Rate cut pause may boost economy – GlobalSourceIn a report, GlobalSource country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said a pause in further rate cuts might be strategic for the economy under present conditions. MANILA, Philippines — A pause in further monetary policy easing may be beneficial for the economy now as it navigates governance issues related to infrastructure projects, New York-based think tank GlobalSource Partners Inc. said. In a report, GlobalSource country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said a pause in further rate cuts might be strategic for the economy under present conditions. “In such an environment, a rate cut may not be interpreted as growth support. “A pause allows the BSP to support the economy while safeguarding credibility, preserving policy space and ensuring that monetary accommodation is not misread by markets,” Guinigundo and Mañalac said.

DBM piloting AI, blockchain amid corruption scandalConcerned about how to effectively manage and track public funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is piloting a blockchain system to prevent misuse and support ongoing investigations into public spending. Concerned about how to effectively manage and track public funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is piloting a blockchain system to prevent misuse and support ongoing investigations into public spending. Right now, I’m talking with blockchain experts because I want them to review our system,” she said. Del Rosario said the blockchain system aims to ensure that public funds reach their intended projects, particularly in cases involving the courts or audits. If implemented effectively, Rivera said blockchain could enhance transparency and credibility, reassuring investors that public funds are monitored in real time and leakages are being curtailed.

I went to Morton’s for lunch, which is when BGC reveals its true character. The Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail arrived cold and firm, the shrimp properly cooked, a phrase that should be unnecessary but never is. In a city where meals are often squeezed between obligations, the refusal to rush becomes part of the pleasure. One year in, Morton’s does not feel new. For a holiday table, or for beginning the year properly fed and clear-headed, that kind of reliability is not dull.

'We are ghosts': Britain's migrant night workersLeandro Cristovao, 36, from Angola, warehouse worker at Natures Choice poses at New Covent Garden Market in London on November 11, 2025.

So, on this Christmas Day, as you probably are sitting back and relaxing after the Christmas Eve revelry, allow me to humbly share some moments this month that have brought me some Yuletide cheer. For starters, I was recently recognized as a “Man of Exemplary Influence” by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) for leadership and commitment to public service. For me, influence is more than a title or a platform; it is a responsibility. All persons of influence who can move heaven and earth, so to speak, when it comes to disaster recovery and resilience. Truly, a prime example of using exemplary influence to make a difference in the lives of every Filipino.

Marcos to Pinoys: Remember the needyMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos called on Filipinos to be a “source of light and goodness” and to remember the needy as the nation celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In his Christmas message, Marcos encouraged Filipinos to emulate Jesus, who brought salvation to the world by sharing their abundance with the people around them. “Let us become a source of light and goodness to our fellow Filipinos this Christmas and in the years to come,” Marcos said. Christians regard the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem as an event where God became human to redeem humanity from sin. Palace officials have said that Marcos would spend the holidays working on the P6.793-trillion proposed national budget for next year.

Cabral files on budget proponents releasedThe so-called Cabral files are turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman by DPWH officials. The public has to know the content of the DPWH budget so we can boast about our projects,” Leviste said in a Facebook post. In his resolution, Leviste is also seeking an investigation on insertions in the 2025 budget allegedly made by Bicol Saro party-list. He accused Ridon of making insertions to the DPWH budget last year even if the latter was not yet a congressman. Senators deny budget insertionsPrior to Leviste’s revelation, senators tagged in a Bilyonaryo News Channel article have denied involvement in budget insertions in the 2025 NEP.

DepEd fast-tracks 2026 classroom construction“On our last Monday of the year in the office, we convened the infrastructure group to prepare for next year, the department’s various modalities for building classrooms. To address this, Angara revealed that DepEd plans to condemn school buildings that are more than 50 years old due to safety concerns. To address this, Angara revealed that DepEd plans to condemn school buildings that are more than 50 years old due to safety concerns. The expectation is about 20 to 25 years, but it is over 50 years because the school buildings were built in the 1970s,” he said. DepEd is currently considering setting a cost limit of a little over P3 million per classroom, noting that construction costs vary depending on location and logistics.

Marcos Jr. expected to sign 2026 budget in JanuaryMANILA, Philippines — There will be no fresh national budget in the first few days of 2026 as President Marcos is expected to sign the proposed P6.793-trillion outlay for next year in the first week of January, possibly on Jan. 5. “It will be better for everyone that Malacañang review the budget carefully,” the executive secretary said. Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto the national budget after its submission. Meanwhile, Gatchalian on Monday urged continued public and institutional vigilance over government projects, stressing that efforts to curb corruption should extend beyond the approval of the national budget and into its actual implementation. “We have reconciled the numbers, but vigilance must continue from budgeting to implementation if we are to purge corruption from the bureaucracy,” he said following the approval of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget.

DepEd: Removal of Grades 11 to 12 fake news“There is no truth to the post online about the removal of Grades 11 and 12 for school year 2026-2027,” the DepEd said on Facebook. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has denounced misinformation circulating on social media that Grades 11 and 12 will be scrapped in June next year. “There is no truth to the post online about the removal of Grades 11 and 12 for school year 2026-2027,” the DepEd said on Facebook. “Do not follow pages that share false information and report these immediately,” the DepEd said. The DepEd asked the public to refer to its official social media accounts for announcements and information regarding basic education.

Wage hike for Metro Manila domestic workers setInterested groups are invited to attend the hearing on Jan. 12, 2026 at the Philippine Trade Training Center Building in Pasay City, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board said. MANILA, Philippines — Domestic workers in Metro Manila are expected to receive a higher pay next year after the wage board set a hearing for their minimum wage determination. Domestic workers in Metro Manila currently receive a monthly salary of P7,000. The last minimum wage order for domestic workers in the National Capital Region took effect on Jan. 4. Minimum wage earners and domestic workers in the Ilocos Region, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas have received a salary increase.

‘No government execs spotted leaving PhilippinesLast year, airport personnel observed some politicians and their families spending the holidays in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the United States. MANILA, Philippines — No government officials have been spotted leaving the country from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to NAIA personnel. Last year, airport personnel observed some politicians and their families spending the holidays in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the United States. Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said some BI personnel joined the gathering virtually, showing unity and commitment to public service. The President has promised to put in prison before Christmas persons involved in anomalous flood control deals.

Share God’s blessings on Christmas – VP SaraMANILA, Philippines — Christmas can only be meaningful if God’s blessings are shared with others, especially with those struggling in life, who are sick, orphaned and homeless or are victims of disasters and violence, or are suffering from neglect, Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday. She asked Filipinos to love the country, “for God, and for every Filipino family.”“From the bottom of my heart, Merry Christmas to you all,” the Vice President said. Her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, has his own Christmas wish, relayed through the Vice President’s half-sister Veronica or Kitty. Kitty said her father revealed to her his Christmas “prayer” when she visited him recently in detention. “He didn’t give a direct message, but he did include everyone in his prayer,” Kitty said.

CBCP: Don’t lose hope, be united“Christmas is the feast of fulfillment. The birth of Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of God’s promise,” he said. The birth of Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of God’s promise,” he said. “The celebration of Christmas is to be united and be one with God. A hope that is found in Christ, who was born in Bethlehem to bring light into our darkness.”“Christmas is a pilgrimage of hope.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines brought the realities of the South China Sea (SCS) to Central Europe in a forum to explain why a maritime dispute thousands of miles away poses a direct threat to economic stability of the Czech Republic. Philippine Ambassador to Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez highlighted the Philippines’ 2016 legal victory against China. And if conflict blocks these shipping lanes, the supply of critical goods – like the semiconductors needed for the Czech automotive industry – could be cut off. David Gardas, an analyst from the Prague-based think tank Project Sinopsis, agreed and explained that this is not just an Asian problem. The presentations and open discussion underscored strong parallels between the Philippines’ principled legal position under UNCLOS and the commitment of the Czech Republic and other like-minded partners to international law.