Gov. Newsom signs long-discussed charter school transparency legislation
Alongside representatives from the California Charter School Association, California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, California Federation of Teachers and SEIU California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 126 on Tuesday, March 5, a historic legislation requiring all schools that receive taxpayer funding to follow the same standards for accountability and transparency. “It’s common sense….
Measles cases surge in PH as health experts urge people to get vaccinated
THE number of measles cases in the Philippines has skyrocketed within the first two months of this year according to health experts and government officials. As of Saturday, March 2, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) reported 16,349 measles cases and 261 resulting deaths since the beginning of this year. Most measles cases came from…
Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $20K credit cards
THE client is 66. He says he is now old all of a sudden. He migrated here in 2004 so that’s 15 years ago. When he deplaned at LAX, he was just 51 and single. He says he’s been working hard since he arrived, but hasn’t really been able to amass any wealth. He worked…
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust
“The assets distributed to each beneficiaries does not have to be equal.” THERE is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest friends (BFFs) and family members are even deserving of inheriting from your estate….
The curse of Adam and Eve
The recently concluded “Abuse Summit” at the Vatican convened by Pope Francis frontally addressed the problem of priestly sexual abuse – a problem and a challenge set against the extremely difficult-to-meet standard of priestly celibacy. Priestly celibacy, according to the rules of the Catholic Church, means being unmarried. In practical terms, it actually means sexual…
Congress investigates: Did Trump abuse executive power and obstruct justice?
TWO YEARS. It took that long for Congress to finally do one very important function the U.S. Constitution has mandated it to do: to fulfill its oversight responsibility, making sure co-equal branches of government provide checks and balances among each other so that no one individual or institution abuses its power and betray the public’s…
It’s DFA’s call to protest harassment of Filipino fishermen — Palace
Malacañang on Monday, March 4, said it’s leaving the decision to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on whether to submit a diplomatic protest to stop Chinese vessels from driving away Filipinos from fishing grounds close to the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the government…
The bucket list: Become your own style icon (9th of a series)
“ …As within, so without…” –Hermes Trismegistus WHILE appearances may deceive, more often than not, what you are is reflected on the outside. Becoming your own style icon does not mean maxing out your credit cards just to follow the latest fashion trends. Don’t do it. It’s a fool’s errand. You can never get caught…
Filipina triathlete champion to represent Philippines in FWD North Pole marathon
FWD Life Philippines, one of the fastest-growing insurers in the country, returns as title sponsor of the “FWD North Pole Marathon” for the third time. “FWD is extremely proud to continue our support for this challenging and one-of-a-kind event, as it resonates our core values of empowering people to pursue their passions and explore a…
ANA completes investment in Philippine Airlines
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ landmark investment deal with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline group, was finalized this week. ANA Holdings on Thursday, February 28 completed the acquisition of a 9.5-percent stake in the operator of PAL, PAL Holdings disclosed in a stock exchange filing. The deal involved 1.1 billion shares of PAL Holdings,…
Officials to parents: Monitor children’s online activities amid Momo challenge
Philippine government officials in the education, health and law enforcement sectors urged the public, especially the parents of young children, to keep an eye on their kids’ online activities after accounts of the disturbing Momo challenge made its rounds on social media. The Department of Education (DepEd) encouraged the parents to ensure “open communication lines”…
Princeton newspaper calls out PH Senate candidate Imee Marcos for false degree claim
An independent student newspaper at Princeton University released an article entitled “Filipino governor, Senate candidate falsely claims to have graduated from U,” in response to claims that Philippine Senate candidate Imee Marcos received a degree from the institution. According to the article, published on Tuesday, February 26, Marcos is “a Filipino governor that has stirred…
PNP ready to provide protection for priests facing death threats
The Philippine National Police on Thursday, February 28 offered to protect priests who are facing death threats. Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David earlier confirmed that he had been receiving death threats from unknown people since early February. David, who is one of the targets of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches in the past, said he began…
There’s a new ‘Medicare-for-all’ bill in the House
by Shefali Luthra MEMBERS of the House on Wednesday, February 27 offered their version of a “Medicare-for-all” bill that is broader than what’s been put forth by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), whose 2016 presidential run pushed the issue into the political mainstream. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) unveiled the “Medicare for…
‘Immigration rights in limbo’ say immigration reform advocates
AS President Donald Trump marked the completion of two years into his presidency just last month, immigration remains to be the biggest issue for his administration, which has remained persistent in its immigrant curbing efforts and the wall along U.S.-Mexico border. In an immigration rights briefing on Thursday, February 28, immigration reform and rights advocates…
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assures US will defend PH against any attack
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week assured that the U.S. would uphold its treaty with the Philippines in the event the latter country is attacked in the South China Sea. Pompeo, who arrived in Manila on Thursday night, February 28, said during his joint press conference on Friday with Department of Foreign…
‘Anti-palo’ bill vetoed by Duterte
A bill prohibiting parents from using corporal punishment to discipline their children has been vetoed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacañang on Thursday, February 28 released documents that showed the president vetoing the measure last February 23. The measure seeks to promote “positive and non-violent discipline” and protect children from punishments that range from physical to…
No one is above the law — not even Catholic priests
[Editor’s note: The original version of this column, published in the Asian Journal in March 2016, has been updated to reflect 2019 changes.] Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy. From the Vatican’s website, “The Church is celebrating the Holy Year of Mercy, a time of grace, peace, conversion and joy. It is…
Derek Andrew Ramsay on making his mark in Hollywood
I WAS aware of Filipino actor/model and sportsman Derek Ramsay who’s been a famous actor, paired to talented actresses such as Angelica Panganiban, Cristine Reyes, Bea Alonzo, and Jennylyn Mercado. He was born Derek Arthur Ramsay Jr., while his dad’s name is Derek Arnold Ramsay. A friend of mine introduced me to another Derek…
Vintage Hollywood’s biggest Oscar shocker and epic mix up
IT was bigger than California, bigger than America. It was Hollywood’s finest moment. Celebrating the Academy Awards (nicknamed Oscar) is as old as a man’s knowledge of entertainment — music, laughter and despair. It is as fresh as a child’s first taste of make believe, the magic splendor of film making which has always been a part…
Detention centers in California lack oversight and proper care, reports find
by Anna Gorman and Ana B. Ibarra Staff members at immigration detention centers in California delayed medical appointments for patients complaining of shortness of breath. They inadequately supervised suicidal youths. And in one case, they failed to refer a patient with dangerously low blood pressure to a physician. These and other health and safety problems…
Another kind of blindness
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39). No one wants to be blind. No one wants to be deprived of seeing the beauty of this world, the people around us, especially our loved ones. No one cannot imagine himself or herself not being able to…
Likha: Celebrating Filipino Creativity & Craftsmanship
“We have to let the world know that we make beautiful and extraordinary products,” exclaimed Nathalie Lim when I asked her about her company Likha, which made its debut at last summer’s NY NOW, the premier retail market trade show in the United States. Headquartered in California, Lim and her husband Patrick started the company…
SWS: Most Filipinos believe cops involved in illegal drugs, EJKs
The latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey revealed that most Filipinos believed that some police officers are involved in the illegal drug trade, extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and are often planting evidence against drug suspects. Illegal drug trade The survey which was released on Wednesday, February 27, asked: “Here are some accusations against policemen. In your…
Consuelo Almonte- Shaffer: Defying monumental cessation of her fragmented past
Allowing the bitter-sweet fragments of the past to flow back freely inevitably creates either abysmal or ecstatic reminiscences. Regardless how profound and significant the recollections may be, there’ll constantly be recurring intense pain left in its afterthought or leaving a quaint smile on one’s lips while eyes are blinded with tears. I opted to focus…
