Attacks despite truce show Reds ruthless form: Parlade
A ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said the communist rebels revealed their ruthless form by conducting attacks against military and police personnel in clear violation of the recently ceasefire agreed upon by the government and their political leaders.
Philippine News Agency
NPA rebels don't listen to Joma anymore: Lacson
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson raised the possibility that New People's Army (NPA) rebels no longer heed the orders of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison after suspected communist guerillas launched separate attacks in Iloilo and Camarines Norte provinces despite declaring a ceasefire that was reciprocated by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine News Agency
Joma Sison has no more control over NPA, AFP says after soldier killed amid ceasefire
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison cannot enforce the holiday ceasefire with the government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.
GMA News
Joma scoffs at AFP claim that he no longer controlled the NPA
Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison on Tuesday dismissed Armed Forces of the Philippines' claim that he no longer had control over the New People’s Army given the alleged attacks staged against government forces during a holiday ceasefire.
GMA News
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NDFP insists no ceasefire violation in Bicol, Iloilo clashes
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) insisted it did not violate the Christmas ceasefire between the rebels and the government amid the reported encounters in Bicol and Iloilo last December 23.
GMA News
A tricky truce in Iloilo town: NPA claims defense in attack on cops
The New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the ambush on policemen in Tubungan town in Iloilo on Monday (Dec. 23) but insisted that the attack was in “active defense” amid a ceasefire declaration by rebels and the government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Iloilo town denounces Red's Yuletide attack
The mayor of Tubungan town, Iloilo said he will push for the declaration of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non grata following the ambush in Singon village on Monday.
Philippine News Agency
AFP units warned vs. rebel attacks
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Noel Clement has directed all front-line military unit commanders to intensify their intelligence-gathering activities to foil possible attacks of communist rebels during the holiday truce.
Manila Standard
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De Lima slams gov’t move to ban families of political prisoners from visiting them this Christmas
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday slammed the government’s move to ban families of political prisoners from visiting their detained loved ones in detention at Camp Bagong Diwa this Christmas season.
Manila Bulletin
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Groups call out Dutch gov't for 'coddling' Joma for 30 year
Anti-communist groups on Monday called on the Dutch Embassy to deport Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison so he can face the multiple murder charges lodged against him and help address the longstanding communist insurgency.
Philippine News Agency
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NDFP Southern Tagalog celebrates CPP’s 51st anniversary
Members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Southern Tagalog and its member revolutionary organizations staged a lightning rally in Calamba, Laguna, in anticipation of the 51st anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, yesterday December 23.
Bulatlat
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90 IP families in Agusan del Norte benefited from Army’s 402nd Brigade Christmas caroling
In line with the Christmas season and the celebration of the 84th Armed Forces of the Philippines Founding Anniversary, the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade caroled Butuanons for the benefit of the Mamanwa Communities in Brgy Bangonay of Jabonga and Hinimbangan of Kitcharao, all of Agusan del Norte yesterday, December 21, 2019.
Kalinaw News
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10,504 na NPA na neutralize ng militar sa buong taong 2019
Sa harap ng umiiral na tigil putukan ngayong kapaskuhan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng CPP-NPA-NDF, ipinagmalaki ng militar na umabot na sa 10,504 ang na neutralized ng pwersa ng New Peoples Army. Sa bilang na ito 10,104 ang sumuko o nagbalik loob sa pamahalaan,138 ang napatay sa engkwentro at sa iba pang operasyon, habang 268 naman ang naaresto.
RMN
Peace Talks
EDITORIAL - Season of hope
It’s the season of hope, and annual surveys consistently bear this out. In the December survey taken nationwide by pollster Pulse Asia, 93 percent of the respondents said they expected a “more prosperous” holiday season and were approaching the New Year with hope.
Philippine Star
Peace talks at local level have better chances of succeeding – Lacson
Peace negotiations between local government units (LGUs) and Communist insurgents have better chances of success than those being held at the national level.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
Makabayan wants peace this Christmas; Sara cautions gov’t
This Christmas, congressmen belonging to the militant Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives wish that the Philippine government resumes peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
Manila Bulletin
Incidents/ Operations
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MARAWI
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
Violent Extremism in the Maldives: The Saudi Factor
Last week, the Maldives Independent reported some rather startling news. Security services revealed that there are close to 1,400 Maldivians who would kill in the name of Islam. Officials also confirmed that an Islamic State bomb plot was foiled in 2017 and that, since 2013, 423 Maldivians attempted to enter Iraq and Syria – 173 successfully – to fight for the so-called caliphate.
The Diplomat
At Malaysia’s KL Summit, the Muslim world’s most pressing concerns got no mention
Last week’s Kuala Lumpur Summit may have been interpreted as an attempt by non-Arab Muslim countries to offer a viable alternative to the Saudi-dominated Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), even though Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad insisted otherwise.
South China Morning Post
Why has Italy avoided jihadist terrorist attacks? Our research helps explain.
On Nov. 29, London Bridge was the site of another terrorist attack. Usman Khan, a 28-year-old convicted on terrorism charges in 2012 and then released from jail last year, stabbed two people to death and injured three others. British police shot and killed Khan, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack the following day.
The Washington Post
UN lauds Egyptian counter-terrorism efforts
United Nations First Undersecretary General of the Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov on Tuesday voiced appreciation of Egyptian efforts for fighting terrorism and extremist thought.
Egypt Today
Officials: Taliban Kill 15 in Attack on Afghan Security Checkpoint
Taliban militants ambushed a government checkpoint in Balkh province in Afghanistan's north, killing at least 15 members of the security forces, local officials said on Tuesday, the latest in an escalating series of
insurgent attacks.
Asharq Al-Awsat
UAE condemns terrorist attack in Galkayo, Somalia
Emirates News Agency (WAM)) ABU DHABI, 24th December, 2019 (WAM) -- The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place outside a hotel in Galkayo in Somalia, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries to innocent civilians.
MENAFN
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BARMM
BARMM Project TABANG benefits Thousands of Bangsamoro in North Cotabato
Thousands of Bangsamoro residents in North Cotabato most particularly from the 63 Barangays of the province who opted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have benefitted from the “Project Tulong Alay sa mga Bangsamorong Nangangailangan” (TABANG) of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod ‘Al Haj Murad’ Ebrahim held at Pikit Municipal Plaza Sunday, December 22. Said program was supported by various ministries of the region.
Luwaran
Duterte leads CLOA certificate distribution
President Rodrigo Duterte led here Monday the distribution of 815 certificates of land ownership award to some 912 beneficiaries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The CLOA distribution covers more than 2,000 hectares of land in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, all province components of the autonomous region.
Manila Standard
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
BARMM top exec vows help in going after Central Mindanao bombers
Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has committed to help police and military authorities uncover those who perpetrated the recent attacks.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Vice mayor who testified in Ampatuan massacre ambushed in Maguindanao
Akmad Mitra Ampatuan, a vice mayor who testified against his own relatives in the Maguindanao massacre case, was ambushed on Christmas Eve, December 24, on his way home. Two of his aides died, while he was injured and is in “stable condition” as of Tuesday evening, police said.
Rappler, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines, GMA News, NDBC News
[OPINION] What the Ampatuan Massacre verdict means to a campus journalist
I will never forget the week when the news broke about the Ampatuan massacre in 2009. I was an elementary student on the way to Ilagan, Isabela for a contest for campus journalists. When we reached the city center, a number of foreigners were waiting for bus rides. They're probably just leaving the city, which was not unusual.
Rappler
NORTH COTABATO
LANAO PROVINCES
Lanao Sur town cop chief slain in ambush
The acting police chief of Binidayan town in this province and one of his companions were killed in an ambush in Barangay Bandaraingud, Pagayawan town on Monday. M/Sgt. Amen Lucman Macalangan and Ramel Pang-catan suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
Philippine Star, Tempo, Rappler, NDBC News
2 soldiers killed in Lanao del Sur ambush
An Army lieutenant and a sergeant were killed while five others were wounded in an ambush in Pagayawan town in Lanao del Sur on Tuesday morning. 1Lt. Mark Linne Banua and Sgt. Jhanjihan Carumba of the 55th Infantry Battalion died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds.
Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News
BASILAN
SULU
PH Marines honors slain soldier who fought ASG terrorists to free abducted Indonesians
On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) rendered full military honors to one of its own who was killed in exchange for the freedom of two Indonesian fishermen from their Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) abductors in Sulu.
Manila Bulletin
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
Philippines tells US: Respect our laws
The Philippine embassy in Washington yesterday called on the United States to respect the country’s laws and processes after President Donald Trump signed the 2020 budget with a provision banning Philippine officials involved in the allegedly wrongful detention of Sen. Leila de Lima from entering the US.
Philippine Star
De Lima blasts Guevarra for dismissing US Senate resolution as ‘trash, unlawful’
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday chided Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra for branding the United States (US) Senate resolution, which called for her release and the dropping of charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, as “trash” and unlawful.
Manila Bulletin
De Lima says Panelo can’t see significance of ban on entry to US of her jailers
Detained Sen. Leila De Lima on Tuesday (Dec. 24) said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo failed to understand the significance of a rider in the US spending law that would deny entry to the United States to Philippine officials responsible for keeping De Lima in jail.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Robredo hosts Christmas party for widows, orphans of EJK victims
The days leading to Christmas found Vice President Leni Robredo sharing holiday cheer to the families who lost their loved ones to alleged extrajudicial killings.
Manila Bulletin
Operations/ Incidents
Chinese national nabbed; P802-M shabu seized in QC buy-bust
Anti-narcotics agents nabbed a Chinese national in Quezon City and seized from him some PHP802.4 million worth of shabu in buy-bust, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency, Rappler
Cops seize P2.6M ‘shabu’ from frustrated murder suspect in Malabon
Police confiscated some 387 grams of suspected crystal meth, locally known as shabu, worth P2.6 million, from a man they were hunting for alleged frustrated murder.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bacolod police relentless in anti-drug ops during holidays
After recovering millions of pesos worth of suspected shabu in the past days, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) continued to be aggressive in pursuing illegal drug personalities. “We will continue despite the (Christmas) holidays. We will even be more active in the operations,” said Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, BCPO public information officer.
Philippine News Agency
Drug suspects caught in JTFC Law Enforcement Operations
Combined elements of the 90IB under the 601st BDE of the JTFC and the MPS Talitay arrested two suspects in possession of suspected illegal drugs and drug paraphernalias in a checkpoint at Brgy Kiladap, Talitay Municipality yesterday morning December 20, 2019.
Kalinaw News
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
BI rescues 12 trafficking victims in Zambo port
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the international seaport in Zamboanga City have barred from leaving the country 12 suspected human trafficking victims who attempted to leave the county via the southern backdoor.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Restitution to former US diplomat’s victims of child exploitation turned over to Pasay gov’t
Checks were given to the Pasay City Government after a recent visit of an official from United States Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigation.
Manila Bulletin
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
Editorial: Martial law extension?
ON DECEMBER 10, 2019, Malacañan announced there will be no extension of martial law in Mindanao and will only last until the end of the year. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the president made the decision to lift martial law in Mindanao “following the assessment of security and defense advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion.”
Sunstar Davao
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Number of Filipinos expecting a happy Christmas at its highest since 2002 – SWS
About 79 percent of Filipinos are expecting to have a happy Christmas this year–the highest since the record-high 82 percent in 2002, based on the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results released on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer
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Duterte: Emulate Christ’s empathy and kindness
President Duterte called on every Filipino across the globe to be an inspiration to others through their small acts of benevolence as he joined the Christian world in celebrating the joyous occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News
Andanar calls on Filipinos to emulate virtues of Jesus Christ
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday called on the Filipino people to exude the humility, compassion, and kindness displayed by Jesus Christ as the country prepares for Christmas Day celebration.
Manila Bulletin
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Slay threats won’t deter Duterte, Go from helping rebels, farmers
Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go said on Tuesday that assassination threats do not deter him and President Duterte from helping former rebels and farmers in Cotabato City get their 685 certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Manila Bulletin
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Duterte wrath, water woes mark 2019
This year was marked by two major stories in the water sector: a waterless Metro Manila and the country’s major utility firms incurring the wrath of President Duterte. Last March, Metro Manila suffered the worst water crisis in years, leaving families to wait hours to get their daily water supply from tanker trucks.
Philippine Star
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Help the needy, Robredo urges Filipinos
Ahead of Christmas Day, Vice President Leni Robredo called on Filipinos to remember and help people in need and those affected by the recent calamities that hit the country.
Manila Bulletin
ELECTION RELATED
DISASTER
More than 6,500 brgys at risk due to landslide, flood that ‘Ursula’ could bring – NDRRMC
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned the public Tuesday, Christmas Eve, to be extra cautious as at least 2,939 barangays in mountainous areas were deemed “highly susceptible” to landslide while 3,652 more in low-lying areas were at risk of flooding in seven regions across the country due to tropical storm “Ursula.”
Manila Bulletin
2 boats capsize in Palawan, Romblon as ‘Urusula’ enters PH
Big waves and strong winds caused two motorized boats to capsize off the waters of Palawan and Romblon, police said on Tuesday. Lt. Col. Imelda Tolentino, spokesperson of the MIMAROPA (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) regional police, said all the people on board the two boats were rescued.
Manila Bulletin
Thousands of passengers stranded in ports on Christmas Eve due to ‘Ursula’
Thousands of passengers were stranded in various ports in the country on the eve of Christmas due to typhoon “Ursula,” the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
Manila Bulletin
Eastern Samar imposes blackout ahead of Ursula’s landfall
Authorities in Eastern Samar imposed a power blackout in the province as part of the preparations for the onslaught of Typhoon Ursula, the provincial administrator said on Tuesday.
GMA News
DSWD readies 6.4K food packs for ‘Ursula’
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned thousands of relief items and activated response teams as part of preparedness measures for the possible effects of Typhoon Ursula.
Philippine News Agency
MINDANAO
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Cha-cha in the time of temblors and calamities
Do you have the apt words to describe the kind of Congress that is rushing charter change (Cha-cha) amid the deaths and the rubble in Mindanao?
The Manila Times
JUDICIARY
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Senators send Christmas greetings to Filipinos
Senators on Tuesday called on Filipinos to spend time with their families and to help those facing difficulties during the holiday season.
Manila Bulletin
Recto seeks stiffer penalties for sellers of alcohol, tobacco to minors
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto is seeking the imposition of stiffer penalties on persons and establishments that sell alcohol and tobacco products to minors.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
Bill expanding coverage of electronic violence against women tackled on plenary
The House of Representatives has launched plenary debates for the consolidated bill proposing stiff penalties for the crime of electronic violence against women and their children.
Manila Bulletin
Special committee on PWDs created in House
A Committee on Persons With Disabilities (PWD) has been formed in the House of Representatives to act on all measures addressing the welfare and affecting PWDs.
Manila Bulletin
House panel OKs bill declaring November as National Farmers’ Month
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food has approved a bill declaring November of every year as National Farmers’ Month.
Manila Bulletin
Cayetano sees paperless House by end of January
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is determined to impose a “zero paper, zero waste” rule in the House of Representatives early next year, if only to inspire other government agencies to do the same.
Manila Bulletin
Solon bats for immediate approval of P20 excise tax per kilo of plastic
Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing is hoping that the House leadership would immediately calendar for plenary debates and approval the bill seeking to impose P20 excise tax for every kilo of plastic used for packaging when Congress resumes its sessions on January 20, 2020.
Manila Bulletin
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Shortage of P100-bills at ATMs causing inconvenience to minimum wage earners
The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) said the routine shortage of P100 bills in the payroll automated teller machines (ATM) is causing inconvenience and undue disadvantage on the part of minimum waged workers.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
1,525 returnees to spend Christmas in prison 3 months after GCTA controversy
At least 1,525 people who returned to prison in the aftermath of the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law controversy will spend Christmas in detention. This is more than 3 months after they were forced to surrender.
Rappler
DOJ: 827 GCTA surrenderers so far freed
A total of 827 persons have been released this year out of the freed persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who heeded the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to surrender to resolve the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) mess.
Manila Bulletin
BJMP raises red alert in jails nationwide this Christmas
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Tuesday assured the orderliness of all jail facilities under its care this Christmas with the expected influx of families and friends of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).
Manila Bulletin
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
Drug war, internal cleansing top priorities for PNP in 2020
Intense internal cleansing and the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs will remain in the priority agenda of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for next year amid the drug-recycling scandal that rocked the police organization.
Manila Bulletin
ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
4-km segment of TPLEX in Pangasinan opened for holiday travelers
Travel time to Baguio City is expected to be reduced by 30 minutes from Manila as a four-kilometer segment of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Pangasinan was recently opened to motorists.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
Ex-Iriga City vice mayor acquitted of graft, falsification charges
The Sandiganbayan Second Division has acquitted former Iriga City Vice Mayor Omar Erasmo Gonowon Ampongan of his graft and falsification charges in relation to the reportedly irregular appointment of the secretary to the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Manila Bulletin
FOREIGN RELATIONS
New Chinese envoy to PH vows to pursue comprehensive, strategic, cooperative relations
Newly-designated Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has conveyed his Christmas and New Year greetings to the Filipino people even as he vowed to pursue a “comprehensive, strategic, and cooperative relations” with Manila on the eve of the 45th year anniversary of the establishment of the Philippines-China diplomatic ties.
Manila Bulletin
West Philippine Sea
Arbitral PH vs China: A colossal deception
IT is a colossal deception that the Philippines in 2016 won the arbitration suit against China involving our disputes in the South China Sea and that the country should pursue the “enforcement” of the arbitral tribunal’s “award.”
The Manila Times
LABOR
DOLE reminds employers P5,000-minimun wage of household helpers to take effect next month
An official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers in the National Capital Region (NCR) that the P 5,000-minimum pay of household helpers will take effect in January.
Manila Bulletin
30 OFWs repatriated just in time for Christmas eve
Thirty distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and some of their family members arrived Sunday in Manila from Lebanon.
Manila Bulletin
PH consulate asks OFWs in Hong Kong to steer clear of protest actions
The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong advised Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to refrain from joining the protest actions slated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and on several other days.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
Expressways waive toll fees during Christmas, New Year
Some major expressways will be waiving toll fees at select hours and days this holiday. Toll fees will not be collected by the Skyway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) during these designated periods on these dates:
Manila Bulletin
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DOTr says Angkas has submitted only 2,204 authorized riders
Angkas has submitted only 2,204 authorized riders to the technical working group (TWG) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) amid its claims that it has a total of 27,000 rider partners.
GMA News
War of arguments continues over Angkas
THE government reminded ride-hailing app Angkas that its provisional operations in the Philippines is just a privilege, and not a right, and its participation in the pilot run for motorcycle taxis is part of a study that could potentially legalize the commercial operations of two-wheel vehicles.
Business Mirror
Go denies owning motorcycle-taxi firm JoyRide
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday vehemently denied allegations he owns motorcycle taxi JoyRide PH which is now circulating online. Go dismissed such reports as nothing but “fake news.”
Manila Bulletin
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Malasakit Desks in airports to help passengers
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies in the aviation sector has launched Malasakit Help Desks in its airports.
Manila Bulletin
HEALTH
For DOH, a year of public health challenges
With the re-emergence of polio and widespread outbreaks of measles and dengue in the Philippines in the past months, the Department of Health (DOH) has described 2019 as a year full of “public health challenges.”
Philippine Star
Number of fireworks-related injuries climbs to 7 – DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday said that it has already recorded seven fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs). The DOH said that the recorded number of injuries so far was 30 percent lower compared to the 10 cases reported in the same period last year. The cases were reported from 6 a.m. of December 21 until 5:59 a.m. of December 24.
Manila Bulletin
Death of 37-yr old man hikes number of ‘lambanog’ fatalities to 12
The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) said that a 37-year-old man from Rizal, Laguna who drank “lambanog” has died due to methanol poisoning, bringing the death toll in the Yuletide tragedy to 12.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Agriculture loans hit nearly P600 billion in 2018
Loans extended to the country’s farmers and fisherfolks continued to increase, hitting nearly P600 billion last year. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that agricultural loans were valued at P596.16 billion in 2018, 10.87 percent higher than the previous year’s record of P537.72 billion.
Philippine Star
Solon seeks easy access to ‘Golden Rice’ for farmers
Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga had asked the government to ensure that farmers would have “easy and equitable” access to the Golden Rice seeds after the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) affirmed its safety for direct use as food and feed, or for processing (FFP).
Manila Bulletin
Revoke biosafety permit of Golden Rice–group
LESS than a week after the government granted approval for food, feed and processing (FFP) use of Golden Rice (GR2E), environmental group Greenpeace urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to revoke the biosafety permit of the genetically modified (GM) crop.
Business Mirror
EDUCATION
CHED chair raises security issues in UP Diliman anew
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III on Tuesday reiterated his concerns regarding the security in the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd seeks nominees for 2020 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos
The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoined its schools’ divisions to endorse nominees for the search for the 2020 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos (OF).
Manila Bulletin
ENERGY
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING
TOURISM
Siargao among Conde Nast Traveler’s ‘Best Holiday Destinations for 2020’
The Philippines' small, teardrop-shaped island of Siargao has been named as one of the best holiday destinations of 2020 by Conde Nast Traveler. The surf paradise in Surigao del Norte is included it the publication's list of 20 destinations selected by their editors as places that “are coming to their own” in 2020.
Rappler
Mayor glad Ayala Land has no planned projects in Sagada
The Office of the Municipal Mayor of Sagada on Tuesday expressed relief after Ayala Land Inc. said it has no plans to build a development in the popular tourist town in Mountain Province.
Philippine Star
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Water crisis
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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