TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)
20 August 2026,
Thursday, 5:00 p.m.
1. After Guteza recants, Ombudsman says 28
others ready to testify in Romualdez probe
-Palace: PBBM
has no reaction to Orly Guteza recantation
-Romualdez camp
to file supplemental counter-affidavit; cites Orly Guteza recantation
-OMB: Guteza
recantation won’t derail Romualdez probe
-Guanzon denies
consultations for Marcoleta
[ABS-CBN News,
Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila
Times, News5PH, NewsWatchplus, Philstar, Rappler]
2. Marcos
visits Tripa de Galina Pumping Station in Pasay, says 13 more to be operational
by year-end or early 2027
[ABS-CBN News,
Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH,
NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/marcos-floods-pumping-stations-1101
3. ZAMBOANGA SCHOOL SHOOTING:
-Senate
conducts hearing on Zamboanga school shooting; Meta under fire for 'delayed'
takedown of videos
-Reported
threat by student before attack unverified —Ateneo de Zamboanga exec
-‘No
conspiracy’: Alleged Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooter acted alone — DILG
-PNP probes
digital trail behind Zamboanga school shooting
-DSWD provides
psychological first aid to Ateneo de Zamboanga learners
[ABS-CBN News,
DZRH, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard,
Manila Times, NewsWatchplus, News5PH, Philstar, Rappler]
4. TROPICAL CYCLONES, HABAGAT IMPACT
-Habagat,
tropical cyclone death toll reaches 29; over 6.5 million Filipinos affected
-Agri damage
due to Habagat, Neneng, past cyclones reaches P1.73B
-53 cities and
municipalities under state of calamity; Bulacan province latest addition
-'Neneng'
weakens into LPA, seen to exit PAR by Thursday evening or earlier
-PAGASA:
Tropical Storm Saudel may enter PAR by Sunday or Monday
[BusinessWorld,
DZRH, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5PH,
NewsWatchplus, Philstar]
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2288898/habagat-tropical-cyclones-leave-29-people-dead-ndrrmc
5. DND, PAOCC
hit back at Chinese Embassy in Manila over 'selective law enforcement' claim
[ABS-CBN News,
Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times]
6. Mikee Romero
retires from AFP Reserve Force amid review of reservist awards
[ABS-CBN News,
Daily Tribune, GMA News, DZBB, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard,
News5PH, Philstar]
7. OCTA: Self-rated poverty, hunger rise in Q2 2026
[GMA News,
Inquirer, NewsWatch Plus, Philstar]
https://www.newswatchplus.ph/2026/08/20/survey-self-rated-poverty-hunger-rise-in-q2-amid-food-poverty-decline/
8. MMDA: Number
coding scheme suspended on Friday, Ninoy Aquino Day
[GMA News,
Inquirer, News5PH, Philstar]
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2288951/mmda-number-coding-scheme-suspended-on-friday-ninoy-aquino-day
© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit
