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JAN
21
2018

No need for Cha-Cha when simple bill can raise local gov’t funds by P283 B—Recto

More public funds can be sent to the grassroots without tinkering with the Constitution, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today, demolishing an argument that only through a Charter revision can local governments have a bigger share of tax collections. Recto said if
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JAN
19
2018

Recto to Palace: Need to itemize billions BBL will require

Bring out your calculators and count the cost. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto today pressed Finance and Budget officials to compute the “price tag” of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, saying that a “clear fiscal picture” will pave the way for BBL’s passage. “We are all for
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JAN
17
2018

A noisy press is the soundtrack of democracy

For democracy to thrive, a free and untrammelled press is essential. To put a muzzle on independent reporting is to limit the exchange of ideas essential to good governance. Citizens, whether they blog to their community or broadcast to the country, should not be deprived of this
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JAN
15
2018

SBN-1645: Converting LTO Licensing Center In Batangas Into A Regular Licensing Center

An Act Converting The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Licensing Center In The City Of Batangas, Province Of Batangas Into A Regular Licensing Center To Be Known As The LTO Batangas City Licensing Center Of Batangas City, Batangas And Appropriating Funds Therefor And For Other
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DEC
17
2017

RA 10963: Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN)

Republic of the PhilippinesCongress of the PhilippinesMetro ManilaSeventeenth CongressSecond Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of July, two thousand twenty-one. [REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11591] AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 5, 6, 24, 25, 27, 31,
DEC
06
2017

Bicam lowers estate tax, hikes deductions, relaxes rules in favor of heirs

The Senate and House conferees to the panel finalizing President Duterte’s proposed new taxes have agreed “to cut the rates and the requirements” on the estate tax, which is levied on a deceased person’s assets. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said “billions in
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DEC
05
2017

Law compels gov’t to demand refund for faulty dengue vaccines

Government has no choice but to follow the Procurement Law, which compels it to demand refund for the P3.5 billion in taxpayer’s money paid to the French manufacturer of ineffective dengue vaccines. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said that under Republic Act 9184,
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DEC
04
2017

DOH must ‘inoculate’ PH from supply-driven vaccines

In the wake of dengue vaccine flop, Health officials should guarantee that Filipinos are now “inoculated” from supply-driven vaccines whose efficacy has not yet been established, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today. “If there’s one lesson to be learned from t
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DEC
04
2017

Senate shrinks ITR pages, cuts red tape, simplifies BIR procedures

The Senate version of the so-called TRAIN bill does not only cut income taxes but also the red tape in paying them, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today. The Senate action, Recto said, is contained in several amendments to the National Internal Revenue Code which,
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DEC
04
2017

Reenacted budget fraught with landmines, makes Palace powerful

A reenacted budget arising from a House-Senate deadlock will result in a spending regime fraught with legal landmines, which will grant the executive branch wide discretion on how public money will be spent. This warning was aired by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto in
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