Just say no: Legal advice from the internet
“MY brother’s neighbor’s girlfriend’s uncle had the same exact case and it got approved and they did not use an attorney.” I’ve heard this many times to have developed a…
Are pain pills safe?
BILLIONS of people around the world use painkillers, and some of them like water, because they are readily available over the counter and mostly inexpensive. There is a survey that…
State department reports many Filipino family-based visas go unclaimed, resulting in the case being shred and priority date lost
RECENTLY, officials from the U.S. State Department discussed the monthly Visa Bulletin and the movement of priority dates. (A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for an immigrant…
PH doubts US list of high kidnap risk countries
The Philippines’ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) questioned the United States State Department list of countries with high kidnapping list as it included the country among the…
Duterte to journalists: You attack to get paid
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 13, claimed some journalists are being paid to produce “false reports” to serve their “clients” while he dismissed reports about the increase of his…
Comelec warns overseas voters: Beware of fake news
As the overseas absentee voting (OAV) program commenced on Saturday, April 13, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) eyed the possibility of fake news proliferation as observed in the previous elections….
Family, community, and God’s calling: Getting to know Bishop Aclan
ON March 5, the Vatican named Monsignor Alejandro “Alex” Aclan the newest auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, making him the second Filipino to ever be presented as…
DOT gears up for tourist influx in Regional Destinations during Holy Week
The Department of Tourism (DOT), through its regional offices, has coordinated with various local government units and other concerned government agencies to ensure that tourist destinations are equipped to handle…
Holy Week reflections: If Good Friday is here, have faith that Easter is coming!
HOLY WEEK is a good time for us to slow down a little and introspect on the meaning of this season in our life. This is particularly important these days…
Store manager needs bankruptcy relief
CLIENT no. 1 is 50 years old and is the manager of a big retail store. He’s been working there for 30 years. His spouse got into an accident and…
Watchdogs cite lax medical and mental health treatment of ice detainees
by Sarah Varney It’s Saturday morning and the women of the Contreras family are busy in Montclair, Calif., making pupusas, tamales and tacos. They’re working to replace the income of…
2018 Tax changes that affect divorcing couples
THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was recently enacted into law, impact various issues in a divorce case. These changes are effective beginning 2018 through 2025. Spousal Support. Spousal…
US to fly, sail, operate anywhere int’l laws allow despite China warning
The United States on Friday, April 12, maintained it will continue its operations in the South China Sea (SCS) despite China’s protest about American forces stirring trouble in the waters….
The bucket list: Ask for help
15th of a series “Don’t be shy about asking for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it only means you’re wise.” — Anonymous WE live in the Age of Information. You…
Will a domestic violence finding affect my claim for sole or joint custody of our Children?
AN action under the DVPA (Domestic Violence Protection Act) seeking a restraining order often is necessary to protect parties from abuse or domestic violence perpetrated by the other spouse or…
2019 tax filing due dates for 2018 tax returns
* * * Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV –…
Store manager needs bankruptcy relief
CLIENT no. 1 is 50 years old and is the manager of a big retail store. He’s been working there for 30 years. His spouse got into an accident and…
Choices in life and the law of karma (Part II of II)
MISTAKES in life happen for us to learn important lessons. These events allow us to become better and stronger. Bad choices make us more resilient and wiser. Negative situations simply…
Palm Sunday: a celebration and building of God’s Kingdom!
WE just ended Lent, and we start Holy Week, the most sacred time of the year in our Christian life. We begin it by reenacting Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and…
Firing employee after 12-week medical leave may be disability discrimination
OUR client, Teresa,* has always lived with a serious lung condition since childhood. Although Teresa knew that her condition limited her activities, she did her best to live a productive…
Philippine Senators tell US lawmakers to stay out of country’s affairs
THREE Philippine senators this week filed a resolution seeking to rebuke American lawmakers for their supposed meddling in the Philippines’ affairs by condemning Sen. Leila de Lima’s detention and Rappler…
The flowers of spring
SPRING has sprung. It is upon us in a scent that grows deeper, dizzying, improbable. It is too heady, too provocative to be diminished. Seeping through open windows, under doors, as you…
Duterte threatens to veto 2019 budget if problematic
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 11 threatened to veto the entire P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 if found to be problematic. During a campaign rally in Bacolod City,…
Appreciating and preserving nature’s wildflowers and snow-capped mountains
“Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last virgin forests to be turned into…
LA Dept. of Transportation unveils new transit plan with expansion of DASH service
PUBLIC transit in Los Angeles just got a lot more accessible. The LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) unveiled its new service expansion this week that includes wider access and increased…