THE MONETARY Board (MB) will likely keep policy settings unchanged throughout 2015 as inflation remains well-anchored and liquidity growth has eased compared to last year’s levels, First Metro Investments Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said in a joint report.
Complying with the April 15 deadline for the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) proved to be more difficult and more complicated in 2015. In recent years, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) had changed the ITR forms, causing confusion among taxpayers. And then the agency introduced new programs to improve tax collection that, unfortunately, have not been properly implemented.
United States Army Sargeant First Class (SFC) Melanie Domaoan Williams She’s not your typical dalagang Pilipina – commonly used to describe women who are meek, shy and delicate. In fact, United States Army Sargeant First Class (SFC) Melanie Domaoan Williams was strong, brave and opinionated enough to decide for herself that she wanted to be a soldier. She was recruited at a mall in Daly City, California, by a fellow Filipino recruiter. The young Pinay signed up for four years. But like most Filipino parents who are protective of their children and have some misconceptions about the Army in general, SFC Williams’ mom was apprehensive. “My mom didn’t want me to join. I guess because I’m a female and she didn’t think I’d be able to complete the training. It took a lot of convincing,” SFC Williams said of her mother Nadia’s hesitation to give her blessing to join the U.S. Army. “She was scared because she thought I was going to go to war. I think that’s the main misconception. When we go to combat environment, we are there to do our job. I’m a human resources specialist, so even in a combat , when I’m deployed, I’m doing my HR job. We’re not all gonna fight the enemy. We’re there to support the guys who are actually fighting,” SFC Williams explained. While stationed at Fort Drum, SFC Williams deployed to Iraq for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In August 2008, SFC Williams was reassigned to Read More …
Once reported to have millions in back taxes, the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue now says that boxer-turned-congressman Manny Pacquiao is the top taxpayer after remitting $3.72 million in taxes. Reports said the amoung was about 64 percent higher than the second-highest taxpayer. Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who faces his biggest fight against unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather, already holds top spot as the number one taxpayer in the Philippines, government records showed Saturday. A list of top individual tax-payers for 2013, posted on the Bureau of Internal Revenue website, put the boxer-turned-congressman at number one with 163.84 million pesos ($3.72 million) in taxes paid. This was about 64 percent higher than the second-highest taxpayer. Internal revenue chief Kim Henares confirmed that Pacquiao topped the list but stressed that he still had a case pending over alleged non-payment of taxes earlier. Although hailed as a national hero for his boxing feats, Pacquiao has run afoul of tax officials before and is embroiled in a dispute with the revenue bureau saying he owed at least 2.2 billion pesos in unpaid taxes for 2008 and 2009. “It (the case) is still ongoing. No, he has not settled. Being a top tax-payer… does not mean he paid the correct taxes. The two (issues) are not synonymous,” Henares said in a statement to AFP. The boxer has previously insisted he paid the 2008 and 2009 taxes in the United States, so did not need to do so in the Philippines because the two countries have Read More …
(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the exchanges during the Opening Session of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum at the Nusantara Hall II of the Bali International Convention Center on Friday (October 10). The gathering is an annual, intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III may have a chance to discuss with Indonesian leader Jokowi Widodo the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the overseas Filipino worker facing execution for a drug-related case in Indonesia, Malacañang hinted Saturday. Aquino and Widodo are expected to attend a Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Malaysia starting Sunday. “Pangkaraniwan po na sa ganitong mga pagpupulong, sa mga ASEAN Summit, ay may pagkakataon ang heads of state and heads of government na magkausap po sila sa sidelines, sa pagitan ng mga plenary sessions po nila at iba’t ibang pagpupulong,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said on government-run dzRB radio. “At siyempre po kung mayroong pagkakataon na makausap ni Pangulong Aquino si President Widodo, isa po ‘yan sa mga prayoridad na concerns ng ating Pangulo,” he added. At the time, Coloma was fielding questions related to Veloso’s case. He was asked if Aquino may have a chance to talk to Widodo. In the meantime, Coloma said the government will continue to keep tabs on Veloso’s case via the Department of Foreign Affairs. “Ayon po sa kanilang spokesperson, si Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, ay nakatanggap na ng Read More …
