Hold NDFP negotiator accountable for part in NPA crimes: group
Despite President Rodrigo R. Duterte giving green light for the homecoming of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili , a group on Wednesday insisted that the government should hold the leftist lawyer accountable for his alleged "part" in criminal acts of communist rebels in the country.
Philippine News Agency

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Calabarzon forms task force vs. NPA
Calabarzon Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) officials have approved a joint resolution creating the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Philippine News Agency

AFP told to support LGUs, cops in securing vital infra
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it has instructed all field units to extend support to police and local government units handling in securing vital infrastructure and installations against attacks by communist rebels.
Philippine News Agency

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NPA leader yields in Zamboanga Norte
A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel leader has surrendered to military authorities in the Zamboanga del Norte town of Gutalac, officials said Wednesday. Lt. Col. Leon Onggao, the newly-installed commander of the Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion, identified the NPA rebel surrenderer only as a certain Ian, a team leader.
Philippine News Agency, Kalinaw News, Sunstar Zamboanga

Former rebels continue to avail of support from the government
Another batch of former New People’s Army (NPA) members have availed of the government’s financial and livelihood support, according to the area command of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4thInfantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID).
Manila Bulletin

31 Former Rebels and about 500 CTGs supporter and sympathizer declared CPP- NPA-NDF as persona non grata in Davao City
3rd Infantry (Regardless of What) Battalion, 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Battalion, Philippine Army headed by LTC OSCAR P PARTUZA INF (GSC) PA together with the OVU-Manuvu Council of Elders and Tribal Leaders headed by Lipatuan Joel Unad, Brgy Council of Brgy Tambobong headed by Ezekiel Salandao, Line Government Agencies, Local Government Unit of Davao City and other stakeholders conducted a 3-Day Peace Building Seminar at Brgy Tambobong, Baguio District, Davao City on February 23-25, 2019.
Kalinaw News

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

The Changing Dynamics of Islamist Terrorism in Philippines
A suicide attack was conducted at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Jolo on January 27, 2019. It was a two-stage attack – the first improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in the middle of the church and the second at the church’s entrance. This attack took the lives of at least 20 and wounded more than 90. The military pinned Hatib Sawadjaan as the mastermind of the attack, a natural conclusion as the Sulu island chain is plagued with the presence of Sawadjaan’s group, Islamic State-Sulu. 
The Diplomat

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Ex-Maute fighters enter gov’t’s returnee integrated program
At least one hundred thirty-five former Maute-Islamic State (IS) terrorist group members were formally integrated into the government’s returnee integrated program in a ceremony held at the Social Hall, New Capitol complex here Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

MARAWI

NGOs trump gov't in providing services, say IDPs in Marawi
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Marawi City said non-government organizations (NGOs) are better than the government in providing them with services and aid. That's according to research done by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.
ABS-CBN News

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Al Jubeir says Saudi to maintain human rights while fighting terrorism
Saudi Arabia aims to strike a balance between combating terrorism while preserving human rights when detaining militants, the kingdom’s foreign minister said yesterday. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in New York, Adel Al Jubeir said Saudi Arabia will ensure fair trials and improve detention conditions.
The National UAE

China rejects Turkish accusations over Xinjiang
Chinese Foreign Ministry Wednesday expressed firm opposition to accusations on the situations in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after human rights organizations from Turkey voiced concerns over it.
CGTN

Must We Really Be Careful What We Do Lest We Offend Extremists?
Britain, in recent days, has had a rare distraction from its seemingly endless Brexit debate. The distraction, however, has not been an altogether welcome one. It involves the case of Shamima Begum, one of a number of girls who left their school in Bethnal Green in London in 2015 to go and join ISIS.
Gatestone Institute

Burden of battling extremism calls for new multilateral fund, US task force says
A new multilateral fund should be created to finance country-led plans to prevent extremism in fragile states, a congressionally mandated task force has recommended in a new report.
DEVEX

US speaks up for minority Muslim Uighurs in China - while Islamic countries stay mostly silent
They may be sitting some 6,800 miles away, but the pain of one Uighur family in exile remains just as visceral and raw as it was back in their homeland. “My family never did anything wrong. They only ever contributed to the government, and never did anything illegal or committed a crime. Now they have disappeared or live in fear – waiting for a knock at the door,” Sainawar Rouzi told Fox News, in an interview at her home.
Fox News

Bethnal Green: Unease and fear in Shamima Begum's London district
Shamima Begum has been in the headlines ever since she gave a series of interviews earlier this month, saying she would like to come home.  The British teenager, who is now 19 and has recently given birth, travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group in February 2015. 
Aljazeera

Hotel Staff To Undergo Training On How To Fight Terror Attacks.
Hotel managers in Malindi Sub County have called on the National government through the National Counter Terrorism Centre to empower hotel staff and management on how to respond during terror attacks.
Kenya News Agency 

Egypt Calls for a Unified International Strategy to Eliminate Terrorism
Countering terrorism requires unified and coordinated strategies on local, regional and international levels as well as the role of parliamentarians, announced Egypt’s Speaker Ali Abdel Aal.
Asharq Al-Awsat

‘NO CONCESSIONS’? A CLOSER LOOK AT U.S. HOSTAGE RECOVERY POLICY
From the start, America has had a hostage problem. In the early 1790s, the nation faced one of its first foreign policy crises when Barbary pirates from Algiers captured more than a dozen American naval vessels, demanding enormous ransoms.
War on the Rocks (Texas University)
 

President eyes Misuari as UAE emissary—Lorenzana
President Duterte has been considering Nur Misuari, founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who is facing a number of legal cases from the government, as “emissary” for the United Arab Emirates.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

Palace formally names BTA members
Malacañang released Wednesday the appointment papers of the 76 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), five days after President Duterte administered their oath in Malacañang.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler, GMA News

Good governance will reign in BARMM
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. is confident the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) can fulfill their mandate because they are people with “sincerity, dedication, and commitment in pushing for the realization of the Bangsamoro aspirations.”
Manila Bulletin

BARMM leaders to get P31 billion from budget
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) that will administer the new autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao for three years will inherit operational funds of more than P31 billion this year.
Philippine Star

Decommissioning of MILF arms, forces to begin
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is set to start decommissioning weapons and combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). According to Chino Gaston's report for "24 Oras" on Wednesday,  MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the appointed BTA interim chief minister, said they aim to complete the first batch within three months.
GMA News

Hataman declines position in Bangsamoro Transition Authority
While he was expected to automatically become a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), outgoing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman declined the position on Tuesday, February 26.
Rappler

Bangsamoro in transition: where is the appointment paper of CSO leader from Tawi-tawi who took her oath?
Strange things are still happening in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). On Friday morning, 10 nominees of government were suddenly dropped from the list of those who would take their oath that afternoon in Malacanang.. On Wednesday, a civil society leader from Tawi-tawi who took her oath as BTA member last Friday, suddenly finds that while Malacanang has released 76 appointment papers, hers was not among them.
Mindanews

Murad hands off on PH’s Sabah claim
Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday said he would not meddle in the Philippines’ claim to Sabah, a federal state of Malaysia, saying the dispute was between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.
The Manila Times

3-year term of appointed Bangsamoro transition leaders 'tyrannical' - MNLF official
Having appointed members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority lead the new region in the south for the next 3 years is "tyrannical," the vice chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front said Wednesday.
ABS-CBN News

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Turkish gov’t welcomes appointment of Bangsamoro Transition Authority members
The government of Turkey on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) following Malacanang’s initial release of the names of persons comprising the body.
Manila Bulletin

 Can Bangsamoro Autonomous region bring genuine peace to Moro people?
 With the recent swearing in of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that will assume interim leadership in the villages and cities now confirmed part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), questions on the future of the Moro people – their struggles and aspirations – have once again been brought to the fore.
Bulatlat

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Bangsamoro leaders to reach out to dissenters, says Ebrahim
The leadership of the new political entity in Muslim Mindanao will reach out to its former comrades who “left” the group and joined Islamic State-inspired armed groups operating in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur to convince them to return to the fold of the law.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, NDBC News

Palace: Nur Misuari not a ‘spoiler’ of peace deal
Malacañang does not consider Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari as a "spoiler" to achieving lasting peace in Mindanao. In an interview on GMA News TV's "News to Go" on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the MNLF leader is "not against" the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
GMA News

Nat'l security adviser claims Nur Misuari supports Bangsamoro law
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Wednesday claimed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari supports the creation of the new Bangsamoro region, despite rumors of dissatisfaction with his group's representation in the transition government.
CNN Philippines

Lorenzana says DND taking seriously threat of emerging MNLF faction
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that they are taking seriously the threat made by a Moro leader that he would establish a new faction in protest of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) hold of majority of the positions in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
Manila Bulletin

Mangudadatu to support new peace deal between gov’t, MNLF
Maguindanao congressman and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) senatorial bet Dong Mangudadatu aired his support for peace talks between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), led by its founding chairman Nur Misuari.
Manila Bulletin

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

1 suspected Abu Sayyaf, 1 Cafgu wounded in Basilan clash
A suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group was killed while a militiaman was wounded in an encounter at Sampinit Complex in Barangay Masola in Isabela City around 5:30 p.m. on February 25.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

2 wounded in Tawi-Tawi sea ambush
Two men were critically wounded, while the barangay chair of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi escaped unhurt, when they were ambushed by armed men on board three pump boats in the waters off Panglima Sugala town in the province.
Manila Bulletin

DRUGS

SWS: Filipinos split over truth of police ‘nanlaban’ claim
Filipinos are divided over the claim of the police that some suspects were kiled in the Duterte administration’s drug war because they fought back, or “nanlaban.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Most Pinoys believe cops involved in EJKs, illegal drug trade
Most Filipinos believe police officers are involved in extrajudicial killings, the illegal drug trade, and planting of evidence against drug suspects, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed Wednesday.
ABS-CBN News

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Cooperation among countries is key in fighting illegal drugs – PDEA
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has maintained that strengthened cooperation among countries remains a key factor in curbing global illegal drug trade.
Manila Bulletin

‘We don’t know where the President gets his statistics’ – PNP
With President Rodrigo Duterte now pegging the number of drug users in the Philippines at a new high of 7 to 8 million, the Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted on Wednesday, February 27, that it did not know where his numbers came from.
Rappler

PNP chief says war on drugs not futile
The estimated seven to eight million drug dependents in the country, as claimed by President Rodrigo Duterte, is not an indication of the war on drugs’ shortcomings, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde pointed out Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Joint task force vs 'floating cocaine' unnecessary, says defense chief
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said the series of discoveries of illegal drugs floating across different parts of Philippine waters is "concerning" but added that a joint task force may be unnecessary.
ABS-CBN News

National Security Council monitoring cocaine dumping in Philippine waters
The National Security Council is working with foreign counterparts to identify the groups behind cocaine shipments that were dumped around the eastern seaboard of the Philippines.
Philippine Star

PNP, PDEA clash over cocaine find
Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday offered a different explanation as to the bricks of cocaine that washed ashore the eastern seaboard, directly contradicting an earlier statement of President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that the shipments confirmed the presence of the Colombian drug cartel in the country.
Manila Standard

Recovered cocaine bricks could have been bound for Australia
The hundreds of kilos of cocaine bricks that were recovered off the waters of Mindanao and Luzon in the past two weeks could have been bound for Australia, and the small vessel that was supposed to deliver the contraband might have met an accident at sea.
Manila Bulletin

Cocaine brick discovery prove drug war failure – Alejano
For Senate aspirant Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary Alejano, the discovery of some P200 million worth of cocaine proves that the administration’s war on illegal drugs is a failure.
Manila Bulletin

Philippines as transshipment point: Where illegal drugs were found floating
The Philippines has become a "transshipment point" of cocaine, anti-narcotics officials said after 164 kilos of the illegal drug was found floating off the country's eastern seaboard in less than a month.
ABS-CBN News

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Rise in Central Luzon drug kills? Commanders were 'hardworking' – PNP
The anti-drug campaign kills in Central Luzon rose because its police commanders worked harder than everybody else. This was the explanation offered by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde when asked to explain on Wednesday, February 27, the rapid rise of killings in Central Luzon for this year.
Rappler

CHR vows to continue speaking up vs. administration’s deadly war on drugs
The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday vowed to continue expressing its dissent against the government's war on drugs as President Rodrigo Duterte vowed  to take a harsher approach in his already bloody campaign in his last three years in office.
GMA News

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Former De Lima driver fined for refusing to testify in court
A Quezon City court has cited the former driver of detained Senator Leila de Lima for indirect contempt after refusing to testify against his former employer.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Operations/ Incidents

PDEA 11 to destroy 39 bricks of cocaine found in Davao Oriental
The 39 bricks of cocaine worth P215 million recovered off the coast of Barangay Santiago in Caraga town, Davao Oriental on Sunday will be destroyed this week, Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 director Antonio E. Rivera said.
Manila Bulletin

Bicol drug busts net 4 ‘pushers’, P850K worth of shabu
A total of PHP850,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized while four alleged notorious drug pushers were collared on Tuesday afternoon by anti-narcotics agents in two separate police anti-drug stings in the cities of Legazpi and Naga.
Philippine News Agency

P1-M worth of shabu seized in Bacolod, Silay cities
Almost PHP1 million worth of suspected shabu were seized by police in separate buy-bust operations conducted in the cities of Bacolod and Silay in Negros Occidental since Monday.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

2 cops nabbed for selling gun with expired license
Two policemen were arrested on Tuesday night for allegedly selling a firearm with an expired license. The suspects were identified as PO1 Oliver Navarro of the city’s Mobile Patrol Group and PO2 Redzon Baguion of the Fuente police station.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Duterte bent on relaxing bank secrecy law
President Duterte is willing to sign a measure relaxing the country’s bank secrecy law to promote accountability and transparency.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte can’t raffle off his Libingan ng mga Bayani spot — legal experts
President Rodrigo Duterte cannot raffle off his slot at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) under existing laws, legal experts said on Wednesday.
GMA News

Gag orders: When Duterte's 'jokes' are no laughing matter
President Rodrigo Duterte's "jokes", expressions and his tendency for hyperbole may just be part of his style, but they are not just words, a political analyst said.
Philippine Star

Erap nudges presidential run for Sara Duterte
A presidential candidacy may be written in the stars for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, said her fellow mayor, Joseph Estrada, himself a former president.
Rappler

Duterte wrong in saying no proof of Marcos hidden wealth – Colmenares
Senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares, chair of the Bayan Muna party-list group, slammed on Wednesday night President Rodrigo Duterte for saying there was no proof that Ferdinand Marcos amassed ill-gotten wealth during his two-decade reign as president.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Gov’t to subpoena Trillanes’ mother over PN transactions
The mother of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV would be summoned to a government investigation into her business transactions with the military, President Duterte said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Trillanes dares Duterte to prove his claims against his 84-yr old mother
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to prove his claim that his ailing mother had been involved in anomalous dealings with the Philippine Navy.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec to conduct massive removal of illegal campaign materials in Metro Manila
The Commission on Elections will scour the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila on Thursday, February 28 to remove and tear down all prohibited forms of campaign propaganda materials.
Manila Bulletin

Teachers, prosecutors warned against electioneering
Public and private elementary and secondary school officials as well as government prosecutors nationwide have been warned against engaging in electioneering and partisan political activities.
Manila Bulletin

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Why the Church keeps getting elections wrong
IT happens election after election. While Filipinos value the voting advice of local religious leaders, as shown in surveys on endorsement clout, the collective admonition of bishops doesn’t seem to be heeded.
The Manila Times

Duterte: TV debates futile, stupid
President Duterte said television debates do not give political candidates ample time to explain their platform, and that such events were an exercise of futility and stupidity.
Manila Bulletin

(TRANSCRIPT) Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate
Transcription by Farmout Central InTouch Inc – http://www.farmout.ph
Manila Bulletin

Lito Lapid tells public: Focus on my experience, not on my education
Senatorial candidate Lito Lapid on Wednesday, February 27, called on the public to focus on his experience in public service, and not on his educational attainment. Lapid, a high school graduate turned popular movie star, gave this response when asked about his non-participation in debates.
Rappler, GMA News

Oppositions

Robredo optimistic that Otso Diretso-Hugpong debate will push through
Despite the non-appearance of Hugpong ng Pababago senatorial bets at Plaza Miranda, Vice President Leni Robredo remains optimistic they will still take up the challenge of the “Otso Diretso” opposition slate to a public debate.
Manila Bulletin

Otso Diretso to ask Comelec to set debate vs HNP
Candidates of the Otso Diretso slate will ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to facilitate a debate between them and bets of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Roxas is 'Mr Palengke' once again on 2019 campaign trail
Seeking his political comeback in 2019, senatorial candidate Mar Roxas visited a place reminiscent of his top finish in the 2004 Senate race: the palengke or market. Roxas, who is now running for senator as part of the Otso Diretso slate, visited the Mabalacat Public Market in Pampanga on Wednesday, February 27.
Rappler

Administration

Let a third party organize debate between Hugpong, Otso bets —Sara
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has expressed her preference for a debate among senatorial candidates put together by a third party organizer but added that it would still be up to the administration-backed candidates whether or not to attend.
GMA News

Bong Go, Salvador ‘gentlemen enough’ to stop campaign routine involving Kris Aquino – Sara
Reacting to popular television and movie personality Kris Aquino’s social media protest, Hugpong ng Pagbabago chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio assured that senatorial bet Christopher “Bong” Go and actor Philip Salvador were both gentlemen who will heed Aquino’s complaint against their “comedy skit” on the campaign stage.
Manila Bulletin

In San Juan, PRRD endorses Zamora while Mayor Sara picks Estrada
The mayoral race in San Juan City is shaping up to be a fight between President Duterte of the PDP-Laban and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is spearheading Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional party.
Manila Bulletin

In front of Erap, Sara Duterte tries to ease JV-Jinggoy tension
In no less than the bailiwick of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, presidential daughter Sara Duterte tried to ease the tension between his two sons – senatorial candidates JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada.
Rappler

Anti-Martial Law Pimentel shares 2019 campaign stage with Imee Marcos
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, president of ruling party PDP-Laban that was founded to fight Martial Law, now shares the 2019 campaign stage with senatorial bet Imee Marcos.
Rappler

‘Not an average student’: Princeton student newspaper reports Imee Marcos didn’t graduate there
Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos “falsely” claims that she graduated from Princeton University, the school’s independent student newspaper reported, adding the daughter of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos “was not an average student” during her time at the Ivy League university.
Philippine Star

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

DISASTER

MINDANAO

Singapore looking at Mindanao for food
AS IT diversifies its food source, Singapore is looking at Mindanao as a source for its agriculture imports. Zhou Suli, charge d'affaires of the Embassy of Singaore in the Philippines, said due to the limited land area of Singapore for any agricultural activity, the city state exports 90 percent of its food. 
Sunstar Davao

Mlang town in Cotabato placed under state of calamity due to dry spell
At total of  28 of 37 villages in the town of Mlang, Cotabato have experienced the effect of the dry spell prompting the Sangguniang Bayan to place the entire town under the state of calamity.
GMA News

Water rationing starts as dry spell felt in Kidapawan
The local government here has started rationing water to some areas after water sources started drying up. In a statement released by the City Information Office (CIO) Wednesday, Mayor Joseph Evangelista said he has ordered water rationing to residents of Sitios Nazareth, Quarry and Puas Inda in Barangay Amas; Sitio Andagkit in Barangay Kalaisan; Sitio Lika in Barangay Onica; and Sitios Balite and Talisay in Barangay Malinan after residents complained of lack of drinking water.
Philippine News Agency

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Dissenters slam SC on Duterte’s Boracay win: ‘Realization of a tyrant’
Supreme Court Justices Marvic Leonen and Benjamin Caguioa slammed the Supreme Court majority decision that upheld President Rodrigo Duterte’s 6-month closure of Boracay Island, saying that the ruling “leads to the realization” of tyranny.
Rappler, GMA News

Small money claims cases in NCR hiked to P400,000
Starting April 1, the limit for small money claims cases filed with metropolitan trial courts (MeTCs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be P400,000 per case. Outside NCR, the limit for a small money claim filed with the municipal trial courts in cities (MTCCs), municipal trial courts (MTCs), and municipal circuit trial courts (MCTCs) is P300,000.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

LEGISLATIVE

PDP-Laban confident of House speakership in next Congress
The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on Wednesday, February 27, vowed to take House speakership in the 18th Congress. Ron Munsayac, campaign spokesman, said former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez leads the PDP-Laban candidates for House speaker in the next Congress. Alvarez is seeking reelection as Davao del Norte 1st District congressman.
Rappler

PH needs an independent Congress – Binay
There is a need for an independent Congress with articulate members who can voice out the urgent needs of their constituents, and engage in debates, former vice president Jejomar Binay said on Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET AND FINANCE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Coast Guard receives 2 speed boats from Japan
Two speed boats were granted to the Philippines by the government of Japan to further boost the country’s anti-piracy and terrorism campaign.
Manila Bulletin

Lorenzana, Villar lead groundbreaking of OCD admin building
Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairperson Delfin N. Lorenzana and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-million peso Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administration building at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, February 26.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

9 reasons why the Philippines is ripe for business in 2019
The Philippine government's economic managers missed their growth targets in 2018. This year, they are confident that they can do better. The country's top economic experts are banking on legislative developments and several external conditions to spark growth and a better environment for doing business.
Rappler

PSEi ends 1.24% down
The local stock barometer fell below 7,900 yesterday as some foreign funds flowed out of the local market due to lack of fresh incentives to buy more. The main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 99.04 points, or 1.24 percent, to close at 7,889.12.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

US firm shuts China factory, relocates to Philippines — DTI exec
EVER WIN International Corp., a California-based global supplier of device accessories, has shut down one of its factories in China and relocated to the Philippines due to rising manufacturing costs in the former, according to a top official at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Business World Online

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

Construction of PH’s first-ever subway starts
Defying the naysayers, who alleged the subway project can never be done, Malacañang has vowed its “all-out support” for the construction of the country’s first-ever underground railway system.
Manila Bulletin

First Philippine subway seen pushing up property prices in Metro Manila
The completion of Metro Manila’s first subway could trigger a surge in property prices in the Philippine capital, with Quezon City seen benefitting the most from the project over the near to medium term, according to real estate consultancy services firm Colliers International Philippines.
Philippine Star

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Ombudsman clears Cagayan de Oro City mayor of raps over Ajinomoto deal
The Office of the Ombudsman has cleared Mayor Oscar Moreno and a few others from the criminal case filed against them over the tax settlement agreement the city government entered into with condiments maker Ajinomoto Philippines in 2013.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

US State Dept officials arrives ahead of Pompeo’s Manila visit
US State Department Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Patrick Murphy is now in the country as part of the preparations for Secretary Michael Pompeo’s visit to Manila from February 28 to March 1.
Manila Bulletin

Toward stronger development partnership with the Philippines
During President Duterte’s visit to Korea last June, he and Korean President Moon Jae-in declared 2019 – the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations – as “A year of mutual exchange.”
Philippine Star

West Philippine Sea

Is the South China Sea issue flaring up again?
The United States has stepped up its Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea as a response to China’s efforts to further enforce its claims in the disputed sea. The US has already conducted two FONOPs this year. The USS McCampbell sailed near the Paracel Islands in January, the USS Spruance and the USS Preble sailed near Mischief Reef in the Spratlys on 11 February. 
Observer Research Foundation

LABOR

Filipinos have better work-life balance than Singaporeans, Malaysians — study
Filipino working professionals have better work-life balance experiences compared to their counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia, according to a study by a Singapore-based website.
Philippine Star

Villanueva wants DFA to address the problem of 300,000 undocumented OFWs in China
Senator Joel Villanueva called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to act on the Palace’s concern over the thousands of undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in China that might be displaced by the deportation of illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

DOLE intensifies occupational safety and health in workplaces
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) intensified its zero-accident program in workplaces and called on the enterprises to join the government in enhancing social accountability. Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione underscored to intensify the OSH advocacy programs during the launch of the nationwide search for occupational safety and health (OSH) champions.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

LTFRB asked: Return minimum jeepney fare to P10
A transport group on Wednesday appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to return the minimum jeepney fare to P10, two months after it was rolled back to P9 amid declining gas prices.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tugade to push for emergency powers anew to solve EDSA gridlock
In light of President Rodrigo Duterte's admission that he failed to solve the traffic problem on EDSA, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday said he will push for the granting the emergency powers to the President in the next Congress.
GMA News

Chaos, gridlock a daily ordeal for Manila’s long-suffering commuters
It’s 3.30 a.m. in the Philippines and much of San Jose Del Monte is fast asleep. Flashlight in hand, street sweeper Alejandro Galasao, 58, navigates a labyrinth of alleys to a main road to catch a bus to the capital Manila 30 km (18.6 miles) away.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

DOH reports 98-percent utilization rate in national immunization program
The Department of Health (DOH) said that the P7.4 billion budget for the national immunization program last year was properly utilized. “Based on our public records, we had a 98 percent utilization rate which translates to an expenditure of P7.3 billion,” said the DOH in a statement.
Manila Bulletin

Measles cases now found in nearly every province in PH
Just how widespread are measles cases in the Philippines? Data obtained by Rappler from the Department of Health (DOH) epidemiology bureau showed there were now measles cases in every province of the country – save for Batanes, Tawi-Tawi, and the chartered city of General Santos – as of 9 am Friday, February 22.
Rappler

Universal health care law needs more health facilities
The success of the implementation of the Universal Health Care law will be a work in progress that requires government to guarantee the availability of health care facilities to serve the rise in poor patients seeking medical benefits from the program.
Manila Bulletin

Denying health, life insurance to people with HIV illegal – lawmaker
Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel reminded health maintenance organizations that denying insurance to people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is illegal under the recently signed HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018.
Rappler

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Rice tarrification law: Unli-importation, cheaper price, but farmers' future in question
The passage of the Rice Tarrification Law has been met with mixed reactions, including farmers who fear the loss of their source of income. In an episode of GMA News TV's Brigada with Mariz Umali, rice farmers in Malolos, Bulacan who were barely making ends meet raised concern over the new law that was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 14.
GMA News

EDUCATION

Go back to school, avail yourself of free education, Angara tells dropouts
Reelectionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Wednesday urged college dropouts to return to school and take advantage of the government’s free college education.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Wayward power lines irk lawmaker
A House Minority Bloc member slammed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for being non-committal in telling the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to fix its dangling, wayward, and potentially hazardous power lines in different parts of the metropolis.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Environment officials launch search for oldest pine tree in Baguio
Environment officials in Benguet have launched the search for the oldest pine tree in this city as part of efforts to promote the conservation of the iconic trees here.
Rappler

Bulacan fisherfolk, women want genuine, inclusive Manila Bay rehabilitation
If there are groups of Filipinos whose daily life confronts the most immediate impact of climate change, the fisherfolk are among those at the forefront. Their families live by the sea, on the banks of rivers and on islets that shrink or expand with the tide.
Bulatlat

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

PNP to parents: Keep kids on tight watch amid cyberbullying, perils of internet use
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday reminded parents to closely monitor their children's internet use, citing threats such as cyberbullying, sexual predators, and potentially dangerous online challenges.
ABS-CBN News

Duterte to PLDT: Expand citizens’ hotline or face shutdown
President Duterte has threatened to shut down PLDT Inc. if the telecommunications giant does not expand the citizens’ complaint hotline for frontline government services.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace confident telcos to heed Duterte’s call to improve access to gov’t hotline services
Malacañang is counting on the county’s telecommunication firms to improve the access of the public to the complaint hotline for government services. Presidential Spokesman Salvador issued the statement after President Duterte threatened to shut down telco giant PLDT if it does not provide additional hotline numbers.
Manila Bulletin

IDC sees slower PC demand in the Philippines
THE INTERNATIONAL Development Corp. (IDC) forecasts slower demand for personal computers in the Philippines this year amid a supply shortage in Intel’s computer processing units.
Business World Online

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR