Page

New US envoy to Philippines arriving end of July

By Jeanne M ichael Penaranda

WASHINGTON/MANILA – Finally, the new United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson will take up her post in Manila before the end of July as the US looks forward to bolstering its economic, security and political cooperation with its long-time treaty ally under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration.

This was disclosed by US Embassy harg d ff aires eather aria a said on the sidelines of a reception for the 246th anniversary of US Independence.

“We are very excited to welcome very soon our new ambassador. She’ll be here in the Philippines by the end of the month,” Variava said.

Variava said Carlson, a senior career diplomat, is in Washington DC to prepare for her tour of duty.

“She’s now in Washington having meetings, preparing to come here to the Philippines. Stay tuned, there’s a lot more to come with the new ambassador,” she added.

Carlson succeeds former US ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, who ended his tour of duty in October 2020.

For more than a year, the embassy was headed b a charg d aff aires until arlson was fi nall nominated and confi rmed this year. ormer charg d aff aires ohn aw led the embassy before Variava, who will serve as Carlson’s deputy once she arrives in Manila.

Variava said there is “a lot to look forward to” in the two nations’ partnership, particularly on security and its Indo-Pacifi c conomic ramewor

“We here at the embassy, as well as our partners in the United States, look forward to working closely with President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his team to secure a prosperous, healthy, and safe future for the peoples of both our nations,” she said.

“We wish the new President good health and a safe recovery,” she added after Malacanang’s announcement that Marcos had tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019.

President Joe Biden designated Carlson as the next US ambassador to the Philippines.

A veteran diplomat, Carlson was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina prior to her appointment in Manila.

She also served as Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, India for three years and as principal Deputy Executive Secretary of the Secretary of State in Washington, D.C.

US Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines M aryKay Loss Carlson

increases for both tell an unnerving story, with the number of COVID-19 cases rising 39 percent for the period July 4 to10.

Year-on-year, however, it is the number of dengue cases for the fi rst half of this ear that is a more serious concern, zooming by 90 percent over the same period last year.

The twin threats could swamp the government’s healthcare system, with the Department of Health still operating without a leader. Various undersecretaries from the previous government are still on place on a holdover capacity, with no guarantee that they will be retained once a new Health secretary is appointed by the president.

Meanwhile, the public was advised not to panic, but to also be cautious. Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted at the start of this week that the average new daily infections of COVID-19 has risen to 1,535 cases, a dramatic rise from the previous week’s 1,009 cases.

The resurgence of COVID-19 is expected to continue in the short term, with a peak seen to occur between the middle and the end of July.

The new surge is expected to peak at up to 11,000 cases a day, with public and private hospitals seen to experience shortages in bed space by end-August to September.

Speaking in the vernacular, Vergiere said in a radio interview that “we really should be careful.” She added that the public must understand that the coronavirus “is here to

Covid... (From page 1) stay,” and new infections should always be expected. On the plus side, she said that at least “our hospitals are not full.” As of the start of this week, the total number of acti e infections stood at ince - fi rst appeared, the country experienced 3,718, 467 cases nationwide, with 3,664,009 recoveries and 60,640 fatalities. ccording to the independent fi rm esearch the Philippines currently has a COVID-19 positivity rate of 10.9 percent, more than double the World ealth rgani ation s safe rate of fi e percent The positivity rate is the percentage of people who test positive for the virus against the total number who have been tested. As long as the positivity rate keeps increasing, the number of COVID-positive individuals is also rising. And while COVID only appeared in the country in March of 2020, dengue cases have been recorded for decades, with the annual total rising and falling with no set pattern. he fi rst semester of this ear showed that is a high volume year for dengue fever, believed to have fi rst emanated from the hilippines decades ago The Health department said there were 64,797 dengue cases recorded from January 1 to June 25, this year, almost double the 34,074 cases reported for the same period last year. he death toll for the fi rst half of this ear stood at 274. For both COVID-19 and dengue, therefore the short-term situation in the Philippines is bound to get worse before it gets better, and it is not clear if the new government is giving it the attention it needs. Senators refi ling death penalty bill

senator has re-fi led his bill see ing to impose the death penalt on big-time drug tra c ers and plunderers while at least three others said the would fi le their ersions

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, limited his ersion onl to high-le el drug tra c ers so it would not be considered anti-poor

Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Robin Padilla have similarly expressed their commitment to support the reinstatement of the death penalty. enator hristopher ong o e pressed his willingness to re-fi le a measure reinstating the death penalty for certain heinous crimes. here s no high-le el drug tra c er who can be considered as small-time indi po kasama dito ‘yung mga (Not included here are the) ordinary street drug pushers. nl big-time drug tra c ers dela osa said

Although he expects a discussion on the quantity of illegal drugs that may be considered high-le el he said one ilogram could alread be classifi ed as such n the th ongress none of the death penalt bills fi led b nine senators were acted upon after being referred to the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, chaired by former senator Richard Gordon.

EDITORIAL

The truth begins to surface

The questions that he never thought would ever be asked, much less answered, are ever so slowly coming to light.

What did he know and when did he know it? Former President Donald Trump had always believed that his boys would protect him, and would never testify against him.

As far as he was concerned, his hands were clean relative to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The tale that he would have everyone believe was that the events leading to the deadly takeover of the nation’s Capitol began as nothing more than a peaceful rally of Americans seeking the truth regarding what Mr. Trump was insisting was a stolen or rigged election.

The marchers were mostly patriots, and their storming of the historic building was an unfortunate result of the impending declaration of Joe Biden as the lawful winner of the 2020 elections.

And yes, calls by the mob to “hang Mike Pence,” were not serious. They were merely sending the vice president a message to do the right thing and overturn the results of the vote, which he had no legal right to do.

The tragic deaths and injuries that took place that horrible afternoon and the fact that the insurrection might have succeeded led to the formation of the Jan. 6 committee a bi-partisan ongressional bod formed to fi nd out the truth

What had been unearthed thus far is truly mind blowing. And there’s more to come. It may still seem remote, but the possibility that Trump will be charged and possibly imprisoned for his role cannot be discounted.

The testimonies of people close to him and who were with him on that fateful day are beginning to look like a smoking gun, the kind that the Justice department will be hard put to ignore.

In public, at least, Trump is not squirming yet.

Despite his failure to cover up his questionable actions and inaction from midafternoon to early evening of Jan. 6, last year, Trump continues to deny that he is as much to blame as any of the far right extremists who came close to dealing a crippling blow to democracy, as we know it.

Testimony after testimony indicates that he was well aware of the consequences of his infl ammator words and those conse uences did indeed pla out

Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Justice department will soon face the di cult decision of whether or not onald rump should be charged with a most serious crime, one which could conceivably result in his incarceration.

Old Republicans who still support Trump must be wishing that they had not blocked Garland’s appointment to the Supreme Court by former President Barack Obama. His actions as attorney general indicate that he is a man who weighs his decisions carefully, but once a decision has been made, he will very likely stick to it come hell or high water.

His dreams of reclamation the White House in 2024 are fast becoming unlikely. If indeed he is indicted rump will now that histor boo s will write him off as a national disgrace, a megalomaniac who would do anything to stay in power.

There will be no happy endings for him.

Fun in the fog

THE one day our famous atmospheric condition decided to visit with a vengeance just happened to fall on Colma’s much-awaited Community Fair. To be fair, the town’s popular gathering of artisans, nonprofi ts and communit -based businesses alwa s opened to that familiar cool damp curtain usuall burning off by the time the band plays rocking hot. Not July 9. Mama Nature wanted to tease everyone raring to get together after 2 years and 7 months of Upside forced shut-in but daunted none. So there they were at 10 am, all set at the grounds of the Community Center, CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO led by Recreation Manager Anjelika Abellana, whose energy boggles. ow she new fol s b fi rst name without e er ha ing met in person charms arrying on as if she was born for the role, she led exhibitors to their designated tables. Was this OK? Not too close to the band to impeded meaningful discussion of products and services? Too far from the band to get down when the mood hits? Anjelika pulled out her A game.

Soon the parking lot on Hillside Boulevard teemed with local and neighboring residents of every age and weekend persuasion. Right by the entrance to the Community Center for respite shelter and bio breaks, ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment 2022 president Kumpare Junior Flores welcomed as Kumare Elsa Agasid, Nan Santiago, Blessy Valera and Kumpare Rev. Leonard Oakes distributed their complimentary A-List resource guide sponsored by the Town of Colma.

Across the way, Commission on Aging member Liz Taylor gave out the Help at Home booklet of resource providers for San Mateo County residents 55 a nd older.

Further down, Peninsula Family Service deployed Ana Lopez, case manager at Fair a s cti it enter and lder dults resource line staff eer ounseling coordinators for older adults of diverse background -Tessie Madrinan for Filipinos, Michele Epstein for English-speakers and Helen Tsui for Chinese participants and Veronica Yecguanchuy Park for La Esperanza Vive (Hope Lives!) or the Latinx community. ttendees e pressed e citement to learn about the an ateo-based nonprofi t agency’s many programs including Got Wheels!, the limited $5 one-way rides for olma and other cities residents ears and older econd areers and our al We Listen one-on-one counseling,.

City Manager Brian Dossey brought the metaphorical sunshine as he visited with exhibitors, always with a huge smile and positive energy. Volunteers replicated his aura, especially Colma Vice Mayor Rae Gonzalez’s daughter Elena, who happily snapped photos of the cheerful scenes all around.

Artisans displayed and vended home-made art, accessories and beauty products. Area businesses catering to households like Home Depot handed mini aprons for toddler workshops while Republic Services shared safety tips along with tiny trash bins.

Kids worked out the morning sugar in a jumpy house. Recent kid Matt DeVIncenzi introduced himself as “half-Filipino” to anyone he thought might share his heritage. hen he off ered a one-free game coupon for his famil s lassic owl on the border of Daly City and South San Francisco. “My mother’s last name is de Luna,” he volun(C ont inue d on page 16)teered, with a translation, “…of the moon.” He’d been helping

Philippine News Today is published weekly by Philippines Today LLC with business and editorial offi ces 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

MARILYN B. KING

Vice President for Sales and Marketing BETING LAYGO DOLOR

Manila Editor FRANCIS ESPIRITU

Publisher/President THELMA L. CRUZ

Vice President for Operations & Promotions CHERIE QUEROL MORENO

Executive Editor ALFRED G. GABOT

Editor-in-chief

CLAIRE M. TRUE

Managing Editor

JUNNI RANILLO

Entertainment Editor

NEIL GONZALES LYDIA SOLIS

Chief Correspondent Northern California Chief Correspondent Southern California

JO ERLINDA YABUT

Entertainment Editor

ANGELO LOPEZ

Cartoonist ELEANOR SMITH

Offi ce Manager NICK SAGMIT GEORGE GANGE RENE AVENIDO

Photo Correspondents

MA. CECILIA G. MADELO

Graphic Director

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

Manila Correspondents

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 refl ect 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.

Have we learned from the lessons Rizal taught?

In politics, as in love, is it destiny or timing that makes one a winner?

er une we remember the birthda of ose i al er ecember we commemorate his e ecution e remember him b and for the hundreds of streets schools boo s monuments museums libraries ad infi nitum named after him umerous speeches are deli ered glorif ing his memor ut how much ha e we the ilipino people reall learned ATTY MANUEL B QUINTALMindSparks from the lessons i al taught ow man of our go ernment and pri ate organi ation leaders who stop short of deif ing him e er une and ecember had learned from the lessons of i al ow man among those who claim to now his life and wor s and profess ideas of i al i alisms li e b or e en stri e to li e b those isms n the pantheon of heroes of the hilippines i al is arguabl the most prominent well- nown criti ued and admired e was not a militar leader of the re olution as eorge ashington imon oli ar or ao he ong was but he inspired and mo ed and pro ided the pro imate cause for an armed re olution e was a man of peace e was not against re olution as a political change but he did not ad ocate for it is famous no els oli e angere and l ilibusterismo pro ided the spar s that ignited the hilippine e olution against the panish coloni ers e onl wanted reforms a gradual change for the better he calls for gradual changes were not heeded but instead were answered with more restrictions and persecution is death hastened political change through an armed re olution hile i al died for the sa e of the ilipino people it does not mean that his ideas are onl aluable to ilipinos o him enius nows no countr genius is e er where the patrimon of e er bod e belie ed in e ualit among men e did not belie e in the idea of a superior race ow man ilipinos are inclined to thin or feel the are inferior ith the desire not to promote schism among ilipino reformers in urope i al preferred to gi e up the leadership of a olidaridad e belie ed that the organi ation s or societ s interest must dominate o er the indi idual member s interest he indi idual should gi e wa to the welfare of societ e preached the idea of nationalism against pro incialism he a iga ilipina whose organi ational meeting he presided sought to unite the islands of the hilippines into one compact robust and homogenous entit e preached rational discussions to settle diff erences e emphasi ed the alue of an education in impro ing one s station in life and promoting prosperit for the nation hile i al died for the sa e of the ilipino people it does not mean that his ideas are onl aluable to ilipinos o him enius nows no countr genius is e er where the patrimon of e er bod e belie ed in e ualit among men e did not belie e in the idea of a superior race ow man ilipinos are inclined to thin or feel the are inferior ow man ilipino organi ations ha e splintered because of personal ambitions and the inabilit of contending national parties to tr to settle their diff erences he e ents leading to the last general elections in the hilippines pro ided e amples of how far the ilipino people particularl its leaders ha e tried to li e b what i al taught he number of ma or candidates who wanted to run for the presidenc despite the absence of signifi cant diff erences in the go ernment programs the presented to the people shows a preference for or predominance of personal interests o er that of the countr and its people ersonal ambition and ision of glor must ha e blindl colored their decisions ampaigns become appeals to otes for local interests hough admittedl a brilliant political strateg to select a running mate ice-president from a region diff erent from the presidential candidate the practice refl ects and emphasi es regional mentalit that sometimes results in a choice with lesser ualifi cations to lead nationall nd gi en the absence of signifi cant diff erences in the ideolog of the political parties and the facilit of turncoatism an alliance of short-li e con enience is often resorted to he formation of arious local and regional political parties displa s the pro incialism mentalit of its leaders and followers t somehow nurtures a feeling of not belonging to a larger whole of interest in common (C ont inue on page 27)

Remembering Christina Natividad Ridad

ART GABOT MADLAING

Mbelo ed wife irginia imene adlaing and were blessed and fortunate to attend the viewing and memorial ser ices for anang hristina ati dad idad last aturda at the uggan s ortuar in al it alifornia he died due to o arian cancer at the age of t was od s pro idence that be owner of be arber Health & Wealth hops located in al it and an rancisco called me last hursda e ening and informed of the death of anang hristina and the iewing on aturda pm to pm at the uggan s ortuar t was also od s pro idence that brother err enis came with us for the iewing and memorial ser ices immediatel after the acapella singing of fa orite gospel songs and hea enl h mns in nglish panish agalog locano angasinan ebuano the last segment of the global ngel adio an rancis e er aturda am to pm ha e been ac uainted with anang hristina since the mid s when was still acti e publisher of the wee l anang hristina who originall came from the pro ince of locos orte in the hilippines li e m - ear-old mother was then er acti e in the communit li e her in ol ement in the eniors enter he coordinated and organi ed the acti ities for the annual ndependence a une and riendship a ul where she in ited me as one of the inspirational and guest spea ers i e m self she had been acti e as licensed eal state ro er until she retired ha e lost contact with her for se eral ears until she called one e ening last pril and re uested me to isit and pra for her he following da isited her and pra ed for her ph sical healing uring m succeeding isits in her home in l mouth enue an rancisco alifornia anang hristina shared her spiritual ourne he was er happ to now that am now an acti e angelist with the in an rancisco alifornia ga e her autographed copies of m two best-selling boo s subtitled acts and idences for gnostics theists elie ers and hristians and subtitled ow to be ealth motionall inanciall e uall and piritual n m succeeding isit together with brother err enis anang hristina surprised us when we saw the autographed copies of the boo s and the hristian orld inistr uarterl ournal prominentl displa ed on the table in her li ing room he told us that she wanted her children grandchildren and those who will be isiting her to be able to read the boo s and the hristian maga ine we ga e her he e en brought out the idea that we displa the two boo s hristian orld inistr uarterl ournal in the two locations of arber hop in al it and an rancisco alifornia er idea inspired us to start the through onthl oo s a e in cooperation with the arber hop locations in al it and an rancisco and the global ngel adio an rancisco anang hristina e plained to us that her greatest longing and desire is for her children grandchildren relati es and friends to now the gospel eath urial and esurrection of esus which is the power of od to sal ation omans hrough od s pro idence the desire and longing of anang hristina was answered when brother err enis shared the gospel orinthians - hessalonians - cts - omans - cts in its purit and simplicit during the iewing and memorial ser ices last aturda e ening he brief message of brother err enis was heard b the si children of anang hristina namel rancis idad ichael idad dward idad uelle idad esus idad uelle idad their spouses grandchildren and great grandchildren and friends anang hristina confi ded to brother err enis that she obe ed the gospel in baptism cts - cts in a ri er wa bac in the hilippines am glad that m belo ed wife irginia imene adlaing and were able to sing od amil during the memorial ser ices e were also able to sing together with brother err enis ictor in esus o support the gospel presentation of brother err enis mentioned a brief uote in the page as follows he real traged is not that we die with - and other sic ness he real traged is if we die without esus because we refuse to learn understand and obe the gospel in baptism for the forgi eness of sins omans orinthians - hessalonians - - cts - cts and fail to remain faithful until death e elation was also blessed and fortunate to recite a special poem in memor of anang hristina ati idad idad as follows read of a man who stood to spea at the funeral of a friend e referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end e noted that fi rst came the date of her birth and spo e of the following date with tears but he (C ont inue on page 27) My destiny is to be in love with you, a es no diff erence what ou sa or do crooned inger ill c stine in estin ut an locano playboy does not believe in destin when it comes to success in lo e e belie es it is timing ow about success What’s Up Attorney in politics s it destin or EMMANUEL SAMONTE TIPON timing On May 9, 2022, erdinand ong ong omualde arcos r won the presidenc of the hilippines in a landslide with more than million otes is closest ri al aria eonor obredo had about million otes t s his destin to be president remar ed a spectator as we watched the otes being announced on a tele ision monitor at a hotel in locos orte ong ong won because he ran at the right time commented - n we isited ong ong s mother the former irst ad rs melda arcos e as ed whether ong ong would run for president rs arcos said she wanted him to run to continue the legac of his father the late resident erdinand arcos he re ealed that the had been tal ing with a ao a or odrigo uterte for him to run as ong ong s ice president othing defi nite came out of the tal s ccording to a ibit er she should ha e brought a duff el bag with million pesos and tell uterte e will fi nance the campaign ere s million to start with isited a religious leader whose hurch has millions of members nown for oting solidl during elections as ed apatid puwede po ba natin tulongan si ong ong sa pag a presidente an we help ong ong for president indi naman ta o tinatawagan e does not call us he replied rushed to see ong ong at his enate o ce and told him about m isit ere s his phone number if ou want to call him said ha e it will call him ong ong replied e t door to ong ong s o ce was enator rancis hi scudero s o ce hi s father al ador scudero was inister of griculture when ong ong s father was president stopped b hi s o ce e are fraternit brothers lpha hi eta rod ust came from ong ong s o ce greeted hi umusta si a hi as ed thin he is considering running for president in ould ou run with him as ice president will be the th anni ersar of artial law will be a big issue against him hi remar ed f ong ong had run for president in he would ha e faced formidable opponents uterte ar o as bac ed b the uinos and the iberal art e omar ina iriam efensor antiago and race oe ong ong e entuall ran for ice president e lost but fi led a protest alleging cheating he upreme ourt dismissed the protest had gi en ong ong a cop of m boo inning b nowing our lection aws before he ran for ice president wonder if the result might ha e been diff erent had he passed it on to his law ers and the read it his ear the - ear old ong ong ran for president and won easil e had er wea opponents aria eonor eni obredo was running as an independent after eschewing the iberal art the uinos and the ellow color he other candidates were anila a or rancisco omagoso enator and bo ing champion mmanuel ann ac uiao and enator anfi lo acson ong ong is a charismatic leader with a read smile e is approachable eople fl oc to him he want to touch him hug him or ha e a selfi e with him is father did not e o e this ind of reaction when he was campaigning for the presidenc e were in atac locos orte on the da of the election - a ong ong oted in the same polling place where his father had been oting (C ont inue on page 27)

Say what, Junior? Rice suffi ciency

Ihonestly hate to keep constantly mocking and insulting Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. but a lot of the time he’s asking for it. Never known to be a paragon of brilliance, or even simple intelligence, his pronouncements last week confi rmed that he has little if an Offline understanding of simple economics. BETING DOLOR is fi rst mega mista e was to deny what is already a given, that the Philippine econom is sailing roc waters after o cial une fi gures pegged the countr s infl ation at percent e simpl denied the fi gure as being too high

Naturally, his Finance secretary and former Bangko Sentral governor Benjamin Diokno came to the president’s rescue, sa ing that what arcos r was referring to was the infl ation fi gure for the ear to-date not une in particular

Yet the reporter who asked the question clearly referred to the June number, as a transcript of the press con shows.

Real economists were quick to point out that the president had fumbled bigtime, and no amount of whitewashing by his Cabinet could undo what had been done.

Then there was his comments in a hastily called press briefi ng at the end of last wee where he again displa ed his -- how do I put this without insulting his intelligence? – failure to appreciate the fi ner points of basic economic

Read his word for word statement and weep, folks.

To a reporter’s query on what his plans were for his Cabinet, the verbatim Q&A is as follows:

Reporter: May we know if ano po yong marching order ninyo to all Cabinet members?

Marcos: O you cannot…I don’t think we can do we can mean it…s ave one…a hhh…I think…a h…e ssentially is ah… the…w e…w e got it to much more details that so there is no generalization anymore. So each department ahh…h as ahh ahh has a diff erent has a diff erent instruction off er a pri e of a month s suppl of toilet paper to an one who can e plain to me in words that a - ear-old can understand what the president of our poor country was trying to say.

And if you think it ended there, well I have a most unpleasant surprise for you, especially if you’re a fanboy or girl of this so-called th president of the hilippines

He continued his spiel thus: “The only thing that we have to that that what…ga ve it…looks like is how that we have to realize how interconnected for the government is that…that e er thing is done on one hand aff ects ah the go ernment in another place. So there is not single one. I suppose if there is one single one is that can be…a hh… Let’s get our ahh… bureaucrac strict

Anyone who believes I am not telling the truth can simply loo for his briefi ng on ou ube ust don t blame me if ou fi nd ourself ha ing suicidal thoughts

I must correct myself. I will throw in another month’s suppl of bath soap and shampoo to m off er ust please please please, tell me what he really wanted to say.

That recent non-statement should make most economists concerned, as if it is not handled properly, the Philippines could go into freefall not unlike Sri Lanka, which over the weekend had its own version of People Power, resulting in the forced resignation of its president.

He likes being compared to his late dictator-father. Well, I have news for him. For all his faults, his old man was mentally sharp and uic on his feet when as ed di cult uestions

Junior clearly cannot hold a candle to Senior. But if there’s anything good about him, it is that Junior is not likely to declare martial law. To do so would be tantamount to committing political hara kiri, placing a permanent damper on his son whom he is grooming to one day follow in his footsteps.

Good thing he did not name Sandro as Ferdinand A. Marcos lll. And if past press releases are to be believed, his apparent fa orite son is a bona fi de college graduate from a top school in the UK.

