EXUDING authority and sounding sensible and candid as ever, outgoing SSS president and CEO Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo holds court at a press conference at the SSS’s Ayala Avenue building, where she assured the private pension fund’s 27 million members their money is intact, and the fund, stable. --RHOY COBILLA

SSS stable, outgoing chief says

CORAZON de la Paz-Bernardo, outgoing president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System (SSS), said she is leaving the pension fund with “a healthy balance sheet.”

Without sounding a bit self-righteous, de la Paz-Bernardo gave a hint of why this is so: She confirmed she had politely rejected requests to have the SSS fund several projects when she felt this would violate the system’s charter.

I’ve always proven critics wrong, I’m fit for SSS–Neri

NEWLY designated Social Security System (SSS) Administrator Romulo Neri on Thursday promised to prove his critics wrong, claiming he had done so in the past, and asserted that he is fit to lead the government financial institution and oversee the national social- welfare program in these “challenging” times.

Jollibee taps OFWs for ‘10,000’ goal

FAST-FOOD giant Jollibee Foods Corp. has overseas Filipinos to thank for helping it grow 1,700 stores, as well as to meet its target 10,000 stores a dozen years hence.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, president of the publicly listed company, said targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is part of a two-pronged approach for international expansion.

Coping with crisis: JG Summit cuts snack sizes, slows jets 

JG Summit Holdings Inc., owner of the country’s second-largest food-and-beverage company, is cutting portions on packaged biscuits and telling its airline’s pilots to fly more slowly as inflation cuts margins.

CebuPac, PAL fuel surcharges for overseas flights hiked

THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Tuesday approved an application of Cebu Pacific Air to hike fuel surcharge for every one-way ticket to other countries.

This, as rival Philippine Airlines (PAL), which recently obtained the CAB’s go-ahead to raise fuel surcharges for domestic and international operations, announced the expansion of its PAL Express services. In all, the 10 new routes being added from July 1 to August 1 represent a more than doubling of PAL Express’s network in the space of one month.

Exports up only slightly at 2.3% in May

THE decline in the growth of electronic and apparel shipments has caused the country’s export earnings to only slightly increase by 2.3 percent in May, based on the latest data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Thursday.

Ducut, acting ERB chief

PRESIDENT Arroyo has appointed former Pampanga representative Zenaida Ducut as acting chairman of the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB), replacing Rodolfo Albano whose term ended on July 9.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza announced the appointment of Ducut, currently the deputy presidential legal counsel.

GMA approved P200-M budget for House face-lift

PRESIDENT Arroyo had approved the P200-million funding for the facelifting of the Batasan Complex main building and adjacent structures, a document released by the House secretary-general showed.

Ambuklao-Binga power complex turned over to winning bidder

GOVERNMENT-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm) formally turned over Thursday the 75-megawatt (MW) Ambuklao and 100-MW Binga Hydroelectric Power Complex to SN Aboitiz Power Benguet Inc. (SNAP Benguet).

Smokey Mountain housing project legal

THE Supreme Court (SC) has spoken with finality, upholding as legal and binding the 1993 contract to develop Smokey Mountain into a low-cost housing project between the National Housing Authority (NHA) and R-II Builders Inc. (RBI).

USTR warns RP on ecozone policies

THE United States Trade Representative (USTR) warned the Philippines its export trade preferences into the United States market may be withdrawn because of its policy of “no union, no strike” in economic zones.  

MORE STORIES ...

RP envoy to Sokor promotes Pinoy teachers Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis Cruz (left) discusses with Commissioner Choo Kyu-ho of the Korea Immigration Office the possibility of Filipino teachers gaining entry into South Korea as English teachers. South Korean law currently allows only professionals from “native” English-speaking countries such as the US and Canada to teach the language. Commissioner Choo said that South Korea is “considering extending the scope” of the law since its public schools are in need of more English teachers. With its highly qualified work force, the Philippines can help South Korea meet this demand.