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(GMA News) The World Bank on Thursday warned of fiscal risks that the Philippine government might encounter as it moved to implement a Supreme Court ruling widening the base of local governments’ share in all national taxes collected.

In its Philippine Economic Update report, the World Bank said “the government faces a significant risk that the transition process could lead to a large gap in service delivery, as a lack of coordination between the national and local government and weak implementation capacity could delay the transition towards increased decentralization.”

“Underspending by local governments may worsen, as many local governments do not have the capacity to absorb a significant increase in revenues,” the WB said.

In a virtual launch of the report, World Bank economist Kevin Cruz said addressing weaknesses in planning and coordination is a first step towards managing the transition and improving decentralization.

“The national government should clearly define re-devolved functions and communicate these clearly to both national government agencies and local government units,” Cruz said.

“The authorities need to ensure that the development goals of the national government and local governments are well-aligned, and that service delivery gaps are minimized, particularly during this unprecedented crisis. This will require the national government and local government units to review the division of labor between national government agencies and local government units in re-devolving functions, while keeping fiscal and absorptive capacity in mind,” he added.

The World Bank noted that as a result of the Mandanas Ruling by the Supreme Court in 2018 the internal revenue allotment of LGus are programmed to increase by 55% in the 2022 budget, reaching P1.08 trillion or 4.8% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) compared to 3.5% of GDP in 2021.

To implement the ruling, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 138 which establishes a Committee on Devolution (ComDev).

Under Duterte’s EO 38, ComDev will propose to Congress the Growth Equity Fund (GEF) “to address issues on marginalization, unequal development, high poverty incidence and disparities in net fiscal capacities of LGUs.”

The so-called Mandanas ruling expands the LGUs’ internal revenue allotment share to all national taxes including those collected by the Bureau of Customs.

The Supreme Court ruling favoring increased share of taxes for LGUs stemmed from the petition filed by then Batangas Representative Hermilando Mandanas.

Addressing inequality in financial resources among LGUs, improving the capacity of LGUs, and enhancing transparency and accountability are key to improving decentralization as the country starts implementing the Mandanas Ruling in 2022 are among the recommendations of the Philippine Economic Update released by the World Bank… Read More

(PhilStar) ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Four tourists from Metro Manila were barred from entering Boracay on Tuesday night after they presented tampered reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results.

Malay police chief Lt. Col. Don Dicksie de Dios said the tourists, who arrived from Negros Occidental, were intercepted at the Tabon Port in Barangay Caticlan.

“The RT-PCR test results that they presented appeared to be legitimate. However, these were tampered to a later date,” De Dios said.

A negative swab test taken 72 hours prior to travel is required for tourists entering Boracay.

The tourists were brought to the Aklan provincial quarantine facility in Kalibo, where they underwent swab test.

Last week, seven tourists from Luzon were held for presenting fake swab test results.

The Department of Justice ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the proliferation of fake RT-PCR test results presented by tourists entering Boracay.

The tourists will be charged for violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act as well as falsification of public documents… Read More

(GMA News) Senator Leila de Lima and her lawyers on Wednesday filed a criminal complaint against a murder convict who linked her to the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

In a complaint filed before the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office, De Lima said inmate Joel Capones should be indicted for conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading because he had confessed to his participation in the illicit activity in court.

The complaint said Capones admitted before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 256 last February that he and other members of the Sigue Sigue Sputnik Gang, including one Ferdie Morellos, one Reynaldo Punga and one Anton Miya, agreed and sold illegal drugs in exchange for a sum of money and particular benefits inside the NBP.

Morellos, Punga, Miya and 10 other unidentified members of Sigue Sigue Sputnik were included in the complaint for the same crime.

“Here, the judicial confession made by Mr. Capones may be used against him. First, Mr. Capones’ confession clearly involves acknowledgment of his participation in the crime of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. Second, the confession was categorical and definite,” de Lima said.

Capones earlier testified that de Lima received P1.4 million in drug money when the latter visited the NBP in March 2014.

De Lima had also opposed Capones’ application for parole or executive clemency, citing his confession on his participation in the illegal drug trade inside the NBP.

He is currently detained in a facility of the Philippine Marines in Taguig City.

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Quezon City for more than four years on charges of involvement in the Bilibid drug trade when she was secretary of justice.

The senator has denied the allegations… Read More

(SunStar) DEVELOPERS of the high-end 38 Park Avenue are now in discussion for the Phase 2 development of the project which can accommodate at least two more towers.

Bob Gothong, president of Gothong Southern Properties, on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, said they are currently studying the market on what best product to erect inside the 1.2 hectare premium property in Cebu IT Park that will continue to support the live, work, play concept of the mixed-use development in a new normal environment.

The P3.5 billion high-end residential tower 38 Park Avenue topped off on Tuesday.

The 38-story tower with a sales value of P5.5 billion is already 96 percent sold.

38 Park Avenue is the first phase of the three-phased mixed-use development. The project is a collaboration by El Camino Developers Cebu Inc., a consortium of five homegrown property companies composed of Gothong Southern Properties, Acrissor Development Corp., 12Sika Holdings Corp, RKP Property Holdings Inc. and Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI).

The turnover of the residential units will start in the fourth quarter of 2021.

38 Park Avenue offers 764 units with 459 studio units, 230 one-bedroom units, 56 two-bedroom units, 11 three-bedroom units and eight penthouse units.

“38 Park Avenue’s distinct sustainable design, its generous mixed-use masterplan and premium location within the Cebu IT Park ensure that it will offer a new residential option not only for Cebuanos, but also for business and leisure travelers from other global markets. The Cebu property market remains to be one of the bright spots in the region with sustained demand and highly resilient property values,” said CLI chief operating officer Franco Soberano.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has tapered off the market, the group anticipates quick recovery for Cebu as Covid-19 cases in the province have been relatively well managed.

Richard Ray King, chief executive officer and president of RKP Property Holdings Inc., said location remains an important factor in real estate, especially during a crisis.

“The market has tapered off. But we want to emphasize that things that are of scarcity will always hold value,” said King, referring to 38 Park Avenue as a premium project in a premium location.

38 Park Avenue is set to feature a Sky Club on the 26th and 28th floors, eight elevators, a grand atrium, three-level basement parking and two high ceiling lobbies. The project also has a fitness gym, lounge areas, swimming pool and multi-function hall. (KOC).. Read More

(CNNPhilippines) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 9) — The country’s daily COVID-19 death toll reached over 100 again on Wednesday after 126 more people lost their lives to the disease, according to the Department of Health.

The DOH case bulletin showed the number of fatalities is now at 22,190, or 1.73% of the total number of cases. In the past two days, the daily deaths were below a hundred.

The case total climbed to 1,286,217 with 5,462 new infections. Of this number, 4.2% or 54,000 are active or currently ill – 92.6% are experiencing mild symptoms, 3% have no symptoms, 1.8% have severe symptoms, 1.4% are in critical condition, and 1.22% are in moderate condition.

The recovery count also rose to 1,210,027 or 94.1% of the COVID-19 tally after 7,854 more people were cleared of the coronavirus.

The total excludes data from eight laboratories that failed to submit their reports on time, the DOH said. These laboratories contributed an average of 2.1% of samples tested and 2.7% of positive individuals in the last 14 days, the DOH noted.

The DOH added that 70 survivors were reclassified as deaths after validation while 18 duplicates were removed, including 14 recoveries.

The daily positivity rate, or rate of patients that tested positive, is 12.6% based on 39,788 tests done as of June 7. The DOH also updated Tuesday’s rate, which dropped from 14.3% to 12.9% based on 33,448 tests done on June 6. The rates are still higher than the 8% recommended by the World Health Organization, as it warns that high rates may mean high transmission and more undetected cases.

OCTA Research named Davao City and the Western Visayas region among the new COVID-19 “epicenters,” joining the NCR Plus composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. OCTA fellow Guido David pointed out that Davao City has overtaken Quezon City in terms of new cases recorded. The DOH preferred calling them “flagged areas.”

According to the latest DOH data, Davao City has a total of 19,279 cases, of which 2,368 were detected only in the past 14 days. The 1,473 cases reported from May 27 to June 2 was the area’s highest weekly record since the pandemic began. Western Visayas also hit the same record when it logged 3,924 new cases during the same period. The region has a total of 19,279 COVID-19 infections with 7,370 tallied in the previous 14 days alone… Read More

(BusinessWorld) MERALCO ENERGIZES NEW COVID-19 QUARANTINE FACILITY IN MANILA. In its continuing support to the Government and Private Sector’s fight against COVID-19, Meralco energizes a new COVID-19 treatment facility located attheQuirino Grandstand, Independence Road, Ermita, Manila. The project involves the installation of ten (10) concrete poles, nine (9) spans of tree wires, three (3) 333-kVA distribution transformers, and metering facilities. This new treatment center is one of the many vital COVID-19 facilities in the Meralco franchise area that are given the highest priority in terms of providing safe, adequate, and reliable supply of electricity, in line with the company’s thrust to assist the government during the pandemic.To date, more than 125 vital COVID-19 facilities have already been energized by Meralco which includes government offices, hospitals, testing laboratories, quarantine and vaccination centers, and vaccine storage facilities.

MERALCO, PINAILAWAN ANG BAGONG COVID-19 QUARANTINE FACILITY SA LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA. Sa patuloy na pagsuporta sa gobyerno at pribadong sektor laban sa COVID-19, pinailawan kamakailan ng Meralco ang bagong treatment facility na matatagpuan sa Quirino Grandstand, Independence Road, Ermita, Manila. Bahagi ng proyektong ito ay ang pagtayo ng sampung (10) mga konkretong poste, siyam (9) na spans ng tree wires, tatlong (3) 333-kVA distribution transformers, at metering facility.Ang bagong treatment center na ito ay isa sa mga mahahalagang pasilidad kontra COVID-19sa loob ng Meralco franchise area na binibigyan ng mataas ng prayoridad na magkaroon ng ligtas, sapat at maaasahang serbisyo ng kuryente. Sa kasalukuyan, mahigit 125na mahahalagang COVID-19 facilities na ang pinailawan ng Meralco.Kabilang dito ay ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno, mga pampubliko at pribadong ospital, testing laboratories, quarantine sites, vaccination centers, at mga pansamantalang imbakan ng bakuna laban sa COVID-19… Read More

(Bloomberg) Bitcoin’s meteoric rise has minted scores of crypto millionaires and U.S. investors are taking the lion’s share of riches.

American traders locked in $4.1 billion in profits trading Bitcoin last year, three times more than the next highest country, according to estimates from Chainalysis. The New York-based research firm published a report ranking the top 25 countries with the biggest realized gains.

Whether it’s the belief that crypto can be an inflation hedge against rampant central-bank money printing or the simple desire to make a quick buck from the famously volatile asset, crypto has captivated retail and professional traders around the world.

“Investors in nearly all countries saw the biggest increases toward the end of the year,” wrote researchers at Chainalysis. “That’s when U.S. investors really broke away from the pack, with most of their gains coming from activity on Coinbase.”.. Read More

(PhilStar) MANILA, Philippines — Rising stars Alexa Miro and Rob Gomez went all out (yes, including in the steamy scenes) while staying true to themselves for their roles in the upcoming first Upstream Original film, A Girl and A Guy, directed by Erik Matti.

During an exclusive online interview with The STAR, Alexa said she portrayed her role based on “what’s real.” “Pagdating po kasi sa art ng acting, if the story calls for it, we wanted to show what’s real. And those situations po siguro na kung ano yung totoo lang, na kami sa totoong buhay na kailangan na naming ilabas yung steamy scenes, nilunod po namin yung sarili namin sa paano siya sa totoong buhay.”

“Siyempre on the side, may mga sign of the cross lang. ‘Lord, ikaw na bahala,’” she quipped when asked about how she and her co-star prepared for the sexy shots.

While the actress admitted she was nervous while acting out the sensual scenes, Rob, on his part, shared that they gave everything for the film. “Na-brief na kami ni direk Erik on what we were gonna do, what he wanted to see. But then it was really up to us, on how it was gonna look. If ever we didn’t give the 200 percent, it was not gonna cut it… and the point was, we just really gave everything we had. And of course, yun nga, sign of the cross.”

In the trailer and poster of A Girl and A Guy, which captured the attention of curious netizens, Alexa plays Fiona, an independent millennial who needs respect, while Rob, as Raf in his 20s, needs to figure his life out. The teaser for the R18 flick describes it “as a modern tale of young adults navigating the tricky world of relationships, connection, and intimacy in today’s society.”

Rob explained that the story revolves around a guy’s world, that’s why it was easy for him to relate to his character. “While we were on set, I was saying to myself na I’ve been here. It doesn’t look the same, it doesn’t sound the same, but I’ve been here. I know how to react, I know what to do, how to enter and exit.”.. Read More