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Why Sam Milby isn’t chummy with ex Anne See Page 7
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Vol. 5 No. 11
LOS ANGELES
A BALITA MEDIA PUBLICATION
Wednesday - Tuesday, December 9 - 15, 2015
PHL a $1-T economy by 2030: IHS Global
Students from Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School participate in an online video conference with students from Mindanao on Wednesday. The initiative is part of the Global Classroom, a program of DepED and Peace Teach, Inc. to mainstream peace education curriculum in the country.(MNS photo)
MANILA, Dec 4 (Mabuhay) – The Philippines is on its way to become a $1-trillion economy by 2030, according to international analytics firm IHS Global Insight, saying it is only sovereign entity in Asia with improving credit prospects. The country is presently following a trend of improving financial fundamentals, investor confidence, and governance standards, IHS Global, noted in the third quarter report “Sovereign Risk Review.” The Colorado, USA-based analytics company, which also assigns its own credit rating, upgraded its Philippine outlook to “positive from stable.” The company’s reports are used as reference by other organizations as well as credit rating agencies, investment banks, and development institutions. “The improved outlook means that the Philippines’ existing credit rating with IHS at the minimum investment grade of ‘BBB-‘ has a
chance of being raised over the near term,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Investor Relations Office (IRO) said on Friday. “… Apart from the clearly strengthened macro-financials over the last few years, the more recent upgrade to the Philippines’ outlook to positive in Q3 rested on improved governance standards and reforms enhancing competitiveness under the Aquino administration,” IHS Global noted. The Philippines is the only sovereign in Asia that garnered a positive action from IHS. “IHS recognized the Philippines’ comfortable liquidity as evidenced by sustained surpluses in its current account, as well as continually improving manageability of debt on the back of prudent fiscal management and growing economy,” the IRO said. The Philippines’ current account posted a surplus of $4.7 bilSee ECONOMY, page 12
Aquino 20-day TRO issued vs. arrives from operations of Uber, GrabCar Europe trip MANILA, Dec 4 (Mabuhay) – The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a 20day temporary restraining order against the operation of transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) without certificate of public convenience or franchise. The TRO issued by RTC Branch 217 puts a stop on the orders issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that allows the operation. Among said issuances is the
DOTC Department Order No. 2015-011, which introduced additional standard classifications for public trasnport conveyances, including TNVS. It was granted in favor of the Stop and Go Coalition. The TRO also recognized the coalition’s argument that income of those driving transport utilities with franchise are affected because of the likes of Uber and Grab, which operate without one. It said the income of drivers of taxi and UV express (FX) were slahed by up to half because of the See GRABCAR, page 12
MANILA, Dec 5 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday afternoon returned from his week-long trip in France, Vatican, and Rome with news of improvement and possible climate support from European leaders. Aquino announced during his arrival speech that European leaders vowed to stop global temperatures from spilling over 1.5 degrees Celsius during the 21st Conference of Parties on Climate Change. “Kakabit po nito ang panawagan natin na tulungan ang mga bansa tulad natin sa aspeto ng cliSee EUROPE TRIP, page 12
Japanese emperor, empress to visit Manila in January
Miss Universe Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (right) poses for media with Miss Costa Rica Brenda Castro and Miss China Yun Fang Xue during the registration and fitting process at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Thursday. Coronation night will be held on December 20, 2015. (MNS photo)
MANILA, Dec 4 (Mabuhay) – Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are scheduled to pay a state visit to the Philippines in January, Malacañang said on Friday. In a text message to Palace reporters, presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said the state visit would be from January 26 to 30. “The state visit is in response to President Benigno Aquino III’s long-standing invitation for Their Majesties to visit the Philippines,” Lacierda said. “Their Majesties last visited the Philippines in 1962 when they See EMPEROS VISIT, page 12
(VATICAN) President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Holiness Pope Francis view the gifts at the Sala dei Papi of the Apostolic Palace during the private audience on Friday (December 04, 2015). (MNS photo)
Aquino invites Pope Francis to return to PHL MANILA, Dec 5 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III has invited Pope Francis to return to the Philippines during his state visit in Rome, Italy. “Doon sa Secretary of State ko yata nabanggit. So, sabi ko, my countrymen have instructed me to extend the invitation to the Holy Father anytime that he’d want,” the President said, speaking with
Filipino journalists in Italy on Friday. Aquino said that Pope Francis could not immediately confirm that he will return to the Philippines. “They understand that the invitation is open, but para clear, hindi niya sinabing pupunta siya sa atin dahil ang klaro napakarami niyang kailangang puntahan pang See INVITES POPE, page 12
Lawyer: Comelec likely to stick to ruling on Poe’s DQ case MANILA, Dec 5 (Mabuhay) – Commissioners from the threemember Second Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would most likely stick to its decision disqualifying Sen. Grace Poe from the 2016 presidential race for her failure to meet the residency requirement. High-profile litigation lawyer Raymond Fortun said he does not see Comelec Commissioners Al Parreno, Arthur Lim, and Sheriff Abas reversing their ruling on the matter, especially since they voted unanimously. “From experience, a unanimous decision is already an ominous sign. It is highly unlikely that these same commissioners would See COMELEC, page 12