JUST weeks after the US Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act’s (DOMA) definition of “marriage” in Windsor v. US as a union between male and female spouses, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has followed suit. On July 17, 2013, the BIA issued its decision in Matter of Zeleniak, holding that DOMA…
With the erratic weather changes experienced in the country, it is important to keep a healthy body and lifestyle to avoid any sickness. And since the rainy season has begun a lot are experiencing mild sickness like colds and coughs. Endowed with abundant natural resources, the Philippines have been known to have a variety of…
Parents that are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network is in another state. This decision often have a significant impact on the visitation of the other parent because it would be more difficult for…
SAN MATEO – The San Mateo County District Attorney’s office plan to further investigate the driver behind the wheel of the deadly limousine fire, which killed five Filipino women, after a newspaper reported that he was on the phone arguing with his estranged wife, while the passengers inside were pleading for help. In a story…
It is alarming to hear that the IRS has proposed a plan to Congress that will take away our independence as tax filers and instead force us to rely on the IRS to do it for us. The IRS claims that it can handle the enormous task of preparing tax returns for every single American…
Summer is the time when people from all walks of life gather at the Hollywood Bowl. This iconic spot, nestled in Hollywood Hills under the starry sky of Southern California, shares the experience of true live music. It is the ideal setting for grand expression — whether it’s a performance or a voices joined in…
The Asingan Association of Northern California, Inc. will elect a new set of officers on August 17 in conjunction with its annual summer picnic, and its focus this year is to tap young members to become involved in the electoral process. While Fil-Am organizations have generally been on target in the pursuit of their goals…
IN A recent series of investigative reports by the Inquirer.net, no less than 28 lawmakers from both houses of Congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives – were implicated in an alleged racketeering scam that purportedly defrauded the Philippine people of as much as P10 billion in ‘ghost project’ funding. According to sworn…
AFTER George Zimmerman was found “not guilty” by the jury for the death of 17-year-old African American teenager Trayvon Martin, civil rights advocates, community leaders, and the family of Trayvon Martin called on the Obama administration to file federal charges against Zimmerman. They say that Martin’s civil rights were violated by Zimmerman, stemming from racial…
MARIA is currently visiting her husband, Joselito, in the United States. She came to the United States on a valid visitor’s visa with her 10 year-old son. Joselito and Maria have been engaged in a long distance relationship for the past year. Joselito is a permanent resident of the United States and has petitioned for…
CLIENTS think that their debt problems are so serious. But debt problems can be solved with a bankruptcy fresh start Chapter 7 discharge of all debts while debtor is allowed to keep most if not all of his assets, or reorganization of debt with Chapter 13 where a portion of debt is repaid, or a…
NEW Foreign bank account rules were designed to combat money laundering, terrorism, and tax evasion. Unfortunately, folks like you and me get snared in the process. We get penalized if we don’t follow the new rules. I have written a series of simplified articles on this subject to help you understand the new rules and…
KNOWING your rights upon the end of an employment relationship may help you weather the transition of being in between jobs. The following provides some helpful guidelines: First: Make sure that the employment relationship has ended and there is no misunderstanding about this. Employment can end by resignation or lay-offs. An employee can also be…
BY Order of Discharge of Debtor dated April 1, 2013, the US Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, in Los Angeles, discharged a consultant of a freight forwarder from the wage and defamation claims of an alleged employee. The Author represented the freight forwarding company and the consultant in both the civil suit and the…
I AM tossed between my usual practical beliefs and a survival situation that is very common with retired homeowners. A lot of homeowners rent out rooms to make their mortgage payments, these homeowners usually are retired couples or a retired individual living on their own. The particular homeowner owns a house that has 2-4 extra…
The Ramos Years Covering the Philippine President becomes a great deal of patriotic sacrifice when it means having to ride on an ancient a propeller driven Fokker 26 whose faded turbo-prop must be at least 30 years old and is in a dire state of disrepair. Add to that, being extremely agitated, grumbling and complaining about missing an event, while reporting on a…
Show business has always been regarded as a very glamorous and sophisticated job. But for others, especially those who have been victims of inevitable harshness and unfounded accusations, it is one of the most ungrateful professions the world has ever known. It is ironic that the movie going public who support screen celebrities and propel…
Show business has always been regarded as a very glamorous and sophisticated job. But for others, especially those who have been victims of inevitable harshness and unfounded accusations, it is one of the most ungrateful professions the world has ever known. It is ironic that the movie going public who support screen celebrities and propel…
A BIT of good news was recently announced by actress/singer and host Jolina Magdangal, when she happily admitted that she is two months on the way with husband Mark Escueta. Jolens, as she is fondly called by her friends and fans, shared that she and Mark were ecstatic when her pregnancy was confirmed. However, although she…
In a previous article, I discussed that commencing August 1, 2013, the priority date for F- 2A petitions (spouses and minor children of green card holders) will be current. This means that spouses and minor children of green card holders would be eligible to file for adjustment of status and work authorization regardless of their…
In an effort to crack down drug abuse and drug trafficking in the government, the Philippine Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) starting August 2004 implemented random drug testing among government employees, beginning with the members of the House of Representatives and their staff. Knowing the ravaging effects of substance abuse, the ill-health it causes, and the…
AMID the intensifying maritime impasse with China, the Philippines sought the intervention of neutral experts to help resolve the tension in the disputed South China/West Philippine Sea. The arbitration process was backed by the European Union, United States and Japan, who all support peaceful resolution to any international conflict. Through an aggressive stance, China strongly…
“NOT guilty.” Many of those who have been following the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman case could not believe the verdict. They could not accept nor understand that a 17-year-old was killed when he was just walking back home in Florida, and that the man who shot him was acquitted. The closing argument of the prosecutors resonated…
Twenty seven years after the 1986 People Power Revolution, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos’ drawing power and energy have not diminished one bit. And it was evident in his two-day visit to Los Angeles. I should know. In those two days in June, I was able to cover the former President on three separate occasions. On the first…
IT IS not difficult to get into credit card debt. If you are used to buying things on credit, perhaps you don’t even realize how much your borrowing is really costing you. Unless you can pay the bill in full when you get it, in most cases you are paying a lot more than the…
THE processing times for some applications pending at the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) are longer than ever before. The USCIS holds a monopoly over all immigrants applying for green cards, citizenship and other applications, since the USCIS is the only agency authorized to adjudicate requests for immigration benefits. The USCIS cannot, however, force…
The official start of Ramadhan varies throughout the world since it is traditionally determined upon the sighting of the new moon. This year, the month-long celebration of Ramadhan in the Philippines started on July 10. For years, Filipino citizens have shown unity and respect during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. What is Ramadhan? In observance…
In February 2012, a flood occurred in the luxury house (with an estimated value of at least 1 million dollars) located in Tustin Valley, L.A. County. The homeowner, a male in his fifties, had forgotten about the water running in the kitchen’s island sink while he spent an hour washing his car on the driveway…
LOS ANGELES – Over the weekend, a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline flipped over at the 2 and 5 freeways, spilling gasoline that erupted into flames along portions of the freeways and a segment of the Los Angeles River that runs in the area. Firefighters were quick to respond on the scene. They…
LOS ANGELES – Filipino-American World War II veteran supporters are saddened by the sexual harassment allegations against San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, a once staunch supporter of their plight. Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc., said he wishes Filner well and hopes the 70-year-old mayor will get the help…
