349 politicians in DILG list of NPA supporters
A total of 349 incumbent and re-electionist local officials are on the government’s watchlist of politicians who are allegedly in cahoots with the communist rebels either by paying permit to campaign fees or in constant coordination with the New People’s Army (NPA).
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Standard, CNN Philippines, The Manila Times

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National Youth Commission chair Ronald Cardema: 'I won’t quit or apologize'
He’s not resigning, and he’s not apologizing to government scholars. National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Ronald Cardema said yesterday he will not resign amid calls from some groups for him to step down over his proposal to remove the state scholarships of “anti-government” students.
Philippine Star

CBCP official hits NYC chair’s call
An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday reminded National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema that it is the primary duty of the government to educate the people.
Manila Bulletin

DILG chief believes NYC chief was ‘misquoted’ on remarks on scholars
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año believes National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Ronald Cardema was only misquoted in reports that claimed he said scholarships of anti-government students should be revoked.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Karapatan: Duterte warning vs state university students violates right to free education
A human rights group criticized President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday over his warning to students of state-run schools that they may lose their scholarships if they support communist rebels.
GMA News

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Army Commander slams CPP-NPA Terrorist’s brutality against civilians
The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division under the leadership of Major General Dinoh Dolina is one with the Negrenses in condemning in the strongest possible terms the CPP-NPA Terrorist’s relentless killing rampage in Negros Island victimizing defenseless civilians.
Manila Bulletin

Reds struggle to regain former strongholds in Leyte: Army
The New People’s Army (NPA) is struggling to recover its former strongholds in Leyte province, despite its intensified efforts, due to lack of support in far-flung communities, an official of the Philippine Army said.
Philippine News Agency

NPA rebels not welcome in 7 Buk'n villages
AT LEAST seven villages in Bukidnon have passed a resolution declaring communist rebels and legal organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) "persona non grata", Wednesday, February 20, the military said.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

PNP beefs up men in Surigao Norte
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Caraga Region officially activated its additional Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) to reinforce the existing mobile company covering strategic areas in Surigao del Norte.
The Manila Times

Military links CPP-NPA to recent Negros killings
The military on Thursday linked the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), to the recent killing of two people in Negros Oriental.
GMA News

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Four ranking female rebels surrender to Army Special Forces in Bukidnon
Four ranking members of the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist armed group voluntarily surrendered to the 1st Special Forces Battalion in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The four were identified as Lorena Micabalo, 24; Gloria Jandaya, 63; Gleceria Balangiao, 34; and Jackielyn Ann Elaco, 34.
Manila Bulletin

5 NPAs yield to Marines in Sultan Kudarat
Five communist rebels surrendered to the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, Thursday morning. Brig. Gen. Eugenio Hernandez, the commander of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Kalamansig, said the intensified and relentless operation in the mountain borders of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Sen. Ninoy Aquino, all in Sultan Kudarat, prompted the surrender of the five rebels.
Philippine News Agency

5 Communist returnees to enjoy benefits of government program
Five communist terrorists, who surrendered to troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 in Sultan Kudarat on February 11, will be receiving benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or (E-CLIP).
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t reintegration prompts more rebels to surrender: Army
The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Division is expecting more members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Panay and Negros to surrender. Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said this could happen as the government shows sincerity to help the former rebels by providing an initial reintegration assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Philippine News Agency

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On recent attacks by police and military forces against children    
Philippine police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has revealed his anti-children’s rights mindset yesterday in an interview over the alleged 10-year old daughter of a supposed couple which the police claim to be responsible for the January 27 Jolo bombing.
NDFP

CNL on Edsa Anniversary
The Christians for National Liberation unite with all revolutionary forces under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines in commemorating the 1986 People Power Revolution.
PRWC

Ignorante si Duterte sa kalagayan ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan
Tunay ngang ignorante si Duterte sa kalagayan ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Wala siyang karapatan ni awtoridad na sabihing “bahaw na ang ideolohiya” ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa taumbayan. Hindi aabot ng limampung taon ang pakikibaka ng bayan kung itinuturing na “lipas na ito” ng sambayanan.
PRWC

Pinakamataas na pagpupugay kay Ka Iñigo, tunay na hukbo at bayani ng sambayanang Pilipino!
Ibinibigay ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas at Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa rehiyong Timog Katagalugan ang pinakamataas na pagkilala, pagpupugay at parangal kay Kasamang John Carlo Capistrano Alberto, mas kilala sa tawag na Ka Yago at Ka Iñigo sa mga kasama at masa na kanyang nakapiling sa buhay at kamatayang pakikibaka sa kanayunan.
PRWC

Iligal na pag-aresto kay Maria Ressa, pagsupil sa malayang pamamahayag
Nais kitlin ni Duterte ang malayang pamamahayag sa iligal na pag-aresto kay Rappler CEO Maria Ressa. Desperadong hakbang ito para supilin ang karapatan sa malayang pamamahayag at magbigay ng nakakakilabot na mensahe sa mga mamamahayag at kritiko ng administrasyon.
PRWC

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

2 alleged NPA rebels dead in Oriental Mindoro clash
Two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with Army soldiers in Mansalay town in Oriental Mindoro province early Thursday, the military said
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star 

71st IB Seizes NPAs with Firearms in Pantukan
Three (3) members of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) were apprehended at Sitio Binogsayan, Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province by the joint forces of 71 st Infantry Kaibigan Battalion and Pantukan Municipal Police Station on 20 February 2019.
Kalinaw News

71st IB Apprehends NPA Courier with Firearm
With the real-time information relayed by a concerned citizen of Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan Compostela Valley, 71st Infantry (Kaibigan) Battalion nabbed a courier of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) on February 20, 2019.
Kalinaw News

Over 10 IS-linked foreign terrorists, suicide bomber are in Mindanao — Año
An Arab-looking terrorist trained to be a suicide bomber and more than 10 other foreign terrorists linked to the Islamic State (IS) are lurking in Mindanao, a government official disclosed Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Soldiers kill more Abu Sayyaf militants
Two Abu Sayyaf militants were slain while two more were wounded in a gunfight against military troops in Sulu, Thursday morning. Operating troops of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion encountered more or less eight Abu Sayyaf militants in Sitio Tubig Amu, Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu at about 11 a.m..
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Manila Standard, ABS-CBN News

Año says ASG training suicide bombers' daughter in Sulu
INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said on Thursday, February 21, that the 10-year-old daughter of the suicide bombers in the deadly Jolo blast is now under the care of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu.
Sunstar Manila

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Locsin: PHL efforts on counter-terrorism anchored on human rights, rule of law
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. maintained that the Philippines’ efforts to address terrorism have been anchored on human rights and the rule of law.
Business World Online

Jing An Special Risks gets license for local operations
A HONG KONG-BASED insurer has secured a license to operate in the Philippines, as it looks to provide cover against cyber threats and terror acts for local businesses. Jing An Special Risks (JASR) said the Insurance Commission has given it a license to operate in the country to offer risk insurance to corporates.
Business World Online

MARAWI

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Cost of counter-terrorism for civilians in Liptako-Gourma
States in the Liptako-Gourma region – including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – are imposing restrictive measures to try to quell the growing threat of terrorism. These include limiting the freedom of movement in several parts of their territories.
Institute for Security Studies

India presses for Pakistan to stay on terrorism financing list
India is pressing for Pakistan to be kept on a terrorism financing watchlist following an attack in disputed Kashmir that was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group, three Indian government officials said on Thursday (Feb 21).
Channel News Asia

Terror funding, money laundering demand greater int’l co-op: KSA Attorney General
Saudi Arabia's Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mua’jab said on Wednesday that money laundering and terror financing are at the “forefront of global criminal phenomena,” and often complemented each other.
Egypt Today

Shamima Begum is British, has no claim to Bangladesh: Minister
Shamima Begum, a British teenager who ran away from home to live in ISIL's so-called "caliphate", will not be allowed to enter Bangladesh, the South Asian country's state minister for foreign affairs has told Al Jazeera.
Aljazeera

PH pilgrims almost barred from 2019 hajj over NCMF debt to Saudi firm
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos is investigating suspected fund misuse in the office which reportedly almost got Filipino pilgrims barred from this year's hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a ranking NCMF official said.
Rappler, Philippine News Agency

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Execs are fine with feared Bravo in BARMM transitory bloc
Public officials find as appropriate the inclusion of the feared warrior Abdullah Macapaar into the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. Hadji Murad Ibrahim, figurehead of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, has announced that Macapaar, most known as MILF’s renegade Commander Bravo, is among the 41 members of the incoming BTA.
NDBC News

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Court upholds denial to reject evidence submitted by Ampatuan
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) has denied the appeal of Maguindanao massacre principal accused Andal Ampatuan Jr., to reconsider its previous order that excluded five of the documentary exhibits he presented as evidence with regards to the 58 counts of murder charges filed against him.
Manila Bulletin

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

‘Stop vote-buying in Mindanao’
MUSLIMS in southern Philippines are optimistic that the soon-to-be-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will bring real change to the region left impoverished by decades of poor governance, according to a Muslim Maranao leader.
The Manila Times

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

Malaysia, Philippines working on rescuing three abducted fishermen
The security forces of Malaysia and Philippines are working on rescuing three fishermen abducted in the waters of Pegasus Reef, Kinabatangan in December said Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun yesterday.
The Borneo Post
 

DRUGS

Government to hunt down Peter Lim
The government would pursue fugitive drug suspect Peter Lim to the ends of the earth especially after President Duterte seemed convinced he was involved in the illegal activity, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

No need for martial law amid drug menace – Palace
Malacañang on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte doesn’t have to declare martial law even after he claimed that notorious international drug cartels have started to operate in the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

US gov’t declares support for PH’s drug war
The United States government has declared support for the campaign against the illegal drug trade, Malacañang said Thursday after President Duterte vowed to combat the menace during the remainder of his term. United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim extended Washington’s support during a courtesy call on the President in Malacañang last Wednesday, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto backs Duterte’s tougher war on drugs
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he is in favor of a “stronger approach” to the government’s war on drugs. Sotto issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte said his anti-illegal drug campaign would be “harsher in the days to come.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CHR says ‘harsher drug war’ may lead authorities to disregard due process
A “harsher” drug war may encourage authorities to disregard due process, the Commission on Human Rights warned on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo to President Duterte: Run after big fish in drugs trade
Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday reminded President Duterte that the success of the drug war wouldn’t be realized by killing drug suspects.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo: More violence, killing won’t solve illegal drug problem
Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday stressed that more violence and killings would not solve the country’s problem on illegal drugs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 persons of interest eyed in murder of PDEA agent
Investigators are eyeing two persons of interest — believed to be related to drug syndicates — behind the brutal murder of an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Camarines Sur.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lapeña appears at DOJ to answer charges related to ‘shabu’ mess
Former Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Isidro Lapeña appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday to respond to the complaint filed against him regarding the shabu (crystal meth) smuggled into the country inside magnetic lifters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Calida blocks release of drug war docs, Supreme Court must rule
Solicitor General Jose Calida is trying to block the release of the thousands of documents related to the killings in the war on drugs, saying that they contain “very sensitive information with law enforcement and national security implications.”
Rappler

PDEA launches ‘drug-free workplace’ program
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has officially commenced Thursday spearheading an advocacy program that promotes a drug-free workplace in hotels, bars, restaurants, condominiums, subdivisions, and warehouses.
Manila Bulletin

Operations/ Incidents

3rd brick of suspected cocaine found on Quezon shore
Another brick of suspected cocaine was recovered by a 15-year-old student in Mauban town in Quezon province on Thursday, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ARMM employee, 'MNLF member' fall in drug raid
Anti-narcotic agents nabbed a female agriculture employee of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and his uncle during a raid shortly before Wednesday midnight in Barangay Rosary Heights 10 here.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

Bulacan cops seize ‘shabu’ worth P25M from 2 women
Police seized more than P25 million worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) from two women during a buy-bust operation here on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Suspected drug pusher brought to hospital in Bohol
Instead of bringing him in a detention facility, a suspected drug pusher was brought to the hospital on Wednesday night after he suddenly suffered seizures following his arrest in a buy-bust operation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dumaguete cops nab drug suspects, seize P500-K shabu
Three suspected drug personalities, including a minor, were arrested early Thursday in Purok Mabungahon, Upper Motong here during an anti-illegal drugs operation that yielded some half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu.
Philippine News Agency

Gunmen kill drug surrenderer in Pangasinan
A 34-year old drug surrenderer was shot to death while his companion managed to escape when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen in Bayambang, Pangasinan on Wednesday, police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Poultry farm worker killed in Tarlac drug bust
A poultry farm worker was killed after he allegedly resisted arrest and engaged policemen in a gunfight during a buy-bust operation here on Wednesday evening.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

Fish vendor nabbed in Oriental Mindoro for violating polls gun ban
A fish vendor was arrested Thursday morning in a checkpoint by police and soldiers for possession of a firearm despite the election gun ban in Mansalay town in Oriental Mindoro province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

PNP Anti-kidnapping group rescues Aussie kidnap victim in Makati raid
Anti-kidnapping operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued on Wednesday a 29-year old Australian following the arrest of his four captors in a raid in Makati City.
Manila Bulletin

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Palace takes no offense on Pope’s statement; brushes off “friend of devil” comment as hyperbole
Malacañang said is not offended by the recent remark of Pope Francis that those who constantly criticize the Church are friends, cousins, and relatives of the devil.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Rodrigo Duterte flummoxes the Philippine church
"We need a national exorcism,” says one celebrant at a mid-week mass in Manila’s San Carlos Seminary. The faithful see the devil’s work in the assaults on the Catholic church made by none other than the Philippine president. For almost three years Rodrigo Duterte has lambasted the institution and its symbols, calling God “stupid”, the Holy Trinity “silly” and saints “drunkards”.
The Economist

Palace: Duterte looking forward to China visit in April
President Rodrigo Duterte has renewed his commitment to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China this April. "He looks forward to attending the event," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters on Thursday.
GMA News

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Duterte signs law giving mothers 3 months of paid leave
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law an act that gives working mothers 105 days or 3 months of paid leave. Former aide Bong Go announced this in a message to reporters on Thursday, February 21. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed this, saying the law was signed by Duterte on Wednesday, February 20.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Hontiveros claims signing of extended maternity leave law by Duterte as a win for women
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said the signing of the measure by President Duterte ‘’is a moment mothers, families, and children will not only remember, but a victory generations of Filipinos will reap the benefits of for the rest of their lives.’’
Manila Bulletin

Duterte signs law to modify ranks of policemen
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that modifies the classification of ranks in the Philippine National Police (PNP). Malacañang has yet to release a copy of the law but Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Thursday already confirmed its signing.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Arroyo says Sara ‘a rising star’ in Philippine politics
Davao Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio is “a rising star in Philippine politics,” House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo believes.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Robredo on 2022 presidential poll: Thinking about it now is ‘useless’
Vice President Leni Robredo reiterated Thursday she is not setting her sights on the presidency. In an interview after an event in Cebu City, Robredo said: “Parang useless na paghandaan siya nang maaga kasi marami pang puwedeng mangyari.  Tapos, lalo sa akin, na mayroon akong trabaho na ginagawa.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec tells bets to show who paid for political ads
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned that if a political advertisement does not indicate the name of the person or organization who paid for it, it will be taken down and charges will be filed against those responsible.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec plans to charge candidates for expenses incurred from removal of billboards
The Commission on Elections is eyeing the possibility of charging to candidates the expenses for the removal of their huge billboards to further discourage them from violating election laws.
Manila Bulletin

Poll watchdog to SUCs: Don’t use public funds for political activities
Election watchdog group Kontra Daya called on state university (SUC) students, teachers, and school administrators to not allow the use of public funds and resources for partisan political activities during the campaign period.
Manila Bulletin

Suarez: Lakas to come up with Senate slate
Expect the once-mighty Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) to have its own line up of candidates for the coming Senate race in May.
Manila Bulletin

Oppositions

Otso Diretso sets date, place of debate with Hugpong
Otso Diretso senatorial candidates on Thursday set the date and place for their proposed debate with rivals from the administration and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo upbeat Otso Diretso will get Cebuanos’ vote
Despite the odds against them, opposition senatorial candidates from the Liberal Party-backed “Otso Diretso” slate have what it takes to get solid Cebuano votes on May 13.
Manila Bulletin

Otso Diretso 'realistic' yet 'all fired up' to campaign in vote-rich Cebu
Courting more than 3 million voters is a daunting task for a senatorial ticket lagging behind in the pre-election surveys. But Vice President Leni Robredo said the Otso Diretso slate is “very realistic” yet “optimistic” as they gear up to campaign in Cebu, the country’s most vote-rich province, on Thursday, February 21.
Rappler

Otso Diretso goes door-to-door in vote-rich Cebu
The senatorial candidates of the Otso Diretso slate went door-to-door in vote-rich Cebu, in a bid to introduce themselves to voters directly at their doorsteps.
Rappler

Bam berates trolls discrediting Aquinos
SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th on Thursday deplored trolls in social media whom he said were trying to belittle his proposed measures and resort to name-calling to destroy his credibility.
The Manila Times

Administration

Backpacks, bottled water banned from the Duterte-led PDP-Laban sortie in Cebu on Sunday
Backpacks, bottled water and pens or pencils will not be allowed inside Plaza Independencia in downtown Cebu City during Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) sortie this Sunday, February 24.
Cebu Daily news

Ejercito, Tolentino on debate challenge: Why not?
Administration-backed senatorial candidates JV Ejercito and Francis Tolentino on Thursday said they are ready to face the opposition slate in a debate.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

20 cops arrested for gun ban
Police have arrested a total of 20 cops and three soldiers in the continuing implementation of gun ban which started on January 13.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

MINDANAO

DOTr insists on proposed railway path in Davao City; says it’s cheaper
The Department of Transportation will “reconsider and study” the concerns raised by owners of properties that would be affected by the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project but maintained the proposed path would cost less and cause the least impact.
Mindanews

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Chief Justice: No room for 'tyrants,' 'jokers' in judiciary
Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Thursday reminded Sandiganbayan justices to be tolerant in the performance of their duties or else end up as tyrants. Bersamin made the statement in a visit to the anti-graft court Thursday on the invitation of Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.
ABS-CBN News

SC allows Napoles to attend plunder hearings
The Supreme Court has allowed businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles to attend her plunder hearings in the Sandiganbayan even though she is now a national prisoner.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Bill granting free healthcare for Dengvaxia victims filed
Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado is batting for free healthcare for those who received and were adversely affected by the Dengvaxia vaccines. Under House Bill 8828, he said the government should ensure that healthcare assistance would be given to those who received Dengvaxia shots.
Manila Bulletin

Youth group opposes move requiring Senate bets to have college degree
A youth group has opposed the suggestions to include a college degree in the requirements for senatorial candidates, claiming that “tertiary education still remains a privilege than a right for many students.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET AND FINANCE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Napolcom OKs filling up of 82,891 PNP promotional vacancies
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the filling up of 82,891 promotional vacancies for the ranks of Police Officer II to Police Superintendent under the PNP Promotion Quota for 2019.
Manila Bulletin

PNP hails law modifying police officers’ ranks
The Philippine National Police (PNP) lauded the new law on modifying rank classification of police officers, noting that it would boost productivity of the police.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Peso loses winning streak on less dovish Fed
After gaining strength against its US counterpart for three consecutive trading sessions, the Philippine peso softened on Thursday as the Federal Reserve released the minutes from its meeting.
GMA News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

A month of heart: Four major DOTr railway projects for the Filipino
True love is not the monopoly of couples, families, or friends. Another kind of true love resides in the commitment to faithfully deliver public service, a kind of love that also braves seemingly insurmountable challenges and endures the test of time.
Manila Bulletin

P227-B Metro Manila subway groundbreaking finally set
After several postponements, the groundbreaking ceremony for the much-awaited Metro Manila subway project will finally happen on Feb. 27.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

Japan OKs P1.8-B addt'l assistance to PH
The Japanese and Philippine governments on Thursday signed exchanges of notes worth JPY3.56 billion (about PHP1.8 billion) composed of two grants for additional support in Mindanao and one grant for the provision of train simulators in the country.
Philippine News Agency

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Ambassador Zhao presents invitation for 2nd Belt and Road forum to Duterte in Malacañang
President Duterte is looking forward to returning to China for the second Belt and Road Forum in April this year, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. In his press briefing, Panelo said that Duterte received the invitation for the event during his almost one-hour-thirty-minute meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua in Malacañang Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Chinese ambassador commends cop in taho-throwing incident
The Chinese Ambassador himself supports the Philippine government's move to file charges against the Chinese student who threw taho at a policeman.
Rappler

PH condemns bomb attack in Kashmir
The Philippine government on Wednesday joined dozens of foreign governments in denouncing the recent terror attack in Kashmir that killed scores of Indian security forces last week.
Manila Bulletin

Acquiring Argentine visa made easier
The government of Argentina has included the Philippines among a group of countries that may avail of easier access to Argentine visas via online application.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

BI, DOLE’s lax policies blamed for influx of illegal foreign workers  
The lax policies of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),  and their lack of coordination led to the influx of illegal foreign workers in the country, Senator Joel Villanueva said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOLE chief: ‘We will expedite IRR’ for Extended Maternity Leave Act
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Thursday assured a prompt crafting of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solon warns employers against using EML Act to discriminate women in workplaces
Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez cautioned yesterday employers against using the Expanded Maternity Leave Act as an excuse to discriminate women in workplaces.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine gov’t to create inter-agency committee to oversee foreign workers
The government is set to establish an inter-agency committee that will oversee the foreign workers in the country, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manila wants to work with Sabah on undocumented Filipinos
The Philippines has no issue working with the Sabah government to solve the issue of undocumented Filipinos in the state despite Manila’s claim over Sabah, a Philippine envoy said today.
Free Malaysia Today

TRANSPORTATION

Miaa downplays long queues at Naia for US-bound flights
The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) said on Thursday that long queues at the airport due to heightened security measures for flights bound for the United States is not new.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH 

Ejercito calls for quick draft of IRR for Universal Health Care Law
Senator JV Ejercito appealed to concerned government agencies on Thursday to expedite drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Universal Health Care Law, which expands access to health care for all Filipinos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH urged to account for P7.43-B vaccination budget
With the measles outbreak death toll now reaching 136, the Department of Health (DOH) was asked on Thursday to fully account for every centavo of the P7.43 billion budget it spent last year for the national immunization program.
Manila Bulletin

House leader cites vital role of barangay health workers in mitigating measles outbreak
Deputy Speaker and AAMBIS-OWA partylist Rep. Sharon Garin has cited the crucial role of barangay health workers (BHWs) as educators and health advocates in addressing the rising cases of measles that continue to affect the Western Visayas.
Manila Bulletin

Cancer control act gives patients better fighting chance — Angara
The signing by President Duterte of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (Republic Act 11215) boosts government efforts to combat cancer and increase the fighting chance of patients to overcome the disease, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Duque: There’s no excuse not to have kids vaccinated
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said mothers should take advantage of the new law extending maternity leave to have their kids vaccinated.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

3 more Dengvaxia death complaints filed
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Thursday filed three more complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former and current health officials in connection with the death of more three more minors who received shots of the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

WHO lauds enactment of Universal Health Care Act
The Universal Health Care Act (UHC) has a “tremendous potential” to expand “quality and affordable” health services to Filipinos, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative Dr. Gundo Weiler said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Act now on water security, groups tell gov't ahead of El Niño
An alliance of business groups and civil society organizations called on the government to immediately ensure water security, after the state weather bureau warned that a "full-blown" El Niño will be hitting the Philippines this year.
Rappler

Adapt or perish
Buying rice from my suki wholesale supplier recently, I noticed two things. One is that all the types of rice are now classified as either regular or well milled, but the product tags still bear the names of the varieties or brands, with corresponding price differences.
Philippine Star

Multiple threats to PH sugar industry
Sugarcane is grown in 17 provinces in the country, distributed in eight regions from northern Luzon (Isabela, Cagayan) to Mindanao (Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao), and occupies a total land area of 422,384 hectares.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Netizens join new ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ campaign
“It’s a 100-percent crowd-sourced campaign made entirely by people who have experienced first hand why it’s more fun in the Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said as she led the launch last Monday of a new “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” ad, which only uses real images, footage and reviews shared online by tourists, telling stories that are truly authentic.
Philippine Star

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Duterte creates Manila Bay rehabilitation task force
President Rodrigo Duterte has formed a task force in charge of restoring Manila Bay to its former glory. He created the "Manila Bay Task Force" through Administrative Order No 16, signed on Tuesday, February 19. AO 16 directs a faster "rehabilitation and restoration of the coastal and marine ecosystem of the Manila Bay."
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

New guidelines to expand private sector participation in reforestation
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued new guidelines that may help expand private sector participation in the government’s Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP). ENGP is the government’s flagship reforestation initiative under Executive Order (EO) 193 issued in 2015 that seeks to cover the remaining 7.1 million hectares of open, degraded and denuded forests in the country from 2016 to 2028.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR