When credit cards become a heavy debt burden
WITH credit card debt approaching $1 trillion according to the Federal Reserve, there is no doubt that thousands and thousands of families who can’t pay their credit card debts are…
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A response to the Las Vegas massacre
“THERE is evil in the world.” I heard many people express these words after the Las Vegas massacre last week. It’s one of the statements that help people grapple with…
Love in a time of terror: Stories of bravery during the Las Vegas shootout
THE night of October 1 left us all in shock and devastation. With at least 59 people killed and more than 500 injured, the mass shooting in Las Vegas will go down as one of the…
‘Your tanong, My sagot,’ part 1
A POPULAR segment on my weekly immigration television show, “Citizen Pinoy”, is “Your Tanong, My Sagot”, where people ask immigration questions on a variety of subjects, and I offer my…
Criminal convictions and immigration law
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….
Herbal warning
For thousands of years, China has been known to be the capital of herbal medicine. Other countries like the Philippines have their own local regional version of treating diseases and…
The Bernie Sanders plan to cover all Americans with universal health care
HEALTH CARE is a right and not just a privilege. This is the philosophy behind the plan proposed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders — a policy he has been advocating…
Palace welcomes confirmation of Environment Chief Cimatu
Malacañang on Wednesday, October 4, welcomed the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Roy Cimatu as the Philippines’ environment secretary. In a statement, Palace spokesman…
Ombudsman: I will not be baited into abandoning my constitutional duties
OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales refused to bend to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s dare for them to resign together, saying she “will not be baited into abandoning” her constitutional duties. In a…
Tracing history: When and how Filipino-American History Month started
by Rian Mendiola /AJPress FILIPINO-American History Month is celebrated in the United States every October. The significance of the month is attached to the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the…
Taking ‘The Knee’: one American’s point of view
I prefer standing for our National Anthem. That’s my choice. Men and women have fought, died or came home maimed fighting for our safety, freedom and to preserve our American…
Filipinos’ contributions to US history and society
Both Americans and Filipinos acknowledge their countries’ relationship is a “special one,” said Frank H. Golay in the book “The United States and the Philippines,” published by the American Assembly. …
Deliquent tax debt could mean revocation of your passport
Beginning January 2018, the IRS will start certification of individuals with delinquent tax debt to the State Department. How will the IRS certification impacts you? • Upon receipt of certification….
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired…
One for Las Vegas
“IN moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one — and it always has. We call upon the bonds that unite us — our faith, our family, and…
Aguirre files wiretapping case against Hontiveros
MANILA – Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday, October 2, filed a wiretapping complaint against Senator Risa Hontiveros in connection with the controversial capture of his phone message….
Duterte challenges Sereno, Morales: Let us open our bank books
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, October 2, challenged Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Morales to join him and make their bank accounts public. In a speech…
PH denies culture of impunity, tells UN members: ‘We will never accept dictation’
The Philippine government on Friday, September 29 said it is open to accept help from its foreign allies in combating narcotics, corruption and criminality in the country, but not “dictation”…
Robredo denies affiliation with Tindig Pilipinas
Philippine Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo said she is not a member of “Tindig Pilipinas,” a multi-sector coalition that calls for an end to the alleged spate of killings…
Is real estate property purchased prior to marriage considered community property in a divorce?
Generally, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under…
Common misconceptions about bankruptcy
(This article is part 1 of several parts) Having literally represented several thousand clients in successful bankruptcy cases in the last 35 years in California, I have distilled the common…
Classified as an exempt or salaried employee? You may be entitled to back wages
Allen Buckingham, and three other employees, worked as “Implementation Advisor” or “Client Fulfillment Consultants” for Bank of America, N.A. They were classified as exempt by their employer and paid a…
How the Irs audits attorneys
IRS agents are equipped with audit techniques unique to attorneys. Here’s insider info on how IRS instructs its agents to probe into: 1. Unreported income, deferral of income. 2. Advanced…
Warning: Hiring a debt settlement company can make your problems worse
Are you thinking of hiring a debt settlement company to help you solve your debt problems? Before you do, maybe you should read this article as it could save you…
Think of getting married after 2 months of entry? Think again
Question: I entered a couple of months ago to the U.S. I want to get married and file my adjustment application. Do you see any problems with that? Answer: Yes,…
Bernie Sanders files a bill for universal health care: Right for America?
AS CONGRESS scrambles whether to repeal Obamacare and what to replace it with, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill in the Senate that attempts to actualize what he has…
Northeast LA to vote for new assemblymember on Oct. 3
The special election seeks to fill the vacant seat in CA’s Assembly District 51 On Tuesday, October 3, Angelenos from a handful of communities on the northeast side of Los Angeles…
On honesty and integrity
“If you ask me if I’d die for my Christian faith as St. Lorenzo Ruiz did before his torturers, I’ll say I’m not sure,” Deacon Danilo Guinto openly said during…
Dr. Cristina D. Lopez: Always aspiring for excellence
They say, “Experience is the best teacher.” Through it, we learn what makes us strong and what breaks us. It teaches us what to do and what to avoid. It…
Ivan Antonio Polanco: Having the best of both worlds
Come to think of someone who envisions and strives for perfection…someone who thinks that struggling for faultlessness and aptness could enhance life and living worthwhile. ‘Though living life entails a…