Manila Bulletin Headline for today, December 27, 2025. Grab a copy at your favorite newsstand today or read it all on our website at You can follow us on X @manilabulletin, Instagram: @manilabulletin, Threads: @manilabulletin
Here are the lotto draw results of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for Friday, December 26, 2025. Check these out. READ MORE: Lotto draw results, December 25, 2025 Lotto draw results, December 24, 2025 Dec. 24: 1 winner in MegaLotto worth P13.8M; GrandLotto purse now P248M PCSO Lotto games The PCSO holds five 6-pick […]... Keep on reading: Lotto draw results, December 26, 2025
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines could see additional interest rate cuts next year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, as a favorable inflation outlook gives the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) enough room to ease monetary policy and support a slowing economy. In its latest country report, the IMF projected an additional 50 basis points […]... Keep on reading: IMF projects more BSP rate cuts in Q1 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Home prices rose at a record-low pace in the third quarter, even as housing loan volumes increased, as a more balanced supply helped keep costs in check despite brisker borrowing and buying activity. The cost of various types of homes in the country, as measured by the residential property price index (RPPI), […]... Keep on reading: BSP: Philippine home price growth hit record-low in Q3
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC), the state-run agency that protects bank deposits, on Friday announced the appointment of two new independent directors who will represent the private sector in its board. In a statement, the PDIC named Justice Lady Soriano and Imelda Tiongson as new directors, completing the four-member private sector […]... Keep on reading: PDIC appoints 2 new independent directors
MANILA, Philippines — After about a year and a half of talks, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) has signed definitive agreements to sell a 40-percent stake in its infrastructure unit, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), to BlackRock-backed Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for P13.7 billion. In a disclosure on Friday, the parent firm said AEV and AIC […]... Keep on reading: GIP signs up to buy 40% of Aboitiz InfraCapital
MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is setting its sights on a stronger push for consumer protection and a more competitive power industry as it rolls out its strategic agenda for 2026. In a statement, the ERC said the agenda is part of its push to strengthen transparency, improve public engagement and boost […]... Keep on reading: ERC sets push to clear backlogs, protect consumers
MANILA, Philippines — LT Group Inc. said its banking subsidiary, PNB Holdings Corp. (PHC), has taken a key step toward a potential stock market listing. This signals renewed activity in the local capital markets as the year draws to a close. In a disclosure on Friday, the Lucio-Tan-led group said PHC had filed a registration […]... Keep on reading: PNB Holdings eyes stock market listing
MANILA, Philippines — Joseph Sy, who has been facing legal woes over his citizenship, has stepped down as director of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. to prioritize the mining company’s best interests. Global Ferronickel said the Sy made the decision “due to personal considerations and for the best interests of the company.” “The company expresses its […]... Keep on reading: Joseph Sy leaves Global Ferronickel board
Foreign exchange. File photo MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is set to post a wider dollar deficit next year than what the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier projected, as softer inflows from tourism and foreign direct investment (FDI) combine with higher import-driven outflows. Latest central bank projections show the country’s balance of payments—which tracks […]... Keep on reading: BSP hikes dollar deficit forecast for 2026
MANILA, Philippines — As the year ends, we consider the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) 2025 performance in its domestic, international and governance areas. This may suggest directions for a better 2026. Domestic Three events come to mind. First, there has previously been inadequate support for our ailing livestock sector. This past year, the DA succeeded […]... Keep on reading: Agriculture: 2025 performance and 2026 recommendations
Air and sea cargos. File photo MANILA, Phiippines — A sustained growth in export sales, coupled with softer imports, slashed the country’s trade deficit by nearly 30 percent in November, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSA reported that the country’s trade-in-goods deficit, or the difference between exports and imports, narrowed by 28.8 […]... Keep on reading: Philippine trade deficit shrank by 29% in November
MANILA, Philippines — While the Philippines has been lauded for having one of the region’s most advanced disaster risk financing (DRF) systems, a global organization said more focus was needed on prevention rather than postdisaster spending. In a report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted that despite the country’s multilayered DRF framework—which […]... Keep on reading: Philippines urged to shift spending to disaster prevention
SENATOR Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito has filed Senate Bill (SB) 1621 seeking to expand and clarify the purpose and application of the Special Education Fund (SEF), amid persistent concerns over the underutilization of billions of pesos meant to support public education. The measure, introduced on December 16, 2025, proposes to amend Section 272 of Republic Act (RA) 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, which governs the collection and use of the SEF by local government units (LGUs). Under existing law, provinces, cities, and municipalities in Metro Manila are authorized to levy an additional one percent real property tax, in addition to the basic tax, with the proceeds earmarked exclusively for the SEF. The fund is supervised and disbursed by local school boards to support education-related expenses. In the bill’s explanatory note, Ejercito acknowledged that the SEF has produced tangible benefits when properly used. Citing a June 2025 report by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the senator said 77.67% of LGUs have used the fund to build and improve classrooms, and showed that 1,332 LGUs used at least 85% of their SEF collections for education projects, facilities, and programs benefiting millions of Filipino learners. The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) has also pointed out that the SEF can be tapped to support educators through “timely interventions,” particularly for teachers who remain overworked and underpaid. Despite these gains, Ejercito underscored persistent problems in fund utilization. Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) showed that from 2018 to 2022, SEF collections were significantly underused, with an estimated ₱15 billion left idle in 2022 alone. Cities posted the highest underutilization rate at 57%. “The deficient use of SEF collections is far from proportional to the challenges faced by the country’s education sector,” Ejercito said, citing classroom backlogs, shortages of teachers, lack of learning resources, and weak program implementation as continuing barriers to inclusive and quality education. The proposed measure aims to provide clear and specific guidelines on how the SEF may be spent, to ensure that funds are aligned with the evolving needs of schools, teachers, and students. Ejercito said the bill envisions the SEF as a tool not only to sustain but also to improve the education system by supporting accessible facilities, qualified teaching personnel, and a comprehensive curriculum. “In empowering our ‘pag-asa ng bayan’ through quality education, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought,” the senator said. If enacted, the measure is expected to give LGUs greater direction and accountability in maximizing education funds, while addressing long-standing gaps in basic education nationwide. (Javier Joe Ismael)
(UPDATE) ROSSANA Fajardo on Friday announced that she has resigned as commissioner of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying she has “completed” her work. Fajardo becomes the third member of the commission to quit since it was formed in September. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has stepped down as special adviser, followed by commissioner Rogelio Singson. In a statement, Fajardo said her resignation takes effect on Dec. 31. “Since my appointment in September 2025, I have been committed to advancing the Commission’s objectives, particularly in the areas of financial oversight and infrastructure project investigations,” Fajardo said. She said that during her tenure, she has developed comprehensive approaches for evidence gathering, prepared detailed work plans, and supervised volunteer efforts in investigations. “My contributions have led to recommendations aimed at improving government procurement and budgeting processes related to infrastructure projects,” she said. “I have completed the work I set out to accomplish when I was appointed, ensuring that the foundational goals of the Commission have been met,” she said. Fajardo said she believes a permanent commission with enhanced powers will be more effective in supporting the Ombudsman file cases involving anomalous government infrastructure projects. Fajardo, Singson and Andres Reyes Jr. were handpicked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lead the ICC. Reyes, the ICI chairman, said Fajardo’s resignation “comes at a natural point in the commission’s work.” He said the ICI was created with a clear, time-bound mandate: to gather evidence, establish facts, and propose corrective measures. Reyes assured that the ICI “remains fully committed to submitting all its final recommendations and ensuring that the appropriate institutions — particularly the Ombudsman — have everything they need to bring these cases forward.” Reyes said the ICI filed eight referrals and cases with the Office of the Ombudsman, not including its joint referrals with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The filings covered close to 100 individuals, including senators, congressmen, top-and mid-level former and current officials of the DPWH, contractors, and even a sitting commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA). Reyes said the Ombudsman has filed three cases in various courts, resulting in the arrest of 16 individuals, including public works contractor Sarah Discaya, for non-bailable crimes. The ICI has also begun efforts to recover billions of pesos through partnerships with the Anti- Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and other agencies of government, he said. More than P20.3 billion in assets have been frozen, including 6,538 bank accounts, 367 insurance policies, 255 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, three securities accounts, and 11 air assets such as planes and helicopters. Reyes said several recommendations have been made to reform the system and ensure that these infrastructure irregularities do not happen again. The recommendations include the automatic furnishing to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of all DPWH contracts and transactions exceeding P30 million, and the opening of the national budget process to full public scrutiny, especially in bicameral conference committees. Marcos directed the creation of a three-member independent panel that will probe anomalies in infrastructure projects. The ICC has subpoena powers and could compel entities to produce contracts, bank documents, and other information for the probe. It, however, cannot file cases on its own, referring instead its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Friday downplayed concerns that the ICI has become ineffective following the resignation Fajardo. Sotto made the statement amid growing skepticism among members of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives following Fajardo’s resignation. Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima said the resignation of Fajardo meant the end of the ICI. De Lima added that the commission was already “doomed to fail” when it was given the formidable task of fighting corruption with limited powers and resources and an administration that is reluctant to swiftly provide support through urgent legislation and much needed budget. Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, considered the ICI as “effectively dead” after the resignation of Fajardo. “There is definitely something wrong when three of the most credible members of the commission — Magalong, Singson, and now Fajardo — have all resigned. What happens now to what may be the greatest heist in government infrastructure and the national budget?” Erice said. The Makabayan bloc, composed of ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co, and Gabriela Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago, said the ICI is now a “lost cause.” “Its members have resigned, it has no real transparency, and its credibility is always in question. It was created to make it appear Marcos was serious about investigating corruption,” Makabayan said. Sotto, disagreed, saying he thinks “ICI and the other investigations being or having been conducted have given ample findings for the DoJ (Department of Justice) and the Ombudsman to continue with their work and pursue cases against the guilty ones.” “Their role is to establish facts. Once these are on record, it is already up to the DoJ and the Ombudsman to file cases and see them through,” he said. The August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) on Friday said that justice remained elusive after the promise to jail “big fish” politicians linked to controversial flood control projects was broken. In a statement, the group said the country had just been scammed by the government. “Malacañang previously assured the nation that those responsible for the flood control corruption scandal would be held to account by Christmas. That deadline has now come and gone with no arrests of powerful figures and no big political leader behind bars. The government’s actions remain in the realm of referrals and recommendations, not prosecutions. This is not accountability. This is performance,” ATOM said. It said the ICI was created to investigate flood control anomalies and recommend cases to the DoJ and Ombudsman, “but it only has the power to recommend, not to indict or convict.” “Let us be clear. This is no longer about timing or technicalities. It is about choice. A choice to protect the powerful. A choice to let Christmas pass quietly while accountability is deferred indefinitely. A choice to hope the public will be distracted by lights, food, and forced cheer,” ATOM said. The group’s president, Volt Bohol said the actions of the Marcos administration were “reactive and superficial”.
PUBLIC support for the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continued to decline through the end of 2025, according to the end-of-the-year survey by Publicus Asia. The drop extends a downtrend that began in 2023 and persisted amid a series of political controversies and governance issues. The survey indicates that pro-administration sentiment has steadily weakened over the past two years, with fewer registered voters expressing firm support and more drifting toward political neutrality or open opposition. Analysts say the pattern reflects not a sudden collapse in approval, but a gradual erosion of confidence driven by repeated events that raised questions about accountability and leadership. Several high-profile developments appear to have shaped public attitudes during the period covered by the survey. These include debates and investigations surrounding the use of confidential and intelligence funds, the impeachment case filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte for trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the scandal triggered by corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects. Each episode coincided with noticeable dips in support for the administration, the survey noted. Earlier declines were marked mainly by voters withdrawing from active political identification and classifying themselves as “passive neutrals.” By 2025, however, the data suggest a sharper turn: dissatisfaction increasingly translated into explicit pro-opposition sentiment rather than mere disengagement. “This shift from neutrality to opposition is significant,” said a political analyst familiar with the survey results. “It suggests that voters are no longer just tuning out — they are beginning to make clearer political judgments about the performance of those in power.” While neutrality remains a sizable category, the survey shows that anti-administration views have become more pronounced in recent quarters. Respondents expressing opposition cited concerns about governance standards, transparency, and the handling of corruption allegations, according to the research group. The findings point to a more critical and less deferential electorate as the country approaches the next political cycle. Observers note that sustained declines in support, even if gradual, can have long-term implications for policy momentum, coalition-building, and electoral prospects. The poll was conducted from Dec. 7-10. The 1,500 respondents were registered voters. Pahayag is the corporate social responsibility program of Publicus Asia Inc., which has tracked key public opinion metrics since 2017.
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