We hope…but don’t hold your breath. We’ve been hearing a lot of rumblings about how great the Philippine economy is doing. The World Bank through its country director for the Philippines, Motoo Konishi stated that "The Philippines is no longer the sick man of Asia, but a rising tiger." And lately there are plenty of bright spots to point to, the most important of which is the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth: 6.6 percent in 2012—the highest in Southeast Asia—beating even the government’s high-end target of six percent.
Even tourist arrivals are up despite Hong Kong’s continued blacklisting of the country as a tourist destination since the 2010 Manila hostage crisis where 8 Chinese tourists were killed. And the Philippine Peso is now stronger than it has been since 2008—to the consternation of millions of OFWs who have seen the value their remittances steadily decline over time.
So are we seeing the start of the Philippines as a major economic player in the region, another Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, or maybe another Singapore? Well, as we stated earlier: don’t hold your breath because it is unlikely to happen anytime soon…probably not in our lifetime.
MANILA, Philippines - Putting up life-sized “epal” posters to announce government projects including dental missions and feeding programs is now a crime.
The new rules issued by the Commission on Audit (COA) cover even the little things that politicians do to grab credit like putting their names or faces on shirts, pens and candy wrappers.
The new policy on information and publicity for government programs, projects, and activities (PPA) said violators may face administrative liability or criminal charges.
COA chair Maria Grace Pulido-Tan and commissioners Juanito Espina Jr. and Heidi Mendoza signed Circular No. 2013-004 on Jan. 30, 2013 effectively making epal acts unlawful.
s. Lolong will stay with us,” Elorde said, adding that so far, he has not received any communication or any offer for the remains of Lolong to be transferred from Bunawan.
The Guinness World Records had certified Lolong as the world’s biggest crocodile in captivity
The Philippines will likely post better gross domestic product (GDP) growth this quarter as the economy becomes more investment-driven, the country's top economist said Wednesday. "We expect a faster pace this year and that the economy will become more investment-driven," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing. Balisacan, who is also National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General, noted that the key drivers of the economy will remain private and public spending as well as the services sector on the back of a robust tourism and business process outsourcing sector.
MANILA - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is tapping the power of the internet in going after epal politicians during the campaign period.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez today unveiled before the media its revamped website at www.mycomelec.tv which now hosts "SumbongKo sa Comelec."
The unveiling comes a day before the start of the official campaign period for senators and party-list representatives tomorrow.
"Dahil bukas magsisimula na campaign period, kung epal ka dati, bukas criminal ka na," he said.
Election laws impose a maximum of 6 years in jail, disqualification and the loss of the right to vote for illegal political advertising, which will only be enforced during the campaign period.
"Last week, nadinig niyo gagamitin natin ang social media. Maganda na mayroon tayo landing page para sa publiko," Jimenez said.