Supporters rally outside the Indonesian Embassy in Makati City on Friday appealing for clemency for Filipino Mary Jane Veloso, convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia. Veloso has been moved to an island prison and is awaiting final word on her execution from Indonesian authorities. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– The family of Mary Jane Veloso, the Pinay facing death by firing squad for drug trafficking in Indonesia, has received the order of execution, according to one of their lawyers. Atty. Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), said on Saturday that the order of execution was given to the family shortly before midnight. “Yung order of execution inacknowledge na ng pamilya–yung magulang at saka kapatid–pero hindi sila sumangayon sa nilalaman ng order na yun at lalo yung kanyang mga epekto,” Olalia said. Olalia said that the order did not contain a fixed date of execution. He explained that the mandated 72-hour advance notice has to be given to the family, the lawyers and the embassy. “Bagamat may order of execution, hindi pa po itinatakda ang petsa ng pagpapatupad nito, general order pa ho siya at kailangan pang mayrooong advance written notice tatlong araw bago ito tuluyang ipatupad kung ipapatupad,” he said. “At ang ating legal remedy buhay pa yan at maaari pang may pag-asang mapigilan,” he said. On Friday, the Philippine embassy in Indonesia filed the second judicial review after completing the necessary documents, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Olalia also disclosed that Veloso’s Read More …
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and the facilities of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo during the inauguration ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said it has no information on the reported resignation of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said this when asked on government radio. “Wala po tayong impormasyon hinggil diyan,” he said. A report on The Standard newspaper cited sources indicating Caguioa reportedly informed President Benigno Aquino III of his decision. It said Caguioa “wants to focus on his private law firm.” Caguioa, who replaced Eduardo de Mesa in January 2013, was a classmate of the President at the Ateneo de Manila University.(MNS)
Weather forecasters monitor the progress of typhoon Ruby inside the PAGASA head office in Quezon City on Sunday. Ruby is slowly making its way through central Philippines in a west-northwest direction at 15 kilometers per hour, and is expected to pass near Metro Manila on Monday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Parched parts of the country including Mindanao may have to wait until late May or early June for rain, state weather agency PAGASA said. PAGASA forecaster Alvin Pura said there may be localized thunderstorms but these may be few and far between. “Inaasahan sa May to June, posibleng magkaroon ng ulan or thunderstorm,” he said. By then, he said the southwest monsoon could enter and bring rain and thunderstorms to parts of the country. For now, however, he said the easterlies or warm winds from the east will continue to affect the country. “Ngayon mainit tayo. May thunderstrom na localized sa hapon at gabi pero bihira,” he said.(MNS)
By Nick Perry Cilacap, Indonesia (AFP) Monday 4/27/2015 – Led by the hand through a scrum of reporters to an Indonesian prison island, the six-year-old Filipino looked confused and frightened as he made one of his final visits to his mother before her execution. During the visit to Nusakambangan Island, Filipina maid Mary Jane Veloso gently explained to six-year-old Mark Darren and her second son, 12-year-old Mark Danielle, that she would not be coming home. “She tried to explain again,” Veloso’s elder sister Marites Veloso-Laurente told AFP during an interview in Cilacap, the port town that is the gateway to the island. “If Mumma does not go home, just think Mumma is in heaven.” As the clock ticks down on the execution by firing squad of eight foreign drug convicts, heartbroken relatives who have fought for years to save their loved ones are rushing to say final farewells. The convicts, who also include nationals from Australia, Brazil and Nigeria, all recently lost clemency appeals to President Joko Widodo. They could be put to death as soon as Tuesday after they received official notification of their executions at the weekend. Veloso’s two sons travelled with their family—some of whom had never flown—from an impoverished community north of Manila to hear a message almost impossible for them to take in. Veloso, 30, was convicted of trafficking heroin into Indonesia in 2009, but says her only crime was to fall victim to international drug gangs who are now threatening to kill her family Read More …
Carson-based travel agency reaches 18-year milestone Now, 18 years later, Travel International Group has grown into one of the most reliable and knowledgeable players in the travel industry with its trademark professionalism, integrity, creativity, and quality service. Travel International Group was a small, unknown travel company organized and established by travel industry experts Rick Enrique and Jane Stark on May 1, 1997. Now, 18 years later, the company has grown into one of the most reliable and knowledgeable players in the travel industry with its trademark professionalism, integrity, creativity, and quality service. While the early success of Travel International Group could be attributed to hard work, product knowledge and experience, the company’s current status in the marketplace is highly due to both management and staff’s dedication and passion in delivering excellent service to customers. Repeat clients and countless referrals now make up Travel International’s huge client base. “It was our clients’ trust that has sustained us all these years,” stated Travel International’s president Jane Stark who explained that the company is now serving 2nd and 3rd generation clients, from the original client base they had 18 years ago. “We constantly educate and certify ourselves with destination specialist courses, and attend global travel trade conferences,” Ms. Stark said. “We make sure that before we design our tour packages and recommend them to our clients we experience everything first-hand – accommodations, meal plans, as well as selection of tour guides.” With its team of highly experienced specialists, and a staff that is Read More …