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EDITORIAL

The America First caucus is a sham

The America First caucus was in the news lately for all the wrong reasons.

The loose organization is plain and simply a collection of white supremacists, at best, and outright terrorists, at worst. Under the latter, they are klansmen who no longer see the need to don masks.

They want to see an America that is dominated by Anglo-Saxon thought and ideals, whatever that means. They also reject immigrants for diluting US culture.

Yes, it does not make sense to us, either.

To nobody’s surprise, the leader of the caucus is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who suddenly backtracked on her planned launch of the movement this week after receiving fl ak from her own partymates.

One unapologetic supporter of America First is embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been building himself up as more Trump than Donald Trump himself. The controversial lawmaker, however, may soon fi nd himself out of a job depending on the results of the ongoing investigations on his questionable relations with young women. Or girls, to be precise.

And speaking of the 45th president, he is without a doubt the spiritual leader of the proposed caucus. Unless private citizen Trump rejects in no uncertain terms his links to the caucus, he will fi nd himself pushed to the fringes of the GOP. If he is not yet aware of it, the caucus has all the makings of a PR nightmare, one he should not be part of if he is to remain in the good graces of the GOP leadership.

What we fi nd most disturbing about America First is that it was formed at all. It is now 2021, yet the few who believed it was time to create such a caucus want nothing less than to revive the dangerous McCarthy era of the 1950s.

All its would-be members need to do now is to wear white leather gloves, raise their clenched fi sts, and yell, “White Power!”

There is, however, one big diff erence. They not only believe themselves to be members of Adolf Hitler’s master Aryan race, shouting down and bullying nonwhites is not enough.

Today’s white nationalists have no problem purchasing assault weapons and brandishing them in public. It is from their ranks that many of today’s mass shooters have appeared. Their inexplicable hatred for Jews, Muslims, gays and nonwhites, among others, coupled with the easy availability of weapons designed for use by the military, has resulted in this year’s spike in mass murders.

For now, the America First caucus has been relegated to limbo, at least temporarily. Greene has even disowned the sickening language attributed to the caucus, saying she never read it.

We would very much like to give her the benefi t of the doubt, but her past statements and actions tell us that she is only reworking and rewording the caucus’s reason for being.

Soon, the US will no longer be a predominantly white country. This is what the America First caucus fears.

They believe that the US has always been and always should be predominantly white. They conveniently forget that less than half a millennium ago, this country was predominantly red.

Just ask the Apache, Arapaho, Cherokee, Commanche, Cheyenne, Crow, Lakota, Navajo, Pawnee, and Sioux nations, among others.

They’re also known as the First Americans.

Filam push ...

(From page 1) Upside

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO

erna vaccine to mitigate the spread of Covid19. At press time 20, the pandemic has infected 953,106 in the Philippines and taken 16,141 lives, according to the Philippine Department of Health website.

“Call to Action and Unity of FilAm Communities: Humanitarian Response to the Philippine COVID Crisis” was coordinated by Filipino American Voice United and the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce.

Attendees heard from Commissioner Herman Martir of the US President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacifi c Islanders, PH Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and Senator Manuel Pacquiao.

Some 20 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been ordered and are expected to arrive in the Philippines in July, Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer confi rmed. That shipment would supplement the 3 million doses of Sinovac and AsFormer congressional staff now SSF Vice Mayor Mark Nagales (with wife Amy) says wri� ng lawmakers is eff ec� ve. traZeneca vaccines already in distribution, he added.

Proponents of the movement reaching out to US lawmakers seek shipment of the Moderna vaccine earlier than July.

Recently Philippine-based media reported that a “private sector group” led by billionaire Enrique Razon was involved in a “tripartite agreement to secure 20 million doses of Moderna vaccines” due to start arriving in June.

Said agreement reportedly splits the shipment with 13 million doses for the Philippine government and 7 million for the private sector.

“’When deliveries arrive at the end of the second quarter, we shall immediately roll out our vaccination program for employees, their direct dependent and extended household members, said Razon, head of the International Container Terminal Services Inc.

Some sectors of the community are initiating a move to appeal to their lawmakers in writing, a popular strategy in advocacy.

The letter-writing campaign can be eff ective, South San Francisco Vice Mayor Mark Nagales told author. Nagales, a legislative aide for many years to California Assembly Member Gene Mullin and then to US Congress Rep. K. Jackie Speier said a

Colma, California, resident Aurea Ocampo Cruz said she will write legislators represen� ng her state and district to support the trans-Pacifi c push to ship the Moderna vaccine to the Philippines sooner than July.

(Continued on page 27)

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Second Cold War looms! Professor jumpstarts books ministry

Nobody expected that the fi rst US-China high-level meeting PerryScopein Anchorage, Alaska would lead to an open adversarial situation. Facing each other, the two groups seemed to suggest that the two superpowers were locked in a new Cold War in a tumultuous start sans the usual diplomatic courtesies that happen when diplomats meet for the fi rst time. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and their counterparts Wang Yi and Yang Jiechi took uncompromising positions for the whole world to see.

After both sides displayed a belligerent and uncompromising stance, they seemed to have reached some minor concessions without any radical change in China’s political system or foreign policy.

PERRY DIAZ

The basic problem with US-China relations has always been China’s totalitarian society against America’s democratic foundation. It’s the same problem that the US had during the First Cold War when the US was trying to stop Soviet expansionism. Now, the US is trying to contain China’s expansionist moves around the world. It’s the same playbook with diff erent adversaries.

First Cold War

During the First Cold War, which began in 1947 with the implementation of the Truman Doctrine -- America’s foreign policy goal of containing Soviet geopolitical expansion – and ended in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

This led to the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 among the US, United Kingdom, France, and 11 other European countries. They agreed that an armed attack against any of them would be considered an attack against them all. Later on, Greece and Turkey joined NATO. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 10 former Warsaw Pact members joined NATO in 1997. Eventually the alliance expanded to 30 members, the largest military alliance in the history of the world.

It must be remembered that back in 1960, the late Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev told the United Nations General Assembly, “Socialism is replacing capitalism.” Sixty years later, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “The East is rising, while the West is in decline.” Evidently, Xi believes in it, which gives him a false sense of security that could lead to US-China military confrontation knowing that China would take advantage of any demonstration of weakness on the part of the US.

Cuban missile crisis

This reminds me of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 when war between the US and the Soviet Union almost broke out when the Soviet Union attempted to bring Soviet nuclear missiles to Cuba. When President Kennedy found out about it, he directed a blockade of the Russian ships. For 13 days, the world watched the standoff in the Caribbean Sea.

Finally, Khrushchev backed down and ordered the ships withdrawn. In 1964, the Kremlin stripped him from power for his recklessness that led to the Soviets’ embarrassment during the Cuban missile crisis.

The ascendancy of Biden to the presidency changed the dynamics in US-China relations, which has reached a boiling point with China’s increasingly aggressive posture against Taiwan, which she claims as a province of China. She warned the US to stay away from Taiwan or face the consequences. But the US has made it clear that she won’t sit by and abandon a nation that she has formally committed to support and protect.

In the waning days of the Trump administration, an arms deal was sent to Congress for approval. Beijing claimed that the weapons are off ensive, which could be used to attack the Chinese forces’ assembly area on the mainland coast before departure or their vessels while crossing the Taiwan Strait in the event China decides to invade Taiwan. China is angered by the deal saying it “seriously damages China’s sovereignty and security” and threatened to retaliate. The US is obligated by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the means for defense, hence the series of weapons deal that the two countries had inked in the past that included 66 F-16 fi ghter jets worth $8 billion, the (Continue on page 27) As author, columnist and active evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California, I am delighted and inspired by the decision of Juanita Robertson, retired Professor, City College in San Francisco, to fully support the BOOKS MINIS- ART GABOT MADLAING Health & Wealth TRY.

Retired Prof. Robertson just ordered autographed copies of the two books “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians” and “JESUS CHRIST” subtitled “The Final Days on Earth Before His Return to Heaven” written by yours truly and John Jeff rey respectively, for all her children, grandchildren and friends.

“Thank you my friend. Jesus Christ sacrifi ced his life on the cross for you to have an opportunity to make heaven your home.

Your decision to study and obey God’s word and be baptized into Christ, ensures that this opportunity becomes a reality.

God bless you. We love you” is the autographed message of author John Jeff rey.

Juanita Robertson strongly supports the newly launched BOOKS MINISTRY in coordination with the year-round evangelism, neighborhood and community outreach program of the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California, UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF CHRIST and the global Angel Radio based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and other sister congregations in other states.

