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Lawyer Joe Sayas, Jr. receives Presidential Award as the ‘voice of Filipinos in U.S. courtrooms’
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. L.A. lawyer Joe Sayas, Jr. has rendered more than a quarter of a century of service, championing the cause of the working class. Described as “the voice of Filipinos in U.S. courtrooms,” he was recently awarded the 2018 Presidential Awards bestowed in Malacañang on 25 “outstanding” overseas Filipinos and foreign-based […]
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Daughter remembers Merit Salud: ‘He would always tell us he loved us’
By Abigail Salud Emerito Flores Salud was known in the Filipino-American community as a devoted and patriotic community leader, lawyer, and advocate. He worked tirelessly on various initiatives governed by different associations, including the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund (FALDEF). He loomed large, and he […]
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FilAm lawyer, brother killed before Christmas in family dispute; another brother is arrested
FilVetREP has announced that its General Counsel Enrico “Erick” Soriano and his brother, Felicito, both passed away at their home in Marikina, Philippines on December 21. They died as a result of a family dispute, which is currently under investigation. Both were laid to rest in Christ the King Columbarium in Quezon City on December […]
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New year, new name, new gender marker
By Cristina DC Pastor The new year signals a fresh start to some: New house, new job, new life goals. To Chelle Lhuillier, a transgender advocate, January 2019 is when her new name and new gender marker will become official. “Time to put that old ‘me’ in a treasure vault — safe and protected. Here […]
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Lawyer Elizabeth Cueva on sexual harassment and why it’s important to report
By Cristina DC Pastor In the late 1990s, way before the #MeToo Movement, lawyer Elizabeth Cueva worked for the City University of New York’s Office of Compliance and Diversity. As the director assigned in Kingsborough Community College-CUNY, she led a panel that investigated all sorts of sex-related incidents in the college involving students, faculty, college […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: Community awaits response from the Philippine Consulate (Conclusion)
By Cristina DC Pastor & Marivir Montebon As we were poring over several reams of financial documents, ledgers and minutes of board meetings – over several weeks — we came across numerous items that raised some red flags. One of them is an item in the ledger showing a former Grand Marshal making a contribution […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: Too many pay-to-cash disbursements (3rd in a series)
By Marivir R. Montebon & Cristina DC Pastor The 2013-2015 general ledgers contain items that are blatantly questionable, according to financial professionals who reviewed them. Some of these are: 1. In 2013, a staggering expenditure of unspecified materials and supplies worth $36,665.44 was reported; In 2014, unspecified materials and supplies reached $44,529.41; In 2015, it […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: Where’s the money, PIDCI? (2nd in a series)
By Marivir R. Montebon & Cristina DC Pastor Despite its accountability and transparency issues, PIDCI has continued to make it appear to potential sponsors who advertise in the souvenir program that their donations would be tax-exempt. In May 2018, a month before the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, its advertising form carried a note that […]
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Court rules in favor of PIDCI; case of missing funds still unresolved
By Cristina DC Pastor The Supreme Court of the State of New York dismissed on May 29 the case against PIDCI, a decision that was received with muted rejoicing by officers of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. during their recent community meeting. While the decision of Justice Barbara Jaffe appeared to be a victory […]