THE leadership of the House of Representatives is being pressed to guarantee full disclosure of budget allocations ahead of the Dec. 29 vote on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The House leaders must release detailed information on how funds are alloted to each congressional district and party-list before lawmakers cast their votes on the national budget, Rep. Tobias Tiangco said on Saturday. “This must be posted on Congress website, especially the per district and per party-list DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) allocations for the proposed 2026 GAA before the December 29 vote is made,” Tiangco told The Manila Times through Viber. “Full disclosure is non-negotiable,” the Navotas City congressman stressed. Saying he has been calling for the release of the information since Oct. 13, Tiangco stressed that with the end of bicameral deliberations, “all the more there is no reason to withhold the results.” Without any disclosure, Tiangco said, the lawmakers have no way of verifying whether certain districts or party-list groups received disproportionate budget increases. He also cited the lack of transparency in party-list allocations during the previous budget cycle, noting that there was no clear way to determine how much funding each group received. Aside from the breakdown of allocations per district and party-list, Tiangco said the specific programs and projects where these funds will ultimately be channeled must also be posted on Congress’ website. “Full public disclosure before the vote is essential to ensure accountability, informed decision-making, and public trust in Congress’ handling of the national budget,” he said.

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 52 dakika

THE leadership of the Social Security System (SSS) announced on Saturday that it has set various programs up for implementation in 2026 primarily aimed at benefiting its millions of members nationwide. “We look forward to 2026 where we continue implementing existing programs while developing new ones and strengthening member servicing as well as expanding footprint of SSS nationwide and abroad,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro said. By September next year, de Claro said, the agency will carry out the second to the last tranche of the Pension Reform Program for another round of pension increase. “Also available for 2026 is the Emergency Loan Program up to Dec. 9, 2026 or until the calamity declaration is lifted,” he said. Following the approval of its guidelines, the micro loan program will also be implemented early in 2026. “With guidance from Finance Secretary Frederick Go, SSS is looking to implement this micro loan program through partner institutions very soon as a safer and affordable option to borrow cash for short-term needs with 15- to 90-day tenor and interest rate of 8 percent per annum or 0.67percent per month,” he said. De Claro added that the agency will open Foreign Representative Offices in Madrid, San Francisco, and Macau, and establish 10 new local branches, next year. The pension fund will hire about 1,800 personnel to boost manpower resources in the frontlines. “This recruitment effort aims to address gaps in service delivery and handling of requests for assistance and various complaints,” de Claro said. Other programs being explored by SSS in 2026 include potential partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program, special programs for gig economy workers, and contribution subsidy program for 2,000 Overseas Filipino Workers through P28.8-M commitment from Double Dragon Corporation.

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 53 dakika

It’s a blue Christmas for Radisson Blu Cebu. But, unlike the sad “Blue Christmas” in Elvis “The King” Presley’s hugely popular holiday song of the same title, the vibes in the Cebu premier business hotel are celebratory and festive, befitting the year’s most joyous season. The 9.8-meter (32-foot) blue and silver Christmas tree, centerpiece of […]... Keep on reading: Radisson Blu: Cebu hotel marks 15th anniversary

• Inquirer
• 18 saat, 53 dakika

(UPDATE) THERE were fewer fireworks-related injuries and road crashes just before and after Christmas Day this year, compared with the same period in 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. The DOH said Saturday that between December 21 and 26, it logged 57 fireworks-related injury cases, 49 percent lower year-on-year. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of cases at 25, mostly involving males aged 10 to 14 and commonly caused by 5-Star, kwitis, boga, and triangulo. Children and adolescents remained the most vulnerable group for fireworks injuries, despite repeated public warnings against the use of illegal and improvised firecrackers. Road crashes totaled 263 cases, down by 7 percent from 2024. Regions 2, 5, and 4-A had the highest number of incidents, largely affecting males aged 20 to 24, and with motorcycles accounting for 73 percent of all cases. The DOH said the high proportion of motorcycle-related crashes continued to reflect risky driving behavior among young riders during peak holiday travel. It added that 85 percent of those involved in road crashes were not using safety accessories, such as helmets or protective gear, while 12 percent were intoxicated at the time of the incident. Aside from injuries and crashes, the DOH also recorded 127 cases of noncommunicable diseases during the monitoring period. Data showed 81 cases of acute stroke, or brain attack, and 30 cases of acute coronary syndrome (heart attack), with both conditions more common among male patients. There were also 16 cases of bronchial asthma, which were more frequently recorded among female patients during the same period. Mental health concerns also remained significant, with 451 calls received by the National Center for Mental Health Hotline 1553 during the Christmas period. The department said the volume of calls peaked on December 23, with young adults aged 18 to 30 years accounting for most callers and females forming the majority. The most common reasons cited by callers were anxiety or depressive symptoms, followed by love or relationship problems and family-related concerns, the DoH said.

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 54 dakika

A 16-YEAR-OLD Filipino student in California has created a website that tracks and documents public infrastructure projects and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate construction quality. Gian Alingog, a Computer Science major at the University of California-Sta. Barbara, told The Manila Times in an exclusive interview that envisions his website, the Ovovtec, or One Village, One Volunteer: Trained, Educated, and Community-Centered, Concerned Citizen Confronting Corruption in Construction, to empower more people in monitoring government construction projects in their own communities. Alingog has been a computer programmer since he was 11, was a silver medalist in the National Olympiad in Informatics (NOI) competition in 2025, and a computer science awardee from the Ateneo High School in 2023. He said he discussed with his father, Glovax founder Giovanni Alingog, the country’s flood control projects scandal. “I thought to myself that as a computer science student, I was thinking of something to contribute to solve this problem, so I thought, why don’t I just make a platform which can help give information without government control,” Alingog said. “We can collaborate with other Filipinos, they can serve the country [through my application] and that is what I want to see, that we are involved in this,” he said. “Volunteer experts” post pictures and videos of projects on Ovovtec.org, and determine if the projects are “up to standard,” “substandard” or a “ghost” project. Members of the Ovovtec community can either “like or dislike” or make a comment on the analysis made by the volunteer experts. “It is in the hands of the people to ensure that public funds and projects are done right, and these projects are being seen by all, so what we do at Ovovtech is a youth-led citizen-focused organization by the people for the people whose main focus is to document these public construction projects,” Alingog said. In the long run, these posts will be fed through an artificial intelligence large language model that would automatically evaluate construction quality, with the goal of making AI determine if the construction project meets standards or show red flags. “Our vision for the future is to make the process easy to analyze whether this project is okay, and integrate it with artificial intelligence. Our plan is to recruit many people so we can have more data,” he said. Alingog is open to collaborating with Philippine government agencies to help fight corruption, and hopes to expand the program to other Third World countries who are confronted with the same problem.

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 55 dakika

“CALL Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and child actor Lucas Andalio, emerged as the clear box-office leader on the opening day of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), based on revenue estimates from multiple cinema industry sources, including producers and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). As in previous years, the MMFF has not come up with the official box-office figures. But sources monitoring the competition showed a decisive early lead for the Jun Robles Lana-directed film. According to Pep.ph, producers, and MMDA-linked sources, “Call Me Mother” earned about P49 million on its first day. The film continued its strong run the following day, adding an estimated P29 million. A wide gap separated the top-grossing film from the rest of the field. Coming in second, “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” reportedly earned about P20 million on opening day. On third was “UnMarry,” starring Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo. While trailing the top two, the film posted solid attendance, with reports of sold-out evening screenings across several theaters. Fourth on the list was “Bar Boys: After School.” Moviegoers noted group audiences gravitating toward the film, while 901 Studios announced an increase in the number of cinemas screening the Carlo Aquino–led entry, which also stars Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, Will Ashley and Odette Khan. In fifth place was the romantic drama “Love You So Bad,” starring Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera and Dustin Yu. “I’m Perfect,” featuring Earl Amaba and Krystel Go, both actors with Down Syndrome, is sixth. “Manila’s Finest,” starring Piolo Pascual and Enrique Gil, placed seventh, while “Rekonek,” with a cast that includes Gerald Anderson, members of the Legaspi family, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes and Gloria Diaz, ranked eighth. Altogether, the eight entries earned an estimated P98 million on opening day, with roughly half garnered by “Call Me Mother.” Vice Ganda thanked moviegoers in a social media post late Christmas night. “Thank you so, so much, Madlang People!!!! We just finished going around the cinemas. Every time I get back into the car, there’s always a moment when I just pause and space out. The love you’ve shown me is incredible. I truly feel it. I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much!” the comedian wrote. As of this writing, the filmfest’s jury had not announced the winners. The panel is headed by Doy del Mundo, a highly respected screenwriter, director and author whose body of work includes the documentaries "People Media" (1978) and "Lupa" (1982). The 51st MMFF Gabi ng Parangal was held Dec. 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Ahead of the festival, organizers held the MMFF Golf Tournament, where one participant won a brand-new car from Geely Philippines. Proceeds from the festival support key industry beneficiaries, including the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, the Optical Media Board and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 56 dakika

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an “immediate” ceasefire on Saturday, the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end weeks of deadly border clashes. At least 47 people were killed and more than a million displaced in three weeks of fighting with artillery, tanks, drones and jets, according to official tallies. The conflict spread to nearly every border province on both sides, shattering an earlier truce for which US President Donald Trump took credit. “Both sides agree to an immediate ceasefire after the time of signature of this Joint Statement with effect from 12:00 hours noon (local time) on 27 December 2025,” said the statement signed by the two countries’ defense ministers. The truce applies to “all types of weapons, including attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructures, and military objectives of either side, in all cases and all areas,” it said. Both sides agreed to freeze all troop movements and allow civilians living in border areas to return home as soon as possible, the statement added. They also agreed to cooperate on demining efforts and combatting cybercrime, while Thailand is to return 18 captured Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours. Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit said the initial three-day window would be an “observation period to confirm that the ceasefire is real.” In a speech Saturday morning he called the truce “a door to a peaceful resolution” of the border issue. Oeum Raksmey, 22, who was evacuated with her family from their home near the border to a shelter in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, said she was “very happy” to hear news of the ceasefire. “If they stop fighting from now, I am very happy so that that people can return home,” she told AFP by telephone. “But I dare not return home yet. I am still scared. I don’t trust the Thai side yet.” The ceasefire comes after three days of border talks announced following a crisis meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), of which both Cambodia and Thailand are members. The United States and China also pushed for the neighbors to cease fighting. The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border, where ancient temples are claimed by both sides. Five days of fighting between the two countries in July killed dozens of people before a truce was brokered by the US, China and Malaysia. Trump witnessed the signing of an expanded agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in October, but it was broken within months. Each side blamed the other for instigating the fresh fighting this month and traded accusations of attacks on civilians. At least 25 Thai soldiers and one Thai civilian were killed in the latest round of clashes, officials said. Cambodia, which is outgunned and outspent by Bangkok’s military, said 21 civilians were killed but reported no military deaths — even as the wife of its leader Hun Manet attended a funeral of troops killed in the fighting, according to an official Facebook post. The fighting was still raging on Friday, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas and Thai media reporting overnight Cambodian attacks. The contested temples are claimed by both nations because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia’s French colonial administrators in 1907. Those demarcations will still need to be resolved following the ceasefire. But Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sounded an upbeat note Friday night, announcing that the two countries’ defense ministers would meet the following day and potentially sign a truce. “You can trust Thailand. We always uphold our agreements and commitments. Let this be the final signing, so that peace can be restored and our people can return home,” he said. General elections are scheduled to take place in Thailand on Feb. 8.

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 57 dakika

A COALITION of civil society organizations advocating for the rights and welfare of Filipino fishers on Saturday denounced what it described as China’s misleading and self-serving public relations campaign following its reported assistance to distressed Filipino fisherman on Christmas Day. Atin Ito said the incident, widely publicized by Chinese state media, was being used to project an image of humanitarian concern while diverting attention from Beijing’s long-standing pattern of alleged harassment and unlawful activities in the West Philippine Sea. “We acknowledge the global responsibility to assist those in danger at sea,” said Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David. “However, what China did was not humanitarian. It was image management, assistance driven by propaganda and intended to obscure years of harassment, violence, and illegal incursions.” David, who is also president of the Akbayan party, said China’s account of the incident was inconsistent with official Philippine reports. Chinese authorities claimed the fisherman had been missing for three days, but the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said he had been stranded for less than 24 hours after his boat’s engine stalled but was safely moored to a payao while awaiting retrieval by his mother boat. “This brings us to the fundamental and unavoidable question,” David said. “Why was china operating inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the first place? No act of assistance, however appreciated, justifies trespassing.” The West Philippine Sea covers maritime areas within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. The area has been the site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels, including incidents involving water cannons, dangerous maneuvers, and the ramming and shadowing of Filipino fishing boats and resupply missions. Atin Ito warned against what it called attempts to sanitize China’s record through a single, highly publicized episode. David cited recent incidents in the Escoda Shoal, where Chinese coast guard vessels fired water cannons at Filipino fishers and carried out aggressive maneuvers that damaged two fishing boats. “China should stop pretending that a bottle of water and a pack of snacks can erase years of harassment,” David said. Using an analogy in Filipino, David likened the situation to a burglar who repeatedly breaks into a home and then seeks credit for helping the homeowner while continuing to steal. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, a decision Beijing continues to reject. “Assistance driven by propaganda does not erase violations of international law, whitewash aggression, or exonerate China from ongoing incursions,” David said. “Basic humanity is not something to be traded. Our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea are not for sale.”

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 58 dakika

SEN. Rodante Marcoleta has cautioned against politicizing the so-called “Cabral files,” saying the documents must by legal and technically evaluated to ensure their integrity before they can be used in investigations of corruption in government flood control projects. Speaking on a radio program Friday, Marcoleta said the files that were retrieved from the electronic devices of the late former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, should be treated with care and sobriety. “The saddest part is that her death is now being politicized,” Marcoleta said. “When a person dies, she can no longer speak for herself. What should be discussed now is how the documents left behind, whether on a cellphone or a computer, can be validated in terms of integrity and authenticity.” He stressed that without proper validation, the files could do more harm than good. He warned that unverified or manipulated data could undermine efforts to identify those allegedly responsible for large-scale irregularities in flood control projects, an issue that has drawn scrutiny from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. “If the integrity of the data is not put in order, we gain nothing,” Marcoleta said. “Many will lose, especially citizens who are looking for answers on who the real masterminds are.” He underscored that endless public debate over the files, without clarity on their authenticity, risks turning the issue into speculation and gossip. He proposed that safeguards to prevent the insertion of false or misleading information that could wrongly implicate or shield individuals. He also said Cabral’s death could clear her of criminal liability, but civil liability may still be pursued. “Criminal cases are personal,” said Marcoleta. “But if it is proven that certain assets were obtained through anomalous projects, the civil aspect remains and can still be recovered by the government.” Marcoleta added that while Cabral can no longer be prosecuted, any evidence that leads investigators to other responsible parties may still be relevant — provided the files are authenticated and lawfully processed. He appealed for restraint, saying the situation calls for calm and respect rather than political maneuvering. “We are not politicizing her files,” he said. “There has to be peace regarding her situation. If the files are to be used, they must be used prudently, with their integrity intact, so they can truly help uncover the real roots of corruption.” He warned that releasing or circulating unverified copies could spark conflicts and confusion, rather than accountability. “Let’s put things in order first,” Marcoleta said. “Only then can the files have a proper place and purpose in the investigation.”

