Esperon tells Gaite: Why are you afraid of NTF-ELCAC?
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon is wondering if Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite is afraid of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) following the latter’s accusations of pork barrel funds.
Manila Bulletin
Cascolan to probe red-tagging activities of some policemen
The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed Thursday to look into the “terror or red-tagging” posts made by some police stations against the members of the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives.
Manila Bulletin
Badoy red-tagging case demands serious attention and scrutiny
IT is just as well that the peculiar case of Lorraine Badoy of the Presidential Communications Office (PCOO) has exploded out in the open at this time and demands public attention and scrutiny.
The Manila Times
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SC junks Reds' release plea
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said it has remanded to the lower courts a petition filed by several prisoners who alleged that they are among the elderly, sick, and pregnant population of inmates exposed to the danger of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Philippine News Agency
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Army cites Eastern Samar contractors' role vs. NPA extortion
The Philippine Army (PA) has lauded the public including contractors for providing vital information that stalled extortion attempts by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Samar.
Philippine News Agency
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NDF tells Samar bishops: Leave criminal, terrorist RTF-ELCAC
The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas again appeals to the Roman Catholic bishops in Samar to see through the criminal, terrorist Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), leave this 8th Infantry Division-led formation and the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development, and thus withdraw support from the Duterte regime’s campaign of terror upon the people.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Drug kingpin Duterte continues killing spree
Nothing, not even a pandemic, seems to slow down kingpin Rodrigo Duterte’s drug-related killing spree. A research published by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on September 8 pointed out that Duterte’s bloody war on drugs has worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Communist Party of the Philippines
Tribute to revolutionary Marxist intellectual Dr. Edberto Villegas
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) pays tribute to Dr. Edberto Villegas, former professor of the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University, who died last September 7 after suffering a stroke. He was 80 years old. The Party condoles with his family and colleagues.
Communist Party of the Philippines
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Comrades hiding Concha, says AFP
Ranking communist official in Panay Island Maria Concepcion “Concha” Araneta Bocala is hiding in the provinces of Iloilo and Antique, according to the latest intelligence report of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Panay News
NPA lambasted for recruiting minors in Zambo Sur
The Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) has condemned anew the communist New People’s Army’s (NPA) use of child warriors. This came after the 53IB said it discovered that many former NPA rebels who recently surrendered in Zamboanga del Sur, were minors when they were recruited.
Philippine News Agency
60 supporters, rebels renounce NPA support in MisOr
At least 60 civilian supporters and rebels in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, have renounced their support for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and renewed their pledge of loyalty to the government.
Philippine News Agency
Peace talks
Incidents/Operations
2 NPAs killed, 1 nabbed in Calinan encounter
TWO members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with government forces in Sitio Kanacan, Barangay Saloy in Calinan District, Davao City on Wednesday morning, September 9, 2020.
Sunstar Davao
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Cascolan eyes ‘focused units’ to help eradicate terrorism in BARMM
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan is planning to establish focused units which will ensure that peace and order is maintained in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
GMA News
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Alleged leader of Islamic State-inspired group, brother slain in South Cotabato
An alleged leader of an Islamic State-inspired local terror group and his brother were killed in a joint military and police operation in Surallah, South Cotabato, officials confirmed Thursday.
Mindanews, NDBC News, Sunstar Zamboanga, Philippine Star
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240 families flee villages after Zamboanga Sibugay clash
More than 1,000 people have sought refuge at a covered court in Barangay President Roxas in RT Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay, as soldiers continued to scour two coastal villages for remnants of an armed group from Basilan who fought government troops on Wednesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MARAWI
Marawi rehab to be completed by end of 2021, says housing chief
The chief of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) assured that the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City will be completed by the end of next year.
CNN Philippines, Philippine Star
SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD
US missed bigger picture in veto against terrorist threat resolution
The last day of presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2020 left a grim memory for Indonesia, as well as like-minded countries, as the United States vetoed the draft resolution on prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration (PRR) of terrorists.
The Jakarta Post
Rightwing extremists should be proscribed as 'terrorist organisations' in Australia, Kristina Keneally says
Tech companies should “disrupt and deter” people attempting to search for rightwing extremist content and Australia should join its Five Eyes allies in proscribing some far-right groups as terrorist organisations, according to Kristina Keneally.
The Guardian
Al Qaeda’s Leader Is Old, Bumbling—and a Terrorist Mastermind
Nineteen years after 9/11, al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri has yet to achieve the household notoriety evoked by that of his immediate predecessor, Osama bin Laden. In part that’s because the United States hasn’t cared enough to focus attention on him.
Foreign Policy
This 9/11 anniversary arrives with the end of the war on al-Qaeda well in sight
Remnants of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization that launched the 9/11 terror attacks 19 years ago remain active throughout the world. But it is now possible to see the contours of how the war against al-Qaeda ends.
The Washington Post
Internet watchdog warns on live broadcast of terror attacks online
Behind the outsized online presence of the global social media giants sits a counter-terrorism agency that is forging a fightback against the spread of extremism.
The National UAE
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BARMM
BARMM lawmaker tested positive of COVID-19
A member of Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao legislative body today admitted he was infected with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), making him the second BARMM ranking official to have the virus.
NDBC News, Philippine News Agency
MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY
NORTH COTABATO
Panic buying grips North Cotabato town over ECQ rumors
Some residents of Midsayap, North Cotabato went into panic buying mode due to social media posts that the town would be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) after local and health officials declared a case of local transmission of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), provincial board member Dr. Philbert Malaluan said.
Mindanews
LANAO PROVINCES
BASILAN
SULU
Suicide bombers in Jolo were Asians, police say
The suicide bombers in the Aug. 24 twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu were Asians as shown in a recent DNA test results, police said Thursday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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De Lima wants Congress to investigate circumstances in arrest of ASG leader
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday urged Congress to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Abduljihan Idang Susukan in the custody of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler
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Manila's hostile Sabah grab is a page out of China's playbook
The Philippines' decades-old contention that Sabah is not part of Malaysia has taken a sharp turn after the country's House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs recently approved House Bill 6399.
Nikkei Asian Review
TAWI-TAWI
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DRUGS
623 dead in police ops vs illegal drugs from Jan to Aug 2020 – PNP
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Thursday that 623 people were killed during anti-illegal drug operations conducted from January to August this year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Customs turns over drums of chemicals used in making shabu to PDEA years after seizure
More than 320 drums of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu were recently turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) three years after being seized at Mindanao Container Terminal.
Manila Bulletin
Operations/ Incidents
P13.6 million shabu seized
Around two kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P13.6 million were confiscated from a drug suspect in Makati on Wednesday afternoon. Asrainie Bolao was apprehended during a sting conducted by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Barangay Pio Del Pilar at around 5:30 p.m.
Philippine Star
‘Pushers’ fall in Molo; P50-K ‘shabu’ seized
Police arrested two suspected drug pushers in a buy-bust operation in Barangay North Baluarte, Molo district. They were residents Vergilio Hilario, 47, and Janny Palomar, 21, a police report showed.
Panay News
Over P13,000 shabu seized in Barangay 1, Bacolod City
A 25-YEAR-OLD drug personality was arrested by operatives of Police Station 2 in Purok Tanigue, Barangay 1, Bacolod City Thursday afternoon, September 10, 2020.
Sunstar Bacolod
Recovery and Rehabilitation
ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES, AND AMMUNITION
CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING/ COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Customs files smuggling raps against cigarette importers
Smuggling complaints were filed against three importers who attempted to sneak in cigarettes in the country through misdeclaration, the Bureau of Customs said.
Manila Bulletin
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
KIDNAPPING
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION
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Surigao Norte IP schools get modular learning materials
Two schools for indigenous people (IP) in the far-flung areas of Surigao del Norte recently received support from the “Tabang Eskwela” project of the non-profit youth organization, Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through Our Youth (POINTY), Inc. (POINTY-SDN).
Philippine News Agency
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CHR cites need to maintain mental health amid the pandemic on World Suicide Prevention Day
The Commission on Human Rights stressed the need to maintain mental health amid the pandemic on World Suicide Prevention Day Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
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‘Duterte may have pardoned Pemberton for a greater national interest’, says Roque
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he harbors no hard feelings over President Duterte’s grant of absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, saying the Chief Executive may have a reason for doing it.
Manila Bulletin
Roque believes Pemberton pardon was in exchange for US-made COVID-19 vaccine
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is convinced that President Rodrigo Duterte granted absolute pardon to American Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton for the Philippines to be prioritized in the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the United States.
CNN Philippines
BuCor starts processing of Pemberton’s release
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Thursday that it has started processing the release of United States Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Manila Bulletin
Roque respects Duterte’s decision on Pemberton case
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has bowed to President Duterte’s decision to pardon US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, saying he respects the wisdom of the Chief Executive.
Manila Bulletin
Council of churches says pardon on Pemberton an injustice to all Filipinos
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) said the granting of absolute pardon to US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton is an “injustice” not only to Jennifer Laude and her family but to all Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin
Pemberton out of PH this weekend?
Convicted United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton will hopefully be out of the country this weekend, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said today.
Manila Bulletin
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What you should know about 'anti-democracy' laws in the PH, Hong Kong, Thailand
In the ongoing pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines, one thing they have in common is dissent against laws perceived to clamp down on free speech and the right to criticize the government.
Rappler
Press Freedom/ Freedom of expression
Martial Law
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COVID-19
Cases
3,821 new COVID infections push PH total to 248,947
COVID-19 cases in the country climbed past 248,000 while the death toll surpassed 4,000 Thursday. The Department of Health reported 3,821 new infections to push the national total to 248,947. Metro Manila reported the most number of new infections at 2,079, followed by Rizal with 286, Cavite with 174, Laguna with 168, and Bulacan with 142.
Manila Bulletin, Business World Online, CNN Philippines
11 new COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad
Several Philippine overseas posts on Thursday, Sept.10, reported 11 new confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, five new fatalities, and 31 new recoveries among Filipinos abroad.
Manila Bulletin
Department of Health
7 firms sign CDA for vaccine trial candidates
Seven companies have signed a Confidentiality Data Agreement (CDA) providing complete information about their COVID-19 vaccine candidates to be reviewed by the Vaccine Expert Panel for the possible conduct of clinical trials in the country.
Manila Bulletin
IATF/NTF COVID-19
‘Build 50,000 cell towers needed in COVID-19 response, online classes — Esperon
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. is proposing the construction of around 50,000 cell towers nationwide in order to ensure a strong internet connection in any part of the country.
Manila Bulletin
Task Force sets conditions for allowing home quarantine of COVID-19 positive persons
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who chairs the National Task Force on COVID-19, has announced the conditions on how coronavirus-positive persons would be allowed to go on home quarantine.
Manila Bulletin
IATF should consider importance of ‘Undas’, says Roque, as Metro mayors agree to close cemeteries
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque suggested that there should be a system for this year’s All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day observation, commonly known as Undas, to prevent the exodus of people to cemeteries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Regions
Luzon including NCR
DPWH converts container vans into quarantine facility in Camp Aguinaldo
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) turned over to the AFP the newly-converted quarantine facility for patients infected with coronavirus at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Manila Bulletin
Visayas
Bacolod gov't to move 488 COVID-19 patients from homes to isolation facilities
The Bacolod city government will move 488 COVID-19 patients from home quarantine to isolation facilities to help stem the spread of the coronavirus disease in the city.
Rappler
Total Covid-19 deaths in W. Visayas now at 101
Total deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Western Visayas already reached 101 as of Thursday, according to the regional bulletin released by the Department of Health-Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD6).
Philippine News Agency
P6.5-M Covid-19 facility to rise in Biliran town
The construction of the PHP6.5-million isolation facility in Biliran, Biliran will start this month, Mayor Grace Casil said on Thursday.
Philippine News Agency
Mindanao
NDBC COVID WATCH: DOH-12 lists 72 new infections, 29 in Gen. Santos, 23 in South Cotabato
The Department of Health in the Soccsksargen region today reported a single day record of confirmed COVID-19 cases, raising the tally to 786. Six patients have so far defeated the virus, raising the recovery list to 378.
NDBC News
Region 12 LGUs to adopt unified COVID contact-tracing system
Local government units (LGU) in Region 12 (Soccksargen) will fully adopt later this month a unified coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19 Contact Tracing System (CCTS) using an application developed by South Cotabato province.
Mindanews
Medical frontliners want ECQ for South Cotabato as virus cases rise
Medical frontliners in South Cotabato province have appealed for the immediate declaration of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the area amid the increasing cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) local transmission.
Mindanews
Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector
Incidents and Violations
86 barangay chairmen suspended over SAP irregularities — Año
Around 86 barangay chairmen have been issued with preventive suspension order over the irregularities in the distribution of emergency cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
DOJ re-opens preliminary investigation on raps vs Pimentel following NBI’s submission of probe report
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has re-opened the preliminary investigation on the complaint filed against Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) finally submitted the findings of its investigation on his alleged quarantine violations.
Manila Bulletin
Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features
To live not die in pandemic
AS of September 10, 2020, more than 245,000 Filipinos have been affected by Covid-19 while causing 3,986 deaths. One death is too many, but 3,986 is more than enough for individuals like me to personally know at least two who have died of Covid-19.
Business Mirror
Covid-19 has forced a radical shift in working habits
Self-styled visionaries and people particularly fond of their pyjamas have for decades been arguing that a lot of work done in large shared offices could better be done at home. With covid-19 their ideas were put to the test in a huge if not randomised trial.
The Economist
World
180 COVID-19 vaccines in development, says WHO
Around 180 vaccines to combat COVID-19 are in development worldwide, including 35 in human trials, the WHO chief said on Friday.
Anadolu Agency
Coronavirus Global Response: Access to COVID-19 Tools-Accelerator Facilitation Council holds inaugural meeting
The Access to COVID-19 Tools ACT-Accelerator, is the proven, up-and-running global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. It was set up in response to a call from G20 leaders in March and launched by the WHO, European Commission, France and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in April 2020.
WHO
Asean FMs agree to promote cooperation to combat Covid-19
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed to promote their cooperation in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and prepare a post-pandemic recovery plan.
Philippine News Agency
The Time to Prepare for COVID-19 Vaccine Transport is Now
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments to begin careful planning with industry stakeholders to ensure full preparedness when vaccines for COVID-19 are approved and available for distribution. The association also warned of potentially severe capacity constraints in transporting vaccines by air.
UNICEF
COVID-19 outbreak: Woman who sneezed on security guard in Singapore sentenced to 11 weeks in jail
A Taiwanese woman, who purposely sneezed at a security guard after she was denied entry into Ion Orchard shopping mall amid the Covid-19 outbreak in April, was sentenced on Thursday (Sept 10) to 11 weeks imprisonment.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
‘No unconstitutional lump-sum items in proposed 2021 budget’ — Roque
Malacañang has dispelled concerns that the proposed 2021 national budget contains “unconstitutional” fund allocations.
Manila Bulletin
‘Nat’l ID system to hasten service delivery, prevent fraud’ — Roque
The national identification program will not only hasten the distribution of services to the public but also prevent fraudulent transactions, particularly in the government’s healthcare system, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
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Duterte to decide on lifting of deployment ban
President Duterte has the final say if the government will relax the deployment ban on Filipino health workers abroad, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
No more SAP aid next year; loans for livelihood to be extended — Roque
Malacañang defended the decision of the Executive Branch to not allocate funds for another social amelioration program (SAP) under the proposed 2021 budget worth P4.506 trillion, saying there was no plan to extend a nationwide quarantine or lockdown extending up to 2021.
Manila Bulletin
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‘We have hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up’, says Roque, as SWS records highest level of pessimism in 12 years
Malacañang urged the public to cooperate with the government in efforts to revitalize the economy, saying the Philippines has already hit rock-bottom and the only way to go for the country is up.
Manila Bulletin
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Termination of VFA stays, but deferred for one year –Roque
The planned termination of the country’s visiting forces agreement (VFA) with the United States will stay but there will be a one-year deferment of the process, a Palace official said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
‘Unless Duterte grants him pardon, Palparan will stay in jail’, — Roque
Malacañang said that retired Major General Jovito Palparan will stay behind bars for his crimes unless President Duterte decides to grant him pardon.
Manila Bulletin
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Leni: Good data yields good decisions
Vice President Leni Robredo said data is significant in the crafting of programs that would respond to the needs of citizens. “We have always believed good data yields good decisions,” Robredo told youth leaders in a speech during the webinar organized by the Jesse M. Robredo Foundation on harnessing data and information as crisis response.
Manila Bulletin
Robredo starts online platform to help jobless Filipinos
Vice President Leni Robredo’s office on Thursday launched an online platform to help Filipinos who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
OVP’s free Cebu ferry service stops operations on Sept. 13
Now that Cebu City has been placed under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), Vice President Leni Robredo’s office announced on Thursday it will cease the operations of its free ferry service starting on September 13.
Manila Bulletin
ELECTION RELATED
‘Comelec has last say on deferment of voters’ registration,’ says Roque
It is up to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to decide on the deferment of the voters’ registration period, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
DISASTER
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
JUDICIARY
SC asked to compel gov’t to take thorough action against COVID-19
The Supreme Court is prodded to act on their two-month-old petition to compel the government to conduct “proactive” mass testing, ramp up contact tracing and release accurate information on the country’s status in its fight against COVID-19.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
SC directs trial courts to resolve pleas for release by 22 PDLs
The Supreme Court (SC) has directed trial courts handling the cases of 22 sick and mostly senior citizens – who claimed they are “political prisoners” – to resolve immediately their pleas for release from detention.
Manila Bulletin
LEGISLATIVE
Senate of the Philippines
Lacson shrugs off Malacanang’s dismissal of his discovery of re-appropriations, lump sum allocations in proposed 2021 budget
Senator Panfilo Lacson shrugged off Malacañang’s dismissal of his discovery on the “re-appropriations” and lump-sum allocations in the proposed 2021 budget.
Manila Bulletin
Sotto files bill requiring gov’t officials to submit medical certificate to prove they are fit to work
A bill requiring government officials and employees to submit a medical certificate to prove they are fit to work has been filed in the Senate.
Manila Bulletin
‘Re-calibrate budget priorities to intensify COVID-19 response,’ Sen. Go urges
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday said he supports any move to recalibrate priorities in the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 to accelerate the government’s response on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Poe seeks more funding for health sector next year
Sen. Grace Poe said today that the health sector should have more funding in the proposed 2021 national budget. At the resumption of the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on the P4.506-trillion government expenditure plan for 2021, Poe inquired about the administration’s priorities following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Binay wants deployment ban on healthcare workers probed
Sen. Nancy Binay has sought a Senate inquiry on the government’s temporary deployment ban on healthcare workers that has been imposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Manila Bulletin
Hontiveros calls for Senate-led audit on BCDA’s remittance to AFP modernization program
Senator Risa Hontiveros has urged the Senate to conduct a comprehensive audit on the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization program and probe the Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s alleged failure to remit it shares in proceeds to the AFP.
Manila Bulletin
Senate panel seeks fixed terms for AFP chief, key officers
A Senate panel is keen on passing the bill prescribing fixed terms for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff and other key officers in the military.
Manila Bulletin
House of Representatives
House panel terminates hearing for P43.54-B Judiciary budget; restoration of P6.58 B sought
The House Committee on Appropriations terminated today the hearing for the proposed P43.54-billion Judiciary budget for 2021 even as bipartisan support was pledged for an additional P6.58-billion funding to boost virtual court hearings and other legal proceedings as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten public health.
Manila Bulletin
House panel seeks DBM’s restoration of 2018, 2019 funds for starter toolkits for TESDA STEP scholars
The House Committee on Appropriations has sought the Department of Budget and Management’s restoration of the 2018 and 2019 funds allocated for the starter toolkits for scholars in the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).
Manila Bulletin
Solon seeks monthly internet allowance for public school teachers
Eastern Samar Rep. Maria Fe Abunda has sought the passage of a bill seeking to grant monthly internet allowance for public school teachers.
Manila Bulletin
House panel moves to provide more consumer protection
The House Committee on Trade and Industry has moved to make Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 or the Price Act of 1992 more attuned to the persisting COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
Elago seeks removal of NYC chair Enriquez
Kabataan partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago sought Thursday the removal of the chairmanship of the National Youth Commission from its current chairman Ryan Enriquez.
Manila Bulletin
Immediate OK of Judiciary Marshals office bill vowed
Officials of the House of Representatives have assured Supreme Court of the immediate approval of the bill creating the Office of the Judiciary Marshals to protect members of the Judiciary and ensure that lawful court orders, ignored by government enforcement units, are carried out.
Manila Bulletin
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Recto opposes Dito cell towers inside AFP camps
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday raised strong objections on the defense department’s decision to allow Dito Telecommunity to install cell sites within military camps in the country.
Manila Bulletin
Philippine National Police
BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION
Lacson quizzes DBM why P30-B COVID-19 response funds have not been disbursed
Senator Panfilo Lacson quizzed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) yesterday about some P30-billion COVID-19 response funds that have not been disbursed by government agencies.
Manila Bulletin
Defensor: DOF should give details on P1.86-T borrowing frenzy
The Department of Finance obtained a total P1.86 trillion in loans for the government in just six months but has not explained in detail to the public where the money was or where will it be spent.
Manila Bulletin
CTA stops Caloocan city gov’t from taxing LRT
The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has stopped the Caloocan City government from imposing percentage or common carriers tax on the Light Rail Transit (LRT).
Manila Bulletin
BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS
Stocks lower as investors remain cautious
The local stock market edged lower on Thursday as investors remained cautious amid the pandemic. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) finished 30.45 points, or 0.51 percent, lower to close at 5,902.39 with sectoral indices evenly mixed.
Manila Bulletin
PH trade deficit narrows to $1.83 billion in July
The country’s trade deficit decreased by half in July as imports weakened while exports dropped at a much slower pace, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
Manila Bulletin
BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS
Mindanao to stay 'front and center' of infra program
MINDANAO will remain at the “front and center” of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program as the Department of Finance (DOF) has managed to secure highly concessional funding support for infrastructure and peace-building projects in the South despite the pandemic-induced crisis, Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday, September 10, 2020.
Sunstar Davao, The Manila Times
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
UAE, PH swap prisoners
The Philippines has engineered a prisoner swap with the United Arab Emirates. The Department of Justice said 95 Filipinos convicted of various crimes in the UAE have been exchanged for two of its citizens convicted here.
Manila Bulletin
Japanese embassy denies report that rescue operations have stopped
The Japanese Embassy in Manila on Thursday denied reports that the Japanese Coast Guard has already halted the search and rescue operation on the missing crew members of Gulf Livestock 1.
Manila Bulletin
Remains of 2 Filipinos who died in gas leak blast in Abu Dhabi ready for repatriation
The remains of the two Filipinos who perished in the August 31, 2020 gas leak explosion in Abu Dhabi are now ready for repatriation to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
US embassy extends interview waiver for Filipino nonimmigrant visa renewal applicants
The expiration of interview waiver for Filipinos renewing their US nonimmigrant visa (B1/B2) has been temporarily extended from within 12 months to 24 months, the US Department of State said in a statement on Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
West Philippine Sea
Carpio warns of UNCLOS collapse due to China
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio warned today that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will collapse if China continues to encroach on the exclusive economic zones of countries in the South China Sea, including the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin
‘Ban Chinese companies in West PH Sea construction activities from doing gov’t projects — Carpio
The Chinese companies who helped build the artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea committed crimes against humanity in destroying the marine environment, retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Antonio Carpio said on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Manila Bulletin
LABOR
POEA recommends deployment of healthcare workers abroad with completed contracts as of Aug. 31
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III has endorsed the recommendation of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to allow the deployment abroad of health care workers with completed contracts as of Aug. 31 to the Inter-Agency Task Force.
Manila Bulletin
FNU calls for lifting of deployment ban of nurses
The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) has called for the total lifting of the ban overseas deployment of nurses and other health care workers.
Manila Bulletin
Bahrain gov’t to spend for return of displaced OFWs, says DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) on Thursday said the government of Bahrain shall foot the bill for the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers displaced by the closure of about 8,000 establishments in the kingdom.
Manila Bulletin
DOLE eyes using automated payment machine donated by Chavit for cash aid
The Department of Labor and Employment is eyeing an automated payment machine called Gracia Telecom kiosk donated by Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur to the agency in the payment of social amelioration benefits to informal sector workers.
Manila Bulletin
TRANSPORTATION
DOTr warns vs web page using Tugade’s fake driver’s license
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has warned the public against a malicious web page using a photo of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s fake driver’s license as clickbait.
Manila Bulletin
No reports of train unloading since June 1, says MRT-3 management
The Metro Rail Transit Line-3 (MRT-3) management said no unloading incident has been recorded in the past months, while 19 train sets are now being deployed as part of its commitment to provide better service to the riding public amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Manila Bulletin
HEALTH
31,000 kids immunized vs polio in Regions 3, 4-B
The Philippine Red Cross announced today that over 31,000 children have been vaccinated against polio in two large parts of Luzon.
Manila Bulletin
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Provinces asked to buy rice, corn from farmers
GOVERNORS of the top rice and corn producing provinces were encouraged to purchase the staples directly from farmers in order to help prop up farmgate prices during the harvest, with the Department of Agriculture pointing to the availability of government credit for such purchases.
Business World Online
DA hit for ignoring congressmen on where FMRs should be built
Two House members slammed the Department of Agriculture for ignoring the recommendations of congressmen on where farm-to-market roads (FMRs) should be constructed.
Manila Bulletin
EDUCATION
Loose ends notwithstanding, DepEd says they are ready for Oct. 5 school opening
There are still loose ends that need to be tied up but the Department of Education (DepEd) says they are ready for the opening of classes in public schools for school year 2020-2021 on Oct. 5.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd hoping for smooth opening of classes
Education Secretary Leonor Briones expressed optimism that the upcoming school year will push through smoothly despite the “twin challenges” which disrupted the education process — the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the downturn in the economy.
Manila Bulletin
Reduced printing of SLMs eyed
While the modular approach is the most preferred learning modality for most parents for this upcoming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) is leaning towards reducing the reproduction of printed modules in the coming months.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd committed to inclusive literacy
The Department of Education (DepEd) has reiterated its commitment to promote inclusive literacy for all which will transcend the current situation of the country and even in the future.
Manila Bulletin
Youth group insists on ‘academic freeze’ for this year
A youth group has criticized the stand of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) for opposing the postponement of the academic year and reiterated its call for an “academic freeze” until January next year.
Manila Bulletin
DepEd urged anew to integrate COVID-19 pandemic education in curriculum
A federation of teachers urged the Department of Education (DepEd) anew to include COVID-19 and pandemic education in the curriculum.
Manila Bulletin
WATER and ENERGY
Solon sees Bataan Nuclear Power Plant as solution to reduce electricity cost
Manila Teachers partylist Rep. Virgilio Lacson has urged his colleagues to look into the possibility of using the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) as a source of power in a bid to decrease the cost of electricity rates in the country.
Manila Bulletin
POVERTY
SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING and SETTLEMENT
Housing budget ‘disgustingly’ low – lawmaker
The P3.69 billion proposed 2021 budget for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is too low to make it more responsive to the government’s mass housing program, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.
The Manila Times
TOURISM
Antigen test as substitute for RT-PCR test backed
An official of the hospitality service industry is hoping that the government would fully allow the use of antigen test as a substitute requirement to enable domestic tourism in the country to resume.
Manila Bulletin
Beach marshalls to be deployed when tourism activities are resumed
Aside from assigning lifeguards on duty, “beach marshalls” will now be also deployed when beach and other island activities resume under the new normal tourism setup.
Manila Bulletin
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR, EDC join forces to conserve 11 native trees
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), has partnered with an energy firm to conserve 11 of the country’s most critically endangered native tree species.
Manila Bulletin
Environmental groups tell Gatchalian: Quit pushing legalization of waste incineration
Environmental groups have called on Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to stop using the “garbage crisis” to push for the legalization of waste incineration under the guise of waste-to-energy (WTE) projects.
Manila Bulletin
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Cimatu aims to increase the width of Manila Bay beach
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said beach nourishment in Manila Bay may help increase the width of the beaches as they are “very narrow.”
Manila Bulletin
DENR sees world inquiring about Manila Bay program should it gain success
If you think that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is being ambitious about its ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation program, well, think again.
Manila Bulletin
‘DENR, Cebu provincial gov’t should thresh out dolomite supply issue’ — Roque
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the provincial government of Cebu should keep their communication lines open in the wake of the controversial dolomite supply for Manila Bay’s rehabilitation project, Malacañang said Thursday.
Manila Bulletin
Environmental Ombudsman urged to probe Manila Bay ‘beach’ project
Environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) on Thursday urged the Environmental Ombudsman to investigate alleged irregularities in the Manila Bay “beautification” project, including the controversial use of synthetic white sand along the baywalk.
Manila Bulletin
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Globe's partnership with tower companies underway to build 900 sites
RIDING on the momentum of receiving clearance from various local government units (LGUs) to build cell sites across the country, Globe continues to make significant headway in its tower builds through partnerships with several tower companies (towercos).
Sunstar Manila
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