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THIS year’s
Ramon Magsaysay awardees are presented for the first
time as a group: (from left) Ahmad Syafii Maarif of
Indonesia-Peace and International Understanding; Ananda
Galappatti of Sri Lanka-Emergent Leadership; Prakash
Amte and Mandakini Amte of India-Community Leadership;
CARD MRI (Center for Agriculture and Rural
Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions) of the
Philippines, represented by Dr. Jaime Alip-Public
Service; Akio Ishii of Japan- Journalism, Literature and
Creative Communication Arts; Grace Padaca of the
Philippines-Government Services; and Therdchai Jivacate
of Thailand-Public Service.
--ROY DOMINGO |
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TOP STORIES |
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Inflation, global woes hurt GDP |
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HIGH
inflation and slower growth in advanced economies in the
world dragged down the country’s economic growth in the
second quarter and the first half of the year to 4.6
percent, the government announced on Thursday.
National
Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Secretary General
Romulo Virola said the 4.6-percent growth in gross domestic
product (GDP) was the lowest the country posted since the
first quarter of 2005, when it posted a 4.4-percent growth. |
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Inflation in H2 seen above 10% |
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THE National
Economic and Development Authority (Neda) estimated
inflation in August may already be between 12.1 percent to
12.7 percent while the rate for the second half may average
above 10 percent.
Neda
Director General Ralph Recto said preventing higher
inflation in the second half of the year will be a tough
challenge for the government, particularly because the
5.5-percent to 6.4-percent full-year gross domestic product
(GDP) growth may be threatened. |
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Neighbors also facing economic
slowdown |
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ELSEWHERE in
the region, the same factors that accounted for the
Philippines’ second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP)
growth posting its slowest pace in three years at 4.6
percent have caused lower to negative growth rates in
neighboring economies, as well. |
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Mantra of RM awardees: we can make a difference |
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DESPITE the
persistent wide swaths of poverty in the continent, Asians
can still make a difference in their communities. Thus
affirmed the eight Ramon Magsaysay awardees for 2007 at
ceremonies where they were first presented as a group on
Thursday. |
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Miriam pushes ratification of
Asean Charter |
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IN advance
of her committee’s recommendation for the ratification of
the Asean Charter, Sen. Miriam Santiago urged accession on
Thursday. Her argument is that this would pave the way for a
single market—the Asean Economic Community similar to the
antecedent bloc of the European Union—to “robustly compete
with emerging economic powers China and India.” |
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PCCI chief says war in south
must end |
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DIPOLOG
CITY—The top officer of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (PCCI) urged the government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to peacefully settle the
violence that has recently erupted in Muslim Mindanao and
displaced over a hundred thousand residents—Muslims, ethnics
and Christians alike. |
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Implications of MOA-AD case
weigh heavily on SC |
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THE oral
argument on the controversial memorandum of agreement on
ancestral domain (MOA-AD) between the government and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) resumes on Friday, with
the Supreme Court (SC) hearing government lawyers’ arguments
on the petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining
order (TRO) against the signing of the agreement. |
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House vows ‘thorough
performance audit’ |
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THE House of
Representatives will conduct a thorough performance audit on
all government agencies, and its findings will be used as
the basis for approving or disapproving any changes in their
allocations in the P1.42-trillion 2009 budget. |
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GMA seeks Locsin’s help in CARL
extension |
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PRESIDENT
Arroyo said on Wednesday night that she is counting on
Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. to help her push for the
extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL),
which will lapse in December.
The
President expressed her hope when she keynoted the 100th
anniversary celebration of the Philippines Free Press, which
is owned by Locsin’s family. |
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SOCIOECONOMIC Planning Secretary Ralph Recto reports on
the economy’s second-quarter performance. Behind him is
Secretary-General Romulo Virola of the National
Statistical Coordination Board.
--NONIE REYES |
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