Pag-IBIG Fund extends Acquired Assets Super SaleMANILA, Philippines — Pag-IBIG Fund has extended its Acquired Assets Super Sale until Dec. 31, giving homebuyers more time to purchase foreclosed properties at discounted prices, while adopting new rules to lower upfront costs and make it easier for more buyers to participate. Pag-IBIG Fund said interest in acquired assets has remained strong since the Super Sale began on Aug. 25, with 44,861 bids received and 18,434 winning bids recorded. The agency said that 5,074 properties will be published for auction until the remainder of the year. The extension and updated rules respond to sustained demand from homebuyers, and support President Marcos’ directive to expand access to affordable, ready-for-occupancy homes. “The demand for our Acquired Assets Super Sale has been overwhelming and very encouraging, showing how dependable Pag-IBIG Fund has become in helping Filipino workers secure affordable homes,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who chairs the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said.

‘ICI is a lost cause’: What should Marcos do now? MANILA, Philippines — Barely months after its creation, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has been reduced to a single member following the resignation of two commissioners in December. What does this mean for the Marcos administration's promised pursuit of justice in the corruption-tainted flood control projects? "The ICI is a lost cause," the Makabayan bloc said on Friday, December 26, raising questions about the commission's credibility. House Speaker Bojie Dy also promised that the ICAIC bill will be approved on the third and final reading before Congress adjourns in December.

Trail of evidenceFor obvious reasons, there have been unmistakable aggressive efforts in deflecting the public outrage away from the original sinners in the multibillion-peso “ghost” flood control projects. After overflowing river systems subsided, it turned out there was no flood control project done at all. The 15 contractors involved in these alleged “ghost” flood control projects in the DPWH were: Legacy Construction Corp.; Alpha & Omega Gen. Claiming he had divested his ownership shares in the family-owned company, he co-steered the approval of the 2025 GAA that contained the alleged “ghost” flood control projects. While the trail of evidence has become sordid, it does not, however, end with the death of Cabral.

US says it struck Islamic State militants in northwest NigeriaU.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement about the Navy's "Golden Fleet", as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan listen, at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 22, 2025. REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak

2 killed in Dagupan explosion on Christmas DayAuthorities investigate the explosion in the backyard of a fireworks shop in Dagupan City on Thursday night, Dec. 25, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Two individuals were killed by a loud explosion that occurred behind a fireworks shop in Dagupan City on Christmas Day. According to the Dagupan City government, residents from Sitio Boquig, Barangay Bacayao Norte reported the explosion at around 7:49 p.m. on Thursday, December 25, prompting an immediate response from the Bureau of Fire Protection and local law enforcement. Initial reports showed that two people were killed, while two others were injured and rushed to a hospital. Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez visited the site to assess the situation, saying the tragedy should not have happened and reiterating that the unsafe use of fireworks must be avoided.

Amid the still widening corruption scandal, government officials say certain flood control projects will resume or be implemented. You’d think using science to plan and implement flood control projects would be a no-brainer. UPRI executive director Mahar Lagmay has noted that flood control projects across the country have been carried out haphazardly, piecemeal without coordinated planning, and with some projects even exacerbating flooding. Today, with flood control projects in limbo, Congress is allocating P1 billion for UPRI as part of Oplan Kontra Baha, so the design and monitoring of flood control projects can be refined. But the flood control scandal has starkly shown how ill-prepared the country is for the devastation from extreme rainfall and flooding.

OFWs get balikbayan boxes after long waitMANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have received their balikbayan boxes after a long wait. The balikbayan boxes are among shipments abandoned and left undelivered by freight forwarders, and are now being distributed to OFWs and their families. To hold those responsible accountable, the BOC accompanied the OFWs in filing cases with the National Bureau of Investigation on Dec. 4. At present, 15 containers of abandoned balikbayan boxes have been released and are currently being delivered, while 21 more are scheduled to be pulled out and processed this week. OFWs were also reminded to be more cautious in choosing freight forwarders, to ensure that companies are legitimate, and to avoid offers with unrealistically low fees that may lead to fraud.

Ping: Reenacted budget better than rushed oneLacson open to return as Blue Ribbon chairman, butâ?¦ Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on flood control anomalies on Sept. 30. A reenacted budget means that government, in order to prevent a shutdown, will have to operate on the previous year’s outlay – in this case, the 2025 General Appropriations Act, criticized by many as a corrupt budget. Senate President Vicente Sotto III vowed no “blind ratification” of the budget, copies of which would be given to all senators for their scrutiny. It remains to be seen if President Marcos will sign the budget containing the controversial fund increases or veto the items. The national budget was reenacted several times when her ally, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was president.

A new lease on life is my “Big Win” this year. It is also a gift from people who prayed for me before, during and after my operation. I remember asking my students with all humility to also ask their parents and siblings to pray for me. I woke up in the recovery room with two rosaries around my left wrist—and the small image of Padre Pio, a gift from my youngest brother Rod, safely tucked by my side. But I was already singing in the recovery room long before they could play my chosen music.

‘Philippines banking system braces for evolving risks in 2026’“The Philippine banking system remains resilient, backed by strong earnings and a healthy balance sheet, despite moderating economic growth,” the BSP said in an interview with The STAR, underscoring the system’s ability to absorb shocks while continuing to support economic activity. Total assets of the Philippine banking system grew by 7.1 percent year-on-year to P28.3 trillion as of end-October, driven mainly by loan expansion, according to the BSP. “As we approach 2026, the Philippine banking system remains fundamentally sound, but we continue to closely monitor key lending segments to ensure sustained resilience,” the BSP said. Beyond credit risks, cybersecurity has emerged as one of the most significant system-level threats. “We reaffirm our commitment to protecting financial integrity, combating fraud and cybercrime, and ensuring that banking remains reliable, inclusive and accessible,” it said.

Project NOAH to improve hazard mapsThe bicameral conference committee earmarked P1 billion for Project NOAH, which stands for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, sourced from the P255-billion cut in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). MANILA, Philippines — Set to receive fresh and substantial funding from the government, the team behind Project NOAH plans to enhance its hazard maps to include multiple flood analyses for improved planning. By incorporating multiple scenarios into hazard maps, the government can be better prepared and informed for future cyclones. UPRI provides data and technical support to the CCC on science-based risk and vulnerability assessments and disaster risk management. “With a multi-scenario analysis, you know what to expect.”Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez said over 2.5 million Filipinos access Project NOAH’s hazard maps on its website during peak times daily.

Palace: Cabinet links to insertions hearsay Unless validatedRep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) holds a press conference on Monday, Aug. 26, 2025 after filing criminal cases against the district engineer who attempted to bribe him. MANILA, Philippines — Documents related to the flood control mess are mere “hearsay” unless validated by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Malacañang said, after Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste released what he described as DPWH files linking executive officials to the controversy. “Here is the summary of the DPWH budget per district for 2023-2026. Here we can see where the DPWH budget amounting to P3.5 trillion equivalent to P130,000 per Filipino family goes,” Leviste said. These are based on the DPWH data, with the approval of Secretary Vince Dizon, including our budget data compilation.

DOE cancels more non-compliant RE contractsMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has intensified its crackdown on non-compliant developers, terminating eight more renewable energy (RE) contracts this year. “Renewable energy development must be fast, but it must also be accountable,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement. Service contracts are performance commitments, and renewable energy projects must deliver real, reliable power for Filipino consumers,” Garin said. The terminations follow a thorough technical and legal review of the affected project’s compliance with their service contracts. “Contract termination ensures that service contracts are awarded to capable, committed developers with the readiness and capacity to deliver,” the agency said.

NBI: Cabral cellphone still with familyDILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has confirmed the selfie showing former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral seated near the edge of a cliff in Benguet was taken on the cellphone of her driver. “Considering that the cellphone is now in the possession of the family, if the investigation involves the death of Usec. Cabral, we really have to seek the consent of the family for the cellphone to be examined,” Mallari said in the interview. Authorities are conducting parallel investigations on her death and alleged irregularities in flood control projects linked to her office. Mallari also said the NBI continues to receive dashcam footage along Kennon Road, where Cabral was last seen.

Police seize P500,000 worth of firecrackersCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — Police seized assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices from an illegal dealer during a sting in Barangay Camino Nuevo in Zamboanga City on Wednesday. Maj. Chester Natividad, police investigation and detective management unit chief in Zamboanga City, said trader Larry Tan Nebres Jr. was arrested after he was found selling the firecrackers along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue without a permit. Members of the Zamboanga City Police Office launched the sting operation after a tipster informed them of Nebres’ alleged large-scale peddling of firecrackers in the city and nearby Basilan province. The seized firecrackers and pyrotechnics were turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Office as it prepares charges for violation of Republic Act 7183, which regulates the production and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in the country.