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Taxpayer’s right to present supporting documents
Imagine being in an examination. The instructions are clear: “You have two hours to complete the exam.” At the end of the first hour, you were surprised. The bell rang, and everyone was asked to submit their paper. This is analogous to the case of Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Maxicare Healthcare Corporation (G.R. 261065, 10 July 2023). In the beginning, there was nothing outside the ordinary. A Letter of Authority was issued. A tax audit ensued, leading to the issuance of a Preliminary Assessment Notice or PAN. Maxicare filed a response to the PAN. The Bureau of Internal Revenue issued a Formal Letter of Demand and Final Assessment Notice. Maxicare filed a protest against the FLD/FAN requesting a reinvestigation. Maxicare made it explicit that it will submit the pertinent supporting documents and additional explanations within 60 days from the date of filing the protest. However, the BIR issued the Final Decision on Disputed Assessment after the lapse of only 30 days. The Supreme Court declared the assessment against the taxpayer null and void for the manifest violation of the taxpayer’s right to due process. The Court took the opportunity to definitely settle that the reckoning point of the 60-day period for the submission of relevant supporting documents is from the filing of the administrative protest to the FLD/FAN, when such protest constitutes a request for reinvestigation and not from the response or reply to the PAN. The Court clarified that the pronouncement in the Minute Resolution in Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Roca Security and Investigation Agency (G.R. 241338, 10 April 2019) wherein the 60-day period was reckoned from the filing of the response to the PAN was a glaring error. By failing to observe the statutory period, the taxpayer was denied the opportunity to present evidence, tantamount to denial of a genuine opportunity to be heard. The Court then dissected Section 228 of the Tax Code and Revenue Regulations No. 12-99, as amended. It emphasized the following points: The “pre-assessment notice” mentioned in Section 228 of the Tax Code corresponds to the PAN. The taxpayer shall be required to respond within a period of 15 days from receipt of the PAN; and Section 228 of the Tax Code explicitly sets the period for an “administrative protest of the assessment” at 30 days, which refers specifically to an FLD/FAN protest. This protest may take the form of either a request for consideration or reinvestigation. The Court strongly noted that it is the request for reinvestigation that carries the 60-day period to submit relevant supporting documents. Such an option was not provided with regard to the response to the PAN. Hence, there could be no other conclusion that the 60-day period to submit relevant supporting documents applies to and should be reckoned from filing the protest against the FLD/FAN. The Supreme Court brushed aside the BIR’s plea to apply leniency to the rules of procedure in the name of substantial justice. The Supreme Court reminded the tax authorities, in no uncertain terms, of the clear necessity for the strict observance of procedural rules to safeguard the due process rights of the concerned parties. This is a necessary check against the exercise of the government’s expansive power of taxation. *** For more of Dean Nilo Divina’s legal tidbits, please visit www.divinalaw.com. For comments and questions, please send an email to cabdo@divinalaw.com. The post Taxpayer’s right to present supporting documents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
March 2024: Ed Sheeran for the third time in Manila
Global music sensation Ed Sheeran is set to enthrall Manila once again by bringing his record-breaking Mathematics Tour to the Philippines, and to Europe and Asia, in 2024. The British singer-songwriter’s Manila concert is scheduled for 9 March 2024 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City. Adding to the excitement, the event will also feature another talented singer-songwriter, Callum Scott, as a special guest. Sheeran last serenaded his Filipino fans in April 2018, following a brief setback in his personal life due to a cycling accident. Originally scheduled for November 2017, the concert was rescheduled and finally pushed through. His very first Manila performance was at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2015, marking the beginning of a profound connection between the massively popular singer and his Filipino admirers, among the most ardent fans of his hits such as “Perfect,” “Photograph,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Lego House” and many others. Ticket sales for the Mathematics Tour will commence on 26 October 2023, 12 noon, at ovationtickets.com and smtickets.com. The post March 2024: Ed Sheeran for the third time in Manila appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAGASA: Expect cooler months ahead as Amihan season begins
The start of the ‘Amihan’ season on Friday marks the beginning of the country’s cooler weather in the coming months. In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said it has observed the beginning of northeast monsoon season, commonly known as ‘Amihan’—based on the of strong to gale-force northeasterly winds prevailing over Northern Luzon and increasing mean sea level pressure in recent days. “These meteorological conditions indicate the onset of Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) season in the country,” it stated. PAGASA said a gradual cooling of the surface air temperature over the northeastern part of Luzon was also observed. It added that the northeast wind flow is expected to gradually become more dominant over Northern Luzon, bringing cold and dry air. “Surges of cold temperatures may also be expected in the coming month,” it further stated. The weather bureau said Amihan may be enhanced by ongoing La Niña which may trigger floods, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides over susceptible areas. While dry spells may still be experienced in areas where there is an increased likelihood of below-normal rainfall or drier-than-usual conditions due to El Niño. PAGASA noted that this may adversely affect the different climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health, public safety, and other key sectors in the country. The post PAGASA: Expect cooler months ahead as Amihan season begins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chow Yun-fat laments Chinese censorship at BIFF
Hong Kong film legend Chow Yun-fat on Thursday lamented China's "difficult" censorship while conceding the mainland market's crucial financial importance for filmmakers. Speaking at South Korea's Busan International Film Festival, Chow told reporters that Hong Kong's cinema industry had to learn to play by a new set of rules since the city returned to China's control in 1997. "We have a lot of censorship requirements in mainland China. Our scripts must go through a lot of different departments for the film bureau", BIFF's Asian Filmmaker of the Year honoree said. But while Chow said things were "very difficult" for Hong Kong's filmmakers, they also knew it was necessary to reach the "huge" mainland Chinese audience to "make a living". "We have to pay attention to our government ... otherwise it is very hard to get the money to shoot a movie," he said, adding they still strove to maintain the "Hong Kong spirit". In announcing this year's honor, BIFF organizers heaped praise on Chow for "spearheading the golden age of Hong Kong cinema" that flowered in the early 1990s, and making "Hong Kong noir" a globally recognized genre. Three of Chow's films -- "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and 2023's "One More Chance" -- will be screened at the festival. Freedom Along with Tony Leung, his "Hard Boiled" co-star and 2022 BIFF honoree, Chow has long been a well-liked figure in South Korea thanks to Hong Kong cinema's surge in popularity in the 1990s. Since then, South Korea has cemented its own status as a global cultural powerhouse, and has had explosive successes like Oscar-winning film "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game". "It's a good thing that when one industry feels stagnant and unable to move forward, another region can take it even further," Chow said, when asked about the rise of South Korean cinema. "I believe the greatest strength of Korean cinema lies in its freedom." Despite his prolific career and global fame, Chow said he still considers himself an "ordinary person". In 2018, he vowed to donate his fortune to charity after he dies. Chow quipped Thursday that it was his wife's decision, but added: "I believe that since I came into this world with nothing, it doesn't really matter if I leave with nothing as well." The post Chow Yun-fat laments Chinese censorship at BIFF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman fails to pin Napoles for plunder
The Sandiganbayan yesterday convicted Janet Lim Napoles of nine counts of corruption of a public official, but acquitted her of plunder over the so-called “pork barrel fund scandal.” Likewise found guilty of nine counts of direct bribery by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division was former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives Partylist Rep. Edgar Valdez. The convictions were in relation to the misuse of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF. Napoles and Valdez were each sentenced to imprisonment of two years and four months up to six years and one day, and were each meted out a fine of P26,996,700. The cases stemmed from the charges of plunder filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman, which alleged that five lawmakers, including Valdez, channeled their PDAFs to Napoles’ fake non-government organizations in exchange for kickbacks. According to the information filed by the Ombudsman, Valdez received P56 million in kickbacks from Napoles. The amount was over the P50-million threshold for the crime of plunder. Lacking evidence Former senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, were among the other lawmakers accused of plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. Revilla was acquitted in 2018 but the cases against the others are still pending before the Sandiganbayan. Enrile, Estrada and Seachon-Lanete were granted bail. The dispositive portion of the Sandiganbayan’s ruling said the evidence to prove plunder against Napoles and Valdez was lacking. “The Court finds accused Edgar de Leon Valdez and Janet Lim Napoles not guilty of plunder due to insufficient evidence proving that they had, through conspiracy, amassed, accumulated, and or acquired at least 50 million pesos of PDAF funds through kickbacks and/or commissions,” the decision read in part. Valdez was allowed to post bail in 2016 after the Fifth Division said the prosecution was only able to prove that Valdez received P2.6 million, and not P56 million, in kickbacks from a foundation belonging to Napoles, who was dubbed the “pork barrel queen.” The division rejected Napoles’ request for the court to accept her belatedly filed memorandum that cited whistleblower Benhur Luy’s testimony in a different graft case, where he allegedly acknowledged that the funds in this case were not from PDAF. The 108-page Sandiganbayan decision was per curiam, meaning, not one justice from the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division penned the ruling. The per curiam decision was signed by Associate Justice and Division Chairperson Rafael Lagos, and Associate Justices Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Maryann Corpus-Mañalac. Previous acquittals Napoles attended through videoconference, while Valdez was physically present in court on Monday morning. Napoles is currently serving prior convictions. Last May, the Sandiganbayan First Division acquitted Napoles of graft in 16 PDAF cases. Napoles and Revilla were charged with the crimes in 2014. In 2018, the court ruled in favor of Napoles and against Revilla in the plunder case. In 2021, after filing a demurrer to evidence in both graft instances, Revilla was exonerated. The court ruled that the liability of the accused could no longer be determined because they were included in the plunder case for which they were already prosecuted. The charges of plunder against Revilla, his former political officer Atty. Richard Cambe, and Napoles also constituted graft because they were based on “predicate acts,” the court said. The resolution was written by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg and adopted by Division chairperson Efren dela Cruz and Associate Justice Arthur Malabaguio. Same proof “This fact became even more apparent after the presentation of the same testimonial and documentary evidence in both cases,” the resolution read. Those acquitted in that case were Gondelina Amata, Ofelia Ordoez, Sofia Cruz, Evelyn Sucgang, Francisco Figura, Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana, Marivic Jover, Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, Victor Roman Cacal and Maria Ninez Guanizo. Dennis Cunanan, Gregoria Buenaventura, Rhodora Mendoza, Evelyn de Leon, Laarni Uy and Jocelyn Piorato were found guilty and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 to 8 years, and were permanently barred from holding public office. Cambe, Eulogio Rodriguez and Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal had their cases dropped after they passed away. Still another case Napoles was found guilty of two charges of graft and two counts of malversation in another batch of PDAF proceedings involving the late Davao del Sur representative Douglas Cagas. The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division observed in a ruling released on 19 May 2023, that the Anti-Money Laundering Council report corroborated the evidence of whistleblower Luy, who claimed that Napoles owned and controlled the NGOs implicated in the PDAF scam. The post Ombudsman fails to pin Napoles for plunder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl’s Hass avocados now bound to South Korea — DA
The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) announced on Monday, that through the National Plant Quarantine Services Division (NPQSD), fresh Hass avocados are now being exported to South Korea. The first batch of avocado export, the DA-BPI said, had a ceremonial send-off at the KTC Port Tibungco, Davao City on 30 September 2023. "It was on September 25, 2009, when the Philippines, through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), officially expressed its intent to export fresh Hass avocado fruits to Korea, responding to the request of Dole Philippines," the DA-BPI said in a press statement. It added that the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of the Republic of Korea and DA-BPI reached a historic agreement on 19 June 2023, which came into effect on 8 September this year. "This marks the beginning of a fruitful trade relationship between the two nations as the people of South Korea can finally taste the creamy and nutrient-rich Hass avocados from the Philippines," the DA-BPI said. The initial shipment of 3,040 boxes, with an estimated value of US$48,433, is expected to arrive in Pyongtaek Port, South Korea on 8 October 2023. The post Phl’s Hass avocados now bound to South Korea — DA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LPA enters PAR, develops into tropical depression ‘Jenny’
The low-pressure area tracked over the east of Central Luzon has entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and developed into Tropical Depression Jenny, the state weather bureau said Friday. In its latest weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that the LPA entered the country and developed into a tropical depression around 2 p.m. on Friday. PAGASA said TD Jenny is not directly affecting the country. However, it is expected to bring heavy rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next five days. PAGASA said TD Jenny may enhance the Southwest Monsoon or ‘habagat’ beginning on Sunday, resulting in possible occasional rains over the western portions of Central and Southern Luzon. The tropical depression is forecast to track generally westward or west-northwestward until Saturday before turning further north over the Philippine Sea east of Northern and Central Luzon. It will then be expected to have a close approach over the Batanes area by Wednesday. PAGASA sees the TD may landfall over Batanes-Babuyan or northeastern mainland Cagayan. Jenny is also expected to steadily intensify throughout the forecast period and may reach the tropical storm category tomorrow afternoon. It may be upgraded into a typhoon category by Wednesday during its close approach over the Batanes area. Jenny is currently moving westward at 20 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently hoisted. The post LPA enters PAR, develops into tropical depression ‘Jenny’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SWAT raids cops’ house in ‘Betflix’ crackdown
SWAT teams led a crackdown on illegal online gambling network in Thailand on Monday that saw the house of potentially the next police chief raided. One of the 30 houses targeted was in central Bangkok and belonged to Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, who is touted as a possible candidate to replace the outgoing police chief. Surachate, well known in Thailand for his regular appearances in the media giving updates on investigations, denied any involvement in the alleged gambling ring. “I’m not worried at all, because I’m not involved in this and I can answer any question,” he told reporters outside his home while the raid was under way. “Today I see this as nothing more than internal politics within the police,” he said. Police Major General Trairong Phiwpan said the raids stemmed from a probe into a gambling website called “Betflix” and 12 subsidiary sites. Investigators have issued 23 arrest warrants, he said, including eight for police officers —though Surachate said he was not among them. Officers conducting the raid said they were unaware whose house it was. The long-serving Surachate — nicknamed “the cat with nine lives” — has been linked to powerful figures in the previous government. He was appointed by ex-deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan as chief of the Immigration Bureau in September 2018. He disappeared in 2019 over unclear reasons, before then-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made him a special adviser on strategy to police in 2021. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who took office last month, told reporters he was monitoring the situation. “There may be the need to set up an independent investigation committee, “because this is a big problem,” he said. “It affects the morale and public impression towards the police.” Thai police have long been dogged by allegations of endemic corruption. WITH AFP The post SWAT raids cops’ house in ‘Betflix’ crackdown appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
French rapper MHD faces verdict over youth’s murder
Acclaimed French rapper MHD was on Saturday awaiting with eight co-accused a verdict in the trial over the murder of a young man in Paris in 2018. MHD, whose real name is Mohamed Sylla, once again insisted on his innocence as he made his final statements before the court retired to render the verdict after three weeks of proceedings. "From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence in this case and I will continue to maintain my innocence," he told the packed court. The prosecutor has asked for an 18-year prison sentence for the rapper, acquittals for two of the accused, and jail sentences of 13-20 years for the others. The verdict is due to be delivered later in the day. His seven co-accused present in court -- an eighth is being tried in absentia -- have also insisted they were not involved in the violent attack on Loic K. in July 2018 that resulted in his death. The death of the 23-year-old man has been portrayed by investigators as a settling of scores between rival gangs. MHD, who rose to fame with a distinctive blend of West African sounds with US-style hip-hop, was charged with homicide in January 2019 and imprisoned. He has denied taking part in the assault, which saw the victim rammed by a black Mercedes and then beaten up and stabbed by around a dozen people in a gritty part of the capital's 10th arrondissement. But a local resident filmed the incident from his window, and the Mercedes was quickly identified as belonging to MHD. Other witnesses identified the rapper by his haircut or a Puma sweatshirt, for which he was a brand ambassador, according to investigative reports seen by AFP. The incident concerns the Cite des Chaufourniers, a low-income estate in the area that the former pizza delivery driver continued to frequent despite his fame. He was released in the summer of 2020 after a year and a half in custody as the investigations continued and released a new album. MHD is seen as a pioneer of afro-trap, which mixes hip-hop and African traditions. The football-mad performer, who was born in France to Guinean and Senegalese parents, is best known for "Afro Trap Part 3 (Champions League)", a song in praise of the Paris Saint-Germain football club. The post French rapper MHD faces verdict over youth’s murder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos leads Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair launch in CamSur
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday graced the simultaneous launch of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Nabua, Camarines Sur. The Bagong Pilipinas caravan involves the consolidation of programs and services by various government agencies in one venue to speed up their delivery to Filipinos. In his speech, Marcos noted that these government agencies and institutions were in “full force” to deliver medical, health, financial, livelihood, and education assistance to “give Filipinos “new hope and new beginnings.” “This program is just one of the first initiatives of the government to give Filipinos new hope and a new beginning. Our islands may be detached from one another, but we are united by one spirit and one dream – the new Philippines for the new Filipino),” Marcos said in vernacular. “We gathered various government agencies to deliver services that would improve your lives,” he added. The event featured the government’s flagship programs such as Kadiwa ng Pangulo, Passport on Wheels, Driver’s License registration/assistance, National I.D., Pag-IBIG Fund, National Bureau of Investigation and Police Clearance applications—wherein various government agencies have extended their respective assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, senior citizens, and sick Filipinos. Marcos said his administration would continue working to improve the government services to the people. “We have one goal – to promote a new Philippines that we can proudly pass on to our children and the future generations),” he said. The two-day caravan was also held simultaneously in Monkayo, Davao de Oro led by Vice President Sara Duterte; the Visayas State University in Tolosa, Leyte led by House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; and the Mariano Marcos State University in Laoag, Ilocos Norte led by 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos III. In Camarines Sur, the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair hosts 75 programs and services from 29 government agencies, including social services, livelihood and educational services, and other regulatory functions that would benefit 120,000 residents. The Presidential Communications Office said the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair is intended to be replicated in every province to speed up the delivery of government services to the countryside. It is one of the targeted programs of the Marcos administration to promote the all-inclusive “Bagong Pilipinas” brand of governance and leadership campaign. The post Marcos leads Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair launch in CamSur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero to BOC: File charges vs. rice smugglers, hoarders
Senator Francis Escudero challenged the Bureau of Customs to immediately file charges against traders susceptibly involved in smuggling and hoarding rice. Escudero said such illegal activities have caused an artificial shortage of food staples and rice price spikes in recent months. The senator then slammed the BOC for its failure to disclose to the public the “names of traders and operators whose warehouses were raided by government authorities for tons of suspected smuggled rice.” “Ang dami nang raids na ginawa nitong mga nakaraang linggo, bakit hanggang ngayon, wala pang kasong isinasampa sa mga taong sangkot? (You have done so many raid activities this past weeks, why is it until now you haven’t filed cases to anyone involved?),” he said. Escudero stressed the need to file charges and ‘bring these economic saboteurs to court” so it could “serve as a warning” that the Marcos administration is indeed serious in its campaign against smugglers and hoarders. He said the authorities should not stop by just conducting a series of raids, instead, the efforts should showcase strong results. The Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 considers large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as economic sabotage, with "at least P1 million worth of sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish, and cruciferous vegetables, in their raw state, or which have undergone the simple processes of preparation and preservation for the market, or a minimum of P10 million worth of rice, as valued by Bureau of Customs." “Why haven't I heard anyone sued for economic sabotage or something? Who owns these warehouses? Who are the people involved?" Escudero asked, citing that the BoC-Port of Zamboanga seized some 42,180 sacks of rice worth P42 million in Barangay San Jose Gusu on 15 September. The local bureau inspected the warehouse on 19 May after receiving information that smuggled rice was being stored in the area. Two weeks prior, the BOC inspected three warehouses in Bulacan and found these stocked with suspected smuggled imported rice worth P505 million. It temporarily sealed and guarded these warehouses located inside the Intercity Industrial Complex in Balagtas, Bulacan. Aside from filing charges, Escudero said the government should also update the public on the development of these cases “in the spirit of transparency.” "Ito ang mga dapat nilang masagot ngayon (this what they should answer now): who oversees the disposition and how will it be disposed? Ano ang gagawin nila sa mga bigas na nakumpiska? (What will happen to confiscated rice?),“ Escudero said. In a news forum last Saturday, BOC Port of Zamboanga chief, Benito Lontok, said the agency is planning to donate the smuggled rice for the implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa Program and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s assistance programs. However, Lontok said the plan is still “subject to approval” of BoC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. 'DA should step up' Meanwhile, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano urged DA to take more proactive measures to address the price hike in rice. Cayetano lamented the prices of rice remain high despite the government’s implementation of a price cap on the product. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier blamed smugglers and hoarders for causing the increasing prices of rice in the country. Hence, issuing the executive Order No. 39 on 31 August, mandated price ceilings for regular-milled rice at P41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at P45 per kilogram. The EO 39 will be implemented nationwide beginning 5 September. Marcos vowed the government would continue going after the rice smugglers and hoarders, including the imposition of penalties for those found guilty of violating the mandated price cap for rice. Cayetano lauded Marcos for this effort and for being a “sincere Agriculture Secretary” with a primary intent on the country’s food situation. However, he stressed that other DA officials should not rely on the Chief Executive for solutions. “The DA to seek long-term solutions to stabilize food prices, emphasizing that temporary measures may not address the root causes of the problem,” he said. The post Escudero to BOC: File charges vs. rice smugglers, hoarders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Harvard welcomes Cavite teacher as first Phl language instructor
After nearly 400 years since its founding, the prestigious Harvard University has named its first-ever Filipino language instructor. [caption id="attachment_181411" align="aligncenter" width="1588"] LADY Aileen Orsal | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/LADY AILEEN ORSAL[/caption] Lady Aileen Orsal, who used to teach at Cavite State University, is now the university’s first preceptor for its Filipino language course. She will be teaching elementary and intermediate Filipino (Tagalog) beginning of Fall 2023. “Gayunpaman, naniniwala akong maliit na bahagi lamang ako ng istorya at ang pagkakataong maituro ito ay bunga ng pagsisikap ng mga taong patuloy na inadhika na magkaroon ng mayaman at makabuluhang programa ng Filipino sa pamantasan. Ang pagpupunyagi nila ang tunay na nais kong ibida. Kasama na rito ang pagsaludo sa lahat ng mga gurong Pilipino at guro ng/sa Filipino sa loob at labas ng bansa partikular na ang mga guro ko sa CvSU at DLSU at sa mga kaibigan at mentor ko na guro sa NIU at iba pang pamantasan sa Estados Unidos na dahilan kung bakit patuloy akong natututo sa mga istratehiya sa pagtuturo ng ating wika at kultura (However, I believe that I am only a small part of the story, the opportunity to teach the result of the effort of people who have continuously strived to have a rich and meaningful Filipino program in the university. Their efforts are what I really want to highlight. This includes saluting all Filipino teachers inside and outside the country, especially my teachers at CvSU and DLSU and my friends and mentors who are teachers at NIU and other universities in the United States — the reason why I continue to learn from strategies in teaching our language and culture),” she wrote on Facebook. Orsal said she’s currently preparing for the classes, saying that “mas marami tayong maibabahaging kwento sa hinaharap kapag handa na ako at may mga magagandang bunga na ang programa na nais nating payabungin (we’ll have more stories to share in the future when I’m ready, hoping for the program will yield good results).” She dedicates this milestone “#parasabayan” while hoping that Filipinos “will continue to honor being Filipino in every corner of the world.” Orsal demonstrates an impressive background in Philippine Studies, and has conducted research and published several works on traditional tattoo art, the country’s coffee culture, and the use of music in political campaign jingles. “Lady Aileen is a dedicated, creative and effective teacher who is committed to being a leader in Filipino language pedagogy. We also look forward to working with her to develop, highlight and showcase the richness and variety of the history and cultures of the Philippines through events on the Harvard campus,” said James Robson, Victor and William Fung director at Harvard University Asia Center. Orsal’s teaching career began as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the Center of Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University in 2018. She is currently completing two degrees: an MA in Communication from Northern Illinois University and a PhD in Philippine Studies from De La Salle University in the Philippines, both expected to be completed next year. Apart from Orsal, Harvard also welcomed Sakti Suryani as a preceptor from Indonesia. Harvard will also offer elementary, intermediate and advanced Indonesian courses at the beginning of its fall term. According to the Harvard University Asia Center, Filipino (or Tagalog) is the fourth most-spoken language in the United States, after English, Spanish and Chinese. The post Harvard welcomes Cavite teacher as first Phl language instructor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Asian Institute of Management appoints Erramon Aboitiz as new chairman
UnionBank of the Philippines chairman of the Board of Directors Erramon "Montxu" I. Aboitiz has taken on a pivotal role as the new chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Asian Institute of Management beginning 1 September 2023. Aboitiz joins an esteemed group of accomplished business leaders who share the commitment to advance the growth and well-being of Asia and its people. Montxu is the seventh chairman of AIM, succeeding Peter Garrucho who assumed the role in 2017. Montxu served as the president and CEO of Aboitiz Equity Ventures for a decade from 2009 to 2019, and briefly as the CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation in 2018. Additionally, Montxu is a former trustee of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation before Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz assumed the same role. Montxu earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and Finance from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA. In 2011, he received the Management Man of the Year award from the Management Association of the Philippines and was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Seven years later, AIM conferred an honorary doctorate degree in management on Montxu. In 2019, the Aboitiz Group, through its social responsibility arm the Aboitiz Foundation, made a $10 million donation to AIM, marked as the Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund. The said fund is being used to address the local and regional gap in data science and innovation. With this donation, AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship conducts world-class teaching and research with real-world applications with data science professionals and leaders. The post Asian Institute of Management appoints Erramon Aboitiz as new chairman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM flags PNP’s P27-B ‘overdraft’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been spending a whopping P26.7 billion annually for “unauthorized” excess positions in the organization, covering ranks from Lieutenant Generals and below, according to a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) document, In a letter dated 12 October 2022 addressed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Mary Anne Z. Dela Vega, Director of the Budget Department’s Budget and Management Bureau, submitted a matrix of PNP rank distribution approved by the DBM covering the 226,410 members of the police force. The DBM-approved rank distribution did not match the actual strength and distribution of ranks implemented by the PNP leadership, contrary to existing laws and regulations. The following excess positions were noted in the following ranks: Lieutenant General, 5; Major General, 6; Brigadier General, 24; Colonel, 232; Lieutenant Colonel, 910; Major, 1,410; Captain, 1,835; Staff Sergeant, 31,729; and Corporal, 30,052. The total excess positions stand at 66,203 with a combined annual base pay of P26.707 billion. DILG sources said these excess positions, which go beyond the DBM-authorized number of personnel, are considered “illegal." On the other hand, DBM and DILG data showed that there are 77,190 unfilled positions in the PNP hierarchy, with the rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman suffering the biggest discrepancy with 66,958 unfilled posts. The DBM-authorized positions for Patrolman stands at 129,926 but the actual strength per PNP record as of 30 June 2023 stood at only 62,968. These unfilled positions have a combined budget of P23.838 billion that was not spent on the recruitment of more Patrolmen and women. “This explains why we severely lack police visibility in our communities. And this has an adverse effect on the overall campaign to preserve peace and order and protect the people from crimes,” said a DILG insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Other PNP ranks that remain unfilled include Lieutenant, 1,066; Executive Master Sergeant, 2,382; Chief Master Sergeant, 3,878; Senior Master Sergeant, 463; and Master Sergeant, 2,443. For star rank positions, the DBM allows only three for Lieutenant Generals but there are presently eight officials having that rank. For Major General, the DBM allows only 11 but 17 are now occupying the position while for Brig. General, only 86 are allowed but 110 were appointed to the rank. For non-star ranks, there are only 624 colonels allowed by the DBM but the PNP has 856. The DBM authorized 2,000 for Lt. Cols. but the actual number of officers with that rank stands at 2,910. “… we wish to reiterate that any changes in the PNP’s organizational structure should be supported by a study and recommendation of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission), to include its impact on the hierarchy and leadership structure of the organization, and subsequently, the same shall be subject to the President’s approval,” the DBM letter said. Napolcom Commissioner Alberto Bernardo, who is also Vice Chairperson of the body, was furnished a copy of the said letter but could not be reached for comment. An earlier letter to the DILG dated 19 July 2018 and signed by then Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned that except for such offices created by the Constitution, the creation of public offices is primarily a legislative function. Therefore, these excess positions in the PNP not otherwise authorized by the DBM are contrary to law and may only be considered ad hoc or temporary positions. Likewise, the realignment of PNP funds to these excess positions was a power reserved only to the President and the use of savings to augment items in the general appropriations law for the executive branch is his sole prerogative and not any police official in the case of the PNP. Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987, specifically states that; “the General Appropriations Act shall not contain any itemization of personal services, which shall be prepared by the Secretary after enactment of the (GAA), for consideration and approval of the President.” The twin acts of creating excess positions and using realigned savings to fund these posts by the PNP leadership are prohibited by law. “While the Napolcom is duty-bound to advise the president on all matters relating to police functions and administration, it cannot recommend to the President the promotion of Third Level PNP officers to excess and prohibited positions,” the DILG source further explained. The post DBM flags PNP’s P27-B ‘overdraft’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immigration eyes shift to E-gates
The Bureau of Immigration is now planning to replace half of its manual counters with Electronic gates to increase the efficiency of its airport operations. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco announced this Monday (4 September) after requesting an increase in the BI’s budget. According to the BI, it follows a 45-second immigration processing time for travelers, adopted from the Guidelines on Advance Passenger Information published jointly by the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization. While the 45-second standard is meant for check-in counters to allow for manual keying of passenger data, BI has committed to and placed an obligation on itself to process passengers within that time frame. Tansingco said that the BI’s IT programs are lined up to further reduce the processing time without compromising national security. He added that the procurement of E-gates has been included in the BI’s approved information systems strategic plan for 2024–2026. The E-gates, which are identical to those used in advanced countries, can reduce processing time to as little as 8 seconds per passenger. When compounded, this would greatly speed up the traveler’s processing time. The BI chief claimed that currently, the Bureau only has 21 E-gates, which are distributed throughout the arrival areas of all major international airports in the country, with the majority of them placed at the NAIA. The Bureau is preparing to purchase E-gates beginning in 2024, and by 2026, it expects to have a total of 43 E-gates established across the country. The agency estimates that this project will cost 1.9 billion, which is required to keep up with equivalents elsewhere. “E-gates are now the standard in most countries,” Tansingco said. “We want things to be faster and more efficient to better improve the experience of our travelers,” he added. Meanwhile, Tansingco said that their operations are prepared for the expected influx of passengers during the Christmas season. He added that the “Ber” months are here again, and because of this, they expect a higher volume of arriving and departing passengers. Tansingco also shared that apart from deploying hundreds of immigration officers, with the latest batch of graduates numbering 108, the BI has in place the Rapid Response Procedure, executed in all international ports of entry and exit during peak hours or critical periods, to address the sudden influx of travelers by augmenting the number of officers assigned at a specific terminal through the mobilization of other IOs assigned at other offices. Mobile counters have also been deployed to process passengers despite the limited immigration space in our airports as compared to the allocated immigration space in other countries. The BI also announced that within the year, it intends to open green lanes at the departure area, which will cater to airline crew, frequent travelers, and OFWs. The post Immigration eyes shift to E-gates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BI to replace 50% of manual counters with E-gates
The Bureau of Immigration is now planning to replace half of its manual counters with electronic gates to increase the efficiency of its airport operations. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco made this announcement on Monday, 4 September, after requesting an increase in the BI’s budget. According to the BI, it follows a 45-second immigration processing time for travelers, adopted from the Guidelines on Advance Passenger Information published jointly by the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization. While the 45-second standard is meant for check-in counters to allow for manual keying of passenger data, BI has committed to and placed an obligation on itself to process passengers within that time frame. Tansingco said that the BI’s IT programs are lined up to further reduce the processing time without compromising national security. He added that the procurement of e-gates has been included in the BI’s approved information systems strategic plan for 2024–2026. The E-gates, which are identical to those used in advanced countries, can reduce processing time to as little as 8 seconds per passenger. When compounded, this would greatly speed up the traveler's processing time. The BI chief claimed that currently, the Bureau only has 21 e-gates, which are distributed throughout the arrival areas of all major international airports in the country, with the majority of them placed at the NAIA. The Bureau is preparing to purchase E-gates beginning in 2024, and by 2026, it expects to have a total of 43 E-gates established across the country. The agency estimates that this project will cost 1.9 billion, which is required to keep up with equivalents elsewhere. "E-gates are now the standard in most countries," said Tansingco. "We want things to be faster and more efficient to better improve the experience of our travelers," he added. Meanwhile, Tansingco said that their operations are prepared for the expected influx of passengers during the Christmas season. He added that the "ber" months are here again, and because of this, they expect a higher volume of arriving and departing passengers. Apart from deploying hundreds of immigration officers, with the latest batch of graduates numbering 108, the BI has in place the Rapid Response Procedure, executed in all international ports of entry and exit during peak hours or critical periods, to address the sudden influx of travelers by augmenting the number of officers assigned at a specific terminal through the mobilization of other IOs assigned at other offices. Mobile counters have also been deployed to process passengers despite the limited immigration space in our airports as compared to the allocated immigration space in other countries. The BI intends to open green lanes at the departure area, which will cater to airline crew, frequent travelers, and OFWs before the year is over. The post BI to replace 50% of manual counters with E-gates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Typhoon ‘Haikui’ makes landfall in Taiwan
Typhoon "Haikui" made landfall in eastern Taiwan Sunday, unleashing torrential downpours, whipping up winds, and plunging thousands of households into darkness as the first major storm to hit the island directly in four years. Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas, hundreds of flights canceled, and businesses closed in preparation for the storm. Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said in a news conference the typhoon was "at our doorstep" and by 3:40 p.m. (0740 GMT) confirmed to AFP it had made landfall in coastal Taitung, a mountainous county in lesser-populated eastern Taiwan. Residents hunkered down indoors in the dark, staying away from windows as strong gusts of wind sent fallen trees and dislodged water tanks flying in the air, according to an AFP reporter. "I think this time it is serious," said retired mechanic Chang Jhi-ming, 58, in Taitung. "This is just beginning, the wind is just coming in and you can see trees toppling already." The typhoon has gathered speed since yesterday, and at 7:15 p.m. was carrying sustained winds of about 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour. "Rain and wind will be most intense and its impact will be most obvious during this period" after landfall, said a spokesperson with the weather bureau, adding that the typhoon will move into the Taiwan Strait by Monday evening. Across the island, more than 21,000 households lost power and, while most saw it restored by mid-afternoon, about 9,000 were still without electricity when Haikui hit -- including in Taitung. Authorities have reported two minor injuries in Hualien County, a mountainous region where a warning for flash floods was issued after a fallen tree hit a car. Hualien and Taitung counties were also under a torrential rainfall advisory, due to remain in place until at least Monday afternoon. The last major storm to hit Taiwan was Typhoon Bailu in 2019, which killed one person. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Haikui would be the first in four years to cross the Central Mountain Range running north to south of the island -- a path that could lead to landslides in surrounding counties. "I remind the people to make preparations for the typhoon and watch out for your safety, avoid going out or any dangerous activities," Tsai said. 'Big winds' The streets in Hualien were deserted Sunday, battered by unrelenting rain, while a fishing harbor in northeastern coastal Yilan county saw towering waves slam against the shore. In Yilan, some residents braved the downpour to shop at a nighttime market that had remained open despite the authorities' warnings. In Taitung, ripped-up trees already littered the streets before Haikui landed, street signs swayed under the strong winds and a restaurant owner tied down his signpost advertising seafood. "I almost forgot what it's like to be in a typhoon. What big winds!" restaurant owner Huang Jun-tong said, adding that when he woke up he immediately went to his shop to make sure everything was protected. "Yesterday, it was so calm that we did not feel like a typhoon was coming. Today, we feel it," he told AFP. The military had mobilized soldiers and equipment, such as amphibious vehicles and inflatable rubber boats, around the parts of Taiwan where Haikui was expected to have the heaviest impact. But it is expected to be less severe than Saola, which bypassed Taiwan but triggered the highest threat level in nearby Hong Kong and southern China before it weakened into a tropical storm by Saturday. The post Typhoon ‘Haikui’ makes landfall in Taiwan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay: Focus on modern info tech instead of burdening Filipino travelers
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking should focus more on maximizing modern technology and profiling improvement to fight human trafficking in the country instead of burdening Filipino travelers with strict document requirements. Binay, who chairs the Senate Committee on Tourism, said that the revised departure guidelines set by the IACAT are very restrictive to Filipino travelers “yet inconclusive in stopping human trafficking. Hence, the senator said the IACAT and other related agencies should also be mindful of improving their profiling of travelers as she finds the policy of providing additional travel documents "coercive, restrictive and redundant." Binay said the presence of technology is there to make it convenient for passengers and make them feel secure. Technology also plays a huge role in curbing human trafficking, she added. "Kung kaduda-duda talaga ang background ng byahero at kasamang biktima (If a traveler's background is indeed suspicious including the victim)—that's the time immigration people should do their jobs of cross-checking the info they have in their database and compare it to the claims of the person in question,” Binay further stressed. She then appealed: ”Let's maximize the use of information technology to correctly profile travelers.” Binay lamented that immigration officials should use a combination of methods and criteria to determine travelers who may pose a security risk. “We all know that visa applications are all scrutinized for accuracy and consistency. Kapag medyo kaduda-duda ang impormasyong nakalagay, expect an outright rejection of your application. Ang dapat sigurong higpitan yung mga babyahe papunta sa countries na walang visa at mataas ang human trafficking cases—in this case, cross referencing is necessary to check the background of a particular traveler,” she said. The Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration, she