‘Serial Filers’ — SF Businesses Still Vulnerable to Fraudulent ADA Lawsuits

ast pril, the an rancisco and os ngeles istrict ttorneys sued an iego law fir otter andy, C for filing allegedly fraudulent disability lawsuits with over 3 businessowners in and over 36,3 businessowners statewide since 2 1 .

ince uperior Court udge Curtis arnow dis issed the suit last ugust, however, nothing has changed to protect these businessowners fro being fraudulently sued for illions ore.

t least 2 businesses in the nner ichond neighborhood and over 1 in Chinatown were sued by otter andy around id-

Upside...

2 21 to id-2 22. any of these businesses were not even certified as co pliant, or were sued over violations they could not possibly have co itted.

or exa ple, anda an owner of on s un-Tun ouse on earny treet in Chinatown was sued in pril 2 21 for serving food at outdoor tables too low for wheelchairs, at a ti e when she only served takeout.

Targeting i igrant and inority owned businesses

To gain uick settle ents of 1 ,2 , , the law fir particularly pressured

(From Page 11) businesses owned by i igrants and inorities unable to afford legal defense. nder the oint lawsuit, the fir would have had to pay over 3 illion to refund settle ents ade in the orthern istrict of California alone, by conservative esti ates. iled by for er istrict ttorney Chesa oudin and eorge asc n of , the 8page docu ent stated that over 8 federal cases statewide were filed by otter andy plaintiff rlando arcia over 1, by rian hitaker and thousands ore by other erial ilers chie y cott ohnson, who filed over , since 2 1 .

(From page 25) fter we had our son in 1 , we would bring hi to work. rowing up, our son spent days -- together with other children of our co-workers, Carrion inated. ur apa ilya coworkers at -C at the other ship ue on City are i portant part of the village that helped raise our son and who provided uch support to our fa ily. t see ed still fresh on Carrion s ind that at their iven that this averages to a case daily for 11 years, the s alleged that it is literally i possible for the erial ilers to have personally encountered each listed barrier, let alone to intend to return to hundreds of businesses located hundreds of iles away fro their ho es . otter andy attorney accused the s of exploiting the situation while they both faced recall threats. n his dis issal, udge arnow said that California s litigation privilege covered the fir , irrespective of the aliciousness or untruthfulness. o ce in the 3rd oor when they got wind of the news of the coup atte pts and it was also here where ost of y co-workers and experienced the strong earthuake on uly 16, 1 that left the seeking cover under their tables crying. ou know, so ehow it kinda feels that as long as the building is there, there is hope that things could get back to how they were. That we are the co pany is ust waiting for the right ti e, the funds to co e in, Carrion is hopeful. ut with the building de olished, don t know. t kind of feels that the hopes are now shattered. f we are going to be positive and forward-looking about it --- it signals the beginning of a new chapter.

Carrion had to double-check with friends that reain in C to confi r the news of de olition. y fi rst reaction was disbelief. ike T Then sad and so e kind of heartbroken as the ohol venue building was really y second ho e, re inisced Carrion. was interviewed there for a ob shortly after -C re-opened in 1 86 after they were able to reclai the property after the eople ower evolution of 1 86 . t was ctober 1 86 . they called e and told e to report on the riday of that week -- so ust a couple days after y interview and test. Then resident Cory uino was co ing to the -C o ce.

Carrion e phasi ed that with the news that the iconic building will be de olished to give way to a ulti-use develop ent triggers a sense of nostalgia -- so any e ories of pro ects, shows, pro os, ca paigns, and lifelong friendships -- were built and nurtured in that building.

(From Page 13)

Offlinenot absolutely sure that he can win, he will probably avoid hostilities at all cost.

And yes, sorry to say, the Philippines will have no choice but to take sides, and without a Duterte in the Palace, the leadership will almost certainly lean America’s way. Some will lean grudgingly, but they will eventually accept the reality that the US will emerge bloodied but victorious in the end.

So best to stand behind the American bully which the Chinese bully cannot hope to defeat. The latter do not have a million Bruce Lees to achieve that wild dream.

This is not to say that the Americans have not caused consternation to Filipinos in the past. There have been instances when American soldiers assaulted and even killed Filipino citizens.

Such incidents are used by true as well as pseudo nationalists to warn their kababayans against welcoming the US Armed Forces to re-enter the Philippines in large numbers.

Unless and until the Philippines declares itself a neutral country with a potent military to boot, the country has no choice but to take sides. And here there is no contest.

Duterte was a terrible, awful glitch. He is the kind of president whom the country must never have again, under pain of the Philippines becoming a puppet state of China.

Any future pro-China president guarantees the end of the Philippines as an independent republic. So yes, this yearly the warning must be raised against a Sara Duterte presidency. She is, after all, her father s daughter. he will be no different fro her father.

Meanwhile, Xi and the rest of China’s political and military leadership can seethe all they want. They can’t do a damn thing, and the fact is that the US has already started to encircle China’s waters with US bases now ready to go into war footing at a moment’s notice.

From Japan to South Korea to Taiwan to the Philippines all the way down to Australia, the US already has China checkmated with its defensive wall that cannot be easily crushed.

Much is at stake now, and the one weak spot of the US will be if it elects the wrong president in next elections. A wishy-washy president who blinks when Xi initiates hostilities could end up with the bad guys winning World War lll.

As I See It

(From Page 12) that serious about their studies since they don’t get a lot of support from their parents compared to the Philippine students whose minds were instilled with the idea that education is very important in their lives. (Considered by parents as the best legacy they can give to their children.

The only thing in this place that we missed out in our country is the availability of resources for both teachers and students. Teaching and learning materials are easily acquired or provided.”

Jacqueline Curiale was not a teacher in the Philippines, but she found herself teaching in the US. “I was not a teacher in the Philippines. was a arole and robation cer for several years under the Department of Justice working in my province of Bulacan. It’s my 1st year of teaching here in the Bay Area, CA in a public technical school for young adults called Job Corps. Education in the US is not perfect and has its own issues, but I must say that students here are very fortunate to have the opportunity of obtaining career technical education and other assistance free of charge through this government program.”

Curiale further said hen first arrived in the , i ediately started working for the same establishment/school as a part time employee. Then I worked my way through various departments being promoted until I took the job of a Career Technical nstructor teaching ce d in class. had y achelor s egree in Behavioral Science from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila and then went to the University of the East (UE) and Arellano Law Foundation for some law units years ago before joining the entire family in the US. I recently completed the required credentialing classes online through the University of San Diego’s Continued Education Program in CA and is about to clear my credentials with os ngeles County ce of ducation this onth. Growing up in the Philippines, both my parents were public high school teachers for 20 years, and I didn’t realize then that I will be crossing similar career path as they did, but I am enjoying it and is truly grateful to this profession.” or e, on y first year as an i igrant, started teaching at De Anza College that considered my experience in the Philippines. I was an Assistant Professor IV at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) then teaching journalism and mass communication subjects at the College of Languages and Mass Communications (CLMC) and a special lecturer in three other colleges and universities (Institute of Mass Communications, UP-Diliman; PR Department, Arellano University as department chair where I started the Bachelor of Science in Public Relations (BSPR) course; and the Graduate School of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.)

I taught Reading, ESL and English Writing in De Anza College for 10 years until my retire ent. or five years, taught at xia College, niversity of Phoenix, as a regular online faculty teaching communication subject and business writing. I also had a brief stint with the San Jose State University (SJSU) where I taught essay writing.

I have a Master’s Degree in Mass Communications from the PUP Graduate School, in addition to my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the Philippines (UP-Diliman).

At present, I am still teaching (this is my 22nd year of teaching) at the high school department of San Jose Job Corps Center (SJJC), one of 121 federally-funded programs of the Department of Labor (DOL) in the country for marginalized adult learners ranging from 16 to 24 years old.

I passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), entry credentialing requirement for new teachers; went through getting a US equivalency of my college degrees in the Philippines by an accredited educational institution; and getting a multiple-subject/ adult education credential to be able to teach.

For those who want to teach in the US, if you are not a graduate of any course here in the US, you don’t need to go to college and earn a degree… just work for your US equivalency; take the CBEST for California applicants; and get your teaching credentials, whether a single-subject, multiple-subject or adult education credentials… well, a trade credential for trade instructors.

(ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments, email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.)

In the trenches

(From Page 12)

It was too late for the Americans to discover that the Chinese had deceived them. When Barack Obama unveiled his “pivot to Asia” policy, the US did try to contain Beijing because its own economy depended on Chinese factories.

For instance, Washington just stood by and allowed Beijing to renege on an agreement to pull out from Scarborough Shoal in 2012 after a three- onth standoff with anila. erica is now singing a different tune. t now considers China as a direct competitor, a global power rival, and a security threat. It took decades to realize China’s deception.

America should have not left the region in the early 1990s. It was the US’s second mistake. Right after the Second World War, when Washington drew its defense lines against the growing Communist menace, it forgot to include the Korean peninsula.

As a result, the Communist North tried to take over the democratic South, precipitating a war in the 1950s. North and South technically remain at war because only an armistice is in place.

The situation re ained volatile as yongyang fired issiles to test its nuclear delivery system while the US and South Korea held drills constantly to deter the North’s aggression.

When the US abandoned the Philippines in 1992, it shifted focus on the Korean peninsula and the defense of Japan, which has a territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea.

The US has started to take a second look at the often neglected Philippines. Tensions around Taiwan have made the Philippines a strategic launching pad for any military operation to defend the self-ruled island.

The is back. n the first place, it should never have left the country and left a gaping hole in regional security and stability. The US should restore the balance of power in the region and not allow China to control the strategic sea lanes of communication in the region.

Washington should learn its lesson – not to allow a power vacuum in the region.

What’s Up Atty

ing held last Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Fellowship Hall, CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1170 Foxworthy Avenue, San Jose, California USA.

The special occasion was hosted by her parents Salvador G. Madlaing and Ursula T. Madlaing. It was attended by her grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, classmates, friends and some brethren from the 7RH MISSION STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST and CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Jose, California; and GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.

Jeselyn Ames, celebrant’s auntie, was the general coordinator of the 16th Birthday celebration.

Dilbert Deister, 100-year-old former elder of the 7TH MISSION STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST surprisingly attended the 16th Birthday celebration. He was assisted by his daughters Anita and Laura.

The guests enjoyed sumptuous lunch comprised of “lechon” (roasted pig), variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits and desserts.

Program during the 16th Birthday Celebration include the following: 1. Arrival of the celebrant Mercyllena T. Madlaing escorted by her father Salvador G. Madlaing; Welcome Address and Rendition of special song by the celebrant; Opening Prayer Blessing of the Food by yours truly.

While the guests were enjoying their food, I was fortunate to read one verse in 3rd John 2, NKJV: “Beloved Mercyllena, I pray that you prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” This was followed by my rendition of Special Birthday Song for Mercyllena.

After the lighting and blowing of the cake, the celebrant was greeted with HAPPY BIRTHDAY Song by the guests. Eventually, all March Birthday celebrants were requested to join Mercyllena in front and were greeted with HAPPY BIRHDAY Song by the audience.

Various games were played and enjoyed by the celebrant together with her classmates, friends and volunteers.

I WISH YOU A BLESSED AND WONDERFUL 16TH BIRTHDAY MERCYLLENA!

(ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Pubic and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE#000635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNNG SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANTY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA. )

Diliman Way

(From Page 12) uncontrolled problems of high prices of commodities and services, illegal drugs and graft and corruption. aybe, could learn a lesson or two fro he defied his own rule on reckoning, at least during his presidency, and he proved to be an exception to the rule of the Misamis Oriental governor.

A man of lesser nerve could not have survived the avalanche of misdeeds and infir ities but did he was not re oved. That s uite an achievement.

I focus on a few Filipino American educators in the Bay Area for this week’s column. They deserve to be recognized and remembered for the efforts they have exerted and still exerting in aking a difference in the lives of the students.

While Filipino teachers/educators had a hard time getting into the educational system as teachers here in the US as new immigrants, there were some who were lucky and earned their teaching jobs through merits and experience.

(From Page 13) of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. He placed third in the 1955 bar examinations.

He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, New York, and the Philippines. He practices federal law, with emphasis on immigration law and appellate federal criminal defense. He was the Dean and a Professor of Law of the College of Law, Northwestern University, Philippines. He has written law books and legal articles for the world’s most prestigious legal publisher and writes columns for newspapers. He wrote the best-seller “Winning by Knowing Your Election Laws.” Listen to The Tipon Report which he co-hosts with his son Attorney Emmanuel “Noel” Tipon. They talk about immigration law, criminal law, court-martial defense, politics,and current events. It is considered the most witty, interesting, and useful radio show in Hawaii. KNDI 1270 AM band every Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines. Cell hone 8 8 22 -26 . - ail fila law yahoo.co . Website: https://www.tiponimmigrationguide.com

The information provided in this article is not legal advice. Publication of this information is not intended to create, and receipt by you does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.)

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12) your autographed copies at discounted price, just send number of book orders and corresponding payment in check or money order to: ART G. MADLAING, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 112 Tel. 6 38-3 31 or 1 8 - or e ail art adlaing hotmil.com

MERCYLLENA’S 16TH BIRTHDAY: My beloved wife Virginia Jimenez Madlaing and I were blessed and fortunate to attend the 16th Birthday Celebration of our niece Mercyllna Talon Madla-

Their experience in the Philippines, which was seldom considered for new immigrant applicants, propelled them into getting US teaching jobs which became a dilemma for new teacher-applicants considering that most school administrators look for local experience from the applicants and a local boy (meaning a graduate of US institutions) in the hiring process.

Hellie Mateo, for instance, taught English Language Development (ELD) and Global Literature here in the US for 26 years with the Fremont nion igh chool istrict in unnyvale- in all of its five high schools. he said: “I got my Single Subject (Secondary) Teaching Credential through San Jose State University. My experience as an educator was for the most part very productive and satisfactory due to my supportive supervisors and professional colleagues. We have a Teachers’ Union which supported its members in negotiating for pay increases and better working conditions. Our school district is also one of the few in the Bay Area that paid really well due to its geographic location and socioeconomic demographics. We got a raise on top of the salary increases almost every year based on left-over money from district funds, so never thought about switching to a different district. The students are very diverse which ade teaching both challenging as well as fulfilling as an educator. I retired in June 2022 after 26 years with the FUHSD.”

She worked with students with special needs thereby redirecting her career toward special education. She spent a few years helping build the Transition Program at the school district, at the same time helping recent high school graduates and other young adults prepare for employment by teaching work skills.

. Additionally, she developed and conducted a training program for the district’s job coaches - enabling them to better support their students with disabilities at their jobs.

Former Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Dean Roman Dannug, PhD, a resident of Northern California said: “Yes, I got a teaching job at the Concord College of Nursing. I went to credentialing, got a very good rate per hour, and class size was 25 pax maximum which was great. I strictly followed a school-approved subject syllabus, high technology/multi media-driven instruction, and observed a criteria-based grading system that allows a very small percentage of teacher’s discretion… practically everything is measurable based on documented class performance, impressive faculty development program for professional growth, and excellent extension program to support increased enrollment.