Flaws in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)’s economic integration plans are being exposed as some members struggle to adapt to a massive free-trade deal with China, and the US and EU opt to pursue pacts with individual states.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) headed by Chairman Francisco Duque III yesterday warned government employees taking part in mass leaves shall be meted with administrative sanctions.

OTHER national government agencies have officials, like those of the PNP, who have taken to heart the work of reforming under the Performance Governance System (PGS) of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is one of the six central government agencies that were asked by the Office of the President…

How did the Philippine National Police (PNP) become a Performance Governance System (PGS) participant? The following is a report of the PNP and the PGS. The PNP was chosen as one of the first six national government agencies to participate in a program designed to raise the standards of governance practice at the national level.

Will PNP’s good governance reforms continue? ONLY half a year after the Philippine National Police (PNP) was initiated into the Public Governance System of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (with its balanced scorecard), the PNP has already achieved much of its goals for 2010 and is palpably on the way to accomplishing goals for…

MANILA, Philippines – Due to a tightness in the supply of palay as a result of drought damage, the National Food Authority (NFA) has raised slightly its support price for palay to P17.70 per kilogram inclusive of drying, transport and cooperative development incentives.

MANILA, Philippines—Conservation measures are generally instituted to prevent the collapse of fish stocks due to overfishing. These can be in the form of closing an area for any fishing activity, limiting the amount of fish that can be caught or allowing the use of only specific fishing gear.

The embattled head of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) scored the chiefs of four Japanese member-companies for misreading the group’s position on the government’s new program for the industry.

MANILA, Philippines – Pity the country’s state colleges and universities (SCUs) — they operate on “budgetary crumbs”. But, ironically, they are mandated — and expected — to be of great service to the Filipino people, particularly those in the countryside.

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s external debt slipped by 1.1 percent last year as the debt payments of the National Government and private enterprises exceeded fresh borrowings, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.

NEGATIVE VOTE: A politician friend offered what looks like a partial solution to our dilemma of boycotting party-lists with dubious nominees but, in so doing, merely improving their chances of winning seats in the House of Representatives.

I received such a tremendous response to the previous column on the crisis of our educational system that I decided to push the issues even further, to explore truly radical responses to save the next generation of Filipinos from the grip of mediocrity.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) may have opposing views on the use of condoms, but they agree on other ways to prevent the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the country.

MANILA, Philippines – The government’s lax enforcement of aviation safety rules has prompted the European Commission (EC) to ban Philippine carriers from flying to the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The US manufacturing sector expanded in March at its fastest rate for six years, a report has said.

A reader asks for advice about a male office supervisor who makes her uncomfortable with his excessive praises over her physical appearance. She says that when he says things like “that blouse shows off your curves and cleavage magnificently” especially in the presence of co-workers, she feels that he is undressing her mentally. Worse, she…

The Manila Electric Co. and other power distribution utilities are the usual whipping boys whenever there is a spike in our electric bills.

THE European Union prohibited all airlines based in the Philippines and Sudan from flying in the bloc under the latest changes to a list of unsafe carriers.

A deeper look into suicide IF, in any case, that you feel suicidal now, it is probably better for you to stop and take a while to read this. It will only take about a couple of minutes. The idea that death will set one free from pain, dishonor or loneliness has always held an…

DAVAO CITY – A government executive here warns of an increasing number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) defaulting on their loans from an economic crisis credit facility.

PASIG CITY – Many of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced last year by the global economic crisis, and who availed of government’s employment and livelihood assistance packages, are from Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas.

MANILA, Philippines – Three miners were killed in a mining accident in Luneta village, Itogon, Benguet Tuesday night, officials said.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said Monday that the government is sending au pairs, not domestic helpers to Switzerland.

TRUCK assemblers and auto parts makers said they are supporting the government’s New Motor Vehicle Development Program (NMVDP) despite a provision in the draft plant that reclassified imported used engines and other components from “prohibited” to “regulated” items.

“Follow your heart” I told them, little did they know that I was about to pull a stunt based on that very advise.

Businessmen in Mindanao believe that shifting to nighttime operations to save on electricity may not be feasible.

MANILA, Philippines – With the help of the National Electrification Administration (NEA), more electric cooperatives (ECs) made marked improvements in more electric cooperatives on their financial and technical performance last year.

Sonny Mendoza, who as president of the LTA Condominium Association must have a good idea of what hell is, sent me this classic anecdote as his way of contemplating hell during Holy Week.

When it comes to the perks of being a lawmaker, party-list representatives are no different from congressional district representatives.