BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay has ordered at least 66 revenue examiners to explain prolonged investigations on tax cases, with some stretching for nearly three years, well past the mandated six-month period.
THE Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) said it will seek to build on the island’s strengths in agriculture and expressed optimism it can overcome current hurdles like law and order and logistics, as it encouraged members of the US-ASEAN Business Council to set shop in the southern island.
From L-R: Malaysian Defense Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, and Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana pose for a group photo on the third Trilateral Defence Minister’s Meeting in Nusa Dua on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on August 2, 2016. AFP PHOTO NUSA DUA, Indonesia—Indonesia Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu on Wednesday (August 3) held an informal one-hour closed-door meeting with his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana in Bali to discuss the progress on efforts to free 10 Indonesian sailors held by the Abu Sayyaf group. READ: Abu kidnappers seize 7 Indonesians | 3 Indonesians kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits Ryamizard said the Philippines was stepping up its campaign against Abu Sayyaf to achieve the release of the ten Indonesians, who are held hostage in the Sulu Islands region. The militant group, deemed terrorists by Manila, reportedly brought the hostages to Sulu after the Philippine Army managed to clear Basilan Island of Abu Sayyaf members. Aside from the military campaign, there was a negotiation process, which had received backing from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari, Ryamizard said, adding that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte would soon visit Indonesia to discuss the crisis. “The Sulu governor is currently working with Misuari. The negotiations are progressing well. Unlike previous governors who had supported Abu Sayyaf, the current governor of Sulu is pro-government,” Ryamizard said. Misuari was formerly an ally of the Abu Sayyaf group. He first wanted the Philippine government to grant autonomy to Sulu, while the latter Read More …
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Yury Fedotov. AFP FILE PHOTO The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said that it is “greatly concerned” on the rise in killings of suspected drug users and dealers in the Philippines. In a statement, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said that he shares UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s condemnation of the extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the country. BACKSTORY: UN chief slams Duterte “I join the United Nations Secretary-General in condemning the apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms,” Fedotov said on Wednesday. The executive director of the UN anti-drug body said that the rise of drug-related killings “contravene the provisions of the international drug control conventions” and “do not serve the cause of justice.” Fedotov also reminded President Rodrigo Duterte that during a special session of the UN General Assembly on the world drug problem, governments committed to ensuring that “all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity.” READ: UN rights chief to Duterte: Offering bounties could lead to chaos The UN official said that they will back the Philippine government in bringing drug traffickers to justice but it should be grounded on international conventions and agreements. It also voiced its support to “balanced, people-centered, evidence- and rights-based approaches to drug control.” “UNODC stands ready to further engage with the Philippines and all countries to bring drug traffickers to justice Read More …
Jennelyn Olaires cradles her husband Michael Siaron, a pedicab driver and alleged drug pusher, who was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding men in Pasay City last month. This now viral photo was first featured on the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on July 24. INQUIRER FILE / RAFFY LERMA The war against illegal drugs being waged by President Rodrigo Duterte is now going global. The New York Times in its August 3, 2016 issue featured the rise in killings of suspected drug users and pushers in the country since Duterte assumed the presidency last June 30. The newspaper also splashed the now viral photo of Jennelyn Olaires weeping while cradling her husband Michael Siaron, a pedicab driver and alleged drug pusher, who was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding men in Pasay City last month. READ: The story behind the viral photo The photo, which was likened to Michelangelo’s sculpture “Pietà,” went viral and was even described by the firebrand President as “melodramatic” during his first State of the Nation Address (Sona). “Eh tapos nandiyan ka nakabulagta (And there you are slumped on the ground) and you are portrayed in a broadsheet na parang (like) Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ. Eh ‘yan ‘yang mga yan magda-dramahan tayo ditto (That’s what I call being melodramatic),” Duterte said. READ: Duterte hits ‘melodramatic’ Inquirer front page photo The Times story which accompanied the photo is titled “Body Count Rises as Philippine President Wages War on Drugs.” The story gave an Read More …
By Joann Santiago President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Senator Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao at the Study Room of Malacañan Palace. (MNS photo) MANILA, Aug. 3 (PNA) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday called on lawmakers to do their part in changing the Constitution but warned them not to take advantage of it otherwise face the consequence. “Mamili kayo…You do it properly. Do not, huwag mong lokohin ang tao. Pag pinilit ninyo iyan, sarado kayong lahat (Choose. Do it properly. Do not fool the people . If you insist on it I’ll close you down),” he said referring to lawmakers’ personal interests. In his speech before volunteers of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), who made a courtesy call in Malacanang Wednesday afternoon, the President said he earlier preferred for a change in the Constitution through Constitutional Commission (Con-Con). President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Senator Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao at the Study Room of Malacañan Palace. (MNS photo) He, however, said that upon learning that this needs a budget of at least Php 10 billion up to Php 50 billion, he changed his mind and instead selected a Constitutional Assembly (ConAss). He stressed his bid for a Constitution change lies on his goal to introduce a Federal system of government, which he believes is the best mode of government that would ensure a sustained and inclusive growth for all citizens. He also urged the public not to be judgemental on lawmakers’ competence because their worth shows on their Read More …
By Jelly F. Musico Senator Leila de Lima (right) views replicas of Central Bank’s pre-Hispanic gold collection during the opening of exhibit: Ginto a Golden Heritage from Our Filipino Ancestor on Monday (Aug. 1, 2016) at the 2nd floor Senate Hallway in Pasay City. From left are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe De Leon, Jr., and Senator Loren Legarda. The exhibit features ancient ornaments crafted by our Filipino ancestors from 700 to 1,200 years ago. These form part of the BSP Pre-Hispanic Gold Collection. (MNS photo) MANILA, Aug. 3 (PNA) – The senators adopted Wednesday four Senate resolutions recognizing and commending the Filipino athletes, including 12 Olympians, who will compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics slated from Aug. 5 to 21 this year. Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, former chairman of the Senate committee on youth and sports, introduced Senate Resolution (SR) No. 75 to extend well-wishes to the 12 Filipino athletes who will try to win the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The 12 Filipino athletes include swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Lacuna; table tennis paddler Ian Lariba; golfer Miguel Luis Tabuena; long jumper Maristella Torres-Sunan; hurdler Eric Cray; marathoner Mary Joy Tabal; weighlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia; boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, and taekwondo jin Kristie Alora. Angara encouraged the Filipinos to give the same supports they gave to Filipino boxing super star and now Senator Read More …
Vice President Leni Robredo receives the “Honorary Outstanding Woman in 2016” Award from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Srinidon representing her mother, Queen Sirikit at the Royal Jubilee Ballroom, Challenger, Imact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Center, Pakkred, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand Monday afternoon. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Leni Robredo has been named an “honorary outstanding woman” by the government of Thailand for her work on women’s rights and gender equality. Robredo received the award on Monday afternoon from Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who represented her mother, Queen Sirikit, at the awarding ceremonies in Nonthaburi Province. Robredo was honored for her “dedication for women in her country to improve women’s rights and gender equality, including overcoming barriers to be a successful ASEAN woman leader.” The award was given in light of the country’s celebration of Thai Women’s Day, also a commemoration of the 84th birthday of Queen Sikirit and the 70th anniversary of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. During this trip, Robredo also met with the staff of the Philippine Embassy there, as well as Filipino community leaders. This was the Vice President’s first overseas trip since taking her oath of office on June 30. (MNS)
Supporters of Sen. Bongbong Marcos protest outside the House of Representatives on Wednesday during the first day of the canvassing of votes. The protesters urged members of the joint canvassing committee to hold a separate date for the proclamation of the winner of the vice-presidential race.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to issue an order ensuring the safety and integrity of the ballots, documents and equipment related to his poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo. In an urgent manifestation, Marcos asked the high tribunal to issue a precautionary order directing the Commission on Elections (Comelec), data centers, and telecommunications firms involved in the May 9 elections to preserve the integrity and safety of the following: (a) all ballot boxes and their contents, including the ballots, voter’s receipts and election returns; (b) lists of voters, particularly the Election Day Computerized Voter’s List (EDCVL), and voters registration records (VRRs), and the books of voters; (c) the audit logs, transmission logs, and all log files; and (d) all other documents or paraphernalia used in the elections, including the automated election equipment and records such as the Vote Counting Machines (VCM), Consolidation and Canvass System (CCS) units, Secure Digital (SD) cards (main and back up), and the other data storage devices containing electronic data on the results of the elections in all of 92,509 clustered precincts throughout the country. Apart from the Comelec, the precautionary order should also cover city/municipal Treasurers, Read More …
President Rodrigo R. Duterte signs on the guestbook after arriving at the Edwin Andrews Airbase on July 21. He is welcomed by Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar and Brigadier General Domingo B. Palisoc, commander of the third Air Division of the Philippine Air Force. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto on Tuesday urged the Duterte administration to “practice what it preaches” and end the contractual employment of up to 120,000 state workers by absorbing them as regular employees. This as President Rodrigo Duterte demanded private firms to stop hiring personnel on a contractual basis, threatening to shut down those who would not comply with the order to end the long existing practice locally referred to as “endo,” a shorthand for “end of contract.” Recto said the government should “open a pathway to regular employment for thousands of casuals who are eligible for permanent civil service.” Saying the size of casual and contractual workers in government were “as big as the Army,” Recto said there should be an inventory of temporary state workers, including those hired through “job-order,” “emergency hiring,” and the “memorandum of agreement” schemes which are all postings that do not afford an opportunity for regularization. The last count was by the Civil Service Commission in 2010, which had found that there were 21,315 contractual workers and 97,951 casuals, running up to a total of 120,000. This does not include workers hired through job orders, who were paid through the Maintenance and Other Read More …