journalism – Page 43 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Muntinlupa City Government recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

November 9, 2023November 6, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa was recognized and commended by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government earned recognition and commendations from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The PCCI gave the Muntinlupa City government a special recognition at the 2023 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Awards.

The city government also received eight major commendations at the 2023 Urban Governance Exemplar Awards organized by DILG.

“Indeed, we have many, many reasons to be proud of our city. But most of all, we are very grateful for the validation of our efforts to make life better for all Muntinlupeños. Mabuhay tayo!” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

The city government earned the special citation from the PCCI for its continuing commitment to excellence in business transactions, such as the multi-awarded Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) system.

It can be recalled that Muntinlupa has been recognized several times by the PCCI as the Most Business-Friendly LGU in the country for its innovative and people-centric approach to business transactions.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted over what the City Government achieved with regards to public service, business-friendliness and efficiency?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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IRR of the Maharlika Investment Fund finalized

November 9, 2023November 6, 2023carlocarrasco

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., announced through social media that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) have been finalized, according to a GMA Network news report.

Take note that the implementation was previously suspended and things should move forward from this point on. Already there were business leaders of Saudi Arabia who expressed interest in the MIF.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday that the implementing rules and regulations of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) have been finalized, weeks after he said its implementation was suspended.

“The Investment Rules and Regulations of Maharlika Investment Fund have been finalized,” Marcos said on Instagram.

“Upon our approval, we’ll swiftly establish the corporate structure, getting the MIF up and running,” he added.

The IRR, which would spell the beginning of MIF’s operationalization, was released in August. Marcos announced the suspension of its implementation “pending further study” on October 18.

Before leaving for Saudi Arabia last month, Marcos clarified that the MIF was not put on hold, saying the government was still working to have it operational within the year.

“We are, the organization of the Maharlika Fund proceeds apace, and what I have done though, is that we have found more improvements we can make, specifically to the organizational structure of the Maharlika Fund,” the President had said.

Marcos had said the suspension of the IRR should not be misinterpreted as a judgement of rightness or wrongness of the MIF.

he President also maintained that economic managers and “personalities who will actually be involved in the fund” had been consulted regarding the MIF.

Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 11954 or the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023 in July, with the aim to tap state assets for investment ventures to generate additional public funds.

The law creates the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), a government-owned company that will manage the MIF — a pool of funds sourced from state-run financial institutions that will be invested in high-impact projects, real estate, as well as in financial instruments.

Under the law, the initial capitalization of the MIF would be sourced from Landbank at P50 billion, DBP at P25 billion, and the national government at P50 billion.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that there is no stopping the implementation of the Maharlika Investment Fund in the near-future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas City Government recognized for nutrition program implementation

November 8, 2023November 5, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, it was revealed that the City Government gained recognition for sheer improvements with its implementation of its nutrition program, according to a Manila Bulltin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin’s news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas city government was awarded by the National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region (NNS-NCR) as the “Most Improved LGU Performance” in tems of nutrition program management.

Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar thanked the NNS-NCR for the recognition as she vowed that the City Nutrition Committee (CNC) will continue to work hard on the implementation of the Philippine Plan of Action (PPAN) for Nutrition to better serve the city residents.

Aguilar said the CNC, through their perseverance and collective efforts, gained ground in their bid to improve the planning, implementation and management of their local PPAN.

She added the CNC is conducting regular meeting to discuss the status of nutrition program implementation and agree on ways to improve the way they do things to reach their targets.

The mayor noted that the local nutrition committees at the city and barangay levels implemented strengthened and revitalized innovative strategies in conducting the PPAN nutrition programs.

One of the innovations of the city government born during the pandemic is the Community Auxiliary Feeding Program using the Kusina ng Las Pinas Mobile Food Truck which Aguilar spearheaded together with Vice Mayor April Aguilar.

The auxiliary feeding program is in collaboration with the City Nutrition Office, which aims to provide hot meals to children, pregnant and lactating women, and other nutritionally vulnerable population groups to alleviate hunger.

The mobile food truck visits barangays where around 600 individuals, preferably children, are given hot meals and bottled water being managed by the Nutritionist-Dietitians and Barangay Nutrition Scholars to ensure that the meals served are nutritious and safe.

Aguilar also added that CNO also partnered with the City Tourism/ Media Office and City Environment Natural Resources Office (CENRO) for the food tourism campaign dubbed as “Flavors of Las Pinas” to promote culinary food tourism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you happy with the newest recognition that the City Government gained for its local nutrition program implementation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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National economic managers expect government collections to exceed 2023 revenue target

November 7, 2023November 4, 2023carlocarrasco

Even though it looks like that economic growth for the Philippines this year will end up short of 7%, the economic managers of the Marcos administration expect revenue collections to exceed the target for 2023, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

The economic managers of the Marcos administration are expecting the government revenue collections this year to exceed target amid measures to improve tax administration and collection efficiency.

In a statement following a special coordination committee meeting on Friday, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said the “emerging total revenue collection for 2023 is estimated to be P3.84 trillion to P3.90 trillion.”

The projected revenue collection for the entire year is above the P3.73-trillion target set earlier by the DBCC.

In April, the economic managers set the revenue goal at P3.73 trillion this year, P4.184 trillion in 2024, P4.692 trillion in 2025, P5.255 trillion in 2026, P5.895 trillion in 2027, and P6.621 trillion in 2028.

The DBCC, chaired by the Budget chief, is composed of the secretaries of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Finance (DOF), as well as the governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The DBCC, likewise, is expecting tax revenues to clock in at P3.50 trillion to P3.55 trillion, surpassing the target by about 15%.

The above-target revenue project resulted from the higher actual collections in the first nine months of 2023, which reached P2.84 trillion, up 6.8% year-on-year and exceeding the target for the period by 3%.

This, as both tax and non-tax revenues registered positive growth at 6.4% and 10.5%, respectively, “owing to the higher collections from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and non-tax revenues of P152.57 billion.”

The DBCC said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the BOC are implementing several reforms to strengthen tax administration and enhance revenue collection, which include digitalization programs intended to eliminate corruption, increase transparency, and improve the ease of paying taxes.

Tax reform measures – Moreover, the economic managers said they will work closely with Congress for the passage of the previous administration’s remaining tax reforms on passive income and financial intermediaries taxation and real property valuation and assessment, as well as new tax measures.

“These include the excise tax on single-use plastics (SUPs), rationalization of the mining fiscal regime, motor-vehicle road users’ tax, excise tax on sweetened beverages and junk foods, tax on pre-mixed alcohol, value-added tax (VAT) on digital service providers, carbon taxation, capital market development bill, and the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension reform bill,” the DBCC said.

Meanwhile, the national government’s disbursement accelerated significantly from 93.4% of the program as of June 2023 to 98.9% as of September.

“This was mainly driven by the robust disbursement in the third quarter, reaching P3.82 trillion as of the end of September,” the economic managers said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that government collections will exceed the 2023 revenue target?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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BIR admits taxing social media influencers is difficult

November 7, 2023November 3, 2023carlocarrasco

As far as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is concerned, implementing taxes on social media influencers and collecting from them are still hard to do, according to a Philippine Star news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) continues to have difficulty in making social media influencers comply with the country’s tax laws even amid a widening adoption of various social media platforms as a form of income.

BIR Assistant Commissioner Jethro Sabariaga said the country’s largest revenue collecting agency remains in dialogue with social media influencers for them to pay their tax obligations to the government.

The BIR decided to seek a dialogue with the influencers in March this year. Sabariaga admitted that it is difficult for the BIR to get revenues from the digital space.

“Yes, (it is difficult). We will not mince with words. It might take some time, but that’s what we’ve been doing,” Sabariaga said.

“We are trying to win their side in the engagement process. The more that you can ask them to do voluntary compliance, the better rather than to fight with them,” he said.

BIR defines social media influencers as people whose digital posts are being monetized, classifying them as self-employed individuals or persons engaged in trade or business as sole proprietors.

The BIR earlier said it was looking into some 250 top earning social media influencers to see if they have been paying their obligations.

Based on BIR’s circular, influencers are required to pay income tax and percentage tax or value-added tax, if applicable, as mandated by the Tax Code.

According to the BIR, influencers derive their income from YouTube, sponsored social and blog posts, display advertising and affiliate marketing, among others.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the BIR’s plan to tax social media influencers? Is your favorite vlogger or YouTuber based in the Philippines who might have made some revenue online based on his or her output?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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3-week transition period for incoming barangay and SK officials set by DILG

November 6, 2023November 2, 2023carlocarrasco

With the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) over and most winning candidates already proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) set a transition period of three weeks for the incoming barangay and SK officials, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is giving a maximum of three weeks as transition period for the newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. explained that the allotted transition period is important as this will spell the difference whether the incoming officials could immediately buckle down to work or not.

“Ang transition period na binibigay natin ay three weeks. Napaka-importante na ma-turn-over sa mga bagong opisyal properly ang properties ng barangay. Ilang computer ‘yan, ilang kotse ’yan. (The transition period we are giving is three weeks. It is important that the barangay properties are properly turned over to the new officials. How many computers are there, how many cars). Are they in good condition?’’ Abalos noted.

To ensure smooth transition, Abalos announced the issuance of DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-166, which newly-elected SK and barangay officials can use as guide prior and during their assumption.

“Likewise, outgoing barangay officials were instructed to submit the final inventory of the Barangay and SK properties, financial records, documents, and properties (PFRDs) and money accountabilities and to ensure turnover of the same to the incoming or newly elected officials,’’ the DILG stated.

“Ayaw po nating magkagulo. Inuulit ko po ang announcement na ito sapagkat this will cover all the barangays and SK sa (buong) Pilipinas. Pagka-oath mo, coordinate with our DILG officer na nasa ground at binigyan namin sila ng instructions dito na magkaroon ng proper turnover (We do not want any chaos. I am reiterating this announcement since this will cover all the barangay and SK in the Philippines. After taking your oath of office, coordinate with the DILG office on the ground and we gave them instructions to have proper turnover),’’ he added.

The DILG chief also clarified that he was prompted to issue the guidelines following the advice of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that winning barangay and SK election candidates, upon being proclaimed and taking their oath, can effectively assume office.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the DILG on setting a 3-week transition period for the incoming barangay and SK officials?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Mayor looking forward to programs and plans of BSKE winners

November 3, 2023November 2, 2023carlocarrasco

In Muntinlupa City, Mayor Ruffy Biazon expressed that he is looking forward to the kind of plans and programs that the winners of the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) would execute within their respective communities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said he is looking forward to what kind of programs the winning candidates in the Oct. 30 elections will implement in their respective barangays.

Filipinos voted in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to choose their new leaders.

“Congratulations sa mga nanalo sa Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023! Looking forward ako sa mga programang isusulong niyo sa barangay niyo (Congratulations to all the winners in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023! Looking forward to programs that you will promote in your barangay),” Biazon posted on Facebook.

He added, “Sana ay magkatulungan din tayo sa pagsulong mg 7K Agenda ng pamahalaang lungsod (I hope we can cooperate in promoting the 7K Agenda of the city government).”

“Sa mga hindi nagwagi, don’t look at this as the end of the road. See it as a fork on the road that allows you to change the scenery of your journey towards the goal of helping your city and the people,” he said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, were the barangay and SK elections in your local community held peacefully? Are you aware of who has been elected as the captain, SK chair and councilors in your barangay? Were all the winners in your barangay proclaimed already by the local COMELEC?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Imposition of withholding tax on online sellers could happen before December 2023

November 2, 2023October 31, 2023carlocarrasco

Those of you who have been engaging with online selling, you better brace yourselves as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) hopes to begin imposing a creditable withholding tax before December 2023, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Specifically, this move applies on partner-merchants of online platforms.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news article. Some parts in boldface…

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) is hoping to start imposing a creditable withholding tax on partner-merchants of online platforms before the start of December, an official said.

“The process could be shorter, and we might just come up with it before the start of December. It will not be unreasonable to expect it before the start of December,” BIR Assistant Commissioner Jethro M. Sabariaga told reporters on the sidelines of the SGV Tax Symposium last week.

“The longer you withhold this release, you’re hobbling a significant portion of today’s economic transactions,” he added.

The BIR last week released the final draft of the amendments to Revenue Regulation No. 2-98 which currently does not cover income payments by online platform providers.

Under the final draft, the BIR would impose a withholding tax of 1% on one half of the gross remittances by domestic e-marketplace operators to the online merchants for the goods or services sold through their facility.

However, the withholding tax will not apply if annual total gross remittances to an online merchant for the past taxable year has not exceeded P250,000, or if the cumulative gross remittances to an online merchant in a taxable year has not yet exceeded P250,000.

Also exempted are online merchants who are part of a cooperative duly registered with the BIR with a valid Certificate of Tax Exemption.

Mr. Sabariaga said the BIR took note of the suggestions and objections to the draft rules raised by affected sectors. The BIR’s deadline for comments from stakeholders on the final draft ended on Oct. 27.

“This will all be taken into consideration and then be studied and then the final draft will be released and exposed,” he said.

Since then, Mr. Sabariaga said the agency consulted with various industries to come up with the latest version of the draft.

“It’s the first exposition of the draft, you have to consider the various industries, the applicability of the withholding (tax) on the various industries, the rates, the economic provisions of it,” he added

The BIR has been seeking ways to tax the digital economy, particularly as e-commerce surged during the pandemic.

In 2022, the digital economy contributed P2.08 trillion, equivalent to 9.4% of gross domestic product. Of this, e-commerce had the highest growth at 26.5%, with its share to the economy reaching 20% or P416.12 billion.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you have been regularly selling online, do you think you will be covered by the planned withholding tax by the BIR? Do you have all financial and legal records prepared?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COMELEC hopes for longer voting period in the next BSKE

November 1, 2023October 30, 2023carlocarrasco

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is hoping for a longer period for voting in the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), according to a GMA Network news report. The BSKE this year happened this past Monday with a voting period of 7AM to 3PM although a few cities had early voting hours of 5AM to 7AM for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news article. Some parts in boldface…

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Monday said that he is hoping that the next Barangay and Sangguninang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will have longer voting hours.

This, as Garcia said he expects long queues in voting precincts today, which will only be open until 3 p.m.

“Sana nga po dumating ang pagkakataon na mabago ang ating batas na sa halip na alas tres lamang ang pagboto sa BSKE ay sana kahit gawing mga alas singko man lang ito para po makapagsilbi sa mas maraming botante,” Garcia told reporters in an ambush interview after he cast his vote at Banaba Cerca Integrated School in Cavite.

(We look forward to the time when we can amend the law to extend the voting hours for BSKE until 5 p.m. so we can accommodate more voters.)

Aside from longer voting hours, Garcia is also hoping for a new law that will allow the poll body to provide seamless voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and heavily pregnant women.

“‘Yun ang kadahilanan kung bakit pinu-push ng Comelec ang Early Voting Law dahil… makaka-register kayo nang mas maaga. Pag naka-register nang mas maaga, alam namin kung saan kayo boboto o kung kayo ba ay boboto nang isang linggo bago ang eleksyon,” explained Garcia.

(That is the reason why Comelec is pushing for an Early Voting Law. This will enable vulnerable sectors to register early and if possible, vote a week earlier.)

The Comelec chief then apologized to the vulnerable sectors who experienced inconvenience due to the required signing of a waiver form.

“Pasensya na po kayo. ‘Yun po ‘yung mga isa sa mga tinitingnan natin sa pilot testing natin, [kung] ano ang mga adjustment na gagawin natin,” he said.

(We ask for your patience. This is one of the things that we want to assess during our pilot test to determine the things that need adjustments.)

“First time po natin itong ginawa…pero wag po kayo mag-alala. Sa susunod na gagawin natin nationwide ‘yan, mawawala ang ganyang klase ng mga papeles o dokumento,” he added.

(This is the first time that we did this. The next time we hold this nationwide, we will no longer require those documents.)

Vulnerable sectors in Muntinlupa City and Naga City, Camarines Sur were allowed to vote early on Monday as they were allowed to cast their votes at 5 a.m.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you were able to vote in the BSKE this past Monday, are you convinced that a longer period of voting is needed? Do you prefer more early voting periods for vulnerable voters or special lanes to be made to accommodate them? Do you think an extended voting period will be effective in accommodating more voters in the BSKE?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Online seller arrested in Las Piñas City over illegal drugs worth almost P200,000

October 31, 2023October 26, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, a successful buy-bust operation organized by the local police resulted in the arrest of an online seller who yielded almost P200,000 worth of illegal drugs, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin’s news report. Some parts in boldface…

A woman online seller yielded over P189,000 worth of “shabu” in a buy-bust operation conducted by members of the Las Piñas police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

The Southern Police District (SPD) said Col. Jaime Santos, Las Piñas police chief, reported the arrest of alias “Maria,” 23, an online seller of grocery items.

Santos said the suspect was arrested at around 1:50 a.m. along Upper Laong Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City.

He said members of the SDEU conducted the buy-bust operation by contacting the suspect online and pretending to buy grocery items.

The city police chief said members of the SDEU were able to confiscate from the suspect about 27.8 grams of alleged shabu amounting to P189,040.

Aside from the recovered “shabu,” members of the SDEU also confiscated one Huawwei Nova 5T model cellphone, black coin purse and three P100 bills used as buy bust money from the suspect.

The confiscated shabu was brought at the SPD Forensic Unit for drug testing and analysis.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Is the suspect, reportedly an online seller, familiar to you? Was there a chance you bought groceries from the suspect before? Are you thankful for the police over their recent buy-bust operation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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