High survey ranking may lead to more red-tagging — Bayan Muna
Bayan Muna party-list has expressed fear that red-tagging and attacks against the group would intensify following its high survey ranking in the latest Pulse Asia survey. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said they welcome the Pulse Asia survey showing they are the most preferred group in the upcoming polls , although they understand its implications.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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SC orders Sandiganbayan to proceed with trial of accused in ‘Morong 43’ case
The Supreme Court has given the go signal for the Sandiganbayan to proceed with the trial of the criminal cases filed against military and police officers involved in the illegal detention and torture of 43 health workers in Morong, Rizal in 2010.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

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Binay denies paying millions to communist groups in exchange for endorsement
Re-electionist Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay on Thursday cried foul over a news report accusing her and other senatorial candidates of the Makabayan Coalition of paying communist groups in exchange for their endorsement.
Manila Bulletin

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A call for karapatan and the Kamatayan Bloc
Another bloody incident transpired at Sitio Causwagan, Barangay San Mateo, Butuan on April 18, 2019 (Maundy Thursday) where Reynante Cabungan Llorin, a member of Higaunon IP tribe was murdered by CPP-NPA terrorists inside his house. Cabungan aka ‘Jason’ was a former member of the communist-terrorist group who surrendered to the government forces last July 2018 along with two other individuals.
Kalinaw News, Philippine News Agency

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AFP: No terror but NPA
GOVERNMENT security forces operating in Misamis Oriental have assured that the conduct of the May 13 elections in the province, including in rebel-infested areas is safe and peaceful, while admitting the presence of communist rebels, the New People’s Army (NPA), to be the only “terror threat” so far in the province.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

11 NPA rebels in Southern Tagalog yield, says military
Eleven alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Southern Tagalog surrendered to the government on Wednesday, the military said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Army: 61 NPAs, supporters surrender during Holy Week; more expected
As summer heat rages on, provinces in Northern Mindanao and Caraga region have been experiencing a downpour of surrenders from the Communist-Terrorist Group (CTG) CPP-NPA. 61 members and supporters of the notorious terror group surrendered to various units of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division between April 16 to 22 as Catholics observed the Holy Week.
Kalinaw News

TESDA taps peace advocacy group for training of former rebels
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 12 has linked up with a peace advocacy group in South Cotabato to facilitate the provision of skills trainings to former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the area.
Mindanews

Soldiers hunt down Samar rebels involved in bloody clash
The Philippine Army is pursuing New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who were involved in a fierce gun battle that killed six government troops and wounded six others early Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

Peace Talks

Doors always open for peace negotiations – Bello
The government never closes its doors to have peace negotiations with the communist groups, said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
Manila Bulletin

Incidents/ Operations   

Malaysia says ISIS militants use Sabah to cross into Philippines 
Malaysia said Sabah is being used by ISIS militants in crossing into the Philippines to establish bases and wage terrorism there. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun was quoted by Malay Mail on Thursday as saying that militants are looking for new bases to operate from because of attacks by allied forces on ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq.
Mindanao Examiner

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Westmincom fetes soldiers in ‘Abu Dar’ killing
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has awarded medals to four soldiers for gallantry in action during the military operation that killed the leader of the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Dawlah Islamiya in Lanao del Sur.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

MARAWI

Marawi folks should take lead in rehab efforts – Makabayan Bloc lawmaker
President Rodrigo Duterte should make sure that Marawi residents themselves benefit from the efforts to rebuild their city, Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Zarate said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Admin bet: Duterte’s remark that gov’t won’t spend on Marawi rehab just a ‘light moment’
President Rodrigo Duterte was probably just having a "light moment" when he said that the government will no longer fund the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City anymore, administration Senate bet Francis Tolentino said.
GMA News

Gov’t mandated to rehabilitate Marawi City — opposition bets
It is the mandate of the government to spearhead the rehabilitation of conflict-stricken Marawi City, opposition senatorial candidates said on Thursday. They stressed this point in response to President Rodrigo Duterte's remark that he will leave the reconstruction of the city to its affluent residents and businessmen.
GMA News

On Duterte’s remark on rehab for Marawi homes: Sad but illuminating
based civil society organization leader Drieza A. Lininding said they welcome President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s recent remarks on the Marawi rehabilitation as it clarifies the government’s stance on the reconstruction of ravaged homes. “It is a welcome development in a sense that finally, the President already answered the speculations whether or not the government will support the reparation for the destroyed houses in Marawi,” Mr. Lininding said in a message.
Business World Online

Ex-Marawi crisis spox sounds alarm on Duterte’s plan
The former spokesperson of the Marawi crisis management committee says leaving the rehabilitation of the war-torn city in the hands of rich businessmen and affluent residents may reinforce violent extremism among the region's youth.
ABS-CBN News

Sunio: The IDPs are not merely surviving but living
I DON’T know how the internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in tents and temporary shelters have been going by day by day, but I have always been amazed at how they manage to not just hold on, but to actually live.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Salic’s co-accused have until May 2 to respond to allegations
The four co-respondents of Marawi City Vice Mayor Arafat Salic have until May 2 to respond to the rebellion complaint against them concerning their alleged participation in the 2017 Marawi siege.
Manila Bulletin

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Sri Lanka Muslims, refugees fear backlash from Easter attack
After fleeing their homes in Pakistan over militant attacks and government persecution, hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims felt they finally found peace in Sri Lanka as they sought resettlement across the world.
Philippine Daily Inquirer 

Sri Lanka PM confirms attacks on Muslims
Sri Lanka’s prime minister has acknowledged to The Associated Press that minority Ahmadi Muslims who are refugees from Pakistan have faced attacks since the Easter bombings.
Philippine Daily Inquirer 

After Sri Lanka: the best books to understand modern terrorism
Though the first suicide bombing was in 1881, 40% of those killed by them have died in the last five years. Iain Overton picks the best books that explain why.
The Guardian

The latest on Sri Lanka's bombing investigation
What we're covering here: Families mourn their dead: A wave of deadly blasts hit Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing 359 people.
CNN

Sri Lanka bombing suspects may still be on the run, police warn
Police in Sri Lanka have warned that more suspects in the Easter Sunday bombings were on the run, as it emerged that a prominent spice tycoon was being held on suspicion of helping two of his sons who participated in the attacks.
CNN

Sri Lanka Warns of More Suicide Bombers as Police Scour Capital
Hundreds of police officers swept through Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, shutting down large parts of the capital city and looking urgently for six suspects — three men and three women — connected to the Easter Sunday attacks who might be planning a new wave of bloodshed.
The New York Times

The Sri Lanka bombers want a clash of civilisations. Don’t give in.
A few months ago National Thowheed Jamath (ntj), an Islamist group from Sri Lanka, was known for little more than defacing statues of the Buddha. On April 21st nine of its members walked into churches and luxury hotels on the island and blew themselves up, killing more than 350 people. Islamic State (is) claimed responsibility for the deadliest set of terrorist attacks in Asia in modern times.
The Economist

Sri Lanka bombings: Who are the National Thowheed Jamath?
Sri Lankan authorities have pointed the finger of blame at an obscure group, the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), for carrying out a series of coordinated bombings on Easter Sunday killing more than 350 people.
Aljazeera

Religious leaders call for unity after Sri Lanka attacks
As Sri Lanka reels from the Easter Sunday bombings its religious heads have organised an interfaith meeting and appealed for calm. But hundreds of Muslims have fled Negombo on the western coast where some isolated revenge attacks have taken place.
Aljazeera

CCTV footage of suspected Sri Lanka bombers released – video
CCTV video shows two suspected attackers in Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings carrying backpacks into the Shangri-La hotel in the capital, Colombo, before the blast. The bombings, which killed 359 people and injured 500, shattered the relative calm that has existed in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka over the past decade and raised fears of a return to sectarian violence.
The Guardian

Israel tells citizens to leave Sri Lanka over 'concrete threat'
Israel on Thursday, April 25, urged its citizens travelling in Sri Lanka to leave the country, citing an "elevated concrete threat" following deadly Easter bombings there. The recommendation from Israel's counterterrorism bureau said the travel warning was issued after consultations with security and foreign ministry officials.
Rappler

Foreign Office advises UK citizens not to travel to Sri Lanka
The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has advised British citizens not to travel to Sri Lanka unless their journey is essential, following the deadly Easter Sunday bombings that killed 253 people and injured 500.
The Guardian, BBC News

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Saudi deputy defence minister says Kingdom will combat terrorism at any cost
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, vowed the Kingdom will spare no efforts in combating terrorism in the region. “Stability in the Middle East is one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant goals,” Prince Khalid said on Wednesday during the Moscow conference on International Security.
The National UAE

Anwar advises Islamic bodies to be vigilant against terrorist groups
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) has advised Islamic bodies to be vigilant against religious fanatic and extremist groups which promote terrorism among Muslims in the name of Islam. The Port Dickson MP said Islam promotes harmony and opposes all forms of violence.
The Star Online Malaysia

Bangsamoro region posts 7.2 percent GRDP growth in 2018
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which now make up the core territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, posted a 7.2-percent growth rate in its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) for the year 2018.
Philippine News Agency

BARMM

Barmm transition to take a while
PEACE officers are seeking support in the ongoing transition stage of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), as it is still in its infancy stage.
Sunstar Davao

‘Decommissioning of 12,000 MILF members may be finished by November’
The names of the 12,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters who will be decommissioned this year have been submitted to the foreign-led Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. said on Thursday.
Mindanews

TPMT releases its Fifth Public Report
The Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) has released its fifth public report, and says that it has reviewed the final text of the BOL in detail, and it is our assessment that the Law passed by Congress and approved by the President reflects the spirit and intent of the Parties as outlined in their Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and serves to enact the key provisions of the CAB. 
Luwaran

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

Sulu poll candidates ink peace pact
Candidates in the Sulu province's second district signed a peace covenant to ensure orderly and peaceful elections, a military official said Thursday.
Philippine News Agency

Sara Duterte, Hugpong bets campaign in Jolo 3 months after church bombing
Administration coalition Hugpong ng Pagbabago led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte made a rare campaign stop here on Thursday before a 7,000-strong crowd just three months after the Jolo church bombing which left at least 20 people dead.
GMA News

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

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PNP deploys tracker teams to arrest Acierto
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has created tracker teams to arrest former police colonel Eduardo Acierto—an anti-narcotics veteran who tagged a foreign economic adviser of President Duterte as behind the smuggling of tons of shabu in the country last year.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

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Operations/ Incidents

P46.6M worth of cocaine found floating off Dinagat Islands
Police recovered eight bricks of cocaine worth P46.6 million in the waters of Dinagat Islands on Wednesday. The Caraga police said Thursday a fisherman found a brick of cocaine floating near a lighthouse in the municipality of Loreto at 5 p.m. It was wrapped in transparent cellophane.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pasay drug suspect shot dead
A notorious drug suspect was shot dead in a supposed encounter with the police in Pasay City Thursday morning. The fatality was identified as Ferdinand Ajido Lerit of Flores Compound, Barangay 176, Zone 18, Malibay.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

7 'pushers' nabbed, drug den dismantled in GenSan
A team of anti-drug operatives dismantled an alleged drug den and arrested seven suspected drug pushers in an operation here Wednesday evening. Naravy Duquiatan, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 12 (Soccsksargen) director, said Thursday the drug den was discovered following an entrapment operation at a house in Barangay Bawing here at about 9:30 p.m.
Philippine News Agency, Mindanews

College students busted for marijuana peddling
Two college students were arrested for selling compressed marijuana leaves to plainclothes anti-narcotics agents in a drug sting here Wednesday.  Mark John Pascual and Dexter Cerbas, both 18, are now in the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12, to be prosecuted for peddling marijuana. 
NDBC News

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

Masbate village chief nabbed for illegal guns
An incumbent village chief was arrested on Wednesday after police seized several firearms in his residence in Placer town in Masbate province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law  
 

Duterte names Medialdea as OIC during China visit
President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as the government’s officer-in-charge (OIC) during his fourth visit to China.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace: Drop in hunger incidence due to Duterte’s pro-poor programs
The drop in the hunger incidence among Filipinos was due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-poor programs, Malacañang said Thursday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the latest Social Welfare Stations (SWS) survey showed that 9.5 percent, or an estimated 2.3 million families, experienced involuntary hunger from January to March this 2019.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Duterte ‘war’ threat vs Canada just ‘figure of speech’ — Lorenzana
President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat of “war” against Canada for supposedly dumping their garbage in the Philippines was only a “figure of speech,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

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Manila Times editor resigns after publication of ‘Oust-Duterte’ plot
Felipe Salvosa II, the managing editor of the Manila Times, has resigned after the newspaper published a matrix accompanying a story about an alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Manila Times says Salvosa didn’t resign but ‘asked to do so’; stands by matrix
The Manila Times clarified on Thursday that one of its editors did not resign but was asked to do so, and stood by its matrix piece published in the paper.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Lawyers group takes ‘Oust Duterte’ matrix to SC
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) reiterated its plea for protection following the release of a matrix which linked it to an alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Robredo wants President Duterte to explain foreign source of info on ouster plan
Concerned about a foreign government spying on Filipinos, Vice President Leni Robredo wants President Rodrigo Duterte to explain the foreign source of his information on the alleged destabilization plot against him.
Manila Bulletin

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Robredo receives two ambassadors this week
Vice President Ma. Leonor ”Leni” Robredo got a visit from two ambassadors to the Philippines this week to discuss the country’s bilateral relations with Singapore and Spain.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec exec to public: Vote for party-list that ‘matters to you’
A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official on Thursday urged the public to vote for the party-list group in the May 13 elections that “truly matters” to them.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

COMELEC grants NAMFREL full accreditation as citizens’ arm for the May 13 midterm polls
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has accredited the National Citizens Movement For Free Elections (Namfrel) as its citizens’ arm in the May 13 midterm polls.
Manila Bulletin

DILG reminds local execs to grant permits for rivals’ campaign rallies
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday reminded incumbent local officials to play fair in issuing permits to political rivals by allowing them to hold campaign rallies in their areas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

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Namfrel awaits Comelec accreditation of ‘Open Election Data’ project
With the May elections less than three weeks away, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said it has yet to receive accreditation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of its Open Election Data project.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

7 of 10 Filipinos aware of partylist system
More registered voters are aware of the partylist system, less than a month before the midterm elections in May, according to a survey by Pulse Asia released on Thursday. In the nationwide survey conducted from March 23 to 27 with 1,800 respondents, 74 percent have heard, read, or watched something about the partylist system.
Manila Bulletin

Dela Rosa, Go share top spots in Davao survey
Senatorial candidates Ronald dela Rosa and former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go got the highest percentage of votes in the latest popularity survey conducted by the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO).
Philippine News Agency

No maintenance works during election period — NGCP
No maintenance works will be conducted a week before and a week after the May 13 polls to ensure reliable power supply during the election, an official of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pulse Asia survey says Bayan Muna is most preferred party-list group 
Bayan Muna is the most preferred party-list group in the May 2019 midterm elections, a recent Pulse Asia survey released on Thursday showed. The survey, conducted from March 23 to 27 among 1,800 adult respondents, revealed that Bayan Muna got an 8.50% voter preference.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

Bishop to voters: Use social media to support good candidates
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Wednesday urged the faithful to use the remaining days of the campaign period to rally behind “good candidates” and to use social media “to make them more known.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Oppositions

'Keep the faith': Otso Diretso's final stretch
A giant Liberal Party (LP) banner marked the house of San Carlos City, Pangasinan mayoral bet Wilhelm "Beebong" Soriano. Otso Diretso staff affectionately called his home "HQ" or headquarters, for where else could you find a proudly yellow HQ in the time of Duterte?
Rappler

Otso Diretso mourns death of 6 volunteers in road crash
Opposition senatorial candidates have condoled with the families of their six volunteers who died in a road mishap in Baguio City on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gutoc: Prioritize rice production, welfare of Filipino farmers
The local production of rice and the welfare of Filipino farmers should be prioritized, opposition senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc said Thursday as she opposed the recently signed Rice Tariffication Law that some farmers here had complained about.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Administration

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

Ex-ABC president, village official killed in Negros Occidental ambush
Former Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Mark Garcia and village councilor Michael Garcia were killed in an ambush Thursday while on the campaign trail in Negros Occidental.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISASTER

Luzon earthquake

965 families in Central Luzon evacuation centers after quake — DSWD
There are now 965 families or 3,699 individuals being housed at evacuation centers across Central Luzon following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Monday that rocked parts of Luzon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DPWH repairs, reopens quake-damaged Pampanga bridge, road
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday announced the reopening of a bridge and road in Pampanga which were damaged by last Monday’s magnitude 6.1 earthquake.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

5 more bodies found in supermarket ruins
Five more bodies were recovered from the rubble of a supermarket in Porac, Pampanga province, on Wednesday as rescuers pressed their search for survivors three days after the building crashed down in a 6.1-magnitude earthquake.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Visayas earthquake

OCD: 13 hurt, no major infrastructure damage in Visayas quake
The 6.5-magnitude earthquake that rocked Eastern Visayas on Tuesday afternoon injured 13 people and damaged roads, buildings and bridges.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Inday Sara says federalism might only embolden ‘warlords’ in Mindanao
Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday said she is not in favor of federalism, noting that it might only embolden “warlords” in Mindanao.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, GMA News

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Arroyo allies blame budget row for her poor satisfaction rating
Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s allies in the House of Representatives said that the budget row between the two chambers of Congress affected the satisfaction rating of the House leader.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solon hopes for approval of bill establishing pension fund for farmers
Deputy Speaker and AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin expressed hope Thursday that the incoming 18th Congress will prioritize the approval of the proposed Agricultural Pension Trust Fund Act to help uplift the lives of marginalized farmers and agricultural workers.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PNP welcomes 138 PNPA ‘Sansiklab’ class graduates
The Philippine National Police (PNP) officially welcomed on Thursday 138 newly appointed Police Commissioned Officers of the PNP Academy “Sansiklab” Class of 2019.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sri Lankan Navy arrives for goodwill visit
Members of the Sri Lankan Navy prepare to dock their Offshore Patrol Vessel P626 at Manila's south harbor pier, Philippines on Thursday. It is the first goodwill visit of a Sri Lankan ship in the country since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1961. 
ABS-CBN News

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Australian firms expanding in PH not minding tax changes
Regardless of the outcome of the second package of the government’s comprehensive tax reform measure, Australian businesses will continue to invest in the Philippines as they cannot afford to miss out on the strong economic potential in the country, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson said.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Duterte vows to pursue more projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative
The Philippines is ready to pursue more projects with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as part of “more comprehensive and strategic cooperation” between the two nations, President Duterte said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Xi Jinping welcomes genuine friend, lauds good relations with the Philippines
Chinese President Xi Jinping has lauded the robust relations between the Philippines and China despite the conflict in the South China Sea, saying he considers President Duterte a genuine friend and trusted partner.
Manila Bulletin

PH, China sign deals on trade, drugs
Amid improving bilateral relations, the Philippines and China have forged two agreements on promoting investment cooperation and drug rehabilitation efforts.
Manila Bulletin

GMA analyst Heydarian discusses China’s Belt and Road Forum, war threats vs. Canada
GMA News resident analyst Richard Heydarian on Thursday discussed relations of the Philippines with China and Canada, which have recently made local headlines.
GMA News

Czech Ambassador expects growth in economic relations with the Philippines
Economic relations between the Czech Republic and the Philippines may begin to flourish in the next three years following the successful conduct of the first Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Prague.
Manila Bulletin

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West Philippine Sea

Sea dispute must not be set aside in Duterte talks with China —maritime expert
Professor Jay Batongbacal, who heads the University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, stressed that the chief executive should raise the recent developments in the disputed South China Sea with the Chinese leaders.
GMA News

Duterte tells Xi of China's incursions in Spratlys
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday reminded China’s President Xi Jinping that allies should not destroy each other as the chief executive called Beijing’s attention to the developments in the disputed South China Sea.
GMA News

LOOK: Akbayan protests Chinese incursion in West Philippine Sea
Members of Akbayan party-list gathered in front of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City on Thursday to protest incidents of Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea. The group in particular slammed the reported poaching of giant clams by Chinese fishermen from the waters of Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LABOR

Dole to open hospital with free services for OFWs
A hospital will be built in San Fernando, Pampanga which will offer free services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Labor said Thursday. Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione said the hospital, which will be exclusively for OFWs and their dependents, will provide free laboratory exams and required medical certificates to OFWs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TUCP seeks standard emergency protocol for the workplace
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said that it is high time to set mandatory workplace emergency protocol standards for workers to ensure their safety during emergency situations.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DA, DTI urged to probe alleged sugar price manipulation
Senator Bam Aquino urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) on Thursday to look into the alleged price manipulation of sugar amid the reported rise in retail prices.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

CHED to use new system for students applying for scholarships
Starting next year, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will implement a new system of application for students who wish to apply and avail of its financial assistance programs.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd spearheads campaign for ‘child-friendlier’ TV programs
Recognizing the need to ensure that children gain proper knowledge and are not led “astray by negative content” they see on television, the Department of Education (DepEd), through its attached agency, led the launch of content standards for child-friendlier programs.
Manila Bulletin

LOOK: Leyte teachers need to climb mountains to submit reports online
Despite government efforts to modernize the country’s educational system, public school teachers in Libertad, Abuyog, Leyte still have to climb mountains to connect to the internet when they submit school forms and year-end reports.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENERGY

Senate energy panel starts probe on Luzon brownouts 
The Senate committee on energy opened on Thursday an inquiry into the unexpected brownouts recently experienced by several towns and cities in Luzon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NGCP extends red alert status for Luzon grid
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has extended the red alert status for Luzon grid until 11 p.m. Thursday. According to NGCP, available power capacity is currently at 9,506 megawatts while peak demand is at 9,580 megawatts, leaving a shortage of 74 megawatts.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOE, ERC can be held ‘administratively liable’ for power outages
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) could be held “administratively liable” for the recent power outages in many parts of Luzon, Senator Gatchalian said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Chinese firms in Boracay required to have English trade names, employ Filipino workers
Chinese establishments on Boracay Island should have trade names primarily in English and should “employ Filipino workers in general,” an official of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Treasures of SOX: Discovering Soccsksargen’s cultural, tourism gems in Manila
“Treasures of SOX” returns to Manila for the fourth year to showcase the Soccsksargen region’s prime products, culture and tourist destinations.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Cimatu notes improvement in water quality in Boracay on eve of closure anniversary
The absence of thick algal bloom indicates an improvement in water quality after illegal discharges were discovered and stopped, according to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Environmental groups laud ‘zero waste church’; encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ inspires diocese
Environmental groups on Thursday lauded a “diocesan-wide effort to promote a zero waste church” in Cavite praising them for advocating a sustainable resource use and toxics-free future.
Manila Bulletin

As Canada rubbish festers in Philippines, activists demand action
Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte gave Canada an ultimatum this week: Take back dozens of shipping containers filled with Canadian waste that have languished near Manila for six years - or he will send them over himself.
Aljazeera

Water crisis

MWSS: Manila Water can’t let customers shoulder fines
Manila Water cannot let its customers shoulder the cost of the fines slapped on them, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Reynaldo Velasco said on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Angat Dam to breach minimum operating level in 3 days; NWRB begins low water allocation for CL irrigation May 1
With Angat Dam projected to breach its minimum operating level of 180 meters in three days, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) will be implementing lower water allocation for irrigation in Central Luzon starting May 1 to preserve the supply for Metro Manila’s domestic water requirements during the dry season.
Manila Bulletin

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR