(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 – Tuesday, March 7, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

07 March 2023, Tuesday, as of 9AM

Authorities present the weapons believed to have been used by the suspects in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight other victims Saturday morning. The firearms were recovered by law enforcers during a hot pursuit operation that resulted in the killing of one of the suspects and the arrest of four others. Romeo D. Marantal

1. DEGAMO KILLING

-Marcos to DILG, PNP: Dismantle private armies

-Marcos orders police to identify political ‘hotspots’ as charges filed vs Degamo shooters

-Degamo slay suspects willing to talk -PNP

-‘Frightened’ Teves issues this appeal to Marcos

-Political rival says nothing to gain from Degamo killing

-Arrested suspects in Gov Degamo killing charged; manhunt on vs other gunmen

-Slain NegOr governor had threats before assassination

[Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, ABS-CBN News Online, GMA News Online, Manila Times, OneNews, Philstar] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/07/2249875/marcos-dilg-pnp-dismantle-private-armies 

2. WEEKLONG TRANSPORT STRIKE

-Gov’t downplays strike as protesters say 95% of Metro Manila transport paralyzed

-Marcos ‘sympathetic’ to transport groups; gov’t open to talks — Romualdez

-Week-long transport strike results in economic loss – employers group

-More than 3,000 commuters avail of ‘Libreng Sakay’ program in Malabon

-Romualdez: House, Palace provide 100 ‘Libreng Sakay’ buses for commuters  

-OCD offers free rides during jeepney strike

-First day of transport strike in Quezon, Laguna peaceful

 [Inquirer, PhilStar, Manila Bulletin Manila Times, One News, CNN PHL Online]

https://www.onenews.ph/articles/gov-t-downplays-strike-as-protesters-say-95-of-metro-manila-transport-paralyzed

3. House OKs E-Governance Act for digitized government services

[Business Mirror, ABS-CBN News Online, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL Online]

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/03/07/e-governance-bill-getshouse-3rd-reading-okay/

4. House OKs creation of evacuation centers in every city, municipality

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

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/06/23/house-oks-evacuation-centers-in-every-city-town

5. Magna Carta of Pinoy Seafarers gets final House nod

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

https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/06/magna-carta-of-pinoy-seafarers-get-final-house-nod/

6. Bill amending AFP officers’ fixed term law gets Senate nod

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

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1739146/bill-amending-afps-tour-of-duty-hurdles-senates-final-reading

7. AGRICULTURE

Marcos counting on millennial farmers to modernize PHL agri

-Marcos ‘hopes’ young Filipino farmers in the future will have modern tech

-Marcos: Private firm, MSME, farmer partnerships transforming agri industry

-Marcos vows decent living for Filipino farmers ‘so they’ll live by virtue of hard work’

[PhilStar, Business World, OneNews, Business Mirror, Inquirer, GMA News] 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/07/2249860/marcos-counting-millennial-farmers-modernize-philippine-agriculture

8. Malaysia, US help Ph search for missing medevac plane in Palawan

[CNN PHL: Online, GMA News Online, PhilStar]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/7/US-Malaysia-help-PH-search-for-missing-chopper.html

9. OIL SPILL

-Oil spill puts 8 more towns in Oriental Mindoro in calamity state

-DOT: Mindoro oil spill affects protected areas, resorts, cruise tourism

-Oriental Mindoro fishing ban also hurts other sectors relying on coastal activities

-Sunken motor tanker located, says Oriental Mindoro governor

[Inquirer, PhilStar, GMA News Online, CNN PHL Online, Manila Bulletin]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1739197/oil-spill-puts-8-more-towns-in-oriental-mindoro-in-calamity-state

10. Cagayan Gov. Mamba keeps seat after Comelec reverses December ruling

[GMA News Online, CNN PHL Online, Inquirer]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/863004/cagayan-governor-mamba-keeps-seat-after-comelec-reverses-disqualification-in-december/story/

11. WEST PHL SEA

-‘PCG still able to reach Pag-asa despite Chinese ships’

-PCG renews call for modernization as Chinese maritime vessels ‘loiter’ near Pag-asa Island

-Canada expresses openness to cooperate over West PH Sea

-42 Chinese vessels linger near Pag-asa Island

[PhilStar, CNN PHL Online, ABS-CBN News Online]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/07/2249838/pcg-still-able-reach-pag-asa-despite-chinese-ships

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit