Reds using 'threaten me' tactics to prove relevance: Parlade
In a bid to prove themselves relevant during the observation of International Human Rights Day, allies of the communist rebels are using the time-old adage of "threaten me", a ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) said Friday.
Philippine News Agency
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Army denies coercing Bukidnon villagers
The military on Friday denied intimidating members of an indigenous peoples (IP) community in Bukidnon into admitting that they are supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA). Lt. Col. Franklin Fabic, commander of the Army’s 88th Infantry Battalion (88IB), said there was no coercion on the residents of Barangay Sta. Filomena but only to "plea with some of them to stop supporting the communist rebels".
Philippine News Agency
Army bares next focus towns on anti-insurgency campaign
The 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine Army said three Iloilo towns will be the next focus of ending the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC)
Philippine News Agency
Army to unmask CPP-NPA’s money-making schemes in Negros
An official of the Philippine Army said aside from aggressively pursuing the armed movement of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), they will also go after the group’s money-making schemes in Negros Island.
Philippine News Agency
W. Visayas’ RTF-ELCAC fully operational in 2020
The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Western Visayas said the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) will be in full swing next year. The newly-appointed RPOC members chaired by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. gathered for their first meeting on Thursday at Casa Real de Iloilo here.
Philippine News Agency
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Westmincom, TESDA to give livelihood training to ex-rebels
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have joined hands to provide livelihood training to former rebels here in the region.
Philippine News Agency
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2 child warriors, six NPA fighters yield to military
Eight self-confessed fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA), including two minors, surrendered to the military in General Nakar, Quezon on Thursday in what was seen as another blow to the Communist group that is operating in the province.
Manila Bulletin, Kalinaw News
19 more NPA rebels yield in South Cotabato
Nineteen more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels from three guerrilla fronts operating in parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) have surrendered this week to police units in South Cotabato province.
Philippine News Agency, Mindanews
NPA rebel yields to North Cotabato guv
North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco on Thursday afternoon accepted the surrender of a 54-year-old communist rebel who decided to be with his family this Christmas. Catamco welcomed Paquito Mamites during a surrender ceremony held at Barangay Don Panaca, Magpet, North Cotabato.
Philippine News Agency
Peace Talks
No formal talks yet but only informal meeting – Sison
Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison said the report on President Duterte’s coming announcement on the resumption of the aborted peace talks would only deal with the start of the “informal meeting” between government and communist representatives and not yet the formal peace negotiation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Peace talks to resume, but challenges remain
“Back to negotiations for the GRP and NDFP?” I wrote last week in this space, and answering my own question, I said that we may have to wait for the outcome of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III’s mission to Utrecht (the Netherlands) to talk with the NDFP peace negotiators.
Philippine Star
Peace with CPP/NPA: Pact with the devil
THE Philippine political climate is once again being roiled by talk of resuming the so-called peace talks between the government and the highly personalized insurgency of Jose Maria Sison dubbed the “Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) rebellion.”
The Manila Times
EDITORIAL - Another chance for peace
Security officials are opposing a Christmas truce with the communist New People’s Army. At the same time, however, President Duterte and Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison are ready to give peace yet another chance.
Philippine Star
See-saw policy sa peace talks
ANG tanong ng isa kong kaibigan: “Bakit parang see-saw ang trato ng pamahalaang Duterte sa pakikipagnegosasyon sa mga lokal na komunista?
Pilipino Star Ngayon
Incidents/ Operations
(UPDATED) Rebels bomb vehicles in E. Samar, killing two, wounding nine
The Police Regional Office 8 of the Philippine National Police (PNP) strongly condemns the “treacherous attack” of suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) that killed a police officer and a female civilian and hurt 13 individuals, including two children, on Friday afternoon (Dec. 13).
Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, Cebu Daily News, Rappler, Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Tacloban
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MARAWI
Civilian-AFP tieup backed
In the face of the lifting of martial law in Mindanao by year-end, Vice President Leni Robredo has called for a strong partnership between the private sector and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the rest of the government to ensure that communities in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur province are free from terrorist attacks.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
China is Operating Mass Detention Centers in Xinjiang. How Should the U.S. Respond?
The world has known for over two years about China’s Xinjiang internment camps. But in November, newly leaked Chinese government documents—known as the “China Cables”—thrust China’s detention centers and surveillance programs into the international spotlight.
Lawfare Blog
Is Western media turning a blind eye to Xinjiang's violence?
Two new documentaries shed light on the bigger-picture context and complexities surrounding the violence in northwest China's Xinjiang region.
CGTN
Russia jails Jehovah's Witness adherent for six years over extremism
A Russian court jailed a Jehovah’s Witness adherent for six years on Friday after finding him guilty of extremist activity, part of a crackdown on the group that human rights activists say violates religious freedom.
Reuters
What do you do when a loved one joins a hate group?
Support groups are popular outlets for comfort and advice amid times of difficulty and tribulations. From Alcoholics Anonymous to Survivors of Sexual Assault, there seems to be a place for everyone to get emotional and moral help. One support group found a niche that wasn’t filled, however –– and so they filled it. Recently profiled by NPR, Parents for Peace is a nonprofit dedicated to talking about one of the most controversial, isolating topics: what to do when a loved one is an extremist.
The Hill
Interview: Solving Libyan crisis will help achieve stability in Africa: Egypt's FM
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry highlighted that solving the Libyan crisis will have a great impact on achieving stability and encouraging investments in African and Mediterranean countries.
Xinhua
Two arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of terrorism
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. A 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were detained in Birmingham on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, West Midlands police said.
The Guardian, BBC News
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Duterte, Misuari meet anew in Davao; push for peace in Mindanao
President Rodrigo Duterte met Friday with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari. Misuari, together with members of the Peace Coordinating Committee, “had a fruitful discussion” with Duterte and the members of the government peace panel.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
BARMM
RCSU monitoring security agencies, gun stores in Bangsamoro areas
Members of the police’s Regional Civil Security Unit-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region have been inspecting randomly since last week security agencies and firearm dealers here to check compliance with operating procedures and unregulated sale of handguns and rifles.
NDBC News
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
Fight for massacre victims ‘not over’
Maguindanao Second District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said on Friday the pursuit of justice for the victims in the decade-old Maguindanao Massacre would not end with the promulgation of the Quezon City court next week.
The Manila Times
Justice in sight, finally
The nation anxiously awaits the verdict on the Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre case scheduled to be handed down by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 presided by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
Manila Standard
NORTH COTABATO
Alert up in NoCot for Christmas season
Police units in North Cotabato have been placed on heightened alert as the province prepares for the holiday season, an official said Friday. “We are on the alert status from December 1 and we have increased it to one step higher as the Simbang Gabi comes closer,” Lt. Col. Bernard Tayong, speaking for North Cotabato police office, said over a local radio station.
Philippine News Agency
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
PDEA hopes to round up 12,000 high-value targets by 2022
Three years of the administration's crackdown against illegal drugs resulted in the arrest of 8,000 high-value targets but over 12,000 are still roaming free in the country, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday.
GMA News
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No order for PNP, AFP to kill drug offenders: PRRD
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently denied that he has directed the police and the military to kill drug offenders in the country.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency
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Palace: US senators ‘misled’ in passing resolution backing De Lima, Ressa
United States senators were “misled” by members of the opposition and the media, Malacañang said Friday after a US Senate panel approved a resolution urging the Philippine government to free detained Senator Leila de Lima and drop all charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin
PHL envoy says US reso on De Lima poses undue interference on domestic affairs
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez on Friday hit a US Senate resolution seeking the release of detained opposition Senator Leila De Lima and the dropping of charges against journalist Maria Ressa, saying it may be potentially interpreted as "undue interference" in the country's domestic affairs.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency
Lacson slams U.S. Senate committee call for release of De Lima
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson Friday described as “arrogant, discourteous, unparliamentary, and unethical” a United States Senate committee’s call for the release of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima from detention.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima defends US Senate resolution issued against her oppressors, perpetrators of EJKs
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Friday thumbed down critics and Palace pronouncements that the resolution released by the United States Senate foreign relations committee that sought sanctions against her persecutors and perpetrators of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines was tantamount to interference, saying it is but a mere precautionary measure to prevent these personalities from influencing their culture, liberty, and democracy.
Manila Bulletin
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Operations/ Incidents
P750-M worth of shabu, pot seized in various QC ops
A total of P750 million worth of shabu and marijuana were seized by the Quezon City Police District in separate operations this week.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Notorious drug suspect busted in Quezon sting, P.5M shabu seized
Police arrested a big-time drug suspect who yielded more than P500,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) in a buy-bust operation in Mauban, Quezon before dawn Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
P6.8-M shabu seized in Zamboanga City; 3 nabbed
Backed by policemen, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized a kilo of suspected shabu worth PHP6.8 million and arrested three alleged pushers in an anti-drug operation here. Edgar Jubay, acting PDEA-9 director, identified the suspects as Nurhasan Tawasil Atari, 31; Nur-hati Imlan Ajibon, 42; and, Edzmer Mangsan, 26.
Philippine News Agency
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Mati City hopes to clear all villages from drugs
The city of Mati in Davao Oriental is hopeful that all its 26 barangays would be declared as drug-cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) next year.
Philippine News Agency
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
Tales of kidnapping by men in white van debunked by PNP
The Philippine National Police (PNP) belied on Friday reports circulating in social media about the abduction of several individuals supposedly for the harvesting of their organs as perpetrated by men driving around the metropolis in a white van.
Manila Bulletin
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Over 28K IP families in Caraga benefit from 4Ps
The indigenous peoples (IPs) are among the priority sectors that the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has given attention to, particularly in the provision of support programs and services of the agency.
Philippine News Agency
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Save the Children PH taps child actress to promote children’s rights
An organization promoting children’s rights has named a new child ambassador who will help in promoting children’s rights to grow up healthy, educated, and protected from all harm.
Manila Bulletin
CebuPac transwomen flight attendants hope more companies hire transgenders
Almost a month after becoming the first transwomen flight attendants in the country, Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug expressed hope that more companies will be more open to hiring transgenders.
Manila Bulletin
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
[OPINION] ABS-CBN and its struggle to obtain its franchise
I can't imagine our home without ABS-CBN. This television station and the shows it produces have been a staple in our household. My father cannot let a single episode of "Ang Probinsyano" pass, in the same way that my mother would give up her siesta just to watch Kapamilya Gold.
Rappler
NCRPO chief slammed for blocking lady reporter’s face
The National Press Club (NPC) of the Philippines slammed on Friday Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), for rejecting an interview by allegedly blocking a female journalist’s face with his hands.
Manila Bulletin
Martial Law
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Maynilad, Manila Water can ‘do worst’: Palace
Malacañang on Friday lamented that water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad seem unafraid of doing their “worst”, following their warning of raising water rates in case the government revokes the extension of concession deals with the two firms.
Philippine News Agency
Duterte threatens military takeover of Metro Manila water services
President Rodrigo Duterte has floated the possibility of enlisting military men to run the operations of water services in Metro Manila as he continued to slam the concession agreements entered into by the government.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin
Duterte in latest rebuke of Ayala, Pangilinan
The tycoons behind the two water companies are just “water boys” tasked to distribute water to the people and should not have been given the right to decide on rate adjustments, President Duterte declared last Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
Gov’t determined to recover corporate income tax payments passed on by water firms to Filipinos
The government is determined to recover from the two water companies the corporate income tax payments shouldered by the Filipino nation, President Duterte announced last Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
No compromise on water feud – Panelo
The two Metro Manila water concessionaires can do their worst but President Duterte will not be swayed into accepting a compromise, Malacañang said Friday amid reports of a possible water rate hike.
Manila Bulletin
Maynilad, Manila Water agree to renegotiate ‘onerous’ water deals
Water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila water agreed to renegotiate the “onerous” 1997 water agreement with the government. In separate letters to the President Rodrigo Duterte on December 10, Maynilad Chair Manny Pangilinan and Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, the two water concessionaires agreed for a renegotiation of their water deals with the government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Duterte asks Manny Villar’s advice on water contracts
Faced with a “problem” arising from the water concession contracts, President Rodrigo Duterte has asked for advice from former Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. about the matter.
Manila Bulletin
Bayan Muna solons warn of ‘tidal wave’ of onerous contracts if constitutional reforms allowed
A “tidal wave” of onerous and disadvantageous contracts in favor of private companies and investors should be expected by the public if the proposed revision of the economic provisions of the 1987 Charter is allowed.
Manila Bulletin
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Palace leaves fate of Cha-cha to Congress
Malacañang refused to comment on the move of the House of Representatives to approve four proposals as amendments to the 1987 Constitution, and assured that President Duterte will not meddle in their affairs.
Manila Bulletin
Palace renews call for Congress to pass FOI bill
Malacañang on Friday renewed its call for Congress to pass a Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, one of the campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte that has yet to be fulfilled.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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PRRD asked to veto provision in PAO’s 2020 budget
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) had asked President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the special provision of the general appropriations bill for the 2020 budget due to modifications which prevent the funding of its existing forensic laboratory.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler
Palace vows Duterte veto after Ping finds ‘pork’
President Rodrigo Duterte will again veto any budgetary item that he finds unconstitutional, Malacañang said on Thursday after Sen. Panfilo Lacson questioned what he called last-minute insertions in the P4.1-trillion proposed spending plan for next year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Duterte not required to produce SALN – Palace
Malacañang said President Duterte was not required to produce a copy of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) because it was the responsibility of the Office of the Ombudsman to release it to the public.
Manila Bulletin
Duterte’s 2018 SALN available at Ombudsman: Palace
Public can request for a copy of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 2018 at the Office of the Ombudsman, Malacañang said on Friday.
Philippine News Agency
GMA analyst Richard Heydarian’s take on Duterte’s SALN
President Rodrigo Duterte seems to be contradicting his own call for transparency and accountability from public officials by refusing to release his 2018 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth (SALN) months after the deadline for its filing.
GMA News
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Jitterte
First, Mindanao’s Martial Law lifting allays investors’ jitters. Then, the cancellation of water concessionaires’ contracts restores investors’ jitters. Poor jitters – can someone tell it what to do already? It’s reminiscent of Michael Corleone’s lament in the lamented Godfather Part III. “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”
Philippine Star
Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)
Angara wants bigger cash incentives for SEAG medalists who achieved podium finishes
A bill seeking additional cash incentives for Filipino athletes who brought tremendous pride to the country has been filed in the Senate.
Manila Bulletin
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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
ELECTION RELATED
Cardema asks Comelec for extension to file counter-affidavit on case for material misrepresentation
Former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Ronald Cardema on Friday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for a 25-day extension to file his counter-affidavit on a complaint filed against him for material misrepresentation.
Manila Bulletin
DISASTER
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
DILG’s Task Force CORE asks House panel to include its proposals for Charter change
Despite the approval of the constitutional revisions of some charter-change proposals, the Inter-Agency Task Force Constitutional Reform (Task Force CORE) asked the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments to give its go-signal for the electoral and political alterations and provisions to ensure regional development.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Ungab: Changes made to 2020 budget recommended by Cabinet, gov’t agencies
Changes to the bill on the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 were based on the President’s priorities and recommendations from the Cabinet and other government agencies.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
House resolution on constitutional amendments ‘just half the story’ – Lacson
The approval by a House of Representative constitutional amendments committee resolution seeking to amend key provisions of the 1997 Constitution is not complete.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Senate unaware of ‘resolution of both Houses’ seeking to amend 1987 Constitution – Sotto
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has questioned the resolution approved by a House of Representatives panel seeking to amend provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Manila Bulletin
Cha-cha via legislative process may be questioned before SC — solon
Amending the 1987 Constitution through a legislative process might be questioned before the Supreme Court should it be approved by Congress, Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate said Friday.
GMA News
Solon wary over phrase used in House panel-approved Cha-cha reso
Some of the economic provisions laid out in the Charter change resolution that was approved by a House panel may result to "instability," according to Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate on Friday.
GMA News
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
POPCOM disappointed at Sotto's move to slash budget for contraceptives
The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) lamented Senate President Vicente Sotto's move to cut the Department of Health's (DOH) budget for progestin subdermal implants (PSIs), a hormonal contraceptive, according to a news release by the commission..
GMA News
Senate may not be able to prioritize proposed constitutional amendments
The Senate may not be able to prioritize the proposed amendment of the 1987 Constitution from the House of Representatives, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday. Sotto said that any moves for Charter change were not included in the legislative agenda of the Upper Chamber.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
BIR files tax evasion charges vs 11 taxpayers in Quezon City, Batangas
As it races to reach its P2.3-trillion collection target at the end of the year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) continued to file more criminal charges against suspected tax cheats.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DOJ chief to order Usec. Villar to inhibit from water concession review
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday said he will order Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar to inhibit from having any role in the review of the government's water concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad to allay suspicions on vested interest.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin
BJMP personnel to go on ‘high alert’ during holiday season
Assigned personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will have no respite this Holiday Season as they will continue to be up on their toes to secure the cells and foil any attempt of a jail break by inmates under their watch.
Manila Bulletin
BuCor’s 3rd highest official resigns amid GCTA mess
Melvin Ramon Buenafe, once the officer-in-charge and the 3rd highest-ranking official of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), has resigned from his post amid the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law mess, Rappler learned.
Rappler
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
PNP, tech firm ink deal on real-time crime reporting system
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Home Defense Technology Corporation (HDTC) Inc. have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on efficient communications and response arrangements for real-time crime reporting system.
Manila Bulletin
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
SDGs to be integrated into budgeting process
A sub-committee for monitoring progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been created under the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.
Philippine Star
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Six flood-control structures completed in Sarangani Province
Six flood control structures in low-lying areas in Sarangani Province were recently completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Sandiganbayan affirms conviction of ex-Zambales provincial assessor
The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its decision convicting former Officer-in-Charge Provincial Assessor Roberto R. Corpus of Iba, Zambales of 37 counts of graft in relation to the mix-up of tax declarations and was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.
Manila Bulletin
FOREIGN RELATIONS
West Philippine Sea
LABOR
Filipino seafarer dies as Togo pirates release Greek ship – company
Suspected pirates in Togo have released 3 crew members of a Greek oil tanker seized in November, but a fourth crew, a Filipino, died in captivity, the ship managers said Friday, December 13.
Rappler
TRANSPORTATION
CAAP probes Vietnam Airlines’ mishap at NAIA 1
Civil Aviation Authority of The Philippines (CAAP) flight safety inspectors are now conducting an investigation on the accident involving a Vietnam Airlines Airbus 321 after it sustained two fist-size dents on the left hand fuselage just below the pilot’s window on Tuesday morning.
Manila Bulletin
MMDA advises motorists to go on carpools during ‘Christmas party week’
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday advised those going to Christmas parties this week to do carpooling to help lessen traffic in metro thoroughfares.
Manila Bulletin
MRT-3 bares train schedule for the holidays
The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) released on Friday its holiday season train schedule. In a Facebook post, the MRT-3 announced its train services schedule from Dec. 16, 2019, to Jan. 3, 2020, which is as follows:
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Makati Subway, Sky Train to put up common station
The Makati City Subway Inc. (MCSI), a subsidiary of listed Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., is partnering with Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. to develop a common station for the Makati Subway System and the Sky Train.
Philippine Star
HEALTH
Garin, co-respondents face fresh Dengvaxia raps
Former Health Secretary and current Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin and her co-respondents are facing fresh complaints over their alleged liability over the deaths of children who received shots of the still experimental anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
Manila Bulletin
6 die in Bulacan due to suspected meningococcemia this year
Six people in Bulacan province died of suspected meningococcemia this year, local health officials said. The most recent case was that of a 54-year-old man who died on Wednesday while being treated at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, according to Dr. Jocelyn Gomez, Bulacan public health officer.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Fisherfolk group calls for boycott of imported ‘galunggong’
Following the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) approval to import round scad or “galunggong,” a fisherfolk group called on the public to boycott these imported poor man’s fish and instead patronize locally-sourced aquatic and marine products of small fishers.
Manila Bulletin
EDUCATION
DepEd issues new guidelines for physical fitness classes
To identify the fitness level of students and provide baseline data for the selection of physical activities to be conducted in school, the Department of Education (DepEd) has issued a revised physical fitness tests (PFT) manual for both public and private elementary and secondary schools.
Manila Bulletin
After 17 years, NSTP gets a revamp
With an administration banking on the youth, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) to roll out an improved and strengthened National Service Training Program (NSTP).
Manila Bulletin
Ilocos Norte school revives 'mano po' tradition among learners
A public secondary school in Banna, Ilocos Norte is being admired for its policy reviving the “mano po” tradition among its learners. Whenever there are guests at the Banna National High School (BNHS), students are encouraged to practice the “pagmamano”-- a traditional Filipino gesture to honor elders by bowing to them or pressing one’s forehead on their offered hand as a show of respect.
Philippine News Agency
ENERGY
POVERTY
Execs claiming monthly budget of P10K enough for family of 5 dared to live on P71 daily
Government officials who claim that a family of five could get by on a P10,727 budget per month should try living on a P71 per day budget, House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
Government targets P661 billion tourism receipts next year
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is boosting efforts to generate more revenues as it plans a number of initiatives that will encourage tourists to spend more, in line with achieving its target of P661 billion in tourism receipts next year.
Philippine Star
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
47% of online FOI requests ‘successfully’ processed: Andanar
Around 47 percent of 18,036 online requests from the public to get access of information from 447 agencies under the executive branch have been "successfully facilitated and processed", according to the data from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
Philippine News Agency
FOI awards highlight increased gov't transparency efforts
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) held its 3rd edition of the FOI (Freedom of Information) Awards on Thursday to recognize government offices as well as non-government organizations that have made significant progress in providing Filipinos their right to access information on matters of public concern.
Philippine News Agency
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