen 290 cases of the B.1.427 variant and 133 cases of the U.K. variant have been reported.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

24

Covered California joins hands with AAAJ for Covid update LOS ANGELES - Covered California held a briefing with Asian American Advancing Justice – LA to update the Asian American community on the Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccines that are now available.

The community was asked to sign up for health care coverage before last week’s deadline.

The speakers at the briefing pointed out the latest developments affecting all Californians which they needed to be aware of so they could make decisions based on fact.

Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, said they want to make sure that everyone is aware of the options they have “during this critical time.”

There were positive developments

announced during the online briefing, attended by various Asian American media organizations.

Thus far, close to 1.6 million Californians have renewed their coverage or enrolled for the first time, it was announced.

The total is close to 200,000 higher than the figure posted for the same period last year.

Some 312,000 of the 1.6 million were identified as Asian, representing a 35,000 increase from last year. The improvement, however, is still wanting as a high number of eligible Asian Americans are still uninsured, estimated at some 90,000.

Most are either low income individuals, or reside in communities hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

An estimated 1.2 million of the 2.7b

million uninsured Californians are actually eligible for financial help from Covered California, but have not availed of the benefit. In other cases, they can avail of low-cost or even no-cost coverage from Medi-Cal. With the arrival of several anti-Covid vaccines, there is the danger that the public might become complacent. This would be a big mistake, said the Covered California head.

According to Lee, “while the availability of the vaccines is reason for hope, until it becomes widely available we must remain vigilant and prepared.”

By the end of January, more than 3.1 million Californians had been infected with coronavirus, causing 37,118 fatalities. The state’s Asian American commu-

nity had a relatively low infection rate of 6.6 percent, but the fatality rate was nearly double that total at 11.6 percent.

Sadly, “most of the people who are uninsured either do not know they are eligible for financial assistance, or they have not checked recently to see how affordable quality coverage can be,” said Lee. About 90 percent of consumers who enroll through Covered California receive some form of financial assistance.

This can be via federal tax credits, state subsidies, or both.

Based on the latest data, the average consumer who receives financial assistance doles out an average of $127 per month for their coverage. – Beting Laygo Dolor

Bradford appointed to African American Reparations Study Task Force SACRAMENTO – Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins has appointed Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) as a member to California’s Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.

California became the first state government in the country to establish a task force for this purpose. The Task Force is comprised of nine members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders in

order to conduct an examination of the lasting consequences of discrimination against freed slaves and their descendants and to make recommendations on how the state can potentially make reparations for those affected. Senator Bradford issued this statement in regards to his appointment: “I am honored to be appointed by President Pro tem Atkins to this truly revolutionary position,” said Senator Steven

Bradford. “Another year has passed filled with disgusting racial injustices. Government authorities have actively supported the institution of black enslavement throughout history. Never has the trauma of four million enslaved people and their descendants and the impact it continues to have been meaningfully acknowledged or addressed by our nation. “ “The consequences of these actions are felt today in many forms, not the least of which are the major disparities in life outcomes such as economic opportunity and quality of healthcare,” he said. “This is not just about slavery, this is about paying back a debt to those who have been mistreated for so long. Awarding reparations to victims of violent, inhumane treatment is not a new or radical concept.

If you can inherit wealth in this country, then it’s time to take ownership of inheriting the debt owed to African Americans.

I look forward to working with my fellow Task Force members as well as all community organizations and members who have made it their mission to find facts and deliver promises on this matter. ” *** Senator Bradford is Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and represents the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.

Canepa on Super Bowl: For the love of Tom Brady – ‘wear your damn masks’ and ditch the big parties DALY CITY – San Mateo County Board President David J. Canepa made the following statement today following warnings by health officials across California that Sunday’s Super Bowl could be a COVID-19 super spreader event. History will be made as San Mateo native Tom Brady will appear in his 10thNFL Championship game.

“The whole world will be watching this historic matchup between Tom Brady’s Bucs and the Chiefs, but we cannot afford to fumble away the progress we have made in ending COVID by attending Super Bowl super spreader gatherings,” Canepa said. “Ditch the big parties and for the love of Tom Brady – wear your damn masks.”

Brady’s parents, Tom Sr. and Gaylynn, both contracted COVID-19 at the start of the NFL season, the six-time Super Bowl champion revealed last week.

Bay Area health officials cautioned over the weekend that any gatherings with other households during the Super Bowl should be socially distanced, out of doors and involve wearing masks.

“Whether you love Tom Brady or hate him, I suspect there will be record numbers of people around the world who will be glued to their TV sets on Sunday,” Canepa said. “That being said, the temptation to attend large Super Bowl parties may be irresistible to many but know that if you do, you penalize the rest of us by not playing by the rules. People are still dying, and we don’t want this spectacular event to cause more COVID-related suffering.”

The Super Bowl has many ties to the Bay Area as Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid started his football coaching career at San Francisco State University in the 1980s.

25 February 4-10, 2021

 COMMUNITY NEWS

World’s first all-civilian mission to space to usher in new era of commercial space exploration Inspiration4 Mission will be commanded by tech entrepreneur and pilot Jared Isaacman who donates all crew seats and invites the public to participate

LOS ANGELES – Plans for the world’s first all-civilian mission to space were announced from SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

The mission is being targeted for the fourth quarter of this year and will be commanded by Jared Isaacman, the 37-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Shift4 Payments [NYSE:FOUR] and an accomplished pilot.

Named Inspiration4 in recognition of the four-person crew’s mission to inspire support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and send a humanitarian message of possibility, the journey represents a new era for human spaceflight and exploration. Isaacman is donating the three mission seats alongside him to crew members who will be selected to represent the mission pillars of leadership, hope, generosity and prosperity.

“Inspiration4 is the realization of a lifelong dream and a step towards a future in which anyone can venture out and explore the stars,” Isaacman said. “I appreciate the tremendous responsibility that comes with commanding this mission and I want to use this historic moment to inspire humanity while helping to tackle childhood cancer here on Earth.”

Isaacman and the Inspiration4 crew will undergo commercial astronaut training by SpaceX on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, including a specific focus on orbital mechanics, operating in microgravity, zero gravity, and other forms of stress testing.

They will receive emergency preparedness training, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial- and full-mission simulations.

The mission will launch from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will be carefully monitored at every step by SpaceX mission control as the spacecraft orbits the planet every 90 minutes along a customized flight path.

Upon conclusion of the multi-day journey, Dragon will reenter Earth’s atmosphere for a soft water landing off the coast of Florida.

Isaacman has given St. Jude two seats on the Inspiration4 mission. The first seat is reserved for a St. Jude ambassador with direct ties to the mission who exemplifies the pillar of Hope as well as the courageous vision upon which St. Jude was founded - compassion, unity, equality and inclusion. The second seat will represent the mission pillar of

Generosity. During the month of February, members of the public can enter for a chance to join the flight to space and support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.

Isaacman has committed to give $100 million to St. Jude and is inviting everyone to join him in attempting to raise upwards of $200 million or more in support of St. Jude’s multi-billion dollar expansion aimed to accelerate research advancements and save more children worldwide.

Isaacman will also offer additional support to the St. Jude fundraising effort in the form of other prizes, including flights in a military jet and flight gear. An accomplished pilot rated to fly commercial and military aircraft, Isaacman holds several world records including a Speed-Around-The-World flight to raise money and awareness for the Makea-Wish Foundation.

Isaacman has flown in over 100 airshows as part of the Black Diamond Jet Team, dedicating every performance to charitable causes. In 2011, Isaacman co-founded what would become the world’s largest private air force, Draken International, to train pilots for the United States Armed Forces.

“The same year St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital broke boundaries by opening its doors, the first American orbited the Earth in 1962,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. “From the beginning, St. Jude has been at the forefront of innovation and inclusion, leading in cancer research, care and treatment for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of race, ethnicity, beliefs or a family’s ability to pay. This partnership brings two missions together to create one incredible moment in time that will make an impact for years to come on the global effort to cure childhood cancer.”

Isaacman will collaborate with Shift4 Payments to offer the fourth and final crew seat representing the prosperity mission pillar to a deserving entrepreneur who utilizes the new Shift4Shop eCommerce platform, which empowers entrepreneurs to build and grow successful eCommerce businesses online.

Current and new Shift4Shop customers will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enter an online competition showcasing them and their business. The competition will be conducted from February 1-28, 2021 and the winner will be selected by a panel of independent judges.

Shift4 Payments is providing marketing support for the mission and will leverage one of the biggest popular culture events of the year, Super Bowl LV this Sunday, to dramatically introduce the mission and its purpose to the public. A 30-second spot will air during the first quarter of the Big Game and invite all viewers to support and be part of this historic journey through the St. Jude and Shift4Shop programs.

Isaacman concluded: “Today’s announcement is the first step of a very exciting journey. In the lead-up to launch, we’ll share new

ways to support and follow our mission preparation and execution with a focus on inspiring and helping others.”

To learn more about Inspiration4, how to support and potentially join this historic journey to space and the specific conditions of the promotions, visit www.Inspiration4.com and follow the mission on social media on Twitter (@inspiration4x), Facebook (@inspiration4mission), Instagram (@inspiration4) and YouTube (@Inspiration4) to receive the latest news on mission training and preparation. Individuals who are interested in learning how to enter for an opportunity to win one of the two seats being offered should visit inspiration4.com and review the Official Rules for the applicable promotion.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other lifethreatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have

helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

26

PG&E will move some residential customers to a time-of-use rate plan starting in April 2021 to encourage energy usage when renewables are more plentiful and demand is lower SAN FRANCISCO — As part of a multi-year, statewide energy policy to create a cleaner energy future for California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will move approximately 2.5 million eligible residential electric customers in Northern and Central California to a Time-of-Use rate plan between April 2021 and March 2022.

On the Time-of-Use (Peak Pricing 4 - 9 p.m. Every Day) rate plan, when customers use energy is as important as how much they use. Customers are encouraged to shift some energy use to times when rates are lower, demand is lower and renewable resources, like solar and wind power, are most plentiful.

Putting the Time-of-Use plan into action has been planned for several years and was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in July 2015.

All investor-owned electric utilities are required to automatically transition customers to the Time-of-Use rate plan to support a cleaner, smarter and more reliable energy grid. PG&E does not profit from this change. Customers can choose an alternate Time-of-Use rate plan or another rate plan, including the Tiered rate plan, at any time.

PG&E is notifying customers at least 90 days in advance of their scheduled move to Time-of-Use to allow them to have ample time to make a choice if they prefer another rate plan.

