Filipinos from virus-hit cruise ship to come home
THE country’s top diplomat has ordered the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo to facilitate the immediate return of about 500 Filipinos aboard a novel coronavirus-stricken cruise ship docked in Yokohama.
— BusinessWorld
Filipina domestic helper in HK positive for COVID-19
THE Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Hong Kong on Wednesday confirmed that a Filipina household worker has been tested positive for the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
— Manila Times
NUJP submits 200,000 signatures to push House to take up ABS-CBN franchise bills
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Wednesday submitted a list of 200,000 signatures to the House of Representatives in a bid to push the chamber to start deliberating on the bills seeking the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation.
— GMA Network
President Duterte Supports the Use of Marijuana for Medical Purposes
President Duterte Supports Use of Cannabidiol for Epilepsy President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte supports for the use of cannabidiol (CBD) or marijuana for alleviating severe forms of epilepsy.
— Philippine News
First Filipino case of novel coronavirus recovers – DFA
The first Filipino reported to have contracted the novel coronavirus has recovered from the infection, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday, February 19.
— Rappler
Locsin orders repatriation of Filipinos on Diamond Princess
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr has ordered the immediate repatriation of over 500 Filipinos aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been quarantined in Japan due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— GMA Network
Virus slashes imports from China by 14.36%
IMPORTS from China suffered a year-to-date decline of 14.36 percent to 77,878 containers as several factories in China shut down amid the coronavirus outbreak, latest data from government showed.
— Business Mirror
Motorbikes main road killer in 2019 – MMDA
Motorcycles figured in more than half of 394 road crash deaths last year, making them the main killer on the road, data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) showed.
— The Philippine Star
New levies, amnesty push tax effort to 22-year peak
The government’s tax effort reached a milestone last year, hitting its highest level since Philippine tax laws were last overhauled, driven by higher revenues generated from new tax legislation.
— The Philippine Star
DOH: We have enough protective personal equipment, test kits
The Department of Health (DOH) assured on Wednesday that it has enough stocks of protective personal equipment (PPEs) and test kits to be used by healthcare workers in quarantine facilities and persons under investigation (PUIs) for possible coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019) infection.”
— Philippine News Agency
P80-M cash aid given to OFWs affected by travel ban: OWWA
The government has provided over PHP80 million worth of financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were stranded due to the travel ban imposed on China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.”
— Philippine News Agency
House panel defers approval of Charter change resolution
THE House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Thursday abandoned its planned approval of the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha) to allow lawmakers more time to study the proposals.
— Business Mirror
PHL children’s status in health, environment trails Asean neighbors
NOT all children in the Philippines are flourishing in terms of health, their environment and futures, according to a landmark report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), Unicef and The Lancet.
— Business Mirror
Pia Cayetano sponsors bill to reduce corporate income tax, reform fiscal incentives
Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday urged colleagues to approve the bill seeking to reduce the corporate income tax (CIT) rate in the country and reform the fiscal incentives system.
— GMA Network
VFA termination after Bato’s visa cancellation an assurance to Duterte’s minions –Trillanes
President Rodrigo Duterte’s termination of the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States was somehow a message of affirmation to his minions, aside from being a clear statement of pivot to China, according to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday.
— GMA Network
Senate to tackle ABS-CBN franchise on February 24
The Senate public services committee will tackle the franchise renewal of media giant ABS-CBN on Monday, February 24, ahead of hearings at the House of Representatives.
— Rappler
Charges filed vs PhilHealth officials over fake receipts
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and former Philippine Overseas Employment Administration employee and whistleblower Ken Sarmiento yesterday filed charges before the Ombudsman against four officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. over the issuance of over 200 fake premium receipts to overseas Filipino workers.
— Tempo
Senate body approves CITIRA bill
A SENATE COMMITTEE on Wednesday approved a priority bill of President Rodrigo R. Duterte that seeks to lower corporate income tax and streamline fiscal incentives.
— BusinessWorld
Public Services bill to remove Congress’ mandate over critical sectors, allow foreign ownership, groups warn
A lawmaker and an infrastructure-oriented group have expressed alarm over the proposed Public Services Act, which will remove the limit on foreign ownership on certain critical sectors.
— GMA Network
PCGG loses appeal, P102-billion case vs Marcos crony still junked
The government through the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) lost its appeal as the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan upheld its August 2019 decision junking a P102-billion civil suit against a Marcos crony.
— Rappler
RCEF disbursement at P1.52 billion as of February–DA
DISBURSEMENTS from a fund specifically allocated to support farmers nationwide was below 50 percent as of February, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— Business Mirror
BIR to probe co-ops for ‘low tax compliance’
BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay has issued an order for the audit or investigation of cooperatives due to their “low tax compliance or nonpayment of tax.”
— Business Mirror
Urban centers need better infrastructure to boost growth–ADB team
Major cities in Asia need to upgrade their function as labor markets to further boost economic growth, according to experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— Business Mirror
Enforce tricycle ban on highways, LGUs told
Local chief executives should strictly implement the ban on tricycles and pedicabs along national highways as part of road clearing operations.
— The Philippine Star
PSA gears for 2020 census of population in Zambo Peninsula
The Philippine Statistics Authority-9 (PSA-9) said it is hiring 345 additional workers to assist during the month-long census on population, which starts on May 4 this year.
— Philippine News Agency
LGU, AFP join hands to end insurgency via RCSP
“Reaching the unreached even in the most challenging situation is the key to ending poverty. Through this RCSP, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), we will empower individuals so that everyone becomes a channel of peace,” said Mayor Levi Edma as he lauds the government.
— Philippine Information Agency
Bill lowering corporate tax moves to Senate plenary
Senator Pia Cayetano sponsored the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (Citira) at the Senate plenary on Wednesday, February 19.
— Rappler
Luyungan IP school to launch ‘food sufficiency’ project
The Luyungan Indigenous Peoples High School (LIPHS) will launch on February 26 its “Luyungan Food Sufficiency Project” at Sitio Nasuli, Bangcud, Malaybalay City.
— Philippine Information Agency
Davao hog raisers battle ASF stigma
The Hog Farmers Association of Davao is trying to battle the stigma in the wake of African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in several villages located in Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur and Davao City.
— Philippine Information Agency
ARTA sets deadline for all gov’t agencies to act on pending applications
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has ordered all government agencies to act on all pending applications and automatically approve them if they come with complete requirements before March 7, to comply with the prescribed processing time for transactions under the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act.
— Philippine Information Agency
Lawmakers reject ‘stupid’ proposal to regulate campaign spending, contributions
Legislators have opposed the proposed constitutional amendment that would regulate campaign spending and contributions, calling it stupid and unrealistic.
— Rappler
NoCot village workers get pay hike
Governor Nancy Catamco announced on Tuesday that the provincial government has approved the increase in the honorarium of barangay workers.
— Philippine News Agency
Finance chief optimistic on CITIRA passage by March
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Wednesday he remains optimistic that lawmakers will approve Senate Bill (SB) No. 1357 or the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) by March.
— Philippine News Agency
Sotto: Slain BuCor exec said he wanted to tell all on GCTA mess
Slain Bureau of Corrections official Fredric Anthony Santos had indicated his intention to tell all he knew about the misapplication of the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network
Poverty and Duterte BBB
On Feb. 5, I attended the lecture by Dr. Dennis S. Mapa, National Statistician and head of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and Professor at the UP School of Statistics (UPSS).
— BusinessWorld
3.0-magnitude quake hits Ilocos Sur
A 3.0-magnitude earthquake struck Ilocos Sur on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
— Eagle News
IP leaders vow support vs. NPA recruitment in campuses
Amid the reports on the growing influence of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) among youth in Agusan del Norte, top leaders of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the province vowed to support government measures against the communist rebel group’s recruitment in campuses.
— Philippine News Agency
IBP says possible gag order won’t cover Congress hearings
A STATE attempt to silence a media company critical of President Rodrigo R. Duterte should not prevent Congress from hearing its application for a franchise extension, a lawyer’s group said on Wednesday.
— BusinessWorld
10 ‘habal-habal,’ 7 drugged PUV drivers fall in anti-colorum ops
Authorities on Wednesday apprehended 10 “habal-habal” or unregistered motorcycle taxis and seven public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs in separate operations in Metro Manila.
— Philippine News Agency
UN, Japan reaffirm support for Bangsamoro
The United Nations (UN) and the Japanese government have reaffirmed their commitment to aid peacebuilding efforts in the Bangsamoro region, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network
DOTr: Construction of MRT-7 “underground areas” to continue
Construction of “underground areas” of the Metro Rail Transit-7 will continue, the Department of Transportation said on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
— Eagle News
TESDA urges Ilocanos to turn skills into livelihood
Through their continuing promotion for skills development, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Ilocos Norte is enjoining the participation of Ilocanos to enroll and find interest in various technical-vocational programs.
— Philippine Information Agency
Vehicle sales fall 11.8% in Jan. 2020
Automotive sales registered negative growth in the first month of the year amid the Taal Volcano eruption.
— Philippine News Agency
Nova Parojinog seeks acquittal, opposes transfer to BJMP
Former Ozamiz City vice mayor Nova Princess Parojinog has moved for her acquittal in two criminal cases and opposed a motion by prosecutors for her transfer from police custody to a facility of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
— GMA Network
Manila fails DILG’s good financial housekeeping standards
Manila failed to make it on the list of 2019 Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) passers that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) released on February 14.
— Rappler
Gamboa eyes submitting recommendation on cops included in drug list on March 5
Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa on Wednesday, Feb. 19, said he intends to submit his recommendation on the policemen included in the drug watchlist to President Rodrigo Duterte on March 5.
— Eagle News
Chinese national who spat at traffic enforcer arrested by BI
THE CHINESE national who spat at a Manila traffic enforcer, with the video of the incident going viral on social media, was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on February 17.
— BusinessWorld
BARMM police officials undergo surprise drug test
The Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) conducted a surprise drug test on all officers based at the regional headquarters here Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency
DA launches audit of programs, projects in Soccsksargen
The central office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched an audit on various programs and projects previously implemented in Region 12 or Soccsksargen that had been flagged with some “issues and concerns”.
— Philippine News Agency
Feature photo Zuellig Family Foundation
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Mother Language Day, February 21.
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 February 20 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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