THE MINDANAO POST MAY 27-29 2023

Magsaysay brings back Magsaysay brings back

Festival during town’s 58th Founding Anniversary Festival during town’s 58th Founding Anniversary

MAGSAYSAY, Lanao del Norte - The Niyogan Festival made a triumphant return to Magsaysay during the town's celebration of its 58th Founding Anniversary on May 23, 2023.

After three years of celebrating in simple rites because of the pandemic, Mayor Haron D. Omar Sr. and Vice Mayor Haleah Omar-Diambangan were pleased to see that residents and visitors are able to experience a full-blast of festivities this year, showcasing the town's rich coconut industry, tourism, and fast development.

"Daghang salamat sa atong mga dumuduong na mga bisita gikan sa nagkalain-lain na kalungsoran og probinsya na misaksi diri sa atong celebration. Pasalamat pud ko sa katawhan sa Magsaysay, sa nagkalain-lain na hut-ong o sektor sa katilingban sa ilang hugot na suporta na mamahimo kini na malampuson ang among celebration," Mayor Omar said.

Among the activities arranged by the local government here were the Street Dancing, Festival Dance Showdown, and the Niyogan Festival Queen competition, which became the highlight of

NIYOGAN, from p1..

the said festivity which displayed the rich culture, talent, vibrant costumes, lively choreography, and unity of the people of Magsaysay.

Esteemed guests from the different national and local line agencies were also present to witness this year’s celebration - Department of Agrarian Reform-X Regional Director Zoraida Macandindang, Department of Interior and Local Government-LDN Provincial Director Bruce Colao, CESO V, 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer LtCol Juvygleen Escandor, and LDN-Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Sandy Vales. Congresswoman Sittie Aminah Dimaporo, Second District Representative of Lanao del Norte, also graced the program as well as to represent Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza Dimaporo. In her speech, Cong. Aminah said “We see the Mayor and the Vice mayor working hard together to find ways to make sure that the development of this municipality is very fast and progressive. Daghang salamat mayor for being a part of the development of the entire province”

Cong. Aminah Dimaporo also acknowledged the vital role played by the Omar family in fostering unity and peace and their leadership as the foundation for the municipality’s progress.

“Before we even think of development, dapat naay unity, dapat naay peace. And that is what the Omar family brings to this municipality. ‘Pag na okay na ang unity ayha musulod ang development,” Cong. Aminah said.

The Niyogan Festival did not only bring back the competition but also reignited the sense of enjoyment and camaraderie that comes with such events. (Source: PIO-LDN)

DPWH, JICA inaugurate floodwall project in Oro

By URIEL QUILINGUING

Contributing Editor

CAGAYAN DE ORO -

Twelve years after typhoon Sendong left a trail of death and destruction in this city, a 2.3-kilometer flood-risk mitigation project along Cagayan River at Consolacion village here is set for inauguration on Friday, May 26, this year.

Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines

Kazuhiro Koshikawa are among the dignitaries who would grace the occasion and deliver messages, on behalf the Philippine and Japanese governments.

City Mayor Rolando A. Uy will publicly welcome them, after national anthems Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land) and Kimigayo (Imperial Reign) have been played and sang. Inaugural rites for the imposing well-lighted (at

night) and land-scaped twolane paved road, dubbed as “CDO Boulevard,” will start at 8 a.m.

Project Director Ramon

A. Arriola III of the DPWH Unified Project Management Office Flood Mitigation and Management Center (UPMO FMMC), who had his eyes on the project since 2018 will give a project briefing.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the floodwall along Consolacion village is under Contract Package 2 of an P8.5-billion Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River (FRIMP-CDOR), conceptualized after the December 2011 massive flooding.

JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto would give a “project appreciation” on behalf of his office.

FRIMP-CDOR is funded by a signed loan agreement (PH-P259) with JICA

amounting to P5.01 Billion and counterpart fund of the Government of the Philippines, from annual fiscal allocation, amounting to P3.53 Billion.

The two other FRIMPCDOR components involve the construction of a 1.3-kilometer dike traversing Bonbon to Kauswagan villages (Contract Package 1), and flood-control structures traversing the villages of Kauswagan, Carmen, Balulang, Nazareth, and Macasandig.

Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, DPWH’s “Build, Build, Build’ chief implementer and UPMO incharge, DPWH-10 Regional Director Zenaida T. Tan, and other DPWH-10 and Cagayan de Oro First Engineering District officials will be witnessing the historic event.

A project marker will be unveiled and a project walkthrough are included in the inaugural rites

INFRA BOOM. Aerial shot of the access road which is part of the flood risk management project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Cagayan de Oro City. On Friday (May 26, 2023), the project was opened to the public. (Photo courtesy of CDO CIO)

STUNNER. Reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg of Germany receives a warm welcome upon arrival at a hotel in Quezon City. She will attend the coronation night of Binibining Pilipinas 2023 at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday (May 28). (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

COUNTRY’S DEFENDERS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnesses the formation of the “long gray line” of cadets during the Philippine Military Academy commencement rites at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City. Marcos told the 310 graduates of the MADASIGON (MAndirigmang May DAngal SImbolo ng Galing at PagbangON or Warriors with Dignity, Symbol of Excellence and Recovery) Class of 2023 to “diligently work for unity, respect for democratic ideals, institutions, and mechanisms, and the rule of law."

S. Kudarat IP village all praises for DA support

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – A leader of an Indigenous Peoples (IP) community here is elated over the government’s PHP500,000 agricultural support.

The Department of Agriculture-12 (DA-Soccsksargen) provided the IPs with hybrid corn and certified rice seeds, fertilizers, rodenticides, assorted fruit trees, organic fertilizer concoctions, open-pollinated varieties of vegetable seeds, organic fertilizer concoctions, food packs, milk products, and biocontrol agents.

“We thank you for this program. You went out of your way to reach us here in the upland community,” Manobo tribal leader Babing Dondoy told reporters in Barangay

Laguilayan here on Friday.

“These projects are of great help to us, I thought we were already abandoned by the government,” he added.

With the vision of empowering IPs through agricultural initiatives, the agency launched in this town Friday the Sustainable Extension Activities: Outreach Program for the IP Communities in Region 12.

DA-12 officer-in-charge

Sailila Abdula led the outreach program and distributed inputs for IP farmers.

A tree-planting activity and ceremonial milk toasting were also held during the program to mitigate the impacts of climate change and combat malnutrition among children. (PNA)

Palace clears MisOcc dad from admin raps

By URIEL QUILINGUING Contributing Editor

MISAMIS

OCCIDENTAL

– The Office of the President has exonerated the town mayor of Bonifacio from abuse-of-authority complaint and reversed a suspension order the provincial board handed down December last year.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamen, who penned the decision by authority of the President, opined that the complainants failed to substantiate their charges against Mayor Samson R. Dumanjug.

Six village chiefs accused their mayor they

were “intentionally and unjustifiably excluded from a travel order” to a five-day seminar-workshop on Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program in July 2022 they were supposed to attend.

Those who averred to have been singled out from the travel order were village chairpersons Sylvia B. Cabuguas, Emmanuel C. Cuizon, Carmelita Dago-oc, Rodolfo Malinao Jr., Teogenez R. Manzo Jr., and Raymond C. Retubado.

But the mayor, in his appeal to the Office of the President on December 12, 2022, said his office did

not receive any written or verbal request from them for inclusion in the travel order.

The village leaders filed their administrative complaint on August 15, 2022 against Dumanjug to the provincial board, which subsequently penalized the town mayor with 15-day suspension without pay.

The 15-day suspension and without salary penalties were embodied in Misamis Occidental Provincial Board Resolution No. 770-22 on December 3, 2022.

“Any suspension or interruption of the people’s will must not only be thoroughly vetted but also

observe the tenets of substantive and procedural process,” a portion of the seven-page decision states.

In reversing the suspension order, the decision also reminded the provincial board members that the service of elected officials is a direct mandate from the people, not by them.

The decision further states that it did not find substantial evidence to hold the Bonifacio town mayor liable for abuse of authority.

Dumanjug is entitled to the payment of his salaries and emoluments, it further ordered.

(PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)

Editorial&Opinion

Nano enterprises in the limelight

Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI), which coined the term nano-preneurs, these are self-employed individuals with a capitalization of less than PHP50,000. It estimates that there are 8 million nano-preneurs in the country, far outnumbering MSMEs.

mal sector do not have security of tenure, social security, or membership in Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth, which are mandatory benefits for workers in the formal sector.

portant measures is to address the nano businesses’ need for capital so as not to engage in usurious lending.

It was an unprecedented move for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. On the 42nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he pushed for recognition and support for nano-businesses that have been “unrecognized but are impacting on the everyday lives of the people.” To quote the President: “These nano-businesses are also described as ‘solopreneurs’ and they are home-based businesses, among whom are make-up artists, vulcanizers, independent dispatch riders, vendors, repairers, and market women and men in the various open markets.”

The President is right when he says that hime-based businesses play an important but often unrecognized role in ASEAN countries. The nano businesses are what you regularly see in every neighborhood and on the streets. These are the yosi boys, vendors on side streets and footbridges and balut vendors, among others. These also include the ambulant vendors, who are often chased by personnel of local government units and personnel of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). With PBBM’s

pronouncement, does it mean they will no longer be chased and their goods will no longer be confiscated?

It is to PBBM’s credit that nano businesses are taking the limelight. For so long, this economic group has been neglected and, often, mistreated. While their contributions do not reflect in the macro-economic data of our national economists, it is unmistakable that millions of families are making both ends meet due to their economic activities.

Nano businesses involve their family members in their business operations. Take the case of street vendors. They are often assisted by family members, including their schoolchildren. There were viral posts where children of vendors were seen studying on lampposts or beside the vending cart, doing their assignments. There were also children manning the cart while their parents were nowhere to be seen. And still, there are numerous stories of street vendors who were able to raise professional children by selling on the street.

Nano businesses are way below the microenterprise category. According to Social

To sustain their operations, the nano-entrepreneurs are compelled to take out loans, mostly from usurers, on a 5-6 arrangement. Their income is mostly spent on everyday family needs, which is why they cannot save enough capital.

The nano businesses, or “solo-preneurs,” are part of the underground economy. In 2015, the World Bank estimated that 40 percent of the Philippine economy is underground, meaning that business activities are unrecorded and not taxed by the government. The figure may have increased considerably, especially during the pandemic when a lot of Filipinos were forced to take odd jobs to survive. In fact, street vendors proliferated, especially on sidewalks or side streets, where all sorts of goods were sold, such as vegetables, food, used clothing and assorted wares, among others.

In 2018, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) noted that of the 40.7 million employed, only 7.7 million are in the formal sector and 33 million are in the informal sector. According to the PIDS, the informal sector, also known as the underground economy, is the “diversified set of economic activities, enterprises, jobs, and workers that are not regulated or protected by the state.” This means that workers in the infor-

We have yet to see how PBBM’s pronouncement on nano- businesses is concretely translated into the country’s policies. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has already expressed its support for the call of the President, with its chair stating that “government institutions and private sector groups need to identify them and provide sustainable support they would need to be mainstreamed in our larger economy.” Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion also expressed support, citing that many microentrepreneurs started out as nano-entrepreneurs.

The National Economic and Protectionism Association (NEPA) is supportive of PBBM’s desire to recognize nano businesses. We are cognizant of the situation of nano-businesses since NEPA has been promoting nationalist development and the upliftment of Filipino businesses through the patronage of Filipino-made products and services. It is NEPA’s view that nano-businesses are composed of people who want to survive life’s day-to-day struggle by engaging in a business and should be supported.

Unfortunately, we have yet to hear from our legislative leaders on their concrete action regarding the President’s pronouncement. Surely, we need legislative measures to ensure the sustainability of the President’s support for nano businesses. One of the more im-

Even without legislative measures, perhaps nano businesses can be organized to form cooperatives or encouraged to become members of cooperatives where they can get loans at a minimal interest rate. There are cooperatives that extend loans to members at a 2 percent interest rate per month, or 24 percent per annum. This is better than the 20 percent interest rate they get from informal credit lines or usurers.

In my association with market vendors, I can see their entrepreneurial spirits in their desire to support their families, especially the schooling of their children. Just like other business owners, they too spend much time on their business and trying to keep it afloat. The only difference is that they need their business to survive every day. It’s about time the government provide them with the necessary assistance. PBBM has awakened the government’s sensibilities to the plight of nano businesses. We should not let it pass.

(BRIAN JAMES J. LU, MMgt, is an entrepreneur, business adviser, government consultant, and is deeply involve in civil society organizations. He advocates good governance, ethical business practices, and social responsibilities. He is the President of the National Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA) and Chairman of the Foundation for National Development (Fonad). His broad experiences in the private and public sectors give him a unique perspective to advance his advocacies.)

“Instead of taking the pants off the taxpayer, it might be better to take the vest off the vested

interests” -- Mark Twain

Last Monday, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda filed

a bill which can be argued as another “tax the rich more measure”. House Bill 6993 “seeks to increase the tax rate of nonessential goods to 25 percent. At present, Section 150 of the National Internal Revenue Code imposes on jewelry, perfumes and yachts a 20 percent tax rate based on wholesale price or the value of importation. The bill not only seeks to increase the rate but, expand the list of socalled non- essential or luxury goods. This tax will be on top of all other taxes.

The bill seeks to add several

items to the so- said list such as:

-- wristwatches, bags, wallets and belts worth more than PHP50,000;

-- sale of real property worth more than PHP100,000 per square meter;

-- beverages above PHP20,000;

-- paintings above PHP1 million sold by those other than the artist;

-- antiques worth more than PHP100,000;

-- automobiles, brand new or second hand, worth more than PHP10 million.

Essentially, since these items are beyond the reach of the majority of Filipinos, this bill clearly wants to increase the taxes on our more affluent or wealthy citizens.

This is actually a milder version of a bill filed in 2021 by the Makabayan bloc which proposed a wealth tax for people with taxable assets worth over PHP1 billion. This bill proposed that people with over PHP1 billion in assets should be required to pay 1 percent of the total amount in additional taxes

Farmers’ debt condonation bill to boost production, food security

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA – Speaker Mar-

tin Romualdez on Friday said the anticipated signing into law of the bill condoning the debts of agrarian reform benefi -

ciaries totaling PHP57.55 billion would help farmers increase their productivity and attain food security in the country.

In a statement, Romualdez said the measure, which is now awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand

R. Marcos Jr. would free 610,054 farmers from debts owed in acquiring agrarian reform lands with a combined area of 1,173,101 hectares.

“When our farmers are freed from the burden of debt, they would be able

to invest more in their land and improve their productivity. This can lead to better yields and profits, which can help improve the lives of our farmers and their families,” Romualdez said.

“This relief to hundreds

Inflation likely down anew in May: economist

MANILA – Headline inflation will likely decelerate to 6.1 percent in May due to lower prices of food, an economist said Friday.

"Some food prices already started to ease recently on better weather conditions that led to some increase in supply that helps in lowering food prices, after some storm damage in the latter part of 2022 up to early 2023, especially the shear line that hit some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao," Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Inflation declined for the third consecutive month in April, settling at 6.6 percent from 7.6 percent in March.

According to Ricafort, prices of some agricultural commodities continued to correct lower.

He said the decline could be attributed to the limited importation of sugar and onions, the one-year extension of the reduced import tariffs on meat, rice, corn, coal, among others, as well as other nonmonetary measures to help improve local supply and lower the prices of food and other agricultural products.

Ricafort said prices of other global commodity such as wheat, soybean, natural gas, coal, iron, steel, copper, nickel, also declined and could help ease inflationary pressures for the coming months.

"The anniversary of the local wage hikes, transport hikes, and second-round inflation effects starting June to July 2023 would quantitatively lead to further year-on-year deceleration of year-on-year inflation in the second half of 2023 due to much higher inflation base effects by then that could potentially lead to much slower inflation rate to as slow as 3% to 4% year-onyear levels by the latter part of 2023," Ricafort said.

The peso exchange rate currently at 55.20 levels, could also help reduce importation costs and support further rollback in local fuel pump prices and help ease overall inflation, he said. (PNA)

of thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries gains even more significance now that we are facing the twin challenges of increased prices of farm inputs, particularly fertilizers, and the harmful effects of climate change on the agriculture sector,” he added.

productivity and help us attain food security,” he said.

Romualdez vowed that the House will continue to explore more avenues to revitalize the country’s agriculture sector.

KADIWA STORE. In celebration of National Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, various exhibitors showcase their products at the office of the Department of Agriculture 11 (Davao) on Bangoy Street, Davao City. Among the exhibitors were the Calinan Rural Improvement Club, the Association of Davao Organic Advocates, and Tribal Associations. The month of May is proclaimed as National Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month to give due recognition to the contributions of the farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring food security and sustainability. (PNA

The bill is among the 31 measures the House of Representatives has approved to date, out of the 42 priority measures President Marcos has identified through the LegislativeExecutive Advisory Council (LEDAC).

He said the measure would complement the various programs and assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to uplift the lives of farmers.

“We need to provide our farmers all the support we can to promote increased

He noted that when the price of onion surged to over PHP700 a kilo last December, he has called for a congressional investigation to bring prices down for consumers and protect local farmers from exploitation by a cartel that corners supply and manipulates prices.

He likewise urged authorities like the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Competition Commission and the DA to work together and pursue the leads obtained in the congressional hearings to build an airtight case against the onion cartel.

(PNA)

photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

Travel&Tourism

DOT vows support to SOCCSKSARGEN, Mindanao

ISULAN SULTAN

KUDARAT--In a bid to further position the Philippines as a tourism powerhouse in Asia, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will prioritize the promotion of emerging and lesser-known destinations across the country and highlight the Filipino culture and identity, according to tourism chief Christina Garcia Frasco.

Addressing a crowd of some 200 guests composed of tourism stakeholders, local executives and officials, foreign retirees, expatriates, and diplomats attending the Bisita, Be My Guest grand launch in SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) on Friday (May 19), Secretary Frasco underscored the commitment of the DOT under the Marcos Administration to give equal opportunities for tourism development and promotion, which puts emphasis on providing opportunities to lesser-known destinations.

“Our President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. very early on articulated in his administration

that tourism is a priority, recognizing the power that tourism holds as far as its ability to change the lives of our fellow Filipinos. No other industry is able to give such a great opportunity for economic advancement in the farthest places in our country other than tourism. His directive, together with the support of our Vice President Sara Duterte, is to allow tourism to be seen, felt, and heard in the countryside; to leave no one behind in the development of tourism,” she said.

Frasco, the first tourism chief to visit Sultan Kudarat according to Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu, expressed her delight with the warm welcome she received from Sultan Kudarateños.

“I’m so happy to be here today to find myself in one of the most beautiful provinces of Mindanao that holds the key to the Filipino identity. Under the Marcos administration, the Department of Tourism is embarking on an aggressive program to give attention not only to our key destinations which we will continue

to promote, but also to our emerging and lesserknown destinations.

Panahon na sa Sultan Kudarat, inyu na ning oras na mulambo ang turismo sa inyong probinsya,” the tourism chief said in mixed English and Bisaya.

“I have come here today in full force with the Department of Tourism officials as well as our regional office if only to emphasize the importance with which we view Sultan Kudarat [and SOCCSKARGEN] as having great potential for tourism development, this is a manifestation of our commitment to you, and to the people of Sultan Kudarat [and the region],” she sadded.

Joining Frasco and Sultan Kudarat Governor Mangudadatu were Sultan Kudarat 1st district Representative Princess Bai Rihan MangudadatuSakaluran, and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Chief Operating Officer Marga Nograles, as well as DOT officials Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, OIC-Undersecretary Verna Covar-Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Rica

Bueno, and DOT-SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Director King R. Arina.

“It is our commitment to the Department of Tourism and to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. na sa lahat ng kanilang programa pagdating sa turismo ay 100 percent nasa likod nila tayo… 100 percent ang ibibigay natin para ipakita na ang Sultan Kudarat at ang SOCCSKSARGEN is not only one of the optional places, ang dream po natin isa tayo sa primary places,” said Governor Mangudadatu, affirming the province’s full support to the DOT.

Meanwhile, Cong. Sakaluran said: “Isang malaaking karangalan po sa aming probinsya dahil finally po napansino ng DOT ang aming probinsya ng Sultan Kudarat. Maliit lamang po ang aming probinsya pero napakayaman sa ganda at sa kultura.”

Bisita, Be My Guest grand launch in SOCCSKSARGEN

With the colors of Mindanao as backdrop, the DOT launched the Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG)–its online tourism referral program–in

a festive ceremony at the SP Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Performers from Teatro Kalakat and Hinugyaw dance group from Koronadal City enthralled the guests with cultural performances highlighting the rich heritage of SOCCSKSARGEN.

The BBMG provides incentives to Filipinos, from overseas Filipino workers to overseas Filipinos, across all parts of the world. Based on the program mechanics, Filipinos will be the “Sponsors”, and the invited foreign nationals who will travel to the Philippines will be the “Invitees”.

Among the exciting prizes at stake are condominium units from Megaworld Corporation and SMDC, house and lot from Amaia Land, shopping perks from Rustan’s, and SM Supermalls.

Livelihood Assistance

On the sidelines of her visit, Secretary Frasco turned over livelihood assistance amounting P200,000 to the Inugyunay Women’s Weavers Association, a community-based Tourism Organi-

zation (CBTO) in Sultan Kudarat.

The Inugyunay Women’s Weavers Association from Barangay New Passi, Tacurong City has created a sustainable and profitable business out of woven bags made of recycled plastic straps featuring hand-painted birds from their top tourist destination, the Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.

Through livelihood assistance, the Inugyunay Women’s Weavers Association will be provided with high-speed sewing machines and other essentials for bag-making by the DOT-SOCCSKSARGEN.

The association is one of the three registered CBTO in Sultan Kudarat, which also include the Hinalaan River Guides in the town of Kalamansig, and the Katunggan River Guides Association in Lebak municipality, both of which had received livelihood assistance from the DOT last year.

(Department of TourismPhilippines)

LAUENGCO | from p4 while those with over PHP2 billion pay 2 percent and those with PHP3 billion, 3 percent.

The authors of the bill said that “the tax would help shift the burden away from regressive tax measures such as consumption taxes toward the handful of the wealthiest who are capable of contributing more to our public coffers. A regressive tax scheme like the VAT is one that is usually applied uniformly and thus takes a larger percentage of income from the low-income earners rather than the high-income earners. Progressive taxes take a larger percentage from high income earners.

Many analysts believe that an actual straight wealth tax or a pure progressive tax would be better than a higher tax rate on luxury goods. A wealth tax, they say, would generate more revenues for the government and it would be more equitable.

Progressive factions in the country have been increasingly vocal lately on the call for a wealth tax. For these factions, a wealth tax is a potent tool for equality and justice. These factions call attention to the widening gap between the rich and poor and the need for a more equitable tax system.

Wealth taxes and straight progressive taxes seems to be a popular way to generate more funds and alleviate the suffering of the poorer sectors of society. A business analyst once opined that wealth taxes “allow the engine of capitalism to roar and then have the winners compensate the losers. By taking care of those who lose out in the capitalist system, the winner ensures that the losers won’t want destroy the system completely.”

Unfortunately, no nation has successfully managed to get enough money out of progressive taxation to properly fund a system of social programs. Even so-called progressive European nations fund social programs such as medical care for everyone and welfare fund the same by making everyone pay a portion of their income not just the rich. Their tax programs feel like insurance rather than wealth redistribution.

Opponents of wealth or pure progressive taxes point out that most wealthy people are the ones with the talent and ability to take the lead in business development in a country. They are the trailblazers and the driving force that create new businesses that in turn create more jobs. Higher taxes targeted specifically at these people will be a disincentive for them to stay in the country. They will just go and find other countries with lower taxes and set up businesses there.

Also, countries with higher progressive tax rates are actually a deterrent for investment. Let’s face it, investors invest to make money and keep as much as it that they reasonably can. Less investors means less jobs.

Higher taxes on non-essential items often just alter spending habits. It does not guarantee higher revenues.

Clearly, higher taxes for the wealthy may not be the magic bullet that some of its proponents claim it to be. This is my oblique observation.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.

COCPO chief assures media access to info

By URIEL QUILINGUING Contributing Editor

Media practitioners covering the police beat may ask for information directly from police station commanders, the head of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) here said Friday, May 27.

Police Colonel Aaron M. Mandia, COCPO director, said station commanders including law-enforcers in the field know best what happened on the ground, during a closing program of the 41st Press Freedom Week observance at Philtown Hotel.

“All information need not come from me,” Mandia, who was in civilian attire, told about four scores of local media industry workers, roughly half of them Cagayan de Oro Press

Club members, in mixed Tagalog and English.

He admitted there were calls and text messages he cannot answer at once, either he was talking to somebody else or in a meeting or a conference, yet he will always find a way to respond to queries later.

Although he has not fully learned Bisayan, after two decades under the turf of the Police Regional Office-10, including almost two years as acting and full-fledged city police director, yet he said it was not an obstacle in his dealings with the press.

He said COCPO has a designated spokesperson, but it doesn’t mean that no other person can speak on behalf the city police, on the belief that “the police is part of the media” so the public may know what

they’ve been doing.

This, Mandia said, was the reason why he asked all 10 police station commanders to join him in guesting the Cagayan de Oro Press Club’s sponsored “Meet the Press” forum over a week ago, thus ensuring unfettered flow of information.

Mandia said he is thankful to all those who responded in dispatch to their requests during police operations, saying they cannot proceed and succeed without media reporters and village leaders.

He also recognized the press in creating a positive image of COCPO under his watch, thus the PRO-10 conferred on him the “Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations” for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), and that he would be vying for national

honors again. The COCPO head said his two-year tour of duty as city police director would end next month, even if he would wish to stay and the request of the city mayor for extension of his services, because staying would delay career movements of many.

He turned 50 years old Sunday, May 21, last week. Mandatory retirement age for PNPA graduates is 56. Roughly three years after his completing a public safety course from the Philippine National Police Academy in 1997, upon the request of Cagay-anon Police Brig. Gen. Felicisimo V. Khu Jr., Mandia reported at the PRO-10 headquarters at Camp Alagar, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro. (MT)

Chot Reyes weighs in on BrownleeClarkson talks ahead of Fiba World Cup

THREE months before the Philippines co-hosts the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas faces the big question.

Justin Brownlee or Jordan Clarkson?

Speaking to Noli Eala on the Power and Play program on Saturday, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes gave his two cents on what both stars can offer to the team.

Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra's resident import and member of the Philippine team that won men's basketball in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, provides a big boost but has yet to be tested against more formidable foes.

"Justin has better chemistry with the locals and played here longer. I think in terms of being able to do other things, Justin has a slight edge," said Reyes.

"However, we haven't seen Justin's ability to score against top flight, tall, defensive teams and opposition, which Jordan can as he scores 30, 40 points in the NBA," he added.

On the defensive end, Reyes believes there's nothing much that separates Brownlee and Clarkson from a skill-based perspective.

"We know that Jordan will

get us points, will get us buckets but we've seen also when we had Jordan here, he was very comfortable with our defensive schemes," the SEA Games champion coach said.

"He showed great willingness to play defense. Maybe not in the mold of a Justin Brownlee but I think defensively, there's very little difference," Reyes added.

With versatility being a prime consideration for whoever Gilas' naturalized player will be, the all-important decision may definitely be going down the wire.

"The bigger thing is Justin just allows us to be more versatile because he can play the 4 spot," Reyes said. "But Jordan, on the other hand, can play not only the 2 and 3 spots but he can also be a backup point guard. So that also gives us a different look and different dimension."

Brownlee is in the US and, according to Reyes, will be back when Gilas training resumes on June 7.

Clarkson's camp, however, is still in negotiations with Gilas team manager Butch Antonio on the timetable of activities for the Philippines' World Cup preparations and may be available to join the squad by July.

Scottie Pippen says LeBron James is the greatest statistical player to ever play, while Michael Jordan was ‘horrible’

Scottie Pippen praised LeBron James as the greatest statistical player ever while also taking a shot at Michael Jordan’s early days in a short video clip that surfaced Friday.

Pippen did not venture into a debate on whether the Los Angeles Lakers superstar or the Chicago Bulls legend is the greatest player of all time, but he made it clear he didn’t think much of Jordan when he first joined up with him.

LeBron James

In a highlight from an interview on Stacey King’s podcast, Pippen said there is no comparison to James statistically, and he’s probably right. James, who just completed his 20th season, is first in NBA history in points and fourth in assists.

By way of comparison, Jordan is fifth in points and 51st in assists. In his 15 seasons, he won six NBA championships and was regular-season MVP five times. James has won four NBA titles and has been MVP four times.

Pippen seems to think Jordan would have been a lot better if he wasn’t such a selfish player at the start of his career. Pippen said when he got to the Bulls in 1987, Jordan’s fourth season, his high-profile teammate was horrible to play with because he would play a one-on-one game and take bad shots. It wasn’t until the Bulls started winning that Jordan became the player everyone praises today.

This season, James failed in his quest for a fifth NBA

Converge pips Terrafirma in PBA on Tour

MANILA – Converge blasted off in the second quarter en route to whipping Terrafirma, 11982, in their PBA on Tour game on Friday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The FiberXers outscored the Dyip, 35-22, to blow the game wide open even as the former led by as much as 41 late in the fourth quarter.

Justin Arana imposed

his will inside the paint and led Converge with 24 points on 8-of-11 field goals, 12 rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Jerrick Balanza added 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting including 4-for6 on threes, two rebounds and one assist off the bench.

Mike Nieto tallied a double-double in his first game in purple, finishing with 12 points and 12

rebounds with three assists even as Jeo Ambohot bucked early foul trouble and also finished with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Juami Tiongson led Terrafirma with 17 points and one assist off the bench, while Isaac Go had a quiet seven points, four rebounds, and one block in his first game back from a knee injury. (PNA)

championship when the Lakers were swept out of the Western Conference Finals by the Denver Nuggets. The 38-year-old hinted at retirement afterward, but it is thought he will come back to play another season.

James has said he wants to play in the NBA at the same time as his son Bronny, who recently declared he would play college basketball next season at the University of Southern California. That means the elder James would have to play at least two more seasons to make that a reality.

If he does so, he will just add to the already significant statistical imprint he has put on the NBA. AP

Two talented stars, one big decision to make for Gilas Pilipinas. PHOTO: JEROME ASCANO