Palace says visit of US President an opportune
time to strengthen ties with our ally
Malacanang said on Sunday that the forthcoming
visit of United States President Barack Obama is an opportune time for the
Philippines to further strengthen its ties with our ally.
“Ang nakatakdang pagdalaw ni Pangulong Barack
Obama ay magsisilbing magandang pagkakataon para palakasin at gawing higit na
matibay pa ang masinsin na pakikipag-ugnayan ng Pilipinas sa Estados
Unidos," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in press briefing aired over government radio
dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He said the United States is a valuable partner
of the Philippines in the field of defense and security, an economic,
livelihood and business partner.
“Batid natin na ang Estados Unidos ang ating
pangunahin at istratehikong partner sa larangan ng defense at security, at isa
rin pong partner ng ating bansa sa larangan ng ekonomiya, kabuhayan, at
negosyo,” Coloma noted.
He added that both Filipinos and Americans see
that the visit will further boost
friendship between the two countries.
“At maraming dekada na ang pakikipagkaibigan ng
mga Pilipino at Amerikano kaya’t umaasa po tayo na ang darating na pagdalaw ni
Pangulong Barack Obama ay higit pang magpapatibay at magpapalakas sa
pagkakaibigan at pakikipag-ugnayan ng dalawang bansa sa isa’t isa,” Coloma
said. PND (rck)
Malacanang advises Filipinos to take extra
precaution as they commemorate Lent
Malacanang on Sunday advised Filipinos who will
commemorate Lent to take extra precaution, especially when travelling during
the long vacation period.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.
said in a press briefing aired over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that government
institutions such as the Department of Transportation and Communications and
the Metro Manila Development Authority are on alert to assist all motorists who
plan to make the Lenten trek to the provinces.
“Sa pagsapit ng Semana Santa, ipinapaalala ng
pamahalaan sa ating mga mamamayan ang ibayong pag-iingat, lalo na sa mga
luluwas sa kani-kanilang lalawigan upang gunitain ang mga Mahal na Araw,”
Coloma said.
“Nakahanda at nakaantabay ang lahat ng kaukulang
ahensya ng gobyerno sa pangunguna ng DOTC, Kagawaran ng Pagawaang Bayan at
Lansangan o DPWH, MMDA, at ang hanay ng Pambansang Kapulisan (PNP) upang
tiyakin ang ligtas at matiwasay na paglalakbay ng ating mga kababayan,” he
added.
Coloma said Lent is time for reflection and
prayer and expressed hope that after the season, they return refreshed and
determined to continue towards a better tomorrow.
“Ang Semana Santa ay panahon ng pagtitika at
pagninilay para sa mga mananampalataya. Nawa’y pagkatapos nito magkaroon tayo
ng ibayong lakas at determinasyon na makamit ang ating mga minimithi para sa
isang maaliwalas na kinabukasan,” Coloma said. PND (rck)
Malacanang congratulates Pacquiao for his
victory over American Bradley
Malacanang congratulates Congressman Manny
Pacquiao for winning the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight title in
a rematch against the undefeated American boxer Timothy Bradley, Jr.
In a statement Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Abigail Valte, said “the Filipino people celebrate the victory of Congressman
Manny Pacquiao, this time against Timothy Bradley, Jr. After twelve rounds, the
strength and skill of our people’s champion prevailed.”
“Manny’s triumph further proves that as long as
Filipinos pour their heart and soul into their respective fields and
disciplines, they can overcome any and all setbacks and challenges that may
come their way.”
Pacquiao won in a unanimous decision with three
ringside judges scoring 116-112, 116-112 and 118 -110 to reclaim the WBO
Welterweight crown.
Valte said that Pacquiao serves as an
inspiration to all Filipinos and is now the “symbol of our recovery” from the
disasters that devastated the country in 2013.
“While vicious storms may knock us down, we will
always stand back up. The deep faith, solidarity and strength of will of the
Filipino people will always prove strong,” said Valte. PND (ag)
Malacanang urges public: Pay taxes before April
15 deadline
Malacanang urged the public to pay their taxes
before the 15 April 2014 (Tuesday) deadline.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a press briefing aired over radio station
dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, also warned the public that non-compliance has its legal
consequences.
“Ang sinumang hindi makapagsumite at
makapagbayad ng kanilang income tax ay pagmumultahin ng 25 porsyento ng
kanilang kabuuang kita at karagdagang 20 porsyentong interes bawat taon,” said
Coloma.
He reminded the public that the taxes collected
by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is the lifeblood of the country’s
economy and the main source of funds for the government’s programs and
projects.
Coloma said this year the BIR’s target revenue
is 1.4 trillion pesos, which is nineteen percent (19%) higher than the
government’s goal last year.
BIR is campaigning and encouraging individuals,
groups and business owners to file their Income Tax Returns and pay their taxes
on or before the scheduled deadline.
“Ang kampanya ng pamahalaan na ibayong
pag-igtingin ang paglikom ng wastong halaga ng buwis ay bahagi ng pagpupunyagi
na itaas ang katumbas na halaga ng buwis sa kabuuang gross domestic product
(GDP) ng bansa o tax-to-GDP ratio sa pagitan ng 16 hanggang 18 porsyento sa
taong 2016,” Coloma explained. PND (ag)
