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By CHITO A. CHAVEZ

Manila, Philippines – Seven of eight men were sentenced to reclusion perpetua while an accomplice was imprisoned from ten to 17 years of imprisonment after a Quezon City court yesterday found them guilty beyond reasonable doubt of kidnap for ransom nine years ago.

Sentenced to reclusion perpetua were John Galicia, Roger Demetilla, Leopoldo Sariego, Carlito Ugat Jr., Eliseo Villarino, Roger Chiva and Napoleon Portugal. Unlike life imprisonment, the length of a sentence for reclusión perpetua is an indivisible penalty of 40 years and cannot be altered during sentencing. Reclusión perpetua does not allow pardon or parole until after the first 30 years of the sentence have been served; after 40 years without pardon or parole, the sentence ends.

The other accused Amelito Billiones who was the former driver of the victim was identified as an accomplice in the crime.

In a 44-page decision, Judge Edgar Dalmacio Santos of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 222 also ordered all the accused to indemnify Venilda Ho of P200, 000 for moral damages with the principals paying P175,000 and the accomplice liable for P25,000.

Ho was kidnapped on May 8, 2003 at around 7:30pm along Araneta Avenue, Quezon City while on board a Mitsubishi l-300 van driven by accused Billiones.

The victim was brought to a safe house in Las Piñas City and was later transferred to another safe house at 71 K-8th St. East Kamias, Quezon City where she was held captive until her rescue on May 22, 2003.

Initially, the kidnappers asked William Ho, the victim’s husband, for a P50-million ransom. During the victim’s captivity, her husband and the accused negotiated for the delivery and payment of the ransom money.

OUR LADY OF PENAFRANCIA ARRIVES IN MANILA VIA PNR
A Philippine National Railway’s train dubbed “Pilgrim Train” arrived yesterday at the Tutuban Station in Manila from Naga City carrying the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Accompanied by delegates from the Three Million Rosaries for Ina Crusade, the well-venerated Patroness of the Bicol Region is set to visit several parishes in Metro Manila “to help spread devotion to ‘Ina’ beyond the borders of Bicol and to invite the laity to help raise 3 million rosaries for Mama Mary,” Marilyn Flores, one of the delegates said.

The pilgrim image, fondly called “ina” (mother), was brought to the Santa Monica Parish in Tondo, Manila yesterday where it will stay until May 18. On May 19 to 21, devotees may pay homage to ‘Ina’ at the Santa Maria Goretti Parish Church at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Ermita, Manila.

After the prayers in honor of ‘Ina,’ the traditional ‘mantling,’ which involves the laying of her ‘manto’ (cape) on the faithful will be held. The pilgrim image will be brought back to Naga City in September in time for the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia. (Christina I. Hermoso)

MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS HAVE INCOME TAX – BIR
Salaries of minimum wage earners in Metro Manila and elsewhere are subject to income tax if their employers grant them even minimal pay raises.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued the clarification yesterday following complaints from security guards, janitors and other laborers.

Ordinary workers said tax collectors placed their annual salaries under tax coverage due to small additional pay.

Under Section 22 of the Tax Code, minimum wage earners are exempted from paying income tax, which privilege is extended to cover holiday, overtime, hazard and night shift differential pays.

But the BIR’s Tax Information and Education Division said the tax exemption benefit is automatically withdrawn if employers add even small amount say P5 or even P1 to the daily take home pay.

Revenue officials conceded that under this circumstance wage earners will end up the loser because the extra pay is much less than what they will be paying the BIR with their entire wages now subject to taxation.

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