Lacson warns vs ‘cover-up’ as Palace calls Cabinet budget insertion claims ‘hearsay’MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ping Lacson said Malacañang shouldn’t be quick to brand allegations that budget insertions were made by Cabinet officials as “hearsay.”In a statement on Friday, December 26, Lacson argued that “significant evidence had been unearthed” from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s flood control investigation. “[T]o prematurely dismiss the probable involvement of some members of the Cabinet as ‘hearsay’ may be interpreted as a euphemism for ‘cover-up,’” Lacson said. This comes after Palace press officer Claire Castro said she would not recognize the documents Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) claims to have on the alleged budget insertions, which include Cabinet members. Castro clarified on Friday that the “Cabral files” she was referring to were those that have not been verified by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) itself. Some of them include former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who had served the first half of the Marcos Jr. administration.

3 villagers hurt in Maguindanao del Norte gun attackPolice intelligence agents and local executives are together searching for the two perpetrators of the gun attack in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday night, December 25, 2025, that left three villagers wounded, now confined to a hospital. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Gunmen shot and seriously wounded three men drinking together, celebrating Christmas, in an attack at a residential area in Barangay Limbo in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday night, December 25. Witnesses have positively identified one of the two perpetrators of the atrocity, Jayson Guiabel Maliga, now subject of an extensive search by barangay officials and personnel of the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said local executives and intelligence operatives from the Sultan Kudarat municipal police and the Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Police Office are cooperating in locating Maliga and his accomplice. De Guzman said he has ordered Tanio and his subordinate-investigators to file criminal cases against Maliga and his companion in absentia.

Torre's MMDA appointment settles four-star rank issue at PNP — NAPOLCOMMANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III took his oath of office as the new general manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) before the Office of the Executive Secretary on Friday, December 26. This raises the question: what happens to his four-star rank as a general, which is typically held by the incumbent police chief? According to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), which exercises administrative control over the PNP, Torre’s acceptance of the appointment is "ipso facto" or considered a resignation from the police force, resulting in the loss of his four-star rank. Calinisan added that he is "looking forward" to the day Marcos dons the four-star rank to Nartatez, who has been PNP chief for four months now. While Torre’s exit from the PNP was tied to an alleged conflict with the National Police Commission, the commission said it remains supportive of his reassignment to the MMDA.

PCG thanks China for aiding Pinoy fisher, but asks why warship in EEZA screengrab from the video shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila shows troops from the People's Liberation Army Navy giving bottled water to a Filipino fisherman, Dec. 25, 2025. The embassy also shared video footage of the interaction between the Chinese troops and the Filipino fisherman, taken from the small boat dispatched to assist him. The fisherman, according to the PCG, became frightened when the Chinese warship dispatched a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. He said the incident should not be exploited to advance China’s claims in the South China Sea. One of the more hazardous actions by Chinese vessels took place earlier in August after a CCG cutter accidentally collided with a Chinese warship near Scarborough Shoal while the CCG ship was pursuing a PCG vessel.

Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Joj Agpangan announced her marriage to her non-showbiz partner, Danny. She then revealed that she had applied for a spouse visa. “A lot of you are asking what my visa is, so my visa, actually, I went from tourist visa to a spouse visa because my man is very quick on processing things. He really wants this relationship to work so we got married secretly and told our parents later,” she explained. She later opened up a bit about her married life so far, saying marrying Danny has been “one of the best decisions” she’s made.

The Philippine Space Agency confirmed that a rocket from China was launched after Christmas Day. In an advisory, the agency said that the Long March 8A rocket was launched around 7:26 a.m. from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, on Friday, Dec. 26. PhilSA warned of debris that may have fallen approximately 108 nautical miles (NM) away from El Nido, Palawan; 126 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 90 NM away from Rozul Reef as the first drop zone. The second drop zone was estimated 32 NM away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, 42 NM away from Pangutaran Island, Sulu, and 46 NM away from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. "Falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone," it noted.

Britain's King Charles III called for "compassion and reconciliation" at a time of "division" across the world in his Christmas Day message. It seems to me that we need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation the way our Lord lived and died." This is the second year running that the king has made his festive address away from a royal residence. The Christmas song that ended the message was sung by a Ukrainian choir formed after Russia's 2022 invasion of their country. The king and other members of the royal family, including Andrew's daughters, attended a Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Charles's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

eTap Solutions to bring easier, more accessible financial services to Filipinos with new machines, hubs and cash-out services in 2026The self-service payment kiosk provider gears up to make financial transactions more accessible after a productive 2025. The year 2025 has been one of eTap Solutions’ most productive yet, marked by its expansion to over 4,000 machines nationwide. Beyond providing financial services, eTap Solutions promotes financial literacy and sustainability. “Everything we did in 2025 was to enhance financial accessibility for Filipinos,” shared eTap Solutions CEO Carlo Hernandez. “The expansion of the eTap Hubs comes after the opening of the first eTap Hub in Palanan, Makati, in May.

Pag-IBIG Fund extends Acquired Assets Super SaleMANILA, Philippines — Pag-IBIG Fund has extended its Acquired Assets Super Sale until Dec. 31, giving homebuyers more time to purchase foreclosed properties at discounted prices, while adopting new rules to lower upfront costs and make it easier for more buyers to participate. Pag-IBIG Fund said interest in acquired assets has remained strong since the Super Sale began on Aug. 25, with 44,861 bids received and 18,434 winning bids recorded. The agency said that 5,074 properties will be published for auction until the remainder of the year. The extension and updated rules respond to sustained demand from homebuyers, and support President Marcos’ directive to expand access to affordable, ready-for-occupancy homes. “The demand for our Acquired Assets Super Sale has been overwhelming and very encouraging, showing how dependable Pag-IBIG Fund has become in helping Filipino workers secure affordable homes,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said.

‘ICI is a lost cause’: What should Marcos do now? MANILA, Philippines — Barely months after its creation, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has been reduced to a single member following the resignation of two commissioners in December. What does this mean for the Marcos administration's promised pursuit of justice in the corruption-tainted flood control projects? "The ICI is a lost cause," the Makabayan bloc said on Friday, December 26, raising questions about the commission's credibility. House Speaker Bojie Dy also promised that the ICAIC bill will be approved on the third and final reading before Congress adjourns in December.

Trail of evidenceFor obvious reasons, there have been unmistakable aggressive efforts in deflecting the public outrage away from the original sinners in the multibillion-peso “ghost” flood control projects. After overflowing river systems subsided, it turned out there was no flood control project done at all. The 15 contractors involved in these alleged “ghost” flood control projects in the DPWH were: Legacy Construction Corp.; Alpha & Omega Gen. Claiming he had divested his ownership shares in the family-owned company, he co-steered the approval of the 2025 GAA that contained the alleged “ghost” flood control projects. While the trail of evidence has become sordid, it does not, however, end with the death of Cabral.

US says it struck Islamic State militants in northwest NigeriaU.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement about the Navy's "Golden Fleet", as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan listen, at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 22, 2025. REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak

2 killed in Dagupan explosion on Christmas DayAuthorities investigate the explosion in the backyard of a fireworks shop in Dagupan City on Thursday night, Dec. 25, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Two individuals were killed by a loud explosion that occurred behind a fireworks shop in Dagupan City on Christmas Day. According to the Dagupan City government, residents from Sitio Boquig, Barangay Bacayao Norte reported the explosion at around 7:49 p.m. on Thursday, December 25, prompting an immediate response from the Bureau of Fire Protection and local law enforcement. Initial reports showed that two people were killed, while two others were injured and rushed to a hospital. Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez visited the site to assess the situation, saying the tragedy should not have happened and reiterating that the unsafe use of fireworks must be avoided.

Amid the still widening corruption scandal, government officials say certain flood control projects will resume or be implemented. You’d think using science to plan and implement flood control projects would be a no-brainer. UPRI executive director Mahar Lagmay has noted that flood control projects across the country have been carried out haphazardly, piecemeal without coordinated planning, and with some projects even exacerbating flooding. Today, with flood control projects in limbo, Congress is allocating P1 billion for UPRI as part of Oplan Kontra Baha, so the design and monitoring of flood control projects can be refined. But the flood control scandal has starkly shown how ill-prepared the country is for the devastation from extreme rainfall and flooding.

OFWs get balikbayan boxes after long waitMANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have received their balikbayan boxes after a long wait. The balikbayan boxes are among shipments abandoned and left undelivered by freight forwarders, and are now being distributed to OFWs and their families. To hold those responsible accountable, the BOC accompanied the OFWs in filing cases with the National Bureau of Investigation on Dec. 4. At present, 15 containers of abandoned balikbayan boxes have been released and are currently being delivered, while 21 more are scheduled to be pulled out and processed this week. OFWs were also reminded to be more cautious in choosing freight forwarders, to ensure that companies are legitimate, and to avoid offers with unrealistically low fees that may lead to fraud.