News Report
26 November 2019 Local
1. VP Leni: I’m just getting started
The Philippine Star, 26 November 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 2
Vice President Leni Robredo has no intention of backing out from the fight against illegal drugs despite her removal as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).
Robredo said her dismissal as ICAD co-chair – a post she held for 19 days might be due to Malacañang’s fears that she would discover something in the course of waging her version of the war on drugs.
2. House committee approves bills creating 2 departments Manila Bulletin, 26 November 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 5
The House Committee on Ways and Means unanimously approved the House leadership-backed bills creating the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).
Korea
3. PHL, S. Korea boost blood brother ties
The Philippine Star, 26 November 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 7
President Duterte yesterday invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to visit the Philippines next year to witness the signing of a proposed free trade deal as he vowed to further strengthen ties with Seoul, which he described as Manila’s “blood brother.”
During his meeting with Moon, Duterte promised to work to further enhance the relationship between Manila and South Korea. He said the two countries are commemorating 70 years of
“meaningful” bilateral relations and have become “blood brothers” on the “altar of freedom.”
4. Duterte to discuss how to address new world challenges in ASEAN-ROK meet Manila Bulletin, 26 November 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 5
President Duterte is set to discuss with his fellow Asian leaders ways to address new world
challenges during the 2019 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (ASEANROK), according to Malacañang.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit will serve as a venue for the President to discuss with other regional Heads of State ways to address new world challenges, such as protectionism, non-conventional security threats, transnational crimes and cybercrime, among others.
5. South Korea’s Moon says Philippines is ‘future of Asean’
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 26 November 2019
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has described the Philippines as “the future of Asean”, citing the country’s growth rate of 6 percent each year. He further said that he hopes to strengthen his country’s friendship with the Philippines and extend the bilateral cooperation to contribute further to the development of Asean.
6. PH, Korea free to firm up free-trade deal
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 26 November 2019, p. A1, continued on p. A8
The Philippines and South Korea signed on Monday a preliminary document for a free trade
agreement (FTA) that is expected to be made definitive by 2020. President Rodrigo Duterte invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to make a state visit to the Philippines next year, setting the stage for the formal signing of the awaited FTA between the two countries, according to Trade
Secretary Ramon Lopez.
7. Philippines expects 2-M South Korean tourist arrivals this year Business Mirror, 26 November 2019, p. A4
The Philippines is expecting to breach the 2 million mark in South Korean tourist arrivals this year and maintain its position as the leading foreign nationals visiting the country, according to Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Noe Albano Wong.
8. PH, SKorea ink 4 deals
The Manila Times, 26 November 2019, p. A4
The Philippines and South Korea have signed four agreements to further boost the two countries’
bilateral relations. President Rodrigo Duterte and South Korean President Moon Jae-in witnessed the signing of an agreement on social security, a joint statement on the early achievement package of the negotiations on the proposed free trade deal, and agreements on education and fisheries.
9. Koreans love the Philippines, Moon tells Duterte ABS-CBN News, 26 November 2019
South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed his people's love for the Philippines to President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday as the two leaders meet ahead of a summit with Southeast Asian leaders. President Moon told President Duterte that Korean people love the Philippines and Koreans are the number one visitors to the country as he called for stronger ties between Manila and Seoul.
Economic
10. Firm offers tramway in Manila linked to subway Manila Bulletin, 26 November 2019, p. B6
Greenergy Holdings, Inc., a listed company led by businessman Antonio Tiu, has submitted an unsolicited proposal to the local government of Manila for the development and operation of a tramway in the City. The proposed tramway would be connected to the proposed Makati City Subway that will be developed by Philippine Infradev Holdings which is also controlled by Tiu.
11. DOF: RCEP to boost Asean economy The Philippine Star, 26 November 2019, p. B5
The Department of Finance (DOF) is looking forward to the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement as this would be crucial in the enhancement of trade, investments and economic growth in the Southeast Asian region.
12. Poll: Japanese firms want to keep current incentives Business Mirror, 26 November 2019, p. A1, continued on p. A2
In a survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro), Japanese firms in the Philippines said they appreciate the incentives they are receiving under the existing setup. The survey further revealed that any changes in their tax perks as proposed under the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill will impact on their operations.
