Lumad U.S. Tour: Indigenous people trapped in crossfire
One just cannot avoid feeling wretched when indigenous people fight against each other and become perpetual victims of the system that keeps them poor and disadvantaged.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

CPP assures HRW that NPA strictly abides by laws of war    
We consider as important the attention given by the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) on the spate of killings in Negros island. We agree that the surge of killings and abuses are linked to the issues of land rights, poverty and injustice. Grave abuses have been committed against the peasants masses who have long been demanding for land and justice.
NDFP

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Spate of slays: What is happening in Negros Oriental?
When four policemen were killed execution style in Ayungon, Negros Oriental on July 18, 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte offered a P3-million reward to find their killers. The victims, Police Cpl. Relebert Beronio, and Police Patrolmen Raffy Callao, Roel Cabellon, and Marquino De Leon were allegedly tortured after they were cornered by armed groups. 
ABS-CBN News

With 4 ‘NPA suspects’ nabbed, Sinas to send more cops to Negros Or.
More police officers will be sent to Negros Oriental to help in keeping the peace and order in that province and to help deter more killings there.
Cebu Daily news

EDITORIAL - Negros killing fields
Catholic bishops have called for prayers while at least 300 elite police Special Action Force commandos are being deployed to Negros Island amid a wave of killings. Since last week alone, 21 murders have been recorded in Negros Oriental.
Philippine Star

Government holds public forum on security and economy
The PIA the Philippine Information Agency in Dumaguete, being an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Opera tions Office (PCOO), assists the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in promoting their initiatives and measures in relation to the “Whole of Nation” Approach adopted by the national government to resolve armed conflict across the country.
The Negros Chronicle

More lies are being spewed from the AFP/PNP factory    
The AFP and PNP are fascist dogs and liars. Each day, more lies are being spewed from the AFP/PNP factory.  To whitewash their misencounter in Sitio Talaptapan Brgy. Nalundan, Bindoy, Negros Oriental last July 29, the Regional Mobile Force Batallion projected to the public that it was the NPA that they exchanged firefight with. This only proves their desperation and failure to chase the NPA.
NDFP

CPP: Duterte incited Negros killing of civilians with baseless claims against NPA    
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said Rodrigo Duterte is “personally responsible for the relentless campaign of killings in Negros” which has already claimed at least eight lives over the past four days.
NDFP

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Dela Rosa wants probe on recruitment of minors to leftist groups
Neophyte senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is pushing for the investigation of missing minors allegedly recruited as members and fighters by leftist groups.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times

NPA combatants in Southern Luzon are mostly young – AFP
New People’s Army (NPA) combatants in Southern Luzon are young, most of them in their early 20s, with some coming from universities, according to Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Año condemns NPA attack of Bicol International Airport project, tags rebels as ordinary bandits
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año on Tuesday has condemned the latest New People’s Army (NPA) attack at the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

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De Lima pushes for Senate probe on closure of 55 ‘lumad’ schools
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima is seeking a Senate investigation into the closure of 55 schools for indigenous children in Mindanao, which she said, denied the children’s access to education.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

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CAFGUs to secure construction of Kaliwa Dam —military
Special Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members will be hired to secure the construction of the Kaliwa Dam project in Quezon province, according to the chief of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM).
GMA News

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Philippine clergy weary of soldiers' church visits
Church visits are popular among Filipinos especially during the Lenten season when devotees go from one church to another to pray and pay their respects to its patron saint. These days, however, members of the clergy in the northern part of the country, are complaining about “church visits” being paid by soldiers.
Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN)

Another NPA member surrenders in Bukidnon
Another local member of the New People’s Army (NPA) belonging to Milisyang Bayan (MB) voluntarily surrendered through the effort of Community Support Team (CST) of 88th Infantry “Maringal” Battalion and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Brgy Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon last July 20.
Kalinaw News

470 NPAs Surrender in Agusan del Norte
A total of 470 NPAs surrendered and subsequently took their oath of allegiance to the government in Agusan del Norte, from January to July of 2019.
Kalinaw News

4 Barangays declare NPA as persona non-grata in Bukidnon; 333 supporters pledge allegiance to government
More and more towns in Bukidnon Province are declaring the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) as unwanted when Brgy Linabo, Brgy Lipa, Brgy Lumintao and Brgy Sta. Felomina all of Quezon declared the CPP-NPA as Persona Non- Grata yesterday July 26, 2019.
Kalinaw News

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NPA hails heroism of slain comrades in AgSur clashes
The New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Caraga region hailed the heroism of their five comrades who were slain in separate clashes in the towns of Prosperidad and Bunawan in Agusan del Sur earlier this month.
CARAGA News Courier

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

2 suspected NPA rebels nabbed after NegOr clash
Policemen arrested two alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) late Monday afternoon hours following a clash with a group of suspected rebels in Barangay Mabato in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.
Philippine News Agency, Rappler

Spillover of Mindanao atrocities possible in Southern Luzon — police official
A ranking police official has admitted that atrocities in the Mindanao region could have a spillover in other parts of the Philippines including the Southern Luzon. Police Major General Ericson Velasquez, Directorate for Integrated Police Operation in Southern Luzon, told reporters on Monday that authorities should not downplay the possibility of spillover of hostilities in some areas.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

More BIFF bandits neutralized in 6th ID anti-terror drive
Nine more militants were killed in recurring clashes since Thursday between soldiers and a local Islamic State-inspired group wanted for deadly bombings.
NDBC News, ABS-CBN News, Philippine Star, The Manila Times

Amid terror talks, please review these precautions
In 2002 Iraq leader Saddam Hussein began rewarding $25,000 to families of Islamist suicide bombers. That set analysts studying what prodded devotees to strap body bombs for self-explosion in crowds. “Mujahideen” were profiled as youths 16-35, in or have gone to at least high school, with working or middle class roots.
Philippine Star

MARAWI

Insights from Marawi for a changing threat paradigm
There is a growing debate, domestically and internationally, about the nature of future conflict. Recently Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell drew attention to political warfare as a key element of a changing threat paradigm.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Authorities to denotate again bombs in Marawi Ground Zero
Authorities will detonate again unexploded bombs recovered inside the Most Affected Area (MAA) or Ground Zero of the 2017 Marawi Siege. In a notice to the public released on Monday 4:00 PM and posted on Facebook hours later, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur quoting an advisory from Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), has bared the following schedules of the detonation:
Ranao Star

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

China Says Most Muslims Have Been Released From Camps. Others Say: Prove It.
China said on Tuesday that most of the inmates in its re-education camps for Muslim minorities — a vast network of detention centers estimated to have held as many as one million people or more — have been released.
The New York Times

Houston: Extremist Mosque Launches Cub Scout Troop
A mosque in Houston with a history of extremism and indoctrinating children just launched a chartered Cub Scout troop. The Islamic Education Center (IEC) of Houston, a Shiite mosque, got their their Al Qasim Cub Scouts program off the ground at their most recent meeting July 24th, 2019 after initially announcing the program in April.
Clarion Project 

UAE Says ‘Dangerous’ Recordings Prove Qatar’s Terrorism Ties
United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash said Tuesday that a recent New York Times report proves Qatar’s ties to terrorism.
Asharq Al-Awsat, The National UAE, Arab News

Indonesian Military forms ‘super elite unit’ to crack down on terrorism
The Indonesian Military (TNI) is expected to play a bigger role in the country's war on terror with the establishment of a "super elite unit" for deploying in national security emergencies, including terror attacks.
The Jakarta Post, Benar News

UK 'has responsibility' to prosecute IS fighters
The failure to bring Britons who fought for the Islamic State group to justice in the UK is a "dereliction of responsibility", a top US counter-terrorism official says. Since the fall of group's last Syrian stronghold, Baghuz, the US has stepped up efforts to get foreign fighters and their families repatriated.
BBC News

Al Qaeda was forgotten during the rise of Islamic State, but the terrorist group is more dangerous than ever
A global network of terrorist and militia groups. A desire to establish an Islamic caliphate and expel non-Muslims from Muslim lands. A willingness and preparation to execute "spectacular" attacks in Western countries. Growing strength, capability and influence.
ABC News Australia

Former national security watchdog slams Coalition bid to extend emergency terror laws
A former national security watchdog has launched a stinging critique of the Coalition's demand for Parliament to extend emergency terror laws beyond their scheduled end date, urging Labor not to fold and support the plan.
ABC News Australia

Wasted Effort? Islamist Violence Rises in Africa Despite US Military Arrival
The number of violent incidents involving Islamist militants has reportedly jumped ten-fold between 2009 and 2018, and Somali jihadists from al-Shabaab appear to be the most active group.
Sputnik News
 

BARMM

Lidasan: A call for the creation of the Barmm Inter-Agency Audit Committee
EXCERPTS of my privilege speech in BTA Parliament 11th Session, July 29 and 30, 2019. It is a great honor to address my distinguished colleagues in the Bangsamoro, especially on such a platform. I believe that each and every one of us has taken the mandate of governance, appointed to us by the President as provided by law, to heart. Each of us is guided by our own faith and moral code. 
Sunstar Davao

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

NORTH COTABATO

Over 800 families displaced by military, BIFF skirmishes
The town government of Pikit in North Cotabato is currently attending to the needs of some 829 families or about 4,145 individuals affected by ongoing military operations against Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the border of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.
Philippine News Agency

N. Cotabato records 16 dengue deaths, 3.7k cases
North Cotabato province has the highest number of dengue fatalities so far in Region 12, prompting Governor Nancy Catamco to mobilize all agencies to help contain the deadly mosquito-borne disease.
Philippine News Agency

'Let's buy locally milled rice to protect our farmers' – Catamco
North Cotabato Governor and League of Governors Region 12 president, Nancy Catamco, urged her fellow governors to start a “buy local rice campaign” in an effort to help Filipino rice farmers.
Philippine News Agency

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

Officials of Malaysian-led IMT visit Basilan capitol
Gov. Jim Salliman said Tuesday he was honored with the visit of officials of the Cotabato City-based Malaysian-led International Monitoring (IMT) to the provincial capitol in Isabela City in this island province.
NDBC News

Lamitan police Basilan’s best in community relations
The city police has acknowledged the contribution of Muslim and Christian sectors to its having been cited as outstanding in community relations from among all police units in Basilan.
NDBC News

SULU 

Red Cross resumes services in Sulu after 10 years
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it has reestablished its presence and service in Sulu, 10 years after deciding to shutter its operations there because of violence. Piotr Dregiel, a Polish and local ICRC office head, said Tuesday that an ICRC team has already visited a hospital in Sulu.
Philippine News Agency

TAWI-TAWI 

2 nabbed, P340-K shabu seized in Tawi-Tawi drug haul
Authorities arrested two people and seized some PHP340,000 worth of suspected shabu in an anti-drug operation in the province of Tawi-Tawi, an official said Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency, Sunstar Zamboanga

DRUGS

HRW: Blocking access won't stop U.N. report on PH drug war
Barring access to the United Nations will not hinder the creation of a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Philippines, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said. In an interview with Rappler, HRW Asia deputy director Phil Robertson said he is confident the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) headed by Michelle Bachelet will find a way to carry out its task.
Rappler

Top US think tank sees no gauge of success in PH drug war
There appears to be a lack of evaluation by the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of the effectiveness, or harm, of his bloody campaign against drugs even if it has led to unprecedented numbers of surrendered or slain suspects, according to a leading American think tank.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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It's not up to CIDG to decide if Bikoy qualifies for WPP —Albayalde
It is not up to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) whether Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who claims to be the narrator behind the anti-Duterte videos, should be placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP), Philippine National Police (chief) Police General Oscar Albayalde said on Tuesday.
GMA News

Trillanes disputes Advincula’s claims implicating him in ‘Bikoy’ videos
Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday debunked claims of Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy” who accused opposition members of plotting to overthrow the Duterte administration.
Manila Bulletin

‘Bikoy’, Gadon, the dream team of non-credibility – Trillanes
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday said Peter Joemel Advincula, alias “Bikoy,” and lawyer Larry Gadon have formed the “dream team of non-credibility.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hontiveros on sedition case: I’m too busy to have time for that
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said she is too busy working for her priority bills to have time for sedition, which the Philippine National Police (PNP) has accused her of.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

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Surveys favoring drug war probe should urge gov’t to refine anti-drug policies–CHR
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is hoping that the government would correct its policies on the drug war after a recent survey revealed that more Filipinos are seeing no problem with the holding of investigations into the bloody anti-drug campaign.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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19 Pinoys detained in Mexico due to illegal drugs: DFA
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday reported that 19 Filipino seafarers have been detained in Mexico for alleged illegal drugs violation. In a statement, the department vowed to extend assistance, assuring that the Philippine Embassy in Mexico has been actively monitoring the developments in light of the Filipinos' detention.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Operations/ Incidents

6 drug peddlers fall in Bulacan ops
Six drug peddlers were arrested in different anti-illegal drug operations conducted in this province on Monday. In a report released on Tuesday, Bulacan police provincial director, Col. Chito Bersaluna said the suspects were nabbed in separate buy-bust operations in the towns of Marilao and Angat, and in the City of San Jose Del Monte.
Philippine News Agency

17-year-old boy rescued in buy-bust, 2 others arrested
A minor was rescued in a buy-bust operation, which also led to the arrest of an alleged drug dealer on Sunday, July 28. According to the report of Police Regional Office XI, around 7:40 p.m., personnel of the Tugbok Police Station and the Presidential Anti- Organized Crime Commission conducted the buy-bust operation against the target Denton Abella Oliveros, 31.
The Mindanao Times

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

Lorenzana to verify reports some Scout Rangers being used as bodyguards of gambling lords
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana vowed Tuesday that he will look into reports that some Scout Rangers from the Philippine Army were allegedly used to protect illegal gambling lords, some of whom were said to be former ranking military and police officials.
Manila Bulletin

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

Davao Norte guv denies protecting investment scammers
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib reassured the public that he is not protecting dubious investment companies proliferating in the province that promised high rates of return.
Philippine News Agency

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law 

Duterte to Cayetanos: When will your dynasty end?
“Kailan kaya matapos ang dynasty ninyo? [When will your dynasty end?].” President Duterte has boldly posed this awkward question to the Cayetano family during his visit to their bailiwick Taguig City.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte appoints new DOJ undersecretary vice Rep. Naealla Bainto-Aguinaldo
A new undersecretary has been appointed to the Department of Justice (DOJ), said spokesman and Undersecretary Markk Perete Tuesday (July 30).
Manila Bulletin

President Duterte orders inclusion of BCDA in Cabinet cluster on infrastructure
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will now be part of the Cabinet cluster on infrastructure based on a new presidential directive.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte still trusts Duque despite controversies – Panelo
President Rodrigo Duterte still trusts Health Secretary Francisco Duque despite allegations of conflict of interest against the health chief due to his family’s dealings with government.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

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Stop ‘recycling’ gov’t execs embroiled in corruption mess —Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to stop "recycling" allegedly corrupt government officials by simply transferring them to other agencies. Hontiveros made the appeal on the heels of Duterte's order to halt gaming operations under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office due to alleged corruption.
GMA News

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Duterte lifts suspension order on lotto operations
Lotto outlets licensed by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) may now resume operations, Malacañang said on Tuesday night, July 30. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the suspension order imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte has been lifted, but only for lotto operations.
Rappler, ABS-CBN News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Star

Panelo: No plans to abolish PCSO
For now, President Rodrigo Duterte has no plans to abolish Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) amid allegations of corruption, Malacañang said Tuesday. Duterte last week ordered all PCSO-operated, -licensed, and -franchised games stopped due to alleged “massive corruption.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Panelo on displaced PCSO lotto workers: 'I'm sure they're not that poor'
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo downplayed the worries of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office lotto outlet workers who stand to lose their livelihood and income due to President Rodrigo Duterte's blanket order to stop all PCSO games indefinitely.
Rappler,  Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Albayalde warns local police chiefs against the proliferation of ‘jueteng’
General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), warned Tuesday all municipal police chiefs, particularly in Luzon, that they will immediately be sacked from their posts if “jueteng” operations will thrive anew in their respective areas.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

De Lima hits Duterte’s ‘irrational act’ of shutting down PCSO’s gaming operations
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday branded President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest order to shutdown the gaming operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) as another “irrational act.”
Manila Bulletin

NBI probe to cover PCSO’s alleged failure to remit gov’t share from STL
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday revealed that the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) would also investigate the alleged failure of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to remit proper government shares from its small-town lottery (STL) operations.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senate blue ribbon to probe alleged corruption at PCSO
The Senate blue ribbon committee is pushing to conduct an investigation into the alleged “massive corruption” at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which led to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to shutdown its gaming activities.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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OSG assures: No backlog of cases
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has assured it never had a backlog of cases. The OSG made the statement in response to accusations, including those from Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, that it has been busy running after the critics of President Rodrigo Duterte instead of focusing on the over a million “backlog” cases since 2017.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo camp advises OSG to deal with huge case backlog, not focus on VP
The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo insisted much work has to be done by Office of the Solicitor General even as the top government lawyer’s office refuted her claim of case backlogs. “Whether you call it a ‘backlog’ or not, the point remains: you have a lot of other work to do,” Robredo’s spokesperson and lawyer Barry Gutierrez said.
Manila Bulletin

Robredo slams ‘fake news’ about reason behind SWS survey drop
Vice President Leni Robredo has vehemently denied that she blamed “unflattering photos” of her as the reason behind lower satisfaction ratings, saying it is just an attempt to mislead people.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Postponement of brgy, SK polls could discourage prompt voter registration
The former head of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said the proposal to postpone the May 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls may discourage some voter applicants to register. “In a way yes,” Henrietta De Villa said in an interview.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

Itbayat needs new warehouse, pier and runway – Lorenzana
The construction of a supply warehouse, pier and runway in Itbayat, Batanes will be some of the improvements that will be undertaken by the national government after a series of deadly earthquakes in the area exposed the challenges faced by authorities in responding to the most remote areas in the country during disasters and calamities, authorities said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

10 schools affected by Batanes earthquakes
The Department of Education (DepEd) said 10 schools were affected by the twin earthquakes that struck Batanes early Saturday morning, July 27. From these schools, two people died and 27 others were injured.
Rappler

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Batanes quakes expose gaps in disaster response
The series of earthquakes in the picturesque island of Itbayat, Batanes have presented a few major challenges to disaster responders and the military that hampered their ability to respond swiftly.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Despite October retirement, Carpio again nominated as chief justice
Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is once again nominated for chief justice, although he will retire one week after the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin in October. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the Judicial Bar Council (JBC), confirmed this on Tuesday, July 30, justifying that as senior justice, Carpio still gets an automatic nomination.
Rappler

SC re-organizes membership in 3 divisions, raffle committees
The Supreme Court (SC) has re-organized the membership in its three divisions and raffle committees following the retirement last Monday of Associate Justice Mariano C. del Castillo. As re-organized, the first division is now composed of Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin as chairman with Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe as working chairperson.  The other members are Associate Justices Francis H. Jardeleza, Alexander G. Gesmundo and Rosmari D. Carandang.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

SC clears former PCSO board chair Valencia on malversation charges
The Supreme Court (SC) has reversed the Sandiganbayan as it ordered the dismissal of the P13.3 million malversation charges filed against Sergio O. Valencia, former chairman of the board of directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Legal Education Summit starts July 31 at Manila Hotel
The LES, scheduled until August 1, is aimed at determining the problems encountered in legal education and formulating solutions to address them. Bersamin earlier had said the LES will focus on “updating the basic law curriculum for purposes of admission to the bar and adopting the best practices to develop students to become practice-ready lawyers.”
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Recto wants ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ installed in all public, private markets
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto pushed anew the passage of the measure that would mandate the placement of Timbangan ng Bayan in all public and private markets, including supermarkets.
Manila Bulletin

