Difference between revisions of "Marinduque Province, Philippines"

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==[[Marinduque News]]==
==[[Marinduque News]]==
'''Ortegas eye hold-departure order vs Reyes, et al'''
'''Marinduque targets P183M tax collection for 2012'''
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/14/12/ortegas-eye-hold-departure-order-vs-reyes-et-al
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=787403
*03/14/2012 4:40 PM | Updated as of 03/14/2012 7:23 PM
*March 15, 2012 08:17 AM
:by Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
:by Juancho Mahusay




MANILA, Philippines - The family of slain environmentalist and radio broadcaster Dr. Gerardo "Doc Gerry" Ortega welcomed the finding of probable cause by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against ex-Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes for the killing of Ortega last January 2011.
MARINDUQUE, Philippines The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District Office here aimed at collecting a total of P183 million from local taxes for 2012.


Speaking to journalists at a news conference, Mika and Erika Ortega, daughters of Doc Gerry, said they felt relieved that the preliminary investigation is already concluded, and the case will now go to trial.
Announcing their tax campaign this year, BIR Assistant Regional Director Marina De Guzman said tax payers should pay the correct amount of taxes, using the tagline “I Love the Philippines so I pay taxes.


"My family would like to thank the DOJ for first, allowing the re-investigation; and second, for evaluating my father's case based on its merits. Now, we can move on to the next phase, which, strictly speaking, is the longer and harder battle. This gives us the prospect of a trial wherefore my father's case will hopefully be judged fairly," Mika Ortega said.
Aside from this, De Guzman said BIR planned to implement related various programs to able to meet their goal in the entire MIMAROPA Region, such as ‘Oplan Kandado,’ Late Case Program and Third Party Information Campaign.


"This is a step forward; a critical step, not only for my family but for the campaign against impunity," she added.
According to the BIR official, the programs are not made to scare people, especially businessmen and taxpayers.  It only aims to remind everyone that if they pay the correct amount of taxes.


The Ortegas will also ask the trial court to issue a hold departure order against Reyes and his co-accused Mario Reyes, Jr., Romeo Seratubias, Arturo Regalado, Valentin Lecias, Armando Noel, Jr., Dennis Aranas, Arwin Arandia, and Rodolfo Edrad once warrants for their arrest are issued.
She said a total of P146.86 million worth of taxes were collected in 2010, and P167.37 million in 2011.  


The Ortegas' lawyer, Alex Avisado, said their legal team intends to request the trial court to subpoena the exchange of text messages between Reyes and co-accused Edrad between Dec. 2010 and Jan. 2011, including the very day Ortega was gunned down in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The 2011 figure was about P2.5 million short or 1.47 percent deficit from the 2011 goal collection of P169.88 million target.


The listing of text messages, including the dates and time of exchange, was submitted by Globe Telecom to the DOJ preliminary investigation panel, but the actual messages may not be divulged unless there is a formal order from the trial court.
The BIR official also emphasized the benefit of paying the correct taxes returns as additional funding to local government programs and projects in the form of an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).


"Kapag mababasa ninyo yung text, palitan ng text, mapapatunayan na ang mastermind, ang nagbigay ng pera... ay si ex-Gov. Reyes," Avisado said.
Edrad had admitted that he was ordered by Reyes to craft a plan to liquidate Ortega, who was repeatedly criticizing him on radio for alleged corruption activities. Edrad's lawyers will ask the trial court to discharge him as an accused so he may turn state witness.
The family is also contemplating on filing a petition for review with the office of Justice Sec. Leila De Lima to urge the inclusion of former Marinduque Gov. Antonio Carrion as an accused. The DOJ junked the complaint against Carrion for "lack of evidence."
Overwhelming support
The Ortega family expressed gratitude to supporters from various sectors, and urged for continued vigilance in monitoring Doc Gerry's case and other cases involving killings of journalists.
"This would not be possible if it were not for the enduring support of so many people who believed in us and supported us in so many ways. The people who helped us and continue to help us come from in and out of the government, from the media, the Church, and the academe, as groups and as private individuals. My family is grateful for all of you. You who are relentless, you who are untiring, you whose faith is unwavering -- you know who you are, thank you," Mika said.
The family also vowed to continue Doc Gerry's advocacy for the environment and against mining in Palawan.
Doc Gerry was gunned down last January 24, 2011.
He was ABS-CBN Foundation program director for Philippine Ecotourism Palawan.


==[[:Category:Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery|Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==
==[[:Category:Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery|Marinduque, Philippines Photo Gallery]]==

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