Measures to defeat ‘SPARUs’ in place: AFP
The military on Monday announced that it has already initiated measures aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by the "SPARU" (Special Partisan Unit) assassins of the communist rebels.
Philippine News Agency

AFP hails Duterte’s concern for soldiers, police amid threat from NPA hit squads
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Monday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for showing great concern for members of the military and police who face threats coming from hit squads of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Manila Bulletin

PNP to stick to operational procedures in dealing with rebels, other threat groups
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will stick to its Police Operational Procedures in dealing with threat groups in the country that includes the communist rebels. By Police Operational Procedures or POP which serves as a basic guide for all policemen in carrying out operations, it includes respect for human rights, and valuing the life of even the enemies of State, according to PNP spokesman P/Col. Bernard Banac.
Manila Bulletin

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Fact-finding team on death of ‘Negros 14’: State terrorism alive
“Stop the killings,” was the battle cry of peasant and human rights groups as they revealed Monday the results of their fact-finding mission on the death of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental last March 30.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Fact-finding mission alleges irregularities in bloody Negros Oriental ops
Police targeted innocent civilians and not criminals in its counter-insurgency program “Oplan Sauron” in Negros Oriental,  farmers' and rights groups on Monday. Groups Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Unyon ng mga Mangagagawa sa Agrikultura and Karapatan presented the accounts by a fact-finding team that documented the cases last week in a press conference on Monday.
Philippine Star

Ex-chief justice: Operational reports on killing of ‘Negros 14’ must be bared
Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Monday said police operational reports on the killing of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental should be made public especially to the families of those who died.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

KMP urges filing of cases vs cops in killing of 14 Negros farmers
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has recommended the filing of criminal and administrative cases against police officers involved in the death of 14 farmers in Canlaon City and two towns in the province of Negros Oriental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Kin of ‘Negros 14’ bury their dead:  ‘We hope they will have justice’
Cynthia Avelino was set to bury her father Ismael and uncle Edgardo Avelino on Monday morning at the Canlaon City Cemeter in Negros Oriental. Ismael, 53, would be entombed on top of the tomb of their mother Criscenciana while Edgardo would be buried on top of the tomb of their brother-in-law Joel Gallenero.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

De Lima wants Senate probe on Negros farmers slay
Senator Leila De Lima has called for a Senate inquiry into the killings of 14 farmers who were slain in a joint military and police operation in Negros Oriental last month.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Dumaguete Diocese seeks impartial probe on farmers’ death
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dumaguete, headed by Bishop Julito B. Cortes, D.D., is seeking an impartial investigation on the recent death of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental to seek the truth and to alleviate fear and unrest among the citizenry.
Philippine News Agency

#JusticeForNegros14 | Probe reveals state security forces committed ‘murder, theft, other abuses’
A 53-member national fact-finding mission (NFFM) found state security forces involved in the March 30 operations in Negros Oriental liable for murder, theft and other rights abuses. 
Bulatlat

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Army official visits Negros Island’s detained top NPA leader
A Philippine Army official visited Negros Island’s top New People’s Army (NPA) leader Francisco “Frank” Fernandez and his wife Cleofe Lagtapon some two weeks after their arrest.
Philippine News Agency

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AFP accuses NPA of using abducted victims as ‘human shields’
The spokesman of the Philippine Army (PA) Monday said the abduction of a barangay chairman, two civilians, and a member of the CAFGU Active Auxillary (CAA) in Oriental Mindoro last week by New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists reflected their desperate attempts to survive by using helpless civilians as human shields.
Manila Bulletin

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Bulacan town declares CPP-NPA as 'persona non grata'
The local government here has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP) as "persona non grata".
Philippine News Agency

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NDFP’s Casambre ‘clandestinely’ transferred to ‘noisy’, ‘hot’ Bacoor jail
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) of the Philippine National Police transferred detained National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Rey Claro Casambre from Camp Crame in Quezon City to the Bacoor City Jail in Cavite province last Wednesday, April 3, without informing his family and lawyers, his family complained.
Kodao

Ilantad at gapiin ang tunay na kaaway ng mamamayan!    
Matapos ang serye ng matatagumpay na aksyong-militar ng NPA laban sa AFP at PNP sa Bauko, Mt. Province nitong nakaraang linggo, pinalalabas ngayon ng AFP at PNP, katuwang ang militaristang si Anthony Wooden, meyor ng Tadian, Mt. Province, na ang Pulang Hukbo ang siyan kaaway ng mamamayan ng Mt. Prov. Kabilang sa mga kasinungalingang ipinupukol ng mga ito ay ang paninisi sa NPA sa puor o forest fire sa kabundukan ng probinsya.
NDFP

Karapatan files complaints to UN officials vs military’s red-tagging
Human rights group Karapatan has acted against the accusations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by filing complaints before the United Nations.
Bulatlat

Peace Talks

Hinggil sa Pagbuwag ni Duterte sa GRP Peace Panel    
Anong kabulastugan itong ginawang pagbuwag ni Digong Duterte sa sarili niyang peace panel at pagsusulong ng lokal na usapang pangkapayapaan? Na sinuportahan naman ng kagaya ni Senator Panfilo Lacson dahil diumanoy hindi naman pambansa ang saklaw ng insurgency.
NDFP

Incidents/ Operations   

2 NPA rebels killed in Masbate clash
Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with Army soldiers on Monday in a remote village in Mandaon town, Masbate province. Capt. Joash Pramis, public affairs chief of the Army's 9th Infantry Division (9ID), said soldiers were on patrol in Barangay Buri at around 1:55 a.m. when they encountered a group of armed men believed to be communist guerillas.
Philippine News Agency, Kalinaw News, Philippine Star 

Revolutionary justice carried out as NPA hits AFP troops in two engagements in ComVal    
Red fighters under the ComVal-Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Command battled AFP troops in two separate engagements in Mabini and Maco towns in Compostela Valley, which resulted in heavy enemy casualty and thus dispensed revolutionary justice against the fascists whose hands are bloodied with the recent murder of two civilians and other serious abuses against the masses in the province.
NDFP

Abu Turaife and men to face cases for Isulan bombing
The police tagged on Monday the group of wanted terror group leader Abu Turaife as responsible for the bombing last week in Isulan town that hurt 18 people. Police Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzalez, spokesman of the Regional Police Office-12, said criminal cases shall soon be filed against Abu Turaife and his followers for the bombing of the Carlito’s Chicken House in Isulan.
NDBC News

MARAWI

Malaysians, and the world, have forgotten about Marawi. Here's a reminder (1 of 2)
Mara-where? Many must prod their brains to recall an apocalyptic 5-month-long conflict in 2017 in the centre of a flourishing Asian city – which was consequently wiped off the map. International news outlets gave due “if it bleeds, it leads” coverage to the stupefying, out-of-left-field siege of Marawi, the Philippines as it unfolded – but predictably withdrew from the scene after the last shot was fired, the last bomb detonated.
New Straits Times

PBSP to push for Marawi ‘Tibayaniyahan’ project
The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) has partnered with the Republic Cement for the implementation of “Marawi Tibayanihan” project. This project aims to provide alternative livelihood support to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to assist the in the rehabilitation of their homes destroyed by the Marawi siege.
Bangon Marawi

DSWD warns public vs illegal cash collection for Marawi IDPs
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD has warned the public, specifically the Marawi internally displaced persons (IDPs), against the questionable collection of a certain amount from the agency’s cash assistance beneficiaries.
Bangon Marawi

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

'No dramatic reset' on right-wing extremism after Christchurch massacre, ASIO boss says
Spy agency boss Duncan Lewis says there is no reason to dramatically refocus intelligence gathering on right-wing extremism in Australia, despite growing concerns in the wake of the mass shooting in Christchurch allegedly perpetrated by a white supremacist Australian.
The Sydney Morning Herald

NZ shootings should spur us to ask ourselves if we celebrate diversity
THE tragic aftermath in New Zealand hangs heavy on us, with victims as young as 3 having to pay a price for the rhetoric about migrants and Islamophobia. The Christchurch shootings show how such stigmatisation appeals to ideological perverts and bigots.
New Straits Times

Egypt’s Prisons Are Becoming Recruiting Grounds for the Islamic State
As the Islamic State suffered defeat in its final Syrian stronghold of Baghouz last month, the White House declared victory over the self-declared caliphate, announcing via Twitter that it has been “obliterated off the map.” 
Foreign Policy

Social media companies face tough UK sanctions over extremist content
Social media companies that fail to protect users from harm face bans and heavy fines in new proposals announced by the UK government. The policies were launched on Monday in a long-awaited white paper on online harm and would also make company directors personally accountable for the behaviour of users. A 12-week consultation will now take place on the UK proposals.
The National UAE, GOV UK 

Xinjiang cuisine in London: for Uygur restaurants’ owners it’s about sharing their culture
Restaurateur Mukaddes Yadikar looks through her dining room window, framed with loops of brightly patterned fabric, as a cold, bleak sky darkens above the rain-stained pavements of northeast London. “We love England,” she says.
South China Morning Post
 

Recent clashes won’t deter efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao
Recent clashes between government forces and members of various Islamic armed groups that led to deaths and injuries to either side are not enough to slow down the bid to end the strife in Mindanao and jeopardize the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous region in the area.
Manila Bulletin

KISSA AND DAWAT: La Convivencia: Beyond election fever
Local election fever is high and many politicos will do many things to scout and win vote, including dirty tricks and negative campaigning. In one sortie, a campaign manager was allegedly heard saying that if the opposing candidate wins, the city will be dominated by Moros because the latter had secretly forged an alliance with Nur Misuari’s group.
Mindanews

BARMM

BARMM poll candidates asked not to post ads on trees
The environment minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday lauded the league of mayors in Maguindanao for campaigning against the posting of campaign materials along major thoroughfares of the province.
Philippine News Agency

BARMM launches full disclosure policy
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim launched the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Full Disclosure Policy Portal (BARMM-FDPP) recently to inform the public on how funds are handled by the regional government.
The Manila Times, Manila Standard

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Soldier hurt as ‘surgical ops’ vs. BIFF continue
A soldier was hurt as intermittent clashes between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) continued over the weekend in Maguindanao province.
Philippine News Agency

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

PRO-BARMM honors wounded cops in Lanao Sur clashes
The Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM) on Sunday honored police officers wounded during a recent law enforcement operation in Lanao del Sur.
Philippine News Agency

BASILAN

SULU 

Jolo bombing ‘facilitator’, another Abu bandit killed in Patikul clash
Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, including one of the alleged facilitators of the bombing of the Jolo cathedral in January, were killed in a clash on Monday afternoon in Patikul, Sulu.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

PDEA chief Aquino: We're still investigating Michael Yang
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is still investigating former presidential adviser Michael Yang, said Director General Aaron Aquino on Monday, April 8.
Rappler

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Palace dismisses third episode of narcolist video as ‘pure, simple black propaganda’
Malacañang has dismissed as “pure and simple black propaganda” a video allegedly linking President Duterte’s former aide to the illegal drug trade.
Manila Bulletin

Palace dare: File raps if Bong Go has links to narcotics 
The people behind the video circulating on social media linking senatorial aspirant Christopher “Bong” Go to illegal drugs should file charges if their claims were true, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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NCRPO looking at links of nabbed drug suspect with narco-politicians
Police are investigating the links of an arrested drug dealer with narco-politicians, after it was confirmed that the apartment in Manila where the suspect was holed up belongs to a public official.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Death of thousands in war on drugs should be ‘investigated properly’ – Sweden
The top Swedish diplomat in Manila on Monday said there was a need for the Philippines to “investigate properly” the reported death of thousands related to the war-on-drugs campaign under the Duterte administration, and bring those responsible to the bar of justice.
Manila Bulletin

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Marijuana tops list of illegal drugs seized in Cordillera
Marijuana topped the list of illegal drugs seized in the Cordillera region during the first three months of the year. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera reported on Monday that a total of PHP144,974,864 worth of illegal drugs in different forms were seized.
Philippine News Agency

TURNING POINT: Nanlaban Kasi
“Nanlaban Kasi (He fought back, that’s why)” is the police top tune to explain a dead suspect in their hand. That has been the justification for the plight of the 5000 suspects in drug-related police operations. All landed in the morgue, not one in the emergency room of a hospital.
Mindanews

Operations/ Incidents

40 bricks of suspected cocaine found floating off Surigao del Norte  
Forty bricks of suspected cocaine were found floating in the municipal waters of Burgos, Surigao del Norte, police said. The Caraga regional police reported Monday that the suspected blocks of cocaine were found by fishermen in the area on Sunday at around 4:30 p.m.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Navotas ‘drug queen’, 3 others busted
Four drug suspects, including Navotas City’s alleged “drug queen” were arrested in separate operations on Sunday night. The Northern Police District (NPD) reported that Rosario Enriquez, 51, and former barangay safety officer Dennis Alvarez, 48, were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Navotas City police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Barangay North Bay Boulevard – South.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Leader of drug gang with links to narcopoliticians nabbed in Sampaloc
Police arrested the leader of a drug syndicate, which reportedly has strong connections with narcopoliticians in Metro Manila, in a raid in Sampaloc, Manila early Monday morning.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Man yields P2M-worth of ‘shabu’ in Pampanga buy-bust
A man from Marawi City was charged here for allegedly possessing P2.1-million worth of shabu (crystal meth), a belated police report showed. Johaiver Hadjiamen, 39, was nabbed by police in Mabalacat City in a buy-bust operation in front of a large grocery in Barangay Dau last April 5.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

A Family Craft With a Deadly Toll: Illegal Gun Making
In the remote, mist-covered slopes outside the city of Danao in the central Philippines sits the illegal, makeshift workshop of a master gun maker. Accessible only by foot on a steep, winding pathway camouflaged by thick vegetation, the ramshackle shop owned by I. Launa has a tattered tarpaulin roof, a work table and several machines for cutting and shaping steel. The whole operation can be packed up and moved on short notice.
The New York Times

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

PCIJ to Duterte: Nix blame game, address wealth issues
The Duterte family should just just offer “clear, direct, [and] straightforward” answers about their wealth rather than blaming and hitting and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report, PCIJ Executive Director Malou Mangahas said in a statement late Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace: Duterte ‘threat’ of revolutionary war meant for enemies of state
The threat of President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a revolutionary war was meant as a warning to the enemies of the state, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Medialdea: Duterte critics only ‘nitpicking’ on his SALN
Critics of President Rodrigo Duterte were only “nitpicking” about the chief executive’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace: All of Duterte’s assets properly declared
Malacañang insisted that all of President Duterte’s wealth is properly declared in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and that not identifying its sources is not against the law.
Manila Bulletin

Palace: Poll saying many doubts China plans for PH ‘political propaganda’
Malacañang dismissed as a mere “political propaganda” the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that only two in 10 Filipinos believe that China has good intentions for the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Saber-rattling
REVOLUTIONARY governments come into power in different ways, because a revolution is the breakdown of an established order, and there are myriad circumstances under which political and legal orders just break down.
The Manila Times

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ELECTION RELATED

Comelec: 93% of ballots for May polls printed
More than 59 million or 93 percent of the ballots needed for the May elections have been printed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec admits dilemma in suing violators of campaign material law
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental on Monday launched a province-wide campaign to take down illegal election campaign materials, even as it admitted facing a dilemma in prosecuting those who are violating the law.
Philippine News Agency

Comelec begins final test of VCMs for overseas voting
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine posts abroad have started conducting the final testing and sealing (FTS) of the vote counting machines (VCMs) for overseas absentee voting.
Philippine News Agency

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[OPINION] Debates, discourse, and dissonance: Politics as a spectator sport
Aristotle once divided citizens into two camps: the polites, citizens concerned with public affairs; and the idiotes, people who were only preoccupied with their own private matters. Today, these terms roughly translate to the words "politician" and "idiot." As difficult it is to believe today, they used to mean opposite things.
Rappler

KISSA AND DAWAT: ‘Chopped heads’ and citizenship
This year is our 4-year old son’s first awareness about election. Initially, he saw volunteers posting campaign posters, he got curious and asked his mom, “Mama, who are these utud uw (Sinug word, literally, chopped heads) posted outside? My wife told me, he left after a brief explanation, although she is not sure whether he understood her explanation or not.
Mindanews

‘Otso sa Nitso’
With the May 13 elections just five weeks away, the opposition’s “Otso Diretso” senatorial slate has started plumbing new depths in their desperate efforts to catch up. The latest surveys have either Mar Roxas or Bam Aquino dropping in and out of the Magic 12. Online observers have noted how the eight no longer always wear their trademark yellow colors and have been experimenting with all sorts of outlandish hand gestures.
Manila Standard

We won’t be duped anymore
It’s clear that the enemies of the State are engaged in an encompassing, orchestrated and systematic black propaganda with just over a month ahead of the May 13 elections. President Duterte’s critics, particularly the Yellow Opposition, have shamelessly underestimated, literally belittled the intelligence and maturity of the Filipino people in their relentless, chilling and harsh anti-administration black propaganda.
Manila Standard

Oppositions

Opposition senatorial bets vow to bring to Senate fight vs Chinese intrusion
The opposition senatorial candidates on Monday vowed to bring the fight against China to the Senate if elected in the coming May elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Opposition hits gov’t for blocking their visit to Scarborough Shoal
Opposition senatorial candidates denounced the Duterte administration on Monday for blocking their planned visit to the Scarborough Shoal and plant a Philippine flag there as a “symbolic positive step” to the arbitral award granted to the Philippines in 2016.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gutoc warns Duterte: Failure to fully disclose wealth an impeachable offense
Senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc has warned President Rodrigo Duterte that not fully declaring a public official’s wealth is an impeachable offense, amid questions about the President’s riches.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sen. Bam vows to work for ‘Trabaho Center’ bill
Reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino has committed to pursue the pas­sage of a measure that will help ensure job availability for K-12 and college students once they receive their diploma.
Manila Bulletin

Administration

Senate comeback bid will get a boost, if case is dismissed – Jinggoy
Former senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is seeking a Senate comeback via the May midterm elections,  believes that the dismissal of his plunder case before next month’s elections can boost his bid.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bong Go motorcade gets warm welcome
Residents in Mandaluyong and San Juan cities yesterday welcomed former Special As­sistant to the President and senatorial aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, show­ing their appreciation for him through chants and posters as his motorcade drove through the streets in a campaign mo­torcade.
Manila Bulletin

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Bersamin vows judiciary purge if evidence warrants
Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin vowed here on Monday (April 8) to purge the judiciary of erring members, if evidence warrants. He revealed that the Supreme Court (SC), which is holding its traditional summer sessions here, has been investigating reports of corruption and other malfeasance against some members of the judiciary and court personnel.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Palace: Duterte won’t meddle in House Speakership race
President Rodrigo Duterte will not endorse any lawmaker to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Floirendo wants to be House Speaker
Even this early, reelectionist Rep. Antonio Floirendo of Davao del Norte’s second district eyes the post of House Speaker when Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo retires.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

‘Win first as congressman, before aspiring to become Speaker,’ Alvarez tells Floirendo
First, you must win as a congressman before eyeing the speakership. Former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez gave this piece of advice to fierce political foe, fellow Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio “Tony Boy” Floirendo who threw his hat into the derby to become the top leader of the House of Representatives for the incoming 18th Congress.
Manila Bulletin

Solon appeals for Senate passage of gender equality bill
1-Ang Edukasyon partylist Rep. Salvador Belaro expressed hope Monday that the Senate would pass the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identification or Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill before 17th Congress ends in June.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Russian anti-submarine ships, tanker arrive in Manila
The visit of three Russian Navy (RN) vessels to Manila makes a tangible contribution to the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region, Captain Sergey G. Alantiev, commander of Detachment of the Russian Pacific Fleet, said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Russian vessels’ visit to bolster naval cooperation with PH
Three ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet berthed in Manila on Monday for a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines and to bolster naval cooperation with its Filipino counterparts.
Philippine News Agency

Australian firm eyes Philippine Navy contract for patrol vessels
Australian shipbuilding firm Austal, which has a unit in Cebu, is looking to enter into a contract with the Philippine Navy for 6 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
Rappler

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Yes, inflation is government’s fault
When asked about the “Most Urgent National Concern”, the majority of opinion survey respondents will list “controlling inflation” near the top. Of course, that is only when prices are going higher. It is like listing “typhoons” during the rainy season and not during the dry season.
Business Mirror

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Ombudsman junks graft case vs ex-DENR Secretary Gina Lopez
The Office of the Ombudsman has dropped the graft case against former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, who was accused of “receiving gift” from a renewable energy firm, for lack of probable cause.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Experience Europe in the Philippines as EU launches “Viva Europa 2019”
Filipinos can now experience European culture and heritage without leaving the country. The European Union (EU) on Monday launched its annual summer cultural festival in the Philippines to bring European culture and heritage to Filipinos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

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West Philippine Sea

PCG commandant says Filipino fishermen not being harassed in waters off Pag-asa Island
Filipino fishermen are allowed to freely cast their nets near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino assured on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

AFP to maintain normal presence in Pag-asa island : Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Monday said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will maintain its normal presence in Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea despite the statement made by President Rodrigo Duterte for China to lay off the island.
Manila Bulletin

We do not have force to challenge China — Enrile
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile urged the government to strive for diplomacy in dealing with China as the country “does not have any force to challenge China.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Chinese blockade of sandbars may lead to Philippines' loss of aerial access to Pag-asa, expert says
Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea pose a threat to any aircraft that would use the runway on the island, a maritime expert said. The military confirmed that hundreds of Chinese ships have been loitering in the area while the Philippine government's efforts to repair a dilapidated runway on the island are underway.
Philippine Star

LABOR

Shortage of labor inspectors slowing down drive vs illegal foreign workers
With only 800 labor inspectors in its roster, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is having a tough time identifying and going after illegal foreign workers in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TRANSPORTATION

Palace: Duterte may call Congress to ‘immediately’ amend double plates law if…
The concerns of motorcycle riders regarding bigger and color-coded license plates on motorcycles may be addressed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gordon: Double plates law can’t be suspended
The law requiring bigger and color-coded number plates for motorcycles can be amended but it cannot be suspended, Senator Richard Gordon said on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP supports PRRD suspension of ‘Doble Plaka’ law
The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed its support Monday to the possible suspension of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act or the Republic Act 11235 as raised by President Duterte.
Manila Bulletin

Families of victims of MV Princess of the Stars mishap welcome case reinstatement
The families of the victims of the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars in Romblon in 2008 are “happy” over the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to reinstate the case, the Public Attorneys Office (PAO) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Commuter files complaint vs ‘abusive’ bus driver
A female commuter on Monday filed a complaint at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) against an “abusive driver” who dropped her off at a non-designated zone that caused her injuries and trauma.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sangley airport operational this year: DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing the transfer of general aviation flights to Sangley Point in Cavite within the year once the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Danilo Atienza Air Base are completed.
Philippine News Agency

HEALTH 

31 pilot areas for implementation of universal health care to be identified by DOH
At least 31 areas in the country were identified for the initial implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Manila Bulletin

Can the Dengvaxia complainants pin down Duque and Garin?
How will the complainants react to the denials made by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin, and their co-respondents on their liabilities in the alleged Dengvaxia-related deaths?
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Rice Tariffication Law must be scrapped – Butil Party-list solon
Filipino farmers are already asking for the abolition of the Rice Tarrification Law, or that vital amendments be made to it, according to Butil Party-list Rep. Cecil Chavez. According to Chavez, farmers were hoping that the upcoming 18th Congress would either work to scrap or amend the law, and in effect stop unlimited rice importation that is at the heart of the statute.
Manila Bulletin

Will cheap imports kill rice farmers?
A day before Republic Act (RA) 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, or was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 15, private sector representatives led by Presidential Adviser on Economic Concerns Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion 3rd asked the President through a letter to stop the measure.
The Manila Times

EDUCATION

Gov’t eyes pilot implementation of mandatory ROTC next school year
The government is eyeing a two-year pilot implementation of the proposed mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for senior high schools next school year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ROTC to instill culture of preparedness among youth – senator
The Philippines must be prepared regardless of the scenario whether it is an invasion from a foreign country or a major natural calamity such as another super-typhoon like “Yolanda.”
Manila Bulletin

Briones, Sara Duterte sign MOA for staging of 2019 Palarong Pambansa in Davao City
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the conduct of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa to be hosted by Davao City at the end of this month.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

New law to lure more investments for clean energy sources in PH
A newly-signed law will secure better investment climate for clean energy sources in the country and guarantee power needs to three million Filipino households that still do not have access to electricity, a senior administration lawmaker said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM


ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Responsible Mining: Planet, People, Profit, Policy
Mining is highly extractive. From the vantage point of environmental protection, “responsible mining” may seem like an oxymoron given the obvious toll of mining on natural resources, especially arable land, water and forests. The nature of this industry thus goes against the principle of preserving and cultivating land and nature for present and future generations.
Business World Online

A tale of two watersheds
ONE nourishes communities. The other has become a source of distress. The Anayan-Rumangrap Watershed in Mount Isarog in Camarines Norte provides sustenance to the population living in nearby communities, who in turn take care of it.
The Manila Times

Water crisis

Palace to go after those who crafted gov’t deal with Maynilad Water
The government is determined to go after the people behind the allegedly onerous government contract with Maynilad Water Services Inc. despite the company’s willingness to abandon the arbitration proceedings, Malacañang said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Ejercito calls on Duterte to hold ‘no-nonsense’ water summit
Reelectionist Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has called on President Rodrigo Duterte to hold a no-nonsense water summit as the country struggles with the negative effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DICT set to implement proof of concept for 1,000 possible tower sites
The government is set to implement the proof of concept for the proposed common tower policy within two to three months to ensure that the public would enjoy faster internet connectivity, as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is “laying out” the possible 1,000 towers sites for the common tower project.
Manila Bulletin

Globe in talks to share towers with ‘third player’ Mislatel
GLOBE Telecom, Inc. and the Mislatel consortium, the group selected to step in as the telecommunications industry’s “third player,” said they are now in discussions to share tower assets to reduce the cost and duration of the infrastructure buildout.
Business World Online

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR