PAL, Israel eye direct flights between Philippines and Holy Land by October | ABS-CBN
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PAL, Israel eye direct flights between Philippines and Holy Land by October
PAL, Israel eye direct flights between Philippines and Holy Land by October
ABS-CBN News
Published May 04, 2021 12:41 PM PHT
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MANILA - Philippine Airlines and Israel's delegation discussed the possibility of offering direct flights from Manila to Tel Aviv with the flag carrier revealing plans to start in October 2021, the Embassy of Israel in Manila said Tuesday.
MANILA - Philippine Airlines and Israel's delegation discussed the possibility of offering direct flights from Manila to Tel Aviv with the flag carrier revealing plans to start in October 2021, the Embassy of Israel in Manila said Tuesday.
Nonstop flights between Manila and Tel Aviv would be a "game changer," Israel Ministry of Tourism director general Amir Halevi said.
Nonstop flights between Manila and Tel Aviv would be a "game changer," Israel Ministry of Tourism director general Amir Halevi said.
"I am pleased to give this important first step to the tourism industry between Israel and the Philippines. Direct flights between our two capitals will be a game-changer for tourism and business connectivity. This time Israel has a unique advantage as a safe and healthy country. We hope to welcome you soon in Israel!," Halevi said.
"I am pleased to give this important first step to the tourism industry between Israel and the Philippines. Direct flights between our two capitals will be a game-changer for tourism and business connectivity. This time Israel has a unique advantage as a safe and healthy country. We hope to welcome you soon in Israel!," Halevi said.
Philippine Airlines earlier said is "working on plans to mount nonstop flights to and from Tel Aviv."
Philippine Airlines earlier said is "working on plans to mount nonstop flights to and from Tel Aviv."
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PAL said it planned to cater to the growing demand for travel to the Holy Land for spiritual pilgrimages, overseas Filipino workers as well as Israelis planning to visit the Philippines.
PAL said it planned to cater to the growing demand for travel to the Holy Land for spiritual pilgrimages, overseas Filipino workers as well as Israelis planning to visit the Philippines.
Philippine passport holders are entitled to a 90-day visa-free access to Israel. Around 28,000 Filipinos currently work in Israel, most are based Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, the embassy said.
Philippine passport holders are entitled to a 90-day visa-free access to Israel. Around 28,000 Filipinos currently work in Israel, most are based Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, the embassy said.
The visa-free access is a "gift for both countries," said Israel Ministry of Tourism director for India and the Philippines Sammy Yahia. Israelis have taken interest in the country through the Survivor Israel series which is shooting another episode in the Philippines again, he said.
The visa-free access is a "gift for both countries," said Israel Ministry of Tourism director for India and the Philippines Sammy Yahia. Israelis have taken interest in the country through the Survivor Israel series which is shooting another episode in the Philippines again, he said.
Israel is gradually opening its borders to international tourism after successfully controlling COVID-19, starting with vaccinated tour groups from May 23 and for individual tourists as early as July, the embassy said.
Israel is gradually opening its borders to international tourism after successfully controlling COVID-19, starting with vaccinated tour groups from May 23 and for individual tourists as early as July, the embassy said.
At least 34,100 Filipino tourists traveled to Israel in 2019, up 30 percent since they opened an office in Manila in 2017, data showed.
At least 34,100 Filipino tourists traveled to Israel in 2019, up 30 percent since they opened an office in Manila in 2017, data showed.
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Philippines now out of dirty money ‘gray list’: SEC
Philippines now out of dirty money ‘gray list’: SEC
Published Feb 22, 2025 01:53 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 22, 2025 11:45 AM PHT
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MANILA (UPDATED) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Friday the Philippines has officially exited the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Friday the Philippines has officially exited the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The FATF made the announcement on the last day of the FATF Plenary on February 21, Friday in Paris, France.
The FATF made the announcement on the last day of the FATF Plenary on February 21, Friday in Paris, France.
“The FATF welcomes the Philippines’ significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime. The Philippines strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime to meet the commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF identified in June 2021,” the global watchdog said in a statement.
“The FATF welcomes the Philippines’ significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime. The Philippines strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime to meet the commitments in its action plan regarding the strategic deficiencies that the FATF identified in June 2021,” the global watchdog said in a statement.
Jurisdictions under the grey list are subject to increased monitoring due to deficiencies in its financial systems.
Jurisdictions under the grey list are subject to increased monitoring due to deficiencies in its financial systems.
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EXIT FROM LIST TO BENEFIT FILIPINOS, BUSINESSES
According to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), “the exit will reduce international fund transfer requirements, benefitting Filipino individuals and businesses.”
According to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), “the exit will reduce international fund transfer requirements, benefitting Filipino individuals and businesses.”
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and AMLC Chairman Eli Remolona, Jr. said this was a result of “strong cooperation” between the government and the private sector.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and AMLC Chairman Eli Remolona, Jr. said this was a result of “strong cooperation” between the government and the private sector.
“It also complements our ongoing efforts to make the financial system a stronger driver of sustainable growth,” Remolona said.
“It also complements our ongoing efforts to make the financial system a stronger driver of sustainable growth,” Remolona said.
In a statement, the AMLC said the removal is “a milestone that underscores the country’s commitment to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.”
In a statement, the AMLC said the removal is “a milestone that underscores the country’s commitment to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.”
“Exiting the FATF grey list is a significant step in strengthening the Philippines’ financial system and maintaining global confidence,” it added.
“Exiting the FATF grey list is a significant step in strengthening the Philippines’ financial system and maintaining global confidence,” it added.
SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino, also the longest serving member of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), highlighted the SEC’s role in this development.
SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino, also the longest serving member of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), highlighted the SEC’s role in this development.
“When I became a member of the AMLC in 2018, the SEC stepped up and positioned itself at the forefront of our fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, recognizing the need for reforms to prevent the misuse of the corporate vehicle in illicit activities,” Aquino said.
“When I became a member of the AMLC in 2018, the SEC stepped up and positioned itself at the forefront of our fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, recognizing the need for reforms to prevent the misuse of the corporate vehicle in illicit activities,” Aquino said.
POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE
The government's drive against dirty money has, however, been used "to harass organizations and activists in a surge of terrorism financing cases," New York City-based Human Rights Watch said earlier this month.
The government's drive against dirty money has, however, been used "to harass organizations and activists in a surge of terrorism financing cases," New York City-based Human Rights Watch said earlier this month.
HRW noted the successful prosecutions of terrorism financing cases, but also pointed out that civil society organization workers and activists, members of the clergy, and journalists are facing similar cases.
HRW noted the successful prosecutions of terrorism financing cases, but also pointed out that civil society organization workers and activists, members of the clergy, and journalists are facing similar cases.
"Many of these cases suggest that Philippine authorities are relying on accounts from alleged former rebels; the same flimsy evidence that the military and the police have long used in politically motivated prosecutions," HRW also said.
"Many of these cases suggest that Philippine authorities are relying on accounts from alleged former rebels; the same flimsy evidence that the military and the police have long used in politically motivated prosecutions," HRW also said.
HRW highlighted the cases against the Community Empowerment and Resource Network in Cebu and Kaduami in the Cordillera region, and the arrest of two community workers of Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group on Negros Island as among the cases based on questionable allegations.
HRW highlighted the cases against the Community Empowerment and Resource Network in Cebu and Kaduami in the Cordillera region, and the arrest of two community workers of Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group on Negros Island as among the cases based on questionable allegations.
The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, which submitted a shadow report to the FATF, said Philippine "adherence to FATF standards...has been achieved at the expense of democracy itself."
The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, which submitted a shadow report to the FATF, said Philippine "adherence to FATF standards...has been achieved at the expense of democracy itself."
NUPL said this week that the government has treated non-profits and CSOs incorrectly as "inherently vulnerable to terrorism financing abuse."
NUPL said this week that the government has treated non-profits and CSOs incorrectly as "inherently vulnerable to terrorism financing abuse."
This, it said, has led to "overregulation, financial restrictions, and invasive intrusions of privacy by regulatory agencies" that have affected funding for CSO programs.
This, it said, has led to "overregulation, financial restrictions, and invasive intrusions of privacy by regulatory agencies" that have affected funding for CSO programs.
"Prosecution quotas and asset freezes are touted as metrics of progress, but their true cost is borne by development workers, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens," NUPL also said.
"Prosecution quotas and asset freezes are touted as metrics of progress, but their true cost is borne by development workers, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens," NUPL also said.
WHY WAS THE PHILIPPINES ON THE GREY LIST?
The Philippines was included in the FATF grey list in June 2021 after the global watchdog found "strategic deficiencies” in how the country handles the entry and exit of suspected illegal funds.
The Philippines was included in the FATF grey list in June 2021 after the global watchdog found "strategic deficiencies” in how the country handles the entry and exit of suspected illegal funds.
The country was given until January 2023 to make the necessary reforms to exit the gray list.
The country was given until January 2023 to make the necessary reforms to exit the gray list.
In January 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it a priority for the Philippines to exit the FATF gray list, noting that the deadline had already lapsed by a whole year.
In January 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it a priority for the Philippines to exit the FATF gray list, noting that the deadline had already lapsed by a whole year.
In October 2024, the FATF said the Philippines has made significant strides to counter money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, and was on its way to exiting the gray list.
In October 2024, the FATF said the Philippines has made significant strides to counter money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, and was on its way to exiting the gray list.
Despite the achievement, the global dirty money watchdog said the country must continue its efforts to combat financial crimes.
Despite the achievement, the global dirty money watchdog said the country must continue its efforts to combat financial crimes.
“The FATF encourages the Philippines to continue its work in ensuring that its CFT (combating the financing of terrorism) measures are appropriately applied, particularly the identification and prosecution of TF (terrorist financing) cases, and are neither discouraging nor disrupting legitimate [not-for-profit ] activity,” it added.
“The FATF encourages the Philippines to continue its work in ensuring that its CFT (combating the financing of terrorism) measures are appropriately applied, particularly the identification and prosecution of TF (terrorist financing) cases, and are neither discouraging nor disrupting legitimate [not-for-profit ] activity,” it added.
— with reports from Katrina Domingo, Adrian Ayalin, Arthur Fuentes and Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
Read More:
Securities and Exchange Commission
FATF
Financial Action Task Force
FATF gray list
money laundering
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