MANILA, Philippines ? A party-list lawmaker is strongly batting for the designation of Philippine boxing icon Rep. Manny Pacquiao (NP, Saranggani) as the country?s tourism ambassador.
Agbiag party-list Rep. Patrick Antonio aired this proposal in filing several resolutions on various concerns on the country?s tourism industry.
House Resolution No. 706 proposes to designate Pacquiao as the chief endorser of Philippine tourism.
Antonio said there has been a popular clamor among Filipinos to name Pacquiao the ambassador of tourism as government makes a strong push to lure more tourists into the country.
The party-list solon said Pacquiao, holder of an unprecedented eight world boxing titles, is the best person to represent the country because of his worldwide popularity, which he earned not only because of his excellence in the boxing ring but more so because of his humility and magnanimity in the midst of victory.
By naming Pacquiao as the Philippine tourism ambassador, the administration will not only promote the Philippines as a country ?but will also be presenting to the world a Filipino who has brought great honor to the Filipinos and contributed significantly through his various winnings in the boxing arena,? Antonio said. (Ben Rosario)
tax cut for parents proposed A Luzon lawmaker has called on the government to reduce the tax imposed on all parents or guardians who take care of children with special needs.
Sorsogon Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr. said the tax reduction will help ease the plight of people attending to the needs with children with disabilities.
“We should help children, regardless of any difficulties or differences they may have, to fully realize their potential for development. By allowing a tax deduction on a legal guardian’s taxable income, we help families reduce their expenses and hopefully provide better care,” he said in a statement.
Quoting the Department of Education’s Special Education Division, he noted that the cost for taking care of children with disabilities is at least double compared to regular children.
Children with special needs include those who are intellectually disabled; and has hearing impairments, speech or language impairments, visual impairments, serious emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism and traumatic brain injury. (Charissa M. Luci)
Second Sunday of Advent The second purple candle in the Advent wreath, the symbol of penance, will be lighted in church rites this Sunday in all Catholic churches all over the country to herald the Second Sunday of Advent, 20 days before the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
The first purple candle, the symbol of hope, that was lit last Sunday on the First Sunday of Advent, will also be lighted.
Priests wearing purple vestments will focus their readings and reflections on the narrative of the mission of St. John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ, and his urgent call to ?Prepare the way of the Lord and make straight His paths.?
Confessional prayers will be recited during the eucharistic celebration as part of the period of waiting and preparation for the Second Coming, while anticipating the celebration of the First Coming of Christ on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Churchgoers are encouraged to go to confession ?to welcome the dawning of the Birth of Christ with clean hearts.? (Christina I. Hermoso)
