Grace period for non-immigrant workers

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 grace…

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Medical pearls

Losing weight on a diet that is high in fat is dangerous for overall health. The risk of coronary heart disease has been found to be significantly  higher among those individuals who stayed on a high protein red meat diet to lose weight. While these subjects became slimmer, their cholesterol levels were high, leading to…

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PDP-Laban considers learning ideology, policy from China’s Communist Party

THE Philippines’ ruling political party is open to the possibility of learning new ideologies, policies — this time, from China’s sole governing party. Speaking before visiting Filipino journalists in Fujian province in China, Communist Party of China (CPC) officials said that in December 2016, the Philippines’ ruling political party PDP-Laban entered into an agreement with…

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Aquino indictment petty, says Aguirre

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said on Wednesday, July 19,  that the Ombudsman’s indictment against former president Benigno Aquino III over the botched Mamasapano operation in 2015 is “weak.” Last week, the Ombudsman indicted Aquino for violation of the anti graft law and usurpation of authority for allowing his friend, suspended former Philippine National Police (PNP)…

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Angelina, Joey Mead King bond with Caitlyn Jenner

STAR couple Angelina and Joey Mead King of TLC Asia’s “The Kings” reunited with Caitlyn Jenner during a recent dinner date in Malibu, California. Angelina, who came out as a transgender woman on an Instagram post last year, first met with fellow transwoman Caitlyn in November whom she calls as her “adviser”. “My adviser @caitlynjenner…

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What to do when the IRS contacts you

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…

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Commitment to peace

FOR decades, the Philippines has been on a quest for lasting peace. While the country is spared from being left in turmoil, the lingering process also comes with debilitating consequences on the  people and the environment in areas of conflict. There have been numerous attempts in peace and development interventions, but the country has yet…

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Ombudsman Morales tells Duterte to review her statement

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales clarified that her “goading people to kill” comment was her own personal view and not something dictated by the law. “Her answer was ‘goading people to kill’ irrespective of the context is, to me, unacceptable.’ She did not say anything about any law against threatening criminals,” the Office of the Ombudsman said…

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Despite criticism, Duterte still finds a role model in FVR

    ON some rare occasions, President Rodrigo Duterte can be soft toward his critics and their harsh remarks. Duterte, in his speech during former president Fidel Ramos’ book launching on Monday, July 17, said that he “accepts” the advice and “respect” the  criticisms the former president throws against him. “I respect your criticism. I accept…

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Is an allergy a disability requiring employer accommodation?

WHEN John Barrie first started working as an office technician for California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), he informed his supervisor that he had allergic rhinitis. This made him extremely allergic to chemicals and scented products like perfumes and household cleansers. His supervisor informally accommodated him by asking employees to refrain from wearing strong perfumes and…

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Should you attend your own IRS audit?

MUST you attend your own IRS audit? You don’t have to. This is always a tactical question that should be discussed at the early stage of an audit. I have a feeling that you’d rather not go. I don’t want you to go either. So, let’s discuss why you should not attend your funeral… I…

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God’s rainbow of love 

AS my friends and I went out swimming at a beach one summer day, a beautiful rainbow appeared before us. “It’s been quite a while since I saw such a complete rainbow,” I told my friends, feeling awe-inspired at its sight. Then I thought about its biblical symbol of God’s promise and covenant to his…

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Immigration bond hearings: What you need to know

Earlier this year in January, President Trump signed executive orders designed to place greater focus on removal of certain immigrants that are in the country without permission. In February, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued memos detailing on how the President’s executive orders would be enforced. The memos expand the…

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President Duterte Addresses Fil-Am Tourists in Davao

DAVAO CITY — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addressed about 200 Filipino-American visitors in this city on Friday, July 14, urging them to be “ambassadors” bearing the message of change under his administration. Despite various travel advisories and the recent pronouncement of martial law in Mindanao, Fil-Ams from across the United States came to the Philippines this…

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Is Kris Aquino returning to ABS-CBN?

There’s been a lot of talk going around this past week about the possibility of Kris Aquino going back to being a Kapamilya. However, based on her Instagram posts, the Queen of All Media said that she’s keeping mum while negotiations are going on. One person who people think might know something is Kris’ colleague…

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The August 2017 priority dates

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date…

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Fruit juices: Bad for babies

The American Academy of Pediatric strictly recommends no fruit juices for babies, absolutely no fruit juices at all, before age one, and very limited, if at all, for toddlers and older children. This is a major shift from the recommendation of the AAP 16 years ago, when it even fruit juices for the first 6…

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Critical numbers

BASED on projections by the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine population will continue to increase in 2017 and is projected to reach 105,758,850 by  December 31, 2017. As of Sunday, July 9, the current Philippine population is 103,842,929 or 1.38 percent of the world’s total population,…

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Traveling 101:  Tips on getting more for your money

IN this digital era where alluring destinations and fascinating safaris keep flooding your social media accounts, the need and hunger for travel burns deep inside the hearts of those who wants a detour from this toxic utopia that is urban life. Whether you’re a student who has tons of paperwork to do or one of…

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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 by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.”  Family Code §760.    This becomes a problem if you are…

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