Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez has defended the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revoke the license of online news site Rappler. In a letter to the New York Times dated Wednesday, January 24, Romualdez dismissed the alleged “political motivation” behind the SEC order against Rappler. The ambassador also…
The calendar has turned to 2018, and Covered California is in the homestretch of its drive to sign people up for health insurance by Jan. 31, the final day to enroll. As an incentive, the agency, which administers the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the state, is touting lower prices and financial assistance…
ASIAN Americans were more likely than whites to experience a severe ischemic stroke, according to preliminary research presented on Thursday, January 25 at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA)’s International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2018. The study was the largest analysis of functional and clinical outcomes for Asian American acute ischemic stroke patients — an…
The camp of Philippine Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday, January 26 dismissed the latest criminal complaint filed against her as a “desperate stunt” by lawyer Atty. Lorenzo Gadon. Sereno’s camp expressed confidence that Gadon “will fall flat doing this latest stunt.” “Indeed, desperate times call for desperate measures. Gadon knows that he still…
Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Philippines’ Islamist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), strongly hopes that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed to avoid the rise of extremism in the southern region. In a press conference on Thursday, January 25, Ebrahim recalled that the cancellation of the 1996 peace agreement…
WH to announce pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth as DACA negotiations underway At a time where major policy developments seem to occur daily in Washington, this week brought about particularly significant moves in the ongoing immigration battle. On Wednesday, January 24, President Donald Trump unexpectedly voiced his support for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented…
Atty. General Sessions warns sanctuary cities repercussions for noncompliance with the federal immigration agencies As the immigration saga mounts in Washington, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is continuing its fight against the 23 sanctuary cities that refuse to comply with the federal government’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants whom they deem pose a threat. United…
The camp of Philippine Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday, January 26 dismissed the latest criminal complaint filed against her as a “desperate stunt” by lawyer Atty. Lorenzo Gadon. Sereno’s camp expressed confidence that Gadon “will fall flat doing this latest stunt.” “Indeed, desperate times call for desperate measures. Gadon knows that he still…
Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Philippines’ Islamist group the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), strongly hopes that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed to avoid the rise of extremism in the southern region. In a press conference on Thursday, January 25, Ebrahim recalled that the cancellation of the 1996 peace agreement…
GOD wants our total well-being. He desires that we lead healthy, fulfilled, and peaceful lives. He does not want us to distress about anything. He wants us to remain calm. I know that it’s easy to claim these truths about God, but it’s hard to live them out each day when even little things like…
THIS week we tackle another one of my fortes—and a sought-after subject for women—the latest makeup trends. I can describe this season’s makeup peg in two words: fresh and minimal. With that image in mind, I invite you to experience “Valentine’s trends” and fall in love with these makeup styles. Go easy on the eyes…
THE Philippine government has formally rejected assistance projects amounting to at least P380 million or 6.1 million euros being offered by the European Union (EU), according to EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen. Jessen made the confirmation on Wednesday, January 24, during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum. According to him, the…
The House of Representatives and the Senate have broken the impasse after agreeing to “momentarily set aside” their differences on the Charter change issue. According to Senate Presidential Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Congressional leaders have decided to focus first on finalizing “specific constitutional amendments or revisions that will be proposed and presented to the…
Since education, as it has repetitively been defined, is a life-long process of adjustment of an individual to his physical and social environment, we might as well unswervingly exert unbounded effort to accumulate all sort of facts and informative ideas that could indubitably enrich our knowledge and better understanding of the world around us. Aside…
Philippine Supreme Court asked to revive homicide charges against Aquino Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to “uncover the truth” behind the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that claimed lives of 44 police commandos three years ago. While admitting that justice remains “elusive” for the fallen Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) members,…
The House of Representatives and the Senate have broken the impasse after agreeing to “momentarily set aside” their differences on the Charter change issue. According to Senate Presidential Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Congressional leaders have decided to focus first on finalizing “specific constitutional amendments or revisions that will be proposed and presented to the…
DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I am a green card holder, and petitioned my adult single child in June 2015 in the F-2B category. When I recently checked the USCIS website for processing times, it shows they’re processing F-2B petitions filed in late May 2015. Does this mean my adult child will be eligible for his green…
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 relationship should have been created before a stepchild turns 18 years old. This means that the…
Advances in science and technology bolster progress in almost all facets of human endeavor, making most (unfortunately, not all) people more comfortable, more efficient, and productive, not to mention other benefits we derive from them as individuals and as a society. The birth of the mind-boggling computer ushered in one of the brightest inventions of…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to “uncover the truth” behind the botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that claimed lives of 44 police commandos three years ago. While admitting that justice remains “elusive” for the fallen Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), Malacañang assured that the president will find a “just closure” for…
“You’re never too old or too young to pursue your dreams and goals. Accomplishing great things is not impossible.” As part of their continued mission to empower Overseas Filipinos and to promote tourism, investment, studying abroad, entrepreneurship, and retirement in the Philippines, the Asian Journal officially launches the 2018 Love of Country Global Ambassadors Program….
Audit Issues: If you claim deductions for medical expenses, charitable contributions, and employee business expenses in Schedule A of your Federal Form 1040 do not be surprised if you received a letter. Starting January 1, 2018 California will be sending letters related to these deductions. Beware of double dipping your deductions. Some taxpayers claim medical…
IN the case of In re Marriage of Wilson, the Mother was attempting to enforce child support arrears against the Father for the period in which the child was not living with the Mother but instead was living with the Grandparents. The Father filed a request for an order in court, seeking a stay of enforcement…
A weekend getaway in Cebu quickly turned into a tragedy after seven Filipino-American medical missionaries were killed in a car crash in the nearby town of Alegria last weekend. On Saturday, January 20, a group of 10 physicians and nurses from the United States were in the town of Oslob, located 73 miles south of…
Malacañang on Tuesday, January 23, has defended its earlier decision allowing China to carry out research in the Philippine Rise, formerly referred to as Benham Rise, which is located off Eastern Luzon. In a press briefing, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque pointed out that “you do not need a permit for any Filipino corporation to conduct…
Former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has admitted that he made a “mistake” when he claimed that former Health Secretary Enrique Ona was present during his meeting with Sanofi Pasteur executives four years ago. During a Senate hearing last month, Aquino confirmed that Ona was present during his meeting with officials of Sanofi Pasteur,…
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has dismissed his recent threat to cut the budget of lawmakers who will oppose the proposed shift to a federal form of government as a mere “joke.” In a television interview on Monday, January 22, Alvarez clarified that he was “not serious” when he previously warned solons that they may receive…
The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has begun the retrieval of ballot boxes in the province of Camarines Sur on Tuesday, January 23. Camarines Sur is among the three pilot provinces tagged by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his electoral protest against Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni”…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has denied that he had anything to do with the allegations tagging Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon in the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as the pork barrel scam. Speaking before his departure to India on Wednesday, January 24, Duterte said he would not plot against Drilon as…
THE Philippine government has formally rejected assistance projects amounting to at least P380 million or 6.1 million euros being offered by the European Union (EU), according to EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen. Jessen made the confirmation on Wednesday, January 24, during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum. According to him, the…
