2 terror suspects dead in Sultan Kudarat shootout
Two unidentified men believed to be members of an Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired terror group in Mindanao were shot dead by police after they allegedly engaged lawmen in a shootout to avoid a checkpoint in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat at dawn Monday.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Mindanews, NDBC News

Government, MILF form joint security teams vs Mindanao extremists 
The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be forming  joint peace and security teams (JPSTs) that will tackle security challenges as Mindanao pursues greater autonomy under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Business Mirror

MARAWI

House to address compensation for war-affected properties in Marawi
The House committee on disaster management is set to consolidate bills providing for compensation of damaged, and lost properties in Marawi City. Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman noted that there are three bills seeking monetary reparation or monetary compensation for the loss or destruction of private residential homes, other properties and commercial buildings in Marawi City during the 2017 siege.
Manila Bulletin

House to keep tight watch, exercise oversight on Marawi rehab
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo asked on Monday the newly created House committee on disaster management to closely keep an eye and exercise oversight on the supposed snail-paced rehabilitation of the Marawi City.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Land acquisition for housing projects for Marawi victims still not complete
The government has yet to finish the process of acquiring parcels of land on which the housing units for the victims of the Marawi siege will be constructed, more than a year after the battle there ended.
GMA News

AboitizPower donates P5.6-M electrical equipment to Marawi
The Aboitiz Group has turned over a total of PHP5.6 million worth of electrical equipment in Marawi City as part of the rehabilitation efforts in the war-torn area. In a statement Monday, AboitizPower Corp. said its subsidiary Davao Light Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) donated early this month electrical equipment to Lanao Del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO) amounting to PHP1.9 million.
PTV News

Storybooks for Marawi children launched
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) together with The Bookmark, Inc., developed four children’s storybooks which highlight the culture, identity, values, and resilience of the Maranaos.
Philippine News Agency

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

S-E Asia survey sheds light on attitude towards extremism
Muslims in the Philippines are far more receptive to violent methods to defend their religion as compared with those in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, according to a regional survey on susceptibility to extremism conducted between September last year and February this year. Malaysia-based opinion research house Merdeka Center released the findings yesterday on the four countries which showed that support for local militant groups in the Philippines and Indonesia far outstripped that for foreign terror groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The Straits Times

Interfaith tolerance in region still a work in progress
Here are the key findings of the Merdeka Center survey on regional extremism involving Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. 1 Muslim respondents perceived members of their faith favourably, at an average of over 80 points (based on a scale from zero to 100, with the latter being the most favourable) across all countries. But they were less tolerant of those from other religions, scoring them 47 or lower.
The Straits Times

The 2018 Annual Report of USCIRF is mapping out the world’s worst violators of freedom of religion
The release of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Annual Report is always awaited with great expectation. With an exceptional status in U.S. politics, their policy prescriptions, reports and briefings are usually met with close attention by national and international legislators. The recommendations by the USCIRF are likely to impact largely on international relations and politics. By highlighting the world’s primary violators of freedom of religion, the annual report of USCIRF is an important tool in defining systematic human rights violating countries. It additionally provides governments with a list of issues to address when engaging in bilateral or multilateral agreements.
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
Full Report: 2018 Annual Report

Tougher penalties against money laundering, terrorism financing passed in Parliament
Individuals and companies involved in money laundering and terrorism financing will face stiffer penalties, after Parliament passed the Serious Crimes and Counter Terrorism (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill on Monday (Nov 19).
Channel News Asia, The Straits Times

Indonesia mosques spreading radicalism to government workers: Official
Dozens of Indonesian mosques that cater to government workers are spreading radicalism and calling for violence against non-Muslims, the country's intelligence agency said Monday.
The Jakarta Post

Belgium, Indonesia Seek to Promote Tolerance, Religious Freedom Amid Rising Extremism
Stéphane De Loecker, Belgium's ambassador to Indonesia, has stressed the importance of tolerance and religious freedom amid a global rise in nationalism and extremism.
Jakarta Globe

What drives women to radicalization?
Women and girls’ participation in violent conflicts can be a result of forcible recruitment and abduction or it can be a voluntary decision based on certain personal experiences and incentives provided to them, said experts at a conference on Monday. 
Dhaka Tribune

Morocco Wants to Boost Anti-Terrorism Cooperation with France, Spain, Belgium
According to Moroccan newspaper Akhbar Al Yaoum, Morocco seeks to strengthen cooperation with the three EU countries through regular information exchanges on human and drug trafficking and terrorism.
Morocco World News

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Zamboanga villages deny signing ‘petition’ for inclusion in BOL plebiscite
Officials of three island villages in this city denied that petitions for inclusion in the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that were submitted to the Commission of Elections were signed by them.
ABS-CBN News

MILF, AFP confident Bangsamoro Organic Law can stand legal test
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines expressed confidence that the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) would be declared constitutional by the Supreme Court.
GMA News Online

BARMM to heal political, historical wounds in Bangsamoro
The ratification of the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM) in a plebiscite on January 21, 2019 will heal the political and historical wounds of the Bangsamoro people.
Manila Bulletin, Mindanews

Tan highlights contribution of Tausugs in crafting Bangsamoro Organic Law
Tausugs played a major role in the effort to come up with an all-inclusive Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Nabil Tan said over the weekend. During a series of forums held in Jolo, Sulu, Tan emphasized that Tausug leaders were part of the entire process, ensuring that the clamor of the Bangsamoro people are reflected in the law.
Manila Bulletin

Ex-ARMM executive secretary: Common vision will unite the Bangsamoro
The Moro people must have a clear vision of the future Bangsamoro to find a common ground where they can work together, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) executive secretary lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo said.
Manila Bulletin

Local leaders call support for BOL
Local chief executives of Lanao del Norte urged their constituents to participate in the upcoming plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). In the recently concluded series of forums spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), local chief executives in the six municipalities that will participate in the plebiscite encouraged residents to go out and exercise their rights on January 21, 2019.
Philippine News Agency

Military rolls out red carpet for Murad before crucial plebiscite
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rolled out the red carpet for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim during his historic visit to Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, November 19.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Visit to AFP highlights solid partnership with MILF: Murad
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said his visit to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Monday highlights the strong and solid partnership between the two institutions.
Philippine News Agency

‘I came, I saw, I found friends, I made peace’
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Murad Ebrahim visited Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, becoming the first leader of the erstwhile Muslim rebel group to set foot on the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

AFP chief Galvez seeks OPAPP post after retirement
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Carlito Galvez Jr said he wants to serve as consultant at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) after his retirement on December 12.
Rappler, Business World Online

Comelec allots P35M for printing of nearly one-million primers for BOL
The Commission on Elections has allocated more than P35 million for the printing of the nearly one million primers or handouts for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) ahead of the January 21 plebiscite.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

MILF chair Murad: No election hotspots detected two months ahead of Bangsamoro plebiscite
There are no election hotspots with two months left before the conduct of the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,  Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said Monday.
GMA News

EU Representatives meet the MILF Peace Implementing Panel
The representatives of European Union (EU) on Election Exploratory Mission to the Philippines in relation to the Plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law met with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair of the Peace Implementing Panel (PIP) Mohagher Iqbal on November 10, 2018 at Bangsamoro Transition Commission Office in Cotabato City. 
Luwaran

Iqbal gave lecture on BOL in the National Self Help Approach Forum 2018
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal gave lecture on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the National Self Help Approach Forum 2018 held at AJ Hi - Time Hotel, Kidapawan City on November 11, 2018. 
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Court concludes trial of Maguindanao massacre; case submitted for resolution
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has concluded the trial and is set to resolve the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday. Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said that he has been informed by the panel of prosecutors handling the case that the case has been submitted for resolution before QC RTC Branch 221.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star

‘Serve justice now, convict Ampatuans’
Nine years after the Maguindanao massacre, known as the single deadliest attack on journalists and the worst electoral violence recorded in the country, the quest for justice of families of 58 victims and their supporters continues.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Twin IED blasts hurt soldier in Maguindanao
The military and police have put up more checkpoints along the national highway in Maguindanao following twin improvised bomb attacks by suspected Moro militants that hurt a soldier Monday morning.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

AFP Chief recognizes soldiers’ sacrifices to keep peace in Sulu
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez on Saturday visited and conferred the Wounded Personnel Medal to the 24 wounded troops at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Sulu, Kuta Heneral Bautista, Barangay Busbus, Jolo, Sulu and at Camp Navarro General Hospital, WestMinCom headquarters in this city.
Manila Bulletin

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

PNP shifts strategy in drug war
The Philippine National Police (PNP) wants to decentralize the campaign against illegal drugs, this time, allowing the drug war to be fought first in the barangay level by allowing local officials and even local residents to craft their own strategy to solve the problem.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte orders all gov’t corporations, SUCs to ‘take active role’ vs. illegal drugs
President Duterte has ordered all government entities, including government corporations and state universities and colleges, to “take an active role” in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Manila Bulletin

Lawyers’ group reaches out to kin of ‘nanlaban’
Alarmed by the spate of drug-related deaths in police operations here, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Quezon province has offered to help the victims’ families find the truth behind the killings.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Customs puts all chemical importations under alert status
All importations of chemicals have been placed on alert status and will be subjected to physical examination in an attempt to foil the possible entry of chemicals used to manufacture illegal drugs into the country.
Manila Bulletin

BOC, AFP, PCG agree to prevent large-scale smuggling, proliferation of drugs in PH
The anticipated entry of military and coast guard men in the Bureau of Customs to support its operations against smuggling and corruption in the next six months is now happening. 
Manila Bulletin

Street kids in Indonesia boil sanitary napkins to get ‘high’
Street children in Indonesia are boiling sanitary napkins in an attempt to replicate the feeling of getting “high,” as experienced by illegal drug users.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Operations/ Incidents

Man, son nabbed for drugs, theft in Laguna
A man and his son, both wanted by authorities for different charges, were arrested in this city on Monday afternoon. The suspects were identified as Danilo Parto Sr., 43, and his son Danilo Jr., 23, said Supt Giovannie Martinez, city police chief.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

3,989 surrenderers finish drug rehabilitation in Cordillera
The Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) has recorded a total of 3,989 finishers of the community-based and Philippine National Police-initiated drug rehabilitation program in the Cordillera, the PROCOR Information Officer said Monday.
Philippine News Agency

P50-M Bataan Drug Treatment and Rehab Center inaugurated
More drug surrenderers are expected to receive help in leading new lives with the inauguration on Monday of the newly-constructed Bataan Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at the foot of historic Mt. Samat here. 
Philippine News Agency

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

SCAM 

Duterte asked to show oil, gas exploration deal first before signing
Opposition Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday asked President Rodrigo Duterte to first release the definitive draft of the oil and gas exploration deal with China before signing it.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Drilon urges Duterte to take up delayed Chinese loans, investment pledges with Xi
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Monday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to bring up the apparent delays in the release of Chinese loans and investment pledges with President Xi Jinping when he visits Manila this week.
Manila Bulletin

Senators ask Duterte to discuss greater economic cooperation, illegal drugs with Xi
Senators on Monday expressed hope that President Rodrigo Duterte would discuss with Chinese President Xi Jinping greater economic cooperation as well as the country’s problems on illegal drugs entering the Philippines when Xi visits the country this week.
Manila Bulletin

[ANALYSIS] Beneath the glitter of the Xi-Duterte bromance
When President Xi Jin Ping arrives for his first state visit to the Philippines on November 20, Malacañang will be hosting a man at the peak of his power. He has virtually undisputed control of his government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that supervises it. His anti-corruption campaign has rid the regime of likely challengers.
Rappler

Duterte foreign policy doctrine? Diversification, delimitation and détente
FOR almost a century now, our country has been in an enmeshed relationship with the United States. We have depended on their support, adopted their views of the world; their enemies became our own enemies. 
The Manila Times

Duterte‘s eyeing PNG retirement spot may be ‘a joke,’ says Piñol
An idyllic lakehouse awaits President Duterte if he decides to spend a rural retirement life in Papua New Guinea. According to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has offered to find a perfect retirement place for the Philippine leader in his province after his six-year term ends.
Manila Bulletin

Mahathir and Duterte: a world of contrasts
I always attend meetings. It’s my duty,” said Malaysia’s 93-year-old Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, a survivor of elective coronary bypass surgery, amid the “nap-gate” affair in Singapore. President Duterte, 20 years his junior, apparently was too tired to attend more than half of the scheduled meetings during the opening day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit last week.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

---------------------

Robredo rallies Asian liberals to strengthen, protect democracy from threats
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday rallied liberals and democrats in Asia to strengthen their resolve to protect democracy as their rights and freedoms are at risk due to serious threats.
Manila Bulletin

Trillanes on Duterte: ‘Kulang na lang mag-sando’
“Kulang na lang mag-sando.” This is how President Rodrigo Duterte disrespects his own office, at least according to his staunch critic, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

------------------

20 Customs appointees tender resignation
Twenty officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), including six deputy commissioners, have resigned from their posts. The officials – all appointed by President Duterte – tendered their resignation letters to Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero, BOC spokesman Erastus Sandino Austria confirmed yesterday.
Philippine Star

DISASTER

US gives P37.3M more aid for families affected by Typhoon Ompong
The United States government has announced an additional P37.3 million assistance for the families who were affected by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) in the provinces of Benguet and Cagayan.
Manila Bulletin

MINDANAO

MinDa Executive: Development plans should be inclusive
AN INCLUSIVE growth for all people in Mindanao must be the priority consideration in creating development plans for the island region, a government official said. Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) executive director Janet Lopoz said that during discussions on the Mindanao Development 2030, the strategies that were laid out in bringing employment to Mindanaons were reviewed to see who really gets to benefit the economic development in Mindanao.
Sunstar Davao

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec releases partial roster of party-lists, local candidates
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday released the tentative list of party-list and local candidates for the May 2019 midterm polls. The list of candidates for party-lists, governors, vice governors, provincial board members, mayors, vice mayors, and councilors have been posted at the poll body website (http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=2019NLE/ListsOfCandidates).
Philippine News Agency

Pichay hits PDP-Laban for 'disrespecting' coalition with Lakas-CMD
Deputy Speaker and Surigao dul Sur 1st District Representative Prospero Pichay Jr slammed the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for failing to uphold its coalition agreement with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.
Rappler

Lakas-CND-PDP-Laban bets to clash in congressional, local posts next year
Coalition partners Lakas-CMD and PDP-Laban candidates will collide head on in next year’s mid-term elections as the latter allegedly fielded bets in slots for congressional and local government posts in the May 2019 polls.
Manila Bulletin

Election-related Violence

Slay try on Samar mayoralty bet alarms police, army
The shooting incident involving a mayoralty candidate in Samar province has raised concern among top officials of the police and military in Eastern Visayas. Matuguinao town mayoralty bet Aran Boller, 42, was injured on his right hand when motorcycle-riding gunmen attacked him around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday inside his car while parking at San Francisco St. in Catbalogan City, the capital of Samar province.
Philippine News Agency

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

TALAB talk calls for better scrutiny on federalism discourse
THE SPEAKERS of the Ateneo Assembly’s “Face the Nation: Dissecting the Federalism Debate” talk scrutinized the discourse on federalism by tackling the arguments of both the propositional and the oppositional sides in this year’s Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) at ISO Conference Rooms 5 and 6 on October 10.
The Guidon (ADMU)

JUDICIARY

Judicial reforms, certainty of punishment best move vs crimes – Atty. Chel Diokno
Reforming the judiciary and ensuring the certainty of punishment is the best way to address the problem of illegal drugs and other crimes, a human rights lawyer told participants to a media forum in Davao City on Saturday.
Mindanews

JBC to interview 6 aspirants for SC post on Dec. 5
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has set on Dec. 5 the public interview for six aspirants for the Supreme Court (SC) magistrate post to be vacated by Associate Justice Noel Tijam upon his retirement on Jan. 5, 2019.
Philippine News Agency

LEGISLATIVE

Arroyo wants House to focus on checking implementation of laws
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants the House of Representatives to focus on assessing how laws are being implemented by the executive branch, now that the 17th Congress is approaching its last months. The Speaker said this during the first meeting of the newly formed House committee on disaster management on Monday, November 19.
Rappler

Senate leaders urge House to approve budget bill earlier than Nov.28
Leaders of the Senate on Monday urged the House of Representatives to “do better” and approve of the proposed 2019 national budget earlier than November 28. Senate President Vicente Sotto III rejected plans by the Lower Chamber to pass on final reading the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on the third week of November because this may be too late a time for the Senate to take up the 2019 budget.
Manila Bulletin

Imelda Marcos back to work at House after posting bail
Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Imelda Marcos reappeared at the House of Representatives on Monday, November 19, after failing to go to work during the week following her conviction for 7 counts of graft.
Rappler

Senate okays bill raising spending limit of candidates
The Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and Peoples’ Participation has approved for plenary debates a bill which seeks to raise the spending limit of candidates and political parties during elections.
Manila Bulletin

Pro-admin lawmakers welcome Xi visit 
Pro-administration congressmen only have good things to say about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic two-day visit to the Philippines, which begins Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

House leadership drops Rep. De Vera from rolls
The leadership of the House of Representatives on Monday night dropped from the roll of members ABS Party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera barely two months after being assured that he is secured in his post.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Stocks rise on Wall Street’s gains ahead of Xi visit
SHARES surged on Monday as investors tracked positive finishes in US markets last Friday, while also gaining confidence from Moody’s Investors Service’s outlook on the local banking system.
Business World Online

Philippines in early free trade talks with 2 countries
THE PHILIPPINES is exploring bilateral free trade agreements (FTA) with two more countries, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said, adding that the talks are preliminary and exploratory.
Business World Online

R.A. 11057 to help MSMEs acquire loans
Universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) in the Philippines are expected to hike their Agri-Agra rule compliance through the Personal Property Security Act, which effectively increases the list of assets that small businesses can use as loan collaterals.
Philippine News Agency

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan acquits former envoy to UN
The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has acquitted former Philippine representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja of his graft charge due to the failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Xi Jinping's schedule of activities in PH
The Philippines is rolling out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit from November 20 to 21, or from Tuesday to Wednesday. The state visit, the first one for a Chinese president in 13 years, comes with the usual trappings – a welcome ceremony, a state banquet, a number of agreements to be signed, and meetings with the country's highest officials.
Rappler

China’s Xi ‘full of expectations’ on PH visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping is “full of expectations” as he embarks on a two-day state visit to the Philippines beginning Tuesday. This will be his first trip to the country under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gordon: US return of Balangiga bells signify strong PH-US ties
The United States’ move to officially turn over the Balangiga bells to the Philippines is a testament to the deep respect and friendship between the Philippines and the US, Senator Richard Gordon said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Trillanes, Pangilinan to Duterte: Release details of draft PH-China oil deals
Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jingping’s state visit, two opposition senators filed a resolution calling for President Rodrigo Duterte to release the “definitive draft” of the oil and gas deals with China before signing.
Rappler

China’s aggressive behavior
“CHINA’s aggressive behavior in building these artificial islands in the South China Sea tracks with its disregard of other norms of international law,” said retired Admiral James Stavridis, former supreme allied commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Business Mirror

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

Six-day holiday of brokers, truckers to oppose gov’t phaseout of old trucks
The six-day holiday of customs brokers and truckers meant to oppose the government’s phase-out of old trucks has started Monday. Several truck groups joined the protest caravan that occupied one lane along Bonifacio Drive, Tondo, Manila early morning of Nov. 19.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

PH eyes PNG as source of rice
The Philippines is eyeing Papua New Guinea as its “food security insurance” by tapping the Pacific island neighbor as the country’s next supplier of affordable rice in five years.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd showcases school safety innovations to Sri Lankan delegation
The Department of Education (DepEd) showcased innovations on school safety to Sri Lankan delegation in line with its efforts to help promote school-based disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Aquino: Bring back PH lit in college for youth to appreciate national identity
Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Monday expressed belief that reintegrating Filipino literature in college courses would help deepen the youth’s appreciation of the Filipino language and the sacrifices made by the nation’s heroes for the country.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

NBI recommends raps vs. Noy kin, others over Boracay mess
Officials of three resorts in Boracay Island, along with former and incumbent local officials, have been recommended for prosecution by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Environmental Crime Division.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Single-use plastic ban in Mimaropa proposed
A member of the Mimaropa Regional Development Council (RDC) is seeking a ban on single-use plastics in all regional programs, projects, and activities.
Rappler

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Gov't confirms Mislatel as third telco
The National Telecommunications Commission on Monday confirmed as the new major telecommunications player, a consortium composed of China Telecom and tycoon Dennis Uy. The NTC's disposal of appeals against the award to Mislatel, paved the way for the firm to secure the confirmation, Department of Information and Communications Technology officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio earlier said.
ABS-CBN News

Three is a company
My favorite television series in the past was “Three Is a Company,” a happy take-off from “Three Is a Crowd.” It was entertaining and wholesome, what with good natured funny quips and mishaps.
Philippine Star

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR