THE HOUSING and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) has approved the new zoning plan of Makati City to make the metropolis adaptable to disasters, according to a press release on Friday.
Jul 262013
Jul 172013
MANILA, Philippines – The Center for Global Best Practices, in collaboration with Sycip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices, is holding a pioneering seminar titled ‘Best Practices in Handling Customs Tax Audits & Remedies’, Aug. 7, at the Peninsula Manila, Makati City, Philippines. This special program is designed to help importers learn how to deal fairly and squarely with the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Empower yourself and your organization by knowing about the importers rights that matter, understand the BOC’s basis of assessment/ audit to save you on unnecessary taxes, know what to do incase of warrants and seizures, and learn how to craft letters to challenge the valuations/ under-declaration charges imposed by the BOC. This solutions-oriented program will tackle comprehensively the administrative, judicial, procedural and substantive remedies to problems encountered by importers on issues of customs tax and duties with the BOC. The expert practitioners in this field will share their best practices, important lessons, real stories, updates and cases decided by the Court of Tax Appeals and Supreme Court. For more details and a complete list of seminars, check www.cgbp.org. You may also call (02) 556-8968/ 69 in Manila; (032) 512-3106/ 07 in Cebu; or (074) 423-5148 in Baguio. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 This one-day event will feature Domingo G. Castillo, expert practitioner in this topic and partner in the largest law firm in the country, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan Law Offices.
Jul 152013
By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:09 pm | Monday, July 15th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–Hoping to bring its services closer to more Filipinos, the Canadian government has opened new visa centers in two key cities here to ease the application process for Philippine citizens. The Canadian Embassy in Manila announced on Monday its new visa application centers (VACs) in Makati City and Cebu City, facilities that aim “to make the process of applying for a visa to enter Canada easier and more convenient.” Those planning a trip to Canada may now apply at Canada’s VACs at the Ecoplaza Building on Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Makati City and the Keppel Center at the Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. Previously, visa processing was centralized at the Canadian Embassy at the RCBC Plaza on Ayala Avenue in Makati City. The opening of the two Canadian VACs is part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) efforts to widen its presence around the world, the Embassy said in a statement yesterday. “CIC is expanding its VAC network around the world to provide valuable administrative support to applicants before, during and after their temporary resident application is assessed by a CIC immigration officer,” the Embassy said in a statement. The visa services expansion is part of Canada’s plans to encourage more people to visit and work there to bolster the Canadian economy. “The Government of Canada plans to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth by attracting an increasing number of visitors as well as the Read More …
Jul 112013
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has launched an information campaign on exchange traded funds (ETFs), a form of investment funds to be introduced in the local market. “Now that the Philippine regulatory framework for ETFs has been finalized, we can officially start accepting listing applications from prospective ETF companies. I know a lot of market participants have waited long for this product to be offered to investors and we are now all working hard to ensure that we meet the expectations of the market,” PSE President and Chief Operating Officer Hans B. Sicat said. The Securities and Exchange Commission approved last June 20 Part C of the PSE ETF rules after Parts A and B were approved last March. The local bourse then proceeded to conduct seminars to make the public aware of how ETFs work. An ETF is similar to a mutual fund that tracks a basket of assets but is traded like stocks. Unlike mutual funds, however, the price of an ETF is quoted real time so investors immediately know the buying and selling price of their shares. “For retail investors, especially those who are just starting to invest in the market, ETFs allow for a cheaper access to a diversified portfolio of stocks because investors do not have to buy multiple stocks,” the local bourse said. PSE added that the performance of an ETF is also easier to analyze and monitor because its asset per share value is updated every minute and its tracking Read More …
Jul 062013
MANILA, Philippines – Information technology (IT) solutions provider Fritz and Macziol Asia Inc. has opened a new office in Makati City as it seeks to expand its workforce and operations. Ernesto Alfredo Cruz, Fritz and Macziol Asia senior vice president for sales and marketing, said in an interview that the company decided to move to Zuellig building in Makati City from the Net One Center in Taguig City as part of its expansion plan. “We are already expanding…We were occupying two floors (in Taguig) and we need more. We needed an additional floor but they couldn’t give us anymore,” he said. The size of the new office, he said, is double the space previously occupied by the company and would allow the company to hire more IT professionals. “Initially, in the workforce, we are targeting to add 30 to 40 percent,” he said. The company has around 70 employees at present.
Jul 062013
Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday called for discipline in the ranks of the Philippine National Police, so police personnel can regain the respect of Filipinos. In a post on his Facebook page, Binay said he was saddened by the tarnished image of the police, due to recent incidents involving personnel who engage in practices like extortion. “At masisisi ba naman ang taong-bayan kung magkaroon sila ng di-magandang imahe ng kanilang pulis? Pulis na pumuputok ang uniporme sa kalakihan ng tiyan; pulis na mangongotong; pulis na abusero; pulis na protektor ng ‘petty criminals’ o sindikato (Can you blame Filipinos for having a not-so-good impression of our police, if policemen have bulging bellies, engage in extortion or abuse their authority, or even protect petty criminals)?” he said. He also said it was dismaying to read reports of police personnel engaged in crimes such as kidnapping, rape, and robbery-extortion. Binay urged the police force to serve as models of discipline, especially in obeying the laws that they enforce, if they want to restore their image. This includes obeying traffic signs such as ‘no left turn’ or wearing seat belts even when riding a mobile patrol vehicle. “Sa usaping ito, ang ating kapulisan ang dapat maging larawan at halimbawa ng disiplina sa ating kapaligiran (Police must serve as examples of discipline),” he said. Also, he said discipline serves as the guide in exercising duties and responsibilities. Binay said rediscovering Filipino values and ethical standards laid down by our ancestors is crucial in attaining Read More …
Jun 262013
MANILA, Philippines – The temporary volatility in financial markets could last for months, but the Philippines will survive given its strong fundamentals, officials said on Wednesday. “These are interesting times again,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. said in a speech before financial officers in Makati City. The central bank chief said the “furor” will soon “subside” once investors have a complete grasp on the United States Federal Reserve’s pronouncements that it may scale down stimulus measures this year. “There is always volatility on the way to recovery. The way to recovery is not a clear path,” Tetangco said. “What is important is that you focus on your goal and don’t be distracted because volatility is inevitable,” he added. The scenario “will be there or a while, possibly for months,” said International Monetary Fund resident representative Shanaka Jayanath Peiris. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Investors have been rattled by concerns that cheap money from the $85-billion monthly bond buying program of the US will end soon, prompting them to re-position their holdings back to world’s largest economy. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, one of the world’s best performers last year, entered a bear territory last Tuesday, closing at 5,789.09 as it erased all its gains for the year. A bear territory is marked by a 20-percent slump from the bourse’s last peak. Meanwhile, the peso touched 44 level versus the dollar last Monday before it bounced back to close at 43.46 last Tuesday. Read More …
Mar 122013
MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino made a pitch for Filipino workers before potential investors yesterday, saying their creativity, dedication and loyalty are worth investing in. In a speech to keynote the Philippine Investment Forum 2013 at the Manila Peninsula in Makati City, the President cited the success of the business process outsourcing industry in which Filipinos have excelled and brought the country “to great heights in such a short time.” “Given the opportunity, they will do the same for you, whatever industry you may be involved in,” Aquino said. Aquino said the intrinsic characteristics of Filipino workers are what investors want from their work force. The President also called on investors to partner with the government in expanding their businesses in the country. He said the country is in a better position to offer more and meet their needs. He said potential investors could invest in agriculture, the source of income for some 12.1-million Filipinos; tourism, with the target 56-million tourist arrivals by 2016; and infrastructure, which is seen to support agriculture and tourism through the development of road networks, ports, and airports. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Whether in these three sectors or in others…we know that, here, hard work, innovation, and creativity are rewarded with success,” he said. The President said new investments would create thousands of jobs that will put food on the tables, send children to school and meet family expenses. “Together, we will be empowering them; giving them greater power to Read More …
Jan 272013
A 15-year-old boy was the latest violator of an ongoing election gun ban meant to minimize violence during the period leading to the May 13 elections. The minor, whose identity was withheld, was caught at a checkpoint on Gladiola Street in Makati City, radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported Monday. He yielded a cal-.45 pistol with six bullets, and was turned over to the local Department of Social Welfare and Development office. As this developed, the Philippine National Police said at least 263 people have been arrested in the first two weeks of the election gun ban. Most of the violators were civilians while at least six were from the PNP, according to a separate report on dzBB radio early Monday. The report said that of the 263 arrested, 229 were civilians, five were government employees, and six were PNP personnel while 22 were security guards. At least 227 firearms were seized, along with 60 bladed weapons and 18 grenades and explosives. Law enforcers started implementing an election gun ban last Jan. 13. The gun ban lasts until June 12. During the gun ban, permits to carry firearms outside residences are generally suspended, and only law enforcers in uniform and on duty are allowed to carry firearms outside their homes. —KG, GMA News
Jan 272013
Philippine Daily Inquirer 4:12 am | Monday, January 28th, 2013 The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has sought the help of funeral service operators in keeping track of the death of foreigners in the country and retrieve their alien certificate of registration identity cards (ACR I-Card). In an advisory, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. reminded mortuary owners of a bureau regulation requiring them to surrender the ACR I-Cards of deceased foreigners before they are buried or cremated. “It’s the funeral parlors that ask the relatives to produce the ACR of the departed foreigner because we in the bureau cannot monitor the deaths without their cooperation,” said Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson and acting intelligence chief. Jocelyn R. Uy Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: ACR I-Cards , Bureau of Immigration , Death , Foreigners , Global Nation Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94