Jan 132014
 
NBI arrests alleged rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan

NBI detains alleged rice smuggler ‘David Tan’. Businessman Davidson Bangayan (in black jacket), believed to be the David Tan being linked to rice smuggling, turned himself in to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday, January 14, to deny involvement in rice smuggling activities. He was later arrested by the NBI for further investigation. John Consulta The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday arrested businessman and alleged rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan shortly after he personally surrendered to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier in the day. GMA News correspondent John Consulta said in a “Balitanghali” report that NBI operatives served an arrest warrant to Bangayan at the end of his visit to De Lima. He was brought to the NBI headquarters where he will be asked to give his formal statement regarding charges that he was the David Tan allegedly involved in rice smuggling. Consulta said Bangayan’s lawyer looked furious and disappointed that his client was arrested after he personally showed up at De Lima’s office to refute the charges against him. Bangayan surrendered a day after De Lima bared to the media that NBI investigators were able to establish him as the David Tan being linked to rice smuggling activities in the country. – Xianne Arcangel/KBK, GMA News

Jan 132014
 
PNoy thumbs down emergency powers

Despite problems in the power and transport sectors, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday thumbed down a proposal to grant him emergency powers. “I don’t think we are in a situation na we have to [invoke] Section 17 of Article 12 [of the Constitution],” Aquino said after the groundbreaking ceremony of the San Gabriel Power Plant Project in Sta. Rita, Batangas City. Section 17 of Article XII states that “In times of national emergency, when the public interest so requires, the State may, during the emergency and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest.” The President issued the statement after Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone proposed that Congress grant Aquino powers to deal with what he called “catastrophic problems” of the energy sector, as well as mass transport in the country. Aquino, however, said he never asked for emergency powers. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News

Jan 132014
 
Alma on separation from husband: ‘Ito na, desidido na ‘ko’

Alma Moreno says it is difficult to maintain a relationship being away from each other and having no communication.-Screen-grabbed from “Startalk” interview  MANILA, Pilippines- Alma Moreno has  decided to divorce her husband, Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic. In an interview with entertainment talk show “Startalk” Saturday, January 11, Alma said that she’s “decided” about the divorce. “Oo,” Alma replied emotionally if she’ll divorce her husband. “Ito na, desidido na ‘ko.” Her decision, she said, is something she prayed and thought about for a long time. “Pinagdasal ko rin ‘yon, e. May mga pagkakataon na siyempre nahirapan din ako, na namimili ka kung ano…e, dumating na ako sa gano’n. “Hindi ko mapaliwanag kasi mahirap, mahirap itong desisyon kong ‘to. Napakahirap, napakasakit, kasi hindi rin naman ako, na akala mo tama na ‘to, kala mo kaya mo lahat, ma-adjust mo lahat kahit ando’n siya sa malayo. Akala mo kaya, pero hindi, e.” Alma admits that one factor that contributed to their relationship’s downfall is “mahirap ang relasyon na sobrang magkalayo kayo. And wala naman akong masasabi sa kanya, okay naman siya. Pero siguro ‘yong sabihin mo katulad ng dati, hindi, wala.” Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The actress-politician also revealed that she hasn’t talked to her husband for a long time now, which is why she’s not sure how  her husband would react to her decision. “Sa totoo lang? Hindi ko siya nakakausap,” she said forcing a smile. “Kasi alam ko hindi rin sya papayag siguro, e. basta matagal na kami hindi nag-uusap, Read More …

Jan 132014
 

IS YOUR company one of the more fortunate enterprises enjoying PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) incentives? If it is, then you are enjoying either the Income Tax Holiday (ITH) incentive or the 5% Gross Income Tax (GIT) regime.

Jan 132014
 
Vice Ganda still a Kapamilya

COMEDIAN Vice Ganda renewed his contract with television network ABS-CBN. The contract signing was held Monday afternoon and was attended by ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez, President and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, Broadcast head Cory Vidanes, TV Production head Laurenti Dyogi and Dreamscape Business Unit Head Deo Endrinal. The “Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy” lead star is likely to continue his weekend program “Gandang Gabi Vice” and noon time variety show “It’s Showtime.” (Sunnex) DISCLAIMER: Sun.Star website welcomes friendly debate, but comments posted on this site do not necessary reflect the views of the Sun.Star management and its affiliates. Sun.Star reserves the right to delete, reproduce or modify comments posted here without notice. Posts that are inappropriate will automatically be deleted. Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!

Jan 132014
 
Nuvoland raises P250,000 for ‘Yolanda’ victims

Philippine STAR President & CEO Miguel Belmonte (2nd from left) receives the check donation from Nuvoland AVP-HR Maricon Arnedo, SVP & CFO Atty. Heherson Asiddao and Corporate Affairs Manager Maricar Perez. MANILA, Philippines – Nuvoland Philippines employees and management raised a Php250,000 donation for the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Part of Philippine STAR‘s Operation Damayan, the donation will be used to help fund school rebuilding projects in the Visayas region.

Jan 122014
 
De Lima: NBI has tracked down alleged rice smuggler ‘David Tan’

Government investigators have tracked down an individual who they believe could be the “David Tan” being linked to rice smuggling operations in the country. In an interview with reporters Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents have found out that Tan’s real name is Davidson Bangayan. “The initial results of the verification and investigation of the NBI is that this David Tan actually exists,” De Lima said, adding the NBI believes that Tan and Bangayan are “one and the same person.” She said the NBI already knows the home and business addresses of Bangayan, who is believed to be a “one-man cartel.” The Department of Justice and the NBI have re-opened their investigation on rice smuggling after Sen. Ralph Recto expressed disappointment over their alleged failure to act on his Senate panel’s recommendation months ago. The panel has recommended to prosecute one David Tan in connection with rice smuggling activities in the country. The DOJ and the NBI “temporarily closed” their probe earlier because the NBI was unable to find out the identity and whereabouts of Tan and fellow suspect, Danny Ngo, despite “diligent efforts.” Some 48 million kilos of smuggled rice worth about P725M are in 1,937 container vans intercepted at various ports nationwide from October to December last year, according to the Bureau of Customs. The Federation of Philippine Industries had earlier said a Davao City-based trader is suspected to be involved in large-scale rice smuggling. Last week, activist lawyer Argee Guevarra Read More …

Jan 122014
 
More Pinoys approved, trusted VP Binay than PNoy in Q4 of 2013 — Pulse Asia

More Filipinos approved and trusted Vice President Jejomar Binay than President Benigno Aquino III during the last quarter of 2013, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. The survey, conducted from December 8 to 15, 2013, showed both Aquino and Binay registering majority approval and trust ratings. However, Aquino’s ratings declined while Binay’s went up. Aquino’s approval rating went down from 79 in September to 73 in December, while his trust rating plunged from 76 in September to 74 in December. Binay, on the other hand, got an approval rating of 80 in December, which was up three notches from 77 in September. His trust rating also went up to 77 in December from 74 in September. Malacañang has yet to comment on the latest survey, but in an earlier interview, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. told GMA News Online that it is not “appropriate” to compare the two. “The magnitude and depth of the President’s responsibilities are of a higher and different order from those of the Vice President,” he said. “It must also be pointed out that the incumbent Vice President is a member of the President’s Cabinet and therefore shares in the responsibilities of carrying out the Philippine Development Plan,” Coloma added. Other officials Meanwhile, Senate President Franklin Drilon’s approval rating further went down to 43 from September’s 50 while his trust ratings plunged from 46 in September to 40 in December. In September, the pork barrel scam had adversely affected the public perception of Read More …