Philippines Morning News For December 10, 2019

Look back: Duterte’s tussles with big business
President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war” against those he calls “oligarchs” has escalated with his latest threats against 3 big names in Philippine business – the Ayala family, tycoon Manny Pangilinan, and the Lopezes – all in the same curse-laden speech.
— Rappler

Ombudsman probing SEA Games organizers, Cayetano over corruption allegations
Organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, including allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, are being probed by the Office of the Ombudsman over allegations of corruption.
— GMA Network

Tourist arrivals increased 15% to 6.8m in 10 months
International visitor arrivals rose 15 percent in the first 10 months to a record 6.8 million from 5.91 million a year ago on the back of strong tourism traffic from Korea and China.
— Manilastandard.net

Lawmaker says de facto ban on ENDS import now in effect
The government has placed a de facto ban on the importation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products in the Philippines, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means said on Monday.
— Business Mirror

Corruption pulls down PHL in food security list
CORRUPTION and low investment in agriculture research and development caused the Philippines to rank low in The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and Corteva Agriscience Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2019.
— Business Mirror

Manila’s traditional conservatism took a toll on economic performance: Inquirer columnist
We embraced trade openness as a policy generally behind our comparable neighbours, whose outward orientation and more liberalised trade pushed them to move decisively to strengthen their farms and firms and attain export competitiveness sooner.
— The Straits Times

Judge in decade-old massacre case praised for job well done
THE judge who heard a decade-old case involving the massacre of more than 50 people in Maguindanao province in the nation’s south has done a good job by giving all parties the chance to argue their case, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta said on Monday.
— BusinessWorld

No compromise with Manila Water, Maynilad — Duterte
President Duterte last night ruled out entering into a compromise with two water concessionaires, insisting the persons behind the alleged onerous agreements could be held liable for economic plunder.
— Tempo

NIA Kalinga implements 9 projects in NPA- affected barangays
Five of the 16 New People’s Army (NPA)-affected barangays in the province benefit from communal irrigations systems/projects (CIS/P) implemented by the National Irrigation Administration-Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (NIA-KIMO).
— Philippine Information Agency

SC asks gov’t network for live coverage of Maguindanao massacre verdict
A live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre on Dec. 19 may be in the offing after the Supreme Court confirmed it had asked the government’s network for the same.
— Eagle News

Philippines’ Cebu Pacific stops flights to Siem Reap
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has stopped its flights to and from Siem Reap, leaving only one Philippine carrier servicing the Cambodia-Philippines air route.
— Khmer Times

CA allows SRA to defend US quota allocation order
The Court of Appeals (CA) has allowed the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to defend its order requiring sugar milling companies to allocate 5 percent of their production for export to the United States.
— Philippine News Agency

PNP intensifies crackdown on illegal firecrackers
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify its crackdown against illegal and dangerous firecrackers ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
— Philippine News Agency

Senate OKs on 3rd reading bill to extend validity of firearm licenses
Voting 20-0, the Senate approved on third and final reading Monday a bill seeking to extend the validity of the license to possess firearms and ammunition from two years to five years.
— GMA Network

4ID urges youth to stand-up against NPA’s recruitment of minors
The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division of the Philippine Army urges the youth to stand up against the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) recruitment of minors. Based on 4ID records for the period 2016 to 2019, the CTGs were recruiting minors as young as 12 years old.
— Philippine Information Agency

PHL essentially implementing import ban on vapes now –Salceda
The Philippines is essentially implementing an import ban on vapes now through various trade barriers, House Committee on Ways and Means chair Joey Salceda said Monday.
— GMA Network

PH team tops 300-medal mark, makes SEAG history
Showing no signs of slowing down even after it clinched the overall championship of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines achieved another historic first when it breached the 300th-medal mark in the biennial meet.
— Manilastandard.net

Tisoy damage to farm sector climbs to P3.7 billion
THE damage caused by Typhoon Tisoy to the farm sector has climbed to P3.7 billion, affecting over 92,000 farmers in at least seven regions, according to the latest report of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— Business Mirror

Nationwide ban on single-use plastic out soon–DENR exec
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is finalizing an order that will impose a nationwide ban on single-use plastics to help address the problem brought about by plastic pollution, officials said.
— Business Mirror

E-money transactions up 33% to P1 trillion in 9 months
Digital payments surged by 33 percent to breach the P1 trillion level from January to September on the back of enabling regulatory environment, rising number of providers and aggressive marketing.
— The Philippine Star

Group raises alarm over reported rise in killings of environmental defenders
Killings of environmental defenders in the Philippines continue to rise with about 80 percent of cases allegedly linked to state security forces, with most killings carried out in death squad fashion.
— Business Mirror

Expert warns of backlash of ‘ethical recruitment’ provision in department of overseas Filipino measure
Migrant advocates and recruitment industry representatives are again at loggerheads over a provision in the proposed new department for Filipinos overseas, this time, on the possible prohibition on the collection of recruitment fees from job applicants.
— Business Mirror

Why ICC would not rule on the SCS case
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has declined to act on the complaint filed by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales against China President Xi Jinping and other Beijing officials for alleged crimes against humanity through environmental degradation in China’s artificial island building in the South China Sea (SCS) which also damaged marine life and deprived Filipino fishermen of access to traditional fishing grounds.
— Tempo

Lawmakers seek more time to harmonize versions of proposed national budget
THE BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE reconciling versions of the P4.1-trillion national budget proposed for 2020 deferred anew the approval of the spending plan from Tuesday, leaders of both chambers said separately on Monday.
— BusinessWorld

Trade deficit likely up in October
The government’s ramped up spending on infrastructure likely led to a widening of the country’s trade deficit, HSBC Global Research said on Monday.
— Manila Times

Hontiveros: 43 NGCP projects awarded to Chinese contractors
At least 43 new and ongoing projects for the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) have been awarded to Chinese companies, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Monday.
— GMA Network

PHL human dev’t improves but lags
THE PHILIPPINES remained at the bottom half of an index that tracks human development across economies despite an improvement in overall score, according to a United Nations report released on Monday.
— BusinessWorld

DTI warns public vs. fake senior citizen discount cards
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan warned the public not to patronize the use and issuance of Senior Citizen Elderly Welfare (SCEW) cards which resemble the Senior Citizens ID card issued by the government.
— Philippine Information Agency

Barangay, youth volunteers active against human trafficking
“Most of the victims of human trafficking are women, mothers who go aboard illegally recruited, and some teenage girls who are sexually exploited by foreigners.”
— Philippine Information Agency

40M Filipinos avail of microinsurance
About 40 million Filipinos are now covered by microinsurance as of the third quarter of the year, the Insurance Commission (IC) reported on Monday. Citing preliminary data, Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa noted that mutual benefit associations (MBA) registered the highest number of individuals covered by microinsurance.
— Manila Times

PACC seeks regular DPWH reshuffle
To stop bidding anomalies THE Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has asked Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar to regularly rotate public works officials at the provincial and district levels and reorganize bids and awards committees to prevent familiarization with contractors and stop rampant corruption.
— Manila Times

Gov’t vows to quell terrorist threat against youth
The government renewed its commitment to protect children in situations of armed conflict as it joins the world in observing International Human Rights Day on Tuesday (December 10).
— Philippine News Agency

DOH starts 2019 ‘Oplan Iwas Paputok’ campaign in Dagupan City
With the objective to minimize firecracker-related incidents this holiday season, the Department of Health (DOH) kicked-off on Thursday, December 5, its 2019 campaign on “Oplan Iwas Paputok” in this city.
— Philippine Information Agency

DTI cautions public on the proper handling of LPG cylinders
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan reminded the public anew on the proper handling of liquefied petroleum gas or LPG to ensure safety and prevent the occurrence of fire accidents at home.
— Philippine Information Agency

MPTC proposes P16 billion Harbor Link extension
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is seeking to develop a P16-billion elevated expressway extension of the Harbor Link to better facilitate access to Port Area in Manila.
— The Philippine Star

Ex-Standard president, ambassador passes away
Ambassador Alejandro “Andy” del Rosario, who was Manila Standard’s first Editor-in-Chief when the newspaper launched in 1987 before becoming its Publisher and Chief Operating Officer, died Sunday (Dec. 8) at his home in Quezon City. He was 78.
— Manilastandard.net

POGOs dominate Philippine office market in 2019 — Leechiu
Online casinos cemented its position as the fastest growing industry in the Philippine office market, taking up the largest stock this year, Leechiu Property Consultants reported Monday.
— The Philippine Star

Smart infotech built to fight cassava virus
A new project funded by Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research Development is expected to address the problem of EDCOR Development Cooperative on Cassava Phytoplasma Disease or CPD.
— Manilastandard.net

Creative Economy Roadmap aims to drive service export growth, boost employment
The country’s creative industry is expected to drive the growth of services exports, as well as boost the government’s job generation efforts, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
— Business Mirror

DA opens P34-million loan facility for farmers, fishers as management fee is cut
THE government has opened an additional P34-million loan facility for farmers after two state-run financial institutions reduced their fee for managing the loan funds of the Department of Agriculture (DA) by 1-percentage point.
— Business Mirror

Sorry, Malaysia – turns out Philippines won the Miss Universe costume competition
A deleted tweet, heartbroken Malaysians, confused Filipinos: CNA Lifestyle breaks down the details of the drama.
— CNA

Progressive solons welcome proposed resumption of peace talks
Progressive lawmakers from the House of Representatives welcomed on Monday President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to resume peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines -National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NDFP).
— GMA Network

PH government admits it’s unable to take over water operations
The Philippine government is still unable at this point to take over water operations, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday, December 9, even as the whole legal arsenal of the Duterte administration prepares for a showdown with private concessionaires.
— Rappler

Use of child soldiers in armed conflict ‘highly immoral’ –Andanar
A Malacañang official on Monday slammed the use of children as soldiers allegedly by the New People’s Army following the death of a teenage boy in a recent encounter with the military in Misamis Oriental.
— GMA Network

Charter body wants to ban turncoats, dynasties
A TASK force on constitutional reforms wants to strengthen political parties, ban turncoats and political dynasties as part of changes to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
— BusinessWorld

Tribunal starts help desk for complaints
THE Supreme Court has started a help desk that will receive complaints from the public against judicial personnel, among other things.
— BusinessWorld

Visayan Electric vows to cover unserved areas by 2020
VISAYAN ELECTRIC Company, Inc. targets to bring electricity to all unserved communities in its franchise area by the end of 2020.
— BusinessWorld

Adopt-a-home program for Cotabato earthquake victims get initial batch of sponsors
VARIOUS SPONSORS have committed to fund an initial 40 temporary shelters under the adopt-a-home program for families displaced by the October earthquakes in Cotabato.
— BusinessWorld

Bohol extends temporary ban on pork meat products
The ban on the entry of live hogs, meat whether raw or processed as well as pork-related products to Bohol, has been extended.
— Philippine Information Agency

DTI helps entrepreneurs in 9 low-income Pangasinan towns
Some 983 individuals from 70 barangays in the nine municipalities of Pangasinan may now start their own businesses following the trainings and assistance given to them by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office through its “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” program. In an interview Monday, DTI-Pangasinan …
— Philippine News Agency

NAPC gives P3m to Kayapa farmers
The National Anti-Poverty Commission recently gave P3 million in assistance for the upland farmers of Kayapa town, about 80km from here.
— Manilastandard.net

DOTr, Marina launch Cavite-Manila Ferry Service; rides free until next month
Residents of Cavite may now reach Metro Manila faster by water travel, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and with the help of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard formally launched the Cavite-Manila Ferry Service on Monday, December 9, 2019.
— Business Mirror

Army vows sustained offensive vs. BIFF in Maguindanao
The military said Monday its “surgical operation” against the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) has so far resulted in the recovery and deactivation of 34 powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Maguindanao.
— Philippine News Agency

Senate adopts resolution honoring hero cop Magno
The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution honoring the selfless act of the late Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Magno, who used his own body to shield others from a grenade blast in Initao, Misamis Oriental last week.
— GMA Network

Compostela Valley votes to rename itself Davao de Oro
The province of Compostela Valley will now be known as Davao de Oro after a majority of voters ratified a law that renamed the province.
— Rappler

Miss Universe 2019 is from South Africa, Malaysia and Philippines in best costume mix-up
Host Steve Harvey had read out Miss Philippines as the winner of the best costume before being corrected by Miss Malaysia herself, Shweta Sekhon. But it later turned out, he read correctly.
— CNA

Senate OKs on 3rd reading night differential for gov’t employees bill
Voting 20-0, the Senate approved on third and final reading Monday a bill granting a night shift differential to government employees whose work requires them to perform their duties beyond regular working hours.
— GMA Network

PNP monitoring 22 cops once involved in ‘drug recycling’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said 22 policemen allegedly involved in drug recycling have stopped their illegal activities.
— GMA Network

Senate approves bill granting night pay to gov’t workers
Voting 20-0, the Senate on Monday, December 9, approved on 3rd and final reading the bill that would grant night shift differential pay to government employees.
— Rappler

Senate OKs creation of transportation safety board
Voting 20-0, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill creating the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
— GMA Network

Koko: Duterte admin should disregard 2037 extension of water concession deals
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Monday the Duterte administration should disregard the extension of concessionaire agreement with Maynilad and Manila Water until 2037, but should allow it to proceed until 2022.
— GMA Network

CSC confers Local Treasurer eligibility on more than 700
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has conferred civil service eligibility on 729 individuals who passed the Basic Competency on Local Treasury Examination (BCLTE) held on October 13.
— Rappler

Supreme Court launches judiciary help desk
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday launched a help desk meant to serve as the official line of communication between the judiciary and the public.
— GMA Network

Ex-President Noy at hospital for ‘routine procedure’ –spox
Former President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III was at the Makati Medical Center on Monday for a scheduled checkup, according to his spokesperson.
— GMA Network

Marikina cop accused of murder, planting evidence in ‘EJK’ case
Corporal Herjonner Soller, the cop accused of executing an “extrajudicial killing” in Marikina City, is now the subject of murder, frustrated murder, and planting of evidence complaints after family members of his alleged victim stepped forward to formalize their allegations of police abuse on Monday, December 9.
— Rappler

DOTr slammed for ‘distasteful’ Miss Universe social media post
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.
— Rappler

Toyota eyes P4.5-B logistics hub in PH
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. will build a P4.5-billion logistics hub next year, making space for more cars at a time when its sales are at risk of falling because of proposals to slap tariffs on imported vehicles.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pasay police to deploy permanent personnel to secure EDSA Pasay-Rotonda footbridge
The Pasay City police will deploy permanent police personnel to secure the EDSA Pasay-Rotonda footbridge in Pasay after a Manila Bulletin-Tempo reporter was robbed at knifepoint yesterday.
— Tempo

High Court asked to bar 5 motorcycle taxis from operating
A COMMUTERS’ group has asked a Quezon City court to stop five motorcycle taxi companies from operating, accusing them of being fly-by-night operators that expose their customers to undue risks.
— BusinessWorld

Pasig River ferry back in operation, free rides until Jan. 31
THE PASIG River Ferry Services is back in operation, providing an alternative mode of transport between the cities of Pasig and Manila.
— BusinessWorld

Davao de Oro gets ‘yes’ vote
“WE ARE Davao de Oro” reads the new profile picture on the official social media page of what used to be Compostela Valley province.
— BusinessWorld

Senate honors hero cop in MisOr school explosion
The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution commending Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Janog Magno for sacrificing his life to save the lives of students and teachers at the Initao College in Misamis Oriental last November 28.
— Philippine News Agency

Rescue org in Dgte saves lives during vehicular accidents daily
For 10 years now, the ONE Rescue Emergency Medical Service (EMS) or Oriental Negros Emergency-Rescue Foundation Inc. has been helping and saving lives especially for persons involved in vehicular accidents in Metro Dumaguete.
— Philippine Information Agency

DTI urges youth to engage in entrepreneurship
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office in Pangasinan is advocating the young people to have a business and avail of government services to be able to start one.
— Philippine News Agency

Antique’s famous dish featured at DOT’s Kain Na! festival
Antique’s famous dish “Pasta Porbida” was introduced to the public during the Department of Tourism (DOT) Kain Na! Culinary and Travel Festival held in Iloilo City on Saturday.
— Philippine News Agency

Red Cross-Albay distributes drinking water to ‘Tisoy’ victims
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is conducting massive distribution of potable water to the victims of Typhoon Tisoy in various barangays here.
— Philippine News Agency

GSIS to release P3B in Christmas cash gifts to pensioners starting Dec. 15
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will be releasing P3.12 billion worth of Christmas cash gifts to old-age and disability pensioners starting December 15.
— GMA Network

Hearing to void Duterte Youth registration set Dec. 18
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the hearing on the petition to cancel the registration of Duterte Youth party-list on December 18.
— Philippine News Agency

Army holds Prov’l Leadership Youth Summit in NegOr
The 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army (PA) led a three-day Provincial Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) here attended by around 110 young people from different areas in Negros Oriental.
— Philippine Information Agency

Over P700k lumber seized in Surigao City
Authorities impounded a 10-wheeler truck transporting illegally-cut hardwood products around 4:41 p.m. on Sunday (December 8) in Purok 2, Barangay Lipata, Surigao City.
— Philippine News Agency

Project Angel Tree seeks more ‘angels’ for Siquijor
Calling all “angels” out there! The Department of Labor and Employment, Siquijor Field Field Office (DOLE-SFO) is seeking more support as it launches in Siquijor this year the Project Angel Tree for the profiled child laborers in the province.
— Philippine Information Agency

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Philippines morning news for December 10 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on December 10, 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.