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Communist Rebellion
Liberation of Dumagats and Mangyans Highlights the International IP Day 2020
The liberation of 162 IP former rebels from the clutches of NPA terrorism since January 2020 highlights Southern Tagalog’s celebration of this year’s International Day of Indigenous People.
Kalinaw News

Army Supports NTF-ELCAC’s Strengthen of IP Communities in Caraga
The 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade supports the strengthening of IP communities in Caraga during the Inter Agency Visitations to Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) within its area of responsibility at Brgy Simbalan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and Brgy Salug, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
Kalinaw News

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Economic bloodbath is on Duterte’s hands — CPP
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said the 16.7% contraction of the Philippine economy during the second quarter is a bloodbath that is on Duterte’s hands. The CPP said the bungled management of the Covid-19 pandemic brought about by Duterte’s military- and police-centered response is directly responsible for the massacre of jobs and the slaughter of the livelihood of millions of Filipinos.
Communist Party of the Philippines

Unsuspecting Bayawan farmers treacherously baited and unwittingly dragged into delusory spectacle
The people of Barangay Nangka, Bayawan are absolutely disgusted and outraged by the events that took place last August 3, 2020: The PA 11th IB have stepped up their psychological warfare and civil military operations, recently innovating their underhanded devices to lure the masses into psywar traps.
Communist Party of the Philippines

A worldwide tribute for an internationalist revolutionary and peace warrior Fidel V. Agcaoili
On 8 August, his 76th birthday, over 200 of Ka Fidel Agcaoili’s family, comrades and colleagues from around the world convened on an online tribute program organized by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines International Information Office (NDFPIIO).
NDFP

Long Live Ka Fidel Agcaoili! A tribute from Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (ARMAS)
If, as Che Guevara put it, revolutionaries are guided by a great feeling of love, then we Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (ARMAS) are heartbroken. As much as we love the masses we serve, so do we cherish the comrades with whom we serve the people.
NDFP

Tribute Message from Liga ng Agham para sa Bayan (LAB)
Pinakamataas na pagpupugay ang ipinapaabot ng hanay ng rebolusyonaryong siyentista kay Fidel Agcaoili!
NDFP

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Police deny families right to claim remains of 3 alleged NPA fighters
Elements of the Philippine National Police have taken the remains of three suspected members of the revolutionary New People’s Army to Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna, and are “shrugging off all requests by their families” to claim them, according to human rights group Karapatan Southern Tagalog.
Bulatlat

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4 communist NPA terrorists surrender in Zambo Norte
FOUR communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists have surrendered to military authorities in a remote area of Zamboanga del Norte province, officials said.
Sunstar Zamboanga

26 ex-NPA rebels get P10K each in govt aid
Twenty-six former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have each received immediate financial assistance from the provincial government here while waiting for other benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
The Manila Times

Peace talks

Incidents/Operations

Army, Communist Terrorists clashes in Iloilo
The Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion while conducting combat operations encountered more or less Seven (7) Communist Terrorists Group (CTGs) at Barangay Atimonan, Janiuay, Iloilo on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
Kalinaw News

5 NPA bandits killed in a series of clash with the Army in Ilocos Sur; civilian bystanders shot by fleeing NPA
At least five (5) members of the Komiteng Larangan Gerilya South Ilocos Sur (KLG-SIS) of the New People’s Army were killed in a series of encounter during combat operations conducted by the 702nd Infantry Brigade in Barangay Suagayan, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur around 2 pm on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
Kalinaw News, Benarnews, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Suspected NPA rebels torch backhoe in Eastern Samar
A privately-owned backhoe was burned by unidentified men in Barangay Santa Fe in Gen Macarthur town, Eastern Samar at around 3 a.m. on Saturday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

7𝑰𝑩 TAPAT discovered IED cache amid combat clearing operation
The men of Bravo Company, 7IB, led by 1LT JAYONA (INF) PA, under the leadership of LTC Romel S Valencia INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer, conducted a combat clearing operation at two (2) separate targets of Brgy Kiadsam, Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat.
Kalinaw News

 
Extremism
Coalition of journalists, lawyers, HR advocates seek nullity of anti-terror law
A broad coalition of journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, digital activists, and law professors is asking the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the recently enacted anti-terrorism law for various reasons, including certain violations of the Bill of Rights.
VERA Files

Coalition of lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders calls Anti-terror Act ‘repugnant’
The disclosure of the new Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Gilbert Gapay, about his plan to include the use of social media in the implementation of the Anti-Terror Act (ATA) is a grave warning on the danger of this law.
VERA Files

MARAWI 

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD


Terrorism and COVID-19: Brutality of Boko Haram in Africa
On 1 August 2020, Boko Haram killed 19 civilians through a grenade attack on a camp of displaced people in Nguetchewe village of northern Cameroon leaving 11 people seriously injured. 
Modern Diplomacy

GCC urges UN to extend Iran arms embargo 
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has asked the UN to extend an international arms embargo on Iran. A letter sent by the GCC’s secretary general, Nayef Al-Hajraf, to the Security Council cites Tehran’s support for terrorism and its hostile actions against neighbouring countries as reasons to back an extension.
Arab News

'Turkey neutralized 83 terrorists in operations in N.Iraq'
A total of 83 terrorists have been neutralized and a large amount of weapons and ammunition seized as part of operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, the country's defense minister said on Sunday.
Anadolu Agency

UN envoy slams U.S. for sponsoring anti-Iran Tondar terrorist group
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, has slammed the United States for sponsoring a U.S.-based anti-Iran group named Tondar.
Tehran Times

Sudan Expresses Reservations on US Travel Warning
Sudan has said it "regrets" the latest US State Department advisory against travel to the country.
Asharq Al-Awsat

Esper says US troop presence in Afghanistan will be 'less than 5,000' by November
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in an interview broadcast late Saturday that no more than 5,000 U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan by the end of November as the Trump administration looks to move forward with a reduction of forces in the region. 
The Hill
 
Bangsamoro
BARMM 

SPECIAL REPORT (3). From RAG to ARMM to BARMM: the IP’s struggle for ancestral domains continues
Alim Bandara, council member of the Teduray Justice and Governance told MindaNews that the process of delineation started 15 years ago, on August 26, 2005, when the Teduray, Lambangian and Dulangan Manobo Ancestral Domain Conference (TLADMADC) represented by him as Timuay Labi and head claimant, filed a petition for recognition, delineation, segregation and the issuance of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT)
Mindanews
Special Report 2: From RAG to ARMM to BARMM: the IP’s struggle for ancestral domains continues
Special Report 1: From RAG to ARMM to BARMM: the IP’s struggle for ancestral domains continues

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 

Number of COVID-19 cases in Cotabato City now down to 2
The number of active coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the city is down to two, Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi announced late Saturday.
Manila Bulletin

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

Lanao del Sur-Marawi City IATF confirms local transmission of COVID-19
The Joint Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 of the province of Lanao del Sur and the city of Marawi on Sunday announced there is now local transmission of the disease after verification and extensive contact-tracing of 21 recent COVID-19 cases showed they had no exposure or history of travel outside the area in the past 30 days.
Mindanews

Marawi courts bar walk-in inquiries
After closing its offices for days to conduct disinfection, the Hall of Justice (HOJ) in Marawi City will implement more stringent health protocols once it opens on Monday, Aug. 10, due to the alarming increase in the number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the city.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BASILAN

SULU 

2 MNLF factions clash in Sulu; 2 dead, 5 wounded
Two factions of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) clashed in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday dawn, which resulted in death of two combatants and wounding of five others.
Tempo

TAUSUG IN DOHA: When In My Homeland, Sulu
Visiting the place where my heart belongs is always on the top of my itinerary whenever I go to the Philippines for my annual vacation as an OFW. That place is Sulu—the only place I call home. Sulu is my birthplace and it is where I happily grew up and spent many precious memories with my family and loved ones.
Mindanews

TAWI-TAWI 

Authorities arrest 5th most wanted person in Tawi-Tawi
One of the most wanted men in Tawi-Tawi was arrested by authorities early Sunday.
CNN Philippines

 
Shadow economies
DRUGS

Heinous crime victims have rights, too – lawmaker
An administration lawmaker is pushing his argument to support calls for the reimposition of capital punishment in the country, saying victims of heinous crimes have human rights, too, and not just the suspects.
Philippine Star

Operations/ Incidents

P17M ecstasy pills seized in Pampanga; 5 suspects nabbed
Authorities seized at least 10,000 “ecstasy” party drug tablets  worth an estimated P17 million and arrested five suspected dealers at a gas station in Lubao, Pampanga Saturday night.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Intercepted van in Pampanga yields marijuana bricks
Authorities on Sunday seized an undetermined volume of dried marijuana bricks from utility van reportedly from Cagayan Valley.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAPPING

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
 
Land issues
Indigenous People's
End discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, Philippine lawmaker pleads
A Philippine lawmaker on Sunday, which is International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples, called for the end of discrimination against Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and for the protection of their rights.
ABS-CBN News, Philippine Star

‘Respect, protect indigenous people’s rights during pandemic’ — CHR
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday expressed its solidarity with the indigenous communities in the Philippines in raising the call to respect and protect indigenous peoples’ (IPs) rights, especially in facing the global pandemic. 
Manila Bulletin

 
Human Rights
Iloilo school's rule on homosexuality draws criticism from several groups
Iloilo Catholic school's inclusion of homosexuality as a ground for expulsion, as stated in its handbooks for students and employees, has drawn criticism from concerned groups. 
GMA News

Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

Martial Law 
Governance

COVID-19

Cases


3,109 more COVID-19 infections bring PH total to 129,913 cases
The country’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases is nearing the 130,000-mark after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,109 additional infected patients on Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Rappler, Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 cases in AFP now at 1,137
Over a thousand personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo said Sunday.
GMA News

COVID-19 cases at PCOO climb to 97
The number of COVID-19 cases at the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) reached 97 Sunday as more employees in the agency have been tested for the disease.
Manila Bulletin

39 more overseas Filipinos sick with COVID-19; total now at 9,754
The number of Filipinos abroad sick with COVID-19 is now at 9,754, with 65 new cases reported Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. The DFA also said there are 23 new recoveries, bringing the total to 5,783.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

2,317 Pinoys under COVID-19 treatment in Middle East
The Middle East remained a pandemic hot spot for overseas Filipino workers, accounting for more than half of the total COVID-19 fatalities and active cases abroad.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Department of Health

Price caps on face shields, Vit.C, antibiotics mulled
Price ceiling on face shields, immunity booster vitamins, and antibiotics against COVID-19 may be imposed starting next week by the Department of Health.
Manila Bulletin

DOH acts to avert buying and selling of blood plasma
The Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against buying and selling of blood plasma taken from those who have already recovered from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 
Manila Bulletin

IATF/NTF COVID-19

House panel chair says 2-week MECQ inadequate to curb COVID cases rise
House Committee on Health chair Angelina "Helen" Tan on Sunday admitted that the two-week modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) implemented in Metro Manila and nearby provinces was not enough to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases being reported daily.
GMA News

‘Face shield profiteers to be prosecuted’ — Guevarra
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday, August 9, warned that face shield profiteers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as he urged the public to report them to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Manila Bulletin

TESDA producing 50M face masks to be distributed for free —official
The government has commissioned the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to produce 50 million pieces of reusable face masks to be distributed to the public for free, a TESDA official said Sunday.
GMA News

Penalties for improper disposal of PPEs urged
A waste and pollution watchdog appealed to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Sunday to issue a directive to local government units (LGUs) to craft ordinances that will prohibit and penalize the improper disposal of used mask and other personal protective equipment (PPE).
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Luzon including NCR


Pasig releases 41 recovered Covid-19 patients; revs up isolation
The Pasig City government targets to isolate 200 more patients in its centralized quarantine facility to manage the local transmission of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) within communities.
Philippine News Agency

Sagada records first COVID-19 case
Sagada broke its COVID-free streak on Sunday, after one of the frontliners in the municipality was confirmed to have been infected with the virus.
CNN Philippines

Calapan City police station on lockdown; 7 COVID cases logged
This city’s police station was placed on lockdown since Saturday, August 8, after seven persons – a jail inmate, a civilian employee, four police trainees and a female police officer – tested positive for the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bulacan Provincial Capitol Main Building to close from Aug. 10 to 14 for disinfection
The Bulacan Provincial Capitol Main Building in Malolos, Bulacan will be closed temporarily from August 10 to 14 to give way to disinfection, according to a report on 24 Oras News Alert on Sunday.
GMA News

5th COVID-19 death haunts Baguio City as cases continue to rise
A 71-year-old retired doctor has become the fifth coronavirus fatality in the summer capital as of Sunday (Aug. 9), and counts among the 27 senior citizens who have contracted the disease since the pandemic broke out at the start of the year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Contact tracing, isolation, key in Covid-19 battle
Aggressive contact tracing and the immediate isolation of asymptomatic and mild positive patients from their communities will be the key in preventing the further transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency

PH Navy transports medical frontliners for free in MECQ areas
Sailors and marines have started navigating the country’s busiest roads as the Philippine Navy (PN) announced on Sunday that it has deployed personnel and vehicles to transport health care workers in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Manila Bulletin

Visayas

10 month-old-girl in Leyte tests positive for COVID-19
A 10-month-old girl tested positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Calubian town, Leyte.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Western Visayas logs 5 more Covid-19 deaths
Five more deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) were recorded in Western Visayas on Saturday, bringing the death toll in the region to 31.
Philippine News Agency

Dauis, Bohol records first COVID-19 case
The municipality of Dauis in Bohol  registered its first coronavirus disease 2019  (COVID-19) case.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dumaguete councilors question billing statement of food supplier for frontliners
Several councilors here have questioned the billing statement of a food supplier that was awarded a P10 million contract to supply breakfast, lunch, and dinner to personnel manning COVID-19 checkpoints and other volunteers.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cebu police probing alleged ‘rampant’ sale of COVID-19 survivors’ blood plasma
Police officials here are looking into the alleged “rampant” sale of blood plasma from survivors of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Around 4,000 Cebu public market vendors to be tested for COVID-19
At least 4,000 stall vendors at Cebu City’s biggest public market will undergo testing for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a bid to further slow down the transmission of the virus here.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cebu City allows limited religious gatherings
Entering its second week under general community quarantine, Cebu City decided to allow limited religious gatherings.
Rappler

Central Visayas LGUs to stop using public school as isolation centers on August 15
The use of public schools as isolation centers in Central Visayas will end on August 15.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mindanao

Zamboanga City’s COVID-19 cases climb to 723
The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in this city continued to rise as 35 new infections were recorded on Saturday, according to health authorities and the local task force on COVID-19.
Philippine Star

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Google Philippines adds more COVID-19 testing centers on Maps
“As we continue to navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic, we strive to find more ways on how our technology can play a role in the fight against COVID-19. Every day, Filipinos use Google Maps to find out more about the locations that matter to them and we hope that we can help by constantly updating our platforms with real-time locally relevant and credible information,” said Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario. 
Manila Standard

Incidents and Violations

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Why getting a flu shot is important during a COVID-19 pandemic
AS HEALTH workers called for stricter protocols to lighten their load in an overwhelmed healthcare system, there is one thing you can do to help: get vaccinated.
Business World Online

[OPINION] History repeats itself: This pandemic hurts our people the most
'It’s already 2020, and yet our strategy to curb the pandemic is a medieval witch hunt'
Rappler

World


Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Vulnerabilities of Migrants on the Central Mediterranean Route - Full Report
Measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 have had significant effects on migrants via the Central Mediterranean Route (CMR). As part of the IMREF consortium*, Seefar has interviewed migrants stranded in Gao (Mali), Agadez (Niger) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to understand the challenges they face. The study explores the effects of COVID-19 containment measures on their mobility patterns, vulnerabilities and access to health and protection services. 
ALNAP Overseas Development Institute

'We failed': one scientist's despair as Brazil Covid-19 deaths hit 100,000
For months Natalia Pasternak has implored Brazilians to take science and coronavirus seriously, in a marathon of TV appearances, newspaper columns, live streams and podcasts.
The Guardian

‘This is unstoppable’: America's midwest braces itself for a Covid-19 surge
Experts predict an increase in deaths across the region, made significantly worse by lawmakers who question the value of face coverings.
The Guardian

Kuwait reports 514 new COVID-19 cases, 71,713 in total
Kuwait on Sunday reported 514 new COVID-19 cases and four more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 71,713 and the death toll to 478, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Currently, 7,716 patients are receiving treatment, including 115 in ICU, the statement added.
Xinhua

Greece sets coronavirus cases record; 10,000 dead in Chile: Live
Greece reported 203 new cases, its highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak in the country. 
Aljazeera

WHO adds Kazakhstan's coronavirus-like pneumonia cases to COVID-19 statistics
The World Health Organization (WHO) has combined the PCR-negative pneumonia cases with clinical signs of COVID-19 infection in Kazakhstan into the total coronavirus tally on its website.
Xinhua

Belgian beach ban, UK and Greek cases spike: COVID-19 daily bulletin
Two Belgian resort towns have announced measures to stop day-trippers after beach fights broke out between police and youths told to leave for refusing to respect coronavirus safety measures.
CGTN

Revealed: Travel agent staff running COVID-19 track and trace
Customer service centre staff at Hays Travel have been working on Serco's heavily criticised track and trace operations after pitching for government work in March.
Open Democracy

How COVID-19 pandemic affected South Africa
At present, South Africa is the world’s fifth in the number of coronavirus cases. The epidemiological situation in the country continues to deteriorate, as despite a decreasing number of new cases reported daily, the number of tests has decreased as well. On August 2, 2020 the total number of infected exceeded 511,000, with a daily increase staying at 10,000 – 12,000. 
Modern Democracy

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Palace: Door’s always open to those who want to help
Malacañang said its doors are always open to those who want to help out their kababayan (fellowmen), especially those who are affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Manila Bulletin

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‘There’s no turning back:’ Palace says of task force probe on PhilHealth mess
“There is no turning back.” This was Malacañang’s pronouncement as it assured the public that the high-level task force created to investigate the alleged corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will proceed with its mandate to probe fresh claims of irregularities in the agency.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News

Let Senate comment on PhilHealth execs 'absence' from probe —Palace
Malacañang would rather let the Senate say something on the possibility that officials from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) may skip its next hearing on the alleged irregularities within the agency.
GMA News

‘Abolish PhilHealth? It’s up to Congress,’ says Roque
It is up to Congress whether or not to push for the abolition of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) amid allegations of corrupt practices, according Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace assures Filipinos need not worry despite economic downturn
Filipinos should not be disheartened even as the country is confronted by an economic downturn triggered by the previous strict coronavirus lockdown, according to a Palace official.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo hits slow contact tracing in PH; some patients already recovered when reached
Vice President Leni Robredo has lamented the slow contact tracing efforts of the government, saying there have been cases where coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients were reached by health authorities after they have already recovered.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo urges gov’t to use online platform in COVID-19 fight
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday pressed the need to create a pandemic control platform to boost government’s contact tracing efforts in relation to its response to the coronavirus disease pandemic. 
Manila Bulletin

Robredo: Teachers question gov't readiness to open classes amid pandemic
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said teachers were questioning the government's claim that they are ready to open classes, as they ask for supplies and measures to protect them against COVID-19.
ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin

Robredo calls for suspension of PhilHealth execs while probes ongoing
Vice President Leni Robredo said officials involved in recently reported anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should be suspended while various probes are being conducted.
Rappler

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

NDRRMC to public, LGUs: Observe COVID-19 health rules amid storm
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reminded the public and local government units to observe COVID-19 health measures in case of evacuation due to the effects of Tropical Storm Enteng.
GMA News

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senator Bong Revilla tests positive for COVID-19
Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. confirmed on Sunday that he has contracted the coronavirus disease.
CNN Philippines

Morales to appear in Senate PhilHealth probe
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) President Ricardo Morales assured that he will still participate in the ongoing Senate investigation on the alleged corruption in the agency despite his current health status.  
Manila Bulletin

Go confident Morales will still help in PhilHealth probe despite illness
Senator Bong Go believes that Philippine Health Insurance Corp. chief Ricardo Morales will still cooperate in the ongoing Senate investigation into the alleged irregularities in the agency despite his medical condition.
GMA News

Medical condition of PhilHealth chief Morales, exec should not be questioned —Lacson
For Senator Panfilo Lacson, the health condition of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) chief Ricardo Morales and executive vice president Arnel De Jesus should not be questioned even as these came at a time when the agency is being investigated over its alleged irregularities.
GMA News

Bayanihan 2 funding could've been higher if gov't had more resources —Zubiri
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Sunday admitted that the funding for the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act could have been higher if the government had more resources.
GMA News

Drilon calls on gov’t to intensify ‘T3’ vs COVID-19
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon has reiterated his call for the government’s task force against COVID-19 to intensify its efforts on testing, tracing and treating (3Ts) to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 and to prevent the imposition of lockdowns that further damages the country’s economy. 
Manila Bulletin

Senate probe, telcos’ action on rising online child abuse cases pressed
Senator Imee Marcos is calling on the Senate to investigate the alarming rise of reported cases of sexual abuse of children online amid lockdowns enforced by the government to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Senators honor Lim for living a life of public service
Senators on Sunday honored former senator and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for living a life of public service. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Lim “wore many hats as a public servant” from being chief of police of Manila to senator from 2004 to 2007 and as mayor of Manila for many years.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

Speaker Cayetano’s staffer contracts COVID-19; House tally now at 38
Another employee working in the Office of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has tested positive for the coronavirus, pushing the COVID-19 tally at the House of Representatives to 38.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News

PhilHealth financial ‘checkup’, cleansing before gov’t bailout – solon
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which is currently embroiled in fresh allegations of corruption, should first undergo “thorough financial checkup and cleansing” before any government bailout, a lawmaker said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House eyes passage of Bayanihan 2 this week
House Economic Affairs panel chair and AAMBIS-OWA partylist Rep. Sharon Garin expressed hope Sunday that the Senate will be “receptive” to the House of Representatives’ P162-billion Bayanihan 2 bill as the 301-man House is expected to pass the measure on third and final reading this week.
Manila Bulletin

Bill amending Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 filed
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. has filed a bill to amend certain provisions of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 to provide for an advanced nursing education program.
Manila Bulletin

Solons insist anti-COVID measures should be top priority, not death penalty
House members reiterated on Sunday the need to prioritize anti-COVID measures over the renewed push to pass the reimposition of death penalty in the 18th Congress.
Manila Bulletin

Lawmakers seek revival of PH salt farming industry
Lawmakers have urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) to ensure that the “needed technology upgrade and development” will be extended to salt producers in Northern Luzon as part of the country’s fisherfolk sector.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Task Force PhilHealth to seek help from agencies with ongoing investigations
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Sunday, August 9, the task force created by President Duterte to investigate reported irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will concentrate on the probes already on-going and being undertaken by several agencies to expedite its work.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines


Navy captain dies due to COVID-19 infection
A senior military officer from the Philippine Navy (PN) has succumbed to death due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) revealed Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

PNP mourns death of ex-DILG secretary Alfredo Lim
The Philippine National Police on Saturday expressed grief over the death of  former Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim.
GMA News

Policemen in COVID-19 field work given due protection — Año
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday said that police officers who work directly with the medical workers and are deployed in the COVID-19 isolation facilities are immediately subjected to rapid tests at the end of their duty.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

MECQ to drag Q3 recovery -DOF
The Department of Finance (DOF) is only expecting a moderate economic recovery in the third-quarter due to reimposition of strict lockdown over Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Manila Bulletin

BIR extends prescriptive period for tax fraud investigations
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the running of the prescriptive period in the investigation of tax fraud cases in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Manila Bulletin

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

NEDA recalibrates recovery plan
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) admitted that the government needs to recalibrate its recovery plan following the sharp contraction in the second-quarter GDP that plunged the country into recession.
Manila Bulletin

COVID-19 changes CEOs’ priorities
Improve customer experience, expand remote working measures, and purposeful leadership. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, these three are some of the top priorities of business leaders across the world, according to the report “2020 Industry Insights,” published recently by global market research firm Euromonitor International.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MPIC head keen on COVID-19 vaccines
BUSINESSMAN Manuel V. Pangilinan said his group is interested in talking to pharmaceutical companies for a possible reservation deal once a coronavirus vaccine becomes available.
Business World Online

SMPC income down 61%
The combination of tumbling coal demand and softening of electricity prices had chopped the net income of Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC) to P2.2 billion in the first half, down by 61-percent from last year’s P5.7 billion.
Manila Bulletin

Marcventures sustains strong turnaroud
Nickel miner Marcventures Holdings, Inc. (MHI) continues to turn around its finances, reporting a net income of P137.52 million in the first half of the year—153 percent better than the P258.54 million net loss registered in the same period last year.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION


Alleged extortion money collector arrested in Manila –BOC
The Bureau of Customs arrested an alleged collector of extortion money in a Malate, Manila entrapment operation, the BOC said in a Sunday statement.
GMA News

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

MECQ not stopping DFA from repatriating stranded OFWs
Even while Metro Manila and its nearby provinces are under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the Philippine government has brought home an additional 8,924 overseas Filipinos this week, bringing the total number of repatriated Filipinos to 124,717.
Manila Bulletin

DFA issues rules on foreign nationals arriving in PH
All foreign spouses, minor children including with special needs regardless of age, and foreign parents of minor Filipino nationals, including of children with special needs regardless of age, are exempted from the temporary suspension of visa issuance to all foreign nationals amid the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

DFA says PH has banned marine surveys by foreign ships
The Philippines no longer allows marine surveys by foreign ships, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Sunday.
ABS-CBN News

AFP chief of staff commits to protect WPS despite ban on joint drills
Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has promised to uphold the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) despite President Duterte’s standing order to the military to refrain from participating in naval drills with its foreign allies.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

Duterte OKs additional P5B for OFWs’ repatriation, aid package – DOLE chief
President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the release of an additional P5 billion for the repatriation and assistance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced by the impact of the coronavirus  disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

OFW gives birth at NAIA
A 37-year-old  Overseas Filipino Worker  gave birth to a baby boy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 last Aug. 5.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

‘Clark int’l airport new terminal 99.8% complete’ — DOTr
The new passenger terminal building (PTB) at the Clark International Airport is near completion to accommodate passengers and host flights, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.
Manila Bulletin

Passenger van torched down in Zamboanga del Sur town
A passenger van plying Pitogo town of Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City was torched by two armed men on Sunday along the highway of Barangay Tiniguangan, Dimataling town, about 50 kilometers from here.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH

PhilHealth’s Morales says privacy was not respected with disclosure of his cancer
Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and CEO Ricardo Morales has expressed regret that his privacy was supposedly not respected following the disclosure of his medical condition.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Union asks Duterte to assign ‘caretaker’ to PhilHealth after Morales cancer diagnosis
The rank-and-file union of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Sunday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to temporarily assign a “caretaker” in the state insurer after its president and CEO, Ricardo Morales has been diagnosed with cancer.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PhilHealth union welcomes task force, probe
The PhilHealth Workers for Hope, Integrity, Transparency, and Empowerment (PhilHealth-WHITE) union on Sunday welcomed the formation of an investigating panel under the Department of Justice to investigate the various allegations of corruption and mismanagement leveled against officials and employees of the corporation. 
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

NFA cites excuses for slow palay procurement
While the country is assured that the National Food Authority (NFA) will have enough subsidized rice to distribute when needed, the state-run grains agency’s chief said their palay procurement has been slowed down by lack of rice milling facilities and government’s low buying price.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

Teacher’s group reaches out to Congress on Aug. 24 class opening postponement
A teacher’s group has reached out to Congress for the postponement of the Aug. 24 class opening. They cited  health concerns in relation to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the “obvious failure” on the part of the Department of Education (DepEd) in preparing for the distance learning modality for their appeal.
Manila Bulletin

Be transparent on COVID-19 infections among teachers, DepEd told
The Department of Education (DepED) ought to be transparent in reporting positive cases of COVID-19 among teachers, Ang Probinsyano Party-List Rep. Alfred Delos Santos said on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

ACT cites problems of students and teachers about online classes
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said that teachers share the same problems with students under the new learning modality.  The group said on Sunday that the online class setup now being tried by schools pose various concerns that need to be threshed out.
Manila Bulletin

Student council slams short film for ‘antagonizing’ teachers
“Our teachers do not deserve this disrespect.” The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Education Student Council came to the defense of teachers as it denounced a controversial short film depicting a student’s perspective on online classes.
Rappler

WATER and ENERGY


DOE asks add’l permits for FGEN’s LNG project
The Department of Energy (DOE) has apprised First Gen Corporation  that it will need to secure six additional permits because of changes in the plans and design on its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal project.
Manila Bulletin

PSALM sells 3 real estate assets to Aboitiz, Lopez firms
State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) has successfully auctioned three of its real estate assets to subsidiaries of the Aboitiz and Lopez conglomerates. These properties are located in Agusan in Manolo Fortich Bukidnon; Maco in Davao de Oro City; and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte which fetched cumulative proceeds of P36.233 million.
Manila Bulletin

SNAP Benguet holds virtual info drive on dams
SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, the National Power Corp. (NPC), and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) recently conducted their annual public information drive (PID) on Ambuklao and Binga Dams and Reservoir Operations—but there was something different this year.
Manila Standard

OVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Environmentalists nationwide join calls to save 300-year old giant Toog tree
Environmentalists and tree preservation experts in other parts of the country have joined the calls to save the giant 300-year-old Philippine Rosewood tree (Petersianthus quarialatus), locally known as Toog, from being cut down allegedly because it poses hazard to motorists along the Agusan del Sur- Surigao del Sur highway.
Mindanews

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

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