How do you keep the lights on? The Makati skyline presents a breathtaking view as ever, even as experts from in and out of government discuss ways, at the ongoing energy summit, to let the country maintain a sustainable energy framework amid rising prices of imported oil and global concern over the adverse impact of energy-related climate change. --RHOY COBILLA

THE P75-billion, one-shot economic-stimulus package “approved in principle” by President Arroyo will come under further scrutiny Thursday, as her own allies in Congress and other advisers expressed increasing reservations over its wisdom.

THE government may abandon a plan to balance the budget this year should it need to boost spending to spur the economy amid a US slowdown, Finance Secretary Gary Teves said Wednesday.

“We cannot be sacrosanct about these things,” Teves said in an interview. “We are not going to balance the budget for its own sake. Suppose there’s a long slowdown, we have to do something to protect the economy.”

THE various government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) are drafting a prepayment plan on $2.4 billion worth of debts as part of a broad effort to cut public-sector indebtedness as percentage of local output or the gross domestic product.

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest organization of Filipino businessmen, is now finalizing an energy road map designed to help solve the country’s energy woes on an immediate to long-term basis.

A DEBATE appears to be ensuing in the country regarding the safety of nuclear energy, with scientists at the Energy Summit Wednesday giving opposing views on the use of nuclear power.

This occurred as a cocktail of options was presented at the second day of the summit, underscoring the country’s search for alternative clean and sustainable sources of energy amid  rising oil prices—once reaching $100 a barrel—and the concern for climate change caused by greenhouse gases.

DESPITE warnings by big Internet service companies to be suspicious of e-mail from unknown users and avoiding opening web sites requesting for update on personal financial information, many users are still victimized by malicious attacks, apparently because hackers are becoming more sophisticated in using tools which can create interfaces exactly the same as that of  legitimate sites. Thus, even the most sophisticated Internet users could end up victimized.

STATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Wednesday confirmed it has raised its stake in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) from 8 percent to about 20 percent via the acquisition of some shares held by the government.

AT least 16 senators signed separate arrest orders for former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Romulo Neri and his consultant Rodolfo Lozada to compel their appearance before the ongoing Senate inquiry into the controversial $330-million national broadband network project awarded—later scuttled—to the ZTE Corp. of China.

WITHOUT the appropriate incentives and policy framework in place, the country stands to lose as much as $3.6 billion in savings should it pursue the development of its renewable energy sources.

“In turn, these savings of $3.6 billion can be used to build much-needed classrooms, send children to school, and build health centers, and roads,” said Catherine P. Maceda, spokesman of the Renewable Energy (RE) Coalition.

MORE STORIES ...

Partnership, Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (left), chairman and CEO of Ayala Corp., is joined by Alfredo I. Ayala (center) CEO of LiveIT Solutions Inc. at the logo unveiling of Integreon at the 6750 building in Makati City. The outsourcing company is a global leader in corporate, legal, and fi nancial complex knowledge process outsourcing. Also in photo (right) is Mr.Liam Brown, CEO of Integreon Managed Solutions Inc. --NONIE REYES