News Report 09 May 2019 Local
1. ‘Matrix’ reloaded by palace, reviled by Duterte critics Philippine Daily Inquirer, 09 May 2019, p. A1, continued on p. A6
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters in Malacañang that the President directed him to make public a new web-like diagram that was much wider than what he had shown and called an “oust-Duterte matrix” last month that linked a lawyers’ group and journalists to what has been called the “Bikoy” videos, which was named after the hooded man who made the charges against the Dutertes. Opposition leaders and critics of President Rodrigo Duterte denounced these new allegations by Malacañang.
Korea
2. Mastermind in Jee Ick-joo slay barred from leaving Phl The Philippine Star, 09 May 2019, p. 14
Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 56 Judge Irin Zenaida Buan issued hold departure order (HDO) a day after granting Col. Rafael Dumlao III, the prime suspect in the killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo to post bail.
Economic
3. DOF expects more investments with S&P upgrade Manila Bulletin, 09 May 2019, p. 1, continued on p. 11
In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said S&P Global Ratings’ “BBB+” credit score for the Philippines would make the country a more attractive investment destination in the region. He further said that the greater investor confidence is on top of the lower borrowing rates that both foreign and domestic creditors would give the Philippines.
4. Agriculture growth slows further in Q1 Manila Bulletin, 09 May 2019, p. B1
The country’s agriculture further slowed down to a growth of 0.67 percent in the first quarter of the year, coming from a measly growth of 1 percent in the whole year of 2018, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol only shrugged this off, saying prices will soon see a recovery. He also thinks the country will still end up with higher agriculture production.
5. Trade deficit widens in March to $3.14 billion Manila Bulletin, 09 May 2019, p. B3
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the nation’s balance of trade in goods saw a
$3.14-billion deficit during the month, which is higher by 34 percent compared with $2.34 billion in the same month last year.
Amid the widening trade gap, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia urged local producers to continue to diversify products and earnestly look for new markets, especially abroad, to ratchet up Philippine exports.