“I commend and salute Art Gabot Madlaing for his creative idea in launching the BOOKS MINISTRY. Active evangelist that he is, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown didn’t discourage or dissuade him from sharing the gospel in its purity and simplicity,” Prof. Robertson wrote. Here’s my autographed message to all the children, grandchildren and friends of Juanita Robertson.

“Dear Friend. WARM CHRISTIAN GREETINGS! Here’s copy of my book ordered by Sis. Juanita Robertson as her lasting gift to you.

We hope to see you in HEAVEN with Sis. Robertson!!! Love in Christ..Art”

“I encourage all Christians and congregations to support the BOOKS MINISTRY by ordering the 6th Printing copy of the HISTORICITY OF JESUS and JESUS CHRIST,” Prof. Robertson concluded.

Give the two books HISTORICITY OF JESUS and JESUS CHRIST as your lasting gifts to your FRANC (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Workers) at a discounted volume discount of only $25 for the two books. By ordering the two books, you will also receive a complimentary autographed copy of my upcoming book “LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY” ($25.95 retail price) subtitled “How to be Healthy Emotionally, Financially, Physically, Sexually and Spiritually” scheduled to be printed and marketed by Amazon on May 5, 2021. This Special Off er is good only in the United States. For your autographed copies of the books, just send $25 (includes postage, mailing and handling) in check or money order to: ART G. MADLAING, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or email:agmadlaing@hotmail.com

INSPIRING REVIEWS OF LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY

“This book can encourage, motivate and help you to be healthy emotionally, fi nancially, physically, sexually and spiritually,” wrote Dr. Jason Reynoso,M.D. Baguio General Hospital, Baguio City, Philippines

“Many adverse phenomena beyond our control aff ect our daily lives. Through his guidebook, Art Madlaing gives us power to control a most vital aspect of our existence— health,” explained Juanita Robertson, retired Professor, City College, San Francisco, California, USA

“I highly recommend this book for optimum health and balanced life,” said Atty. Junas T. Sagurit, President, Asian Christian University, Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines

“This book is a good resource for useful tips and advice for people to live by and maintain healthy and balanced lifestyle,”wrote Stephanie Phong Tuliao, Doctor of Pharmacy, Daly City, California, USA. (Continue on page 27)

The Good Samaritan

The re-imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal—the NCR Plus—on March 29 until April 11 and just recently MECQ from April 12 to April 30 - was met with manifold reactions.

Many faulted government offi cials for being slow-paced and disunited in its decisionmaking in handling the grave challenge of the pandemic. The situation we are in today has exposed the weakness of our health care system and, the viability of our economy is being tested.

At the bottom of this problem is the compelling need for all of us to cooperate and comply with the minimum health standards mandated not only by the Department of Health but by World Health Organization as well.

THE NCR Plus ECQ has once more brought to the fore good samaritans, among them San Miguel Corporation’s president and chief operating offi cer Ramon S. Ang.

When tighter measures were reintroduced to prevent the ballooning of COVID-19 cases, he reassured Filipinos that San Miguel Corporation is fully prepared for the ECQ.

Its essential products such as food and fuel are available with no disruption in the supply. Its power facilities are continuously supplying electricity and the expressways are operational.

“While these stricter quarantine restrictions are necessary to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases and reduce the strain on our health care facilities and workers, for many people who earn a living on a daily basis, hunger is an issue. Putting food on the table is a constant worry, especially if you can’t work for days,” RSA said.

With ECQ in NCR Plus, SMC’s food donation initiative was stepped up. Its food assistance program has benefi tted close to 185,000 families in Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna. Donated products include nutribun, ready-to-eat food products and canned goods, all products of San Miguel Foods. Packs of nutribun were also distributed to soup kitchens, medical front liners and various communities.

RSA acknowledged that the recent implementation anew of ECQ and now MECQ may be hard for most Filipinos. However, he believes it is something the Filipinos can all get through. “The important thing is we stay at home, we keep safe so we can reduce the number of COVID-19 cases our medical front liners have to take care of.”

According to RSA, SMC will continue to work with the local government units and fi nd out what other assistance SMC can provide.

Aside from its employees SMC also sees to it that third party contractors are taken care of during the days they are unable to work because of the restrictions.

There is no misconception on the importance of vaccines in the fi ght against COVID-19. If left unchecked, COVID-19 cases will not only put more strain on the health care system. It could also generate a chain reaction that will aff ect the country’s economic recovery.

Cognizant of this, SMC ordered close to one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. These were granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration. A portion of the one million doses is expected to be delivered by July this year. Recipients of the vaccines are 70,000 SMC employees, extended workforce and their families. The remaining doses will be donated to communities who need these most.

“We are committed to helping the government achieve its vaccination goals, protect the vulnerable and build a collective defense against the virus,” RSA stated. “The vaccines are coming. In the meantime, let’s all do our part so we can put our country, our economy, and lives, back on track.”

SMC is one of the biggest private sector donors to the government program against the pandemic. Last year alone, its assistance amounted to over Php13 billion with Php 516 million spent on food donations. Other donations include hospital equipment, testing kits and machines, personal protective equipment, construction of quarantine facilities, and free fuel and toll for medical front liners.

RSA is mobilizing SMC’s resources for the welfare and well-being of Filipinos. He is optimistic we can turn this situation around but cautions we (Continue on page 27)

THE OUTSIDER

MELANDREW T. VELASCO

Duterte Resign petition is the real deal

What started off last week with 500 individuals representing a cross section of civil society getting together to sign a petition calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to resign proved a success beyond their wildest dreams.

No, Duterte did not resign. Nor is he likely to anytime in the foreseeable future. Not unless he reads the writing on the wall, acknowledges that he is despised by the majority of the people, and accepts that as a lameduck president he is in a precarious situation with the possibility that he will end up behind bars, courtesy of the International Criminal Court.

He can expect no support from Chinese president Xi Jinping. At best, he will be allowed to fl y to China to spend the remainder of his days, beyond the reach of the ICC. Such is the fate of tyrants like Idi Amin, the Shah of Iran, and Ferdinand Marcos, among others.

What is not clear is what fate will befall his worst lapdogs, his closest appointed offi cials who have tied their fortunes to him, including the likes of his spokesman Harry Roque, his valet-turned-senator Bong Go, and various apologists like senator Bato dela Rosa, Sal Panelo, Francisco Duque, and Jose Calida.

Some of them may try to fi nd a home in the US, but there is no assurance that they will be welcomed there by the Biden government. Their probable choice will be to stay in the Philippines, and hire the best lawyers that money can buy to help them with the cases that are most likely coming their way.

But it will be each man to himself, and I predict that a good number of them will either get very sick, or pretend to be seriously ill, attending hearings in wheelchairs and neck braces.

As for the Duterte Resign petition, it is that proverbial idea whose time has come.

Fake survey results from Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations cannot save the Duterte regime from the widespread anger of the Filipino people.

Already, there are strong indications that the sick Duterte is being abandoned by his underlings, and there is little that he can do about it.

Everything is falling into place, it seems.

The 1Sambayan Coalition set the stage for Change.org’s Duterte Resign petition. After initial growth pains, 1Sambayan has settled down as the organization that will attract all who want nothing more than to prevent the Duterte regime from staying in power beyond 2022 by anointing the president’s successor. 1Sambayan will handle the selection process to pick the best candidate possible to undo all the damage that the Duterte regime forced upon the people.

For now, Vice President Leni Robredo remains the top favorite to run against whoever Duterte anoints. The odds are that Manny Pacquiao will be that bet.

It is worth noting that the Run Sara Run tarps are fast disappearing and whatever momentum the president’s daughter had in her dream to succeed her father is now gone. Her weaknesses are so obvious that she will be demolished during presidential debates, if she insists on running.

The electorate has seen the folly of electing a mayor as president, and is not likely to repeat that error anytime soon. Davao, it must be said, is nothing like a Manila or a Makati, whose mayors like the late Fred Lim and Jejomar Binay were valid contenders for the presidency.

As for Erap Estrada, he did move up from mayor to senator to vice president before his successful bid for the presidency, and look at how that turned out.

It’s beginning to feel a bit like 1985 now, with Robredo obviously taking the role of Cory Aquino, who had a broad base of support. Look back and see that the same sectors that now support Leni – the business community, the church, the academe, and the youth – were the same sectors that backed Cory.

Only the traditional politicians supported Marcos back then, and their heirs are expressing their support for Duterte and his choice now.

The key remains the military and to a lesser extent the police.

Even as thousands were signing up to join the Duterte Resign petition, there were Offline

BETING DOLOR

Tyranny of the Mob We have to do our part as well

It has become standard protest protocol for mobs to accost diners at restaurants, humiliate them, intimidate them, and shame them into supporting the #BlackLivesMatter movement by forcing them to raise their fi sts in solidarity. Imagine eating peacefully at an outdoor restaurant, a needed respite from the long year sequestered at home, when a chanting crowd turns the corner with their signs and their rumble and their elevated emotions. Instead of sticking to the streets, they cross the barrier delineating the outdoor dining area and come right up to your table. They knock over your drink and shout at you for being white. These protestors have been doing this since the summer of 2020 when they still had the moral high ground. Last night (this column is written on Wednesdays), they were at it again in New York as well as other major cities where places of business are not allowed to carry fi rearms to self-protect. Last night is a puzzling thing because the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial turned out exactly as they wanted.

Congressman Maxine Waters (D-California), standing amidst a #BLM crowd in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on April 17, 2021, stated pretty clearly what they wanted: “We’re looking for a guilty verdict. We’re looking for a guilty verdict and we’re looking to see if all of the talk that took place and has been taking place after they saw what happened to George Floyd…if nothing does not happen, then we know that we’ve got to not only stay in the street but we’ve got to fi ght for justice. But I am very hopeful and I hope that we’re going to get a verdict that it say (sic) “guilty, guilty, guilty” and if we don’t, we cannot go away.”

When asked what protesters should do if the verdict does not come out the way Waters wanted, she advised, “We’ve got to stay on the street. We’ve got to get more active. We’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”

It is fortunate, I suppose, for everyone in this country who values peace and order that the jury verdict delivered in the Chauvin trial turned out to be “guilty, guilty, guilty,” as Congresswoman Waters prescribed. Despite this, in celebration, perhaps, protesters still marched in New York, intimidating white diners, shouting at them “Get the f**ck out of New York. We don’t want you here.” I am loathe to see what would happen if the verdict didn’t go their way.

The death of George Floyd was one of the biggest stories in the United States last year. The riots that erupted in its wake, enervated by the #BLM movement, apparently resulted in the destruction of $1 billion in property and more than 19 deaths. By court order, the jurors in the Chauvin trial have been kept anonymous. Presumably this is for their own safety. And yet, the Chicago Tribune profi led these jurors without revealing their names just two days ago.

My point is this: the mob is intimidating enough after a verdict that pleased it. Was it possible that the hysteria surrounding Floyd’s death and a political leader’s explicit demands for a guilty verdict could have intimidated one or more of the jurors into making a decision they would not have otherwise made? Should a mob have the power to infl uence legal decisions?

It’s sad and frustrating to see what’s happening in the Philippines at this time. It appears that the Duterte administration does not really have any concrete plan in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. I saw his last address to the nation and all I heard were rants about his critics and political opponents. People are getting sick, losing their jobs, and ATTY. JOJO LIANGCO Immigrant’sStory many are waiting for the promised “ayuda’ (fi nancial assistance) from the government. Hospitals are in full capacity and rants don’t do any good at this time. Action and performance from the leadership as well as a concrete plan will appease and calm many people. * * *

Elections bring out the political pundits, the fortune tellers, and the card readers in us. We just love making predictions and wild guesses as to how an election, a political campaign, or a candidacy will turn out. There is defi nitely passion as we voice our support for and expectations from the candidates that we want to lead us. Next year is a presidential election year in the Philippines and just like the elections of the past, people will again be pinning their hopes on their candidates to accomplish major changes and turning points in politics and governance, business, economy, culture and technology, and in matters such as those related to national security. I just hope that people of the Philippines will be wiser with their choice of candidates and leaders come Election 2022. What’s happening at this time in the country is a good lesson. Hats-off though to the Filipino leaders who continue to serve and think for the good of the country during these trying times. * * *

A few years ago in the Philippines, the slogan--- “It’s more fun in the Philippines”--- was launched by the country’s tourism agency. This slogan by the way is also appropriate to describe the past fanfares, entertainment factor, and the shallowness of many past campaigns and elections that resulted in electoral processes that were “more festive” compared to the town and barrio fi estas in the Philippines.

Then there’s the violent episodes too that turned campaigns and elections into dirty wars not only because of the “demolition jobs” that were done to destroy people and their reputations but also because of dirty tactics and ploys that resulted in deaths and senseless killings.

For the unsuspecting, discerning which news and information is true is also a big ordeal these days because there are so many fake news, propagandists, and spin masters at work who sway and swing public opinion--- and infl uence elections to favor the candidates that they work for and serve. Then if there are demolition jobs, there are also “cover-ups” and “whitewashes.” There’s a “cover-up” when there is an eff ort to hide the evidence of wrongdoing, error, or incompetence. In a passive cover-up, information is simply not provided, while in an active cover-up, deception is used. Whitewashing involves releasing misleading evidence. * * *

Unlike in most countries where leaders are chosen and elected based on their platforms and positions on issues, ideology, and program of government, in the Philippines, people have been accustomed to choosing and electing their political leaders based on popularity and media exposure (and even based on the candidate’s family name, connections, and political clout ). But like what I have written and said before, things and conditions that we have been used to seeing and accepting are not always good, right, and just. It is for this reason that I always revisit the works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. Our generation can still be inspired by the sacrifi ce and social vision of these heroes.

Dr. Rizal said something important during that fateful day when he faced the Spanish military court in Manila. We need to revisit and put to heart those words--- “I wanted the Filipino people to appear self-respecting, noble, honest, for a people that make themselves contemptible by their cowardice or vices expose themselves to abuses and imposition. In general, man oppresses whom he despises.”

To make his words relevant today, we Filipinos should regain fi rst and foremost our self-respecting, noble, and honest virtues and we should have the (Continue on page 27)

The USCIS investigates Marriage Fraud

Marriage fraud is a major part of USCIS investigations because they believe that marriage is a fast way to get a green card. In some cases containing weak documentary relationship evidence, the adjudicator may refer the case for an investigation. This additional scrutiny may include deep public record searches, an early morning visit at their home, and interviews with neighbors, family and co¬ workers.

How do the USCIS investigate marriage fraud? To detect frauds, the immigration authorities require a lot of proof that a marriage is real, including more documentation than for other familybased immigration applicants. They subject marriage-based immigrants to a longer and more detailed personal interview than other applicants go through, as well as a two-year testing period for couples who have been married less than two years when their green card is approved or when they enter the U.S. on their immigrant visa.

The U.S. government will not normally follow a couple around or investigate their life beyond the required paperwork and the interviews it always conducts. But it has the power to do so if it sees grounds for suspicion. Inspectors of the Department of Homeland Security can visit your home, talk to your friends, and interview your employers, and so on. By requiring more of married couples than of others, the U.S. government has set up a system that gives it a lot of information about whether a marriage is the real thing or not.

What is the information that the USCIS is looking for a married couple?

The “normal” married couple has a fair amount in common. They share a language and religion. They live together and do things together, like take vacations, celebrate important events, birthdays, and holidays, join clubs or gyms, and have sex and children. Typical couples also combine fi nancial and other aspects of their lives after marriage. They demonstrate their trust in one another by sharing bank and credit card accounts and ownership of property, such as cars and houses. They celebrate each others’ birthdays and meet each others’ families.

Based on this information, it is advisable to seek the advice of an immigration attorney to inform you of the chances of your immigration petition or application.

Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for information purposes only. If you have immigration problems the Law Offi ces of Crispin C. Lozano can help you fi nd a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation.

Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He practices immigration law, bankruptcy and income tax law since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@ CCLlaw.net We do a free telephonic consultation.

April 22-28, 2021 14 TDF rates decline anew as liquidity remains high

MANILA – The high liquidity situation in the country continues to result in the drop in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposit facility (TDF) rates.

Data released by the central bank Wednesday showed that the average rate of the seven-day facility fell to 1.7541 percent and the 14-day facility to 1.7860 percent.

These were at 1.7737 percent and 1.8097 percent for the seven-day and 14day TDF, respectively, during the auction last April 14.

Both tenors were fully awarded due to oversubscription.

Off er volume this week is also the same as last week.

The BSP off ered the shorter-dated TDF for P140 billion and bids amounted to P179.141 billion.

It off ered the 14-day TDF for PHP350 billion and tenders reached P403.632 billion.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said this week’s TDF auction still shows there is “normal market conditions amid ample liquidity in the fi nancial system.”

“Looking ahead, the BSP’s monetary operations will remain guided by its latest assessment of liquidity conditions and market developments,” he added.

Philippines eyes another euro bond issuance

Binalot launches home kitchen-based franchise

MANILA – The Philippines is again eyeing to issue euro-denominated benchmark bonds, a few months after it issued US dollar-denominated debt paper in December 2020.

A report from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that the Philippines has appointed BNP PARIBAS, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Nomura, and Standard Chartered Bank as lead managers and joint bookrunners for the proposed off ering.

It said a series of fi xed income investors meetings are set in Asia, Europe, and the US starting April 19, 2021.

“A proposed four-year and/or 12year and/or 20-year euro-denominated US SEC-registered senior unsecured benchmark bond off ering may follow, subject to market conditions,” it added.

The planned off ering is projected to be rated investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service, Baa2; S&P Global Ratings, BBB+; and Fitch Ratings, BBB. These ratings are the same that debt raters have for the Philippine economy. Last December, the country raised US$2.75 billion (about P132 billion) from the issuance of 10- and 25-year Republic of the Philippines (ROP) bonds, proceeds of which will be used to fi nance the various government programs. Authorities said such issuance is a success, especially since it fetched new record-low interest rates, with the coupon for the shorter-dated paper at 1.648 percent and 25-years at 2.65 percent per year.

MAKATI CITY – Filipino fast-food chain Binalot has introduced its home kitchen-based franchise that would no longer require a commercial space to offer Binalot food products.

Called ‘cloud franchise’, one can start a Binalot business at home. “All we require you to have is your kitchen and a dedicated refrigerator and freezer for the Binalot stocks,” Binalot operations manager Judee Morente said. He said Binalot will also provide training for operations, food handling, marketing, and human resources.

The company will also set up a delivery system so that the franchisee will have convenient food delivery service. “Truly, this pandemic has aff ected the food industry worldwide, and Binalot was not spared. Sales decreased to less than half as people stayed home, they stayed away from the malls and offi ce spaces and factories became vacant. Thus, most of our current sales are in the form of delivery sales,” Morente added. Binalot chief executive offi cer Rommel Juan said the company now shifts to community-based franchise as more people work from home and food deliveries in residential areas have increased. “At Binalot, we try to see the opportunity in every crisis. Problems are seen as challenges that need to be addressed. There is a need and we provide an opportunity to fi ll this need. So now we want to give this opportunity to off er Binalot to cloud franchisees to serve their own residential areas and have a profi table business for themselves,” Juan said.

2-week ECQ sheds P180-B in PHL economy: DTI

MAKATI CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has estimated that the country lost 1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) during the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in National Capital Region (NCR) and four nearby provinces. During the Laging Handa public briefi ng, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the economic loss due to the half-a-month ECQ in NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal (NCR Plus) is equivalent to PHP180 billion.

Earlier, Lopez said around 1.5 million Filipinos had no jobs during the ECQ in NCR Plus, and only 500,000 jobs were brought back when the quarantine classifi cation for areas was downgraded to a less strict modifi ed ECQ (MECQ).

“We want to see lower Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases and lower utilization rate of (Covid-19 beds) before we ease the status to GCQ (general community quarantine),” he said. The DTI chief also downplayed speculation that the reopening of economic activities and business establishments became the ‘super spreader’ of Covid-19.

Moratorium on new mining projects lifted

MAKATI CITY – The Chamber of Mines in the Philippines (COMP) and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) have lauded the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the nine-year moratorium on new mining projects. “We welcome the lifting of the moratorium on new mining projects --in place for nearly nine years-- in this time of great national diffi culty as a result of the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” COMP said.

COMP added the new mining projects will generate new revenues for the government in the form of taxes and fees, as well as royalty fees while increasing export revenues and job generation, especially in the rural areas.

“The removal of this policy roadblock will undoubtedly help encourage both local and foreign investments into the country. Since 2010, investor interest in the Philippines has declined. Executive Order 130 will help bring the Philippines back on the investment map,” the group said. PNIA said the lifting of the moratorium on new mining agreements recognizes the role of the mining industry in economic recovery and development.

 IMMIGRATIONS Remittance by OFWs grows 1.6% to $5.65 B in fi rst 2 months

MANILA - Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) amounted to US$2.761 billion in February 2021, higher by 5.3 percent than the $2.623 billion recorded in February 2020.

The growth in cash remittances for January to February 2021 was sourced mainly from the United States (US), Malaysia and Singapore.

Meanwhile, in terms of country sources, the US registered the highest share to overall remittances at 41 percent for the fi rst two months, followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Malaysia, Taiwan and Qatar.

The increase in personal remittances was attributed to the 7.8 percent growth in remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more to $2.152 billion from the $1.997 billion recorded in February 2020.

Meanwhile, remittances from seabased workers and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year declined by 4.6 percent to $540 million from $566 million a year ago.

On a cumulative basis, remittances for the fi rst two months of the year reached $5.655 billion, representing a 1.6 percent growth year-on-year from the $5.566 billion recorded in the comparable period in 2020, despite the slack in remittances recorded in January 2021.

Likewise, cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks rose by 5.1 percent to $2.477 billion in February 2021 from $2.358 billion in the comparable month a year ago.

In particular, cash remittances from land-based workers increased by 7.8 percent to $1.982 billion, while that of seabased workers decreased by 4.6 percent to $495 million.

For the fi rst two months of 2021, cash remittances amounted to $5.08 billion, an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the $5.006 billion level in the same period last year.

SEC launches new company registration system

PASAY CITY – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched the Electronic Simplifi ed Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) to facilitate faster and easier registration of corporations in the country Starting April 19, the commission will accept and process under eSPARC all applications for registration of one person corporations (OPCs) and both stock and nonstock domestic corporations with at least two but not more than 15 incorporators who may either be natural persons, partnerships, associations or corporations. SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said eSPARC “brings us another step closer to our vision of a unifi ed system” that can seamlessly handle the company registration process from end to end.

“As we proceed further with the commission’s digital transformation, we also have to ensure that our stakeholders may adapt well and be able to fully take advantage of our ongoing initiatives, which are after all aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the country for them.”

The new company registration system, which can be accessed at https://secwebapps.sec.gov.ph/application, replaced the interim registration system, which was previously used for the registration of OPCs and corporations with two to four incorporators, as well as the Company Registration System (CRS) for domestic and foreign-owned corporations with at least fi ve incorporators. With the launch of eSPARC, only applications for the registration of partnerships and foreign corporations will be accepted and processed in the CRS.

Applications submitted through the CRS prior to April 19 will still be processed by the system, unless applicants are instructed to resubmit their applications through eSPARC. On eSPARC, applicants or their duly appointed representatives may submit their proposed company names, input their company information, and upload the documentary requirements for review by the commission. The system also features a real-time inquiry facility on the status of applications.

The new system has been integrated with the SEC cashiering system and the commission’s online payment portal to provide a faster, seamless, and convenient means to pay registration fees. eSPARC is also linked to the Central Business Portal, the national government’s centralized platform that allows the public to access registration forms, fi ll out the information, and submit requirements needed for business registration and related transactions.

It is the latest initiative in the digital transformation program of the SEC.

On March 15, the commission launched the online submission tool, which allows for the online submission of annual fi nancial statements, general information sheet, and other covered reports. Earlier on March 1, the commission launched an online payment portal, giving clients the option to settle their registration and other transaction fees through online banking or their digital wallets

Gross int’l reserves seen to remain high this year

MAKATI CITY – An economist forecasts a positive turn-out for the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) this year despite a slide last March given the positive outlook on structural fl ows like infl ows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported last week a 0.3-percent month-on-month drop in the country’s foreign reserves to US$104.82 billion.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the decline is a four-month low.

“Continued infl ows of the country’s structural US dollar infl ows, even with year-on-year declines for some of them, such as OFW remittances, BPO (business process outsourcing) revenues, POGO (Philippine off shore gaming operators) revenues, foreign investments may still be added to the country’s balance of payments (BOP) surplus, as well as to the country’s GIR, new record highs for which still possible in the coming months,” he said.

Ricafort attributed the drop in foreign reserves last March partly to the decline in foreign investments due to the sell-off in the US and global bond markets, and the wider trade defi cit.

Notice is hereby given that this is an Online Bid Process; only bids submitted through the online portal will be accepted. Please logon or register at https://ezsourcing.acgov.org/.

RFP #902000 Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Benefi ts Third-Party Administrator – Vendor Outreach: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 10:30AM TO ATTEND ONLINE: Join Microsoft Teams MeetingOR via Phone: +1 415-915-3950 Conference ID: 504 517 635# NON-MANDATORY NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCE: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 10:00AM TO ATTEND ONLINE : Join Microsoft Teams MeetingOR Call in (audio only) : +1 415-915-3950 Phone Conference ID: 403 142 027# Response Due by 2:00 PM on June 2, 2021 County Contact: Kachina Handy at (510) 208- 9644 or via e-mail: kachina.handy@acgov.org. Attendance at Vendor Outreach and/or Networking Conference is non-mandatory. Specifi cations regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org. 4/23/21

CNS-3460760#