The Driving Force Behind LADOT
It has been said that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa chooses only the best and the brightest to work for him. Thus, when he announced last year that our…
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Should you be paid more for working on holidays?
Q: I WILL be working on Christmas and New Year days. Am I entitled to holiday pay? A: Hours worked on holidays are treated like hours worked on any other…
How to behave during an IRS audit: 20 Don’ts
1. DON’T ignore the IRS. 2. Don’t mess with the IRS. 3. Don’t go to your appointment unprepared. 4. Don’t be late for the appointment. 5. Don’t volunteer information. 6….
Mortgage debt relief act one step closer to an extension
“ The mortgage debt relief extension ultimately could affect millions of families who are underwater on their loans, delinquent on their payments and heading for foreclosure, short sales or deeds-in-lieu-of-foreclosure settlements….
Autistic debtor discharges student loans
“In Re Todd, the 63-year old debtor had an autism disorder since early childhood. The court described the debtor as articulate and intelligent. If one were to read select portions…
Filipina RN denied green card through employer petition for failure to maintain H1-B status
A FILIPINA registered nurse licensed in California, her husband, and minor son are in removal proceedings with the Los Angeles Immigration Court ( I.J. Philip J. Costa) because their applications…
The blessings of the centennial year
I FEEL so blessed! This has been my sentiment during the past days of Advent. I feel blessed because of having been a historic and significant part of Immaculate Heart…
Endings/beginnings
SINCE you’re reading this, it means the world did not end on December 21, 2012, as predicted by the Mayans. However, our troubles are far from over. On Thursday, House…
What do I have to be thankful for this year?
QUESTION: I have been fighting for years to obtain residency and it seems like a never ending battle. I’m getting down and don’t really know if I want to continue….
December nightmares . . .the bleakest Christmas
Just when the whole world is pre-occupied with the traditional holiday shopping and busy finalizing plans for the yuletide season, twenty six families together with their relatives and friends were…
December nightmares . . .the bleakest Christmas
Just when the whole world is pre-occupied with the traditional holiday shopping and busy finalizing plans for the yuletide season, twenty six families together with their relatives and friends were…
Chewing sugarless gum can help prevent cavities
THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS people chew gum. For some, perhaps it’s just a long-standing habit. But ever since a man named Thomas Adams invented chewing gum back in 1870…
Colon cleansing scam
The Snake Oil racket of the 15th century pales in comparison to the billion dollar global health scams of today. Fueled by people’s everlasting search for the “Fountain of Youth”…
Employer’s ability to pay in hiring foreign workers
An employer need not be a Fortune 500 company, have been in business for decades or employ dozens of workers in order to sponsor an alien to work for its…
It’s that time again
It is coming again, a feeling familiar to us all. Walking around the metro, the lights and sounds are in full blast. There is a chill that mixes with the…
L and E visas for entrepreneurs
THE debate over the United States economy and dearth of high-tech workers has spotlighted the H-1B professional working visa in the press. Congress raised the number of visas available in…
Once more, with feelings
The shock waves of Manny Pacquiao’s loss to equally-prized fighter, Juan Manuel Marquez, still continues to be felt all over, especially in the Philippines. Even the Donaire win over Jorge…
Should Obama seize the moment to push for stricter gun control laws?
AMERICA deeply mourns the death of 20 innocent young children (between six and seven years old) and the 7 adults, who were ruthlessly gunned down by one deranged young man…
Last-minute antagonists
AFTER weeks of excruciating debates, the Philippine Congress reached a verdict to pass the Reproductive Health (RH) bill on Dec. 17. Voting 13-8 in favor of the bill, the Senate…
Do you need to find a way out of debt?
IF YOU are searching for debt reduction solutions, no doubt you’ve been inundated with advertisements for various debt management programs, companies and solutions. The choices seem confusing to the average…
Pepsi, Chevron and JP Morgan Chase Should Not Invest in Burma Unless they are Committed to the Burmese People
Consistent with President Obama’s historic visit to Burma (Myanmar) on November 19th and Burmese opposition leader Aung San SuuKyi’s call for responsible investments in Burma, the National Asian American Coalition…
The Risks of Traveling Abroad for LPRs with Crimes
A lawful permanent resident (LPR) is authorized to live and work in the US on a permanent basis. An LPR is allowed automatic entry into the US after short trips…
‘Follow your dream and make it happen’
FILIPINO fashionistas know all about Filipino-American clothing designer, Josie Natori and her iconic Natori brand. However, only few know how she accomplished the American Dream. Recently, Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine…
Employer time-shaving practice steals money from employees
NICODEMUS Plumbing, a company in Cypress, California was ordered to pay its 44 employees $858,840.20 in wages and $230,050 in fines for violations of California’s laws concerning overtime pay and…
Avoid being suspected of marriage fraud
MARIA came to the United States 10 years ago after divorcing her husband in the Philippines. She came to the United States as a tourist, but decided to stay because…
When to start receiving Social Security benefits
ANY individual who has worked and contributed to the FICA/Social Security System for 10 years (40 quarters) can start receiving Social Security Retirement benefits at age 67. You may elect…
Real estate showing strength, but overall pessimism with top analyst
“ The only reason why the Real Estate Market is better is because banks have kept interest rates low but he claims that those rates are bound to move up and…
Readers’ feedback: Pacquiao’s knock-out loss to Marquez
TWO successive losses for our Pambansang Kamao have knocked down the morale of many kababayans around the world, who have looked up to Manny Pacquiao as the modern-day hero of Filipinos. His recent knock-out…
Is Social Security part of disposable income in Chapter 13?
IMAGINE that you are a Chapter 13 debtor. You owe $100,000 of credit card debt. You receive a pension of $1,000, $1,500 from a part time job, and $1,500 from…