TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)
02 February 2023, Thursday, as of 5PM
1. US Defense chief Austin meets with Marcos, Manalo, Año, Galvez; Militant groups hold protests
-Marcos tells Sec. Austin: PH’s future will always involve US
[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5, Philstar, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/859420/marcos-meets-with-us-defense-chief-austin/story/
2. Philippines grants US greater access to military bases
[ABS-CBN News Online, CNN PHL Online, GMA News Online, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, Manila Times, Philstar, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune]
https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/02/02/502599/philippines-grants-us-greater-access-to-military-bases/
3. US ready to help quake victims in Davao de Oro, says Pentagon chief
[ABS-CBN News Online, Manila Bulletin, GMA News Online]
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/02/23/us-to-help-davao-de-oro-quake-victims-pentagon-chief
4. US pledges to boost AFP modernization
[Manila Bulletin, GMA News Online, ABS-CBN News Online]
https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/us-pledges-to-boost-afp-modernization/
5. PHL sovereign debt at P13.42T in December; debt-to-GDP ratio at 60.9%
[Inquirer, Philstar, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL Online, GMA News, ABS-CBN News]
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/02/23/ph-sovereign-debt-at-p1342-trillion-as-of-end-december-2022
6. MAHARLIKA FUND
-Gov’t should plug loopholes, clarify purpose of Maharlika fund—senators
-Pimentel: First hearing shows Maharlika Fund bill is 'defective'
-Chiz doubts current version of Maharlika bill will pass Senate
-Maharlika fund potential legacy: More debts — Pimentel
-Pimentel appeals to Marcos: Withdraw urgency certification for Maharlika fund bill
[Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL Online, ABS-CBN News Online, Inquirer, GMA News Online]
https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/govt-should-plug-loopholes-clarify-purpose-of-maharlika-fund-senators/
7. Bangko Sentral warns public vs fake P150 bill design
[Philstar, CNN PHL, GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin]
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/02/23/bangko-sentral-warns-public-vs-fake-p150-bill-design
8. BIR files charges vs 74 tax evaders
[DZMM, CNN PHL, GMA News Online, News5, RMN News, ABS-CBN News Online, Manila Bulletin]
https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/bir-files-with-doj-prosecutors-offices-74tax-evasion-complaints-involving-p3-57-b/
9. Davao de Oro quake:
-Minor injuries, damage to houses reported after Davao de Oro quake
-345 aftershocks recorded so far after 6.0-magnitude Davao de Oro quake
-In-person classes, work in Davao de Oro suspended after M6 quake
[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Philstar]
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/02/2242040/minor-injuries-damage-houses-reported-after-davao-de-oro-quake
10. Kaliwa Dam project to be completed by 2026, MWSS says
[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]
https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/kaliwa-dam-project-to-be-completed-by-2026-mwss-says/
11. 'Luffy' robberies:
-4 robbery suspects may be sent from Philippines to Japan next week
-4 Japanese may not be deported before Marcos leaves for Tokyo
[Malaya, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News]
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/02/23/4-robbery-suspects-may-be-sent-from-ph-to-japan-next-week
12. South African national arrested in Cebu airport over ₱120M illegal drugs
[Cebu Daily News, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL]
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/regional/2023/2/2/south-african-national-arrested-cebu-illegal-drugs.html
© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit