Impasse on proposed 2019 budget ends; Congress sends spending bill to Palace
The deadlock on the proposed ₱3.757-trillion 2019 budget was finally broken on Tuesday, with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III signing the enrolled spending bill and Congress transmitting it to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
— CNN Philippines
Philippines measles update: Nearly 600 cases in 2 days
In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in the Philippines, government officials have reported an additional 596 cases since the last update.
— Outbreak News Today
PRRD to sign 2019 budget if it’s ‘consistent with Constitution’
Malacañang on Tuesday said it is up to President Rodrigo R. Duterte whether he will veto specific realignments in the proposed 2019 national budget.
— Philippine News Agency
Measles death toll continues to rise
The number of measles cases continues to rise almost two months after the Department of Health (DoH) declared an epidemic.
— The Manila Times
Manila Water waives minimum charge for all customers in March
East Zone concessionaire Manila Water on Tuesday, March 26, announced a voluntary one-time waiver scheme on minimum charges for all its affected customers in Metro Manila and Rizal.
— Rappler
PEZA industrialization plan to boost exports
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority’ (PEZA) is repackaging its image with the launching of new programs to further boost the country’s exports and attain its goal of creating more jobs for Filipinos.
— Philippine News Agency
Default on China loans unlikely due to automatic debt payments: Drilon
The Philippines automatically pays its debts and is, thus, unlikely to default on its loans to China, a senator said Tuesday.
— ABS-CBN News
MRT-3 rehab to begin in April says Japanese funder
The rehabilitation of the MRT-3 will begin this April, an official of the Japanese agency funding the project said Tuesday.
— ABS-CBN News
Tamed inflation to push growth to near 7%: DTI
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is confident the Philippines will post a growth rate of “near 7 percent “ this year as long as inflation will continue be tamed and global factors like oil prices, the US-China trade war and Brexit do not worsen.
— Malaya
Senate, House agree to retain ‘pork’ in budget
The Senate and the House of Representatives will retain their respective pork barrel funds as part of an agreement that ended their three-month-old impasse over the proposed national budget for this year.
— The Philippine Star
P38 B allocated for water projects
At least P38 billion has been allocated in the proposed P3.7-trillion national budget for 2019 for projects that will protect the country’s water resources and ensure water supply.
— The Philippine Star
Philippine Justice, Lawmakers Express Concern over Chinese Loan Details
Filipino lawmakers raised concerns Tuesday about financing agreements with China after a Supreme Court justice alleged that Beijing could take over Philippine maritime assets if Manila defaulted on a Chinese loan for a local irrigation project.
— Benar News
Admin bet says PHL can’t put up natural resources as collateral for loans
The Philippine government may not put its natural resources as a collateral for loans, Senator Sonny Angara said Tuesday.
— GMA News
Rice prices to fall as low as P30/kg — DTI
Rice prices could go as low as P30 per kilo with the implementation of the rice tariffication law, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
— The Philippine Star
DTI ‘fearless forecast’ for WB rankings is gain of 30 places
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Philippines may jump more than 30 spots in the World Bank’s (WB) Doing Business ranking following recent reforms.
— BusinessWorld Online
BAP eyes 2019 launch of digital banking IDs
A digital banking ID registry that will allow for data storage and exchange among members is expected to be launched later this year by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).
— The Manila Times
UPDATED: No more budget impasse as Sotto signs budget bill enrolled by House but “with reservations”
The deadlock over the proposed national budget between the Senate and the House of Representatives was finally broken with Senate President Tito Sotto signing the enrolled budget bill of the House as is but “with reservations.”
— Eagle News
Ex-Misamis mayor gets 120 years for graft
The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former mayor of Claveria town in Misamis Oriental to up to 120 years in prison over questionable transactions during his term.
— The Philippine Star
AFP wants Joma Sison indicted for murder, terrorism
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison should be charged with murder and terrorism, according to the military.
— The Philippine Star
Gov’t to terminate talks with NAIA consortium if no deal is reached by end of April
The government will end talks with a consortium that submitted a proposal to upgrade, operate and maintain the aging Ninoy Aquino International Airport if both sides fail to strike a deal by end-April, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Tuesday.
— The Philippine Star
Fintech group sets financial inclusion objectives
A NEW INDUSTRY BODY has set goals for financial inclusion, as its members look to bring 25 million Filipinos aboard the formal financial system through the use of digital technology.
— BusinessWorld Online
No more permits for Edsa bus terminals
THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) has approved the resolution prohibiting the issuance of business permits to all public-utility bus terminals and operators and other public-utility vehicles along Edsa, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Tuesday.
— Business Mirror
Manila looking for more investments from China
THE ECONOMIC managers of President Rodrigo Duterte want more Chinese capital to participate in the Philippine economy, especially in key infrastructure projects that the current administration has made the cornerstone of its growth policies.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)
DOF renews drive vs illicit cigarette trade
A special team formed recently by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade will work closely with other government agencies to further step up the Department of Finance’s (DOF) campaign against perpetrators of this scheme.
— Manila Bulletin
Operations against Mindanao threat groups displaced 76,000 minors—Save the Children report
THE operations being undertaken by state forces against so-called threat groups in Mindanao have already resulted in the displacement of at least 76, 383 children, according to the Save the Children Philippines.
— Business Mirror
Pinoy contact center workers shift to mid-high skilled jobs faster than global
The domestic contact center, which accounts the biggest share in the local IT-BPM industry, has successfully managed to shift quickly into the mid- and high-skilled jobs from low-end tasks as new technologies in automation and artificial intelligence are replacing old jobs, a new research revealed.
— Manila Bulletin
Michael Yang no longer Duterte’s economic adviser – Medialdea
Chinese businessman Michael Yang is no longer sitting as the presidential economic adviser, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Tuesday.
— CNN Philippines
Filipino journalists launch book on Marcos dictatorship
Challenged by what several sectors in the Philippines described as a growing threat to press freedom, a group of veteran journalists has launched this week a compilation of reports written in the waning years of the Marcos dictatorship more than 30 years ago.
— UCA News
Regional execs warned vs. gov’t resources used in politics
The Office of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) on Tuesday said it will continue monitoring regional directors of government agencies who allowed government resources to be used in politics.
— Philippine News Agency
PH, Cambodia hold 1st defense cooperation meeting
As part of efforts to boost defense ties, the Philippines and Cambodia held the Inaugural Philippines-Cambodia Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) Meeting last March 11 to 14 in Phnom Penh.
— Philippine News Agency
NCCA provides P4-M grant for Negros culture, arts scholarships
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has extended a PHP4-million grant for scholarships on various courses for cultural artists and workers in Negros Island.
— Philippine News Agency
P150-million aviation academy debuts in Subic Freeport
MacroAsia Corp., a leader in aviation support services, and diversified maritime services operator PTC Group inaugurated here on Thursday the First Aviation Academy, a flying school that is touted to take the lead in developing world-class Filipino aviation professionals.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippines: First shipment of mangoes to Russia next month
The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) is expecting to export mangoes to Russia starting next month, stated Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol on Monday.
— Fresh Plaza
BTr fully awards 7-year T-bond
The Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) auction committee on Tuesday made a full award of the seven-year Treasury bond on the back of high demand and drop in rates.
— Philippine News Agency
Red tide warning up in 1 Mindanao, 2 Visayas areas
SHELLFISH COLLECTED from San Pedro Bay in Western Samar, Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, and the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol are positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Monday.
— BusinessWorld Online
Dealing with El Niño
ABOUT 30% of the 110,000 rice farmers in Iloilo province have been affected by the prevailing El Niño phenomenon, and the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) is already anticipating that it would not be able meet the one million metric ton (MT) target production this year.
— BusinessWorld Online
What are patrimonial assets? Lambino rejects China debt trap fears
The Philippines waiving sovereign immunity to score loans with China has been a cause of concern for legal experts and critics alike.
— Rappler
Over 8K drug surrenderers under rehab in W. Visayas
More than 50 percent of persons who use drugs (PWUDs) and underwent screening and assessment in Western Visayas have availed of rehabilitation, the Department of Health (DOH) here has reported.
— Philippine News Agency
Lacson urges gov’t to pursue probe on Acierto’s drug claims
While recognizing the importance of the accusations made by dismissed policeman Eduardo Acierto linking President Rodrigo Duterte’s former economic adviser, Michael Yang, to illegal drugs, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said photographs are not “convincing” enough to support the …
— Inquirer.net
Comelec includes women integration as new criteria for accreditation of dominant majority, minority parties
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it will give incentives to political parties that promote women integration in the upcoming accreditation of dominant minority and majority parties.
— GMA News
Senators welcome Manila Water’s waiver, but say it is not enough
Senators welcomed Tuesday the decision of Manila Water to implement a one-time bill waiver scheme to compensate customers affected by the water serving interruption but said it should not stop there.
— GMA News
MMDA To Set 60-Kph Speed Limit In Metro Manila, Netizens React
Lots of netizens reacted on MMDA’s plan to impose a 60-kph speed limit in Metro Manila.
— Philippine News
Sipalay City kite festival promotes plastic waste cut
The annual kite festival of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental is promoting the reduction of plastic waste in the 2019 edition of the award-winning tourism event.
— Philippine News Agency
Philippines: Belarus is potential market for agricultural exports
The Philippines may soon supply agricultural products to Belarus after a delegation led by the Department of Agriculture launched an “aggressive marketing campaign” in Eastern Europe.
— Fresh Plaza
3 Region 12 police officers relieved over investment scam
DEPARTMENT OF Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to relieve high-ranking police officers of the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12), based in General Santos City, for their alleged involvement in an investment scam that …
— BusinessWorld Online
Filipina granted asylum in Canada
Canada has granted asylum to a woman who helped Edward Snowden hide in Hong Kong after his leaks exposed US global surveillance programs, a refugee rights association said Monday.
— Tempo
Senators give take on Duterte claim that drug menace had ‘worsened’
President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that the drug menace in the country has worsened appears to be an admission that his brutal war on drugs has failed, senatorial candidates from the Otso Diretso opposition coalition said on Tuesday.
— GMA News
LTO to impose additional ‘minimal fees’ for new motorcycle plates
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday, March 26, said that they will be imposing additional minimal fees for the new motorcycle license plates.
— Rappler
Palace: ‘Harassment’ of Pinoy fishers in Scarborough Shoal may be raised during Duterte’s China trip
Malacañang on Tuesday opened the possibility of President Rodrigo Duterte raising the alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen by the Chinese Coast Guard in the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal during his trip to China next month.
— GMA News
Palace: PDEA needs to secure clearance from Duterte before releasing names of “celebrities” in drugs watchlist
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will have to secure clearance from President Rodrigo Duterte before it can release the list of “celebrities” allegedly linked to illegal drugs.
— Eagle News
P45.7-M cocaine fished out of Catanduanes waters
Around R45.7-M worth of suspected cocaine in seven brown packs were retrieved by three fishermen from the waters off Bagamanoc town in Catanduanes province on Monday afternoon.
— Tempo
LTO buys license plate-making robot to eliminate backlog by 2020
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is optimistic that the backlog in the issuance of license plates will be completely eliminated by 2020 after it acquired a robotic equipment to hasten their production.
— GMA News
MWSS eyes Laguna Lake as additional water source
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) proposed to dredge Laguna de Bay to make it easier to source water from Luzon’s largest body of water.
— Rappler
More proof needed to shake Duterte’s trust in Michael Yang – Panelo
Malacañang remains unconvinced that presidential economic adviser Michael Yang is involved in illegal drugs, despite a report from law enforcement agencies of the Chinese national’s suspicious activities.
— Rappler
Public’s need for more access to financial system stressed
Strong tie-ups between the public and private sectors and better infrastructure would ensure the inclusion of more people into the formal banking system, increasing their access to finance, especially with the help of technology.
— Philippine News Agency
Rappler’s Patricia Evangelista wins Hildegarde broadcast journalism award
Rappler journalist Patricia Evangelista won in the broadcast journalist category of the 13th Hildegarde Awards for Women in Media and Communication.
— Rappler
Feature photo Philippine Red Cross
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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 27 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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