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Communist Rebellion
Alvarez not a real activist but full-blooded NPA: Parlade
There is no truth to Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay's claim that Zara Alvarez, who was gunned down by a still unknown assassin in Bacolod City on August 17, is a simple human rights activist.
Philippine News Agency

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Soldiers’ liberation of NPA recruits drumbeat National Heroes’ Day
The liberation of 60 former rebels from the clutches of terrorism highlights Southern Tagalog’s celebration of this year’s National Heroes Day.
Kalinaw News

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Army denies destroying school
The military on Sunday denied it had a hand in the destruction of a tribal school in a village in San Fernando town in Bukidnon. Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, commanding officer of the Army’s 89th Infantry Battalion, said they had no part in the incident involving a group of armed men who, witnesses said, destroyed an elementary school in Sitio Laburon in Barangay Mapute.
Manila Standard

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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Photo of the Makabayan bloc calling for peace talks is FROM 2017
Two days after the 26th petition against the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act was filed at the Supreme Court, Facebook (FB) page Opinion PH published a photo showing left-wing legislators calling for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels.
VERA Files

Peace talks

Incidents/Operations

5 Aetas, suspected to be NPA members, nabbed in Zambales; 4 minors rescued
Five Aetas suspected to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Zambales were arrested, while four minors were rescued during a recent reported armed encounter in San Marcelino town.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Kalinaw News

 
Extremism
Duterte assures military of full support vs terrorism following Jolo blasts
President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to extend all the support the military needs to ensure that terrorists have “no future” in the Philippines following the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu that killed several state forces and civilians.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

AFP chief Gapay wants to beef up border security in fight vs. terrorism
A week after the deadly blasts in Jolo, Sulu, Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay underscored that there is a need to intensify security measures within the country's borders to combat terrorism.
GMA News

Lacson: Gapay’s CA nod may face setback if he insists on social media regulation
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay could face problems with his confirmation with the Commission on Appointments (CA) should he stick to his stand that social media should be regulated under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Senator Panfilo Lacson said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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The necessity of oral arguments on terror law
Oral arguments scheduled next month on the anti-terror law would be useless if it will be a mere rehash by the parties of everything they have already written down in their pleadings. The High Court knows how to read. There is no need to waste their precious time to dissect and debate on the nuances and language of the law. 
Business Mirror

MARAWI 

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD

‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero, Paul Rusesabagina, Is Held on Terrorism Charge
Mr. Rusesabagina sheltered more than 1,200 Rwandans who fled to the hotel he was managing during the 1994 genocide, a story that became a film. But he has since become a government critic.
The News York Times, The Hill

UK: Counter-terrorism team detain 2 at Stansted Airport
British counter-terrorism officers have detained two men arriving in London’s Stansted Airport Sunday evening, authorities confirmed.
Anadolu Agency

US Vetoes UN Resolution Over Islamic State Fighters' Return
The United States vetoed a U.N. resolution Monday calling for the prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration of all those engaged in terrorism-related activities, saying it didn’t call for the repatriation from Syria and Iraq of foreign fighters for the Islamic State extremist group and their families which is “the crucial first step.”
The New York Times

Qatar backed ‘terrorism and extremism’, UAE tells UN court
The UAE accused Qatar on Monday of backing “terrorism and extremism” as the three-year-old Gulf diplomatic crisis returned to the UN’s top court.
Arab News

UAE makes progress in combating money laundering and terrorism financing, committee says
The UAE has made "significant" progress with a national plan to combat money laundering and curb terrorism financing in the country, according to a statement issued by the country's central bank.
The National UAE

How the Coronavirus Is Affecting American Jihadist Travelers
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed global travel across the board. Countries around the world have cut down on air traffic, enforced quarantine measures for arriving travelers and blacklisted other countries from inbound travel.
Lawfare Blog

 
Bangsamoro
BARMM 

BARMM logs 5 new Covid-19 cases; 34 cops to finish quarantine
Five more coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients were added to the list of confirmed cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported Sunday.
Philippine News Agency

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY 

NORTH COTABATO

10 persons to be charged for murder of police chief in Cotabato town
At least 10 persons will be charged with murder in connection with the recent killing of the chief of police of Carmen, North Cotabato, Mayor Moises Arendain said Monday.
Mindanews

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Death toll in Kabacan ambush rises to 9; Bangsamoro gov’t, BIAF want probe
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will conduct a separate probe into Saturday’s ambush-slay in Kabacan, North Cotabato, as the death toll rose to nine when the lone survivor died in the hospital.
Mindanews

Kidapawan bishop support’s BARMM’s call for probe on killing of Kabacan 9
Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo is supporting the call of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for an impartial probe into the August 29 killing of nine Moro farmers  in Barangay Aringay, Kabacan, not far from the state-run University of Southern Mindanao.
Mindanews

GPH panel chair: Kabacan killings ‘unacceptable’
The government's peace implementing panel of the GPH-MILF peace accord condemned the Kabacan, Cotabato massacre that claimed the lives of nine individuals over the weekend.
GMA News

CHR Region 12 dockets Kabacan massacre as EJK case
The Commission on Human Rights in Region 12 (CHR-12) is docketing the massacre  of nine Moro motorcycle riders in Kabacan, Cotabato as extrajudicial killings (EJK).
GMA News

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 


Jolo bombers possibly now in Central Mindanao, police say
The local police of Zamboanga City said Monday it received information that terrorists responsible for the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu are now in Central Mindanao.
ABS-CBN News

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Duterte to rebels: If we cannot really agree, then we fight hard hanggang magkaubusan na
President Rodrigo Duterte warned that if rebel groups cannot settle for peace with the government, state forces would intensify their efforts until all the troops and fighters die.
GMA News

Duterte tells troops: Fight hard ‘hanggang magkaubusan na’
In the wake of the deadly explosions in Jolo, Sulu last week that left at least 15 dead and 75 wounded, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to government troops to keep fighting until terrorists are neutralized.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Du30: Fighting only way to peace in Mindanao
President Rodrigo Duterte admitted Monday that ending the long-running armed conflict in Mindanao, his home region, remains an “impossible dream,” saying that fighting seemed to be the best option to pave the way for peace for now.
Manila Standard

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Duterte kisses ground of Jolo blast site to honor lives lost
President Rodrigo Duterte kissed the ground where the twin blasts occurred in Jolo, Sulu to honor those who were killed “for no reason at all.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte a 'grieving father' as he kissed ground at Jolo blast site —Alan Cayetano
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday described President Rodrigo Duterte as a "grieving father" as the latter was photographed kissing the ground at the blast site in Jolo, Sulu rocked by twin explosions last week.
GMA News

Theatrics or not? Critics and supporters weigh in on photos of Duterte kissing the ground of Jolo in Sulu
President Rodrigo Duterte suddenly kissed the ground in Jolo, Sulu where the deadly twin blasts took place, an action that raised eyebrows online.
Interaksyon

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Jolo situation underscores folly of forging separate peace pacts with Muslim insurgents
THE recent violent incidents in Jolo, Sulu and the confusing statements of military and civilian officials about the current situation crystallize how far the nation remains from achieving true peace and stability in our historic Sulu archipelago.
The Manila Times

TAWI-TAWI 
 
Shadow economies
DRUGS

Operations/ Incidents

2 tricycle drivers, car sales agent nabbed in Ecija drug stings
Two tricycle drivers and a sales agent were arrested for allegedly selling illegal drugs to undercover agents in separate buy-bust operations here on Sunday (Aug. 30), police said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

3 drug pushers nabbed in Nueva Ecija town
Three suspected peddlers of illegal drugs -- two tricycle drivers and a buy-and-sell agent -- were arrested by the authorities in successive operations in this town over the weekend.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ex-cop nabbed in drug bust
A former policeman marked as a high-value target for his drug-related activities was arrested in buy-bust operation in Tuguegarao City, authorities reported Monday.
Tempo

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
Conversation conservation: Preserving the Philippines’ various languages
Constitutionally-speaking, Filipino and English are the Philippines' official languages. However, The Summer Institute of Linguistics points out that the Philippines has 183 living languages. Furthermore, within each language can lie various dialects and variations in the form.
Rappler
Human Rights
On National Heroes Day, CHR honors human rights activists, frontliners
The Commission on Human Rights on Monday appealed for public support for human rights activists, whom it honored during the celebration of the National Heroes Day.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Heighten vigilance, militance to honor slain environmental, land defenders —IP rights activist
An activist for the rights of indigenous peoples on Monday urged the public to heighten its vigilance and militance against abuses as a way to honor the "heroism" of environmental and land defenders who died while fighting for their causes.
GMA News

Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression

SC dismissal of ABS-CBN case vs NTC on ground of ‘mootness’ is ‘unfair’ – Macalintal
Lawyer Romulo Macalintal dubbed as “unfair” the decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition of broadcast giant ABS-CBN against the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease and desist order on the ground of “mootness of the case.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ABS-CBN’s chroniclers of Mindanao history hope goodbye is not forever (2)
Sociology Professor Mario Aguja of the Mindanao State University in General Santos City explained in an interview aired during the final episode of ABS-CBN South Central Mindanao last Friday, that the contribution and influence of ABS-CBN in news, public service and entertainment is “mahirap sukatin” (difficult to measure) because it has served generations of Filipinos.
Mindanews

Martial Law 
Governance

COVID-19

Metro Manila, 4 other areas remain under GCQ
Metro Manila and four other areas will remain under general community quarantine until Sept. 30, President Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday night.
ABS-CBN News

LIST: Cities, provinces moved to modified general community quarantine
As September came, the Philippines placed more areas under the relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in further attempts to get the country's economy running again after months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ABS-CBN News

Cases


PH COVID-19 caseload tops 220,000 as DOH records 3,446 new cases
There are now a total of 220,819 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,446 more infections on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times, CNN Philippines

5 emergency 911 hotline telecommunicators infected with COVID-19, DILG spox says
At least five telecommunicators of Emergency 911 Hotline have been infected with COVID-19,  Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said on Monday.
GMA News

Health workers with COVID-19 now at 6,932; death toll up to 40
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported that 433 more health workers contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the past week, raising the total to 6,932 as of August 29.
GMA News

No new COVID-19 deaths among Filipinos abroad on Nat’l Heroes Day
There were no new COVID-19 fatalities among Filipinos abroad with only one new confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) case and 3 new recoveries recorded in two countries in Asia and the Pacific, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Monday, as the Philippines observed National Heroes Day.
Manila Bulletin

Department of Health

DOH: Don’t post names of COVID-19 patients on social media
The Department of Health warned the public and government officials not to post the names of coronavirus disease patients on social media so as not to breach the Data Privacy law.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DOH probes conflicting COVID-19 results in state-run and private labs
The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating two incidents of individuals in Pampanga who got conflicting COVID-19 results from state-run and privately-owned laboratories, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday.
GMA News

No sufficient evidence tuberculosis vaccine can help manage COVID-19 infection — DOH
The Health Department on Monday cautioned against the use of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for COVID-19, saying there’s still no sufficient evidence that the product— used to combat tuberculosis disease— can help offer protection from the coronavirus.
CNN Philippines

Vergeire: We cannot maintain strict community quarantine measures vs. COVID-19
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said strict community quarantine measures being implemented in light of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be maintained.
GMA News

DOH eyes five hospitals for Sinovac vaccine trials
The Department of Health is eyeing five hospitals for the Phase 3 of the clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China-based Sinovac Biotech, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday.
GMA News

DOH urged to honor ‘health heroes,’ ensure release of hazard pay
Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to honor the country’s “everyday heroes” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that they receive their P500-daily hazard pay.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Results of clinical trials for Lagundi out in 2 months
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said today that the results of clinical trials for Lagundi to treat symptoms of mild COVID-19 cases may be released after two months.
Manila Bulletin

Solon urges DOH to discourage rapid antibody test for COVID-19 screening
Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to discourage the use of rapid antibody test (RAT) to screen people for COVID-19 infection and instead promote reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or swab test.
GMA News


IATF/NTF COVID-19

Medical frontliners are all heroes, says National Task Force Against COVID-19
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 on National Heroes' Day honored medical frontliners for their sacrifice to ensure Filipinos' health and safety, calling them "modern-day heroes."
GMA News

IATF mulls extending quarantine status to one month
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases is looking into extending the duration of quarantine classifications from two weeks to one month, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lorenzana calls on public to unite, support each other amid fight vs. COVID-19, criminality
As the country observes National Heroes' Day on Monday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged the public to unite and work together in the fight not only against the COVID-19 pandemic, but criminality and terrorism as well.
GMA News

DILG reminds public: Wear your face masks, face shields in commercial establishments, public transport
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded the public Monday that wearing face masks and face shields in commercial establishments and public transport is mandatory in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Gyms, tutorial centers, grooming services can reopen in GCQ areas by Tuesday
Gyms, establishments offering personal grooming services and tutorial centers can reopen starting Tuesday, September 1 in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Eleazar orders more police visibility in business districts as more establishments reopen
Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered police commanders Monday to increase police visibility in business districts in their areas of responsibility after the National Task Force on COVID-19 approved the operation of more business establishments starting Sept. 1 in the midst of the pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Luzon including NCR


Frontliners among new 15 COVID-19 cases in Nueva Ecija
Fifteen new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recorded in Nueva Ecija, raising to 247 the total tally in the province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Town hall, health offices in Nueva Vizcaya on lockdown due to COVID-19
The town hall and health offices here were placed on lockdown on Monday after some workers were exposed to a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient, who later died.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manila offers P100K for brgys with zero COVID-19 case in Sept, Oct
The Manila City government will be giving a P100,000 incentive to every barangay in the city that will record zero new COVID-19 case for the months of September and October.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manila announces new curfew hours
Starting September 1, Manila City will be implementing a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced after he signed Executive Order (EO) No. 37 on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Visayas

Tacloban mayor presses DOH to improve system to prevent health workers from getting COVID-19
The mayor of this city has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to improve its system to ensure that no more health workers will contract the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Mindanao

GenSan running out of COVID-19 hospital beds as local transmission soars
The city government has raised concern over the declining bed capacity of local hospitals treating patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it formally declared the local transmission of the virus.
Mindanews

COVID-19 triggers 4-day partial shutdown of GenSan fishport
Portions of the fishport complex here will be closed down for four days starting Wednesday, 2 September, amid the rising cases of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection with reported exposure at the facility.
Mindanews

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Church leaders launch interfaith initiative to help Filipinos cope with Covid crisis
Church bells simultaneously rung on Monday evening to signal the launch a new inter-religious campaign, which aims to raise awareness on the importance of faith during novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. 
Business Mirror

Incidents and Violations

Unemployed man arrested in Taguig for allegedly stealing P270 worth of meat products
An unemployed 28-year-old man was arrested by authorities for allegedly stealing P270 worth of meat products in a store in Taguig City.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features


Covid-19 to continue boosting data demand
Demand for data is expected to continue at a scorching pace for the rest of 2020 as the Philippines shifts to a “new normal,” the top official of Globe Telecom said on Monday.
The Manila Times

World

Victoria's roadmap out of Covid lockdown – what we know so far
On Monday Daniel Andrews said he would lay out Victoria’s “roadmap” out of lockdown on Sunday. This will come just one week before the end of stage-four lockdowns in Melbourne on 13 September, with the premier citing the need to gain an additional week’s worth of data before any final decisions are made.
The Guardian

India's COVID-19 cases top global rank as more of economy opens
India reported 78,512 novel coronavirus infections on Monday, more than any other country but fewer than the previous day when it posted the world's biggest, single-day tally, as authorities looked to open more sectors of the economy.
The Jakarta Post

WHO Special Envoy Heaps Praise on Sweden’s Covid Strategy
One of the World Health Organization’s six special envoys on Covid-19 has highlighted Sweden’s virus response as a model that other countries should be emulating in the long run.
Bloomberg

Twitter removes Trump retweet sharing false information on COVID-19 deaths
Twitter on Sunday removed a post retweeted by President Donald Trump that falsely claimed the COVID-19 pandemic is not as deadly as officials have reported.
USA Today

Covid: Venezuela seeks testers for Russian vaccine
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has announced he will be asking for volunteers to test the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Russia. Russia was the first country to officially register a vaccine against the coronavirus on 11 August.
BBC News

Trudeau Unveils Covid-19 Vaccine Deals with Novavax, J&J
Canada has agreed to buy more than 100 million Covid-19 vaccines from Novavax Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. The new agreements will guarantee as many as 76 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 from Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Novavax and 38 million doses of Ad26.COV2.S from New Brunswick, New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa.
Bloomberg

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Duterte lauds Filipino frontliners on National Heroes' Day
On National Heroes' Day, President Rodrigo Duterte honored present-day heroes especially the medical frontliners who have been fighting to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country and even abroad.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Next PhilHealth chief should have ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption — Palace
The next president of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) should have "zero tolerance" for corruption and know how public health systems work.
GMA News

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Digong’s unfinished business
If President Duterte’s trip to Jolo, Sulu is any indication, it shows he has no intention of slowing down on his executive tasks. He had repeatedly said he wants to take care of unfinished business with less than two years left in office, in spite of those who wish he were unwell.  
Manila Standard

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

VP Robredo pays tribute to heroic frontliners amid COVID-19 pandemic
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday paid tribute to frontline workers for their courage amid the COVID-19 pandemic on National Heroes’ Day.
GMA NewsPhilippine Daily Inquirer

ELECTION RELATED

Observe health and safety protocols, Comelec reminds new voter registrants
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday reminded the public to observe health and safety protocols during voter registration, which will resume on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
GMA News

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

IBP pays tribute to fallen judges, lawyers, prosecutors on Nat’l Heroes Day
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) paid tribute on National Heroes Day to fallen judges, prosecutors, and government and private lawyers “who were killed or harmed because they were doing their sworn duty.”
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

On Nat'l Heroes' Day, senators lobby for welfare of health workers, OFWs
Senators from the minority bloc recognized Monday the sacrifices of health workers in commemoration of National Heroes' Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

Lacson flags ‘questionable’ funding for infra projects in proposed 2021 budget
Even as the Senate’s budget deliberations are yet to begin, Senator Panfilo Lacson has already flagged “hundreds of millions” of “questionable” and possibly redundant appropriations under the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hontiveros wants probe on procurement of locally-made PPEs
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said the progress of government efforts to boost the local production of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic must be investigated in the Senate.
GMA News

Withdrawal of ‘designated survivor’ bill in House unfortunate, says Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said it was "unfortunate" that the House version of his proposed "designated survivor" bill has been withdrawn.
GMA News

Lacson pushes for passage of bill naming President’s ‘designated survivor’
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday called on his colleagues to start discussions on a bill authorizing the President to name a “designated survivor,” as he called the recent withdrawal of the measure in the House of Representatives “unfortunate.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

House of Representatives

Speaker Cayetano touts game-changing budget hearings with public participation
A day after vowing to pass the proposed 2021 national budget in record time next month, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday boasted that the House of Representatives will make history by allowing the public to “directly participate” in the budget hearings.
Manila Bulletin

Pocallan’s 3-day detention in House should serve as warning to resource persons –Defensor
The House Committees on Public Accounts and on Good Government are hoping the three-day detention of lawyer Rogelio Pocallan Jr. of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will serve as a warning to resource persons invited in congressional hearings to be “truthful and forthright” in responding to questions from lawmakers.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DILG orders LGUs to construct protected biking lanes, walking paths
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday asked the local government units (LGUs) to construct protected biking lanes and walking paths in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


DEFENSE AND SECURITY

New Zealand, Vietnam envoys meet with DND chief
Ambassadors of New Zealand and Vietnam to the Philippines were met by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in separate virtual courtesy calls last week.
Manila Bulletin

Armed Forces of the Philippines


AFP pays tribute to frontliners on Nat’l Heroes Day
The Armed Forces on National Heroes’ Day honored frontliners as modern-day heroes for their valuable contributions to the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

Philippine National Police

PNP chief calls for recognition of national heroes’ sacrifices
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday hailed the heroes whose unselfish sacrifices helped the country gain independence from foreign rule during the observance of National Heroes Day.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS


Trade Secretary Lopez recommends lifting of ban on Brazil poultry imports
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Monday recommended the lifting of the importation ban on poultry meat from Brazil, as he said the restrictions could lead to a shortage and price hikes should it remain unaddressed.
GMA News

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

DPWH paves roads leading to tourist spots in Visayas, Mindanao
Several roads leading to tourist destinations in Visayas and Mindanao were recently paved, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced.
Manila Bulletin

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION


'Delaying pattern' observed in CSC delibs of cases vs. PhilHealth execs —Lizada
The Civil Service Commission's (CSC) handling of cases involving PhilHealth officials apparently shows a "delaying" pattern, Commissioner Aileen Lizada said on Monday.
GMA News

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COA flags OSG over P1.16-M undocumented travel expenses in 2019
The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for its undocumented travel expenses amounting to P1.16 million in 2019.
GMA News

COA calls out PAO on questionable contracts, supplies payments
Despite the absence of documentary requirements, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) entered into 44 contracts of lease worth P10,847,260.01 in 2019, the Commission on Audit (COA) has reported.
Manila Bulletin

COA notes overcrowding in PH jails
Congestion in jails remain the biggest problem in the Philippine justice system as reported overcrowding has reached 106,361 Persons Deprived of Liberty over the ideal capacity of 24,306 or 438 percent above the normal occupancy rate.
Manila Bulletin

Former Pagcor officials ordered to return P19.27-M financial support to three foundations
Former officials and employees of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. have been found liable for the grant of financial assistance worth P19.27 million to three foundations in 2012.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

Locsin eyes reopening of Office of the North Borneo Affairs
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. indicated today his willingness to resurrect a long-dormant Office of the North Borneo Affairs at the DFA days after Malaysia issued a note verbale rejecting the Philippines’ territorial claim over Sabah.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

Despite rising tensions, Gapay says West Philippine Sea issue should be dealt in a ‘peaceful way’
Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay on Monday maintained that issues in the West Philippine Sea should be dealt in a peaceful manner.
GMA News

Akbayan airs support for Locsin’s call to terminate deal with Chinese companies involved in West PH Sea reclamation
Progressive group Akbayan on Monday supported the recommendation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to terminate the contracts of Chinese companies involved in the artificial island-building in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea. 
Manila Bulletin

File resolution before UN asking SCS demilitarization, Duterte urged
The Philippines may be an underdog in the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea but can be expected to win the support of the United Nations if President Duterte will appeal for UN intervention for the demilitarization of the dispute area.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

CSC to hold online job fair; over 700 gov't positions open for application
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will be holding a five-day online job fair in September as it celebrates the 120th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, Commissioner Aileen Lizada said on Monday.
GMA News

Labor coalition demands better protection, benefits for health frontliners
A labor coalition demanded a dialogue with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to address pressing concerns affecting the country’s healthcare workers during the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day.
Manila Bulletin

DOLE releases P6.3-M aid to workers affected by pandemic in Region 4-B
To help workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has poured in P6.3 million in livelihood assistance to various workers’ associations in Region 4-B or the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (MIMAROPA) region.
Manila Bulletin

POEA extends validity of Overseas Employment Certificates
The original validity or the revalidation of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) issued to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), which expired during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, is now extended until all the community quarantine measures in the country are lifted. 
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH


FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

420 kg of unsafe pork seized, buried in Bulacan
Police seized at least 420 kilograms of pork believed to be unsafe at a checkpoint in Marilao town, Bulacan province.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

DepEd gets P606.6-B under 2021 nat’l budget
The Department of Education (DepEd) will get a P606.6 billion budget under the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 that was submitted to Congress.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd says it is addressing 2 major directives of Duterte
The Department of Education (DepEd) assured that it is addressing the two major directives of President Duterte involving mental health, psychosocial preparedness, and health literacy among learners and teachers.
Manila Bulletin

DepEd: Almost 24 million enrolled, so far in public and private schools
Nearly 24 million learners have so far enrolled in both public and private schools for the upcoming school year, Education Secretary Leonor Briones reported on Monday as she deemed the turn-out of enrollees as a “very impressive” accomplishment.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Teachers’ group call for safe reopening of schools
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in commemoration of National Heroes’ Day called on the administration to “enable the safe re-opening of schools and delivery of accessible quality education to the youth—the heirs and future of our nation.” 
Manila Bulletin

[OPINION] 10 reasons why mother tongues in schools should be saved
In 2013, the Philippines made a bold move by including an array of native languages in the basic education system, which was commended by international organizations like UNESCO, academic conferences, and advocates of fair, culturally-appropriate, and accessible education. 
Rappler

WATER and ENERGY


Mindanao grid remains intact as magnitude 5 earthquake jolts Davao del Sur town
A 5-magnitude quake struck in Kiblawan town of Davao del Sur at 1:44 a.m. on Monday, August 31. the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Officials quash plan, for now, to develop Tampakan project, Philippines’ biggest untapped copper-gold mine
Officials in the southern Philippines have canceled a $5.9 billion project to exploit Southeast Asia’s largest known undeveloped copper and gold reserves, but have left open the possibility of the venture being revived.
Mindanews

Youth group joins Australia’s HalfCut movement to save Palawan forests
With forests and wildlife around the world quickly disappearing, especially the most sought-after pangolin, more and more people are starting to realize their loss could mean another fatal pandemic like COVID-19.
Rappler

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY  

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