Duterte: Assure me you can kill drug lords and you’ll get PNP top post
President Rodrigo Duterte wants a “better deal” from the conteders for the next  Philippine National Police (PNP) chief. Duterte said he wanted the police official who could promise him to kill drug lords to be the next head of the 190,000-strong police force.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Duterte declines hack-proof cellphone from China
China has offered a hack-proof phone to President Duterte but the latter apparently declined it. The President bared China’s gadget offer after recognizing the espionage ability of China even from a distance.
Manila Bulletin

SEAG ‘mishaps’ could have been prevented if funds used properly – Duterte
The mishaps in the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games could have been prevented if the funds have been used properly, President Duterte said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

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Palace says Inday Sara is right: We need a song representing entire PH
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was right, the Philippines should have a song that would reflect the whole Philippines and not just the capital Manila, Malacañang said Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

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Palace: LGUs should follow QC’s lead in banning single-use plastics
Malacañang is hoping that other local government units will emulate the Quezon City government’s decision to ban the use of single-use plastics in restaurants and hotels.
Manila Bulletin

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Malacañang personnel to get P60K Christmas bonus
All employees of the Office of the President (OP) will be receiving a PHP60,000 Christmas bonus this year. Palace Social Secretary Annalyn Tolentino bared this during the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas tree led by President Rodrigo Duterte at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan Complex on Monday night.
Philippine News Agency

Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)

OCA exec lauds Philippines hosting of SEA Games
A high-ranking official from the Olympic Council of Asia praised the Philippines for its organization of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Wei Jizhong, the vice president of Olympic Council of Asia, said in a press conference on Monday said he believes the Philippines can host “bigger scale” events after seeing how the ongoing SEA Games in the country is running.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Unity for SEA Games and ‘Tisoy’
With the Southeast Asian Games properly launched last Sunday, the next two weeks could be unifying for the country. The opening ceremony was fantastic—though the lighting of the cauldron was underwhelming given especially its cost—and the performance of our athletes have so far been electrifying.
Manila Standard

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BCDA: P13-B deal with Malaysia firm for New Clark City project aboveboard
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) denied Monday that its agreement with a Malaysian firm for the construction of the P13-billion government complex and sports hub at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac defied laws on public bidding and government circulars.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Of course Cayetano is to blame
The vigorous social media campaign that began last week to defend the preparations for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games — and not coincidentally organize support for Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the beleaguered chair of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee or Phisgoc — has a reality problem and a perception problem. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sotto riles against critics of SEA Games
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday slammed remarks by critics against the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last weekend.
Manila Bulletin

Leah Navarro laments prevalence of trolls in PH: ‘Vile, violent to please employers’
The 21st century’s major technological innovations do not come without a price; one of which is giving “trolls” the platform from which to attack people, albeit virtually, then even make money out of it — and Leah Navarro has seen better days.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Info operations attack media to manage SEA Games PR crisis
A week-long case study captured by Rappler shows how information operations turn a potential disaster for the Philippine government's handling of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) 2019 into a win, successfully manipulating public opinion and isolating “mainstream media.” This doesn’t just shoot the messengers, it aims to cripple and mute them.
Rappler

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OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo says youth can find ways to solve the national problems
The solutions to some of the nation’s problems can be conceived by the youth, Vice President Leni Robredo said Monday as her office cited the 12 best pro-peace projects from Mindanao during  the Angat Buhay Youth Peace Summit.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

‘We don’t respond to rudeness’: Leni on Duterte’s latest insults
Vice President Leni Robredo has refused to play President Rodrigo Duterte’s political games following his latest tirade against her.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

Typhoon Tisoy maintains strength; Signal No. 3 up in 11 areas
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 has been raised over 11 areas in the country as Typhoon Tisoy maintains its strength ahead of its expected landfall over Catanduanes, Albay, or Sorsogon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported Monday afternoon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pagasa warns of storm surge in parts of PH amid Typhoon Tisoy
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday issued a warning against storm surge in surge-prone areas in the country amid Typhoon Tisoy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gov’t to disaster response agencies: Be on ‘standby 24/7’
The government has placed concerned disaster response agencies on “standby 24/7” as typhoon “Tisoy” moved to dump heavy rains in some parts of the country.
Manila Bulletin

DILG to mayors: Don’t go missing in action as Tisoy looms
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday ordered all mayors in areas foreseen to be affected by Typhoon Tisoy to not go missing-in-action in their respective localities to oversee disaster management operations.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PNP places Luzon, Visayas units on full alert ahead of Tisoy’s landfall
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday placed its Luzon and Visayas units on full alert status to ensure the availability of resources and personnel for possible disaster response operations in areas foreseen to be affected by Typhoon Tisoy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Military ready to deal with typhoon’s impact in Southern Luzon
The Armed Forces of the Philippines – Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) on Monday said its forces are ready to launch relief, rescue and other operations required by residents in southern Luzon which is being threatened by Typhoon Tisoy (international name: Kammuri).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MMDA ready, on alert for Typhoon Tisoy 
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday assured that it is ready for the onslaught of Typhoon Tisoy  which is expected to spawn heavy rains in parts of Southern Luzon.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NTC orders telcos to ensure technical support in typhoon-affected areas
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Monday ordered all public telecommunications entities to ensure sufficient numbers of technical and support personnel in areas affected by typhoon “Tisoy.”
Manila Bulletin

Red Cross deploys personnel, materiel to Bicol Region as prep for #TisoyPH
With Typhoon “Tisoy” [international name: Kammuri] expected to make landfall in the next several hours, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed a “humanitarian caravan” to the Bicol Region.
Manila Bulletin

Coast Guard cancels sea trips due to Typhoon ‘Tisoy’
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has cancelled all scheduled sea trips in affected areas as Typhoon Tisoy is expected to hit Bicol region.
Manila Bulletin

Annoyed by NDRRMC alerts about Typhoon Tisoy? Twitter users sound off
As several areas in Luzon and the Visayas brace themselves for Typhoon Tisoy, some have found themselves jolted awake by mobile alerts from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Rappler

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70K people leave homes ahead of ‘Tisoy’ landfall; AFP alerts troops
Some 17,193 families or 69,251 individuals living in high-risk areas in Bicol Region (Region 5) and Eastern Visayas (Region 8) have been evacuated as a preventive measure ahead of typhoon Tisoy’s (international name: Kammuri) landfall, authorities reported Monday.
Manila Bulletin

Evacuations start in Marinduque coastal towns
At least 100 people were moved out of their homes on Monday, Dec. 2, as Typhoon Tisoy (international name Kammuri) moved closer to land. Provincial disaster response chief Rino Labay said these were residents in coastal areas.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bacolod, NegOcc raise ‘red alert’ for Typhoon ‘Tisoy’
Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have raised their typhoon alert status from blue to red as areas of the province have been placed under tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) Nos. 1 and 2 due to Typhoon “Tisoy” on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

LIST: Class suspensions for December 3 due to Typhoon Tisoy
Several local government units (LGUs) have canceled classes for December 3 due to anticipated adverse weather conditions that would be caused by Typhoon Tisoy.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Open churches to storm evacuees – Bishop Baylon
Amid the threat of Typhoon “Tisoy”, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon has asked priests in his diocese to help ensure the safety of their parishioners by opening their churches to evacuees.
Manila Bulletin

Flood alert up in 34 major rivers in Eastern Visayas
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of possible flooding in 34 major river systems in Eastern Visayas Region due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Tisoy (international name Kammuri).
Philippine News Agency

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NoCot vice guv discourages cash aid to quake victims
Vice Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza has asked future donors to the earthquake-stricken areas here to donate materials for the temporary transitional shelters instead of giving cash assistance.
Philippine News Agency

Geo-resistivity conducted on potential groundwater sources in quake-hit Cotabato
Experts from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) completed on Sunday a two-day geo-resistivity survey in areas identified as potential ground water sources.
Mindanews

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senate: Realignment of P230 billion funds for national budget not ‘dagdag-bawas’
Senate leaders defended on Monday the chamber’s move to realign funds between agencies in its version of the 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
Manila Bulletin

1-week Senate vacation ‘challenge’ for Citira’s timely approval, says DOF exec
A week-long break taken by the Senate purportedly for the Philippines’ hosting duties for the 30th Southeast Asian Games (Sea Games) is making it tougher to pass the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (Citira) measure by the end of the year, according to a ranking finance official who is the brainchild of most of the Duterte administration’s tax and fiscal reforms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gatchalian pushes for bill streamlining LPG industry-related laws and regulations
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to streamline existing laws and regulations overseeing the domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry.
Manila Bulletin

Senate allots additional P20M for breathalyzers to DOTr’s budget
The Senate has allotted an additional P20 million to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) proposed 2020 budget for the purchase of breathalyzers, Senator Grace Poe said Monday.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House panel begins discussion on bill taxing single-use plastic bags
The House ways and means committee started tackling on Monday a bill seeking to impose a P10 excise tax on every kilo of single-use plastic bags produced in the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Bills propose dropping of judicial procedures in child adoption
Legislative proposals seeking to cut short the process of adoption by cancelling costly and lengthy judicial procedures are getting strong support in the House of Representatives.
Manila Bulletin

Solons push to develop Sangley Point airport for budget airlines to decongest NAIA
Lawmakers on Monday pointed to the need to develop Sangley Point in Cavite into an airport for general aviation and commercial flights to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Manila Bulletin

Solon proposes civil service eligibility for athletes
A leader of the House of Representatives on Monday proposed to grant civil service eligibility to the country’s career athletes, coaches, trainers, and officials by recognizing them as full-fledged and licensed professionals.
Philippine News Agency

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Premyo bond sale a hit
The sale of so-called premyo bonds, a kind of debt paper unique to the Philippines, was a hit as more than half of P3 billion worth of these bonds were snapped up by mostly individual investors.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BSP cites study showing cashless payments on the rise in PH
Commitment to electronic payments was renewed at a summit held on Monday, Dec. 2, headed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BIR issues controversial seizure warrants
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has come out with a controversial tax enforcement collection strategy which was described by many tax lawyers as unconstitutional.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

6 PRO-7 cops sacked for grave neglect of duty
The chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) in Central Visayas on Monday announced the dismissal from service of six police officers over administrative charges.
Philippine News Agency

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan affirms graft, malversation charges against ex-CDO solon
The Sandiganbayan Second Division has affirmed the remaining graft and malversation charges filed against former Cagayan De Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula in relation to the reportedly anomalous accreditation of a non-government organization and the release to it of P3 million for the purchase of fertilizers without any proof of receipt.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

'Best is yet to come' for PHL-China ties, says new Chinese envoy
China's new envoy to the Philippines sounded an upbeat note about Beijing's ties with Manila, saying the past few years under the Duterte administration ushered a "fresh Golden Age" for the two Asian neighbors.
GMA News

West Philippine Sea

Security officials verifying Chinese airship on PH-claimed reef
Malacañang on Monday deferred commenting on the reported sighting of a Chinese airship floating above the Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine News Agency

LABOR

Suspension of deployment of workers to Poland upon reports of abuses, irregularities
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Geneva is recommending the suspension of deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Poland.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

NAIA terminals close Dec. 3, 11 a.m to 11 p.m.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced on Monday that all Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) airport terminals will be closed from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on December 3, Tuesday in the anticipation of the inclement weather brought by Typhoon “Tisoy” (Kammuri). Flights will be cancelled during that period.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine News Agency

LTO announces partial release of motor vehicle plates to begin Monday
In a Facebook post last Friday, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that the partial delivery of motor vehicle plates for January to June 2016 registration will begin on December 2.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

Dengue cases up by 92% this year, reach 402,694
While new dengue cases continue to drop, the total number of patients who were afflicted with the mosquito-borne disease this year has already breached more than 400,000.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Regulation better for Pinoys than a ban, says e-cigarettes group
Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) President Joey Dulay appealed to House of Representatives members Monday to pursue the proper regulation of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) as opposed to the sweeping ban that was recently ordered by Malacañang.
Manila Bulletin

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

DA chief assures Pangasinan pork swine fever-free
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar has declared Pangasinan pork and pork products are free of the African swine fever (ASF) after some hogs in the province earlier tested positive of ASF.
Philippine News Agency

EDUCATION

ENERGY

Casting away coal addiction for survival
Climate Change Consciousness week is held through the proclamation by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo every November, through my recommendation as Presidential Adviser on Climate Change to raise awareness and generate action to respond to global warming threats.
Philippine Star

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

DOT opens website showing best of PH for SEA Games athletes, visitors
A website showcasing tourist spots in the country has been launched for Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletes and visitors who wish to explore the Philippines during their stay.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Foreign tourist arrivals in PH reach 6 million in September
Foreign tourist arrivals have reached over 6 million for the first nine months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday. DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon said the agency recorded 6.16 million visitors from January to September this year, which is 14.37 percent higher than the recorded foreign tourist arrivals in the same period in 2018.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tourism revenue hit record-high $7.29B in September
The country’s tourism industry surged by 25.66 percent in the first nine months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday. Undersecretary Benito Bengzon said the Philippines aggregated revenues of $7.29 billion or P379.21 billion from January to September this year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES



Water crisis

Angat Dam water level slightly rises as 'Tisoy' nears
Monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon "Tisoy" (international name Kammuri) have slightly elevated the water level of the Angat Dam after the weather system entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Saturday afternoon.
Philippine News Agency

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

ADB backs bid to connect 2B people, including Filipinos, to internet in its first satellite project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping finance a $50 million satellite launch which would bring the internet to at last 2 billion people in Asia-Pacific that are not on the map of telecommunications providers because of their remoteness or smallness.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Complaints against online lenders decline after National Privacy Commission issues stop processing order
The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Monday, December 2, 2019, said privacy-related complaints against online lending companies had declined following the enforcement against dubious online lending application.
Cebu Daily News

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR