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Inspiring kindness from football star in wake of Santa Fe shooting
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. On May 18th, eight students and two teachers from Santa Fe High School in Texas lost their lives to gun violence. The shooter was identified as 17-year-old student Dimitrios Pagourtzis. This article is not so much about the shooting. Instead, it tells the story of J.J. Watt, Houston Texans’ football […]
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Businesswoman Rena Avendula charged with 5 counts visa fraud
By Cristina DC Pastor The United States has filed five counts of visa fraud against businesswoman Rena Beduya Avendula, 50, for allegedly creating “fake job positions” using the H-1B work visa program. Avendula is the owner and managing executive of Professional Placement & Recruitment, Incorporated (PPRI), with offices in Woodside, Queens. PRRI was described in […]
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Duterte is 1st Asian leader to face charges at ICC; ‘inner circle’ also liable
By Rene Pastor President Rodrigo Duterte is the first Asian leader to face possible charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to international lawyer Ruben Carranza. He said officials in Duterte’s inner circle may also face charges for the murders committed under his brutal drug war. Carranza, the senior staff […]
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Will campuses lead the way on gun control?
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. It has become an unwelcome encore of sorts. The very same story seems to replace the most recent shooting tragedy. The only difference: The geographical location and casualty details as the deplorable facts unfold. The high school shooting that took place on Valentine’s Day reported extremely sad facts and figures: […]
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The International Criminal Court will open inquiry on PHL drug killings to determine jurisdiction
By Cristina DC Pastor The International Criminal Court in The Hague will open “preliminary examination” into the rash of drug killings in the Philippines. The announcement was made by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on the ICC website. “The preliminary examination of the situation in the Philippines will analyse crimes allegedly committed in this State Party […]
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Older AAPIs vulnerable to fraud and scams: AARP survey
Nearly four in 10 (39 percent) Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) age 50 and older report that they or their family members have experienced fraud schemes, according to the recent fraud survey from AARP. Additionally, one-third (33 percent) of victims lost $15,000 on average. Non-financial costs are even more widespread, with most fraud victims […]
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Human rights forum echoes: Stop the killings, stop the killer
By Cristina DC Pastor Human Rights Watch’s Phelim Kine remembered a chilling encounter he had with then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte in 2015. The two met on the sidelines of the presidential debate forum organized by Rappler. When Duterte learned Kine was deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, Kine recalled the mayor inviting […]
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Let’s all focus on the Independence Day parade: PIDCI
By Cristina DC Pastor PIDCI President Antero ‘Ner’ Martinez voiced optimism the lawsuit filed by two organizations — United Mindoro International, Inc. and the Philippine Community Center Services for Aging – against the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. will result in better understanding within the community. “We believe that both parties did what had to […]
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Lawsuit vs PIDCI puts to test leadership, credibility of Ner Martinez
By Cristina DC Pastor On the last night of the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado, new PIDCI President Antero ‘Ner’ Martinez was served a court petition. He and members of the board of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. are being sued before the Supreme Court of New York, and compelled to respond to the following: […]