Stop Press - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Business Asia, Nov, 2000

* WINNERS

Philippines vice president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is looking more and more like a winning candidate for presidency, as calls for the resignation of current president Joseph Estrada echo throughout the nation.

Lucio Tan, one of the Philippines' wealthiest businessmen and former defender of Estrada, supported a motion calling for the president to resign in a vote by the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, despite the failure of the motion to pass.

Tan is reportedly "fed up" with how his close relationship with the president has affected his fortunes. Tan has links with vice president Arroyo, the leader of the opposition and Estrada's constitutional successor.

* LOSERS

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori may have survived a leadership attack and a potential split in his party this time round, but his days in the top job are looking numbered.

The troubled PM welcomed the recent defeat of the no-confidence motion against him, stating that he would "stand straight and do (his) best to carry on with the business of the government".

The doubtful victory was secured only when reformist Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) rival Koichi Kato convinced colleagues to abstain from voting for the opposition-sponsored motion.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Sony Corporation in Japan has developed a human-like robot capable of walking -- or kicking -- its popular AIBO robot dog.

The man-like robot, code-named SDR-3X, has 24 joints, enabling it to perform basic movements such as walking, changing direction, getting up, balancing on one leg, dancing or kicking, The robot is 19.7 inches tall and weighs just over five kilograms.

Sony is yet to decide when it will begin selling the humanoid robot, or for how much. Honda Motor Company meanwhile, has also unveiled its own sophisticated humanoid robot, which stands 120cm tall and weighs 43 kilograms.