President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated threats against ABS-CBN — the latest his declaration that he will “see to it” that it will be “out” once its franchise to operate expires — must be challenged and opposed, quite simply because it is wrong.
It is wrong for its pettiness and narrow, self-serving, and vindictive partisanship. But it is equally wrong for its pro-people and anti-oligarchy pretensions.
Mr. Duterte would not only shut down the country’s biggest radio and television network, which employs over 11,000 men and women all over the country, on no other basis than his claim that it did not air his propaganda materials during the 2016 campaign for the Presidency. He would also enable his cronies — one of whom is only too eager to add the network to his vast range of recent acquisitions — into taking control of it in a reprise of the crony capitalism of the Marcos dictatorship. Once that happens, one of the most influential media organizations in the Philippines will become no more than a regime mouthpiece and the platform from which its purveyors of false information will dominate public discourse.
His arrogant certainty that the House of Representatives will do as he wants also underscores once more the demise of that body’s supposedly co-equal status and independence, and its lethal impact on the tattered remains of Philippine democracy. But Mr. Duterte’s threat is even more fundamentally wrong for being an attack on a media organization for airing reports on the thousands of killings in his so-called “war on drugs” and for some of its anchors’ and reporters’ being critical of his China and West Philippine Sea Policy. Mr. Duterte wrongly presumes that he is lord and master of all he surveys and has the prerogative to allow only those media organizations that pander to him and his regime to exist and to continue to function despite Article III Section 4 of the Constitution.
This latest threat against the media is so obviously meant to intimidate not only the independent press but also every truth-teller, whether human rights defender or rural missionary. It is an assault on media freedom and the right to free expression and information from the multiplicity of sources citizens need to exercise their sovereign power to decide on matters that concern them.
The shutdown of any media organization, whether big or small and whatever its views, reduces the number of contending voices on which citizens depend to get at the truth. All media and journalists’ organizations, media advocacy groups, civil society, and everyone else who still believes in media freedom, free expression, and democracy must expose the Duterte threat for the brazenly tyrannical scheme to intimidate the media that it is, and demand that the House of Representatives renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
As in the case of regime attempts to silence the online news site Rappler, a threat against one is a threat against all. Once ABS-CBN is shut down on the say-so of a president who despises criticism and truth-telling, every other media organization can be similarly silenced by denying or withdrawing its franchise, or through some other nefarious means.
And yet, despite Mr. Duterte’s threats and his subaltern Alan Peter Cayetano’s repeatedly echoing of them, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) found that much of the media, including ABS-CBN itself, have chosen to keep silent about it, apparently because of the cutthroat rivalry in the broadcasting industry, and ABS-CBN’s hesitation in reporting on something in which its self-interest is involved. But there is also the mistaken belief that despite Mr. Duterte’s attacks on press freedom and free expression, it is still possible to negotiate and reason with him.
Among the broadcast organizations, only CNN Philippines and TV5’s Aksyon have so far aired any report on ABS-CBN’s problem with Mr. Duterte. Print was more forthright. The three Manila newspapers of general circulation did report on it in addition to Mr. Duterte’s rant, and so did some columnists. Some reports also pointed out that despite Cayetano’s assurance of “due process,” he himself has been criticizing ABS-CBN for being allegedly anti-regime.
It was on social media — on Twitter and Facebook — where there was more attention paid to it, and where most Netizens expressed their opposition to the shutting down of ABS-CBN. But the prospects for the renewal of its franchise are not encouraging. There is a bill pending in the House renewing the ABS-CBN franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020. Cayetano earlier assured the public that the House would discuss it before yearend. But he is now saying that they have enough time to do next year, when, if its franchise is not renewed, the network will have to cease operations.
Mr. Duterte’s most recent tirade against ABS-CBN was his fourth in the last two years. He accused the network of unfair reporting in 2017, and of refusing to run political ads that he said he had paid for. In May of the same year, he also threatened to file charges against it for allegedly “swindling” him. He said the same things and made the same threats a year ago, in November 2018.
Not only for the possible loss of employment of thousands of men and women should the threat to shut down the country’s biggest broadcasting network have made the six o’clock news and aroused citizen concern. It would also send to the rest of the media and everyone else the unmistakable message that the Duterte regime will not relent in its campaign to silence its perceived critics, including any entity that dares show some semblance of independence.
Mr. Duterte has used the powers of his office as well as his control over the other two supposedly independent and co-equal branches of government to harass and silence his critics in and out of the media. Not only has he threatened online news site Rappler and the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper; he has also made good on those threats. Rappler has had to defend itself from 11 complaints and court cases meant to intimidate and silence it, even as its reporters are prevented from covering public events in which Mr. Duterte is present. The regime’s keyboard army of trolls and its print media hacks also demonize the Inquirer at every opportunity.
The threatened and impending shutdown of ABS-CBN is part of the same assault aimed at intimidating not only the critical press, but also anyone and anything else that takes seriously the democratic need to monitor and hold government to account.
But because he has not placed the entire Philippines under martial law as Ferdinand Marcos did in 1972, there is the mistaken belief that Mr. Duterte’s rule is not as oppressive as that of his idol and mentor. His implementation of what amounts to de facto martial rule without the benefit of a declaration has lulled the citizenry into the mistaken belief that he won’t go as far.
It explains why much of the news media, including ABS-CBN, seem unable to understand the urgency of bringing the issue to the public’s attention as a threat not only to the entire press but also to free expression and the plurality of voices democracy needs to survive. Make no mistake about it: Mr. Duterte and his accomplices are as focused on silencing anyone and anything with any glimmer of independent thought as the Marcos terror regime was.
