SC justices attend Sereno impeachment hearing
Three Supreme Court (SC) magistrates appeared before the House committee on justice on Monday, January 15 to testify in the impeachment hearing against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. They were…
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Federal tax update part 2: 2017 and 2018 H.R.1
2017 versus 2018 tax rates: individual income tax rates in 2017 in percentage are 10, 15, 25, 28, 33, 35, and 39.6. The 2018 rates in percentage are 10, 12,…
Some Republicans now ask: What has happened to the GOP under the Trump presidency?
AMID the growing partisan divide in President Donald Trump’s chaotic first year in office, any criticism against his action, words, policy, and character have been deemed by our Republican kababayans…
SC justice questions paranoia over martial law
As the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) this week began its oral arguments on consolidated petitions objecting the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, a magistrate questioned petitioners for supposedly…
#MeToo is not just a movement, it is evidence in discrimination claims
“ Apart from becoming a cultural phenomenon, the phrase ‘me-too’ is actually found in the law, as when plaintiffs invoke ‘me-too’ evidence in support of their claims for damages involving sexual harassment and discrimination.” THE MeToo ampaign started…
Senior needs bankruptcy relief. But Chapter 7 or 13?
THE client is 74. Her husband passed away two years ago. Her only source of income is social security of $2,000 a month, which was her husband’s social security. Her…
What you should know about the new tax law Part I: The basics
1. THE standard deduction is doubled: Republicans want to simplify our tax code so more people can claim standard deductions instead of more complicated itemized deductions. This becomes a reality…
Permanent residency through marriage to US citizen spouse
One traditional way of obtaining permanent residency for most immigrants is through a petition by a US citizen spouse AS a spouse of a US Citizen, an alien is considered an…
3 reasons why bankruptcy might be the best solution for debt problems
IF you’re in debt and are considering bankruptcy as an option for you to get needed relief, perhaps just hearing the word “bankruptcy” makes you extremely nervous. Maybe the word…
Chain migration is family reunification
President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would put an end to “chain” migration as a feature of immigration law is worrisome and ill-advised. What he really means is that he…
Does Pres. Trump’s ‘shithole countries’ racial slur resonate with you?
TRUMP denied it. The president of the United States tweeted he did not describe certain nations from Africa as “shithole countries” during a bipartisan meeting on immigration when he rejected…
Come and see
“What are you looking for?’ they said to him, “Rabbi (which translated means teacher) “where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see. –John 1:35 WHERE shall…
Ins and outs of 2018
The start of a new season means different things to different people. But as a hair expert, it primarily means one thing for me: new season equals new haircut.Winter is…
President Trump denies off-color remarks, calls DACA bipartisan deal ‘big step backwards’
Pressures to pass immigration bill by Jan. 19 deadline heightened PRESIDENT Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday morning, Friday, January 12, denying reports of him using off-color remarks during an…
SWS: More Filipinos oppose revolutionary gov’t
More Filipinos are opposed to the idea of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declaring a revolutionary government, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). Based on the…
The Black Nazarene of Quiapo takes another historic ‘Traslacion’
The Filipinos as Roman Catholic devotees are known to be overly zealous and extremely “fanatic” believing that whatever their intentions will be duly answered and rewarded. Being a nation with…
Operator of multiple adult care facilities ordered to pay $7-M for wage theft
Majority of caregivers were Filipino The owner of six adult care facilities operating in the San Fernando Valley’s quiet West Hills neighborhood has been slapped with citations of over $7 million…
PH economy to remain as ‘fastest-growing’ in ASEAN, says World Bank
In terms of economic growth, the World Bank (WB) expects that the Philippines will continue to outpace its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia for the next three years. In its…
Federal judge rules DACA must stay in place
Ruling allows current DACA recipients to renew their enrollment AMID the intense fight over the protections of DREAMers, a federal judge issued a nationwide directive late Tuesday night, January, 9,…
Koreatown Island Pacific Supermarket destroyed in fire
Cause of Wednesday fire still undetermined AN Island Pacific supermarket in the Los Angeles Koreatown neighborhood has been destroyed after going up in flames just past midnight on Wednesday, January…
California becomes a sanctuary state
CALIFORNIA has become the first state in the nation to be a “sanctuary state.” This means California will not cooperate fully with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration…
California Divorce 101
NEW Year, new resolutions, new life. For some of you, the New Year is a time for reflection, and to realize that changes are needed to be able to lead…
Is cancer preventable?
Nineteen years ago, I wrote my article entitled “How to Prevent Cancer”, a serious topic I also discussed in my book, Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children (www.philipSchua.com). A review on…
Koreatown Island Pacific Supermarket destroyed in fire
Cause of Wednesday fire still undetermined AN Island Pacific supermarket in the Los Angeles Koreatown neighborhood has been destroyed after going up in flames just past midnight on Wednesday, January…
California tax rates and exemptions for 2017 tax returns
AMOUNTS for tax returns in 2017 are compared with amounts in 2016. Exemption credits: a. $114 from $111 – Single, Married filing separately, Head of Household. b. $228 from $222…
Oprah for president in 2020? Not too fast!
OPRAH WINFREY delivered a powerful, empowering and inspiring speech after she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 7. It is an honorary…
Congressional leaders move forward with DACA fix, border wall
Trump pledges support for ‘clean DACA bill’ as long as increased border security is confirmed A bipartisan pair of Congress members on Sunday, January 7 reached a deal on the defunct…
Opportunities for stronger US-PH alliance under Trump security strategy, analyst says
President Donald Trump’s first-ever national security strategy presents new opportunities in furthering the alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines, according to a senior researcher at the National Defense College…
Filing family petitions before Trump ends ‘Chain Migration’
Pres. Trump wants to eliminate “chain migration,” which allows people to petition extended family members, such as brothers and sisters, married children, adult (over 21) children, and even parents. The…
Client with nondischargeable judgment of $80K needs Chapter 13 relief
THE client is 50 and operates a business. There is a state court judgment against him for $80K. Is this judgment dischargeable in bankruptcy? The answer is: If the judgment…