Maniolas

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes (2nd left) talks to Senator Teofisto Guingona III on Tuesday during the Senate hearing on the $81-million money laundering heist. Hackers transferred the amount last February from the Bangladesh central bank to the RCBC Jupiter branch in Makati, after which it was laundered in casinos.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue sued PhilRem Service Corp. and its husband-and-wife owners before the Department of Justice on Thursday for evading taxes worth P35.61 million. It was PhilRem which became the conduit in moving the $81 million from the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City to the casinos – where the stolen money was supposedly laundered – and other benefactors that included junket operators. PhilRem president Salud Bautista and treasurer Michael Bautista were slapped with complaints for alleged willful attempt to evade payment of gross receipts tax (GRT), deliberate failure to file percentage tax returns (PTR), and unlawful pursuit of business from 2005 to 2014. According to the BIR, PhilRem misrepresented itself when it continued to operate as a remittance firm even if it  was registered as a land transport company in 2005. The complaint said PhilRem amended its nature of business with the Securities and Exchange Commission without updating its registration with the BIR. As a non-banking financial institution, PhilRem should have remitted 5 percent gross receipts tax instead of value added tax to the government, according to the BIR. “The gross failure of PhilRem to register, Read More …

Dawn Zulueta (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Former justice secretary and senatorial candidate Leila De Lima said she wants actress Dawn Zulueta to portray her in a hypothetical biographical film on her life as a government official. De Lima mused on the possibility of a film being made about her life, suggesting that it should be titled, “The Lady Justice.” “That’s the story of my life, you know, ‘yung mga nangri-raid, ‘yung lumalaban para sa katarungan,” she said. “Gusto kong mag-focus [ang film] sa nagawa ko, ‘yung paglaki ko, and then ‘yung nagawa ko. Paano ako pinalaki ng parents ko, at paano ako nagtrabaho sa mga ibinigay sa aking trabaho.” Zulueta, who is married to politician Anton Lagmadeo, has yet to express support for any candidate in the upcoming elections. In an interview back in September, she said that she will refrain from endorsing one of the five presidential candidates. “Pero hindi niyo siguro maaasahan sa akin ang makapag-endorso ng presidentiables kasi, like I said, lahat sila ay kaibigan natin,” Zulueta, at the time,

Quezon Memorial Circle, the President was assisted by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President Ramon Ang, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Bulacan Governor Willie Sy-Alvarado, and other stakeholders.(photo courtesy of http://president.gov.ph/) MANILA  (PNA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT7) project that will shorten the commute between Bulacan and Metro Manila. During the event, held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, the President was assisted by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President Ramon Ang, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Bulacan Governor Willie Sy-Alvarado, and other stakeholders. “Ito na nga po ang kauna-unahang mass transport system na magdadala ng benepisyo sa ating mga kababayan sa Northeast NCR (National Capital Region) hanggang sa bahagi ng Bulacan. Ang mga nakatira malapit dito sa Quezon Memorial Circle, sa kahabaan ng Commonwealth Avenue at Fairview, hanggang sa mga taga-San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, ay magkakaroon na ng mas mabilis at episyenteng paraan para makarating sa kanilang mga trabaho, pati na sa iba pang sentro ng komersyo sa Kamaynilaan,” President Aquino said in his speech. The 23-kilometer elevated railway that will connect North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, will be built by the newly formed SMC MRT-7. It will have 14 stations—North EDSA; Quezon Memorial Circle; University Ave.; Tandang Sora; Don Antonio; Batasan; Manggahan; Dona Carmen; Regalado; Mindanao Ave.; Quirino Highway; Sacred Heart; Tala; and San Jose del Read More …

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes (2nd left) talks to Senator Teofisto Guingona III on Tuesday during the Senate hearing on the $81-million money laundering heist. Hackers transferred the amount last February from the Bangladesh central bank to the RCBC Jupiter branch in Makati, after which it was laundered in casinos.(MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed on Wednesday that casino junket operator Kim Wong came to him for advice before facing the Senate. Lacson also said Wong, who has been a long-time friend, sought his counsel before returning the P450-million earnings he had from a casino player. “Sabi ko ‘gusto mo bang mag-explain? Lalapit kita sa isa o dalawang senador, but you must assure me that you’re going to tell all. Sabihin mo lahat ng totoo, hindi pwedeng may itatago ka; mapapahiya ako dun sa lalapitan natin. Tell all.’” Wong assured Lacson that he will reveal the whole truth, so he faced the Senate eventually. The junket operator also returned $4-million of the dirty money in his junket to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and contemplated returning the P450-million his player paid him. “Sabi ko, ganito lang ang analogy diyan: naglabas ka ng sarili mong pera, bumili ka ng sasakyan. Nagkataon, carnapped pala. Anong gagawin mo? Itatago mo yung sasakyan? Isauli mo.” Wong was given the same advice by his children and was promised their support in raising the P450-million, but another lawyer told him not to return the money because it is technically Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay greets supporters during his campaign sortie in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Thursday. Binay was also scheduled to lead the motorcade of United Nationalist Alliance candidates from Catbalogan to Calbayog City in the province of Samar.(MNS photo) GENERAL SANTOS CITY  (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday said the psychological report used in the annulment case of rival presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should be left to the judgment and scrutiny of the voting public. “The fact is hindi naman mandatory ‘yung pag-submit ng medical certificate so apparently, kahit may psychological disorder, hindi magiging ground for disqualification (The fact is the submission of a medical certificate is not mandatory. So even if you have a psychological disorder, it will not be a ground for your disqualification),” Binay told reporters upon landing in Manila after campaigning in this city. “Let his physical and mental case be subjected to the voters,” he said. Assessment results of the psychological report used as basis for the annulment of Duterte’s marriage to first wife Elizabeth Zimmerman in 2000 showed that the tough-talking mayor has “narcissistic personality disorder” or “extreme self-conceit.” The assessment said Duterte has a “pervasive tendency to demean, humiliate others and violate their rights and feelings” and “difficulty controlling his urges and emotions.” But Binay said it was “high time” for candidates to be subjected to medical exams, psychological tests included. “I think it’s high time…Siguro tama naman ‘yun. Kasi biruin mo naman, hindi mo nire-reveal Read More …