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…
A Sacramento man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday, January 23, after being convicted for buying Filipino children for pornography and sex — federal prosecutors described the case as “lurid, willful, and disturbing.” Prosecutors said Michael Carey Clemans, 57, was found guilty in September of attempted travel and travel with intent to engage in…
A 41-year-old Filipina may face up to 20 years in jail if proven guilty after she was arrested for allegedly forging IDs and passports in Las Vegas. The woman, who authorities identified as Rachelle Miclat, was found to have had in her house an “active forgery lab” complete with printing equipment, laminating machines, ink, and…
Vote for DACA fix, CHIP reauthorization pushed back to February 8 After receiving backlash for allowing the government to shut down on Friday, January 19, a bipartisan group of United States Congress members presented a bill on Monday, January 22 that would reopen the government and allow thousands of furloughed federal employees to return to…
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…
President Rodrigo Duterte has told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to shoot him if he becomes a dictator or stays in power beyond his term expiration in 2022. The president made the remark in his speech during an army base visit on Monday, January 22, in Compostela…
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…
El Cerrito’s first Filipino-American and LGBT councilmember became the city’s first Fil-Am and LGBT mayor on Tuesday, December 19 during the reorganization of the city council at El Cerrito City Hall. In all of the city’s 100 year history, Gabriel Quinto is the third mayor of color. Those before him were El Cerrito’s first African…
THE client is a specialty food retailer who started operations in a commercial center two years ago. Five partners invested $50,000 each for a total of $250,000 for a food business that sells a specialty product that everyone likes to eat. The problem with a business that’s based on a retail outlet in a commercial…
KETRYN Cornell has been diagnosed as severely obese since childhood with a body mass index of over 50. Her weight interferes with daily life functions, including bathing and walking. She cannot stand for more than an hour, cannot walk more than a mile at a time, and experiences shortness of breath from engaging in basic…
1. MORTGAGE interest deduction has been lowered: Current homeowners can continue to deduct interest on loans of $1 million; however, new homeowners will be limited to interest on loans of $750,000. 2. State and local tax deduction is capped at $10,000: Yes, you can continue to deduct state and local taxes, but with a limit…
ARE you one of many people who needs to file bankruptcy but you are afraid that it may be the worst mistake you can ever make in your life? Are you thinking about what your friends and family may think if they ever find out about your filing? If you’ve never owned a home and…
According to critics, President Donald Trump is not just a racist, he is also a barefaced liar and a coward who doesn’t have the cojones to admit his spiteful attitude towards people of color. This biting criticism follows Trump’s denial that he had referred to African nations, as well as Haiti — all predominantly populated…
HAS it been only a year? Seems like a long long time since business mogul and reality show star Donald J. Trump took his oath of office to be the 45th president of the United States of America after winning the electoral college majority vote, despite his political opponent Hillary Clinton winning more votes among…
Trump’s authority to ban travelers from certain nations will be examined, justices to rule on case by June Amid the ongoing parlay in Washington over the nation’s immigration system, the Supreme Court announced on Friday, January 19 that it would consider reviewing a challenge to President Donald Trump’s latest version of his controversial travel ban. Concerning…
