Ex-PH officials bring China’s Xi to Int’l Criminal Court
Two former Philippine officials and a group of fishermen filed a complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity over environmental damage in the South China Sea.
— Rappler
Philippines happier now based on World Happiness Report 2019; ranked 69th
Apparently, it is, at least based on the 2019 World Happiness Report released yesterday that says the Philippines is among the top 20 “gainers” this year.
— Coconuts Manila
Metro Manila water shortage to affect economic competitiveness
Businessmen expressed concern over the water shortage in Metro Manila, saying it could affect the country’s economic competitiveness.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippines Holds Rate in First Policy Meeting Under Diokno
The Philippine central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged in Governor Benjamin Diokno’s first policy meeting, as officials remained cautious even as inflation eases.
— Bloomberg
Philippines mulls ban of Boeing 737 MAX
The Philippines is coordinating with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the possibility of joining other countries in banning Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 in its airspace following two recent crashes abroad involving the aircraft.
— The Philippine Star
No justice in sight for Duterte’s 20,000 drug war killings
The Philippines has become only the second country worldwide to officially withdraw from The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) after having ratified the court’s enabling Rome Statute.
— Asia Times
Price hikes slip to 5% in Feb. for poor families
INFLATION for low-income families softened further in February even as it stayed in five-percent territory, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld Online
Lawmakers see possible Budget transmission by next week
LEGISLATORS expressed guarded confidence about the progress made in resolving the 2019 Budget impasse, with both Senators and Congressmen giving next week as a possible time frame for sending the measure to the Palace for signing.
— BusinessWorld Online
Group: Mindanao conflict claimed 850,000 casualties from 2013 to 2015
The Mindanao conflict has reaped at least 850,000 from 2013 up to 2015 alone, and the figure could be much higher if the casualty numbers could be collated since the start of the decades-old strife in the south, according to nonprofit organization Save the Children.
— Business Mirror
DOF: Tax amnesty on delinquencies to start April
Amnesty on tax delinquencies will start next month, giving taxpayers with long-due liabilities and pending criminal cases a clean slate.
— Inquirer.net
6.4% GDP growth in 2019 still possible
A 6 percent level growth can still be achieved by the Philippine economy this year despite the anticipated impact of the budget impasse in Congress, an official of Security Bank Corporation (Security Bank) said.
— Philippine News Agency
Marina tie-up with the Netherlands to boost PHL’s 10-year maritime industry development plan
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is looking at its counterparts in the Netherlands to help the Philippines build its maritime infrastructure to support its multibillion-peso plan to develop the industry in the next decade.
— Business Mirror
Dominguez touts benefits from PH-China ties
Stronger ties between the Philippines and China will help the two countries weather global headwinds, the Finance chief said.
— The Manila Times
Industry revenue growth rises 9.5% in 4th quarter
REVENUE across all industries grew in the fourth quarter of 2018 on account of stronger sales in key industries, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported yesterday.
— BusinessWorld Online
US agricultural exports to PHL seen growing by 10%
American traders are optimistic that shipments of agricultural products from the United States to the Philippines will expand by 10 percent this year, according to the latest Global Agricultural Information Network (Gain) report.
— Business Mirror
‘PHL’s LCY bond market fastest growing in East Asia’
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pegged the Philippine local currency (LCY) bond market as the fastest among growing East Asia territories.
— Business Mirror
BIR issues tax rules for cosmetic procedures
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued the guidelines for applying the excise tax on nonessential services under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law.
— Business Mirror
Microsoft finds AI adoption rate of less than half at PHL firms
MICROSOFT CORP said one of its studies has found that most employers believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have a positive effect on productivity, though less than half have started to plan for the more widespread use of AI.
— BusinessWorld Online
PLDT-backed Multisys targets 8 sectors in software rollout
A PLDT-backed systems solutions firm has identified eight priority sectors for the rollout of its software technology services in line with efforts to help the telco giant achieve its goal of becoming a full-scale digital services provider.
— The Philippine Star
COA urged to expedite audit on Laoag’s P90-M missing funds
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Ilocos Norte is requesting the Commission on Audit (COA) to wrap-up its special investigation on the missing PHP90-million funds of the Laoag City government which was discovered almost three years ago.
— Philippine News Agency
Philippines: Hundreds Rally for a Return to their Marawi Homes
Hundreds of desperate survivors of a siege by Islamic State-linked militants on Wednesday trooped to the streets to demand access to their ruined homes in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.
— ReliefWeb
Philippines’ infrastructure program “works in concert” with Belt and Road Initiative: finance secretary
Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez has said that the Philippines’ infrastructure “Build, Build, Build” program “works in concert” with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
— Xinhuanet
Philippine govt mulls agreement with operators to speed up telecom tower rollout
Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology wants to reach an agreement with telecom operators, to speed up the rollout of the government’s common tower initiative.
— Telecompaper
Palace: Philippines ready to go to war vs MNLF
PHILIPPINE troops are geared up for possible armed conflict with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) should the shift to federalism fail to prosper, Malacañang said on Thursday, March 21.
— Sun Star
Philippines, Russia to sign naval cooperation agreement in July
The navies of the Philippines and Russia are set to take their ties to a new level with a naval cooperation agreement to be signed in July.
— Inquirer.net
Philippines’ President Duterte Ask Singapore For Help In Solving Manila’s Water Crisis
The Philippines asked Singapore for help as the water crisis in Manila is getting worst.
— Business Times
Anti-communist group calls on voters to reject Makabayan bloc
Members of an anti-communist group on Thursday staged a rally at the House of Representatives in Quezon City to denounce members of the Makabayan bloc in Congress for allegedly being a legal front of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
— Philippine News Agency
Pagcor backs crackdown on money laundering
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) on Thursday affirmed its support to the government’s crackdown on illegal gambling and gaming-related money laundering activities in the country.
— The Manila Times
Dagupan City now a P1-B economy
DAGUPAN CITY — Mayor Belen Fernandez has equated the city’s progress to sunshine, as she disclosed the city’s wealth now at PHP1.01 billion during her State-of-the-City Address (SOCA) on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
Nationwide round-up (03/22/19)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Thursday that 2,603 firearms were confiscated from Jan. 13 to March 21 with the implementation of the gun ban in relation to the May elections.
— BusinessWorld Online
Human rights activist vows to ‘keep on fighting’ under Duterte
The Philippines’ independent human rights watchdog has faced many challenges since its inception three decades ago, but according to Jose Luis Martin Gascon, chairman of Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the organization has never dealt with a bigger threat than the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Supreme Court denies requests for justices’ full SALNs
The Supreme Court en banc has denied several requests for the full Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) of the justices of the Court.
— Rappler
More firms eye Phividec as production hub in MisOr
Billions worth of investments was poured into Misamis Oriental’s economic zone by corporations and businesses further bolstering Northern Mindanao as the prime investment hub of Mindanao.
— Philippine News Agency
Economists continue to see key rate, RRR cuts in 2019
Economists foresee a continued reduction in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates as well as the reserve requirements for banks due to a sustained deceleration in the country’s inflation rate.
— Philippine News Agency
Palace: Gov’t ready to thwart any rebellion amid Misuari ‘threat’ of war
Malacañang on Thursday said the government is prepared to thwart any rebellion after Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari warned that he will go to war if the proposed shift to federal government fails.
— GMA News
Security is the Top Priority for Filipinos When Choosing a Bank — New Unisys Research Finds
New research from Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) reveals Philippine bank customers rank data security as the issue that matters to them most about their bank.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
Davao task force clears UP-Mindanao of informal settlers
A joint task force composed of police, the military, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Central 911 implemented a demolition order from the city government on 15 informal settlers inside the sprawling 20-hectare University of the Philippines-Mindanao campus in Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District, on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency
DOE modifying rules on certification of duty-free importation of RE equipment
The Department of Energy (DOE) will be re-casting the set of rules on its issuance of certificates for duty-free importation of equipment, machinery and spare parts that will be utilized for renewable energy (RE) projects in the Philippines.
— Manila Bulletin
Duterte permanently ends talks with CPP
President Rodrigo Duterte announced Thursday he will end peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
— CNN Philippines
Bacolod City unveils P3-M training center for PWDs
The city of Bacolod has opened its own Vocational Sheltered Workshop Center for Persons with Disability (PWDs) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
— Philippine News Agency
Pro-environment, IP groups ask gov’t to publicize Kaliwa Dam documents
Various pro-environment and indigenous peoples’ groups against the construction of the Kaliwa Dam asked top government officials to publicize documents of the China-funded project.
— Rappler
Bersamin urges Abreños to report erring court workers
Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday urged Abreños, and the public in general, to report erring court employees and officers as he assured that information provided to them will be treated as highly confidential and will be acted upon.
— Philippine News Agency
Dry spell damages P17-M agri products in Legazpi City
The prevailing dry spell in this city has caused damages to agricultural products, particularly palay, estimated to cost PHP17 million.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte looking forward to end of term in 2022
A few days before his 74th birth anniversary, President Duterte admitted that he was feeling tired and looking forward to the end of his presidency in 2022. The President, musing about his desire to rest after years of public service, said he was ready to fight it out with those involved in …
— Tempo
Sotto: ‘Door is now open’ to resolve budget row
The Senate president earlier said he wouldn’t sign the enrolled copy of the 2019 budget unless the House withdraws all last-minute changes.
— The Philippine Star
DDB declares 72 villages in Bicol as drug-free
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) has cleared and declared a total of 72 villages in Bicol as “drug-free”, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the region said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency
4Ps families in Bicol urged to have their kids vaccinated
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here has advised Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries to comply with the 4Ps requirement to have their children immunized against several diseases under the Department of Health’s (DOH) …
— Philippine News Agency
PH vulnerable to more fuel price increases
The Energy Department on Thursday asked Filipino consumers to brace for continued increases in world oil prices and use energy more efficiently amid the tension in several oil exporting nations.
— Manilastandard.net
Filipino ‘victims’ of clergy sex abuse to sue US church
A group of children in the central Philippines who claim an American priest sexually abused them are set to sue the alleged perpetrator and a diocese in the United States for damages.
— UCA News
Canned air and water-spraying drones: Smog remedies
As millions of people in Asia choke under polluted skies, authorities have turned to water-dispersing drones and outdoor air purifiers to improve air quality, while companies have tried to cash in by selling everything from canned air to lung-purifying …
— Eagle News
Fly-by-night POGO tech firms whittled down as Pagcor cracks whip
The country’s gaming regulator said it has successfully whittled down the number of technology service providers for internet-based casino operations to “a little under 200” legitimate outfits from a high of “almost 30,000” fly-by-night operations.
— Inquirer.net
PCIC releases P27.6-M indemnity to Sarangani farmers, fishers
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has released some PHP27.6 million in insurance compensation or indemnity to farmers and fisherfolk in Sarangani province, who were affected by calamities and crop infestations since last year.
— Philippine News Agency
BI intercepts 3 women who planned to work as household workers in Saudi without meeting age requirement
The Bureau of Immigration has intercepted three women who planned to work as Overseas Filipino Workers in Saudi Arabia even without meeting the required age for household workers.
— Eagle News
Revered Patroness of Ilocos Norte goes to Japan
Following the pontifical coronation of La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc with the infant Jesus in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, its small replica was brought to Japan through Bishop Renato Mayugba of the Diocese of Laoag.
— Philippine News Agency
PCA pushes buko juice consumption to help coco farmers
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Eastern Visayas is asking government agencies and local governments to promote the consumption of buko (young coconut) juice to raise the income of farmers affected by the steadily declining copra price.
— Philippine News Agency
[Right of Way] Is it time to do away with protocol plates?
MANILA, Philippines – On the road, motorists occasionally spot protocol plates.
— Rappler
Feature photo Yahoo! Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Water Day, March 22.
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 March 22 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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