Philippines Morning News For April 15, 2019

Agriculture dep’t hoping to get Japan to ease 100% banana testing regime
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to meet with the Japanese government to seek an easing of its 100% testing regime for Philippine banana imports, after inspectors found unacceptable levels of chemical residue in one shipment last year.
— BusinessWorld

PH claims on Spratlys, WPS solid: DND chief
The country’s claims on the Spratly islands and West Philippine Sea are on solid ground.
— Philippine News Agency

Highest heat index in Metro Manila recorded at 40.8C — Pagasa
METRO Manila hit its highest heat index or human discomfort so far in 2019 when it hit 40.8 degrees Celsius (C) on Saturday, the state bureau said.
— Manila Times

Debris clearing begins inside Marawi City ground zero
The Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) has been given the go signal to start the debris clearing inside the “most affected area” of this war-devastated city.
— The Inquirer

6,000 cops tasked with poll duties in Western Mindanao
As many as 6,000 policemen would be deployed for election duties in the towns and cities of Western Mindanao for the May 13 midterm elections.
— The Inquirer

Bank violations seen in NPC privacy sweep
BAGUIO CITY: The privacy watchdog is finalizing inspections of banks’ mobile applications and online services to determine their compliance with privacy laws and policies, with results expected to be released …
— Manila Times

PLDT partners with Cisco for 5G transport network
PLDT Inc. has partnered with technology firm Cisco Systems Inc. for the development of its IP transport infrastructure which will be utilized for the deployment of a fifth generation (5G) technology network.
— Philippine News Agency

Authorities confirm death of Maute leader Abu Dar in Lanao del Sur
Authorities have confirmed the death of Maute leader Abu Dar in an encounter with the military in Lanao del Sur.
— Eagle News

DENR monitoring safety, cleanliness of top beaches as Holy Week starts
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is monitoring the cleanliness of top tourist destinations in the country ahead of the expected rise in tourists during Holy Week, a DENR official said Sunday.
— GMA Network

PRRD reaffirms vow to distribute more lands before term ends
President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his commitment to distribute land to agrarian reform beneficiaries before he steps down in 2022.
— Philippine News Agency

Glutamax ad slammed for discriminating vs morenas
Netizens slammed skin whitening brand Glutamax for a series of online ads it uploaded on Facebook on Saturday, April 13.
— Rappler

DILG: No basis for inclusion of PHL in US list of places with high risk of kidnapping, hostage taking
The Department of the Interior and Local Government is questioning the United States list that included the Philippines among the countries with the highest risk of kidnapping and hostage taking.
— Eagle News

Environment group gives tips for ‘trash-free’ Holy Week 2019
Environment group EcoWaste Coalition on Saturday, April 13, called for a zero-waste observance of Holy Week, saying it was the perfect time to reflect on wastefulness.
— Rappler

S. Cotabato shrine: No skimpy attire, please, for Holy Week
An imposing 15-meter statue of Jesus Christ at the Divine Mercy Shrine here may have helped introduce religious tourism to this idyllic town, but it may not approve of visitors peering out in skimpy attire during Holy Week.
— The Inquirer

Rappler to Duterte: We do our jobs based on facts
Rappler on Sunday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent allegation that investigative journalists are being paid to attack and stir up issues.
— GMA Network

Gov’t mounts campaign to save energy
The government will soon launch an intensified public information campaign promoting energy conservation and efficiency amid the recent power interruptions in Luzon.
— Tempo

FVR lauds Ang on billion-dollar mega projects
Former President Fidel V. Ramos has lauded Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), for undertaking various mega projects including the USD15 billion Bulacan International Airport that will generate over a million new jobs.
— Philippine News Agency

IN PHOTOS: From churches to jails, Filipinos mark Palm Sunday 2019
MANILA, Philippines – Catholic parishes and other places of worship, including those in city jails, became gardens of palm fronds on Sunday, April 14, as Holy Week began with the annual observance of Palm Sunday.
— Rappler

Duterte says he told Navy to blow up vessels of drug smugglers
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 13, said he advised the Navy to blow up the vessels of drug smugglers.
— Eagle News

BI to overseas-bound travelers: Be at the airport early
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has urged overseas-bound travelers this Holy Week to leave early for the airport.
— The Inquirer

EU FTA talks take back seat to GSP+ audit
TALKS for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) have taken a back seat to monitoring of the country’s commitments under a preferential trade arrangement it bagged from the bloc in December 2014, according to a source from the European Commission (EC).
— BusinessWorld

Duterte: MWSS unprepared for dry spell
President Duterte has criticized the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for their lack of preparation for El Niño.
— Tempo

BSP extends transitory period for banks’ amended reports
The Monetary Board (MB) approved the extension of transitory period of the amended report on bank interest rates on loans and deposits until 31 December 2019.
— Philippine News Agency

Ex-DOF officials face up to 70 years in jail over tax credit fraud
The Sandiganbayan convicted former officials of the Department of Finance (DOF) for multiple counts of graft, sentencing them to 30 years to 70 years of imprisonment.
— Rappler

Agri damage due to El Niño hits P5.7 billion — DA
Damage to agricultural products due to the threat of El Nio has reached P5.7 billion, an official from the Department of Agriculture disclosed on Sunday.
— The Inquirer

Bourse cites tack to bring down broker ownership
THE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) said it will have to issue about P5 billion worth of shares to bring down broker ownership, in an effort to comply with the single industry ownership limit.
— BusinessWorld

Robredo slams DOE for current power supply issues
Vice President Maria Leonor Leni Robredo on Sunday slammed the Department of Energy (DOE) for supposedly failing to prepare for the anticipated increase in demand for electricity during the summer season.
— GMA Network

Demystifying the age of the Ifugao Rice Terraces to decolonize history
They grace our P20 bill, take center stage in tourism ads, and form the backdrop of many a souvenir photo.
— Rappler

Feature photo Catholics&Cultures

This week’s Philippines Morning News feature photo acknowledges Good Friday, April 19. We wish all of our Philippines readers a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Easter.

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 April 15 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on April 15, 2019
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.