Philippines Morning News For June 20, 2019

PH registered BoP surplus of $5.19 billion in first 5 months
The Philippines posted a balance of payments surplus of $928 million in May, a reversal of the $583-million deficit recorded in the same month last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.
— Manilastandard.net

PH boat sinking ‘wake-up call’ to finish South China Sea code – analysts
The sinking of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese ship in the West Philippine Sea should serve as a “wake-up call” to complete the crafting of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, according to analysts.
— Spratly Islands

Philippines, Japan sign $202-million loan deal for Mindanao roads
The governments of the Philippines and Japan signed on Tuesday, June 18, a $202.04-million loan agreement for the road network of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, including war-torn Marawi City.
— Rappler

Business, professional groups back ‘moderated’ pay hike for public school teachers
Several business and professional organizations on Wednesday expressed support to a “moderated increase” in the pay of public school teachers.
— Inquirer.net

AMRO lowers PH GDP growth to 6.3%
The Singapore-based ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has revised its 2019 Philippine growth forecast lower from 6.4 percent to 6.3 percent after the disappointing below-six percent first quarter GDP growth.
— Manila Bulletin

Philippines to fast-track costlier projects ahead of income status upgrade
Before the Philippines becomes classified as an upper middle income country, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the government will prioritize borrowing money from Japan for more expensive projects first.
— Rappler

Senator threatens PhilHealth probe
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday he would initiate a Senate probe on the anomalies hounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. which has incurred P250 billion over time.
— Manilastandard.net

Vapor cigarettes subject to 10% excise tax by Jan.
As the e-cigarette maker JUUL Labs prepares its entry into the Philippine market this month, the Department of Finance (DOF) said that the San Francisco-based firm will be covered by the new “sin tax” regime.
— Manila Bulletin

PhilHealth faltering in fight against fraud
On the eighth floor of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) building in Pasig City can be found the key to the longevity of scammers in the national health insurance company.
— Inquirer.net

Pagasa warns of stronger cyclones due to El Niño
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned the public to brace for stronger tropical cyclones this year due to the prevailing El Niño phenomenon.
— The Philippine Star

Domestic trade in Q1: Volume up, value down
Total volume of domestic trade rose by 8.4 percent but its value fell 0.6 percent in the first quarter of the year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday.
— The Manila Times

Pay hike for teachers better given in phases, biz groups say
Business groups on Wednesday cautioned the government against giving public school teachers an immediate salary increase, recommending instead that the P10,000-a-month raise demanded by a teachers’ group be phased over a period of time.
— Inquirer.net

Government urged to adjust borrowings as rates remain low
The government may have to adjust its borrowings in the next three years to take advantage of low interest rates, which the country may not be able to enjoy anymore with its promotion to upper middle-income economic status, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
— The Philippine Star

Lacson sees conflict in Duque firm building lease to PhilHealth
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday lashed out at Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, calling him a “hypocrite” for projecting an “unblemished” record as a public official with no conflict of interest despite his family’s business transaction with Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
— Inquirer.net

PH 2nd fastest-rising bond market in EAsia
Business expansion in both government and corporate securities in the Philippines enabled the local bond market to become the second fastest-growing in emerging East Asia, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
— The Manila Times

Duterte to Reds: Drop your arms, let’s talk
President Rodrigo Duterte raises again the issue of holding dialogue with communists during his visit to the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Catbalogan, Samar on Wednesday.
— GMA News

Real property tax hike proposed in Ilocos Norte
The province of Ilocos Norte is looking to increase real property taxes considering the rising prices of basic goods and services.
— Philippine News Agency

DOH: CV needs 60T bags of blood annually
With a population of a little over six million, Central Visayas needs at least 60,000 bags of blood from donors annually.
— Philippine Information Agency

Manila co-working space to grow by 10% a year: Colliers
CO-WORKING spaces will continue to enjoy steady growth in Manila, as both foreign and local property players hit the market, a regional real estate report suggests.
— The Business Times

Gov’t consolidates efforts for Bangsamoro normalization
Member agencies of the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) have begun to consolidate their efforts to fast-track the implementation of the normalization track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which involves the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) combatants, weapons, and the transformations of the camps.
— Philippine News Agency

After South China Sea collision, Philippine protesters set Chinese flags aflame – Shanghaiist
Protesters in the Philippines have been burning Chinese flags recently in response to a collision in the contentious South China Sea.
— Spratly Islands

Military lacks assets to fully guard Recto Bank–Lorenzana
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana on Wednesday admitted the country’s military lacked assets in fully patrolling Recto Bank, the scene of an incident involving maritime vessels on June 9.
— Business Mirror

Cebu Pacific orders 31 planes from Airbus
LISTED Cebu Air Inc., operator of low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, said on Wednesday it had ordered 31 aircraft worth $6.8 billion from European aerospace giant Airbus.
— The Manila Times

China boat crew told to pay up, apologize to PH
The captain and crew of the Chinese boat that rammed and sank a Filipino fishing boat in the Recto Bank and abandoned the 22 Filipino fishermen must apologize and pay for the damage they caused, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.
— Manilastandard.net

Imprudent to invoke defense pact with US now: Palace
Malacañang on Wednesday said invoking the mutual defense treaty (MDT) with the United States on the Reed Bank incident may be an irresponsible move at this time.
— Philippine News Agency

Palace to demand reparation from China only ‘after facts established’
After demanding that China sanction its nationals who abandoned Filipino fishermen near Recto (Reed) Bank, Malacañang now says demanding reparation for the incident should come only after ascertaining facts about the ramming.
— Rappler

Huawei Promises Pinoy Consumers ‘Full Refund’ If FB, Gmail Won’t Work
China-based mobile company Huawei promised Filipino consumers to give a ‘full refund’ if Facebook and Gmail won work.
— Philippine News

International laws spell out duty to rescue persons at sea
Reports of the June 9 incident where a Chinese fishing vessel rammed a Filipino fishing boat anchored near Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) sparked debates about accountability.
— Rappler

BOC releases order vs. unjust fees, charges
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday announced that it has strengthened its position against the collection of unjust fees and charges, through a memorandum order released by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.
— GMA News

‘Record-low’ number of Filipino families who consider themselves poor in Q1 2019
The number of Filipino families who consider themselves poor fell to a “new record low” in the first quarter of 2019, based on the results of Social Weather Stations survey released on Tuesday night, June 18.
— Rappler

Fishermen appeal to Duterte: Make Recto Bank exclusive to Filipinos
The 22 Filipino fishermen abandoned in the open sea by Chinese crew after a boat ramming ask President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday to secure Recto Bank, which is within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
— CNN Philippines

Dumaguete awards P20M contract for Colon bridge construction
Dumaguete City Bids and Awards Committee has awarded the contract for the P20.2 million bridge traversing Banica River linking barangays Taclobo and Bagacay.
— Philippine Information Agency

Salary hike for Pag-IBIG Fund employees illegal, unauthorized — COA
Salary increases for employees of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund worth P248.3 million were implemented without authorization from the Office of the President (OP), the Commission on Audit (COA) said.
— Inquirer.net

DTI eyes ‘entrepreneurial revolution’ through village services
Eighty-seven barangays (villages) from 17 fourth to fifth class municipalities of Iloilo province were chosen for the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this year.
— Philippine News Agency

DICT hires US company to bolster ICT development agenda
THE government is strengthening its push for its national information and communications technology (ICT) development agenda by tapping a Delaware-based tech company whose expertise includes the use of blockchain technology.
— Business Mirror

GrabFood to impose penalties vs. order cancellations
Grab Philippines warned on Tuesday that it will suspend the accounts of its customers who cancel their orders through its food delivery service GrabFood.
— Philippine News Agency

51 MSEs in NegOr to undergo coaching sessions with top bizmen
Around 51 Micro and Small Entrepreneurs (MSEs) in Negros Oriental will undergo an intensive ten-week mentoring sessions with businessmen to enhance their business skills and improve their respective businesses.
— Philippine Information Agency

De Lima says Duterte is “consistent” when it comes to China: “Naduduwag siya”
Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday, June 19, slammed President Rodrigo Duterte over his stance in the Recto Bank incident that saw a Chinese vessel hitting a Filipino fishing boat and abandoning it.
— Eagle News

Plastic Barter Store in Cebu City Accepts Plastic Trash As Payment
Plastic Trash Accepted As Payment at Plastic Barter Store in Cebu City The Plastic Barter Store in Cebu City is now accepting plastic trash as payment for their products with the aim to reduce the waste pollution.
— Philippine News

BJMP pursues crackdown of contraband in its facilities
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured that there will be no let-up in the crackdown of contraband in its manned facilities.
— Manila Bulletin

New POC head determined not to have 30th SEA Games preparations disrupted
WHILE the sudden resignation of Ricky Vargas as Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president on Tuesday left questions over the country’s preparations as host of the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year, the man who was tasked to replace him expressed determination to work to have little disruption in the buildup as possible.
— BusinessWorld Online

Police form special task force to probe into ex-Cebu town mayor’s slay
A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) will be formed to probe the death of former Medellin mayor Ricardo Ricky Ramirez, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) public information officer Eleveo Marquez said on Wednesday, June 19.
— Rappler

PHIVOLCS urges public to join nationwide quake drill on June 20, 2019
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) once again urges the public to prepare for earthquakes–including the Big One, a hypothetical massive temblor that could strike Metro Manila and other areas at any time.
— GMA News

SC disbars lawyer for refusal to give cash proceeds to client
The Supreme Court (SC) has disbarred a lawyer for his continued refusal, despite repeated demands, to remit to his client the settlement proceeds in a case.
— Manila Bulletin

4 out of 5 Duterte youth nominees are overage
Four out of the five substitute nominees submitted by the Duterte Youth party-list before the Comelec, including Ronald Cardema, failed to meet the age limit set by law for party-list representatives under the youth sector–which is 25 to 30 years old.
— GMA News

Duterte appoints new CHEd commissioner
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a former professor of De La Salle University as one of the commissioners on Higher Education, a document released by Malacanang showed.
— The Manila Times

SEA Games sports complex constuction to be completed on time– Dominguez
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd assured here on Wednesday that the construction of a modern sports complex to be used for the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will be completed on time.
— The Manila Times

How to apply for mobile number porting after rules take effect July 2
Starting July 2, mobile phone service providers will start complying with the Mobile Number Portability Act, a law which allows consumers to retain their phone numbers when switching to another service provider or switching from postpaid to prepaid.
— Rappler

Ex-Western Samar Mayor convicted over irregular reassignments
The Sandiganbayan First Division has convicted former Hinabangan Mayor Alejandro Abarratigue of Western Samar of his five graft charges due to the irregular reassignments of municipal employees back in 2009 to 2010.
— Manila Bulletin

New law requires free Wi-Fi, free access to clean restrooms in transport terminals
A new law requires transportation terminals, stations, stops, rest areas, and Roll-On-Roll-Off (RO-RO) terminals to provide free Wi-Fi; separate restrooms for males, females, and persons with disabilities; and diaper-changing areas.
— Rappler

QC mayor-elect bares P10-M bribe attempt
QUEZON CITY Mayor-elect Joy Belmonte exposed a P10 million bribe attempt from a ranking city building official in exchange for a permit.
— The Manila Times

Chatto calls for unity, amidst extended post-election hate
Amidst post-election trading of barbed words, hate messages and racist slurs from both camps in social media, outgoing Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto appealed and urged Boholanos to finally unite and support the next administration.
— Philippine Information Agency

Eastern Manila police general fired for abusing woman cop
Brigadier General Christopher Tambungan, the chief of the Metro Manila police Eastern Police District (EPD), has been sacked from his post after physically abusing a woman cop, Corporal April Santiago.
— Rappler

Comelec exec to Duterte Youth: Age limit for youth reps can be applied to ‘young professionals’
The age limit for the youth sector set by the party-list law can also be applied to “young professionals,” a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said Wednesday.
— GMA News

DTI, DICT tap blockchain firm
MONSOON Blockchain Storage, Inc. has partnered with two government agencies to provide support and consultancy services on how to leverage blockchain technology in various areas of operations.
— BusinessWorld nline

Jose Abad Santos town aims to become ‘Bali’ of PH
Jose Abad Santos Mayor-elect Jason John M. Joyce aims to market his town to tourists, as the town’s natural attractions is comparable to renowned Bali in Indonesia.
— Philippine Information 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.

Philippines morning news for June 20 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on June 20, 2019
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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.