Philippines Morning News For December 25, 2019

Typhoon Ursula: Over 23,000 stranded on Christmas Eve
Over 23,000 passengers are stranded on Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24, due to the suspension of sea travel.
— Rappler

Manila Vice: Xi and Duterte grapple with online casino crime
With its marble walls, gilded lobby and sign with Chinese characters that can mean “paradise on earth,” the Skytop International Club never tried to be subtle.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

2,939 villages in Luzon, Visayas prone to landslides, warns NDRRMC
A total of 2,939 villages in Luzon and Visayas are highly susceptible to landslide as severe tropical storm Ursula entered the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned on Tuesday.
— Manila Times

1,525 returnees to spend Christmas in prison 3 months after GCTA controversy
At least 1,525 people who returned to prison in the aftermath of the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law …
— Rappler

Lambanog Maker Face Possible Charges For Deaths
The backyard distillery that produced the lambanog or palm wine that caused at least 11 deaths may face possible criminal charges.
— Philippine News

“Ursula,” now a typhoon, makes landfall over Salcedo, E. Samar
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said “Ursula” made landfall over Salcedo at 4:45 p.m., and is located 20 km east northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
— Eagle News

PEZA investments dropped 13% to P109b in 11 months
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority said Tuesday investments in all economic zones fell 12.6 percent in the first 11 months to P109.19 billion from P122.98 billion in the period last year.
— Manilastandard.net

GDP growth seen to meet target as spending rebounds
PHILIPPINE economic growth will finish within target after all in 2019, as government spending—the main reason for the lackluster gross domestic product (GDP) expansion in the first half of the year—was able to recover losses toward year-end.
— Business Mirror

DTI proposes consolidation of drug imports
The Trade Department proposed the consolidation of medicine purchases by private importers to bring down the cost of drugs in the country.
— Manilastandard.net

Agriculture loans hit nearly P600 billion in 2018
Loans extended to the country’s farmers and fisherfolks continued to increase, hitting nearly P600 billion last year.
— The Philippine Star

‘Lambanog’ toll hits 15; seller falls ill
It would be a sad Christmas for the loved ones of people who died after drinking lambanog or palm wine in the days leading to Christmas Day.
— Manilastandard.net

‘Concerned’ BuCor employees want Bantag out
Unidentified concerned officials and employees of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to replace BuCor chief Gerald Bantag due to alleged corruption.
— GMA Network

Magnitude 4 earthquake hits Claveria town on Christmas dawn
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has recorded a magnitude 4 earthquake in Claveria town, in this province on Christmas dawn at exactly 12:48 am.
— Philippine Information Agency

Government readies mechanization program for farmers
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) continues to conduct simultaneous training courses nationwide as it prepares Filipino farmers to be globally competitive amid a liberalized rice trade regime.
— The Philippine Star

‘Cracker victims fewer by 30%’
The Health department on Tuesday reported only seven cases of fireworks-related injuries from 6 a.m. on Dec. 21 up to the same time on Dec. 24.
— Manilastandard.net

1-million workers benefit from DOLE quick resolution
ALMOST a million workers have benefited from the simplified and fast resolution of labor disputes, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
— Business Mirror

DTI to launch new livelihood program
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will begin implementing next year a P350 million livelihood program.
— The Philippine Star

‘Soil gives life’: Philippine islanders adapt to survive in Palawan paradise as new climate reality hits
Ann Pansinsoy is a daughter of a fisherman. When she was young, life was simple but enriched by the abundance of the sea.
— CNA

Pro-Duterte bloggers recognize US sovereignty on ban of De Lima accusers
After the United States formalized its entry ban on certain Philippine officials, pro-Duterte bloggers said the US has the right to determine who it allows into its territory.
— GMA Network

Christmas surprise: PDEA seizes P800-M drugs from Chinese
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized shabu (methamphetamine) from a Chinese worth P802 million in a buy-bust on Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24.
— Rappler

Duterte urges Filipinos to share blessings, open hearts this Christmas
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 24, reminded Filipinos to be kind, especially to the less fortunate, and share blessings this Christmas.
— Rappler

3 lambanog victims remain confined at QC hospital
Of the 83 victims who fell ill and were brought to the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City for treatment after consuming lambanog, only three remained in hospital – two were stable and under observation, while the third was in the intensive care unit.
— GMA Network

Zambo Peninsula records 90% polio immunization rate
The Department of Health (DOH) said this city has registered the highest immunization rate during the” Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” campaign.
— Philippine News Agency

NBI probes Cotabato blasts
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has issued an order directing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe on the blasts in Mindanao, particularly in Cotabato City where at least 19 persons were injured.
— Tempo

DSWD readies 6.4K food packs for ‘Ursula’
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned thousands of relief items and activated response teams as part of preparedness measures for the possible effects of Typhoon Ursula.
— Philippine News Agency

LOOK: How local government units prepare for Typhoon Ursula
Ahead of Typhoon Ursula (Phanfone)’s landfall, several local government units evacuated residents, prepared goods for distribution, and conducted equipment inventory as early as Monday afternoon, December 23.
— Rappler

Amid rumors and dubious posts, netizens call for #BoycottJoyRide
Motorcycle ride-hailing firm JoyRide is getting flak online, with netizens calling the company out for seemingly suspicious online behavior from apparent bots and endorsers.
— Rappler

In Davao del Sur, earthquake victims to have noche buena in tents
As far as 50-year old Erlinda Gecera can remember, she had not miss a single Noche Buena, even if her family was not affluent.
— Rappler

Death Toll Of Deadly Lambanog In Laguna Rose To 15
The number of casualties who died after drinking the deadly lambanog in Laguna rose to 15.
— Philippine News

Inter-agency TWG slams Angkas; says only 2,204 of its riders are authorized
The Inter-agency Technical Working Group studying motorcycle taxis has slammed Angkas after it hit the government for its 10,000 motorcycle cap on each of the three firms participating in the extended test run until March 2020.
— Eagle News

Attacks despite truce show Reds ruthless form: Parlade
A ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said the communist rebels revealed their ruthless form by conducting attacks against military and police personnel in clear violation of the recently ceasefire agreed upon by the government and their political leaders.
— Philippine News Agency

Joma scoffs at AFP claim that he no longer controlled the NPA
Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison on Tuesday dismissed Armed Forces of the Philippines’ claim that he no longer had control over the New People’s Army given the alleged attacks staged against government forces during a holiday ceasefire.
— GMA Network

Robredo: Remember orphans, people in need amid Christmas festivities
Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday urged Filipinos to remember and care for people in need as they celebrate Christmas.
— GMA Network

SWS: Most Filipinos expect a happy Christmas 2019
Most Filipinos expect a happy Christmas this year and believe in the popular adage it is better to give than to receive, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey released on Tuesday.
— GMA Network

Angkas reiterates competitors welcome, but TWG’s cap ‘anti-competitive, morally wrong’
Motorcycle service provider Angkas, reiterated on Tuesday that it welcomes competitors, but the government must remove the anti-competitive and morally wrong cap placed on the number of bikers included in the pilot run.
— GMA Network

Maguindanao vice mayor, escort hurt in ambush
Unidentified gunmen riding on a motorbike ambushed Tuesday Vice Mayor Akmad M. Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, police said.
— Philippine News Agency

Siargao gets int’l praise as 8th best 2020 holiday destination
Philippine destinations are on a roll this year, with Siargao earning the latest international praise from luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, which named it eighth among 20 best holiday destinations for 2020.
— Philippine News Agency

2 boats capsize in Palawan, Romblon
Big waves and strong winds caused two motorized boats to capsize off the waters of Palawan and Romblon, police said on Tuesday.
— Tempo

Some ‘lambanog’ victims go home against medical advice
The Department of Health (DoH) said on Tuesday that some patients of “lambanog” poisoning at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City had decided to go home in order to be with their families in time for Christmas.
— Tempo

Duty Free, BI partner for new online shopping system
The Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will introduce in January 2020 a new online shopping validation system that will effectively verify legitimate duty free shoppers.
— Philippine News Agency

Better to localize peace talks with CPP-NPA given truce attacks –Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday reiterated his belief that localized peace talks with communist rebels was the better negotiation method following alleged attacks by New People’s Army gunmen despite a ceasefire.
— GMA Network

MMDA: Pasig River ferry operations suspended starting today, Dec. 24
To resume on Thursday, Dec. 26 -Operations of the Pasig River Ferry System are suspended starting today, Dec. 24.
— Eagle News

Feature photo Nolisoli

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on Christmas Day, December 25.

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).

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Philippines morning news for December 25 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on December 25, 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.