January 2019 inflation eases to 10-month low of 4.4%
The increase in consumer prices nationwide eased for a third straight month last January as food and beverage costs grew slower while the full effect of the second round of fuel tax hike has yet to be felt, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
ADB and IFC invest $95m in green bonds issued by Ayala’s energy unit
International Finance Corp. and the Asian Development Bank invested $95 million in AC Energy Inc.’s green bonds.
— Manilastandard.net
Explosions in Mindanao reported a day before BOL plebiscite
Four explosions have been reported on Tuesday, a day before the Bangsamoro second plebiscite.
— CNN Philippines
Factory output falls 10.1% in Dec.
The country’s factory output posted a double-digit contraction in December 2018, the first time in 13 months, and after posting annual growths during the rest of the months last year, with the government attributing this to slow demand after the holiday season.
— Malaya
MPIC rehab bid for MRT-3 hangs
Conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is willing to give up its original proponent status (OPS) for its unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate and operate the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 should the project become unviable for the group following a change in direction from the government.
— The Philippine Star
DOJ recommends filing of cyber libel charges vs. Rappler
The Department of Justice recommended the filing of cyber libel charges to online news agency Rappler over a story published in 2012.
— CNN Philippines
PPP support okayed for CCP redevelopment
A proposed public-private partnership (PPP) to turn the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex into a “smart city” has taken a step forward, having secured support from a funding facility set up to develop bankable projects.
— The Manila Times
Deaths from measles climb to 50; over 200 still being treated
The number of patients dying from measles while being treated at the San Lazaro Hospital has risen to 50, with three additional deaths recorded on Monday.
— GMA News
Oyo to invest $50M in PHL market
OYO Hotels and Homes is entering the Philippine market, where it committed to invest over $50 million to “transform” the local hospitality industry.
— BusinessWorld Online
Philippines: Lowering criminal age to 12 will ‘endanger children’s lives’
Responding to news that the Philippines Senate may vote in favour of lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Global Operations, Minar Pimple, said:
— Amnesty International
Budget delay seen to take toll on investments, consumption
The delay in the approval of the 2019 national budget may take its toll on investments and consumption, according to DBS Bank of Singapore.
— The Philippine Star
2 Israeli firms offer billion-peso grant to DA for irrigation works
An Israeli firm has offered to provide the Department of Agriculture (DA) funding support worth P44 billion for the latter’s Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) program, while another firm, also from Israel, volunteered to set up demonstration farms for upland irrigation system sans advanced payment.
— Manila Bulletin
DENR official opposes Manila Bay reclamation projects
A Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official said on Tuesday the agency will oppose the reclamation projects in Manila Bay if it will hinder the rehabilitation of the waters that started last month.
— GMA News
House passes measure that punishes ‘political butterflies’
Public officials who change their political party a year before or after elections may soon be banned if a measure approved by the House Committee on Ways and Means becomes a law.
— The Manila Times
Central bank to set standard for payments via QR code by June
THE CENTRAL BANK is looking to set a standard for quick response (QR) code payments by June, with the regulator eyeing two options for the new e-payment platform.
— BusinessWorld Online
Rice output seen hitting 20 million metric tons in 2019
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is expecting a rebound in rice production this year, projecting a harvest of 20 million metric tons (MT), Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said.
— BusinessWorld Online
CEZA: Philippines Reveal New Cryptocurrency Rules & Regulations
The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Philippines’ “fintech city”, has drafted new rules for the acquisition and trading of digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum in the Philippines meant to efficiently regulate and shield investors from the risks and danger associated with cryptos, MediaOutReach reports.
— Coin Idol
House OK’s bill penalizing owners of properties used in drug trade
A BILL imposing penalties on negligent owners or lessors of properties used in the illegal drug trade hurdled the House of Representatives on third and final reading.
— BusinessWorld Online
Motorcycle rigged with explosives blows up in Maguindanao; no one reported hurt so far
A motorcycle left on a roadside in Maguindanao exploded on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Maj. Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said the motorcycle left in Sitio Nes Talayan past noon had been rigged with explosives. He said the vehicle had been left there …
— Eagle News
Senate to vote on Mislatel franchise
THE Senate would decide on Wednesday, February 6, if it would transfer the ownership of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc. (Mislatel) to a consortium chosen by the government as the third telecommunications company in the country, Sen. Grace Poe said on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times
Bigger tax worsens illicit cigarette trade
Significant increases in tobacco excise tax will exacerbate illicit cigarette trade, the Philippine Tobacco Institute told senators Monday.
— Manila Standard
Manila Bay to be fenced off, DENR says
Manila Bay will be closed Wednesday to pave way for the massive cleanup of the heavily polluted water body, an official overseeing the rehabilitation said Tuesday.
— ABS-CBN News
Daraga mayor back in PNP’s Legazpi jail
LEGAZPI CITY: Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo was brought back to the Legazpi City detention cell on Monday night by officials of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) after almost…
— Manila Times
Sweden-based group fends off cyber-attack vs Bulatlat
BAGUIO CITY — A Sweden-based group of digital forensic investigation experts has prevented an online attack against Bulatlat, the editors of the alternative online news site said on Tuesday.
— the INQUIRER
More police deployed for 2nd BOL plebiscite
COTABATO CITY: The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) based in General Santos City under the command of Regional Director and Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco deployed personnel to safeguard…
— Manila Times
DOH says HPV vaccine is safe and effective
Contrary to supposed health warnings surfacing online, the Department of Health (DOH) assured the public that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer.
— GMA News
Solons welcome planned review of PHL-US Mutual Defense Treaty
Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Tuesday welcomed the planned visit of a top-level team from the United States to the Philippines to discuss amendments to the Mutual Defense Treaty.
— GMA News
All set for 2nd round of BOL plebiscite tomorrow, Feb. 6, amid tighter security measures
All is set for the conduct tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6, of the second round of the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), as security measures were further tightened especially after the Jolo bombing in Sulu. Commission on Elections …
— Eagle News
Tight security in Midsayap; teachers inspect ballot boxes, poll paraphernalia
On the eve of the second round of plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), authorities have imposed tight security measures in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
— GMA News
TUCP welcomes ‘legitimate’ Chinese workers in PH
Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines welcomes prospective Chinese investors and capitalists who want to do business in the country as long as they follow, respect and comply with the country’s business and labor laws.
— Manilastandard.net
Court tells PNP they can’t use void warrants
Illegal items seized on void warrants cannot be used as evidence in courts, says the Supreme Court.
–Manilastandard.net
Pantar mayor, 8 others nabbed for guns in Iligan City
Police apprehended the mayor of Pantar, Lanao del Norte after he was allegedly caught with firearms in Iligan City late Tuesday afternoon.
— ABS-CBN News
Bam Aquino seeks ample budget for Bangsamoro
SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th on Tuesday appealed to lawmakers to ensure that there would be ample funds in the proposed P3.7-trillion national budget to implement the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
— The Manila Times
Albayalde: Prime suspect nabbed over Jolo blasts not a fall guy
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday stressed that alias Kamah, tagged as the prime suspect behind the bombing of a cathedral in Jolo, cannot simply be a fall guy to the gruesome attack last January 27 that killed at least 23 people.
— GMA News
Ex-Maguindanao Gov. Ampatuan slapped with new graft charges over ‘ghost purchases’
Former Maguindanao governor Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan faces fresh charges at the Sandiganbayan for graft and malversation through falsification of public documents in connection with multimillion-peso ghost purchase of agricultural products in 2009.
— GMA News
Farmers urged to sell their palay to NFA
Farmers here are encouraged to sell their palay to the National Food Authority (NFA) to help ensure sufficient stocks during the lean months and in times of calamities. NFA Abra Branch manager Elizabeth Kai said NFA is buying palay at P20.30 per kilo from individual …
— Philippine Information Agency
Comelec: PNP does not see disruptions during Feb. 6 plebiscite for expansion of Bangsamoro region
The conduct of the second round of the plebiscite for the inclusion of additional areas for the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region on February 6 is expected to go smoothly, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.
— GMA News
PDEA needs more drug enforcement officers
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is in need of more drug enforcement officers to fight the “immense” drug problem in the country.
— Manilastandard.net
PH SEA Games preparations on track
No, the Philippines is not taking the hosting of this year’s 30th Southeast Asian Games lightly.
— The Manila Times
Drug suspect killed in Cavite
A suspected drug pusher was killed Monday midnight when he resisted police in a buy-bust operation on Pinagpala Street in Barangay Ligtong III in Rosario, the Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) reported on Tuesday. Antonio …
— Tempo
Warning raised in Perth after traveler from Philippines gets measles
The health department in Western Australia has issued a measles warning after a Perth resident who returned from a trip to the Philippines was diagnosed with the contagious and infectious disease, a report said
— ABS-CBN News
Philippines to host Mr. International contest
Filipinos will once again see scores of gorgeous men from around the world as the Mister International contest returns to the Philippines. The country last hosted the global competition in 2015.
— Inquirer.net
Feature photo Philippine News Agency
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges Chinese New Year, 2019.
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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