PH Education Lags Behind Others in Asia

The Quacquarelli Symonds University ranking released this week shows the Philippines  lagging behind other Asian countries in education, reports Manila Standard Today. The country’s top five universities managed to be included in the top 300 schools in Asia but fared poorly against many educational institutions in other Asian countries. The University of the Philippines improved to 67th place in 2013 from 68th place in 2012, but Ateneo de Manila University dropped 23 places from 86th in 2012 to 109th in 2013. The University of Santo Tomas fell two places from 148th in 2012 to 150th in 2013.

PH Joblessness Rises Amid Stellar Growth

Officials said joblessness rose to a three-year high in April amid record economic growth as new graduates flooded the job market while unfavorable weather conditions stymied hiring in the agricultural sector,  reports the Philippine Star. The National Statistics Office (NSO) Labor Force Survey showed unemployment reached 7.5 percent in April, up from 6.9 percent in the same period last year. The current unemployment rate was the highest since the eight percent recorded in 2010. The country’s economy expanded 7.8 percent in the first three months of the year, outstripping China to make it Asia’s fastest-growing economy.

PH Is Among World's Most Gay-Friendly--Pew Survey

A survey found the Philippines to be one of few gay-friendly countries in the world, reports Inquirer.net. Of the 39 countries covered by “The Global Divide on Homosexuality” conducted by the US-based Pew Research Center, only 17 countries had majorities that accepted homosexuality, with the Philippines ranking number 10 among the 17. The survey showed that 73 percent of adult Filipinos agreed with the statement that “homosexuality should be accepted by society,” up by nine percentage points from 2002.

Lucio Tan Sells PAL to San Miguel

Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. has sealed a deal to acquire the entire holdings of tycoon Lucio Tan in flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), reports Inquirer.net According to a source from the Lucio Tan camp, the transaction involves the acquisition by San Miguel of 51 percent of the airline currently owned by the tobacco and beer magnate. The deal is valued at $500 million and, once executed, would give San Miguel president Ramon Ang complete control over the board of the country’s largest airline.

China Starts Building on Disputed Panatag Shoal

MANILA--China has begun constructing structures on disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, and its vessels have been unloading gravel, stone, cement and metal, highly placed military sources told InterAksyon.com Thursday. The sources also said defense officials have satellite photos proving the Chinese activity on the disputed shoal, which the Philippines also calls Bajo de Masinloc, for the Zambales town to which it belongs.

Matchmaker Nabbed at Airport for Trafficking

Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) apprehended a Chinese national who attempted to traffic two Filipino women to China where they would be matched for marriage to Chinese nationals, said a Bureau of Immigration press release. The male suspect and his female companions were recently intercepted at the NAIA 2 terminal before they could board a Philippine Airlines flight to Beijing. The investigation revealed the two women were going to Beijing as tourists but could not answer questions from immigration officers about their itinerary upon reaching China. 

PH Peacekeeper Wounded in Golan Heights

A Filipino peacekeeper of the United Nations was wounded when he was hit by “a wayward indirect fire” at Camp Ziouni in ceasefire line Golan Heights on Thursday, reports Inquirer.net.  He is now being treated and is in stable and good condition. The incident happened during a firefight between Syrian government and rebel forces, some three to four kilometers from Camp Ziouni.

PCGG to Testify in Art Theft Case vs. Imelda's Aide

Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) will testify in the art theft and tax fraud case brought against former first lady Imelda Marcos’ former social secretary and confidante in New York, reports Inquirer.net. The PCGG was summoned by the State Supreme Court in Manhattan to testify when the trial of Vilma Bautista, 74,  starts on October 7. She was arrested for trying to sell three valuable artworks, including a Monet masterpiece, which the Philippine government had reported to be part of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth that disappeared after the downfall of the Marcos regime in 1986.