Singson dares Marcos, Romualdez to debate; Palace ignores challengeFormer Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson holds a press briefing on the anomalous flood control scandal in San Juan City on January 5, 2026MANILA, Philippines — Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson yesterday challenged President Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez to a public debate at Malacañang over alleged anomalies in flood control projects. If they say tomorrow and they accept my challenge, I will go to Malacañang,” Singson said. Singson claimed that Marcos was aware of, and allegedly involved in, the supposed corruption, arguing that responsibility should not be pinned on Romualdez alone. She said Marcos has ordered the investigation of all anomalous flood control projects. He further alleged that Marcos and Romualdez were the “masterminds” behind the supposed corruption and claimed that other lawmakers were involved through large allocations for flood control projects, naming several congressmen, including Sandro Marcos.

ByteDance's Doubao AI glasses near launch, supply chain saysByteDance logo is seen in this illustration taken February 8, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Maduro arrives for first US court appearance after captureDEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agents move captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from a helicopter, as Maduro heads towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges.

A Japanese sushi entrepreneur paid a record $3.2 million (P189 million) for a giant bluefin tuna at an annual prestigious New Year's auction in Tokyo's main fish market, smashing the previous all-time high. Dave Gershman at the Pew Charitable Trusts' international fisheries team used news of the auction to highlight that stocks of Pacific bluefin tuna were improving after being "near collapse". Self-styled "Tuna King" Kiyoshi Kimura's sushi restaurant chain paid the top price for the 243-kilogram fish that was caught off Japan's northern coast. "I'd thought we would be able to buy a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it," Kimura said after the pre-dawn auction at Tokyo's main fish market. "I was surprised at the price...I hope that by eating auspicious tuna, as many people as possible will feel energised," he told reporters.

China seeks to enhance ties with Ireland to boost relations with EUIrish Prime Minister Micheal Martin talks to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, January 5, 2026.

A flame burning natural gas is seen at an heavy-crude treatment plant operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, in the oil rich Orinoco belt, near Cabrutica at the state of Anzoategui April 16, 2015. Picture taken on April 16, 2015.

When rules don't apply: What US action on Venezuela means for PhilippinesA woman holds a portrait of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a gathering in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. But already, observers and other world leaders are saying it violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and bypassed international rules designed to prevent exactly this kind of intervention. "He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected," it added. An independent commission established by the Dutch government concluded that the 2003 Iraq invasion contravened international law. “Any weakening of international law and norms — especially by actors like the US — negatively affects us,” Arguelles told Philstar.com.

Analysts expect stock market recovery this yearAfter the market experienced multi-year lows and deep corrections that pushed valuations to discounted levels relative to regional peers last year, the outlook for stocks has turned constructive, Unicapital Securities head of research Wendy Estacio-Cruz said. MANILA, Philippines — Coming off what many would consider as a disappointing year, the Philippine stock market looks to shift to a higher gear this 2026 amid expectations of renewed investor confidence. “As economic growth gains traction and investor confidence improves, the market is well-positioned for a gradual but meaningful recovery. “We advise investors to have a balanced exposure to equities and fixed income instruments so that they can better ride out any stock market volatility in the next 12 months,” Colet said. “The gain of 1.4 percent in the PSEi on the first day of trading augurs well for the much awaited turnaround of our stock market in the coming year,” Monzon said.

Ex-Air Force general nabbed over sedition chargeMANILA, Philippines — Retired Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz was arrested over an inciting to sedition charge. The warrant for inciting to sedition under the Revised Penal Code was issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 on December 5. Poquiz is set to post bail on Monday, according to his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio. The charges against the retired Air Force general stemmed from his participation in the November 2025 rallies, where he urged the military to withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over corruption scandals. Poquiz also serves as the spokesperson for the United People’s Initiative, an organization composed of former military officers that has demanded the Marcos.

Dollar firms as traders look past Venezuela to flurry of US dataUS dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023.

MANILA, Philippines — One Filipino was injured in a New Year’s Eve fire that tore through a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, the Philippine Embassy in Bern has confirmed. The embassy said Monday, January 5, that it received information from Swiss authorities that a Filipino was hurt in the January 1 blaze at Le Constellation bar but declined to disclose details at the family’s request. At least 121 people were reportedly injured. “Our thoughts go out to the injured Filipino, whose recovery we are praying for,” the embassy said in a statement shared on Monday, January 5. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation against the bar’s two owner-managers on suspicion of homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.

Fuel prices slightly up, but US-Venezuela tensions threaten bigger hikesMANILA, Philippines — Fuel prices open 2026 with mixed adjustments, as diesel and kerosene prices slightly rise while gasoline becomes a bit cheaper starting Tuesday, January 6. Motorists can expect a P0.20-per-liter hike in diesel prices and a P0.10 increase in kerosene this week, while gasoline prices will be cut by P0.10 per liter. Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas said last week that the small movements in diesel and gasoline prices were due to increased refinery output following the completion of scheduled maintenance. In the final fuel price adjustment of 2025, diesel and kerosene increased by P0.60 per liter, while gasoline remained unchanged. The year closed with cumulative price hikes exceeding P20 per liter for gasoline and diesel, and nearly P6 per liter for kerosene.

Philippines stresses rules-based order as Trump threatens to 'run' VenezuelaMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines called for respect of international law and the rules-based order following a United States military strike on Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro. The Philippine statement invoked the same principles of rules-based order that Manila has championed in its ongoing territorial disputes with Beijing — principles the US has previously supported in the South China Sea. The department also reiterated its call for the concerned parties to adhere to international law and exercise restraint to prevent an escalation of conflict. The capture followed months of Trump administration pressure on Maduro's government over alleged drug trafficking and democratic backsliding. In November, the Trump administration designated Maduro as head of a foreign terrorist organization, citing alleged links to drug cartels.

BTS has released more details about their upcoming album and world tour. Their agency, BigHit Music, on Sunday evening revealed that the septet's fifth full-length album will have 14 tracks that express the group's "emotions and struggles" throughout their journey. "The new album holds special significance as it marks the first album released by the group in three years and nine months, while also indicating the direction the group will take going forward. BigHit added that the album features "honest stories" the group is eager to share with their fans. Last Jan. 1, Big Hit Music officially confirmed that BTS will return as a full group on March 20, releasing their first complete album in nearly four years.

Nineteen years after he mysteriously left the 2007 Oscars early, Eddie Murphy is finally clearing the air. At the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, Murphy attended as a Best Supporting Actor nominee, his first, for his role as James "Thunder" Early in the critically acclaimed musical Dreamgirls. Soon after Arkin's acceptance speech, Murphy left the venue for the night. The film was nominated in eight categories, including Murphy's best supporting actor. It won for best supporting actress for Jennifer Hudson, as well as best achievement in sound mixing.