(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).


TODAY’S TOP STORIES - 16 December 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 16 December 2025, Tuesday, 5:00 p.m.

1. Palace: Bondi Beach gunmen's prior visit to PH not a serious concern

-Australian probers eye suspects’ Philippines trip; BI confirms shooters stayed in PH prior to attack

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/969765/palace-bondi-beach-gunmen-s-prior-visit-to-ph-not-a-serious-concern/story/

2. Palace names Anna Liza Logan as new chief presidential legal counsel

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/969760/palace-names-anna-liza-logan-as-new-chief-presidential-legal-counsel/story/

3. Bicam hearing for proposed 2026 national budget resumes today

-DPWH apologizes, submits new data amid budget impasse

-Lacson warns of looming re-enacted budget for 2026

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

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/969751/live-updates-bicam-hearing-for-proposed-2026-national-budget-dec-16-2025/story/

4. DND condemns China's 'dangerous, inhumane' attack near Escoda Shoal; PH files protest over China’s latest attack

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus]

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/16/dnd-condemns-chinas-dangerous-inhumane-water-cannon-attack-near-escoda-shoal

5. Marcos opens faster e-gates, new facilities at NAIA Terminal 3

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, DZRH, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314681157/marcos-opens-faster-e-gates-new-facilities-at-naia-terminal-3.html

6. Senate approves bill allowing blockchain for budget records

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/16/senate-approves-bill-allowing-blockchain-for-budget-records

7. Maharlika to invest in ATI; Tanco-led port operator to delist

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard]

https://business.inquirer.net/564630/maharlika-to-invest-in-ati-tanco-led-port-operator-to-delist

8. VP Duterte’s alleged bagman submits affidavit to Ombudsman

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Mindanao Times, NewsWatchPlus]

https://www.newswatchplus.ph/2025/12/16/vp-dutertes-alleged-bagman-submits-affidavit-to-ombudsman/

9. DA expects 2026 rice imports below 4 million MT

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, News5PH]

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/16/da-sees-2026-rice-imports-falling-below-4-mt

10. Baste Duterte blasts DPWH over coastal road opening

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar]

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/15/baste-duterte-blasts-dpwh-over-coastal-road-opening

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