Here鈥檚 a quick roundup of today鈥檚 top stories:
Tropical cyclone Leon (international name: Kong-Rey) has developed into a super typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
The state weather bureau confirmed the development in a social media post on Wednesday.
The number of reported deaths due to the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) and Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey) has climbed to 145, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.
At the same time, the NDRRMC disclosed that only 14 of these deaths have been validated, adding that 115 were injured and 37 were missing.
The Manila North Cemetery is ready for the large crowds expected to pay respects to their departed loved ones for the observation of All Saints鈥� Day and All Souls鈥� Day, Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna said on Wednesday.
Lacuna, who inspected the cemetery and met with officials early in the morning, said the atmosphere there was pleasant. She also shared updates on preparations for Undas 2024.
Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Tuesday urged the Senate to submit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) its records on former President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 admission of urging policemen to 鈥渆ncourage鈥� suspects to fight back as a pretext to kill them during the previous administration鈥檚 brutal war on drugs.
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas also asked the Marcos administration to stop blocking the ICC probe following Duterte鈥檚 鈥渂razen and unapologetic鈥� admission during Monday鈥檚 Senate blue ribbon subcommittee inquiry, taking full responsibility for the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the drug war.