Panelo: DFA secretary exempted from Duterte’s ‘no travel to US’ directive
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be exempted from the travel boycott to the United States announced by President Duterte, Malacañang clarified on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Guevarra welcomes Duterte’s US travel ban on Cabinet officials
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday (Jan. 30) welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte order barring Cabinet officials from traveling to the United States.
Manila Bulletin

Senators mixed on Duterte directive barring Cabinet officials from travel to US
Senators on Thursday gave mixed views on President Duterte’s directive barring Cabinet officials from traveling to the United States. Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a known administration ally whose US visa was canceled by the US embassy, said it is up to the members of the President’s Cabinet whether or not to heed the order.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson: Indefinite travel ban to US unproductive
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson warned on Thursday that an indefinite travel ban to the United States imposed by Malacanang on all members of the Cabinet could have adverse consequences on the country’s economy and security.
Manila Bulletin

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Panelo: PH to keep custody of convicted Laude killer even if VFA is junked
An American soldier convicted of the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude may remain detained at a military camp if it will ensure his safety, a Palace official said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Recto, Lacson press for “weightier reasons” for abrogating VFA
Two senators on Thursday urged the government to provide “weightier” reasons as to why the Philippines should abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States.
Manila Bulletin

Makabayan solons to Duterte: ‘Abrogate VFA for the right reasons’
“Abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for the right reasons.” This was the call made by the six-man Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives, as President Duterte maintained that his decision to terminate the 1999 security pact between the Philippines and United States was final.
Manila Bulletin

Contingency defense plan needed in view of VFA abrogation – Biazon
Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon said on Thursday the Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) need to draw up a contingency defense and security plan, following President Duterte’s decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Manila and Washington.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace on rude foreigners: We don’t allow anyone to break the law
Malacañang assured the public that laws are being strictly implemented on foreigners, following recent sightings of rude Chinese nationals in the country.
Manila Bulletin

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Ateneo study on PRRD’s satisfaction ratings ‘baseless’: Andanar
A study by the Ateneo School of Government on the public satisfaction with President Rodrigo Duterte is “baseless and unfounded,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

‘Duterte Legacy’ to tackle media welfare, security: Andanar
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday underscored media welfare and security as among the success stories that will be inculcated in the “Duterte Legacy”.
Philippine News Agency

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo to reporters: Have a stronger voice than 'heartless trolls'
The world sees the Philippines as a "startling enigma" for its contradictions: a democracy with an authoritarian President, a fast-developing economy where more people are groaning from poverty – and what it needs is bold truth-tellers to combat the established power's ploys, said Vice President Leni Robredo in a forum of local and international journalists.
Rappler

Distrust of big businesses won't cure Philippine woes - Robredo
Public distrust of big businesses will not solve the country's problems and instead lead to the weakening of institutions, Vice President Leni Robredo said Thursday, amid the administration's scrutiny of some companies' alleged onerous deals with government.
ABS-CBN News

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec announces resumption of voter registration in Batangas, Cavite
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Thursday that voter registration in Batangas and Cavite will resume on Feb. 3.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

DSWD sends more response teams to Calabarzon, ₱20.7 million for Cash-for-Work
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has dispatched additional Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) region to assist in the ongoing relief operations for victims of the Jan. 12 Taal Volcano eruption.
Manila Bulletin

Resettlement plan for displaced residents in the works
Resettlement plans for people displaced by Taal Volcano's unrest in the works. Authorities eyeing a task force 'Bangon Taal' mirroring the similar effort after Marawi siege in 2017.
CNN Philippines

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Camp Crame cops withdrawn from Taal-affected areas to undergo checkup
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has ordered that all Camp Crame policemen who were pulled out of relief and assistance duties in Taal Volcano eruption-affected areas be subjected to medical examination.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd tracks displaced learners, personnel, provides interventions
While classes in some affected schools have already resumed, the Department of Education (DepEd) said it continues to track learners and its personnel who were displaced by the Taal Volcano eruption of Jan. 12.
Manila Bulletin

Sign a waiver, Senator Bato tells animal rescuers in Taal
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday proposed to allow residents and animal welfare groups to go to the Taal Volcano island despite its risks, but they should sign a waiver stating that the government would no longer have accountability over them.
Manila Bulletin

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Talisay vice mayor, police official, meet and greet at Senate
Talisay, Batangas Vice Mayor Charlie Natanuan and Calabarzon police chief Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr. on Thursday crossed paths for the first time since their heated exchange at the height of the Taal Volcano crisis.
Manila Bulletin

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UN OCHA appeals to int’l community for 1.6B pesos for Mindanao’s quake victims
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has appealed to international community for US$31.8 million or 1.6 billion pesos to help thousands of victims affected by the series of powerful earthquakes in Mindanao last year.
Mindanews

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Now is the time to reform PH Constitution– IATF
Proponents of constitutional reforms on Wednesday said that “it is time to reform the Philippine Constitution to reflect the current needs of Filipinos and help solve problems in Philippine society that worsened instead of easing since its passage in 1987.’’
Manila Bulletin

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Poe pushes bill to insure fish, livestock, poultry assets against calamities
Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday urged her fellow lawmakers to approve her proposal for insurance coverage for the country’s fisheries, livestock, and poultry sectors to protect farmers and fisherfolk in times of calamity.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House vows to pass law on motorcycle taxis by March
The House of Representatives has vowed to come up by March with a legislative measure that would legitimize and regulate motorcycle ride-hailing services in the country.
Philippine Star

Lawmakers seek P10,000 monthly hazard pay for all court sheriffs
Lawmakers are proposing a monthly P10,000 hazard pay for all court sheriffs in the Regional Trial Courts (RTC), Metropolitan Trial Courts (METC), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC), and the Sharia District Courts of the Supreme Court.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG prods local officials, public to fight crime
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has compelled the local government units (LGUs) and concerned law enforcement agencies to go the extra mile to support the President’s anti-criminality drive.
Manila Bulletin

PCG defends personnel rapped by Mayor Isko
A personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard, who was disarmed and questioned by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for his presence at a container yard during a shipment inspection, was relieved from his post and told to just “charge to experience” the encounter with the mayor Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Language barrier creates difficulty at NAIA for BoQ personnel
The Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) medical personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals are having difficulty communicating with Chinese national passengers who have questions about Philippine precautionary and medical procedures related to the mitigation of novel coronavirus risks.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PH, US armies hold joint exercise despite VFA abrogation threat
Despite President Duterte’s threat to scrap the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, the Philippine Army (PA) is currently hosting a month-long joint exercise with American troops in Palawan.
Manila Bulletin

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

LandBank’s net profit rises 20% to P18.51b
Land Bank of the Philippines said net income rose 20 percent in 2019, exceeding the bank’s profit guidance of P16.6 billion.  The state-run universal bank said net income reached P18.51 billion in 2019 from P15.48 billion in 2018. 
Manila Standard

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

Day of remembrance for road crash victims and families
A new law declaring a day of remembrance for the victims and survivors of road crashes has been signed into law by President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

Poe lauds signing of law commemorating road crash victims
Sen. Grace Poe lauded on Thursday the signing of the law declaring the third Sunday of the November the National Day of Remembrance for road crash victims, survivors, and their families.
Manila Bulletin

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[OPINION] Dear Duterte Legacy, more roads will not decongest EDSA
For the past several weeks, several government officials have been harping on the supposed achievements of President Rodrigo Duterte. Bannered as the “Duterte Legacy,” the media blitz names policies and programs allegedly spearheaded and accomplished by the incumbent administration since taking office in 2016. Included in this contested list are several infrastructure projects under the government’s “Build Build Build” (BBB) program.
Rappler

Palace urges Sangley airport losing bidders to file complaint
Malacañang has urged bidders who failed to win the contract or dropped out of the race for the Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) to file a complaint if they have proof that the selection process was tilted in favor of a consortium which includes the state-run China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC).
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

WHO declares international emergency over novel coronavirus
The UN health agency on Thursday, January 30, declared an international emergency over the deadly novel coronavirus from China – a rarely used designation that could lead to improved international co-ordination in tackling the disease.
Rappler

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DOH confirms 1st case of 2019-nCoV in PH
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday confirmed the country’s first case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) involving a 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that test was performed by the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Rappler

DOH confirms 1st nCoV patient in PH flew on two local airlines
An official of the Department of Health (DOH) said the 38-year-old Chinese woman, the country’s first confirmed case of 2019 novel coronavirus, was on flights of both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
Manila Bulletin

LIST: Where to get official, reliable info on novel coronavirus
Governments and medical authorities worldwide are on high alert after the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Originating in Wuhan, China, the virus has since killed over a hundred people and infected thousands of others.
Rappler

FACT CHECK: Misinformation on novel coronavirus that spreads online
Since the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus or nCoV, false information about the deadly disease has also spread like a virus on a global scale.
Rappler

Andanar asks public ‘not to panic,’ says gov’t on top of situation
As the country recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus, the government has appealed to the public “not to panic” and assured them about intensified measures to curb the spread of the illness.
Manila Bulletin

Guevarra, BI to discuss steps to curb entry into PH amid nCoV threat
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra is set to discuss with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) the possible steps to take to curb the entry into the country of persons who could be infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Manila Bulletin

DFA issues urgent advice to Filipinos in Wuhan
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday called on Filipinos who are currently in Wuhan City and the rest of Hubei province to adhere and cooperate with Chinese health authorities in their effort to avert the spread of the 2019-novel coronavirus.
Manila Bulletin

LIST: What Filipinos in China can do amid coronavirus scare
Amid the 2019 novel coronavirus scare, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged Filipinos in China to comply with advisories from Chinese health authorities to help quell the virus' spread.
Rappler

Manila gives out 500K facemasks to students amid 1st confirmed coronavirus case
Following the confirmation of the first case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Philippines, the city of Manila will be distributing 500,000 masks to public school students from elementary to college levels.
Rappler

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Solons weigh in on first nCoV case in PH
While the Department of Health drew praise from congressmen Thursday, a senior administration lawmaker chided health officials for actions that have triggered panic about the dreaded novel coronavirus (nCoV ) over the whole archipelago.
Manila Bulletin

Senators urge gov’t to impose travel ban on travelers from China
Senators on Thursday urged the government to immediately impose a travel ban on all individuals traveling from China and all travelers who have passed through China in the past two weeks.
Manila Bulletin

Pangilinan urges suspension of visa issuance to travelers from Wuhan
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan Thursday urged the national government to suspend all visa issuances to visitors from Wuhan and other areas in China where the deadly novel coronavirus 2019 (2019- nCoV) disease has spread.
Manila Bulletin

Villanueva urges DOLE to tell employers to comply with health standards, urges telecommuting where possible
Senator Joel Villanueva appealed to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday to immediately issue labor advisories reminding employers to comply with occupational safety and health standards (OSHS), following the confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

Gatchalian urges Chinese schools in PH to suspend classes
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has urged Chinese schools in the Philippines to suspend classes, following the government’s confirmation of its first case of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

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Study finds strain of coronavirus in Mindanao bat species
A study conducted by the University of the Philippines in Mindanao has recognized betacoronavirus in a bat species in Davao. According to a report by GMA News on Thursday, lead researcher Lyre Anni Murao said after their three-year-long study, a virus was found in the long-tongued nectar bat (macroglossus minimus).
Manila Bulletin

TMC releases guidelines to avoid nCoV infection
After the announcement of the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) in the Philippines, The Medical City (TMC) released a list of guidelines for the public to follow to reduce the risk of being infected with the virus.
Manila Bulletin

As nCoV threat grows, health screening in Zambo takes on urgent character
Tight health screening normal for Filipino deportees and Malaysians coming from Sabah took on a more urgent character in the city which had declared it didn’t have the dreaded novel coronavirus (nCoV) and wanted to keep it that way.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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China battles coronavirus outbreak: All the latest updates
The death toll in China from the new coronavirus has risen to 170, as more countries announced plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak.
Aljazeera

7,000 held on cruise ship in Italy as global fears spread over coronavirus
Thousands of people were held on a cruise ship in Italy on Thursday and Russia closed off its borders with China as global fears continued to grow over the rapidly spreading Wuhan coronavirus.
CNN

The Latest: Russia closing its land border with China
Russia is closing its land border with China, similar to steps taken by Mongolia and North Korea, to guard against a new viral outbreak. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin issued the decree Thursday, ordering the 2,600-mile land border with China closed starting Friday. It had been de facto closed because of the Lunar New Year holiday, but Russian authorities said the closure would be extended until March 1.
Associated Press

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Opposition solon decries move to purchase ‘weaker’ vaccine for kids
A leader of the House opposition bloc on Thursday cautioned the Department of Health against changing the current anti-pneumonia vaccine for children, allegedly for a “weaker” vaccine.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Customs: ASF-infected meat shipment in Manila Harbour Center already for disposal
The shipment of meat products from China found to be infected with African Swine Fever was already subject for disposal when the local government of Manila discovered it at the Manila Harbour Center in Tondo Wednesday, the Bureau of Customs clarified Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd hopes to be eligible for 2018 PBB incentive
After submitting their requirements, the Department of Education (DepEd) expressed hope that the agency will be eligible for the 2018 Performance Based Bonus (PBB).
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Cash program benefits more than 4.8M poor households
More than 4.8 million poor households have benefitted from the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista has disclosed.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DENR-12 personnel sighted thousands of waterbirds in Sultan Kudarat
Thousands of various waterbird species were sighted at Lake Buluan in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat during the recently conducted annual Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) activity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12.
NDBC News

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY