Philippines Morning News For May 7, 2019

Malacañang backs probe into Chinese-only establishments
Malacañang supports an investigation into establishments and other businesses that reject Filipino customers and cater only to Chinese nationals.
— Rappler

Senate not confident of passing budget reform
SENATORS said they do not expect to pass the proposed Budget Reform Act, which will modernize the government’s budgeting process, in the remaining time left to the 17th Congress.
— BusinessWorld Online

PHL obtains China commitment to maximize Filipino workers in building projects
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said the government has obtained an undertaking from China to prioritize Filipino workers in all China-assisted infrastructure projects.
— BusinessWorld Online

Globe to pilot 5G in June 2019
Maximum potential internet speeds may be seeing an increase this year as Globe is set to roll out next-generation 5G network technology this June, the company announced on Monday, May 6.
— Rappler

DOT announces tourism research grant
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is now accepting research proposals for its 2019 Tourism Research Grant.
— Inquirer.net

Rappler investigative team SOPA finalists for drug war story
Rappler’s investigative team are finalists for two categories of the 2019 Society of Publishers in Asia Awards for Editorial Excellence (SOPA).
— Rappler

RoK steps up FTA talks with Philippines, Malaysia
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) is set to hold open hearings in Seoul on May 7 to promote the country’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Philippines and Malaysia.
— Vietnamplus

‘Higher wages raising costs’
HIGHER wages in the Philippines and other East and Southeast Asian countries would not only lead to increasing production costs, but also to growing private consumption, according to Fitch Solutions.
— The Manila Times

Dengue cases in Pangasinan drop by 9%
The Pangasinan Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 1,083 dengue cases in the province from Jan.1- to April 29 this year, 9 percent lower than 1,188 cases on the same period last year.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte to Enforce Court Order to Protect South China Sea, Spokesman Says
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will enforce a Supreme Court order directing the government to protect and rehabilitate the marine environment in three areas the country claims in the disputed South China Sea, his spokesman said Monday.
— Spratly Islands

First P1B of RCEP available
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the first P1 billion of the P10-billion initial funding for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP) could now be accessed by rice farmers for the establishment of mechanical dryers.
— Malaya

Davao City allocates P7.8M to assist 22 LGUs hit by El Niño
THE DAVAO City government is allocating P7.8 million to help 22 local government units (LGUs) heavily affected by the long dry spell.
— BusinessWorld Online

Disbursements of OFW benefits reach P5.65B
THE Social Security System (SSS) reported on Monday that its disbursements for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) benefits rose to P5.65 billion last year.
— The Manila Times

Gov’t urged to ban Chinese-owned retail firms from SME businesses in PH
Feeling the brunt from the proliferation of small Chinese-owned retail businesses, domestic retailers yesterday urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other concerned government agencies to keep China out of the small and medium enterprise (SME) business and prioritize the Filipino SME entrepreneurs.
— Manila Bulletin

‘BSP may cut key rate by 25 bps’
SOFTENING inflation and cooling growth may push the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut its main policy rate in its upcoming meeting this month, according to an economist.
— Business Mirror

In blow to Meralco, SC orders competitive bids for power-supply deals
THE Supreme Court, voting 9-2 with one abstention, has mandated the conduct of a competitive selection process (CSP) on all power-supply agreements (PSAs) submitted by distribution utilities on or after June 30, 2015.
— Business Mirror

DICT taps Singapore firm for rollout of national fiber optic cable network
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has inked a partnership with HyalRoute Group’s subsidiary Philippine Fiber Optic Cable Network Ltd. Inc. (PFOCN) for a billion-dollar fiber network investment.
— The Philippine Star

Bulusan acting up; 5.4 quake in Ilocos
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised Alert Level 1 over Mount Bulusan due to increased seismic activity, a day before a magnitude 5.4 tremor shook parts of the Ilocos and Cagayan.
— Manilastandard.net

PH can get ‘A’ rating if reforms continue – DoF
THE Philippines has a “good chance” of achieving an “A” investment-grade rating from international debt watchers if the government continues to seek reforms and maintain stable fiscal metrics, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd.
— The Manila Times

HyalRoute Group to invest $1-2 billion in PHL venture
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a deal with the local subsidiary of Singapore-based HyalRoute Group last week to roll out a fiber optic cable network in the country.
— BusinessWorld Online

Procurement process must include voice of farmers, fisherfolk: Piñol
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol on Monday announced that he will issue an administrative order changing the procurement process that must include the preference of farmers and fisherfolks.
— Philippine News Agency

Man who claims to be “Bikoy” surfaces; stands by allegations vs Duterte family in videos
A man who claims to be the “Bikoy” who accused members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family and former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go of being engaged in the illegal drug trade surfaced on Monday, May 6.
— Eagle News

EARTHQUAKES: List of Quakes in the Philippines Today (May 6, 2019)
List of Earthquakes that Jolted Philippines Today (May 6, 2019) EARTHQUAKES – Here is a list of the quakes that jolted the Philippines today, May 6, 2019.
— Philippine News

Cyber libel case filed vs. FT
A Philippine company has filed a cyber libel case against two journalists of the Financial Times over an article involving German fintech firm Wirecard after the article alleged that the former was complicit in purported accounting irregularities at its subsidiary in Singapore.
— Manilastandard.net

Chinese Media Accidentally Declares PH Is Part Of China Territory In 2012 Viral Video
Video of the Chinese media accidentally claiming that the Philippines is part of China’s territory went viral. China and the Philippine are currently in a territorial dispute of the South China Sea.
— Philippine News

Corporate tax reform OK seen in 2 years
THE EXECUTIVE is aiming for the country to bag another credit upgrade within two years by enacting remaining tax reforms, the Finance chief said on Monday, but the Senate president said he could commit approval of only the corporate tax component of that program within that period.
— BusinessWorld Online

SSS issues show cause orders to 11 Iloilo employers
Top officials of the Social Security System (SSS) central office on Monday issued show cause orders to 11 employers in this city and Pavia town in Iloilo province for non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act.
— Philippine News Agency

NFA buys over 3 million bags of palay in January-April 2019
The National Food Authority (NFA) said it bought 3.07 million bags of palay or unhusked rice from January to April 2019, a jump from 55,509 bags bought in the same period in 2018.
— Rappler

The Philippines’ fake news busters
In the Philippines – where 76 million Internet users stay online the longest in the world – just a handful of people spend a few hours each day to fight fake news about the upcoming midterm elections.
— The Asean Post

BSP: Investors urged to set eyes on Philippines, Asia’s next economic powerhouse
Investors from different parts of the globe are encouraged to set eyes on the Philippines, an economy that has sustained robust growth over the years despite external headwinds and that is well positioned to become Asia’s next economic powerhouse, according to the central bank of the Philippines — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
— AEC News Today/ PRNewswire (media release)

Filipina charged for stealing $3.5M from cruise company
A Filipina bookkeeper working for a luxury cruise company in Sydney, Australia was charged with 98 fraud offenses for allegedly stealing $3.5 million from her employer.
— The Philippine Star

Army conducts medical mission in Lanao Norte MILF community
Residents of Sitio Kura-kura, Barangay Tamparan, Munai, Lanao del Norte, get medical services during a mission conducted by a civic group, medical volunteers and the military, on Saturday.
— Philippine News Agency

Sotto to ‘Bikoy:’ Give us proof to spur Senate probe
The Senate is open to investigating the accusations of “Bikoy” against the relatives and allies of President Rodrigo Duterte as long as he gives them proof and documents that would substantiate his claim, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Monday.
— Inquirer.net

Hundreds flee North Cotabato village after NPA attack on Army post
Hundreds of civilians left their homes at Sitio Katindu in Barangay Malibatuan, Arakan town, following an attack by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at a nearby detachment on Monday morning, a police official said.
— Inquirer.net

Philippine court orders government to protect South China Sea, SE Asia News & Top Stories
The Philippine Supreme Court has issued an order directing the government to “protect, preserve, rehabilitate and to restore” the marine environment in three areas the country claims in the disputed South China Sea.
— Spratly Islands

Media workshop on weather, disaster reporting held
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) convened media practitioners in the Bicol region for a two-day seminar-workshop on weather and disaster reporting.
— Philippine Information Agency

SC: All power supply agreements filed before ERC on or after June 30, 2015 must undergo competitive selection process
The Supreme Court has ruled that all Power Supply Agreements submitted by Distribution Utilities with the Energy Regulatory Commission on or after June 30, 2015 must undergo a competitive selection process (CSP).
— Eagle News

Duterte ‘in good health,’ Palace assures public
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is “in good health,” Malacañang assured the public, even after the Chief Executive was out of the public eye for nearly a week.
— The Manila Times

Metro Manila office supply rises; Taguig still has highest rent rates
METRO MANILA’S supply of Prime and Grade A office space grew by about 170,000 square meters (sq.m.) in the first quarter of the year, with more than half located in Makati City, commercial real estate services company Cushman & Wakefield Philippines said.
— BusinessWorld Online

Davao Region top cop opens poll monitoring center
The chief of the Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) opened its Regional Election Monitoring Center (REMAC) for media viewing Monday to show the police’s preparations for the May 13 elections.
— Philippine News Agency

DA-11 kicks off farmers, fisherfolk month celebration
Recognizing the contribution of farmers and fisherfolk in Davao Region, the Department of Agriculture in Region 11 (DA-11) officially opened the 2019 Farmers and Fisherfolk Month celebration Monday here.
— Philippine News Agency

Ilocos Norte town sets up rolling Kadiwa stores
Residents in Vintar, Ilocos Norte eagerly welcomed on Monday a group of Capitol workers selling basic goods and food items to them at a lower price than those being sold in supermarkets.
— Philippine News Agency

Pre-shaded ballots in viral video a hoax: Comelec
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here disproved the credibility of the viral video on Facebook featuring some alleged pre-shaded ballots and called it a hoax.
— Philippine News Agency

Palace tells Chinese businesses in PHL not to discriminate against Filipinos
Malacañang on Monday told Chinese businesses in the country not to discriminate against Filipinos.
— GMA News

CBM 2019 ready for ‘Innovation in Action’
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) officially launched its annual flagship project, Cebu Business Month, which is now on its 23rd year with the theme: “Innovation in Action”.
— Philippine Information Agency

IN PHOTOS: PNP flaunts P1.8-billion new assets in Camp Bagong Diwa
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has new toys and they are not afraid to lay them all out in the open at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
— Rappler

Air Force TOG reaches out to communities
The Tactical Operations Group 6 (TOG 6) of the Philippine Air Force initiated activities to demonstrate a more proactive role in reaching out to communities in its covered areas.
— Philippine Information Agency

Other groups follow NUPL lead, ask SC for protection vs red-tagging
Other human rights groups are following the lead of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) as they sought on Monday, May 6, a protective writ from the Supreme Court (SC) against what they say is red-tagging by the Philippine government.
— Rappler

UP cites media’s role in reporting research solutions to problems
The panelists and researchers together with the officials from UP, DOST and CHED take a groufie after the presentation of UP Cebu’s Sustainable Technology and Innovations Ecosystems.
— Philippine Information Agency

Guimaras poverty incidence drops
The island province of Guimaras has recorded a decline in the poverty incidence among its families and population or individuals in the first semester of 2018, according to the latest result of the poverty estimates released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Philippine Information Agency

DOJ charges webmaster of inciting to sedition over Bikoy videos
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday, May 6, that it will be charging webmaster Rodel Jayme of inciting to sedition over the spreading of videos damaging to the First Family.
— Rappler

DOJ to file inciting to sedition case vs. Rodel Jayme
The Department of Justice found probable cause to charge Rodel Jayme, the owner of the website which first shared the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos.
— CNN Philippines

American uses museum to fight plastic pollution in Philippines
An American scientist based in the Philippines is raising awareness about the urgent need to protect the country’s waters from plastic pollution through a museum he operates.
— Gulf News Asia

Philippine cybersex crackdown sparks concern over care for child victims
Chang has no desire to go home to her parents, at least not yet.
— ABS-CBN News

Porn in the Philippines
The Philippines has moved up three spots to tenth place but it isn’t immediately clear whether it’s for something the country can pride itself over.
— The Asean Post

Tourists happy as more whale sharks return to Donsol
For Isabelle Tessier and her boyfriend, Alexandre Bergeron, who came all the way from Canada, their recent visit to Donsol town in Sorsogon province was more than worth the travel expense.
— Inquirer.net

Feature photo Mongabay

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Migratory Bird Day, May 11.

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 May 7 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on May 7, 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.