Lumagui: National Internal Revenue Code exempts Carlos Yulo from paying taxes for the Prizes, Awards, Rewards, Gifts, or Donations he received

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. clarified that Carlos Yulo, the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, does not have to pay taxes for the prizes, awards, rewards, gifts, or donation he received by virtue of his historic performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended, allows for Yulo to receive these cash and properties without paying taxes. 

"The National Internal Revenue Code exempts Carlos Yulo from paying taxes for the prizes, awards, rewards, gifts, or donations he received. The BIR congratulates our two-time Olympic Gold Medalist for his performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. You are an inspiration to the men and women of the BIR," Commissioner Lumagui stated.

Section 32(B)(7)(d) of the NIRC expressly provides that all prizes and awards granted to athletes in local and international sports tournaments and competitions held in the Philippines or abroad and sanctioned by their respective national sports associations shall be exempt from income tax. Therefore, all prizes, awards and rewards granted to Yulo by the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee as well as the Philippine Government pursuant to existing laws, such as, but not limited to, Republic Act (RA) No. 10699, or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act”, are exempt from income tax. 

Section 32(B)(3) of the NIRC likewise categorically provides that the value of property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent shall be excluded from gross income of the recipient and, therefore, exempt from income tax. The rewards, gift or donations (in any form) given to Yulo by private entities, or individuals clearly fall under this exemption. Therefore, Yulo need not declare these as part of his gross income, and he shall not be liable to pay any income tax thereon. 

Section 98 of the NIRC is clear that the donee or receiver is not liable to donor’s tax.

#Kuzmanila: Kyle Kuzma in Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

NBA Star and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma graced a media session organized by businessman Carlo Singson who is also the CEO & MD of SEM (Sports, Entertainment, Media) Consultancy Ltd. 

Singson was gladly introduced on stage by the official host of the event, Migs Bustos of ABS-CBN News. He opened the press conference by acknowledging partner sponsors and media outlets. 

Bustos shared the business commitment and fashion venture of Kyle Kuzma in his Manila tour. His program and initiative of helping children globally by way of basketball clinics was also mentioned as part of his activities in the country. 

Furthermore, Kyle visited Hong Kong and China for business opportunities and promoted his outreach program which is the same reason why he is in the Philippines. 

IMMERSION INTO PHILIPPINE CULTURE 

Kyle also talked about how he fondly knows Filipino NBA star Jordan Clarkson while also sharing the engagement he had over the week. Kuzma was part of the BUT FIRST, COFF33: Kuz Coff33 Break event last August 25, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Main Atrium in Pasay City. 

Kyle shared how he promotes his fashion and art by his collaboration with shoe giant Puma. Kuzma has his own brand called Childhood Dreams that started in 2020. The clothing line visualizes youth energy and color-blocking design into efficient pieces to fit fashion wardrobes. 

The NBA Star added that he is here to talk with distributors and share his art and passion with his clothing brand in the Philippines. Kyle said, "I always liked art and had a notebook drawing Dragon ball Z that started when I was a child." 

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 

Kyle also shared his off-court initiative and profit for Single Mothers as his way of giving back to the community. Kuzma grew up in the state of Michigan raised by a Single Mom while also his experience that he had to babysit when he was a kid. 

BUILDING A WINNING CULTURE 

Kuzma also talked about averaging career highs and outlook for the upcoming NBA season. Being a leader for the Washington Wizards, Kyle shared that winning a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 is his motivation and added that he is sharing the experience with his teammates to build and get the team better. 

Moreover, Kyle said that building a winning culture after rebuilding the team last season is important. He emphasized how their mini-camp with the team this off-season would help them make a statement in the upcoming NBA season. 

Kuz shares the "Mamba Effect" of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant as he takes on a leadership role. "It pushes me to strive for that mentality. If you love something do the best into your ability.", Kyle adds. 

Kyle ended the session on what Filipino fans can expect from him. He talked about his basketball clinic in Manila which aims to develop youth players and help them get through the basics and discipline of basketball. 

Kuzma also thanked the media and the Philippines for the warm welcome he received in his first visit in the country. "Thank you, guys, for coming out. Just the love here is amazing", Kuzma ends. 

Written by: Renz Delim

Promoting Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines

 

This is the last part of the four-part series on Media and Information Literacy in the Disinformation Web. This article will discuss how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the Philippines is essential for combating disinformation. Also, it will feature MIL initiatives, their impact, and strategies for building a resilient society.

In an age of rampant misinformation, media and information literacy (MIL) stands as a beacon of hope for the Philippines. This essential skill set empowers individuals to adapt from the complexities of the digital landscape. It helps people to critically evaluate information,and resist manipulation.

The Vital Role of MIL in the Philippines

Media and Information Literacy encompasses the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms, along with an ethical understanding of media consumption and production. Hence, MIL is particularly vital. It enables citizens to discern credible sources from the sea of misinformation that often floods these platforms. It enables people to make informed decisions.

For example, as discussed in previous articles, social media is deeply embedded in daily life of Filipinos since the Philippine is the Social Media Capital of the World. It was also highlighted in the previous article about the need of Filipinos to be educated on MIL because they tend to be victims of fake news from influencers.

Government-Led Media Literacy Campaigns

The Philippine government recognizes the threat of disinformation that is why they have taken proactive measures. The initiative includes a nationwide media literacy campaign which was spearheaded by the Marcos administration. This program aims to equip Filipinos with the critical thinking skills necessary to figure out the media landscape effectively. This campaign involves a collaborative effort among various government agencies, including the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The campaign focuses on teaching individuals how to discern credible sources and engage responsibly with the media.

Academic and Non-Profit Contributions

Alongside government initiatives, academic institutions and non-profit organizations play a pivotal role in promoting MIL. For example, Tsek.ph is a collaborative fact-checking project that counters disinformation by providing verified information. Meanwhile, VERA Files, an independent media organization, conducts in-depth analysis and fact-checking to promote accurate reporting.

MIL: A Weapon Against Disinformation

Strong MIL skills has a profound impact on an individual's ability to resist manipulation and make informed choices. MIL enhances critical thinking and it encourages individuals to question the validity of information. It also fosters informed decision-making that is crucial in a democratic society like the Philippines. Moreover, MIL builds resilience against manipulation, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where MIL initiatives successfully debunked vaccine myths.

Lessons Learned and the Way Forward

As the Philippines continues its fight against disinformation, several key lessons have emerged:

Proactive Education: Early and continuous education about MIL is essential to build a more informed and resilient society. Remember, they are not easily manipulated by misinformation if they are trained to discern the validity of sources.

Collaboration: Successful MIL initiatives require collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and media organizations to amplify their reach and impact.

Lifelong Learning: MIL is an ongoing process, requiring continuous updates and innovations to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape.

In conclusion, media and information literacy is a powerful tool in the ongoing battle against disinformation in the Philippines. By fostering strong MIL skills, individuals can become discerning consumers of information, resist manipulation, and actively participate in shaping a well-informed and resilient society.