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TOP STORIES – Friday, 22 December 2023

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

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

1. PH poverty rate in first half of 2023 down to 22.4% —PSA

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/892051/ph-poverty-rate-in-first-half-of-2023-down-to-22-4-psa/story/

2. Pulse Asia: Most Filipinos facing 2024 with hope

[Manila Bulletin, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer] https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/22/pulse-asia-most-filipinos-facing-2024-with-hope

3. ‘Fake’ holiday proclamation spreads online; Palace aide sorry

[Business Mirror, Manila Times, Inquirer, Abante, Philstar, Pilipino Star Ngayon] https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1878216/fake-holiday-proclamation-spreads-online-palace-aide-sorry

4. Marcos to raise gratuity pay for AFP Medal of Valor awardees

[Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Bulletin] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/22/2320701/marcos-raise-gratuity-pay-afp-medal-valor-awardees

5. WEST PHL SEA

-PHL will remain 'undeterred' amid WPS issue, PBBM says

-PBBM urged to seek US help vs WPS attacks

-Wang Yi: PHL-China ties facing ‘serious difficulties’

-JV hits back at Wang Yi

[ABS-CBN News, Business Mirror, Manila Standard, Daily Tribune, Philippine Star, People's Journal Pilipino Star NGAYON] https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/12/21/phl-will-remain-undeterred-amid-wps-issue-pbbm-says/

6. 2024 BUDGET

-Ex-Sen. Lacson questions hiked unprogrammed funds in 2024 national budget

-Zubiri: Koko free to question budget

-Marcos vetoes 2 provisions of 2024 budget

[CNN PHL, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Pilipino Star Ngayon, Manila Bulletin]http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/21/Lacson-unprogrammed-funds-budget.html

7. SMNI SUSPENSION:

-Ex-president Duterte: MTRCB suspension of SMNI show violates 'right to free expression'

-Robin, Imee hit ‘lack of due process’ in NTC’s suspension of SMNI

-Castro says SMNI suspension not a press freedom issue

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

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/12/22/news/duterte-mtrcb-suspension-of-smni-show-violates-right-to-free-expression/1925253

8. No Filipino hurt in deadly Prague shooting – embassy

[GMA News, Philstar, Inquirer, CNN PHL] https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/22/no-Filipino-hurt-Prague-shooting.html

9. Number coding lifted on Dec. 25-26, Jan. 1—MMDA

[ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL] https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/22/number-coding-lifted-on-dec-25-26-jan-1-mmda

10. PUV MODERNIZATION PROGRAM

- Transport group asks Marcos to extend consolidation deadline

- DOTr: Deadline still Dec. 31, but we’ll heed SC on PUVMP

- Jeepney drivers’ refusal to cooperate in modernization tantamount to ‘hostage-taking’ — commuters group

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Business Mirror]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/business/12/22/23/transport-group-asks-marcos-to-extend-consolidation-deadline

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit 

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