TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Tuesday, 3 February 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 03 February 2026, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m.

1. PBBM IMPEACHMENT CASE:

-Marcos impeach raps’ sufficiency in substance to be determined Wednesday

-De Lima: Impeachment raps vs Marcos fail House sufficiency test

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2176874/fwd-marcos-impeach-raps-sufficiency-in-substance-to-be-determined-wednesday

2. Sandro Marcos pushes ‘no work, no pay’ bill for lawmakers

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Sunstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2176771/sandro-marcos-pushes-no-work-no-pay-bill-for-lawmakers

3. Palace: Fate of ICI rests with commission itself

[ABS-CBN News, DZBB, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2176895/palace-fate-of-ici-rests-with-commission-itself

4. Marcos 'initially approves' extending registration validity of new cars to 5 years

[BusinessWorld, DZBB, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/03/marcos-initially-approves-extending-registration-validity-of-new-cars-to-5-years

5. Raffy Tulfo calls out DOT’s Frasco for ‘self-promotion’ in tourism materials

[DZBB, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975164/raffy-tulfo-calls-out-dot-s-frasco-for-self-promotion-in-tourism-materials/story/

6. Lacson blasts critics linking Legarda in coup plot vs Sotto

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News, Philstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975168/lacson-senate-presidency-dangled-to-legarda/story/

7. Manny Villar denies engaging in illegal practices amid SEC complaint

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar]

https://business.inquirer.net/572199/villar-denies-wrongdoing-amid-sec-charges

8. SILG Remulla: Car dealer, partner behind deaths of policewoman, son

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, News5PH, Panay News, Philstar, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975150/silg-remulla-car-dealer-partner-behind-deaths-of-policewoman-son/story/

9. LPA east of Mindanao likely to become tropical depression — PAGASA

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar, Sunstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/03/lpa-east-of-mindanao-likely-to-become-tropical-depression-pagasa

10. Earthquake swarm in offshore Sultan Kudarat now 3,319

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, MindaNews]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/975138/earthquake-swarm-in-offshore-sultan-kudarat-now-3-319/story/

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

Homemade malunggay chips recipe evolves into regional product

By Nora L. Molde

What started as a simple family snack has grown into a promising micro-enterprise, as IAM’s Original Malunggay Chips steadily enter local and regional markets, offering a healthy and affordable food option for Filipino families, especially children.

IAM’s Malunggay Chips highlight the natural, mundane flavor of fresh malunggay—light, crispy, and pure. From the garden to the table, the product reflects a commitment to wholesome, natural food that supports proper nutrition among the youth.

Behind the brand is Miriam Villarivera, a retired bank employee from Buenavista town in the province of Agusan del Norte, who initially prepared the chips for her family, friends, and neighbors. Encouraged by positive feedback and increasing demand, she gradually transformed the homemade delicacy into a small business.

The growth of the maluggay chips business aligns with the national government’s directive to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as key drivers of inclusive economic growth, job generation, and food security, particularly in the regions.

With support from the Department of Trade and Industry – Agusan del Norte (DTI-ADN), Villarivera expanded production to supply schools and offices in her hometown. 

By 2024, IAM’s Malunggay Chips had reached a wider market, becoming available in schools, offices, stores, and institutions in Butuan City, Tandag City, nearby municipalities, including Nasipit in Agusan del Norte, and other parts of the Caraga region.

One key advantage of the enterprise is the easy availability of raw materials. Villarivera has about 20 fully grown malunggay trees in her backyard, supplemented by additional supplies from neighbors, particularly during peak seasons.

“Our neighbors give us their malunggay leaves when they have excess, especially during times of high demand such as the holiday season,” Villarivera shared.

“Malunggay is a common plant here. I also buy from our neighbors when needed,” she added.

Recognizing the product’s potential, Villarivera sought advice from friends and was referred to DTI-ADN in 2024. That same year, she participated in a packaging seminar for aspiring entrepreneurs, in line with DTI’s continuing efforts to improve product competitiveness and market readiness of local MSMEs.

