Window dressing lifts PSEi ahead of Christmas breakThe bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched up by 0.01 percent or 0.65 points to end yesterday’s session at 6,041.91. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market posted a slight gain before the Christmas break amid some window dressing activities. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched up by 0.01 percent or 0.65 points to end yesterday’s session at 6,041.91. The broader All Shares index also posted slight gains, increasing by 0.04 percent or 1.23 points to close at 3,447.53. Ricafort, however, said that the market was in some holiday mode already in terms of reduced trading activities.

Promotion of 1,887 teachers awaits DBM approvalIn line with President Marcos’ commitment that no teacher should retire at the entry level, the agency said it has recommended the promotion of 1,887 retirable Teacher I positions to the DBM to accelerate career reform. MANILA, Philippines — The promotion of 1,887 retirable Teacher I positions is now pending approval by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed yesterday. In line with President Marcos’ commitment that no teacher should retire at the entry level, the agency said it has recommended the promotion of 1,887 retirable Teacher I positions to the DBM to accelerate career reform. Of this number, 16,025 teachers have received official appointment papers, while 39,296 reclassification applications remain under review, alongside the 1,887 pending cases involving retirable Teacher I positions. In line with the law, DepEd implemented the Expanded Career Progression system to address long-standing backlogs in teacher promotions.

Of Christmas pastAs we busily prepare for tonight, I am sure most of the adults are feeling harassed and stressed, especially if they are doing the hosting. In reality, Christmas is now mostly celebrated by nuclear families, comprising a mother and father and their children. More likely, the Christmas meals by most families would be store bought fried or roasted chicken, a bilao of pancit or spaghetti, perhaps orange is still in the budget, a cake and soft drinks. But take it from a Baby Boomer, embrace your family and the Christmas tradition, no matter how simple it may be, because they are still here. SMC said the toll waiver is intended to benefit motorists traveling late at night to reach their families during the holidays.

Palace: Deeper drug war probe warrantedMalacañang still needs to review the SC decision, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said. MANILA, Philippines — Calls for a deeper investigation into drug war killings are reinforced by the Supreme Court (SC)’s ruling affirming the conviction of three police officers for murdering 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, a Palace official said yesterday. Several House bills have been filed, seeking the creation of a truth commission to probe killings linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Facing life in prison, the three have been ordered to jointly pay Delos Santos’ family P275,000 in damages. Hontiveros said Delos Santos’ death, followed by the killing of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, showed systematic killings in the drug war.

Government sets P824 billion local borrowingIn an updated memorandum to all government security dealers, the BTr announced its plan to raise P824 billion through the issuance of short-term Treasury bills (T-bills) and long-term Treasury bonds (T-bonds) from January to March as part of its borrowing program. The government plans to auction P324 billion worth of T-bills in the first quarter of next year, set at P108 billion each month. The government plans to raise up to P160 billion in January, P200 billion in February and P140 billion in March. The Marcos administration’s first quarter borrowing plan is 88 percent higher than the P437 billion programmed for the last quarter of 2025. “Most of the national government’s borrowing mix will come from the local or domestic market to prevent foreign exchange risks, mainly through government securities,’’ he said.

Retail prices rise at faster pace in NovemberThe expansion in retail price index in Metro Manila was attributed mainly to the faster increase in food prices. MANILA, Philippines — Retail prices in Metro Manila picked up at a faster rate in November from the previous month due mainly to food price upticks. In November last year, the GRPI growth was also at 1.4 percent. The PSA said chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats, retained the previous month’s growth rate of 2.2 percent. From January to November, average GRPI growth stood at 1.1 percent.

NBA, FIBA explore European leagueThe two bodies said in a statement they would “in January move forward in their joint exploration” of creating a new professional league in Europe by “engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in the process to join.”MANILA, Philippines — The NBA and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced Monday they would begin prospecting teams and owners as part of their project of creating a pan-European men’s basketball league. The two bodies said in a statement they would “in January move forward in their joint exploration” of creating a new professional league in Europe by “engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in the process to join.”“Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision.

Marcos to Pinoys: Stay healthy, safe during the holidaysPresident Bongbong Marcos delivers a speech during the signing of the 2025 natinoal budget at Malacañang on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday reminded Filipinos to be mindful of their health and safety during the holiday season as he gamely answered funny questions from netizens. In a vlog posted on his official Facebook page, Marcos cautioned Filipinos against excessive eating during Christmas gatherings, citing reports of increasing heart attack cases during the season. On whether ninongs and ninangs can evade giving gifts to their godchildren, Marcos said the First Couple could not hide because they are easy to find. In concluding his vlog, Marcos wished Filipinos a happy and peaceful holiday with their families and friends.

Christmas past, present and futureAfter many years of preparing and celebrating Christmas “behind schedule.” I decided to put up the Christmas tree on the first week of December. The choice was to use the original-fake 10-ft Christmas tree we always used, or the “White Christmas tree” we bought when we forgot to take the “original” out of storage in our place in Lipa City. Well, this year, we once again forgot the original so the white one will serve “for just one more year.” I honestly think we also love the “mall bought” white Christmas tree but are just too embarrassed to admit it. Using several cans of spray paint, glitter and Christmas ornaments plus “snow in a can,” we actually had such a unique Christmas tree that I remember it to this day. Even the photos as well as the slides evoked memories, reminding me of familiar places, even scenes from my past life.

In their post , the group, comprised of board-certified dermatologists, listed their reviews of the top five skincare trends of 2025, including polydeoxyribonucleotide, azelaic acid, lymphatic face massage, red light masks, and Korean beauty products. This skincare brand helps you achieve that by restoring its natural barrierPolydeoxyribonucleotidePDRN garnered attention from skincare enthusiasts due to its apparent skin repair benefits. Lymphatic face massageAnother trendy skincare hack making rounds is lymphatic face massage. Vista said that lymphatic face massages are normally part of facial procedures when going to the spa. However, he noted that you have "many other options to consider instead of doing lymphatic face massage."

Remulla's claim comes after investigations into Co's still unfinished house revealed plans for an unusually large basement. Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co was allegedly in the process of building a five-story basement in his home in Forbes Park that was supposed to be used for storing large amounts of money, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. "Ang Forbes Park ay may floor to area ratio but the floor to area ratio only covers the vertical. Remulla said that they had gotten wind of the basement after reviewing Co’s applications with the Forbes Park village association and the Makati City government. The construction of Co's house is currently delayed due to the former lawmaker's recent controversies regarding the flood control scandal.

Cone rules out Gilas pool expansionMANILA, Philippines — As much as he wanted to after being impressed by a bevy of standouts in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Gilas Pilipinas “A” team head coach Tim Cone is not keen on expanding its training pool anytime soon. But for Cone, there’s a reason why he keeps his core small and intact given the tight schedule of the PBA and overseas leagues for FIBA tournaments. For Cone, having a big pool is only applicable with long preparation time like Gilas under coach Chot Reyes did in the 2023 FIBA World Cup hosting after being together for more than three months. And for Cone, that might be the pool for good as Gilas braces for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next February at home against Australia and New Zealand in Group A. SBP managed to form a still competitive and contender Gilas “B” team for SEAG.

BSP to launch new P10 coin for ASEAN 2026MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that it will officially launch a commemorative P10 ASEAN coin, as the country will assume the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. In a statement on Tuesday, December 23, the BSP said the new commemorative coin will be released nationwide starting January 2026. According to the BSP, the coin’s obverse side will retain the design of the currently circulating P10 coin from the “New Generation Currency coin series,” which features Apolinario Mabini. The reverse side of the coin will show the ASEAN 2026 logo, the BSP logo and a QR code. When scanned, the QR code will direct users to the BSP website, which links to the country’s ASEAN 2026 hosting page.

Marcos to spend holidays reviewing bicam-approved 2026 budgetPresident Bongbong Marcos delivers a speech during the signing of the 2025 natinoal budget at Malacañang on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — With only eight days left before the new year, will President Bongbong Marcos have enough time to scrutinize the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 national budget once it's ratified? In 2024, the 2025 national budget was ratified within hours since the bicam report was signed by the committee. With the public closely watching, the administration risks facing a court challenge if another budget marred by pork-like allocations and questionable insertions is passed. At the same time, if Marcos does not act on the budget before year-end, the government will have to operate under a reenacted budget until a new one is enacted.

Benguet top cop in charge of Cabral death probe goes on medical leavePhoto taken during the retrieval operation for the body of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina CabralBENGUET, Philippines — The Benguet police director in charge of the investigation into the mysterious death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral has taken a medical leave. Col. Ledon Monte took over as officer-in- charge (OIC) of the Benguet Police Provincial Office starting Dec. 22, 2025. Suerte’s supposed relief was reversed after he succeeded in convincing Cabral’s family to allow an autopsy of the late DPWH official. Meanwhile, Tuba police chief Major Peter Camsol was relieved on December 19, allegedly for lapses in the probe. Benguet police information officer Major Edwin Sergio said the change in leadership from Suerte to Monte is temporary, and the length of Suerte’s medical leave has not yet been announced.