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Group urges power distributors to merge
Group urges power distributors to merge.....»»
First Gen to upgrade, expand Casecnan plant
Lopez-led First Gen Corp. is expanding and upgrading the Casecnan hydroelectric power plant after taking over the facility last month......»»
BoC-NAIA turns 63
Beyond Borders: A New Era for Digitalization and Customs Excellence was the theme chosen by the Bureau of Customs -Ninoy Aquino International Airport to commemorate its 63rd founding anniversary and over 60 years of dedicated public service. District Collector Atty. Yasmin Mapa emphasized the BoC-NAIA’s impressive accomplishments and development while Collector Mapa praised the port’s exceptional revenue collection record, which generated a total of P31.3 billion in revenue from January to September this year. This represented an increase of P1.3 billion over the prior year and outperformed the collection target for the time by P1.1 billion. This success demonstrates BoC-NAIA’s ongoing dedication to assisting the Bureau in achieving its broad objectives. Collector Mapa stated that in August 2023, BoC-NAIA passed its second surveillance audit for ISO quality management system certification, recognizing the value of simplified customs procedures. With 23 enrolled ISO-certified processes and 10 ISO support processes, the port has the most certified processes of any BOC port. With this accreditation, cargo clearance procedures are guaranteed to be recognized internationally, facilitating trade for stakeholders and customers. She added that BoC-NAIA will remain steadfast in its enforcement policies, intercepting narcotics with an estimated street value of P994 million in 2023. Collector Mapa highlighted the port’s role in preventing the entry of illicit goods, seizing a total of P1 billion worth of drugs, jewellery, wildlife, currencies, medicines, and other regulated items. The port received commendations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for curbing wildlife smuggling. BoC-NAIA is aggressively advancing digitization initiatives in keeping with the celebration’s theme. The port is organizing consultative discussions for the electronic tracking of air cargo and is currently in the pilot testing phase of the electronic airwaybill filing. In addition, there are plans to categorize goods and work with pertinent organizations to integrate iDeclare into the e-travel system to provide a centralised platform for trip declarations. A memorandum of agreement between the BoC and the Philippine Postal Corporation was ceremonially signed during this celebration in an effort to speed up, secure and enhance the quality of customs clearance for postal commodities. At the ceremony, BoC-NAIA showcased its newly revamped website and E-Airway Bill System, showcasing its dedication to operating more efficiently. The event was capped off with awards for top imports and standout personnel, underscoring their critical contribution to the port’s development and prosperity. Collector Mapa expressed appreciation to Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, Deputy Commissioners, and Bureau of Customs employees for their assistance and the chance to assist stakeholders. Collector Mapa stressed the port’s commitment, saying, “This is who we are. This is the customary excellence we are honoured to exude. Unfazed by any threat. Straightforward in the application of policies and loyal to the direction of the agency Performing our duties even beyond borders and striving to introduce digitalization programs tailored for the unique operations of the airport.” Rubio, who graced the celebration, commended the BoC-NAIA for their hard work and dedication in forging economic growth and serving as a vital gateway for trade. “Reflecting upon the journey that brought us to this milestone after six eventful decades, we must acknowledge the individuals who have dedicated themselves to the development of the Port of NAIA — from the pioneers who envisioned its potential to the diligent officers who labor tirelessly day in and day out,” he said. The post BoC-NAIA turns 63 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate OKs taxation reform bill mandating easier tax payments
The Senate on Monday approved a measure that would introduce administrative reforms in the country’s taxation, including easier processing of tax payments. Senate Bill 2224, or the Ease of Paying Tax Act authored by Senator Win Gatchalian, made it to the upper chamber’s third and final reading during the plenary session, with 20 senators voting in favor of its passage. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, said the bill targets to establish a tax administration system that will not only encourage taxpayers to pay their taxes truthfully and promptly but also facilitate a more efficient tax collection to fund various government programs. “Mahalaga na maisabatas kung paano natin mapapagaan ang proseso para sa ating mga taxpayers dahil sa kanila nanggagaling ang pondo na kailangan natin para magpatupad ng mga programa para sa ikauunlad ng bansa,” he said. Once enacted into law, SB 2224 will introduce administrative reforms that would simplify tax compliance and strengthen taxpayer rights by amending certain provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. The proposed measure also aims to revolutionize the current process of filing tax returns and paying taxes by