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

Duterte visits UP fratman's wake
President Rodrigo Duterte on late Monday night visited the wake of a University of the Philippines (UP) student who was tagged in an alleged hazing incident. The young man's remains lie in G. Araneta Ave., Quezon City.
ABS-CBN News

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

Malacañang will not stop officials from visiting the US, says though that it is not the only country in the world
Malacañang did not discourage government officials from going to the United States despite the proposal to ban those behind the imprisonment of Senator Leila de Lima.
Manila Bulletin

Panelo will not mind being denied entry to the US
After US Senators Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin proposed that Philippine government officials involved in the imprisonment of Senator Leila De Lima be denied entry to the US, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Monday that he did not mind being barred from entering the United States.
GMA News

Why are they so enraged?
Political allies of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Senate are enraged by the approval by the US Senate Committee on Appropriations of an amendment on the Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that prohibits entry to any Philippine Government officials involved in the imprisonment of Sen. Leila de Lima.
Business World Online

Behind the proposed U.S. ban on De Lima jailers: Law allows Washington to do so
Senate President Vicente Sotto III decried the proposal of their American counterparts to impose a travel ban on officials involved in Sen. Leila de Lima‘s detention.
Interaksyon

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

Palace pulls all stops to ensure successful PH hosting of 10th ASEAN Para Games next year
Malacañang has ordered all government agencies to support the country’s successful hosting of the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games early next year.
Manila Bulletin

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

Palace condoles with family of UP student found dead after being implicated in hazing incident
The recent death of a fraternity member should serve as a reminder to the public to show kindness and understanding to others, Malacañang said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

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

Mocha Uson appointed OWWA deputy administrator
Former Palace communication official Margaux Esther “Mocha” Uson is back in government after a failed party-list bid in the last May elections.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler, GMA News

One-year appointment ban does not apply to Mocha Uson —Comelec
The one-year ban on individuals who lost in the previous elections from getting government positions does not apply to Mocha Uson, the newly appointed deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
GMA News

‘This gov’t is good at recycling garbage’: Netizens slam Mocha Uson's OWWA appointment
Controversial pro-Duterte blogger Mocha Uson is back in a government post. Her return, however, is being criticized widely by netizens, with one common sentiment being, “This government is good at recycling garbage."
Rappler

Anti-poll fraud group: What did Mocha do to deserve P155,000/month OWWA post?
The anti-election fraud group Kontra Daya has joined a growing chorus of opposition to the appointment of former sexy dancer Mocha Uson, an avid supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte who tried to enter through the backdoor in Congress through the party-list system but failed.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Unfair to drag the entire PNP into ‘ninja cops’ controversy – Robredo
After reports came out about rogue police officers being involved in the recycling of illegal drugs, Vice President Leni Robredo lamented that it was now the image of the Philippine National Police (PNP) which has to suffer from the “ninja cops” controversy.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo decries PH position on human rights violations in Myanmar
Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed disappointment over the Philippines’ vote against the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution condemning the human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo meets with young Australian politicians
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday morning met young politicians from Australia who were part of the 12th Australian Political Exchange Council's delegation to the Philippines.
GMA News

ELECTION RELATED

Overnight camp, long lines mark last day of voter registration
On September 30, 2019, the last day of voter registration, overnight camp, long lines and crowds of registrants trooped to local offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in different parts of the country to beat the deadline.
GMA News

Comelec-Dumaguete deletes 13K registered voters from list
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here has deleted some 13,000 registered voters from its official list for their failure to vote in two succeeding elections.
Philippine News Agency

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

Senate approves postponing barangay, SK elections to 2022
Voting 21-0, the Senate on Monday, September 30, approved on 3rd and final reading the bill postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to December 5, 2022.
Rappler, GMA News

House panel OKs committee report on bill postponing 2020 barangay, SK polls
The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms on Monday approved its committee report on the bill postponing the May 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to the second Monday of May 2023.
GMA News

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

Marcos vs Robredo: Understanding the unfinished battle for the vice presidency
The Supreme Court is set to decide on losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday. Marcos had claimed "massive cheating" caused him to lose to Robredo in the 2016 vice-presidential race by some 260,000 votes, which she denied. 
ABS-CBN News

CHEAT SHEET: The Marcos vs Robredo electoral protest
The Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), is expected to soon rule on the pilot recount of the electoral protest filed by Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Rappler

SC to vote on draft ruling seeking end to Marcos case
Justices of the Supreme Court are expected to vote on a draft resolution prepared by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa on the election protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
The Manila Times

DISASTER

MINDANAO

China vows more aid for Mindanao
China’s top diplomat in Mindanao vowed Sunday night that Beijing will continue to help develop the island’s potentials “so it can strongly contribute to the growing bilateral ties between the two countries.”
Mindanews

MinDA to revive MINSUPALA games
Badjao Sama swimmers, Maguindanao sprinters, Manobo long distance runners and Tausug spikers will be among the indigenous sports talents who will see action in the first ever Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan (MINSUPALA) Games set to be held next year in Davao City.
NDBC News

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

DOJ-DILG implementing rules on GCTA challenged before SC
Several persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the government from implementing the restrictions spelled out in the new implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the expanded Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law under Republic Act No. 10592.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Guevarra welcomes petition challenging IRR of GCTA before SC
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday (Sept. 30) welcomed the petition filed by New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates before the Supreme Court (SC) which questioned the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

BuCor releases 35 more surrenderers
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has confirmed the release of the third batch of surrenderers, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said Monday. Perete said BuCor recently released 35 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who surrendered in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bantag ready to risk life to put BuCor back in order
Newly appointed chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Gerald Q. Bantag said he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill his mandate of putting the controversial office back in order.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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

Barrameda family pleads with Guevarra to stop dismissal of parricide case vs Ruby Rose’s husband
The family of slain Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez on Monday has appealed to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra not to allow the dismissal of the parricide case against her husband.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Supreme Court tackles psychological incapacity as ground for annulment
The Supreme Court (SC) will tackle in oral arguments the provision in the Family Code that says psychological incapacity of a spouse is ground for the annulment of a marriage.
Rappler, GMA News

LEGISLATIVE



Senate of the Philippines

Recto seeks restoration of P456 million in PGH budget for 2020
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Monday called for the restoration of the P456 million slashed from the Philippine General Hospital’s (PGH) 2020 budget.
Manila Bulletin

Drilon alarmed over increasing number of pensioners in the military
Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon asked on Monday the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of Finance (DOF) to submit a roadmap on how to solve a problem in the future when the annual budget for pensioners could become more than that allocated for the country’s standing army and other uniformed services.
Manila Bulletin

De Lima wants Senate probe into alarming rise in number of street children
Senator Leila de Lima has urged the Senate to investigate the increasing number of street children and families wandering on the streets to determine concrete government interventions in addressing the root causes that led them to street begging.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson files bill penalizing children who abandon parents
Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, on Monday, sought congressional passage of a measure that would penalize children who abandon their old and sick parents.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Senate panels okay bill creating National Transportation Safety Board
Three Senate panels have recommended the approval of a bill that would create a National Transportation Safety Board (NSTB) to investigate all transportation-related accidents and ensure compliance with transport safety standards.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Solon wants Grab to shoulder canceled orders
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said he has filed a bill which seeks to transfer the "risk" of customer no-shows to ride-sharing company Grab Philippines, following an incident where a GrabFood delivery man was allegedly forced to sell 14 unclaimed orders of milk tea due to a customer no-show.
Philippine News Agency

Senate to review AFP deal with Chinese-backed telco
Senators on Monday requested Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to defer an agreement allowing a Chinese-backed telecom for, to build communication facilities in military camps after they have examined it.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House of Representatives

Cayetano on Lacson ‘pork’ claims: Tsismis
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday dismissed as mere "tsimis" or hearsay the "pork" accusations against the House of Representatives which he said he would rather not respond to.
GMA News

House bares P9.5-billion realignments in 2020 budget
The House of Representatives bared on Monday that it had realigned P9.5 billion in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020, which it has approved last Sept. 20.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Any ceasefire in word war between House, Senate can only start with Lacson
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur. Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said on Monday that word war between the House of Representatives and Senate over the supposed ‘pork insertions’ in the proposed 2020 P4.1 trillion national budget would be over if the “ceasefire” would come from Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

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

Lawmakers reject use of road users’ charge for universal health care program
Lawmakers thumbed down on Monday the proposed earmarking of the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC) or the road user tax for the government’s implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.
Manila Bulletin

Rep. Daza pushes for full funding for Anti-Red Tape Authority
Lamenting that bureaucratic red tape negatively impacts the economy, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza asked Congress on Monday to ensure that the implementation of the law that created the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), is fully funded.
Manila Bulletin

Mikee Romero files House resolution banning foreign players in collegiate leagues
House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party list filed a House resolution that will stop and prohibit schools in various collegiate leagues from recruiting and using non-Filipino citizens as it denies homegrown players the opportunity to further develop their skill.
Rappler

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

After rejecting foreign aid over drug war, PH seeks new funders
The Department of Finance (DOF) is seeking new donors and partners after the Philippine government rejected foreign aid from countries that back an investigation into the drug war.
Rappler

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Año gives LGUs 5 days to submit accomplishment reports on clearing operations
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año gave local government units (LGUs) five days (Friday) to submit their accomplishment reports with regards the 60-day deadline on the clearing of all obstructions on public properties.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

New PMA head officially assumes post October 1
Navy Rear Admiral Allan Cusi will officially assume as the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Tuesday, October 1, amid the controversies the academy is facing over the hazing death of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.
Manila Bulletin

AFP chief has confidence in Cusi's ability to head PMA –spokesperson
Newly installed Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Noel Clement was confident that maltreatment inside the Philippine Military Academy would be done away with under the administration of officer-in-charge Superintendent Rear Admiral Allan Cusi, the military said on Monday.
GMA News

Baguio police to bare names of 4 more suspects in PMA Cadet Dormitorio’s death
The identities of four of the eight suspects in the hazing incident that led to the death of a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet will be named by the Baguio Police on Monday.
GMA News

[OPINION] Fraternities are insecure men’s clubs
Frat-related violence is in the headlines again, from the alleged leaked conversations of UP Sigma Rho Fraternity members, to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadet Darwin Dormitorio’s death by hazing. Once again, these groups that market themselves as bastions of lifelong brotherhood and community have to own up to the violent, illogical costs one has to pay to get in.
Rappler

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

Philippines receives unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel
The Philippine Air Force has received the first batch of medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) it ordered from Israel, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lorenzana wants Australia exempted from Duterte's foreign loan ban
The Department of National Defense (DND) will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to exempt Australia from his order to ban new loans and grants from countries that voted in favor of a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution to investigate the administration’s war on drugs.
Rappler

Lorenzana to release decision on AFP-Dito deal in a week’s time
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday he will hand down his decision on the deal between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and China-backed Dito Telecommunity Corporation (formerly Mislatel) within the week.
GMA News

AFP concludes DAGIT-PA joint military exercise
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday concluded its third multi-service military exercise with a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
GMA News

PNP assumes control of police training
After several years of controversy and intense lobbying, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has finally assumed supervision and control of one of the major sources of its officers– the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

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

Murder cases up in Metro Manila under Duterte admin
More murder cases were recorded in the first three years and three months of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte than in the same period before his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, ended his term.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BSP numbers hew closely with private economists’: September inflation less than 1% to 1.7%
Inflation rate skated downhill further, attributed largely to low rice prices. This, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), reinforced policy maker’s recent decision to reduce borrowing costs and pump prime the economy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS



OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

PHL stands to lose P30B in Aussie loan due to Duterte order
The Philippines risks missing a P30 billion loan from the Australian government for the modernization of the Philippine Navy because of President Rodrigo Duterte's order stopping negotiations and agreements from countries that backed a United Nations probe on the bloody war on drugs.
GMA News

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Palace urges fishermen in Recto Bank incident to file insurance claims
Malacañang has urged the fishermen involved in the Recto Bank incident to file an insurance claim to get compensation over the sinking of their boat by a Chinese ship.
Manila Bulletin

Report on presence of Chinese ships near Ayungin, Panatag shoals needs confirmation —Palace
Malacañang on Monday refused to make judgment for now on the report that Chinese government ships have been purposely making their near-constant presence at Ayungin and Panatag Shoals in the West Philippine Sea felt.
GMA News

Foreign Affairs told of Chinese ships near disputed South China Sea shoal
THE PHILIPPINE military has reported the unannounced entry of Chinese vessels near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea to the Foreign Affairs department for appropriate diplomatic action, its newly appointed chief said yesterday.
Business World Online

LABOR



TRANSPORTATION

Organizers hail transport strike a success
Longer queues and difficulty in getting rides greeted commuters on a Monday rush as transport groups staged a nationwide strike to protest the proposed phaseout of jeepneys and UV Express service vehicles next year.
Manila Bulletin

LTFRB refuses to listen to plight of PUV operators, drivers — ACTO, PISTON
Transport group leaders on Monday claimed that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) does not listen to the concerns of operators and drivers as the agency pushes for "anti-poor" provisions in the PUV modernization program.
GMA News

Commuters deserve PUV modernization, says LTFRB chair
Amid the transport strikes, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson Martin Delgra III on Monday said the modernization of public utility vehicles — which is being opposed by some transport groups — has long been sought by commuters.
GMA News

Commuters await PUV modernization
As the nationwide transportation strike took place on Monday, the public got a hold of what it looks like having traditional and old-fashioned jeepneys phased out on the roads. This, as the country is poised to welcome the modern public utility vehicles (PUV) in June 2020.
Philippine News Agency

LGUs, PNP, government agencies provide free rides amid transport strike
Local government units, the Philippine National Police and government agencies provided free rides to commuters on Monday as transport groups staged a nationwide strike to oppose the government's modernization plan for public utility vehicles.
GMA News

Pasang Masda president to other transport groups: Stop misleading jeepney operators
Pro-modernization Pasang Masda president Obet Martin on Monday urged leaders of other transport groups to stop "misleading" jeepney operators regarding the program which aims to phase out jeepneys which are 15 years and older.
GMA News

Transport strike ‘unsuccessful’ in Cebu
The Metro Cebu transport group’s rally in support of the nationwide strike initiated by their counterparts in Manila on Monday failed to cripple transportation here.
Philippine News Agency

Erice chides MMDA for failing to solve traffic problem
Caloocan City 2nd district Rep. Edgar Erice told Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. to his face Monday that the agency’s traffic volume-reduction schemes have all been huge failures.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH


FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

ASF casualty now 20,000 pigs
The number of pigs put to death, or culled, in the past week has reached 20,000 as the African swine fever (ASF) scare continued to spread.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace confident DA can contain spread of ASF
Malacañang expressed confidence that the Department of Agriculture (DA) was still competent enough to address the presence of African Swine Fever (ASF), following newly reported cases in Pangasinan.
Manila Bulletin

Palace respects ban by some LGUs on pork products from ASF areas
Malacañang on Monday said it respected the decision of some local government units to ban the entry of live pigs and pork products from Luzon areas affected by the African swine fever.
GMA News

Airport authorities confiscate meat products coming from China, South Korea
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) at the Ninoy Aquino International airport (NAIA) confiscated almost 50 kilos of assorted meat products from passengers arriving from China and South Korea.
Manila Bulletin

30 undocumented pigs in transit prompt culling of nearly 1,000 hogs in Pangasinan
Agriculture Secretary William Dar today confirmed the presence of the African Swine Fever virus in Pangasinan, saying 30 undocumented pigs prompted the provincial government to impose culling at nearly 1,000 hogs under the 1-7-10 Protocol.
GMA News

USDA official leads launch of Food for Progress project in PH
A visiting ranking official of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday led the launch of a new Food for Progress project focused on strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulatory systems in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

Villar reminds NFA anew to buy palay from local rice farmers
Senator Cynthia Villar on Monday warned the National Food Authority (NFA) that she will report to no less than President Rodrigo Duterte should it fail to buy palay from local rice farmers.
Manila Bulletin

NFA-Bulacan starts buying newly-harvested palay
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bulacan has started procuring newly-harvested palay from farmers in the towns of Balagtas and San Miguel.
Philippine News Agency

Senators want Philippines to stop exporting sugar to U.S.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri slammed the Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) for continuing the importation of sugar to the United States, amid a local shortage and pressures to liberalize the industry.
Rappler

DA initiatives in coco industry urged
SENATOR Cynthia Villar on Monday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to start implementing all the possible intercropping and processing initiatives for the billion-dollar coconut industry in a bid to increase coconut farmers’ income, which has been very low in the past years.
The Manila Times

EDUCATION

DepEd spearheads program raising rabies awareness, prevention
To further strengthen the integration of rabies programs and anti-rabies advocacies in the national education curriculum, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday formally launched 78 lesson plans in collaboration with various partners.
Manila Bulletin

Funds for P1,000-incentive bonus for teachers already released by DBM – DepEd official
In time for this year’s World Teachers’ Day (WTD) celebration on October 5, an official of the Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed that the funds for the P1,000-incentive bonus for teachers have already been released by the budget department.
Manila Bulletin

Education for all
ears ago, a research team I was traveling with encountered a little girl selling delicacies at the passenger dock in Masbate as we awaited the ferry to Pilar, Sorsogon. We asked her if she goes to school, and she said yes. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENERGY



POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

Project for homeless Pinoys launched in Quezon City today
A public-private cooperation initiative seeking to build one million houses for one million homeless Filipino families will be launched today, with Quezon City as a pilot area.
Philippine Star

TOURISM

DOT wants to regulate Airbnb lodgings
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is considering regulating bookings made through home-sharing app Airbnb. "We're proposing through the LGUs (local government units) that they be regulated because they operate without a business license," Tourism Undersecretary Art Boncato said in the DOT's budget hearing at the Senate on Monday, September 30.
Rappler

DoT urged to spend more in regions
THE Department of Tourism (DoT) was pressed to spend more of its funding in the regions and to consider more local input in formulating its programs. In a budget hearing, the DoT was questioned by Senator Richard J. Gordon about the alleged Metro Manila-centric focus of its spending plans. Mr. Gordon told reporters after the hearing that he estimates that 90.7% of the DoT’s proposed 2020 budget of P3.85 billion will be spent in the National Capital Region.
Business World Online

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Miners still working to overturn open-pit ban despite Palace stance
THE mining sector said it will keep up a campaign to persuade the public on the benefits of open-pit mining, despite the apparent unlikelihood of a change of heart by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who supports the current ban.
Business World Online

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY



DEVELOPMENT SECTOR