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PBBM ENACTS VAT ON DIGITAL SERVICES LAW TO CORRECT INEQUITIES IN TAXATION By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz
that is expected to bring in some P105 billion in revenue to the government over the next five years. The chief executive, however, asPRESIDENT Marcos on Wednesday enacted the Value-Added Tax on Digi- sured that the new law is not intended tal Services Law, a piece of legislation to impose new taxes but rather stream-
line the collection process to help fund critical infrastructure projects. “This law is more than ensuring tax compliance,” Mr. Marcos said during the law’s signing at Malacañang Palace. Next page
VAT ON DIGITAL SERVICES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presents the docu-
ment he signed on the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Digital Services Law which is projected to generate PhP105 billion in government revenue over five years. With the President are (from left to right) Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Senate President Chiz Escudero, Sen. Win Gatchalian, Rep. Joey Salceda, House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Deputy Speakers Jay Suarez and Aurelio Gonzales, Jr.. PCO
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 230 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024
UN: Mid-East conflict escalates Filipinos in Israel told to stay in protected areas
As war drums beat, oil prices jump anew By Alena Mae Flores THE Department of Energy said oil prices could shoot up if Iran’s oil production is disrupted amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. This as oil prices extended a rally Wednesday after Iran’s missile attack on Israel fanned fears of a regionwide conflict. “If the conflict will result to an actual disruption of Iran’s oil production at around 3 million barrels per day equivalent to around 3 percent
By Vito Barcelo, Charles Dantes, Rachelle Tonelada
T
HE United Nations and China expressed alarm over the “broadening conflict” in the Middl East as Filipinos in Israel were advised to enter “protected areas” after Iran launched a massive missile attack on Tuesday, firing what it said were 200 missiles. The Philippine embassy in Tel Aviv set by the Israeli Home Front Command issued the advisory following the rules after Iran used hypersonic weapons that
sent civilians into shelters and prompted several countries in the region to shut their airspace. The HFC placed several areas, including North and South Golan, under Orange Alert, which limits outdoor and indoor gatherings as well as work activities to areas where people can immediately reach protected spaces and shelters. The alert level also bars all educational activities. The advisory will be in effect until
Saturday evening, the HFC said. UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the “broadening conflict in the Middle East,” slamming “escalation after escalation” in the region. “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” said Guterres. China urged world powers on Wednesday to prevent the situation in the Middle East from “further deteriorating.”
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IRANIAN MISSILE BARRAGE. A missile strike lits up the
YULO JOINS NAVY RESERVE FORCE
night sky after Iran launched a barrage of 200 missiles at Israel. Inset at left shows a shower of Iranian missiles while right photo shows an Israeli girl looking at a destroyed building in Hod HaSharon. Israel vowed to make Iran “pay” for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning it would launch an even bigger attack if it is targeted. AFP
NEWS / A2
Independent Imee, ‘Macho Men’ seek Senate return in 2025 polls By Rolando Ng and Maricel V. Cruz
ROQUE URGED: SURRENDER NOW NEWS / A3
CONGRESSIONAL old-timers and reelectionists filed their Certificates of Candidacies (COCs) on Wednesday, seeking to regain or keep their old posts in the upcoming midterm elections. On the second day of filing COCs, Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, was first in line
at the Commission on Election’s (COMELEC) satellite office at the Manila Hotel Tent City. Accompanied by mother, Imelda, and her two sons, the reelectionist senator will be running under the Nacionalista Party. She opted out of the ruling coalition’s senatorial slate desite having been given a slot. Next page
MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay has seen a significant increase in her ranking in the latest senatorial preference surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS).
volcano currently remains at alert level one. #CreditToTheOwner. Story on A2. LASAC
Duterte slips but remains in top six of Senate rankings
Mayor Binay biggest gainer in Pulse Asia, SWS surveys By Joel E. Zurbano
ERUPTION. Grab of the phreatic eruption at Taal Volcano around 4:30 pm yesterday. The
In Pulse Asia’s nationwide non-commissioned survey conducted from September 6 to 13, Binay is ranked fourth to ninth among senatorial preferences, compared to her previous ranking of 14th to 23rd. Next page
Makati Mayor Abby Binay
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s pre-election survey support has been declining but still substantive, according to Pulse Asia Research president Ronald Holmes. Holmes also explained why the past chief executive only landed in the middle of the latest Pulse Asia Pre-Election Survey that was topped by broadcaster
turned lawmaker Erwin Tulfo. Holmes noted that Duterte has not announced his May 2025 election plans, which could be a factor in the dip. He said that while support for Duterte dipped in Balance Luzon, the former president is “still generating about 3 out of 4 votes in Mindanao and that’s Next page