Q. WHAT is the new minimum wage? A. Effective January 1, 2016, the minimum wage in California will be $10.00 per hour. Most employees in California are entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage. This new rate also affects overtime pay. Employees who are paid minimum wage and work overtime must be paid…
IF you have offshore bank accounts, should you report the accounts to the US government? Yes, if the aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. What if you had the accounts before you left for the US? Yes, you should. There are reasons why our government wants to know: combat money laundering,…
IF you are experiencing debt problems, you may find it difficult to talk to other people about it to the point that you are not getting the help that you need to find a solution. I understand. Debt is a very personal matter so most people don’t feel comfortable discussing it with anyone. So they…
Examining the slate of presidential candidates for the upcoming Philippine election, l believe that Vice-president Jejomar Binay is the most qualified among all the candidates. Please take pause and consider that we will be electing someone to the highest position in the land. This person will not only be managing the affairs of the nation…
LOS ANGELES—We had big excitements in our neighborhood at the Historic Filipinotown last Sunday, Jan. 4. There were predictable enthusiasm, pleasant surprises and enterprising constancy. Most astonishingly, what we learned was savoir-faire. There were names so cumbersome in all the special guest, supporters, friends as they grandly slip on the seat of honor assigned to…
“FROM that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:23) Many of us are deeply concerned about the things that are going on in the world today. Our generation has seen enormous violence, war, and poverty and destructions of societies. Our generation has not only…
THE auto industry closed 2015 with an all-time high of 17.47 million vehicles sold, surpassing the 2000 record of 17.35 million by 5.7 percent. Given the average national price of gasoline at around $2 per gallon, along with abundant credit and lower interest rates, automakers are predicting that demand for SUVs and higher-margin pickup trucks…
NOT getting enough deep sleep could set the stage for Alzheimer’s, according to a Jan. 4 report from National Public Radio (NPR). During sleep in animals, the brain seems to purge toxins linked to Alzheimer’s, brain scientist Jeffrey Iliff from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland told NPR. But for sleep-deprived animals, toxins…
A COMPANY supplying Wal-Mart with meat is recalling about 90,000 pounds of product due to potential contamination from extraneous wood material, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday, Jan. 4. Huisken Meat Company is recalling Sam’s Choice Black Angus beef patties with 19 percent Vidalia Onion that were produced between Nov. 19, 2015 to…
MILLENNIALS, who constitute one-third of America’s population, hold less favorable view of news media and religion compared to older generations, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The report, published Monday, Jan. 4, also indicates that the younger generation tends to have a more positive perspective when it comes to labor unions, large corporations, small…
ONE year ago, California’s Assembly Bill 60 (the Safe and Responsible Driver Act) was implemented statewide, granting eligible immigrants legal driver’s licenses regardless of status. Over 600,000 undocumented Californians have benefited from the historic law, swiftly passing identification and residency requirements, and both the written and behind-the-wheel tests to obtain lawful permits. “The Department of…
THE last in a powerful series of storms from tropical El Niño hit the California coast this week, stirring heavy waves that flooded some low-lying streets and crept toward ocean-front homes in Malibu. The high surf was forecast to bring 15- to 20-foot waves, with some up to 25 feet, to the central California coast,…
The FBI has not yet accounted for where two shooters were during the 18 minutes after the Dec. 2 massacre at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Officials appealed to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 5 for information to fill that gap. After spraying bullets into a conference room where San Bernardino county…
From the Sankskrit root “yuj” which means “to yoke,” yoga is an ancient practice and philosophy promoting inner peace by joining the spirit and physical body together. The physical postures or asanas done in yoga are used to purify the body and control the chatter or fluctuations of the mind. Among the many benefits of…
EVEN before the advent of reality talent show competitions on TV, we had capably established and stamped our distinct mark, as Filipinos, in the international music scene. The unprecedented record of the Filipinos’ unrivaled supremacy in the field of vocal competition more than proved our inherent love and irresistible adherence to music. There were already…
An estimated 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought alongside American troops during World War II, helping us win one of our most important victories. In recognition of their bravery and sacrifice, they were promised citizenship by the United States government and to give them the same benefits that all of our veterans deserve. Despite this promise, Filipino…
IT’S the start of the year and again, we set goals for ourselves hoping that we get to religiously do them. Just like us, showbiz personalities have their own list of resolutions that they intend to achieve. Here are some of the celebrities who have shared their plans on how to live their life…
ON January 4, 2016, the USCIS announced that people should NOT submit original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, photographs, naturalization certificates, etc.) to USCIS with any application or petition unless: • the instructions for that form require you to submit original documents at the time of filing; or • after you…
FOREIGN professionals wishing to immigrate to the US (as permanent residents) may do so under 3 general classifications: • 1st Preference (EB1) – extraordinary ability foreign professionals; outstanding researchers and professors; and multinational executives and managers known as “priority workers” • 2nd Preference (EB2) – foreign professionals with advanced degrees and professionals of exceptional ability…
THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case. The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose…
IN a rare display of emotion, President Barack Obama shed tears as he passionately spoke to the nation about the urgent need to cure the gun violence epidemic in America and save lives. He recalled the innocent first-grade kids massacred in Sandy Hook, among other victims whose lives were cut short because of these senseless…
DESPITE ardent calls by the international community to halt its military assertion in the West Philippine (South China) Sea, China remains undaunted in reiterating its “indisputable sovereignty” and has moved forward with its reclamation activities. While the Philippines was enjoying the New Year revelries, China was busy completing the construction of a 3,125-meter-long airfield on…
HIS country absorbed him as affectionately as he absorbed it. His poems are easy to read, even to sing, to take to heart and put meaning into its ability to bring what is dearest to the human heart and taste. Through murmurs of pleasantness, pains and wrongs, Rizal’s poetry sings of exceptional passions, of humanities…
The People’s Champ to focus on politics THE People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao will hang up his boxing gloves after a bout against Timothy Bradley on April 9 to focus on a career in politics. “My April 9 fight against Timothy Bradley will be my last. I’m retiring from boxing to focus on my new job,”…
IN his first major action of the new year, President Barack Obama announced new executive actions to address gun control and strengthen restrictions, amidst multiple mass shooting attacks that occurred nationwide last year. In an emotional address on Tuesday, Jan. 5, the president made a passionate call for “urgency” to end gun violence. “The United…
By: Prof. Enrique Soriano “With great enthusiasm, family businesses always look forward to a wish list of New Year’s resolutions and good intentions. But in a relatively short period of time, we naturally revert back to business as usual with our old habits by sweeping unresolved issues under the rug.” Succession is a process and…
Early in the year I began expressing through the social wire my initial views on the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay for President. For sheer want in specifics on the demolition job being undertaken against him, I could only resort to citing historical patterns by way of contributing to his cause. Jojo and…
“ If client no longer wants to continue doing business, the best option is Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, all claims against the company, including the judgment of $1.0M will be filed in the bankruptcy case.” CLIENT is part owner of an S corporation. Business started 15 years ago. It imports and distributes high value…
THE year 2015 has been an interesting time for employment law, with the legislature and the courts defining additional protections to employees. The following are some of the new laws that may interest our readers: Employers Must Now Provide Paid Sick Leave to Employees On or after July 1, 2015, most employees working in California…
IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to…
