The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Wednesday, March 20, granted the motion for leave of court that allowed senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada and plunder convict Janet Lim Napoles to file a demurrer to evidence over the multibillion-peso “pork barrel” scam. “After a careful examination of the totality of the evidence presented by the prosecution, both testimonial…
DEAR TRUMP supporters: How can you defend the current occupant in the oval office for again and again attacking late Senator John McCain, seven months after the death of this esteemed war hero and public servant who cannot anymore defend himself against Trump’s relentless tirades and character assassination? This is beneath the dignity of the…
“My mother was very strong about my doing well in school and living up to my potential. Two things were important to her and she repeated them endlessly. One was to ‘be a lady,’ and that meant conduct yourself civilly, don’ t let emotions like anger or envy get in your way. And the other…
LENT is that season of words with the teachings of Christ presented in a thousand pulpits across the nation — self-righteously, mournfully, nasally, coldly, feebly, flamboyantly, blandly and violently. If I were asked about the rationale of my faith, I’d say first, I believe in a grand universal order and meaning and in a power…
Despite facing opposition, the newly-elected California governor reaffirms his executive order, signaling a shift in the American perspective on capital punishment WHEN California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on the state’s death penalty last week, it caused a stir, to put it lightly. National outlets picked up the news, op-eds were written about the…
By Ana B. Ibarra and Harriet Blair Rowan | Kaiser Health News SACRAMENTO — “Vivan los inmigrantes!” echoed through the halls of the state Capitol on Wednesday as immigrants and activists gathered to push for legislation that would extend full Medicaid coverage to adults in the country illegally. Sons and daughters clutched photos of their…
IT’S a date! It would be another Spring bonanza for all of the guests and avid patrons of Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, with the wholesome performance of the much-coveted Filipino entertainer, Vice Ganda, who will perform in a live concert on Sunday, May 5 at 5 p.m. Pechanga Resort Casino is well-known for…
GOD’S intimate and active involvement in the lives of His people and those he chose to lead has always amazed me. Take for example his dialogue with Moses in the story of The Burning Bush, which is our First Reading on this Third Sunday of Lent (Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15). God called Moses from the burning…
Malacañang on Wednesday, March 20, said President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order that would give government workers their salary increases despite the stalled 2019 national budget. Executive Order No. 76, signed by Duterte on Friday, March 15, amends EO 201 or the 2016 Salary Standardization Law (SSL) to modify the salary schedule and…
Cesar Altieri Sayoc Jr., the Filipino-American man from Southern Florida who was accused of mailing pipe bombs to numerous political figures and Trump critics last year, pleaded guilty on Thursday, March 21 in federal court in Manhattan. Sayoc, 57, was arrested and charged late October after he sent improvised explosive devices to 13 political targets…
A top Philippine veterinarian has warned that the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus may enter the Philippines through products like pork dumplings being sold by Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen to their local counterparts in the West Philippine Sea. Dr. Eugenio Mende, president of the Philippine Veterinary Drug Association, on Wednesday, March 20, gave the…
A United States State Department official said there has yet to be a request to renegotiate the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the U.S. and the Philippines. This comes despite recent calls for amending the 1951 treaty. Patrick Murphy, State Department Principal Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia, told reporters that “there is no request from…
‘Homebound/Alaala’ set to premiere at The Joyce in NYC A NEW dance for Ballet Hispánico called “Homebound/Alaala,” created by Bennyroyce Royon, a Filipino-American director, choreographer and dancer will premiere at The Joyce Theater from March 26 to 31. Royon describes Homebound/Alaala as “a deeply personal work rooted” in who he is as a Filipino American and…
THE Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL), a Jersey City-based (501) (C3) community service-oriented organization has been annually observing this monumental event for years, worthily distinguishing the full potential and incredible achievements of the female populace. This year’s PACCAL International Women’s History Month Gala and Awards Night is slated on Saturday, March 30…
President Donald Trump: “Why will they impeach me? I am doing a great job?” To which his supporters and fans say, “The American people elected Trump not because he is perfect. They elected him because they know the economy will boom under the billionaire business mogul reality show superstar.” Or, “Who cares about the issues…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night, March 19, threatened to sack officials from Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Maynilad and Manila Water for the water supply shortage experienced in certain areas of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo disclosed among the media what transpired during the 40-minute meeting of the…
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law an act that abolishes the Road Board that he had once referred to as a “milking cow” of corrupt officials. Duterte on March 8 signed Republic Act No. 11239, which dismantled the board and required the government to channel the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) into the National…
B wise, B safe Vitamin B is one of the most essential vitamins our body needs, but excess of this vitamin is unhealthy. Many food items in the market are fortified with Vitamin B, and some people who take a one-a-day multivitamin/minerals pill which already contains vitamin B and take added vitamin B supplements are…
Lawyers on Monday, March 18, blocked Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s motion for partial reconsideration before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office on his sedition case over his alleged provoking comments in 2018. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” Paras, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Manuelito Luna; lawyers Nasser Marohomsalic, Eligio Mallari and Alvaro Bernabe…
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday, March 18, started to step up its drive against the trafficking of Filipino minors in the wake of reports that trafficking syndicates are once again recruiting minors to work in other countries. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and…
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is…
Apart from ensuring that one’s vehicle is well-maintained and equipped with emergency kits and tools, part of the fun of owning a car is the variety of upgrades and accessories that are meant to further enhance one’s riding experience. Good thing for car owners, this year’s Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is intent on having…
Filipino-American Joel Aquino Pasay was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on Saturday, March 16, due to his indictment from the United States District Court of Nevada for child pornography charges. The U.S. court indicted Pasay on May 2, 2017, with his receipt of child pornography as it is in violation of the TItle 18 in…
DOT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat leads oath-taking ceremony Officers and Directors of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) for 2019-2020 took their Oath of Office on March 11 at the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Makati City. DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, as inducting officer, administered the oath and bore witness to the organization’s promise…
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) and the Municipality of Puerto Galera, will be holding the Inaugural Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race on April 17 to 21, 2019. The race will start in RHKYC’s Kellett Island Clubhouse located in Causeway Bay, racing for…
“I REALLY wasn’t interested in space,” confesses Josephine Santiago-Bond, while reflecting on her engineering education during a recent interview with the Asian Journal. The Filipina-American engineer never anticipated that her experiences would culminate in a career revolving around missions and exploration in outer space. It was 15 years ago when Santiago-Bond first landed an internship at…
LOS ANGELES — A high-ranking Filipina American in City Hall is now a commissioner on the Board of Public Works. Jessica Caloza was confirmed to the position on Tuesday, March 19 after the City Council voted unanimously, making her the first Pinay to sit on the Board. She was nominated for the vacant seat back…
Malacañang on Monday, March 18, said International Criminal Court (ICC) officials and prosecutors would be barred from entering the Philippines if the nature of their visit is for conducting a probe into President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. “If they say ‘We will be investigating.’ Perhaps they will be denied [entry] by the [Bureau of]…
A panel of international lawyers on Monday, March 18, said there has been a “sharp increase” of rights violations against Filipino lawyers, prosecutors, and judges since the start of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The panel included lawyers from Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and the United States, belonging to international lawyers’ groups…
Water supply concessionaire Manila Water on Monday, March 18, apologized to its customers for the unexpected water service interruptions that affected many households in Metro Manila and Rizal province. Manila Water Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ferdinand de la Cruz appeared before the congressional hearing to take responsibility for the water shortage that affected most of…
