For Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), that consistency has once again been recognized, as it was named the Strongest Bank in the Philippines for 2025 by The Asian Banker. The annual Strongest Bank Rankings by The Asian Banker evaluate the world’s 1,000 largest banks based on balance sheet strength and financial performance. Institutions are assessed across six core criteria (ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality, and liquidity) covering 14 detailed performance indicators that reflect long-term resilience rather than short-term gains. Emerging as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines during that period set the tone for the years that followed. Strong financial fundamentalsMetrobank’s recent financial performance underscores this recognition.

Jonvic: Presidential bid possibleMANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday he may seek the presidency in 2028. It can be Senator Chiz (Escudero), but it has to be one-on-one,” Remulla said. “I think it should be a dichotomy – the Philippines will have to choose between one version of how to govern and one version of the truth,” he said. “The Philippines has to choose a common future that they think is believable. Remulla said his bid for president should be approved by his wife.

Recto, former PhilHealth boss face plunder rapsMANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. are facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman over the transfer of P60 billion in “excess” PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. The advocacy group said Recto and Ledesma must also be held administratively liable for grave misconduct. The complainants specifically wanted Recto to be held liable for his issuance of Department of Finance (DOF) Circular No. 003-2024 during his term as finance secretary, which included P89 billion in reserve funds of PhilHealth as among the reserve funds of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) ordered transferred to the national treasury. The complainants said Ledesma must be held liable with Recto as he acquiesced to the lattter’s “unlawful directive.” — Helen Flores

The staggering amounts looted from public works projects were made possible by a sophisticated conspiracy involving contractors, bureaucrats and politicians. To date, an executive secretary, a budget secretary and the previous public works secretary have resigned. She is neighbors with Martin Romualdez, Zaldy Co, Edwin Gardiola and others whose names have been associated with the public works scandal. The Cabral files is one important tactical issue. Cabral’s death was untimely – but also too convenient.

PEZA, Polish agency to boost trade, investmentsIn a statement yesterday, the investment promotion agency said that PEZA director general Tereso Panga and PAIH head Bartek Wasiewski signed two memoranda of understanding (MOU) on Dec. 11. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has partnered with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) to promote greater trade and investments between the two countries. Under the first MOU, PAIH was designated as PEZA’s official investment promotion partner to help expand bilateral trade and investment flows. Another MOU was also signed by PEZA and PAIH, representing Polish shipbuilder JPP Marine. As of Dec. 12, investments approved by PEZA reached P237.1 billion, exceeding last year’s total of P214.18 billion.

Christmas 2025Eerily, the holiday season this year reminds me of the uncertainty, anxiety and quiet grief of 2020, that year when the tumultuous pandemic era hit us like a thief in the night. “There were people who were with us last Christmas and are no longer with us this Christmas. And there are people who are with us this Christmas who may no longer be with us next Christmas. So why don’t we make it the best Christmas ever, with God, with our loved ones, with our people, with ourselves?” he said in his latest newspaper column. We can accept that Christmas is not always about joy unburdened, but about love that persists despite everything.

Bargain hunting propels PSEi above 6,000The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) soared by 2.03 percent or 120.39 points to close the session at 6,041.26. MANILA, Philippines — Stocks rallied as investors took advantage of lower prices following the market’s recent slump. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) soared by 2.03 percent or 120.39 points to close the session at 6,041.26. The market’s strong performance to open the shortened trading week was attributed primarily to bargain-hunting activities. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi gained and completely erased the previous day’s 1.8-percent decline.

On patrol off Zambales, BRP Jacinto test-fires 76mm gunThe Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) is seen here preparing to test fire its 76mm Oto Melara gun off the waters of Los Frailes Island, Zambales, on Dec. 18, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) conducted a maritime patrol off Zambales last week and test-fired its 76mm Italian-made gun. “The conduct of test fire is to ensure the operability, accuracy and effective operation of the 76MM Oto Melara Gun as well as to amplify the operator’s skill proficiency,” it said. The Northern Luzon Naval Command, through Emilio Jacinto, continues to monitor the area and ensure the safety of Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In Palawan, the Western Naval Command welcomed returning troops and mission team from the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

We are under-performing by choiceAcross our region, economic competition is intensifying, and we keep on falling behind. In the Association of Southeast Asian region, Vietnam is now fast becoming the destination of choice as a manufacturing hub for global supply chains. Other ASEAN countries have already aligned education, training and industrial policies. Competitiveness is a choice. First, we must invest in strategic infrastructure that is clearly defined.

Fellowship in JesusEncourage one another and build each other up. Fellowship is a key component of the Christlike life. As people dedicated to living for Jesus, we prepare ourselves for faithfulness and service as we “encourage the disheartened” and are “patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Living that way, as He helps us, allows us to enjoy true fellowship and “to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (v. 15). How can you help others experience fellowship in Christ?

Number coding lifted for 8 daysThe number coding scheme will be suspended from Dec. 23 to 25 and from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The number coding scheme will be suspended for eight days during the Christmas and New Year break, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday. The number coding scheme will be suspended from Dec. 23 to 25 and from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, 2026. The unified vehicular volume reduction policy is automatically lifted during regular and non-special working holidays. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon assured motorists of minimal disruption in vehicular traffic while EDSA is being repaired.

STAR travel writer launches book of dream holidaysMANILA, Philippines — “My love for travel began long before I knew it was a calling.”Thus said Christine Dayrit, resident travel writer of The Philippine STAR for 25 years now, at the recent launch of her book “60 Dream Holidays Around the World” in Makati. The 60 stories featured in the 464-page book are reprinted from her column articles in The STAR. Six continents that have shaped my heart, my craft and my courage – each one a chapter, each one a lesson. With ‘60 Dream Holidays Around the World,’ Christine, no doubt, will be the envy of all the travel writers in the country,” said Belmonte. That innate wonder in her became Christine’s compass to discover the world – including those featured in the “60 Dream Holidays Around the World.”

AboitizPower boosts growth prospects with CBK hydro dealThis follows the recent signing of an asset purchase agreement between Aboitiz-led Thunder Consortium and state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for the CBK sale. MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Power Corp. is gearing up for stronger growth following the completion of a P36.27-billion acquisition of the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydro complex in Laguna. This follows the recent signing of an asset purchase agreement between Aboitiz-led Thunder Consortium and state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for the CBK sale. AboitizPower intends to continue to use the asset for the same purpose,” AboitizPower said in a regulatory filing yesterday. PSALM president and CEO Dennis Edward dela Serna said the closing of the CBK sale reflects investors’ confidence in the country’s power sector and the government’s reform agenda.

AGI raises P1.1 billion from warrants saleAGI president and CEO Kevin Tan said the company’s warrants offering is a powerful statement of confidence, not just in the future and the enduring vision of AGI’s businesses, but also in the strength of the Philippine capital markets. MANILA, Philippines — Conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), led by tycoon Andrew Tan, is further expanding its integrated resort developments after successfully raising P1.1 billion from the sale of warrants. This will help provide us with the flexibility to strengthen our leadership in each of our core businesses,” Tan said during a ceremonial bell ringing for the warrants listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) yesterday. The offer was completed on Dec. 11, wherein a total of 2.2 billion issued and outstanding warrants were sold to individual and institutional/corporate investors. PSE president and CEO Ramon Monzon welcomed AGI’s successful warrants offering, which he said clearly demonstrates the strong confidence of the company’s shareholders in its growth potential.

Sara: Madriaga’s accusations ‘nothing but noise’Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberation on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP's) proposed 2026 budget on September 16, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday dismissed accusations made by Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be her bagman, saying these were “nothing more than noise” meant to undermine her possible bid for the presidency in the 2028 elections. Bare allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, amount to nothing more than noise,” Duterte said in a statement. The Vice President said the former military agent is facing serious criminal charges and has a prior criminal record, suggesting his allegations may be a desperate attempt to secure his release from detention. The law firm maintained that the video clearly shows Madriaga’s role in Duterte’s campaign reception and said this should be considered in assessing his claims.