ADB reduces PH economic growth forecast to P6.4%
The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it reduced the 2019 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.4 percent from the previous estimate of 6.7 percent following the lower-than-expected gross domestic product growth of 6.2 percent in 2018.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippines news site chief pleads not guilty to tax evasion charges
Maria Ressa, the head of a Philippine news website known for critical reports about President Rodrigo Duterte, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to tax evasion charges.
— Reuters
East Asians dominate Boracay’s foreign visitors
Foreigners from East Asia dominated the number of inbound travelers to Boracay Island for the first quarter this year.
— Rappler
BSP remits P4B dividend as amended charter takes effect
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has remitted P4 billion to the national treasury following the effectivity of the law amending the New Central Bank Act, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
— Malaya
Zambo City records high dengue cases in Q1
The City Health Office (CHO) has called on residents to take measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites due to an increase in the incidence of dengue in the first quarter of the year.
— Philippine News Agency
The US and Philippines are reportedly discussing deploying a rocket system in the South China Sea to fend off China
The US and the Philippines discussed the placement of an upgraded rocket system in the South China Sea to defend against Chinese expansion in the disputed territory, the South China Morning Post reported.
— Business Insider
British Chamber to promote trade, investment opportunities in Philippines anew
The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines is once again taking part in the Britain in Southeast Asia roadshow, or BiSEA, in the United Kingdom from April 8-16, 2019.
— The Philippine Star
Duterte: Drug war failed
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has admitted his administration’s war on drugs was a failure.
— The Manila Times
Health warns public vs ‘big year’ of dengue
The Health department on Wednesday again reminded the public to take precautions to avoid contracting dengue following the increase in dengue cases nationwide.
— Manilastandard.net
Legislators caution against reneging on contracts, support arbitration
SENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon cautioned against cancelling government contracts found to be onerous, after a review was ordered by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
— BusinessWorld Online
How candidates finance vote buying scheme get back ‘investment’
Candidates spend millions to make sure they win in an election. They pay for posters, advertising, sorties, t-shirts, and other giveaways.
— CNN Philippines (video)
Philippines venues to be upgraded for SEA Games events
With the Philippines to host the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games later this year, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez has this week advised that Manila’s Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and two other major government venues will undergo a major facelift.
— Australasian Leisure Management (media release)
NegOcc gets P2.5-M cloud seeding fund from DA
The Department of Agriculture (DA)-6 has allocated a funding of PHP2.5 million for the cloud-seeding operation in Negros Occidental scheduled next month.
— Philippine News Agency
Malacañang dismisses ‘Totoong Narco List’ video as black propaganda
Malacañang shrugged off a video circulating on social media accusing presidential son Paolo Duterte of receiving money from a crime syndicate and using the brother of his brother-in-law as a dummy for the transactions.
— Rappler
Udenna eyes 3 big-ticket projects in Davao
Udenna Corporation is eyeing three big-ticket projects in Davao City, on top of the proposed modernization of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport.
— Philippine News Agency
18 hurt in blast at restaurant in southern Philippines
A bomb exploded at a restaurant in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, wounding at least 18 people in a suspected revenge attack by a militant group, security officials said.
— Khaleej Times
Firm proposes P10-B project to tap Angat’s irrigation water for household use
A company is proposing a P10-billion optimization project that aims to tap some of Angat’s irrigation water for household use, a move that is backed by Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
— Manila Bulletin
PHL population targets on track despite ‘political, cultural factors’
THE Philippines’s population targets remain on track despite “political and cultural factors,” according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
— Business Mirror
Going digital ‘critical’ for banks’ financial inclusion push
THE DIGITAL transformation of financial institutions in the country is “critical” in the industry-wide push to include more Filipinos into the formal financial system amid an opportunity in its large population connected to the internet, a partner from McKinsey & Co. said.
— BusinessWorld Online
Central Visayas still tops dengue cases list in Q1
Central Visayas remains to be the top region with the most number of dengue cases nationwide.
— Philippine News Agency
Government loses appeal vs 2013 power rate hikes
The government has lost its bid in the Court of Appeals (CA) to strike down the increase in power prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) during the shutdown of the Malampaya gas facility in 2013.
— The Philippine Star
Indonesia ends anti-dumping duties on Philippine bananas
This Tuesday, Indonesia’s Trade Minister stated that his nation will no longer impose anti-dumping duties on banana imports from the Philippines.
— Fresh Plaza
CHR on release of drug war reports: SC order a reminder to gov’t to observe rule of law
The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s order on the release of the reports related to the government’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs and said that this should serve as a nudge to the administration.
— GMA News
US monitors flow of funds to PH
The United States government continues to monitor the flow of money to the Philippines from unidentified sources to finance alleged terror groups, according to US Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker.
— The Manila Times
PSG explains use of bulletproof glass for Duterte in Malabon event
The Presidential Security Group on Wednesday, April 3, said it decided to use a bulletproof glass for President Rodrigo Duterte during his speech in Malabon because the venue was an “open area.”
— Eagle News
Philippine economy may be one of few winners in 2019 regional slowdown
Economic growth is expected to moderate in the next two years, but the Philippines may somewhat be among the few winners in an uncertain business environment.
— Rappler
Duterte vows urban land reform in Metro Manila
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday said his administration will be carrying out urban land reform in Metro Manila.
— BusinessWorld Online
Duterte threatens Malabon mayor Oreta: Solve drug problem in 1 month or face arrest
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, April 2, threatened to have Malabon Mayor Antolin “Len Len” Oreta III arrested if his city’s drug problem is not solved in one month.
— Rappler
OSG: Settlement deal for Martial Law victims ‘grossly disadvantageous’ to gov’t
Responding to a report it had blocked compensation for victims of Martial Law, the Office of the Solicitor General on Wednesday said it found the settlement agreement involved in the case grossly disadvantageous to the government.
— GMA News
Palace dismisses video linking Paolo to illegal drugs
Malacañang said yesterday that the video alleging former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte’s involvement in the illegal drugs trade is just mere black propaganda.
— Tempo
Philippine steel use seen at record high
STEEL CONSUMPTION in the Philippines is likely to rise by 5-6% this year to a record 11.1 million tons as the country’s economy continues to grow, the head of an industry group told Reuters on Monday.
— BusinessWorld Online
PHL aims to become top creative economy
THE Philippines has set its sights on becoming the leading creative economy in Southeast Asia by 2030 on the back of strong advertising, film, animation, game development and design industries.
— Business Mirror
PH franchises urged to expand presence in ASEAN region
Filipino franchises are encouraged to expand to other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states, which offer a huge market of more than 600 million consumers.
— Philippine News Agency
Startup offers helicopter ride-sharing in Metro Manila
A tech startup is offering a ride-sharing service using helicopters promising to cut hours-long commutes in Metro Manila’s traffic-choked roads to just a few minutes.
— ABS-CBN News
PSA: Cattle, carabao population recorded declines in January
The country’s cattle and carabao population as of January 1 declined due to the reduction in the number of cows, caracows and yearlings, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Business Mirror
PHL sugar production up 14.48% in March–report
The country’s sugar output as of mid-March expanded by 14.48 percent year-on-year to 1.662 million metric tons (MMT), according to the latest data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
— Business Mirror
Fire Prevention Month: 77 fire incidents highlight need for community-level fire brigade
THE ILOILO City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded 77 fire incidents with one fatality in March, observed as Fire Prevention Month in the country.
— BusinessWorld Online
Thailand Will Need Pinoy English Teachers Soon – DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that Thailand will need Pinoy English teachers soon. The Philippines is one of Asia’s top English-speaking countries.
— Philippine News
DOE assures power supply for automated polls in May
The Department of Energy (DOE) gave assurances on Wednesday that there will be an adequate supply of electricity during the elections in May.
— Inquirer.net
Preemptive evacuation ordered in 3 Mt. Province villages after series of PNP-NPA clashes
Local officials in Bauko, Mountain Province have ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in at least three communities following the series of clashes between the police and communist rebels there.
— Inquirer.net
Sison says Duterte drug war “fake”
Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison described President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs as “fake,” saying the chief executive himself was “openly protecting major drug lords and smugglers” including his son, Paolo.
— Eagle News
The Duterte wealth: Unregistered law firm, undisclosed biz interests, rice import deal for creditor
Rich man, poor man, Mayor, President.
— Rappler
DOH-Central Visayas extends anti-measles campaign
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) hopes to vaccinate 80 percent of its target this week as it extended its region-wide anti-measles campaign for one more week.
— Philippine News Agency
Southern Iloilo upland tourist spots ‘back to normal’: Army
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said tourists can now enjoy normal activities in mountainous tourist spots of southern Iloilo.L
— Philippine News Agency
Reelectionist JV Ejercito welcomes Duterte-ordered review of gov’t contracts
Reelectionist Sen. JV Ejercito yesterday lauded the decision of President Duterte to order a review of contracts on concession agreements and foreign loans of the Philippines with other countries. Ejercito said the move will help government get rid of onerous loan …
— Tempo
DOF to Carpio: PHL did not default on loan in 1983
The Department of Finance (DOF) on Wednesday denied the claim of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that the Philippines had defaulted on its foreign debt in 1983.
— GMA News
BFAR upbeat on new fishery management framework
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is eyeing a more sustainable strategy to manage fishery resources through a science-based and participatory governance framework.
— Philippine News Agency
4 arrested for human trafficking in Cagayan de Oro
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Region 10 has arrested 4 people, two of them Chinese, for alleged human trafficking.
— Rappler
MILF to remain neutral in 2019 polls
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will remain neutral in the 2019 national and local elections but would allow its members to vote according to their conscience.
— Philippine News Agency
DOE coordinates with power producers to ensure supply
For the third consecutive day, the Department of Energy (DOE) assured the public that it continues to coordinate with power producers as the country’s power reserves grow thinner.
— Philippine News Agency
Gatchalian urges DICT to probe April 1 hacking of websites of AFP, other gov’t agencies, schools
Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to “make a thorough investigation” of the widespread hacking of a large number of websites of the government, military and educational institutions last April 1.
— Eagle News
Feature photo World Heath Organization Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Health Day, April 7.
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.

Stella-maris Ewudolu
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.

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