(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 17 January 2026) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Storm "ADA" {NOKAEN} was estimated based on all available data at 130 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.8°N, 125.8°E) with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 105 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 20 km/h. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon. Tropical Storm "ADA" ang makaapekto sa Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands ug Surigao del Norte. Samtang Localized Thunderstorms ang makaapekto sa nahibilin nga bahin sa rehiyon sa Caraga.


TOP STORIES - Wednesday, 20 August 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 20 August 2025, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

1. FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS:

-Marcos 'very angry' over P55-M 'ghost' riverwall project in Baliuag, Bulacan; eyes ‘economic sabotage’ cases vs contractors

-Marcos wants SYMS Construction blacklisted over ghost project

-Palace: No flood control master plan turned over by Aquino admin

-BIR to probe ghost flood control projects — Lumagui

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/marcos-inspects-flood-control-project-in-bulacan-as-probe-intensifies-0913

2. Palace: Marcos to accept NBI chief's irrevocable resignation

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/palace-marcos-to-accept-nbi-chiefs-irrevocable-resignation

3. MILF peace panel chair blames Palace over BARMM woes

[Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Rappler]

https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/20/milf-peace-panel-chair-blames-palace-over-barmm-woes

4. Sara Duterte’s DepEd leadership is a ‘complete failure’ – Palace

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2098154/sara-dutertes-deped-leadership-is-a-complete-failure-palace

5. Pagcor: Online gaming transactions down 50% since e-wallets ban; Over 60% sites accessed in the Philippines 'illegal'

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/956429/pagcor-online-gambling-transactions-down-50-since-e-wallets-ban/story/

6. Agri chief hits rice tariffication law, calls for reforms

[ABS-CBN News, DZBB, Inquirer, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2098159/fwd-da-on-rtl

7. Palace: Proposed mandatory drug test for all public officials violates Constitution

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/20/palace-proposed-mandatory-drug-test-for-all-public-officials-violates-constitution

8. BIR files tax raps vs illegal vape sellers over P700-million liability

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/20/2466830/bir-files-tax-raps-vs-illegal-vape-sellers-over-p700-million-liability

9. Comelec chair robbed while eating in Pasay City restaurant; one suspect arrested in Bacoor

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/20/comelec-chair-robbed-in-pasay-city

10. Japanese paid P9M for 2 compatriots’ slay in Manila – police

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

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/288663/fwd-japanese-national-paid-suspects-p9m-to-kill-compatriots-in-manila-police

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

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