said, must deploy officers who are well-trained to interpret data contextually and make informed decisions based on the info at hand. Of course, human judgment is prone to mistakes that's why oversight is essential. Kaya dapat trained professional ang nasa frontlines to treat every traveler with respect and sensitivity, at magkaroon tayo ng mechanisms to address false positives to protect an individual's rights," Binay further stressed. The IACAT recently announced the imposition of the revised guidelines for Filipinos leaving the country beginning on 3 September. Under the revised guidelines, outbound passengers should present the basic travel documents consisting of a passport with at least six months validity from the date of departure; an appropriate valid visa whenever required; a confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary; and a boarding pass. For tourists, immigration officials may also ask for proof of hotel booking/accommodation, financial capacity or source of income; passenger’s declared purpose of travel, proof of employment, and other similar documents. Immigration officials may also ask outbound travelers for a copy of their original Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificate or report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage, copies of documents of sponsor, valid work visa or permit, residency permit, or any equivalent document, overseas employment certificate, e-receipt, or OFW clearance for OFW sponsors. If traveling through a relative’s sponsorship, an original affidavit of support and guarantee duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate must be presented. The post Binay: Focus on modern info tech instead of burdening Filipino travelers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCCI: Use QR code for added travel needs
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested to the government on Sunday to create a digital platform for first-time travelers to prevent missed flights and airport congestion as officials plan to implement stricter immigration rules as a deterrent to human trafficking starting 3 September. In a phone interview with the Daily Tribune, PCCI president George Barcelon said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and appropriate government agencies should consider a QR code-based mechanism to obtain and verify data on first-time travelers faster. “There are 15,000 outbound flights daily and our airport systems are still inefficient. Airports are also not big enough to hold people in line for inspections and questioning by officials under the new policies,” Barcelon said. “The new policies are an additional layer of bureaucracy which we should avoid for an overall efficient travel experience,” he added. IACAT said first-time passengers include tourists, overseas Filipino workers or OFWs, and digital nomads. Tourists affected For tourists, IACAT may require their confirmed return or roundtrip tickets, proof of hotel booking, proof of financial capacity or source of income, proof of employment and other equivalent documents. For OFWs, officials may ask for their OFW Clearance issued by the Department of Migrant Workers, employment visa or work permit, and employment contract. However, for frequent travelers like business people, IACAT Undersecretary-in-Charge Nicholas Ty said they will be asked to present only the basic documents such as passports and plane tickets. However, Barcelon said the government should first conduct consultations with travelers to minimize disruption in flight services and create effective anti-trafficking measures. “They will be requiring additional documents. What would happen if first-time passengers forgot these documents? How can they fly as they may have to deal with matters abroad that are urgent or time-sensitive?” he said. Barcelon stressed there should be clear guidelines first on how the passengers and airport authorities will address such scenarios before implementing the new rules beginning 3 September. While Barcelon agreed with the government that human trafficking is a serious problem, he said the authorities should also instead intensify their intelligence activities so they can identify and detain suspects immediately for verification outside airports. “Out of 5 million human trafficking suspects, 3,000 have been arrested. It’s a serious problem but policies should not make things difficult for all passengers,” he said. “The government should tap technologies to prevent human trafficking and invest heavily in them,” he explained. The Bureau of Immigration said it recorded around 6,000 suspected victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and misrepresentation from January to February this year alone. However, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said only 0.6 percent were removed from the plane for further investigations related to those cases. The post PCCI: Use QR code for added travel needs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Departure rules ‘not restrictive’
Recently revised departure guidelines for Filipino travelers targeted to boost government measures to fight trafficking and were not meant to intrude on privacy and impede the right to travel. In a news forum on Saturday, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the decision of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking to revise the departure guidelines really aims to reduce “the grave menace of human trafficking” in the country. Clavano added that the 2023 revised IACAT guidelines were culled out from the 2015 policy. The IACAT, he said, is not imposing additional documentary requirements on travelers, he said. “It is not true that we’re asking for additional requirements. If there are red flags, if there are inconsistencies in their stories, or if they did not meet the standards of immigration officers — then questioning will follow,” Clavano said. The IACAT earlier announced it will implement revised departure protocols for Filipinos traveling abroad beginning 3 September. Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed to the Bureau of Immigration not to “bully” Filipino travelers who are going abroad when it starts imposing stricter regulations starting next month. Bullying alleged As the author and sponsor of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and one of the lawmakers who exposed the scam syndicates within and outside of the Philippines, Hontiveros said she believes the government must ramp up its efforts in fighting human trafficking. “I believe it is absolutely imperative that we do more against human trafficking. I am aware of the magnitude of this serious global problem,” she added. “But my appeal to the BI is not to bully our Filipino tourists. Let’s give our compatriots a chance to relax and visit their families without much hassle,” she added. Senator Francis Tolentino hopes that the revised guidelines won’t become another burden to outbound Filipino travelers. In a radio interview on Saturday, Tolentino urged the IACAT to simplify the requirements for Filipino travelers and their processing going through the immigration counters at the airports. The post Departure rules ‘not restrictive’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»