Here's a recap of what President Rodrigo Duterte said in his weekly speech to the nation. This one was delivered on Monday, Dec. 7.
- President Duterte says there is a "continuing rise" in COVID-19 cases.
- Duterte says he's figuring out a "cheaper way" to do COVID-19 testing in the country.
- Duterte asks vacant hotels, inns, motels owners to accommodate COVID-19 patients. He says he will take responsibility for paying hotels.
- Duterte says hotels that will house COVID-19 patients will be restricted from the traveling public.
- Duterte says he has not heard Health Secretary Francisco Duque III receiving money.
- Duterte tells the son of slain Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Caesar Perez: I'm sorry that your father died the way it happened.
- Duterte says the controversial narco-list was only given to him; denies making one.
- Duterte says it was the Ombudsman, not him, who dismissed former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog.
- Health Sec. Duque says cost of COVID-19 testing in private hospitals or facilities ranges from P4,500 to P5,000.
- Duterte says he will look for a funding source so that government can shoulder the expenses for COVID-19 testing.
- Interior Sec. Eduardo Año says Christmas parties, street caroling, and reunions are prohibited.
- Año compares the use of "yantok" or rattan sticks to a "batuta" or a law enforcer's club.
- Duterte apologizes for the curtailment of Christmas traditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Duterte asks Filipinos to avoid Christmas festivities for their "own good."
- Duterte says batons should be the "first line of defense" of the police.
- Duterte says rattan sticks will do for police officers in the meantime. He says he will look into providing police officers with batons made of rubber.
- Duterte says there will be no more ceasefires with communist rebels until the end of his term.
- Duterte says a "good number" of New Peoples' Army members are gay; says they are now part of the Lumad group. The Lumad are indigenous people.
- COVID-19 vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. says Australia and China willing to share vaccines with the Philippines.
- Duterte says he is mulling on a total ban on firecrackers.
