Today, we are celebrating Valentine’s Day, which many will celebrate by giving flowers or boxes of chocolate, or by arranging dinner dates or visits to romantic locations. These gestures are meant to show our appreciation and care for loved ones. All things considered, this love month can also be a time for showing how much […]
Tag: should
Inclusion of reps for OFWs, education sector recommended for bill on employment recovery plan
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS proposed the inclusion of representatives from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) groups and the education sector in a planned interagency body for the country’s employment recovery plan following the coronavirus pandemic. Migrant Workers Secretary Susan V. Ople, in an economic affairs hearing at the Senate on Tuesday, said Senate Bill 129 should include representation […]
Senator opposes Manila airport sale plan
SENATOR Joseph Victor G. Ejercito has opposed a plan to privatize the Philippines’ main international airport, saying public utility that is vital to national security should remain in government hands. “What happened during the fiasco should be an eye opener for us, but when we talk about utilities concerning national security, I’m still thinking that […]
What taxpayers can expect in 2023
With 2022 in our rearview mirrors, let us now face 2023 with full optimism and determination to succeed. To help us realize our aspirations for this new year, let us examine what 2023 has in store for us — taxpayers and tax practitioners alike. CHANGES IN TAX RATES By now, taxpayers should be aware of […]
Cebu property industry bound for rebound in 2023
CEBU is set to benefit from the property sector’s recovery beyond 2023, as it is bound for a significant rebound moving forward. This was the assessment bared by Colliers International on Wednesday, Dec. 28, when it released its outlook for Cebu’s property market. “Cebu remains a preferred destination of BPO firms while more retailers are […]
Farmers say high sugar prices due to issues with distribution, retail
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) needs to address the distribution and retail portions of the sugar supply chain, which are causing prices to rise, a farm industry association said. High sugar prices are providing a pretext for the government to import sugar, shipments of which need to be “calibrated” in their arrival to avoid causing […]
PCCI says concerns about RCEP no bar to joining trade bloc
THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said the issues raised against joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) should pose no obstacle to participating in the trade deal. “Regarding the concerns of other sectors, I don’t think it should stop us. If you look at the broader picture, many of our Association of […]
Increasing RE should take priority over going nuclear, think tank says
INCREASING the share of renewable energy (RE) in the power mix should take priority over the Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) plans to introduce nuclear power, an energy think tank said. Gerry C. Arances, executive director of Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) said in an e-mail on Friday that the lack of attention paid […]
Police chief tells jail boss to answer allegations in court, not in media
A SUSPENDED prison chief should face allegations of his involvement in the murder of a local broadcaster in court instead of answering them in media interviews, the national police chief said on Monday. “We base the charges against the suspects on the evidence, circumstances and statements given by the witnesses,” national police chief Rodolfo S. […]
Opposition told to learn from US midterm results
By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter THE PHILIPPINE opposition should temper right-wing populism that enabled Rodrigo R. Duterte’s rise to power by promising voters enough social protection amid economic challenges, political analysts said on Sunday, as US Democrats retained control of the Senate in this year’s midterm elections. The preparations of opposition forces for the […]
Gov’t told to stop drug war to help decongest prisons
THE PHILIPPINE government should stop its deadly war on drugs if it aims to decongest one of the world’s most crowded jails, according to a human rights advocate. “It’s impossible for the Department of Justice (DoJ) to decongest prison facilities as long as the drug war continues, which is responsible for over 60% congestion rate,” […]
Consumers eager to normalize seen boosting economy towards yearend
THE boost to the economy typically provided by the year-end holidays will be given added impetus by consumers seeking to return to normal after the pandemic, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said in a report. “With consumers and firms eager to normalize, the coming Christmas season […]
Purveyors of fake news should be jailed — senator
A SENATOR on Wednesday said fake news creation should be criminalized after a poll by Pulse Asia Research, Inc. showed Filipinos consider it to be a problem. “Misinformation and disinformation should be taken seriously,” Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said in a statement. “Those behind it should be held accountable for their actions. It is not […]
PHL Justice chief defends red-tagging before UN rights committee
PHILIPPINE Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Monday night defended the government against accusations of tagging people and groups as communists without basis, saying it should be able to respond to its detractors. “Is it a one-way street, where only critics can criticize and critics cannot be criticized?” he said in his statement to […]
Solon calls for national ID contract termination if delay continues
A CONGRESSMAN on Wednesday asked the administration to set a deadline and terminate the contract for national ID cards if the supplier fails to meet the target date. Northern Samar Rep. Paul R. Daza said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should order a contract review that would be made public as well as look for […]
Conservation NGO calls for crackdown on illegal fishing, suspension of fish imports
THE government needs to crack down on illegal fishing in municipal waters and reduce fish imports if it expects fisherfolk and marine resources to thrive, a conservation group said. “We are already feeling the pinch of a global food crisis, including decreasing national fish stock. The country’s aquaculture and marine resources should be prioritized as […]
Lawmaker seeks rehiring of village health workers
A CONGRESSMAN on Sunday said village captains and councilors should follow the instructions set by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the rehiring of health workers and nutrition scholars. These workers should be rehired because they have been trained for the job already, Party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co said in a statement. […]
Lawmakers back bigger CHR budget
CONGRESSMEN on Thursday sought to restore the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) originally proposed budget of P1.65 billion. “What we want is not just to restore the budget but to increase it,” Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong said at a House of Representatives budget hearing. The Budget department only gave the agency P878.21 million […]
US says Russia price cap should take risk premium out of oil market
SINGAPORE — The price cap G7 (Group of Seven) countries are planning to put on Russian oil to punish Moscow should be placed at a fair market value minus any risk premium resulting from its invasion of Ukraine, a US Treasury Department official told reporters on Friday. The price should be set above the marginal […]
Balisacan open to expanded funding for RCEF
By Diego Gabriel C. Robles SOCIOECONOMIC PLANNING Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said he is open to increasing the allocation for the P10-billion-a-year Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), provided that the use of the funds is well-targeted. “It’s not just about the amount of money, but also how that money is used, and (identifying) where that […]