TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)
As of Thursday, 5:00 p.m., 15 May 2025
Representatives-elect Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno, and Vice President Sara Duterte
1. De Lima, Diokno joining prosecutors in Sara Duterte impeachment trial
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily
Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila
Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2060513/de-lima-diokno-to-join-house-team-prosecuting-vp-duterte
2. Marcos inks law lowering some penalties for motorcycle riders; orders PUV insurance coverage review
[BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer,
Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/15/news/national/marcos-oks-amendments-to-motorcycle-safety-law/2113650
3. Marcos signs law strengthening childcare for kids ages 0-5
[BusinessMirror, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila
Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/15/2443234/law-strengthening-early-childhood-care-signed
4. DA expands P20 rice program in Luzon; Palace assures politics won't derail P20-rice rollout
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily
Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times,
NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Sunstar]
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/da-expands-p20-rice-program-in-luzon
5. 2025 ELECTIONS:
-Voter turnout hits 81.65% in 2025, a record high
for midterm polls
-Comelec aims to wrap up canvassing today
-Comelec clarification sought on 'mislabeled'
ballots in 2 areas
-PNP downgrades security alert status after
peaceful midterm polls
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily
Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH,
NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/voter-turnout-comelec-report-may-2025/
6. WEST PHILIPPINE SEA:
-PH mulls new arbitral suit over WPS vs. China at
the Hague
-PH agencies probe China's use of sand in WPS
reclamation
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA
News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Panay News]
https://manilastandard.net/news/314590204/ph-mulls-new-arbitral-suit-over-wps-vs-china-at-the-hague.html
7. Release of midyear bonus for government employees starts May 15
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer,
Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Sunstar]
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/5/15/release-of-midyear-bonus-for-government-employees-starts-may-15-1225
8. PH, Germany ink defense cooperation arrangement
[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/946226/ph-germany-ink-defense-cooperation-arrangement/story/
9. Philippines to send more peacekeepers amid UN funding crisis
[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/15/2443336/philippines-send-more-peacekeepers-amid-un-funding-crisis
10. PH condemns NoKor ballistic missile launch
[BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila
Bulletin]
https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/14/ph-reminds-north-korea-cease-ballistic-missile-testing-follow-intl-obligations
11. Local court issues warrant of arrest vs. Harry Roque
[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Rappler, News5PH] https://x.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1922926438493069654
© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit