We have carefully curated and picked out the top stories, as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, that may be of most interest and concern for you, our avid readers.
- It’s game over for former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s electoral protest, says Romulo Macalintal, lead counsel of Vice President Leni Robredo, as he noted that it would be very hard to overturn a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court.
But Marcos isn’t about to throw in the towel just yet.
And President Duterte is wearing his heart on his sleeve on his preference for the right person who should have been his Vice President.
- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Taal Volcano in Batangas and Mt. Kanlaon in Negros remain at an “abnormal” status due to increased possibilities of steam-driven or phreatic explosions.
- The roster of names reserved for tropical cyclones reverts to the first letter of the alphabet with tropical depression “Auring” entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday, Feb. 17, morning, and threatening northeastern Mindanao, the first such weather disturbance to enter the country in 2021.
- Teenage pregnancy is now considered “the most important problem” among women in the Philippines. In a recent survey conducted, 59 percent of 1,500 female sample respondents said early pregnancy among has become the topmost concern among Filipinas.
Alarmed by the increase in pregnancies among minors, including girls as young as 10 years old, Senator Nancy Binay has asked for a Senate investigation into the worsening social problem.
- President Duterte signs into law Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act, which will help financial institutions dispose of bad loans, and extend credit to sectors in need.
- Filipino Catholics mark the start of the 40-day Lenten season with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17, which called for repentance for past sins, doing works of mercy, and personally preparing for the renewal of baptismal promises on Easter Vigil.
- The number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, was pegged at 1,184, bringing the total number of infection in the country to 553,424. There were 53 new deaths and 271 recoveries.