PRESS DIGEST - Philippine newspapers - June 13

MANILA, June 13 (Reuters) - These are the leading stories in Manila newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories.

- One of the two cameramen kidnapped in Sulu with broadcast journalist Ces Drilon was released on Thursday night after a 2 million pesos ($45 million) ransom was allegedly paid in exchange for his freedom. (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, THE PHILIPPINE STAR)

- A Moro rebel commander on Basilan island lured two Marine corporals with surrender feelers on Tuesday and seized them as hostages to demand the release of his nephew, military and civilian officials said. (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, MANILA STANDARD TODAY, THE MANILA TIMES, MALAYA)

- The House of Representatives passed on final reading the renewable energy bill that seeks to reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel and generate $1.2 billion in savings. (MANILA STANDARD TODAY, THE MANILA TIMES)

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BUSINESS

- The Philippine central bank has eased restrictions in the amount of loans banks can extend as a ratio of the deposits they generate to aid banks in expanding in their operations. (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER)

- The fight for control of Manila Electric Co MERB.PS is far from over and could drag alll the way to the Supreme Court, according to Oscar Lopez, patriarch of the Lopez family, the largest shareholder in the power firm. (THE PHILIPPINE STAR, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, MANILA STANDARD TODAY)

- Lopez-led Benpres Holdings Corp (BPC.PS) wants to sell its stake in North Luzon Expressway operator Manila North Tollways Corp to raise $100 million that will be used to service debt. (BUSINESSWORLD, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, THE PHILIPPINE STAR, MANILA STANDARD TODAY, THE MANILA TIMES, BUSINESSWORLD)

($1 = 44.47 Philippine peso)

(Reporting by Karen Lema)