(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 19 July 2025) As of 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “CRISING” was located at 530 km east of Juban, Sorsogon (13.0°N, 128.9°E). It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It is moving west-northwest at 15 km/h. Tropical Depression Crising is currently affecting Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, while the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect the rest of Mindanao. Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to TD Crising. Flash floods or landslides are possible during moderate to at times heavy rainfall. Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the rest of Caraga will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms caused by the Southwest Monsoon. The rest of Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, also due to the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be moderate from the southwest to west, with moderate seas (wave height: 1.2 to 2.5 meters).


TOP STORIES – Monday, 04 March 2024

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

As of 5:00 p.m., Monday, 04 March 2024

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos are welcomed by Australia Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts at Melbourne Airport in Australia on March 3, 2024. (Noel B. Pabalate)

1. PHL-AUSTRALIA RELATION:

-PBBM returns to Australia for ASEAN special summit

-Marcos to Australian biz leaders: Maharlika Fund is PHL dedication to finance priority projects

-DTI: Marcos secures P86B in business deals during Australia visit

-Bongbong, Liza meet Pinoys at Melbourne resto

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Standard, People’s Tonight, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pilipino Star Ngayon, Remate, The Manila Times, The Philippine STAR, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/3/marcos-arrives-in-melbourne-for-asean-australia-meet

2. PBBM meets with Cambodian PM in Australia; both agree to boost rice trade, defense ties

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

https://www.philstar.com/business/agriculture/2024/03/04/2338033/philippines-cambodia-seek-expand-rice-supply-ties

3. PHILIPPINE RISE:

-China ships leave Benham; PHL to bolster defense

-PCG sends vessel to Philippine Rise after reports of Chinese vessels 'loitering'

-No law violated in Chinese research vessels' presence in Philippine Rise, says Navy spokesman

-If China exploring Philippine Rise, gov’t may file diplomatic protest — NSC

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, The Manila Times, The Philippine STAR, Daily Tribune]

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/03/03/china-ships-leave-benham

4. PHL embassy rejects China accusation vs ambassador Romualdez

[Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Rappler, The Manila Times, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/899381/phl-embassy-rejects-china-accusation-vs-amb-romualdez/story/?just_in

5. DFA to China: Stop harassing us

[GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, The Philippine STAR, The Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/03/04/news/ph-envoy-to-china-stop-harassing-us/1935269

6. 139 NFA officials suspended over controversial sale of rice buffer stocks [Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/4/139-nfa-officials-suspended-over-controversial-sale-of-rice-buffer-stocks-1405

7. Mixed movements in fuel prices set on March 5

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, The Philippine STAR]

https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/03/04/2338024/mixed-movements-fuel-prices-set-march-5

8. WOMEN'S MONTH:

-Lady lawmakers to lead House on Women’s Month

-PNP launches project ensuring female cops’ presence at women’s desks

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, GMA News, The Manila Times, Daily Tribune]

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/03/04/lady-lawmakers-to-lead-on-womens-month

9. Philippine debt climbs to P14.79 trillion as of end-January

[Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/899326/philippine-debt-climbs-to-p14-79-trillion-as-of-end-january/story/

10. PNP allows civilians to own semi-automatic rifles

[GMA News, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/4/pnp-allows-civilians-to-own-semi-automatic-rifles-1423

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit