Philippines morning news for June 17

Philippines morning news for June 17
Advertisement
Online English lessons

Philippines morning newsExternal debt hits $80B in Q1
THE country’s outstanding external debt reached $80.431 billion in the first quarter of 2019, up from figures posted three months and a year earlier, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.
— The Manila Times

NBI to probe other hospitals, clinics involved in ‘bogus’ dialysis claims
Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said yesterday the National Bureau of Investigation will now turn its fact-finding probe on other hospitals and clinics with suspicious claims for dialysis treatment paid by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
— Tempo

Philippines seeks probe into boat sinking by Chinese vessel
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has demanded an investigation into the sinking of a boat by a Chinese fishing vessel.
— Aljazeera

Cheap loans could have filled infra gap–DOF
THE past administration missed its opportunity to take advantage of low interest rates on loans in a time it could have addressed the country’s infrastructure gap by raising funds for its various programs and projects, the Department of Finance (DOF) said recently.
— Business Mirror

National govt subsidy in April at P5.115B
THE subsidy provided by the national government for the month of April amounted to P5.115 billion, increasing by 32 percent, with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) receiving the bulk of the funds, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.
— Business Mirror

PH FDI flows decelerate in 2018 – UNCTAD
After three years of robust growth, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to the Philippines decelerated in 2018 to $6.456 billion, according to the World Investment Report 2019 of the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development).
— Manila Bulletin

NBI releases WellMed owner on bail
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) released on Sunday one of the owners of a dialysis center facing charges of financial fraud.
— CNN Philippines

China claims ship ‘besieged by 7 or 8 Filipino boats’
While admitting one of their own was involved, China denied a Chinese ship sank a Filipino boat in a hit-and-run incident in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
— Rappler

SEC freezes P100-M KAPA funds
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has locked in more than P100 million worth of assets linked to Kapa-Community Ministry International, Inc. (KAPA) under a freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals (CA).
— Manila Bulletin

FDA ready to destroy over 16,000 canned products from African Swine Fever-affected countries
Thousands of cans of meat products from African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected nations have been confiscated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a bid to stop the virus from causing harm to the the local livestock industry.
— CNN Philippines

BoP turnaround continues with May surplus
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it estimates that the balance of payments in May continued to reflect a surplus, of about $3.7 billion, continuing the turnaround from a deficit of $3.5 billion as recently as November.
— BusinessWorld Online

Robredo slams PH boat sinking as Duterte stays silent
Vice President Leni Robredo voiced her deepest outrage on Sunday, June 16, over the sinking of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese ship, as the usually outspoken President Rodrigo Duterte chooses to stay silent.
— Rappler

Filipino teachers owe lenders $6.38 billion
Manila: Filipino public school teachers, considered second-class citizens among Philippine government workers, are weighed down by huge debts, a fact acknowledged by the education department.
— Gulf News

Duterte govt must pursue urgent economic reforms—lawmaker
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, citing the March foreign direct investment (FDI) report, pressed the Duterte administration over the weekend to pursue immediate economic reforms.
— Business Mirror

Banks hit on OFWs’ wired cash
The ACTS-OFW partylist has said that Philippine banks and their foreign correspondence are taking ‘unreasonably high cuts’ out of the cash wired home by migrant Filipino workers.
— Manilastandard.net

PHL asks Canada: Go slow on curbing steel imports
AS the Philippines looks to boost its steel production to supply both domestic and export demands, it has asked Canada—one of its potential markets—at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to go slow on implementing protectionist measures on steel products.
— Business Mirror

Govt studies P208-B proposal to build terminal 3 at Mactan-Cebu Intl Airport
An unsolicited Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 3 project is now being evaluated by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), according to GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp.
— Business Mirror

Outstanding government securities spike to P5.25 T in May
The country’s domestic debt stock inched up by almost one percent to P5.25 trillion as of end-May from P5.2 trillion in end-April as the government issued more debt papers amid declining interest rates.
— The Philippine Star

Over 2,100 cops monitored for drug, crime links
At least 2,120 police officers, including an official, are under investigation and surveillance for alleged involvement in narcotics and other illegal activities, the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

External debt ratios at prudent levels—Diokno
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said over the weekend the country’s external debt ratios remain at prudent levels despite an increase in the first quarter of the year.
— Manilastandard.net

PCCI to donate P1-M to 22 rescued fishermen
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Sunday committed to helping the 22 fishermen who were abandoned after their fishing boat was allegedly hit by a Chinese vessel in the waters off the Recto Bank on June 9.
— Philippine News Agency

Labor rights issues top DOLE agenda for bilateral talks with Indonesia, Japan
Improving international labor rights and employment opportunities are on top of the agenda of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during its bilateral talks with Indonesia and Japan at the 108th Session of the International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
— Business Mirror

CTA rejects BoC appeal on PAL P137.1-M tax refund
THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has denied for lack of merit a motion for reconsideration filed by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) over the P137.1-million tax refund granted to Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) in connection with the airline’s imports of aviation fuel.
— BusinessWorld Online

FDA tells Shopee, Lazada to stop selling health products online, warns of risks
THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned major online selling platforms Shopee Philippines and Lazada Philippines, against selling health products without the requisite license to do so.
— Business Mirror

Bizmen urged to help govt cut red tape
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez has called on businesses to do their part in cutting red tape by filing proper complaints to allow authorities to punish erring government officials.
— Business Mirror

Investors see ‘uncertainties’ in new power investments
Spooked by the recent judicial intervention on the industry’s competitive selection process (CSP) on supply contracting, power investors are seeing some “uncertainties” when it comes to injecting fresh capital to address immediate capacity addition in the country’s electricity supply.
— Manila Bulletin

Govt hands out P5.775-M cash to 75 alleged ex-NPAs in Surigao del Sur
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said about P77,000 in cash were given to each of the 75 alleged former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Surigao del Sur who, according to the military, surrendered to the government.
— Business Mirror

Multiple agencies regulating mining foster corruption — PIDS
THE regulatory regime for the mining industry creates corruption opportunities because of the need to obtain clearances from multiple agencies, according to government think tank the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS).
— BusinessWorld Online

SSS releases P1B in pension loans
Pension loans released under the Pension Loan Program (PLP) of the Social Security System (SSS) reached more than P1 billion as of May 27.
— The Manila Times

Sangley Air Base alone won’t decongest NAIA: DOTr chief
Although he believes Sangley Air Base can be made open to commercial activity by the end of the year, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade clarified that the former US naval facility in Cavite should not be considered as the only answer to ease congestion in the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA).
— Philippine News Agency

PH, Thailand unveil commemorative stamps
THE Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and Thailand unveiled special postage stamp designs featuring their countries’ national animals, the Philippine’s carabao and the revered Thai elephant to celebrate the 70th anniversary of friendship and close diplomatic ties.
— Sun Star

SEC wants listed companies to disclose salaries of top executives
The Securities and Exchange Commission wants listed companies to comply with the rules on the disclosure of salaries of top executives under the Revised Corporate Code.
— Manilastandard.net

PH urges US to help uphold states’ sovereign rights in SCS
For the freedom of navigation to mean anything in the South China Sea (SCS), the United States must also use its power to uphold the sovereign rights of states surrounding the strategic waters, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Saturday.
— Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Total crime volume down in May 2019: PNP
The crime volume nationwide has declined by 10 percent for the month of May compared to the same month last year as a result of an intensified drive against crime and lawlessness.
— Philippine News Agency

Martial Law-era group relaunched to call for release of political prisoners
After more than two decades, human rights advocates revived the group Kapatid as another bid towards bringing liberty to political prisoners .
— Rappler

2 human rights workers shot dead in Sorsogon
Two human rights defenders were gunned down by unidentified men in Barangay Cabid-an, Sorsogon, on Saturday, June 15.
— Rappler

Fishing boat captain to ask Duterte to ban Chinese fishermen from Recto Bank
Jonel Insigne, the captain of the fishing boat that was rammed by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea last week, will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to ban Chinese fishermen from Reed Bank in their upcoming meeting.
— GMA News

LGU approves frame work agreement for Ifugao hydro project
The local government unit (LGU) here has approved the framework agreement for the proposed Alimit Hydropower by hydropower generation firm., the SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group.
— Philippine Information Agency

COA rejects reimbursement of P5-M meals, snacks in Puerto Princesa
The Commission on Audit (COA) rejected a request for reimbursement of P5.894 million worth of meals and snacks filed by the city government of Puerto Princesa, saying the expense was not allowed under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.
— Rappler

No truth to alleged dismissal of 1,200 workers: DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday denied that 1,200 contract of service (COS) workers have been dismissed as claimed by one of its employees.
— Philippine News Agency

Pangasinan town road rehab project to benefit 13-K residents
Some 13,194 residents of six barangays in this town are now enjoying better quality of road with the rehabilitation of the 10.63-kilometer Gonzales-San Juan farm-to-market road under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRPD).
— Philippine News Agency

 

Feature photo Department of Agriculture – Philippines

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges Sustainable Gastronomy Day, June 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).

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.

 

The following two tabs change content below.

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.

Support independent media by sharing using these tools. Do not steal our content

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published.