Coco Alcuaz

Philippine Bank Claims Innocence In Bangladesh-Federal Reserve Money Laundering Controversy

Bangladesh says the U.S. Fed wrongly released $100 million of the country's money to a bank account in the Philippines, money which was reportedly used to buy chips or pay for losses in Manila casinos.

Suu Kyi, Military Junta In ‘Cold War’ Ahead Of Political Transition In Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi and the military are set to nominate their choices for president Thursday, and Parliament is expected to elect her party's choice by Monday.

Malaysian Central Bank Chief Zeti Akhtar Aziz Set To Retire As PM Najib Razak Faces Political Test

Malaysia’s central bank led an investigation into 1MDB, even after the attorney general cleared the prime minister and denied the bank’s recommendation to prosecute the state-run fund.

Asian Stocks Fall After Oil Snaps Rally, China Exports Slump

Oil fell back below $40 a barrel while China reported that its exports slumped 24 percent in February.

Philippines Election: Supreme Court Allows Grace Poe To Run For President, Junks Disqualification Issue

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of front-runner Grace Poe, whose campaign was hounded by questions about her citizenship and residency.

South China Sea Dispute: China Blames ‘Militarization’ On Others, Reminds US Of Vietnam, Korea Wars

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called the disputed waters, through which about half of the world’s cargo ships pass, one of the safest shipping lanes.

Asian Shares Mixed As Japan Reports Smaller-Than-Expected GDP Contraction, Oil Surges

Revised data on Japan's gross domestic product show it contracted 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter, not 1.4 percent.

Philippine Muslim Leader Says ISIS May Spread Due To Autonomy Delay

The delay in enactment of a bill that aims to establish a more powerful autonomous region for minority Muslims could be capitalized by the militant group, Murad Ebrahim said.

AirAsia Returns To Profit 1 Year After Flight 8501 Crash, Plans New Strategy

Southeast Asia’s biggest budget airline, which reported its first profit in nine quarters, plans to boost flights to second-tier cities as competition heats up.

Japan Stocks Fall, Australian Shares Rise After China Pledges No 'Hard Landing'

China reset its economic growth forecast for 2015 to a range of 6.5 percent to 7 percent.

Philippines Election: Binay Nearly Ties Poe In Presidential Survey, Marcos Gains In Vice Presidential Race

Sen. Grace Poe’s popularity slipped to 26 percent, while Vice President Jejomar Binay inched up to a near-tie of 25 percent in a survey.

Grab, Uber Rival In Southeast Asia, To Provide Insurance For Passengers, Drivers

Grab, an Asian car- and motorcycle-hailing app, will provide up to $250,000 of insurance for passengers and drivers in Southeast Asia, known to have some of the most dangerous roads in the world.

Samsonite To Buy Tumi, Combining Luggage And Office Bag Giants

Samsonite agreed to pay $1.8 billion for Tumi, whose stock had fallen to a record low just before the deal.

Asian Stocks Mixed Amid Strong Yen, Ahead Of National People's Congress In China

Japanese shares were lower Friday while U.S. shares rose a third straight day on Thursday, extending gains that started after Feb. 11, the low for the year.

Former Malaysian Deputy Leader Muhyiddin Yassin Vows To Stay In Party After Defying PM Najib Razak

Muhyiddin Yassin, who raised doubts about an investigation linked to Prime Minister Najib Razak, ended speculation he would quit the ruling party.

Asian Stocks Rise As Oil Lifts US Stocks, Japanese Yen Pauses

The yen held at around 113 to the U.S. dollar Thursday after a big gain Wednesday.

South China Sea Dispute: China Takes Atoll Claimed By Philippines, Report Says

China positioned five ships around the Jackson atoll in the South China Sea about a month ago, barring Philippine fishermen from entering, a local official said.

Asian Stocks Rise After US Factory, Construction Data Boost Shares

Investors are also hoping the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan announce more stimulus measures when they meet this month, following the lead of the People’s Bank of China.

Southeast Asia Tech Startup Acquisitions To Pick Up, Report Says

As global companies and funds seek to expand in the fast-growing region, the acquisition of startups is expected to rise to 250 a year by 2020, according to a report.

Asian Stocks Mixed After China Cuts Reserve Requirement To Boost Economy

China cut bank reserve requirements for the fifth time in a year, injecting cash into the economy but also raising concerns about bubbles and “zombie” companies.

Japan Leads Asian Stocks Higher As Nissan Pursues Record Buyback, G-20 Commits To Growth

Automaker Nissan announced a plan Friday to buy back almost 7 percent of its stock, which had fallen 24 percent this year.

Asian Markets: Japan Stocks Rise On Sharp Corp. News, Zero Inflation, As Oil Lifts US Shares

Taiwan's Foxconn said a plan to buy Sharp wasn't final, contradicting an announcement by the Osaka company.

Philippines Election: ‘Bongbong’ Marcos In Line For Vice President 30 Years After Father Was Ousted

The dictator and his family were airlifted by the U.S. to Hawaii on Feb. 28, 1986. His senator son may win the country's No. 2 post in the May elections.

Asian Shares Fall As Oil Drags US Stocks, Yuan Policy Shift Rattles Markets

The Saudi Arabian and Iranian oil ministers quashed hopes for a price deal, with Iran's Bijan Zanganeh saying a proposal to freeze production levels was a “joke.”

Asian Shares Rise As Oil Rally Lifts US Stocks, Investors Await Singapore, Hong Kong Data

Singapore is expected to report on January inflation Tuesday, when Hong Kong is to report on inflation and employment.

Japan PMI Shows Manufacturing Weakened, Dragged By Drop In Exports To China

A big reason for manufacturers’ lack of confidence: exports, which a report last week showed fell 13 percent in January, dragged by an 18 percent decline in sales to China.