AS the Chair of the California State Assembly Health Committee, I believe that affordable, accessible, and high quality health care coverage is a right, not a privilege. Having true access to a doctor when you need one can improve, extend, and even save one’s life. California’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act brought us closer than ever to…
Toxic chemicals commonly used in almost all homes could cause various diseases, including cancers. At least a dozen of chemical agents are found in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry area, and the garage of practically every household today. Sixteen studies done since the 1990s published recently in the journal Pediatrics state that “pesticides use in homes…
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted five years ago, thousands of Nevadans have gained access to the affordable health care they need and deserve. The health and wellbeing of Nevadans has always been one of my top priorities, which is why I proudly championed the passage of this landmark legislation. I am so…
FOR both children and adults with special needs, dental care can be challenging. In some cases, limited coordination can make brushing and flossing tricky. In other cases there may be less access to professional care. Some patients may experience high anxiety levels too. Medications that lead to dry mouth can also contribute to dental care challenges. But…
ORDINARILY, when a person commits fraud or makes a misrepresentation in connection with applying for an immigration benefit, the person is required to file a fraud waiver (Form I – 601). However, in some cases, even when a person does make a misrepresentation, a fraud waiver may not necessarily be required. In one of our…
VICTIMS of domestic violence or certain crimes are granted immigration benefits so they can remain in the United States to reside and work here. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 was enacted by Congress to allow immigrant victims of domestic violence to file a self-petition to become lawful permanent residents (LPR) without having…
There is no question that one way to attract people to vote for a particular candidate, is to have a big star to endorse him. In next year’s Philippine election, candidates have started to bring in some star power to their campaign. Of course, there are those who are already in show business—like Batangas Gov….
Why aren’t enough movies like Heneral Luna being made? Because, as this book is titled, they’re “Stories Rarely Told.” Reader C. Soriano must have been so affected by Sat. late night TV to email: “I wonder if you also were watching ANC’s ‘Meet the ‘Presidentiables’.’ Grace Poe was asked if she thought Mar Roxas was…
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook co-founder and chief executive, announced Tuesday, Dec. 1, that he and his wife will give away 99 percent of their shares in the company—which are currently worth over $45 billion—during their lifetimes to charitable causes. In an open letter to his new daughter, Max, whose birth last week was only made public…
THERE are situations in both Divorce and Child Support cases where the Summons and Petition resulted to a default against one party for failing to respond on time. In certain situations, the defaulted party failed to respond on time because he or she did not even know that he or she was served with a…
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has been excoriated for his handling of the festering conflict with China over the Spratlys. From losing trading revenues to being pulverized in a shooting war, Aquino’s “belligerence” has been severely criticized, but the pundits have not offered any constructive and realistic suggestions on how we should handle the situation,…
Will this change with the new Duterte controversies? AFTER previous denials of his intent to join the race to Malacañang, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has finally declared his candidacy for the presidency His supporters who’ve been waiting for this moment rejoiced, saying “the eagle has landed” and pinning hopes that Duterte is the leader…
“THE people of the Philippines are not ready for my kind of style,” Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned in September when he turned down ardent calls by his supporters for him to run for the presidency. In a sudden twist of fate, Duterte made his presidential bid official on Friday, Nov. 27, as he…
Yards and yards of written papers spilled into violent paragraphs. There were pitiless accusations and vehement invectives that tried to open the eyes of those who do not want to see, unplug the ears of those who do not want to listen and ignite the thoughts of those who do not want to think. It…
THE White House announced changes to a visa waiver program aimed at securely screening migrants from 38 nations not required to get visas before traveling to the US. In light of the deadly Paris terror attacks in November that left 130 dead, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will now gather more information from travelers…
Faces up to 12 years in prison JOSEPH Scott Pemberton, the US Marine Private First Class charged with murder for the death of Filipina transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in October 2014, was found guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 1 in the Philippines, where he will remain in prison. Pfc. Pemberton, who was on a break after…
“ Chapter 13 does not exclude or kill the loan modification process. In fact, Chapter 13 enhances debtor’s chances of successfully resolving her claim of fraud with the bank. Under the worst situation, client can file an adversary proceeding in Chapter 13 to ask the bankruptcy court to rule on her claim of fraud against…
RAYMOND Adame was a machine mechanic for Alcoa Fastening Systems and has worked there for more than 30 years. He was seriously injured at work and had to take a medical leave of absence for about 2.5 years. When he was cleared to go back to work, he had lifting restrictions due to the injury…
A LOT of people who consult with me about their debt problems are going through the worst time of their lives. Unlike other problems in life that sometimes just go away on their own, debt problems will only get worse unless you do something about them. While dealing with debt and coming up with a…
CONSIDER the common divorce scenario where the divorce judgment provides primary custody of the children to one spouse while the other spouse only gets visitation. The parties begin to file separate tax returns. What are the tax consequences of the non custodial parents with regards to claiming the children in his or her return? A…
BY Approval Notice dated October 30, 2015, the USCIS granted Form I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver to a Filipino crewman, who is married to a US citizen spouse. Roman P. Mosqueda, a Super Lawyer in Southern California for 2014, 2015, and 2016 in business immigration, filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, of the US…
More than Christmas, Thanksgiving Day is perhaps the holiday that compels many families to come home and spend time with their folks. There is no pressure about giving gifts — just a pure bonding moment over food and family memories. During this special Thanksgiving weekend, let me share with you some of my favorite quotes…
LOS ANGELES—This is a little back story. There are moments with such magnitude that they must be clearly remembered — whether you were sitting before the television set or reading the blood-curdling headlines. It might serve a purpose to record what a few and surely a multitude more, saw and felt, thought and smelled, of…
IN his recent podcast, “The Light of Faith,” my college classmate, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, of the Archdiocese of Lingayen, Pangasinan, explains the positions and titles in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. He talks about the orders of deacon, priest and bishop and the titles of Monsignor, Archbishop and Cardinal. In the end, he says…
It might be the season of giving, but a new study shows that wealthy individuals residing in states with high income inequality are less likely to be generous toward others. Researchers from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and Stanford University’s Department of Sociology who conducted the study noted that recent research has…
The superstorm likely to drench key California drought zone ONE of the most powerful El Niño storms on record is gathering strength in California, and is likely to bring heavy rains to key areas in the north that provide water for the rest of the state. According to a new forecast, the area around Lake…
THE US State Department has issued a worldwide travel alert for Americans citing possible risks due to increased terrorist threats. The warning comes following deadly attacks in Paris claimed by the Islamic State, which left more than 120 individuals dead. The department did not mention the incident in its alert, but suggested that militants associated…
DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has promised to take executive action on immigration if elected in 2016 to permit undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for at least five years to remain in the country without fear of deportation. His plan, called “Families First,” would affect nearly 9 million individuals. “As we…
ACCORDING to US Customs and Border Protection data, nearly 5,000 unaccompanied immigrant children were caught crossing the US border with Mexico in October of this year, almost double the number from last year. In the figures released Tuesday, Nov. 24, the number of family members crossing together nearly tripled from October 2014, from 2,162 to…
As expected, the exceedingly hyped “Lani Misalucha Live in New York” concert was a rousing success despite the grueling tension and arduous mind-torturing agony (days prior the main event) over unsold tickets, uncollected payments, settling final dues, and meeting last minute details. The concluding hours close to showtime gave box office the most startling moments…
