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By Luis Leoncio  The lower-than-expected 6.4 percent growth in the first quarter is not a source of worry for President Duterte’s economic managers, as the country remains one of the strongest performers among major emerging economies in Asia. 

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered dominant power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to refund P6.9 billion in over-recoveries to electricity users within three months instead of 36 months based on its petition to firm petitioned. 

The trend in economic risks facing financial institutions operating in the Philippines has become positive, based on improving credit fundamentals, S&P Global Ratings said in its latest “Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment: Philippines.” 

In a bid to build an advanced version of strategic partnership, China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unanimously agreed to formulate a 2030 Vision. 

The IMF could provide policy advice, financial support as well as capacity building for the Belt and Road Initiative, International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde said. 

The country’s recent hosting of the 30th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) last April 26 to 29 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila tackled a community vision that will guide the ten member-states to becoming a truly inclusive and stronger region in the next decade. 

China and the Philippines has agreed on the establishment of a biannual bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea. 

The completion of the draft of the framework of the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea territorial disputes is a way forward in attaining peace and stability in the Asian region, Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said. 

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will help boost global trade in the long term, said a Peruvian expert. 

SM Foundation, the socio-development organization of the SM Group of Companies, was awarded the Silver Anvil Award by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines during its 52nd Anvil Awards Night.