SENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday called for a “genuine, inter-agency investigation” into allegations linking several Cabinet officials to multibillion-peso budget insertions for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) infrastructure projects, warning that dismissing the claims outright could be perceived by the public as a cover-up. Lacson said in a statement that Malacañang should not hastily brand the allegations as mere hearsay, stressing that evidence has already emerged from hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs, particularly in connection with the proposed 2025 national budget. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro had earlier dismissed claims that Cabinet secretaries were involved in infrastructure budget insertions as “hearsay” with “no probative value.” Castro said the Palace would only respond to allegations supported by documents officially authenticated by the DPWH. Lacson countered that the Senate inquiry had already come up with substantial material, including sworn testimonies and documentary evidence. “The evidence includes testimonies, supported by official documents in the budget books, such as itemized lists that corroborate the statements of resource persons whose involvement in the plunder of public funds has been clearly established through admissions against interest, made under oath,” he said. He added that investigators are also looking into a possible “web of accounts” that could reveal the movement of public funds, noting that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is helping track suspicious financial transactions linked to the projects in question. The allegations center on budget insertions, projects reportedly added to the DPWH spending program during the budget process, that have been linked to unfinished, substandard, or even non-existent infrastructure projects. The claims have revived long-standing public concerns over pork barrel-style practices and systemic corruption in public works spending. Lacson warned that ignoring the issue could further fuel public anger and erode trust in government institutions. “In the final analysis, we cannot blame the public, led by the Catholic Church, other religious sectors, and civil society groups, for their unrelenting display of anger and distrust in government,” he said. He reiterated that a coordinated investigation involving Congress, the DPWH, the Department of Budget and Management, the AMLC, and law enforcement agencies is essential to establish accountability and restore public confidence in the budget process. Malacanang Press Officer Claire Castro downplayed Lacson’s insinuations of a cover-up. Castro had dismissed as “hearsay” with “no probative value” the alleged involvement of some Cabinet members in the budget insertions. “With all due respect to Senator Lacson, it is the alleged ‘Cabral’s files’ without yet being authenticated by the DPWH that remain hearsay and without probative value. We are only talking about the unverified ‘Leviste list,’” Castro said. Castro also dared Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to substantiate his 2025 budget insertion claims with “verified facts and documents.” Leviste had said that Castro should check with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on the authenticity of the list of proponents of the infrastructure budget insertions in 2025, which allegedly includes names of Cabinet secretaries. “Why should this representation prove the alleged ‘Cabral’s files’ he claims to possess,” Castro said in a separate statement. Castro also brushed aside reports linking First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to the alleged infrastructure project in Cauayan City, Isabela. Allegations had been raised that the first lady sought a P100-million infrastructure project to be charged to the DPWH budget under the 2025 National Expenditure Program. Based on reports, the alleged project appears under the “OP” category with a remark: “Care of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos with request letter from District Representative Faustino Inno Dy.” Castro said “the alleged Cabral lists or the DPWH leaks are still questionable,” referring to the documents reportedly released by the late DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. “There is no proof that they really come from DPWH. Unless the documents come from DPWH, we could not give the alleged ‘Cabral files’ or any list from an unknown source any probative value,” Castro said. “It is nothing but hearsay and can be treated as mere fabricated documents. Nonetheless, nobody can even assert that such project pushed through,” she said.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 2 dakika

VICE President Sara Duterte did not confirm or deny that she visited jailed former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. In a press briefing in Davao City on Thursday, Duterte also stressed she does not know Ramil Madriaga who claims to be her bagman when she was campaigning for the vice presidency in 2022. In his affidavit, Madriaga said he received money from a gambling operator to fund Duterte’s run, and confidential funds from former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group chief Col. Raymund Lachica. Lachica has denied the allegation. Madriaga also claimed that the vice president visited him at Camp Bagong Diwa. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said it was Teves, not Madriaga, that Duterte visited. Teves has been accused of masterminding the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, in 2023. “I will never confirm or deny, They could speak about it, but I am saying, I don’t know Ramil Madriaga,” Duterte said. She also refused to comment on how many times she visited Teves in the facility. Duterte brushed off Madriaga’s claim as propaganda that is designed to smear her if ever she decides to run for president in 2028. Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said that it was “reprehensible” that Madriaga’s lawyer, Raymond Palad, would resort to “such deliberate inexactitude” exploited the visit of Duterte to boost the “preposterous claims” of Madriaga, who he described as a “dubious and nefarious character.” “Even though I am not representing the vice president, any lawyer worth his salt, or even any layman for that matter, can readily see that the affidavit of Madriaga is nothing but a crock of bull. Mr. Palad knows this, thus he himself has to invent stories to shore up his client’s fairy tales. In so doing, he dragged my client into an issue where he had absolutely no involvement,” Topacio said. Duterte also said that any possible move to file an impeachment case against her in 2026 is just “tiring” for the country, since there is no evidence to back the accusations against her. The vice president also refused to send the customary Christmas message to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying that he will never change even if she gave him a message. “In the same vein, would I change my demeanor if it’s Christmas or not? So I don’t want to greet him yesterday, which is not yet Christmas, more so I won’t greet him today,” Duterte said. Asked about her reaction to the death of former Public Works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, Duterte said her death will affect the mental wellness of the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries in different departments. “Those who became part of the anomalies will now think if they will fall themselves in the ravine as well,” she said. The vice president also said she is “sad” that this is their first Christmas without her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained in The Hague after being arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC). “But I am happy as I was given the chance to have a one on one talk with my father for one and a half hours,” Duterte said.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 3 dakika

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV during his first Christmas Day message on Thursday urged the faithful to shed indifference in the face of those who have lost everything, such as in Gaza, those who are impoverished, such as in Yemen, and the many migrants who cross the Mediterranean Sea and the American continent for a better future. The first US pontiff addressed some 26,000 people from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square for the traditional papal “Urbi et Orbi’’ address, Latin for “To the City and to the World,’’ which serves as a summary of the woes facing the world. While the crowd gathered under a steady downpour during the papal Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the rain had subsided by the time Leo took a brief tour of the square in the popemobile, then spoke to the crowd from the loggia. Leo revived the tradition of offering Christmas greetings in multiple languages abandoned by his predecessor, Pope Francis. He received especially warm cheers when he made his greetings in his native English and Spanish, the language of his adopted country of Peru where he served first as a missionary and then as archbishop. Someone in the crowd shouted out “Viva il papa!’’ or ”Long live the pope!’’ before he retreated into the basilica. Leo took off his glasses for a final wave. During the traditional address, the pope emphasized that everyone could contribute to peace by acting with humility and responsibility. “If he would truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change,’’ the pope said. Leo called for “justice, peace and stability” in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Israel and Syria, prayers for “the tormented people of Ukraine,’’ and “peace and consolation” for victims of wars, injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism, citing Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and Congo. The pope also urged dialogue to address “numerous challenges” in Latin America, reconciliation in Myanmar, the restoration of “the ancient friendship between Thailand and Cambodia,’’ and assistance for the suffering of those hit by natural disasters in South Asia and Oceania. “In becoming man, Jesus took upon himself our fragility, identifying with each one of us: with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza; with those who are prey to hunger and poverty, like the Yemeni people; with those who are fleeing their homeland to seek a future elsewhere, like the many refugees and migrants who cross the Mediterranean or traverse the American continent,’’ the pontiff said. He also remembered those who have lost their jobs or are seeking work, especially young people, underpaid workers and those in prison. Earlier, Leo led the Christmas Day Mass from the central altar beneath the balustrade of St. Peter’s Basilica, adorned with floral garlands and clusters of red poinsettias. White flowers were set at the feet of a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus, whose birth is celebrated on Christmas Day. In his homily, Leo underlined that peace can emerge only through dialogue. “There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted and, enriched by listening, we fall to our knees before the humanity of the other,” he said. He remembered the people of Gaza, “exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold” and the fragility of “defenseless populations, tried by so many wars,” and of “young people forced to take up arms, who on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them, and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths.” Thousands of people packed the basilica for the pope’s first Christmas Day Mass, holding aloft their smartphones to capture images of the opening procession.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 4 dakika

CHINA’s embassy in Manila said Friday that a Chinese navy vessel provided humanitarian assistance to a distressed Philippine fishing boat in the South China Sea on Thursday. In a statement, the embassy said Chinese Navy ship 174 came upon a Philippine fishing vessel whose engine had broken down, leaving its crew stranded at sea for three days. It said the Chinese vessel gave the fishermen food and drinking water, and coordinated subsequent assistance with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). “The Chinese side acted in the spirit of humanitarianism,” the embassy said. While acknowledging the humanitarian gesture, the PCG cited discrepancies in the embassy’s account of the incident. The PCG said it received no prior information from the Chinese vessel it identified as People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) destroyer on the fisherman’s location or condition. The fishing boat, the PCG said, was moored to a Floating Aggregate Device (FAD), locally known as a payao, awaiting pickup by its mother boat. Claims that the boat had been adrift for three days were inaccurate, the PCG said. The vessel sailed from Zambales at around 3 p.m. on Dec. 24, and both the PCG and the mother boat located it the following afternoon — less than 24 hours later. The agency said the Chinese destroyer had no legitimate reason to operate inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The reported location of the incident — 14°33.470’N, 118°52.120’E, roughly 71 nautical miles west of Silanguin Island, Zambales — is well within the EEZ. The PCG called on China not to exploit the incident for propaganda purposes. “This event should serve as recognition that Filipino fishermen have full rights to fish in the waters around Bajo de Masinloc,” it said. The PCG contrasted the Chinese navy vessel’s gesture with the China Coast Guard’s “barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions” against Filipino fishermen. Maritime analysts noted that such encounters at sea, particularly involving naval assets, are often sensitive, given the competing claims in the South China Sea. Relations between Manila and Beijing have been strained by multiple confrontations between Philippine vessels and Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships. Observers said humanitarian assistance at sea is consistent with international maritime practice, which obliges vessels to render aid to those in distress regardless of nationality. However, they cautioned that humanitarian narratives can also carry diplomatic weight in contested waters. “This is not unusual in maritime law, but the broader context matters,” said a maritime security expert. “Any interaction between state vessels in disputed areas is closely watched by both governments and the public.” The incident also highlights the risks faced by Filipino fishermen venturing into distant fishing grounds, where mechanical breakdowns can quickly become life-threatening due to weather, distance from shore, and limited communication. Advocacy groups have repeatedly called for a stronger support system for small-scale fishers, including better access to safety equipment, emergency communication tools, and more frequent patrols by Philippine authorities.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 6 dakika

FILIPINO soldiers stationed on Philippine-occupied features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) received Christmas packages, essential supplies, and medical services during a resupply mission conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday. Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr. said in a statement on Friday that the mission reached troops at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Island, Panata Island, Rizal Reef Station, Kota Island, Parola, Lawak, Likas, and Patag Island — some of the country’s most remote and strategically vital positions. During the outreach, Torres held a morale-boosting talk with the troops, reaffirming the military’s support and expressing gratitude for their dedication. “We are deeply thankful for your sacrifice and resilience in fulfilling our sworn duty to protect our seas, our rights, and our future, while the entire nation celebrates Christmas,” he said. The activity coincided with the AFP’s 90th founding anniversary. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. thanked the troops, noting the challenges they continue to face amid persistent harassment by China. “I am thinking of ways to further help you accomplish the sacred mission of not giving in to the antics of the Chinese against us,” he said. The AFP emphasized that the mission reflects the Philippines’ commitment to maintain its presence in the WPS while asserting national sovereignty.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 8 dakika

FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III took his oath as the new general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Malacañang announced Friday. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto administered the oath of office to Torre, who replaced Procopio Lipana. Torre’s oath-taking came a few months after he was removed as PNP chief for refusing to comply with a National Police Commission order to reverse the reassignment of senior police officials. Torre, who had served as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, led the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his transport to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 11, 2025, to face charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s war on drugs As Police Regional Office 11 chief, Torre led the capture of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy on Sept. 8, 2024, in Davao City over charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors. Torre holds the distinction of being the first Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) graduate to be appointed as PNP chief. He entered the police service after graduating from the PNPA in 1993, ranking fourth out of 90 cadets. Torre had also served as chief of police of Mabalacat, Pampanga, and Batangas City. He was also provincial police director of Samar and the chief information officer of Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), among other posts. Torre also holds three master’s degrees — Public Administration from the Philippine Christian University, Business Administration from the International Academy of Management and Economics, and Educational Management from Samar College. As MMDA general manager, Torre is expected to oversee traffic management, flood control, and urban services across Metro Manila, one of the most complex governance environments in the country.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 9 dakika

AS part of its year-end outreach efforts, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) conducted Consular Mobile Services (CMS) for overseas Filipinos in Jizan on Dec. 19–20, 2025, in coordination with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The two-day activity brought essential consular and labor-related services closer to Filipino workers and their families in the southern Saudi province, reducing the need for long-distance travel to Jeddah. Services typically offered during CMS include passport processing, civil registry assistance, notarial services, OWWA membership concerns, and labor-related consultations. Consulate officials expressed appreciation for the strong turnout and the cooperation of the local Filipino community, noting that the smooth conduct of the activity reflected the continued trust and engagement of overseas Filipinos with Philippine government institutions. “We are deeply grateful for the continued support, trust, and warm welcome of the Filipino community in Jizan,” the consulate said in a statement, underscoring the importance of bringing government services directly to overseas workers, particularly those assigned in remote areas. The mobile mission is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ ongoing commitment to improve access to consular services and to strengthen protection and welfare mechanisms for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in close coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers and its attached agencies. The Philippine Consulate General encouraged Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to monitor its official communication channels for announcements on upcoming CMS schedules and other consular activities, as similar outreach missions are expected to continue in various regions in 2026.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 10 dakika

GASOLINE and diesel prices are expected to increase next week, as the market reacted to recent global oil-related developments, local oil industry sources said on Friday. They said that gasoline prices could either stay flat or rise by P0.10 per liter, while diesel prices could increase by about P0.30 to P0.50 per liter. These estimates are based on the four-day trading of Mean of Platts, Singapore, the pricing basis of refined goods in Southeast Asia. According to sources, global developments include new sanctions against certain oil-producing countries and a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. “Oil prices have been slightly increased because of geopolitical developments as the US imposed tougher sanctions on Venezuela and due to intensified attacks by Ukraine on Russian oil infrastructures, which in turn have raised the risk of supply disruptions,” Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 11 dakika

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) said Friday it is ready to assist in traffic management and peace and order operations as the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) continues. PNP chief LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is coordinating closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to help manage traffic flow and address security concerns during the implementation of the project. Rehabilitation works, which include concrete reblocking and asphalt overlaying, began at 11 p.m. on Dec. 24. Traffic congestion was already observed the following day along sections of EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares that accommodates hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily. Nartatez said the PNP’s deployment forms part of the government’s broader effort to ensure public safety and reduce inconvenience to motorists and commuters. “We expect heavy traffic, and we are ready to assist in terms of manpower for traffic management and other peace and order-related concerns, including road rage that could be prevented with the visible presence of our personnel,” Nartatez said. He explained that while the MMDA and local government units will field their own traffic enforcers, the PNP’s territorial units and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) are on standby to serve as augmentation forces. These units may be positioned along EDSA and major alternative routes to help regulate traffic and respond to incidents. The PNP will also place rapid deployment teams on standby to respond to road accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and other emergencies that could further worsen congestion during the rehabilitation period. In addition, Nartatez said the police force will maximize the use of closed-circuit television cameras, traffic sensors, and traffic monitoring applications to assess congestion levels and issue timely advisories to the public. Motorists were advised to monitor official PNP and MMDA channels for real-time traffic updates and to plan their trips based on the DPWH’s rehabilitation schedule. Nartatez said the PNP remains committed to supporting government infrastructure projects while maintaining public safety and easing the daily commute throughout the duration of the EDSA rehabilitation.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 12 dakika

TWENTY-ONE shipping containers of abandoned balikbayan boxes of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be processed this week so they could finally be delivered to the workers’ families. In a social media post, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said 15 containers have already been released. The BOC clarified that the prolonged delay in the delivering the shipments was caused by the failure of certain deconsolidators and freight forwarders to fulfill their obligations, despite having already collected payment from OFWs abroad. Bureau officials accompanied the OFWs in filing cases with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against them on Dec. 4. The bureau also reminded Filipinos overseas to be more cautious in choosing freight forwarders, to ensure that companies are legitimate, and to avoid offers with unrealistically low fees that may lead to fraud. Customs has launched an online tracking portal for the door-to-door delivery of the boxes all over the country. The public has been advised to access https://customs.gov.ph/home/overseas-filipino-worker-ofw/, for the status of their balikbayan boxes. The deliveries, which are free of charge, started on Dec. 18 and are expected to be completed by early January 2026. The release and delivery of the abandoned boxes is being carried out with the help and support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has expressed full support for the government's efforts to assist Filipino workers abroad that have been affected by fraudulent and irresponsible freight forwarding companies.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 14 dakika

ANKARA — 2025 ranked among the warmest years on record globally, despite a shift toward neutral or weak La Nina conditions that typically cool global temperatures, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Global temperatures in 2025 ranked second or third warmest on record, following the record-hot year of 2024, underscoring the growing strength of human-caused warming driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists said natural cooling cycles were no longer sufficient to offset rising baseline temperatures, with many regions recording record or near-record heat levels throughout the year. WMO said its latest global climate outlook showed temperatures over the next five years were likely to remain at or near record levels, with an 80 percent chance that at least one year will exceed the current warmest year on record and a 70 percent chance that the five-year average will temporarily exceed 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The effects of climate change are considered one of the biggest threats facing humanity today, according to many studies and scientific bodies. Summer 2025 heatwaves Extreme summer heat in 2025 caused widespread health impacts and record temperatures across multiple regions, with July ranking as the third-warmest on record globally. Europe recorded its fourth-warmest summer on record, with intense heat concentrated in western and southern areas. Land surface temperatures were significantly above average in northeastern Spain, southwestern France, the Balkans and parts of Fennoscandia, with anomalies reaching up to 6C (10.8F) in some locations. The UK recorded its hottest June on record in England and the second-warmest nationwide since records began in 1884, according to the Met Office. The Netherlands experienced its second-highest June temperatures since 1901, data from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute showed. Spain endured its most intense heatwave on record in August, the State Meteorological Agency said. Scandinavia, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, saw prolonged heatwaves in July, with temperatures well above seasonal averages across the region. A study by researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine estimated around 24,400 heat-related deaths across 854 European cities between June and August. About 68 percent of those deaths were attributed to climate change, effectively tripling the expected toll without human-induced warming. Italy recorded the highest number of climate-attributed deaths at 4,597, followed by Spain with 2,841, Germany with 1,477, France with 1,444 and the UK with 1,147. The most severe city-level impacts were recorded in Rome, followed by Athens, Paris and Madrid. Researchers said older populations were particularly vulnerable, with around 85 percent of victims aged 65 or older, adding that heat-related deaths are often underreported. Asia Extreme heat affected large parts of Asia in 2025. Japan recorded one of its hottest Junes since records began in 1898, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, with prolonged heat leading to a surge in heatstroke cases and deaths, particularly among elderly people. South Korea reported record daily temperature averages in late June, the highest since 1904. India issued red alerts in New Delhi amid extended heat conditions, while Pakistan saw temperatures rise to around 50C (122F) in parts of Punjab province. In Iran, authorities closed public institutions in 18 provinces to manage soaring energy demand caused by widespread use of cooling systems. North America The US and parts of North America experienced severe heatwaves in 2025, including a major June heat dome that exposed more than 255 million people to extreme temperatures, with readings frequently exceeding 38C (100F). Record heat affected the Midwest, Northeast, South and West, leading to thousands of heat-related illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said extreme heat remains the leading weather-related cause of death in the US, with preliminary 2025 data confirming at least 150 heat-related deaths nationwide. The prolonged heat strained power grids, infrastructure and public health systems across the country. Droughts intensify Extreme heat in 2025 intensified drought conditions in many regions by increasing evaporation rates. Iran faced one of its most severe water crises, with Lake Urmia, once the Middle East’s largest saltwater lake, shrinking dramatically and facing periodic drying, alongside critically low dam levels in Tehran and other major cities. Drought conditions also affected Syria, parts of Africa and South Korea, where the city of Gangneung was declared a disaster zone after record-low rainfall. The WMO’s State of Global Water Resources report warned of increasingly erratic water cycles marked by rapid swings between floods and droughts. UN Water said 3.6 billion people currently face inadequate access to water for at least one month each year, a figure projected to rise to more than 5 billion by 2050. Events in 2025 highlighted the accelerating risks posed by climate change, with heatwaves, droughts and related crises becoming more frequent, more severe and more disruptive worldwide.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 15 dakika

MALACAÑANG said Friday more personalities linked to the flood control scandal will be “thrown behind bars in the New Year.” Presidential Communications Acting Secretary Dave Gomez also assured the public President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would continue his administration’s efforts to hold to account all individuals involved in corruption-tainted infrastructure projects. Gomez also said the detention of contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya over the Christmas period is just the start of a broader accountability drive. “The flood control investigation does not end on Dec. 25. It’s only been a little over four months,” he said. “The Napoles probe took almost a year before people were sent to jail. There will surely be more thrown behind bars in the New Year,” he added. Janet Lim-Napoles was accused of running a pork barrel scam for at least a decade, using a network of bogus non-government organizations to siphon off about P10 billion in lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund to ghost projects in exchange for massive kickbacks. Napoles was eventually convicted of plunder. Gomez said the scale of the Discayas’ ill-gotten wealth far exceeds previous cases. “Some quarters are calling the Discaya couple as the new Napoles, but their unexplained wealth is ten times over. Both spent Christmas in detention,” he said. While the Discaya couple and several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are already in detention and awaiting trial, the public continues to question why more prominent personalities — such as former speaker Martin Romualdez and former House Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co — have yet to be placed behind bars despite their alleged involvement in the corruption scheme. Sarah Discaya was arrested on Dec. 18 over a P96-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental and is locked up at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail., Her husband, Pacifico, is detained at the Senate premises after being cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for inconsistent testimony. Co remains at large weeks after similar charges were filed against him in relation to a substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. In a separate statement Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration’s fight against corruption was “far from over.” She said that all relevant investigative bodies, including the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), were working to gather evidence to prosecute the culprits.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 16 dakika

ON the 57th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Friday, the National Security Council (NSC) cited the "heavy toll" on Filipino communities of the group’s decades-long armed campaign to topple the Philippine government, reiterating its call for rebels to lay down their arms. In a statement, the NSC said the CPP-New People’s Army’s (NPA) operations have led to loss of lives, displacement, economic disruption, and persistent insecurity, particularly in remote rural areas. The council noted that armed clashes, including incidents during the holiday season, show that violence remains a tool for pursuing political objectives. The NSC criticized temporary ceasefire declarations as “insincere” when accompanied by continued calls for armed readiness, saying these moves undermine public safety and community welfare. Highlighting the government’s National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD), implemented under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), the council emphasized that democratic dissent and advocacy for reform are protected under the Constitution. “The use of armed violence to pursue political objectives is not,” the statement said, adding that coercion marginalizes communities and undermines lawful political processes. The statement outlined the government’s focus on “lawful, development-centered, and people-focused measures” to end the conflict. Programs under NAP-UPD include disengagement and reintegration, livelihood support, strengthened local governance, and targeted interventions addressing long-standing grievances, while upholding human rights and the rule of law. Amnesty remains available for qualified former rebels seeking to return to civilian life. The NSC urged remaining armed elements to surrender and “contribute meaningfully to nation-building,” and called on the public, civil society, and youth to reject the romanticization of violence and support peaceful avenues for reform. “Ending this conflict requires collective resolve to deny violence legitimacy and advance solutions that deliver security, accountability, and tangible development for all Filipinos,” it said.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 16 dakika

(UPDATE) IN the lead-up to the New Year revelry, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed all police chiefs nationwide to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) on the possible establishment of designated centralized markets for firecrackers and pyrotechnics. LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, said the directive was issued as firecracker-related injuries continued to rise days before New Year’s Day. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed at least 28 firecracker-related injury cases recorded from Dec. 21-25, a figure authorities expect to increase as celebrations peak. Nartatez said concentrating the sale of firecrackers in specific areas would allow authorities to more closely monitor vendors and products, while reducing risks to the public. “The main purpose is proper regulation and public safety. By designating a specific area in every town or city where people could buy firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials, we can easily monitor and prevent the selling of illegal firecrackers,” Nartatez said on Friday. He instructed police chiefs to work closely with LGUs in identifying safe locations for the designated selling areas and in setting the allowable period for the sale of firecrackers. Under the plan, designated areas will have a visible police presence, coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Fire trucks and emergency responders will also be placed on standby for any incident, Nartatez said, adding that centralized selling areas would help curb the sale of illegal firecrackers, as transactions outside the designated zones would be considered unauthorized. “Centralized selling areas allow us to inspect vendors and products closely. It will be easier for us to determine which firecrackers are legal and which are illegal,” he said. The PNP also urged the public to cooperate with the authorities and observe safety guidelines to help ensure a peaceful and injury-free New Year celebration. Indiscriminate firing The PNP has also intensified its monitoring of indiscriminate firing incidents and arrested seven individuals, including several police officers, from Dec. 16-26, according to official records. The arrests were the result of heightened internal monitoring by the PNP targeting members of its ranks involved in illegal gunfire incidents, authorities said. Among those apprehended were a police master sergeant assigned to the City Police Station under the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office, a police senior master sergeant assigned to the Iloilo City Police Office, and a patrolman from the Third Special Operations Unit of the Maritime Group under the National Capital Region Police Office. Another patrolman assigned to the Opol Municipal Police Station in Misamis Oriental also surrendered in connection with an indiscriminate firing incident. Based on PNP data, a total of seven people were arrested nationwide for their alleged involvement in indiscriminate firing. BGen. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the PNP Public Information Office (PIO), said the organization would not tolerate violations committed by its own personnel, emphasizing that strict rules and policies are in place regarding the use of firearms. “The PNP will not condone any form of misconduct, especially indiscriminate firing, regardless of rank,” Tuaño said, adding that erring officers would face administrative and criminal charges. The PNP reiterated its call for discipline among its personnel and urged the public to report any incidents involving illegal discharge of firearms.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 17 dakika

Halos 3-buwan nang walang maayos na silid-aralan at tahanan ang mga residente sa Medellin, Cebu mula nang lumindol doon nitong Setyembre. Nitong pasko, doon nagdala ng regalo ang GMA Kapuso Foundation sa ilalim ng "Give-A-Gift Alay sa Batang Pinoy Christmas Project."

• GMA Network
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 17 dakika

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded all private sector employers to submit their compliance report on their workers’ 13th-month pay. Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Friday that all employers have until Jan. 15, 2026 or three weeks after the Dec. 24, 2025 deadline on the 13th-month payout as required by law and the implementing guidelines. According to Laguesma, employers may submit their compliance report through the DOLE Establishment Report System (https://reports.dole.gov.ph). He emphasized that employers must release the 13th-month pay on or before Dec. 24, 2025, without exception. Employers who fail to comply risk facing charges and shall be processed in accordance with the Rules Implementing the Labor Code of the Philippines and the Rules of the National Labor Relations Commission. “Employers who failed to give 13th-month pay will have to pay more with moral and exemplary damages if found guilty,” added Laguesma. Under the Civil Code, monetary awards for unpaid wages and benefits may accrue interest at a rate of 6 percent per annum from the date of demand until payment is full. Additional moral and exemplary damages may be granted if the employer acted in bad faith. Aggrieved employees may file complaints with DOLE, National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the case of a foreign employer. To avoid litigation, Laguesma also encourages both employers, particularly struggling businesses, to dialogue with their employees so that they can meet halfway and come up with a “win-win” solution to the problem. Laguesma said the Labor department would not resort to extreme actions against companies facing hardships that failed to pay their employees the mandatory 13th-month pay because doing so would leave the workers on the losing end. “We will not close down companies that cannot afford to pay their workers their 13th-month pay. We don’t like to deprive the workers of their opportunities to get their rightful benefits and continue with their jobs,” added Laguesma. The 13th-month pay is a statutory right of workers. Under Labor Advisory 16, series of 2025, the 13th-month pay applies to all rank-and-file employees in the private sector, regardless of position, employment status, or wage payment method, provided they have worked for at least one month during the calendar year. It includes employees paid on a piece-rate basis, those receiving fixed or guaranteed wages plus commissions, workers with multiple employers, and even those who have resigned, been terminated, or were on maternity leave with a salary differential. Presidential Decree (PD) 851, also known as the Thirteenth Month Pay Law, requires all employers to pay their employees one month’s equivalent salary on or before Dec. 24th every year. According to the DOLE advisory, the minimum 13th-month pay shall not be less than one-twelfth (1/12) of the total basic salary earned by an employee within the calendar year. It is computed as follows: total basic salary / 12 months = proportionate 13th month pay DOLE explained that “basic salary” includes all earnings for services rendered but excludes allowances and benefits, such as overtime pay, night shift differential, holiday pay, unused leave credits, and cost-of-living allowances — unless explicitly treated as part of the basic salary under company policy or collective agreements. For piece-rate workers, the computation is based on their total production earnings divided by twelve. Meanwhile, employees who earn fixed wages plus commissions receive their 13th-month pay computed on the fixed wage alone, consistent with Supreme Court jurisprudence (Boie-Takeda Chemicals, Inc. v. De la Serna). As for domestic helpers or kasambahay, they are also entitled to 13th-month pay as provided for under Republic Act 10361, the Domestic Workers Act or Batas Kasambahay. Under Section 2 of RA 10361, classified as kasambahay, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, are general house help, yaya, cook, gardener, laundry person or any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis. Not covered are service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangement and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis.

• The Manila Times
• 1 gün, 19 saat, 18 dakika