Brian Belen

First Asia Venture Capital | Brain Drain (my blog) | AB/MA University of Asia and the Pacific | MA/PhD Fordham University | Helicopter Pilot

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Come to think of it.

[Nux @mherlihy0816]

Chess visualized

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Do not expect from people what they do not have.

[Rappler @rapplerdotcom]

"The problem with Sara Duterte's politics is that when the brain refuses to do the heavy lifting, the tongue takes over, wagging away and mistaking noise for making sense." https://t.co/zxVOrqcNQ4

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

That’s a feature, not a bug.

[The Atlantic @TheAtlantic]

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” may seem like a back-to-basics take on the web-slinging superhero, but the film quickly falls into Marvel Cinematic Universe nonsense, David Sims writes. https://t.co/mTK4wogGLg

📸: Marvel Entertainment / Columbia Pictures / Everett Collection

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Damage control.

[FIFA Media @fifamedia]

https://t.co/6ChPeKUlQR

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

If you explain something with a metaphor, and then you have to explain the metaphor, it’s plain to see that both the explanation and the metaphor were unsuccessful.

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Sobering. We had all better learn the right lessons before 2028.

https://t.co/2yTPqFZ3bY

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Can we set the bar any lower? Anyone?

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

"JUST BECAUSE IT'S UNUSUAL, IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S ILLEGAL"

Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano says that the encashment of the Office of the Vice President's P125-million confidential funds, which totaled half a billion in four cheques, may be "unusual," but it does not mean it's illegal.

Cayetano cited his experience in similar transactions during his term as DFA secretary. #VPOnTrial

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

New on Brain Drain: The Unaccountability Machine https://t.co/nOjqLz6RCP

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

More than a fair point.

[radar PH @radarph_media]

Every time the government announces a new benefit, the headlines are almost always the same: another win for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, or workers.

But one of the country’s leading restaurateurs is asking a harder question that has struck a nerve among entrepreneurs: Who actually pays for those promises?

David P. Sison, co-founder, president, and CEO of Mama Lou’s Hospitality Group and president of the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines Association (RestoPH), has gone viral after posting a strongly worded critique of government policies that, while popular among the public, leave private businesses absorbing much of the financial burden.

Sison is widely known for helping transform Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen from a small family restaurant in Las Piñas into one of the country’s fastest-growing casual Italian dining chains. Using an MBA thesis as his blueprint, he helped expand the brand into around 30 branches nationwide while also launching restaurant concepts such as Nonna’s, Famu, and Brau Bass. Beyond business, he has become an outspoken advocate for the local food and beverage industry through RestoPH.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Sison argued that while government officials receive public praise for expanding social benefits, the cost is often transferred to private businesses.

“Every time the government announces a new benefit, people celebrate. And they should,” Sison wrote. “But do you know who pays for it? Not the government. We do.”

His post has resonated with many business owners who say they have long shouldered the costs of mandated discounts, wage hikes, and compliance requirements with little public recognition.

Sison pointed to the evolution of the Senior Citizens Act as an example.

Under Republic Act No. 7432, enacted in 1992, establishments were originally allowed to claim the full amount of senior citizen discounts as a tax credit, effectively reimbursing businesses for the benefit shouldered on behalf of the government.

That changed in 2004 with Republic Act No. 9257, he noted, when the tax credit was replaced with a tax deduction. Instead of recovering the entire value of the mandated discount, businesses now recover only a fraction through reduced taxable income.

“Today, for every 100 pesos of discount we grant, we recover only 20. The other 80 comes from the business,” he wrote, adding that Republic Act No. 9994 and Republic Act No. 10754 retained the same framework.

“Most people, even business owners, do not know this.”

Sison also questioned how newly mandated wage increases are implemented.

“We support it. Our people deserve it,” he said. “But when the announcement was made, no support came with it. Just the mandate. The applause goes to the government. The payroll comes from us.”

He argued that the burden does not stop there.

Businesses must also absorb VAT exemptions, mandatory employee benefits, permits, inspections, compliance reports, and a growing list of regulatory requirements—all while facing criticism from consumers whenever prices increase.

“The sari-sari store owner. The carinderia. The pharmacy. The restaurant that opens at 6 a.m. and prays it makes it to the end of the month,” he wrote, referring to the enterprises he believes quietly shoulder these obligations.

Sison emphasized that he is not calling for the removal of benefits.

“Our lolos and lolas deserve them. Our workers deserve them,” he said.

Instead, he challenged what he described as a system where the government receives political credit for social programs while private businesses are left to finance much of the cost.

“Generosity is easy when someone else pays the bill.”

His post has reignited debate over whether the government should once again fully reimburse businesses for mandated discounts, as originally provided under the 1992 law, instead of shifting much of the burden to employers and entrepreneurs.

For many business owners, Sison’s message echoed a long-standing frustration: that while businesses are expected to support every new government promise, they are rarely asked whether they have the capacity to keep footing the bill.

(✍️: Top Dagohoy)

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

I always assumed it was weight and balance. Turn-around time never crossed my mind.

[David Pogue @Pogue]

Why did an American gate agent lie about the overhead bins being full—when they were 80% empty? In my new column, an airline pilot, a baggage specialist, and a gate manager explain the real reason behind the deception.

https://t.co/PzOQolK7Qv

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Yeah. But to paraphrase: it’s difficult to get people to do something contrary to what they’re paid to do—even when it’s the right thing to do.

[News5 @News5PH]

OPEN LETTER PARA SA STAFF NI SEN. ROBIN PADILLA

Sa pinakahuling episode ng #PoliticalBeat ng One News, nagpaabot ng mensahe sa isang open letter si Lourd de Veyra para sa staff ni Sen. Robin Padilla.

Kasunod ito ng naging palitan ng pahayag ng Senador at ni House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro sa impeachment trial ni Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. #VPSaraOnTrial

📽️: Political Beat, One News

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Sigh.

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Breaking News: President Trump ordered new signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to warn that its depiction of U.S. history, in his view, is “inaccurate.” It was the latest escalation in his dispute with the institution. https://t.co/lTdZ0uZKSc

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

These are the end times.

[Dexerto @Dexerto]

Arizona State University is now offering a degree in becoming an influencer

Students must build a social media account and prove they can gain real followers to graduate

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

The Zero looks like the love child of Exia and Aerial.

[Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America @BandaiCollect]

The latest GUNPLA entry from upcoming anime "MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM RG XARX-ZERO" is now on display at San Diego Comic-Con!

HG 1/144 GUNDAM ZERO

See it yourself at Booth 3829!

#SDCC #SDCC2026 #GUNPLA

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

So obvious in hindsight!

[辻尾一平 @keltoto]

【ご報告🍝】
「最後の一本」が取りやすい皿、商品化します！
（1/2）

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Sigh.

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

New on Brain Drain: All https://t.co/qzwtYDysBN

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

Viva la España!

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

TIL today is that Patapon 1+2 Replay is available on the Nintendo Switch.

[Brian Belen @brianbelen]

So there really is a crowd that turns up to watch the light show projected against the facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Building.