The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) failed to draw up a decision in its meeting last week on whether to enforce a 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on fees collected for use of toll facilities even after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced its decision Wednesday to collect it from expressway operators.

Julius Corpuz, TRB spokesperson, said that no decision has yet been drawn on the matter.

But he said that the review of rates is still going on and will continue next.

“The TRB’s deliberations on VAT will continue next week due to some toll operator’s concerns that need to be clarified with the BIR,” he said.

As such, he said, no new decision has yet been rendered even on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) toll.

The BIR said it will collect the 12-percent VAT from motorists using toll facilities like the North and South Expressways starting August 16.

In Memorandum Circular No. 63-2010, BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said the tax will be collected from all types of vehicles using the highways. (Gabriel S. Mabutas)

No MMDA appointment
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. denied on Saturday that former Tagaytay City mayor Francis Tolentino has been appointed as the new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

In a text message, Ochoa denied the pronouncement of MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno that Tolentino is the new MMDA chairman.

“No,” Ochoa said in his text message when asked if there is truth about reports stating Tolentino's supposed appointment as MMDA chairman replacing Oscar Inocentes.

Nacianceno in an interview with state-run DZRB radio said he has already met with Tolentino Friday and briefed him about issues in the MMDA.

Last Friday, President Aquino said the probable next chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is a former mayor but is still undergoing a background check procedure.

Aquino said that the top candidate to replace current MMDA chairman Inocentes, was “a mayor previously” though he declined to name the person who is still being asked about the charges against him in the Office of the Ombudsman. (JC Bello Ruiz)

Feast of St. James, the Great this Sunday
Bishop Jesse Mercado will celebrate a feast mass at 11:30 a.m. today at the St. James the Great Parish in Ayala, Alabang, Muntinlupa City in celebration of the feast day of St. James the Great, one of the 12 apostles of Christ and the brother of another apostle, St. John the Evangelist.

Masses will also be held at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Commemorative rites will also be held in Libon, Albay where the “Katalingkasan” festival will be celebrated; Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; Bulusan, Sorsogon; Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; and Paete, Laguna.

In Santiago de Compostela in Spain, considered as the third most holy town of Roman Catholicism after Jerusalem in Israel and Rome in Italy, devotees and pilgrims will observe the Way of St. James, the traditional pilgrimage to his grave.

Prayers will also be offered at his major shrine, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where his relics are kept.

St. James is the patron saint of Spain and of pilgrimages. He, along with Sts. Peter and John, witnessed the Transfiguration. He was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus, was with Him during His Agony in the Garden, and was the first apostle to die a martyr. (Christina I. Hermoso)