MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced that he vetoed nearly ₱92.5 billion worth of projects listed under unprogrammed appropriations (UA) in the 2026 national budget, saying the move was meant to reduce discretionary spending to its bare minimum. Speaking after signing the ₱6.79-trillion national budget for 2026, Marcos said Congress had already […]

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday signed into law the national budget for fiscal year 2026 after a week-long review of its allocations and provisions. The signing of the ₱6.793-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) took place at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace, with key Cabinet members as well as senators and members of […]

THE Philippines on Monday expressed concern over developments in Venezuela following a United States military operation that led to the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, warning of the move’s potential implications for regional peace and the rules-based international order. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it recognizes the United States’ stated […]

BICOL Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Friday rejected claims that some members of Congress received a P2 million “Christmas bonus” after the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget. Ridon said the allegation made by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste was misleading, stressing that the amount in […]

AN explosion triggered by a fire during a crowded New Year’s Eve celebration at a ski resort in Switzerland has left an estimated 40 people dead and more than 100 injured, Swiss authorities said on Thursday. The incident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) at Le Constellation, a popular bar in the […]

MANILA – Traffic and logistics operations have significantly improved at ports near the San Juanico Bridge, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced on Thursday, following measures to address congestion caused by previous weight restrictions on the bridge. According to the PPA, ship calls between Tacloban Port and Amandayehan Port from June to November 2025 totaled […]

SYDNEY, Australia — Sydney ushered in the New Year with its world-famous fireworks display under heightened security, paying tribute to victims of a deadly attack that shook the city weeks earlier. Despite the somber backdrop, the Australian city pushed through with its traditional New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring more than 40,000 pyrotechnic effects launched across […]

MANILA, Philippines — Several lawmakers have raised red flags over the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, warning that it remains laden with what they described as “repackaged pork barrel” funds spread across various government programs. Senator Imee Marcos, a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee (Bicam), said she refused to sign the reconciled budget, […]

MANILA, Philippines — Dueñas, Iloilo Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan has died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on December 31, 2025, a close family member confirmed. Lamasan had undergone a second surgery after sustaining a gunshot wound to the right side of her abdomen following an alleged accidental discharge of a firearm inside her […]

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100,000 passengers were recorded at seaports across the country just hours before New Year’s Day, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). In an advisory, the PCG said it monitored a total of 108,057 passengers nationwide between noon and 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Of this number, 54,221 were outbound travelers […]

MANILA, Philippines — As the New Year approaches, the Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging Filipinos to adopt meditation as a simple yet effective tool for managing stress in 2026. In a social media post, the DOH shared a “quick reset” guide to help calm the mind: Find a quiet spot and sit comfortably. Set […]

JAKARTA — Indonesia will scale back New Year celebrations by skipping fireworks in several regions as the country mourns victims of devastating floods and landslides in Sumatra, the presidential palace said on Monday. An official spokesperson said the national government supports decisions by local governments to ban or discourage fireworks as a show of empathy […]

MANILA — Police investigators on Tuesday said former Public Works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral most likely slipped and fell into a ravine in Benguet province, dismissing speculation that she was pushed to her death. Cabral, who had been linked to alleged bribery and irregularities in flood control projects, was found dead at the bottom of […]

PALM BEACH, Florida — US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that Washington could back another major military strike on Iran if Tehran resumes rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs, while also cautioning Hamas of severe repercussions if it refuses to disarm. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a meeting at […]

MANILA — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday firmly denied what he described as “baseless and malicious” allegations made by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste concerning supposed national budget insertions, commonly referred to as “allocables.” Dizon’s statement came after Leviste claimed to have received information alleging that the Cabinet official was behind questionable budget insertions […]

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday said Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Commissioner Rosanna Fajardo has “already accomplished her tasks based on her mandate,” hours after she announced her resignation from the panel. “Under the administration, we recognize the vital role played by ICI Commissioner Rosanna Fajardo in gathering, studying, and assessing crucial evidence to […]

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are set to enjoy a mostly fair-weather Christmas Day, as the state weather bureau reported no low-pressure area likely to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility over the next three to five days. Weather specialist Daniel James Villamil of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the easterlies […]

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has placed its units on heightened alert and continues to intensify maritime safety operations nationwide amid the surge in holiday travelers. The PCG said it is implementing strict inspections and monitoring under Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2025, covering major and minor ports across the country. As of December […]

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his appeal for a worldwide ceasefire on Christmas Day, expressing deep regret that a proposed truce was “apparently rejected” by Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the pontiff called on all parties to observe […]

MANILA — Initial toxicology results indicate that the remains of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina “Cathy” Cabral tested positive for an antidepressant, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). In a preliminary report from the PNP Regional Forensic Unit–Cordillera Administrative Region, qualitative tests on urine and vitreous samples detected the […]

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Monday that it will suspend the expanded number coding scheme during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays to help ease traffic and accommodate holiday travel. In an advisory, the MMDA said the suspension will take effect on the following dates: The agency reminded motorists to plan […]

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said evidence gathered so far indicates that the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Cabral is consistent with suicide. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators have found indications supporting a suicide scenario, based on the pieces of evidence […]

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) Registry has received only 303 applications for victim participation in the case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, citing the lack of publicly available information on the charges as a key reason for the low turnout. In a report dated Dec. 19 and submitted to Pre-Trial Chamber I, the Registry […]

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said initial findings suggest that the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral was a case of suicide. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the investigation conducted so far points to suicide based on the available evidence. […]

MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte has strongly denied allegations made by Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to be her alleged bagman, saying his accusations amount to nothing more than “noise.” In a statement issued Monday, Duterte said she has no personal relationship with Madriaga and stressed that she never gave him any instructions nor communicated […]