Context Dispatch

Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung Wong), a monstrous storm spanning 1,600 kilometers, is moving swiftly at 30 kilometers an hour toward Central and Northern Luzon, threatening Metro Manila and parts of the Visayas still reeling from TC Tina. With maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts reaching 230 km/h, PAGASA has raised Signal No. 5 over Aurora, Catanduanes, and the Camarines provinces. Authorities warn of life-threatening storm surges and widespread flooding as Uwan makes landfall late Sunday before exiting by Monday night. Pre-emptive evacuations are underway, and disaster response teams remain on full alert for the super typhoon’s destructive onslaught. Uwan threatens an area with a population of over 61 million, with over 5 million living coastal areas.

The government is bracing as Tropical Cyclone Uwan (International name: Fund-Wong) barrels toward Central and Northern Luzon, rapidly intensifying and expected to hit super typhoon strength when it makes landfall on Saturday with sustained winds over 205 kilometers per hour, rivaling Typhoon Yolanda. Stretching 1,400 kilometers across, Uwan threatens Metro Manila, all of Luzon, and parts of the Visayas, with 200 to 400 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours. Some 61.6 million people live in its path, including 5.7 million in coastal zones. Authorities have placed disaster and relief teams on full alert, preparing evacuation centers, emergency supplies, and rapid-response units to mitigate flooding, power outages, and other risks from what could become one of the most severe storms in recent history.

PASAY CITY — Veteran litigator Atty. Ruy Rondain, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co’s lawyer, told reporters Wednesday that unless the government presents clarified, admissible evidence, his client faces no criminal case.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held a summit meeting on Sunday 26 in Malaysia, where both leaders were attending ASEAN-related meetings. The talks began at 1:09 p.m. local time and lasted about 20 minutes.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Friday, October 24, acquitted Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile of graft, clearing him in all pork barrel scam cases.