ANYONE can better the offer of a Swiss company and provide the government with a tamper-proof tax-stamping technology any time, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said late last week.

He told reporters that nothing had been cast in stone as far as the proposal of Sicpa Security Products SA is concerned, no matter that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has started discussing cost issues with its Swiss executives.

THE European Commission (EC) is willing to join the International Contact Group (ICG) in the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

At the same time, EC Ambassador Alistair Macdonald announced an additional €2-million allocation to be released by the end of 2009 to help facilitate the peace process in Mindanao.

AFTER being proclaimed as the official candidates of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats), presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and running mate Eduardo “Edu” Manzano on Thursday expressed confidence of winning in the May 2010 elections.

Teodoro, in his speech at the administration party’s national convention held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, said, “Abangan ninyo, Gibo-Edu [ang] mananalo sa 2010 [Watch out, Gibo and Edu will win in 2010].”