News Briefs: August 7, 2019

Cha-cha still a priority

Charter change (Cha-cha) is “still a priority but not a top priority” in the 18th Congress, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday.

“Changing the Charter is a very involved process, so if we want to get this done, it should be started sooner than later,” Romualdez said, adding that the Duterte administration had only three years left. —DJ Yap

Comelec: Voters’ IDs for overseas voters only

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it has started working on plans to reissue voters’ IDs, but only for overseas voters.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body was still not issuing voters’ ID to registered voters in the country because of plans to integrate this in the proposed national ID. —Jovic Yee

Palace to wait for DOH’s side on expired meds

Malacañang will wait for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s explanation on the overstocking of P18.4 billion worth of medicines, some of which have already expired but remain undistributed inside the Department of Health (DOH) warehouses. —Julie M. Aurelio

Two frigates for PH Navy expected

The newly commissioned BRP Conrado Yap will serve as the Philippine Navy’s transition platform for two Jose Rizal-class frigates expected to arrive  next year, and are “welcome additions” to the Navy’s surface patrol capability. —Jeannette I. Andrade