Thailand’s Deputy Premier says fear of second wave of infections, and not politics, is behind the government’s need to extend the emergency decree.  A lockdown measures are set to loosen, that has created massive economic and personal hardship. Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon said the emergency decree, implemented to slow the spread of Covid-19, is not politically motivated. Adding the government is being cautious …

Some of the government’s measures to help the general public and the business sector hit by the COVID-19 pandemic include the three monthly payments of 5,000 baht to workers and farmers, as well as the suspension of loan payments. The Ministry of Finance is now preparing the third phase of its COVID-19 relief package. Agencies under the administration of the …

MANILA – Sy-led lender BDO Unibank Inc. is the country’s top taxpayer for 2019 with nearly a month ahead of the thrice extended deadline, according to the Department of Finance on Monday, May 25. As of May 19, 2020, BDO is the top corporate taxpayer with Robinsons Land Corp in second place followed by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Bank of …

Manila – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, May 25, rejected calls to open the upcoming school year in August, contrary to Deped’s announcement that it could resume classes in areas with eased quarantine protocols. “I will not allow the opening of classes where students are close to one another. Never mind if they can’t finish, [if] for this generation, there …

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) that was tendered four months ago. “We likewise affirm that the President has accepted the resignation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Eliseo Rio, Jr.” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.\ …

Asean region and it’s member needs to step up and further enhance the connectivity and trade and investments to survive the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and prevents future one have the similar faith. Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) said that improving these important policies can increase the attractiveness of the region’s potential as a investment destination. “Therefore, …

MANILA – A magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook San Luis, Aurora, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Saturday. According to state seismology bureau, the quake’s epicenter was located 16 kilometers southwest of the municipality. Intensity 6 was felt in Baler, Aurora while Intensity 5 was felt in the province’s municipalities of Dipaculao and Maria Aurora. The other reported intensities …

JAKARTA – The ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) together with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) held their first webinar underscoring the linkages of biodiversity and health and regional efforts to incorporate biodiversity conservation into the response for Covid-19 pandemic. The webinar entitled “Biodiversity and Preventing Future Pandemics” was launched on Wednesday, May 20, through the zoom app that was also broadcasted …

Veteran statesman Tun Daim Zainuddin supported Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ‘s decision to resign as prime minister on 24 February, saying conditions pushed him to do so. The former president of the Council of Eminent Persons made the comment during an interview with Malaysiakini and many other media organizations, and it is claimed that he was referring to a Supreme …

Two members of the COVID-19 task force medical team were shot by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Wandai District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 16:30 eastern Indonesia time (WIT). Both victims were shot while delivering medicine. “The two medical personnel were shot when they were about to deliver medicine to deal with the spread …