Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the country’s economic fundamentals remain solid despite external risks and challenges.  “The domestic economy continues to expand above historical average. Household consumption is expected to remain steady and growth in services sustained,” the central bank said in its latest Report on Economic and Financial Developments.  “The favorable trends in the manufacturing sector indicate the potential resurgence of the industry sector, which can potentially transform the sector into a major driver of growth in the Philippines,” the BSP said. Philippine economic growth slowed to 5.3 percent in the third quarter from six percent in the second quarter. This brought the nine-month expansion to 5.8 percent, way below the 6.5- to 7.5-percent target for the full year.  “The near to medium-term economic outlook remains uncertain, with risks largely external,” the central bank said as growth in different economies and markets remain uneven. Recovery in the US and the slower but still strong performance of emerging Asia countries have driven global growth, the BSP said. However, it said dim prospects in the euro area, Japan, and emerging markets in Latin America and the Middle East continue to weigh down global economic  output. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1  “Second, the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the US Federal Reserve’s shift towards monetary policy normalization indicates that capital flow volatility could materialize anew, which could affect financial markets,” the central bank said. A possible “hard landing” in China and a sustained Read More …

“Shake, Rattle and Roll XV” star Matteo Guidicelli at the Parade of Stars of the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival. Philstar.com/Mark Atienza MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN star Matteo Guidicelli was every bit of a hunk at the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival’s Parade of Stars on Tuesday. READ: Star-studded parade kicks off 2014 MMFF The 25-year-old actor joined the cast of his MMFF entry “Shake, Rattle and Roll XV.” Wearing a simple black shirt bearing the logo of his movie, Matteo received some of the loudest shrieks during the parade. Daniel Padilla, who is part of the movie “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo,” was also a highlight for fans during the parade Even though Marian Rivera was a no-show at the parade, her husband-to-be Dingdong Dantes of the movie “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2” graced the Parade of Stars with his presence. IN PHOTOS: Kris, Coco, Bimby shine at 2014 MMFF Parade of Stars Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Models Daniel Matsunaga and John Spainhour (“Shake, Rattle and Roll XV”), Coco Martin (“Feng Shui 2”), Tom Rodriguez and Richard Yap (“The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin”) also provided additional eye candy to the star-studded event. Check out photos of the hunks of the 40th MMFF Parade of Stars (Photo by Philstar.com/Mark Atienza)” [Slideshow will load below]

popular Pangasinan execs axed over black sand Viber goes public North Korean websites back online after shutdown Liberal Party eyes Roxas-Poe tandem Slain Lucena cop hailed as hero 2 kidnap-slay suspects found guilty Gay cure scam: Beijing court orders apology Azkals to get $300,000 Fifa aid next year videos Simbang Gabi at the Gesu ( Day 9 – Dec. 23, 2014 ) Baldwin wants Olympics stint, Fiba Asia gold for Gilas ‘Parade of Stars’ opens 40th Metro Manila Film Festival Homebody: Boots Anson-Roa New coach says Gilas program in ‘good shape’ Department of Foreign Affairs building. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday that its DFA Aseana office on Macapagal Boulevard and all mall-based DFA satellite offices in Metro Manila will be closed starting Wednesday until Dec. 28 and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 4. There will be no passport processing, releasing and other related services during those dates. It said people with passport-related queries may send their e-mails to passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph. Tags: Department of Foreign Affairs DFA DFA Aseana Office Macapagal Boulevard Metro Manila Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Thai baby scandal Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and Read More …

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday reminded employers to abide by the pay rules for Christmas and New Year. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she reminded the private sector employees to observe proper pay rules and occupational safety standards. “Our employers should share the blessing and joy of the season and, in the interest of our workers’ welfare and protection, pay them correctly during the holidays,” she said. Baldoz issued Labor Advisory No. 16, covering special non-working days on Dec. 24, 26, and 31, and Jan. 2; and regular holidays on Dec. 25 and  30, and Jan. 1. Pay rules for regular holidays (Dec. 25 and 30; Jan. 1): If the employee did not work, he or she shall be paid 100 percent of his or her salary for that day. If the employee worked, he or she shall be paid 200 percent of his or her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours. If the employee worked more than eight hours (overtime work), he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on that day. If the employee worked during a regular holiday that also falls on his or her rest day, he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her daily rate of 200 percent. If the employee worked more than eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his or her rest day, he or Read More …

An employee counts U.S. dollar bills before changing it to Philippine Pesos inside a money changer in Manila September 19, 2013. The Philippine central bank said remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have allowed households to save money, boosting the country’s savings rate.(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has further lowered the growth outlook for the Philippines this year while downgrading economic forecast in most Southeast Asian countries, saying the momentum has slowed down. In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2014 Update released Wednesday, the Manila-based lender trimmed its growth estimates for the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to 6 percent in 2014 from 6.2 percent it announced in September. The Philippine economy grew by 6.1 percent in the first half but the growth pace fell back to 5.3 percent in the third quarter, making it the fourth fastest growing economy in Asia. This brought the GDP in the first nine months of the year to 5.8 percent. “Robust private consumption and higher private investment and net exports were insufficient to balance unexpectedly weak public spending,” ADB said in the report. Of the six countries monitored by ADB, Malaysia was the only country with an outlook maintained for 2014, a situation that helped bring down growth estimates for the subregion. In the latest update, Southeast Asia’s aggregate GDP is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2014 and 5.1 percent in 2015, compared with 4.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, in previous estimates. While Read More …