Around town

And the real count down begins.

The song 12 days of Christmas is more, than, appropriate now.

Around town, here’s some of the news update I have heard while I gather materials to write this holiday season going up to the new year. I can sense your interest.

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Here’s the first or should I say the top news I want to fill your insatiable, unquenchable quest for information rather the usual virus related updates: from the corner lot of the Department of Finance to the stable permanent position in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – a good friend, who would have done a follow-up of this news heard this but failed to include it in the write up: Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez is ready to relinquish is stewardship of Anak-ng-Pasig fame, now Finance Assistant Tony Lambino.

The gentleman that he is, Sonny is releasing his hold over Lambino base on his commitment with BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno that the transfer can only be enforced following the progress or the passage of 2 and 3 of the comprehensive tax reform package (CTRP). Lambino, who along with his millennial buddy Karl Chua that was shipped earlier to Pasig as Socio-Economic Planning Secretary are the tax ambassadors of the DOF.

Package 3 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) aims to promote the development of a just, equitable, and efficient real property valuation system. It will broaden the tax base used for property-related taxes of the national and local governments, thereby increasing government revenues without increasing the existing tax rates or devising new tax impositions.

In contrast to his co-terminus position with the appointing power, Lambino will hold a permanent managing director position with supervisory powers over the corporate affairs office of the BSP. Lambino’s appointment is effective Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

On the political front, I gathered that our boxing champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao is entertaining serious the idea of running for the top post of the land with former Sen. Bongbong Marcos as his running mate.

“This is the primary reason for the stepping down of Sen. Koko as PDP head,” said an impeachable source in the political organization.

Hard core, dyed in the wool politicians are preparing for 2022, which to some is too early but to others is just about right. A muted insider at the PDP-Laban camp said the tandem could possibly face Sen. Bong Go and presidential daughter Sara Duterte team.

While ousted House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is definitely looking at 2022 for his presidential bid. Cayetano, however, is unsure as who he will tap to be his running mate.

Whether iit’s appropriate time or not, this early observers noted Cayetano has already engaged the services of drumbeaters and spin doctors to remake, spruce up his image tainted and tarnished by the mess between him and Lord Allan Velasco.

Let me throw this question to you my faithful readers: if we are to hold a presidential election who’s your candidate? Who will you vote?  

As the title of this column - Fill Me in what’s on you mind.

Happy holidays.