News Update
As of January 17, 2018 (Wednesday)
1. Manila Bulletin
China’s research in Benham Rise has presidential blessing - Roque
According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, President Duterte, through the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) allowed China to work with the University of the Philippines in Benham Rise, an area roughly the size of Greece and believed by some scientists to be rich in biodiversity and tuna. The United Nations declared Benham Rise as part of the continental shelf of the Philippines in 2012.
Though China doesn’t claim the area, the lingering presence of its vessels for several months in late 2016 triggered concerns about its intentions.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/01/17/chinas-research-in-benham-rise-has-presidential-blessing-roque/
2. Philippine Star
Duterte aide denies meddling in Navy procurement
Special assistant to the President Christopher Go denied meddling with the procurement of the Philippine Navy’s weapons systems for its warships. The presidential aide was accused of endorsing a South Korean company to be the supplier of the combat management of the Navy’s frigate program. He supposedly gave Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana a letter discussing why the Navy should pick the naval shield integrated combat management system of South Korea company Hanwha Thales over Tacticos CMS of Thales
Nederland.
http://beta.philstar.com/headlines/2018/01/17/1778599/duterte-aide-denies-meddling-navy-procurement
3. Daily Inquirer
Magdalo lawmaker urges gov’t to scrap order for 2 warships
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano has called on the government to cancel the purchase order for two warships, claiming that the Navy has been baited by the contractor into going for inferior technology and giving up its right to choose the vessels’ defense systems.
Congressman Alejano asked if the contractor, Hyundai Heavy Industries had a backer in Malacañang who akkiwed the South Korean company to force its preferred combat management system on the Philippine Navy.
He said that the Navy preferred the Tacticos system made by Thales Nederland, which is used by 23 navies around the world, but ended up settling for Hanwha Thales Co. system, which is only used by South Korea’s navy. He called for an investigation into the controversy to save the military’s modernization program, imploring the House leadership to schedule a hearing.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/960975/magdalo-lawmaker-urges-govt-scrap-order-for-2-warships
4. Manila Times
House starts Cha-cha rolling
The house of Representatives adopted on Tuesday House Concurrent Resolution 9, which convenes both chambers of Congress into a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution and allow a shift to a federal system of government.
The joint resolution, sponsored on the floor by House Committee on Constitutional Amendments Chairman and Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, was adopted via viva voce voting among 186 House members.
http://www.manilatimes.net/house-starts-cha-cha-rolling/374695/
