Philippines Morning News For October 25, 2019

PH moves up 29 notches in global ease of doing business ranking
The Philippines dramatically moves up 29 notches to 95th from 124th out of 190 countries in the global ease of doing business (EODB) ranking, making it to the top three high-jumpers globally and the most improved in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) both in rank and score.
— Manila Bulletin

Manila, Beijing ink 6 accords on infrastructure, trade-related projects
MANILA and Beijing on Thursday signed six accords covering infrastructure and trade-related projects, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
— Business Mirror

Inflation for poorest slows to 0.9% in September
THE poorest Filipinos saw a reprieve from high commodity prices as they experienced slower inflation in September, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Business Mirror

Gov’t to spend P1.14-T in Q4 to hit 2019 GDP goal
The Philippine government’s 6 percent to 7 percent growth target this year will get a boost from the plan to spend about PHP1.14 trillion for infrastructure projects, among others, in the last quarter of the year.
— Philippine News Agency

Makati lone Philippine finalist in World Smart Cities Awards
Makati City is the sole Philippine finalist in this year’s World Smart Cities Awards to be held in Barcelona, Spain, in November.
— Rappler

WB ranking shows PRRD admin’s ‘good governance’ is paying off
The country’s improved ranking in the World Bank’s 2020 ease of doing business report shows that the Duterte administration’s drive for “good governance” is paying off, Malacañang said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

‘Humiliating’ treatment of Duterte at Japan enthronement rites? Not quite
A Facebook post claiming Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte faked his back pain because of “humiliating” treatment at the enthronement of the Japanese Emperor has gone viral.
— Rappler

Customs marks P53 million of gas oil
ABOUT P53 million worth of gas oil with paid taxes amounting to P405.4 million was dosed with official fuel marker as part of a Customs initiative to deter smuggling.
— BusinessWorld

Duterte to take one-week break after ASEAN Summit, says Bong Go
President Rodrigo Duterte will be taking a week-long break when he returns to the country after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit from November 2 to 4 in Bangkok, Thailand, Senator Bong Go said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Some tocino, hotdog from Central Luzon tainted with African swine fever
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday, October 24, confirmed reports that some meat products from Central Luzon tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).
— Rappler

PH ‘on right track’ in bilateral approach to resolve sea dispute – Jardeleza
The Philippine government should maintain its bilateral approach in resolving its dispute with China over the South China Sea, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jerdeleza said Thursday.
— Spratly Islands

DENR grants ECC to Kaliwa Dam
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has granted an Environmental Compliance Certificate for the implementation of the Kaliwa Dam project in Rizal and Quezon.
— Tempo

Angat level declines further over insufficient rainfall
THE water level at Angat dam, the primary source of domestic supply for Metro Manila, may continue to decline over lack of rainfall, the state-run weather bureau said.
— Manila Times

All gov’t agencies to coordinate, prevent ASF outbreak — Palace
All government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations have been directed to help curtail the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country.
— GMA Network

President Duterte back on a motorcycle, less than a week after accident
President Rodrigo Duterte is riding a motorcycle again, a few days after he figured in an accident inside the Malacañang Complex, according to a report Unang Balita.
— GMA Network

Wrong budget priorities
THE annual budget debate that predictably gives rise again to animosity between the Senate and the House is sure to fire up when Congress returns after its break.
— Tempo

Metro Manila cities top LGU competitiveness ranking
QUEZON CITY dominated the annual list measuring the competitiveness of local government units (LGU) in the country for the fourth time, elevating the city to the Hall of Fame of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2019 released on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld

PHL reaffirms commitment to UN Charter despite criticisms on killings
The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations (UN) Charter, even as some policies of the Duterte administration faced scrutiny from the UN Human Rights Council.
— GMA Network

ADB funding $11 billion of PHL projects from 2020-2022
THE Philippines may secure nearly $11 billion in financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the last three years of the Duterte administration.
— Business Mirror

Palace: WB report ranking is ‘strong vote of confidence’ for ‘no-nonsense’ campaigns of PRRD
The country’s higher rating in the World Bank’s ease of doing business report is a “strong vote of confidence” towards President Duterte’s “no-nonsense” campaign to eliminate red tape and corruption in government, a Palace official said Thursday.
— Manila Bulletin

PH is 8th among travelers’ favorite countries in the world, says NY magazine
The Philippines has ranked eighth in a list of the Top 20 countries favored by travelers, according to the annual Condé Nast Traveler awards.
— Manila Bulletin

Government to tighten regulation on online marketing and distribution platforms
The government’s intellectual-property office said online marketing and selling platforms would be asked to submit to wider government regulation to protect consumers from counterfeit items peddled and displayed as genuine items.
— Business Mirror

PH enacts laws to attain SDG 2030: anti-poverty body exec
National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary and Lead Convenor Noel Felongco has shared the Philippine government’s efforts in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 here Thursday
— Philippine News Agency

MWSS, NWRB: Water interruptions needed to prevent crisis in 2020
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has warned that the water interruption may be extended if the water level in Angat Dam does not meet the target level by the end of the year.
— GMA Network

Malacañang directs gov’t agencies to control ASF spread
Malacañang directed all government agencies, bureaus, agencies and the like to control the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the country.
— Philippine News Agency

UPDATE 1-Philippine c.bank cuts RRR by 100 bps to boost liquidity
The Philippine central bank said on Thursday it was cutting the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves by 100 basis points to 14% to boost liquidity and support growth.
— Reuters

Fire in Boracay reaches highest alarm
A fire razed a community in Boracay, Aklan on Thursday morning.
— The Philippine Star

‘Embracing Taiwan’ campaign to be aired in Philippines, Vietnam, India, Thailand
Four tailor-made television shows promoting Taiwan and co-produced by the Taiwan government and TV stations in four Asian countries will be aired in their respective countries next month with the aim to enhance people-to-people ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.
— Inquirer.net

Robredo being fed lies about drug war by opposition — Palace
The Palace on Thursday alleged that Vice President Leni Robredo is being fed lies by the opposition about the administration’s war on drugs, following her call for President Rodrigo Duterte to halt the failed drug war.
— GMA Network

Pernia: Rice safeguard duty may have to wait ‘1-2 years’
FARMERS may have to wait for at least one or two years before they can get protection from the influx of rice imports as a result of the rice trade liberalization law.
— Business Mirror

Advocates call for passage of law to address teen pregnancy
Youth, reproductive health, and women’s rights youth advocates launched a campaign to call for the passage of a law that addresses adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines.
— Manila Bulletin

Government eyes tougher food safety rules for local, imported grains
The Philippines is inching closer to implementing more stringent food safety measures for rice which will ensure that the staple, whether locally produced or imported, does not contain heavy metals and high levels of pesticides.
— Business Mirror

Group bats for targeted use of 4Ps rice subsidy
The government should prioritize the implementation of interventions in areas where the farm-gate price of unhusked rice have fallen below P17 per kilogram, nongovernment organization Action for Economic Reforms (AER) said on Thursday.
— Business Mirror

Palace disputes Robredo’s ‘failed drug war’ claim
The fact that the drug cartels still exist does not mean that the war on drugs has failed, it means that the extent of the illegal drug problem is “monstrously enormous”, Malacañang said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

DA confirms confiscated meat products contain ASF virus
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday confirmed that samples taken from processed pork products, such as hotdog, longganisa, and tocino, coming from a Manila-based company tested positive for the African swine fever (ASF) virus.
— Philippine News Agency

DTI alerts consumers anew on buying Christmas lights
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan has reiterated its reminder and alerted the public anew on buying only quality and standard Christmas lights to ensure safe observation of the yuletide season.
— Philippine Information Agency

PHL firms most optimistic in the world
BUSINESS LEADERS in the Philippines are the world’s most optimistic about the economy’s overall outlook, according to a quarterly survey conducted by Grant Thornton International among 5,000 respondents in 35 economies in May-June this year.
— BusinessWorld

Commission rules for GMA Network in worker-regularization case
THE NATIONAL Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) dismissed a complaint filed against broadcaster GMA Network for lack of merit, after determining that the complainants’ contractor-employer was operating under a valid contracting arrangement.
— BusinessWorld

Senator Bong Go offers to mediate in row between PhilHealth, private hospitals
Senator Christopher Lawrence Bong Go open to act as mediator between PhilHealth and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi), which threatened to cut off their accreditation next year due to unpaid claims amounting to P2.5 billion.
— GMA Network

Cash aid for farmers most affected by rice tariffication mulled
The cash assistance for farmers to address the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) will cover only the most affected ones, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Wednesday night.
— Philippine News Agency

3 Mindanao areas must be ‘pilot provinces’ in VP poll protest
An election lawyer on Thursday said former senator Bongbong Marcos should have considered three areas in Mindanao as pilot provinces in his recount protest.
— Philippine News Agency

NCRPO relieves 16 cops in NBP contraband smuggling mess
The 16 police officers allegedly involved in smuggling of contraband at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) were relieved from their posts, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency

Maguindanao gov’t extends medical aid to inmates
More than 200 inmates of the Maguindanao provincial jail here have benefitted from medical-dental services by the Maguindanao medical team on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

DPWH builds school building for San Agustin Elementary School in Maasin
From makeshift classrooms with roof made of discarded corrugated tin sheets, walls cut from bamboo and wood, the San Agustin multi-grade elementary school in this city is now transforming into a proper structure suited for learning.
— Philippine Information Agency

Widows of 3 ‘Marawi heroes’ join Army with 649 others
WIDOWS, SOLDIERS. Privates Merzie Rogador, Marjone Montero, and Grace Allaga (left to right), widows of Marawi siege heroes, are among the 649 new soldiers who graduate at the 1st Infantry Division Training School in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2019).
— Philippine News Agency

Manila ordinance mandates ‘sampay ban’ on city streets, public places
The city government of Manila is poised to implement an ordinance banning clutter, such as wet clothes hanging on cables and street posts to dry.
— GMA Network

PH eyes more ‘Doing Business’ reforms
The Philippines is now one of the top 100 most competitive countries in the world for doing business as it has implemented more regulatory reforms to improve its business climate.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte health stable, spokesman says
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte’s health is stable after he complained of unbearable back pain that prompted him to cut his Japan trip short this week, the presidential palace said on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld

Barretto Issue: Atong Ang’s Presence at Wake Politically Linked to Duterte
The presence of businessman Atong Ang at the wake of Miguel Barretto was politically linked to President Rodrigo Duterte.
— Philippine News

Study recommends PH regulatory changes for better access to mobile health apps
British Life Insurer PruLife UK, together with advisory firm Quisumbing Torres, completed a study that concluded the need for government agencies to work on regulatory changes in the health sector to encourage broader use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in the country.
— Rappler

PSA prepares public for nat’l ID mass registration by mid-2020
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is preparing the public for the start of mass registration on the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) by July 2020.
— Philippine Information Agency

Job Order workers of 3 Leyte LGUs are now PAG-IBIG members
Job Order (JO) workers of the three local government units in Region 8 can now avail of the benefits and privileges accorded to formally employed workers.
— Philippine Information Agency

DOH: Mental health crisis hotline ready to provide help
Amid the increasing cases of suicide in Iloilo, the Department of Health (DOH) said a 24/7 mental health crisis hotline has been established to provide counseling for people suffering from mental health conditions.
— Philippine Information Agency

Over 200K cash, other contraband seized during demolition of shanties at Bilibid — NCRPO
At a press briefing, NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas said a total of P233,207, four pocket WiFis, three USBs, two cellphone chargers, three headsets, 13 wrist watches, 35 deadly weapons, some cigarettes and 60 rolls of tobacco were seized during the two-week clearing operations of illegal structures at the national penitentiary.
— GMA Network

OPAPP seeks integration of peace education in university curriculum
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Wednesday urged the integration of peace education into the curriculum of universities across the country “to prevent and counter violent extremism and communist insurgency.”
— GMA Network

DOTr reminds motorists following Barretto saga to follow road rules
As the Barrettos’ family feud continue to take social media by storm, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) gave friendly reminders to drivers who are so hooked to the trending topic.
— GMA Network

NUPL calls on Peralta to lead efforts in insulating courts from politics
We hope and expect the new Chief Justice to uphold judicial independence, preserve the separation of powers, and guarantee checks and balances, NUPL president Edre Olalia said in a statement.
— GMA Network

Palace needs to issue dispatches on Duterte’s health –solon
Malacañang is expected give reports on President Rodrigo Duterte’s health, especially after he cut short his Japan trip due to unbearable pain in his back a week after a falling incident from a motorcycle ride.
— GMA Network

Sandiganbayan denies ex-MWSS official’s bid to drop graft raps
The Sandiganbayan has denied a former MWSS Regulatory Office deputy administrator’s appeal to junk graft charges against him over allegedly receiving double compensation as MWSS official and a Presidential Commission on Good Government official due to lack of merit.
— GMA Network

Robredo camp: Comelec should stand by 2016 automated poll system, not make premature calls about special elections
The Commission on Elections should defend and stand by the 2016 Automated Election System which it “designed, procured and implemented” rather than make premature calls about holding special elections where former Senator Bongbong Marcos claims irregularities took place, the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo said.
— Eagle News

Higaonon IPs renew condemnation vs. CPP-NPA
Higaonon indigenous people (IP) leaders across north and eastern Mindanao renewed their condemnation and rejection of the communist rebel movement on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

ACT solon accused of harassings cops guarding wounded teacher
Police officers guarding the hospital where a teacher is confined after being shot inside her classroom, have decried the alleged harassment by a lawmaker of the party-list Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).
— Philippine News Agency

MPTC, gov’t agencies gearing up for Undas travelers
METRO PACIFIC Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is set to implement its annual motorist assistance program for Undas (All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1), when it expects a 10% increase in traffic.
— BusinessWorld

Rotary Clubs in NegOcc launch anti-polio awareness drive
The Rotary Clubs in Negros Occidental have kicked off the “End Polio Now” campaign here to heighten awareness of the resurgence of the debilitating and deadly disease.
— Philippine News Agency

Senator pushes for creation of dental units in rural areas
Senator Sonny Angara on Thursday pushed for the creation of a dental unit in every rural health unit under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH) as part of the primary approach in the delivery of health services.
— Philippine News Agency

Chief Justice Peralta takes oath before Duterte
Newly appointed Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta took his oath before President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday.
— GMA Network

Bong Go wants review of water concession agreements amid supply interruptions
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Thursday he will suggest to President Rodrigo Duterte to review the concession agreement of water companies Maynilad and Manila Water amid the recent rotational water supply interruption.
— GMA Network

Ateneo admin: No formal complaints vs faculty accused of sexual harassment
The Ateneo de Manila University administration said it has not received formal complaints against two professors accused online of inappropriate sexual behavior towards students.
— Rappler

All retired, incumbent members of judiciary now automatically exempted from mandatory continuing legal education
Names of MCLE non-compliant lawyers to be published in at least two newspapers -All incumbent and retired members of the judiciary are automatically exempted from the mandatory continuing legal education required of lawyers.
— Eagle News

Supreme Court allows publication of list of lawyers noncompliant with MCLE
The noncompliant lawyers shall be given 60 days from the date of publication within which to provide proof of compliance, otherwise, they shall be considered as delinquent and shall not be permitted to practice law, the SC resolution states.
— GMA Network

Feature photo UN in the Philippines

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on United Nations Day, October 24.

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).

—

About Philippines morning news.

Philippines morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Philippines English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Philippines English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Philippines daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Philippines news headlines and first paragraphs before 8.15am Manila time.

We clearly identify the source of all the Philippines news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.

This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Philippines news article, or keep on reading the remaining Philippines daily news headlines.

Click here to get your Philippines English language news today by email before 9am Manila time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.

For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.

#Independentmedia

Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Philippines morning news for October 25 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on October 25, 2019
View all posts by Stella-maris Ewudolu →

Bio
Latest Posts

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.