(First of two parts)Claims for preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties have long been a challenge for non-resident income earners, income payors or withholding agents, as well as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). This is particularly significant considering that the Philippines has a wide and expanding network of effective tax treaties. Notably, there are 41 such treaties as of Jan. 1 2017.
Pangilinan in 2015(Wikipedia) MANILA, Apr 19 (Mabuhay) – A report on alleged “state-sponsored extrajudicial killings” authored by a retired police intelligence officer supports the claim of self-confessed hitman Arturo Lascañas about the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said Wednesday. “That corroborates the earlier statement made by Lascañas when he said that the DDS received cash payments for each killing made,” Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, said in a text message when asked to comment on the report by Reuters news service. Lascañas, a retired cop, earlier claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte, during his term as Davao City mayor, paid up to P100,000 per drug suspect killed by police officers. Testifying in a Senate inquiry last month, Lascañas said he was involved in the killing of at least 200 people, including radio broadcaster Jun Pala, upon the orders of Duterte. He said members of the DDS, in which he was a “major player,” were motivated to kill drug suspects because of the “reward system” instituted by Duterte. According to two senior officers interviewed by Reuters, police officers have received payments for killing drug suspects. A 26-page report supposedly authored by one of the officers, titled “The State-Sponsored Extrajudicial Killings in the Philippines,” alleged that the “reward” for drug killings range from P20,000 for a “street level pusher and user,” to P50,000 for a member of the barangay council, P1 million for “distributors, retailers and wholesalers” and P5 million for “drug lords.” The document has been shared Read More …
The Philippine jeepney received the international spotlight as the popular British band Coldplay chose to ride it on their way to their “A Head Full of Dreams” concert at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Coldplay’s Jonny Buckland riding a jeepney [via Twitter] The band behind the hit songs, The Scientist, Fix You, Yellow and Viva La Vida visited the Philippines for the first time and was able to experience the uniquely Pinoy ride. Surprised concertgoers started posting photos on social media when they saw frontman Chris Martin and other band members riding the jeepney, the country’s trademark public vehicle. The jeepney has become a Philippine icon characterized by its chrome-plated ornaments, colorful designs and accessories and the close sitting arrangement are said to mirror the Filipino culture of close relations, and the vibrant energy of the people. The jeepney was developed by Filipinos, and popularized by Cavite’s Sarao family from abandoned U.S. military jeeps at the end of World War II. When the Pope visited the Philippines he was also riding a jeepney-style Popemobile. BBC’s Top Gear hit TV show has also featured the Philippine jeepney as a Pinoy feature. National Geographic even included the jeepney as a must-try feature of the country when it ranked it as one of the world’s best trips destination. Bestselling author Norm Schriever has also blogged about the charm and resourcefulness of the jeepney. The post British band Coldplay ride the iconic jeepney around Manila appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related Read More …
SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, has published a pioneering book on the value of the ageing population of the Philippines. Authored by University of the Philippines professor Clarita Carlos, the pioneering book entitled “Population Ageing in the Philippines, Issues and Challenges” presents facts and figures on the rapidly increasing ageing population in the Philippines. Professor Carlos during the launch of the book at The Podium said that senior citizens have the power to elect the next president of the country. The prominent academic said that anyone vying for the presidency should tap into the 60 years and old and above age group because they will play a major role in electing the president in the next election, according to the SM release. “The population of the elderly in the Philippines will be more than 10 percent in 2020, thus political leaders should think of reaching out to (them). Not only is this mandated in the Philippine Constitution (under Article XIII) but the number is also significant in electing the next president of this country by 2022,” Carlos said. She pointed out that the elderly population in the Philippines is increasing faster than the growth of the population. In 2000, there were 4.6 million senior citizens or about 6 percent of the population. In 2010, the number grew to 6 million or 6.9 percent of the population. By 2022, the elderly is expected to be around 12 million which is a significant factor in the election Read More …
