Day: March 11, 2024

Authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) seized PHP13.6 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust in Indanan, Sulu, over the weekend, an official said Monday.

Director Gil Cesario Castro of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-BARMM) said Saturday’s operation in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan town, turned violent when one of the suspects resisted arrest and fired at government forces.

He said the suspect, Sakura Badih Astung, is now detained at the Indanan municipal police station, awaiting inquest proceedings for violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

‘Astung was transacting business with an undercover agent when his companion sensed the presence of government troops, pulled a pistol, and opened fire toward a soldier, injuring him,’ Castro said in a statement.

A cohort quickly fled while firing his gun and managed to escape, he added.

PDEA said the injured soldier was rushed to a hospital.

Recovered from Astung two sachets of suspec
ted shabu, weighing 2,000 grams, buy-bust money, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has formed a coordinating action team mainly to expedite the implementation of vital infrastructure to improve water supply for Bacolodnons.

In Executive Order 014, series of 2024, Benitez said the body, which he chairs, will come up with a coordinated action and approach plan as well as build effective collaboration between and among agencies in both the public and private sectors.

‘The city government is taking steps to address the shortage in water supply,’ he said in a press conference on Monday.

Benitez noted ‘as much as 15 percent’ reduction in the level of the city’s water sources, based on the report of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-PrimeWater.

He said reports of water shortages and interruptions aggravated by the El Niño weather phenomenon have affected the daily lives of residents.

Benitez said one of the recognized causes of water shortage is the difficulty of acquiring ownership or road right of way in areas where the pipes pass through to supply water
to the city.

‘Acquiring road right of way for infrastructure projects is essential for the development and improvement of road networks in our city. There is a need to expedite the process of acquiring road right of way,’ he added.

Benitez said the coordinating action team will also develop and implement short-term and long-term strategies to address water shortages and ensure the provision of adequate water supply to all residents.

They will also make recommendations and endorsements to the appropriate office and/or agency of any activity, plan or project to be pursued as part of the coordinated effort to improve the city’s water supply, he added.

Since the last week of February, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been rationing water to several sub-villages and schools in Barangay Mandalagan with limited water supply.

In a statement over the weekend, PrimeWater, together with its joint venture partner Baciwa, said it has acquired a water truck for deployment as a contingency plan to mitigate the i
mpact of the El Niño on the current water supply.

The water truck, which can store up to three cubic meters of water, is being used to deliver water during service disruptions across multiple barangays, it added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Rizal Police Provincial Office (RPPO), led by Police Director, Col. Felipe Maraggun, and the Members of the Church of God International (MCGI), represented by Dr. Daniel Razon, have inaugurated their new Stakeholders Cafe and Officers’ Dormitory for the uniformed officers of the RPPO last March 7.

This after inking a memorandum of understanding on Dec. 28, 2023, ensuring a continuing partnership to help better the lives of police officers in the region.

This initiative aims to ensure the welfare of police personnel and to boost the morale of the law enforcers in Rizal by providing free services to the people of the province and the uniformed personnel of the Rizal PNP.

The newly inaugurated officers’ dormitory is equipped with air conditioning units, adequate sleeping decks and a coffee-shop style receiving area for a welcoming ambience whenever police officers receive visitors and loved ones.

Taytay Mayor Allan Martine De Leon was also present during the turnover ceremony where MCGI members held a m
edical and dental mission for the Tatay’s residents, including the barangay officials and their dependents.

Taytay also received solar street lights for the residents of Arenda, Sta. Ana after the local PNP officers submitted the request to ensure the safety and security of the locals.

Other services and donations provided in line with the inauguration are free medical checkup and medicine, free dental extraction, free optical check up, free eyeglasses, 1,000 grocery packs, 10 wheelchairs, 10 nebulizers, 10 walking canes, and police caps.

Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr. also graced the turnover of the new facilities on behalf of the National Police Commission and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The project began when MCGI’s active invitation to agencies requiring assistance received responses from government agencies locally and abroad.

Similar activities were held in Sorsogon, Bulacan and other places in the country and in South America.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading a measure proposing amendments to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act to enhance the Philippines’ tax incentives.

During the plenary session, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 9794, otherwise known as the CREATE MORE (Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) bill, which aims to make the country’s tax regime both compliant with the minimum global tax and competitive.

The bill proposes that the income tax rates will be 20 percent for domestic and resident foreign corporations elected to be under the enhanced deductions regime.

House Ways and Means Committee chair Joey Salceda, author of the measure, said the world is currently moving toward a global minimum tax rate of 15 percent, which may require multinationals currently in the Philippines to pay a top-up tax in their countries of origin.

Salceda said the top-up tax would defeat the purpose of the income tax holiday (ITH) an
d special corporate income tax (SCIT) regime of 0 and 5 percent under the CREATE law.

“So, we need a tax regime that is both compliant with the minimum global tax and remains competitive. That is why we are reducing the tax rate for those under enhanced deductions from 25 percent to 20 percent so that eligible enterprises will shift from SCIT to enhanced deductions,” he said.

He also pointed out that any ambiguity in the CREATE law that has led to misinterpretations must be resolved.

He particularly noted that the bill would make the value-added tax (VAT) regime simpler, clearer, and transaction-based, while also improving its refund process.

“The incentives regime under the CREATE transition period must be without any ambiguity. And the VAT refund system must work,” he said.

He said the bill reverts the power to grant incentives to the Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), but the policymaking and oversight functions of the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) are retained.

“Our tax incentive approval
mechanism must also be agile – while maintaining the government’s oversight of the process,” he said.

The bill also proposes a 100 percent additional deduction for power expenses.

“High power cost is an existential threat to Philippine industries, especially in the manufacturing sector. Because we cannot afford to subsidize power costs as our neighbors do, an enhanced deduction for power cost will be more targeted towards those who need competitive power rates to create jobs,” Salceda said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday underscored the importance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visits to Germany and Czech Republic to advance the Philippine national interest amid growing tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In his scheduled meeting with the leaders of the two countries, President Marcos is expected, among others, to emphasize the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries in promoting rules-based international order.

The President is also expected to seek stronger bilateral relations with Germany and Czech Republic and expand economic cooperation for more mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.

‘These visits would serve to bolster bilateral relations, enhance economic cooperation, and reinforce the Philippines’ standing in the international community. Amidst complex geopolitical challenges, fostering strong alliances with nations sharing similar values is imperative for safeguarding our sover
eignty and territorial integrity,’ Romualdez said.

Romualdez said that in the face of increasing assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea, adherence to international law is crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The House leader is part of the President’s official delegation for his working visit to Germany and state visit to Czech Republic.

On March 5, at least four Filipinos sustained minor injuries after two China Coast Guard vessels ships used water cannons against Unaizah Mae 4, a smaller vessel contracted by the Philippine military for a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Prior to this incident, a China Coast Guard vessel collided with the BRP Sindangan, causing ‘superficial structural damage.’

Romualdez said the chamber fully supports the diplomatic initiatives of President Marcos to advance the country’s national interest on the global stage.

‘We, at the House of Representatives, stand solidly behind President Marcos in his pursuit of diplomatic sol
utions to the West Philippine Sea dispute anchored on the respect for international law and the principles of maritime freedom,’ he said.

A Joint Declaration of Intent on Strengthening Maritime Cooperation would be sealed between the Philippines and Germany during President Marcos’ visit to Berlin.

The Czech Republic and Germany were among 16 European nations that issued a joint statement in July 2023 supporting the Philippines in its fight for sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea in time with the commemoration of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling issued by The Hague that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

During her visit to the Philippines in January last year, Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the Chinese coastguard’s activities in the South China Sea, including its use of lasers and water cannons, saying those actions of China were causing concern in Europe.

The WPS issue was also among the issues that President Marcos discussed with Czech Prime Minister Pet
r Fiala when the latter visited the Philippines on April 17, 2023 to launch his 10-day sojourn around Asia.

In October of the same year, the Czech Republic offered to the Philippines its vessels suitable for use in securing the country’s territorial waters.

Source: Philippines News Agency

American companies are eyeing over USD1 billion of investments in the Philippines, a commitment brought by the United States Presidential Trade and Investment Mission (PTIM).

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is leading the PTIM here from March 11 to 12, being participated in by high-level executives from 22 US companies and business organizations.

‘In fact, on this trip alone, these companies are announcing over a billion dollars of US investments,’ the visiting US official told reporters in a press conference in Parañaque City Monday.

Raimondo said the commitments are ‘high impact investments in high impact industries’, especially in priority sectors identified by the second Marcos administration such as renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), digitization and telecommunications, among others.

Specifically, the PTIM delegation is eyeing to train over 30 million Filipinos, providing education and training opportunities in digital and artificial intelligence (AI).

Raimondo said these education
and training opportunities will help Filipinos land in high paying jobs.

She cited that, for one, Microsoft is partnering with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to train more than 100,000 women for AI and cybersecurity skills, and is rolling out an AI learning roadmap to help train “tens of millions of students” for digital and AI upskilling.

Microsoft is also deploying a co-pilot chat box tool in the country for an open AI service, she said.

‘Google is announcing similar investments. We’re also announcing an innovation hub for EV training,’ she added.

Raimondo’s delegation is an offshoot of Marcos’ visit to the US, wherein US President Joe Biden initiated to have the PTIM to the Philippines to reaffirm White House’s commitment to strengthen economic ties with Manila.

‘I am totally confident that this Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines is just the beginning of the next wave of new and exciting economic engagements between our countries,’ Raimondo s
aid.

She said the US and the Philippines sustained their ‘iron clad’ alliance for over 72 years, and the US remains a ‘steadfast friend’ and a ‘partner in prosperity’ for the Philippines.

‘President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) has said… he cannot imagine the Philippine future without a close bond with the United States. I want to say here today, the feeling is mutual,’ she said.

‘But President Biden acknowledges we can do more. We can always do more,’ she added.

Red carpet for investors

For his part, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go said that just like any strategic investments in the country, the Philippine government assures red carpet treatment for critical investments from US companies.

‘(W)e assured the Mission of the Philippines’ commitment to roll out the red carpet for investors by improving the ease of doing business,’ he said in the same media event, adding this includes acting swiftly on investors’ concerns.

Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual also urged US businesses to make the Philippines as their central hub in Asia.

He cited that logistics giants FedEx and UPS, which are part of the PTIM, are eyeing expansion plans in the Philippines.

Source: Philippines News Agency