THE PERCENTAGE of Filipinos considering themselves poor hit a fresh record low last quarter, according to results of a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that signaled a good start for the new Duterte administration’s push to slash official poverty rate to 16-17% by the time it steps down in mid-2022 from 26.3% as of the first half of 2015. Read the full story.

NEITHER his harsh rhetoric nor a mounting body count in the government’s war on narcotics has eroded the public’s trust in President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose net rating has steadied in “excellent” territory, according to findings of a survey the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted for the chief executive’s first three months in office. Read the full story.

NET foreign direct investments (FDIs) recovered to a three-month high in July just as President Rodrigo R. Duterte formally occupied Malacañang, according to data the central bank released yesterday, riding on confidence in the newly seated administration. Read the full story.

WASHINGTON — President Rodrigo R. Duterte will seek billions of dollars in infrastructure investments from China in the coming months as the country seeks to alter its relationship with Beijing, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said on Saturday. Read the full story.

THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION’s decisive war on drugs — a policy cornerstone that has drawn international censure — has overwhelming support from the public that nevertheless believes it “very important” that suspects are caught alive, according to findings of a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. Read the full story.