Coup possible, Palace warns
President Rodrigo Duterte has warned the public that the military could mount a coup d’etat because problems on corruption, illegal drugs, terrorism and rebellion persist, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times
Petition to protect WPS dismissed? SC ‘cannot confirm’
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday said it “cannot confirm” the claims of Solicitor General Jose Calida that both petitioners and respondents have agreed to dismiss the petition to protect the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
— Inquirer.net
PhilHealth investigating around 15,000 cases involving healthcare institutions, doctors
The country’s health insurance provider is investigating thousands of allegedly anomalous benefit claims involving doctors and partner institutions.
— CNN Philippines
Duterte: Change charter now to avert coup
President Rodrigo Duterte has warned of a possible coup d’état if the Constitution remains unchanged.
— CNN Philippines
Bricks of cocaine discovered on Philippines’ shores as police grapple with drug influx
Bricks of cocaine worth almost $1 million have washed up on the Philippines’ coast — the latest in a string of discoveries that have authorities puzzled.
— ABC News
‘War on drugs’ makes Philippines fourth most dangerous country – report
President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a “war on drugs” has made the Philippines the fourth most dangerous place in the world for civilian-targeted violence, according to a report that places the country behind conflict-ridden Yemen.
— The Guardian
Duterte Warns US: ‘We Can Never Win a War With China’
Beijing currently controls the vast majority of islands in the South China Sea, which are also claimed by a number of other nations in the region, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
— Spratly Islands
Amal Clooney to lead team of int’l lawyers representing Maria Ressa
Amal Clooney and Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC , who both specialize in international law and human rights, announced on Monday, July 8, that they will act as international counsels to Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa.
— Rappler
Local financial firms spend $480 M to comply with anti-money laundering
The true cost of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance among companies in the Philippines is estimated to be US$480 million, but it’s nothing to big firms. It’s the smaller firms that are hurting.
— Manila Bulletin
PH seamen wired home $2B from Jan-Apr
Filipino seaferers on international ocean-going vessels wired home a total of $2.14 billion in cash through the banking system from January to April this year, up $210 million, or 10.7 percent, from $1.93 billion in the same four-month period in 2018, the ACTS-OFW Coalition of Organizations said on Sunday.
— The Manila Times
Tourist arrivals grow 9.8% in 5 months
The Philippines continues to draw interest from international tourists as foreign arrivals nearly hit the 3.5 million mark in the first five months of the year.
— The Philippine Star
Magnitude 5.3 quake hits North Cotabato
A 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Mindanao at 8:37 p.m. Tuesday with the epicenter traced at Makilala, North Cotabato.In its latest earthquake bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake was tectonic in origin.
— Philippine News Agency
Philippines ranks third best country to invest in
The Philippines landed as the third best country in the world to invest in or do business for 2019, this according to the CEOWORLD magazine.
— Manila Bulletin
Duterte govt completed 17 airport projects in three years
The Department of Transportation said Tuesday it completed 17 commercial airport projects in the first half of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term and is undertaking 28 more projects.
— Manilastandard.net
PhilHealth sees claims doubling with UHC
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Tuesday said it expects the number of its claims to hit the 2-million mark with the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Law (UHCL).
— Business Mirror
House inquiry into child’s killing sought
Activist lawmakers on Tuesday sought a congressional inquiry into the June 30 death of a 3-year-old girl caught in the crossfire of a sting operation in Rodriguez, Rizal province.
— Inquirer.net
Duterte: I killed because I felt Arroyo wanted it
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday claimed that he had killed someone because he felt that former Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wanted it.
— GMA News
Duterte may have been warned about possible coup: Panelo
Malacañang on Tuesday said that top military officials may have warned President Rodrigo Duterte about a possible coup.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte wants to leave strong military, police as he sees ‘dangerous times ahead’
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he wanted to pass on to his successor a country that has stronger defense capability to fight the enemies of the state.
— GMA News
Lawyer: Gov’t is biggest hurdle in recovering Marcos wealth
The biggest roadblock to recovering the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses is not the family itself, according to American lawyer Robert Swift, who has worked on the class suit filed by victims of martial law and other cases involving rights abuses.
— Inquirer.net
Robert Swift: Duterte too busy to discuss $41-M deal for claimants, gov’t
Malacañang has yet to answer the American lawyer Robert Swift’s request for an audience with President Rodrigo Duterte since he reached out more than six months ago to discuss a deal that would mean $41 million in compensation for the victims or their kin and the Philippine government.
— GMA News
Martial Law victims, kin: Still no justice, full compensation after decades
It’s been 44 years since Lamberto Guinto disappeared following his arrest in Mabalacat, Pampanga, but justice, even in the form of compensation, still remained elusive.
— Rappler
Philippines: Davao export up by 83% in first quarter
Exports from the Philippines’ Davao Region amounted to US$ 756.2 million in the first quarter of 2019; an 82.9 percent increase from the US$ 413.4 million the same period of last year.
— Fresh Plaza
Health dep’t to require FDA licensing for e-cigarette industry
THE Department of Health (DoH) said it will require licensing for all makers, sellers and distributors of e-cigarettes and vaporizers (vapes) under the new guidelines covering the sector.
— BusinessWorld Online
National ID system, census of population to cost P25 billion
THE national government will spend P25.23 billion for its various statistical activities, including the implementation of the National ID System and the conduct of a census on population and housing units in the Philippines, in 2020.
— Business Mirror
BoI sees P414M worth of investment from Cotabato chicken contract-growing deals
THE Board of Investments (BoI) said it expects nine procurement tie-ups to generate P414 million in investment after San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) participated in a business matching exercise in Cotabato Province.
— BusinessWorld Online
Germany launches probe into mixed meat shipment
BERLIN has started its investigation of the recent quarantine breach by a German firm that prompted the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ban all meat imports from Germany, its top envoy to the Philippines said.
— Business Mirror
Neda Board registers 0.96-percent increase in project approvals to P974.03 billion in 2018
The growth of new project approvals of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board was less than 1 percent in 2018.
— Business Mirror
3 years later, did Duterte quash Philippines’ legal win vs China?
President Rodrigo Duterte is facing increasing pressure to revisit his China policy and wield the Philippines’ legal victory against Beijing’s environmentally destructive activities in the disputed waters.
— Spratly Islands
17 mines to be put under 2nd audit round – DoF
THE interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) will begin conducting the second round of its “objective, science-based and fact-finding” audit of mining operations in the fourth week of July, the Department of Finance (DoF) announced on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times
DA taps Aboitiz unit to build floating solar farms prototype
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has tapped SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP), a subsidiary of Aboitiz group’s power arm, to develop a prototype for a floating solar farm technology in order to provide power to isolated fishing communities, especially those in the islands.
— Manila Bulletin
SEC issues rules on crowdfunding
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued Rules and Regulations Governing Crowdfunding (CF Rules) to allow startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) greater access to capital while giving the public more investment options.
— Manila Bulletin
BSP-approved loans double in 2018, hit $7.3 billion
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Tuesday reported a significant rise in the foreign public-sector loans it approved in 2018, compared to that of 2017, in an effort to amply finance the government’s infrastructure development projects.
— Business Mirror
Philippines wins seat in UN marine science commission
THE PHILIPPINES has been re-appointed to the executive council of a United Nations organization for marine science, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
— BusinessWorld Online
Sweden needs 30,000 software engineers
SWEDEN, a country of 10 million inhabitants, is in need of 30,000 Filipino software engineers, according to Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries.
— Business Mirror
Senators still cautious on Cha-cha
Senators remain cautious about amending the Constitution despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s fresh push for Charter change (Cha-cha).
— Inquirer.net
‘PCG-Marina report enough to sue Chinese’
A group of fishermen on Tuesday said the incident report of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) had enough grounds to sue the Chinese perpetrators who intentionally rammed a Philippine fishing vessel with a crew of 22 Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.
— Inquirer.net
Spanish firm bags ammo supply deal
A Spanish firm has bagged the P63.3-million deal to supply ammunition for the Navy’s Jose Rizal-class frigates which are expected to arrive next year.
— Inquirer.net
Groups hit issuance of ECC for international airport
Environment and fisherfolk groups have raised an alarm over the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to the company that will develop an international airport in Bulacan province, saying the P734-billion project would have adverse ecological and economic impact on communities surrounding Manila Bay.
— Inquirer.net
CSU, DOST to set up P148-M e-trike hub
Aiming to produce Philippine-made e-trike vehicles, a state university here has proposed the establishment of a P148-million electric-powered tricycle (e-trike) hub at the Cagayan Valley Regional Government Center (RGC) in this city.
