Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
COVID cases hit 200 mark; masking rule back at PGH
The country’s daily average of COVID-19 infections has breached the 200 mark again, nearly five months after the lifting of the public health emergency in July, with the transmission of the novel coronavirus in Metro Manila on a gradual rise.
This developed as the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the top COVID-19 referral facility during the pandemic, revived masking rules among its staff and patients within hospital premises amid worries of a new resurgence of the killer disease.
Cloud cluster spotted outside PAR may turn into LPA in 24 hours — Pagasa
A cloud cluster outside of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) in the Central Pacific Ocean may develop into a low-pressure area (LPA) in the next 24 hours, state meteorologists said on Wednesday.
In a morning weather report, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) specialist Benison Estareja said that while they are not seeing any LPA entering the country, they are monitoring the cloud cluster, which may bring rainfall in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao in the coming days.
Malacañang declares Dec. 26 as special non-working day
Malacañang on Tuesday declared December 26 as a special non-working day to give the people the “full opportunity to celebrate the holiday with their families and loved ones.”
The declaration was made under Proclamation Number 425, signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Lawyer dares Hontiveros to file criminal complaints vs Quiboloy
Ferdinand Topacio, who serves as the lawyer of self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy, challenged Sen. Risa Hontiveros to file criminal complaints against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
Topacio’s dare came after Hontiveros filed a resolution seeking to investigate Quiboloy and KOJC’s alleged involvement in criminal activities such as sexual abuse and human trafficking.