Singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo is clapping back against those who have been shaming him online following his performance at the UST Paskuhan 2025 last Dec. 19. Some social media users, however, mocked his appearance and claimed that he had an unpleasant odor. I also worked backstage nung paskuhan and let me tell you, si Zack ang pinakamabango," one user said. Lahat tayo tumatae, lahat tayo pinagpapawisan, lahat tayo nagkakamali sa buhay. Tabudlo started his music career when he competed on the first season of The Voice Kids under Bamboo Mañalac's mentorship.

Russell Brand is facing two new cases for rape and sexual assault, according to the Metropolitan Police. The cases allegedly happened back in 2009. These come after Brand was previously slapped with five offenses in April earlier this year: two counts of rape, one of indecent assault, and two of sexual assault. Another incident purported that the actor kissed and groped a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005, while the remaining cases allege that he committed oral rape and sexual assault against a woman in 2004. Brand became known internationally as the husband of pop star Katy Perry after forging a career in Britain with risque comedy routines.

What to know about SEC’s new beneficial ownership rulesMANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has issued a regulatory framework to improve the accuracy and timeliness of corporate beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures. “Strengthening transparency in beneficial ownership is a key regulatory reform to reduce the risk of corporate entities being misused for illicit activities,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said. The rules mandate a 20% reporting threshold for beneficial ownership, anchored in regulations issued by the Anti-Money Laundering Council. They also strengthen disclosure requirements by mandating nominee reporting and requiring timely notification of changes in beneficial ownership, according to the SEC. According to the SEC, the two corporations failed to disclose that Sarah Discaya was their beneficial owner, which violated SEC rules.

Johnson, Castle take charge as Spurs silence ThunderLOS ANGELES, United States — Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle combined for 49 points as the San Antonio Spurs produced a second-half scoring blitz to rout the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 130-110, on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time). Starting shooting guard Castle finished with 24 points, including four 3-pointers but the key contribution came from Johnson, who added 25 off the bench including five threes. The Thunder fell to 26-4 after the loss, while the Spurs improved to 22-7 to stay in second place in the West. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama finished with 12 points while reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder scoring with 33 points. Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who scored 47 points in Sunday's win over Miami, missed the game with a right ankle problem.

Probe Bicol Saro insertions – LevisteRep. 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. In his resolution, Leviste is also seeking a probe on insertions in the 2025 budget made by Bicol Saro party-list. He called on Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon to resign as chairman of the Housecommittee on public accounts to ensure a fair investigation. Leviste alleged that Cabral’s files show that Bicol Saro party-list proposed P150 million in road projects in the 2025 DPWH budget, later awarded to Bicol Goldrock for P73.5 million, or two percent below the approved budget. Ridon shouldn’t hide Bicol Saro Party-list’s insertions, whether for 2025 or 2026, if his party-list truly has no relationship with the Ibasco family, who own Bicol Goldrock and won the projects they proposed.

‘VP visited Teves, not Madriaga’Vice President Sara Duterte faces the media at the headquarters of the Office of the Vice President, hours after holding a thanksgiving lunch with them, Dec. 11, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte visited former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. in October at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. Lawyers of Duterte’s former aide Ramil Madriaga, however, maintained that the Vice President visited him twice. Joyce” allegedly linked to the Vice President had also visited Madriaga, they noted. It actually supports that Vice President Sara visited the jail,” they said.

Reenacted budget looms as review setRecto: Marcos mobilizes review teamsMANILA, Philippines — A week-long reenactment of the 2025 national budget won’t affect government operations, Malacañang said yesterday, as it emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining the P6.793-trillion proposed outlay for next year. President Marcos has decided to skip Christmas break so he can review the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, Malacañang said yesterday. On Monday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III raised the possibility of this year’s national budget being reenacted in the first week of January. The national budget for the preceding year is automatically reenacted if a new appropriations law is not enacted. The P6.793-trillion proposed national budget for next year was subjected to intense scrutiny as the government faced mounting calls to punish those involved in the multibillion-peso flood control mess.

No holiday visits for DuterteMANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte will be spending Christmas and New Year without his family, following International Criminal Court (ICC) rules barring visitation during the holidays. Also, obviously, his foreign supporters,” Kitty said. Kitty arrived in The Hague on Dec. 19. “I think (the visit) today was better, also longer since I arrived before the time started. According to Kitty, her father is OK as they ended the visit with a prayer.

The toxicology report revealed the presence of the antidepressant medication Citalopram, as per an ABS-CBN News report. Maria Catalina Cabral tested positive for an antidepressant drug, according to the Philippine National Police. An earlier autopsy report detailed that Cabral had died of "blunt traumatic injury consistent with a fall." Cabral died after she allegedly fell from a ravine along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, on Dec. 18. Roberto Bernardo alleged that Cabral is involved in kickbacks that benefited several public officials.

Chinese fugitive deportedChinese authorities took custody of Shi, 40, upon his arrival in Jinjiang on a Xiamen Air flight, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday deported Chinese fugitive Shi Chunfang, who is wanted in China for kidnapping. Chinese authorities took custody of Shi, 40, upon his arrival in Jinjiang on a Xiamen Air flight, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said yesterday. Arrested on Dec. 14 in Taytay, Rizal, Shi faced an arrest warrant issued in 2024 by the Jinjiang public security bureau. Shi headed a shabu laboratory in Rizal, Viado said.

Spending Christmas with the farmers in LanginI gave my children and grandchildren a choice between spending Christmas in the U.S. or celebrating the birth of Jesus in the far-flung mountain village in Langin, Ronda, Cebu. They all voted to enjoy Christmas with the farmers in Langin. Langin is a small village with less than 2,000 people with houses far from each other. Langin was the land of my rebirth, where I really spent more than seven years of my youth. We also had a very memorable tree planting, whereby each of my seven grandchildren was tasked to plant 10 trees.

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DOH chief, 2 others face P98 million graft caseDepartment of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa answers questions from the media on May 22, 2024. The ombudsman has been asked to place Herbosa, acting DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo and director of the Health Promotion Bureau Ma. The respondents are facing charges for violating Republic Act 3019, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees as well as grave misconduct. The complainants alleged that the DOH officials financed the radio program using government funds. “The respondents did not merely approve a media program.

2 to 8 tropical cyclones likely in early 2026According to the forecast presented on Thursday by Ana Liza Solis during the 191st climate forum, tropical cyclone activity during the first half of 2026 is expected to be relatively low. Some areas may experience cooler-than-average conditions early in the year, followed by a gradual warming trend beginning in March. Rainfall forecasts indicate above-normal to near-normal rainfall in January across most regions, except in western Luzon, where below-normal rainfall is expected. May is expected to bring near-normal rainfall nationwide, while June will likely maintain near-normal conditions with some regional variations. It is expected to persist into early 2026, with a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions likely between January and March.

BOI approves P124.8 billion investmentsTotal investments for 2025 are expected to increase further as the BOI is still evaluating big-ticket projects. MANILA, Philippines — The Board of Investments (BOI) approved P124.81 billion worth of investments in mid-December, lifting the year-to-date tally to P977 billion. Total investments for 2025 are expected to increase further as the BOI is still evaluating big-ticket projects. In a statement yesterday, Trade Secretary and BOI chair Cristina Roque said the agency has approved 29 projects with a total investment value of P124.81 billion. In 2024, investments approved by the BOI hit an all-time high of P1.62 trillion.