OpinYon Batangas

17/07/2025

If you’ve got money in a time deposit or savings account, your earnings might take a small hit starting this July. 😬 Why? A new law called the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) just kicked in — and it’s changing the game for us savers.

Here’s what you need to know:
🔹 Bank Savings Now Taxed More
Before July 1, some long-term time deposits and dollar accounts were tax-free or had lower tax rates. But under CMEPA, ALL bank interest is now taxed at a flat 20%, no matter the term or currency. 😓

Example:
Let’s say you put P100,000 in a 5-year time deposit earning 4% per year.
👉 Before: You’d earn P20,000 after 5 years (tax-free).
👉 Now: You’ll earn only P16,000, thanks to the 20% tax.

Unfair, right? This also affects earnings from placements in government institutions like SSS, GSIS, and DBP.

📌 BUT! If you already have savings or investments made before July 1, the old tax rules still apply until those mature. So don’t worry if you already locked in a long-term deal earlier this year.

🔹 Investors Get a Win
While savings are hit, investing just got a big boost 💪:
✅ Stock transaction tax dropped from 0.6% to just 0.1%
✅ Documentary stamp tax (DST) cut down to 0.75%
✅ Some investment products like mutual funds and UITFs are now DST-exempt

That means it’s now cheaper and less intimidating to invest in the stock market, even if you're just starting out with small amounts.

Example:
Buying P10,000 worth of stocks?
👉 Before: You’d pay P60 in taxes
👉 Now: You only pay P10
That’s more money staying in your pocket! 💵

So, OpinYonistas, are you team or team ?

17/07/2025

Kawasaki Disease: What parents need to know

In 2019, there were more than 5,000 children under 18 years of age who were hospitalized with Kawasaki Disease in the United States.

Of these, 3,693 were under 5 years of age. According to recent reports from pediatric hospital across Asia, this disease is showing a noticeable uptick this year.

This rare but serious illness causes inflammation in blood vessels and can lead to heart complications if not caught early. Mostly, it starts with symptoms that look like a regular fever.

Symptoms of Kawasaki disease include a fever greater than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) for five or more days. And the child has at least four of the following symptoms:

• A rash on the main part of the body or in the ge***al area.
• An enlarged lymph node in the neck.
• Very red eyes without a thick discharge.
• Red, dry, cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue.
• Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

It may sounds scary but according to experts if caught early, treating Kawasaki disease within 10 days of when it began may reduce the chances of lasting damage to the arteries that supply the heart. Although the experts still aren’t sure about the cause of KD, one thing is for sure.
Early diagnosis is everything.

OpinYonistas, don’t wait it to out, get checked out!

(John David Nuñez)

16/07/2025

15/07/2025

15/07/2025

Before, when I heard someone was a cm laude, magna cm laude, or even summa cm laude, I felt amazed—almost awestruck. Those titles carried a certain weight, like medals forged through sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and relentless pursuit of excellence. But now, when I scroll through social media and see multiple Latin honorees in just one graduation post, it seems almost... normal. What changed?

Read more
https://opinyon.net/opinion/the-changing-value-of-latin-honors-in-philippine-universities

12/07/2025

You can now renew your driver’s license online using just your phone.

The new Online Driver’s License Renewal System (ODLRS) was officially launched by the LTO to cut the hassle of long lines and save you time, money, and effort.

Here’s how you can do it:
1️⃣ Download the “eGovPH” app from the App Store or Google Play
2️⃣ Open the app and tap NGA, then find and click LTO
3️⃣ Tap “Renew Your Driver’s License”
4️⃣ Upload a clear photo of the front and back of your license
5️⃣ Wait 1–3 minutes for the system to verify it
6️⃣ Review your details, then hit Submit
7️⃣ Take a selfie following the app’s photo guidelines

Requirements before you start:
✔️ Online Medical Exam
Inside the portal, click “Telemedicine”
Book an appointment and finish the virtual exam

✔️ Driver’s Enhancement Program (DEP)
Inside the portal, click “ODEP”
Complete the 5-hour online course

✔️ Online Payment
Choose your payment method and pay the renewal fee

Once done, your e-license will show up in the app and is just as valid as the physical one. You can also have the card delivered to you or pick it up at your preferred LTO office.

OpinYonistas, tag a friend who needs to see this.

11/07/2025

Here’s something to chew on: RICE, not meat or fish, is still the top protein source for most Filipinos, according to the latest National Nutrition Survey by DOST-FNRI. 😲

While rice is part of our staple diet (sino ba naman ang kayang mabusog nang walang kanin?), experts are sounding the alarm: too much rice and too little ulam could be putting our health at risk. 🥴

🔍 Survey highlights:
🔹 Rice now makes up about 50% of the average Pinoy’s daily energy intake 😳
🔹 Many are still lacking enough fruits, vegetables, and proper protein sources like eggs, fish, or beans
🔹 Budget constraints, busy lifestyles, and easy access to less healthy food options are major reasons for our kanin-heavy meals

⚠️ The overconsumption of carbs (like white rice), especially with little physical activity, may lead to:
Obesity
Diabetes
Heart disease
Other lifestyle-related illnesses

According to DOST: It’s not about totally removing rice from your meals—but we need balance. 🥗 Try the Pinggang Pinoy method:
✅ 1/2 plate = veggies + fruits
✅ 1/4 plate = rice/carbs
✅ 1/4 plate = ulam or plant-based proteins

Brown, red, and purple rice types are also healthier options.

OpinYonistas, rice is life nga naman.

10/07/2025

10/07/2025

The term “conflict of interest” has risen to the limelight lately. It has been a comon concern for years, but as a related issue to the impeachment drama in the Senate, this term has been thrust into the headlines. The significance of this issue can be traced to the key roles that Senators Mark ...

08/07/2025

(2nd of two parts)

04/07/2025

04/07/2025

A new proposal in Congress is aiming to give public school teachers a well-deserved raise — up to P50,000 per month as the new entry-level salary. 🙌

The bill, called House Bill 203, was refiled by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co on their first day in office for the 20th Congress.

Right now, a Teacher I position (Salary Grade 11) earns P30,024 per month — which the lawmakers say just isn’t enough for a family to live decently. They highlighted that teachers still struggle financially, despite previous salary adjustments in 2020 and 2024.

There are approximately 800,000 teachers in our public schools.