Dollar reserves hit $110.9 billion in DecemberBased on preliminary data from the central bank, the latest forex buffer remained higher by 4.3 percent than the $106.26 billion in December 2024, marking its third straight year of increase. After hitting $110.12 billion in 2020, the buffer declined to $108.79 billion in 2021 and $96.15 billion in 2022, before picking up to $103.75 in 2023 and to $106.26 billion in 2024. On a monthly basis, dollar reserves slipped by 0.3 percent from the $111.25 billion in November 2025. Ricafort said the relatively high level of reserves is important amid bouts of volatility in the local foreign exchange market. The BSP expects the country’s dollar reserves to hit $106 billion this year.

SM Supermalls has broadened its presence in Philippine pickleball with a rapid build-out of courts and programming designed to reach citywide audiences. By the end of 2025 the company operated 61 pickleball courts across 25 SM properties, the largest single-corporate footprint reported in the country. That scale is changing where and how people access courts, coaching, and organized play. The SM Pickleball Super Series is one anchor event for players looking to move from recreational play into competitive formats. Verify schedules and booking procedures with your nearest SM Active Hub to find coached sessions, socials and court availability in your city.

If you were hooked on the heart-pounding action of Train to Busan, director Yeon Sang Ho is back to haunt your dreams with his latest zombie film, Colony. The story follows a biotechnology researcher (Jun Ji Hyun) who attends a conference and later gets trapped inside a building after a mysterious, mutating virus breaks out. Together with a group of survivors, including a security guard (Ji Chang Wook), they must fight their way through a sudden zombie apocalypse. In the movie, Ji Hyun and Chang Wook are joined by actors Koo Kyo Hwan, Shin Hyun Been, Kim Shin Rok, and Go Soo. Meanwhile, the 2016 hit Train to Busan, followed a group of passengers fighting to survive a zombie apocalypse aboard a high-speed train.

US, China can balance roles in Venezuela, US energy chief saysU.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and U.S. President Donald Trump look on during an event at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 6, 2025.

Electrocuted Chinese sailor diesZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — Police authorities confirmed that the injured Chinese ship crew member who was electrocuted while aboard their dry bulk carrier has died hours after undergoing treatment in a local hospital here. The other crew managed to quickly cut off the electric power connecting the dispenser, according to the police. Marcos gave the order after maritime security analyst Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, alleged that Kang Ling 539 was operating under six different flags including the Philippines, China, Sierra Leone, S?o Tomé and Principe, and Panama. Based on documents, the vessel “was previously a Chinese vessel and was converted into a Philippine-flagged vessel. It has all the pertinent documents of a Philippine-flagged vessel,” Encina said.

Early childhood education gets 2026 budget boost – EDCOM 2EDCOM 2 said at least P57.8 billion was allocated to the Local Government Support Fund, which includes funds to cover the conversion of day care centers to child development center standards by fourth and fifth class municipalities. MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) lauded the significant budgetary support for early childhood education under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The 2026 budget also includes significant investments in upskilling of incumbent child development workers through a P226.9 million scholarship program under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. EDCOM 2 added that the government has also increased the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplemental Feeding Program and the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program. An additional 1.18 million learners in Grades 2 to 6 who are classified as wasted or severely wasted will also receive meals for the same duration.

Marcos Jr. inaugurates P2.3 billion Cagayan bridgeMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday inaugurated the P2.3-billion Camalaniugan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, which cuts travel time between the towns of Aparri and Ballesteros from one hour to 20 minutes. The 2.16-kilometer, two-lane bridge will serve as an alternative route to the Magapit Suspension Bridge, previously the only bridge that crosses the Cagayan River. Last year, Marcos inspected the bridge project, which is expected to serve approximately 6,000 commuters. Marcos said the bridge would boost trade, agriculture, logistics and tourism in Cagayan Valley, with residents feeling the economic effects sooner. “This will serve as a model for other bridge projects that we will be seeing around the country,” Marcos said.

Philippines resumes importing rice; tariff still at 15%However, the tariff rate to be applied on imported rice will remain at 15 percent as the government has yet to formalize the implementation of a higher tariff rate of 20 percent. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines officially returned to the international rice market on Jan. 1 after lifting its four-month import ban on the commodity that began last September. However, the tariff rate to be applied on imported rice will remain at 15 percent as the government has yet to formalize the implementation of a higher tariff rate of 20 percent. This means that rice imports are expected to arrive by the end of February, according to agriculture officials. The DA is still managing the entry of rice imports in the market in its bid to protect local farmers’ prices.

SEC clears LUECO’s direct public offeringAccording to the commission, LUECO is the second issuer to successfully register under the streamlined guidelines on Securing and Expanding Capital for PowerGen Operators and Wholesale Electricity and Retail Services (SEC POWERS). MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the P251-million direct public offering of power firm La Union Electric Co. Inc. (LUECO). LUECO will offer to the public up to 352,950 common shares priced at P772 apiece. Based on the latest timetable submitted to the SEC, the direct public offering will run from Jan. 12 to 16, with the shares to be issued not later than Feb. 6. LUECO’s franchise area covers the city of San Fernando and municipalities of Bauang and San Juan in La Union.

PCC clears AP Møller entry into AC LogisticsMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved Danish infrastructure fund manager A.P. In a statement, the PCC said it cleared the sale of a 40-percent stake in AC Logistics Holdings Corp. to A.P. Meanwhile, AC Logistics, through subsidiary, Air 21 Holdings, operates several companies including LGC Logistics Inc., Cargohaus Inc., U?Freight Philippines Inc. and U?Ocean Inc., offering international and domestic freight forwarding, contract logistics and warehousing services. The PCC said the domestic and international freight forwarding markets remain highly fragmented, with customers tapping multiple service providers. The antitrust agency also found that the contract logistics market is competitive, while there are numerous global and regional carriers providing container liner shipping services.

Starry Lee elected president of Legislative Council in tight race against Ronick ChanRonick Chan and Starry Lee at the special forum before the voting.

‘Woman-in-box died from suffocation’LAGUNA , Philippines — The woman who was found in a plastic storage box that was dumped in a river in Basud, Camarines Norte had died from suffocation, police reported yesterday. Citing results of an autopsy conducted by the Bicol police forensics unit, Basud police chief Mark Anthony Armea said that the victim, identified as Anelis Agocoy, 37, died from lack of oxygen. The victim’s body bore no sign of injuries, and no stab or gunshot wound, probers said. Armea said probers would look thoroughly into how the victim died as her body bore no sign of struggle. He said police would determine whether the victim was still alive when the suspect placed her in the storage box, which may have caused her death.

ICC rejects Duterte's expert report bidA man holds a portrait of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Pre-trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have denied the request of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team for an additional expert report on his medical condition. In a five-page decision dated Jan. 7, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said the three-member expert panel was appointed for a “limited purpose” of assessing Duterte’s medical condition in relation to his fitness to take part in the pre-trial proceedings. “In these circumstances, the Chamber sees no reason to order the Panel to prepare any additional report that exceeds its mandate,” it added. Both the prosecution and the victims’ counsel have opposed the request for the expert report.

Marcos off to UAE on January 12MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will embark on a one-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates next week, Malacañang said yesterday. Marcos will depart on Jan. 12 to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing. The President’s visit is upon the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Marcos conducted a one-day working visit to the UAE in November 2024. Meanwhile, Marcos will not attend the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, according to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

Higher Meralco rates loom this monthMeralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said initial indications point to a potential “minimal movement” in electricity rates for January. MANILA, Philippines — Over eight million customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) may see higher power rates this month due to peso depreciation and a new pass-through charge supporting renewable energy. Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said initial indications point to a potential “minimal movement” in electricity rates for January. “We hope this will be mitigated or offset by lower WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) prices during the December supply month,” Zaldarriaga said. “We remain optimistic that the decrease in demand and consumption of customers will help manage the electricity bills this January,” Zaldarriaga said.