HONG KONG — (UPDATE) Asian stocks slipped on Monday in choppy trade, despite some buying of Japanese shares by long-term investors, on expectations corporate results will reflect deteriorating economic conditions until at least the second half of 2009.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Singapore dollar fell to a 14-month low against the US dollar on Monday as data showing a sharp fall in the island’s exports underscored the toll the global economic downturn is exerting on emerging Asia.

MANILA, Philippines — A group of Quezon residents have asked the Supreme Court to stop the December 13 plebiscite to determine if the province should be divided in two.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army demanded the release of one of its officials allegedly abducted by the New People?s Army (NPA) following an encounter in Compostela Valley, said a military spokesman said Monday.

MANILA, Philippines — Consular officials and government personnel who fail to act on complaints, extend assistance, or render service to overseas Filipino workers and migrant workers in distress and their families should be penalized, according to a bill filed by a member of the House of Representatives.

MANILA, Philippines — For as long as senators do not get the answers they want from former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, the investigation into the so-called fertilizer fund scam will be like “squeezing blood from stone” and go on “until the end of time,” Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Monday.

MANILA, Philippines ? Power producer First Gen Corp. reported a 64-percent drop in its net profit to $35.6 million in the third quarter ended Sept. 30.

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to ensure the fair and honest selection of the seven Supreme Court justices next year, legal luminaries, lawyers? organizations, and law schools have launched a coalition to guard the process.

WASHINGTON, United States — The US economy is in recession and will contract at a faster pace in the fourth quarter, extending the decline into early 2009 as high unemployment crimps consumer spending, a survey showed.

MANILA, Philippines — Debt yields are seen shackled to a tight range for most of the week because of uncertainty over whether the central bank will cut interest rates on Thursday following a reduction in bank reserve requirements.