Ex-Air Force general nabbed over sedition chargeMANILA, Philippines — Retired Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz was arrested over an inciting to sedition charge. The warrant for inciting to sedition under the Revised Penal Code was issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 on December 5. Poquiz is set to post bail on Monday, according to his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio. The charges against the retired Air Force general stemmed from his participation in the November 2025 rallies, where he urged the military to withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over corruption scandals. Poquiz also serves as the spokesperson for the United People’s Initiative, an organization composed of former military officers that has demanded the Marcos.

Dollar firms as traders look past Venezuela to flurry of US dataUS dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023.

MANILA, Philippines — One Filipino was injured in a New Year’s Eve fire that tore through a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, the Philippine Embassy in Bern has confirmed. The embassy said Monday, January 5, that it received information from Swiss authorities that a Filipino was hurt in the January 1 blaze at Le Constellation bar but declined to disclose details at the family’s request. At least 121 people were reportedly injured. “Our thoughts go out to the injured Filipino, whose recovery we are praying for,” the embassy said in a statement shared on Monday, January 5. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation against the bar’s two owner-managers on suspicion of homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.

Fuel prices slightly up, but US-Venezuela tensions threaten bigger hikesMANILA, Philippines — Fuel prices open 2026 with mixed adjustments, as diesel and kerosene prices slightly rise while gasoline becomes a bit cheaper starting Tuesday, January 6. Motorists can expect a P0.20-per-liter hike in diesel prices and a P0.10 increase in kerosene this week, while gasoline prices will be cut by P0.10 per liter. Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas said last week that the small movements in diesel and gasoline prices were due to increased refinery output following the completion of scheduled maintenance. In the final fuel price adjustment of 2025, diesel and kerosene increased by P0.60 per liter, while gasoline remained unchanged. The year closed with cumulative price hikes exceeding P20 per liter for gasoline and diesel, and nearly P6 per liter for kerosene.

Philippines stresses rules-based order as Trump threatens to 'run' VenezuelaMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines called for respect of international law and the rules-based order following a United States military strike on Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro. The Philippine statement invoked the same principles of rules-based order that Manila has championed in its ongoing territorial disputes with Beijing — principles the US has previously supported in the South China Sea. The department also reiterated its call for the concerned parties to adhere to international law and exercise restraint to prevent an escalation of conflict. The capture followed months of Trump administration pressure on Maduro's government over alleged drug trafficking and democratic backsliding. In November, the Trump administration designated Maduro as head of a foreign terrorist organization, citing alleged links to drug cartels.

BTS has released more details about their upcoming album and world tour. Their agency, BigHit Music, on Sunday evening revealed that the septet's fifth full-length album will have 14 tracks that express the group's "emotions and struggles" throughout their journey. "The new album holds special significance as it marks the first album released by the group in three years and nine months, while also indicating the direction the group will take going forward. BigHit added that the album features "honest stories" the group is eager to share with their fans. Last Jan. 1, Big Hit Music officially confirmed that BTS will return as a full group on March 20, releasing their first complete album in nearly four years.

Nineteen years after he mysteriously left the 2007 Oscars early, Eddie Murphy is finally clearing the air. At the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, Murphy attended as a Best Supporting Actor nominee, his first, for his role as James "Thunder" Early in the critically acclaimed musical Dreamgirls. Soon after Arkin's acceptance speech, Murphy left the venue for the night. The film was nominated in eight categories, including Murphy's best supporting actor. It won for best supporting actress for Jennifer Hudson, as well as best achievement in sound mixing.

Marcos signs P6.793 trillion budget for 2026MANILA, Philippines — Following the largest corruption scandal his administration has seen, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on Monday, January 5. In a budget signing ceremony at Malacañan Palace, Marcos acknowledged the systemic corruption that was uncovered in infrastructure corruption schemes in government. Marcos echoed earlier statements from Congress that the budget prioritized education, with P1.34 trillion allotted for the sector. The Philippine economy has taken a hit from the massive corruption scandal, with the national gross domestic product quickly declining. With the executive branch receiving the ratified budget a few days before 2025 ended, the government had to function on a reenacted budget for five days before the 2026 budget was signed.

