Philippine News Today

1 April 29-May 5, 2021

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

www.pnewstoday.com

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

Vol. 60 No. 38 April 29-May 5, 2021

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

COVID-19 CASES IN PHL SOAR TO OVER 1 MILLION Travellers from badly-hit India barred

By ALFRED GABOT Editor in Chief

MANILA – As experts earlier projected, the country’s COVID-19 cases this week surpassed the one million mark even as the government extended its lockdown of the National Capital Region and the four adjoining provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and LaPage 9 guna to further stem the tide of the virus.

Biden taps Fil-Am Gina Ortiz Jones as Air Force undersecretary

By Marie-Alsie G. Penaranda WASHINGTON/TEXAS – US President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has tapped another Filipino American for a top position in his administration.

A White House announcement on April 27 identified the FilAm as Iraq war veteran Gina Ortiz Jones who Biden nominated as undersecretary of the US Air Force. Page 8 Gina Or�z Jones

ATTORNEY GENERAL. Governor Newsom swears in A�orney General Rob Bonta.

After swearing in Bonta, Newsom sets special polls

By Jo Erlinda Maufit SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a proclamation declaring a special on August 31, 2021.

Newsom said the primary for election for the 18th Assembly District of the State of California the special election will be held

Korean superstore H Mart opens in San Francisco

on June 29, 2021.

The special election was set after Newsom swore in Filipino American Rob Bonta as attorney Page 8 general.

One to two-week lockdown extension looms

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor MANILA – The strict lockdown that began in mid-March which was supposed to last for extended twice, will very likely only two weeks, but which was be extended yet again, if the

Health secretary and a University of the Philippines-based think tank’s recommendation is to be Ribbon-cu�ng ceremony that formally opened H Mart San Francisco also followed. Page 8 Page 10 included County Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Ahsha Safai.

Sara Duterte remains top presidential pick - survey

US population soars to 331 M; California still most populous state VIEWS & COMMENTS

SHOWBIZ

SPORTS

‘Knowing ourselves first will make us better’

Jessica Sanchez, Mark Cuban, Apl.de.ap, others team up to stop Asian hate crimes

Young Pinay weightlifter wins 2 golds in Asian meet Olympics

Page 14 By A�y. Liangco

Page 15

Page 21

P24

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

$1.00= P48.40

as of April 29, 2021 1:30am

Page 8

P7 P3

 NATIONAL NEWS

April 29-May 5, 2021

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DILG ready to punish mayors over rising Covid-19 violations MANILA – Mayors or barangay officials who fail to enforce quarantine protocols and prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases in their municipality or city may face administrative or criminal charges, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

Duterte threatened to punish mayors and barangay officials over “dereliction of duty” as he lamented the continued surge in Covid-19 infections due to failure to implement minimum health and safety standards.

“I will hold responsible and I will direct the secretary of the [Department of the Interior and Local Government], to hold the mayors and responsible for these kind of events happening in their places,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech.

He said the DILG could easily go after mayors and barangay officials if proven that they were not performing their duties.

“It is a violation of the law and if you

do not enforce the law, there is a dereliction of duty which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code. So the DILG can proceed against you for not doing your duty as mayor or as a barangay captain, but not so much about the mayor,” he added.

Duterte said he would not buy any excuses made by local officials since they should be able to exercise their power to slow down the increase in Covid-19 transmissions.

“The Local Government will go after you administratively and criminally. ‘Pag may nangyari pang pistahan o sayawan diyan, ang tawagin ng DILG ang mayor pati ang barangay captain (If there are fiestas or dances there, the DILG will summon the mayor and barangay captain), and then he will proceed to enforce the law. Since he is my alter ego, it’s a civilian department, and he can exercise that power,” he said.

He also directed DILG Secretary Eduardo Año to give mayors and barangay captains “enough time” to explain why they should not be punished for their negligence.

“Maybe call the attention of the mayor and the barangay captain and to give them enough time to answer administratively and criminally why you should not go to prison for not enforcing the law,” he added.

Under the police power of the state, Duterte said mayors and barangay officials “are the ones who should be responsible for the enforcement of the law.”

“There is a national emergency, a national health emergency. With that comes also the power of the state to control whatever there is to control whether it’s a pandemic, epidemic or whatever medical, police power can be exercised to control crime, to promote public interest, to promote public health,” he said.

Duterte noted that exercising police power is necessary “to protect other people from not getting sick.”

He also admitted that he was not surprised that the Philippines’ total Covid-19 cases breached the 1 million mark.

“From a distance, nakikita ko talaga (I can really see it). And every time I see people violating the law, I would just say to whoever is seated next to me, ‘Tignan mo ito (Look), tomorrow there will be a spike again,’” he said.

He said there were only two ways to significantly reduce the transmission of the virus namely, vaccination and observance of quarantine protocols.

“It will never be an ending story until all Filipinos are vaccinated. There will always be a rise and maybe exponential ang takbo ng (rise of) Covid sa Pilipinas ‘pag hindi kayo sumunod ng batas (in the Philippines if you do not obey the law),” he added.

Covid variants recorded in 139 states; global cases reach 148.7M MANILA – The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) variants of concern (VOC) are spreading in at least 139 countries while the global case count has reached 148,763,564 as of April 28, according to the Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

In its weekly report, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the new Covid-19 cases globally have increased for the ninth consecutive week, with nearly 5.7 million new infections reported in the last week – surpassing previous peaks.

The number of new deaths, on the other hand, rose for the sixth consecutive week, with over 87,000 new fatalities reported.

Based on its data collected from April 18 to 25, the UN body said all regions are reporting decreases in case of incidence apart from the South-East Asia

and Western Pacific regions.

South-East Asia reported the highest number of new cases at 2,269,114. But while a number of countries in the region are reporting an increase, WHO said India accounts for the vast majority of new infections from this regional trend and 38 percent of global cases reported in the past week.

‘Covid-19 variants’ WHO attributed to B.1.617 and the spread of other variants such as the B.1.1.7 and the B1.351 the spike in the number of infections in India.

The UN body said these variants may be “playing a role” in the surge as the new B.1.617 had been detected across several regions in the Asian nation.

WHO also believes B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in the Asian nation, suggest-

ing potential increased transmissibility.

“Other drivers may include challenges around the implementation and adherence to public health and social measures (PHSM), and social gatherings (including mass gatherings during cultural and religious celebrations, and elections).

Further investigation is needed to understand the relative contribution of these factors,” it said.

In the same report, WHO said a total of 139 countries have recorded cases with the B.1.1.7 variant, 87 countries with B.1.351, and about 54 nations with the P.1 variant as of April 27.

“As surveillance activities to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants are strengthened at local and national levels, including by strategic genomic sequencing and sharing full genome sequences with publicly available platforms such as GISAID, the number of countries/areas/territories re-

porting VOCs continues to increase,” the WHO said.

Based on the latest data from the JHU for April 28, India has a total of 17,997,113 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he will be calling on Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss a range of topics as he hoped for the Asian nation’s quick recovery.

He added that the country would never use the health crisis in India to “wash its dirty linen.”

“Can’t imagine any government official using India’s tragedy to wash our dirty linen. Our linen was ours to dirty never yours to clean; I’ll slap anyone who does that. In fact, we depend almost entirely on Indian recovery—especially its giant pharma capacity—for PH recovery,” he said.

Agri chief faces graft raps over failure to build inspection facility vs ASF QUEZON CITY — The chief of the Department of Agriculture is facing a graft complaint over his alleged failure to implement sufficient meat inspection facilities, contributing to the spread of the African swine fever that has disrupted the Philippine market.

The complaint filed before the Ombudsman, copies of which were issued to the media over the weekend, showed that the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura and its chair Rosendo Ong So slapped Agriculture Secretary William Dar with charges for allegedly violating Section 3e of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The agriculture industry group also Made in the USA lodged a complaint against the DA executive for violating Section 12B of Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013.

The complaint is related to the department’s failure to act on equipping the Philippines with strengthened border control versus the ASF, and other diseases.

This, So stressed, should be blamed for the spread of the ASF—which has been

Health Benefits of GLS

branded as the COVID-19 to pigs. Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed there were 466,670 culled pigs nationwide due to ASF, with active cases concentrated in 43 barangays in 5 regions.

He noted the group has long been urging the government to fully implement the first border inspection as mandated by the Food Safety Act. “Instead of heeding the request of the local agriculture sector, ASD (Agriculture Secretary Dar) moved to increase the MAV allocation for pork and reduce pork tariffs,” the SINAG chair was quoted as saying in the statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month signed an executive order lowering tariffs on imported pork meat for a year, from the current 30% to 40% to 5% to 20%.

The government is pushing for the increase in the minimum access volume of frozen pork meat to be shipped to the Philippines to up to 400,000 metric tons from the current 54,000 MT to augment pork supply in the country amid the rising prices.

3 April 29-May 5, 2021

 NATIONAL NEWS

4 of Angel Locsin pantry attendees tested Covid-19 positive

QUEZON CITY – An attendee of the controversial community pantry of actress Angel Locsin is exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms while three others who availed of free tests offered by the Quezon City government are asymptomatic.

“The average incubation period for

Covid-19 is approximately five days. So we call on everyone who went to last Friday’s gathering, please report to us and have yourself tested. If there was a transmission and you were exposed, you may observe some symptoms manifesting starting today,” said Dr. Rolando Cruz,

chief of the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU).

One of the attendees who got tested is experiencing headache and loss of smell and taste, a Radyo PIlipinas report said.

As of Tuesday, Cruz said they have conducted free swab tests on just four individuals who sought CESU’s services as they were among the thousands who went to the event.

The city government said it does not have the personal data of those who went to Locsin’s pantry, organized to mark her 36th birthday.

Five days after the April 23 event in Barangay Holy Spirit, marred by the death of a male 67-year-old vendor after queuing for hours, the local government reiterated its call for those who lined up to undergo reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

Barangay Holy Spirit Chair Felicito Valmocina was already approached by more individuals who went to the pantry and wanted to be tested, according to CESU. The Quezon City Police Department

is also looking into the possibility of Locsin’s liability, the city government said.

The city’s free RT-PCR test is for all residents, not only for those who went to Locsin’s community pantry.

Appointments can be made at http:// bit.ly/QCfreetest; through the CESU Facebook account facebook.com/QCEpidemiologyDiseaseSurveillance/; or by calling hotlines 8703-2759, 8703-4398, 0916-122-8628, 0908-639-8086, and 0931-095-7737.

CESU is receiving an average of 950 swab test requests daily and performs 600 tests per day.

“The city screens individuals who can avail of the free swab services so we can allocate our supplies to those who need them most,” Cruz said.

For now, CESU is prioritizing residents who went to Locsin’s community pantry, their close contacts or those who were exposed to positive patients, experiencing symptoms, pregnant, dialysis patients, and those who will undergo medical operations and need Covid-19 test results.

‘Just compensation’ to Hacienda Luisita Inc. ordered

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled for a just compensation to the Cojuangco family-owned Hacienda Luisita Incorporated (HLI) for the distribution of its 4,915.75-hectare sugar land plantation in Tarlac to 6,296 farm worker-beneficiaries (FWBs).

In a resolution in December last year and released to the public on April 26, 2021, the SC en banc said the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC), the De-

partment of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and DAR with the needed documents. the Registry of Deeds should form a task “Significantly, the completion of the force “for purposes of completing and col- DAR’s validation procedures is a prelating the documentation required to vali- condition to the payment of just compendate the homelot awards.”

The SC also directed DAR to determine just compensation for HLI and for the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to release the payment of just compensation according to the result of DAR’s validation.

The High Court said the just compensation for HLI should be derived from the Agrarian Reform Fund.

The SC directed the creation of a task force after HLI claimed it does not have the original copies of the transfer documents, which have either been submitted to the Registry of Deeds or given to the FWBs. Previously, in compliance with the Court’s directive to implement the main decision and subsequent resolutions on the case, DAR began the process of validating the list of home lot awardees.

It found out, among others, the total home lot area and the number of FWBs awarded with home lot titles.

However, the PARC/ DAR noted that the certified true copies of the transfer documents evidencing the award of home lots to the individual recipients are necessary to complete validation process.

It directed HLI to furnish

sation. Thus, it is in HLI’s best interest to fully cooperate with the DAR which includes providing the necessary documents to the best of their ability.

 METRO NEWS

April 29-May 5, 2021

Makati prosecutors dismiss rape-homicide charges vs.

MAKATI CITY – The Makati Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the charges of rape and homicide against 11 men implicated in the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera on January 1.

In a 19-page resolution dated April 23, 2021, Assistant City Prosecutor Joan Bolina-Santillan said the “evidence presented are insufficient to engender a well-founded belief that rape, homicide or rape with homicide has been committed”.

The resolution stated the rape and homicide charges against John Pascual

Dela Serna III, Romel Galido, John Paul Halili, Gregorio Angelo De Guzman, Jezreel Rapinan, Alain D. Chen, Mark Anthony Rosales, Reymar Englis, Louie Delima, Jamyr Cunanan, and Eduard Pangilinan are “dismissed for lack of probable cause”.

Deputy City Prosecutor Henry Salazar and City Prosecutor Dindo Venturaza approved the resolution.

In March, criminal charges other than rape and homicide were filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the men who were with the 23-year-old Dacera at the City Garden Grand Hotel.

The NBI filed charges of violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, against Rosales for allegedly bringing party drugs and, along with Galido, for delivering and giving away the illegal substance.

Likewise charged for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide were Dela Serna III, Rapinan, Chen, and Delima for neglecting Dacera.

NBI findings, however, showed no proof of abrasions in the victim’s genitalia, as earlier claimed by forensic experts.

The Philippine Airlines flight atten-

dant was found unconscious in a bathtub, hours after a party.

She was declared dead on arrival at the Makati Medical Center.

Initial reports indicated she was raped but the police failed to substantiate the claims.

Toxicology examinations showed the presence of Diltiazem, a medicine for high blood pressure.

The NBI disputed the police’s conclusion that the victim’s urinary bladder was empty and said that in fact, its forensic team was able to extract 130 milliliters of urine, but no abrasion was found in her labia majora.

Charges of perjury were also recommended against Galido, Dela Serna, and Darwin Macalla for allegedly providing false testimonies; and obstruction of justice against Rosales, Galido, Dela Serna, De Guzman, Rapinan, Chen, Englis, Macalla, and lawyer Neptali Maroto for allegedly giving false or fabricated information to mislead or prevent the law enforcement agencies from apprehending the offenders.

Criminal charges for falsification of official document by a public officer were slapped against investigator Maj. Michael Nick Sarmiento.

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MWSS employees donate food, open community pantry QUEZON CITY - Many Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System employees left gifts of food, groceries, rice, vegetables, essential goods, some contributed money to buy food supplies, for the opening of the community pantry organized by the MWSS-Corporate Office.

Organizers and volunteers worked through the weekend coordinating with the LGU, carrying groceries, stocking and organizing food to ensure social distancing and observance of health protocols, and bring down the wait times.

When the pantry opened at 9 a.m. around 400 individuals were already in line.

MWSS Chairman and concurrent Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco said, “During this uniquely difficult time, while many people are struggling, there are also many people who are generous and eager to help. They want to be part of the solution.”

He added, “Hunger, food insecurity increased substantially during COVID pandemic. What we did today and our partners will do in the succeeding 4 days, hopefully will open doors for exponential growth. This joint project shows that individual contributors can make a difference not just through money or goods, but also by volunteering their time to help other people.”

5 April 29-May 5, 2021

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

Gov’t to pursue 32-km Bataan-Cavite bridge over Manila Bay

MARIVELES, Bataan – Is the government pushing through with the ambitious and expensive construction of a 32-kilometer bridge linking Cavite and Bataan?

Months after the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shelved the project due to economic difficulties caused by the pandemic, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) now said the project will be pursued.

This after Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark

Villar said the DPWH will finalize a detailed design of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project within the year.

Secretary Villar said the multi-billion structure which is part of the government’s Inter-Island Linkage/Mega Bridge Program which includes a bridge to connect Davao City with the Garden City Samal Island, a bridge connecting Iloilo City with Guimaras island, among others.

“We already procured the feasibility study which is our major accomplishment but what we are working on now is the detailed engineering design,” he said during the Sulong Pilipinas 2021: Partners for Progress, a Pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Economic Development and Infrastructure Clusters’ Forum.

Villar said he expects to see a “significant accomplishment” in the detailed engineering design of the project. “(This) means we will be ready for procurement,” he added.

Included in the government’s Build, Build, Build Program, the bridge project involves the construction of a 32.15-kilometer bridge with four lanes (two for each direction) spanning from Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan crossing Manila Bay and ending in Barangay Timalan, Naic, Cavite.

Ilocos bus company resumes Manila-Laoag route LAOAG CITY – A provincial bus company announced its readiness to resume operation under the new normal starting April 28.

In a public advisory, the management of G.V. Florida Bus Lines said bookings and reservations are now open for their Manila-Laoag route at 10:00 p.m. daily and LaoagManila route at 4:00 p.m. daily.

“Reservation booking should

not be later than 36 hours before the trip,” the advisory said.

Since January, the province of Ilocos Norte has expressed readiness to accept commuters of public utility buses bound from Manila to Laoag and Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on a daily basis but there had been a limited number of takers due to travel restrictions.

But with the easing of travel pro-

tocols, bus operators in the province have started to comply with the requirements so they can resume their operation safely.

Similar to the entry of tourists and returning residents in the province, Cipriano Martinez, executive director of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council, said passengers will also be processed at the provincial border.

The soon-to-be-largest and longest iconic bridge will be the faster way by land between Cavite and Bataan, which will cut travel time between Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog from the usual five hours to only 20 to 30 minutes at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

April 29-May 5, 2021

Ex-President Estrada hurdles Covid-19, back at San Juan home

By Claire Morales True

COVID SURVIVOR. Ex-President Joseph Estrada is met by wife Luisa upon returning home from the hospital.

CITY OF SAN JUAN - Former President Joseph Estrada (Joseph Marcelo Ejercito in real life) has been discharged from the hospital after fighting off Covid 19 at the Cardinal Santos Hospital here.

His son former senator Jinggoy Estrada (Jose Ejercito in real life) and his family

posted a video on the family reunion upon his arrival at his Greenhills, San Juan home met by Dr. Luisa Pimentel Ejercito, the elder Estrada’s wife and a former senator.

In a video post shown on national television, the former President thanked his

supporters for their prayers for his recovery.

In a Facebook post, the younger Estrada thanked the doctors and the people “who prayed with us and supported us through this harrowing experience.”

“Our family is overjoyed to announce that our father will finally be discharged from the hospital today,” Jinggoy said.

“We would like to express our gratitude to his doctors for their expertise and care.

We would like to thank everyone who prayed with us and supported us through this harrowing experience,” he added.

The 84-year-old former chief executive was rushed to the hospital last March 28 and has tested positive for the viral disease. He was revealed to have been put into mechanical ventilation shortly after “his pneumonia worsened.”

On April 16, he was brought back to the intensive care unit after his physicians found a superimposed bacterial lung infection.

Estrada’s vital signs later improved, prompting the doctor to transfer him to a regular room.

MECQ extended in NCR+ Plus

President Duterte MANILA – National Capital Region (NCR) Plus will remain under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) next month.

“Modified enhanced community quarantine. Modified ito so medyo strict. NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal (Modified enhanced community quarantine – modified, meaning somehow strict – will be imposed in NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal),” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his talk to the people.

Duterte apologized to the public for extending the more restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus.

In his taped public address, Duterte explained that the two-week MECQ extension in NCR Plus is based on the recommendation of medical professionals, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque.

“Mga kababayan ko, maghingi lang ako sa inyo ng paumanhin. I’m sorry that I have to impose a longer itong modified enhanced community (To my fellow countrymen, I want to apologize. I’m sorry that I have to impose a longer modified enhanced community quarantine),” Duterte said.

Duterte said he has no choice but heed the medical professionals’ advice, considering that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections continue to rise in the country.

“Kasi kailangan. Nag-spike ng ano, tumaas ‘yung infections at ‘yung hospital natin, puno (It is necessary because there is a spike of infections and our hospitals are already occupied),” he said.

Duterte said government interventions are necessary to contain Covid-19, as well as to protect the public against the coronavirus.

He also reiterated his advice to the public to continue observing the minimum health public standards amid the pandemic.

“I want the people to be comfortable so sometimes you have to interdict or intervene because it is of national interest.

Ibig sabihin (Meaning, it is) for the good of all,” Duterte said. “Sumunod na lang tayo sa lahat para tignan ko kung anong magagawa ko sa paghihirap ng tao (Let’s just follow and I will look for ways to ease the public’s plight),” he added.

MECQ is also extended in Quirino and Abra provinces, and the City of Santiago in Isabela, from May 1 to 31.

The more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) will be imposed in Apa-

yao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur for the whole month of May. The rest of the country will stay under the least restrictive modified GCQ, the MGCQ MECQ will be implemented in NCR Plus, composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, MECQ until May 14, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a separate press statement.

Qurino and Abra provinces, as well as the City of Santiago in Isabela, will also stay under MECQ for the whole month of May, Duterte said.

On the other hand, the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) will be imposed in Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur from May 1 to 31.

The rest of the country will remain under the least restrictive modified GCQ (MGCQ).

Roque said the latest quarantine status is still “subject to the appeals of local government units.”

The government is targeting to lower health care and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rates to ease the quarantine protocols in the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Daily attack rate, two-week average attack rate, and health care utilization rate serve as indicators for community quarantine classification.

6

Manila court issues arrest warrant for Sandra Cam, 6 others over Masbate town vice mayor’s slay MANILA — A Manila court has issued an arrest warrant for Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam and six others over the 2019 killing of Batuan, Masbate Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III. Warrants were also issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 42 presiding judge Dinnah Aguila-Topacio for Cam’s co-accused Cam’s son Marco Martin Cam, then acting Batuan Mayor Nelson Cambaya, and alleged gunmen Junel Gomez, Bradford Solis, Juanito De Luna, and Rigor Dela Cruz.

The Department of Justice earlier found probable cause to file murder charges against Cam and the six others as stated in a resolution dated February 22 and made public on April 16.

On October 9, 2019, Yuson and two companions were having breakfast in Sampaloc, Manila when armed men alighted from a van and fired at them.

Alberto Alforte IV, one of the vice mayor’s companions, survived the ambush.

State prosecutors have also recommended frustrated murder charges against the suspects for the attack on Alforte.

Yuson’s wife, Lalaine, tagged Cam as the brains behind the killing, but Cam has denied any involvement in the vice mayor’s death.

Japan firm affirms Philippines’ BBB+ rating, ‘stable’ outlook

By Jeanne Michae Penaranda MAKATI CITY – In a vote of confidence on the Philippine economy’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recovery and growth prospects over the medium term, Japanese debt watcher Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) has kept the country’s investment grade credit rating of BBB+ with a “stable” outlook.

In a statement, R&I recognized the role of fiscal and monetary actions in providing a favorable outlook for the Philippines in the post-Covid period.

“The Philippines’ economy suffered a severe contraction due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 but is expected to recover primarily through aggressive public investment, which had driven the economy in the past several years.

Fiscal and monetary policies will boost growth for some time,” it said.

BBB+ is a notch away from the minimum rating within the A-territory ratings, while a “stable” outlook indicates absence of factors that may cause the rating to change over the short term.

7 April 29-May 5, 2021

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

Sara Duterte remains top presidential pick - survey

MANILA – Six months into the start of filing of certificate of candidacy, Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte still emerged as the top pick among the preferred presidential candidates in the 2022 national and local elections if the latest pre-election survey by private polling firm Pulse Asia is to be the basis.

The February 22 to March 3 poll by Pulse Asia found that Duterte got the nod of 27 percent of 2,400 registered Filipino voters after she had the most supporters in Mindanao (60 percent), followed by the Visayas (21 percent), Balance Luzon (17 percent), and Metro Manila (12 percent).

Late last year, Duterte also topped the list of possible presidential bets in a survey released by Pulse Asia.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. came in second, posting a national voter preference of 13 percent and is statistically tied with Senator Grace Poe and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso who both obtained 12 percent and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with 11 percent.

Pacquiao was followed by Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo (7 percent), Senator Christopher Lawrence Go (3 percent), and former vice president Jejomar Binay and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (2 percent each).

The least preferred presidential candidates in next year’s elections were Senator Richard Gordon (1 percent), former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro (0.5 percent), and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (0.2 percent).

Meantime, Moreno topped the list of preferred vice presidential candidates after being picked by 16 percent of the respondents.

Pacquiao and Duterte were statistically tied in the second spot, with 15 percent each.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Marcos both took the third spot, earning a voter preference of 11 percent each.

Go claimed the fourth sport, getting the nod of 9 percent of adult Filipinos.

Following Go were Cayetano and Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero (7 percent each), and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara (3 percent each).

Completing the list of potential vice presidential bets were human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno (1 percent), and Teodoro (0.5 percent).

According to Pulse Asia’s latest survey, Pacquiao remained the top choice for senator in the 2022 elections after he obtained a national voter preference of 58.9 percent.

Domagoso enjoyed the second spot

with 53 percent.

Sharing the third to seventh spot were broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (48.1 percent), Duterte (47.5 percent), Escudero (46.6 percent), and House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda (46.2 percent).

Cayetano secured the third to eighth spot with 44.4 percent, while Marcos claimed the seventh to 10th spot with 40.7 percent.

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Juan Miguel Zubiri shared the eighth to 11th spot, registering 38.1 percent.

Also included on the list of most preferred candidates for the senatorial race were television host Willie Revillame (34.3 percent), former senator Jinggoy Estrada (30.1 percent), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (28.1 percent), Binay (27.1 percent), and Senator Francis Pangilinan (26.9 percent).

Pulse Asia used ±2 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

Name recall boosts Sara Duterte, other potential bets in 2022 polls: Pulse Asia Posted at Apr 26 202MANILA - Name recall is helping some politicians get good standing in the list of preferred presidential candidates for the 2022 general elections, a private pollster said Monday.

“I think what’s driving most of the voting pre-election preference at this point has really been name recall. It’s not so much their record because they are not in any way disseminated,” Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes told ANC. In a pre-election survey conducted by the pollster from February 22 to March 3, 2021 among 2,400 respondents, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is the early frontrunner for the top post, garnering 27 percent voter preference.

Other candidates in the survey are former senator Bongbong Marcos (13 percent), Sen. Grace Poe and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (12 percent), Sen. Manny Pacquiao (11 percent), Vice President Leni Robredo (7 percent), Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go (5 percent), former Vice President Jejomar Binay (3 percent), Sen. Panfilo Lacson (2 percent) and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (2 percent).

Holmes said some politi-

Gov’t posts wider deficit in March, Dominguez sees return to normal soon MANILA - The national government posted a wider fiscal deficit in March as expenditures grew versus the previous year while revenues posted a double-digit decline, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.

According to the latest cash operations report, the government posted a P191.4 billion deficit for March, rising from P71.6 billion last year.

Government expenditure grew by 22.33 percent year-over-year while revenue generation dropped by 17.37 percent.

The resulting budget deficit for the first quarter surged to P321.5 billion from

the P86.2 billion deficit incurred in the first three months of 2020.

The national government’s disbursements for March climbed to P407.6 billion, surpassing the previous year’s level by 22.33 percent or P74.4 billion, buoyed mainly by the disbursements for the infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, as well as for the various social welfare programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the BTr reported.

Department of Finance (DOF) Sec-

retary Carlos Dominguez III sees a return to the normal deficit level by 2022 as pandemic-related spending and ensuring implementation of the infrastructure program resulted in hikes in the government’s budget gap.

Dominguez said the fiscal deficit remains manageable despite the higher spending level to address the impact of the global health crisis.

cians were included in the respondents’ political preferences due to popularity.

“There are a number of people who are really more nationally prominent or we can say that the public is much more familiar with these individuals relative to all the other individuals,” he said.

Pulse Asia: Sara Duterte leads anew preferred 2022 presidential candidates As to Duterte’s case, Holmes said her father’s popularity boosted her standing in the survey.

“You can say that there is a level of support for Sara that comes largely from people who support the President,” he said.

Holmes noted that Duterte did not receive the same level of support her father had.

“Sara is only getting 1 out of 4 that means that some people who may be approving and trusting of the President are expressing preference for other individuals rather than the daughter herself,” he said.

Duterte was the most preferred presidential candidate in her home region Mindanao with 60 percent, followed by those in the Visayas with 21 percent, and Balance Luzon with 17 percent. She was least preferred among respondents in Metro Manila with 12 percent in the survey.

Pulse Asia: 8 out of 10 Filipinos approve Duterte admin’s handling of COVID-19 crisis The pollster, however, stressed “it’s still quite early” to say on what would happen for next year’s polls.

“One of the things we have not really seen [and] has not started yet would be either an informal of formal campaign when any of the potential candidates would communicate essentially what they have done and what they intend to do,” Holmes said.

April 29-May 5, 2021

One ...

(From page 1)

Known as the modified extended community quarantine (MECQ), the latest extension may be for the first half of May and covers all of Metro Manila, plus four adjoining provinces, namely Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Among the proponents of a continued lockdown are incumbent Health Secretary Francisco Duque and former Health secretary Manuel Dayrit, UP-based OCTA Research, as well as most mayors of the metropolis.

For Duque, an extension of one to two weeks should be enough, OCTA Research said one week could be sufficient.

It is worth noting that President Rodrigo Duterte has followed Duque and OCTA Research’s past recommendations vis-à-vis COVID-19 lockdowns.

The MECQ ends on Friday, this week, and the Duterte administration is expected to announce its decision before then.

Duque said in an interview that looking at the data, “I

After...

(From page 1)

Bonta was Assemblymember representing the 18th district when Newsom picked him as attorney general.

“California and the nation need leaders like Rob Bonta to meet this pivotal moment in our history with the courage, energy and tenacity it will take to shape a society more reflective of our values,” said Governor Newsom at the installation ceremonies.

“Carrying the lessons of his remarkable upbringing at the center of historic social justice movements, Rob has been at the forefront of courageous fights for racial, economic and environmental justice from day one,” Newsom said.

“As Attorney General, Rob brings to bear the legal and moral authority to effectively engage a broad array of groups – community leaders, law enforcement, the Legislature and more – in a meaningful dialogue, so

8

think we need to keep MECQ for another week or two because our health systems’ capacity hasn’t significantly improved yet.”

As of the past two weeks, the number of daily COVID-19 infections has decreased to the 8,000 level, down from between 12,000 to an all-time high of 15,000 in the previous weeks.

For OCTA Research, “One more week of an MECQ will allow the ongoing decrease in daily case numbers to stabilize.”

However, the research group also said that the decrease in case numbers is presently uneven in the National Capital Region and the four adjoining provinces.

In a statement to media, OCTA Research said, “Some LGUs (local government units) have sustained decreases in numbers. Others do not. Our concern is that a premature return to GCQ would trigger spikes in some LGUs that would overflow into adjacent cities and municipalities.”

Collectively known as NCR Plus, Metro Manila and the four adjoining provinces is at the center of the coun-

try’s second wave of coronavirus infections, which began after the middle of March.

Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergiere also said during a media forum this week that while the 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases went down in the last two-week period, “we cannot be complacent because even if the 7-day average has decreased, the average daily attack rate of nearly all local governments of Metro Manila are still high.”

The rate is still in the 19 to 55 cases per 100,000 population per day, she added.

As of Monday, this week, the Philippines reached the grim milestone of one million infected Filipinos, with the death toll exceeding 16,000.

Most of the hospitals in the NCR Plus area remain filled to capacity, even as the number of Filipinos who have been vaccinated also hit the one million figure this week.

The Duterte administration has admitted that it has had problems bringing in a sufficient number of vaccines due to the lack of supply. All the existing supplies, and most

that California continues to build bridges and advance together in a direction that does justice to all our communities,” he said.

Confirmed by the Legislature, Bonta was selected

by Governor Newsom to fill the position vacated by Xavier Becerra, who was recently sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Governor announced the nomination last month at the historic International Hotel in San Francisco, a site where Asian and Pacific Islander Californians famously rallied in 1977 to save the homes of elderly residents and preserve their community.

“Thank you, Governor Newsom for the faith and trust you have placed in me. Serving as California’s Attorney General is the honor of a lifetime,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta in response.

“There are a lot of challenges we face across America today. People see institutions that work well for those with wealth and power – at the expense of everyone else. We see hate on the rise. And too often, justice and accountability for those who harm others feel out of reach,” Bonta said.

“As The People’s Attorney, I won’t back down when I see Californians

hurt. Together, we will get justice for families cheated by multi-national corporations. We will defend communities ravaged by big polluters. We will work to repair our justice system, and we will attack the forces of hate and white supremacy. I’m excited to get to work!” Bonta declared.

“We congratulate Governor Gavin Newsom on the appointment of Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California, the first Filipino American in the state’s history to serve in this role. At an early age, Bonta learned about the values of social justice from his parents who worked for Civil Rights in the South and joined Cesar Chavez and myself as full-time volunteer organizers for the United Farm Workers,” said labor leader Dolores Huerta. “Rob Bonta has fought diligently throughout his career to correct the injustices affecting working families and Communities of Color. We are confident that Rob Bonta will work passionately to ensure our justice system protects all Californians. Si Se Puede!”

“CEJA celebrates the swearing-in of Attorney General Rob Bonta. We know he will be a strong ally for all environmental justice communities that have been harmed by pollution and often poverty,” said California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) Executive Director Gladys Limon. “We have worked closely with Mr. Bonta and consider him a leader and friend, and trust that he will fight tirelessly on behalf of all Californians and not be afraid to hold polluters accountable.”

Biden... (From page 1) If confirmed, Jones, 40, will be the first woman of color and a Filipino-American to be holding the number 2 post at the US Air Force. Filipinos in Texas hailed her nomination.

Jones was nominated together with 11 other key national security officials, including Jones’ immediate superior, Frank Kendall, as Secretary of Air Force.

The White House announcement said Jones spent her career working to protect U.S. economic and national security.

Commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Boston University, Ms. Jones served as an Air Force intelligence officer and deployed to Iraq with the 18th Air Support Operations Group supporting close air support operations, the White House said.

A member of the LGBTQ community, Ms. Jones served under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Upon separation from the Air Force, Ms. Jones advised on military operations in Central and South America with the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade and U.S. Army South.

She joined the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as an inaugural member of U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany and served in the Libya Crisis Intelligence Cell.

Following an assignment as the Special Advisor to the DIA Deputy Director, Ms. Jones was detailed to the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center to serve as the Intelligence Community’s Senior Advisor for trade enforcement. She joined the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as a Director for Investment leading the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) portfolio.

Ms. Jones served as the Democratic nominee for Texas’s 23rd Congressional District in 2018 and 2020 but lost by slim margin in the 2018 race when she nearly unseated Rep. Will Hurd, falling short by just 926 votes out of 210,000. Texas’ 23d district is a vast region that spans West Texas from El Paso to San Antonio and includes 800 miles of border.

Jones has advanced degrees from Boston University, the University of Kansas, and the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies.

9 April 29-May 5, 2021 Covid-19...

 NATIONAL NEWS (From page 1)

At the same time, the government barred travellers from India, including returning Filipinos, as that country is overwhelmed by record daily infections and deaths in the thousands, including some Filipinos, and adopted other measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

At press time, the Department of Health reported that the country logged 6,895 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the total case count to 1,020,495 since the pandemic started in March last year.

The DOH also reported 935,695 recoveries or 91.69 percent of the total cases, 67,769 active cases, and 17,031 deaths.

Duterte apologized to the public for extending the more restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus until May 14.

Duterte said he has no choice but heed the medical professionals’ advice, considering that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections continue to rise in the country.

The DOH said of the active cases, about 95.4 percent are mild, 1.4 percent are asymptomatic, 1.3 percent are severe, 0.87 are moderate, and 1.0 percent are in

critical condition.

Currently, 64 percent of 1,900 intensive care unit beds, 47 percent of 13,500 isolation beds, 52 percent of 6,000 ward beds, and 45 percent of 2,000 ventilators nationwide are utilized by patients with Covid-19.

Meanwhile, 71 percent of 800 intensive care unit beds, 57 percent of 3,800 isolation beds, 64 percent of 2,200 ward beds, and 58 percent of 800 ventilators dedicated to patients with Covid-19 are in use in the National Capital Region.

The government remined the public to stay at home and to observe minimum health standards when going out.

The DOH urged those experiencing Covid-19 symptoms to immediately isolate and contact the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams or One Hospital Command.

Meanwhile, Brazil is on the verge of registering 400,000 coronavirus deaths this week, after the Health Ministry reported 3,163 new COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 398,185.

Brazil is quickly catching up with the world’s worst death toll in the United States, which has seen more than 570,000 casualties in total but less than a thousand

deaths per day in recent weeks, according to reports.

The ban on entry of travelers from India or with travel history to India in the last 14 days to prevent the transmission of a “double mutant” coronavirus strain.

“All travelers coming from India or those with travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning 0001H of April 29, 2021, until May 14, 2021,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque said restrictions to travelers coming from other countries that report the new strain may be imposed by the Office of the President upon the joint recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Currently, foreigners, except diplomats and healthcare workers, are still barred from entering the Philippines.

Foreign parents, spouses, and children of Filipinos may enter the country, provided they are traveling with the Filipino principal, and have a valid entry.

Philippine Ambassador in New Delhi Ramon Bagatsing Jr., in a virtual presser, said the Covid-19 situation in India is “very serious”.

Bagatsing said two Filipinos of managerial positions died due to Covid.

At least 20 other Filipinos living in India have been infected with COVID. They are currently isolated and would communicate with embassy officials through social media.

“It’s really bad here. But aside from this unfortunate circumstance more or less most of them are fine; Filipinos are helping each other here,” Bagatsing said.

