TOP STORIES – Friday, 22 September 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print media monitoring)

22 September 2023, Friday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. Metro Manila smog:

-Metro Manila smog from vehicular emissions, not Taal Volcano —DENR, PHIVOLCS

-Health advisory issued as smog causes zero visibility in 4 Batangas towns

-Nearly 60 students fall ill due to smog; Classes in affected areas suspended

-Pilots told to avoid flying over Taal Volcano due to vog

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/882942/metro-manila-smog-from-vehicular-emissions-not-taal-denr-phivolcs/story/?just_in

2. 51st Martial Law anniversary:

-Street outcry, Palace silence on martial law anniversary

-Lagman criticizes Malacañang’s silence on martial law anniversary

-Groups nationwide raise anti-terror law fear on 51st Martial Law commemoration

-Martial Law victims resist proposed changes on how it should be taught in schools

[ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine STAR, Rappler]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1835151/street-outcry-palace-silence-on-martial-law-anniversary

3. Rice supply:

-Marcos gives rice to needy families in Cavite; rice seized from smugglers

-Marcos: Implement 7-day grace period for rice importers to validate shipments

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

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/marcos-gives-rice-to-needy-families-in-cavite-rice-seized-from-smugglers

4. Marcos leads opening of ₱4.7-B Unilever factory in Cavite, says over 5000 jobs expected

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

https://business.inquirer.net/422429/unilevers-new-cavite-factory-to-create-5000-new-jobs-bongbong-marcos

5. Marcos, Cabinet ratings show 'significant' decline due to economic headwinds

[Abante Tonite, Daily Tribune, Manila Times, Manila Standard]

https://manilastandard.net/business/314372668/economic-headwinds-hurt-marcos-cabinet-ratings.html

6. Work in government offices shortened on September 25 for Family Week

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Rappler, Manila Standard]

https://www.manilastandard.net/news-flash/314372676/palace-suspends-govt-work-on-sept-25-for-national-family-week.html

7. Ex-MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando passes away

[BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Rappler, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/882954/ex-marikina-rep-bayani-fernando-passes-away/story/?just_in

8. China denies collecting corals from West PHL Sea; urges PHL to 'stop creating drama'

[ABS-CBN News, Manila Times, Rappler, CNN Philippines, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/21/china-tells-ph-stop-making-political-drama-over-coral-destruction-issue

9. NEDA supports permanent ban on POGOs

[Abante, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine STAR, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune]

https://tribune.net.ph/2023/09/21/neda-supports-permanent-ban-on-pogos/

10. Fuel prices seen to roll back next week

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/882944/oil-prices-seen-to-roll-back-next-week/story/?just_in

11. Ex-Comelec chair Andres Bautista denies receiving bribe money from Smartmatic

[Inquirer, Philstar, Rappler, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/9/22/andres-bautista-us-govt-complaint.html

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit