August 5, 2022
Manila 5th most competitive Asia-Pacific market for office occupiers
Source BusinessWorld
Ease Taiwan tension: ASEAN
Daily Tribune, August 5, 2022
Daily Tribune Reportorial Team
The Philippines joined other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Thursday in warning against any “provocative action” in the Taiwan Strait following the start of China’s live-fire military exercises in its self-governing territory...
Inflation accelerates 6.4% in July
CNN Philippines, August 5, 2022
Pilar Manuel
Inflation zoomed to 6.4% in July from 6.1% the month prior with food and transport costs still leading the increase in commodity prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday...
Covid cases to peak in September or October
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Red Mendoza
Cases of Covid-19 are expected to peak by September or October this year, an official of the Department of Health (DoH) said on Thursday...
Gov’t expands fuel subsidies to farmers, fishers
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Jordeene B. Lagare
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded the distribution of fuel subsidies to benefit more agricultural producers amid rising pump prices...
July inflation likely stayed over 6% –DBS
Philippine Star, August 5, 2022
Lawrence Agcaoili
DBS Bank Ltd. of Singapore said inflation last month likely stayed above six percent as price pressures were stoked by the combination of increases in public utility jeepney minimum fare, food and core prices as well as currency weakness...
DOH yet to reach booster target in Bongbong Marcos’ first 100 days
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Kathleen de Villa
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said it was hopeful that its intensified booster campaign would achieve its target by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days despite failing to meet its goal of jabbing about 400,000 individuals daily...
Digital tax may be difficult to implement, experts say
BusinessWorld, August 5, 2022
Diego Gabriel C. Robles
The Philippine government’s plan to impose taxes on digital transactions may be difficult to implement since it requires the voluntary compliance of foreign companies, experts said.
Revenue bills like digital services VAT lead House priorities
BusinessWorld, August 4, 2022
Matthew Carl L. Montecillo
The House of Representatives will prioritize revenue measures like a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions as well as ease of paying taxes programs, a senior legislator said on Thursday..
SC: Bigamy still a crime of moral turpitude
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Tina G. Santos
The Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal from service of a former employee of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who had been convicted of the crime of bigamy...
Enforce new law vs abuse of kids – senator
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Bernadette E. Tamayo
Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros pressed for the immediate implementation of the new law against online sexual abuse against children amid the proliferation of "exploitative materials" in social media...
DTI to issue new price guide for school items
Manila Standard, August 5, 2022
Othel V. Campos
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is poised to release an updated list of back-to-school items before school year 2002-2023 starts this month of August...
Pimentel sees easy passage of anti-political turncoatism measure
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
Macon Ramos-Araneta
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said yesterday that he sees political turncoatism as easier to pass than the anti-political dynasty bill...
Party-list files ‘zero hunger’ bill in Congress
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
The ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list filed the “Zero Hunger Bill” which aims to eliminate hunger and make affordable healthy food accessible to all Filipinos...
Speaker: Congress will act on priority bills
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
Maricel Cruz
House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez assured the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, that the House of Representatives will act on the administration’s priority bills related to commerce, and industry before the year ends...
Advocates want more teeth to e-cigarettes law
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
Willie Casas
Some health advocacy groups on Thursday urged the lawmakers to strengthen further the law on e-cigarettes, also called Vape Law, citing some negative provisions of the measure which has lapsed into law...
UN, US, EU, Japan, South Korea send donation to quake victims
BusinessMirror, August 5, 2022
Malou Talosig-Bartolome
The international community has once again extended financial and logistical support to the Philippines to help the victims of the Magnitude 7.0 quake that hit northern Luzon last week...
UN chief criticizes ‘grotesque greed’ of oil, gas companies
BusinessMirror, August 4, 2022
Edit M. Lederer / The Associated Perss
The United Nations chief sharply criticized the “grotesque greed” of oil and gas companies on Wednesday for making record profits from the energy crisis on the back of the world’s poorest people, “while destroying our only home.”..
Foreign business groups, IATA disappointed with Marcos’ veto of transportation safety bill
BusinessWorld, August 5, 2022
Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
Foreign business chambers and two international organizations expressed disappointment over President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s decision to veto a bill creating a transportation safety board, saying it would have addressed gaps in the investigation of transport-related accidents...
Investment opportunities in Israel
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Ed Paolo Salting
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said there are many investment opportunities for business partners in Israel...
DFA commits to One China government policy
Manila Standard, August 5, 2022
Rey E. Requejo
The Philippines remains committed to adhering to the One-China policy amid looming tensions in the Taiwan Strait following the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday...
FTA signing with South Korea expected by November — DTI
BusinessWorld, August 4, 2022
Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
A free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and South Korea is expected to be signed by November, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)...
Airlines skirt no-fly zone, ships advised of danger
Manila Standard, August 5, 2022
Darwin G. Amojelar and Joel E. Zurbano
Local airline carriers on Thursday said they are ready to reroute some of their international flights to avoid Taiwan airspace following reports that 27 Chinese warplanes had entered the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ)...
Asean: Taiwan tensions could spark open conflicts
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
Southeast Asian foreign ministers urged restraint Thursday as China launched massive military drills off Taiwan, warning the situation risked spiraling into "open conflicts." A furious Beijing kicked off its biggest-ever exercises around Taiwan in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit this week to the self-ruled island...
Beijing holds major drills after US speaker's visit
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
China's largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan kicked off on Thursday in a show of force straddling vital international shipping lanes after United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the East Asian island.Pelosi left Taiwan on Wednesday night after a trip that defied a series of stark threats from Beijing, which views the self-ruled island as its territory...
UN chief: Tax oil companies' windfall profits
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Xinhua News Agency
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) called for taxation on oil and gasoline firms' windfall earnings to ease the impact of a growing energy crisis...
OPEC+ agrees to small oil output hike
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Associated Press
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major oil producers on Wednesday decided to boost production in September at a pace much slower than in previous months at a time of high gasoline prices and unstable energy supplies exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine...
Asia central banks deploy foreign exchange reserves to help prop up their currencies
BusinessWorld, August 5, 2022
Bloomberg
Asia's emerging economies are drawing on large foreign exchange (FX) reserves to help prop up their currencies rather than going all out with interest rate hikes...
US aircraft carrier group will continue ‘to monitor’ Taiwan area – White House
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
The White House on Thursday said that a group of US naval vessels led by the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier would remain in the Taiwan region after China launched ballistic missiles in the area...
Three ships with corn authorized to set out from Ukrainian ports on Friday
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Reuters
Three ships carrying a total of 58,041 tons of corn have been authorized to leave Ukrainian ports on Friday as part of a deal to unblock grain exports, the organization arranging the operation said Thursday...
China fires missiles around Taiwan, sparking US condemnation
Philippine Star, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
China fired ballistic missiles and deployed fighter jets Thursday as it held its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan, a show of force condemned by Washington as a gross overreaction to Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island...
US declares monkeypox a public health emergency
Philippine Star, August 5, 2022
Issam Ahmed, Agence France-Presse
US President Joe Biden's government on Thursday declared monkeypox a public health emergency, a move that should free up new funds, assist in data gathering and allow the deployment of additional personnel in the fight against the disease...
ASEAN ministers optimistic on SCS code, lack consensus on Myanmar violence
GMA News, August 5, 2022
Michaella Del Callar
While expressing optimism over progress in talks for a "code of conduct" in the South China Sea, ASEAN foreign ministers voiced strong concern and were divided over the worsening situation and killings in Myanmar, according to a final draft of their communique...
Analysts: Philippines can’t stay neutral on Taiwan
BusinessWorld, August 4, 2022
Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
The Philippines will have a difficult time staying neutral in case tensions further escalate between the United States and China over Taiwan, according to political analysts...
Saudi Arabia records $20 billion surplus after oil price surge
ABS-CBN News, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
Saudi Arabia said it had achieved a rare budget surplus of over $20 billion in the second quarter of 2022, as oil revenues surged 90 percent compared to a year ago...
US House Speaker Pelosi in Japan for final stop on Asia trip
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Japan on Thursday for the final stop on her Asian tour, following a visit to Taiwan that incensed China...
North Korea claims all fever patients have recovered since COVID-19 outbreak
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Reuters
North Korea said on Friday all of its fever patients have recovered, its first such claim since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the isolated economy, according to the state media KCNA...
Japan protests after Chinese missiles land in its exclusive economic zone
Rappler, August 4, 2022
Reuters
Five ballistic missiles fired by China appear to have landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said on Thursday, August 4, part of military exercises launched by China earlier in the day...
How Malaysia ended up owing $15 billion to a sultan’s heirs
BusinessWorld, August 4, 2022
Reuters
Malaysia is scrambling to protect its assets as the descendants of the last sultan of the remote Philippine region of Sulu look to enforce a $15-billion arbitration award in a dispute over a colonial-era land deal...
Long Covid symptoms affects one in eight, study suggests
Philippine Star, August 5, 2022
Agence France-Presse
One in eight people who get coronavirus develop at least one symptom of long Covid, one of the most comprehensive studies on the condition to date suggested on Thursday...
DepEd: P2.188 billion needed for repair of quake-damaged schools
BusinessMirror, August 5, 2022
Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday reported that an estimated amount of P2.188 billion is needed for the repair and reconstruction of totally and partially damaged schools and classrooms by the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit northern Luzon and tremor was felt in Metro Manila and nearby provinces...
Comelec ready amid poll postponement
Daily Tribune, August 4, 2022
Gab Humilde Villegas
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday stressed that while it respects whatever decision Congress and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will make regarding the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the poll body is ready to conduct the elections...
COA flags DepEd purchase of ‘pricey, outdated’ laptops
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Jane Bautista, Jeannette I. Andrade
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday confirmed that it received in March an audit observation memorandum from the Commission on Audit (COA) for buying P2.4 billion worth of reportedly “outdated and pricey” laptops for teachers, in line with the implementation of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic...
Scrapped chopper deal: Bye to P2 billion?
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Frances Mangosing
The Philippines risks losing the P2 billion it gave as down payment for the P12.7-billion deal to buy 16 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia after the contract was scrapped before the end of the Duterte administration for fear of economic sanctions from the United States...
PhilHealth expands coverage for kidney patients
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Kathleen de Villa
The state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) expanded its treatment coverage for chronic kidney disease patients to a maximum of 144 hemodialysis sessions – up from an earlier maximum of 90 sessions – until December 31, according to PhilHealth Circular No. 2022-0017 that took effect on Wednesday...
Comelec to find way around tax break veto
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Dona Z. Pazzibugan
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Garcia said that if their budget allowed it, they might give additional allowances to poll workers to make up for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s veto of the tax exemption of election duty honoraria so that “even if taxed, it’s as if [their honoraria] was not reduced.”...
FVR gave rebels ‘second chances’ —Sec. Galvez
Daily Tribune, August 5, 2022
Lade Kabagani
The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said the creation of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) is crucial to encouraging rebels to embrace the constitutional peace process...
Comelec seeks increase in poll workers’ allowances
Daily Tribune, August 5, 2022
Gab Humilde Villegas
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia on Thursday proposed increasing poll workers’ allowances instead of exempting them from taxes...
LGUs urged to help combat monkeypox
Philippine Star, August 5, 2022
Romina Cabrera
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has urged local government units (LGUs) to take proactive measures to help prevent the spread of monkeypox, following the first confirmed case in the country...
DOLE allots P50 million to aid Abra workers
Manila Standard, August 5, 2022
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday it has allotted P50 million for financial assistance to workers displaced by the magnitude 7 earthquake that recently hit Abra...
Meta purge: PH polls saw 6 million ‘hate’ posts on FB, Instagram
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Over 6 million Facebook and Instagram posts by Filipino users during the May elections were taken down by Meta for inciting violence, hate speech or bullying, according to a report that tracked poll-related social media content in the Philippines, known as “patient zero” in the global war against disinformation...
Cartel behind high fish prices in Bohol
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Leo Udtohan
Boholanos had already complained about the high prices of fish in the province as early as 2017, with the clamor leading to investigations led by the provincial board which later uncovered the presence of a fish cartel operating in Bohol...
OCD to Batangas folk: Stay alert amid Taal activity
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Delfin T. Mallari, Jr.
Residents in communities surrounding Taal Volcano in Batangas province were asked to take precautions after the volcano exhibited increased activity on Wednesday, August 3...
TV5, ABS-CBN venture in ‘closing stages,’ says MVP
Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 5, 2022
Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) revealed on Thursday that talks between ABS-CBN Corp. and TV5 about entering into a joint venture are in the “closing stages.”...
DOJ eyes zero case backlog by 2023
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
Rey E. Requejo
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has vowed to resolve by yearend around 26,000 petitions for review arising from the resolutions of city and provincial prosecutors nationwide...
Comelec says it is open to hybrid elections
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is open to the possibility of the country adopting a hybrid election system...
DBM assures funds for free ride until December
Manila Standard, August 5, 2022
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has earmarked the budget for the government’s free bus ride program up to December this year, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Thursday...
Tighter Senate protocols, call to abolish IATF revived as infections rise
CNN Philippines, August 4, 2022
Eimor Santos
As the rise in COVID-19 cases continues unabated, the Senate is reacting by implementing stricter health protocols, and with one of the lawmakers renewing the call to abolish the inter-agency task force apparently ineffective in streamlining the country’s health crisis response...
DOH eyes more vax sites after first week of vaccination drive fails to meet targets
CNN Philippines, August 4, 2022
Carolyn Bonquin
Health officials are eyeing to open more vaccination sites in public places nationwide after the government failed to meet the target coverage on the first week of the new administration’s innoculation campaign...
PH logs highest single-day tally of COVID-19 cases since February
CNN Philippines, August 4, 2022
CNN Philippines Staff
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday recorded 4,439 new COVID-19 cases across the country—the highest single-day tally of infections since February...
PEZA: Employment in economic zones seen growing 6-7% in 2022
BusinessMirror, August 5, 2022
Andrea E. San Juan
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) said it is targeting a 6-7 percent growth in employment in its economic zones by the end of 2022...
Agricultural output likely shrank in Q2
BusinessWorld, August 5, 2022
Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
The Philippines' overall agricultural output likely contracted again in the second quarter, as production was affected by soaring prices of fuel and fertilizer, according to analysts...
Sugar retail price hits P100 a kilo
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Bella Cariaso
The retail price of refined sugar in local markets has reached P100 a kilo, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday...
P6.4M allocated to ease rice production
The Manila Times, August 5, 2022
Bella Cariaso
At least P6.4 million has been allocated to cushion rice production costs incurred by farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said...
PH to import 300,000 MT of sugar
The Manila Times, August 4, 2022
Bella Cariaso
Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica on Thursday said that the government plans to import at least 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar as price of refined sugar in the local market has reached P100 per kilo...
PSEi ends at near two-month high
Philippine Star, August 5, 2022
Iris Gonzales
Stocks advanced anew yesterday, with the main index closing at a near two-month high, as investors were encouraged by positive corporate earnings in the second quarter...
BoC-NAIA bares 3 top importers during ’22 1st sem
Manila Standard, August 4, 2022
Joel E. Zurbano
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has bared the top three importers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and recognized their contribution to the “excellent” revenue collection performance of the port during the first half of the year...