De Lima files bill on incentivizing use of solar energy in households

As a way to lower energy costs and reduce carbon footprint in the country, Senator Leila de Lima has filed a measure seeking to incentivize and promote the use of solar energy in households.

In a statement, the senator said she filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1904 which seeks to promote the use of renewable energy providing incentives and credit facilities for households utilizing solar power systems.

“This bill seeks to institutionalize the provision of adequate incentive mechanisms for small households in order to help ease and expedite their transition to renewable energy sources and thus contribute to the nation’s pursuit towards reducing its overall carbon footprint,” de Lima said.

Under her proposed measure, the Department of Finance (DOF) and concerned agencies shall draw up appropriate mechanisms for the grant of subsidies, establishment of guarantee funds, tax credits, and rebates on the purchase and installation of small solar power system for residential use.

"These incentive mechanisms shall be implemented in tranches beginning from a subsidy of 75 percent of the basic cost for the installation of small solar power systems in the first three years of this Act’s implementation, 50 percent on the next three years, and 25 percent on the seventh year onward," the senator said.

“The installation of small solar power systems shall be granted expedited plan checks and shall be exempt from the payment of building permit fees. The total cost of the solar power system shall further be excluded from the computation and payment of real property taxes,” she added.

The DOF, in coordination with Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Renewable Energy Board shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of the proposed measure to be known as the “Small Solar Power System Incentives Act of 2018.”

In 2016, the DOE reported that approximately 24 percent of power generated nationwide came from Renewable Energy (RE)–based generation facilities.

Upon closer inspection, de Lima said the data revealed that only 1 percent of all renewable energy in 2016 was generated from solar photovoltaic systems.

De Lima said utilizing solar energy is an endeavor that should be considered by the government because “generating electricity by way of harvesting solar energy is becoming cheaper as the years go by.”

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the cost of power generation from solar photovoltaic systems has fallen by 73 percent since 2010 and is projected to be further cut by half in the year 2020.

De Lima also said that solar panels are relatively easy to acquire, transport, and install, noting that it only takes a few hours to a few days for larger arrays.

“This ease of access is what makes solar panels unique from other energy sources—renewable or otherwise,” she said.

“The sooner the nation adopts policies promoting renewable energy sources, the closer it is to achieving energy independence,” she added. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/663773/de-lima-files-bill-on-incentivizing-use-of-solar-energy-in-households/story/

The Bangsamoro should defy the NFA

The simplest and least expensive move for fighting poverty is to let any Filipino be free to buy cheaper rice from abroad. The great enemy of this move is the National Food Authority (see “End the NFA monopoly!” Opinion, 4/22/17).

Rice costs only half as much in Thailand. The wholesale price of rice in the Bangkok metropolis in June 2018 (latest available month) was 12,360 baht per metric ton, for 5 percent broken rice, which is high quality. This is only 19.78 pesos per kg at the exchange rate of 1.60 Philippine pesos per Thai baht (price data from the Bank of Thailand: http://www2/bot.or.th/statistics/ReportPage.aspx?reportID=898&language=eng).

On the other hand, the wholesale price per kg of well-milled rice was42.30 pesos in the Philippines as a whole, and 40.40 pesos in Metro Manila in particular, as of the third week of July (source, Philippine Statistics Authority: https://psa.gov.ph/content/updates-palay-rice-and-corn-prices-0).

The government is failing on its promise to remove controls over rice imports. Sadly, there is no reduction in the NFA’s rice import monopoly in House Bill No. 7735, “An act replacing the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs and creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.” The bill lets the NFA retain “sole authority to undertake the direct importation of rice, of ensuring food security and maintaining sufficient national buffer stocks.”

Then it authorizes the NFA “to allocate import permits among certified and licensed importers for importation other than maintaining buffer stocks.” This only solidifies the NFA’s present powers to decide the rice importation details of how much, when and (most of all) who.

HB 7735 also provides that “for imported rice originating from ASEAN Member States, the import duty rate commitments of the Philippines in the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) shall be adopted.”

The import duty for rice was already reduced to 35 percent in 2015, by Executive Order No. 894 (6/18/2010). To me, that is at least 30 percent too high, since ATIGA sets 0-5 percent as the normal tariff for the area. I think the ideal tariff is zero.

The Bangsamoro has a way to defy the NFA, however. The new Bangsamoro Organic Law, RA No. 11054, states in Art. XIII, Sec. 28, “Economic Zones, Industrial Estates, and Free Ports,” that the Bangsamoro Government may establish a Bangsamoro Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), with similar powers as those of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. Its Parliament may provide such additional powers and functions to the BEZA as may be necessary to meet the special circumstances of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

There is a proviso that “for goods consumed and services rendered outside the established economic zones, industrial estates, and free ports in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, all relevant national taxes shall be imposed.” But the section also states: “The area of coverage of a free port may be so much as may be necessary of that portion of the constituent local government units of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, subject to such criteria as the Parliament may provide in a law for that purpose.”

This suggests that the economy of the entire region could be organized to be as free as that of Hong Kong.

I hope the Bangsamoro people will work rapidly to set up their government, and take full advantage of all the economic freedom that seems available in their new organic law. Their looming prosperity will make them the envy of Filipinos everywhere.

Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/115289/bangsamoro-defy-nfa#ixzz5NzJZ95hU
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Entertaining show at The Theatre

We had the chance to watch “Music And Laughter” last July 27 at The Theatre of Solaire Resort & Casino, and we had a wonderful time listening to Willie Nepomuceno as he cracked jokes between his songs and Nonoy Zuñiga’s rendition of romantic songs he popularized in the past.

Wille Nepomuceno and Nonoy Zuñiga

Among Nonoy’s trademark songs which he rendered were “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” “Kumusta Ka?,” “Love Without Time” and “Fragments Of Forever.”

It was a very entertaining show. Willie Nep did not do much impersonation, but he impressed us with his act on former Pres. Erap Estrada now Mayor of Manila. We also enjoyed his Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and Celine Dion numbers.

Grand Leisure Corporation was the producer of “Music And Laughter,” in cooperation with Solaire Resort & Casino while co-presenter was Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines.

• • •

Mr. & Ms. Travel Ambassadors

The Search for Mr. and Ms Travel Ambassadors – Philippines 2018 is ongoing. This is a project of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies – Philippines, Inc. (NAITAS) NCR-North Chapter in collaboration with Quezon City Tourism Council (QCTC) and in partnership with Eastwood Mall (Megaworld Corporation).

In photo are Michael Reyes, Chapter president NAITAS (right) and Richard Hiñola, PR and marketing consultant for Mr. and Ms. Travel Ambassador Philippines 2018

Grand coronation night will be on Oct. 14, 8 p.m. at Citywalk Plaza, Eastwood City. The winner will receive R50,000 cash and trip To Hong Kong, Runners Up will also receive cash and a chance to travel to Palawan, Boracay and Siargao.

Screening of candidates is on Aug. 10-11, 3:30-6:30 p.m. in Quezon City.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 11, go to John Gokongwei, Cory Quirino, Dr. Francis Agcaoili, Susan del Rosario, Marion Borja, Claire Isidro, Chat Sacay, Alex Ilagan, Menchie Du-lay, Lydia Hao, Susan Claire Agbayani, Jo Fandino, Prosy dela Cruz, Jojo Aguas, Billy Pascua, baby Alexa Deriquito and Jim Pebanco…Aug. 12: Aga Muhlach, Gloria Ignacio, Tessie Rosales, Roberto Za Gaw, Pinky David, Yolanda Federigan, Duds Santiago, Gigi Matibag-Evia, Atty. Jowee Ann Marquez, Ernie Garcia, Steven Young, Tiny Corpuz, Riza Moizes,  Iza Calzado and Marian Rivera…Aug. 13: Gabby Lopez, Gen. Vidal Querol, Ambeth Ocampo, Ace Palabrica, Sunny dela Luna, Prof. Reynaldo Tamayo, Daisy Vergara, Cedric Ranada, Josephine Zarate, Joel Garcia, Nellie Damson, Joa-quin Anton Co-Unjieng, Rysa Rigos, Mon Cualoping and Thea Tolentino…Aug. 14: Auggie Cordero, Nolie Hans, Hubert de Joya, Zeny Salgado, Letty Tumangan, Nancy Quimpo, Gigi Buhay, Lyle Marie Escano Bodomo, Carlo Gonzalez, Mayor Charlie Pizarro, Ligaya Salonga and Kim Rodriguez…

https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2018/08/10/entertaining-show-at-the-theatre/

Partial reactivation as a social networking site

Planned as early as 2018 during the terms of [[President of Indonesia|President]] [[Joko Widodo]] of Indonesia and [[President of the Philippines|President]] [[Rodrigo Duterte]] of the Philippines, the site and it’s social networking portion was to be reactivated and recovered while the worldwide unit Multiply International to be reopened as a subsidiary, comprising initially of user accounts including hosted blogs, videos and photos from March 2004 to March 2013 to be archived and recovered

Multiply, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 31, 2013, having faced financial difficulties since it closed down as a site. The website does plan to relaunch its social networking portion and worldwide unit Multiply International

The 2009 economic crisis negatively impacted the site, prompting the closing of it's social networking portion and and the eventual sale of the site from Naspers

Dismantling of Sucat Thermal Power Plant on

Talks are underway for potential projects that may rise in the Sucat Thermal Power Plant (STPP) site in Muntinlupa City after the impending removal of the plant structures, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp. said Wednesday.

“Dismantling the Sucat plant will pave the way for the rise of a new development project that will benefit the host community and the country, in general,” PSALM Officer-in-Charge, Lourdes S. Alzona, said. Initial discussions include transforming the site as a location for an energy related project, a transportation hub, or an economic zone.

The winning bidder, Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corporation, will carry out the disposal of the plant structures. It has fully paid PSALM the purchase price of the decommissioned asset in the amount of PHP305.2 on July 31, with the satisfaction of closing deliveries, the asset turnover was held on Aug. 2, 2017, This day also marked  the start of the 30-month implementation period for Riverbend’s dismantling and clean up obligations.

In the asset sale provisions, Riverbend is obliged to dismantle the STPP and return the current site to ground zero, free and clear of wastes, toxic substances, debris and structures.

PSALM will also proceed with the decommissioning of the pipeline embedded in the plant site that connects the Sucat Plant, Rockwell Power Plant and the Manila Thermal Power Plant. (PSALM PR)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1005584

‘Trabaho’ bill mandates private schools, hospitals to ensure service or pay fine

THE chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Thursday warned that underperforming and low-quality private schools and hospitals will be slapped with higher taxes under the “Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities,” or the proposed “Trabaho” law.

Rep. Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino, the panel chairman, said from the current 10 percent, the government may impose 15-percent to 20-percent taxes depending on the performance of schools and hospitals once the proposed Trabaho law becomes a law.

“Our objective is to put some discipline here. If your school is performing, you have the right sets of faculty with masteral degrees and it’s improving, then you should enjoy the [current] 10-percent [tax rate] by all means. But if your quality is suffering and your students [are] not really getting the value of their investment in your school, then it should not be encouraged,” Cua said in an interview.

Under the House Bill 7982, or the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act, proprietary educational institutions and hospitals shall pay a tax of 10 percent on their taxable income. Provided that they comply with established performance criteria to be determined and evaluated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH).

The bill said education institutions and hospitals that fail to meet the established performance criteria shall pay a tax of 10 percent on their taxable income two years after the effectivity of the proposal, 15 percent in the succeeding three years, and 20 percent thereafter.

“Currently, all schools—except foundations, Catholic and religious schools are paying zero tax—but the proprietary or for-profit [schools], they are paying preferential rate of 10 percent. In the new regime, all low-quality standard schools and hospitals will [face] a higher tax rate,” he added.

“Eventually, they [school and hospitals] actually be closed down because they are not complying with the standards,” he added.

For his part, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said companies should prove to the government that they deserve to keep their tax perks.

“If they want to pay lower tax they have to be first good schools and hospitals,” Chua said.

Moreover, Rep. Cua said they already asked the stakeholders from hospitals and schools to give the government the criteria that they think is fair to them. They were also offered to be part of the evaluation team for transparency.

The lawmaker, however, assured that the incremental revenue from the payment of education institutions and hospitals will be used back in a form of a voucher or subsidy from the government.

Under the bill, incremental revenue from tax payment of education institutions that fail to meet the established performance criteria shall fund a student voucher program to be implemented under the CHED and DepEd.

The measure provides that the incremental revenue from tax payment of hospitals that fail to meet the established performance criteria shall fund the universal health-care program to be implemented under the DOH.

Also, House Bill 7982, which was recently approved by the House Committee on Ways and Means, provides for the structural adjustment fund for five years to compensate workers that may be displaced by the implementation of this measure to mitigate its negative impact, as well as to improve the employability of workers.

Besides rationalizing fiscal incentives, the bill also seeks to lower corporate income tax.

From the current 30 percent, the bill said the rate of corporate income tax shall now be 28 percent beginning January 1, 2021; 26 percent beginning January 1, 2023; 24 percent beginning January 1, 2025; 22 percent beginning January 1, 2027; and 20 percent beginning January 1, 2029.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/trabaho-bill-mandates-private-schools-hospitals-to-ensure-service-or-pay-fine/

House panel returning 2019 budget to DBM, decries cuts

THE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday said lawmakers have decided to restore the obligation-based budget system for 2019 national budget. They are preparing a resolution recalling the budget reform bill endorsed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which proposes a shift from a multiyear obligation budget to an annual cash-based budget.

In an interview, Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles of Davao City, the panel chairman, said several lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the cash-based budget system championed by the DBM as it slashed budgets of key agencies under the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019.

“We are not going to support the cash-based budgeting,” Nograles said.    He added the proposed 2019 budget—which is cash-based—was P10 billion lower than the current P3.767-trillion General Appropriations Act.

According to Nograles, the budget of the Department of Health was decreased by P35 billion; the Department of Education, by P77 billion; and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by P95 billion.

There were also P5-billion reductions in the budgets of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The proposed 2019 national budget is cash-based as opposed to the traditional, multiyear obligations-based budgeting. The DBM has described it as the more efficient budgeting method since it limits incurring obligations and disbursing payments for goods delivered and services rendered, inspected and accepted within the fiscal year.

The obligations-based budgeting, meanwhile, is common budgetary practice in the Philippines. It allows appropriations and obligations until the next fiscal year, extending the validity of funds to two years.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno earlier stressed, however, that the proposed 2019 budget and the existing 2018 budget cannot be compared as “apples to apples” since one is cash-based while one is obligations-based.

Budget reform bill

Moreover, Nograles said the cash-based system was the whole concept of the budget reform bill that was approved by the House in  March and now pending in the Senate.

With this, Nograles said a resolution is now being signed by lawmakers requesting the Senate to return House Bill 7302, or the Budget Reform Act, in order for the lower chamber to introduce further perfecting amendments.

The bill seeks to reform the budget process by enforcing greater accountability in public financial management (PFM), promoting fiscal sustainability, strengthening Congress’s power of the purse, instituting an integrated PFM system, and increasing budget transparency and participation.

There is a need for the House of Representatives to recall the enrolled copy of House Bill 7302 “in order to introduce amendments,” said the resolution authored by Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya Jr., Nograles and Albay Rep. Joey S. Salceda.

Moreover, Nograles said members of the House of Representatives have agreed to sign a resolution seeking the recall of the approved budget reform bill.

“The implication of recalling the budget reform bill is our opposition to the cash-based budgeting for 2019. So now, what the House is saying, we don’t want cash-based budgeting; what we want is to restore [the budget system to] obligation-based,” he added.

Challenging

During the hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar admitted that the shift to a cash-based budgeting is “challenging” for his agency.

According to Villar, the department has made several adjustments due to the cash-based budgeting system as it requires disbursements to be made within the fiscal year.

“We are adjusting to this new policy which is in contrast to the previous shift. It is the mandate of this department if they tell us to disburse in one year, we have to adjust our assumptions based on that,” Villar said.

“We have to make sure that our timelines are extremely accurate. We have to make sure preparations [for] our projects are all on time…  It’s more challenging, [but] it’s not impossible. It’s a different form of budgeting and we will do our best to adjust to it,” he added.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are pushing for the restoration of budget cuts of the DPWH.

Last Wednesday Majority Leader Andaya said “there have been suggestions that we overhaul it, we return it, we tweak it, [or] we change the forecast.”

According to Andaya, the 2019 national budget submitted by the DBM may have made wrong projections on inflation. He said the 2019 budget should be adjusted considering the country’s
soaring inflation.

“The inflation target may already be inaccurate. So faced with that situation, economic managers should submit a higher budget adjusted to inflation,” Andaya said.

“This is the first time that it will happen. There’s no precedent to this. Everything is uncertain maybe a little more study before we apply it,” Andaya added.

In his 2019 budget message, President Duterte urged Congress to pass the budget reform bill to promote and implement participatory budget mechanisms in the different phases of the budget cycle to encourage citizen engagement and ensure a more responsive budget.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/house-panel-returning-2019-budget-to-dbm-decries-cuts/

Cordillera autonomy bill set for committee hearing Aug. 14: GMA

The hearing on the Cordillera region’s autonomy bill has been set by the House of Representatives’ local government committee on Aug. 14, Regional Development Council (RDC) chairman and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan here Wednesday.

Domogan said this was relayed to him by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when he paid her a courtesy call on Aug. 6, the day President Rodrigo Duterte had a ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in Malacañang.

He said he came to ask for Arroyo’s help in pushing for Cordillera’s autonomy bid.

“Pinarating natin sa kanya bakit nandyan tayo maliban sa ating courtesy call sa kanya. Sabi niya nai-kalendaryo na for committee yung bill (We told her why we were there aside from giving her a courtesy call. She said the autonomy bill was already calendared in the committee). We hope that we will be in full force on Aug. 14 at the Lower House,” he told the media during a late-afternoon press briefing.

Domogan said members of the Cordillera RDC would also visit Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya, who schedules bills for deliberation in the plenary.

He added they would visit the Senate on Aug. 10 to see the status of the counterpart bill there, Senate Bill No. 1678.

“It is going on and it is moving,” Domogan said of the efforts to push for Cordillera’s autonomy.

On July 30-31, the RDC’s committee on Social Preparation of the Cordillera Administrative Region held a forum to drumbeat the call for autonomy through the passage of the two pending bills, House Bill 5343 and Senate Bill 1678.

The RDC chairman said they intend to take a closer look at the BOL, which was passed using Section 15 of Article 10 of the 1987 Constitution, and make it the same basis for Cordillera’s autonomy.

“Kung ano ang provisions sa BOL na approved by Congress, i-cull out na natin, ilagay natin as part of our autonomy bill. Siguro hindi sila maka-angal sa atin kasi in-approve naman na nila (Whatever provisions of the BOL that were approved by Congress, we could cull those to form part of our autonomy bill. Perhaps, they won’t complain anymore, since they have already approved those),” Domogan explained.

He said the Cordillera RDC is rushing the autonomy bill’s approval, hoping to get President Rodrigo Duterte declare it as a priority legislative agenda.

The RDC is also waiting for a schedule to meet with the President for this purpose.

In July 2017, Cordillera leaders visited Duterte, who committed to give the Bangsamoro and Cordillera autonomy bids the same treatment.

On Sept. 13, the Cordillera region will commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Mount Data accord, locally called the “Mt. Data Sipat”, between the late president Corazon Aquino and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, led by rebel priest Conrado Balweg.

The agreement led to the issuance of Executive Order 220, creating the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), in preparation for the region’s eventual self-determination.

The agreement also led to the inclusion of Section 15, Article 10 in the 1987 Constitution, which says, “There shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordillera”. PNA-northboundasia.com

http://northboundasia.com/2018/08/09/cordillera-autonomy-bill-set-for-committee-hearing-aug-14-gma/

DOST chief to resign if PAGASA, Phivolcs moved to disaster resilience department

Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña says he would just return to private life if the two agencies are attached to the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience

Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said he will resign if two agencies under his department are moved to the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

De la Peña made the statement in a news briefing at the Bicol University College of Engineering on Wednesday, August 8, when asked about the impact of placing the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astrononical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) under the supervision of the proposed department.

“If PAGASA and Phivolcs will be transferred to DDR, we will abide by the law but I will resign from my post as DOST (Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary and be with my family,” De la Peña said when asked about the possible impact of the transfer of the two agencies.

He said the question on the possible impact of the proposed transfer should be referred to Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda, the author of the House bill seeking to create the DDR.

PAGASA Deputy Administrator Landrico Dalida, who was at the briefing, was also opposed to the proposal. He said a team from PAGASA may be integrated into the proposed DDR, but not the transfer of the entire agency, which is being modernized under the DOST.

“The modernization of PAGASA has been done under DOST....We can help and form part of the DDR but we don’t want to be under the DDR,” Dalida said.

Salceda said he found De la Peña's pronouncement "very disappointing"

"We appeal to him to review and reconsider his pronouncement,” Salceda said in a text message to Rappler.

“We value his opinion but the climate threat has more force than his personal threat. Ultimately it's the wisdom of the majority of Congress in the plenary that will decide this policy issue,” the lawmaker added.

Malacañang submitted to Congress its version of the DDR bill on July 31. It earlier said the DDR is envisioned to focus on natural disasters and effects of climate change such as cyclones, El Niño, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

Under the Palace version of the bill, the department will be led by a disaster resilience secretary and at least 4 undersecretaries in charge of specific divisions, including a "support to operations with strong ICT (information and communications technology) cluster."

In his third State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte called for the creation of a Department of Disaster Management, which was later renamed the DDR under the Palace bill submitted to Congress.

The bill was approved at the committee level following Duterte's SONA endorsement.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/209214-fortunato-dela-pena-resign-pagasa-phivolcs-transfer-department-disaster-resilience

Matteo G is ‘The One’

Matteo Guidicelli with Cherry Wong-Tan

Matteo Guidicelli is definitely “The One” for someone we all know. But now, Matteo G has also been proclaimed “The One” by Uratex.

At SM Cebu City recently, the triathlete, karting driver, singer, restaurateur and actor was introduced as the celebrity endorser for the 50-year old brand. It’s the first time that it has ever gotten an endorser and he shot for them a TV commercial too.

“Deep sleep is important, going home and laying home having the most comfortable time and waking up like a brand-new person,” said the “Bagani” and “Single/Single: Love Is Not Enough” star said.

Asked why they’ve launched an endorser this time, Cherry Wong-Tan, Marketing Director of Uratex Philippines, said: “As we celebrate our 50th year, we decided to expand awareness for Uratex in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Uratex is an old brand but it is also for the young ones, the millenials.”

As a way of giving back to the community, they donated 50 mattresses each to their chosen public hospitals now numbering 57 and elderly homes all over the country including Jolo.

At the launch, SM Home, the mattress company’s partner of long standing, transformed the North Wing of SM Cebu City NRA into a bedroom showcase.

Said Tom Castañeda, SM Home Asst. VP for Marketing, “We congratulate them for continuing to serve as a leader in the production of high quality foams.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 9, go to Pocholo Romualdez, Bong Quintana, Firmo Liwanag, Tweetums Gonzalez, Philip Mangawang, Chit Montenegro, Atty. Arturo del Rosario, Tess Rigonan-Teo, Dona Nena Oreta, Dr. Larry Mallari, "TWBA" production manager Lani Gutierrez, Bong Quintana, Eduardo Gravoso, Ninebeth Crespo-Cagalawan and Ricardo Balbido Jr.…Belated b-day greetings to Jerk Ornillio (Aug. 2)…Condolence to the family of PGH Director Dr Gap Legaspi on the demise of his beloved mother-in-law… Aug. 10: Rep. Lito Atienza, Toni Daya, Criselda Lontok, Ruby Tiong, Ruby Tan, Ester Lomboy, Adela Gwiazda, John Derick Taperla, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Prof. Danny Cruz, Lyka Ugarte, Bong Diga, Manny Freires, Baby Avril Carolino, Mark Bautista, and awarded broadcaster Mel Tiangco…

House version of tax reform bill could dampen expenditure

ECONOMIC MANAGERS warned of spending reductions due to weaker revenue prospects of the second tax reform package, amid attempts to keep military pensions under control and a Supreme Court ruling calling for more funding for local governments.

“TRAIN 2 is supposed to be revenue-natural,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said in a briefing on Wednesday, meaning that any foregone revenue needs to be offset by savings elsewhere, thereby preserving the spending program.

He was referring to the second package of the tax reform program, formerly known as Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) but now rebranded after modification in the House as Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO).

Commenting on the apparent change in emphasis in the House to focus on jobs, Mr. Diokno said TRAIN 2 was already expected “to attract more workers.”

The version that the House committee on ways and means approved on Tuesday did not include the Finance department’s proposal to index corporate income tax cuts to the savings generated from streamlining fiscal incentives.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said that in the first year of implementing the measure would cost about P62 billion.

“We’re not sure if that will stick. If it’s revenue negative, that’s serious. So we will try to convince them to try to make it at least revenue neutral,” he said, noting that the proposal has yet to pass through the House plenary. Other opportunities to modify the legislation are in the Senate, which must also pass its own version, and the bicameral conference committee, where the two versions must be reconciled.

“That is a serious fiscal breach. It could result in a higher deficit. We don’t want that to happen or we will have to cut back on our expenditures, which we also do not want to happen,” he added.

The House bill proposes to cut the corporate income tax rate to 20% from 30% gradually, or a 2 percentage-point reduction every other year beginning 2021.

It also proposed to limit incentives to a single menu, with perks capped for five years. The menu will only be available to industries included in the annual Strategic Investments Priority Plan (SIPP), and those availing of the perks must satisfy performance targets as determined by the Board of Investments. The bill also includes a sunset period of two to five years depending on the contracts that firms enjoying incentives have with investment-promotion agencies (IPAs).

Mr. Chua said: “It would be better if (tax rate cuts) are conditional to ensure revenue neutrality. We are not sure the version passed will be revenue neutral, but we will try our best.”

Mr. Diokno said government revenue is already under pressure because of a Supreme Court ruling ordering the automatic and prospective release of local government claims on national government revenue. The claims are known as internal revenue allotments (IRAs), which the court ruled are based on all national government taxes, including those collected by the Bureau of Customs. The current practice is to share out taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

He said during a Senate hearing yesterday that complying with the ruling would cost the government P195 billion on top of the funds already allocated for local government units (LGUs) this year.

Mr. Diokno said that the government through the Office of the Solicitor General submitted yesterday its motion for reconsideration to the high court, seeking clarification on which taxes are to be included in the computation of the IRA.

He added that giving LGUs the expanded share of national revenue will expand the fiscal deficit to 4% of the economy from 3% currently. He said that in the event the ruling is final and executory, the government will devolve some functions to LGUs to keep its fiscal position intact.

“We cannot afford a higher deficit, we cannot risk it.”

Mr. Diokno also identified the growing pension liabilities for uniformed personnel as a fiscal risk.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III in the same Senate hearing said that economic managers will submit to Congress a draft that will create a new contributory pension scheme, as the government budget currently shoulders over P33 billion of retiree’s pensions annually.

“We will be presenting the package to the President for his approval (and proceed to) legislation… to address the pension issue. It’s a very difficult problem and I’m not sure we can solve it all, but at least we are going to start solving it,” Mr. Dominguez said.

“He gave us until the end of the month for the package,” he added.

He said that the government’s outstanding liabilities to military retirees are at P4 trillion.

“For every position, we are paying two and a half people who are retired. You have the guy who is doing the job, and there are two more guys who are retired, and getting the pay of this guy now,” he said, referring to the indexing of retiree pensions to the levels enjoyed by active-duty personnel. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

http://www.bworldonline.com/house-version-of-tax-reform-bill-could-dampen-expenditure/

Speaker GMA: House to pass bill on rice tariffication soon

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that the House is close to passing the rice tariffication bill.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Arroyo said that the House passed the bill on its second reading Tuesday night, and that she expects it to be passed on its third and final reading within the week.

"I would imagine we will pass it in the House on third reading at the very latest three days after we passed it on second reading last night," the former President said.

Currently, private rice traders can ship 805,200 tons of rice annually without tariffs.

The bill aims to do away with this restriction, and instead, impose a general tariff on all rice imports, which will allow more rice imports to lower the price of rice.

Economic managers of the Duterte administration flagged rice prices as one of the main causes of last month's inflation, which reached another five-year high at 5.7 percent.

"Part of the supply problem is the country's declining rice stock inventory -- caused by weather disturbances in the country and in other rice-producing countries like Thailand and Vietnam -- which is taking a toll on the prices of rice," said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno in a statement as the joint economic team.

They called for the amendment of Republic Act No. 8178 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act to bring down the price of rice.

The bill for rice tariffication is also one of the priorities stated by President Rodrigo Duterte during his 2018 State of the Nation Address.

The counterpart bill in the Senate is still pending at the committee level.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/08/08/gloria-macapagal-arroyo-house-bill-rice-tariff.html

Don’t deceive Ecijanos, Umali chides critics

FORMER Nueva Ecija governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali on Wednesday called on his detractors to “not fool the minds and mislead the opinion” of their constituents for their self-serving agenda.

Umali reacted to the attacks on his persona and his family through the media over his supposed involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam.

He said he has not yet received any order from the Office of the Ombudsman denying his motion for reconsideration.

“I just don’t know where they (critics) got such interpretation that I can no longer run for any elective position. Clearly this is just another one of those dirty politicking by my detractors designed to condition the minds of my beloved Novo Ecijanos,” Umali said.

“This is nothing but a reflection of their desperation. They are hurrying up to discredit my name by making premature and sensational conclusions but their irrationality is glaringly seen,” he said.

The three-term governor, the husband of incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Cherry Umali, stressed that their family and their supporters “invested blood, sweat and tears” to bring change in Nueva Ecija thru sincere and honest public service to Novo Ecijanos.

“Politicking is yet too early. We should focus on how we could deliver true and faithful public service, instead of criticizing people left and right,” he said.

“What they are doing, using the media to spread lies and attack people, is just a waste of precious time and money that should had been better spent addressing the needs of our constituencies,” the former governor added.

The people themselves are aware of their “cheap black propaganda,” the latest of which is what Umali called a “bogus story” over the Ombudsman’s alleged denial of his plea.

“Don’t treat our constituents as ignorant of the law,” the ex-governor said.

He believes the Ombudsman would reverse its previous decision dismissing him from government service for lack of merit.

He said former vice governor Edward Thomas Joson has an axe to grind against him when he defeated the latter in the 2010 gubernatorial elections.

Umali said more than 20 cases had been filed by the Joson and Vergara clans against him and his family, of which “90 percent” had already been dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

“They have not stopped their dirty politicking. Come hell or high water, they will do anything to besmirch our reputation,” Umali said. “But that will not discourage us from doing good for our constituents.”

“We will continue to give them the best of our public service,” he said.

http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/272515

National ID law: Here's the law, plus quick summary

The Philippine Identification System will record every instance you use your national ID or number in a transaction, aside from any modification of personal information

Two days after President Rodrigo Duterte signed it, Republic Act No 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act has been released to the public.

Here's a quick summary of its salient points:

What is the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys? It's a system that centralizes all personal information of Filipino citizens and resident aliens and generates a Philippine ID (PhilID) and PhilSys Number (PSN) that will be used to authenticate their identity in all government and private sector transactions. This includes applications for drivers' license, passport, tax-related transactions, voters' registration, application to schools, and bank transactions.

How does that affect lives of Filipinos, resident aliens? This means there will be no need to provide government offices or private establishments with multiple IDs (license, passport, TIN ID, etc) just to prove your identity. Providing your PhilID or PSN will be deemed as sufficient proof of identity, subject to verification.

How do I enter the system? One year from the effectivity of this law, citizens and resident aliens can register in person with any of the offices below. Registration is not mandatory. To speed up processing, you can provide a birth certificate (for citizens) or proof of residence (for resident aliens).

• PSA Regional and Provincial Offices
• Local Civil Registry Offices
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
• Social Security System (SSS)
• Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
• Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)
• Commission on Elections (Comelec)
• Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost)

Other government-owned and controlled corporations assigned by the Philippine Statistics Authority
What if I live abroad? Register with the Philippine embassy in your area or any registeration center designated by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

What type of information will I be asked to provide?

• Full name
• Sex
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Blood type
• Address
• Whether you are a Filipino or resident alien
• Front facing photograph
• Full set of fingerprints
• Iris scan

Other identifiable features as may be determined by the law's implementing rules and regulations
Optional information: marital status, mobile number, e-mail address

Will my personal information, data be secure? The law imposes penalties of fines or imprisonment for any person who illegally discloses any PhilSys information or uses it for unauthorized purposes. Personal data may only be disclosed to enforcement or security agencies in the interest of public safety and only upon court order. In such a case, the owner of the information must be notified within 72 hours of the disclosure.

Who's in charge? The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is the government agency tasked with implementing the law with the technical assistance of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). A council composed of officials from the National Economic and Development Authority, budget department, finance department, foreign affairs department, and more will create the policies.

Something to note: It's important to point out that the PhilSys will also record every instance you use your PhilID or PSN in a transaction, aside from any modification of personal information. Privacy experts have said this could lead to "dataveillance" or a comprehensive surveillance system that tracks a person's activities over an extended period.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/209083-national-id-law-summary

National ID System Law

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, August 6, signed Republic Act 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act.

The law, a copy of which was released by Malacañang on Wednesday, seeks to harmonize, integrate, and interconnect the countless and redundant government IDs by establishing a single national identification system to be known as the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys.

The Phil-ID will contain information such as the PhilSys number, full name, facial image, sex, date of birth, blood type, and address.

Duterte allayed public fears regarding privacy and security, noting that the information included in the Phil-ID will be similar to the information already in the possession of the Philippine Statistics Authority, Government Service Insurance System, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Commission on Elections.

He also said the PSA “will work closely” with the National Privacy Commission, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the multi-agency PhilSystem Policy and Coordination Council to address all concerns pertaining to privacy and security.

“There is therefore no basis at all for the apprehensions about the Phil-ID, unless of course that fear is based on anything that borders to illegal. If at all, the Phil-ID will even aid in our drive against the social menaces of poverty, corruption, and criminal issues, as well as terrorism and violent extremism,” Duterte said in his speech during the signing ceremony in the presidential palace.

An initial funding of P2 billion has been earmarked for the implementation of the national ID system under the 2018 national budget.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/663375/national-id-system-law/story/

Bishop Presto takes helm of San Fernando diocese

A special ceremony took place in San Fernando City on Aug. 2 to officially install the man Pope Francis selected to lead the Catholics throughout La Union province.

Most. Rev. Daniel Presto became the sixth bishop of the Diocese of San Fernando, having been appointed to the position by the Pope on May 9.

About a dozen other bishops and more than a hundred priests and religious attended the solemn ceremony held at St. William Cathedral.

The diocese serves roughly around 703,480 Catholics in 28 parishes, or about 86 percent of the province’s total population.

Presto had served as the administrator of the diocese of Iba for around three years, and at 55, is now among the 20 youngest Filipino bishops. He succeeds Bishop Rodolfo Beltran who died in office last year.

Born in 1963, Presto was ordained a priest for Iba diocese in 1990 and earned his mater’s in education from the De La Salle University in Manila.

Prior to becoming a bishop, he served different parishes and as director of the Saint Augustine School of Iba and president of the Magsaysay Memorial College of San Narciso.

“Bishop Presto is here… for only one reason: God sent him here. La Union is God’s will for him,” said Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan in his homily.

Presto then asked the faithful to support him in his huge responsibility with their prayers not only during difficult situations, “but even in good times”.

“We pray for one another. I ask you dear parishioners to pray for us priests and religious,” he said. “Pray that we become holy priests and religious in the same way we shall pray for you always.”

The new bishop also said that he will be a collaborative worker with diocesan personnel, government leaders and all those with responsibility in the diocese.

http://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/bishop-presto-takes-helm-of-san-fernando-diocese/

ABS-CBN-2 Schedule

Weekdays

• 3:55 am – Kape’t Pandasal
• 4 am – Gising Pilipinas!
• 5 am – Balita Alas-Singko ng Umaga
• 5:30 am – Alas Singko Y Medya
• 8:30 am - Yey!
• 10 am – Foreign Telenovela
• 10:30 am – Magandang Buhay
• 11:30 am – Drama
• 12 pm – Magandang Tanghali, Bayan!
• 1:30 pm – Showbiz News Ngayon (gusto ko ibalik ang show na to at tsaka gusto ko with timecheck na rin po instead na news ticker at gusto ko visible na rin po mula sa headlines hanggang sa matapos na ang showbiz news, may kasamang TWBA format)
• 2:15 pm – Drama
• 3 pm – Drama / STAR Music Video
• 3:30 pm – Telenovela
• 4 pm – Anime
• 4:30 pm – NCA Programs
• 5 pm – Failon Ngayon
• 5:30 pm – Rated K
• 6 pm - Drama
• 6:30 pm – TV Patrol (60-minute Filipino tabloid news program anchored by Ted Failon, Zen Hernandez, Bernadette Sembrano and Noli de Castro, alternate anchors are Julius Babao, Alvin Elchico, Jorge Carino and Henry Omaga-Diaz, with segment anchors Dyan Castillejo in Dyan Fit, Jeff Canoy in Red Alert, Gretchen Fullido in Star News)
• 7:30 pm –  Drama
• 8 pm –  Drama
• 8:30 pm – Drama
• 9 pm – Game Ka Na Ba?
• 9:30 pm – Weekly shows (Foreign and local general entertainment programming)
• 12:30 am  – The World Tonight
• 1 am –
• Mon: Kalye: Mga Kwento ng Lansangan
• Tuesday: The Correspondents
• Wednesday: Dong Puno Live!
• Thursday: Assignment
• Friday: S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives
• 2 am – Martin Late at Night
• 2:30 am to 3:55 am – O Shopping

Saturday

• 5 am –
• Rosary Crusade (ABS-CBN Manila only)
• PowerLine with Pastor Apollo C. Quibolloy (ABS-CBN Regional only)
• 6 am – Salamat Dok
• 7 am – Swak na Swak (ABS-CBN Manila Only)/Current Affairs Regional Programs (ABS-CBN Regional only)
• 7:30 am – CNBC's Managing Asia
• 8 am – MathDali
• 8:30 am – Team Yey!
• 9 am – Sarap TV
• 9:30 am – Bayani
• 10 am – Hirayamanawari
• 10:30 am – Feel at Home
• 11:30 am – Drama
• 12 nn – Magandang Tanghali, Bayan!
• 2:30 pm – Entertainment Live!
• 4 pm – STAR Magic Presents....
• 5 pm – GoKada Let's Go!
• 5:30 pm – TV Patrol Weekend
• 6 pm – Home Sweetie Home
• 7 pm – Magandang Gabi, Bayan
• 8:30 pm – Reality Show
• 9:30 pm – S.O.S.: Special on Saturday (featuring movies and specials)
• 11:30 pm – The Bottomline with Boy Abunda
• 12:30 am – Sports Unlimited 
• 1:15 am – The Weekend News
• 1:30 to 2:30 am – O Shopping

Sunday

• 5:30 am – Pluma
• 6 am – Sunday TV Mass: The Healing Eucharist
• 7 am – Swak na Swak
• 7:30 am – Salamat Dok
• 8:30 am – Team Yey!
• 9 am – Superbook Reimagined
• 9:30 am – Matanglawin
• 10 am – Mutya ng Masa
• 10:30 am – Gaby's Extraordinary Files
• 11:30 am – ASAP
• 2 pm – Your Song
• 3 pm – Love Spell
• 4 pm – The Buzz
• 5:30 pm – TV Patrol Weekend
• 6 pm – Goin' Bulilit
• 7 pm – The Sharon Cuneta Show
• 8:30 pm – Wansapanataym / Komiks, Agimat and Nginiig and Nagmamahal, Kapamilya (all new) and more (temporary replacement)
• 9:15 pm – Reality Show
• 10 pm – Sunday's Best
• 12 am – Oh Yes! It's Johnny
• 1 am – The Weekend News
• 1:15 am – Urban Zone
• 1:45 to 3:55 am – O Shopping

Palace on Duterte’s tirades vs ABS-CBN: He values press freedom

Malacañang on Tuesday stressed President Rodrigo Duterte values press freedom despite his tirades against several media outfits, including ABS-CBN.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte, having been in politics for a long time, knows that media is “an indispensable institution” in a democracy.

“Ang aking posisyon dyan, same way with how I deal with any media company, we have to work with them,” Roque said in a forum in Quezon City when asked to weigh in on the President’s tirades against ABS-CBN.

“In a democracy, media and the free press are there as indispensable parts,” he added.

Duterte on Friday vowed to “never intervene” in ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal but said he will not hand it to the network if he had his way.

“Now ABS-CBN, ’yang franchise nila is due for renewal. Sige padala emissary para kausapin ako. Pinaalis na nila si Gabby kasi nothing will happen,” Duterte said in a speech during the opening of a drug rehabilitation facility in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

“I will not talk to you, but I will also never intervene. Pero if I had my way I will not give it back to you,” he added.

Duterte has lashed out at ABS-CBN for supposedly not airing a political advertisement which he had already paid for.

But Roque believes Duterte acknowledges that ABS-CBN was once an indispensable part of his career as a politician, as he once had his own television show in the network’s local TV station in Davao, titled “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.”

“Sa ABS-CBN, nagalit lang siya kasi parang nagpa-advertise siya at hindi in-air,” Roque said.

“Nine years siyang nagkaroon ng show sa ABS-CBN Davao and of course that was indispensable in his political career as well.”

Ie-extend pa rin ng Congress yan, unless talagang ilakad ni Duterte yan. And let's see if ang Pangulo pa rin siya by the time na i-deliberate ang franchise extension sa Congress.

PNP, AFP: National ID system will unmask terrorists, criminals

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed on Tuesday the signing of the national identification system by President Duterte, saying it will help in the campaign against criminals and beef up national security.

Military  Public  Affairs Office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the new law will unmask criminals and members of lawless groups, thus helping the government identify them, while restricting their movements.

“The national ID is a very important aspect of national security. It removes the insurgents and criminals’ advantage of anonymity,” said Detoyato, noting that it came at a time while the AFP is in the middle of its campaign against the New People’s Army rebels and Moro terrorists.

“It will also restrict their movement and will have an effect on their recruitment and extortion activities,” Detoyato added.

On the other hand, PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said the ID system will allow the police to share its crime record with the different agencies of the government.

“With the PhilSys law now in effect, the PNP can look forward to migrating our own National Crime Information System and the National Police Clearance System to a national database for sharing with other government agencies to optimize the operational potential of the entire national ID system,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde said while the National Identification System Act (PhilSys Act) assures access by 106.6 million Filipinos to a wide range of government services and privileges, it would also keep the country at pace with global trends of technology in governance.

“An efficient national ID system offers benefits to practical applications in census, taxation, election registration, banking, travel documentation, social security, social welfare and other transactions with government agencies,” the PNP chief said.

“All these government applications stand to benefit more than the quite limited law enforcement and internal security applications due to privacy and basic rights issues associated with gathering of personal information that need to be observed and upheld,” he added.

Meanwhile, human-rights group Karapatan called the ID system as a “wolf in a sheep’s clothing,” as it feared it could lead to a “wholesale rights violations, primarily of the people’s rights to freedom of movement and privacy, right against surveillance and right to unhampered and nondiscriminatory provision of social services.”

“The national ID system will be an underhanded maneuver to screen and monitor people. This law will be very much prone to abuse, considering that our bureaucracy is already littered with militarists and ex-generals who have proven their contempt for people’s rights,” said Kaparatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay in a news statement.

“With billions already funneled to intelligence funds, this law will further fast-track government monitoring and even harassment of its citizens,” she added.

Beneficiaries

The National ID system project, estimated to cost taxpayers P25-billion, is seen to benefit over seven million Filipinos with no birth certificates.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto on Tuesday said “that should be one of the outcomes” of the multibillion-peso project expected to be carried out soon by the Duterte administration.

“If there will be a mass list-up and registration, then perhaps we can use this activity to end the plight of those without birth certificates,” Recto said.

In a news statement, the Senator suggested that “we should use the national ID platform as an opportunity to solve the quandary of those who do not have birth documents.”

https://businessmirror.com.ph/pnp-afp-national-id-system-will-unmask-terrorists-criminals/

Quezon City councilors ask DoH to aid residents vaccinated with Dengvaxia

The 37-member Quezon City council has passed a resolution calling on the Department of Health to grant medical assistance to city residents inoculated with the Dengvaxia vaccine.

City Resolution 7469 stipulated that after the anti-dengue vaccine has been administered to school children, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur then announced that Dengvaxia could cause severe cases of dengue fever to those who had not been previously infected by the dengue virus.

“The city government with the aid of the Department of Health should extend medical assistance in order to alleviate the plight of the inoculated victims,” the resolution read.

In December 2017, as reported by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the latest data from the World Health Organization confirmed an “earlier hypothesis” that those inoculated with a dengue vaccine without prior infection could be at a higher risk of contracting more severe forms of the illness.

From April 2016, DoH reported more than 830,000 children have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte backed the enactment into law of the Philippine Identification System Act, saying “innocent citizens have nothing to fear with the national ID system.”

“I’m in favor of the national ID system because I think that it is important that every citizen has proper identification and can be traced. When a citizen has not done anything wrong, there is nothing to fear,” she said.

President Duterte signed the law designed to wipe out corruption and red tape, speed up the delivery of government services and assist law enforcement for public safety, despite concerns the national ID system may pose risks to privacy and data security.

“With this drive of the president to eradicate criminal activity, to eradicate terrorism, and to discipline our police, our regular citizens don’t need to fear that law enforcement agencies will abuse power and do something that’s not good to the citizens,” Belmonte said.

She said the roll-out of the system would be “very timely.”

http://manilastandard.net/lgu/ncr/272439/quezon-city-councilors-ask-doh-to-aid-residents-vaccinated-with-dengvaxia.html

Lorenzana hails passage of nat’l ID law

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 11055 or the Philippine System Identification Act.

"Based on our experience, armed conflicts and insurgencies are often rooted in poor governance and delivery of basic services. Having a national ID system in place will help government address the gaps in the identification of citizens entitled to receive government services, thereby making things more convenient for law-abiding Filipinos," Lorenzana said in a statement.

He added that a national ID system is beneficial to a country prone to disasters as the system would improve the distribution of aid to legitimate disaster victims.

"Matters such as this can now be better addressed because of the new law," the defense chief said.

While he welcomed the beneficial effects of the measure on law enforcement operations, Lorenzana assured the public that individual privacy will be respected.

Signed into law by Duterte on Monday, the measure seeks to integrate the various government IDs of all citizens and foreign residents in the country.

The President tasked the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to work closely with the National Privacy Commission, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the multi-agency PhilSystem Policy and Coordination Council to address all concerns pertaining to privacy and security.

DND welcomes passage of national ID system law

By Francis Wakefield

The Department of National Defense (DND) Tuesday welcomed the passage of the Philippine System Identification Act, which was signed by the President into law on Monday, August 6, 2018.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that based on their experience, armed conflicts and insurgencies are often rooted in poor governance and delivery of basic services.

“Having a national ID system in place will help government address the gaps in the identification of citizens entitled to receive government services, thereby making things more convenient for law-abiding Filipinos,” Lorenzana said.

“For example, as a country prone to disasters, the system will allow improved distribution of aide to legitimate disaster victims. Matters such as this can now be better addressed because of the new law,” he added.

Lorenzana said while they welcome the beneficial effects of this law on law enforcement operations, they assure the public that individual privacy will be respected.

Malacañang earlier assured the public that it has nothing to worry about when their personal information is consolidated in one database because there are laws that would protect their data.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the assurance as President Duterte signed the much-anticipated Philippine ID System (PhilSys) in Malacañang Monday afternoon.

Roque, in his Monday press briefing, expressed confidence that the PhilSys would pass the test of constitutionality.

“I would like to assure the people that unlike the national ID bill which was earlier declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because, in Ople v Executive Secretary, because there were no safeguards to protect the database, this time around, there is a privacy law and in the law itself, it specified that the government has the obligation to promote the data gathered because of the national ID system,” he said.

“That’s why we are confident that this time around it will pass the test of constitutionality,” he added.

According to the Palace official, the signing of the PhilSys forms part of the common legislative agenda of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

“As we all know, the President is averse to bureaucratic red tape. Through PhilSys, we hope to improve efficiency and transparency of public services and promote ease of doing business,” he said.

“The Palace is pleased that millions of Filipinos will soon enjoy the benefits of the Philippine Identification System Act,” he added.

Roque also lauded the signing of the PhilSys as it would mean that people would no longer have to present or carry multiple IDs to prove his identity.

“For the ordinary Juan de la Cruz, the signing of this Act means that he will no longer have to present multiple identification cards simply to prove his identity,” he said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/07/dnd-welcomes-passage-of-national-id-system-law/

DND: Nat’l ID system to improve delivery of gov’t services

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday lauded the signing of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act, saying that the government could now better deliver its services to the public, especially during natural disasters.

"The Department of National Defense welcomes the passage of the Philippine System Identification Act, which was signed by the President into law yesterday, August 6, 2018," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

Lorenzana claimed armed conflicts and insurgencies in the past were caused by poor governance and poor delivery of basic services, which the national ID system is expected to address.

"Having a national ID system in place will help government address the gaps in the identification of citizens entitled to receive government services, thereby making things more convenient for law-abiding Filipinos," Lorenzana said.

"For example, as a country prone to disasters, the system will allow improved distribution of aide to legitimate disaster victims. Matters such as this can now be better addressed because of the new law," he added.

The DND also assured the public that "individual privacy will be respected."

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday signed into law the PhilSys Act to harmonize, integrate, and interconnect the countless and redundant government IDs by establishing a single national identification system,

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said there is a privacy law that will safeguard the database in the new system.

However, some left leaning groups, including the Makabayan bloc, had raised concerns against the measure, saying the data may be used against opponents of the government. — MDM, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/663295/dnd-nat-l-id-system-to-improve-delivery-of-gov-t-services/story/

Christian Bautista on renewing his contract with GMA: "It wasn't hard to decide"

Muling pumirma ng exclusive network contract si Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista nitong Martes, August 7.

Present sa kanyang contract signing sina GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable at ang kanyang manager na si Carlo Orosa.

Sa kanyang panayam sa GMA, sinabi ng The Clash judge na hindi naging mahirap ang desisyon niyang ipagpatuloy ang pagiging Kapuso.

"No, it wasn't [hard to decide]. GMA has been taking care of me for the last few years, and the growth is wonderful. I keep on going to the next level with them, and they really take good care of me and their artists."

Dagdag pa niya, "There's a wide range of opportunities. I'm doing a soap now, judging The Clash now, looking for another place to tour for Three Stars, One Heart, so it's very fulfilling."

Bukod sa kanyang showbiz commitments, abala din ang singer-actor sa kanyang nalalapit na kasal.

"Hands full in the next few months, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a happy problem. My partner is fantastic, we're organized, we have each other. We find time for the wedding preparations, for work, and for each other," nakangiti niyang ibinahagi.

Masaya din si Atty. Gozon sa pananatili ni Christian sa Kapuso network. "Talagang tayo ay nandito para magbigay ng opportunity for very good talents, so they can blossom and succeed in their art. At itong si Christian, kilala ko 'to, talagang talented. Siguro kailangan na niyang mag-branch out after perfecting his singing style."

Tuloy-tuloy naman ang pagbigay sa kanya ng projects ayon kay Ms. Rasonable.

"We are all happy for him, so definitely he will take a short leave for his wedding, pero tuloy ang lahat ng projects niya. We try our best to give him, well, definitely sa singing career niya. We've been doing the different legs of Three Stars, One Heart, also sa ibang musicals that we have, and now he has The Clash where he is gaining a lot of traction because of his very constructive comments. Of course alam naman natin na marunong siya umarte, so ngayon meron siyang Pamilya Roces under Direk Joel Lamangan. Kung ano man ang puwede nating ibigay para makakaganda sa kanyang career and makakatulong sa GMA, siyempre gagawin natin."

Congratulations, Kapuso!

Muling pumirma ng exclusive network contract si Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista nitong Martes, August 7.

Nat’l ID’s to reduce corruption, create safer environment, says Duterte

The signing into law of the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys Act) will upgrade the lives of Filipinos as this brings forth improvement on government services, promotes safer environment, and lessens corruption, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

The Filipinos are set to get hold of their National ID’s after the Chief Executive signed the PhilSys Act, yesterday August 6. This seeks to “establish a single national identification system that will provide good governance, enhance governmental transactions, and create a more conducive environment for trade and commerce to thrive,” Duterte said.

The President stressed that the measure will “curtail bureaucratic red tape, promote the ease of doing business, avert fraudulent transactions and strengthen financial inclusion.”

He also viewed this as a means to create a more secure environment that can “aid in our drive against the social menaces of poverty, corruption, and criminal issues, as well as terrorism and violent extremism.”

(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 08/ 07 /18)

RSA deal over after Inquirer nets P215M loss

The Prietos have reportedly returned the P1 billion downpayment to its owner.

Philippine Star Columnist Victor Agustin said bilyonaryo Ramon Ang’s acquisition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer is officially botched after the Prieto family returned his initial payment.

This comes after the Inquirer ended 2017 in the red, bleeding with a P215-million net loss. In contrast, its top competitors ended the year in profit, with The Star netting P95 million and the Manila Bulletin with P49.8 million in the bag.

Agustin also said that the Inquirer is barely getting by with just P500 million in paid-up capital, a far cry from the amounts held by other broadsheets.

“One does not need a PhD in rocket science to project where the road is heading if Inquirer suffers another financial loss of similar magnitude this year and next,” Agustin said in his Aug. 6 Money-Go-Round column.

His recommendation: “The Inquirer broadsheet should just shut down and distribute whatever remaining capital to its shareholders while there is still left.”

Unsolicited advice aside, the newspaper needs some serious financial housekeeping to do this year especially with their white knight out of the picture.

http://bilyonaryo.com.ph/2018/08/06/rsa-deal-over-after-inquirer-nets-p215m-loss/

SM City Daet to open in 2019

DAET, Camarines Norte (Bicol Standard) – SM City Daet is expected to open its doors in 2019, according to the proposal presentation at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall in this town earlier this week.

The proposed site for the project is along Vinzons Avenue, a major thoroughfare on the north. Adjacent to the west side of the site is the United Daet Coliseum while residential structures can be found on the south side.

Spanning a land area of 48,590.00 sq. m., SM City Daet will have a ground level, level 2, level 3, and a roof deck level. There will also be 640 parking slots available, the presentation revealed.

Construction will commence later this year and will end on December 2019.

http://www.bicolstandard.com/2018/08/sm-city-daet-to-open-in-2019.html

Bishops support new ID system but wary of abuses

By Leslie Ann Aquino

It is the hope of a Catholic prelate that the newly signed national identification card system won’t be abused once it is implemented.

“Let us hope for the best that this law will not be abused,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, on the other hand, is hoping that the national ID would also be beneficial to overseas Filipino workers.

“It is our hope that the national ID would be especially beneficial to our OFWs against bribery and red tape in different government agencies,” he said.

Santos expressed hope that through the ID, the OFWs would save time and money in getting necessary documents.

He added that OFWs should be given proper and primary assistance through the said ID.

“We support the national ID system,” said Santos.

Duterte tells Gabby Lopez: I won’t talk to you but I will also not intervene in ABS-CBN franchise renewal

President Rodrigo Duterte insists he is not dipping his fingers into ABS-CBN’s bid to renew its television franchise which will expire in 2020.

In a speech in Bukidnon, Duterte revealed that bilyonaryo Gabby Lopez has sent “emissaries” to his office hoping to iron out any misunderstanding between the two of them amid ABS-CBN’s application for a franchise renewal in Congress.

Duterte said he has no interest in meeting with Lopez who stepped down as ABS-CBN chairman last April. But he also assured that he would take a hands-off approach in the renewal process.

“Sige padala ng emissary kausapin ako. Pinaalis na nila si Gabby eh, kasi nila nothing will happen eh. I will not talk to you. But I will never also intervene,” said Duterte in a speech in Bukidnon.

“Pero if I had my way, I will not give it back to you. Magnanakaw kayo eh. Niloloko ninyo ‘yung maliliit,” he added.

Duterte’s beef with Lopez stemmed from ABS-CBN’s refusal to ran his campaign ad in the last few weeks of the 2016 campaign. Duterte’s ad was supposed to counter the negative campaign ad put up by Senator Antonio Trillanes against him.

“Tinanggap ‘yung two million ko, ang putang ina niya, hindi lang man lumabas… Marami kami. Marami kami. Most of the congressman. Kasi — putang ina itong ABS-CBN. Fuck you,” said Duterte.

“They could not even say, ‘We’re sorry but we could not find the appropriate space for your advertisements’. Kaya binabastos ko kayo. Kayong mga mayaman? Talagang binabastos ko kayo kasi bastos kayo numero uno eh,” he added.

http://bilyonaryo.com.ph/2018/08/04/duterte-tells-gaby-lopez-i-wont-talk-to-you-but-i-will-also-not-intervene-in-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/

Duterte: Data privacy secure with national ID

NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION President Duterte describes the Philippine Identification System Act that he signed in the presence of lawmakers on Monday as a “monumental legislative measure.” —JOAN BONDOC

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the national identification system law on Monday, assuring Filipinos that their personal information would be kept secure with data privacy safeguards already in place.

Only those with illegal intentions should be afraid of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act, the President said after the signing ceremony in Malacañang.

“There is therefore no basis at all for the apprehensions about the Phil-ID, unless of course that fear is based on anything that borders on illegal,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT
He added: “If at all, the Phil-ID will even aid in our drive against the social menaces of poverty, corruption and criminal issues, as well as terrorism and violent extremism.”

The signing of the law coincided with the presentation and ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

PSA repository of data

Under the PhilSys Act, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will manage the national ID system.

It will store a citizen’s common reference number, biometrics, voter’s ID, Philippine passport number, taxpayer’s identification number, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. number, Professional Regulation Commission number, driver’s license number and other information.

In his speech, the President pointed out that the information would not be different from that recorded in other agencies collecting personal data.

He said data privacy safeguards were in place to ensure that citizens’ personal data were secure against identity theft and fraud.

“The PSA will work closely with the National Privacy Commission, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the multiagency PhilSystem Policy and Coordination Council to address all concerns pertaining to privacy and security,” the President said.

ADVERTISEMENT
Calling the national ID law a “monumental legislative measure,” he noted that past administrations had tried but failed to introduce a national ID.

This was “partly because of the apprehensions peddled by some groups about privacy and data security,” the President said.

An opposition lawmaker, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, for instance, said the passage of the law “casts a pall of gloom over privacy rights and an ominous threat to human rights.”

“The heavy hand of the state will now apply to getting a comprehensive profile of its citizens,” Villarin said in a text message to the Inquirer.

The Presidenty thought otherwise, stressing that a national ID system would, in fact, improve the delivery of services and cut down on fraud and bureaucratic red tape.

Citizens, resident aliens

He pointed out that the Phil-ID, a single ID to be issued to all citizens and resident aliens, would “dispense with the need to present multiple IDs for different government transactions.”

“This will not just enhance administrative governance but reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, and promote the ease of doing business, but also avert fraudulent transactions, strengthen financial inclusion, and create a more secure environment for our people,” he said.

The President’s spokesperson, Harry Roque, said the implementation of a national ID would help protect Filipinos against identity theft.

Roque said the ID would help promote national security as it would become easier to verify one’s identity and single out criminals or terrorists.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, principal sponsor of the measure in the Senate, said many Filipinos could expect an easier time transacting with the government.

Lacson noted that there were 33 different forms of “functional” ID cards issued by government agencies.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon thanked the President for signing the measure and likewise gave assurance that it had enough safeguards to protect an individual’s privacy.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, principal author of the House measure, said the new law would benefit the poor and residents of far-flung communities who had been experiencing difficulties in securing proof of identity. —WITH REPORTS FROM LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND MARLON RAMOS



Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1018388/duterte-data-privacy-secure-with-national-id#ixzz5NUA0ryxZ
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook