Ombudsman ready to take on ICI tasks“The Office of the Ombudsman sees this as the natural flow of things. MANILA, Philippines — The ombudsman is ready to take on the task that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has started, should the latter cease operations following the successive resignations of two of its commissioners, assistant ombudsman Mico Clavano said yesterday. The ICI was established during the transition from one ombudsman to another to ensure quick and reliable fact-finding and investigation,” Clavano said in a statement, when sought for comment on the resignation of ICI commissioner Rossana Fajardo effective Dec. 31. “Now, with a new ombudsman ready to take on the task, the ICI was quick to relay their referrals for further fact-finding and/or preliminary investigation,” Clavano said. Thus, the exposure is high, especially for those who head the commission,” Clavano said.

Meeting the Needs of OthersIf you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset. After Cyndi and her young son Phillip spent a day searching for him, Phillip was rightly concerned for his dad’s well-being. Whether we seek to meet the needs of many—as Cyndi and Phillip have—or those of a single person, we honor Him by treating them with dignity and care. — Kirsten HolmbergHow has God supplied your needs through others? Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to the needs of others.

Anti-drug cops nabbed for ‘robbery raid’ in PasigNational Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin has ordered the filing of criminal and administrative cases against the police officers who are assigned with the Eastern Police District’s drug enforcement unit. MANILA, Philippines — Eight anti-narcotics police officers and a civilian were arrested after they allegedly illegally ransacked the house of a drug suspect in Pasig City on Friday. Officers from the Pasig police station responded to the scene and confronted the anti-narcotics operatives, who failed to present documents to back their supposed anti-illegal drug operation. The operatives were disarmed of their service firearms and were placed under arrest together with their civilian accomplice. We will make sure they will answer for their violation,” Aberin said in a statement.

PNP probes disappearance of priest in TaclobanIn a statement, the Eastern Visayas Police Office said it is conducting an in-depth investigation into the disappearance of Caintoy, parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish in Babatngon town in Leyte, about 25 kilometers away from Tacloban. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is investigating the disappearance of Fr. Edwin Caintoy in Tacloban City on Dec. 23, as it urged netizens to refrain from posting unverified information on social media. In a statement, the Eastern Visayas Police Office said it is conducting an in-depth investigation into the disappearance of Caintoy, parish priest of San Jose de Malibago Parish in Babatngon town in Leyte, about 25 kilometers away from Tacloban. “The public and the media are advised to rely only on official sources for confirmed updates,” police said in a statement, noting that some netizens have posted on social media that the priest has been found.

House sets memorial service for former congressmanMANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will hold on Monday a memorial service for the late Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop to pay tribute to his life of service and enduring contributions to legislation. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m., followed by the memorial service to be led by Speaker Faustino Dy III at the Plenary Hall. Acop served as representative of Antipolo City’s 2nd District during the 15th, 16th and 17th Congresses from 2010 to 2019, and again during the 19th and 20th Congresses from 2022 to 2025. Throughout his years in public service, Acop was widely respected for his integrity, firm principles and dedication to the rule of law. “The passing of Honorable Romeo Acop is a great loss not only to his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he served, but also to the Filipino people and to the country that benefited from his faithful and dedicated service,” read a portion of House Resolution 601, which recognized his service in government and contributions to public order, good governance and the rule of law.

PNP intensifies operations vs illegal firecracker factoriesMembers of Philippine National Police (PNP) Pangasinan, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), conducts the ceremonial destruction of confiscated illegal firecrackers, pyrotechnics, and improvised cannons locally known as “boga” at the provincial police headquarters in Lingayen on December 27, 2025MANILA, Philippines — After an explosion killed two people in a makeshift factory in Dagupan City in Pangasinan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to intensify its operations against illegal firecracker manufacturers ahead of the New Year’s Eve revelry. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for people who illegally manufacture and sell firecrackers. “You are not only violating the law, but you are also putting innocent lives at risk,” Nartatez said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this incident shows the deadly consequences when the law is ignored.”Nartatez has ordered an investigation to identify and hold accountable the people behind the makeshift factory.

Accidental firing kills soldier in AbraMap of Abra showing the location of LacubBAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A soldier lost his life after getting hit by a bullet in Barangay Poblacion in Lacub, Abra, police said. According to a Lacub police report, PFC Archie Calawit was declared dead on arrival at the town’s Rural Health Unit on Dec. 24. Initial investigation showed that Calawit was inside a hut that served as kitchen for the Army’s 50th Infantry Brigade. A fellow soldier, whose identity is withheld, was reportedly cleaning his firearm in another hut when the gun accidentally discharged. Police said the soldier surrendered after the incident.

Fintech forecastsWhy the next phase of fintech will be defined not by speed or scale, but by intelligence, trust and responsibility. The coming year marks a structural shift in digital finance. While consumer fintech once captured attention, the real value creation in 2026 will be largely invisible. Lito Villanueva is the Philippines’ leading thought leader in inclusive digital finance. He is the founding chairman of FinTech Alliance PH, representing 95 percent of digital retail financial transactions, and the first global chairman of the Alliance of Digital Finance Associations.

Marcos declares holidays in 5 areasMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has declared special non-working days in January to mark the founding anniversaries and celebrations of five more localities. In Proclamation 1124, the President declared Jan. 8 as a special non-working day in the Calubian town in Leyte to mark its founding anniversary. Under Proclamation 1120, Marcos declared Jan. 20 a special non-working day in Lipa City in Batangas for its Coffee Festival. The commemoration of the First Philippine Republic Inauguration Anniversary on Jan. 23 was declared a special non-working day in Bulacan under Proclamation 1122. Marcos also declared, through Proclamation 1121, Jan. 26 as a special non-working day in Carigara, Leyte for the town’s 455th Founding Anniversary.

Toyota posts 45% rise in xEV salesIn a statement, TMP said its total xEV sales covering Toyota and Lexus models, reached 16,986 units as of end-November, up by 45 percent from 11,745 units in the same period last year. In a statement, TMP said its total xEV sales covering Toyota and Lexus models, reached 16,986 units as of end-November, up by 45 percent from 11,745 units in the same period last year. The growth in xEV sales was seen as TMP expands its xEV lineup. The Department of Energy expects xEV sales to reach 50,000 units by the end of the year. As of end-September, xEV sales reached around 41,000 units.

Marikina fire leaves 47 families homelessFirefighters respond to a first alarm fire that broke out in a residential area at 28th Avenue, Balubad Street in Barangay Nangka, Marikina on December 26, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Forty-seven families were left homeless after a fire engulfed a residential area in Marikina City on Friday night. The fire, which started at 6:44 p.m., destroyed several houses along 32nd Avenue in Barangay Nangka, the Bureau of Fire Protection’s National Capital Region office said in a report. The fire reached second alarm before it was controlled by firefighters at around 7:41 p.m. In an interview over ABS-CBN, barangay captain Celso delos Armas said the wind contributed to the spread of the fire.

2 ex-4Ps students top teachers’ exam“The department extends its congratulations to former 4Ps monitored children Chariz Ann Lucero and Clyde Zeph Payusan for demonstrating that effective government interventions, combined with hard work and dedication, can help achieve our mission of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a statement. Lucero and Payusan emerged as the 7th and 9th top placers in the LET for secondary and elementary levels, respectively. Passing the LET is a requirement for people to become licensed professional teachers in the country. This is a big opportunity to change my life and our family,” said Lucero, a native of San Vicente town in Ilocos Sur. According to Dumlao, the performance of the two former 4Ps monitored children “serve as proof of the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and human capital development.”

What most Filipinos wish for their countryAs the year winds down, reflection and introspection come naturally. Overseas Filipinos do not expect miracles from their country. In many ways, Filipinos abroad serve as mirrors for what the country can become. Overseas Filipinos serve as a strong anchor to the people-to-people ties between the United States and the Philippines. From the many Fil-Am events I attended all around the United States, I see something else Filipinos wish for: respect.

Marcos seeks passage of bill creating IPCMANILA, Philippines — Amid the resignation of two commissioners of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), President Marcos would rather see the passage of a bill seeking to create an Independent People’s Commission (IPC), Malacañang stressed yesterday. His priority is to see the passage of the Independent People’s Commission bill,” Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said in a Viber message to The STAR. The proposed Independent People’s Commission Act was one of the Marcos administration’s priority bills. Marcos earlier urged lawmakers to ensure that the proposed body would not be used for their vested interests. Senate Bill 1512 seeks to create the IPC to strengthen measures against anomalies in government infrastructure.

It was the day when 171,306 passengers and 950 flight movements passed through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), marking the highest single-day totals ever recorded at the country’s primary international gateway. The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private consortium led by San Miguel Corp. and Incheon International Airport Corp. that took over the management and operations of NAIA in September of last year, revealed that operations remained stable despite these historic volumes. Just over a week ago, an e-gates system was launched at NAIA Terminal 3 with no less than President Marcos in attendance. In fact, NAIA has seen more improvements than it has in the past five to 10 years when this gateway was still being managed and operated by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). NAIA achieved Level 1 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation for meeting international standards in managing and improving passenger experience.