Almost immediately after the US Supreme Court declared the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, both Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, pledged their full support in providing same-sex couples the very same immigration benefits available to opposite-sex couples. Sec. Kerry, whose department oversees embassies and visa issuance, stated…
Elder abuse or abuse of the elderly is a pandemic. It is much more common that we think. This savagery is shameful, disgusting, and against every rule on love, respect, and human decency. It is most unfortunate that while the human race has come a long way from our cavemen years, the caveman mentality and…
Nelson Mandela forgave unconditionally. His life was a dimension of generosity and magnanimity, in both political defeat and victory. A multitude of adjectives describe him: statesman, magnanimous, dignified, patient and gentlemanly. He believed that by displaying dignity, and by consciously withholding animosity, he could accomplish far more than he could possibly achieve, armed with a…
MANILA, July 24 (PNA) –“Apolinario Mabini is an inspiration to persons with disabilities (PWDs).” Thus said Carmen Zubiaga in an interview with the Philippines News Agency (PNA) as she joined other people in witnessing the inauguration of the Apolinario Mabini Museum at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Sta. Mesa Mabini Campus on Tuesday….
HOW wonderful it is to be a Filipino, in these times. These were the words left by President Benigno Aquino III on his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. “My bosses, let us remember: where did we begin? If you have doubts now, compare them…
THE MMDA and assorted kibitzers have come up with all kinds of solutions to the infernal Metro Manila traffic problem. The dancing traffic cops. The color coding idea. The U-turn idea. The bus ban idea. The flyovers and the underpasses. The LRT and MRT. But still the traffic mess remains. I live in the San…
PHILIPPINE President Noynoy “PNoy” Aquino delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address(SONA) on July 22, before the joint sessions of the Senate and House of Representatives and before kababayans worldwide. PNoy’s 102-minute speech heralded the achievements of his administration, focusing mainly on the economy and public service. Like his his previous SONA, Aquino slammed…
ACCORDING to a recent study, a majority of people in this country are living way beyond their means. In keeping up with the Jones’s, these people have resorted to using credit cards to buy things that they normally can’t afford with their income. They buy everything with the plastic cards they keep in their wallets. …
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…
