THE BUDGET department has so far released more than half of the P16.4-billion fund for the Barangay Development Program (BDP) to 712 communist-free villages, according to the state’s anti-communist task force.

PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. on Monday said the debate on the South China Sea dispute between him and an opposition leader should focus on whether or not President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s foreign policies have resulted in the loss of the country’s territories. 

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) on Monday said it has closed the application for cash assistance among tourism sector workers as the target number of beneficiaries has been reached.

A LAWMAKER called on the Philippine National Police, with a new chief taking post over the weekend, to immediately implement the use of body cameras to help regain public “trust” in the force that has been accused of extra-judicial killings and abuses in the implementation of health protocols amid the pandemic. 

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) has finished drafting the guidelines on arresting those caught violating face mask rules and will be coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for implementation.

CAGAYAN has been placed under the second strictest quarantine level for two weeks starting May 10 due to a continued spike in coronavirus cases, the provincial government announced late Sunday.

THE AYALA Group of Companies turned over a new coronavirus laboratory to Marinduque, the first molecular lab in the island province.

MALAYSIAN troops arrested eight members of the kidnap-for-ransom Abu Sayyaf group in Sabah on May 8, the Philippine military reported on Monday. 

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) reported 7,174 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 1.1 million.

POLITICAL analysts on Sunday frowned upon a planned debate between the palace spokesman and an opposition leader on the South China Sea dispute, saying nothing good would come out of it.

THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Davao office has issued a public warning against putting money into or acting as coordinator for MER’S Business Center, which does not have a permit for investment operations.

THERE were no civilian or military casualties in Saturday’s encounter between government forces and members of an extremist group in a commercial area of Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao, according to the country’s military chief.