News Update
As of January 4, 2018 (Thursday)
1. Manila Bulletin
Power hike looms – DOE
Power rates are certain to go up as a consequence of the excise taxes enforced on diesel and bunker fuel used for power generation under the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) of the Duterte
administration, the Department of Energy (DOE) said. Also, with fuel prices set to increase due to excise taxes under TRAIN, transport groups are all set to seek fare hike for public utility vehicles.
With TRAIN, Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV warned the public to brace for tough times ahead this year as the imposition of excise taxes on petroleum products would have a domino effect and jack up the prices of goods and other services in the long run.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/04/power-hike-looms-doe/
2. Philippine Star
N. Korea reopens cross-border communications with S. Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reopened a key cross-border communication channel with South Korea for the first time in nearly two years. latest announcement, which was read by a senior Pyongyang official on state TV, followed a South Korean offer on Tuesday of high-level talks with North Korea to find ways to cooperate on next month's Winter Olympics in the South and discuss other inter-Korean issues.
South Korea quickly welcomed Kim's decision and later confirmed that the two Koreas began preliminary contacts on the channel. During their 20-minute communication, liaison officials of the two Koreas exchanged their names and examined their communication lines to make sure they were working, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry.
http://www.philstar.com/world/2018/01/03/1774417/n.-korea-reopens-cross-border-communications-s.-korea
3. Daily Inquirer
Congress leaders float idea of Duterte term extension
Leaders of Congress are floating the idea of either extending the term of President Rodrigo Duterte or those of lawmakers. Mr. Duterte’s term may be extended beyond 2022 if the country becomes a federal state said Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
However, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Duterte had no intention to extend his stay in power. He further said that the president would strictly follow the Constitution, including its schedule for
elections.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/957327/congress-leaders-float-idea-of-duterte-term-extension
4. Manila Times
Palace shrugs off move to fight Duterte’s new tax package before SC
Malacanang shrugged off on Thursday a plan by militant lawmakers to bring President Rodrigo Duterte’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law before the Supreme Court.
In a radio interview, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar insisted that TRAIN would be beneficial to Filipinos, saying that revenues to be generated from such a law would go back to the people in the form of social services. Andanar, quoting Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, said that the tax
reform law may generate about P80 billion in revenues for the government.
http://www.manilatimes.net/palace-shrugs-off-move-fight-dutertes-new-tax-package-sc/372168/