“The DTI-ADN helped me conceptualize the packaging of my product until we came out with a final design. I am thankful to DTI-ADN for their help,” she said.

Supporting the national directive to promote local products and expand market access for MSMEs by introducing IAM’s Malunggay Chips as a healthy snack option for schools and offices, DTI-ADN also connected IAM’s to trade fairs in Butuan City.

A small pack of the chips is priced at P10, making it affordable for students, while larger packs are sold at P40. The enterprise also accepts retailer orders.

By 2025, Villarivera was producing more than 800 packs per month, with deliveries made every two weeks. Buenavista town remains the largest market, accounting for about 500 packs per delivery cycle, followed by Tandag City in Surigao del Sur with 180 to 200 packs, and Butuan City with 150 to 200 packs.

From its original plain flavor, the product line has expanded to include chili, chili cheese, barbecue, and sour cream onion variants, catering to changing consumer preferences.

Her husband, Diosdado Villarivera, a former elected official, now dedicates his time to supporting the business by assisting with deliveries and helping establish connections with additional markets across the province.

Strong sales over the past year enabled the family to purchase a dehydrator, improving production efficiency, particularly in drying malunggay leaves.

“What we are focusing on is expanding our markets, especially in schools, offices, and cooperatives,” she said. We rely on consistent sales and gradual growth.

Most of their deliveries go to school canteens, which account for the bulk of the demand, supporting the government’s push to promote healthier food choices among children.

Starting with an initial capital of just P5,000, IAM’s Malunggay Chips has grown from a backyard initiative into a livelihood enterprise that helps address parents’ concerns about providing nutritious food for their children, demonstrating how simple, locally sourced products, supported by national directives and government assistance, can contribute to healthier communities and sustainable local economies. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte) 

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

DILG, NICA bolster AgSur’s security, anti-disinformation efforts

By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) strengthened Agusan del Sur’s fight against disinformation and security during the January 27–29 session held at the Provincial Learning Center (PLC) in Patin-ay in this town. 

Barangay officials, local government officials, and representatives of various government agencies attended the seminar on countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence (FIMI) and strengthening national security awareness in Agusan del Sur, highlighting that disinformation and propaganda lead to confusion, community conflicts, social media cheating, and malign foreign influences.

“We explained to our officers that our country faces threats beyond our traditional enemy, the New People’s Army (NPA)—including foreign indifference and malign influence,” said Director Bonifacio Pulgo, regional director of NICA Caraga.

“Before, war occurred in the forests with bullets. Now, the security landscape has shifted: the battle is in the cognitive domain, or in our mind, also known as cognitive warfare. Today’s weapons are not guns and bullets, but cellphones, radio, and social media used to turn people’s minds against the government,” Dir. Pulgo added.

The activity aims to boost local officials’ knowledge and preparedness against Foreign Interference and Malign Influence (FIMI) as the frontline defenders of peace and order in the province. It also seeks to strengthen coordination among LGUs, barangays, and National Government Agencies (NGAs), while providing guidance on monitoring and reporting activities that signal potential security breaches.

“We’re holding this to engage our local officials and help the government combat illegal activities orchestrated by foreigners—not for the Philippines’ good, but for their own agendas,” said Director Pulgo.

Governor Santiago Cane Jr. urged local officials to stay alert, support one another, and build strong mechanisms to protect their communities.

“Your presence here is vital to safeguarding peace and order in our barangays, cities, municipalities, province, region, and country,” said Gov. Cane.

The local government hopes that through the Defending Against Foreign Interference and Malign Influence Agusan del Sur (DEFEND ADS) initiative, the community and government will unite to bolster the province’s peace, order, and security. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur, with a report from PTV Agusan del Sur)

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

NICA conducts over 1K peace-building drives among vulnerable sectors in Caraga

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Contributing to the significant weakening of armed insurgency in the Caraga region, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Caraga conducted a total of 1,608 peace-building and educational awareness campaigns, with 42,760 participants from the vulnerable sectors across the region in 2025.

In its annual accomplishment report presented to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on January 22, NICA Caraga, as the lead agency of the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) Cluster of the Caraga RTF-ELCAC, shared that 727 orientations were made to the youth and student sector with 29,541 attendees who gained understanding on the recruitment tactics of the communist terrorist groups (CTG).

Also, at least 2,222 parents and teachers participated in the 161 orientation forums. Another 497 awareness campaigns were conducted in grassroots communities, involving 7,103 participants and engaging a total of 3,664 public servants across 182 orientations.

Accordingly, NICA’s information campaigns included discussions on Executive Order No. 70, seminars on “knowing the enemy,” anti-communist propaganda, among others.

NICA Caraga Director Bonifacio R. Pulgo said, “The agency plays a pivotal role in strengthening the peace and development agenda of the government. The objective of our campaigns is to educate the vulnerable sectors on the dangers of the CTG.”

“To protect the vulnerable sectors is to empower them with accurate and timely information,” Director Pulgo added. “Our efforts are focused on changing the mindset and public perception of the vulnerable sectors by countering the influence, recruitment, and deceitful narratives of the insurgent groups in the region.”

Meanwhile, the SAKM Cluster has the following members namely, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), all committed to sustaining the gains of the peace efforts of the government. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)

TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Monday, 2 February 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 02 February 2026, Monday, 5:00 p.m.

Members of the Makabayan bloc and other complainants return to the Office of the Secretary General at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday, January 26, 2026, to file the second impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

1. PBBM IMPEACHMENT CASE:

     -Two impeach raps vs. Marcos sufficient in form —House panel

-Marcos worried over impeachment raps, not for self but for economy—Palace

-Palace to respect impeachment process vs President

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, One News, Philstar, Rappler]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2176245/fwd-de-jesus-makabayan-complaints-vs-marcos-deemed-sufficient-in-form

2. VP Duterte faces fresh two impeachment complaints; Duterte camp shrugs off new impeachment case

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, One News, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975024/two-impeach-raps-vs-marcos-sufficient-in-form-house-panel/story/

3. Marcos trust, performance ratings down; Sara Duterte's up —OCTA

[DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Standard, Manila Times]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975022/marcos-trust-performance-ratings-down-duterte-s-up-octa/story/

4. President Marcos to public: Suggest solutions to pressing issues

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/02/02/2505107/president-marcos-public-suggest-solutions-pressing-issues

5. Marcos says meeting with Mitsubishi boss to spur jobs, help complete ‘faster' railways

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/2/marcos-says-meeting-with-mitsubishi-boss-to-spur-jobs-help-complete-faster-railways-1247

6. Marcos Jr. convenes Palace meeting to review ASEAN hosting preparations

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/2/marcos-jr-convenes-palace-meeting-to-review-asean-hosting-preparations-1445

7. FL Liza’s brief encounter with Chinese envoy not indicative of PH policy — Palace

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/975058/fl-liza-s-brief-encounter-with-chinese-envoy-not-indicative-of-ph-policy-palace/story/

8. Lacson calls Senate leadership threat a 'continuing crime'

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus]

https://mb.com.ph/article/10903969/philippines/national/lacson-calls-senate-leadership-threat-a-continuing-crime

9. DOJ says SEC complaint vs Villar Land still under evaluation

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, GMA News, Manila Bulletin]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/975026/doj-says-sec-complaint-vs-villar-land-still-under-evaluation/story/

10. Philippines reclaims spot as world's 2nd largest banana exporter

[BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/02/02/2505050/philippine-reclaims-spot-worlds-2nd-biggest-banana-exporter

11. Oil companies to raise pump prices on February 3

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/02/02/business/oil-companies-to-raise-pump-prices-on-february-3/2269409

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit