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Group: Anti-Subversion Act revival will revive its ‘horrors’
Reviving the “dead” Anti-Subversion Act would only revive the “horrors” it had when it was first promulgated, a group composed of lawyers and law students said Saturday. The Manananggol Laban sa EJK (Manlaban sa EJK) added that such revival is also “unconstitutional, discriminatory, and contradictory to the democratic process.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler
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Writer hits ex-solon for stirring youth with wrong ideology
A Filipino writer has blamed former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño for provoking many young people, especially students, to rebel against the government. In an open letter on Friday posted on her Facebook page, Krizette Laureta Chu described Casiño as an "incendiary figure who has caused many mothers grief by inflaming their children with wrong ideologies" amid reports of recruitment of minors into the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
Philippine News Agency
Art of deception not new to Elago, Red groups: Parlade
Though not a regular member of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Kabataan Party-list Representative Sarah Elago and other militant groups’ leaders have surely mastered the art of deception to take a place in the country's political process.
Philippine News Agency
Bato, Albayalde told to stop blaming teachers for student activism
Instead of blaming the educators for student activism, a federation of teachers urged the government and policy makers to focus their attention on addressing the ills of the society – particularly poverty, corruption and human rights violations, among others.
Manila Bulletin
Military indoctrination to give students a ‘balanced perspective’ – AFP
Allowing the military to "indoctrinate" students in state universities and colleges would give them a "balanced view" given that these students were widely exposed to the activities and arguments of left-leaning organizations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed on Saturday.
GMA News
August 20 set as national day of mourning, protest vs killings
Farmers’ groups led by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) will hold a nationally-coordinated protest dubbed as “National Day of Mourning” on Aug. 20, Tuesday.
Bulatlat
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DSWD adopts ‘whole of nation approach’ to address insurgency, conflicts, threats
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched an initiative that will utilize the “whole of nation” approach to address the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts, and threats.
Manila Bulletin
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PNP says amended Human Security Act could also be used to battle NPAs
As opposition to the revival of the Anti-Subversion Law mounts, the country’s top police official said an amended Human Security Act can also be used to address the problem on Communist insurgency.
Manila Bulletin
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Another Agusan Town denounces CPP-NPA
Another bad impact for the leftist group NPA as the Municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur declared Persona Non-Grata against them, Thursday morning, August 15, 2019. The denouncement came to action when the office of the Sangguniang Bayan Members passed Resolution Number 14 declaring CPP-NPA and its allied legal organizations as Persona Non-Grata.
Kalinaw News
Army conducts 3-day Peace-Building training in Bukidnon
Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. in partnership with 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion successfully conducted a three-day peace training dubbed as “Operation Peace Course (OPKors)” Training at Battalion Headquarters, Impasugong, Bukidnon on August 13-15, 2019.
Kalinaw News
LGU anti-insurgency task force
Gov. Roel Degamo has directed all local government units (LGUs) particularly those affected by the insurgency to create local anti-insurgency task forces to counter communists issues.
Negros Chronicles
Army condemns ex-NPA rebel's slay in Antipolo City
The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) here on Friday condemned the killing of a former New People's Army (NPA) rebel, who had returned to the government fold as a barangay tanod (village watchman) in Antipolo City.
Philippine News Agency
Peace Talks
Incidents/ Operations
2 NPA hitmen, 1 Cafgu, 1 civilian dead in Eastern Samar firefight
A former militiaman, two suspected communist rebels, and a civilian were killed in a firefight and subsequent operation on Friday afternoon in Sulat town, Eastern Samar. Juancho Basad, a former member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and his companion Winifredo Guballo succumbed to bullet wounds in their bodies.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunstar Tacloban
Military troops uncover NPA lairs in Mindoro towns
The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) here on Friday bared the discovery of two communist New People’s Army (NPA) hideouts in Sitio Malangawan, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay town, and Sitio Naswak, Barangay Hagan, Bongabong town, both in Oriental Mindoro.
Philippine News Agency
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Hataman, BARMM want reform program for Islamist extremists
Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman and Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim will jointly formulate an institutional program meant to return Islamist militants into mainstream society. Hataman, while governor of the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from 2012 to February this year, and the provincial government of Basilan together worked out the return to the fold of law in the past three years of more than 200 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the province.
