Duterte lashes at communism in one of Philippines' CPP hotbeds
President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday lashed at communism in one of the country's rebel hotbeds, calling it a "mass insanity" that has claimed many lives in the last 52 years. Speaking to local leaders in Lucena City, Quezon, Duterte said rebels continue to kill fellow Filipinos even if their model countries China and Russia have abandoned communism.
Philippine Star

Reply to Duterte’s tirade in Lucena City against the CPP, NPA and revolutionary mass movement    
There is nothing rotten or insane about fighting for genuine and full national independence and people’s democracy and eventually for socialism even for another 50 years until victory is won. What is totally rotten is for Duterte to be serving the interests of both US and Chinese imperialists, the big compradors, landlords and his fellow corrupt bureaucrat capitalists who oppress and exploit the people.
NDFP

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Abduction of gov’t troops violates CARHRIHL — AFP
The abduction of two soldiers and 14 Cafgu Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) by communists in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last December 19, 2018, is a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and IHL (CARHRIHL).
Manila Bulletin

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Teenage NPA member yields in Misamis Occidental
A young New People’s Army (NPA) member has surrendered to military authorities in Misamis Occidental, officials said Tuesday. Lt. Col. John Andrada, the Army’s 10th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the NPA surrenderer only as Ka Jessie, who turned himself in on Monday in Oroquieta City. Andrada said Ka Jessie, 18, decided to surrender as he was "fed up" with the illegal activities of the NPA -- the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Philippine News Agency

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

Reds attack civilians, burn construction equipment in Quezon
A small band of New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels, reportedly numbering about 10, raided a facility of the Pacific Summit Construction Group Inc. (PSCGI) in Sitio Pandarawan, Barangay Maragondon in Real, Quezon, holding its employees at gunpoint while torching valuable construction equipment Monday evening.
Philippine News Agency, Bandera

MARAWI

Marawi overwhelmingly votes for Bangsamoro ratification
Residents of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur overwhelmingly voted in favor of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which is seen to bring a peaceful resolution to the long-drawn conflict in Mindanao.
CNN Philippines

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Islamic State-linked plots in region fell in 2018, but terrorism threat to Singapore remains high: MHA
The most pressing terrorism threat to Singapore continues to come from Islamic State, even though the number of plots directed by the militant group fell in the region in 2018. This is according to the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) latest terrorism threat assessment report which was released on Tuesday (Jan 22).
Channel News Asia

UK to review controversial counter-terrorism strategy
An independent review will take place of the controversial counter-terrorism ‘Prevent’ programme, the UK government said on Tuesday. Security minister Ben Wallace told Britain’s Parliament that the time had come for a review of Prevent.
The National UAE, The Guardian

Do not criminalise aid work
Britain has a long history as a leader in humanitarian action across conflict zones, through generous funding and through the dedication of British aid workers risking their lives in some of the most dangerous humanitarian crises across the globe. Our organization, the Norwegian Refugee Council, is among many organizations employing hard-working and courageous British staff.
Norwegian Refugee Council

Egypt's forces kill 59 takfiris, lose 7 personnel in counter-terrorism efforts
Egyptian army troops in cooperation with police forces managed to eliminate a number of 59 takfiri elements, during the last period, including 15 "highly dangerous" terrorists, according to a military statement, as part of the military operation launched last year to end terrorism nationwide. 
Egypt Today

Russia Dismantles Terror Cell that Funds ISIS
The Russian Federal Security Service announced it had uncovered a terrorist cell operating in several regions in the south of the country, and according to media, three members of the cell were collecting funds to fund ISIS.
Asharq Al-Awsat

Release of radical cleric Bashir comes with conditions: Indonesian President Jokowi
President Joko Widodo has clarified that radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir would only be released from prison if he pledged allegiance to Indonesia and its national ideology Pancasila, which promotes tolerance, as is required of all reformed terrorists. “This is a conditional release, not a pure release, so all the requirements have to be met. It is not possible for me to breach the regulations,” Mr Joko told reporters at the presidential palace on Tuesday (Jan 22). 
The Straits Times

Abiy's Ethiopia pardons 13,000 accused of treason or terrorism
Ethiopia has pardoned more than 13,000 people in the past six months who had been charged with or convicted of treason or terrorism, state-affiliated media said on Tuesday.
Channel News Asia

ARMM holds 1st Bangsamoro Datathon
The Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO-ARMM) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded a three-day Bangsamoro Datathon here. The Bangsamoro Datathon (data + marathon) is a series of support processes in service of the transition from the ARMM to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The exercise covered open data, open street mapping, and benchmark data.
Mindanao Examiner

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Fast facts on the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law
After years of negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Republic Act 11054 was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 26, 2018. The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
GMA News

Dominguez: Budget needed for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
As the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) edges closer to ratification, the Department of Finance (DOF) flags the need for it to have a separate funding. And the ball is now in the court of Congress.
CNN Philippines

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It’s a resounding ‘yes’ for BOL in Cotabato City and Marawi
The “yes” vote for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was leading in Cotabato City by at least 7,000 as of 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, partial and official results from the Commission on Election (Comelec) showed. The poll garnered 28,828  “yes” votes compared to the 21,787 “no” votes, or a total of 50,615 votes.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lanao Sur ratifies BOL in overwhelming 'yes' vote
More than half a million Lanao del Sur residents voted to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), according to the final and official results released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Tuesday evening.
Philippine News Agency, Rappler

Cotabato City, Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao vote ‘Yes’ in BOL plebiscite
Voters in Cotabato erupted in chants of "Allahu Akbar" after the Commission on Elections officer in the city announced on Tuesday night the final tally in the plebiscite, ratifying its inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
GMA News

Maguindanao gives big ‘yes’ to Bangsamoro law
Maguindanao province overwhelmingly voted “yes” to ratify the Bangsamoro Law, the Commission on Elections announced at around 5:45 pm Tuesday. Based on the final and official results of the Maguindanao Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (PPBOC ), 608 846 voted in favor and 9,096 against the law.
Mindanews

Lanao del Sur tops voter turnout in Bangsamoro plebiscite
Lanao del Sur posted the highest voter turnout in the recently concluded Bangsamoro plebiscite, said the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday, January 22. The voter turnout in Lanao del Sur was 92.59%, said WestMinCom, citing information as of 1 pm on Tuesday. The lowest voter turnout was in Isabela City, at 58.33%.
Rappler

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Palace tells BOL opponents to accept poll result, ‘toe the line’
Filipinos should accept whatever the results of the plebiscite on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) would be, Malacañang said Tuesday. Voters from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City, and Isabela City in Basilan cast their votes on Monday on whether or not to approve BOL.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BOL plebiscite proof of PRRD’s commitment on signed pacts: OPAPP
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday the conduct of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite is proof that President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration is committed to implement “signed agreements” with the Moro people. "Ultimately, we all aspire for a peaceful Mindanao. The conduct of the plebiscite is also a manifestation that the government, under the Duterte administration, is sincere in implementing all its signed agreements with the Moro fronts," Galvez said in a statement.
Philippine News Agency

After plebiscite, MILF chief says hardest struggle ‘will be the struggle against ourselves’
Murad Ebrahim sees the road ahead, and he knows its challenges. “Our hardest struggle,” said the chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), “will be the struggle against ourselves.” Murad faced reporters hours after he voted yes in the plebiscite on Monday, January 21, to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that his former separatist group helped craft.
Rappler, Philippine Star

After Bangsamoro plebiscite, hopes are high but no quick fixes expected
Hopes are high that the “usual” shootouts and other gun-related violence in the restive south may finally disappear as residents of Muslim Mindanao on Monday voted in a plebiscite for wider Bangsamoro autonomy, one of the final steps in the peace pact between the government and the country’s largest Moro rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF.
ABS-CBN News

BOL not a ‘quick fix’
Jan. 21 marked a significant moment for Mindanao as the Bangsamoro finally put into vote a law that will create a new governing entity that, in turn, will provide the tools to resolve issues that have long held back the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) from reaching its full potential.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Rappler Talk: MILF chief Murad on hopes, challenges for the Bangsamoro vote
Will a new and more powerful region rise in Muslim Mindanao? Will Cotabato City and Isabela City join this new region? As votes all over Mindanao are tallied, Rappler speaks to Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim.
Rappler

76% of Filipino Muslims say MILF capable of governing BARMM – SWS
A big majority of Filipino Muslims are confident the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is “capable” of governing the proposed new Muslim region that will enjoy wider powers than the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2018.
Rappler, Philippine News Agency

Bangsamoro people will attain peace and development with BOL ratification – Malacañang
The Bangsamoro people are hungry for peace and development in Mindanao after years of war and poverty, Malacañang declared Tuesday in assessing the survey results showing majority of Muslims supported the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Manila Bulletin

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Bangsamoro plebiscite generally peaceful, says analyst
Despite some scuffles that erupted in some polling precincts, the Bangsamoro plebiscite on Monday was generally peaceful, an analyst said Tuesday. The scuffles were "a learning experience" for the upcoming second day of the plebiscite on Feb. 6, University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies Professor Julkipli Wadi said.
ABS-CBN News

Peaceful conduct of BOL plebiscite attributed to close coordination
Army 6th Infantry Division (6th ID) Commander Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana Tuesday said the peaceful holding of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite in Maguindanao province and Cotabato City, is attributed to the close coordination and synchronized efforts between the security forces and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) together with the concerned stakeholders.
Manila Bulletin

OPAPP Secretary Galvez proud of successful plebiscite
“A plebiscite we should all be proud of.” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (PAPP) Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., made the remark following the successful conduct of the first round of plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana asked MILF to pull out its members from polling areas
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said he asked Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Sammy Al Mansour to order the group's members to pull out from schools during the conduct of Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite on Monday.
GMA News

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6ID to shift focus to NoCot for Feb. 6 BOL plebiscite
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) is set to shift the deployment of its security forces to North Cotabato for the February 6 plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the province. A total of 39 barangays in the towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato have been proposed for inclusion under the expanded Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Philippine News Agency

The AFP will stay vigilant for second BOL plebiscite date
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Tuesday said that while it sees the first day of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite as generally peaceful and successful, they cannot just sit and relax on their duties and responsibilities.
Manila Bulletin

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Peace in two perspectives
They were born in different circumstances yet they both longed for everlasting peace in a place where the decade-long conflict has been the creator of their fate. On the day of the plebiscite here, two young Maguindanaons have cast their votes, one supports the inclusion of Cotabato City under the soon to be Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao or BARMM, and the other one wanted Cotabato to remain a charter city.
Davao Today

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

SAF-44 sacrifice not in vain
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the infamous   massacre that took place in the town of Mamasapano in Maguindanao where 44 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Special Action Force, or SAF, were killed in action. After undertaking a successful mission dubbed Oplan Exodus – to arrest Islamic terrorists Marwan and Usman, their heroic acts are remembered today by their loved ones, families, relatives, friends and colleagues at the PNP and SAF.
Philippine Star

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

PDEA receives ISO certification
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has now been included in the country’s elite list of government offices compliant with quality management standards. PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said the agency was formally accorded with ISO 9001:2015 certification by Renato V. Navarette, president and managing director of the Certification International Philippines (CIP) during the recent simple rites held at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
Manila Bulletin

PDEA mulls livelihood assistance for marijuana planters
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera mulls giving livelihood assistance to marijuana growers as solution to its unabated cultivation in the region, an official said Tuesday. PDEA-Cordillera Regional Director Edgar Apalla said they will coordinate with the concerned local government units (LGUs) to prepare a proposal regarding an alternative livelihood program for areas known to have marijuana plantations.
Philippine News Agency

Supreme Court acquits more drug suspects
The Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted another batch of drug suspects as it makes good on its promise that weak case buildups, especially those violating rules on drug inventory, will lead to dismissals and acquittals. In 3 separate decisions from December 2018 to January 2019, the SC's 2nd and 3rd Divisions acquitted a total of 6 drug suspects and ordered them immediately released from jail.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Partylist backs medical marijuana use
The proposal to legalize the use of medical marijuana has earned support from a regional party-list citing its value to cure diseases. An Waray Partylist chairman Florencio Noel said their group will actively participate in the discussion of legalizing marijuana for medical use once deliberated in the House of Representatives.
Philippine News Agency

Operations/ Incidents

Drug suspect killed in Camarines Norte sting
Police operatives killed on Sunday night a suspected drug pusher in a drug operation along the Maharlika Highway at Barangay Tabugon, Sta. Elena town in Camarines Norte, a police report said on Monday. Slain was Rufo Tioson of Bacoor, Cavite, an alleged drug peddler operating in the said town, Chief Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 spokesperson, said.
Philippine News Agency

High-value drug personality caught in Zamboanga Sibugay
TWO people, including a high-value drug personality, were arrested in a drug bust on Saturday in Zamboanga Sibugay, the police said. Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said Generoso Florendo, 46, a high-value target drug personality; and, Danilo Berjamin Sr., 56, a newly-identified drug personality were arrested around 3:30 p.m. in the village of Little Baguio. 
Sunstar Zamboanga

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

3 men arrested for gun and explosive violations
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested three men who allegedly yielded assorted firearms, explosives and ammunition in a raid in Parañaque City, the metro’s top cop bared Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

Police intercept ‘smuggled’ sugar shipment
POLICEMEN have intercepted a shipment of some P165,000 worth of suspected smuggled sugar in Zamboanga City on Sunday, January 20. Senior Superintendent Thomas Joseph Martir, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, said the shipment was intercepted around 9:10 p.m. Sunday at Sitio Picnic Ground in the village of Tugbungan. 
Sunstar Zamboanga

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Duterte left decision on criminal age liability to Congress – Palace
President Duterte wants to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 years old but left to Congress to determine the minimum age, Malacañang said Tuesday amid concerns raised by some groups that age of nine was too young.
Manila Bulletin

Congress eyes Duterte approval of 2019 budget by Valentine's Day
The two chambers of Congress convened Tuesday the bicameral conference committee to tackle the proposed 2019 national budget. The Senate and the House of Representatives started to reconcile differences in their respective versions of the proposed P3.757-trillion budget.
ABS-CBN News

Trying to understand Trump and Duterte loyalists
I came upon an interesting article entitled, “A Complete Psychological Analysis of Trump’ Support,” which attempts to explain the reportedly near-fanatical loyalty to President Donald Trump of his Republican voter base.
Business World Online

EXCLUSIVE: Finance chief tackles farm sector, BOL, Duterte's sexual abuse allegations vs priest
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez on Tuesday sat down with CNN Philippines for an interview where he aired his stance on some of the country's pressing issues, including the state of the agriculture sector, the establishment of a new Bangsamoro autonomus regional government in Mindanao, and the President's tirades against the Catholic Church.
CNN Philippines

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Road Board abolition now up for Duterte’s signature
After weeks of impasse in Congress, the bill abolishing the corruption-laden Road Board is now ready for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature. The Senate on Tuesday, January 22, adopted the version passed by the House on Monday. This means there will be no bicameral conference committee because there are no differences between the two versions. The bill is now up for enrolment and, soon, for Duterte’s signature.
Rappler

DISASTER

5 mayors to face sanction over Typhoon Ompong absence
Five Northern Luzon mayors are now facing possible administrative sanctions before the Office of the Ombudsman for being absent when typhoon “Ompong’’ struck their respective turfs in September 2018.
Manila Bulletin

MINDANAO

Mindanao seen to grow by 7%-8% this year
The economy of Mindanao is forecast to grow by up to 8% this year with projects boosting agricultural output, investments in urban areas, and improved business confidence arising from the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, an official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said.
Business World Online

ELECTION RELATED

Supreme Court suspends ballot recount in VP protest
The Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has suspended the ballot recount in the electoral protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr against Vice President Leni Robredo. Lawyers of both camps confirmed this to Rappler on Tuesday, January 22.
Rappler

Release of pre-election surveys part of our mandate – Pulse Asia
Pulse Asia said the release of pre-election survey results is part of the organization’s advocacy to share relevant findings with the public. Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes said this in reaction to a petition filed by lawyer and senatorial candidate Larry Gadon seeking the intervention of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stop the release of pre-election survey results.
Manila Bulletin

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Change of heart on charter change?
Late last week, President Duterte hinted at a possible change of heart on charter change or cha cha. In a forum on the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Cotabato City, the President said people are so used to directly voting for key national officials, suggesting that a full blown cha cha may be too ambitious.
Philippine Star

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

First bicam meeting on budget fruitless
Lawmakers met on Tuesday to reconcile the disagreeing provisions in the proposed P3.757-trillion 2019 budget, but nothing was agreed upon, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said. A bicameral conference panel met at the Manila Polo Club to finetune conflicting provision
The Manila Times

Senate allots P68 billion for unfunded laws
ADOPTING Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto’s amendment, senators agreed to set aside P68 billion in the proposed 2019 national budget to bankroll unfunded laws set for enactment, including Universal Health Care, Bangsamoro, rice tariffication and the Coconut Modernization Law.
Business Mirror

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Office of former Speaker Alvarez biggest spender in 2017 — CoA
THE office of former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez topped the list of lawmakers from the House of Representatives, which incurred the highest expenses in 2017, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said. An Itemized List of Amounts Paid To and Expenses Incurred For Each House Member showed that his office spent P43.7 million in 2017.
The Manila Times, Manila Standard

BUDGET AND FINANCE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PNP gets former United Nations officer as new spokesman
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has appointed a former officer to the United Nations (UN) as its new uniting voice. Effective on Tuesday, January 22, Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac steps up as the new chief of the PNP’s Public Information Office, making him the new spokesman of the 190,000-strong police force.
Rappler

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

UN sees Philippine economy to grow 6.5% in 2019
The United Nations (UN) said it expects Philippine economic growth to rebound this year as the government ramps up implementation of its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program. In its World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019 report, the UN said it sees the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) growth to have had slowed to 6.3 percent in 2018 from 6.7 percent in 2017.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The $23-Billion FDI potential
The Philippine government is displaying an ambitious goal of speeding up infrastructure development through its “Build, Build, Build” program. The initiative is anchored on the goal of making economic growth more inclusive and pro-poor. While its first tax reform package, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, and increased and new taxes can be a positive fiscal measure to support it, transforming the economy may need something more.
Business World Online

Moody’s affirms BDO, Metrobank credit ratings
Investment grade ratings for two banks affected by a Subic-based shipbuilder’s bankruptcy — potentially the biggest default in Philippine corporate history — have been affirmed by Moody’s Investors Service.
The Manila Times

Peso depreciates on global concerns
The Philippine peso depreciated against the US dollar on Tuesday, weighed by concerns about the trade war between China and the United States. The local currency lost 13 centavos as it closed at P52.93:$1 from P52.8:$1 on Monday.
GMA News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO SLAMS JOINT DEAL ON SOUTH CHINA SEA, CITES DIFFERENT NUMBERS FROM DUTERTE GOVERNMENT
Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino, known for his hardline views on China, on Tuesday appeared to contradict the terms of a deal his successor Rodrigo Duterte is making with China, as he sharply criticised plans for joint energy exploration in the disputed South China Sea.
South China Morning Post

It is the task of every Filipino to ‘stand against a Goliath’ – Del Rosario
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario on Tuesday likened China to a modern day Goliath who is pursuing a strategy of 3-B’s – “bribery, brawn and bluster” – to achieve its wrongful objective on the South China Sea.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

DOLE now drafting rules of work from home law
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday said it is in the process of fine-tuning the details of the Telecommuting Law which gives private-sector employees the privilege to work from outside the office. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the department is now in the process of drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law.
GMA News

US imposes ban on new Filipino workers
New workers from the Philippines are no longer allowed to seek employment under H2 status in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced. The notice, published on Friday, imposes a one-year ban on Filipino migrant workers across the US from January 19, 2019 until January 18, 2020.
Philippine News Agency

Govt may appeal US ban on entry of Pinoy workers
The Philippine government may ask the United States government to reconsider its imposition of a one-year ban on Filipino workers if it finds no basis for such restriction, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
The Manila Times

TRANSPORTATION

PRRD to lead TODA summit
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will jointly hold on Wednesday, the third Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) Summit in Pasay City.
Manila Bulletin

DOTr exec calls on solons to back PUV modernization program
An official of the Department of Transportation sees no problem taking public transport, as proposed by a solon through the filing of a bill in the House of Representatives, but called on lawmakers to support the modernization program for public utility vehicles. DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark de Leon said lawmakers should find ways to help jeepney operators and drivers comply with the program through additional subsidies.
Philippine News Agency

LOOK: PNR to run first Philippine-made train
Soon, a Filipino-made train will hit the railway tracks, a first in Philippine transportation history. Developed by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the train will soon be operational under the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
Rappler

HEALTH 

De Lima urges DOH to ensure steady supply of HIV drugs
Detained Senator Leila de Lima has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to address the reported shortage in the supply of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DAR extends facilities support to ARBs
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has been distributing common service facilities (CSFs) to farmer-beneficiaries as part of the government’s plan to reduce the poverty incidence to 14 percent from 21 percent before 2022.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

DepEd starts releasing PBB of personnel
School-based personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) will soon be receiving their Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. Issuing a statement, DepEd notified its school-based personnel that as of January 21, 2019, the Region III Office “has started releasing” the PBB for FY 2017. Meanwhile, DepEd noted that the Schools Division Offices (SDOs) of the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions IV-A, XI, and XII “have received” their Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) from their respective Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Regional Offices.
Manila Bulletin

CHED temporarily suspends incentive program for journals
CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III, in a memorandum issued last November, informed all presidents and heads of higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as scholarly and scientific organizations on the revision and assessment of the guidelines for the CHED Journal Incentive Program (CHED-JIP).
Manila Bulletin

Home economics graduates can now teach in elementary, secondary schools
President Duterte has signed a law allowing home economics graduates to teach home economics subjects in public and private elementary and secondary schools. Under Republic Act No. 11168, graduates of home economics will be required to take the Licensure Examination for Teacher within five years from hiring. Those willing to teach on a part-time basis, however, will not be required to take such test.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Malampaya fund to be used for exploration, lower electricity rates
After an hour-long discussion, the House Committee on Energy unanimously passed yesterday the substitute bill, which seeks to allocate the net national government share from the Malampaya natural gas project for payment of the stranded debts and the stranded contract costs of the National Power Corporation ( Napocor), and further exploration projects to develop energy resources and lower electricity rates.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

Gloria Arroyo wants P100 million to buy land for poor
Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will ask the bicameral conference committee to provide a P100-million fund for acquisition of land that will be distributed to more than 6,000 urban poor members. Arroyo made the request after the Department of Public Works and Highways, which is in charge of acquiring land for poor families at the 422-hectare national government center, informed her that the amount was not included in the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for this year.
Philippine Star

Enrile pointed out “procedural loopholes” in 4Ps program
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has called attention to procedural loopholes in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programs (4Ps) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that might result in beneficiaries receiving less than intended.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

Housing and urban dev’t bill awaits PRRD’s signature
The measure seeking to consolidate all housing agencies in one department is awaiting President Duterte’s signature. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, chair of the Senate urban planning, housing and resettlement, said the proposed creation of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development was sent to Malacañang on January 16.
Manila Bulletin

TOURISM

House OKs grant of incentives for tourism enterprises for seven more years
The House Committee on Ways and Means has passed a bill seeking to extend the granting of fiscal incentives for tourism enterprises for seven more years beginning 2020. Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing, panel chairperson, said after looking into the measure and striking a balance between revenue generation and tourism promotion, they approved the unnumbered substitute bill to House Bills 7333 and 7535, which seeks to amend the provisions of Republic Act 9593 or the “Tourism Act of 2009.”
Manila Bulletin

19 Amazing Philippines Destinations For Every Traveler In 2019
It’s 2019 and what better ways to start planning your next travel destination, right? Well, you can choose from one of the top amazing Philippines destinations!
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Online petition asks Duterte to ‘rehabilitate’ Baguio
An online petition that aims to muster at least 5,000 signatures is now circulating to ask President Rodrigo Duterte to declare Baguio a “no-build zone” and pave the way for its possible rehabilitation.
Philippine News Agency

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR