3 minute read
IN BRIEF
Retiring PAO chief bats for empowerment
TO prepare public litigators for higher positions, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta on Thursday initiated the conduct of the Empowerment, Accountability, and Capacity Building seminar to enhance their skills, knowledge, and resources.a
“Let us not forget that I will not be at your side forever by the time I reach the compulsory retirement at 65,” she cited. “Wherever I may go, to be a lau drywoman or a cook to my family, that would just be fine,” she said. She urged all public defenders to be an inspiration to other people.
“Time will come that the one sitting beside you would be the next PAO chief,” she stressed. Acosta was appointed to head PAO on Feb. 23, 2001. She is retiring in 2025 at 65. She said she never expected that she would become the PAO chief, adding “I started as a public attorney 1 in the ‘90s in Manila.”
She said she is proud that several of their lawyers are children of judges and justices. Rio N. Araja
BIR files cases against 214 execs for tax liability
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed 127 criminal cases for P6.1 billion in tax liabilities against 214 corporate officers.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. led the filing with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday.
This represents the agency’s second nationwide filing under its “Run After Tax Evaders” program against businesses and corporations who were not paying proper taxes, the official said.
Corporations and its officers should follow all regulations of the BIR, Lumagui said. He earlier led the BIR in its first nationwide filing in February 2023 with 74 criminal cases amounting to P3.58 billion.
“This is a reminder to every corporation and corporate officer not to ignore the BIR. Do so and we will file criminal cases against you,” he said.
NBI nabs 3 for illegal recruitment in Naga
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Naga District Office apprehended three individuals from a Camarines Sur private learning institution for illegal recruitment.
Authorities identified the suspects as Carmelo Carcido, Demittri Carcido, and Marchan Villar who were charged with syndicated or large-scale illegal recruitment and estafa.
“The case originated from a request for investigation from Overseas Criminal Investigation, Regional Security Office of the United States Embassy (OCI, RSO-US Embassy) involving the alleged Illegal Recruitment activities by Brentwood College of Asia (Brentwood) located in Naga City, Camarines Sur,” the advisory on the NBI Facebook page reads. The bureau’s investigation found that Brentwood represented that it can deploy individuals to the United States for employment, internship, and student exchange programs via Tourist Visa. In exchange, Brentwood collected substantial amounts of money from the victims. Gabriellea Pariño program as of end-July.
DOE director Luningning Baltazar said during the Laging Handa brief the total estimated beneficiaries based on the 4Ps list is around 4.2 million consumers.
“The names of the 4Ps beneficiaries were already submitted to the distribution utility. They just need to accomplish the forms,” Baltazar said, adding that those not on the 4Ps list need to secure certification from the local social welfare office.
“The availment is subject to registration. If they cannot register in August, the billing they receive is the actual amount they have to pay. There will be no discount,” she said.
Two million lifeline subsidy beneficiaries also need to reapply under new rules based on Republic Act No. 11552.
Qualified members of the government’s 4Ps and the marginalized can enjoy dis- counts on electricity bill if their consumption does not exceed 100kwh per month.
Meanwhile, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it has ramped up the conduct of barangay caravans in different cities and provinces within its franchise area to encourage more beneficiaries to apply for the lifeline rate program.
Meralco said that starting September, only customers with approved applications will continue to enjoy the discount in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11552 or the law extending and enhancing the implementation of the lifeline rate.
Meralco conducted information cam- paigns in April and has been conducting on-site applications for qualified customers so that they can immediately benefit from the program.
Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said the power distributor is proactively looking for ways to encourage more customers to apply for the lifeline rate program.
“While we have already engaged all local social welfare development offices or SWDOs in our franchise area, we will continue to reach out to more customers and we hope that the on-site applications will lead to the increase in the number of program beneficiaries,” he said.
