Supreme Court issues writ of amparo for Karapatan, Gabriela
The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a writ of amparo and habeas data in favor of human rights watchdog Karapatan and women's group Gabriela and ordered the Court of Appeals (CA) to hear the case in June.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, CNN Philippines

Guevarra downplays SC order to probe ‘red-tagging’ allegations vs gov’t
The order of the Supreme Court (SC) to look into allegations of harassment and “red tagging” of members of rights groups Karapatan, Gabriela, and Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) is just standard operating procedure, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Only left-leaning groups against mandatory ROTC: Detoyato
Only left-leaning groups are opposed to the proposal to make the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory for Grade 11 and 12 students. This was the reaction of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato when asked to comment on claims of some sectors that making ROTC mandatory for high school students will violate the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

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‘TERRORISM FINANCING’: At least 15 poll winners may face raps for funding NPA
At least 15 winners in the recent midterm elections in Iloilo and Capiz provinces may be charged with violating Republic Act (RA) 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. They gave money to the New People’s Army (NPA) during the campaign period, according to the Philippine Army.
Panay News, Manila Standard, Philippine News Agency

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Bloody Violence Haunts Philippine Sugar Plantations in Negros
During the past year, the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental consistently made headlines in the Philippines for shocking episodes of violence against farmers, activists, lawyers, and politicians alike. Among the victims of these incidents were 14 farmers and activists in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, who were killed for allegedly resisting arrest.
The Diplomat

Local Government Unit, Army hold Youth Leadership Summit 2019 in SurSur
The 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion, Philippine Army in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Carmen, Surigao del Sur conducted a three-day Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) dubbed as “Kabataan:Mapagmahal sa Bayan, Pag-asa ng Kinabukasan” held at Carmen Central Elementary School, Carmen, Surigao del Sur from 25-27 May 2019.
Kalinaw News

AFP condemns CPP-NPA attack in Bukidnon
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) condemned the attack reportedly staged by terrorists belonging to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) against Foreign Observers in Bukidnon Thursday morning.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

11 hurt as Reds attack foreign observers in Bukidnon
Communist guerrillas attacked a convoy carrying foreign observers in the Impasug-ong town of Bukidnon Thursday (May 30), wounding 11 persons. It was not clear whether any of the foreigners were hurt, but the Army' 403rd Infantry Brigade said seven of the wounded persons were military personnel who were part of the team that provided security to the group.
Philippine News Agency, Kalinaw News, Mindanews, Sunstar Cagayan de Oro, Tempo, Manila Bulletin, Mindanao Times

Army vs. NPA clashes force villagers to flee homes
Abot sa 63 na mga pamilya o 400 na mga indibidwal ang lumikas dahil sa takot na maipit sa gulo sa nangyaring engkwentro ng New People’s Army at kasapi ng 39th Infantry Battalion sa Barangay Bala, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, malapit sa hangganan ng North Cotabato.
NDBC News 

NPA cache seized in Surigao City
Government troops captured stocks of war material and other supplies and terrorists paraphernalia in the outskirts of Sitio Brazil, Barangay Mat-i, Surigao City, Capt. Regie H. Go, chief of Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) said.
Kalinaw News

1 NPA member killed, firearms recovered after eastern Samar clash with military
A member of the New People's Army was killed in a shootout while firearms and subversive documents were recovered by the military early Thursday morning.
GMA News

NPA foils 79th IB raid in Minautok, Calatrava: No NPA casualties, more than 7 enemy KIA
The 79th IB gained only great frustration and heavy casualties among their ranks when a unit of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command – New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA) foiled the enemy’s attempt to raid the NPA on May 15, 2019, around 6:00 in the morning in Sityo Puting Tubig, Brgy. Minautok, Calatrava town.
PRWC

Legal, security experts from 3 countries attend workshop on investigation, prosecution of terrorism cases
The global fight against terror has brought together prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and legal experts from the Philippines, Indonesia, and the United States to a comprehensive workshop that focuses on effective investigations and prosecutions of terrorism cases.
Manila Bulletin

Interview: Anti-terrorism cooperation should be enhanced in Asia-Pacific: Philippine expert
Asia-Pacific countries need to strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism and violent extremism that continue to put the world's most populous region and leading growth engine at risk, said a Philippine security expert.
Xinhua

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits nabbed in Davao
TWO members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were arrested by authorities Wednesday night, May 29, in Purok 4, Upper Ilang, Barangay Ilang, Davao City during a "major anti-criminality/terrorist clearing operation."
Sunstar Davao, Mindanao Times

MARAWI

OCD spent just P10,000 of P36.9-million aid for Marawi siege victims: COA
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spent only P10,000 out of a P36.9-million donation it received for victims of the Marawi siege, the Commission on Audit (COA) said in its 2018 report. COA said the amount was used to assist the family of one who perished in the 2017 firefights between terrorists and state troops in the southern city.
ABS-CBN News, CNN Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star,Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times

MAA homeowners’ cooperation sought to fast track debris clearing operations
Cooperation among homeowners of damaged structures at the most affected area (MAA) is crucial to fast track the debris clearing operations in the area.
Bangon Marawi

Bangon Marawi (Part 2)
It truly was a great opportunity for me to have joined the rest of global media and see for ourselves the progress in Marawi. While there are still many questions and issues surrounding the rehabilitation, as a reserve officer, I’d like to place the focus of my second article from a military perspective in the hopes that it would help the rest of us also appreciate the current situation in the area.
Philippine Star
Part I: Bangon Marawi

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Malaysia arrests three Islamic State terror suspects
Malaysia’s counterterrorism officers this month arrested three Islamic State terror suspects, including a Malaysian national who rejects the country’s government and believes Muslims who take part in democratic elections are infidels, police said on Thursday.
South China Morning Post, The Straits Times

How cooperation can conquer terrorism
Former army officer Hisham Ashmawi has terrorised Egypt for the best part of a decade. He is thought to have been behind several deadly attacks, including the killing of 28 Coptic Christians in Minya province, Sinai, and the assassination of Egypt's chief prosecutor Hisham Barakat in 2015. 
The National UAE

Exclusive: FRANCE 24 questions AQIM jihadist leader
Abu Obeida Youssef Al-Aanabi, one of the top figures in al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, spoke about the Algerian situation, relations with the Islamic State group and negotiations for the release of French hostage Sophie Pétronin.
France24

British Al Quds march organiser should be probed by counter-terror police – report
A group which organises the annual Al Quds Day march in London should be investigated by Britain’s counter-terror police, according to a recommendation by a leading think tank.
The National UAE

Tories under pressure to suspend councillors over anti-Islam tweets
The Conservatives are under pressure to suspend two serving councillors who made anti-Islam comments, including one alleging all 11-year-old girls should be frightened of Islam.
The Guardian

Catholic faithful join Muslim in Ramadan
A group of Catholic leaders and members joined the Muslim faith in the holy month of Ramadan. The group, led by Fr. Pedro “Pete” Lamata, DCD, head of the Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACED), gathered yesterday at the Grand Mosque in Mini Forest of Barangay 23-C for the event dubbed as “Duyog Ramadan.”
Mindanao Times

BARMM

Bangsamoro region information website launched
A website that provides information about the newly established Bangsamoro region was launched Thursday in Cotabato City. AccessBangsamoro.ph aims to promote the free flow of information, discussions, and analyses for the effective implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) said in a statement.
ABS-CBN News

MILF rebels to get financial help
While kin of police commandos brutally killed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao continue to demand justice, the Duterte government is proposing to provide P100,000 in cash to each of the 12,000 MILF guerrillas as a gesture of goodwill and as part of the peace process.
The Manila Times

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Japan turns over school building in Maguindanao
An official of the Japanese embassy in Manila has turned over a six-classroom building in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao on Wednesday, as part of Tokyo's support to education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Philippine News Agency

6 nabbed, 40K shabu seized in Cotabato City drug sting
Anti-narcotics agents have arrested six drug suspects and seized some PHP40,000 worth of shabu during a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Rosary Heights 7 here on Wednesday night.
Philippine News Agency, NDBC News

Ampatuan appeals quashal of charges, deferment of arraignment
Former Maguindanao Governor Datu Sajid Islam Uy Ampatuan is asking the Sandiganbayan Third Division to reconsider quashing his graft and malversation charges and defer his scheduled arraignment on May 31.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

AFP to deploy 1st Brigade Combat Team in Sulu for anti-ASG ops
The military will deploy the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) to Sulu in line with ongoing efforts to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists. "Now that the election period is over and national candidates have been proclaimed, we are redeploying forces to security challenged areas like Sulu Archipelago for focused military operations," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in an interview with reporters Thursday.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Duterte doesn’t care about drug war death toll: Don’t f*** with me on drugs
President Rodrigo Duterte said he does not care about how many people have died in his administration’s brutal war against illegal drugs and reiterated Thursday his warning to criminals not to “destroy my country.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Solon says Canadian trash could've been used as 'kicker' to smuggle illegal drugs to PHL
A lawmaker on Thursday expressed fear that the trash illegally shipped to the Philippines from Canada years ago could have been just a cover to smuggle contraband such as illegal drugs to the country.
GMA News

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PNP verifying info about Jacky Co in alleged shabu smuggling
The Philippine National Police is verifying information about Jacky Co, the Chinese national whom Senator Panfilo Lacson linked to the 276 kilos of suspected shabu seized at the Manila International Container Port in March, the spokesman said on Thursday.
GMA News

PDEA to file charges against ‘Jacky Co’ after the drug lord left the country
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will file within the week criminal charges against an alleged Chinese drug lord after the Bureau of Customs took possession of P1 billion worth of ‘’shabu’’ (crystal meth) that both government agencies decided to sell through customs auction.
Manila Bulletin

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Pangilinan doubts war on drugs with appointment of sacked MICP collector
Senator Francis Pangilinan on Thursday cast doubts on the seriousness and sincerity of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs following the appointment of former Manila International Container Port (MICP) district collector Vener Baquiran’s appointment as Bureau of Customs deputy commissioner.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Operations/ Incidents

‘Ex-MILF’ member nabbed for P340-k shabu in QC
A man who claimed to be a former member of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) landed in jail in Quezon City after police seized P340,000 worth of shabu from him Wednesday night.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gang member, suspected druggie killed in encounter vs cops in Manila
Two suspects, including a gang member, were killed after policemen shot them during a police operation in Port Area, Manila on Thursday morning.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

5 nabbed for shabu in Paco, Manila
Authorities seized 30 grams of “shabu” worth an estimated P204,000 from five drug suspects in Paco, Manila on Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

4 nabbed, shabu worth P400k seized in Legazpi City
Anti-narcotics operatives seized on Thursday morning suspected shabu (crystal meth) worth P408,000 from four alleged drug pushers in a buy-bust operation in this city.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

KIDNAPPING

Kidnapped Australian-Chinese rescued; suspect arrested
The Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) has rescued an Australian-Chinese national who was allegedly kidnapped by five Chinese nationals.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Cops: 22 illegal investment schemes operate in Tagum
Twenty-two different investment schemes in Tagum City, Davao del Norte don’t have complete documents and permit to operate, police officials said yesterday.
Mindanao Times
 

CHR lauds ‘Bawal Bastos’ bill passage
The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday lauded the passage of the Safe Streets, Public Spaces and Workplace Act or the “Bawal Bastos” bill. 
Manila Standard

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ICC analyzing complaint filed by Morales, Del Rosario vs. Xi Jinping
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is now analyzing the crimes against humanity complaint filed by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and former Foreign Affairs chief Albert Del Rosario against Chinese President Xi Jinping.
GMA News

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Cyberbullying victims urged to come forward, file raps
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday urged victims of cyberbullying to report these incidents to the nearest police station and file charges against the suspects.
Philippine News Agency

PNP records 22 cases of cyberbullying since 2017
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday it recorded 22 cases of cyberbullying since 2017 until March 2019, with minors comprising most of the victims.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Testing the New York Times’ fairness
ON the suggestion of a reader, I emailed a letter to the New York Times (reproduced in the latter part of this column). It is my comment on a piece which retired editor Vergel Santos managed to get the newspaper to publish recently.
The Manila Times

Martial Law   
 

Duterte tells Comelec: Dispose Smartmatic
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “dispose” Smartmatic, the provider of the vote counting machines (VCMs) for the Philippines’ automated elections.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Duterte takes jab at losing 'Otso Diretso' bets
FOLLOWING the administration's victory in the 2019 midterm polls, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, May 30, once again took a swipe at defeated candidates of the opposition's "Otso Diresto" slate. Speaking before the Filipino community in Japan, Duterte said the senatorial candidates from the opposition would have made no contributions to the country's growth had they win in this year's elections. 
Sunstar Manila, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte tells emotional Honeylet: It’s your destiny to be first lady
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told an emotional Honeylet Avanceña that she was destined to be the first lady.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte won’t endorse any bet for Speaker, Senate President
President Rodrigo Duterte would not endorse any lawmaker for the Speakership race, Malacañang said on Thursday following the meeting of three contenders with the chief executive here.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte approves PCGG’s proposal to auction off one lot of Marcos jewels
President Duterte has given the go signal to auction off one of the three jewelry collections of former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte eases rules on oil exploration deals
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an order making it easier for the government to enter into an agreement with other entities for the exploration, development, and production of oil especially in the western side of the Philippines.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

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Duterte outraged by Kawasaki mass stabbing
A shocked President Duterte expressed anger over the death of a schoolgirl and a man in a mass stabbing around a school bus stop in Kawasaki early this week.
Manila Bulletin

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PRRD order to eliminate red tape paying off: ARTA chief
President Rodrigo R. Duterte's directive to eliminate red tape in government has been paying off, the head of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said on Wednesday. This, as the Philippines improved its ranking in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2019 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
Philippine News Agency

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Active, retired soldiers defend DSWD’s Bautista after Tulfo outburst
Some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have thrown their support to Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista after he was berated on air by radio personality Erwin Tulfo for supposedly failing to grant an interview request for his show.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Sara Duterte strongest bet for 2022 presidential race —Imee
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte  has emerged as the strongest contender for the presidency in 2022, Senator-elect Imee Marcos said Thursday.
GMA News

Duterte admin imposed fear, violated rules in 2019 polls — Pangilinan
Senator Francis Pangilinan on Thursday questioned the credibility and fairness of the recently concluded elections, saying that the administration used threats, imposed fear, and violated several election rules to secure poll victory.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP: 51 cases of election-related incidents recorded after midterm polls
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 51 cases of election-related violent incidents, which it said all happened after the May 13 midterm elections.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Random Thoughts: PDP-Laban and Federalism
“It will be a crying shame if the speakership does not got to a PDP-Laban member, Pimentel said in a statement.” (Marlon Ramos, Ruling Party, Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 20, 2019).
Mindanao Times

JUDICIARY

Supreme Court re-organizes division membership
The Supreme Court (SC) has re-organized the membership in its three divisions of five justices each with the assumption of Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting as its 15th member.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Escudero, Gatchalian seek approval of Islamic banking act
Outgoing Senator Francis ‘’Chiz’’ Escudero and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian have sought congressional approval of a bill seeking the establishment of a sound legal and regulatory framework for the development of Islamic banks in the country.
Manila Bulletin

House ratifies ‘Murang Kuryente’ Act
The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the proposed “Murang Kuryente” Act which seeks to reduce electricity rates by allocating the net government share from the Malampaya fund to clear the huge debts of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) being charged to the monthly electric bill of consumers.
Philippine News Agency

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Gatchalian to support Sotto’s bid for Senate presidency
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has maintained that he will support Senate President Vicente Sotto III's bid for another term as the leader of the Senate all the way.
GMA News

Imee bares 'move' to install Cynthia Villar as Senate President
Senator-elect Imee Marcos on Thursday said there is a move to install reelected Senator Cynthia Villar as head of the Senate in the 18th Congress.
GMA News

Imee Marcos on heading ways and means committee: I think it’s not proper
Senator-elect Imee Marcos on Thursday said she might decline if she will be offered to head the Senate ways and means committee.
GMA News

Imee not keen on apologizing to schools where she claimed to have graduated from
Senator-elect Imee Marcos on Thursday reiterated that the matter of her educational background should be put aside now that the election is over.
GMA News

Linking me to Archimedes Trajano's death is unfair, illogical —Imee
Senator-elect Imee Marcos on Thursday said it is "unfair" and "illogical" that she was tagged in the killing of Archimedes Trajano, a student activist who was killed in 1977 during Martial Law days.
GMA News

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Speakership race crucial to PRRD’s legislative agenda
The race for the House speakership is crucial in pushing for the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, specifically on tax reform and federalism, a political analyst said on Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency

Legarda admits receiving calls from aspiring House Speakers, but...
Outgoing Senator Loren Legarda on Thursday said she has been contacted by contenders for the House Speaker post but none had directly sought her support.
GMA News

Suarez on race for House Speaker: It’s about power, not money
The race for the House speakership for the 18th Congress does not mean money will exchange hands, only lobbying for seats as chairperson of powerful committees, outgoing House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said Thursday.
GMA News

Partylist bloc a game-changer in Speakership race: solon
A partylist lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Thursday said the 54-strong Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) will play a very crucial role in the election for the next Speaker, especially in a “free-for-all” race for the post.
Philippine News Agency

Next Speaker should not bow to administration’s agenda — Lagman
The next Speaker of the House of Representatives should maintain the independence of the legislative body, instead of simply adhering to the agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, according to a veteran lawmaker.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

DoF anniversary, reunion and outlook
At the 122nd Department of Finance (DoF) anniversary hosted by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III on May 6, it was a wonderful reunion of former DoF Secretaries: Prime Minister Cesar Virata, Ed Espiritu, Jose Pardo, Gary Teves and former Undersecretaries Romy Bernardo, Kune Gison, Chil Soriano, Ruben Fruto, among others.
Business World Online

BIR files 454th tax evasion case
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed on Thursday tax evasion charges against five corporate taxpayers under the jurisdiction of the Quezon City revenue region for alleged refusal to pay tax debts totaling to more than P71 million.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DSWD urges LGUs to adopt ‘Yakap Bayan’ framework
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the participation of more local government units (LGUs) nationwide to adopt a framework of intervention to efficiently provide services to drug surrenderers and assist them to become effective community volunteers and leaders.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PH eyes 5 new radar systems
In an interview over GMA Digital News, Lorenzana said as part of the Philippines defense cooperation with Japan, they are looking at acquiring new radar systems which will be put in various locations around the country.
Manila Bulletin

4 amphibious assault vehicles arrive – PH Navy
The Philippine Navy (PN) Thursday said that four of the eight amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) that it ordered for the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and acquired from Hanwha Techwin for P2.42 billion arrived in the country early this month.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Income inequality widening amid strong economic growth
THE regional disparity in wealth has widened throughout the years, mitigated only by high levels of overall economic growth and a trend towards reduced poverty, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Thursday.
Business World Online

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

Second phase of Cavitex project under way
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation subsidiary Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC), concessionaire of the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), will start to widen the Paranaque, Wawa and Las Piñas bridges, following the completion of the first phase of its road enhancements.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Ex-Samar mayor fined P1,000 after pleading guilty in P282,000 unlawful reimbursements case
The former mayor of Motiong, Samar has pleaded guilty to his alleged unlawful reimbursements for the purchase of supplies and services related to the municipality's water system project in 2008.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

15 Filipinos repatriated from Libya set to arrive today — DFA
Fifteen Filipinos, including five minors and two Islamic scholars, will be arriving in the country Thursday, May 30, from war-torn Libya, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin

Jewish Refugees and the Philippines, a timeline: nationalism, propaganda, war
From the 1930s until World War II broke out, President Manuel L. Quezon participated in a frenetic back-and-forth with the US government over accepting Jewish refugees in Mindanao. Perusing a wealth of academic citations, Quezon’s grandson traces over a decade of discussions that led to over a thousand Jews finding shelter in the Philippines after fleeing Europe.
ABS-CBN News

Philippines-Canada ties expected to normalize
Malacañang is hoping that the relationship between the Philippines and Canada will soon normalize with the return of the garbage to the North American country.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

TRANSPORTATION

Bayani Fernando wants colorum vehicles set on fire
Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair and now Marikina City Representative Bayani Fernando has suggested a measure to finally wipe colorum vehicles out of roads: Set them on fire.
GMA News

Salceda accepts MMDA challenge to file bills targeting private cars
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said on Thursday that he is accepting the challenge of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enact a bill that forbids single drivers on all major thoroughfares, especially in EDSA.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

84-kilo meat shipment from Japan confiscated at NAIA
A shipment of imported meat from Japan that was brought into the country with no clearance and health certificate was recently intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Manila Bulletin

Agri dept discloses own plan to bolster growth
Days after the Philippines’ economic managers unveiled its expenditure catch-up plan to boost the country’s gross domestic product to above 6 percent this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has revealed a catch-up plan of its own aimed at reenergizing the agriculture sector and have it contribute significantly to economic growth.
The Manila Times

EDUCATION

Don't bring gadgets, jewelry to schools, NCRPO chief asks students
For safety reasons, students should avoid bringing gadgets and pieces of jewelry to school, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar.
GMA News

Applicants reminded of deadlines for senior HS voucher program
The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded interested applicants of the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP) of the deadline for both manual and online applications.
Manila Bulletin

LOOK: Caraga police upcycles campaign tarpaulins into school bags
For personnel of the Caraga police, campaign materials used in the midterm elections are not just meant for the waste bin.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

DOE: Visayas to have enough power in next 5 years with planned projects
The Visayas region would have enough power in the next five years with upcoming projects already in the pipeline, the Department of Energy said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

POVERTY

DSWD hails law institutionalizing 4Ps
The institutionalization of the government’s flagship poverty reduction program known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is considered a realization of the longtime clamor of beneficiaries to make the program regular and permanent, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Manila Bulletin

New 4Ps law boosts Duterte admin's anti-poverty efforts
A ranking lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Thursday said the recent passage of the landmark Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act has further strengthened the anti-poverty efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Philippine News Agency

House leader seeks full-blown implementation of the Magna Carta for the Poor
Deputy Speaker and AAMBIS-Owa partylist Rep. Sharon Garin is seeking the full-blown implementation of the recently-signed Magna Carta for the Poor, to ensure that it would fully empower farmers, fisherfolks, and agricultural workers in the informal sector.
Manila Bulletin

INC focuses on global campaign against poverty
The powerful religious congregation Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) has focused on its global campaign against poverty, a commitment the group made to champion and “sustain it as a church’’.
Manila Bulletin

HOUSING

TOURISM


ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

ASEAN meeting highlights conservation of wetlands, protection of migratory birds
Improving the conservation of wetlands and protection of migratory birds took center stage during the Second Meeting of the ASEAN Network on Wetlands and Migratory Water Birds Conservation (ASEAN Flyway Network).
Manila Bulletin

SBMA exec: Re-exportation order on Canada trash issued, shipping set
Canada's trash is expected to be exported back on Thursday as the re-exportation order is already issued, according to a report of Jun Veneracion on GMA News’  Balitanghali.
GMA News

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR