Nine groups bid for LRT fare system

The Transportation Department said over the weekend nine groups, including three conglomerates, submitted bids for a fare collection system of Metro Manila’s elevated rail projects.

It said of the original 34 companies that bought bid documents for the P1.72-billion automated fare collection system project, eight submitted bids before the 2 p.m. deadline Friday, while another company forwarded its own past the deadline.

The eight bidders which met the deadline were AF Consortium, SM Consortium, Lamco Consortium, Cromworks Consortium, E-Trans Solutions JV Inc., San Miguel Transport Solutions Corp. Consortium, MTD-PRLM Consortium and Megawide-Suyen-Eurolink Consortium.

continuation ---> manilastandardtoday.com/2013/04/15/9-groups-bid-for-lrt-fare-system/

Starbucks founder visits award-winning PH store

MANILA, Philippines - Starbucks founder and chief executive officer Howard Schultz visited the coffee chain's store at The Grove by Rockwell in Pasig City, Thursday morning. 

Schultz did a quick tour of the store, which recently won Starbucks' "Best New Core Store Design in Asia" in 2013. The Starbucks store at The Grove beat out designs submitted by 111 Starbucks outlets around Asia. 

The Starbucks shop has a uniquely Philippine resort theme that matches the aesthetics of The Grove by Rockwell. Located along C5, the 5.4 hectare The Grove property will feature six residential towers. 

Schultz, who is in Manila only for a day, said this was his second visit to the Philippines. He chatted with the store manager and baristas, and posed for photos with some customers.

They've been doing business in the Philippines for quite a long time.

continuation ---> http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/04/13/starbucks-founder-visits-award-winning-ph-store

BIR expands list of audit targets

Aside from the self-employed and professionals, the taxman will also keep a watchful eye on business owners who are engaged in high-traffic operations and those that involve expensive goods. 

In Revenue Memorandum Order No. 4-2013, Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares laid out guidelines on which taxpayers are being prioritized for audit. 

Included in the priority list are businesses related to wrist watches and jewelry, petroleum fuels like gasoline, real estate, contractors that deal with government entities (including state firms) and wholesalers and retailers in general. 

continuation ---> http://business.inquirer.net/113385/bir-expands-list-of-audit-targets