Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel, Jr. questioned today “high-priced” port renovations undertaken in the last two years by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), saying more feeder ports could have been built instead using the repair projects’ budget.

As part of an innovative agreement to boost exports and imports in developing Asia, re/insurance giant Swiss Re will insure $250 million of trade finance conducted via the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Trade Finance Program.

“We know there is a significant opportunity in the Philippines marketplace for Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew since nearly 100 percent of retail coffee sales come from instant coffee*,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, Starbucks Coffee Company.

“Mr. Aquino must clearly distinguish who are the aggrieved parties in this case before throwing insensitive remarks against the pilots,” Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said.

(At left, Philippine Airline workers during a recent picket. They’ve been complaining about contractualization for years now. Bulatlat.com photo by Marya Salamat)

MANILA — The local government unit of South Cotabato recently passed its Environment Code banning open pit mining in the province.
Today, more than 12,000 students, farmers, indigenous peoples, environmentalists and members of civil society organizations gathered in Koronadal City to rally behind the passage of the environment code.
Catholic Bishop Dinualdo D. Gutierrez, DD called on South Cotabato Governor Daisy …

MANILA — Workers of giant network ABS-CBN condemned the dismissal of its president and 21 others last week.
In a statement, ABS-CBN Internal Job Market (JIM) workers’ union said the management suddenly canceled the work schedules of the 22 employees, and denied them access to the facilities and premises of the company.
ABS-CBN workers’ union president Antonio Perez called …

MANILA — Workers expressed dismay at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s move upholding the legality of the spin-off/outsourcing plan of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).
The spin-off would transfer three of the airline’s non-core units to third party service providers and will directly affect over 2,600 PAL workers belonging to the airlines’ Call Center Reservations, In-Flight Catering and …

MANILA — The approval of 270-percent increase in toll rates at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) has been branded as “a midnight highway robbery.”
The new rates will take effect starting 12:01 a.m. this June 30. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño criticized the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for allowing the new operator of the SLEx to adjust the toll rates …

If left unchallenged, Executive Order 839 could become a precedent in policy making.