Duterte a ‘bit tired’ of daily political war
President Duterte admitted that he was getting a “bit tired” of politics, saying his work was taking a toll on his health.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Duterte: Don’t believe Rappler’s ‘garbage’
President Duterte told an international news channel to not believe the reports published by online news website Rappler, saying the organization was funded by America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Manila Bulletin

After saying he’d pee on Taal Volcano, Duterte concedes no one can fight nature
Days after saying he'd pee on Taal Volcano amid its restiveness, President Rodrigo Duterte has conceded no one could put up a fight against nature.
GMA News

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“He’s a nice person”: Duterte praises Trump
United States President Donald Trump is a “very nice person” and will unlikely wage war with another country, President Duterte recently declared.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte turns down Trump’s invite; termination of VFA starts
The cancellation of Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s visa was apparently the last straw as President Duterte turned down President Donald Trump’s invitation to visit the United States in March and ordered the process of terminating the visiting forces agreement (VFA) signed by the Philippines and the US to start.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Duterte: U.S. sees PH as a vassal state
President Duterte said he will not live by the foreign policy of the Americans as he slammed the United States for treating the Philippines as a vassal state and refusing to respect its sovereignty.
Manila Bulletin

PHL-US ties now 'lukewarm' —Palace
Malacañang on Friday said the relationship between the Philippines and the United States has become “lukewarm” following President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement.
GMA News

Duterte tells Russian media of US’ disrespect for Philippine sovereignty
President Rodrigo Duterte accused the United States of disrespecting the Philipppines' sovereignty as he took exception to the US’ alleged meddling in the country’s internal affairs.
GMA News

‘More friends, the better:’ Bato wants Duterte to attend US-Asean summit
If it’s up to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, President Rodrigo Duterte should attend the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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PH starts process of terminating VFA: Locsin
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Friday has asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to start the termination process of the country's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine News Agency, GMA News

DOJ reviewing procedure on VFA termination
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday confirmed that his office has started to study how best to implement President Rodrigo Duterte's order to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines.
Philippine News Agency

Locsin lauds Duterte’s threat to scuttle the VFA
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday described as “good move” President Duterte’s threat to scuttle the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) if the United States will not reinstate the canceled US visa of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana on VFA scrap threat: Duterte just taking responsibility on drug war
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed on Friday that President Duterte’s threat to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States was a manifestation of his promise to take responsibility for the repercussions of his anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, GMA News

Sotto, Pimentel agree that Duterte has authority to suspend VFA
Two senators said President Duterte has all the authority to terminate the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, especially if the latter has been interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte may terminate VFA on his own – Drilon, Lacson
Senate leaders said on Friday President Duterte could unilaterally terminate the Philippine-United States Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) without the concurrence of the 24-member Senate.
Manila Bulletin

Recto, Imee Marcos, disagree with plan to junk VFA
Terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States might not be the proper response to the cancellation of a senator’s visa, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Pimentel: President can unilaterally terminate VFA
The chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee sided Friday with his Senate colleagues that President Duterte can unilaterally terminate the 21-year-old RP-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Manila Bulletin

Progressive solons agree with Duterte to scrap VFA, but ‘for the right reasons’
President Rodrigo Duterte should scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for the right reasons, and not to get back at the United States just because his pal was done wrong.
Manila Bulletin

'Ending VFA over US visa spat an insult to victims of US soldiers'
President Rodrigo Duterte's threat to end the Visiting Forces Agreement over a petty US visa tiff is a "childish bluff" that is an insult to the victims of United States soldiers in the Philippines, the Gabriela Women's Party said Friday.
GMA News

Pangilinan: Gov’t should focus on Taal, coronavirus, not Bato’s US visa
The government should focus on addressing the needs of the families displaced by the Taal Volcano eruption, as well as the threat of the novel coronavirus to the country, instead of dwelling on the cancellation of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s travel visa.
Manila Bulletin

'More to lose' for PH if Bato visa woes prompt VFA scrapping: ex-envoy
President Rodrigo Duterte’s outburst over a close ally’s cancelled US visa has put the spotlight back on a 2-decade-old military deal, which Philippine senators once sought to either renegotiate or terminate.
ABS-CBN News

Individual concern turned national: Loss of Dela Rosa’s visa starts to end major deal between allies
President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to terminate a long-term bilateral agreement as a knee-jerk response to the cancelation of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s U.S. visa despite his case being a personal matter.
Interaksyon

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Duterte: De Lima wanted to be president
Sen. Leila de Lima is supposedly eyeing to become the country’s president someday, President Duterte said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

74 quakes in 12 hours recorded in Taal Volcano – NDRRMC
In a span of 12 hours, 74 earthquakes were recorded by authorities in Taal volcano located in Batangas, indicating that magma continues to rise and the threat of an explosive eruption remains, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Taal volcano releases steam-laden plumes anew
Days after its seemingly weaker activity, Taal Volcano spewed thicker steam-laden plumes on Friday morning which means that there is heating of volcanic materials underneath, the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Manila Bulletin

Phivolcs warns people away from Taal Volcano island after viral video of man touring it
State volcanologists warned the public to stay away from Taal Volcano Island, especially its Main Crater, as the threat of a dangerous explosive eruption is still imminent, and the gases being released by the volcano are hazardous to one’s health.
Manila Bulletin

Phivolcs’ Solidum warns public against false, misleading volcano information online
As different interpretations of the Taal Volcano eruption continue to circulate on social media, Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) chief Dr. Renato Solidum reminded the public to rely solely on the official data released by the agency to prevent panic and confusion.
Manila Bulletin

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Three more Taal eruption evacuees die
Three more evacuees died as authorities continue to clear the 14-kilometer danger zone due to the continuing threat posed by Taal Volcano.
Manila Bulletin

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DepEd hails heroism of Taal-affected teachers
The Department of Education (DepEd) commended the heroism shown by its teachers in Region IV-A noting that despite being affected by Taal’s unrest themselves, they continue to perform their duties in assisting the learners.
Manila Bulletin

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PCG removes bancas off Taal coastline; enforces total lockdown
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has removed a total of 16 bancas along the coast of Taal Lake for safekeeping and to keep locals from venturing out into the lake as Taal Volcano is still restive.
Philippine News Agency

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Only 43% of evacuation centers have enough toilets, says DOH exec
Less than half of the evacuation centers being used by persons displaced by the eruption of Taal Volcano have adequate toilets, a health official said on Friday.
GMA News

Many Taal evacuees being treated for coughs, fever
Many Batangas residents displaced by the eruption of Taal Volcano and are staying in various evacuation centers are getting sick with flu, cough, and fever due to the effects of the ashfall, according to Chino Gaston's report on Balitanghali on Friday.
GMA News

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Rising with the people of ‘Taal’
Disaster experts would agree that volcanic eruptions are the most unpredictable—and, thus, most despised—natural disasters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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MINDANAO

Gov’t sees double-digit growth for Davao Region’s 2019 economic output
The government has remained optimistic that the economic output of Davao Region will grow between 9.5 percent and 10.5 percent for 2019 despite a series of major earthquakes last year that affected the property development sector, one of its major growth drivers, an official said.
Mindanews

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Lacson urges SC to rule on petition on withdrawal of treaties
Senator Panfilo Lacson urged Friday the Supreme Court to rule on the petition of his colleagues seeking to declare as invalid or ineffective President Rodrigo Duterte’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) without the consent of the Senate.
GMA News

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Gatchalian urges Senate review of disaster risk law
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has sought a Senate review on the impact and effectiveness of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 10121).
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House bill seeks P3 billion in funding to equip Phivolcs with state-of-the-art instruments
Deputy Speaker and 1Pacman party-list Rep. Michael L. Romero has sought P3 billion in funding to finance the Phivolcs Modernization Act of 2019 to equip the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) with the latest and most accurate state-of-the-art instruments and equipment.
Manila Bulletin

