News Update
As of November 29, 2017 (Wednesday)
1. Manila Bulletin
SC allows justices to testify
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday allowed its justices and court officials to appear and testify before the House Committee on Justice, which is hearing the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno.
Those invited by the Justice committee were Associate Justices Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro and Noel G.
Tijam, and Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, Clerk of Court Felipe Anama, Spokesman Theodore O.
Te, and chief judicial staff officer Charlotte Labayani. Also invited was retired Associate Justice Arturo D. Brion.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/28/sc-allows-justices-to-testify/
2. Philippine Star
Ex-BuCor chief ordered arrested
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 has ordered the arrest of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Franklin Bucayu along with three co-accused of Sen. Leila de Lima in connection with the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Judge Patria Manalastas de Leon found probable cause in issuing a warrant for the arrest of Bucayu, De Lima’s alleged bagmen Wilfredo Elli and Jose Adrian Dera, and De Lima’s former bodyguard Joenel Sanchez.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/29/1763504/ex-bucor-chief-ordered-arrested
3. Daily Inquirer
North Korea launches ICBM in possibly its longest-range test yet
North Korea abruptly ended a 10-week pause in its weapons testing Tuesday by launching what the Pentagon said was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) — apparently its longest-range test yet — a move that will escalate already high tensions with Washington.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan within 370 nautical kilometers (200 nautical miles) of Japan’s coast. It flew for 53 minutes, Japan’s defense minister said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/948403/news-north-korea-icbm-missile-test-south-korea-japan-sea-of-japan-us- pentagon
4. Manila Times
Senate passes tax reform bill
The Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill that seeks to raise revenues to be used for the massive infrastructure projects and allow taxpayers to enjoy higher take home pay.
The measure was the first package of the comprehensive tax reform program envisioned by President Rodrigo Duterte as a vital component of his administration’s Build, Build, Build program. The bill proposes additional excise taxes on petroleum, minerals, coal, and cosmetic procedures, lifting of value added tax (VAT) exemptions and providing higher income tax exemption for Filipinos.
Taxpayers with an annual income of not more than P250,000 or a monthly income of P21,000 will be exempted from paying income tax.
http://www.manilatimes.net/senate-passes-tax-reform-bill/365535/
