Quake toll rises to 7; aftershocks hamper rescue
As Mindanao braces for “The Big One” in the far south, the death toll from the latest major shock which rumbled underneath Davao del Sur last Sunday has reached seven, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
— Manilastandard.net
Verdict due in Philippines’ worst political massacre
The alleged masterminds of the Philippines’ worst political massacre will learn their fate on Thursday (Dec 19), when a Manila court issues its verdict, in a test of the justice system for a nation with a deep-seated culture of impunity.
— CNA
PH to scale down deployment of OFWs to Saudi
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Monday said they were set to scale down “starting next year” the deployment of new hires to Saudi Arabia due to the Gulf state’s continued failure to address the violations committed against Filipino migrant workers, who to date have claims amounting to at least P4.6 billion.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
PHL rises 8 rungs in Global Fintech Index
THE Philippines has improved its financial technology (fintech) ratings by eight notches in the Global Fintech Index 2020, but was kept at the lower end of the group when compared with its Southeast Asian peers.
— Business Mirror
Senate sees P20 billion-P24 billion yield yearly from higher ‘sin’ taxes
ANYWHERE from P20 billion to P24 billion yearly is the expected yield from the higher rates for so-called sin taxes on alcoholic beverages, heated tobacco products and vapor products which the Senate, working late into Monday night, passed on third and final reading to help bridge the funding gap for implementing the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.
— Business Mirror
Proposed US sanctions do not infringe on PHL sovereignty – De Lima
The sanctions sought by United States lawmakers on Duterte administration officials–specifically banning them from entering the US and freezing their assets–was a way to protect human rights and not an infringement of Philippine sovereignty, Senator Leila de Lima said Wednesday.
— GMA Network
Human trafficking victims rescued in Zamboanga
A promise of well-compensated jobs in Malaysia prompted 13 women to fall to an alleged human trafficking scheme in Zamboanga City, the Philippine Coast Guard said Tuesday.
— Tempo
QC court orders return of Zaldy Ampatuan to jail
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Tuesday ordered that Zaldy Ampatuan, a principal accused in the 2010 Maguindanao massacre, be sent back behind bars from the Makati hospital where he is presently recovering from a stroke.
— Philippine News Agency
BSP probes 10 banks for links to money laundering scheme
Philippine monetary officials are now looking at information that about 10 banks received the alleged dirty money that passed through Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through its partnership with Westpac Banking Corporation’s remittance arm.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte-Duterte in 2022, says pre-election survey
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, have emerged as the top candidates for President and Vice President for Visayas and Mindanao voters in 2022, according to a recently-held pre-election survey.
— Manila Times
15 Chinese nationals arrested for operating prostitution dens
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested 15 Chinese nationals who allegedly operated prostitution dens in Las Piñas City amid what authorities say is an alarming level of Chinese criminal activity in the Philippines.
— GMA Network
AFP marks 84th founding anniversary
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) celebrated its 84th founding anniversary in a ceremony at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency
House bill seeks to double deposit insurance to P1 million
A senior administration lawmaker has filed a bill at the House of Representatives that seeks to double the current P500,000 bank deposit insurance to P1 million that will be covered by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (pdic).
— The Philippine Star
Solons want P2.1-billion unpaid Banco Filipino loans investigated
LAWMAKERS have filed resolutions asking the House of Representatives to look into unpaid loans, reaching over P2.1 billion, that were granted to the owners of the shuttered Banco Filipino.
— Business Mirror
More Filipino families rated themselves ‘poor’ in Q3 – SWS
The number of Filipino families who consider themselves “poor” rose to 42 percent during 2019’s third quarter compared to the record-low 38 percent in the first quarter, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said Tuesday.
— GMA Network
Upland residents in Kidapawan ordered to leave high-risk homes
Residents of an upland village here who returned home after fleeing to safer grounds following several strong earthquakes in October were ordered to evacuate anew following Sunday’s magnitude-6.9 tremor, an official said Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency
Mindanao quakes hint at ‘The Big One’s’ effects on Metro Manila –UP Nec
The devastating effects of the recent temblors that shook Mindanao during the latter part of the year, give a glimpse of what could happen if a major earthquake, like The Big One, struck Metro Manila, according to the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center (UP NEC).
— GMA Network
Philippines to sign BrahMos deal in 2020: Defence Secretary
The Philippines is set to become the first export customer of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile in 2020, according to the country’s Department of National Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
— Spratly Islands
PCOO launches docu film, magazine on PH anti-illegal drug campaign
THE government launched a documentary film and a magazine tackling the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the Duterte administration, in a bid to address the proliferation of inaccurate narratives surrounding the program.
— Manila Times
Philippines loses Top 10 slot in latest gender equality ranking, falls 8 spots
The Philippines lost its spot in the top 10 in the new gender equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, which flagged a widening political empowerment gap in the Southeast Asian country.
— The Philippine Star
Globe Telecom gets P5-b DBP loan to finance ‘20 investments
Globe Telecom Inc. borrowed P5 billon from the Development Bank of the Philippines to fund capital expenditures next year and refinance debt.
— Manilastandard.net
DOE launches first renewable-energy on-line trading platform in Philippines
The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday introduced an on-line trading platform for renewable energy (RE) with the intention of making this commercially available starting next year.
— Business Mirror
Rice inventory down to 2.962 MMT from 3 MMT in November–PSA
The country’s rice inventory as of November fell slightly to 2.962 million metric tons from last year’s 3 MMT, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday.
— Business Mirror
3 La Union water execs get 10 years for graft
The Sandiganbayan has sentenced three water district officials in La Union to 10 years in prison for stealing over P7.2 million in public funds.
— The Philippine Star
Philippine increasingly relying on food imports — PSA
The Philippines is now relying more on food imports to ensure sufficient supply and stabilize prices, according to recently released data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— The Philippine Star
Drug suspect killed after resisting arrest
POLICEMEN shot and killed a suspected drug pusher in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan province on Monday night after he allegedly resisted arrest, according to a police report.
— BusinessWorld
Top this: Ajinomoto launches rice topping mix in Philippines to increase calcium consumption
Ajinomoto Philippines has released a calcium-rich rice topping mix to increase calcium consumption within the Philippines population.
— Foodnavigator-asia
PHL miners bag Asean award
THREE mining companies from the Philippines were adjudged winners at the recently concluded second Asean Mineral Awards (AMA) held in Bangkok, Thailand.
— Business Mirror
Labor dep’t to reduce worker deployments to Saudi Arabia
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will reduce deployments of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Saudi Arabia, citing Riyadh’s inaction in settling 9,000 unpaid claims filed by OFWs worth P4.6 billion.
— BusinessWorld
Government to fund pay of BARMM teachers’ salaries
The national government will fund the salaries of teachers in parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which were not initially included in the region’s budget.
— BusinessWorld
PEZA to develop ecozones for agribusiness, marine products
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it will help develop agro-industrial and marine products-based economic zones through a partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— BusinessWorld
DENR opposes taxing plastic bags by weight
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it supports taxing single-use plastic shopping bags on a per-piece basis, saying that taxing by weight would worsen the plastic pollution problem.
— BusinessWorld
Bato says police in drug operations should have body cameras
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa stressed the importance of providing body cameras to drug enforcement operatives to protect them from allegations of killing drug suspects.
— GMA Network
Drug-trafficking ‘most dreaded evil’: Palace
Drug-trafficking is the “most dreaded evil” and should definitely be considered a heinous crime, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency
54 nabbed in ‘one time, big time’ ops in Soccsksargen
At least 54 wanted persons and suspected criminals were arrested in parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) on Monday in the second wave of the “one time, big time” law enforcement operations launched by local police units.
— Philippine News Agency
Gov’t exerted all efforts to secure justice in Ampatuan case
Government lawyers did all they can to give justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre case, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday, two days before the scheduled promulgation of the court’s decision on the case.
— Philippine News Agency
Gov’t may not pursue military camp in Marawi: Lorenzana
Officials and residents of Marawi City have expressed relief on the announcement of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that the government may not pursue its planned construction of a new military camp in Marawi.
— Philippine News Agency
AFP urged to ‘crush’ illegal drugs, terrorism
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday renewed his call for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “crush” illegal drugs and terrorism to ensure a safer country for the future generations of Filipinos.
— Philippine News Agency
Marcos urges defense, military to declare unilateral Christmas ceasefire
SEN. Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos on Tuesday urged defense and military leaders to declare a two-day unilateral ceasefire with the New People’s Army (NPA) to allow soldiers to spend Christmas with their loved ones.
— Manila Times
e-Health, Health Passport bills hurdle House committee
THE House Committee on Health approved Tuesday an unnumbered substitute bill establishing the National e-Health System and a bill creating the National Health Passport System.
— BusinessWorld
DTI 6 cites region’s feat on gov’t efficiency, resilience
The Department of Trade and Industry in Western Visayas (DTI 6) said on Monday the region excels in the aspects of government efficiency and resilience.
— Philippine News Agency
Bloated ‘Tisoy’ damage reports dismay Albay governor
Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara on Tuesday expressed dismay over the apparently bloated damage reports submitted by various local government units (LGUs) after Typhoon Tisoy hit Bicol last December 3.
— Philippine News Agency
PACC to summon Robredo over questionable fishport project in Camarines Sur
VICE President Leonor “Leni” Robredo will be summoned by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to shed light on allegedly anomalous projects involving a multimillion fishport and ice plant and storage in Camarines Sur which she funded when she was still congresswoman.
— Manila Times
Palace: Up to SolGen whether to appeal junking of P200-B forfeiture case vs. Marcoses
It is up to Solicitor General Jose Calida whether his office will appeal the dismissal of the P200-billion forfeiture case against former President Ferdinand Marcos and his family, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday.
— GMA Network
Pasig saves P150M after Vico Sotto tightened public biddings
The Pasig City government saved P150 million in the first 5 months of the administration of Mayor Vico Sotto, who said it was the result of stricter and more transparent public biddings for service and supply contracts – an effort to cut corruption .
— Rappler
Rodriguez says there will be lengthy, in-depth discussion on House Cha-cha resolution
House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chair Rufus Rodriguez on Tuesday said that there will be lengthy and in-depth discussions in the chamber on the measure proposing amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
— GMA Network
Customs seizes P54M in smuggled sugar in one of biggest hauls in 2019
Port of Manila (BoC-POM) seized 48 container vans of smuggled refined sugar worth at least P54 million in one of the biggest hauls so far this year by the government in terms of volume and value.
— Manila Times
Europe’s most wanted online sex offender gets 20 years in Cebu
A Cebu City court has sentenced Europe’s most wanted online sex offender to 20 years in prison.
— Rappler
CA confirms Dar as agriculture chief
THE Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on Tuesday the ad interim appointment of Secretary William Dar as chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— Manila Times
BSP releases new P20, enhanced P5 coins
THE public will welcome 2020 with fresh coins in circulation after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BS) released the new P20 and enhanced P5 coins.
— Manila Times
New Chinese envoy urges PHL to support ending violence in HK
China’s new ambassador has urged the Philippines to oppose moves by external forces to meddle in the ongoing situation in Hong Kong, which has been racked by months of often violent anti-government protests, saying this would endanger thousands of Filipino workers in the Chinese-controlled financial hub.
— GMA Network
Construction firm promises to finish Antique Airport by 2020
The construction firm building the new Antique Airport promised to finish the airport by its target date in the 3rd quarter of 2020.
— Rappler
Panday Sining slams House bill seeking 15-year prison time for vandals
Cultural youth group Panday Sining on Tuesday criticized a House bill that seeks to impose up to 15 years of imprisonment for vandals and those found stealing or destroying government property.
— GMA Network
Palace: Robredo struggling to be relevant
Vice President Leni Robredo only wanted attention when she called for a press conference to announce that she decided to defer the release of her report on the government’s drug war, Malacañang said Tuesday.
— GMA Network
Amid surge in fares, Gatchalian asks LTFRB to reassess Grab’s fare matrix
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to reassess Grab’s fare matrix following a surge in its prices in recent days.
— Eagle News
Bangsamoro intergovernmental body finally meets
Almost 9 months after the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), members of the critical Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) met for the first time in Davao City.
— Rappler
2 dead, 1 missing in Dagupan City drowning incident
Two have been confirmed dead while one is still missing after four college students drowned in a beach in Barangay Bonuan Gueset here.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte to military: You should not fail
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday asked soldiers to remain committed to their mandate of protecting the nation from security threats.
— GMA Network
NTF exec calls for public vigilance ahead of CPP anniversary
A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) has called on the public to be vigilant in the wake of reports that communist rebels have been ordered to launch operations to assassinate people who do not submit to their will as they mark their 51st year of existence and terrorism on Dec. 26.
— Philippine News Agency
Zambo taxi coop gets LTFRB nod to operate 50 more units
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved the franchise application of the Asia’s Latin City Transport Service Cooperative to operate an additional 50 taxi units.
— Philippine News Agency
942 NPA members, supporters yield to 7ID in 2019
A total of 942 communist rebels and their supporters have surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division from January to December 13 this year as a result of the implementation of the government’s campaign on ending the local communist armed conflict.
— Philippine News Agency
Noynoy Aquino discharged from hospital after nine days
Former President Noynoy Aquino has been discharged from the Makati Medical Center after a comprehensive check-up, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
— GMA Network
Palace: Water firms didn’t lose money over canceled deals
Malacañang thinks Maynilad and Manila Water did not actually lose a big part of their fortune after the government announced that it had revoked the 15-year extension of concession agreements with the two water firms that are supposed to expire in 2037.
— Philippine News Agency
Fire hits National Children’s Hospital in QC
Almost 200 patients at the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) were evacuated after a fire razed parts of the building on Tuesday morning.
— Tempo
Cop shot dead in Taguig
A police officer was shot dead Monday night by four unidentified men while on his way home in Taguig City. Taguig City police identified the slain officer as Master Sergeant Napoleon Zamora, 45, a member of the Philippine National Police Regional Headquarters Support Unit (PNP-RHSU).
— Tempo
15 aliens engaged in sex trade nabbed
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested 15 Chinese nationals allegedly engaged in the sex trade during a series of operations in Las Pinas City.
— Tempo
Police to compel kidnap victim to tell her story
The Chinese woman, who was abducted by four men last week, will be compelled to give her statement detailing the incident despite her decision not to pursue charges against her kidnappers, a Makati police officer said Tuesday.
— Tempo
9 dead in 3-vehicle collision in Rizal
Nine people died while at least 10 others were injured in a road accident involving a jeepney, a 22-wheeler trailer truck and a dump truck in Barangay Looc, Cardona, Rizal province, at about 5 a.m.Tuesday.
— Tempo
CSC Urges Government Offices To Conduct Alcohol-Free Christmas Parties
Government Offices Reminded by CSC To Hold Alcohol-Free Christmas Parties CHRISTMAS PARTIES – The Civil Service Commission is encouraging government offices to conduct simple and alcohol-free Christmas parties.
— Philippine News
Korean man charged with murder of live-in partner
Police charged a Korean man with murder after they discovered the decomposing body of his live-in partner, also a Korean, inside a condominium unit Angeles City.
— Rappler
Abatan PCoP dev’t wows ASEAN, WB delegates
Community residents of the five towns along the Abatan River and members of the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC) wowed the guests from the World Bank and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) who witnessed what the world leaders have been adopting in its processes in sustainable development.
— Philippine Information Agency
Goat center eyed in Ilocos Norte town
In the town of Piddig in Ilocos Norte, goat raising is slowly becoming popular as its local government unit hopes to have its own goat center in the future.
— Philippine News Agency
Feature photo Philippine News Agency
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Migrants Day, December 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).
—
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Philippines morning news for December 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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