EU envoy: No funding for groups linked to CPP
The European Union (EU) has never funded local groups linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), contrary to claims by a Palace official. In an interview on “The Chiefs” Tuesday night on One News-Cignal TV, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said they have been “extremely cautious” about dealing with groups seeking EU assistance.
Philippine Star

US group sees expansion of PH drug war killings to crackdown on Left
Attacks on civilians in the Philippines now included the killing of members and leaders of protest groups branded as communists, aggravating the violence arising from the government’s bloody campaign against drugs and increasing risks of a free fall to authoritarian rule, according to a United States-based conflict research and analysis group.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Sison: Revival of anti-subversion law won’t end insurgency
Top rebel leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison was convinced that the revival of the anti-subversion law would not end the growth of the people’s war. “The revival of the anti-subversion law will not eliminate the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the people’s democratic revolution,” Sison, CPP founder, said in a statement from Utrecht, the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, NDFP

CPP slams bid to revive Anti-Subversion Law
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounced the proposal to revive the Anti-Subversion Law that could make communism illegal, the party said in a statement on Wednesday, August 14.
Rappler, NDFP

Año stands by proposal to revive anti-subversion law
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año is standing by the proposal to revive the anti-subversion law to put an end to the communist insurgency.
Philippine News Agency

DILG ready to work with Congress to revive Anti-Subversion Law 
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is prepared to coordinate with Congress in a bid to revive the Anti-Subversion Law and criminalize membership with the communist groups.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

AFP backs Año on criminalizing subversion
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) supports Interior Secretary Eduardo Año's suggestion for the restoration of subversion as a criminal offense. Año, a former AFP chief of staff, earlier said the government should consider reimposing the law that makes subversion a crime in view of what he said was "indoctrination" by communist rebels of up to 1,000 youths annually.
GMA News

AFP: CPP, NDF, NPA can’t be treated ‘differently, separately’ from the other
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), National Democratic Front (NDF), and New People’s Army (NPA) are three groups that cannot be treated “differently” and “separately” from one another, a military official said Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Karapatan assails gov’t on possible return of anti-subversion law
Human rights group Karapatan stressed on Wednesday that the “comeback of anti-subversion law, anti-terror law amendments adds to the Duterte government’s arsenal of repressive laws’’.
Manila Bulletin

CHR to gov’t: Best reply to activism is to act on grievances
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) challenges the government to address grievances brought up by legitimate organizations instead of going after activists.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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The Woes of a Mother (First of a Series)
A Senate Inquiry concerning the missing students from different Universities was conducted August 07, 2019. Presided by Sen. Ronald Dela Rossa, along with Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Francis Tolentino, the mothers of the missing students recruited by organizations of LFS, Anakbayan and Kabataan pleaded for help from the Senators.
Kalinaw News

Ex-rebel confesses to Senate: ‘I was student by day, NPA by night’
Former rebels faced a Senate hearing on Tuesday and narrated how they were recruited by leftist groups when they were young students. But before they testified, the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs approved a motion to grant the rebel returnees legislative immunity.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Ex-rebels tell Senate panel they were students when recruited
Four former rebels on Wednesday testified before senators how leftist organizations recruited them when they were just students. Among those who testified was 21-year-old Allem. Wearing a hoodie and covering her face, she said she was only 16 and a student of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines when she was recruited by the League of Filipino Students in 2014.
GMA News, ABS-CBN News

Scholarships used to lure students to join leftist groups, says ex-rebel
A former rebel said Wednesday scholarships to state universities were dangled to lure students to join leftist groups. During the hearing of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs on missing students, Alvin Turero admitted he was one of those who used to recruit students.
GMA News

Ex-rebel curses communists during Senate probe
A rebel returnee, Nancy Dologuin, repeatedly hurled expletives at her former comrades in an open public hearing at the Senate on Wednesday. During the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, Dologuin lamented how life had been difficult for her after she joined the communist group.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

UPDATE: Partylist lawmaker tagged in recruitment of minors to NPA
PARENTS of the “missing minors” accused a partylist lawmaker of convincing their children to join the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The Manila Times

No witch hunt in Senate probe on students recruited by activists – Dela Rosa
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday rebuffed criticisms that the Senate inquiry on the alleged disappearance of students recruited by leftist groups, which he is leading, is meant to harass critics of the Duterte administration.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Dela Rosa orders police to get student from leftist groups
In the middle of a Senate hearing on Wednesday, neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa directed the police to rescue a student reportedly enlisted by a leftist group.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace backs Senate probe into NPA's recruitment in schools
The Office of the President supports the Senate inquiry into the missing minors who were allegedly recruited by communist groups, a ranking official said Wednesday as he underscored Malacañang's commitment to protecting the crucial human right of Filipinos to family life.
Philippine News Agency

Parents took child to police camps to bar her from joining Anakbayan
Alicia Lucena, the senior high student who was reported missing by her mother, on Wednesday revealed that her parents had brought her to the police to block her from continuing her membership to progressive group Anakbayan.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Teachers of 'missing' students to face charges too —CIDG
The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Wednesday vowed to file cases against teachers of students allegedly recruited by leftist organizations. “We will be filing cases against the teachers for child abuse in relation to Child and Youth Welfare Act,” PNP-CIDG director Major General Amador Corpus said during the hearing of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee.
GMA News

Makabayan bloc solons ask Anakbayan member to reconcile with parents
Party-List solons belonging to the Makabayan Bloc are urging Anakbayan member 18-year-old Alicia Lucena to patch things up with her family amid the controversy caused by her “disappearance” upon joining the militant organization.
Manila Bulletin

Zarate rejects Dela Rosa’s proposal: Authorities should respect schools as ‘neutral ground’
Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate on Wednesday said authorities should respect schools as a “neutral ground”, rejecting the proposal to let the police patrol campuses.
Manila Bulletin

MPD chief wants new law to penalize school execs tolerating NPA recruitment
A police official told the Senate on Wednesday that a new law is needed to penalize school administrators found “tolerating” the New People’s Army’s (NPA) recruitment of their students.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Army asks parents: Keep students away from communist recruitment
The Philippine Army spokesman on Wednesday appealed to parents to watch closely the activities their children amid the reported leftist groups' aggressive recruitment of students in campuses.
GMA News

Albayalde bats for police presence in state university campuses
State universities are “government property,” but there is no police presence in them, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said. He made the comment in response to the call to increase police presence in the campuses to stop the radicalization of students.
The Manila Times

PNP to UP: ‘We respect academic freedom’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it respects the academic freedom of the University of the Philippines (UP) but stands by its call for increased police presence to protect students from alleged communist threats.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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New Negros Oriental police chief ordered to stop repeat of killings
“A very challenging assignment.” This was how the new chief of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office described his duties following the spate of killings in the province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Another witness in Moises Padilla NPA killings surfaces
ANOTHER witness in the killings allegedly perpetrated by New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Moises Padilla town has surfaced and again accused two local town officials of allegedly playing a part in the murders.
Sunstar Bacolod

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Info drive vs insurgency to go full blast in Central Visayas
The regional-level cluster tasked to formulate strategic communications by the national task force on ending insurgency has agreed to go full blast with its information drive in achieving an insurgency-free Central Visayas, the head of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the region said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

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6 Aurora towns declare NPAs ‘persona non grata’
Six towns in this province have declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as “persona non grata”, the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion said on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

NoCot ex-NPAs complete TESDA training
Fifty-three former communist rebels completed on Monday a short course provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in North Cotabato through its Mobile Training Program
Philippine News Agency

Mass organizer, 2 fellow NPAs yield
FOLLOWING successful negotiations, at least two New People's Army (NPA) fighters have laid down their arms and surrender to the police in the remote barangay of Besigan, Cagayan de Oro City. This, as an alleged mass organizer of the NPA and National Democratic Front (NDF) also yielded in Bukidnon province, this week.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Community effort NPA child combatant 2 more surrender in Bukidnon
One New People’s Army (NPA) child warrior and two more surrendered to the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion at Headquarters 8IB in Impasugong, Bukidnon.
Kalinaw News

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

PH Army: 5 rebels wounded in Camarines Sur clash
Five suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were wounded in an encounter with Army soldiers at a remote village in Caramoan town in Camarines Sur on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP stepping up cyber patrol vs extremist websites
The Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) said it will strengthen its cyber patrol operations to go after websites used for promoting violent extremism.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunstar Manila

PNP looking for owner of internet platform used by extremists
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking for the owner of an internet platform which is being linked to a mass shooting in the United States that left more than 20 people dead.
Manila Bulletin

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Trillanes frowns on idea to extend jail period of terror suspects
Senator-turned-educator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday expressed disapproval on the proposal to prolong up to 60 days the detention period of arrested terror suspects.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

EDITORIAL - Trust deficit
The proposal to amend the law that defined terrorism as a specific crime will hinge on public trust – trust in government, particularly those tasked to keep the public safe. Filipinos complain that the country has a lot of laws but weak enforcement. Republic Act 9372, the Human Security Act, has to be one of the least used laws, despite all the time, effort, public funds and passionate debates that went into its passage by Congress.
Philippine Star

MARAWI

Another House bill seeks P50-billion reparation for Marawi siege victims
Another House bill proposing a larger sum representing reparation for damages wrought by the 2017 Marawi siege has been re-filed by Lanao del Sur (First District) Rep. Ansaruddin A. Adiong after the 17th Congress failed to act on it.
Manila Bulletin

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

A risky return for ex-combatants into communities
Enabling violent extremists to defect from their terror groups to rejoin society is a vital strategy in preventing violent extremism in Africa. But amnesty and rehabilitation programmes for this purpose often fail because security forces target and abuse former combatants.
Institute for Security Studies

Captured ISIS fighters get short sentences and art therapy in Syria
At a closely guarded prison in this northeastern Syrian town, former Islamic State fighters make papier-mâché models of birds, flowers and trees while serving sentences that typically run two or three years.
Washington Post

Facing terror: The possibility of hope and the need to confront hatred
In the wake of the foiled terrorist attack at a mosque outside Oslo on 10 August, and the widespread solidarity seen outside mosques around Norway on the morning of Eid, we reflect on the prospects for hope and for the endurance of social fabric. We do so by drawing on our research on responses to the July 22 terror in 2011, and on our migration research.
The peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

EC allocates €8.5 million to support Sri Lankan efforts to prevent violent extremism
The European Commission (EC), through its Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, has allocated €8.5 million to support Sri Lankan efforts to prevent violent extremism, build community resilience, and promote peace and tolerance.
MENAFN

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott forms domestic terrorism task force in response to El Paso shooting
exas Gov. Greg Abbott is taking action to prevent domestic terrorism in the state following a shooting at an El Paso Walmart where the attacker said he targeted Mexicans.
ABC News 

Kamala Harris proposes taking on domestic terrorism by limiting gun access
Less than two weeks after the El Paso, Texas, mass shooting and two years after violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday released a plan to take on domestic terrorism, by making it harder for suspected individuals to get guns.
CNN

As China Cracks Down on Uighurs, a Uighur American Joins the White House
The Trump administration has appointed a Uighur American academic as director for China at the National Security Council in a symbolic move that could impact talks—and relations—between the two countries. 
Foreign Policy 

Terrorism survivors: ‘The terrorists killed many people in front of us’
To mark the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, on 21 August, UN News travelled to Chad and the Far North region of Cameroon in West Africa earlier this year, to interview people who have personal stories to tell, about how terrorism has shattered their lives.
United Nations
 

2019 hajj death toll: 39 pilgrims, 5 of them Filipinos
The just concluded Islamic pilgrimage or hajj in Saudi Arabia has left 39 pilgrims, including five Filipinos, dead of various causes on different religious rituals and venues in the Muslim kingdom.
Manila Bulletin

Maguindanao, Marawi City families get Qurbani meat on Eid-al-Adha
TO HELP  provide food security among affected families, especially in the celebration of Eid-al-Adha, Islamic Relief, a faith-inspired international development and humanitarian organization, provides Qurbani meat packs to over 1,300 vulnerable families in Marawi City and in municipalities of Paglat and General Salipada K. Pendatun in Maguindanao during the celebration of Eid-al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.
Mindanao Examiner

BARMM

Malaysia, BARMM keen on pursuing business pacts
The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has expressed interest in bringing in big manufacturing enterprises in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by tapping the region’s vast work force to make processed halal food and rubber products, among others.
Business Mirror

Decommissioning of 40K MILF combatants to encourage other groups
The successful decommissioning of 40,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants could encourage other armed groups in Mindanao to turn in their weapons and return to the folds of the law, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez.
Philippine News Agency

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

480 traffic violators penalized in Cotabato City
Violators of the two-week-old “absolute no parking” policy on two major thoroughfares here has reached 480 as the city traffic management unit has intensified the drive against traffic law offenders.
Philippine News Agency

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

Congressman Hataman now House deputy speaker
Officials were elated with the election of Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman as deputy speaker, certain he now has better leverage to sustain the dividends of the southern peace process.
NDBC News

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

Five more Chinese warships passed near Tawi-Tawi waters in July, August – AFP
Five more Chinese warships entered Philippine waters near Tawi-Tawi in July and August, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday. Lt. Gen Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief , said two warships were spotted in Sibutu Strait in July and another three in August. The warships were not hostile, he added.
CNN Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News, Rappler
 

DRUGS

Her Little Girl Was Slain in the Philippines’ Drug War. She Wants Justice—Against Police.
Kateleen Ulpina was 3 years old when she was caught in an exchange of gunfire between her father and police after they burst into the family’s home wearing unmarked, dark clothing.
The Wall Street Journal

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Court allows De Lima to visit ailing mother
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Wednesday granted detained Senator Leila De Lima’s request to visit her ailing mother in Iriga City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Operations/ Incidents

4 nabbed, P3.4M worth of ‘shabu’ seized in Camarines Sur buy-bust
Over P3.4 million worth suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) were seized from four drug suspects in a buy-bust operation in Gainza town, Camarines Sur, on Tuesday night. A report from the Camarines Sur police identified the suspects as Joseph Glen Candido, Christopher Pagal, Stevan De Luna, and Diana Hubilla.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

P14.3M worth of marijuana uprooted, burned by police in Danao City
The Danao City Police uprooted and burned P14.3 million worth of marijuana plants after a massive operation done on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, in this northern city of Cebu. 
Cebu Daily News

'Drug pushers' nabbed in Dumaguete buy-bust
Two suspected drug pushers were arrested early Tuesday during a police buy-bust operation at Real Street in Barangay Poblacion 8 here. A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) identified the suspects as Kevin John Delayco Kalubiran, 23, single, of Purok Panaghiusa, Real Street, and John Belmor Moreno Cordoba, 22, single, a resident of Barangay Tinago, all in this capital city.
Philippine News Agency

Makati cops arrest NBI agent who tried intimidating them to free his uncle
Makati City police arrested Monday, August 12, an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who tried to convince apprehending policemen to free his uncle who was arrested in a illegal drugs operation.
Rappler

‘Shabu’ worth P162k seized in Albay jail
Anti-narcotics operatives recovered P162,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) in a surprise inspection at the Albay Provincial Jail in Daraga, Albay on Wednesday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Target-listed 'pusher' slain in SoCot drug bust
A target-listed drug personality was killed in an alleged shootout with police operatives in Tantangan town, South Cotabato province on Tuesday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency

Minor rescued in drug buy-bust
A 17-year-old boy was rescued during a drug buy-bust conducted in Purok 6, Trading Boulevard, in Barangay 37-D, at 2:50 a.m. on Aug. 13. His companion, suspect Ronel Montenegro Maza, resident of the area was arrested in the same operation. The minor is a student and resident of Barangay Leon Garcia in Agdao.
The Mindanao Times

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

Caohagan Island in Lapu-Lapu on the way to being ‘drug free’
Barangay Caohagan, an island village of Lapu-Lapu City, is en route to being the city’s first “drug free” village. On Wednesday, August 14, 2019, city officials along with officials from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) visited the island for the launching of the revitalization of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac). 
Cebu Daily News

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

4 security guards arrested on alleged arms trafficking
Four security guards were arrested for arms trafficking in two separate law enforcement operations in barangays Indangan and Mintal around 11 a.m. yesterday.
The Mindanao Times

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

BOC destroys P2.3-M smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga City
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) destroyed on Wednesday some P2.3-million worth of smuggled cigarettes confiscated at the local port. District Collector Segundo SigmundFreud Barte Jr. said the cigarettes were discovered aboard a ferryboat that came from Jolo, Sulu over the weekend.
ABS-CBN News

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

Trans woman on 'discrimination' after using female CR: It was not the first time
The transgender woman who was brought to a police station after using the female comfort room of a Quezon City mall on Tuesday said she is "one-hundred percent" determined to file charges over the incident.
GMA News

Trans woman Gretchen Diez: I didn't think I'd be treated like a criminal
She thought she was safe. Gretchen Custodio Diez, the transgender woman who was arrested Tuesday, August 13, recounted how she was prevented from using a women's restroom in a Cubao mall in Quezon City.
Rappler

QC mayor condemns discrimination vs. trans woman in Cubao mall
Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon on Wednesday condemned the reported discrimination against a transgender woman inside a mall in Cubao, saying it violated a city ordinance.
GMA News, Rappler

Groups to QC gov't: Enforce anti-discrimination ordinance
In a twist of irony, transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez was discriminated from using a woman's restroom in a city that passed an ordinance preventing incidents exactly like this
Rappler

Ice Seguerra deplores transgender comfort room discrimination
Singer and former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Ice Seguerra shared a number of frustrating incidents and admitted not feeling safe when he is prevented from using a comfort room.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Geraldine Roman vows House probe vs LGBTQ+ discrimination
Geraldine Roman, the first transgender woman elected to the House of Representatives, vowed on Tuesday, August 14 that there would be a probe into the discrimination of a mall employee against transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez.
Rappler

Hontiveros urges passage of SOGIE Bill after trans woman’s arrest in mall
A transgender woman’s arrest after she was denied entry to a women’s comfort room in a mall in Quezon City prompted Senator Risa Hontiveros to call the passage of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gaps in SOGIE awareness, policy led to violation of trans woman’s rights in QC mall — TUCP
The discrimination experienced by a transgender woman in Quezon City on Tuesday exposes the country's great gaps in awareness and policy on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE), the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said.
GMA News

CHR condemns discrimination vs. transgender woman who used ladies’ room at QC mall
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday  denounced the discrimination suffered by a transgender woman at a mall in Quezon City. It called for the passage of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
GMA News

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

SC orders gov't to answer Rappler petition vs. Duterte coverage ban
The Supreme Court has ordered the government to comment on Rappler's petition challenging President Rodrigo Duterte's ban on the online news organization's coverage of his activities.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency, Rappler

Martial Law 

Isko Moreno to gov’t execs: Be careful with pronouncements, they become policy
Government officials should be careful with what they say in public as it may be considered as policy, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said on Wednesday.
GMA News

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo expresses gratitude for lifting of suspension of boat trips in Iloilo Strait
Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed hope the resumption of motorboats operations in Ilolilo Strait would signal the start of government listening more to the concerns of the people.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo raises concern on influx of Chinese POGO workers in PH
Vice President Leni Robredo has pressed the need for the administration to closely look into the entry of Chinese workers in the Philippines, especially those who are in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec’s unliquidated cash advances down to P131 million — Jimenez
The Commission on Elections' (Comelec) unliquidated cash advances are down to P131 million as of July 31 this year, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Wednesday. Jimenez was responding to the Commission on Audit (COA)’s letter to Comelec tasking the poll body to immediately settle P1.63 billion worth of unliquidated cash advance as of September 2018.
GMA News

Duterte Youth's Cardema appeals cancellation of party-list nomination
Duterte Youth chairman Ronald Cardema continues to gun for a congressional seat as he filed on Tuesday, August 13, a motion for reconsideration asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc to reconsider the cancellation of his nomination as the party's first nominee.
Rappler

Party-list bloc 'respects' cancellation of Cardema nomination
The president of the party-list coalition said they will adhere to the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division to cancel the nomination of Ronald Cardema as Duterte Youth's representative in the 18th Congress.
Rappler

DISASTER

MINDANAO

Piñol vows to “work just as hard” as MinDA chair
FORMER AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol on Wednesday took his oath as the new chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). In a social media post, Mr. Piñol said: “Today, I took my oath to serve as the new Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), a Cabinet portfolio which carries the rank of Secretary.”
Business World Online, NDBC News

MinDA hopeful MindaRail project can be pushed through under Duterte’s term
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) remains hopeful that the construction of phase 1 of the 1,550-kilometer Mindanao Railway Project can still be pushed through in the remaining 2 years and 10 months of the term of the first Mindanawon President, Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Mindanews

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

IBP, Chel Diokno ask SC to allow withdrawal of petition for writ of kalikasan
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno have asked the Supreme Court to grant their motion to withdraw the petition for a writ of kalikasan they filed in behalf of several  fishermen.
GMA News

SC presents revised rule on law student practice to US envoy Kim
The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned over a copy of its revised rule on law student practice to United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim.
GMA News

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Marcos wants to expand list of punishable acts of discrimination vs LGBTs
Neophyte Senator Imee R. Marcos has sought to expand the list of punishable acts of discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay , Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community by filing  Senate Bill 412 that also prescribes measures to preempt such acts.
Manila Bulletin

Fraudulent claims made on PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-ibig to be punishable by 12 to 40 yrs in prison
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid said yesterday that those making fraudulent claims on mandatory employee contributions and benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG Fund must be sent to jail from 12 to 40 years.
Manila Bulletin

Prelate appeals to politicians: ‘Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain’
A Catholic prelate has appealed to politicians not to use the name of Christ in vain. Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes issued the appeal after the name of Christ was mentioned in the debates on the reimposition of death penalty.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House panel OKs Trabaho bill
The House committee on ways and means approved the bill containing the second batch of tax reforms proposed by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. On Wednesday, August 14, 27 committee members voted in favor of House Bill (HB) No. 313, which is the re-filed version of the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) bill from the previous 17th Congress.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Congress to receive NEP on Aug. 20; Budget hearings on by Aug. 22 – Ungab
President Rodrigo Duterte will submit the 2020 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress on Tuesday, August 20, with budget deliberations to follow two days after, House appropriations panel chairman and Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab said Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Buhay Rep. Atienza wants House resolution supporting war on drugs
Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, a known pro-life advocate, wants his more than 300 colleagues in the House of Representatives to join him in coming up with a resolution declaring full support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bill spares divorced Pinoys of tedious civil status change process
A lady lawmaker from Mindanao wants to make it easier for Filipinos who were validly divorced by their foreign spouses overseas to change their civil status upon their return to the country.
Manila Bulletin

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Cayetano see Congress approving Duterte’s priority measures by October
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano expressed hope on Wednesday that Congress will be able to approve President Duterte’s priority bills, which include tax reform measures, before the 18th Congress takes its first break on October 5.
Manila Bulletin

Vilma Santos among 22 deputy speakers
The House of Representatives has appointed 22 deputy speakers, among them Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, a first in the history of the Philippine Congress.
The Manila Times

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

DOF to still push alcohol taxes higher than rates OKd by House panel
The Department of Finance (DOF) will still push for rates higher than the excise taxes on alcohol products approved by the House committee on ways and means.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BIR losses P1.4-billion tax case vs Medical City
The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has voided the P1.4-billion deficiency tax assessments imposed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against the owner of Medical City for its failure to promptly notify the hospital of its alleged liabilities.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Rising soon: Philippine Coast Guard General Hospital
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law creating a hospital for Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, employees, their dependents and retirees.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine Coast Guard expresses elation for the approval of the law creating the PCG hospital
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed Wednesday the signing of the law that will create a hospital for the organization’s personnel, their dependents, and retirees.
Manila Bulletin

Army to activate Aviation Regiment within this year
The Philippine Army (PA) is set to activate its Aviation Regiment within this year as part of its modernization efforts. "We'll be activating the regiment this year and we'll be equipping (it) gradually," Col. Romulo Manuel, Army chief of plans, said in an interview with reporters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Slowdown in foreign investments to PH continues, hits four-year low in May
The entry of long term capital into the Philippines continued to slow down in May, confirming a consistent trend of weak investment inflows into the country since the start of the year that was interrupted only by a slight uptick in February.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

2 Cabinet secretaries under investigation for alleged corruption – PACC
The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Wednesday revealed that it is currently investigating two incumbent Cabinet secretaries over allegations of corruption.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News, Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Lifestyle check on 15 former, current PCSO execs underway – PACC
The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has placed some 15 names of former and current officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under its radar following allegations of “massive corruption” in the agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte anti-corruption unit asks Sandra Cam to submit evidence of PCSO anomalies
President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-corruption unit on Wednesday asked Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam to substantiate her claims of corruption in the agency. PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said he would issue a memorandum to Cam asking her to submit evidence.
GMA News

Anti-corruption agency probes ‘at least 200’ gov’t officials
The Presidential Anti-CorruptionCommission (PACC) revealed Wednesday that it has been conducting a lifestyle check to at least 200 government officials due to alleged corruption.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Mayor of Naga, Cebu suspended by Sandiganbayan for 90 days
Incumbent Mayor Valdemar Chiong of Naga town in Cebu has been ordered suspended for 90 days by Sandiganbayan for graft charges. According to a resolution from the Sixth Division dated July 25, Chiong’s suspension is mandated for government officials accused of graft, in accordance with Republic Act 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Our rights  in  territorial sea  vs our rights in EEZ
The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)  established  the concept of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),  an area in the sea measuring 200 miles (370 kilometers) from  a country’s  coast. It established special rights on the exploration and use of marine resources,  such as energy from  any  petroleum deposits in the land under the sea. But the EEZ waters themselves are  international waters.
Manila Bulletin

Locsin says only PH-flagged vessels may conduct marine survey at PH Rise
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday stood pat on his decision to allow only Philippine-flagged vessels to conduct marine scientific research (MSR) in the Philippine Rise, or Benham Rise, and only let foreigners “hitch a ride on our marine survey ships.”
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

MMDA again blames rising volume of vehicles for worsening Edsa traffic
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has blamed anew the record number of vehicles for the worsening traffic jam at Edsa.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MRT 3 revenue drops in 2018 due to delay in deployment of trains from China
Revenue of the MRT-3 system dropped at its lowest at P2.068 billion in 2018 due to various reasons, including the failure of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to harness the Dalian trains that were delivered a year before.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

Sanofi Pasteur optimistic Dengvaxia would be allowed anew in PH market
Pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur on Wednesday expressed optimism that its appeal to allow the distribution of its dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in the Philippine market will be reevaluated and granted by the Department of Health (DOH), as well as the  Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Manila Bulletin

Bong Go asks DOJ  to refile, strengthen case vs. WellMed 
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to strengthen and refile the case against the owner and officers of WellMed Dialysis and Laboratory Center, which was implicated in the alleged fraudulent claims with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senators deplore inability of PhilHealth to detect fraud on its own
“Ludicrous.” This was how Senator Richard Gordon described the admission of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) President Ricardo Morales that the state insurance company would need “whistleblowers” to unearth fraudulent transactions in the agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duque: No conflict of interest in family business dealings with gov't
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Wednesday, August 14, that there was no conflict of interest in his family businesses’ dealings with the government when led the health department under a previous and current administrations.
Rappler

Alleged PhilHealth ‘mafia’ members named during Senate probe
A former board member of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) tagged seven long-standing officials as being allegedly part of a “mafia” which has “control of all influence” within the agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gordon says PhilHealth not about to go bankrupt despite alleged irregularities
Senator Richard J. Gordon said Wednesday the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will not go bankrupt. This was Gordon’s explanation on the financial status of controversy-laden PhilHealth after Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon asked if the government medical agency would still be financially healthy 10 years from now.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Piñol: I was at odds with ‘powerful political personality’ during DA stint
Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol revealed Wednesday that he was at odds with a “powerful political personality,” which hindered him to perform his job as a former agriculture secretary.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Agri’s catch-up strategy
William Dar, acting agriculture secretary, could be the economic team’s best catch-up answer for the agriculture sector this year, and perhaps, until the end of President Duterte’s term.
Philippine Star

There is hope for Philippine agriculture
On my very first day as acting Agriculture secretary on August 5, I immediately communicated to the ranks of the Department of Agriculture (DA) my priorities for the next 100 days.
The Manila Times

Villar cites SRA failure to implement sugar industry development program
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food will be conducting a hearing on Thursday to look into the alleged failure of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to implement the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA).
Cebu Daily News

Philippines losing banana experts
The Philippines is losing its banana experts to its Southeast Asian neighbors after being pirated by other players in the region who have sought to become a significant force in the global banana trade.
Mindanews

EDUCATION

Briones questions COA’s scope of work for 'editing' DepEd textbooks
Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones wants a review of the scope of Commission on Audit's work after it included in its audit report some editorial comments on DepEd's textbooks.
GMA News

Briones explains 3M unused books, decries 'dramatized' news reports
Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Wednesday said the reported over 3 million unused books stuck in their warehouses are buffer stock to be used in case of natural calamities.
GMA News

DepEd to issue ‘notes to teachers’ to correct errors found in textbooks, learning materials
The Department of Education (DepEd) will issue “notes to teachers” as part of its efforts to correct the errors found in textbooks and other learning materials as cited by the Commission on Audit (CoA).
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

DOE sets opening of bids for 17 petroleum blocks
The Department of Energy (DOE) has formally announced that it will start opening bids this Friday for petroleum blocks within three (3) nominated and the 14 pre-determined areas (PDAs) being tendered under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) designed by the Duterte administration.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Portion of Boracay beach temporarily closed after pooping incident
A portion of the beachfront of world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province has been temporarily closed after a video went viral, showing Chinese tourists dumping human waste in the area.
Manila Bulletin

Secretary Puyat asks the public to report violations of environmental laws
The Department of Tourism (DOT) urged the public to report individuals who violate environmental laws. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat made the remark after a video of a foreign national, who allowed a child to defecate in the beachfront in Boracay, was uploaded on social media.
Manila Bulletin

Farm tourism is fast becoming a reality
I had a call from former Tourism secretary Mina Gabor who was in Cebu last Tuesday who wanted to meet up with me knowing that I joined the 4th Farm Tourism Summit last July 14-16 at the Summit Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay. 
Philippine Star

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Probe sought on burning of Korean trash
Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy has sought an investigation on the burning Monday, August 12, of a portion of the heap of Korean trash owned by a plastic recycling facility in Tagoloan town of Misamis Oriental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DENR hopes to see improvements in Bangkulasi River by year end
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is hopeful that the Navotas City’s Bangkulasi River, one of the filthy water bodies that drain into Manila Bay, will see drastic improvements by the end of the year.
Manila Bulletin

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Philippine Space Agency: Is a Filipino in space in the horizon?
At 2:04 p.m. on Wednesday, the Philippines’ second microsatellite Diwata-2 passed over the Philippines, causing the receiving antenna at the Philippine Earth Data Resource Observation Center in Quezon City to move with it as data was transmitted to the ground receiving station.
ABS-CBN News

Facebook listened to users' conversations – report
Facebook has paid hundreds of contractors to listen to and transcribe snippets of users' conversations, US media reported on Tuesday, August 13, amid heightened scrutiny of the social network's data collection practices.
Rappler

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR