Three new stations will be added to the EDSA busway, the Department of Transportation announced. “Magkakaroon po tayo ng tatlong bagong istasyon sa EDSA Busway. The stations are expected to be finished by the following year, the transportation undersecretary added. Accessibile po ito at may elevators po dito,” Pastor said. The EDSA busway has 26 stations traveling along the main thoroughfare from Caloocan City to Parañaque.
Leviste faces possible ethics complaint over Cabral files, says RidonMANILA, Philippines — Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste may be in hot water over how he came into possession of the alleged files of the deceased former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Catalina Cabral, according to Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon on Tuesday, December 30. The young released portions of the files after Cabral fell to her death in Baguio earlier in December. While Leviste has claimed that he obtained the files with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s permission, the latter has denied this claim. An unnamed DPWH worker also told GMA News that Leviste forcibly took the files from Cabral, and she was injured in the process. What is unraveling today is not the acquisition of the Cabral files based on official authority, but the acquisition of documents based on an unlawful taking by Rep. Leviste,” Ridon said.
Palace begins 2026 budget reviewPresident Marcos looks over items in the 2025 General Appropriations Act during a signing ceremony at Malacañang on December 30, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Any changes made to the budget are now up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the Palace received the ratified 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from Congress. Recto initially announced that the signing of the budget would be on Jan. 5, 2026—leaving the country on a reenacted budget for five days. “The public is assured that a brief period under a reenacted budget will not disrupt government operations. The 2026 budget is set to be the most delayed budget during the Marcos administration, with it being the first one to trigger a reenacted budget.
Rizal Day: Marcos urges integrity, Sara cites freedom from 'disunity and evil'MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte touted the legacy of national hero Jose Rizal in separate Rizal Day messages on Tuesday, December 30, urging Filipinos — and public officials — to uphold integrity amid repeated calls for accountability from leaders. “Today, as Filipinos demand integrity and accountability from its leaders, we look up to his life to provide us with guidance and strength,” Marcos said. Duterte, in her own Rizal Day message, framed Rizal’s legacy as a broader struggle for freedom that goes beyond colonial rule, calling it a fight against abuse, division and moral decay. Rizal Day, observed every December 30, marks the 1896 execution of Jose Rizal by Spanish colonial authorities, an event that helped galvanize the Philippine revolution. Rizal’s body of work became mandatory reading in schools under Republic Act 1425, or the Rizal Law, passed in 1956.
DepEd: 5-point agenda gained traction this yearMANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s five-point agenda gained traction this year, the Department of Education said yesterday. The DepEd cited the promotion of over 16,000 public school teachers, as well as about three million students benefiting from the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program. About 41,183 teachers are undergoing the promotion process. Their applications have been submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for the next batch. Angara has ensured that teachers received their allowances and benefits, including the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act teaching allowance worth P10,000, medical allowance amounting to P7,000 and year-end bonuses, such as the Performance Enhancement Incentive (P5,000) and Service Recognition Incentive (P20,000).
Palace insists ‘no sacred cows’ in budget insertions probeMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. “Regardless of who among the Cabinet is involved, if there is evidence, the investigation should continue so the wrongdoers will be identified. Cabral resigned as DPWH undersecretary for planning in September after she was tied to questionable budget insertions. Bersamin: No role in DPWH budgetFormer executive secretary Lucas Bersamin denied requesting, endorsing, approving or authorizing any DPWH project or budget allocation at any stage of the budget process. “I strongly urge that the so-called Cabral files should be thoroughly scrutinized to unmask those behind the budget manipulation,” he said.
Acop eulogies deliveredMANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III led yesterday’s eulogies for the late Antipolo congressman Romeo Acop, who died of a heart attack before Christmas. “We feel this loss deeply, not just because we lost a colleague, but because we lost a friend, a brother and a man who gave his whole heart to public service. Today, we gather as one House, one family, united in both grief and gratitude,” Dy said. Among those who delivered eulogies were Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno, former Surigao del Norte congressman Robert Ace Barbers, Manila Rep. Benny Abante and former Pangasinan lawmaker Leopoldo Bataoil.
Science lacking in flood control projectsWorkers of a new subcontractor of a flood control structure in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan, lay cement and steels on September 6, 2025 amidst the downpour of rain. MANILA, Philippines — One clear diagnosis from this year’s corruption scandal is the lack of science in planning and designing flood control projects, harming communities instead of protecting them during typhoons. Congressional hearings on anomalous flood control projects revealed a harsh truth: despite receiving P545 billion over the past three years, these projects were only used as a racketeering scheme. Most existing flood control projects are only capable of handling floods with a 25-year return period, even though recent cyclones battering the country have caused floods with a 100-year return period. The DPWH has scrapped over P250 billion from its proposed 2026 budget earmarked for flood control projects, requesting Congress to reallocate the funds elsewhere.
No super flu in PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — No case of the so-called super flu currently circulating overseas has been recorded in the country, according to the Department of Health. The health chief said senior citizens and people with comorbidities are most at risk of acquiring the strain, which can spread through the air. He noted that subclade K is being flagged abroad because it may evade protection from some flu vaccines used in winter. To identify the variants, Herbosa said, the DOH is conducting surveillance and random sampling. He said seniors and immunocompromised patients are being prioritized for flu shots to protect against the infection.
Troubled Souls, Honest PrayersFather, glorify your name! I was ready to face anything.”In John 12, Jesus acknowledged, “My soul is troubled” (v. 27). He was transparently honest about His internal disposition; still He was God-centered in His prayer. — Arthur JacksonWhat experiences have prompted prayers for God to be honored? Father, please help me to face challenging things honestly and prayerfully that are for my good and will bring You glory.
Singapore firm invests P180 million in molded parts plantMANILA, Philippines — Singapore-based MNEX Pte. Ltd. is pouring in P180 million to manufacture molded parts in Batangas, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The project will involve the manufacture of molded parts for various industries at the Light Industry and Science Park III–Special Economic Zone in Sto. For the PEZA, the project is expected to strengthen the country’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Headquartered in Singapore, MNEX is a precision engineering and advanced manufacturing group specializing in precision tooling, advanced molding, metal machining, automation and contract manufacturing.
Philippines, UAE to sign free trade dealMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in mid-January, a move expected to elevate bilateral relations to new heights. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters that the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) would take place sometime between January 11 and 14 in the UAE. The CEPA aims to expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the Philippines and the UAE. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the UAE was the Philippines’ 18th biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade amounting to $1.83 billion last year. Roque said she is set to meet with companies in the UAE to discuss business opportunities in the Philippines.
Man held for jumping onto MRT-3 tracksMRT-3 security guards manning the Ortigas station were recorded in a viral video running after Eric Valdez. Netizens called him “subway surfer” and “MRT surfer.”MANILA, Philippines — A man was arrested after he jumped onto the tracks of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 last week. MRT-3 security guards manning the Ortigas station were recorded in a viral video running after Eric Valdez. Netizens called him “subway surfer” and “MRT surfer.”Valdez purchased a northbound ticket but upon reaching the platform, he suddenly jumped onto the tracks and ran toward the MRT-3 Shaw Boulevard station. Valdez was brought to the police station.
‘Politics, trade woes weigh down growth’Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said geopolitical tensions were among the biggest factors weighing on the economy this year, even as stronger anti-corruption measures have yet to be realized to rebuild investor confidence. Ricafort added that political noise, weather disruptions and earthquakes have been the major catalysts this year, including US President Donald Trump’s higher tariffs, trade wars and protectionist measures. Without these losses, former finance secretary Ralph Recto said the economy could have expanded by as much as six percent. “A budget reenactment is like hitting pause when the economy needs play; it delays projects, slows growth and risks fiscal credibility,” he said. With the expiration of the 2025 General Appropriations Act by Dec. 31, the current budget will be automatically reenacted.
