MCT Daily Brief

SEPTEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 5.4%

About 2.86 million Filipinos were unemployed in September, up from 2.77 million in August. The unemployment rate rose from 5.3% to 5.4%, according to preliminary figures released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on November 6. A year earlier, the rate was 3.8%.

Employment also increased, from 49.79 million people in August to 50.32 million in September. The labour force grew, so the numbers with and without work could both rise. Meanwhile, 5.56 million employed people wanted more working hours, another job, or a new job with longer hours. That put underemployment at 11%, down from 11.9% in August.

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES OUTPUT FALLS IN Q3

Agriculture and fisheries production was worth ₱389.42 billion at constant 2018 prices in July–September, down 5% from the same quarter last year. PSA released the figures on November 6. Crop production value fell 9.3% and fisheries fell 8.5%; livestock and poultry grew.

Palay and corn production values dropped 17.8% and 17.4%, respectively. Using constant prices lets PSA compare production without changes in prices driving the result. These figures describe output, not what a kilo of rice or fish costs at the market.

GUADALUPE BUSWAY STATION REOPENS

The renovated EDSA Busway Guadalupe station reopened at 5 a.m. on November 6, according to reports citing the Department of Transportation (DOTr). It has a wider passenger platform, more seats, tactile paving, LED information screens and a larger covered waiting area.

Elevator repairs were still described as work to be expedited. Passengers who need step-free access should check the station's current arrangements before travelling.

IMPEACHMENT COURT SETS EVIDENCE LIMITS AND RESTORES GAG RULE

The Senate impeachment court has admitted financial and property records for the remaining unexplained-wealth charge against Vice President Sara Duterte, while excluding confidential-fund disallowance records tied to a withdrawn charge. In rulings announced on November 6, it also restored restrictions on public discussion of all four impeachment articles, including the three prosecutors withdrew.

The court rejected the defense’s broad claim that subpoenaed documents were a “fishing expedition” simply because they were not attached to the original complaint. Records from 2007 to 2021 may help establish Duterte’s financial position before she became vice president, but cannot be used to prove separate offenses from those earlier years.

Admitting the records allows the senator-judges to consider them. It does not decide their weight or whether the remaining allegation is proved. Duterte denies wrongdoing. Her defense is scheduled to begin presenting evidence on November 9 at 10 a.m.

PRIVACY COMMISSION CHECKS REPORTED GOVERNMENT DATA LEAKS

The National Privacy Commission said on November 6 that it would contact government agencies to verify reports of alleged data leaks that surfaced a day earlier. At the time of its statement, it had received no personal data breach notifications from the agencies concerned.

The commission is checking whether personal information was exposed and whether the agencies must notify affected people. Reports of a leak alone do not establish that a breach occurred or that the Data Privacy Act was violated.

When a breach meets the conditions for mandatory notification, the agency handling the information must notify the commission and affected people within 72 hours of knowing, or reasonably believing, that such a breach occurred. The next questions are which systems were affected, what information was exposed, and who needs to be told.