Philippines morning news for April 5

Philippines morning news for April 5
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Philippines morning newsPhilippines revises up Q4 GDP growth to 6.3 pct y/y
The Philippine economy grew 6.3 percent in 2018’s fourth quarter from a year earlier, rather than the previously-announced 6.1 percent, the statistics agency said on Thursday.
— Nasdaq

Duterte threatens to arrest critics and declare a ‘revolutionary war’
Saying he has enough problems, President Duterte warned critics yesterday that he would suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, order their arrest and declare a “revolutionary war” until the end of his term.
— The Philippine Star

Clark airport posts record 1M passengers in Q1
Air passengers that travelled via Clark International Airport (CRK) have reached 1 million in January to March this year, the airport’s highest quarterly passenger traffic, according to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
— Malaya

Drilon says no choice for Duterte but to veto P75-billion ‘pork’ in 2019 budget bill
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon declared on Thursday that President Duterte may be left with “no choice” but to veto questionable items in the 2019 budget bill, including the P75-billion pork barrel fund which, the senator alleged, was “illegally inserted by the House of Representatives” after the Senate and the House ratified the bicameral conference committee report endorsing the final version of the annual money measure.
— Business Mirror

Lawyers’ group say ‘strikingly similar’ reports on drug-related killings not being probed by authorities
THE FREE Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) lawyers said they found “similar description of killings” in police reports they reviewed in connection with the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs” and “not much effort” is being done in investigations.
— BusinessWorld Online

Solons challenge PH’s $62-M China loan on Chico River project before SC
The Supreme Court (SC) was asked on Thursday (April 4) to declare unconstitutional the $62- million loan agreement signed between the Philippines and China in 2018 for the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project (CRPIP) in the Cordillera region.
— Manila Bulletin

World Bank to aid Philippines in fight against plastic
The World Bank Group said it would help the Philippines in its fight to end plastic pollution by supporting the development of policies and financing critical investments to curb the bane of marine and coastal resources.
— Rappler

3 in 10 health facilities in country ‘lack access’ to clean toilets — UN report
Three in 10 health care facilities in the Philippines “lack access” to clean toilets, according to a new report by two United Nations organizations that assessed water, sanitation and hygiene in health centers worldwide.
— The Philippine Star

NDRRMC calls for continuing partnership, synergy towards disaster-resilient PH
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(NDRRMC) calls for continuing partnership and synergy with the regional and all local DRRM councils in the Cordillera in ensuring safe, climate change adaptive and resilient communities.
— ReliefWeb

Coins.ph users can now receive Western Union money transfers
Local digital wallet startup Coins.ph partnered with cross-border money transfer firm Western Union, in a bid to allow users to receive money directly through its app.
— Rappler

P300-million loan facility set for Occidental Mindoro onion farmers
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will set aside a P300-million loan facility for onion farmers’ cooperatives in Occidental Mindoro.
— Rappler

NFA buys 1.3 million bags of palay from farmers
State-run National Food Authority said Thursday it is now on a palay-buying spree as it takes on its new role of buffer stocking solely from local farmers’ produce.
— Manilastandard.net

Philippines’ House to hold common tower hearing
A Philippines’ House of Representatives committee will next week hold a hearing on the government’s common tower policy to address the industry opposition and potential legal hurdles of the proposal.
— Telecomasia.net

PHL to ban meat products from ASF-hit Cambodia
THE Philippines will close its borders to meat products from Cambodia after it confirmed its first-ever African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, the second Southeast Asian nation to be struck by the fatal swine disease.
— Business Mirror

Gov’t completing documentation on projects to be exempt from election spending ban
MALACAÑANG on Thursday said the government is currently completing documentation on infrastructure projects it is seeking exempts for from the 45-day Commission on Elections (Comelec) ban on public works.
— BusinessWorld Online

Malaysia sees bright prospects for halal trade, tieups with Philippines
Malaysian trade officials see bright prospects for trade in halal goods, as well as in technology exchange with the Philippines which is now shaping up as a promising area in the halal value chain.
— The Philippine Star

Families of 8 fatalities seek transfer of Dengvaxia case to family court
THE families of eight children who died allegedly due to Dengvaxia vaccination have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to allow the consolidation and transfer of their separate cases to a “family court” in Quezon City.
— BusinessWorld Online

Andaya: Senate realigned P83.9B for ‘pet projects’ after budget bill ratification
Senators realigned P83.9 billion under the proposed 2019 national budget for their pet programs and projects in several departments and agencies after this year’s General Appropriations Bill (GAB) was ratified, House Committee on Appropriations chair Rolando Andaya Jr. said.
— GMA News

Rabies vaccination, massive in CDO
Key government agencies in Cagayan de Oro City continue to fight in the eradication of rabies cases as house to house massive vaccination is being implemented here.
— Philippine Information Agency

217 irrigation projects in Cordillera completed: NIA
An official of the National Irrigation Administration- Cordillera Administrative Region (NIA-CAR) on Thursday reported the completion of 217 irrigation projects in the region.
— Philippine News Agency

Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island ‘illegal’ — DFA
THE presence of Chinese vessels near and around Pag-asa island and other maritime features in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is “illegal,” an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.
— The Manila Times

Japan firm setting up P392-million industrial robot parts facility
A subsidiary of Japanese integrated steel trading firm Taiyo Shoji Co. Ltd. is investing P392.5 million for the production of gear parts for industrial robots and other specialty steel products in Subic.
— The Philippine Star

Pag-IBIG to double members’ savings rate by 2021
State-run Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, plans to double the monthly savings that its members remit to the agency to maintain the low interest rate being enjoyed by the borrowers.
— Manila Bulletin

PH reviews progress on UN goals
The Philippine government is conducting a second review of the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to track the country’s progress, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
— Malaya

DICT eyes 3,000 cell towers this year
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing the construction of 3,000 cell sites in the country this year to improve telecommunications services.
— The Manila Times

China Bank set to raise P75B via bond offer
Sy family-led China Bank is setting up a P75-billion bond program for the next three years, joining the bandwagon of banks tapping the bond market to fund robust lending activities.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Walk-in scanners to be installed at Davao City entry points
WALK-IN SCANNERS will be installed at Davao City’s entry points in Sirawan and Lasang before the start of the Holy Week on April 14 for a speedy checking of vehicles and passengers, Task Force Davao (TF Davao) Deputy Commander Randolph G. Cabangbang announced.
— BusinessWorld Online

PNP to deploy 700 cops to Antique before polls
The Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) will deploy around 700 policemen to Antique days before the May 13 polls to ensure a peaceful and fair election in the province.
— Philippine News Agency

Uber’s second Center of Excellence in Asia opens in Pampanga
Officials of the transportation network company Uber Asia Pacific on Thursday inaugurated the Clark Center of Excellence (COE), its second site in Asia, at the Skytech IT Park Building here.
— Inquirer.net

Murder charges filed vs. Daraga mayor, 5 others over Batocabe slay
The mayor of Daraga town in Albay is facing murder and attempted murder charges over the killing of AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe.
— CNN Philippines

DOLE-CAR allots over P18-M for students’ summer job program
The Department of Labor and Employment- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) has allocated PHP18.88 million for this year’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) in the region or commonly known as the government’s summer job program.
— Philippine News Agency

Philippines: Malaysian Hostage Shot During Rescue from Abu Sayyaf Militants
Islamic State-linked militants shot and wounded a Malaysian hostage as Filipino security forces rescued him in the southern Philippines on Thursday, almost four months after the man and two Indonesians were seized at sea off eastern Malaysia, military officials said.
— Benar News

De Lima lauds Facebook takedown on fake accounts linked to Duterte campaign
Senator Leila de Lima tipped her hat to Facebook for removing more than 200 pages and accounts that were said to be organized by a pro-Duterte blogger for spreading misleading content.
— GMA News

Yellow Alert status hikes power rates in April
Power rates in the Luzon grid are expected to rise in April, which will reflect in the May electric bill, following the series of yellow alert status on supply this week alone.
— Philippine News Agency

Pinoys losing edge in English proficiency
Officials from the education and labor sector both agreed that the Filipinos’ proficiency in the English language must be harnessed as other countries are improving at a relatively faster pace.
— GMA News

Philippines: 4 MILF Fighters Killed, 8 Cops Wounded in Clash
Philippine security forces killed four Moro Islamic Liberation Front members in the southern Philippines on Thursday, according to officials who described it as a friendly-fire incident that also wounded eight policemen.
— Benar News

Duterte in favor of arming prosecutors
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he is in favor of arming government prosecutors amid the spate of killings that targeted members of the National Prosecution Service.
— GMA News

Site ready for Davao City’s planned waste-to-energy project
A 10-HECTARE lot at the southwestern part of Davao City has been purchased by the local government for the planned waste-to-energy project, according to Vice Mayor Bernard E. Al-ag.
— BusinessWorld Online

Duterte won’t allow China to occupy Pag-asa Island
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would not allow China to seize Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island even as he maintained his stand not to go to war with Beijing to defend the country’s interests in the South China Sea.
— GMA News

Davao City Mayor Duterte-Carpio ‘casualty’ of Facebook ‘purge’
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was one of the “casualties” of the “Facebook purge,” a member of her staff said on Thursday.
— The Manila Times

Facebook locks Sara Duterte’s account
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, has not been able to access her verified Facebook account for a month now since it has been locked by Facebook.
— GMA News

Senate probe sought into Chinese dredging vessel in Batangas
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, April 4, called for a Senate investigation into the presence of a Chinese dredging vessel in Lobo, Batangas.
— Rappler

Panelo explains what Duterte meant when he said he couldn’t control drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte has become frustrated with the problem of illegal drugs following reports of drug shipments that were intercepted by the authorities, Malacañang said Thursday.
— GMA News

PRRD econ team ready to comply with Comelec request
The Duterte administration’s economic team is preparing additional documents required by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to grant their request for exemption from the election ban on infrastructure projects, Malacañang assured on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte won’t release list of celebrities into illegal drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte will not be publicly naming celebrities and other private persons involved in illegal drugs, he announced on Thursday, April 4.
— Rappler

Duterte meets businessmen, urges them to report irregularities
President Duterte has encouraged the country’s business magnates to report any red tape and irregularity in the bureaucracy for proper action.
— Tempo

DOLE, BI Admits Chinese Laborers Seen At Manila Construction Site
DOLE, BI Says Chinese Illegally Works At Manila Construction Site DOLE – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) admitted they spotted Chinese illegal workers in Manila.
— Philippine News

IN PHOTOS: Manila police hold security drills for Holy Week
To ensure the safety of the public during Holy Week, the Manila Police District (MPD) conducted simulations of bombing and shooting incidents at churches in Intramuros, Manila, on Thursday, April 4.
— Rappler

Iloilo’s district hospitals are for the poor, says governor
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. has said district hospitals in the province are “hospitals for the poor.”
— Philippine News Agency

Seaweed farmers in Cebu ready to deal with dry spell
SEAWEED FARMERS in Cebu are prepared to deal with the prevailing dry spell given past experience with extreme weather conditions, according to Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP) Chairman Maximo A. Ricohermoso.
— BusinessWorld Online

DOLE warns public against livelihood, emergency assistance scams
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday warned the public against fraudsters offering workers livelihood and emergency assistance in exchange for money.
— Inquirer.net

 

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.

 

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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.

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