Pangilinan bill seeks to develop, promote organic farming
Senator Francis N. Pangilinan sought Tuesday government’s help in assisting small farmers and organizations engaged in organic farming.
Manila Bulletin

Villar waiting for inputs on new coconut levy bill to avoid another veto
Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday assured that the Senate would be open to accepting any suggestions coming from state economic managers to improve the new Coconut Levy bill that the 18th Congress would be redrafting to avoid another veto.
Manila Bulletin

3 newbie senators get CA seats
Three neophyte senators are among the new members of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). The three are Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Imee Marcos, and Francis Tolentino.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Tolentino’s privilege speech brings Duterte-Xi verbal agreement under senate purview
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday said the Senate may now discuss the verbal fishing agreement entered into by President Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jinping after it was brought up on Monday by Senator Francis Tolentino.
Manila Bulletin

Villar has piece of advice for rookie senator Tolentino
“Learn from your experience.” This was the Senator Cynthia Villar’s advice on Tuesday to neophyte Sen. Francis Tolentino, who was grilled by long-time lawmakers on his position about President Duterte’s verbal fishing agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Manila Bulletin

Senate Blue Ribbon to give Duque his fair deal
The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will give Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque all the opportunity to prove his innocence of alleged irregularities at the DOH and PhilHealth when it starts its probe sometime next week.
Manila Bulletin

Bong Go ‘open’ to conducting Senate probe into anomalies at PhilHealth, PCSO
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, is open to conducting an inquiry into anomalies at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Lolos, lolas will now get VIP treatment with signing of RA 11350,’ says Angara
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Tuesday welcomed the signing into law creating a National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) saying it was high-time that a national government agency dedicated to the needs of senior citizens would provide them the VIP treatment.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House still can’t do legislative work with still no committee constituted
With bills and resolutions filed already nearing 3,000, not one among the House of Representatives’ 75 committees can start work. This, as the Lower House remained unable to act on any of the proposals pending the formation of the 75 special and standing legislative committees.
Manila Bulletin

Solon pushes standards on tourist spots’ carrying capacity
Bohol 3rd District Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor has filed a bill that would set the carrying capacity of the country’s tourist destinations, replicating President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Boracay fixing-up success nationwide.
Philippine News Agency

Solons file bill to hike salaries, benefits of barangay workers
Several House members have filed various bills increasing the salaries and benefits of Sangguniang Barangay (SB) officials and employees.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Solon wants ‘livable homes’ for ‘underprivileged, homeless’
A bill ensuring that socialized housing sites and resettlement areas have livable homes with basic provisions such as water and electricity, and prioritizing on-site and in-city resettlement have been filed in the House of Representatives.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Teacher-lawmaker seeks 'substantial' salary hike for public school educators
Public school teacher-turned-legislator France Castro said it is not enough to simply increase the salaries of teachers; the pay hike should also be "substantial" given the higher prices of goods in the country.
Rappler

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In a rare move, China congratulates House Speaker Cayetano
In a rare move, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on Tuesday, July 30, congratulated Taguig City-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano on his election as Speaker of the Philippines' House of Representatives.
Rappler

House members to donate part of their salaries for Batanes quake relief
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have agreed to donate a portion of their salaries for relief efforts in earthquake-stricken Batanes.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Makabayan airs concerns over national ID system contractor
The Makabayan Bloc has reiterated its opposition to the national identification (ID) card system after noting the winning contractor Gemalto NV’s involvement with the defective voter’s registration verification machines (VRVMs) used in the midterm elections last May.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

BSP: manufacturing gets 1/3 of FDI
THE manufacturing sector continued to get the lion’s share of the gross foreign direct investments (FDI) channeled to the Philippines in the first four months of the year, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Business Mirror

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

Ultimatum to clear roads of obstructions not only for MM mayors but all LGUs – DILG
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified on Tuesday that its directive, in line with the President’s instruction to clear roads of obstructions, “does not only cover local chief executives (LCEs) of Metro Manila but all local government units (LGU) across the entire country’’.
Manila Bulletin

DILG to monitor LGUs on its progress to clear roads
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will conduct a weekly monitoring of the local government units tasked to clear public roads of obstructions, including illegal vendors.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

San Juan police precinct found to be obstructing road, is demolished
A Police Community Precinct (PCP) of San Juan City Police, which was considered as a road obstruction, was demolished on Tuesday. The community precinct 6 was located just right outside the back gate of the Philippine National Police headquarters along First West Crame Street. The PCP has 16 on-duty police officers.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

DILG hails Marikina City as already free of obstruction
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año has lauded the city government of Marikina for being a city that is already free of obstruction, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

DILG to hold brgy officials responsible if obstructions reclaim cleared roads
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday barangay officials would be held accountable if road clearing operations in their respective areas were not maintained, or if violators return days after the operations.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Business groups list 28 priority measures for competitiveness
Business groups are pushing for the passage of 28 priority reforms during the 18th Congress to allow the country to become more competitive, attract investments and achieve inclusive growth.
Philippine Star

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

A culture of corruption
It was with mixed feelings of admiration and disgust, hope and despair, shock and resignation that I listened to DZBB broadcaster Mike Enriquez interview Manila’s new mayor, Isko Moreno.
Business World Online

Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Kalinga town mayor, wife for graft and bribery
A former mayor of Tabuk town in Kalinga, along with his wife, has been convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and bribery after requesting money from a construction firm to facilitate the advance payments.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

DSWD preparing IRR so that it could deploy more welfare attaches in PH embassies
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now working on the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act (RA) 11299 or the Social Welfare Attache Act to ensure the welfare of Filipino migrant workers and their families.
Manila Bulletin

Stronger Turkey-PH engagement eyed
The Philippines and Turkey are eyeing a stronger engagement on the field of defense, economics, and education, following the first bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in Bangkok on Tuesday (July 30).
Philippine News Agency

West Philippine Sea

Security of Filipinos takes precedence over the declarations of China, other nations
The Philippines does not take the word of other nations at face value, Malacañang said Tuesday after China reportedly declared it would not take the first shot amid a dispute over the South China Sea.
Manila Bulletin

Envoy says China a peace-loving nation, will not take the first shot
Describing China as a "peace-loving nation," Beijing's ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday said China "will not take the first shot" even as it seeks to resolve territorial disputes involving the South China Sea.
GMA News, Rappler, Manila Bulletin

China PLA ready to 'deepen mutual trust' with PH counterpart
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is ready to strengthen its mutual trust and understanding with its Filipino counterpart, Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

Does China bully PHL? Lorenzana says: The way they took over Scarborough Shoal, that’s bullying
"The way they took over Scarborough Shoal... to me that was bullying." This was what Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday when asked if he believes that China has been bullying the Philippines over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, South China Morning Post

3 yrs. to finish South China Sea code? Thai exec says it might take longer
The Code of Conduct (COC) to manage maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea might take more than three years to finish, longer than the time frame hoped for by China, an advisor to the Thailand Foreign Affairs Minister said.
GMA News, Philippine News Agency

LABOR

'911 TESDA' employment app now available
"911 TESDA", a Grab-like application providing the graduates of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) a platform to land a job in just a swipe, was officially launched on Tuesday.
Philippine News Agency

TRANSPORTATION

Construction of Makati subway to start in December
The tunnel boring machine needed to start the construction of the $3.5 billion Makati subway is expected to arrive in the country by December, Mayor Abby Binay said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Corruption crackdown at LTFRB affects regional directors, cashiers, security guards
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III directed all his regional directors to submit their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) as they will be subjected to a lifestyle check in a bid to “eradicate graft and corruption in the government.”
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

Palace looking into complaints vs. Duque
Malacañang is looking into graft and plunder complaints against Health Secretary Francisco Duque over a lease agreement between a company owned by his family and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
Philippine News Agency

Fraud depleting funds of PhilHealth – Lacson
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) incurred a net operating loss of P29.1 billion in 2013-2017 due to fraudulent benefit claims and other misdeeds by senior health officials, Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duque’s fate now in hands of Duterte – Lacson
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson issued the statement following his privilege speech last Monday, questioning a possible conflict of interest involving the Department of Health (DOH) secretary as he pointed out the alleged questionable medical supply contracts entered into by the Duque family-owned Doctors Pharmaceutical Inc, (DPI) with the agency.
Manila Bulletin

Duque hopes to reach out to Lacson to clear things on conflict of interest allegations
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that he is trying to reach out to Senator Panfilo Lacson in order to discuss the latter’s allegations regarding conflict of interest.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Farmers’ group hits appointment of plunder suspect to head PCA
The farmers’ group Kilusan Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan (Katarungan), questioned the appointment of Gonzalo Duque, who is facing plunder charges, as the primary overseer of the multi-billion peso coconut levy fund.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Customs denies undervaluation of rice imports
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) denied allegations by a group of farmers that rice importations have been undervalued, maintaining that they have been following internationally recognized system of valuation.
Manila Bulletin

Villar wants probe into distribution of P10 billion as special fund for rice farmers
Senator Cynthia Villar is seeking a Senate inquiry on the government’s disbursement of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mandated by the rice tariffication law.
Manila Bulletin

GenSan steps up border control vs. ASF, other diseases
The city government has stepped up efforts to protect the area’s border for the possible entry of critical animal diseases, especially the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Philippine News Agency

7,157 farmers in Region XII benefit from DA’s easy access loan
Farmers and fisherfolks of SOCCSKSARGEN Region have already accessed P250-Million worth of financing credits from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) Program.
NDBC News

Maximizing Philippine agriculture’s strengths
Filipinos are fond of eating fruits, such as bananas and pineapples, with their meals. Cost is oftentimes a major consideration in choosing these items as panghimagas or dessert because fruits in season are cheaper than popular sweets like cakes. There is also a growing awareness that it is healthier to consume fruits than sugar-laden desserts.
Business Mirror

EDUCATION

No more offices in toilets as Cavite teachers get own space
Teachers at Bacoor National High School in Cavite province will get their own spaces following the online fuss generated by video clips and photos of faculty members holding office in a school restroom.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Angat Buhay builds dormitories in support of education, turns over another to a Samar HS
Recognizing the importance of education in combating poverty, the Office of the Vice President and its private partners built more dormitories for students who endure hours of walking just to go to school in the provinces.
Manila Bulletin

US-PH pact to boost basic educ, socio-emotional learning
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday launched a project in the Philippines seeking to enhance reading, mathematical, and socio-emotional skills of learners in Bicol and Western Visayas regions.
Philippine News Agency, Manila Bulletin

DePed invites PE teachers, coaches to apply for 2-year coaching course in Germany
To help improve their work in sports training, the Department of Education (DepEd) encouraged qualified physical education teachers and coaches in public schools to apply and participate in a two-year international coaching course in Germany.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

Enabling energy efficient systems in the Philippines
All eyes and ears were on President Rodrigo R. Duterte as he delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 22. The speech was noteworthy as it came halfway into his term.
Business World Online

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

PH on right track in global phaseout of HCFC
A high-ranking official of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) on Tuesday said the Philippines is on the right track in implementing global phaseout of ozone-depleting substance (ODS) utilization.
Philippine News Agency

The Avengers of Didipio: Endgame for OceanaGold PH?
Anti-mining groups with the aid of the local council in this valley surrounded by three mountain ranges have manned a checkpoint round the clock since the expiration of OceanaGold Philippines’ mining permit on June 20 this year. 
ABS-CBN News

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR