PCG officer shot dead in SibugayGlennick Ytang (in picture), the station commander of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Zamboanga Sibugay, was gunned down, Jan. 15, 2026. ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was killed in an attack by an unidentified assailant in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay on Thursday night. Lt./JG Glennick Ytang, chief of the PCG station in Ipil had just stepped out of a coffee shop and was walking toward his car in Barangay Veterans Village when the assailant shot him several times. The PCG condoled with the family of Ytang and thanked him for his service. The PCG said it is coordinating with the police for a thorough investigation into the incident and speedy delivery of justice.

Davao water utility seeking rate hikeMANILA, Philippines — The Davao City Water District (DCWD) is seeking another increase of up to 30 percent in the water charges to sustain the city’s projected water demand in the next five to 10 years. Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod, spokesperson for the DCWD, said the utility has asked the Local Water Utilities Administration for an adjustment and has complied with the requirements including the conduct of a public hearing. Although the city’s water supply is sufficient for the current demand, the rate adjustment is intended to adequately provide for the city’s anticipated growth. “Davao City is enjoying a climate-resilient water service, with abundant available water supply from both ground and surface water sources,” Duhaylungsod said. However, she said there is a need to develop new sources to meet projected demand.

Open for business, closed to mediaThis one is for Ripley’s Believe It or Not. I texted the above to Finance Secretary Frederick Go, a former business reporter in his teenage days, and a property mogul by the time he joined the BBM government. Like during the post-forum presscon, a newsman wondered why achieving a five percent GDP growth rate is very good, given global standards. The World Bank’s January 2026 World Economic Forecasts reports East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) possibly posted 4.6 percent economic or GDP growth in 2025. Says DOF Secretary Go, the chief of BBM’s economic team: “We will host leaders, ministers, CEOs, investors, innovators, and media from across the region and beyond.

Chinese embassy complains of PCG ‘smear’ campaignThe embassy said it has lodged complaints before the Office of the President and other government agencies over “publicly posted images on social media attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese embassy in Manila, after trading accusations and arguments with the spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard on social media over the past weeks, is now accusing PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela of smearing China. The embassy said it has lodged complaints before the Office of the President and other government agencies over “publicly posted images on social media attacking and smearing Chinese leaders.”“This constitutes a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation, which has crossed the red line. China expresses strong indignation and strongly deplores this, and has lodged solemn representations with the Malacañang Palace, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Coast Guard,” its statement read. “By pressuring our own government over my personal and professional expressions as the PCG spox on the WPS, the Chinese Embassy is engaging in precisely the interference it is obliged to avoid. This is not legitimate diplomacy; it is an effort to intimidate and suppress truthful reporting on matters of Philippine sovereignty,” Tarriela declared in his statement.

Another arrest warrant out vs Atong Ang, 20 othersCharlie ‘Atong’ Ang, accompanied by his legal team, arrives at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office on July 23 this year to file criminal charges against whistleblower Julie Patidongan and Alan Bantiles for allegedly making false accusations. MANILA, Philippines — Another arrest warrant has been issued against gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, and 20 other people, for a non-bailable case of kidnapping with homicide in connection with the disappearance of over 100 cockfight aficionados or sabungeros. All 17 of Ang’s co-accused in the cases before the Santa Cruz RTC were already arrested as of Wednesday. As of yesterday, only the RTC of San Pablo has yet to issue any arrest order against the accused. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the agency is offering a P10-million reward to anyone who can offer information that can lead to Ang’s arrest.

DOE to blacklist failed RE contractorsSpeaking on One News’ “Storycon” last Thursday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the move aims to block “flippers” or investors who secure contracts just to sell them quickly for a profit. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is moving to tighten renewable power contract rules and bar noncompliant firms following the termination of 163 deals, including those linked to Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste. The DOE chief also flagged the risk of a power shortfall this summer as a result of the projects failing to deliver on their commitments. Given this, the DOE is pursuing penalties and considering filing civil, criminal or administrative cases against the developers behind the terminated contracts. Garin, however, said the crackdown on idle projects began as early as 2024, when the DOE had already terminated 15 of SPPPHI’s contracts.

Stocks tumble as investors cash inThe bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 0.35 percent or 22.86 points to close the week at 6,464.67. MANILA, Philippines — Local stocks tumbled as investors pocketed gains following a sharp increase the previous day. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 0.35 percent or 22.86 points to close the week at 6,464.67. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Thursday that cash remittances posted a 3.6-percent increase to $2.91 billion in November from $2.81 billion in the same month in 2024. Trading stayed active as total value turnover reached P7.25 billion, almost unchanged from the previous day’s P7.30 billion.

RFM eyes sustained sales, profit growth this year“We remain optimistic about sustaining sales and income growth in 2026, driven by new products, resilient consumer demand, easing inflation and stable commodity prices,” RFM president and CEO Joey Concepcion said. MANILA, Philippines — Food and beverage company RFM Corp. anticipates sustained sales and income growth this year, with its brands and institutional segments, including ice cream, expected to continue performing strongly. “We remain optimistic about sustaining sales and income growth in 2026, driven by new products, resilient consumer demand, easing inflation and stable commodity prices,” RFM president and CEO Joey Concepcion said. He said that aside from new investments in ice cream, RFM is also allocating funds for production upgrades in Selecta Milk to enhance efficiency and yield. It also operates a joint venture in the country’s leading ice cream business selling Selecta, Magnum and Cornetto ice cream.

Del Monte Foods selects bidders for asset sale transactionsDel Monte Foods said it has negotiated asset purchase agreements with three parties for substantially all of its assets and business operations as going-concern businesses. MANILA, Philippines — Del Monte Foods Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Singapore and Philippine-listed Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL), has chosen three bidders for the sale of business assets in its court-supervised auction process. Del Monte Foods said it has negotiated asset purchase agreements with three parties for substantially all of its assets and business operations as going-concern businesses. “This outcome represents a successful result in our sale process and demonstrates the enduring value of Del Monte Foods’ brands and operations. The sale transactions are subject to the approval of the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey and customary closing conditions.

Cargo traffic up 7% in 2025Records from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) showed that the country’s cargo traffic climbed to 308.5 million metric tons (MT) last year, overcoming earlier risks from global instability. Records from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) showed that the country’s cargo traffic climbed to 308.5 million metric tons (MT) last year, overcoming earlier risks from global instability. Domestic cargo throughput jumped by nine percent to 114.09 million MT last year from 104.83 million MT in 2024, as industries bought more raw materials that required shipping services. Foreign cargo traffic went up by five percent to 194.41 million MT from 184.58 million MT, weathering the storm that is higher US tariffs. Further, roll-on, roll-off (Roro) traffic ballooned by 13 percent to 12.81 million vehicles in 2025, as travelers depended on Roro ships to transfer goods around the archipelago.

DOF highlights CARS funding fix, reformsFinance Secretary Frederick Go (center) is flanked by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez during the press briefing for ‘Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026’ held at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig yesterday. “After the much chatter on the vetoed funding of the CARS program, the government finalized a funding solution for the CARS program, and therefore, car manufacturers enrolled in the program can now be assured that the government will fulfill its commitment to investors,” Go said. “All the private sector stakeholders always stress three things: the ease of doing business, the cost of doing business and predictability of doing business,” he said. The CARS program was introduced in 2015 to provide time-limited, performance-based fiscal incentives aimed at drawing strategic investments into the local production of motor vehicles and automotive components. Beyond the CARS program, Go outlined several reforms aimed at cutting red tape and lowering compliance costs.

AppleOne bolsters governance with key appointmentsMANILA, Philippines — The AppleOne Group, a Cebu-based property developer and diversified business group, is strengthening its governance, accountability and financial discipline as the company enters its next phase of expansion. “Our vision is to build an institution that will last for generations,” AppleOne chairman Ray Go Manigsaca said. To support AppleOne’s next phase of growth, the company has strengthened its corporate governance with the appointment of three independent directors to its board who are bringing deep expertise in banking, capital markets and corporate governance. “An empowered and independent board allows us to uphold strong governance, maintain a disciplined balance sheet and support sustainable growth that stands on its own,” Manigsaca said. “I am glad to have been invited to be an independent director of the AppleOne Group, which I readily accepted.

Globe taps Starlink for nationwide coverageGlobe yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement with Starlink for the deployment of the trailblazing direct-to-cell (DTC) service in the Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom Inc. has partnered with Elon Musk’s Starlink to become the country’s first telco to reach 100-percent coverage by subscribing to a satellite service that can beam internet to any capable phone. Globe yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement with Starlink for the deployment of the trailblazing direct-to-cell (DTC) service in the Philippines. With its subscription to Starlink’s DTC, Globe will become capable of providing internet access to the remaining three percent of the population where cell signals are limited. Globe turned the Philippines into Southeast Asia’s first country and only the second in Asia with access to Starlink’s DTC.

Marcos opens P3.93 billion sewage treatment plantPresident Marcos leads the inauguration of the Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant in Mandaluyong City yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos led yesterday the inauguration of a P3.93-billion mega sewage treatment plant in Mandaluyong City that has an initial capacity to treat 60 million liters of wastewater daily. The Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will treat domestic wastewater from a catchment area of approximately 2,115 hectares, covering portions of Mandaluyong, San Juan and Quezon City. Wastewater collected through a 53-kilometer combined sewer-drainage system will undergo full treatment before being discharged into the Pasig River. As part of his administration’s push to strengthen water and sanitation infrastructure in Metro Manila and nearby areas, Marcos said five more wastewater treatment plants are currently under construction.

Outgoing US envoy says ‘Kumukutikutitap’ stays in her heartMANILA, Philippines — Outgoing United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson is leaving her post in Manila with “Kumukutikutitap,” written by a national artist, as the song that will stay in her heart along with all the memories she has of the Filipino people. “So, what’s my song? Carlson noted that serving as the US ambassador to the Philippines “has been an honor – the highlight of my 40-year career. Thankfully, I quickly learned that renowned Filipino hospitality extends to being very forgiving of one’s vocal range,” Carlson said. “It’s not about how well you sing; it’s about the shared experience that helps build meaningful relationships.