REFLECTIONS TODAY Galileans in Jesus’ time were burdened by state taxes paid to Rome and Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee who imposed direct taxes on land properties and individuals (head taxes). Indirect taxes were also imposed on transit trade and market exchanges in Capernaum, an important...
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), under the stewardship of Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., has successfully met its collection target for 2024. It marks the first time in two decades that the agency has hit its goal, a remarkable achievement and a testament to the unwavering commitment,...
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is no stranger to vetting candidates, whether genuine or nuisance. However, with the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling made public on Jan. 13, 2025, the Comelec faces a new, delicate challenge — defining what constitutes a nuisance candidate. This decision...
The latest employment figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) bring encouraging news. The employment rate rose to 96.8 percent in November 2024 from 96.4 percent in November 2023 and 96.1 percent in October 2024. Meanwhile, underemployment dropped to 10.8 percent, down from...
Last week, the Philippine government’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country (UMIC) by 2025 — an ambitious yet inspiring goal — ran into headwinds. The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals a sobering reality: 63 percent of Filipino families rated...
The country’s housing backlog is being addressed by the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing Program or the 4PH Program, a transformative approach that will not only build houses but will especially uplift the lives of millions of Filipinos. The 4PH Program, declared as the government’s...
Almost unnoticed because topics like these do not go viral in social media, two news stories days ago reported developments that highlight the country’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens — children. First was the Supreme Court decision upholding the conviction of a...
The signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers is a historic moment not only for the maritime industry but also for the countless Filipino families whose lives depend on their seafaring loved ones. With the landmark legislation now in effect,...
In recent years, the Philippine government has made strides in improving the employability of senior high school graduates by promoting the technical-vocational (tech-voc) track, increasing access to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) certifications, and...
Social security contributions by both employers and employees were raised to 15 percent effective Jan. 1, 2025. This completes the implementation of a three percent increase in contributions, two percent of which is shouldered by employers, and one percent by employees. These increases are...
Today, Filipinos mark the culmination of the Christmas season with the celebration of the Feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Epiphany. It is a day of symbolism, tradition, and spiritual meaning. It invites us not only to honor the journey of the Magi but also to reflect on the...
Healthcare remains a critical need for millions and the promise of accessible and affordable medical services under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act seems to be a beacon of hope. Yet, for many Filipinos, this promise often seems out of reach — not because of lack of programs, but due to...
