DOF supports removal of incentive to tourism establishments

THE Department of Finance (DOF) expressed support on Wednesday to the Board of Investments (BOI) to remove the income tax holiday (ITH) incentive to hotels and resorts in four major destinations in the country.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima issued the statement in response to the Open Letter to President Benigno Aquino III by the Philippine Hotel Federation, Inc. (PHFI), which appealed for the revocation of BOI Regulation No. 2013-001 pertaining to the grant of incentives for tourism accommodation establishments in Metro Manila, Cebu City, Mactan Island, and Boracay Island.

Palace: Government committed to address poverty

THE Aquino administration is committed to addressing poverty in the country through various initiatives and it is not solely relying on surveys as benchmarks for its interventions, a Palace official said Wednesday.

In a latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, it showed a rise on the number of hunger incidence in the country, from 16.3 percent in December to 19.2 percent this March.

More government appointees named

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III has named new appointees to the court, central bank, and to an international body, a Palace official said Wednesday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a press briefing, said that the Chief Executive appointed Maria Belen Ringpis-Liban as Associate Justice of the Court of Tax Appeals replacing Olga Palanca-Enriquez.

P42M earmarked for Transition Commission

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has approved the allocation of initial P42 million to support the operational requirements of the 15-man Transition Commission, a body tasked to draft the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said that of the total amount, P29 million has been released as cash.

De Lima hits CA for blocking prosecution of big cases

(UPDATED) Fed up with successive setbacks at the Court of Appeals, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima wondered why the tribunal has been rejecting the department's resolutions on cases against the Reyes brothers, an employee of a housing developer, and an oil firm.

"Is the CA running out of justices?" de Lima said Wednesday, noting that two justices voted to reverse the finding of probable cause against murder suspects Joel and Mario Reyes and Christina Sagun, who was implicated in the syndicated estafa case on Globe Asiatique officials.

Robredo widow to make LGUs focus of legislation

THE widow of the late Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo said Wednesday that she will prioritize measures geared towards improving the local government units in the House of Representatives.

"The potential of the local government is boundless, I want to focus on that because it is through the local government where we can guarantee efficient delivery of services," said Leni Robredo, the newly elected representative of the third district of Camarines Sur.

De Lima: Mancao case not a priority

MANHUNT on murder suspect Cezar Mancao continues even as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is pre-occupied with probing the fatal shooting of a fisherman that has strained ties between the Philippines and Taiwan.

“He’s not our priority. We are prioritizing the Taiwanese incident. Mancao has been wasting people’s time and resources (for refusing to surrender),” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters on Tuesday.

Aquino rejects talks on fisheries pact with Taiwan

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III declined Tuesday to hold as of the moment any talks on a fisheries agreement with Taiwan.

In an interview after attending the 115th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Navy in Cavite City, Aquino said that the investigation on the killing of Hung Shi-chen, a Taiwanese fisherman, by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, should be finished first before discussing any fisheries pact with Taipei and other countries.

No Charter change: Aquino

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III rejected anew on Tuesday calls to change the 1987 Constitution, particularly the economic provisions, to attract more investors into the country.

In an ambush interview in Cavite province, the Chief Executive said that his position not to amend the Charter remains.

Aquino forms task force on ease of doing business

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has created an inter-agency task force that will implement reforms to make it easier to do business in the Philippines.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on Tuesday said Aquino signed Administrative Order 38 for the creation of Task Force on Ease of Doing Business (EODB Task Force) in order to implement an action plan, which was drafted by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), to enhance the business competitiveness of the country.

CA stops P5-B smuggling case vs oil firm

SMUGGLING charges against the head of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. and a customs broker will not proceed in the next two months following a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals last May 9.

Acting on the petition filed by customs broker Jorlan Cabanes, the CA Special 10th Division noted Justice Secretary Leila de Lima reversed twin resolutions of prosecutors based on new issues and documents which were not presented by the Bureau of Customs in the original complaint.

Comelec, DFA told to explain low OAV turnout

MANILA – Senator Franklin Drilon called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to explain the low voter turnout for overseas absentee voting in the 2013 midterm polls.

"I hate to sound like a broken record, but I again deplore the dismal implementation of the absentee voting law in the just-concluded midterm elections," said Drilon, who was one of the principal sponsors of Republic Act 9189, or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act.

Zubiri accepts defeat

FORMER senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday accepted his defeat after he failed to make it to the so-called "Magic 12" of the May 13 senatorial race and thanked the 11.7 people who voted for him.

"Now, it is time to move on. It is with great pride that I return to private life as a civilian, knowing what I have done, and that I have given everything I can to help our beloved country," he said.

Comelec: All but six local bets proclaimed

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday that all but six local candidates have already been proclaimed by local board of canvassers.   In a press briefing, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they have received reports that almost all local winners were already proclaimed.   "It should be easily 99.99 percent tapos na (done) all over the country," said Brillantes.   He said the six un-proclaimed local candidates are from areas where special election will still have to be conducted since the remaining votes will still be material in determining the winners.

Drilon doesn’t expect reward for Team PNoy’s 9-3 win

SENATOR Franklin Drilon, who helped the Team PNoy coalition attain its nine-three victory in the senatorial race, said he does expect a reward for his hard work during the national campaign.

Drilon was the campaign manager of Team PNoy–a coalition of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), and the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Filipinos in Taiwan told to limit movement

MANILA -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) issued an advisory to Filipinos in Taiwan to avoid going out for their safety amid the anger by some Taiwanese nationals over the killing of their compatriot by the Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

In an interview over Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Meco Executive Director Antonio Basilio has been in touch with the Filipino communities in Taiwan.

Palace hopes new senators will fulfill mandate

MALACANANG congratulated Sunday the 12 winning senatorial candidates for the 2013 midterm elections, as it hoped that they could perform well the mandate given to them by the people.

"Their mandate is a bit heavy, so let's all wish them well," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.

Honasan to work with Gordon even after elections

IT ISN’T the end of the road for Richard Gordon, who lost the presidential and senatorial elections in a span of three years.

Gregorio Honasan II, who won a fourth term in the Senate at the expense of his friend Gordon, said he can still work with six other members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) who failed to land a spot in the top 12.

5 policemen injured in clash with NPA rebels

FIVE policemen were injured in a 20-minute clash with communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Tagbina town in Surigao del Sur on Saturday afternoon, a police official reported Sunday.

Caraga regional police spokesman Superintendent Martin Gamba said troops from the 11th Special Action Company were on patrol at the boundaries of Sta. Maria, Sta. Cruz and Doña Carmen villages when they caught up with about 30 rebels around 10:25 a.m.

Pimentel wants to have lunch with ‘friend’ Zubiri

REELECTED Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III wants to have lunch with his political nemesis, former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who failed to make it to the top 12 of the 2013 senatorial race.

"Wala akong problema with Migz Zubiri and after everything has settled, I want to schedule a lunch or dinner with my friend, Migz Zubiri," Pimentel told reporters in an interview.

Team formed for 'harassed' Filipinos in Taiwan

MANILA -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) has formed a team that will handle reported cases of harassment against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, Malacañang said Saturday.

In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated the call to the Taiwanese people for calm and to spare from any harassment the Filipinos there who have nothing to do with the killing of 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng off Batanes last May 9.

Palace to Comelec: Speed up release of teachers' honoraria

THERE is no reason for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to delay the honoraria of the teachers who served in the midterm elections last Monday as funds are already available, a Palace official said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released early this year P960 million for the poll body.

MMDA chief: Increase on net worth due to new SALN form

METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino explained Saturday the significant increase on his net worth in 2012 compared to 2011.

Tolentino was the biggest gainer among the Cabinet members of President Benigno Aquino III whose net worth climbed by over P21 million to P43.77 million last year from P22.54 million in 2011.

Senator-elect Bam promises independence from Aquino

MANILA - Don’t expect Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV to be a blind follower of cousin President Benigno Aquino III in the Senate.

Aquino said he is his own man and that he can take an objective view of Malacañang’s programs.

Gov’t looking into alternative markets for OFWs in Taiwan

THE Philippine government is eyeing alternative markets for Filipinos who could be displaced due to the sanction being imposed by Taiwan.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a news briefing, said that the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has identified South Korea, Middle East and Malaysia as possible destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those in the manufacturing sector.

P25-M worth of smuggled goods from China seized

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) raided Friday two storage areas in Tondo, which yielded P25-million worth of goods and merchandise believed to be illegally imported from China.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the raid was carried out by BOC Intelligence Group operatives virtue of a Letter of Authority he earlier issued upon the recommendation of Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim pursuant to Section 2536 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).

Poe won't take up crash course in legislation

SENATOR-ELECT Grace Poe-Llamanzares won't be taking up a crash course for neophyte legislators, saying her team of advisers would be enough to help her get through her upcoming job in the Senate.

She called herself "fortunate" for having members of the academe in her team during the campaign as well as the practical advices of veteran senators Francis Escudero and Sergio Osmeña III.

Angara: Drilon may be next Senate President

VETERAN Senator Franklin Drilon is somewhat headed for a return to the Senate presidency, said Senator-elect Juan Edgardo Angara on Thursday night.

"Most likely it will be Senator Frank Drilon," said Angara when asked who will be the administration's best bet to replace Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile at the start of the 16th Congress in late July.

Cayetano: Focus on task ahead, not politics

ELECTED for another six-year term in the Senate, Alan Peter Cayetano called for an end to political bickering so that everyone can help the Aquino administration achieve its goal of inclusive growth.

"The economy is on the upswing but many don't felt it. We really have to work together. It’s really not a time for politics. It’s really the time for performance, how do we get to work as a team and how we will work with the other team (opposition),” he said on the sidelines of his proclamation at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Thursday night.

Poe aims to focus on agriculture sector

SENATOR-elect Grace Poe-Llamanzares, the frontrunner in the official election results, will prioritize bills for the agriculture sector once she starts her legislative duties in July.

"Marami talagang mahihirap na magsasaka natin. Basta ang gabay ko lang, ang tatay ko nanindigan at tumulong kahit na siya'y pribadong mamayan (We have a lot of poor farmers. My only guide is, father stood and helped even as a private person)," Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., said in an interview.