Philippines Morning News For April 3

Philippines’ San Miguel plans $34b investments, eyes Saigon Beer stake
San Miguel Corp. plans to invest $34 billion in an oil refinery, an integrated steel complex and an ocean-tide power plant as the Philippines’ largest company by sales expands amid forecasts for robust economic growth in the country, according to its president.
— Deal Street Asia

Philippines manufacturing PMI up to 53.8 in March
The Nikkei Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, rose marginally to 53.8 in March from 53.6 in February.
— Nikkei Asian Review

March inflation paces up to 3.1%-3.6%
A weakening peso likely pushed oil and food prices higher in March, likewise creating upward pressure on headline inflation that month, but analysts are split in their outlook for a rate hike by the central bank this year.
— The Manila Times

Manila City Council approves smoking ban in all local government facilities
An ordinance that bans smoking at all public buildings, facilities, and establishments “owned, used, or controlled or administered by the city government of Manila” was approved unanimously by the city council.
— Manila Bulletin

BOC: SMC’s appeal on seized fuel under review; CTA case premature
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) disputed yesterday San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) move to question the bureau’s seizure of alleged smuggled fuel in Limay, Bataan, saying “the filing of review with the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) is premature.”
— Manila Bulletin

After Navy, Coast Guard patrols Benham Rise
For the first time yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrolled Benham Rise, following the reported presence of Chinese vessels in the area declared by the United Nations as part of the extended continental shelf of the Philippines.
— Phil Star

China willing to engage in marine cooperation with PH
The Chinese government expressed its willingness to engage in marine cooperation, including joint scientific research, with the Philippines, as long as these undertakings bring benefit to both countries.
— Manila Bulletin

Stop debate on death toll, solve drug kills, says bishop
It doesn’t matter whether the number of victims is 4,000 or 7,000, or whether the victims were killed by police or by vigilantes, what is important is that extrajudicial killings in President Duterte’s war on drugs must stop, a Catholic bishop said on Sunday.
— Inquirer.Net

DND seeks to boost external defense
WITH the deliveries of the South Korean-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jet fighters nearing completion and other new equipment expected, the government is looking for more platforms to boost external defense, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
— The Manila Times

Philippines ceasefire talks with rebels delayed
The start of Dutch-hosted ceasefire talks to end a four-decade insurgency waged by communist rebels in the Philippines has been delayed to Monday, mediators said.
— Yahoo7 News

Philippine Navy ship deal: Indonesians arrested
Ranking officials of an Indonesian state shipbuilder were reportedly apprehended before the weekend by anti-corruption authorities over a bribery case involving the sale of two warships to the Philippine Navy worth at least P4 billion.
— Phil Star

US Fed, not Brexit, driving volatility — BSP governor
FORMAL TALKS for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) have shown minimal impact as far as Philippine markets are concerned, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) chief said, noting that concern over the direction of US interest rates — and not Brexit — that continues to drive market uncertainty.
— Business World Online

Philippine REIT market unlikely to take off till tax reform package gets nod
THE REVIVAL of talks to kickstart the real estate investment trust (REIT) market may take a back seat for now as the Finance department’s tax reform program faces rough sailing in Congress.
— Business World Online

Palace dismisses EU threat
THE Duterte administration on Sunday dismissed the warning of the envoy of the European Union that EU countries could block the entry of Philippine exports if drug-related killings continue.
— The Manila Times

PCC to look into DTI’s proposal on retail prices
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) will look into the proposal of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to give companies the freedom to decide on the pricing and necessary cost adjustments of basic necessities and prime commodities.
— Phil Star

Minimum pay to go up for Pinoy maids in Singapore
According to the Singapore-based The Straits Times, the minimum salary for Filipino domestic helpers will be increased to S$570 starting May 1 to keep pace with exchange rate fluctuations.
— ABS-CBN

Gov’t-NDF peace talks resume
Over a month after talks were scrapped, formal peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels resumed yesterday in Oslo, Norway, but without any ceasefire and with both parties warning of continuing violence.
— Phil Star

Philippines seeks to rename marine zone
The Philippines said it is planning to change the name of a stretch of water east of the country in a bid to highlight its sovereignty over the area, which was surveyed recently by a Chinese vessel.
— The Star Online

Mormons rejoice at announcement of new temples in Utah, Idaho, Kenya, Philippines, Brazil
News of an LDS temple coming to Saratoga Springs turned the Griffiths home upside down Sunday morning.
— Deseret News

Government set to talk with MNLF in May
Talks with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari may start next month, President Duterte said, as he urged rebels to control their forces while the negotiations are ongoing.
— Phil Star

Lacson urges protection for Aquino, others on NDF ‘arrest list’
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday called on the law enforcement and the people to protect former President Benigno Aquino III and other personalities reportedly ordered arrested by the communist group, saying the order was illegal.
— Inquirer.Net

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Philippines Morning News For April 3 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on April 3, 2017
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.