News Report 29 May 2018 Local
1. Cayetano: Duterte ready for war in West PH Sea
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 29 May 2018, p. A1, continued on p. A2
Despite his frequent defeatist talk, President Duterte is ready to declare war on China or any other country if they attempt to exploit the natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. This remark seemed contradictory to President Duterte’s recent pronouncements that he preferred to maintain friendship with China rather than engage them in a war.
Korea
2. It’s a go for US-NoKor summit
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 29 May 2018, p. A9
Preparations for the United States and North Korean summit resume as the countries’ officials meet at a border truce village in the Korean peninsula. US President Donald Trump confirmed that a US team has arrived in North Korea to make arrangements for the summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The US delegation to the meeting was headed by Sung Kim, a former US ambassador to South Korea and former nuclear negotiator with North Korea.
3. Duterte sees improved ties with SoKor The Philippine Star, 29 May 2018, p. 5
President Duterte yesterday met with Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man in Malacañang a few days before the President goes to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in in an effort to draw up measures to reinforce alliance and further improve ties between the two countries.
South Korea earlier said it will make available at least $1 billion in loans that the Philippines could avail in the next five years. This will be President Duterte’s first visit to South Korea as president.
He had travelled to Seoul when he was still Davao City Mayor.
Economic
4. ‘TRAIN suspension to derail key projects’
Manila Bulletin, 29 May 2018, p. 3
The government is opposed to the proposed suspension of the implementation of the new tax reform law, despite complaints of rising consumer prices. According to the Department of Finance, the suspension of the Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration (TRAIN) Law could have an
adverse impact on the funding of government projects, such as the free tuition in state colleges and universities.
