Maniolas

800,000 immigrants primed for citizenship in LA County By Abner Galino From left: storytellers Alenoush Bidrousian of Iranian ancestry and Korean-American Manok Cha; panelists Elisa Sequiera, of the NALEO Educational Fund; Nasim Khansari, Citizenship Director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles; and Linda Lopez, chief of the Office of Immigrant Affairs at the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office. Photo: Odette Galino In Los Angeles County, close to 800,000 lawful permanent residents (LPRs) or green card holders are eligible to become American citizens but just about half of them would take the time to make that happen. This was revealed during an ethnic media roundtable held at the Los Angeles City Hall through the initiative of the New Americans Campaign and the New America Media. The roundtable, which happened last September 3, was a kickoff of the celebration of the Citizenship Day on September 17. Around 20 participating organizations will be holding a series of multilingual citizenship workshops across Los Angeles. There were three main reasons, according to one of the panelists Nasim Khansari, Citizenship Director for Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, why many eligible green card holders do not apply for their citizenships. They include: the prohibitive cost of the naturalization process; the stringent language requirement imposed on applicants; and the lack of the sense of urgency on the part of green card holders. Khansari said her organization and other organizations in LA participating in the New American Campaign are working together to address these concerns by providing free workshops, civic Read More …

— President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a selfie during the 23rd Pacific Economic Cooperation Council General Meeting (PECC XXIII) at the Luzon Ballroom of the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Friday (September 11, 2015). With the theme: “Growth Engines for the 21st Century: Balanced, Inclusive, and Sustainable Growth”. Founded in 1980, PECC is a regional organization that has been in the forefront of understanding and examining the forces transforming the regional economy. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – As an offshoot of his six-year stint at Malacañang, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said that Filipinos will continue to demand for good governance and inclusive growth even after he steps down in 2016. “We see today a people who have felt the effects of good governance – and who will refuse to accept anything less,” Aquino told participants during the 23rd Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) general meeting at the Sofitel Plaza in Pasay City. “My countrymen will continue to demand integrity, accountability, and sustainable, inclusive growth even after I have stepped down from office. They will demand the continuity of the successes we have reaped,” the President added. Aquino said his administration’s strategy was to invest in the Filipino people through improved social services and infrastructure. President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo; Philippine PECC chairman Ambassador Antonio Basilio; and PECC co-chairs Jusuf Wanandi and Donald Campbell upon arrival for the 23rd Pacific Read More …

A report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer cited a report to officials including Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. indicating Filipinos are among the Southeast Asians being lured to conflict zones in the Middle East. Some Islamic militants are home-grown, just like the Abu Sayyaf (in photo), who have links with al-Qaeda terrorists. (Photo from http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/Abu_Sayyaf_Group_(ASG)) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is now officially recognized as a terrorist group under the Human Security Act of 2007. This was after Judge Danilo Bucoy of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Isabela City, Basilan granted a request from the Department of Justice to declare the armed group as a terrorist and outlawed organization. In a 19-page resolution, a copy of which the Department of Justice released to the media on Friday, the Basilan court took into consideration the “essential elements” to declare someone or a group as a terrorist under RA 9370 or the Human Security Act of 2007. The court said the preamble of the ASG’s Charter showed that the group is “resolute and determined to use whatever means, including terrorism, if only to achieve its purpose, that is, to supplant the existing form of government with their own version of an Islamic State.” The court said though the word “terrorism” is not stated in the preamble, its concept and essence were “all over it and are, therefore, deemed written into it.” The court also gave weight to documents and testimonies from four witnesses that showed the ASG Read More …

Jodi Sta. Maria (MNS photo) Jodi Sta. Maria took to social media to share how proud she is of her only son Thirdy for excelling in school “in spite of everything we have been through as a little family.” On Instagram, Sta. Maria shared a collage showing the three commendations Thirdy got from his school. In the caption, the “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” actress said the awards are not just a testament to Thirdy’s abilities but “a testament of God’s goodness in our lives.” “It is only with God’s grace and God’s love that Thirdy has emerged from it as a God-fearing, intelligent, disciplined, kindhearted and loving boy. His intellect, his humor, his compassion and his maturity are way beyond his age,” she wrote. Based on the pictures, Thirdy was recognized for outstanding leadership qualities, wholesome attitude, and excelling in class recitations, projects and oral discussions. “I am blessed to be his mother and I couldn’t be prouder. I love you babe,” Sta. Maria said. Thirdy is Sta. Maria’s son with Pampi Lacson. They have already parted ways and Sta. Maria is currently in a relationship with Jolo Revilla. (MNS)

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