MANILA – The House Justice Committee on Wednesday, September 19 dismissed the impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chief Andres Bautista. Twenty-six members of the committee voted on the complaint filed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and former Negros Occidental representative Jacinto Paras of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) to be insufficient in…
MANILA – The National Day of Protest is a “healthy exercise of democracy,” Malacañang said on Thursday, September 21, as various groups rallied against some policies of the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and the dictatorship of late President Ferdinand Marcos. Earlier this week, Duterte signed Proclamation 316, declaring September 21 as a National…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 20, met with United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and discussed various issues concerning some of the administration’s policies. A Palace statement released on Thursday, September 21, said among the issues tackled include the Philippine government’s “strong policies” against illegal drugs and terrorism in the country. During…
Tips to remember when you have outstanding tax liability to the IRS: • Receipt of tax bill. If you receive a bill for taxes due, pay the taxes owed including any penalties and interest. If you are not able to pay in full the total amount due, consider getting a loan to full pay the…
Much of the criticism surrounding Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs can be pointed to how he looks at drug addiction. The administration’s policies to solve the drug menace appear to be based on the president’s belief that drug addiction is a crime, and criminals need to be penalized, and in many times…
ACCORDING to the United Nations (UN), the rate of environmental damage on our planet is increasing at a faster pace than previously thought and seen in the last 10,000 years. This makes it imperative for governments to act now and reverse the damage being done to the planet. Under the “Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6): Regional…
“AS Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the custom post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9) This excerpt from of the Gospel Reading on the Feast of St. Matthew led me to an insight to this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16) on…
Whether you’re a fresh graduate who has the faintest idea what it’s like to apply for a job, or someone who’s looking for a major career move, the whole process of seeking a post can be quite a challenge. Tired of the frustrating course of applying and someone else taking it because they crop up…
THE clients are seniors. The wife is 67 and had just retired from a lifetime of being a registered nurse. She has social security benefits of $2,100. The husband is 67 and has social security of $700. So together, they have social security of $2,800. They don’t own a house. They live with their daughter and they…
Q: I HAD to undergo surgery mid-way through my probation period as a new hire. When I told my manager that I needed to be off-work for several weeks to recover, and that my return date will not until be after the probation period had expired, my manager said not to bother returning, that I…
10 States with the Lowest Combined Income and Sales Tax Rates: • New Hampshire • Alaska • South Dakota • Wyoming • Florida • Texas • Washington • Delaware • Montana • Colorado 10 States with the Highest Combined Income and Sales Tax Rates: • New York • New Jersey • Connecticut • California •…
QUESTION: My DACA expires in about seven months. However, what will happen after that? Do I have any other options? Answer: You do have options, many of which you will need a personal consultation. However, there is what is known as prosecutorial discretion which is still a possibility. Question: What exactly is prosecutorial discretion? Answer:…
FILING bankruptcy can be very stressful and uncomfortable for people who are facing a financial crisis for the first time in their lives. But a lot of the anxiety involved can be alleviated by simply understanding the process and keeping things in perspective. Oftentimes, people are so focused on their current financial problems that they…
AS we follow the investigations being done by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and those of Congress in the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence, meddle, interfere in the 2016 US presidential elections—which allegedly put down Clinton and helped Trump win—I told you I will write about legal terms we often hear…
Some weeks ago we welcomed the Fall season with an article on hairstyles. Today, 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 in October”…
I’VE always wondered what “human formation” is in regards to training men to become priests. I understand the spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation, but I couldn’t quite grasp human formation. Perhaps it’s because the term “human” is too general and encompasses varied aspects of existence. The term becomes intelligible to me when I look at…
One of the most technical rules on visa fraud focuses on a person misrepresenting his or her intent when applying for certain nonimmigrant visas or when entering the United States. If a person is applying for a visitor’s visa, they are effectively representing to the consul their intent in coming to the United States is…
THE Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued additional guidance on the DACA phase-out. On September 5, 2017 DHS initiated the orderly phase out of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Next steps for phasing out DACA All DACA benefits are provided on a two-year basis, so…
IN the United States, one person is diagnosed with a stroke every 40 seconds. This dreaded and debilitating illness is so common it victimizes more than 2,000 individuals each day and killis about 133,000 each year. In the Philippines, the prevalence is between 1.9 to 6.59 percent. I have friends who had developed a stroke…
Just like people who need to go to see their doctors for regular check ups, the same thing goes for cars that require basic routine care. However, many car owners think that just because their vehicle is new, they don’t need to bring it for its regular tune up yet. That mentality is wrong. You…
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it has not received any reports of Filipino casualties in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico on Tuesday, September 19. More than 200 people were killed and a still undetermined number of individuals were injured in the powerful tremor that toppled buildings in the country, including…
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is set to discuss the Philippine government’s campaign against illegal drugs before the United Nations (UN) on Saturday, September 23. Cayetano will represent Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the upcoming 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He is expected to deliver the chief…
MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the agency is not meant to oppose the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte but instead, serves as the government’s conscience. In a television interview last week, Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana maintained that the agency does not have any agenda of ousting Duterte despite being critical of…
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes “green vehicles” as more efficient and less polluting compared to standard vehicles. These vehicles have lesser emissions and help save fuel, which, in return, help save the environment and your money. In the U.S., vehicles that burn gasoline and diesel fuel are still the main form of…
THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have…
FILE your past due returns even if you cannot pay in full your . And file the returns the same way you file if you file on-time. Let me tell you why you should file your past due returns now? • Substitute return. If you do not file voluntarily the IRS will file a substitute…
NARCISSISTIC. We hear this word in our everyday life lately. We hear this as an adjective describing today’s generation — the “I,” “me,” and “myself.” We also hear this in reference to certain stages of a person’s life — when one’s consciousness and priorities revolve around him/herself more than anything else for developmental reasons. As…
FORTY-FIVE years and five presidents later, Filipinos are once again expected to appreciate the genuine meaning of democracy as they commemorate the day when former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines on September 21, 1972. However, this year’s celebrations may be different from what Filipinos are used to. Only work and…
MANILA – With his alleged Singapore bank accounts proven to be non-existent, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said it’s now checkmate for his accuser, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. “Mr. Duterte, pusoy ka na. Checkmate ka na. Wag ka na magpalusot (Mr. Duterte it’s checkmate. Stop making excuses),” said Trillanes, who has been highly critical of the…
The United States has put on hold the delivery of thousands of rifles to the Philippines due to concerns over the drug war killings and alleged human rights violations in the country. This was according to Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Tuesday, September 19, during the Senate hearing on…
