Philippines morning news for July 13, 2020

‘Pandemic of intolerance’: Senators assail House vote displacing 11K workers when 7M have lost jobs
FOR now, it’s improbable that they will ever get a chance to act on the franchise of ABS-CBN, but that didn’t stop senators from weighing in on the stunning House committee vote to reject the giant network’s application on Friday, throwing out 11,000 workers in the middle of an economically crippling pandemic.
— Business Mirror

MGCQ possible for Metro Manila with proactive local lockdowns
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Sunday said a shift of Metro Manila to the least restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) is possible on July 16 as long as localized lockdowns are imposed immediately.
— Philippine News Agency

West PH Sea award is ‘non-negotiable’, DFA says on 4th anniversary of legal victory
The Philippines’ arbitration victory against China is “non-negotiable”, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday on the 4th anniversary of the verdict.
— ABS-CBN News

DOH misses daily COVID-19 update due to ‘significant volume of data’
The Department of Health (DOH) failed to release the daily COVID-19 case bulletin for the first time on Sunday, July 12, due to “significant volume of data gathered.”
— Rappler

Struggling airlines still waiting for gov’t help
STRUGGLING local airlines are hoping they will soon receive government support that would help ensure their survival amid the crisis.
— BusinessWorld

Gov’t discourages home-based quarantine: Nograles
The national government is now discouraging home-based quarantine for those who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to minimize the risk of transmission within households, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

Palace says it will leave people’s initiative on ABS-CBN franchise to High Court
Malacañang on Sunday said it will leave the issue of granting a franchise to media giant ABS-CBN Corporation to the Supreme Court, after some groups said a people’s initiative to revive the company’s franchise bill is feasible.
— ABS-CBN News

Local government units told to implement targeted lockdowns
THE government has asked local officials to enforce targeted lockdowns in villages with surging coronavirus infections as part of efforts to contain the pandemic.
— BusinessWorld

Government debts swell to P1.51 trillion
The Philippines borrowed around P1.51 trillion from domestic and foreign sources from January to May to raise funds for COVID-19 response efforts, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).
— Philippine Star

Manila earmarks P10 billion for housing projects
The Manila government has allotted P10 billion for housing projects and acquisition of medical equipment for the city’s hospitals, according to Mayor Isko Moreno.
— Philstar

Lacson urges DOH to fast-track release of COVID-19 test results
Senator Panfilo Lacson urged the Department of Health (DOH) to fast-track the release of COVID-19 test results to one to two days in order to curb the further spread of the diseases in the country.
— GMA Network

Solon: DOLE has ‘moral obligation’ to give cash, job-matching aid to displaced ABS-CBN workers
A lawmaker on Saturday urged the government to provide cash aid and job-matching assistance to more than 11,000 ABS-CBN employees affected when the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the network’s franchise application.
— GMA Network

Lack of financial literacy hindering people in dealing with pandemic, Diokno says
MANY FILIPINOS are suffering from “apparent financial insecurity” stemming from the lack of financial literacy, which is hampering their ability to cope during a “once-in-a-lifetime pandemic,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said.
— BusinessWorld

PH to fly back remaining deceased OFWs from Saudi Arabia on July 20
The Philippines committed to bring home the remains of over 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in Saudi Arabia after logistical challenges delayed their repatriation earlier scheduled July 4.
— Rappler

NPC reminds establishments to secure personal data of customers to be used for contact tracing
The National Privacy Commission on Sunday reminded business establishments to secure the details provided by customers to them as part of their contact tracing measures amid the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
— GMA Network

Mactan-Cebu airport opens first PH COVID-19 airport lab
Mactan-Cebu International Airport has begun its operations as the first airport in the country equipped with COVID-19 laboratory.
— CNN Philippines

Rage grows over ‘painful stab at press freedom’ with ABS-CBN franchise denial
The outrage against the rejection of a new 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN grew louder on Saturday as more groups added their voices of protest against the House committee vote that finally closed all the network’s free-to-air radio and television stations.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

49 remains of OFWs repatriated from Saudi Arabia via PAL flight – airline spox
The Philippine Airlines said Saturday it has flown home some 49 bodies of Filipinos from two areas in Saudi Arabia, part of government efforts to bring home remains of overseas Filipino workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— ABS-CBN News (video)

Palace to UN: Rappler, ABS-CBN issues have nothing to do with press freedom
The franchise issue involving ABS-CBN network and the cases faced by Rappler have nothing to do with press freedom, the government declared in a recent report defending its human rights record before the United Nations.
— Manila Bulletin

DA sets P150 M to address worsening worm infestation
The Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes the allotment of an emergency fund worth P150 million could save farms affected by the worsening fall armyworm infestation (FAW).
— Manila Bulletin

Economy starts to pick up after trade contraction in May–NEDA
The country’s external trade performance continued to take a beating as data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed exports and imports growth continued to contract in May 2020.
— Business Mirror

DOH says it’s dealing with woes of San Lazaro’s ‘overworked, underprotected’ nurses
WITH more than 40 healthcare workers (HCWs) and employees found to be positive for Covid-19 since March, nurses at San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) raised their safety concerns to the government as they face “the most dangerous fight in our lifetime.”
— Business Mirror

PAL midyear special promo starts July 13
Flag carrier Philippines Airlines (PAL) said it will offer special fares to the public via its midyear special promo, which will start on July 13.
— Business Mirror

What’s 3,000 to 4,000 COVID-19 case difference between UP, gov’t data? Success, according to execs
June 30 became a mark-your-calendar day for officials and scientists keeping tabs of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Philippines.
— Inquirer.net

Roque: No chilling effect as ABS-CBN’s full-time business is entertainment
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday said the House committee vote to kill the franchise application of ABS-CBN should not be a cause for concern to other media entities.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 Impacts In The Philippines
In the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines is one of the countries that has been affected the most by the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Asean Post

Fewer healthcare workers affected by COVID — DOH
The number of healthcare workers infected with coronavirus has been on a steady decline, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
— Philippine Star

BSP sets rules of forex hedging facility
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is issuing new guidelines covering the foreign exchange forward contract market, including imposing a cap on a bank’s total gross exposures, as well as stricter sanctions to mitigate potential build-up of systemic risks.
— Philippine Star

DoF, BSP renew push for lifting of bank secrecy
THE Department of Finance (DoF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) renewed their call for the lifting of bank secrecy, after the Philippines was dragged into a financial scandal involving German payments company Wirecard AG last month.
— BusinessWorld

US plans announcement on SCS soon –sources
THE Trump administration plans to make an announcement next week related to escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where Washington and Beijing are vying for military supremacy, according to two people familiar with the matter.
— Business Mirror

EU extends $39.8 M grants for Mindanao
The European Union (EU) has extended grants for the Philippines’ ongoing peace and infrastructure development projects in Mindanao, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
— Manila Bulletin

PSA: Lockdown derailed rice data collection
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it was not able to release rice stock inventory data for the past three months due to the lockdown implemented by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19.
— Business Mirror

Ayala’s AC Energy files rehab plan for Iloilo oil spill-hit areas
AYALA-LED AC Energy, Inc. over the weekend submitted its environmental management plan to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), listing its actions in addressing the impact of the oil spill that happened in Iloilo City earlier in the month.
— BusinessWorld

SEC closes for two weeks as virus infects more staff
THE main office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be locked for two more weeks for disinfection after more employees tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— BusinessWorld

DFA reports 50 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad; total now at 8,854
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said 50 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been recorded among Filipinos abroad.
— ABS-CBN News

DOH probes claims plasma being sold to virus patients
The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas (Region 7) is looking into claims on social media that some recovered new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients are making money by selling their convalescent plasma to families of critically ill patients.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH: Rapid test kits still cannot be sold in drugstores
Rapid antibody test kits still cannot be sold in drugstores, not even those approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Health clarified.
— CNN Philippines

Pasig City launches interest-free loan for economic recovery
The Pasig City government has officially launched its Tulong at Pampuhunang Ayuda sa Taga-Pasig (TAPAT) program which will offer loans to job seekers, entrepreneurs and businesses starters in the city.
— Philippine News Agency

Int’l passengers bound for Cebu required to register online
Passengers arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on board international sweeper or repatriation flights or rerouted from Manila due to quarantine processing limitations are now required to register online.
— Philippine News Agency

Phishing is top PH cybercrime during pandemic – authorities
Authorities recently reported that phishing is the top cybercrime being committed in the country during the pandemic, followed by online selling scams and the proliferation of misinformation that cause panic among the public.
— Rappler

78,800 migrant workers brought home, DFA says
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has brought home more than 78,800 Filipino workers from overseas amid a coronavirus pandemic that has sickened 12.9 million and killed about 570,000 people worldwide.
— BusinessWorld

PHLPost honors frontliners with special stamps
The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) will release today special stamps honoring frontline workers battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philstar

Audio-visual industry suffers as production slows
THE Philippine audio-visual industry is facing liquidity problems as a result of lower production activity and suspended cinema operations amid the lockdown.
— BusinessWorld

PH tops Vietnam to snag SEA Invitational Dota 2 title
The Philippines’ Neon Esports delivered when it mattered most after toppling Vietnam’s 496 Gaming to rule the Dota 2 event of the Razer Southeast Asia Invitational on Sunday, July 12.
— Rappler

LSIs should be COVID-19 tested before returning to provinces -solon
Locally-stranded individuals (LSIs) must first undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 before being allowed to travel back to their home provinces, Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao said Sunday.
— GMA Network

PNP confirms 1063 COVID-19 cases in its ranks
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the Philippine National Police has breached the 1000 mark.
— Eagle News

QC to strengthen complaint body vs police, law enforcement abuse
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued an Executive Order reorganizing and further strengthening the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), a desk for citizens to air grievances over any cases of abuse committed by policemen.
— Philstar

Farmers get Landbank aid worth P2.65 billion amid COVID
Government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines has continued its cash aid distribution to rice farmers despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philippine Star

9 in 10 Filipinos value independent journalism – Reuters Institute survey
The latest Digital News Report revealed that 9 in 10 Filipinos value independent journalism and a majority want journalists to call out lying and misleading politicians.
— Rappler

DENR promotes plant-based diet to fight climate change
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Saturday urged Filipinos to help fight climate change by switching to plant-based diet, which has been shown to reduce the ecological footprint of human food consumption.
— Philippine News Agency

Senate bill seeking COVID-19 funding from privatization of gov’t assets
A MEASURE expediting the privatization of government assets to raise funds for the coronavirus crisis has been filed in the Senate.
— BusinessWorld

QCPD says cop mauled, robbed amid reports he was apprehended by campus police
The Quezon City police said it will file a complaint after alleging that demonstrators mauled a police officer at the University of the Philippines campus.
— Philippine Star

Big majority of Filipinos think Congress should grant ABS-CBN a franchise
A huge majority of Filipinos agreed that Congress should renew ABS-CBN’s franchise, pollster Social Weather Stations said Saturday, July 11.
— Rappler

Gov’t weighs allowing prov’l bus operations to resume
The national government is still weighing calls to lift the provincial bus ban to help drivers and operators recover from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on their livelihood, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

Cabanatuan City reimposes liquor ban, curfew
The city government here has reimposed a liquor ban and curfew in an effort to address the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
— Philippine News Agency

Construction of Tarlac-Palauig Road in full swing
Construction of the 36.925-kilometer access road that will connect the towns of San Jose in Tarlac and Palauig in Zambales is in full swing.
— Philippine Information Agency

Rural utilities told to review compliance with billing rules
RURAL POWER utilities were ordered to review their compliance with regulations governing billing during the lockdown, the industry association said.
— BusinessWorld

PH sweeps Myanmar to reach SEA Invitational Mobile Legends grand finals
The Philippines’ Bren Esports made quick work of Myanmar’s Yangon Galacticos to advance to the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang grand finals of the Razer Southeast Asia Invitational on Saturday, July 11.
— Rappler

Robredo tells Filipinos: Remember those who shut down ABS-CBN
With the franchise renewal application of ABS-CBN denied by the House of Representative, Vice President Leni Robredo urged the public to remember the names of the representatives who voted against the renewal and hold them accountable.
— The Asian Affairs

ACB welcomes Asean‘s giving premium to nature in response to Covid-19
The Asean Centre for Biodiversity welcomed the call of President Duterte during the 36th Asean Summit to intensify the regional response against the Covid-19 pandemic and enable the ACB to help curb wildlife trafficking in the region.
— Business Mirror

WATCH: ABS-CBN employees, supporters join noise barrage in aftermath of franchise denial
Several ABS-CBN employees and supporters participated in a noise barrage on Saturday to honor the 11 congressmen who voted in favor of the broadcast network’s franchise, and denounced the lawmakers who rejected it.
— ABS-CBN News (video)

South China Sea Code of Conduct, COVID-19 pandemic top agenda of meet
The ongoing negotiations for a new South China Sea Code of Conduct and the continuing battle to contain the new coronavirus disease were among the items discussed in the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-China senior officials’ consultation held for the first time, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Indonesia and Philippines are smart to make nuclear power plans
Even though critics say building nuclear power plants is an expensive and environmentally unfriendly strategy, at least two nations in Southeast Asia are keen on it: both Indonesia and the Philippines have recently proposed reviving plans for nuclear energy.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

From 56 events last year to 36 events next year
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino said this yesterday after he revealed the number of sports disciplines that have been proposed for the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
— Manilastandard.net

PH to push arnis, triathlon in 2021 SEAG
The country will appeal the inclusion of arnis, triathlon, and obstacle course in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam after they were scrapped in the proposed sports lineup, Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said yesterday.
— Tempo

Feature photo WorldSkills Asean Bangkok 2018
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on World Youth Skills Day, July 15, with an emphasis on World Skills Asean Singapore 2020.

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).

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Philippines morning news for July 13 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on July 13, 2020
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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.