Mandatory digitalization to cut red tape – Marcos

by alexis romero Philstar.com

MANILA — President Marcos expressed optimism on Monday, May 29 that the AntiRed Tape Authority (ARTA) would further simplify government procedures through mandatory digitalization and contribute to efforts to lure investments and promote economic activity in the country.

In a speech read by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin during ARTA’s fifth anniversary celebration in Manila, Marcos said the agency has been “relentless” in implementing its mandate to curb red tape and bolster ease of doing business since it was established through Republic Act 11032 in 2018.

Padilla resigns as PDP-Laban exec to focus on being senator

by xave GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Robinhood Padilla announced on Tuesday, May 30 he is resigning as PDP-Laban executive vice president to give more time to his duties as a lawmaker.

Padilla remains a member of the party chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“As an incumbent senator with a heavy mandate, I am aware that other duties — including my position as EVP of the party — must give way to my ability to fulfill my sworn duty to the people,” Padilla said in u PAGE 2 fund to potential investors abroad, said Wednesday that the SSS and GSIS would not be the source of seed funding for Maharlika. He said, however, that “if the pension fund decides that Maharlika fund is a good investment, it’s up to them if they want to invest in it.”

‘Let’s give it a chance’ Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier

Hike in US visa fee takes effect June 17

by Beatrice Pinlac Inquirer.net

MANILA — Securing a non-immigrant visa to the United States for some categories will be more expensive starting June 17, said the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Mark McGovern, Consul General of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, said on Thursday, June 1 that the application fee for visitor visas for temporary business or tourism and other non-petition based non-immigrant visas, such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 (P8,996) to $185 (P10,402).

The fee increase was initially to take effect May 30 but had since been deferred to June 17.

“The reality is there has been no increase in the visa fees since 2011. That was the last time an increase was done. And all of the fees that we do for the visas are based on a cost of service study,” McGovern said in a news conference at the U.S. Embassy. He noted, however, that the cost hike is not exclusive to the Philippines as it will likewise be implemented in U.S. embassies across the globe.

“We have to bring American citizens. We pay for them to be here. We have increases in salaries for our local staff. The increase in operating our facilities. The increase in shipping over visa foils. All these prices u PAGE 2

“In just five years, the men and women of ARTA have definitely proven that change in the way we serve in government is possible. It is possible to do things now to empower the improvement of processes and make transactions easier and more convenient for our clients, the Filipino people,” the president said.

“As the work is not finished, I look forward to even more accomplishments for ARTA in the years to come. I am confident that with your undiminished and steadfast dedication to serve the people and given your passion to advance the mandates of RA 11032, ARTA will be ready and equipped to lead over the hurdles the future holds,” he added.

by ma reina tolentino ManilaTimes.net

HOUSE Deputy Speaker and Pampanga

Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday, May 28 reiterated that she did not plot to unseat Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“A report is going around that I was ‘duped’ by a congresswoman into thinking that the alleged House coup had the blessings of the first lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos,” Arroyo said in a statement. “I am truly sorry that she should even be dragged into this political fantasy of a House coup — it is disrespectful to her and to her intelligence.”

CA Attorney General Rob Bonta seeks to improve hate crime reporting, solutions

by DonnaBelle GatDula-arevalo AJPress

CALIFORNIA Attorney General

Rob Bonta has vowed to pursue broader and concrete measures to improve the reporting system on racial-related hate crimes.

Bonta recently hosted a roundtable with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) press in the state to provide updates on his statewide initiatives in line with the celebration of May as AAPI Heritage Month.

As the first Filipino American attorney general of California and the second Asian American to occupy the post after now Vice President Kamala Harris, who served between 2011 to 2017, Bonta underscored the need to improve the way hate crimes are being handled, especially in California, a state home to nearly 6 million AAPIs.

A former state assemblymember, Bonta was first appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as attorney general in March 2021, before being elected to a full term last November 2022. He was sworn in and delivered his inaugural address in Sacramento last January 6.

During the discussions with AAPI reporters, the state’s chief legal counsel said that amidst the alarming and continuing rising level of anti-Asian hate crimes over the past years, his office is very keen on implementing some definitive short-term and long-term programs to address these concerns.

He said short-term solutions may involve an immediate and effective way to resolve a hate crime as it happens.

“We need accountability for hate crimes when they occur and in my view charging hate crimes as hate crimes when elements are there and making sure that there’s an appropriate and proportionate accountability for those who commit hate crimes,” Bonta said.

According to Bonta, providing relatively prompt help to assist hate crime victims could also be a part of a short-term scheme.

“We provide victims with the services that they need to heal in the way that they need for them to heal, could be trauma form of care, it could be culturally competent care, could be inlanguage care like programs and services that allow and assist and expedite the healing of victims,” he said.

For long-term solutions, he said there is a need to implement a strategic plan of action involving education, cross-cultural awareness, and u PAGE 3