Former Philippine President Aquino could face jail ...

... over police raid

The former president of the Philippines faces charges for a 2015 police raid that left 44 officers dead. Benigno Aquino was indicted for usurping authority and allowing a suspended police chief to run the fatal raid.

Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered criminal negligence charges against former President Benigno Aquino III for a 2015 operation that left 44 officers dead. During the raid, militants ambushed 400 police commandos sent to kill a Malaysian extremist. Aquino had entrusted police chief Alan Purisima - at the time suspended and facing corruption charges - with planning the operation to arrest a terror suspect in the town of Mamasapano, in Maguindanao province.

A Senate inquiry found that Purisima and Napenas failed to coordinate the operation with the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a rebel group that could have mediated. As a result of the carnage, the congress refused to pass a Muslim self-rule bill that would have crowned Aquino's efforts to bring lasting peace to the rebellion-torn Mindanao region, home to the Catholic nation's large Islamic minority. The congress could look at a new such bill within the next two weeks.

Carpio-Morales also plans to file charges against Purisima and another former official, Getulio Napenas.

 

Watch video01:05

Civilians flee fighting in southern Philippines

'Some erroneous conclusions'

Ernesto Abella, the spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte , hailed the "heroic sacrifice" of the slain police commandos after Carpio-Morales announced the charges. "It is his - and the nation's - hope to finally bring justice to the victims and families of the Fallen 44 and put closure to the issue as part of the healing process," Abella said, speaking for Duterte.

Aquino, president from 2010 to 2016, could face several years in prison if convicted. An aide said the former president planned to study the Ombudsman's decree in order to file a motion for reconsideration. "An initial reading shows that there may have been a misappreciation of some facts surrounding the incident, leading to some erroneous conclusions," the aide said in a statement.

The bloodbath, infamously known as the "Mamasapano Massacre," helped to turn public opinion against Aquino, who later unsuccessfully campaigned to prevent the election of Duterte as his successor. The new president has frequently raised the Mamasapano incident as proof of his predecessor's misdeeds. Duterte's supporters had also filed a complaint of "reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide" against Aquino, but Carpio-Morales dismissed that.

Philippines Poised for Even More Success

By Louis Bacani (philstar.com)

President Benigno Aquino III addresses the 4th Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Tuesday (March 24). The Forum was host to a by-invitation-only audience of over 500 business leaders, investors and policy makers. Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau

"You ain't seen nothing yet."

This was President Benigno Aquino III's message to investors on Tuesday as he boasted the country's economic growth under his watch, claiming that the best is yet to come.

Speaking at the Euromoney Philippines Investment Forum in Makati, Aquino cited the economic achievements during his term including the country's new all-time record in foreign direct investments, improved global competitiveness rankings and the credit rating upgrades.

"The tremendous amount of confidence the global community has developed for the Philippines is incredibly gratifying, especially considering that, not too long ago, we were known as the 'Sick Man of Asia'," Aquino said.

"However, our administration remains hard at work so that we can maximize every opportunity available to us, and I think many of you will agree with me when I say: You ain't seen nothing yet," he added.

Aquino told investors that the country is "poised for even more success" and that "there is indeed much reason for optimism."

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Despite the country's economic gains, Aquino said that the "limitless potential" of Filipinos has yet to be "sufficiently measured."

"I know that we have only scratched the surface.. To those who are here to take a closer look at the Philippines," Aquino said.

"I invite you: Bet on the Filipino people, and discover for yourself how it’s more fun and more profitable to do business in the Philippines," he continued.

In his speech, Aquino did not fail to take a swipe at the Philippine media for not trumpeting the country's economic achievements.

"There has been so much good news these past few years, and yet, this good news has often been relegated to the back pages of our broadsheets. I must admit: our campaign to change the mindset that negativism sells is still a work in progress," Aquino lamented.

Aquino Allies all-out in Clash vs Bishops on RH Bill

Check it out. Go to this link:

Aquino allies all-out in clash vs bishops on RH bill

Do YOU pay YOUR taxes ON TIME?

As an expat living in the Philippines and doing several businesses and having certain incomes I do pay my taxes on time.

Other people don't care!

It was really interesting to learn, that the Philippine Bureau of internal Revenue's campaign against tax evaders and tax cheats is slowly (but surely) paying off after a popular Philippine television and movie personality paid 17 million Pesos in tax obligations after learning that she is the subject of the next tax evasion case to be filed supposedly by the BIR.

No names have been mentioned, but according to well-placed sources at the Bureau, a female television and movie personality of the Philippines, a daughter also of a well known actor and actress (separated for many years now!) has paid the 17 million last week. Good. Congrats! Why not?

Last October 21, the BIR has filed charges against controversial film and television director Carlo J. Caparas for his failure to pay the right amount of taxes. The case against him marks the Aquino's administration's first tax case against a high-profile television and movie personality. I hope, more cases are on the road.

Philippine President Aquino's Website to be Launched Soon!

Presidential Communications Group Secretary Herminio Coloma announced plans to launch a website for  President Aquino very soon.

Coloma said the website would include a feedback mechanism that would allow visitors to interact with the President.

Coloma encouraged the public to visit the website and participate in discussions on the programs of the government. He said the website is in line with the good governance and transparency policies of the Aquino administration.

Coloma earlier hinted the reorganized and revitalized Office of the Press Secretary will be setting up a system where citizens can send their concerns via text messaging, or on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter on the Internet.

Already the office of the President has its website www.op.gov.ph.

Secretary Ricky Carandang added a new website would also have interactive mechanism where visitors could report irregularities and corruption in the financial sector through the website of the Department of Finance at www.perangbayan.com on Facebook and Twitter.