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By Jesse C. Ong President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a sweeping ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, citing their links to various criminal activities. Speaking before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, President Marcos addressed growing calls to prohibit firms offering online gambling services …

By Rose de la Cruz Joint patrols by the Filipino Coast Guard with the coast guards of other better-armed and trained countries serve as a deterrent to China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. And why not, China knows our weakness and vulnerability while it is uncertain about the other forces of other nations so that it would not want …

By Rose de la Cruz Despite a vigorous marketing blitz to attract foreign visitors in the country– both by the Department of Tourism and by President Marcos’ promotional travels around the world, Manila– just two points shy from the world’s riskiest city, Caracas, Valenzuela– still suffers from the stigma in a rating done by the credible Forbes Advisor. In the …

By Rose de la Cruz The Department of Transportation and the Japan International Cooperation Agency will collaborate– with the signing Wednesday of a technical cooperation agreement– to improve the efficiency and quality of road transport system specifically in Metro Manila. The agreement focuses on capacity development initiatives for public transport systems including route planning, improving intermodal facilities in Metro Manila, …

By Rose de la Cruz At P2.5 million monthly salary being asked by Maharlika Investment Corp. president/CEO Rafael Consing, this amount is atrocious and wicked for a country that is reeling from poverty, high unemployment and underemployment, a crisis in education, a yawning housing gap, a country in deep debt here and abroad and a healthcare system that is elusive …

By Rose de la Cruz The United States Agency for International Development and the Public Private Partnership Center, an agency under the National Economic and Development Authority, forged a memorandum of understanding to establish a collaborative framework for a robust pipeline of PPP projects for local government units (LGUs) and other USAID partner institutions in Bohol. The MOU was signed by …

The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) recent mandate requiring online sellers to pay withholding tax is a significant step toward modernizing the Philippines’ tax system.  As e-commerce grows exponentially, the tax framework must evolve to ensure fairness and compliance for all businesses. For years, traditional brick-and-mortar establishments have shouldered their share of tax responsibilities, while online sellers have often enjoyed …

The Philippine Postal Corporation (The Post Office) collaborates with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in the issuance of Commemorative Stamps to celebrate the PPA’s 50th anniversary of dedicated service and significant contributions to the nation’s port infrastructure and economic growth held at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila on July 11, 2024. This milestone event highlights PPA’s journey from its …

By Rose de la Cruz The continuing rise of preference by Filipino commuters to motorcycle taxis (habal habal) now at 60 percent is because of the government’s dismal performance in improving the public transport system on account of bureaucratic hitches, budgetary constraints and its obvious bias for privately-owned cars. A survey done by WR Numero Opinion Monitor, a research company, …

By Rose de la Cruz The Philippines would miss its export goal of $143 billion unless it grows exports by double-digit, said Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) President Sergio Luis-Ortiz. He estimated the possibility of reaching the 2024 target coming into fruition by three years or by 2027.  But, he stressed, the Philippines must first resolve its problems with electricity, …