During the campaign season, a photo was posted on social media from the Marcos camp showing Sandro wearing the toga that college grads get to wear on the day they receive their diploma.

Maybe the kid takes after his mom, who is a lawyer. (C ont inue on page 27) President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., sitting as the country’s farm secretary, wanted rice and corn production increased in the remaining months of the ear to sta e off a looming food crisis.

The cost of rice per kilo–the main staple–is projected to rise by three pesos a kilo, putting pressure on Marcos who promised to bring down MANNY MOGATO prices to pesos per ilo The price of rice in the market has risen to more than pesos per ilo

Ramping up rice production is a tall order. But it is not impossible.

Before Marcos was elected president, Rodrigo Duterte’s administration had been aiming to har est million metric tons of rice from the country’s less than 5 million hectares of ricelands. he current rice production per hectare is about metric tons bringing the su cienc le el to percent he hilippines is among the world’s top rice importers.

Vietnam and Thailand are the world’s top rice exporters. n ietnam har ested million metric tons of rice while hailand came second with million metric tons ndonesia actually produced more rice than Vietnam and Thailand at million metric tons

But, like the Philippines, Indonesia’s huge population consumes more rice than it produces, and it has to import the grain from other countries. China led all nations in rice production at million metric tons but it also has more than a billion mouths to feed.

The 4.3- metric-tons-per-hectare yield is a record-high compared with less than two metric tons per hectare during the late dictator s regime in the s and s despite his asagana program ntroduced in b elder arcos to promote rice suffi cienc in two to three ears b using a high- ielding ariet seed, low-cost fertilizers, and herbicides, the program had initial success when the Philippines started exporting rice in

But the program eventually failed as many farmers failed to repay loans, and it was mainly used as a political tool to win patronage from poor farmers. The credit scheme was not sustainable, forcing the elder Marcos to shift to other programs to increase rice production.

But rapid population growth, the limited size of farmlands suitable for rice farming, and the annual typhoon season have made it di cult for local farmers to increase production

In sharp contrast, both Thailand and Vietnam have smaller populations, more contiguous land for rice farms, and less destructive typhoons, allowing the two Southeast Asian countries to export excess production.

Rice farming in the Philippines uses outdated practices, li e plowing the fi eld with carabaos ice farms need to mechanize, build grain silos, and build more farm-to-mill roads. uterte s farm o cials said the countr needed to in est more than billion pesos to moderni e rice farms but the agriculture department s annual budget is less than billion pesos. griculture contributes roughl percent of the annual GDP but in the last two years, the agriculture sector’s GDP has contracted due the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Marcos has placed agriculture at the center of his administration’s policies and programs, taking over the farm portfolio to supervise agriculture’s growth.

Marcos said the economy would bounce back better and grow to more than to percent annuall if there was robust agriculture. But Marcos has not laid down a concrete roadmap on how to achie e rice su cienc other than introducing his own ersion of the asagana program the and ersions nder the proposed asagana and asagana the agriculture department plans to increase rice ield per hectare to metric tons and metric tons respecti el

These are ambitious goals. There are many things left undone before local ricelands can produce record yields per hectare.

Government has to heavily sub- (C ont inue on page 27)

IN THE TRENCHES

Kaunlaran ng Philippine sports

Mula sa ul o ang bagong kahahalal na Pangulo ng bansa, si Chief Executive Ferdinand ongbong arcos r na ang uugit na ng pamahalaan sa susunod na anim na taon.

Mula sa Philippine News Today sports at kolumnistang ito, ipinaablot namin kay Panguling BBM ang aming malugod na pagbati sa kanyang pagkakahalal noong eleksiyong ginanap noong Mayo 9 at inaguras on noong un o

Marami na ang nangyari mula nang mga di malimimutang araw n a iyon. Ilang miyembro na ng kanyang gabinete ang napangalanan, kabilang ang kanyang economic team para kumatha ng ma programang layon mapaunlad ang ekonomiya at kalagayann nating mamamayan na sa mga araw na ito ay halos lugmok na.

Ilang mga atleta, dating atleta at lider sa sports sa ban sa ang nagpapadala sa atin ng mensahe na nagtatanong kung ano ang magiging kinabukasan ng sports sa Pilipinas sa harap anila sa pag a aputol ng ating taong pag auhaw sa gintong medalya mula sa Olympic Games noong nakaraang palaro nang

Wala pang malinaw na pahayag mula Palasyo ng Malakanyang ang nagsasabi kung anong mga bagong programa ang ipatutupad ng bagong administrasyon tungkol dito.

Subalit batay sa ilang panayam sa kanya ng kolumnistang ito noong siya’y senador pa, siguradong ang sports ang isa sa mga pangunahing pag-uukulan ng pansin ni BBM sa kanyang pamamahala.

Pagod na marahil sa mga pagkatalong nalalasap ng mga atletang Pilipino noiong mga panahong iyon, nanawagan ang nakababatang Marcos sa lahat ng stakeholder na magkaisa para sa pagbabago ng istraktura ng noon ay umiiral na programa sa ikauunlad ng palakasan sa Pilipinas

Sa isang sesyon ng SCOOP (Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines) sa Kamayan ipinanukala ni Marcos “the need to replace the present sub-cabinet Philippine Sports ommission with a cabinet-le el epartment of ports a an ang speech sa abriel lash lorde wards Night and Banquet of Champions ilang taon na rin ang nakararaan, ipinangako ni BBM ang kanyang supporta sa lahat ng bill na may kaugnayan sa sports na nakabimbin pa sa senado, kabilang ang paglikha ng National Department of Sports upang matigil na ang patuloy na kabiguan ng Pilipino sa mga interhasyonal kompetisyong nilalahukan nila.

“Why is it that we are languishing in the medal tallies in regional and international competitions? tanong niya sa mga nakikinig. “Kahiya-ahiya ang nagiging performance natin sa mga international competitions

Pinuna rin ng dating gobernador ng Ilocos Norte ang kakulangan ng suporta mula sa pamahalaan kaugnay ng program para masiguro ang kanilang kinabukasan sa panahong sila’y retirado na. Ipinangako rin niya ang kanyang todong suporta sa kaganapan nito,

“I am making this pledge before you all that our Filipino boxers and athletes can and will expect my full supports as our legislator and as a ilipino arcos owed

“Masugid kong susuportahan ang mga panukala sa Senado na naglalayong matulungan ang ating mga boksingero at atleta panga o ni a Napuna rin ni Marcos na tila ang Philippine Sports Commiiossion kinukulang sa mandato nitong protektahan ang mga atleta at coach kasabay ng panawagang; “you can help open the eyes of the government and convince your legislators on the urgency of making changes to our present system, as well as to the wisdom and importance of sports in the government’s responsibilit and dut to build a strng and health citi enr ag aisahan natin at gawin nating iller combination ang pagtutulungan nating ito. At. kung sa harap ng lahat ng ito, ay ayaw pa ring makinig ang mga opisyal sa pamahalaan, ma noc -out punch pa rin sa pamamagitan ng balota at botohan pabirong wi a ni arcos

“Magtulungan po tayong lahat para mapaganda ang larangan ng boksing at ng sports ng ating bansa, Bukas po ang aking tanggapan para sa inyong lahat sa anumang mga sangguni at mga mung ahi na nais nin ong iparating sa a in dugtong niya.

EDDIE G. ALINEA SALA SA INIT SALA SA AMIG

Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension

The good news is that USCIS extended the validity of EAD document by additional 540 days from the time of expiry date. Presented below is the memo of USCIS with regard to this matter. ertain renewal applicants who ha e fi led orm - pplication for mplo ment uthori ation ualif for an automatic extension of their expiring employment authorization and or s while their application is pending ou ualif for this extension if you: roperl fi led orm - for a renewal of our emplo ment authori ation and or before our current e pired and re otherwise eligible for a renewal which means that

Your renewal application is under a category that is eligible for an automatic extension (see the list of categories below); and

Temporary Increase to up to 540 Days ormall regulations pro ide for an automatic e tension period of up to da s from the e piration date stated on the owe er has published a temporar fi nal rule increasing the e tension period ff ecti e a is temporaril increasing the e tension period and pro iding up to da s of additional automatic e tension time for a total of up to da s to eligible renewal applicants he automatic e tension time is counted from the expiration date of the employment authorization and/or EAD. This temporary increase is a ailable to eligible renewal applicants with pending applications if ou fi led our orm - renewal application either: efore a and our -da automatic e tension has since e pired efore a and our -da automatic e tension has not et e pired or etween a and ct inclusi e of these dates f ou fi le our orm - renewal application after ct the normal -da automatic extension period will apply.

Proof of an Automatic Extension he automatic e tension period including the temporar increase to the e tension period is provided to certain renewal applicants to help prevent gaps in employment authorization and documentation. f ou fi le a orm - renewal application on or after a will send ou a orm - otice of ction receipt notice that has information regarding the up to -da automatic e tension f ou are eligible for the automatic e tension this receipt notice together with our e pired and our une pired orm - if ou are an - or - dependent spouse including - - - and - class of admission codes will ser e as acceptable proof of emplo ment authori ation and or alidit during the up to -da automatic extension period. f ou fi led a orm - renewal application before a ou should ha e recei ed a orm - otice of ction receipt notice that describes the automatic e tension period of up to da s ou will not recei e a new - receipt notice refl ecting the increased emplo ment authori ation and or automatic e tension period owe er orm - receipt notices that refer to an up to -da automatic e tension will still meet the regulator re uirements for completing orm - including if our -da automatic e tension e pired prior to a

To present acceptable proof of the automatic extension of employment authorization and/or alidit ou can show our orm - receipt notice that refers to the -da e tension along with our ualif ing and also our une pired orm - if ou are an - or - dependent spouse including - - - and - class of admission codes his document combination is su cient proof of an up to -da automatic e tension counting from the expiration date on your current EAD. f ou are a renewal applicant and our -da automatic e tension e pired before a ou can still recei e the benefi t of the temporar increase of the automatic e tension period. Your employment authorization and/or EAD validity will automatically resume beginning on a for an time remaining within the up to -da automatic e tension period

Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for information purposes only. If you ha e immigration problems the aw ces of rispin o ano can help ou fi nd a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation.

Bankruptcy Basics an ruptc will actuall impro e our credit within one ear because our unsecured debts are discharged lthough the ban ruptc will be in our records for ears not fi ling bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most your debts are paid. f ou are being sued b our creditors most mone udgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy. 3. Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement. hapter will eliminate all unsecured debts f ou are near retirement age ou must eliminate most of your debts.

CAR ACCIDENTS ur aw irm successfull settled a car accident for e also handle uncontested e can help ou if ou are under audit need a representation with need to reduce our ta liabilit or need to off er a pa ment plan to

Success Stories or the month of une we recei ed appro als from si naturali ation applications two ianc e isa petition fi e remo als of condition on residence and four ad ustment of status applications. hris ada o ano s is an acti e member of the tate ar of alifornia the merican mmigration aw ers ssociation and an rancisco rial aw ers e practices immigration law ban ruptc personal in ur and income ta problems since une is contact phone is - - - email info law net ebsite www crispinlo anolaw com

Ex-Bangko Sentral exec sees 5.5% average inflation in 2022

deput go ernor of the Bangkon Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has pro ected the domestic infl ation rate for this and next year to reach 5.5 percent and percent respecti el citing olatilities in oil prices among others

At a forum streamed through the aceboo page of the oundation for conomic reedom and reported b s oanne illanue a former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy o ernor iwa uinigundo said uncertainties on developments around the globe are causing upticks in prices of commodities and ha e resulted in second-round eff ects in the countr thin it a erage infl ation can even be more than the 5 percent average for and the percent for It could reach probably 5.5 (percent) for and ma be four-and-a-half for he said referring to the infl ation pro ections of the central ban until ne t year. s of the fi rst si months of this ear the average rate of price increases stood at percent higher than the go ernment s - percent target band until he monthl infl ation rate surpassed the government target range last April when it accelerated to percent from the previous month’s 4 percent.

It posted higher levels in the next two months to percent and percent respectively.

All these upticks were traced to the continued rise of prices of oil and other commodities in the international mar et due in part to concerns about the raine- ussia war and possible economic recession in the US. o help tame the domestic infl ation rate the s polic -ma ing onetar oard has increased the cen-

PRESSURES. Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diw a Guinigundo

tral ban s e polic rates b basis points each in two consecutive meetings last a and une o date the s o ernight re erse repurchase rate is at percent and pro ections are for the e rates to be increased b as much as basis points more this year given the expectations for further acceleration of the infl ation rate onetar authorities said the rate increases are not e pected to hurt domestic output since the continued recovery of the domestic economy gave the BSP the leeway to hike its rates. uinigundo said that since infl ation has resulted in second-round eff ects such as the increase in the minimum fare in public utilit ehicles s and the petitions for wage hi es the monetar polic should be enforced more aggressively.

ood s fi ien y targets doable say onte ayor sta eholders

espite the global threat of a food price crisis se eral agricultural sta eholders e pressed their confi dence in the food su cienc targets of resident and griculture chief erdinand ongbong arcos r sa ing the go ernment s approach could become gamechanging if carried out with a political will.

At a virtual press conference of Tugon abuha an former griculture ecretar eonardo ontema or said the go ernment might need to reassess usual theories and apply innovative solutions to achieve food su cienc in the hilippines

“It’s a matter of political will. I think the president stated sa an ang in his inaugural speech na food su cienc it s not ust a matter of trading but an e istential imperati e e en a moral one he said ontema or cited srael as an e ample sharing its abilit to secure agricultural advancement despite their former setting. f srael has been able to turn the desert into farmlands we can certainl do it Kaya basta may (It’s doable if there’s a) decision e ha e the natural resources and the human resources from lowl farmer to e ecuti e he said ith arcos stand to prioriti e enough and aff ordable food former ureau of isheries and uatic esources Director Asis Perez said the administration ma be posing a game-changing approach considering the challenges brought by the continued confl ict between raine and ussia eff ects of corona irus disease o id- pandemic and the global pressures caused by climate change.

“If the President is serious about food self-su cienc it would be a gamechanger t would mean a ailable and affordable hilippine-produced food his is both a challenge and an opportunity to local food producers he said ational ederation of og armers nc president hester arren an said arcos should lead the call for food suffi cienc