10 market snapshots of 2025With just a few days left in 2025, it’s time to revisit the winners, surprises and trends that defined the year. Below are 10 market snapshots of 2025. Best stock market in Asia: South Korea (+72.1 percent)South Korea led Asia, with its market up 72.1 percent. Bull market is broadeningAn important event in 2025 was that the bull market broadened. The market also offers diversification beyond the tech and AI trades that led global stock markets in recent years.

BSP OKs merger, license surrender of rural banksIn separate circular letters signed by BSP Deputy Governor Lyn Javier, the Monetary Board approved the merger of Rural Bank of Rosario (La Union) Inc. (ROSLU) and Rural Bank of Agoo, Inc., with the former emerging as the surviving bank. It also approved the voluntary surrender of the banking license of Rural Bank of Matag-ob (Leyte), Inc.MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has approved a merger involving two rural banks and the voluntary surrender of another rural bank’s license, underscoring the continued consolidation across the countryside banking sector. It also approved the voluntary surrender of the banking license of Rural Bank of Matag-ob (Leyte), Inc. In June, Agribusiness Banking Corp. emerged from the consolidation of four rural lenders, namely Agribusiness Rural Bank Inc., Banco Alabang, Inc., Rural Bank of Maddela (Quirino) Inc. and Rural Bank of San Jacinto (Masbate) Inc. Meanwhile in February, Zambales Rural Bank Inc. and Bridgeway Rural Banking Corp. merged after the banks obtained the necessary regulatory approvals, with Zambales Rural Bank serving as the surviving entity.

Government cuts spending on infrastructure for 4th monthWorkers on a flood control structure in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan lay concrete and steel amid rainfall. As flood scandal deepensMANILA, Philippines — The national government’s infrastructure spending fell for the fourth consecutive month in October as concerns over reports of corruption in flood control projects continued to weigh on disbursements. The DBM added that adverse weather conditions during the period also had an impact on infrastructure spending. It also reflected a sustained downturn in government expenditures, as infrastructure spending continued to decline since July this year. Aside from the flood control issue, several factors contributed to the lower infrastructure spending, including the Commission on Elections’ 45-day ban on public works spending from March 28 to May 12.

PCCI backs reforms to curb LOA abuseMANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest business group has expressed support for initiatives aimed at addressing the reported abuse and misuse of letters of authority (LOAs) within the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). “Tax enforcement must be firm, but it must also be fair. Any misuse of audit and investigation powers erodes trust, creates uncertainty for businesses and discourages voluntary compliance,” PCCI president Enunina Mangio said. Left unchecked, the PCCI said these practices bring undue pressure to businesses and weaken their confidence in the tax system. While strong enforcement is necessary for revenue generation, the PCCI emphasized the need for balance through clear safeguards to protect and ensure accountability of both the government and businesses.

CBCP to families: Set aside gadgets during mealtimeMANILA, Philippines — Communication must be promoted within families, and setting aside gadgets during mealtime can be a start. Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera suggested this during his homily yesterday, as he celebrated mass marking the Feast of the Holy Family and closing the Jubilee of Hope, at the Parish of the Holy Family in Luyos, Tanauan City, Batangas. Garcera said that families nowadays are facing two obstacles. They would take pictures of their food, send (to their social media accounts) (to get) ‘likes.’ But they do not eat it, the food cooked by their mother,” said Garcera. Other distractions include watching television such as a basketball game, while children play with their computers, send text messages or listen to music on Spotify.

Palace: No talks yet on ICI replacementsMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. “For now, there have been no discussions on whether there would be replacements because we are looking at a possible law that may be passed with regard to an independent commission,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told radio dzBB yesterday. “There’s no discussion (about new ICI appointees) because we’re waiting for the law creating the independent commission. Magalong later said that Malacañang’s statement that his appointment as ICI special adviser and investigator was under legal review had sent him a “clear message” to stand down. Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the resignation of Fajardo “can very well be the end of ICI.”

P248 million recovered so far in flood control messFormer Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) NCR director Gerard Opulencia turned over P40 million to the Department of Justice (DOJ), reportedly linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects. MANILA, Philippines — With the flood control scandal that has gripped the nation in 2025 reaching billions of pesos in scale, the government has so far recovered P248 million from key figures who admitted these were kickbacks from anomalous infrastructure projects. Bernardo was implicated in having given commissions off flood control projects to the camps of Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva , former senator Bong Revilla, former Ako Bicol congressman Zaldy Co and former Caloocan representative Mitch Cajayon. He later entered into an agreement to return P150 million in exchange for the full benefits of becoming state witness. Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon had said that among the cases under preliminary investigation were flood control projects awarded to SYMS Construction in the towns of Balagtas and Pandi in Bulacan.

The Crown of LifeGod blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. — James 1:12 nltTwelve-year-old LeeAdianez Rodriguez-Espada was worried that she’d be late for a 5K run (just over 3 miles). At mile four, with the finish line nowhere in sight, she realized that she was in a longer and more difficult race. If they patiently endured testing, God promised a double reward (James 1:4, 12). Second, God would give them the “crown of life”—life in Jesus on earth and the promise of being in His presence in the life to come (v. 12).

Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner has said it is his “dream” for the country to acquire submarines for maritime defense. On Oct. 8 last year, President Marcos signed Republic Act 12024, the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act. Japan, South Korea and, for that matter, even Taiwan need not be told about the importance of a self-reliant defense posture. The South Korean defense industry has become a major employer and export revenue earner, ranking among the world’s top 10 arms suppliers and aiming to be among the four defense powers by 2030. The sooner we get serious about self-reliant defense, the better for us.

One of the “big words” for me in 2025 was Gratitude. Gratitude to God, gratitude for friends, co-laborers, for provisions, most of all for family and answered prayers. But in order to be grateful, one must first be aware of the things to be grateful for. Many people are so busy chasing after a dream that the only thing they see is something that’s not even there. Thank you for being part of my community, for reading my articles and thank you also for your prayers.

Arabic Noli Me Tangere launchedThe project, recently launched at a reception in Baghdad before Iraqi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academe, representatives from cultural heritage groups in Iraq, marks the first time that the Noli Me Tangere is translated to Arabic, a language with over 400 million speakers worldwide. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in Iraq has launched a translation project for Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere from its original 19th century Spanish to Arabic, to commemorate 50 years of Philippine-Iraq bilateral relations. The project, recently launched at a reception in Baghdad before Iraqi government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academe, representatives from cultural heritage groups in Iraq, marks the first time that the Noli Me Tangere is translated to Arabic, a language with over 400 million speakers worldwide. A manuscript of the translation was turned over to the Iraqi government, represented by Hisham Al-Alawi, the deputy foreign minister for political planning affairs. Copies of the translation are expected to be made available in 2026.

Visitors walk past a Xiaomi logo at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, or Auto China 2024, in Beijing, China, April 25, 2024.

Thai and Cambodian top diplomats meet in China to solidify ceasefireChildren play around a bunker in Surin province on December 10, 2025, during clashes along the Thai-Cambodia border.

Cabral files: 5 Cabinet officials, usecs with allocables in 2025 budget, says LacsonIn this Dec. 23, 2024 photo, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with then-Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, then-Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, then-Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and then-Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to review the proposed 2025 national budget. “At least five Cabinet secretaries and some undersecretaries had allocables and/or non-allocables, according to the documents. Lacson said the documents showed a certain “ES” with P8.3 billion in allocables, while former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan allegedly had allocables amounting to at least P30.5 billion. He added that other Cabinet secretaries were listed with P2 billion each, while the House leadership and some party-list groups were also reflected as having “billions” in allocables. Lacson cautioned, however, that it remains unclear whether the Cabinet officials cited also received allocations from other agency budgets for 2025.

Carnivorous plant discovered in Palawan, but already on brink of extinctionComposite image shows N. megastoma, a newly described critically endangered species endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan, Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — Philippine scientists have confirmed the discovery of a previously unknown species of carnivorous tropical pitcher plant found only on the limestone cliffs of Palawan, a rare scientific milestone that has come with an urgent warning: the species is already critically endangered. The plant, Nepenthes megastoma, was formally described in November in the international journal Phytotaxa following years of fieldwork by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University and an Australian botanical expert. The study classifies N. megastoma as Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines. Alongside Altomonte, scientists studying N. megastoma are Vernaluz Mangussad, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, and Alastair S. Robinson.