BSP signals easing cycle nearing its endMANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) signaled that its monetary policy easing cycle is nearing its end as inflation remains subdued and within target, even as it acknowledged that the outlook for domestic growth has weakened further amid governance concerns and uncertainty over global trade policy. In a statement, the BSP said the inflation outlook remains benign and inflation expectations are well anchored. “On balance, the Monetary Board views the monetary policy easing cycle as nearing its end. On the policy outlook, Remolona said the BSP is already very close to where it wants to be in terms of the policy rate. This marked the latest move in the BSP’s easing cycle, which began in August 2025.

Just recently, China conducted military drills around Taiwan to highlight how easily and quickly it can seize control over the island nation if it wishes to do so. Rep. Leila de Lima had criticized the move of the US, warning that it was a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. The Philippines is already limping from a decline in foreign investments and foreign tourists. As a peaceful island nation, we hope that we can skillfully and peacefully co-exist in our global community. The government must truly clamp down on criminality and corruption, one of the political factors that is also destabilizing the current administration.

Urban expresswaysWhat impressed me during my holiday visit to Kuala Lumpur last week are the urban expressways. Filipino traffic expert Rene Santiago told me NLEX and SLEX were built before any of Malaysia’s expressways. Urban expressways around Kuala Lumpur have taken anywhere from two to 10+ years to complete, depending on complexity, phasing and right-of-way issues. This innovative approach helps both flood control and urban traffic flow in a built-up environment. The urban planning of KL must have considered the need to have enough green spaces that are free of any concrete development.

Rockwell eyes P10 billion in bond market returnRockwell yesterday said it has obtained the highest credit rating of PRS Aaa from the Philippine Rating Services Corp. for its planned P10-billion bond issuance. MANILA, Philippines — The Lopez family’s Rockwell Land Corp. is returning to the bond market to raise as much as P10 billion to fund its expansion pipeline, particularly in Metro Manila, Cebu and Pampanga. Rockwell yesterday said it has obtained the highest credit rating of PRS Aaa from the Philippine Rating Services Corp. for its planned P10-billion bond issuance. Obligations assigned with PRS Aaa means the issuer’s capacity to meet financial commitments is extremely strong. Rockwell landed the best credit rating of PRS Aaa for its established brand name and reputable management team.

My new year’s wish: For PBBM to do betterI wish I could say that 2026 brings hope and optimism for the country. In the middle of it all is President Marcos Junior and his style of leadership – one seemingly bereft of ambition (for the country) and urgency. What I wish is for him to do better. I would like Marcos Junior to address, once and for all, the cancers that have impeded national development for decades. There are signs that Marcos Junior may be pushing for consequential reforms.

Business group wants rules on aid distributionMANILA, Philippines — The Makati Business Club (MBC) is urging President Marcos to issue an executive order covering the rules and mechanisms for the disbursement of state financial aid and limiting confidential funds to promote transparency and accountability in the national budget. Marcos vetoed P92.5 billion worth of unprogrammed appropriations in this year’s budget, but retained P150.9 billion in unprogrammed allocations. At Monday’s budget signing ceremony, Marcos said the government will prohibit politicians from taking part in the distribution of any financial aid. Marcos said this would be strictly implemented as the government wants to ensure that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries without patronage. To further strengthen budget transparency, Ferrer expressed support for the proposed Citizens’ Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability or CADENA Act, which seeks to make public spending fully transparent, traceable and accountable.

‘No big fish jailed? Marcos’ term not yet over’MANILA, Philippines — What ever happened to President Marcos’ pronouncement that the big fish behind the flood control mess would not have a merry Christmas? “The ones who were jailed definitely did not have a merry Christmas. If people are waiting, the President is also waiting. They happened only during the administration of President Marcos,” she said.

Thousands expected at Nazarene’s pahalikDevotees line up to touch and wipe with their handkerchief or towel the feet of the Nazareno image during the first day of "Pahalik" at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on January 6, 2024MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of Catholic devotees are expected to gather at the Quirino Grandstand today for the traditional pahalik or kissing of the image of the Black Nazarene. But the number of people always reaches thousands,” Quiapo Church technical adviser Alex Irasga said yesterday. The pahalik will begin with a Eucharistic celebration at around 7 p.m.Organizers will stop the activity before the traslacion starts on Friday. PCG personnel to augment PNPThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy around 200 personnel to augment the security for the traslacion. In aiding the PNP, PCG personnel will “provide maritime safety and security assistance, particularly in the vicinity waters of Quirino Grandstand and Pasig River,” PCG spokesperson Capt.

So last Monday, they decided to “go public” as in go to a “public hospital,” namely the San Juan City Medical Center. As far as doctors are concerned, many physicians in private hospitals are also “consultants” in public hospitals. “Going public” does not mean getting a free ride or hospital stay, we all went in as “pay” patients. Our stays were no frills, not so private and just like private hospitals, patients smuggle fast food for lunch or dinner. All it takes to change mindsets or remove biases against public hospitals is for a few good men and women to set the example or be willing to do as they say.

Budget can withstand legal scrutiny – PalacePRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Monday, Jan. 5. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday expressed optimism that this year’s P6.793-trillion national budget would withstand legal scrutiny, after a lawmaker vowed to challenge the constitutionality of its unprogrammed appropriations. SafeguardsResponding to criticisms that the 2026 budget still contains “soft pork” funds, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian said adequate safeguards were put in place to deter corruption. We made sure this budget is corruption-free,” Gatchalian said at a press briefing in the Senate yesterday. Meanwhile, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos thanked President Marcos for the inclusion of nearly P255 million in the 2026 budget, which will support the city’s socialized housing program.

Kristen Stewart has expressed interest in returning to the Twilight universe, but this time, she wants to be in the director's chair. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the actress said that she is open to the idea of directing a remake of the hit vampire romance film series for a new audience. "I love what Catherine [Hardwicke] did, I love what Chris [Weitz] did, I love what all of the directors did with the movies," she said. "They were so themselves and weird and kind of like, squirrelly, and just so present in that time when they didn’t really know what they were yet, like before they blew up," she continued. She expressed interest in the possibility that the franchise would have a bigger budget than before.

Mayon Volcano now at Alert Level 3 amid rising lava, rockfall eventsMANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano’s heightened activity prompted state seismologists to raise its status to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, January 6, Phivolcs reported. On Monday, Mayon Volcano released pyroclastic density currents down the Bonga Gully at 12:26 p.m. after newly extruded lava collapsed at the summit. The latest escalation follows Phivolcs' decision to raise Mayon’s alert from Level 1 to Level 2 on January 1, after monitoring a growing number and volume of rockfall events. This compares with 599 rockfall events recorded over two months, from November to December 2025. The rockfall events reportedly lasted one to five minutes, transporting lava debris within a kilometer of the volcano’s southern upper slopes.

Vetoed items meant to pay back Mitsubishi, ToyotaComposite: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian takes answers from the media on January 6, 2026; Logos of carmarkers Mitsubishi and Toyota on buldings. MANILA, Philippines — Senate Finance panel chair Sherwin Gatchalian raised concerns over three items vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2026 national budget, particularly two programs intended to cover government obligations to international car manufacturers Toyota and Mitsubishi. RELATED: Vow of transparency: Which items did Marcos veto from the 2026 budget? Tax incentives, unpaid obligationsAt a press briefing on Tuesday, January 6, Gatchalian said Toyota and Mitsubishi were promised tax incentives under the CARS program to encourage investment in the Philippines. He said the administration may again have to rely on the contingent fund if existing line items prove insufficient to cover incoming projects.

Angara sets expectations: Not all 24,000 classrooms will be built in 2026MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara tempered expectations on Tuesday, January 6, over the government's classroom construction target for 2026, saying not all 24,964 classrooms with allocations in the national budget will be completed within the year. "We don't expect all of those 24,000 to be constructed in 365 days," Angara told reporters at a Malacañang press briefing. Perennial delays in classroom construction have made budget carryovers a regular feature of DepEd’s infrastructure program. But DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has told DepEd he wants to be conservative, eyeing just 2,000 classrooms instead, the DepEd secretary explained. "We still have to settle with Secretary Vince and DPWH how many of the 24,000 they can actually construct," Angara said.

Government cuts growth targets through 2028MANILA, Philippines — The government has revised its economic growth targets from 2026 through the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028, citing slower momentum following last year’s corruption scandal. The government had previously targeted gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6% to 8% annually from 2026 to 2028. Speaking at a press briefing shortly after the signing of the 2026 national budget, Balisacan said the budget could support GDP growth of 5% to 6% this year. He said growth is projected at 5.5% to 6% in 2027, with the government aiming for 6% to 7% growth in 2028. Focus on inclusive growthBalisacan also said the 2026 budget places greater emphasis on inclusive growth, rather than benefits concentrated among a limited segment of the population.