TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)
As of 16 June 2025, Monday, 5:00 p.m.
1. BALIK ESKWELA 2025:
-BBM, Angara lead opening of classes; 27M
students returned to schools nationwide
-Marcos orders Cabinet secretaries to ensure
well-resourced schools nationwide
-DepEd opens new school year with pilot run of
revised SHS curriculum
-Classes for SY 2025-2026 begin despite flood,
fire damage in some schools
-37K cops deployed nationwide for school opening;
Torre visits schools, ensures police visibility
-Report bullying via 911, PNP tells public as
school year begins
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer,
Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus,
Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/16/news/marcos-visits-manila-school-on-first-day-of-classes/2133781
2. IRAN-ISRAEL CONFLICT:
-Marcos orders swift aid for Filipinos amid
Israel-Iran conflict
-4 Pinoys injured in Iran's retaliatory
airstrikes on Israel, 1 Filipino in ‘critical’ condition
-18 OFWs arrive home from conflict-stricken
Israel—DMW
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer,
Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus,
Philstar, Sunstar]
https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/16/marcos-orders-swift-aid-for-filipinos-amid-israel-iran-conflict
3. PBBM urged to veto bills on BSKE postponement, gun law amendments
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld,
Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philstar]
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/16/2450875/president-marcos-asked-veto-bill-postponing-bske
4. OVP seeks to retain P733-million budget in 2026: Sara Duterte
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, News5PH,
NewsWatchPlus]
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/16/ovp-seeks-to-retain-p733-m-budget-in-2026-sara-duterte-1433
5. Marcos to weigh all concerns before deciding on Konektadong Pinoy Bill—Palace
[Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, News5PH,
Philstar]
https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/16/marcos-to-weigh-all-concerns-before-deciding-on-konektadong-pinoy-billpalace
6. Claire Castro: Gov’t officials’ sharing of AI videos erodes public trust
[ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2071070/claire-castro-govt-officials-sharing-of-ai-videos-erodes-public-trust
7. Robin steps back, Baste takes over as acting PDP Laban president
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer,
Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus]
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/16/baste-duterte-takes-over-as-acting-pdp-laban-president-robin-on-leave-1226
8. PH external debt hits $146.74B in 1st quarter
[BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune,
Manila Standard, Manila Times, Philstar]
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/16/business/top-business/ph-external-debt-hits-14674b-in-1st-quarter/2133635
9. ‘Justice must prevail:’ Romualdez condemns brutal killing of House director
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZBB, GMA News,
Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]
https://manilastandard.net/news/314603709/justice-must-prevail-romualdez-condemns-brutal-killing-of-house-director.html
10. 8 police chiefs removed for failure to implement ‘5-minute response’ policy
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZBB, GMA News,
Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Philstar, Sunstar]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/949519/8-police-chiefs-removed-for-failure-to-implement-5-minute-response-policy/story/
11. Gasoline, diesel, kerosene pump prices up by over P1/liter Tuesday
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune,
DZBB, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar,
Sunstar]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/949516/oil-price-hike-june-17-2025/story
© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit