Leo Ku announces birth of second son with 57-year-old wife on New Year’s Day

2 Korean fugitives escape BI facilityViado said the BI has sought the help of other law enforcement agencies in tracking and arresting the two. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration launched a nationwide manhunt for two South Korean fugitives following their escape from the BI warden facility in Muntinlupa at noon on New Year’s Day. In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Lee Jingyu, 32, and Yang Heejun, 44, are both facing deportation cases and subjects of Interpol red notices. Viado said the BI has sought the help of other law enforcement agencies in tracking and arresting the two. The BI said Mongolian Battulga Ganbold was denied entry after records showed a standing warrant of arrest in South Korea for a drug-related offense.

Ping hopes Marcos Jr. won’t waver vs corruptionSenate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, leads the launch of the probe into extortion and other abuses at the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Amid perceptions that the anti-corruption crackdown is losing steam, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday urged President Marcos not to waver in the fight against graft. Lacson expressed hope that Marcos would not lose his momentum after his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) emark against the “shameless” perpetrators of flood control corruption. Lacson has claimed former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan and a former executive secretary had P30.5 billion and P8.3 billion in respective “allocables” in the 2025 national budget. Lacson said he is looking forward to continuing his Blue Ribbon probe this year with his fellow anti-corruption officials in government, fueled by public furor over rampant public works corruption.

EDITORIAL - Harboring fugitivesThere must be something in the country’s air that foreign fugitives and the criminally minded find so inviting. BI agents have also been rounding up and deporting Chinese nationals wanted in their country for various offenses. Local law enforcers seem to have a harder time catching Filipino fugitives. Fugitives can’t evade the law on their own. Along with an intensified manhunt, authorities must not hesitate to apply the law against those who harbor fugitives.

Weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowermentAre you looking for top-quality silk products that rival the finest in the world? This affirms the economic vitality of silk weaving as a women-led rural industry. Leadership in sericulture research and developmentI have urged SUCs to benchmark against DMMMSU before launching their own sericulture programs. Indeed, the Sericulture Research and Development Institute of DMMMSU is weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowerment that continues to shine – one silkworm, one cocoon, one thread at a time. A visit to the top public university in Northern Luzon – DMMMSU – is now a must to witness the weaving of a legacy of Filipino ingenuity.

Suspect killed in shootoutThe suspect, identified as Hammad Ansa, was cornered by pursuing police officers in Barangay Kilada. Cotabato grenade attackCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — One of two motorcycle-riding men who hurled a grenade at a group of revelers in Matalam, Cotabato on New Year’s Eve was killed in an alleged shootout with police on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Hammad Ansa, was cornered by pursuing police officers in Barangay Kilada. He urged residents to cooperate with the police in identifying and locating the remaining suspect. “We will not stop until the suspect is arrested and justice is delivered for the victims,” Nartatez said.

Woman killed, companion wounded in gun attackCAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A 42-year-old woman was killed while her companion was wounded in an attack by a lone assailant in Tiaong, Quezon on Thursday. The victim, identified only as Julie, died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred in Barangay Ayusan at around 4 p.m.Julie’s companion, Cess, 36, was rushed to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds in the legs. Reports said Julie had just arrived in front of the house of Cess in Sitio Usiw when the assailant approached the women and shot them multiple times. Probers have yet to determine the motive for the attack.

Voter registration resumesMANILA, Philippines — The nationwide voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections resumed yesterday, the Commission on Elections announced. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said registration would continue until May 18 at all of the poll body’s offices. Garcia said all 15-year-old Filipinos could register for the youth polls. Voters wanting a reactivation or transfer of their registration can also participate. The barangay and youth polls are scheduled for Nov. 2.

ICTSI takes control of South African portIn a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), ICTSI said it has opened 2026 on a high note, formally adding the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 to its portfolio. MANILA, Philippines — International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has taken over management of a South African terminal responsible for 46 percent of cargo traffic in the country. The turnover comes a month after ICTSI signed the 25-year agreement to take over DCT Pier 2. Currently, DCT Pier 2 handles more than 70 percent of cargo traffic in the Port of Durban, the largest port in South Africa. ICTSI is co-managing DCT Pier 2 with Transnet, which owns South African assets involved in the logistics industry, from ports and pipelines, to properties and railways.

Built to handle only 32 million passengers a year, NAIA was already operating beyond capacity. The GMR consortium proposed a share of 33.3 percent and the Manila International Airport Consortium, 25.91 percent. The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the consortium that includes SMC and Incheon International Airport Corp., officially took over the management and operation of NAIA, as well as the task of modernizing the 76-year-old gateway, on Sept. 14, 2024. It was recently reported that NAIA recorded its highest annual passenger traffic in 2025, reflecting sustained demand for air travel and increased airport activity. Yes, there was an increase in NAIA terminal fees beginning last September 2025, from P550 to P950 for international travel and from P200 to P390 for domestic flights.

Pinoys unhappy with programs vs inflation, corruptionResults of the Dec. 12 to 15 survey showed that the government’s approval ratings in 17 out of 18 issues provided to the respondents were all below 50 percent. MANILA, Philippines — A large majority of Filipinos disapprove of the way the Marcos administration handles select national issues, including controlling inflation and addressing graft and corruption, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed. Results of the Dec. 12 to 15 survey showed that the government’s approval ratings in 17 out of 18 issues provided to the respondents were all below 50 percent. Controlling inflation, fighting graft and corruption and reducing poverty are the topmost urgent concern of Filipinos, the survey showed. Pulse Asia’s fourth quarter survey showed that more Filipinos disapprove than approve of President Marcos (34 percent approve, 48 percent disapprove).

40 years laterThe new year marks the start of this writer’s 40th year as a broadcaster and journalist. We’ve been around for so long, we have to qualify our jokes with “please explain to people below 40,” just in case they don’t get the references. As Abe King told The STAR long ago, you had basketball, boxing and wrestling in one. I decided to start what would later become ABS-CBN Sports. I was married, divorced, raised two men, had a daughter 20 years later, and had a home burn down.

Cybercrime center says 3G network phased out in 2026This photo shows a person in a hoodie in front of a computer. MANILA, Philippines — The 3G legacy network is no longer available in 2026, according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)’s executive director Renato Paraiso. He said telecommunication companies have already decommissioned 3G subscriber identity module or SIM cards. Threat actors hijack legitimate message threads of banks, government agencies and public services by disrupting carrier signals and injecting rogue signals to go around network safeguards, the CICC said. In response, the CICC met with telecommunications providers, which agreed to phase out 2G and 3G technologies.

Chief Justice vows more efficient, accessible judiciary in 2026MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo expressed confidence the country’s courts are gearing toward more “efficient, accessible and responsive” operations this year as the innovation program that his leadership has launched for the judiciary is nearing completion. “As we approach the completion of the SPJI in 2027, rest assured that the progress achieved under this reform agenda will not only be sustained but also further built upon,” he added. “A new year represents new beginnings and fresh opportunities. It reminds us that change is possible and that with fresh determination and renewed effort, we can make progress,” Gesmundo said in his New Year message posted on the Supreme Court website. The Chief Justice said that while the foundation for reforms has already been laid, the progress needs to be sustained through collaboration and “continued commitment of our judicial officers and court staff, members of the legal profession, our development partners.”Gesmundo, the country’s 27th chief justice, is set to retire on Nov. 6 this year upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Another diesel price increase loomsFollowing a week of limited global market activity, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas indicated a potential price hike of P0.20 to P0.40 per liter for diesel. MANILA, Philippines — Diesel prices are expected to increase further next week, as geopolitical risks threaten to disrupt global oil supplies. Following a week of limited global market activity, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas indicated a potential price hike of P0.20 to P0.40 per liter for diesel. Both diesel and gasoline prices in the Mean of Platts Singapore edged lower this week following a recovery in regional refinery output. Last week, diesel and kerosene prices went up, while gasoline held steady.