PSEi gains further momentumThe bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 0.39 percent or 23.73 points to close at 6,065.64. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market gained further momentum as the year draws to a close, with investors taking advantage of cheap prices. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 0.39 percent or 23.73 points to close at 6,065.64. “The local market closed higher as some investors hunted for bargains, taking positions as the year is about to close,” Philstocks Financial research manager Japhet Tantiangco said. Tantiangco said that trading, however, has been anemic with net value turnover of P2.77 billion.

Trade gap thins to 9-month lowThis photo shows crates carried by a forklift in the port of Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines posted its smallest trade deficit in nine months in November as exports continued to grow, while imports declined. This is the lowest trade gap since the $2.97 billion deficit in February. From January to November, the country posted a lower trade deficit of $45.20 billion from $50.18 billion in the same period last year. He said some agricultural exports to the US have also been exempted from the 19 percent tariff imposed on Philippine exports.

Illegal software use in government offices bannedDICT has ordered government agencies to use only licensed software to guarantee technical support in times of emergency and scale up operational efficiency. DICT has ordered government agencies to use only licensed software to guarantee technical support in times of emergency and scale up operational efficiency. The order requires government entities to include in their information systems strategic plans (ISSP) the acquisition of licensed software. DICT said the use of unlicensed software could also hurt the country’s reputation to the tech community. As known in the tech community, the use of unlicensed software lacks the necessary patches for security protocols, thus exposing the user to cyber threats, such as malware.

Chinese navy sailors aid Philippine fishermanThe Chinese embassy in Manila says Chinese navy ship No. MANILA, Philippines — In a rare display of compassion, Chinese navy members came to the aid of a distressed Filipino fisherman in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Christmas Day. The Filipino fisherman can be heard repeatedly saying thank you to the Chinese soldiers as both sides exchanged “merry Christmas” greetings. “Enough food and water for you, don’t be worried,” a Chinese navy soldier was heard saying while tossing supplies to the fisherman. “I’m stay here,” the Filipino fisherman told the Chinese troops in strained English apparently in response to an offer to bring him to a safer location.

God’s Wisdom Saves LivesThe fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. Proverbs says, “the one who is wise saves lives” (11:30). The discernment that comes from doing right and living according to God’s wisdom can bless not only ourselves but those we encounter too. The wisdom God provides is there to guide us throughout our lives. — Katara PattonHow can you use wisdom to help someone today?

‘More flood culprits jailed this New Year’Eight of the accused linked to an anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro are escorted to the Sandiganbayan November 24, 2025 for booking and issuance of commitment orders. MANILA, Philippines — More persons linked to irregularities in flood control projects will be “thrown behind bars in the New Year,” Malacañang said yesterday. The government’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects is far from over, Gomez pointed out. “The flood control investigation does not end on Dec. 25. Sarah Discaya was arrested on Dec. 18 over the P96-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review his arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors in Seoul, South Korea, July 9, 2025.

Lacson warns vs ‘cover-up’ as Palace calls Cabinet budget insertion claims ‘hearsay’MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ping Lacson said Malacañang shouldn’t be quick to brand allegations that budget insertions were made by Cabinet officials as “hearsay.”In a statement on Friday, December 26, Lacson argued that “significant evidence had been unearthed” from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s flood control investigation. “[T]o prematurely dismiss the probable involvement of some members of the Cabinet as ‘hearsay’ may be interpreted as a euphemism for ‘cover-up,’” Lacson said. This comes after Palace press officer Claire Castro said she would not recognize the documents Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) claims to have on the alleged budget insertions, which include Cabinet members. Castro clarified on Friday that the “Cabral files” she was referring to were those that have not been verified by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) itself. Some of them include former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who had served the first half of the Marcos Jr. administration.

3 villagers hurt in Maguindanao del Norte gun attackPolice intelligence agents and local executives are together searching for the two perpetrators of the gun attack in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday night, December 25, 2025, that left three villagers wounded, now confined to a hospital. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Gunmen shot and seriously wounded three men drinking together, celebrating Christmas, in an attack at a residential area in Barangay Limbo in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday night, December 25. Witnesses have positively identified one of the two perpetrators of the atrocity, Jayson Guiabel Maliga, now subject of an extensive search by barangay officials and personnel of the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said local executives and intelligence operatives from the Sultan Kudarat municipal police and the Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Police Office are cooperating in locating Maliga and his accomplice. De Guzman said he has ordered Tanio and his subordinate-investigators to file criminal cases against Maliga and his companion in absentia.

Torre's MMDA appointment settles four-star rank issue at PNP — NAPOLCOMMANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre III took his oath of office as the new general manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) before the Office of the Executive Secretary on Friday, December 26. This raises the question: what happens to his four-star rank as a general, which is typically held by the incumbent police chief? According to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), which exercises administrative control over the PNP, Torre’s acceptance of the appointment is "ipso facto" or considered a resignation from the police force, resulting in the loss of his four-star rank. Calinisan added that he is "looking forward" to the day Marcos dons the four-star rank to Nartatez, who has been PNP chief for four months now. While Torre’s exit from the PNP was tied to an alleged conflict with the National Police Commission, the commission said it remains supportive of his reassignment to the MMDA.

PCG thanks China for aiding Pinoy fisher, but asks why warship in EEZA screengrab from the video shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila shows troops from the People's Liberation Army Navy giving bottled water to a Filipino fisherman, Dec. 25, 2025. The embassy also shared video footage of the interaction between the Chinese troops and the Filipino fisherman, taken from the small boat dispatched to assist him. The fisherman, according to the PCG, became frightened when the Chinese warship dispatched a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. He said the incident should not be exploited to advance China’s claims in the South China Sea. One of the more hazardous actions by Chinese vessels took place earlier in August after a CCG cutter accidentally collided with a Chinese warship near Scarborough Shoal while the CCG ship was pursuing a PCG vessel.

Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Joj Agpangan announced her marriage to her non-showbiz partner, Danny. She then revealed that she had applied for a spouse visa. “A lot of you are asking what my visa is, so my visa, actually, I went from tourist visa to a spouse visa because my man is very quick on processing things. He really wants this relationship to work so we got married secretly and told our parents later,” she explained. She later opened up a bit about her married life so far, saying marrying Danny has been “one of the best decisions” she’s made.

The Philippine Space Agency confirmed that a rocket from China was launched after Christmas Day. In an advisory, the agency said that the Long March 8A rocket was launched around 7:26 a.m. from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, on Friday, Dec. 26. PhilSA warned of debris that may have fallen approximately 108 nautical miles (NM) away from El Nido, Palawan; 126 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 90 NM away from Rozul Reef as the first drop zone. The second drop zone was estimated 32 NM away from Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, 42 NM away from Pangutaran Island, Sulu, and 46 NM away from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. "Falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone," it noted.

Britain's King Charles III called for "compassion and reconciliation" at a time of "division" across the world in his Christmas Day message. It seems to me that we need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation the way our Lord lived and died." This is the second year running that the king has made his festive address away from a royal residence. The Christmas song that ended the message was sung by a Ukrainian choir formed after Russia's 2022 invasion of their country. The king and other members of the royal family, including Andrew's daughters, attended a Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Charles's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

eTap Solutions to bring easier, more accessible financial services to Filipinos with new machines, hubs and cash-out services in 2026The self-service payment kiosk provider gears up to make financial transactions more accessible after a productive 2025. The year 2025 has been one of eTap Solutions’ most productive yet, marked by its expansion to over 4,000 machines nationwide. Beyond providing financial services, eTap Solutions promotes financial literacy and sustainability. “Everything we did in 2025 was to enhance financial accessibility for Filipinos,” shared eTap Solutions CEO Carlo Hernandez. “The expansion of the eTap Hubs comes after the opening of the first eTap Hub in Palanan, Makati, in May.