TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Tuesday, 14 July 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

14 July 2026, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m.

1. Sara Duterte maintains kill plot vs Marcos not supported by evidence

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

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2263453/sara-duterte-maintains-kill-plot-vs-marcos-not-supported-by-evidence

2. Palace: PH not involved in US plan to dismantle ICC

[Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/palace-ph-not-involved-in-us-plan-to-dismantle-icc

3. Sara Duterte to support Lopez on Day 5 of impeachment trial – Defense

-'Galingan niyo pa ng konti': Ridon trash talks VP Duterte defense team

-Duterte 'death threat' alone can justify impeachment, alleged hitman need not be proven–Chua

-DOJ: Probe on complaints vs Sara Duterte to be resolved ‘at appropriate time’

-Duterte's defense team appoints additional spokesman

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/14/duterte-death-threat-alone-justifies-impeachment-hitman-need-not-be-proven-chua-1218

4. Marcos inaugurates world's largest solar farm facility

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

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/07/14/news/marcos-inaugurates-worlds-largest-solar-farm-facility/2383806

5. PBBM satisfaction rating improves in latest SWS survey

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, One News]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314765408/pbbm-satisfaction-rating-improves-in-latest-sws-survey.html#google_vignette

6. Baligod faces arrest over cyberlibel complaint filed by DA chief

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/994740/levi-baligod-arrest-warrant-cyber-libel-case/story/

7. Marcos orders proposed 2027 budget to prioritize implementation-ready projects

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/994799/funding-budget-projects/story/

8. New threat shuts Tacloban school hit by mass shooting

[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2263231/new-threat-shuts-tacloban-school-hit-by-mass-shooting

9. Detained Marcoleta taken to PGH for medical evaluation

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

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/07/14/2542094/detained-marcoleta-taken-pgh-medical-evaluation

10. Josie weakens ahead of PAR exit; new LPA forms off southern China

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2026/7/14/josie-weakens-ahead-of-par-exit-new-lpa-forms-off-southern-china-1206

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

NNC Caraga calls on families to grow, eat nutritious food for a healthier future

By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur —  Nutrition Officer III Leah Vina P. Vargas of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga encouraged Filipino families to make eating together at home a regular practice and establish backyard food gardens to produce their own nutritious vegetables, during the Kapihan sa PIA at SM City Butuan.

She emphasized that growing vegetables at home not only provides families with healthier food options but also contributes to environmental conservation by promoting sustainable food production and reducing food waste. Vargas added that teaching children the value of healthy eating and gardening is an investment in building a healthier future generation.

“We encourage everyone to eat at home and eat with your family. Establish backyard food gardens with four to five varieties of vegetables. This practice helps improve household nutrition, protects the environment, and reduces waste from buying food outside,” Vargas said.

Vargas also called on schools and educational institutions to strengthen nutrition education among learners by promoting healthy eating habits and raising awareness on the importance of proper nutrition, including breastfeeding as a vital component of child development.

She likewise encouraged government agencies, private organizations, and development partners to champion healthy eating in workplaces, establish office and household food gardens, and provide nutritious food choices for employees. According to Vargas, these collective efforts can help improve nutrition outcomes while supporting environmental sustainability and the goals of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).

NNC’s mandate directly aligns with that of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a healthier Philippines through the provision of proper nutrition and food security, especially for vulnerable sectors of society, such as children.

“Our dinner table and ecosystems are all interconnected, which means that we cannot cultivate a healthy population on a sick planet. Our well-being mirrors the vitality of our surroundings,” President Marcos Jr. said in his message during the opening of the 2026 National Nutrition Month.

His message underscored the strong connection between environmental protection and food security, in line with this year’s National Nutrition Month theme, ‘Sa PPAN: Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat!’ and sub-theme, ‘Nutrisyon at Kalikasan, Ating Pangalagaan!’

Through this year’s Nutrition Month celebration, the NNC continues to advocate for stronger collaboration among families, communities, schools, government agencies, and the private sector in promoting healthier lifestyles while protecting the environment, recognizing that food security and a healthy ecosystem go hand in hand. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur)

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Anti-epal ordinance takes effect in Butuan City

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The city government of Butuan has taken a significant step toward strengthening transparency, accountability, and ethical governance with the implementation of its Anti-Epal Ordinance, a measure that prohibits public officials from using their names, photographs, logos, slogans, initials, and other personal identifiers on government-funded projects, programs, and services.

The ordinance took effect on June 21, aiming to ensure that government resources are used solely for public service and not for personal or political promotion, reinforcing the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust. This fosters a responsibility anchored in integrity, accountability, and service beyond personal or political interests.

The ordinance applies to all city-funded, barangay-funded, national government-funded, and government agency-funded projects implemented within Butuan City.

Butuan City Councilor Marlon R. Labis emphasized that projects, programs, and services financed through taxpayers’ money belong to the Filipino people, saying, “The people government projects, programs, and services, therefore, credit belongs to them, not to individual officials.”

Labis further stressed that government officials are entrusted with delivering services based on integrity, accountability, and responsibility rather than seeking personal recognition.

Under the ordinance, government-funded infrastructure, equipment, programs, relief goods, and other publicly funded initiatives may no longer display the names, images, political slogans, logos, initials, or other identifying marks of elected or appointed public officials. The measure also provides penalties for violations to ensure compliance.

Institutionalizing a culture of people-centered governance by shifting public attention away from personalities and toward the programs and services that benefit communities.

Beyond Butuan City, the ordinance reflects the broader national call for good governance and responsible stewardship of public funds. By discouraging the use of taxpayer-funded projects for political branding, the measure supports efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust in government institutions.

With the Anti-Epal Ordinance now in effect, the city government of Butuan underscores that the true measure of public service lies not in personal recognition, but in meaningful programs and lasting benefits that are felt and delivered to the people. (MFC, PIA Caraga with a report from the Office of Councilor Marlon Labis)

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Tandag strengthens disaster resilience through whole-of-government action

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — Reinforcing the national call for a safer and more resilient Philippines, the city government of Tandag launched its observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, highlighting the importance of proactive governance, community preparedness, and collective action in building disaster-resilient communities under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Held on July 6, with the theme “Naghahanda at Kumikilos Para sa Panatag na Bagong Pilipinas,” the opening program at the Parkshed of the Tandag City Hall compound in Barangay Awasian brought together members of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Tandag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) members chaired by Mayor Roxanne Pimentel, city and barangay officials, government employees, national government agencies, and development partners in a collective call to strengthen disaster resilience.

The observance highlighted the importance of whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration in reducing disaster risks amid the increasing threats posed by climate change and natural hazards.

CDRRM Officer Reveen John Geli presented the city’s major disaster risk reduction and management accomplishments during the first half of 2026, underscoring Tandag’s sustained investments in building resilient communities.

Key accomplishments include a citywide earthquake and tsunami drill, a four-day CDRRM updating and planning workshop, community-based preparedness activities, capacity-building initiatives, and other resilience-building programs.

“Our accomplishments show that disaster resilience is not built overnight. It is achieved through continuous planning, collaboration, and community participation,” Geli said.

Following the opening ceremony, the CDRRMC convened its third-quarter full council meeting, presided over by Vice Mayor Eleanor Momo on behalf of Mayor Roxanne Pimentel, where members approved strategic measures to strengthen the city’s disaster preparedness and emergency response systems.

Among the significant actions taken by the council was the approval of humanitarian assistance for families affected by the recent earthquake in Sarangani Province, reflecting Tandag City’s commitment to solidarity and humanitarian action beyond its jurisdiction.

The council likewise approved the Tandag City El Niño Action Plan, which outlines preparedness and response strategies to mitigate the effects of prolonged dry conditions on agriculture, water resources, health, and other critical sectors.

To further institutionalize participatory governance, the council also received an orientation on the Philippine Open Government Partnership (OGP) Localization Program, emphasizing transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and responsive governance in local disaster risk reduction planning.

The activity reaffirmed that disaster resilience extends beyond emergency response. It requires sound policies, evidence-based planning, sustained investments, and active citizen participation to reduce vulnerabilities and protect lives.

As disasters continue to become more frequent and complex, Tandag City’s initiatives demonstrate how local governments can translate national priorities into concrete community actions, advancing the vision of a safer, more resilient, and Panatag na Bagong Pilipinas through effective local governance. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

DSWD trains WGP Dinagat Islands beneficiaries on 3K session

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP) goes beyond providing monthly food support to the family beneficiaries in Dinagat Islands as it recently conducted the program’s 3K (kalusugan, kakayahan, at kabuhayan) session in the province.

The Walang Gutom Program’s 3K session, facilitated by the community engagement coordinators, provided beneficiaries a chance to gain practical knowledge and skills in meal planning, informed food purchasing, and effective household budgeting to help improve food consumption and nutrition outcomes in their families.

DSWD Caraga said the 3K session is a regular convergence where program beneficiaries are taught proper food handling, safe food preparation, and healthy cooking practices to help ensure safe and nutritious meals for their households, especially the children.

It added that the beneficiary family is also required to attend at least one session per month to promote continuous learning and responsible household food management.

Meanwhile, the DSWD’s WGP is the agency’s flagship initiative to reduce involuntary hunger among food-poor households by providing food assistance alongside nutrition education and capacity-building activities, enabling families to become healthier, more food-secure, and resilient.

It also reflects the continuing commitment to uplift Filipino households by improving access to food and easing the burden of hunger in communities, fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to make sure there will be enough nutritious food in every Filipino household.

The program provides each family beneficiary with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card loaded with P3,000 in monthly food credits. Through food redemption, the family may use the EBT card to buy food from DSWD-accredited partner retailers and merchants. The beneficiary’s purchase will follow the recommended food basket budget: 50 percent carbohydrates such as rice and sweet potato;  30 percent protein foods; and 20 percent fiber, including fruits and vegetables. 

Tatay Danilo, a resident of Tubajon town in Dinagat Islands, is one of the beneficiaries of the program during the June 22 food redemption activity. 

Using his EBT food credits, he bought a sack of rice, vegetables, and other food items and brought them home to his family. 

“Bilang isang magsasaka, malaking tulong para sa akin ang buwanang food redemption dahil nakadaragdag ito sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng aking pamilya” (As farmer, the monthly food redemption is an additional help to address the needs of my family), he said. 

“Bihira ang ganitong uri ng suporta kaya labis ang kanyang pasasalamat sa programa (This kind of support is seldom, which is why I am thankful to the program),” he added. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with reports from DSWD Caraga and DSWD Walang Gutom Program)