House panel okays bill defining PH maritime zones

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs on Monday approved an unnumbered substitute bill declaring the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines.

The panel, chaired by Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, consolidated House Bills 2467, 3895, and 6109 or the pro- posed “Philippine Maritime Zones Act” which aims harmonize Philippine legislations with international laws, such as the 1982 United National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

A similar measure was already approved on third and final reading during the 18th Congress, but the Senate failed to act on it.

The bill seeks to clarify the nature and status of the waters connecting the various islands of the Philippines and its adjacent seas.

According to one of the bill’s authors, the Philippines, as a signatory and party to the 1983 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), “recognizes the establishment of various maritime zones and jurisdiction of coastal states, including its own, over which sovereignty and appurtenant sovereign rights can be exercised.”

Tax exemption eyed for balikbayan boxes

CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus

Rodriguez seeks the exemption of balikbayan boxes from Customs duties and taxes as a gesture of recognizing the “hard work and sacrifices” of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to give their families a better future.

Rodriguez filed House Bill 6752 which also provides “non-intrusive” ways of inspecting the balikbayan boxes.

He added that the balikbayan boxes or packages could be opened only under certain circumstances.

Rodriguez said families and relatives of OFWs and other Filipinos abroad receive an average of 400,000 balikbayan boxes every month.

“These balikbayan boxes serve as the enduring testament of their sacrifice and hard work in order to secure a better future for their families back home. They represent their love and care for their families, who have to endure months or even years of separation from each other,” he said.

In proposing the tax exemption and no-opening-of-packages policy, the Mindanao lawmaker invoked the Constitution, which provides: “The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.”

Rodriguez said his proposed law is a way for the state and the government to give back to OFWs and other Filipinos living abroad, who send home billions of dollars and other foreign currencies a year. Maricel V. Cruz

“Vinny will undergo training in the legislative processes,” the statement said.

“He will be mentored on the daily grind at the House of Representatives, including the role and interaction of various committees and departments on the legislative processes, as well as strategies to help expedite the passage of vital bills and other measures for the benefit of the Filipino people,” it added.

The paper said the Speaker, who is Vinny’s uncle, will supervise and oversee the young Marcos’ training, a task he also did for Vinny’s older brother, Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, during the 18th Congress.

Sandro, 28, currently serves as Ilocos Norte First District Representative and holds the position of House Senior Deputy Majority Leader.

Vinny was seen earlier at a meeting with the members of the House Minority bloc led by House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.

Libanan, in a statement on Sunday, confirmed that Vinny has been designated as special assistant to the Speaker.

“The truth is, we were advised that Mr. Vincent ‘Vinny’ Marcos had been designated special assistant to the Speaker, and the Speaker merely asked us to brief the young man on the role and work of the House minority bloc,” Libanan said.

Binay hails PBBM’s VAT refund offer to foreign tourists

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Nancy Binay on Monday hailed the offer by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to refund the value-added tax (VAT) collected from foreign tourists.

Binay said the President’s gesture would help “kickstart” the country’s tourism industry.

“It would be nice to see the Philippines as an alternative shopping destination and showcase our premium local brands,” the senator said.

Binay, chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism, said “we also want our tourists have a pleasant experience and the ease of traveling and shopping in the Philippines.”

“That’s why it would also be a good thing if the DOF could walk us through its (VAT refund) implementation in retail shops, department stores, in ports and airports,” she said.

She said it would seem this VAT refund program is first time for us.

“It will be much better if the DOF can present numbers and data how much will be the administrative costs in its implementation.

She also wants to know how many percent will be lost from our collection, and its impact and benefits to small- and medium-scale retailers in the tourism industry.