— The Manila Times
P486-M bridge to help isolated village during calamities
The P486-million Abusag Bridge in Baggao town is being built to solve the struggles of inner village residents who have always experienced being isolated in times of typhoons and heavy rains, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cagayan Valley region.
— The Manila Times
JICA-funded flood control dike inaugurated in MisOr
Officials of the Philippines and Japan on Tuesday inaugurated the newly-constructed PHP778-million Tagoloan River Basin Flood Control which will mitigate flood damage in high-risk areas of Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental.
— Philippine News Agency
US Seventh Fleet in South China Sea both serious and metaphorical for Duterte –Palace
Puwedeng he was really serious, at the same time metaphorically he is saying that. The point of the President is, may problema sa South China Sea – they are in possession, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.
— GMA News
Lacson vows continued scrutiny on proposed national budget
Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Tuesday that there would be no let up in the scrutiny of the proposed national budget, even if the presumptive House Speaker was a former colleague at the Senate.
— GMA News
1 killed, 8 arrested in Bulacan anti-drug ops
Another drug pusher was killed and eight other drug suspects were arrested Monday and Tuesday as a result of the intensified anti-illegal drug operations in the province.
— Philippine News Agency
Morales eyes PhilHealth reorganization
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales is looking into the reorganization of PhilHealth to provide the public better health care services in line with the full implementation of the Universal Health Care law.
— Philippine News Agency
CoA flags past Pasig City administration for over P755M in unused supplies
THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) has flagged the past administration of Pasig City under former mayor Robert C. Eusebio for buying P951.787 million worth of supplies, but only used P196.137 million.
— BusinessWorld Online
5 SoCot, GenSan stores found selling substandard steel
At least five hardware stores in South Cotabato province and this city have been found selling substandard steel products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 12 (Soccsksargen) said on Tuesday.
— Philippine News Agency
DA to guide BARMM in crafting agri-fisheries master plan
Stakeholders of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) will gather in Davao City on July 11-12 for the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Agriculture and Fisheries Master Plan Assembly.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte names new CA, CTA justices
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed four new Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals (CA) and one Associate Justice of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).
— Inquirer.net
Tawi-tawi gets 1st floating solar farm
The fishing island of Sibutu in Tawi-tawi Province will be the first fishing community with a floating solar farm to power ice-making and cold storage equipment, and serve as a fish convergence area or “Payao”.
— Philippine News Agency
NPA support in Eastern Mindanao in total collapse: Army
The various underground mass organizations (UGMO) of the communist rebels in Eastern Mindanao are in the process of imminent total collapse after the departure of their members who pledged allegiance to the government during the first week of this month, military officials said.
— Philippine News Agency
Maritime regulator seeks more perks for shipbuilders
THE MARITIME Industry Authority (Marina) is seeking more incentives for the shipbuilding and ship repair industry to drive investment growth, the agency said in a statement yesterday.
— BusinessWorld Online
Transport regulator looking at relaxing ride-sharing rules
THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it might relax the application process for ride-sharing services in the country after a dialogue with operators yesterday.
— BusinessWorld Online
Cebu City gov’t files complaint vs Osmeña, 44 others for ‘malicious demolition’ of mayor’s office
FORMER CEBU City mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and 44 others are facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for the “malicious demolition” of the mayor’s office.
— BusinessWorld Online
Kadayawan main events spread out to accommodate more tourists
THIS YEAR’S Kadayawan Festival will have the main events spread out on different weekends instead of the usual one week for an opportunity to accommodate more visitors.
— BusinessWorld Online
Zambo DepEd execs immunized to allay vaccine scare
A total of 39 officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) were immunized against measles as the School-Based Immunization program kicked off Monday in this southern port city.
— Philippine News Agency
Employer accused of firing Filipino domestic helper pregnant with his child
An employer in Hong Kong is facing charges for allegedly terminating his Filipino domestic helper’s contract while she was pregnant with their child.
— Inquirer.net
ENIPAS law IRR rollout to begin this month
The environment department’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) is preparing to enforce the implementing the rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 11038 (Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or ENIPAS Act of 2018).
— Philippine News Agency
Army slams rebels’ use of anti-personnel mines
The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) has condemned the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s (CPP-NPA) continuous stockpiling and production of anti-personnel mines.
— Philippine News Agency
Isko Moreno bares ‘security arrangements’ amid clearing of Manila
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Tuesday revealed his security arrangements as many expressed concern over his safety after he cleared Divisoria and Quiapo of illegal vendors and, in effect, stopped the multi-million-peso racket of protecting them.
— GMA News
Asenso raises US$1.2M to help MSMEs get access to capital, technology in Southeast Asia
Singapore-based fintech and retailtech startup Asenso Tech has received US$1.2 million investment from CARD MRI, a microfinance institution in the Philippines, and Talino Venture Labs, an enterprise venture accelerator targeting underserved markets.
— e27
Antique gets P33.9-M for shared service facility
The Department of Trade and Industry in Western Visayas (Region 6) has allotted PHP33.9 million for Antique Province to implement the shared service facility (SSF) this 2019.
— Philippine News Agency
Infra dev’t crucial to 4Ps
Infrastructure development is a crucial component of social protection intervention particularly the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
— Philippine Information Agency
Martial law, revolutionary gov’t options open to Duterte — Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte very much had the option to impose martial law and set up a revolutionary government to address the country’s ills, including corruption, illegal drugs and terrorism, Malacañang said Tuesday.
— GMA News
Dumaguete considers P40M of traffic lights
Dumaguete City plans to install Automatic Traffic Signaling System worth P40 million as the next major project after the CCTV.
— Philippine Information Agency
Over 10 Students in Bacolod City Allegedly ‘Possessed’ by Spirits
Bacolod City Students Allegedly Possessed by Spirits Over 10 students of Fr. Gratian Murray Integrated School in Bacolod City were allegedly possessed evil spirits causing fear and panic in the school.
— Philippine News
Imee Marcos Wants To End Smartmatic Dominance In PH Election System
Imee Marcos Wants To End Smartmatic Dominance In PH Election System IMEE MARCOS – Senator Imee Marcos filed a bill seeking to end the ‘dominance’ of Smartmatic in the Philippines.
— Philippine News
U.S. lawyer Swift: ‘No doubt’ Marcos family knows where ill-gotten wealth are
American human rights lawyer Robert Swift urged the Philippine government not to give up on finding other ill-gotten wealth and properties obtained by the family of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
— Rappler
DA, DILG to provide solar water systems for off-grid barangays
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be signing a memorandum of agreement to launch a solar-powered water supply program for off-grid barangays.
— Rappler
Bulakenyos warned anew vs. diseases associated with rainy season
The provincial government of Bulacan, through the Provincial Health Office-Public Health, has reiterated its warning to residents against waterborne diseases and other ailments associated with the rainy season.
— Philippine News Agency
DSWD 6 needs 3K workers for Listahanan Program
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas (Region 6) will hire around 3,000 workers to assess households for the third round of the Listahanan Program.
— Philippine News Agency
Ilocos Norte townsfolk step up to promote clean air
Even before a study disclosed that seasonal winds may be bringing dirty air from mainland China in this northern town, local officials and residents here are making some small steps to keep their surroundings clean and green.
— Philippine News Agency
DA project to raise durian productivity
A local durian industry council here commended the project of the Department of Agriculture in Region 11 (DA-11) dubbed as the “The Durian 500 Program”, which seeks to increase the productivity of the “king of fruits” not only in the city but the entire Davao Region as well.
— Philippine News Agency
9 cops relieved for collecting money from Divisoria vendors
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso relieved nine ranking Manila police officers for allegedly extorting money from illegal vendors in Binondo.
— Tempo
Isko Moreno wants solar panels, rain catchers for Manila public schools
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has asked the Division of City Schools to look into environmental practices and programs that can be implemented in public schools across the city.
— Rappler
German-PH commerce group wants German firms to join infra projects
The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) continues to scout for more German firms to invest in the Philippines, which is poised to have prolonged fast economic growth amid tempered inflation rates .
— Rappler
DENR Mimaropa donates lumbers to Recto Bank 22
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through its Mimaropa regional office, donated 379 assorted lumbers to the survivors of the Recto Bank incident to help them rebuild their boat.
— Philippine Information Agency
Feature photo The Wandering Angel
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on Asean’s endangered species, here, the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).
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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