The Epic

24-Hour Public Weather Forecast: August 9, 2024 Issued at: 4:00 AM, August 9, 2024 Synopsis: The Southwest Monsoon continues to affect Luzon and the western section of the Visayas. Forecast Weather Conditions Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan: Expect cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. There is a risk of flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall in these areas. Metro Manila, the Rest of Luzon, and Western Visayas:   Conditions will be partly cloudy to cloudy, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Similar to the Ilocos region, flash floods or landslides may occur during severe thunderstorms. The Rest of the Country: Partly cloudy to cloudy skies are anticipated, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms caused by localized weather systems. There is also a possibility of flash floods or landslides during intense thunderstorms. Wind and Coastal Water Conditions - Northern Luzon:    - Wind Speed: Moderate     - Win

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte's recent criticism of the Philippine government has drawn disapproval from at least two senators. Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel responded succinctly to Duterte's remarks during an ambush interview, stating, “She could’ve given a counter-Sona,” referring to a potential alternative State of the Nation Address. In her pointed statement on Wednesday, Duterte accused the government of allowing Filipinos to suffer from hunger due to deceitful public officials. She also asserted that the Philippines, as a free nation, should not submit to foreign entities like the International Criminal Court. Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito expressed concern about the discord between the country's top two officials, stating that such disagreements send a negative message to the international community. “It’s a really sad development. When the President and Vice President are not united, it raises doubts about our political stabil

TOKYO, Japan — A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake, followed by a 7.1 tremor, hit off the southern coast of Japan on Thursday, August 8, 2024, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Reports from broadcaster NHK indicated that tsunamis of up to one meter were expected to impact coastal areas in the Kyushu and Shikoku islands. The initial quake occurred at a depth of 33 kilometers, while the subsequent tremor struck nearby at a depth of 25 kilometers. In response to the earthquakes, the Japanese government has established a special task force to address the situation. Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, sitting atop four major tectonic plates. The archipelago, home to approximately 125 million people, experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually, accounting for about 18% of the world's seismic activity. While most of these quakes are mild, the damage they cause can vary significantly based on

MANILA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) officially launched the “Murang Bigas at P29” program on August 8, 2024, at the NIA Central Office in Quezon City. In a statement delivered by Undersecretary Christopher Morales, DA Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. highlighted the collaborative efforts of the NIA, DA, and various agencies to implement the sale of affordable rice to Filipinos. “The NIA has initiated rice contract farming and bayanihan efforts alongside the DA and the National Rice Program to make this affordable rice available to our countrymen,” he said. The P29 per kilo rice will be sold at “Kadiwa sa NIA” sites located in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Caraga regions. During a public briefing, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen announced that they plan to distribute 10 million sacks, equivalent to 100 million kilograms, of rice at this price throughout the month. This initiative aligns with President Ferd

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monetary Board has approved the grant of four additional licenses for digital banks, allowing a maximum of 10 to operate in the country. This decision comes with the lifting of the moratorium on issuing new digital bank licenses. The central bank, which previously limited digital bank license grants to six, stated that the expansion aims to harness the potential of such banks in bringing a positive impact to the Philippine financial system. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. emphasized that this limit will enable the BSP to closely monitor developments in the digital banking industry, obtain a broader perspective as these banks mature in their operations, and assess the impact of new players on the banking system. The new digital bank licenses include the conversion of an existing bank's license to a digital bank license. Digital banks are defined as those that offer financial products and services processed end-to-end through a digital platform an

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald Dela Rosa has firmly declined to participate in the House of Representatives investigation into various issues, including the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during the previous administration. In a statement to reporters on Thursday, Dela Rosa expressed his reasons for rejecting the invitation, stating, “I decline their invitation on the grounds that I don’t want to set a precedent that breaks the tradition of inter-parliamentary courtesy between both houses of Congress.” As the former chief of police, Dela Rosa led the controversial war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, which has been linked to the deaths of thousands of drug suspects. The quad-committee, which comprises members from the committees on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, public accounts, and human rights, has also invited Duterte to the hearing. In addition to investigating alleged EJKs, the committee will examine crime