(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 21 November 2025) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting southern Mindanao. Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting the rest of Northern Luzon. Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms caused by ITCZ. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Rest of Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to ITCZ. Possible flash floods or landslides due to severe thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas. (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


TOP STORIES – Thursday, February 16, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

16 February 2023, Thursday, as of 9AM

1. 6.0-magnitude quake hits Masbate

-Aftershocks hit Masbate after M6.0 quake, coliseum damaged

-Masbate quake causes power outage, class suspension

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

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/16/23/aftershocks-hit-masbate-after-m60-quake-coliseum-damaged

2. Laser incident near Ayungin Shoal

-China says lasers for ‘navigation safety’, denies pointing at PHL crew

-China: PHL-US defense pact won’t ‘weaken our resolve’

-Chinese envoy, AFP chief meet amid tensions over laser incident

[GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/860985/china-says-lasers-for-navigation-safety-denies-pointing-at-philippine-crew/story/

3. Marcos: PHL closer to rice self-sufficiency in 2 years with major gov’t reorganization

[Inquirer, CNN PHL, BusinessMirror, Manila Times, DZBB]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1730482/marcos-jr-says-ph-will-be-close-to-rice-self-sufficiency-in-2-years-major-govt-reorganization

4. Marcos says SWS 'very good' rating 'encouraging'

[GMA News, Philstar, Inquirer]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/860982/marcos-says-sws-very-good-rating-encouraging/story/

5. Senate hearing on MIF bill

-‘A very expensive public brainstorming’: Senators grill Maharlika fund backers

-MIF could result in 'intergenerational debt' - analyst

[CNN PHL, Malaya, Business Mirror, Rappler, PhilStar]

https://www.rappler.com/business/senators-grill-maharlika-investment-fund-backers-senate-hearing-february-15-2023/

6. Senate eyes probe into private plane allegedly being used for human trafficking

[CNN PHL, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, PhilStar]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/15/senate-eyes-probe-into-private-plane-allegedly-being-used-for-human-trafficking/

7. Zubiri appeals for ratification as RCEP reaches plenary

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

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/15/Zubiri-appeals-for-ratification-as-RCEP-reaches-plenary.html

8. Remains of OFW killed in Turkey quake back home

[CNN PHL, Rappler, Inquirer]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/15/Remains-of-OFW-killed-in-Turkey-quake-back-home.html

9. Three Philippine police officers surrender over killing of Spanish man

[Manila Bulletin, PhilStar, Manila Standard]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/15/three-philippine-police-officers-surrender-over-killing-of-spanish-man/

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

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