Duterte prepares to rig the May 13 elections with propaganda and secret orders    
In a full month before the May 13, 2019 elections, we can expect an avalanche of propaganda from the Duterte regime to conjure the illusion of Duterte’s perpetual popularity, foretell the “victory” of its senatorial and local executive candidates and cover his secret orders to the Commission on Elections and the military to rig the elections. 
NDFP

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AFP exec not eyeing top post but ending insurgency
A ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday clarified that his goal is not to get the organization’s top post but to end the five-decades-long communist insurgency.
Manila Bulletin

Proceed with probe on IP killings, Karapatan dared
An army official on Saturday challenged rights group Karapatan to proceed with the Congressional investigation on the killings of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) after the militant bloc in the House of Representatives postponed the proceedings.
Philippine News Agency

Karapatan ex-leader belies link to CPP-NPA
The former head of the human rights group Karapatan in Southern Mindanao criticized the Armed Forces of the Philippines for linking the group to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

Successive Encounters: 16 Fire arms captured
Sixteen Firearms and two International Humanitarian Law banned landmines were captured by the government troops after successive encounters transpired when Community information led the pursuing troops to track the fleeing members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist Group (CNTG) in Bukidnon Province and in nearby Arakan Municipality of Arakan from April 7 to 11, 2019.
Kalinaw News

MARAWI

Wanted ex mayor shows up in PDP’s Marawi rally; intercepted by military after but released
A former mayor who was in President Rodrigo Duterte’s August 2016 list of personalities allegedly involved in illegal drugs and who went into hiding since late May 2017 as he was ordered arrested for alleged involvement in the Marawi siege, showed up at the rally of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipinas (PDP) Friday, was publicly acknowledged by senatorial bets but was intercepted by the military as he stepped out of the Dimaporo Gymnasium and brought to the headquarters of the 103rd Infantry Brigade.
Mindanews, GMA News

Marawi ex-mayor not arrested but 'invited': AFP
A former Marawi City mayor and now a mayoralty candidate was "invited" to a military camp here after the proclamation rally Friday (April 12) of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Ng Bayan (PDP Laban), an Army official said.
Philippine News Agency

PDP senatorial bets push for various issues in Marawi rally but mum on reparation bill
The five senatorial bets of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) took turns pushing for various issues in their proposed legislative agenda – among others, the return of the death penalty, the creation of a Department for Overseas Filipino Workers and Department of Disaster Management — but the rally on Friday, April 13, ended with no mention of support for the reparation bill for the victims of the Marawi disaster.
Mindanews

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

In Australia, Muslims Call for Pressure on China Over Missing Relatives
Members of the Uighur ethnic group want their adopted homeland to take action over China’s internment camps, into which many of their loved ones seem to have disappeared.
The News York Times

The problem with Muslim celebrity culture
Last week, Muslims of the World (MOTW) - a platform describing itself as "designed to give a voice to Muslims around the world" - launched an Instagram contest offering a free trip to New Zealand. It claimed the winner would meet families of Christchurch shooting victims and visit the mosques with the platform's founder, Sajjad Shah, Imam Suhaib Webb, and author Khaled Beydoun - all US-based.
Aljazeera

Spirituality in the age of terrorism
It has now become imperative in political discourse to analyze the new meanings of the terms "terror" and "terrorism," as well as their implications in international politics. To a certain extent (and according to the needs of the moment, i.e. the needs of the powerful), the old and traditional meaning of these terms is still being used for conflicts and situations that are considered local and, globally, harmless or lacking any global range or dimension.
Daily Sabah

6 Islamic banks eye PH branches
At least six Islamic banks have expressed interest to open their branches in the Philippines once the Islamic Banking bill, which is now on its second reading in both Houses of Congress, is passed into law. Trade and Industry Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman identified these banks which include CIMB, Islamic Development Bank, Qatar Bank, Credit Investment Bank of Malaysia and a Saudi bank.
Manila Bulletin

BARMM

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Cotabato City mayor bares development objectives
The local government here will start the construction in June of an airport and a sea terminal facility to boost the local economy.
NDBC News

Murad urged to surrender followers in SAF 44 killings
Kin of police commandos who were killed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters demanded that rebel leader Murad Ebrahim, now Chief Minister of the Muslim autonomous region, to surrender those behind the gruesome murders of 44 members of the Special Action Force in Maguindanao’s Mamasapano town.
Mindanao Examiner

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Duterte: I advised the Navy to blow up drug smugglers' vessels
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he has advised the Philippine Navy to blast vessels of drug smugglers, together with their passengers using the seas for their illegal trade.
GMA News

Gordon will not re-open investigation of ‘shabu’ smuggling on mere allegation
Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said Saturday he would not entertain calls for him to call presidential son, Paolo ‘’Pulong’’ Duterte and two others linked to alleged drug smuggling in Manila to a Senate public hearing.
Manila Bulletin

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Operations/ Incidents

North Cotabato CAFGU fall in PDEA drug deal sting
A militiaman popular for his involvement in military operations against local Islamic State-inspired groups fell in a large-scale drug sting Friday in Pikit town in this province. 
NDBC News, Philippine Star

Man trying to sneak shabu into Tagbilaran jail nabbed
Authorities on Saturday arrested a 38-year-old man who tried to sneak suspected shabu (crystal meth) inside the Tagbilaran City Jail by inserting it into his anus.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Student, merchandiser fall in anti-drug ops in Makati
A student and his accomplice were arrested for illegal possession of drugs and firearms and P1.5-million worth of shabu was seized from them during a buy-bust operation in Makati City on Friday afternoon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

2 drug suspects shot dead in Cagayan
A drug suspect was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers while another was gunned down by unidentified men in this province on Friday.
Philippine Star

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

PNP seizes 1,916 loose firearms in Zambo Peninsula
The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) has intensified its campaign against loose firearms to prevent election-related violence in the region. Police Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Saturday that they have seized 1,916 unlicensed and undocumented firearms in the entire region since January this year.
Philippine News Agency

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

DILG questions PH’s inclusion in State Department’s kidnap list
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) barked at the US States Department for including the Philippines in its list of countries with high kidnapping risk.
Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, CNN Philippines

PNP admits threats of kidnapping in Mindanao but assures public safety
The Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted the threat of  kidnapping in the southern part of the country but assured the public that the peace and order situation remains under control.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Palace denies Duterte skipped Marawi event due to health reasons
Malacañang said that President Duterte was in good health and that the bad weather was really the reason for his absence at the PDP-Laban proclamation rally in Marawi City Friday.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte vetos bill granting survivorship benefits to children of constitutional body officials
President Duterte has vetoed the bill seeking the grant of survivorship benefits to the children of officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Office of the Ombudsman, Senate President Vicente Sotto III bared Saturday.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte signs law splitting Palawan into 3 provinces
Palawan, the country’s biggest province, is now split into three – Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. President Duterte signed into law the measure dividing Palawan into three provinces last April 5. It will be effective 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Lacson believes Duterte will approve the 2019 GAB, veto questionable items
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday expressed optimism that President Duterte will approve the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), despite the latter’s threat to veto the entire measure should he find it unconstitutional.
Manila Bulletin

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ELECTION RELATED

Comelec official: Overseas votes can change election results
As the month-long overseas voting period begins, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official urged those who are abroad to participate in the elections, saying that their votes can change election results.
Manila Bulletin

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Campaign Convos Podcast: Skip the gimmicks, we assess senatorial candidates based on platform
Rappler's 4 campaign reporters cut through the gimmickry and showbiz of senatorial candidates and assess them based on their platform and track record. What specific laws do candidates want to pass? Are their promises realistic?
Rappler

Oppositions

Robredo laments ‘whipping of yellows’
Vice President Leni Robredo lamented how the members and supporters of opposition become the “whipping boy” whenever there are negative comments, issues, and criticisms thrown at the government.
Manila Bulletin

Election law needs reforms, says Chel Diokno
Senatorial candidate Chel Diokno said Otso Diretso was trailing in surveys because it could not compete with administration candidates when it comes to political ad spending.
Rappler

Macalintal proposes senior citizens' common fund
If elected, Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Romulo Macalintal said he would push for the creation of a senior citizens' common fund that would help less fortunate seniors, especially those who have no one else to depend on in their twilight years.
Rappler

Administration

Imee Marcos laments high cost of political ads
Senatorial aspirant and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos ‘pleaded’ with the media entities not to demand what she called ‘outrageous’ advertisement ads.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

EU ready to continue support to PH justice sector
The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its readiness to continue support to the Philippines’ justice sector reform as its funded Governance in Justice (GOJUST) programme expires in 2019.
Philippine News Agency

LEGISLATIVE

Congress urged to pass bill creating the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron P. Salo pressed the need Saturday for Congress to pass a bill seeking the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to safeguard and promote the interest and welfare of the country’s modern-day economic heroes.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

UK assures continued GSP+ to Philippines post Brexit
The Philippines has secured the commitment of the British government to allow exporters to continue enjoying similar trade preferences under the European Union Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (EU GSP+) even after the UK leaves the trade bloc.
Philippine Star

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

COA hits Philippine Heart Center’s inconsistencies in charging markup cost for medical items
State auditors rebuked the management of the Philippine Heart Center as they noted inconsistencies in the charging of mark up cost for consigned items used by patients, mostly suffering from serious cardiovascular illnesses.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

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West Philippine Sea

We should not allow China to abuse us – Lacson
The Philippines should not allow itself to be bullied even by China who claims to be a “friend.” Senator Panfilo Lacson aired this belief after Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said that Spratlys or the Kalayaan Islands are “within China’s territory” despite the 2016 Hague ruling already disputing their claim.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

Labor groups seek protection of female OFWs
LABOR groups on Saturday backed a call by women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the government and other stakeholders to address the growing number of female workers distressed and exposed to risks abroad.
The Manila Times

Business as usual for OFWs in Libya amid tensions
Despite the declaration of alert level III or voluntary repatriation phase in Tripoli and its surrounding areas by the Philippine government, life goes on for Filipinos living and working in the region, an official said Saturday.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH 

Region 9 records 2,577 dengue cases with 20 deaths
The Department of Health-Region 9 (DOH-9) has recorded high cases of dengue with 20 deaths in the Zamboanga peninsula and in Basilan since January this year.
Philippine News Agency

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DA starts cloud seeding in Davao del Sur
Cloud seeding activities have started in the province of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, Soccsksargen since April 9 to cushion the effect of the dry spell on high-value crops, Jose D. Pascua, focal person for the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-11, said on Saturday.
Mindanews

Masaganang Ani 300 Award launched to combat threat of imported rice
Nueva Ecija farmers on Friday (April 12) were challenged to adopt hybrid rice and compete against the influx of imported rice now that the Rice Tariffication Law has taken effect.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

CHED orders all SUCs and LUCs to start their academic year in August
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Saturday confirmed that all State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) are enjoined to shift their respective academic calendars to August starting this Academic Year (AY) 2019-2020.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd to equip general education teachers with SPED skills
The Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct the second phase of training that aims to improve the quality of teaching for students with special educational (SPED) needs.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Luzon grid on 10-hour yellow alert despite low-demand weekend
Even with the drop in electricity demand on Saturday, Luzon grid was placed on a 10-hour yellow alert or scant power reserve condition due to the forced outage of the Limay plant in Bataan.
Manila Bulletin

Brownouts sparks Gatchalian’s ire; scores DOE for ‘fake news’
Heads must roll over the unexpected brownouts that hit several cities and towns in Luzon despite an earlier assurance from energy officials of an ample power supply with the ‘’El Nino’’ phenomenon factored in.
Manila Bulletin

PNOC disputes COA findings on abolished PNOC-AFC deals
The Philippine National Oil Company disputed Saturday the audit examination findings made by the Commission on Audit on the PNOC-Alternative Fuels Corporation, a PNOC subsidiary ordered abolished in 2014 by then President Benigno Aquino III.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

DPWH to employ measures, more equipment to ensure safety of Manila Bay rehab workers
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will deploy additional survey equipment as part of the ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation to ensure the occupational safety and health of its personnel following the discovery of a vintage bomb on the seabed.
Manila Bulletin

DENR launches search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is encouraging schools to participate in this year’s National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools.
Manila Bulletin

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR