Philippines Morning News For November 21

China offered as 3rd telco
President Duterte has offered China the “privilege” to be the Philippines’ third telecoms operator, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.
— Malaya

Philippines ranks 45th in world talent competitiveness
Despite low investments in education, the Philippines has improved its position in the 2017 World Talent Ranking report released by leading global business school International Institute for Management Development (IMD) yesterday.
— Philstar

Philippine Navy to have missile system by Christmas
If everything goes as planned, the Philippine Navy (PN) will be mounting its first-ever missile system on three brand-new multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) this Christmas season. This was confirmed Monday by PN flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, when asked on the delivery and mounting of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd’s Spike ER (extended range) missile systems on its three MPACs.
— Update Philippines

Philippines commissions three Japan-made patrol vessels
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), during its 116th founding anniversary celebration on November 20, commissioned three Japan-made 44-meter Parola-class Multi-role Response Vessels (MRRV).
— Update Philippines

South Korea Vying with China as New Benefactor for Philippines
South Korea is vying with China to help develop the Philippines, as the aid recipient’s president crafts a multi-country foreign policy with no clear favorite.
— VOA

Philippines renewable energy investments include four hydropower plants
The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced this week four of the nine renewable energy projects it has approved include hydropower.
— HydroWorld

What’s in the New China-Philippines Defense Industry Pact?
One of the many agreements reached between China and the Philippines last week following a November 15 meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila was one on defense industry cooperation between the two countries.
— The Diplomat

What’s Next For India-Philippines Defense Cooperation?
When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week amid a busy few days of regional summitry in Manila, one of the agreements that the two countries inked was on the defense side.
— The Diplomat

Gov’t reviews Clark unsolicited proposal
The government is reviewing the P839-billion unsolicited proposal submitted by Filinvest-JG Summit and Changi Airport consortium for the long-term development of Clark International Airport.
— Malaya

Megaworld eyes P9-B from sale of commercial lots in Cavite
Property developer Megaworld Corp. expects to generate PHP9 billion from the sale of lots in a new business district within its township project in General Trias, Cavite.
— Philippine News Agency

Balance of payments swings to deficit
THE COUNTRY’S external payments position swung to a wider deficit in October to hit a three-month peak amid increased debt payments and foreign currency fluctuations, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said yesterday.
— BusinessWorld

Tax exemption of 3-in-1 coffee backed
The country’s estimated 34,000 small coffee farmers and the Philippine Association of Agriculturists (PAA) welcome the exclusion of 3-in-1 coffee from the sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) tax in Senate Bill 1592, which has been approved by the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is currently on second reading.
— Malaya

Sereno sees Duterte, Alvarez hands in impeachment case
CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno yesterday finally broke her silence, saying she believes that President Duterte and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez may have a hand in the impeachment bid against her.
— Malaya

Govt to consider Clark airport plan
An unsolicited private sector proposal to develop Clark International Airport into an international gateway will be considered by the government, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said on Monday.
— The Manila Times

PDP-Laban proposes semi-presidential federal gov’t
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) is proposing a semi-presidential federal system of government for the Philippines. This was divulged by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya during the Forum on Political Reforms and the Mindanao Peace Process: Challenges and Prospects at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City on Monday.
— Update Philippines

Public urged to be more vigilant against fake news, half truths
The Department of Education (DepEd) today encouraged the public to be “more vigilant against fake news and half-truths,” particularly on announcements regarding class suspension.
— Manila Bulletin

Martial law extension needs justification, says Drilon
The possible extension of martial law in Mindanao will require credible justification before it can be approved by Congress, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said yesterday.
— Philstar

Returning MRT to private group not an option
Malacañang does not consider as an option returning the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 to the private sector, despite the numerous breakdowns since the government took over the railway facility, as a Palace official on Monday asked the public to give President Duterte a chance to resolve the problem.
— BusinessMirror

House to act soon on ‘divorce’ and same-sex marriage bills
The House of Representatives will act swiftly in passing two controversial social reform measures–divorce and same-sex marriage — that could invite strong objections from the leadership of the Catholic church.
— Manila Bulletin

Comelec urges new registrants to apply online
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday urged new registrants to do so online to avoid long queues in registration centers.
— Philstar

Peza investment pledges up nearly 90% in January-October
Investment pledges registered at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) in January to October jumped by almost 90 percent to P203.18 billion, from last year’s P107.34 billion.
— BusinessMirror

AGI sees approval for Skytrain by yearend
ALLIANCE GLOBAL Group. Inc. (AGI)’s newly incorporated infrastructure unit is optimistic it can secure the transport department’s approval for its two-kilometer monorail project in Taguig before the end of 2017, in order to start construction by mid-2018.
— BusinessWorld

Angara pushes for expansion of coverage of 20% discount on transport for students
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara today reiterated his call for lawmakers to expedite the passage of the bill expanding the coverage of the 20 percent discount on land, air, water and rail transport to students.
— Manila Bulletin

Amid MRT3 woes, Duterte still trusts Tugade
Despite the issues hounding the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT 3) this month, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade still enjoys the trust of President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang revealed.
— Manila Bulletin

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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 21 added by Leakhena Khat on November 21, 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.