Dec 012014
 

TO AID in the speedy conduct of tax investigations, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and its duly authorized officers are empowered to issue a Subpoena Duces Tecum (SDT) to taxpayers who deliberately refuse or ignore the request of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to submit books of accounts and/or other documents and records. In case of non-compliance, the BIR may also invoke the authority of the courts by filing a criminal case against a taxpayer. However, is there any available recourse to the taxpayer, in case the issued SDT does not comply with the prescribed guidelines and procedures?

Dec 012014
 
Knee arthritis: A fresh look at treatment options

When a disaster strikes, it pays to be knowledgeable about what to do. Makati Medical Center gives tips on what we can do to possibly minimize damage and injury to person and property. Being prepared makes you more focused to deal with the situation at hand.   There is a 50-50 chance that, at some point in your life, you’ll develop osteoarthritis (OA).  Not great odds, considering how much this joint condition can be disabling to you — affecting ambulation and many activities of daily living. The pain and limited mobility in OA occur as the cartilage that cushions the space between bones wears away with age and overuse.  Left bare of their padding, bones rub painfully against each other — particularly in the hands, spine, knees, and hips. There are many options for managing the symptoms of knee OA, such as pain, swelling, and stiffness.  But which options truly work?  The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) last year updated its clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of knee OA after reviewing the scientific literature and assessing the benefits and harms of care options.  Here’s a look at what they found. Diet and exercise When you have aching knees, getting up to exercise may be the last thing on your mind.  But no therapy has a bigger, more consistent payoff than exercise, according to the analysis of the evidence-based literature.  And you don’t necessarily need fancy equipment or gym membership.  One study found that people with OA in one Read More …

Dec 012014
 
Del Monte Pacific forges jv with 2 foreign firms

MANILA, Philippines – Food processing giant Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) is partnering with two foreign firms to put up a facility equipped with the technology to further prolong shelf life of fruits and vegetables. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, DMPL said it has entered into a joint venture with Spain-based Nice Fruit SL and Ferville Ltd to establish a facility in the Philippines that will utilize Nice Fruit’s patented technology. DMPL said the technology, called Nice Frozen Dry, will allow fruits, vegetables and produce “to be picked at its optimal ripeness and frozen for up to three years while preserving its nutrients, structure, original properties and organoleptic characteristics.” Nice Fruit will have the majority stake in the joint venture with 51 percent, while DMPL and Ferville will have 35 percent and 14 percent ownership, respectively. “It is envisaged that the joint venture will process, market and sell the Nice Fruit frozen products to various countries in the world,” DMPL said. Nice Fruit is a company that operates worldwide and is engaged in the production and distribution of fruits and vegetables. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 With the introduction of the Nice Frozen Dry technology, Nice Fruit intends to improve food consumption habits as well as food stock management. DMPL, meanwhile, completed the acquisition of US-based Del Monte Foods Inc. (DMFI) in February this year for nearly $1.7 billion, jumpstarting the transformation of the former into a global branded food and beverage firm. Read More …

Dec 012014
 
2015 Toyota Prius c: Light, tight, bright and the highest city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug

53 MPG City / 50 MPG combined in Toyota’s most affordable hybrid 2015 Toyota Prius c TORRANCE, Calif., – Toyota’s most affordable hybrid vehicle is also its most fuel efficient.  The Prius c with EPA-estimated 53 MPG city / 46 MPG highway / 50 MPG combined, offers the highest MPG of any vehicle on the road today (MPGe vehicles not included). There’s much more to the Prius c than super-high fuel economy. A restyled front with standard single LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, new exterior colors whose names demand almost as much attention as their hues (Electric Lime Metallic, Tangerine Splash Pearl and Sparkling Sea Metallic), and new “light pipe” taillights add a futuristic touch to the design.  Add to that a cabin upgraded with premium materials, and Prius c makes a compelling choice among compact cars, hybrid or not. For years, the iconic Prius liftback has been synonymous with “hybrid.”  Today, the Prius is available in four different flavors.  The Prius Family includes the larger standard Prius liftback, the even larger and roomier Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid that can handle daily driving for many people without using gasoline. In addition, Toyota offers hybrid versions of its Camry and Avalon sedans and Highlander SUV, making Toyota the clear leader in the number of hybrid vehicle offerings and sales volume.  Toyota Value in Four Grades Prius c is available in four value-packed grades.  In all trim levels the cabin combines futuristic design elements with everyday comfort and practicality.  In addition to the all-new single LED projector low- Read More …

Dec 012014
 
ABAOC, FACCOC trace decades of service to Orange County entrepreneurs

After months of preparations, two prestigious Orange County groups dedicated to almost identical audiences, the Orange County entrepreneurs and professionals, the organizers from Asian Business Association of Orange Country (ABAOC) and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACCOC) were able to breathe a sigh of relief having done their parts in their respective signature events which were able to attain the objective of recognizing the exemplary achievements of their members and supporters. Separated only by a couple of days, ABAOC and FACCOC had the limelights reserved for extraordinary achievers  at prestigious venues, ABAOC at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach last November 20 and FACCOC at the Paradise Pier Hotel in the world famous Disneyland Resorts in Anaheim last November 22. OC FIL-AM 20 YEARS: Next year’s challenges for the Orange County Fil-Am entrepreneurs and professions, find worthy allies in the new set of officers of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce inducted into office by Cong. Ed Royce at its Gala and Awards Night last Nov. 22 at Paradise Hotel in Disneyland where it also honored the 20 pass presidents of the organization. Combined, ABAOC and FACCOC have a total of 43 years of service to the Orange County business sector in the county’s 34 cities. Orange County is the third-most populous county in California, the sixth-most populous in the United States, and more populous than twenty-one U.S. states. ABAOC and FACCOC had both events highlighted by installations in office of the new set of Read More …

Dec 012014
 
Isabelle Daza is now a Kapamilya

Isabelle Daza (MNS photo) Actress-host Isabelle Daza is now officially a Kapamilya star. Daza signed a contract with ABS-CBN and was welcomed by the network’s executives led by president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio. “Napaka-excited ako and overwhelmed with this warm welcome. Coming here, everybody has been welcoming me at kinukuwento ko sa kanila na even the waiter was telling me ‘Ma’am welcome to the Kapamilya.’ Parang proud na proud siya. It makes me so honored to be part of this family,” she said. Asked why she decided to change networks, Daza replied: “I wanted a new challenge in my life and I want to try something that I haven’t done. I want to to expand my horizons and take this journey as an actress naman.” The actress-host admitted it was a hard decision for her to leave the noontime show “Eat Bulaga.” “Nung Saturday last day ko na. It was very emotional lalo na kay Ryzza (Mae Dizon) because she’s my little student but they were all very supportive and they all wished me luck and they are excited also to see what I have in store here sa ABS-CBN,” she said. Daza said she signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN for both TV and movies. “Bongga naman siya, ‘yun muna,” she said. In the interview, Daza revealed that her first project in her new home is the upcoming series “Nathaniel,” with Gerald Anderson as her leading man. “Yes, kasama ako sa cast ng ‘Nathaniel.’ I will be working with Read More …

Dec 012014
 
PSEi gains for 2nd straight session, to retest 7,300

popular . The world according to Facebook Bad law school recitation in SC Filipinos catch Sharapova fever at IPTL Blind weddings in new reality series De Lima: No way adultery can be trending on Web Stepping up SC includes Manila gov’t, 3 agencies in suit vs condo What Went Before: Malampaya Fund scam videos First international marathon held in Quezon City Good mix of cineastes turns up at Indie Bravo! festival in Fully Booked Sharapova and Mladenovic have fun in Manila International tennis stars discuss rules and their difficulties on first day games in the IPTL SC launches Justice Zone in QC MANILA, Philippines — The local stock barometer firmed up for the second session in a row to retest the 7,300 level even as most regional markets declined alongside the slump in oil prices. The Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 37.35 points or 0.51 percent to close at 7,331.73. The property counter, which rose by 1.1 percent, led the day’s gains, making up for the slump in the mining/oil counter (-1.91 percent). The holding firm and services counters also contributed gains while the financial and industrial sub indices closed in negative territory. Value turnover for the day amounted to P7.05 billion. There were nearly twice as many decliners (118) as there were advancers (62) while 41 stocks were unchanged. ALI (+2.65 percent) led the property counter. It was reported that the property firm had expressed interest in challenging SM Prime’s reclamation project with the city of Parañaque. Gokongwei-led stocks Read More …