PNP says rise in Chinese kidnappings linked to POGO worker influx
The Philippine National Police on Thursday, March 5, said that the spike in Chinese kidnappings in the Philippines is related to the influx of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) workers.
— Rappler
PHL manufacturing output shrinks 1.6 percent in January
THE country’s manufacturing output started the year with a contraction of 1.6 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
— Business Mirror
DOH: Filipinos to be repatriated from Macau to just undergo home quarantine as persons under monitoring
The Philippine government is now readying the process for the repatriation of some 200 Filipinos from Macau who will be considered persons under monitoring (PUMs) once they arrive in the country, according to the Department of Health.
— Eagle News
‘We are losing fight’ vs dirty money, Gordon tells AMLC
Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday, March 5, expressed concern that the Philippines was losing its fight against dirty money because of the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s (AMLC’s) lack of enthusiasm to investigate suspicious funds entering the country.
— Rappler
Inflation slows to 2.6% in Feb
HEADLINE inflation decelerated to a two-month low of 2.6 percent in February, the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) announced on Thursday.
— Manila Times
500 Pinoys stranded in California over virus fears
At least 500 Filipino crew members were among the thousands stranded on a cruise ship off the California coast over fears of the new coronavirus after passengers and crew members on board developed symptoms.
— Manilastandard.net
1,137 hogs culled in Isabela due to ASF
The number of hogs culled in Isabela due to African swine fever (ASF) has breached 1,000, the provincial veterinary office reported yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
P14-B tariff collected in 1st year of rice tariffication law
The government raised PHP14 billion from tariffs on rice imports during the first year of the implementation of the rice tariffication law (RTL).
— Philippine News Agency
NegOr dengue cases drop 24%
The Department of Health (DOH) in Negros Oriental has reported that dengue cases in the province in the first two months of 2020 dropped by 24 percent compared to the same period last year.
— Philippine News Agency
‘Filipinos’ safety first’: Hontiveros wants Chinese ‘criminals’ deported
Senator Risa Hontiveros has called for the deportation of Chinese criminals to protect Filipinos, as crimes linked to the growing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry surfaced.
— Rappler
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia boost intel vs kidnappings
Military officials from the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia yesterday agreed to strengthen intelligence gathering and maritime patrols to stop kidnappings in the border.
— The Philippine Star
Government to triple free WiFi sites
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to triple the number of its free WiFi hotspots this year in a bid to bolster its goal of bringing connectivity to more people across the country.
— The Philippine Star
PHL exports seen least hit by virus in Asean–Unctad
THE Philippines could lose as much as $300 million worth of exports, mostly in communication equipment, due to the coronavirus outbreak, but it is the least to take damage from the crisis among Southeast Asian nations, according to a United Nations report.
— Business Mirror
PSA survey: 2.39 million Filipinos jobless in January
FIVE out of 100 Filipinos who are part of the country’s labor force are jobless, according to the results of the January round of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday.
— Business Mirror
Philippines banks least affected by COVID-19 outbreak — Fitch
Philippine banks are sufficiently capitalized and are less likely to be affected by the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global outbreak, according to Fitch Ratings.
— The Philippine Star
PHL heads WTO fund review panel
AFTER heading the trade policy review panel in 2019, the Philippines is set to lead this year the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) budget committee tasked to review the funding and financial statement of the multilateral trading body.
— Business Mirror
Manila Police Chief Apologizes for Directive to Collect Data on Muslim Students
Islamic leaders in the predominantly Catholic Philippines welcomed the Manila police chief’s apology on Wednesday for a plan to collect the names of Muslim high school and university students in the capital area that critics had branded as religious profiling.
— Benar News
Suspension of loan, grant deals over Iceland resolution an outrage reaction — Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision last year to shun loan and aid from countries that backed an inquiry on the human rights situation in the Philippines was just an expression of outrage, his spokesperson said Thursday.
— GMA Network
SC asked to stop grant of provisional authority to operate to ABS-CBN
The lawyer who filed an impeachment complaint against then Chief-Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has asked the Supreme Court to stop the grant to ABS-CBN of a provisional authority to operate pending the renewal of its franchise.
— Eagle News
Malacañang: Duterte won’t rush decision on calls for POGO suspension
Malacañang said on Thursday, March 5, that President Rodrigo Duterte “cannot be rushed” into deciding on calls to suspend Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) over supposed crime links.
— Rappler
Palace wants China claim on isolated crimes validated
Malacañang on Thursday would not say whether the criminal incidents involving Chinese citizens in the country were isolated cases.
— GMA Network
PNP official: 2 police generals on board helicopter that crashed in Laguna in critical condition
Two police generals who were on board the helicopter that crashed in Laguna on Thursday, March 5, are in critical condition, a police official said.
— Eagle News
Drilon to Pagcor: ‘Stupid mindset’ to allow POGOs for money
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday, March 5, said it was stupid for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to allow Chinese-run online gambling operations in the Philippines just for government revenues.
— Rappler
No off-cycle rate cut, says Diokno
BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said they will not go for an off-cycle rate cut following the US Federal Reserve’s surprise move to ease as part of efforts to boost the economy amid risks of a slowdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
— BusinessWorld
House OK’s lower capital requirement for foreign retailers
A PRIORITY MEASURE that aims to further open up the retail sector to foreign companies was approved on second reading at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
— BusinessWorld
New Taiwan coronavirus case had travel history to PH
The 44th confirmed novel coronavirus case in Taiwan had a history of travel to the Philippines, the Taiwan Center for Disease Control (CDC) said on Thursday night, March 5.
— Rappler
Duterte and MVP shake hands, set meeting
After months of railing against water concessionaire Maynilad, President Rodrigo Duterte and businessman Manny V. Pangilinan exchanged pleasantries during their first public appearance together on Thursday, March 5.
— Rappler
Passage of bill mandating underground cables urged following PNP chopper crash
A party-list representative on Thursday renewed her call for the immediate approval of the measure mandating the underground installation of wire and cable systems in the country.
— GMA Network
[ANALYSIS] How the budget deficit exploded under Duterte’s watch
I’m quite surprised not more people are alarmed by this.
— Rappler
No plan to use RDT kits for coronavirus – DoH
The Department of Health (DoH) said that it is not yet considering to use rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for the detection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) until it has been proven effective by the World Health Organization (WHO).
— Tempo
DICT launches ceremonial activation of the Free Wi-Fi For All
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and local government units on Thursday launched in its office here in the city the simultaneous activation of the Free Wi-Fi For All – Free Public Internet Access Program sites with the provinces of Albay, Isabela, Palawan, Lanao del Sur, and Davao City.
— Philippine Information Agency
BIR seals machines in offsite cockfight betting sites in QC
Offsite cockpit betting machines of Manila Cockers Club, Inc. (MCCI) in 19 locations in Quezon City were sealed simultaneously Thursday to prevent them from being used since these are unregistered with the Bureau of the Internal Revenue (BIR).
— Philippine News Agency
USAID backs Marawi project for 200 farmers
The United States Agency for International Development is supporting an agriculture project that brings together the provincial government of Lanao del Sur, the East-West Seed Company, Iligan City government and Plan International, a New York-based independent humanitarian organization.
— Manilastandard.net
GSIS: P244 million in ‘Ursula’ loans set for Eastern Samar
The Government Service Insurance System has opened a P244-million emergency facility for members and pensioners in Eastern Samar (except Guiuan town) who were affected by Typhoon Ursula late last year.
— Manilastandard.net
Pay hike order for Cagayan Valley workers takes effect this month
Minimum-wage earners in Cagayan Valley will be getting a pay increase this month.
— Business Mirror
Ifugao vet calls on hog traders, raisers to cooperate against ASF
Provincial Veterinarian James Gopeng has called on all hog traders, shippers, producers and barangay officials to cooperate and abide with the checkpoints and preventive measures against African Swine Fever (ASF) to contain its spread in the province.
— Philippine Information Agency
AFP probing presence of 3,000 PLA troopers
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is validating reports that thousands of Chinese soldiers are in the country to gather necessary intelligence information.
— Tempo
Covid-19 delays shipment of trash to SoKor
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak in China and the spread of the virus in other countries have been factors in the delay of the shipment of the remaining 2,000 metric tons of trash back to South Korea, a Bureau of Customs (BOC) in official said on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
PDP-Laban holds fellowship dinner amid speakership coup rumors
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) held a fellowship dinner amid rumors of involvement in an ouster plot against Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
— GMA Network
PTFoMS warns ‘protectors’ of suspect in radioman’s killing
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has issued a stern warning against certain local government and police officials who are reportedly protecting the alleged mastermind in the brutal killing of Kidapawan-based radioman Eduardo Dizon.
— Philippine News Agency
UP enters Top 100 universities for performing arts -QS rankings
The University of the Philippines (UP) has made it to the world’s top 100 universities for the performing arts for the first time, according to the UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings.
— GMA Network
DoTr sees no delay to subway from Japan coronavirus disruptions
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said Thursday it will proceed with the implementation of the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project, and expects no disruption to the timetable in the form of delayed deliveries from Japanese suppliers due to the coronavirus outbreak in Japan.
— BusinessWorld
Imported vehicle sales down by 16.2% in January
A total of 5,433 imported vehicles were sold in the country in the first month of the year, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency
PNP: Chinese-related crimes in Philippines isolated for China but concerning for us
Crimes and illegal activities in the country involving Chinese may be considered “isolated” by the Chinese Embassy in Manila but not something that would be easily brushed off by law enforcers, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief of directorial staff Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar.
— GMA Network
Duterte ‘never soft’ on anything related to national interest
Malacañang denied on Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte is keeping a “soft” stance with China amid scandals plaguing the Chinese-run Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
— Philippine News Agency
DOT convenes Tourism Council; invites public to travel within PH
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat today assured the country of the tourism industry’s fortitude and resiliency through the global health crisis brought by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in 60 countries, including the Philippines.
— Philippine Information Agency
Gov’t needs to be vigilant vs. risks to inflation outlook: NEDA
The government needs to remain vigilant and well-positioned against possible risks to inflation in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
— Philippine News Agency
Recruitment firms told to monitor health of OFWs in HK, Macao
The Philippine Overseas Employment (POEA) has directed all licensed recruitment agencies in the country to look after the health conditions of their deployed workers to China’s special administrative regions (SARs) Hong Kong and Macao, amid the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte firm on plan to build Marawi camp
President Duterte has pledged to pull out the military from Marawi City once the area is declared peaceful and safe from security threats.
— Tempo
BFP in C. Luzon modernizes firefighting, rescue capabilities
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Region 3 (Central Luzon) is in the process of modernizing firefighting units and rescue capabilities.
— Philippine News Agency
Insurance Commission: LGBTQ members can designate partners as insurance beneficiary
Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer community may designate their partners as beneficiaries in their insurance plan, the Insurance Commission said.
— The Philippine Star
Hot Air Balloon festival all set on March 6-8 amid virus scare
AMID the global coronavirus scare, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, the most highly anticipated and longest-running sports aviation event in Asia, is still pushing through at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite from March 6 to 8.
— Business Mirror
Aurora State College declares CPP-NPA as ‘persona non grata’
Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) declared Wednesday the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non grata.
— Philippine Information Agency
118 modernized vehicles start serving Caraga commuters
A total of 118 modernized vehicles are now serving the different routes in Caraga Region, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.
— Philippine News Agency
Senate panel issues subpoena vs 7 Rodriguez family members for bringing in millions of cash
The Senate Blue Ribbon committee issued Thursday a subpoena against seven members of Rodriguez family whom Senator Richard Gordon accused of bringing in millions of cash in a foreign currency in the country.
— GMA Network
5 GenSan-based forex firm execs wanted for duping investors
The Criminal Intelligence and Detection Group (CIDG) in Central Visayas is now tracking down the five executives of a foreign exchange firm in General Santos City that allegedly duped its several investors.
— Philippine News Agency
DBM chief: Only RDC-endorsed projects guaranteed of funding
Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado told heads of regional line agencies in Central Visayas that only projects, activities and programs (PAPS) that underwent vetting and given endorsement by the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) are guaranteed of funding from the national government.
— Philippine Information Agency
Parañaque village homeowners worry about firing range set up amid influx of hundreds of POGO workers
Some residents of Multinational Village in Parañaque City fear possible military activities inside their subdivision, where a firing range has been set up amid the growing number of Chinese nationals in the neighborhood.
— GMA Network
Support role of women in the workplace: CSC
As the nation celebrates Women’s Month this March, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged government agencies to consider the unique needs of women in the workplace.
— Philippine News Agency
₱520M rice fund empowers farmers in Caraga Region
March 5, 2020, marks the first anniversary of the implementation of the Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL).
— Philippine Information Agency
SC sets oral arguments for habeas corpus petition filed for ex-NPA leader Rodolfo Salas
The Supreme Court has set oral arguments for a petition for writ of habeas corpus filed for former New People’s Army leader Rodolfo Salas.
— Eagle News
Palace unaware of Duterte’s selection of Ungab
Malacañang on Thursday said it has no knowledge of President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed key role in the selection of Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as the chairperson of the House appropriations committee.
— Philippine News Agency
Grade 9 pupil in NoCot kills classmate-friend with a punch
Students of a public school in North Cotabato are mourning the untimely death of a student who was hit by a punch in the nape by his classmate-friend during a brief quarrel on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
Gordon wants forex firm probed over alleged Maute group link
Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Richard Gordon said Thursday he wants foreign exchange firm Excellent Forex Corporation to be probed over possible involvement with ISIS-inspired Maute group.
— GMA Network
Robredo: ‘Empower one woman and she will raise others with her’
As the world celebrates Women’s Month, Vice President Leni Robredo reminded Filipinas that the best way for women to break through the glass ceiling today is to do so together.
— Rappler
NegOcc city unveils mobile app for ‘participative governance’
The City of Himamaylan in Negros Occidental launched on Thursday a mobile application that will serve as a platform for its citizens to raise issues and concerns, particularly on infrastructure development.
— Philippine News Agency
NegOr studes told to shun illegal drugs, terrorism
Philippine Army troopers of the 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) continue to visit schools to advise students to avoid illegal drugs and stay away from terrorism.
— Philippine Information Agency
Greenhills hostage-taker s labor issues tackled by House panel next week
The House Committee on Labor and Employment is set to hold an inquiry into the labor-related concerns raised by Alchie Paray, a former security guard who staged a hostage at a mall in Greenhills, San Juan City earlier this week.
— GMA Network
46 Iloilo City villages fail DILG road clearing evaluation
Chairmen of the 46 barangays in this city that failed in the road clearing evaluation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have committed to abide and be compliant by April 30 this year.
— Philippine News Agency
Menu, prices: Bangkok’s Fire Tiger in Metro Manila
Metro Manila is definitely not short of milk tea places to visit, but that doesn’t stop foreign brands from setting up shop in the Philippines – just like Fire Tiger by Seoulcial Club, a bubble tea shop from Bangkok, Thailand.
— Rappler
Feature photo WENet Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Women’s Day, March 8.
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 March 6 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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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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