PIA - Caraga Regional Office: TOP STORIES – Friday, 08 September 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print media monitoring)

08 September 2023, Friday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. Marcos back in Philippines after ASEAN Summit in Jakarta

-Marcos reports ASEAN trip outcome was successful, vows commitment to peaceful SCS resolution

-ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis

-PBBM cites PH ties with Australia, India amid maritime dispute with China

-Marcos lauds Canada's Indo-Pacific peacekeeping role, ASEAN aid

[GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Daily Tribune, CNN PHL, Inquirer, Rappler. Manila Standard, Sunstar] https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/881508/marcos-back-in-philippines-after-asean-summit-in-jakarta

2. PHL-Australia relations

-PBBM meets Australian PM in Palace, sign joint strategic partnership to strengthen bilateral ties

-Marcos thanks Australia for concern over actions vs. PH in SCS

-Australia to introduce new visa schemes, double scholarships for Filipinos [Philstar]

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Manila Standard, Rappler]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/8/ph-australia-sign-strategic-partnership-deal

3. South China Sea issue

-AFP says latest resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal successful

-PHL condemns China coast guard repeat opposition to Philippines’ grounded warship

-PBBM hits ‘dangerous use’ of coast guard, sea militia

-PH, US, Japan on guard to keep Indo-Pacific status quo vs 'unilateral attempts'

-Marcos to boost collaboration with China

-DND chief: China’s 10-dash line shows ‘targets’ for expansion

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pilipino Star Ngayon, CNN PHL, Interaksyon, Business Mirror, Manila Bulletin, Daily Tribune, Manila Times, Rappler, Interaksyon]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/08/news/12-chinese-vessels-block-ph-resupply-mission-anew-in-ayungin-shoal/1909123

4. PH, South Korea sign free trade deal

[The Philippine STAR, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Interaksyon, CNN PHL, Manila Bulletin, Reuters, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/8/ph-to-get-zero-tariffs-on-korean-cars-auto-parts-agri-fishery-products

5. Vietman rice deal and Rice price cap

-PH eyes 5-year rice trade accord with Vietnam; PBBM looks to Asean allies for rice imports

-EO triggers drop in rice prices

-Rice price ceiling 95% successful – DA

-DSWD, DTI finalize list of rice retailers who will receive up to P15K financial aid

-Reduce or cut rice tariff to lower prices – former DA exec

-Price ceilings will lead to rice shortage: economist

[CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, Manila Times, Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, Manila Standard, Bulgar, Pilipino Star Ngayon, Inquirer, Rappler, Business Mirror]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/219012/ph-eyes-5-year-rice-trade-accord-with-vietnam

6. Jobless rate and inflation

-Jobless rate rose again to 4.8% in July 2023

-Pinoys least satisfied with government efforts vs inflation

[Rappler, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philstar, ABS-CBN News]

https://business.inquirer.net/419819/jobless-rate-rose-again-to-4-8-in-july-2023

7. Philippine debt hits record P14.24 trillion in July

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Inquirer] https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/881545/philippines-debt-balloons-further-to-new-record-p14-24t-as-end-july

8. DOTr ensures safety of commuters as MRT-3 hit by bomb threat

[Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Inquirer, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, Remate]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1828707/fwd-dotr-forms-task-force-to-enhance-security-in-mrt-3-after-a-bomb-threat

9. Meralco: Power rates to go up in September