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By Luis Leoncio The supposed rift between the European Union and President Duterte over the conduct of the war on drugs notwithstanding, 14 ambassadors representing the member-countries of the European Union (EU) have expressed their continued support for the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda and bared plans to invest more in the Philippines, particularly in infrastructure, energy and civil security, …

The existence of a “business-friendly” socioeconomic agenda that underlines its readiness and capability to drastically reduce poverty and lift the economy to high middle-income status in six years’ time provides investors with the right atmosphere to bring in their capital to the country , Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

After being bypassed by the powerful Commission on Appointments (COA), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s reappointment faces heavy opposition, mainly as a result of his failure to address the traffic problem while waiting for Congress to decide on the proposed emergency powers for President Duterte.

Invoking the “best interest” of the Philippines, and declaring that Filipinos “are not ready to accept,” President Duterte, upon arriving in Davao City late Friday evening from his state visit to China, backpedaled on his declaration in the Chinese capital to sever military and economic ties with the United States.

By Luis Leoncio A Chinese state-owned metal producer is expected to set off the stream of new Chinese investments in the Philippines with a $700-million project that is part of the $13.5-billion commitments obtained during President Duterte’s recent four-day state visit to China.

The transportation committee of the House of Representatives currently thrashing out the proposal to grant emergency powers to President Duterte to solve the country’s traffic crisis is inclined to limit the scope of the sought-after authority.

A successful and efficient implementation of the Duterte administration’s tax-reform and infrastructure-development plans will boost the Philippines’ credit rating, credit watchdog Moody’s Investors Service said.

President Duterte’s recent state visit to Brunei Darussalam is expected to enhance diplomatic and economic relations between the Philippines and Brunei, global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said.

By Riza Lozada The Court of Appeals (CA) has given the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the state anti-trust body, until Oct. 29 to reply to the urgent motion of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. Inc. (PLDT) for the issuance of a gag order in relation to the review of the P70-billion mega deal involving the acquisition by PLDT and Globe …

By Luis Leoncio The refusal of exclusive villages in Metro Manila to allow the installation of cell sites within their respective areas has hampered efforts to improve the coverage and internet experience of subscribers, according to telecommunications companies Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc.