WHAT you need to do when you received a call or notice from the IRS? Below are some tips that you should be aware of: • Revenue Officer (RO) observes fair tax collection practices and taxpayer rights. • You have Right to Representation under Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) 5.1.10.7.2. • You will be advised first…
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.” –Claude Monet, speaking of his garden at Giverny in France SPRING is here and the earth beckons. The rains came this year, sometimes with the intensity of a freight train, sometimes rain so fine and gentle, it feels like a caress on your face, a silent benediction from the…
After most of our God-centered thoughts during the last Holy Week, we felt there is need today for new initiatives for peace, renewal, and development in our country, and what immediately comes to mind is to revive our old proposal for a “Government of National Unity.” The other choice of other more extreme advisers is…
DEPORTATION. This is perhaps among the top stressors of kababayans in the United States, especially those who have already established new lives in this adoptive country. The fear is real, not only among undocumented immigrants, but even among those who have already been granted green cards, also known as Permanent Resident Status. Green card holders…
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao clarified that he has not made any decisions on who will be his trainer for his upcoming fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse yet. Pacquiao made the clarification in a social media post on Monday, April 16, amid reports that he has cut ties with Freddie Roach, who’s been…
Trump administration establishes stricter requirements for Medicaid, TANF, and food stamps Amid the shocking news of airstrikes on Syria and President Donald Trump’s ongoing personal scandals, the president last week ordered for the major overhaul of the nation’s public assistance net. Though the news largely went under the radar, Trump on Tuesday, April 10 signed…
Homeless advocate organization thinks plan “falls short” in addressing the needs of LA’s growing homeless population On the morning of Monday, April 16, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti delivered his fifth State of the City address. Like any other State of the City address, the mayor heralded the city’s progress and announced plans to build upon the…
Outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa bade goodbye to police service in tears on Monday, April 16. During his final flag-raising ceremony at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Dela Rosa thanked the police force for their hard work in implementing the anti-illegal drugs campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela…
Senator Nancy Binay has signed a draft committee report on the Dengvaxia controversy recommending the filing of charges against former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his officials. “I signed already,” Binay told reporters on Monday, April 16. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Richard Gordon, is seeking the prosecution of Aquino and his…
The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, April 16, justified the detention and deportation of a European politician, explaining that it is illegal for a tourist to engage in any “partisan political activity.” Giacomo Filibeck, the deputy secretary general of the Party of European Socialist (PES) and a native of Italy, was detained at…
Boracay, Aklan – Malacañang on Tuesday, April 17 stressed that the total closure of Boracay for a maximum period of six months was the only way to save the island from further damage. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said this during his press briefing here at the Savoy Hotel, nine days before the expected shutdown….
New offering delivers unmatched protection for all apps, with flexible consumption models to fit any deployment and management scenario Manila, Philippines, APRIL 13, 2018 – Coinciding with the Australian Cyber Security Centre conference this week, F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) is announcing its Advanced Web Application Firewall™ solution for comprehensive application protection. With industry leading security…
THE Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) conducts investigations regarding violations of the Internal Revenue Code, the Bank Secrecy Act, and Money Laundering statutes. What are warning signs that you may have been referred to CID? 1. The agent starts asking about your life style and spending habits. 2. The agent asks about…
Having four seasons in a year is an idea that is quite foreign to Filipinos who grew up in the Philippines. Back there, we only have dry (summer) and wet (rainy) seasons. Then there are those, like me, who migrated outside the Philippines to a place that has more than two seasons. This change also…
“In Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim Progress’ you may recall the description of the Man with the Muck-rake, the man who could look no way but downward, with the muck-rake in his hand; who was offered a celestial crown for his muck-rake, but who would neither look up nor regard the crown he was offered, but continued to…
DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Roa Durerte on Saturday, April 14, assured that the government is taking steps to end the abuse on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East countries. President Duterte met with an OFW who was abused by her employer in Saudi Arabia. Pahima Alagasi, who was scaled by the mother…
ON April 3, 2018, the USCIS announced that it will start destroying green cards and work authorizations that are returned to it as “undeliverable.” If the document is returned, the person has only 60 days to contact USCIS and update their address. Many times, people file for immigration benefits, such as green cards, work authorizations,…
TWO clients with issues relating to known and unknown persons who used their names and social security information to borrow credit card in their names. The first client is 51 years old and married. She met this person who became her “friend.” Let’s just call the “friend” Ms. Crook. The client is a relatively new…
Q: I work at a hospital and we heard rumors that our computer servers were hacked. As a result, both patient and employee information were stolen. I am very worried about identity theft and damage to my credit. What are my rights? A: Anyone who conducts business in California and owns or licenses computerized data…
”Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” –John 24:38-39 IT’S truly perplexing that God would make his presence known…
YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you decide to incorporate the business. A common question when the couple later divorces becomes 1) did your separate property business become community property by virtue…
IF you are delinquent in your debt obligations and are being pursued by bill collectors, you may be wondering what these bill collectors can do to force you to pay. Maybe you’re afraid to even answer your phone or open your mailbox, fearing what you may find. Perhaps you’re sick and tired of bill collectors…
In this week’s issue, we shall devote our column to exalting “medicinal values or therapeutic effects” of regular, ordinary, food that people all over the world eat as part of their diet. The reported health benefits of some of the foods we have listed are anecdotal — passed down from generations — and many have…
After most of our God-centered thoughts during the last Holy Week, we felt there is need today for new initiatives for peace, renewal, and development in our country, and what immediately comes to mind is to revive our old proposal for a “Government of National Unity.” The other choice of other more extreme advisers is…
CALIFORNIA is home to the most number of Filipinos in America, thanks to its relatively mild weather and its west end location in the continental United States, being just the Pacific Ocean away from the Philippines. The Golden State is also the most populous state in the nation, with almost 40 million Californians calling it…
Former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and his Cabinet officials should be held criminally liable for the Dengvaxia mess, according to a draft report by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. The committee is recommending the prosecution of Aquino and his officials “for all the tragedy, damage and possible deaths” resulting from his administration’s scrapped…
The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has ordered Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to explain why they should not be cited in contempt for disclosing information on the vote recount. The PET, in a resolution made public on Thursday, April 12, issued a…
Amid escalating tensions, a United States aircraft carrier en route to Manila sailed through the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday, April 10. The USS Theodore Roosevelt was reportedly carrying 65 supersonic F18 jets, spy planes and helicopters, the nuclear-powered carrier. Also aboard the nuclear-powered vessel were a small group of Philippine generals, officials and…
