CURRENT EVENTS

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde appears before the Senate’s inquiry on "ninja cops",
the police officers involved in the illegal drug trade. Albayalde denied the allegations of
protecting his former subordinates who were accused of misappropriating a large
quantity of illegal drugs seized in a drug raid in 2013

Usage of the landline numbers with an additional digit from 7 digits is officially
implemented, upon the order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)

The Philippine government imposes a total ban on the deployment of workers to South
Sudan due to the ongoing conflict in the said country.

The Supreme Court allows Filipina death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso to testify
against her alleged recruiters through deposition in Indonesia.

Lieutenant General Ronnie Evangelista and Brigadier General Bartolome Bacarro were
resigned to their post in the Philippine Military Academy, following the death of 20-year-
old PMA Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio due to hazing inside the
academy.[205] On October 9, Cadet 1st Class Ram Michael Navarro is also resigned to
his post in PMA.[206

The first case of African swine fever has been confirmed by the Department of
Agriculture.[193][194] It was also confirmed that an undisclosed number of individual pigs
were culled in Rizal in a bid to contain a "suspected animal disease"

President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon after
the latter approved the release of several heinous crime convicts in the June 1993 rape
and murder of Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez and July 1997 rape and murder of
Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong.[188][189] On September 5, Yolanda Camelon, wife of an
inmate in NBP, testifies in the third Senate hearing on the Good Conduct Time
Allowance (GCTA) law and claiming that Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) employees
asked ₱50,000 from her in a botched deal to buy her husband's early release from
prison.[190] On September 9, Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered the suspension
for six months without pay of 30 officials of the Bureau of Corrections in connection with
the release of over 1,900 convicts of heinous crimes under the Good Conduct Time
Allowance (GCTA) law.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition of Atty. Jess Falcis for the removal of a
legal barrier to same-sex marriages in the Philippines, even as it said the Constitution
does not restrict marriage on the basis of sex.
 President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 781, that conferred the
National Scientist title to American-educated plant geneticist and agronomist Emil
Javier, who once served as president of the University of the Philippines.

A major measles outbreak, exacerbated by the effects of the Dengvaxia controversy on

vaccination, is declared on Metro Manila and Central Luzon

President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Universal Health Care Act ("Republic Act No.
11223"), a measure that would provide health care coverage for all Filipinos.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III declares a "National Dengue Alert" as cases of
dengue continue to rise in the country.

DOH confirms the re-emergence of polio in the Philippines, 19 years after the World
Health Organization declared the country polio-free

Miss Earth 2019 will be held at Cove Manila in Okada Manila. Nguyễn Phương Khánh
of Vietnam will crown her successor at the end of the event.

Singapore to Demolish Famous Attraction Sentosa Merlion

Singapore's iconic statue, Sentosa Merlion will be demolished to make way for a
passage that will connect the south and north islands of the resort as part of the $90
million Sentosa Sensoryscape project.

Saudi Arabia Launches E-Visa for the First Time

Saudi Arabia recently launched the new tourist electronic visa, marking the first time
that the country has allowed foreign citizens to visit.

Araneta Center Rebrands as Araneta City

Araneta Center recently re-branded itself as Araneta City, releasing a new logo and
mobile application to mark its fresh start.

PH First Earthquake-Resistant Bridge to Finish Construction in 2020

Anao-aon Bridge features a modern design, with its primary materials made from
corrugated steel plates giving way to its earthquake-resistant nature.

Russia Offers Free E-Visa to Filipinos Starting October

Russia recently released a free electronic visa for those who wish to travel to St.
Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast.

CNN Recognizes Vigan as One of the Most Picturesque Towns in Asia

Vigan City was recently picked by Atlanta-based CNN as one of the most picturesque
towns in Asia.
Makati Ranks 4th Safest City in Southeast Asia
Makati City has been recognized as the 4th Safest City in the Southeast Asia region
based on Numbeo’s Safety Index survey.

PLDT, Smart Subscribers Can Now Call Emergency Hotline for Free
DILG recently announced that calls to the government's Emergency 911 Hotline are
now free for PLDT, Smart, Talk 'N Text, and Sun subscribers.

Duterte Suspends Lotto, STL, PCSO Games

Duterte ordered Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to shut down until
further notice.

Palawan Named 2nd Best Island in the World

Palawan, among 15 others, was hailed as the "2nd Best Island in the World" at Travel +
Leisure magazine’s latest list.

Free WiFi, Better Sanitary Facilities Now Required in Public Terminals

President Duterte recently enacted Republic Act 11311, which seeks to allocate funding
for the improvement of public transportation terminals, stations, and stops in the
country.

Cambodia Extends Visa-Free Entry for Filipinos

The Embassy of the Philippines in Cambodia announced that Filipinos with regular or
ordinary Philippine passports can now stay in Cambodia visa-free for 30 days.

New PH Law Protects Individuals from Catcallers and Stalkers

Catcalling, stalking, unwanted touching, now punishable by law.

World’s Most Expensive Island Resort Opens in Palawan

Banwa Private Island is a world-class exclusive resort in Northern Palawan, which
recently opened its doors to guests this May and each night stay costs about $100,000!

Palawan to Be Divided into 3 Provinces

Republic Act No. 11259 divides Palawan into three provinces, namely:
Palawan Del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan Del Sur.