#ThewRap: Things you need to know, July 9, 2018

Dear Rapplers,

We are closely monitoring on Typhoon Gardo (Maria) which has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility at dawn on Monday, July 9. 

Typhoon Gardo is not expected to make landfall in the Philippines, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat.

The House of Representatives and the Senate are set to spend the whole week reconciling several contentious and conflicting provisions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Meanwhile, the head of the Catholic Church’s social action arm in Legazpi City refuted a report that 6,000 Bicolanos pledged to support federalism during a recent convention here.

Albayanos, according to Father Rex Paul Arjona, executive director of the Diocese of Legazpi’s Social Action Center, ‘have been manipulated.’ He adds that, “most of those who came did so to listen, not necessarily to show their support. The attendance sheet they signed is evidence of attendance, not support to federalism. 

Below are more of today’s top stories. For further updates, please visit www.rappler.com

 

Typhoon Gardo strengthens again as it enters PAR

Gardo (Maria) now has maximum winds of 200 km/h and gustiness of up to 245 km/h. It’ll enhance the southwest monsoon.

4 boys rescued from flooded Thai cave

(UPDATED)The rescued boys emerged as night fell from the Tham Luang cave complex after navigating a treacherous escape route of more than four kilometres (2.5 miles) through twisting, narrow and jagged passageways

Senate inaction on China: No inquiry amid militarization

Experts tell Rappler it is the Senate’s ‘patriotic duty’ to protect the Philippines’ territorial integrity as China militarizes the South China Sea

Zero performance? COA flags DILG’s anti-criminality projects

The Commission on Audit says the Department of the Interior and Local Government failed to submit accomplishment reports for its Masa Masid project despite using its full budget

Twitter rooting out fake accounts at record rate – report

Russia-linked fake accounts are believed to have fired off false tweets in an effort to sway the 2016 US presidential vote

[EDITORIAL] #AnimatED: ‘Tatak-pagbabago’ ba ng Dutertenomics ang inflation?

Bolang kristal ba ang kinonsulta ng mga ekonomista ni Duterte?

Who’s to blame for soaring inflation? ‘All of them’ in gov’t, says economist

UP professor Emmanuel de Dios likens the Philippines’ economic managers to the suspects in Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ – they’re all ‘guilty’