Page 31 - NOVEMBER 2017 'A' ISSUE

November 2017 – No. 21 • UK & Europe Edition NEWS www.hello-philippines.com 31

GSHROABOTA CATRH,EBUTDRFIIRVESTR,GOOD SAMARITAN TNVS DRIVER DIES, AS CARJACKERS USE DEADLY MODUS
MANILA – Carjackers booking rides by still unidentified suspects, who Tech solution vs carjacking. to be vigilant, and to use 911 hotline for
with transport network vehicle services booked and rode as regular passengers emergency cases. Screenshot of the GrabCar booking that brought
in order to steal their cars struck again, before shooting him and fleeing in his Meanwhile, she said “Grab has taken together Gerardo Maquidato Jr. and an ailing woman he
shooting dead GrabCar driver-partner vehicle.” steps in working on a tech solution A Good Samaritan. In October last helped, for free, last year. The woman has since died of
Gerardo Amolato Maquidato Jr. Friday that would decrease, if not completely year, Maquidato was one of the TNVS’ natural causes, and Maquidato himself passed away--
night before taking his Toyota Innova in She cited an initial police report hamper, the chances of carnapping driver-awardees, recognized for giving victim of murderous carjackers.
Pasay City, the sixth such carnapping of “that a witness heard a gunshot at incidents involving Transport Network a courtesy ride to a sick passenger. He
a TNVS this year, as reported by Grab about 750pm, last Oct 26 and then saw Vehicle Services (TNVS) – that have enjoyed the praises of thousands of nonetheless were profuse in their
alone. a lifeless man pushed out a silver Toyota apparently been the latest target of Filipinos after his good deed went viral thanks to Maquidato for being there for
Innova by unidentified suspects along lawless elements.” because of a Facebook post from the Prima. Divine recalled how her then-
Maquidato, described as one of the Bonanza Street in Pasay.” passenger’s family, recalled Nicolas. ailing sister Prima was taken aback,
“best driver-partners” of Grab who first Grab Philippines reported to completely unable to comprehend why
became a netizens’ hero after rushing On Friday (Oct 27), Grab’s attention authorities at least six confirmed cases “Divine Lactao Ornum booked a “Mang Gerardo” refused to take her
to her destination – for free – a woman was called in a post by Rex Mer Solitario of carnapping incidents involving Grab GrabCar for her sister, Prima, who payment.
picking up bags of blood for dialysis – that spoke of the death of Maquidato, Cars in 2017, according to Nicolas. was on her way to Quezon City to
was a registered driver of a silver Toyota his uncle who was a GrabCar driver. “These incidents were perpetrated by pick up bags of blood for her dialysis. “Our prayers and sympathies go out
Innova with plate number YV 7109. criminals pretending to be legitimate Maquidato was in the area and was less to Mr. Maquidato’s family. He was a
Nicolas said in a statement: “We passengers.” than a minute away. Maquidato picked good father to his four children, a good
“Today is indeed a sad day for mourn for the needless and untimely her up but did not ask for payment for friend to many of his fellow drivers,
Grab, ” said Fiona Nicolas, government death of one of our best driver-partners, Grab said it was working closely the trip out of kindness.” and a good driver who was always
communications manager for Grab Mr. Gerardo Amolato Maquidato Jr. with the Philippine National Police – willing to outserve his passengers.
Philippines’ Public Affairs Department. Grab is one with authorities in making Highway Patrol Group, under which is Although Prima passed away He will be missed,” said Nicolas.
sure that justice will be served and Task Force Limbas, in resolving these last August 22 due to complications n InterAksyon | October 28, 2017, 6:29 PM
She said Maquidato “was killed perpetrators will be put behind bars.” cases, and encouraged driver-partners of diabetes, the Ornum family

At Port of Manila, cargo clearance is now paperless
MANILA – The cargo clearance ordered the removal of the Formal collusion in declaring valuation of Manila International Container Port Mr. Arranza also wants Customs

process at the Port of Manila will Entry Division’s 15 window sections shipments that favor the importer in (MICP) and all over the country once to fully implement the Customs

now be fully paperless after the chief “effective immediately” as part of efforts exchange for money. we perfect the system,” he said in mixed Modernization and Tariff Act, or

of the Bureau of Customs announced to curb corruption. “The 15 sections, we will resort to Filipino and English. Republic Act No. 10863, to adopt

yesterday that he had ordered the Import entry declarations are a queuing system of the (Formal Entry Federation of Philippine Industries modernized rules.

dismantling of transaction windows made through that unit, the Formal Division)… It will remove one source (FPI) chairman Jesus L. Arranza Mr. Lapeña said documents queued

at the country’s second largest port. Entry Division, but the face-to- of corruption,” Mr. Lapeña told a press doubts the latest move could on the Formal Entry Division will

Customs Commissioner Isidro face transactions between Customs briefing. eradicate corruption in import entry still follow the five-day mandatory

S. Lapeña said yesterday that he examiners and traders could prompt “There are fixed examiners assigned declarations. document processing rule under

on windows. This time, hindi na “Even if you remove the person to Customs Memorandum Order No. 24-

ngayon (that’s no longer the case). person, can’t they not meet outside? 2017 signed last week — a preventive

So any examiner can be assigned to In hotels? They can talk anywhere all measure as delays prompt Customs

any broker to assess the shipment. So over the country. So what good will it officers to ask for grease money in

mawawala yungface-to-face contact, give you?” Mr. Arranza said in a phone exchange for the streamlining of

yung familiarity (There will be no interview. traders’ documents.

more face-to-face contact, no more Mr. Arranza proposed that on the The Customs chief had also

familiarity),” he added. Customs bureau’s web site, there should dismissed eight district collectors from

The order will first cover the Port of be a reference value for commodities to their post, and reassigned 30 section

Manila for “operational testing.” That guide both the trader and the Customs chiefs to provincial offices earlier this

port is the Philippines’ largest in terms examiner. He added that compliance to month as part of efforts to clean up the

of revenue collection after the Manila that should be monitored. bureaucracy.

International Container Port (MICP). “The only issue to curb misvaluation The BoC is tasked to collect P459.6

Mr. Lapeña said that other ports will is by putting an effective and up-to-date billion this year. As of September, they

follow once the new system is deemed reference value. It can be obtained from have collected P323.825 billion. n Elijah

The Bureau of Customs “efficient.” the good people in the industry,” he J. C. Tubayan, BusinessWorld | October 31, 2017,
building, with its logo (inset).
InterAksyon file “It will be soon implemented in the said. 12:40 PM

A convenience store in every station? Phoenix Petroleum to acquire Philippine FamilyMart
MANILA – Phoenix Petroleum
Philippines, Inc. announced Monday Phoenix Petroleum’s potential trademark “FamilyMart” in company- FamilyMart’s 100th branch
it has signed a Memorandum of acquisition of PFM complements its owned and franchise-owned formats in Market!Market! in BGC.
Understanding to acquire Philippine retail fuel business, with 518 stations in the Philippines. It offers a range of File photo from Phil.Star
FamilyMart (PFM), the third largest nationwide, and marks its entry into products and services including ready
convenience store brand in the country. the fast-growing domestic convenience to eat or fast food items, convenience
retail market. store items, auto-loading, bills payment,
The MOU was signed on October 30, and ATM services. PFM currently has 68
2017 between Phoenix Petroleum and “Philippine FamilyMart has built a stores in Luzon.
SIAL CVS Retailers, Inc. (a joint venture reputation for convenience and fresh,
between ALI Capital Corp. of Ayala Land, quality offerings. We are pleased to have Phoenix Petroleum is the leading
Inc. and the SSI Group, Inc.), FamilyMart it as a strategic addition to the group as independent oil company in the
Co., Ltd., and Itochu Corporation, for the we broaden our products and services Philippines, engaged in the trading
planned 100% acquisition of PFM. and offer greater convenience to our and marketing of refined petroleum
customers,” said Phoenix Petroleum products, including LPG, and
The acquisition will be subject to the President and CEO Dennis Uy. lubricants, operation of oil depots and
approval of the Philippine Competition storage facilities, hauling and into-plane
Commission. PFM is engaged in operating services. n InterAksyon | October 30, 2017, 6:51 PM
convenience stores under the