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The Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) on Wednesday denounced the Senate resolution asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest, calling it ‘an act of betrayal.’

‘Calling for his house arrest’ is not an act of mercy. It is an act of betrayal. It endangers families still fighting for justice. It would prove, once again, that in this country, the powerful are protected while the powerless are left to suffer,’ the statement of the human rights lawyers group read.

The group further slammed the resolution citing the Rome Statute, which does not allow interim release if the accused may still pose risks to the proceedings, victims or witnesses.

‘In the past, the ICC has denied the request for interim release because the accused possessed influence and power that may endanger victims and witnesses. The Senate’s resolution today is living proof of Duterte’s continuing influence and his allies’ ability to use institutions of government to interfere in proceedings pending before the ICC,’ IDEALS continued.

IDEALS warned that the approval of the resolution is a sign of the dangers of Duterte’s ‘enduring grip on power’ should he be granted any freedom in the middle of his trial.

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 15-3-2 to adopt a resolution to place Duterte under house arrest should medical findings prove that regular detention will worsen his medical condition.

The former president has been under the ICC’s custody at the Scheveningen prison in The Hague awaiting trial for accusations of crimes against humanity during his administration’s ‘war on drugs’ from 2016 to 2022.

IDEAL also pointed out the irony behind the Senate’s ‘plea in the name of ‘humanitarian’ concerns,’ pointing out that the same ‘compassion and mercy’ were not present for the ‘thousands of Filipinos [who] were slaughtered in Duterte’s so-called war on drugs.’

‘The Senate has undertaken no concrete measures to assist the families of victims: failing to investigate, failing to provide pathways for access to remedies, failing to protect and ensure the safety of surviving family members,’ IDEAL stated.

‘Yet for Duterte-the man facing not just one but three counts of crimes against humanity for orchestrating systematic killings of civilians under his watch-the Senate suddenly finds its voice. Is this compassion or privilege at work?’ IDEAL added.

The group further pressed that the Senate must instead show compassion to the victims of the drug war.

‘True compassion should belong to the families left behind: the mothers who lost children, wives who lost their husbands, families who lost fathers and loved ones-not to the man who enabled their deaths and still wields power through his children and political allies,’ the group declared.

A private lawyer has filed an ethics complaint against former Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero over a P30 million campaign donation from Lawrence Lubiano, who owns 99.331 percent of the controversial Centerways Construction.

Lawyer Marvin Aceron filed the complaint before the Senate panel on ethics on Thursday, noting that the Senate is a constitutional guardian of public trust and thus, it cannot be weakened by ‘tolerance of conduct that corrodes confidence in its members.’

In the 21-page complaint, Aceron listed five grounds for the complaint: First, he said Escudero’s conduct is unbecoming for a member of the upper chamber, simply listing it as ‘disorderly behavior.’

‘Accepting and benefiting from a P30 million donation from a government contractor that later amassed concentrated public contract in respondent’s political bailiwick constitutes conduct unbecoming and brings the Senate into disrepute, regardless of criminal liability,’ the complaint states.

He likewise noted conflict of interest and improper influence in his complaint. Citing Republic Act No. 6713, Aceron argued that public officials are prohibited from having financial or material interests that may be affected by their office and from soliciting or accepting favors that may influence official functions.

Another ground, according to the lawyer, is Escudero’s supposed violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

‘The Omnibus Election Code bars juridical persons holding government contracts from making campaign contributions. When a contractor’s controlling stockholder furnishes extraordinary personal donations and the corporate books are missing or noncompliant, the line between corporate and personal is blurred,’ said Aceron.

Meanwhile, Aceron also noted the integrity of public procurement and corporate compliance. He said that if Centerways submitted inaccurate, misleading, or fraudulent [documents] for eligibility yet bid and won, procurement integrity is compromised.

‘Respondent’s acceptance of a massive donation from the firm’s owner during the same period erodes public trust in the fairness of awards and casts doubt in official impartiality,’ said Aceron.