Philippines stands its ground against a more assertive China in West Philippine SeaA China Coast Guard ship blasts a BFAR vessel with water cannon near Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea in May 2025. YearenderMANILA, Philippines — While China became bolder in its claims over the entire South China Sea to the point of hurting Filipino civilians, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remained firm in defending the country’s sovereign rights in the portion called West Philippine Sea. In the past year, not only did vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia swarm features in the West Philippine Sea, but also warships and aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Chinese research vessels. Aside from Chinese coast guard, military and militia ships, Chinese research vessels were also spotted intruding the West Philippine Sea, even sailing very close to the shores of Luzon and Batanes. Along with the presence of the Chinese research ships were found underwater drones suspected to have come from them.

Philippine lawmakers voice alarm over US capture of Venezuela's MaduroThis image posted on US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account on January 3, 2026, shows what President Trump says is Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro onboard the USS Iwo Jima after the US military captured him on January 3, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers and groups in the Philippines have condemned the attack by the United States on Venezuela for the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro. He was arrested on charges of narco-terrorism and the importation of drugs and weapons in the United States, according to US Attorney General Pamela Bondi. On the contrary, China's foreign ministry said that the United States should immediately release Venezuelan leader Maduro and his wife and resolve the situation in Venezuela through dialogue and negotiation. Maduro, who has been Venezuela’s president since 2013, has committed alleged atrocities during his tenure as president, according to a report by the United Nations.

Reporters asked to give up phones for budget coverageMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. MANILA, Philippines — Reporters covering the presidential signing of the 2026 General Appropriations Act were surprised after Malacañang required them to surrender their phones and laptops before entering the venue on Monday, January 1. On the morning of the event, reporters were informed that they would only be allowed entry if they surrendered their phones and laptops. As of writing, Malacañang has not allowed reporters to enter the venue unless they comply with the requirement to surrender their phones. Authorities have alleged that billions of pesos were siphoned off through kickback schemes embedded in public works allocations, placing the national budget under heightened public scrutiny.

Oil prices fall after US ousts Venezuela's MaduroSupporters of ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro take part in a demonstration outside the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Port of Spain on January 4, 2026, a day after he was captured in a US strike. TOKYO, Japan — Oil prices fell on Monday after a US military operation seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whose country has the world's biggest proven crude reserves. Increased volumes of Venezuelan oil entering the market would add to oversupply concerns and put further pressure on oil prices, which have fallen in recent months. But analysts say that alongside other major questions about Venezuela's future, substantially lifting its oil production will not be easy or quick. Investing today also holds little appeal: oil prices are weighed down by a supply glut and fell in 2025 despite significant growth headwinds like Trump's tariff war and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Lawmakers voice alarm over US capture of Venezuela's MaduroThis image posted on US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account on January 3, 2026, shows what President Trump says is Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro onboard the USS Iwo Jima after the US military captured him on January 3, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Some Philippine lawmakers and groups have condemned the attack by the United States on Venezuela for the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro. He was arrested on charges of narco-terrorism and the importation of drugs and weapons in the United States, according to US Attorney General Pamela Bondi. On the contrary, China's foreign ministry said that the United States should immediately release Venezuelan leader Maduro and his wife and resolve the situation in Venezuela through dialogue and negotiation. Maduro, who has been Venezuela’s president since 2013, has committed alleged atrocities during his tenure as president, according to a report by the United Nations.

This, he said, has taken out the true purpose of social media. Claudia Carbonell, 31, put it simply: "Social media feels less like a diary these days and more like a highlight reel. The psychology behind posting lessPsychology experts told L!fe that posting less on social media may show a thing or two about one's mental health. For psychiatrist Kathyrn Tan, the decrease in personal social media posts "likely reflects emotional fatigue and a stronger instinct for self-protection." Tan stressed that posting less on social media doesn’t necessarily signal withdrawal.

BBM’s litmus testsTwo things are seen as litmus tests of the sincerity and commitment of President Marcos to leave an anti-corruption legacy. There’s a bonus or allowance for the Holy Week/Easter break, and for Congress’ adjournment sine die in an election year. Tiangco stressed that “break bonuses” are actually released regularly, and the House leadership can be transparent about it. So far, Tiangco said he had not yet received the P2 million “Christmas bonus” or break bonus coinciding with the Christmas break. After overpromising on the big fish having a sad Christmas in jail, maybe he will surprise us with sweeping budget reforms.