(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 05 December 2025) At 3:00 PM today, the center of Tropical Depression "WILMA" was estimated based on all available data at 180 km East of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (11.7°N 127.1°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. It is moving Westward slowly. Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Camiguin Island will have rains with gusty winds due to TD Wilma. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains with at times intense rains. Minimal to minor threat to life and property due to strong winds. While the rest Northern Mindanao, the rest of Caraga, and Zamboanga Peninsula will have Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to TD Wilma. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains. The rest of Mindanao will have Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong winds from Northeast to Northwest will prevail over the western sections of Mindanao with moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 2.8 meters). Elsewhere, moderate to strong winds from the Northwest to Southwest with moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 2.5 meters). At 3:00 PM today, the center of Tropical Depression "WILMA" was estimated based on all available data at 180 km East of Borongan City, Eastern Samar (11.7°N 127.1°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. It is moving Westward slowly. Northeast Monsoon affecting Luzon.


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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