AGP Executive Report

Philippine Security & Space Watch: PhilSA warned that debris from China’s Long March 6A rocket may have fallen near Northern Luzon, urging the public not to touch any suspected remnants and to report sightings. Public Safety & Crime: The NBI arrested seven people in Taguig for allegedly running a “sangla-kolekta” pawn-and-collect scam, with suspects posing as property owners, lawyers, and signing mortgage documents. Drugs Crackdown: PDEA seized P510 million worth of suspected shabu at Batangas Port and arrested two suspects, including a student, with a minor turned over to social welfare services. Justice System Update: The DOJ said it will decongest illegal drug cases by having its anti-illegal drug task force focus on syndicate-level crimes and cases involving public officers or big fish, while smaller cases go to local prosecutors. Politics & Accountability: A Senate panel and prosecutors addressed concerns over a spliced video involving Sen. Pia Cayetano during the Duterte impeachment trial, saying they won’t seek her inhibition. Local Governance & Aid: President Marcos distributed rice and turned over P102.2 million in aid to Tarlac barangays, while also saying LGUs should handle rice distribution faster. Environment & Church Advocacy: The CBCP said it will set up an Integral Ecology Ministry, reaffirming opposition to mining and aggressive development. Education Access: DepEd is preparing for the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act, set to take effect Aug. 12, to improve access for remote and disadvantaged communities. Energy & Costs: Sen. Erwin Tulfo questioned why consumers pay line rental fees on top of system loss charges, pushing for clearer explanations from NGCP. EV Push: Marcos signed an Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (Evis) program with P60 billion in incentives to boost local EV manufacturing.

Weather & Safety: Class suspensions hit parts of Bulacan as a low-pressure area brings heavy rain, while Naujan, Oriental Mindoro halted classes in areas affected by an armed encounter, pending security clearance. Public Service & Health: Barangay health workers renewed calls for a Magna Carta to lock in fair pay, benefits, and legal protection, urging President Marcos to certify the bill as urgent. Politics & Accountability: Palace said Marcos will certify key Sona bills as urgent once submitted; meanwhile, women’s groups filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Pia Cayetano over a spliced video tied to the Sara Duterte impeachment trial, and Malacañang opposed letting detained senators join the trial, calling it special treatment. Justice & Family Law: A retired Supreme Court justice said foreign divorce won’t automatically free Filipinos from Philippine marriage rules if both spouses were Filipino at the time. Economy & Digital Payments: BSP launched Direct Debit PH and expanded InstaPay for businesses, while UA&P warned Q2 growth may slip to 2.5% as inflation and weak confidence linger. Energy & Power Costs: Meralco chair Manuel V. Pangilinan pushed back on scrapping “system loss” charges, saying the cost could run into tens of billions. Security: PNP ordered tighter monitoring against groups allegedly “indoctrinating” children into violence online.

Tax Relief Push: House leaders back President Marcos’ Sona plan to raise the income-tax-free ceiling from P250,000 to P350,000, aiming to boost middle-class take-home pay and consumer spending. Electricity Cost Fight: Malacañang says removing “system loss charges” from power bills is still being studied to avoid hurting utilities, while NGCP clarifies it does not charge transmission technical system loss. Anti-Corruption Returns: DOJ reports P841 million recovered in the flood-control anomalies, with the biggest restitution from a former DPWH official. VP Impeachment Trial: LandBank witnesses again call large OVP cash withdrawals “unusual,” as the prosecution stresses confidentiality is not a cover for public-fund misuse. Ethics Probe: Senate ethics panel chair Tito Sotto sets an Aug. 6 meeting after complaints over alleged spliced impeachment video involving Pia Cayetano. Security & Schools: PNP vows tighter monitoring of online child exploitation and reviews school security measures after a Sona-duty traffic death. Local Governance & Justice: US backs Zamboanga del Sur anti-terrorism hub for PNP training; DepEd reports a court conviction over Senior High School voucher fraud. Sports: Macau rallies past Terrafirma, 96-92, in PBA Governors’ Cup; Alas Pilipinas women arrive in Vietnam for SEA V Cup leg 1.

Power Relief Push: The DOE says fully removing the electricity “system loss” charge from bills will take about a year, with implementation targeting 2027 after infrastructure upgrades and tougher anti-theft steps. Tax and Sona Agenda: Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III filed a bill to raise the annual income tax exemption to ₱350,000 starting 2027, echoing Marcos’ push for broader tax relief. Metro Manila Weather: Pagasa warns an LPA plus easterlies will bring scattered rains over Metro Manila, Bicol, Calabarzon and parts of Mimaropa, while Cagayan and Isabela may also see rain. Ombudsman Moves: Former Speaker Martin Romualdez and co-accused were ordered to file counteraffidavits over complaints before the Ombudsman tied to alleged P56B ill-gotten wealth. Energy Security and EVs: Marcos-backed transport electrification gets a boost as EV groups welcome Sona support, while the DOE says consumers won’t be disadvantaged by the proposed Pax Silica power needs in Tarlac. Public Safety: NBI warns substandard, radioactive-tainted steel from a Chinese-owned plant in Pampanga may have been used nationwide. Flood Watch: Several Metro Manila areas reported flooding Tuesday evening, with some roads still passable.

Fifth SONA Fallout: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Congress to fast-track priority bills, including building code amendments, tax relief for low- and middle-income workers, a general tax amnesty, and EPIRA changes to scrap system loss charges from consumers’ bills. Anti-Corruption Push: A Mindanao bishop welcomed Marcos’ anti-graft drive but warned accountability must reach everyone implicated, not just a few high-profile cases. Power Bills Reform: Senate energy chief Erwin Tulfo filed measures to exempt system loss charges from VAT and repeal energy taxes, echoing Marcos’ call to cut electricity costs. Security Ahead of SONA: The NBI is probing whether a DOJ blast and an IED discovery near the Senate are linked to Marcos’ address, while police say areas are secured. Sara Duterte Trial: Prosecutors asked for an alternating flow of evidence per article to keep the Senate impeachment court focused. Infrastructure & Justice: Senators traded barbs as Sen. Panfilo Lacson turned over Taguig infra probe materials to the Ombudsman, while Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano hit back. Public Safety & Health: NBI is also checking if substandard, radioactive steel from a Pampanga plant may have been used in flood control projects. Sports: Gilas’ home Asian Games run faces roster gaps as Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu miss due to B.League Manila commitments; SBP expects near-sold-out tickets for 2027 World Cup qualifiers at Mall of Asia Arena.

Anti-graft Push: President Marcos says his anticorruption drive will spare even family, as the Ombudsman moves to file cases over the multibillion-peso flood control scandal involving cousin Martin Romualdez. Power Costs: Marcos urges Congress to amend EPIRA to scrap system loss charges passed to consumers, including VAT on them, as lawmakers push for faster relief. Tax Relief: He calls for raising the income tax threshold to ₱350,000 and expanding exemptions for workers and small firms. Security Alert: A bomb blast near the DOJ and a suspected explosive found before the SONA kept Metro Manila on high alert, with authorities investigating. Public Protests: Thousands marched during the SONA, while rights groups also demanded the release of arrested protesters. Disinformation Worry: A Pulse Asia survey finds 72% see disinformation as a big problem, with Facebook the top source of online news. Economy & Markets: AMRO flags slower growth ahead but lower inflation; PSEi rose as oil prices eased. Business & Finance: BSP warns of scams using officials’ names; Maynilad replaces Converge in the PSEi effective Aug. 3. Housing & Jobs: Marcos touts 4PH housing progress and job fairs that hired thousands on the spot. Children Online Safety: He calls for stronger protection of learners from harmful online content.

State of the Nation Address: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used his 5th Sona to push tax relief for workers and MSMEs, expand social programs, and call for scrapping “systems loss charges” in electricity bills, while also touting recovered flood-control corruption assets and reforms at DPWH. Public safety and protest: The PNP said the Sona ran peacefully despite suspected IEDs found near the DOJ and Senate and the arrest of 51 people at a rally in Quezon City; rights groups and protest organizers disputed the arrests. Media freedom: The NUJP reported 256 attacks on the press since 2022, including harassment and judicial cases, ahead of the Sona. Disaster response: Tropical Storm Kiyapo left 3 dead and nearly 295,000 affected, with evacuation centers still open, as police supported relief operations. Health and welfare: Marcos highlighted zero-balance billing in DOH hospitals, PhilHealth expansions for children with developmental disabilities, and broader preventive screening. Energy and infrastructure: He floated a 2027 rocket launch and urged revisiting nuclear energy, while also promising disaster-resilient “Ligtas Pinoy Centers” and updates to the waste law. Politics in Congress: More than half of senators were absent, with minority leaders skipping; meanwhile, Senate leadership tensions continue.

SONA 2026 Watch: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address today as surveys show Filipinos want real action on food prices, jobs, and corruption—not just achievements, with lawmakers pushing concrete institutional reforms in the last two years. Power Rates Pressure: Sen. Erwin Tulfo filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into rising electricity prices, arguing consumers deserve fair, transparent, and reasonable bills and faster help when service fails. House Legislative Push: The House plans to prioritize the remaining 26 of 52 priority administration bills when Congress reconvenes, including a Cybersecurity Act and measures aimed at transparency and governance. Public Safety for SONA Rallies: The PNP said it will deploy over 20,000 cops for SONA security and urged protesters to cooperate and keep rallies peaceful. Weather & Flood Risk: Pagasa warned of habagat rains and possible flash floods or landslides across parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. WPS Morale Call: A Zambales lawmaker said Marcos should highlight WPS protection in SONA as fishermen face harassment near Scarborough Shoal. Trade Headline: DTI said over 60% of Philippine exports are exempt from the new 12.5% US tariff, limiting direct impact to about $6.25B of goods. Finance Update: BSP data showed banks’ bad-loan ratio eased to a six-month low as inflation cools.

SONA Security & Public Mood: The PNP says security for President Marcos’ 5th SONA is in the final phase, with over 21,000 cops deployed and “maximum tolerance” stressed, while a survey found many Filipinos want “solutions” over “accomplishments,” with anti-corruption, price relief, and jobs topping the wish list. Flood Control Accountability: Lawmakers and groups keep pushing for faster action on alleged flood-control corruption, including calls for Ombudsman probe and reforms to prevent repeats. Power Costs Pressure: A Senate resolution seeks an inquiry into rising electricity prices as consumer groups plan a “people’s SONA” to protest bill shocks. Education Access: Marcos signed the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act (RA 12321) to upgrade remote classrooms with basic services, and lawmakers say more bills are lined up for the second regular session. Disinformation Fight: Journalists and civil society oppose an anti-disinformation bill, warning it could worsen online harms. Storm Update: Tropical Storm Noul/Kiyapo left deaths and missing persons in parts of Mindanao, while habagat continues bringing rain risks in Luzon and Metro Manila. International Ties: Oman and the Philippines vowed deeper cooperation after a third bilateral forum in Manila.

SONA Prep & Metro Traffic: Manila posted road-closure maps for Marcos’ 5th SONA on Sunday, with major bridges and avenues sealed off and motorists rerouted. Minimum Wage: The first tranche of the NCR P85 daily wage hike took effect July 25, with a second tranche due Jan. 20, 2027—expected to benefit about 1.1 million workers. South China Sea: Tensions flared again as China and Philippine coast guard units traded accusations after water-cannon incidents near Scarborough Shoal. US Tariffs: A 12.5% US tariff on Philippine exports is worrying Cebu exporters, who want the government to push for talks to cushion impacts. Cybercrime & Scams: ASEAN chiefs of police approved a regional task force to fight online scams, while the PNP also floated a proposal to restrict social media use for minors. Education Strain: A congressional education panel warned that housing growth without school infrastructure is causing classroom shortages, citing Naic, Cavite. Security & Weather: Pagasa said habagat rains will continue over parts of Luzon and Visayas despite Typhoon Noul moving away.

State of the Nation Address Security: The PNP said there will be no nationwide gun ban for Marcos’ 5th SONA on Monday, but police will still enforce firearm limits in designated security areas. SONA Watch—Education: Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged Marcos to report progress on the 2026 education budget, including the classroom backlog and the record P1.35T allocation. Metro Manila Traffic: Manila City posted road closures and rerouting for Sunday ahead of SONA, including major stretches around Mendiola, Recto, Legarda, Ayala Bridge, and MacArthur/Quezon bridges. South China Sea Flashpoint: China expelled Philippine vessels after alleged intrusions near Huangyan Dao, while separate reports said a fishing boat leaked oil in the area—raising marine risks. Local Accountability: Sen. Panfilo Lacson said his team is still investigating alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Taguig to reach a “logical conclusion.” Disaster Update: Tropical Cyclone Kiyapo left parts of Iloilo City flooded, with dozens of barangays still affected as response continues. Sports—Basketball: Cebu City All-Stars beat Macau 61-52 to win the inaugural EASL Future Champions Elite title. Agriculture—US Market: Agriculture chief said the Philippines is on track to resume US blue crab exports after being allowed to reapply for market access.

South China Sea Tensions: The China Coast Guard fired water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR vessels near Scarborough (Bajo de Masinloc), marking a third day of harassment this week, as Manila said the missions were lawful and aimed at delivering fuel and provisions to fishermen. Cybercrime Crackdown: The PNP will team up with DICT and DTI to go after groups behind fake QR codes used on online selling platforms, warning the public against “quishing.” Sona Watch: President Marcos hinted he may revisit corruption in his Monday SONA, while business groups urged a clear economic roadmap to cut the cost of doing business. Fuel Price Outlook: Local oil firms are expected to raise diesel and gasoline next week amid renewed Middle East supply worries. Disaster Response: Tropical Storm “Kiyapo” (Noul) and enhanced habagat battered parts of the country, triggering floods, landslides, evacuations, and class suspensions. Governance & Courts: Senate Minority Leader Ping Lacson said his Taguig infrastructure probe is uncovering more “damning” leads, as the feud with Alan Peter Cayetano continues.

South China Sea: China’s coast guard again used water cannons on Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal and other disputed areas, as Manila protested and warned of escalating risks. Impeachment Watch: The Senate impeachment court continued Sara Duterte’s trial, including moves to subpoena bank, tax and AMLC records, while prosecutors wrapped Article IV on alleged grave threats. SONA 2026 Security & Protests: Police said there’s no monitored threat for Marcos’ fifth SONA on July 27, but warned against “outside provocateurs” and illegal burning of effigies; Metro Manila road closures were announced for rallies. Anti-Scam Crackdown: Senator Mark Villar hailed AFASA’s first-year results, with the PNP filing 500+ cases tied to online financial account scams. Corruption & Courts: Ombudsman prosecutors pushed a plunder case theory against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged P56B ill-gotten wealth via corporate conduits. Health & Disaster Prep: DOH urged families to prepare emergency go-bags amid habagat and Tropical Storm Kiyapo; PCSO completed nationwide patient transport vehicle distribution to all provinces. Weather & Safety: Coast Guard suspended voyages for small vessels in Antique as Kiyapo threatened Northern Luzon.

Education & Public Order: Manila suspends face-to-face and online classes July 27 for SONA, while Quezon City also orders a liquor ban from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crime & Justice: Police arrest two suspects in the July 17 killing of pro-Marcos vlogger Alicia “Mima Alicia” Lipata, seizing hand grenades and pistols; Sen. Risa Hontiveros says she’s now getting online death threats and asked the NBI to identify those behind them. Anti-Bullying Push: The DOJ will issue next week an antibullying policy letting prosecutors and action centers receive and handle bullying complaints nationwide after school violence incidents in Tacloban and Cavite. Politics & Public Opinion: A Pulse Asia survey shows VP Sara Duterte leading 2028 presidential preference at 49%, and SWS finds 7 in 10 Filipinos want her to answer impeachment charges. West Philippine Sea: Marcos calls for a “reset” with China after Ayungin clashes, with the US saying it will raise PH concerns with Xi; Remulla urges LGU unity for the West Philippine Sea. Economy & Housing: Pag-IBIG releases ₱5.82B emergency loans and reports housing loans rising as crisis relief expands. Sports: Alas Pilipinas faces a tough Asian Games group after being drawn with China and Kazakhstan.

South China Sea Tensions: US Sec. of State Marco Rubio told Asian allies Washington won’t abandon them as he called China’s South China Sea actions “disturbing,” after fresh incidents near Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. Philippine Diplomacy: China Coast Guard again drove away Philippine vessels near Huangyan Dao, while Manila protested and kept dialogue open. Middle East Pressure: With Iran-backed Houthis targeting Red Sea shipping, oil prices surged and Rubio warned Iran’s “price will rise nightly,” as ASEAN security talks in Manila focused on the Strait of Hormuz. OFW Support: The Philippines will open a new OFW Lounge at Clark airport to improve the pre-departure experience. Disaster Risk: PAGASA and OCD warned that Tropical Depression Kiyapo could bring flooding and landslides risk to thousands of barangays. Local Governance & Safety: Quezon City and Manila will suspend classes for Marcos’ SONA on July 27; PNP approved SONA rally permits and said it will penalize police over alleged harassment of photojournalists. Education & Justice: DepEd issued guidelines for Gas-Tuklas financial aid for student-athletes and coaches; DOJ will roll out an anti-bullying policy for prosecutors. Economy & Energy: Marcos inspected Malampaya Phase 4 to extend gas supply; DBM identified P22.79B in savings to fund expanded Uplift assistance for vulnerable sectors.

Weather Watch: Tropical Depression Kiyapo has triggered Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Northern Luzon, with gusts up to 55 kph and possible upgrade to Signal No. 2 as it moves toward Cagayan by Fri-Sat. Impeachment Update: In VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, NBI chief Melvin Matibag said Duterte’s own public admission of talking to a “mamamatay-tao” to kill Marcos and others already consummated “betrayal of public trust,” while the Senate court also started sending subpoenas to banks, BIR and AMLC for Duterte’s financial records. Security for SONA: Ahead of Marcos’ fifth SONA, NCRPO will enforce a nationwide ban on carrying firearms outside residences plus no-fly/no-drone zones in key areas, with Metro police on full alert. West Philippine Sea: DFA chief Ma. Theresa Lazaro pressed China for dismantling structures at Scarborough and protested injuries from a China Coast Guard incident at Ayungin, while Manila and Beijing trade sharp diplomatic messages. Public Safety & Rights: Police and media groups clash over alleged harassment of photojournalists during an ASEAN rally in Pasay, with calls for investigation. Local Governance: Marcos launched the Bangsamoro Convergence Program, turning over P3.4B in projects and services for BARMM. Sports: Titan Ultra snapped its skid with a win over TNT in the PBA Governors’ Cup; Team Manila won the PONY 18-Under Girls Softball World Series title.