• The Manila Times
• 18 saat, 59 dakika

THE ongoing rehabilitation and repair on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) are in full swing, aimed at completing the job ahead of schedule, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Saturday that rehabilitation and maintenance works are being done 24/7 with augmented equipment and personnel to fast-track the ongoing concrete reblocking and asphalt overlay in preparation for the expected influx of vehicles after the long holiday break. According to Dizon, the DPWH is also in close coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for traffic management. The MMDA and DOTr, Dizon said, deployed additional traffic enforcers to ensure the safety and security of motorists and commuters while the rehabilitation is ongoing. "We also thank the public for their understanding as we conduct these essential road improvements," Dizon said. "We aim to finish the ongoing road reblocking and asphalt overlay in certain parts of EDSA ahead of schedule to mitigate traffic after the long holiday break." Dizon said that they were also ready for the next phase of rehabilitation in other parts of EDSA scheduled to take place from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5, 2026. From Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026, concrete reblocking works will be done on the southbound and northbound sections of EDSA. Covered by the southbound works are EDSA corner Taft Ave. to FB Harrison, near HomeExpo Building Depot to P. Celle Street, and along Ayala underpass exit to San Lorenzo Village. Northbound overlay, includes Roxas Boulevard Heritage Hotel until Sgt. Mariano, Park Avenue to EDSA Orense (inner lane), and select portions along EDSA from Orense to Shell McKinley. Asphalt overlay (Northbound) will be done from Tramo to E. Rodriguez, both inner lane to outer lane (Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); E. Rodriguez to Kalayaan Avenue, inner lane to outer outer lane (Dec. 29, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); Roxas Boulevard to FB Harrison, inner to outer lane (Dec. 31, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); FB Harrison to Tramo Bus Station, inner lane (Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026); and Ayala Underpass to Urdaneta Subdivision, inner to outer lane (Jan. 2, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026). Southbound overlay will be done along Roling Street to Roxas Boulevard, inner to outer lane (Dec. 30, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026); Ayala underpass to Tramo bus station, inner lane (Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026); and Palm Drive to Ayala underpass, inner to outer lane (Jan. 3, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2026). The DPWH has advised all motorists to use alternative routes during the said period. Under the revised work plan, Dizon said, the rehabilitation of EDSA will be implemented in two phases of four months each, starting at the Roxas Boulevard to EDSA-Orense, while the second phase will cover the rest of EDSA. The 23.8-kilometer EDSA stretch is the longest and most congested highway in Metro Manila. It passes through six of Metro Manila's 17 local government units or cities, namely, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay. With faster implementation, Dizon pointed out, the cost of rehabilitating EDSA would be down to P6 billion from the original estimate of P17 billion or a substantial savings of P11 billion, which the government can use to fund other projects. This follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the DPWH and DOTr to make EDSA accessible and walkable for commuters and pedestrians, especially the vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women. Among the action plans on EDSA will be the expansion of pedestrian lanes, implementing shared bike lanes and repair stops, pedestrian waiting sheds, and removal of obstructions along the commuter route.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat

THE Supreme Court has laid down clear guideposts for establishing the identity of a social media account owner or user in criminal cases, affirming the conviction of a man for psychological violence against his former partner over derogatory Facebook posts. In a decision written by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, the high court’s First Division upheld the ruling of lower courts that found the suspect guilty of violating Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (Anti-VAWC) Act. The case stemmed from the three-year relationship between the suspect and his former partner, which resulted in a pregnancy. Although the suspect offered marriage, the victim refused due to ongoing problems between them, and later raised their child alone while living with her parents. The victim testified that during one visit to their daughter, the suspect suddenly grabbed and groped her, leaving her traumatized. She later blocked him from her social media accounts, including Facebook. Several years later, the victim’s siblings received a private Facebook Messenger message from an account they knew belonged to the suspect, insinuating that the victim was causing his mother to suffer a heart attack. The following day, a friend informed the victim that the same account had posted a public statement in Kapampangan calling her a “dirty woman” and an animal, and threatening to box her when he saw her. The insults were repeated in the comments section of the post. Fearing for her safety, the victim filed a criminal complaint. A protection order was issued in her favor while the case was pending. During the trial, the prosecution presented screenshots of the Facebook post. The victim admitted that she had created the account years earlier for the suspect, but testified that he was the one using it. Her two siblings corroborated this, saying they had long received messages from the suspect through the same account. The suspect denied owning the Facebook account, claiming someone else may have used his photo to create a fake profile. He also argued that he could not have made the post because he was working as a restaurant waiter at the time and had no access to his phone. The Family Court and the Court of Appeals rejected his defense and found him guilty, noting that both the suspect and his live-in partner were able to identify themselves and their child in the profile photo used by the account. In affirming the conviction, the Supreme Court stressed that in criminal cases, the prosecution must prove not only the elements of the crime but also the identity of the offender. For offenses committed through social media, the Court said the nature and features of platforms such as Facebook must be taken into account. The Court noted that Facebook accounts are easy to create, making the proliferation of fake or dummy accounts possible and enabling identity theft, disinformation, or criminal acts. Because of this, the Court prescribed that specific guideposts are needed to establish ownership, access, or authorship of a social media account. These include admission of ownership or authorship; being seen accessing the account or composing the post; the presence of information known only to the offender or a limited group of people; language consistent with the offender’s characteristics; records from service providers or forensic analysis linking the account to the offender; acts consistent with previous posts; or other circumstances showing control or authorship. Applying these standards, the Court found that several factors pointed to the suspect as the author of the Facebook post. The account bore his full name and used a profile photo showing him with his child from his current live-in partner. The victim’s sister had also received messages from the same account for years under circumstances that identify the suspect as the sender, such as requests related to their child. The post itself contained details the suspect was expected to know, including the victim’s nickname and the fact that she had blocked him. The reactions and comments on the post further showed that the account was actively used and not merely a dummy. The Court also rejected the suspect’s claim that he had no opportunity to access Facebook while at work, saying this did not prove he could not have used his phone or another device at the time. Having established that the suspect authored the post, the Supreme Court ruled that all the elements of psychological violence under Section 5(i) of the Anti-VAWC Act were present, including the public ridicule suffered by the victim. The suspect was sentenced to imprisonment of up to eight years, fined P100,000, and ordered to undergo psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 1 dakika

(UPDATE) PASIG City authorities have intensified operations against illegal fireworks traders, with Mayor Vico Sotto reporting arrests and confiscations as the city enforces a strict no-permit policy ahead of the New Year, on Saturday morning. Sotto said the Pasig police arrested an online seller and confiscated the items as part of coordinated operations against the distribution of prohibited firecrackers in the city. The mayor also shared photos of the confiscated items, which included a Judas belt, Five Star, Kwitis, Whistle bomb, and other illegal firecrackers. He said this year marked the first time the Pasig local government stopped issuing special permits to sell fireworks or firecrackers, stressing that even individuals who personally appealed at city hall were denied approval. The mayor said the city continues to face enforcement challenges due to its proximity to fireworks manufacturers and distributors, noting that illegal firecrackers can still enter Pasig because it shares boundaries with seven other local government units. He said similar boundary-related issues have affected other concerns, including the movement of homeless individuals during rescue operations conducted by neighboring LGUs. Sotto said the Pasig LGU, the Pasig Police, the Public Order Department, and village officials are jointly intensifying monitoring and enforcement operations across communities. He said authorities will continue to arrest violators, particularly vendors selling prohibited firecrackers, as part of efforts to protect residents and ensure a safe New Year celebration.

• The Manila Times
• 19 saat, 2 dakika

MANILA, Philippines—Calvin Oftana wasn’t the only gunner who heated up when it mattered most to power TNT into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. While Tropang 5G turned to Oftana like clockwork,  Jordan Heading also had a hot-shooting night to help them slip past Magnolia, 118-109, in the quarterfinals at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday. “They’re happy to see the ball in my hands and I want to repay that by delivering, whether it’s by scoring, making the right plays or passing it,” Heading told the Inquirer. “I’m just letting the game come to me.” Oftana finished with a game-high 25 points […]... Keep on reading: PBA: Jordan Heading also delivers for semis-bound TNT

• Inquirer
• 19 saat, 3 dakika

PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines — Young farmer-entrepreneur Japhet Gupit Tabale, owner of Cacao Prince products, is proving that agriculture and technology can thrive together as he uses artificial intelligence (AI) to market and expand his cacao business across the country. A graduate of business administration and computer science, the Bayugan City native integrated e-commerce […]... Keep on reading: Soil engineering allows agriculture to flourish in Agusan del Sur

• Inquirer
• 19 saat, 8 dakika

It was an unforgettable victory for Vice Ganda and the Sigrid Bernardo-helmed “I’m Perfect,” which brought home the Best Actor and Best Picture awards, respectively, at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 Gabi ng Parangal. Vice became emotional after he was declared Best Actor for his gut-wrenching portrayal of Twinkle in “Call Me Mother,” which tells the story of a gay man named Twinkle who raised Angelo on his own. Meanwhile, “I’m Perfect” tells the story of Jiro and Jessica, adults with Down syndrome, who fall in love and are determined to prove to their families that their romance […]... Keep on reading: MMFF 2025: Vice Ganda wins Best Actor, ‘I’m Perfect’ bags Best Picture

• Inquirer
• 19 saat, 13 dakika

MANILA, Philippines — The suspect who allegedly shot dead two of his colleagues in Quezon City has no license to become a security guard, authorities said on Saturday. This information on Charren Caboverde was learned by the Philippine National Police-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (Sosia). READ: ‘Bullied’ security guard kills 2 coworkers in QC The PNP’s Sosia issues a License to Exercise Security Profession, which is required for all security guards. “The suspect has no record of a License to Exercise Security Profession,” the PNP-SOSIA said in a statement. PNP-SOSIA said it has directed the Regional Civil Security […]... Keep on reading: Suspect in QC fatal shooting has no security guard license

• Inquirer
• 19 saat, 13 dakika