Philippines Morning News For October 26

PH seeks market access for footwear exports
Trade officials are poised to meet with foreign buyers and brand owners of international garments companies to seek expanded access of markets and products which are outsourced in the Philippines.
— Malaya

Jack Ma keen on making Philippines internet faster
Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma looked upbeat after a meeting with President Duterte at Malacañang yesterday despite reports that he complained of the slow internet connection in the country.
— Philstar

Government vows to prioritize local contractors in infrastructure program
Despite the planned liberalization of the construction sector, the government will still prioritize Filipino contractors in its massive “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program, which is seen to require an additional 2.5 million construction workers up to 2021.
— BusinessMirror

Trump to miss East Asia Summit due to scheduling woes — Cayetano
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday clarified reports that US President Donald Trump would skip the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila on November 14.
— The Nation

Espenilla plans to ease FDI registration by yearend
Philippine monetary officials are considering another foreign exchange liberalization measure for implementation by year end, this time on easing of registration for foreign direct investments (FDIs).
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte to visit Japan Sunday
PRESIDENT Duterte will undertake a working visit to Japan on October 29-31 for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ahead of key regional meetings beginning with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in Vietnam in November.
— Malaya

PH firms, labor eye first crack at China-backed infra projects
The Philippines will lobby with the government of China to allow Fillipino contractors and laborers to participate in the Chinese official development assistance (ODA)-funded projects in order to preserve the investments and the jobs onshore.
— Malaya

95% in poll want drug suspects captured alive
NINETY-FIVE percent (95%) of respondents in a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll last September say it is important for the police to capture illegal drug trade suspects alive.
— BusinessWorld

Philippines, Russia ink pact on military, technical cooperation
Russia yesterday turned over trucks, rifles and other military equipment to the Philippines as the two countries moved to further enhance nascent defense ties with the signing of an agreement on defense and technical cooperation.
— Philstar

Philippines, China agree to strengthen defense ties
The Philippines and China agreed in bilateral defense talks yesterday to strengthen defense and military-to-military relations by increasing security engagements to include enhancement of maritime cooperation as well as to peacefully resolve existing maritime and territorial disputes between the two countries.
— Philstar

BOI okays P4.1-billion solar power plant in Pangasinan
The Board of Investments (BOI) recently approved the application of Pilipinas Newton Energy Corp. as a renewable energy developer of solar energy sources for its San Manuel 1 Solar Power Project. It qualified for incentives under the Special Laws List (Republic Act 9513 aka the Renewable Energy Act) of the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP).
— Manila Bulletin

Time for ‘coopetition’ as Globe, PLDT seek to advance cashless PHL
Some may call it a war between two digital companies. But, for them, it is a matter of “coopetition” to attain what India and China have achieved—an almost cashless society.
— BusinessMirror

Australian oranges come to 7-Eleven convenience stores in the Philippines
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Citrus Australia, in partnership with Philippines Seven Corp. (7-Eleven Philippines), recently launched the “Australian Oranges: Now In Season” campaign to highlight the availability of quality, safe, sweet and healthy Australian oranges exclusively in select 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines.
— Fresh Plaza

No big need to liberalize construction
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez sees no big need to liberalize further the construction sector saying there are enough players with sufficient capital and expertise to undertake the surge in construction, both public and private, in the Philippines.
— Malaya

Pres. Duterte meets Chinese business magnate Jack Ma
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received Chinese business mogul Jack Ma who paid a courtesy call on him in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, October 25.
— Philippine News Agency

‘Cashless’ is PHL’s way to go — Jack Ma
CHINESE BILLIONAIRE and visionary Jack Ma is rooting for the Philippines’ transformation into a “cashless society” in line with his bold vision for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to become the company of this century.
— BusinessWorld

5th paddle killed Atio – DoJ chief
THE Department of Justice (DoJ) now holds a vital witness to the hazing death of UST law freshman Horacio Castillo 3rd, tapping one of the top officers of the Aegis Juris Fraternity as a government witness.
— The Manila Times

Local bizmen urged to join PH, ASEAN infra projects
Local players in the construction industry are urged to participate in infrastructure projects in the country and in Southeast Asia.
— Philippine News Agency

Gina Lopez hits lifting of open-pit mining ban
FORMER Environment secretary Gina Lopez on Wednesday slammed the interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) for “favoring business interests” by lifting the ban on open-pit mining.
— The Manila Times

PH eyes better protection of two threatened birds
The Philippines seeks international collaboration on better protecting two migratory birds under threat and passing through this country while traveling along East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
— Philippine News Agency

A test mission like no other for candidate Scout Rangers
For aspiring Scout Rangers, part of their training before they could earn the coveted “Tabak” badge, the elite unit’s qualification badge, is for them to go through a grueling two-month test mission.
— Manila Bulletin

Miners also want gov’t to resolve EO 79
While miners lauded the Mining Industry Coordinating Council’s (MICC) decision to recommend the lifting of the ban on open-pit mine in the country, they are also hoping that the government will also move to finally resolve the issues surrounding the Executive Order 79 (EO 79), which bans the entry of new mining projects in the country.
— Manila Bulletin

Jack Ma optimistic PH could be world’s best in fintech
The country’s lack of financial inclusion and slow internet speed could ultimately be the seeds to sow great ideas, according to Alibaba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma.
— Rappler

Duterte’s security adviser wants martial law to stay in place despite Marawi win
National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. urged President Duterte not to lift martial law in Mindanao, despite the liberation of Marawi City from the clutches of the Daesh-inspired Maute Group.
— BusinessMirror

Feature photo Marcin Gabruk
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 October 26 added by Leakhena Khat on October 26, 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.