August 1, 2022
MONKEYPOX
Source The Manila Times
Coming soon: PH dollar reserves below $100B
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Ronnel W. Domingo
Gross international reserves (GIR) in the Philippines is expected to dip below $100 billion soon and further down over the next three quarters as payment of US dollar-denominated government debt, lower prices of gold and a widening trade deficit eat away at the country’s buffer stock to cover foreign bills and liabilities...
Ex-President Ramos dies at 94
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Samuel P. Medenilla, Butch Fernandez, Jovee Marie De La Cruz and Bernadette D. Nicolas
Fidel V. Ramos, the country’s 12th president who implemented comprehensive economic reforms, passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday...
NG borrowings hit P1.07T in January-June
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Bernadette D. Nicolas
The national government borrowed over a trillion pesos in the first half of the year, significantly less than the level recorded a year ago...
Medalla sees 8-9% Q2 growth
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
Mayvelin U. Caraballo
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla sees the Philippine economy expanding by 8 to 9 percent in the second quarter of the year...
Earthquake damage at P414M; Ilocos infra hardest hit
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Frances Mangosing, Marlon Ramos
The damage to infrastructure from last week’s magnitude 7 earthquake has reached P414.2 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday...
Marcos’ infra push to aid economic recovery
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Ben O. de Vera
An economic think tank sees a reinvigoration of infrastructure development under the Marcos administration after the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic that delayed the rollout of some big-ticket projects...
July inflation likely stayed at 6.1% – analysts
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
Mayvelin U. Caraballo
A combination of upward and downward price pressures likely kept the headline inflation rate in the Philippines at 6.1 percent in July of this year, analysts surveyed by The Manila Times estimated...
NCR Alert Level 1 till August 15
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Metro Manila and several other areas will remain under Alert Level 1 from August 1 to 15, the Department of Health said Saturday...
‘Congress has no power to postpone barangay polls’
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Jovee Marie De La Cruz
Amid calls for the postponement of the barangay elections in December, a veteran election lawyer on Sunday said Congress has no power to postpone the village polls, saying any postponement is unconstitutional...
DICT calls for new building code with norms for telco integration
BusinessWorld, July 31, 2022
Arjay L. Balinbin
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it will support legislation that will require telecommunications companies to guarantee minimum internet speeds for consumers and set standards for telco integration in residential property design...
Quezon City sets protocols vs monkeypox
Philippine Star, August 1, 2022
Elizabeth Marcelo
The Quezon City government is prepared for a possible outbreak of monkeypox cases following the detection of the first case in the country on Friday...
Marcos vetoes bill allowing tax breaks for poll workers
Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 31, 2022
Nestor Corrales
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed a bill granting tax exemptions to the honoraria, allowances, and other benefits given to election workers, most of them public school teachers, Malacañang announced on Saturday...
SC: Plea bargains still need court OK
Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 30, 2022
Tina G. Santos
Plea bargaining in illegal drug cases is a matter addressed entirely by the sound discretion of the court, the Supreme Court said, as it issued clarificatory guidelines to resolve questions on a Department of Justice (DOJ) circular on the same issue...
Speaker assures passage of National Land Use bill
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Maricel Cruz
Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday gave assurances on the approval of the National Land Use Act by the end of 2022, and support to other bills for the development of the real estate sector...
Villar files bill to save valuable wetlands in PH
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Macon Ramos-Araneta
To raise awareness on the role of wetlands as the “cradle of biodiversity,” Senator Cynthia A. Villar filed Senate Bill 124 or the National Wetlands Conservation bill during the opening of the 19th Congress...
Escudero refiles bill lowering DepEd retirement age to 60
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Macon Ramos-Araneta
Sen. Francis Escudero has refiled a measure that would lower the mandatory retirement age of employees at the Department of Education...
Solon eyes more insurance for solo parents
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Macon Ramos-Araneta
Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo has filed a bill seeking to double the unemployment insurance benefits for solo parents if they get displaced from their jobs...
Escudero refiles bill lowering DepEd retirement age to 60
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Sen. Francis Escudero has refiled a measure that would lower the mandatory retirement age of employees at the Department of Education...
‘US chips bill to affect local electronics sector’
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Jovee Marie De La Cruz
Following the passage of the $280-billion Chips and Science Bill passed by the United States Congress, an economist-lawmaker has asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to create a semiconductor and electronics industry competitiveness plan to protect jobs in the electronics export sector...
PHL lags in ASEAN in first-half vehicle production
BusinessWorld, August 1, 2022
Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
The Philippines trails neighboring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region in terms of car production during the first six months of the year, according to the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF)...
Sulu elders key up Sabah return
Daily Tribune, August 1, 2022
Perseus Echeminada
The Council of Elders or the Ruma Bichara of the Royal House of Sulu holds sway in the manner at which negotiations with Malaysia is undertaken when it comes to taking up with Malaysia the recent $14.9 billion French arbitral court award to the Sultanate...
EU recognizes PH Covid vaccination certificates for travel
The Manila Times, July 30, 2022
Javier Joe Ismael
Following the European Union (EU) recognition of the Philippines' Covid-19 vaccination certificates, Filipinos travelling to Europe can now do so with ease...
Filipino in Singapore tests positive for monkeypox
ABS-CBN News, July 31, 2022
A Filipino in Singapore has tested positive for monkeypox, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore announced over the weekend...
Pinoys' online shopping habits continue – study
The Manila Times, July 31, 2022
Tech heavyweight Meta, the company that owns Facebook, released a study on the online shopping habits of Filipinos. The study revealed that Filipino consumers are now returning to physical stores, but their digital shopping habits formed during the pandemic continue to be relevant...
Japan, U.S. to boost economic cooperation
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Masaomi Shimosato, Ryosuke Yamauchi
The Japanese and U.S. governments have clarified their intent to strengthen economic security through close cooperation to counter China’s rising military and economic power, and prepare for a possible emergency in Taiwan...
UK brings in ownership register for property held by foreign firms
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Sachin Ravikumar
Britain will now require foreign companies holding UK property to identify their true owners in an official register, the government said on Monday, as part of a crackdown on Russian oligarchs and corrupt elites laundering illicit wealth...
China, Kyrgyzstan fortify bilateral ties
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
Xinhua News Agency
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday held talks with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev here over further strengthening relations between the two countries...
Spain, Brazil report first monkeypox-related deaths outside Africa
Philippine Star, July 30, 2022
Agence France-Presse
Spain and Brazil reported their first monkeypox-related deaths on Friday, marking what are thought to be the first fatalities linked to the current outbreak outside of Africa...
Rich countries fall short of climate change pledge
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
PNA
Rich countries are still failing to fulfill their pledge to provide $100 billion for climate action in poorer nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said...
Russia says US, NATO ‘main threats’ to its national security
GMA News, July 31, 2022
The United States' quest to dominate the oceans and NATO's expansion are the biggest threats facing Russia, according to a new Russian naval doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Sunday...
Voting set to begin in race to become UK prime minister
Manila Standard, August 1, 2022
Agence France-Presse
The bruising race between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to become Britain’s next prime minister steps up a gear on Monday with the mailing out of ballots to Conservative party members...
New Zealand’s borders fully open after long pandemic closure
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Reuters
New Zealand’s borders fully re-opened to visitors from around the world on Monday, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic closed them in March 2020...
GSIS concerned over rightsizing scheme
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
State-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has expressed concern over the administration’s plan to rightsize the bureaucracy, saying it may put a strain on contributions to the pension fund...
BSP may still cut banks’ reserve requirement ratio before yearend
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
KBT
The Philippine central bank may still lower the banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) before the end of the year...
Covid-19 positivity in 14 provinces 'very high'
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
Kaithreen Cruz
The Covid-19 positivity rate in 14 provinces in Luzon is at a "very high" 20 percent, OCTA Research said...
'Time to close chapter on lockdowns'
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
Kristina Maralit
The private and public sectors will continue to ensure there will be no more pandemic-related lockdowns, Go Negosyo founder Jose Ma. "Joey" Concepcion 3rd said on Sunday...
Carlos: Food, job security key to survival
The Manila Times, August 1, 2022
Francis Earl Cueto
National Security Adviser Secretary Clarita Carlos agrees with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that food and job security are essential in repelling the threats besetting the country...
Total COVID-19 cases breach 3.7 million
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Tina G. Santos
COVID-19 positivity rate has slightly increased in Metro Manila, according to independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research. OCTA fellow Guido David, in a post on Twitter, said the National Capital Region’s one-week positivity rate slightly went up from 14.2 percent on July 23 to 15 percent on July 29...
Teachers decry veto of tax break for election service
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Jane Bautista, Jeannette I. Andrade
Teachers who served as poll watchers in the May 9 general elections criticized the government as “hypocritical” and “insensitive” to their plight after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed last week the bill exempting from taxes the honoraria, allowances, and other benefits of election workers...
Zubiri: Veto power puts ‘unnecessary strain’ between Palace, legislators
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Marlon Ramos
Allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the so-called supermajority in the Senate on Sunday urged Malacañang to immediately convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac), noting that while the veto power is a right of the president, its frequent exercise could strain relations between the executive and legislative branches of government...
Marcos: ROTC to boost country’s disaster response
BusinessWorld, July 31, 2022
Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. at the weekend said mandatory military training for Filipino students would boost the country’s disaster response...
DOE to prioritize nationwide household electrification
Manila Bulletin, July 31, 2022
Myrna M. Velasco
The new leadership at the Department of Energy (DOE) will prioritize fulfillment of 100-percent electrification target on all households nationwide, a goal that the Duterte administration had failed to deliver...
Fidel Valdez Ramos: The president who guarded democracy, broke monopolies, made peace
Rappler, July 31, 2022
Manny Mogato
When he ran for president in 1992, many feared that retired Constabulary general Fidel Valdez Ramos would lead like a soldier: top-down, strong-arm, dictatorial. But his six-year term from 1992 to 1998 is best remembered as a period of peace, stability, and economic growth – because he took time building consensus and breaking bread with enemies of the state...
Over 82K families affected by quake
The Manila Times, July 31, 2022
Francis Earl Cueto
The number of residents affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Northern Luzon has reached 314, 161 individuals or 82, 336 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday...
Monkeypox ‘rarely fatal’ with deaths only 5 per 10,000 cases – DOH
Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 31, 2022
Monkeypox is a “rarely fatal” disease and its symptoms are mild, the Department of Health (DOH) said a day after it confirmed the first case of the viral disease in the country...
DOH assures monkeypox surveillance capabilities, preparedness
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 1, 2022
Daphne Galvez
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it is confident that its surveillance teams would be able to detect all cases of monkeypox that will enter the country...
DSWD chief bares 4Ps list: 2 million families in, 1.3 million going out
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Maricel Cruz
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Saturday said some two million Filipino families have been put on the wait list for the government’s cash assistance called the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)...
Salceda: DDR size not crucial, but must stand
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Rio N. Araja
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, principal author of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience in the 17th Congress, on Sunday said its institutionalization is the priority, not the size of the new agency...
Hospital group warns of home isolation for monkeypox cases
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. has cautioned against home isolation for suspected monkeypox cases after the Department of Health confirmed the country’s first case, with at least 10 close contacts...
Experts dissect SONA, spot key to investments
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Governance is key to attracting investments and achieving sustainable long-term economic growth after the havoc caused by the pandemic, and the new administration must, first and foremost, address the issues – soaring prices, low wages, poverty, jobs, and corruption – that Filipinos deem most crucial in their everyday lives...
Bank lending in June nears pre-pandemic levels–report
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Bianca Cuaresma
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported a 12 percent increase in bank lending in June this year, as the sector continues to recover from the ill-effects of the pandemic...
BSP: July inflation driven by higher food prices, fares
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Bianca Cuaresma
Consumer prices likely remained elevated in July, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla said...
Easing boosts Pagcor’s H1 income to P26.7B
BusinessMirror, August 1, 2022
Bernadette D. Nicolas
State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) finally showed signs of recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as it earned more revenues in the first half of this year...
Medalla says economy may have expanded by as much as 9% in Q2
BusinessWorld, August 1, 2022
K.B.Ta-asan
The Philippine economy likely grew by as much as 9% in the second quarter, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla...
Government slashes borrowings by 45% to P1.07 trillion in H1
Philippine Star, August 1, 2022
Louise Maureen Simeon
The government slashed its borrowings in the first semester to just a little over P1 trillion as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic...
Prices of construction materials climb at fastest pace in 13 years
Philippine Star, August 1, 2022
Louella Desiderio
Retail prices of building materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) continued to pick up in May, posting the fastest annual growth rate in more than 13 years, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)...
Proper marketing needed to attract more data centers in Philippines
Philippine Star, August 1, 2022
Catherine Talavera
While the country’s industrial property market has potential offerings for data center operators, proper marketing is needed to attract more investments into the country, a professional services and investment management firm said...
BSP: July inflation likely hit as high as 6.4% on weak peso
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Julito G. Rada
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said over the weekend inflation in July likely reached as high as 6.4 percent from 6.1 percent in June on higher prices of food, transport fares and weaker peso...
CAAP to upgrade 7 more airports starting this year
Manila Standard, July 31, 2022
Joel E. Zurbano
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) eyes seven more airports in the country to be night-rated beginning this year...
PH inflation may normalize next year, says central bank
Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 30, 2022
Ronnel W. Domingo
The rate of increase in prices of basic goods in the Philippines is now expected to cool faster than previously believed from current high levels, and monetary authorities are now revising downward their inflation forecast, giving hope that the target could be achieved as early as next year...