(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 07 December 2025) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "WILMA" was estimated based on all available data in the vicinity of Matuguinao, Samar (12.2°N 125.0°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 15 km/h. Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting the rest of Luzon. Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds from northeast to northwest will prevail over the western sections of Mindanao with moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 3.1 meters). Elsewhere, moderate winds from the northwest to southwest to southeast with moderate seas (1.2 to 2.5 meters).


TOP STORIES – Tuesday, February 21, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

21 February 2023, Tuesday, as of 5PM

1. Recent appointees:

-Marcos picks Isidro Purisima as acting peace adviser

-Wilben Mayor named presidential assistant under OPAPRU

-Ex-human rights chair appointed as chair of Amnesty Commission

-Marcos OKs more government appointees

[Inquirer, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, News5]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861528/marcos-names-isidro-purisima-as-acting-presidential-peace-reconciliation-and-unity-adviser/story/?just_in

2. COVID vaccine procurement:

-COVID-19 vaccines from other countries donated with no strings attached —Dizon

-More than 40M expired vaccines as of December 2 —DOH

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861519/covid-19-vaccines-from-other-countries-donated-with-no-strings-attached-ex-tf-exec-dizon/story/

3. NPA ambushes search team on downed Cessna plane, 2 soldiers dead

[DZBB, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/21/npa-ambushes-search-team-on-downed-cessna-plane-2-soldiers-dead/

4. Ex-Speaker Alvarez seeks decriminalization of marijuana use

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861511/ex-speaker-alvarez-seeks-decriminalization-of-marijuana-use/story/?just_in

5. DOJ lowers bail amount for indigents to a maximum of P10k; plans more reforms

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

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/23/doj-lowers-bail-amount-for-indigents

6. 7 out of 10 Filipino Catholics pray at least once daily —survey

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

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/21/7-out-of-10-filipino-catholics-pray-at-least-once-daily-survey/

7. Intramuros, Cebu nominated for 2023 World Travel Awards

[CNN PHL, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/21/ph-intramuros-cebu-nominated-for-2023-world-travel-awards/

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit