Maniolas

I read books. Sometimes, I listen to them. Thank God for audio books. Technology has been providing us with almost limitless means to enjoy books and gives us no reason to say we cannot find the time to read books. Charlie “Tremendous” Jones said, “We will be the same person in five years that we are today except for two things: the people we meet and the book we read.” And how right he was. Months ago, I finished listening to the audio book version of “The Innovators” by Walter Isaacson, a brilliant writer. He wrote Steve Job’s biography. This book traced the history and origins of the people responsible for creating computers and the Internet, both of which, are so prevalent in our daily lives today. I initially thought that the book would appear “techy” for the nerdy folks, but uninteresting for me. Oh how wrong I was. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The moment I started listening to the introduction and first chapter, I felt engaged. The impact on me was so strong that I visited the Computer History museum in Mountain View, California last December. Let me share some things I learned from the book and the things I saw in the museum. Then let me connect them with what is happening today and what we need to do to prepare ourselves for the immediate future. “Will machines replace humans?” This is an old debate question stemming from the pioneers themselves. Here is Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Government agencies are not speaking with one voice on a bill pending in the House of Representatives seeking a 10-percent tax on soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages, including juices and so-called energy boosters. While the Department of Health (DOH) has supported the bill of Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrelita Suansing, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has opposed it. In a position paper submitted to the House ways and means committee chaired by Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, SRA Administrator Maria Regina Bautista-Martin said the proposed tax “will negatively affect incomes of sugarcane farmers and hamper development plans in the sugar industry.” She said it is most likely that the tax would be passed on to sugar farmers.  “Most of our farmers have small farms. About 80 percent of farms have areas of five hectares or less. Any sugarcane farmer who is raising productivity and improving efficiency to better compete against imported sugar and sugar-containing products and against sugar substitutes like high fructose corn syrup cannot afford to shoulder either directly or indirectly any new tax measure,” she said. She added that the soft drinks industry accounts for six percent of total national demand for sugar. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 She pointed out that the sugar-producing sector is now in the middle of an upgrading program to prepare it for regional and global competition. “A tax on soft drinks may interfere with this objective,” she said. Earlier, Visayas congressmen led by Negros Occidental Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to conduct across the country more than 80 information sessions focused on the European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (EU GSP+) to allow more businesses to benefit from the scheme. According to the DTI, it is holding more than 80 information sessions under the Doing Business Free Trade Areas program focused on the EU GSP+ in key cities and towns in the country to help exporters understand how to avail of the scheme. “As tariffs go down, we need to work more closely with Philippine businesses to help them navigate the rules of origin requirements and to hurdle other barriers, for instance product standards,” Trade assistant secretary Ceferino Rodolfo said. The EU GSP+ is a scheme which allows beneficiary countries to export 6,274 products to any of the 28 members of the EU bloc at zero tariff for a period of 10 years. The Philippines, which is the only beneficiary country of the scheme in Southeast Asia, secured EU GSP+ status in December last year. Products that may avail of the duty free access  include coconut and marine products, processed fruit, prepared food, animal and vegetable fats and oils, textiles, garments, headwear, footwear, furniture, umbrellas, and chemicals. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Prior to securing EU GSP+ status, the Philippines was a beneficiary of the regular GSP program which only covered 6,209 products, with 2,442 products subject to zero duty and the rest subject Read More …

Gentlemen: Cruz Marcelo and Tenefrancia (CMT) previously wrote a letter dated Dec. 16, 2014 bringing to your attention the one-sided and libelous articles of Victor C. Agustin (Agustin). CMT pointed out that Agustin has singled out CMT for libelous attacks to favor Atty. Arthur Villaraza (Villaraza) and his law firm Villaraza and Angangco (VAT). It was likewise pointed out that Agustin readily wrote what was fed him without verifying the facts nor seeking the side of CMT. These were not denied by Agustin. On Jan. 9, 13, 20, 2015, another series of libelous and false articles against CMT were written by Agustin. In his recent libelous attacks, Agustin callously failed to see that due to the reckless acts of disconnecting utilities without due notice to floors occupied by CMT in CVCLAW Center, the lives of all building occupants, including the employees of VA, were put in grave danger. Consequently, upon inspecting the building, Taguig City building officials warned that if orders to restore utilities and elevator service to said floors were not complied with, the “revocation or invalidation” of the certificate of occupancy of the building could follow and further administrative sanctions would be imposed. Also upon inspection, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) warned that unless utilities are restored, it may cause your Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) and other ancillary clearances issued by this office to become null and void.” The treacherous attack clearly backfired as it put the entire building in danger of a lockdown as well Read More …