Lastly, Aceron argued that Lubiano’s claims that the donation came from personal funds ‘cannot stand.’

With these, Aceron said that the case presents the Senate panel on ethics with a straightforward question: Should a senator be permitted to accept P30 million from the 99.331 percent owner of a government contractor?

Aceron said the answer ‘must be no.’

Noting all of these, Aceron prayed that the panel issue subpoena duces tecum compelling the production of the following:

All versions of Centerways’ audited financial statements filed with SEC (2019-2025) including filing dates, any amendments and all notes and schedules

Complete audit working papers and engagement letters from external auditors

All related party transaction documentation between Centerways and Lubiano

Bank records showing transfers between Centerways and Lubiano during December 2021 to May 2022

All bid documents submitted by Centerways to the DPWH and other procuring entities

BIR returns showing dividend declarations by Centerways and dividend income reported by Lubiano

PCAB license records and supporting financial capacity documentation

Aceron likewise requested that the panel compel testimony from Lubiano and explain under oath the following, among others:

The P35 million reduction in 2022 beginning retained earnings

The source of the P30 million political donation

The nature and terms of the P70 million stockholder advances

Aceron said upon finding ethical violations, the panel must recommend sanctions under the Constitution and Senate rules, including censure, reprimand, suspension of not exceeding 60 days, or expulsion with the constitutionally required vote as circumstances warrant.

He likewise noted the need for the Senate to transmit relevant findings to the appropriate prosecutorial agencies should evidence of criminal violations emerge during the investigation.

Newly-elected panel on ethics chairperson Senator JV Ejercito, meanwhile, told the Inquirer that there is a need to discuss the complaint with other members of the committee.

‘Anyway, [the] Independent Commission for Infrastructure is already actively pursuing the cases,’ said Ejercito.

Escudero previously confirmed that Centerways Construction donated P30 million to his 2022 election campaign, but he said he did not help the firm secure big-ticket flood-control projects with the government.

His clarification came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that P100 billion-about 20 percent of the government’s P545-billion flood mitigation budget from July 2022 to May 2025-was awarded to just 15 contractors, including Centerways Construction.

But in a separate statement also issued Thursday, Escudero said the filing of a complaint against him no longer came as a surprise.

‘Ito ang kabayaran sa pagbanggit ko sa pangalan ni Martin Romualdez at sa pagbubunyag sa katotohanan. This is just part of the harassment from his minions,’ said Escudero.

(This is the price I have to pay for mentioning the name of Martin Romualdez and for revealing the truth. This is just a part of the harassment from his minions.)

‘This isn’t about ethics. This is political retribution,’ Escudero emphasized.

The former Senate chief said the complaint is still ‘part of their script and a desperate smokescreen’

‘I will expose it for the politically motivated sham that it is,’ he said.

Escudero ended his statement with the hashtag that reads: ‘Selective Justice’ and ‘Labanan ang script ni Martin.’

Because no official from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) showed up again for budget discussions at the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio vowed to push for a significant reduction of the agency’s budget – from P902 million to just P198 million.

Tinio, in his manifestation during Thursday’s session, said that Vice President Sara Duterte’s insistence on not showing up or sending an undersecretary-level official to assist the budget sponsor is an indication that the OVP is not interested in defending their proposed allocation for 2026.

According to Tinio, the move to ask for Duterte’s presence is not about politics, but rather to raise questions and concerns about allocations in OVP – which are also asked of other agencies. And because of this, Tinio said he will move to just give the OVP its proposed personal services (PS) or the allocation for salaries.

‘Again, the point of these discussions is not for politicking; our goal here is to ask legitimate questions, points which we also raised with other agencies. But with this treatment – again, we condemn the disrespect shown by the Vice President to the people, she is seeking a bigger budget for 2026 but the agency chose not to show up to stand and explain their allocation,’ Tinio said in English.

‘That’s why at the proper time Mr. Speaker, I will move to reduce the budget of the [OVP] for 2026, they are asking for a total of P902.895 million for 2026, I will move that it be cut only to the PS component – only the salaries of its personnel. So I will move that the budget be reduced merely to the PS of P198.8 million, at the proper time, since the head of office herself has not deemed it necessary to defend the budget proposal of her office,’ he added.

Tinio said the new figure is based on the belief that OVP personnel are good, but are unlucky to have Duterte as their head of office.

‘Why so? Because the government is obligated, as they remain government employees, to allocate for their salaries, and we also considered the welfare of our OVP employees, we believe that they are honest public servants but they are dragged into the issue because of their head of office’s behavior,’ he added.

Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said that because of Duterte’s actions, she initially thought of proposing to cut OVP’s budget to zero, but she said thinking of the employees prompted her to just push for a budget cut.

‘If she can afford to be showing herself up to the Senate, including being there and applauding the former Senate president in his privilege speech [.] why can she not spare a few moments of her time attending to her official function as Vice President, to defend the budget of her office? Enough is enough, enough of her brattiness,’ de Lima said.

‘So I rise today to manifest my extreme displeasure about the behavior of our Vice President. And in due time, I will move for the decrease in the budget of the [OVP]. I actually intended initially to move for zero budget for the [OVP] [.] but after some mulling, after some reflection, and out of courtesy also and consideration to the personnel and staff of the [OVP], I’m just now thinking of moving for the decrease,’ she added.

De Lima, meanwhile, said that her proposal may be to retain OVP’s PS and the maintenance and other operating expenses.

Before Tinio and de Lima’s manifestations, the proposed OVP budget was once again brought up, as the House seeks to end debates on House Bill (HB) No. 4058 or the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). However, budget sponsor and Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez admitted that no one from the OVP is present to assist him.

Instead, Alvarez showed three letters from Duterte – first, assigning staffers like Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio and others to attend in her behalf; second, notifying the House committee on appropriations that Ortonio has been designated as officer-in-charge due to the leave of absence of Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez; and a set of demands for her appearance at the House plenary.

Part of Duterte’s demands is for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to also show up at the House to defend the Office of the President’s budget.

Best response possible

House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, meanwhil,e believes that not giving a response to Duterte’s hateful messages may be the best response possible.

‘The letter of Vice President Sara Duterte with all due respect reeks of hate and impropriety, considering that the subject matter is simply the proposed budget of her office. Instead of addressing the issue with sobriety and professionalism, the letter reflects the lingering bad blood between her and the House, particularly the 19th Congress,’ Erice said.

‘Our task is to serve the people, not to be distracted by personal grievances or political animosities. The best way forward is simply to ignore the letter, and proceed with the more important task at hand – the approval of the national budget. To ignore the letter and treat it as unimportant is in fact the most professional and dignified way of addressing this matter,’ he added.

OVP’s budget was originally scheduled to be discussed last Tuesday, but it was deferred to Wednesday, due to the absence of an undersecretary-level official to assist the budget sponsor.

This is not the first time that the OVP sent an official that is not of an undersecretary level. Last September 12, at the initial budget hearing before the House committee on appropriations, the panel was forced to reschedule the discussions as Ortonio was the highest-ranked official that Duterte sent.

Budget sponsor and Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez said that Vice President Duterte will eventually show up on September 16 – a promise that she fulfilled.

During the committee hearing, both the Minority and the Majority accorded parliamentary courtesy to Duterte, sparing her from questions by the panel’s members. It was Erice who moved to give Duterte parliamentary courtesy.

Duterte however, waived the parliamentary courtesy given, answering some questions from the Minority solons.

This allowed ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co to raise questions regarding low obligation rates and the disallowed OVP confidential funds.

The Iloilo City council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the erection of a statue honoring the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago in one of the city’s major plazas.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Rex Sarabia and unanimously co-sponsored by all 11 members of the council, urges Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu to recognize the ‘Iron Lady of Asia’ and honor the distinction brought to the country by the late former senator, who was born and raised in the city’s La Paz district.

‘The late senator Miriam Santiago, fondly remembered as the ‘Iron Lady of Asia,’ a proud daughter of Iloilo City, born and raised in La Paz, whose brilliance, courage, and integrity brought honor and distinction not only to her hometown but to the entire country,’ the resolution stated.

Santiago, a three-term senator and two-time presidential aspirant, passed away on September 29, 2016, two years after being diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer.

It specifically mentions Defensor-Santiago’s experience as a trial court judge, immigration commissioner, senator, and judge of the International Criminal Court.

‘[Defensor-Santiago’s] unwavering dedication to good governance, rule of law education, and public accountability continues to inspire generations of Filipinos, particularly the youth, who affectionately remember her sharp wit, wisdom, and unparalleled intellect,’ the resolution stated.

‘As an Ilongga, her life and legacy are a source of pride and inspiration for Iloilo City, especially for the people of La Paz district, where she spent her formative years, where her values of academic excellence, public service, and moral courage were deeply rooted,’ it added.

During his sponsorship speech at the city’s regular session on Wednesday, Sarabia said that it was timely to honor the senator, given the recent corruption controversies on flood control projects.

‘I think we need to draw inspiration from our very own Ilongga to fight for what is right, to fight against corruption,’ Sarabia said.

Defensor-Santiago had her early start in Iloilo, graduating as valedictorian from La Paz Elementary School and Iloilo National High School, both in La Paz.

She graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines in Iloilo (now UP Visayas) with a degree in political science and earned a law degree at the UP College of Law in Diliman, Quezon City.

The death toll from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu has risen to 72, according to the latest situational report released by authorities on Thursday, Oct. 2.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also reported 294 injured, though all figures remain subject to validation. No missing persons have been recorded.

The NDRRMC said the quake has affected 170,959 individuals, or 47,221 families, and a total of 53 cities and municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity.

Power and water supply were also disrupted, although some services have since been restored.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded 2,613 aftershocks as of the 7 a.m. update.

The earthquake, which struck on Sept. 30, had its epicenter in Bogo City and is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit Cebu in recent memory

The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) has relieved two of its traffic enforcers after a viral video showed them overtaking on a double solid yellow line at a bridge in Barangay Balantang, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The video, uploaded on Facebook by radio station manager Jay Balnig, quickly spread online, drawing more than 300 reactions, 201 shares, and 110 comments as of press time. Netizens blasted the officers for violating the traffic rules they are sworn to enforce.

‘They catch violators, but they themselves are worse,’ one commenter wrote in Hiligaynon. Another said, ‘There should also be a show-cause order for the driver. If he can’t explain, his license should be revoked. That’s only fair.’

Some expressed frustration over claims that the enforcers were in a blinker vehicle.

‘If an ordinary person commits a violation, it’s considered wrong. But for them, it’s not-because they are supposedly protected by the law,’ another user commented.

According to the LTO, a double solid yellow line means that overtaking or lane changing is strictly prohibited. The markings, often placed on bridges and highways, are designed to prevent accidents and separate vehicles moving in opposite directions.

An LTO 6 vehicle veers through a no-crossing lane, prompting questions about traffic enforcement. (Photo: Jay Balnig)

LTO-6 regional director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II confirmed on Wednesday that the two officers had been relieved from their posts pending investigation.

‘Obviously, as shown in the video, there is a clear lapse of judgment when they maneuvered an illegal overtaking on roads with pavement markings such as solid yellow lines, which indicate no overtaking,’ Geduspan said.

He added that a Show-Cause Order will be issued, requiring the two to explain their actions as part of due process. The agency’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit will conduct a full probe and recommend appropriate sanctions.

‘If culpability is found, the appropriate administrative penalties will follow,’ Geduspan emphasized.

‘No one is above the law’

While withholding the officers’ identities, Geduspan underscored that the LTO will not shield erring personnel from accountability.

‘No LTO personnel are exempt from enforcement of traffic rules,’ he said. ‘Our enforcers must uphold them first before they can expect the public to comply.’

He added that internal monitoring is being tightened to prevent similar lapses, stressing that discipline within the ranks is crucial to credible law enforcement.

‘The rules apply to everyone,’ Geduspan said. ‘No one is above the law

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has not received any reports of violence or looting in Central Visayas following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the region.

The tremor hit 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province on Tuesday night.

‘Fortunately, there have been no reports of gender-based violence or looting incidents in the aftermath of the earthquake,’ PNP Directorate for Police Community Relations Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr. said during a briefing at Camp Crame on Thursday.

Marallag also said that the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) increased its deployment from 1,356 officers on Wednesday to 2,250 officers on Thursday to support recovery efforts.

He added that the PNP’s Reserve Standby Support Force also deployed 312 personnel from PRO 7, 116 from PRO Eastern Visayas, and 112 from PRO Negros Island Region to strengthen the police response.

According to the latest situational report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday morning, at least 72 people have died and 294 were injured.

The NDRRMC said these casualty figures are yet to be validated.

Instead of deliberating and adopting a resolution seeking house arrest for former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Senate should have tackled proposals for the country to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said on Thursday.

In a statement, De Lima said it seems that the country is still thinking backwards, as the Senate Resolution (SR) No. 144-a resolution signed by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano calling for Duterte’s interim release from ICC detention-was adopted on Wednesday.

The resolution was adopted after 15 senators voted in favor, with three opposing and two abstaining.

‘They should have discussed and voted on proposals to bring back the Philippines as an ICC member. But we are still backwards,’ de Lima said, referring to Duterte’s order in March 2018 to withdraw from the Rome Statute, which some government officials are discussing.

Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), meanwhile, said the Senate resolution is a mere ‘display of political opportunism.’ According to the group, the ‘resolution invokes humanitarian concern for the unrepentant Duterte while ignoring the families of victims of extrajudicial killings who continue to demand justice.’

‘The senators who voted in favor of the resolution are complicit in the malicious attempts of the Duterte camp to spread disinformation about the case in order to delay and undermine the ICC trial,’ Bayan said.

‘As a sweeping probe into infrastructure corruption unfolds, many dating back to the Duterte presidency, senators entangled in the scandal and the architects of the ‘tokhang’ carnage are cynically using Duterte’s ICC detention to pander to the pro-Duterte crowd. Their goal is clear: to muddy the waters of public opinion, silence the clamor for truth and justice, and escape accountability,’ it added.

Bayan also said that the resolution might backfire as the ICC may treat the Senate’s move as proof of Duterte’s still strong influence in the country.

‘The ICC will likely consider the Senate resolution as glaring proof of the remaining influence of the former president in the country with his family and subordinates holding powerful positions in government. Thus, allowing Duterte to be placed under house arrest poses real danger to victims and witnesses of Tokhang and extrajudicial killings,’ Bayan noted.

Under SR No. 144, the Senate called on the ICC to allow the placing of Duterte under house arrest for humanitarian reasons, emphasizing that due to the former president’s advanced age and deteriorating health, a physician or medical doctor should be assigned to examine his health and ascertain if he is fit to withstand regular detention.

According to the resolution, ‘such house arrest, or a similar appropriate arrangement, will be subject to conditions restricting liberty to be imposed by the ICC, presenting no risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial.’

Duterte has been under ICC custody since March 2025. Last March 11, after coming home from Hong Kong, the ex-leader was stopped from leaving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 as local authorities assisted the International Criminal Police Organization in enforcing the ICC’s arrest order.

The warrant was issued due to complaints for the crime against humanity of mass murder, due to his role in his administration’s drug war.

There have been concerns about Duterte’s health, with legal counsel Nicholas Kaufman telling the ICC that the former president is suffering from cognitive deficiencies and is unable to recall events, places and even members of his close family, and even the defense team.

In a 13-page document dated September 11, Kaufman explained that the Duterte camp is seeking the adjournment of all legal proceedings due to his deteriorating health.

However, there is also some confusion regarding the real state of Duterte’s health. Last September 16, netizens pointed out that Vice President Sara Duterte, Duterte’s daughter, said her father is doing well.

The younger Duterte said she and her father discussed politics and the recent flood control mess in their conversation, along with his ‘love life.’ Netizens and observers claimed that this is proof that Duterte is well and is able to think properly.

While Duterte was praised for addressing the country’s drug problem, there were concerns from human rights advocates early on that there were rights disregarded in the implementation of the drug war.

After his administration, different bodies have initiated different investigations of the drug war, particularly allegations of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the conduct of the police operations, like Oplan Tokhang-a portmanteau of Visayan words ‘toktok’ or to knock, and ‘hangyo’ or to plead.

Despite Tokhang being just about knocking on doors, there were incidents where innocent individuals were killed during drug busts. In August 2017, 17-year-old Kian delos Santos was killed despite not being the original target of the anti-drug operation in Caloocan City. He was shot point-blank even if camera footage showed him pleading for his life.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Thursday visited northern Cebu to assess the situation in areas devastated by the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province earlier this week, leaving at least 72 people dead and hundreds injured.

The President arrived around 10 a.m. in Barangay Polambato, Bogo City-considered the hardest-hit area-where nine residents were confirmed dead inside the SM Cares Village, a relocation site for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Accompanying President Marcos were Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Bogo City Mayor Mayel Martinez, 4th District Rep. Sun Shimura, and other local officials.

Marcos also visited the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish to inspect quake damage and met with the priests. He later proceeded to the Cebu Provincial Hospital, where he spoke with survivors and assured them of government support.

According to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), as of 6 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2025, fatalities have climbed to 72-30 in Bogo City, 22 in San Remigio, 12 in Medellin, five in Tabogon, and one each in the towns of Tabuelan, Borbon, and Sogod. Nearly 300 people were reported injured, many of whom remain confined in hospitals across the province.

Need more help

In Tabuelan, residents appealed for urgent assistance as they continue to endure dire conditions. Resident Jess Colongan reported the absence of water supply, electricity, medical aid, mobile signals, gasoline stations, and even access to ATMs.

He said many families are sleeping outdoors or in makeshift tents, fearing strong aftershocks.

‘Our mayor and local officials are doing their best, but we still need help. Water and medical assistance are the most urgent,’ Colongan said, calling on friends, donors, and higher government offices for immediate relief.

Authorities said relief operations are being scaled up, but access to mountain barangays and hard-to-reach communities remains a major challenge.

Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo) maintained its strength, prompting the weather bureau to place more provinces in Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.

In its 2 p.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed the following areas under TCWS:

TCWS No. 2

The central and southern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, Naguilian, Palanan, Ilagan City, Quirino, Mallig, Quezon, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Cordon, City of Santiago, San Isidro, Ramon, Alicia, San Mateo, Cabatuan, City of Cauayan, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Gamu, Burgos, San Manuel, Aurora, Roxas)

The northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun)

The northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Kasibu)

The eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig)

Ifugao

The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)

Areas under Signal No. 2 are warned of gale-force winds within 24 hours.

TCWS No. 1

Cagayan

The rest of Isabela

The rest of Quirino

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

The rest of Mountain Province

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

The northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Tarlac

Nueva Ecija

The rest of Aurora

The northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael)

The northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta), including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

The northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion)

Catanduanes

Areas under Signal No. 1 are expected to experience strong winds within the next 36 hours.

Meanwhile, during the 12 p.m. press conference, Pagasa said that Metro Manila will not be directly affected by Paolo.

‘Right now, the southwest monsoon, or habagat, has weakened. So the concentration of the heavy rains is now in those areas near the tropical storm,’ said weather services chief Engineer Juanito Galang during the conference.

But he added that it is still possible for Metro Manila and nearby provinces to experience light to moderate rainfall as Paolo crosses the country in the coming days.

The center of Paolo was last estimated 530 km east of Infanta, Quezon. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph), with gusts of up to 90 kph, and was moving westward at 20 kph.

It is the 16th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in 2025. Nine more typhoons are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility before the year ends.