Let's Do The News! (February 18, 2019)

- Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, the chairman of the Senate economic affairs said that the recently signed Rice Tariffication Act is a strong counter-inflationary measure that would help increase the supply of affordable rice in local retail markets.

- Calls to grant a P3,000-monthly pension and health benefits for the country’s so-called “Comfort Women,” or victims of sexual abuse from Japanese soldiers during World War 2, have snowballed in Congress. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte added to the list of lawmakers who sought pension and health benefits for them.

- The new Social Security System law will ensure that millions of overseas Filipino workers will have a decent nest egg when they retire, according to Senator Richard J. Gordon. Under the new law, sea-based OFWs will be considered as regular employed members. Their contributions will be collected and remitted to the SSS by their manning agencies, which are agents of their principals and are considered as the employers of the sea-based OFWs.

- Australia said a “sophisticated state actor” had hacked the country’s main political parties and parliament, just weeks before a closely fought election. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told lawmakers security agencies looking at a hack of lawmakers “also became aware that the networks of some political parties; Liberal, Labor, and Nationals have also been affected”.

- California will “imminently” challenge President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said.

- The Vatican will gather senior bishops from around the world later this week for a conference on sex abuse designed to guide them on how best to tackle a problem that has decimated the Church’s credibility, but critics say it is too little, too late.

- The man whose family is at the centre of a measles outbreak in Vancouver said he didn't vaccinate his children due to autism fears.

- Ferrari will unveil their mid-engined V8 hybrid supercar later this year.

- Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly seeking alternative funding because conditions aren't right for it to borrow from the bond market.

- Actor John Estrada confirms Derek Ramsay's transfer to GMA-7.

TTFN!!!