US Justice Dept says may have a million more Epstein documentsThis photo illustration taken in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2025 shows photographs, including of former US president Bill Clinton, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson and Ghislaine Maxwell, after the US Justice Department began releasing the long-awaited records from the investigation into the politically explosive case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. WASHINGTON, United States — The US Department of Justice said Wednesday that more than a million more documents potentially related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been discovered and are being reviewed for release. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed nearly unanimously by Congress last month and signed into law by President Donald Trump mandated the release of all of the Epstein files by December 19. The Justice Department failed to meet that deadline, however, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche blaming the delay on the need to painstakingly redact the identities of Epstein's victims from the files. It said the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI had "uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case."

Government reviewing Cocochem sale as global market reboundsMANILA, Philippines — The government is reviewing the sale of state-owned shares in United Coconut Chemicals Inc. (Cocochem) amid the resurgence in global demand for coconut-based products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. Cocochem was established in 1981 and was once considered as the largest coconut chemicals and oleo fats factory in Southeast Asia, the DA said. However, a series of setbacks ensued in the following years that hampered the operations and growth of Cocochem, the DA explained. In 2014, Cocochem transitioned from manufacturing to a facilities-based enterprise,” the DA added. “Operating across 39 hectares, Cocochem’s revenue mix reflects this pivot: Cocochem Agro-Industrial Park Inc. contributes 53 percent of annual income, Cocochem itself 44 percent and residential operations the remaining three percent,” the agency said.

Ozaki, Japan’s greatest golfer, passes awayMasashi "Jumbo" Ozaki of Japan tees off the number one tee during the US Open Golf Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina on June 17, 1999. MANILA, Philippines — Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, whose 113 worldwide victories were the most of any player from Japan, died Wednesday in his home country after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour said. Ozaki often got overlooked for never winning outside Japan except for the New Zealand PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. Ozaki competed in 49 majors, his best finish coming in the 1989 US

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 15, 2025.

EDITORIAL - Let goodness prevailWhether the meal cost P500 or P500,000, families gathered last night for Noche Buena. Many attended the Midnight Mass on the eve of the arrival of Jesus Christ. The nation joins the rest of Christendom today in celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus. As taught in the Scriptures, the Son of God was born in a humble manger, because there was no room at any inn. In reconnecting with the faith, let’s hope that goodness will prevail, long after the holidays.

PDIC, OGCC partnership to bolster depositor protectionThe two agencies formalized the collaboration with the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the provision of special legal services by the OGCC to the PDIC in simple ceremonies held in Makati on Dec. 16. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has partnered with the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to strengthen depositor safeguards and reinforce public confidence in the banking system through enhanced legal support. PDIC president and CEO Roberto Tan and Government Corporate Counsel Solomon Hermosura signed the agreement. Under the agreement, the OGCC will assign a dedicated legal team to provide legal assistance and representation to the PDIC. Tan said the partnership would allow the PDIC to better address increasingly complex legal challenges.

10 facts about revenue leakage and PhilHealth fundsOne, the government is always in budget deficit; expenditures are always larger than revenues, with or without a crisis. Two, all sources of tax revenues were rising except excise tax: income and profits tax, sales tax and licenses, documentary stamp tax and other domestic taxes. Three, within excise tax collection, leakage happened only in tobacco tax. Within an hour, the staff returned with many brands of illicit tobacco, which Sen. Gatchalian displayed during the public hearing. Six, of the P60 billion in PhilHealth funds transferred to the national treasury in 2024, that money did not come from members’ contributions.

Rate cut pause may boost economy – GlobalSourceIn a report, GlobalSource country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said a pause in further rate cuts might be strategic for the economy under present conditions. MANILA, Philippines — A pause in further monetary policy easing may be beneficial for the economy now as it navigates governance issues related to infrastructure projects, New York-based think tank GlobalSource Partners Inc. said. In a report, GlobalSource country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said a pause in further rate cuts might be strategic for the economy under present conditions. “In such an environment, a rate cut may not be interpreted as growth support. “A pause allows the BSP to support the economy while safeguarding credibility, preserving policy space and ensuring that monetary accommodation is not misread by markets,” Guinigundo and Mañalac said.

DBM piloting AI, blockchain amid corruption scandalConcerned about how to effectively manage and track public funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is piloting a blockchain system to prevent misuse and support ongoing investigations into public spending. Concerned about how to effectively manage and track public funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is piloting a blockchain system to prevent misuse and support ongoing investigations into public spending. Right now, I’m talking with blockchain experts because I want them to review our system,” she said. Del Rosario said the blockchain system aims to ensure that public funds reach their intended projects, particularly in cases involving the courts or audits. If implemented effectively, Rivera said blockchain could enhance transparency and credibility, reassuring investors that public funds are monitored in real time and leakages are being curtailed.

I went to Morton’s for lunch, which is when BGC reveals its true character. The Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail arrived cold and firm, the shrimp properly cooked, a phrase that should be unnecessary but never is. In a city where meals are often squeezed between obligations, the refusal to rush becomes part of the pleasure. One year in, Morton’s does not feel new. For a holiday table, or for beginning the year properly fed and clear-headed, that kind of reliability is not dull.

'We are ghosts': Britain's migrant night workersLeandro Cristovao, 36, from Angola, warehouse worker at Natures Choice poses at New Covent Garden Market in London on November 11, 2025.

So, on this Christmas Day, as you probably are sitting back and relaxing after the Christmas Eve revelry, allow me to humbly share some moments this month that have brought me some Yuletide cheer. For starters, I was recently recognized as a “Man of Exemplary Influence” by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) for leadership and commitment to public service. For me, influence is more than a title or a platform; it is a responsibility. All persons of influence who can move heaven and earth, so to speak, when it comes to disaster recovery and resilience. Truly, a prime example of using exemplary influence to make a difference in the lives of every Filipino.

Marcos to Pinoys: Remember the needyMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos called on Filipinos to be a “source of light and goodness” and to remember the needy as the nation celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In his Christmas message, Marcos encouraged Filipinos to emulate Jesus, who brought salvation to the world by sharing their abundance with the people around them. “Let us become a source of light and goodness to our fellow Filipinos this Christmas and in the years to come,” Marcos said. Christians regard the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem as an event where God became human to redeem humanity from sin. Palace officials have said that Marcos would spend the holidays working on the P6.793-trillion proposed national budget for next year.

Cabral files on budget proponents releasedThe so-called Cabral files are turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman by DPWH officials. The public has to know the content of the DPWH budget so we can boast about our projects,” Leviste said in a Facebook post. In his resolution, Leviste is also seeking an investigation on insertions in the 2025 budget allegedly made by Bicol Saro party-list. He accused Ridon of making insertions to the DPWH budget last year even if the latter was not yet a congressman. Senators deny budget insertionsPrior to Leviste’s revelation, senators tagged in a Bilyonaryo News Channel article have denied involvement in budget insertions in the 2025 NEP.

DepEd fast-tracks 2026 classroom construction“On our last Monday of the year in the office, we convened the infrastructure group to prepare for next year, the department’s various modalities for building classrooms. To address this, Angara revealed that DepEd plans to condemn school buildings that are more than 50 years old due to safety concerns. To address this, Angara revealed that DepEd plans to condemn school buildings that are more than 50 years old due to safety concerns. The expectation is about 20 to 25 years, but it is over 50 years because the school buildings were built in the 1970s,” he said. DepEd is currently considering setting a cost limit of a little over P3 million per classroom, noting that construction costs vary depending on location and logistics.