(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 11 July 2025) The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect Mindanao. FORECAST: The Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. These conditions may lead to possible flash floods or landslides, especially during moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be light to moderate from the southwest, with slight to moderate seas (wave height between 0.6 to 2.1 meters).


TOP STORIES – Tuesday, 20 February 2024

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

As of 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, 20 February 2024

1. WEST PHL SEA DISPUTE:

-Cyanide in Scarborough? PH says it would probe, China says ‘disinfo’

-PHL mulls cases vs China, Vietnam over alleged cyanide fishing

-Marcos on filing cases amid cyanide fishing: If there's enough ground, we will

-PH, US air forces hold joint patrol over West PH Sea

-PAF gets another C-130H transport from US EDCA

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Standard, Philstar, Rappler]

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/cyanide-scarborough-shoal-philippines-china/

2. Zubiri dismisses Senate coup rumor; Colleagues believe plot meant to damage Senate

[BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/20/2334640/zubiri-dismisses-senate-coup-rumor

3. DTI insists Marcos’ overseas visits help boost FDI inflows; Report says BSP data show otherwise

[Bilyonaryo, Radyo Inquirer, The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer]

https://business.inquirer.net/446200/marcos-overseas-visits-help-boost-fdi-inflows-says-trade-chief

4. Senate OKs P100 wage hike bill on third reading

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5, The Manila Times, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1906872/senate-oks-p100-wage-hike-bill-on-third-reading

5. Solon wants to pause PhilHealth contributions for minimum wage earners

[GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, The Manila Times, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/20/2334783/solon-wants-pause-philhealth-contributions-minimum-wage-earners

6. SOCIAL AID:

-PBBM tasks DSWD to safeguard financial assistance amid inflation

-DSWD: Marcos says amount of gov't aid should 'not diminish'

-DSWD: 'Logistically hard' to distribute actual rice to 4Ps beneficiaries

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, GMA News, Daily Tribune]

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/02/20/pbbm-tasks-dswd-to-safeguard-financial-assistance-amid-inflation

7. Maharlika Investment Corp. to make first investment by end of 2024

[BusinessMirror, GMA News, Manila Standard, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/897947/maharlika-investment-corp-to-make-first-investment-by-end-of-2024/story/

8. House summons Quiboloy to panel hearing on SMNI franchise

[GMA News, BusinessMirror, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1906720/house-summons-quiboloy-to-panel-hearing-on-smni-franchise

9. ‘Eddie Garcia’ bill gets Senate OK on final reading

[Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, The Manila Times, Inquirer]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1906827/eddie-garcia-bill-okd-by-senate-on-final-reading

10. Marcos firm on not recognizing ICC jurisdiction over PH

[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/898033/marcos-firm-on-not-recognizing-icc-jurisdiction-over-ph/story/?just_in

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