NPA commander surrenders, reunites with family after spending decade in communist movement
After several years in the communist movement, a New People’s Army commander voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 16th Infantry (Maglilingkod) Battalion somewhere in Kiabo area, Malitbog, Bukidnon province, the military reported Sunday night.
Manila Bulletin

MARAWI

Home at last for Marawi folk but compensation still up in the air
Five years after the siege of this city, some displaced families have ended their quest for home inside the new structures built by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) in at least five areas here.
Inquirer

Marawi land disputes could delay for years return of displaced families
It would take several more years before thousands of displaced families could get compensated by the government for their losses and return to rebuild in areas reduced to rubble during the Marawi Siege that began five years ago today, Monday, May 23.
Rappler

767 cops conferred Order of Lapu-Lapu for liberation of Marawi
A total of 767 cops who helped in the liberation of Marawi City during the siege in 2017 were conferred Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi on Monday.
PNA

Japan, UN turn over 462 houses in Marawi City
The Japanese government and the United Nations Habitat (UN-Habitat) turned over 462 permanent houses in Marawi City five years after the siege that displaced thousands of people.
Manila Bulletin

Risa on Marawi siege anniv: Ramp up rehab efforts to hasten healing
“As a proud co-author of the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Law, I urge the government to speed up its implementation so families still struggling to recover may receive the help they need,” she said. “The long road to healing from the Marawi siege begins by learning its painful lessons, by committing to work towards peace and development, and by providing survivors with a better and more peaceful future,” she added.
Politiko

Marawi Museum to boost culture, tourism promotion - Gandamra
"While some of our detractors say that building a museum is not necessary for rehabilitating a city destroyed by the infamous siege, we have to understand that having a museum is like building a facility that would preserve not only the artifacts of the great culture of our ancestors but it is also a haven for the memories of our history in order for us to pass it on to the next generation of Muslim Meranaws," he said during the inauguration ceremony of the facility.
PIA

Marawi rehab puts premium on culture preservation
The ongoing government's rehabilitation efforts for the war-torn Islamic City puts a premium on the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage with the construction of the Marawi Museum and School of Living Traditions.
PIA

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

PNP: Illegal e-sabong websites, pages turned over to DILG, Pagcor
A number of websites and social media pages illegally operating e-sabong operations have been referred to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for their endorsement to the Department of Information and Communications Technology and Facebook for immediate deletion, the Philippine National Police disclosed Monday.
Philstar

CHR on drug war report: No malice, we did our mandate
The Commission on Human Rights on Monday (CHR) stood by its report that there was use of excessive force against drug suspects and that many victims were alleged to have resisted arrest, among other findings that led to deaths mostly in marginalized communities.
GMA News

COVID-19

Cases

Infectious diseases expert says ‘Long Covid’ now an accepted diagnosis
An infectious diseases expert said cases of ‘Long Covid’ in the country are being monitored on the ground as patients were seen to develop this post-infection.
CNN Philippines

PH posts 1,214 cases of COVID-19 from May 16 to May 22
These new cases translated to an average of 173 cases per day, based on the DOH’s weekly report on Monday, which is 9.9 percent higher than the past week’s average of 161, of these new cases, 14 or 1.16 percent of the total are classified as severe or critical.
Inquirer

OCTA: Increase in COVID-19 cases due to subvariants not polls
The slight increase in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and other areas was caused by the more transmissible Omicron subvariants and not due to activities related to the May 9 elections, a fellow of OCTA Research said.
GMA News

Department of Health

Second booster shot available for senior citizens, frontline health workers
In a statement, the agency said the sectors can avail of mRNA vaccine brands such as Moderna and Pfizer in a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19 especially with the threat of the new Omicron subvariants.
CNN Philippines

REGIONS

Luzon including NCR 

At least seven dead after blaze on Philippine passenger ferry
Seven people have died after a high-speed ferry carrying 134 people in the Philippines caught fire, with seven passengers still missing, the coast guard said.
Al Jazeera

Visayas

Farmer killed, another hurt in Northern Samar shooting
A farmer died and another was wounded by a stray bullet in a shooting during a cockfight in Pambujan, Northern Samar on Sunday.
PNA

Mindanao

FACT CHECK: No order from Duterte to shutdown ‘Kabrigadahan’
Kabrigadahan is the community engagement program of the Brigada Group of Companies (Brigada), a homegrown conglomerate based in General Santos City with interest in the media industry, pharmaceutical distribution, household products, food supplements and security services, among others. The fake report showed the byline of Allan Nawal and published by the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA). 
Mindanews

Peace talks

Mindanao peace efforts to continue
NATIONAL line agencies recently vowed to continue implementing initiatives under the Normalization Program of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro to ensure no gains in the government's peace-building efforts are wasted until the last day of the Duterte administration.
The Manila Times

World

More than 100 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in 12 countries, including the US
More cases of a rare disease have been reported worldwide, including in the United States — where one health official said he expects more cases in the days ahead.
CNN Philippines

Australia has a new left-leaning government: Here's what you need to know
After almost a decade of conservative leadership, Australian voters turned their back on the ruling coalition, instead backing those who campaigned for more action on climate change, greater gender equality and political integrity.
CNN Philippines

UNHCR: Ukraine, other conflicts push forcibly displaced total over 100 million for first time
The number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution has now crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million for the first time on record, propelled by the war in Ukraine and other deadly conflicts.
UNHCR

US President Biden formally unveils Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
President Joe Biden launched a new Asia-Pacific trade initiative on Monday (May 23) in Tokyo, with 13 countries including India and Japan signing up, although questions about the pact's effectiveness remain.
The Straits Times

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte signs 5 new laws in last months of presidency
In his last months prior to stepping down from office, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has signed five new laws that renamed some schools and established offices of the Maritime Industry Authority. Duterte signed the following laws on April 29, but was only released to the media on Monday:
Inquirer

Duterte on presidency: Shortcomings due to lack of time not negligence
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he did his best to deliver what he could for the country during his six years in Malacanang. At the inauguration of the new head office of the Metro Manila Development Authority in Pasig, Duterte said that if he fell short of expectations it wasn't because he didn't try. 
GMA News

Cabinet Members

LIST: Who will be part of Bongbong Marcos’ Cabinet?
The camp of presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has already started the search for potential Cabinet members ahead of his official proclamation. Several names have been announced so far by Marcos' camp. They are:
CNN Philippines | Inquirer

Marcos picks Aquino’s NEDA chief Balisacan to return to agency
Arsenio Balisacan is returning as director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which he headed under the late former president Benigno Aquino III.
Rappler

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION 

30 yrs needed to revert to pre-covid debt level
PANDEMIC babies born last year may already be in their 30s by the time the country returns to pre-Covid-19 debt levels, according to a study released by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
Business Mirror

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT

Duterte economic adviser backs subsidy loans for MSMEs
President Duterte’s economic adviser on Monday, May 23, expressed support for organized labor’s call for subsidy loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

PRRD’s most criticized programs ‘his primary legacies’: Esperon
In an interview with SMNI News Channel on Saturday night, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, anti-insurgency, and the “Build, Build, Build” are among the highly criticized not only in the country but by international organizations.
PNA

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

Boying Remulla accepts Marcos' offer to head DOJ
Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has accepted the offer of presumptive next president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to be the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under his incoming administration.
CNN Philippines | ABS-CBN News

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Marcos says he discussed defense deal with US envoy
Presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday, May 23, he discussed the extension of a joint military agreement with an envoy of defense ally the United States, after meetings with senior diplomats of four countries.
Rappler

Duterte signs laws creating new MARINA extension offices
Duterte signed Republic Act 11760 and RA 11761 creating an extension office in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and converting the satellite office of the MARINA in Maasin City, Southern Leyte into an extension office, respectively.
PNA

Philippine National Police 

PNP warns protesters: Rallies in the canvassing area will be dispersed
The Philippine National Police on Monday warned protesters that any rallies outside the House of Representatives this week would be broken up but vowed that its personnel would practice "maximum tolerance" when dealing with protesters. 
Philstar

ELECTION RELATED

National elections

Senate transfers COCs to House ahead of canvassing on May 24
Over 150 certificates of canvass (COCs) containing votes cast for the presidential and vice presidential races have arrived in the House of Representatives a day before Congress begins its canvassing on Tuesday.
Inquirer

Congress eyes proclamation of new president, VP on Wednesday –Zubiri
“Ang aming pinag-usapan kahapon, kung kaya po ng Wednesday ng gabi [ang proclamation]... late afternoon or early evening, baka timing sa inyong live coverage sa news, we will definitely do it by Wednesday,” Zubiri told reporters.
GMA News

Local elections

Comelec ready to hold special polls for Remulla post
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it can hold special polls for the position of Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla once he assumes the job as secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the next administration.
PNA

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Victims of Duterte’s drug war in Philippines exhumed as leases run out on their graves
Four white marble urns are placed on a table at the front of Panay Chapel. It’s a Sunday morning in Quezon City, and only the distant sound of an occasional passing car can be heard. Sarah Celiz steps forward from the pews and helps to cover the urns with a crisp white cloth. A wooden cross is gently placed on top.
The Guardian

LABOR

Congress urged to pass the P750 Minimum Wage Bill
Police officers block a group of protesters who are urging the lower house to pass the P750 Minimum Wage Bill before the end of the Duterte administration, at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. 
ABS-CBN News

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate OKs bill granting lifetime validity for birth, marriage, death certificate
Under the proposed measure, the birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by PSA and its predecessor, National Statistics Office, and the local civil registries will have permanent validity regardless of the date of issuance and shall be recognized in all government or private transactions.
CNN Philippines

Marcos-allied Zubiri vows independence if he becomes Senate president
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who earlier endorsed presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the campaign, gave assurances the chamber would be independent should he become the next Senate president.
Rappler

Senate presidency: Zubiri sees supermajority, but mum on who will lead
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday kept his silence on speculations of term-sharing for the Senate presidency, but said talks are ongoing with Senator Cynthia Villar and dismissed reports of his supposed rivalry with incoming senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero for the position.
GMA News

Zubiri wants Angara to remain Senate finance panel chair
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he wanted Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara to retain his chairmanship of the Senate finance committee and returning senator Loren Legarda to sit as the next Senate President Pro Tempore.
GMA News

House of Representatives

House resumes session after break for Eleksyon 2022
The House of Representatives on Monday resumed session after its break for the recently concluded national and local elections. The plenary session resumed at 2 p.m. It was presided over by Deputy Speaker and Sorsogon 1st District Representative Evelina Escudero.
GMA News

FOREIGN RELATIONS 

Busy day for Bongbong as 4 envoys slated to make joint courtesy call
The courtesy call, to be held at the BBM headquarters in Mandaluyong city from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. will carried out by the following: Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, South Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul, Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran, and United States (US) Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos talks with US envoy on possible ‘redefining’ of VFA
The possible “re-defining” of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) was among the issues tackled during the meeting of presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with the United States Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava on Monday.
Inquirer

In Tokyo, Biden says would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan, in a series of critical comments about China he made in Tokyo that an aide said represented no change in U.S. policy on the self-ruled island.
Inquirer

At courtesy call on Marcos, envoy says India ready to help with AFP modernization
India is open to collaborating with the Philippines to boost its military systems as well as the capabilities of its armed forces, its envoy said.
Philstar

YOUTH

Bill against online child sexual abuse a step closer to becoming a law
It also increases the duties of the private sector, with emphasis on electronic service providers, internet intermediaries, and financial intermediaries, specifically with respect to the blocking and preserving of OSAEC materials found on their platforms, and cooperation with law enforcement agents, according to the senator.
Inquirer

Congress ratifies Anti-Online Sexual Abuse of Children Bill
The Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday ratified the bill against the online sexual abuse or exploitation of children and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials.
GMA News

WATER and ENERGY

Marcos reviewing South Korea recommendations on nuclear plant revival
Presumptive President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said he was looking into reviving the mothballed nuclear power plant built during his late father's dictatorship. 
ABS-CBN News