Joker bats for speedy canvass, less debates

The counting of votes for president and vice president by Congress should be fast-tracked by doing away with long debates on the canvassing process and on allegations of electronic fraud, Senator Joker Arroyo said on Sunday.

Aquino to lose half of presidential salary to income tax

Presumptive president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has rued about the pitfalls of being a bachelor, in so far as the impact of income taxes on a president’s salary (between P45,000 and P60,000 a month) is concerned.

NEDA pushes for higher ‘sin’ taxes, VAT

The National Economic and Development Authority has backed proposals for the imposition of new tax measures, saying the government needed to put its fiscal house in order to be able to sustain the high growth rate of the economy.

Mining expected to draw $1.4B in investments

The Philippines is expected to meet its target of drawing up to $1.4 billion worth of investments in the capital intensive and politically sensitive mining industry, according to Bureau of Mines and Geosciences director Edwin Domingo.

Caution trims outsourcing sales

MANILA, Philippines – The Business process outsourcing sector (BPO) saw sales slow down last year — due to the caution that prevailed among businesses in the first half — but still managed to meet its full-year target.