Sex trafficking is one thing. And that’s what lawyers defending Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name or KOJC church, are confident of beating in a United States court.

But details of the indictment are shockingly another thing. Imagine systematically recruiting young girls as tender as 12 to make them clean one’s house, cook one’s meals, and lie in bed with a strange man through deception and under threat of “eternal damnation.”

According to US Department of Justice documents, those who lived through this ordeal were recruited as “pastorals” or personal assistants of Quiboloy, giving him massages and delegated with “night duty,” using their bodies to serve the “Appointed Son of a…” – I honestly forgot what he calls himself.

What church would have leaders herding these young girls to another country using fake travel documents to be maids, sex slaves, and solicitors of donations for fake children’s charities? That’s what years of sleuthing by US investigators found out and brought before a federal grand jury.

It’s not something I’d like to believe because they’re cruel and dreadful. However, I’ve got to admit these allegations are not far from the stories that have been buzzing around Quiboloy’s kingdom for decades. In an organization that calls itself a church, its saving work seems to be pretty messed up by the devil himself – if these accusations turn out to be true, of course.

In the past, there’d been sex scandals ripping into various international ministries, even the Catholic Church, but often involving just one erring high-profile minister, evangelist, or prelate; a lost sheep. None that I remember ever involved such a conspiracy by religious leaders to commit sex trafficking of children, fraud, cash smuggling, falsifying travel documents, and money laundering.

If Quiboloy is really behind all these, we haven’t seen such a fall from grace. I don’t know which is more damning a punishment – a whole lifetime in prison for these crimes or eternity in hell for the sin of it. What surprises me, though, is how cool and composed this pastor from Davao takes it all – as if he were truly untouchable.

Perhaps, that’s the feeling when you’re best buds with President Rodrigo Duterte. It may not be part of the case, but I wonder if the things he advises the President – as his spiritual adviser – also deserve an indictment.

*         *         *

SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at http://www.thephilbiznews.com

European Union Ambassador Luc Véron presented his credentials to President Duterte in a ceremony held today (10 February 2021).

Arriving last December in the country, Ambassador Véron cited the growing diplomatic relationship between the European Union and the Philippines that now span over six decades.

“Our shared interests and values are a strong basis for a partnership based on respect and mutual benefit and in pursuit of the effective implementation of the EU-PH Partnership and Cooperation Agreement”, he said during his speech in Malacañang..

Ambassador Véron worked previously as Head of Division for Human Resources in the European External Action Service, the EU’s Foreign Service. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Head of the Central Asia Division and he was Adviser to the Security Directorate. He spent five years in Washington leading the political section of the EU Delegation to the United States of America and the EU observer role at the Organization of American States.

A French national, he holds a PhD D in Macro Economics and Economic Model and an MA in International Relations, Economics and Public Law.

He cited the importance of strengthening multilateralism and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues.

Considering that the EU has a strategic interest in a stable, prosperous and secure Philippines, he also underscored the significance of furthering trade and investment, promoting maritime security and maintaining open and safe shipping routes.

“The EU and the Philippines have developed a strong economic and trade partnership, characterized by a balanced trade flow, exceeding today 715 billion PHP worth of trade in goods.”

The EU with its business community is also the first foreign investor in the Philippines.

ASEAN is a strategic partner of the EU and the EU is looking forward to engaging closely with the Philippines especially during its role as ASEAN coordinator for Dialogue Relations with the EU starting this August 2021, he said.

Ambassador Véron also mentioned the EU’s efforts to fight climate change and its role in humanitarian aid, civil protection and disaster preparedness. The EU will continue  working with the Philippines in upholding their  commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights which is an essential element of our partnership and cooperation agreement and GSP+ implementation.

Because of these reasons, Ambassador Véron said that the EU is willing to have a productive political relationship with the Philippine government, particularly to support the Philippines in its efforts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and its efforts to restart its economy. “The EU and its member states will continue their efforts to contribute to the international response to the pandemic, including by guaranteeing affordable and fair access to vaccines for all.”

He also reiterated the EU’s commitment to the peace process: “The recent signing of several financing agreements worth PHP 4.7 billion will enable us to continue our unwavering support to the peace process that has been a cornerstone of your Presidency”.

Follow European Union Ambassador Luc Véron on Twitter: @EUAmbPH

By Alithea De Jesus

As the need to be digitally equipped and efficient in line with President Duterte’s thrust to make government transactions efficient, the President has authorized the Department of Finance (DOF) to enter into talks with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for a possible US$809,450 (about P39-million)  grant meant to assist the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in its digital transformation program. 

In a statement, the DOF said the President has approved its request for a Special Authority designating and authorizing any one of its senior officials–Undersecretaries Antonette Tionko and Mark Dennis Joven along with BIR Deputy Commissioner Lanee David—”to negotiate and/or facilitate, in accordance with law, for and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH), with the authorized representatives of the USTDA.” 

Tionko and Joven are the respective undersecretaries for the DOF’s Revenue Operations Group (ROG) and  International Finance Group (IFG), while David is the deputy commissioner for the BIR’s Information Systems Group.

The Special Authority covers the negotiations for an agreement on the grant of US$809,450.00  (approximately P38,850,873.20) by the USTDA for the BIR’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Modernization Strategy and Data Center Technical Assistance Project, the DOF said in a statement.

President Duterte also  designated and authorized Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III or BIR Commissioner Caesar  Dulay “to conclude, sign, execute and deliver the said Grant Agreement.”

The BIR project  aims to modernize the bureau’s  infrastructure and operational environment, the DOF said. 

“The project funded by the USTDA grant  will ensure an in-depth technical assessment of the BIR’s current ICT environment, the development of an Enterprise Architecture roadmap/framework, and an assessment of the organizational framework of the BIR’s Information System Group (ISG) including recommended restructuring and training programs,” the DOF said. 

Dominguez has cited the BIR’s digital transformation efforts  as among the factors that led to a dramatic  improvement of its services  to taxpayers and  its  robust collection performance ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced crisis. 

He said the digitally enhanced administrative reforms being undertaken by the BIR are now beginning to pay off by way of the significant improvement in the country’s tax effort from 13 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015 to 14.5 percent of GDP in 2019.

The digital switch has also led to  the more convenient and efficient electronic filing of tax payments, especially during this coronavirus pandemic, he said.

Starting Feb. 14 last year, the BIR allowed the use of the PayMaya mobile application as an additional electronic payment channel for tax payments.  

On top of PayMaya, these other e-payment tools are GCash, LandBank Linkbiz, DBP PayTax, Union Bank Online and PESONet.

The BIR has also improved  the tax forms deployed in the e-BIR Forms System to make the filing of tax returns more accessible and convenient to taxpayers. 

It began the pilot implementation  in April 21 last year of its web-based Internal Revenue Integrated System (IRIS) that will be the central tool and repository to process taxpayers’ information.  

The IRIS is targeted to be available nationwide by the end of 2021.

 
An  Electronic Audited Financial System (eAFS) was also launched last June 1 to allow business taxpayers to electronically submit  their financial statements to the BIR. 

 
The BIR likewise concluded last June its competition dubbed the ‘HACK-A-TAX Challenge,’ which  brought together talented information technology (IT)  professionals, start-ups and students across the country to develop innovative digital-based solutions for the bureau.

To enable  taxpayers to continue consulting revenue officials on their tax-related concerns even with the mobility restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, the BIR launched its eAppointment Facility on October 19. 

In  November 2020, the BIR also launched its web-based Procurement, Payment, Inventory and Monitoring System (PPIMS) and its Online Application for Tax Clearance for Bidding Purposes (eTCBP). 

By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios

To keep the prices of processed and canned meat products the same, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued EO 123 that retained the 5% tariff rate on imported mechanically deboned meat (MDM) instead of increasing it to 40%. The retention of 5% MDM tariff prevented any huge price increase in the

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier reported that the Committee on Tariff and Related Matters, co-Chaired by DTI and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, recommended to the President to keep the MDM tariff rates to 5% to avert any increase in production cost of mass-based canned and processed meat products.   

This decision has been finalized with President Duterte’s signing of Executive Order (EO) No. 123, s. 2020 entitled, “Modifying the Rates of Import Duty on Certain Agricultural Products Under Section 1611 of the Republic Act (RA) No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act” on 15 January 2021. 

The trade chief supported the issuance of the new order and said, “Keeping the tariff rates at 5% will keep the cost down for processed meat manufacturers and avert unwanted and untimely price increases in processed meat products.” 

He explained, “There is no need to increase the tariff to 40% because there are no local producers to protect. Since MDM is a main cost component in low-priced canned and processed meat products, any tariff increase will only lead to the inflation of cost and prices of most canned meat products that are also part of basic goods in our SRP.” 

The President issued EO 123 upon the recommendation of DTI and NEDA together with other agencies in the NEDA Board Committee on Trade and Related Matters. These include the Departments of Budget and Management (DBM), Finance (DOF), Agriculture (DA), Energy (DOE), Transportation (DOTR), Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go likewise supported the move to retain the tariff rate for MDM.   

The new EO amends EO 82, signed by the President in June 2019, which prevents the tariff rate to reverting back to a high of 40% at the beginning of 2021 amid the lapse of the country’s Quantitative Restriction (QR) privileges and the eventual enactment of the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203) on 31 December 2020.

In support of the government’s efforts to promote economic growth while ensuring affordable food products to its people, Sec. Lopez reiterated, “Our priority has always been to protect the best interest of the consumers and promote their general welfare, especially at this time of the pandemic.” 

“These products are what the majority of the Filipino consumers buy, and during these challenging times, we want to ensure that their access to these basic goods will not be affected by tariffs and price increases,” he added. 

MDM, a vital raw material used in the processing of low-priced canned goods, is a meat product produced by forcing bones, with attached edible meat, under high pressure through a sieve or similar device to separate the bone from the edible meat tissue.

The Absolute Pardon given to the United States Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton by President Rodrigo Duterte is justifiable.  Aside from the Presidential Prerogative, the Olongapo City Court’s decision that also ordered the release based on the Good Conduct Time Allowance Act.

According to newspaper reports, Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton “went through all legal proceedings under the Philippine Law.”

Pemberton’s very abled lawyer, Atty. Rowena Garcia Flores, “…wished he had the words to express the depth of his sorrow and regret.”  That’s believable enough for everybody, anyone for that matter who transgresses the law, regrets what he or she has done at the end of the day.

I’ve heard Atty. Rowena Garcia Flores’ interview on Karen Davila’s TV program “Headstart” and I must say that she expressed herself clearly and logically, things many of us have never heard of.  Well said in defense of her client.

In order to prevent such unfortunate incident from happening again; and God willing never again, shouldn’t those indulging in such trade carry an identification card which identifies the holders’ as male, female or transvestite?  Is that against the law on equal rights?  Exempting those who are not in that trade some called “hookers.”  Aren’t they required to carry a card clearing them of diseases from a doctor?  Their true name must reflect on that medical card.

From my friend Patrice, about a week ago, she told me that Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton was a teenager at only nineteen years old; and Jennifer Laude was 26 years old.

Subic Naval Base is an R and R port ever since with night clubs and bars for sailors on Rest and Recreation.

I was informed that the Army, Marine, Air Force…. military service in general are drafted as early as 18 years old.  Is that right?

I do not know for sure if the age of majority in the United States, and maybe elsewhere, has been lowered to 18 years old which before was 21 years old.

I can understand if that’s an age of majority, if there is such a law because, in my college days in the U.S., teenagers cannot go to bars for they were still considered minors.  Maybe they’ve lowered from 21 to 18.  I think it’s the voting age now.  If so, voting and getting drunk are two different things.

We have to accept that eighteen, nineteen should still be considered minors, at least as far as drinking alcohol and getting drunk is concerned.  The mere fact they are still in the “teen” age years, they are susceptible to indiscretions and emotional immaturity; especially if they’ve taken hard drinks.

On my part, considering that those young marines who have had hard alcoholic drinks, one too many, the disappointment of having done what he did was highly influenced by the alcohol.  I’ve seen young and old people drink a lot of alcohol and they turned totally into a different person.  I have never learned to drink even from my younger days in college in the U.S. up to now.  I don’t even take beer, nor wine.  A jigger of wine only on formal dinners, just a little in a wine glass over dinner, at times.       

I never cultivated a taste for alcoholic drinks, despite my so many years of high school and college days in America; despite all my classmates and roommates in the dorms who took vodka so as not to be caught when the priest-prefect would inspect from room to room.  I remember my roommate who liked to drink when I asked him: “Bill, why vodka?  That’s so strong, I believe its 90 percent alcohol.  When the Prefect inspects, Bill would lock the bottle in a suitcase under his bed.  He told me that vodka is hard to detect for it emits no smell of alcohol.  No wonder vodka was a popular drink to them.  For one, they never got caught violating the rules in the dormitory that drinking alcoholic drinks are prohibited inside the dorms and on campus.

Maybe this was the situation Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton was put in.  Being high in alcohol which he drank in a bar, he believed that Jennifer Laude was truly a woman.

It is a fact that foreigners have difficulty deciphering a transvestite and a real woman for oftentimes the transvestite is even more beautiful than a real woman for they know much more how to fix themselves and to make themselves more presentable.

The locals have no problem.  They can spot “one when they see one.”

The almost six years of incarceration, with good behavior, entitled Pemberton to be released; and it seems that Pemberton was not the killer-type, as many are saying.

Westerners age more in appearance than Asians who look younger in age than the Westerners.

Part of the penalty for his deportation is to never return to the Philippines.  For sure, he would never even think of coming back here again after what had happened to him.  And for sure, he would not marry another Filipina for fear of making another mistake again.

Pemberton had served six years in jail; he had paid millions in damages, and he had expressed his regrets before he departed and even asked for forgiveness.

Yang nangyari ay dala na rin ng kabataan niya noon; at lasing galing sa bar, out to have fun for the short furlough they had in Subic – all that contributed to his committing a mistake.  According to a news report, Pemberton is now 24 years old.  His younger age should have also been taken into consideration.  And Jennifer was 26 years old and Pemberton 19 years old when it happened.

Age matters!

For comments and suggestions email at mlmorato@yahoo.com

The original meaning of DDS is Davao Death Squad, the alleged vigilante group of President Rodrigo Duterte back when he was still Mayor of Davao. Today, however, DDS is generally accepted as the abbreviation for Duterte Diehard Supporters, the term coined and popularized by Duterte ally and celebrity blogger Mocha Uson, who initially used it as a term of endearment for her millions of followers, who are incidentally also her fellow Duterte supporters (mga ka-DDS). It was a subtle yet effective way to make people forget of the negative, murderous associations of the three letters to Duterte’s alleged history of human rights abuses during his time as local chief executive of Davao City.

The gimmicky, catchy political strategy was a resounding success. The days when DDS was tantamount to nefarious activities and vigilante killings carried out by Duterte’s secret police against crime and drug suspects are long gone. Today, DDS has become the identifying tag for the collective millions, who see no evil and hear no evil—a badge of honor for card-carrying members of the “Duterte is the best President in the Solar System” Political Tribe.

It doesn’t matter if you or I know that it’s a diversionary tactic, and it doesn’t matter whether you or I think that being branded as a DDS is derogatory and a pejorative for hyperpartisan “Dudirty” politics. What matters is that most have forgotten, and some don’t even know, that the original meaning of DDS is Davao Death Squad, and that Duterte used to be referred to as THE DEATH SQUAD PRESIDENT.

They have managed to turn DDS, for Davao Death Squad, into an insignificant footnote in history; DDS, for Duterte Diehard Supporters, is now the trending topic, the headline, the present, and the significant, ALL CAPS future.

And that, my (D)EAREST (D)EMOCRACY (S)UPPORTERS, is how a simple and subtle play with words could rehabilitate the reputation of some bloodthirsty, authoritarian monster into this salt-of-the-earth, authoritative father of the nation. That is how is how those (D)ICTATOR (D)UTERTE (S)PIN-DOCTORS overhauled—seemingly revamped overnight—the image of a reviled and feared human rights trampler and cold-blooded killer into a beloved and revered crime-busting, “My-God-I-Hate-Drugs” national figure. They wrapped Duterte inside this box of non-threatening, profanity-laced, ribbon-tied neat package; promoted him vigorously; and sold him into what we know as “TATAY DIGONG,” the man who could do no wrong.

If you ask any Filipino to name some people who rabidly defend Duterte, you would most likely get the most expected and obvious choices: Harry Roque, Salvador Panelo, Teddy Boy Locsin, Jose Calida, and of course, Mocha Uson. They are THE top alter egos of the President–all major Duterte government appointees.

You would probably also get names like Larry Gadon, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Ferdinand Topacio, Thinking Pinoy, Sass Sasot, Banat By, Robin Padilla, and Vivian Velez — the usual suspects of media personalities, whose vigorous, dogged, unwavering vote of confidence and impassioned, vocal defenses for Duterte never cease to amaze and appall me.

They are not just your garden-variety fanatical online trolls, or your run-of-the-mill Duterte Diehard Supporters. They are the real DDS – (D)IVERT and (D)EFLECT (S)TRATEGISTS.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque released a statement that President Duterte is currently in “perpetual isolation” as a necessary precaution after DILG Secretary Eduardo Año tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus on Sunday.

At a time when we need an effectively functioning president because of the current state of the pandemic, which is not only ongoing but seems to have no end in sight, the use of the term “perpetual isolation” is not only unsettling but alarming.

The word “perpetual” is used to describe something as valid for an indefinite or unlimited period of time and connotes as something to be effective during the lifetime of the individual when used as a legal term. There being no record of the use of the term “perpetual isolation”, we shall interpret it using the ordinary meaning of the language used. By necessary implication, if a person is in perpetual isolation, he/she is deemed to be isolated for an indefinite or unlimited period of time or during his/her lifetime.

The question on everyone’s mind is, is this equivalent to a temporary incapacity to perform his functions as president?

Article VII of the Constitution provides for two different scenarios. Section 11 deals with the illness which results in a temporary incapacity of the president to perform his functions. The president has the power to decide whether he is still able to perform his functions or not. However, if the president is unable to make the decision or is unwilling to admit his incapacity, the Congress is clothed with full discretionary authority to determine such political issue as decided by the Supreme Court in the case of Tanada vs Cuenco. In all cases, if it is determined that the president is unable to perform his functions as such, the vice-president shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as acting president. This scenario contemplates that the president is unable to perform his functions. On the other hand, Section 12 deals with an illness that is not incapacitating, such as when access to the president is allowed for the members of the cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations, and the chief of staff of the AFP in order for the president to make important decisions. This scenario contemplates that the president is still able to perform his functions.

Great leaders know that all kinds of leadership is temporary and must come to an end. They know when to walk away and when it is time to pass it on to someone who could better navigate through the storm.

It seems that this administration made it a habit to deceive the people, not only through refusing to be transparent but by deliberately spreading misinformation and lies.

During this time of crisis where everything is uncertain and where no one is safe from COVID-19, the people need to be assured that they still have a president who is fully able to discharge his powers and duties as such. Moreover, our Constitution guarantees our rights as Filipino citizens to be informed of the state of the president’s health in case of serious illness.

In conclusion, we wish the best of health for the president. Nonetheless, we need transparency and full disclosure as to the true state of the health and fitness of the president. As a humble suggestion to put to rest any and all speculations regarding the matter, perhaps it serves to benefit the country if the vice-president together with select members of the Congress and the cabinet ascertain the true state of the president’s health. In the event that the illness results in a temporary incapacity of the president to perform his functions, the vice-president shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as acting president. If, however, the illness results in a permanent incapacity, the vice-president shall become the president.

Aware of the need to improve telco services and has been continually investing over the years to upgrade and improve its network, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu appealed to LGUs to rationalize fees and expedite the processing of permits thereby enabling the industry to build the infrastructure needed to improve connectivity in the country. The appeal comes at the heels of his face-to-face meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang last July 30 to inform the president of the telco industry’s challenges. Cu said, “Each year, we make massive investments in billions of pesos to make our network perform at par with other countries. However, we can only go as far as what our existing infrastructure can give. If we want robust connectivity we really need to build more cellsites and roll out more fiber to homes. The current permitting process and fee structures simply do not allow us to do these.” Cu added, “This is a time when all industry stakeholders need to work together for the benefit of the consuming public. Connectivity is now an essential need especially during this pandemic. Let’s turn a new leaf and help enable the industry to build.”

Cu met with President Duterte Thursday evening, which was included in the taped broadcast of the COVID-19 briefing in Malacañang, Friday, July 31. In the meeting, Cu sought the help of President Duterte regarding the debilitating process of getting permits to build cellsites and towers which takes at least eight months. The Globe CEO showed the president and other officials present at the meeting the numerous permits Globe needed to secure to build a cell site tower – 29 to 35 permits in all. 

This resulted in the President’s quick intervention by instructing his Cabinet officials to “take the most drastic measure you can find” to fast-track the processing of telco infrastructure permits. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año informed the President that the recently signed Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 01-2020 from concerned government agencies will make the issuance of permits a lot easier, with streamlining of permits to reduce processing time to a maximum of 20 days.

Globe welcomed the new development and response from the President, “We thank President Duterte for giving us the opportunity to present our predicament, and for his swift action on our problem with tedious LGU permits for the construction of our cell sites. We are hopeful that we can get more cooperation from LGUs and HOAs. As Filipinos adapt to the new normal, having ample ICT infrastructure is particularly important to improve internet speed, increase coverage and capacity for data hungry customers. In addition, having many cellsites is critical to successfully roll out advanced technologies like 5G services in the country,” Cu said.

Globe recently announced its expansion plans in various provinces all over the Philippines to meet the growing demand for more connectivity and bring the digital experience to more Filipinos especially in the countryside. For the longest time, the telco industry’s bid to expand and put up needed broadband infrastructures have been slowed down if not totally prevented by permitting requirements imposed by LGUs as well as the opposition by hostile homeowners’ associations. This was further compounded by network build disruptions given the stringent restrictions under an enhanced community quarantine, which started to ease in June when construction activities were allowed to restart.

Congressman Jericho Nograles in a recent interview said LGUs do not allow cellsite build-ups due to health hazards, which has not been substantiated with scientific documents or findings. Homeowners’ associations on the other hand disallow building of cellsites in their areas because they are unsightly.

Globe has earmarked USD 1.2 billion in capital expenses this year, a large percentage of which is dedicated to network and capacity building.

Read related stories:

https://thephilbiznews.com/globe-invested-usd1-2-billion-in-network-capacity-building/

https://thephilbiznews.com/dict-chief-seeks-eo-to-fast-track-interconnectivity-in-ph/

https://thephilbiznews.com/govt-telco-need-cooperation-to-fast-track-fixed-broadband-infrastructure-in-new-normal/

Many years back when I was hired as a business consultant for a Japanese businessman in the Philippines, I witnessed how many Japanese doing business in the country are taken advantage of by some unscrupulous politicians.

Back in 2003, I knew this Japanese businessman in Malate who was rigged by the nephew of a politician from Mindanao who had convinced him to invest in the Philippines. But instead of putting up a corporation, the Japanese was tricked into putting the business enterprise under the name the nephew of the Congressman (May his soul rest in peace!). I told these Japanese who sought my help to conduct an operations audit in their business which was a well-patronized bar and restaurant in Malate. I advised them that a 10-million-peso business capital must not be under sole proprietorship, considering the amount of money involved but under a corporation. The poor Japanese was being cheated from Day 1.

It became even more suspicious that all the employees hired in the bar and restaurant are only from Mindanao. There should have been no problem with that had the employees been hired based on their competencies and not their voting districts.  Not only were those hired incompetent, but they pilfered supplies, conspired in cheating the enterprise resulting in unliquidated cash amounting to over half a million pesos.

I was asked to take over the company and was even offered by the Japanese businessman a brand new car and condominium unit just to salvage his investment. I politely refused the offer because I did not want the Japanese to think that my findings in their operational flaws were motivated by something else.

I also remember when a Swedish national married to a Filipina asked my help when their employees in their European bar and restaurant in Manila stole a lot of money. This is so embarrassing. Many investors are turned off by this greedy attitude of the people which probably they have learned from the politicians.

If the government wants to encourage more investors, they need to be investor-friendly.

Four years ago, I was in Thailand and I was so surprised to see so many Japanese restaurants in Thailand. Then I conducted my own investigation that Thailand’s main investors and trade partners are the Japanese! Thailand’s laws are very friendly to investors. Imagine 60% of their foreign direct investment comes from Japan! Why? Because Thailand offers an attractive package for investors like eight years of tax exemptions for companies and 50% tax reduction for companies for 5 years, double transport, electricity and re-supply deductions as well as 25% deduction on net profits for establishment and construction costs on the following sectors according to 2016 Thailand Board Of Investment and these are: (1) Agriculture and food; (2) Renewable and alternative energies; (3) Automobile; (4) Electronics, information and communication technologies (ICT); (5) Fashion, and (6) High added-value services (including leisure, health, and tourism). Then they also offer import tax exemption on raw materials required for production aimed at export.

With Duterte on board and having a strong grip in both lower and upper house, we hope that our country would be more investor-friendly. Japanese are serious investors. They don’t hit and run. They treat their host country as their second home. If there are more investors here, we need not have to export our labor. I have worked with both Japanese and American executives and companies before, and both have exciting cultures, with different working styles and they are very caring for their employees.

This is what we need now not just foreign investors, but rather “quality investors”.

With high hopes, may the change that President Duterte promised to pave the way to many more investors so that our economy will continue to grow and this time, trickle down to the grassroots. But the way things are going, it seems like his administration gives preferential treatment and open-door policy to China that isolates and spooks other foreign investors from other countries, because in matters of investment, the more the merrier.

The only thing that would scare the Japanese is abusive labor groups and professional agitators and scammers who pretend to help but are just waiting for the opportunity to devour their prey.

The Japanese want friendly, honest, competent and dignified business dealings. When they are here with us, let us give them all the support that they need like what Thailand is doing to them.

Here’s something that the American Director Roman Coppola said about Japan and Japanese, “Japan is the most intoxicating place for me. The Japanese culture fascinates me: the food, the dress, the manners, and the traditions.”

Read the Part I of my column:

https://thephilbiznews.com/beyond-sight-doing-business-with-the-japanese-part-1/

­So, shutting down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations is off the table. The guarantee came from President Duterte himself.

He would neither stop nor suspend POGO activities primarily because of the enormous income the government earns from its operations, said Salvador Panelo, the President’s chief legal counsel and mouthpiece.

Panelo said POGO revenues could fund salaries of nurses and teachers, among others, and the fight against the coronavirus.

And the problems encountered with their operations? He said the proper implementation of established laws and regulations could solve them.

The way Malacanang heralded POGO’s existence seemed to trumpet the tune that economic gains far outweigh the social costs.

Really? The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reported last week that P14 billion of the P54 billion in POGO transactions from 2017 to 2019 was linked to suspicious activities. What’s worse, the figures showed that around P138 million in POGO transactions were linked to drug trafficking.

So is it all about money?

How many POGO outlets paid the correct taxes or actually paid them at all? How about the employment of their foreign workers that drove real property prices up to the detriment of locals?

Never mind the money laundering schemes that affect the country’s economy, government, and social well-being.

Never mind the “pastillas” bribery that contributes to government corruption.

Never mind the extortion, human trafficking, kidnapping, rape, and prostitution as consequences that go with POGOs.

Never mind that they contribute to civil disorder and society’s moral decay.

*              *              *

So is it all about money?

The West Philippine Sea in exchange for Chinese loans?

Never mind our poor fishermen being driven away from their traditional fishing grounds.

And here comes Big Brother China asking us to assist in its efforts to crack down on cross-border gambling and cyber fraud. And we chose POGO.

Are we then choosing money over a friend?

Perhaps people who did an excellent job convincing the President to allow POGO operations to continue would have a lot to lose had it gone the other way. It was a gamble.

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