(Fourth of 5 parts) In last week’s article, we listed down some of the changes introduced under the new Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), particularly the rules pertaining to related party transactions as well as the penalties relating to unlawful importation and exportation, misdeclaration, misclassification and underdeclaration of imported goods.
CUSTOMS Commissioner Alberto D. Lina defended on Friday his order granting international port status to the Manila North Harbour, citing his agency’s jurisdiction in implementing customs regulations.
SN POWER Philippines, Inc. has estimated the cost of the power generation component of a hydroelectric power complex it is developing in Alimit, Ifugao province with the Aboitiz group at $420 million, a company official said.
DAVAO CITY — The regional office of the Agriculture department is providing quality seeds to farmers here in its bid to sustain corn production.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia with FYLPRO representatives as they sign a 3-year partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Ayala Foundation, Inc., which commences the launch of its 2016 Immersion Program application that would identify 10 Filipino-American young leaders to join an all-expense paid, week-long program in the Philippines. The program includes meetings with top government, business and civil society leaders in the Philippine LOS ANGELES — FYLPRO representatives on May 18 signed a 3-year partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Ayala Foundation, Inc., which commences the launch of its 2016 Immersion Program application that would identify 10 Filipino-American young leaders to join an all-expense paid, week-long program in the Philippines, FYLPRO President Bea Rico announced today. The program includes meetings with top government, business and civil society leaders in the Philippines. Rico was joined at the City Hall Tom Bradley Tower by Board Chair Kit Zulueta and Philippine Ambassador to the United States and FYLPRO founder Jose L. Cuisia Jr., as well as a representative of Ayala Foundation. Rico said the partnership strengthens the organization’s relationship with the Philippine Embassy, the Consulates General in the United States, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Ayala Foundation. The official dates of the 2016 Immersion Program is Nov. 24 through Dec. 2. This is the fifth FYLPRO Immersion Program since its inception in 2012. “We are in search of the next 10 to join the esteemed network of FYLPRO delegates across the United Read More …
U.S. First Lady Florence Harding received a group of women from the Philippines led by Sofia de Veyra, wife of the Philippine Resident Commissioner at the South Lawn of the White House on 19 June 1922. These women are the wives and daughters of the delegation which came to Washington to lay before President Harding the plea for Philippine Independence. WASHINGTON, D.C. — “It is worth noting that Philippine society has always been blessed with strong and powerful women who shape the course of our history. Filipinas are active in diverse fields, pouring their talents, skill, and passion into many areas of human endeavor. It is therefore no wonder that the Philippine Suffrage Movement in the early 1900s was composed mainly of Filipinas who were able to carve an identity, and a mission, that were separate from those of the influential men in their lives.” Thus remarked Minister Patrick Chuasoto, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Philippine Embassy, as he formally opened the exhibit “The Washington Home of the Philippine Suffrage Movement” on 16 June 2016 at the Embassy’s Romulo Hall. “The Washington Home of the Philippine Suffrage Movement” stems from the research of husband-and-wife team Erwin Tiongson and Titchie Carandang-Tiongson, who also spearheaded the ongoing project Philippines on the Potomac or POPDC. It was an initiative of Madam Maria Victoria Cuisia, wife of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Another remarkable Filipina, Monique Bascon, lent her artistic talent as exhibit designer. The exhibit focuses on the lives of Read More …
Duterte graces historic Convergence in Alabel, Sarangani (June 23, 2016) – The Provincial Government of Sarangani hosts the historic event “Convergence: The Inaugural Ceremony of a United Sarangani and General Santos” Wednesday, June 22. It was the oath-taking ceremony of the first-ever Sarangan to be elected Senator, Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao, graced by the first-ever Mindanaoan to be elected President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, along with re-elected Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. Officials from General Santos City and Sarangani were also sworn into office. (Kim Tiblani/Provincial Governor’s Office) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday stood by to his plan to push for the reimposition of the death penalty despite claims by Catholic church leaders and human rights advocates that executions are not a deterrent to crime. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao and other local officials in Sarangani, Duterte said that he was pushing for the revival of dealth penalty not to discourage people from committing crimes but to ensure retribution. “The death penalty might be a deterrence to prevent or matakot siya to commit a crime but that is one school of thought. The other school of thought is iyang death penalty hindi iyan pantakot,” Duterte said. “Hindi iyan to deter. Whether you like to commit a crime or not, that’s not my business. You are equipped with your mental faculty. Iyong death penalty to me is the retribution. Magbayad ka sa ginawa mo sa buhay na ito. Kaya hindi kami magkaintidihan eh,” he added. The Read More …
President Benigno S. Aquino III views the mechanics and instrumentation; heavy equipment operations (simulation); animation; and barista skills demonstration during the Ulat ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority kay Juan at Juana at the Brick Plaza of the TESDA Complex in Taguig City on Tuesday (June 14). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Outgoing President Benigno Aquino III said on Thursday that under his administration, in terms of foreign policy, the Philippines was able to reclaim its distinguished stature in the community of nations. Speaking during the 118th foundation anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Aquino praised career diplomats and staff of the department for improving the image of the country overseas as well as serving Filipinos working abroad. “Higit sa lahat, nabawi natin ang ating pambansang dangal. Kung dati, tayo ang binabalewalang kasapi ng pandaigdigang komunidad, ngayon isa na tayo sa tinitingalang bansa. Kung dati puro negatibong balita ang bumabandera tungkol sa Pilipinas, ngayon isa na tayo sa laging napupuri,” Aquino said. (Most of all, we have reclaimed our national honor. If previously we are brushed aside as a member of the international community, now we are a country others look up to. If before only negative news about the Philippines abound, now we are among those that receive praises.) He spoke lengthily about the achievements of the department under former Secretary Albert del Rosario such as overseeing the evacuation of thousands of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East. Aquino said that as a Cabinet official, Read More …
By Allen V. Estabillo Duterte returns to Sarangani as President in Alabel, Sarangani (June 23, 2016) – President-elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrives at the Sarangani Capitol Wednesday, June 22, to grace one of the province’s historic events, “Convergence: The Inaugural Ceremony of a United Sarangani and General Santos”, the oath-taking ceremony of local officials of Sarangani and General Santos City, including that of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Senator-elect Emmanuel Pacquiao. On November 27, 2015, Duterte delivered a speech in the same venue during the Munato Festival and 23rd Foundation Anniversary of Sarangani a few hours after his lawyer filed his certificate of candidacy for president in Intramuros. In that speech, the Davao City mayor vowed that he will build a law-abiding, God-fearing and comfortable nation if elected president. Duterte also said that “corruption has to stop” and “criminality has to go.” He made it clear he would not change his ways in dealing with drug dealers and criminals. Duterte reiterated these on Wednesday before thousands of local officials and families who erupted into wild applause. (Tres Besana/Sarangani Information Office) ALABEL, Sarangani (PNA) – President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte called on government officials and personnel who are into “corrupt” activities to “shape up now” as he reiterated his commitment to cleanse the bureaucracy of corruption in his upcoming administration. Duterte, who graced the oath-taking here on Wednesday afternoon of Senator-elect Emmanuel “Manny” Pacqiuao and the newly-elected officials of Sarangani and General Santos City, said the crackdown against corruption will be among Read More …
A protester holds a placard at a rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati City on Tuesday, denouncing China’s claim to islands claimed by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands. The Philippines will present China’s aggressiveness in staking its claim during a UN tribunal hearing in the Hague. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – China has expressed willingness to work with the Duterte administration to improve its bilateral ties with the Philippines marred by a simmering territorial dispute involving the West Philippine Sea. In a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying stressed that improving bilateral ties between the two countries would provide opportunity to realize common development. “The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts toward that end with the new government of the Philippines,” Hua said. Hua did not mention the territorial dispute, but said the Chinese government believes that “it is in the fundamental interests of both China and the Philippines and in the shared anticipation of the two peoples to handle related issues properly and to bring the bilateral relations back on track of sound and stable development.” “China has always pursued a foreign policy of building good neighborly relationships and partnerships with its neighboring countries including the Philippines,” Hua said. Duterte, who won by a landslide in the May 9 elections, had earlier said that the Philippines under his administration would not engage in war with China, saying doing so would only result in a “massacre.” The Philippines Read More …