Migrant Center launched in New York City

 News
Nov 082013
 
Migrant Center launched in New York City

By Carol TanjutcoINQUIRER.net US Bureau 8:33 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 Fr. Julian S. Jagudilla,OFM spearheaded the launching of Migrant Center of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi NYC, opening its doors to both immigrants and undocumented aliens who need help with their immigration petition and social services. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Bro. Octavio Duran NEW YORK—Inspired by the Franciscan tradition of offering sanctuary to people who are alienated, displaced and persecuted, the Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi began operations to welcome immigrants and provide a place of refuge. The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province were in full attendance and support at San Damiano Hall on November 2 when a proclamation was signed by 24 religious and non-profit organizations. Fr. Andrew Reitz, OFM, pastor and guardian of the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi NYC welcomed over 100 guests, followed by a sharing of real-life stories of immigrants who were abused and persecuted due to their lack of legal status. A panel of immigration attorneys consisting of Eve Guillergan, Cristina Godinez and Tom Shea spoke on the state of immigration reforms and entertained questions from the community. The old Immigration Center had not been operational, until the recent assignment of Fr. Julian Jagudilla OFM, to continue the ministry of the Church. The new Migrant Center seeks to provide legal and social welfare assistance to immigrants and encourage solidarity and advocacy for the protection of their rights, while engaging in faith-based activities. Intake services Read More …

Fil-Am accountants set seminar on surviving an IRS tax audit

 News
Nov 082013
 
Fil-Am accountants set seminar on surviving an IRS tax audit

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 8:27 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 FREMONT, California–Do you know how to survive an IRS Audit? Have you tax planned for Affordable Care Act yet?  Do you know what’s new in 2013 and 2014 on taxes? If your answer to any of the questions is ‘No’, then head out to Devry University, located at 6600 Dumbarton Circle, Fremont, on November 16. The International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA)–San Francisco Chapter in cooperation with PICPA-CAL San Francisco and Devry University is holding a seminar,  “How to survive an IRS Audit,” It will feature important tax updates and legislation relating to personal taxation, Affordable Care Act, surviving IRS audits and more. Experts in the field of income taxes will provide short presentations. Resource persons will include an IRS Senior Revenue Agent, a Franchise Tax Board Technical Assistant to the Taxpayers’ Advocate, a CPA/EA Master in Taxation graduate whose concentration is in tax preparation and education; and an Enrolled Agent whose expertise is in tax audit representation. This is the start of a long-term partnership between two of the largest Filipino-American Accounting and Finance organizations in the bay area, ISFFA and PICPA-CAL, whose common objective is “educating the community and empowering tomorrow’s leaders.” The seminar is a full day event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For registration and other details, please contact Mr. Danny Raval at (650) 757-5333 or e-mail info@isffa-sf.org. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Read More …

Saudi assurance: No arrests while OFWs are processed

 News
Nov 082013
 
Saudi assurance: No arrests while OFWs are processed

By Jerome AningPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:50 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday said that Saudi Arabia’s labor authorities have assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who failed to beat the Nov. 3 deadline to fix their status but had started the process that will not be arrested as long as there are no violations. Binay, in a statement, said he raised Manila’s concerns about the stranded OFWs with Bahrain’s labor minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, concurrent chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) Council of Labor Ministers, who was in Manila on official visit. Humaidan, accompanied by the Philippines’ special envoy to the GCC, Amable Aguiluz V, paid a courtesy call on the Vice President on Wednesday. “Upon recommendation of Aguiluz to [me], the minister called Saudi deputy labor minister, Mr. Mufreg Al-Haqbani, appealing not to make arrests nor harm those who are found not having travel documents,” Binay said. “Subsequently, Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago received a message from the labor deputy minister Mr. Al-Haqbani giving assurance that Filipinos will be treated well while processing their exit visas,” Binay said. According to Binay, Tago reiterated his appeal to Filipinos in the kingdom to remain calm because the Philippine government was ready to provide appropriate assistance In addition, Filipinos who have not yet enlisted for processing of their exit visas were advised by Tago to contact the embassy or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office Read More …

EU expresses solidarity with typhoon-battered Philippines

 News
Nov 082013
 
EU expresses solidarity with typhoon-battered Philippines

INQUIRER.net 8:11 pm | Friday, November 8th, 2013 EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The European Union on Friday expressed solidarity with the Filipino people as it vowed to provide humanitarian assistance to families affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). “The Philippines has been severely tested by nature on several occasions this year. As it confronts yet another natural calamity I express my solidarity with the Filipino people and my deep sympathy with those who have lost their loved ones or their livelihoods,” said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux. “An EU humanitarian aid team is already in the Philippines to assess the impact of the typhoon and find out how the EU can be most helpful to those most urgent need,” he said. Yolanda smashed into coastal communities on the central island of Samar, about 600 kilometers southeast of Manila, before dawn on Friday with maximum sustained winds of about 315 kilometers an hour. The government said three people had been confirmed killed and another man was missing after he fell off a gangplank in the central port of Cebu. But the death toll was expected to rise, with authorities unable to immediately contact the worst affected areas and Yolanda only expected to leave the Philippines in the evening. Communication lines with Guiuan remained cut off in the afternoon, and the civil defense office said it was unable to give an assessment of the damage there. In Tacloban, a nearby city of more than 200,000 people, Read More …

Korean fugitive caught in Boracay after failing to pay hotel bill

 News
Nov 082013
 
Korean fugitive caught in Boracay after failing to pay hotel bill

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:39 pm | Friday, November 8th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Immigration authorities have arrested in Boracay a South Korean national facing a multimillion dollar embezzlement case in his country, the authorities said Friday. The fugitive was identified as Kim Jin Soo, 25, who is now being held at the Bureau of Immigration’s detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City. He faces deportation upon the issuance of an order from the Bureau’s Board of Commissioners. The Korean, who has been overstaying since December last year, was initially arrested by tourist policemen in Boracay for allegedly failing to pay his hotel bill and was turned over to immigration officials. The bureau of Immigration said the South Korean embassy had sought its assistance in locating the fugitive so he could be made to answer embezzlement charges against him in South Korea. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Boracay , Bureau of Immigration , Deportation , Embezzlement , fugitive , Korean Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

DFA suspends services at satellite offices in Metro Manila

 News
Nov 082013
 
DFA suspends services at satellite offices in Metro Manila

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 4:34 pm | Friday, November 8th, 2013 FILE Photo MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will temporarily suspend operations of its consular services in satellite offices in Metro Manila on  Saturday due to Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). “Due to the threat of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’ the Department of Foreign Affairs advises the public that consular services at DFA Satellite Offices (SOs) in Metro Manila will be temporarily suspended on November 9,” it said in an advisory Friday. DFA passport and authentication services as well as the release of passports in the following SOs will resume on Monday: DFA NCR – Central (Robinsons Galleria) DFA NCR – East (SM Megamall) DFA NCR – West (SM Manila) DFA NCR – South (Metro Gaisano Alabang) “Passport applicants who have scheduled appointment on November 9 will be accommodated from November 11 to 16, provided that they can show proof of their appointment,” DFA said in the advisory. The DFA said that persons who have queries about the consular services of the particular SO may contact the following numbers and email addresses: DFA NCR – Central, 631-0806, dfancrcentral@dfa.gov.ph DFA NCR – East, 570-3230, dfancreast@dfa.gov.ph DFA NCR – West, 536-9994, dfancrwest@dfa.gov.ph DFA NCR – South, 551-1051, dfancrsouth@dfa.gov.ph “The DFA can also be reached at (02) 536-0000. Emails can also be sent at passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph and ppt_do@yahoo.com. Messages can be sent to the Passport Division’s Facebook page, Philippine Passport,” it said. Supertyphoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon to hit the country in 2013, has already left three people dead and seven others injured as it lashed several regions in Read More …

DFA suspends passport service in several areas due to ‘Yolanda’

 News
Nov 072013
 
DFA suspends passport service in several areas due to ‘Yolanda’

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 5:05 pm | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday announced the suspension of services, including the releasing of passports, in seven regional consular offices from November 8 to 9 due to expected bad weather. “The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises the public that due to super typhoon Yolanda, consular services at DFA Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) in Tacloban, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Lipa, and Lucena will be temporarily suspended on November 8-9 (Friday and Saturday),” DFA said in a statement. Normal operations will resume on November 11 (Monday). The affected RCOs may be contacted through the following numbers: Tacloban – (053) 321-8233 Legazpi – (052) 480-3000 Cebu – (032) 520-5898 Bacolod – (034) 441-2675 Iloilo – (033) 337-8017 Lipa – (043) 722-0578 Lucena – (042) 710-4526 The DFA main office may be reached at (02) 536-0000, passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph and ppt_do@yahoo.com. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: DFA , Foreign affairs , Passport Service , Supertyphoon Yolanda , weather Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Read More …

South African slapped with drug raps over cocaine haul at NAIA

 News
Nov 072013
 
South African slapped with drug raps over cocaine haul at NAIA

By Jerry E. EsplanadaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:56 pm | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 Customs chief Ruffy Biazon.  RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs filed drug smuggling charges before the Department of Justice against a South African national who was caught carrying 8.5 kilos of cocaine by alert BOC personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) two weeks ago. Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said they have filed criminal charges against suspected drug mule Debbie Reyneke, citing the Department of Finance-attached agency’s intensified campaign against the use of the country’s ports of entry in the illegal drug trade. “This should send a strong warning to international drug syndicates that the Philippines is not a place for illegal and hazardous drugs,” he said, stressing the BOC would not allow any foreign drug ring make the country one of their markets. In a statement, the former Muntinlupa City legislator also said the BOC would “prosecute and seek for the maximum penalties allowed by law to all those caught attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country, if only to spare the lives of many young Filipinos.” “Reyneke’s arrest on October 23 upon her arrival from Dubai on board an Emirates flight was the result of the bureau’s enhanced intelligence network,” said Biazon. He disclosed that “Customs officials at the NAIA were already alerted of her arrival and the possibility of having illegal drugs in her luggage. When her bag was inspected, it yielded food packs containing a substance that tested Read More …

Makers of ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ get Congressional recognition

 News
Nov 062013
 
Makers of ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ get Congressional recognition

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 9:35 am | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 Stephen Sifuentes, representing US Sen. Dean Heller, and Lt. Cmdr. Ceasar Elpidio of the Filipino American Veterans and Families organization, present producer/director Donald Plata the Certificate of Congressional Recognition. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO LAS VEGAS—Representatives of US Sen. Dean Heller and US Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada presented filmmakers Donald Plata, Lou Diamond Phillips and Chris Schaefer certificates of Congressional Recognition for creating and producing the documentary movie “Forgotten Soldiers.” The legislators also recognized the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society for its support of the film, and the Nevada chapter of the Filipino-American Veterans and Families organization presented the filmmakers the Freedom Award at the Leatherneck Club in Las Vegas. “Forgotten Soldiers” tells the story of the Philippine Scouts, a little-known US Army organization composed of Filipino soldiers and American officers.  The Scouts were the backbone of General Douglas MacArthur’s US Army Forces in the Far East at the beginning of World War II. Fighting alongside US National Guard units and the Philippine Army, they held out for more than four months on Bataan and Corregidor while every other Allied stronghold in the Pacific fell to the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. The soldiers were promised food, ammunition and reinforcements…but months went by and the reinforcements never came.  Eventually the men were surrounded by the Japanese, starved out and subjected to one of the worst atrocities in military history–the Bataan Death March. The Freedom Award plaque and the congressional certificates were presented at Read More …

PH verifying report US used Manila as spy hub

 News
Nov 042013
 
PH verifying report US used Manila as spy hub

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 3:42 pm | Monday, November 4th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The government is verifying among its intelligence communities a report from Australian media that the country has been used as a key “listening post” by the United States’ National Security Agency. “We are checking with our intelligence community. We are discussing if anything’s happening. So far there are no signs,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday. The foreign media report said that Australia is sharing information with NSA, an agency involved with whistleblower Edward Snowden’s leaks. “A secret map released by Snowden revealed the US had also set up surveillance facilities in embassies and consulates, including in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Yangon, Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing,” the ABC News said. The ABC News also said that it was the same map that Snowden released to Der Spiegel, a German news magazine. It showed listening posts around the world including Manila. Renato Reyes, Secretary General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the use of Philippines as a listening post with or without the knowledge of the government, is “a violation of our sovereignty as a nation.” “It opens us to violations of our right to privacy. Even Malacañang could be subject to surveillance. All the affairs of government could be monitored by a foreign entity,” he also said. Reyes also said the new US ambassador should explain to the public the real Read More …

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