FORMER METRO Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman and senatorial also-ran Francis N. Tolentino has been appointed as President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s adviser on political affairs.

Mr. Tolentino’s reappointment was made public by Malacañang on Tuesday, July 11. His appointment letter was dated June 27.

Mr. Tolentino served as head of the MMDA during the Aquino administration. An early contender in the 2016 senatorial lineup of the then ruling Liberal Party, Mr. Tolentino was obliged to withdraw his senatorial bid under the LP following a controversy, but reemerged as an independent senatorial candidate that year. But he lost in the elections.

Meanwhile, Jose Manuel D.G. Romualdez has been reappointed special envoy to the United States. Mr. Romualdez was previously designated ambassador to Washington last December, but declined the post early January, citing health reasons. His appointment was dated July 5.

Messrs. Tolentino and Romualdez lead the list of new presidential appointees made available yesterday. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

By Imee Charlee C. Delavin
Senior Reporter

RIDE-SHARING companies Uber Systems, Inc. and Grab were yesterday fined P5 million each by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for allowing their drivers to operate without permits which violated the terms of their accreditation.

Although the penalty should have been revocation of accreditation, LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen A. Lizada, said doing so would be detrimental to the riding public given the demand for the ride-hailing platform apps.

“If we follow the penalty imposed by MC (Memorandum Circular) 2015-016, the penalty is cancellation of accreditation, but we have been very constant in our stand that the LTFRB stakeholders are the riding public, so we will consider the riding public’s concern because if we penalize by canceling the accreditation, we are penalizing our stakeholders kasi wala silang masasakyan so we have to address the violations of the TNCs (Transport Network Companies) separately,” Ms. Lizada told reporters yesterday, adding that suspension would also result in the same consequence.

The regulator on Tuesday set an accreditation hearing for Grab and Uber as their accreditation is set to expire this month and next month, respectively.

Classified as TNCs, Grab and Uber said yesterday that they allowed Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers to operate even if they lacked the necessary permits, citing demand and also the need to continue their business and competition.

“[T]he fine is justified because there was negligence, I think that’s the right word on our part for non-compliance, but all was done in the spirit of competition and all was done in the spirit of earnings for our Grab partners,” Brian P. Cu, Grab Philippine country head, said.

“We’re actually quite happy with the decision, it’s not cancellation, it’s not suspension, we as TNC along with our Grab partners will be able to continue the quality service that we’re providing to our partners,” he added.

Grab also cited the need for continuous operations in the public’s behalf, despite some of their drivers operating without permits.

The LTFRB gives two types of permits to TNVS drivers, the provisional authority permits valid for 45 to 135 days, and the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) franchise which is valid for one to seven years.

LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2015-015 requires that a TNC obtain LTFRB accreditation, valid for two years, before being allowed to operate.

Uber said in a statement it will comply with the order issued by LTFRB on the fine.

“We thank the LTFRB for recognizing the important role ride-sharing plays in our country’s transportation system. We look forward to working with the LTFRB and the DoTr (Department of Transportation) towards sustainable mobility solutions for the benefit of all our riders and drivers. We will comply with the order issued by the LTFRB,” the company said in a statement when sought for comment.

Ms. Lizada said LTFRB will not set a deadline yet for Uber and Grab to remove from their service those driving without necessary permits but will form a technical working group instead to coordinate with the ride-sharing companies before setting a deadline.

Sought for more details, a Grab representative said LTFRB did not disclose yet the details on how to settle the fine, although Grab said it will comply with whatever LTFRB requires — either payment in full or in tranches.

“[The fine is] primarily for violation committed by drivers without provisional authority,” Grab said, and noted that regarding the renewal of franchise, there is “no black and white statement yet on the renewal.”

THE ALLEGED brains behind the multi-billion pork barrel scam, Janet Lim-Napoles, has petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) for her provisional liberty.

Ms. Napoles, through her lawyers Stephen L. David and Romeo P. Villarta III, filed a reply on her earlier filed petition for certiorari on the plunder case involving former senator Juan F. Ponce-Enrile on the Priority Development Assistant Fund scam.

Arguing that the Third Division of the Sandiganbayan committed grave abuse of discretion, Ms. Napoles asked the high court to junk the plunder case against her and Mr. Enrile.

She also claimed the prosecution failed to present strong evidence against her, and asked the SC to reverse the Oct. 16, 2015 and March 2, 2016 decisions of the anti-graft court, junking her motion to post bail.

Ms. Napoles was recently acquitted by the Court of Appeals (CA) on the illegal detention case of her former aide and second cousin Benhur K. Luy. She also noted that the dismissal of the illegal detention case against her has diminished the credibility of Mr. Luy as a witness in the pork barrel cases. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

UNLIKE THE previous administration, President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will not be “tinkered” by Malacañang before its submission to Congress, the government’s top peace adviser said on Tuesday.

The BBL will serve as the legal foundation of the future Bangsamoro government in Mindanao. It was approved by the 21-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) last June 6.

The draft bill will be turned over to Mr. Duterte at 5:30 p.m. on July 17 in Malacañang in the presence of House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III.

In a press briefing yesterday, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza said his department will propose the bill to be submitted to Congress “as soon as” Mr. Duterte receives a copy of the BBL.

Mr. Dureza said the wisdom behind the proposal is to allow legislators to exercise their authority over the bill, adding that Mr. Duterte would only “touch” the BBL when he is already asked to approve or veto the measure.

“Let’s not preempt Congress. The final arbiter on what could be the configuration of the new law, if at all it will be passed to replace the BBL in the past, will all depend on what Congress will do….” the country’s top peace adviser said.

“But we are confident that the BTC that crafted the new one must have taken into account the failures of the past, learning from the past lessons,” he added.

Mr. Dureza said his agency would also recommend the certification of the BBL as an urgent legislative measure, doing away with the requirement to approve the bill on second and on final readings on separate days.

The government earlier said it plans to have the draft BBL reviewed by the President before transmitting it to Congress when the legislature resumes its regular session on July 24, which is also the date of Mr. Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

If adopted, Mr. Dureza’s recommendation would be a departure from former President Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s treatment of the previous BBL, which was amended after lawmakers and BTC members had meetings with Mr. Aquino.

Nonetheless, Mr. Dureza said his office’s suggestion is still upon Mr. Duterte’s approval. “The President may have his own wisdom of doing what he thinks is best under the circumstances,” he said.

The last BBL was touted by the Aquino administration as a measure that will bring peace to Mindanao, as it aims to establish political and fiscal autonomy in the region.

But this was effectively derailed by the Jan. 25, 2015, Mamasapano killings — where five civilians, 18 Moro fighters, and 44 members of an elite police force lost their lives in the hands of rebels, following miscoordination among top officials led by then President Benigno S. C. Aquino III.

Originally formed with 15 members, the “expanded” BTC under the Duterte administration has 21 members — of whom eleven, including the BTC chairperson, are from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and 10 nominated by the government.

Meanwhile, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction headed by former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema has also joined the MILF in the new BTC.

However, despite MNLF founding Chairman Nurulaji “Nur” P. Misuari’s recent agreement to join the peace process, Mr. Dureza had earlier said Mr. Misuari’s MNLF faction will not be included in the predominantly MILF-composed BTC.

According to Mr. Dureza, Mr. Misuari will work on drafting an amendment to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement based on the “42 consensus points” that appeared during a tripartite review, adding that the MNLF leader “has not abandoned that.”

The 1996 peace deal paved the way for Mr. Misuari’s leadership of the ARMM or Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from that year until the early 2000s.

“So Congress will have to look at both and then find out how they can harmonize, how they can converge both proposals,” Mr. Dureza said.

Members of both the MILF and its original mother organization, the MNLF, had been reaching out to each other of late. The MILF broke away from the MNLF in the 1980s.

Upon taking office, Mr. Duterte launched a broad peace-and-order effort, including talks with communist and Bangsamoro rebels that, if successful, may unlock the stunted economic potential of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao and elsewhere.

On another matter but still related to the peace process, Mr. Dureza yesterday said the state’s chief negotiators will take the President’s guidance as both the government and communists prepare for the resumption of talks in August.

