(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 25 November 2025) At 3:00 PM today, the center of Tropical Depression "VERBENA" was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of Cuyo, Palawan (10.8°N, 120.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 25 km/h. Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting the rest of Northern Luzon. CARAGA will have rains with gusty winds caused by TD Verbena. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains. Minimal to minor threat to life and property due to strong winds. Rest of Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to TD VERBENA. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains. Moderate winds from northwest to southwest prevails on the rest of Mindanao, with moderate seas (1.5 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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