PRESS DIGEST - Philippine newspapers - July 10

MANILA, July 10 (Reuters) - These are the leading stories in Manila newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories.

- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo activated a 24-hour command centre of the Anti-Terrorism Council even though officials said Metro Manila was not in danger of any attacks. (THE PHILIPPINE STAR)

- A group of citizens and lawyers asked the Supreme Court to stop the Commission on Elections from signing the poll automation contract with Smartmatic Corp and Total Information Management Corp today. (THE PHILIPPINE STAR, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, MANILA STANDARD TODAY, BUSINESSWORLD)

- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered a month-long gun amnesty in preparation for the 2010 national elections. (MANILA STANDARD TODAY, BUSINESSWORLD)

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BUSINESS

- The World Bank suggested that the government consider raising the excise tax on gasoline to boost the national coffers in the face of a ballooning budget deficit. (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, BUSINESSMIRROR, MALAYA, MANILA STANDARD TODAY, THE PHILIPPINE STAR )

- The Asian Development Bank is prepared to extend a total of up to $3 billion in loans to the Philippines for the next three years. (THE PHILIPPINE STAR, BUSINESSWORLD)

- Australian firms Otto Energy Ltd (OEL.AX) and Nido Petroleum Ltd (NDO.AX) raised their holdings in the Galoc offshore oilfield project after they acquired the shares of minority partners. (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, BUSINESSWORLD)

($1 = 48.09 Philippine pesos)

(Reporting by Karen Lema)