Context Dispatch

Malacañang on Sunday ordered government employees in Metro Manila and 15 Luzon provinces to work from home as authorities braced for continued heavy rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto issued Memorandum Circular 123 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Alternative learning modes were also ordered for schools in affected areas. Agencies providing basic and health services, disaster responders, and other vital government services must continue necessary operations. The private sector was also urged to adopt alternative work arrangements. The covered provinces are Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Benguet, Pangasinan, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Oriental Mindoro, and Bulacan.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the consolidated petitions filed by Vice President Sara Duterte and lawyer Israelito Torreon questioning the House of Representatives' handling of the impeachment complaints, ruling that the cases had become moot after the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate. 

Japan and the Philippines have formalized financial assistance worth about 30 billion yen to boost the country’s universal health care efforts and help ease pressures on the health sector brought about by rising tensions in the Middle East.

Bribery has emerged as the impeachment allegation against Vice President Sara Duterte that Filipinos consider the most serious, according to the latest nationwide survey by OCTA Research. The findings suggest the public distinguishes among the allegations rather than viewing the impeachment case as a single political issue.

Alex Eala officially broke into the WTA Top 20 after the latest world rankings were released following her breakthrough title at the Mubadala DC Open, a WTA 500 tournament. The historic climb gives the Filipina star fresh momentum heading into a crucial stretch that includes the WTA 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati before the season's final Grand Slam, the US Open. As a seeded player, Eala is assured of valuable ranking opportunities, and a deep run in any of the three tournaments could propel her closer to the Top 10, with the US Open offering double the ranking points haul.