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MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday maintained that President Duterte does not know Wilfredo Keng, the businessman that sued Rappler for cyber liber, after an administration critic pointed out the government made decisions that favored his business.  A recent post by Pinoy Ako Blog cited a report stating that Keng’s mining firm Century Peak Metals Holdings Corp. was one of 12 companies that passed an audit conducted by the environment department in 2016.  The blog, owned by a critic of Duterte and an ally of the opposition, also noted that Keng’s company has secured a reclamation project in Cavite. The Board of Investments registered a Century Peak-owned cement manufacturing plant worth P10.9 billion in Cebu last year, the blog added.   Asked to comment on the post, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte does not meddle with the work of government agencies.  “Even assuming that those facts you stated are correct, … [Read more...] about Spokesman Salvador Panelo claims Duterte doesn’t know Wilfredo Keng

Hermogenes Esperon: ‘Increase of US navigation patrols no problem’ Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) - February 19, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has no problem with the plan of the United States to increase its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea with partners and treaty allies, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said. “If the US, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France and New Zealand and even India would want to patrol the South China Sea, then that is alright with us if the only intent is to show freedom of navigation,” Esperon said yesterday. However, if the intention is to go near contested areas, Esperon said then the operations could only spark more tension. Early this week, two US guided-missile destroyers – USS Spruance and USS Preble – sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Chinese occupied Panganiban … [Read more...] about Hermogenes Esperon: ‘Increase of US navigation patrols no problem’

Salvador Panelo backs BIR registration of gaming operators Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) - February 19, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday expressed support for efforts to ensure that foreign and Philippine-based offshore gaming operators (POGOs) would register with the tax bureau before their licenses can be renewed.  Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the proposal could help the government determine the number of Chinese nationals who are working illegaly in the Philippines.  “That’s a good measure to determine exactly how many Chinese nationals who are here in violation of our laws,” Panelo said in a press briefing.  Panelo clarified that the influx of Chinese workers in the country is not alarming.  “Perhaps the Bureau of Internal Revenue only wants to determine the number of nationals because it is connected with the declaration of … [Read more...] about Salvador Panelo backs BIR registration of gaming operators

TUCP wants improved services with new SSS law Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) - February 19, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is expecting the Social Security System to improve its services with the implementation of the SSS Rationalization Act. The group said workers expect improved SSS services as a result of the increase in monthly contribution. “The implementation of the new SSS law will hopefully help improve the vast range of services the system provides to its members,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said. Mendoza said they do not object to the planned 12 percent increase in the SSS monthly premium as part of the implementation of the new SSS law. “The SSS this time has been doing fairly with its job to look for other means and resources to improve the system’s fund aside from increasing the … [Read more...] about TUCP wants improved services with new SSS law

MANILA, Philippines — It’s the failure of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) to coordinate with Congress that led to President Duterte’s vetoing several priority bills in the past several days, including the Coco Levy Fund Bill, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday. “This is again another testament that we need to revitalize or even upgrade the PLLO. This is the nth time that we do not know what the executive department wants from us,” Sotto told reporters when asked about the vetoed measures. Vetoed recently by the President, aside from the Coco Levy Fund Bill, are the measure reconstituting the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Tax Amnesty Bill, all priorities of the administration. “Like all the other bills vetoed, we could have addressed the provisions that the executive department does not want to execute,” he said. Sotto said the legislative branch does not “consult a crystal ball” to … [Read more...] about Tito Sotto blames Palace exec for series of vetoes