(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 11 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: 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 Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


TOP STORIES – Tuesday, 16 January 2024

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

16 January 2023, Tuesday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. Charter change

-Bongbong Marcos doesn't want to amend Constitution, says Imee

-Marcos tasks Senate to review Constitution; bucks Cha-cha via people’s initiative

-Senate launches own bid to amend Charter

-Retired SC justice reiterates SC ruling needed in People's Initiative enabling law

-Hontiveros hits people’s initiative route for Cha-cha

-Charter change divisive, will divert focus from real problems – Lagman 

-Easing Charter’s economic provision to attract investors — Speaker

-Salceda rules out constitutional crisis amid quest for Cha-cha

[ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Pilipino Star Ngayon, Abante, Daily Tribune, Abante Tonite, Rappler, Business Mirror, Remate, Daily Tribune, Malaya,]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/15/24/marcos-asks-senate-to-lead-charter-review

2. Foreign relations

-Marcos congratulates Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te

-Taiwan's President-elect bats for enhanced ties with PH -OFWs in Taiwan can now apply for multiple reentry visa — MECO

-Marcos' message to Taiwan's President-elect signifies gratitude for hosting OFWs

China warns countries congratulating Taiwan's president-elect's victory

[Manila Standard, CNN PHL, GMA News, AP News, ABS-CBN News, Reuters, News5, Associated Press, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, Philstar]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/16/marcos-on-taiwan-presidential-election.html

3. West Phl Sea

-PH to develop islands in WPS; Marcos asks 'Reconfigure’ approach vs. threats

- Six out of 10 Filipinos agree with Marcos response to WPS row with China – OCTA

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

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/marcos-afp-reconfigure-approach.html

4. Imee Marcos’ committee: We continue to adhere to One China Policy 

[Inquirer, Manila Times, GMA News, Inquirer, Remate, Rappler] https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/894279/ph-reaffirms-one-china-policy-after-marcos-congratulates-taiwan-s-lai/story/?just_in

5. PUV modernization

-Phl jeepney drivers protest over phase-out plan; police blocked members en route to transport protest

-Jeepney wars: PUV modernization splits transport groups

-LTFRB to conduct random checks of PUVs by February

-DOTr urges SC to junk Piston petition vs PUV modernization

-OTC: Route rationalization, PUV modernization program to take more years to be complete

- President not misinformed on PUV modernization drive – OTC 

-No suspension of work, classes during PUJ strike

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

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/01/phl-jeepney-drivers-protest-over-phase-out-plan

6. Food supplies

-DA chief: No fund available to help farmers affected by oversupply of vegetables

-DA chief: Over P90B needed to address major issues in agri sector

-Agri chief Laurel says President set to sign rice deal in Vietnam  

-Marcos orders DA to increase PH's fish production

-Galunggong expected to drop to P130-P150/kilo in March

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

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/da-admits-no-gov-t-aid-given-to-farmers-losing-sales-due-to-oversupply-of-vegetables

7. DBM releases P30B for health allowance claims

[Manila Times, Malaya, Daily Tribune, Inquirer]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/894227/marcos-philippines-established-131-specialty-centers-as-of-december-2023/story/

8. Active communist forces down to ‘a little over 1,500’ — AFP chief

[Manila Standard, Manila Shimbun, Inquirer, Daily Tribune, Pilipino Mirror, People’s Tonight, Bulgar, Philstar]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314407528/active-communist-forces-down-to-a-little-over-1500-afp-chief.html

9. QCPD apologizes over leaked Ronaldo Valdez video

-Ronaldo Valdez's family demands public apology from PNP

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/894247/qcpd-apologizes-over-leaked-ronaldo-valdez-video/story/

10. AFP, PNP deny reported ban on ex-generals inside camps

[GMA News, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/894218/afp-pnp-deny-reported-ban-on-ex-generals-inside-camps/story/

11. AFP names first female spokesperson

[CNN PHL, GMA News, Daily Tribune] https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/afp-female-spokesperson.html

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit