Author: Jack Heichel

Full computerization of BoC will solve rampant smuggling of agri products –Cong. Win GatchalianFull computerization of BoC will solve rampant smuggling of agri products –Cong. Win Gatchalian

July 6, 2017July 6, 2017
Jack HeichelJack Heichel 0 Comment

Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC) Congressman Win Gatchalian today scored the Aquino administration’s failure to check the rampant smuggling of agricultural products, which has reportedly ballooned to P182 billion from 2010 to 2014.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), composed of at least 33 organizations of farmers, agribusiness operators and party-list groups, the amount of smuggled agricultural commodities during the first four years of President Aquino almost double the contraband valued at P95 billion from 2005 to 2009.

Sinag chair Rosendo So explained that the government lost some P60 billion to P80 billion on the importation of rice, pork, sugar, chicken, onion, carrots and garlic—considering that tariffs on these items were set at 30 percent to 40 percent.

Gatchalian said the data on agricultural products smuggling is alarming since the Bureau of Customs, which serves as the frontline agency against smuggling, is practically doing nothing to help curb the illegal entry of imported agri products.

“It is ironic that despite the so-called ‘Daang Matuwid’ of the Aquino administration, it has miserably failed in the anti-smuggling front and this puts hundreds of our farmers in a disadvantage,” said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian noted that the BoC still uses manual processing, which explains the lack of systematized data collection.

“The ultimate solution to the unabated smuggling in various ports is for the Customs to completely automate all its operation. This requires all port entry transactions to be posted in the website of the BoC to promote transparency,” said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian pointed out that in the interest of transparency, all importation data should be posted online, including information on goods that are being imported, how much duties and taxes are paid, as well as the names of importers or their consignees.

The “full computerization” of the BOC was initiated by former Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, building on an earlier project that started in 2009 with the aim of eliminating paperwork and fixers, for a faster corruption-free process.

“With computerization, there will be no contact between the importer and customs employees. No paper work. Everything will be by computer. Aside from curbing corruption, transactions in the BOC will be quick. Fixers will be put out of business. And collections will increase,” former Commissioner Biazon had said.

Gatchalian is now asking the BoC whatever happened to the planned computerization that was supposed to integrate all customs processes in a single environment replacing the current multisystem setup, and paving for much faster and efficient customs transactions.

“If the Aquino administration is sincere in its campaign againsy smuggling, it should order the BoC to immediately implement the full computerization of the bureau as envisioned by former Commissioner Biazon,” Gatchalian concluded.

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Ongpin offers Pagcor his Philweb shares for freeOngpin offers Pagcor his Philweb shares for free

June 22, 2017June 22, 2017
Jack HeichelJack Heichel 0 Comment

Beleaguered businessman Roberto V. Ongpin has offered bulk of his shares in Philweb Corporation, 49% out of his total 53.76% stake, to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for free or for a measly P1/share.

In his letter to Pagcor CEO Andrea Domingo dated August 17, Ongpin said that his 771 million shares in Philweb has a market valuation of about P20 billion “under normal conditions”.

He said that there are five bidders who wanted to buy his shares from Philweb.

“However, due to reports in the media that under no circumstances will the Philweb license be renewed, I have decided that it is not appropriate, nor fair to the bidders, for me to award my shares to any of the bidders. As you know, the bid is contingent on the renewal by Pagcor of Philweb’s license and the reports in the media that the license will not be renewed under any circumstances render the auction process moot and academic,” Ongpin said.

Thus, Ongpin said, his focus now is on how to save the job of 700 Philweb employees plus about 5,000 others who are employed by the Pagcor operators in 286 e-Games sites. The businessman claimed that the employees have been out of work since Philweb’s license expired last August 10.

For this, Ongpin offered to donate 49% of his shares to Pagcor or sell them at P1/share. The remaining 4.76% will meanwhile be donated to the Ateneo de Manila University JVO Scholarship Fund (named after Ongpin’s late brother) which supports several hundred public elementary school graduates who could not otherwise afford to go to Ateneo.

“I am of course assuming that if Pagcor would own 49% of Philweb, it would renew the license to itself and thus, save the jobs and livelihood of about 6,000 employees and their families. I also wish to point out that this donation to Pagcor comes with no strings attached. Thus Pagcor can decide whether to retain it as a permanent investment, or auction all or part of it off to the highest bidder,” said Ongpin.

It was learned that Philweb contributes an estimated P2.5 billion each year to Pagcor. It also has P1.6 billion a year cash flow.

“This has not been an easy decision for me to make, but I can only face reality. It is not easy to lose P20 billion of your net worth in two weeks time but it is clear I have no other choice. I hope and pray that Pagcor will seriously consider the offer contained in this letter. My only objective and consolation is that if Pagcor agrees to accept this donation, I would have saved the jobs and livelihood of some 6,000 people, including Philweb employees many of whom have worked diligently and loyally for me in Philweb over the past 16 years,” said Ongpin.

Ongpin’s debacle started when President Rodrigo Duterte publicly named him an “oligarch” and vowed to destroy him. Ongpin resigned as chairman and director of Philweb after Duterte’s statement.

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P100K reward for any lead on Pamana killerP100K reward for any lead on Pamana killer

June 15, 2017June 15, 2017
Jack HeichelJack Heichel 0 Comment

If you are a resident of Mt. Hamiguitan Range in Davao Oriental and has any lead to the person who killed Philippine Eagle Pamana, then you could be P100,000 richer.

This after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources offered the reward money to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of Pamana.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje made the announcement on Thursday, August 20, a day after Pamana’s death was confirmed.

Aside from the national government reward, TV personality Kim Atienza is also offering a reward money for the same purpose.

The provincial government of Davao Oriental is also thinking on giving the same reward money.

Local authorities in Davao Oriental have meanwhile ordered an all-out manhunt against the person/s responsible for killing the 3-year old Philippine Eagle Pamana inside the Mt. Hamiguitan Range that lies in the borders of Mati City, and San Isidro and Governor Generoso towns.

Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon said she already ordered the provincial police to conduct a thorough investigation and run after whoever is responsible for shooting Pamana with an airgun.

Metal fragments recovered inside the body of Pamana indicated that she was shot with an airgun.

Mati City Mayor Carlo Rabat meanwhile expressed regret for the death of Pamana. He appealed to the residents of barangays Lanca, Luban and Cabuaya in the Mt. Hamiguitan Range to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and immediately relay to the authorities if they have information of people who may possess airguns in their area.

Governor Malanyaon said she will discuss with the police the viability of offering a reward money for anyone who could give information that would lead to the identification and arrest of the culprit.

TV personality Kim Atienza has also offered reward to anyone who has information.

Pamana’s body was retrieved last August 16 in Mt. Hamiguitan.

Jose Lechoncito of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 11 Wildlife Section said that Pamana’s global positioning system (GPS) transmitter went into a “mortality mode” on August 10.

Mortality mode, he explained, is when the GPS transmission is no longer moving in one place. The following day, August 11, the Philippine Eagle Foundation readily formed a team and searched for Pamana.

On August 16, the carcass of Pamana was retrieved. Lechonsito said that the body was already in the advance state of decomposition.

Pamana was released into the wild last June 12, 2015 by the Philippine Eagle Foundation and the government of Davao Oriental province to commemorate the 117th celebration of Philippine Independence Day.

The ceremony was held at at the buffer zone of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Barangay La Union in San Isidro town.

Pamana was rescued three years ago as an eaglet surviving two gunshot wounds. She was found in mountain range of Gabunan in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

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