Seats in congress

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte has urged Congress, especially the Senate, to fast-track three bills which will further open up the economy to more foreign investors and, according to his economic managers, help the economy recover from pandemic-induced recession. In an April 12 letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, the President said he certified the immediate passage of amendments to the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investments Act, as well as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. Amendments to the antiquated public service and foreign investment laws would allow greater foreign participation in sectors that had been restricted only to Filipino investors. The proposed amendment to the Retail Trade law seeks to bring down the ceiling for capital required of foreign-led retailers for setting up shop in the Philippines. Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco was also furnished the letter, a printed copy of which was sent by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to ... » Learn More about Duterte asks Congress to give priority to new laws removing barriers to foreign investments

File photo shows Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Chase Center. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports) The Golden State Warriors will welcome back fans for their last nine regular season home games, starting with the visit of the Denver Nuggets on April 23, the NBA franchise said on Thursday. The capacity at the Chase Center’s 18,000-seat arena will be capped at 35% as per California State Department of Public Health guidelines. Fans wishing to attend games must either provide proof of a full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within 48 hours of a game and they must wear face coverings at all times. “Additionally, fans who can provide proof of vaccination do not need to produce a negative COVID-19 test, unless they are seated within 30 feet of the court,” the Warriors added. The Warriors, who are 10th in the Western Conference standings, can still qualify for ... » Learn More about Golden State Warriors to welcome back fans from April 23 at 35% capacity

I was planning to use GrabCar to get to my lunch with Ms Tan Hooi Ling, the co-founder of Grab. But the night before, I heard how a private-hire car driver had to ask his passenger to guide him along the route. I didn't want to risk being late, so I called for a Comfort cab instead. The driver had no problems getting me there. Ms Tan has chosen Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre to meet. Her PR folks had assured me there was a reason for her choice. It's a hot day and the centre is noisy, filling up fast with a lunch crowd. I settle at a table in the quietest corner I can find and message Grab's PR manager, Claire, to let her know where I'm sitting. They arrive, via Grab, of course. Ms Tan, 33, whose title is both co-founder and chief operating officer, is tall and very slim. She's in a black T-shirt and jeans, both from Uniqlo, and white sneakers. She's barefaced except for a lick of lipstick, and carries a grey, haversack-styled bag. She could pass off as a university ... » Learn More about Lunch With Sumiko: Grab whiz Tan Hooi Ling happy to stay low-key

KOTA KINABALU: Eyebrows were raised when a picture of Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) president Datuk Seri Anifah Aman handing over a letter to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Wednesday (April 14) went viral. Speculations were afoot on social media that Anifah was applying to join Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) or the Sabah Perikatan coalition. However, Anifah sent out a press statement to say that the opposition party’s visit to Hajiji was just a courtesy call. He said the courtesy call saw both parties talking about PCS’ view on the various issues relating to Sabah, and PCS giving suggestions on the way forward for Sabah. He said PCS also asked for clarification and explanation on the latest development on MA63 related matters for Sabah. Anifah did not mention anything about PCS wanting to join GRS or Perikatan in the statement. So far, opposition parties Usno and LDP have applied to join Perikatan. Like PCS, both parties failed to gain any ... » Learn More about Anifah’s meeting with Hajiji a courtesy call, nothing else

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chief, received 7,364 applications to join the party in Kota Belud over the weekend. Kota Belud Bersatu division chief Datuk Japlin Akim presented the application forms to Hajiji during the division’s anniversary ceremony on Saturday near its Kampung Jawi Jawi operation room. During the event, Hajiji welcomed new members, especially those from the state constituencies of Usukan, Tempasuk, Kadamaian and Pintasan, which fall under the Kota Belud parliamentary seat. He said it was a positive indication that Sabah folk were accepting Bersatu and trusting them to govern their welfare under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government. Meanwhile, Japlin said Bersatu’s presence in Sabah since April 2019 had added value to the state leadership as the party, with GRS, tried to bring more development to the state. “Kota Belud Bersatu had only 3,000-plus members after the launch of the ... » Learn More about More than 7,000 apply to join Sabah Bersatu

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) has dropped hints that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government is open to accepting United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) into the coalition. Hajiji, who is Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chief, said this during a speech at the Kota Belud party division anniversary ceremony on Saturday (April 10). "Since Tan Sri Pandikar (Amin Mulia) is now Usno president, InsyaAllah we will accept Usno in GRS," he said as he spoke in both the Bajau and Malay languages. Pandikar who was elected as new Usno president – winning the post uncontested – back in February, has said the party is pro-government. He also revealed that Usno had submitted its application to join a coalition but did not say if it was Perikatan Nasional or GRS. GRS is the ruling Sabah coalition comprising Perikatan, Barisan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah. Pandikar also said that Hajiji's decision to appoint him as the special envoy of the ... » Learn More about Sabah CM hints of Usno joining GRS

KUDOS to President Rodrigo Duterte for following the recommendation of his economic team and certifying as urgent proposed amendments to the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investments Act and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. The ball, as the saying goes, is now in Congress’ court. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said the President had certified as “urgent” Senate Bill 2094, or “An Act amending Commonwealth Act 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act”; SB 1156, or “An Act promoting foreign investments, amending thereby Republic Act 7042, otherwise known as the Foreign Investments Act of 1991”; and SB 1840, or “An Act amending Republic Act 8762, otherwise known as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000.” In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd on April 12, Duterte said the passage of the measures will “address the immediate and continuing need for legislative reforms to provide a more conducive investment climate, increase job opportunities, foster ... » Learn More about Economic bills are not just urgent but imperative

LAWMAKERS crossed party lines on Wednesday to file a joint resolution asking President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately withdraw an executive order imposing tariff cuts on pork importation. Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the resolution will “soon” be considered for adoption by the House of Representatives. “We also trust that a similar measure will be filed and adopted by our Senate counterparts to avert this grave disaster that will certainly kill our local hog industry, in particular — and in general, the agricultural sector,” Zarate said. The Joint House Resolution, which remains unnumbered as of press time, also seeks to reverse President Duterte’s order to expand the minimum access volume (MAV) of pork imports. Despite opposition from local hog raisers, the President signed last week Executive Order 128, which reduces the tariff rates for imported meat to 5 percent from 30 percent until mid-2021 and between 10 percent and 20 percent in ... » Learn More about Lawmakers to Duterte: Scrap pork tariff EO

The top official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has denied allegations that a syndicate within the agency was getting kickbacks for every kilo of pork that enters the country. “On the alleged ‘tongpats’ of about P5 to P7 per kilo of imported pork, the present DA leadership categorically denies any involvement if such scheme indeed exists,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement on Wednesday. “On my personal and official capacity as secretary of the DA, the undersigned is one with President Rodrigo Duterte in the strict observance of good governance and no corruption in government, and will never allow any corrupt practice under his stead and leadership,” he added. Citing insider information, Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed on Monday that a syndicate at the DA was collecting between P5 to P7 a kilo from imported meat and could earn as much as P6 billion a year from the proposal to increase pork import volumes by 350,000 metric tons (MT). Despite opposition from ... » Learn More about No pork import ‘tongpats,’ syndicate, says agri chief

Major drink manufacturers said they are "well ahead of the curve" regarding the advertising ban and new labelling scheme for sugar-sweetened beverages announced by the Health Ministry yesterday. The measures, which aim to reduce sugar intake from pre-packaged sugar-sweetened beverages, are part of Singapore's war on diabetes, Senior Minister of State for Health Edwin Tong said at the opening ceremony of the Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress 2019 at the Singapore Expo. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply. ... » Learn More about Major drink makers ready to manage ad ban, labelling changes for sugar-sweetened drinks