Luis V. Teodoro is on Facebook and Twitter (@luisteodoro).
https://www.bworldonline.com/against-independence/
Thursday, December 19, 2019
D.M. Wenceslao submits proposals for Parañaque, Cavite reclamation projects
Integrated property developer D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. said Tuesday submitted new proposals to the Philippine Reclamation Authority to undertake reclamation projects in Parañaque City and Cavite.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, DMW said the project in Parañaque is an additional 400 hectares of land in front of Aseana City and Entertainment City.
The proposal contains two reclamation areas where the government is expected to receive 200 hectares at zero cost to it.
Meanwhile, the project in Cavite is for the reclamation of approximately 335 hectares of offshore island in Sangley in preparation for the development of the Sangley International Airport. The proposal is undergoing review by the Office of the President, Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the government to strengthen the country’s development activities,” DMW Chairman Delfin Wenceslao Jr. said.
“We look forward to demonstrate once again our expertise in land reclamation. Over the last 50 years, we have reclaimed more than 2,400,000 square meters of land across the Philippines,” Wenceslao added.
DMW is the master developer and primary owner of Aseana City, a development project with a total land area of 107.5 hectares located along the coastal waters of Manila Bay.
Since 1965, DMW has reclaimed more than 2.4 million square meters of land, leased or developed 250,000 square meters of land and buildings, and completed over 140 construction and infrastructure projects.
On Thursday, shares in DMW were down 1.01% to close at P9.80 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/19/1978313/dm-wenceslao-submits-proposals-paraaque-cavite-reclamation-projects
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, DMW said the project in Parañaque is an additional 400 hectares of land in front of Aseana City and Entertainment City.
The proposal contains two reclamation areas where the government is expected to receive 200 hectares at zero cost to it.
Meanwhile, the project in Cavite is for the reclamation of approximately 335 hectares of offshore island in Sangley in preparation for the development of the Sangley International Airport. The proposal is undergoing review by the Office of the President, Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the government to strengthen the country’s development activities,” DMW Chairman Delfin Wenceslao Jr. said.
“We look forward to demonstrate once again our expertise in land reclamation. Over the last 50 years, we have reclaimed more than 2,400,000 square meters of land across the Philippines,” Wenceslao added.
DMW is the master developer and primary owner of Aseana City, a development project with a total land area of 107.5 hectares located along the coastal waters of Manila Bay.
Since 1965, DMW has reclaimed more than 2.4 million square meters of land, leased or developed 250,000 square meters of land and buildings, and completed over 140 construction and infrastructure projects.
On Thursday, shares in DMW were down 1.01% to close at P9.80 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/19/1978313/dm-wenceslao-submits-proposals-paraaque-cavite-reclamation-projects
[ANALYSIS] Duterte’s foul attacks on big business: What is he up to?
The Duterte government has shown a propensity to disrespect contracts, ignore property rights, and harass businesses
This year Newsbreak, Rappler’s investigative and in-depth section, is capping off 2019 with a series of stories threaded by the theme of lawlessness. (READ: 2019: Lawlessness in the Philippines under Duterte)
Whether in the halls of Malacañang, in our streets, or in our open seas, the Duterte government has demonstrably and consistently disdained the rule of law and our Constitution.
But in this piece I argue there’s one more type of lawlessness that has plagued us in recent years: economic lawlessness.
You might take this to mean situations where private firms take matters into their own hands and disregard laws and regulations.
But here I’m talking about the fact that the Duterte government has shown a propensity to disrespect contracts, ignore property rights, and harass businesses.
Duterte, of course, is no stranger in antagonizing the private sector. (READ: Look back: Duterte’s tussles with big business)
In this piece let’s focus on Duterte’s recent attacks on 3 big corporations – Manila Water, Maynilad, and ABS-CBN – and try to glean what he’s up to.
Water firms thrown in the deep end
Duterte’s attacks on Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires – Manila Water and Maynilad – are a perfect example of economic lawlessness.
More than a week ago the two firms were shocked to learn that their concession agreements, which allow them to operate as Metro Manila’s water distributors, were cut short by their regulator (the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System) from 2037 to 2022.
That’s 15 years earlier than stipulated in their concession agreements with government.
This revocation is a huge blow. Both firms are already strategizing and laying out capital for the next 18 years, only to realize all their plans have rested on shifting sand.
Maynilad’s Vice Chairman Isidro Consunji even hinted that both companies may go bankrupt if negotiations break down.
This terrible plot twist was the culmination of attacks from Duterte himself.
Earlier Duterte fumed at the water firms because the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion. This was because the government had unjustly blocked the firm from raising water rates before.
In the wake of this decision, Duterte branded the water firms’ owners as “oligarchs” and “economic saboteurs.” Later Duterte even warned he might order a military takeover of such firms.
Unsurprisingly, the stock prices of both Manila Water and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, which owns much of Maynilad, recently nosedived (Figures 1 and 2). Manila Water’s stock price even dropped to its lowest level in 12 years.
It’s bad enough that these plummeting stock prices represent billions of losses for shareholders in both companies. But it also threatens the pensions of millions of private employees enrolled in the Social Security System, which has substantial investments in Manila Water.
Above all, the revocation sends a bad signal to investors (here and abroad) that the Philippine government cannot keep its long-term contracts with the private sector and can capriciously change the rules in the middle of the game.
This cannot be. Imagine a basketball game where the referee suddenly announces traveling is permissible and each team can now have more than 5 players at a time.
Just as basketball rules can’t change in the middle of a game, so rules between the government and the private sector can’t change on a whim.
With our business sector enveloped by a thick fog of uncertainty, which investors will now dare to strike deals with the government?
ABS-CBN’s fight for survival (again)
The Duterte administration is also flexing its muscle toward another big business, namely ABS-CBN.
Next year ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise to operate as a media firm – specifically to “construct, operate and maintain…television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the Philippines” – will be up for renewal by Congress.
But for years now Duterte has repeatedly threatened to rally lawmaker friends and block said renewal.
Most recently Duterte said, “Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. (Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I’m sorry.) I will see to it that you’re out.”
As a result of this latest presidential threat, ABS-CBN’s stock price also dipped (Figure 3), albeit nowhere near the nosedive of Manila Water and MPIC’s stock prices.
Of course it’s entirely within Congress’s discretion to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise or not.
But Duterte’s ostensible reason for attacking ABS-CBN seems unreasonably shallow. Duterte once claimed the station committed swindling for failing to air some of his ads during the 2016 elections.
More important, Duterte’s attack on ABS-CBN brings to mind similar bullying by the Marcos regime against the Lopezes.
Recall that former president Ferdinand Marcos, absent formal charges, had ordered the arrest of Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. in 1972, shortly after martial law was declared, in a bid to neutralize the political power of the Lopez clan.
In exchange for Geny’s release, Geny’s father (Don Eugenio Lopez) was forced to give up many of their businesses – including Meralco and the progenitor of ABS-CBN – to enrich Marcos and his cronies.
Even with Don Eugenio’s capitulation, Geny was in fact not released and only managed to escape prison in 1977, five years after his arrest.
Marcos’s forcible takeover of the Lopezes’ businesses and assets was clearly a predatory act. Fast forward to present day, Duterte is repeating history by attacking ABS-CBN.
Whether Duterte’s attack is predatory, too, remains to be seen. Yet his actions show just how the state could use its might to intimidate, corner, and beat to a pulp a private company – just because it can.
Ulterior motives
A number of people speculate Duterte’s slew of attacks against big businesses is part and parcel of a larger strategy to prop up his own cadre of budding oligarchs.
That is, by attacking big companies and devaluing their stocks, Duterte might be opening an opportunity for his wealthy friends to take over these embattled companies.
By “friends” we mean, for instance, Davao tycoon Dennis Uy and former senator Manny Villar. Both are multibillionaires and their business empires have noticeably expanded of late.
Just when ABS-CBN’s fate is hanging by a thread, Dennis Uy is reportedly eyeing an expansion into media and telecom. Some even go on to say Uy may be the “white knight” who will ultimately save ABS-CBN next year.
Meanwhile, amid the impending exit of the current water concessionaires, the Villars are venturing into water what with Prime Water. Duterte was even quoted as saying the Villars might one day enter water distribution in Metro Manila.
If these speculations turn out to be true, then Duterte’s purported hatred towards oligarchs proves merely illusory. He’s just weeding out the old to make way for the new.
The author is a PhD candidate at the UP School of Economics. His views are independent of the views of his affiliations. Follow JC on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ (usapangecon.com).
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/247501-analysis-duterte-foul-attacks-on-big-business
This year Newsbreak, Rappler’s investigative and in-depth section, is capping off 2019 with a series of stories threaded by the theme of lawlessness. (READ: 2019: Lawlessness in the Philippines under Duterte)
Whether in the halls of Malacañang, in our streets, or in our open seas, the Duterte government has demonstrably and consistently disdained the rule of law and our Constitution.
But in this piece I argue there’s one more type of lawlessness that has plagued us in recent years: economic lawlessness.
You might take this to mean situations where private firms take matters into their own hands and disregard laws and regulations.
But here I’m talking about the fact that the Duterte government has shown a propensity to disrespect contracts, ignore property rights, and harass businesses.
Duterte, of course, is no stranger in antagonizing the private sector. (READ: Look back: Duterte’s tussles with big business)
In this piece let’s focus on Duterte’s recent attacks on 3 big corporations – Manila Water, Maynilad, and ABS-CBN – and try to glean what he’s up to.
Water firms thrown in the deep end
Duterte’s attacks on Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires – Manila Water and Maynilad – are a perfect example of economic lawlessness.
More than a week ago the two firms were shocked to learn that their concession agreements, which allow them to operate as Metro Manila’s water distributors, were cut short by their regulator (the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System) from 2037 to 2022.
That’s 15 years earlier than stipulated in their concession agreements with government.
This revocation is a huge blow. Both firms are already strategizing and laying out capital for the next 18 years, only to realize all their plans have rested on shifting sand.
Maynilad’s Vice Chairman Isidro Consunji even hinted that both companies may go bankrupt if negotiations break down.
This terrible plot twist was the culmination of attacks from Duterte himself.
Earlier Duterte fumed at the water firms because the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion. This was because the government had unjustly blocked the firm from raising water rates before.
In the wake of this decision, Duterte branded the water firms’ owners as “oligarchs” and “economic saboteurs.” Later Duterte even warned he might order a military takeover of such firms.
Unsurprisingly, the stock prices of both Manila Water and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, which owns much of Maynilad, recently nosedived (Figures 1 and 2). Manila Water’s stock price even dropped to its lowest level in 12 years.
It’s bad enough that these plummeting stock prices represent billions of losses for shareholders in both companies. But it also threatens the pensions of millions of private employees enrolled in the Social Security System, which has substantial investments in Manila Water.
Above all, the revocation sends a bad signal to investors (here and abroad) that the Philippine government cannot keep its long-term contracts with the private sector and can capriciously change the rules in the middle of the game.
This cannot be. Imagine a basketball game where the referee suddenly announces traveling is permissible and each team can now have more than 5 players at a time.
Just as basketball rules can’t change in the middle of a game, so rules between the government and the private sector can’t change on a whim.
With our business sector enveloped by a thick fog of uncertainty, which investors will now dare to strike deals with the government?
ABS-CBN’s fight for survival (again)
The Duterte administration is also flexing its muscle toward another big business, namely ABS-CBN.
Next year ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise to operate as a media firm – specifically to “construct, operate and maintain…television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the Philippines” – will be up for renewal by Congress.
But for years now Duterte has repeatedly threatened to rally lawmaker friends and block said renewal.
Most recently Duterte said, “Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. (Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I’m sorry.) I will see to it that you’re out.”
As a result of this latest presidential threat, ABS-CBN’s stock price also dipped (Figure 3), albeit nowhere near the nosedive of Manila Water and MPIC’s stock prices.
Of course it’s entirely within Congress’s discretion to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise or not.
But Duterte’s ostensible reason for attacking ABS-CBN seems unreasonably shallow. Duterte once claimed the station committed swindling for failing to air some of his ads during the 2016 elections.
More important, Duterte’s attack on ABS-CBN brings to mind similar bullying by the Marcos regime against the Lopezes.
Recall that former president Ferdinand Marcos, absent formal charges, had ordered the arrest of Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. in 1972, shortly after martial law was declared, in a bid to neutralize the political power of the Lopez clan.
In exchange for Geny’s release, Geny’s father (Don Eugenio Lopez) was forced to give up many of their businesses – including Meralco and the progenitor of ABS-CBN – to enrich Marcos and his cronies.
Even with Don Eugenio’s capitulation, Geny was in fact not released and only managed to escape prison in 1977, five years after his arrest.
Marcos’s forcible takeover of the Lopezes’ businesses and assets was clearly a predatory act. Fast forward to present day, Duterte is repeating history by attacking ABS-CBN.
Whether Duterte’s attack is predatory, too, remains to be seen. Yet his actions show just how the state could use its might to intimidate, corner, and beat to a pulp a private company – just because it can.
Ulterior motives
A number of people speculate Duterte’s slew of attacks against big businesses is part and parcel of a larger strategy to prop up his own cadre of budding oligarchs.
That is, by attacking big companies and devaluing their stocks, Duterte might be opening an opportunity for his wealthy friends to take over these embattled companies.
By “friends” we mean, for instance, Davao tycoon Dennis Uy and former senator Manny Villar. Both are multibillionaires and their business empires have noticeably expanded of late.
Just when ABS-CBN’s fate is hanging by a thread, Dennis Uy is reportedly eyeing an expansion into media and telecom. Some even go on to say Uy may be the “white knight” who will ultimately save ABS-CBN next year.
Meanwhile, amid the impending exit of the current water concessionaires, the Villars are venturing into water what with Prime Water. Duterte was even quoted as saying the Villars might one day enter water distribution in Metro Manila.
If these speculations turn out to be true, then Duterte’s purported hatred towards oligarchs proves merely illusory. He’s just weeding out the old to make way for the new.
The author is a PhD candidate at the UP School of Economics. His views are independent of the views of his affiliations. Follow JC on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ (usapangecon.com).
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/247501-analysis-duterte-foul-attacks-on-big-business
Fire hits residential area in Malate, Manila
By MB Online and Erma Edera
A fire hit a residential area in Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila on Thursday afternoon.
According to the police, an argument among siblings led to a fire that affected hundreds of families in Malate, Manila.
Manila Police District Special Mayor’s Reaction Team chief Major Rosalino Ibay Jr. identified the person of interest as Cocoy Soriano, who was allegedly caught in the act of arson in Malate fire.
Soriano is now under the custody of Manila Police District Station 9.
Ibay also described the alleged motive as “away ng magkapatid (sibling rivalry).”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but the fire broke out on the 4th floor of a four-story residential building located along 2288 Int. 29, Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila.
Fire authorities have declared a fifth alarm for the blaze at around 12:35 p.m.
The fire has reached first alarm at 12:14 p.m. It is declared under control at 1:57 p.m.
Around 230 families were brought in the barangay’s basketball court for temporary shelter, the Manila Public Information office said.
No casualty was reported as of press time. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said damage to property is still under investigation.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/19/fire-hits-residential-area-in-malate-manila/
A fire hit a residential area in Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila on Thursday afternoon.
According to the police, an argument among siblings led to a fire that affected hundreds of families in Malate, Manila.
Manila Police District Special Mayor’s Reaction Team chief Major Rosalino Ibay Jr. identified the person of interest as Cocoy Soriano, who was allegedly caught in the act of arson in Malate fire.
Soriano is now under the custody of Manila Police District Station 9.
Ibay also described the alleged motive as “away ng magkapatid (sibling rivalry).”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but the fire broke out on the 4th floor of a four-story residential building located along 2288 Int. 29, Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila.
Fire authorities have declared a fifth alarm for the blaze at around 12:35 p.m.
The fire has reached first alarm at 12:14 p.m. It is declared under control at 1:57 p.m.
Around 230 families were brought in the barangay’s basketball court for temporary shelter, the Manila Public Information office said.
No casualty was reported as of press time. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said damage to property is still under investigation.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/19/fire-hits-residential-area-in-malate-manila/
DLSU cancels classes, office work due to fire
By MB Online
De La Salle University Manila cancelled classes and work due to a fire on Thursday afternoon that hit a residential area in Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila which is near the university.
In a Facebook post, the university said it is calling off scheduled exams and office work on their Manila campus on Dec. 19, starting at 1:00 p.m.
“Due to the fire on Leveriza Street, and for the safety and security of the academic community, we are calling off scheduled exams and office work on the Manila Campus today, December 19, starting at 1:00 pm. Respective colleges will announce separately the rescheduling of exams to tomorrow morning. Access to said campus shall be restricted,” the post read.
De La Salle University Manila cancelled classes and work due to a fire on Thursday afternoon that hit a residential area in Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila which is near the university.
“Due to the fire on Leveriza Street, and for the safety and security of the academic community, we are calling off scheduled exams and office work on the Manila Campus today, December 19, starting at 1:00 pm. Respective colleges will announce separately the rescheduling of exams to tomorrow morning. Access to said campus shall be restricted,” the post read.
The fire, which reached the fifth alarm, started at around 12:00 noon, the radio station DZMM reported. No casualty was reported as of this posting.
The cause of the fire and damage to property are yet to be determined by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Benguet lawmaker Fongwan dies
Neophyte lawmaker Nestor Fongwan of Benguet died on late Wednesday night, according to his son, Nestor Fongwan Jr., on Thursday.
Fongwan was 68 years old.
The younger Fongwan made the announcement in a Facebook post, saying “My father is now with his creator.”
In another Facebook post, Fongwan’s son said that his father’s remains will be brought to Guadayan, Puguis in La Trinidad on Thursday night.
“We are expected to arrive before sunrise tomorrow, December 20, 2019,” he said.
Rep. Fongwan served as Benguet governor from 2007 to 2016 before returning to politics in the May 2019 elections, successfully winning a seat in the House of Representatives. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/719606/benguet-lawmaker-fongwan-dies/story/
Fongwan was 68 years old.
The younger Fongwan made the announcement in a Facebook post, saying “My father is now with his creator.”
In another Facebook post, Fongwan’s son said that his father’s remains will be brought to Guadayan, Puguis in La Trinidad on Thursday night.
“We are expected to arrive before sunrise tomorrow, December 20, 2019,” he said.
Rep. Fongwan served as Benguet governor from 2007 to 2016 before returning to politics in the May 2019 elections, successfully winning a seat in the House of Representatives. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/719606/benguet-lawmaker-fongwan-dies/story/
Palace to get ‘sin’ tax bill next week
THE MEASURE increasing the excise tax on alcohol products, electronic cigarettes and other vapor products made it out of the bicameral conference committee on Wednesday, in time for its ratification on the same day ahead of Congress’ Dec. 21, 2019-Jan. 19, 2020 Christmas-New Year break.
The tax measure is expected to generate P22.2 billion in the first year of implementation, of which 60% will be earmarked for Universal Health Care programs, 20% for Health Facilities Enhancement Program and 20% for attaining Sustainable Development Goals.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda confirmed that the measure would be ratified “in the House (of Representatives)” that same day, while his counterpart, Senator Pia S. Cayetano said the same of the Senate. The two were speaking in a briefing with reporters during which they held up a copy of the signed committee report.
Mr. Salceda told reporters later that the measure will be transmitted “next week” for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signature.
The Finance department has been pushing approval of this measure in time for implementation starting Jan. 1.
The measure forms part of the administration’s comprehensive tax reform program, which Mr. Duterte asked Congress to prioritize during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22.
The Senate approved its version, Senate Bill No. 1074, on second and third reading last Monday, while the House passed House Bill No. 1026 on Aug. 20.
The reconciled version provided to increase the specific tax on distilled products to P42 per proof liter in 2020 from P23.40 currently; P47 in 2021; P52 in 2022; P59 in 2023; P66 in 2024. This is on top of a 22% ad valorem tax on net retail price, compared to 20% currently.
The bicameral conference committee retained the amendment proposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto to impose a P50 per liter single rate on all types of wine, after he said the industry makes up just one percent of the alcoholic drinks market.
At present, sparkling wines costing up to P500 and those costing more than P500 are levied P316.33 and P885.72, respectively, while still wines and carbonated wines are charged P37.96 for bottles with up to 14% alcohol content and P75.92 for those with more than 14%.
The panel also retained the Senate proposal to raise the tax on fermented liquor to P35 in 2020, which will increase by P2 every year until it reaches P43 in 2024. Fermented liquors are currently levied P25.42 per liter.
The measure also amends Republic Act (RA) No. 11346, which will increase excise tax on tobacco products to P45 per pack beginning 2020 from P35 currently. It will then increase by P5 per year until it reaches P60 in 2023.
The same law introduced a P10 per pack rate on heated tobacco products in 2020; and a P10 rate for 10 milliliter vapor products, P20 for 20 ml, P30 for 30 ml, P40 for 40 ml, P50 for 50 ml and so on.
If the new “sin” tax bill is enacted, it will increase rates on heated tobacco products to 25 in 2020, P27.50 in 2021, P30 in 2022 and to P32.50 in 2023.
Vapor products with salt nicotine will be charged a P37 specific tax in 2020, increasing by P5 annually until it reaches P52 in 2023; while vapor products with conventional nicotine will be taxed at par with conventional cigarettes.
The bicameral conference committee also adopted the Recto amendment to exempt the sale and importation of prescription drugs for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol from value-added tax in the law’s first three years of implementation. After those three years, such exemption will extend to medicines for kidney diseases, tuberculosis, cancer and illness related to mental health.
Other tax reform packages awaiting approval by Congress are measures that seek to reduce corporate income tax and overhaul fiscal incentives; provide a uniform framework for real property valuation and assessment; and simplify the tax structure for financial investments.
Besides RA 11346, the government has so far enacted RA 10963, which slashed personal income tax rates and increased or added levies on several goods and services — the main component of the tax reform package — and RA 11213, which grants estate tax amnesty and amnesty on delinquent accounts left unpaid even after being given final assessment. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
https://www.bworldonline.com/palace-to-get-sin-tax-bill-next-week/
The tax measure is expected to generate P22.2 billion in the first year of implementation, of which 60% will be earmarked for Universal Health Care programs, 20% for Health Facilities Enhancement Program and 20% for attaining Sustainable Development Goals.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda confirmed that the measure would be ratified “in the House (of Representatives)” that same day, while his counterpart, Senator Pia S. Cayetano said the same of the Senate. The two were speaking in a briefing with reporters during which they held up a copy of the signed committee report.
Mr. Salceda told reporters later that the measure will be transmitted “next week” for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signature.
The Finance department has been pushing approval of this measure in time for implementation starting Jan. 1.
The measure forms part of the administration’s comprehensive tax reform program, which Mr. Duterte asked Congress to prioritize during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22.
The Senate approved its version, Senate Bill No. 1074, on second and third reading last Monday, while the House passed House Bill No. 1026 on Aug. 20.
The reconciled version provided to increase the specific tax on distilled products to P42 per proof liter in 2020 from P23.40 currently; P47 in 2021; P52 in 2022; P59 in 2023; P66 in 2024. This is on top of a 22% ad valorem tax on net retail price, compared to 20% currently.
The bicameral conference committee retained the amendment proposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto to impose a P50 per liter single rate on all types of wine, after he said the industry makes up just one percent of the alcoholic drinks market.
At present, sparkling wines costing up to P500 and those costing more than P500 are levied P316.33 and P885.72, respectively, while still wines and carbonated wines are charged P37.96 for bottles with up to 14% alcohol content and P75.92 for those with more than 14%.
The panel also retained the Senate proposal to raise the tax on fermented liquor to P35 in 2020, which will increase by P2 every year until it reaches P43 in 2024. Fermented liquors are currently levied P25.42 per liter.
The measure also amends Republic Act (RA) No. 11346, which will increase excise tax on tobacco products to P45 per pack beginning 2020 from P35 currently. It will then increase by P5 per year until it reaches P60 in 2023.
The same law introduced a P10 per pack rate on heated tobacco products in 2020; and a P10 rate for 10 milliliter vapor products, P20 for 20 ml, P30 for 30 ml, P40 for 40 ml, P50 for 50 ml and so on.
If the new “sin” tax bill is enacted, it will increase rates on heated tobacco products to 25 in 2020, P27.50 in 2021, P30 in 2022 and to P32.50 in 2023.
Vapor products with salt nicotine will be charged a P37 specific tax in 2020, increasing by P5 annually until it reaches P52 in 2023; while vapor products with conventional nicotine will be taxed at par with conventional cigarettes.
The bicameral conference committee also adopted the Recto amendment to exempt the sale and importation of prescription drugs for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol from value-added tax in the law’s first three years of implementation. After those three years, such exemption will extend to medicines for kidney diseases, tuberculosis, cancer and illness related to mental health.
Other tax reform packages awaiting approval by Congress are measures that seek to reduce corporate income tax and overhaul fiscal incentives; provide a uniform framework for real property valuation and assessment; and simplify the tax structure for financial investments.
Besides RA 11346, the government has so far enacted RA 10963, which slashed personal income tax rates and increased or added levies on several goods and services — the main component of the tax reform package — and RA 11213, which grants estate tax amnesty and amnesty on delinquent accounts left unpaid even after being given final assessment. — Charmaine A. Tadalan
https://www.bworldonline.com/palace-to-get-sin-tax-bill-next-week/
Senate adjourns session for the holidays
The Senate adjourned its Session Wednesday, December 18, to go on a one-month legislative break during the holidays. Regular sessions will resume on January 20, 2020, Monday.
Topping the list of the Senate's accomplishments in the first four months of the First Regular Session in the 18th Congress, is the passing of the P4.1 trillion 2020 General Appropriations Act, which the Upper Chamber ratified and adopted last week.
"We opened the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress with a new batch of senators raring and eager to buckle down to work, and I am happy to note that we were able to file a record number of bills and resolutions, foremost of which is the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget," Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said.
"The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared from the difficulties arising from a re-enacted budget as had happened earlier this year. The re-enacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU employees for the first quarter of 2019," he added.
From the start of the 18th Congress last July 22 till December 17 of this year the senators had filed a total of 1,241 bills and 281 resolutions.
The Senate successfully passed Republic Act No. 11462, the first law passed by the 18th Congress, principally sponsored by Sen. Marcos. It postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections formerly scheduled for next year and moved these to December 5, 2022 for which the government would have allocated P5.77 Billion, according to the Commission on Elections. This was followed by the Malasakit Center Act (R. A. No. 11463), principally sponsored by Sen. Bong Go, that will establish Malasakit Centers in all government-owned hospitals of which 54 have been established, the most recent was in Antipolo, Rizal.
The Senate passed the following on Third and Final Reading: the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims Act (SBN-1122), the Night Shift Differential Pay (SBN 643), the National Transportation Safety Board Act (SBN 1077), an Act Fixing the Validity Period of the License to Own, Permit to Carry and Registration of Firearms (SBN 1155), the Salary Standardization Law 5 (SBN 1219) and Establishment of Separate Facilities for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes (SBN 1055), Amending the National Internal Revenue Code by Increasing the Excise Tax on Alcohol, Heated Tobacco and Vapor Products and for other purposes (SBN 1074), among others.
Also approved by the Senate was House Bill No. 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO).
It also adopted 35 Resolutions, noteworthy of which is Senate Resolution No. 22 that expressed the sense of the Senate opposing liberalization of the sugar industry in order to protect the livelihood of millions of sugar workers and agrarian reform beneficiaries; SRN 18 recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and Republic of Korea relations; SRN 8, reconstituting the special committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.
"We went head on against negative issues by steadfastly tackling serious issues afflicting the country's jails, the illegal drugs problems, rising HIV cases and the decline in incomes of rice farmers and hograisers due to calamities, diseases and import liberalization. However, the first four months also saw the Senate positively united in support of the stellar performance of our athletes with Resolutions filed to honor athletes in windsurfing, arnis, weightlifting, wushu, among others, during the recently concluded South East Asian Games hosted by the Philippines. Indeed, it was a productive six months of 2019," concluded Zubiri.
Topping the list of the Senate's accomplishments in the first four months of the First Regular Session in the 18th Congress, is the passing of the P4.1 trillion 2020 General Appropriations Act, which the Upper Chamber ratified and adopted last week.
"We opened the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress with a new batch of senators raring and eager to buckle down to work, and I am happy to note that we were able to file a record number of bills and resolutions, foremost of which is the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget," Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said.
"The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared from the difficulties arising from a re-enacted budget as had happened earlier this year. The re-enacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU employees for the first quarter of 2019," he added.
From the start of the 18th Congress last July 22 till December 17 of this year the senators had filed a total of 1,241 bills and 281 resolutions.
The Senate successfully passed Republic Act No. 11462, the first law passed by the 18th Congress, principally sponsored by Sen. Marcos. It postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections formerly scheduled for next year and moved these to December 5, 2022 for which the government would have allocated P5.77 Billion, according to the Commission on Elections. This was followed by the Malasakit Center Act (R. A. No. 11463), principally sponsored by Sen. Bong Go, that will establish Malasakit Centers in all government-owned hospitals of which 54 have been established, the most recent was in Antipolo, Rizal.
The Senate passed the following on Third and Final Reading: the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims Act (SBN-1122), the Night Shift Differential Pay (SBN 643), the National Transportation Safety Board Act (SBN 1077), an Act Fixing the Validity Period of the License to Own, Permit to Carry and Registration of Firearms (SBN 1155), the Salary Standardization Law 5 (SBN 1219) and Establishment of Separate Facilities for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes (SBN 1055), Amending the National Internal Revenue Code by Increasing the Excise Tax on Alcohol, Heated Tobacco and Vapor Products and for other purposes (SBN 1074), among others.
Also approved by the Senate was House Bill No. 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO).
It also adopted 35 Resolutions, noteworthy of which is Senate Resolution No. 22 that expressed the sense of the Senate opposing liberalization of the sugar industry in order to protect the livelihood of millions of sugar workers and agrarian reform beneficiaries; SRN 18 recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and Republic of Korea relations; SRN 8, reconstituting the special committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.
"We went head on against negative issues by steadfastly tackling serious issues afflicting the country's jails, the illegal drugs problems, rising HIV cases and the decline in incomes of rice farmers and hograisers due to calamities, diseases and import liberalization. However, the first four months also saw the Senate positively united in support of the stellar performance of our athletes with Resolutions filed to honor athletes in windsurfing, arnis, weightlifting, wushu, among others, during the recently concluded South East Asian Games hosted by the Philippines. Indeed, it was a productive six months of 2019," concluded Zubiri.
Is Christmas both gladiatorial and pastoral?
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the government was not entertaining new players for the country’s water distribution business. The Department of Justice confirmed it found 12 onerous provisions in the concession agreements and advised President Rodrigo Duterte to scrap the old contracts and rescind the agreement extending their validity.
Although he clarified that the concession agreements still stand — unless no agreement is reached with the two water concessionaires. I think this is the correct move. That’s the way it should be. His footsteps are always in accordance with the law and not a bit on emotions.
China procured its first aircraft carrier from Ukraine and refurbished it as it was bought secondhand. It is now commissioning the second one, officially named Shandong. President Xi Jinping is making sure that the carrier is stuffed with noodles and dimsum to make its crew happy. Sorry, no McDonald’s burger and Starbucks coffee because of the trade war.
No one can blame Sen. Richard J. Gordon frowning on the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the Presidential Commission on Good Government’s P200-billion forfeiture case against the Marcoses. I think he is worried, not about the name but by the way graft cases are being handled by our courts. He is also worried about the prosecution’s competence in pursuing their cases, which can make other crooks avoid jail easily. The Palace is saying that it will continue to be hands off on Sandiganbayan’s decision. Huh? Can they at least investigate the prosecution team to find out how it failed?
Globe Telecom Inc. has signed a P5-billion loan agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to partly fund its spending budget. The Ayala-led telecommunications giant said the loan “would be used to finance the company’s capital expenditures and general corporate requirements,” and refinance its “maturing obligations.” In text messages, this development usually ends with “ha-ha-ha!” My question to DBP Chairman Alberto G. Romulo and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Herbosa: Did you not read the memo?
Former undersecretary Abigail “Abi” Valte confirmed that the former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd has been discharged from the Makati Medical Center since being confined December 9. She said it was just a routine check-up. It must be a very comprehensive check-up considering the confinement period lasted nine days. I think I should quit smoking fast.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said yesterday that the possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines is a result of back-channeling negotiations. Bello said that upon the instructions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD), he has been negotiating after the peace talks bogged down. Similar to this, I heard from the grapevine that some senators and congressmen are “back-channeling” as well for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Too many channels if you ask me. Not enough time to watch.
Madame Tussauds-Hong Kong has announced the addition of the Filipino wax figure of boxing champ and senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. I think Senator Manny will be quite comfortable in the company of Pia Wurtzbach. I assume Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan will be jealous of the new tandem.
I am confident that the triumvirate of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Roy Cimatu and the Department of Tourism’s Bernadette Romulo Puyat will be a formidable team to rehabilitate and regain the stature of our country’s summer capital. Key factor to success is the partnership of both locals and tourists.
Whenever I paint, I intend to please myself and not anybody. I paint to express myself, my dreams and how I view a particular subject, be it a portrait or a landscape. I guide my brush not to be factual but to depict my wish to romance anything I see with my heart and soul. Much like photography and music. Maybe selfish to some but my happiness comes first above everything. Creativity is not reportorial or about being truthful but a state of mind that always scouts for any fantasyland that can give me the freedom to sing and dance like crazy. With no one watching. An eternal sovereignty on a concept that is both sensual and erotic.
I keep asking myself these questions:
Why do I have to pay parking fees for patronizing a mall or a supermarket?
Why do I have to shell out money to use a clean toilet in malls? If I don’t pay, will they just leave them dirty?
Why do grocery cashiers and sales attendants never stop chatting as if they haven’t seen each other for years?
Why are the items that I usually like out of stock, and the saleslady seems to take pride in telling me, savoring my moment of disappointment?
Why am I paying road user’s tax when I can barely move going anywhere?
Why do restaurants have items in their menu that are not available?
Why are waiters and waitresses always engaged in deep conversation that they can’t see me jumping up and down to ask for my bill?
Why do some waiters stand close to me and stare while I eat as if waiting for me to burp or choke?
I am not trying to be funny. Maybe I am just an old fool or just plain crazy.
We discovered National Book Store now owns 9.28 percent in Philodrill. This shift to oil exploration is one for the books.
* * *
Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/12/19/opinion/columnists/is-christmas-both-gladiatorial-and-pastoral/665616/
Although he clarified that the concession agreements still stand — unless no agreement is reached with the two water concessionaires. I think this is the correct move. That’s the way it should be. His footsteps are always in accordance with the law and not a bit on emotions.
China procured its first aircraft carrier from Ukraine and refurbished it as it was bought secondhand. It is now commissioning the second one, officially named Shandong. President Xi Jinping is making sure that the carrier is stuffed with noodles and dimsum to make its crew happy. Sorry, no McDonald’s burger and Starbucks coffee because of the trade war.
No one can blame Sen. Richard J. Gordon frowning on the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the Presidential Commission on Good Government’s P200-billion forfeiture case against the Marcoses. I think he is worried, not about the name but by the way graft cases are being handled by our courts. He is also worried about the prosecution’s competence in pursuing their cases, which can make other crooks avoid jail easily. The Palace is saying that it will continue to be hands off on Sandiganbayan’s decision. Huh? Can they at least investigate the prosecution team to find out how it failed?
Globe Telecom Inc. has signed a P5-billion loan agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to partly fund its spending budget. The Ayala-led telecommunications giant said the loan “would be used to finance the company’s capital expenditures and general corporate requirements,” and refinance its “maturing obligations.” In text messages, this development usually ends with “ha-ha-ha!” My question to DBP Chairman Alberto G. Romulo and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Herbosa: Did you not read the memo?
Former undersecretary Abigail “Abi” Valte confirmed that the former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd has been discharged from the Makati Medical Center since being confined December 9. She said it was just a routine check-up. It must be a very comprehensive check-up considering the confinement period lasted nine days. I think I should quit smoking fast.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said yesterday that the possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines is a result of back-channeling negotiations. Bello said that upon the instructions of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD), he has been negotiating after the peace talks bogged down. Similar to this, I heard from the grapevine that some senators and congressmen are “back-channeling” as well for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Too many channels if you ask me. Not enough time to watch.
Madame Tussauds-Hong Kong has announced the addition of the Filipino wax figure of boxing champ and senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. I think Senator Manny will be quite comfortable in the company of Pia Wurtzbach. I assume Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan will be jealous of the new tandem.
I am confident that the triumvirate of Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Roy Cimatu and the Department of Tourism’s Bernadette Romulo Puyat will be a formidable team to rehabilitate and regain the stature of our country’s summer capital. Key factor to success is the partnership of both locals and tourists.
Whenever I paint, I intend to please myself and not anybody. I paint to express myself, my dreams and how I view a particular subject, be it a portrait or a landscape. I guide my brush not to be factual but to depict my wish to romance anything I see with my heart and soul. Much like photography and music. Maybe selfish to some but my happiness comes first above everything. Creativity is not reportorial or about being truthful but a state of mind that always scouts for any fantasyland that can give me the freedom to sing and dance like crazy. With no one watching. An eternal sovereignty on a concept that is both sensual and erotic.
I keep asking myself these questions:
Why do I have to pay parking fees for patronizing a mall or a supermarket?
Why do I have to shell out money to use a clean toilet in malls? If I don’t pay, will they just leave them dirty?
Why do grocery cashiers and sales attendants never stop chatting as if they haven’t seen each other for years?
Why are the items that I usually like out of stock, and the saleslady seems to take pride in telling me, savoring my moment of disappointment?
Why am I paying road user’s tax when I can barely move going anywhere?
Why do restaurants have items in their menu that are not available?
Why are waiters and waitresses always engaged in deep conversation that they can’t see me jumping up and down to ask for my bill?
Why do some waiters stand close to me and stare while I eat as if waiting for me to burp or choke?
I am not trying to be funny. Maybe I am just an old fool or just plain crazy.
We discovered National Book Store now owns 9.28 percent in Philodrill. This shift to oil exploration is one for the books.
* * *
Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/12/19/opinion/columnists/is-christmas-both-gladiatorial-and-pastoral/665616/