Rains brought by the southwest monsoon will hit parts of Luzon and the western section of Visayas today, according to the state weather bureau.

Two to eight tropical cyclones could form within the Philippine area of responsibility in the first half of this year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In 2015, then justice secretary Leila de Lima was one of three Cabinet officials who, together with then president Benigno Aquino III, appealed to Indonesia to spare Mary Jane Veloso from execution.