As we all know, the recent global financial crisis has forced thousands of homeowners to give up their homes through foreclosures. To make matters worse, these homeowners had to contend not only with the loss of their homes but the resulting tax liabilities they ended up owing to the IRS. When a homeowner fails to…
THE tragedy of 9/11 will forever be etched in the memories of billions of people all over the world. On the morning of September 11, 2001, news of passenger planes crashing into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and an open field in Pennsylvania shook the world. The world watched in…
To open a book is an act that could change lives. Among the early progenitors of the book were the Egyptians who decided to write on papyrus for ideas to proliferate. Eventually, in the course of our history, symbols became words that were written down for communication and posterity’s sake. The Lord wrote and must…
I WAS telling my close friend about his personal qualities. “I admire your intelligence, prayerfulness, and convivial nature,” I said. “But what I admire most about you is your genuine generosity and compassion to others, especially the poor and the weak.” He looked and smiled at me and then kept quiet. He probably did no…
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I have a 10-year multiple B-1/B-2 visa. I entered the US, and was given six months by the Immigration Officer at the airport, but overstayed by only a few years. I would like to take a brief vacation to the Philippines, in order to visit my family during the holidays, but I…
ACCORDING to the World Economic Forum (WEF), out of the 144 countries that were surveyed from April to June, the Philippines has improved significantly in terms of competitiveness, moving up ten notches in its ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report — from 75th last year to 65th this year. It should be noted that the…
I THOUGHT of sharing this information about my trip to the Philippines recently. I primarily stayed in the Metro Manila and the Makati Area for about a week. I did meet with several potential investors for the US market and inquired about the Real Estate Market in those areas. I have to say that the…
YOU filed on or after August 15, 2012, your From I-821D, consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-765 WS (Worksheet) with the $465 filing fee, two photos, and supporting documents: at the Phoenix Lockbox (USCIS, P.O BOX 20700, Phoenix, AZ 85036-00700), or by courier…
The antibiotic azithromycin, which came in a Z-pack of 5 one-a-day pill for a five day treatment, has been linked to sudden death. Last year alone, 55.3 million prescriptions have been written for Z-pack. Forty-five deaths have been reported, mostly from cardiac arrest, and those with previous heart condition were found to be more prone…
WITH a strong currency, an innovative and energetic economy, and an increase in remittances and tax revenues, the Philippines is keen in avoiding financial mistakes made in the past. With President Aquino at the helm, the Philippine economy is poised to emerge as an economic prospect and attractive business destination. The country is a good…
AS a bankruptcy attorney and financial recovery counselor, I see a lot of people who are spending way beyond their means. They are always struggling to make ends meet and yet they do not have a clear plan on how to spend their money. In other words, they do not budget. I know most people…
To live in a country where peace reigns supreme is a dream for Filipinos who believe in its blessings. Reaching a state of complete peace may sound a bit too far-fetched, but believing at least that it could be attained is worth it. As the nation observes the 9th National Peace Consciousness Month (Peace Month),…
(Part 2) In a previous article, I discussed some reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney in connection with preparing and submitting your DACA request. Here are some more reasons to consider, in connection with the decision of hiring an attorney: Have you ever been arrested, charged with, or convicted of any crime? After…
A DEAR friend introduced me to the writings of Marianne Williamson, a spiritual writer, activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance. Two of her books, A Return to Love: Reflections on “A Course in Miracles”and Iluminata: A Return to Prayer, have been in the list of bestsellers. The other day, my friend sent me an…
FOR the past few days, social media was replete with feedback on two issues from opposite ends of the spectrum: Sec. Robredo’s untimely death, and Sen. Tito Sotto alleged commission of plagiarism in his turno en contra for the RH Bill. On Wednesday, Sen. Sotto delivered a privilege speech to explain his side on the issue. The…
QUESTION: What is deferred action? Answer: Deferred action is a discretionary decision by DHS not to pursue enforcement against a person for a specific period. A grant of deferred action does not alter an individual’s existing immigration status or provide a path to citizenship. Thus, deferred action cannot be used to establish eligibility for an…
On August 31, 2012, Asia’s Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, was presented to six Asians during the Presentation Ceremonies on at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The only Filipino awardee was DOST Academician Romulo G. Davide, 78, who was cited by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, for “his steadfast passion in…
ALMOST all economists and think tanks fear the same worst scenario for the US economy. I know we probably might think that the economy seems to be picking up steam. But based on factual data that shows otherwise, we have something to fear that is very real. I hate to be the bearer of bad…
What else can one say about the late Jesse Robredo that hasn’t already been said? What praise can one give that has not already been given? In a society where even the vilest villains are routinely extolled once they give up the ghost, the laudatory language heaped on the man who had to bear the…
When you suddenly feel your heart is pounding and beating faster than usual, and you have an uncomfortable feeling within your chest, it could be SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia), an abnormal heart rhythm. This condition, which is tolerable and usually not serious, has an incidence of about 35 cases per 100,000 people per year. The episode…
The IRS has different ways of collecting unpaid taxes. After collection notices prove ineffective, more drastic collection enforcement – ranging from imposition of federal tax lien on personal and real properties, levying of bank accounts to garnishing of wages, social security benefits and pensions – is undertaken. A bank levy is sent to a bank…
COMPLETING the Supreme Court of the Philippines as its 15th member, Filipinos welcome the entry of Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, as the country’s 24th Chief Justice. Sereno will preside over the position, which was vacated by impeached Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. President Benigno Aquino appointed Sereno on August 25, from a list of eight…
The USCIS has recently hired hundreds of extra workers throughout the country for immediate training and assignment in the processing of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications. The USCIS began accepting applications on August 15, 2012, for which it charges a fee of $465.00, including accompanying requests for work authorization. Over the past 14…
After a lackluster performance in the Olympics, torrential rains and flooding, and the passing of a beloved government official; the country’s gloom was quite lifted with the news of the Philippine National Team Smart Gilas 2 winning the 34th installment of the Jones Cup. It was a sliver of light for a country grieving and…
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today marked a significant milestone in its efforts to provide relief to victims of crimes by approving the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status, also referred to as the U-visa. This is the third straight year USCIS has reached the statutory maximum since it began…
I have shared with friends on Facebook a profound dialogue I read in Paulo Coelho’s new book, Aleph: “But isn’t prayer a way of bringing us closer to God?” “Allow me to answer with another question: will all your prayers make the sun rise tomorrow? Of course not. The sun rises in obedience to a universal…
“What you see is what you get” or WYSIWYG may be an apt description of President Noynoy Aquino. The good part is that he says what he thinks. But it makes you wonder if he thinks about what he says. My guess is that he does. What may appear to be impulsiveness, a tendency to…
THERE comes a time in everyone’s life when you wonder about your purpose. What is your mission in life? Fil-Am Michael Vea recalls when this burning question creeped inside of him. He was sitting inside his New York city apartment wondering what to do next. At 32 years of age, Vea has already accomplished what…
A petition for nullity of a marriage is based on an allegation that an impediment existed at the time of the marriage that prevented the marriage from ever existing. Whereas a petition for dissolution of a marriage typically alleges that some issue arose during the marriage that precludes it from continuing further (i.e. “irreconcilable differences”),…
(Part 1) On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration announced a new policy of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which is now being referred to as “DACA.”Additional guidance, and a DACA application form (I–821D) were issued on August 14, 2012, and DHS began accepting DACA applications as of August 15, 2012. Under this program, the…
