News Update As of February 20, 2017
(Monday)
1. Manila Bulletin
AFP to create task force to held PDEA on war against drugs
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año said a task force will soon be created to help the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the war against illegal drugs.
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/19/afp-to-create-task-force-to-held-pdea-on-war-against-drugs/
ASEAN fast-tracking West PHL Sea COC — DFA
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) here is fast-tracking the framework of the Code of Conduct (COC) to address the mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/19/asean-fast-tracking-west-phl-sea-coc-dfa/
2. Philippine Star
Lopez unfazed by possible graft raps
Environment Secretary Gina Lopez is unfazed by possible graft charges that mining firms may file against her.
Lopez stood firm on her decision to close down 28 operations and cancel 75 mining contracts.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/20/1674035/lopez-unfazed-possible-graft-raps
3. Daily Inquirer
Reds open to bilateral ceasefire
Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the peace process, expressed appreciation over the public pronouncement of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to negotiate and craft a bilateral ceasefire agreement.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/873122/reds-open-to-bilateral-ceasefire#ixzz4ZBUIt1He
House majority to hold caucus on death penalty bill
The House of Representatives majority is set to hold a caucus on Monday (Feb. 20) to discuss whether or not to continue with the period of interpellation, a week after Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas slammed opponents of the bill for using the quorum issue as a delaying tactic.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/873074/house-majority-to-hold-caucus-on-death-penalty- bill#ixzz4ZBUOpaJI
4. Manila Times
Stop delaying poll case, Marcos camp tells Robredo. THE camp of former senator Ferdinand
“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday branded as a “delaying tactic” the plan of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s top lawyer to seek reconsideration of the ruling of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) allowing their election protest to proceed.
http://www.manilatimes.net/stop-delaying-poll-case-marcos-camp-tells-robredo/313187/
