Philippine News Today

1 June 9-15, 2022

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

w w w .p n e w s to d a y .c o m

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

Vol. 61 No. 44 June 9-15, 2022

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

PNP ON FULL ALERT OVER BOMBINGS, INAUGURATION National Museum readied for June 30 rites

By ALFRED GABOT, Editor-in-Chief

Support Marcos Jr., Duterte tells Filipinos

By Claire Morales True

Na�onal Museum, (Inset) President-elect BongBong Marcos

MANILA — Following a series of bombings in Mindanao last week and this week and as part of the security preparation for the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on June 30 and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio on June 19, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on full alert staP a g e 9 tus nationwide, including in Metro Manila.

Marcos Jr regime likely to start on low note

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor

MANILA – President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may not be prepared for the serious problems facing his administration.

The problems are already affecting Filipino consumers, and are seen to get worse before they get any better.

Consider that consumers are seeing gasoline and petroleum rocketing to alltime highs, even as they were told this

week that his campaign promise to lower the price of rice to P20/ kilo will not happen this year, or even next year as initially predicted.

In ation hit a 42-month high, and there are no signs of abating based on the upward trajectory of the past four months.

Agriculture Secretary W illiam Dar said W ednesday, June 8, that P a g e 8

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has started singing another tune on President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this time enjoining Filipinos to “come to terms” with the results of the May 9 polls and support Marcos and incoming leaders who need the people’s cooperation to ensure the country’s success.

“President-elect Marcos would need the cooperation and help of everybody.

W e must give it to him,” Duterte said in his fourth-to-the last Talk to the People.

“My fellow Filipinos, the next administration needs all our support and solidar-

ity. Let us therefore give them our goodwill and best wishes as they endeavor to lead our country towards a better future,” he added.

At the same time, Duterte assured the public of a “smooth” and “peaceful” transition of power to his successor.

“As we approach June 30, this administration is both ready and eager to hand over the reins of government to our incoming leaders. I assure everyone that this process will be smooth and peaceful as we want the next administration to succeed for the benefit of country,” P a g e 8

Llamas elected Alameda County Superior Court judge; Rob Bonta wins big as CA Attorney General

By Jun Nucum O AKLAND, California - Commissioner Pelayo A. Llamas, Jr. was elected as Judge of the Superior Court of California for the County of Alameda, Office .#12 Meanwhile, Filipino American California State Attorney General Rob Bonta won heavily in his bid for a full term as Attorney General of the State of California garnering 69,19 or 73.38% of the total votes from 454 total pre- P a g e 8 Pelayo Llamas

Rob Bonta

Estrella, Carlos named to Marcos Cabinet

PHL govt debt soars to P12.76 trillion VIEWS & COMMENTS

Can you naturalize if you overstayed your green card?

By A�y. Lozano

P a g e 14

SHOWBIZ

Robin Padilla rushed to hospital in Spain, doing well P a g e 16

SPORTS

FilAm Wesley So wins in Norway, outranks Carlsen P a g e 21

P6

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

$1.00= P52.41

June 9, 2022 1: 4 0a m

P2

 NATIONAL NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

2

Marcos picks Estrella as agrarian reform secretary, Carlos at NSC

By Claire Morales True MANDALUYO NG CITY - Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has announced his choices for two more Cabinet members -- Deputy Speaker Conrado Estrella III as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform and retired University of the Philippines Professor Clarita Carlos as National Security Adviser.

Estrella, 6 1 , a veteran lawmaker who is an Abono party-list representative in the 1 8 th Congress, accepted the post once held by his grandfather, former Pangasinan governor and agrarian reform secretary Conrado F. Estrella Sr. under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Estrella principally authored 9 0 measures and co-authored 8 6 bills in the 1 8 th Congress.

Estrella was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1 9 8 7 and 1 9 9 5 , representing the six th district of Pangasinan.

In the 8 th Congress, he was one of the

youngest elected representatives at age 2 6 .

H e was elected back to the same seat from 2 0 0 1 to 2 0 1 0 . In 2 0 1 3 , he became the party-list representative of Abono succeeding his brother Robert Raymond Estrella.

Carlos is the ex ecutive director of the Center for Political and Democratic Reform Inc, a non-government and non-profit think-tank.

Marcos earlier said that Carlos could help his administration with her knowledge of foreign policy and international politics.

Carlos served as the first female and civilian president of the National Defense College of the Philippines, serving from August 1 9 9 8 to O ctober 2 0 0 1 .

According to the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, Carlos has authored many books and papers on a wide range of themes spanning politics, governance, defense and security, and foreign policy.

The National Security Council, which

is under the Office of the President, is the principal advisory body on the proper coordination and integration of plans and policies affecting national security.

The NSC Secretariat, the permanent body that provides technical support to the Council Proper, will be headed by the NSA. Marcos has so far named 1 5 individuals who will be joining his Cabinet.

H e earlier nominated P R E S I D E N T -E L E C T F er d i na nd M a r c o s Jr . a nd D ep ut y his long-time chief of staff S p ea k er C o nr a d o E s t r el l a I I I , t h e i nc o m i ng S ec r et a r y o f t h e and spokesperson Vic Ro- D ep a r t m ent o f A g r a r i a n R ef o r m . driguez as Ex ecutive Secas National Economic and Development retary, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte- Authority secretary, Benjamin Diokno as Carpio as Education secretary, and Davao Finance secretary, Alfred Pascual as Trade del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo Jr. as Secretary, and Felipe Medalla as Bangko Special Assistant to the President.

Sentral ng Pilipinas governor.

Marcos also tapped Arsenio Balisacan

PHL, US Marines hold tactical, heliborne exercises PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – Marine units of the Philippines and the United States are conducting ex ercises that would enhance their interoperability in combined tactical and heliborne operations.

The ex ercises, formally called the “Marine Aviation Support Activity 2 0 2 2 ” ( MASA 2 2 ) , began on June 6 and ends on June 1 7 , Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office

chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement.

It is a bilateral ex ercise between the Philippine Marine Corps ( PMC) and the United States Marine Corps ( USMC) .

“Activities commenced on June 6 in the province of Palawan and will end on June 1 7 that includes combined joint forward arming and refueling demonstration, and a lecture on unmanned air systems operations,” Baclor said.

H e said four C-1 7 transport aircraft of the US Air Force arrived in Laoag City on Monday, along with a US C-1 3 0 plane that landed Tuesday carrying personnel and equipment for the second leg of the ex ercise from July 1 8 to 2 2 .

This series will feature lectures on sensor operations, air surveillance, air defense, and high-mobility artillery rocket system infiltration.

The MASA 2 2 also includes integrated and joint interoperability ac7 3 0 Madrid Street tivities, such as coastal San Francisco, CA 9 4 1 1 2 defense forward arming and refueling, and subject matter ex changes for unmanned aviation systems and engineering with participants from the Naval NOW AVAILABLE! Call or contact me for FREE consultations on home loans, refinancing, selling Air W ing of the Philiphomes, buying real estate and get your complimentary pine Navy and the Philipautographed copy of “REAL ESTATE & YOU” pine Air Force. ( $ 1 5 .9 5 Amazon price plus shipping and handling) PMC Commandant, subtitled “Your Basic Guide and Information for Maj. Gen. Nestor C. H erSuccessful Investing in Home Land and Income ico, recognized aviation’s Property.” Call or email me today! vital role in military op-

erations as he underscored the need to have a strong Navy and Marines.

Meanwhile, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific commander, Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, acknowledged that “training side-by-side increases a combined mili-

tary capability and friendship, which directly contributes strength to this alliance.”

Rudder also thanked the Philippine government for supporting the conduct of the MASA 2 2

C O M E L E C C H A I R M A N S a i d a m en P a ng a r ung a n, a nd C o m m i s s i o ner s G eo r g e G a r c i a a nd A i m ee N er i .

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

RNs and LVNs Ra t e :

RN - $ 7 5/ h o u r LVN - $ 50/ h o u r Re f e r r a l f e e : $ 25/ s h i f t

3 June 9-15, 2022

 NATIONAL NEWS

Ombudsman files charges vs ‘pastillas’ immigration officials MANILA – Bureau of Immigration ( BI) employees implicated in the so-called “pastillas” scam will still face separate administrative charges distinct from the suits filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The bail for the temporary liberty of each of the 43 BI officials and staff was recommended at P90,000 each.

The Ombudsman charged them with violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act after it was uncovered that they conspired in receiving bribe money from Chinese nationals who entered the country without going through regular and stringent profiling or screening.

The money was wrapped like pastillas candies, a milk-based soft delicacy.

The foreigners were reportedly referred by a travel agency and other Chinese nationals in the country.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the agency launched a parallel administrative

investigation after a fact-finding inquiry by the BI. fact-finding investigation committee (FFIC) to look into “The resolution of the separate administrative case is the alleged irregularity. also forthcoming,” Guevarra told reporters via text message on Tuesday.

H e said the respondents in the administrative complaint are not the same set in the criminal complaint submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the Ombudsman.

“It is the resolution of the administrative case that will determine the disciplinary action that may be taken against the respondents therein,” Guevarra said.

Among those slapped with graft charges were former Deputy Commissioner Marc Red Mariña s and senior immigration officers Grifton Medina, Erwin Orta ez, and Glenn Ford Comia.

In February 2020, the Senate probed the scheme, after which BI Commissioner Jaime Morente formed a

More areas under COVID-19 alert Level 1, alert level 2 until June 15 MANILA — Malacaña ng has updated the list of ar- eas under CO ID-19 Alert Level 1 and Alert Level 2 until June 15.

Areas under Alert Level 1 can accommodate full capacity in establishments and in public transport system.

To remain under Alert Level 1 are the 16 cities and one town of Metro Manila or National Capital egion, Baguio City and the Cordillera Administrative Region composed of Abra, Apayao, alinga and Mountain Province. Also under the same level alert in CA are Buguias and Tublay in Benguet and iangan, Lagawe and Lamut in Ifugao while the provinces of Benguet and Ifugao are under alert level 2.

The city of Santiago in Isabela and the province of Isabela, Batanes, Cagayan, Nueva izcaya and uirino in Cagayan alley are also under Alert Level 1 together with Angeles City and Pampanga, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Tarlac and ambales in Central Luzon.

Calabarzon provinces Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and izal and Lucena City are under Alert Level 1 while uezon province is under Alert Level 2 except for the towns of Atimonan, Candelaria, City of Tayabas, Dolores, Lucban, Mauban, Pagbilao, Plaridel, Polillo, uezon, Sampaloc, San Antonio and Tiaong which are under Alert Level 1.

355 Gellert Blvd., Suite 110, Daly City, CA 94015

CALL US TODAY!

JONI DILAN: 415-864-9424

DOJ SELLER OR TRAVEL # 2025230-40

 METRO NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

1 killed, P61-M ‘shabu’ seized in Parañaque PARANAQUE CITY – An alleged drug dealer was killed in a buy-bust operation that yielded 9 kg. of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P6 1 million, in Parañ aque City on the night of June 7 .

Philippine National Police (PNP) Officer in Charge, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., said the operation resulted in the death of Joe Marie O rdiales, alias “Roger”, one of the two suspects targeted by the operation that was conducted at about 9 :3 0 p.m. in Barangay Dongalo.

The other suspect, identified as Arturo Santos Jr., alias “Pugo”, eluded arrest.

“Actually, itong case na ito ay result ng

follow-up operation. Kung maalala niyo yung operation doon sa may Mindanao Avenue sa Quezon City last March 2 0 2 2 wherein in coordination with the QCPD ( Quezon City Police District) , our PNP Drug Enforcement Group ( PDEG) was able to confiscate and apprehend more or less 5 7 kilos ( Actually, this case is the result of a follow-up operation. If you remember the operation along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City last March 2 0 2 2 where, in coordination with the QCPD, our PDEG were able to confiscate more or less 5 7 kg.) ,” Danao said.

PDEG Director, Brig. Gen. Randy Peralta, said they carried out the buy-bust op-

eration after one of their men was able to negotiate for the purchase of a large quantity of shabu from the suspects.

“The suspects are well-known distributors of illegal drugs and connected to the MIK siblings and GIB group. Their modus is discreetly concealing illegal drugs on humidifiers, air fryers, and other appliances,” Peralta said.

The suspects traded shots with the PDEG operatives when the buy-bust was announced.

Seized during the operation were the illegal drugs that weighed about 9 kg., a sedan with plate number FAG 7 0 6 3 , a traveling bag, and a .4 5 -caliber pistol.

4

Manila hospitals Covid-19 occupancy rate down, active cases now only 20

Manila archdiocese starts building ‘center for exorcism’ MANILA – The Archdiocese of Manila has started the construction of a structure that will serve as a “center for exor cism”.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP) news website reported that the building will be known as the St. Michael Center for Spiritual

Liberation and Exor cism in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Fr. Francisco Syquia, director of the Archdiocese of Manila O ffice on Exorcism (AMOE), were present when the project broke ground on May .17

$495

408.286.9360 408.286.9311

“This center will minister to those in bondage to the devil who are therefore the poorest of the poor and are usually overlooked,” Syquia said.

The facility will house the archdiocese’s Commission on Ext raordinary Phenomena, the Ministry of Exor cism Office, and the Ministry on isions and Phenomena Office.

It will serve as the headquarters of the Philippine Association of Catholic Exor MANILA – The occupancy rate for cists, which is under the CBCP and also affiliated with the International Associa- coronavirus disease 2 0 1 9 ( Covid-1 9 ) patients in Manila’s six district hospitals is tion of Exor cists based in Italy.

The St. Michael Center’s chapel will down to 1 percent as of June 7 .

As of noon on June 7 , the city has be dedicated to O ur Lady of the Angels.

2 0 active Covid-1 9 cases after reporting three new infections.

At the Manila Covid-1 9 Field H ospital at the Rizal Park, only 1 1 beds, or 3 percent of the total 3 4 4 , are in use.

Data issued by the Manila Public Information Office showed that of the city’s 3 5 3 Covid-1 9 hospital beds, just five beds are currently occupied -- one each at O spital ng Sampaloc and O spital ng Maynila and three at Sta. Ana H ospital.

O spital ng Tondo, Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center in Tondo and Justice Jose Abad Santos General H ospital in Binondo have no Covid-1 9 admissions.

O f the 1 1 patients at the Manila Covid-1 9 Field H ospital, three are non-Manila residents who are overseas workers while the other eight are city residents.

All patients are considered mild cases.

The Manila Covid-1 9 Field H ospital will operate until December and will take in patients until then, according to City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Pangan.

O f the 2 0 active cases, Tondo 1 has five Sampaloc, four Paco and Pandacan, two each and Ermita, Malate, Port Area, San Andres, San Nicolas, Sta. Mesa and Sta. Ana has one each.

O verall, Manila has 1 .7 million fully vaccinated individuals aged 1 2 and Jo s e C a r d i na l A d v i nc ul a a nd above, ex ceeding its 1 .3 million target.

F r . F r a nc i s c o S y q ui a

5 June 9-15, 2022

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

Sorsogon’s Bulusan volcano erupts, Alert Level 1 up SO RSO GO N CITY – The Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province is acting up again.

After the volcano erupted over the weekend, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs) raised the alert status over the volcano to Alert Level 1, prompting evacuations by residents in the affected area.

Government and private groups distributed relief goods to the

evacuees and affected residents.

Some P30 million in agricultural crops like banana were destroyed in the initial expl osion.

The provincial government of Sorsogon and disaster response agencies in the Bicol region, meanwhile, started preparing for a “worst-case scenario” amid the unrest of Mount Bulusan.

“The Region 5 Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and the provincial government of Sorsogon are planning for a worst-case scenario -- which is a violent eruption of Mount Bulusan. If that happens, the danger zone will be expa nded to six kilometers and based on the assessment of the provincial government of Sorsogon, around 95,000 individuals will be affected,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

Plan to return to old name of Manila airport revived

( NDRRMC) exe cutive director Ricardo Jalad told Presi- water su dent Rodrigo Duterte during his Talk to the People briefPhivolcs said a phreatic eruption occurred at the Buing. lusan Volcano at 10: 37 a .m. on Sunday, June 5.

H azards that will come with an eruption include pyroclastic and lava ows, ashfall, lahar, and lahar mudow.

“Banggitin ko rin pala na doon sa contingency plan ng probinsya ng Sorsogon ay kung sakaling mangyari ang worst-case scenario ay i-evacuate nila ang buong munisipyo ng Irosin dahil malaki sa munisipyo ng Irosin ay nandoon mismo sa caldera ng Mount Bulusan. And ang mandatory or force evacuation ay mangyayari kapag itinaas na ang alert level ng Mount Bulusan to 3 or 4 ,” Jalad said.

Jalad, who is also the Office of Civil Defense administrator, said the Bicol RDRRMC has already been placed on blue alert.

He said communications lines in Bulusan-affected local government units are being maintained.

Jalad said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the NDRRMC O perations Center are constantly monitoring the situation in Mount Bulusan even as he urged residents residing near the volcano to comply with the advisories issued by their local government units and other government agencies.

H e said 2,784 families or around 13,920 persons from Irosin and Juban towns were affected by the ashfall emitted by Mount Bulusan phreatic eruption last June 5.

A total of 216 individuals or 53 families were evacuated from Barangay Puting Sapa, Juban. Damage to agriculture was placed at 3,698 hectares of crops and estimated to be worth P20.2 m illion.

Jalad said Mount Bulusan’s phreatic expl osion does not affect transportation, communications, power, and

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

6

Marcos to attend APEC summit in November MANILA – President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be attending the planned face-to-face Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand from November 18 to 19.

“Incoming President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos on Tuesday (June 7) has accepted an invitation to attend the planned face-to-face Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand this coming November 1819, 2022,” Marcos’ camp said in a press statement.

This came after the Thai government, chair of this year’s APEC, invited Marcos to participate in the summit that will be held in November this year.

Thai Chargé d’ Affaires Thawat Sumitmor to the APEC Summit relayed Thailand’s invitation when the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ambassadors paid a courtesy call on Marcos on Monday.

Thailand’s Chargé d’ Affaires joined

the ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Singapore, and Vietnam in paying a visit to Marcos at the presumptive president’s campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

“Marcos was personally invited by Thai Chargé d’ Affaires Thawat Sumitmor to the APEC Summit, in his capacity as representative of Thailand which is the current APEC Chair,” the Marcos camp said.

In 2019, the in-person APEC summit was canceled due to protests in Chile, the host country.

The APEC meetings in 2020 and 2021 were held virtually because of the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Thailand will host the APEC 2022 summit which will focus on the importance of facilitating the resumption of safe and convenient cross-border travel to hasten the region’s speedy and robust

economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s event will focus on “restoring connectivity by resuming safe and seamless cross-border travel, reinvigorating tourism and the services sector, facilitating business mobility as well as increasing investment in health security,” according to the APEC’s official website.

The theme for APEC 2022 is “Open.

Connect. Balance.”

Thailand, this year’s chair of APEC, aims to chart a post-Covid-19 future for the Asia-Pacific region by promoting “long-term growth that is resilient, inclusive, balanced and sustainable.”

The primary purpose of the APEC Summit is to promote sustainable economic growth, trade and investment, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Meantime, Marcos acknowledged Asean’s important role in reviving the region’s quick economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

SolGen seeks dismissal of High Court petition to cancel Marcos’ candidacy MANILA – Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition seeking to void the certificate of candidacy of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In his submission to the high court, Calida said the petition presented a “misleading” narrative that Marcos was not qualified to run for the highest post in the country.

Calida said Marcos was qualified to run for president since he was never convicted of an offense that bars him to gun for public office.

Civic leaders, represented by former SC spokesperson Theodore Te, sought to declare void from the beginning Marcos’ certificate of candidacy (COC) pointing out that Marcos was convicted by a Quezon City court for his multiple failures to file income tax returns from 1982 to 1985 when he was governor and vice governor

of Ilocos Norte.

All petitions were junked by the Comelec en banc.

“BBM (Marcos) is an eligible candidate and his COC is valid,” Calida said.

The SolGen also argued the petition filed by civic leaders led by Fr. Christian Buenafe of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines and Fides Lim of political prisoners’ group KAPATID is now moot as Congress already proclaimed Marcos as the winner of the 2022 presidential polls last May 25.

“Any objections as to the President’s qualifications now fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal,” the Solicitor General said.

Last June 1, Marcos, through lawyer Estelito Mendoza, a former solicitor general and justice secretary, asked the SC to

dismiss the petition for lack of jurisdiction and merit.

Calida also filed a separate submission that the SC has no power to restrain Congress from convening as the National Board of Canvassers in counting the votes for the positions of president and vice president “Congress had already steered the course of the next six years when it upheld the people’s will and declared private respondent as the President-elect. The electoral mandate from the sovereign Filipino people is the ultimate political expression that cannot be assailed at all,” Calida stated.

Marcos is the first presidential candidate to secure majority of the votes in the elections as he won over 31 million. His running mate Sara Duterte, daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo, also won by landslide victory in the vice presidential race.

PHL gov’t debts soar to P12.76 trillion in April MANILA — The national government’s debt pile inched closer to the P13trillion mark in April, putting the state in a precarious position that could spell trouble for the next administration’s spending needs as pandemic concerns abound.

Bureau of Treasury data released last week revealed that government liabilities reached P12.76 trillion in April, growing 0.7% month-on-month. Of the outstanding debt levels, 70% came from domestic borrowings while 30% came from external creditors.

The debt pile’s ascent was mainly due to the issuance of government securities and a weak peso in April. Since the beginning of the year, debts have piled up by 8.8% or P1.03 trillion.

Broken down, domestic borrowings reached P8.93 trillion in April, inching up 0.8% from the end-March levels. This

included tapping into domestic financing that amounted to P66.3 billion.

External debt rose 0.4% in the same period, largely due to P28.56 billion in additional loans and the effect of a depreciating peso that cost P31.5 billion.

The latest figures augur a concerning issue that experts have been warning about, especially since a growing debt pile would mean more taxpayers’ funds are needed for debt servicing in the coming years. The situation also means that the incoming Marcos Jr. administration would run the government and institute reforms with a very tight fiscal space.

By the end of 2021, state liabilities already accounted for 60.5% of the country’s gross domestic product, the highest ratio since 2005 and breaching the 60% threshold deemed manageable for emerging market economies.

“Elevated debt levels will be one of the main challenges faced early on by the incoming administration. Already we’re hearing about plans for a stimulus which can help bolster growth momentum. The best way to deal with high debt is to grow the economy at a faster clip so that the overall debt to gdp begin to fall,” Nicholas Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank in Manila, said.

“Thus the new administration will need to get creative in finding funding for these planned stimulus efforts to ensure additional spending measures do not bloat debt levels further, as this could catch the eye of ratings agencies. A debtto-gdp ratio above 60 percent is considered high and the longer the Philippines remains above this level, the higher the susceptibility to ratings downgrades,” Mapa added.

PHL joins global call vs. marine plastic waste PASAY CITY – The Philippine government has joined the urgent call to address the world’s massive plastic waste that continues to pollute the oceans.

“For many Filipinos, the sea is livelihood and life for all Filipinos as a nation it is our definition as such. We are a people of water, we’re a maritime and archipelagic country, with more than half our population, living and making a living in coastal zones,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on the celebration of World Oceans Day on June 8.

“The threat of the loss of the oceans and its boundaries are not just existential in the broad sense, rather they are dayto-day crisis that spell out how much of a decent life is at all possible,” he added.

In his message, Locsin also reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal No. 14, which sought to protect marine biodiversity.

“SDG 14 tells us to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. To this end, we must stop the scourge of marine plastic pollution, protect marine biodiversity, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction,” he said.

The top diplomat agreed that collective action for the ocean is needed now more than ever amid the “unprecedented, barely understood threats” to it on top of climate change and global warming.

Apart from microplastics and mismanaged coastal development, Locsin said regional disputes also impact the world’s oceans with artificial islandbuilding and drilling activities devastating coral reefs and “pushing marine ecosystems over the brink”.

The ocean covers over 70 percent of the planet and produces at least 50 percent of the earth’s oxygen.

To date, 90 percent of big fish populations have been depleted and at least 50 percent of coral reefs destroyed, according to the United Nations.

“We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life,” the international organization said.

“Revitalization: collective action for the ocean” is this year’s theme for World Oceans Day.

7 June 9-15, 2022

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

Marcos bares P623 M campaign expense; other presidential, V , enate bets file OC

MANILA - Senator Panfilo Lacson is the first presidential candidate in the May 2022 polls to file his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (Soce) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

After Lacson, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the political party of Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.,

reported it spent P272 million in the May 2022 elections, based on its SOCE. Lawyer George Briones, PFP general counsel, said their P272 million expenses in the last presidential campaign was “well below the maximum expenditure of P337 million allowed by law for a national political party.”

The 400-page SOCE, filed with the Commission on Elections on Monday, was signed by PFP national treasurer Anton Lagdameo, who was picked by Marcos to be the Special Assistant to the President (SAP) under his administration.

After his party’s filing, Marcos and two losing presidential aspirants also filed their SOCE with the Comelec, a day before the deadline of the one-month filing period.

Outgoing ice President Maria Leonor Leni obredo and Manila Mayor

Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso also filed their SOCE. The SOCE of Marcos showed he spent some P623 million during the 90day campaign period while he received around P624 million as contributions.

Earlier, losing presidential candidate Dr. Jose Montemayor also filed his SOCE. Two vice-presidential bets -- Dr. Willie Ong and Manny Lopez -- also filed their SOCE. Six more senatorial bets have submitted their SOCEs -- Loren Legarda (second placer with 24,264,979 votes), Sherwin Gatchalian (fourth placer, with 20,535,261 votes) and Francis Escudero (fifth placer, with 20,271,458 votes).

Other senatorial candidates who earlier filed their SOCEs are Carl Balita, former uezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, odolfo Javellana, former national

police chief Guillermo Eleazar, former senator Antonio Trillanes I , lawyer Chel Diokno, and winning senatorial bet Jose Jinggoy Estrada (12th place with 15,108,220 votes).

All winning and losing candidates, as well political parties are required to file their SOCEs under epublic Act No. 7166 otherwise known as the Synchronized Elections Act in 30 days after the May 9 elections.

A total of 11 party-list organizations have already filed their Soces, namely Abono, Senior Citizens,Bisaya Gyud, Ang abuhayan, Ako Bisaya, abalikat ng Mamamayan, Abante, Anakpawis, Ang Bumbero, Bayan Muna, and A Teacher. nido, on the other hand, is the lone political party that has so far filed its Soce.

Restrictions on activities in areas under Alert Level 1 lifted MANILA Despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the restrictions on indoor and outdoor activities in areas placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 have been lifted.

This was announced by Malacanang after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allowed the full operations of establishments in places under Alert Level 1.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the IATF-EID’s latest decision was contained in the updated guidelines on the nationwide alert level systems for Covid-19 approved on Saturday.

“The government pandemic task force recognizes the need to further identify the establishments and or activities which are allowed to operate, or be undertaken in Alert Level 1,” Andanar said in a press statement. nder the revised guidelines, all es-

tablishments and activities prohibited or allowed to operate or be undertaken in limited capacity under Alert Levels 5, 4, 3, and 2 can operate at “full 100 percent capacity” in areas under the most relaxed Alert Level 1.

However, a person participating in mass gatherings or entering indoor establishments must present proof of full vaccination against Covid-19, according to the new guidelines.

“Having said this, IATF allowed full 100 percent capacity under Alert Level 1, subject to presentation of proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments,” Andanar said.

From May 30 to June 5, the Philippines reported 1,295 new Covid-19 cases.

The country’s daily average of Covid-19 cases went down to 185 from May 30 to June 5, or 1.4 percent lower than the previous week, according to the data released by the Department of Health

PANGASINAN Congressman-elect Mar Co uangco (2nd district) meets t e o cers and memb er s o f t h e U ni t ed P a ng a s i na nes o f A m er i c a , I nc . ( U P A I ) t h e U P A I B ui l d i ng i n S a n F r a nc i s c o , Cali ornia. In oto rom le are real estate bro er, notary ublic and P ili ine Ne s Today columnist Art Gabot Madlaing, Re . Co uangco, Ernie Agli ay, UPAI leader, and Fred Almeron, P r es i d ent , U P A I .

(DOH).

While acknowledging that the country remained at “low risk” in terms of Covid-19 infection rate, Andanar said the government still needs to undertake a thorough study of the possible nationwide Alert Level 1.

“Palagay ko, kailangang pag-aralan ng mabuti (I think, we have to study that carefully),” Andanar said when asked if there is a possibility that all areas in the country might be placed under Alert Level 1 in the second half of June.

SAI RAM ASTROLOGER & PSYCHIC MISS DEVI SHAMALA

 NATIONAL NEWS Marcos...

June 9-15, 2022

(From page 1)

lowering the price of rice to P20 i s “not yet possible.”

The average retail price of rice is currently double that, and is expe cted to rise further until early next year.

Gasoline and petroleum prices, meanwhile, have been on a general upward trend and as of this week was inching closer to the negative psychological milestone of P100 liter of premium gasoline.

So high are the retail prices of gasoline and diesel that jeepney drivers and operators were allowed to raise their minimum fare to P10 from the previous P9 for short trips effective Thursday, June 10.

The large transport organizations have actually been seeking a hike to P15 for the first four kilometers, but jeepney drivers’ groups were divided on the matter.

Those who opposed the drastic increase said it would likely result in fewer passengers, as commuters would prefer to walk than pay for short rides.

The sky high prices of transportation has a domino

LLamas..

(From page 1)

cincts.

Bonta won over Eric Early, who got 9,392 votes; Nathan H ochman, 7,517 votes; Anne Marie Schubert, 5, 318 vot es and Dan Kapelovitz, 2,879 vot es.

According to the Alameda County Election site, Commissioner Llamas received 6,391 votes. Mail-in ballots are not expe cted to change the result. Judgeelect Llamas will take office on January 3, 2023.

Judge-elect Llamas is the first Filipino JapaneseAmerican judicial officer to serve in Alameda County and is the first ever to be elected as a judge in all of Northern California. H e was endorsed by over 45 Superior Court judicial officers, Attorney General ob Bonta, and dozens of Alameda County elected officials. He is

Support...

(From page 1)

he said.

H e noted that it is only though unity and compassion that the nation and people could overcome the country’s challenges.

It can be recalled that Duterte did not endorse Marcos or any presidential candi-

$50m...

(From page 1)

8

effect of causing increases in the prices of nearly all consumer goods, particularly essentials such as rice, beef, pork, chicken, fruits and vegetables, all of which are shipped in to Metro Manila from the provinces.

The constant rise in prices of goods and services, referred to as in ation, hit a 42-month high of 5.4 percent in May. The average for the past five months stood at 4.1 percent, which is higher than the government’s target range of between two to four percent for the year.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects in ation to continue its upward trend for the remainder of .20 The lead economist of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Jun Neri, told local media that in ation was not expe cted to slow down from this month all the way to February of next year.

In order to keep in ation under control, the BSP is expe cted to raise interest rates. In simplest terms, consumers will have to pay more if they borrow from local

banks and this will result in fewer borrowers. This will, in turn, depress sales of big ticket items such as real estate, motor vehicles, and consumer as well as business loans.

Global investment banker Goldman Sachs said it expects in ationary pressure in the Philippines to continue until the first quarter of next year.

Meanwhile, the effects of the pandemic still linger, and outgoing Health Secretary Francisco Duque admitted that the Duterte administration was not able to meet its target of having 7 million Filipinos vaccinated by end-June. This, after the target had been lowered from the original 90 m illion.

The government’s booster drive has also been “anemic,” Duque said.

It will be up to the new administration to complete what the Duterte administration could not, he said.

For the incoming president, therefore, the traditional first 100-days’ honeymoon period may not be as happy as he expe cts.

a past board member and officer of the Alameda County Bar Association, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, and the Earl W arren American Inn of Court.

Since 2019, Judge-elect Llamas has served as a Superior Court Commissioner in Alameda County in criminal and civil law assignments. Previously, he was a deputy city attorney for over 18 years at the O akland City Attorney’s Office. He started his legal career at the Oakland Firm Larson & Burnham in 192, followed by a year at Berding & W eil ( currently in W alnut Creek) . H e earned his JD law degree from Santa Clara University in 192 where he received a Law Faculty Scholarship, was elected to the Student Bar Association, and participated in the Asian Pacific Law Students Association. He was awarded his AB bachelor’s from UC Berkeley in 1986 where he participated in UC Jazz Ensembles. H e is a graduate of El Cerrito H igh School and has been an O ak-

land resident since 192.

Judge-elect Llamas’ has been committed to public service in a family tradition that reaches back 10 years in the Philippines. H is grandfather Vicente Llamas was a Justice of the Peace, City Councilor, and Provincial Governor in Laguna Province under Spanish and American rule. H is father was a career Ambassador and his uncle Carlos P. omulo and cousin oberto . omulo both served under the administrations of nine different presidencies, including the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Judge-elect Llamas states “I thank everyone who voted for and supported me over the years. This victory is the result of many years of effort and dedication. I pledge to serve the law and the people with distinction and empathy.”

date in the May 9 elections, even criticizing Marcos as a “weak leader.” Duterte, however, rooted for Marcos’ runningmate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who won overwhelming as the country’s next vice president.

Duterte, who vows out of office at noon on June 30 concluding a six- year term, said the public must respect the decision of the majority, adding that it is the essence of democracy.

“Pag nagsalita na yung taongbayan kung sino yung mga leader na gusto nila, sunod tayo. Iwasan ninyo ang politika ( O nce the people have decided on who they want as leader, we have to follow. Avoid politicking) ,” he added.

Duterte said Filipinos must be “united” in confronting issues such as the prevailing Covid-19 health crisis and speeding up post-pandemic recovery.

“W e have no room for politicking or actions that are divisive to the country.

Nagsalita na ang tao, may mga lider tayo, and me, wala na ako ( The people have spoken, we have a leader, and me, I’m about to leave) .

I will say nothing,” he said.

H e said it is wrong to “just plain criticize” the incoming administration that has barely started implementing any policies and programs.

LAW OFFICE OF

& ASSOCIATES 3255 Wilshire Blvd. Ste# 1010 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Tel: (213) 388-9925 Fax: (213) 388-6080 ocampolawofc@yahoo.com

C A L I F O R N I A L A W Y E R S I N C E 1993 FOR COMPETENT & AFFORDABLE LEGAL SERVICES COMPLIMENTARY/FREE CONSULTATION

U S IM M IG R A T IO N L A W

FAMILY/EMPLOYMENT BASED PETITIONS LABOR CERTIFICATION DACA LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN DEPORTATION/REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS DIVORCE

F A M ILY L A W

SPOUSAL SUPPORT CHILD CUSTODY/SUPPORT/VISITATION ADOPTION GUARDIANSHIP

P E R S O N A L I N JU R Y

AUTO ACCIDENTS

PREMISES LIABILITY

SLIP AND FALL CASES

L A B O R / E M P L O Y M E N T L A W

WRONGFUL TERMINATION WAGE AND HOUR DISPUTES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROBATE

DISCRIMINATION

E S T A T E P L A N N IN G

WILLS

TRUSTS

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

T R E A T O T H E R S A S Y O U W O U L D H A V E T H E M

T R E A T Y O U

9 June 9-15, 2022 PNP...

(From page 1)

Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. raised the full alert for all PNP forces after two ex plosions jolted Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat last week, injuring at least five persons.

Danao said enforcing the full alert is necessary to prevent more bombings and other acts of terrorism in other parts of the country, including Metro Manila.

Danao, at the same time, appealed for understanding from the public, especially commuters, as stricter security measures would be imposed in public transportation hubs.

He called on the people to comply with random inspections by police officers, saying these measures are necessary for everyone’s protection. “ ung wala naman po tayong dinadalang anything na bawal, I would request our kababayans to just give in to the inspections,” Danao said.

He also urged the public to immediately report suspicious-looking persons and unattended items, such as bags left on the streets Days after the two ex plosions, two more separate blasts were recorded this week in Isabela City, Basilan, one of which was in a bus terminal.

Three persons were injured during the blasts.

No serious threats, however, have been monitored for the inauguration of President-elect Marcos, Jr. at the National Museum, formerly the Legislative building, near the Manila City H all, on June 3 0 and for Vice President-elect Duterte-Carpio in in Davao City.

Around 7 ,0 0 0 to 8 ,0 0 0 cops will be deployed to ensure the security of the inauguration of President-elect Marcos Jr. on June 3 0 , Manila Police District ( MPD) chief Police Brig.

Gen. Leo Francisco said.

Francisco said the National Capital egion Police Office (NC PO) and the Philippine National Police National Headquarters will provide additional deployment.

NCRPO Director Major Gen. Felipe Natividad, at the same time, assured the PNP NCRPO will keep their guard up, continue their vigilance and maximize police presence even after the elections, including the gun ban, have ended.

PNP Chief Gen. Danao said that with the heightened alert, the PNP adopted ex tra security precautions and increased police visibility, especially in crowded areas like bus and other transportation terminals and hubs, random inspections on luggages and the deployment of bus marshals

and bomb-sniffing dogs.

Colonel Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, said in a public briefing the heightened status triggered the national police to increase cops’ visibility in public transportation terminals and provide bus marshals, as ordered by acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. “Nationwide ay nakafull alert po tayo para masiguro po na hindi masusundan yung mga naitala po nating pagsabog,” Col. Fajardo said at the briefing.

“Magkakaroon din po tayo ng random inspection doon sa mga bagahe na bitbit ng ating mga kababayan at dine-deploy na rin natin yung mga bombing sniffing dogs nationwide para makatulong po sa pagbabantay doon sa ating public terminal,” she added.

Col. Fajardo said the PNP believes the Soccsksargen bombings were linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters while the Basilan ex plosion was supposedly linked to the “remnants of Abu Sayyaf.”

“Pagkatapos ng mga sunod-sunod na pagsabog sa mga nasabing lugar ay nagtaas ng alert level ang PNP nationwide ay naka full alert tayo para hindi masusundan yung mga naitala nating pagsabog,” Fajardo said.

In Basilan, Lt. Col. Junpikar Sitin, Isabela police chief, said initial investigation showed that an Abu Sayyaf bandit was behind the bomb explosion in the parking lot of a fastfood chain in Barangay Isabela Proper.

Sitin cited footage of closed-circuit television cameras at the scene, which caught a motorcycle rider leaving a container that exploded minutes after he left.

Sitin gave a report during a peace and order council meeting called by Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman.

 NATIONAL NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

10

PHL joins 25 countries in world’s largest naval exercises MANILA— The Philippines will be joining 25 other nations in the world’s largest maritime ex ercise, the United States Navy and the Philippine Navy announced.

The US Navy said the biennial Rim of the Pacific will be conducted from June 29 to August 4 in and around the H awaiian Islands and Southern California.

Approxi mately 25,0 personnel, 38 surface ships, four submarines, nine national land forces, and more than 17 0 aircraft from 26 countries are expe cted to join the exe rcise.

“As the world’s largest international maritime exe rcise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s interconnected oceans,” the US Navy said.

The Philippine Navy said it will be sending one of its two brand-new missile frigates, the BRP Antonio Luna ( FF-151) , to this year’s im of the Pacific ( IMPAC) exe rcise.

Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said BRP Antonio Luna is part of the PN’s Naval Task Group ( NTG) 80.5 which will serve as the country’s representatives to the US Navy-lead maritime exe rcise. “( NTG 80.5 is) composed of Navy personnel aboard the Jose izal-class

N A V A L E X E R C I S E . T h e Jo s e R i z a l -c l a s s f r i g a t e, B R P A nt o ni o L una ( F F -151) , s h o w n h er e o n er recent symbolic doc ing at Na al O era�ng Base Subic, ill oin t is year s Rim o t e Paci c E ercise rom June 29 to Aug. 4.

frigate BRP Antonio Luna and an AgustaW estland AW -109 aircraft. The task group, set to sail on June 8 from Naval O perating Base Subic,” he added.

Negranza said NTG 80.5 will help develop, maintain, and enhance the Navy’s pursuit of maritime collaboration with its counterparts through the exe rcise. “( RIMPAC is) one of the PN’s major International Defense and Security Engagement activities,” he added.

The PN’s participation in RIMPAC 20, themed “Capable, Adaptive, Part-

ners,” will be its third in the largest and premier maritime exe rcise, after its maiden participation in 2018 and its sophomore run in 20.

“Exe rcise RIMPAC is held biennially to promote regional stability in the Pacific region. This year’s iteration is scheduled to include 27 naval forces all across the globe,” Negranza said.

In the 2018 RIMPAC, the Navy deployed the offshore patrol vessel, B P Andres Bonifacio ( PS-17) while on the 20 iteration of the maritime exe rcise,

the PN sent the country’s first missile frigate, the B P Jose izal (FF-150).

Both the B P Jose izal and B P Antonio Luna are capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare operations.

The contract for the two ships was P16 billion and an additional P2 billion for weapon systems and munitions.

This year’s participating forces will come from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, IIsrael, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Z ealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom and the United States.

The participating forces will be trained on capabilities, such as: disaster relief and maritime security operations sea control and complex warfighting amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exe rcises counter-piracy operations mine clearance operations expl osive ordnance disposal diving and salvage operations “During RIMPAC, a network of capable, adaptive partners train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the S Navy said.

1 - 8 7 7 - 4 5 6 - 9 2 6 6 w w w .c r is p in lo z a n o la w .c o m • • • •

Deportation and Removal Defense Waiver of Misrepresentation Self Petition for Abused Spouse Waiver of Crimes and Inadmissibility • Fiancé Visa Petition

1290 B Street, Suite 205 Hayward, CA 94541

• Eliminate Credit Card Debts • Stop Collections and Harassments

17215 Studebaker RD., Suite 337 Cerritos, CA 90703

11 June 10-16 , 2022

 OPINION Wear orange vs gun violence

J

EDITORIAL

W

The Philippines’ worst Senate ever e must resign ourselves to the fact that the incoming Senate of the Republic of the Philippines will be the worst ever.

By the early actions of incoming Senate President Migs Z ubiri, the co-equal branch of government will be totally beholden to President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Z ubiri has said, among other things, that the people should forget the past, including the multi-billion dollar debt that the incoming chief ex ecutive owes the government. Also, the disqualification case against Marcos Jr. should also be disregarded.

And we thought that the current Senate was pretty bad. By comparison, the new Senate will be a madhouse. As one song goes, it will be “jokers to the left of me, clowns to the right of me.”

Already, topnotcher Robin Padilla has been assigned to head the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. The washed up action star has no legal background, he never even completed high school.

W e truly shudder to think what the Senate hearings will be like.

Speaking of the outgoing Senate, all the time and effort it devoted to ferret out the truth behind the Pharmally Pharmaceutical scandal has gone to waste.

To recall, Pharmally was a nondescript company apparently formed for the sole purpose of earning billions of pesos by supplying the Philippine government with substandard medical supplies.

Ignore the name, as Pharmally wasn’t even a pharmaceutical company. It was nothing more than a trading company that bought the medical supplies from a Chinese company with hefty kickbacks for the owners. O r commissions, if you will.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee did an ex cellent job of unearthing the truth, but guess what Not enough members of the panel were willing to sign the final report which would have sent it to the plenary for debates and further questioning, thereby resulting in its archiving.

Eleven votes were needed, representing the simple majority of the Blue Ribbon’s membership. O nly nine signed.

O ne senator who said he would sign the report on the condition that President Rodrigo Duterte be ex cluded from the list of likely guilty parties was none other than the incoming Senate President.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. The abovementioned Migs Z ubiri wanted to clear the president despite a wealth of proof that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Retiring Senate President Tito Sotto may have been a comedian not too long ago, but he still did a credible job of allowing the Blue Ribbon to get to the bottom of the biggest scandal – and there were many – that marred the Duterte administration.

Incidentally, the other half of the bicameral Congress, the H ouse of Representatives, will be led by a Speaker who is the first cousin of the incoming president.

The country will, therefore, have a rubber stamp Congress not unlike the legislature during the martial law years of the dictator-father and namesake of the new president.

The country will end up as a democracy in name only, AKA a banana republic.

W hat, we ask, has our motherland done to deserve its tragic fate?

Upside

UNE 2 was the birthday of H adiya Pendleton.

The name may not ring a bell, but opponents of gun violence first commemorated the day she was born in what would have been her 1 8 th birthday in 2 0 1 5 .

Three days around June 2 , proponents of gun violence prevention wear orange in honor of H adiya, the Chicago teen who had marched in President O bama’s inaugural parade January 2 1 , 2 0 1 3 and then was shot and killed at a Chicago playground the following CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO week.

The tragedy spurred H adiya’s friends to wear orange, the color people who hunt don to stand out in the woods to avoid being shot like their prey.

Maybe schoolchildren, their teachers and administrators should start wearing orange to remind legislators of the continuing carnage where the innocent begin learning about the beauty of life – not the danger in congregating with peers in a rite of passage for most human beings.

W hy to this day, a troubled individual may easily own guns – from handguns to assault ri es in some states is mindboggling. Even more incredible is that certain legislators deny the need for gun control hence their failure to deter those determined to take out their issues on unsuspecting strangers.

Many Americans go about our daily lives by saying the Act of Contrition, if we’re Christian, just in case we stand in the way of someone with a gun and an hefty ax to grind.

W e can’t keep up with recent massacres anymore.

Do you remember Columbine H igh School 1 9 9 9 in Colorado? Killed 1 5 .

Sandy H ook Elementary 2 0 1 2 in Connecticut? Killed 2 6 .

Pulse Night Club 2 0 1 6 in O rlando? Killed 4 9 .

The H arvest Festival music concert 2 0 1 7 in Las Vegas? Killed 6 1 .

Parkland H igh School 2 0 1 7 in Florida? Killed 1 7 .

W almart 2 0 1 9 in El Paso? Killed 2 3 .

Just last month at a grocery store in Buffalo, New ork illed 20.

Not even a month after, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde outside Dallas: 1 9 schoolkids and 2 adults.

W ithin days, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Ted Cruz attended the NRA Convention in H ouston, while bereaved parents and families – the husband of the teacher killed, suffered a heart attack and died while viewing a shrine to his wife – and a multitude of heartbroken citizens grieved, begging for President Biden and Congress to “do something.”

W e may not have the power like McConnell et al, but we(C ont i nue d on page 27)

Philippine News Today is published weekly by Philippines Today LLC with business and editorial offices at 1290 bayshore hwy unit 151Burlingame ca 94010 Phone no . 650-872-3200 E-fax # 650-745-1442 and website address www.pnewstoday.com and email address advertising@philippinestodayus.com or editor@philippinestodayus.com MANILA OFFICE: Le Marquis Townhomes, 51 P. Tuazon Blvd. Quezon City 1112, Tels. 8546.8426, 8451.1892, 8546.8421

FRANCIS ESPIRITU MARILYN B. KING

Vice President for Sales and Marketing

BETING LAYGO DOLOR Manila Editor

JUNNI RANILLO

Entertainment Editor

ANGELO LOPEZ Cartoonist

ELEANOR SMITH Office Manager

NICK SAGMIT GEORGE GANGE RENE AVENIDO

Photo Correspondents

Publisher/President

THELMA L. CRUZ

Vice President for Operations & Promotions

CHERIE QUEROL MORENO Executive Editor

NEIL GONZALES

Chief Correspondent Northern California

LYDIA SOLIS

Chief Correspondent Southern California

MA. CECILIA G. MADELO Graphic Director

GILDA PASION BALAN FRANCO G. REGALA ALI MACABALANG JEANNE MICHAEL PENARANDA Manila Correspondents

ALFRED G. GABOT Editor-in-chief

CLAIRE M. TRUE Managing Editor

JO ERLINDA YABUT Entertainment Editor

THOMAS G. MADELO JR. Creative Director

BLESIE D. SISON ALBERT MARTINEZ RENE AMON Account Executives

VAL G. ABELGAS, HOMOBONO A. ADAZA, PERRY DIAZ, JOJO LIANGCO, JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES, ROY C. MABASA, ART G. MADLAING, FR. JOEPEL PADIT, RODEL E. RODIS, LOURDES TANCINCO ESQ, MELANDREW T. VELASCO, DANTES & CYNTHIA VELUZ, CRISTINA OSMENA, LUDY ONGKEKO. COLUMNISTS

The views and opinions expressed herein by writers, columnists and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, management and staff of Philippines Today. We are not responsible for incorrect printing, photographical errors or information listed or for loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts.

Reproduction or redistribution in whole or in part is prohibited.

 OPINION

June 9-15, 2022

s book author and columnist, I’m blessed and fortunate to complete reading last week the 960pages biography of W arren Buffett entitled “TH E SNO W BALL Warren Buffett and the Business of Life” written by insurance industry analyst and gifted writer Alice A RT G A B OT MA D LA ING Schroeder.

Warren Buffett was the richest man on earth in 208 described as the Sage of O maha” and “O racle of O maha.” Although the media track him constantly, Buffett himself has never told his full life story.

In this biography, I found some very interesting similarities in his life and expe riences. W e’re both born in the month of August. H e will be 92 years old on August 30 ,202 and I’ll be 75 years old on August 18, 20.

W e’re both not high-tech savvy. In 193, upon the persuasion of Sharon O sberg, Buffett placed his hand on a computer mouse for the first time. We’re both former newspaper publishers. Buffett published the monthly O maha Sun in 197 which won a Putlitzer Prize while I published the weekly PH ILIPPINE E AMINE for five years in the mid 80s.

W e’re both voracious readers. W e both read regularly newspapers, magazines, books and biographies of in uential and successful leaders like Andrew Carnegie, Abraham Lincoln, W inston Churchill, George W ashington, H enry Ford, Mahatma Gandhi and others.

Warren Buffett advised everybody, particularly the youth, to spend more time reading good books and avoid wasting so much time in the internet specially the high-tech gadgets.

I encourage our readers and the general public to follow the advice of Warren Buffett and start building your reading list this summer.

For a start, read the “THE SNOWBALL Warren Buffett and the Business of Life.” You can also start ordering from Amazon and read the following books for a successful and balanced life.

1.

LIFESTYLE FO R LO NGEVITY subtitled “H ow to be H ealthy Emotionally, Financially, Physically, Sexua lly and Spiritually.” This five-part book covers the experiences and vision of the author as father, grandfather and husband for 48 years. The author is founder of FITNESS FO R H UMANITY, accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed real estate broker ( DRE#063597) in California since 198 . The 404-pages book will encourage, help and motivate readers to become healthy emotionally, financially, physically, sexually and spiritually. This is a must reading as practical guide for optimum health and balanced life. It can be classified under PO SITIVE TH INKING, REAL ESTATE & INVESTMENT, PH YSICAL FITNESS, SEX UALITY and RELIGIO N. 2.

Quenching the Devil’s Darts and Proverbs – This is a great guide to ext ra ordinary wisdom. The categorization that is done in this book with the subjects alphabetically arranged like concordance and a commentary at the same time is exc ellent and incomparable. Each Christian home must have a copy of this God-sent compendium.

3.

REAL ESTATE & YO U” subtitled “Your Basic Guide and Information for Successful Investing in H ome, Land and Income Property.” This is a must reading for firsttime homebuyers, sellers and those interested in real estate.

H ere are some comments/ review on the book. “Yes, this book is understandable for folks who haven’t spent years studying real estate laws and practices This book can save you money,” wrote Patrick Andersen, Managing Editor, Asian W eek. “ This book on real estate is very informative,” said Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Quidachay in San Francisco, California 4. JES S CH IST subtitled “The Final Days on Earth Before H is Return to H eaven” –This is a unique compilation of the accounts in the Four Gospels making them into a single dialogue about Jesus Christ. Every Christian must have a copy of this book.

5.

H ISTO RICITY O F JESUS subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.”

This is impressive array of documentary evidence to prove the exi stence of Jesus Christ and the reliability of the New Testament. This is a must reading for agnostics, atheist, believers and Christians. H ere are some comments and reviews on the book. “For reformation, moral and (C ont i nue on pag e 27)

A

A

Multiple challenges facing Bongbong’s presidency

W

H Y DO ES BO NGBO NG MARCO S want to be president of the Philippines? There are several answers to this question.

First and foremost, Bongbong wants to vindicate the name of his father and namesake, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., whose bloody reign during the marP ERRY D IA Z tial law has left thousands of tortured Filipinos who languished in jail for years.

Second, he wants to rewrite the history of the “conjugal dictatorship” of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Third, he wants to clear the graft and corruption cases against the Marcoses that are still pending in the Philippine courts. Fourth, he wants to eliminate the P2 0 3 billion estate tax due. Fifth, he wants to jumpstart the economy, which is on the brink of collapse. Six th, he wants to restructure the national debt, which now stands at $ 1 3 trillion or more than 6 0 % of 2 0 2 1 GDP. First let’s talk about his father’s bloody reign during the martial law era. Sen. Imee Marcos, daughter of the late dictator, said last O ctober that the public should focus their attention on helping the country recover from the CO VID-1 9 pandemic instead of reviving the issues on her father’s dictatorship, which she said was “one million years ago.”

Generation gap W hile it’s true that the post-martial law generations of young Filipinos cannot relate to the brutalities that older Filipinos suffered during the martial law, there is still a large albeit diminishing number of older Filipinos who lived and ex perienced the dark era of Marcos dictatorship. They may not forget but they can forgive because it’s in our national character to forgive but not necessarily forget.

But Bongbong could overcome memories of martial law if he proves to be a capable president. H aving yet to assume the presidency, we have to set this aside for now. The question is: Does he believe that he’s destined to be a great leader? At this point in time, destiny has been kind to Bongbong. It allowed him to overcome his family’s bad reputation during the presidency of Marcos Sr. That alone speaks volume of “destiny.” After reaching the apex of leadership with such ease, one can surmise that destiny played a major role in his victorious campaign that garnered him 31 million votes about 60%. Evidently, his youthful looks albeit his 64 years of age must have played effectively in pushing him to the top.

But recent analyses by political pundits have attributed the use of social media trolls who put down his opponent Leni Robredo while ex tolling Bongbong as a key factor in the campaign. Leni never had a chance to overcome the edge Bongbong had with his trolls. Indeed, Bongbong may have used the playbook of H itler’s Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels who once said, “A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.” And this played a key part in his attempt to rewrite the history of the “conjugal dictatorship” of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

It was noted that the disinformation propaganda, which used positive and negative messaging or telling lies about a candidate to boost an opponent’s image intensified in the lead-up to the May 2 0 2 2 elections. It added that many of the related posts benefitted Bongbong Marcos.

Rewriting history books Back in January 2020 long before he won the presidential election Bongbong renewed call to rewrite history textbooks, which is tantamount to historical revisionism.

“This is a clear move at historical revisionism and another desperate attempt by the Marcoses to erase the memory of the horrors of Martial Law and absolve the sins of their father,” said human rights lawyer and Liberal Party (LP) official Erin Tañ ada, who is the opposition party’s vice president for ex ternal affairs. “The Marcoses wish to fade into oblivion the abuses committed during the dictatorial regime where thousands of Filipinos were killed and tortured, and billions of pesos from the national treasury were stolen,” he added.

Third, he wants to clear the graft and corruption cases against the Marcoses that are still pending in the Philippine courts.

In 1 9 8 6 , the Philippine Commission on Good Government ( PCGG) was created by then President Corazon Aquino to recover the ill-gotten wealth ac(C ont i nue on page 27)

PerryScope

s it observes its 2 5 th year as a water concessionaire this year, congratulations are in order for Manila W ater Services, Inc. for garnering 7 th place on LinkedIn’s Top 2 0 2 2 companies in the Philippines for professionals to grow their careers.

This is a feat for the water company that also landed in LinkedIn’s list of best workMELA ND REW T . V ELA S CO places last year.

Criteria for inclusion in the list include ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and spread of educational background. Companies in the list are those that offer stability to their employees and attracting new ones.

The recognition given by LinkedIn is testament to Manila Water’s efforts in improving the well-being of its employees and providing them with career growth that impact their lives in the process.

That the recognition awarded to Manila W ater for two consecutive years comes in the wake of CO Vid-1 9 pandemic makes it even more significant. “It shows how the company is totally committed to give the best of what we can do help our employees stay healthy, safe and productive in this unprecedented period of their working lives,” Manila W ater President and CEO JV Emmanuel de Dios had said.

Manila W ater has initiated its Total Employee W ell-being Programs to help its employees overcome the impact of the pandemic. This initiative centered on social, emotional, physical, psychological, career development and financial support to help employees cope with the uid uncertainty of their day-to-day work ex periences.

Manila W ater, now under the stewardship of business tycoon Enrique “Sonny” azon following a 24-year majority stakeholdership of the Ayalas, gets another affirmation as a top notch company as it is shortlisted as one of the best companies in the forthcoming Global W ater Awards under the W ater Company of the Year category. Joining Manila W ater, the only local-based company in the short list, are Aqualia, Metito and Saur. W inners of the 2 0 2 2 Global W ater Awards were announced at the Global W ater Summit in Madrid, Spain.

The water company has reaped accolades in the past. It received the Best Sustainability Award by Asset Asian Awards in 2 0 2 0 for its US$ 5 0 0 million sustainability bond issuance – the largest sustainability bond issued by a privately-led, publicly-listed water utility in Asia despite financial challenges due to the pandemic.

It earned recognition from the W orld Bank for its commitment to become a Utility of the Future. As a future-focused utility it provides reliable, safe, inclusive, transparent, and responsive water supply and sanitation services through best-fit practices that allow it to operate in an efficient, resilient and sustainable manner.

Manila W ater is also known to have pioneered sustainability practices in the Philippines it was the first domestic company to publish sustainability reports in 2005 the first to communicate climate change policies in 2007 and the first to publish sustainability reports in accordance with GRI Standards in 2 0 1 0 . It is poised to publicize its Environmental, Social, and Governance ( ESG) policies later this year.

Manila W ater, the MW SS concessionaire for the East Z one is serving 7 .3 million customers. The East Z one concession covers 2 3 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and Rizal namely Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, and parts of Quezon City and Manila in NCR; and Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jalajala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, Tanay, Taytay, Teresa, San Mateo and Antipolo in the province of Rizal. Among others, it has ex panded its local operations to Boracay, Clark, Cebu and Davao and internationally to Indonesia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Last year was indeed a banner year for the water company. It was granted another 2 5 -year franchise to operate by the Philippines Government. In collaboration with international partners, it also secured in 2021 a second high-profile water and wastewater management contract covering the eastern zone of Saudi Arabia reinforcing its presence in the country.

In 2 0 2 1 , it recorded its highest (C ont i nue on page 27)

Health & Wealth

Your Summer Reading Guide Is Here THE OUTSIDER

It’s banner year for Manila Water

12

13 June 9-15, 2022

 OPINION

T

Offline

he question is not whether he can deliver or not, but does he even realize that failure is not an option?

In a few weeks, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumes the post of 17t h President of the Republic of the Philippines, thereby making him responsible for the fate of more than a hundred million Filipinos, B ET ING D OLOR more or less.

H e must assure the safety and security of the country, first and foremost. This means dealing firmly with China, which has been encroaching on Philippine waters for the entirety of the Duterte administration. This has resulted in serious loss of income for our fishermen.

I will never forget the expe rience I had less than two years ago when, at the height of the pandemic, I was able to head to Z ambales for a short vacation at a friend’s resort. My partner and I headed for a nearby fishing community, where we bought some of the day’s catch.

One middle aged fisherman took me aside and pointed to a ship that was unmoving on the horizon.

It was a Chinese fishing vessel, he told me, and it was siphoning off what should have been the daily livelihood of hundreds of Filipino fishermen in that area alone.

H e was resigned to his sad fate, and was appreciative that we didn’t ask for a discount for the catch that we purchased, even if it seemed a bit expe nsive.

The local government could do nothing about the Chinese boat, he told me. H e and his community were told to welcome the crew of the vessel who would regularly come to shore to purchase supplies.

It was all BS, of course. The small sums spent was nothing compared to the lost income of the fishermen.

Very lately, it was reported that the Philippines would be importing fish to meet the growing demand. Local fishermen, it seems, are no longer able to supply the needs of the growing market.

As one wag said, we are importing fish that comes from our own waters, which were caught by Chinese boats, frozen, repacked, and exported back to our country. At a tidy profit, of course.

This is but one of the myriad of problems that the new president faces. Food security is under threat because Rodrigo Duterte was too scared of China to raise a diplomatic protest or to send Philippine Navy or Coast Guard ships to face off against the Chinese fishing vessels.

Marcos Jr. also has to face the loans incurred by the Duterte regime from China at usurious rates.

Soon, payments for those loans will be due, and not paying them is not an acceptable option. Not to China, at least. ery lately, news of the serious problems facing Sri Lanka has come to light, and at the root of that country’s deadly economic problems can be traced back to the corrupt political leadership which availed of massive loans – with substantial kickbacks, for sure – that are now due and payable.

That country has no means to pay for those loans, and China is now putting the squeeze on the poor country, whose solution is to print more money.

Any economist will say that this is no solution at all, as it results in the loss in the value of the currency. Sooner or later, hyperin ation sets in, and the majority of the people will be unable to pay for even the most basic of necessities.

That country is no longer able to pay for its needed imports, nor pay for its current debts. This has sparked a political crisis as a result of shortages in such necessities as food, power, medicine, and fuel. In recent weeks, rioting has taken place.

At the root of Sri Lanka’s problems is wait for it the election of a president who supposedly won by a landslide.

The first thing he did was to appoint his own brother to a high post, rewrite the Constitution, and give himself extraordinary powers.

Sound familiar?

Marcos Sr. did pretty much the same thing, and Marcos Jr. has indicated that he could take similar steps. For one, he has indicated that he is willing to appoint his wife, among others, to a high post in his administration.

Imelda 2.0, a nyone?

(C ont i nue on page 27)

B

efore I breathe a sigh of relief made of words that even the ultra-liberal, soft-oncrime, defund the police contingent has even shown its own limits with the ridiculousness of its ideology, first let’s go over what it took to get here.

San Francisco’s population declined 6 .3 % during the pandemic, the most of any city in our country, according to The Real Deal, a real estate paper in San Francisco which, in turn, was citing S Census data. Other cities in the Bay Area Daly City, edwood City, San Mateo, South San Francisco, and Cupertino also saw drops. This kind of population drop will affect things like city income tax revenues, which San Francisco charges, school funding from the state, infrastructure funding. The school district is broke. Cops don’t want to work there. Pedestrian life is a game of dodging the violent schizophrenic while not stepping on human feces. People who have the option voted with their feet and moving trucks.

That is why it is so very hopeful that those who have remained have put on the brakes on all this leftist insanity.

This is not a victory for the right. Republicans represent a rounding error from 1 0 % of registered voters. The recall of the over-woke school board members followed by the recall of Chesa Boudin is a sign that liberal culture is putting its foot down with their own ex tremists. And, let’s face it, a district attorney that is soft on crime is nothing short of ridiculous.

San Francisco used to be a vibrant city. The gentrifying areas had the look of grit and the undercurrents of invention and modernity. It made for a really cool combination. The pandemic changed all that. It ported the tech entrepreneurs and their employees elsewhere. After years of pricing out all other subcultures to accommodate the tech workers, nothing remains to give the city its cultural appeal, nothing remains to restore the merits of city living. In New York City, the arts have returned to play the role that makes it such a draw. There is Broadway and off-Broadway, museums and galleries, street performers, small scale gigs, literati, fashion, etc. San Francisco has tent cities.

There is no doubt the leadership of San Francisco has lost its way. H opefully, the results of these last two recalls have sent a message that the management of the city should better align with the needs of its voters.

Jonathan dela Cruz, original Marcos ally

I

ncoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named initial appointee- nominees to Cabinet positions even as political observers noted that not one of them had previous links with him, save for a few who supported him in his presidential bid.

Reports, in fact, said that some of his Cabinet nomi- T ED D Y P . MOLINA nees supported other presidential bets but they hurdled the wringer, so to speak, nonetheless, in view of BBM’s avowal to appoint officials irrespective of their political backgrounds.

O ne of his original and close-in allies, however, remain unfazed. In fact, he looks like he’s not asking for anything.

W hen chided recently in the radio program ‘ Karambola’ that he co-hosts why he’s not included among the Cabinet nominees, Jonathan de la Cruz jested that he’s contented being called “FO P” ( Friend of the President) .

If there’s anyone who can be described as among the original, close, diehard, loyal and fiercest defenders and supporters of Marcos Jr. , that would be Jonathan M. .A. de la Cruz.

H is relationship with Bongbong Marcos spans four decades, more or less.

Jonath, as he is fondly called, hails from Bangui in Ilocos Norte and had been a close confidant-adviser of BBM since the budding years of the incoming president’s political career as ice Governor, Governor and congressman of Ilocos Norte.

When Marcos Jr became Senator, De la Cruz was at the H ouse of Representatives after his election as an ABAKADA partylist nominee.

While in Congress, they were in close touch even more as plans were then being hatched for BBM’s ascendancy into higher ground in the political realm.

Marcos Jr. was poised to take a crack on the vice presidency so that as his senatorial term was about to end, he filed his bid for the second highest position in the country in 2 0 1 6 .

H e lost by a hairline to then President Noynoy Aquino’s hand-picked P candidate Leonor obredo.

Robredo was proclaimed the winner but this was rocked by controversy as charges of fraud rang out in the air.

Jonathan stood by BBM’s side and led the fight questioning the vice presidential election results.

In various fora, he fiercely pointed out various anomalies in the vote count that were conducted by the Comelec-deputized Smartmatic organization utilizing their vote counting and other machines.

Claims of cheating was so intense that pretty soon arose claims that the count was “Smart-magicked.”

In the presidential derby, Marcos Jr. took his revenge beating Robredo by a huge landslide of votes with the lady candidate garnering only less than half of BBM’s votes.

De la Cruz, who was a ranking executive of the Labor Dept. in the ‘ 7 0 s during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos, was at the forefront as BBM threw his hat into the presidential race.

H e marshaled his various networks in media, academe, LG s, and Congress, among others and presided over parallel campaign groups to help make history happen : the election of another Marcos president.

W ith the election over and after BBM’s historic victory, Jonath has not stopped boosting his friend BBM and his upcoming administration.

You can hear him all over from his almost daily “Karambola” program over dwIZ to every Saturday’s “ Ex ecutive Session” over dz H and, surely, in coffee shops and meetings.

H e talks as if the presidential race is still on.

H e’s so erudite, sharp, and insightful as he tangles with his radio co- hosts who are credible as well that it wouldn’t be surprising why their programs are catching fire.

Who is Jonathan de la Cruz H e studied Management Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila. After that, he went to the niversity of the Philippines where he earned his Diplomate in Environment and rban Planning in 1979.

In the early 7 0 ’s he served as Director of the Bureau of Employment Services under the (C ont i nue on page 27)

Breaking Through

Can his regime deliver?

Does Chesa Boudin’s recall spell hope for a more rational San Francisco?

 BUSINESS | IMMIGRATIONS Can you naturalize if you overstayed your green card?

M

any clients have an ex pired green card and ask me if they can naturalize. The answer is it depends on your period of residence inside the U.S. If you have been in the U.S. for continuous 5 years ( 3 years for married to U.S. citizen based green card) then you may qualify for applying for naturalization based on residency, O n the other hand there are those who overstayed outside the U.S. for more than 1 8 0 days but less than one year. They may qualify if they can prove that they did not relinquish their residence in the U.S. For those who overstayed for more than one year they will have to maintain a continuous residence for four years and one day after returning to the U.S. to apply for citizenship Green cards are important especially when traveling abroad and applying for citizenship. There are certain issues about replacing green card which we will discuss.

1. Lost green card. The person who lost his green card may file to renew their USCIS-issued green card that have ex pired or replace ones that have been lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, or that contain an error. If you need to apply for naturalization and you believe you qualify ex cept you lost your green card you may discuss this matter with an immigration attorney.

The person who lost green card may complete and properly file an Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card ( Form I-9 0 ) with USCIS, with appropriate fees ( if required) , in accordance with the Form I-9 0 instructions.

W hat happen if the green card is lost while outside the U.S.?

A Lawful Permanent esident (LP ) who is temporarily outside the nited States for less than 1 year and who is not in possession of a valid green card ( for ex ample, it was lost, stolen, or destroyed) may properly file an Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) (Form I-131A) to request documentation to demonstrate to an airline or other transportation carrier that he or she is authorized to travel to the United States. This transportation letter does not replace the green card. LPRs must still complete and properly file Form I-90 to obtain a replacement of the green card upon arrival to the U.S. 2 . W hat happen if the Reentry permit is lost?

If inside the nited States, complete and properly file an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) with SCIS, with appropriate fees.

An LP who is temporarily outside the nited States for less than 2 years and who is not in possession of a valid green card ( for ex ample, it was lost, stolen, or destroyed) may properly file an Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) (Form I-131A) to request documentation to demonstrate to an airline or other transportation carrier that he or she is authorized to travel to the United States. The transportation letter does not replace the reentry permit. LP s must complete and properly file Form I-131 upon reentry into the United States to obtain a replacement reentry permit.

3. What happen if the Advance Parole document is lost If inside the nited States, complete and properly file an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) with SCIS, with appropriate fees.

There is no process to seek a replacement advance parole document, including a combo card ( employment and travel authorization documented on a single card) , outside the United States. In cases where an advance parole document was lost, stolen, or destroyed while overseas, requestors should contact the closest USCIS international office or .S. embassy or consulate.

Please note that in general, if a requestor applies for advance parole while in the United States, and departs the United States before the advance parole document is issued, the requestor may be found inadmissible to the United States upon return, or even if admitted, may be found to have abandoned his or her application.

Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for information only. 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.

Bankruptcy Basics 1 . Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years, not filing bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most your debts are paid.

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

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

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

Success StoriesFor the month of May 2 0 2 2 , we received approvals from USCIS seven naturalization applications, three Fiancé e visa petition, six removals of condition on residence and five adjustment of status applications.

C h ri s C ad ay L oz an o, E s q . i s an ac t i v e memb er of t h e S t at e B ar of C al i f orn i a, t h e A meri c an I mmi grat i on L aw y ers A s s oc i at i on an d S an Fran c i s c o T ri al L aw y ers . H e prac t i c es i mmi grat i on l aw , b an k ru pt c y , pers on al i n j u ry an d i n c ome t ax prob l ems s i n c e J u n e 19 9 9 . H i s c on t ac t ph on e i s 1- 8 7 7 - 4 5 6 - 9 2 6 6 , emai l : i n f o@ C C L l aw . n et W eb s i t e: w w w . c ri s pi n l oz an ol aw . c om/

June 9-15, 2022

14

PHL inflation accelerates to 5.4% in May 2022 B y C l a i r e M o r a l es T r ue E ON CIT - In ation or the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services continued its uptrend in May hitting 5.4 percent from 4.9 percent in April and 4.1 percent in May last year marking a fresh three-year high on the back of faster spike in commodity prices.

Dr. Dennis S. Mapa, ndersecretary of the National Economic and Development Authority, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, made the disclosure in a public briefing with the media and in a statement he posted on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) website.

In ation in National Capital egion also, increased further to 4.7 percent in May 2022, from 4.4 percent in April 2022. In May 2021, in ation in the region was observed at 2.6 pe rcent, Mapa said.

The higher in ation in the area was mainly due to the higher annual increase in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index at 4.6 percent in May 20, from 3.4 percent in the previous month. Also, contributing largely to the uptrend of ination in NC was transport with an ination rate of 13.8 percent in May 2022, from 12.3 pe rcent in the previous month.

In ation rate outside the NC , however, was higher at 5.5 percent in May 2022, from 5.1 percent in April 2022. Ination in areas outside NC (AONC ) in May 201 s tood at 4.5 percent.

The uptrend of in ation in AONC in May 20 was also mainly brought about by the higher in ation for food and nonalcoholic beverages at 4.9 percent, from 3.8 percent in the previous month. This was followed by transport with an in ation of 14.7 percent during the month, from 13.2 percent in April 2022.

Mapa described the headline in ation in May as the highest recorded in ation since December 2018, adding that in May last year, in ation was lower at 4.1 percent.

Mapa attributed the acceleration in the country’s in ation rate primarily to

the higher annual growths in the food and non-alcoholic beverages index at 4.9 percent, and transport index a t 14.6 pe rcent.

H e said the commodity groups which also contributed to the upward trend of the in ation are alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 6.8 percent; clothing and footwear, 2.1 percent; recreation, sport and culture, 1.7 and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.5 pe rcent.

Mapa pointed out that in ation rates were lower, however, for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 6.5 percent; and furnishing, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 2.5 pe rcent.

The rest of the commodity groups retained their previous month’s in ation rates, he said.

The PSA chief said the in ation for food at the national level increased further to 5.2 percent in May 20, from 4.0 percent in April 2022. In May 2021, food in ation was lower at 3.7 percent.

The uptick in the food in ation was primarily in uenced by the double-digit annual growths in the vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses index at 15.2 percent, and oils and fats index a t 13.6 pe rcent, he added.

Mapa said higher annual increments were recorded in the following food groups our, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals, 4.8 percent; meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 5.4 percent; fish and other seafood, 6.2 percent milk, other dairy products and eggs, 1.5 percent; sugar, confectionery and desserts, 8.7 percent; and ready-made food and other food products, 3.5 pe rcent.

The indices for rice and corn exhi bited lower annual increases of 1.5 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively, while fruits and nuts index declined during the month at an annual rate of -2.4 percent, according to Mapa.

The in ation rate in May was within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ projected range of of 5 to 5.8 percent in ation

World economy in ‘danger of stag ation,’ arns orld an WASHINGTON The global economy now faces a danger of stag ation not seen since the 1 9 7 0 s, the W orld Bank warned.

“This time it is facing high in ation and slow growth at the same time,” said David Malpass, the bank’s president.

The global body on Monday sharply lowered its 2 0 2 2 global growth forecast to 2 .9 percent, significantly lower than January’s projection of 4 .1 percent, saying that the possibility of high global inflation accompanied by tepid growth poses a key risk to the global economy.

“Even if a global recession is averted, the pain of stag ation could persist for several years,” Malpass said. “Several years of above-average in ation and be-

low-average growth are now likely, with potentially destabilizing consequences for low- and middle-income economies.

There’s a severe risk of malnutrition and of deepening hunger and even of famine in some areas.”

Growth in developing economies is also projected to roughly fall in half this year, slowing from 6 .6 percent in 2 0 2 1 to 3 .4 percent in 2 0 2 2 .

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also pushed up agricultural commodity prices sharply, worsening food insecurity and ex treme poverty in developing economies.

Global consumer price in ation has soared higher around the world and is above central bank targets in almost all countries.

 ENTERTAINMENT

June 9-15, 2022

16

Robin Padilla rushed to hospital in Spain, back in form

Actor and senator-elect Robin Padilla was unex pected rushed to a hospital in Spain last week for hypertension, after feeling dizzy and weak while walking in a park.

The actor and senator-elect, who travelled to Spain with Filipino-American wife Mariel Rodriguez and family members, is now up and about, reports from Spain reaching Manila showed.

“Napakahirap intindihin ng nangyari sa akin.

W ala akong kahit anong sakit pero bigla nalang ako nawalan ng lakas sa tuhod ko habang naglalakad sa parke dahilan para kagyat ako umupo sa ilalim ng puno. Nagdilim ang paningin ko at bumagsak ako sa puno sa likod ko. H ilong hilo ako ( It’s so hard to understand what happened to me. I don’t have any medical conditions but I suddenly felt weak in the knees while I was walking in the park, which is why I sat down under a tree. My vision darkened and I fell on the tree behind me. I was so dizzy.) ,” he shared in a Facebook post on June 1 , a day after he almost passed out.

Fans and supporters of senator-elect Robin Padilla were alarmed when they learned that their idol was hospitalized in Spain due to high blood pressure.

At press time, his manager, Betchay Vidanes, reported that the actor is now doing well.

Robin himself shared his ex perience on May 3 1 on his Facebook account a day after the incident.

The actor said he could not understand what happened to him because he is not suffering from any illness but his knees suddenly trembled and felt dizzy.

H e stated, “Napakahirap intindihin ng nangyari

sa akin. W ala akong kahit anong sakit pero bigla na lang nawalan ng lakas ang tuhod ko habang naglalakad sa parke dahilan para kagyat ako umupo sa ilalim ng puno.

“Nagdilim ang paningin ko at bumagsak ako sa puno sa likod ko. H ilonghilo ako.“May Espanyol ako na naririnig ko sa paligid ko. Kinakausap ako, parang nais niya ako alalayan. Ilang sandali ay lumiwanag ang paningin ko, nanumbalik ang lakas ng tuhod ko.

“Dahan-dahan ako tumayo. Inalalayan ako ng Espanyol. H indi ko siya naiintindihan kaya sabi Senator-elect Robin Padilla s o s is situa�on at a os ital in S ain ko lang, salamat Señ or.

BP] gano’n ulit. Nagdesisyon siyang tumawag ng “H inanap ko kung nasaan ang asawa ko. Nakita ambulance.“Ilang saglit, dumating na si Mariel at ko ang dalawa naming kapamilya kasama si Gabzy si Isabela. Nagkaroon ako ng ngiti at nakabawas ng [ ng bunso nila ni Mariel] na himbing na himbing sa pagkagulo ng isip. kanyang stroller.

“Pinainom ako ng pampababa ng blood pressure “W ala si Mariel kasama si Isabela na nakasakay pero walang ipinagbago. Dumating ang ambulansa isa sa mga rides.“Nahihirapan na ako huminga. siya, sinaksakan ako ng dex trose/ ECG. Unti-unting Bumibigat ang dibdib ko. Kailangan ko na pumunta umepekto ang gamot, naging 1 4 0 / 1 0 4 [ ang blood sa ospital.” pressure] .

Despite his feeling dizzy, Robin tries to walk to “Napanatag ang lahat, dahilan para alisin na ang the park’s entrance to look for a tax i that would bring mga aparato ng ambulansiya. Babayaran sana ni him to a hospital to no avail.

Mariel pero libre pala ang emergency service.”

H e continued, “Nag-message ako sa kababata ko Robin was so grateful to Ambassador Lhuillier na sunduin ako at magdala ng tax i. and his staff for attending to him.

“Nag-message din ako kay Sir Ambassador LhuilAmbassador Lhuillier arrived at the park and imlier [ Philippe Jones Lhuillier, ambassador ng Pilipi- mediately decided to bring Robin to the hospital for nas sa Spain] tulungan ako na makapunta sa ospital. a thorough ex amination.

“Nararamdaman ko na naman na nawawalan ng “Parang Pilipinas din, kailangan ang deposito,” lakas ang tuhod ko. Parang babagsak na naman ako. the 5 2 - year old actor said.

“Pagtingin ko sa kaliwa ng entrance gate, nakita “May mga test ang ginawa sa akin. Blood test, ko ang clinic. Pinuntahan ko agad ito, pumasok at X -ray, urine, lahat ay normal. Binigyan lang ako ng sinalubong ako ng nurse na marunong mag-Ingles. gamot sa high blood good for 5 days.”

“Sinabi ko sa kanya ang nangyayari sa akin. PinauThe actor said that what happened to him was po niya ako kinunan ng blood pressure, 2 0 0 / 1 5 0 . maybe, part of aging.

“Nagulat ang nurse. Inulit [ ang pagkuha ng

Film with Pinay actor wins highest prize in Cannes Yes, another Filipino shined at the Cannes Festival.

She is veteran actress Dolly de Leon.

Although Dolly did not win an individual award, her performance in a movie entry was highly acclaimed based on reports from the Cannes.

Dolly though shared the win of the film she appeared in a pivotal role, the brutal class satire ‘ Triangle of Sadness,’ which won the top prize, the Cannes Palme d’O r.

The movie with an already-infamous vomiting and pooping scene, won the Palme d’O r at the

Cannes Film Festival on May 2 8 , the second time Swedish director Ruben O stlund has won the prize.

The win put O stlund among a select group of two-time winners of the top prize at Cannes. He first scooped the Palme in 2 0 1 7 for “The Square.”

Accepting the award, O stlund said he wanted audiences to be entertained but also “to ask themselves questions, to go out after the screening and have something to talk about.”

Reports said critics found it impossible to agree on the entries this year, with many being loved and hated in equal measure.

“Triangle of Sadness” also proved divisive, with ariety finding it “wickedly funny” while the The Guardian calling it a “hammy, unsubtle, easy-target satire.”

But the final word went to the nine-strong jury, this year led by French actor Vincent Lindon and including two-time O scar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi and Indian superstar Deepika Padukone.

Lindon said they struggled to agree on a winner, but “the entire jury was extremely shocked” by “Triangle of Sadness.”

 ENTERTAINMENT

June 9-15, 2022

18

Ai-Ai delas Alas, Darryl Yap declared persona non grata by QC council QUEZ O N CITY – Don’t look now but the Quezon City government has declared actress comedienne Ai Ai Delas Alas and cinematographer Daryl Yap “persona non grata” for reportedly insulting the city’s official triangular seal.

In a statement, the city government said the City Council approved the resolution filed by District 4 Councilor Ivy Lagman, saying Delas Alas and Yap disrespected the city’s official seal in a video that has gone viral on social media just before the May 2022 election.

The two-minute video was posted on Yap’s Facebook page Vincentiments with Delas Alas, who is Martina Eileen H ernandez delas Alas-Sibayan in real life, portraying the character named “Ligaya Delmonte.” The character’s background showed the triangular sea of Quezon city but with the names “BBM” and “Sara.”

The caption for the video read “Mayora for Mike Defensor” (The mayor is for Mike Defensor). Defensor ran for Quezon City mayor under Uniteam but lost to incumbent Mayor Joy Belmonte.

In the background of the video, the city’s official triangular seal, edited and defaced, was prominently displayed, which Lagman said, was an insult as it represents the city.

“The malicious and unscrupulous defacing of the official seal of uezon City ridiculed and casted dishonor to it, causing insult to the noble representation of the seal,” she said.

Lagman said the seal has been the city’s official coat of arms since it was approved by the Office of the President and adopted by the City Council on Feb. 3, 1997, through esolution No. 10320, S-1975.

“The people of Quezon City will not let anyone disgrace the official seal of uezon City for personal and selfish interests,” Lagman said.

Lagman elaborated further on the issue on her own Facebook page, hoping that it will make all content creators think twice before posting anything on social media.

“Freedom of Expression is not absolute. Hindi naman basta-basta na lang na pwede tayo mag-post ng mga gusto natin na hindi man lang pinag-isipan mabuti kung ano ang mga laman ng mga pinalalabas natin sa mga tao,” Lagman wrote.

The councilor also clarified that the resolution she penned was not directed towards Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio, but in defense of the official seal of uezon City.

“Yes you are free to be expr essive with your work, but not at the expe nse of something which Citizens hold in high regard,” Lagman said. “Mahal namin ang Quezon City at ang lokal na pamahalaan nito ay aming nirerespeto. Sana kayo rin.”

Ai Ai condemned TH El resolution of the Que-

Longtime celebrity couple Jason Abalos and Filipino-British beauty queen ickie Marie ushton have announced their engagement.

In an Instagram post, the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011 titleholder shared a photo of her and Abalos hugging while showing off her engagement ring.

“So, Baba and I have been keeping a little secret… ,” she said, along with the Bible verse, “W hen the time is right I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

Abalos, 37, who won in the provincial board election in Nueva Ecija last May 9, also uploaded on Instagram a photo of them hugging each other.

“H abambuhay ko pasasalamat ang Panginoon sa buhay mo, Baba. Patugtugin na ang kampana,” he wrote in the caption.

The actor also added the date of September 1, 2021, in the caption, seemingly hinting that the proposal took place last year.

Some of the couple’s celebrity friends like Pia W urtzbach, Loisa Andalio, Chesca Garcia, Max Collins, Lemlissa icks, Maja Salvador, and among others sent their congratulatory messages to the couple.

Jason and ickie, now 30, met in 2010 and have been together for 10 years.

A i -A i d el a s A l a s

D a rry l Y a p

zon City council declaring her persona non grata in the city, along with director Darryl ap.

De las Alas and her lawyer, Charo ejuso-Munsayac decried the resolution as a form of “cancellation” that will discourage artists to take on similar works in the future for fear that public officials will retaliate in a similar manner.

“W e strongly condemn this act of the Quezon City council which endangers the protection granted by the freedom of expr ession for artists, entertainers, content creators, and comedians who use satire or parody to expr ess sentiments or criticize public acts or figures,” De las Alas said in a statement to ABS-CBN News.

De las Alas and her lawyer countered that the city council is “nitpicking to find basis to curb freedom of expr ession in the guise of defending a perceived dishonor.”

Their full statement follows: “Today, my client, Ms. Ai Ai Delas Alas-Sibayan has received information, through social media, that a esolution declaring her persona non grata was approved by the uezon City council. While we are yet to receive a copy of the resolution, it was made clear that the focus was made on the alleged ‘ malicious and unscrupulous defacing of the official seal of uezon City’ claimed to have appeared on a video posted on the Facebook page of

Vincentiments, where my client portrayed a character named ‘Ligaya Delmonte’.

“The video which circulated during the campaign period is clearly a satire, a parody. It is not intended to be a statement of fact and is clearly not meant to taken seriously by the audience. The video was obviously intended to be watched and taken as a whole, all elements being fictitious, including the seal behind the character portrayed by my client.

“It is unfortunate that the city council is nitpicking to find basis to curb freedom of expression in the guise of defending a perceived dishonor.

“W e strongly condemn this act of the Quezon City council which endangers the protection granted by the freedom of expr ession for artists, entertainers, content creators, and comedians who use satire or parody to expr ess sentiments or criticize public acts or figures. This also endangers their livelihood since it appears to be a form of cancellation making them wary to take on similar works in fear that public officials will retaliate in similar fashion.

“As public officers, the members of the uezon City council should be more prudent and circumspect in the exe rcise of their discretion and should not take hasty actions which could adversely affect my client and cause undue anxi ety to her family and friends.

“W hile we believe that the resolution does not physically affect my client, we will be monitoring every statement made against her to ensure that my client’s rights are protected.”

In an interview over SMNI, Yap said being a “persona non grata” means that he is no longer welcome in uezon City.

H e, however, said he does not think that his social media presence in the city may also be banned.

“W hen you do a spoof, when you do a satire, you don’t completely erase the one that you are spoofing, hindi mo talaga 100 percent inilalayo para makuha ng tao, para ma-gets ng tao ( you do not really make it 100 percent far for the people to get the message),” he said.

“I completely accept the repercussions of what I did but then again they have the power to do that, and I also have the power to do things my way, so no hard feelings,” he added.

O n his personal FB page, Yap said he will soon release an official statement on the “persona non grata” declaration.

Jason Abalos and Vickie Rushton are engaged The celebrity couple later shared their prenup photos in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Jason’s hometown.

Abalos, in a Cebu Daily News report, said the photoshoot was taken in December 2021 .“ na sa lahat salamat sa inyong mga pagbati. Our prenup happened Dec. last year in my hometown in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija,”Abalos captioned his Instagram post. ushton also shared some of their prenup photos on Instagram and captioned the photos, “O ne of the best things that happened in 2021.”

19 June 9-15, 2022

 ENTERTAINMENT

Moira dela Torre denies cheating allegations on ex-husband they were ending their three-year marriage.

In a Facebook post last week and reported by D H News and other Manila media, Moira issued a statement “to set the record straight.”

“For those of you who know my story, you can imagine the long journey of grieving and healing I have ahead of me. The revelations... have been difficult, painful, and heartbreaking to process,” she said.

“In spite of the pain I’m experiencing, let me set the record straight. While our marriage was not perfect, I have stayed true to my vows and have not cheated on Jason,” she continued.

The singer also went on to admit she was hurt by the “fabricated stories” circulating about the real cause of their breakup, saying that most of them were “far from the truth.”

Singer-songwriter Moira Dela Torre has finally “Most of these fabricated rumors are far from broken her silence on allegations surrounding her the truth,” Moira wrote. “The both of us still have a and husband Jason H ernandez after announcing

long way to go when it comes to healing and we ask for respect during this difficult time.”

“I don’t know what the future holds, but hope continues to be the song I sing. Even if I sing especially in pain I will continue to place my complete trust in the one who has never let me down,” she said.

Earlier, Hernandez confirmed the rumors of him and Moira splitting, admitting that he has been unfaithful in their marriage.

Jason and Moira, who have been best of friends since college, wed in January 2019.

In April, the couple were rumored to have broken up when followers noticed that Moira deleted all photos of Jason from her Instagram account.

The singer also went on an out-of-town trip without Hernandez.

However, the couple debunked the allegations at that time.

Star Magic turns up the summer heat in the U.S. with shows by the hottest Filipino performers in NY, SF and LA this August LOS ANGELES, California - Star Magic, the premier talent management agency of the Philippines, celebrates its 30th anniversary in grand fashion by bringing some of the brightest stars of this generation to the .S. this August for exciting performances.

In what is expected as back-to-back blockbuster events this summer, Star Magic is bringing to the East and the West “Beyond the Stars” - three nights of exciting entertainment with a glamorous, youthful, fresh, and energetic power-packed talent line-up anjoe Marudo Belle Mariano Donny Pangilinan Andrea Brillantes Gigi De Lana AC Bonifacio yle Echarri Angela en Sab Lian yla Janine Berdin Eric Nicolas Maymay Entrata Edward Barbers Alexa Ilacad D Estrada Maris acal Charlie Dizon Carlo Aquino and im Chiu.

The cast will perform on August 6 at the historic ings Theatre in Brooklyn, New ork - one of the most exquisite theaters in the entire .S. The venue is an ornate spectacle that is home to state-of-the-art live performances that have revitalized the famous Brooklyn art scene.

Then the cast will y for shows in California, starting with August 12 at The Warfield in San Francisco, an illustrious city institution for over 86 years that is now operated by Goldenvoice, the creator of Coachella and Stagecoach festivals. This will be followed with another show on August 14 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles -- a classic city cultural and architectural landmark which remains one of the most popular venues in plush Beverly Hills.

For three decades, Star Magic has served as home and training ground to the biggest and brightest names in Philippine entertainment. It has provided workshops in acting, dance, art, script appreciation, styling, and voice production as well as physical fitness training to develop well-rounded and worldclass performers with discipline and the proper work ethic. Star Magic artists are also encouraged

to use their in uence for good through supporting advocacies like those of ABS-CBN Foundation.

As the world came out of the pandemic, Star Magic remains committed to going global, not only through expansion of content production, but

through championing the Filipino talent worldwide.

The shows are made possible through the collaboration of Star Magic with iWantTFC and TFC. “Beyond the Stars” is co-presented with World emit with Tancinco Law as a major sponsor.

 REAL ESTATE

June 9-15, 2022

Cebu developer ramps up investments as VisMin economy perks up CEBU CITY – Seeing post-pandemic full business potentials, a Cebu-based real estate developer is looking to deepen its investments in the Visayas and Mindanao to support the continued economic recovery in these regions.

Jose Soberano III, Cebu Landmasters Inc. ( CLI) chairman and chief executive officer, said during the company’s annual stockholders meeting that the firm projected to set new performance records in 2022 with 21 pipeline projects worth P31.5 billion.

“CLI will continue in 2022 to expand to new business segments, deepen our investments in the isayas and Mindanao regions, while strengthening internal systems to achieve its growth guidance of 20 percent,” he said as reported by PNA’s Carlo Lorenciana.

Notwithstanding mobility restrictions and supply chain interruptions, Soberano said they were able to achieve quick project turnarounds as construction activities stayed in full swing throughout 2021.

He added CLI’s growth trajectory in 2022 will be supported by a landbank of 103 hectares valued at P12 billion.

Among the focal points of CLI’s expansion

plans are three townships now under development.

These are the 22-hectare Davao Global Township 14.3-hectare property in Cagayan de Oro acquired from X avier University and envisioned to be a mixed-use university town and the 100-hectare Minglanilla Techno Business Park in Cebu which is envisioned to be a regional growth center.

As of first quarter of 2022, CLI already posted an outstanding revenue growth of 53 percent to P3.56 billion from P2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2021, with all business units registering stellar performance.

In 2021, CLI’s consolidated revenues grew by 35 percent to P11.16 billion with net income to shareholders increasing by 42 percent to P2.61 billion.

CLI sustained its leadership in Visayas and Mindanao with a 33-percent market share in the condominium segment, the largest, and a 26-percent share in the subdivision segment according to a third-quarter 2021 Santos night Frank real estate market study.

“W e are pleased that despite the ext ended stay of Covid-19 followed by the devastation of Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, CLI remained resilient and further strengthened its presence in its communities,” Soberano said.

THE NUMBER ONE CHOICE FOR FILIPINO FAMILIES The ONLY Place for All Your Arrangements in One Convenient Location New Funeral home with Reception Center Flower Shop Beautiful Garden Memorial Park Cremation Services We transfer your loved ones to and from the Philippines

T

B

N

F

H

R

C

C

L

20

How Recessions Affect Housing Prices in the US How ecessions Affect Housing Prices in the S The year 2020 was one full of many economic changes in the United States.

Unemployment broke records in April 2020, reaching 14.8%. Around the same time, the financial markets hit lows that hadn’t been seen in years. W ill housing prices follow suit The year 2020 may call to mind the surges of foreclosures and dropping home prices of 2007 to 2009. But it seems that this time around, things may be a bit different for the real estate market. Talks of ecession is in the air and will probably come soon.

Housing Prices in a ecession The U.S. has ex perienced several recessions over the years, the worst being the Great ecession from 2007 to 2009. Back then, home prices in most parts of the U.S. plunged and unemployment surged. Many existing homeowners found themselves underwater on their mortgages and they were facing foreclosure.

The truth is home prices and ex isting home sales don’t necessarily decline just because of a recession. In fact, the housing market actually benefits in one specific way during a recession Monetary policy is usually eased to boost the economy, often leading to falling mortgage rates, which increases consumer homebuying power and makes homes more affordable.

The Federal eserve offers a look at how home prices have performed over the last three recessions. The only major downshift was seen in the Great ecession. Price changes in the 1991 and 2001 recessions were much more muted.

The Current State of H ousing When compared with the Great ecession, conditions are different this time around. That might just protect housing (and home prices) from any major collapse. There are three factors that help us see why the housing market might just stay strong.

1. Supply Is Short and Demand Is High There was a glut of housing inventory prior to the Great ecession. At the same time, construction was booming. That extra supply, plus the wave of foreclosure properties added to it, led to falling prices. This time around, supply is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The number of listings across the country is very limited. Couple this with strong buyer demand, and that might just be enough to prop prices up, even during a recession.

2. Lending Standards Are Stricter Loose credit standards in the early 2 0 0 0 s left many people with mortgages they couldn’t afford. This situation then disintegrated into surging foreclosures across the country. Lenders have strengthened their qualifying requirements since then— and especially this year—so a similar bottoming-out isn’t so likely.

3. Interest ates Are Still Low At the start of the Great ecession, mortgage rates hovered around 6%. This made it harder for homeowners to pay down their loans and build equity. Though rates have changed a lot since then, they reached record lows in 2020. Now, the average 30-year mortgage rate as of September 2021 was 2.87%, according to Freddie Mac.2 Experts largely expect housing to weather the storm. Freddie Mac’s forecast released in April 2021 pointed to rising home prices (6.6% across the year and 4.4% in 2022), as well as continued low mortgage rates.3 W hat H igh Unemployment Means for H ome Sales H igh unemployment is one thing that could pose a problem for the housing market during this recession. For one, it could reduce peoples’ ability to afford a home, thus increasing the supply. It also might make it more difficult to qualify for mortgage loans.

The End esults The recession will touch every aspect of the economy, and housing is no different. Does that mean another bust is in the cards Probably not. Home prices may even continue to rise, despite all the bad economic news.

This summer would be a great indicator of what might happen to the housing market moving forward.

Thanks for your comments, please call en Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo verizon.net CAB E 01021223 NMLS 238636.

21 June 9-15, 2022

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

Japan’s Inoue knocks out Donaire in 2nd round of rematch TO O Naoya Inoue solidified his claim as the top bantamweight boxer in the world as he beat Nonito Donaire in their rematch at the Saitama Super Arena on June 7.

Playing in front of his Japanese fans, Inoue, now 23-0 in his outstanding professional career, retained his World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation, and ing Magazine titles while also taking Donaire’s World Boxing Council belt. nlike in their first meeting where Donaire pushed Inoue to the limit, the latter caught the former late into ound 1 and scored a knockdown with only 10 seconds left in the round.

Donaire, as PNA reported, would stand up after the knockdown and even tagged Inoue with some left hooks early into ound 2.

However, Inoue connected with a hook of his own that wobbled Donaire, signaling that a knockout is becoming imminent.

Moments later, Inoue caught Donaire with another power punch that knocked him down again, and the referee decided to call it a night at the 1 24 mark of the second round.

The 29-year-old Inoue scored the 20th finish of his professional career.

The 38-year-old Donaire, on the other hand, fell to 42-7 as the future of his career entered some uncertainties with this stoppage loss.

Wesley So wins Norway Chess blitz, outranks World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in classical

NO WA MANILA - Filipino American Wesley So is now the fifth highest rated chess player in the world.

This as the Cavite-born So won the Norway Chess Blitz as he maintained his winning streak and continued to outrank World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the Classical Chess main tournament of the world’s best-ranked players.

So has twice defeated Norwegian Carlsen on his home turf in the ongoing 2022 Norway Chess tournament first during the single-round Blitz where he eventually finished in 1st place and next during

their match-up in ound 2 of the Classical tournament, Aurora uadra- Balibay reported on goodnewspilipinas.com.

Both wins helped propel Wesley So up on the leaderboard of the main tournament after three rounds, placing the FilAm in the 2nd spot with 6 points, ahead of Carlsen’s 5.5 points, and next to leader iswanathan Anand of India’s 7.5 points.

So won against the Norwegian world champion in the Norway Chess Blitz competition on May 30 which kicked off the 10th edition of the over-theboard tournament being played in Finansparken, Stavanger, Norway.

The American champion secured first place in the Blitz Tournament, racking up 6.5 points to lead the 10-member pack going into the Classical Tournament which will run until June 10.

The three-time reigning .S. chess champion had a slow start in Blitz but eventually wrested the lead from the Norwegian after subduing competitors one after another Maxime achier-Lagrave of France, Aryan Tari of Norway, before facing Carlsen, and afterward eselin Topalov of Bulgaria, and Teimour adjabov of Azerbaijan. So drew with Anish Giri of The Netherlands to finish on top while Carlsen finished second.

Wesley So’s victory in the Blitz gives him more opportunities to play white for the advantage in the main tournament that started on May 31.

So started strong in the Classical event, wrapping up ound 1 with 3 full points at the expense

of adjavob to gain co-leader status with India’s Anand by the end of game day on May 31.

Wesley So again defeated Carlsen in their first meeting in the main tournament during ound 2 which went to armageddon, giving the American GM 1.5 points on June 1. The 4.5 points placed So in 2nd spot as the Indian GM stayed on solo first with a full 6 points scorecard.

The FilAm champion won his ound 3 game against Dutch GM Giri at armageddon, giving him another 1.5 points for a total of 6 points to stay in solo second on the leaderboard.

Wesley So is aiming to win his first Norway Chess Tournament with a prize pot of 750,000 Norwegian kroner (approximately 80,000). The nineround tourney is played using a format that gives three points for an outright win in the standard play and 1.5 for the winner via armageddon tiebreak.

In the next games, he will be up against elite GMs Shakhriyar Mamedyravov (Azerbaijan), iswanathan Anand (India), Maxime achier-Lagrave (France), eselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Wang Hao (China), and Aryan Tari (Norway).

The Cavite-born former Philippine chess champion has been victorious in international competitions while representing the nited States including delivering an upset win against Carlsen in the inaugural Fischer andom Chess held in Norway as well as the Champions Chess Tour legs at the Skilling Open and the Opera Euro apid. (goodnewspilipinas.com)

June 9-15, 2022

22

Q : W h en I left th e P h ilip p ines in 1 9 8 0, th e ex c h ang e rate w as $ 1 U S D to P 8 P h ilip p ine P eso.

Now it is running at $ 1 U S D to P 5 2 P h ilip p ine P eso.

W h at c auses th is?

A For one, in ation plays a big role in the increase in exchange rate. Next there is also the devaluation of the Philippine currency due to negative economic reasons.

Although the country’s account deficit which is also termed as surpluses may go down, this is only an effect of a struggling economy. It is not the cause of the devalualtion. We can address the causes separately. elative Product Prices If a country sells its goods relatively low or cheap, other countries will take advantage and buy their goods. They will need to buy that country’s currency in order to buy the goods. This will make the currency strong for that country.

Monetary Policies If a country is very loose in releasing the supply of money, the value will tend to go down. If they are very tight in releasing money, the value tends to go up. So, if a country’s central bank keeps ooding their economy with money while other countries they are trading with do not, the value of the their money will keep going down while their partners will keep going up.

In ation When the price levels of a country go up, the citizens of that country will tend to buy cheaper products that come from another country. With this, the monetary value of their currency will depreciate.

Local Income Changes When the household income goes up significantly for a country, there will be an increase of purchasing ability. Greater domestic income is associated with an increased consumption of imported goods. When they have to import goods to supply the demand, the country supplying the goods currency will tend to appreciate.

Government Debt The amount of government debt will also control the value of their currency. If markets fear that the government will default with their debts, the investors will sell their bonds and cause the value of their currency to go down. aya po minsan when I hear people complaining na mababa ang palit, I know they do not know that the prices they are paying for are getting higher. They want the exchange rate to get higher and higher, not realizing what this is doing to the Philippine economy.

People will put their immediate needs ahead of the country’s mainly because they do not get much of benefit from the government. When the government is poor like that of third world countries and there are very little as far as health and infrastructure benefits for the citizens, people tend to go elsewhere to get those benefits even as to earning little in another country just so they can remit money every month to their loved ones.

Ating lesson, Paghahanda ang sagot sa papalit palit na panahan.

If you need help in getting out of debt, call Debt Aid Consulting International.

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

We only provide Federal Trade Commission compliant programs. Go with Debt Aid Consulting Do not fall for marketing gimmicks saying that they have the right program for you. Most marketing companies only have one program and will enroll you in that program whether it fits you or not. So beware Ben Lou at your service I have over 35 years of financial experience. If you would like sound financial advice, call us at Debt Aid Consulting International. We do not use call centers. No one has the right to put your information at risk.

Debt Aid Consulting is the first and only Filipino debt mediation company incorporated in the S and Canada, Caribbean Islands, Singapore, Australia, New ealand and the Philippines our Global Debt Solutions Company Tawag na po sa 1-888-341-5234 at tutulungan po namin kayo.

Itama po natin ang mali

23 June 9-15, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS

Cardinal Tagle holds mass in US in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz NEW YO RK - The highest-ranking Filipino in the Vatican, who is listed among the nex t possible pope, celebrated a special mass in honor of the San Lorenzo Ruiz movement in the US at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.

In 1982, a year after Pope John Paul II’s beatification of the blessed Lorenzo Ruiz, the movement was born to promote devotion to the Filipino martyr in the US, ABS-CBN reported, adding in 1 9 8 7 , San Lorenzo uiz became the first Filipino saint as the patron saint of Filipino migrants.

“W e thank God for 4 0 years of ministry given to

the Lorenzo Ruiz movement here in the United States.

And we also thank God for the gift of 5 0 0 years of Christianity in our land,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said at the mass.

“In less than 1 2 0 years, we have our martyr. H e is a good ex ample of someone who has received the gift and has given the gift. W e also marvel at the gift of San Pedro Calungsod, both of our Filipino saints were lay people and both martyrs. Both of them gave their lives outside of the Philippines,” he said in an ABS-CBN report.

In his homily, the Filipino cardinal underscored the

theme of the Philippines’ 5 0 0 years of Christianity celebration ‘ Gifted to Give,’ saying that the gifts we have received must be given to others as a gift.

“Ang bawat regalo na tinatanggap, kailangang manatiling regalo. Kapag itinigil na yan, wala na yan.

Kaya yung mga nakakatanggap ng regalo tapos bulsa agad ng bulsa, mawawala yan,” Tagle said.

For Filipinos who attended the mass, hearing it and receiving communion from Tagle is a blessing especially that he is a top papabile for a future conclave after Pope Francis. Papabile is a cardinal-bishop who is likely or a possible candidate to be elected pope.

LA County has 3,722 new COVID-19 cases, 10 new deaths LO S ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Department of Public H ealth ( Public H ealth) recorded 3 ,7 2 2 new CO VID-1 9 cases raising the total to 3 ,0 0 8 ,6 1 9 cases.

The department also reported 1 0 new deaths raising the total deaths to 3 2 ,1 7 8 in the country.

The department added that 5 5 7 people currently hospitalized with CO VID-1 9 while more than 1 2 ,0 5 5 ,0 0 0 individuals have been tested.

At-home testing for residents that have an ex posure to a known case or have symptoms, and before and after indoor gatherings is critical to prevent the spread of CO VID-1 9 , the department said.

W hile there are other illnesses that cause similar symptoms as CO VID, given the high case rates, anyone with even mild illness should test themselves to be sure they are not sick with CO VID and capable of infecting others.

And since some infected individuals ex perience

little or no illness, testing before indoor gatherings is another sensible step that can reduce the chance of gatherings turning into super-spreader events.

W ith the increase in new highly infectious sub-lineages of BA.2 , transmission remains high in LA County, the department reported with the average number of daily cases reported over the last seven days is 4 ,4 4 2 .

The higher case numbers have translated to an increase in the number of people hospitalized with CO VID-1 9 . O ver the last seven days, the average number of CO VID-positive patients per day in LA County hospitals was 5 1 5 , an increase of 1 1 8 % from one month ago when the average number of CO VID-positive patients per day was 2 3 6 .

There are several FDA approved rapid tests that are available over-the-counter ( O TC) for self-testing at home, at a business, or at other community settings.

Most are antigen tests that provide results in a few minutes, as opposed to laboratory-based tests that may take

several days to process.

At-home CO VID-1 9 tests should be used when individuals have any CO VID-1 9 symptoms, were ex posed to someone with CO VID-1 9 , are traveling, and before going to an event or a gathering. Testing before an event or gathering is especially important if individuals at risk of severe disease, older adults, those who are immunocompromised, or people who are not up to date on their CO VID-1 9 vaccines, including children who cannot get vaccinated yet, will be present.

A third round of at home tests can be ordered at no charge from the federal government at www.covidtests. gov. Residents who have health insurance can receive eight free at home tests each month for each insured member in their household. And many community organizations are distributing free test-kits to individuals with limited resources. Free O TC testing kits can be picked up at all Department of Public H ealth vaccination sites.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

24

Daly City leads in celebration of Philippine Independence Day with annual flag raising event

C o ns ul G ener a l N ei l F er r er j o y f ul l y c el eb r a t es t h e ev ent w i t h C i t y C o unc i l M em b er Jus l y n M a na l o ’ s s o n E t h y n.

For the first time after the pandemic, Daly City resumed its annual ag raising of the Philippine ag at the seat of its government like it has been doing since 2015 this time to celebrate the 124th Philippine Independence Day. Present during the ag raising were representatives of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco led by Consul General Neil Ferrer, members of the Daly City Council, officials led by Mayor od DauzMagbual. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, community leader Perla Ibarrientos, other city and Filipino community leaders and supporters.

In his speech, Magbual reminisced on his full realization in being a Filipino American at a tender age of 8 when the People Power evolution catapulted then housewife Corazon Aquino to presidency after then President Ferdinand Marcos was toppled and own to Hawaii on February 1986.

“It was confusing for my eight-year-old self to comprehend what was going on. Marcos was my Grandpa’s good friend, growing up in Ilocos Norte, in the north-

ern part of the Philippines and he would tell me tales of how he would come to his house and share meals and stories. It was quite different from what I was watching on T and what I was observing walking to school,” Dauz-Magbual narrated. “The late Philippine national hero, Jose izal expressed, “To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book of her past.”

For Dauz-Magbual, the raising of the Philippines Flag is an entry point to understand the complicated history of the Philippines as on one hand it is about pride, identity, presence, and representation while it is the complicated relationship between America and the Philippines on the other.

“The colonial relationship, the system of dependency between our two nations, the generational trauma that has instilled a legacy of colonial mentality that puts Filipino vs. Filipino, the acceptance of a revisionist history, and for me, as a Filipino American, a historical duty to create new narratives of self determination, decolonization, and possibility. My good friend and Pinay Hip Hop artist, uby Ibarra, expressed, “As a Filipino American it is my responsibility to stay informed about homeland politics,” Dauz-Magbual noted.

The mayor continued that it is imperative for him as a Filipino American to stay informed of the latest developments in the Philippines because he still have family that lives in the Philippines and more so it is also significant to understand “who I am, by understanding my history, the history of why my family left the Philippines, the history of my people, and how it is connected to understanding the history of the nited States.”

“I raise this ag in complicated fashion. I raise it with pride, but I also raise it with critique and a sense of hope. I hope that this symbol will encourage us to learn and take action about the complicated history of the Philippines, the role of America in manifest destiny and continued occupation, to stand in solidarity with the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, land protectors, activists, organizers, journalists that have the courage to tell a story that is contrary to popular narratives and who have put their lives on the line,” Dauz-Magbual imparted. “It is essential to “Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor” to quote Emilio Jacinto, considered the brains of the atipunan, the revolutionary army that ousted Spain from the Philippines. It is important more than ever, to “Open the book of her past” to remember what happened in 1972, 1986, and for truth and reconciliation to emerge.”

It was in 2015 when then Daly City Mayor David Canepa with Perla Ibarrientos of Pilipino Bayanihan esource Center started the inaugural ag raising and it was the yearly practice of the city since then .

Daly City decided not to push through with this annual practice in 2020 during the early pandemic but was

M a y o r R o d D a uz -M a g b ua l ( a t t h e b a c k , s ec o nd f r o m t h e r i g h t ) p o s es w i t h o t h er c i t y c o unc i l a nd F i l i p i no c o m m uni t y l ea d er s . resumed in 2021 by Mayor Juslyn Manalo even if it was virtual and small for safety precautions.

Now Council member Manalo wish that through this event, Filipino Americans, especially the young ones most of whom were born outside of the Philippines, would learn “our roots and our heritage must never be forgotten.”

“The values of Bayanihan, pakikipagkapwa and the history of revolution towards freedom are a part of our legacy even though we are born here, our lineage comes from the Philippines,” Manalo reminded. “Be proud of your roots as Filipinos and we need to embrace or continuously so the generations after are linked to their heritage and culture.”

For his part, San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa underscored that “the contributions of Filipinos in San Mateo County and Daly City are vast and should be celebrated.

“I’m proud to serve a district that has just about the highest concentration of Filipinos in the world outside of the Philippines. aising the Filipino ag symbolizes that this county is your county,” Canepa stresses.

Governor Newsom launches new initiative to protect Californians from gun violence SAC AMENTO On National Gun iolence Awareness Day, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new campaign to make California schools and communities safer through a community-based outreach campaign to promote Gun iolence estraining Orders also known as “red ag” laws.

“Gun violence is an epidemic too many Americans are forced to live in fear because of inaction,” said Governor Newsom. “In California, we are taking action with common sense gun safety measures that get guns out of our communities and keep people safe.” ed ag laws allow for the temporary removal of guns and ammunition from individuals who are at risk of harming themselves or others. They empower loved ones, or law enforcement, to intervene and temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms.

California issued 3,007 Gun iolence estraining

Orders from 2016 to 2020. In 2020, the state issued 1,284 restraining orders, 15-times greater than the 85 issued in 2016.

This new 11 million,18-month campaign, administered through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, will focus on outreach and education about California’s red ag laws to communities most at risk for gun violence.

The campaign includes 5 million in grants to local community-based domestic violence groups for community outreach.

5 million for statewide outreach to communities most at risk of gun violence including education efforts, research and multilingual outreach.

1 million for education and training for district attorneys and law enforcement groups.

The iolence Prevention esearch Program at C

Davis Health last year released a study highlighting support for Gun iolence estraining Orders and the need to raise public awareness around the issue. ed ag laws are proven to be effective in reducing violence and death by guns. These laws can help de-escalate emergency situations. California is one of several states around the country that is increasingly emphasizing red ag laws as a common-sense way to help reduce gun violence.

“California has nation-leading gun safety laws,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

“Education and outreach about how to utilize red ag laws are critical to their success. This campaign will focus on educating families and law enforcement on the tools they have at their disposal to prevent gun violence.”

25 June 9-15, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS

San Mateo County Fair 2022 is on with more features and special events

F i l i p i no S a n M a t eo C o unt y F a i r 2022 M a nager Jus�n A uino The much-awaited annual spectacle that residents of W est Bay Area and beyond dubbed as the San Mateo County Fair is held back and is currently open until Sunday, June 1 2t h and throughout the week there will be several days highlighting and honoring different groups.

Featured in the weeklong affair are special events with Pride Day to support the LGBTQIA+ community, and Senior Day with special exhibits. And on Saturday, June 1 1t h, the Fair will celebrate the culture of Pacific Islander community with Pacific Islands Day before the Fair closes with the celebration of Dí a de la Feria, and the work of farmworkers during Farmworkers H eroes Appreciation Day on Sunday, June 12th.

New to the Fair this year and probably the most attractive feature of all will be an animatronic Dinosaur exhi bit in Expo H all which is interactive and an expe rience everyone can enjoy. During the weekends of the fair, the San Francisco Bazaar in the fairgrounds shopping area will be open. Also, this year’s Fair includes amazing outdoor concerts every day that are free for all with the purchase of a Fair ticket.

“This year’s Fair will be special and filled with new events and exhibits for the entire community to enjoy,” CEO of the San Mateo Event Center Dana Stoehr underscored. “With an amazing lineup of legendary performances, special events, and all of the classic fair favorites, we are thrilled to bring our friends and family back together for over a week of exc itement.”

The San Mateo County Fair had a humble beginning staring with being the ‘Little Flower Show’ in 1926 that was held in various schools around San Mateo County by the Burlingame Garden and Flower Club before finally being brought to its new home by the Bay Meadows Racetrack where it currently resides in 1935 during a Fair revitalization period.

It has for its mission the promotion and education of the the community about culture, technology, the science of agriculture, horticulture, arts, and sustainability by educating youth and commu-

nity members by providing year-round programs and, opportunities to exhi bit projects during the annual county fair.

Besides, the Fair also provide year-round support to local San Mateo County nonprofits through sponsorship, advocacy, and educational opportunities.

New exhi bits include Expe dition: Dinosaur, where people of all ages can learn and interact with dinosaurs from millions of years ago.

Another first this year will be honoring our farmworkers during Farmworker Heroes Appreciation Day on June 12th.

This is an opportunity for the community to recognize their efforts and hard work to keep our food system going during these turbulent and unpredictable times.

O n Saturday, June 1 1t h is the celebration of the culture of our Pacific Islander community with Pacific Islands Day and to close the Fair’s lineup of special events on Sunday, June 12 will be the celebration of the work of farm workers during the Farm W orkers H eroes Appreciation Day together with D a de la Feria.

Filipino Fair manager Justin Aquino, whose parents hail from General Santos City and Davao, admitted that last year’s Fair was scaled down in most respects due to the pandemic and in consultation with San Mateo County based on the public health situation at the time.

Just the same, even with different spacing and admission restrictions in place the 201 Fair was a huge success and they welcomed around 80,0 people that encouraged organizers to make more changes and improvements to make things as open and accessible as possible.

Growing up, Aquino confessed that there weren’t many Filipinos in America that he could look up to although the names of Lea Salonga, Dante Basco and eventually Manny Pacquiao came along as he further reiterate that representation matters.

“I want this county fair to be a true representation of our county. We are not entirely there yet but we have come a long way. It’s a process I believe in and it will always be evolving,” Aquino intimated. “Talking recently with Daly City Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual showed all the more how powerful seeing a Filipino Mayor can impact their lives as it could have done for me.”

Daly City is home to the largest diaspora of Filipinos in the entire country even as Daly City until the 20 census was the largest city in the County that makes Aquino incredibly proud that he can represent Filipinos as this county’s fair manager.

And speaking further on Filipino representation, Aquino who himself has been more updated than many Filipinos acknowledged that he never knew it was a Filipino who was initially the leader of the labor movement and had he known earlier would have given him more confidence with his identity in America.

It is in the Farm W orker H eroes Ap-

D i no s a ur s o n d i s p l a y preciation Day on the last day of the Fair where farm workers around the world who were working hard to feed the communities in the United States would be feted.

As part of the Appreciation for farm workers, murals dedicated to foremost leader of farm workers Filipino Larry Itliong together with Cesar Chavez will be painted live throughout the San Mateo County Fair and would be finished by

Sunday June 12 by muralist Carlos Gonzales, also known as ookie.

“W hen I was tasked to build a Farm W orker H eroes Appreciation Day, upon my research I learned that it was a Filipino in Larry Itliong, that started the Delano Grape Strike and encouraged Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez to join. It resonated deeply to me because my great grandfather moved to the United States,” Aquino disclosed.

 COMMUNITY NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

26

Social Security Update

SOCIAL SECURITY’S COMMITMENT TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

By Grace Samson Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Bay Area

Hollywood boulevard lights up for Pride Month H O LLYW O O D – A 0 .6 mile stretch of Hollywood Boulevard has been officially illuminated in an array of brilliant rainbow colors, coinciding with the start of Pride Month.

The transformative placemaking initiative is part of a joint effort

by The H ollywood Partnership, the non-profit organization that manages the public domain within the H ollywood Entertainment District, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O ’Farrell, who represents the heart of H ollywood and the 1 3 th Council District.

The lighting project brightens H ollywood Boulevard in advance of the L.A. Pride Parade, which on June 1 2 th will return to its historic roots in H ollywood for the first time in nearly 40

June is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, and also celebrate diversity, love, and respect. O n June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in O bergefell v. H odges, holding that samesex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states.

W e recognize same-sex couples’ marriages in all states, and some non-marital legal relationships ( such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships) . This recognition is important to determine entitlement to benefits.

Here are five things you should know about our benefits for same-sex couples • Marital status is important — A member of a same-sex couple may be entitled to Social Security benefits when a working spouse retires, becomes disabled, or dies. W e also consider marital status when we determine eligibility and payment amount for Supplemental Security Income.

What type of benefits you can receive — Social Security taxe s pay for three kinds of benefits retirement, dis-

years. After June, the lights will remain active on H ollywood Boulevard, can be programmed for future celebrations and events, and will enhance public safety in the area.

The lights were activated during a community celebration on W ednesday, June 1 st. O ’Farrell was joined by Kathleen Rawson, President/ CEO of The H ollywood Partnership, and community partners including: Sharon-Franklin Brown, Board President of Christopher Street W est/ L.A. Pride; Leron Gubler, Obituary Chair of the H ollywood H istoric Trust; David Jerome, President/ CEO of the M arch 21, 1927 – M H ollywood Chamber of Commerce; H ollywood Division Captain Ray Valois; FEDERICO Z . Munoz Sr. joined his and Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, creator on Ascension Day, May 2 9 , 2 0 2 2 the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ mariachi at sundown surrounded by his immediate ensemble. family. H e was 9 5 .

Federico was born on March 2 1 , 1 9 2 7 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Philippines. H e was the second to the oldest of 7 children. H e was preceded in death by his wife Juana Nita Munoz.

H e graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education and later enlisted in the United States Navy in March 1 9 4 6 . H e served as a Steward Mate First Class, and in his spare time as a movie operator for the crew. After his military career, he went back to the Philippines and helped his parents raised his siblings.

H e also worked as a Supervisor at the Bureau of Census in Pangasinan.

H e was married to the late Juana Nita Munoz from Santa Barbara, Pangasinan.

Together, they had four children: Clarence, Federico Jr., Bernadette and Alma.

Federico raised his children with hard work and dedication. H e was a man of commitment and compassion. H is faith, hope and love to the Lord Almighty made him a wonderful father. H is knowledge and guidance were the foundation of his family.

ability, and survivors. If you’re entitled to benefits, your spouse and eligible family members might receive benefits, too.

Children may receive benefits Your children or stepchildren could also be entitled to benefits.

When you apply for benefits is important — If you’re married or have entered a non-marital legal relationship, we encourage you to apply right away, even if you’re not sure you’re eligible. Applying now may protect you against the loss of any potential benefits.

• Report life changes right away — You should let us know immediately if you move, marry, separate, divorce, or become the parent of a child. Don’t wait until we review your benefits to tell us about any changes. You should report changes right away so benefits are paid correctly.

For more information, please visit our website for same-sex couples at www. ssa.gov/ people/ same-sexc ouples.

You can also read our publication W hat SameSex Couples Need to Know at www.ssa. gov/ pubs/ EN-05- 104.pdf .

Fed eri c o M unoz

ay 29, 20

Sr ., 95

Federico made his way to California in 1 9 7 8 , where he settled in the Bay Area. H e had a long career with Icicle Seafood in Alaska and 1 5 good years with the United States Postal Service, then moved on to enjoy his retirement.

H e is well loved by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, relatives and friends. H is legacy in his earthly life will remain in their hearts forever. H e will surely be missed Federico Munoz Sr. is survived by his four children and their families – Clarence/ Consuelo & Family, Federico Jr/ Melani & Family, Bernadette/ Carmelo& family and Alma.

Viewing and funeral services for Federico Munoz Sr.: • June 1 6 , 2 0 2 2 , 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with H oly Rosary & Vigil at 6 p.m. Viewing at St. Joseph Cemetery ( 2 5 4 0 Church Lane, San Pablo, CA 9 4 8 0 6 ) • June 1 7 , 2 0 2 2 , 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with H oly Rosary & Vigil at 6 p.m. Viewing at St. Albert the Great Church ( 1 0 2 2 H olly Street, Alameda, CA 9 4 5 0 2 ) • June 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 , 1 0 a.m. Mass at St. Albert the Great Church ( 1 0 2 2 H olly Street, Alameda, CA 9 4 5 0 2 ) , followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery ( 2 5 4 0 Church Lane, San Pablo, CA 9 4 8 0 6 ) .

27 June 9-15, 2022

Offline

(From P age 13)

Sri Lanka today could well be the Philippines in the near term if Marcos Jr.’s economic team is unable to solve the crisis looming ahead.

A similar crisis actually happened many decades ago, during the Japanese occupation. H owever, those who still remember are now a tiny fraction of the population.

During that time, from 1942 to 1945, the Philippines was in dire straits, and so-called Mickey Mouse money was used as legal currency.

To his credit, the incoming president has chosen some very competent people to his Cabinet. If they give him sound advice and he listens, the country could avoid a possible collapse.

O n the other hand, he has made some truly awful choices.

A controversial broadcaster to head the Social W elfare portfolio? Not good.

A political crony to serve as Justice secretary? Two thumbs down to that.

A press secretary who is a classic balimbing or turncoat? A really horrid choice.

That incoming press secretary, incidentally, said she would accredit bloggers and vloggers as part of the Malacanang press corps.

This has regular newsmen/ women up in arms, as these bloggers and vloggers are mostly men and women who have zero training in responsible journalism. W orst of all, some of them were part of the troll army that Marcos Jr used to spread lies to the electorate.

In effect, they will be paid to praise the new regime to high heavens.

By his latest actions, therefore, it can be concluded that Marcos Jr. is somewhat aware that the country is in deep doodoo where the economy is concerned, but is more concerned in making sure that he is not forcibly removed from office. For the latter reason, he has chosen to appoint blind followers and abject yes men to his Cabinet.

He should be given the benefit of the doubt, but excuse me if I am not totally convinced that he can deliver the goods for the people.

Breaking Through

(From P age 13)

Dept of Labor. His office was involved in regulating the overseas job placement industry which was then in its pioneering stage.

W hile at the Labor Dept. , he was also designated as special ambassador to the Middle East which was then a rich source of job contracts for Filipinos. That work earned for him the moniker “Amba” from friends, relatives, and people whom he had helped.

H e is not new in presidential election campaigns.

H e headed the Marcos-Tolentino Movement ( MTM) in 1 9 8 6 , a nationwide group of supporters consisting of national and local officials, youth leaders, professionals, students, media and business groups and others who rallied behind the late President Marcos in the snap elections held that year which the Marcos-Tolentino tandem won.

H e’s also occasionally addressed as Congressman in view of his previous stint in the Lower H ouse as a duly elected partylist representative.

Health & Wealth

(From P age 12)

spiritual regeneration, I recommend this book to everyone especially to Filipinos in our country and abroad, “ echoed boxing legend and Senator Manny Pacquiao. “This timely book is a must reading for agnostics,atheists, believers and Christians,” said Felix O lidan, Evangelist & Minister, W anchai Church of Christ, W anchi, H ongkong.

6.

A TE L JO NAL This full color uarterly Journal is published by Christian W orld Ministry. O n the pages are found news, photographs, encouraging articles, sermon outlines, a bible course, special features rolled into one of the churches of Christ all over the world. This is a must reading for every Christian and excellent gift to our prospects for evangelism.

All the recommended books mentioned above are available in paperback and E-book through Amazon except “ EAL ESTATE O ” which is now available in hard cover, paperback and E-book through Amazon.

If you live in Northern California, you can order autographed copies of the recommended books at a discounted and subsidized price by contacting or writing ACH IEVERS BO O KS, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650)438-3531 or (415)5847095 or email artmadlaing gmail.com ou can also get autographed copies of the recommended books at a discounted and subsidized price and meet some of the authors by visiting the M ANGEL ADIO SAN F ANCISCO studio located at the GGCC building, 701 -8th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118 during live broadcast every Saturday 1 1a m to 3pm ( PST) .

W here ever you are , we invite you to follow the global M ANGEL ADIO SAN F ANCISCO and WATCH via Facebook Live or at www.

My Angel Radio.com LIVE BRO ADCAST starts at 1 1a m Pacific (2pm Eastern) Selected books are offered F EE (-Ebook only) to all global viewers of M ANGEL ADIO SAN F ANCISCO every Saturday.

*A RT GABO T MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker ( DRE#063597) in California since1 981.

H e is the founder of MO BILE SIGNING SE ICES, FITNESS FO H MANIT (aka FITNESS FO CH IST) and ACAPINO . Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CH CH OF H IST in San Francisco, California SA.

Upside...

(From P age 11)

can avoid being desensitized and speak up in ways like valde native actor Matthew McConaughey who pleaded with Biden for gun reform. an event, holding elected officials accountable and wearing orange, at the very least.

Wearorange.org recognizes New ork gun violence prevention advocate Erica Ford for designating orange as the color of peace through her work with her organization, Life Camp, Inc. Partner organizations have grown to include 1,0 organizations including the Golden State W arriors, ensuring H adiya Pendleton’s brief life was not for naught.

W earorange.org recommends participation in the movement by holding officials accountable by attending related events.

People Magazine shared its support for the movement and gives recommendations on how to participate meaningfully. See: https:/ / people.com/ crime/ people-call-to-action-contact-congress-stopgun-violence/ * C he ri e M . Q ue rol M oreno i s E x ec ut i v e E di t or pf P hi l i ppi ne N ew s T oday .

PerryScope...

(From P age 12 )

cumulated by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his family, relatives, subordinates, and close associates. In 2 0 1 9 , PCGG said it recovered P1 7 2 billion in ill-gotten wealth from the Marcos family.

Recently, the Anti-graft court Sandiganbayan said it would proceed with the trial of a wealth forfeiture case involving shares of stocks worth billions of pesos in Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc. ( ETPI) , which is said to be held in trust by alleged cronies of the late dictator and former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

P203 billion estate tax In regard to the P203 billion estate tax due on the Marcos estate, in which Bongbong is the administrator, Senator Imee Marcos has conceded in an interview that her family should pay any taxes that they owe. However, she also questioned the timing of the recent controversy surrounding the Marcoses’ unpaid estate tax and blamed it on “rotten politics.” otten politics or not, taxes are owed, which should have been paid already.

“We are a bit dizzy with that tax issue, but all I can say is, if we owe the government, we should pay [ our debt] . O ur family faced all the cases against us. W e are still facing these because there are a lot and this issue on estate tax has been here for a while, Imee said.

Bongbong’s bullheadedness about not paying his taxes is bound to haunt him later during his presidency. Already, rallies are being held in various cities in the country protesting Bongbong’s refusal to pay his taxes.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue ( BIR) said last month that it had sent a written demand to the Marcos family in December 2021 to pay their estate taxes liability.

The Marcos family, however, said that they had not settled their taxes owed because they were contesting the full amount and the matter was still under litigation.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government refuted that the taxes owed were in doubt, saying that the BI had made its final assessment on the involved properties and that the judgment on the tax case had become final and executory as early as 1 9 9 7 .

For one thing, the tax assessment will never go away, unless Marcos will do something stupid when he assumes the presidency. If that happens expect the people to rise in protest, which could lead to civil disturbances. For the sake of national interest, Bongbong needs to clear what he owes the government. As it was said in the Bible, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”

Economic recovery O n engineering a broad-based economic recovery, the usual public policy response worldwide is for governments to spend extra on infrastructures and various societal needs in order to stimulate their economy and breathe life to stagnant economic sectors.

But where would he get the extra funding for infrastructure? By borrowing more money? But who would lend him the funds for massive infrastructure projects without showing how he would recoup the funds to pay back the loans?

It’s a nasty catch-2 2 isn’t it? Bongbong may have to do some fiscal hocus pocus to come up with the right calculus to achieve all these.

Financial institutions such as JP Morgan are wary about Marcos’ ability to jumpstart the economy. ntil now, Marcos hasn’t formed his economic team yet with barely three weeks to go before his presidency begins.

With the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio which is slightly above 60% the country needs to grow between 6% and 7% on a sustainable basis. For the country to outgrow its debt, Duterte’s finance chief, Carlos Dominguez III, proposed that Bongbong and his economic team implement new taxes, defer scheduled tax reductions, and repeal certain tax exemptions.

Let’s look at the dire economic situation. To service the national debt, the national government paid nearly P4 3 0 billion in interest and almost P3 3 0 billion in principal obligation. Interest alone stands at 2.2% of GDP. The fiscal deficit ballooned from P6 6 0 billion or 3 .4 % of GDP before the pandemic to P1 .7 trillion, more than 2 .5 times, or 8 .6 % of GDP. Bongbong has six years to achieve these goals. But many believe that he faces insurmountable obstacles in overcoming them.

W ith Bongbong soon to take his presidential oath of office on June 30, 2022, his effort to revise history to be kinder to the Marcoses would accelerate. And once in office, he could succeed merely by using his presidential in uence.

H eck, the late dictator might even be declared a “national hero.”

(P erry D i az @ gmai l . c om)

The Outsider

(From P age 12)

capital expenditures (CapEx) at Php13.7 billion, more than its 2020 CapEx of Php10.7 billion.

According to Manila W ater, major components of the investment are the construction of new facilities and networks to expand service coverage, rehabilitation and improvement on existing assets and facilities for both water and wastewater, compliance projects relating to biological nutrient removal ( BNR) for wastewater facilities, and the implementation of interim water source projects. It has awarded 2 8 2 projects in 2 0 2 1 .

The company remains resilient despite the challenges of water security and uncertainties due to the pandemic. It never wavers in its commitment to provide excellent service to its customers. O ver the years its accomplishments speak for themselves: increased water availability to nearly 1 0 0 % from 2 6 % ; reduction of NRW from 6 3 % to an average of 1 3 % ; and giving access to clean and affordable water to those from marginalized communities through its W ater for the Community Program.

It has been said that Government and business are two institutions fated to travel together. W ith the new concession agreement in place, may this journey be more fruitful and this partnership benefit more Filipinos.

 HEALTH NEWS

June 9-15, 2022

28

WHO consultation sets research priorities for monkeypox GENE A - A global research consultation convened by the WHO D Blueprint gathered over 500 experts and more than 2 0 0 0 participants to discuss knowledge gaps and research priorities for monkeypox , in view of the recent outbreaks of the disease in both endemic and non-endemic countries.

Researchers and high-level ex perts from all over the world met virtually for 2 days to review the available evidence on the epidemiology of the virus its transmission dynamics the clinical characteristics One Health research community engagement and countermeasures for managing the disease, including clinical care, treatments and vaccines. They agreed that effective countermeasures should be made available based on where the need was greatest.

Improved control of monkeypox in endemic countries is critical to address increases in disease incidence, and to control importations and outbreaks elsewhere.

Participants agreed that strengthened collaboration among researchers in endemic countries, who have a wealth of ex perience and data on the disease—along with researchers from other countries—will ensure that scientific knowledge advances more quickly.

Experts underlined the need for expedited studies to better understand the disease epidemiology, its clinical consequences, and the role of various modes of transmission. In addition, the following research needs were highlighted a comprehensive One Health approach to understand animal-to-human transmission and animal reservoirs development and evaluation of better diagnostic tools that can be available around the world improved approaches to communicate and engage communities in affected areas studies to optimize supportive clinical care documentation of the best control and treatment practices and prompt and transparent communication of data and scientific evidence.

Experts also emphasized the need for clinical studies of vaccines and therapeutics to better document their efficacy and understand how to use them in this and future outbreaks.

Implementing without delay public health activities—such as communicating prevention information, enhanced disease surveillance, contact tracing, isolation of cases and optimized care of of people with the virus—should be used to limit spread and help the peo-

ple affected, no matter where they are.

Since 13 May 2022, and as of 2 June 2022, 780 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported to or identified by WHO from 27 Member States across four WHO regions that are not endemic for monkeypox virus. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. Most reported cases so far have been presented through sex ual health or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities and have involved mainly, but not ex clusively, men who have sex with men (MSM).

W hile the W est African clade of the virus has been identified from samples of cases so far, most confirmed cases with travel history reported travel to countries in Europe and North America, rather than West or Central Africa where the monkeypox virus is endemic. The confirmation of monkeypox in persons who have not travelled to an endemic area is atypical, and even one case of monkeypox in a non-endemic country is considered an outbreak. While most cases are not associated with travel from endemic areas, Member States are also reporting small numbers of cases in travelers from Nigeria, as has been observed before.

Heart of Hope

Doctor jailed

PHILIP S. CHUA

T

he W ashington Post reported the following shameful news: “A California doctor, Jennings Ryan Staley, MD, who prescribed hydrox ychloroquine as part of a ‘ covid treatment kit’ that he guaranteed would cure the disease was sentenced last week to 3 0 days in prison and a year-long home con-

finement.”

Added info from the US Department of Justice: “This physician previously pled guilty to one count of importation contrary to law, admitting he attempted to smuggle hydroxychloroquine into the .S. by working with a Chinese supplier that would mislabel 2 6 pounds of hydrox ychloroquine as ‘yam extract’.”

H ow he was caught: “After people alerted the FBI to promotional emails from Staley’s Skinny Beach Med Spa, an undercover agent posing as a customer asked about the treatment kit and was assured by Staley that hydrox ychloroquine was a ‘ magic bullet’ and ‘ amazing cure.’ Dr. Staley added that CO ID-19 ‘literally disappears in hours’ after taking the drug.” No ethical physicians would use the word “guarantee” when it comes to any treatment, even if they knew it would work well.

That was certainly a fraud, misrepresentation, deception, and malpractice goaded by financial greed and a grave breach of our sworn Hippocratic Oath. Primum non-nocere ( First, do no harm) is the principal precept of bioethics our medical profession is based upon. His deviation from the standard of medical care ( hydrox ychloroquine is not approved for the treatment of CO ID-19) and marketing of his “guaranteed cure,” which are false and unethical, endanger unsuspecting people, who might fall victims to his deceptive advertisement and forego the proper treatment for this deadly killer virus, putting their lives in jeopardy, just to enrich himself.

As a physician, I find this embarrassing and a blemish on the medical profession. Although his license was suspended, was the 3 0 -day jail term too lenient for the multiple crimes he had committed?

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a common lung condition, especially among long-term cigarette smokers. The toxic smoke burns the lung tissues, causing ballooning out of the air sacs ( emphysema) , rendering

them inefficient in oxygen absorption and transfer (mixture) with blood, the reason why persons with COPD are short of breath most of the time. The blood is not oxygenated well enough for the body.

COPD could also be caused by other harmful agents, like tox ic chemicals in the environment like in industrial chemical plants or laboratories, or from the normal hydrochloric acid, the natural gastric juice in our own stomach that aids in digestion.

In persons with gastro-esophageal re ux, where the sphincter in the junction between the esophagus and the stomach is not competent ( too loose) , acidic gastric acid juices or acid fumes back up and are inhaled into the lungs, especially when lying down, resulting in the burning of the lung tissues. Propping the head part of the bed helps the patient breathe a little better and also prevents gastric acid re ux by gravity.

COPD starts with bronchitis (the bronchus, or breathing pipe, becomes in amed) and later emphysema (damaged, thinned-out air sacs of the lungs). There could be exacerbations or are-ups now and then, where the patient could become seriously ill. Consultation with a Pulmonologist, preferably at the earliest stage of bronchitis, offers great benefits and comfort to these individuals through the formulation of an action plan.

Putin’s cancer ladimir Putin, President of ussia, whose unprovoked attack on Ukraine, killing countless soldiers, and civilians, including children, an act labeled a genocide, has been reported by Newsweek in April as undergoing “treatment for an undisclosed type of advanced cancer.”

CO ID-19 pdate As of Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 9 00 AM (EST), COID-19 Worldwide - 536,051,913, Deaths - 6,321,838 SA - 86,637,487, Deaths 1,033,830 The Philippines - 3,691,892, Deaths - 60,456.

The pandemic is still amidst us, gradually becoming endemic.

The new BA.2 The new Omicron subvariant, BA.2, which is becoming the dominant CO ID-19 virus in the nited States, is more highly contagious, causes milder infection than Delta and earlier variants, and has symptoms for about two days fewer than those with Delta. With more than 100 million ( 3 3 percent) unvaccinated people in the United States, who are more prone to get infected, and harbor the virus in their bodies, more and newer strains and substrains of the virus are expected to develop. Masking and social distancing still help, since even those with second

boosters could still get infected by the new and yet unidentified strains still under the radar.

Diabetes-CO ID Long CO ID, or Post-CO ID infection, or LongHaul CO ID refers to symptoms of CO ID-19 infection that persist for more than 12 weeks (unexplained by other causes) , like joint pains, ex treme tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pains or tightness, “brain fog” (memory and concentration problems), according to NHS. More than 5.17 Billion (with a B) doses of the CO ID-19 vaccines have been administered around the world (67.4 percent of the global population) and around 67 percent of people in the United States are fully vaccinated, proving the CO ID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Those unvaccinated are more prone to get CO ID-19 infection and also have a greater risk for Long CO ID, compared to those who are vaccinated.

A review of 7 studies showed that those with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 who had CO ID-19 infection were associated with more than 4 times higher chance of developing Long CO ID, according to Jessica L. Harding, Ph.D., of Emory niversity School of Medicine in Atlanta, in her presentation at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting.

Dogs detect CO ID Our most loyal pet, following specialty training, is able to sniff out CO ID-19 infection, even before symptoms occur, “more accurately than rapid antigen testing.” For decades, trained dogs have been known to diagnose epileptic seizures shortly before they happen, Malaria, Prostate Cancer, hyperglycemia ( when the blood sugar level of a diabetic person goes up dangerously high), etc. to name a few. More popularly, trained dogs can trace escaped convicts, dead bodies buried underground, and hidden illegal drugs. Dogs are indeed smart, patient, forgiving, and faithful animals, much better than some people on earth. If we were all like our pet dogs in attitude, behavior, and virtues, this world would be a better place than what it is now, with no hatred, anger, or killings, and, instead, be filled with love, joy, and peace on earth.

P h i l i p S . C h u a, M D , FA C S , FP C S , a C ard i ac S u rgeon E meri t u s b as ed i n N ort h w es t I n d i an a an d L as V egas , N ev ad a, i s an i n t ern at i on al med i c al l ec t u rer/ au t h or, H eal t h A d v oc at e, n ew s paper c ol u mn i s t , an d C h ai rman of t h e Fi l i pi n o U n i t ed N et w ork - U S A , a 5 0 1(c )3 h u man i t ari an f ou n d at i on i n t h e U n i t ed S t at es . W eb s i t es : FU N 8 8 8 8 . c om, T od ay . S P S A t od ay . c om, an d ph i l i pS c h u a. c om E mai l : s c al pel pen @ gmai l . c om

29 June 9-15, 2022

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS I Give You My Peace

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

By TIM PEDROSA

LET US H AVE FAITH TH AT BETTER TH INGS ARE CO MING; TH AT TH E BEST IS YET TO CO ME. Let us never regret anything that has happened in our lives, because it cannot be changed nor undone. W e might as well take it as a lesson and move on. Faith is taking the first step even when we don’t see what could happen. There are times when we might have craved for certain things, but then, unfortunately, these particular things do not come to us. Sometimes someone or something dear to us is gone.

W hen something happens beyond our control, we should accept it some way or the other. W e should not keep chasing it for the rest of our lives. In life, something happens that might not be according to our wishes. In such a scenario, we have to accept the reality without allowing ourselves to keep nagging about it all the time. W e must not feel low but continue to have faith in ourselves and our abilities. Let us rely on the Almighty and must understand that this is part of life.

W hen something is gone, we must let it go! Maybe it was not meant for us; maybe there is something greater coming along the way. W e probably deserve a lot better, and that is what is on the way I have learned that if things are meant for us, they will come to us. All we need is to hold our patience and have enough faith in ourselves. The moment we actually have faith and trust in God, things are going to fall in their places all by themselves. Let us just accept the reality, keep working ahead and trust ourselves. W e have survived a lot, and we will survive whatever is coming. W e should realize that we are capable of withstanding any sort of difficulties that come along our way. W e often fear something because we are not aware of our own potential. Let us be confident that we are capable of dealing with all sorts of hardships, and nothing in this world can stop us from achieving all that we want to attain. Too often, we underestimate our own abilities and that is the biggest mistake that we can ever do. W e have survived a lot in the past, we will be able to survive a lot more what is yet to arrive.

Life is a battle and we are just like the soldiers trying to give our best and make sure that we win. Every time we feel that we are low, let us just look back at our past and we will be able to understand that we are good enough! W e have survived many times, and we have a lot more to see ahead! All we need is to have faith in ourselves and to God and we will be able to overcome each and every hurdle that comes along our way.

T

he Easter Season has ended; we can ask ourselves, where do we go from here? Yes, we have to continue building up our spiritual lives, seek to mature in virtues and persevere in righteousness. H owever, I want us to be specific, to be concrete, in our seeing to it that the graces and lessons we have learned from Lenten and Easter Seasons continue to thrive and be fruitful in REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD our daily lives as disciples of the Jesus Christ. I want us to remember H im tells us: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you (Jn. 14 27)” I want us to re-learn and re ect about these words of the Lord Jesus. Is peace important for you, dear reader Peace is the isen Lord’s gift to us and this is what I want us to bring with us among other things and lessons from the Easter Season.

Peace of Christ and peace that the world gives are two different things. Peace from the world is born out of contract, it is contractual; while Christ’s peace is pure gift. The former is temporary for many times contracts are not followed; hence, peace becomes fragile and gets broken. The latter is lasting, it is eternal. It is not a mere absence of threat to life and its goods but a disposition and presence of God in one’s life. That is why, martyrs of the faith still find peace in the depth of their being; even if, they are subjected into some crucible ex periences and events. The peace of the world is out of fear by subjugation of the other; or even if, they can be called equal parties but yet some compromises are made; because one party has more dominance than the other. But Christ’s peace is out of love. He offered H imself out of love for us, and by this love reconciled us to God in H imself and by this reconciliation we are enabled to love and live in the way God wants us to live; that is, in H is divine life. H ence, we are given divine life and with it is divine peace. W e are to be bearers of this peace to all. H owever, we cannot bring and give this peace unless we too have it. O ur mentality must be peace oriented. O ur behavior must tell we are a peaceful person.

I want us, therefore, to seek this divine peace and build ourselves up with it. W e are gifted with it already by grace and presence of Christ through the H oly Spirit in us, all we have to do is sustain it and nourish it. By daily prayer we can maintain our inner peace; for by prayer, we are in contact with God, the source of peace. W hen we pray, we put into God’s hands our cares thus, we are able to live with confidence and clarity of mind and heart. Having nothing to worry or be anxious of because we already put everything into God’s hands, leads to peace in our mind and heart. Moreover, divine peace is grace; hence, we must live with the Sacraments: The Sacrament of Confession and Mercy purifies us from sin and guilt consequently, we are in peace interiorly, for we obtain peace with God. The Sacrament of the Eucharist, we must go to Mass, for we nourish ourselves in Christ Jesus, and having Jesus is having everything: H aving H im is having H is peace. It cannot be overemphasized how important for us, dear reader, that we have to grow in our devotion to the Sacraments for we come in contact with God in a personal and profound way. O f course, there are many other ways still that we can do so that we can build ourselves in Christ’s peace. Do whatever you think is fit to make yourself grow in Christ’s peace and become a person of peace.

W ithout peace in our mind, we cannot think clearly and cannot make good decisions. W ithout peace in our heart, which means we can be full of fear or confused or we are in many disfunctions in our life; hence, we can never be happy. Genuine joy and happiness come with peace; for no one can be happy when there are forms of negativity or guilt feeling or uneasiness going on. Christ has given us H is peace; let us thrive and build up H is peace in us and with others. Let us seek inner peace and radiate it to the world we live in. The world has many things unpeaceful; has many events devoid of peace; more than ever, the world needs this peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. And you and I, dear reader, as Christians, Alter Christus, must bring and give this peace. With Christ’s presence in us, let our actions be peaceful and tell each other: “I give you my peace.” Amen.

Aflame The Heart

FAITH IS THE ANSWER

31 June 9-15, 2022  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Mais at Patola, Sweet Corn and Luffa Vegetable Soup Ingredients: 4 young c orn in a cob 2 m edium size patola, peeled, cut crosswise 2 m edium size eggplant, sliced into strips 1/ 4 ki lo pre-boiled pork, cut into strips 1 c up small shrimp, shelled 2- 3 l ong green chili 1/ 4 he ad garlic, chopped 1 s mall size onion, chopped 1 m edium size tomato, chopped 1 4 cup fish sauce salt to taste cooking oil

Cook ing procedure: Using a knife cut of the corn kernels of the cob, keep aside, discard cobs. In a sauce pan suttee garlic, onion and tomato until lump. Add in the pork and shrimp, stir cook for a minute. Add in fish sauce and stir cook for another minute. Add 3 to 4 cups of water bring to a boil and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add in the corn and continue to simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, add more water as necessary. Add in the vegetables and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, correct saltines if required. Now add in the green chili and cook for another half a minute. Serve with steaming hot rice.

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Lucban revives Pahiyas Festival, welcomes back tourists LUCBAN, Quezon – The town of Lucban, the land of pancit habhab and colorful kiping-decorated houses, has revived the iconic Pahiyas Festival this 20, two years since the pandemic forced most festivals in the Philippines to go virtual.

Every May 15, the agricultural towns of Quezon province celebrate the feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint for good harvest, in various ways -- the Agawan Festival in Sariaya, the Mayahon of Tayabas, and the Pahiyas or officially the San Isidro Pahiyas Festival.

Pahiyas is dubbed as one of the country’s most colorful festivals and begins with an offering to the farmer saint, a practice derived from the early residents’ ritual of setting aside a portion of their harvests to the anito” or ancestor spirits.

Before the feast, locals in the designated streets where the procession of San Isidro will pass through decorate their houses with rice stalks, a waterfall of fruits and vegetables, and most notably, giant owers and chandelier-like “arangya made from multicolored kiping ( rice wafers) .

Natives believe the houses on this route will receive a blessing from the saint.

This year, over 60 houses participated in the Pahiyas, according to a PNA report.

The streets pulsate with more life in the afternoon when the grand parade starts moving with the marching band, higantes, the Parikitan winners and town’s belles dressed in white and locally-crafted long gowns.

But apart from the houses that outdo each other, also not to be missed are food stalls lining the procession route, selling various Lucbanin dishes from habhab, Lucban longganisa on stick, pilipit kalabasa” to roasted kipings.

W hile the pandemic halved the number of visitors, the festival still attracted a relatively huge crowd.

Department of Tourism-Calabarzon officer-in-charge Marites Castro said in a PNA report all accredited hotels and resorts in Lucban were fully booked leading to the event that other tourists were already billeted as far as Lucena, which is about 2 8 kilometers away from the town proper.

Some 10,0 tourists joined Pahiyas this year but still below the 20,0 visitors recorded in 2019, based on DO T data.

Side trip If you’re already in Lucban, then a side trip to emerging and exi sting destinations are a must. O n top of it

is the Kamay ni H esus, a pilgrimage site known for its healing masses and the 50- feet image of the Ascending Christ.

A four-minute drive from Kamay ni H esus, you will reach the Bukid Amara where you can find a meadowlike landscape, featuring gorgeous rows of sun owers and different kinds of blooms.

The ower garden is set against the backdrop of the majestic Mt. Banahaw, which would likely make those who grew up in the province reminisce about childhood memories on a farm.

Bukid Amara also offers a Filipino “kamayan-style” dining inside a bahay kubo situated just beside a lake and its ower field. The dishes use locally-sourced ingredients, including edible owers the owners grew themselves.

Also, a recommended dining and coffee spot in town is Linang ni L , a bed and breakfast owned by Chef Francis Christian O coma also known as Lakwatserong Kusinero.

They serve pako (fiddlehead fern) salad, Lucban hardinera ( Filipinostyle steamed pork loaf) , the creamy fusion of ube halaya and palitaw, and the kare-kareng bagnet, among others.