allowing taxpayers to have the flexibility to file their returns and make payments at any Revenue District Office, or any authorized agent bank, regardless of whether it's located within the jurisdiction of the RDO where they are registered. Gatchalian noted the need for the taxpayers to be allowed to settle estate tax and donor’s tax in any RDO. “This would alleviate the burden placed on taxpayers who have to travel long distances or encounter logistical challenges to fulfill their tax obligations,” he said. In addition, the measure also seeks to institutionalize the use of digital filing and payment through any accredited payment channels or platforms. Gatchalian said the digitalization of filing tax returns and payment of taxes is expected to enhance the compliance of taxpayers. It would make it easier and more convenient for taxpayers to fulfill their obligations, he added. The post Senate OKs taxation reform bill mandating easier tax payments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Online passport renewal for migrant workers, seniors eyed
Migrant workers and senior citizens will soon be able to renew their passports via online processing with the Senate’s approval of the New Philippine Passport Act. The upper chamber on Monday has approved on the third and final reading the Senate Bill 2001, an act providing for a new passport law, repealing for the purpose of Republic Act 8239, which allows senior citizens and migrant workers to renew their passports virtually, without having to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs office. Senator Win Gatchalian said the bill, which was among Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priority measures, would allow Filipinos who lost their passports to request emergency passports that are valid for a year. “Tungkulin ng gobyerno na gawing maayos ang mga dokumento na kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan para sa kanilang maayos na paglalakbay It is the duty of the government to properly prepare the required documents for their smooth travel of our countrymen),” he added. SB 2001 mandates the DFA to work in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, in establishing and maintaining an online application portal and an Electronic One-Stop Shop easily accessible on its official website, to ensure convenience in the application process and the collection and submission of necessary requirements. The measure also mandates the issuance of passports using the latest tamper-proof and data management technologies. Senator Imee Marcos, who sponsored and co-authored the bill, previously said the measure will also set up a watchlist for people who have been denied passports or have had their passports canceled. “It would be wise to improve, as much as we can, the language involved during the bicameral conference and even thereafter,” she said. SB 2001 also targets the development of a new generation of passports aligned with international standards and streamlining the application process. It includes provisions for the non-appearance renewal of passports for senior citizens and Filipino migrant workers abroad at consular offices. The post Online passport renewal for migrant workers, seniors eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawmaker proposes legislation vs abusive debt collection practices
A lawmaker has filed a bill that is intended to put a stop to the abusive practices of debt collectors and creditors......»»
Tulfo files bill instituting ‘no collection policy’ in schools
Senator Raffy Tulfo filed a measure institutionalizing a policy that would prevent elementary and secondary public schools from collecting mandatory contributions from students. Senate Bill 2440 seeks to eliminate the barriers that hinder the enrollment and retention of students through implementing a no-collection policy in public schools. Tulfo lamented that public school students attending classes are mostly from the poorest of the poor families. He said burdening these students with required extra fees in schools would “only discourage them” from pursuing their studies. In filing the bill, Tulfo said families with limited financial means will no longer face out-of-pocket costs associated with sending their children to school, thus promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities in education. Under SB 2420, no fees shall be collected from school children enrolling in pre-school up to Grade 4, during the enrollment period and at any time during the school year. For grade levels beyond Grade 4, no collection of any type should be undertaken during the enrollment period and the first month of classes. Starting on the second month, contributions for some memberships may be collected, but only on a voluntary basis, and should not be demanded, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Red Cross memberships, among others. Tulfo said his proposed legislation “is grounded in the recognition of the constitutional mandate for the provision of free public education” at the elementary and secondary levels. He added that it aligns with the country's commitment to achieving the Education For All Plan 2015 and the Millennium Development Goals, particularly concerning primary school participation. The post Tulfo files bill instituting ‘no collection policy’ in schools appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
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......»»
