Ninoy: Not a hero, not even officially
TODAY is a special non-working holiday, officially “Ninoy Aquino Day” as decreed by Republic Act 9256, signed into law in February 2004 by President Arroyo, when Speaker Jose de Venecia and Senate President Franklin Drilon headed Congress.
The Manila Times

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DOJ summons Colmenares, Villarin, Elago over raps on ‘missing’ student
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned a congresswoman and two former congressmen over trafficking and child abuse charges for the alleged kidnapping of a student who has already denied she was abducted.
GMA News, Rappler

Bato: I am pro-youth activism but line must be drawn
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday brushed off concerns of militarization and police intervention in state universities, amid the "day of walkout and action" set by students to protest such move.
GMA News

Bato hits 'one-sided' ban on police, military in state universities
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Tuesday called for a more "open-minded" approach to a policy which bans the presence of police and military personnel inside state university campuses.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Hundreds of UP Visayas students join walkout vs plan to deploy cops, soldiers in campuses
Hundreds of students of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas joined a walkout in Iloilo on Tuesday against plans to deploy policemen and soldiers in their campuses.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Never be silenced’: U.P. community leads walkout vs campus militarization
In an effort to assert academic freedom, University of the Philippines (UP) students and faculty members united in a systemwide walkout to protest against police and military intervention in schools on Tuesday, August 20.
Rappler

Violent activism is a crime – Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana believes that student activism should not be quelled because it allows the youth to think and discuss issues that concern them.
The Manila Times

Albayalde: Activists ‘overreacting’ on proposal to let cops inside schools
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday dismissed as mere “overreaction” criticisms against suggestions to allow state forces inside universities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Galvez backs presence of police, military in schools
President Rodrigo Duterte’s peace adviser and former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Carlito Galvez is backing the proposal to have military and police presence in schools to prevent communist recruitment and violent extremism.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News, Rappler, ABS-CBN News

Netizens back advocacy vs. Reds recruitment in campuses
More netizens express support, through social media, to parents whose children have been recruited by left-leaning groups on their campuses.
Philippine News Agency

Military to deploy troops in schools
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it would deploy troops in universities and colleges to counter the recruitment program of groups suspected to be linked to the New People’s Army (NPA) in schools.
The Manila Times, The Mindanao Times

Antique vice guv urges close monitoring of student activities
Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta on Monday urged school officials, as well as teachers, to closely monitor the programs and activities of their students to prevent them from being lured by the New People’s Army (NPA) recruitment.
Philippine News Agency

Academic freedom
As a student at the University of the Philippines (UP) in the 1960s, I was exposed to nationalism and the nationalist writings of intellectuals like Renato Constantino. These writings and the class discussions we had were eye openers. This was not the sanitized version of history I learned in elementary and high school.
Manila Bulletin

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Criminalizing communism: Revival of anti-subversion law needs work, says former executive secretary
A proposal to criminalize communism and amend the counter-terrorism law needs further review, former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita said Tuesday.
ABS-CBN News

Duterte’s peace adviser backs revival of anti-subversion law
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday said he is in favor of reinstating a law that criminalizes communism.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Marcos rejects calls to revive anti-subversion law
Neophyte Senator Imee R. Marcos Tuesday rejected calls for the revival of the anti-subversion law, which she described as ‘’a relic of the Cold War era.’’
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

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PNP to probe security lapses over NPA attack on power plant
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will look into possible lapses of a security agency of a private firm in Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental which was attacked by New People's Army (NPA) rebels, PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Minergy Plant saddened by NPA rebels’ move
THE Minergy Power Corporation on Tuesday said the company was saddened by the aggressive stance of the New People’s Army (NPA) in disarming five of their security personnel in Barangay Quezon, Balingasgag, Misamis Oriental on Monday, August 19.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

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PNP forms special task group to probe NegOr killings
The Police Regional Office 7 (Central Visayas) has formed a special task group to investigate the spate of killings in Negros Oriental involving elected government officials and other prominent personalities, the country's top cop said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

Methodist Church: Militarization has turned Negros into 'howling wilderness'
The United Methodist Church condemned the rising number of killings in Negros Island and the deployment of more troops there that has sowed fear among residents.
Rappler

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NDF in Eastern Visayas belittles Army claim insurgency controlled
The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) has downplayed claims by the military that the insurgency problem had been contained in the region.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Leyte town seeks military aid to drive away fleeing rebels
The local government here has asked the Philippine Army to establish a camp in upland San Antonio village to strengthen its campaign to weed out communist terrorists attempting to regain control of their former strongholds.
Philippine News Agency

Army, Nueva Ecija town join hands vs CPP-NPA
In a bid to quell insurgency problem, the Philippine Army and a local government here activated a task force aimed at ending the threat posed by the New People’s Army (NPA) against peace-loving residents.
Kalinaw News

Another NPA surrenders in Surigao del Sur
Member of the New People Army (NPA), Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) had voluntary surrendered to the Army’s 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion last August 18, 2019 at H36IB, Brgy Dayo-an, Tago, this province.
Kalinaw News

Human rights advocates in Oro ‘under pressure’
ANOTHER human rights defender has been “visited” by suspected members of the army’s 1st Special Forces Battalion at his residence in Macanhan, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City late last week.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

MARAWI

Marawi City marks 79th Charter Day anniversary
Marawi City commemorated its 79th charter day anniversary on Monday, Aug. 19, with a grand parade and cultural performances. Speaking to the residents, Mayor Majul Gandamra enjoined them to start change within themselves for the betterment of Marawi.
Bangon Marawi

Marawi crisis spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong named BTA member
Marawi crisis spokesman and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong has been named a member of the Bangsamoro interim government.
Rappler

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

After Safari Ends in a Nightmare, Benin Awakens to the Threat of Terrorism
As a safari guide in a sprawling wilderness preserve in West Africa, Fiacre Gbédji often seemed no different from the tourists in his care: He gushed at each lion sighting and thrilled at each bushbuck he spotted through the trees.
The New York Times

Opinion | Domestic terrorism in America: 'This threat got ahead of us'
The government must wake up to the threat of domestic terrorism before it's too late, says former Homeland Security counterterrorism analyst Daryl Johnson.
The Washington Post

Detention of Muslims at UK ports and airports 'structural Islamophobia'
Muslims are being detained at ports and airports for up to six hours by law enforcement using controversial counter-terrorism powers so disproportionately that the practice has become Islamophobic, according to human rights group Cage.
The Guardian

Interview: Visit to Xinjiang has profoundly changed my views on it, says Pakistani journalist
"My impression of Xinjiang was shaped by Western reports, but after I visited Xinjiang, my thoughts have been changed and it is different from what is reported by Western media," said Abrar Nasim Wahla, a producer of Pakistan Television.
Xinhua

Islamist militants are targeting Christians in Burkina Faso: ‘They are planting seeds of a religious conflict’
One evening in late June, gunmen stormed a village in northern Burkina Faso and ordered people who had been chatting outside to lie down. Then the armed strangers checked everyone’s necks, searching for jewelry. They found four men wearing crucifixes — Christians. They executed them.
The Washington Post
 

Duterte open to creation of MNLF region
President Rodrigo Duterte is open to the creation of a regional government for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), his top peace adviser said on Tuesday.
The Manila Times, Business World Online, GMA News

Germany, Switzerland offer continuous support for peace and development in Mindanao
Germany and Switzerland have offered to continue to support the peace and development of Mindanao, particularly the Bangsamoro autonomous region.
Manila Bulletin

BARMM

Duterte to lead decommissioning of MILF combatants on Sept. 7
Presidential Rodrigo Duterte is set to lead the public launch of the decommissioning process of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces on September 7, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez, Jr. said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News

3,000 ex-MILF rebels under training to help secure BARMM
The government is aiming to complete the training of 3,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel returnees by next year so they can help secure the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Manila Bulletin

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Blast rocks Maguindanao town
A bomb, believed to have been from the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), prematurely exploded on Monday night in a town of Maguindanao, a military official said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

Maguindanao village chief, 3 others hurt in ambush
A village chairman and his three companions were injured in an ambush perpetrated by two unidentified attackers on board a motorbike in Barangay Layog, Pagalungan on Monday.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

Andal Ampatuan Jr. told to find new lawyer
Even as the Quezon City court wraps up the decade-long trial for the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, the primary suspect in the multiple murder case has once again found himself without a lawyer, the fourth time since the trial began in 2010.
Philippine Star

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

1 soldier killed, 1 wounded in Basilan ambush
A soldier was killed while another was wounded after they were attacked by a lawless group in Lamitan, Basilan on Sunday night. The two soldiers were on board a motorcycle, heading to the town of Ungkaya Pukan, when they fired upon by members of the Anjabins group, according to Western Mindanao Command spokesman Cap. Arvin Encinas.
ABS-CBN News

Basilan LGUs vying for 2019 SGLG citation
The provincial government of Basilan, Lamitan City and two other towns in the island province are potential recipients of the 2019 Seal of Good Local Governance award.
NDBC News

SULU 

President hoping to attain peace in Sulu within the year – Galvez
President Duterte is hoping that Sulu province will become peaceful within the year, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News


TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

PDEA making sure that, once seized, illegal drugs won’t make their way back into streets
Suspicions of confiscated illegal drugs being recycled, and returned to the streets have remained a great public concern even with the government’s intense illegal drug campaign.
Manila Bulletin

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Calida: Bikoy's Narcolist videos published using Ateneo server
Solicitor General Jose Calida said on Tuesday, August 20, that the viral Ang Totoong Narcolist videos that accused President Rodrigo Duterte of drug links were published using the servers of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).
Rappler

Calida urges DOJ to continue probe on sedition raps
Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to proceed with its investigation into the accusations against at least 36 persons, whom the police had filed cases against in connection with the "Ang Totoong Narco-List" video and the revelations of Peter Joemel Advincula also known as "Bikoy".
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Sedition complaint a ‘waste of time’, ‘huge lie’ – bishop
Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has called the sedition case against him and at least 30 others, including Vice President Leni Robredo and personalities mostly critical of the Duterte administration, a “waste of time” as the accusations were a “huge lie.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Operations/ Incidents

SoCot officials, workers undergo drug tests
In a bid to ensure a drug-free workplace, officials and employees of the South Cotabato provincial government underwent mandatory drug tests starting Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

Korean, live-in partner nabbed in Angeles City drug buy-bust
Police on Tuesday arrested a Korean national and his live-in partner during a buy-bust operation in Angeles City. Suh Jun Hong, 44, a native of Daeju City in South Korea and Maria Ramos, 31, were caught selling “Kush” (high-grade marijuana) to a police undercover agent in Timog Park at 2: 15 a.m.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bacolod rookie cop nabbed for drugs facing raps
A rookie policeman is facing various cases after he was arrested for illegal drugs in this city over the weekend.
Philippine News Agency

P1.4-M worth of shabu seized in Bacolod
About 225 grams of suspected shabu worth P1.4 million was seized in a buy-bust at Brgy. Tangub here Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

NBI collars 11 illegal recruiters
Eleven persons, including two foreigners, were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for illegal recruitment.
Manila Bulletin

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

CHR pushes for moves to prevent torture, cruel treatment of inmates
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is insisting the creation of measures that would prevent torture and other cruel treatment of persons deprived of liberty (PLDs), asking government agencies to allow them to check on people in detention facilities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Peasant leader shot dead in NorthCot
Unidentified assailants gunned down a known leader of a progressive farmers’ organization in Matalam, North Cotabato, around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Authorities identified the victim as Medardo Espina Barro, a.k.a. Dodong, a resident of Sitio Natipakan, Barangay Latagan in Matalam.
Mindanews

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Sara Duterte says ‘yes’ to SOGIE bill, but ‘no’ to use of women’s toilet by transgenders
Hugpong ng Pagbabago Chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Tuesday said she supports the rights guaranteed to LGBTQ+ members under the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression (SOGIE) bill, but not so much as to allow them to use public comfort rooms for women.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto: Women feel awkward sharing a restroom with women who look like men
Senator Tito Sotto on Monday said that many women feel awkward sharing the restroom with men dressed as women or women who look like men.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto to submit CCTV footage of trans woman restroom incident
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday night said he obtained a copy of the CCTV footage, witness affidavits, and police reports supposedly showing the real story behind the viral video involving transgender woman Gretchen Diez.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Lapid proposes setting up 4 toilets – one each for men, women, gays, lesbians
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid on Tuesday expressed belief there was a need to provide separate toilets for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer  (LGBTQ) community in order to give straight men and women the much-needed privacy and security that they also need when they use the washroom.
Manila Bulletin

‘All gender restrooms’ being set up in seaport terminals — PPA
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Tuesday said it is setting up “all gender restrooms” in its seaport terminals and offices in the country in a move to promote gender inclusivity. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Who is the Filipino? The ABCs of LGTBQ+ and SOGIE
After a long and inexplicable break, Rappler's Who is the Filipino podcast is back, and what a return it is. In this episode, we talk to Mela Habijan about the LGBTQ+ community, why SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics) matters, and the issues the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines continues to face.
Rappler

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Bato now backs same-sex marriage
Neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa threw his support on Tuesday behind same-sex marriage. Dela Rosa made known his stand on the issue during the hearing of the Senate committee on women on the anti-discrimination bill.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law 

Duterte to visit China Aug. 28 – Sept. 2
President Duterte will embark on a six-day visit to China on August 28 to September 2 to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the government’s recent concerns about the South China Sea dispute.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

What connects Duterte to Fujian Normal University?
Last August 6, President Rodrigo Duterte spoke of a "building" in a Fujian university being built in honor of his mother, Soledad Roa Duterte. It's yet another reason why he must visit China soon, he said.
Rappler

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Duterte meets transgender Gretchen Diez
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night met Gretchen Diez, a transgender who figured in the news after being barred from entering a female restroom. During their meeting in Malacañang, Duterte vowed to work with Congress to push for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill that would protect the rights of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community against discrimination.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Diez: Duterte’s support for anti-discrimination bill gives hope to LGBT community
President Rodrigo Duterte’s support for the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill is giving hope to the LGBTQ+ community,” transwoman Gretchen Diez said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Go says Duterte to hold LGBTQIA+ convention
President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to hold a convention where members of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community could voice out their concerns, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go disclosed Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

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Palace to Urban Dictionary: Duterte means ‘honest, incorruptible, transparent’
Malacañang isn’t buying Urban Dictionary’s definition to the word “Duterte” as a “scam, traitor, fake,” and “of low quality,” fielding its own description of the President’s surname.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

Andanar: Urban Dictionary’s take on ‘Duterte’ is ‘illegitimate, defamatory’
It would seem like Malacañang has gotten upset about an online dictionary’s Internet-culled meaning of “Duterte.” 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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The son also rises
LAST week’s column touched briefly on presidential daughter Sara’s Shakespearean quandary, not exactly a Hamlet-like soliloquy as she was conversing with the charlatan “appointed son of God” on the future of the presidency and her possible role in it. 
The Manila Times

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Palace to review COA report on Kaliwa Dam project
Malacañang on Monday said it will review the Commission on Audit’s (COA) report questioning the selection of the contractor for the multi-billion peso New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project.
Philippine News Agency

MWSS says legal, financial issues addressed in Kaliwa Dam bidding
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Tuesday defended the bidding process for the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project, saying it has strictly complied with relevant laws and guidelines.
GMA News

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All foreign vessels planning to pass PH’s territorial waters must get clearance from gov’t – Palace
All foreign vessels planning to pass the Philippines’ territorial waters must now first get clearance from the government based on a new directive of President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

Recto backs Duterte in requiring foreign ships passing PH to ask permission
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday backed the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to require foreign vessels to seek permission before passing through the Philippine waters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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CSC urges gov't workers to decline gifts
The Civil Service Commission on Tuesday urged government officials and employees to decline gifts from the public, after President Rodrigo Duterte said that police officers can accept items given out of gratefulness or generosity. 
ABS-CBN News

It's the Ombudsman that sets guidelines on civil servant gifts – CSC
Civil Service Commissioner Aileen Lizada said on Tuesday that Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, designated the Office of the Ombudsman as the body that would set the limits on the gifts civil servants could accept.
GMA News

Customs chief puts foot down on receiving gift: ‘Don’t take anything’
Customs employees were told Tuesday to do away with receiving gifts, in whatever shape, form or amount, as a gesture of commitment to the agency.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson: Cash gift of P100k is not nominal, should only be 5% of salary
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said the amount of P100,000 for a cash gift is not an insignificant amount for government officials and employees to receive without violating the country's anti-graft laws.
GMA News

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo seeks P664.9-million budget for OVP in 2020
Vice President Leni Robredo is seeking a P664.9-million budget for her office in 2020, higher than the P547.6 million allocation this year, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Poe says she’s not keen on joining 2022 presidential race
Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday said she is not keen on aspiring for the presidency anew and would rather focus on having a productive six-year term in the Senate.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISASTER

MINDANAO

Piñol lays out ‘basics’ for MinDA’s projects
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) head Emmanuel Piñol has outlined the “basic” steps” for the successful implementation of major projects programmed by his agency.
Manila Bulletin

CDO industrial summit to promote Mindanao economic zones
The Philippine Industrial Summit in Cagayan de Oro City on Nov. 26-27 is expected to provide more exposure for economic zones in Mindanao, an official said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

Compostela Valley, Sibutu touted as possible ecozones by PHIVIDEC
Compostela Valley province and Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi are among the ideal areas for new economic zones in Mindanao, according to Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corp. (PHIVIDEC) Industrial Authority Administrator Franklin M. Quijano.
Business World Online

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Know your next chief justice: Four candidates vie for SC top post
Who will be the next Chief Justice? So far, there are four  Supreme Court justices vying for the top position that will become vacant upon the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Oct. 18.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Carpio declines nomination for Chief Justice
Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has declined his nomination for Chief Justice for the last time.
GMA News, ABS-CBN News

2 SC senior justices accept nominations to Chief Justice post
Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta and Estela M. Perlas Bernabe were reported this morning (August 20) to have accepted their automatic nominations to the post of Chief Justice that would be vacated on October 18 with the compulsory retirement of Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin.
Manila Bulletin

ICJ forum set on Aug. 21 in UP Taguig City
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will host a forum on “The Future of the International Court of Justice (ICJ): Prospects and Challenges” on August 21 at the college of law of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Taguig City.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

CA constituted, ready to tackle confirmation of Duterte high-level appointees
The bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) is now open, ready to conduct public hearings on the qualifications and fitness of appointees of President Duterte to hold high government positions.
Manila Bulletin

Joint House panel deliberations expected for mandatory ROTC bill
The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education are expected to jointly deliberate on the 14 measures making the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program mandatory for Grades 11 and 12.
Manila Bulletin

Senate of the Philippines

Revilla seeks end to ‘no permit, no exam’ policy in schools, universities
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. is pushing for the passage of a bill that would penalize universities and schools that implement a “no permit, no exam” policy.
Manila Bulletin

Pangilinan bill seeks mandatory insurance for palay, other crops
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan formally sought on Tuesday mandatory insurance for palay and other crops essential to food security in order to help farmers survive crop destruction caused by calamities.
Manila Bulletin

Senate adopts resolution honoring Gina Lopez
The Senate adopted Tuesday a resolution honoring the late former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez and expressing profound sympathy and condolences to her family.
GMA News

House of Representatives

House receives proposed P4.1-T budget for 2020
Now the real work starts at the House of Representatives. Top officials of the Lower Chamber on Tuesday officially received the P4.1-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2020 from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), paving the way for the legislators’ scrutiny of the proposed budget.
Manila Bulletin

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Days of fund ‘parking’ over, ‘pork’ a thing of the past — Speaker 
The House of Representatives won’t allow the “parking” of dubious funds in the proposed 2020 National Expenditure Program (NEP), Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

'So far, so good' for Cayetano as House Speaker
"So far, so good." Alan Peter Cayetano had this to say after 4 weeks he was installed as House Speaker in the 300-strong chamber.
ABS-CBN News

Women Youth Voices: Sarah Elago on being one of the youngest lawmakers in the Philippines
We have been hearing all our lives, especially our national heroes, government leaders, philanthropist public figures—that the youth is the hope of our land, ang pag-asa ng bayan. And yet until today, the voices of young people are barely considered when it comes to shaping our nation and making public decisions. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

DBM’s Avisado: Gov’t workers to enjoy another pay hike in 2020
Civilian government employees would enjoy another round of salary increase next year, Acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said Tuesday. On the sidelines of the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) submission to Congress of the proposed P4.1-trillion 2019 national budget, Avisado said the funds for the next round of Salary Standization Law (SSL) were already contained in the budget proposal.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BIR unveils new digital system, allowing bank-to-bank payment of taxes
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has launched another new digital payment channel to make it easier for taxpayers to settle their financial obligations to the government.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

South Korea wants to donate two more Pohang-class corvettes to PHL
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said South Korea was planning to donate two more Pohang-class ships to the Philippines.
GMA News

BRP Conrado Yap to boost PH anti-submarine capability
The arrival of the BRP Conrado Yap is a big boost to the Philippine Navy’s (PN) anti-submarine warfare capability that was activated with the arrival of two AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) 159 anti-submarine helicopters last May, an official said.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana wants to send new Navy warship to Palawan, Sulu Sea
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wants to deploy the Philippine Navy’s newly-acquired vessel BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) to Palawan or Sulu if he could have his way.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Police official shot dead by subordinate inside Camp Bagong Diwa
A police official was shot dead by his subordinate inside his office in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City late Monday afternoon.
ABS-CBN News

Dela Rosa vows more support for PH Navy modernization
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has vowed support for the ongoing modernization of the Philippine Navy (PN). “I’m here to support you (Philippine Navy). Hanggang makaya ng gobyerno, ibigay. Wala naman kayong hihingin na hindi ikabubuti ng ating bansa (So long as the government can provide it, it will. I'm sure you won't ask for anything that will not be for the country's good). You can expect (that I will) support you all the way,” dela Rosa said during his visit to the Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Ombudsman orders preventive suspension of DENR, PCSO employees
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the six-month preventive suspension of three employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as well as an employee of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Manila Bulletin

Ex-DA regional director pleads guilty to lesser offense
Former Department of Agriculture (DA) regional director Eduardo Lecciones decided to enter into a plea bargaining agreement with the prosecution with regards to his graft charge and has pleaded guilty before the Sandiganbayan to frauds against public treasury.
Manila Bulletin

BOC: 119 Customs personnel facing raps for various complaints
About 119 personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are now facing cases for various complaints, Customs chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero announced Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PAO chief seeks dismissal of corruption complaint
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda Acosta has filed her own consolidated paper before the Office of the Ombudsman Tuesday against lawyer Wilfredo Garrido Jr., who earlier slapped her with a corruption complaint and requested that she be suspended from office.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

DFA closely monitoring status of 13 Filipino seafarers taken by pirates in Cameroon
The Philippine government is closely monitoring the status of thirteen Filipino seafarers, who were reportedly abducted in two separate incidents of piracy off the waters of Cameroon last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Carpio rebuts Cayetano: 'Vietnam, Malaysia don't claim any part of Philippine EEZ'
Vietnam and Malaysia do not claim waters where the Philippines have exclusive rights over natural resources, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Tuesday, contradicting a remark by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. 
ABS-CBN News, Rappler

Lorenzana awaiting report on Chinese Coast Guard vessel sighting in Ayungin Shoal
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said he has not received the official report on the Chinese Coast Guard vessel that was allegedly spotted by the Western Command (Wescom) in Ayungin Shoal.
GMA News

Reviewing the laws of the sea on Duterte’s latest orders to foreign vessels
President Rodrigo Duterte ordered foreign vessels to obtain clearance from the government if they intend to pass through the country’s waters following sightings of Chinese warships in Philippine territory.
Interaksyon

LABOR

DOLE reminds private employers on proper wages for Aug. 21, a special non-working holiday
The labor department has reminded private sector employers on the proper payment of wages for August 21, a special non-working holiday.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

MRT-3 offloads 780 passengers due to glitch
About 780 passengers were offloaded from a southbound Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) train on Tuesday afternoon due to an electrical glitch.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MMDA: Yellow lane policy is not anti-poor
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia has insisted that the yellow lane policy was not an anti-poor traffic solution strategy.
Manila Bulletin

Only 12 of PH towns, cities have complied with local speed limit
Only 12 out of the thousands of cities and municipalities in the Philippines complied with a national government memorandum to enact local speed limit ordinances in their areas of jurisdiction, a non-government organization said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH 

Drilon says COA willing to conduct special audit on PhilHealth funds, disbursements
The Commission on Audit (COA) has agreed to conduct a special audit of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) funds and disbursements, but is asking officials of the agency to cooperate with their office in getting pertinent information and documents.
Manila Bulletin

Dengue virus downs 120 Chinese workers in Bataan
At least 120 Chinese workers of a coal-fired power plant here have been afflicted with dengue virus, a provincial board member said. Godofredo Galicia, Jr., chair of the committee on health of the Bataan provincial board, on Monday said the Chinese, have been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

‘Fortress vs dengue:’ Gordon wants PH research on mosquito-borne disease
Senator Richard Gordon believes the Philippines could become a “fortress against dengue” should extensive research on the mosquito-borne disease be conducted in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Acosta refuses to take blame on public fear of vaccines
Public Attorney’s Office Chief Persida Acosta and PAO Forensic Laboratory Chief Erwin Erfe turned the table on individuals accusing them of corruption, saying their accusers are lying to derail the prosecution of Health and pharmaceutical firm officials over the deaths of children vaccinated with anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
GMA News

DOH urges public to be on-guard against leptospirosis
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday urged local government units (LGUs) to ensure that garbage collection was properly implemented in their jurisdictions to prevent the spread of bacteria that causes leptospirosis.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DA gets USDA funding for P2-B dairy project
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will fund a P2-billion dairy goat farming project in the Philippines, which will be implemented by National Dairy Authority (NDA), an attached agency to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Manila Bulletin

DA chief urged to look into cacao industry concerns
The head of the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao (CIDAMI) has appealed to Agriculture Secretary William Dar to look into the concerns of the sector, primarily in closing the gap between resources and actual production.
Philippine News Agency

Mindanao farmers urged to export rice to PNG
Farmers in Mindanao should produce “premium” quality rice for export to Papua New Guinea amid decreasing prices of the commodity as a result of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Import and Export Liberalization Law, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Emmanuel Piñol said.
Mindanews

EDUCATION

Group of private educators express concern on quality of learners produced by schools
While the Department of Education (DepEd) takes pride in its efforts to “pivot from access to quality education,” the private sector in education expressed concern on the quality of learners that are being produced by schools.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Gatchalian dismayed at DOE’s failure to present total electrification plan in PH
Senate Committee on Energy chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday expressed dismay at the Department of Energy (DOE) for its failure to present a total electrification plan for the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

Villar hails signing into law declaring Balanga wetland park as ecotourism site
Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday lauded the signing of the law, declaring as an ecotourism site the coastal sanctuary in Balanga City, Bataan.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Gina Lopez's one regret? Rejection as DENR chief, says ex-Cabinet official
Philanthropist Gina Lopez had felt she could have done more for the environment had she retained her government post, former social welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo said Tuesday.
ABS-CBN News

Lay group mourns passing of Lopez, dubbed ‘Lady Laudato Si’
The Council of the Laity of the Philippines (Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas) expressed its sadness as it mourns the passing of former environment secretary Gina Lopez.
Manila Bulletin

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR