Metro Manila Wage Hike: The Senate urged the Pasig court to lift the TRO blocking the P85 daily minimum wage increase in NCR, arguing courts shouldn’t stop wage-setting bodies under the Labor Code. Impeachment Fallout: In VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, a COA auditor said Duterte is presumed to have used confidential funds for personal benefit due to missing liquidation documents, while Sen. Robin Padilla linked OVP confidential fund release dates to CPP-NPA anniversary “foiled” attacks. Cost of Living & Power Bills: Malacañang asked transport groups to hold dialogue amid talks on fare hikes and higher fuel subsidies, while lawmakers filed a bill to remove VAT from the system loss charge that drives electricity bill complaints. Economy Watch: Inflation eased to 6.2% in July, and stocks slipped slightly as investors took profits ahead of Q2 GDP data. Environment & Local Growth: DENR unveiled a climate-smart forestry policy opening 1.18M hectares for investments projected to generate ₱38T in production value over 25 years; in Ormoc, a five-hectare ube demo farm is set to boost purple yam production. Safety Advisory: PhilSA warned that debris from China’s Jielong-3 rocket may have fallen near Babuyan Island and Santa Ana, urging people not to touch it. Security & Justice: The PNP said it will roll out new kidnapping investigation and crisis negotiation techniques after training with German experts.