More payment options empower Filipinos
Bayad has partnered with Go VIP Center to give customers more convenient ways to pay their bills. Under the partnership, over 1,000 Go VIP payment centers can accept bill payments for utilities and government contributions, including the Manila Electric Company, PLDT, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The new feature is on top of the usual money transfer, remittance, airtime loading, delivery, and microinsurance services offered in Go VIP payment centers. Go VIP Center president and CEO Julie M. Estares said the partnership with Bayad is aligned with its mission to deliver innovative and convenient financial solutions to Filipinos. “By integrating Bayad’s payment collection system into our services, we can enhance the convenience and accessibility of bill payments for our customers, further streamlining their financial transactions,” she said. For his part, Bayad president and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer said the partnership aims to provide customers with more accessible physical touchpoints for bill payment. “Partnering with Go VIP Center continuously inspires us to rethink the convenience we can provide to the customers we both serve. This is why we’re proactively expanding our biller ecosystem as we maximize a one-stop-shop payment experience, especially for our kababayans, who are always on the go. Our goal has always been centered on elevating the financial experience of Filipinos,” he said. A wholly-owned unit of Meralco, Bayad enables partners to attain a nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing. The post More payment options empower Filipinos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate-approved bill seeks to protect taxpayers
Senator Win Gatchalian on Tuesday said the upper chamber’s approval of the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights and Obligations is a step toward empowering and protecting the interests of the taxpayers and will also bolster the government’s revenue collection. Senate Bill 1806, also known as the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights and Obligations Act, was approved on the third and final reading in a plenary session on Monday, receiving 22 affirmative and zero negative votes. The measure pushes for creating an independent office to "protect the rights of taxpayers." According to Gatchalian, the bill ensures that taxpayers will be adequately informed in cases of any deficiencies or violations. He added the measure encompasses various fundamental rights for taxpayers, including the right to receive clear and simplified guidance on complying with laws, rules and regulations implemented by revenue authorities. “In the process of empowering taxpayers, the measure will hope to enhance tax compliance on expectations that taxpayers will be more inclined in fulfilling their obligations if their rights and privileges are clear to them,” Gatchalian, who chairs the Committee on Ways and Means, said. The bill mandates the creation of the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate, which will represent low-income taxpayers, assist the public with their tax concerns and issue opinions. The ONTA will serve as an independent and autonomous office attached to the Department of Justice. Senators Lito Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Cynthia Villar, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also co-authored the SB 1806. The post Senate-approved bill seeks to protect taxpayers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
High-impact infras feed optimism
During the first State of the Nation Address or SoNA, a year ago, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told his audience made up mostly of legislators that the country’s condition is ripe for a growth revival despite the lingering challenges from the pandemic and the creeping high inflation. Marcos recognized that Filipinos have faced formidable challenges over the past two years and are ready to recover. Despite their ordeal, he commended their resilience and determination to endure and overcome the trials they are confronting. “We have assembled the best Filipino minds to help navigate us through this global crisis that we are facing. We will endure,” Marcos said. “Let our Filipino spirit remain undimmed. I know this in my mind, in my heart, in my very soul that the state of the nation is sound,” Marcos added. Infra spending to be sustained According to Marcos, expenditures for 2022 to 2023 will be sustained at a level exceeding 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, equivalent to P4.955 trillion and P5.086 trillion, respectively, to ensure the ongoing execution of essential priority programs. Moreover, he stated that disbursements will rise from P5.402 trillion, representing 20.7 percent of gross domestic product in 2024, to P7.712 trillion or 20.6 percent of GDP by 2028. “Expenditure priorities will be realigned, and spending efficiency will be improved to immediately address the economic scarring arising from the effects of Covid-19 and also to prepare for future shocks,” Marcos said. As of December 2022, the national government’s expenditure amounted to P5.16 trillion, representing 23.4 percent of the country’s GDP. By April 2023, the reported disbursements reached P1.46 trillion or 19.5 percent of GDP, as BSP data mentioned. MIF as budget equalizer One week before delivering his second SoNA, Marcos approved the Maharlika Investment Fund, or MIF, bill which the Marcos government considered vital for economic development. The Department of Finance said the approval of the Philippines’ inaugural sovereign wealth fund, which will “complement the government’s existing mechanisms to finance priority projects,” signifies the administration’s dedication to pursuing its objectives for economic expansion. Fiscal management, tax reforms In his SONA last year, Marcos announced that the government would implement tax administration reforms to boost revenue collection. “We will implement sound fiscal management. Tax administration reforms will be in place to increase revenue collection,” Marcos said. He added that the government will adjust the country’s tax system to catch up with the rapid development of the digital economy, including the imposition of value-added tax on digital service providers. Marcos also pointed out that the initial revenue impact will be around P11.7 billion in 2023 alone, adding that the government would simplify the tax compliance procedures to promote ease of paying taxes. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that tax revenues reached P1.12 billion as of April 2023, representing approximately 87.9 percent of total revenues. The post High-impact infras feed optimism appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tony Bennett, last of classic American crooners, dead at 96
Tony Bennett, the last in a generation of classic American crooners whose ceaselessly cheery spirit bridged generations to make him a hitmaker across seven decades, died Friday in New York. He was 96. Raised in an era when big bands defined US pop music, Bennett achieved an improbable second act when he started winning over young audiences in the 1990s -- not by reinventing himself but by demonstrating his sheer joy in belting out the standards. And then at age 88, Bennett, in 2014 became the oldest person ever to reach number one on the US album sales chart through a collection of duets with Lady Gaga -- who became his friend and touring companion but only one of a long list of younger stars who rushed to work with the singing great. Bennett's publicist, Sylvia Weiner, announced his death. Likened since the start of his career to Frank Sinatra, Bennett first tried to distance himself but eventually followed much of the same path as other crooners of yore -- singing in nightclubs, on television, and for movies, although his attempts to act ended quickly. His gift proved to be his stage presence. With a welcoming smile and dapper suit, he sang with gusto and a smooth vibrato in a strong, clearly enunciated voice, which he kept in shape through training from the operatic Bel Canto tradition. Starting with his recording of the film song "Because of You" in 1951, Bennett sang dozens of hits including "Rags to Riches," "Stranger in Paradise" and, in what would become his signature tune, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which landed him two of his career's 19 Grammy Awards. But the British Invasion led by The Beatles initially took a toll on the singer, whose music suddenly sounded quaint and antiquated. He nearly died of a cocaine overdose in 1979 before sobering up and eventually reviving his career. "When rap came along, or disco, whatever the new fashion was at the moment, I didn't try to find something that would fit whatever the style was of the whole music scene," Bennett told the British culture magazine Clash. "I just stayed myself and sang sincerely and tried to just stay honest with myself -- never compromising, just doing the best songs that I could think of for the public. "And luckily it just paid off." Singing as hardscrabble youth Tony Bennett -- his stage name came after advice from showbiz A-lister Bob Hope -- was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in the Astoria neighborhood of New York's Queens borough. His father was a struggling grocer who immigrated from southern Italy's Calabria region, to which his mother also traced her ancestry. He showed early promise as an entertainer, singing at age nine next to legendary New York mayor Fiorello LaGuardia when he ceremonially opened the city's Triborough Bridge, now known as the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. But his father's death at age 10, at a time when the United States was still struggling to exit the Great Depression, led him to leave school and earn money through jobs including singing at Italian restaurants and caricature painting, which remained a lifelong side career. During World War II, Bennett was drafted into the 63rd Infantry Division and was sent to France and Germany. But he was demoted after cursing out an officer from the South who objected to Bennett dining with an African American friend in the then racially segregated army. As punishment, Bennett spent his tour of duty digging out bodies and shipping them. But after the Allied victory, Bennett found an unexpected break into music as he waited with fellow troops in Wiesbaden, Germany to return home. With the city's opera house still intact, a US Army band performed a weekly show to be broadcast on military radio across Germany. Taken on as the band's librarian, Bennett was quickly impressed with his voice and was made one of four vocalists. "During this period in the army, I enjoyed the most musical freedom I've ever had in my life," Bennett later wrote in his autobiography, "The Good Life." "I could sing whatever I wanted, and there was no one around to tell me any different," he wrote. Outspoken against racism and war When he returned to the United States, he took formal singing lessons through the GI Bill, which covered educational expenses for returning troops. His experiences made Bennett a lifelong liberal. He became especially enraged in the 1950s when he played in Miami with jazz pioneer Duke Ellington, who was not allowed to attend a press party due to segregation at the hotel. In a then risky move for a popular entertainer, he accepted an invitation from singer Harry Belafonte to join civil rights icon Martin Luther King in the 1965 march from Selma, Alabama in support of equal voting rights for African Americans. He later wrote in his memoir that the hostility of the white state troopers reminded him of Nazi Germany. He was also an outspoken opponent of war, at times raising controversy. "The first time I saw a dead German, that's when I became a pacifist," he told popular radio host Howard Stern days after the 11 September 2001 attacks. Late in life, still cool Bennett was married three times and had four children including Antonia Bennett, who has followed his path as a singer of pop and jazz standards. But his son Danny Bennett was most instrumental in his father's career, aggressively courting MTV and other players in the pop world as a manager for his father. By the early 1990s, Bennett -- his style and look little changed from the 1960s, except for more gray hair -- was appearing in music videos on MTV and singing warm-up at concerts by alternative rock giants such as Smashing Pumpkins and Porno for Pyros. Proof that Bennett was back came in 1993 when he presented a prize at the MTV Video Music Awards alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who hailed his cool factor and playfully sang part of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." His career only kept building and a decade later, he released three successful albums of duets. On one of them, "Body and Soul," he sang with Amy Winehouse in her last recording before she died in 2011 at age 27. He marked his 90th birthday with a star-studded concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall, which was turned into a television special and album. The title was taken from a song popularized by Bennett: "The Best Is Yet to Come." Bennett toured the United States and Europe into his final decade, playing his last public performance before the coronavirus pandemic halted touring in New Jersey on 11 March 2020. Soon after, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. He had kept his condition quiet for years. Upon turning 95, Bennett played two more birthday concerts, again at Radio City Music Hall, with Lady Gaga -- shows billed as his farewell to New York. He then canceled the remainder of his 2021 tour dates on "doctors' orders." "And let the music play as long as there's a song to sing / And I will stay younger than spring," he crooned during the first of his farewell shows, in a rendition of his ballad "This Is All I Ask." "You've been a good audience," Bennett said prior to his encore. "I love this audience." The post Tony Bennett, last of classic American crooners, dead at 96 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bayad, mWell partnership expands access to healthcare services
Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines, has partnered with mWell, the country’s first fully integrated health app, to enable greater accessibility to healthcare among Filipinos by providing a convenient payment option for those with limited access to financial technology services. Under the partnership, individuals without mobile wallets, credit and debit cards who wish to teleconsult with mWell’s allied medical doctors and health experts can now pay their fees in Bayad Centers nationwide. Prior to the partnership, patients who availed of mWell services could only settle their bills through online payment channels. As part of the partnership launch, individuals without smartphones who wish to teleconsult were also given an opportunity to do so in mWell Consult Stations in select Bayad Center branches in Novaliches, Quezon City and Barangay Kapasigan in Pasig City. mWell CEO and president Chaye Cabal-Revilla said the collaboration between the two companies is aligned with the goal of making healthcare affordable, available and accessible to more Filipinos. “Through this partnership with Bayad, mWell app users, even those without digital wallets, credit or debit cards, can pay for doctor consultation fees at the Bayad Center nearest them,” Cabal-Revilla, who is also the chief finance, risk and sustainability officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, said. Bayad, a wholly-owned unit of Manila Electric Co., has been proactively seeking ways to promote financial inclusivity by expanding its network of billers, its president and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer said. “Our partnership with mWell veers toward a more inclusive healthcare system as we enable accessible payment solutions for our stakeholders that represent all walks of life,” he said. “As we push forth our advocacy for wellness and financial inclusivity, we are constantly on the lookout for more opportunities to expand our payment channel network.” As the biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform in the Philippines, Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient bill settlement and collection processing. The post Bayad, mWell partnership expands access to healthcare services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Anti-tax evasion bill hurdles House
Mustering 276 affirmative votes with no abstentions, the House of Representatives gave the final nod to a bill seeking to criminalize tax racketeering on Monday. House Bill 8144, or An Act Defining the Crime of Tax Racketeering, was approved on third and final reading and aims to inflict heavier penalties, such as increased fines and jail terms, on perpetrators who deliberately attempt in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed under the Tax Code. Any person who engages in any coordinated scheme or operation to evade or defeat any tax imposed under the Tax Code through the fraudulent use of receipts, returns, and other records, with a minimum amount of P10 million in taxes evaded will be fined P5 million to P10 million (up from P50,000 to P100,000 under the present law.) Prison term included In addition to the substantial fines, violators will likewise serve six to 10 years (up from two years but no more than six years) behind bars under the House-approved measure. According to Speaker Martin Romualdez, the bill will amend the Tax Code “to deter schemes that defraud the government of billions of pesos in taxes that are the lifeblood of the nation and which could otherwise be used for the benefit of our people.” “These schemes are cleverly used by syndicates and bogus businesses. They may not be covered by the definition of tax evasion, which the tax law penalizes,” the House leader said. Apart from other penalties provided by law, the perpetrator will face imprisonment for 17 to 20 years. A conviction or acquittal would not preclude the initiation of a civil suit for tax collection “This will restore public credibility and reliance on official receipts or invoices issued by the Republic of the Philippines and remind the public that official receipts and invoices are principal pieces of evidence for consummated transactions and are essential part of tax compliance in the country,” the committee report on the measure read. Offenses punishable by the House-approved bill include distributing, acquiring, using, or assisting in the use of unauthorized, fake, or falsified revenue official receipts, sales invoices, commercial invoices, Letters of Authority, certificates authorizing registration, Tax Credit Certificates, Tax Debit Memoranda, and other accountable forms under Section 257 of the Tax Code. The post Anti-tax evasion bill hurdles House appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remain vigilant vs deadly virus, says Go
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reminded anew the public to continue observing safety health protocols even as the World Health Organization declared an end to the Covid-19 as a “public health emergency of international concern”, which has been in place for over three years. The lawmaker — who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography — also expressed gratitude to all medical frontliners who have served and sacrificed in order to save lives during the pandemic. On Friday, WHO director general Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus highlighted the decline in deaths and hospitalization related to Covid-19, saying, “It is therefore with great hope that I declare Covid-19 over as a global health emergency.” Acknowledging WHO’s pronouncement, the Department of Health released a statement that the agency will convene with the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases to reassess the country’s Covid-19 guidelines. In this regard, Go emphasized that while this is a welcome development, everyone must remain vigilant and responsible to prevent the spread of the virus from recurring. “The lifting of the global public health emergency status by WHO does not mean that we can let our guard down. Let us remain adherent to the basic health protocols,” Go said. The senator likewise continues to emphasize the importance of wearing face masks in preventing the spread of Covid-19 as he has been encouraging all Filipinos to wear face masks whenever they go out in public, even without mandatory policies in place. He also reiterated his call for eligible Filipinos to get inoculated against Covid-19, stressing the importance of vaccines in protecting individuals from the virus. Acknowledging the concerns and hesitations of some Filipinos about getting vaccinated, Go assured the public that the government has procured safe vaccines and underscored that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. For his part as a lawmaker, Go has been pushing for the enactment of two important bills that aim to strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious diseases. These are Senate Bills 195 and 196, which seek to establish the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines, respectively. If SBN 195 is passed into law, the CDC shall be the lead agency for developing communicable disease control and prevention initiatives. It will be primarily responsible for controlling the introduction and spread of infectious diseases in the country. Some of its primary functions will include policy and standards development, disease detection and surveillance, data collection and analytics, public health communications and research and evidence synthesis. Meanwhile, under the proposed SBN 196, VIP will serve as the principal laboratory of the country in providing virology laboratory investigations, research, and technical coordination of the entire network of virology laboratories nationwide. The proposed bill will also provide guidelines for the establishment and operation of testing, reference and biosafety Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 research laboratories throughout the country. The post Remain vigilant vs deadly virus, says Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UBX integrates power digital payments
UnionBank of the Philippines’ UBX is powering the digital payments of retail electricity producer Aboitiz Power Corporation to speed up the way money moves by integrating digital payments to provide customers of the latters’ distribution utilities greater convenience. “UBX and AP share a steadfast commitment to promoting inclusion by providing wider access to services — be it finance or power. Our partnership, which leverages UBX’s open finance technology, brings this goal forward and provides customers the value of greater convenience,” UBX managing director for Open Finance Jaime Garchitorena said. Under the agreement, AboitizPower will integrate BUx, an all-in-one payment solution platform developed by UBX, into its mobile application, MobileAP. The app is available for subscribers of AP distribution utilities such as Visayan Electric Company, Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company, and the Subic and Lima EnerZones. Through this integration, customers can pay their electricity bills online, providing greater convenience by removing the long process of heading to service centers to settle their monthly dues. Moreover, MobileAP empowers customers to remotely check their electricity bill for the past 12 months without going to outposts to check their status or waiting for the physical copy via mail. As an all-in-one payment solution, BUx unifies everything about payment collection channels into one platform: from card payments, online banking or bank transfers, and over-the-counter payments to e-wallets. With BUx, businesses can track all their transactions through real-time updates and notifications of credited funds through its best-in-class merchant dashboard. “The future of our economy lies in digital payments. No less, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas made it a mission to have 70 percent of Filipino adults involved in the financial system by transforming 50 percent of the total volume of retail payments into digital. By collaborating with different industry players, we are helping the government achieve that goal,” Garchitorena added. For download for both Apple and iOS devices, users can assess their power consumption and its monetary value through a chart tailored to their profile. They can download a PDF copy of their records with AP and manage multiple accounts in a single app. MobileAP also features additional functions such as multiple DU registration, notifications and advisories, payment and consumption monitoring, payment center and service center look-up, and more to come, such as outage reporting. The post UBX integrates power digital payments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teachers group: No permit, no exam policy ‘inhumane and immoral’
The Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines or COTESCUP on Monday expressed disapproval over concerns raised by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines or COCOPEA on the proposed banning of the ‘No Permit, No Exam’ policy in schools. COCOPEA, in a statement on 4 April, argued that the implementation of Senate Bill 1359 and House Bill 7584, both bills prohibiting the ‘No Permit, No Exam’ policy, would affect the collection of tuition and other fees that support the operations of private schools, hence resulting in possible school closures and loss of thousands of jobs. However, COTESCUP argued that such bans would not affect the operations of private schools, but the continuation of the policy will bring burden to many more students, calling it ‘inhumane and immoral.’ “The mental and emotional effects of students’ inability to take their exams without a permit cannot be understated. We firmly believe that students, especially children, should not be exposed to ridiculed and public shame,” COTESCUP said. “As educators, we in COTESCUP cannot agree to be accomplices to such an immoral act,” the council added. Bills on the banning of the “No Permit, No Exam” policy is nearing completion in the legislative floor, with SB 1359 already been approved by the Senate while HB 7584 has been approved on second reading, both occurred last March. The Senate Bill covers both basic and higher educational institutions, while the House Bill explicitly covers elementary and secondary learners. The post Teachers group: No permit, no exam policy ‘inhumane and immoral’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators want more protection, benefits for riders, bus drivers
MANILA - Service providers have the duty to pursue claims for collection from canceling customers and the burden should not be passed on to their delivery riders or drivers.In a statement on Saturday, Senator Lito Lapid said he filed Senate Bill 38, or An Act Providing Measures to Protect In.....»»
Salceda expects tax on e-bets, & lsquo;sabong& rsquo; to raise P1.25b in 1st& nbsp;year
A bill that seeks to tax offsite betting, particularly on the popular cockfighting game ‘sabong’, is expected to raise at least P1.25 billion in its first full year of implementation, or 90 times over the current government collection of P13.7 million from cockpits, the main proponent of the measure said Thursday......»»
Mayor Uy posts cryptic messages amid Igacos power problems
ISLAND Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Mayor Al David Uy posted cryptic messages regarding the power crisis in Igacos......»»