Joma Sison: Let ‘Bikoy’ tell his story
Exiled communist rebel leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison said Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy,” should be given protection to fully disclose his story.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Prospects during and after the May 13 elections    
The opposition senatorial candidates will surely win because of their powerful issues against the tyrannical, treasonous, mass murdering, plundering and inflation-generating Duterte regime.
NDFP

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Paolo to Hugpong bets:  Ditch NPA’s campaign fee demand or be ditched
Former vice mayor and now congressional aspirant Paolo Duterte sternly warned local candidates running under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago – Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod alliance here not give in to the New People’s Army’s  demands for  campaign permit fees.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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More groups seek SC protection vs red-tagging
Rights activists and a religious group have sought protection from the Supreme Court over threats against their lives, liberty and security allegedly committed by state forces. 
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Group decries Opapp probe on Lumad schools
A LUMAD group said it was offended when the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) held a legislative inquiry against Lumad schools in Mindanao. The schools in question are the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, Inc. (Alcadev) and Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur, Inc. (TRIFPSS). 
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

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CPP website shows 9K purging victims not gov’t propa: NTF-ELCAC
There is no denying that  reports on the more than 9,000 hapless victims of mass murders by their own comrades in the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is not a fabrication concocted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Philippine News Agency

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Hundreds flee North Cotabato village after NPA attack on Army post
Hundreds of civilians left their homes at Sitio Katindu in Barangay Malibatuan, Arakan town, following an attack by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at a nearby detachment on Monday morning, a police official said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

One more NPA with two (2) high powered firearm surrendered to 73IB
A member of the terrorist group NPA voluntarily surrendered on saturday, May 5 2019 bringing along with him 2 high powered firearms. 
Kalinaw News

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations   

Militant party-list groups’ poll posters recovered in anti-NPA ops
Soldiers recently recovered campaign materials of two militant party-list groups following an intelligence operation against suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Palawan.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Kalinaw News

Comelec urged to probe recovery of militant pamphlets in NPA lair
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to look into the incident where military personnel recovered supposed election materials of Bayan Muna and Kabataan party-lists, following intelligence operations at a suspected rebel hideout in Barangay Culasian, Rizal, Palawan last May 3.
Philippine News Agency

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Rebels attack Army detachment in North Cotabato
Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked an Army detachment in a remote village in Arakan town in North Cotabato province at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, a police official said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer 

NPA leader found dead; Body dumped by comrades
Joint Army and PNP forces recovered the body of an NPA terrorist who is believed to have been killed during the April 29 encounter at Sitio Maquitib, Brgy Quipot, San Juan, Batangas at around 2:39 p.m. Sunday.
Kalinaw News, Philippine Star 

NPA rebel killed in Northern Samar clash
A member of the New People’s Army was killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were wounded in a clash between government troops and the terrorist group Sunday night in Las Navas, Northern Samar.
Philippine News Agency

MARAWI

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Exclusive – ISIS’ Transformations after its Defeat
The terrorist attacks that shocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday on April 21 and which left over 250 people dead and 500 injured have demonstrated a fundamental change in the terrorist approach of the National Thowheeth Jama'ath. Understanding the change in methodology of this Sri Lankan terrorist organization cannot be separated from the shift in policy adopted by the ISIS group following its defeats in Iraq and Syria and the US declaration of victory against it in early 2019.
Asharq Al-Awsat

As Diplomacy Shifts, U.S. Expands Military-Style Counterterrorism Training
The U.S. State Department is opening new, military-style training facilities around the world, expanding plans to prop up local forces battling terrorism as the Trump administration seeks cutbacks in conventional diplomacy and development programs.
Wall Street Journal

Terrorism, immigration efforts hampered by Homeland Security vacancies
Teenagers, known for their immaturity, need stable adult guidance. The Department of Homeland Security is no different. But like children shuffled among a succession of foster parents, the department, still in its teens, has been hampered by a chronic lack of steady leadership.
The Washington Post

China’s vulnerability to terrorism behind its support for Azhar ban
Undoubtedly, India’s relentless and intense diplomacy coupled with international pressure has succeeded in pushing China to designate Masood Azhar as a UN proscribed terrorist. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale’s visit to China on 21-22 April and his presentation of an exhaustive dossier showing Azhar as a terrorist finally caused China to relent. 
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses

Tackling terrorists’ exploitation of youth
Young people serve as a vital source of support for terrorist groups. Extensive youth participation creates an intergenerational terrorism problem and lays the foundation for future conflicts.
American Enterprise Institute

ISIS has suffered defeats, but the fight isn't over. Here's how we keep up the pressure.
On March 23, President Donald Trump announced the liberation of the last territory held by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. This important milestone in our fight against global terrorism was made possible by this administration’s decision over two years ago to take the gloves off.
USA Today

Christian-Muslim clashes rock Easter attacks town in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Roman Catholic Church appealed for calm and an alcohol ban Monday after clashes between Christians and Muslims in a town scarred by the Easter suicide attacks.
France24

Sri Lanka president: IS 'chose Sri Lanka to show they exist'
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has told the BBC that he believes the Islamic State (IS) group chose to mount attacks in his country to show they still exist. Police in Sri Lanka have blamed two local Islamist groups for the Easter Sunday bombings, but acknowledged that they must have had support from groups abroad. IS has said it was behind the suicide attacks, which killed more than 250 people.
BBC News
 

Duterte calls for prayers for peace, solidarity, understanding on Ramadan
President Rodrigo Duterte called on Muslim Filipinos to offer prayers for peace, solidarity, and understanding during the start of Ramadan on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace on Ramadan: ‘We are all parts of one whole’
Malacañang on Monday joined Muslim Filipinos in observing the fasting month of Ramadan, which began on the evening of May 5, reminding them that “we are all parts of a whole.”
Philippine News Agency

Mindanao Muslim group offers pre-Ramadan food offering
Muslims here welcomed Ramadan with a ‘kanduli,’ a food offering of mostly native Maguindanaon delicacies, which relatives, friends and neighbors partook.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ramadan call: Uphold sanctity of ballot
Muslims worldwide begin on Monday the monthlong observance of the holy month of Ramadan, with those in the Philippines enjoined to uphold and protect the sanctity of the ballot.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hijab troopers join forces sent to Lanao, Zamboanga provinces
Twenty-two hijab troopers — or female soldiers wearing head scarves — were among the 355 military and police personnel sent off on Monday to provinces in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao to secure the May 13 midterm elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP renews commitment for peace on start of Ramadan
The Philippine National Police (PNP) extended its greetings of peace and goodwill to all Filipino Muslims as the country celebrates the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Sunio: Ramadhan and national elections
MAY 6 has signaled the start of this year’s Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of prayer and fasting. In seven days will also be the May 13 national elections. I wonder if the holiness of Ramadhan may influence this year’s elections, even if it would only be in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regions? 
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

Cebu Muslims mark Ramadan with prayer for peaceful polls
Muslim leaders in Cebu have offered prayers and sacrifices for peaceful, honest, and clean mid-term elections on May 13 as they joined the entire Muslim community in the country in marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
Philippine News Agency

BARMM

BARMM sets modified work schedule for Ramadan
As Ramadan started, offices at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) began implementing a modified work schedule for Muslim officials and employees observing the fast.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine News Agency

BARMM Palaro gold medalists get P20k reward
Athletes from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) bagged a total of 19 medals in the recently concluded 2019 Palarong Pambansa. The Palarong Pambansa was held in Davao City from April 27 to May 4.
NDBC News

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

MORO IN EXILE: The Killings in Cotabato City
We haven’t paid attention to the almost daily shootings in Cotabato until finally the victim is someone we know/knew. And then we start paying attention, and then we start condemning.
Mindanews

Soldiers, cops discover marijuana plantation in Maguindanao
Military personnel hunting drug syndicate members stumbled on a marijuana plantation, a drug den, and factory for improvised bombs in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer

NORTH COTABATO

Midsayap villagers seek reprieve from clan wars
Residents of Midsayap wants an extensive involvement of their local officials in the resolution of the conflicts among clans locked in showdowns affecting innocent villagers.
NDBC News

LANAO PROVINCES

Move for a 'failure of election' in Lanao Sur a political frenzy
AS THE midterm election is coming closer, massive vote-buying is reported everywhere in the country. But while there are reports in the past that violators had been held, no one so far was reported penalized. This is the reason, perhaps, why the mal-practice of vote-buying proliferates in Lanao del Sur and elsewhere.
Ranao Star

Army conducts medical mission in Lanao Norte MILF community
Army personnel and medical volunteers reached Saturday (May 4) one of the farthest areas in Lanao del Norte to bring the medical services for residents.
PTV News

‘Peaceful polls in Lanao Sur’
Elections in five coastal towns of Lanao del Sur are expected to be peaceful and orderly after all the candidates signed a peace covenant over the weekend against the use of violence in this year’s elections.
Manila Standard

BASILAN

SULU 

Asg killed in sulu clash
Army troopers killed a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a brief but fierce clash in Patikul, Sulu. Col. Gerry Besana, the spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the encounter also resulted in the wounding of a member of the 32nd Infantry Battalion.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Zamboanga

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

‘Bikoy’ unmasks himself
A man claiming to be “Bikoy,” the elusive hooded guy in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” series implicating relatives and allies of President Rodrigo Duterte of involvement in illegal drug activities, finally surfaced Monday, a week before the May 13 elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

IBP says ’Bikoy’ is not a client
Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that accused President Rodrigo Duterte’s relatives and allies of involvement in the illegal drugs trade, is not yet a client of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the organization’s national president said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOJ to ‘Bikoy’: Go to the NBI, file a complaint
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevara said Monday that Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy,” should go to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file a complaint against the people he mentioned in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos series.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace: Gov’t to sue ‘Bikoy,’ persons behind narco-videos if they violated laws
The government would prosecute persons behind the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos if they violated laws, Malacañang has warned. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after “Bikoy,” the hooded narrator in the videos surfaced Monday at the Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) in Pasig City and identified himself as Peter Joemel Advincula.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace casts doubt on Advincula's credibility, cites 'criminal background'
Malacañang on Monday doubted the credibility of Peter Joemel Advincula who claimed he is "Bikoy" -- the man who linked President Rodrigo Duterte's family to the narcotics trade through a series of viral videos.
ABS-CBN News

Misibis Bay Resort in Albay to file cyberlibel case vs ‘Bikoy’
The management of a resort in Albay said Monday they will file a cyberlibel case against ‘Bikoy’ for “maliciously and falsely” tagging the resort as a venue for illegal drug trading.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Go says ‘Bikoy’ should have surfaced at mental hospital not at IBP
“Bikoy,” the hooded person in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” series, should have gone to the mental hospital instead of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), administration-backed senatorial candidate Bong Go said on Monday after a man claiming to be “Bikoy” surfaced.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

WATCH: Bong Go goes topless again to show tattoo-less back
Administration-backed senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go once again stripped his shirt off to reveal his tattoo-less back to the public.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Creator of ‘Totoong Narcolist’ site not off the hook over ‘Bikoy’
Investigators are still looking into the possibility that the creator of the website that shared the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos is behind “Bikoy,” an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lacson: Senate to probe Bikoy’s claims if evidence is found
The Senate will first evaluate any evidence linking President Rodrigo Duterte’s family and allies into the illegal drug trade before conducting an inquiry.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Bikoy 'entitled to due process' to prove claims, says Otso Diretso
Otso Diretso candidates welcomed the decision of the man called Bikoy to come out of hiding, saying it is now his chance to prove his claims linking President Rodrigo Duterte's family and allies to the illegal drug trade.
Rappler

Bong Go, Bam Aquino face off over ‘Bikoy,’ black propaganda
A heated exchange ensued between administration candidate Bong Go and opposition bet Bam Aquino on Monday, May 6, over the issues of Bikoy and black propaganda.
Rappler

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Finding Acierto
Eduardo “Jojo” Acierto had simple dreams and simple wants. He wanted to go to college without paying for it, wanted to fight drugs, wanted to stay as a cop.
Rappler

Acierto accuses Duterte gov’t of abducting colleague
In a new video released to reporters, dismissed veteran anti-drug cop Eduardo Acierto accused the Duterte government of abducting his former anti-drug operations colleague in the Philippine National Police (PNP), retired major Lito Pirote.
Rappler

Operations/ Incidents

Man nabbed for marijuana found in his pocket during inspection at LRT-2
A passenger of the Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2) was arrested over the weekend as he was caught with dried marijuana during a routine inspection at a train station.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

6 nabbed, P20-K shabu seized in Zamb anti-drugs ops
Six drug personalities were arrested while some PHP20,000 worth of suspected shabu were seized in separate anti-drug operations in this southern port city, a top police official said Monday. Police identified the arrested individuals as Abubakar Adjail, Julbari Sarawi, Rowe Moratalla, Rommel Paraiso, Roger Rogicio, and, Glenn Banester.
Philippine News Agency

P1.2-M shabu seized in NegOcc
Police seized an estimated PHP1.2 million worth of shabu in a drug raid at a pension house here over the weekend. Police arrested in a buy-bust operation Evonie Bacuray, 26, who sold PHP16,000 worth of shabu to an undercover agent during an operation at the Visitors Inn pension house on Locsin Street in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, shortly before midnight on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

128 cases of press freedom violations recorded by media groups
A network of media organizations documented 128 cases of threats and attacks against the Philippine media under the Duterte administration. In a forum on World Press Freedom Day, May 3, the Freedom for Media, Freedom for All Network noted a significant increase on the number of violations to press freedom. From 99 cases documented last Nv. 23, 2018, the number of cases jumped to 128 in just six months.
Bulatlat

Martial Law  
 

Palace on Duterte’s weeklong absence: Haven’t you worked at home?
President Rodrigo Duterte may have worked for five days straight in his home in Davao City but there’s nothing unusual about it, his spokesperson said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte in good health, Palace assures
President Duterte remains a healthy and hardworking leader even after his absence from public eye in the past few days, Malacañang assured the public Monday.
Manila Bulletin

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ELECTION RELATED

Comelec begins final testing, sealing of vote counting machines
Another Philippine town hit by election-related violence is placed under control of the Commission on Elections as it makes final preparation for next Monday's nationwide voting.
ABS-CBN News

Comelec confident it can secure Namfrel replacement
A week before the midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is confident it can find a new partner for the random manual audit (RMA) after National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) declined its accreditation as citizens’ arm.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Comelec: Check voting receipt to make sure votes are cast
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded voters to verify the votes they cast through the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) on May 13.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Delivery of ballots for Metro Manila finished by Tuesday – Comelec
The delivery of ballots for the May 13 elections in the National Capital Region (NCR) is expected to be finished by Tuesday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec distributes 1 million new markers to polling precincts'
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has distributed 1 million new markers to the 85,000 polling precincts all over the country less than a week before the midterm polls. Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said they made the replacement after some reported that the ink in the original markers dried too slowly when used.
Manila Bulletin

Ballots sent to Pasig not tampered – Comelec
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday stood by the integrity of its shipping process as it denied reports that tampered ballots were delivered in Pasig City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

PNP: Don’t blame checkpoint for poll delivery truck’s broken seal
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde on Monday stressed that police officers assigned at checkpoints shouldn’t be blamed for the broken Commission on Elections (Comelec) seal of one of the vehicles used to deliver election materials.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental placed under Comelec control
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed the municipality of Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental under Comelec control due to “intense political rivalry.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec: No disqualifications yet amid alleged vote-buying in Cavite
Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez clarified Monday that there are no disqualifications yet amid the alleged vote-buying incident in Cavite.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

With still 7 days to go, Comelec declares itself ready for mid-term polls
With still a week before the May 13 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections has declared it was ready to conduct the National and Local elections. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed that, as of Monday, the poll agency’s delivery of election paraphernalia and supplies was almost complete.
Manila Bulletin

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In the May polls, everyone wants to be by the Dutertes’ side
 President Rodrigo Duterte’s enduring popularity has become a boon for many candidates in the upcoming polls, with some bets showing willingness to set aside their long-held principles or even share the stage with their opponents just to get an endorsement from the firebrand leader.
ABS-CBN News

No bloc voting for El Shaddai, says Mike Velarde adviser
The biggest Catholic charismatic movement in the country does not engage in bloc voting, the group leader’s political adviser said Monday. Wilfredo Villarama, political adviser of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, said the group was not “into bloc voting.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo calls on Comelec to act on tampering, vote buying reports
Vice President Leni Robredo has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to check and act on reported disturbing incidents that may affect the credibility of the May 13 elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LOOK: Cavite candidate for town councilor gives away seeds in campaign sorties
Amid reports of vote-buying in many areas of the country in the run-up to the 2019 midterm elections, one local candidate from the municipality of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite province has risen to social media stardom because of his unorthodox way of campaigning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lacson to Comelec: Look into cops meddling in politics in Cebu
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “step in” on the alleged involvement of police officers in politics in Cebu City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Survey: Most Butuan voters OK with vote-buying
Officials of a Catholic university here have raised concern after a recent election survey from its policy center revealed that an overwhelming majority of the city’s voters found nothing wrong with accepting money on election day even if they would not vote for the candidate who offered them money.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sotto endorses all reelectionist senators
A week before the May 13 polls, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III officially endorsed all seven senators seeking reelection.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Muntinlupa court grants de Lima’s request to vote on May 13
A Muntinlupa court has granted detained Sen. Leila de Lima’s request to vote in the May 13 election. In a decision, Judge Liezel Aquiatan of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 granted “the Urgent Motion for Furlough of accused Leila M. De Lima.”
Manila Bulletin

Candidates reminded of unfinished Yolanda, Marawi rehab
A WEEK into the May 13 elections, a group of storm survivors reminded the candidates to include in their agenda the still unfinished rehabilitation program for the 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda and the 2017 Marawi siege.
Sunstar Tacloban, Manila Standard

Oppositions

Pen problems threaten to postpone May 13 polls, says election lawyer
An election lawyer who is seeking a Senate seat has warned that the May 13 elections may be postponed if the Commission on Election (Comelec) fails to fix problems related to faulty marking pens.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Otso Diretso volunteers spend own money
Despite repeated poll survey results showing Otso Diretso senatorial candidates out of the “Magic 12,” their dedicated volunteers are optimistic that victory will be theirs after the election.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gutoc throws shade at pork-tainted Bong Revilla in his bailiwick Cavite
Feisty Otso Diretso senatorial bet Samira Gutoc did not mince words against one of her opponents Bong Revilla, even if she was campaigning in his bailiwick Cavite. 
Rappler

Kris Aquino endorses Bam Aquino, Chel Diokno in San Pedro, Laguna
Kris Aquino on Monday, May 6, visited San Pedro, Laguna with two of her preferred senatorial candidates – her cousin Bam Aquino and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno. Kris visited the Antonio Tee compound, where Aquino held a mini-rally and a small birthday celebration. The opposition senator is celebrating his birthday on Tuesday, May 7.
Rappler

Mar Roxas seeks to defeat ghosts from 2016 bid
For someone who once topped a senatorial race with 19 million votes, it seems easy for Mar Roxas to secure a Senate seat once again. But a month before the May 13 elections, Roxas' campaign is hitting a roadblock. For the first time since he declared his candidacy last year, he was kicked out of the “Magic 12” or the so-called winners’ circle in the April Pulse Asia survey.
Rappler

Trillanes sees surprise win for ‘Otso Diretso’candidates in Monday’s polls
Trillanes remained optimistic about the Otso Diretso slate’s victory in the senatorial race despite pre-election surveys showing them below the top 12 candidates who have a possible chance of winning in the elections.
Manila Bulletin

Administration

Angara, Ejercito to visit more ‘big voting’ areas in campaign’s final stretch
Two senators seeking another term in the Senate will work double time and visit more provinces and targeting “big voting areas” in the final stretch of the campaign.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Fariñas backs Imee Marcos’ Senate bid
After withdrawing from the gubernatorial race, Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas threw his support behind the senatorial bid of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Zero vote:’ Youth groups slam Imee Marcos’ dishonesty
“Ang zero vote kay Imee ay hero vote para sa ating bayan (Zero votes for Imee is a hero vote for our country).” This was the call of youth leaders during a unity declaration event on Monday, May 6, in Quezon City urging Filipinos not to vote for senatorial candidate Imee Marcos.
Rappler

Election-related Violence, Incidents and operations

Reelectionist Camarines Sur mayor, 3 others survive ambush
Only a week before the May 13 midterm elections, incumbent Garchitorena town, Camarines Sur Mayor Nelson Bueza, his wife, his running mate, and a driver were attacked by still unidentified armed men before dawn Monday, police said, and survived.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Grenade blast injures village councilor in Nueva Ecija
A village councilor was injured after a grenade lobbed by a motorcycle-riding man exploded at a residential compound here on Sunday afternoon. Police identified the victim as Dante Pascua, 49, a resident of Barangay Del Pilar.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CIDG files ‘vote-buying’ raps vs Remulla supporters
The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Cavite on Monday filed charges against the supporters of former Cavite Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

28 cities, towns tagged as ‘hot spots’ in Calabarzon
The Philippine National Police has identified 28 towns and cities in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon) as election “hot spots.” On Monday, the PNP will also begin deploying administrative personnel to augment ground forces that will secure the May 13 midterm elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Village chair, aide shot dead in Sultan Kudarat
A village chair of Sultan Kudarat town and his aide were killed in a daylight shooting along a busy street here on Monday, police said. Tacurong City police director Lt. Col. Jeofil Siason said Abdul Daud, 44, chairperson of Barangay Lilit, Lambayong town of Sultan Kudarat, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Tacurong City while his unarmed escort, Tahir Tangkilisan, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, NDBC News

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

Scrap 5% tax, teachers ask BIR anew
One week before the midterm polls, public school teachers are calling on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to scrap the 5-percent tax it began imposing last year on compensation given to teachers with election duties.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

6% growth in Q1 ‘very good’ amid budget delay — DOF
The Department of Finance (DOF) said yesterday that an economic growth of at least six percent in the first three-months is considerably good considering the unfavorable conditions that happened during the quarter.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PNP gets P1.8-B in new equipment, bomb-sniffing dogs
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired P1.8-billion worth of equipment and bomb-sniffing dogs to aid in its operations. Among the new equipment are two single-engine helicopters, 107 patrol jeeps, 349 motorcycles, 9,000 short firearms, 42 light machine guns, 3,405 bulletproof vests, combat helmets, and 124 handheld radios.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

PSEi plunges as US-China trade talks falter
The Philippine Stock Exchange opened the week in the negative zone, plunging by 105.68 points, to close at  7,862.30 as trade talks between the US and China faltered. The broader All Shares index was no better, ending at 4,859.86 percent, down 46.20 points or 0.94 percent.
Philippine Star

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Ex-DAR Region 12 officer convicted for demanding cash, tuna
A former official of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Region XII has been found guilty of graft for extorting P120,000 and a whole tuna from petitioners seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ex-Bohol town mayor guilty of graft — Sandiganbayan
The Sandiganbayan convicted the former mayor of Panglao in Bohol of graft for acquiring a vehicle without going through proper procurement. In a decision promulgated by the Fifth Division last April 26, Benedicto Alcala and then budget officer Catalino Sumaylo were found guilty for the anomalous purchase of a Kia Sorento worth P1.46 million from Gateway Motors Inc. in 2018.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Swedish parliament oks PH-Sweden social security agreement
The Swedish Parliament or  has approved the implementation of a new agreement on social security between Sweden and the Philippines due to the increasing “mobility” between the two countries. In a statement posted on its official website, the Riksdag said the new agreement, which was passed by the legislature on April 11, “contains provisions that coordinate the legislation of both countries regarding old-age, survivors’ and disability pensions, and work injury, sickness and activity compensation.”
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Writ of ‘kalikasan’ to make sure WPS issue won’t be swept under rug – Robredo
The Supreme Court’s issuance of writ for the restoration and protection of marine environment in three areas in the West Philippine Sea showed Filipinos are headed to the right direction, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Culture, conflict, diplomacy and the West Philippine Sea
FOR many, culture is a peripheral issue in conflict and diplomacy. When one speaks of cultural diplomacy, the image that quickly comes to mind is tourism and international relations.
The Manila Times

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

MRT-3 glitch: 300 passengers unloaded
Some 300 passengers were unloaded from a north-bound train of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Monday after it encountered a technical problem between the Taft Avenue and Magallanes stations.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

ENERGY

Microgrid Systems Act pushed to boost 100% electrification bid
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking to spur the microgrid system development in unserved and underserved areas across the country in line with the government’s target of 100 percent electrification in rural areas by 2022.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

High power bill? Send text to Duterte
Customers of Pampanga II Electric Cooperative (Pelco II) were shocked when they received their bills for April and saw that the cost of their power use increased by 200 to nearly 1,000 percent.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NGCP lifts Luzon grid yellow alert
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) lifted on Monday the yellow alert on the Luzon Grid. In an advisory posted on its official Twitter account, NGCP said it lifted the yellow alert for the Luzon Grid at 2:30 p.m. “due to low system demand.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SC orders rebidding of power supply deals
The Supreme Court has ordered the rebidding of all power supply agreements submitted by distribution utilities (DU) from June 30, 2015.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Foreign tourist arrivals hit 2.2M in 1st quarter
Foreign tourist arrivals rose 7.6 percent in the first quarter to 2.2 million, according to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat who expects the country to hit another record-high number of tourists from abroad for the entire year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOT announces tourism research grant
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is now accepting research proposals for its 2019 Tourism Research Grant.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

DILG backs takeover of erring resorts
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año backed on Sunday a recommendation for national agencies to take over tourist sites found violating environmental laws, citing in particular noncompliant resorts in El Nido, Palawan, which have been given until May 30 to abide by government regulations or face shutdown.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Water crisis

Bayan Muna asks MWSS to rebate all Manila Water fines to customers
Bayan Muna has filed a petition asking the Metropolitan Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System’s Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) to rebate to customers all fines imposed on Manila Water Co. Inc.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR