(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 21 February 2025) Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Mindanao. Northeast Monsoon affecting Extreme Northern Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms due to Shear Line. Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to strong winds coming from Northeast will prevail with moderate to rough seas / (1.5 to 3.1 meters).



TOP STORIES - Friday, 21 February 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print monitoring)

As of Friday, 5:00 p.m., 21 February 2025

Motorists queue at the southbound gates of the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Bocaue Toll Plaza in Bulacan as the NLEX Corporation is set to increase their toll rates by P7 to P98, depending on the distance and class of vehicle, starting Thursday, June 15, 2023, following the approval of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III along with other senators questioned the rate increase and asked the NLEX Corp. and the TRB to suspend the hike on June 15, 2023.

1. Vince Dizon formally takes oath as DOTr secretary, suspends implementation of cashless toll collection 

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZBB, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchplus, News5, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/21/2423154/new-dotr-chief-halts-fully-cashless-toll-collection-plan-calling-it-anti-poor

2. SC tells Palace, Congress to submit original copy of 2025 GAA

[BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/21/2423107/sc-congress-palace-submit-copies-gaa

3. PH, New Zealand to sign visiting forces deal in second quarter

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

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/264761/ph-nz-closer-to-signing-deal-on-visiting-forces

4. Remains of Filipino cop in US air crash arrives in PH

[ABS-CBN News, DZBB, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, SunStar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/21/remains-of-filipino-cop-who-died-in-washington-mid-air-crash-arrive-in-ph-1057

5. BOC raid yields P1B worth of luxury cars

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philstar] https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/21/news/national/boc-raid-yields-p1b-worth-of-luxury-cars/2059741

6. National ID registration now open to children under 1—PSA

[ABS-CBN News, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Philstar, Sunstar] https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/814460-psa-national-id-registration-children-below-1

7. Peace monitor warns of violent extremism resurgence in BARMM

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler] https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/peace-monitor-warns-violent-extremism-resurgence-barmm/

8. More than 450 arrested in 'Chinese-run' scam center raid

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Philstar] https://tribune.net.ph/2025/02/21/more-than-450-arrested-in-chinese-run-scam-center-raid

9. Mixed movements in fuel prices seen next week

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar] https://www.inquirer.net/429800/doc-willie-ong-officially-files-withdrawal-from-senate-race/

10. Phivolcs warns of lahar flow from Mayon Volcano due to shear line-induced rainfall

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, News5, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/21/phivolcs-warns-of-lahar-flow-from-mayon

 © Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

TOP STORIES - Thursday, 20 February 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print monitoring)

As of Thursday, 5:00 p.m. 20 February 2025

Chavez

1. PCO chief Cesar Chavez resigns; broadcaster Jay Ruiz named successor

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/20/2422881/pco-chief-cesar-chavez-resigns-broadcaster-jay-ruiz-named-successor

2. US State Dept backs PH, condemns 'reckless' Chinese actions near Scarborough

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Rappler, Philstar] https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/19/us-state-dept-backs-ph-condemns-reckless-chinese-actions-near-scarborough-0735

3. PBBM meets with Czech Defense Minister

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/20/marcos-receives-czech-defense-minister-in-malacanang-1246

4. Marcos hails new military leaders; urges commitment to democracy, security

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314559860/marcos-hails-new-military-leaders-urges-commitment-to-democracy-security.html

5. OCTA: 36% of Pinoys support Marcos, 18% for Dutertes

[BusinessMirror, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/20/2422794/pro-marcos-pinoys-36-pro-duterte-18-octa

6. Ombudsman asked to preventively suspend Romualdez, 3 other solons over alleged 2025 budget falsification

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Panay News] https://www.panaynews.net/ombudsman-urged-to-suspend-house-speaker-3-solons/

7. VP DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT

- Pimentel urges all-senators’ caucus to decide on Duterte impeachment timeline

- Escudero violates constitutional mandate on impeachment – 1Sambayan

- Escudero says Senate preparing for VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

[GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2036539/pimentel-urges-all-senators-caucus-to-decide-on-duterte-impeachment-timeline

8. Outpatient emergency cases now covered by PhilHealth

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, News5]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/936805/outpatient-emergency-cases-now-covered-by-philhealth/story/

9. Court issues show cause order to Quiboloy for airing campaign video

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Philstar]

https://www.inquirer.net/429502/court-issues-show-cause-order-to-quiboloy-for-airing-campaign-video/

10. Comelec: Survey firms must register, reveal funders

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

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/20/2422890/comelec-survey-firms-must-register-reveal-funders

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

TOP STORIES - Wednesday, 19 February 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print monitoring)

As of Wednesday, 5:00 p.m., 19 February 2025

1. Sara Duterte challenges her impeachment at Supreme Court

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/19/sara-duterte-challenges-her-impeachment-at-supreme-court-1053

2. Marcos signs law giving PCG commandant a fixed 3-year term

[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2036027/marcos-signs-into-law-bill-setting-pcg-commandants-term-to-3-years

3. Marcos urged to grant dengue vaccine access as infections rise

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Sunstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/2/18/marcos-urged-to-grant-dengue-vaccine-access-as-infections-rise-1902

4. SC to hold oral arguments on Maharlika Fund, 2025 nat'l budget

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/18/sc-to-hold-oral-arguments-on-maharlika-fund-2025-nat-l-budget-1902

5. PH to file diplomatic protest over China chopper's 'reckless' maneuver near BFAR plane

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, News5, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/936652/philippines-diplomatic-protest-china-military-helicopter-reckless-bfar-plane/story/

6. Marcos reduces, condones real property taxes of IPPs under BOT contracts

[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/936676/marcos-reduces-condones-real-property-taxes-of-ipps-under-bot-contracts/story/

7. SC tells Comelec, Miru to comment on petition seeking documents; Comelec to comply with SC order

[BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/936601/comelec-miru-asked-to-comment-on-petition-seeking-documents/story/

8. Philippines reports foreign cyber intrusions targeting intelligence data, but no breaches

[GMA News, Interaksyon, News5, Rappler, Philstar]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/philippines-reports-foreign-cyber-intrusions-targeting-intelligence-data-but-no-breaches

9. Crime rate in Metro Manila down by over 21% —NCRPO

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Sunstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/936671/crime-rate-in-metro-manila-down-by-over-21-ncrpo/story/

10. 15 party-lists lead OCTA’s January poll

[BusinessMirror, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Standard, Manila Times]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/19/2422509/15-party-lists-lead-octas-january-poll

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

PDIC’s real property disposal process re-certified to ISO 9001:2015 standards

MANILA -- The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system (QMS) for real property disposal following a successful surveillance audit that concluded in November 2024.

In its audit report released in December 2024, certifying body TÜV Rheinland affirmed that the PDIC has an effective system that ensures its compliance with corporate policy and objectives. Notably, the audit revealed no non-conformities, highlighting the Corporation’s sustained commitment to align its core processes with international benchmarks. The PDIC’s QMS for real property disposal has been certified under ISO 9001:2015 standards since 2019.

The real property disposal process is an important component of the Corporation’s mandate to liquidate the assets of closed banks. The PDIC employs various modes of asset disposal, including the conduct of public biddings, negotiated sales, lease-purchase, donation, transfer, or sale to other government agencies.

TÜV Rheinland also positively cited the enhancement of the PDIC’s electronic bidding portal, the conduct of comprehensive localized promotional campaigns to boost asset sales in various provinces nationwide, and collaborations with various real estate organizations and other government agencies for the continual improvement of asset disposal initiatives.

An ISO certification 9001:2015 is a seal of approval from a third-party certifying body that gives credibility to an organization’s QMS. Certifications for core corporate processes and their support processes assure clients and other stakeholders of efficient service delivery.

Aside from real property disposal, the PDIC’s QMS in four other core services, together with their respective support processes, continued to be certified under ISO 9001:2015 standards. These core processes include claims settlement operations, assessment of member banks, loans management, and bank examination.

PDIC, as the state deposit insurer, promotes and safeguards the interest of the depositing public by way of providing deposit insurance coverage on all insured deposits and by working closely with financial regulators to promote financial stability. As the statutory receiver, the Corporation is also mandated to liquidate the assets of closed banks through loans collections and management and disposal of assets. Proceeds from the disposal of closed banks’ assets are added to the pool of liquid assets of closed banks which will be used to help settle claims of their creditors and uninsured depositors. (PDIC/PIA-Caraga)

Wednesday, 19 February 2025

 PDIC starts deposit insurance payments to depositors of the closed Emerald Rural Bank, Inc.

MANILA -- The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced that it started paying deposit insurance through Postal Money Orders (PMOs) and Land Bank Visa Debit Cards (LVDC) on February 10, 2025, to all depositors eligible for outright payment who maintained deposits with the closed Emerald Rural Bank, Inc.

Eligible for outright deposit insurance payment are individual depositors and registered entities with valid deposit account balances of P500,000 or less, provided they have no outstanding loans with the closed bank and have complete mailing addresses in the bank records or have updated this information through the PDIC Mailing Address Update Form (MAUF). These depositors do not need to file deposit insurance claims, saving them time and resources through the streamlined process.

Individual depositors of accounts with outstanding balances of P5,000 and below and registered entities regardless of amount will be paid via PMOs sent to their registered or updated mailing addresses.

PMOs paid to the individual depositors may be encashed either with the local post office or with the nearest branch of the Land Bank of the Philippines while PMOs paid to registered entities are for deposit only to their respective bank accounts.

Individual depositors of accounts with outstanding balances exceeding P5,000 and up to P500,000 will be paid through LVDCs, instructions for which shall be included in the Payment Notices (PNs) to be sent to their registered or updated mailing addresses.

Simplifying the settlement process and leveraging the extensive networks of the Philippine postal system and LandBank, payments either through PMOs or LVDCs offer eligible depositors convenient and efficient ways to receive their deposit insurance payments. These approaches also support financial inclusion by helping depositors have continuing access to banking services despite the bank’s closure.

Individual depositors and registered entities who have not received their PMOs or PNs after April 15, 2025 from their Local Post Office are advised to contact the PDIC Public Assistance Department during office hours at telephone number (02) 8841-4141, or e- mail PDIC at emerald-pad@pdic.gov.ph. Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC.

Toll Free Hotline during office hours at 1-800-1-888-PDIC (7342). Inquiries may also be sent to the official PDIC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OfficialPDIC.

Emerald Rural Bank, Inc. was ordered closed by virtue of Monetary Board Resolution No. 77.A dated January 23, 2025. It is a single-unit rural bank located at Blk 45 Lot 12 Brgy. Sta. Cruz I, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. (PDIC/PIA-Caraga)