Silent partner
AS FILIPINOS celebrated their nation’s 119th Independence Day on Monday, June 12, the U.S. congratulated the Philippines and emphasized the enduring U.S.-PH alliance built on “shared democratic values, growing commerce,…
Read More
There was a woman, as beautiful as day
“If you want anything said, as a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.” – Margaret Thatcher At the level of daily life, we learn by experience how…
Senior with bank account levy seeks Chapter 7 relief for $60K credit card debt
Businessman considers bankruptcy for $400K lawsuit I ASKED him if he owed any debts. He said he owed $60K of credit card debt but that they were all still current….
Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment?
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…
Rights of employees who work 7 days a week
CHRISTOPHER Mendoza and Meagan Gordon are former sales associates of Nordstrom, Inc., a retail chain with locations throughout California. Mendoza and Gordon worked more than six consecutive days in a…
15 dont’s during an IRS office audit
1. DON’T volunteer information. A typical agent is a low-key, friendly agent. They get your guard down by playing a nice guy role. Don’t be deceived by it. Remember that…
Is the travel ban still alive?
QUESTION: I have friends in the countries which Trump wants to still do his travel ban. I know it was denied. Is it still ongoing or could it still happen?…
Stuck in debt? Here’s how you can turn things around
IF you’ve ever found yourself financially broke or buried in debt at one point in your life, I’m sure you still remember how it felt. The feelings of despair and…
Age Beautifully Cookbook wins Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ award
LOS ANGELES — “The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World” by Grace O was awarded the 2017 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards’ top honor — ‘Best in…
Comey testifies under oath, Trump lashes back: He said vs he said
FIRED FBI Director James Comey finally testified under oath before the Senate Intelligence Committee, armed with his contemporaneous memoranda he wrote immediately after each communication with President Donald Trump that…
A revolution of love
“God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” – John 3:16 I PREACHED about love…
To the newest ‘Kapamilya’ star Richard Gutierrez: Keep your head high and your feet on the ground
I was watching the news the other day when I saw a report about Richard Gutierrez’s transfer to ABS-CBN. As I watched him talk about the move to his former…
Who can benefit from the ‘Expanded Provisional Waiver’ rule for the 3/10 year bar?
ON July 29, 2016, the USCIS published its FINAL rule, expanding eligibility for a provisional waiver of the 3\10 year bar. The expanded provisional waiver now includes “all individuals who…
California divorce frequently asked questions
I JUST moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person filing…
Am I a US citizen?
Whatever the immigration status of an alien is so long as they are residing or simply physically present in the United States, a child born in the U.S. is a …
Queries from readers
What causes palpitation? Palpitation (pounding heart beat, harder and faster than normal) could be due to extrinsic causes like ingestion of a stimulant (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolates, some medications,…
119th Philippine Independence Day: A celebration of progress through peace and freedom
The Philippines will celebrate its 119th Independence Day to commemorate its independence from colonial Spain. Also known as “Araw ng Kasarinlan” or “Araw ng Kalayaan,” it is an annual national…
The unhappy king
ONCE there was a mighty, oh so, mighty king with a short fuse. One night in autumn, the king fell into a deep melancholy. He could neither eat nor sleep,…
Disclosure of text messages, e-mails and Facebook info of a spouse or significant other may constitute domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence is abuse perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, the mother or father of your child, your child. Family Code Section 6211. Abuse is…
When can the landlord enter the rental unit?
THE landlord or its representative must give the tenant a reasonable written notice in advance before entering the unit, and can enter only during normal business hours generally, 8 a.m….
Clients seek relief for credit card debt
CLIENTis 48, married, and has a good job paying him $100K gross a year. A family emergency has caused him some financial hardship because money meant to pay for the…
Trump’s decision on climate change: A matter of fact-based principles or the dictate of politics?
WHAT was President Donald Trump really thinking when he withdrew the United States’ commitment to the Paris agreement on climate change? He said his reasons were economic — to bring…
Bright spot
“THE Philippines is a beautiful country, and we intend to leverage on this strength to boost economic growth,” the Duterte administration stressed when it said that it intends to develop…
Grandmas are to love
“SO, if you have a grandma, thank the Good Lord up above and give grandmamas hugs and kisses for grandmothers are to love. Funny, you don’t look like a grandmother.” – Lois Wyse…
The journey of the heart
MANY years ago when I was an associate pastor, there was a young man named Nick who spoke boldly in front of hundreds of his fellow youth about his Christian…
Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for mortgage default, credit cards; Senior seeks Chapter 7 for relief for 40K credit cards
“ If you are saddled with debt, now is the time to get them discharged. Better now than later when you are about to retire. ” CLIENT is 48, married,…
Disclosure of text messages, e-mails and facebook info of a spouse or significant other may constitute domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence is abuse perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, the mother or father of your child, your child. Family Code Section 6211. Abuse is…
When is an employment termination ‘wrongful’?
Q: I worked in a company for over 10 years. A new supervisor and I do not get along. Last week, the company let me go without any explanation. I…
New I-94 Feature: Check your last possible departure date online
LAST May 31, 2017, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security issued an advisory that the CBP will now remind travelers to the US of…