News Report 10 March 2020 Local
1. COVID-19 cases double; emergency declared
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 March 2020, p. A1, continued on p. A2
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday placed the entire Philippines under a state of public health emergency as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country doubled overnight to 24.
The declaration states that the health secretary may call upon the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to deal with the new coronavirus. It also calls on the public, including foreign tourists in the country, to comply with government directives.
2. SC urged to clarify Senate role in VFA termination The Philippine Star, 10 March 2020, p. 1, continued on p. 2
Senators yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to require two-thirds of their approval before the government can withdraw or terminate a treaty or an international agreement. The senators
clarified that their 56-page declaratory relief and mandamus petition covers treaties in general and not just the Visiting Forces Agreement.
In filing the petition, the senators seek to settle a constitutional issue on the proper interpretation of Article VII, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution that states, “No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate.”
Korea
- Economic
3. Business groups urge passage of amendments to Public Service Act The Philippine Star, 10 March 2020, p. B3
Local and foreign business groups are calling for the passage of a proposed measure seeking to amend the Public Service Act to allow the country to recover declining foreign direct investments (FDI). The groups said they look forward to its eventual passage on third reading, as well as for Senate’s approval of the measure.
4. Palace certifies CITIRA as urgent Business World, 10 March 2020, p. S1/3
In a letter to Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III dated March 9, President Duterte informed the chamber that Senate Bill No. 1357, or the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives
Rationalization Act (CITIRA) is deemed an urgent measure.
The tax bill is intended to “promote foreign direct investment inflows and the expansion of business ventures conducive to economic growth and job generation,” the President said in the letter.