India’s Covid-19 tally rose to 17,636,307 with 323,144 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry.

According to xinhuatnet.com report, it was the sixth consecutive day when over 300,000 cases were registered in a single day in India, though there was a fall of nearly 30,000 new cases in a day compared to those reported on Monday.

The federal health ministry also reported that 2,771 deaths took place in the past 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 197,894.

There are still a total of 2,882,204 active cases in the country, with an increase of 68,546 active cases through Monday, while 14,556,209 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals so far across the country.

How do the approved

vaccine options compare?

The three current COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the U.S. are Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

How effective are they?

Potential side effects

How many shots?

All three vaccines more than meet the 50 percent effectiveness threshold required by the FDA.

Pfizer-BioNTech

Moderna

Johnson & Johnson

Two shots are required, 21 days apart.

Two shots are required, 28 days apart.

One shot required.

Pain at injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills and fever

Pain at injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and chills

Pain at injection site, headache, fatigue and muscle pain

AARP is fighting to protect the health of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders 50+ and their families by providing trusted information and resources surrounding COVID-19.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination at aarp.org/vaccineinfo

April 29-May 5, 2021

10

Korean superstore H Mart opens in San Francisco

By Jun Nucum SAN FRANCISCO - Despite much difficulties and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in hate crimes against Asians in big cities in the U.S., the opening of the latest H Mart store in San Francisco was warmly welcomed by local officials, community leaders and residents alike Among the San Francisco County and City leaders and e officials who graced the opening of the 48,200 square-foot Alemany Boulevard Ocean View Shopping Center store were Mayor London Breed, District 7 County Supervisor Myrna Melgar and District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai who, together with H Mart Companies Chief Operating Officer and President William Choi, also led in the ribbon-cutting ceremonies to mark the start of operation of the super store.

In her speech, Mayor Breed hailed the management of H Mart for investing more than $8 million in a community that has been waiting since 2013 to get a new grocery store.

“I know that so many people have worked long and hard to get this place here. Finally we have a partner who has delivered for this community. So in behalf of city and county of San Francisco, we would like to present you this certificate to say thank you to H Mart for investing in this community, for being here for the people of San Francisco. It really means a lot to have a grocery store in this community to provide quality produce

and all of the things we deserve to have in our lives in our homes,” Mayor Breed told H Mart officials.

District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar acknowledged that H Mart pushed through with the efforts in putting up and opening their store “despite suffering so much from the pandemic and from violence against our Asian community.”

“We are opening up a place where food and culture and love are available to the residents of San Francisco particularly to the citizens of District 7 and 11. It is also an opportunity to hire locally providing jobs for people who were unemployed during the pandemic because this represents hope of opening back. We will be once again growing our neighborhood and our city,” said Melgar as she also handed a certificate of gratitude to H Mart officials.

Also recognizing the importance of the event was Supervisor Ahsha Safai of District 11 who regarded the opening as a momentous occasion as he also expressed his excitement and feeling honored that H Mart in investing in their neighborhood and community. .

“This grocery store in the heart of the pandemic in the middle of what we have been experiencing in the past year is phenomenal. We all know what grocery stores’ role for us in the time of strife. To have this happen at this time is historic. Also, with all the discomfort, violence and animosity and racism directed towards the Asian community to have a grocery store like this that

will open people’s eyes and minds to culture that they have not experienced is extremely important. H Mrt is a slice of Korea in San Francisco,” Safai stressed.

For his part, President and Chief Operating Officer William Choi shared that the City of San Francisco is very important and has special meaning that is why they H Mart Companies Chief decided to make it their third location in the Bay Area after San Francisco City Mayor Opera�ng Officer and London Breed President Wiliam Choi San Jose and Cupertino.

“This is the first store in Mart brings fresh goods and produce to the the City of San Francisco and definitely will local neighborhood in San Francisco. not be the last one especially demographics H Mart’s one-stop-shopping experience show that there is a big Asian community highlights unique food selection and welcomof around 20,000 Asians in the city of San ing experience for the entire family and local Francisco,” Choi said. “We are of Korean foodies. The new store will feature an in-store ancestry-based but our customer base is very food hall offering various cuisines, as well as diverse. Everybody is welcome here. This Paris Baguette, a popular Korean bakery. is not just a piece of Korea but also a taste This store is anticipated to hire a total of of Asia. H Mart caters for everybody. We 150 part-time and full-time employees and has are not specialized for one race or one na- participated in San Francisco’s First Source tion. We are all together. We are all one fam- Hiring Program in partnership with the Office ily. This place will be revitalized. All Asian of Economic and Workforce Development Americans living in San Francisco needed (OEWD). Together with community partners including Inner-City Youth, Young Commuthis kind of upscale Asian supermarket.”

Developers, and Self-help for the Elderly H Mart features a variety of fresh pro- nity they hosted three job fairs, interviewed 317 duce groceries, meats, seafood, health and applicants and hired for 91 positions to date. beauty products, frozen foods, and quality OEWD and community organizations will services, supporting and contributing to the continue to work with H Mart to fill open local community. Supplied directly from its positions. Interested jobseekers may apply at California warehouse and local farms, H west.hr@hmart.com or call 562-551-2376.

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11 April 29-May 5, 2021

 OPINION Seton vows service to low-income folks

D

EDITORIAL

P

Joe of a hundred days

resident Joe Biden completes his first 100 days in office this week, and only the most diehard Trump Republicans will say that the 46th President of the United States has not accomplished much in that time.

While many nations are now facing their second or third wave of COVID-19, the US will soon attain the much ballyhooed herd immunity, thereby effectively conquering the pandemic. This week, some 200 million Americans will have received at least their first jab of the vaccine of their choice.

In another week or so, the 70 percent of the population mark indicative of herd immunity will have been reached.

As President Biden has focused his attention on the greatest global health crisis in a century, he also made sure that the people will keep their body and soul together, thanks to the $1,400 emergency cheques that he pushed Congress to provide to as many families as possible.

The US is not out of the woods yet, by any means. There are other problems and issues that need to be resolved, and there are no easy solutions to them.

For one, there remains a humanitarian crisis sparked by the deteriorating situation in large parts of South America. This has forced countless South Americans to seek succor in the US by keeping its borders open. This is causing an influx of would-be immigrants that authorities are not fully prepared to handle.

And for reasons that we do not fully fathom, there has been a marked increase in the number of mass shootings this year, perpetrated mostly by crazed individuals who had access to semi-automatic weapons.

Also, white policemen and women continue to shoot and kill Black Americans on mere suspicion that they have committed or are about to commit a crime. The use of excessive force as a first rather than last choice is extremely disturbing for all law-abiding Americans.

Closer to home is another problem that President Biden needs to address, and that is the rise in hate crimes against Asian-Americans, FilAms included.

But at least we have in the White House a man who could yet become a truly transformative president. He could be more Franklin D. Roosevelt than, say, Harry S Truman, or Bill Clinton or Barack Obama, for that matter.

In aspiring to be as good a president as he could be, Joe Biden from Scranton, Pennsylvania could attain greatness. Time will tell.

For now, he must be congratulated for an exemplary first 100 days as POTUS. More than the able leadership he has provided is the calming effect he has had on US politics. There are still some Republicans who appear set on making sure he fails, but they have only proven themselves as nothing more than fringe politicians out of touch with the needs of the times.

What we need is precisely what we have. Some will dismiss him as just another guy named Joe, but we do not care. He’s our Joe, and we feel safe having a president who has the nuclear codes of our vast arsenal in his safe and sensible hands.

Keep up the good work, Mr. President.

God bless you, and God bless the USA.

Upside

ALY CITY, Calif. - Over 30 years’ experience in health care administration has taught AHMC Seton Medical Center CEO Anthony Armada to show up bright and early on a Saturday to observe the second 2-day Covid19 vaccination distribution recently at this city’s first and largest healthcare complex.

Seton had requested the State and County to be a partner vaccine site to ensure access to the demographic it has been serving, Armada added, drawing attention to a condition of the 2020 sale of the landmark institution to Southern California-based AHMC Healthcare Inc. by Verity Health.

“Being a ‘safety-net provider’ means that the hospital CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO takes care of a higher percentage of low-income patients as a percentage of overall patients. Our commitment to patients who are uninsured, underinsured and ineligible for governmental assistance or other insurance coverage continues through our charity care policy supporting individuals with family incomes at 500 percent of the federal poverty level and below,” said Armada, who took the helm last year in the much-publicized cliff-hanger transaction.

To his and everyone else’s consternation, the coronavirus hit this country just as Seton ownership changed hands.

Armada, who had weathered both “humbling and rewarding” stints in his career, quickly embarked on “a journey of passion.”

“Who would have thought that you would take an organization from bankruptcy, transition to a new company and ownership and re-start new processes, relationships and culture, craft a plan for organizational viability under the auspices of a COVID pandemic,” he depicted the scenario recurring throughout the planet.

A year later today, he has focused on his mandate to “stabilize the organization’ while basically starting over “in the most economic and most effective way,” confident despite the crisis compounding a situation that already started “in a “defiPasay City-born Tony Arcit position.”

He recognized employees and physicians who “stand up mada traded medical to the challenge” by working through seemingly boundless technology for health obstacles resulting from the pandemic. And yet the mission care administra�on and remains foremost on his agenda. became CEO of AHMC When the number of COVID cases peaked and required Seton Medical Center. additional facilities, Seton offered to serve the greater com- Photo by C. M. QUEROL munity by signing up to be a “designated space hospital” from March - August 2020. The move backfired, however, with the MORENO disease still a mystery. Mixed messaging by authorities, even denial of the risks by the highest officials, discouraged the public from setting foot in the buildings.

‘WRONG IMPRESSION’ “Everyone was under the impression that we were just a COVID hospital; we were painted with the wrong impression,” said Armada.

(Continued on page 27)

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 OPINION

PerryScope

he term “America First” has been bandied about in the US for so long that nobody knows what it really stands for today. After Trump was kicked out of presidential politics last November, remnants of the Trump political family have been struggling to create a new identity for themselves. But none of the top Republicans PERRY DIAZ that include Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have the charisma or following to lead the Republican Party back to power. Former president Donald Trump still commands the loyalty of Republicans out of fear of being primaried in the 2022 midterm elections.

Meanwhile, there are Republicans whose political credentials border on extremist ideas that are gaining support among the various Republican factions. Among them are Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar, Matt Gaetz, and Louie Gohmert. All four House Republicans have been identified in the past as catering to Trump’s brand of nativist politics. Nativism is the policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants. Nativism began as an anti-catholic and anti-immigrant movement in the 1840s. In 1854, they formed the “American Party.” It is dedicated to the proposition that the United States was founded to serve only White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs), a term that is redundant since all Anglo-Saxons are whites.

WASPS are not the majority in the U.S. but the numbers vary depending on how you define WASP. According to Quora, “historically, WASP referred to people of the wealthy upper class elite who were of Anglo-Saxon origin. WASP was more a matter of social class than ethnicity. As such, WASPS were not the majority, but they had a great deal of influence in society and politics. They were the people who belonged to the exclusive country clubs and attended the best colleges and universities. They were once the ruling class. This generally would be people of British ancestry though some might define it to include those with ancestors from other parts of northwestern Europe such as Scandinavia and Germany. British Americans are the narrowest group of Anglo-Saxons. They make up 13% -23.3% of the population.”

With the influx of non-WASP Europeans and people of color into the US, the term WASP hasn’t been used for over 50 years. Indeed, WASP has diminished in size in the American melting pot. And that’s probably what Greene and company had in mind when they formed America First Caucus: the revival of WASP to its former glory days. But those are bygone days. The term WASP is now a bit anachronistic. It’s passé.

Anglo-Saxon platform launched When the formation of the America First Caucus was announced, it identified Representatives Greene and Gosar as behind the new caucus. According to a document that was released, the America First Caucus would champion “AngloSaxon political traditions.”

But as soon as the America First Caucus’ manifesto was published, Greene and her small group of hard-line rightwing politicians got themselves in hot water. Very few politicians were buying it or would identify with its formation.

The manifesto that was circulated on April 16, said that the caucus would battle to promote “uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions and infrastructure, engineering, and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture.”

The document warned that “mass immigration” poses a threat to “the long-term existential future of America as a unique country with a unique culture and a unique identity.”

Country is unique due to the fact that it is now multi-cultural and has multi-racial identity.

It’s interesting to note that the phrase “America First” was a credo of the Ku Klux Klan, which was frequently included in Trump’s speeches when he was president.

The manifesto, which was initially reported by the congressional newsletter “Punchbowl News,” drew immediate attacks by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. GOP Leader McCarthy called it a “nativist dog whistle” while Rep. Ken Buck of the hard right Republican “Freedom Caucus” bashed its position as “hatefulness.” Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger said that any caucus members (Continue on page 27)

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wo weeks ago, I got a call from new clients requesting help and assistance in the notarization and apostille of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate involving seven siblings.

The five siblings in California need to sign the Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate of their parents prepared by ART GABOT MADLAING their lawyer and then be notarized and apostilled.

One of the siblings lives in Illinois; another one lives in Hawaii and five of the siblings live in California. The apostille processing of the Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate (in seven sets) started with the signing of the documents by a sister residing in Illinois in the presence of two witnesses. The signed documents were notarized by a commissioned Notary Public in the State of Illinois; and subsequently apostilled by the Secretary of State, State of Illinois.

Next, the set of documents apostilled by the Illinois Secretary of State were sent to the sister in Hawaii who then signed the set of documents in the presence of two witnesses. The signed documents were then notarized by a commissioned Notary Public in Hawaii; and subsequently apostilled by the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii.

Next and final step, the seven sets of documents apostilled by the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii were sent to Fe, the oldest among the five siblings residing in California. Fe called Mobile Signing Services for the signing, notarization and apostille of the seven sets of documents. She arranged for appointments for the five sibling residing in San Francisco, Daly City, Pacifica and Stockton, California respectively.

With different schedules and places of residence, Fe was able to schedule and arranged for the siblings to come to my home-office in San Francisco, California for the signing and notarization of the seven sets of documents in three appointments. Two brothers residing in San Francisco and one sister in Pacifica, California came to my home-office on Saturday morning and signed the seven sets of the Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate in the presence of two witnesses. Next, a sister residing in Stockton, California came to my homeoffice on Wednesday morning. She signed the seven sets of documents in the presence of two witnesses. Then, the sister signed my Journal of Notarial Acts and put her right thumb marks like her three siblings who signed the same sets of documents earlier.

Finally, a sister residing in Daly City, California came to my home-office on Friday afternoon and signed the same set of documents previously signed by her six siblings earlier.

Then, she put her thumb marks in my Journal of Notarial Acts to complete the signing and notarization of the seven sets of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate.

As accredited and commissioned Notary Public since 1981, this was my first time to help clients, consisting of seven siblings residing in three different states, in the notarization and apostille of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate needed in the Philippines. This was urgently needed due to the deadline on the tax amnesty requirements.

This was a very long process but it was done primarily due to the persistence and commitment of Fe, the oldest of the seven siblings, to do and follow-up on what’s needed to complete the notarization and apostille of the seven sets of documents urgently needed in the Philippines. She arranged for the appointments as well as the re-scheduling of appointment for one of the sisters (due to emergency hospitalization) who was the last to sign the seven sets of documents for notarization and apostille.

On a happier note, Fe and her siblings benefited from the advantages and savings on the Mobile Signing Services as follows: SAVINGS ON MULTIPLE DOCUMENTS AND SIGNATURES - MSS offers 10% to 15% discount and savings on multiple documents and multiple signatures.

SAVINGS ON GAS AND MILEAGE FEES – It’s good that Fe and her siblings came to our home office in San Francisco for the signing and notarization of the seven sets of documents. The sibling from Stockton, California saved $120 on gas and mileage fees and the rest of the siblings saved $50 each on gas and mileage fees.

FREE PARKING – Fe and her (Continue on page 27)

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12

More sustainable development projects

t is now over a year since economic activity in the country slowed down because of the pandemic. Many companies have adopted the wait-and-see attitude, putting on hold investments. But not San Miguel Corporation, one of the country’s top corporations.

Instead, SMC is ramping up its investments in infrastructure, energy and food manufacturMELANDREW T. VELASCO ing, among others.

This reminds me of former President Fidel V. Ramos, who, during his incumbency, told members of the Rotary Tri-Districts 3050, 3860, and 3870 that in the game of development, there is nothing gained where nothing is ventured. This holds true to this day.

It is individual initiative and private enterprise that must provide the driving force for development.In a published article, San Miguel Corporation President and COO Ramon S. Ang was quoted saying it is SMC’s vision to lead efforts to deliver on national goals and help set the pace of progress in the country. “Our corporate slogan is to make the world better for Filipinos. I believe both describe well our aspiration of making the Philippines succeed and improving the lives of our countrymen. These are the things that inspire and drive us and make us passionate about our work,” he said.

The investments of SMC are geared toward sustainable development—economic, environmental, social—not only in the National Capital Region but in every region across the country. After its construction of the Skyway Stage 3 project that has made travel from areas north to areas south of Metro Manila and vice versa a breeze, SMC is building the new Manila International Airport in Bulacan expected to be completed in 2025. The new Manila International Airport project is the largest investment in infrastructure by a Philippine company at P740-billion. It will ease traffic congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is expected to spur tourismrelated activities and investments in the region.

Millions of jobs will be created during and after construction and local economies are expected to get the much-needed stimulus. Included in the development plan is an eight-kilometer airport toll road that will connect the airport to the NLEX and Skyway Stage 3 to the SLEX. SMC is also proposing rail and road networks to form part of a seamless transport system. These include the NMIA Airport Expressway, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network Northern Access Link, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network-Southern Access Link, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway NetworkCentral Access Link, East Metro Manila Expressway, Northeast Airport Expressway, Calamba-San Pedro Expressway, Bulacan-Tarlac Expressway (BTEX), Bataan-Bulacan Expressway (BBEX), Skyway Stage 3-R10 NMIA Expressway, MRT 7 Road, and NMIA Expressway MRT 7 (Road Spur Access). The proposed rail network are the MRT7 Katipunan Spur, MRT7 Airport Expressway-North Line, MRT7 Airport Expressway-West Line, MRT7 Extension Project, and MRT7 Airport Expressway Southeast Line. “Taken together with the airport, travel and trade in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and outside the country will be easier and more efficient,” RSA said.

Chosen to undertake the land development works for the airport project is Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. through its subsidiary Boskalis Philippines, Inc. The company’s work plan and methodology include measures to prevent liquefaction in the area, a major concern of those who opposed the airport construction.According to Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, the involvement of the Royal Boskalis, a Dutch company in the land development of the new airport underscores the dynamism of PhilippineNetherlands economic partnership.

Malaya made the statement during a courtesy call by representatives of the Royal Boskalis at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague recently. During their visit, the Boskalis officials affirmed the company “will undertake its work on an environmentally-sound basis and protect the Manila Bay shoreline.” In an earlier statement Boskalis CEO Peter Berdowski, said: “As Boskalis, we have a rich tradition in creating land all over the world to the highest technical and environmental standards.”In the energy sector, SMC is spending over US$1 billion to build simultaneously 31 new battery energy storage facilities nationwide through SMC Global Power Holdings.

With a total committed capacity of 1,000 megawatts, the facil(Continue on page 27) ities will be located in strategic

THE OUTSIDER

America First Caucus’ WASP agenda

Apostille processing of documents for Fil-Ams in 3 States Health & Wealth

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April 29-May 5, 2021

13 April 29-May 5, 2021

 OPINION

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nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within.

An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly.

But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself.” – HOMOBONO A. ADAZA Marcus Tullius Cicero Cicero is a philosopher – he was a popular Roman politician. He was not only quoted by his peers and avid followers, he is quoted even now by knowledgeable and well read individuals but by brilliant and accomplished national and world leaders. Why? He fits Plato’s definition of a philosopher king – a leader whose wisdom is tested and well acknowledged by everyone, including his opponents and enemies.

Cicero is a philosopher politician of all seasons – in words and in action, as shown On by the quote at the start of this article.

Provocation and Remembering: Treason and Presidents are always interesting subjects – in a debate, political campaign, essay, and simple conversation. It becomes intriguing when it is a tussle in a court of law or in the floor of Congress – in a criminal case or a case for impeachment. It becomes more interesting and intriguing if it is the subject of book like that of Rebecca West’s New Meaning of Treason.

This article is first of two on treason and Presidents. The Presidents are the Siamese twins of the Philippine presidency – Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte and Benigno Simeon “Noyno” Aquuno III. On Digong, it comes as a provocation from two friends – retired general Robert Ganzon and barrister businessman Raul Corrales. Both of them are from the South –Robert from Iloilo, the home province of my irrepressible and ebullient friend, the late Senator and Mayor Roding Ganzon while Raul is from Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu cities. The provocation comes in the form of a question – Can President Duterte be charged with treason on his conduct involving the West Philippine Sea? This article is a response to that question.

On Noynoy Aquino, it is a case of remembering. On March 4, 2015, Herman Tiu Laurel and I filed a case for treason against President Noynoy Aquino in the Office of the Ombudsman on his conduct in the Mamasapano incident, Noynoy’s giving Five Million (P5,000.000.00) Pesos to Ibrahim Murad, Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as President Noynoy Aquino’s gift to the MILF in Tokyo, Japan and for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The case is docketed as IC-OC-15.0531 in the Office of the Ombudsman – filed on March 4, 2015, dismissed quickly seven (7) days later on March 11, 2015. We filed a timely motion for reconsideration on April 24, 2015 which is pending resolution before the Ombudsman for five (5) years, eleven (11) months and twenty (20) days as of this day. Seven days to dismiss the complaint but less than eight days to exactly six (6) years with the motion for reconsideration This will be the subject of the second part on the article on treason and presidents.

The crime: There is a discussion on when can one be charged on the crime of treason. To get a clear picture on what treason means, here is the definition of treason under Article 114 of the Revised Penal Code: ““Art. 114. Treason. – Any Filipino citizen who levies war against the Republic of the Philippines or adheres to her enemies, giving them aid or comfort within the Philippines or elsewhere, shall be punished by reclusion temporal to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed a 100,000 pesos….”

The discussion revolves primarily on whether there is war against the Philippines. These questions arise – What is meant by war? Does it mean a declared war when the government through Congress passes a declaration of war against another country? Or, does war under this provision mean a state of war without Congress declaring that a state of war exists?

But even if there is no war in terms of the use of armaments, any “Filipino citizen who adheres to her enemies, giving them aid and comfort in the Philippines or elsewhere…” commits the crime of treason as defined in Article 114 of the Revised Penal Code. And Communist China is an enemy!

The answer: In law, here and elsewhere, when the words (Continue on page 27) of the law are clear, there is no

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he Philippines lags behind Thailand and Vietnam in terms of progress. South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan are even farther ahead. I still remember that during the 60s and 70s, these countries were as poor and as challenged as the Philippines.

What happened to the Philippines? Presently un- ATTY. JOJO LIANGCO der Rodrigo Duterte, even in areas where the Philippines gained respect and recognition before--- such as human rights, press freedom, freedom of expression, and democratic governance--- the country has retrogressed and moved many times backward.

I have always heard the rationalization that Filipinos lack nationalism (putting the country’s interest first) and patriotism (love of country) as the reason why we lag behind our Asian neighbors. Yes, we were once colonized by Spain for more than 330 years and lived under American and Japanese colonization. But our other Asian neighbors also suffered from colonialism and Filipinos were even the first people in Asia to fight for their independence and freedom against foreign rule and domination.

In terms of valor and bravery (not to mention anti-colonial and anti-foreign struggles and movements) Philippine history is so rich with lessons that we can all learn and be inspired from.

Then there’s this other common rationalization that Filipinos are “not united” or “will never be united” because the country is an archipelago and the diversity of languages, ethnicities, and cultures are barriers to national unity and nationhood.

Note that the same geographical characteristic and conditions can be said about Indonesia and Malaysia, but they are moving ahead faster compared to the Philippines. Racial and ethnic diversity is also common in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia but notice that instead of making their ethnic diversity as a barrier or liability, these countries treat it as an asset and a resource.

We have many common patterns in our history with our Southeast Asian neighbors such as the experience of being under western colonization, military regimes and dictatorships, being ruled by corrupt politicians and strongmen, landlord elites, and compradors, but notice that only the Philippines has not successfully moved on.

What makes this experience of the Philippines and of Filipinos different from the countries I mentioned? Why do we lag so far behind?

We really need to discover and learn more about our history as a people and with that, we can discover ourselves more and learn how we can better serve the Philippines.

Even here in the U.S., I remember when I first came in the early 80s, it was a “challenge” identifying myself as a Filipino in this country that occupied the Philippines for many years.

Although Filipinos have settled in the U.S. longer than other Asians, Americans do not seem to know us. One book even concluded that “Filipinos are the forgotten Asian Americans.”

There exist very little information materials in libraries, resource centers, and institutions of higher education about Filipinos. This dearth of Filipino-American historical information has contributed to the lowly status of Filipinos and even in the U.S., we seem to lag behind our Asian American counterparts when it comes to resource and information about us as a people although we have the numbers in terms of population. This again prevents us from knowing more about ourselves as a people, including the history Philippines.

In the Philippines, although the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986 has propelled the positive visibility of the Philippines and of Filipinos in the United States and around the world, the promised democratic reforms of the revolution have yet to be realized because the Filipino people have stopped being vigilant about guarding, protecting, and pursuing the rights that the revolution has won for them.

The gains of the EDSA People Power Revolution are now being railroaded by very powerful forces as we speak.

History is being rewritten and it is sad that truth is being erased and diluted.

The overwhelming call and inspiration should be to study our past, to know our history, so we do not fall prey to the quacks, the paid trolls and hacks, (Continue on page 27)

Immigrant’s Story

Offline

(Part One)

Diliman Way

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here is a Filipino saying that bad news comes in threes. Ditto with good news. The belief is so strong that when two especially bad things happen, the typical Pinoy will make the sign of the cross and pray to God to please, please, please don’t let one more awful thing happen to him. Or her.

I must admit that I am in- BETING DOLOR clined to believe this odd belief, which may or may not be unique to Filipinos.

The month of April has been especially bad for me personally. At the end of the first week of this month, my ex-wife and mother of our four great kids passed away after a lingering illness. A little more than a week later, my favorite uncle likewise passed on.

That was two Dolors down, and I was praying and keeping my fingers crossed that a third would not join the two.

It didn’t, but for me it might as well have. A close friend from way, way back died a few hours ago. His name was Manny, and he was a favorite drinking buddy. Unlike the first two who left us after being ill for some time, friend Manny was in relatively good health, but fell to that bane of the 21st century, COVID-19.

It happened pretty fast. It seemed that he had had a bad cough for almost two weeks, but Manny thought nothing of it.

He continued to live his life as normally as possible, all things considered.

A few days ago, his cough got so bad and he had been so weakened that he finally went to a doctor, who diagnosed him with coronavirus.

Like thousands of families in Metro Manila where one member gets sick with the dread disease, he knew he needed to be hospitalized. The only problem was that all the hospitals in the metropolis are overflowing with COVID-19 patients.

Luckily for Manny, one of our friends is part owner of a hospital, and that friend arranged for Manny to be confined there. The only problem was that the hospital he owned is based in Cavite. But it had to do, as Manny’s situation was deteriorating every day.

We kept in touch via text messages, and he had one request of me, which I easily granted. He asked if I could send him a few tablets of Ivermectin, which has a growing reputation of not curing, but at least relieving the symptoms of coronavirus.

Doctors here in the Philippines are divided over the efficacy of Ivermectin. Some swear by it, while others dismiss it as a drug to rid pets of parasites, which could only mean that it was useless against any human illness.

A few friends and relatives have been taking it twice a month as a safeguard. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, the recommended dosage is one tablet daily for five days. But when a person is at the height of the coronavirus infection, the dosage is much higher.

Fortunately or unfortunately for Manny, the 20 tablets I sent to his house in Quezon City never got to him. Instead, he was being given a couple of very expensive medications.

It was all for nothing. His lungs were barely working when he was admitted to the hospital. His wife said the doctors told her that only 10 percent of his lungs were working.

Manny was still in good spirits when we texted each other last. He even sent me a photo of him lying in bed, dextrose attached to his arm, and a monitor showing his breathing pattern.

When he could no longer breathe properly, the doctors recommended intubation, which was finally resorted to after a few hours.

My dear, dear friend Manny Natividad could not stand it. He forcefully removed the tube that was sending precious oxygen to his lungs.

As could be expected, he fell into a coma. The doctors attempted to revive him, and for a while their efforts succeeded.

But my friend of friends finally succumbed to COVID-19 a few hours later.

I felt like I lost a brother. We may not have seen each other regularly in recent years, but when we did it was a given that we would have more rounds of beer than we should consume.

Two months ago, when he celebrated his birthday, Manny asked me to go to his place and we would proceed to a favorite hangout of his a few blocks (Continue on page 27)

‘Knowing ourselves first will make us better’

Treason and Presidents

Bad news comes in threes

 IMMIGRATIONS

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What are the Common Problems in Naturalization application?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Note: This is not a legal advice 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.

April 29-May 5, 2021

14

Gov’t optimistic of 6-7% economic growth in 2021

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda MAKATI CITY - Economic managers remain optimistic for a 6.5-7.5 percent domestic output for this year.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua stressed this saying that the government still has eight months to address the negative impact of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus area.

Chua added the economy has been posting improvements since the start of the year before the ECQ implementation, and policies and situations in this year’s ECQ is different from last year.

Economic managers remain confident in a strong recovery for the Philippine economy this year, with health and safety protocols being implemented in various infrastructure project sites to ensure their timely completion.

During the virtual “Sulong Pilipinas: preSONA of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Cluster” forum, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said workers in the various infrastructure projects of the government need to follow social distancing measures, and are having regular testing and monitoring as part of the new normal.

“Early in the pandemic, we acknowledged the importance of the infrastructure, which is why we created these guidelines that would allow us to safely conduct our construction,” he said.

Villar said construction work in all the ongoing projects is all systems go because of these measures.

“We’re still pursuing our targets whether there’s Covid (coronavirus) or none.

And so, in other words, we’re prepared for this new normal and we can expect that the ‘Build, Build, Build’ will continue as planned,” he said.

SM Prime investors take profit as gloomy prospects linger

PASAY CITY - The ongoing economic uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic prompted investors of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. to take profit, making it the 10th most actively traded issue last week.

A total of 24.68 million SM Prime shares worth P875.36 million were traded from April 19 to 23, data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed.

The share price of the Sy-led property firm closed at P35 apiece, down 2.4% from April 16’s closing price of P35.85.

Year to date, the stock has gone down by 10.8%.

In a Viber message, Mercantile SecuChris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. rities Corp. Analyst Jeff Radley C. See He practices immigration law, bankruptcy and income tax preparation since June said SM Prime’s performance last week 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/

was reflective of the market’s “wait and see” attitude, adding that property firms are “heavily battered by the pandemic.”

SM Prime released several disclosures to the PSE on April 21, which includes the declaration of cash dividends, the release of capital expenditures (capex) for this year, the election of independent directors, and the amended full-year financial report. SM Prime’s annual report was first released on April 16.

The day of the disclosures’ releases sent the stock’s closing price down by 4% to P34.8 per share from P36.25 per share the previous day. Its closing price rebounded by 1.87% to P35.45 before falling back by 1.27% to P35 on Friday to end the trading week.

MANDALUYONG CITY - San Miguel Corp. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the preliminary prospectus and the registration statement for the shelf registration of fixed-rate bonds worth up to P50 billion.

The company said in a disclosure to the exchange that the bonds will be issued in tranches within three years with an offer supplement each from the effectivity of its registration statement.

It will be issued at face value and will be listed and traded at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

“The use of proceeds for each tranche of the offer will be set out in the relevant offer supplement,” San Miguel said in its preliminary prospectus published on its company website.

For the first tranche, San Miguel also

filed an offer supplement for up to P20billion fixed-rate bonds with an oversubscription option of up to P10 billion.

The initial offering will consist of sixyear Series I Bonds due in 2027, with a put option or repricing on the third year.

It may be redeemed in the fourth year or the fifth year.

If the oversubscription option is only partly exercised or if it is not exercised at all during the offer period, the amount will be carried over to the bonds under shelf registration.

“The entire proceeds for this offer will be used for redenominating the existing dollar denominated obligations of the company and expenses of the shelf registration and offering of the offer bonds,” the company said in its preliminary offer supplement.

San Miguel plans P50-billion fixed-rate bonds

15 April 29-May 5, 2021

Actor Gerald Anderson joining VisMin Cup

 ENTERTAINMENT

Jessica Sanchez, Mark Cuban, Apl.de.ap, others team up to stop Asian hate crimes

Remember Jessica Sanchez, the Filipino American teener who wowed millions for her performance in the American Idol?

Now a professional singer, Jessica, who hails from southern California and whose mother hails from Bataan, is marking another mark fighting for Asian Americans.

She and celebrity entrepreneur Mark Cuban are joining forces to raise awareness about Asian-American hate crimes with a new song “Us.” According to reports, Jessica will debut the song and music video on April 30, with the goal of promoting unity for those affected by racism and hate crimes.

Cuban will be part of its music video along with Patrick Starrr, Liane V, Black

Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap, who is Filipino American, and many others.

Jessica was born to a Mexican-American father and Filipina mother, who originally hailed from Bataan province. She was born and raised in San Diego, California.

In 2012, she made waves in the Philippines and in the United States for her remarkable performances during the 11th season of “American Idol” where she finished the runner-up. She was only the fifth

contestant of the hit American talent search who has Filipino roots to make the Top 12.

Following her “American Idol” stint, she released her debut album in 2013 with Interscope Records titled “Me, You, and the Music” and went No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Charts.

Her first single was “Tonight” featuring Neyo.

Since then, Jessica has gone on to appear in various TV and live shows, and has done concerts alongside renowned artist like Andrea Bocelli and many others.

For the first time in her career, Jessica also had the opportunity of performing at the White House for former US President Barack Obama.

Kris Aquino’s Bimby declares he is not gay, likes women MANILA – The Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao leg just got some star power.

Actor and former reality show star Gerald Anderson is joining the team formerly known as the Cagayan De Oro Rafters for the Mindanao leg scheduled to tip off on May 25 pending the clearance from the Games and Amusements Board, PNA reported.

The 5-foot-11 guard, who still got to play high school hoops in his hometown of General Santos and last played for the Imus Bandera in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), signed up with the Brew Authoritea-owned franchise, which is currently looking for a new local government partner after CDO begged off.

Mac Baracael and JR Cawaling, who starred for Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines during the late 2000’s, are set for a reunion as they will lead the way for Brew Authoritea.

Reil Cervantes, who last month was revealed to be the new main man of the CamSur Express in the National Basketball League, was also confirmed to be joining Brew Authoritea.

Completing the lineup are Ronjay Buenafe, Joseph Sedurifa, Paul Sanga, Lucas Tagarda, Ralph Salcedo, Francis Munsayac, Mark Sarangay, Brylle Meca, Andro Catipay, Andoy Estrella, and John Gonzaga.

Vis Valencia will coach Brew Authoritea, reuniting him with Estrella, who was his player with the Quezon City Capitals in the MPBL. Dale Lacorte and Leo Avenido will backstop Valencia in the coaching staff, while Nino Valenzuela has been named as the team manager.

As he celebrates his 14th birthday, I’m 14 in a few minutes. So parang like, know what I am. I’m straight, I’m straight James Yap Jr., popularly known as Bimb it did not go through my mind, ’cause I as an arrow,” he declared. or Bimby Aquino, declared that he is not gay and he likes women.

The son of Kris Aquino and basketball star James Yap (their marriage was annulled) made the statement in response to netizens who have time and again doubted his gender.

“I’ll set the record straight. I like women. I don’t like boys,” was his direct statement in a one-on-one interview with him by his mother Kris Aquino for their vlog.

Bimby’s answer made it various media entities and social in Manila and has become the talk of the town.

In the interview, the actress-host asked his son Bimb on how he feels every time he reads comments on social media branding him as gay, reported Evelyn Diao of Maharlika TV. “Wala, I don’t feel anything. I just feel like, ‘O sige, if you think I’m gay, all right, dude. But you do realize that gay community sa Philippines is a strong community,’” Bimby stated.

For Bimb as his mom fondly calls him, he is just a minor to think, or for matters like being gay to slip into his mind.

“And you do realize that I’m 13 …

April 29-May 5, 2021

16

 ENTERTAINMENT

April 29-May 5, 2021

18

Derek Ramsay, after a pattern of first to call it quits with girlfriends, finds ‘true love’ in Ellen Has actor Derek Ramsey found his true love?

Will it be walk before the altar next with current girlfriend Ellen Adarna?

The posers are asked by showbiz observers, fans and netizens after his much publicized marriage proposal to the Cebuana actress.

The fans were surprised as the proposal came just weeks after Derek dump actress Andrea Torres reportedly not personal but via phone conversation.

When Derek broke up with Andrea during the last quarter of 2020 over the phone, fans and netizens observed that there seems to be a pattern that he follows each time he ends a relationship, reported Evelyn Diao of Maharlika TV. In his past relationships, Derek was always the first to call it quits, which is so painful for those women he left hanging, according to the report.

Among Derek’s past girlfriends — Andrea, Joanne Villablanca, Cristine Reyes, Angelica Panganiban, Solenn Heussaff -all ended up in hurting separation, Evelyn Diao disclosed.

In an interview with Cristy Fermin on her radio program on April 20, 2021, Derek detailed all the time frame of his relationships with his past girlfriends.

He did not mention the name of Mary Christine Jolly, whom he married in April 2002, which also ended in separation.

Derek narrated, “Over four years kami ni Solenn. Five years po kami ni Angelica. Six years kami ni Joanne. One year po kami ni Andrea.”

He admitted that he and Andrea just talked over phone when he called it quits.

This is not a new thing anymore because based on Angelica’s revelations in April 2013 in an interview with a now defunct entertainment magazine, Star Studio, the actress said that Derek was having a vacation in Boracay in February

2012 when they had an argument while talking over the phone. His ex-boyfriend asked her, “Ano bang nararamdaman mo?”

Angelica said she wanted to answer the question personally when he came back from Boracay, but Derek insisted to give an answer, so she just said, “Wala.

Wala na akong nararamdaman.”

So, their five-year relationship ended in a telephone conversation just like that as Derek gave Angelica a short answer, “Okay, it’s over!” the report added.

According to Angelica, the accusation that Derek was a “controlling boyfriend,” his lack of support in her mission to locate her biological father, his civil marriage to Mary Christine Jolly in Balagtas, Bulacan on April 3, 2002 were the three problems they had in their relationship.

During his promo guesting for the film Ex With Benefits on Gandang Gabi Vice on September 6, 2015, Derek admitted that he was also the one who broke up with Solenn Heussaff.

The actor said, “that time, it wasn’t just the right time and I made decisions na parang, I guess, I won’t say the wrong decisions, pero decisions that broke my heart. Parang nakipag-break ako, and in the process, I broke my heart…

“Mahal na mahal ko siya noon, pero sometimes that’s not enough,” he was quoted in the report.

“Parang merong nangyayari sa relationship na, I guess, kasi sobra kayong nagmamahalan na sometimes you bring the worst out of each other,” he added.

“So, for me, it’s too much turmoil I had to get out. Kahit alam ko rin na mahal na mahal ko siya,” he said.

Since Joanne Villablanca is nonshowbiz and there was nobody from the entertainment media who took the courage to interview her, the root cause of their break up was never known.

But just like his relationship with Andrea, it was Derek who announced his breakup with Joanne.

“Yes, we have broken up. It’s all for the best,” was Derek’s short confirmation on June 6, 2019 about their decision to end their live-in partnership.

Cristine Reyes was also in the list of Derek’s former girlfriends, Evelyn Diao wrote, adding they had a short-lived relationship, even shorter than his and Andrea’s.

Based on his statement on Cristy FerMinute radio show, it was also Derek who ended their one-month relationship.

He said, “Naging girlfriend ko rin si Cristine. Super close kami ni Cristine.

She was one of my closest friends nung kami pa ni Angelica.” “‘Tapos nung naghiwalay kami ni Angelica, we still maintained that friendship. Tapos magkasama kami every day kasi ginagawa namin ‘yung pelikula na Trophy Wife na ilang beses ni-reshoot.

Umabot yata ng two years ‘yung pelikulang ‘yon.

“E, galing ako sa break, galing din siya sa break, so alam mo yung dalawang magkaibigan na sobrang kumportable sa isa’t isa na naisip na may nangyari lang na, ‘tapos, ‘O, dapat siguro bigyan natin ng chance ito kasi sobrang kilala na natin ang isa’t isa.”

“Pero yun nga, dahil sa sobrang kilala na namin ang isa’t isa, after one month, napag-usapan namin, sabi ko, ‘Alam mo, Tin, hindi talaga tayo pang-boyfriend girlfriend. Pang-magkaibigan lang.’”

And now, Ellen Adarna. Derek and Ellen caught the public by surprised with their whirlwind romance and even followed it with Derek’s proposal for them to get married on March 30, 2021. They plan to hold their wedding in July 2021.

It looks like Derek is happy with Ellen, which is obviously seen on the glow

of his eyes and his moves, surmised Evelyn Diao in her report. “I’ve never been this happy in my life. Hindi lang sa relationship ko,” Derek said.

“Kasi, everything around me, yung relationship ko sa anak ko (Austin), which has been my biggest… ayokong sabihin na problem, e, pero yung lagi kong ipinagdarasal na maayos at maging komportable na siya sa akin and everything,” he said.

“Nung pumasok si Ellen sa buhay ko, parang all those little things in my life na ipinagdarasal ko, all fell into place,” Derek narrated on Cristy FerMinute.

Love fills Derek’s life nowadays. According to his friends, they now see how Derek has become so sweet. Even if there are people who say they no longer act according to their age, Derek and Ellen are not ashamed to share to the public the photos of their sweet moments. Just like the photo where he carried the actress with a caption, “My big baby tuko.”

Obviously, Derek has found his true love?

‘Ang Probinsyano’ director Toto Natividad succumbs to COVID-19 Veteran action film director Toto Nativ- complications brought by the deadly coroNatividad’s daughter Maybel Nativiidad passed away Tuesday morning due to navirus disease (COVID-19). He was 64. dad-Reyes confirmed his demise through Facebook.

The director expired around 10:15 a.m. at the Green City Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco was one of the first to announce Natividad’s death via Facebook.

Veteran action film director Toto Natividad passed away Tuesday morning due to complications brought by the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

He was 64.

Natividad’s daughter Maybel Natividad-Reyes confirmed his demise through Facebook.

The director expired around 10:15 a.m. at the Green City Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco was one of the first to announce Natividad’s death via Facebook.

“Isa na namang masipag na serbisyo

publiko at matapat na katuwang ng pamahalaang lungsod sa paglaban sa pandemya ang nawala sa atin. Ikinalulungkot po nating ibalita ang pagpanaw ni Kap. Toto Natividad, punong barangay ng North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran,” Tiangco said.

He praised the film director’s dedication to public service, attending to his constituents amid the pandemic even at the risk of contracting the virus himself.

Last 21 April, his son John Isaac Natividad cried out for help on social media for leads for a hospital where he could admit his father given that most medical facilities are already at full capacity for COVID-19 patients.

A fundraiser was put up to cover the medical expenses of the veteran filmmaker. Reportedly, his bill already shot up to P430,000 just on his second day of admission. He had to be intubated to aid his breathing caused by Severe Covid Pneumonia.

19 April 29-May 5, 2021 REMEMBERING VICTOR WOOD Singer and former matinee idol, Victor Wood, dubbed as the original “Jukebox King of the Philippines” passed away April 23, due to complications from Covid-19, at around 9AM at the New Era General Hospital in Quezon City as revealed by his wife, Nerissa. He was 75.

A native of Camarines Sur, Victor shot to fame during the early 1970s with his cover of popular American hits from the 1950s to 1960s and was initially compared to Elvis Presley with his wavy curly hair and long sideburns that accompanied his popular renditions of rock and roll standards like “Daddy Cool,” (originally a 1957 hit for the doo-wop group, The Rays), “Little Darlin’,” (a hit by The Diamonds, also from 1957) and “Knock On Wood,” (a Stax/Volt soul hit by Eddie Floyd from 1966).

He was also known for several classics such as “Mr. Lonely,” “In Despair,” “Eternally,” “I’m Sorry My Love,” “I Went to Your Wedding” and “Carmelita Victor, who also became known as “Plaka King,” later became an even bigger sensation when he started covering ballads like “Mr. Lonely” (originally

by Bobby Vinton), “You Are My Destiny” (by Paul Anka) and what arguably became his signature song, “Eternally” (originally written by Charlie Chaplin and recorded by Engelbert Humperdinck, among many other artists).Other hits also included covers of Teddy Randazzo’s “One More Chance,” Jerry Vale’s “Innamorata,” Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue,” and John Rowles’ “Cheryl Moana Marie.”

At the height of his popularity, Victor Wood starred in many movies, mostly musicals opposite leading ladies that included Amalia Fuentes, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.

The advent of sub-genres like the Manila Sound and Pinoy Rock in the mid-70s that would later paved the way for a genre that is termed now as Original Pilipino Music saw the emergence of singers like Rico J. Puno and Hajji Alejandro who became popular with their Tagalog adaptation of known foreign hits. Although he did manage to record a popular original song with “Malupit Na Pag-Ibig,” quite possibly his last big hit, Victor was unable to keep up with the changing trends.

Victor Wood’s decline in popularity, was also due in large part to the payola scandal he exposed, along with fellow singer Julius Obregon, in the mid-70s. Payola refers to the sum of money paid by record companies to radio stations to ensure airplay of promoted releases. As a result of his exposé, Victor’s career stagnated and by the end of the decade, he decided to migrate to the United States and found success with several business ventures unrelated to music.

Victor later returned to the Philippines to dabble in politics and ran for a Senate seat in 2007 under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party but lost.

In 2011, he was honored as an OPM Icon in the 3rd PMPC Star Awards for Music along with Sylvia La Torre, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Joey “Pepe” Smith, Mike Hanopol, Freddie Aguilar, Celeste Legaspi, Ryan Cayabyab, Basil Valdez, Jose Mari Chan, Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, Boboy Garrovillo, Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor.

He attempted to run again for the Senate in 2013 but was disqualified by the COMELEC. He also ran unsuccessfully for vice governor and congressman of Rizal. Following his rendezvous with politics, Wood has since maintained a low profile until his demise. In later years, art became his passion as painting became his way of best expressing himself.

At the time of his death, a biopic on his life and career, tentatively titled, “Jukebox King: The Life Story of Victor Wood” is set to be produced by EBC Films and Eagle Broadcasting Corporation. Written and directed by Carlo Ortega Cuevas, the upcoming film will be headlined by actor Martin Escudero playing the title role.

“Pakikiramay sa pamilya ng isang haligi ng OPM, ang JUKEBOX KING Victor Wood. Mapalad ako dahil bago sya pinagpahinga ng Diyos ay (Continue on page 27)

 ENTERTAINMENT

Rabiya Mateo has big chances at Miss Universe 2020 The Philippines’ Rabiya Mateo appears to be a strong contender for the Miss Universe 2020 title.

The pageant scene both here and abroad has been abuzz since Rabiya arrived in Los Angeles, California on April 20 for some sponsor-related pre-pageant events, the Philippine Entertainment Portal or PEP.ph reported.

Rabiya has earned raves from pageant followers with her different gowns, the latest of which was a Filipiniana that looks like the Philippine flag. Beauty camp Aces and Queens released the photo taken by Filbert Kung on its Instagram page, saying the gown was designed by Florida-based Filipino designer Kirsten Regalado.

“Lalaban para sa Pilipinas,” the post stated.

In previous Instagram posts, Regalado referred to the Filipiniana she made for Mateo as the Sunrise Gown, according to ABS-CBN. Rabiya, who is now preparing in Florida, is also currently leading the Miss Universe 2020 online poll in the Philippines, it added.

Shopping app Lazada has been tapped by the Miss Universe Organization to be the official e-commerce and voting platform of the pageant in the country.

The voting period started on April 8, 2021, and will end on May 15, 2021.

A Lazada representative confirmed to PEP.ph that Rabiya has received the highest number of votes on the app, as of Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

She is followed by candidates from neighboring countries: Miss Vietnam Nguyên Trân Khánh Vân, Miss Indonesia Ayu Maulida Putri, Miss Thailand Amanda Obdam, and Miss Malaysia Francisca Luhong James.

The tally does not include those who voted using the Miss Universe app.

The candidate with the highest number of online fan

votes will automatically be included in the Top 21 semi-finalists.

To help Rabiya become one of the Top 21 semifinalists, pageant fans can download the app and vote through the Miss Universe tab. Eligible users are entitled to one free vote during the entire voting period.

Pageant fans can also buy voting packages worth P48 for 3 votes, P243 for 20 votes, P486 for 45 votes, P973 for 95 votes, P2,434 for 240 votes, and P4,869 for 500 votes.

Rabiya is hoping to win the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown. Other Filipina beauty queens who previously won the title are Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).

The grand coronation of the Miss Universe 2020 pageant will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16, 2021 (May 17 in Philippine time).

Rabiya’s chances were also bolstered by the withdrawal of several candidates due to difficulties of travel and preparations due Covid-19 in their countries.

 REAL ESTATE

April 29-May 5, 2021

Megaworld closes deals for new office leases

W

20

More Real Estate Predic�ons

e certainly have a very unpredictable RE market and it has been roughly one year when the pandemic put the housing market ny also bagged lease renewals of around

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda on hold for several months last spring. But the real 145,000 square meters of office spaces estate market bounced back quickly and has been FORT BONIFACIO – Andrew Tan-led from various company tenants last year. booming since then. More existing homes were sold in 2020 than in any year since 2006. Many market Megaworld Premier Offices ended 2020 property giant Megaworld closed deals watchers are curious to know how long will this for new office leases even as the last three with P10.4 billion in rental revenues, just housing boom last or will the market eventually quarters of 2020 were marred by commu- around the same level in the previous year. crash? Well, so far, the housing market continues to The company was also able to complete nity lockdowns across the country. be sizzling hot resulting in higher home prices and Around 135,000 square meters of fresh the construction of around 87,000 square quick-selling homes.

Housing demand remained strong in the first office space inventory were leased out in meters of fresh office spaces last year, quarter of 2021 but the supply still lags behind. Buythe company’s townships in Iloilo, Quezon bringing the total leasable office inventory ers who are currently struggling to find a house are likely to see improvement in the to 1.4 million square meters. This excludes City, and Fort Bonifacio. number of listings available to them as more sellers list their houses for the spring Around 78 percent of these new leases the office spaces that are for sale in Iloilo buying season. Existing-home sales fell 3.7% from the prior month to a seasonallyare part of the expansion programs of exist- Business Park and Maple Grove in Cavite. adjusted annual rate of 6.01 million as sales in all major regions declined. It marks two consecutive months of decline in home sales, according to the latest data released “At this point, we can say that our ofing office partners while the rest were taken by the National Association of Realtors. There is still a huge inequality between numfice business is the most stable income by new client companies. ber of buyers and sellers therefore I am concluding that the move up sellers cant help “These are mostly companies operat- generator in our company’s revenue stream push the move up buyers market. ing BPOs (business process outsourcing), with or without this health crisis, and we Single-family home sales decreased to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.30 e-commerce, logistics, and finance. And we continue to focus on the expansion of this million in March, down 4.3% from 5.54 million in February, and up 10.4% from one year ago. Despite the drop in home sales housing market continues strong even are very happy to see the strong interest in business in the years to come and further as mortgage rates tick up to the highest levels this year amid rising long-term bond our office developments in Iloilo Business strengthen our leadership in the country’s yields. The housing market has been struggling to keep up with the demand for the Park. Approximately 20 percent of new office property sector,” Tan said. past decade.

In 2020, the company’s net income leases have been booked there and we even The pandemic has led to a surge in demand. The median sales price of an existing cemented our dominance in terms of mar- slipped by 45 percent to P10.6 billion while home has risen 17.2% from last year and they have increased even more in some regions of the country. It has reached a historic high of $329,100, with all regions postket share in the Iloilo office market,” Mega- consolidated revenues decreased by 35 pering double-digit price gains. March’s national price jump marks 109 straight months world chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said. cent to P43.5 billion compared to the previof year-over-year gains. The median existing single-family home price was $334,500 In addition to new leases, the compa- ous year due to the pandemic. in March, up 18.4% from March 2020.

Hence, the supply-demand dynamics will continue to push home prices up by 8 percent in 2021 – up from the previously predicted rate of 4.2 percent (FHFA Home Price Index). Another interesting thing is that this higher home price forecast more than diminishes the modestly higher interest rate forecast. Therefore, the mortgage originations are also expected to tick up by 14.5 percent year-over-year in 2021.

Fannie Mae predicts overall single-family mortgage New Funeral home with Reception Center Flower Shop market originations in 2021 and 2022 to total $4.0 trillion Beautiful Garden Memorial Park Cremation Services and $3.0 trillion, up from $3.9 trillion and $2.9 trillion, respectively. However, according to another mortgage giant, We transfer your loved ones to and from the Philippines Freddie Mac, the total originations will decline to $3.5 trillion in 2021 as higher mortgage rates have the potential to soften the robust demand the housing market has been experiencing.

Even with rising mortgage rates and higher prices, the housing market should remain strong due to very tight inventories and increasing demand as more millennials are projected to buy houses this year. Now millennials make up the largest share of homebuyers in the US, according to a 2020 survey from the NAR. According to a new study by Realtor.com, buying is more cost-efficient than renting in a growing number of the largest cities in the country. This is encouraging news for the millions of millennials who are approaching peak homebuying age.

With the increasing prices, the monthly mortgage payments have also increased by almost $100. The monthly payment for an 80% loan for the typical listing hit $1,260 in March 2021, matching the previous peaks in both fall 2018 and spring 2019, according to Realtor.com. We are now in a period where we can compare housing trends against the early days of the pandemic when the real estate market was TTT BBBBBBBBB NNN FFFFFFF HHHH RRRRRRRRR CCCCCC CCCCCCC LLLL largely halted.

The U.S. housing market is 3.8 million single-family homes short of what is needed to meet the country’s housing demand, up 52% as compared with 2018’s shortfall, according to a new analysis from mortgage-finance company Freddie Mac. In 2018, Freddie Mac had estimated that the housing market was 2.5 million units short of what it needed to meet long-term demand. The new estimate is as of the end of 2020 and it emphasizes the severity of the housing supply.

While the current housing shortage is also due to the moratorium on foreclosures but it’s mainly because of home builders not keeping up with long-term demand growth.

Single-family housing starts rose last year to 991,000 units but builders would need to construct between 1.1 million and 1.2 million single-family homes a year to meet longterm demand. The last time sin(Continued on page 27)

THE NUMBER ONE CHOICE FOR FILIPINO FAMILIES The ONLY Place for All Your Arrangements in One Convenient Location

21 April 29-May 5, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

MANILA – Vanessa Sarno put Tashkent on notice last week as she ruled the women’s 71-kilogram category of the Asian Weightlifting Championships.

The 17-year-old Bohol native lifted a total of 229 kilograms to take home the overall gold in the event.

Sarno also lifted the heaviest in the clean and jerk (C&J) routine with 128 kg, giving her another gold.

This may make Sarno a wildcard to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, according to Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella Only Gulnabat Kadyrova of Turkmenistan had a better lift than Sarno in the snatch as the former lifted 102 kg. against the latter’s 101.

However, Kadyrova struggled a bit in the C&J as she only lifted 121 kg., just good for third place, giving her 223 kg. in total.

Overall, Kadyrova still got the silver as Kazakhstan’s Yekaterina Bykova, despite having a heavier C&J lift at 122 kg, could only lift a 91 in the snatch for 213 in total and settled for the bronze.

Last year, Sarno won the IWF Online World Cup, making her a prospective gold medal hauler in the Olympics down the road.

Hidilyn Diaz, already an Olympic silver medalist, is set to be appearing in her fourth consecutive edition of the games later this year in Tokyo.

But while some of the team members were there to boost their chances to qualify for the Olympics, some of the junior members of the team – including Sarno – were there to gain valuable experience for the future.

“Actually si Sarno… she was really there for the experience. Ang problema yung bata, palaban eh. Talagang palaban [Actually,

Sarno.. she was really there for the experience. The problem is, the kid is a fighter, a real fighter],” Puentevella told the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

Last November, she was competing in juniors competitions, winning three gold medals in the International Weightlifting Federation’s Online Youth World Cup. In Tashkent, Saarnno managed to take home two golds and one silver in the 71-kg category.

Puentevella said he would try to request a wild card spot for Sarno for the Tokyo Games.

“Gusto ko ma-wild card si Sarno, kung puwede lang [I want Sarno to be a wild card, if it’s possible].”

He said that this would be similar to the path of Diaz, who herself competed in the 2008 Beijing Games as a wild card entry. The experience she gained there culminated in her eventually winning a silver medal in Rio in 2016.

Besides Diaz and Sarno, there are a couple other hopefuls who may yet have a shot to make it in the Tokyo Olympics.

Elreen Ando, who won two silver medals and a bronze in the Asian championships, is one of those with a shot at getting in, Puentevellaa said.

Puentevella added that he was happy that Diaz herself was able to secure her qualification for the Tokyo games safely during the Tashkent meet.

“I’m very happy that she was not injured.

Our objective was to qualify and not for her to be injured since the Olympics is almost three months from now,” Puentevella said.

Diaz made her qualification official just by participating in the tournament, making her the seventh Filipino to book a spot for the Tokyo games scheduled in July.

Ayaw lumaban ni Floyd, so what? --Pacquiao

Para sa karamihan, ang pagsikat ng bituin ni Manny Pacquiao bilang isang boksingero ay maituturing na isang kababalaghan. Dito sa Pilipinas, si Pacquiao ay lumaki na bilang isang kababalaghan sa lipunan.

Tuwing may laban saan mang dako ng daigdig, ang mga ito ay isinasahimpapawid ng lahat ng network ng telebisyon, istasyon ng radyo at lumalabas sa lahat ng pahayagan kinabukasan.

Dito sa bansang kilala sa pagiging katoliko, ang lahat ng simbahan ay wala halos tao sa dahilang lahat ng Pilipino ay nakatuon ang mga mata sa kanilang telebisyon, nakikinig sa radyo at nagbabasa ng dyaryo. Lahat ng lansangan EDDIE G. ALINEA ay wala halos nagdadaan. Ang mga inuman na karaniwang napupuno kung gabi ay nakabukas umaga pa lamang, puno ng taong nanonood ng laban sa telebisyion.

Siksikan din ang mga sinehan, plasa, stadium at mga lugar na ang LGUs ay naglalagay ng tv set para mabigyan ang lahat ng pagkakataong makita ang kanilang kababayang manalo o martalo. At magsaya kapag nagwagi at umiyak kasabay ng kanilang idolo kapag nabigo.

Sa Amerika, kung saan lahat halos ng laban ni Manny ay naganap, ginaganap at gaganapin pa, puno rin ang lahat ng palaruan mula noong wasakin ni Manny ang boxing career ng Aprikanong si Lehlo Ledwaba noong Hunyo 23, 2001, at makamit ang korona ng IBF super-bantamweight sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasuko (TKO) sa loob lamang ng anim na round.

Ang 122-librang kampeonato ay pangalawa sa walong nakatadhanang maagaw ng ipinagmamalaki ng Lahing Kayumanggi matapos na nakawin din ang sinturon ng WBC flyweight kay Chatchai Sasakul ng Thailand na walong round lamang ang itinagal nang nakatayo sa ring bago nahimbing noong Disyembre 14, 1998.

Sa murang gulang na 23 Ang dapat sana’y poster sa labang Pacquiaoat anim na buwan pa lamang Maywearther noong 2010. (Eddie G. Alinea) sa propesyon ng sweet science, hindi tumigil ang ating bayani sa pagiging dalawang dibisyong pinaghaharian. Marami pang bundok ang posibleng akyatin at anim na dibisyon pa ang naghihintay na angkinin.

At makalipas lamang ang siyam na taon noong Nobiyembre 13, 2010, ginulpi ng ating si Manny si Antonio Margarito ng Mehiko at Amerika sa loob ng 12 round na sagupaan para sa bakanteng WBC super-welterweight (light-middleweight) na titulo. Halos bulag si Margaraito matapos ang pagtutuos at ilang taon pa lamang ang nakalilipas ay nag-retiro na.

Bago yun, gulpi rin ang inabot ng gold medalist ng 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games na si Oscar De La Hoya sa unang laban ni Manny bilang welterweight at ng Puerto Rikanong si Miguel Cotto, kung kanino niya nabingwit ang 147-librang kampeonato.

Bago pa rin dumating ang komprontasyon niya kay Cotto, hiniya muna niya si Englisman Ricky Hatton na pinatulog ni Manny nang nanginginig ang dalawang paa makaraan lamang ang dalawang round noong Mayo 2, 2009 at maibulsa ang kampeonato ng IBO/RING junior welterweight.

Kinumpleto ng dating konrgresista at ngayon ay senador nang si Pacquiao ang kanyang mahaba at matinik na paglalakbay para maging kaisa-isang hari ng walong dibisyon sa kasaysayan ng boksing matapos supilin si Cotto, Margarito at Hatton, ayon sa pagkakasunod, at sabi nga ng marami, wala na siyang dapat hilingin pa.

Kabilang dito ang RING featherweight na inagaw niya kay Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11 round), WBC super-feather kay Ju an Manuel Marquez (UD 12round) at WBC lightweight kay David Diaz (TKO 9 round). Dahilan para makalimutan na niyang pinanabikan ng maraming harapin niya ang wala pang talong Amerikanong si Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Alam mo, Pare, mukha ngang ayaw lumaban ni Floyd. Mas interesado siyang pangalagaan ang sero sa kanyang resume kesa dulutan ng kasiyahan ang fans ng boksing,” nasabi minsan ni Manny sa reporter na ito, pagkatapos niyang talunin si Margarito.

“Para sa akin, sementado na ang pamanang maiiwan ko sa sport ng boksing kung magre-retiro ako, sa laban na lang nang laban para bigyan ng kaligayahan ang fans. Si Mayweather? Darating ang labang yan kung talagang ukol. Pero hindi ako magpapakamatay na habulin siya nang habulin,” pangangatuwiran ni Manny.

At ganoon nga ang nangyari. Nagpatuloy sa kanyang paglalakbay ang idolo ng buong mundo na bukod sa paglaban sa Estados Unidos ay nakarating hanggang Macau, China para lumaban ng dalawang beses doon at makapagpasaya sa fans sa dakong iyon ng daigdig, kasama ang mga Pilipinong di maka-biyahe tungong Amerika para makita ang kanilang bayaning lumaban doon.

Dalawa sa mga sumunod na laban ni Manny matapos ang isang taong pagkabigo niya kina Timothy Bradley at Juan Manuel Marquez noong 2012 ay idinaos sa Lunsod ng bisyong iyon ng China laban kay Brandon Rios at Chris Algieri na kapuwa niya nilupig sa nagkakaisang hatol.

Outside Looking In

Young Pinay weightlifter wins 2 golds in Asian meet, may qualify for Tokyo Olympics

April 29-May 5, 2021

22

Q: Is there really a statute of limitations which controls debt collections and how long a debt is collectible?

A: Let’s discuss the meaning of these terms as they are legal terminologies and need to be explained.

1) What a statute is and how it works regarding debts. Creditors and debt collectors have a limited window of time in which they can sue debtors for non payment of credit card debts. This limit is set by a state’s statute of limitations. These laws exist to protect people from claims being brought after evidence has disappeared. Anyone who has any unpaid credit card debt must know their statute of limitations for the state they live in.

In most states, the statute of limitations period on debts run between three to ten years.

In some states, it is longer. If the debts have lingered more than the statute of limitations allows them, these are referred to as “Time-barred debts” says the Federal Trade Commission.

2) So what is a “Time-barred debt”? If a collector sues you with this kind of debt, you can have the judge dismiss it by letting them know it is a “Time-barred debt”.

Debt collectors caution that the statute of limitations does not prevent them from attempting to collect the debt, even if the debtor shows up in court and asserts their “Timebarred debt” rights.

3) The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, is the federal law that governs how and when debt collectors can contact consumers and collect unpaid bills and dictates when legal action may be filed.

Please do not confuse the statute of limitations with the length of time that a debt may remain on a credit report. These are two different items and may vary from state to state.

4) Re-aging your debts. The ticking clock on the statute of limitations may start all over if a consumer makes a payment that has exceeded the statute. In a way, this payment acknowledges the old debt and gives new life to it. Do not call or make a payment on an old debt if you do not want to reset the clock.

There are plenty of misunderstandings about how long someone can try to collect on a debt. The answer is there is no time constraints regarding collecting a debt. The most common misunderstanding is that after seven years, you no longer owe the debt. The statute of limitations begins on the first day you miss a debt payment. Collections typically last to seven years. A debt collector is legally entitled to collect a debt even after the statute of limitations of seven years has run out. However, the debt collector is breaking the law if they sue you over the debt or even threatens to sue you.

The statute of limitation does not eliminate the debt. The only remedy it does is limit judicial actions available to the creditor or collection agencies after a certain period of time and they have to unlist the negative debt from your credit report. A debt collector may still seek payment of an old debt even though the law cannot force you to pay it. But in most cases, they may simply just give up when they feel that the debt has become uncollectible. And they may choose not to do business with you in the future until the debt is paid or settled.

If you still have some collectors hounding you even after the seven year statute of limitations is up, give me a call. I can settle these debts for much lower that what they are asking for so that you may go on with your lives debt free.

Ating lesson, Huwag bilangan ng taon ang utang, dahil ito ay walang takbuhan.

If you need help in getting out of debt, call Debt Aid Consulting International. We help with Credit Repair while and after your program. 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 International clients. None of our competitors provide this program. You are well protected.

We only provide Federal Trade Commission compliant programs. Debt relief companies who charge non refundable upfront fees are in violation of the ban. Go with Debt Aid Consulting International!

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 30 years of real 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. Say no to LLC corporations in Canada! Debt Aid Consulting International, now serving Asia Pacific.

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

Itama po natin ang mali!

23 April 29-May 5, 2021

Governor Newsom takes action to phase out oil extraction in California Earlier this week, the California Environmental Protection Agency announced the release of two independent studies that identify strategies to support the state’s goal to dramatically reduce transportation fossil fuel demand and supply by 2045. The studies analyze the health and safety impacts associated with pollution originating from the extraction and processing of oil and will inform CARB’s scoping plan.

Today’s actions build on the Governor’s September 2020 executive order, which called for an end to fracking and to accelerate California’s transition away from SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management (CalGEM) Division to initiate regulatory action to end the issuance of new permits for hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) by January 2024. Additionally, Governor Newsom requested that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) analyze pathways to phase out oil extraction across the state by no later than 2045.

“The climate crisis is real, and we continue to see the signs every day,” said Governor Newsom. “As we move to swiftly decarbonize our transportation sector and create a healthier future for our children, I’ve made it clear I don’t see a role for fracking in that future and, similarly, believe that California needs to move beyond oil.”

Under the directive, CalGEM will immediately initiate the rulemaking to halt the issuance of new hydraulic fracturing permits by 2024.

Under Governor Newsom’s direction, CARB will evaluate how to phase out oil extraction by 2045 through the Climate Change scoping plan, the state’s comprehensive, multi-year regulatory and programmatic plan to achieve required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Inclusion of the target in the Scoping Plan means that phasing out oil extraction becomes a part of California’s blueprint to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045. CARB will evaluate economic, environmental and health benefits and effects of eliminating oil extraction. CARB’s scoping plan process will be informed by cross-sector collaboration and public input focusing on benefits in disadvantaged communities, opportunities for job creation and economic growth as we achieve carbon neutrality.

In advance of the phase-out of fracking in 2024, CalGEM’s process for reviewing permits for this practice is the most stringent in the country, and includes input from experts at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

More on the permit review process is available here.

Permit approvals and resulting hydraulic fracturing activity are at the lowest level since the Legislature enacted Senate Bill 4 in 2014 to strengthen regulation of hydraulic fracturing.

In addition to instituting more rigorous review of hydraulic fracturing permit applications, CalGEM continues to operationalize its updated mandate to protect public health and the environment. This includes: Developing a new health and safety regulation to protect workers and communities near oil fields.

Implementing new regulations that prohibit surface expressions and placing a moratorium on high-pressure cyclic steam injection, which has been linked to surface expressions.

Integrating independent experts from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Department of Finance’s Office of State Audits and Evaluations to recommend further improvements to CalGEM’s permitting process.

Increasing financial bonding requirements on oil companies to ensure adequate closure of defunct wells and clean-up of inactive oil fields.

gasoline-powered cars and trucks and reduce demand for fossil fuels. The order also directed agencies to: Develop and implement a just transition roadmap.

Propose strategies to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels beyond 2030 with consideration of the full life cycle of carbon.

Expedite regulatory processes to repurpose and transition upstream and downstream oil production facilities, while supporting community participation, labor standards and protection of public health, safety and the environment.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

April 29-May 5, 2021

24

Thanks to California Climate Credit, PG&E residential customers will see lower bills this month SAN FRANCISCO. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) residential customer bills will be lower this month thanks to the California Climate Credit.

The credit created by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), is part of the state’s efforts to fight climate change. The credit will lower bills by $41.82 for PG&E residential customers receiving both natural gas and electric service this month. For natural gas-only residential customers the credit will be $24.62, and for electric-only residential customers, the credit will be $17.20.

California requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits from auctions managed by the California Air Resources Board.

The Climate Credit is customers’ share of the payments from the state’s program.

In 2020, the CPUC accelerated the distribution of the Climate Credit in response to increased at-home energy usage due to the Governor’s March 19, 2020, stay-at-home order. This year, the CPUC returned the distribution of the electric residential credit to the standard twice-annual April and October schedule.

Customers do not need to do anything to receive the credit, it will automatically appear as a line item “CA Climate Credit” or “California Climate Credit” on their bill with the amount of the credit.

Though the credit will offset bills this month, PG&E recognizes some customers continue to struggle financially as lingering impacts of the pandemic remain.

For Customers with Past-Due Balances: ‘We’re here to help’ As the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic start to subside, PG&E reminds customers with past-due balances to explore available financial-assistance programs now, before the emergency customer protections put in place during the pandemic end on June 30, 2021. In place since March 2020, these emergency customer protections included suspending service disconnections for customers with unpaid bills.

Customers are encouraged to act now and not wait until protections expire if they are behind on payments. Numerous programs, tools and tips are available.

Please call us today at (800) 743-5000 if you have an outstanding balance. Translated support in over 250 additional languages is available at that phone number.

“We have been working with cus-

tomers with past-due balances and will continue these efforts months after the protections expire,” PG&E said. Since March 2020, more than 1.6 million payment plans have been created for residential and commercial customers.

Proactive contact with customers during the pandemic has saved customers more than $5 million just by changing their rate plan.

Here are some of the ways to assist customers as the COVID-19 protections end: Staggering the restart of the collections and disconnection process with a grace period after the protections end to support customers facing uncertainty.

Helping income eligible renters who have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have past due rent, or landlords who have experienced a loss in income because of unpaid rent, to find financial assistance programs with their utility bills through federal programs such as the California COVID-19 Rent Relief program.

The recertification and post-enrollment actions that customers will need to take to qualify for the California Rates for Energy Program (CARE), the Family Electric Rate Assistance Program

(FERA) and the Medical Baseline Program will be spread out over the rest of 2021.

Providing financial assistance to help offset eligible household energy costs including heating, cooling and home weatherization expenses through the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). To learn more, dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-675-6623 for LIHEAP income guidelines and a list of participating agencies.

PG&E will launch a new medical practitioner portal for the Medical Baseline program. To simplify the enrollment and recertification process, the portal will enable qualified medical practitioners to certify a customer’s eligibility for the Medical Baseline program online. The program provides customers an additional monthly allotment of energy at the lowest price on the current rate.

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

For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

US population soars to 331 M; California most populous state WASHINGTON - The resident population of the United States has reached 331,449,281 as of April 1, 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau reported based on the 2020 Census.

The U.S. resident population represents the total number of people living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The resident population increased by 22,703,743 or 7.4% from 308,745,538 in 2010, the bureau said.

California remained the most populous state with 39,538,223 residents, the bureau said.

“The American public deserves a big thank you for its overwhelming response to the 2020 Census,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said as she led in releasing the

results of the 2020 Census.

“Despite many challenges, our nation completed a census for the 24th time. This act is fundamental to our democracy and a declaration of our growth and resilience.

I also want to thank the team at the U.S. Census Bureau, who overcame unprecedented challenges to collect and produce high-quality data that will inform decision-making for years to come,” Raimondo said.

“We are proud to release these first results from the 2020 Census. These results reflect the tireless commitment from the entire Census Bureau team to produce the highest-quality statistics that will continue to shape the future of our country,” acting Census Bureau Director Ron Jarmin said.

“And in a first for the Census Bureau, we are releasing data quality metrics on the same day we’re making the resident population counts available to the public. We are confident that today’s 2020 Census results meet our high data quality standards,” Jarmin said.

According to the bureau, Wyoming is the least populous state with 576,851 residents.

Based on the latest census, Texas had the biggest gain in population with 29,145,505 in 2020 from 3,999,944 in 2010.

The fastest-growing state since the 2010 Census was Utah (up 18.4% to 3,271,616), the bureau said.

Puerto Rico’s resident population, on the other hand, was 3,285,874, down 11.8% from 3,725,789 in the 2010 Census.

Aside from announcing the newly released statistics, Secretary Raimondo delivered to President Biden the population counts to be used for apportioning the seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In accordance with Title 2 of the U.S. Code, a congressionally defined formula is applied to the apportionment population to distribute the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the states.

The apportionment population consists of the resident

population of the 50 states, plus the overseas military and federal civilian employees and their dependents living with them overseas who could be allocated to a home state.

The populations of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are excluded from the apportionment population because they do not have voting seats in Congress. The counts of overseas federal employees (and their dependents) are used for apportionment purposes only.

After the 1790 Census, each member of the House represented about 34,000 residents. Since then, the House has more than quadrupled in size (from 105 to 435 seats), and each member will represent an average of 761,169 people based on the 2020 Census.

The bureau said Texas will gain two seats in the House of Representatives, while five states (Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon) will gain one seat each.

California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will lose one seat each, and the remaining states’ number of seats will not change based on the 2020 Census.

Upon receipt of the apportionment counts, the president will transmit them to the 117th Congress. The reapportioned Congress will be the 118th, which convenes in January 2023.

“Our work doesn’t stop here,” added acting Director Jarmin. “Now that the apportionment counts are delivered, we will begin the additional activities needed to create and deliver the redistricting data that were previously delayed due to COVID-19.”

Redistricting data include the local area counts states need to redraw or “redistrict” legislative boundaries. Due to modifications to processing activities, COVID-19 data collections delays, and the Census Bureau’s obligation to provide high-quality data, states are expected to receive redistricting data by August 16, and the full redistricting data with toolkits for ease of use will be delivered by September 30. The Census Bureau will notify the public prior to releasing the data.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

April 29-May 5, 2021

26

PG&E appoints energy industry expert Carla J. Peterman as Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs 2 company leaders promoted to Vice President

SAN FRANCISCO — PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG; the “Corporation”) announced the appointment of Carla J. Peterman as Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, effective June 1, 2021.

The company also announced the appointments Ms Margarete Becker of Margaret K. Becker as Vice President and Treasurer of both the Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (“Utility”), and Christopher M. Patterson as Vice President, State Legislative Affairs of the Utility, both effective May 1, 2021.

Carla J. Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs In her role, Ms. Peterman will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies for all aspects of corporate affairs, including regulatory; federal, state and local government relations; public policy; and charitable giving. She will report to PG&E Corporation Chief Executive Officer Patti Poppe.

“It is my honor and privilege to welcome Carla to the PG&E team,” said Ms. Poppe.

“Carla brings with her a remarkable record of service to the State of California, a keen understanding of the policy landscape in which PG&E operates, and a steadfast commitment to a cleaner, more resilient energy future. We all look forward to working closely with Carla to move PG&E forward and better serve our customers and hometowns.”

Ms. Peterman joins PG&E from Southern California Edison (SCE), where she served since October 2019 as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Regulatory Affairs. Prior to her position at SCE and earlier in 2019, she was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to chair the Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery, which developed recommendations that led to legislation designed to hold utilities accountable for reducing wildfire risk and encourage a financially stable electric industry.

Prior to these roles, Ms. Peterman served a six-year term on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from 2013 to 2018.

At the CPUC, she served as the assigned Commissioner to a number of proceedings, including those relating to energy efficiency, alternative transportation, energy storage, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), Power Charge Indifference Adjustment reform, and general rate cases.

She also led several clean energy initiatives, including the adoption of the nation’s first utility energy storage mandate, the approval of $965 million of utility investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the adoption of utility energy efficiency goals

and business plans, and the implementation of California’s RPS. Before joining the CPUC, Ms. Peterman served on the California Energy Commission, where she was the lead Commissioner for renewables, transportation, and natural gas. Earlier in her career, she conducted energy policy research at the University of California Energy Institute and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Ms. Peterman serves on the external advisory board for Sandia National Laboratories’ Energy and Homeland Security Portfolio, and as a member of the Federal Reserve of San Francisco Economic Advisory Council.

She has also served on various other boards, including the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and NARUC’s Energy Resources and Environment Committee (Vice-Chair). She holds a BA from Howard University, a PhD in energy and resources from the University of California, Berkeley, and MS and MBA degrees from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.

“I am familiar with the issues PG&E has faced in recent years and with the challenges that it needs to navigate in the years to come,” said Ms. Peterman. “I am deeply passionate about serving Californians. I look forward to bringing my positive experiences from SCE and the public sector and working with Patti and the whole team to shape California’s energy future to deliver results for our customers and future generations.”

Vice President Appointments

Promoted to Vice President were Margaret (Mari) Becker and Christopher (Chris) Patterson.

“Mari has long been a strong leader and performer in our Finance organization, and Chris has proved himself to be a key company representative in Sacramento. I am excited to see them move forward and am confident that both will continue to serve PG&E and our customers well in their elevated roles,” Ms. Poppe said.

Margaret K. Becker, Vice President and Treasurer As Vice President and Treasurer, Ms. Becker will be responsible for leading the companies’ financing, treasury operations, accounts payable, and investment management functions. She will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Chris Foster.

Ms. Becker is currently Senior Director and Treasurer of the Corporation and the Utility and has been responsible for Treasury activities through PG&E’s restructuring and emergence from Chapter 11 last year. At PG&E she has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Treasury and Finance organizations of the Utility or the Corporation, including as Assistant Treasurer of the Utility and the Corporation. Prior to joining PG&E in 2010, Ms. Becker received her MBA from the Harvard Business School and worked as an economic consultant at Cornerstone Research.

San Francisco Filipino cultural heritage district SOMAA Pilipinas celebrates five-year anniversary

SAN FRANCISCO - SOMA Pilipinas celebrates five years as San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District on Thursday, April 29, 2021, 4-6pm PST at new art and wellness pop-up Kapwa Gardens. The cultural heritage district honors the over 120-year Filipino history and living legacy of making home, celebrating culture, building community and fighting for economic and racial justice. Embodying the spirit of bayanihan, SOMA Pilipinas supports a community-inaction in the highly gentrified South of Market neighborhood — the technology capital of the world for the last decade.

SOMA Pilipinas was officially estab-

lished as SF’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District in 2016 and was among the first selected for state designation by the California Arts Council in 2017.

In its first five years, SOMA Pilipinas has raised the visibility of the Filipino community, helped increase funding for Filipino artists and established baseline funding for cultural districts to protect vulnerable communities and preserve San Francisco’s cultural diversity.

Working with residents and other community groups, SOMA Pilipinas worked with community groups to block the development of luxury condos that would have shadowed Victoria Manalo Draves Park and preserved the Gran Oriente as a Filipino historic landmark and cultural asset for generations to come.

The cultural district has earned numerous accolades: receiving the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant, being honored for their revitalization work by the Architects International Association SF and being recognized for their work in building sustainable and equitable communities by Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

“SOMA Pilipinas continues a rich history and legacy of Filipino-American activ-

ism that shaped California and San Francisco history, from the farmworkers movement to Manilatown, to the current struggle against displacement and to preserve the cultural diversity of our city,” shares District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney. “They have accomplished so much in the last five years and I have no doubt that they will continue to be trailblazers in advancing community development strategies and creating new public art that lifts up the rich history and culture of the Filipino community.”

Working with other Filipino groups to support their community through the pandemic, SOMA Pilipinas is now poised to help in the recovery as they build out the Filipino Cultural Heritage District with extensive new public art and cultural project such as: Filipinx literary & visual arts anthology Liwanag Volume III, SOMA Pilipinas archway, historical plaques on 6th Street, decorative crosswalks on Folsom Street, a new Sarimanok School Bus Mural and cultural programming at Kapwa Gardens and SOMA Pilipinas street signs throughout the district.

SOMA Pilipinas is also partnering with other groups to provide programs: Self-Defense Workshops at Kapwa Gardens Free Mental Health Services with Filipino Mental Health Initiative-SF Supplemental Groceries and COVID Education with Bayanihan Equity Center Restorative Arts for Seniors with Bindlestiff Studio

Filipino Language Training with SOMCAN “As we reach our five year milestone, we are so grateful for all the grassroots support and activism of so many community members, artists and organizations that have built the foundation for SOMA Pilipinas,” says SOMA Pilipinas Executive Director, Raquel Redondiez. “We are excited to be part of the recovery of our City, a recovery based on racial equity and economic opportunity and sustainability for marginalized communities.

As we re-emerge from the pandemic, we are excited to re-imagine our public realm and create new public art and cultural markers that honor our ancestors, our history, contributions, and cultural movement.”

SOMA Pilpinas is currently seeking donors, organizations and other partnerships to continue to support their mission. To become a supporter or donor, visit www.somapilipinas.org.

SOMA Pilipinas Five-Year Anniversary Celebration Details: Date: Thursday, April 29th, 4-6pm PST Location: Kapwa Gardens, 967 Mission St. between 5th and 6th Street in SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco, CA Featuring Pilipinx Diasporic Cultural Ritual ‘Lakbai Diwa’ by Kularts, guest speakers and more Visit www.somapilipinas.org for more information and to RSVP

27 April 29-May 5, 2021

Upside...

(From Page 11)

Bed capacity motivated the decision to step up in the crisis, he stressed, by leading efforts toward treatment and sharing both “learning and best practices on how to care and provide a safe environment during the pandemic.” The choice to take in people with COVID aligned with Seton’s identity as a “community hospital even through challenging times.”

Safety concerns were minimal, said the executive who has headed healthcare centers since 1990. Specific floors were dedicated COVID-free and COVID-positive during the months of the space designation.

“We had a very active Surge Committee made up of our physicians, clinicians and administrative representatives to apply evidenced-based learning and approach to provide oversight to maintain a safe and quality environment,” he disclosed.

INVESTMENT IN UPGRADES In the next 5 years both the Daly City flagship and the Seton Medical Center Coastside skilled nursing hospital will have a new IT platform to implement contemporary financial application and clinical information system as part of the $10 million AHMC has invested in upgrades. A new CT/PET (Computed Tomography/Positron Emission Tomography) scanner trailer has been purchased to elevate diagnostic capability.

Armada touted investment in human resources via clinical staff to reduce dependence on “temporary travelers staff.”

On tap is the seismic retrofit of patient towers that has beset previous owners and prospective buyers.

Armada is candid about the terms of sale from Verity Health to AHMC when the County Board of Supervisors led by now President David Canepa last year voted 4-1 to fund the buyer $20 million over 4 years to help operate both sites. The Board requested Health Plan of San Mateo to provide half the funding. Armada says AHMC is still waiting for those funds.

FILIPINO FACTOR As Daly City’s largest employer, Seton is a top contributor to the local economy. Over half the 1200 personnel are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. Majority are Filipino, said Armada. FilAms also comprise 3% of “overall managers.” AsianAms make up 67% of the senior leadership team, including Armada, who was born in Pasay City a little over 60 years ago and immigrated to the US at age 9.

“Tony” grew up in Michigan and earned his MBA and MHA at Xavier University. His name sports a suffix - FACHE, Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He started out as a medical technologist at a 400-bed facility but switched to administration out of the “joy in coaching and seeing other people succeed and reach the potential they never thought they could.”

His career spans top posts in the healthcare industry from the Midwest to the West Coast. In 2018 he was System COO at Verity Health.

Armada self-identifies as FilAm, which shows in his love of family and food, he shared. He and wife Racelle have 2 adult daughters living in Chicago. The couple resides in South San Francisco, where Seton overlooks through the famous Daly City fog. - Adapted from original reprinted with permission from Inquirer.net.

Ken Go

(From Page 20)

gle-family housing starts broke 1 million was in 2007.

The results of more listings in the spring-summer buying season and higher mortgage rates are that both could slow down the pace of home price appreciation. If homes would sit on the market longer, markets will then accumulate more active listings. In the second half of this year, we will see higher mortgage rates and, as they continue ticking up, which may begin to create a ceiling on the median home price growth, as monthly payments on new mortgages become less and less affordable.

Homebuilding will continue and new homes will pile up a bit which will slow down the rate of price appreciation. There are reasons to believe that the housing market will remain tight in 2021 because there are first-time buyers (Millennials) coming into the market. First-time buyers were responsible for 32% of sales in March, up from 31% in February.

I believe if you can afford, save and qualify for a home, its always a good time. Quoting a famous persons saying “ Its always a good time to buy 5 yerars ago”. Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group or email kennethgo@verizon.net . CABRE01021223 NMLS 238636

Flipside

(From Page 19)

narinig ko sa kanya mismo ang isang kwentong ngayon ay isa [nang] kasaysayan,” the director said.

“Mahaba at makabuluhang usapan tungkol sa buhay, kasikatan, pagbagsak, pagbangon, pagtingala…at pagpanaw. Habang nagkukwento sya tungkol sa kanyang pagkabata, pakiramdam ko ay kasabay ko syang lumaki,” Cueva added.

The director noted that it was an honor to have worked with the Jukebox King himself, stressing that he will never forget the lessons he learned from him.

Yes, even as he dabbled in many other pursuits, music remains the greatest legacy of Victor Wood and for which many fans will always and perhaps, “eternally” remember him by.

Rest in peace po. Thank you for your music.

Offline

(From Page 13)

away. The restaurant bar specialized in a variety of goat dishes.

I had to pass on that invite.

Last month, a friend of ours called me twice. After suffering from a serious stroke more than a decade ago, I knew he was bored to death at home.

My plan was to call Manny and another close friend, Val, and arrange a visit to our buddy. The four of us were part of a larger gang of 12 in high school. Five decades later, we were still buddies.

I never go to organize that visit. A few days ago, Val told me that Manny was seriously sick of COVID-19, and that’s when I texted him. He was in high spirits and we agreed to finally have that drinking session to belatedly celebrate his birthday.

This is what hurts the most. I will never drink with Manny ever again. And I can’t even bid him a proper farewell. As a COVID-19 victim, he will be cremated, with only his immediate family in attendance.

I am just one guy, losing one friend, to a disease that has killed millions worldwide.

Did I say bad news comes in threes? No, not this time. This time, horrible news comes in millions. And this health crisis is striking closer and closer to home.

The situation is bound to get worse before it gets any better, at least here in the Philippines.

Stay safe, folks. Stay safe.

Immigrant’s story...

(From Page 13)

and the liars who benefit by taking advantage of people’s ignorance about themselves and their history. Knowing ourselves will make us and the Philippines better. It’s the only ticket to progress and to moving forward--- it’s the only way towards genuine democracy.

The Outsider

(From Page 12)

sites from Luzon to Mindanao where power quality mitigations are required.

According to RSA, the ongoing investment into battery energy storage facilities will greatly benefit power consumers all over the country. “Faraway provinces or areas, can have the same stable and good quality power supply as everywhere else,” he said. This will give those areas better and more opportunities for industrialization and economic growth.“This can even support equal-opportunity industrialization in many provinces where historically, no industrial plants would locate because of poor power quality,” he added. RSA said the battery energy storage facilities can also facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources such as wind or solar into the grid. It is the task of the company president to ensure that his organization runs well and fulfills its goals.

No doubt, RSA is doing his job exceptionally well.

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12)

siblings benefited from the free parking in our driveway and on the side street parking spaces.

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PEACE OF MIND – There is peace of mind with the complete, unique and efficient services at MSS. MSS is committed and will continue to help and assist old and new clients, particularly the elderly, veterans and those physically handicapped, in the notarization and apostille follow up of Affidavits, Special Power of Attorney, Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate and other documents needed in the Philippines.

For immediate help and assistance with old and new clients, just write or contact MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112. Tel. (650)438-3531 or (415)5847095 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)

should be stripped of committee appointments just like what happened to Greene.

But Greene said that the controversial document was a “stafflevel draft proposal” from an unidentified “outside group” that she hadn’t read yet. She also claimed that it was it was “taken out of context” by “the scum and liars in the media.” She accused the media of creating “false narratives,” and focusing on race to “divide the American people with hate through identity politics.” The truth is that the media reports only as it happens in the community. It doesn’t fabricate the news.

WASP resurgence On a personal note, I believe that Greene launched the America First Caucus to promote the nativist notion that the US was founded to serve only White Anglo-Saxon Protestants or WASPs. To them, there is no place for Catholics and immigrants in their white-only

country and non-whites are deemed second-class citizens.

The WASPs belonged to an ethnic group of British upper-middle-class white protestants that dominated the economic and cultural aspects of the US. All of the US presidents up to George W. Bush – with the exception of John F. Kennedy who was of Irish descent – were WASPs. Barack Obama who succeeded George W. Bush was the only president who was not of white Anglo descent. Obama’s election as president broke the American tradition of electing white Anglo-Saxons. It was a major milestone in American presidential politics.

In the November 2020 election, Joe Biden, another Irish-American was elected president. His vice-presidential running mate was Kamala Harris, a woman of African and East Indian descent. And should she succeed Biden to the presidency, she’d be the first woman and first African-East Indian president of the US. The political games being played today don’t bode well with the election of traditional white Anglo-Saxon protestants who have dominated presidential politics since the time of George Washington. White Americans, although still the majority ethnic group has been dwindling in numbers.

Racial diversity According to census numbers, racial minorities are gaining in numbers. William H. Frey’s latest book, “Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America,” projected that racial minorities are the primary demographic engines of the nation’s future growth, countering an aging, slow-growing and soon to be declining white population. The new statistics project that the nation will become “minority white” by 2045. During that year, whites will comprise 49.7 percent of the population in contrast to 24.6 percent for Hispanics, 13.1 percent for blacks, 7.9 percent for Asians, and 3.8 percent for multiracial populations. That’s only one generation from today! Among the minority populations, the greatest growth is projected for multiracial populations, Asians and Hispanics with 2018–2060 growth rates of 176, 93, and 86 percent, respectively.

It’s no wonder then that Greene is hell-bent in trying to promote Anglo-Saxon political traditions in the House of Representatives.

Not that she would succeed, but that it would continue to propagate white Anglo-Saxon preeminence in the lawmaking body. In other words, she’ll use the America First Caucus to dominate the future direction of Congress to turn the other way around.

But with non-white Americans gaining in numbers, the trend is irreversible. America will stay as the melting pot of all the races in the world. However, recent anti-Asian sentiments could cause it to crack. In my column, “Is the melting pot cracking?” (April 16, 2021), I said, “When Trump called the coronavirus Covid-19 ‘China virus’ and ‘Kung Flu,’ it created an angry backlash against AsianAmericans. Anti-Asian violence erupted in various cities across the U.S. Many Asian-Americans across the country were killed or harmed as a result of Trump’s characterization of the coronavirus.

“The American melting pot, which has withstood the test of time for more than 100 years, is suddenly under stress as the AsianAmerican community is being blamed for the Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed more than 500,000 lives so far.”

What Greene and her America First Caucus cohorts are doing is to disrupt the multi-racial and multi-cultural harmony by promoting the “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” in the US Congress.

But little did she know that the whole country is way past the era of the White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. The United States of America is now in the age of multiculturalism, never again to resuscitate the prejudicial racist past of the US. America has indeed come a long way but it still has a way to go to become an egalitarian society, when Americans will just refer to themselves as “Americans,” not the multitude of hyphenated Americans that is currently dividing the citizenry into various American ethnic sub-groups. It’s time to repudiate the America First Caucus’ WASP agenda.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Diliman way

(From Page 13)

no room for interpretation. The provision of the law, in application to President Duterte, states “– Any Filipino citizen who… adheres to her enemies, given them aid or comfort within the Philippines or elsewhere, shall be punished by reclusion temporal to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed a 100,000 pesos….” As previously stated, the provision of this law is clear - President Duterte is adhering to China by allowing Communist China to invade the West Philippine Sea, exploit its resources, build artificial islands with military installations and possible nuclear weapons, preventing Filipino fishermen from fishing in our exclusive economic zones Other than adhering to Communist China, Duterte is also “giving aid and comfort” to CCommunist China not only in his conduct relating to the West Philippine Sea but by allowing their drug lords to flood the Philippine with illegal drugs, dumping and allowing electronic gambling here which is prohibited in Communist China and according to Senator Ping Lacson, allowing more than three thousand members of Communist China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be here in the guise of workers in Communist Chinese gambling operations in the Philippines, in preparation to make legal what is a fact – de jure from de facto..

If this behavior is not adhering to Communist China and giving it aid and comfort, I really don’t know what is.

Communist China: Does invasion and occupation of our exclusive economic zones and parts of Philippine territory make Communist China our friend? Its conduct is not that of a friend, it is that of an enemy. It simply means, the country is in state of war with China. It is not of our making – it is that of Communist China. How can that be? President Duterte says Communist China is our friend because President Xi Jin Ping of Communist China is his friend and Xi is an honorable man. True – Duterte and Xi are friends and they deserve each other.

 HEALTH NEWS

April 29-May 5, 2021

28

COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries Some signs of recovery emerging but major efforts required to restore and strengthen health services GENEVA—The second round of a World Health Organization “pulse survey“ reveals that over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial disruptions persist, with about 90% of countries still reporting one or more disruptions to essential health services, marking no substantial global change since the first survey conducted in the summer of 2020.

Within countries, however, the magnitude and extent of disruptions has generally decreased. In 2020, countries reported that, on average, about half of essential health services were disrupted. In the first 3 months of 2021, however, they reported progress, with just over one third of services now being disrupted.

Overcoming disruptions Countries have been working to mitigate disruptions.

Many have now stepped up communications efforts to inform the public about changes to service delivery and provide advice about ways to safely seek health care. They are also triaging to identify and better meet the most urgent patient needs.

More than half the countries consulted say they have recruited additional staff to boost the health workforce; re-

directed patients to other care facilities; and switched to alternative methods to delivering care, such as providing more home-based services, multi-month prescriptions for treatments, and increasing the use of telemedicine.

In addition, WHO and its partners have been helping countries to adapt their processes so they can better respond to the challenges being placed on their health systems; strengthen primary health care, and advance universal health coverage.

“It is encouraging to see that countries are beginning to build back their essential health services, but much remains to be done,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. “The survey highlights the need to intensify efforts and take additional steps to close gaps and strengthen services. It will be especially important to monitor the situation in countries that were struggling to provide health services before the pandemic.“ Persisting causes of disruptions Countries are still having to make important decisions when responding to COVID-19 that may negatively affect access to care for other health issues. Redeployment of staff to provide COVID-19 relief and temporary closures

of health facilities and services continue.

Although they may have taken on new staff, 66% of countries continue to report health workforce-related reasons as the most common causes of service disruptions.

Supply chains are also still disrupted in nearly one third of countries, affecting the availability of essential medicines, diagnostics, and the PPE needed to safely and effectively provide care.

Communications efforts need to be further scaled up: more than half of countries report service disruptions due to patients not seeking care and because of community mistrust and fears of becoming infected.

Meanwhile, 43% of countries cite financial challenges as major causes for disruptions in service utilization.

As a result, millions of people are still missing out on vital health care. In terms of services, the biggest impact reported by nearly half of countries is on provision of dayto-day primary care to prevent and manage some of the most common health problems. Long-term care for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, and palliative end-of-life care, is also still badly disrupted - severely affecting older people and people living with disabilities.

C-19 data capsules Heart of Hope

India, with a population of 1.38 billion, second to China (1.439 billion) COVID-19, is today’s hotbed of the pandemic. In 3 days, it saw one million new cases, with an official tally of 17.21 million infections and more than 196,000 deaths. Last week, almost 353,000 persons were infected in 24 hours. The hospitals are fully packed PHILIP S. CHUA beyond capacity, running out of supplies, including life-saving oxygen. The United States, Britain, and Germany have offered urgent medical aid to help manage and contain this tsunami of cases. *** Current COVID-19 stats: Globally: 148,623,843, deaths - 3,136,930; USA: 32,875,045, deaths - 586,611; The Philippines: 1,013,618, deaths - 16,916; China: 90,610, deaths - 4,636 (These stats from a country where the pandemic started are being questioned). COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States are going down. If people continue to get vaccinated and not let their guards down, we might avoid a 4th wave and achieve herd immunity before the end of the year. Behavior greatly affects viral transmission. *** The Journal Cell reports Medicine cited a recent study which shows that the UK variant B.1.1.7 of COVID-19 is 45 percent more contagious (transmissible) than the original SARS-CoV2. Meanwhile, the South African variant B.1.351 is also more contagious, perhaps more dealy, and may have the ability to re-infect people who have recovered from the original version of coronavirus. Whether the current vaccines are also effective remains to be seen. *** According to the US Embassy in Manila, “The Philippine government has suspended the entry of all foreign nationals through April 30, 2021. In addition, the number of inbound international passengers has been limited to 1,500 per day.”

The restriction includes all Filipinos abroad who do not have a Philippine passport. Dual citizens are allowed entry, but all entering the country need to have a pre-reserved hotel reservation for five days for self-quarantine. Visit the US Embassy website or Philippine Consulate in the USA for more details. *** The CDC is expected to revise its guideline to allow people who have been fully vaccinated not to wear mask outdoors except in crowded places. As I have reported in my column last week, there were about 5800 fully vaccinated individuals who got infected with COVID-19 anyway, 784 of them died. Whether the infecting viruses were the new strains is not known. It is wise to still be cautious and vigilant, especially seniors, until the USA attains herd immunity, which appears to be around Fall this year. Fingers crossed.

*** The WHO reported that there is “no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.” This makes it clear that those who have recovered from COVID-19 still need to be vaccinated. *** More than 50 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccines. The extremely rare blood clot side effect of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is about 7 in a million, mostly women, under 50, and one has died. There have been 16 cases reported, with one male. Those older than 50 do not seem to be affected. The best alternative for anyone concerned is, of course, to get the Pfizer-BioNT or Moderna vaccine instead. More than 9 million J&J vaccines have been administered and the risk/benefit ratio clearly tilts toward the benefit, where these people have been protected against COVID-19, hospitalization, and possible death. The use of the J&J vaccines has officially resumed. *** More than 8 percent of those who have received the first shot of either the Pfizer-BioNT or Moderna vaccines are opting not to get the second dose for fear of side-effects. That’s unwise and dangerous. After hundreds of million doses of the vaccines have been given around the world, it is clear that if a person got the first dose without any problem, the second shot (same vaccine, same ingredients, etc.) would also go without adverse effects. Having only half the full dose of any medications, including vaccines, does not provide the full benefit of the drug. Partial vaccination obviously confers only partial protection. The full dose (2 shots) of those 2 vaccines are supposed to offer 92-95 percent protection over a few weeks.

One shot only gives about 52 percent protection, still with 48 percent risk of getting COVID-19. The risk of side-effects is very small compared to the huge benefit the vaccines provide.

The more than 150 million plus individuals in the USA who have received the shots are proofs of the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Even those with the 2-shot full vaccination still have around 5 percent risk, as evidenced by those 5800 fully vaccinated persons who still got infected (second news capsule above). It is prudent to get the second shot to be fully vaccinated, to reduce your risk from 48 percent to about 5 percent. *** Last Sunday, the European Union stated it is looking to resume trans-Atlantic travel “as soon as it is safe to do so” and that Americans would then be able to travel to Europe by summer. *** People with gum disease periodontitis were 3.5 times more likely to need hospitalization for COVID-19, 4.5 percent more likely to require a ventilator, and 8.8 percent more likely to die, compared to those without oral disease, according to research at McGill University. Oral health, as we have written about in the past, translates to cardiac health and overall

health of people. Oral hygiene is very important.

Post-Vax COVID-19 More than 5,800 individuals who have been fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV2 (corona) virus were infected with COVID-19 anyway (“breakthrough infections”), according to US-CDC. Of those, 396 who got infected after their vaccination required hospitalization and 74 of them died.

The effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNT (95 percent), the Moderna vaccines (91 percent), and the Johnson and Johnson (72 percent) still leaving the first two with about 5-9 percent residual risk of potential infection, and the J&J about 28 percent. This means people who have been vaccinated do not have 100 percent protection or immunity from the SARSCoV2 virus. This is the reality. And the other unknown at this time is when, after the vaccination, will the vaccine provide immunity, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, two months, and how much immunity after those intervals, and when the 95, 91, and 72 percent protection is achieved?

As for effective duration, Pfizer-BioNT vaccine “remains highly effective after six months.” How long after this is also not known since this vaccine is new and will need forward clinical observation to find out if the shots will be effective for a year or longer. The same is true with all other COVID-19 vaccines.

In the United States, about 87 million (around 26 percent of the 332.5 million total population) have been fully vaccinated and more than 40 percent had received one shot.

According to CDC “breakthrough infections” are expected since the vaccines are not 100 percent effective, so more fully vaccinated people getting infected anyway will happen…

Overall, this percentage (a fraction of 1 percent) of “breakthroughs is small.”

The CDC and major medical centers are studying and looking for clues (demographics, geographic, vaccine types, viral strain, health issues, etc.) among those fully vaccinated who still got infected, those more prone to breakthrough infection.

As we have advocated in this column since the vaccination started, those who have been vaccinated should still take the precaution of wearing facemasks, doing social distancing, frequent handwashing, and avoiding crowds, like those who have not gotten the shots yet, because this virus and its variants are new and the vaccines are also new, with so many unknowns about them. Obviously, those “breakthroughs” occurred because those more than 5,800 fully vaccinated individuals let their guards down and were careless, thinking they had 100 percent immunity to SARS-CoV2 virus from the vaccine. The loss of those 74 precious lives was than tragic.

Getting as many people vaccinated in the country (in the world, for that matter) and not abandoning the original COVID-19 preventive guidelines until we achieve herd immunity are the two best strategy to end this pandemic sooner.

We must stick to medical science and not politics when dealing with a disease.

(Continued to page 34)

29 April 29-May 5, 2021

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS

MONEY, LAST POWER AT OLD AGE

I

By TIM PEDROSA

n spite of the advice of many, preachers, philosophers and others that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil; regardless of the warning, it is hard to argue that the more money we have, the better it is for us specially in our old age.

Money is our last power at old age. With adequate money, we can stay safe, secured and comfortable. People look at us in a different way, treat us with care and respect. Here are some ideas and suggestions inspired by the writings of some experts, what money can do for us, how we conduct ourselves and how to deal with others at old age. Do not retire early. If you have to retire, get all the benefits and find something that will keep you active physically and mentally. Travel and bond with true friends, play a sport, learn a new hobby and volunteer in your community or parish. Solve crossword puzzles, play Scrabble, write your memoirs, and above all, read ...this will keep you alert and keep Alzheimer’s at bay.

Live in your own place to enjoy independence, privacy and a solo life. If you move in with your children, your rank or degree of importance is reduced to that of a bed spacer who has no place of honor or, worse, like crumbling furniture merely displayed with no added value. You have to conform to their own rules that are not sometimes kind, considerate nor mindful of you. Hold on to your nest egg, bank deposits and assets. If you want to help your children, do give, but not to the extent that you wipe out your life’s earnings, singing heroically not a shirt on your back nor a penny to your name. Give but don’t allow to be used. Love but not allow your heart to be abused. Trust but don’t be naïve. Listen to others but don’t lose your own voice. Staying solvent is a good hedge against all kinds of tempests. You will sleep better, you will not be afraid to express your opinion and you will be confident about yourself. Don’t believe your children’s promise to care for you when you grow old, priorities change. Many children are not guilt-ridden nor filled with a sense of moral obligation when the wife and offspring take top billing in their lives.

However, there are still children who would consider it a privilege to show compassion, genuine love and deep concern for their parents but be warned that not all children think alike. Expand your circle of friends to include young ones who will definitely outlive your old BFFs. Keep up with new inventions, trends, music and lifestyle including all the scams and schemes you should guard against. Remember that when you mix with the young, you also open a fresh avenue to channel your thoughts, experiences and values through, so that the lessons you learned are not lost, forgotten or buried with you. Be well groomed and smelling fresh of spring water all the time. There’s nothing more depressing than seeing people exhale when you walk by because you smell like camphor chest or dirt. Old age or bust, don’t look and smell like a corpse when you’re not one yet. Do not meddle in the life of your children. If they ask for your counsel, give it, but be ready to accept that they may not take it. Their situations in life cannot be compared to the situations that you experienced in your life. The playing field has changed and they need to develop their own set of survival skills. Champion and encourage their dreams and desires but on their own terms. Do not use old age as your shield and justification for turning grumpy. There’s nothing more annoying than an arrogant, old fool.

Welcome each day as another chance to be kind and forgiving, to yourself and to others.

Listen to what others may say. Do not throw your weight around just because you are a septuagenarian (person who is between 70 and 80 years old) or a nonagenarian (a person between 90 and 99 years old). You are not a depository of knowledge. Even if the roles have been reversed, make growing old a fun-filled, pleasant experience for you and others. Most important of all, money is your last power in old age. If you are broke at old age, nobody, not even your children nor your in-laws will come close to you; not even your spouse will respect you. If you are broke at old age, you become a parasite. Money buys you power when you need it most at old age. It is sad, but we have to remember the reality that in many cases, “No money, no talk”, (a Cantonese slang which means,” I will not talk to you if you have no money.”), is in the minds of those who have selfish expectations; that no money means: No “honey”, No relatives, No in-laws, No holidays, No wine, No friends, No social life, No phone calls, No email, NOTHING! Nevertheless, having learned all the above warnings, nothing in old age and in life for that matter, is to be feared. It is only to be understood. When we dare to face the things that concern us, we open the door to freedom. Most of our obstacles will melt away if instead of cowering or trembling before them or procrastinating about dealing with them, we face them with confidence that everything will turn out satisfactorily.

W

Ignorance Is Destructive

hen we were kids, there were many things we do not know about; and it was fine, ignorance of many things according to our age. As we grow older, we come to know many things; and that, we learn that there are many things that we will keep on learning about, like the dictum of St. Augustine: “the more I know the more I do not know.” However, we also learn in life that there are things that we MUST know about. In all of us, there will always be ignorance to some degree, not knowing all things; but there must not be in us the choice to remain ignorant, especially with the things that matters most in our life, like our relationship with God. God wants us to know Him; because, He wants to have a relationship with us. Jesus taught us about God and how to love and serve Him. Not seeking to know God deeper, choos- REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD ing not to learn more the teachings of the Lord Jesus and the moral teachings of the faith, can have crippling effects in our journey of spiritual life.

Like that passage of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35), due to ignorance of the Scriptures, they could not believe the events that took place about Jesus of Nazareth. And so, the Risen Lord had to explain to them everything written about the Messiah. Ignorance made them down cast and incredulous. We, therefore, must always seek to know more our faith, and whatever we know now must be understood deeper.

Ignorance cannot be considered a bliss; rather, let us always seek to know more and to understand better the things about God and about our lives. During Easter Season, our Scripture readings at Masses give us narratives of how the Risen Lord Jesus kept appearing to His disciples in many occasions to confirm them about His teachings prior to His paschal mystery, and also explaining to them all that was written about Him. Easter, hence, is a season of clarity in the faith and of conviction of the love of God, proven by Christ’s dying for us and rising again as He promised. So, let us destroy in ourselves these two tendencies: First, the tendency to remain ignorant. The saying, “knowing less makes me less accountable;” this attitude and disposition is wrong in relation to our spiritual and moral life. There may be things or teachings that we may not know at present, but we must not remain passive. Being passive is irresponsibility on our part, and we still can be held accountable for that.

Being passive can lead to stagnation of the faith and moral life, such can be destructive to the person himself.

Second, the tendency to think that truths can change or must change. The old truths of our faith must be changed or be forgotten, for they do not have a place to the current culture and mentality of peoples.

This tendency, consequently, breeds not only the passive attitude mentioned above; but also grows into a decision that it is better to be ignorant, after all things change when people change. Moreover, this tendency makes the person choose to settle for less in the faith or settling for less in the journey of Spiritual life. This will not only lead to many sins of omission; but also, a tragic end to the person himself, as this is like that man in the parable who hid the talent or money of his master in the ground, see Mt. 25:24-27. Choosing to be ignorant of essential matters will be tragic to the person in the end. God is worth the greatest honor and glory from us; and it can be sinful when we settle for less in the service and love of Him. To be ignorant will not build the person up, but rather destroy himself in the process. We cannot let the dying and rising of Jesus Christ for us be in vain. God is worth the greatest effort we can master in ourselves in our spiritual endeavors. He is worthy of the best expressions of our love and service of Him. Jesus Christ gave totally Himself for us, being ignorant about some or many things in our faith in Him is to settle in the superficial relationship with Him. Let us be passionate of knowing our faith and learn new and best ways to love and serve the Lord God. May we be diligent in our search for greater knowledge of God mindful that we cannot fall into ignorance of Him, especially in what matters the most for Him. Amen. You can also find this article in my website, faithexpressions.org, view us too in YouTube, Faith Expressions, for other faith formation videos.

Aflame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

31 April 29-May 5, 2021  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Pork and Spinach in Coconut Milk, Pinoy Laing Style Ingredients: 1/4 kilo pork belly, cut into thick strips 1/2 kilo frozen chopped spinach 200 grams fresh baby spinach 1 400 ml canned coconut milk/cream 3-4 clove garlic chopped 1 thumb size ginger, cut into thin strips 1 large size onion chopped 2 tbsp. bagoong alamang (use fish sauce if not available) 1 stalk lemongrass (optional), trimmed crushed 1/2 tsp. cracked peppercorns 3-5 pieces green/red chili, chopped or whole salt cooking oil Cooking procedure: In a medium size sauce pan sauté garlic, ginger and onion until fragrant. Add in the pork and stir cook for 3 to 5 minutes add in the bagoong alamang and continue to stir cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add in 1/2 cup of water, the coconut milk, lemon grass, crushed peppercorns and chili, bring to a boil and simmer at moderate heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until the pork are tender and the sauce renders oil and almost dry, stirring occasionally.

Add in the frozen spinach and baby spinach, cook at low to moderate heat for 15 to 20 minutes until almost dry, stirring occasionally. Correct saltiness if required.

Serve with a lot of rice.

Baguio eases restrictions, expects more tourists BAGUIO CITY – The city government here expects more tourist arrivals with the opening of borders to tourists from areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ. Aloysius Mapalo, Supervising Administrative Officer of the City Tourism Office, said that their portal https://visita.baguio.gov.ph registered 700 tourists for the weekend On April 17 and April 18, the city received just 20 visitors.

Executive Order No. 50-A issued by Mayor Benjamin Magalong now allows the entry of tourists from GCQ and MGCQ areas provided they have the approved QR (quick response)-coded tourist pass from the online registration platform.

Tourists from high-risk areas, particularly those under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, are not yet allowed for leisure purposes.

“All tourists are mandated to undergo triage check-up to ensure that they do not have symptoms of Covid-19 aside from the negative test result,” Mapalo said.

The city government offers antigen test for P500 at the Baguio Convention Center, the central triage for non-residents.

A maximum limit of 3,000 per day was set by the city government but Mapalo said data from the online platform showed Baguio barely reaches 1,000 registrations daily because of restrictions.

“Those who pre-register do not necessarily arrive in Baguio,” Mapalo said.

Arrivals peaked sometime in March when a negative test result was scrapped.

“We had over 6,000 registrations but only half arrived. This was also the time that we were overwhelmed at the triage dahil sabay-sabay dumating at nakapila lahat sa triage (they arrived at the same time, creating a queue at the triage),” Mapalo said.

When negative test result was required anew, tourist registration dwindled to less than 5,000, with only 20 percent arriving.

“Tourist arrival decreased steadily after that especially during the implementation of the travel restriction from the NCR Plus bubble,” Mapalo said.

The Lenten Season sees a peak in tourism with over 100,000 visitors but for two years now, Mapalo said they had none.

From October 2020 until March 2021, tourist arrivals reached 61,574, including 24,000 in March Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce