FIREWORKS explode over the National Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing Sunday. --AP

Hike in biz license fees resisted

Filipino businessmen labeled as confiscatory a proposal to increase business license fees up to 3.75 percent of gross sales or receipts and announced they will strongly lobby against the House bill filed by Nacionalista Party Rep. George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental.

OLYMPICS OVER; BACK TO DRAWING BOARD FOR RP

BEIJING—The Chinese had all the reasons to deliriously celebrate Sunday night as the 29th edition of the Olympics came to a close—they won the most number of golds in dominating fashion and set the bar so high succeeding hosts of the quadrennial Games would find difficulty clearing it.

Immigration eyes new visa scheme

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has proposed a new investor visa scheme for foreign businessmen who intend to establish business in the country.

In the proposed scheme, a foreigner who invests and employs at least 10 Filipinos will be extended the privilege of an indefinite stay, according to Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

Central bank acts against financial electronic scams

An ordinary man’s ability to move vast amounts of money through cellular phones and other electronic platforms is forcing regulators to craft guidelines meant to deal effectively with financial electronic mischief.

Toyota to double auto-parts exports

Toyota Autoparts Philippines Inc. (TAP) will be doubling its export sales with the operation of its new P5.6-billion R-type transmission line at the Toyota Special Economic Zone in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Language in Media: Reconstruction of Reality

Media and its practitioners are taking a beating.  They are being blamed for a host of issues—from promoting violence among children, to holding double standards about their much vaunted “public’s right to know” battle cry and even to sowing hatred among groups and perpetuating war. 

Lawyer files disbarment case against PCGG chief

A LAWYER has filed a complaint for disbarment before the Supreme Court (SC) against Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Camilo Sabio for his alleged attempt to convince his brother, Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Jose Sabio Jr. to rule in favor of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in the suit filed by the Lopez-bloc of the Manila Electric Co.

Hold in oil-price decrease seen

SUCCESSIVE price adjustments, whether increases or decreases, should be thought out well in view of the volatilities in world oil prices, Fernando Martinez, chairman and chief executive officer of Eastern Petroleum Corp. (EPC), said Friday.

Contractors reeling under high inflation

Contractors in the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to feel the heat caused by high inflation as the Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index in the region increase to 21.2 percent in July, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Peso falls as oil prices rebound

A rebound in oil prices combined with a bullish dollar sentiment dragged down the peso on Friday to P45.65 from Thursday’s close of P45.45, ending a short-lived rally from weeklong lows. 

The peso opened at 45.45, trading as high as P45.45 and as low as P 45.69. “Dollar is still strong with overseas demand mostly.

Bill to exempt seniors from property tax filed

A BILL seeking to exempt senior citizens from the payment of all taxes on real property has been filed in the House by Nationalista Party Rep. Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan City.

Body Shop gives grants to social enterprises

TOP British retail firm Body Shop through its foundation has awarded £15,000 (P1.25 million) in financial grants to two Filipino social enterprises such as bag making out of the piles of thrashed tarpaulin materials used in the 2004 election.

Kadayawan festival wows Davao residents

DAVAO CITY—The premier festival in Mindanao pulled through without a hitch as street festivities went through the night over the weekend and until the competing contingents from many provinces vied for the plum P300,000 prize in the Indak-Indak sa Daan competition and the floral float parade.

Transparency lack bane of Lopezes

IS IT just a biased view or is government really going for the Meralco jugular?

Whatever the truth, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the largest power distributor, seems to be a strong magnet for more than brickbats.

PRESIDENT Arroyo proposes a toast to Toyota Motor Philippines chairman George S.K. Ty and Fujio Cho, chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., during the 20th anniversary of the Japanese carmaker in the country.