President Duterte

The 2017 Investment Priorities Plan

Economy

May 292017

On Feb. 28, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, through Memorandum Order No. 12, approved the 2017 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), as drafted by the Board of Investments (BoI). The IPP is issued every three years and lists the priority investment activities that may be eligible for incentives. The IPP is aligned with the goals, priorities and strategies under President Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda and the framework on the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy. After publication, the 2017 IPP took effect on March 18, 2017. At present, the BoI is finalizing the general policies and specific guidelines of the 2017 IPP which will set out in detail the criteria and other parameters that the investment activities must meet to qualify for incentives.

Duterte declines UP honorary degree

Entertainment

Apr 222017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the unveiling of the marker of the Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center (MMCMMC) of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) during its inauguration at the MMDA Metrobase in Makati City on April 4, 2017. (MNS photo) MANILA, April 19 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday politely declined to accept the offer of an honorary degree from the University of the Philippines (UP), saying that accepting awards is not in his personality. “With due respect sa University of the Philippines, I do not accept even when I was mayor. Hindi ako tumatanggap, I do not… As a matter of personal and official policy, I do not accept awards. Wala sa pagkatao ko,” the President told reporters following the ASEAN security briefing in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. “Hindi ko naman nire-reject. But I… To use the word reject is not good. I simply declined,” Duterte said. The UP Board of Regents (BOR), the university’s highest policy making body, is reportedly keen on conferring Duterte the honorary doctor of laws degree as part of tradition. However, some sectors are opposing the move due to alleged human rights violations in the campaign against drugs. Earlier, Malacañang said that President Duterte was not angling for any awards but might accept the honorary degree if offered. Following the development, Duterte became the third president to decline the conferment. Former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo have both declined honorary degrees from UP.

Duterte completes ASEAN visits

Entertainment

Mar 252017

Pres. Duterte, PHL delegation hold plenary meeting with top Thai officials: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and members of his delegation hold a plenary meeting with top government officials of Thailand led by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-chan at the Thai Koo Fah Building in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday (March 21, 2017). (Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD Malacanang) BANGKOK, Thailand, March 22 (PNA) – Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo praised the completed ASEAN visits of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by emphasizing the importance of agreements between countries, including a framework on code of conduct, to promote cooperation, stability, and sustainability during a press briefing held Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental. “The purpose of the Code is to see how we can manage disputes carefully, not to raise tensions, not to escalate tensions,” Manalo said. The details of the framework will be under continuing negotiations and discussions, to be based on the “key principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit.” Manalo summarized the positive results of President Duterte’s official visits to Myanmar and Thailand, which caps the ASEAN-wide introductory visits he has made since assuming office in July 2016. Joining Manalo in the panel were Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Executive Director Arnel del Barrio of the Philippine Carabao Center of the Department of Agriculture, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who led the briefing. The meetings in Myanmar with President U Htin Kyaw and other officials such as State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Read More …

Trillanes: Senate panel’s report on EJKs a ‘a piece of garbage’

Entertainment

Dec 102016

Trillanes: Senate panel’s report on EJKs a ‘a piece of garbage’

The Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee, chaired by Sen. Koko Pimentel, resumes its inquiry on the alleged overpricing of the 11-storey new Makati City II Parking Building, the 22-storey Makati City Hall Building and related anomalies. (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec 7 (Mabuhay) — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday called the Senate justice committee soon-to-be released committee report “a piece of garbage” allegedly meant to cover-up extrajudicial killings. “Talagang lumalabaas na ano siya, Duterte collaborator. Ang committee report na iyan ay cover-up ng extrajudicial killings na nagsimula at dumami ngayon noong nagsimulang umupo si President Duterte,” Trillanes said He added: “Talagang this is a piece of garbage, ang committee report ni Sen. [Richard] Gordon.” The senator added that the committee report is an alleged product of Gordon’s “selective justice” and “twisted logic.” “Talagang sumisipsip lang si Sen. Gordon sa kanyang political patron,” he added. Trillanes cited Gordon’s pronouncement that he will recommend the filing of murder charges against self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato for the killing of alleged terrorist Sali Makdum. “On one hand pinaniniwalaan niya (Gordon) ang contention ni Matobato na siya ang nag-abduct kay Sali Makdum, na enough na ire-recommend niya na murder, pero ‘di niya pinaniniwalaan ang allegation ni Matobato na si President Duterte ang nasa likod at pag-create ng Davao Death Squad noong siya ay mayor pa,” he said. Gordon slashed back at Trillanes. “I’m sorry that he said that about his fellow senators. I don’t know where he comes from and he calls hardwork garbage,” he said. He Read More …

Yasay in talks with Russian counterpart for PRRD Moscow visit next year

Entertainment

Dec 102016

Yasay in talks with Russian counterpart for PRRD Moscow visit next year

(From left) Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Secretary Maria Leonor V. Robredo, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr., and Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II, attend the Cabinet Orientation Workshop at the Premier Guest House in Malacañan Palace on July 11,Monday. (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec. 6 (PNA) – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. is in Moscow to talk to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on how both ministries would undertake the preparations for the proposed visit to Russia of President Duterte next year. The bilateral meeting came at the heels of the meeting between President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru. In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, the two foreign ministers also discussed the current state of bilateral relations and the prospects to enhance cooperation on a broad ranges of areas, spanning the political, security, economic, cultural and people-to-people spheres. They both agreed to redouble efforts to conclude a number of agreements that would form part of the legal framework on which to build relations. They also discussed regional and global issues including the priorities of the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017, regional security architecture and UN issues. This is the first visit to Russia of Secretary Yasay. In the joint press conference held after the Read More …

Has change started at the Bureau of Internal Revenue?

Economy

Jul 182016

With appointment of the new Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner, Atty. Cesar R. Dulay, everyone is expecting significant changes to happen in the BIR. Atty. Dulay is joining an organization cited by President Duterte as one of the most corrupt government agencies. Certainly, changing such an organization will be one gargantuan task. Stakeholders like the local and foreign business organizations, tax practitioners, individual taxpayers, and foreign investors are eagerly observing the changes that are being introduced. It is worthwhile to examine the BIR issuances released by the new Commissioner for the first two weeks after he assumed his post last July 1. These issuances give the stakeholders and observers a clear insight of the changes what we will expect and the priorities of this new administration.