PHILIPPINE ECONOMY GROWS 5.9 PERCENT IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2023

MANILA - The Philippine economy expanded 5.9 percent in the third quarter of 2023 amid high inflation and high interest rates, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Thursday.

Inflation has been weighing down consumption, which is one of the main drivers of growth in the country. After easing for six straight months, inflation quickened again in August and September as food and fuel prices surged. Rice and fuel prices stabilized in October slowing down inflation.

High interest rates meanwhile have been weighing down businesses.

Several multilateral lenders earlier downgraded their 2023 forecast for the country following lackluster growth in the second quarter.

The Asian Development Bank said growth may hit just 5.7 percent this year, down from an earlier forecast of 6 percent.

The International Monetary Fund meanwhile cut its growth forecast to 5.3 percent this year down from its 6.2 percent projection.

The World Bank meanwhile sees GDP this year expanding 5.6 percent.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan earlier said that to achieve the 6 to 7 percent growth target for 2023, the economy should grow at least 6.6 percent in the second half of the year.

PHILIPPINES DROPS CHINA'S BELT AND ROAD AS TENSIONS FLARE

The Philippines in late October became the latest country to back out of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Transport Minister Jaime Bautista telling reporters the sudden withdrawal came after Beijing did not respond to funding requests on railway projects.

China had pledged almost $5 billion (€4.7 billion) to build three rail lines — two in Luzon and one in Mindanao — under the BRI, a keystone of Beijing's foreign policy offering Chinese-backed loans for major infrastructure projects mostly in developing parts of the world.

However, China and the Philippines have been locked in a years-long dispute over maritime territory in the South China Sea, which China has claimed in its entirety.

In the most recent incident, a Chinese coast guard ship rammed a Philippine fishing vessel in contested waters near Second Thomas Shoal.

However, Philippine officials did not mention territorial tension as the reason behind the pull out.

Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst and lecturer in international studies at De La Salle University in Manila, told DW that there are also funding delays for six other projects, including a closed-circuit television project, the New Centennial Water Source, the Kaliwa Dam Project, and the Philippine National Railway's South Long Haul Project.

"The decision to withdraw from these projects can be assumed to be motivated by issues centered on their sustainability and the mounting concerns brought by Beijing's unwillingness to act like a responsible neighbor," he said.

9 OFWS FLEE LEBANON, BACK IN PH

Nine overseas Filipino workers from Lebanon arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila Wednesday night, marking the third batch of returnees from the country amidst the ongoing rocket exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel.

Out of the nine OFWs, only one was allowed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to face the media.

Sheila (not her real name), who had been working as a domestic helper in Lebanon for six months, shared her experience.

"Talagang 'yung time na 'yun, dire-diretso 'yung putok. Hindi ko po pinaalam sa kanila (family) kasi 'yung Papa ko po may sakit. Ayoko pong maistress sila. Sinasabi ko na okay lang ako kahit nahihirapan din kami dun."

Sheila's family was unaware that she was returning home even when they had a conversation last week.

According to DMW Officer-in-Charge, Usec. Hans Cacdac, they are currently processing around 80 individuals who are still in the custody of Lebanese immigration authorities, with 200 more requests pending.

"Medyo kakaiba lang 'yung process sa Lebanon kasi medyo may prosesong pagdadaanan sa immigration authorities," Cacdac said.

"Sa Lebanon karamihan sa kanila OFW domestic workers so mas kailangan pa talagang tutok at pagpaabot, paalam, abiso, paalam sa mga Lebanese employers and some of them kailangan pang ayusin yung papers bago umalis," he added.

So far, the DMW has successfully repatriated 20 OFWs from Lebanon. In the West Bank, there are 25 OFWs, with two already home. Out of the 23 remaining, only 4 are requesting repatriation.

The returnees will receive psychosocial support and physical check up from the Department of Health (DOH), livelihood assistance from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and financial aid amounting to P50,000 from both the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and 20,00 pesos from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

PALESTINIAN SPOUSES OF FILIPINOS ALLOWED IN PH: DFA

Palestinian spouses of Filipinos are allowed to go back to the Philippines with their families, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

According to USec. Eduardo de Vega, they can provide a visa to the Palestinian spouses of Filipinos should they decide to go back to the country.

“Bilang mga asawa ng Filipina, may karapatan sila na makasama sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, at bigyan ng visa para makarating sa Pilipinas,” he told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

De Vega also clarified that it was Israel who at first prohibited Palestinians from leaving Gaza, even if they are married to Filipinos.

The Palestinian spouses can now be allowed to leave, but they are subject to security checks.

MERALCO HIKES POWER RATES IN NOVEMBER

MANILA — Meralco is raising power rates by P0.23 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in November.

The power company said it was increasing rates due to a spike in transmission and generation charges.

This means power rates will increase by the following amounts:

200kwh consumption - P47 increase

300kwh consumption - P70 increase

400kwh consumption - P94 increase

500kwh consumption - P117 increase

HOUSE LEADER SAYS 'UNITEAM' COALITION INTACT AMID DUTERTE-ROMUALDEZ 'TENSION'

MANILA — House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe on Wednesday denied there is a rift in the administration's "UniTeam" amid the alleged fallout of 2 of its members.

"We still have the UniTeam. In fact, we are focused on trying to accomplish even more of what is needed from the House of Representatives so we can even transmit it earlier to the Senate so they can also pass important legislations," Dalipe said.

Dalipe also denied that the supposed rivalry of the Vice President Sara Duterte and Speaker Martin Romuladez has something to do with the 2028 presidential elections.

"As far as the House of Representatives is concerned, we are focused on trying to pass this legislation that would really help our country. So we're not thinking about 2028," Dalipe explained.

On Tuesday, the House ousted 2 allies of Duterte from their deputy speakerships: former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.

SENATE REMOVES OVP, DEPED SECRET FUNDS

Senators unanimously removed all confidential funds from the 2024 national budget, including those for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). This move was made in response to the House of Representatives' reallocation of confidential funds to agencies responsible for West Philippine Sea (WPS) protection and security functions. It remains uncertain if the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), a civilian agency patrolling the WPS, would lose its confidential and intelligence funds as approved by the senators. There were reports of nine senators wanting to restore the P650 million confidential funds requested by Vice President Sara Duterte, but they unanimously agreed to remove all civilian agency confidential funds. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros were reassured that there would be enough time for budget deliberations, conducted from Monday to Friday for two weeks, to ensure timely passage of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

MARCOS: FAST-TRACK RELOCATION OF YOLANDA SURVIVORS

President Marcos marked the 10th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda by directing government agencies to expedite survivor relocation and enhance the country's disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation efforts. During the commemoration in Tacloban City, Marcos expressed gratitude to various groups, including national and local leaders, the private sector, international and local organizations, volunteers, and donors. He led the distribution of certificates of award to 3,000 beneficiaries of the National Housing Authority's Yolanda permanent housing sites, assuring that the housing units would be suitable for affected families. The first reconstruction did not meet Mayor Alfred Romualdez's standards, so they continued the recovery, rehabilitation, and rebuilding efforts.

BATO DEFENDS SUPPORT FOR VP SARA'S CONFIDENTIAL FUND REQUEST

MANILA — Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa defended his support for Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential fund request, stating that he doesn't concern himself with the Office of the Vice President's funding and that providing confidential funds to the second-highest office is reasonable. He argued that not granting such funds would render the office ineffective, benefiting the "enemies of the state." Both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, headed by Duterte, have requested a combined P650 million in confidential funds for 2024. The House of Representatives stripped these requests and realigned them to security offices. Dela Rosa emphasized the importance of providing confidential funds to the Department of Education, particularly for surveillance of alleged communist rebel recruitment in schools. He noted that the leak of this information was a violation of confidentiality, and the Senate would investigate the matter.

PHILIPPINES DROPS FOUR SPOTS IN GLOBAL TALENT INDEX

MANILA — The Philippines dropped four spots to rank 84th out of 134 countries in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) published by business school INSEAD or the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires.

“The GTCI highlights and focuses on factors that support human capital. Improvements in each lever of the index, not just in the overall rankings, should be celebrated,” said Doris Sohmen-Pao, chief executive officer of the Human Capital Leadership Institute, the knowledge partner of the GTCI this year.

“While there has been minimal movement in the rankings over the past 10 years, there have been rapid changes in talent management across industries. This is especially so within companies as they respond to technological transformations, the pandemic, as well as the drive for sustainability,” she added.

The Philippines registered a score of 39.23 and was classified under the lower-middle income group. It also ranked 13th in Eastern and Southeastern Asia and Oceania.

The country posted the largest decline in the vocation and technical skills pillar, falling to the 86th rank from 63rd last year.

There was also a decline in the growth and global knowledge skills pillars, falling from the 46th rank to 49th and 49th to 54th, respectively.

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MARCOS LAUDED FOR APPROVING MUSLIM CELEBRATION

MANILA — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed gratitude to President Marcos for signing an administrative order constituting a steering committee for the commemoration of the 650th Anniversary of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage.

“I thank President Marcos for signing the AO constituting the Situmiayat Wakhamsun Aldhikraa National Committee which shall take charge of the preparations for this celebration even as early as now,” Pangandaman said.

“The Committee, chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the NHCP (National Historical Commission of the Philippines) as vice chair and with DBM as one of its members, will undertake the overall study, conceptualization, and implementation of programs and projects relevant to the commemoration,” she added.

Also known as project “650PH in 2030,” the initiative will mark the 650 years of Islamic presence in the Philippines in 2030. The NHCP aims to launch its commemoration in 2024.

The President’s signing of the AO coincides with the celebration of the 643rd Sheikh Makhdum Day and the Unveiling of the historical marker of the Sheikh Makhdum Mosque in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi on Nov. 7.

ONION RETAIL PRICES UP BY P30/KILO 

MANILA — The retail price of onions has increased by P30 per kilo, setting the price to as high as P220 per kilo in Metro Manila markets compared to the prevailing prices a week ago, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Based on the DA’s latest monitoring, the retail prices of local red onions ranged between P80 and P220 per kilo; imported red onions, between P125 and P140 per kilo; local white onions, between P100 and P160 per kilo; and imported white onions between P80 and P200 per kilo.

As for DA’s price watch five days ago or on Nov. 2, the highest retail price of local red onions was only P190 per kilo, which is P30 lower compared to the present P220 per kilo while imported white onions was only P160 per kilo or P40 cheaper compared to the current price of the imported white bulbs.

The retail price of local onions was highest in Pateros as it ranged between P200 and P220 per kilo.

Meanwhile, the retail price of the bulbs reached as high as P200 per kilo in La Huerta Market in Parañaque City.

The retail price of red onions reached as high as P720 in December 2022 amid the manipulation and hoarding of the bulbs as demand went up because of the holiday season.

Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura chairman Rosendo So said that the retail price of onions should not exceed P200 per kilo as the buying price in the cold storage in Nueva Ecija was only at P80 per kilo.

NEGROS FARMERS SELLING RICE AT P25/KILO ANEW

BACOLOD CITY — Rice farmers, aided by the provincial government in reducing their labor inputs, have been selling rice anew for P25 per kilo at the “Bigasan ng Bayan” outlet located in the Food Terminal Market of Negros Occidental (FTMON) since Nov. 7.

Pedro Limpangog, president of the Federation of Irrigators Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS), said they are targeting 470 priority consumers to avail themselves of the low priced rice.

Priority consumers – including senior citizens, indigents and persons with disabilities – can buy up to five kilos only.

Limpangog said the sacks of rice were produced by 44 FIACN-BRIS southern sector farmers from Bago City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique and La Carlota.

Last month, the Bigas ng Bayan outlet also sold rice to at least 455 individuals at the FTMON.

Limpangog said the proceeds would be used to buy more rice from other rice farmers, which will be also sold at FTMON at P25 per kilo.

SANDIGANBAYAN, OMBUDSMAN JUNK SEPARATE PDAF CASES VS NAPOLES

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Ombudsman have separately dismissed cases against Janet Lim Napoles, known as the "pork barrel queen." The charges pertained to alleged irregularities in procuring fertilizers for a project in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, involving the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Funds. The Sandiganbayan's Fourth Division granted Napoles' motion to dismiss the graft and malversation charges due to a violation of the accused's right to a speedy case disposition. The delays in filing the charges, which took over six years, were considered by the court. The cases involved several former Department of Agriculture officials and individuals from the NGO Philippine Social Development Foundation, Inc.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

VIC SOTTO, PAULEEN LUNA CELEBRATE 12TH ANNIVERSARY

MANILA -- Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna marked their 12th anniversary as a couple on Wednesday.

In an Instagram post, Luna once again expressed her love for the veteran screen actor and television host as she uploaded photos of them together abroad.

"Twelve years. My life partner, I am so blessed to have you in this gift called life. I love you!" she said in the caption.

Luna and Sotto, dubbed as the country's Prince of Comedy, tied the knot on January 30, 2016. They have been together since 2011.

Last Monday, November 6, the two celebrated the sixth birthday of their daughter, Talitha.

Just last August, Luna confirmed that she and Sotto are expecting another baby girl. She made the announcement at a gender reveal party.

SPORTS

PBA: MERALCO FENDS OFF SURGING RAIN OR SHINE FOR 1ST WIN

MANILA -- Meralco needed to grind it out in the final minutes to fend off a tough fighting Rain or Shine, 107-102, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

The Bolts managed to overcome a surging Elasto Painters side, which mounted run after run in the second half in an attempt to turn things around.

“You can see it’s a hard match up for us. Their pace is so hard, it was gut check time for us throughout the game,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.

Import Suleiman Braimoh had 34 points and 14 rebounds for Meralco, which also got 20 markers from Chris Newsome and 16 points from

Allein Maliksi.

Rain or Shine was able to engage Meralco to a close battle during the onset of the game.

But the Bolts Meralco uncorked an 11-0 run highlighted by Suleiman Braimoh’s back-to-back baskets for a 37-27 lead.

A jumper by Dajuan Summers followed by Jonard Clarito’s trey cut the gap to 39-35 for the Elasto Painters early in the second quarter. However, Meralco went on to take a 65-50 halftime advantage.

Rain or Shine again got close, 64-59, following Keith Datu's hook shot and Summer's three-point play. Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge then responded to create a 10-point separation for Meralco.

In the payoff period, the Elasto Painters got the closest when Santi Santillan drilled a clutch three that pulled Rain or Shine to within 97-95 with 3:17 remaining.

Newsome and Maliksi pushed the Bolts ahead but Andrei Caracut connected from beyond the arc to bring ROS closer again, 105-102, with 28 seconds to go.

But Maliksi applied the stopper with a couple of free throw shots to give the Bolts their first win in the tourney.

Rain or Shine had 27 points from Summers, but he failed to deliver during crunch time.

But Trillo said ROS is bound to become a stronger team.

“Make no mistake, expect them to be a tougher team as the season progresses,” he said.

The Scores:

MERALCO 107 – Braimoh 34, Newsome 20, Maliksi 16, Hodge 10, Dario 8, Almazan 6, Torres 5, Caram 3, Quinto 3, Black 2, Pasaol 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0

RAIN OR SHINE 102 – Summers 27, Santillan 16, Datu 16, Caracut 15, Clarito 13, Nambatac 7, Mamauyac 4, Belga 2, Norwood 1, Demusis 1, Asistio 0 , Belo 0

QUARTERS: 39-30, 63-50, 77-70, 107-102

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.04

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Nothing changes more consistently than the past; ... the past that influences our lives is not what actually happened but what we believe happened. - Gerald W. Johnson