(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


TOP STORIES - Thursday, February 02, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

02 February 2023, Thursday, as of 5PM

1. US Defense chief Austin meets with Marcos, Manalo, Año, Galvez; Militant groups hold protests

-Marcos tells Sec. Austin: PH’s future will always involve US

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/859420/marcos-meets-with-us-defense-chief-austin/story/

2. Philippines grants US greater access to military bases

[ABS-CBN News Online, CNN PHL Online, GMA News Online, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, Manila Times, Philstar, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune]

https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/02/02/502599/philippines-grants-us-greater-access-to-military-bases/

3. US ready to help quake victims in Davao de Oro, says Pentagon chief

[ABS-CBN News Online,  Manila Bulletin, GMA News Online] 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/02/23/us-to-help-davao-de-oro-quake-victims-pentagon-chief

4. US pledges to boost AFP modernization

[Manila Bulletin, GMA News Online, ABS-CBN News Online] 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/us-pledges-to-boost-afp-modernization/

5. PHL sovereign debt at P13.42T in December; debt-to-GDP ratio at 60.9% 

[Inquirer, Philstar, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL Online, GMA News, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/02/23/ph-sovereign-debt-at-p1342-trillion-as-of-end-december-2022

6. MAHARLIKA FUND

-Gov’t should plug loopholes, clarify purpose of Maharlika fund—senators

-Pimentel: First hearing shows Maharlika Fund bill is 'defective'

-Chiz doubts current version of Maharlika bill will pass Senate

-Maharlika fund potential legacy: More debts — Pimentel

-Pimentel appeals to Marcos: Withdraw urgency certification for Maharlika fund bill

[Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL Online, ABS-CBN News Online, Inquirer, GMA News Online] 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/govt-should-plug-loopholes-clarify-purpose-of-maharlika-fund-senators/

7. Bangko Sentral warns public vs fake P150 bill design

[Philstar, CNN PHL, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/02/23/bangko-sentral-warns-public-vs-fake-p150-bill-design

8. BIR files charges vs 74 tax evaders 

[DZMM, CNN PHL, GMA News Online, News5, RMN News, ABS-CBN News Online, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/bir-files-with-doj-prosecutors-offices-74tax-evasion-complaints-involving-p3-57-b/

9. Davao de Oro quake: 

-Minor injuries, damage to houses reported after Davao de Oro quake

-345 aftershocks recorded so far after 6.0-magnitude Davao de Oro quake

-In-person classes, work in Davao de Oro suspended after M6 quake

[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/02/2242040/minor-injuries-damage-houses-reported-after-davao-de-oro-quake

10. Kaliwa Dam project to be completed by 2026, MWSS says

[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/kaliwa-dam-project-to-be-completed-by-2026-mwss-says/

11. 'Luffy' robberies:

-4 robbery suspects may be sent from Philippines to Japan next week

-4 Japanese may not be deported before Marcos leaves for Tokyo

[Malaya, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/02/23/4-robbery-suspects-may-be-sent-from-ph-to-japan-next-week

12. South African national arrested in Cebu airport over ₱120M illegal drugs 

[Cebu Daily News, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/regional/2023/2/2/south-african-national-arrested-cebu-illegal-drugs.html

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit