(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Thursday, 18 December 2025) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting southern Mindanao. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon. Caraga, Davao Region, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms caused to ITCZ. Possible landslides or flashfloods due to moderate to at times heavy rains. Rest of Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


TOP STORIES - Friday, 17 January 2025

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

As of Friday, 5:00 p.m. 17 January 2025

1. DA backs food security emergency declaration; Marcos says announcement likely next week

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/933201/food-security-emergency-likely-to-be-declared-next-week-marcos/story

2. Marcos leads turnover of completed housing units to Yolanda victims

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, News5, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Manila Bulletin] https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/17/marcos-leads-turnover-yolanda-housing

3. Marcos backs sex education in schools amid rising teen pregnancy rates; Senators divided

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Philstar, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/01/17/2414899/marcos-backs-sex-education-schools-amid-rising-teen-pregnancy-rates

4. PH, China agree to honor provisional understanding on Ayungin trips

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Philstar, Rappler, Manila Times]

https://www.inquirer.net/425605/ph-china-agree-to-honor-provisional-understanding-on-ayungin-trips/

5. Families of drug war victims file disbarment case vs. Rodrigo Duterte

[GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer,  NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler, News5]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/kin-of-ejk-victims-human-rights-advocates-file-disbarment-complaint-vs-ex-pres-duterte

6. 84% of Filipinos back gov’t move to assert rights in West PH Sea – Octa

[GMA News, News5, Inquirer]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2025691/fwd-octa-survey-on-wps

7.  Metro Manila crimes down by 23.73 percent – NCRPO

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

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/17/metro-manila-crimes-down-by-23-73-percent-ncrpo

8. Wire break forces LRT-2 to suspend operations

[Inquirer, News5, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2025606/lrt-2-operations-disrupted-due-to-broken-wire

9. Big-time hike in fuel prices seen next week

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/1/17/big-time-oil-price-hike-set-january-21-0837

10. Santo Niño de Cebu Traslacion draws over 17,000 devotees

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Rappler, News5]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/1/17/santo-ni-o-de-cebu-traslacion-draws-over-17-000-devotees-1308

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