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Communist Rebellion
Sara tags left-leaning IP group members as ‘murderers’
Mayor Sara Z. Duterte on Thursday tagged members of an indigenous people’s rights group as murderers and responsible for the death of two infants housed at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran Mission Center here.
Philippine News Agency

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Red-tagging, Red-baiting
RED tagging? Red-baiting? It's only a fictitious and self-serving claim of the operators, cadres, and adjunct support groups of the CPP-NPA-NDFwho are operating in urban areas and town centers under the cover of their self-established and infiltrated 'open organizations and alliances'.
Philippine News Agency

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108 NPA rebels yield in SoCot, Sarangani in 2 weeks
A total of 108 more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces surrendered to government authorities in the last two weeks, the most number for the area in recent years.
Philippine News Agency

COVID-19 crisis forces 50 NPAs to surrender in Sarangani
Some fifty members of the New People’s Army (NPA) yielded Thursday to police authorities in Kiamba, Sarangani. Police Regional Office 12 Director Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria said the NPA surrenderers belonged to the NPA Guerilla Front 73 operating in Sarangani and South Cotabato, and were presented to Saragani Gov. Steve Solon and Kiamba Mayor Danny Martinez.
Manila Bulletin

NPA combatant in NegOcc yields after 11 years in armed struggle
A 27-year-old man, a New People’s Army (NPA) combatant for 11 years, has voluntarily surrendered to Philippine Army troops in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) reported on Friday.
Philippine News Agency

2 Sierra Madre NPA rebels surrender in Nueva Ecija
Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to authorities following a series of operations conducted by the 1st Provincial Mobile Group Company of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PMFC-NEPPO) and the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB).
Kalinaw News

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Former rebels received 240,000 worth of negosyo kit from DTI
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol successfully handed over Negosyo Kits to 24 Former Rebels (FRs) amounting to 10,000 each on May 21-29, 2020. Former Rebel recipients were from the municipalities of Antequera, Calape, Loon, Catigbian, Sevilla, Guindulman and Mabini. 
Kalinaw News

Incidents/Operations

3 ex-rebels abducted by suspected NPA members in Samar
Three peacebuilders were abducted by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Motiong, Samar on May 27, the military said Friday.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency
Extremism
House joint committee adopts Senate version of toughened anti-terrorism bill
A proposed tougher law against terrorism hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives on Friday afternoon, May 29, putting the controversial measure up for plenary debates.
RapplerManila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

‘Dissent is duty, not crime’: Filipinos slam anti-terrorism bill
Filipinos online were quick to condemn on Friday, May 29, the new version of the anti-terror bill. The backlash came after the House of Representatives committee on public order and safety approved the substitute version of the Human Security Act. This would further strengthen law enforcement’s campaign against terrorism.
Rappler

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Suspected bomber slain in drug raid in Sultan Kudarat
A man suspected to have carried out bombings in Davao City and Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province was killed during a drug raid on Thursday, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency

MARAWI 

Marawi rehab completed by Dec. 2021 despite COVID-19 pandemic —TFBM chair
The target completion of the ongoing rehabilitation effort for war-torn Marawi City will not be rescheduled even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said Friday.
GMA News

A plan to restore, rehabilitate Marawi
Marawi City remembered last week that day in 2017 when armed men of the Maute group, Abu Sayyaf bandits, and fighters of the Islamic State international extremist group took over the city to begin five months of urban warfare as government forces fought to retake the city.
Manila Bulletin

Tag, you’re it
A LEAKED Philippine National Police (PNP) memorandum dated January 31 revealed that police officers were given orders to update their list of Muslim students in high schools, colleges, and universities in an effort to reach out to Muslim youths and build counter-terrorist efforts in the National Capital Region, among other things. 
The Guidon

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD

Sri Lanka’s fight against LTTE terrorism: In retrospect
On the 19th of May 2020 Sri Lanka celebrated the National War Heroes Day and there was a surprise: Tamil Ealam Cyber Force attacking and defacing several government websites.
Modern Diplomacy

More convicted terrorists due for release over next five years, ASIO warns
The nation's domestic spy agency has warned the growing number of convicted terrorists due for release from Australian prisons over the next five years could use their profile to recruit more people to their cause.
The Sydney Morning Herald

China firmly opposes U.S. House approval of bill on Xinjiang-related issues
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Friday expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the passing of a bill on Xinjiang-related issues by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Xinhua

Extremism Is on the Rise in West Africa. Education Is Suffering.
In Burkina Faso, militant groups aligned with al Qaeda and the Islamic State have stepped up attacks on schools, forcing some 350,000 children to stay home over the past three years. According to a Human Rights Watch report released on Tuesday, 107 schools have been burned, looted, and destroyed by militants opposed to secular education since 2017.
Foreign Policy


 
Bangsamoro
CRUCIBLE: Eid al-Fitr 2020 – Facing the Challenge of COVID-19 (2)
There are many sublime passages in the Qur’an that talk of parables. The reason being is that parable, like simile, metaphor and a few others, is easy to grasp when it is used to explain things.
Mindanews

BARMM 


BARMM out to win war vs Covid-19
The Bangsamoro is determined to “win the battle” against an “unseen enemy” in Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Health authorities said the first of the Bangsamoro government’s series of hard responses against the spread of the dreaded disease has been the upgrading of local medical facilities, which will enable the Cotabato Regional Medical Center to conduct laboratory-based tests on potential Covid-19 carriers.
Manila Standard

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 

Maguindanao assures warm welcome for returning ROFs, LSIs
Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has a "warm welcome" for all returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs), provided local government units are duly informed of their homecoming.
Philippine News Agency

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

Vessel, crew placed on quarantine in Zambo City
A commercial vessel plying the Zamboanga-Basilan route via Lamitan City and its 10 crewmen have been placed on quarantine in this southern port city.
Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Zamboanga

SULU 

Repatriated Filipinos in Sabah back in Sulu
After two months of quarantine at Sibakel Island, Lantawan, Basilan, twenty-four (24) Filipino migrants from Sabah, Malaysia already returned to Jolo, Sulu via Philippine Navy Vessel LC 290 at Hadji Warid Pier around 10 o’clock in the morning on May 27, 2020.
Kalinaw News

TAWI-TAWI 

Two Asian small-clawed otters spotted in Tawi-Tawi
Two Asian small-clawed otters were spotted in Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi, the first time that these species were seen in the island, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX.
Manila Bulletin

 
Shadow Economies
DRUGS

Operations/ Incidents

Laborer yields drugs in Digos City buy-bust
A laborer, who doubles as shabu peddler, was arrested in Digos City on Thursday evening.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

P2-M ‘shabu’ seized in Bacolod
AN ESTIMATED P2 million worth of “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Station 2 at Purok Lampirong, Barangay 2, Bacolod City Thursday evening, May 28.
Sunstar Bacolod

P850K worth of ‘shabu’ seized in Camarines Sur buy-bust
Anti-narcotics operatives seized on Friday afternoon some P850,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) from an alleged illegal drug pusher in a drug sting in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

P535-K shabu seized in Bicol drug ops
Over PHP500,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized on Thursday afternoon from alleged illegal drug peddlers in separate drug stings in Libmanan town and Naga City in Camarines Sur province.
Philippine News Agency

Bigtime drug pusher falls to cops in Benguet buy-bust op
A high-value individual tagged as a bigtime drug pusher was arrested in a successful buy-bust operation in Abatan, Buguias, by operatives who confiscated from him 27.32 grams of shabu (crystal meth) valued at P185,778.
Manila Bulletin

Recovery and Rehabilitation

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAPPING

2 kidnap suspects killed in Rizal shootout
Two suspects wanted for a 2003 kidnapping incident in Laguna died during an armed encounter with police officers in Rizal on Friday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
Land Issues
Indigenous Peoples
NCIP forms task force to assist stranded IPs amid Metro Manila quarantine
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has formed a task force to assist indigenous peoples (IP) who were stranded in Metro Manila following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
GMA News
Human Rights
UN rapporteur urges release of political prisoners amid COVID-19 pandemic
Agnes Callamard, the United Nations' special rapporteur for extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, on Friday called for the release of political prisoners, human rights defenders and those facing "ridiculous" charges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

UN's Callamard says PHL gov't acting beyond int'l law even before COVID-19 pandemic
Agnes Callamard, the United Nations' special rapporteur for extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, on Friday claimed that the Philippine government has been acting beyond international law even before the global pandemic on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
GMA News

Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

Martial Law 

 
Governance

COVID-19

Cases


DOH reports 46 ‘fresh’ COVID-19 cases; PH total now 16,634
The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines exceeded 16,000 on Friday night (May 29) as the Department of Health reported 1,046 additional infections.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

1,107 healthworkers deployed overseas in April – POEA
Only a few healthcare workers were deployed last month despite the exemptions provided in the deployment ban of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
Manila Bulletin

17 COVID-19 positive BuCor personnel being treated at New Clark City facility
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said 17 employees who tested positive in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) were brought to the government’s New Clark City facility for treatment.
Manila Bulletin

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COVID-19 deaths among overseas Filipinos rise to 340
Six new fatalities were recorded Friday from the various foreign service posts (FSPs) worldwide, bringing the total number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) deaths among overseas Filipinos to 340.
Manila Bulletin

40 Filipinos die of COVID-19 in Dubai
In the span of only less than a month, the total number of fatalities among Filipinos infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Dubai has increased from 23 to 40, Philippine Consul General Paul Raymond Cortes confirmed on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

DOH explains: Only 109 of record-high 539 COVID-19 patients were ‘fresh cases’
Only 109 of the record-high 539 COVID-19 cases recorded last Thursday were fresh cases while the rest of the patients were part of the case backlog, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH changes COVID-19 reporting method after highest single-day jump of 539
The Department of Health has changed the way it reports the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country a day after it reported the highest single-day jump of 539.
GMA News

IATF

MECQ vs GCQ: What’s the difference?
Metro Manila will soon have more relaxed quarantine guidelines after President Duterte approved the region’s transition from the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to general community quarantine. (GCQ).
Manila Bulletin

Passes for non-work travel required under GCQ, says DILG
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año stressed on Friday that individuals travelling to the provinces for non-work related purposes will still be required to obtain travel passes even with the imposition of the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Manila Bulletin

Back-riding on motorcycles still not allowed, Eleazar says
Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, commander of Joint Task Force COVID Shield, on Friday said back-riding on motorcycles, even for couples, is not yet allowed despite the easing of quarantine protocols in Metro Manila.
GMA News

Seniors’ 20 per cent discount still in effect, says Lopez
The mandatory 20 percent discount enjoyed by senior citizens as is still in effect during the national health emergency.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Davao region tallies 52 new COVID-19 cases; total cases now at 329
The number of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Davao region has climbed by 52, bringing the total to 329, the Department of Health's (FOH) Davao Center for Health Development said Friday.
ABS-CBN News, Mindanews

3 new COVID-19 cases reported in Bicol 3 days before transitioning to MGCQ
Three days before being placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), three new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in Bicol.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

34 health, medical workers in Quezon recover
Thirty-four health and medical workers, who got ill with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Quezon province, have recovered.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Digos’s 2nd COVID-19 patient recovers
This city’s second patient to have been infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has recovered, a recent test result showed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

5 cleared of COVID-19 in Palawan
Five patients in Palawan were cleared from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after their test results turned negative.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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DILG Sec. Año praises Metro Manila LGUs for contact tracing efforts
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on May 29, Friday, expressed satisfaction over the development of contact tracing efforts by local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila in the midst of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Mindoro town to ask IATF to retain its GCQ status
The municipality of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro province is appealing to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to reconsider its decision to put the province under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) starting June 1.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 doctors sent to Cebu City to check stranded Boholanos
The Bohol provincial government has sent two doctors to Cebu City to check up individuals who wanted to return to Bohol but are stuck in Cebu because of travel restrictions.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Leyte’s latest COVID-19 case not part of ‘Balik Probinsiya’ program, clarifies DILG Sec. Año
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on May 29, Friday, explained that the person who tested positive for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Leyte province was part of the “Hatid Probinsiya (Bring to the Province)’’ program of the national government.
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 pandemic pushes Iloilo Catholic school to brink of closure
Suffering a blow from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, a nearly half-a-century-old Catholic school in Iloilo had contemplated closure, forcing its director to quit.
GMA News

Cavite lifts liquor ban but residents warned vs. public drinking
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla has lifted the liquor ban in the province but laid out some guidelines for his constituents in purchasing alcoholic drinks.
GMA News

Free chicken meals for residents in Davao with low COVID-19 cases
The Davao City government rewarded with some 10,000 chicken meal packages the residents of five administrative districts that have few coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Sanofi Pasteur gives update on COVID-19 vaccine development
Sanofi Pasteur Philippines said that it is still in the “early stage” of developing a vaccine for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and that its vaccine availability will not likely to happen within a year.
Manila Bulletin

Lysol’s P36M funding to help Philippine Red Cross battle COVID-19
Lysol Philippines has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for Disinfect to Protect, a joint mission to ensure everybody is protected from illnesses, by breaking the chain of infection.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Incidents and Violations

‘Underground’ medical facilities connected? PNP chief can't say yet
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Friday said authorities could not establish yet if there are interconnections among the operations of underground clinics, mostly operated by Chinese nationals, in this time of health crisis.
GMA News

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

COMMENTARY: How would the Philippine Educational Ecosystem Survive the Crisis of COVID-19?
Like all other sectors, the educational sector in the Philippines has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is one of the largest sectors that provide education, training, and employment for both professionals, skilled, semi-skilled workers, as well as our young people.
Mindanews

Online predators
At the height of the lockdown regime, Filipino families sought refuge and connection with family, friends, and even the rest of the world through the internet.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COVID-19 and the climate challenge
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the fragility of the world order. Governments have sought to limit the spread of the virus through lockdowns and travel restrictions, which have stalled economies and created a global recession.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

World

Pharma chiefs see coronavirus vaccine by year-end, but challenges ‘daunting’
Pharmaceutical company executives said Thursday that one or several COVID-19 vaccines could begin rolling out before 2021, but warned the challenges would be “daunting” as it was estimated that 15 billion doses would be needed to halt the pandemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coronavirus misinformation fuels panic in Asia
False alerts about a man shot dead at a coronavirus checkpoint, old footage of a supermarket stampede in reports of panic buying, and a 2015 video of a police raid on a brothel recirculated with a misleading claim.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

India coronavirus death toll passes China’s
India’s coronavirus death toll passed neighboring China’s on Friday, with 175 new fatalities in 24 hours taking the total to 4,706, according to official data.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Iran reports most new cases in nearly two months
Iran on Friday announced its highest number of new coronavirus infections in nearly two months and warned the Middle East’s deadliest outbreak was worsening in some regions.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Indonesia rolls out public shaming for virus violators
Indonesian officials are forcing social distancing violators to recite Koran verses, stay in “haunted” houses and submit to public shaming on social media as the country battles to contain surging coronavirus infections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Older Italians Warily Eye Young Crowds, Fearing 2nd Coronavirus Wave
As the country cautiously emerges from lockdown, anxieties have centered on public gatherings of teenagers and young adults — unfairly, some experts say.
The New York Times

South Korea limits school numbers over coronavirus spike
South Korea on Friday imposed limits on the number of pupils going to schools in and around Seoul as officials scramble to tackle fresh coronavirus cases that threaten the country’s success in containing the epidemic.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

France to reopen cafes, end domestic travel limit
France on Thursday announced the long-awaited nationwide reopening of bars, restaurants and cafes from June 2, albeit with restrictions, and lifted limitations on domestic travel in time for the summer holidays.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Israel tests 100,000 to prevent pandemic ‘second wave’
Israel has launched a campaign to test 100,000 people for novel coronavirus antibodies as the country prepares for a possible “second wave” of cases, a top official said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Communion ritual unchanged in Orthodox Church despite virus
One by one, the children and adults line up for the centuries-old ritual of Holy Communion, trying to keep a proper social distance.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Magalong earns praises from President Duterte
President Duterte is all praises for Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong for his efforts in dealing with the coronavirus threat in his area of jurisdiction.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte reiterates: This is not martial law
President Duterte reiterated to the public that there was no reason for them to worry about the presence of the police on the streets, for it is just to make sure that everyone is following the quarantine protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

Duterte requests mall owners to give reprieve to tenants
President Duterte has pleaded to mall owners and landlords to defer the collection of lease or rent from cash-strapped tenants, asking them to bear with the delay and instead use their savings to tide over the coronavirus crisis.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte vows to fund education program amid COVID-19 pandemic
President Duterte vowed to scrape the bottom of the barrel to fund the blended and distant learning strategy of the Department of Education (DepEd), saying the country will be in trouble if the education of schoolchildren is stopped due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

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Palace defends Metro Manila’s GCQ shift: People need to work
Malacañang on Friday defended the government’s decision to ease quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila even as the Department of Health (DOH) continues to report new COVID-19 cases from the metropolis, citing the people’s need for livelihood.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gov't mulling accreditation system for barbershops amid quarantine -Palace
The government is formulating a system of accreditation that would allow barbershops to reopen even amid the community quarantine being implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday.
GMA News

Mayors can place barangays, zones under ECQ – Palace
Local chief executives of areas with eased quarantine measures may impose a more stringent lockdown in communities with a high incidence of coronavirus infection, Malacañang said Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY


All courts nationwide start full operation June 1 — SC
Starting Monday (June 1), all courts in the country will be in full operation, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta announced in an administrative circular issued Friday (May 29).
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senators mull ‘Bayanihan’ extension, expect Palace certification on urgency
President Duterte is poised to certify as urgent the measures that would extend the effectivity of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Friday , May 29.
Manila Bulletin

Drilon wants to amend penal provisions of Bayanihan Act
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Friday urged senators to repeal a section of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act 11469, which penalizes violators of COVID-19 protocols set by the government.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Senators push govt to take the lead in use of bikes, says adequate infrastructure sorely needed
Senators have called on government agencies to take the lead in promoting the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transport following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Pia Cayetano supports proposal for emergency ‘loop,’ pop-up bike lanes for frontliners in Manila hospitals
Senator Pia Cayetano on May 29, Friday, expressed full support for the proposal to put pop-up bicycle lanes and emergency pathways in roads leading to hospitals and medical centers, which will serve as safety loops for healthcare workers and frontliners reporting for work while the country continues its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

1 year exemption of health workers from PhilHealth premium rate hike sought in Senate
Health care workers in the country must be exempted for a year from the increase of premium rate to be collected by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Senator Manny Pacquaio.
GMA News

Hontiveros fears a new wave of COVID-19 infections
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday expressed fears that the government’s move to place Metro Manila under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting June 1 could result in a new wave of COVID-19 transmission.
Manila Bulletin

Monitor prices of electronic devices for use in online learning, gov’t urged
Senator Imee R. Marcos today called on the government to monitor increases in the price of laptop, tablet, pocket wifi, cell phone, personal computer and other electronic devices as the Department of Education (DepEd prepares for an online learning when schools open in late August.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

‘Include film workers in COVID-19 aid programs,’ solons urged
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on Friday, May 29, appealed to legislators to include the audio-visual (AV) content industry as among the beneficiaries of the COVID-19 economic stimulus package that they are preparing.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Assistance to persons with mental illness readied
The lawmakers held a public hearing last Thursday (May 28) on a measure, Senate Bill 1471, that seeks to amend section 5 of the MHA by inserting a new provision such that the service user shall “immediately receive compensation benefits and/or any special financial assistance that the service user is entitled to under existing laws should the service user sustain temporary or permanent mental disability while in the performance of duty or by reason of his or her office or position.”
Manila Bulletin

‘DOH performance in curbing pandemic key to effective economic recovery’ — Rep. Salceda
The Philippines still has a good chance of scoring a positive economic growth by the end of the year if the Department of Health’s performance in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic improves.
Manila Bulletin

House prioritizes Eastern Visayas development
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill proposing to create the Eastern Visayas Development Authority to spur economic development in the region.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)


Senators mourn death of Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna
Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna continued to serve her constituents despite her adverse health condition, her brother, Senator Joel Villanueva, said on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

17 DOJ prosecutors appointed, promoted
Seventeen prosecutors have been appointed and promoted at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Friday, May 29, that Malacanang has just released the list of 17 prosecutors who have been promoted and appointed at the DOJ.
Manila Bulletin

More PDLs released to prevent COVID spread in jail facilities
An additional 4,167 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released from various detention facilities in the country, in a move to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez said on May 29, Friday.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOJ calls on public to report online sexual exploitation of children
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, May 29, urged the public to report online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). “We encourage everyone to support and take their part in ending these crimes by staying vigilant and reporting to the proper authorities incidents of OSEC,” the DOJ said in a statement.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines


AFP implements reshuffle among key officials
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday disclosed movements in key positions within the military organization.
GMA News

Philippine National Police

Bayanihan law not used to arrest quarantine violators – PNP
There is no need to cite provisions of the Bayanihan to Heal as One law in arresting quarantine protocol violators, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP's Gamboa announces resumption of police recruitment operations
Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa announced on Friday that the police organization's Recruitment and Selection Service (RSS) would resume its operations next week.
GMA News

After Senate letter, PNP mulls re-opening of custodial center to visitors
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday disclosed that it is studying the possibility of re-opening its custodial center in Camp Crame, Quezon City to visitors where several high-profile inmates are detained.
Manila Bulletin

De Lima still barred from receiving visitors, but allowed to make phone calls — PNP
While having visitors has been disallowed following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), detained Senator Leila de Lima has not been barred from making correspondence via phone with her family and legislative staff while inside the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

More ‘mobile’ checkpoints in Metro Manila under GCQ
To prepare for the influx of people, additional police mobile checkpoints will be established along major roads and thoroughfares — such as EDSA — now that a general community quarantine (GCQ) will be implemented in Metro Manila come June 1.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BIR reshuffles 535 employees, officials
A total of 535 officials and employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) nationwide has been reshuffled in what insiders described as the single biggest personnel movement since BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay took office in 2016.
Manila Bulletin

LandBank, DBP urged to offer zero-interest loans to LGUs for MSMEs aid
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap on Friday asked the Landbank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to allow zero-interest loans for local government units (LGUs) which would be downloaded to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in their localities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Suspend external debt payments, impose ‘wealth tax’ amid pandemic —advocacy group
The Philippine government should consider implementing people-centered fiscal measures to balance the economy amid the COVID-19 crisis, according to advocacy group Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC).
GMA News

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

China-backed AIIB extends $750 million loan for PH coronavirus response
The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved a $750 million (about ₱38 billion) loan to fund COVID-19 response efforts in the Philippines.
CNN Philippines

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR


SWS: 45% of Filipinos used money earned from jobs amid COVID-19 pandemic
The source of funds of about 45 percent of Filipinos used to purchase basic needs in a household come from money earned from their jobs amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to the special Social Weather Stations (SWS) Covid-19 Mobile Survey.
GMA News

Over 1 M OFWs to lose jobs by 2021
A total of 1,005,031 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may be displaced by December, 2021, because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) told the House of Representatives on Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana: 26,590 OFWs repatriated
A total of 26,590 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returned to the Philippines amid the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) around the world, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared on Thursday night.
Manila Bulletin

DOLE sends home 19-K OFWs
Only about 5,000 of the 24,000 overseas Filipino workers have yet to be transported to their home provinces. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said as of Thursday, May 28, they were able to send home more than 19,000 OFWs.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

DILG prefers home quarantine for returning OFWs
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday that the local government units (LGUs) now favors home quarantine for the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW) instead of having them isolated from their families and residences.
Manila Bulletin

‘Follow health protocols,’ DOLE urges employers; labor groups call for healthy, safe workplaces
With more workers set to return to work on Monday, June 1, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers and workers to follow the health protocols in the interim guidelines on workplace prevention and control of COVID-19) that it issued jointly issued with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Manila Bulletin

Lopez urges employers to maintain alternative work arrangements under GCQ
Even as Metro Manila and other areas in the country will transition to a general community quarantine (GCQ) starting June 1, companies and establishments have been urged to continue with alternative work arrangements for their employees due to limited available public transportation.
Manila Bulletin

Budget hotels hailed for help in OFW quarantine; more funds, aid eyed for returning OFWs
So clean, so good, and so helpful. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Cacdac attested during a virtual hearing by the House Overseas Workers’ Affairs Committee Friday afternoon to the significant assistance given by budget hotels to the government, particularly in the accommodation of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Workers left to fend for themselves amid pandemic, labor groups claim
The United Workers Coalition on Friday slammed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), claiming that two of its advisories were "blatantly anti-worker."
GMA News

TRANSPORTATION

DOTr: Public transport to resume in two phases under GCQ
More public transportation systems will gradually resume operations in Metro Manila and other areas to be placed under the general community quarantine (GCQ). This will begin on June 1, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Gov’t eyes online ticketing system in vessels by yearend; reefers for farm, fish products deployed, reports DOTr
Online ticketing system for sea trips in the country is expected to be fully implemented by December this year in a bid to lessen face-to-face interaction between shipping staff and passengers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Manila Bulletin

LTO to open online applications for driver’s license, motor vehicle registration
The government will offer online application and issuance of driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registration as part of its digitalization efforts to improve public service, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Drivers, operators set protests vs order to let only new jeepneys back on the road
A group of drivers and operators on Friday (May 29) announced plans to hold a noise barrage to protest the government policy to let only new jeepneys ply their routes when many parts of the country, including the National Capital Region (NCR), transition to general community quarantine (GCQ), supposedly a less restrictive lockdown form.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Travel restrictions at NAIA stay despite GCQ — Immigration bureau
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will continue to implement international flight travel restrictions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) despite the lifting of the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and it’s being placed under general community quarantine (GCQ).
Manila Bulletin

MIAA girds for resumption of flights
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is preparing for the possible resumption of flights in light of the serious setbacks suffered by the aviation industry during the national health emergency.
Manila Bulletin

PNR to lose 80% of monthly revenue due to restrictions under GCQ
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is expected to lose 80 percent of its monthly revenue as it will only be allowed to accommodate a limited number of passengers per trip under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

P145.5-B production subsidy sought for 9.7M farmers, fisherfolk
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) is asking for a P145.5-billion subsidy for 9.7 million local farmers, agricultural workers, and fisherfolk to help them continue production amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

Farmers’ group asks gov’t for P414.5-B aid for agriculture workers
A farmers’ group on Friday requested government to provide a P414.5-billion aid for agricultural workers reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Good rice harvest ensures enough supply in Bicol
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol has assured the public that there is a sufficient supply of rice for the region due to a good harvest during the second quarter of the year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

Teachers to work from home on the first week of June — DepEd
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, May 28, announced that all teachers will be working from home from starting June 1 to 5, except those who were authorized to form part of the skeleton workforce in schools.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd issues enrollment guidelines for SY 2020-2021
In an effort to ensure orderly conduct of enrollment, the Department of Education (DepEd) has released enrollment guidelines for learners who intend to enroll in public schools nationwide.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd weighs pandemic impact on enrolment levels
As the country grapples with COVID-19, the Department of Education (DepEd) is bracing itself for possible changes in the participation or enrollment rate this coming school year (SY) 2020-2021.
Manila Bulletin

Group asks parents to support new adaptive methods to ensure learning continuity of children amid COVID-19
Believing that education is a non-negotiable right of every child, a children’s rights organization urged parents and guardians to support the delivery of new adaptive learning methods to ensure children continue to learn amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Group cites teachers fears when reporting back to work on June 1
While most of them are ready and willing to report back to work next week, a federation of teachers on Friday, May 29, said that many of the educators in public schools fear for their health and safety amid COVID-19 crisis.
Manila Bulletin

Over 50,000 part-time college faculty members in need of financial aid
More than 50,000 part-time faculty members from different higher education institutions (HEIs) are in need of financial assistance while reeling from the  the “no teach, no pay” setup due to the  coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairman Prospero de Vera III said Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Schools to close, some teachers to lose jobs due to COVID-19
As many as two million students are projected to transfer or stop school as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a number of schools possibly shutting down due to the anticipated low enrollment for the next academic year.
GMA News

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

Mayor undaunted in backing ‘Balik Probinsiya’ despite entry of infected beneficiary
A case of one returning resident turning positive for coronavirus made no dent in a Leyte mayor’s support for the program called Balik Probinsiya (Return to Provinces) which seeks to reduce Metro Manila’s population by luring those from the provinces to leave and return to their hometowns.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TOURISM

DOT adopts ‘slow but sure’ approach on tourism industry recovery
Despite serious losses incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country’s tourism industry, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat is making sure that the Department of Tourism (DOT) will provide effective services to its stakeholders under the post-lockdown “new normal” scenario.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Probe on for fatal shooting of DENR employee
Authorities are still investigating the motive for the killing of an employee of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Thursday, May 28, in Burauen, Leyte.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  


Gamboa: PNP anti-cybercrime group probing PLDT Twitter account hacking
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group is looking into the hacking of the Twitter account of the customer service of the PLDT, Inc., PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said Friday.
GMA News

PLDT informs public no customer data copied after Twitter hacked
PLDT announced on Friday that an investigation showed there is no record of customer data download or exfiltration after its customer service official Twitter account was hacked.
Manila Bulletin

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