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Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legarda welcomes Marcos’ call to integrate environment in Phl policymaking
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to integrate climate change into the Philippines' policymaking. Legarda, a United Nations Global Champion for Resilience, said this has to be seen by the entire government as marching orders to consider the climate in all planning, decision-making and budgeting. "As we reflect on President Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address, I want to express my appreciation for his recognition of climate change as a pressing priority," Legarda said. "I have been advocating this for decades, so now that the President has declared that the economic agenda shall never be incompatible with its climate change agenda, we may finally be on the right path," she continued. The President further said climate change is now considered an essential criterion in integral national policies, planning, decision-making, and implementation of programs. The potential advantages of leaning into pro-environment policies shall extend to jobs and livelihood, unlocking the country's green and blue economies. As such, the Chief Executive informed both chambers of Congress that he wants to prioritize the passage of the Blue Economy bill and new taxes for single-use plastics. This makes economic sense considering the heavy financial burden of local governments in collecting and dealing with mountains of trash from these disposables. "We now hope to see major changes in the way the Executive Department makes and executes their plans and programs in more climate resilient and ecological ways. The President's focus on reducing single-use plastics is timely as the negotiations for a plastics treaty are concluding. It demonstrates a commitment to practical and effective measures to ensure a healthier and cleaner future for future generations," Legarda said. "It is refreshing to see the President prioritizing these initiatives and recognizing their potential to drive economic growth while preserving the environment," she added. The four-term senator is the principal author of Senate Bill 1993, or the proposed Blue Economy Act, which seeks to promote stewardship and sustainable development of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. Up to 88 percent of the country's territory is marine, which covers about 2.2 million square kilometers. As one of the world's leading fish-producing countries, the Philippines hauled in 1.89 million tons of marine capture fisheries in 2018, making the nation 11th in the world regarding capture fisheries and aquaculture fish production. According to Legarda, the circular economy and blue economy are vital components in our fight against climate change. "These measures guide us toward resource efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible management of our marine resources," she said. Legarda also filed SBN 9, or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act of 2022, to integrate environmental inputs and outputs into national income accounts, accurately reflecting the country's development and economic performance. The post Legarda welcomes Marcos’ call to integrate environment in Phl policymaking appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LTO: Paper-printed driver’s license ilisan na og plastic card
LTO: Paper-printed driver’s license ilisan na og plastic card.....»»
Baltimore Bridge collapse: Police had about 90 seconds to stop traffic before bridge fell
BALTIMORE — It was the middle of the night when a dispatcher’s warning crackled over the radio: A massive cargo ship had lost its steering capabilities and was heading toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Within about 90 seconds, police officers who happened to be nearby responded that they managed to stop vehicle traffic over.....»»
The future of food
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House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
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Lalamove empowers aspiring women entrepreneurs to start their small businesses in PangNegosyo program
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NTC to telcos: Block Binance
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Stop motorcycle taxi expansion, Marcos urged
Various transport groups yesterday appealed to President Marcos to stop the expansion of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila amid the impending decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board o authorize several companies as players in the pilot study......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand's ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. "I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union of our ratification of the New Zealand European Union Free Trade Agreement (NZ-EUFTA)......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
Bill seeks review of rules on reckless imprudence
The country’s road safety laws must be reviewed to address the liability of drivers in cases of traffic violations and accidents, a lawmaker from Bukidnon said yesterday, citing the high number of vehicular crashes in Metro Manila......»»
Medical marijuana bill reaches Senate plenary
The bill seeking to legalize medical marijuana in the Philippines has reached the Senate plenary, the first time in the history of the upper chamber, according to a cannabis lawyer......»»
BIR attempts ‘friendly’ tack
February is not just the love month, it also marks the start of a yearlong campaign for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to encourage the public to pay their tax obligations. After all, collecting P3.05 trillion is no easy task......»»
DAR proves unending government support to farmers
DAR Eastern Samar Provincial Office proved once again that delivery of government assistance is unending with the recent turnover of farm machineries and inputs to an agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO) in Hernani, Eastern Samar......»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
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LTO summons road rage suspect
The Land Transportation Office yesterday issued a show-cause order against a motorcycle rider who slashed the tire of a delivery van in another case of road rage that went viral on social media......»»
Blinken Arrives in South Korea to Attend Democracy Summit
Seoul, South Korea - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Sunday in South Korea on the first stop of a brief Asia tour also including the Philippines, as Washington moves to reinforce ties with two key regional allies.Blinken landed Sunday afternoon ahead of the third Summit for Democracy on Monday, an initiative of U.S. President Joe Biden, which Seoul is hosting this week.Before arriving in Se.....»»
US State Secretary Blinken begins Middle East tour, marks his first stop in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah [Saudi Arabia], March 21 (ANI): US State Secretary Antony Blinken who began his Middle East tour arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, marking his first stop on this trip to discuss efforts to reach an "immediate ceasefire agreement" between Israel and Hamas, The New York Times reported. Blinken's visit to Jeddah came as US President Joe Biden's administration was hoping it could convince Saudi Arabia to establish.....»»