INSIDE THE POST

Volume 4 Number 28 LOS ANGELES SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 YOUR WINDOW TO THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY YOUR WINDOW TO THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

CA probes A Filipino crewman of the cargo vessel Gulf Livestock 1 is rescued by a Japan Coast Guard widespread boat during a search and rescue operation at the East China Sea, southwest of Japan. unemployment Thirty-eight Filipinos remain missing in the sea accident. Story on Page 6 Doctor denies claims fraud Trump had stroke SACRAMENTO — in November California lawmakers said Wednesday that there is growing US & WORLD, Page 3 evidence of possible widespread fraud in the state’s unemployment benefits system, and the agency in charge confirmed it is investigating whether people have filed dozens of bogus claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The news comes as Californians across the state continue to report frustrating experiences with the state Employment Development Department that have left them California braces without crucial jobless benefits needed to pay rent and support Ex-NBI head their families. A bipartisan group Gierran is new of legislators on Wednesday proposed a state audit to look for historic heat

PhilHealth chief into ongoing problems at the HOMELAND, Page 8 agency, including computer Newsom declares state of emergency glitches, unanswered phone lines and bureaucratic tangles, which SACRAMENTO (Los thousands of residents in the dark “For this weekend, have stalled payments to about 1 Angeles Times) - With scorching during the last massive heat wave. conservation is key,” said Jim million jobless Californians. temperatures set to sear California Newsom’s declaration, issued Hanggi, a spokesman for Southern Concerns about potential through Labor Day weekend, Thursday, comes as some major California Edison. fraud surfaced recently after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued utilities warn that the one-two- The California Independent numerous Californians who have an emergency proclamation punch of sweltering conditions System Operator, which runs the not filed unemployment claims aimed at shoring up the state’s and increased energy demand power grid for most of the state, reported receiving dozens of energy capacity and staving off could stress the power grid to has already issued a statewide letters from the EDD regarding the kind of power outages and its limit, potentially resulting in flex alert — calling for voluntary (See EMERGENCY, Page 6) (See FRAUD, Page 8) rolling blackouts that left tens of outages. $300/week for 3 blacklisted Pembeton release from unemployed firms g0t P727 jail on hold Californians million deals HOMELAND, Page 8 SACRAMENTO — Millions By Ben O. de Vera of Californians who are out of Inquirer.net work during the pandemic will MANILA —At least three soon receive a $300 weekly companies on the Department supplemental unemployment of Budget and Management benefit retroactive to Aug. 1, state (DBM) blacklist secured P727 officials said Thursday. Aerial photos show the completed construction of facilities on Fiery million in deals to supply personal The Federal Emergency Cross Reef, one of Beijing’s artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. protective equipment (PPE) as the Management Agency approved government eased rules in buying California’s application for $4.5 PH can set aside SCS issues goods at the height of COVID-19 billion to cover at least three lockdowns in a bid to speed up weeks of supplemental benefits for infra, trade, says Palace response to the health crisis. Fil-Am teen gets after a $600 weekly payment The Government Procurement expired last month. MANILA — The Philippines zone (EEZ), Malacañang said police bill for Policy Board (GPPB), an office California’s Employment can “set aside” unresolved issues Wednesday. organizing protest under the DBM, earlier extended Development Department will in the South China Sea — part of While the Philippines is a to Aug. 31 the deadline for all begin processing payments for which Manila claims and calls the party to the South China Sea COMMUNITY, Page 10 procuring agencies, including eligible people and sending out West Philippine Sea — and pursue row, President Rodrigo Duterte national government agencies payments during the week of Sept. investment projects with Chinese has refused to follow the United • Duterte’s RevGov and their regional offices and 7, agency officials said Thursday. firms since the arbitral ruling has States’ (US) lead in banning trade vs. Leni Robredo local government units, to post “These benefits are critical for already upheld Manila’s sovereign with Chinese companies that • Pandemic (See BENEFITS, Page 3) rights over its exclusive economic (See SCS, Page 6) (See CONTRACTS, Page 8) corruption 3 OPINION, Page 4 Hackers take P167 million from PH bank Page 14 Page 2 PHILIPPINE POST September 4, 2020 September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 3 States told to be ready to distribute Covid-19 vaccine by November 1 WASHINGTON — The facilities.” security officials, seniors and Trump administration has urged Redfield asked states to members of vulnerable racial and US states to get ready to distribute consider waiving requirements ethnic groups, according to The a potential Covid-19 vaccine by that would “prevent these facilities New York Times. November 1 — two days before from becoming fully operational Three Western drug makers the presidential election. by Nov. 1, 2020.” are progressing with their Phase Dallas-based wholesaler The CDC provided states with 3 clinical trials, involving tens of McKesson Corp. has a deal with documents giving details of a thousands of participants. the federal government and will vaccine rollout plan, adding that The three are AstraZeneca, BENEFITS: $300 per week be requesting permits to set they would either be approved which is partnering with Oxford (From Page 1) with the group Legal Aid At Work up distribution centers when a as licensed vaccines or under University in England; Moderna, the basic security of families and in San Francisco. vaccine becomes available. emergency use authorization. collaborating with the US communities and for our economy, “The Trump administration’s “The normal time required Recipients would probably National Institutes of Health; and which have been so devastated by `lost wages assistance, which is to obtain these permits presents require a second “booster” dose, a the Pfizer/BioNTech alliance. the virus and its financial impacts,” not the same as unemployment a significant barrier to the few weeks after the first, according By the nature of the trials, it is California Labor Secretary Julie insurance, is letting Californians success of this urgent public to the documents. difficult to predict when reliable A. Su said in a statement. “As and the American people down,” health program,” Robert Redfield, “Vaccine and ancillary supplies results will emerge. we modernize and strengthen the Warner said, calling $300 a week director of the Centers for Disease will be procured and distributed by Half of the participants in such state’s unemployment insurance “untenable for unemployed Control and Prevention, told states the federal government at no cost trials receive an experimental vaccine, while the other half are delivery system, we will continue families given the devastating in an August 27 letter. to enrolled Covid-19 vaccination World ( Instream Video ) providers,” say the documents, given a placebo. to leverage any additional impact of COVID on the job Under normal procedures, resources the federal government market.” Infinite || cms id 316 /1015401/ which also went to New York City, test administrators must wait makes available.” He said the requirement that PSTAR_Outstream_World Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia -- probably for months -- to see The $300 payment will be jobless people qualify for $100 or “CDC urgently requests and San Antonio. whether there is a statistically available for Californians who more in weekly benefits leaves out your assistance in expediting Priority will be given to significant difference in the are currently eligible to receive those most in need of help. applications for these distribution essential workers, national infection rate of the two groups. at least $100 in weekly state “These half measures hurt unemployment benefits and have working families, our state’s Doctor denies Trump had a stroke in November certified that they are unemployed economy and our communities. or partly unemployed due to The program doesn’t meet the WASHINGTON — US three communications from disruptions caused by COVID-19, gravity of this moment,” Warner President Donald Trump did administration whistleblowers according to the state Employment said. not have a stroke and remains that Trump had “a series of mini- Development Department. He added that because the healthy, his physician said on strokes.” While Congress has deadlocked program is guaranteed for only Tuesday in response to a new “I can confirm that President over a proposal to extend the three weeks, “it will take states book suggesting Vice President Trump has not experienced previous $600 benefit, President far too much time, money, and Mike Pence was put on standby nor been evaluated for a Trump signed an executive order resources to implement at a time to assume presidential powers cerebrovascular accident on Aug. 8 allocating $44 billion in they are already dealing with an during a sudden Trump medical (stroke), transient ischemic existing federal emergency funds unprecedented number of claims.” visit last year. attack (mini stroke), or any acute to states to provide $300 per week. State officials initially said In the book, titled “Donald cardiovascular emergencies, as California was the 18th state to their antiquated computer system Trump v. The United States,” have been incorrectly reported in win FEMA approval to participate might require up to 20 weeks to be New York Times reporter Michael the media,” Dr. Sean Conley said in the program.It was set up to reprogrammed to handle the new Schmidt writes that word went in a statement. possibly run through Dec. 27, but federal allocation, but the program out in the West Wing around the President Donald Trump “The president remains healthy only the first three weeks have was simplified by Washington. time of the visit last November and I have no concerns about his been allocated, with future weeks Originally, federal officials for the vice president to be on Fox News. “I was informed ability to maintain the rigorous dependent on the availability of talked about a formula in which standby if Trump had to undergo that the president had a doctor’s schedule ahead of him. As stated federal funds. states would match the $300 a procedure that would require appointment,” he said. in my last report, I expect him to The payment amount and the with $100 in state funds, but that he be anesthetized, according to Trump and his physician remain fit to execute the duties of possibility that funds may run requirement was relaxed to allow news outlets that obtained a copy. appeared to respond on Tuesday the Presidency,” Conley added. out after three weeks concerns existing state unemployment to “I don’t recall being told to to author Don Winslow’s On Twitter, Trump also denied advocates for renters including count toward the match. be on standby,” Pence said on posting on Twitter last month having suffered a series of mini- George A. Warner, an attorney Tuesday in an interview with that Winslow had received strokes. Page PHILIPPINE POST September 4, 2020 VIEWS September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST PagePage 4 4 Duterte’s RevGov vs Leni Robredo EVERY TIME President Reformist Government, akin to Rodrigo Duterte has some ‘REVGOV’, the President can health problem, all his political exercise all powers impliedly allies get nervous. At his age, provided and unprohibited by the 75 years old, he suffers from Law and Constitution in order to a multitude of health issues, promote Public Welfare, Protect including an autoimmune disease the People and give Social Justice that can potentially have serious for All vis-à-vis your immunity complications. He revealed the from suit.” condition, myasthenia gravis, wealth, including “a few gold Lozano said that unlike in a while he was visiting in Moscow bars.” Duterte said he would RevGov, the Constitution and all in October 2019. The condition accept the Marcos offer and existing laws would remain in causes muscle weakness, and would appoint a retired justice of effect under his proposed reformist can result in drooping of eyelids, the Philippine Supreme Court to government. The compromise blurred vision as well as weakness negotiate with the family on the deal with the Marcoses would in one’s extremities. It could cause government’s behalf. Duterte said entail the “sharing” of their breathing problems that would the Marcos family did not ask for wealth “in order to promptly require the use of a ventilator. immunity from suit in exchange give unifying Social Justice for Duterte also suffers from daily for returning their wealth to the All through Massive Economic migraines and ailments including government. But nothing came Development and World-Class Buerger’s disease, an illness that out of the deal due to strong Rehabilitation as well as enable GUEST EDITORIAL affects the veins and the arteries objections from the public. the government to pay its foreign of the limbs, and is usually due and local debts.” Rewarding the oppressor to smoking. In other words, the Marcoses But as early as November A situation could would turn over a portion of arise where THE UNITED STATES last week imposed sanctions on 24 state- 2017, Duterte’s supporters urged their alleged unexplained wealth owned Chinese companies for their role “in helping the Chinese him to declare a revolutionary there would be that they allegedly stole from military construct and militarize internationally condemned government (RevGov). However, two kinds of the people. And by doing that, artificial islands in the South China Sea.” Among the companies he insisted he would not be doing government: a they would be absolved from to which US companies are now prohibited from exporting sans a so and hoped he would not be any lawsuit or claim against the government license are construction giant China Communications compelled to do so. “I am a RevGov headed Marcoses. They’re basically Construction Company (CCCC) and several of its subsidiaries. lawyer and I am following the by Duterte and buying their freedom. Sounds These Chinese companies have been involved since 2013 in the Constitution. [But] only when enticing. the Republic of the Philippines is a democratic But for some reason, nothing dredging and reclamation of more than 1,200 hectares of disputed government features in the South China Sea. The artificial islands they have dying, then maybe.” But what if came out of Lozano’s proposal. built now host anti-ship missiles and other military equipment, Duterte himself is dying? Would headed by Somehow the Marcoses chickened thus, according to the US, “destabilizing the region, trampling he be compelled to declare a Robredo. out and decided to keep their on the sovereign rights of its neighbors, and causing untold RevGov? This did not bode well wealth. There is probably a better environmental devastation.” with Vice President Leni Robredo way to keep their wealth and still Since July this year, the US has adopted increasingly strong who was alarmed over the reign supreme in government. language and policy actions to counter Beijing’s “unlawful” participation of some government In December 2017, the This came to light in August 2018 maritime claims in one of the world’s most vital sea lanes. “The officials to a proposal to place the Marcoses renewed their proposal when Duterte announced that he world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its country under a RevGov. to return their hidden wealth. could step down if Bongbong maritime empire,” said US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo. To quell the growing number Through the Marcos family Marcos succeeds in overturning There is overweening self-interest, of course, in the US trying of pro-RevGov advocates, Duterte lawyer Oliver Lozano, a proposal his 2016 vice-presidential election to curb China’s rise and working to maintain its own power and said that establishing a RevGov at was made to form a compromise defeat to Leni Robredo. influence in the region. But it is not alone in its wariness toward this time was like “looking for a agreement with the Marcos Duterte’s term ends in 2022 but Beijing’s aggressive expansionism; many other countries, in fact, headache.” He probably figured family to declare a “reformist he has spoken often recently about especially those directly affected by China’s sweeping claims over out that it’s too soon to talk about government” to enable Duterte quitting before that, expressing much of the South China Sea, have expressed similar reservations. RevGov without the solid support to do acts which are implied but frustration about his failure to The Philippines, however, which from a calculated standpoint of the military. not prohibited by law, including tackle illicit drugs and corruption could gain the most from the success of the US pushback as some Reformist government the inking of a “compromise in government. of the Chinese military installations are in seized Philippine In August 2017, Duterte said agreement” with the Marcoses. Presidential succession territory, is not joining the move to sanction the Chinese companies. that the Marcos family had offered In a letter sent to Special But he was reluctant to step (Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque: “The President was to return to the government some Assistant to the President Bong down because a constitutional clear in saying he will not follow the directive of the Americans, of the family’s disputed hidden Go, Lozano said: “Under a (See DIAZ, Page 8) because we are a free and independent nation. We need investors from China.”) On the contrary, the Duterte administration had earlier Pandemic corruption RECENTLY welcomed CCCC into the country and allowed it to work with , the country By Gerardo Sicat procurement), ghost operations a local firm on an airport construction project that observers, was witness to the spectacle covering special programs among them military officials, have warned pose significant risks of corruption laid bare in Philstar.com (dialysis, cataract operations), to national security. public hearings conducted to and, in general, admission of The controversial Sangley Point International Airport project, examine the operations of the COVID-19 pandemic, made the existence and awareness of fraud one of the China-backed multi-billion infrastructure projects Philippine Health Insurance Corp. government use the institution to even by high management. greenlighted by the administration, is a joint venture between (PhilHealth), the institution that facilitate the transfer of budget Such practices, to be sure, have Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp. and CCCC. The Chinese firm not administers the nation’s health resources in support of fighting their corresponding counterparts only had a hand in turning Philippine territory in the WPS into insurance program. the pandemic. in other corrupt arrangements militarized Chinese outposts, it was also blacklisted by the World The scale of corruption appears Good practices, strong found where procurements are Bank from 2011-2017 over supposed questionable practices in to be massive on the basis of the institutions, and the audit involved, whether in government building the Philippines’ National Roads Improvement and cases and issues discussed. Up function. Important findings in or in private business, here Management Project. to this point, the hearings have the legislative investigations are a and in other countries. In the But the far bigger anomaly is that a company owned and collected information that could number of troubling practices that government, the idea of check controlled by the Chinese government will gain access to a strategic help the legislative process. also indicate mismanagement, and balance is effected through area crucial to the defense of Manila, the country’s capital. In a But, of course, such hearings an audit system to help oversee Facebook post in December last year, retired Navy chief Alexander also make plain the next question: the spending and management of What happens next? Strong societies (See EDITORIAL, Page 11) agencies and government entities. The government’s health emerge That service is provided by insurance agency. The PhilHealth when those the Commission on Audit (COA). is the nation’s medical health who commit If all these malfeasance and insurance corporation, created misfeasance have happened and and designed to implement the malfeasance are even prospered, the matter also national public health program. pursued calls for inquiring as to what Its membership consists of the and made to happened to the internal audit nation’s wage and income earner,s function of the national insurer? Cerritos, CA 90703 Tel. (562) 469-8030 and non-paying senior citizens to account fully. In general, good management sets help safeguard the nation’s health. directions and guides the actions Like the Social Security System, inefficiency and the poor according to the agency’s mandate (See EDITORIAL, Page 6) VAL G. ABELGAS it is managed in the long run to be oversight of its operations. The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief and high goals. In what has been on a pay-as-you go basis. practices reported in the hearings laid bare, there apparently has However, because it is a included large, illegal releases been gross lapses of management, The Philippine Post is a weekly publication of Philippine Post Publishing relatively new program (just of interim reimbursement if only to say something generous circulated in Southern California. founded in 1995, and strengthened mechanisms (IRMs) to affiliated Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the on the manner it is led. publisher. Letters, press and photo releases are welcome but are subject to edito- only recently in 2019), it has client hospitals, bloated There is, of course, the rial discretion. E-mail: [email protected]; website: www.philpostblog. depended also heavily on national procurement budgets for some watchdog agency – the COA, wordpress.com government capitalization. The internal operations exceeding which sets the standards of audit surge of needs in recent times, recommended standards with respect to the spending especially during the time of the (in information technology (See CORRUPTION, Page 7) September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 5

peaceful and violence has often Trump inflames tensions, justifies been sparked by opportunists. And even cities like Portland, Oregon, are not perpetually in violence, and there’s a reason why flames as Trump claims. CNN By Stephen Collinson law enforcement correspondent Josh Campbell, a former FBI CNN agent, said that Trump’s claim FOR DONALD TRUMP’S that Portland was “ablaze” was America-on-fire campaign a lie. He wrote in an email to strategy to work, he needs violence CNN reporters on Monday that to boil in cities right up until he stopped at a Starbucks, had Election Day, or at least for enough lunch from a food truck and went voters to believe the nation is to a mall: “Portland is not a city spiraling into an abyss of chaos under siege.” Bienvenido Noriega Jr. and savagery. “They want to destroy our That brought the extraordinary country. They’re going to destroy spectacle Monday of a president our suburbs,” he said during an Noriega -- who would by tradition call appearance in the White House for calm at a time of civic unrest briefing room mislabeled as a By Gary Olivar -- justifying violence by his “news conference,” not even Manila Standard Supporters of President Donald Trump clash with Black Lives supporters and all but excusing a Matter protesters in Portland, Oregon. bothering to hide his goal to scare pro-Trump vigilante who allegedly voters in affluent White areas NO, THIS PIECE isn’t about killed two protesters in Kenosha, was safe in “Trump’s America” campaign can drown out the around swing state cities into the notorious Panamanian dictator Wisconsin. At the same time, in -- which he said was hobbled by pandemic that he has badly believing that Biden would bring whose country was invaded in the White House briefing room, he disease and fear. mismanaged, that has killed more political unrest that would shake 1989 by the U.S. just to kick him minimized police brutality against It also unfolded on the eve of than 180,000 Americans and on America to its foundations. out of power and jail him for African Americans that sparked a Trump’s visit to Wisconsin, which Monday crossed the 6 million In his Fox News interview with various offenses. summer of protest and agony. In a local leaders pleaded with him mark in known infections. No one Laura Ingraham, which at times We’re writing here instead Fox News interview, the President to cancel to avoid exacerbating doubts that protests and violence verged on unscripted paranoia, about the much more benign, callously compared police officers tensions. Instead, the President rattled US cities from Minnesota Trump also claimed without but infinitely more talented, who shoot Black men in the gave every indication that he to Wisconsin and Washington, evidence that “thugs” wearing Bienvenido “Boy” Noriega. Boy back to professional golfers who plans to use the trip to troll his DC, to Chicago this summer -- “black uniforms with gear” got on was a veritable Renaissance man “choke” over a three-foot putt. critics with his claims of a nation amid a national epiphany on race a plane from a “certain city” and whose 26th death anniversary is His word choice was particularly on the edge from a platform in a caused by the death of Floyd. headed to the Republican National being observed this month, even ugly given the death of George key swing state. The spectacle of a “strong” Convention last week. He refused as he’s also being nominated to Floyd, who stopped breathing with Dismissing the notion that President vowing no tolerance to give details, claiming the case be the country’s newest National a police officer’s knee on his neck his appearance at a raw moment for rioters may be an attractive was under investigation. Artist in the field of theater. in Minnesota in May. might increase violence, the one to many voters. But the Trump’s day of fury reflects The National Artist awards Trump’s inflammatory President said, “it could also situation is far more complicated how he has now firmly settled on were established in 1972 to behavior on Monday came on a increase enthusiasm and it could than the idea that left-wingers and a campaign of demagoguery to honor the country’s best and day that could come to be seen increase love and respect for our “terrorists” who support Biden save his presidency. brightest across different areas as critical for the destiny of the country.” are going on the rampage. There In a characteristic piece of of artistic endeavor, from music White House after Democratic Trump’s provocative is evidence that far-right groups projection, he accused Biden -- to film to literature. Today they’re nominee Joe Biden launched a appearance represents a bet and other extremists are also who earlier condemned violence jointly administered by the counterattack, warning no one that a hardline “law and order” involved. Most protests have been (See TRUMP, Page 15) Cultural Center and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The very first National Artist Human rights workers being systematically was no less than the painter Fernando Amorsolo. Since that killed in a growing war on dissent in PH time, the awardees in Noriega’s field of Theatre alone have By David Pierson/ Los Angeles Times war on drugs — a brutal campaign included such luminaries as EVER SINCE Clarizza of Negros’ biggest city, Bacolod. felt almost exclusively in the Lamberto Avellana, “Atang” de Singson appeared on a police hit nation’s slums that continues to la Rama, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, list of suspected communists, the Minutes after Alvarez’s win the president plaudits among Rolando Tinio, and Amelia human rights worker from the slaying, a message appeared on his still sizeable base of support. Lapena Bonifacio. impoverished Philippine island Singson’s Facebook page saying, The populist leader, who rode It’s the kind of distinguished of Negros has taken precautions “Don’t worry, you’re next.” into office with the sharp-tongued company that I think Boy would and trained herself to suppress Alvarez, a 39-year-old swagger of a mafia boss, has fit right into, having been lauded her fears of dying at the hands of paralegal, was gunned down while consolidated power by jailing on several occasions as “the best authorities. walking to her boarding house by political opponents, shuttering playwright of his generation.” She and her family will not eat an assailant who fled on the back independent media outlets and But let me talk first about his at restaurants or attend parties. of a motorcycle. She was the fifth sidelining the influence of the non-artistic achievements, which She pays close attention to her person on the hit list killed. Catholic Church. frame a compelling study of surroundings and avoids being The mother of an 11-year- The COVID-19 pandemic contrasts in this multi-talented alone outdoors, particularly at old girl, Alvarez was the 13th has tightened his control with man. night. Seizing what little control member of Karapatan slain since Human rights worker Zara lockdowns enforced by armed * * * she has over her safety helps keep President Rodrigo Duterte took Alvarez, 39, was killed by an soldiers ordered to shoot those Born in 1952 in Isabela, Boy the terror at bay. office in 2016. She is also the 90th unknown gunman Aug. 17 in who violate restrictions. An Noriega was an academic over- “You don’t know where and suspected victim of extrajudicial Bacolod in the Philippines. overly vague anti-terror law achiever right from the get-go. He you don’t know when it could killing in Negros over that time. signed by Duterte in July gives completed his AB Economics in happen,” Singson, 41, the regional The list of those killed includes under the Duterte administration, the 75-year-old president broad UP in only three years, graduating secretary general of the Philippine farmers, lawyers and civilian which has assailed human rights in new powers to target anyone who at the top of his class. He finished rights group Karapatan, said of a officials who have challenged the a way unseen since former dictator opposes his administration. his master’s degree there two potential hit. “We cannot live a island’s almost feudal hacienda Ferdinand Marcos imposed Duterte has suffered few years later, again at the top. normal life.” system that’s pitted landowners martial law on the country from consequences on the world stage While at UP, he was elected to Singson’s resolve was being against peasants since the days of 1972 to 1981. for the country’s slide toward the Student Council and edited tested like never before after her Spanish rule 300 years ago. It’s estimated that up to authoritarianism — even with the “Philippinensian,” in those friend and colleague of nearly two Their deaths highlight the 25,000 Filipinos have died in the recent publication of a report days the annual yearbook of new decades, Zara Alvarez, was shot worsening conditions for some extrajudicial or vigilante killings by the United Nations high graduates. and killed Aug. 17 on the streets of the most vulnerable Filipinos during Duterte’s zero tolerance (See CRACKDOWN, Page 9) From there, Noriega took his MPA degree at Harvard UNTOG By Sluggo Rigor University’s Kennedy School (again at the top of his class), followed by an executive MBA at Columbia. Perhaps unknown to others, though, Boy also audited classes in modern drama, Shakespeare, comedy and film theory at those schools. As a trained economist, Noriega spent his entire career as a government technocrat. He was appointed a NEDA director at the age of 21—the youngest ever—where he managed their policy and coordination staff (See NORIEGA, Page 9) Page PHILIPPINE POST September 4, 2020 NEWS September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 6 38 Pinoy seamen lost at sea MANILA - Thirty-eight The Philippine Consulate another typhoon, “Haishen,” Filipino seafarers remained General in Osaka said Japan’s is brewing south of Japan and missing in chilly waters off Coast Guard will launch a second is expected to hit the Korean southwestern Japan a day after search and rescue mission amid coast on Sunday or Monday, their cargo ship capsized on the incoming typhoon. Flights the National Aeronautics and Wednesday as Typhoon “Maysak” were canceled or delayed and Space Administration’s Earth smashed into the Korean downed trees and other debris Observatory reported. peninsula. caused light damage after Some of the areas hardest hit The Panamanian-flagged Maysak, the ninth typhoon of the on Thursday were still counting Gulf Livestock 1 had a total 43 season, hit the peninsula with its the cost of last week’s Typhoon crew members, consisting of 39 170-kilometer-per-hour winds, “Bavi” and one of the wettest California Gov. Gavin Newsom Filipinos, two Australians and according to the South Korea monsoon seasons on record. two New Zealand nationals, and Yonhap News Agency. Parts of the South Korean EMERGENCY: Extreme heat was transporting 6,000 cattle from It was the fourth to hit the resort island of Jeju reported more New Zealand to China when it sent peninsula this year and left about than 1,000 millimeters of rainfall (From Page 1) “They kind of work like a a distress signal on Wednesday 120,000 households without since Tuesday, according to the electricity conservation from 3 to radiator in your car,” he said from waters off Amami Oshima power across South Korea, weather agency. 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Friday. “So if you have air Island in southwestern Japan officials said. North Korea took the brunt of Virtually all of California conditioning running around the after being caught up in Typhoon One person died when winds Typhoon Bavi, and for a second will be under an excessive heat clock, those transformers don’t Maysak. shattered a window in Busan, week in a row state TV carried watch or warning beginning have the opportunity to cool “So far, one Filipino was which bore the brunt of the storm, rare live reports of storm surge Friday or Saturday and continuing down.” reported to have been rescued by Yonhap reported. and flooding, including in the through Sunday or Monday. The situation is “made worse the Japanese Coast Guard,” said The peninsula typically sees coastal town of Wonsan. Forecasters say temperatures when high nighttime temperatures the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. only one typhoon a year, but are expected to climb 15 to 20 do not allow for equipment to cool degrees above normal in some off overnight,” according to the areas of Southern California over Los Angeles Department of Water SCS: PH can set aside issues for infra the weekend. Some areas of Los and Power. (From Page 1) Angeles County could see triple Should outages occur, both stands, we can proceed forward on digit temperatures. Edison and LADWP said their helped build artificial islands in matters that we think we can push Given the forecast, L.A. crews would work to restore disputed waters, citing the need on such as trade and investment County health officials on Friday service as quickly and safely as to finish its infrastructure projects. and meanwhile set aside matters announced that an extreme heat possible. One of the companies that that we cannot resolve perhaps in warning will be in effect through To reduce stress on the grid, the were blacklisted by the US is our lifetime,” he added. Tuesday for the Antelope and California ISO recommends that state-run China Communication Roque said the government Santa Clarita valleys, as well residents hold off on using major Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC), is satisfied by the arbitral ruling as the eastern and western San appliances, turn off unnecessary which will handle the development which stated that “only the Fernando and San Gabriel valleys. lights, close blinds and drapes of Sangley Airport in Cavite, a Philippines could have built According to the governor’s and set thermostats to 78 degrees facility close to key Philippine those artificial islands because office, Newsom’s proclamation while the flex alert is in effect. naval and air bases. The P208- they form part of our exclusive Presidential Spokesperson Har- “permits power plants to generate Other tips include unplugging billion project seeks to ease economic zone.” ry Roque more power by suspending certain devices and appliances when the airport congestion in Metro China has built artificial islands permitting requirements, helping they’re not in use and avoiding Manila. on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), to alleviate the heat-induced cooking and baking, if possible. Despite concerns about the upheld the Philippines’ sovereign Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora demands on the state’s energy “These simple steps can go a involvement of Chinese firms in rights over its 200-nautical (Subi), Burgos (Gaven), Kennan grid.” long way to limiting the strain vital projects, Malacañang said mile EEZ. China has refused to (Hughes), Mabini (Johnson) and Among the temporarily on our power infrastructure that that national interest requires that recognize the ruling, calling it Calderon (Cuarteron) Reefs, suspended requirements are those occurs when sudden and intense flagship infrastructure projects be “illegal” and “a mere piece of areas located off the province “adopted by local air quality heat hits our system,” LADWP completed. paper.” of Palawan that are also being management districts that restrict general manager and chief “He (Duterte) said that we will “For as long as that decision claimed by the Philippines. the amount of power that a facility engineer Martin Adams said in a pursue the national interest and the may generate, restrict the amount statement Thursday. national interest dictates that we of fuel that a facility may use, or While rolling blackouts were finish the flagship projects of the NORIEGA: Playwright impose air quality requirements instituted during the last major ‘Build, Build, Build’ and therefore (From Page 5) same time, refusing an easy way that prevent the facility from heat wave in mid-August, they he will not follow the footsteps from 1971-1981. From there he out for their dilemma, Noriega generating additional power weren’t as widespread or as of the Americans. He will respect moved to PNB, where he served ennobles the plight and struggle during peak demand hours ... or as lengthy as some had feared — a the contracts that we have entered as an EVP—again the youngest of the Filipino”. otherwise needed to respond to the development officials credited to into with Chinese companies,” ever—responsible for corporate “He takes an insider’s point extreme heat event,” according to consumer action. presidential spokesman Harry services. He was also president of of view to depict outsiders’ lives, the order. “When we had the last heat Roque told CNN Philippines. PNB Investments and a director of and thus is able to confront, even Additionally, the proclamation storm, it was the customers Asked whether banning PNB Securities. satirize, every facet of Filipino states that the California Air taking the steps to conserve that business with Chinese firms would Of course, you don’t get life without despair nor disdain… Resources Board “shall exercise helped to alleviate any additional send a signal that the Philippines to be nominated as National This creative freedom, far from maximum discretion to permit rotating outages,” Hanggi said. is not condoning China’s island- Artist for your skill in pushing simple experimentation, was the use of stationary and portable “Conservation and customers building in contested waters, numbers. Boy also led a double based on his insight into the generators or auxiliary ship taking the steps to watch their Roque said an arbitral court has life, as an acclaimed playwright dynamics of insider and outsider; engines to reduce the strain on the energy use are key.” ruled against such activities. who sought—according to the it enabled him to use styles and energy infrastructure and increase While heat waves aren’t “Well, you know, there is Tanglaw ng Lahi award that he techniques wherever he found energy capacity.” uncommon in California at already a decision there that the posthumously received from them without being afraid of being Given the intensity of the this time of year, Bill Patzert, a Philippines has sovereign rights Ateneo de Manila—“to put form derivative. He always knew where expected heat, though, utility climatologist and local weather where they built the artificial to the Filipinos’ search for a sense he was writing from.” officials say power outages are expert, said climate change has islands and that means that of place in his works”. According to the late UP possible and customers need to made them a more regular and whoever built those artificial * * * Dean Rogelio Sicat in 1995, heed the call to conserve. potent occurrence. islands had no legal basis to Over a relatively short period “Looking back over the Noriega was, quite simply, “the If demand is too high for do; and we’re satisfied with the of two decades, Boy produced a best Filipino playwright today as past century or so, heat waves decision,” Roque said. too long, especially when in Southern California have body of work that received nearly evidenced by his output, books temperatures soar, power gotten longer, they’ve gotten In 2016, a Hague-based arbitral two dozen major writing awards, published, national awards, transformers could fail, according more intense and they’re more tribunal voided China’s maritime including six from the Cultural stagings in prestigious venues to Hanggi. frequent,” he said. claim in the South China Sea and Center, 13 Carlos Palanca awards (including presentations abroad) for literature, four National Book and consistent recognition by awards from the Manila Critics peers and critics….In Noriega, Circle, and one each from PETA, Filipino playwriting finally ECP, and Palihang Aurelio hurdled being tentative to become Tolentino. the full-blown and lively genre Posthumously, aside from that it is now.” Ateneo’s Tanglaw ng Lahi in * * * 1995, Boy was also awarded the Yesterday we celebrated Centennial Honors for the Arts in National Heroes Day, when Theatre from the Cultural Center we recognize all those figures and the Philippine Centennial from our past in whom we find Commission in 1999. He also put the fullest flowering of what is in time on the teaching faculties best in our race—courage, love of Ateneo, UP, De la Salle, of country, self-sacrifice. It’s a Assumption, and UE. pantheon where Boy Noriega— According to the Ateneo who died of cancer at the young award, “by presenting characters age of 42—would, again, be not who are out of place and at the at all out of place. September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 7 FRAUD: EDD starts probe DENR starts changing Manila (From Page 1) “The EDD’s investigation claims filed in the names of other team is aware that people are people. Lawmakers say they are receiving multiple pieces of EDD Bay into a ‘white sand beach’ concerned scammers are using mail while asserting they have not MANILA -- Filipinos their constituents’ addresses to file filed an unemployment claim,” are asking the Department fraudulent claims. the agency said in a statement of Environment and Natural State Sen. Melissa Melendez Wednesday. “Our investigators Resources to focus on alleviating (R-Lake Elsinore) said one of her are working with local, state, water pollution in Manila Bay constituents received 116 letters and federal partners in exposing after it started dumping pulverized from the EDD addressed to 33 fraudulent schemes at the core of dolomite rocks on the bay walk as people whom the resident does these multiple claims, developing part of the harbor’s rehabilitation not know. methods to stop and prevent such program. “There were overpayments claims from being paid, and The government agency in there. There were debit cards prosecuting the unscrupulous caught the public’s attention in there,” Melendez told her offenders to the fullest extent of when pictures and videos of what Senate colleagues during a floor the law.” looked liked “white sands” and debate involving EDD legislation When asked about the “sand dunes” within the bay’s Monday. number of fraudulent cases vicinity surfaced online. Assemblyman Jim Patterson being investigated, EDD officials Reports said that the department (R-Fresno) said during a news declined to comment further. sought to fill 500 meters of the conference Wednesday that Patterson said in an online bay walk on Roxas Boulevard constituents who have gotten news conference that he plans to with pulverized dolomite rocks Pulverized dolomite rocks on Manila Bay in this screengrab of a large numbers of letters have told call the Fresno Police Department from Cebu as part of the Manila video by Shyla Francisco of One News and TV5. him that scammers have contacted with information on those who Bay Rehabilitation Program that them offering money if they give are believed to be involved in the started in January 2017. seen in the area as the International SAND FROM OTHER PLACES them the debit cards. scams. “Gagawin white sand itong, Coastal Clean Up Day approaches JUST TO BEAUTIFY THIS “Something is going terribly His constituent, David dito sa may bay walk area, para on September 18. DIRTY BAY. There are so many wrong here with EDD,” Patterson Robertson, also spoke at the news makita ng tao na kapag puti ang The event encourages the public issues we need to FOCUS ON like said, calling for the state agency conference to discuss his family’s kulay ng isang bagay, kailangan to rid beaches of garbage and the pandemic response and yet and U.S. Department of Labor experience of being victimized pangalagaan mo ito at ‘wag mo make them aware of preserving here is our government, doing this inspector general to “start digging by fraud. dumihan,” DENR Undersecretary oceans and waterways. stuff,” the group said on its page. into what’s going on.” Robertson said his unemployed Benny Antiporda was quoted as Several members of the GMA broadcast journalist Assemblyman Tom Lackey 19-year-old son’s EDD account saying on a Wednesday report. Cabinet will oversee the program Atom Araullo wondered if the (R-Palmdale) went to the EDD was fraudulently accessed, his He later on clarified that once it pushes through. project is “sustainable” and shared offices Friday to hand over 74 mailing address was changed and pulverized dolomite rocks were Antiporda admitted that while his concerns about its potential EDD letters received by one $14,876 was paid by the EDD to dumped on the bay walk, contrary part of the bay walk would be environmental impacts. constituent that were addressed an unknown person who accessed to reports that white sands were filled with pulverized dolomite “Since white sand is not a to 24 people, none of whom the the account using his son’s Social brought in. rocks, the bay’s water quality is natural feature of Manila Bay, recipient knew. Lackey said he is Security number. A dolomite is a sedimentary still unswimmable. one wonders if this project is concerned because his legislative “His identity has essentially rock that has color ranges of “Pero ‘yung water quality sustainable. Besides, where is staff was unable to track down any been stolen,” Robertson said. white-to-gray and white-to-light natin, of course, hinahabol pa the white sand getting extracted? of the people to whom the letters “This system is completely and brown. It is used for construction natin. Ayaw natin palusungin ang The environment impact of that were addressed. totally broken. There are criminals materials and has the ability to mga tao dito na merong health kind of operation is worrying,” “Many of these have activated that are benefiting from this.” neutralize acids. risk,” he said. he tweeted. ATM cards that are ready to cash,” Residents from as far away Antiporda said that the Some Filipinos, including Another Twitter user accused Lackey said of the letters. “This as Florida and Connecticut have initiative is for people who cannot environmental group Youth Strike the initiative of being “short term” at best could have been a blunder reported to The Times that they go to Boracay or other tourist for Climate Philippines, were not and urged officials to address by EDD, but at worst could have too have received dozens of letters destinations amid the coronavirus impressed by the move. the problem with Manila Bay’s been intentional fraud.” each from the California EDD that pandemic. The group urged DENR to waters. Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a are addressed to multiple people Boracay, the country’s focus on ridding the bay of water “Address how to minimize Wednesday news conference that they do not know. top tourist destination, is pollution instead of artificially the pollution first. This looks like the issue is on his radar. Barry O’Brien said he was surprised to receive 13 letters at internationally recognized for its beautifying the area. a short term plan? ‘San galing “We are concerned about fraud in this space,” Newsom said his West Palm Beach, Fla., home pristine beaches with fine white “The problem is not the high ang buhangin para tambakan from the EDD addressed to four sands. fecal coliform but the pollution ang Manila Bay? This looks when asked about the potential fraud. “We are working with people he’s never met. Authorities are reportedly that Manila Bay is currently destructive and unsustainable,” “I said, ‘What the hell is expecting “white sands” to be facing. STOP HARVESTING the online user said. local authorities as well as state this?’” recalled O’Brien, 72. agencies, and working with federal “I didn’t even know what the authorities across jurisdictions to EDD was. Why would you send weed that out, to call that out.” unemployment letters from the CORRUPTION: Has become pandemic EDD officials confirmed the California EDD to another state? I (From Page 4) that has led to the problem of outcomes. Otherwise, corrupt agency is investigating the reports. thought it could be identity theft.” and management functions inferior or substandard execution practices become habits and get of government entities. An of projects, because of the wrong institutionalized. effective COA, like all audit choice of contractors. Too often, in our case, the systems, is tasked to determine And then, there is always the exposés on corruption are that operations of an agency (in ultimate question, Who is to check momentary showcases bereft spending and in budgeting) are the checker, if he is weak, corrupt, of true follow-ups. No one is in compliance with policies and or incompetent? punished. Since all is for show, procedures, that internal controls Pandemic corruption. Our the bad outcomes continue. are of good quality, that risks country scores poorly in cross- As in our case as a society, taken are responsibly assessed country measures of social when this happens often and no before decisions are made. indicators when it comes to one is made to account after the But what if the audit function international surveys concerning sound and fury of denunciations is weak, in cahoots with the the prevalence of corruption. We and public show, the result is a supervised (in short, also corrupt), also score poorly in such other pandemic of corruption practiced or is generally ineffective, too? indicators concerning “the ease all around. Weak societies often breed weak of doing business.” To a lot of Strong societies emerge when leaders and institutions, and observers, these measures are there is follow up so that those weak counter-institutions that are highly correlated indicators. who commit malfeasance are supposed to keep them honest. Although the government has pursued and made to account The quality of personnel in an made many efforts to improve fully. institution is often the result of regulations and practices Etched strongly in my poor leadership in that institution. that are associated with such personal memory is the story of a It is also the case that measurements, in general, the corruption scandal that happened sometimes, poor standards or improvement of country scores when I was a graduate student in rules to use in decision-making along these social indicators have America many years ago (during abets bad practices. For instance, not been impressive or sufficiently the 1960s). President Duterte, in the State satisfying. However hard we try, The city government decided to of the Nation, spoke of the the same set of happenings remain build a huge underground parking inadequacy of the “lowest bidder” to perceptive observers. under the Boston Common. An rule in government procurement The strengthening of exposé of corruption in the public as a culprit in poor quality of society’s concern to improve awareness became the talk of the outcomes. There are situations its performance metrics reveal town. Some years later, during the that permit of flexibility. themselves through outcomes next decade, long after my life had But the issue applies in the which are often preceded by been consumed by other interests, choice of contractors for important corrective actions. Such corrective I learned that around 10 public projects (for instance, those on actions have to be demonstrated, officials – high and low – were issues of infrastructure.) Often, as they help to discipline future sent to jail. Justice not denied. Page 8 PHILIPPINE POST September 20, 2019 NEWS September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 8 Duterte won’t follow US lead, will continue Chinese projects MANILA — President Rodrigo ng Presidente, hindi po siya Duterte will not follow the lead of susunod sa direktiba ng mga the United States government Amerikano dahil tayo po ay in terminating contracts with malaya at independiyenteng Chinese companies involved in bansa at kinakailangan natin ang Beijing’s reclamation activities in mga namumuhunan galing po sa the highly-contested South China bansang Tsina.” New PhilHealth President Dante Gierran testifies before Congress. Sea, Malacañang said Tuesday. He added: “So Sangley and all The US government recently other projects, kahit sino pong Ex-NBI head Gierran announced sanctions and Chinese contractor ‘yan tuluy- restrictions on 24 state-owned tuloy po yan dahil ang pang- is new PhilHealth chief firms of China as well as associated nasyunal na interes natin ay officials for taking part in building masiguro na matapos po ang mga He retired in February and was MANILA— President Rodrigo artificial islands in the disputed flasghip projects natin sa ilalim ng replaced by Eric Distor who was Duterte has named former waters. Build, Build, Build.” named officer-in-charge of the President Rodrigo Duterte National Bureau of Investigation These firms include China Foreign Affairs Secretary NBI. (NBI) Director Dante Gierran as Communications Construction involving Chinese firms will push Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier said he Morales, who was reportedly the new head of the embattled Co. Ltd. which in a joint venture through. would “strongly” recommend the undergoing treatment for Philippine Health Insurance Corp. with Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia “The Sangley project will push termination of contracts between lymphoma, step down from his (PhilHealth). Corp., bagged the initial phase of through. The President declared the Philippine government and post after Duterte asked him Defense Secretary Delfin the Sangley Point International last night that the Americans ay companies involved in China’s to resign due to his medical Lorenzana confirmed this in a Airport (SPIA) project in Cavite, pupwede nilang ipatupad ‘yung reclamation activities in the South condition. text message to reporters Monday a province south of Metro Manila. blacklisting ng mga Chinese China Sea. Morales’ resignation came at China has been pushing for night. Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said companies sa kanilang teritoryo the height of investigations over its expansive claims in the South Lorenzana said the President he would seek Duterte’s guidance sa Amerika at siguro sa doon the alleged systematic corruption China Sea, refusing to recognize announced Gierran’s appointment on whether or not to go ahead with kanilang mga base na nasa ilalim within the state health insurance the 2016 ruling by the Permanent during his meeting with the the project. ng kanilang hurisdiksyon,” Roque firm. Court of Arbitration (PCA) which members of the Inter-Agency But presidential spokesperson said in a televised Palace press invalidated its ambitious nine- Duterte has created an Task Force. Harry Roque said the Sangley briefing. dash line feature which virtually inter-agency task force led by Gierran will replace Ricardo project, along with other projects “Pero malinaw pong sinabi owns the entire body of water. Morales, who resigned last week the Department of Justice to as PhilHealth president and CEO probe PhilHealth officials over due to his medical condition. the corruption claims which Gierran served as NBI chief were unearthed during recent DIAZ: RevGov vs. Leni Robredo since his appointment in 2016. congressional inquiries. (From Page 4) form of government with a federal close allies. succession would mean handing system, and it believes the only At midnight, the Marcoses power to Vice-President Robredo. way to do this is for Duterte to boarded a U.S. Air Force Pemberton release on hold But Robredo belongs to the form a RevGov and overturn the helicopter and flew to Clark Air MANILA— The release of US opposition Liberal Party, which 1987 constitution. Base. From there, the Marcoses Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott means the entire government But here’s the rub: the RevGov flew to exile in Hawaii. Marcos Pemberton will remain on hold bureaucracy would be turned over they have in mind could also died on September 28, 1989, a to await the court’s resolution of to the Liberal Party loyalists and prevent Vice-President Robredo broken man. the motion for reconsideration, their “Yellow Army” if Duterte from taking over should Duterte On September 7, 1993, Malacañang said Thursday. steps down. become incapacitated. With Marcos’ remains were flown to Presidential spokesperson While waiting for the recount rumors swirling around that the Philippines and kept in a crypt Harry Roque said the move ordered by the Supreme Court, a Duterte is seriously ill and that in his hometown, Batac, Ilocos was advised by the Department complex process that is expected he recently visited a medical Norte. of Justice (DOJ), quoting a to be resolved within six months, facility in Singapore, there would On November 18, 2016, the text message from Bureau of the question is: Who will win be a constitutional crisis on the Supreme Court allowed Marcos Corrections (BuCor) Dir. Gen. the recount? Robredo says presidential succession if Robredo to be buried at the Libingan ng Gerald Bantag. she won fairly. But ultimately, were replaced by whomever mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) “Just in po, I will just read the the Supreme Court sitting as Duterte anoints as his successor, in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila. Presidential Electoral Tribunal which would likely be Bongbong Thus the life story of Ferdinand E. text po of our BuCor chief. And Joseph Scott Pemberton I will quote, ‘By the way, Sir, (PET) will make the decision. Marcos. Marcos came to an end. advise ng DOJ, hindi ipa-process order to release Pemberton, who But Duterte appointed 11 of Two governments But the saga of the Marcos ang release, this is referring to was convicted for the killing the 15 justices of the Supreme But veteran lawyer Romulo family continues. Marcos’ son Pemberton, since there was an of Filipino transgender woman Court, which begs the question: Macalintal said that if Duterte Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos MR filed and we’ll just wait for Jennifer Laude, was a “judicial Would they vote impartially were to heed the group’s call it Jr. wants to follow his father’s the resolution of the MR,” Roque overreach.” without regard to who appointed would lead to a situation where footsteps: become president of the said. In an order by an Olongapo them? Although, the final tally there would be “two kinds of Philippines. And he’s pretty close “[Armed Forces of the court, Pemberton was said to of the recount will be based on government: a revolutionary to achieving it. The only thing Philippines spokesperson] have already served the 10-year what is deemed acceptable by government headed by Duterte that would prevent him is Vice- General [Edgar] Arevalo, please maximum of his penalty after the PET usually based on the and a democratic government President Leni Robredo who won await resolution of the MR before taking into account the good “findings” and recommendations headed by Robredo.” the election but is being contested releasing Pemberton,” he added. conduct time allowances he of the Commission on Elections Which reminds me of what by Bongbong. It’s now up to the Roque himself said the court accumulated while detained. (COMELEC), which could be happened on February 25, Supreme Court to decide who won subjective. 1986 during the People Power the election. And this is where While the PET is still in the Revolution. That morning, Cory the MRD-NECC’s proposal to process of recounting the 2016 Aquino – who claimed she won the form a revolutionary government vice-presidential votes, a video snap election -- was inaugurated comes in. surfaced on August 25, 2020 from as President of the Philippines in If MRD-NECC succeeds in Duterte’s supporters who called to a simple ceremony at the Club doing so, a situation could arise overturn the constitution and form Filipino in Greenhills. where there would be two kinds a “revolutionary government.” An hour later, Marcos held of government: a RevGov headed Federal System of government his inauguration at Malacanang by Duterte and a democratic The group called the “Mayor Palace. On the Palace balcony, government headed by Robredo. Rodrigo Duterte-National Marcos took the Oath of Office. As a consequence, a civil war Executive Coordinating The Marcoses finally emerged on could break out between the Committee” (MRD-NECC) the balcony of the Palace before Duterte and Marcos supporters announced they would march 3,000 Marcos loyalists who were against the “Yellow Army” of to the Malacanang Palace to shouting, “Capture the snakes!” the Liberal Party. It’s déjà vu announce a “People’s Declaration End of an era all over again: a repeat of the of a Revolutionary Government” In the afternoon, Marcos 1986 People Power Revolution after gathering an unspecified phoned U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt when Cory Aquino and Ferdinand number of signatures on a petition. asking for advice from the White Marcos held separate presidential According to a letter from House. Laxalt told him to “cut inaugurations. However, the group’s spokesman Bobby and cut clean,” to which Marcos Marcos fled the country upon the suggestion of US President Brillante, they would “appeal” to expressed his disappointment Reagan, which makes one Duterte “to lead” this government after a short pause. Later Marcos wonder: Would US President until December 31, 2021, after talked to his erstwhile Defense Trump intervene just like Reagan which elections would be held Minister Juan Ponce Enrile – did? And if so, whom would he under a new constitution. who was the leader of the People support: Duterte’s revolutionary The MRD-NECC wants to Power revolt -- asking for safe government or Leni Robredo? replace the country’s presidential passage for him, his family, and ([email protected]) September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 9 CONTRACTS: Blacklisted firms get P727M deals (From Page 1) entities which the procurement and medicines” to the local of Oton, Iloilo, all in May. for the Department of the Interior online contracts awarded through board had flagged for “offenses government of Zamboanga City. The biggest contract snagged and Local Government’s (DILG) emergency procurement rules or violations committed during However, a check with the Food by a “Ferjan Healthlink regional office in May under the Bayanihan to Heal As competitive bidding and contract and Drugs Administration (FDA) Philippines Inc.” was P727.5 • P130,000 for infrared thermal One Act, which was in effect from implementation” in violation of website showed that it shared the million — for supply and delivery scanners March to June. RA No. 9184, or the Government same Putatan, Muntinlupa City of 500,000 sets of PPEs priced at • P218,000 for alcohol and The Bayanihan law had Procurement Reform Act. address as the corporate office P1,455 each, by no less than the disposable face/surgical masks allowed negotiated deals to When the Inquirer checked if of Ferjan Healthlink Philippines DBM’s PS, documents showed. • P194,100 for surgical/ expedite the purchase of essential any of the 67 entities on the GPPB Inc., which snagged five contracts In the June 19 notice of award disposable masks and disposable goods “with clear and simple blacklist landed contracts during during the implementation of and contract agreement signed latex gloves for the Department of rules on liquidation.” It was “a the emergency procurement emergency procurement. by Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Social Welfare and Development’s liberal procedure in determining period, it found at least three — On May 29, the local Christopher A. Lao, who is (DSWD) regional office in April the price most advantageous to Ferjan Health Link Enterprises, government of Ivisan, Capiz, also the PS’s officer-in-charge and May the government considering the Cebu Business Materials Trading awarded to “Ferjan Healthlink and executive director, Ferjan • P472,500 in body bags for the urgency of the present situation.” Co. Inc. and Jozeth Trading. Enterprises”, a contract to deliver Healthlink Philippines Inc. was Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical The relaxed procurement rules Sought to comment, Assistant various medicines, medical, tasked with delivering the PPE Center in June. were also “measures to reasonably Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo, dental, rapid test kits and sets—composed of shoe cover, Cebu Business Materials prevent abuses and corruption told the Inquirer that blacklisted laboratory supplies, documents sterile gloves, apron, clean gloves, Trading Co. Inc. was blacklisted but not too restrictive as to delay entities were “not allowed from showed. coverall, head cover, and gown— by the GPPB from Dec. 18, 2019 the process,” the GPPB said in a participating in any of the bidding The notice of award, signed by to the AFP LOGCOM Warehouse to Dec. 18, 2020 due to “non- resolution last April. activities of the government for Mayor Felipe Neri Yap, showed a in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City completion of delivery amounting A check on the GPPB the period of blacklisting.” breakdown of costs amounting to within 45 calendar days upon to P3,051,078.75 or 83.79 percent website last Sept. 1—one day Can procuring entities also be a total of P1.47 million, but the issuance of purchase order, which of the contract” to the Bureau of after the deadline for contract penalized? Toledo said the agencies separate purchase order amounted came on June 23. Jail Management and Penology’s posting—showed a microsite may face an administrative or to P470,651 only. In the GPPB Another blacklisted entity, (BJMP) National Capital Region ( https://gppbgovph.com/ criminal case, depending on the website, the indicated amount Cebu City-based Cebu Business office for inmates’ yellow T-shirts. awardedcontracts.php) for reason they awarded the contract awarded was merely P286.540. Materials Trading Co. Inc. Jozeth Trading, GPPB awarded contracts during the to a blacklisted entity. Four other contracts were snagged seven contracts in the records showed, was awarded period when the Bayanihan law In the case of Ferjan Healthlink awarded to a “Ferjan Healthlink Central Visayas region: two contracts—P194,000 and was in effect. Philippines” — P37,150 for PPEs, • P22,200 for PPEs and P452,750 for paracetamol tablets Enterprises, located in Muntinlupa and surgical gloves as well as The GPPB had also been City, the GPPB said it was P171,000 for vitamins to be P74,720 for thermal scanners “various supplies and medicine maintaining a separate microsite blacklisted for a two-year period distributed to senior citizens, and for the Department of Labor and for use in the prevention and (https://www.gppb.gov.ph/ effective Sept. 25, 2018 until Sept. P335,000 for surgical disposable Employment’s (DOLE) regional management of a COVID-19 ConsolidatedBlacklistingReport. 26, 2020 due to “non-fulfillment face masks and cadaver masks office in March outbreak,” in the local government php) containing a list of blacklisted of delivery of supplies for drugs procured by the local government • P2,800 in cleaning supplies of Santa Cruz, Laguna.

authorities are trying to equate knew she was gone. CRACKDOWN: HR workers killed advocacy work with terrorism — “She was a little giant,” said (From Page 5) a process known as red-tagging Cristina Palabay, the Manila-based commissioner for human rights that invites harassment and secretary general of Karapatan. in June detailing widespread assassination. Calls for justice “She looks so unassuming, but abuse, including the verified in the deaths of Ramos and other she would exude so much passion. killings of 248 human rights activists have gone nowhere. We called her a child of Negros. defenders, journalists, lawyers “The key problem here is She had so much empathy for the and trade unionists mostly under that state security forces do not people there.” his presidency. The government make the distinction between As a paralegal, Alvarez has denied involvement. loudmouthed activists in the documented rights violations and The Trump administration, streets and guerrilla fighters in the helped prepare the defense of which needs the Philippines to mountains,” said Carlos Conde, political prisoners. Her activism counter China’s rising influence, Philippines researcher for Human was born out of her upbringing has not condemned Duterte’s Rights Watch. “They know there’s in the church. Her mother was human rights record. Congress a distinction, but they choose to a catechist at her local parish has ignored calls to block or delay blur it because they are convinced who instilled in Alvarez lessons nearly $2 billion in U.S. arms Cristina Palabay, of Karapatan, shown talking to the media in support for the [New People’s in human dignity for the poor, sales to the country this year. Quezon City in 2019, said of slain activist Zara Alvarez: “So many Army] comes from the cities and friends said. Without international pressure, people needed her.” that people are being recruited and Church bells in parts of Negros experts say Duterte will continue brainwashed by activists. have tolled each night at 6 p.m. crushing dissent as he tries to famous for producing half the sugar farmers, including three “These people targeted are in mourning since Alvarez died. deflect attention from a crashing country’s sugar. women and two teenage children, not combatants,” Conde added. Dozens attended her funeral economy and a pandemic spinning At the root of the conflict is were massacred by gunmen while “They are not directly involved Wednesday wearing black T-shirts out of control. land ownership, a problem that has trying to cultivate idle land to in the armed struggle in the calling for justice in her killing. Negros, in particular, has borne fueled the extreme divide between grow food in northern Negros. countryside. Targeting them is a A spokesman for the Duterte the brunt of Duterte’s embrace of rich and poor for centuries. The October 2018 incident violation of human rights. They’re administration condemned the autocratic rule. Negros’ fertile soil is in the was followed a month later by being pulled into this vortex of killings of rights activists in The fourth-biggest island hands of only a few wealthy the killing of Benjamin Ramos, violence.” a statement Monday, and the (roughly the size of Connecticut) families and corporations. Bids a human rights lawyer and Karapatan members had just Philippine Department of Justice in the country of 108 million has to reform the inequities have been Karapatan member, who tried to attended the funeral of Randall said it had opened an inquiry. been a testing ground for Duterte’s foiled by buyback schemes that stop the land-buyback scheme. Echanis, a 72-year-old agrarian Singson said Alvarez counter-insurgency program, coerce farmers, some earning only Ramos was shot by two hooded activist tortured and stabbed to and she would often discuss which has given the military $2 a day, into selling their land gunmen outside his office in death in his Manila apartment the difficulties of reconciling near-unchecked authority in rural back to previous owners at vastly central Negros. The attack took earlier this month, when they their responsibilities as parents provinces. reduced prices. place seven months after Ramos learned of Alvarez’s slaying. with the dangers of their work. Negros has long been a center Those who try to challenge first appeared on the hit list of Family and colleagues They were godparents to each of activism and a base for the New other’s children. When Alvarez’s the system are often killed or suspected communists with frantically called Alvarez’s phone daughter texted Singson the night People’s Army. The communist silenced by landowners’ goons, Alvarez and Singson, which was on the chance that early reports of her mother’s killing asking if insurgency has simmered for or plainclothes police and military circulated in a poster displayed in had mistaken the victim’s identity. the news was true, Singson was more than half a century because intelligence agents working on public buildings. But when photos from the scene left frozen in grief. of entrenched poverty and violent their behalf, activists say. By accusing human rights emerged showing a diminutive “I couldn’t find the words,” suppression of farmers in a region In one of the worst cases, nine defenders of being communists, woman with a bob haircut, they she said. Page 10 PHILIPPINE POST September 20, 2019 COMMUNITY September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 10 Bill to ‘save local journalism’ awaiting Newsom’s approval By Antonio Ray Harvey/ California Black Media SACRAMENTO -- With They say those corporations rely a 69-4 vote, the Senate passed on a workforce of contractors, but Assembly Bill (AB) 323 Tuesday. do not provide those workers any It proposes granting ethnic media employment benefits and other outlets, mid-size publications, and labor protections mandated by daily newspapers an additional California law. year to pursue alternative and In the Assembly chamber before sustainable distribution models the floor vote, Assemblymember that don’t involve contract drivers. Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), That would allow them to come who authored AB 5 and voted “no” into compliance with the state’s on AB 323, gave an impassioned Daly City Council Member Ray Buenaventura with beloved politi- controversial AB 5 labor law. testimony. cal mentor Alice Bulos, who passed away in 2016. AB 323, known as the “Save “I cannot condone or support Assemblywoman Blanca E. Ru- Local Journalism Act,” which an unsustainable business model bio (D- Baldwin Park) is now awaiting the governor’s that operates at the expense of signature, would go into effect low-wage workers,” Gonzalez — or come up with a new way California okays Jan. 1, 2023 if it is signed. told her colleagues. to distribute their newspapers to Assemblywoman Blanca But critics say the intention subscribers. Rubio’s (D- Baldwin Park) is the of AB 5 was lost in its language AB 323 extends that sunset date highway honor for author of the bill. and enforcement, charging that currently exempts newspaper “AB 323 provides a bridge that it cast too wide a net, and carriers from the restrictions of for our local newspapers to that it ended up hurting some AB 5 to the end of 2021. Until Fil-Am leader continue informing readers and contractors – including artists, then, those publications will By Cherie M. Querol Moreno/ Inquirer.net their communities. Today the dentists, writers, salespeople, not have to meet the three-part bill passed with overwhelming musicians, translators, and others. criteria, commonly known as SAN FRANCISCO — Alice the absence of a city structure support and will be heading to Those are people who generally the “ABC” test, which the state Bulos always took the high road. named for a Filipino American, Governor Newsom,” Rubio said prefer the independence and uses to determine if workers Fittingly, a California highway thereby literally cementing Fil- via her Twitter account Aug. 31. flexibility of being freelancers or are employees or independent will memorialize the beloved Am presence in what’s been AB 323 will also require sole proprietors, they argue. contractors. Filipina American leader who dubbed “Little Manila” or “New state agencies to contract with Since AB 5 passed about a By offering a buffer for dedicated over 40 years of her life Manila USA.” community and ethnic news year ago, legislators have created carriers, AB 323 is also aimed to community service until days Compounding Buenaventura’s outlets to promote their public several carve-outs to exempt at strengthening and stabilizing before she died of heart failure on grief was the loss of his awareness campaigns in order to some of the affected professional California’s community news October 21, 2016. “Tita Linda,” longtime Daly reach underserved communities categories, allowing them to organizations while protecting The California Legislature City resident and community throughout the state. continue to work as independent their ability to provide all on Friday, Aug. 28, approved a benefactor Erlinda Tiongco AB 5 was enacted to enforce contractors under the law. But Californians with important resolution naming a section of Galeon, who predeceased her own a 2018 California Supreme Court many remain impacted. information about news and State Route 35 in Daly City as mentor, Bulos, by four months. ruling commonly called the In October of 2019, Gov. events in their communities. the Alice Pena Bulos Memorial As mayor last year, Buenaventura “Dynamex Law.” Originally, the Newsom signed AB 170, a law “We are living through times of Highway in honor of the first made it his personal mission to legislation mostly focused on that gave newspapers in California unprecedented unrest and change, Fil-Am named by a sitting US honor both Bulos and Galeon, what some lawmakers regarded as a one-year extension (until the and the need has never been President (Clinton) to a federal who now has a namesake park “abuses” by large companies like end of 2020) to reclassify the greater for specialized outlets council, among the honoree’s inaugurated recently in a Daly Uber, Lyft and other rideshare and contract drivers who deliver their that facilitate improved civic many achievements. The roadway City residential area. app-based delivery companies. newspapers as W-2 employees (See BILL, Page 11) tribute will be the first known for Driving through the Barack an American of Filipino descent Obama State Highway in the Los in the continental United States. Angeles area clicked a lightbulb Fil-Am teen gets $2,500 police bill The vote authorizes supporters in Buenaventura: What were to raise private funds to defray cost the chances of the same for his for organizing protest against racism of the new signs bearing Bulos’ departed Tita? full name. Installation is projected Though a longtime resident of ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, protest, requiring them to hastily for 2021. neighboring South San Francisco, New Jersey — A teen who come up with security plans. Said portion of State Route Bulos’ influence crossed borders organized a Black Lives Matter Gil said she didn’t meet with 35 traverses Daly City, home and extended well beyond her rally in her northern New Jersey them in person over coronavirus of the highest concentration of home city, noted Assembly town was sent a $2,500 bill from concerns, but made an offer to Filipinos on the US mainland, and Member Phil Ting (D-San officials for police overtime. meet via Zoom, which wasn’t whose current political leadership Francisco), who agreed to sponsor NJ Advance Media reported accepted, and then officials acknowledges Bulos as a role a bill in the Assembly upon Emily Gil, 18, of Englewood stopped responding to her. model. consultation with Buenaventura. Cliffs received a letter earlier this She said she had reached out to “Alice Bulos meant the world “We see the influence of month from Mayor Mario M. Kranjac after getting the bill, but to me. We formed a special Alice Peña Bulos throughout Kranjac looking for payment of has gotten no response. relationship from the moment we our communities, as well as in $2,499.26 “for the police overtime Kranjac told NJ Advance met. She is like family to me, elected local and state government caused by your protest.” Media that protesters’ rights of my mentor, confidant, mother, leadership. That’s why she’s A civil liberties advocate called free speech and assembly were advisor, conscience, and critic. I considered the ‘Godmother’ of the move “shocking.” respected, and that Gil was wrong loved her dearly and wanted to do Filipino American politics and Later, WLNY-TV reported that Emily Gil to link affordable housing to her something to make sure her name empowerment. It’s my honor to Kranjac said that he rescinded protest. will be memorialized forever,” carry the legislation that celebrates the bill after reviewing the local on July 25 in the town, just across “As with any privately- said Bulos protege and friend Ray her legacy,” Ting responded to ordinance he had cited earlier. the river from the uppermost sponsored event that takes place Buenaventura, Council Member Buenaventura’s proposal. “I was told that all private parts of Manhattan. She said she in the borough requiring police of Daly City, who initiated the Buenaventura also reached events requiring police overtime called for action like increasing safety, an invoice was sent to move last summer to “find a way out to the Bulos family for should be paid for by the affordable housing in the town, the organizer for police overtime to etch her name for eternity.” “permission to move forward and organizers. It was never intended and chastised Engelwood Cliffs since it would be unfair to require The private defender-and- honor their mother.” Elizabeth as a fine, but rather as a fee,” for not implementing it over the our residents to financially support politician conferred with Daly City Bulos Ramilo gave her blessing, Kranjac said, the station reported. years. a private event,” he said. pioneers Perla Ibarrientos and Ray and Mayor Buenaventura drafted Gil, a recent high school The town’s letter said she had Four Democratic members Satorre, who has long bewailed (See BULOS, Page 11) graduate, had organized a protest not met with officials before her of the town’s Council issued a statement opposing the Republican mayor’s decision, and SASO: Ace lady golfer said they would seek to cancel the (From Page 16) bill. They said he owed the teen Veteran Fujita Saito said an apology. championship and there were too playing with Saso was like playing Jeanne LoCicero, legal many things to think and do with with Tiger Woods. director of the American Civil my own game,” she added. The Japanese may be right The readers of the Philippine Post Liberties Union of New Jersey, Gifted with an awesome after all. want to read about what’s told The Associated Press, “the power, which she developed and With her power, talent and happening in your organization. idea of sending a bill to protesters sharpened, along with her skills mindset, it’s just a matter of time is shocking.” in short game, including putting, before Saso could surpass the Please send your press She said while it’s been through long hours of practice and Japanese aces’ achievements, gain and photo releases to attempted before, she hadn’t drills, the ICTSI-backed ace has accolades in other tours and build [email protected]. heard of any other town trying established herself this early as the a name that’s distinctly hers. something similar over the yardstick among the best and the It’s Yuka Saso. protests of recent months. brightest in the lucrative circuit. May 6, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 11 COMMUNITY September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 11 PALAD bares more candidate, ballot measure endorsements LOS ANGELES — The • State Senate Pilipino American Los Angeles District 29 - Josh Newman Democrats (PALAD), announced • State Assembly Wednesday more endorsements District 63 - Assemblymember for candidates and ballot measures Anthony Rendon*** in Southern California. • Water Replenishment PALAD is the oldest Asian District American and Pacific Islander Vera Robles DeWitt Democratic club in Los Angeles, • West Hollywood City and its endorsements process Council seeks to elevate candidates and Sepi Shyne ballot measures that align with • Alhambra City Council the values PALAD believe in and District 4 - Sasha Renée Pérez engage the community on the • Carson City Council power of the Filipino American (Note: endorsements for other vote. candidates may be considered Among those endorsed by Elito Santarina pending current litigation in the the group was longtime Carson Carson City Council City of Carson.) Councilmember and Filipino District 1 - Elito Santarina community leader Elito Santarina, “With upcoming elections • Long Beach City Council who is seeking to regain his in November, this serves as District 2 - Cindy Allen council seat in the November 3 an important process to strengthen • Burbank City Council elections. accountability and aid the Filipino Konstantine Anthony PALAD worked to ensure American community in selecting • Burbank City Treasurer a clear, transparent, and fair candidates and supporting ballot No Endorsement endorsement process and that measure campaigns that best •Burbank Board the endorsed candidates are address our interests and needs,” of Education committed to supporting the PALAD said. Dr. Armond Aghakhanian Carson will have seven Filipino American and Asian In the coming weeks, PALAD • Hawaiian Gardens City American community and will also release its 2020 Voter Council vote-by-mail drop boxes are aligned with the values Guide and ramping up our Get- No Endorsement encompassed in the Democratic Out-the-Vote (GOTV) efforts. Ballot Measures CARSON - The Office of the • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Party platform. More details will be released soon. Proposition 16 - Support City Clerk has partnered with the Library (17906 S. Avalon Blvd.) Proposition 17 - Support PALAD received applications 2020 ENDORSED Los Angeles County Registrar • Carson Library (151 E. Carson Proposition 22 - Oppose Recorder/County Clerk (RR/ St.) from 16 additional candidates, CANDIDATES & BALLOT Proposition 24 - Oppose two of which were contested, and MEASURES - ROUND 2 (CADEM neutral) CC) to place seven Vote By Mail • Foisia Park (23410 Catskill seven ballot measures. PALAD • U.S. House of Proposition 25 - Support* drop box locations in the City Ave.) hosted an endorsements meeting Representatives Burbank Measure Rent Control of Carson for the Presidential • Hemingway Park (700 E. on Sunday, August 30. District 25 - Christy Smith - Support General Election. Gardena Blvd.) Beginning on October 5, all • Anderson Park (19101 S. the approval by the Legislature, Inquirer.net. registered voters will be mailed a Wilmington Ave.) BULOS manifesting the popularity of “Our family is so happy, Vote by Mail ballot to ensure they • Mills Park (1340 E. Dimondale (From Page 10) Bulos. Buenaventura estimates honored, and blessed by this have a safe and accessible voting Dr.) option during the COVID-19 • Harbor Gateway Transit a resolution naming Highway 35 cost of the new signs at around beautiful tribute. There are no pandemic. During this election, Office (731 W. 182nd St.) in Daly City for Bulos that the $10,000. words that can help express the RR/CC is expanding the Vote by Mail drop box locations City Council passed unanimously The family of the Nueva my deep gratitude for this and number of drop-off locations will be available beginning Sept. 19, 2019. Ecija-born sociology professor- acknowledge the work that she throughout the county so voters October 5, and will close at 8 That document was forwarded turned-political activist expressed dedicated her life to in making have additional methods to return p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, to the office of Ting, who gratitude to the core group of a better community not only for their completed ballots. November 3. introduced Assembly Bill No. advocates behind the project, the Filipino/a community but for Seven drop box locations, all Drop boxes are available to 165 ( Alice Peña Bulos Memorial many of them frequent visitors at everyone in general.” available 24 hours per day, seven voters 24 hours a day during the Highway). Assembly Members the Bulos home. “Tita Alice” as mentees days per week, will be distributed voting period. All voters may track Berman, Bonta, Gloria, Mullin, “Thank you Assembly member refer to their teacher, inspired throughout Carson for the safe their ballots at https://california. and Muratsuchi, and Senate Phil Ting, Daly City Vice Mayor both US-born and immigrant and convenient submission of ballottrax.net/voter/. Members Hill, Pan, and Wiener Juslyn Manalo, Council Member Filipino Americans. Her only completed ballots. Additionally, For a current list of Los Angeles signed on as co-authors. Ray Buenaventura and the granddaughter Charity Ramilo is, voted ballots also can be returned County 24-Hour Vote by Mail drop The process took a year from California State Legislature,” also a school teacher. by mail (no postage required) or boxes, to check your registration the time Buenaventura first Elizabeth Bulos Ramilo, Bulos’ in-person at any Vote Center. information or request a ballot discussed his idea with Ting to only child, shared her elation with The drop box locations in the in a different language, please BILL City of Carson includes: visit lavote.net. EDITORIAL: China (From Page 10) (From Page 4) engagement and better cross- cultural communication,” said Pama called the project “highly objectionable and even worse,” Regina Brown Wilson, Executive and said: “Only an idiot will not understand the adverse security Director of California Black implication to our country of this reported win of MacroAsia and Media. “Assemblywoman Rubio’s its Chinese company partner to purchase Sangley airport. If this is leadership and the unwavering implemented, it will be a dagger pointed to the heart of the nation!” support of AB 323’s coauthors and Greg Poling of the US-based think tank Asia Maritime supporters make it possible for our Transparency Initiative also noted in a tweet the jarring irony of the outlets to continue their mission to Philippines kowtowing to CCCC—the bullied, in effect, rewarding better inform our communities.” its oppressor: “This is bonkers. Manila to award a multi-billion The bill encourages the dollar airport project, and at a strategically vital location, to the Department of General Services same Chinese company that illegally built an artificial island at (DGS) to be responsible for Mischief Reef in PH waters.” ensuring that state agencies None of these concerns, unfortunately, has made inroads include local news organizations into the Duterte administration’s slavish stance toward China, in their advertising and public despite Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. batting for the awareness campaigns. DGS is the termination of the contracts with Chinese companies involved in business manager for California, the WPS reclamation. Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, chair providing procurement and of the House transportation committee, has expressed support for business solutions for local and Locsin’s proposal, as “allowing these Chinese companies to operate state agencies. here is way too much of an insult for all Filipinos.” “The First Amendment and our It is, but it’s an insult that is lost, first of all, on Sen. Imee Marcos, independent press are critical to who opposed scrapping such onerous deals for markedly defeatist the open exchange of diverse ideas reasons: “Bakit naman tayo magtatapang-tapangan kung wala and perspectives. My colleagues naman tayong ibubuga?” (Why act brave when we’re really weak?) and I bring varied viewpoints to And it is an insult that is lost, as usual, on Malacañang, which the Capitol, but as shown by the appears to be in the grip of full-blown Stockholm Syndrome. overwhelming bipartisan support Explaining President Duterte’s decision to reject the US move and for AB 323, we are united in our stick it out with China, Roque declared, in high solemn seriousness: support for our local news outlets “We are not a vassal state of any foreign power.” – Philippine Daily and the citizens they serve,” Rubio Inquirer said in a written statement. Page 12 PHILIPPINE POST September 4, 2020 US & WORLD NEWS September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 12

Trump tries to backpedal after call for THE WORLD IN BRIEF supporters to vote twice sparks outrage Nerve agent used in Navalny WASHINGTON - President that’s what they should do.” poisoning, says German gov’t Trump on Thursday walked back Deliberately casting more his suggestion that Americans than one ballot in a U.S. election BERLIN -- Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was should vote twice in November’s amounts to voter fraud, which is a poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group, election after the shocking claim felony in North Carolina. the German government said Wednesday, urging the Kremlin to prompted a widespread backlash. Still, Attorney General explain itself. In a string of all-caps tweets, William Barr, the nation’s top Navalny, who fell ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk Trump said he doesn’t actually law enforcement official, refused to Moscow last month, is being treated at a Berlin hospital. want people to vote twice — to condemn Trump’s comments, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said toxicological which is illegal — even though telling CNN in an interview late tests on samples taken from Navalny had been carried out at a he told a crowd of supporters in Wednesday that he doesn’t “know German military laboratory, providing “unequivocal evidence of North Carolina on Wednesday that what the law of a particular state a chemical nerve agent” from the Novichok group -- Soviet-era they should. says.” chemical weapons. Instead, Trump suggested Ironically, Trump has In a statement, Seibert said it was “startling” that “Navalny his initial claim had been President Donald Trump for months pushed baseless was the victim of an attack with a chemical nerve agent in Russia.” misinterpreted and that he only accusations that expanded mail- “The federal government condemns this attack in the strongest wants voters to double-check that AMERICA!!!” in voting in November’s election possible terms,” the statement said, adding: “The Russian their ballots have been counted However, Trump’s tweet will result in widespread voter government is urged to explain itself regarding the incident.” if they cast them by mail in the doesn’t match up with what he fraud beneficial to Joe Biden and In a press conference Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela November election. said Wednesday. Democrats. Merkel said the test results proved that Navalny had been the “On Election Day, or Early Speaking before a crowd of There’s no evidence for victim of a crime. Voting, go to your Polling Place supporters in Wilmington, N.C., Trump’s fraud fretting. “Alexey Navalny was the victim of an attack with a chemical to see whether or not your Mail Trump said people should try Mail-in ballots have actually nerve agent of the Novichok group,” Merkel said. “This poison can In Vote has been Tabulated to cast ballots both by mail and proved remarkably secure, and be detected without a doubt in the samples.” (Counted). If it has you will not in-person to push the limits of many states are expanding access be able to Vote & the Mail In mail-in voting. to them this year to make voting Abe’s assistant seen as most System worked properly. If it “Let them send it in and let safer amid the coronavirus has not been Counted, VOTE them go vote, and if their system’s pandemic. likely to succeed as Japan PM (which is a citizen’s right to North Carolina Attorney as good as they say it is, then TOKYO — Japan’s Chief Cabinet do),” Trump wrote. “YOU General Josh Stein, a Democrat, obviously they won’t be able to Secretary Yoshihide Suga, a longtime loyal ARE NOW ASSURED THAT didn’t buy Trump’s walk-back vote,” Trump said. “If it’s as good assistant and the public face of outgoing YOUR PRECIOUS VOTE HAS and called it outrageous for the as they say it is, then obviously Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in daily media BEEN COUNTED, it hasn’t president to encourage people to they won’t be able to vote. If it briefings, has emerged as a favorite to been ’lost, thrown out, or in any “break the law in order to help him isn’t tabulated, they’ll be able to succeed him in an upcoming internal party way destroyed.’ GOD BLESS sow chaos in our election.” vote. So that’s the way it is. And vote. Suga formally announced his candidacy China pushing Wednesday, pledging “to succeed policies that Prime Minister Abe has devoted his to double nuke body and soul and to push them forward.” Suga said that he, as a warhead - US politician who worked with Abe, decided to run to take over the prime minister’s unfinished work. WASHINGTON — The Abe, who has had ulcerative colitis since he was a teenager, last Chinese military is pressing week announced he would resign after setting a record of 2,799 to double its 200-plus nuclear consecutive days in office. warheads within a decade with A member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who doesn’t the ability to launch them aboard belong to any faction, Suga has been approached by leaders of ballistic missiles by land, sea and other party wings as someone who can ensure the continuation of air, the Pentagon said in a report Abe’s policies, including strengthening Japan’s security alliance A makeshift memorial Wednesday in Rochester, N.Y., near the Tuesday. with the U.S., dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and shoring site where Daniel Prude was restrained by police officers before Aside from aiming for up the economy. he died of asphyxiation. technological parity with the Suga confirmed that balancing coronavirus prevention measures United States, the People’s with an economic recovery would be his top priority. He also Liberation Army is also focused promised to further the Japan-U.S. alliance, developed through a Black man in NY died of on conducting joint operations, to friendship between Abe and President Donald Trump, within the suffocation after being be able to deter or defeat any US limitations of Japan’s pacifist constitution while also staying the effort to intervene on Taiwan’s course on Abe’s economic and diplomatic policies. handciffed and hooded behalf, the report said. Party executives decided to hold an internal vote on Sept. 14 to It said that PLA has already choose a new leader, who will then become the prime minister after ROCHESTER, New York -- brothers gotta die for society matched or surpassed the US winning parliamentary approval two days later with the ruling A Black man died of asphyxiation to understand that this needs to military in several areas, including coalition’s majority. after police officers in Rochester, stop?” shipbuilding, land-based ballistic By Wednesday, five of seven faction leaders in the party, N.Y., put a hood over his head, The videos show Daniel Prude, and cruise missiles, and air including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, another Abe confidante, then pressed his face into the who had taken off his clothes, defense systems. had expressed support for Suga, increasing his chances of winning, pavement for two minutes, complying when police ask him And in its first public estimate according to media reports. according to video and records to get on the ground and put his of China’s nuclear capacity, the released Wednesday by the man’s hands behind his back. Prude is annual report said the country Thai king reinstates his royal family. agitated and shouting as he sits has warheads numbering “in Daniel Prude died March 30 on the pavement in handcuffs for the low 200s” in its nuclear consort, says she’s ‘untainted’ after he was taken off life support, a few moments as a light snow stockpile, fewer than the 300 or BANGKOK, Thailand - King Maha seven days after his encounter falls. “Give me your gun — I need more estimated by independent with police. His death — which it,” he shouts. Vajiralongkorn of Thailand is welcoming analysts. his consort back into the royal household, preceded that of George Floyd in The officers then put a white The report says that number is Minneapolis by about two months “spit hood” over his head, a a surprise move that comes as the country expected to double over 10 years. is in the throes of an unprecedented — received no public attention device intended to protect officers China can already launch nuclear until Wednesday, when Prude’s from a detainee’s saliva. At the protest movement calling for reforms to weapons by ballistic missile from both government and the monarchy. family held a news conference time, New York was in the early land and sea, and is developing and released police body-camera days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Thai Royal Household said in the capacity to do develop an air- an official notice that all titles, military video and written reports they Prude demands that they launched ballistic missile as well, obtained through a public records remove it. The officers slam ranks and decorations were returned to the report said. Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi after she was request. Prude’s head into the street. “It is likely that Beijing will Joe Prude, who had called 911 One officer, who is white, holds found “untainted,” implying that she was seek to develop a military by innocent of previous accusations. for help, expressed disbelief over Prude’s head down against the mid-century that is equal to -- or the treatment given to his brother, pavement with both hands, in some cases superior to -- the She was accused nearly a year ago of trying to usurp power and who the video shows, was naked saying, “Calm down” and “Stop US military, or that of any other prestige from the queen. Sineenat, 35, had previously attempted and agitated during the encounter spitting.” Another officer places great power that the PRC views as to obstruct the King’s wife, Queen Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na with police. a knee on Prude’s back. a threat,” the report said. Ayudhya from being crowned, and had asked to be appointed to “I placed a phone call for my “Trying to kill me!” Prude If China achieves that goal the role instead, a royal notice at the time said. brother to get help, not for my says, his voice becoming muffled and the United States fails to Details surrounding her reappointment are scant. Similarly, brother to get lynched,” he told and anguished under the hood. address it, the report said, it “will it remains unknown where she spent the intervening months. reporters. “How did you see him “OK, stop. I need it. I need have serious implications for US Due to Thailand’s stringent lese majeste law, CNN has limits in and not directly say, ‘The man is it,” the prone man begs before national interests and the security reporting the full context surrounding the Thai monarchy and its defenseless, buck naked on the his shouts turn to whimpers and of the international rules-based palace intrigue. The law makes it illegal to insult or defame the ground. He’s cuffed up already. grunts. order.” king, queen, heir-apparent or regent, and convictions can carry a Come on.’ How many more 15-year prison sentence. PageFebruaryJulySeptemberDecember 16 8, 2019 24, 16, 4, 2018 20202017 PHILIPPINEPHILIPPINEPHILIPPINE POST POSTPOST July 8, 2019 Page PagePagePage 91713 9 COMMUNITYHOME & HEALTHFebruary 14,September 2020 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE PHILIPPINE POST POST PagePage 1313 How to protect yourself from Covid-19 while casting ballot By Sandee LaMotte CNN

ARE YOU READY to make your mark on history? When you exercise your right to vote on November 3, you will have done something that no American has Herd immunity strategy done for more than 50 years: voted during a deadly pandemic. to fight pandemic can be The “Hong Kong flu” hit the United States in September 1968, ‘dangerous,’ experts say and while it ultimately killed more than 100,000 Americans over the By Jacqueline Howard/CNN next two years, the impact on the 1968 election was minimal. AFTER MONTHS o f a virus or a pathogen to transmit Cases began to climb the week An elderly man weating face mask casts his ballot in the Wisconsin effort to limit the spread of the between people,” Van Kerkhove after the election, peaking during primary. coronavirus in the United States, said. December, with another wave the 2. Know your risk people aren’t standing in line for herd immunity has emerged as a “If we think about herd following year -- mitigated by a Remember: Anyone can be a long period of time.” controversial topic. immunity in the natural sense vaccine that was already in place. infected by the novel coronavirus 3. Mail it in White House Coronavirus Task of just letting a virus run, it’s That’s not today’s reality. There -- no matter your age or how If you live in an area where Force member Dr. Scott Atlas very dangerous,” she said. “That is no vaccine available. As of healthy you are, although people virus transmission has been high responded to a report on Monday means that many people are August 31, at least 183,598 people with certain underlying conditions -- or you are in a high-risk group that claimed he is a proponent infected, many people will need in the United States have died from are at higher risk for serious -- that may be a good reason to of a “herd immunity” strategy hospitalizations and many people the deadly novel coronavirus, complications such as being put consider obtaining an absentee to combat Covid-19. “I’ve never will die.” according to the latest numbers onto a ventilator in the ICU. ballot and voting by mail, experts advocated that strategy,” Atlas said Herd immunity refers to a from Johns Hopkins University’s It’s true that younger people say. at a press conference in Florida. specific threshold of protection Coronavirus Resource Center. are more likely to have mild It’s a breeze get an application Such an approach -- similar needed for a certain population Over 6 million people in the symptoms, or no symptoms at for your voting district at Vote. to what was pursued in Sweden or community to have against US have been diagnosed with all -- but a growing number of org – or the US Vote Foundation -- would mean that many people an infectious disease to keep it Covid-19, and the numbers are healthy young people are getting -- just fill in a short form and nationwide would have to get sick at bay -- and that protection can still rising in many parts of the very sick. Some even die. Others you’ll be sent an email with the with the coronavirus in order to come from either prior infections nation. may become members of the application. All you have to do is build up a natural immunity across or vaccination, Dr. Amesh Adalja, Considering these facts, is it Covid-19 “long-haulers” club, print it, sign it and send it to the communities. As the virus spreads senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins safe to vote in person on election unable to shake the aftermath of address provided. and sickens people, many could University Center for Health day 2020? Or should you choose the virus for months. When should your absentee die in the process. Security, told CNN on Monday. early voting or a mail-in ballot? If you’re not at high risk for the ballot arrive to be counted? Vote. Atlas explicitly denied that “If a herd immunity threshold Experts say the answer depends virus and community transmission org also has a list of deadlines by he is pushing a herd immunity has been crossed, it is very difficult on a variety of factors unique is low, consider volunteering to be state – as does US Vote Foundation strategy, but an administration for an infectious disease to be to you -- your personal risk, the a poll worker, Sexton suggested. -- but it’s best to double-check in official told CNN all of the policies able to find new people to infect degree of Covid-19 transmission “The more people they have case your state has implemented Atlas has pushed for are in the vein and to sustain transmission in that in your local area and your staffing the location, the faster changes due to Covid-19. Both of a herd immunity strategy. community,” Adalja said, adding willingness to plan and execute and more orderly the process,” organizations also have a list of Atlas has rejected the need for that when it comes to Sweden, personal safety precautions while she said. “Then they may be able resources by state you can use to widespread community testing, “it doesn’t seem like the herd casting your vote. to move people through so that (See VOTING, Page 16) arguing that the administration immunity threshold was crossed “Make a voting plan. Make should focus almost exclusively there, from all we can tell.” that voting plan early and have on protecting and testing elderly a backup plan for your plan,” populations while pushing for the advised Hannah Klain, an rest of the economy to return to Equal Justice Works fellow in normal, this official said. the democracy program at the “Everything he says and does Brennan Center for Justice in New points toward herd immunity,” the York City. senior administration official said. “Having a plan so that you About 2 million Americans don’t end up having to choose could die in the effort to achieve between your health and your herd immunity to the coronavirus, fundamental right to vote is the Dr. Leana Wen, emergency most critical thing that that voters physician and CNN medical could do right now,” Klain said. analyst, said on Monday. 1. Check the data Wen told CNN’s Brianna Keilar Unlike most countries, Sweden It’s critical to know if the that she has “huge concerns” did not go into a lockdown when virus is spreading in your local about a herd immunity approach the pandemic spread across area when you’re about to go and much is still unknown about Europe in early spring. Instead, to the polls, said Dr. Marybeth Voting before the pandemic how long immunity to Covid-19 there was an emphasis on personal Sexton, an assistant professor might last. responsibility, with most bars, of medicine in the division of “If we’re waiting until 60% schools, restaurants and salons infectious diseases at Emory to 80% of people have it, we’re remaining open. University in Atlanta. talking about 200 million-plus Despite the more relaxed “If you’re in an area that has Americans getting this -- and at a approach, only 7.3% of people really gotten control of Covid-19, fatality rate of 1%, let’s say, that’s in Stockholm had developed and it’s having very little spread in 2 million Americans who will the antibodies needed to fight the community, that’s safer than die in this effort to try to get herd the disease by late April -- well areas that are having ongoing immunity,” Wen said. “Those are below the 70-90% needed for herd outbreaks in terms of being around preventable deaths of our loved immunity. people,” Sexton said. ones that we can just not let happen Now the country has more Your county’s virus status can under our watch.” than 5,800 deaths from Covid-19, be found in real time on several Maria Van Kerkhove, the World corresponding to about 576.38 national trackers, such as the one Health Organization’s technical deaths per million people. The last maintained by Johns Hopkins lead for coronavirus response, said Covid-19 fatality was recorded on or The Children’s Hospital of during a media briefing in Geneva August 23. Philadelphia’s PolicyLab. last week that “herd immunity” is The number of deaths per Most state and local typically discussed in the context million in the country is much governments are also providing of vaccinations -- not as a response higher than some of its closest citizens with regular snapshots so to a pandemic. neighbors, with similar low you can also call or check online “Normally when we talk about population densities, namely as well. herd immunity, we talk about how Denmark at 107.73, Finland at Tip: To avoid being the victim much of the population needs to 60.46, Norway at 48.7 or Estonia of mis- or disinformation, rely on be vaccinated to have immunity at 48.25. official tallies by trusted officials to the virus, to the pathogen, so “When most of a population is and institutions for these numbers that transmission can no longer immune to an infectious disease, on rate of viral spread before you take place or it’s very difficult for (See COVID, Page 16) make your decision. OctoberPagePage 20 14 28, 2017 PHILIPPINEPHILIPPINE POST POST September 4, 2020 BUSINESS September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 14 BSP probes cybertheft of P167 million from UCPB MANILA — Hackers interconnected ATM networks of exploited the Philippines’ banks in the country also made Independence Day weekend last it easier for the perpetrators to June to steal millions of pesos withdraw from UCPB through from the government-controlled other banks’ cash machines. United Coconut Planters Bank “In one case, they withdrew (UCPB) through a combination money from a single Bank of the of massive automated teller Philippine Islands ATM 57 times Howard Hoffman in Long Island where his Complete Hemp machine (ATM) withdrawals and during those three days,” he said. manufactures pain relief and skin care products made from the online transfers over the three-day “When we checked the videos of cannabis plant. holiday. the ATMs, the person making the In at least one case, the withdrawals were black.” perpetrators of this heist— He added that it was the CEO of first Fil-Am believed by authorities to be of the funds stolen from UCPB NBI which identified the people a syndicate of Nigerians and were transferred via Instapay making the ATM withdrawals as cannabis company Filipino cohorts—bypassed built- online money transfer facility to Nigerians, adding that some of in computer safeguards to make accounts in other local banks, them were on the government’s is a self-made man 57 withdrawals during this period from where they were promptly watchlist of potentially suspicious By Cristina DC Pastor from a single ATM and emptied withdrawn. personalities. Inquirer.net the machine’s entire stock of A ranking bank official, who “What we are trying to P4 million in cash, the Inquirer requested anonymity because determine now is whether these HOWARD HOFFMAN took a company he co-founded in 2014 learned. several internal and external hackers had help from within the a different path to the top. The with his long-time friend from Bank officials and government probes were still in progress, bank,” he said. CEO of Complete Hemp founded Long Island, Paul Lepore. The regulators confirmed that the total said the hackers created 13 bank A ranking government official his first business at 13 years old, business manufactures cannabis loss to UCPB amounted­ to P167 accounts with UCPB in May of who has been briefed about the then dropped out of college. products as well as offers private million, which was first reported this year and left them dormant heist said the problem began He recalled a conversation label, co-packing, and ingredient by bilyonaryo.com on Tuesday until the heist a month later. in February of this year when that would change the course supply services. evening. “All those parties who opened UCPB decided to upgrade its of his life. He asked a teacher, Hoffman and Lepore co- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas the accounts are included­ in the two decade-old information who was then lecturing about founded Complete Hemp in 2018, (BSP), attached agencies of the complaint the bank filed with the technology system from another becoming rich, if the teacher was trusting in the medicinal benefits Department of Finance involved National Bureau of Investigation,” service provider to one offered a millionaire, and he replied no. It of the cannabis plant. They in overseeing the operations of the official said, adding that the by Microsoft. dawned on Hoffman: How could believe hemp – a variety of the the bank and UCPB itself are now account holders with other banks “In the process, a vulnerability investigating whether the heist that received the stolen funds from was left open,” the official said. someone talk about something Cannabis sativa plant species “And that’s what these hackers without experiencing it? With — would be a great alternative was perpetrated solely be external UCPB were also included in the exploited.” that “moment of realization,” he to opioids in alleviating pain, parties or whether they had help complaint. Another bank official decided to leave school. anxiety, or PTSD. from coconspirators inside the “These guys were very good explained that UCPB had initially As a teen, he told The Fil- “They were (people) who bank. and they used the three-day adopted the Microsoft service but Am he made money carrying had an injury or accident and Authorities are also looking weekend to give them more time excluded the security features people’s garbage from their were prescribed with opioids into the possibility of a bigger to make the withdrawals,” said until it was convinced recently homes to the streets. He was paid but eventually, they became syndicate operating in the local another official familiar with the by the US-based firm to upgrade a quarter per trash bag. When the too dependent which led to an banking system because some details of the heist, adding that the this as well. garbage business got busy, he overdose,” he said. recruited friends to help out. They He maintained his brand is did the work and Hoffman simply focused on efficacy, safety, and collected the money, which would transparency. “Hemp has no Pandemic loans push up PH be split among his friends. The psychoactive effects. It contains experience taught him the law of no more than 0.3 percent THC, delegating tasks, and how to grow the compound associated with gov’t debt to P9.16T in July a business and scale up. ‘being high.’” MANILA — Money borrowed from the previous month, mainly On the other hand, total “I decided to earn my own “Our products are formulated to fund the Philippines’ costly due to purchases of government external obligations jumped at money because I got tired of by a Yale scientist, grown using coronavirus programs continued securities. a faster rate of 1.5% to P2.91 kids making fun of me in school organic practices in the USA and to bloat the country’s debt load Of that amount, P1.84 trillion trillion, of which P481.15 billion because I was poor,” said the uses only all-natural and organic past the P9-trillion mark in were borrowed in the first seven were incurred from January to La Union-born Hoffman when ingredients.” July, the Bureau of the Treasury months. Broken down, P1.23 July. interviewed by email. He wore old Hoffman takes pride in being reported on Wednesday. trillion were raised through In the first seven months, shoes his Filipina mother bought a Filipino. “I believe that in Despite the economy weekly offerings of Treasury bills the government secured P15.05 from thrift shops. whatever field and whichever reopening, the government and Treasury bonds while P310.77 billion project loans from He came to the U.S. at age 5. place we are in, Filipinos remain continued to turn to debt to billion were generated from the foreign creditors and another His American dad had left the to be the most hardworking,” he meet the country’s pandemic recent sale of Retail Treasury P280.04 billion in program loans, family, and his mom made ends said. needs, pushing up the state’s total Bonds. which include P63.73 billion in meet doing a series of short-time Hoffman was also awarded the liabilities 1.2% month-on-month Apart from these local bond concessional credit extended by jobs. “Mom was a hardworking 2019 Asian American Leadership to P9.16 trillion in July, a new offerings, this year’s domestic multilateral lenders like the World record-high. debt stock likewise included the Bank and Asian Development woman who raised me all by Award by USPAACC (US Pan Bank to help fight the virus. herself. Life was not easy, even Asian American Chamber of Since December last year, debts P300 billion worth of Treasury Proceeds from last April’s when we arrived in the USA. She Commerce) in recognition for have accumulated by 18.5%. By securities bought by the Bangko global bonds sale added to the had a tough time,” he said. his community services and sources, 31.7% of the country’s Sentral ng Pilipinas to beef up tally of offshore bond issuances Hoffman started out in sales for having a successful Asian debt pile were borrowed offshore the state’s war chest against the that reached P186.06 billion, data and marketing and product American business. Complete while the remaining 68.1% came outbreak. showed. development until he found Hemp, based in Huntington from local creditors. his niche in the nutraceuticals Station, New York, is also a As early as March, the Duterte industry. He co-founded and certified Minority-owned administration embarked on a formulated a green supplement business. It has partnered with the massive fund-raising activity to in 2007, which paved the way for Gift of Life International, Inc. to raise funding for public programs pHresh Products, a company that help facilitate free heart surgeries meant to counter the coronavirus promotes pH balance in the body for children anywhere in the disease-2019 (COVID-19) to maintain wellness. He remains world, including the Philippines. impact. as the current CEO. He said five children shall be The uptick in borrowings are He ventured into the cannabis operated on this August. expected to replace revenues business through Omnium Canna, unlikely to be collected from shuttered businesses and stay-at- home consumers, helping bridge this year’s budget gap that is expected to hit a record-high. For this year alone, the government expects obligations to swell to P10.16 trillion by end-December. The debt pile is Please send your press projected to sustain its uptrend and photo releases to to P11. 98 trillion by the end of [email protected]. next year. As of July, domestic debt stood at P6.26 trillion, up 1.1% September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE POST Page 15

Peso appreciation to continue - BSP Protecting employee MANILA— Favorable an all-time high of $98 billion as and consumer rights investor sentiment over the of end-July. country’s sound macroeconomic “Over the last five years, By Atty. C. Joe Sayas Jr. fundamentals is expected to the peso’s performance has provide support to the peso, which been relatively stable against appreciated to its strongest level in the baskets of currencies of Firing employees for taking nearly four years, despite weaker the country’s trading partners, leave to care for a family inflows due to the pandemic, both advanced and emerging or according to the Bangko Sentral developing economies,” he said. member may be illegal ng Pilipinas. In the period leading up BSP Governor Benjamin Dioko to the pandemic, Diokno said STANLEY VINCENT To stand in loco parentis means to said the local currency should the Philippines also enjoyed a worked as a Patrol Officer for the assume parental status and carry continue to reflect prevailing favorable ranking among peer California Highway Patrol for out the duties of a parent to a child demand and supply conditions in emerging economies in terms of seven years. The Daily Journal (even in the absence of a legal or the foreign exchange market amid “As you know, the peso has debt management and foreign reports that Vincent was fired biological connection). the global health crisis. appreciated despite the COVID-19 exchange reserves. from his job when he took three The terms “son” or “daughter” The peso continues to outbreak. This is because the “This has similarly contributed weeks of leave so he could look means a biological, adopted, or strengthen despite the 4.2 percent market and investors continue to to the relative stability of the for his missing mentally disabled foster child, a stepchild, a legal decline in personal and cash focus on the Philippines’ strong domestic currency. This is sister. Vincent sued, alleging that ward, or a child of a person remittances from January to June. macroeconomic fundamentals,” further strengthened by the the employer’s failure to grant standing in loco parentis, and who Likewise, inflows from export Diokno said. government’s timely and decisive his requested leave, refusal to is either under age 18, or age 18 earnings and tourism receipts The BSP chief attributed macroeconomic measures to reinstate him, and retaliation or older and incapable of self-care continue to suffer due to the the strength of the peso to the mitigate the adverse impact of the after he requested leave violated because of a mental or physical implementation of mobility country’s sound macroeconomic pandemic,” he said. the California Family Rights Act disability. restrictions to slow the spread of fundamentals characterized by Diokno said the affirmation (CFRA) and the Fair Employment To establish the in loco the virus. a benign inflation environment, of the country’s credit rating by and Housing Act (FMLA). parentis status of an employee, The peso is one of the strong and resilient banking S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Both the CFRA and the FMLA the employee need only provide strongest currencies in the world, system, prudent fiscal position, Investors Service and Fitch protect employees’ rights to take either financial support or care appreciating by 4.35 percent to as well as sufficient level of Ratings, as well as the upgrade a leave of absence for, the serious for the child. close at 48.485 to $1 last Friday international reserve buffer. to ‘’A’’ status by Japan Credit health condition of the employee As a result, an employee who from 50.64 to $1 as of end- The country’s gross Rating Agency supported the or the employee’s immediate provides care for an unmarried December last year. international reserves (GIR) hit performance of the peso. family (i.e., child, parent or partner’s child (with whom spouse). there is no legal or biological The employer denied Vincent’s relationship) but provides no leave to search and care for his financial support for the child TRUMP: Why he justifies violence sister because an employee’s may still be considered to be in (From Page 5) sister is not covered under the loco parentis for FMLA or CFRA from all sources -- of using Mafia CFRA or the FMLA’s “immediate purposes. talking points and Democrats of family” requirement. These laws After 12 days of trial, the jury stirring disorder with “dangerous define immediate family as the found that Vincent’s termination rhetoric.” employee’s child, spouse, or violated the CFRA and the On Tuesday he portrayed parent. FMLA. They returned a verdict protests at the White House However, Vincent stated that in favor of Vincent, awarding him after his convention speech for over 15 years, he has acted $344,591 in past economic loss, on Thursday night -- in which as a parent for his disabled sister. $2,115,255 in future economic Kentucky Sen. Ran Paul and his He provided her with a home, loss, $60,000 in future medical wife were harassed -- as if they visited her often, supported her expenses, $1,000,000 million were among the most flagrant financially and emotionally, and in past emotional distress, and examples of disorder in modern acted as her health care advocate. $350,000 in future emotional US history. Vincent argued that he stood in distress – for a total of $3,869,846 “It was a terrible, terrible Police restrain a man after the shooting in Portland, Oregon. loco parentis to his sister, making in damages. The Law Offices of C. Joe thing to witness,” Trump said. him eligible for a protected family medical leave of absence to care Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries His alarmism was expressed in trailing. and local police have offered few for her. about this topic. All inquiries a rant that resembled a highlight The Democratic nominee explanations for the incident. The However, his employer refused are confidential and at no-cost. reel of conservative media buzz pointed out the flawed logic fact Trump and the family have to grant Vincent leave even after You can contact the office at words and conspiracy theories behind Trump’s approach, given not connected appears to indicate presenting a medical certification (818) 291-0088 or visit www. including “radicals,” “maniacs,” that the unrest hitting cities in there is no desire to meet the of his sister’s health condition. joesayaslaw.com. “Antifa,” “looters,” “arsonists” Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin President. Biden and his running Instead, the employer considered (C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an and “fascism.” is unfolding, after all, on the mate, California Sen. Kamala him as AWOL, refused to return experienced trial attorney who In a classic authoritarian tactic, President’s watch. Harris, have spoken at length with him to his job duties, demoted has successfully recovered wages Trump also vastly over stated the “The violence you’re seeing Blake’s family over the telephone. him, investigated him, and and other monetary damages extent of lawlessness and political in Donald Trump’s America. The President plans to meet ultimately fired him for alleged for thousands of employees and violence, then promoted himself These are not images from some law enforcement officers in poor performance, even though he consumers. He was named Top as the kind of strongman needed imagined ‘Joe Biden’s America’ in Kenosha and to survey damage had no prior record of discipline. Labor & Employment Attorney to restore order. And he tipped his the future. These are images from from nights of unrest. He is Under the FMLA and CFRA, in California by the Daily hand over his new campaign tactic Donald Trump’s America today,” claiming he ordered National “in loco parentis” means in the Journal, consistently selected by opening his appearance with Biden said. Guard troops into the city to quell place of a parent; charged with as Super Lawyer by the Los a boast about the stock market In a sign that he intends to rioting and restore order. But in a parent’s rights, duties, and Angeles Magazine, and is a and a perfunctory mention of the maintain his aggressive push back reality, Democratic Gov. Tony responsibilities. It does not require past Presidential Awardee for pandemic that brought the country -- and that he has no intention of Evers had already activated the a biological or legal relationship. Outstanding Filipino Overseas.) to its knees. Then it was on to his being “swift boated” as happened troops before Trump called for real topic: “left-wing political to 2004 Democratic nominee John their intervention. violence.” Kerry -- Biden’s team said that he The political controversy In one sense, Trump’s gambit hoped to travel to Kenosha soon. over Kenosha is turning into a has already succeeded. He has Biden also used his speech to microcosm of the election in moved the ground of the election move beyond the issue of violence one of the most hotly contested away from the Covid-19 crisis and in cities in an attempt to frustrate districts in one of the most the multiple political corruption the President’s effort to make contested states. scandals that have clouded law and order the key issue in the Biden, who on Sunday his term from day one. House election. While accusing Trump of condemned the killing of a Trump Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, “rooting for chaos and violence,” supporter in clashes in Portland, made an attempt to wrest the Biden said Trump’s failings on sought to capitalize on Trump’s conversation back to Covid-19, the pandemic, on foreign policy news conference, in which he using an interview on MSNBC and even on Social Security had defended supporters for shooting to accuse the President of saying made Americans much more paint balls at protesters in the city. to Americans “choose me over vulnerable. “Once again, I urge the your child” as some kids go back “Do you feel safer and more President to join me in saying that to school without the testing secure now?” Biden asked in a while peaceful protest is a right -- infrastructure and needed safety repeating refrain. a necessity -- violence is wrong, precautions. A Biden trip to Wisconsin period. No matter who does it, no On Monday, Biden left his would bookend Trump’s own visit matter what political affiliation campaign-from-home bubble in to the Badger State. The White they have. Period,” Biden said in Delaware to travel to Pittsburgh House has said that it has tried to a statement. to parry Trump’s attacks amid make contact with the family of “If Donald Trump can’t increasing nervousness among Jacob Blake, the Black man shot say that, then he is unfit to be Democrats that the President’s seven times in the back by police President, and his preference for hardline approach could lift him in an incident that triggered unrest more violence -- not less -- is back into a race in which he is last week. Blake is still in hospital clear.” Page 16 PHILIPPINE POST April 22, 202015 FebruaryPage 10 24, 2018 PHILIPPINEPHILIPPINE POST POST SPORTSDecember 16, 2017 September 4, 2020 PHILIPPINE SeptemberPOST Page22,PagePage 2018 16 9 9 COVID: Why herd immunity is risky (From Page 13) strategy.” this provides indirect protection Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former -- herd immunity -- to those who commissioner of the US Food and are not immune to the disease by Drug Administration, wrote an acting as a bulwark against further opinion piece for The Wall Street population infection surges,” Journal on Sunday that came out Eric Orlowski, of the University against the idea of the United College London, and Dr. David States following Sweden’s model. Goldsmith, a retired physician “Swedish government officials based in London, wrote in a initially sought to let the virus commentary that published in the run largely unchallenged in the Journal of the Royal Society of general population while taking Medicine in mid-August. steps to protect the elderly. “It is likely that some of this would be such a big potential for The Swedish view was that Filipino-Japanese ace golfer Yuka Saso inter-Scandinavian difference in the disease to spread in elderly the country could reach herd mortality outcomes might have care homes, with so many deaths.” immunity without jeopardizing also have arisen from a failure to But he told Swedish newspaper the economy. But holding up Saso carving her own shield the most vulnerable Swedes Dagens Nyheter: “There are Sweden as an enlightened model from viral infections (40%--50% things that we could have done misreads important parts of its of their cases have been in the better but in general I think that experience,” Gottlieb wrote in name in ladies golf elderly nursing home resident Sweden has chosen the right way.” the op-ed. ONE WEBSITE called her long way to go,” said Saso when population),” Orlowski and A top World Health “Many Swedes pulled Yuka Sasasa, other portals wrote asked about her enthusiasm for the Goldsmith wrote. “But as with Organization official praised back from normal activities her name down as Yuka Sasagi, future following her two-stroke other aspects of this unparalleled Sweden’s response to the to shelter themselves from Yuka Sassa and Yuka Sasao, and triumph over Sakura Koiwai in crisis, more time is needed to coronavirus pandemic on Monday, infection anyway, even younger another had it Yusa Sasou. For the Nitori Ladies to complete a understand the many lasting saying its approach has been and middle-aged people. The all the confusion her name being stirring back-to-back title romp. impacts.” mischaracterized. Dr. Mike Ryan, country experienced 5,821 Covid mispelled had fetched, Yuka Saso But she quickly toned down Much of the criticism around executive director of WHO’s deaths in a population the size delivered a compelling message her expectations, saying: “I will Sweden’s response has focused on Health Emergencies Programme, of North Carolina. And Sweden that should put the issue to rest. do my best without focusing too the high death rates in care homes. said “there is a misunderstanding” is far short of herd immunity, For the 19-year-old wonder, much on it.” “It’s not obvious how to that Sweden has not implemented even as the country’s economic her name simply spells victory. That’s what separates Saso completely isolate those people control measures. recovery ranks among the worst Just into her third tournament from the rest this early in her that are at risk for severe disease “It’s tried to rely on individuals in its region,” Gottlieb wrote in as a pro, Saso has literally taken pro career – focus. Aware of the from those who generally get mild and communities to comply with part. “Confronting a dangerous the LPGA of Japan Tour by challenge awaiting her in the disease,” Adalja said. the advice of government and pandemic requires containing storm, winning back-to-back Nitori Ladies, she hit Hokkaido “The biggest problem that I it has tried to avoid imposing spread wherever it is reasonably championships in varying fashion. days ahead of the event to have with the Swedish approach is mandatory lockdowns, mandatory possible.” She rallied from behind to snare acclimatize and familiarize herself that if you are going to do that -- if separation of individuals,” Ryan He went on to note that wearing the NEC Karuizawa crown in with the Otaru Country Club. we’re going to actually try and do said during a media briefing in masks, testing for Covid-19, and Nagano three weeks ago then Clutching a one-stroke lead into herd immunity -- you really need Geneva, adding that this is based tracing the contacts of people who wrested control early and held the final round, she left her hotel to fortify your nursing homes on historically very high levels have it remain helpful. sway to capture the Nitori Ladies three hours before the original tee- and you really need to do some of trust between the Swedish “Sweden’s attempt to create diadem in Hokkaido last Sunday. time, only to find out that the start testing and tracing and isolating,” government and its people. ‘herd immunity’ has been Those early exploits didn’t had been moved by two hours due he said. “If herd immunity does “In Sweden, Anders Tegnell woefully unsuccessful and is only match a couple of rare feats to bad weather. not include testing, tracing and and the team there have done a definitely not a strategy we should in the region’s premier ladies “I just walked around there for isolating, then it’s going to be good job,” Ryan said. seek to replicate in the United circuit but also established a lot an hour-and-a-half. I wanted to very hard to protect vulnerable “That is the way in which States,” Dr. Howard Koh, former of firsts rarely seen for a player sleep but I thought it was rude to populations.” Swedish people and the Swedish assistant secretary for health under barely warming up for the pros do so,” she said. Sweden’s chief epidemiologist government interact. That is the President Obama and professor at and on a tough tour as the JLPGA. So she poured it all out on the Anders Tegnell admitted in June social contract in Sweden,” he the Harvard T.H. Chan School of With at least 12 more course, dumping all the negative that the country’s Public Health said. “Nobody has come through Public Health, said in an email to tournaments lined up for the year thoughts that could sidetrack her Agency “didn’t know that there this pandemic with a perfect CNN on Monday. cut short by the global health attention. crisis restrictions, the 2018 Asian “Golf is a game, concentration Games double-gold medalist matters. Rather than being aware VOTING: Staying safe amid Covid-19 and two-time Philippine Ladies of the opponent, I went on my (From Page 13) face masks and gloves Open titlist could be looking at a way without thinking of them. I verify your state’s rules. • If there will be adequate couple more victories – or perhaps was aiming for a birdie in all holes 4. Dropping off your mail-in space between voting privacy three or four, depending on the because if I make a slight mistake, ballot booths challenge her rivals would put up I would still have a chance for a Some voters plan to deliver • If poll workers will sanitize the rest of the season. par or bogey at worse,” said Saso. their mail-in ballot in person. If frequently touched surfaces, such What makes her doubly scarier “I did not look at the that’s nothing more than opening as door handles, voting booths and is that she feels she’s just starting leaderboard. I don’t even know a mail slot and inserting your bathrooms regularly to heat up. my score. I’m fighting for the ballot, you’ll be fine as long as you “Outdoors is just dramatically “I have just begun and I have a (See SASO, Page 10) immediately use hand sanitizer. safer than indoors because of the If you have to wait outside -- be should be really important to us,” airflow,” said infectious disease sure to wear a mask and practice Sexton said. “So this is a time to specialist Sexton, adding that at least 6 feet social distancing continue to limit large gatherings, any time spent indoors should be recommendations. If you have avoid in-person dining and not be minimized. to enter a building, read on for at bars and parties, because the You also want to vote at a specific advice. level of virus in the community location that has a separate point 5. Voting in person is going to determine how safe it of entry and exit to minimize Voting in person is a cherished is to vote in person. So everything crowds forming in the space. right for many Americans -- and we can do to make the community “My polling place historically for people concerned that their safer ahead of time will make ends up with a two way line ballot might be lost in the mail, voting safer.” sneaking up and down a large this may be their preferred option. Check your polling enclosed hallway, which is not Standing in long lines at the station: What’s the level of something that you would want to polling center with people who protection that will be in place do right now,” Sexton said. may or may not be wearing masks, at your assigned polling station? “Talk to your local government often inside buildings without You should know in advance, for about your local polling place and good ventilation, certainly raises example: what they’ve thought through your risk of catching Covid-19. • If you’ll be spending the about safety,” Sexton said. “Some But there are things you can majority of your wait standing of these things can be rectified do to reduce risk if you vote in outside by limiting the number of people person. • If masks are required of both who come indoors at any one Protect your community -- voters and poll workers point in time, and really spacing starting now: We’re only a couple • If 6-feet spacing markers out stations and spacing out the of months away from the election, will be visible on floors to control line, and then making sure that and experts say taking action now social distancing everybody is masked.” to make the community safer • If there is a separate entrance The safest locations will be ahead of the election is one of the and exit from the voting area school gymnasiums, community best things we can do to protect • If there will be a Plexiglas recreation centers, convention ourselves and our loved ones. barrier between the voter and the centers and large parking lots, “I put voting in the same poll worker according to the Brennan Center category as getting kids back to • If poll workers will be and the Infectious Diseases school -- these are things that wearing face shields, surgical Society of America guidelines.