Four Filipinos have been included in the 2017 Forbes Asia “30 Under 30” list of 300 millenials, “impressive young entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of innovation.” The second edition of the list of game changers in the Asian region lists Filipinos in four different industries: Maricor Bunal, 29, COO of Growthsolutions, has been ranked as a game changer in the Finance and Venture Capital industry for co-leading Loansolutions.ph, a network of lenders that has helped 2,000 clients secure loans with an average amount of $2,200. “The two-year- old startup got seed funding from a group of international and local investors led by KK Fund. Along with thinking about the company's future as cofounder and COO, Bunal wears several hats – from content manager to sales tracking,” according to the Forbes citation. Matthew Cua, 28, founder of SkyEye Analytics, is included in the leaders of Industry Manufacturing and Energy for designing drones to conduct aerial surveys and produce maps or models. Forbes cites the company as having started as in university project, and being part of the United Nations OCHA (Office for Coordination of Human Affairs), which is asked to participate in times of natural disasters. Gian Scottie Javelona, 24, founder of OrangeApps, is ranked as a young leader in EnterpriseTechnology who runs OrangeApps, a cloud-based platform where schools and universities can manage multiple processes like student enrollment, grades, HR and payroll. Forbes makes a note how “At 19, Javelona launched the first mobile app for a school in the Philippines that covers access Read More …
Did she really break the law? Or are the trials and tribulations she is undergoing, a prelude of how President Rodrigo Duterte intends to deal with those who oppose him: first, malign them in the public’s eye, then throw them in jail on trumped-up charges …
Archie Comics is highlighting the Manila concert grounds in its newest spring annual issue. Archies Funhouse Comics Double Digest #26 titled “On The Road Again!” features The Archies garage band from Riverdale coming to the Philippines to perform in Manila concert grounds as part of their international concert tour. The first preview of the publication shows the popular comics character of Archie Andrews – the freckle-faced redhead – with his pals Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Reggie Mantle excitedly talking about going to the Philippines for their concert. A second teaser of the comic strip shows the group arriving in Manila exclaiming, “Hey, we’re in Manila! It’s the capital of the Philippines!” “This is where we’re going to play! The Manila concert grounds!” Jughead then says, “I’m a big fan of Filipino culture…I hear the barbecue here in the Philippines is practically an art form!” The Archie comics issue featuring the Philippines written by Dan Parent, is being released on April 19. The post Archie performs in Manila in latest comics edition appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Filipino artist draws Darth Vader, Star Wars comics Manila’s iconic spots featured on global coloring book Manila in Forbes Best Budget Travel Destinations UK’s Independent says trendy Manila is back in fashion
THE Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is recommending that the Philippines seek to diversify its crops rather than pursue market-distorting policies such as rice self-sufficiency.
Filipinos are known to be one of the happiest people in the world and we continue to prove it as the Philippines ranks 72nd among 155 countries on the 2017 World Happiness Report. [via We the Pvblic] The Philippines reached high scores in the following happiness index measures: social support area measure (1.254) gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (0.858) freedom to create life choices (0.585) health life expectancy (0.468) generosity (0.194) perceptions of corruption (0.099) The Philippines climbed 10 notches from its 82 nd place in the 2016 Happiness Index, making it one of the top 20 countries in Changes of Happiness from 2005-2007 to 2014-2016. In Asia, Singapore is the happiest country, at No. 26 overall, followed by Thailand (32), Taiwan (33), Malaysia (42), Japan (51), Hong Kong (71), Philippines (72), China (79) and Indonesia (81). Norway was recognized as the world’s happiest country followed by Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden. The World Happiness Report annual ranking of 155 countries published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network under the United Nations defines happiness as “considered to be the proper measure of social progress and the goal of public policy.” The post PH climbs 10 ranks in World Happiness Index appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: PHL climbs 7 notches in global competitiveness index Filipinos are happiest workers in Asia – JobStreet.com PHL jumps 8 notches in World Economic Freedom index PH one of the world’s best to raise a family Read More …
A Russian photographer, his wife, and their baby who travel around the world in search of the best spots has featured the Philippines in its video blog, showing how to have fun with the family in the Philippines. Alexander Tikhomirov and Family [via Instagram] The Alexander Tikhomirov Family’s You Tube videos titled “5 Destinations in Philippines! MUST SEE!” and “Born To Be – What does it mean? BEST VLOG from Philippines!” went online in April showcasing the best family vacation spots in the country in travel vlogs that give off the feel of an ordinary family recording its vacation on video. The Born To Be video is episode 12 of the AlexanderTikhomirovFamily vlog which starts off with Alexander talking in English about how they break the idea that family life is boring. The Philippine Destinations video is episode 13, and shows the family enjoying their banca ride, snorkeling amid coral reef in the blue waters, and swimming among rock formations. The vlogs about the Philippines showcase the charm of island beaches showing glimpses of Filipino lifestyle with Alexander holding his baby while checking out the ever-present basketball ring, some fighting cocks, a monkey and even a dog on an island’s beach, bountiful food offerings, hotel amenities that include kids playground. The travelling family shows the appeal of Philippine beach combing with family, exercising by the ocean while viewing the Philippine sunset, kayaking amid pristine blue waters, making Alexander exclaim, “It’s just like paradise!” The Russian photographer talks about how he, Read More …