Monthly Archives: May 2009

The provincial government of Cebu yesterday slapped a complaint against the so-called “Big Three” oil companies with the Department of Justice (DoJ)-Department of Energy (DoE) joint task force and at the same time sought an investigation into the firms’ pricing of their petroleum products in the province after the provincial government allegedly found out that…

Brussels, (ITUC OnLine): As the H1N1 “swine flu” virus continues to spread around the world, the International Trade Union Confederation is calling for government action on a series of key workplace issues that are essential for reducing the risk of a severe pandemic and for preparing in case a severe pandemic does occur. 

MANILA, Philippines—Even as they are miles away from home, Filipinos in Italy still retain many traditions, including financial traditions. An ongoing research by the International Organization for Migration shows that some of them invest in the so-called “paluwagan.”

The most common ground cited for the passage of the RH bill is the alleged need for family planning of couples especially the poor. For this purpose, the proponents say it is necessary for them particularly the women to be properly informed of their sexual and reproductive health rights and to have access to reproductive…

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve expects the economy to improve in coming months, even as policymakers downgraded their outlook for all of 2009 and said the unemployment rate could approach 10 percent.

MANILA, Philippines – The European Union-Association of South East Asian Nations (EU-ASEAN) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) may pose difficulties for the Philippine rice sector while favoring that of Thailand.

MANILA, Philippines – Foreign businessmen are urging the Senate and the House of Representatives to approve the reproductive health and family planning bill, a move that will help address the poverty and unemployment issues of the country.

MANILA, Philippines – Despite numerous indications that the United States economy would start to recover and post positive growth in the third quarter of this year, the country’s economic managers prefer to remain conservative with their growth targets.

MANILA, Philippines – Encouraged by initial signs of improvements in the US and global financial markets, business sentiment improved in the second quarter of the year although executives remained cautiously negative.

President Barack Obama has signed into law extensive new restrictions on the ability of US credit card companies to charge fees or raise interest rates.

A proposal introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) and four other congressmen has paved the way for the World Bank to finalize a new policy that will significantly decrease the use of asbestos in new construction projects for developing countries.

Japan’s central bank has upgraded its economic outlook, saying the worst of the recession might be over.

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The country slipped anew in terms of its global competitiveness ranking 43rd out of 57 countries in the World Competitiveness Yearbook that Swiss business school IMD released yesterday.

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday called on the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to recognize its visitorial powers by stating “clearly and without equivocation” that such an authority of the constitutional body must be respected by all members of the military and its establishments.

MANILA, Philippines – Families of unemployed workers, especially those laid off from their jobs, are significantly suffering from hunger, according to the latest survey by pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS).

TOKYO: Japan’s economy shrank at the fastest pace on record in the first quarter as demand for its cars, electronics and other goods slumped amid a deepening global recession, data showed Wednesday.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government yesterday admitted that there were lapses in its reportorial obligations as a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, but vowed to address all of the concerns raised about specific cases in the country.

China loses low-cost manufacturing crown   SHANGHAI: China has lost its position as the world’s lowest-cost components manufacturer to India and Mexico, a study indicated Wednesday, in a blow for the Asian giant as it fights the financial crisis.

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it will push for amendments to the decade-old Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 to shield consumers from “expensive” fuel prices. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Ralph Recto said there is a need to revisit the law to strengthen the Department of Energy’s (DOE)…

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) on Wednesday said many displaced Filipino workers have returned to work in Taiwan, as its electronics industry began to recall workers.

The Philippines ranked lower in terms of global competitiveness this year and still lagged behind its Asian peers, according to the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook.

UNDP blames falling enrolment, shortages    The Philippines may face an “education crisis” because of falling enrolment as well as shortages in classrooms, books and teachers amid the government’s tight fiscal situation, experts warned Wednesday during the launching of a UN report.

Following a letter of inquiry spearheaded by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and co-signed by four other Members of Congress, the World Bank has finalized construction guidance that would drastically decrease the use of asbestos in new construction projects.  The report, originally commissioned in 2006, was technically reviewed in 2008 but stalled awaiting final administrative approval. …

Year after year, the Bicol region (Region 5) is at the bottom, together with ARMM, of the Neda ranking poorest or most underdeveloped region of the country.

The Philippines is not ready yet to adopt a “social market economy” system as it does not have the necessary conditions in place, economists said.

THE Philippines’ ranking as a preferred location for business-process outsourcing (BPO) and call-center operations inched up amid the global financial crisis, but still lagged behind neighboring countries, according to a survey of multinational companies. In its Global Services Location Index 2009, A.T. Kearney said the Philippines climbed from eight to seventh place out of 50…

FOREIGN buying of shares of listed local companies fell sharply in the first four months this year, according to Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

BAGUIO CITY: A communist guerrilla commander who had his brother assassinated for giving up their armed rebellion has been arrested, police said Tuesday.

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has renewed her push for a free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and India to help give Asia a stronger voice in global economic affairs.