THIS is one of the few instances where I am agreeing with Miriam Defensor-Santiago. In a recent speech at Far Eastern University, she declared, “Let me summarize the problem with Philippine elections. Of the 50 million voters who will troop to the polls in May next year, the greater majority are not intelligent, they are…
IF THERE is anyone who still has doubts about the powerful influence of our Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao, particularly among Filipinos in every corner of the world, then the fourth bout between the Pacman and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez must have already knocked that out for good. After Pacquiao was knocked out by Marquez in…
NO one would blame Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao if he suddenly decides to call it a career and walk away from the ring for good after being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth meeting last Saturday, December 8. At 33, (turning 34 on Dec. 17), Pacquiao is considered an “old” boxer….
Question: I have already worked in the United States for some time. Does my sponsor still need to submit the affidavit of support? Answer: Under INA §212(a)(4)(C), an alien who seeks permanent residence as an immediate relative or as a family preference immigrant is inadmissible as an alien likely to become a public charge, unless…
QUESTION: I heard that there is a type of visa whereby I don’t need to invest $1,000,000 to get the Green Card, but rather can use my business knowledge and business. Is this true? Answer: Yes, it is the much less known Multinational Manager Visa. This is where you have 2 companies in 2 different…
THE Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program was introduced in June 2012 and was implemented August 15, 2012. Within just one month of the program’s start date, the USCIS had reported that it had received more than 75,000 applications for deferred action status (DAS) and work authorization under DACA. Although experts had predicted that…
Question: My auntie petitioned my mother when I was 3 years old. However, the visa process is so slow that it took 22 years for the visa number to become current. I was over 21 when my mother got her Green Card and the U.S. Embassy said that I aged out and could not come….
Question: Is there any movement on new Immigration Bills since President Obama was re-elected? Answer: The House voted on a STEM bill – standing for science, technology, engineering and mathematics – in September, but under a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority. It was defeated, with more than 80 percent of Democrats voting against it, because…
IMAGINE how frustrating this could be. You anxiously waited for months and months for your lender’s response after submitting your loan modification request. After countless hours of frustration on the phone, being put on hold, and the tedious task of compiling, completing and faxing tons of paperwork, you feel that you’ve done your part. Perhaps…
TRAVELING technicians obtain over $8 million settlement for unpaid work time Lojack Corporation manufactures vehicle-tracking systems. Its technicians install and repair alarm and tracking systems for its clients. These installations and repairs are generally done at the clients’ locations. Technicians are required to travel to the job-sites in company-owned vehicles. They are paid hourly beginning…
ONE of Hawaii’s most distinguished business leaders is a Filipina. Joni B. Redick-Yundt has received awards and honors, not only from respected organizations, but from the highest strata of the state. Among her awards are a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the State of Hawaii; a Recognition of Community Achievement from the State of…
Revered World War II veteran Alfredo T. Diaz, who was highly regarded as a living hero from among the survivors of that war, peacefully breathed his last and finally succumbed to colon cancer last Nov. 3 at about 3:00 am at his residence in Jersey City. Born in Gandara, Samar on Nov. 27, 1916, (he…
YOU have worked for about 10 years and have paid to the Social Security (SS) administration through FICA deductions from your paycheck. Do you ever wonder if you are indeed covered after all these years? If not, how much more do you need to contribute before being fully covered? Here are 20 tips for your…
“PRINCESS KATE is pregnant, and why do we care?,” TIME Magazine asked, following the brouhaha over the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their firstborn child. This baby will be heir to the throne — third in line, after his or her father, Prince William. The fascination over Kate’s pregnancy goes beyond the…
WHEN the marital relationship sours to the point where one or both spouses believe that the marriage cannot be salvaged, three remedies are available to terminate or alter the marital status: dissolution, nullity, and legal separation. Under Family Code Sec. 2300, dissolution of marriage can be attained and the “single” status of spouses restored by…
“The spirit of bayanihan will move us out from misery. Not them, not us, but all of us should move out and overcome the difficulties we are facing.” – Pres. Benigno Aquino III While super typhoons are a common occurrence in the Philippines, no one ever gets used to the devastation that they bring to…
WHY would a debtor want to compel bank to foreclose on his house? Recently, the LA times ran a story about a man who filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009. He had purchased a condo loft in little Tokyo in downtown LA for $670,000 with no money down. His monthly mortgage payment was $3,000….
THERE is still a great need for conversion in each of us. When we think that we’re doing well with the practice of our faith, other people call our attention to some of our unchristian attitudes and ways. We may not like what we hear from them; we may disagree with their assessment about us,…
Rudolf Golez: Acclaimed Filipino Virtuoso Pianist in concert THE heavy rain on November 17, 2012 did not stop a knowledgeable and discriminating audience at Gennario’s Ristorante in Glendale, California, from expressing their almost boundless admiration for Rudolf Golez, a Filipino virtuoso pianist based in the Philippines. Indeed, the piano concert entitled Music Tapestry of Rudolf…
IF you are facing the prospect of filing bankruptcy for the first time in your life, it could be a frightening process. I bet you have a thousand questions going through your mind right now. Is bankruptcy the right thing to do or will it only make my situation worse? Will I lose everything that…
President Obama’s battle with the Republicans about how to avoid the so-called “Fiscal Cliff” is unfortunately more political drama than reality. First, the U.S. faces no short-term financial crisis relative to those faced by Greece, Spain, Italy, China or Japan, for example. Second, some of the issues dividing the two political parties are either artificially…
Revered World War II veteran Alfredo T. Diaz, who was highly regarded as a living hero from among the survivors of that war, peacefully breathed his last and finally succumbed to colon cancer last Nov. 3 at about 3:00 am at his residence in Jersey City. Born in Gandara, Samar on Nov. 27, 1916, (he…
Sometimes, a person’s case is denied, whether it is a hardship/fraud waiver, employment or family based petition, or other type of filing. In most denials, the person is given the right to appeal the denial, if he or she believes that the USCIS was wrong. However, the person should also carefully consider whether they should…
In this day and age of social consciousness, where youth and inner and outer beauty are revered, where image is considered very important, hair coloring has become a widely accepted cosmetic aid. Among those who used this hair grooming tool was US President Ronald Reagan, even in his 80s. Many public figures and media celebrities,…
Thousands of Filipinos will venture out into the Rizal Memorial Stadium this Saturday. The crowds will come in full regalia, their faces painted blue with all the adornments. Personalities will be mixing it up with ordinary folks who are just as passionate about this sport that has been elevated to a status befitting religion in…
THE debate over the United States economy and dearth of qualified Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) graduates has reignited the debate over employment-based immigration reforms. Even though Congress raised the number of H-1B “specialty worker” visas available in 1998, the increase lasted just three years. USCIS, under current law, may issue only 65,000 H-1B…
IN A few days, we will be bidding goodbye to 2012 and welcoming 2013. As many of us do in our personal life, The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America also looks back to the big stories of the year that is about to end through our Yearender Special. One of the favorite segments of this annual…
“THE family company is an inheritance to be protected and handed in the outcome of the last geeration and each generation’s commitment to the next” – Gianni Agnelli Late President of Fiat, founded 1899 Most of the wealth in the Philippines is first generational in nature and many of these family businesses are set to…
THIS year’s Philippine economic report is a mixed bag. Last week, the domestic economy picked up more steam by expanding its growth to 7.1 percent in the third quarter, as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balicasan, domestic consumption remained firm, sustained by strong local demand amid the…
In October 2012, an Immigration Judge (IJ) reopened my client’s exclusion proceedings more 20 years after another IJ ordered her exclusion from the US in 1991. In October 1999, she filed a motion to reopen (MTR) her proceedings through prior counsel but the IJ denied this motion in March 2000. What could have prompted this…
