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Bangsamoro gov’t, UNDP partner for expanded e-governance program 

THE BANGSAMORO regional government has signed a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the region-wide expansion of a project aimed at accelerating the use of information technology to speed up and improve public services.  

The project called Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Program was piloted last year in two towns, Butig and Piagapo.  

Under the partnership between UNDP and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the LeAPS Program will be expanded to at least 29 additional municipalities and ministries of the regional government over the next two years.  

“The Bangsamoro Region has been delayed in terms of development gains,” Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, which is spearheading the LeAPS Program, said in a press release from the UNDP on Thursday. 

“It is therefore important that we move fast in terms of development so we can catch up not just with the rest of the country, but potentially with the rest of the world,” he said.  

UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran, for his part, underscored the importance of digital technology in improving governance.   

“We are here to turn the vision of #DigitalBangsamoro into reality,” Mr. Ramachandran said.  

“As the country starts to open gradually, businesses will have to continue. Here, digitalization plays a particularly significant role in the provision of critical public services to make sure that we leave no one behind,” he said.  

LeAPS is intended to pave the way for the 5-Year Digital Transformation Roadmap of BARMM after 2023, covering all the 116 municipalities, two cities, and all the barangays in the region. — MSJ

Port Barton Corp. wins tax case vs BIR

THE COURT of Tax Appeals (CTA) granted the appeal of Port Barton Development Corp. to set aside its value-added tax (VAT) and income tax assessment for the calendar year 2011. 

In a 16-page resolution dated March 8, the court’s third division ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to cancel and declare as invalid the company’s tax assessments of P6.4 million.  

The BIR commissioner was also directed to refrain from taking any further action against the company on the tax assessments. 

Port Barton Development Corp., headquartered in Makati City, is engaged in the general business of marine and pearl culture. 

The company argued in its appeal that the tax assessments should be considered void because the BIR did not issue a final notice as required under the country’s revenue code. 

On the other hand, the BIR claimed that the issued Formal Assessment Notice to the company was final and executory. The bureau added that the appellate court had no jurisdiction to decide on the case. 

The CTA cited in its ruling that it had “exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal” the decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and assessment disputes. 

It ruled that in addition to not issuing a final notice to the petitioner, the Formal Assessment Notice was also not converted to a Letter of Authority (LOA), which is required for the BIR to audit tax assessments. 

“In cases where the BIR conducts an audit without a valid LOA, or in excess of the authority duly provided, therefore, the resulting assessment shall be void and ineffectual,” The court said. 

The country’s tax code provides that a Letter of Authority is mandatory for a revenue officer’s performance of assessment functions. 

“On the bases of the foregoing, it must be emphasized that the issuance of LOA prior to examination and assessment is a requirement of due process; and the issuance of a Letter of Notice to a taxpayer is not sufficient if no corresponding or subsequent LOA was issued,” the court said in its resolution. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

Manila mayor favors postponement of barangay elections 

MANILA MAYOR and presidential bet Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso said election for the barangay level, the smallest political unit in the Philippine government system, should be moved to Dec. 2023 from this year so that the budget for the electoral process could instead be realigned for cash aid programs.  

“If I’m going to be asked, after the election by May, this will cost us about between P7 to P8 billion,” he said in Filipino in a live-streamed interview held in Nueva Ecija.  

The May polls cover national and local officials, from president to city and municipal councilors. Another election is scheduled for barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan or community youth leaders. 

“Now, if we have another election in September, the government will have to spend around P8 billion again,” he said. 

“So, for me, we should extend the barangay election for another year or a year and a half, so that instead of the funds being used for elections, it can be used to aid people, like using it for fuel subsidies, for food, or for buying fertilizer which will be given to farmers.”  

MARCOS TAX
Meanwhile, the chair of Aksyon Demokratiko, Mr. Domagoso’s party, said the alleged agreement of presidential candidate Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) on his family’s unpaid estate tax should be clarified.  

“The question is very simple, answerable by “Yes” or “No”. Did the PCGG and BIR have an agreement regarding the P203-Billion Marcos debt to the Filipino people?” Aksyon Demokratiko Chairperson Ernesto M. Ramel, Jr. said in a letter to PCGG Chairman John A. Agbayani.   

“If your answer is ‘Yes’, then you will have to explain and disclose the details of such agreement since this is a matter of public interest. If your answer is ‘No’, then this is another proof that the camp of Marcos Jr. has again lied as they always do in so many issues about their family, including their ill-gotten wealth.” 

Mr. Ramel had earlier sent a letter to the BIR inquiring whether the agency has written a new demand letter to the heirs of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.  

Mr. Domagoso has promised that if he wins in the May elections, the tax collected from the Marcos family would be used as cash aid for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Early warning

DIPOLOG CDRRMO

THE CITY government of Dipolog, capital of Zamboanga del Norte in southern Philippines, declared a suspension of work and classes on March 10 as rains brought by a low pressure area (LPA) threatened to cause flooding. Preemptive evacuation was implemented in flood-prone areas as the Dipolog River reached red alert level. Aside from the LPA, the northeast monsoon and shearline were also bringing rains in the northeastern and central parts of the country, state weather bureau PAGASA reported on Thursday morning. 

 

Déjà vu for Paris Saint-Germain as they crumble again vs Madrid

MARCO VERRATTI (PSG), Karim Benzema (Real), UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second leg match between Real Madrid, 3-1, Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. — REUTERS

ALMOST exactly five years to the day since Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was hit for six and humiliated in Barcelona, it was more pain in Spain for the French champions, as they slipped out of the Champions League in all too familiar fashion.

Approaching the hour mark of the return leg against Barcelona’s rival Real Madrid in the last-16 on Wednesday, PSG looked primed to reach the quarterfinals, leading 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate.

Somehow, in a manner only PSG seems able to contrive to do, the star-studded visitors imploded — a capitulation of their own making — losing 3-1 on the night to crash out.

PSG has now been eliminated from four of their nine Champions League knockout ties when winning from the first leg, three of those coming in the previous six seasons.

The 6-1 defeat to Barça in the Camp Nou on March 8, 2017 was their nadir.

A stunning 4-0 win in Paris in the first leg had led many to tip PSG as eventual champions in 2016-17, only for one of the most famous comebacks in sporting history, completed by Sergi Roberto in the 95th minute, to end their European dreams.

A Marcus Rashford winner in the Parc des Princes two years later brought memories of the Nou Camp “remontada” flooding back as PSG, who had put Manchester United to the sword in the first leg at Old Trafford, fell at the last-16 hurdle following a limp second-leg showing again.

Three weeks ago, a brilliant Kylian Mbappé winner in Paris gave PSG the advantage coming into Wednesday’s rematch in Madrid, with fans believing a first Champions League title could finally be in the offing.

With the effervescent Mbappé causing more problems in the Bernabeu — scoring one stunning goal that was ruled out before making one count to give PSG the lead — a last-eight spot was theirs to lose.

Needing to regroup, PSG then saved their most catastrophic mistake until last as, from their own kickoff after Benzema’s second, they gave the ball away and let Real slice through them to earn a dramatic 3-1 win on the night.

The winning goal came an astonishing 10 and a half seconds after the host’s previous strike.

Benzema became the oldest player to score a Champions League hat trick but the night will be remembered more for what PSG did to themselves, again, than any of the Frenchman’s goalscoring exploits. — Reuters

Phoenix Suns first team to clinch playoff spot with rout of Miami Heat, 111-90

DEVIN Booker returned from a four-game COVID-protocol absence and had a near triple-double, helping the Phoenix Suns clinch the NBA’s first playoff spot with a 111-90 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

Booker finished with 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Phoenix also got 21 points from Mikal Bridges and 19 points and 10 rebounds from Deandre Ayton. JaVale McGee added 11 points and a season-high 15 rebounds off the bench.

As a team, the Suns outrebounded Miami 55-38, including 14-6 on offense. The game was a matchup between the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference (Miami) and the squad that leads the Western Conference (Phoenix).

However, both teams were missing star players. The Suns continue to be without point guard Chris Paul (fractured right thumb). The Heat had a new injury of sorts as Jimmy Butler was out due to a sinus congestion.

Miami, which has won 12 of its past 15 contests, was led by Duncan Robinson (22 points), Tyler Herro (17 points) and Bam Adebayo (17 points). Kyle Lowry added five points and a game-high 10 assists. — Reuters

Man City sails through to last eight after Sporting stalemate

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City sailed through to the Champions League quarter-finals after they played out a 0-0 draw against Sporting in their last-16 second leg on Wednesday, progressing 5-0 on aggregate.

City had already done the hard work in their thrashing of the Portuguese side in the first leg three weeks ago in Lisbon, and could take it easy against an inferior Sporting at the Etihad Stadium.

Coach Pep Guardiola could afford to make several changes to his starting team, with one of those players coming in — Raheem Sterling — going closest to scoring in the first half after his close-range effort was saved.

Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, making his first Champions League start of the season, did have the ball in the net early in the second half, but his clever finish was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Paulinho almost earned Sporting victory late on, but it was not to be as City held on to ensure they have now reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League in each of the last five seasons, the only English side to do so over this period.

The achievement was not lost on Guardiola as he looks to win the only major trophy that has eluded him during his time at City.

“The last decade, step by step, the club grew and for many years we were there in the Champions League and qualifying for the last 16,” he told BT Sport.

“Now again, we’re in the quarterfinal and among the best eight teams in Europe. When I qualify for the quarterfinals, I enjoy it, when I qualify for the last 16, too. I know how difficult it is.”

Sporting coach Ruben Amorim was certainly happy to see the back of City.

“We were very unlucky in the draw,” he told Eleven Sports. “Last year, we were eliminated by LASK Linz and this year by Manchester City, one of the best teams in the world.

“It’s always positive not to lose away to a powerful opponent like this.” — Reuters

MLB cancels two more regular-season series as CBA talks falter

MAJOR League Baseball (MLB) canceled the second week of the regular season on Wednesday after MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) failed to reach a deal on a collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The cancellation of two more series means Opening Day will be pushed back until April 14, at the earliest. The 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s major league debut is April 15.

MLB, which locked out the players on Dec. 2 and announced on March 1 that the first two series of the season were canceled, gave the union a deadline of Wednesday night to decide on one of three options regarding the international draft. Meanwhile, the MLBPA was waiting on a full counteroffer from MLB on an offer from the players earlier in the day, something the league said it would do only if the union chose one of the three options.

“The owners’ decision to cancel additional games was completely unnecessary,” the MLBPA said in a statement. “After making a set of comprehensive proposals to the league earlier this afternoon and being told substantive responses were forthcoming, players have yet to hear back.

“Our top priority remains the finalization of a fair contract for all players, and we will continue negotiations toward that end.”

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he announced the latest cancellations reluctantly.

“Regrettably, after our second late-night bargaining session in a week, we remain without a deal,” Manfred said in a statement. “I am saddened by this situation’s continued impact on our game and all those who are a part of it, especially our loyal fans.”

The sides reportedly got closer on the luxury tax, down to $12 million apart in Year 5, but are still far apart on the bonus pool.

The international draft and which side originally proposed it during talks in Jupiter, FL, reportedly dominated talks on Wednesday. However, an international draft is a non-starter for Latin players, per The Athletic.

MLB reportedly gave the union three options:

1. Agree to eliminate draft-pick compensation and examine an international draft.

2. Give MLB the option to reopen the CBA in three years if the union won’t agree to a draft.

3. Agree to an international draft and elimination of draft-pick compensation.

The lockout will reach 100 days on Friday. — Reuters

Tiger Woods inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

RIDING the emotional and poignant comments of his daughter, Sam, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday night at Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

Tiger Woods, 46, entered the storied hall as part of the Class of 2022 along with retired PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, US Women’s Open champion Susie Maxwell Berning and Marion Hollins, a US Women’s Amateur champion and golf course architect who was recognized posthumously.

Sam Woods, 14, saying she inducted her father “into the Dad Hall of Fame a long time ago,” proudly presented Tiger Woods into this Hall of Fame. She referenced Tiger’s car crash last year in her closing comments.

“We didn’t know if you’d come home with two legs or not,” she said. “This is why you deserve this, because you’re a fighter. You’ve defied the odds every time, being the first Black and Asian golfer to win a major, being able to win your fifth Masters after multiple back surgeries, and being able to walk just a few months after your crash.”

Tiger Woods subsequently said, “I just lost a bet to (Steve) Stricker that I wouldn’t cry…

“All the inductees, all the people who — all the past Hall of Famers who are here, players, the World Golf Hall of Fame committee, thank you for inducting me and passing me in here. Jay (Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner), thank you for moving the age down from 50 to 45.”

Woods began his narrative at 6 years old, a time he says he “was getting hooked to the game of golf” with his father, Earl, who died in 2006. From there, he told the story of a young Tiger Woods learning, playing — and becoming one of the best golfers to ever play the game.

“So without the sacrifices of Mom who took me to all those junior golf tournaments, and Dad, who’s not here, but who instilled in me this work ethic to fight for what I believe in, chase after my dreams, nothing’s ever going to be given to you, everything’s going to be earned,” Tiger Woods said. “If you don’t go out there and put in the work, you don’t go out and put in the effort; one, you’re not going to get the results, but two, and more importantly, you don’t deserve it. You need to earn it.”

Woods has not committed to playing in 2022 as he continues to recover from the car accident. His only 2021 tournament came in December at the 36-hole PNC Championship with his son, Charlie.

But Wednesday night was a stroll down to memory lane, with his children and his mother, Tida, looking on.

“I know that golf is an individual sport,” Woods said. “We do things on our own a lot for hours on end, but in my case, I didn’t get here alone. I had unbelievable parents, mentors, friends, who allowed me and supported me in the toughest times, the darkest of times, and celebrated the highest of times.

“I just want to say thank you to my mom, Sam, Erica (Herman, his girlfriend), Charlie, everyone here, all my friends that have come to be here. All of you allowed me to get here. I just want to say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.” — Reuters

Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS — World number two Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the tournament announced on Wednesday, in the latest setback for the player due to his refusal to take the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.

The Serb had been automatically listed in the draw for the tournament, but said he knew it was unlikely that he would be able to gain entry into the United States.

“The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US,” Djokovic said in a tweet.

“Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments,” he said, referring also to the Miami Open, which begins later this month.

Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov will move into Djokovic’s space in the draw ahead of the start of the first round of the Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday.

Djokovic was unable to compete at the Australian Open after immigration authorities detained him on Jan. 6, prompting a legal rollercoaster ride over the country’s COVID-19 entry rules that led to the cancellation of his visa later that month.

Rafa Nadal went on to win the tournament and with it a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title, one more than Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Djokovic most recently competed in Dubai in February, where Czech Jiri Vesely upset him in the quarterfinals.

The loss meant he would lose his world number one ranking to Russian Daniil Medvedev, who claimed his maiden major title in Flushing Meadows in September and is the top seed at Indian Wells.

France loosened COVID-19 restrictions this month, with vaccine passports no longer mandatory as of March 14, opening the door for the 34-year-old Djokovic to defend his French Open title starting in May. — Reuters

Nets vs Sixers

Considering the bated breath with which the Sixers’ homestand against the Nets is being awaited, the schedule fittingly has it as one of just two matches on tap today. No, there was no conspiracy; when the league finalized the timetable prior to the start of the 2021-22 campaign, there was no indication at all that the two sides would be swapping All-Stars right before the trade deadline, and that the circumstances behind the deal served only to heighten raw emotions surrounding the personalities involved.

Indeed, both James Harden and Ben Simmons hitherto made waves on the court for their respective set of skills, but likewise off it for their desire to wish for new digs. Even casual observers now know the progression of events that led the Nets and Sixers to consider their exits as addition by subtraction. The fact that they just so happen to be otherworldly while burning rubber is a definite plus, to be sure. Make no mistake, though; they wore out their welcome to the point where getting rid of them was the objective in and of itself.

Certainly, the Sixers have been reaping the early benefits. They’ve gone five and zero since they spread the welcome mat for Harden, whose partnership with preemptive Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid has predictably reaped dividends. Meanwhile, the Nets anticipate a similar jump in competitiveness once Simmons is cleared for active duty; back issues have plagued his return and set back efforts to get him to shape following a long hiatus.

And so the Wells Fargo Center will be rocking today. Those involved aren’t even pretending that the set-to will simply be one of 82 in the regular season, while those moving past turnstiles figure to boo Simmons the loudest, never mind that his backside will be glued to his seat throughout the game. The Sixers will get what they have of late from the City of Brotherly Love, while the Nets will get anything but brotherly love in turn. Which is why the latter are smart to bring their new acquisition along. The negative reception will come, so might as well get the worst over with while in the sidelines. In other words, today is merely the first contest in a long list of a bona fide rivalry.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, oprerations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

To address self-doubt and stereotypes, talk more about them

PIXABAY

Unconscious bias training at all levels of an organization can help employees become aware of their prejudices and predispositions, correct these beliefs, and strengthen an inclusive mindset, according to executives. 

“Empathy is also key to advancing equity,” said Jim Falteisek, senior vice-president of corporate affairs for 3M Asia, a multinational conglomerate, in a press statement. “We encourage male employees to learn and understand the challenges for women in the workplace … From these, employees can then take action to build a culture of belonging and advocate for those who are marginalized.” 

A 2020 Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) report on diversity, found that — while men and women agreed ambition is critical for leadership — women were “unsure of how ambitious to be or appear.” 

SELF-DOUBT
TaskUs, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company, has a mandate that at least 50% of its internal promotions go to women. 

“We don’t force the 50%. We want to hire based on skillset,” said Regina A. Aguila, vice-president of people for TaskUs, in a March 10 event organized by the BPO.  “It’s just recognizing that equal opportunities exist for all.” 

Apart from dealing with external biases, women can also face self-doubt that could prevent them from pursuing professional goals. The CCL report found that women are more likely to have self-limiting thoughts and deal with perfectionism and imposter syndrome. 

“You can break biases by starting the conversation,” said Ms. Aguila. 

Victoria H. Alcachupas, a single mother and division vice president of integrated marketing for TaskUs, used to beat herself up for “trying to do everything” until she realized it wasn’t realistic.

“We expect women to work like they don’t have children,” she said, adding that the executive coaches provided by TaskUs helped her find her blind spots. 

Having women leaders promotes employee well-being and decreases burnout within teams, said Vina D. Paglicawan, TaskUs director of wellness and resiliency. This, despite women being more burned out than their male counterparts.  

“The barriers that women are facing today imply that employers need to start looking at employee support through a different lens and consider the things that also matter: wellness and mental health,” she said.

TaskUs employs over 100 mental wellness professionals to support its workforce. 

Female to male leadership in the Asia Pacific remained slightly under 28% in 2021. Research suggests that 30% is considered the tipping point for minority groups to affect decision-making processes. — Patricia B. Mirasol

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