The Supreme Court has finished hearing arguments in two cases regarding challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and is expected to issue a ruling in June 2013. Both cases involve same-sex marriages. DOMA was enacted by Congress in 1996, and Section 3 of the law defines “marriage as only a legal union between…
It is called the pompous sickness — the spell which hushes the household, with its desert-like stillness felt through its innermost chambers. One in a world unto herself, her own theater. A severe fit of indisposition, under the name of a fall from dignity (or careless demeanor), amounting to a deposition that made me a…
Congress must respond! AS A sure sign the US economy is improving, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the annual H-1B quota (“H-1B Cap”) for FY 2014 was reached within the first week of the filing period, which began on April 1, 2013. On April 7, 2013, USCIS used a computer-generated lottery…
AFTER the Easter Vigil Mass in my church last week, I congratulated one of the youngsters that I baptized and joked with him, “So, now that you’ve already received the three sacraments, the next step for you is to become a priest. What do you think?” He looked at me with disapproval and said, “I…
ON January 2, 2013, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time US citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States…
IT WAS an epic battle that was bound to happen at some point. Both of Filipino descent, Conservative blogger and political pundit, Michelle Malkin and Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and undocumented immigrant, Jose Antonio Vargas locked horns in a battle of wits over immigration issues on Twitter. Coming from extremely opposing ends of the political spectrum,…
A long, long time ago, Kris Aquino and I sat together by the steps of the Guest House (the official residence of then, President Cory Aquino). We goofed around at the foyer in Hacienda Luisita and various presidential sorties around the archipelago. I was her trusted listener in casual conversations about school, love and crushes,…
(Part 2) IN MY last article, I discussed some of the socio-economic implications of marriage (starting off with Social Security and Taxes) and why gay couples insist that the federal government should also accord to them the same rights and privileges that heterosexual couples now enjoy. Gay couples contend that the Constitution of America guarantees…
CAN the employer legally fire a pregnant employee, who, after using up all her leave under California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (the pregnancy law), is still unable to return to work? The laws prohibit pregnancy discrimination of pregnant employees. Pregnancy discrimination is defined as discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions….
1. CALIFORNIA State Income Taxes in box 24 of your W2 are deductible. So are quarterly estimates paid by self-employed and subcontractor taxpayers. TIP: Time the payment of your estimates in the year with the higher income and higher tax. 2.Real Estate Taxes on your house, land, or rental property are deductible in the year…
HE sings co-lead in the second most-played song on American radio in the past century, but few Filipinos have heard about him or know the impact he’s had on a generation of Asian American musicians. Never My Love by The Association ranks No. 2 on the Top 100 Songs of the Century (according to BMI)…
THE debate over the United States economy and dearth of high-tech workers has spotlighted the H-1B professional working visa in the press. Nonetheless, Congress has been slow to respond in the face of economic problems throughout the World and the FY 2014 H-1B quota is sure to be reached within just a couple of weeks…
The demigods of the silver screen and the idiot box have given us a different kind of entertainment that we fail to get from social conversations or even from jokes that tickled our funny bones. There is always that certain kind of enticing force that draws us closer to them. There were a number of…
DUE to obvious delays and failed attempted to help struggling homeowners, the two leading agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who owns or guarantee more than half of all US home loans have come up with a simplify loan modifications, many borrowers who become 90 days or more past due on mortgages will be offered…
LAST Sunday was Easter Sunday celebrated by Christians all over the world as the greatest event in human history. This is the day when Jesus Christ, who died three days before on the cross on Mt. Calvary, to atone for the sins of mankind, past present and future, resurrected back to life by His own…
The demigods of the silver screen and the idiot box have given us a different kind of entertainment that we fail to get from social conversations or even from jokes that tickled our funny bones. There is always that certain kind of enticing force that draws us closer to them. There were a number of…
Question: I am a Registered Nurse and I don’t know how to come into the US Can you help? Answer: Primarily, the best way to come into the United States as a Registered Nurse is through the normal I-140 Schedule A process. This is whereby an RN submits everything necessary to eventually obtain residency. Question:…
Under this agreement, qualified applicants would earn ‘American wages.’ With business and labor now in agreement, Congress is more comfortable moving forward with legislation. The pathway to legalization and citizenship suddenly looks brighter for the 11,000,000 illegal immigrants in the US. This is because the major organizations representing business and labor (US Chamber of Commerce…
Last April 2 was the 225th birth anniversary of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar. Activities were drawn up to drum up interest and pay tribute to the life of the great poet. Pandacan in Manila became festive once again as writers, artists, cultural workers, and lovers of the word welcomed another year of birthing for this poet…
IT IS identified in every contingency plan that disasters, terrorism and war, civil disturbances can all precipitate evacuation. Ironically, the imminent danger looming in the Korean peninsula has not yet prompted the Philippine government to evacuate at least 40,000 Filipinos embroiled in the tension. The situation remains at Alert Level 1 or “heightened alertness,” following…
(Part 1) MANY of our kababayans who are guided by their conservative views ask: Why do gay couples insist on their “right” to marry, when the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines “marriage” as legal a union between one man and one woman? They add that even the Bible defines marriage as such. Right now, there are…
ANAHEIM – A Filipino-American woman accused of driving while distracted causing a fatal accident is due back in court again for an arraignment hearing on Thursday, April 4. Prosecutors allege Jorene Ypante Nicolas was driving her Toyota Prius at 80 miles per hour on the 405 Freeway near Huntington Beach in April 2011, when she…
The lenten season for this year has finally ended, with the celebration of Easter last Sunday. Lent is the season when words and teachings of Christ are presented in a thousand pulpits across the nation — self-righteously, mournfully, nasally coldly, feebly, flamboyantly, blandly and violently. Ministers give the gospel its full beauty and power —…
Are you currently overwhelmed with debt problems that you can no longer handle on your own? Thinking about filing for bankruptcy but are afraid to make a decision? Do you feel stuck and paralyzed in your situation, unable to take any action? Maybe just thinking about your situation gives you this sick feeling in your…
Of late, the national dailies and broadcast networks have been reporting news that they apparently believe are of more importance to the Filipino masses than poverty, unemployment, criminality, and the RH Law I’m referring to the love affair of a senator and his movie star girlfriend and the marital spat of a presidential sister-cum-TV star…
IF YOU are looking for bargains on foreclosed houses, you are not alone and are probably having a harder time finding them. When the housing market crashed in 2007, a wave of foreclosures accelerated the plunge in prices, which created the biggest down spiral of home prices in history — worst than the depression. Now…
THE situation we envision in this discussion is where you have an offer in compromise which has been accepted by the IRS then you file for bankruptcy relief. Do you owe the original amount prior to the OIC or do you owe the compromised amount accepted by the IRS? For example, you owe the IRS…
AT THE conclusion of the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels last Monday, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez led the packed Church in cheers,”Viva El Nuevo Papa! Viva!” Everyone present, including bishops, priests, deacons and religious, followed his loud shouts of joy and excitement. We feel this enthusiasm and happiness about our…
LOS ANGELES – FilAm coach Bryan Camacho continues to cement his legacy in high school basketball. Camacho’s Bishop Alemany High School girls basketball team (31–5) captured the CIF Division III state championship on March 22 after defeating Sacred Heart of San Francisco (25 – 7) in a tough low-scoring game at Sleep Train Arena in…
LOS ANGELES – New evidence has been uncovered in the continuation of preliminary hearings on the case of Alvin Bulaoro, a 24-year-old Fil-Am Navy veteran who was allegedly killed by 23-year-old US marine Kevin Coset. Investigators reported in the hearing that they found the suspect’s journal where he wrote about killing the victim. At the…
