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Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
GMM with Attorney Ronaldo Ledesma Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Immigration
“General Membership Meeting”
HON. RONALDO P. LEDESMA
Officer In Charge
Bureau of Immigration
Guest of Honor & Speaker
Wednesday, 20th October 2010
Ballroom 3, New World Hotel , Makati City
Below please find the speech that Attorney Ledesma gave during the GMM:
COMMISSIONER ROY LEDESMA
Speech
Filipino-Indian Businessmen
October 20/21
Draft only
My friends, ladies and gentlemen:
When historians talk about the long, beneficial relationship between the people of India and the Philippines, they would also point out that traders from India had some to this country centuries before the European colonizers did.
I am sure the first Indians who came to our country landed here in order to transact business.
I am sure they did not come here for cosmetic surgery.
That is why it would have been useless to have them fill out disembarkation cards that advertise the local cosmetology business.
I do not mean to put down the medical tourism sector. I will be the first to promote it, given the right, proper and ethical opportunity.
What I simply mean to point out is that when the first businessmen arrived here from India many centuries ago, they brought to our shores many things other than commercial commodity.
They also brought to the Philippines India’s most important symbol. I refer to “human beauty”.
Others would say that it is culture that bind our two nations together. Historians and academicians would be quick to point out that the Filipino language is full of words that originated from Sanskrit. And, that many of our folk beliefs and practices had their origin from India.
I will not debate their view. But I will stick to my original stand – that the most important contribution of the Indian people to our country is “beauty”.
The evidence of this important contribution of India to the Philippines are very visible even to this day.
Two names immediately come to mind: the beautiful Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Venus Raj; and the charming actress Sharmaine Arnaiz whose real name is Sharmaine Prihibas-Shahani.
Given those two names, one cannot debate the important positive effect of the coming of the first Indian businessmen to our country centuries ago.
Unfortunately for me, my friends have concluded that they tell me point blank that I definitely have no Indian blood.
I once argued that I would pass for a son of the late Mayor Ramon Bagatsing if you look at my side view.
An Indian friend told me that in the Hindi language, that is what will be called “trishna”.
Sa tagalog, “pantasya”.
I did not come here today to talk to you about my “trishna”. Today, I thank you all for the invitation to speak before you. And today, I would like to talk about “abhilaasha” or “aspiration”. Or perhaps more appropriately, to talk about “aakaaanksha” or “intention”.
By now, you are all aware of the major reforms we are implementing at the Bureau of Immigration.
Many of these reforms have been reported in media. Many of them have received warm welcome both from the local and the expatriate communities. Some of them need a little more clarification and explanation to address whatever discomfort they may have caused.
An understanding of the “aspiration” and “intention” behind these reforms should help address those concerns.
Reforms and programs
First, allow me to review recent developments in the Bureau of Immigration front.
AT THE NAIA
1. RESHUFFLED AND REORGANIZED IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL AT NAIA AND DMIA
2. CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING FOR ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS
3. S-QUEUEING AT DEPARTURE AREAS
4. BI CASHIERS AT 24/7 STATIONS
5. PLANS TO INCREASE IMMIGRATION BOOTHS
6. IMPROVING PROCESSING TIME WITH SPECIAL LANE FOR BUSINESS PERSONS
7. IMPROVING PROCESSING TIME WITH NEW ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE CARDS
8. IMPOSING DISCIPLINARY MEASURES VS IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS AND PERSONNEL
9. PLANS TO IMPLEMENT ALL THESE AT CEBU, DAVAO, ZAMBOANGA AND LAOAG
AT THE MAIN OFFICE:
1. PLANS TO REDUCE WAITING TIME FOR PROCESSING AND RELEASE OF VISAS
2. REVIEW POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT IMPLEMENT THE I-CARD
3. PROVIDE VALUE FOR MONEY SERVICES FOR ALL IMMIGRATION SERVICES
4. PLAN FOR AN ON-LINE SYSTEM FOR VISA SERVICES
5. OPEN CHANNELS FOR DIALOGUE, EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND DISCUSSIONS
The Rationale behind the Reforms
I was told by friends from the Indian community that there is a Hindi word which means “eagerness” or “passion”. The Hindi word is “laalsa”. And, I believe that this is the word that best describes what is being done and what is happening in the Bureau of Immigration front.
Laalsa. Eagerness. Passion.
What is it that we are “eager” to do? What is it that is giving us the “passion” to do the reforms and the programs I have just mentioned?
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima explained the reason well.
Here is what Secretary De Lima told us.
According to her, the mission of the Bureau of Immigration goes beyond the mere policing of the entry and exit points in our country.
She said our more important work is two-fold. First, the make sure that legitimate tourists, businessmen and investors coming into the country feel welcome and safe as they pass through the portals of our immigration service. Second, to make sure these legitimate tourists, businessmen and investors continue to feel safe and comfortable during their stay in the country.
Emphasis is made on the word “legitimate”, meaning, legal and with a valid purpose. Anyone who falls out of that definition cannot expect the welcome. Neither can they expect to feel comfortable during their illegal stay in the country.
At the end of the day, our task is not just to guard the ramparts of our island nation. Our task is to protect our friends. That means, you.
It is our task to help protect the friendship of our two nations.
Our country once had a distinguished political leader by the name of Ramon Mitra. He was once Speaker of the House and a gallant and respected leader of the political opposition.
This man was a friend to many, regardless of political persuasion and station in life.
I was told by friends from the Indian community that this man, Ramon, merely lived by his name. It appears that “Mitra” is the Hindi word for “friend”.
That’s our job – to make sure that tourists, businessmen and investors who we call our “Mitra” are given the warm welcome they deserve. And, that while they are in our country, they would feel that the Philippines is their “desh” or homeland, and that every Filipino is a brethren.
Secretary De Lima recognizes the importance of the investments that the Indian community has placed in our country’s business process outsourcing industry, tourism, trading, telecommunication and renewable energy sectors.
She points out that it is vital to ensure the safety of both Indian investors and investments since you contribute significantly to the attainment of the economic objectives of President Noynoy Aquino.
As Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, I find my task challenging. Even daunting.
But I also find it fulfilling.
It is an honor to be part of the overall effort to protect and enhance a centuries-old partnership between our two peoples; between our two countries.
For me, personally, this is also a pleasant task.
By pursuing our mission and performing our role, we get to thank the Indian nation for its legacy to our race.
This is “Sundarta”. Beauty. Ganda.
It is my hope that “sundarta” would not just be your gift to us, but will also be the hallmark of our continuing, mutually beneficial relationship.
Shukriya. I thank you. Maraming salamat po.
-o0o-
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Wheelchair Distribution
This is a new project initiated by Director Gautam Dadlani & Chairman Ram Sitaldas wherein they give Wheelchairs to deserving recipients. Thanks to the members of the FICCI for their generous contributions to make this new project come to fruition.
Friday, September 17, 2010
GMM with BIR Commissioner Henares
“General Membership Meeting” with HON. KIM S. JACINTO –HENARES, Commissioner , Bureau of Internal Revenue
as Guest of Honor & Speaker on
Thursday, 23rd September 2010
Ballroom B, Dusit Thani Hotel
Ayala Center, Makati City
KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES RESUME
WORK EXPERIENCE
WORLDBANK GROUP,
Pasig City, Philippines
August 2007 to present Senior Private Sector Development Specialist
• Co-convene, for and in behalf of the International Finance Corporation
(IFC), the Growth and Investment Climate Working Group of the
Philippine Development Forum – the working group among the
Government of the Philippines (represented by the Department of Trade
and Industry), development partners and private sectors whose agenda is
to establish the national strategy for increasing growth and improving
the investment climate in the Philippines, and the work plan for
implementing said strategy.
• Implement, supervise, and monitor Worldbank’s National Program
Supporting Tax Administration Reform (NPSTAR) – a US$11
Million loan to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to implement
reforms in tax administration.
• Coordinate International Finance Corporation (IFC) and WorldBank
(WB) private sector development staff in the establishment and
implementation a holistic approach and strategy to improve the business
enabling environment for the WBG in the Philippines. This will require
effective liaison and coordination among WB and IFC offices and
competencies.
• Track and report on policy and regulatory developments that either
impact competition and efficiency in product and services markets or
influence investment flows.
• Develop and maintain qualitative and quantitative databases that support
delivery of the Bank's analytic and advisory services in the area of
private sector development.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key economic ministries,
industry associations and private sector firms with a view to
understanding and identifying problems in the business environment.
• Coordinate the work of the World Bank Group team in the production of
analytic and advisory reports and technical assistance efforts that deal
with private sector development issues.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEGAL CONSULTANT,
Paranaque City, Philippines
April 2006 to August 2007 Consultant
Provide consultancy services to various groups and projects and advocacy,
provide legal, tax and compliance advice to and structure business
transactions for various individuals, business, government agencies and
multilateral agencies, such as:
• Trade Expert to the EU funded ASEAN Single Window Project –
Pilot Implementation of ASEAN Single Window between the
Philippine Bureau of Customs and the Royal Thailand Customs.
• International Law Expert to the USAID funded project for the
development of a Philippine National Strategy of Accession to the
Revised Kyoto Convention – Convention on the Harmonization of
Customs Procedures for Trade Facilitation being undertaken by
Parayno Consultancy.
• Consultant to the Change Management Component of the AUSAID
funded Philippine Judicial Reform.
• Large Taxpayer Unit Adviser, Revenue Department of the Ministry
of Finance of Afghanistan implemented by Adam Smith
International and funded by UK’s DFID.
VERISANT, INC. , Makati City, Philippines
October 2006 to August 2007 Managing Director – Head, Compliance Services
Provide consultancy service relating to trade risk and integrity management
and internal audit.
BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Quezon City, Philippines
August 2003 – November 2005 Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner for the Special Concerns Group of the Bureau of
Internal Revenue of the Philippines, a government agency in charge of
collecting tax revenues of P547 Billion for 2005, Officer in charge of the
Large Taxpayer Service, a Service under the Bureau of Internal Revenue
tasked to collect 56% of the P547 Billion of the tax revenue collectible by
the Bureau with personnel strength of approximately 700 personnel, and
formerly the Official Spokesperson of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
INVESTMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE
July 2003 – July 2004 Representative
Alternate for the Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry. The
Investment Coordinating Committee is a cabinet level committee in charge
of approving projects to be entered into by the Philippine government, and
loans to be contracted by the government.
NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Quezon City, Philippines
June 2003 – March 2004 Director
Alternate for the Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry. The
National Power Corporation is a government owned corporation tasked with
generating electricity either directly or purchasing power from independent
power producers for the Philippines.
POWER SECTOR ASSETS & LIABILITIES MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION
June 2003 – April 2004 Director
Alternate for the Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry. The Power
Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corporation is a government owned
corporation tasked to privatize the power generating assets of the
Philippines.
CAGAYAN ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY
June – October 2003 Chairman
Alternate for the Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry. Aside from
Subic and Davao City, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority is the only other
free zone authority in the Philippines.
BOARD OF INVESTMENTS, Makati City, Philippines
March 2003 –January 31,2004 Governor
Private Sector Representative. Supervising governor of the Technical and
Management Group of the Board of Investments. From time to time act as
the Officer-in-Charge of the Board, and carry out the functions of the
Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry for the Industry and
Investment Group in the absence of the appointed undersecretary. The
Board of Investment is the policy making body of the Philippine government
which determines what industries shall be given fiscal incentives, and is also
the body which screen and actually grants incentives to business entities. It
is also the body which markets the Philippines as an investment destination
for various type of business.
COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Quezon City, Philippines
January 2003 – August 5, 2003 Consultant
Provided the Commissioner of Internal Revenue with advice on legal and tax
matters.
LBP LEASING CORPORATION, Makati City, Philippines
(A Subsidiary of LandBank)
November 2002 –May 2003 Director
Member of the Board of Director, Executive Committee, Member of the
Compensation and Remuneration Co
YAP, JACINTO, JACOB LAW OFFICE, Pasig City, Philippines
January 2001 –December 2002 Partner
Rendered professional legal advice on matters involving taxation, banking
law, commercial law, securities law, and other business and corporate law
matters, including but not limited to structuring of financial products and
transactions.
ING BANK N.V. (MANILA BRANCH)
March 1996- July 2000 Vice President – Head, Legal and Compliance (Corporate
& Legal Affairs)
Rendered legal opinion and assistance to the various members of ING
Barings (domestic and oversees), developed products, structures deals,
drafted and prepared various legal documents, created and implemented the
compliance system for ING Barings, liased between ING Barings and
various external legal counsel and governmental regulatory bodies, and
generally, acted as the internal legal counsel and the Manila Laundering
Reporting Officer for ING Barings.
ROMULO, MABANTA, BUENAVENTURA, SAYOC & DE LOS
ANGELES LAW OFFICE, Manila, Philippines.
1990 – 1996 Senior Associate
Rendered tax opinion, prepared protests and appeals of tax assessments, tax
and estate planning, corporate reorganization and acquisition, public
offering, registration of securities, shareholder voting, proxy contest, loan
documentation, contract drafting and review, banking and other corporate
work, drafted Rules on Issuance of Warrants initially adopted by the
Securities and Exchange commission of the Philippines and the local Stock
Exchange. Incorporate offshore companies, and prepared US Income Tax
Return of said companies. Involved in various bidding for public
infrastructure project, contract negotiation for various turnkey projects, e.g.
oleo chemical plant, petrochemical plant, airline company and project
finance. Vice Chairman of the Special Project Group.
SECURITY BANKING CORPORATION, Makati City, Philippines
1989-1990 Deputy to the (Vice) Chairman
Involved in the operations of the Bank, sits in the Assets Liability
Committee and Credit committee, incorporated and organized a stock
brokerage firm, liaised with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
Lloyds Bank Fund management Limited in the formulation of the rules on
the establishments of mutual funds, drafted various legal documents, and
coordinated collection. Also, engaged in private banking.
SYCIP, GORRES, VELAYO & CO. , Makati City, Philippines.
(An Affiliate of Ernst & Young, Formerly an Affiliate of Arthur Andersen & Co.),
February – October 1989 Tax Lawyer
Rendered tax opinions, tax planning, corporate reorganization and
acquisition (e.g., the reorganization of Pepsi Bottling), and prepared protests
and appeals of tax assessments.
ST. J SQUARE MARKETING CORPORATION, Manila, Philippines
1987-1989 General Manager
Organized and managed the department store, set policies – operational,
management, organizational, and employees policy, and functioned as the
legal counsel for corporate and labor matters.
DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY, Manila, Philippines
October – December 1983 Lecturer
Lecturer in Accounting II – Accounting For Corporation and Partnership
EDUCATION
Fall Term 1994 University of Toronto. Faculty of Law, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada;
(Fulfillment of the Requirement of the Joint Accreditation
Committee)
June 18 – July 1, 1993 Williamette University College of Law and East China
Institute of Politics and Law; Summer Chinese Legal Study in
China, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China – classes in
Chinese Law and Legal Institutions.
Winter Term 1993 McGill University, Faculty of Law, Montreal, Quebec, Canada;
(Fulfillment of the Requirement of the Joint Accreditation
Committee)
Fall Term 1993 University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick,
Canada;
(Fulfillment of the Requirement of the Joint Accreditation
Committee)
1986 Georgetown University, Washington D.C., U.S.A.;
Master of Laws major in International and Comparative
Law
1981 – 1985 Ateneo de Manila University, Makati City, Philippines;
Bachelor of Laws, graduated with Second Honour Medal, 16th
in an entering class of 250 and a graduating class of 100,
Consistent Honour Student.
1978-1980 De la Salle University, Manila, Philippines;
Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting,
consistent Dean’s Lister; Topnotcher, Accounting Qualifying
Examination; Member, Honour Society of Jose Rizal.
ACTIVITIES
Non-align Student Representative Ateneo Law School Student Council
Member Ateneo Law Journal
Section Editor Ateneo Law Bulletin
Business Manager El Ponente (Ateneo Law School Paper)
Member Philippine Institute of Certified Public
Accountants
Member Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Member Ateneo Law School’s women’s Basketball
Team
Member Federacion Internacional de Abogadas
Member Jose Rizal Honour Society
Admitted to the Bar of the Philippines, 1988
Admitted as Certified Public Accountant, 1981
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