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DATELINE
June 6-12, 2025
US to tax remittances, raises alarm for Filipino families
USA
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
California and Trump escalate battle over National Guard deployment LOS ANGELES — The legal and political confrontation between California and President Donald Trump escalated sharply on Tuesday, June 10, as both sides doubled down over the federal deployment of National Guard and Marine units in Los Angeles amid mounting immigration protests and civil unrest. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed an emergency motion in federal court to block the use of the California National Guard under federal control, arguing that Trump’s invocation of Title 10 authority is unconstitutional, unnecessary, and provocative. “The president is putting troops on our streets—not to protect, but to provoke,” Newsom said Tuesday, warning that Trump’s actions amounted to “authoritarianism dressed as public safety.” “This is an unlawful seizure of our state’s control,” Bonta added. “There is no rebellion, no invasion—only protests. And for that, he sends in the military.”
President Trump’s 2025 remittance tax proposal, now passed by the House, targets non-citizens sending money abroad. Overseas Filipinos and global economies brace as Senate debate looms by AJPress WASHINGTON, D.C. — Filipino families and remittance-dependent communities may soon feel the impact of a sweeping U.S. tax and immigration reform package championed by President Donald Trump. As of June 5, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes a controversial provision: a 3.5% excise tax on remittances sent
abroad by non-U.S. citizens. The measure is now under Senate consideration amid growing concern from immigrant advocacy groups, economic analysts, and international stakeholders. Remittance tax: What the bill proposes Passed on May 22 by a narrow 215–214 vote, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” includes a 3.5% tax on outbound personal money transfers—known as remittances—sent by non-citizens residing in the
Senate confirms VP Duterte impeachment trial will resume under 20th Congress
Proceedings to continue after July 28; Escudero says Senate remains ready as House prosecutors insist case is already valid by AJPress
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Border reset: San Diego facility closed as illegal crossings plunge 96%
The Trump administration shutters a key migrant center in San Diego following historic lows in border crossings, ramping up enforcement while critics warn of legal and humanitarian consequences
SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the closure of a soft-sided migrant processing facility near Brown Field in San Diego, citing a dramatic decline in illegal border crossings in the region. The facility, built in January 2023 under the Biden administration, was designed to handle migrant surges that never materialized under current enforcement conditions. “Due to the unprecedented decrease in ilu PAGE 4
United States, including green card holders and temporary visa holders. If signed into law, the measure would take effect on January 1, 2026. The proposal was initially set at 5% but was reduced following pushback from both House moderates and outside interest groups. According to the bill’s supporters, the tax is meant to raise revenue for U.S. border security and immigration enforcement efforts, includu PAGE 2
IMPEACHMENT COURT. Fulfilling its constitutional duty, the Senate of the Philippines, led by Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 convened as an impeachment court to try the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. (Inset) Donning their Oxford crimson robes, members of the Senate took their oath as senator-judges who would deliberate on the merit of the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives against Duterte. Photos courtesy of Senate of the Philippines’ official Facebook page
MANILA — The Philippine Senate will resume the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara DuterteCarpio after the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed this week—quelling speculation that the historic case had been derailed. “This action is procedural, not a dismissal,” Escudero said following the Senate’s controversial decision to remand the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives. “The Senate remains ready to proceed with the trial.” On June 10, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, voted 18–5 to return the articles for legal certification, citing procedural questions over whether the complaint u PAGE 2
Filipino among 11 immigrants with serious criminal records arrested in ICE raid by AJPress
LOS ANGELES — A 55-year-old undocumented Filipino immigrant was among 11 individuals apprehended in recent immigration enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Los Angeles, federal officials confirmed over the weekend. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the individual as Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, who has been living in the United States without
legal status. According to DHS, VeneracionEnriquez has an extensive criminal history, including burglary in Ontario, California, and sexual penetration with a foreign object by force as well as assault with intent to commit rape in Pomona, California. While DHS did not confirm sentencing lengths, public records indicate he had previously served prison time for his offenses. ICE has categorized him as among the “worst of the worst illegal alien criminals” targeted in this enforcement u PAGE 4
Three Filipino American artists take Pres. Marcos’ P20 rice program center stage at the 2025 Tony Awards begins Bacolod rollout, eyes by AJPress
NEW YORK — Broadway made history on June 8, 2025, when three Filipino-American artists — Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Marco Paguia — earned major honors at the 78th Annual Tony Awards. In a single evening, their wins redefined visibility for Filipino talent on the American stage— from center spotlight to behind the music. Held at Radio City Music Hall, the ceremony marked a moment of cultural and artistic convergence: Scherzinger and Criss Nicole Scherzinger Photo from Instagram/@nicolescherzinger u PAGE 3
Manny Pacquiao
Photo from Facebook/@MannyPacquiao
Manny Pacquiao inducted into nationwide expansion by yearend International Boxing Hall of Fame The initiative combines food affordability with farmer support through government-backed pricing and distribution by AJPress BACOLOD CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship rice subsidy initiative officially launched in Bacolod City on June 5, with rollout plans targeting up to 2 million low-income households across the country by the end of 2025, according to
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Branded as “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na,” the program offers rice at P20 per kilo to qualified beneficiaries, while also providing price support to Filipino farmers through the government’s procurement system. u PAGE 4
Eight-division champion honored for a storied career that transcended the sport by AJPress
and champions from around the world who came to witness the CANASTOTA — Boxing icon enshrinement of a man whose and former Philippine Senator legacy goes far beyond the ring. A career like no other Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao Pacquiao made history as the was officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of only boxer to win world titles in Fame (IBHOF) on Sunday, June eight different weight divisions, 8, securing his place in history from flyweight (112 lbs) to light as one of the sport’s all-time middleweight (154 lbs). His greats. The ceremony, held at professional career spanned Turning Stone Resort Casino in three decades, beginning in Verona, New York, drew fans u PAGE 4