92-year-old WW II Filipino Vet to Lead Delegation to US Congress for Full Equity
Posted: March 26, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentby MHC News Flash
SAN FRANCISCO—Saying this is his last fight, Felino Punsalan, together with other veterans, widows, and leaders from San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and DC, will lobby representatives in the US Congress on April 13 and 14, for full recognition and full benefits of WW II Filipino veterans and their families. “I am never too old to demand justice from the government I defended,” says Punsalan. “This is our collective right as American veterans.”
Press conference will be held on the first day after a meeting with Rep. Jackie Speier, D-CA 12th district, San Mateo/San Francisco and principal sponsor of HR 210, “The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011.” The bill seeks to restore full equity of all benefits to Filipino WW II veterans and their widows and children as their American counterparts. Other solons, that have initially expressed desire to support or discuss the bill, include Mike Honda, Anna Eshoo, Linda Sanchez, Henry Waxman, Jan Shakowsky and Mike Quigley.
The Rescission Act of 1946 deemed the US military services of the Filipinos, who fought under the US Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and other organized military forces during WW II, as inactive, thus, taking away their full benefits as American veterans. Of the 66 allied nationalities that served the US, the Filipinos were singled out not to received full benefits. In 2008, the US Congress granted them a one-time lump sum in exchange for a waiver of right to claim for future benefits such as lifetime monthly pension. To date, 42% of all claimants for lump sum were denied.
“We are going to meet our Representatives not to ask for entitlements, but for recognition and benefits for veterans that will restore their honor and dignity,” said Arturo Garcia, national coordinator of the Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV). “It is time for U.S. Congress to rectify the mistakes of the past.”
The bill also seeks to broaden the basis of eligibility to include all military records, not solely based on the official military records known as “Missouri List,” that reference to the US military services of the Filipinos during WW II. The List was gutted down in a fire in 1973, and lost around 80% of the list of US Army personnel from 1912 to 1960.
Other delegates to the US Congress include Atty. Arnedo Valera, DC; Linda Abad, NY; Norma Tan, SF; Violy Reyes, SF; Alfredo Carino, SF; Ago Pedalizo, SF; John Aspiras, LA; and Jovy Alejandrino, LA.
Living Filipino veterans are estimated to be at 50,000—40,000 in the Philippines and the rest in the US. No current data exists for widows but they are estimated to be three times the number of veterans.
Meanwhile, California members Ma, Cook, and Fong introduced Joint Resolution 6 in the California Assembly last February, asking the US Congress and President Obama to support HR 210. Among other benefits, the resolution seeks to restore the $1,500 monthly lifetime pensions that all WW II American veterans are receiving. It also supports providing full benefits to veterans’ widows and children. Other Assembly members Eng, Furutani, Hayashi, Pan, Williams, and Yamada; and Senators Lieu, Liu and Yee co-sponsored the resolution.
Migrant Heritage (MH) Chronicle News Flash is under the Research, Information, and Publication Program of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) with Arnedo Valera, Esq. as Editor-in-Chief and New York-based Marivir Montebon, as Managing Editor.
MHC, a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 service-oriented non-governmental organization, is managed by three executive directors: Arnedo Valera, Grace Valera-Jaramillo, and Jesse Gatchalian.
For more information, please visit http://www.migrantheritage.org or email migrantheritage@gmail.com
Washington D.C., U.S.A.
(1) 202-247-0117 or 202-631-8856
PINOY RECRUITMENT VICTIMS WANT TO STAY
Posted: March 26, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Business, Foreign worker, H-1B visa, Immigration, Philippines, United States, United States Congress, Visa Leave a commentby MH Chronicle News Flash
Posted by Rodney Jaleco ABS CBN Correspondent
A dozen Filipinos have accused a New York-based medical research company of duping them and are seeking special visas so they can legally stay in the United States while they pursue their complaint.
“It was so inviting to get engaged with this clinical research company,” admitted Cleandra Oncines, one of the alleged victims and the group’s spokesperson.
Lawyer Arnedo Valera, Co-Executive Director of the Migrant Heritage Commission said the New York Attorney General’s Office is already investigating Care Worldwide Inc. for possible violation of state labor and penal laws.
In its website, Care Worldwide Inc. describes itself as an “international site management organization whose sole purpose is clinical selection, clinical and nonclinical team recruitment to support the successful outcome of clinical trials for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.”
But Valera said the company collected thousands of dollars from job applicants who were convinced to get additional training, allegedly on the assurance it will help them land jobs.
Oncines, who worked as an auditor for 14 years in the Philippines, was offered a job as clinical associate.
“I’m not a nurse, I have no medical background but based on my experience, I could qualify as a quality assurance manager,” she explained.
“This company promised to process our work visas to get a job. The ultimate goal is to get a green card,” Oncines added.
She got an H-1B visa in March 2010 – even though she didn’t have a job.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa which allows employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
“There is clear fraudulent transaction involving immigration laws. They were enticed to apply for positions and pay the fees for non-existent jobs,” Valera declared.
“There was a clear violation of H-1B visa regulations,” he stressed.
He explained that during the recruitment, Care Worldwide Inc executives had offered applicants with a company training package for a $3,000 fee.
“That should have been a red flag that there was no legitimate job offer. Those who got H-1B visas were even asked to pay the company which then gave the money back to make it appear they were paid wages and taxes deducted,” Valera charged.
He said the Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is also looking into possible H-1B visa abuse.
The Filipinos are part of about 40 people (mostly Indian and Nepalese nationals) allegedly victimized by Care Worldwide Inc.
Valera said the New York Attorney General’s Office has taken the cudgels for the alleged victims.
In the meantime, he is helping the Filipino victims secure U visas.
“These victims of labor trafficking should be given temporary relief such as the non-immigrant U visa provided they qualify and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and should have lawful non-immigrant status while waiting for the pending investigation,” he explained.
While most labor trafficking cases involve Filipinos recruited in the Philippines, this is one of the rare exceptions because this group was recruited while they were already in the US.
Oncines said the company offered to return her money but she refused. She realized that the H-1B visa she was holding wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on until she gets a real job.#
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Migrant Heritage (MH) Chronicle News Flash is under the Research, Information, and Publication Program of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) with Arnedo Valera, Esq. as Editor-in-Chief and New York-based Marivir Montebon, as Managing Editor.
MHC, a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 service-oriented non-governmental organization, is managed by three executive directors: Arnedo Valera, Grace Valera-Jaramillo, and Jesse Gatchalian.
For more information, please visit http://www.migrantheritage.org or email migrantheritage@gmail.com
Washington D.C., U.S.A. (1) 202-247-0117 or 202-631-8856
Congen de Leon signs the condolence book at the Consulate General of Japan
Posted: March 25, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a commentConsul General Mario de Leon recently signed the condolence book opened at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, to express on behalf of the Filipino community, our deepest sympathies for everyone affected by the unfolding calamity in Japan.
“We are all united as one people in the face of this overwhelming tragedy,” said Consul General de Leon.
Many in the Filipino-American community have already extended assistance to the beleaguered nation.
Financial donations are being accepted by the Consulate General of Japan in New York, which will be sent to relevant organizations that are assisting the affected population.
Checks payable to the Consulate General of Japan may be sent to: Donation for Japan earthquake/tsunami, Consulate General of Japan in New York, 299 Park Avenue New York, NY 10171. Please contact the Consulate General of Japan at 212-371-8222 for more details.
Bank Account Name – Embassy of the Philippines
Manuel Lopez, Ambassador
Bank Name Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank
Bank Account No (Yen account) 3027494
Branch: 470
Swift Code: BOTKJPJT
The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo has also been working tirelessly to extend relief and assistance to the Filipino community in Japan, especially those in Sendai and Fukushima who have been seriously affected by the multiple disasters caused by the earthquake, the tsunami and unfolding tragedy at the nuclear power plant.
Those who wish to direct assistance to the Filipino community in Japan may wish to know that the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo is also accepting financial donations to support disaster relief efforts for the victims and families of Filipino nationals. Donations may be sent to the bank account listed below:
For donations to be acknowledged, please fax bank transaction slips to the Philippine Embassy Tokyo at + (813) 5562-1603 or + (813) 5562-1605 with donor’s name, address and contact numbers.
The contact information of religious charities and other government and non-government organizations channeling assistance directly to the Filipinos in Japan will be made public as they become available.
The Philippine Consulate General New York asks the Filipino-American community to keep everyone in Japan, regardless of nationality, in their prayers.
IJNet Journalist of the Month: Arriba Filipino Content Manager and Web Master
Posted: March 25, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Ana Puod, Digital Journalism, Head Writer, Journalism, Journalist, Media, NBC News, New York Film Academy, Philippines Leave a commentArriba Filipino content manager and web master Ana Puod has been featured as journalist of the month of the International Journalists’ Network, an online resource for journalists worldwide.
Ms. Ana works for ABC Broadcasting Corporation (TV5), one of top three tv networks in the Philippines, and is involved in both the news and current affairs departments.
She also established the websites, Philippine Center for New Media Development and Pinoy Digital Journalist, where they provide an online platform for journalists and the public to exchange information about new media and digital journalism.
At TV5, she manages three shows: “Under Special Investigation” (USI), an investigative documentary program, as its Executive Producer; “Balitaang Tapat”, a primetime news program, as an Associate Producer; and “Tekno Trip”, a show on technology and travel, as the Head Writer.
A firm believer of the need for continuing education, Ms Ana is quoted by IJNet as saying that she constantly pursues personal and professional growth.
That led her to take courses on new media, Digital Journalism and Digital Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy (NYFA). Faculty members who conducted the training included practicing journalists from NBC News in New York.
“While taking those courses, I worked and networked with other journalists and filmmakers that have been actively involved in the development and advocacy of alternative ways to inform and to get in touch with the public and sources,” she said.
Ms. Ana is presently in Japan covering the aftermath of the earthquake and tsumani that badly hit Sendai of the Miyagi prefecture last March 11.
Less Complaints, Hard Work Key to Making It in US
Posted: March 12, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment– Dr. Gerard Francisco
Arriba Filipino 