Tag: Vann Marlo M. Villegas

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold mock elections on Jan. 19 in 60 clustered precincts in 30 areas to test-run the automated system for the May 13 midterm polls.

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Wednesday handed over to Chinese police authorities a Chinese fugitive arrested on Jan. 13 for alleged economic crimes and corruption.

THE SUPREME COURT has impleaded Congress as respondents in a petition against the third extension of martial law in Mindanao, according to a media briefer on Tuesday.

A DAVAO CITY court denied the Dec. 4, 2018 motion of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for issuance of hold departure order (HDO) against Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV over his four libel cases, ruling that he is not a flight risk.

HOUSE Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. asked the Supreme Court to compel Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno to release the fourth round of government salary increases even ahead of the approval of the 2019 Budget.

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) barred 133 foreigners from entering the country in 2018, and have been blacklisted, for displaying unruly behavior toward immigration officers.

THE president of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) asked the Supreme Court (SC) to investigate the tribunal’s justices who ruled against United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), alleging violation of internal rules and the Constitution.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) affirmed a P26.07-million partial tax refund it awarded to Procter and Gamble Asia, Pte. Ltd. (P&G) for its unutilized excess input value-added tax (VAT) attributable to zero-rated sales for the second half of 2005.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) denied for lack of merit a motion for reconsideration filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) seeking to reverse the cancellation of a P46.2-million tax deficiency finding against a merchandising company.

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has set oral arguments on Jan. 22 and 23 for the petition by seven opposition congressmen asking the high court to void a third extension of martial law in Mindanao.

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed under its Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) Daraga, Albay, Mayor Carlwyn Baldo and eight others allegedly involved in the Dec. 22, 2018 killing of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe.

A MAKATI court has denied a motion for reconsideration by opposition Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV on the Sept. 25, 2018 order for his arrest in connection with his revived rebellion case stemming from the Manila Peninsula Siege of 2007.

SUPPORTERS of the Bangsomoro Organic Law (BOL) asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday to dismiss the petition late last year by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur A. Tan II against the law.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) partially granted the tax refund claim of Taganito Mining Corp. for P28.93 million in excess input value added tax (VAT) attributable to zero-rated sales for 2014, but approved only P25.95 million while finding the remainder without documentary support.

SECURITY and peace process leaders met with local officials Thursday afternoon to ease rising tension in Cotabato City in the aftermath of the Dec. 31 bombing and the run-up to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on Jan. 21.

THE Supreme Court (SC) has been asked to review the award of third-player status to a consortium led by Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc. (Mislatel), with the tribunal pressed to clarify whether a consortium member, which is owned by a foreign government, can invest in public utilities.

THE widow of the murdered aide of former Biliran representative Glenn Chong has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to conduct a separate forensic examination.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) upheld a P74.5-million tax refund granted to Air Philippines Corp. (APC), now known as PAL Express, on taxes paid on imports of aviation fuel between March and October 2008.

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminds all foreigners registered under the bureau to go to the immigration office nearest them starting this January until March 1 for their annual reporting to the bureau.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) denied the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) appeal to set aside an earlier ruling that cancelled a P2.6-billion tax deficiency assessment against Fortune Tobacco Corp. (FTC).

A TECHNICAL working group (TWG) composed of representatives from the Department of Justice (DoJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will be formed to address the influx of foreign workers in the country.

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has dismissed a petition to declare unconstitutional a law holding health workers liable for the death of patients not admitted because they cannot pay a deposit, ruling that the petitioners lacked standing.

PHILIPPINE Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) former deputy executive director Raymundo W. Lo and PCMC official Sonia B. Gonzales are expected to submit their counter-affidavits on Friday, Dec. 28, in connection with their involvement in the purchase of the Dengvaxia vaccine.

A PASIG City court on Thursday convicted a brother of an Abu Sayyaf chieftain for kidnapping, including students and teachers, in Sumisip, Basilan on March 20, 2000.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) rejected for lack of merit Petron Corp.’s claim for a refund of P219.12 million worth of excise tax allegedly collected erroneously by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, ruling that a gasoline component imported by the company is subject to tax.

THE SUPREME Court (SC) acquitted pastor and former radio program anchor Eliseo F. Soriano in one count of libel, but affirmed an indictment on another libel count filed by Jesus Miracle Crusade, International Ministry (JMCIM) leader Evangelist Wilde E. Almeda.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) ruled against the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and cancelled the alleged P59.844-million income tax deficiency of RCBC Savings Bank, Inc. (RSB) for the taxable year 2006 due to a void waiver supposedly extending the period to assess the bank.

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ), as a member of the national task force formed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte for localized peace processes, will help in the speedy investigation and trial of people involved in the communist armed conflict, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said.

MOTORCYCLE-HAILING firm Angkas asked the Supreme Court (SC) to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued last Dec. 7, which allows authorities to apprehend Angkas drivers.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday signed an agreement with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) for the voter education and information campaign on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite.

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) arrested on Wednesday Japan’s most wanted fugitive, described as a “leader of a major fraud ring.”

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) denied the allegations of conflict of interest on the part of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra in connection with the National Prosecution Service’s (NPS) decision indicting Japanese gambling tycoon Kazuo Okada of estafa.

THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested 12 Chinese nationals last Dec. 11 in Pampanga for illegal online gambling operations.

THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched on Wednesday its four-year technical-vocational program as its new director general, Isidro S. Lapeña, made his first official appearance as the agency’s head.

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) has charged a couple caught manufacturing fake cigarettes in a warehouse in Lubao, Pampanga.

THE SUPREME Court (SC), through Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, has signed the Deed of Absolute Sale with the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) for the 21,462-square meter lot, worth P1 billion, in Fort Bonifacio that will be the site of the high court’s new complex.

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of charges against Japanese pachinko billionaire Kazuo Okada for allegedly misappropriating over $3 million from the operator of the Okada Manila casino.

THE OFFICE of the Solicitor General (OSG) is going to the Court of Appeals (CA) after a Makati City court denied its motion for reconsideration on the denial of an arrest warrant and travel ban against Sen. Antonio F. Triallanes IV over his coup d’etat case.

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) intercepted eight individuals who were suspected to be human trafficking victims at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Dec. 15 as they tried to leave for northern Cyprus in the guise of being tourists.

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) dismissed a petition of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) to cancel its alleged P3.81-billion tax deficiency, citing a lack of jurisdiction and affirming an earlier decision issued on Aug. 28.

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) and Clark Development Corp. arrested 45 Chinese and 24 Koreans last Dec. 10 for working in the country without proper visas.

New AFP chief to push for ‘community dialogues’ to address security threats NEWLY-APPOINTED Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Lieutenant Benjamin R. Madrigal said...

THE HOUSE COMMITTEE on Legislative Franchises approved on Tuesday the transfer of controlling interest in Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc. (Mislatel) to its partners in setting up the third entrant to the telecommunications industry.

FORMER senator Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. and the prosecution may still ask the Sandiganbayan for clarification on whether the acquitted ex-solon is required to remit P124.5-million to the government in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, according to Integrated Bar of the Philippines President (IBP) Abdiel Dan Elijah S. Fajardo.

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) has asked the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 to discharge a co-accused of self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa to become a state witness.