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For the past 21 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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MANILA–Former senator Rene Saguisag was in critical condition while his wife died before reaching the Ospital ng Makati after a dump truck hit their van in Makati City before dawn Thursday.
The former senator remained in critical condition but his vital signs were already stable at the Makati Medical Center where he was transferred following arrival at the city hospital.
His wife, Dulce, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development during former president Joseph Estrada's term, died of multiple injuries to the body. She was declared dead upon arrival at the Ospital ng Makati.
Reports said Saguisag and his wife were on board a white Toyota Grandia when the dump truck hit them at the intersection of Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) and Osmeña Highway in Makati past 2 a.m.
Philip Calvario, the couple's driver, was also in critical condition. Dance instructor Imelda Ubong, meanwhile, sustained minor injuries.
Saguisag, his wife, and two others were on board a white Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia van when it was hit by an Isuzu dump truck on Osmeña Highway (formerly South Superhighway) near the corner of Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) at about 1:15 a.m. Thursday.
The four were reportedly on their way home after attending a ballroom dancing at Byke's Cafe (not Mike's Cafe as earlier reported) in Makati City. Radio dzBB said Saguisag was with former President Joseph Estrada in a dinner meeting before he went ballroom dancing with his wife.
Radio dzBB said the left side of the van (plate ZFV-674) was totally wrecked while its windshield was shattered. The impact of the smash-up was on the left side, where Dulce was seated, behind the driver.
The truck (GBF-417) dragged Saguisag's van by 20 to 30 meters before going to a full stop. The van was crushed and crumpled, according to witnesses.
The radio report quoted the truck driver, Manuel Geronimo, 42, as saying that the car carrying the Saguisag couple was running quite fast and that he had the green light.
However, a taxi driver disputed this, saying that the Saguisag van and his cab, which was behind the Grandia, had the green light when the dump truck smashed into the Saguisag vehicle in the middle of the highway.
"Bale naka-go na kami sir, eh. Eh 'yung trak na galing sa South Superhighway, tuloy-tuloy, walang preno, walang menor," Jeofrey Olmaguez, the cabdriver, said in a GMA News television interview.
According to a police spot report, the dump truck was registered to one Melchor Gerona of Tumana village in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
The Makati police, who took custody of Geronimo for questioning, told dzBB radio that the driver now faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, serious physical injuries and damage to property.
Dr Romeo Bongar told dzBB that the 68-year-old Saguisag "is in critical condition." The former senator, Dulce, and the other two victims were first brought to Ospital ng Makati in Malugay Street.
Dulce Maramba Quintans-Saguisag, 64, was declared dead on arrival by Dr Raphael Tecson. Her body is now at the Arlington Funeral Homes in Quezon City. She was a cancer survivor.
Critical condition
Another dzBB report before 3 a.m., said Saguisag was moved to another branch of the Ospital ng Makati in Sampaguita St. in the same city for CT scan. He was later transferred to the Makati Medical Center (MMC).
Computerized Tomography (CT) scanning uses a special kind of x-ray machine to inspect the inside of the body without having to operate or perform unpleasant examinations. It is also used to look at internal injuries such as a torn kidney, spleen or liver; or bony injury, particularly in the spine.
The report said Saguisag, who was on a stretcher, was immediately brought to the hospital's emergency room.
It added that Saguisag was in body brace, his head covered with bandage, and his face looked swollen. He was at the MMC intensive care unit as of 9:30 a.m.
Tragic end Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, a close friend of the Saguisag couple, rushed to the hospital upon learning of the accident.
The two others involved in the same accident were the Saguisag couple's driver Felipe Calvario Jr, 31, and Imelda Obong, a dance instructor. Calvario was in critical condition at the MMC as of Thursday noon.
Dulce served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the presidency of former President Joseph Estrada. She had a masters degree on social work. She replaced now President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she quit her post while Estrada was going through impeachment proceedings in Congress.
She was an executive officer of Mondragon Industries prior to her stint in government.
Dulce was secretary general of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines at the time of her death. She hails from Malasiqui, Pangasinan.
Legal eagle
The former senator is one of the defense lawyers and a spokesman of former President Estrada. He turned 68 years old last August 14. He was born on Aug. 14, 1939 in Mauban, Quezon.
He finished his primary at Makati Elementary School in 1951, then his secondary course at Rizal High School in 1955. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 with honors and Bachelor of Laws degree in 1963 cum laude both at San Beda College. He acquired his master of laws degree full scholar at Harvard University in 1968.
Saguisag worked as a checker, laborer, construction site guard and messenger from 1959 to 1962. From 1962 to 1972 he became an student researcher, then associate and eventually part time in Ledesma, Guytingco, Velasco and Saguisag.
He became a member, law faculty (Assistant Dean 1971-1972) from 1961 to 1972. From 1972 to 1986, he practiced law and became a noted human rights lawyer. Saguisag served as spokesman of candidate and president-elect Cory Aquino from January 22, 1986.
He was elected senator in 1987 up to 1992. He was chairman of Senate committee on ethics and privilege and ad hoc committee on the Bataan Nuclear power plant and he was one of the two senators who attended all 415 session days from July 1987 to June 1990.
The Saguisag couple has five children, Rebo, Lara, Popoy, Mickey and gymnast Kaiza, a bronze medalist (women's artistics) in the last Southeast Asian Games. - with a report from Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV and MNS
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WASHINGTON---Here's a news that could affect the applications of many Filipinos , and prospective immigrants , who are members of religious organizations and planning to stay and serve in the U.S.
In recent years, thousands of Filipino priests, nuns and missionaries have flocked to the U.S. to engage in propagation of faith. Many of them are smart enough to teach in catholic schools in the U.S. but applications for religious visa will be tougher in the future due to major reports of frauds from applications all over the world.
Filipinos who are either priests or nuns in the NorthEast are proud of their success in their religious careers in America. Many of them related pleasant relationship with their superiors and members of congregations. They teach in Sunday schools, regular schools, care for the sick, serve the single moms homes in the area and engage in charity work.
But the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is not happy with all the religious immigrants coming to the U.S. Not everyone of religious workers in the U.S. are legitimate members of congregations.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is proposing to amend existing regulations pertaining to special immigrant and nonimmigrant religious worker visa classifications. The public is invited to submit comments before Nov. 16 this year.
The proposed rule focuses on how the agency can best ensure the integrity of the religious worker program by eliminating opportunities for fraud in the program while, at the same time, streamlining the process for legitimate petitioners.
Against a backdrop of numerous fraud, The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that fraud often involved false statements by petitioners about the length of time an applicant was a member of a religious organization, their qualifying work experience, and the position being filled. The report expressed concerns on noted problems with the applicants who made false statements about their individual qualifications and plans while in the United States. USCIS has since continued to assess the potential for fraud in the religious worker program. The agency’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) found a 33 per cent rate of fraud in the program; their assessment also indicated patterns of potential fraud and weaknesses that created vulnerabilities for fraud to occur. GAO's white paper showed that the FDNS assessment reported a justifiable and compelling need to address the issue. USCIS’ proposal, if implemented, would reduce the opportunity for fraud in the religious worker program.
Under its blueprint, USCIS proposes to require the filing of a petition in every instance (the requirement already exists for special immigrants and for organizations that seek to extend the stay or adjust status for nonimmigrant religious workers already in the U.S.). Currently, non-immigrants outside of the U.S. may request a religious worker visa at a consular post or at the port-of-entry without a review of the legitimacy of the petitioner and the job offer. The employing U.S. organization must complete and submit the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) or Petition for a Special Immigrant (Form I-360). This proposed requirement will allow USCIS to verify the legitimacy of the petitioner and the job offer prior to the issuance of a visa or admission to the U.S. Petitioning employers are required to submit an Attestation (included in the Forms I-129 and I-360) verifying the worker’s qualifications, the nature of the job offered, and the legitimacy of the organization.
It will also require on-site inspections, monitoring and additional paperwork to ensure that application has indeed a vocation of life service.
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WASHINGTON–Filipino American World War ll veteran, Julian Nicolas, in his late 80's is gray and frail. He looks diminutive but his spirit is stronger than a giant. He flew from Seattle, Wa last week to march to Capitol Hill, together with veterans from New Jersey, Chicago, Florida and the West Coast, hoping to get the support of Senators and Congressmen to pass the veterans equity bill languishing in Congress.
The veterans met Washington Democratic Senator Patty Murray in her office and felt encouraged that Murray would back the bill. They looked tired but happy as everyone shook hands with many congressmen and women. They laid flowers at the WWll memorials and paid respect to the statue of former president Franklin Roosevelt.
"We want Congress to recognize that we fought for freedom and democracy. We fought side by side with American troops," said Nicolas in an interview. He spent a week sleeping in the living room of a friend to be able to lobby in Washington. He said he had fought a battle in Nueva Ecija in 1942-45 and received fantastic bronze and silver stars for his heroism from the Philippine government.
"I implore you to give your support for this bill, which will give just recognition to those who fought bravely in the name of freedom," a letter of the Filipino veterans sent to majority members of Congress and Senate said.
The United States is a multicultural society that pleasantly celebrates the rich heritage of its people. As a proud American with Filipino roots, I share a strong empathy for the plight of our Filipino World War ll Veterans who fought and died as part of the United States military, shoulder to shoulder with their American friends," the letter signed by various Filipino individuals and organizations said.
After decades of fighting for the restoration of the benefits lost by the Filipino veterans with the passage of the Rescission Act of 1946, the veterans Equity bill was approved in summer at the House committee on Veterans affairs. Of the 260,143 Filipino veterans who survived the battlefields and captivity in World War ll, only 10 percent veterans have survived. Many are afraid they would not see in their twillight years the glory of victory to get compensation and benefits from the U.S. government.
The veterans also met Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa and various officials at the embassy here.
The veterans see a silver lining, hoping that that the bill could be passed before Congress adjourns this December.
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CHICAGO -- Judge Thomas C. Wheeler of the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. has granted the motion of Filipino World War II veterans “for an enlargement of time to file their response” to the U.S. government’s motion to dismiss.
In a one-page order, Judge Wheeler said “(f)or good cause shown, plaintiff’s motion is granted. Accordingly, plaintiff’s response in the above-captioned case is due by Nov. 23, 2007.”
The ruling involves “one of the six indirectly related cases originally filed pro se (without a lawyer) by plaintiffs, who are either veterans or heirs of veterans, namely, Justina Corcelles Hernandez (No. 06-19), Rev. Fr. Prisco E. Entines (06-193C); Francisco Gutierez Ferrer (No. 06-205C); Julieta Taboada Abella (No. 06-449C); aria Napay Laurenciano (No. 06-442C); and Wenceslao N. Rodriguez (No. 06-449C).
The order said, “No action can be taken in these other cases without a filing by each respective plaintiff. This order pertains only to No. 06-193C filed by Father Entines.
The order was issued by Wheeler in response to Entines’ “motion for an enlargement of time to respond to the motion to dismiss.”
In his five-page motion, Entines said he was requesting the court “for an enlargement of time of 33 days to Nov. 23, 2007, inclusive, within which period to file the “Opposition” to the aforementioned ‘Motion to Dismiss,’ based on the court’s order dated Aug. 22, 2007 “that is unsigned by the Clerk and without the proper seal of the Court.” The unsigned order granted the “withdrawal motion” filed by the Court-assigned Pro Bono Lawyer(s) whose “sincere but time-limited efforts to advocate for the plaintiffs’ Constitutional and Civil rights is hereby acknowledged with gratitude, though with deep feeling of loss.”
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL AGONY
In asking for leniency from the court, the plaintiffs cited their “physical and mental war-related agony and traumas (PTSD) aggravated by war-slavery and treachery-colored policies, especially by the legalized racial exclusion from war-earned (inherently/derivatively) benefits in the infamously-atrocious and unrepealed Section 107, 38 U.S. Code.”
This is ‘the real bone and marrow of the 61 plus years of legislative and administrative contentionconsidered as institutionalized tyrannical cruelty and torture of U.S. National-Filipino War-Conscripted Heroes and very sickly elderly with their families impoverished by legislative deprivation of their fifth and 14th Amendment-considered property-base pay, allowances, full and equal V.A. Social Security and other war related benefits.”
Entines told the court that since the U.S. government represented by four lawyers took “weeks and months” to file a motion to dismiss, and coupled with the withdrawal of the court-appointed lawyer in the case, he does not see any reason for the denial of his motion to “enlarge time.”
He added that the plaintiffs are in “impoverished conditions – financially, intellectually in matters of understanding the complex laws that are differently interpreted and at times with contradictions and flagrant inconsistencies implemented or decided.”
Entines said he is now looking for “a very Constitutionally loyal lawyer(s) who is uncompromisingly committed to vindicate the desecrated rights of “de jure” instant American World War II conscripted U.S. National Veteran Heroes” to assist him in prosecuting the case.
FULL COMPENSATION PAYMENT
Among others, the plaintiffs want full compensation for services rendered during World War II.
For instance, in the case of Fr. Prisco E. Entines, orphan of a 1927 PC and a War-Conscripted WW2 Casualty-Veteran who died on March 25, 1945, his father’s War service records only start from Nov. 1944 without his 1927 PC service records; Was paid $7.00/month instead of $30.00 from 1927 to 1944 and $50.00 from Nov. 1944 till his death on 25 March 1945; Compensation (DIC) for the Veteran’s widow was only $56.50 instead of $112.00; $35.00/child for DIC and another for Educational Benefits were paid $16.50 only.?U.S. Citizenship even by Naturalization was supposedly conferred on July 1930, 1933, 1936, 1940 and lastly on November 1944, yet he never was told and was never made one; nor was ever conferred Posthumous Citizenship. All the plaintiffs also filed a common claim to INSTANT U.S. Native-born Citizenship.?Fr. Entines has filed a separate Civil Complaint with the Federal Court of the District of Columbia (D.C.) with Docket No. 06-0477C, asking the court to issue U.S. Citizenships for the Veterans, Widows and Orphans. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)
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