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WASHINGTON D.C – Alarmed by the extrajudicial killings of activists, journalists and clergymen in the Philippines, the US Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs will hold hearings on human rights violations in the Philippines at 2:30 p.m., March 14 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The hearing by the Foreign Relations subcommittee chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) coincides with the Ecumenical Conference on Human Rights in the Philippines, March 12-14, also here in DC and the March 7 release of the annual State Department report on Human Rights around the world. Subject of the hearing is the "Extrajudicial killings in the Philippines: Strategies to end the Violence."

WASHINGTON D.C. – Germie de Asis, multi-talented artist and director, succumbed to a heart attack on Feb. 25 at his sister's home in Bowie, Maryland. He was 58. The news shocked community leaders, his friends and his many fans in the area who knew him and worked with him in the community. Germie was also a community leader, as president of the Quezonian.

For years, he was in demand as a singer, choreographer and artistic director in many major community functions and family milestones in the community. He was the popular vocalist at the now defunct Maynila in Virginia.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ten Filipino human rights advocates are on their way to Washington, D.C. to present a new report on the unabated and unpunished series of politically motivated murders in the Philippines and to urge Congress and U.S. church leaders to exert pressure on the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to put an end to the killings.

The delegation will release its report on human rights in the Philippines on March 14 to the Senate Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and to members of the House Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA).

FAIRFAX, Virginia – Vellie Sandalo Dietrich-Hall, Republican candidate for Fairfax County Supervisor, Mason District, and her supportive husband Harry, expressed delight at the growing bipartisan support of the Filipino American community at the concert fundraiser March 2, showcasing popular singer Anthony Castelo.

"Filipino Americans, whether Republicans or Democrats, are here and I’m grateful for their support,' said Vellie, echoing the evening’s sentiment. "I need their help, and I’m asking for their support.” Evelyn Bunoan, who hosted the event with husband Cesar in their Fairfax home for some 50 people, agreed. "I readily answered ‘Yes’ when Vellie called, because this is about supporting one of us, it’s not about any party affiliation.’ Maryland Delegate Kris Valderrama (D) came with her two young daughters, saying, ‘I’m non-partisan. We are here because we want her to win.’ Vellie said she’s “passionate about delivering progress to our growing, diverse community.’ She’s for smart business growth, easing traffic congestion, capping property taxes and fighting crime. For more info, visit www.votevellie.org

ARKANSAS – Maria Luisa Mabilangan Haley, 66-year-old daughter of a Filipino diplomat who migrated to the United States 30 years ago, assumed her post Feb. 26 as head of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. "Maria Haley will open doors around the world for Arkansas," said Arkansa Governor Mike Beebe when he announced Haley’s appointment on Jan 31.

"With economic development so vital to our State's future, Maria's unique and global experience will help create the opportunities our state needs to attract new business to Arkansas," he said.

Haley was the highest-ranking Filipino-American at the White House under the Clinton administration as Special Assistant to the President in the Office of Presidential Personnel. She was in charge of overseeing the appointment of administration officials in the economics, commerce and trade sector.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Ambassador Willy C. Gaa and all the Philippine Consuls General in the U.S. have announced that preparations are now underway for the 3rd Ambassador’s/ Consuls General Tour of the Philippines this coming July 12-20.

The event, which is being organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry, is open to the public.

As in the previous years, the Tour will consist of a Basic Package and Optional 4 day/3 night Out-of-Town Tours.

SAN FRANCISCO – The first bid by a Filipino American dual citizen to run for the Philippine Senate has been junked by the Commission on Elections.

Theodore Macabulos Aquino, a successful Filipino American engineer who was in Vienna, Virginia last month to seek the support of the community, was deemed a "nuisance" candidate by the Comelec early this month.

The candidacy of Ted Aquino, who said he is a nephew of the late Sen. Benigno S. Aguino, was first opposed by his relative, Rep. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino who is running for the Senate in the May election. Nonoy was fearful that votes for him would be invalidated if only Aquino was mentioned in the ballot.

MANILA – Two examiners of the Professional Regulation Commission are to face corruption charges in a massive cheating scandal, which has cast a shadow over the qualifications of some 17,000 nurses.

Anesia Buenafe-Dionisio and Virginia Diolola-Madeja, who carried out the June 2006 exams, will face charges for violating anticorruption laws, the Office of the Ombudsman said in a statement Wednesday.

The two are accused of leaking some of the questions on the 2006 nursing board examination to a review center before the tests were held. The scandal rocked the country?s nursing profession and cast a shadow over the quality of Filipino nurses, who are in high demand overseas, especially in the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Senate has opened debates on the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would be almost similar to the one that it passed but was rejected by the House last year.

The bill under consideration also provides for a guest worker program, the possibility that some of the illegal aliens already here in the US could eventually apply for citizenship as long as they have not committed any crimes, will pay a hefty fine and wait for up to 11 years along the line of applicants.

ARLINGTON, Virginia – In an effort to raise awareness of the social teachings of the Catholic Church on immigration and migration issues, the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia held a community forum, "Call to Action: The Challenges and Direction on Current Immigration and Migration Issues," on March 3 at the St. Charles Borromeo Benedict Hall in Arlington .

To present a balanced approach to the legal, political and social implications of proposed federal policy, representatives of other organizations participated and shared their perspectives on the issue as well.

WASHINGTON - Law enforcement officials in the Philippines seized nearly $160 million worth of narcotics in 2006 almost double that of the previous year and reported a noticeable decrease in the supply of crystal methamphetamine or "shabu" in Metro Manila because of aggressive raids against clandestine drug labs, the US State Department said.

In an annual report to Congress the State Department said there was some evidence insurgency groups operating in the Philippines funded their activities, in part, through the trafficking of narcotics and arms, as well as engaging in money laundering through alleged ties to organized crime.

WASHINGTON - Nora Aunor is back at the top of her game, her Filipina lawyer Claire Espina said categorically rejecting as "false" reports that the superstar was arrested in Los Angeles recently for violating the terms of her probation.

Aunor's manager Norie Sayo dismissed the reports as “crazy news" fabricated and spread by "some parties who do not have anything better to do with their lives."

"Guy is well and moving around freely and in the midst of preparing for her coming tour in April," Sayo said adding "I cannot understand where all of these crazy news are coming from."

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The two-week joint RP-US Balikatan humanitarian mission in Jolo ended March 4 during closing ceremonies in Jolo's poor Bato-Bato coastal village in Indanan town which showcased the extent of the Americans’ rapport with villagers.

AP reported that villagers waved at and cheered on soldiers in a U.S. military convoy like they were movie stars. "Hey Joe, OK Joe," they yelled. Hundreds of grade school students waved small U.S. and Philippine flags as U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Filipino officials arrived.

A Bato-Bato mother of four children, Anang Hadiola, said she did not fear the heavily armed Americans.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi has hailed the moves to the House of Representatives to bring into focus the "Comfort Women" issue in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.