TOP STORIES - Thursday, 25 September 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 25 September 2025, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.

SENATE FLOOD CONTROL PROBE:

-Ex-DPWH official Bernardo tags Escudero, Revilla, Co, Nancy Binay, DepEd usec in flood control kickbacks

-Romualdez tagged in P1.68-B cash deliveries, ex-Zaldy Co aide testifies

-Chiz Escudero, Nancy Binay deny links in flood control mess

-Bersamin denies involvement flood control mess

-Benguet solon Yap denies part in flood control projects mess

-DepEd official linked to flood control mess takes voluntary leave

-Flood control anomalies slipped past COA due to lean manpower, says auditor

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler] https://www.rappler.com/philippines/former-dpwh-official-bernardo-names-escudero-binay-revilla-alleged-flood-control-kickbacks

INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE:

-Ex-SC spokesperson Brian Hosaka named ICI executive director

-ICI flags ghost projects in Davao Occidental

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

https://www.newswatchplus.ph/news/2025/9/25/brian-hosaka-ici-executive-director.html

SEVERE TROPICAL STORM OPONG:

- ’Opong’ maintains strength, landfall expected on Friday; Signal No.3 up in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar

- Marcos to agencies: Maximize resources in preparation for Opong landfall

- Several Metro Manila LGUs suspend classes due to 'Opong'

-Phivolcs issues lahar advisory over Mayon Volcano

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

Marcos to Huang Xilian: It's unfortunate we didn't make much progress in SCS

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/960243/marcos-to-huang-xilian-its-unfortunate-we-didn-t-make-much-progress-in-ph/story/

AFP denies reported coup plans before Sept. 21

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, News5PH]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/afp-denies-coup-plot-vs-marcos

Remulla gets clearance for Ombudsman application

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/boying-remulla-secures-clearance-ombudsman-application/

Marikina Rep. Teodoro denies sexual assault, abuse charges; believes case 'politically motivated'

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchplus, Rappler]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/09/25/news/marikina-rep-teodoro-denies-sexual-assault-abuse-charges-believes-case-politically-motivated/2190154

DFA: Duterte's welfare check part of consular duties

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

https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/25/dutertes-welfare-check-part-of-consular-dutiesdfa

PH warns Filipino H-1B visa holders: Avoid ‘unnecessary’ travel outside US

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/09/25/2475341/dfa-tells-filipiino-h-1b-visa-holders-avoid-travel-outside-us

Philippines’ August budget deficit widens as revenues slip

[BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Times, Philstar] https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/09/25/2475146/budget-gap-widens-p848-billion-august

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit