Maniolas

Winston Keh (photo courtesy of http://pabala.org/) Los Angeles, CA – The Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) congratulates Winston Keh on his appointment as Court Commissioner for the San Bernardino County Superior Court.  He will take his oath of office on November 30, 2015. Commissioner Keh joined the PABA Board of Governors in 2007.  He served as the President in 2013.  Commissioner Keh also served as a board member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA) in 2012 through 2013.  He is an accomplished litigator with extensive trial experience in defending and prosecuting tort cases and business disputes.  He specializes in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and transportation law.  He received his J.D. from the University of LaVerne College of Law in 1999, and was admitted in the same year. Since 2007, Commissioner Keh has served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, presiding over traffic and small claims cases.  He also served as a volunteer attorney for the Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (formerly Asian Pacific American Legal Center) assisting members of the community with immigration documents and petitions for expungement.  In addition, during his tenure as the President of PABA, Commissioner Keh led a group of Filipino-American attorneys in providing pro-bono legal assistance to members of the Filipino-American community. “PABA is thrilled to learn that Winston has been appointed as a Court Commissioner,” stated Christine Gonong, PABA President.  “Winston has been a judge pro tem for the Los Angeles County Superior Court for Read More …

Migrant rights activists raise march with banners and placards in Manila on Tuesday urging the Philippine government to save Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino migrant facing execution in Indonesia for drug charges. Indonesia’s Supreme Court upheld its ruling and ordered her execution.(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday clarified reports on the supposed moratorium on the execution of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina convicted in Indonesia for drug smuggling. DFA spokesperson Charles Jose, citing Philippine officials in Jakarta, said the Indonesian government just reiterated its earlier statement that executions are not among its current priorities. “Our embassy in Jakarta clarified that what the Indonesian government said was that executions are not a priority for now,” Jose said. Jose said the Indonesian government’s statement on executions “was a general statement, without specific reference to Mary Jane’s case.” “But of course that’s good news,” he added. Veloso, who has always maintained her innocence and said human-traffickers duped her, was also due to be executed in April but was granted a last-minute temporary reprieve. The reprieve was given following appeals from the Philippine government, which said Veloso’s testinomy is needed in the case of her alleged recruiters in Nueva Ecija in the Philippines. Jakarta had insisted that her sentence has only been postponed while legal proceedings run their course in the Philippines. Veloso was arrested in April 2010 at the Yogyakarta Airport. She was then convicted for possessing 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. (MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Enrique Peña Nieto, President of the United Mexican States, enjoy the cultural presentation during the welcome ceremony for the State Visit to the Philippines of Mexican head of state on Tuesday (November 17) at the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said his state visit to the Philippines will further strengthen the already durable ties between the two countries forged by shared history several hundred years ago. In his message Tuesday during a toast to President Aquino, Nieto said the two countries, under Spanish rule, was tied by the Acapulco Galleon trade 450 years ago. The Manila Galleon set sail from the Philippines to the port of Acapulco, in Mexico carrying goods from Asia to the Americas, he said. “This historic commercial route linked our nations and approached our peoples. More than four centuries later, it remains a symbol of shared identity,” Nieto said in his message. In the 20th century, the deep relationship of friendship between the two nations was once again confirmed when Mexico sent the Expeditionary Mexican Air Force, during World War II, reinforcing Filipino troops. Today, more than seven decades after that war, the Philippines and Mexico are united in their commitment to positive transformation, aimed at elevating the quality of life of their societies, he said. Nieto also recognized the great contribution of the Aquino family to the Philippine democracy noting the struggles of Read More …

There are many solutions available to homeowners falling behind on their payments. Most people think Bankruptcy is the only option, short of just letting the Bank take their home. Bankruptcy is a good option, and while it can strip off the second trust deed if the home is upside down in current value, bankruptcy cannot change the terms of payment on the first mortgage. Frequently, we use a combination of strategies including bankruptcy to strip all secondary liens, modify the terms of the first, and convert the adjustable to an affordable fixed loan. Some lenders offer workout options. Others want you to “catch up” all the missed payments first. A few major banks have sent out letters to their borrowers, offering to modify and lower the loan balance if you meet certain qualifications.  However, in instances where you do not qualify for a loan modification, the home owner should definitely consider a “Short Sale”. Short Sale Facts. If you are facing foreclosure, a short sale can be a beneficial alternative. It is an agreement with your bank or mortgage company, allowing you to sell the property for an amount less than what you owe. Usually, the bank requires an appraisal, and will accept an offer that’s relative to the current fair market value. Unfortunately, the seller (current home owner) cannot also be the new buyer. What are the advantages of a short sale vs. foreclosure? The main advantage of a short sale is preventing foreclosure and the consequences that foreclosure Read More …

Angelica Panganiban (MNS Photo) Actress Angelica Panganiban, who turned 29 recently, is not in a hurry to settle down. Panganiban said she and her boyfriend, actor John Lloyd Cruz, are currently prioritizing their respective projects. She believes that she and Cruz have a solid relationship. “Wala,” she said when asked if they have plans of settling down soon. “Kasi alam mo, may assurance naman na solid kami. Pero sa ngayon, parang ang saya pa ng takbo ng career.” “Ang dami ko pang akala ko hindi ko magagawa, pwede pala akong maging nanay sa isang 19-year-old. Nakakabigla ang nangyayari nowadays so ang hirap sabihin, hindi mo mapi-predict,” she added, referring to her role as Claudia Buenavista, mother of Angelo (Daniel Padilla) in the primetime soap “Pangako Sa ‘Yo”. “So ngayon, kung ano ang mayroon sa akin, ngayon talagang ibinibigay ko ang 100% ko sa trabaho ko kasi sayang ang opportunity kung palalampasin namin ang trabaho. And I’m sure ang mga ganyang bagay ay makakapaghintay, pero yung chance na makapag-portray ka ng role na ang hinihingi ay single ka, parang okay pa naman. Walang pagmamadaling nangyayari.” Panganiban went on to say that she will just let fate decide. “Well, doon naman talaga pupunta ang lahat kung ‘yun ang nakatadhana sa akin. I think mangyayari kung sa tingin ng tadhana na ready na ako. Siguro ganoon,” she said. Aside from “Pangako Sa ‘Yo”, Panganiban is gearing up for the “Banana Sundae”, which will debut on November 15. Cruz, meanwhile, stars in the upcoming Read More …