News Roundup 08 March 2023
Mar 08, 2023 • 3 min Read
US official: How many ‘promises from Beijing’ really created PH jobs? | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The United States is working to strengthen economic relations with the Philippines, a senior US Department of State official stressed as she asked whether China’s “promises” in the past had actually generated jobs for Filipinos.
Speaking to reporters on Monday during her one-day visit to the Philippines, State Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said US-Philippine economic ties had grown “richer and stronger than what most people realize’’ but that “(we) can and should do even more.”
Nuland said they hope to draw more US investments to the country particularly in the climate and energy sectors, both being priorities of the Biden administration.
New Edca sites
She also noted that the four additional military sites in the Philippines to which US forces would have access under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) would not only help address security concerns in the region but also bring “economic opportunities, jobs” to their host communities.
Full Story at: US official: How many ‘promises from Beijing’ really created PH jobs? | Inquirer News
PNP tags Degamo foe Teves in 2019 killings in Negros Oriental | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has denied having a hand in the recent assassination of his political nemesis, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, was accused by the police on Tuesday of ordering a series of murders in his province four years ago.
The killings that took place from March to June 2019 came to the fore as investigators in the Degamo case zeroed in on politics as the likely motive for the brazen attack on the home of the provincial chief executive that also left eight other persons dead on Saturday.
A day after Teves posted a video statement on his Facebook page denying any role in the March 4 shootings, he was named a respondent in a complaint filed by the police in connection with the 2019 murder of at least three people, including former Negros Oriental board member Miguel Dungog.
Teves, who is reportedly in the United States, declined to issue a statement when contacted by the Inquirer for comment.
Full Story at: PNP tags Degamo foe Teves in 2019 killings in Negros Oriental | Inquirer News
Zubiri denies rumors of supposed ouster as Senate president | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:11 p.m.) — Senate President Migz Zubiri has denied claims that he would be unseated from his position after Malacañang supposedly issued a warning against him on the slow pace of Senate approval of the Marcos Jr. administration’s priority measures.
“There has been no talk of leadership changes as well as any warnings from anyone on the low output of the Senate,” Zubiri said in a statement on Wednesday.
A Politiko story on March 7, citing unnamed sources, alleged that Zubiri’s “lack of productivity” and slow pace in approving bills prioritized by Malacañang prompted the executive to reportedly “hint” to Zubiri that “if he fails to be more productive this year, someone more capable will take his place.”
Full Story at: Zubiri denies rumors of supposed ouster as Senate president | Philstar.com
Boom placed to contain oil spill in Oriental Mindoro | PHILSTAR.COM – POLA, Oriental Mindoro — An oil spill boom has been placed around the possible location of MT Princess Empress on Wednesday, over a week after the tanker sank off the coast of Oriental Mindoro.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Wednesday the installation of the boom to help contain the oil leaked by the sunken tanker.
The vessel, which was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil, suffered engine failure and sank in rough sea.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the MT Princess Empress is thought to be lying at about 1,200 feet or 400 meters below sea level.
A remotely-operated vehicle will be deployed to determine the exact location of the vessel.
As authorities scramble to contain the spill, thousands of residents in Oriental Mindoro — including fishers, vendors and tourism workers — are struggling to get by. The government-imposed bans on fishing and swimming.
Full Story at: Boom placed to contain oil spill in Oriental Mindoro | Philstar.com
