SENATE Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III on Monday, August 14, took a swipe at United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard and two other UN executives for criticizing the drug war and human rights situation in the Philippines. The Philippine senator described Callamard and UN special rapporteurs Michel Forst and Maud de Boer-Buquicchio…
The Philippine Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, August 16, rejected the ad interim appointment of Judy Taguiwalo as the country’s Social Welfare Secretary. Taguiwalo is President Rodrigo Duterte’s third cabinet official rejected by the appointments body. The other two were Gina Lopez as Environment Secretary and Perfecto Yasay Jr. as Foreign Affairs Secretary. While…
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called on Filipinos outside the country to remain vigilant, following the recent series of terror attacks abroad. In a statement released Tuesday, August 15, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano encouraged Filipinos overseas remain prepared against unforeseen “senseless acts of violence.” According to the DFA, there are more than…
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is going to support any move—including impeaching any official regardless of position—that would help in ridding the government of corruption, Malacañang said on Monday, August 14. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella stressed that keeping the administration clean from any irregularities has been among Duterte’s major campaign promises. “Without making references to any…
A SEPARATION package or a severance agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee who is about to leave the employer’s employment. In a typical severance agreement, the employer agrees to give the employee additional compensation (the severance pay) in exchange for the outgoing employee’s agreement not to sue the employer for any employment-related claims…
Now it is possible to apply for asylum QUESTION: My husband beat me and I was afraid for my life, so I escaped to the United States. Can I apply for something so I do not have to go back to my home country? Answer: Yes, it may be possible to apply for gender-based asylum….
AFTER an audit of your tax returns by the IRS, pay if you are happy with the results or don’t want to extend the agony of dealing with the IRS. Appeal if you are not happy or feel that you have not been treated fairly. Let’s explore the benefits & drawbacks of going to the…
DECIDING if bankruptcy is right for you is not always easy. But sometimes, the hole you’ve dug up is too deep that there is no other way out. Bill collectors are harassing you. Maybe they’re already threatening to take you to court, garnish your wages and take everything you’ve got. Maybe you can’t even sleep…
THE TRUMP administration has intensified its crackdown on sanctuary cities — jurisdictions that provide a safe haven for undocumented immigrants by limiting how local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration agents. There are about 300 sanctuary cities in the United States, some of which have already filed lawsuits against the Trump administration after President…
WE have another fascinating Gospel Reading (Matthew 14:-36) this Sunday. As the disciples were on a boat in the midst of fierce winds and waves, Jesus showed himself to them by walking on the water. Then the disciples shouted saying, “It is a ghost!” Jesus responded, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”…
I HAD written this piece when the summer season officially began. I am sure everybody has taken a summer trip by now or has one planned before the season ends. Some prefer to hit the road in the summertime to enjoy the view along the way. Before the hot temperatures leave and school starts again,…
Secretaries Mattis, Tillerson clarify comments, emphasize importance of diplomacy As a way to make a point to the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea (DPRK), President Donald Trump warned North Korea that if the country continues provoking the United States, it will not get away with it. On Friday, August 11, the president again cautioned North…
Hundreds of Angelenos gathered at the Silver Lake Medical Center grounds last weekend for a summer celebration of Historic Filipinotown. Historic Filipinotown — colloquially known as HiFi — celebrated its 15th traditional fiesta on Saturday, August 5 where attendees enjoyed several activities throughout the day. This fiesta’s theme was “A Taste of the Visayan Region”…
MANILA — The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has acquitted Philippine Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito of technical malversation in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of P2.1 million-worth of firearms during his term as the mayor of San Juan City in 2008. In its decision promulgated on Thursday, August 10, the court’s Sixth Division granted the…
It all turns deadly after the first handshake. Silence all throughout, bowed heads and downcast eyes, not out of dismay, but out of concentration. Every piece is essential, every move, crucial. Under scrutiny, each motion is analyzed, and what comes next is highly anticipated. There is no room for even the slightest error in this game,…
ON August 2, 2017, Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and David Perdue (R-GA) introduced the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act, which would create a skills-based immigration points system, reduce the number of family-based immigrants, and void many existing family-based petitions. Pres. Trump has wholeheartedly endorsed and supported this proposal, but we have…
ON November 17, 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued its final regulations entitled “Retention of EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High Skilled Non-immigrant Workers. This rule which took effect on January 17, 2017 provides two grace periods to certain nonimmigrant visa holders. The rule provides a 10-day…
Does aspirin protect us against cancer? Yes, according to clinical studies conducted on patients taking daily aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) for conditions like arthritis, etc., or among heart patients taking aspirin to thin their blood to prevent blood clots and blockages in the coronary (heart) arteries. The findings show that those taking daily dose of aspirin…
The newly appointed judge of San Bernardino County Superior Court discusses his passion for serving the people and being a necessary source for the Filipino American community Judge Winston Keh isn’t your run-of-the-mill lawyer. In his decades-long career as a lawman, Keh always goes beyond what is expected of him and has a rich oeuvre…
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…
PRESIDENT Donald Trump ran on the campaign promise that he would intensify the crackdown on illegal immigrants — and he is doing just that. There are places in the country, though, that have declared themselves as “sanctuary cities” to provide a safe haven for undocumented immigrants in their jurisdiction by limiting limit how local law…
CONTRARY to popular opinion, none of the world’s top diplomats, who gathered in Manila on August 2-8 to attend the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, brought up the alleged spate of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Not a single member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has indicated an…
Secretaries Mattis, Tillerson clarify comments, emphasize importance of diplomacy As a way to make a point to the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea (DPRK), President Donald Trump on Tuesday, August 8 warned North Korea that if the country continues provoking the United States, it will not get away with it. During a photo op at his…
Beijing sets precondition before talks MANILA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have agreed to adopt a “framework” for further negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed South China Sea. In a news conference on Sunday, August 6, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that he and his…
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I just received a jury summon from the County Courthouse, but I am in illegal status (TNT). How did they get my name and address? Do I have to serve on a jury? Will Immigration be able to track me down? Will I be reported to Immigration? How can I get out…
Client receives notice of default on house, tries Chapter 13 relief CLIENT is 60 & wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1200 but the check was dishonored for insufficient funds. Landlord called him to tell him that his rent check bounced. Client was surprised that his check bounced because he had…
Q. My former employer did not pay me for overtime hours and missed breaks. Many fellow employees experienced the same thing but they are afraid because they think if they complain, they’ll be fired. I understand their fears and want to help them. Is there a way that I can claim wages on their behalf…
YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you decide to incorporate the business. A common question when the couple later divorces becomes 1) did your separate property business become community property by virtue…
QUESTION: Can I use an office based in my home and/or garage for the L-1? Answer: No. You must have an ‘actual office’. The reality might be that you can run your business from a computer or your garage. However, for immigration purposes, there must be a brick and mortar office and you must be…
IF you are not satisfied with the results of your IRS audit, go to Appeals. You have a choice of either ending your misery by paying up or by continuing to fight at the Appeals Office. The appeals process is an administrative means to resolve your problems without resorting to legal action. It’s a good…
