Double-tap bomb kills 18 at Philippines mass
A double bomb attack during services at a Roman Catholic cathedral killed at least 18 people on a southern Philippines island.
— Bangkok Post/ AFP
Q1 GDP growth to suffer from budget delay — Dominguez
The first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth may suffer due to the delay in the passage of the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
— The Philippine Star
Zero underspending: Philippines 2018 infrastructure spend tipped to hit 6.2%
The Philippines government spending on infrastructure may have hit 6.2 per cent of the country’s economy in 2018, a continuation of the fast-tracked spending under President Rodrigo Duterte’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” programme.
— AEC News Today
Budget deliberations resume
The Senate and the House of Representatives will on Monday resume deliberations on the proposed P3.757 trillion budget for 2019 to iron out differences and determine if insertions were made.
— The Manila Times
Gov’t budget utilization improves to 97% in 2018
FUND USAGE by national government agencies improved in 2018 to 97% from 95% a year earlier, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
— BusinessWorld Online
PH ranks highest in business optimism in ASEAN
Optimism in the Philippines’ economic outlook for 2019 ranked the highest in the upbeat Southeast Asia region in contrast to the more reserved global outlook, according to the International Business Report (IBR).
— Manila Bulletin
Q1 spending slashed due to budget delay
The government will be unable to spend a programmed P46 billion during the first three months of the year given the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, a Cabinet official claimed.
— The Manila Times
Another Chinese firm to invest $100 M for Makati subway
A Chinese holdings company is investing $100 million for the planned $3.7 billion subway project in Makati, the first ever subway project in the Philippines.
— The Philippine Star
Mislatel targets commercial rollout by late-2020
THE MISLATEL Consortium is targeting to start the commercial rollout of its network by late 2020, based on the new major telecommunications player’s rollout plan submitted to the Senate public services committee on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld Online
Colmenares, Roque and Tañada to push for national minimum wage
The minimum wage in Metro Manila is at ₱500-537, while it’s lower in other regions.
— CNN Philippines
GSIS sets P36.9m emergency loans for Marinduque
The Government Service Insurance System has earmarked P36.94 million in emergency loans for its 1,228 active members who were affected by drought in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.
— Manilastandard.net
Over 10 truckloads of trash collected as ‘Battle for Manila Bay’ begins
Over 10 truckloads of garbage were collected during the kick-off Sunday of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation project dubbed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu as the “Battle for Manila Bay.”
— Manila Bulletin
ADB raises $3.5 B from bond issuance
Manila-based Asian Development Bank has raised $3.5 billion from a five-year dollar bond issuance, the proceeds of which will form part of its ordinary capital resources.
— The Philippine Star
Liberalized sugar importation contradicts Duterte’s food security goal
The planned liberalization of the sugar industry is a direct contradiction of the government’s thrust toward food security, sugar producers claimed as they gear up for a major opposition against the move.
— The Philippine Star
10 EU firms hold off expansion plans
Roughly ten existing European investors, including a P25 billion expansion plan, are holding off investments, spooked by the proposed overhaul in the country’s incentive system under the TRABAHO Bill.
— Manila Bulletin
EDC spending P10M for Boracay wetland
ENERGY Development Corp. (EDC) is investing P10 million to rehabilitate and develop one of Boracay’s wetlands, which it “adopted” in 2018 under a government program to clean up the tourism-dependent island.
— The Manila Times
Three establishments face sanctions as Manila Bay rehab kicks off
The water sources of at least three establishments along Manila Bay were cut off after being found violating environmental laws.
— CNN Philippines
ERC urged to deny NGCP’s petition to defer IPO
STATE-LED National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) is asking the regulator to deny the petition of privately owned National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to defer its initial public offering (IPO), saying the grid operator should not be allowed to benefit from its decade-long inaction on the provisions of its franchise.
— BusinessWorld Online
Can The Bells’ Return Ring Back Philippine-US Ties? – Analysis
The much-awaited homecoming of the three Balangiga church bells signify United States’ resolve to reset relations with its former colony and longtime ally.
— Eurasia Review
Korean manufacturers decry port congestion, mull departure
Korean manufacturing companies are on the brink of leaving the Philippines as they struggle with port congestion issues, a problem that led to the exodus of some firms and layoffs of thousands of workers in 2014.
— The Philippine Star
Waiting for green light? Trademark application ‘crucial step’ in Manila hosting F1 race
An application filed by Formula 1 for the trademark to “Philippine Grand Prix” and “Manila Grand Prix” has stoked interest that the premier motorsports event could one day hold a race in the country.
— ABS-CBN News
Japanese firm launches new line of robotic parts in Subic Freeport
Japan’s Nidec-Shimpo Corporation, a leading innovator of precision-gearing solutions for robotics and industrial automation, formally launched its operations at its Subic Freeport factory in this province on Wednesday, January 23.
— Rappler
CIMB plans investment bank in the Philippines
CIMB Group Holdings Bhd plans to enter into the investment banking market in the Philippines.
— Intellasia.net
PCC to probe safeguard duty on cement imports
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) will include the recent imposition of provisional safeguard duty on cement imports in its probe on alleged anti-competitive practices in the cement industry.
— The Philippine Star
DA signs deal with foreign investors for banana plantation in Mindanao
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has signed an agreement with a business group backed by Russian and Swiss investors to set up a banana plantation in Camp Abubakar, the main base of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao.
— BusinessWorld Online
Roxas: Why lower age of responsibility to 12 when you have to be 18 to drink?
Why lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) at all when one has to be at least 18 years old to vote and drink?
— CNN Philippines
Philippine Fund Up 14% in Brutal Year Looks to Frontier Markets
A Philippine fund manager that made money amid the 2018 equity meltdown is now looking for new horizons.
— Bloomberg
VAT-free petro products to fight inflation
THE Senate Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, is expected to conduct early hearings to front-load plenary consideration of an awaited bill exempting petroleum products from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT), a move seen to trigger considerable cuts in prices of basic commodities and provide relief to overtaxed consumers.
— Business Mirror
How to import goods to Philippines
In the advent of globalization and free trade agreements where tariff barriers were lowered if not removed in international trade, importation of goods can be your new source of business and income! Take advantage of this opportunity to enter the Philippine market.
— The Philippine Star
UK issues travel warning after Jolo bomb attacks
The United Kingdom (UK) has warned its citizens about travelling to western and central Mindanao, as well as the Sulu archipelago, due to “terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.”
— CNN Philippines
Philippines wins its first Miss Intercontinental crown
THE Philippine representative, Karen Gallman, was crowned as the 47th Miss Intercontinental making her the first filipina to win the prestigious title.
— Sun Star
Maynilad’s P1.7-B JICA funded project completed
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Sunday said the completion of the PHP1.7-billion Parañaque water reclamation facility (WRF) of Maynilad will greatly help in cleaning Manila Bay of pollutants and other stagnant environment wastes.
— Philippine News Agency
White March: Medics press for ‘sin tax’ hike
Doctors and other health professionals who are pushing for an increase in the excise tax on cigarettes will stage the “White March outside of the Senate” tomorrow (Tuesday) to express their hardline stance on the issue.
— Manilastandard.net
Sotto: Vote for candidates supportive of lowering age of criminal liability
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Sunday urged the public to vote for candidates for the 2019 elections who are supportive of the measure that seeks to lower the criminal liability age from 15 to 12 years old.
— GMA News
Aftershocks expected after E. Samar quake
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it is expecting aftershocks from the magnitude 5.1 quake that jolted Eastern Samar province on Sunday afternoon.
— Philippine News Agency
Pimentel urges LTO to improve process of issuing drivers’ licenses following experience at LTO Marikina branch
Senator Koko Pimentel has called on the Land Transportation Office to improve its process of issuing drivers’ licenses.
— Eagle News
Congress eyes passage of medical marijuana bill
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III on Sunday said Congress is likely to pass on third and final reading House Bill No. 6517 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis
— Manilastandard.net
Andaya renews call for Diokno to attend House probe on alleged budget anomalies
House of Representatives appropriations committee chair Rolando Andaya Jr. on Saturday has reiterated his call for Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to attend the probe on the alleged anomalies in the budgeting processs amid “recent developments.”
— GMA News
Australia, EU condole with PH amid Jolo bombings
Australia and the European Union (EU) on Sunday sent condolences to the families of those killed in the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu.
— Philippine News Agency
PH ranking as world’s 50th best country cited
Malacañang yesterday welcomed the latest US News and World Report ranking the Philippines as the 50th best country in the world.
— Tempo
Arroyo asks for additional P10 billion for DOH budget
To improve health facilities and retain health personnel, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has urged the bicameral conference committee tackling the 2019 national budget to boost the allocated fund of the Department of Health (DOH) by P10 billion.
— Inquirer.net
More transport coops accredited for PUV modernization plan
The Department of Transportation, through the Board of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC), has approved the accreditation of 36 new transport cooperatives to further strengthen the country’s shift towards the utilization of modern public utility vehicles (PUV).
— The Philippine Star
1 dead, 20K evacuate as floods hit Davao Region
A villager was killed and nearly 20,000 people across Davao Region evacuated to safer grounds after major river channels swelled to alarming levels due to continuous light to moderate rains on Saturday.
— Philippine News Agency
ISIS claims Philippines cathedral bombings
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for twin bombings at a cathedral in the southern Philippines that killed at least 20 people and wounded 111 others.
— 9News
Surfers join protest vs planned coal power plant in La Union
Wearing gas masks as they stood on their boards, four surfers unfurled a streamer calling for protection of La Union province to express their support to people’s opposition to a coal-fired power plant in Luna town.
— Inquirer.net
Tagum Police denies abduction of rights advocate
Tagum Police Children and Women’s Desk brushed aside as “untrue” the reported abduction of a woman who is allegedly an active member of a human rights group.
— Philippine Information Agency
Tricycle drivers, operators back Go’s Senate bid
Two organizations of tricycle operators and drivers on Sunday joined forces to support the candidacy of Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
— Philippine News Agency
Thousands of Caviteños join Manila Bay clean-up drive
Thousands of local government officials, employees and volunteers joined the massive and simultaneous clean-up drive and the launching event for the five-year rehabilitation project dubbed “#Battle for Manila Bay” spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here on Sunday morning.At 7 a.m.
— Philippine News Agency
PCG tightens security in Mindanao ports after twin blasts
All Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) units stationed in Mindanao, the southern region of the archipelago, has been ordered to tighten security measures around all ports following the Jolo twin blasts on Sunday that killed at least 20 people and injured 81 others.
— Inquirer.net
SC revises court rules for faster resolution of cases
The Supreme Court has started fasttracking the revision of the rules of court to minimize delays and expedite the resolution of cases.
— Tempo
‘A factory of criminals’
AT age 7, Arnold (not his real name) has already learned the basics of the neighborhood illegal-drugs trade, a budding street knowledge that could very well prepare him to transform into a full-time drug peddler, or perhaps even a big-time drug lord, in a matter of a few years.
— Business Mirror
PNB plans P100-B bond issue
The Philippine National Bank (PNB) plans to raise up to P100 billion through the issuance of peso-denominated bonds and commercial papers.
— The Philippine Star
DICT leaves decision on Mislatel franchise validity to Congress
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is confident Congress will resolve the issue on the validity of the franchise of country’s third telecommunications player in a fair manner.
— The Philippine Star
Virgilio Almario and the NCCA’s push to find Filipino culture
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will commence the annual celebration of National Arts Month in a few days.
— Business Mirror
Bulacan student entry tops MMFF short film tilt
A short film about a janitor who raises his mute daughter inside a restroom cubicle won the grand prize in the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival student category at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.
— Business Mirror
63 Senate bets get Comelec’s go signal
Out of the more than 200 individuals who had registered to run for senator in the coming midterm polls, 63 have been allowed to try their luck come May 13, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.
— Philippine Star
Duty Free adds more Pinoy products in stores
Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC) will feature more export-quality local products in its stores this year in line with the push of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support Filipino businesses and artisans.
— The Philippine Star
Feature photo Asian Development Bank
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.
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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