Philippines resumes importing rice; tariff still at 15%However, the tariff rate to be applied on imported rice will remain at 15 percent as the government has yet to formalize the implementation of a higher tariff rate of 20 percent. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines officially returned to the international rice market on Jan. 1 after lifting its four-month import ban on the commodity that began last September. However, the tariff rate to be applied on imported rice will remain at 15 percent as the government has yet to formalize the implementation of a higher tariff rate of 20 percent. This means that rice imports are expected to arrive by the end of February, according to agriculture officials. The DA is still managing the entry of rice imports in the market in its bid to protect local farmers’ prices.

SEC clears LUECO’s direct public offeringAccording to the commission, LUECO is the second issuer to successfully register under the streamlined guidelines on Securing and Expanding Capital for PowerGen Operators and Wholesale Electricity and Retail Services (SEC POWERS). MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the P251-million direct public offering of power firm La Union Electric Co. Inc. (LUECO). LUECO will offer to the public up to 352,950 common shares priced at P772 apiece. Based on the latest timetable submitted to the SEC, the direct public offering will run from Jan. 12 to 16, with the shares to be issued not later than Feb. 6. LUECO’s franchise area covers the city of San Fernando and municipalities of Bauang and San Juan in La Union.

PCC clears AP Møller entry into AC LogisticsMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved Danish infrastructure fund manager A.P. In a statement, the PCC said it cleared the sale of a 40-percent stake in AC Logistics Holdings Corp. to A.P. Meanwhile, AC Logistics, through subsidiary, Air 21 Holdings, operates several companies including LGC Logistics Inc., Cargohaus Inc., U?Freight Philippines Inc. and U?Ocean Inc., offering international and domestic freight forwarding, contract logistics and warehousing services. The PCC said the domestic and international freight forwarding markets remain highly fragmented, with customers tapping multiple service providers. The antitrust agency also found that the contract logistics market is competitive, while there are numerous global and regional carriers providing container liner shipping services.

Starry Lee elected president of Legislative Council in tight race against Ronick ChanRonick Chan and Starry Lee at the special forum before the voting.

‘Woman-in-box died from suffocation’LAGUNA , Philippines — The woman who was found in a plastic storage box that was dumped in a river in Basud, Camarines Norte had died from suffocation, police reported yesterday. Citing results of an autopsy conducted by the Bicol police forensics unit, Basud police chief Mark Anthony Armea said that the victim, identified as Anelis Agocoy, 37, died from lack of oxygen. The victim’s body bore no sign of injuries, and no stab or gunshot wound, probers said. Armea said probers would look thoroughly into how the victim died as her body bore no sign of struggle. He said police would determine whether the victim was still alive when the suspect placed her in the storage box, which may have caused her death.

ICC rejects Duterte's expert report bidA man holds a portrait of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have denied the request of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team for an additional expert report on his medical condition. In a five-page decision dated Jan. 7, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said the three-member expert panel was appointed for a “limited purpose” of assessing Duterte’s medical condition in relation to his fitness to take part in the pre-trial proceedings. “In these circumstances, the Chamber sees no reason to order the Panel to prepare any additional report that exceeds its mandate,” it added. Both the prosecution and the victims’ counsel have opposed the request for the expert report.

Marcos off to UAE on January 12MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will embark on a one-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates next week, Malacañang said yesterday. Marcos will depart on Jan. 12 to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. The President’s visit is upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Marcos conducted a one-day working visit to the UAE in November 2024. Meanwhile, Marcos will not attend the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, according to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

Higher Meralco rates loom this monthMeralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said initial indications point to a potential “minimal movement” in electricity rates for January. MANILA, Philippines — Over eight million customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) may see higher power rates this month due to peso depreciation and a new pass-through charge supporting renewable energy. Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said initial indications point to a potential “minimal movement” in electricity rates for January. “We hope this will be mitigated or offset by lower WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) prices during the December supply month,” Zaldarriaga said. “We remain optimistic that the decrease in demand and consumption of customers will help manage the electricity bills this January,” Zaldarriaga said.

‘Get vaccinated vs super flu’A man wears face mask as he buys a Jesus Nazareno merchandise from a vendor outside Quiapo Church in Manila on Jan. 5, 2026 as the Feast of Jesus Nazareno nears. MANILA, Philippines — An infectious disease expert yesterday urged the public to avail themselves of updated flu vaccines to have better protection from the super flu detected in the country last year. That is why more people infect each other, more are getting sick particularly those who aren’t vaccinated,” Solante said in a radio interview. Solante warned that this super flu can lead to mortality including complications in the heart and brain. Data from the Department of Health showed that there were 41 super flu cases detected in the country.

Rains, cloudy weather to greet devotees in traslacionA boy touches the foot of the Jesus Nazareno image during the traditional ‘Pahalik’ at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila ahead of the grand procession scheduled today. In its 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, PAGASA said a shear line affecting Southern Luzon, the northeast monsoon or amihan prevailing over most of Luzon, and easterlies influencing other areas will bring generally unsettled weather conditions. Meanwhile, Ilocos Region, the rest of Central Luzon and the remaining areas of Calabarzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains caused by the northeast monsoon. In a separate special weather forecast, PAGASA noted that weather conditions in Metro Manila will remain generally cloudy throughout the day, with rain chances increasing from late morning to early afternoon. Sarao Motors has added more wheels made of solid rubber, fully welded and installed, to prevent hitting the feet of devotees.

The Chinese ambassador ‘speaks’ “Being a friend of China does not prevent the Philippines from also being a friend of the US and vice versa. Last Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, CEPA or the Chinese Enterprises Philippine Association welcomed the New Year with business partners and the new Chinese ambassador was the guest of honor. Jing Quan could be mistaken more for a general than an ambassador. In his speech to the CEPA audience, the ambassador shared three observations based on his one-month dialogues with concerned sectors. “Second, sustained cooperation depends on a sound and stable business environment.

Showcase yearThis is supposed to be a year for showcasing the Philippines, as the country takes its turn as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and prepares to host the summits and numerous other ASEAN meetings during the year. That 5.6 million is way below the pre-COVID foreign arrivals of 8.26 million in 2019 in the Philippines. And then it details disincentives to visiting the Philippines, from considering travel destinations to arrival at the NAIA and the travel experience itself. But in the first 11 months of 2025, arrivals from South Korea plummeted by 21 percent. Locals told me that only South Koreans were still traveling and keeping the tourism industry afloat.

De Lima, Erice ask Supreme Court to strike down P150-B unprogrammed fundsReps. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) and Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District) file a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the unprogrammed appropriations on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. "Since the budget consists of line item, the Unprogrammed Appropriations which are lump-sum in character, deviates (sic) from the line-item appropriations," the petition read. How unprogrammed funds workUnprogrammed appropriations are funded only if excess revenues are generated, new taxes are imposed and collected, or additional loans and grants become available. This means projects or programs under unprogrammed appropriations can proceed only if funds materialize. The unprogrammed appropriations have existed in the national budget since 1989.

Duterte loses bid anew at ICC, this time over a new expert reportUndated photo of former President Rodrigo Duterte's standee in front of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. "In light of the above, the Chamber rejects the Defence's Request for an Expert Report," the resolution read. The Pre-Trial Chamber I has yet to schedule a hearing for the periodic review. Duterte's request for urgent interim release was also turned down on Sept. 26, 2025, a decision later upheld by the ICC Appeals Chamber on Nov. 28, 2025. The chamber rejected all three grounds presented by the defense, agreeing with the pre-trial chamber that Duterte remains a flight risk and could potentially interfere with ongoing investigations.

Rene Haas, CEO of chip tech provider Arm Holdings, holds a replica of a chip with his company's logo on it, during an event in which Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim officially announces a $250 million deal with the company, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 5, 2025.