COVID-19

Cases

PH logs 3,281 new COVID-19 cases, total now at 241,987
The Philippines now has 241,987 cases of COVID-19 as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,281 new cases on Tuesday, September 8.
Rappler

Department of Health

DOH backs Duque, says leadership change ‘not proper’ in the midst of pandemic
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday once again expressed support to its chief, Secretary Francisco Duque III, saying that it is not “proper” to change leadership at this point when the country is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manila Bulletin

DOH sings different tune, urges home quarantine if conditions are met
The Department of Health (DOH) sang a different tune on Tuesday, September 8, after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the government was eyeing a ban on home quarantine of COVID-19 patients.
Rappler

IATF/NTF COVID-19

If trend continues, Filipinos may ‘unmask’ before end of the year — UP expert
There is a big chance Filipinos can start “unmasking” themselves and start living close to normal lives before the end of the year.
Manila Bulletin

Task force tightens control on travel authority; coordinates with LGUs on influx from urban areas
The Joint Task Force COVID Shield has intensified the screening on the issuance of Travel Authority amid the appeals from the Local Government Units (LGUs) to control the influx of Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) to their areas.
Manila Bulletin

IATF suspends travel of LSIs to Western Visayas, Iligan, Lanao del Sur
Locally stranded individuals (LSIs) will be prohibited from entering Western Visayas, Iligan City and Lanao del Sur for the meantime as the government seeks to contain the spread of COVID-19 in these areas, Malacañang said Tuesday.
GMA News

Health and safety protocols should be observed at home, says testing czar
Health guidelines to be practiced inside the home are being studied by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) together with health experts.
Manila Bulletin

Año beats COVID-19 anew, returns to work Sep. 8
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año has recovered from his second bout with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and is now fit to work beginning September 8.
Manila Bulletin

Gov’t to soon implement strict no home quarantine policy — DILG
The government will soon implement a strict no home quarantine policy, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Regions

Luzon including NCR

2-year-old among 4 new COVID-19 cases in Batangas' Rosario town
Four more individuals have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Rosario, Batangas, including a 2-year-old girl.
GMA News

Even the dead can't accept visitors for Undas 2020
Even the dead won't be allowed to accept visitors for Undas 2020 as Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday, September 7, ordered cemeteries to be placed on lockdown.
Rappler

Too early to say if NCR can move to more relaxed quarantine classification
It’s too early to say if the National Capital Region (NCR) should move to a more relaxed quarantine classification.
Manila Bulletin

Visayas

Residents ‘confused’ after Bacolod placed under MECQ
Residents of the “City of Smiles” woke up Tuesday, September 8, without a smile on their faces as Bacolod City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) due to the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases here.
Rappler

Mindanao

GenSan could be placed under MECQ — Año
General Santos City in South Cotabato could be placed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) due to the increasing number of cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

GenSan requiring negative RT-PCR results for outsiders entering city
Front-line and essential workers coming from areas with confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) local transmission are now required to present negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test results before they can enter the city.
Mindanews

GenSan fast-tracking operationalization of COVID-19 testing lab
Efforts to fast-track the operationalization of the city’s modular molecular laboratory for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) received a major boost, with the intervention of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19.
Mindanews

Iligan using sprawling National Steel compound as COVID-19 isolation complex
The sprawling 400-hectare complex of the mothballed National Steel Corporation has been converted into a complex of isolation units for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Iligan City.
Mindanews

Diplomatic, Development and Private Sector 

Incidents and Violations

Over 100,000 quarantine violators arrested in PH since March
Over 100,000 quarantine violators have been arrested in the Philippines since measures were imposed in the country in mid-March, according to data from Joint Task Force COVID Shield.
Rappler

9 suspects nabbed for making fake NCRPO travel papers, COVID-19 test results
Nine suspects were arrested on Monday in Santa Cruz, Manila for allegedly producing fake documents, including travel authorization documents from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and COVID-19 test results, police said Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Editorial, Analysis, Opinion and Features

Experts lower projection to 330,000 coronavirus cases by September 30
The Octa Research Group now estimates 310,000 to 330,000 coronavirus cases by the end of September, down from the 375,000 projection, after averages of daily new cases showed a downward trend.
Rappler

World

9 vaccine makers sign safety pledge in race for COVID-19 vaccine
Nine biopharmaceutical companies have signed a joint pledge to uphold "high ethical standards," suggesting they won't seek premature government approval for COVID-19 vaccines.
CNN Philippines, Rappler

China eyes COVID-19 vaccine by year-end or early 2021 -envoy
China hopes to be ready with a vaccine against COVID-19 by the end of this year or early in 2021, a Chinese official said Tuesday.
GMA News

Russia completes early trials of second potential COVID-19 vaccine -news agency
Siberia's Vector virology institute on Tuesday completed early-stage human trials, known as Phase II, of a second potential Russian vaccine against COVID-19, the state consumer safety watchdog was cited by the Interfax news agency as saying.
GMA News

New Covid-19 Vaccine From Oxford Begins Early-Stage Human Trials
A new experimental Covid-19 vaccine originating from the University of Oxford has begun human trials in Australia in partnership with the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.
Bloomberg

India sees highest daily COVID-19 fatalities
India on Tuesday recorded its highest novel coronavirus-related fatalities in a day, taking the death toll to 72,775. The highest daily count of 1,133 was registered a day after India took over Brazil in number of COVID-19 infections, becoming the second most virus-hit country in the world.
Anadolu Agency

No 10 could toughen Covid rules for social gatherings in England
Downing Street is considering whether to reduce the maximum permitted size for social gatherings in England following a sudden rise in coronavirus cases, and warnings that people have “relaxed too much” in their precautions.
The Guardian

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Gov’t to publish state projects, winning bidders in national newspapers – Duterte
The government will buy ad spaces in major newspapers to publish the state’s projects with the respective bidders, President Duterte announced Monday night.
Manila Bulletin

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In plot twist, outgoing US ambassador gets in Duterte’s good graces
f he could troubleshoot Kim Jong-Un, how can he not tame Rodrigo Duterte? Unlike his predecessor Philip Goldberg who left the Philippines almost a persona non grata, outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim is leaving the country in President Duterte’s good graces.
Rappler

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Will we see Duterte's SALN this year? Ombudsman still has no rules on issue
Philippine officials have started filing their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 2019, but the Office of the Ombudsman has yet to come out with clarified rules on the public release of this sensitive document.
Rappler

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Robredo hopeful COVID-19 numbers will continue to drop
Vice President Leni Robredo expressed hope that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country will continue to drop in the coming weeks to pave the way for the recovery of the country’s economy.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Comelec deploys new service vehicles for employees
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has purchased additional service vehicles for its employees. The poll body on Tuesday announced that it has added a passenger bus, a coaster, and a 6-wheeler light cargo truck to its fleet of service vehicles, as part of its over-all response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Manila Bulletin

Get empowered, register to vote
Macoy Dubs thinks, correctly, that colleges and universities should put up programs and courses to teach young people the importance of engagement “not just online but also on-ground”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISASTER

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

Supreme Court, PNP launch e-warrant system
The Supreme Court (SC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday launched an "enhanced" electronic warrant or e-warrant system that aims to help improve the administration of justice in the country.
GMA News

Next bar exams scheduled in November 2021, says Supreme Court
The next Bar examinations will be held in November 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) said on Tuesday. Bar chair Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the examination periods and venues of the next licensure test for lawyers will be announced in a separate bulletin.
GMA News

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Senators urge Duterte to read Senate findings on Duque
Senators are urging President Duterte to consider their findings about Health Secretary Francisco Duque III’s liability over the alleged irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Manila Bulletin

Lacson hopes Task Force PhilHealth findings ‘won’t be influenced by Duterte’s defense of Duque’
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday that he hopes the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHilHealth) will not be affected by President Duterte’s defense of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Manila Bulletin

Recto seeks ban on foreign firms involved in acts that infringe on PH sovereignty
Senator Ralph Recto seeks to prohibit foreign companies from doing business in the Philippines if they have participated in activities that infringe on the country’s sovereignty.
Manila Bulletin

Marcos urges Duterte to certify as urgent comprehensive anti-discrimination measure
Senator Imelda “Imee” Marcos on Tuesday urged President Duterte to certify the measure pushing for a comprehensive anti-discrimination law as urgent.
Manila Bulletin

Senate approves on 2nd reading 'Doktor para sa Bayan' medical scholarship bill
A bill seeking to establish a scholarship program for deserving medical students is one step away from hurdling the Senate as the upper chamber approved the measure on 2nd reading on Tuesday, September 8.
Rappler

Pangilinan bats for higher agri budget in 2021
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Tuesday said the agriculture sector needs more budget in 2021 as he underscored the necessity for food security amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
GMA News

Bill seeking protection for freelancers reaches Senate floor
A proposed law seeking to ensure protection for the growing number of freelancers in the Philippines was sponsored by Senator Joel Villanueva on Tuesday.
GMA News

House of Representatives

Sorsogon congresswoman Ditas Ramos dies
Sorsogon 2nd District Representative Maria Bernardita "Ditas" Ramos passed away. Her death was announced during the plenary session on Tuesday, September 8, just two days after the House of Representatives announced she tested positive for COVID-19.
Rappler

Solon hits PSA for threatening pandemic-weary Filipinos with penalties
Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said on Tuesday the threat by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to impose penalties on Filipinos should they decline to participate in the upcoming census is uncalled for and inappropriate.
Manila Bulletin

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Lawmaker hits higher defense budget for 2021
A CONGRESSMAN on Tuesday questioned a proposed increase in the Defense department’s so-called sovereignty budget next year given President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order not to involve troops in military exercises in the South China Sea.
Business World Online

Netizens’ participation in budget briefings ‘a breath of fresh air’
Having netizens participate in the per agency budget briefings in the House of Representatives is “like a breath of fresh air.”
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

TESDA to LGUs: join free contact tracing training program
Local government units are being urged by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to participate in the free contact tracing training program (CTTP). This would assist them in tracking down the close contacts of individuals who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Manila Bulletin

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Go backs transfer of jurisdiction over all provincial jails to BJMP
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday supports the proposal to transfer the jurisdiction of all sub-provincial and provincial jails to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)saying this will work towards a more effective rehabilitation of inmates.
Manila Bulletin

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Despite security concerns, Lorenzana signs contract with China-backed telco
Despite national security concerns, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has signed the contract with China-backed telecommunications company Dito Telecommunity, which would allow the telco to build cell sites within Philippine military camps.
Rappler

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine National Police

PNP intensifies barangay presence to prevent COVID-19 spread; anti-illegal drugs and insurgency campaigns to be pursued — Cascolan
New Philippine National Police (PNP) General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan vowed on Tuesday to ensure a strong presence of the police at the barangay level as part of law enforcement and in order to more strictly enforce quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease. 
Manila Bulletin

PNP chief taps new heads for C. Visayas, MIMAROPA; names new spokesman
New Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan has implemented another round of reorganization effective September 9.
Manila Bulletin

BUDGET, FINANCE, and TAXATION

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD and PUBLIC WORKS

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT, AND CORRUPTION

Sandiganbayan acquits 3 Navy men involved in rubber boat purchase
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has acquitted two Philippine Navy (PN) officers and staff of their graft charge involving the purchase of reportedly substandard inflatable rubber boats for the PN worth P3.465 million back in 2010.
Manila Bulletin

COA affirms decision ordering MWSS execs to return P212.63 M in unauthorized allowances
The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed its decision ordering officials and employees of the Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System (MWSS) to return to the government P212.63 million in unauthorized allowance benefits they received in 2008 and earlier years.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

LABOR

DOLE allots P12.7 billion for workers' protection
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set aside P12.73 billion for its Workers Protection and Welfare Program in 2021, accounting for the bulk of the agency's proposed budget for next year.
GMA News

Aboitiz Construction to hire 1,200 skilled workers, nurses
Aboitiz Construction Incorporated (ACI) is looking to hire about 1,200 skilled workers and medical professionals for the rest of 2020, as it resumes its various projects. ACI said on Tuesday, September 8, that it needs the following people:
Rappler

TRANSPORTATION

Traditional jeepneys allowed to ply in 10 more Metro routes
More than a thousand traditional jeepneys will be allowed to operate in Metro Manila as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to open additional routes for PUJs beginning Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Davao City named Cacao Capital of the Philippines
The Department of Agriculture (DA) formally named Davao City, hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte, as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines. Davao City is the country's "biggest cacao-producing area."
Rappler, Mindanews

EDUCATION

DepEd holds webinar for parents, teachers on child rights amid COVID-19
The Department of Education (DepEd) will be holding a series of webinars as they recognize how the landscape of child rights might change in the learning environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Manila Bulletin

COCOPEA readies shift to learning tasks with less online exposure
The Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) on Tuesday said it is gradually shifting to learning tasks that require less real time online intervention of teachers to teach students to be independent.
GMA News

[OPINION] Are students actually learning during this pandemic?
“Sir, indi ko anay mag-eskwela online kay wala ko kwarta inug pa load. Unahon namon anay amon kalan-on kay ga masakit si tatay (Sir, I can’t go to our online class because I don’t have money to buy load. I need to prioritize our food because my father is sick)."
Rappler

Group calls for inclusive, quality education
In celebration of the International Literacy Day (ILD), a civil society group on Tuesday urged the government to ensure that literacy programs are accessible in the New Normal – especially for the learners in the disadvantaged and marginalized groups.  
Manila Bulletin

WATER and ENERGY

Angat Dam water level falling slowly, PAGASA says
Though still far from critical, PAGASA on Tuesday said that the water level at the Angat Dam is slowly decreasing. According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras,” the dam’s water level reached 178.73 meters on Tuesday morning, only slightly lower than the 178.90 meters recorded on Monday.
GMA News

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING and SETTLEMENT

TOURISM

Puyat to lead DOT dry run for Baguio-Ilocos ‘tourism bubble’
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has committed to attend the dry run for the establishment of the Baguio-Region I tourism bubble that has been tentatively scheduled on September 21.
Manila Bulletin

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Governor Garcia orders Cebu contractors to stop extracting dolomite for Manila Bay project
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued a cease and desist order to the dolomite contractors extracting, processing, and transporting the tons of artificial white sand being dumped along the Manila Baywalk.
Rappler, GMA News

Cimatu counters DOH: Dolomite in Manila Bay not harmful to health
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu refuted claims by experts that dolomite dumped in Manila Bay will cause respiratory illnesses. 
Rappler, GMA News

Manila Bay white sand project may be stopped if proven harmful, says Año
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said the plan to cover the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard with white sand could be stopped if proven that it is harmful for the public.
GMA News

Manila mayor seeks Cimatu’s clarification on effects of dolomite
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has written a letter to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu asking him to clarify whether it is true that crushed dolomite — used to simulate white sand on Manila Bay — poses hazards to public health.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

NGOs seek probe on P389M Manila Bay white beach project
Non-government organizations (NGOs) on Tuesday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Manila City government to revisit and investigate why the P398-million Manila Bay beautification project was able to push through.
Manila Bulletin

Think tank urges COA audit of DENR’s Manila Bay white sand project
Public policy think tank Infrawatch PH on Tuesday called on the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit into the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' controversial Manila Bay “white sand” project.
GMA News

Environmental groups launch petition vs dumping of crushed dolomite in Manila Bay
Environmentalists, fisherfolk, and church groups pushed Tuesday, September 8, for a petition to stop the dumping of crushed dolomite along the Manila Baywalk. 
Rappler

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY