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Good morning, I'm Mike DeFallio, and I'm Nikki DeGuzman.

Join us as we give you the rundown of the news you need to know today.

In the headlines, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court rejects the Philippine government's request to suspend the ICC Drug War Probe.

Philippine lawmaker Arnulfo Tevez Jr. deemed a potential mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Noel Delgado.

Water interruptions to hit Metro Manila as part of conservation measures.

And another school shooting hits the U.S., leaving seven people dead, including the shooter.

And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will delay government's plan to overhaul the judiciary system after days of massive protests.

Thanks for joining us. We begin with this piece of breaking news.

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court rejects the Philippine government's request to suspend the ICC Drug War Probe.

It says while the Philippines' appeal brief cited the reasons for asking for suspense of effect,

it failed to explain how the alleged lack of ICC jurisdiction would defeat the purpose of the probe or create an irreversible situation that could not be corrected.

It notes the Philippine government did not provide arguments in its notice of appeal where it first asked for the suspension of the ICC probe.

It also notes the Philippines can't continue its own investigations of the drug war, irrespective of the proceedings of the court.

The Philippines has been rejecting an ICC probe on the drug war, arguing the country's judicial system is working and that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the country.

Mayor of Philippine Congressman Arnulfo Tevez Jr. now deemed a potential mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Ruel de Gamo. Adrian Ayalin reports.

Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnulfo Tevez is one of the two to three masterminds being considered in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Ruel de Gamo, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulia.

Remulia revealed that Tevez is being considered as a mastermind after he was asked on the whereabouts of the people behind the de Gamo case.

They can be contacted, I think. They're always in social media. Meron naman nasa social media dyan. Meron nga yung isa parang nag-text sa akin. Diba? I told you about it last week. Congressman Tevez texted me.

This was revealed as the DOJ recommends the filing of sets of information against the six of the ten respondents for nine counts of murder for the killing of de Gamo and eight others.

They will also be charged with 13 counts of frustrated murder and three counts of attempted murder. The lawyer of Tevez, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said he is no longer surprised that his client may be tagged as a mastermind.

This is anti-climatic. E umpisa pa naman noong nag-umpisa ang investigasyon. Lahat ng oblique references, lahat ng inwendo. Tevez, Tevez, Tevez. So we are not surprised. Para sa amin, huwag nang magawa ng mga pagpasaring na may illegal gambling.

Topacio challenged Remulia to file the case in court. Remulia said the case may be filed before the end of the month.

Kasi sa ganito, we cannot defend ourselves. Huwag na sanang magsalita kung hindi pa sigurado kasi may mga statements na I think, I'm not sure, it's possible. Complete the case build up and please file it para marinig na po sa prosecutor.

Sa court na, pa-file na sa court. Yes, yes. Kasi yung mga nagsurrender noong last week, na-inquest na sila, no, they surrendered last, a few days ago, di ba? Five days ago, Thursday, Friday, nasurrender sila. They were in our custody by Friday, no.

Remulia also said the brother of Congressman Tevez, former Governor Pride Henry Tevez, may also be implicated in the Digamo case. This comes after the raid by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the sugar mill and other properties of the former governor in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, where high-powered firearms, ammunition, explosives, and 18 million pesos in cash were confiscated.

Remulia said one of the suspects in the Digamo case was in the area and actually saw the preparation of the explosives.

It's used for assassination. It's used for, to create havoc. It's used to kill people. So nakita niya ang ginagawa yan. And yung gumagawa noon that he said, gumagawa noon, was part of the people we arrested also. Nakasama sa mga sumurrender and later on.

In the report of the Joint Negros Task Force CIDG, included in the latest raid is a short firearm with live ammunition, three magazines, and 2,000 live bullets. Interior Chief Benjor Abalos issued a warning to an unnamed person who he says was most likely the mastermind of the Digamo assassination, based on the evidence they have uncovered.

Alam kong alam mo kung sino ka. Sumuko ka na. Sumuko ka na. Lahat ng ebidensyang ito nakita naman natin sa hilang nakaraang araw. Yung mga mismong pumatay nasa kustodeya na. Alam mo kung sino ka. Sumuko ka na.

At sa iba pang hindi pahu-sumusuko, iba ang utak ng taong ito. He's very, very devious. He's very evil.

Former Governor Tevez said in a text message that he has already reached out to the Justice Secretary and he's ready to answer questions if needed. He will also be transparent as to his phone logs and even bank transactions.

We have to respect the rights of people. He has to undergo preliminary investigation for this. So we will look. I have no copy of the warrant. I have no copy of the proceedings leading to the warrant. But we'll see.

While the raid was done in Negros Oriental, Remulia said the complaint about the confiscated items may eventually be filed before the prosecutor's office in Metro Manila. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News.

Brotherly advice from former Negros Oriental Governor Pride Henry Tevez to his older brother, Rep. Arnoldo Tevez Jr., returned to the Philippines and faced the charges against him. The younger Tevez says his family shares the same sentiment, given that all of them bearing the name Tevez have been greatly affected by allegations against his brother. He also expressed confidence in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s promise to provide security to his brother.

If it's the President himself who guarantees the safety, I think he will be safe enough. Maybe to stop all this and shed light on everything, maybe it's about time he comes home.

Meanwhile, the younger Tevez declined to comment on possible charges that would be filed against him over weapons and explosives recovered in a sugar mill he partly owns. Tevez clarified he only owns 10% of the sugar mill. He also said that he has no intention of leaving the country.

Now, Kaloy, let me just get your thoughts. This news that woke up this morning, your thoughts about the ICC rejecting the appeal or at least the claim of the Philippine government that it should suspend the proceedings pending the appeal while it is hearing the appeal?

Well, this is definitely welcome news to us, to the human rights community. And I think this is just the appeals chamber just exercising its, I think it's good, you know, manifesting its good grasp of the issue here.

If you look at the ruling, the decision, it pointed out that the Philippine government actually failed to explain why they wanted the investigation to be suspended. And that is one of the basis why they just ordered that the appeal be dismissed.

So, you know, again, we don't get tired of saying this, but this development is really, really important, particularly for the families of the victims of the drug war. So, yeah, this is, you know, waking up to good news like this today is great.

Great. Now, Kaloy, let's just explain to our viewers that this is really disquestionary on the part of the ICC appeals chamber, whether or not to grant the suspensive effect while it is hearing the appeal. So just to be very clear, the appeal of the government still stands against the resumption of probe. But while that is being heard, the ICC prosecutor can still continue investigating the drug war in the Philippines.

How significant is this, considering that the Philippine government has tried to cite several reasons in its appeal brief, and the ICC appeals chamber doesn't seem to believe any of the reasons cited by the Philippine government?

Well, it's not just, yeah, you're right. It's not just because the Philippine government failed to cite the reasons why it wants to suspend the investigation, but also the appeals chamber ruled that even with this appeal pending, even with all of this motion with the Philippine government going on, even with all the actions that it wanted to take to try to frustrate the investigation, the prosecutor can still go on with the investigation.

The process should not be blocked. I mean, this is not, I mean, in the ruling it says this is without prejudice to any action by the Philippine government to continue exercising its right to question all these proceedings.

And let's just explain to our viewers as well, this concept of an irreversible situation that might be a basis for granting a suspensive effect. This situation, according to the ICC, the Philippine situation, does not fall into this. When we talk about irreversible situation, what is the ICC contemplating?

Well, it's the Philippine government that raised that point, arguing that the suspension needs to be done because the investigation might create some irreversible situation that cannot be remedied in the future. It's pure conjecture on the part of the Philippine government to do that.

And in fact, in the ruling, the appeals chamber said that it didn't cite any kind of reason to explain why such an irreversible situation could occur if the investigation goes on. So, in fact, for us, we're not very clear about what exactly the Philippine government meant by that.

And lastly, Kayo, I do want to get your thoughts about an earlier ruling of the ICC allowing the victims to participate by allowing them to provide their comments, their observations on the appeal of the Philippine government against the resumption of the probe. How important is this for you?

Well, this is extremely important because this is what the family of the drug war victims have been wanting to happen, that their voices be heard internationally and particularly with the ICC. And for practical reasons for the ICC, hearing the testimonies, the voices of the families of drug war victims is also key to determining what exactly happened in the past six or even beyond that.

So, it's extremely important. It's not just because the victims of the drug war, the families of the victims of the drug war are given a voice in all of this, but also they can provide more information to the ICC that might come up during these interactions.

And how influential, persuasive do you think the opinion of the victims might be on the ICC appeals chamber? Because I know that in the previous setting, the ICC, at least the ICC pretrial chamber, gave way to about 94% of drug war victims and their families saying they want this probe to happen.

Well, you know, in testimonies of witnesses or families of victims, I mean, these are really important in the way the ICC appeals chamber or the pretrial chamber weigh the evidence against the perpetrators, the alleged perpetrators.

They are very important. They are, you know, I mean, on so many levels, it's not just giving practical information to the ICC that they can use, but also putting in context, you know, all the violence, all the suffering that the drug war has created.

I mean, that is important to the ICC. And that is why we are elated that the families of victims are being given the chance to participate. And I think, you know, in the grand, I think, scheme of, you know, international justice, transitional justice, always truth-telling, you know, testimony, witnesses of families of victims

or witnesses are extremely, extremely important. So, yeah, we are hopeful that the process of, you know, the ICC involving more families of victims will continue.

On that note, thank you so much for joining us this morning and for accepting our quick invitation for an interview. Carlos Conde, Senior Philippines Researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Thank you.

In other news, a new round of fuel price rollback takes effect today. And meanwhile, the country's power grid operator is seeking intervention from the Energy Department to avert possible power interruptions this dry season. Alvin El Chico tells us more.

For the third straight week, oil firms are implementing a rollback in fuel prices. Diesel will be cheaper by 1 peso and 30 centavos per liter, 85 centavos for gasoline and 190 for kerosene. Some jeepney drivers are willing to bring down the minimum fare if diesel prices continue to dip.

Kahit mga 46, 45, ganon.

E, magkano ba ngayon?

54. Kasi dati, 46, 45 e. 90 pesos po e.

But a DOE says there are still factors that might push prices up in the world market this week.

Hindi po nawawala ang volatility ng oil prices. Nandyan po iyong iba't ibang factors para tumaas siya. Nandyan pa rin po iyong iba't ibang factors para bumabaas siya.

In fact, in just a day, nagbabago po siya dahil sa mga action that would contribute either tumaas or bumabaas siya.

Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation has warned of potential power interruptions after the Energy Regulatory Commission denied its petition to continue with the month-on-month extensions on its ancillary service agreements.

Ancillary services are used as reserve electricity to balance the grid in case of power fluctuations.

NGCP President and CEO Anthony Almeda has written Energy Secretary Rafael Otilia to seek help in allowing month-on-month contracts as the grid operator smoothens its competitive selection process for long-term contracts.

ERC Chair Mona Lisa Di Malanta says the commission is just waiting for NGCP's motion for reconsideration to act on the matter.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, on the other hand, has also called the attention of ERC for the delay in the approval of power supply contracts which pushed electricity prices up for consumers.

The ERC says it will issue an order to direct distribution utilities to collect authorized rates only and explain why ineligible contracts have been used.

Alvin El Chico, ABS-CBN News.

Water supply cuts set to be implemented in parts of Metro Manila this week as part of conservation measures in preparation for the El Niño phenomenon.

Warren De Guzman reports.

Anita Unlayao is just one of the residents of Paranaque who have been dealing with a water shortage for two months now.

They are directly affected by repair work on the Putatan Water Treatment Plant of Manila in Muntinlupa.

Anita says while they are given access to water at certain hours of the day, it is very difficult for them to ration their H2O, especially with a household of 10.

Anita is also frustrated that even though she hasn't been getting regular water service, her water bill has actually gone up.

Yan na nga ang mali si Rey kasi noong maaisman ang tubig, ang bill namin nasa 400 plus lang. Ngayon 600. Kung kayo nagpatakpatak ang tubig, tumaas.

Nagtataka nga ako eh.

Jennifer Rufo, head of corporate communications at Maynilad, says water rates rose not because of ongoing repairs or the like,

but because of a previously approved rate adjustment to help Maynilad cope with the rising cost of keeping the water flowing.

For the next five years, tulugan yung increase na mararanasan ng ating customers. Para hindi mabigat yung ating mga treatment chemicals, lahat po yan tumatasang halaga.

Kaya inflation adjustment pong ginawa nating increase this year.

There is good news for Anita and her neighbors in Paranaque, as well as Muntinlupa, Las Piñas and Cavite.

Putatan Water Treatment Plant is expected to be back at full capacity this April.

But there is also bad news. There will be daily water interruptions for Maynilad's customers in other parts of its concession area this week.

So mag-improve na yan by the latter half of April. Because by then, matatapos na yung ating intensified filter cleaning sa Putatan Treatment Plants.

Laguna Lake only provides around 10% of the raw water supply for Maynilad.

90% of our supply still comes from the Angat and Ipo water system. That's in Bulacan.

So yan ang ating binabantayan sa ngayon dahil base po sa pronouncement ng pag-asa, matasang likelihood na magkaroonan ng El Nino by the latter half of the year.

Kaya kami sa Maynilad, as a prudent conservation measure, mag-implement na po tayo ng daily service interruptions.

Dito po sa area naman natin na sinisirbisyohan ng Angat at Ipo water system.

Implementation will start officially March 28. We will make the schedules available on our website and social media accounts.

Daily po siya na maranasan ng customers all the way from Caloocan in the north. Pababa po yan sa portions ng Cavite.

Data from the Department of Science and Technology show water levels at Angat and Ipo Dam are already below their normal high water level.

Maynilad says they are waiting to see the intensity of the El Nino phenomenon this year to determine if more water conservation efforts will be needed

and whether it will affect customers in Caloocan, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Pasay, Quezon City, and Valenzuela.

Jennifer adds they are also taking steps to increase water supply from other sources.

Manila Water, meanwhile, has also announced a service interruption affecting customers in Cainta and Antipolo, Rizal from March 27 to March 29 for leak repair and line maintenance.

Meanwhile, lawmakers want to check up on government agencies and their preparations for the upcoming El Nino.

Senate Minority Leader Coco Pimentel says there should be measures in place for agriculture.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s executive order creating the Water Management Resource Office is a timely measure to help the country survive.

Senator Nancy Binay wants to look at the implementation of older laws such as RA 6716 of 1989 requiring the over 42,000 barangays or villages to install rainwater collection systems.

Warren De Guzman, ABS-CBN News.

Oriental Mindoro forced to delay the filing of compensation claims for thousands of residents affected by the massive oil spill in the area.

The insurance company tasked to process the claims said the personnel at the provincial capital still needs to be briefed on the filing procedures.

The filing will now begin on Friday, March 31.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Jumedito Dolores says claims officers will also visit affected towns to brief local officials.

The processing of claims is expected to take up to three months.

Ang priority ko ngayon at priority ng mga mayor sa narinito nung LNP meeting, yung mga mama mo yan na gutom, walang makain, walang pantuison ay mabayaran.

Imagine nyo yung mga tao, habang nagkakagulo sa korte, kung sino pagalingan, gutom yung tao.

On Monday, the owner of the sunken tanker, Princess Angus, appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation, and he refused to answer questions from the media.

And we are taking a quick break. Up ahead, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterates his call for action from Congress following the deadly Nashville mass shooting.

And we'll discuss the proposed banning of no-permit, no-exempt policy with the Federation of Associations of Private School Administrators.

These are more of the rundown returns. Stay tuned.

Welcome back. An association of private schools opposes a proposed measure banning the no-permit, no-exempt policy.

Now, the Federation of Associations of Private School Administrators describes the bill as ill-advised, saying it could hurt the schools' normal operations.

For more on this, we now have with us PAPSA Chairman Elizardo Casillas. Good morning, sir, and thanks for joining us.

Good morning, Nikki. Good morning.

So you've since said, as reported, that this bill banning the no-permit, no-exempt policy did not consider the situation of administrators in private schools and called it ill-advised.

What would be the consequences, Puga, if these fees are not paid on time?

Yeah, you know, this Senate Bill 1359 really didn't consider our situation here.

While we know it would affect our students, no, but it is coming at our own, you know, survival.

You know how it is right now, the situation in the private school when both our teachers and students are transferring and leaving us.

Some of us are already shutting down, no.

Let us realize for a moment the PAPSA stand.

First, private schools are here as alternatives to public schools, no.

And actually, it is the parents' choice to come to us.

We did not force the students to come to us, although we are very thankful.

We are glad that they're coming to us.

But the point is that if they really would like to study in a private school, there is really an integral policy that tuition fee has to be paid.

We operate on tuition fee.

And this is the main resource that we have, no, in miscellaneous fees.

Now, in lieu of that, of course, private school would give them better supervision.

We buy better facilities for our students.

You know, we have our air con.

We have the net and everything, no.

We're not congested, no.

And we have the quality.

We even define our curricula for them.

But this time, if the law would really be mandating us not to—because there's a prohibition that we—

Usually, if it is already correction time, we don't give exams to those who have not paid the quarterly tuition fee.

Now, if this would be prohibited, this would also, you know, give us quite a big problem.

Where do we get the salary for our teachers, you know, the utility bills, Miraco, NAWASA, and the net, no?

I think the law simply says you allow the grade one to take exam, even without permit,

and just charge them from around graduation time in senior high.

Well, that would mean in the process, you have nothing to pay the teachers.

And again, definitely, this is the best recipe for closing shop.

That's actually what is the intent and the purpose of the law, Nikki.

And soon enough, you won't have the private schools.

I mean, those small and affordable ones like us, what you would have would be the high-paying big schools,

the reputable schools that would charge you around 100,000 and more, and the public schools, which is free.

Come here, we simply would be gone. We simply would be disappearing.

That's actually the intent of the law. That is actually what they would like to happen.

And sir, we know that SB1359 also claims that to solve this problem,

schools are encouraged to enforce other interventions. What are these?

Question again, I didn't get that quite.

What are these other interventions that private schools are using to help these people cope,

those who have not been able to pay their tuition fees and the like?

We are practically left with very little intervention in the sense that probably we would allow our students to enjoy momentarily the promissory notes up to a little extent.

Because from also our experience, a little promissory note now that promises to say bye-bye po kami at the end of the month

when another promissory note would come. So it's a promissory note being paid by another promissory note.

I hope it won't be like that. I mean we understand the situation. We are all tight in our budget.

And the thing is, I guess we would also appeal for understanding, Nikki.

Because it's our survival. That's actually what is at stake here.

It's very small what we have. If ever we talk of space, it's already very small.

Mr. Quesilag, how are collectible payments from private school enrollees usually looking?

Are private school finances very unstable coming out of the pandemic?

That's a very timely question there, Nikki. We just have to look at the news.

We're shutting down. Right now, although we are not enjoying face-to-face, however, as far as the enrollment is concerned,

we haven't recovered yet from the pre-pandemic. I do not know if there are still those who can still manage to exist after some time.

But this school year, this is a test for us. We do not know. Most of us are still operating on bankruptcy.

You don't get to enjoy anymore what you used to get from the tuition fee.

And then you still have this Senate Bill 1359. That definitely will bury us.

Sir, what other aspects about private schools should lawmakers start focusing on as well, apart from this?

If I may be allowed to make an analogy, if the lawmakers, if our parents, if everyone understands how it is with the hospital,

the private hospital, if you like to be confined in one hospital, definitely, automatic, you'll be asked to give deposit.

And you're not allowed to be disposed or to leave the hospital without paying the bill.

That's practically the same situation where we are in.

Now if they are able to understand the situation in the hospital, that's where we are right now.

I know this is a political issue, Micky. The thing is, if there's something about this school, that's an issue that can be easily taken.

Come election time, they can say, I'm the one who removed the no-permit exam. Vote for me. I love you.

Because you know, if you are bargaining for the benefit of public school students, you definitely can enjoy another election.

I guess that's the thing there. It has been political.

But the point is, if we are also after the situation in education right now, the private school will give quality.

We also enjoy that in the public school, but definitely, that is our vision, to give excellent quality education.

And that is also something that will be lost. I guess this is one thing that also would disappear with us.

Sir, all this being considered, instead of banning the no-permit, no-exam rule, what's the best alternative ban that lawmakers maybe should be looking at?

Good question. For quite a while, we have been asking for subsidy. Because related to this, there are those parents who are highly indebted to us.

They have no payment. That is also the reason for closure of some of our members.

So the thing is, maybe instead of this one, instead of making it difficult, we should give them subsidy.

At least they should pay their parents' debts. Our politicians are important. They are our students all right, but they are also important.

So maybe the government, our big budget in education, part of that should go to this thing so that they can help the private school float and stay around.

Otherwise, maybe nothing. That's what we're afraid of. That's what we're afraid of, Micky.

Sir, before we let you go, what is it that lawmakers have to always bear in mind concerning laws on private schools, all things considered?

What they have to bear in mind? I guess a private school, kasi while we have this GASPE, this Government Assistance to Students, Teachers, and Private Education,

however, it is not trickled down to the elementary. That's only enjoyed by those in the high school and senior high school.

That's also one thing that they have to address because that's in the law. That's constitutionally enjoyed by education.

We are actually coming in as partner of the state, the government. That's also constitutional.

So I guess that they look, sa amin benefit naman, they look upon us na kami dapat also their constituents that they need to help, that they need to rescue.

Because we are sinking, we are closing, disappearing gradually. And what would happen to our education? That's the thing, Micky.

It would be a big looming situation.

A looming situation. Thank you so much for speaking to us, Sir Sila V. Ceci. Thank you for your insights.

And another thing, last class. There is this Filipino saying, aanihin paanda mo pagpatay ng kabayo. I know you understand that. That's our situation now.

If you would like really to help us, this is the best time. Otherwise, we go to, parang yung sinabi ko ang ating kasabihan. Kami parang wala na, hindi na kami papakinabangan.

All right. Thank you for speaking to us this morning, Sir Sila V. Ceci.

Thank you. Thank you, Micky. Good morning.

Moving on to more news. A Philippine lawmaker pushing for amendments to the country's constitution wants his colleagues to meet with senators who are opposing any move or a charter change.

Let's report from Sherian Torres.

Camarinesul Representative El Rey Villafuerte believes it's time for the House of Representatives and the Senate to meet and discuss charter change to arrive at a common ground on the matter before the year ends.

Villafuerte wants the Senate delegation led by Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes Chairman Robin Padilla and his House counterpart, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, to discuss the issue.

Villafuerte is one of the principal authors of the resolution of both Houses No. 6, which calls for a constitutional convention that would propose amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution.

His call was in response to House Speaker Martin Romaldez's readiness to discuss with his colleagues the Senate's cha-cha position.

Congressman preferred to have cha-cha via constitutional convention, while some senators are interested to amend the charter via constituent assembly.

Padilla says he is willing to meet with his counterpart at the lower chamber.

Pwede po tayong humingi ng audience sa kanila at bigyan po nila tayo siya ng oras na magpulong.

The Makati Business Club has already withdrawn its support to the cha-cha proposal given the high price tag.

But Congressman Rodriguez maintains the cha-cha proposal being pushed by lawmakers is based on the January 2021 pro-cha-cha position of the business sector.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III asserts amending the Constitution should not be prioritized at this time.

The poverty that we see all around us here in the Philippines was not caused by the Constitution.

This has been caused by unfair policies.

What is important is, number one, our power and energy costs.

Number two, our justice system.

Our judicial system must be efficient and should be trustworthy.

Governance and policy expert Ira Paulo Pozon, meanwhile, reminds the public a successful amendment of the charter's economic provision will not lead to quick solutions to the country's economic problems.

Kasi economic provisions, mag-lift tayo ng restrictions. So dapat nag-increase ang foreign direct investment, papasok pa lang sila eh.

Mag-mamarket studies pa yan, mag-feasibility, sige tayo tayo ng factory dito, mag-regulations pa yan, registrations.

Tama po yan, wala naman kong milagro eh dito. Ang kailangan lang po, magawa po natin, umpisaan na po natin.

Sharion Torres, ABS-CBN News.

Topping JMA News' website, the Professional Regulatory Commission says the Philippines has a supply of doctors, nurses, and other health workers, but only a fraction of them are practicing their professions.

And CNN Philippines' Vander story, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva pushes for a bill seeking to direct all government agencies to enhance industry collaboration and craft integrated and coordinated solutions to labor-related issues.

Now here's some stories we're tracking today. At 10.30 a.m., Ola Town Mayor Jennifer Cruz and various environmental groups will launch a broad coalition to demand transparent, urgent, and sufficient action on the oil spill wreaking havoc in Oriental Mindoro and nearby areas.

And President Marcos is expected to attend the Pag-ibig Pan Chairman Report later at 2 p.m.

And taking another breather, keep it here on ANC.

Topping JMA News.

And back with more news. The U.S. again rocked by a school shooting, this time in Tennessee. A woman armed with several guns opened fire at a private school in Nashville, killing three children and three adults.

The shooter, who once attended the school, was later killed by police. Authorities are now investigating the incident to determine the shooter's motive.

At 10.13 this morning, the police department received a call of an active shooter inside Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church.

The police department response was swift. Officers entered the first story of the school, began clearing it. They heard shots coming from the second level. They immediately went to the gunfire.

When the officers got to the second level, they saw a shooter, a female, who was firing. The officers engaged her. She was fatally shot by responding police officers.

Deadly mass shootings have become commonplace in the U.S. The female attacker is highly unusual. Only four of the 191 mass shootings since 1966 have been carried out by a woman.

U.S. President Joe Biden again calling for action from Congress following the Nashville mass shooting. There have been 89 school shootings in the U.S. so far in 2023.

Last year saw 303 such incidents. That's the highest of any year, according to a database which has tracked such events since 1970.

But with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, any new gun safety legislation is unlikely this year.

We're monitoring the situation really closely, Ben, as you know, and we have to do more to stop gun violence. It's ripping our communities apart, ripping the soul of this nation, ripping at the very soul of the nation.

You know, a shooter in this situation reportedly had two assault weapons and a pistol, two AK-47s. So I call on Congress again to pass my assault weapons ban. It's about time that we begin to make some more progress.

But there's more to learn. But I just wanted to send my concern and hearts out to so many parents out there.

Let's find out what stories our North America Bureau is pursuing right now with News Bureau Chief T.J. Manotoc.

Good morning, Mike and Nikki. Here are the latest stories making the headlines amongst the Filipino community.

We go to Vancouver, where after almost a year since the Bayanihan Drive was launched for the building of a Filipino cultural center, community leaders are now moving the project forward.

In several letters written by different groups, the Filipino leaders urge B.C. Premier David Ebi to make good on his commitment to build the first Filipino community center in the area.

Part of Ebi's mandate letter to Filipino-Canadian legislator Mabel Elmore when he appointed her last year as parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives was for her to support the tourism minister in advancing proposals for a Filipino cultural center.

Sumula tayo kay leader, kay Premier Ebi para po ma-realize na po yung project na yan kasi nagpalabas siya ng statement na ang government po niya is willing to support sa project ng Filipino cultural center.

Elmore said she and tourism minister Lana Pofam will soon be meeting with members of the Mabuhay Housing Society. She hopes that a more concrete commitment will be announced by the government soon.

Baseball season is around the corner and a Filipino-American will be wearing the iconic Yankee pinstripes. On Sunday, the New York Yankees named 21-year-old Anthony Volpe as their opening day shortstop.

Yankees!

The Yankees drafted the New Jersey native in 2019 and has spent time in the Yankees minor league system before being invited to spring training this year. The team posted a video of how they surprisingly broke the news to the Filipino baseball player.

Welcome to New York.

The Yankees will open its regular season on Thursday at home against the San Francisco Giants.

And those are the top stories making the headlines amongst the community here in North America. You can catch more of our news online at news.abs-cbin.com slash tfcnews and on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel. Back to Mike and Nikki for the rundown.

Thanks TJ. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a month delay to contested judicial reform plans. The legislation is meant to give the Israeli parliament more control over the country's judiciary. But the plans have triggered some of the biggest protests in Israel's history, with critics calling it a threat to democracy. Netanyahu says a wider consensus must be met for such a legal overhaul to push through.

We insist on the need to bring forth the necessary amendments to the judicial system and will allow the opportunity to achieve them through a wide consensus. It is an outmost worthy cause. Therefore, out of national responsibility, out for the will to prevent the rift in the nation, I have decided to suspend the second and third readings of the law in this term of the Knesset in order to allow the time to reach that wide consensus ahead of legislation during the next Knesset.

This way or the other, we will bring a reform that will reinstate the lost balance between the authorities while preserving, and I will add, strengthening civil rights.

And that's the rundown today. I'm Mike Navaglio. You can watch highlights, recaps, and exclusive content of our shows online.

And I'm Nikki De Guzman. Subscribe to the ANC YouTube channel, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. Head Start comes your way next. Stay with ANC.

Thank you for watching.