Palace stresses mediation role in PAL-pilots row

by | Aug 5, 2010 | Headlines, National News

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday said Malacañang is aware that public interest is involved in the dispute between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its pilots so that it has taken cognizance of the problem and ordered multi-agency mediation efforts.

Lacierda however clarified that the dispute is still at a point where it can be settled amicably without the need for laying out the basis of government intervention for reasons of national interest.

“Under the Labor Code, the secretary of labor can step into a particular controversy by way of national interest,” Lacierda said but stressed that the PAL-pilots’ row will be settled mutually.

In a Palace news briefing, Lacierda said the overriding concern of President Benigno S. Aquino III in ordering a meeting between PAL pilots and the management with facilitation by some Cabinet secretaries, is the interest of the riding public and some sectors of the economy who will be severely affected should the impasse continue.

President Aquino has ordered Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and the secretaries of the Department of Transport and Communication (DOTC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to meet today with PAL representatives to get to the bottom of the issue.

A number of PAL flights have been cancelled due to the dispute, which started when 25 pilots decided to move to higher paying jobs abroad. In the last two days alone, PAL had cancelled regional and domestic flights after 13 captains and 12 first officers resigned their posts to join Airlines abroad that offered more lucrative deals.

The President reminded both the management of PAL and the pilots who sought resignation that they have an obligation to the public. (PIA-Bohol)

President Aquino calls for aggressive tax efforts

by | Aug 4, 2010 | Headlines, National News

PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to step up its tax collection efforts and raise the revenue level to at least 15 percent (as ratio to the national gross domestic product) to support vital programs and projects of his administration.

The Chief Executive said he is confident that a 15 percent tax effort ratio from the present 13 percent can be achieved as such has happened before.

“During the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos, we have reached the tax effort ratio of 17 percent. Let us help each other to increase the current 13 percent to 15 percent before my term ends,” the President said in a speech during the 106th anniversary celebration of the BIR yesterday at Agham Road in Quezon City.

He expressed optimism that the BIR could achieve its P860 billion revenue target for 2010, even as the administration tries to cope with a budget deficit, which could run up to about P320 billion by yearend.

As the main tax agency, the BIR collects more than 70 percent of government revenues, followed by the Bureau of Customs (BoC). The tax effort ratio measures the taxes or revenues collected by the BIR and the BoC as in relation to GDP.

The Chief Executive reiterated his directive to the BIR to intensify its implementation of the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program, which includes the criminal prosecution of erring businesses and individuals.

The President exhorted businessmen and other large taxpayers to show their sense of patriotism by paying the right amount of taxes so that government can fund vital programs and projects, particularly in infrastructure, education, health, jobs generation and social services. (PIA-Bohol)