News Update
As of November 24, 2017 (Friday)
1. Manila Bulletin
Cuba expresses North Korea support, calls for US ‘dialogue’
Cuba, one of North Korea’s few allies, called on Wednesday for “peace and stability” in the Korean peninsula and stressed the need for dialogue to reduce tensions between Pyongyang and Washington. Upon receiving his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-Ho in Havana, foreign affairs minister Bruno Rodriguez said Cuba is “in favor of peace and stability,” adding that “only after dialogue and negotiations can a lasting political solution be achieved,” according to Cuban media.
Meanwhile, Ri blamed the “increased use of imperialist military force” for the worsening situation in the Korean peninsula, and stressed the importance of Cuba-North Korea relations as “two socialism-building countries.”
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/23/cuba-expresses-north-korea-support-calls-for-us-dialogue/
2. Philippine Star
Duterte bringing PNP back to drug war
President Duterte is bringing the police back to the government’s war on illegal drugs because he is not satisfied with the accomplishments of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Malacañang said yesterday.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino welcomed the return of the PNP to anti-drug operations.Aquino said he does not view Duterte’s pronouncements to bring back the PNP as dissatisfaction with PDEA’s performance, but rather a president’s action as he knows the limitations of the agency.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/24/1761879/duterte-bringing-pnp-back-drug-war
3. Daily Inquirer
Usec. Chavez quits amid MRT 3 woes
Invoking “delicadeza” and taking responsibility for the problems plaguing the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) system, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez resigned on Thursday.
“I hope the President understands that in light of recent events involving the MRT 3 system, a simple sense of delicadeza, which I have adhered to throughout my professional life, gives me no choice but to resign,” Chavez said in a one-page letter to President Duterte.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/947290/usec-chavez-quits-amid-mrt-3-woes
4. Manila Times
Duterte: Lift limits on foreign investment
Rodrigo Duterte has directed the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to take “immediate steps”
to lift or ease restrictions on foreign investment in the Philippines to foster economic growth. The President signed on November 21 Memorandum Circular 16 ordering the NEDA to exert efforts to ease restrictions on foreign participation in eight investment areas.
Members of the NEDA Board were urged to support legislative efforts that may be necessary to eliminate the restrictions, including a pending legislation that seeks to clarify the definition of public utilities. It was also directed to immediately advise the President regarding restrictions on foreign participation that may be lifted or eased without legislation
The Constitution puts a limit on foreign ownership in key business at 40 percent. Foreign chambers have urged the government to raise the ceiling to lure more investors.
http://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-lift-limits-foreign-investment/364705/
