AGP Executive Report

Canada-Philippines Strategic Partnership: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and PM Mark Carney elevated ties to a strategic partnership in Vancouver, with plans for deeper cooperation on trade, energy (including nuclear), defense, cyber, maritime security, and tourism, backed by the large Filipino-Canadian community. Upper-middle income milestone: Marcos said the Philippines’ World Bank upgrade to upper-middle income is a “vote of confidence” meant to translate into jobs and investment, while critics warn the benefits may not reach most Filipinos. INC rally tensions: Iglesia ni Cristo protesters said they’re ready to camp at Liwasang Bonifacio “as long as it takes” after a three-day mobilization, as lawmakers and police brace for continued disruption. Tacloban school shooting response: DepEd said it’s coordinating with PNP and DICT to protect students from online extremist groomers; DSWD reported intensive interventions for two detained minors. Food and farm policy: The DA will temporarily halt importation of 5% broken rice and allow lower grades to protect local farmers amid depressed prices. Weather watch: PAGASA warned a tropical storm outside PAR could intensify into a super typhoon next week and enter the country’s area of responsibility midweek. Sports—Eala at Wimbledon: Alexandra Eala advanced to Wimbledon third round after a comeback win over Maya Joint, setting up a clash with defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Weather Watch: Habagat and easterlies bring cloudy skies and rain across parts of Palawan, Mindoro, Panay, Zamboanga, Basilan and other areas, while Pagasa warns of thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds in Metro Manila and nearby provinces for the next two hours. Minimum Wage Push: Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla backs the Metro Manila P85 daily wage hike but urges wider coverage beyond NCR so nearby regions aren’t left behind. Impeachment Spotlight: Clergy for Good Governance and Catholic priests hold masses for the House prosecution team ahead of VP Sara Duterte’s July 6 trial, while the impeachment court says only 61 public observers per day can attend via registration. School Safety & Youth Protection: DepEd issues streamlined rules treating bomb threats and deadly weapons as critical offenses, and the PNP says it’s considering help desks for bullying cases after the Tacloban school shooting, with cyber monitoring and coordination with foreign counterparts. INC Rally Update: The INC-led protest at Liwasang Bonifacio continues with thousands attending as the PNP keeps NCR on full alert and other areas on heightened alert. Economy & Policy: President Marcos marks the Philippines’ World Bank upgrade to upper-middle-income status, calling it validation of recent economic policies. Public Safety: PAL reports a Hong Kong-bound flight was briefly held at NAIA due to a security concern, then cleared for departure.

INC Rally Dispute in Manila: Manila’s disaster office put the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally at Liwasang Bonifacio on red alert, as the group moved after Quezon City revoked its permit—prompting road closures and class suspensions in Manila. Transport Disruptions: The LTFRB issued show-cause orders to 34 transport operators spotted joining the INC protest instead of plying routes. Tacloban Shooting Probe: A Senate inquiry flagged the online extremist group “764” as possibly influencing the June 22 Tacloban school shooting, renewing calls for stronger protection for minors online. Rice Price Control: The Department of Agriculture urged President Marcos to extend the P50-per-kilo import rice price ceiling for 60 more days to curb inflation while harvest is still pending. Water Worries from El Niño: Maynilad said it has added buffers as Angat Dam levels fall, warning of risks tied to the looming El Niño. Ateneo Drownings Case: PNP CIDG recommended additional charges against resigned coach Tab Baldwin and others over the deaths of student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Economy Milestone: The World Bank said the Philippines reached upper-middle-income status, citing a record 2025 GNI per capita.

INC Rally & Traffic Disruptions: Quezon City allowed the Iglesia ni Cristo rally for July 2-3 at the EDSA People Power Monument area, but capped participants at 100,000 and warned against parking and other violations as MMDA issued citations. Tacloban School Shooting: President Marcos extended P150,000 to each family of the three slain students and P50,000 to each of 18 injured; meanwhile, Senate probes continued with claims a best friend shot the wounded student and questions raised about minors’ exposure to guns. Anti-Corruption & Plunder Case: Ombudsman Remulla said plunder charges vs Sen. Rodante Marcoleta will proceed, while Palace urged INC rallies not to become destabilization moves. Weather & Safety: PAGASA lifted wind signals as Tropical Depression Henry neared exit from the PAR; Zambales Coast Guard suspended sea travel. Sports & Citizenship: SBP said Malick Diouf and Beth Means secured PH passports, boosting Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 options. Education Rules: DepEd reminded schools to strictly enforce the ban on gadgets during class hours except for educational or emergency use.

INC Rally Disrupts Metro Manila: Thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) supporters again swarmed Edsa–White Plains in Quezon City, with QCPD estimating at least 4,000 participants by early Wednesday; authorities moved to manage traffic and later approved a permit for a second day after the Tuesday gathering proceeded without one, prompting clashes and road closures. Minimum Wage Boost: The Department of Labor and Employment approved a “historic” P85 NCR minimum wage hike in two tranches—P60 effective July 19 and P25 on Jan. 20—benefiting over 1.1 million workers, though labor groups warned it’s still too low amid rising costs. El Niño Prep for Farmers: The Department of Agriculture is rolling out data-driven planning and faster climate adaptation, including irrigation and storage, as El Niño is expected to peak later this year. Ombudsman Moves in Flood Case: The Ombudsman named former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan as a state witness to strengthen the flood control scam case involving Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. Weather Watch: PAGASA said an LPA off Oriental Mindoro may develop into a tropical depression soon, bringing cloudy skies and scattered rains across parts of Luzon and the Visayas. Sports & Culture: Alex Eala advanced at Wimbledon with a 6-1, 6-2 win; and Bohol officials met USDA to explore funding for a ube research program.

Children Online Safety: A new House bill proposes the Children’s Social Media Safety Act, with fines up to ₱50 million for platforms that miss child-safety rules like age checks, parental controls, and harmful-content safeguards, plus possible temporary shutdowns for repeat serious violations. EDSA Rally Fallout: Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) staged a surprise protest in Quezon City and Manila supporting Sen. Rodante Marcoleta amid a looming non-bailable plunder case; police said dispersal could worsen chaos, while the Palace stressed Marcos respects assembly but won’t tolerate abuses, and permits/traffic disruptions became a flashpoint. Impeachment Prep: Senate leaders said the impeachment court is ready for Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial proper starting July 6, as the Senate minority urged the Supreme Court to rule on the validity of a June 3 session. Flood Control & Accountability: The Ombudsman accepted former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan as a state witness in flood-control-related cases tied to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as lawmakers also pushed to reopen the House flood probe. Economy & Cost of Living: Metro Manila’s minimum wage hike of ₱85 per day drew criticism from labor groups as too small against rising prices, with concerns about staggered implementation. Weather & Safety: An LPA prompted class suspensions in parts of Oriental Mindoro, while Taal Volcano logged another short phreatomagmatic eruption hours after an earlier one.

Impeachment Countdown: The Senate court for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment approved 92 trial days and 17 witnesses, with hearings set to start July 6. Legal Pressure on Politics: Sen. Rodante Marcoleta warned that a looming plunder case could derail his participation in the impeachment proceedings. Weather Watch: Pagasa said an LPA off Masbate has a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours, with possible Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in parts of Southern Luzon and the Visayas; separate advisories also flagged flood risks in multiple regions. School Safety After Tacloban: Schools in Batangas and Negros Occidental suspended classes after online shooting threats, while Cebu also moved to beef up school security. Health Update: DOH reported 44 mpox cases as of June 13, down 79% from last year, while Mandaluyong confirmed a new case and launched contact tracing. OFW Support: The DMW opened an Alagang OWWA Kapihan center in Cagayan for returning workers, offering integrated services. Immigration Enforcement: BI arrested 10 foreigners in Siargao for immigration violations, including overstaying and working without proper documents. Maritime Tension: Palace said all Filipino seafarers on two vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz are safe. Corruption Case Moves: Ombudsman said it will conduct its own preliminary probe in a flood control-related case involving Sen. Joel Villanueva.

Impeachment Watch: House prosecutors say VP Sara Duterte’s defense has agreed to open a sealed BIR box for her records under conditions, a move House panel spokesperson Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa calls a step toward transparency as the Senate impeachment trial starts July 6. School Safety & Justice: DILG says DOJ should decide whether Ateneo student managers and ball boys are charged in the hazing-linked drowning deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili; Remulla also stressed Ateneo’s duty to protect students. Weather & Disasters: PAGASA warns of heavy rains and possible tropical depression/cyclone development near Eastern Samar, with flash-flood and landslide risks; separate thunderstorm advisories hit parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. Crime & Enforcement: BI arrests foreign nationals in Siargao for visa overstay and working without permits; PNP says it will arrest Sen. “Bato” dela Rosa if he resurfaces for Duterte’s impeachment trial. Economy & Travel: PAL resumes Manila–Dubai flights Oct. 2; PSEi rises for a third straight day as Middle East tensions ease and the peso firms. Environment: DENR and Marcos inaugurate Korea-donated marine cleanup vessel MV Nilad to tackle Manila Bay litter.

Stable Peace Drive: Southern Luzon Command says Calabarzon is now a Stable Internal Peace and Security region as communist insurgency gains continue, citing dismantled NPA committees and reintegration of 1,673 former rebels. Anti-Dynasty Push: Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian expects “bloody” bicam talks to reconcile House and Senate versions of the long-awaited anti-political dynasty law, urging passage as Congress resumes July 26. School Safety & Social Media: Gatchalian renews calls to bar kids 16 and below from social media, pointing to the Tacloban school shooting and urging stronger safeguards. Tacloban Recovery: San Jose National High School plans a phased return with modular learning July 1-3, plus repairs and psychosocial support, as classes remain suspended amid security upgrades. Press Freedom Alarm: A Reuters Institute trust drop and UN warnings highlight growing pressure on journalists, after a broadcaster survived an assassination attempt. Waste Management Fight: Environmental groups criticize the Navotas landfill fire as proof of weak enforcement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, warning of systemic failures. Economy Watch: The BOP deficit widened to $5.3B in Q1 2026 as debt repayments and softer inflows weigh on external accounts. Trade & Investment: DA moves to consider safeguard measures on imported rice after findings link import surges to injury of local farmers; PEZA also seeks lifting Metro Manila ecozone moratorium to spur IT-BPM investments. Sports & Culture: Gilas opens NZ friendlies with a win over Manawatu; White Party Manila returns with a P1M donation to HIV advocacy group LoveYourself.

School Safety Push After Tacloban Shooting: Sen. Loren Legarda urged the public to look beyond social media and games as the sole cause of the Tacloban City tragedy, saying deeper issues and missed warning signs must be addressed. PNP Coordination Drive: The PNP is asking schools to coordinate with police for field trips and major off-campus activities, and it also urged tighter school-police coordination after the drowning of two Ateneo athletes in Aurora. Tacloban Threats Probe: Authorities in Leyte and Northern Samar are investigating alleged student threats posted online and have tightened security at schools. Accountability Politics: The House prosecution panel in VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial asked the Senate for room to present evidence ahead of the July 6 start. ICC Move on Duterte Funds: The ICC ordered the freeze of cash seized from Duterte during his March 2025 arrest, while ordering an inventory of seized items. Drugs Crackdown: PDEA reported P40.06M worth of illegal drugs seized and 110 suspects arrested in nationwide operations from June 18 to 25. Visayas Power Woes: NGCP data shows thin reserves in the Visayas, keeping rotational brownouts a risk into early July. Digital Access: Globe CEO Carl Cruz said the goal is reliable connectivity nationwide, calling for technology-neutral policies and consumer protection. Offshore Wind Plan: Finance chief Frederick Go met investors to push the San Miguel Bay offshore wind project, aiming for the country’s first offshore wind farm in the region.

National Budget: The Marcos administration asked Congress to fund a P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, with DBM saying it’s P407 billion higher than 2026 and set at 21.7% of GDP. Tourism Push: DOT launched “Discover More to Love,” a July–November domestic travel campaign with 3,000+ discounted deals via partner hotels, tour operators and airlines. School Safety & Youth Online Risks: After the Tacloban school shooting, police and health groups are pushing tougher safeguards—PNP visibility operations in Manila increased, while the Philippine Pediatric Society warned against unsupervised social media use for kids 16 and below. Criminal Case: NBI filed a qualified human trafficking complaint vs former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and wife over alleged exploitation at a Pasig bar and hotel. Environment & Health: Experts warned the Navotas landfill fire could leave long-term air pollution risks. Agriculture: Negros Occidental LGUs ramped up ASF biosecurity and tightened pork controls. Sports: Gilas starts New Zealand exhibition games ahead of the next Fiba World Cup qualifiers window. Biodiversity: Study finds the Philippine eagle has low genetic diversity, raising extinction risk.

School Safety Push: President Marcos called for stronger child protection after the Tacloban student shooting and other school violence, directing DepEd, DOH, PNP and LGUs to tighten safeguards nationwide. Campus Security Updates: DepEd launched a School Safety Campaign to improve prevention, reporting, response and intervention, following the June 22 Tacloban tragedy. Legal Debate on Games: Sen. Rodante Marcoleta warned against rushing to blame video games for the Tacloban shooting, urging a careful look at facts first. Disinformation & Accountability: A Tacloban shooting sparked claims and counterclaims, with officials and groups pushing for clearer juvenile justice discussions. Health Workers Under Scrutiny: PRC suspended doctor Lorraine Badoy for six months over statements linking health workers to CPP-NPA-NDF. Transport & Public Safety: DOTr and Cebu launched a provincial-led transport service contracting program, while LTFRB suspended an EV taxi operator over a viral robbery prank. Earthquake Watch: Another M6.6 quake hit the Philippines, adding to a week of strong tremors. Environment: Scientists reported critically endangered Philippine eagles have exceptionally low genetic diversity, raising extinction risk. UAE Travel Move: UAE expanded visa-on-arrival to more eligible travelers, including Filipinos.

Workplace & wellbeing: Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2026 says Filipino workers are the most stressed in Southeast Asia, with 50% reporting stress most of the day, alongside high daily sadness and anger—yet Filipinos also top the region in job engagement. Health infrastructure: President Marcos ordered the immediate completion of NKTI’s 13-story Hemodialysis Building, aiming to make it Southeast Asia’s largest dialysis hub by end-2027. School safety after Tacloban shooting: DepEd rolled out a nationwide campus safety campaign—bag inspections with metal detectors, CCTV, stricter screening, and safety audits—plus psychological intervention for the Tacloban school community. Justice & politics: In the Senate impeachment pretrial, the sealed BIR tax records “box” for VP Sara Duterte was not opened yet, with unsealing deferred to let the defense file comments. Sports & culture: Manila Gilas’ women’s 3×3 run ended in the quarterfinals vs Germany, while Lea Salonga was named the inaugural MIFF Icon Award recipient. Environment & accountability: Subic Bay denied claims it’s a dumping ground for US toxic e-waste, saying imports are for legal recycling under monitoring.

School Safety Overhaul: DepEd says it will tighten security nationwide after the Tacloban City shooting that killed three students, rolling out metal detectors, bag checks, CCTV, stricter visitor rules, and safety audits of exits, fencing, and lighting. Impeachment Court Updates: VP Sara Duterte’s defense filed its comment on the prosecution’s bid to open the sealed BIR “green box” of tax records; Senate Impeachment Clerk Renato Bantug said opening was deferred and even marking the sealed box needs both sides’ agreement. Tacloban Probe Fallout: Interior Sec. Jonvic Remulla said Ateneo and Smart were unaware of the Aurora training where two players drowned, while he also pushed for an HDO against resigned coach Tab Baldwin. Public Order: NCRPO placed police on full alert for the June 28 White Ribbon March. Weather & Risk: Phivolcs logged 287 quakes off Bolinao, Pangasinan since May 27; PAGASA warned of thunderstorms in parts of Luzon and monitored a possible disturbance by June 29. Sports: PH women’s beach handball team “Amigas” stunned Brazil 2-1 and is set to face Norway for a quarterfinal shot.

School Safety & Justice: Tacloban’s San Jose National High School shooting keeps unfolding as prosecutors push murder and frustrated murder cases, while debate grows over whether the juvenile justice law should be tightened after minors were involved; in Leyte, a 14-year-old accused online of planning an attack was released after authorities found no immediate danger. Violent Games Crackdown: The DILG backs a possible permanent ban on violent online games after Tacloban-linked shooter addiction to “GoreBox,” with cybercrime authorities having temporarily blocked it. Impeachment Watch: The Senate impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte moves forward as House prosecutors finalize a witness list for July 6, while the pre-trial conference is called a “success” by lead prosecutor Luistro. Energy & Disaster Response: President Marcos orders faster rehab for areas hit by Mindanao’s 7.8 quake, while Francisco exits PAR and Gardo enters but is expected to stay far from land. Crime & Enforcement: Customs seized 11 containers of illicit cigarettes worth about P860M in Cebu; separate operations also removed children from harm after an overseas child abuse probe. Sports & Culture: Filipino students from Batangas State University snag a third-place podium in NASA-backed space robotics; Miss Philippines Earth 2026 coronation is set for June 27 in Bukidnon.

School Safety & Violence Response: The Tacloban City school shooting that killed three students and wounded at least 20 is pushing the government to expand parenting lessons and tighten gun-regulation checks, as Malacañang called the incidents “unacceptable” and ordered probes after another foiled attack in Leyte. Impeachment Watch: Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment pretrial wrapped its fifth day, with the trial set to start July 6; officials also disputed claims about the process derailing other investigations, while the prosecution’s use of “Mary Grace Piattos” as a witness name—despite PSA saying it doesn’t exist—remains a flashpoint. Weather & Disaster Updates: Severe Tropical Storm Francisco (“Mekkhala”) is set to exit the Philippine area of responsibility within hours, while Tropical Storm Gardo (“Higos”) entered PAR but is expected to stay far from land; a separate magnitude 5.3 quake hit off Sarangani. Economy & Policy: Malacañang said infrastructure spending will speed up in the second half after cautious releases tied to past flood-control controversy; meanwhile, the agriculture chief ordered a halt to importing bioethanol feedstock to protect local sugar farmers. Overseas Filipinos: DFA reported no Pinoy casualties from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes.