It pays to know the technicalities

 Economy
Sep 072015
 

Emotions can get the best of us at times, and “thinking before acting” often saves us from many wild ideas brought about by intense emotion. Tax regulations often inspire such intense emotions, as manifested in comments on social media regarding new tax issuances. Of course such issues are not resolved via social media. Regulations that a taxpayer wishes to question will require the filing of a formal plea before a court. Which brings about the key question: which court should you file a complaint with?

Davao eyes increase in international tourist arrivals

 Economy
Sep 072015
 
Davao eyes increase in international tourist arrivals

MANILA, Philippines – Davao, one of the safest cities in the Philippines and in the world, is eyeing an additional 20 to 30-percent increase in international tourists over the next three years. The Davao region is specifically looking into potential markets in Singapore and Russia to further boost its tourism activities. Currently, only 10 percent of the market share goes to foreign arrivals and the remaining 90 percent is accounted for by domestic travelers. “We are happy with the domestic (tourists). But the 20- to 30-percent in international will be a very big increase and will allow the industry to grow,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 11 director Roberto Alabado III said. He added their goal is to attract more visitors from nearby areas aside from the Americans, Japanese and Koreans which are the top three foreign visitors of the region. Alabado reiterated what DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said that spending, length of stay and receipts are the indicators that should be looked into, and not the quantity of tourist arrivals in the country. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The region is also gearing up for its Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) summer of next year that aims to boost tourism activities in the area, to increase tourist arrivals and to become a venue for public-private sector collaboration. The VDFS 2015 last April 3 to May 17 was participated by more than 250 establishments and posted a 38 percent increase in occupancy rate for April Read More …

Investors swamp T-bond exchange

 Economy
Sep 072015
 
Investors swamp T-bond exchange

MANILA, Philippines – While investors swamped the latest debt exchange by the government, most of them flocked to the longer termed securities on offer as they look at locking funds for the future still seen stable with high growth and low inflation. Around 65 percent—or P255 billion—in tenders to the current debt swap were for bonds maturing in 2040, or for a term of 25 years, the longest maturity being offered by the government, National Treasurer Roberto Tan said yesterday. The remaining balance, around P133 billion, wanted to swap for 10-year 2025 securities. The government is authorized to issue up to P300 billion. Results of the bond swap will be announced today. “The demand was very encouraging. We are not saying that we will be accepting everything though. It depends on the yield that we will accept,” Tan told reporters after the regular Treasury bill auction. Factors that will be considered, Tan said, include potential for interest savings for the government, the duration of payments, as well as the extension it will create on the average maturity of state debts. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Easily though, Tan said the debt swap would lengthen average government maturities by “additional 10 years.” The Philippines launched its local bond exchange last Aug. 26 in what Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said was a way to “proactively manage the government’s debt portfolio.” Aside from the debt swap, the government also put on offer new 10-year bonds, proceeds from which will Read More …

Azkals appeal to Pinoys for full support

 Entertainment
Sep 072015
 
Azkals appeal to Pinoys for full support

Azkals midfielder Stephan Schrock and fellow mainstay Dennis Cagara declared on Twitter and Facebook that they had played their last match under American coach Thomas Dooley, amid speculation they were unhappy over a policy perceived to favour younger players. (Photo from Azkals Facebook page) Manila: With less than a week before the pivotal match against a strong Uzbekistan squad, the Philippine national football team, popularly known as Azkals, is appealing to Filipinos to show up at the game venue and cheer for the team. Azkals coach Thomas Dooley and players Phil Younghusband, Neil Etheridge and Misagh Bahadoran said the fans’ presence and cheers will motivate and spur on the team and have an impact on their game. They were interviewed after a late afternoon to early evening practice session last Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila. The Azkals-Uzbeks match will be held on September 8 at 8 p.m. at the world-class Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan, as part of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Dooley acknowledged the difficulty of getting to the venue but said the fans could make the effort in order to boost and give their support to the national team. “I love to see you guys during the game. It’s very important for us to win this match,” Dooley said as he stressed that the national team is preparing hard for the game. He hinted that the fans will not get disappointed when they watch the Azkals play live. “We have a great team. Read More …

Fil-Am judge honored in historic enrobing ceremony

 Entertainment
Sep 072015
 
Fil-Am judge honored in historic enrobing ceremony

By Nimfa U. Rueda From left, Judges Mel “Red” Recana, Tomson Ong, Ralph Ongkeko, Lisa Chung, Bernie LaForteza, Rob Villeza, Teresa Magno and Julian Recana. LOS ANGELES – The newest Filipino-American judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court was formally honored in a historic swearing-in and enrobing ceremony at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles earlier this week. Julian Recana made history when he was named judge by California Governor Jerry Brown last month. He and his father, LA Superior Court Judge Mel “Red” Recana, became the first Fil-Am father and son judges to serve in the California judiciary. “This is a dream-come-true for a father,” Mel Recana, who was appointed by Brown to the LA Superior Court 34 years ago, told this reporter. “Instead of pride, what I feel is humility and gratitude. I thank the good Lord and the people who helped us.” “This is life changing for me,” said Julian Recana in his remarks at the ceremony held on Thursday. He thanked his father for coaching and inspiring him. Judge Julian Recana is sworn in by his father, Judge Mel “Red” Recana as his wife Alexis, with daughter Julia, looks on. “I feel so proud to be a Filipino-American right now,” Julian said later in an interview. Centered on Family The emotional ceremony turned out to be a celebration of family. Julian was sworn in by his father, Mel. He was enrobed by his wife, Alexis, and his two daughters, Ava and Julia.  Ava also led Read More …

Does Coco have a chance with Maja now that she’s single?

 Entertainment
Sep 072015
 
Does Coco have a chance with Maja now that she’s single?

Maja Salvador (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Now that Maja Salvador and Coco Martin are set to reunite for the upcoming television series “Ang Probinsyano,” is there a possibility that the two will fall in love off-screen? In 2011, Martin and actor Matteo Guidicelli, who was then Salvador’s boyfriend, made headlines after they got into a fist fight over the actress. It was only in 2012 when the two actors patched things up. The incident was brought up as reporters teased Salvador about Martin, her co-star in the 2011 series “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin,” especially now that she is single. Salvador recently broke up with Gerald Anderson but the two have kept mum on the real reason behind their separation. “Naka-lock pa po kasi ‘yung puso ko ngayon. And wala pa pong taping, nag-pictorial pa lang kami. Trabaho po muna kami ni Coco,” she said. “Hindi naman madadali ang gagawin naming eksena kasi parehas kaming pulis tapos siyempre ‘yung mga hindi araw ng taping namin, may kanya-kanya kaming trabaho. Bahala na, kumalma muna tayo. Tignan po natin kasi ngayon, ang focus ko muna trabaho talaga,” the actress explained. Coco Martin (MNS photo) But is Salvador ready to fall in love anew? “Hindi mo naman mapipigilan ang pag-ibig. Matatanggal na lang [ang lock na] ‘yan kapag nandiyan na [ang pag-ibig] talaga,” she said. Nonetheless, Salvador clarified that Martin never courted her in the past. “Walang chance kasi may boyfriend po ako noon,” she said, referring to Guidicelli. (MNS)

TV5 International expands reach in U.S. via DIRECTV

 Entertainment
Sep 072015
 
TV5 International expands reach in U.S. via DIRECTV

TV5 International marks a milestone by expanding its reach in the U.S. via DIRECTV, now part of the AT&T family.  KAPATID TV5, TV5 international’s entertainment channel, is set to deliver some of the most anticipated shows in the Philippines. As the home of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Kapatid TV5 has greatly revitalized Filipinos’ love for the Philippine’s premier basketball league and has been instrumental in bringing the action-packed PBA games to Filipino homes all over the world. Kapatid TV5 also brings light, happy, and entertaining programs that make TV viewing appealing to the whole family. Its wide variety of shows include Young Hearts, a week-long mini-series featuring different love teams in the most requested TV adaptations of popular love stories shared on the story-sharing internet site Wattpad; #ParangNormalActivity, a youth-oriented horror-comedy show featuring a lovable teen barkada who solves mysteries with the help of a pretty and friendly ghost; Hi-5 Philippines, the popular local franchise of the hit kiddie edutainment program from Australia; No Harm No Foul, which is top-billed by funnyman/songwriter Ogie Alcasid and a group of basketball superstars who have teamed up for a hilarious weekly sitcom. Kapatid TV5’s programming also includes Happy Truck ng Bayan, a lively and star-studded variety game show hosted by Derek Ramsay, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Tuesday Vargas, Marielle Rodriguez-Padilla, Gellie de Belen and Janno Gibbs;  along with the breaking primetime news brought by award-winning news anchors Luchi Cruz-Valdes and Erwin Tulfo on Aksyon.  “It has always been TV5 International’s goal to reach out Read More …

P500-M PDAF case filed vs 20 lawmakers

 Entertainment
Sep 072015
 
P500-M PDAF case filed vs 20 lawmakers

The Senate pork barrel scam probe was suspended on Tuesday (Sept. 24, 2013) after Blue Ribbon Committee Chair, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III (left) expressed disappointment on Justice Secretary Leila De Lima for not bringing whistleblowers to testify at the hearing. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) -– Lawyer Levito Baligod filed malversation complaints against former and incumbent 20 lawmakers in connection with the pork barrel scam involving non-government organizations not linked to Janet Lim Napoles. In his new P500 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam complaint, Baligod said the Ombudsman should investigate Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and Ramon Revilla Jr. and former senator Edgardo Angara for allegedly funneling their pork barrel funds from 2007 to 2010 to questionable NGOs. Baligod also included in the charges former and current lawmakers, namely Prospero Nograles, Joseph Santiago, Roberto Cajes, Florencio Miraflores, Neil Tupaz, Carol Lopez, Edgar San Luis, Arturo Robles, Joel Villanueva, Rodolfo Antonino, Reno Lim, Julio Ledesma, Maria Evita Arago, Rachel Arenas, Alfonso Umali, Francis Bichara, and Marina Clarete. Baligod noted that malversation, like plunder, is a non-bailable offense. He added the new PDAF complaint did not involve NGOs being linked to Napoles, the alleged brains of the P10 billion scam. The lawyer said, however, that these non-Napoles NGOs employed a similar modus. “Gusto nating tahakin ng Ombudsman ang malversation through falsification of public documents,” he said. Baligod said the government implementing agency involved in the new cases is National Agri-business Corporation (Nabcor), whose former officials, Victor Cacal and Rhodora Mendoza, are now Read More …

NUJP demands public apology from Iglesia for mauling journos

 Entertainment
Sep 072015
 
NUJP demands public apology from Iglesia for mauling journos

An aerial shot from the helicopter of the Metro Manila Development Authority shows the monstrous traffic jam at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) as vehicles bound for the 101st anniversary celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo occupy almost the entire northbound portion of the expressway. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the cases of physical assault directed against journalists which were recorded during the four-day protest of the influential religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) that ended on Monday. In a statement, the NUJP condemned the mauling of ABS-CBN cameraman Melchor Pinlac by unknown assailants during the INC rally. According to reports, Pinlac was punched on the jaw, body, and nape while the crowd chanted “biased, biased.” Radio dzBB reporter Olan Bola was also shoved around when he tried to help Pinlac but fortunately was not injured. NUJP said that while some sectors may feel slighted by media outfits, this does not justify inflicting physical violence against journalists, especially those who are merely performing their work duties. “It is perhaps inevitable that some quarters may feel, rightly or wrongly, that a media outfit or practitioner may be biased against an issue they feel strongly about. However, not this or anything perceived slight, for that matter, can ever justify a physical assault against media practitioners,” the statement read. The NUJP also hit the INC leadership for its failure to control its members. “Given that in such mass gatherings as the INC protest, Read More …

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