Ping: Reenacted budget better than rushed oneLacson open to return as Blue Ribbon chairman, butâ?¦ Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on flood control anomalies on Sept. 30. A reenacted budget means that government, in order to prevent a shutdown, will have to operate on the previous year’s outlay – in this case, the 2025 General Appropriations Act, criticized by many as a corrupt budget. Senate President Vicente Sotto III vowed no “blind ratification” of the budget, copies of which would be given to all senators for their scrutiny. It remains to be seen if President Marcos will sign the budget containing the controversial fund increases or veto the items. The national budget was reenacted several times when her ally, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was president.

A new lease on life is my “Big Win” this year. It is also a gift from people who prayed for me before, during and after my operation. I remember asking my students with all humility to also ask their parents and siblings to pray for me. I woke up in the recovery room with two rosaries around my left wrist—and the small image of Padre Pio, a gift from my youngest brother Rod, safely tucked by my side. But I was already singing in the recovery room long before they could play my chosen music.

‘Philippines banking system braces for evolving risks in 2026’“The Philippine banking system remains resilient, backed by strong earnings and a healthy balance sheet, despite moderating economic growth,” the BSP said in an interview with The STAR, underscoring the system’s ability to absorb shocks while continuing to support economic activity. Total assets of the Philippine banking system grew by 7.1 percent year-on-year to P28.3 trillion as of end-October, driven mainly by loan expansion, according to the BSP. “As we approach 2026, the Philippine banking system remains fundamentally sound, but we continue to closely monitor key lending segments to ensure sustained resilience,” the BSP said. Beyond credit risks, cybersecurity has emerged as one of the most significant system-level threats. “We reaffirm our commitment to protecting financial integrity, combating fraud and cybercrime, and ensuring that banking remains reliable, inclusive and accessible,” it said.

Project NOAH to improve hazard mapsThe bicameral conference committee earmarked P1 billion for Project NOAH, which stands for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, sourced from the P255-billion cut in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). MANILA, Philippines — Set to receive fresh and substantial funding from the government, the team behind Project NOAH plans to enhance its hazard maps to include multiple flood analyses for improved planning. By incorporating multiple scenarios into hazard maps, the government can be better prepared and informed for future cyclones. UPRI provides data and technical support to the CCC on science-based risk and vulnerability assessments and disaster risk management. “With a multi-scenario analysis, you know what to expect.”Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez said over 2.5 million Filipinos access Project NOAH’s hazard maps on its website during peak times daily.

Palace: Cabinet links to insertions hearsay Unless validatedRep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) holds a press conference on Monday, Aug. 26, 2025 after filing criminal cases against the district engineer who attempted to bribe him. MANILA, Philippines — Documents related to the flood control mess are mere “hearsay” unless validated by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Malacañang said, after Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste released what he described as DPWH files linking executive officials to the controversy. “Here is the summary of the DPWH budget per district for 2023-2026. Here we can see where the DPWH budget amounting to P3.5 trillion equivalent to P130,000 per Filipino family goes,” Leviste said. These are based on the DPWH data, with the approval of Secretary Vince Dizon, including our budget data compilation.

DOE cancels more non-compliant RE contractsMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has intensified its crackdown on non-compliant developers, terminating eight more renewable energy (RE) contracts this year. “Renewable energy development must be fast, but it must also be accountable,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement. Service contracts are performance commitments, and renewable energy projects must deliver real, reliable power for Filipino consumers,” Garin said. The terminations follow a thorough technical and legal review of the affected project’s compliance with their service contracts. “Contract termination ensures that service contracts are awarded to capable, committed developers with the readiness and capacity to deliver,” the agency said.

NBI: Cabral cellphone still with familyDILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has confirmed the selfie showing former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral seated near the edge of a cliff in Benguet was taken on the cellphone of her driver. “Considering that the cellphone is now in the possession of the family, if the investigation involves the death of Usec. Cabral, we really have to seek the consent of the family for the cellphone to be examined,” Mallari said in the interview. Authorities are conducting parallel investigations on her death and alleged irregularities in flood control projects linked to her office. Mallari also said the NBI continues to receive dashcam footage along Kennon Road, where Cabral was last seen.

Police seize P500,000 worth of firecrackersCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — Police seized assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices from an illegal dealer during a sting in Barangay Camino Nuevo in Zamboanga City on Wednesday. Maj. Chester Natividad, police investigation and detective management unit chief in Zamboanga City, said trader Larry Tan Nebres Jr. was arrested after he was found selling the firecrackers along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue without a permit. Members of the Zamboanga City Police Office launched the sting operation after a tipster informed them of Nebres’ alleged large-scale peddling of firecrackers in the city and nearby Basilan province. The seized firecrackers and pyrotechnics were turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Office as it prepares charges for violation of Republic Act 7183, which regulates the production and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in the country.

2 guards shot dead; suspect nabbedPolice yesterday arrested Charren Caboverde, 24, in Tondo, Manila after he fled the crime scene at the Commonwealth branch of a car dealership. MANILA, Philippines — Due to alleged constant bullying, a security guard shot dead two of his colleagues at a car dealership in Quezon City on Wednesday. Police yesterday arrested Charren Caboverde, 24, in Tondo, Manila after he fled the crime scene at the Commonwealth branch of a car dealership. After drinking alcohol with two other security guards identified as Renato and Mark John, Caboverde shot the victims while they were asleep at around 12:50 p.m.“The victims allegedly bullied him since he was a new hire and they were seniors,” Quezon City police director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio told reporters. Caboverde reportedly reached his tipping point after losing in a fistfight with one of the victims.

Subsidies to GOCCs plunge 26% in end-NovemberAccording to the latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury, government subsidies for the 11-month period declined to P95.85 billion from P129.4 billion in the same period last year. MANILA, Philippines — The total amount of subsidies given to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) plummeted by 26 percent from January to November, with the bulk of the funding earmarked for food stability and irrigation. Government subsidies to major non-financial government corporations accounted for 61.5 percent of the total subsidies, followed by other government corporations at 38 percent and government financial corporations at 0.5 percent. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) received 41.4 percent of the total subsidies during the 11-month period, amounting to P39.73 billion. This was lower by 40.7 percent compared to the P67.05 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.

Foreign-branded phone shipments in China more than doubled on year in Nov, CAICT data showsA new iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphone is displayed at the Apple store in Beijing's Sanlitun area during the start of sales in Beijing, China September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

EDSA rehab begins: Plan travel, take detoursHeavy equipment take up lanes on EDSA in Pasay City as the DPWH begins the re- blocking of damaged sections. Road reblocking will be carried out along the inner lanes of EDSA southbound from P. Celle Street to Roxas Boulevard and from Tramo flyover to P. Celle Street. It will also be done along the inner lane of EDSA northbound from Roxas Boulevard to Tramo Avenue and from Park Avenue to Taft Avenue until Dec. 27. Mariano in Pasay City, Park Avenue in Pasay to Orense in Makati, and from Orense to McKinley Road in Makati. The EDSA rehabilitation program will undergo its first phase covering the area from Orense Street in Makati to Roxas Boulevard, which is expected to last until April or May 2026.

Presidential candidate Nasry Asfura of the National Party of Honduras (PN) speaks at a press conference on the day of the general election in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, November 30, 2025. REUTERS/Leonel Estrada

LIST: What sections of EDSA will be rehabilitated from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5? MANILA, Philippines — Several sections of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) will be temporarily closed from December 28 to January 5 for rehabilitation work that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) began on Christmas Eve. DPWH via FB Map shows where concrete reblocking works will be carried out along the Southbound and Northbound roads along EDSA Avenue from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. DPWH via FB Map shows where concrete reblocking works will be carried out along the Southbound and Northbound roads along EDSA Avenue from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. DPWH via FB Map shows where concrete reblocking works will be carried out along the Southbound and Northbound roads along EDSA Avenue from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026.

Marcos Jr. to Pinoys: Be grateful for blessingsMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday expressed hope that Filipinos would enjoy good health and prosperity as he urged them to be grateful for the graces they received this year. As the year ends, let us be thankful for all the blessings we received,” the President said in a video message. The brief video message ended with the President, First Lady Liza Marcos and their children House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, Joseph Simon and William Vincent wishing the nation a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The greatest gift God has ever given me is a strong papa, who molded me into an even stronger woman. “Merry Christmas sweet papa, I will always be your bossy and chunky Kitty,” she added.