YOU have not filed your income tax returns for the current year and previous years because: 1) you decided you are not required to file? 2) You are a victim of identity theft and therefore excused? 3) You know you will owe taxes and you will have to pay when you file, decided not to…
KABABAYANS from both sides of the aisle expressed strong sentiments, questioning the results of the 2018 Asian American Voter Survey by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Vote, which found that while 58 percent of registered Asian Americans overall disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance as president, registered Filipino-American voters were split 48-48 on…
Before the midterm elections heated up, dozens of drugmakers had already poured about $12 million into the war chests of hundreds of members of Congress. Since the beginning of last year, 34 lawmakers have each received more than $100,000 from pharmaceutical companies. Two of those — Reps. Kevin McCarthy of California, the House Republican majority…
New proposal could affect 24 million immigrants, including those previously eligible for green cards LAST week on Wednesday, October 10, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its proposed changes to the public charge regulations. The proposal seeks to expand what will be scrutinized on the “public charge” test, which is a measure used to…
Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, along with with some of his cabinet officials, and incumbent opposition senators are facing 274 counts of alleged malversation of public funds acquired through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). Truth and Justice Coalition President Greco Belgica on Monday, October 15, led the filing of the complaints at the Office…
Various candidates submitted their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the senatorial, mayoral and congressional posts at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headquarters on the fourth day of filing. Leading Tuesday’s (October 16) early birds was Liberal Party’s 2016 presidential bet and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas. He announced his senatorial bid in…
HOUSTON 16 October 2018 – The Philippines as a premiere investment destination was highlighted at the the 2018 Houston Global Trade Conference & Expo, where Philippine Consul General in Houston Jerril G. Santos gave a presentation during the Conference’s Asia Forum, showing the country’s readiness to receive investments. The Philippine Consulate General in Houston participated…
By Chris Lu WITH the end of summer, college students have now returned to campuses around the country, and high school seniors are beginning the dreaded process of college applications. Meanwhile, a trial is set to begin this month in a federal case challenging the admissions process at the nation’s oldest university, Harvard University. Within…
by Julie Rovner Ensuring that people with preexisting health conditions can get and keep health insurance is the most popular part of the Affordable Care Act. It has also become a flashpoint in this fall’s campaigns across the country. And not only is the ACA, which mostly protects people who buy their own coverage, at…
New survey finds increased enthusiasm among the Asian American electorate, Filipinos’ intention to vote ranks highest among surveyed groups It’s election season, and voters are fired up. Recent events in Washington have mobilized American citizens to exercise their rights to vote. The bi-yearly national public service announcements by lawmakers, celebrities and organizations to vote are…
by Phil Galewitz The Trump administration wants Medicare for the first time to embrace telemedicine across the country by paying doctors $14 for a five-minute “check-in” phone call with their patients. But many physicians say the proposed reimbursement will cover a service they already do for free. And the Medicare reimbursement — intended to motivate…
SECRETARY of Budget and Management (DBM) Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday, October 10, said the Philippines expects economic growth to recover to 7-8 percent target next year as it pushes ahead with massive infrastructure spending plans. According to him, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth would be back to targeted level next year, mainly bolstered by…
Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin has accepted President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to become the next secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), replacing Alan Peter Cayetano. Locsin in a tweet said, “I was asked I said yes; but love UN, the many friends & intellectual companions I made. But I didn’t say no when asked…
Serenata Filipina Ver. 2 unites iconic singers and songwriters IT was a cool evening on Sunday, October 7, juxtaposed by the electric and fiery performances of the Filipino-American community’s top artists, backed by a live eight-man band. The program was proudly all Original Pilipino Music (OPM), from rock, jazz to pop, including instrumentals by young…
[Writer’s note: This was published in May 2018 in the Asian Journal’s Los Angeles weekend edition, but the recently concluded, controversial associate justice confirmation hearings on Brett Kavanaugh makes this essay reprint appropriate.] Dear Mama, I remembered that Saturday morning in late August in 2015 when I first told you that I was sexually assaulted….
“It is important to note that the above requirements are preliminary requirements for eligibility under FWVP.” UNDER the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) policy, USCIS allows certain beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions to request a grant of parole so that they may come to the U.S. as they wait…
A YOUNG man ran up to Jesus and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not…
ONE of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1)…
WHEN debts spiral out of control, bankruptcy can become an invaluable financial recovery tool in getting you back on the right track. While it’s not for everyone, close to a million people every year find it to be their only hope of getting a fresh financial start. Debt problems can be the result of unemployment,…
IT is almost cliché whenever we hear about “real men” doing unusual things. Some say “they (can) wear pink,” or that they cry (when necessary and are not ashamed of it) or that they “stay faithful to their woman.” In retrospect, these are things that are being done not only by real men, but also…
(Holding others liable for payment of wages) CALIFORNIA’S Labor Commissioner’s Office has awarded over $45 million in unlawful deductions from wages and out-of-pocket expenses to more than 400 misclassified port drivers. However, most of the drivers have not been able to collect their money because the companies that committed the wage violations have filed bankruptcy…
THEY are daughters of dramatic journeys and fantastic tales, carrying their stories like treasures, proud of their heritage they came to America amid colonial romance, hope, despair, misfortune but are led by hopes. As they lay down a shadow of stunning proportions shaped both by the drama of the past and sparkle of the future,…
1. DEALING in Cryptocurrencies People are not reporting transactions with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin. The general public may not be aware that they are reportable. They may also not know how to report the purchase, sales, or exchange of digital currencies. This is something new. Reporting gets technical, even for tax pros. 2. Claiming Stock…
“It looks to me that there’s more stuff going on here, although it’s my policy not to get involved in matters that are between husband and wife.” LET me give you the background on this case. The husband is 81 but still looks active. He is slim and sprightly. The wife is 79…
Views split for the House THE November 6 midterm elections are just three weeks away but many Americans have already cast their votes through early voting and mail-in ballots. Asian Americans, including Filipinos, show high enthusiasm to make their voices heard and cast their vote that may change the political landscape of America. The Filipino…
More candidates for the senatorial, mayoral and congressional posts submitted their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila during the second day of filing on Friday, October 12. During the filing of COCs, which will run from October 11 to 17, not including weekends, the public will be…
FIVE Filpino fishermen who have been stranded in the West Philippine sea for five days were rescued by a United States Navy vessel on Monday, October 8. According to a report from the U.S. 7th Fleet, cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra was conducting a routine mission when the distressed Filipinos were spotted adrift in the…
Local officials predict “El Nino” season, seek to expand county efforts for storm season and water management projects through Measure W The temperatures are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, and that can only mean one thing: winter is coming. With winter comes higher chances of precipitation, and even Los Angeles County, a…
Patrick J. Bumatay to be first Fil-Am judge to serve on federal appeals court Filipino-American attorney Patrick J. Bumatay was nominated by President Donald Trump to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday, October 10. If confirmed, Bumatay would become the first Fil-Am judge to serve on a federal appeals…
