Just an update. I have attended the outreach mission of the ph embassy in manchester last Feb 25 to have my passport renewed (and register the marriage as well). We will be travelling to ph via dubai this May which requires me to have a passport with validity of more than 6 months (to apply for a transit visa in uaw). I have just called ph embassy and the person mentioned that all manchester passport renewal would be dispatched for delivery before lunch today. Yehey! It is still nearly 8 weeks of waiting (maybe 7 weeks if you count the holidays in ph) but at least there is no delay.
Passport did arrive before lunch time today. Although, paid £7 for the postage at the time of application. Good thing there were no mistakes on it, whew.