Philippines Morning News For April 9, 2019

Net ‘hot money’ flows reach $304M
Foreign portfolio investments hit a net inflow of $304.83 million in mid-March, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed, lower from a net inflow posted a year earlier.
— The Manila Times

Chinese blockade of sandbars may lead to Philippines’ loss of aerial access to Pag-asa, expert says
Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea pose a threat to any aircraft that would use the runway on the island, a maritime expert said.
— The Philippine Star

18 immigration agents suspended over P9.4-million extortion
President Duterte has ordered the suspension of 18 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) while they are being investigated for allegedly extorting P9.4 million from 15 South Koreans, the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

China-funded drug rehab center unveiled in S. Philippines
A Chinese government-financed drug treatment and rehabilitation center in southern Philippines’ Agusan del Sur province was turned over to the local government on Monday.
— Xinhuanet

NFA reorganization to terminate over 1,000 workers
National Food Authority’s (NFA) fight to retain some of its functions is now over. Over the weekend, the state-run grains agency has finally conceded to Rice Tariffication Law, which stripped off its regulatory and stabilization roles.
— Manila Bulletin

DICT: $4.5-billion investment needed to allow the PHL to catch up with neighbors
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday said $4.5 billion in investment is needed to construct 50,000 new towers that would improve telco services in the Philippines.
— Business Mirror

DTI told to intensify campaign vs substandard rebars
THE PHILIPPINE Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) has urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to intensify its campaign against substandard reinforcing steel bars (rebars) as it reported to the agency that substandard concrete rebars used primarily for the construction of homes are being sold in several hardware stores in Baguio City, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.
— Malaya

More than 25,000 Filipinos still die annually of TB
Finally curbing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the Philippines may require strong political will, and its increasing incidence, despite government efforts, requires a higher level of commitment.
— Inquirer.net

Philippine Communist Rebels Grow New Aid Sources as China Steps Away
A beleaguered group of Mao Zedong-inspired rebels in the Philippines is tapping funds from overseas and recruits from among ideological sympathizers at home to help battle the government for the next 50 years as former benefactor communist China backs away.
— VOA

Construction of Ceza centers starts in April
Construction of the CEZA Corporate Center and Commercial Center inside the envisioned CEZA Global City will simultaneously break ground within April.
— Manilastandard.net

Project preparation funding for climate resilient PPPs readied
A facility for funding the preparation of regional Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with climate resilience components is now being readied to build a robust pipeline of such infrastructure projects, the PPP Center announced over the weekend.
— The Philippine Star

Gov’t targets recyclers of cigarette tax stamps
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to work closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in curbing a new scheme perpetrated by illicit tobacco traders involving their suspected use of recycled tax stamps on fake cigarettes, the Department of Finance (DOF) revealed in a statement on Monday.
— Philippine News Agency

Another Iloilo town now under state of calamity due to El Niño
Lambunao town in Iloilo province was placed under a state of calamity on Monday due to the impact of El Niño, the top municipal official said.
— Philippine News Agency

Cocaine worth P257M recovered in Surigao
FORTY bricks of cocaine were recovered off Burgos town in Surigao del Norte on Sunday, bringing to about 200 kilos the amount of cocaine recovered at the country’s eastern seaboard over the past two months.
— Malaya

Mixed results at T-bills auction; BTr awards P11 billion
THE auction for Treasury bills (T-bills) on Monday received mixed results as the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) was only able to award P11.075 billion of the P15-billion offering, as demand for the government paper settled on the shorter-dated security.
— Business Mirror

BSP approves 3 more virtual currency exchanges
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved the application of three more virtual currency exchanges (VCE) to operate in the Philippines.
— The Manila Times

“Outrageous interference:” Palace slams US senators’ resolution seeking De Lima release, dropping of charges vs Ressa
Malacanang said the resolution of five U.S. senators calling for the immediate release of opposition senator Leila de Lima and the dropping of charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was an “unwelcome intrusion” to the legal proceedings in the country.
— Eagle News

Swedish firms eyeing airport infra, services in PH
A large majority of Swedish businessmen are optimistic in their outlook in the Philippine economy with keen interest in infrastructure and the services areas, believing that opportunities are definitely worth pursuing for the long term despite challenges in the ease of doing business in the country.
— Manila Bulletin

Korea, Philippines start building defence factories
Two South Korean defence companies have launched projects in conjunction with Philippine state-run armament manufacturer Government Arsenal (GA) to construct defence production factories in the Southeast Asian country.
— Jane’s 360

Manila airports head will not oppose if Duterte orders military ‘takeover’ of NAIA
The head of Metro Manila’s airports is ready to give up his seat after the President warned of a military takeover if the situation in the airport does not improve.
— CNN Philippines

ICTSI backs crackdown on overstaying cargo at ports
Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. lauded the government for cracking down on overstaying cargo at Manila ports.
— Manilastandard.net

Govt hits ‘onerous’ Maynilad contract
The Duterte administration is open to filing criminal cases against those behind the allegedly onerous government concession given to Maynilad Water Services Inc., even if the firm has expressed willingness to drop an overseas arbitration suit, Malacañang said on Monday.
— The Manila Times

Opposition senatorial bets vow to bring to Senate fight vs Chinese intrusion
The opposition senatorial candidates on Monday vowed to bring the fight against China to the Senate if elected in the coming May elections.
— Inquirer.net

PAL eyes bigger market share in Bangkok
Philippine Airlines (PAL) expects to increase its market share in Bangkok, Thailand driven by robust tourism growth.
— Malaya

SEC drafts rules for revival of expired companies
THE CORPORATE REGULATOR will allow companies whose incorporation papers have expired to apply for revival, following approval of a perpetual corporate term under Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.
— BusinessWorld Online

Electricity consumers may be entitled to P46.547-B refund
Filipino consumers are warranted roughly P46.547 billion worth of refund in their electric bills once the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) finally renders decision on adjustments in the rate-setting methodology for power utilities in the country.
— Manila Bulletin

Women’s unpaid work worth trillions of pesos – PIDS study
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) believes the worth of unpaid work done by women is in the trillions of pesos.
— Rappler

ROTC program revival could cost P23B with new facilities
REVIVING THE mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program could cost as much as P23 billion, according to Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Alain Del B. Pascua.
— BusinessWorld Online

PRRD remark on revolutionary war ‘an expression of frustration’
President Rodrigo R. Duterte was just expressing his frustration when he “threatened” to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and declare a ‘revolutionary war’, Malacañang said on Monday.
— Philippine News Agency

Bello urges public to report foreigners in jobs locals can do
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday urged Filipinos to report foreign nationals doing jobs that can be done by locals since the department does not have enough inspectors to check the entire country.
— ABS-CBN News

Only Southeast Asia’s largest wind farm, not solar farm, is in Ilocos Norte
Several Facebook posts from supporters of Imee Marcos falsely claimed last March that the largest solar farm in Southeast Asia is found in Ilocos Norte even if it is in Negros Occidental.
— InterAksyon

Duterte wealth is ‘properly declared’: Palace
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has “properly declared” his wealth, Malacañang asserted on Monday saying it saw no reason for the Chief Executive to further explain its origins.
— Philippine News Agency

Globe in talks to share towers with ‘third player’ Mislatel
GLOBE Telecom, Inc. and the Mislatel consortium, the group selected to step in as the telecommunications industry’s “third player,” said they are now in discussions to share tower assets to reduce the cost and duration of the infrastructure buildout.
— BusinessWorld Online

IP workers from 6 countries tapped for carbon accounting
A global environmental organization has tapped 18 indigenous peoples (IP) workers from six countries, including the Philippines, to do carbon accounting to protect forests and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
— Inquirer.net

Church groups demand justice for massacred farmers
MANILA, Philippine – Members of church groups on Monday, April 8, condemned the bloody operations that led to the death of 14 people in Negros Oriental .
— Rappler

Maynilad inaugurates 2nd water treatment plant that sources water from Laguna Lake
Maynilad, the water concessionaire for Metro Manila’s west zone, inaugurated on Monday, April 9, its new water treatment plant, the Putatan Water Treatment Plant 2, which treats water coming from Laguna Lake.
— Eagle News

Western Union Inks Deal with Philippines-Based Crypto Wallet
Western Union continues to make strides in entering the crypto space. Its most recent move entails a partnership with a Philippines-based e-wallet provider.
— CCN

3 Russian warships dock in Manila amid Balikatan
Amid ongoing joint military exercises with its oldest ally, the United States, the Philippine military welcomed a new one: Russia .
— Rappler

SC flip-flops, revives charges vs Sulpicio exec over sunken ferry
Nearly 5 years later, the Supreme Court (SC) reversed itself and reinstated criminal charges of reckless imprudence against an executive of the then-called Sulpicio Lines over the 2008 M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy that killed at least 200 people and left hundreds still unaccounted for.
— Rappler

Iloilo to represent PH in China brand expo on April 18-21
A delegation here will represent the Philippines in the 5th China (Quanzhou) Maritime Silk Road International Brand Expo (MSREXPO) at the Shishi Clothing City Exhibition Art Center in Fujian, China on April 18-21.
— Philippine News Agency

Palace: File raps vs. Go if drug allegations on video true
Malacañang on Monday challenged those behind the video linking former Special Secretary Bong Go to illegal drugs to file charges against the former special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte.
— GMA News

Gov’t may still prosecute Maynilad even if it drops case: Palace
The government may still prosecute officials of water concessionaire Maynilad even after it decides to withdraw its arbitration proceedings, Malacañang said on Monday.
— Philippine News Agency

Ejercito urges gov’t to hold water summit to discuss El Niño
SenatorJV Ejercito has called on President Rodrigo Duterte to hold a water summit to mitigate the effects of the El Nio phenomenon to the agriculture sector.
— Inquirer.net

Cardinal Tagle to wash feet of young people on Maundy Thursday
Young people will be among those whose feet will be washed by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Maundy Thursday at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila .
— Tempo

Antitrust body files case against a condo, mass housing developer
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) filed a case against mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Incorporated and its subsidiary, Urban Deca Homes Manila Condominium Corporation, for abuse of dominance.
— Rappler

A worthy consideration
Co-living, a budding mode of shared housing, is beginning to change the way people — especially the current generation of young professionals — live out their daily routines.
— BusinessWorld Online

IKEA to boost jobs in the Philippines, says Swedish envoy
The opening of furniture giant IKEA ‘s first store in the Philippines in 2020 is expected to create a ripple effect on the Philippine economy, said Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries on Monday, April 8.
— Rappler

57-year-old woman finally gets high school diploma
A 57-year-old woman received the loudest applause last Tuesday when she received her diploma for completing junior high school at Tarlac National High School here.
— Inquirer.net

Pangasinan’s statue is world’s tallest bamboo sculpture
The 50.23-meter high Saint Vincent Ferrer statue here is the newest Guinness World Record holder for the tallest bamboo sculpture.
— Philippine News Agency

Russian Navy sees terrorism, piracy as top Asia-Pacific threats
The Russian Navy sees terrorism and piracy as the main threats in the Asia-Pacific region, while keeping mum on the expansive claims of China in the South China Sea .
— Rappler

PNP secures Eastern Visayas sports meet
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed 246 policemen to Ormoc City to help secure the 9,516 delegates in the week-long Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) meet.
— Philippine News Agency

Drug gang leader linked to narcopoliticians arrested
The alleged leader of a drug group being linked to narcopoliticians and rogue policemen was arrested in an entrapment operation in Sampaloc, Manila, on Monday.
— Inquirer.net

Irene Marcos was invited to Ateneo, and students are up in arms
Students of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) condemned the attendance of Irene Marcos, daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, at the opening of the Ateneo Areté’s Amphitheater on Thursday, April 4.
— Rappler

Feature photo BenarNews

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 April 9 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on April 9, 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.