Philippines morning news for June 18, 2020

Tax attack? Philippines considers higher sugar levy and new ‘junk food’ tax to offset COVID-19 impacts
The Philippines is considering implementing higher sugar taxes as well as new taxes on ‘junk food’ high in sodium and trans fat to offset the costs incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak this year.
— Foodnavigator-asia

Carpio warns: Situation ‘worse than martial law’ under anti-terrorism law
The Philippines would perpetually be in a state worse than martial law if the anti-terrorism bill is signed into law, former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio warned.
— Philippine Star

Infrastructure outlay buoyed by rush in building quarantine sites
A scramble to construct isolation hubs and purchase medical equipment offset a massive disruption in building activities and helped propel government infrastructure spending in the middle of lockdowns in April.
— Philippine Star

Virus-induced foreign borrowings breach $7 billion
Three months into the lockdown and resulting business disruptions, the Duterte administration has raised $7.01 billion from foreign lenders to build up its war-chest against the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Philippine Star

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surpass 27,000
Over 27,000 people in the country have caught the coronavirus disease so far, the Department of Health reported on Wednesday.
— CNN Philippines

Number of Filipinos with coronavirus overseas now at 6,074
The number of Filipinos abroad found positive for the coronavirus continues to climb with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) counting 56 additional cases, raising the total to 6,074 as of Wednesday, June 17.
— Rappler

10 killed in Negros Island shootings in 6 days
Even with the rising cases of coronavirus disease in Negros Island, 10 individuals, including two village officials and a Belgian national, were killed in separate shooting incidents in the two provinces from June 12 to 17.
— Rappler

Still no ‘magic pill’ for virus, says DOH after UK ‘breakthrough’
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday cautioned the public against thinking that a “magic pill” for COVID-19 had been found following the release of a British study that found using a steroid in treating severely ill patients could help reduce their risk of death by a third.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

PH clearly not yet flattening the curve compared to Thailand, other countries, says Ateneo prof
A professor of the Ateneo de Manila University said on Wednesday that the Philippines is clearly not flattening the curve for the COVID-19 outbreak.
— ABS-CBN News

DOT to revoke accreditation of hotel which housed ‘tourists’
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) moved on Wednesday to revoke the accreditation of a hotel on Boracay Island, which accommodated 24 outsiders, one of whom tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
— Business Mirror

Infrastructure spending up in April
STATE SPENDING on infrastructure surged in April as the government ramped up construction of quarantine facilities and purchases of medical equipment in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— BusinessWorld Online

DOH-Central Luzon reiterates minimum health standards
The Department of Health-Central Luzon Center for Health Development (DOH-CLCHD) is reminding the public to strictly observe minimum health standards as the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is still present amid the transition phase being implemented in the region to achieve the goal of balancing economic activity and public health.
— Philippine News Agency

More Filipino patients join WHO clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment
The Department of Health on Wednesday said the country now has 288 patients participating in the World Health Organization’s clinical trials in search for effective coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatments.
— ABS-CBN News

DOH warns public vs. non-prescribed dexamethasone use
The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday warned the public against the unregulated use of dexamethasone, a steriod found to have improved the survival of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in England.
— Philippine News Agency

DOJ on lockdown after 5 confirmed to be coronavirus positive
The Department of Justice (DOJ) compound in Padre Faura, Manila, is now on lockdown after 5 were confirmed be positive for the coronavirus.
— Rappler

DepEd extends use of schools as isolation facilities
The Department of Education (DepEd) has extended the use of schools in the province as isolation facilities for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) until June 30.
— Philippine News Agency

Over 13,000 from central, southern PH still stranded in Luzon: official
Over 13,000 remain stranded in Luzon and are still awaiting transportation assistance to return to their home provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, a government official said Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN News

PHL fish harvest to reach 3.22 MMT by 2030–FAO
The country’s fish production is projected to reach 3.22 million metric tons (MMT) by 2030 on the back of higher aquaculture output, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
— Business Mirror

Filipino migrant workers struggle amid COVID-19 restrictions
According to the Filipino government, in 2019 there were 2.2 million individuals officially designated as Overseas Filipino Workers, otherwise known as migrant workers, who reside and work in another country temporarily.
— Asean Today

Roque: PhilHealth fund woes due to corruption
Aside from declining revenue, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is likewise losing money due to corruption, and this must stop, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Wednesday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Employment to rebound in 1-2 years, says Bello
THE Labor department chief expects the country’s labor market, battered by the coronavirus pandemic, to recover in one to two years.
— BusinessWorld Online

IMO okays PHL plan on maritime standards
THE International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (Imsas) Council has approved the Philippines’s strategy in enforcing global maritime standards, a plan that boosts the country’s hurdling of an industry evaluation slated for 2022.
— Business Mirror

Subic firm denies retrenching workers due to COVID
Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., a subsidiary of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has denied reports that it retrenched 121 workers due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
— Philstar

400 private schools at risk of closure over lack of enrollees –COCOPEA survey
Some 400 private schools are at risk of closure due to the lack of enrollees amid the coronavirus pandemic, a survey by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) found.
— GMA Network

BFP exec fired after virus-positive staffer ‘roamed’ Boracay
The chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Western Visayas was relieved of duty on Wednesday, June 17, after one of the region’s fire personnel roamed Boracay Island while waiting for her coronavirus test results, which later turned out to be positive.
— Rappler

Palace to US: Court made right decision in Maria Ressa s cyber libel case
Malacañang on Wednesday supported the decision of a Manila court that convicted Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and a former employee of cyber libel after the United States expressed concern over the verdict.
— GMA Network

Ombudsman to investigate Duque, other health officials for ‘alleged irregularities’
Ombudsman Samuel Martires announced today that he is ordering an investigation of Secretary Francisco Duque and other Department of Health (DOH) officials for their alleged mismanagement of the government’s anti-coronavirus drive.
— Coconuts Philippines

Skills upgrade key to keeping workforce amid new normal, digitization –UnionBank
Union Bank of the Philippines said Wednesday that investments on workers skills upgrading is the key to keep the workforce intact amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and changing jobs requirements due to technology.
— GMA Network

COVID-19 shows need for Philippines to invest more on science, technology, says expert
The Philippine government should consider investing more on science and technology to usher in a better future after the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for the development of these industries, according to a professor from the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

Cash-rich banks yet to tap liquidity buffers, says BSP
Big banks have yet to dip into their capital and liquidity buffers to absorb losses and support financing requirements amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
— Philippine Star

BIR: Online sellers earning less than P250,000 a year won’t be taxed
Online sellers earning less than P250,000 a year would not have to pay income tax, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Wednesday, June 17, as it defended its circular reminding the group to register and pay tax.
— Rappler

Senate leaders oppose PhilHealth s proposal to delay UHC implementation
Several senators on Wednesday expressed opposition to the recommendation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to delay the implementation of the Universal Health Care law as it projected a four-year fund deficit.
— GMA Network

NegOr IATF asks airlines, shipping companies for passengers’ list
The provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) of Negros Oriental is asking airlines and shipping companies for a copy of their passenger manifests to help in the documentation of returning residents.
— Philippine News Agency

More OFWs seeking repatriation
The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and seeking repatriation continues to increase.
— Philippine Star

Philippines , ADB ink $500 milion loan for 4Ps
The Philippines and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have inked a $500-million loan agreement for the provision of education and health assistance to poor Filipino households, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
— Philippine Star

NHA: Nearly 90,000 have so far applied for Balik Probinsya program
At least 89,219 people have already applied as beneficiaries of the government’s Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2) as of Wednesday, according to the National Housing Authority (NHA).
— GMA Network

BARMM to utilize multi-platform communication system for its Learning Continuity Plan
To ensure that “no Bangsamoro child will be left behind” in transitioning to the ‘new normal’ amid Covid-19, the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE-BARMM) will be using multi-platform communication system in implementing its Learning Continuity Plan (LCP).
— Philippine Information Agency

BuCor virus count reaches 223
The number of inmates infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 has climbed to 223, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported yesterday.
— Philstar

Ressa: Information ops now moving against me
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on Wednesday said that “information operations” were moving against her, citing “ties that bind” the businessman who filed the cyber libel suit against her and the Duterte administration.
— GMA Network

Scribes urged to observe due diligence, fact check stories
Journalists should observe due diligence and fact check their stories after the cyber libel conviction of Rappler head Maria Ressa indicated a case of “bad journalism,” Malacañang said yesterday.
— Tempo

DTI grants P300K livelihood assistance to fire victims
To help fire victims rebuild their livelihood, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), provincial office provided grocery and carenderia packages worth P300,000 to 30 families in barangays Sta. Lucia and Balangasan, Pagadian City through their livelihood program dubbed “Pangkabahayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa” (PPG).
— Philippine Information Agency

COVID-19 task force adviser says he was eased out over critical tweet
Health reform advocate Tony Leachon, who served as an adviser to the National Task Force COVID-19, said he was asked to resign because of social media posts critical of the government’s coronavirus response.
— Rappler

CHR revives call for government to rethink criminal libel
The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday urged the government to review laws and policies that threaten press freedom and freedom of expression in the Philippines as it warned that these can produce a “chilling effect” on criticism of government.
— Philippine Star

Tycoon Danding Cojuangco Jr. passes away
Tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. died on Tuesday evening. He was 85.
— Philippine Star

More than 269K Bicolanos to get 2nd tranche of SAP
A total of 269,362 non-Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Bicol are set to receive their second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash aid, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office.
— Philippine News Agency

Anti-terror bill steps up Army drive vs. communist group in Bicol
The commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia on Wednesday said passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill will boost and expedite the government’s campaign against the communist terrorist group (CTG) in the region.Brig. Gen.
— Philippine News Agency

Lacson, Esperon cite weaknesses of Human Security Act
The Human Security Act (HSA), a Philippine anti-terrorism measure that took effect in 2007, is as a “dead letter law” because it has been “severely underutilized, Senator Panfilo Ping Lacson said Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

BTA session resumes, ensures continuity of gov’t services
“Siniguro natin na ang Bangsamoro Government ay ramdan ng tao.” This was the statement of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim during the opening of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament’s Second Regular Session Tuesday, June 16, in Cotabato City.
— Philippine Information Agency

German firms seek government support amid COVID
German companies operating in the Philippines have urged government to cut red tape, pass economic stimulus packages and reduce the corporate income tax (CIT) rate as relief measures as the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 crisis has taken a high toll on their operations.
— Philippine Star

DOST supports system to facilitate Covid-19 testing
As the Philippines hopes to transition from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)-induced community quarantine to the new normal, it is imperative that targeted mass testing is in place to contain further spread of the SARS-CoV2 virus.
— Philippine News Agency

Pangasinan’s Hundred Islands prepares for tourists
The city government is preparing for the resumption of operation at the famous Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) as the province transitions into the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) status.
— Philippine News Agency

De Lima seeks probe into POGO-related arrests to see if industry worthy to continue ops
Senator Leila De Lima on Wednesday said that arrests and cases filed related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) should be investigated by the Senate to determine if the industry should be allowed to continue operations in the country.
— GMA Network

Gov’t didn’t return ABS-CBN in 1986, Lopez family took it back –network exec
The government did not return ABS-CBN to the Lopezes after the EDSA Revolution in 1986, but instead the family took it back to their possession.
— GMA Network

Team PH to showcase Filipino gamers’ savvy in FIBA Esports Open
Height is might in basketball, but not in the FIBA Esports Open.
— Rappler

LTO suspends work in main office, QC licensing office after 12 employees test positive for COVID-19
The Land Transportation Office has suspended all work in its main and Quezon City offices starting noon today, June 17, after 12 of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.
— Eagle News

PH embassy labor office in Saudi Arabia closes due to COVID-19
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been temporarily shuttered after several employees tested positive for the coronavirus, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced today.
— Coconuts Philippines

‘Vote for life’: Kapatid urges SC to act on petition for prisoners’ release
Reina Mae Asis Nasino, a 22-year old political prisoner, is due to give birth at the Manila City Jail female dorm where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed.
— Rappler

Pinoy inventor develops anti-virus machine
As the world is racing against time to find the best drug to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a Filipino inventor, has asserted to have developed a machine that can kill airborne virus and even novel coronavirus which is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact routes.
— Philippine News Agency

Hontiveros urges BIR to ‘withdraw, review, rewrite’ online seller memo
Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to reissue its order on taxing online sellers , as the trade department said small-time businesses don’t need to register anymore.
— Rappler

Coronavirus impacts on renewable energy projects
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has impacted ongoing and new investments in renewable energy, a founder of independent energy, climate, and sustainability professionals group said Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency

Sotto clarifies remark on needless martial law if Duterte signs anti-terror bill
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday clarified that he was referring to the situation in Mindanao when he said martial law would no longer be needed if the anti-terror bill is enacted.
— GMA Network

Vico Sotto says Pasig raised P1.2 billion for students’ tablets, laptops
The Pasig City government has raised P1.2 billion to provide tablets and laptops to its public school students in elementary, junior and senior high school, and their teachers, Mayor Vico Sotto said in a Facebook live briefing on Wednesday, June 17.
— Rappler

SEC warns public anew vs. Bitcoin Revolution
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned anew against the Bitcoin Revolution, which presents itself as a cryptocurrency trading program purportedly endorsed by government officials, businessmen, and even celebrities.
— Philippine News Agency

‘Filipino Champ’ banned from fighting game events after racist tweet
Capcom and other fighting game events banned Ryan ‘Filipino Champ’ Ramirez from competing indefinitely after the former EVO champion tweeted an image with an insensitive caption.
— Rappler

Feature photo PNB Global Remit
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Day of Family Remittances, June 16.

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 June 18 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on June 18, 2020
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.