On the plan to set-up “National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict”    
The plan to set-up “National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict” shows the Duterte regime is using counter insurgency as pretext to exercise de-facto martial law powers nationwide civilian officials are under pressure to “operate” by the AFP under pain of being red-tagged, as well as by threats of being included in Duterte’s made-up narco list.
NDFP

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AFP moves to convince European organization to cease sending funds to front organizations
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Thursday expressed confidence that it will be able to convince donor nations and foreign organizations to scrap the cash flow to initially named Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) front organizations.
Manila Bulletin

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Rural Missionaries of the PH denies being a communist front
The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) denied it is a legal front of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and is financing terrorist activities, claims made by government officials who had asked the European Union (EU) and Belgium to cut their funding for the organization.
Rappler

Ibon denies channeling funds to NPA, says gov’t out to control economic analysis
Research group Ibon Foundation has denied being a conduit for funding of the New People's Army. “The Duterte government’s accusations against IBON are baseless and aim to stifle economic analysis that is inconsistent with its preferred narrative of growth and development,” Ibon said in a statement.
GMA News

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49 rebel supporters in Capiz reaffirm loyalty to gov’t
The broken promises of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s (CPP-NPA) drove 49 of its supporters at Sitio Tigpaka Daku, Barangay San Antonio in Cuartero, Capiz to abandon the group and reaffirm their allegiance to the government.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

Military accuses rebels of using humans as shields
SUSPECTED New People's Army (NPA) rebels allegedly used residents as shields to escape in a fight against government troops, the military said. Colonel Maurito Licudine, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, said NPA rebels belonging to Guerilla Front 4A-North Central Mindanao Regional Committee allegedly held and threatened civilians of Barangay Lower Olave, Buenavista town, Agusan del Norte to keep them silent. 
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Peace Talks

Sison calls Duterte’s preconditions for resumption of talks ‘silly, humiliating’
THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) would rather intensify their armed struggle than follow President Rodrigo Duterte’s “silly and humiliating” preconditions for the resumption of peace talks.
The Manila Times, Business World Online, NDFP

Incidents/ Operations   

Man wanted for extortion case falls
A man claiming to be a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) was arrested Wednesday for extorting over P500,000 from an engineer in San Juan City. Senior Supt. Ariel Fulo, San Juan City Police chief, identified the suspect as Mario Luis Gonzales, 67, of Barangay Sta. Lucia, San Juan City.
Tempo

A MORO IN EXILE: What is the beef with the BIFF?
Five years ago, my last mission in Mindanao before going on deployment in East Africa was to organize protection accompaniment for the return of thousands of civilians from several villages in Central Mindanao. They were displaced by heavy bombardment of the SPMS box by the military who were trying to drive out the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement-Bangsamororo Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFM-BIFF), the group that splintered from the MILF-BIAF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front).
Mindanews

Interfaith talk, tapping youth to curb violent extremism: NCMF
The head of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on Thursday said dialogue among the faithful of diverse religions and tapping the youth’s potentials are crucial in solving violent extremism in the country. NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan, told the participants of the youth assembly on extremism held here that “an effective way to bring peace and understanding is through interfaith dialogue”.
PTV News

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Islamiyah-inspired group clash anew in Lanao del Sur
Villagers in Tubaran town in Lanao del Sur fled from their houses as the military and members of a Dawlah Islamiyah-inspired group clashed anew Thursday.
ABS-CBN News

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Body of alleged foreign fighter recovered in Maguindanao
The military claimed that one of the two bodies recovered following the three-day surgical operation complemented by the ground troops in the areas of Salibu-Pagatin-Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak all of Maguindanao is believed to be a foreigner.
Manila Bulletin

30K residents flee BIFF, military clashes in Maguindanao
Ongoing clashes between military forces and the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have displaced more than 30,000 residents in Maguindanao’s seven adjoining municipalities. The provincial social welfare office has documented 6,059 families or 30,295 internally displaced persons (IDP) from 22 villages in the towns of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Mamasapano, Datu Salibo, Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi, Datu Unsay, Datu Piang, all in Maguindanao’s second district.
Philippine News Agency

MARAWI

Marawi City vice-mayor also facing drug, murder cases
MARAWI CITY Vice-Mayor Arafat Salic, who was arrested at the city hall on March 13 over rebellion charges, is also facing cases relating to illegal drugs and murder, according to military officials. “He came with us voluntarily,” said Col. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., 103rd Infantry Brigade commander.
Business World Online

New Aussie envoy renews commitment to help Marawi IDPs
Displaced families at Sarimanok Tent City cheer as Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steve Robinson arrives here today to lead the ceremonial handover of certificates of live birth and livelihood assistance. In his speech, Robinson renewed the Australian Government’s commitment to helping Marawi rise again as a prosperous city.
Bangon Marawi

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Despite Territorial Defeat, Islamist Terrorism Will Continue to be a Threat
Daesh, Al-Qa’ida and other terrorist organisations may appear to be in current retreat. But rather than being eradicated, they have scattered. The violent extremism they have spawned has not entirely disappeared and understanding how it might evolve is going to be a central preoccupation for security planners.
RUSI

How Morocco Deals with Terrorist Returnees, Other Islamic Radicals
As Morocco repatriated 8 Moroccans involved in terrorism from war-torn Syria, the world questions how the country will deal with the ISIS returnees and other Islamic radicals.
Morocco World News

Cambodia launches national strategy on combating money laundering, financing of terrorism
Cambodia on Thursday launched a 5-year national strategy for combating money laundering and financing of terrorism (2019-2023), said a National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) statement. NBC's governor Chea Chanto, chairman of the National Coordinating Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (NCC), and Clive Scott, senior advisor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), attended the launching ceremony here, with around 400 participants.
Xinhua

Shamima Begum affair marks the demise of ‘Londonistan’ era
The UK’s decision to bar ISIS bride Shamima Begum from her country amounts to a complete reversal of 20 years of policies that had allowed major cities to become key centres for radical Islamist groups. The treatment of 19-year-old Ms Begum – and the potential for years of legal wrangling over her right to return to the UK – has shown how far British security policy has moved from embracing and monitoring extremists to making them someone else’s problem.
The National UAE

Two IS militants who plotted terror attack neutralized in Stavropol Region
Two militants from the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS, outlawed in Russia) that had been plotting a terror attack, were neutralized in the Stavropol Region, the Information Center of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee told TASS on Thursday.
Russian News Agency (TASS), Xinhua

Ball-for-arms: Raising future athletes in conflict-stricken Mindanao
A battle-tested Marine who spent most of his years in combat at war-torn southern Philippines has a goal in mind: shield children from taking up arms through sports. He has taken initial steps, but he’s looking for more ways to keep the ball rolling.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BARMM

Bangsamoro in transition: Don’t call them by their noms de guerre anymore
Don’t call them by their noms de guerre anymore. After a long, long time, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Central Committee members, the Chief of Staff of the soon-to-be-decommissioned Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), and front and base commanders who used noms de guerre, were able to use their real names on January 21 and February 6 when they cast their votes in the plebiscite to ratify Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Mindanews

Abu Sayyaf is still top threat to BARMM security
The Abu Sayyaf is still the top threat to security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, authorities reported to BARMM officials Tuesday. Representatives from the Western Mindanao Command and the police took turns briefing the region’s interim chief minister, Hadji Murad Ebrahim, on security issues besetting the BARMM during its first ever regional peace and order council (RPOC) meeting here late Tuesday.
NDBC News

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BARMM's education sector receives support from local, foreign groups
The Bangsamoro education ministry is aiming to embark on comprehensive peace education programs along with local and foreign benefactors. Muhaquer Iqbal, education minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Thursday he is thankful to local and foreign entities helping improve the quality of education in far-flung areas via programs that started years before ARMM’s replacement with a new and more empowered Bangsamoro government.  
Philippine Star

Measles cases in Bangsamoro region drop, but still at 361 so far this year
THE MINISTRY of Health (MoH) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) reported 361 confirmed measles cases from Jan. to March 10 this year, a significant drop from 1,260 cases in the same period last year. The highest number was recorded in Lanao del Sur at 230, including 101 in the capital Marawi City. Maguindanao had 119; Tawi-Tawi, 11; and Sulu, 1. There was no confirmed case in Basilan.
Business World Online

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MILF’s Jaafar laid to rest; thousands flock to his home to express sympathy
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s 1st Vice Chair Ghazali Jaafar was laid to rest shotly before noon Wednesday under the shade of oil palms in his residential compound here.
Mindanews

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Dry spell damages P130-M crops in Maguindanao
The dry spell caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon has damaged some PHP130-million worth of rice and corn crops in Maguindanao to date, the provincial agriculture office reported Thursday. Vic Giabel, Maguindanao agriculture officer, said the dry spell has also affected 29 of 36 towns in the province, with three towns declaring their areas under a state of calamity.
Philippine News Agency

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Politicians on President Duterte’s drug list
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte releases drug list ahead of 2019 elections
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, March 14, released another edition of his administation's narco list, containing names of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs. The government issued the list through state-run television stations PTV4 and RTVM ahead of the midterm elections in May.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, GMA News

DILG files administrative cases vs 46 politicians in ‘narcolist’
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday filed administrative cases against 46 incumbent politicians included in the so-called “narcolist” of the government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DILG says to finally release narco list tonight
The controversial narco list, containing names of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drug operations, will be released Thursday, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
CNN Philippines

Veloso slams inclusion in ‘narcolist,’ says it’s politically motivated
Leyte 3rd District Rep. Vicente “Ching” Veloso has denied his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade after President Rodrigo Duterte named him as one of the so-called “narco-politicians” in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte questions US Embassy: How did Jed Mabilog manage to fly out of the country?
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday questioned the US Embassy in the Philippines how former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who was included in the 2016 narco list, managed to leave the country and supposedly traveled to the US.
GMA News

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Fewer EJKs, says US report
Extrajudicial killings continue, but have decreased in number in the third year of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, according to a US government report on human rights abuses.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Biantan: Why death penalty when there is EJK
THE blood thirsty netizens are seeking for the death penalty after some gruesome rape and slay incidents that have happened in various parts of our country the past days. The most horrific heinous crime happened very recently last March 11 in Barangay Bankal, Lapulapu City when 16-year-old Christine Lee Silawan was found dead in a open field. 
Sunstar Cebu

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EU ‘satisfied’ with Manila’s explanation on drug war
The European Union is “satisfied” with the Philippine government’s explanation on the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs amid criticism that it violates human rights. Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, said the Philippine delegation, in a series of engagements in Brussels last month, was able to assure the EU that human rights violations were not a cause for concern in the country.
Manila Standard

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After rape-slay of Cebu girl, Duterte warns drug addicts of 'most dangerous time'
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, March 13, renewed his tirade against the illegal drug trade after the brutal murder of a Grade 9 student in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. In his speech during the campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Cauayan City, Isabela, Duterte denounced the murder of 16-year-old Cristine Silawan.
Rappler

US report highlights rape cases related to Philippine drug war
At least 8 cases of rape were lodged against 16 policemen in the Philippines between January 2017 and July 2018, the US State Department said in its annual report, released Thursday. Aside from cases filed before courts, reports of rape and sexual abuse of women in police or protective custody also occur in the Philippines with "many of the rapes" done in connection with police anti-drug operations, the US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018 read.
ABS-CBN News

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Locsin: 1.4 million Pinoys surrendered for rehab under drug war
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday touted the Duterte administration's anti-narcotics campaign before the United Nations' Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria. Locsin said 1.4 million Filipino drug users have surrendered "for rehabilitation" to authorities under the drug war, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
ABS-CBN News

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Manila court denies bail for Taguba, importer in P6.4-B shabu case
The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) denied bail for Mark Taguba and Eirene Mae Tatad, alleged fixer and importer respectively in the case of the smuggled P6.4 billion worth of shabu. Manila RTC Branch 46 ruled that the evidence is strong to deny the petitions for bail of Taguba and Tatad.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

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Solon pushes for alternative development solution in regional anti-drug meet 
Surigao 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has made the case for the adoption of a resolution on alternative development as a means toward achieving a drug-free ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) Community.
Manila Bulletin

Bishop calls for prudence in bid to legalize cannabis for medical use
Lawmakers were urged by a Catholic prelate to exercise prudence on the proposal to legalize the medical use of cannabis in the country. Newly appointed military Bishop Oscar Florencio said different studies must be considered carefully in tackling the issue of medical marijuana.
Manila Bulletin

Operations/ Incidents

BI - FSU conduct operation vs Korean drug trafficking group
The Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) is now backtracking on the activities of Korean fugitive Lee Yun Sung to seek out other foreign nationals who may be working with him in his illegal drug trade in the Philippines.
GMA News

Another lawyer slain in Tagum; family blames Duterte’s drug war
Unidentified assailants shot dead a lawyer outside a shopping mall in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Wednesday night, an attack blamed by the victim’s family on the government’s war on drugs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

3 nabbed, shabu worth P10M seized in Zamboanga Sibugay
Law enforcement teams in Zamboanga Sibugay arrested on Wednesday afternoon three members of Barahama Alih Group notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities and illegal drugs in the province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Iligan cops nab Army personnel over illegal drugs
Policemen arrested an Army soldier during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion Tuesday evening. Police Capt. Austin Karl Tirol, team leader of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Iligan City Police Office, identified the suspect as Jonathan Villanzana Virtudazo, 27, a resident of Barangay Poblacion and an active member of the Army's 545th Engineering Battalion based in Patikul, Sulu.
Philippine News Agency

Drug suspect slain in Lucena sting
Another alleged drug pusher who reportedly resisted arrest was killed in a buy-bust operation here Thursday noon, police said. Senior Supt. Osmundo de Guzman, Quezon police director, said  Romarico Perez, 44, earlier sold one gram of “shabu” (crystal meth) to an undercover police officer in Barangay  8 around 12:55 p.m
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Gov’t rating ‘very good’ — SWS; End corruption radically — DU30
Most Filipinos are satisfied with the Duterte administration’s performance, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. 76 percent of Pinoys are satisfied, DU30 is “very good,” SWS said.
Manila Bulletin

Progressive groups frown on latest SWS survey on increased rating for government
Progressive organizations belittled the recent Social Weather Station Survey showing favorable ratings for the Duterte administration. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, which complained of police surveillance among its members, said the Duterte administration “is good in managing the President’s public image using popular issues mainly the war on drugs”.
Davao Today

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Robredo reminds public officials of importance of decency and respect
Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday reminded public officials that decency and giving respect to others must come with their duties in holding public office. “Hindi ko ine-encourage iyong salita na hindi maganda. Kasi kaming public officials, dapat kami iyong halimbawa ng decency, kami iyong halimbawa ng pagbibigay ng respeto,” she said in a media interview in Sumilao, Bukidnon.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Local bets told to remove campaign materials
Local bets in the May 13 midterm polls were reminded by the Commission on Elections to start removing their premature campaign materials as the campaign period for local candidates is already nearing.
Manila Bulletin

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Poe, Villar top Magdalo survey
Senators Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar lead the 62 candidates in the May 13 senatorial race, according to a Magdalo survey released by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Oppositions

Roxas on Duterte's tirades: 'My loyalty is to the Filipino nation'
Senatorial candidate Mar Roxas fired back at President Rodrigo Duterte, who called him disloyal for serving in the Cabinets of 3 presidents. On Thursday, March 14, the Otso Diretso bet was asked by reporters in Iloilo City to react to Duterte's fresh tirades against him.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Makabayan now endorses for senate labor leaders De Guzman, Matula
The progressive group Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) is endorsing two more senatorial candidates: labor leaders Leody de Guzman and Sonny Matula. The Makabayan Coalition endorsed De Guzman and Matula in a ceremony held at the Quezon City Sports Club on Thursday, March 14.
Rappler

Candidate from Marawi wants to beat the odds
Members of the Muslim community in Port Area, Manila called out her name as Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc walked toward them on Monday night. Gutoc said she had to take every chance and work double time to introduce herself because people in Metro Manila “do not know me.” 
Philippine Star

Administration

Duterte leads PDP-Laban grand rally in Davao
Around 60,000 people are expected to gather at the Crocodile Park here for the first grand rally of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on Friday evening. Arwin Ardon, president of the Duterte Campaign Team, said Thursday the rally, dubbed the “People’s Political Grand Rally”, will formalize President Rodrigo Duterte's endorsement of five PDP-LABAN candidates and seven guest candidates.
Philippine News Agency

Duterte confident Mindanao will catch up with rest of country, urges support for Mangudadatu
Mindanao will catch up with the rest of the country in terms of economic progress if voters will support senators who are sincere and capable in pursuing a legislative program for peace and development in the region. This was the message that President Rodrigo Duterte sent to Bicol folks during well-attended campaign sorties for administration senatorial candidates.
Manila Bulletin

At Isabela rally, Bong Go introduces Duterte as ‘one of my campaign managers’
Senatorial candidates of the ruling PDP-Laban party did a show of force in Cauayan City here, bringing President Rodrigo Duterte to the province where he lost the 2016 polls to a hometown boy.
Rappler

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Davao City selected as third Justice Zone in the Philippines
Joenel (not the real name) was 18 when he was arrested for drug pushing, a charge he continues to deny to this day. “Naalaan lang jud ko sir (I was mistaken for a pusher sir),” he said.
Rappler

LEGISLATIVE

Sotto denies supposed “vendetta” as cause of row over 2019 national budget
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday reiterated that a supposed “vendetta” against House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not driving the congressional row over the 2019 proposed national budget.
Manila Bulletin

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Bill declaring every May 16 as National Education Support Personnel Day pushed
Progressive lawmakers are proposing to declare May 16 of every year as National Education Support Personnel Day and a special working holiday to recognize the valuable role of education support personnel in the country.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

DBM: 4th salary hike possible through EO
Government employees whose fourth tranche of salary increase this year has been delayed by the impasse over the 2019 national budget may actually receive their much-awaited pay hike through an executive order to be issued by President Duterte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Bill extending term of office of barangay officials, SK members pushed
The House Committee on Local Government has endorsed for plenary approval a bill seeking to extend the term of office of barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from three years to five years.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Army Day
On March 22 the Philippine Army observes its 122nd founding anniversary at their headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The highlight of their anniversary would be having no less than their Commander-in-chief, President Rodrigo Duterte, to join them for the traditional trooping of the lines and directly address the uniformed men and women of the Philippine Army.
Philippine Star

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan orders Pichay’s suspension over graft case
The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day suspension of Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr over graft charges stemming from the alleged unlawful acquisition of a thrift bank by the Local Water Utilities Administration when he was LWUA chair. The Sandiganbayan 4th Division directed the House of Representatives to implement the suspension order against Pichay, and to submit a report in writing about the action taken.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Secretary Locsin set to visit China this month
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. will conduct an official visit to the People’s Republic of China from March 18 to 21 on the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

No OFW in UAE will be deported – DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured that no overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be deported contrary to the news circulating online that the Middle Eastern country will deport all foreign workers starting in April this year.
Manila Bulletin

Automation, AI seen killing more PH jobs
Advances in automation and artificial intelligence (AI) over the next decade are poised to take a brutal toll on workers, especially those engaged in manual labor and low-skilled agricultural roles.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Racist — and colonial
TO BELIEVE and argue that black people are inherently violent or that all Jews are money-grubbing scoundrels is to presume that race is the determinant of certain vices and virtues. It is nothing but racism, and those who harbor that presumption qualify as racists.
Business World Online

TRANSPORTATION

New law requires readable, color-coded number plates for motorcycles
In a bid to prevent crime from being committed with the help of motorcycles, a new law requires all motorcycles to have larger, more readable, color-coded number plates and identification marks. The new measure – Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act or Republic Act No 11235 – was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 8. A copy of the law was released to the public on Thursday, March 14.
Rappler, Manila Bulletin

Visiting Japanese experts share knowledge on automated driving
Japan is willing to share their knowledge on automated driving and smart city development as part of a broader roadmap for transport infrastructure program to solve the humungous traffic congestions in the Philippines. Recently, Japanese professor Toru Hagiwara of Hokkaido University visited the Philippines to share their studies and explore new solutions to the Philippines’ development challenges.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte to reduce travel from Cubao to Makati to 5 minutes
Travel between Cubao to Makati will soon be reduced to five minutes amid the government’s ongoing transport infrastructure project in the metropolis, President Duterte said last Wednesday. The President said EDSA could be turned into a garbage dumpsite once the construction of the proposed elevated expressway is completed to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Manila Bulletin

WHO lauds passage of law requiring vehicle child restraints
The World Health Organization (WHO) has lauded the signing of a law that requires vehicle owners to use child restraint systems which will ensure the safety of children while traveling.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

DOH to step up measles vaccination in schools
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said that it will step up its measles vaccination activities among school children from Kindergarten to Grade six before the end of the academic year.
Manila Bulletin

DOH to strictly implement one watcher per patient policy
The Department of Health (DOH) is looking at implementing a one watcher per patient policy at hospitals affected by the water shortage. “I would also like to appeal to the relatives of patients: Can we please limit the watchers of your patients to one? We hope you will understand our situation,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III during a press conference at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t urged to increase pay of nurses to avoid shortage in gov’t hospitals
Unless government takes determined moves to increase the pay of state nurses, government hospitals will experience a shortage of nurses that might adversely affect delivery of basic health services. This warning was issued Friday by former Quezon City Rep. Mike Defensor as he vowed to push for legislation that would increase the minimum base pay of state nurses to Salary Grade 15.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Gordon lauds signing of Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act; notes greater access to capital
Senator Richard J. Gordon Thursday said poor farmers now have access to more capital to increase their productivity. This came after President Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11231, or the Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

Girls’ dorm for high school students unveiled in Bukidnon
High school girls in Sumilao, Bukidnon, may now ditch their daily ordeal of walking 13 kilometers just to get to school. This as the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and its private partners on Thursday opened a girls’ dormitory for Grade 11 and 12 students in Sumilao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENERGY

Energy permitting processes streamlined with signing of Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act
President Duterte has signed Republic Act (RA) 11234 or the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act which aims to streamline the permitting process of power generation, transmission, and distribution projects in the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

33 provinces to suffer from drought until end of El Niño: NDRRMC
The Philippines will have to endure the adverse and worsening effects of the El Niño phenomenon until the end of May, disaster officials said Wednesday. In a press briefing, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Ricardo Jalad said 41 provinces will be classified as under a dry spell by the end of this month.
ABS-CBN News

NDRRMC releases P18.3 million for cloud seeding ops
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has released P18.3 million for cloud seeding operations as parts of the country grapple with the drought brought by the El Niño phenomenon. The total amount has been released to the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture for cloud seeding operations with the Philippine Air Force.
Philippine Star, Sunstar Manila

Water crisis

La Mesa Dam water at its lowest
La Mesa Dam’s water level is now down to 68.74 meters, its lowest in 21 years, the Philip­pine Atmospheric, Geophysi­cal, and Astronomical Services Admin­istration (PAGASA) said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Panelo: Manila Water shortage may be 'artificial'
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Thursday, March 14, raised the possibility that the water shortage and supply interruptions in parts of Metro Manila may be "artificial." Panelo made the statement in a Palace news briefing in Thursday, citing information from Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that Angat Dam, where Manila Water gets its supply, is not yet at a critical level.
Rappler

Group warns of adverse effects of climate change on water supply
Renato Redentor Constantino, executive director of the Manila-based Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) said “climate change would only intensify existing challenges in securing our water supply, particularly in urban and agricultural areas.”
Manila Bulletin

Sen. Sonny Angara urges government to invest more in water infrastructure
Reelectionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Thursday urged the government to invest more in water infrastructure to help the country cope with water shortages during the summer season.
Manila Bulletin

BJMP maintains it has ample water supply for PDLs
Despite the major water crisis in areas of Metro Manila and nearby areas served by concessionaire Manila Water, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) maintained on Thursday that it has no such problem citing the ample supply of water for the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in its jail facilities.
Manila Bulletin

Domino effect: Water crisis causing more trash, hurting businesses
The water shortage in parts of Metro Manila and Rizal is increasing demand for disposable products and packaging. Some restaurants have resorted to using plastic utensils, cups, and paper plates to reduce their water consumption.
Rappler

Activist priest to DOF chief: Prove dam’s feasibility
An environmentalist priest on Thursday asked Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to show proof that the P18.7-billion Kaliwa Dam in Quezon province could help solve the water shortage in Metro Manila.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Water shortage hits Metro Cebu, too
Metro Cebu, like large swaths of Metro Manila, is facing a water shortage even before the dry season has been officially declared. Water rationing has been implemented in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu and the towns of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Cordova because of low supply.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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