Maniolas

A lawmaker has proposed fines of as much as half a million pesos for pranksters who make and spread bomb jokes. House Bill 5294, filed by Agusan del Norte Rep. Erlpe John Amante, seeks to impose steep fines on people who spread bomb jokes and those who maliciously accuse another person of being the prankster. The measure, known as the proposed “Anti-Threat Jokes Act of 2014”, imposes a penalty of imprisonment of from six months to a year or a fine of from P100,000 to P500,000 on those who make bomb jokes.  The bill also proposes a penalty of six months to one-year imprisonment or a fine of P300,000 to P1 million on any person found to have maliciously and willfully accused another person or entity of making bomb jokes with the full knowledge that the charges are false. Presidential Decree 1727, the existing law penalizing those who make bomb jokes, provides for imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to P40,000 for pranksters. No laughing matter Aside from penalizing pranksters found guilty of spreading bomb jokes, HB 5294 prohibits any person or entity from maliciously and willfully disseminating the false presence or threats of bombs, explosives, incendiary devices, and other life-threatening materials by word of mouth or in written, printed, electronic communications, such as but not limited to electronic mails and social media.  Noxious gases, poisonous substances, and biological weapons are considered life-threatening materials that should not be joked about.  Amante said Congress must legislate Read More …

From top to bottom: Alice Dixson, Derek Ramsay, Joey de Leon and Mr. Fu at the Al Ghurair Mall giving happiness to fellow Filipinos   MANILA, Philippines – TV5 treated thousands of Filipinos in Dubai to an exciting Kapatid Fans Day last Nov. 28 with no less than the biggest Kapatid stars making the day memorable and successfully capping the month-long OSN Pinoy Caravan. Derek Ramsay, Joey de Leon and Alice Dixson were all thrilled to be at the Al Ghurair Mall to give happiness to fellow Filipinos. Hosted by Wow Mali Lakas ng Tama co-host Mr. Fu, the Kapatid Fans Day in Dubai had Derek serenading hundreds of shrieking females in the crowd with the song When You Say Nothing At All. Meanwhile, Alice wowed everyone when she danced to the upbeat groove of All About that Bass. On the other hand, Joey pulled some hilarious pranks on the attendees and mall shoppers for the hit show Wow Mali Lakas ng Tama. Later that day, Joey, Alice and Derek joined select OSN subscribers in a limo ride around Dubai and a dinner treat as part of the For Love or Money Watch & Win Promo. The Kapatid Fans Day treat for Filipinos in Dubai proved the success of TV5 International’s partnership with OSN. And as TV5 International steps in to the new year, it continues its rise in the Middle East and North Africa, where it has already become the second most-watched Filipino channel. The Kapatid Fans Day was Read More …

With New Year just a few days away, firefighters are on alert for fires that may be caused by the careless lighting of firecrackers or throwing of lighted cigarettes. In Quezon City, fire marshal Superintendent Jesus Fernandez appealed to residents against being reckless in handling these items, radio dzBB’s James Agustin reported. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on alert for fires as revelry marking the New Year continues to escalate. Last week, a fire razed a warehouse containing paper in Novaliches, Quezon City. Arson investigators cited initial information showing a firecracker explosion preceded the fire. Also, a fire that hit a warehouse containing TV show props in Quezon City was reportedly caused by a cigarette left unattended. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

The Philippines’ “investment grade” is now undisputed, but authorities still face the challenge of getting the government’s finances in order, Moody’s Investor Service said in a new report. In its credit analysis on the Philippines, the rating agency said despite recent improvements, government revenues as a proportion to the size of the economy was still well below that of most economies with investment grade distinction. “A continued weakness in the Philippines’ fiscal strength is its revenue generation,” Moody’s said in a report released this week. Data released earlier this year showed the government’s revenues relative to gross domestic product (GDP) improved to 15.6 percent in the middle of 2014 from 15.3 percent the year before. Tax revenues also inched up to 13.7 percent. For the whole of 2014, the government is targeting a tax-to-GDP ratio of 14.7 percent and a revenue to GDP ratio of 15.7 percent. Partly in recognition of the government’s improving revenues, Moody’s upgraded the Philippines government’s sovereign credit rating to Baa2 or two notches above the “junk” status that the country had just two years past. Standard & Poor’s gave the country a similar rating earlier in the year, while Fitch Ratings still has the Philippines at its minimum investment grade. Despite rising revenues, the government still lags behind neighbors in the region. Thailand, which is similarly rated as the Philippines, had a tax to GDP ratio of 16.5 percent in 2012. Malaysia, which is rated higher than the Philippines, collected taxes equivalent to 16.1 percent Read More …

MANILA, Philippines –  Listed sugar miller Roxas Holdings, Inc. on Tuesday reported a 30 percent increase in its net income after tax for its fiscal year ending in September 2014 on higher sales of ethanol. The company reported a net income after tax of P615 million at the close of its cash year, up from P473 million in the same period last year. RHI chairman Pedro E. Roxas said the group’s ethanol sales rose to P1.5 billion on higher production of 32 million liters compared to a production of 14 million liters in the previous cash year. Through its subsidiary Roxol Bioenergy Corp. — that has a plant in La Carlota, Negros Occidental — RHI is gradually increasing the production of bioethanol to increase its contribution to company revenues from the current level of about 15- to 20-percent. RHI sells ethanol for gasoline blending requirements of oil companies Shell, Seaoil, and Petron. The company’s revenues for the period rose by 37 percent to P8.3 billion from P6 billion last year. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), however, fell 5.31 percent to P1.69 billion. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 RHI has been making major investments since last year to improve its facilities and ensure better sugar recovery. The company’s board also approved last Dec. 5 the second tranche of the group’s annual 35 percent dividend payment amounting to P0.12 per share on Jan. 15, 2015 for shareholders on record as of Dec. 22, 2014. Read More …