MANILA (PMN)—The Philippine tourism industry may suffer losses of around $80 million in the wake of the Aug 23 hostage-taking incident, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said Aug 31.

MANILA (PMN)—Pres. Noynoy Aquino is willing to cooperate if he is invited in the investigation of the Aug 23 hostage-taking in Manila that resulted in the death of eight tourists from Hong Kong and the hostage-taker himself, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Sep 1.

MANILA (PMN)—The Senate formally approved Sep 1 a resolution urging Pres. Noynoy Aquino to immediately order the suspension of unusually large and apparent excessive allowances, bonuses, incentives and other perks of members of the boards of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs).

MANILA (PMN)—The long-awaited opening of the formal trial of the Maguindanao massacre case failed to push through as scheduled after the court granted a defense request for deferment Sep 1.

MANILA (PMN)—Pres. Aquino's economic team was criticized Sep 1 by opposition lawmakers as Budget Secretary Florencio Abad tried to hide a big portion of the 2011 national budget from congressional scrutiny.

MANILA (PMN)—The government has embarked on a nationwide information campaign in the wake of the rising incidence of dengue cases in the country.

MANILA (PMN)—Despite the fact that more than 60,000 Filipinos have been ill of dengue in the last eight months and their number is expected to reach 80,000 by yearend, the Department of Health said Sep 1 it is capable of managing the problem.

MANILA (PMN)—Malaysia will remain as the third party in anticipated peace talks between government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).