I am super proud to announce the latest accomplishments of my

youngest daughter, Ditas. She was just recently added to the National

Advisor Board of the Center of Inclusive Democracy(CID), USC Sol Price

School of Public Policy

Ditas Katague - National Advisory Board Member
Former Associate Director for Communications and Engagement at the U.S.

Census Bureau Linkdin

Ditas Katague is a democracy strategist and institutional leader with 25+ years

building the trusted-messenger infrastructure that connects American institutions

to the communities they serve. She is the creator of the trusted-messenger ecosystem

model first piloted in California in 1999 (for Census 2000) and later scaled to national

federal operations, a framework now cited as a breakthrough approach to community

-driven communications and civic trust-building.

Ditas is founder and President of The Ditas Group, LLC, where she advises California

government, philanthropy, and civic-sector leaders on strategies spanning democracy

strengthening, election administration, and civic engagement. She currently advises

the California Democracy Partnership and is a primary architect of California's

proposed VOICES (Voter Outreach Information & Corps for Election Safety) program

, which would build a statewide trusted-messenger network, an Election Administration

Fellowship, and a multi-county Election Safety Corps.

She has been appointed by the President of the United States and three California

Governors to lead institutions with budgets up to $267M and teams of 200+, including

Associate Director for Communications & Engagement at the U.S. Census Bureau,

Director of California Complete Count Census 2000, 2010 & 2020, and Chief of Staff

to a CPUC Commissioner. She served as Principal Advisor for Community Outreach

& Engagement on California's VOTE SAFE Program and the 2025 Special Election

(Proposition 50).

A first-generation Filipino-American, Ditas holds an MPA from USC and a BA from

UC Berkeley. She speaks frequently on the topics of political inclusion, data

stewardship, Change Leadership, trust building & outreach to vulnerable populations.

Ditas is meditation and yoga teacher and an artist (www.grievingthruglee.com).

She is also a first-generation, daughter of Filipino immigrants, and community

organizer.

The Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID) at the USC Sol Price School

of Public Policy is a leading nonpartisan research center focused on

elections, voting behaviors, and electoral and political participation.

Founded by political sociologist Dr. Mindy Romero, CID has been a

driving force for more than a decade on dozens of national and multi-state

research initiatives that harness big data to effect change. Its studies have

been widely used to inform public policy at all levels of government,

as well as empower local communities seeking to eliminate disparities

in social and economic well-being of the electorate.

Meanwhile, PHILIPPINES, SPAIN CELEBRATE HISTORIC 
FRIENDSHIPDay 

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, observed every June 30, honors the enduring ties between the Philippines and Spain and commemorates General Emilio Aguinaldo’s 1899 decree recognizing the besieged Spanish troops in Baler as friends rather than prisoners of war.

The occasion highlights the shared history and values of the two nations, with the Siege of Baler remembered as a moment that produced heroes on both sides.

Established through Republic Act No. 9187 in 2003, the celebration aims to strengthen the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and Spain. 

Lastly, Here are the five biggest news stories making headlines today:

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Several Landmark Decisions
The U.S. Supreme Court released a series of closely watched rulings
on the final day of its term. Among the major decisions:
- It struck down President Donald Trump's executive order seeking
- to end birthright citizenship.
- It ruled that presidents may remove the heads of many
- independent federal agencies, significantly expanding
- presidential authority.
- It upheld state laws restricting transgender athletes from
- participating in girls' and women's sports.
- It allowed mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to continue
- being counted in states that permit the practice.
U.S. and Iran Prepare for New Peace Talks
Following weeks of military confrontation, U.S. officials are preparing
for another round of diplomatic talks with Iran in Qatar. Iranian officials,
however, have publicly disputed some of President Trump's statements regarding
the negotiations, underscoring the fragile nature of the peace process.
Violence Continues in Gaza and the West Bank
Fighting continues in the Middle East. Israeli airstrikes reportedly
killed several people in Gaza, including children, while violence
also intensified in the West Bank. International human rights
organizations continue to express concern over the humanitarian
situation.
Stock Market Finishes Strong Second Quarter
U.S. stock futures remained steady after a powerful market rally.
The major indexes are on track to close the second quarter with
impressive gains despite months of geopolitical uncertainty and
inflation concerns. Investors are also watching corporate earnings,
including those from Nike, later today.
2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Drama
The World Cup continues to produce surprises. Germany was
eliminated in a penalty shootout by Paraguay, prompting veteran
goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to announce another retirement from
international football. Morocco also advanced after defeating the
Netherlands in a dramatic shootout, while Mexico prepared for a
key match against Ecuador.