New Packard Bell laptop Roger Yuen, vice president for Asia of Packard Bell, holds the new Packard Bell laptop during its launch at the Side Bar Café in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. --NONOY LACZA

THE government is finally making headway in its revenue goals for July, having collected P57.83 billion during the month when at least P57.8 billion was expected, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said on Monday.

PRESIDENT Arroyo on Monday announced the creation of two bodies intended to boost revenue collection and the country’s competitiveness—the Revenue Enhancement Task Force, to be chaired by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, and the Anti-Smuggling Task Force under presidential adviser Antonio Villar Jr.

SENIOR ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) have agreed to restudy the proposed regional free-trade agreement (FTA) among the 21 economies, citing implementation of  key measures in the pipeline that include trade liberalization by 2010 for developed countries and 2020 for developing countries.

THE respective property units of tycoons George Ty and John Gokongwei have partnered to jointly develop a two-hectare prime property in Mandaluyong City into a residential condominium complex.

THE P12 salary increase for Metro Manila minimum-wage earners together with the P50 cost-of-living allowance integrated into the basic wage will take effect August 28, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced Monday.

FILIPINOS are generally happier than other people, according to statistical expert Dr. Romulo Virola.

Virola, the National Statistical Coordination Board secretary-general, said Philippine suicide rates, as recorded by the World Health Organization, showed 2.5 male and 1.7 female Filipino suicides in every 100,000 cases, among the lowest in the world.

Short-term T-bills draw mild rates

THE government expected the market to take advantage of the subprime lending woes in the US as an excuse to push local interest rates higher, but was surprised the rates on short-term Treasury bills proved more benign than anticipated.

EU uses aid as stick vs RP

The European Commission has taken a firmer stance in prodding  the administration to better protect human rights, strictly follow the rule of law, and develop true democratization by proposing a unilateral withdrawal of its development and economic assistance to the Philippines should the Philippines continue to suffer under the undervelopment of those three “core values.”

Internet cafés get boost from online gaming

FILIPINOS playing pay computer games online are increasing and getting younger, giving a second life to foundering Internet café businesses that number about 6,000 all over.

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Sign of poverty Asian Development Bank reports that the rich is getting richer faster than the poor rising from poverty. The report was released Thursday. Signs of poverty are everywhere, like this woman begging for alms to be able to survive. This photo was taken along Padre Faura in Manila. --NONIE REYES