THEY are more than just statistics — these 800,000 people brought into the United States as kids by their parents or grandparents grew up in this country not knowing that they did not have all the required immigration documents to live in America legally until they had to apply for a driver’s license or for…
SOME say that in any political landscape, opposition is good. Opposition is more prevalent in a democracy as it keeps current leaders on their toes, and makes sure that no one has absolute power. While democracy allows the people to put into power leaders who will represent their interests, the opposition is present to avoid…
THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the authenticity of the Automated Election System (AES) in the 2016 elections, dismissing former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first cause of action in his poll protest against Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo. In his first cause of action, Marcos called on the SC, sitting as the Presidential Electoral…
THE United States has donated P730 million ($14.3 million) for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of Marawi City, according to U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. In a press briefing on Tuesday, September 5, Kim announced that Washington will provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the besieged city in Mindanao through its…
The House of Representatives is going to study the request to grant Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte the authority to start negotiations with the Marcos family on their offer to return their alleged ill-gotten wealth to the government. House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday, September 5, said that Congress should first into the specifics of the…
While education fuels man to strive even farther beyond and his objective inspiringly motivates him to aspire for higher goals, it is society and the community where he lives that keeps him constantly driven to achieve gratification which eventually defines the truest essence of his purpose in life. The fundamental quintessence of success is self-fulfillment…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is studying “how best to proceed” on the reported offer of former President Ferdinand Marcos’ family to return portion of their alleged ill-gotten wealth back to the government. Malacañang, on Friday, September 1, assured the public that Duterte will put the nation’s interest first in any possible agreements with the Marcos…
UNITED Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions Agnes Callamard rejected anew Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s invitation for her to visit and assess the current situation in the country. In a series of social media posts, Callamard reiterated that the preconditions on her official visit to investigate the alleged state-sanctioned killings and rights abuses linked…
IN an advisory dated August 28, 2017, the USCIS informed the public starting October 1, 2017, in person interviews will now be required for certain applicants seeking permanent residency status in the U.S. This new directive applies to: • “Adjustment of status applications based on employment (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust…
DIVORCING couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee that their soon to be ex-spouse will share in the college expenses of their children. This is specially the case when the other spouse has…
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…
Q: I AM a single mom and I have worked for this company for several years. Recently, while talking with another newly hired male co-worker whose responsibilities are similar to mine, I discovered he was making as much as 50 cents more per hour than I am. I asked my branch manager why the new…
HOW long do you have to keep tax records? How long can the IRS audit your tax returns? Let’s discuss tips on statute of limitations so you can clean your garage this weekend. 1. The general statute to audit you is three years after the return is filed. 2. The statute is extended to six…
IF you are struggling with debt problems, you may feel depressed and alone. It may seem like the end of the world. Your self-esteem may have suffered. You may feel angry, depressed, guilty- or a combination of all three. You may consider yourself a failure, perhaps feeling angry with yourself for certain decisions you have…
QUESTION: I’m on DACA and my friend is renewing DACA and another friend is going to apply for DACA. I have heard rumors about this. Should I be worried? Answer: Yes, you should be worried. There have been various leaks from the White House. There have also been rumors that a number of White House…
Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon met with the country’s top police official on Tuesday, August 29 to discuss the alleged extrajudicial killings in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. Describing his discussion with Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as “cordial and open,”…
PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno is now in the eye of the storm after an impeachment complaint have been filed against her, first by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) in the House of Representatives “for supposed culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption, other high crimes, and…
While education fuels man to strive even farther beyond and his objective inspiringly motivates him to aspire for higher goals, it is society and the community where he lives that keeps him constantly driven to achieve gratification which eventually defines the truest essence of his purpose in life. The fundamental quintessence of success is self-fulfillment…
THEY say one of the most precious moments a woman could ever have is to be a mother. It changes you from within and you’ll never look at life the same way again. But what happens when the baby you once cradled in your arms turns into a lady right before your eyes? I had…
(Part 1) DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I have waited for over 12 years for an interview on my approved family petition. I am very nervous about the upcoming interview and I am having trouble sleeping because of all the stories I hear from friends and relatives about how hard it is. I want this interview to…
WHAT makes a non-citizen deportable? An alien or non-citizen, including a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) is deportable for having a conviction relating to controlled substances. Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1227(a)(2)(B)(i) states: “Any alien who at any time after admission has been convicted of a violation of . . . any law or regulation…
Raising our voices in proud solidarity this Labor Day, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers are joining with working people across the country to put the importance of unions front and center in our national conversation. Emerson Padua is a proud Filipino American and dedicated healthcare worker from Beaumont, Calif. He has been a dialysis…
Doing it right from the start should be the only ‘rule of thumb’ when emigrating to the U.S. Aliens come to this country for a wide array of reasons, the more common is to join their family and reside here or just visit relatives and friends. There is an expectation from the U.S. government that…
We do not need sleep False. While science cannot be certain that every animal sleeps, evidence says that most of those in the animal kingdom do. Sleep is very important, especially for us, humans, in order to “recharge” and not suffer the consequences of “low-bat.” Our mental acuity, rationality, concentration, quality of our decision, even…
FREAK accident liability I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. The first client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have never encountered a case like this before in the last 30 years. The client has a rental condo that needs plumbing repair because of a…
“HOW will I succeed?” This was the question President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized when he humbly admitted to his constituents that he cannot fulfill his promise of eradicating the drug problem in the country in just six months after assuming office. The president said he was shocked by the magnitude of the drug menace and that…
AS the nation commiserate with Texas for the record rainfall and flooding brought about by hurricane Harvey, President Donald Trump announced that he was pardoning former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted last month of criminal contempt for the way he illegally profiled, hunted down, and jailed undocumented immigrants, particularly Hispanics, in his jurisdiction…
The conditions previously set for the visit of United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions Agnes Callamard to the Philippines had not changed, Malacañang clarified on Tuesday, August 29. Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella issued the statement after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte invited Callamard anew to the country and investigate the alleged summary killings and…
The family of former President Ferdinand Marcos has expressed willingness to return their alleged ill-gotten wealth back to government, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, August 29. Citing an unnamed spokesman, Duterte claimed that the family is willing to “open everything” and return the wealth—including a few gold bars—which were accumulated during the two-decade…
MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is the most loving, caring, and decisive among the country’s top five government officials, according to a recent survey conducted by by political management and lobbying firm Publicus Asia. Publicus Asia’s pilot Pahayag survey tested the people’s perception on Duterte, Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Chief Justice Lourdes…
