IN BRIEF

Sen. Villar: Promote high-value PH crops

SEN. Cynthia A. Villar said there is a need to promote high-value crop production in the country, noting that the local agricultural sector still faces limited diversity, low productivity, and only a few successful high-value agribusinesses after 28 years,

Since the implementation of RA No.7900 or the “High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995,” Villar said the country still has a long way to go to reach its goals.

Speaking during the 28th Anniversary of the High Value Crops (HVC) implementation, Villar said the law was passed to give an opportunity to diversify crop production and promote the development of agribusiness value chain.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Gov’t opens internship program for public service

THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have opened a government internship program for 19 young people who want to pursue a career in public service.

The program provides three to six months of internship opportunities for high school, technical-vocational, or college graduates who want to pursue a career in public service in either local or national government.

A series of dialogues earlier took place between PCUP and DOLE on the initiative of PCUP chairperson Elpidio Jordan Jr. and DOLE Regional Operations Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, along with Labor Employment Officer Erickson Mag-isa, and discussed how urban poor organizations could have wider access to livelihood and job opportunities.

Rio N. Araja

Tarlac National High grand alumni homecoming

TARLAC National High School

Annex, formerly AFPSEM--Camp

Aquino High School will hold its 19th Grand Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly.

The event, dubbed “Ugnayan 2023,” is scheduled for May 6, 2023, with morning activities at 6am to 12pm and a gala night from 6pm to 12am. The venue is at St. Michael’s Park and Covered Court, San Miguel, Tarlac City.

Court upholds decision on Ligot tax raps

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) has sustained the decision of the Court of Tax Appeals absolving retired Lt. Gen. Jacinto C. Ligot and his wife Erlinda of four counts of tax evasion for willful under-declaration of income from 2001 to 2004 amounting to P458 million.

In a 20-page decision, the SC’s Third Division through Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting held that the CTA Third Division did not commit grave abuse of discretion in dismissing the tax evasion case against the Ligots.

The CTA Third Division, in a decision rendered last January 8, 2019, declared that the prosecution failed to prove that the couple are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 254 ( Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) and 255 (Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld on Compensation) of the National Internal Revenue Code or the Tax Code.

FREEDOM. Joselino Tana one of the 168 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who have been released from prison prays before departing from the Bureau of Correction in Muntinlupa City after the ceremonial release of PDLs as part of the decongestion program of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Danny Pata