Philippines Morning News For October 11, 2019

Cantilan Bank adopts cloud technology to expand banking access (video)
Financial technology (FinTech) has the potential to bring millions of people into the formal financial system. In Mindanao, Cantilan Bank has become the first Philippines financial institution to move its core banking system into the cloud, providing its clients with improved access to a wider range of financial services.
— AEC News Today

WB: PHL likely to miss growth targets
THE WORLD BANK has slashed its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts for the Philippines this year up to 2021 to below the government’s target, amid “intensified” risks from an escalating Sino-US trade war and “a slow recovery” of government spending in the wake of a three-and-a-half month delay in national budget enactment that weighed on first-half expansion.
— BusinessWorld

Trade gap shrinks as imports fall, exports grow
OVERSEAS SALES of Philippine goods grew for the fifth straight month in August but by the slowest pace in that period, while purchases of foreign goods saw their worst performance in six years that same month, making the merchandise trade gap narrow from July and from a year ago, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld

World Bank downgrades PH growth outlook to 5.8%
THE World Bank again trimmed its 2019 Philippine growth forecast on account of the slowdown in public investments, weakening global economic growth and trade tensions between the United States and China.
— Manila Times

Duterte defers action on ‘ninja cop’ controversy
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will wait for the Senate to conclude its investigation of the so-called “ninja cops” controversy before taking action on allegations hurled against Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde, Malacañang said on Thursday.
— Manila Times

Palace: No word yet from Duterte on Albayalde’s fate amid fresh allegations
President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to issue a directive following the latest claim linking embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde to the illegal drug trade, Malacañang said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Central Visayas top cop Debold Sinas is next Metro Manila police chief
Central Visayas police chief Brigadier General Debold Sinas is set to be the next Metro Manila police chief, replacing Major General Guillermo Eleazar, who is set to take on the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s top 4 position.
— Rappler

Dead sperm whale in Camarines Sur had fractured jaw – BFAR
The young adult female sperm whale found dead on the shores of Caramoan town in Camarines Sur on October 4 had a fractured jaw, the results of a necropsy performed on the mammal showed.
— Rappler

SC orders review of Meralco finances to come up with lower power rates
Consumers will hold their breath a little while longer after the Supreme Court (SC) ordered a review of Manila Electric Company (Meralco)’s finances so the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) can come up with lower power rates for the public.
— Rappler

Cancelled flights for Friday, Oct. 11
-Several flights on Friday, Oct. 11, were cancelled due to bad weather at the destination. Below is a list:
— Eagle News

Filipino, Chinese youths embrace differences
FILIPINO and Chinese students embraced cultural diversity and started a friendship that they intend to keep through unforgettable memories they shared recently during a two-week fellowship from Sept.15 to 28, 2019.
— The Manila Times

New Philippine Military Chief Expects No ‘Shooting War’ Over South China Sea
The Philippine military backs diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions with Beijing over the South China Sea, the new commander of the armed forces said Thursday, casting doubt that war would break out despite Chinese forays into contested waters.
— Spratly Islands

Any gov’t pay increase should be welcomed
WHEN President Duterte arrived at the Davao Airport from his state visit to Moscow, Russia, last Sunday, he once again assured the nation’s teachers they would get their long-promised salary increases this year.
— Tempo

Widow of slain vice mayor tags Cam
HENRY LIM BON LIONG believes that one seed has the power to uplift the nation. He claims that it only took one seed for him to disrupt the agriculture industry in the Philippines and, in the process, transform the lives of millions of Filipinos.
— Manila Times

DoF: 2018 rate hikes drag PH growth
THE cummulative 175 basis-point interest rate hikes implemented by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last year slightly pulled down Philippine economic growth this year, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).
— Manila Times

LRT2 suspends free morning rides for students
The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) announced on Thursday, October 10, it began limiting free rides for students this week due to the train line’s adjusted revenue operation schedule.”
— Rappler

August 2019 trade figures point to Q3 GDP growth struggle
The country’s total trade declined by 7% in August 2019 to $14.9 billion, as both exports and imports fell during the period, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Thursday, October 10.
— Rappler

Over 10,000 health workers could lose jobs due to DOH budget cut – Recto
Over 10,000 health personnel under the Human Resource for Health Deployment Program (HRHDP) could lose their jobs because of the P9.39-billion cut in the budget of the Department of Health (DOH), according to Senator Ralph Recto.
— Rappler

U.N. expert: PH drug war designed to show off Duterte’s ‘arbitrary power’
A United Nations expert on Thursday, October 10, slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign as a sham as it did not address the root problems.
— Rappler

Substance regulation may be alternative to drug war — policy expert
Amid the Philippines’ controversial war against illegal drugs, a policy expert on Thursday suggested that substance regulation may actually be a potential alternative strategy to reduce harm.
— GMA Network

The rise of rice
HENRY LIM BON LIONG believes that one seed has the power to uplift the nation. He claims that it only took one seed for him to disrupt the agriculture industry in the Philippines and, in the process, transform the lives of millions of Filipinos.
— BusinessWorld

FDCP reveals incentive scheme for international films shot in PHL
THE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has announced several location incentives for international productions and Philippine co-productions in order to encourage more international films to be shot in the country.
— BusinessWorld

MGen mulls entry into biomass energy
MERALCO PowerGen Corp. (MGen) is studying new technology for its possible entry into biomass energy development to help address the country’s garbage problem through a waste-to-energy project, its president said.
— BusinessWorld

Building from Scratch: Rebirth of the Philippine Navy
In many respects, the navy that the Philippines is now building is a new one. By the 1990s, its old navy had fallen into such a state of obsolescence that it had no ships capable of fighting a modern naval battle.
— Spratly Islands

Zubiri dares Energy officials to take up the ‘no kuryente challenge’
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday issued the no kuryente challenge against the Department of Energy (DOE) following its failure to produce a comprehensive plan to supply electricity in far-flung areas of the country.
— GMA Network

Who are the unemployed? Think-tank questions government’s new definition
The government’s easy-fitting definition of unemployed persons is pushing the employment figures up, a research think-tank said.
— GMA Network

Amphibious Ops, Air Defense Key in Philippines Exercise With U.S., Japanese Forces
Marine Lance Cpl. David Lancheros shares his knowledge about the engagement process of a FIM-92 stinger missile with Philippine Airman 2nd class Sherwin Faoeranga during a subject matter expert exchange as part of exercise KAMANDAG 3 at Colonel Ernesto P. Ravina Air Base, Philippines on Oct. 9, 2019.
— Spratly Islands

Sinas named new NCRPO chief
Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, former director of the Police Regional Office-7, was named as the new head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
— Philippine News Agency

Ex-village councilman, businesswoman slain in NoCot gun attacks
A former village councilman and a businesswoman were separately killed in the towns of Matalam and Antipas in North Cotabato on Wednesday, the police said.
— Philippine News Agency

PH low-cost carriers to launch new destinations
Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines, two of the country’s budget carriers, are set to launch new domestic routes in the remaining months of 2019 including international destinations soon.
— Philippine News Agency

NAPC holds Regional Sectoral Assembly in Central Luzon
About 150 leaders representing the 7 provinces of Central Luzon and 14 basic sectors are currently gathered in Clark for a Regional Sectoral Assembly (RSA).
— Philippine Information Agency

Manila Water to SC: Reverse ruling or people face 780% rate increase
Manila Water warned of an exponential 780% increase in water rates or as much as P26.70 per cubic meter if the Supreme Court (SC) does not reverse its decision to penalize the company.
— Rappler

FAST FACTS: State of Metro Manila’s public transport system
Anyone who faces the daily commute in Metro Manila is no stranger to hours of traffic and unpredictability.
— Rappler

Manila ranks 54th out of 56 countries in 2019 quality of life index
Manila ranked 54th out of 56 countries in a 2019 survey that tracked global prices and living standards worldwide, dropping two spots from its 2018 standing.
— GMA Network

Albayalde threatens to sue ex-general who implicated him in 2013 drug operation
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde has threatened to sue the retired police general who had implicated him in the controversial 2013 drug operation in Pampanga when he was the provincial police chief.
— Rappler

Even before Dengvaxia scare, Davao City had low immunization rate – Sara
Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has refused to blame the Dengvaxia scare as the reason for the downtrend in the immunization rate in the city.
— Rappler

PH continues hunt for elusive Olympic gold in Tokyo
The hunt for the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal will continue in the high-tech Japanese capital of Tokyo next year.
— Manila Times

4 women rescued from ‘prostitution den’ in San Juan
Policemen on Thursday afternoon, October 10, rescued 4 women at a spa in San Juan City allegedly being used as a prostitution den .
— Rappler

RTF-ELCAC III provides aid to 12 rebel returnees
About 12 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Central Luzon have surrendered to authorities Wednesday after being heavily exploited by the communist group.
— Philippine Information Agency

Trial of confessed gunman in Sytin murder ends; verdict out on November 20
A regional trial court here will hand down in November its sentence against the confessed hit man in the murder of Dominic Sytin, the founder of the United Auctioneers Inc.
— Rappler

Cotabato City dads push for separate congressional district
The City Council here has passed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to create a separate congressional district for Cotabato City.
— Philippine News Agency

TESDA allots P2-M for training scholarship in Sarangani
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has allocated an initial PHP2 million in scholarship grants for the newly opened Provincial Training Center in Malapatan town, Sarangani province.
— Philippine News Agency

Drug offenders undergo rehab in Soccsksargen
The Department of Health (DOH) has enrolled at least 20 drug offenders from parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) for the first batch of beneficiaries of the newly-opened Soccsksargen Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center based in Sarangani province.
— Philippine News Agency

Transpo groups in Central Luzon receive scholarship slots
Various transportation groups in Central Luzon were awarded today scholarships slots by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) under the Tsuper Iskolar Program.
— Philippine Information Agency

Tribal leaders elated over Salugpungan closure
A number of tribal leaders in Davao Region welcomed the decision of Department of Education in Region 11 (DepEd-11) to permanently close the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center Inc. (STTICLCI).
— Philippine News Agency

NorMin police chief warns SSS delinquent employers
The chief of the Police Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao) has warned delinquent employers in the region to strictly comply with the Social Security Law by paying the contributions and salary loan payments of their employees to the Social Security System (SSS).
— Philippine News Agency

PNP reshuffles top officials; Eleazar now fourth highest-ranking police official
The Philippine National Police has reshuffled its top officials. Major General Guillermo Eleazar, who was the National Capital Region Police Office chief, is now the chief of the directorial staff, the fourth highest-ranking position in the PNP.
— Eagle News

Drilon seeks realignment of P1 billion in 2020 budget for nurses’ P30-K minimum pay
If the government can shell out P2 billion for a presidential jet, then it can allocate half the amount to fund the minimum base pay of entry-level nurses, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Masbate town vice mayor’s slay: Alleged gunmen from Tarlac, Laguna arrested
Four alleged gunmen who are believed to have killed Vice Mayor Charlie Yuson III of Batuan, Masbate, were arrested by Manila police on Thursday, October 10.
— Rappler

Transport leader blames traffic crisis on LTFRB moratorium on UV express franchise
The Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) 14-year moratorium on issuing franchises to UV Express has caused massive shortage of public utility vehicles that resulted in a traffic crisis, a transport sector leader said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Pangasinan farmers receive irrigation facilities from gov’t
More than 200 farmers from the fourth congressional district of Pangasinan received 80 units of farm mechanization equipment from the government that could aid them in their day-to-day duties.
— Philippine Information Agency

Curbing bribery at Bilibid will require more than replacing BuCor officials — Zarate
Putting an end to bribery incidents in the New Bilibid Prison will require more than replacing officials at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate said Thursday.
— GMA Network

Makabayan solons tell Panelo to take commute challenge seriously
Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Thursday pointed out to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo to take the challenge to commute to Malacañang seriously and not make it a form of gimmickry.
— GMA Network

Former NBC producer accuses Matt Lauer of rape
Former NBC Today show anchor Matt Lauer was accused of rape by former NBC News colleague Brooke Nevils, who said he raped her in his hotel room in February 2014, during the Winter Olympics in Sochia, Russia.
— Rappler

Manila mayor Moreno orders closure of Isetann Mall for violating city ordinances, operating without proper permit
Manila Mayor “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has ordered the closure of Isetann Cinerama Complex along Recto Avenue in Manila, for violating several city ordinances and for operating “without the necessary business permit.”
— Eagle News

13 alleged ninja cops summoned as DOJ reopens probe into 2013 Pampanga raid
The Department of Justice has subpoenaed the 13 policemen behind the 2013 Pampanga raid as the DOJ reopened its probe following testimonies before a joint Senate panel hearing the issue of ninja cops.
— Eagle News

Women’s org launches pledge site for girl empowerment
The Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK) Philippines launched a platform for pledging money to initiatives geared towards women and girls’ empowerment.
— Rappler

CHR: Reviving death penalty will lead to cycle of violence in PH
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday, October 10, urged the public to resist any move to reimpose the death penalty in the Philippines, warning that capital punishment would only lead to violence.
— Rappler

After a week, BFP allows LRTA to probe fire damage
A week after a fire caused the suspension of Light Rail Transit line 2 (LRT2) operations, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has allowed the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to conduct its own investigation of the incident.
— Rappler

PCOO encourages Zambo residents to be FOI advocates
Participants from different sectors in Zamboanga City and other municipalities commit to become advocate of Freedom of Information (FOI) Program.
— Philippine Information Agency

Woman nabbed for peddling shabu inside hotel
Police operatives arrested a woman and seized from her PHP10,000 worth of suspected shabu during a drug buy-bust inside a hotel here on Wednesday afternoon.
— Philippine News Agency

DTI promotes green economy to repair shops, PETCs
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan conducted a seminar on the promotion of green economy for those engaged in repair/service shops and private emission testing centers (PETCs) held on Saturday, October 5 at The Monarch Hotel here. Natalia Dalaten, officer-in-charge provincial director …
— Philippine Information Agency

Huge saltwater croc kills fisherman in latest attack in Palawan
A huge saltwater crocodile killed a Philippines fisherman after snatching him from his boat, local authorities said Thursday, the latest in a series of attacks terrorizing a remote southern island.
— Eagle News

Feature photo Sulu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, October 13.

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).

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Philippines morning news for October 11 added by John Le Fevre on October 11, 2019
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.