Cayetano assures Benguet, Cordillera leaders of consultation in Benguet congressional district vacancy
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano Friday assured leaders of Benguet and other Cordillera localities that consultations will be held to determine whether or not there would be a need for special elections on the congressional vacancy caused by the demise of Rep. Nestor Fongwan.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

NBI to open Chinese desk next month
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hopes to open up in February a Chinese desk that will also be manned by its counterparts from China as part of efforts to solve the growing number of crimes in the Philippines involving Chinese nationals.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Duterte: Gov’t to buy helicopters from Russia for military modernization
The Philippine government still has limited funds but will guarantee “prompt” payment for the purchase of helicopters from Russia, President Duterte recently said.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

After China, PH Coast Guard trains with Japan
A week after training with its Chinese counterpart, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted joint maritime exercises with Japan Coast Guard (JCG).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

NCRPO revives 'red team' to monitor rogue cops
The National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) on Friday said it will restore its surveillance group dubbed as “red team” who will monitor police officers engaged in illegal activities.
Philippine News Agency

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Andanar: New sin tax to generate funds for social programs ‘triumph’ for Filipinos
The new law raising excise taxes on alcohol, heated tobacco, and other vapor products is considered a “triumph” for all Filipinos, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Friday.
Manila Bulletin

BIR suspends collection of taxes in Batangas
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended imposing a deadline for the filing and payment of taxes for the whole province of Batangas due to Taal Volcano’s eruption.
Manila Bulletin

Treasury eyeing ₱30B from retail bond float
The Bureau of the Treasury said Friday it is Looking to raise at least ₱30 billion through retail bonds, just days after its successful foray into the European bond market.
CNN Philippines

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Duterte eyes improved trade deals with China, Russia
President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to further boost the Philippines’ alliances with Russia and China, particularly on trade and commerce.
Philippine News Agency

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

Elevated expressway at NLEX to open in February
A section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link Segment 10, the elevated expressway that will provide direct access between R10 in Navotas City and NLEX, is scheduled for partial opening next month.
Philippine News Agency

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

COA holds Mindanao mayor liable for P33 million machinery purchase, refers case to Ombudsman
The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed the liability of a municipal mayor in the purchase of over P33 million worth of heavy equipment and asked the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a criminal investigation into the incident.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Duterte: Let time deal with China-West Philippine Sea issue
Going to war with China over the West Philippines dispute will be “reckless” and “dangerous” since the Philippines will likely end up getting annihilated, President Duterte said.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Philippines stands to lose ‘extra card’ vs. China sans VFA, expert says
A security analyst and international relations expert on Friday said scrapping the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States will have far-reaching effects on Manila's efforts in pushing for its claims in the West Philippine Sea.
GMA News

LABOR

Locsin rejects blood money for Villavende's death
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday rejected any offer of blood money for the case of Jeanelyn Pardenal Villavende, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was brutally killed by her employer in Kuwait. 
Philippine News Agency

Kuwaiti employer ni Jeanelyn Villavende, nag alok ng P59-M blood money, pamilya tumanggi
Hindi nagtapos sa paghatid kay Jeanelyn Villavende sa kanyang huling hantungan kahapon ang paghangad ng hustisya ng kanyang pamilya sa pagkasawi nito sa bansang Kuwait.
NDBC News

TRANSPORTATION

PCC backs passage of Senate bills legalizing ops of motorcycle taxis
The country’s competition regulator on Friday threw its support behind the passage of Senate bills legitimizing the operations of motorcycle taxis, arguing this expands the options of commuters and opens opportunities for innovators.
Business Mirror

HEALTH

What is 2019-nCov?: A primer on the disease alarming the world
Countries around the world are on alert due to the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) which has afflicted more than 800 individuals and caused 26 deaths, sparking concerns worldwide.
Manila Bulletin

Chinese scientists studying possibility nCoV originated from snakes
Chinese scientists are now looking into the possibility that snakes might have been the original source of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) that is now spreading fast, with a rising death toll.
Manila Bulletin

In Wuhan’s virus wards, plenty of stress but shortages of everything else
There’s the infectious disease specialist who, having treated bird flu and influenza A and tuberculosis over the years, was felled during the coronavirus outbreak. An exhausted Jiang Jijun died of a heart attack Thursday while tending patients.
The Washington Post

Wuhan residents keeping a positive outlook—Filipino prof
A Filipino professor living temporarily in Wuhan, China said residents in the city are keeping a positive outlook amid the threat of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Manila Bulletin

2 Filipinos: Out of Wuhan in the nick of time
Two Filipino women were able to leave Wuhan City hours before the transport lockdown to contain the 2019 novel Coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

Airline to transport Boracay’s Chinese tourists back to Wuhan—CAAP
Despite the lockdown, an outbound flight from Kalibo International Airport in Aklan province will bring back Chinese tourists who visited the popular beach destination of Boracay Island to Wuhan, the Chinese city where the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) first emerged.
Manila Bulletin

U.S. confirms 2nd case of China virus, 50 under investigation
A woman in Chicago in her 60s was Friday, January 24, confirmed as the second patient on US soil infected with a deadly new virus originating in China, health officials said, with 50 other suspected cases under investigation.
Rappler

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Foreign family isolated in Palawan after showing novel coronavirus symptoms
A Brazilian family who showed symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) is now under isolation in a rural health unit in El Nido, Palawan.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

5-year-old Chinese boy in Cebu tests negative for novel coronavirus
The five-year-old Chinese boy who arrived in Cebu City from Wuhan, Hubei province in China has been tested negative for novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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CAB requires airlines with China flights to distribute yellow cards
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Thursday ordered airlines with flights to and from China to distribute yellow cards or Health Declaration Checklist to their passengers prior to disembarkation.
Manila Bulletin

Immigration denying visa upon arrival request of tour groups from Wuhan
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has been denying visa upon arrival (VUA) applications of tour groups from Wuhan, the epicenter of a novel coronavirus outbreak that has killed 25 people in China.
GMA News

Gordon proposes separate lanes in all ports for Chinese travelers amid coronavirus scare
Following reports that the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is now in the Philippines, Senator Richard J. Gordon Friday proposed having a separate lane in all ports for travelers who are coming from China for them to be properly checked for any symptoms of the deadly virus.
Manila Bulletin

DOTr orders vigilance in all ports to stop nCoV
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade urged vigilance in all ports of entry to stop the entry of the dreaded 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Manila Bulletin

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PCG intensifies inspection of foreign vessels due to new virus
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has alerted its port state control officers to increase maritime security efforts in response to the international outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Philippine News Agency

DOH 8 gears up for possible spread of nCoV
The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas has advised the public to take precautionary measures and alerted hospitals for possible referral and related concerns due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

NIA turns over P8.1-M irrigation project in Dinagat Islands
The National Irrigation Administration in Caraga Region (NIA-13) handed over on Thursday (Jan. 23) a communal irrigation system that will benefit over 25 hectares of palay farms in Barangay Garcia in Libjo town, Province of Dinagat Islands.
Philippine News Agency

EDUCATION

DepEd asks parents, learners to heed DOH’s advice on nCoV
Amid the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV), the Department of Education (DepEd) urged learners and their parents, as well as guardians, to follow the advice issued by the Department of Health (DOH) on how to avoid getting viral infection.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

7.4-M tourist arrivals recorded from Jan. to Nov. 2019
More than 7.4 million international visitor arrivals in the country were recorded during the first 11 months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Manila Bay’s water quality improving a year after rehab
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said water quality of major outfalls directly draining to Manila Bay significantly improved, a year after the previously polluted watershed started to be rehabilitated.
Manila Bulletin

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Environment summit in CDO to focus on climate change
This city will host the third Philippine Environment Summit on February 26-28 this year, which will focus on discussions about climate change.
Philippine News Agency

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY