Philippines Morning News For July 18, 2019

SONA 2019: The Philippine Economy in figures
For this Monday’s state of the nation address of the President, I endeavor to present in a table the macroeconomic performance of the Philippine economy beginning with the last year of the former president in 2016 up to the latest quarter of the year when data is available.
— CDN

Ex-DFA chief rebuts Duterte: Military pact with US not for starting war
Former Philippine top diplomat Albert del Rosario on Wednesday countered President Rodrigo Duterte’s invoking of the defense pact between Manila and Washington, saying the treaty cannot be used to wage war.
— CNN Philippines

TS Falcon displaces 3,191 families – NDRRMC
A total of 3,191 families were displaced due to heavy rains brought by tropical storm Falcon and enhanced by the southwest monsoon (Habagat), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Wednesday night.
— Manila Bulletin

PRRD says PH just giving China fishing rights
President Rodrigo Duterte said that although the Philippines will continue to assert sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, it may also give China “fishing rights”.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte: I will only face a Philippine court, won’t answer to a Caucasian
President Rodrigo Duterte is not keen on facing an international tribunal as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution seeking to look into the human rights situation in the country, noting that he will only answer to a Philippine court.
— Inquirer.net

CA junks NUPL protection order plea in amparo writ case
The Court of Appeals (CA) has turned down a plea for a temporary protection order (TPO) sought by the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) in its writ of amparo suit against the government.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte eyes permanently opening Sulu as barter trade hub
President Duterte is considering opening Sulu as a barter trade area to give the people in Mindanao more freedom in governing themselves under the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
— Manila Bulletin

Duterte invokes PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty
President Duterte has called on the United States to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines amid the tension with China in the West Philippine Sea.
— Manila Bulletin

Sandiganbayan denies ex-AFP comptroller Ligot’s plea in forfeiture case
The Sandiganbayan has denied a joint demurrer to evidence filed by former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot and other accused facing civil cases on the forfeiture of unlawfully-acquired properties worth P55 million.
— Inquirer.net

Gov’t to invest P10-B in ‘vulnerable’ provinces
Some PHP10 billion worth of investments will be poured in provinces that are vulnerable to climate change, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said here Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte Gets High Trust Ratings Prior To Upcoming SONA 2019
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte got high trust ratings prior to his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2019.
— Philippine News

Bangko Sentral to create P20 coin
The orange P20 bill will soon get a coin counterpart, an official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Wednesday, July 17.
— Rappler

Australia announces P140-M add’l aid for Marawi
The Australian Embassy in Manila on Tuesday announced an additional PHP140 million humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the 2017 Marawi conflict.
— Philippine News Agency

Ease of Doing Biz law’s IRR signed
THREE government agencies signed on Wednesday the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018, which is expected to help considerable improve the country’s business climate.
— The Manila Times

Govt earns P142.6m from Mile Long lease
The government earned P142.6 million from the 2.2-hectare Mile Long property in Makati City since it took over the management of the state-owned prime real estate in August 2017, the Finance Department said Wednesday.
— Manilastandard.net

Gather fleet vs China, Duterte prods US
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday prodded the United States to prepare its fleet for a faceoff with China amid the Philippines’ territorial row with Beijing in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
— The Manila Times

Government crafts legal strategy vs. T.R.O. on D.O.E.’s fuel unbundling
THE Department of Energy (DOE) is consulting with government lawyers on how best to deal with the temporary restraining orders (TROs) issued by local courts suspending implementation of the agency’s fuel unbundling policy.
— Business Mirror

Government to set SRPs for imported, local rice
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies will set “moving” suggested retail prices (SRPs) for imported and local rice again in a bid to further lower the staple’s market price.
— Rappler

The Philippines to use autonomous vehicles during SEA Games
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) of the Philippines will be providing autonomous vehicle (AV) service in the New Clark City during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
— OpenGov

Israeli company targets Palawan, Panay basins for oil/gas exploration
Israeli firm Ratio Petroleum Ltd. is targeting oil and gas exploration blocks along Palawan and Panay basins, according to sources from the Department of Energy (DOE).
— Manila Bulletin

Business groups urge veto of Security of Tenure bill
A broad coalition of business groups yesterday urged President Duterte to veto the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill and instead modernize labor regulations to suit the needs of labor-intensive industries.
— The Philippine Star

Solon pushes passage of ‘tougher’ anti-terrorism law
A party-list lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a bill that would toughen the country’s anti-terrorism law on the heels of a recent suicide-bombing incident of an Army camp in Sulu involving a Filipino.
— Business Mirror

Electronics imports hit $11.64B in Jan-May
Electronic imports rose by 2.37 percent in the first five months on the back of increasing demand for consumer and automotive electronics, among others, the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (Seipi) said.
— The Manila Times

DTI forming task force to draft AI strategy
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Wednesday it will create a task force to formulate an Artificial Intelligence (AI) road map to help industry respond to technological disruption.
— BusinessWorld Online

TMP inaugurates P1-B high-tech press line
Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) inaugurated its new P1-billion high-technology press line, which includes a 1600-ton servo-type press machine with automated sheet feeder and unloader robot.
— Manila Bulletin

BOI revising MVDP to include e-vehicles
The Board of Investments (BOI) is reviewing the outdated Motor Vehicle Development Plan (MVDP) to attract more models to be assembled in the Philippines including electric vehicles (EVS) as the government prepares a holistic support for this program to boost its bid to make the Philippines a regional production hub for this clean motor vehicles.
— Manila Bulletin

CA denies protection plea from lawyers
THE COURT of Appeals (CA) has rejected a plea by a lawyer’s group to stop government threats against its members.
— BusinessWorld Online

Work on P1.6-B Subic highway expansion starts
WORK on the expansion of the Subic Bay Freeport Expressway (SFEX) has started, according to the NLEX Corp. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
— BusinessWorld Online

Government moving to build a local train industry
THE Philippines may soon source trains for future rail projects from Filipino suppliers as the government is already taking steps to build a local train industry, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
— Business Mirror

Chambers pitch concerns to Congress
LEGISLATIVE measures that will open the country to more foreign investments, increase jobs and further reform the tax system top local and foreign businesses’ wish list for the 18th Congress that convenes for its first of three regular sessions on July 22.
— BusinessWorld Online

Duterte hikes ante for communist rebel surrenderers
President Rodrigo Duterte hiked the ante for surrendered communist rebels and promised more benefits to those who were already given houses.
— Inquirer.net

‘Makati Destroyers’ strike again as Capitals thwart Super Crunch
Quezon City coach Vis Valencia knows this wasn’t an ordinary victory for his Capitals on Tuesday night in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
— Inquirer.net

Power supply situation still below normal
The power supply situation in the Luzon grid is expected to improve with the onset of the rainy season, but the scenario remains subnormal and more yellow and red alerts are still expected, according to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
— Inquirer.net

One dead, two injured in ambush on LTO enforcement team in Surigao following anti-colorum vehicles operation
LTO condemns attack -The Land Transportation Office on Wednesday, July 17, condemned the ambush on an LTO enforcement team in Surigao City that led to the death of the team leader and caused injuries to two others.
— Eagle News

Lapid wants license exam fees waived for poor college grads
Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill that would exempt poor college graduates from paying board exam fees if passed into law.
— Eagle News

Top firms highlight ways to digital transformation
PHILIPPINE companies are taking different approaches in reshaping and transforming their businesses in the age of digitalization.
— The Manila Times

Input VAT as income tax deductions
Should input value-added tax (VAT) or VAT passed on by a taxpayer’s supplier of goods or services be allowed as a deduction from income tax, if the claim for refund or tax credit was denied or disallowed?
— The Manila Times

Traffic rerouting for SONA 2019 announced
The Quezon City Police Department Public Information Office released details on Wednesday, July 17, of the temporary traffic rerouting scheme which will affect motorists in the vicinity of the House of Representatives Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 22.
— Rappler

Albayalde: Procurement of body worn cameras for police ops still in bidding stage
The procurement of body-worn cameras to increase transparency during police operations is still at the bidding stage, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde.
— GMA News

Philippines suspends meat imports from Germany over swine fever fears
The Philippines has suspended meat imports from Germany after it was found to contain pork bones from Poland, which has an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), the Philippines said in a filing published by the World Trade Organization on Wednesday.
— Euronews

Marriott International, Save The Children Philippines sign humanitarian pact
Marriott International in the Philippines proudly partners with Save the Children, Philippines the world’s leading independent children’s organization. Save the Children has been working in the Philippines for over three decades and is dedicated to helping children.
— Business Mirror

Poverty drives more Filipino women into early marriage
Maricel Kuyog wanted to share her story with someone not from her village. She had the chance when a group of humanitarian workers came for a visit.
— La Croix International

Ahead of SONA, foreigners warned against joining protests
Ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded foreigners that they are prohibited from joining political demonstrations in the Philippines.
— GMA News

Feature photo WorldSkills Thailand

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on World Youth Skills Day, July 15.

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 July 18 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on July 18, 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.