MAY
10
2012

Deploy economic-business ‘Avengers’ to win peace & joint deals in West Philippine Sea & elsewhere

Sen. Ralph G. Recto yesterday pressed for the immediate deployment of a contingent of economic and business diplomats that would engage China and its business leaders in spirited discourse on the joint exploration of the vast economic potentials of West Philippine Sea. As the
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APR
18
2012

Joint Spratlys exploration with China pushed

Sen. Ralph G. Recto today urged Malacanang to seriously consider engaging China, not through diplomatic protests, but through a possible joint exploration agreement in the Spratlys Islands. “Every stand-off, the territorial tension only escalates and we’re not gaining anything –
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APR
17
2012

Privatize all power plants or none at all

Solving Mindanao’s power crisis Sen. Ralph G. Recto today said government should make up its mind whether it would privatize all state-owned power utilities in the country or not. “A piece-meal approach in the power situation in Mindanao might not be the proverbial light at the
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MAR
18
2012

Hike in mining tax is the way to go to raise revenues

Increasing royalties like ‘walking to a trap’ Sen. Ralph G. Recto today warned government against approaching the issue of mining as a revenue-enhancing tool by increasing government’s royalty share from mining operators, over proposal to increase mining tax. “Royalties are
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MAR
15
2012

Pacquiao deserves better treatment from taxmen

Sen. Ralph G. Recto today said boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao deserves better treatment from the tax bureau, which is unwittingly potraying him as a tax evader. Recto stressed Pacquiao’s earnings from his fights in the United States (US) should no longer be
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MAR
13
2012

Pagcor, PCSO & Malampaya funds could replenish losses from VAT cut

Sen. Ralph G. Recto today said any reduction in the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) should be off-set by existing revenue streams that are not reflected in the annual national budget. Recto, Senate ways and means chairman, likewise objected to a multi-tier VAT rate for different
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MAR
11
2012

“More fun” once air infrastructure problems are fixed

Sen. Ralph G. Recto today said government should expedite the fixing of its air infrastructure once tourist-drawing projects come in full swing like the opening up new gaming complexes for foreign players. “The air war must be won before we can claim victory on the touri
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MAR
08
2012

Closing down PH embassies wrong cost-cutting move

A great disservice to non-Middle East OFWs Sen. Ralph G. Recto today said the government may be committing a great disservice to its countrymen working and living abroad by closing down at least 10 embassies and consulates, which are mostly in Europe. “This is a wrong
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FEB
19
2012

Job plan of gov’t up for Senate review

Sen. Ralph G. Recto today said there seems to be a growing disconnect between the government’s jobs generation plan vis-à-vis the actual number of people out of jobs and those who have found jobs but are hardly surviving from their meager income. “The country has a growing labor
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