Duterte likely to order ‘arming of everyone’ if NPA steps up attacks
President Rodrigo Duterte seemed to be considering the idea of possibly ordering the “arming of everyone” if communist rebels would intensify their attacks. In a speech in Masbate on Wednesday, Duterte said he would allow the purchase of firearms to help mayors in the fight against insurgency in their communities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Peace agreement is more plausible and less costly than for GRP to destroy the revolutionary forces    
On the surface, Duterte’s threat to arm mayors and “every one” (or the public) sounds very offensive to the revolutionary movement.  In that sense, the revolutionary movement can easily make a riposte that the arms put in the hands of so many people can be ultimately turned against the Duterte regime because of its policies and acts detrimental to the people.
NDFP

President Duterte welcomes 189 former NPAs
A total of 189 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were presented to President Duterte in a simple ceremony at the grandstand of the Cataingan National High School in Masbate on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

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Stupid slanted SWS survey question in favor of Duterte regime    
Asking people whether they hope for the better this year is confusing them on some abstract and vague notion and playing on their tendency to hope for the better and to be hospitable, careful and even fearful of those in power, especially when they are extremely intimidating. 
NDFP

Joma: It’s Duterte regime that may not survive by 2022, not the NPA    
The Rodrigo Duterte government should concentrate on surviving the next three years rather than be preoccupied in trying to wiping out the New People’s Army (NPA) by 2022, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison said.
Kodao

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2 Davao provinces, other areas in election watchlist due to NPA, armed groups
LAW ENFORCEMENT agencies have placed the entire provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao del Sur in the election watch list because of the presence of private armed groups and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Police Regional Office Spokesperson Jason L. Baria said they, along with the military, are still evaluating whether to declare some of these areas as election “hotspots,” where tighter security measures will be implemented. 
Business World Online

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Palace: Gov’t not behind red-tagging journalists; NUJP just ‘paranoid’
Malacañang denied Thursday that the government was behind the campaign to vilify the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) by linking them to communist rebels. A number of Manila-based tabloids on January 7 released stories linking the NUJP to the  Communist Party of the Philippines, the political arm of the New People’s Army.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency

PNA story proves gov’t behind vilification—NUJP    
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said a state news agency’s story accusing the media group of maintaining links with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) confirms government’s hand in the vilification campaign. Reacting to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) story Tuesday, the NUJP said it can already say for certain that the Rodrigo Duterte government is behind the attacks against the media group.
Kodao

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New Centcom chief now 3-star general
Officers and soldiers of the Central Command (Centcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were jubilant as they welcomed the promotion of their commander to the next higher rank on Thursday. Maj. Abel Potutan, acting head of Centcom’s Civil Military Operations Office, told the Philippine News Agency that Centcom commander Noel Clement is now a Lieutenant General.
Philippine News Agency

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8 more NPAs surrender in Mindoro
Another eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who belong to the Mangyan tribe surrendered to government authorities in Oriental Mindoro over the weekend. Another eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who belong to the Mangyan tribe surrendered to government authorities in Oriental Mindoro over the weekend.
Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard

Peace Talks

Lorenzana in favor of peace talks with CPP-NPA-NDF but does not see it happening soon
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana assured that he is in favor of reviving peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), for as long as the talks are held here in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents/ Operations   

Alleged bomb courier killed in Cotabato City shootout
An alleged bomb courier was killed in a shootout with police and the military in Barangay Tamontaka 2 here, Wednesday night. A checkpoint was launched on the East Diversion Road in Barangay Tamontaka 2 after the military received information that an improvised explosive device (IED) will be transported towards Cotabato City.
ABS-CBN News, Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

Charges filed vs Cotabato City blast suspects
THE Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 has filed charges against the suspects of the Dec. 31 bombing in South Seas Mall in Cotabato City that left two dead and more than 30 others wounded. 
Business World Online, NDBC News

UK envoy clarifies travel advisory to Mindanao
Malacañang on Thursday said the UK government has clarified the travel advisory it issued to Mindanao. British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce, in a letter to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, explained that while it did not change its advisory since 2017, it merely issued an update in the wake of the bomb attack in Cotabato City last December 31.
Philippine News Agency

MARAWI

No contractor yet for proposed P200M multi-purpose center in Marawi
A Filipino-Chinese business group wants to build a P200 million multi-purpose center in Marawi City, but the project couldn’t find a contractor amid fears of peace and order in the war-torn area, a top official said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Separate jailed Islamist extremists from other inmates, says expert
A former prison governor who led an official review into Islamist extremism in prisons has said jails in the UK have become “incubators” of radical behaviour, and repeated calls for the most subversive offenders to be separated from other inmates. Ian Acheson, who led the independent government review of Islamist extremism in prisons and probation in 2016, said the high number of lower-tariff extremist offenders entering squalid, overcrowded jails, combined with a low chance of them receiving treatment for their behaviour, were behind the worsening problem.
The Guardian

Denationalisation: A punishment reserved for Muslims
In the name of "safeguarding" civilisation, the forces waging the "war on terror" have revived a form of punishment once described by the United States Supreme Court as "more primitive than torture": the stripping of citizenship. Forced denationalisation entails "the total destruction of the individual's status in organised society [...and] subjects the individual to a fate of ever-increasing fear and distress […] In short, the expatriate has lost the right to have rights," the court stated in its 1958 decision in the landmark case of Trop vs Dulles.
Aljazeera

Opinion: The Biggest Terrorist Threat to America Isn’t a Migrant Caravan. It’s Still ISIS.
The guiding principle behind Donald Trump’s presidency is his conviction that the biggest threat to America is Latino immigrants pouring across our southern border in record hoards to kill us, sell drugs to our children, and steal our jobs. His obsession resonates with Americans who blame the evaporation of high-paying, low-skilled jobs on demographic changes rather than automation and trade, and fear diversity as a threat to their way of life.
Pulitzer Center

European Parliament President Commends UAE’s Tolerance Model, Role as Supporter of International Stability and Security
His Excellency Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, stressed the importance of joint efforts to ensure security and stability in the Middle East during a meeting with Her Excellency Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), on January 9 at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels.
Associated Press News

JWF policy brief: How abusive counterterrorism laws deprived hundreds of thousands of people of liberty
The New York-based Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) has called on the international community to urge the Turkish government to repeal the country’s current counterterrorism laws, which it said have been abused by the Turkish government in a crackdown on the Gülen, or Hizmet, movement over the past several years.
Stockholm Center for Freedom

DTI sees Feb. release of barter order’s IRR
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will release next month the implementing rules and regulations which will revive barter trade in Mindanao. Trade Undersecretary for Special Concerns Abdulgani M. Macatoman said the department is in the process of finalizing the draft rules which have already gone through nationwide consultations.
Business World Online

GenSan pushes for expansion of Madaris educ program
The city government will bring its Madaris education program to more communities this year. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera disclosed the move as he reaffirmed his commitment to support the program and provide the necessary mechanisms to facilitate its institutionalization in the area.
Philippine News Agency

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

P20B earned in 6 years: MILF hopes to sustain ARMM investment gains
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) hopes to sustain the investment generated by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the last six years pegged at P20 billion. MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said that sustaining investors’ confidence in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) can be achieved by employing the concept of “inclusive business model.”
Mindanews

Bangsamoro plebiscite campaigners on both sides face off in Lanao Norte
Abdullah Macapaar – alias Kumander Bravo, commander of the North Western Mindanao Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based in Camp Billal here – has intensified his efforts at campaigning for a Yes vote in the upcoming plebiscite so that some parts of Lanao del Norte will become part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Mindanews

MNLF faction reiterates support for Bangsamoro law as plebiscite nears
A faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) reiterated its support for the Bangamoro Organic Law (BOL), a little over a week before the plebiscite to ratify the landmark bill is scheduled to take place. In a statement Thursday, January 8, MNLF central committee Yusop Jikiri said the group was “100% behind President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s aspiration to bring lasting peace and progress in Mindanao.” 
Rappler

Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces campaign for Bangsamoro Organic Law
Various militant groups laid down their arms to urge the public to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law. A plebiscite on the measure is set to take place a few days from now. 
ABS-CBN News

Comelec approves inclusion of 6 More North Cotabato Villages in Bangsamoro Plebiscite
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved six more resolutions of barangays in North Cotabato asking that they be allowed to participate in the forthcoming plebiscite for the ratification of the Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) come February 6.
Luwaran

Close to 400 cops to secure BOL plebiscite in Cotabato City
The Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen) sent off Thursday a total of 396 cops to help secure the upcoming Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite in Cotabato City this January 21. The augmentation force is composed of 139 personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12, another 122 personnel from the City and Provincial Mobile Force Company, and 135 others as standby/reactionary personnel.
Philippine News Agency

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Bangsamoro all set for self-governance
IT will be a very eventful 2019 for the Bangsamoro community on the Philippine island of Mindanao. After decades of painstaking negotiations, broken promises, false dawns and intermittent fighting and much bloodletting, the community gets to finally vote later this month to approve, by plebiscite, the Bangsamoro Organic Law that the first Philippine president from Mindanao, Rodrigo Duterte, was able to get passed by the Philippine Congress in 2018.
New Strait Times (Malaysia)

Plebiscite on BOL
My brothers and sisters, the arrival of the New Year brings with it a big and important change that may happen in the lives of our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. This coming 21st of January, a historical plebiscite will occur at the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or ARMM, wherein its citizens may either agree or disagree on establishing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM.
Business Mirror

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

2 dead in raid on Maguindanao mayor's house
Two persons were killed when the police tried to serve the search warrant against Mayor Vickman Montawal and Vice Mayor Ottoh Montawal of Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao, and a certain Andy Montawal over charges related to drugs and illegal possession of firearms. A report from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police identified the dead persons as Mentak Alon, 21 and Belag Alon, 22, both members of the Montawal's private army who engaged the police in a firefight during the service of the search warrants around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
GMA News, Philippine Star, NDBC News

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

3 Filipino fishermen rescued in Celebes Sea
THREE Filipino fishermen were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while they were drifting at sea for 12 days in the Celebes Sea near the border of the Philippines and Indonesia, an official said Thursday, January 10. Rescued were Bakri Nuli, 30; Michael Suwaib, 35; and Almujer Anim, 18, according to Lieutenant Commander Jimmy Vingno, chief of the Zamboanga Coast Guard Station. 
Sunstar Zamboanga, Philippine News Agency

DRUGS

SK members to do volunteer work in drug rehab facilities
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) organizations are encouraged to do volunteer work in selected drug rehabilitation centers to do their share in the peace and order and anti-illegal drugs drive of the government, an SK official said Thursday. “This is our way of ensuring that we have a part in the maintenance of peace and order. It is the least that we can do since we cannot apprehend criminals as we also need to consider the safety of the young people," SK Baguio Federation president, Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Philippine News Agency

Operations/ Incidents

Suspected drug dealer slain in Nueva Ecija clash
Still gripping his gun, a suspected drug pusher slumped dead from gunshot wounds at 1:30 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 10) following a clash with the police in Barangay (village) Barrera here. Delmer Isonga, a Barrera resident, was the subject of a police sting operation when he sensed he was dealing with undercover policemen and opened fire, said Supt. Ponciano Zafra, city police chief.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Drug surrenderer shot dead in NegOr town
Unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects shot dead a drug surrenderer in Vallehermoso, the northernmost town of Negros Oriental. A police report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NORPPO) identified the victim as Teresito Pata Ondang, 47, married, a resident of Sitio Lico, Barangay Bulado in the neighboring city of Guihulngan.
Philippine News Agency

P380-K worth of ‘shabu’ seized in Bacolod City
Anti-drug operatives of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) seized a total of PHP380,000 worth of suspected shabu from two suspects in separate buy-bust operations on Wednesday. Around 9 p.m., suspect Anjelyn Ariola was arrested in Barangay Alijis during the raid conducted by personnel of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU).
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

Cops nab 2 guns-for-hire in Abra raid
Cordillera police nabbed two alleged members of a gun-for-hire group during a raid on a house in Abra, seizing several firearms and ammunition, an official said Thursday. Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) Regional Director, Chief Supt. Rolando Nana, identified the suspects as Jeremy Navarette Pinera and Oliver Virgo Sotelo.
Philippine News Agency

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Duterte promises to hike teachers' pay
President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday vowed to increase the pay of teachers this year — days after his administration was criticized for allegedly red-tagging members of a teachers' group. Duterte said he prioritized soldiers in the pay increase because of the risks they are facing. "I was talking to (Budget Secretary Benjamin) Diokno at the year-end to find out how things could be (afforded). I told him I prioritized soldiers because I know what will happen," Duterte said during the groundbreaking of the Gregorio National High School in Bukan, Bulacan.
Philippine Star, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

No plan for revolutionary gov't, Duterte reiterates
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday thumbed down calls to declare a revolutionary government. “Kaya man ‘yung isa, I’m sure nabasa ninyo ‘yon. They go around selling the idea of a revolutionary government at ako raw ‘yung --- I will head it. My God, you can disabuse that… Hindi ako ganun na pagkatao. I’m a lawyer and I should know where I belong. I will stay to the last day of my term. Then I will step down,” he said in a speech during the groundbreaking of a school in Bulacan.
ABS-CBN News

Duterte to ‘tambays:’ Feel free to ‘rob,’ ‘kill’ moneyed bishops who happen by
There is no stopping President Rodrigo Duterte from attacking the clergy and suggested to bystanders on Thursday to rob members of the clergy. “Kaya pagdating ko sabi ko, ‘Hoy, kayong mga tambay diyan, ‘pag dumaan ‘yang obispo ninyo holdapan ‘yan maraming pera ‘yan p***** i** niya.  Patayin mo,” Duterte said in a speech during the birth anniversary celebration of Gov. Antonio Kho in Masbate, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Reuters, The Manila Times

Duterte eyes executive order for total firecracker ban
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would issue an executive order banning the use of firecrackers despite the drop in the number of injuries during the New Year celebration. "I will issue the executive order this early para warning na doon sa lahat that I am banning firecracker altogether,"  he said in a speech in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
GMA News

Duterte signs work from home, higher pension for war veterans bills into law
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law measures allowing employees to work from home and increasing the monthly old-age pension of war veterans. The president signed Republic Act 11165 or the Telecommuting Act and Republic Act 11164, which increased the pension of war veterans, last December 20. 
Philippine Star

Duterte vows to avoid US arms purchases
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said his administration will no longer purchase arms and military equipment from the United States after the latter threatened to impose sanctions on countries buying military equipment from Russia.
ABS-CBN News

Duterte declares National Bible Day a working holiday
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11163 which makes National Bible Day a special working holiday. The special working holiday shall be observed every last Monday of January of every year.  Republic Act 11163 was signed by Duterte on December 20, 2018. 
ABS-CBN News, Philippine News Agency

Rape comes with territory for Filipino workers abroad–Duterte
In a statement likely to rile women’s groups again, President Duterte on Wednesday said that the possibility of rape “comes with the territory” when working abroad. “[For those] working as slaves [overseas], rape [comes with] the territory. Kasali sa kultura (It’s part of the culture),” Mr. Duterte said in a speech during the launch of the Department of Trade and Industry’s “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” in this town.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Palace blames detractors for lower democracy rank
Malacañang on Thursday denied that the government is unleashing legal attacks against the opposition after the Philippines’s ranking again declined in the 2018 edition of The Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index. The Department of Justice also said the legal actions taken by the government against key personalities in the opposition were legitimate and were intended to “protect the state and the people.”
Business Mirror

Palace: Duterte in ‘a fine state of health’
President Duterte is in “a fine state of health” and will continue to watch over his health amid his heavy workload, Malacañang said Wednesday after a survey showed more Filipinos were worried about his health. √Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said they appreciate the public concern about the President’s well-being but assured them there was nothing to worry.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte frustrated over COA’s strict rules that delay gov’t projects – Palace
The Commission on Audit (COA) can implement auditing protocols on government programs without derailing these vital projects, Malacañang said Thursday following President Duterte’s recent joke about kidnapping and torturing its officials.
Manila Bulletin

Hopeless but hopeful
In a December Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on whether they would welcome the coming year with hope or with fear, 96% of the respondents said they would welcome it with hope. If the survey methodology was as sound as many have come to expect of SWS, almost the entire adult population of the Philippines expects things to be better in 2019. 
Business World Online

Political will
It is a much abused claim of the Duterte administration. But like the Kaya Natin of FVR, political will is just a propaganda line, a means to give the Duterte administration continuing legitimacy. I am sure more than half of the 70 percent who claim to still trust Duterte’s leadership are banking on his use of Davao style political will to correct long standing ills of our society and our country, and they are waiting patiently for him to use it more widely.
Philippine Star

Why Duterte’s Controversies Are No Laughing Matter
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is no stranger to controversy. And over the past few weeks alone, he has once again courted it with his comments about kidnapping and torturing state auditors and abusing a maid, which has made the headlines locally as well as internationally with the usual outcry we have seen over the past few years.
The Diplomat

Where is the outrage?
Ms Solita Monsod posed the question in her “Glory and shame in 2018” column (12/29/18): “Do you think [President Duterte] has brought glory to the Philippines, or shame?” I must say that, like the magician who has a bagful of tricks, this President can dig deep into his pocket for  trashy, shameless utterances, the latest of which was about molesting a maid in his youth.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Robredo meets with Israeli ambassador
Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo met with the ambassador of Israel who visited her at the Quezon City Reception House, where she holds office. Rafael Harpaz, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Israel, paid Robredo a visit recently at the QCRH, where they discussed their countries’ bilateral relationship.
Manila Bulletin

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DISASTER

MINDANAO

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec sets Jan. 31 deadline for final list of BEIs, BOC
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here is now pre-positioning the Boards of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and the Board of Canvassers (BOC) with the deadline of submission of the final list set on January 31st. Lawyer Gildu Agoncillo, the Election Officer of Dumaguete City, on Wednesday afternoon explained the need to constitute the BEIs for the upcoming May 13 mid-term election by the end of this month because they still have to undergo training afterward.
Philippine News Agency

Police, military vow CAFGUs won't be used as private armies during election period
The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Commission on Elections vowed to ramp up efforts against private armed groups in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections. "The PNP shall take a lead role in law enforcement against criminal syndicates and private armed groups with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said in a press conference earlier Thursday afternoon.
Philippine Star, The Manila Times

Be mindful of 2019 polls’ ‘economic implications’ — HSBC
The 2019 midterm elections in the Philippines will have “important economic implications” that bear watching, particularly possible shifts in political fault lines that may affect reforms, analysts at a global bank said. Twelve of the 24 Senate seats, as well as all lower house seats and all elected posts of local government units are up for grabs on May 13, 2019.
Philippine Star

Daraga, Cotabato City asked to be placed under Comelec control
The municipality of Daraga in Albay and Cotabato City were recommended to be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as the May midterm polls draw near. Comelec chair Sheriff Abas said they have received recommendation from the poll body’s local election officers to put the two areas under the control of the poll body.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mar Roxas says Ilonggo support won’t make him complacent
Opposition senatorial candidate Manuel Roxas II is not about to be complacent with the Ilonggo votes, but he trusts his kasimanwas (fellow citizens) to support him and the rest of the opposition slate, Otso Diretso, in the May elections. The opposition kicked off their rounds of the provinces here, Roxas’ home province, on Thursday, January 10, through a series of town hall meetings.
Rappler

Opposition senatorial bets won’t give up amid low ranking in Pulse Asia survey
THE opposition is unfazed over results of a Pulse Asia survey which showed only two of its eight senatorial candidates landing in the “magic 12,” saying the election is “still a long way,” as it remains “confident” that the Filipinos will be “discerning enough to elect those who will work for the best interest of families.”
The Manila Times

Davao authorities update ‘Ewas’ list for mid-term polls
Authorities in the Davao region are already updating and validating the previous list of Election Watch list Areas (Ewas) that has been identified in the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKEs) as the country gears up for the 2019 mid-term polls.
Manila Bulletin

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Tito Sotto calls for special caucus on national budget
Senate President Vicente Sotto III will call for a senators’ caucus on Monday to discuss their timetable for the 2019 national budget of 10 more government agencies and the abolition of the controversial Road Board. During yesterday’s Kapihan sa Senado forum, he admitted that there are a number of national issues that should be discussed and settled among senators once session resumes on Jan. 14.
Philippine Star

Oust Andaya for budget delays, says Villafuerte
A lawmaker on Thursday recommended to the House of Representatives to kick out Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. as majority leader for his “non-stop maneuvers” in allegedly derailing the already-delayed approval of the proposed 2019 national budget.
The Manila Times

Solon wants to increase minimum wage of kasambahays
Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado seeks to amend the Domestic Workers Act to increase the minimum wage of kasambahays. He specifically wants to amend Section 24 of the “Batas Kasambahay” or Republic Act 10361. He noted that in 2013, Republic Act 10361 or more commonly known as the Domestic Workers Act was enacted primarily to institute policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers.
Manila Bulletin


LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

US, Israel extend military assistance to PH
The United States and Israel have extended military assistance to the Philippines in addressing the threat of the communist rebellion, President Duterte disclosed last Wednesday. The President said helicopters and drones have been deployed to track down armed rebels although he has barred them from dropping bombs on the enemies of the state.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Peso appreciates vs. dollar on Fed meeting minutes
The Philippine peso strengthened against its US counterpart for the second consecutive trading day on Thursday, after the minutes of the latest US Federal Reserve policy meeting was released. The local currency gained 12 centavos to close Thursday at P52.225:$1 from P52.345:$1 Wednesday.
GMA News

Public debt, budget deficit and sin tax hikes
When the Philippines public debt reached P7.2 trillion last November, I was curious which among the previous and current administrations were the major debt generators. I checked the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) website and summarized the numbers below and computed the per year rise in public debt stock.
Business World Online

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

LTFRB employee dismissed for corruption
An employee of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was sacked from his post over alleged corruption after receiving money for faster processing of documents, the agency said Thursday. Both the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB have decided to terminate Richard Vallecer, who was assigned at the Message Center of the LTFRB Central Office in Quezon City, from his post due to illegal transactions.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Sri Lanka president to arrive in Philippines next week for state visit
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will be in the Philippines for a five-day state visit next week following an invitation from President Rodrigo Duterte. Sirisena will be in the country from January 15 to 19 this year, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Thursday.
Philippine Star

Asean-Russia: Sharing a strategic future
Last November, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asia (Asean) member states met in Singapore to take a historic decision on elevating the Asean-Russia dialogue partnership to a strategic level. Is it just a symbolic gesture or has it material substance? To answer this question, one has to look at it in the context of specific issues of Asean-Russia cooperation and prevailing trends in the global and regional situation.
The Manila Times

West Philippine Sea

Satellite images show expanse of Chinese vessels in Spratlys
An analysis of a recent satellite imagery showing Chinese vessels loitering in the Spratlys suggests the expanse of China's fishing activities in the West Philippine Sea, according to  Washington-based think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI). In a report entitled "Illuminating the South China Sea’s Dark Fishing Fleets" published Wednesday, AMTI director Gregory Poling wrote about "the massive presence of vessels" in and around two of largest China’s outposts at the Subi and Mischief Reefs.
GMA News

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Looming El Niño to affect 47 provinces in first quarter of 2019
The probable occurrence of El Niño may usher in hotter days on the first quarter of 2019 and may affect 47 provinces, PAGASA said Thursday in its Climate Outlook for the year. According to its forecast, the first months of the year will likely be more sweltering compared to the same period in 2018 because of lessened rainfall and dry winds caused by the phenomenon.
GMA News

EDUCATION

Educational hub for Greater Baguio cluster proposed
Tuba or any of the other four municipalities of Benguet will be included in the cluster that will comprise the proposed Greater Baguio. The new grouping was discussed during a public consultation on Senate Bill No. 1692 or the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority in Baguio last week.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Energy approves LNG hub proposal of Uy, China firm
The Energy Department said Thursday it approved the application of Tanglawan Philippines LNG Inc. of businessman Dennis Uy and CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd. to develop the country’s first liquefied natural gas terminal. Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos confirmed the approval of the issuance of a notice to proceed to Tanglawan but did not provide more details.
Manila Standard

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

D.E.N.R. has 1-strike policy vs. pollutive bay condos
IT will be a one-strike policy at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), when it deals with hotels and other establishments located along Manila Bay found violating environmental rules. This developed as DENR Undersecretary for Attached Agencies Sherwin Rigor said even residential condominiums are in the agency’s target sight for inspections.
Business Mirror

Manila bay rehab bigger task than Boracay: DENR exec
The proposed rehabilitation of the Manila Bay is a bigger task than what was done on Boracay Island but nothing is impossible with the support of the national government, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Thursday. Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations, said they will be launching their proposed rehabilitation plan of the Manila Bay on January 15.
Philippine News Agency

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DICT no more? Sotto hints Honasan may be appointed to another agency
Senator Gregorio Honasan II might be nominated to another post. Senate President Vicente Sotto III raised this possibility on Thursday, January 10, when asked about his friend's qualifications to head the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Rappler

Poe eyeing lawsuit vs draft common tower policy
Senator Grace Poe on Thursday vowed to go to court if Presidential Adviser on economic affairs and information technology communications Ramon Jacinto insists on implementing the proposed common tower policy which she dubbed as “disadvantageous to the public.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Is there sense in common towers?
Long before he could assume his post in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II may face loyalty test as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The loyalty check is not about his checkered past as an erstwhile rebel soldier before he became a politician.
Philippine Star

DICT chief: We will have 3rd telco by midyear
ACTING Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. has assured President Rodrigo Duterte that the third telecommunications provider would be operational by the middle of 2019 to break the duopoly of PLDT Incorporated and Globe Telecom Incorporated.
Sunstar Manila

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR