PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON Salvador S. Panelo has brushed off observations that he seemed to be “lawyering” for resigned Philippine National Police chief Oscar D. Albayalde who has been accused of involvement in the 2013 drug recycling scheme in Pampanga.

CHIEF JUSTICE Lucas P. Bersamin leaves his post today, Oct. 18, as he reaches the retirement age of 70.

AGRICULTURE AND fisheries remain the priority sectors for investments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as it goes through the transition period until 2022.

AN INTERCHANGE project in Bulacan that will provide direct access to the Philippine Arena will be completed in time for the opening of the 30^th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Nov. 30, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Thursday.

AUTHORITIES CONDUCTED infrastructure damage assessment while remaining on high alert Thursday after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake shook many parts of Mindanao at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with the epicenter in Tulunan, a town in Cotabato province located in the central part of the island.

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

VICE PRESIDENT Maria Leonor G. Robredo improved her net satisfaction rating by five points in the third quarter of 2019, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.

THE SALARY differential under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (EMLL) Law is now tax-free since it is considered as a benefit, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

SENATORS CYNTHIA A. Villar and Emmanuel D. Pacquiao maintained their position as the wealthiest senators, while detained Senator Leila M. De Lima is the poorest among them.

UNLIKE VIETNAM’s order for a total pull-out of the computer-animated movie Abominable, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. has suggested cutting what he called the “offending scene,” which shows the nine-dash line claim of China in the South China Sea.

HOUSE SPEAKER Alan Peter S. Cayetano, who also chairs the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), said the country is 100% ready for the 30^th Southeast Asian Games in November, though he admitted that the daily hosting of the event will be a challenge.

ALL METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers will soon enjoy free insurance coverage on accidental death and disablement funded by the non-life insurance sector.