The Office of the Ombudsman has affirmed the graft and usurpation of authority indictment of former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in connection with the botched Mamasapano operation that led to the deaths of 44 police commandos two years ago. In a resolution approved Monday, September 11, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales rejected Aquino’s motion for…
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday, September 12, has approved the implementation of Mega Manila Subway Project (MMSP) — the Philippines’ first subway and the soon-to-be longest mass railway transit. The estimated $7-billion (P358.25-billion) subway will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to FTI complex in Taguig City. With the new…
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…
Our hearts go out to people and communities in Texas, Florida, and other states in the southeast of the United States following the devastation left by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. As of press time, at least 60 deaths have been caused by Hurricane Harvey, the storm that dumped several feet of rain in southeast Texas…
WILL Philippine Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno share the same fate as her predecessor? Sereno succeeded the late Renato Corona, the first Filipino magistrate to be impeached and convicted. Beginning this week, the House of Representatives Committee on Justice will tackle impeachment complaints again Sereno. The committee will review whether the complaints are sufficient in…
MANILA – The Senate Minority bloc on Tuesday, September 12 backed Senator Risa Hontiveros’ call for Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to resign after he was “caught red-handed plotting” against her. Hontiveros, also a member of the Senate minority, earlier released a photo showing Aguirre urging a certain “Cong. Jing” in a text message…
MANILA – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV maintained that he has not done anything unparliamentary during the recent Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, saying that he trusts in the “wisdom and good judgment” of his colleagues who will decide on the ethics complaint filed against him. In a radio interview, Trillanes insisted that it was Senator…
Both critics and supporters of late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos gathered outside Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Taguig city on Monday, September 11, for the centennial birth commemoration of the former dictator. Security personnel were deployed to maintain order in the area. The air was charged with tension, but there were no reported…
By Alex De Ocampo, Candidate for Assembly District 51 For generations, immigrants have come here seeking a better life for themselves and their children. America has welcomed these newcomers and we all have benefited from their contributions to our society. That’s why I support Senator Kevin De Leon’s legislation, SB 54, the California Values Act….
Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in the effort to stop it from implementing its decision to end the Obama-era program that temporarily protects “DREAMers” — young undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as kids and are now being “punished” for the “sins” of their…
IN previous editions of this article, the process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage was explored. Discussion of that procedure began with the supposition that the couple was married, and continued with the various steps to ultimately gain permanent residence. In many cases, however, a problem exists in even getting to the point at which…
ON September 5, 2017, President Trump, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. As a backgrounder, on June 12, 2012, then President Obama, also through the DHS, issued a Memorandum Entitled “Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United…
Q: I HAVE recently joined the work force and received my first paycheck. When I reviewed my paystub, I see all these deductions. What are allowable deductions and what are not? A: A payroll deduction is essentially a subtraction of money from the employee’s paycheck so that the employee receives less than the promised compensation….
BACKGROUND: When is your tax return free from IRS audit? From your point of view, statute of limitations prevents the IRS from collecting a deficiency in tax or beginning a civil or criminal case. Statute of limitations provides a date of finality after which the IRS or the taxpayer can take no further actions. We…
ARE ou urrently verwhelmed with debt problems that you can no longer handle on your own? Thinking about filing for bankruptcy but are afraid to make a decision? Do you feel stuck and paralyzed in your situation, unable to take any action? Maybe just thinking about your situation gives you this sick feeling in your stomach that won’t…
LAST Sunday’s First Reading from the Book of Jeremiah is one of the powerful biblical passages that I’ve encountered regarding one’s prophetic role. Realizing that the Lord duped him to take this job, Jeremiah, however, confessed that he could not be silent to speak in God’s name: “I say to myself, I will not mention…
There’s a well known proverb in Tagalog that’s been said so many times yet its meaning still rings true: “Sa hinaba haba ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.” Loosely translated in English as, “no matter how long the ‘road’ seems, it’ll still lead to one destination: the church.” Pardon my poor translation of the phrase but you get what I mean. If not, let me…
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte attended for the first time a Senate probe into the P6.4-billion worth of shabu shipment from China into the Philippines, where he denied “baseless accusations” linking him to smuggling activities. During a hearing on Thursday, September 7, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV accused Duterte of being a member of Chinese…
Human rights group Amnesty International (AI) on Thursday, September 7 condemned the recent slay of 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman in the Philippines. AI Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific James Gonzales insisted that de Guzman’s death is not an isolated case or a mistake but the “latest atrocity” in the series of extrajudicial killings…
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has teamed up with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in stamping out pro-Islamic State (IS) militants in Mindanao. Soldiers were seen associating freely with their old foes in Maguindanao province, as the MILF joined the assault on the terrorists that pledged loyalty to IS. The government troopers,…
Eurotel Hotel recently celebrated the grand opening of its Vivaldi Cubao Branch with guests, celebrities, government officials, police officers and media friends in attendance. The Eurotel Vivaldi which is located in EDSA Cubao Quezon City is a European inspired hotel known for its Filipino hospitality. Mr. Edmundo Las, Managing Director of Eurotel Hotel kicked of…
On September 5, 2017, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is being rescinded or canceled. DHS also issued a memo and FAQ’s, further detailing the winding down of DACA. However, there is a six-month “grace period” until March 5, 2018, in order to give Congress the opportunity to pass legislation…
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…
What is Chelation Therapy? Chelation Therapy is an accepted treatment for poisoning by many metals (like lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, etc.) and other toxic substances. These chelating agents “cleanse” the blood of these poisons. Some unscrupulous healthcare providers, however, are bilking the unsuspecting public prescribing and giving chelation intravenous shots “to unclog heart arteries,” a…
Impeachment complaints against Philippine Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chief Andres Bautista have been passed on to the House Committee on Rules. Earlier this week, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez referred the complaints to the committee headed by Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas. The speaker has ten days from receipt to refer an…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, September 5 ordered the police to allow journalists to join law enforcers in their anti-illegal drug operations. Duterte issued the order to disprove the growing allegations of state-sanctioned killings in his heavily-criticized campaign against illegal drugs. “Now, this is an order: Bring the media and let them go first…
The camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. remains confident in winning its bid against Philippine Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo despite a recent court decision affirming the authenticity of the 2016 elections. The Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), earlier dismissed Marcos’ first cause of action in his…
MANILA — Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday, September 5, said he will also file an ethics complaint against Senator Richard Gordon and further expose the latter’s supposed “corrupt acts” as chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). A day before, Gordon filed an ethics case against Trillanes. This was after Trillanes called Gordon’s panel…
DO not get scammed. Scammers may impersonate in person, through phone call, or e-mail, and pretend themselves as IRS agent or representative. Remember that the IRS: • Will first mail a bill if you owe any taxes using United States Postal Service. • Will not call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such…
Company receives $200K lawsuit by landlord and files for Chapter 7 CLIENT is 72 and appears to be a widow. She previously operated a business, which closed down in 2006. She borrowed $50K from her friend in 2004 secured by a 2nd mortgage on her residence for the business. Unfortunately, business failed in 2006 and…
