Gov’t tax effort improved to 20-year high in 2018
The national government’s efficiency in collecting taxes accelerated to its highest level in two decades last year following the implementation of the Duterte administration’s first tax reform law.
— Manila Bulletin
DOTr signs deal for Metro Manila Subway’s first 3 stations
The P350-billion Metro Manila Subway project moved a step forward with the signing of the design-and-build contract for its first 3 stations.
— Rappler
Govt may spend P1 trillion to expand Pinoys’ access to safe water, toilets
The national government is eyeing to spend P1.069 trillion in the next 12 years to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets on water supply and sanitation (WSS).
— Business Mirror
GSIS: P2.24-b loans set for members in Luzon
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has earmarked P2.24 billion in emergency loan for its 82,056 active members and old-age pensioners who were affected by tropical depressions “Samuel” and “Usman” in 13 Luzon areas.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippines: Four Prisoners Shot Dead During Anti-Drug Raid
Police shot and killed four inmates who were at a heavily guarded prison facility in the southern Philippine city of Davao, hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, in what authorities described Sunday as a drug raid gone awry.
— Benar News
Rebel leaders to govern new Philippine territory
The Philippines on Friday handed over the reins of a new Muslim-led territory to rebel leaders who waged a decades-long fight for autonomy, but are now tasked with securing peace and prosperity.
— The Asean Post
Four big firms keen on buying Hanjin PH
Four companies, including a large North American firm, expressed interest to take over shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc., the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said over the weekend.
— Manilastandard.net
Japan pledges P1.1 billion aid to BARMM
The Japanese government is set to provide over P1.1 billion in grants for programs to be implemented in the newly created Bangsamoro region.
— The Philippine Star
‘Expanded health care lacks P170 billion’
Funding for the Universal Health Care (UHC) law is short by P170 billion, the head of the House of Representatives committee on health and one of the law’s authors said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
House adopts Senate bill setting up databases for social safety net
THE House of Representatives has adopted a Senate bill establishing a system for a more targeted implementation of the government’s social protection programs.
— BusinessWorld Online
DOF maintains budget deficit ceiling for 2019
After breaching its ceiling, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III assured that the national government will manage to work within the programmed budget deficit this year.
— Manila Bulletin
PHL eyes $90-million sales in Dubai food expo
TWENTY-FIVE Filipino food companies that participated in Gulfood—the biggest annual food expo in the Middle East and North African (Mena) region—seek to generate at least $90-million sales.
— Business Mirror
Central Bank governor loses battle vs cancer
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr., who battled tongue cancer, passed away on Saturday at the age of 60.
— The Manila Times
Rogue banks face more painful sanctions under new charter
The higher fines and new set of penalties under the revised charter of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas would deter rogue banks from committing violations, according to BSP Assistant Governor and general counsel Elmore Capule.
— The Philippine Star
PDS schedule to take over Ghana’s electricity power house this week
The BOC has suspended the implementation of one of its memorandum orders, in line with the implementation of the rules and regulations governing the registration of truckers that do business with the bureau, as there is still a need for further consultation with stakeholders to address all concerns.
— Business Mirror
Philippines By Any Other Name Is Still Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte wants to change the name of the Philippines. Because it is a reminder, he says, of colonial times.
— Forbes
‘Beauty boot camps’ key to Philippine pageant dominance
Rodgil Flores casts a stern taskmaster’s glance as grimacing young women in bikinis stride across one of the mirror-walled studios that is central to making the Philippines a beauty pageant juggernaut.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)
Duterte defends Cabinet choice with military background, cites need for Cabinet efficiency, action
President Duterte defended his choosing a military man to sit as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during his visit to Cebu on Sunday night, February 24.
— Inquirer.net
Truckers buck duplicity in govt fees, welcome suspension of BOC order
The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines Inc. (CTAP) welcomed the suspension of the implementation of a Bureau of Customs (BOC) order on the registration of trucking companies doing business with the government agency.
— Business Mirror
Parliamentarians renew call for De Lima’s release
Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia on Saturday reiterated their call for the release of Sen. Leila de Lima, who marks her second year in detention on February 24.
— The Manila Times
More investments eyed by BritCham
THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BritCham) eyes to increase more investments from the United Kingdom in the country, with Clark as the next destination for its trade mission this year.
— The Manila Times
MIAA seeks to boost awareness on foreign object debris
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will hold a program seeking to bolster awareness on the dangers of foreign object debris (FOD) on March 1.
— Philippine News Agency
‘BI, DOLE coordination to stop entry of illegal foreign workers’
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra has sought tighter coordination among concerned agencies in addressing concerns on the entry of illegal Chinese workers in the country.
— Business Mirror
Moody’s cites fiscal stability despite gap
THE PHILIPPINES remains on solid fiscal ground despite a bigger budget deficit last year, Moody’s Investors Service said, citing stronger revenue collections.
— BusinessWorld Online
Grassroots sports program to shield youth from illegal drugs
Local government officials on Sunday vowed to support grassroots sports programs in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal to shield the youth from illegal drugs.
— Philippine News Agency
40% of NPA rebels are gay — Duterte Rody
After announcing that he was waiting for the right time to resume talks with the communists, President Duterte claimed that four in 10 of the rebels are gay.
— The Philippine Star
DOH-Calabarzon launches mall anti-measles vaccination post
As a measure to curb the rising cases of dengue, the Department of Health regional office in Calabarzon on Sunday launched its mall vaccination post at the Ayala Malls Serin here.
— Philippine News Agency
MRT passenger nabbed for possession of grenade
Authorities nabbed a passenger of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) after an explosive was found inside his baggage at MRT-3 Cubao station.
— Philippine News Agency
BI urges aliens to report on time
Foreign nationals registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have until March 1 to go to the nearest BI field office and make their 2019 annual report.
— Tempo
Commanders of cops caught in PDEA drug bust relieved
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) ordered on Sunday the immediate relief of two police commanders whose subordinates traded shots with agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a buy-bust operation in Pasig City.
— Tempo
Fighter to minister: Philippine Muslim rebel’s new ‘struggle’
Murad Ebrahim’s life as the Philippines’ top Muslim rebel led him into fierce jungle combat and to meet with Osama bin Laden, but a very different challenge now awaits him: governing.
— Rappler
Police to deploy 2,000 men for 33rd EDSA Revolution Anniversary
POLICE will be deploying about 2,000 personnel across Metro Manila on Monday during the commemoration of the 33rd EDSA People Power Revolution, National Capital Region Police Office Director Guillermo Lorenzo …
— The Manila Times
‘Wutip’ may enter PH this week — Pagasa
TYPHOON “Wutip” may enter the Philippines this week and will be locally named “Betty,” the state-run weather bureau said on Sunday.
— The Manila Times
34 more ‘cocaine bricks’ wash ashore in Surigao del Sur
MANILA, Philippines – Barely a week after several hauls of cocaine, fishermen found 34 more bricks believed to contain the recreational drug, drifting ashore in the province of Surigao del Sur early Sunday morning, February 24.
— Rappler
PHL has become a major hotspot for child trafficking –FBI
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation warned that 30 percent of the pedophiles that they had under surveillance had visited the Philippines, according to a report by Maki Pulido on GMA News’ 24 Oras Weekend on Saturday.
— GMA News
KWF races to save dying Philippine languages
Of the 130 existing languages in the Philippines, close to 40 are considered endangered as speakers are only about 8,000 or less and are slowly diminishing since their mother tongues are no longer the language of choice and use, replaced by Filipino or in other areas, Ilocano and Sebwano.
— Inquirer.net
Army, police deny red-tagging personalities, groups
Both the police and military here denied having a hand in the distribution of a document that contained a list of personalities, including an editor of a local newspaper and some members of his family, with alleged ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines.
— Philippine News Agency
New technology gives hope for rubber industry’s growth
A North Cotabato provincial staff demonstrates the rubber tapping procedure to farmers at the Myrna Gonzales Farm during the ceremonial rubber tapping in Kisante, Makilala, North Cotabato.
— Philippine News Agency
PRRD reiterates vow to end illegal drug trade
If he would live until the end of his term in 2022, President Rodrigo R. Duterte reiterated his “solemn” campaign promise to end the illegal drug trade.”Kung paabutin ako ng Diyos three years from now
— Philippine News Agency
Transport dep’t calls for groups to bid for Malolos-Clark railway
THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation is inviting groups to bid for the construction of the Malolos-Clark segment of the P777.55-billion North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
— BusinessWorld Online
SMC further cuts water use
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) announced it significantly reduced operational water use across its businesses by 23 percent in 2018, beating its stated goal to reduce consumption by 20 percent in 2020.
— The Philippine Star
Palace ‘threads cautiously’ as it studies ‘win-win’ solution to illegal Chinese workers in PH
MALACANANG is “threading cautiously” and studying how it could come up with a win-win solution to the proliferation of illegal Chinese workers in the country, a day after President Rodrigo …
— The Manila Times
Over 20,000 local, overseas jobs up for grabs at Mandaluyong fair
MORE than 20,000 local and overseas employment opportunities will be offered at a job fair during the 33rd EDSA anniversary celebration on Monday. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Sunday …
— The Manila Times
Duterte: Taxes helped deliver economic promises
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said the government’s greater capacity for collecting revenue has helped him fulfill most of his campaign promises, including free state university tuition, universal health care and higher salaries for soldiers and police, with schoolteachers next in line.
— BusinessWorld Online
‘Painful’ fines added to central bank arsenal
“Painful” fines under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) newly-amended charter are expected to discourage financial institutions from violating banking rules and regulations, a senior central bank official said.
— The Manila Times
Duterte: Let Chinese nationals work in Philippines
Let the Chinese nationals work here in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has said.
— Inquirer.net
BSP closes Laguna-based rural bank
MONETARY authorities ordered a Laguna-based rural bank (RB) closed and placed under receivership.
— The Manila Times
New PNP rank classification addresses public’s confusion with police,military designations
The newly signed law modifying police rank designations will ensure improved and smooth coordination between the police and its military counterparts as well as address the public’s confusion with the ranks.
— Philippine Information Agency
LLDA cites more establishments for polluting Manila Bay
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) recently cited 20 more establishments in the cities of Pasay and Manila, including the Cultural …
— Philippine Information Agency
Feature photo yeowatzup
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Wildlife Day, March 3.
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 February 25 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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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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