Citing public order, Duterte says ‘radical changes’ to happen soon
FOLLOWING his trip to South Korea this week, President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he will “make radical changes in the days to come.” “There will be changes in the coming days including public order and security. There are simply too many crimes and too many claiming to be this and that,” he said on Wednesday…
PH Supreme Court orders gov’t to answer petition against ICC withdrawal
Malacañang is being ordered by the Supreme Court (SC) to answer the petition filed by six opposition senators last month challenging the administration’s withdrawal of the country’s membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC). The SC also ruled to hold the case for oral arguments on July 24. The respondents — Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,…
Former Tacloban City mayor Alfred Romualdez recalls challenges following typhoon Haiyan
Brings ‘I Love Tacloban’ band as token of thanks It’s been five years since Typhoon Haiyan (also locally known as Yolanda) hit the city of Tacloban, but the city for the most part is back on the rise with malls, hotels, cafés, and other establishments getting normal traffic. Its famous San Juanico Bridge that…
P24-billion TRAIN subsidy to be released by September 2018
The P24-billion subsidy allocated for poor Filipinos affected by the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law will be released by the government by September, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said. DSWD undersecretary Flor Villar said in a press conference that the agency has completed the release of…
Are generic drugs safe?
What are generic drugs? Generic drugs are medications which have been evaluated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States as a genuine copy of brand-name (proprietary) drugs, in dosage, effects, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance, intended use, and side-effects and complications. Are generic drugs as safe?…
Petitioning children of your spouse from a previous marriage
A STEPPARENT may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even without the stepparent having to legally adopt the stepchild. However, before a stepparent may be able to file an immigrant petition for a stepchild, the stepparent–stepchild elationship should have been created before a stepchild turns 18 years old. This means that the stepparent and the…
What is a fixed marriage
IF a person is ever caught in a fixed marriage (married solely to obtain immigration benefits), the consequences (or punishment) could be severe. A fixed marriage finding by the USCIS could result in a lifetime ban from ever having any other petition approved. For example, if a person was caught in a fixed marriage, but…
KalayaanSF to celebrate 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence
KalayaanSF, a Bay Area organization partnered with the Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco and other community and non-profit groups will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of on June 12. In keeping with the spirit of Kalayaan, a Filipino word meaning “freedom,” Philippine Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr. explained that the significance of these…
Philippines’ $14 billion ‘pollution-free’ city will be larger than Manhattan
The sustainability-driven New Clark City will be the answer to Metro Manila’s escalating pollution problem Anyone who has been to the Philippines has experienced the country’s crowded population and its overwhelming pollution. Like many other global countries battling low air quality and intense population density, the Philippines is becoming increasingly at risk for both natural…
Fil-Ams on connecting with their heritage on PH Independence Day
Also known as “Araw ng Kasarinlan” or “Araw ng Kalayaan”, Philippine Independence Day is held every June 12 — the same date the country declared independence from Spain in 1898, following four centuries under its colonial rule. That independence though was very short lived, as those familiar with Philippine history know. Philippine Independence Day traces…
Former President Aquino: I can’t stop thinking I’ll be jailed too
Former President Benigno Aquino III on Monday, June 4, urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to junk the criminal complaint brought against him by President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters over the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia controversy. After attending the preliminary investigation at the DOJ, Aquino said in a press briefing that “the only weapon we have is the…
California Attorney General sounds off on immigration, other issues relevant to AAPI community
Since President Donald Trump took office last year, California has been leading the fight against many of the actions coming from his administration. At the forefront is the state’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has filed 32 lawsuits against the Trump administration in the past 16 months, including one challenging the travel ban and most…
Study: Some early stage breast cancer patients may forego chemotherapy
A new study shows that many people in the early stages of breast cancer with lower likelihoods of recurrence may safely abstain from chemotherapy A majority of early-stage breast cancer patients may opt to skip chemotherapy which could result in a sharp decline for the treatment option, according to a massive, highly-anticipated new study on…
In health care arena, the prize for Calif. insurance commissioner is a bullhorn
by Pauline Bartolone The person who wins the four-way race to become California’s next insurance commissioner will inherit a job with broad authority over policies that cover homes, businesses, cars and even airplanes. But medical insurance? Not so much. The commissioner’s direct control over health insurers is limited, because the California Department of Insurance —…
Duterte’s controversial ‘presidential’ kiss: Different perspectives
FILIPINOS all over the world are talking about the controversial video that shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte playfully kissing the lips of an overseas Filipina worker, who is reportedly married, in front of a cheering crowd of kababayans when he delivered a speech on stage in Seoul, South Korea. Even legitimate international media organization reported…
Canada ‘stupid’ for raising human rights concerns in helicopter deal – Duterte
President Rodrigo Duterte is still angry at Canada over the botched $233-million helicopter deal, months after a Canadian company cancelled on him. Before the Filipino community in South Korea on Sunday, June 3, Duterte said in a speech how “stupid” Canada was for raising concerns that the helicopters would be used against rebels. “We ordered Bell…
The bucket list – Write your story
(Second of a series) “Healing begins with forginess. It can make us whole again. And when we are whole and bathed in God’s light, darkness no longer holds power over us. [Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In…
‘PH not capable of defending territories’ — defense chief
The Philippines is not yet capable of defending its territory in the disputed South China Sea amid China’s continuing aggressiveness in the disputed area, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday, June 4. In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, the defense chief said it may take some time for the Philippines to acquire the…
Reporting requirements for US citizens abroad
U.S. citizens are generally taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where the income is earned or received. A U.S. citizen who earns income in a foreign country may also be taxed on that income by a foreign host country thereby leading to double taxation. Below are the three tax provisions alleviating potential inequity: •…
President Duterte returns from productive South Korea Visit
President Rodrigo Duterte reported a fruitful three-day trip to South Korea Tuesday that further strengthened relations between the two countries particularly in areas of security, economy as well as trade and investment. “My Official Visit to Seoul was meaningful and productive. We are now writing a new chapter of cooperation in the shared history between…
PH receives $1B worth of assistance from South Korea
Seoul, South Korea – The government of South Korea expressed commitment to double its official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines from $500 million to $1 billion, Malacañang announced on Tuesday, June 5. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made the announcement during a press briefing here on the sidelines of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s official…
President Duterte recognizes South Korea’s protection of Pinoys
SEOUL — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Sunday, June 3, expressed gratitude to the government of South Korea for taking care of Filipinos in their country. “I’d like to thank the Korean government, South Korea, for hosting so many Filipinos here — keeping them safe,” the President said in his speech at the Convention Hall,…
Oxford Business Group’s 2018 Philippine Report Maps Out Plans To Expand Capital Market
Philippine Stock Exchange signs first MoU with Oxford Business Group Manila, May 29, 2018: The new 2018 report from global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) maps out the positive impact on the country’s capital market of the decision of Fitch Ratings, Inc. to award the Philippines investment status. The Report: The Philippines 2018 by OBG will track the new…
President Duterte inaugurates newly built $976-million power facility in Pagbilao
PAGBILAO, Quezon — President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration Thursday of the newly completed 420-megawatt Pagbilao Unit 3 project coal-fired power plant here that is expected to stabilize energy supply in Luzon as well as boost the economy. In his speech, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the Department of Energy and Aboitiz Power Corp….
Do undocumented immigrants really hurt our social security system?
NO, they don’t; in fact, undocumented workers help shore up our Social Security system. You see, they pay millions, no, make that billions with a “b” to a system that they may not collect from. They pour an estimated $13 billion into the system but collect only $1 billion per year. Why? Some use fake…
Will a business bankruptcy affect its owners?
“In the client’s case, the problem is that her husband is ill and can no longer run the business.” THE client and her husband are the only stockholders of an S corporation that has been doing well for the last 15 years. In fact, it’s still doing well and had a great year last year….
Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases
UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited…