Philippines Morning News For November 15

Trudeau raises EJK; Duterte insulted
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the extrajudicial killings and other human rights issues in the Philippines during an informal talk with President Duterte on the last day of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings yesterday.
— Philstar

Trump chuckled as Duterte called journalists ‘spies.’ That’s no joke in the Philippines.
After President Trump boasted of his “great relationship” with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting in Manila Monday, American reporters pressed Trump on whether he brought up human rights issues.
— Washington Post

Q3 growth seen at 6.5%
The economy likely sustained its strong growth momentum in the third quarter, buoyed by brisk consumer and government spending, while higher exports and agricultural output provided a further boost.
— Malaya

PH to grow fastest in region: OECD
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said the Philippine economy will grow at an average of 6.4 percent on the medium term, 50 basis points higher than its growth in the previous five years of 5.9 percent, the OECD Development Centre in its latest report.
— Malaya

Duterte eyes cheap medicine from India
President Duterte is eyeing stronger trade relations with India, especially in the purchase of affordable medicine.
— Philstar

Duterte ready to expand trade with Russia
President Duterte has expressed the Philippines’ willingness to expand relations with Russia, particularly trade, during his bilateral meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
— Philstar

South Korea urged to invest more in Philippines
President Duterte has urged South Korea to invest more in the Philippines as he vowed to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
— Philstar

Economists buck proposal to give small enterprises tax-exemption privilege
Granting “absolute” tax exemption to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) could become a disincentive that would hinder the sector’s growth in the long run, according to local economists.
— BusinessMirror

Russian firm, FNI to construct nickel plant
Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., the second largest nickel producer in the Philippines, said Tuesday it signed a cooperation agreement with Russia’s Vi Holding Llc. to undertake the joint processing of lateritic nickel ores.
— Manila Standard

Human rights activists hoping Ardern can influence Philippine President
Human rights activists in the Philippines hope Jacinda Ardern’s had even a slight hint of positive influence over the Philippines President.
— NewstalkZB

Delays faced by Pacific trade deals show nations want quality, not speed
After talks aimed at wrapping up a giant Pacific trade deal almost collapsed in acrimony in Vietnam last week, ministers are now warning that a rival Asian pact should also focus on quality over speed.
— BusinessMirror

Draft ASEAN chairman’s statement raises questions as bloc’s 31st summit winds down
THE 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit — the second this year while the Philippines chairs the bloc — was set to end last night with a draft statement showing a blank section on the South China Sea and silent on the plight of Rohingya Muslims fleeing from Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
— BusinessWorld

Russia vows to support PHL transport development
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and Russian Minister of Transportation Minister Maksim Sokolov on Tuesday agreed to cooperate on rail, maritime, road and aviation
development in the Philippines.
— BusinessMirror

Pres. Duterte announces landmark outcomes of PH ASEAN Summit hosting
President Rodrigo Duterte reported a productive conclusion of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Tuesday, November 14, announcing landmark outcomes of the meetings during the Philippines’ hosting.
— Philippine News Agency

China gives PH $7B loans, grants
China has committed a combined $7.34 billion in soft loans and grants to the Philippines for the implementation of 10 big-ticket projects, the construction of two bridges in Metro Manila and two drug rehabilitation facilities in Mindanao, and assistance in the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City in Mindanao.
— Malaya

Phl, US affirm commitment to defense treaty, human rights
President Duterte and United States President Donald Trump have reaffirmed their commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which requires the Phiilippines and the US to come to the aid of each other in case of foreign invasion.
— Philstar

Duterte backs Japan’s bid to pressure NKorea
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte threw his support behind Japan’s call to increase pressure on North Korea and cautioned President Kim Jong-un not to threaten the world with his nuclear missiles.
— The Manila Times

PH, New Zealand forge ties on education
President Rodrigo Duterte and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday, November 14, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation that would strengthen Philippines – New Zealand ties in the field of education.
— Philippine News Agency

Banks told to craft cyber risk management strategies
BANKS must craft new strategies on information security to manage, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks which could bog down operations, as part of tighter rules imposed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
— BusinessWorld

PH, Asean push inclusive globalization
The Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is making a big push towards inclusive globalization within the region, bucking the trend of protectionism among developed economies.
— Malaya

PH, New Zealand sign transport, energy deals
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in Manila to attend the East Asia Summit, witnessed the signing of three agreements with the Philippines on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times

Govt seeks more onion, garlic yield in Ilocos
Acting Agrarian Reform Secretary Rosalinda Bistoyong of the Department of Agrarian Reform has tasked the agency’s Region 1 director to spearhead a dialog in a bid to revitalize the industry of garlic and onion in Ilocos region.
— Manila Standard

Feature photo Andy Maluche
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Philippines Morning News For November 15 added by Leakhena Khat on November 15, 2017
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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.