NDBC News, Philippine Star
MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Terrorism survivors: ‘I lived in fear that I would be killed’
For this final story in our special UN News series, we’ll hear from Fati Yahaya, who is 24-years old and comes from the village of Koghum in the north-east of Nigeria. She and her two young children were taken by armed insurgents in 2015 and spent three years as their prisoners. She has been living in Minawao, a camp for Nigerian refugees in the Far North region of Cameroon, since June 2018.
United Nations News
Trump Administration Moves To Reauthorize NSA’s Controversial Spying Program
Concerns over civil liberties have been reignited after the Trump administration applied to reauthorize a National Security Agency (NSA) spying program that had gathered millions of U.S. citizens’ call records.
Forbes
Northern Ireland could return to violence, study shows
Romanticising the Troubles in Northern Ireland is contributing to the risk of a return to violence, experts have warned. Some 40 per cent of people in Northern Ireland are under the age of 25 and have no memories of the Troubles which ended in most cases before they were born.
The Irish Times
Critic of China’s Detention Camps Is Free, but Silence May Be the Price
An activist who drew attention to the plight of Muslims held in Chinese indoctrination camps has been freed after months of detention in Kazakhstan, but his lawyer refused to sign his plea deal, saying she believed he had been threatened into accepting it.
The New York Times
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Framework up for barter trading in Mindanao
The Mindanao Barter Trade Council is set to convene to hammer out regulations that will provide a framework for barter trading activities on the island, an official said.
Philippine News Agency
STATEMENT: “I will continue to champion the voice of Moros in the national leadership”
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to our colleagues in the House of Representatives for the overwhelming confidence and the opportunity to serve as one of the deputy speakers of this esteemed chamber.
Mindanews
BARMM
BARMM conducts multi-hazard simulation drill on Aug. 17, 43rd anniversary of 1976 tsunami
A multi-hazard simulation drill will be conducted by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Saturday morning, August 17, in Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao, one of the hardest hit villages during the magnitude 8.2 earthquake that triggered a tsunami and left at least 8,000 dead and missing on the same date 43 years ago.
Mindanews
Oil exploration eyed in Barmm
LIEUTENANT General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, has expressed support to the planned oil exploration project in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
Sunstar Zamboanga
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Food handlers undergo training on ‘halal’ system
The city government on Friday conducted the first Halal Assurance System Training to ensure that food served to the public by restaurants and hotel owners adhere to the Islamic law, a city official said.
Philippine News Agency
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
Tawi-Tawi fishermen confirm sightings of Chinese warships
Fishermen said they also spotted the Chinese warships sailing along the Sibutu Strait in Tawi-Tawi and were puzzled by its frequent presence in the area, according to local official.
Philippine Star
MOTC-BARMM minister resolves Tawi-Tawi port leadership row
Using a diplomatic yet tough stance, the head of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOTC-BARMM) resolved on Friday the leadership mix-up at the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) office in Tawi-Tawi.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News
Fishing vessel with 4 Vietnamese crew intercepted off Tawi-Tawi
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intercepted an unregistered fishing vessel manned by four Vietnamese crewmen off Taganak, Tawi-Tawi, a top PCG official said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Zamboanga
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DRUGS
Youth group warns against mandatory drug testing in schools
A youth group denounced the mandatory drug testing supported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and cautioned that this will place thousands of students in the “crosshairs of the state-sponsored death squads.”
Manila Bulletin
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De Lima: Those behind fake, spliced video are ‘evil’
Those behind a fake, spliced video showing Sen. Leila De Lima allegedly admitting that she was a protector of drug lords are “evil men and women,” the lawmaker said Saturday. “Mga walang puso at konsensya!” De Lima said in a statement.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Operations/ Incidents
Two Inayawan residents nabbed with P340K worth of shabu
Two small packs of suspected shabu worth at least P340,000 were confiscated from two high value targets who were arrested in a buy-bust operation by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) and the Pardo police this afternoon, August 17.
Cebu Daily News
PDEA: Cebuano caught with P1.4M party drugs in Quezon City is ‘big-time’ dealer
The man who was arrested with P1.4 million worth of suspected party drugs in Quezon City last August 15 was confirmed to be a Cebuano.
Cebu Daily News
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING
Act swiftly against cigarette smuggling, fake revenue stamps – Ilocos Sur solon
Billions of pesos in revenues are lost annually to smugglers and local syndicates involved in the production of fake cigarette revenue stamps that have proliferated in various parts of the country.
