TNCs Not Exempted from Remitting Fair and Correct Taxes to Government – LTFRB

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin B. Delgra III today clarified that Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) are required to pay fair and correct taxes to the government, and that insinuations that DOTr Secretary Art Tugade wants a “share” from their earnings is utterly malicious.

In a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday, Secretary Tugade was asked to comment on the directive of the LTFRB requiring TNCs to deactivate “colorum” driver-partners from their platform. The Transportation chief said anyone who wants to get into the business of public transportation must submit themselves to regulation.

Tugade said regulation would not only level the playing field and guarantee accountability, but also allow the government to collect the correct taxes from TNCs.

“Ang punto ni Secretary Tugade at ng LTFRB, kapag colorum ang isang sasakyan, walang habol dyan ang gobyerno. Paano mo masisingil ng tamang tax kung hindi nga sila rehistrado?” Chairman Delgra explained. “Like any business, TNCs and their partners are covered by laws of taxation and they must give what’s due to the government," he added.

Based on the numbers given by Uber and Grab, there are 56,000 activated Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers, including the 3,000 with approved franchises. Out of these numbers, the two TNCs admitted there are TNVs which are accredited to both uber and grab. This means some 40,000 are plying the streets without being required to file tax returns to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“The problem is how can the government be assured that it is getting its fair share from these TNCs when majority of their drivers do not have franchises? Under existing laws, the TNCs, owner of vehicles, and drivers who are earning from this business all have tax accountabilities,” Delgra said.

On October 29, 2015, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 70-2015 or the guidelines for the taxability of TNCs and their partners.

Contestants Try to Survive in the New Reality Show “Kicking & Screaming” this August on AXN

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The most unlikely couples find their hands full in taking in more than they can handle in the new reality series Kicking & Screaming, which premieres this August on AXN.

Ten survival experts are paired with hapless amateurs who have no experience in living outdoors as they fight their way through a series of challenges in a remote jungle of a South Pacific island where they must overcome dangerous animals, raging rivers, hunger, and extreme weather.

While the experts are used to surviving in the wilderness, their privileged partners are not, resulting in lots of arguing, bickering, and swearing.

With a cash prize of $500,000 at stake, the mismatched teammates realize that in order to win, they must work together to thrive in the wilderness and to survive the toughest challenge of their lives.

The show, from Fear Factor executive producer Matt Kunitz, is hosted by New Girl actress Hannah Simone.

Kicking & Screaming premieres on August 7 and airs every Monday at 9:45pm first & exclusive on AXN.

AXN is available on SKYCable Channel 49, Destiny Cable Channel 61, Cignal Channel 121, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and Cablelink Channel 38. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

Data Protection a Cornerstone of Robust Cybersecurity: Fortinet

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fortinet, a global leader in high-performance cyber security solutions, urged IT leaders to take steps to protect data in their organizations in a bid to strengthen data privacy, as well as cyber security in the country. “Data protection is an integral component of cyber security. It is not just about getting the right technology – it is also about governments creating the right legislative environment, and organizations managing the processes and restrictions for different users to access their data,” said Alvin Rodrigues, chief security strategist for Fortinet Asia-Pacific during the 2017 Information Security Officers Group (ISOG) Summit held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Taguig City, recently.

Maintaining data privacy is a cybersecurity fundamental, and goes a long way in minimizing business losses when a cyberattack happens.

“Robust data protection also demonstrates your firm's commitment to customers,” stressed Rodrigues. “The personal information that customers put in your care is valuable to them. If you take good care of it, they will appreciate the gesture and continue to do business with you.”