by magnolia_eic | Jul 5, 2010 | Headlines, National News
DESPITE a nationwide crackdown on unauthorized use of “wang-wang,” or sirens and blinkers on vehicles, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has admitted it could not go after dealers selling the gadgets.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said Friday the law against wang-wang, Presidential Decree 96, does not bar the sale of such items.
“The presidential decree does not bar the sale of such gadgets, as it only prohibits their unauthorized use. We hope dealers would stop selling once vehicle owners stop buying those gadgets,” Espina said in an interview.
However, Espina said they are studying proposing a guideline or supplemental law to address possible “shortcomings” of PD 96.
“For now we have no law against such items. Perhaps we can persuade the dealers not to sell. On the other hand, if there will be no buyers, there will be no sales,” he said.
The PNP started a nationwide crackdown on the sirens two days after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III spoke strongly against the use of wang-wang. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jul 5, 2010 | Headlines, National News
FORMER Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David on Friday took over the top military post during the change of command at Camp Aguinaldo.
David took over the military leadership from Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, who was designated acting AFP chief when General Delfin Bangit opted for early retirement last week.
Both David and Ochoa belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masikap” Class of 1977. Bangit belongs to the “Makatarungan” Class of 1978.
In his speech, David reminded his soldiers to keep the military as a “disciplined institution.”
“We shall continue to be a responsible instrument of public policy, subservient to civilian authority,” he said.
David said as an instrument of national policy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would be focusing on attaining national security objectives.
He noted that national airports have the “most imminent threat” of being targeted by terrorist elements, and thus promised to focus security in them.
But apart from ensuring national security from insurgent activities, David also stressed that the AFP should be an agent of peace. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jul 2, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MACROECONOMIC stability, governance, infrastructure, food security, as well as education and health should be the focus of the new administration’s development agenda, socioeconomic planners said on Monday.
Officials from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said they will present a framework for the 2011-2016 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) to incoming President Benigno C. Aquino III and his Cabinet on Wednesday.
“We will present [the framework] to the president on Wednesday. He has three options on what to do with them: accept, reject, or revise it,” Augusto B. Santos, acting NEDA director-general, told reporters yesterday.
Myrna B. Asuncion, NEDA assistant director for national planning said that the five “highlights” of the proposal would provide a focus for the next medium-term plan.
In the effort to improve macroeconomic stability, Mr. Santos said the Aquino administration should keep its options open with respect to new tax measures.
He zeroed in on three: raising the value-added tax rate to 15% from the current 12%, adjusting excise tax rates on tobacco and alcohol, and streamlining fiscal incentives. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jul 2, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE government has removed the tariff on imported steel, asphalt, crude oil and petroleum products.
President Arroyo issued Executive Order 890 on June 10, setting a uniform zero tariff on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and outside ASEAN.
“The elimination of three percent rates of duty on said products imported from non-ASEAN countries will address the tariff distortion,” the EO said.
The decision to remove the tariff on the said products was reached during the May 25 meeting of the National Economic Development Authority Board.
Mrs. Arroyo also signed the executive order that will effectively reduce the price of steel products by removing the tariff on imported hot rolled coils (HRC) and cold rolled coils (CRC).
Despite the efforts of Global Steel Philippines Inc. (GSPI) to defer it, the law was signed last June 22 as Executive Order 898. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 29, 2010 | Business, Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines – the Department of Trade and Industry has issued an administrative order removing the expiration of gift certificates, checks and cards.
Zenaida Maglaya, Trade Undersecretary said, the order was issued last June 25 and would become effective upon its publication in July.
Maglaya added that the issue on the expiration of gift checks had already been discussed at the time when Peter Favila was still Trade secretary in response to the complaints of consumers about the short usage period given by the sellers.
Commercial establishments usually give an expiration term of one-year from date of issuance on their gift checks.
According to the DTI, the practice is contrary to state policy on protection of consumer welfare and interest and promotion of fair, honest, and equitable relations between parties in consumer transactions.
Click here for full article from Philippine Star
