MCT DAILY BRIEF

BATANES IS UNDER SIGNAL NO. 2 AS ROSAL DRAWS CLOSER

PAGASA's 5 p.m. bulletin places Batanes under Signal No. 2. Signal No. 1 covers Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, eastern Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Apayao and northeastern Catanduanes.

Rosal has weakened slightly but remains a super typhoon. Its centre was 725 kilometres east of Aparri, Cagayan at 4 p.m., with sustained winds of 205 kph and gusts up to 250 kph. It was moving west northwest at 25 kph. Its closest approach to extreme Northern Luzon is forecast between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

The danger at sea is already serious. PAGASA forecasts waves up to 10 metres along northern and eastern Batanes and warns against sea travel in the waters covered by its very rough sea outlook. [PAGASA, Bulletin No. 6](https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/tamss/weather/bulletin/TCB%236_rosal.pdf)

THE PALACE WILL ASK THE SUPREME COURT TO RECONSIDER ITS BUDGET RULING

Malacañang said Wednesday that the Office of the Solicitor General has been told to seek reconsideration. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro disputed the Court's condition that total revenue collections must exceed the government's total target before unprogrammed funds can be released. She argued that this changes the conditions Congress set. This is an announced challenge; the report does not establish that the motion has already been filed. [GMA News, 12:42 p.m.](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1006646/malaca-ang-asks-sc-to-revisit-ruling-on-2024-2025-national-budgets/story/)

The disputed increases were ₱449.5 billion in 2024 unprogrammed appropriations and ₱17.99 billion in the DPWH Special Road Fund for 2025. The Court also invalidated two release provisions in the 2026 budget. Unprogrammed appropriations are standby spending authority; the Court did not declare every use of such funds unconstitutional. [Daily Tribune on the ruling](https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/20/sc-voids-p4495-b-unprogrammed-funds-hike)

The Court protected certain already-implemented programs and good-faith beneficiaries through the doctrine of operative fact. That protection does not automatically clear officials behind the invalid provisions of possible liability. [Philstar](https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/10/21/2564572/sc-declares-provisions-2024-2025-2026-national-budgets-unconstitutional)

WHAT THE $1.5-BILLION ADB FINANCING WILL SUPPORT

The Department of Finance says the Philippines has tapped about $1.5 billion in ADB emergency financing to cushion the country from oil-supply and economic shocks tied to the Middle East crisis. The financing agreement for the AGAPAY program was signed on October 6.

The stated plan is to support fuel and electricity supply, help keep public and commercial transport affordable, give targeted aid to vulnerable groups, and support the repatriation and reintegration of affected OFWs. That is budget support for a government response. It is not an announcement that every household will receive money, that pump prices are frozen, or that a new benefit is already open for applications. [Philippine News Agency](https://www.pna.gov.ph/article/ph-taps-15-b-emergency-adb-financing-to-cushion-middle-east-crisis-impact)

PROSECUTORS HAVE FILED THEIR EVIDENCE. THE COURT STILL HAS TO RULE ON IT.

Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan says the House panel filed its formal offer of evidence on Tuesday, October 20, ahead of the October 23 deadline. She said filing early gives the defense its ten days from receipt to object and leaves time for the court to address those objections before the trial resumes on November 9. The remaining article alleges unexplained wealth. Filing the exhibits does not mean the Senate court has admitted them or found the allegation proven. [Journal News, reporting Kapunan's interview](https://journalnews.com.ph/kapunan-prosecution-files-evidence-early-to-prevent-vp-duterte-camp-from-delaying-nov-9-trial/)

Separately, OCTA's latest poll puts acquittal at 25 percent, conviction at 21 percent and those wanting to see the evidence first at 47 percent. Neither verdict has majority support. The non-commissioned, face-to-face survey covered 1,200 adults from September 28 to October 4, with a national margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. Those are views from before the prosecution rested its case, not a public verdict on the newly filed offer. [GMA News on the survey](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1006632/acquit-or-convict-filipinos-split-over-vp-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-in-latest-octa-survey/story/)

THE COAST GUARD IS ALREADY PREPARING FOR UNDAS SEA TRAVEL

The Philippine Coast Guard has raised its alert status for Undas and expects 1.5 million to 2 million people to travel by sea from October 29 to November 3. It says all 17 Coast Guard Districts will step up inspections, patrols and emergency-response work under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.

The PCG says personnel will inspect vessels to prevent overloading and will help passengers report concerns through transport help desks. For families travelling by ferry, the practical reminder is simple: do not wait until the last day to check sailing schedules and weather advisories. [Philippine News Agency](https://www.pna.gov.ph/article/pcg-raises-alert-for-undas-2026-eyes-up-to-2m-sea-travelers)