‘Pinoys more aware of activists supporting Reds’
The military is taking some credit for the decrease of votes received by activist party-list organizations in the last elections. Filipinos are now more aware of groups that are allegedly supporting the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato.
Philippine Star

Stay alert and militant on the more important issues    
It is a matter of public interest to know the physical and mental health condition of Duterte, especially because he is known to be afflicted by chronic illnesses which he himself admits. But it is even of higher public interest for the broad masses of the people and all patriotic and progressive forces not to be distracted from the more urgent and more important issues.
NDFP

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Stop the smear campaign and red tagging of human rights defenders
Let me ask fellow PMAers, the generals of the AFP and PNP mentioned above, what has happened to the PMA Honor Code of NOT TO LIE, NOT TO STEAL, NOT TO CHEAT nor TOLERATE THOSE WHO DO? Is the PMA Honor Code only observed in Fort Del Pilar?
Bulatlat

Cardema: ‘Filipinos don’t like NPA-allied congressmen anymore’
National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Ronald Cardema has hit back at detractors for carping against his petition to substitute as first nominee of Duterte Youth party-list, practically calling them a bitter lot for losing in the elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Pasaka: UCCP ‘escape’ a publicity stunt
An Indigenous people group has branded as “publicity stunt” the alleged escape of lumad bakwits from the UCCP Haran in Fr. Selga, Barangar 8-A Poblacion. In its official Facebook page, the Pasaka reported that they are on alert as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its militia group Alamara “will stage another PR stunt of ‘escape’ which they done last weekend.”
The Mindanao Times

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

4 NPAs killed, one captured, war materials seized
Four Communist-New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) were killed while an undetermined number of rebels were wounded, one of them captured, when a fierce gunbattle erupted between government security forces and communists insurgents in far-flung highland community in Surigao del Sur province.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Kalinaw News, Mindanews, Tempo, Manila Standard

Cop believed killed by NPAs in Eastern Samar town
A member of the intelligence group of the Second Eastern Samar Police Mobile Force Company (ESPMFC) was found dead by residents at around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Barangay Cambella, Quinapundan town, Eastern Samar.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tempo

Deciphering the jihadist threat to Mindanao’s Moro peace process
The government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have pledged to work together to implement a landmark peace deal that could end a decades-long insurgency in Southeast Asia. But the lingering threat from jihadi groups could shatter this fragile peace, warns Michael Hart. 
IISS

A world of terror
When US President Donald Trump boldly claimed that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) – also known as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or simply Islamic State (IS) – had been wiped out in Syria and around the world, he was sorely mistaken. It wouldn’t be the first time the president has spoken out of turn when it comes to worldwide terror threats and it’s probably not going to be the last.
Philippine Star

MARAWI

Marawi IDPs back to homes by July – TF
CITIZENS of the most affected area of Marawi City would be able to return to their homes by July, Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairman Eduardo del Rosario said on Monday.
The Manila Times

Government, donors spent P21.5 billion for social services in Marawi
The national government as well as international agencies have so far spent a total of P21.5 billion for social services for Marawi residents since the start of the siege, Task Force Bangon Marawi Chair Eduardo Del Rosario said on Monday.  Of this amount, P15 billion was spent by the national government for humanitarian work while they have accounted P6.5 billion coming from development partners and other multilateral partners. 
Business Mirror, Business World Online

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

A brief history of extremism – from ancient Rome to al Qaeda
From wars in ancient Rome and medieval crusades to al Qaeda and ISIS, examples of extremist behaviour can be found almost as far back as our written histories extend. Here, expert JM Berger charts the history of extremism, and asks whether it’s right to think the problem is today worse than ever…
History Extra (BBC History Magazine)

UK treason laws will be updated to cover terrorism and hostile state activity, says Sajid Javid
Treason laws are to be updated in the UK to cover terrorists and “hostile state activity”, the home secretary has announced. Following calls for the ancient crime to be updated to cover returning jihadis who have proven hard to prosecute under existing terror offences, Sajid Javid said: “Our definition of terrorism is probably broad enough to cover those who betray our country by supporting terror abroad. 
The Independent, BBC news

The ‘American Taliban’ will be free after 17 years. Is the U.S. ready to welcome him back?
John Walker Lindh’s eyes, dark and wild, were ubiquitous across magazine covers and cable news channels, alongside militants in Afghanistan, after he was captured in November 2001. He was a long-haired guerrilla with a California address — a traitor to some, a misguided kid sucked into Islamic jihad to others.
The Washington Post

Turkmenistan, UN co-op in counter-terrorism activities
The delegation of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry during a meeting with UN officials in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, discussed the development of cooperation in order to counter the modern threats and challenges,Trendreports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry.
MENAFN

Bahrain uncovers Iran and Qatar cyber terrorism network
Bahraini authorities said Monday they have tracked a network of destabilising electronic accounts operated in several countries including Iran and Qatar amid rising tensions in the Gulf over Iranian practices.
Gulf News

Jim Bullion: Afghanistan must not become a terrorist haven -- Here's a road map for talks with the Taliban
I have tremendous sympathy for Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy charged with negotiating a deal with the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan after decades of continuous conflict.
Fox News

The slippery slope of trying to curb 'extremist' speech
The world watched in horror as a deranged killer live-streamed himself murdering Muslims attending two mosques in New Zealand. In the wake of the shooting, many have called for tighter restrictions on “extremist” speech by government.
The Hill

Buddhist Anger Could Tear Sri Lanka Apart
The Easter bombings in Sri Lanka last month were a massive human tragedy for a country that has already experienced too much violence. Prior to the attacks on Christian churches and luxury hotels, Sri Lanka was already a deeply divided nation. The bombings and their aftermath have worsened long-standing problems and may lead to a bleak future of communal clashes, instability, greater fracturing of society, and even more loss of life.
Foreign Policy

Sri Lanka calls for shared intelligence to eradicate terrorism
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has called on countries to join hands in sharing intelligence to deal with international terror threats, local media reported on Monday. The call came after the recent terror attacks which killed about 250 people in the island country last month.
Xinhua

The Many Drivers Enabling Violent Extremism in Northern Mozambique
The violent extremist threat in northern Mozambique exploits underlying societal vulnerabilities of inequity, insecure land rights, and distrust of authorities.
Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Instead Of Islamophobia, We Should Focus On Defining Anti-Muslim Hatred
In November last year, the APPG on British Muslims in the United Kingdom proposed adopting a new definition of the term ‘Islamophobia’. A definition is certainly needed to address the concerning trend of hatred and violence against Muslims in British society – an issue that groups indicate has worsened, particularly following Islamist terrorist attacks.
Forbes

Qatar not invited to emergency Arab summits in Saudi Arabia - Qatari official
Qatar has not been invited to two regional summits called to discuss attacks on Saudi oil assets, a Qatari Foreign Ministry official said on Monday, but the Arab League said it had circulated invitations to member states.
Thomson Reuters Foundation

Socsksargen Ulama to form umbrella organization of Islamic scholars
More than fifty Ulama from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Socsksargen) agreed to form their umbrella organization, body of individuals who are experts on Islamic law, that will serve as guide in the economic, religious and socio-cultural affairs of Muslims in the region.
Luwaran

Save the Children PHL: 1.8 million children at risk in Bangsamoro area
NONPROFIT Save the Children Philippines on Monday called on the government to improve living conditions in the Bangsamoro region to support and protect the about 1.8 million vulnerable children there.
Business Mirror

BARMM

NCMF, BARMM execs hit poll fraud in Lanao Sur, Marawi
Top Maranao government executives have blamed fellow tribesmen in Lanao del Sur for allegations of wide-spread vote-buying and other electoral frauds in the recent midterm elections.
Manila Bulletin

Muslim youth group hosts Muhadharah Islamiya
The Muslim Youth Religious Organization Inc. (MYROi) hosted Muhadharah Islamiyya (Islamic lecture) on Sunday (May 19) aimed to discuss challenging issues affecting the young Muslims in the country and learn the Islamic point of view on those concerns.
Luwaran

“I hope that women can be the bridge between the Bangsamoro Parliament and the Grassroots”
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was formally inaugurated at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City on March 29, 2019, a vision long imagined by those who worked for years to make this new social order a reality. For Fatima Pir Tillah Allian, the hard work has just begun.
The Mindanao Times

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Maguindanao’s lady governor-elect wants ‘government on wheels’
Governor-elect Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu plans to move the government seat of Maguindanao for the nth time and turn it into a “provincial government on wheels” to better serve the people.
Manila Bulletin

Ambush incidents leave soldier dead, hurt 4 civilians
An off-duty soldier was killed while four others, two of them employees of the Department of Natural Resources-12, were wounded in separate ambush incidents in the past three days.
NDBC News

NORTH COTABATO

North Cotabato governor-elect offers hand of conciliation
North Cotabato elect Nancy Catamco has offered conciliatory leadership in North Cotabato, urging her rivals in the midterm elec­tions to set aside politics and rally her administration to bring the province to greater heights.   
NDBC News

LANAO PROVINCES

Alonto clan dominates Lanao Sur polls amid protests
Descendants of the late Sultan Alauya Alonto, the country’s first Maranao senator, have dominated the top elective posts in Lanao del Sur in the just concluded midterm polls, but not without protests from their defeated rivals who are now combining their forces to complain about alleged frauds ranging from vote-buying to ballots pre-shading.
Manila Bulletin

BASILAN

SULU 

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Oplan Tokhang ‘architect’ to head Senate drugs committee
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the so-called architect of “Oplan Tokhang” and who led President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs in its early stages, will assume as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs in the 18th Congress.
Manila Bulletin

PNP chief hits Netflix host who criticized Duterte’s drug war
The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is not laughing on the jokes of American stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj. PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde instead rebuked Minhaj for allegedly putting the Philippines in a bad light when he attacked President Duterte’s drug war in his Netflix show Patriot Act.
Manila Bulletin

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House approves bill amending Dangerous Drugs Act on final reading sans death penalty provision
After deleting a provision for the restoration of death penalty, the House of Representatives finally approved on third and final reading the bill proposing amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Manila Bulletin

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27 politicians in narco list elected in midterm elections
At least 27 politicians in President Duterte’s list of narco-politicians won in the May 13 midterm elections, a top police official said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

‘Narcopols’ won probably due to voters’ immaturity – Año
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año blamed on Monday the victory of several re-electionist “narcopoliticians” in the midterm polls partly to the immaturity of voters.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gordon wants probe on ‘narco-politicians’ victory, rues vote buying
Senator Richard Gordon on Monday called for an investigation on the midterm elections victory of 26 politicians included in the so-called narco-list.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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6th judge withdraws from De Lima cases
The trial of Sen. Leila de Lima has hit another snag as a sixth judge bowed out of her drug cases, more than two years since the Muntinlupa City court started hearing them.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Operations/ Incidents

P5.3M ‘cocaine’ washes ashore in Albay
A block of suspected cocaine weighing around a kilo and estimated to be worth P5.3 million was found along the shoreline of Barangay Calanaga in Rapu-Rapu, Albay. The police in Albay said Monday that the suspected cocaine was recovered by fishermen at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 suspects nabbed in P1-M drug bust
Agents of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) seized over P1 million worth of shabu from a couple in an alleged buy-bust operation, initially set in the city but later transferred to Tagum City, Davao del Norte, early yesterday dawn.
The Mindanao Times

5 nabbed in latest PDEA operations in Region 12
A courier of a large drug syndicate fell in an entrapment Monday in Barangay Apopong here, barely a week after his five cohorts were arrested in nearby Koronadal City. 
NDBC News

3 nabbed in Zambo City anti-drug ops
Three people were arrested while some PHP15,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate anti-drug operations in this southern port city, a police official said Monday.
Philippine News Agency

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Analysts: Death penalty revival to bear on 2022 election chances
THE revival of capital punishment being pushed in the Duterte administration will have some bearing on the 2022 elections, analysts sought for comment said. In a press conference last Thursday, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said passing the death penalty bill, which is pending in the Senate, is a “possibility” in the 18th Congress given that there are more pro-death penalty senatorial candidates in the midterm elections who are poised to win.
Business World Online

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law   

Why the Church did not oppose outright Marcos and Martial Law, 1972-1977
JUST before dawn on Sept. 21, 1973, one year after President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, an 18-year-old seminarian named Amado Picardal was arrested on the streets of Cebu City.
The Manila Times
 

Duterte hands-off in Speaker race
President Duterte has taken a hands-off approach to the looming race for the new Speaker of the House of Representatives following the midterm elections.
Manila Bulletin

Rodrigo Duterte has not become Caesar overnight, despite what election-watchers might say
Many predictions were made in advance of last week’s elections in the Philippines, in which half the senate’s 24 seats, the whole of the House of Representatives and all provincial, city and municipality-level elected positions were up for grabs. One was a self-fulfilling prophecy: that if supporters of president Rodrigo Duterte did well, it would mean that the country’s democracy was on the road to ruin.
The National UAE

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Palace says Duterte ‘strong, upbeat’, not seriously ill
President Rodrigo Duterte is “strong” and “upbeat,” Malacañang said Monday, dismissing fresh speculations that the Chief Executive got seriously ill and hospitalized amid his prolonged absence from the spotlight since last week.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOJ chief: Duterte need not divulge health status if work is not affected
President Rodrigo Duterte need not divulge his state of health unless it is serious enough that he is no longer capable of performing his mandate, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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ELECTION RELATED

Comelec anticipating Duterte’s presence at proclamation rites
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing for the possible attendance of President Rodrigo Duterte at the proclamation of winning senatorial candidates and party-list group representatives.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec: Partial proclamation of winners possible this week
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday the proclamation of winning national candidates and party-list groups could be held this week. Comelec Assistant Director Frances Arabe said the proclamation of the winning senators and party-list groups could be held sometime this week as the body is still waiting for the Certificates of Canvass (COCs) from Isabela and Zamboanga del Sur.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec optimistic of 75% voter turnout in 2019 polls
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is on track to reach its projected 75 percent voter turnout for the 2019 midterm elections, an official of the poll body said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Comelec ‘most likely’ to resolve party-list substitution petitions Monday night
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc will “most likely” resolve petitions for substitution of party-list nominees on Monday night, an official of the poll body said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Honoraria given to 7.6 percent of teachers who served as BEIs — COMELEC
A week after the May 13 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said 7.6 percent of teachers who served as electoral boards have been given their honoraria.
Manila Bulletin

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PPCRV confirms ‘bottleneck’ caused 7-hour delay in updating poll results
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) confirmed Monday that the server experienced ’bottleneck’ after election results were transmitted for the first time last May 13.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

PPCRV: Comelec should explain ‘bottleneck’ that delayed poll update
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) on Monday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should explain the ‘bottleneck’ that led to the seven-hour delay in updating poll results on election day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PPCRV won’t achieve 100 percent validation of ERs
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) won’t be able to complete the validation of all election returns (ER) produced during the May 13 polls, PPCRV Chairperson Myla Villanueva admitted during a press briefing Monday afternoon or a week after the conduct of the midterm elections.
Manila Bulletin

Senate to Comelec: Answer complaints about midterm elections
Officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) who failed to protect the integrity of last Monday’s midterm elections should be held accountable, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP chief: 149 cops to secure special polls in Isabela village
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed 149 police officers to secure the special elections in Barangay Dicamay Uno in Jones, Isabela, its chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Sacks of rice, trays of eggs used for vote-buying – PNP
Cash was not the only thing used to buy votes in the recent midterm elections: rice and eggs appear to have also changed hands to sway voters, the Philippine National Police chief said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Deep inside I know I won’ – JV Ejercito
Deep down inside, JV Ejercito knows he won, and the deluge of people’s manifestation of support to him has wiped out any hint of bitterness or downheartedness on the senator.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISASTER

Sinking feeling: PH cities facing ‘slow-motion disaster’
When Mary Ann San Jose moved to Sitio Pariahan more than two decades ago, she could walk to the local chapel. Today, reaching it requires a swim.
Manila Bulletin

OPARR official explains where ‘Yolanda’ funds went 
Nearly six years after the devastating super typhoon Yolanda hit Leyte, the government’s housing program is still wanting and those affected are still asking: where did all the foreign aid go? The perception, according to lawyer Lesley Cordero, former Undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) is that government officials pocketed the billions intended for Yolanda victims.
Manila Bulletin

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Congress can still OK tobacco tax hike by June, says lawmaker 
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday expressed confidence that Congress could still pass a measure that will raise the excise  tax on tobacco products  before it  adjourns   on June  7.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House oks bill encouraging corporate social responsibility
The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill that encourages business organizations to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senate approves Sept. 8 as special working holiday
The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill which seeks to declare September 8 as a special working holiday every year in celebration of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senators ‘lukewarm’ on sin tax bill due to vetoed measures
The bill that seeks to raise the excise tax on tobacco products may have a rough time in the upper chamber, Senate leaders admitted on Monday. “Seriously, medyo may kahirapan,” Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said in an interview at the Senate.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gatchalian files bill to amend ODA law, prioritize Filipino workers
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking to amend the Official Development Assistance (ODA) law to require foreign bidders and contract awardees to hire local workers for menial and non-technical jobs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House OKs on final reading bill raising recruitment quota of female cops
The House of Representatives unanimously approved on Monday a bill seeking to increase the recruitment quota for female police from 10 to 20 percent.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Flexible working hours bill gets final Senate approval
The Senate has unanimously approved on third and final reading a flexible working hours bill. On Monday, 17 senators voted to approve Senate Bill No. 1571 known as “The Alternative Working  Arrangement” bill filed by Senator Joel Villanueva, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mandatory ROTC for Senior HS students gets final House nod
The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a President Duterte-backed bill reviving the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for grades 11 and 12 students in public and private schools.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Business World Online

Senate approves bill requiring SUCs to develop idle landsSenate approves bill requiring SUCs to develop idle lands
The Senate has approved the bill requiring all state universities and colleges (SUCs) to submit a land management plan to maximize the use of land resources within the universities and colleges on third and final reading.
Manila Bulletin

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Go eyes health panel; ‘Bato’ to likely get public order committee
The “jockeying” for the coveted chairmanships in the Senate has begun, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri bared Monday. “Grabe na ‘yung lobbying ngayon, there’s a lot of jockeying for posts,” Zubiri said in an interview after a caucus of the majority bloc in the Senate.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Alvarez not giving up on death penalty, divorce bills
Former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is far from giving up on his pet bills as he vowed to refile proposed laws reimposing the death penalty and instituting absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Outgoing Senator Honasan to decide on Cabinet post offer after 17th Congress
Outgoing Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II said  yesterday that his being named to a Cabinet post under the Duterte administration would most likely be decided after June 30, the end of the 17th Congress.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

Econ managers to decide on PH move on US-China trade war
The Duterte administration’s economic managers will decide on the steps the government must take in relation to the trade war between the United States and China, Malacañang said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

BIR reshuffles field officials anew
Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has continued reshuffling 27 more revenue officers based in Metro Manila and elsewhere as part of enhancing tax collections initiatives. Few months ago, the BIR chief issued a string of travel assignment orders affecting more than 100 fieldmen even as fiscal authorities revised the agency’s collection goal for the year to P2.271 trillion.
Manila Bulletin

DBM issues new rules on vehicle purchases
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued additional guidelines on the government’s centralized procurement of motor vehicles mainly aimed at prohibiting the purchase of luxury cars.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOF mulls total ban on e-cigarettes
A total ban on electronic cigarettes in the Philippines is one of the options that the Duterte administration may consider amid the proliferation of the unregulated battery-operated devices, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG ready to train newly elected LGU officials to be effective leaders
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed readiness to train some 17,754 newly-elected and reelected local government officials on being effective local government leaders “who will steer their respective localities to greater heights of peace and development.”
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

LGUs’ 2020 IRA share up 12.75%
LOCAL government units (LGUs) are set to receive higher internal revenue allotment (IRA) shares for 2020. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the total IRA shares of LGUs for next year shall be P648.92 billion, per certification of the Bureau of Internal Revenue on the actual internal revenue taxes collected in FY 2017.
Business Mirror

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PNP sets eyes on class opening after successful election security coverage
After what it describes as a successful election security coverage, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now training its eyes on the class opening next month.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Cebu mayor found guilty of graft over honorarium
A mayor in Cebu may spend six to eight years in prison for receiving an honorarium to which he was not entitled to.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palace leaves it to Duque to bare details on dismissal of FDA chief
Malacañang has left to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to bare the details about the dismissal of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director general Nela Charade Puno.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

PH, Singapore sign deal to conserve endangered Philippine eagle
A pair of male and female Philippine eagles named “Geothermica” and “Sambisig,” respectively, will be transported to Singapore on June 4 for the conservation of the critically endangered species.
Manila Bulletin

Saudi gov’t gives 60 metric tons of dates to PH
The government of Saudi Arabia on Monday turned over some 60 metric tons of pressed dates as a gift to the Philippine government and the Filipino people.
Manila Bulletin

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Robredo questions move to recall PH ambassador, consuls in Canada
Vice President Leni Robredo questioned the need for the Philippines to recall its ambassador and consuls in Canada over Ottawa’s failure to comply on taking back its garbage.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

DOTr to push for traffic emergency powers in next Congress
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) remains in the position to push for the passage of emergency powers to address the current traffic situation in the country once the incoming 18th Congress convenes following the recently concluded midterm elections.
Manila Bulletin

No public consultations on Edsa provincial bus ban, MMDA exec admits
The riding public was not consulted before the dry run on the provincial bus ban was enforced along Edsa, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic chief Edison “Bong” Nebrija admitted Monday, as he also confirmed that provincial buses are just 5 percent of vehicles plying the major thoroughfare.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Poe tells DOTr after LRT-2 accident: Prioritize passenger safety
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) should not forget the safety of the commuting public even as they are attending to many other projects, Senator Grace Poe said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Piñol asks DBM to release P10b for rice farmers
Agriculture Secretary Manuel Piñol asked the Budget Department to immediately release the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to help farmers affected by the El Niño dry spell. Piñol said while the DBM released P5 billion to support the rice program in December last year, it was not a part of the P10-billion RCEF, contrary to the claim of the National Economic and Development Authority.
Manila Standard

EDUCATION

DepEd denies alleged plan to scrap K to 12
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday denied alleged plan to repeal the K to 12 Basic Education Program and stressed that the sentiments and questions on social media pertaining to the supposed plan to scrap program are “clearly based on misinformation and lack of critical discernment.”
Manila Bulletin

DepEd awaits turnover of more classrooms before June 3
The Department of Education (DepEd) remains hopeful that school buildings which are “near completion” stage will be turned over to them before classes in public schools for the coming school year officially open in June.
Manila Bulletin

Teachers’ group calls on gov’t to prioritize needs of education sector
While it supports the “Brigada Eskwela” of the Department of Education (DepEd), a group of teachers on Monday reminded that sufficient supply of basic education resources, as well as maintenance work for public schools facilities, are first and foremost “obligation” of the government through the provision of ample budget.
Manila Bulletin

Briones thanks teachers, personnel who served in 2019 midterm elections
As it expressed its “heartfelt gratitude” to all the teachers and personnel who served in the 2019 national and local elections, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured the teachers that it will continue to work on initiatives for their welfare.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR 

The Future of Transnational NGO Advocacy
International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have repeatedly won Nobel prizes for their advocacy work and helped combat major world problems ranging from arms control to global poverty. However, international advocacy organizations, particularly those from high-income countries in the Global North, face a growing crisis of relevance.
Standford Social Innovation Review