Philippines Morning News For December 22

Philippines boosts cybersecurity ahead of China Telecom entry
The Philippines is beefing up cybersecurity measures prior to the expected entry of Chinese firms in its telecoms industry, the president’s spokesman said on Thursday, amid concerns that national security could be at risk.
— ABS-CBN

Philippine Ferry Capsizes, but Vast Majority of Passengers Are Saved
At least four people died when a ferry capsized in the Philippines on Thursday morning, renewing concerns about maritime safety in the archipelagic nation.
— The New York Times

Filipino growers oppose testing GMO bananas in Mindanao
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) is not in favour of the field testing of genetically modified (GMO) bananas, as proposed by scientists from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. The Association welcomes GMO breakthroughs but does not subscribe to the production of genetically modified bananas because it is unsure if there is a market for it.
— Fresh Plaza

Signal No.2 in 17 areas as ‘Vinta’ moves over Davao Region
Storm Warning Signal No. 2 was up in 17 areas in the Visayas and Mindanao on Friday morning as Severe Tropical Storm Vinta moved west over Compostela Valley.
— Philstar

5 foreign firms eye PH telco sector
China Telecom Corp. isn’t the only foreign company interested in becoming the Philippines’ third telco player, a senior government official said.
— The Manila Times

Philippine Monetary and Banking Industry: Doing good business as ever
Banks or depository institutions are places where one can keep his or her money safe. Banks offer various services such as savings accounts and checking accounts. They can also offer loans, investments, financial advice and counseling, and safe deposit boxes.
— BusinessMirror

Duterte wants no-travel policy in govt in 2018
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned all officials in the Executive department who had traveled abroad almost every month to leave their posts.
— The Manila Times

Top-level budget planning body to review macroeconomic targets
THE Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will meet today to review its macroeconomic assumptions for the medium term, with “improvements” expected particularly for merchandise export projections.
— BusinessWorld

‘Bad journalism’: Roque slams Reuters Davao Boys story
PALACE spokesman Harry Roque Jr. Thursday slammed as “bad journalism” the report of international news agency Reuters on the involvement of the so-called “Davao Boys” in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
— The Manila Times

Pepsi PH to reformulate drinks
As Congress raised taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, beverage maker Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. has decided to reformulate its soft drinks mix to avoid heftier tax starting January next year.
— Philippines Daily Inquirer

P15 billion allocated for Marawi rehab in 2018
The 2018 national budget President Duterte signed on Tuesday allocates P15 billion for the rehabilitation of war-ravaged Marawi City, the chairman of the House of Representatives appropriations committee said yesterday.
— Philstar

DBCC to revise 2018 exports growth target
Economic managers will be revising the exports growth target for 2018 given strong outbound shipments this year, a senior Finance department official said.
— The Manila Times

Government submitting itself to courts on EJKs – Roque
The administration is not sweeping under the rug the reports of extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by a police unit in Quezon City, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.
— Philstar

DOT unveils crisis-management program
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) has unveiled a crisis-management program that would help the tourism industry cope and respond to businesses and tourists’ concerns during periods of instability, such as national disasters and political developments.
— BusinessMirror

PH tightens cybersecurity
The Philippines is beefing up cybersecurity measures prior to the expected entry of Chinese firms in its telecoms industry, the president’s spokesman said yesterday amid concerns that national security could be at risk.
— Malaya

ERC commissioners suspended for a year
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered all four commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) suspended for one year over alleged anomalous power supply deals with 38 companies, seven of which were affiliated with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
— Philstar

Philippines probes deaths after dengue vaccine suspended
Philippine officials are investigating whether three deaths were linked to an anti-dengue vaccine that the country’s regulators have suspended, health officials said Thursday (Dec 21).
— Channel NewsAsia

Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan defy rise in Asia’s business sentiment
Business confidence among Asian companies rose in October-December to the highest in almost seven years due to robust consumption and global trade, a Thomson Reuters/INSEAD survey showed.
— BusinessWorld

Reuters pushes back, insists it gave Duterte’s office time to air side
Award-winning news agency Reuters pushed back Thursday against insinuations that its reporting on a police station in Quezon City manned by cops from Davao City was irresponsible for failing to get the government’s side.
— Philstar

PHL conglomerates join forces to rehabilitate Naia
SEVEN of the country’s top conglomerates—backed by a market capitalization of about P2.2 trillion if combined—have formalized their bid to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), a facility that has outgrown itself with the country being tagged as having one of the worst airports in the world.
— BusinessMirror

Delivery of 2 missile-armed frigates still on track
Delivery of the country’s first two missile-armed frigates, which are designed to be capable of engaging surface, subsurface and air threats, is still on track, acting Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad said late Wednesday.
— Update Philippines

Feature photo Andy Maluche

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Philippines Morning News For December 22 added by Leakhena Khat on December 22, 2017
View all posts by Leakhena Khat →

Bio
Latest Posts

Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.