Manila Bulletin
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAP FOR RANSOM
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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[OPINION] On toilets and transgender rights
Almost two months ago, I posted an essay on being discriminated as a transgender woman both in my workplace and in school, a part of which was an account of my struggles concerning the women's public toilet.
Rappler
Diez says silence of LGBTQ+ members on discrimination much worse than harassment
Transgender woman Gretchen Diez on Saturday said the prolonged silence of members of the LGBTQ+ community on their experiences of harassment is much worse than her recent experience of discrimination at a Cubao mall in Quezon City.
GMA News
Transgender solon says Dela Rosa restroom ‘manyak’ scenario is ‘highly improbable’
Transgender lawmaker Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman doesn’t seem to agree with Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s claim that a male sexual predator could target women’s restrooms while under the guise of a transgender or a member of the third sex.
Manila Bulletin
Herrera Dy: Use GAD budget to construct all-gender restrooms
House Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-List Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy urged government agencies Saturday to utilize its Gender and Development (GAD) budget to partly finance the construction of “all-gender restrooms” in their offices.
Manila Bulletin
‘Time to dispel old stereotypes’: Solon says SOGIE bill needed to address special needs of LGBTQ+ sector
A transwoman lawmaker said the passing of a measure that will ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) is needed not to ask for special rights and privileges but rather to address the special needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) sector.
Manila Bulletin
Let the LGBTQ ‘live their truth’
“We just want to use the bathroom” is how Ice Seguerra, a transgender celebrity, boils down the issue of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) rights, in his comments pertaining to the ordeal that Gretchen Diez went through recently.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression
[OPINION | NEWSPOINT] What press freedom?
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) has done a survey on the state of press freedom in the country. Actually, anyone observant enough should be able to tell, unaided by surveys, that it is in mortal danger. In fact, Philippine surveys not seldom tend to confuse, rather than inform, much less enlighten, thus shaking one’s confidence in what one’s own eyes see and one’s own ears hear.
Rappler
What gives, Mr. Medialdea?
WHILE this columnist was away on a business-cum-vacation trip to the US last week, Executive Secretary Salvador “Bingbong” Medialdea filed another case against me.
The Manila Times
Martial Law
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Duterte Should Visit Vietnam And Malaysia Before Visiting China
Before visiting his “friends” in Beijing at the end of this month, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte needs a strategy lesson or two on how to stop Chinese vessels from invading Philippine waters. And he needs a lesson on how to stop China from turning the Philippines into a modern day semi-colony.
Forbes
Palace: Up to Duterte to raise warships issue with Xi
Malacañang said it is also important if President Duterte would talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the nine Chinese warships which reportedly passed through Sibutu Strait.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
Malacañang on Chinese warships passing through Sibutu Strait: We want to know why
Malacañang on Saturday said it would be important to know the reason why Chinese warships have repeatedly been passing through Sibutu Strait near Tawi-tawi. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said the recent movement of the armed Chinese vessels reported by the Western Mindanao Command has become an "irritant."
GMA News
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Palace assures Duterte is healthy, just busy
Malacañang explained anew that President Duterte has not been seen in any public events the past week because the latter has been busy with his work, extinguishing new rumors that the Chief Executive has been sick.
Manila Bulletin
Lacson on Duterte’s absence: He probably likes working on documents alone and undistracted
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson sees nothing wrong in President Duterte’s prolonged absences as he had done it several times. Concerns are being raised over his absence from public view the past seven days, leading some observers to ask whether this is caused by medical problems.
Manila Bulletin
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Panelo concedes that anyone qualified was free to run for president
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo simply referred to the Constitution when asked to weigh in on Vice President Leni Robredo's apparent openness to run for the presidency in 2022.
GMA News
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Robredo believes there are ‘active efforts’ to remove her as VP
After the repeated attacks against her, Vice President and opposition leader Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo believes there are currently “active efforts” to remove her from office.
Manila Bulletin
VP Leni not shocked if another Duterte becomes president; hits political dynasties
Vice President Leni Robredo said she won’t be surprised if another member of the Duterte clan would become president one day, given the prevalence of political dynasties in the country.
Manila Bulletin
ELECTION RELATED
Comelec deactivates 85,612 voters in Negros Occidental
The Commission on Elections has deactivated 85,612 voters in Negros Occidental and its capital, Bacolod City, for failure to vote in two consecutive elections. The largest number of deactivated voters were in Bacolod City at 42,593, said Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Cardema claims Guanzon harassed Duterte Youth for political favors
Flanked by grim-faced lads in crew haircuts, the 34-year-old Ronald Cardema lobbying to represent the youth in Congress gave a media conference on Saturday, August 17, where he accused a poll body commissioner of holding his party-list nomination hostage in exchange for political favors he had no official capacity to grant.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin, GMA News
Responding to Cardema, poll exec Guanzon tweets picture of rat poison
The beleaguered aspiring politician Ronald Cardema had just accused her of political harassment, and poll body Commissioner Rowena Guanzon’s first response was to tweet a picture of rat poison. “I will not inhibit from the cases of Cardema. Period,” the caption read.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin
DISASTER
Quake-hit Batanes running out of relief supplies
Quake-hit Itbayat in Batanes is running out of relief supplies.
ABS-CBN News
MINDANAO
Implementing rules out for Davao's ‘maximum security zone’
The city government has released the implementing rules guiding the security arrangements within the San Pedro Square maximum security zone (MSZ).
Philippine News Agency
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
House deliberations on Cha-Cha ‘still possible’ by month’s end—panel chair
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez expressed optimism Saturday that the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, which he chairs, would still be able to tackle the proposed political and economic amendments to the 29-year-old Charter by last week of this month.
Manila Bulletin
JUDICIARY
28 vie for SC seats to be vacated by retiring Justices Jardeleza, Carpio
Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and 27 other candidates will be vying for two seats at the Supreme Court (SC) that will be vacated by two retiring justices.
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
SOGIE bill faces rough sailing in Senate
The approval of the proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality law remains to be on an uphill climb in Senate amid concerns that it will violate equal protection laws.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima seeks end to ‘bathroom discrimination’
Detained Senator Leila M. de Lima has sought an end to “bathroom discrimination” after a transgender woman was recently barred from using the women’s public restroom inside a shopping center in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima to Duterte: Scrap deals with Chinese firms in key PH islands
Senator Leila de Lima has filed a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel the development of 3 Philippine islands by Chinese firms.
Rappler
Pangilinan refiles bills seeking to speed up murder investigations
On the second year of the death Kian delos Santos, Senator Francis Pangilinan refiled two bills that seek to speed up the investigation of murder cases. Pangilinan said in a statement on Saturday, August 17, that he has refiled Senate Bill No. 428 seeking mandatory autopsies on crime victims, and Senate Bill 429 seeking crematories' compulsory collection of biological specimen.
Rappler, GMA News
Angara moves for a stronger Sangguniang Kabataan
Senator Edgardo M. Angara sought on Saturday to further strengthen the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) system and encourage more individuals to join this local youth institution.
Manila Bulletin
Sotto remains obstinate on fake-news bill despite expert's skepticism
A law that would penalize the publication and proliferation of false content is coming, and it can come for any person on the internet.
GMA News
House of Representatives
House leaders seek passage of mandatory ROTC bill
Deputy Speakers Raneo Abu of Batangas and Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur; and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco sought the approval of the bill making the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program mandatory for Grades 11 and 12, as the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture is set to tackle the 13 mandatory ROTC measures on Tuesday, August 20.
Manila Bulletin
Lawmaker's bill to stop ‘dishonorable’ use of Lapu-Lapu as fish name
A lawmaker filed a bill seeking to rectify the "dishonorable" use of the name of Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu to refer to a fish species. In a Saturday statement, Lapu-Lapu City Representative Paz Radaza said it was "ironic" that, while Filipinos valued his heroism, Lapu-Lapu's name was also used to refer to a fish with the scientific name of Plectropomus leopardus.
GMA News, ABS-CBN News
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Of 22 House Deputy Speakers, six are from Mindanao
The election of Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman as Deputy Speaker in the 299-member House of Representatives has brought to six the number of Mindanawon Deputy Speakers out of a total of 22.
Mindanews
Velasco vows to stop PDP-Laban bleeding in Lower House
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco on Saturday vowed to stop the bleeding in the ranks of the dominant PDP-Laban in the House of Representatives following his election as head of the party in the legislative chamber.
Manila Bulletin
Ungab wants to extend validity of 2019 allocations for MOOE, capital outlays
As President Duterte is set to submit the proposed 2020 P4.1-trillion national budget next week, the chairman of the influential House Committee on Appropriations is seeking to extend the validity of the 2019 allocation for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO).
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Mushrooming POGOs near military camps also worries Ping
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday echoed the concern of national security officials over the proximity of offshore gaming operation centers from local military camps.
Manila Bulletin
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
Philippines Dangles Tax Perks to Drive Businesses Out of Manila
Businesses located in some of Manila’s offices, hotels and casinos could lose their investment incentives over the next five years as the Philippines looks to overhaul its corporate taxation.
Bloomberg
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Guevarra says DOJ, BI to implement stricter visa-upon-arrival scheme
Instead of scrapping the visa upon arrival (VUA) scheme, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) will instead be implementing stricter rules to implement it, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Locsin confirms PH will soon have new marine survey ships
The Philippines will have new marine survey ships, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. disclosed on Saturday. “Read Bulletin. @JayBatongbacal let’s not give ourselves credit. I wouldn’t have promised permission if I hadn’t cleared it with national security. But only Filipino boats. Sen Loren gave budget for new marine survey boats. UP won’t need to bunk with smelly aliens,” Foreign Affairs Chief said in a tweet.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Tightening US-Philippines relations
The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and the Philippines to establish a state-of-the art Regional Counterterrorism Training Center in Cavite City is another example of how our relationship with the US continues to get stronger.
Philippine Star
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
DOLE intensifies monitoring of POGO operation areas, workers
More labor law compliance officers have been deployed in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators' areas of operation to make sure the government would not be disadvantaged by POGOs that reportedly employ foreign workers, mostly Chinese without valid work permits.
GMA News
TRANSPORTATION
Anti-red tape body lauds LTO for compliance with Ease of Doing Business Law
The government’s anti-red tape body has commended the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the agency’s service and support in the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Law.
Manila Bulletin
Clark International Airport set to take-off after formal turnover to LIPAD
Clark International Airport (CRK) is set for greater heights, following the formal turnover of its Operations and Maintenance (O&M) to the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation Friday, 16 August 2019.
Manila Bulletin
HEALTH
PH at high risk for polio – DOH
The Philippines is currently at a "high risk" for poliovirus transmission, the Department of Health (DOH) said in a statement released on Saturday, August 17.
Rappler
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Roque to file malversation raps vs PhilHealth execs for ‘ghost dialysis’ scam
Lawyer Harry Roque on Saturday bared he is planning to file malversation charges against Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) former President and CEO Roy Ferrer and some of its board members in connection with the reported “ghost dialysis” scam.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
EDUCATION
90% of PUP scholars endorsed by congressmen fail to graduate, deny other deserving students the opportunity
At least 90 percent of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) scholars endorsed by congressmen dropped out from school notwithstanding guarantees that expenditures for their studies will be guaranteed by government.
Manila Bulletin
Unused textbooks cited by COA were ‘buffer stocks’ to replace damaged or lost materials in times of calamities
The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that the reported “unutilized” textbooks were “buffer stocks” meant to be used to replace damaged or lost materials in case of calamities, or to be distributed to schools in case there would be an increase in enrollment.
Manila Bulletin
A fighting chance through education
Education is the great equalizer. It empowers people, giving them the hope and courage to dream of a better life. However, poverty prevents children, especially those in the countryside, from obtaining education.
Philippine Star
ENERGY
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
Foreign tourists spent P245B in visit to PH in first half of 2019
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said international tourists were able to spend around P245 billion during their visit in the Philippines in the first half of 2019.
Manila Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
PH Space Agency to boost ratings, innovation—solon
The Philippine Space Act (RA 11363), signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Aug. 8, will help push the country’s forward thrust and further boost its Global Innovation Index (GII) rating, now in 54th place among 129 countries.
Manila Standard
Telco competition stabilizing, says Fitch
Competition in the country’s telecommunications industry is stabilizing ahead of the entry of a third telecom operator, as seen in the robust first half performance of rivals PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., Fitch Ratings said.
Philippine Star
Facebook’s fact checking program expands to Instagram
Instagram users can now report suspicious and possibly false posts spread all over the platform. But for now, only US-based fact checkers will be verifying the flagged posts. On August 15, Facebook announced that it was expanding its third-party fact checking program to Instagram, the photo and video-sharing social networking service it acquired in 2012.
Rappler
Silicon Valley wants to read your mind – here's why you should be worried
Not content with monitoring almost everything you do online, Facebook now wants to read your mind as well. The social media giant recently announced a breakthrough in its plan to create a device that reads people’s brainwaves to allow them to type just by thinking. And Elon Musk wants to go even further. One of the Tesla boss’ other companies, Neuralink, is developing a brain implant to connect people’s minds directly to a computer.
Rappler
DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
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