This was after Mr. Duterte said in a recent interview that he would not allow the negotiations to proceed if communists will not stop their extortion activities.

“I’d like to tell you in advance that under the CARHRIHL, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law signed in 1998, the CPP-NPA and the Government of the Philippines committed (their efforts), and among the provisions there is not to subject civilians and their properties to attack,” Mr. Dureza said. — Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

DELIVERY of power to most of Leyte, Samar and Bohol are expected to resume on Wednesday afternoon at the earliest as three geothermal power generation units are ready dispatch up to 129.5 megawatts (MW) after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit the area on July 6, the Department of Energy (DoE) said yesterday.

“We are looking at afternoon tomorrow (Wednesday), at the earliest,” said Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella in a press conference on Tuesday at the DoE headquarters in Taguig City.

He said all 11 electric cooperatives in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), which covers the Samar and Leyte provinces, and three distribution utilities in the island province of Bohol were ready to receive power.

The Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the operator of the geothermal power plants, had been conducting technical tests on the repaired central switching station in coordination with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to ensure the safe operation of the facilities.

Mr. Fuentebella said once all precautionary measures have been taken, EDC would submit test results by late afternoon Tuesday. He said the company advised that it would take them about 16 to 18 hours to start up ahead of power delivery.

The three power plants are: Upper Mahio Geothermal Power Plant Units 2 and 3 with a 26-megawatt (MW) capacity each, and the Malitbog Unit 1 with 77.5 MW.

“Five days after the quake, we are hoping to start the geothermal power plants and might soon bring back power to major parts of Leyte and Bohol,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in a statement.

However, Mr. Fuentebella clarified that 290 MW is still required — Samar and Leyte need 290 MW at peak hour, while Bohol needs 80 MW.

Mr. Fuentebella said the EDC’s restoration target is 317 MW by July 16.

In the meantime, EDC has distributed generator sets to vital town installations, such as local government centers, water pumping stations, and hospitals, among others.

The Department of Energy is also in talks with alternative power providers, such as Trans Asia, to mobilize power barges to be brought to Leyte and Bohol.

DAMAGES
Meanwhile, infrastructure damages from the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Leyte July 7 has reached P61.64 million based on assessment as of Tuesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.

For relief operations, around P4.55 million worth of assistance — P3.24 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and P1.31 million from the Department of Health — have already been extended to 1,173 families or 6,020 persons affected in 15 barangays, based on yesterday’s reports.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), for its part, recorded a total of 796 aftershocks as of 12 noon yesterday. — Victor V. Saulon and Jil Danielle M. Caro

MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday, July 11, affirmed China and the Philippines continue to be “in dialogue,” a year after an international arbitral ruling on their maritime dispute over the South China Sea.

But a participant at the arbitral proceedings before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, The Netherlands, when sought for comment also on Tuesday, warned the Philippines has “quietly accommodated China’s expansion” in the disputed waters and now risks “weakening its own hand.”

A year ago today, Wednesday, the PCA ruled on an arbitral case brought by the Philippines in 2013 and in the country’s favor, thus rejecting China’s controversial historical claims based on a nine-dash line dating to the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949 and covering much of the South China Sea.

The ruling said in part that “China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights with respect to its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” and that the Asian power had “constructed installations and artificial islands at Mischief Reef without the authorization of the Philippines.”

Beijing, in response, vehemently rejected the landmark ruling, which, on the other hand, elicited a muted response in Manila. Three months later, President Rodrigo R. Duterte embarked on a state visit to China that at once reversed its strained relations with the Philippines on the watch of his predecessor, Benigno S.C. Aquino III, whose administration brought the arbitral case.

Both countries have since enjoyed warmer ties, alongside Chinese pledges in the Philippine economy that critics of Mr. Duterte’s administration believe are detrimental to Philippine sovereignty in the long term.

“A year after the ruling of the PCA at the Hague, the Philippines and China are now in dialogue,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said on Tuesday.

He added, “(The) Philippines and China have reviewed their experience on the West Philippine Sea issue, exchange views on current issues of concern to either side, and they have agreed to discuss that they will further discuss mutually acceptable approaches.”

But Jay L. Batongbacal, a consultant in the arbitral proceedings, said when sought for comment that the Philippines “has quietly accommodated China’s expansion into the WPS in exchange for promises of billions of dollars in infrastructure loans, development assistance, and official friendly relations.”

Mr. Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines-Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, warned further that the country “is isolating itself from other claimants and from its traditional allies and friends insofar as the WPS is concerned, thus weakening its own hand in dealing with China on the maritime disputes.”

But the Philippines “can still reverse its over-accommodation and push back on key items such as habitat destruction, overfishing, dangerous maneuvering, and threats of use of force. It still can raise the ruling in order to secure better concessions and commitments from China re the disputes,” Mr. Batongbacal added.

Also sought for comment, De La Salle University political science professor Richard J. Heydarian said: “It is very clear that the priority first is to have a soft landing. We’re looking at the soft landing, for revising our economic investment and diplomatic relationship — reviving bilateral dialogue with China and securing China investment, particularly in infrastructure.”

“The challenge forward is to make sure our sensible soft landing strategy doesn’t end up being interpreted as acquiescence by China in the West Philippine Sea,” Mr. Heydarian added.

He also said Mr. Duterte “really deserves commendation. If you look at the overall balance sheet, we have made multiple concessions and gestures of goodwill on the West Philippine Sea issue, but we are yet to see a single meaningful concession by China in return.”

At a forum on this matter also on Tuesday, analyst and former Education Undersecretary Antonio Valdes said when sought for comment: “I think the moment we start improving our economic relations with China, it will be easier to see a way of dealing with that particular issue. From an issue of confrontation, now you will see an issue of cooperation.”

For his part, former Intelligence Chief Victor N. Corpus said at the same Pandesal Forum, “This legal victory with regards to this ruling is a double edged sword. Because it can do us good, but it can also lead to war. And it must be handled with extreme care.” — with Kristine Joy V. Patag, Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral, and Mario M. Banzon

FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. has completed the multi-million payment for his electoral protest against Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo.

Mr. Marcos’s lawyer, Victor Rodriguez, confirmed that the payment was made last Monday, July 10, four days before the deadline set by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) which is on July 14.

According to the receipt shown by Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Marcos paid P30,000,200.00 before the Supreme Court (SC) sitting as the PET, completing the required payment of P66,223,000.

The P66 million covers the cost of the retrieval of the ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia in 39,221 clustered precincts contested by Mr. Marcos.

He made the first payment of P36 million on April 17. Mr. Marcos said his supporters pooled money to reach the required amount.

Ms. Robredo, who filed a counter-electoral protest, was directed by PET to pay P15,439,000. She has yet to pay the electoral bond in full.

Ms. Robredo paid the first tranche amounting to P8 million last May 2. She said the amount was loaned from relatives.

On Tuesday, the PET began the preliminary conference to discuss the evidence by both camps, which separately held their press briefings afterwards.

Ma. Bernadette Sardillo, co-counsel for Ms. Robredo, said the tribunal clarified with the camp of Mr. Marcos their position on the Automated Election Server (AES).

Ms. Sardillo recalled Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen asking Mr. Marcos’s camp if they are ready to accept the result of their questioning the AES. “Kasi sinasabi na hindi mo pwede i-surgically remove ang resulta ng VP election sa ibang posisyon (Because they say that you can’t surgically remove just the results of the vice presidential election from other positions),” Ms. Sardillo said.

She also said that the Robredo camp sought an extension for the payment of the second tranche of payment, due on Friday, and was thereafter advised to file a motion before the court.

On the appeal for a recount, Ms. Sardillo said nothing yet has been set with the tribunal, since Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa pointed out that the SC will have difficulty with the recount.

Ms. Sardillo also said the tribunal had asked that witnesses be limited to three per contested precinct. Mr. Marcos has 362 witnesses, and Ms. Robredo has more than 600 witnesses.

Mr. Marcos, leading his media briefing, said he is happy to see the Court tackling his protest.

“Ang maliwanag, ang mga justices ng Tribunal, they are very interested in proceeding to their arguments and finally to the revision of the counting of the votes kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa mga justice na para sa kanila, interesado din sila na mapabilis ang proseso, nang makita ng ating mga kababayan ang naging bilang sa boto,” Mr. Marcos said.

(What’s clear is that the justices of the Tribunal, they are very interested in proceeding to their arguments and finally to the revision of the counting of the votes, so we are very thankful to the justices because they are also interested in fast-tracking the process so that our countrymen can see the counting of their votes.)

George Erwin Garcia, counsel of Mr. Marcos, said they are grateful for the Tribunal’s resolve to continue “despite efforts of the other party (Ms. Robredo’s camp) to delay.”

The case stemmed from an electoral protest filed by Mr. Marcos after losing in the vice-presidential race by a slim margin of about 260,000 votes to Ms. Robredo, within election day when he was leading by almost a million votes early in the election count. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

ONE OF the four suspected members of the local terror group Maute who were stopped from leaving the country on Monday has been confirmed to be in the list of persons with an arrest order, military spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Restituto F. Padilla, Jr. said yesterday.

The three others are still being held at a police facility for further questioning, he added.

The four are among the seven who were stopped by authorities on Monday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as they were about to leave for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They were earlier identified as Mawiyag Ibrahim Cota, Acmali A. Mawiyag, Abdulcahar Racman Maute, Alnizar Palawan Maute, Abdulrahman Maute, Yasser Dumaraya Maute, Ashary Palawan Maute.

Three of the intercepted passengers — Messrs. Cota, Mawiyag and Abdulcahar Racman Maute — were later released after authorities confirmed that “there is no derogatory record against their name.”

“One is positive of arrest order no. 2, as far as I know. That is why a case will be immediately filed to the court. That is what I know. The other [three] are subject to further questioning,” Mr. Padilla said.

Arrest order no. 2 was issued by the Department of National Defense last May 29, covering 125 individuals allegedly involved in the Marawi siege.

However, Mr. Padilla said he has no knowledge of the exact participation of the nabbed suspect to the rebellion.

“Being part of a rebellion does not only constitute being an armed part of the rebellion in the thick of the fighting. It also includes those who are supporting the rebellion in terms of finances and other means,” Mr. Padilla said.

“They might be part of that network who is providing support, say logistics or monetary in nature. Anyone who helps in the rebellion, in any manner, is guilty [in] the name of rebellion,” he added.

The military official also commended the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for it has “once again exhibited its alertness and performance of duty,” when it barred the four suspects from leaving the country.

“We thank them for this effort and for that accomplishment. Hopefully there will be more that will be discovered trying to get out or trying to come in that will be brought to the bars of justice,” Mr. Padilla said.

Mr. Padilla also reported that as of yesterday, 90 soldiers have been killed in the still ongoing fight in Marawi City with the Maute group, which has a casualty count of 381. At least 39 civilians have also died. — Jil Danielle M. Caro

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT Rafael P. Dumlao III, alleged mastermind in the kidnap-murder of Korean businessman Ick Joo Jee, has appealed for provisional liberty before a local trial court.

In a three-page petition filed before the Angeles City Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58, Mr. Dumlao asked to be allowed to post bail for the charge of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

Mr. Dumlao challenged the evidence against him, saying it was not strong enough and that he was able to defend his innocence in his counter-affidavit.

“For failure to establish the participation of [Mr.] Dumlao vis-a-vis all the elements of the crimes charged, the evidence against the accused is rendered weak — at the very least — and gives ground for the grant of bail,” the petition reads.

Part of Mr. Dumlao’s counter-affidavit reads: “The testimony of witnesses and records of the investigation have no showing that I performed any overt act that would make me liable for the crime of kidnapping for ransom and illegal detention with homicide. It is crystal clear that I was never present in the kidnapping and/or detention of the victims, including the event of his eventual demise.”

Also charged for kidnapping for ransom and homicide are Senior Police Office (SPO)3 Ricky M. Sta. Isabel, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “striker” Jerry Omlang, and Roy T. Villegas; while GREAM Funeral Services owner Gerardo G. Santiago was charged as an accessory to the crime.

Mr. Jee was kidnapped from his residence in Angeles City, Pampanga on Oct. 18 last year. The same night, he was brought to the police headquarters in Camp Crame where he was allegedly strangled to death by Mr. Sta. Isabel.

All the accused have been arraigned before the sala of Angeles City RTC Branch 58 Presiding Judge Irineo Pangilinan, Jr. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

DAVAO CITY — Information and communication technology (ICT) stakeholders in Davao City are revisiting their industry road map after London-based consultancy firm Tholons, Inc. downgraded the city’s standing in the top 100 outsourcing destinations.

Lawyer Samuel R. Matunog, president of ICT Davao, Inc., said they held a meeting last week to discuss the latest Tholons report, which placed the city at the 85th rank among top industry destinations, down from 69th last year.

“We have decided to review our industry road map so that we can address the gaps,” said Mr. Matunog.

He added that the association will be drafting specific steps that would have to be undertaken.

Mr. Matunog said ICT Davao does not believe that the report entirely reflects the true standing of the city’s industry, but the group is taking it seriously because the Tholons ranking is valued by foreign locators.

The company is an adviser on global outsourcing and research. It has been producing annual reports on the top 100 outsourcing destinations in the world.

What brought down the standing of Davao City were the indices on digital and innovation, which received significant weightage for the first time this year. The city was also still near the bottom on infrastructure, talent, skill and quality of life. On the other hand, the report cited the city’s best aspect was the cost of doing business.

Mr. Matunog said he believes “for certain that the track record of our players in innovation speaks for itself.”

He added that he also “cannot believe how we can rank low in the quality of our human resource with five autonomous universities based in Davao City alone,” and cited that Manila-based industry leaders have recognized the skilled manpower in the city.

In April, during the Philippine Impact Sourcing Conference in the city, Benedict C. Hernandez, board chair of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, said the city has evolved faster than expected from just a recruitment area to one of the top areas in the country for locators. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

FRANZ S. PUMAREN, a councilor of Quezon City and coach of a professional basketball team, faces taxes evasion raps filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday.

The BIR, through Assistant Commissioner James H. Roldan, filed the complaint against retail company All Best Chodvale Development Incorporated and its president, Mr. Pumaren, for allegedly failing to pay taxes amounting to more than P20.45 million in 2009.

Mr. Pumaren is currently serving his second term as councilor, and working as coach of the PBA’s GlobalPort Batang Pier team as well as the UAAP’s Adamson University Falcons.

2 RESTAURANTS
Also facing a tax evasion complaint worth P4.29 million is Bistro Italiano and its president, William A. Stelton, and treasurer, Lawrence C. Ong, for the taxable year 2007.

Another restaurant, Cebu Fiesta, is facing a complaint for almost P8 million for calendar year 2008.

Citing investigation records of BIR Quezon City, Mr. Roldan said the three companies were informed of their tax liabilities, but failed to make a reply or to comply with the notices.

“The respondents’ obstinate failure and continued refusal to pay their long overdue deficiency taxes, despite repeated demands, constitute willful failure to pay taxes due to the government,” Mr. Roldan said.

The three count as the 41st-43rd cases filed under the government’s Run After Tax Evaders program. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

REGIONAL OFFICES of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) are launching their respective Regional Development Plans (RDP) 2017 — 2022 beginning this month as NEDA takes the national development blueprint on a road show around the country. The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, launched in June, is anchored on the Duterte administration’s 0-10-point socioeconomic agenda and is the first medium-term development plan geared towards the country’s long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040. “These regional road shows are part of the agency’s efforts to vigorously promote the implementation of the PDP… The RDPs complement the PDP in promoting inclusive growth, as these focus on regional challenges while being aligned with the national plan,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in a statement yesterday. The road show’s first stop was in Davao last July 7, and was held yesterday in the South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City Region. Other regions lined up are: Western Visayas (July 14), Northern Mindanao (July 18), Cagayan Valley (July 26), Zamboanga Peninsula (July 27), Central Visayas (July 31), and Caraga (August 1). Meanwhile, the launch of the Cordillera Administrative Region’s RDP is ongoing with a traditional gong relay around the region until July 14.