(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 05 January 2026) Shear Line affecting Palawan and Visayas. Northeast Monsoon affecting the rest of Luzon. Easterlies affecting Mindanao. Caraga, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga del Norte will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to Easterlies. Possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to at times heavy rains. Rest of Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms caused by Easterlies. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds from northeast to north prevails over the eastern section with moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 meters). Elsewhere, light to moderate winds from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Friday, 20 October 2023

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

20 October 2023, Friday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. PBBM Saudi Trip

-Marcos: Deals with Saudi Arabia worth $120M to benefit thousands of Filipinos

-Marcos arrives at ASEAN-GCC Riyadh Summit opening ceremony

[Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Manila Times, Daily Tribune, Abante, People’s Tonight, GMA News, CNN PHL, Business Mirror, Remate, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/20/23/marcos-to-bring-home-120-m-deals-from-saudi-arabia

2. Maharlika Investment Fund

-Marcos presents Maharlika Fund to Saudi Arabia business leaders

-Saudi businessmen interested in PH Maharlika Fund, Palace says

-Diokno determined to attract Saudi investors for Maharlika despite suspension

[Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Inquirer, Philstar, Rappler, Daily Tribune, Bulgar, CNN PHL, GMA News, Manila Times]

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/10/20/2305233/marcos-pitches-maharlika-investment-fund-saudi-investors

3. Cyber tech security

-AI image generator apps banned for AFP, DND personnel —Teodoro

-Philippines ranks 5th in data breach in Asia —cybersecurity firm

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

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/10/20/2305259/philippines-bans-military-using-ai-image-generators-due-security-risks

4. Rice price cap

-DA bucks reimposition of rice price cap 

-NFA eyeing contract growing arrangement with rice farmers to boost dry season yield

-Agri group wants govt to reimpose P45 price cap for well-milled rice

[GMA News, Philstar, Daily Tribune, Philstar, Inquirer, Abante, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Bulgar, Business Mirror, CNN PHL]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/885688/da-bucks-reimposition-of-rice-price-cap/story/

5. Napoles gets 64 years in another 'pork' scam conviction; ex-South Cotabato rep Pingoy Jr acquitted 

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/885758/napoles-gets-64-years-in-in-another-pork-scam-conviction

6. Duterte urges Filipinos to call for ceasefire in Middle East unrest

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

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1848610/vp-call-for-middle-east-ceasefire

7. Food Stampa

-All set for 'Walang Gutom 2027' launch

-DSWD asked to allow food stamps in private stores

[Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/10/20/news/national/all-set-for-walang-gutom-2027-launch

8. DOE seeks temporary removal of import tariff on e-motorcycles

[Philstar, Manila Standard, Business Mirror]

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/10/20/2305029/doe-seeks-temporary-removal-import-tariff-e-motorcycle

9. Magnitude 5.9 quake rattles Davao de Oro

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

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/20/23/magnitude-59-quake-rocks-new-bataan-davao-de-oro

10. ‘Amihan’ is here, says PAGASA

[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, DZBB, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/20/amihan-is-here-says-pagasa

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit