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Founded in 1986
Founding Publisher/Editor:
Lito A. Gajilan
Columnists:
Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel
Joseph G. Lariosa
Gani P. Tolentino
Ted L. Reyes
Atty. Reuben S. Seguritan
Photographers:
Butch Gata
Sheryl Garcia
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not reflect the opinion of the paper nor that of the publisher
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For the past 20 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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This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
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To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
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USCIS To Shorten Processing Time
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(Editor’s Note: REUBEN S. SEGURITAN has been practicing law for over 30 years. For further information, you may call him at 212 695 5281 or log on to his website at www.seguritan.com)
UNITED States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Emilio Gonzales recently told the House subcommittee on Immigration that his agency is implementing a plan to address the long delays in the processing of applications and petitions.
The delays were caused by the dramatic surge in the number of applications and petitions filed last summer. Many had feared that the delays would be up to three years.
According to Gonzales, over 3 million were received during the three-month period, including over 737,000 naturalization applications and over 800,000 adjustments of status and related work and travel permit applications. The sharp increase was due to the filing fee hike and the sudden opening of the employment-based 3rd preference category last July.
Gonzales said that they have expanded the work hours, added shifts and hired additional contract staff. They have also updated the USCIS website, participated in community forums and kept their customer hotline updated with information to keep the public informed about the status and progress of their applications.
To address the anticipated higher volumes, the Director outlined the Service’s strategy to expedite the processing of the applications and to manage their workload more efficiently and effectively. The USCIS strategy is threefold: staffing, technology and process improvements.
In terms of staffing, the USCIS anticipates hiring close to 1,800 additional personnel as administrative and technology staff as well as adjudication officers to meet the increased workload.
In terms of process improvement and technology, the Service plans to transform the agency from a paper-based operation to an electronic environment. It has identified effective computerized systems for this purpose.
Among the technological initiatives is the automated processing of certain applications such as replacement of permanent resident card and temporary employment authorization. While this program will not yet be applied to naturalization applications, this technology can be used to improve on the background check process and to produce system-generated Naturalization Certificates.
Some other key enhancements by the USCIS include: “the creation of the National Security and Records Verification Directorate to oversee fraud cases; establishment of a Transformation Program Office to guide the agency’s modernization and information technology efforts and an improved USCIS web-based service and tools that will allow customers to schedule appointments, change their address, access the status of their case online and submit certain applications through e-filing.” All these approaches will be done with the view of not compromising integrity, security and sound decision making.
Gonzales expressed his optimism that the USCIS’ two year response plan and innovations will result in reducing the usual processing time for naturalization applications and adjustment of status applications from the average of seven to eighteen months to six months by the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2010.
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Should Huckabee Stay Around?
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CHICAGO – Gov. Mike Huckabee is trailing far behind the front-running Sen. John McCain both in voters and delegate counts in the Republican presidential nomination. But he is mightily hanging tough, like a cliffhanger.
And the former Arkansas governor has a perfect reason for doing so since Sen. McCain has yet to collect the majority votes of delegates. As the saying goes, it’s not over until it’s over. Huckabee wants to hear the final buzzer before he gives everything up.
Indeed, nobody can blame Mr. Huckabee. There are still many things that can happen. As in sports, McCain, like any player, can get injured in an accident or get sick that could derail his sprint to the finish line. Remember the race between the hare and the turtle?
Or, Huckabee could receive a windfall of political contributions that will let him buy national TV ads enough to make the contest exciting and make him as popular as Sen. Barack Obama.
NEGATIVE PUBLICITY ANYONE?
Or what if suddenly a negative publicity will surface? Remember when a picture of former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart showing him cuddling a young lady not his wife was exposed? His front-running status suddenly lost steam during the 1988 Democratic presidential primary.
The single picture, showing Donna Rice sitting on the lap of Sen. Hart, was all Democratic rival but faltering Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis needed to clinch the presidential nomination of that election year.
I believe as a sport, Mr.Huckabee will not initiate any negative campaign against Mr. McCain. And even when presented with the opportunity, I think, the very decent candidate like Mr. Huckabee will not take the bait.
I tried to send his press handler for comment about a possible negative story that is doing the rounds in the Internet. The story casts doubt on the qualification of Sen. McCain as a presidential candidate. But I never heard anything from his camp.
I am referring to a little known but unappreciated fact that Mr. McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone, which is not part of the United States as contemplated by United States Constitution, which says "No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President."
According to an intriguing posting of one, Francis Steffan, “No law or court ruling has ever established the precise definition of a natural born citizen. It is generally agreed that a natural born citizen of the United States is any person born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.”
HUCKABEE IS THE ONE
If there is anybody, who can raise this issue, it is Mr. Huckabee, who will be the main beneficiary if Mr. Mc- Cain is disqualified.
But a Filipino American priest, Fr. Prisco Entines, who emailed me this interesting posting, has a vested interest in making the “natural-born” issue a piece of national conversation. He believes that if McCain’s nationality is raised before the court, it would also settle other nagging territorial and nationality issues.
For instance, a baby born in any U.S. Military Base in any part of the world will also be considered a “natural-born U.S. citizen” in much the same way that a baby born in any of the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in any part of the world is also considered a “natural-born U.S. citizen.”
And my friend, Fr. Entines, a son of Filipino World War II veteran, who has a pending nationality case before the U.S. District Court of Columbia, will be very happy if McCain’s “nationality” gets a national attention because the Catholic priest can use any of the McCain arguments on “natural-born” issue to support his contention that anybody born in a territory or colony of the United States covered by a U.S. Treaty, like the Philippines or Puerto Rico, can also be considered “natural-born U.S. citizen,” not just “U.S. national.”
Father Entines insists the term, “U.S. national” is not even found in the U.S. Constitution. If Filipinos born during the U.S. Commonwealth Era in the Philippines will be considered “natural-born U.S. Citizens,” then the surviving Filipino World War II veterans, who were deprived full benefits for their services during World War II, should be refunded the full benefits taken away from them by the Rescission Act of 1946 for their war services, Entines insists.
Let’s hope Gov. Huckabee will make McCain’s nationality a political issue in the current presidential campaign. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)
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REP. Juan Edgardo Angara didn’t duck flak stirred by his House Bill 162 to arm twist media on replies to criticism. His explanation stresses what Mark Twain wrote: “Only presidents, editors and people with tapeworm, have the right to use the editorial ‘we’.”
In “Beneficent Purposes”, this column ( PDI/ Feb. 14 ) argued: under the mantra of press responsibility, HB 162 would shove government PR staff into editors’ chairs. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel’s Senate Bill 1178 is cut from the same cloth. Both threaten fines and jail to wring airing of replies.
Tagging suspects as “Muslim” or “Christian will be punishable if HB 100 becomes law. Reps. Angara, Pangalian Balindong and Mujiv Hataman are co-authors.
“Such labels perpetuate stereotypes of Muslims as scary, law-breaking persons,” they said. “This is not an accurate picture”.
But like other democratic countries, our Constitution provides: ‘No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, expression, and of the press’, Cebu Citizens-Press Council noted. There are no ifs and buts here.
"Media can not be told what to publish," CCPC stressed. "( Likewise, it ) can not be told what not to publish"
But a legislated right to reply operates as a command. And so does muzzling of religious affiliations.
“These are prior restraints."
Led by Chief Justice Reynato Punto, the Supreme Court underscored this constitutional capstone. It struck down, last week, Justice Department and National Telecommunications Agency warnings against airing “Hello Garci” tapes precisely because they constituted “prior restraint” -- and challenged “the most exalted of all civil rights, the freedom of expression.”
So why did the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters “inexplicably” join the NTC in a joint “ambivalent” statement that seemed to tango with the regime’s unconstitutional warnings? No less than the Supreme Court raised its eyebrows. This strangely contrasts with Kapisanan’s opposition against the Angara bill.
“Minds are like parachutes,” we’re told. "They work only when open.”
Angara’s reply shows an open mind. “I’ve listened to media groups around the country,” he wrote. “Their position is: As a matter of practice and self-regulation, media already grants right of reply to persons written about or criticized.
“This led me to decide, as early as two weeks ago, to no longer pursue this bill. I’ve written the CCPC outlining my decision to no longer push for the bill in view of current media practices. There may also be some practical difficulties in enforcement.”
Bill sponsor Rep. Bienvenido Abante agrees with yanking this sorry chestnut from the fire. Rep. Monico Puentevella will dialogue with media, in home turf: Bacolod. He smarts from “unfair” drubbing from media in the last elections.
“These bills are subject to change (or potential inaction)," Angara added. “We realize editorial functions are privately exercised prerogatives. Nontheless, we appeal to our friends in media for fairness and judiciousness”.
Angara’s decision to withdraw HB 162 is welcome. Both legislator and journalist share a common commitment to freedom of expression. It will buttress on-going efforts, by the press, to reinforce internal mechanisms to ensure adherence to professional standards -- despite what San Beda graduate school of law dean Ranhilio Calangan Aquino sneers as “media’s pretensions of being power brokers in this country.”.
Hindi ka nag-iisa Father. Many journalists are also turned off by “delusions” of some colleagues . And one scalpel to excise this – to swipe a Jun Lozada phrase: bukol – may be laughter. Remember the local spoof on newspapers by newspapers?
“The Inquirer is read by the people who run the country. The Philippine Star is read by people who think they run the country. The Manila Bulletin is read by people whose parents used to run the country. The Malaya is read by people who think Erap should run the country.
“Businessworld is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country .Whenever a copy is available, the Tribune is read by people who aren't sure there is a country but they oppose anything Malacanang says”. And so on.
No journalist, worth his press card, believes it accords him special status: whether it be exemption from application of laws on wire-tapping law or libel. Nor does it guarantee kidglove treatment in conflict-situations, even in five-star hotels.
That said, patent “abuses” can not be denied. Pseudo-journalists a.k.a. walk-in block timers, for instance, smear with abandon as radio stations content themselves with disclaimers.
Discrimination against Muslims is a reality. Bias can range from names, head scarves, jobs to difficulties in getting land for cemeteries, Philippine Human Development Report notes. And in media, stereotyping the Muslim problem into one of “war reporting”, from Metro Manila perspectives, bugs news desks But in-house training programs drill, with vary degrees of success, ethical standards. Desks delete religious tags unless relevant to reports.
But the shredding constitutional anchors, like prior restraint, is not the way to go. Our Muslim community need to be engaged in this point Otherwise, we will resemble Denmark : 10 of 12 cartoonists have still to confront assassination threats since the brawl over the Prophet being depicted in a cartoon. No one should be killed for a cartoon in a free country. In the Philppines, we are salvaged for less.
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Church Losing Own Way As RP's Moral Guide
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THE Philippine Catholic church seems to be losing its own way as moral political guide of the people. Last week it decided to eat humble pie by apologizing for its error in helping to install Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 as Philippine president. The apology came seven years late.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Iloilo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, called the CBCP action an embarrassment. The CBCP head acknowledged that the group's erroneous decision had plunged the country into its present ful lblown national crisis, because the president that it supported was a "most corrupt leader."
Because of the people's widespread disappointment with GMA and the restiveness of the military with the present administration, the nation is now shocked that this important sector is inclined to justify violent means through exercise of people power a la Edsa I and II to end the present crisis. It is interpreted as a complete turn around from the church's earlier position.
Is the Philippines now nearing the dangerous tipping point?
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is duly alarmed. She appears to be sensing the beginning of the end of her reign. Under cover, the President is maneuvering to launch a move to counter this growing movement against her.
She was able to prod one of her cabinet men and important member of her economic team, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila to get busy with several measures. A multisectoral meeting that will mass business, the youth and the religious groups to demonstrate unity to support the administration. A popular dinner that will pass a manifesto
of support for GMA. A public rally of the youth again to rally the people in favor of the administration.
The initial event was held and it was deemed a failure in view of the no-show of the religious representatives.
A lot of Malacanang functionaries no doubt received blame for their failure to set up the multisectoral gathering. It would have been attended by over a hundred archbishops and bishops and other church dignitaries.
Groups such as the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Phil. Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Financial Executives Institute of the Phil. (FINEX), FFCCCI, Philexport, FPIP, etc. etc. would attend. Various youth and school groups would have filled the streets to overflowing.
Sec. Favila's marching orders were to focus on the intensifying crisis facing the country, for everyone to join hands to solve the national problems and to forestall the country's slide to hopelessness.
GMA's hands are reaching out asking for help. Even the head of her economic team, Finance Secretary Gary Teves is rumored to be resigning and to be replaced by Senator Ralph Recto. New fresh faces are needed.
What GMA needs is a masterstroke. To restore her credibility. To save the country from national collapse.
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Greatest Love Stories In Cinema
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IT is but fitting to delve into movies on this month of love and lovers. The most passionate films of all time were selected by film artists including directors, screenwriters, actors, editors, cinematographers, critics, historians and film executives.
These motion pictures were chosen on how it impacted movie audiences to celebrate 100 years of cinema by the American Film Institute in late 2007.Topping the list is the Ingrid Bergman/ Humphrey Bogart starrer, Casablanca, a 1942 classic. Followed by Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell's immortal love story set in Georgia. Who can forget Viviene Leigh's character, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler as portrayed by Clark Gable.
The number three spot went to the musical West Side Story set in New York with Natalie Wood. Fourth is Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn as a princess visiting Rome, who falls in-love with an American reporter (William Holden) and has a brief but memorable affair.
Fifth on the list is An Affair to Remember starred the debonair Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr who nearly missed out after a failed tryst at the top of New York's Empire State Building. Next is The Way We Were with Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand, equally unforgettable is the film's theme song.
Number seven is Doctor Zhivago, set in Russia with Omar Sharif and Julie Christie with the haunting theme: Somewhere My Love. Numero 8 is It's a Wonderful Life, an inspiring family themed movie of James Stewart and No. 9 - the bitter-sweet Love Story starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw and the lyrics: Where do I begin ....
After the classics, there are the light but modern romances now available on DVD. The list include Meg Ryan starrers Kate and Leopold described as funny and romantic, Sleepless in Seattle with Tom Hanks - witty and romantic, French Kiss - very funny, You've Got Mail again with Hanks, One Fine Day with heartthrob George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer - nice, romantic comedy, The Princess Bride - romantic classic, The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez and my own favorite funny and romantic Notting Hill with the perfect match; Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
Happy viewing to our readers.
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