CHRISTMAS Day is fast approaching and for many in the U.S., that means hustling to finalize Christmas gifts, finding the perfect tree, and sending out family Christmas cards. For the millions of Filipinos living in the U.S., it also means making sure balikbayan boxes are arriving on time to their loved ones back in the Philippines, placing…
THINKING about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $150,000 in gross assets and you do not…
THE client is 50 and operates a business. There is a state court judgment against him for $80K. Is this judgment dischargeable in bankruptcy? The answer is: If the judgment is for breach of contract only, the $80,000 is dischargeable. If the judgment is affirmative for FRAUD, then the $80,000 fraud judgment is not dischargeable….
Q: I AM a part-time hourly employee working in retail. I work between 20 to 30 hours a week. I recently got sick and had to be out for three days. I was told that I was not entitled to paid sick leave because I was a part-time employee. Is this right? A: No, you…
1. CAN you get a passport if you owe taxes? Of course, you can. But if your taxes, penalties and interest total more than $50,000, you fall under a new category called “seriously delinquent” that subjects you to passport restrictions. 2. What exactly are passport restrictions? The State Department will deny your passport application or…
QUESTION: I am so afraid that I will be deported (even though I have legal status here) because I’m an immigrant. Is that the case? Answer: U.S. immigration law is very complex, and there is much confusion as to how it works. The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), the body of law governing current immigration…
IF you’ve made the decision to file bankruptcy in order to get a fresh financial start, which type of bankruptcy is right for your situation: Chapter 7 or Chapter 13? Here are some things to consider in choosing between the two. Be aware, however, that your income and expenses have a lot to do with…
The internet has been an important part of our modern civilization. It has exponentially changed our world by leaps and bounds because it made access to information and communication so easy and quick. It has also provided us with bridges to connect with our family wherever in the world they may be and has helped…
“REJOICE always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Jesus Christ.” St. Paul admonishes us with these words in his Letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thes 5:16-17). They are words that fit our celebration on this Third week of Advent, which the Church calls…
IT was magical. A moment so surreal and poignant that it brought memories of both pain and redemption; of love that’s found after the heart has been broken one too many times. Walking down the aisle on her off-shoulder princess cut ball gown that featured intricate beading on the bodice and accentuated by a unique,…
A FEW weeks ago, I posted on Facebook two anti-drug abuse ads that I created back in 1972. The headline of one read, “Is a pusher paying more attention to your child than you are?” The other ad showed a father swigging a bottle of gin, while his son smoked marijuana. The headline bluntly stated,…
Filipinos, as well as millions of beauty pageants enthusiasts around the world, constantly find beauty competitions as alternative entertainment with relevant positivity and obliging advocacy. Just like basketball, boxing, teleseryes, and the advent of the internet, pageantry becomes a serious way of fecund life and an isochronous social episode. The Philippine zealots and beauty contest…
ELIGIBILITY for benefits under Section 3 of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is based on a mathematical formula, where you subtract from the child’s age the length of time it took USCIS to process and approve the petition. You take the date the petition is filed, and the date it was approved. How long…
ON September 5, 2017, United States Attorney General Jeffrey Sessions formally announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program, which has protected from deportation nearly 800,000 young, undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. The DACA program also provided them with legal work authorization, allowing them to enroll in…
True to one of its promised immigration policies, the present administration is implementing its extreme vetting. Since it took over the White House a year ago, attempts to reform the U.S. immigration rules and procedures, have been persistent and bold – from issuing executive orders, re: controversial travel bans, terminating DACA (Deferred Action on Childhood…
THE Christmas season is upon us once more and feasting has already started. As we indulge and enjoy the food galore, it behooves us to stay away from foods that are unhealthy, which will eventually cause us harm in the future. Some of these items that are hazardous to our health include refined sugars, artificial…
THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest commences in a marriage. All property acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the State of California is community property. Family…
PENALTY could still be relived even if you fail to file your tax returns and pay taxes owed if you have reasonable cause. How to establish reasonable cause • Facts. Provide facts, situations, circumstances that have not allowed you to file your tax return timely and pay taxes owed. • Ability. How the facts, situations,…
Behind every strong woman is herself, but it doesn’t hurt to receive expert guidance from someone who has proved to produce success. For beauty queens of the Philippines, that someone is Jonas Gaffud, or Mama J, as he’s called in the industry. Last November 28, beauty queen fans, pageant enthusiasts, and proud Filipinos alike lined…
CHRISTMAS is less than two weeks from now, and this wonderful season is just opening the hearts of people to give more, in gratitude to all the blessings we have received in the past year. Our generous spirit goes beyond giving to our family and friends, as we are also compelled by love and sense…
PRAISED as a trailblazer and voice for civil rights, Ed Lee, mayor of San Francisco and friend of the city’s Filipino-American community, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, at the age of 65. Lee passed away at 1:11 a.m. at Zuckerberg General Hospital from a heart attack while grocery shopping at a Safeway supermarket with…
THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest commences in a marriage. All property acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the State of California is community property. Family…
A CLIENT wants Chapter 7, but can he avoid the presumption of abuse? The client is 55, married with a son and daughter who have just entered college. His income is $5,600 gross a month. The wife’s income is $5,500 gross a month. So, the combined gross of his household of four is $11,100 a…
BETH Silverman worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles since 1994. In 2006, she joined the Major Crimes Division (MCD), an elite trial unit in the DA’s Office that prosecutes complex and high-profile homicide cases. In 2011, Gary Hearnsberger became the Head Deputy of the MCD and Silverman’s supervisor. Silverman…
1. CONGRESS created a new code section called “Revocation or Denial of Passport in Case of Certain Tax Delinquencies.” The idea of this new law is to use travel to enforce tax collections. It was proposed and rejected in 2012. It was re-introduced in 2015, passed by Congress, and signed by President Obama. It’s taking foothold…
IF you are up to your neck in debt, you may feel that you have no choice but to file for bankruptcy. But perhaps you’re dreading to make that decision because you’re unsure if it’s the right option for you. One thing I’ve learned is that most people often get conflicting information from the wrong…
QUESTION: I wanted to start my own business in the U.S. and in fact, have sufficient money. However, I was told that I am not able to do so because I am not a citizen of a ‘treaty country.’ Is there anything else I can do? Answer: Yes, you can try the L-1A which actually…
It is said that if hindsight is a perfect science, that makes scientists of our country’s national leaders and bureaucrats. In administration after administration, the would’ve-could’ve-should’ve syndrome has been a familiar affliction. In hindsight, everyone in the legislature and in Malacañang has been an expert on how a crisis would have, could have and should…
Vindicated. Empowered. This is how I feel on behalf of my fellow women, and men who want to do what is right in honor of their mothers, wives, sisters, friends. TIME Magazine‘s choice of the “Silence Breakers” — “for giving voice to open secrets, for moving whisper networks onto social networks, for pushing us all…
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” – Mark 1:3 MANY residents of Southern California may not feel like celebrating Christmas this year. It’s because of the series of wildfires that destroyed numerous homes and devastated the lives of thousands of people, interrupting their plans for this most celebrated holiday. This enormous disaster…
