Marcos Jr. expected to sign 2026 budget in JanuaryMANILA, Philippines — There will be no fresh national budget in the first few days of 2026 as President Marcos is expected to sign the proposed P6.793-trillion outlay for next year in the first week of January, possibly on Jan. 5. “It will be better for everyone that Malacañang review the budget carefully,” the executive secretary said. Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto the national budget after its submission. Meanwhile, Gatchalian on Monday urged continued public and institutional vigilance over government projects, stressing that efforts to curb corruption should extend beyond the approval of the national budget and into its actual implementation. “We have reconciled the numbers, but vigilance must continue from budgeting to implementation if we are to purge corruption from the bureaucracy,” he said following the approval of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2026 national budget.

DepEd: Removal of Grades 11 to 12 fake news“There is no truth to the post online about the removal of Grades 11 and 12 for school year 2026-2027,” the DepEd said on Facebook. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has denounced misinformation circulating on social media that Grades 11 and 12 will be scrapped in June next year. “There is no truth to the post online about the removal of Grades 11 and 12 for school year 2026-2027,” the DepEd said on Facebook. “Do not follow pages that share false information and report these immediately,” the DepEd said. The DepEd asked the public to refer to its official social media accounts for announcements and information regarding basic education.

Wage hike for Metro Manila domestic workers setInterested groups are invited to attend the hearing on Jan. 12, 2026 at the Philippine Trade Training Center Building in Pasay City, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board said. MANILA, Philippines — Domestic workers in Metro Manila are expected to receive a higher pay next year after the wage board set a hearing for their minimum wage determination. Domestic workers in Metro Manila currently receive a monthly salary of P7,000. The last minimum wage order for domestic workers in the National Capital Region took effect on Jan. 4. Minimum wage earners and domestic workers in the Ilocos Region, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas have received a salary increase.

‘No government execs spotted leaving PhilippinesLast year, airport personnel observed some politicians and their families spending the holidays in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the United States. MANILA, Philippines — No government officials have been spotted leaving the country from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, according to NAIA personnel. Last year, airport personnel observed some politicians and their families spending the holidays in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the United States. Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said some BI personnel joined the gathering virtually, showing unity and commitment to public service. The President has promised to put in prison before Christmas persons involved in anomalous flood control deals.

Share God’s blessings on Christmas – VP SaraMANILA, Philippines — Christmas can only be meaningful if God’s blessings are shared with others, especially with those struggling in life, who are sick, orphaned and homeless or are victims of disasters and violence, or are suffering from neglect, Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday. She asked Filipinos to love the country, “for God, and for every Filipino family.”“From the bottom of my heart, Merry Christmas to you all,” the Vice President said. Her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, has his own Christmas wish, relayed through the Vice President’s half-sister Veronica or Kitty. Kitty said her father revealed to her his Christmas “prayer” when she visited him recently in detention. “He didn’t give a direct message, but he did include everyone in his prayer,” Kitty said.

CBCP: Don’t lose hope, be united“Christmas is the feast of fulfillment. The birth of Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of God’s promise,” he said. The birth of Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of God’s promise,” he said. “The celebration of Christmas is to be united and be one with God. A hope that is found in Christ, who was born in Bethlehem to bring light into our darkness.”“Christmas is a pilgrimage of hope.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines brought the realities of the South China Sea (SCS) to Central Europe in a forum to explain why a maritime dispute thousands of miles away poses a direct threat to economic stability of the Czech Republic. Philippine Ambassador to Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez highlighted the Philippines’ 2016 legal victory against China. And if conflict blocks these shipping lanes, the supply of critical goods – like the semiconductors needed for the Czech automotive industry – could be cut off. David Gardas, an analyst from the Prague-based think tank Project Sinopsis, agreed and explained that this is not just an Asian problem. The presentations and open discussion underscored strong parallels between the Philippines’ principled legal position under UNCLOS and the commitment of the Czech Republic and other like-minded partners to international law.

Philippines secures P165 million in sales at resort, travel showMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines secured P165 million in sales leads and bookings during the three-day Dive Resort and Travel (DRT) Show Hong Kong 2025. According to the Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong, the country registered a highly successful participation in the event, held recently at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Hong Kong edition continues to serve as a hub for industry exchange, featuring exhibitors from the Maldives, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, with strong participation from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Among those represented were Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort, Casa Escondida Anilao Resort & Dive Center, Porto Novo Anilao Dive and Leisure Resort and Solitude Acacia Resort in Batangas; Garden of Eden Dive Resort, Edgewater Dive & Spa Resort, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa and Casalay Boutique Villas and Dive Resort in Puerto Galera, Mindoro; Silver Reef Dive Resort, ALDIVE Resort, and Atmosphere Resorts & Spa in Dauin, Negros Oriental; Kasai Village Dive Resort in Moalboal and Slam’s Garden Dive Resort in Malapascua, Cebu; Club Aquasports in Panglao, Bohol; Easy Diving Philippines in Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Sea Explorers Philippines with multiple bases across the Visayas; Ticao Island Resort in Masbate; Narayana Philippine Liveaboard in Palawan; Earth Explorers Travel and Tours as a national operator and Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards with properties in Dumaguete and Puerto Galera. Around 100 to 120 participants attended the event, evenly divided between Philippine sellers and Hong Kong buyers, reflecting strong interest in expanding dive tourism partnerships.

Letters to Santa continue, although fewer this yearFacebook group Santa Claus_PH received around a thousand letters and postcards this year, said “John” who is one of the group’s “elves.”MANILA, Philippines — The typhoons that hit the country in the past year did not dampen the Christmas cheer brought by a group that encouraged people to write letters about their wishes and hopes to Santa Claus. Facebook group Santa Claus_PH received around a thousand letters and postcards this year, said “John” who is one of the group’s “elves.”Asked by The STAR why fewer letters came in 2025 compared to last year, he said it might be because of the typhoons. He also said they held Santa Claus_PH exhibits in Manila, Cebu and Davao in 2024, which they failed to carry out this year. They are all cheering for the betterment of the Santa Claus_PH project.”Letters to Santa Claus_PH were sent to Santa Box 12-25, Tiwi Post Office 4513, Albay, Philippines. The enthusiasm showed by thousands in joining the Christmas mail campaign for the past five years has kept Santa Claus_PH going John said.

DND on alert for holidays“We will continue to be alert against all threats, whether natural or man-made,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense yesterday gave assurance that despite the holiday break, the DND is ready to respond to any incident nationwide. “We will continue to be alert against all threats, whether natural or man-made,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said. He expressed gratitude to “all of those who have given their all to keep others safe, and we will continue to look after their families as we do all our veterans.”“We pray for the victims of this year’s calamities, both here and abroad, and resolve to work harder in order to help prevent the same from recurring,” Teodoro said.

14,600 cops secure Metro for holidays“We have not monitored any major incident,” Metro Manila police spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told The STAR yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — About 14,600 police officers in Metro Manila have been deployed to secure the capital during the holiday season. “We have not monitored any major incident,” Metro Manila police spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told The STAR yesterday. Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, police chief in Metro Manila, on Tuesday inspected the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City. “Through early preparation, inter-agency cooperation and visible police presence, our goal is clear: to protect every devotee and ensure a generally peaceful and safe traslacion,” Aberin said.

House OKs 12 LEDAC billsLawmakers voted 270-8 with two abstentions during plenary deliberations stamping their approval to House Bill 6636, an act institutionalizing AICS under the DSWD. MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives passed several bills on third and final reading this week, including the 12 priority measures of President Marcos listed by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), before going on Christmas break. Topping the LEDAC list was the measure that aims to institutionalize the controversial Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations. Lawmakers voted 270-8 with two abstentions during plenary deliberations stamping their approval to House Bill 6636, an act institutionalizing AICS under the DSWD. House Bill 22, or the Accessible Internet for All Act.

Socialized housing price cap IRR issuedIn a press statement, the DHSUD said the IRR for Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2025-001 was signed by DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Monday. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) have issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the recalibrated price ceiling of socialized housing units. Issued last Dec. 1, the JMC sets the guidelines for updating the price ceiling for socialized housing, both for house and lot packages and condominiums. Under the IRR, the maximum selling price is set at P950,000 for socialized subdivision or horizontal housing projects and up to P1.8 million for socialized condominium or vertical developments. The DHSUD said the revised price ceiling considers the rising construction and development costs and ensures sustained private sector participation in socialized housing.

Heads up, yuletide commuters! The Philippine National Railway is offering free rides to the public on Dec. 25, Christmas Day! The schedule for free rides is as follows:Naga to Lupi Viejo - 4:29 a.m.Lupi Viejo to Naga - 6:23 a.m. Meanwhile, all commuters can ride the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 for free on Christmas Day under the Department of Transportation's #12DaysOfChristmas program. Just queue up at your nearest MRT-3, LRT-1, or LRT-2 station to avail of your free trip.

Senate denies holiday furlough for Curlee, DPWH engineers[Spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya] arrive at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Padre Faura, Manila, on Friday, Dec. 19, for the preliminary investigation into the P7.1-billion tax evasion case filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. MANILA, Philippines — Contractor Curlee Discaya and sacked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza will spend the holidays in Senate detention after their request for Christmas furlough was denied, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said. The detained resource persons, however, were allowed to attend mass at the Senate and to be visited by family within Senate premises. They will not be allowed to leave Senate custody, Lacson said. While Curlee Discaya is under Senate custody, his contractor wife Sarah has been arrested and is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu city jail for a non-bailable malversation case involving an alleged P96.5-million “ghost” flood control project in Davao Occidental.