“We understand every household is unique, and so is the way they use energy. PG&E is committed to helping customers choose the electric rate plan that best meets their needs. Time-of-Use rate plans give customers greater control over their monthly bill, while supporting California’s clean energy goals,” said Laurie Giammona, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.

Customers who automatically transi-

tion to this Time-of-Use rate plan will receive risk-free Bill Protection for the first 12 months. If a customer pays more on the Time-of-Use (Peak Pricing 4-9 p.m.

Every Day) rate plan than they would have on their current rate plan, PG&E will automatically credit the customer the difference for the first year. Customers can learn more about this rate plan at pge.com/toueveryday.

The transition to this Time-of-Use rate plan will occur by geographical region. PG&E residential electric customers in Mendocino and Sonoma counties will be the first to transition to the new plan in April 2021, and they started receiving information from PG&E about rate choices in December.

Not all residential electric customers will automatically transition to the new Time-of-Use rate plan. Customers already on a Time-of-Use rate plan or enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program are not included. Customers who live in hot climate zones and qualify for or are enrolled in PG&E’s low-income assistance programs California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program are also not included in the automatic transition.

All remaining residential customers will automatically transition to the Timeof-Use rate plan, unless they select another rate plan, according to the following schedule: April 2021: Mendocino and Sonoma counties May 2021: Alameda County June 2021: Humboldt, Santa Clara, Siskiyou and Trinity counties July 2021: San Francisco County September 2021: San Mateo County October 2021: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties November 2021: Fresno, Kern, Kings,

Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Plumas, San Joaquin, Shasta, Stanislaus, Tehama, Tulare and Tuolumne counties February 2022: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties March 2022: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa and Solano counties Customers enrolled with Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) in PG&E’s service area will also automatically transition per their CCA provider’s own TOU rates, except for customers with Pioneer Community Energy in Placer County.

Customers in PG&E’s Net Energy Me-

By JO ERLINDA YABUT, Correspondent

ment sent to Philippine News Today.

On February 2, the Department of Public Health confirmed 205 new deaths and 3,763 new cases of COVID-19, noting that the County continues to make progress in reducing the number of daily new cases and slowing transmission. “ However, the number of new cases remains substantially higher than the number of cases we saw in September, which were less than 1,000 new cases a day,” the department stated.

Of the 205 new deaths, 58 people who passed away were over the age of 80, 75 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 49 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, 19 people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, and one person who died

was between the ages of 18 and 29.

Three of the new deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

Testing results are available for nearly 5,530,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive and at press time, the daily test positivity rate is 10.0%.

The department reported that there are 5,259 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 27% of these people are in the ICU. The 3-day average for daily hospitalizations is 5,328.

With additional sectors open, Public Health inspectors are going out to make sure businesses are in compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order, according to the department.

During the compliance reviews, inspectors review Public Health protocols

tering Program will transition at the time of their annual true-up statement.

Starting in 2018, approximately 150,000 residential customers from across the service area representing diversity in climate, household size and energy use were randomly selected as part of the first phase of transitions. Eighty percent of those customers stayed on the new Time-of-Use rate plan for more than a year. PG&E incorporated feedback from this initial group into the plans for the full rollout.

More About Time-of-Use Rate Plans Customers can have more control

over their energy bills on Time-of-Use rate plans if they can move some usage to lower-priced, off-peak times. Customers on these rate plans can choose to shift and reduce some energy use to lowercost time periods (19 hours) every day, including weekends and holidays. The hours of 4 to 9 p.m. are higher priced (peak times). All other times are lower priced (off-peak). This is different than a traditional Tiered rate plan, where customers manage energy use only by using less energy over a billing month.

Customer Resources and Support Eligible customers will receive a series of notifications by mail and email starting four months in advance of the automatic transition in each area. These notifications include a personalized rate plan comparison to help customers select the best rate plan for their needs as well as tips on how customers can manage their energy usage on the Time-ofUse rate plan.

All customers, including those scheduled to automatically transition to the TOU rate plan, can choose their preferred rate plan at any time. To view a customized rate plan comparison, customers can visit their account online at www.pge.com/TOUchoice. Dedicated rate plan specialists are available at 1-866-743-7945 to answer questions and help customers choose a rate plan.

About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge. com and pge.com/news.

Los Angeles County surpasses 17,000 COVID-19 deaths; Public Health sees decline in new cases

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) recorded more than 17,000 total COVID-19 deaths in the country but noted that cases continue to go down.

The department identified 1,124,558 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 17,057 deaths as of February 2.

The County has experienced more than 7,000 new COVID-19 deaths in a little over a month, when on December 30, Public Health reported 10,000 COVID-19 deaths. By comparison, deaths between February and October totaled 7,000, the department reported in a state-

with business owners, identify deficiencies, and issue citations for businesses out of compliance.

During Public Health’s recent business compliance checks, inspectors noted the many newly re-opened restaurants were not in compliance with employee face-covering and shelter structure requirements.

In order to remain open, all businesses are required to adhere fully with their sector specific protocols. From January 24 through January 27, a total of 48 citations were issued to businesses including restaurants, gyms, personal care salons, hair salons/barbershops, and shopping malls for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders. Since the end of August, a total of 844 citations have been issued.

27 February 4-10, 2021

Upside...

(From Page 11)

cluding highest service awards from two US presidents and a Philippine president. Steele deflects the acclaim, preferring to highlight contributions of staff and as a whole body, according to a USAID farewell article posted in December.

“Selfless, inspiring, innovative, and people-centered” commonly describe her brand of leadership.

“She wants to talk about others — her friends, her colleagues, or as she calls them, her second family,” rather than herself and her achievements, said Nicholas Acosta of the USAID Bureau for Asia.

Prodded to address her success, Steele said: “People attribute all of the wonderful accomplishments of the Bureau to me. But that’s not fair. I can’t do it on my own. It’s what each of us does every day; our success is the cumulative impact of each of my friends and colleagues in Washington and our Missions...

It’s not only me who is making things happen. It’s everyone around me.”

Those closest to Steele, who call her by her nickname, expect that very modesty amid her resolve.

“Yoya has always been a grounded and low-key individual.

Growing up in a loving and close-knit family, the values nurtured at home and in school were key to her focus, her dedication and passion for the mission of USAID,” shared Clariza Lomotan Mullins, Steele’s best friend from childhood at College of the Holy Spirit in Manila. - Adapted from original reprinted with permission from Inquirer.net.

TO BE CONCLUDED

Offline

(From Page 13)

Generation Exile

(From Page 13)

does not know how to address the crisis. Let’s just say that the president’s solution is to sleep on the problem.

Who knows? Maybe an angel will come to him in a waking dream and tell him what needs to be done.

In his mad mind, he could claim to have been advised by a 12foot tall angel in a flowing white robe to let his daughter run for president in 2022.

At least he will be receiving the vaccine sooner than us mere humans, which will be done in private because he prefers to have the shot administered to his ass. He will be the only world leader to be vaccinated in his rump and not his arm, like President Joe Biden or Queen Elizabeth. Or even Vladimir Putin.

I asked a doctor-friend if a shot in the ass was more effective than being injected in the arm. He said no, it was not.

His best guess is that the president of the Philippines is deathly afraid of injections. I do not know if he was serious. And as Rhett Butler told Scarlett O’Hara, frankly my dear, I don’t give a dung. Or words to that effect.

As for yours truly, I will continue to do all to avoid catching coronavirus, of whatever variant. I actually have a full year’s supply of face masks, rubbing alcohol, and multi-vitamins. If this pandemic lasts another year, this former Boy Scout will be prepared.

ple who are grieved by my uncle’s passing. For this, his son has established an email for those who want to send their wishes and memories to Sonny Osmeña’s family. It is condolences.SonnyOsmena@gmail.com.

“With the Covid lockdown still in place, I can’t have a big memorial event,” explained John-John.

In addition to his siblings and his son, Sonny Osmeña leaves behind his daughter-in-law, Brenda Osmeña, and grandchildren Johnny, Drustan, Bryce and Sawyer, as well as Lucy Urgello Osmeña Miller, the only wife that Sonny had. He also leaves behind countless supporters, constituents, and the pages of Philippine history he has touched with his life and career.

Immigrant’s story...

(From Page 13)

The prejudice and restriction against the Chinese people during Rizal’s time is the same prejudice and restriction that Muslims and refugees are facing today. The contagious disease (small fox) is today’s “terrorism,” and we suffer because everyone is affected or impacted by this prejudice.

Rizal’s sharp mind helps to explain partly how Trump won in 2016--- restrictions against immigration and blaming immigrants and the powerless. The way the nation was divided and how America’s race relations suffered a setback during Trump’s presidency is glaring proof. The new administration hopefully will put us back on the right track.

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12)

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6. SAVINGS ON GAS AND MILEAGE – We encourage old and new clients to come to our home office to save on gas and mileage fees ($50 to $120).

7. PEACE OF MIND --- As accredited and commissioned Notary Public since 1981, and more than two years of having office with some partners at the Philippine Center adjacent to the Philippine Consulate, you can have peace of mind with the prompt, efficient, unique and complete services of MSS.

For immediate assistance and help, just write or contact: MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel: 650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or email:agmadlaing@ hotmail.com (ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California.)

PerryScope...

(From Page 12)

the Strait of Malacca. In other words, the country that controls the Strait of Malacca controls the SCS and therefore controls trade that passes through the Strait of Malacca.

The US has a strong presence in the Indian Ocean where she has a large naval and air base in the tiny island of Diego Garcia strategically located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is owned by the British Indian Ocean Territory. In 1971, the UK leased Diego Garcia to the US, which then built a massive air and naval base. It controls the Indian Ocean in the same way that Guam – a US territory where another air and naval base is strategically located -- controls the Pacific. It is amazing how two small islands located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean have significant roles in the defense of Pax Americana or world peace.

On the shoulders of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star general, rest the responsibility of keeping America’s strength in top shape, ready to respond to threats from America’s enemies who constantly attempt to pierce America’s defenses. For as long as America remains strong under a strong president, America will remain the free world’s leader.

Insurrection The US has just survived an insurrection from within. It was incited by then President Trump who encouraged his supporters to attack the Capitol on January 6th. The rioters stopped a joint session of Congress, which was convened to count the Electoral College votes.

The National Guard arrived and cleared the Capitol of the rioters.

Six people died during the rioting. Vice President Mike Pence reconvened the joint session and continued the tabulation of the Electoral College votes. To Trump’s consternation, Pence declared Biden the winner of the presidential election!

But as Biden was about to take office on January 20th, Trump threatened to declare martial law, arrest Biden, and impose his power upon the American people. However, the military didn’t support him and in the end he backed off and flew to Mar-a-Lago in exile, a broken man.

But Trump will remain a thorn on Biden’s back. With a nation divided, Biden has to grapple with right-wing politics, as Trump will wage guerilla warfare against the Biden administration. On January 30th Trump called the disgraced congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a QAnon conspiracy theorist, to tell her that he’s supporting her amid calls for her expulsion from Congress. Greene said that she’ll “never apologize” as she faces backlash over recent controversial comments. Trump’s call to Greene sends the opening salvo in Trump’s war against the Biden administration. Trump is back in the game! Such is the price of leadership.

It is my fervent hope that President Biden’s presidency will usher America to new heights and greater glory. I pray that God gives President Biden the wisdom to lead and protect the American people.

Hail to the Chief! May God bless the United States of America.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Diliman way

(From Page 12)

zens? Communication corporations involve influence and control of how Filipinos and government think and operate. These are businesses which can be used to spy on government and private individuals and institutions. These corporations can bring trouble to government and Filipino owned businesses. Their potential for causing trouble to our country and our people are unlimited. Why give them this opportunity to do us tremendous harm?

Exploitation of natural resources should be exclusively limited to Filipinos. Why? Like mining and several such activities, the foreigners don’t give a damn on whether they harm the environment and exhaust the resources to their own benefit – at our expense.

It is just a question of money, money and more money for them.

So why give them more money when we are the ones who need money? Why don’t they invest in their own countries?

Foreign directed: Many of the investors come from China. As usual, they are aligned with Communist government policy to advance Chinese hegemony all over the world. It is bad enough we allow Chinese to conduct huge electronic gambling operations in the Philippines. Electronic gambling is illegal in People’s Republic of China (PRC). So what PRC considers illegal, it dumps in the Philippines just like what Japan and Canada do in dumping their garbage in the Philippines.

In the case of the electronic gambling Chinese operations, it has also brought more problems – entry of more than three thousand members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the guise of POGO workers, according to the undisputed claim of Senator Ping Lacson; entry of Chinese illegal workers who pay Bureau of Immigration (BID) officials and employees at the NAIA expensive bribe money known as pastillas; and, of course, as conduits in the

spread of Xi Jin Ping’s China corona virus, not to speak of bringing into the country Chinese women of pleasure, according to media reports.

Another wrong reason: Listening to DOF Secretary Dominguez and DTI Secretary Lopez, the audience is entertained with their song and dance number – we need foreign investments because we have no money to finance economic activities that could provide capital and work for people. This is absolutely wrong.

It was President Bush who, sometime ago, said the richest country in the world is the Philippines. Bush was not only well informed about the abundant natural resources in our country, he must also have known about the Yamashita treasures in the Philippine as well as the mind boggling Marcos gold and cash deposits spread out in many banks throughout the world.

If Cabinet secretaries Dominguez and Lopez are smart as claimed by President Duterte, then why have they not done anything to talk to the holders of the Marcos wealth, especially because seventy percent of the wealth is designed in the Letter of Instruction of President for infrastructure projects whose implementation will be managed by government? Why, oh why, Dominguez and Lopez? Why does not Dominguez instruct his errand boy, BSP Governor Diokno to do something? Or are these guys ignorant they do not know how to get these money from the banks?

Why bury generations of Filipinos in foreign debt when this country is swimming with money in domestic and foreign banks?

Why, oh why, Dominguez, Lopez and Diokno?

Party list: This innovation deserves serious examination - not because Representative Antonio Zarate is creating problems for President Duterte. There is more than enough congressmen that adding some more coming from the party list is a little too much in terms of expenses. However, considering the performance of party list representatives in this Congress in comparison to the dismal performance of the representatives of the administration, it is wrong to convene a Constitutional Convention just to abolish the party list simply because President Duterte wants it abolished. As we wrote in a previous column – it is burning the house to kill a mouse.

Wrong time: The government and the country have more pressing problems to consider now – Xi Jing Ping’s corona virus that is causing elemental havoc in the country, killing people and the economy; graft and corruption which is rampant, according to President Duterte himself; the continuing flow of illegal drugs into the country and failure to prosecute the drug lords, manufacturers, importers and protectors; continuing incursions in the West Philippine Sea by China and her communist armed forces; the need to normalize life in the country so people can have jobs and businesses will resume normal fruitful activities; stop the interminable abuses of government officials; help for the needy, and the needed preparation for clean and honest elections in 2022. These are the matters that need immediate government attention. Amendments to the Constitution can wait and most especially because the amendments proposed are the wrong reasons for amending the Constitution.

Secret agenda: Considering that the reasons given for amending the Constitution are wrong and so is the timing, a number of citizens are asking whether President Duterte and his inner circle have a secret agenda to call for amendments to the Constitution.

This is a rational question. President Duterte is facing the probability of being ordered arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Many of the cronies of Duterte, both in the public and private sectors, run the risk of criminal prosecution for high crimes which may result to spending the rest of their lives in jail – and President Duterte may suffer the same fate It is a very interesting thought. If I were President Duterte and his boys, I’d not touch the idea amending the Constitution even if it is tempting. Why? It is may just be the tipping point that could blow everybody in the country sky high, the stratospheric favorable rating that President Duterte is getting from Falso Siya Na and Switik Wither Pa, notwithstanding.

Ken Go 35% towards debt payment history 30% Total amount owed 15% Length of credit 10% Types of credit in used 10% New Credit Thank you for all your inquiries, hope this information will help you in your quest for a better opportunity. Please feel free to call at your convenience for further discussion on new loan programs available. (562) 508-7048 CABRE01021223 NMLS 238636

(From Page 20)

 HEALTH NEWS

February 4-10, 2021

28

New COVID-19 variants fuelling Africa’s second wave BRAZZAVILLE – COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging in Africa as new, more contagious variants of the virus spread to additional countries.

Over 175 000 new COVID-19 cases and more than 6200 deaths were reported in Africa in the last week while infections rose by 50% on the continent between 29 December 2020 and 25 January 2021 when compared with the previous four weeks.

In the past week, there has been a small dip in cases in South Africa, but 22 countries continue to see their case numbers surge. Deaths rose two-fold in the same four-week period, with over 15 000 concentrated in 10 mainly southern and northern African nations.

The 501Y.V2 variant, first identified in South Africa, is predominant and powering record case numbers in South Africa and the sub-region. It has been found in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, the French Indian Ocean re-

gion of Mayotte, Zambia and in 24 non-African nations.

“The variant which was first detected in South Africa has spread quickly beyond Africa and so what’s keeping me awake at night right now is that it’s very likely circulating in a number of African countries,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

The variant that was initially detected in the United Kingdom has been found in The Gambia and Nigeria.

Further research is needed to determine whether the new strain causes more severe illness.

WHO is working to track and tackle new variants by helping countries build and boost the complex genomic surveillance capacities needed to detect and respond to new variants, shipping samples to sequencing laboratories and providing supplies and technical guidance.

With the Africa Centres of Disease Control and Pre-

vention, WHO helped set up a COVID-19 genomic sequencing laboratory network with laboratories in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda.

WHO calls on all countries to ship at least 20 samples to sequencing laboratories every month to help map the fast-evolving situation and best target responses at all levels.

“In addition to the new variants, COVID-19 fatigue, and the aftermath of year-end gatherings risk powering a perfect storm and driving up Africa’s second wave and overwhelming health facilities,” said Dr Moeti. “Africa is at a crossroads. We must stick to our guns and double down on the tactics we know work so well. That is mask wearing, handwashing and safe social distancing.

Countless lives depend on it.”

Fake news: deadlier Heart of Hope

One of the greatest inventions of the man inspired by the desire to share information is the internet. The impetus started in the 1960s “as a way for government researchers to share information.” The initial computer was a humongous, immobile PHILIP S. CHUA unit the size of an entire room. On January 1, 1983, the internet was born, as a Swiss computer programmer, Tim Berners-Lee, introduced the World Wide Web (www), a “web” of massive information which internet users could retrieve and share, making the encyclopedia, among hundreds of other books, obsolete. Today, we have this “computer” at the palm of our hands, the lightest less than 35 grams, hundred times faster, with gigantic storage space, with amazingly versatility in its functions, most addicting, serving as our most valuable companion, and truly indispensable, a modern gadget called cellphone. Most of us could no longer function with comfort and confidence, or even GPS our way around without it. It seems we could not live without it, almost fully dependent on it and following what it tells, transforming this supposedly slave of ours into our master.

But just like any good discovery or invention, the internet, in the hands of some twisted or criminal members of our species, is used to confuse, instill doubt and fear, for them to achieve a perverted sense of gratification and/or for financial or political gains by spewing out misinformation or actual lies. They are the scammers, identity thieves, corporate hackers - cyberspace criminals victimizing countless people around the globe. Some aim to create chaos and to destroy, for no reason all. The internet is obviously a double-edged sword. It could be used by men of goodwill as an instrument to pursue and defend and attain justice, peace, prosperity, and happiness, for all, or as a destructive weapon to devastate, maim, or kill, not only the body but the soul and spirit of man.

Worst of all, disinformation or posting or sharing fake news during this COVID-19 pandemic could lead to killing millions of lives more than the current global deaths of almost 2.5 million in about 105 million cases (USA-26,924,998 cases, with 455,000 deaths; The Philippines: 529,000 cases, with about 11,000 deaths).

A public disservice An example of the disinformation, which sounds

like an evil intent to misinform deliberately is this post by a Jon Rappoport, emailed to me by a colleague from New York, which says “There are several reasons to reject and ignore ALL COVID statistics. Chief among the reasons—no one has proved that the virus, SARS-CoV-2, exists.”

The vaccines are safe Contrary to what some misinformed people might think, the vaccines for COVID-19 and its variants are effective and safe, proven by the more than 101 million people in 64 countries around the world who had the vaccines, almost 33 million in the USA. As I have stated in a previous column, The claim that “no one has proved that the virus the fear that the vaccines are unsafe because they SARS-Cov2 virus exists,” is simply stupidity and were developed in less than a year, unlike past almost hilarious. The global medical community vaccines which took years to create, is unfounded. and the entire world (obviously except Jon RapThese vaccines for COVID-19 were not rushed, no poport and his kind) have not only proven this short-cuts were taken in their development. The existence of the SARS-CoV2 virus and its variants reason for the amazing speed in their creation and in the laboratory, killing almost 2.5 million people formulation is the newly discovered technology in in 219 countries around the globe from a pandemic making vaccines, using messengerRNA. Hencecalled COVID-19 (Rappoport also denies there is a forth, for all other vaccines in the future for other pandemic!), that even a kindergartener knows there diseases, the development will be faster too. My is pandemic caused by a virus ravaging the world analogy: Simply because vehicles are designed and today. Even the blind can see this. Only a lunatic or manufactured a lot faster today than decades ago a criminal with a 20/20 vision who has a sinister does not necessarily mean the cars of today are less goal would deny the existence of such a virus and safe. As a matter of fact, vehicles today in general the presence of this COVID-19 pandemic. are more comfortable, more efficient, more fun to RN refuses the vaccines drive, and certainly much safer, with all its security Unfortunately, Rappoport is not the only one. features and options.

There are dozens and dozens of brainless individuPost COVID-19 vaccination als out there in the social media pouring gasoline New studies revealed that those who recovon the fire of fear and confusion, about the COered from COVID-19 and received their first shot VID-19 testing, its treatment, and now with the have more than ten times the level of antibodies in vaccines. As a result, the doubt in the people’s mind their system than those who never got infected and is magnified to the extent that even a Registered received their first and second dose. Hence, those Nurse vehemently stated on a television interview who previously had the infection are advised to get that she was so afraid of the dangers of the vaccine vaccinated too. and its component she was definitely not getting The first dose confers only about 52 percent the vaccines. This, and all misinformation, send protection, with 48 percent residual risk. After the the wrong and dangerous message to the public. second dose, the immunity level gradually goes up Those uninformed, ignorant, and gullible individu- to around 95 percent after a few months, not immeals could fall victims to misguided assertions like diately! After the first, and even the second dose, this and refuse testing where needed and object to people can still get infected with COVID-19 when vaccination, making them carefree, careless, and they allow their guard down and cease using mask getting infected, thus becoming virus spreader and and stop social distancing and crowd avoidance. potential accidental killers of the vulnerable people. We can do away with all this only after the country Fake news is very dangerous, perhaps more lethal has developed herd immunity. God-willing, hopethan the COVID-19 itself, in more ways than one. fully before the end of this year or by the summer We are all in this fight together as a people, as of 2022. a global nation. Let us cease and desist from helping these crazy people spread their hurtful lies and Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac misinformation by deleting them from our devices Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and and not sharing them with our friends in the social Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecmedia or Messenger. Precious human lives are a turer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairstake here. If we cannot chip in to help, let us not man of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 help these cruel people chip away the life of our humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the disciplined fellowmen who are suffering and sacri- United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com ficing, following the CDC guidelines religiously to and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com be safe and to protect others too

29 February 4-10, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE OF DIFFICULTY

By TIM PEDROSA

Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; while optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. No difficulties can discourage, no obstacles can disappointment, and no troubles can discourage the man who has acquired the art of being alive. The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears and score your points when you get the opportunity. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes, the bad things that happen to us lead us down the road to some of the best things we could have ever dreamed of. Let us never lose hope because miracles happen every day. Life is full of challenges and obstacles. It is human nature that although many times we know we should not give up but we find it very hard to stay positive and optimistic. Words of encouragement that follows can help us relieve stress and boost our morale.

The ability to triumph always begins with us no matter who we are, or where we come from. We love the light for it shows us the way, yet we should endure the darkness because it shows us the stars. In our journey it doesn’t matter how slow we go as long as we don’t stop until we reach our destination.

When we believe we can, we are already halfway there. The only person we are destined to become is the person we decide to be. The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. We should embrace uncertainty because some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.

I have learned that it is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves; that big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones; that fortune knocks but once, but misfortune has much more patience in coming back.

When we doubt our progress, regret our choices, or put down ourselves, we have to remind ourselves that we are doing just fine; that no matter what it looks like, we are doing the best we can and we are getting better. We should encourage ourselves, support ourselves and celebrate every little thing about ourselves and let us not be discouraged. It is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. When one door closes we tend to stay there and we stare at this closed door full of regrets and sorrows.

We do not realize that at the very moment this door closed another door opened for us.

G

Truth Tests the Heart

od is truth, and whoever accepts Him are expected to walk on the path of truth. Our Lord Jesus once said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6),” He is Truth, and so whoever follows Him must live and behave in the truth. Proverbs 17:3 says, “the crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the tester of hearts is the Lord.” God tests us in many ways along our life’s journey. These tests are given to build us up, muscles in our body develop strength by lifting weights and letting them work; so also, we grow in virtues and good qualities through the trials that He sends us. The Lord knows what are our strengths and what are our weaknesses, He knows what area we need to grow, and what are those that we have already grown. He sends His trials and tests to REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD pinpoint where we have to grow, where we need to be strengthened, and where to build our moral and spiritual muscles.

I would like us to reflect on this theme, because we have to be clever in our spiritual endeavor against our interior enemy – the self, and the exterior enemy – anything that contradicts God and His truths.

The Lord who is Truth uses truth to test us in everything, so that we can become the best we can be in all things too. If we are inclined to tell the truth and do what is right; then, these tests of the Lord will all the more build us up. However, if on the contrary we are not truthful in many ways, we tend to mostly give in to our whims and caprices or even allow ourselves to do vicious things; then, these tests of the Lord can be repulsive to us and can be difficult. It is better; hence, that we test ourselves with all sincerity. So that, we can correct in ourselves the areas that needed correction, and there will be growth as well in those that we are already good at.

Truth can confront our mentality; we know that there are many ideas and principles around that people are influenced of and we too are influenced. Yet, we also know that not all these ideas and lines of thinking are coherent with the teachings of the Lord Jesus, so whose ideas are we going to follow? May we always be courageous to check our way of thinking and ways of reasoning, that they be always in the bounds of the truth.

Truth can confront our desires, decisions, mannerisms, and oral expressions. We know that there are things we can to do and there are those that we cannot; there are words to say that are helpful, but there are also those that are harmful to say to others. Furthermore, there desires and dreams that are good and pleasing to God, but there are also those that are bad and are offensive to Him. Truth unmasks anything in our behavior and exposes us before God, and to fellow earthlings. It is shameful to be caught in the wrong side opposite to the truth, and the shame worsen as one continues arrogantly to be in the wrong rather than amend one’s life.

The Lord uses truth to confront our attitudes and values, our relationships and how we deal with others. Truth can expose the intentions of our hearts in the way we relate to others. Truth can uncover the values and preferences of our hearts. We may be portraying a good façade of ourselves, but truth can never be deceived. God wants us to be His ambassadors of goodness to each other, and many times we fail Him in many ways. Let us always seek the truth to define who we are, especially in relation to others; for doing so, can make be identified as a person of integrity.

Ultimately, when we let our mind and heart dwell and rejoice in the truth, and be tested with truth, and we let our lives be seasoned with the truth; then, God’s presence can radiate through us. And other people will experience Him in and through us. Truth can hurt, but it can heal. It can shame us, but it can lift us up as well once we rectify our ways. Truth is God, and thus, a person possessing it and being possessed by it can be an inspiration to others in as much as he is inspired too by it. Let us be tested in the truth and let it enlighten our daily journey of life. Amen. You can find also this article in my website, faithexpressions.org, view us too in YouTube, Faith Expressions, for other reflections and faith formation topics.

Aflame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

31 February 4-10, 2021  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Stirfry Fresh Hokien Noodles Ingredients: 1 pack, 440 grams thin fresh Hokien noodles 200 grams medium size shrimp, boiled, shelled 250 grams pork, boiled cut into strips 1 fish cake cut into slices (or fish or squid balls) 1 small size carrot, cut into thin strips 1 cup snow peas, trimmed 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 medium size onion, chopped 1-2 pieces long red or green chilli, sliced 1-2 tbsp. hoisin sauce 2-3 tbsp. oyster sauce 1/4 cup soy sauce salt and pepper cooking oil Cooking Procedure: Soak Hokien noodles in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes, drain keep aside. In a wok sauté garlic and onion until fragrant, stir in the pork, fish cake, shrimps and and soy sauce stir cook for 1 to 2 minutes, remove from wok and keep aside. On same wok add in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of broth from boiling the pork and shrimp brings to a boil, add in hoisin sauce, oyster sauce and sliced chili. Stir in Hokien noodles, stir cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until noodles are just cooked, do not overcook. Now add in the vegetables and stir cook for 1-2 minutes. Now add in the pork, fish cake and shrimps and stir cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival pushes through ILOILO CITY – Threats posed by the pandemic have failed to dampen the Ilonggo spirit as the opening of the annual Iloilo Dinagyang Festival honoring the Holy Child Jesus pushed through last Friday night.

To adjust to the new normal, the Iloilo City government, the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), and the San Jose Parish Placer held the “Pamukaw sa Virtual Opening Salvo” with a virtual presentation of documentaries of past festivals.

Instead of the usual street performances, selected warriors roamed the city’s major thoroughfares aboard a city vehicle, awakening the public with thunderous drumbeats.

In his message during the short opening ceremony, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas thanked the IFFI, led by its president Jobert Peñaflorida and chairman Judgee Peña, for “coming up with an effective plan to celebrate (the) Dinagyang Festival without sacrificing our safety.”

“With that, we can become role models to other cities and provinces for safe festivities. And I would like you to understand that it is only Iloilo City, which is celebrating its festival as of this time,” Treñas said.

He noted that while the celebration could be different from the “usual festive and rowdy streets of Iloilo,” one thing has remained the same – “our strong faith in the Lord Almighty.”

Treñas said it reflects the continuous faith and devotion of Ilonggos to Señor Santo Niño.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the province has been successful in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) that Ilonggos could still do whatever they want to do.

“One best example is the Dinagyang. Can you imagine a city having this festival in the middle of a pandemic and succeeding in both?” Defensor said.

After the opening salvo, the organizers will hold the festival’s major events, mindful of the health protocols that need to be observed.

These include the mural contest along Atria in Mandurriao district on January 17; the Dinagyang Market, Market on January 18; the Dinagyang procession/motorcade of Señor Sto. Niño on January 22; the Digital Dagyang sa Calle Real at 9 a.m. on January 23; the virtual religious sadsad at 7 p.m. on January 23; and on January 24, the virtual Dinagyang mass at 7 a.m. to be followed by the Dinagyang digital edition at 9 a.m., with Miss Philippines Universe Rabiya Mateo as one of the hosts.

The virtual events of the festival can be viewed on Facebook and other social media platforms: Iloilo Dinagyang | Jerry Treñas | Iloilo City Government, YouTube: iloilofestivals, FB: Iloilo Dinagyang, IG: @IloiloDinagyang2021, and Twitter: @dinagyang2021.

Media entities in Iloilo have also collaborated in airing the virtual presentation on their respective social media platforms.

The virtual opening salvo lasted for more than two hours after a short opening program held at the Iloilo City Hall and attended by selected individuals and organizers.

Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce