Philippines morning news for December 20

Philippines morning news for December 20
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Philippines morning news

55 acquitted, 28 convicted in Ampatuan massacre
Only 28 people were convicted for 57 counts of murder for the 2009 Ampatuan massacre.
— Rappler

Hot money outflows hit $1.6 billion in 11 months
More speculative funds flowed out of the country from January to November amid the raging US-China trade war, the rebalancing of global funds, as well as the start of the impeachment hearings on US President Donald Trump.
— The Philippine Star

11-month BOP surplus rises to $6.27 billion–BSP
THE local economy posted dollar earnings in end-November this year, reversing the deficit seen in the same 11-month period in 2018.
— Business Mirror

Davao Sur earthquake toll: 11 dead, 195 hurt
The number of persons killed in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that thumped Matanao, Davao del Sur on Sunday is now at 11, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Thursday.
— Manilastandard.net

Government to tap more ODAs for infrastructure projects
The Philippines will step up the negotiations for official development assistance (ODA) for its massive infrastructure program within the grace period allotted for countries graduating to upper middle income (UMIC) status, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.
— The Philippine Star

‘2020 budget signing likely to happen in early January’
PRESIDENT Duterte will not be able to sign the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 before the year ends, given the time constraints as it has to undergo the required review by the Office of the President and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
— Business Mirror

ASF outbreak ‘tapering down’: DA chief
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Thursday said the occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in the country is “tapering down”.
— Philippine News Agency

Several structures in Davao City showed cracks after Dec. 15 quake
There are establishments and public school buildings in Davao City that manifested cracks due to the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit South Eastern Mindanao Sunday afternoon (Dec. 15), according to Retired Lt. Colonel Angel Sumagaysay, chief of the Public Safety and Security Command Center of the city.
— Philippine Information Agency

Antique power coop needs P17-M to remove 200 electric posts
The Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO) needs PHP17 million just to remove the 200 electric posts affected by the road widening project from Barangay Atabay here to Barangay Cubay in Sibalom, Antique.
— Philippine News Agency

Mayor Isko leads crackdown against manufacturers of fake documents
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso led the raid against manufacturers of fake documents and licenses on Recto Avenue in Quiapo, Manila on Wednesday, December 18.
— Philippine Information Agency

Rights group leader gets death and rape threats on Human Rights Day
A woman human rights defender received calls and text messages threatening to have her killed and raped on December 10, otherwise known as International Human Rights Day and the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
— Rappler

Agri chief Dar vows to establish a “food secure” PHL after CA confirmation
Agriculture Secretary Dr. William Dar vowed to lead the country’s agriculture sector towards “sustainable food security and prosperous rural communities” after he was confirmed as secretary of the Department of Agriculture by the Commission on Appointments.
— Eagle News

2 cops dismissed daily for corruption
TWO policemen are dismissed daily on the average for corruption and other illegal activities, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa said on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld

BSP to review LitePay transactions
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assured the public that it would review lenders that had transactions with LitePay, the remittance arm of Westpac Banking Corp., which was accused of violating Australia’s money-laundering laws 23 million times.
— Manila Times

Industries’ gross revenue growth slows in Q3
Gross revenues of industries grew by 7.6 percent in the third quarter of the year, slower than the 9.7-percent expansion in the same period last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
— Manila Times

70 common towers to rise in Cavite
ISOC edotco Towers, Inc., a joint venture of local company ISOC Infrastructure, Inc. and Malaysia’s edotco Group Sdn Bhd, is planning to build 70 common towers in Cavite province.
— BusinessWorld

Marcos family’s entire art collection ‘unlawfully acquired’ – Sandiganbayan
The entire art collection of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ family was “unlawfully acquired,” the anti-graft court’s first division ruled on Wednesday, December 18,
— Rappler

Zambo mayor reminds residents of firecracker ban
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has reminded residents about the existing ordinance banning firecrackers here during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
— Philippine News Agency

Over 1K Mati residents get aid under DOLE’s work for cash program
A total of 1,251 residents from various barangays in Mati City, Davao Oriental, received cash aid on Wednesday under the work for cash program of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
— Philippine News Agency

GenSan steps up waste disposal monitoring in coastal communities
The city government has stepped up its monitoring and implementation of waste management measures in seaside villages and waterways draining to the Sarangani Bay to address the high fecal coliform levels in its coastal waters.
— Philippine News Agency

[ANALYSIS] Duterte’s foul attacks on big business: What is he up to?
This year Newsbreak, Rappler’s investigative and in-depth section, is capping off 2019 with a series of stories threaded by the theme of lawlessness.
— Rappler

Rice retail price dips to 3-year low of P36.67
THE average retail price of rice in the fourth week of November has sunk to its lowest level in three years to as much as P36.67 per kilogram since the government eased rules on importation, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed.
— Business Mirror

Duterte to announce action on water firms on Jan. 6
Malacañang said President Duterte plans to make an announcement about the government’s deals with Metro Manila’s water distribution companies on January 6, 2020.
— Tempo

Sandigan deems Marcoses’ $24-M collection of expensive paintings ill-gotten, orders forfeiture
The Sandiganbayan Special Division has ordered the forfeiture of over 146 expensive paintings by world-renowned artists worth at least US $24 million illegally acquired by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family during his 20-year tenure as President.
— GMA Network

PLDT-Smart Communications rewards Southeast Asian Games eSports victors
AS PART of its commitment to promote sports and support Filipino athletes, PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications (Smart) recently awarded cash incentives to the 30th Southeast Asian Games eSports gold, silver, and bronze medalists from Team Sibol, the Philippines’ first national eSports team.
— BusinessWorld

BSA sees ‘encouraging response’ to software legalization program
GLOBAL software advocacy organization The Software Alliance (styled “BSA”) said it has reached an “encouraging response” at the halfway mark of its software legalization campaign among Philippine companies.
— BusinessWorld

Cebu Pacific Offering Passengers Roaming WiFi Kits
Cebu Pacific has launched a WiFi Kit to help passengers stay connected when they visit Philippines or travel overseas.
— Travel News Asia

No untoward incident during Maguindanao massacre promulgation — PNP
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday announced that there was no untoward incident during the promulgation of the Maguindanao massacre case inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
— GMA Network

Names of guilty and acquitted in Maguindanao massacre case
Not all of the over 100 accused who stood trial in the Maguindanao massacre case were convicted on Thursday.
— GMA Network

No closure yet for Maguindanao massacre 58th victim’s kin
MANILA — Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes’ 761-page decision on the Maguindanao massacre on Thursday said there was not enough proof to convict the accused for the supposed 58th victim, Midland Review photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay.
— Philippine News Agency

Benguet solon passes away at 68
BENGUET Lone District Rep. Nestor Fongwan, Sr. passed away on Wednesday night, his son said.
— Manila Times

Manhunt vs 80 remaining Maguindanao massacre suspects intensified
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a massive manhunt against the 80 remaining fugitives in the Maguindanao massacre case following the promulgation of judgment on the brutal murder of 57 people.
— Tempo

Naga City acquires satellite phones for emergency use
The local government unit here purchased five units of satellite phones in order to have unhampered communication lines during calamities or even during the conduct of big events when cellphone signal is jammed.
— Philippine News Agency

Fire hits residential area in Manila
FIRE razed a residential area in Manila on Thursday afternoon, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported. BFP-NCR said the fire on Leveriza St. Malate, Manila broke out at about 12:14 p.m.
— Manila Times

Davao City’s earthquake faults too far for stress transfer
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that the Davao Central Fault System in Davao City is far from the current active faults in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato from where stress can be transferred.
— Philippine Information Agency

Ampatuan guilty verdict a ‘victory’ but fight isn’t over — Roque
LAWYER Harry Roque on Thursday lauded the “victory” of the families of the 58 individuals who were massacred in Maguindanao 10 years ago after the alleged masterminds were convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison without parole on Thursday.
— Manila Times

Rights, journo groups call for ending impunity, dismantlng of private armies after Ampatuan conviction
The 57 counts of murder conviction of the members of the Ampatuan clan for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre which left 58 people dead, including 32 journalists, should prompt government and advocates to step up their efforts in fighting impunity and dismantling private armies, rights and journalist groups said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Palace on Maguindanao massacre verdict: Rule of law has prevailed
The rule of law has prevailed. The Palace had this to say following the conviction of Zaldy and Datu Unsay Ampatuan and several others over the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, but the acquittal of some on Thursday, Dec. 19.
— Eagle News

Ampatuan massacre victims’ families could each receive P20M
If the accused are convicted, each Ampatuan massacre victim could receive as much as P20 million in civil damages, prosecution lawyers said on Wednesday, December 18.
— Rappler

NEDA eyes development projects in Iloilo province
The National Economic Development Authority in Western Visayas (NEDA 6) considers establishing ticket projects outside this city.
— Philippine News Agency

Maguindanao massacre verdict shows working PH justice system
The guilty verdict against key suspects in the Maguindanao massacre case handed down on Thursday showed that the justice system in the Philippines is working, an official of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) said.
— Philippine News Agency

Tacloban City Council okays P60-M budget for bonus
The city council here approved on Wednesday the PHP60 million budget meant for the additional cash incentives of the city government workers and village officials this holiday season.
— Philippine News Agency

Davao City LGU gives incentives to plantilla workers
The City Government of Davao will be giving the financial benefits entitled to its plantilla employees starting Dec. 16.
— Philippine Information Agency

Eastern Visayas eyed as region’s surfing capital
The Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar (SCES) has bared plans to form the Eastern Visayas surfing circuit to hone the skills of local surfers.Club president Rupert Ambil said this was the suggestion of the Department of Tourism and endorsed to the Philippine Surfing Championship Team.
— 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).

 

 

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.

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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.

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