Voter registration resumesMANILA, Philippines — The nationwide voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections resumed yesterday, the Commission on Elections announced. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said registration would continue until May 18 at all of the poll body’s offices. Garcia said all 15-year-old Filipinos could register for the youth polls. Voters wanting a reactivation or transfer of their registration can also participate. The barangay and youth polls are scheduled for Nov. 2.

ICTSI takes control of South African portIn a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), ICTSI said it has opened 2026 on a high note, formally adding the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 to its portfolio. MANILA, Philippines — International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has taken over management of a South African terminal responsible for 46 percent of cargo traffic in the country. The turnover comes a month after ICTSI signed the 25-year agreement to take over DCT Pier 2. Currently, DCT Pier 2 handles more than 70 percent of cargo traffic in the Port of Durban, the largest port in South Africa. ICTSI is co-managing DCT Pier 2 with Transnet, which owns South African assets involved in the logistics industry, from ports and pipelines, to properties and railways.

Built to handle only 32 million passengers a year, NAIA was already operating beyond capacity. The GMR consortium proposed a share of 33.3 percent and the Manila International Airport Consortium, 25.91 percent. The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the consortium that includes SMC and Incheon International Airport Corp., officially took over the management and operation of NAIA, as well as the task of modernizing the 76-year-old gateway, on Sept. 14, 2024. It was recently reported that NAIA recorded its highest annual passenger traffic in 2025, reflecting sustained demand for air travel and increased airport activity. Yes, there was an increase in NAIA terminal fees beginning last September 2025, from P550 to P950 for international travel and from P200 to P390 for domestic flights.

Pinoys unhappy with programs vs inflation, corruptionResults of the Dec. 12 to 15 survey showed that the government’s approval ratings in 17 out of 18 issues provided to the respondents were all below 50 percent. MANILA, Philippines — A large majority of Filipinos disapprove of the way the Marcos administration handles select national issues, including controlling inflation and addressing graft and corruption, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed. Results of the Dec. 12 to 15 survey showed that the government’s approval ratings in 17 out of 18 issues provided to the respondents were all below 50 percent. Controlling inflation, fighting graft and corruption and reducing poverty are the topmost urgent concern of Filipinos, the survey showed. Pulse Asia’s fourth quarter survey showed that more Filipinos disapprove than approve of President Marcos (34 percent approve, 48 percent disapprove).

40 years laterThe new year marks the start of this writer’s 40th year as a broadcaster and journalist. We’ve been around for so long, we have to qualify our jokes with “please explain to people below 40,” just in case they don’t get the references. As Abe King told The STAR long ago, you had basketball, boxing and wrestling in one. I decided to start what would later become ABS-CBN Sports. I was married, divorced, raised two men, had a daughter 20 years later, and had a home burn down.

Cybercrime center says 3G network phased out in 2026This photo shows a person in a hoodie in front of a computer. MANILA, Philippines — The 3G legacy network is no longer available in 2026, according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)’s executive director Renato Paraiso. He said telecommunication companies have already decommissioned 3G subscriber identity module or SIM cards. Threat actors hijack legitimate message threads of banks, government agencies and public services by disrupting carrier signals and injecting rogue signals to go around network safeguards, the CICC said. In response, the CICC met with telecommunications providers, which agreed to phase out 2G and 3G technologies.

Chief Justice vows more efficient, accessible judiciary in 2026MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo expressed confidence the country’s courts are gearing toward more “efficient, accessible and responsive” operations this year as the innovation program that his leadership has launched for the judiciary is nearing completion. “As we approach the completion of the SPJI in 2027, rest assured that the progress achieved under this reform agenda will not only be sustained but also further built upon,” he added. “A new year represents new beginnings and fresh opportunities. It reminds us that change is possible and that with fresh determination and renewed effort, we can make progress,” Gesmundo said in his New Year message posted on the Supreme Court website. The Chief Justice said that while the foundation for reforms has already been laid, the progress needs to be sustained through collaboration and “continued commitment of our judicial officers and court staff, members of the legal profession, our development partners.”Gesmundo, the country’s 27th chief justice, is set to retire on Nov. 6 this year upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Another diesel price increase loomsFollowing a week of limited global market activity, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas indicated a potential price hike of P0.20 to P0.40 per liter for diesel. MANILA, Philippines — Diesel prices are expected to increase further next week, as geopolitical risks threaten to disrupt global oil supplies. Following a week of limited global market activity, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas indicated a potential price hike of P0.20 to P0.40 per liter for diesel. Both diesel and gasoline prices in the Mean of Platts Singapore edged lower this week following a recovery in regional refinery output. Last week, diesel and kerosene prices went up, while gasoline held steady.

Marcos admin officials go under CA scrutinyMANILA, Philippines — Former broadcast journalist Jay Ruiz and information and communications technology chief Henry Aguda came under scrutiny by the Commission on Appointments (CA) after their confirmations were bypassed or deferred before the 19th Congress adjourned. Aguda was also bypassed in June 2025, but President Marcos declined his resignation as Department of Information and Communications Technology secretary. His interim appointment was eventually confirmed in October 2025, during the 20th Congress. He was confirmed alongside Sharon Garin, whose appointment as Department of Energy secretary was also approved by the CA that month. Earlier, in February 2025, then Philippine Space Agency director general Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. also failed to secure confirmation after the CA deferred action on his appointment to an unspecified date.

DOH reports sharp rise in firecracker injuriesMANILA, Philippines — A sharp rise in fireworks-related injuries or FWRI has been reported by the Department of Health (DOH), with cases more than doubling as late hospital reports continue to come in. As of Thursday, 235 cases had been logged nationwide since Dec. 21, 2025, but the figure is expected to climb significantly. “We are seeing a possible increase of 300 cases in the 235 FWRI posted yesterday,” DOH spokesman Albert Domingo said in a radio interview Friday. The initial 235 cases were recorded by 62 DOH sentinel hospitals from Dec. 21, 2025 to the early morning of Jan. 1, 2026. Most injuries in the region were caused by boga and kwitis, with four cases each, followed by dynamite with three.

Remulla rushed to hospital? ‘Fake news’MANILA, Philippines — There is no truth to the rumor spreading on social media that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla was rushed to a hospital, his younger brother Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. Remulla said Facebook posts stating that his older brother is in a hospital are false. “Fake news. He just finished playing golf,” the interior chief said in a message on Viber.

Nepali tagged in murder conspiracy nabbedMANILA, Philippines — A Nepali tagged in a plot to assassinate ranking government officials in his country has been arrested in Malolos, Bulacan, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported yesterday. An Interpol Diffusion Notice was issued against Pathak on Dec. 12 for extortion and conspiracy, the BI said. After the riot, he departed and hid in the Philippines,” Sy said. Based on official information received by the BI, Pathak is allegedly a part of a conspiracy to assassinate ranking Nepal government officials. Records showed that Pathak arrived in the country on Aug. 18 and was authorized to stay until Dec. 18.

Over 1 million business names registered in 2025 – DTIDepartment of Trade and Industry on Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati CityMANILA, Philippines — Business names registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reached over one million as of Dec. 23 last year, reflecting continued entrepreneurial activity. Data from the DTI as of Dec. 23 showed that 1.02 million business names were registered with the agency last year. Of the business names registered last year, 879,304 were new filings while 137,053 were renewals. By location, Region IV-A or Calabarzon saw the most business names registered last year at 191,163. For the month of December, registered business names reached 37,721 filings as of Dec. 23.

Spotting HopeMay your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. 11–19), He alone restores relationships, saves lives, and revitalizes hope. When we do our part as members of God’s care team, however, we can honor Him as the Creator and help others spot hope as they place their trust in Jesus. How can you serve as part of His care team? Loving Creator and Sustainer, help me be a hope-spotter who faithfully serves on Your care team.

DOT denies claims over Frasco magazine coverMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has dismissed as “false and misleading” allegations by a production executive regarding the appearance of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on the cover of a magazine published in English and Japanese. “Philippine Topics independently covered activities related to World Expo Osaka 2025 and used its own coverage in their magazine. Any claim suggesting that the department or the secretary used public office or resources for personal promotion is false, misleading and expressly denied,” the agency emphasized. The DOT feature largely used photos sourced from the department, bearing its logo and the “Love the Philippines” campaign slogan as watermarks. “Misrepresenting official acts, fabricating affiliations or implying improper use of public resources undermines public trust and misleads the public,” the DOT warned.