Searching for the best
After the dramatic impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, comes the big question: Who will be the 24th Chief Justice of the Philippines? Last July 2, the Judicial…
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Our failed health strategy
Today, our country and many others around the world are faced with the epidemics of arthritis, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Obviously, our health prevention strategy of…
The Health Care Act remains unaffordable and therefore unattainable
Last week, a deeply divided US Supreme Court upheld President Obama’s health care initiative, the Affordable [Health] Care Act. But many are applauding this decision for the wrong reasons. LAST…
DREAMers: Gather your ‘verifiable documentation’ now!
As most people are aware, on June 15, 2012, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that “effective immediately,” certain young people would be eligible for “Deferred Action” (relief from removal),…
Fourth of July
ON this day, we are behooved to recall the history of how the United States of America came to be. The clarion call for independence is just as fundamental, and…
9th Circuit to revisit ‘CSPA’ priority date retention
GIVING new hope to thousands of individuals who would have been adversely impacted by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in De Osorio et. al v. Holder, The Chief…
Who needs to file bankruptcy?
NO ONE ever likes to talk about bankruptcy. However, it’s simply a fact of life. Things happen. Whether it’s losing your job, going through a divorce, having huge medical bills…
Why We Should Applaud Pew’s Study on Asian American Accomplishments
For more than 300 years, Asian Americans have been ignored and until recently, discriminated against. This includes the infamous incarceration of over 100,000 Japanese American citizens during the Second World…
Tribute to Pidol
ARE national honors, such as the title of National Artist, appropriate for a comedian? The French thought it was proper to confer the Legion of Honor on Jerry Lewis. Queen…
The presumption of ‘Undue Influence’ in transactions between spouses during the marriage
California law on the nature of spouses’ rights and obligations with respect to management and control of community property has evolved over the last thirty years from less stringent “good…
Paying it forward to Páy-yo
Let us begin by calling it the way Ifugaos call it, Páy-yo. It has been around for 2,000 years in the Cordilleras. As their masterpiece, it becomes more impressive considering…
DREAM Act: Deferred Action is here
(Part 2) QUESTION: If I am about to be 30 years old, but over 30 when it is ruled upon, will that be ok? Answer: That is unclear at this…
Living The American Dream
IT STARTED out simple. A local restaurant was up for sale near their home so Flores, then a commercial real estate agent in 1976, purchased it. It was a gift…
The Rice Expert
WHAT started out as a possible excuse to go back to the Philippines brought international recognition and honor for a Filipino-American instead. A scientist, genetic engineer, professor, researcher, and evolutionary…
Deferred Action for the young and undocumented
ON JUNE 15, 2012, President Obama announced that his administration through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will grant deferred action for undocumented youth that meet strict eligibility requirements. Deferred…
The July 2012 Priority Dates
EACH month, the visa Of- fice of the State Department publishes, in the visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that par- ticular month, for the various family and employment based…
Deferred Action and work authorization for certain young undocumented immigrants
It is very disheartening to witness children of immigrants work so hard to obtain good grades in school, achieve honor roll standing in high school, get accepted to top universities,…
Supreme Court upholds controversial provision of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law
Shoots down most others IN A 5-3 split decision, the US Supreme Court upheld one controversial provision of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law, SB 1070, that allows police officers to inquire into…
How to make bankruptcy work to your advantage
WHEN your financial circumstances are forcing you to declare bankruptcy, it is one way of dealing with debts that you can no longer manage on your own. Of course, the…
Tribute to the King
We know the man and his characters that are continually rolling on the film reels of our collective memories. He made us cry, whimper, ponder, and above all–laugh. Going beyond…
New Harp 2 Program: Still not your magic bullet
SINCE I started informing my readers about the Harp Refinancing program, I have been getting a high volume of calls inquiring about this. Thanks so much for your support and…
Asking IRS to reduce your tax debts
IF YOU owe a huge amount of taxes and are experiencing financial difficulties, don’t despair as there are remedies under the law which will help you avoid paying the whole…
On children of the world
LITTLE Gavin fixed his eyes on every ritual of the Mass that I was celebrating for our family a few weekends ago. A photo of him on Facebook shows his…
Estate planning: Living trust-the solution to probate
ESTATE planning is defined as “the process of putting an individual’s personal and financial affairs in order”, by Richard S. Kinyon and Genevieve M. Moore in their “Overview of Estate…
Turncoatism and opportunism
SENATORS Edgardo Angara and Jinggoy Estrada have filed a bill that would provide a subsidy to political parties involved in an election, with funds from government coffers, and would penalize…
Deferred Action Process for young people who are Low Enforcement Priorities
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) alerts eligible individuals NOT to submit a deferred action request under the Deferred Action Process for Young People memorandum issued by Secretary Napolitano on…
Relief for widows of deceased petitioner
Since 1938, US immigration regulations have provided for the automatic revocation of the approved visa petition upon the death of the Petitioner. However, immigration regulations since 2006 provided that automatic…
Faq’s on DREAM’ers Deferred Action/Work Authorization process
On June 15, 2012, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that “effective immediately,” certain young people would be eligible for “Deferred Action” (relief from removal) and work authorization, provided they…
Prevent or delay foreclosure through bankruptcy
THE “automatic stay” in bankruptcy is a powerful tool available to debtors to prevent collection efforts from creditors, including foreclosures. Whether you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy…