‘Premature’ to say Chinese vessel in WPS violated UNCLOS
It is “premature” to say that the presence of the Chinese vessel, which allegedly rammed and abandoned a Filipino fishing boat near the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea on June 9, is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Malacañang said on Monday.
— Philippine News Agency
Duque, other execs face retroactive inquiry into PhilHealth payouts
Health Secretary Francisco Duque may be included in the investigation into the payout of billions of pesos by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to dialysis treatment centers for bogus claims that used the names of dead members, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday.
— Manilastandard.net
P40B needed to light up 2.3M households
The government needs at least P40 billion to bring power to around 2.3 million households in some 16,000 areas without power, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said.
— The Manila Times
Remittances grow 4% in April to hit $2.44 billion
CASH sent home by Filipino migrant workers remained steady in April, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Monday, allaying fears on the growth trend of the country’s major dollar source for the year.
— Business Mirror
PHL economy poised for a robust growth
THE government and private economists in general are one in saying that the Philippine economy is bracing for a vigorous expansion in the next three quarters of the year.
— Business Mirror
Duterte dismisses PH boat sinking as ‘maritime incident’
President Rodrigo Duterte broke his silence on Monday, June 17, about the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese ship in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), dismissing this as a “maritime incident.”
— Rappler
Investment push
Foreign direct investments are very important especially for developing economies like the Philippines.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Palace: Manila to invoke Mutual Defense Treaty with US if needed
As the government moves to resolve the sinking of a Filipino vessel in the Recto Bank in the South China Sea, Malacañang said that the Philippines will invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States if it is the right thing to do.
— Tempo
Loss after boat sinking estimated at P2.2 M
Fishermen from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro lost P2.2 million worth of fish and supplies after a Chinese vessel rammed their boat in the West Philippine Sea, according to the estimate of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Manny Piñol and one of the boat’s owners, Arlinda dela Torre.
— Rappler
No major decision reached after Duterte execs meet on Recto Bank
Cabinet members reached no major decision after meeting on Monday afternoon, June 17, on the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
— Rappler
Duque says he considered resigning amid PhilHealth ‘ghost dialysis’ mess
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he considered resigning in the wake of fraud allegations in the state health insurer, but added he has to stay and deal with the issue upon orders of President Rodrigo Duterte.
— CNN Philippines
Philippines asks U.N. to make protection of sailors a priority after South China Sea boat collision
The Philippines has asked the United Nations to make protecting life at sea a priority after the collision this month between a Filipino fishing boat and a Chinese vessel in the South China Sea.
— Spratly Islands
Duterte to appoint Nolcom’s Salamat as next MWSS chief
President Rodrigo Duterte will appoint Lieutenant General Emmanuel Salamat, chief of the military’s Northern Luzon Command, asthe next Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)head.
— Inquirer.net
Customs launches 6 computer systems to cut red tape, graft
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) launched on Monday six computer information programs in line with its modernization efforts, a move that is also seen to enhance the ease of doing business with the bureau and all ports nationwide.
— Business Mirror
Philippine Air Force received P2B funding for Marawi siege, COA says
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received more than P2 billion from the government for the purchase of air ammunition and various munitions and the replenishment of supplies used against the Maute Group during the five-month combat operations in Marawi City in 2017, according to the report of the Commission on Audit (COA).
— GMA News
High-ranking gov’t officials differ on China envoy’s meeting in Malacañang
The meeting of China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua in Malacañang to address the Recto Bank incident wherein a Chinese vessel collided with a Filipino fishing boat may or may not take place, as high-ranking Cabinet officials issued different statements on the issue on Monday.
— GMA News
Analysts’ expectations on monetary policy action
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will likely keep benchmark rates steady at its review this week, with policy makers preferring to ensure that inflation maintains its downward trend, analysts said in a BusinessWorld poll.
— BusinessWorld Online
DILG orders mayors to cancel Kapa business permits
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday called on city and municipal mayors to revoke the business permits of Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc.
— GMA News
Frustrated with graft, Duterte tells Filipinos to look for leader like Marcos
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday asked Filipinos to look for a leader like the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos as he expressed frustration anew with government corruption.
— GMA News
Brimming with cash, banks line up for gov’t IOUs
With another round of reduction in banks’ reserve requirement next week to release more liquidity into the system, T-bill yields again declined across the board Monday with the Bureau of the Treasury selling all P15 billion in IOUs offered.
— Inquirer.net
Failure to rescue people in distress, a cause of concern, DFA secretary
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin underscored that there may be no provision in international with regards to sanctions on the failure of crew members to extend assistance to people in distress, such inaction is a cause of some concern.
— GMA News
9k cops, force multipliers to be deployed for SONA
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy around 9,000 police officers and augmentation forces for President Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, officials said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
Deaths dip first time in a decade–P.S.A. data
THE total number of Filipinos who died declined for the first time in a decade, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Business Mirror
Filipinas are ‘pragmatic’ borrowers, int’l financial group says
Filipino women are pragmatic borrowers likely to close existing liabilities within five to 15 days, a recent financial study reported.
— The Philippine Star
Pasig River rehab body to build 1,411 meters of linear parks on Manila, QC esteros
FIRST, there was Estero de Paco; then, Estero de San Miguel. This time around, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) is looking to build a linear park along two creeks it is cleaning, one in Manila and one in Quezon City.
— Business Mirror
Duterte names Dansal new NFA administrator, replaces Jason Aquino
President Duterte has appointed Judy Carol L. Dansal as incoming National Food Authority (NFA) administrator, replacing Jason Y. Aquino, a reliable source confirmed to the BusinessMirror on Monday.
— Business Mirror
Plan to raise minimum public float deferred
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is deferring its plan to raise the minimum public ownership (MPO) of publicly listed companies, as it bids for more time to study the increase.
— BusinessWorld Online
PNP, NBI team up to dismantle ‘Kapa-like investment scams’
The Philippine National Police is teaming up with the National Bureau of Investigation and Securities and Exchange Commission to dismantle the operations of investment companies and corporations allegedly involved in investment scams.
— Tempo
DOF disputes anew IMD’s latest report on competitiveness
The Department of Finance (DOF) has disputed anew the Switzerland-based business school International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) World Competitiveness report that is “biased against developing countries.”
— Manila Bulletin
Davao Investment Conference to focus on creating new economic zones
The city will focus on forming special economic zones during the two-day Davao Investment Conference here starting Thursday.
— BusinessWorld Online
‘New SSS law makes OFWs less competitive’
OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFW) may have to suffer fewer job opportunities abroad in exchange for their new additional benefits from the Social Security System (SSS).
— Business Mirror
Probe of Recto Bank incident to determine how to get justice for fishers –Palace
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the investigation is aimed to determine the extent of the liabilities involved and in order to ascertain the most effective legal means to obtain justice for our countrymen.
— GMA News
PHL, Indonesia to strengthen Celebes Sea maritime border security
The Philippines and Indonesia agreed to continue enhancing border security along the Celebes Sea to prevent terrorism and maritime crimes, the Philippine military revealed on Monday.
— GMA News
Manila Water warns of possible water interruptions as Angat Dam nears critical levels
East zone concessionaire Manila Water on Sunday warned of possible rotational service interruptions as the water level in Angat Dam dips near critical levels.
— CNN Philippines
PRRD signs EO maintaining 5% tariff on mechanically deboned meat
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed Executive Order No. 82, which maintains the 5 percent tariff on mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of chicken and turkey and their offals.
— Philippine News Agency
Globe set to lease 150 common towers from two companies
TWO common tower providers are set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) after securing a deal with Globe Telecom, Inc. for the installation of passive telecommunications infrastructure.
— BusinessWorld Online
Indonesia tells PHL: Reconsider trade measure on coffee imports
Jakarta is urging Manila to reconsider its special safeguard duty (SSG) on coffee imports as Indonesia is set to raise before a World Trade Organization (WTO) committee transparency concerns over the Philippines’s imposition of the trade measure.
— Business Mirror
Gordon to hospitals: Give patients blood first before asking them to get replacement blood
THE world celebrated World Blood Donors’ Day recently, and Sen. Richard J. Gordon had this urgent appeal to hospitals nationwide: provide patients with the blood needed first before requiring them to bring in donors to replace the blood units to be used.
— Business Mirror
Executive pay disclosure required
PUBLICLY LISTED firms may have to disclose the exact compensation of each member of their board directors soon, as per the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.
— BusinessWorld Online
Civilians tips lead to recovery of NPA mortar, ammo in N. Ecija
Military and police troops recovered ammunition and leftist paraphernalia in a lair abandoned by alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Barangay Calabasa, Gabaldon town in Nueva Ecija.
— Philippine News Agency
PCC OKs Japanese firm’s acquisition of Mitsubishi finance firm
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved the acquisition by Japanese consumer finance firm JACCS Co. Ltd. of the shares of Mitsubishi Motors’ financing firm MMPC Auto Financial Services Corporation (MAFS).
— Philippine News Agency
Auto industry zooms with double-digit sales growth
Driven by the continued strong sales of commercial vehicles (CV) and the rebound of passenger cars (PC), the local auto industry saw its May 2019 sales surge by 20.2 percent versus the previous month, and 1.2 percent higher than same period last year.
— Philippine News Agency
Probe urged on floating ballot box found in Maguindanao
Residents of the Maguindanao town of Datu Salibo have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to probe the discovery of a mysterious ballot box with election documents for the May 13 elections.
— Philippine News Agenc
Sara denies coveting SUV gifted to President Duterte
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday denied her father’s, President Rodrigo Duterte, claim that she wanted to keep an SUV that was given to her father by religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
— GMA News
[ANALYSIS] Why the influx of Chinese in the Philippines?
It’s a question many of us ask whenever we walk the streets of Makati, Bonifacio Global City, or the Manila Bay Area.
— Rappler
Filipino migrant farm workers, care workers join marches in cities across Canada
Filipino farm workers and care workers marched with hundreds of other temporary foreign workers (TFW) in this city’s downtown core Sunday, June 16, to call for decent work, permanent resident status upon arrival, universal services, and an end to discrimination and displacement of migrant workers .
— Rappler
ALAMCCO members urge gov’t not to shut down ‘cooperative’
More than a thousand members of the Alabel-Maasim Credit Cooperative (ALAMCCO) urged the government to allow the organization to continue its operations, according to a report by Darlene Cay in GMA News TV’s State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Monday.
— GMA News
Feature photo Department of Agriculture – Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges Sustainable Gastronomy Day, June 18.
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).
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 June 18 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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