DOH records 235 firework-related injuries as of January 1Fireworks light up the streets of Delpan, Tondo, Manila during the new year celebrationMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) counted a total of 235 firework-related injuries as of New Year’s Day, but the number is expected to go up with late reports coming in from hospitals. The sample was from 62 sentinel hospitals, which are select government hospitals being monitored by the DOH. The injuries recorded as of January 1, 2026 is almost half than the injuries recorded on January 1, 2025. While the DOH welcomed the lower amount of injuries, late reports will still be recorded until January 1. Symptoms for tetanus do not appear until eight to 21 days, warned DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo.

Marcos urges Filipinos to choose empathy over indifference for the New YearMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called upon Filipinos to remain committed to the country’s progress, saying that choosing empathy over indifference was integral to moving forward. With the coming of the New Year, Marcos said it was a moment for reflection and renewal. The president did not address the past year’s controversies, instead focusing on the year ahead. “As we step into 2026, I therefore call on every Filipino to embrace the year with discipline, confidence, and a shared commitment to our nation's progress,” Marcos said. A society thrives when its people choose empathy over indifference, service over self-interest, and hope over despair,” he added.

New Year kicks off with rainy, cloudy skiesMANILA, Philippines — Several parts of the country can expect rainy skies for the start of the New Year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday, January 1. MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Quezon can expect cloudy skies and scattered rains due to the shear line. PAGASA warned these areas of possible flash floods and landslides during heavier bouts of rain. They are expected to have partially cloudy skies with isolated rains. The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, can expect partly cloudy skies due to the northeast monsoon.

2025 has been a good yearFor two reasons: one, the largest act of corruption of the past 10 years was exposed, by no less than the President, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Remarkably, inflation was halved, from 3.4 percent in January-September 2024 to just 1.7 percent in January-September 2025. The idea of her assuming the presidency does not reassure the nation.”Isn’t Sara supposed to have a higher trust rating, 56 percent, than BBM, 34 percent in the December 2025 Pulse Asia survey? But Sara’s 56 percent is skewed by her 95 percent (from 97 in September) trust rating in Mindanao. In NCR, Sara has 44 percent trust rating; balance of Luzon, 35 and Visayas 68 (up from 56 in September 2025), because she went to Cebu after an earthquake and massive floods that devastated the island, prompting Cebuanos to perceive her as a concerned official.

BEIJING, China — China "successfully completed" military drills around Taiwan that included live-fire exercises aimed at simulating a blockade of key ports and assaults on maritime targets, its military said on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) said it had "successfully completed" the drills, code-named "Justice Mission 2025". Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te warned on Wednesday that Chinese drills targeting the island "are not an isolated incident" and pose "significant risks" to the region. International criticismThere has been a chorus of international criticism of China's drills. Japan said on Wednesday that China's military exercises "increase tensions" across the Taiwan Strait, and that it had expressed its "concerns" to Beijing.

Friends who set terms: “Ok, unless something comes up.” “Sige. “Can we do it in Alabang?” (Yes, yes, yes!) In other words, those Christmas presents you carefully, lovingly selected will have to sit under the tree during the holidays. When did Christmas ever take a back seat to everything else? Sadly, folks have become weekend wimps, and Christmas has turned into a soft launch—nice if it happens, but not worth rescheduling the yoga class or visit to the doctor (at least those who aren’t on vacation).

More Pinoys say lives worsened in 2025 – SWSFrom 32 percent in September, the percentage of Filipinos who said their lives worsened increased to 36 percent in the SWS survey conducted from Nov. 24 to 30. MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos who say their quality of life worsened over the past year continued to increase in the fourth quarter survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS). From 32 percent in September, the percentage of Filipinos who said their lives worsened increased to 36 percent in the SWS survey conducted from Nov. 24 to 30. The latest poll resulted in a “net gainers” score of -7, down from -2 in the September survey. The “net gainers” score is the rounded-off difference of those who said their lives improved from those who said their lives worsened.

Scrap guarantee letters in MAIFIP, DOH urgedSen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday urged the DOH to scrap guarantee letters in the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients or MAIFIP program through its own guidelines, not through provisions in the 2026 budget. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday urged the DOH to scrap guarantee letters in the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients or MAIFIP program through its own guidelines, not through provisions in the 2026 budget. Gatchalian said patients should not have to secure guarantee letters from lawmakers to qualify for medical aid. “Guarantee letters are part of the DOH’s process (and no law created the system). Watchdog groups have argued that guarantee letters allow politicians to claim credit for aid funded by taxpayers’ money.

EDITORIAL — Wishing for a ‘pork’-free budgetIn late 2024, public outrage over accusations that Vice President Sara Duterte had misused P612.5 million in confidential funds was dissipated by revelations of corruption in the crafting of the annual national budget by administration allies. Both chambers of Congress have ratified the enrolled bill proposing a P6.79-trillion national budget for 2026. And yet the current Congress has again included unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget, and larger than what the executive has proposed. Budget watchdogs have called for the elimination of this “soft” pork barrel along with the unprogrammed appropriations. A clean, genuinely “pork”-free budget would bode well for the start of what should be a year of dramatic reforms.

Last call for entriesThe deadline for entries to our annual holiday contest Pasko Sa Enero, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, is just a few days away and this is the final call to join the fun. All entries must contain the name of sender, age, occupation (if student, what school, year, course), home address and contact details (cell phone/email address). Please avoid sending multiple entries. Second prize will be P20,000 cash and gifts, third prize P10,000 cash and gifts, fourth to 10th prize P5,000 cash and gifts and 11th to 20th prize P3,000 cash and gifts. Our gift donors are POC president Bambol Tolentino, Sen. Bong Go, PBA, SBP, San Miguel Corp., Sonak Corp., Magnolia PBA team, Rommie Chan, Joyride, Ever Bilena/Blackwater, Meralco PBA team, Rain or Shine PBA team, NLEX PBA team and Lamoiyan Corp./Hapee Toothpaste.

Brawner: AFP’s resilience tested in 2025MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. offered a snappy salute to each other soldier yesterday in recognition of the unity, professionalism and resilience they have shown during the year. Throughout the year, the military was also challenged in professionally handling issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea and China’s continuing incursions and harassment of Philippine vessels in the region. “Our service is not measured solely by operational successes, but by the discipline, integrity and commitment that define each of us in our daily duties,” Brawner said. “True strength comes from unity, unwavering purpose and the steady effort to improve ourselves and our organization every day,” he added. “In the year ahead, let us renew our commitment to the ideals that guide our service: unity within our ranks and with our partners across the nation, professionalism in every action we take, resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering focus on serving the Filipino people,” Brawner declared.

DTI sets trade mission to Gulf countriesMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to conduct an outbound business mission early next year to promote Philippine food and personal care products in Gulf countries. “We have invited exporters from the food and personal care sectors to join the mission,” DTI - Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) director Bianca Sykimte said in a Viber message. The DTI-EMB is organizing the business mission with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Dubai and Riyadh. In addition, the DTI expects the business mission to help strengthen Philippine exporters’ market access and readiness to meet Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ requirements. The business mission is part of the government’s efforts to promote exports’ growth.

Leviste asked to keep silent on P2 million ‘bonus’Catholic devotees join the thanksgiving procession around the Quiapo Church in Manila on Tuesday ahead of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9. MANILA, Philippines — Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste said he was asked by fellow lawmakers not to publicly disclose the P2 million “Christmas bonus” given to them. Leviste said he has photos of checks issued to House members during the voting on the national budget, stressing that he returned his to the House committee on accounts. “What is more important here is the reported claim (of Leviste) that he has the authority to obtain the files. “It is very alarming to hear from DPWH personnel saying the files have been taken forcibly by Leviste from Cabral.

SEC revokes registration of Seek ExploreThe SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) has cancelled the corporate registration of Seek Explore for violating Section 44 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (RCC), in relation to Sections 8.1, 26, and 28.1 of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC). MANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revoked the certificate of incorporation of Seek Explore Sports Association Inc. for offering securities to the public without the necessary approvals from the commission. The SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) has cancelled the corporate registration of Seek Explore for violating Section 44 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (RCC), in relation to Sections 8.1, 26, and 28.1 of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC). The commission has also directed Seek Explore to pay an administrative fine amounting to P1 million. However, upon investigation, the EIPD found that Seek Explore had offered unregistered securities worth P500 to P140,000, with earnings ranging from P30 after three days to P1.79 million after 150 days, depending on the chosen plan.

Government awards 13 PPP projects in 2025In a statement, the PPP Center said that the 13 projects cover 11 local and two national projects. MANILA, Philippines — The government awarded a total of 13 public-private partnership (PPP) projects last year as part of its efforts to address the country’s infrastructure gaps. In a statement, the PPP Center said that the 13 projects cover 11 local and two national projects. The PPP Center supports project implementation by tracking project performance, identifying risks and bottlenecks and facilitating coordination. Of these projects, 166 are national projects, while 85 are local.