Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Marcos, Japan PM want reciprocal access agreement done ‘ASAP’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio want the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) done as soon as possible.
In a media interview on Monday, Marcos said that he and Kishida were in agreement on allowing the armed forces of Tokyo and Manila to enter each other’s territory legally.
Kabayan weakens into low pressure area
Tropical depression Kabayan has kept its strength as it accelerates westward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau reported on Sunday evening.
In its 8 p.m. cyclone bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Kabayan was last spotted some 290 kilometers (kms) east of Southeast Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving 10 kms per hour (kph).
Marcos: No moves to expel Chinese ambassador Huang
There are no moves to remove the Chinese envoy to the Philippines, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier called for the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian following heightened aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
QCPD conducting ‘thorough investigation’ on Ronaldo Valdez’s cause of death
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Monday said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of veteran television and film actor Ronaldo Valdez.
In a statement, QCPD confirmed the news about the 76-year-old actor but did not reveal the cause of his death.
Fuel price update: Diesel up by 10¢ per liter, kerosene down 85¢
The pump price of gasoline will be unchanged this week while that of diesel will rise by 10 centavos per liter, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Monday.
In an advisory, the DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) said the price of kerosene would decline by 85 centavos per liter on Tuesday, Dec. 19.