PCG challenges China ship off CagayanThe pilot issued multiple radio challenges to the CRV Tan Suo Er Hao, seeking to confirm whether it was conducting marine research without Manila’s consent, which would violate Philippine and international law, but received no response, the PCG said in a statement. The PCG said the Chinese research vessel was detected through Canada’s satellite-based Dark Vessel Detection system. It added that China does not accept certain Philippine domestic maritime laws, and under international law, it said it has the right to pass through the waters as part of a maritime route. China, through its embassy in Manila, has protested the Philippines raising concerns over Beijing’s holding of massive military drills around Taiwan on Monday and Tuesday. “Basic principles of self-restraint must be observed, and the rule of international law must not be distorted,” he said.

Marcos Jr. calls for unity, direction in 2026MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday called on Filipinos to face 2026 with a clear direction as he echoed his call for unity to achieve a more humane country. In a social media post, Marcos, whose administration grappled with a host of political controversies in 2025, said the new year is a time to think about the things the country had undergone. “As 2026 begins, this is a time to reflect on what we went through and to carry on with a clear direction and hope,” the President said in Filipino. Let us continue to work for a better and more humane new Philippines. Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III welcomed 2026 by urging the country to learn from the past lessons.

Malaysia: Best kept secret? Then there is the long term Vision 2020 launched in 1991 by then-PM Mahathir Mohamad, aiming for Malaysia becoming a self-sufficient, industrialized nation by 2020. Here is how PM Mahathir assessed the outcome of Vision 2020 as reported by Bernama, the national news agency. “Although we did not fully realize the vision, we have to a certain extent achieved Vision 2020. The fact is, many aspects of Vision 2020 have been achieved.”But, he said, Malaysia has not achieved developed country status.

Government borrowings surge 75% in NovemberBased on the national government’s financing from the Treasury, the country’s gross borrowings increased to P113.53 billion in November 2025 from P65.04 billion in the same period a year earlier. MANILA, Philippines — The national government’s borrowings surged by 75 percent year-on-year in November 2025, with data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showing a higher domestic debt than foreign exchange-dependent credit. Based on the national government’s financing from the Treasury, the country’s gross borrowings increased to P113.53 billion in November 2025 from P65.04 billion in the same period a year earlier. For the 11-month period in 2025, the government’s domestic gross borrowings expanded by 10.4 percent to P2.11 trillion from the P1.91 trillion recorded during the same time frame a year ago. Meanwhile, external borrowings declined by 16.7 percent to P484.9 billion from P582.4 billion in the same period in 2024.

On Wednesday, finance minister Koo Yun-cheol announced the extension of the waiver for C-3-2 visas, or group visas, which was originally scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. The current processing fees for C-3-2 visas are 18,000 won (about P735). Based on information from the Korea Visa Application Center in Manila, groups eligible for C-3-2 visas are those who are visiting Korea for short-term travel or for "small-scale cross-border trading, guaranteed by an applicant's travel agency." Alternatively, a member of one travel group can apply on behalf of the others. Take note that the C-3-2 visa is only for short-term travel, and cannot be converted to a study or work visa once in South Korea.

Instead of the fireworks show that normally draws thousands of local and foreign tourists to the iconic spot every New Year's Eve, the Hong Kong Tourism Board organized a music and lights show. However, both locals and tourists were understanding of the decision, with some saying that having no fireworks did not influence their experience of Hong Kong. By Dec. 22, the Hong Kong Free Press reported the death toll from the blaze to have reached 161. At least one Filipino was among the fatality count, as confirmed by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong. The apartment blaze is Hong Kong's most catastrophic fire since 1948.

Filipinos' New Year hope drops to 16-year low at 89% — SWSA girl holds a sparkler during New Year celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, on January 1, 2026. The SWS survey conducted from November 24 to 30 found 89% of adult Filipinos entering the New Year with hope, down one percentage point from 90% in 2024 and seven points from 96% in 2023. Christmas expectations linked to New Year outlookFilipinos who expected a happy Christmas were more likely to enter the New Year with hope. A separate SWS survey released December 24 found 68% of Filipinos expecting a happy Christmas, up from 65% in 2024. Hope fell most sharply among college graduates, down 5 points from 96% in 2024, and elementary graduates, down 3 points from 89%.

Iloilo vice mayor dies in firing incidentA photo of Dueñas’ Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan posted on her Facebook. MANILA, Philippines — The vice mayor of Dueñas, Iloilo has died in an accidental shooting incident. Initial reports of the accidental shooting said that Dueñas’ Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan was a victim of an accidental firing on the morning of December 30. Citing Lamasan’s live-in partner, Lord Byron Torrecarion, Panay News reported that the vice mayor was handling her firearm when it discharged. “Rest in peace, Vice Mayor Aimee.

OSAP says no authority over DPWH budget listingsMANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) said it does not exercise line-item authority over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s internal budget listings. He stressed said the OSAP is not an implementing agency and does not possess the technical mandate to plan, select, or prioritize infrastructure projects under the DPWH. He added that any insinuation that the OSAP exercises control or influence over DPWH budget items is false. His office, Lagdameo said, has no authority over the department’s internal budget processes, particularly at the line-item level. Until then, Lagdameo said, the OSAP will continue to perform its duties in accordance with its mandate and will not be distracted by speculation.

97,000 illegal firecrackers seized during New Year festivities — PNPMANILA, Philippines — Police seized 96,721 illegal firecracker items and arrested 26 people during the New Year festivities for violating rules related to the use of pyrotechnics, the Philippine National Police said Thursday, January 1. Despite enforcement efforts, authorities recorded 843 firecracker-related incidents, which resulted in 183 people injured. The PNP said no fatalities were reported during the coverage period. Firecracker-related injuries, other incidentsThe PNP also reported three fire incidents linked to pyrotechnics, leaving five people injured, and two road crash incidents that injured four individuals. Separately, the PNP said it seized 61 loose firearms and arrested 132 individuals for violations involving illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and outstanding warrants during sustained police operations conducted alongside its holiday deployments.

Big Hit Music has officially confirmed that BTS will return as a full group on March 20, releasing their first complete album in nearly four years. Before this, BTS sent handwritten letters to lucky fans as they celebrated the New Year. The letter had “2026.3.20” written on it, somehow teasing their comeback date. In it, RM wrote, “No one has awaited the comeback more eagerly than us,” while Jin said he is "grateful" for their fans' patience. “We’ll create more precious memories in 2026, so please look forward to it,” wrote V, while Jung Kook added, “I miss you!

Popular American bakery Sprinkles Cupcakes is closing its doors after 20 years. "Even though I sold the company over a decade ago, I still have such a personal connection to it. "I thought Sprinkles would keep going and be around forever. "One day notice is crazy. Another one wrote: "Thanks for the one day notice of unemployment and no severance!"

The Department of Tourism has addressed the controversy surrounding a photographer's social media post lambasting the Department's cover photo choice on its Philippine Tropics magazine. On New Year's Eve, the DOT released a statement distancing itself from the publication and clarifying the photographer's claims. "Philippine Tropics is a private publication and not an official magazine of the DOT," it said. The cover prominently featured the photo of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco superimposed over the image of a lush cove with an aquamarine sea. The photographer's post included a photo of the magazine's launch issue, which is free, displayed on a stand.

Queen Camilla has spoken for the first time publicly about fighting off an attacker on a train when she was a teenager, in an interview broadcast Wednesday. "And I remember getting off the train and my mother looking at me and saying, 'Why is your hair standing on end? According to Low, Camilla told former prime minister Boris Johnson about the incident in 2008 when he was mayor of London. Praising John and Amy, Camilla said hearing stories like theirs was "something that I feel very strongly about." "They must be from above smiling down on you and thinking, my goodness me, what a wonderful, wonderful father, husband, sister," she added.

Mayon Volcano alert level raised to 2MANILA, Philippines — State volcanologists raised Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Alert Level 2 early Thursday, January 1, citing a sharp increase in rockfalls and prolonged ground swelling that could signal magma moving beneath the volcano. Phivolcs said in a 6 a.m. bulletin that it was elevating the alert from Level 1, or low-level unrest, to Level 2, which indicates increasing or moderate unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes. The agency's monitoring instruments recorded 599 rockfall events in the last two months of 2025, averaging 10 events a day. On December 31 alone, 47 rockfall events were logged — the highest number recorded in a single day over the past year. With Alert Level 2 now in effect, Phivolcs warned of possible sudden explosions, pyroclastic density currents (locally known as uson), rockfalls, landslides and ballistic projectiles.