DOJ includes plunder case vs Zaldy Co in probeFormer congressman Zaldy Co breaks his silence in a video sent to media yesterday, alleging a presidential directive to insert P100 billion worth of projects into the 2025 national budget. MANILA, Philippines — A plunder complaint has been filed against fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co, a case now among those under preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said. Speaking to reporters on Monday, January 5, Martinez said one of the seven cases before the DOJ includes a plunder complaint against Co.“One pertains to plunder, which is against Ako-Bicol Representative Zaldy Co,” Martinez said. As a result, the prosecution panel gave Co until January 15 to submit his counter-affidavit. The anti-graft court also ordered the cancellation of Co’s passport, along with those of three other individuals linked to the flood control scandal.

DFA welcomes Australia confirmation that Bondi suspects didn't train in PhilippinesThis screen grab of UGC video taken on December 14, 2025 and received courtesy of Mike Ortiz shows beach-goers fleeing Bondi Beach after gunmen opened fire, in Sydney on December 14, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Australian authorities have found no evidence that the suspects in the December 14 Bondi Beach mass shooting incident received military-style training during their month-long stay in the Philippines. The latter shared mid-December that they found no indications that the father-and-son suspects received any training or prepared for the attack during their month-long stay in Davao City. Philippines rejects 'ISIS training hotspot' labelThis confirmation by Australia comes after the Philippine government strongly rejected foreign media reports characterizing the country as an "ISIS training hotspot" following the Bondi Beach attack. Año had pointed out that there have been "no recorded terrorist training activities" by ISIS-affiliated groups in recent years in the Philippines.

DPWH still gets second highest budget at P530.9 billionLaborers are seen working in a construction site along Road 10 in Navotas City on June 22, 2024. The DPWH budget, now to be overseen by 2024 midyear appointee Vince Dizon as secretary, is second only to the Department of Education, which was allocated P1.015 trillion, its largest budget to date. Data released by the Department of Budget and Management show the following agencies received the highest allocations for 2026:Department of Education — P1.015 trillion Department of Public Works and Highways — P530.9 billion Department of Health — P448.1 billion Department of the Interior and Local Government — P310.5 billion Department of National Defense — P310.0 billion Department of Agriculture — P297.1 billion Department of Social Welfare and Development — P270.2 billion Department of Transportation — P141.0 billion Department of Labor and Employment — P73.6 billion Judiciary — P70.6 billionUnder the executive branch's original proposal, DPWH sought P850 billion for 2026. The request was submitted before the exposure of the corruption scheme involving its flood control projects. Rolando Toledo, however, said some allocations for foreign-assisted flood control projects remain under DPWH, although the amounts have yet to be disclosed.

Emily Cooper will continue her journey, navigating life and romance in Paris. Netflix announced on Jan. 6 that the comedy-romance series is returning to Paris for another season. Plot details are still under wraps, but it will take off from Emily's (Lily Collins) trip back to Paris from Venice after her split from Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) from the previous season. After choosing her life back in Paris over a quiet life with Marcello in Italy, Emily is seemingly set to reunite with her ex Gabriel, who has invited her to join him on his boss' yacht. Meanwhile, Emily's best friend Mindy and Nicolas (Paul Forman) are officially engaged, yet Mindy is left reeling after Alfie (Lucien Laviscount), who has feelings for her, called her upcoming marriage a mistake.

With P150-B in unprogrammed funds intact, Supreme Court challenge loomsMANILA, Philippines — The controversial use of unprogrammed appropriations has been questioned for years, with critics likening it to discretionary funds or the government’s pork. He said such a petition would be filed if Marcos did not veto the entire P243-billion unprogrammed appropriations budget that was ratified by Congress. “We're actually preparing the petition before the Supreme Court,” Erice said over DZBB 594. That is what we will file with the Supreme Court,” he added in Filipino. President Bongbong Marcos, however, kept over P150.9 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, only vetoing P92.5 billion worth of line items.

Military remains loyal after Maduro ouster, Venezuelan exiles sayA Venezuelan journalist carries a national flag next to a military vehicle in Cucuta, Colombia, near the border with Venezuela.

‘GDP growth slows, misses 2025 target’Fair weather is seen at the Ortigas Business Center in Pasig City on November 5, 2025. While the country is likely to miss its 5.5 to 6.5 percent growth target for 2025, the Philippines remains one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, Balisacan said. If realized, a 4.8 to five percent growth for 2025 would also be lower than the 5.7 percent full-year growth posted in 2024. For 2027, he said the new growth target is from 5.5 to 6.5 percent, also lower than the previous six to seven percent growth goal. He said consumption, a key driver of economic growth, is expected to rebound this year supported by employment growth, remittances, low inflation and interest rates.

Road crashes overtook fireworks as top New Year risk, reaching 1,384 casesA multiple-vehicular accident happened at the intersection of United Nations Avenue and Taft Avenue on Dec. 9, 2024, leaving six people injured. MANILA, Philippines — Road crash injuries more than doubled during the recent New Year celebrations compared to 2025, reaching 1,384 cases as of Monday, January 5. Since December 21, 2025, the agency noted that 85% of cases involved motorists and passengers who did not wear helmets or seatbelts. Roughly 171 of the road crash injuries also involved riders who were under the influence of alcohol. The DOH reported that most road crash injuries occurred on New Year’s Eve, followed by December 22 and Christmas Day.

DepEd gets record P65B to build 25,000 classrooms. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education is getting a P65 billion budget this year for the construction of nearly 25,000 new classrooms, the most ambitious school building target the government has had since 2020. Broken down, P65 billion will be for new classrooms and P7.7 billion will go to repairs of existing school buildings, among others. DepEd estimates the backlog at 148,000 classrooms, a deficit that grows each year as student enrollment outpaces construction. Last year, the government aimed to build just 1,600 classrooms but managed to complete only 22 by October.

Marcos signs P6.79T budgetPRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday enacted the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2026 worth P6.793 trillion but vetoed nearly P92.5 billion in unprogrammed allocations to reinforce fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability. Corruption and its impact on public trust ranked as the top national concern, cited by 25 percent of respondents. PH hosts first-ever International Longboard Qualifiers in La UnionTHE Philippines welcomes the new year with a Longboard International Qualifying event—the La Union International Pro— set January 20 to 24 off Urbiztondo Beach. The target for 2028 — which will include the last six months of the Marcos administration — was kept at 6.0 percent to 7.0 percent. Today's editorial looks at the massive challenges for the Department of Education in 2026.

Marcos signs P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026President Marcos is joined by Cabinet members and lawmakers, led by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Senate President Tito Sotto and Speaker Faustino Dy III, after signing the 2026 national budget at Malacañang on January 5, 2026. Marcos vetoed P92.5 billion worth of unprogrammed appropriations, leaving P150.9 billion – a figure critics still deem too high. Unprogrammed fundsOnly three of the 10 items under unprogrammed appropriations were retained in the 2026 budget. Reform agendaMarcos said the 2026 budget is a vital component of the administration’s medium-term development plan and its sweeping reforms in politics and governance. For his part, Speaker Faustino Dy III commended the signing of the 2026 national budget, vowing to exercise the lower chamber’s congressional oversight mandate.

‘Higher agricultural budget to boost food security’This follows President Marcos’ signing yesterday of the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, with the agriculture sector receiving P297.102 billion. MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said yesterday that this year’s higher budget for the sector is expected to boost farm and fishery output and ensure the country’s long-term food security. This follows President Marcos’ signing yesterday of the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, with the agriculture sector receiving P297.102 billion. Tiu Laurel said the higher budget, especially for infrastructure, farming support and postharvest facilities, would improve productivity, cut losses and stabilize supply. “We’re happy that the budget has finally been released, but we still need to review what the final version entails,” Tiu Laurel said.

Philippines allies should help assert West Philippine Sea rights – surveyThis handout photo taken on March 23, 2024 and released by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (PCG/BFAR) on March 25, 2024 shows an aerial view of BRP Datu Pagbuaya as it sails from the Philippine-held Thitu Island sheltered port, in the Spratly Islands, in the disputed South China Sea. MANILA, Philippines — Most Filipinos want the Marcos administration to work with the United States and other like-minded international partners to assert national interests in the West Philippine Sea, a Pulse Asia survey found. “Filipinos know who is violating our rights, and they know who our friends are. “China’s actions reflect a clear pattern of behavior that puts their expansionist interests above our rights and regional stability. Pulse Asia’s fourth quarter survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent.

COA flags CHED’s P20 billion unliquidated education subsidy grantsThe photo of the Commission on Audit's office in Quezon CIty. MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over P20.171 billion in Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grants that remained unliquidated by various higher education institutions (HEIs) for several years. The audit breakdown showed that CHED regional office (RO) XII was responsible for the bulk of the unliquidated TES grants, amounting to P14.137 billion. COA said the grants remained unliquidated despite having been released to HEIs as early as Academic Year 2019-2020 up to 2023-2024. ROs VIII and III were likewise cited for unliquidated TES grants amounting to P162.287 million and P120.576 million, respectively.

Marcos tells politicians to stay out of 'ayuda' programsComposite: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addresses officials at the ceremonial signing of the national budget on Monday, Jan. 5, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 national budget into law, he declared that politicians would be barred from participating in the distribution of financial assistance, a move aimed at curbing patronage in welfare programs. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the executive branch will issue "guidelines” governing the disbursement of financial aid under the new provision. As an example, Recto said politicians would be disallowed from attending aid distribution events. Critics have said such programs have fostered dependence on politician-sponsors, with patients needing guarantee letters from politicians to secure hospital assistance.