Duterte, Panelo to have another televised têtê-a-têtê
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that he will have another live one-on-one interview with President Duterte soon to talk about matters of national concern. In a statement Monday morning, Panelo said the têtê-a-têtê will take place anytime this week.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte pushes through with visit to Marine corps
President Rodrigo Duterte will push through with his scheduled visit to the Philippine Marine Corps in Taguig City Monday despite the suspension of government work following the eruption of the Taal Volcano.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte to Marines: Use newly acquired weapons to “kill” enemies of the state
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to use the newly acquired weapons to “kill” enemies of the state. And if they are put in a corner, the President told the soldiers to kill themselves rather than surrender to terrorists.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte postpones Leyte event due to Taal unrest
President Rodrigo Duterte postponed his scheduled engagement in San Isidro, Leyte on Tuesday to a later date due to Taal’s eruption, Malacanañg said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

I will sign medicine price cap EO ‘twice over’ –Duterte
President Duterte assured the public that he will sign the draft Executive Order (EO) setting maximum drug retail prices (MDRP) submitted by the Department of Health (DOH) last month despite the strong opposition from pharmaceutical firms.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte thumbs down Manila Bay reclamation projects
“Not in my time.” President Duterte said he was unlikely to approve any proposed reclamation project in Manila Bay as he expressed concern over its effect on the environment.
Manila Bulletin

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Duterte back in Manila as gov’t prepares for hazardous Taal Volcano eruption
After spending the weekend in Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte returned to Manila on Monday amid government preparations for a possible hazardous eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas.
GMA News

Fit enough to visit affected areas? Duterte says he'll 'eat ashfall, pee on Taal Volcano'
Despite warnings from his doctor about the potential hazard of volcanic ashfall, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would visit communities affected by the Taal Volcano eruption on Tuesday, January 14.
Rappler

Duterte ordered gov’t agencies to immediately provide assistance to Taal evacuees, says Go
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered government agencies to ensure that all the people affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano will be given assistance, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go said Monday.
GMA News

Duterte orders face masks, assistance for Taal, warns traders against increasing prices of essential goods
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered swift relief assistance to people displaced by Taal Volcano’s escalating unrest, including the distribution of face masks to those affected.
Manila Bulletin

Palace exhorts public on how to cope with Taal eruption
Malacanang has called on the public to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities to ensure their safety amid reports of eruption of Taal Volcano.
Manila Bulletin

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President was right in calling out property developer – Andanar
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said it was a good thing President Duterte called out property developer DMCI Holdings, Inc. Chairman Isidro Consunji or the issue his company was facing in Davao City would not have been resolved properly.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte: Military technically capable to run water operations if concessionaires do not agree to new contracts
The military has enough technical personnel to take over the water distribution in Metro Manila and nearby areas in case the negotiations over new contracts with two concessionaires break down, President Rodrigo Duterte said recently.
Manila Bulletin

Lagman: Water deals protected by Constitution
The concession deals of Maynilad and Manila Water are protected by the 1987 Constitution from any “impairment” or unilateral revision by the Duterte administration, an opposition lawmaker said on Monday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Leni hopes for “final” SC decision in vote recount case
Vice President Leni Robredo has high hopes the vote recount in the three pilot provinces will be the last in view of the electoral protest filed against her by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Manila Bulletin

Leni supports ban on sending workers to Kuwait after Villavende death
Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo expressed support for the ban on sending newly hired Filipino workers to Kuwait in the wake of household worker Jeanelyn Villavende’s death.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

DISASTER

Taal's period of 'intense unrest' continues —PHIVOLCS
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 4 on Monday amid the continuing "period of intense unrest," according to PHIVOLCS' latest bulletin. Alert Level 4 means that "hazardous explosive eruption" is possible within hours to days.
GMA News

Taal eruption activity could last from 3 days to 7 months – Phivolcs
Apart from the hazards expected after eruption of Taal Volcano, state volcanologists said prolonged eruption of up to seven months could be the worst case scenario for the volcano’s intense unrest activity.
Manila Bulletin

Series of tremors in eruption-affected areas not a result of movement in Valley Fault System – Solidum
With the series of tremors hitting primarily the areas of Region IV-A (CALABARZON), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum clarified on Monday that there was no movement in the Valley Fault System (VFS) amid fears of stronger quakes.
Manila Bulletin

Over 7,000 evacuated after Taal eruption; hundreds of thousands more await rescue
The sudden “phreatic explosion” of Taal Volcano on Sunday forced the evacuation of at least 966 families or 7,742 individuals in Batangas and Cavite provinces, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Ash fall blankets Batangas, Metro Manila and the rest of Calabarzon
Ash fall blanketed Metro Manila, Batangas, and the rest of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) early Monday brought about by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
Manila Bulletin

Almost zero visibility in Tagaytay due to Taal unrest
There is almost zero visibility in some parts of the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road following the unrest of the Taal Volcano that began on Sunday. In a GMA News video, the road can hardly be seen through the windshield due to the heavy ashfall in the area.
GMA News

Batangas declares state of calamity due to Taal Volcano eruption
The provincial government of Batangas on Monday, January 13, declared state of calamity in the province due to the eruption of Taal Volcano.
Rappler

Metro Manila air quality still ‘good’ – expert
Air quality in Metro Manila is within “good” level and is far from “hazardous” levels amid reports of ash fall over the metropolis last Sunday, according to an expert from the University of the Philippines (UP).
Manila Bulletin

Taal ashfall hits Bilibid where returnees still sleep in covered court
Ashfall from the Taal Volcano in Batangas also reached the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City where hundreds of returnees are still sleeping in a covered court.
Rappler

DOH urges public not to panic, orders inventory of face masks due to shortage
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday urged the public to refrain from panic buying of dust masks amid reports that some pharmaceutical stores started to run out of stock.
Manila Bulletin

DOH to provide P1.5M worth of N95 masks, eye drops to ashfall-hit CALABARZON folk
Protection kits such as N95 masks and eye drops will be provided to residents of areas that will be affected by Taal Volcano's phreatic eruptions, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.
GMA News

95% of Talisay residents evacuated due to Taal's activity —mayor
The local government of Talisay, Batangas has ordered forced evacuation for its residents due to Taal Volcano's phreatic eruption or spewing of ash due to hydro-thermal activities.
GMA News

Getting indoor during an ashfall? Check hair first, public advised
A search and rescue expert on Monday urged the public to check their hair too when entering the house or any establishment if they are caught by an ashfall outdoor.
GMA News

DepEd: Over 5 million learners affected by Taal eruption
The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday that over five million learners in more than 5,000 schools in 46 divisions under three regions are affected by the Taal volcano eruption over the weekend.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

BFAR 'expecting the worst' for marine life in Taal Lake
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is "expecting the worst" for the fish pens in Taal Lake following the eruption of the Taal Volcano.
Rappler

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80,000 passengers affected by NAIA closure
About 80,000 passengers were affected by the closure of the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from January 12 until early January 13, according to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal.
Manila Bulletin

NAIA resumes partial operations, prioritizes departures
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has resumed operations Monday noon, with priority given to departing flights given its current capacity.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Give courtesy to passengers affected by Taal-related flight cancellations, airlines urged
Bagong Henerasyon party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy is urging airlines to extend utmost courtesy to passengers affected by flight cancellations due to the eruption of Taal Volcano.
GMA News

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Año reminds local chief execs to ensure immediate response amid Taal activity
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday reminded all provincial governors and mayors in Regions III, IV-A and the National Capital Region to be physically present in their respective areas and ensure immediate response following Taal Volcano's phreatic eruption over the weekend.
GMA News

Resources enough to deal with Taal eruption: Lorenzana
There are still enough resources to assist residents affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday.
Philippine News Agency

Senators urge Taal residents to heed safety instructions
Senators called on residents affected by the eruption of Mount Taal to heed the safety instructions released by government authorities to minimize any casualties and other possible dangerous conditions.
Manila Bulletin

Sotto proposes cloud seeding to wash away ash fall
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III proposed a cloud seeding program Monday to clean up debris and clear the air in areas affected by ash falls caused by the eruption of Taal volcano last Sunday afternoon because “water dissolves the ash fall debris.”
Manila Bulletin

Imee pushes for use of social media to coordinate gov’t, private efforts for Taal
Sen. Imee Marcos has called on concerned government agencies and the private sector to maximize the use of social media as a means of communication in coordinating Taal Volcano efforts.
Manila Bulletin

Binay, Poe call on gov’t agencies to include face masks in relief packages for Taal victims
Two lady senators – Nancy Binay and Grace Poe- urged on Monday concerned government agencies to include N95 face masks in relief packages to victims of Taal volcano eruption.
Manila Bulletin

Gatchalian: Equip LGUs better; nay to proposed disaster department if it slows LGU response
Giving local government units (LGUs) the capability and funds to provide immediate disaster relief is key to a successful disaster response program.
Manila Bulletin

Solons ask Philvolcs to upgrade its warning systems
House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez asked the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to expeditiously use its more than P221.48 million budget for capital outlays this year to modernize and upgrade its monitoring and warning system for volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunami.
Manila Bulletin

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Water in Metro Manila, Rizal safe to drink –Manila Water
Manila Water on Monday assured its customers in the east zone of Metro Manila and Rizal that water remains safe to drink amid the continuous ashfall from Taal Volcano.
Manila Bulletin

Manila Water provides free water for Taal evacuees
Manila Water has made available 30 water tankers to provide continuous water supply for thousands of evacuees in southern Luzon following Sunday’s eruption of Taal volcano.
Philippine News Agency

Sellers warned vs. jacking up prices of N95 masks
The government has warned businesses and individual sellers who would take advantage of the eruption of Taal Volcano and the resultant ashfall by jacking up the prices of N95 masks, a protection from breathing in hazardous particles.
GMA News, Manila Bulletin

Agencies urged to run after hoarders
Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael L. Romero on Monday urged law enforcement authorities to arrest business owners and individuals found overcharging for face masks, vital medicines and other consumer items as the Taal volcano eruption continues to wreak havoc on a large portion of Luzon.
Manila Bulletin

Enough rice stocks in areas affected by ashfall – NFA
The National Food Authority (NFA) has enough rice stocks in the areas affected by the ashfall from Taal Volcano’s eruption, Administrator Judy Carol Dansal assured on Monday.
Manila Bulletin

PCSO to distribute 5,000 N95 masks, 3,000 grocery packs at Batangas evacuation sites
Following the eruption of Taal Volcano, the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO) on Monday announced that it was targeting to distribute 5, 000 N95 respiratory masks and 3, 300 grocery packs at evacuation sites in Batangas by Tuesday, January 14.
Manila Bulletin

DA to provide loans for farmers affected by Taal eruption
The Department of Agriculture, particularly the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 4-A field offices, is closely monitoring the situation in Batangas following the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency

Bulacan to help victims of Taal volcano eruption
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan is now ready to deploy a team to Batangas province, particularly in Talisay town to help the people affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption on Sunday.
Philippine News Agency

Pampanga to help victims of Taal Volcano eruption
The provincial government of Pampanga will extend assistance to the residents of Batangas province affected by the eruption of Taal volcano.
Philippine News Agency

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US Embassy warns citizens to be cautious around Taal volcano vicinity
The United States Embassy in Manila has urged all its citizens in the Philippines to exercise caution if they have plans of traveling within the vicinity of Taal Volcano after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert status to Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent).
Manila Bulletin

UK gov’t tells citizens traveling to, from PH to consult their airlines after Taal eruption causes flight disruption
The British Government has advised its citizens who are traveling to, or are already in, the Philippines to consult their respective carriers or airlines after flight disruptions resulting from the eruption of Taal volcano on Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

No work in all courts in NCR today – SC
Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta has ordered the suspension of work in all courts in the National Capital Judicial Region (NCJR) on Monday, January 13.
Manila Bulletin

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Solon wants 30-minutes free parking for couriers, motorcycle riders on delivery duty
Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo wants all private and public offices to allot at least 30 minutes free parking for couriers, messengers, liaison officers, and motorcycle riders who deliver goods either as part of their employment duties or in the conduct of their businesses.
Manila Bulletin

Solons renew call for passage of Department of Disaster Resilience bill amid Taal eruption
Lawmakers from the House of Representatives have renewed their call for the immediate passage of the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) amid the eruption of Taal Volcano.
GMA News

Cooperatives officer post in every LGU endorsed
The House Committee on Cooperatives Development has endorsed the plenary approval of a bill seeking to make the position of a cooperatives officer mandatory in every municipality, city, and province.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Chinese Coast Guard visit to Philippines to show good will, mutual understanding, says Chinese Embassy
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has expressed hope the visit of the Chinese Coast Guard (CGC) this week will show good will, understanding, and trust between the two countries.
GMA News

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

Duterte removes PNP’s procurement power over ‘overpriced’ speed guns
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the removal of the procurement power of the police as he rails against “overpriced” speed guns procured by the Philippine National Police (PNP) which he said costs P950,000 per unit.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News

Can Año take over PNP procurement? Duterte thinks so
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday evening, January 13, ordered Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to take over the Philippine National Police's (PNP) procurement, saying he intended to ban the police from buying its own equipment.
Rappler

PNP OIC Gamboa urges each cop to donate P10 for Taal victims
Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Monday encouraged each policeman to donate P10 to help in the ongoing relief efforts for those affected by the Taal Volcano’s phreatic explosion.
GMA News, Rappler

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

Duterte denies report BOC chief Guerrero on his way out: ‘He stays there’
President Rodrigo Duterte denied Monday night a report claiming that Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero is on his way out of the agency, saying he is still satisfied with the work of the former military chief.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BIR signs deal with rank-and-file employees
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has finally signed a collective negotiation agreement (CNA) with its rank-and file employees, the first time ever in it’s more than a century of existence.
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan convicts ex-PCGG chair for graft
Former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairperson Camilo L. Sabio has been found guilty of graft by the Sandiganbayan Special Fourth Division in one of his two graft charges for trying to influence his brother, a Court of Appeals (CA) justice, to rule in favor of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

PH may ask China’s help in case ME conflict spirals out of control
The Philippines may ask assistance from China in case the Middle East conflict spirals out of control, President Rodrigo Duterte said recently.
Manila Bulletin

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

Andanar: After Villavende murder, gov’t to seek protection agreements for OFWs with all countries
The Kuwaiti government has carried out a “proactive and just response” to the case of a murdered Filipino worker in the Gulf state, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
Manila Bulletin

A total and permanent ban
Last week, we had argued in favor of a total deployment ban in Kuwait, after a Filipino domestic was beaten to death, purportedly by her employer, despite an agreement with the Gulf state in 2018 to protect our nationals working there as household help.
Manila Standard

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Give incentives for work on days of calamity – DOLE
In times of natural or man-made calamity, the labor department said employers may provide extra incentives or benefits to employees who reported to work on the said days.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Penalize companies ignoring advisory on health, safety issues—Gabriela
The Gabriela Women’s Partylist on Monday urged government to penalize private companies, particularly business processing outsource firms, for putting in danger the health and safety of their employees by requiring them to report for work yesterday.
Manila Bulletin

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Repatriation of first batch of OFWs from Iraq could be stalled due to Taal eruption
The first batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be repatriated from Iraq will have to wait longer before they could come home to the Philippines as their flight may be delayed due to the eruption of Taal Volcano, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed Monday.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

OWWA-11 awaits return of 34 OFWs from Iraq, Iran
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Region 11 (OWWA-11) said it was waiting for at least 34 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Davao Region, who are currently in Iran and Iraq, to return home.
Philippine News Agency

Giving military color to OFW evacuation
Malacañang should be careful not to give a military color to the evacuation of Filipino workers in Middle East areas where the United States and Iran may just blunder into a fast and furious war where no one wins.
Philippine Star

TRANSPORTATION

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

EDUCATION

State colleges to get P73-B budget this year
State universities and colleges (SUCs) will get a slightly heftier sum from this year’s P4.1 trillion 2020 national budget at more than P70 billion, to be shared among several SUCs across the country.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

ENERGY

SC denies PECO’s plea to transfer expropriation case outside of Iloilo City
The Supreme Court (SC) has denied the plea of Panay Electric Company, Inc. (PECO) to transfer the venue of the expropriation case filed against it by MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE) before the Iloilo City regional trial court (RTC).
Manila Bulletin

DOE upholds decision to reject PXP Energy’s Malampaya takeover
The Department of Energy (DOE) has upheld its decision to deny the unsolicited proposal of Pangilinan-led PXP Energy Corp. to take over the Malampaya facilities after its contract expires in 2024.
Philippine Star

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

Malay town mayor, 10 other officials sued over Boracay pontoon fee
The acting town mayor, vice mayor, and the Sangguniang Bayan members of Malay, Aklan are facing administrative charges after a Boracay journalist filed a complaint against them before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on Monday, January 13 over Boracay's pontoon fee collection.
Rappler

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Water crisis

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY