PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Saturday said the national government is ready to address the power outages in Palawan by “expropriating” the franchises of the province’s power providers and offer these to other parties if they cannot solve the problem by year’s end.

AMBASSADOR to Pakistan Daniel R. Espiritu said the Philippines welcomes Pakistani investment, particularly in the automotive industry.

DAVAO CITY -- Proponents of planned renewable energy projects in Mindanao, especially hydroelectric power, have been offered a sustainable energy financing window by the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI).

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) special second division has granted a motion for reconsideration sought by the carrier then known as Air Philippines Corp., finding the improper collection of nearly P74 million from the company on its imports of Jet A-1 aviation fuel between January and July 2007.

In a world of constant disruption and innovation-led advances, organizations are increasingly leveraging technology to transform their business strategies. However, as revealed in the Global Leadership Forecast 2018 (a joint research project by EY, Development Dimensions International, Inc. and the Conference Board), many companies are unable to keep up with the pace. The forecast also mentions that 50% of the 2006 Fortune 500 companies no longer exist, while futurist speaker Thomas Frey projects that advances in robotics and artificial intelligence will impact over two billion jobs in the next decade. Given the inescapable technological trajectory that the world is on, organizations with digital-savvy leaders who are cognizant of the threats and opportunities brought about by technology are now outperforming competitors with less digitally-capable leaders.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will push for the “early conclusion” of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the 33^rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Singapore from Nov. 13 to 15.

THE NATIONAL Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) raised the project cost for the long-haul commuter line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) by nearly double to buy more trains and build elevated tracks.

THE Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA) opposed the plan of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to increase the biofuel component in diesel to B5 from B2.

THE International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will invest $63.5 million to support agriculture-based micro and small enterprises in 20 provinces across Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said the Department of Finance (DoF) needs to focus on tax measures that will have minimal inflationary impact.

THE PHILIPPINES and Japan on Thursday signed a 38-billion yen loan agreement to upgrade and rehabilitate the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has eased the ID requirements for availing of the duty and tax-free privilege for balikbayan boxes valued at up to P150,000.