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Chinese warship caught loitering in Zambales watersA People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship loiters off the coast of Zambales on Dec. 17, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy (PN) responded to a Chinese warship caught loitering in the waters of Zambales, sending two ships to assert the country’s rights over its sovereign waters. In a statement, the PN said that on December 17, it received reports of a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), off the waters of Zambales. The warship was a PLAN Jiangkai II (Type 054A)–class frigate, bow number 569. After the Navy confirmed the presence of the Chinese warship, the BRP Diego Silang was also deployed as reinforcement.
Blunt force injuries led to Cabral’s death — PNPTrigger warning: suicide, mental health issuesMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral died of blunt traumatic injuries. According to the medico-legal report, Cabral’s body was examined on December 20, a day after she was found unconscious in a ravine in Benguet. The report concluded: “THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS BLUNT TRAUMATIC INJURIES TO THE HEAD, TRUNK, LEFT UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES DUE TO FALL FROM THE HEIGHT.”The examination revealed extensive injuries across her head, neck, torso and extremities. Extremity injuries included abrasions, contusions and lacerations on her arms, wrists, palms, hands and ankles. In a separate toxicology report by the PNP, Cabral was also found to be positive for anti-depressant drugs.
P21.4M worth of illegal drugs seized in unclaimed parcelsIntercepted unclaimed parcels by the Bureau of Customs on Dec. 15, 2025, which contain illegal drugs. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs intercepted five unclaimed inbound parcels containing dangerous drugs valued at an estimated P21.4 million. In a statement on Wednesday, December 24, the bureau said that it had seized the unclaimed parcels on December 15 at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City. Physical inspection revealed the following content:Shabu: 2,928 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride with an estimated value of P19,910,400. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Republic Act No.
Marcos: If your relatives call you fat this holidays, say ‘ikaw din’MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appears to be in a festive mood this holiday season, quipping that if a relative calls you fat during the holiday reunion, you should say it back to them. In a vlog posted on Tuesday, the day before Christmas Eve, Marcos took questions from social media. One of these questions asked: what do you reply to a relative who calls you fat? Ikaw din’,” Marcos said. However, Marcos also cautioned people from eating too much, as cases of heart attacks can increase during the season.
Cloudy Christmas Eve for LuzonMANILA, Philippines — As the country is gearing up for Noche Buena, Filipinos in the Bicol Region, Quezon and several other Luzon areas can expect cloudy skies with chances of rain on Wednesday, December 24. PAGASA forecasted that the Bicol Region and Quezon can anticipate cloudy skies and scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the easterlies. Metro Manila and the rest of the country are also affected by the eastern winds but with only partly cloudy skies and isolated thunderstorms. Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley and the rest of Central Luzon will experience partly cloudy skies due to the northeast monsoon. State meteorologists forecast that rains across Luzon will ease by Thursday, giving everyone fair weather on Christmas Day.
Citations for Army units in Central Mindanao laudedPresident Ferdinand Marcos personally attached the performance citation streamer to the official banner of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade during a symbolic rite at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, December 19, 2025. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Local executives were elated with the president’s grant on Friday, December 19, of streamer awards to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and its two brigades for having neutralized two terror groups and secured the surrender of hundreds of communist insurgents in Central Mindanao in recent months. “These three big Army units covering Central Mindanao deserved those special streamer awards for having achieved remarkable accomplishments in the government’s anti-terror campaign in Region 12 and in parts of the Bangsamoro region," Mendoza, chairperson of the multi-sector Regional Development Council 12, said. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said on Wednesday that it was for the support of the local communities that their units have succeeded in clearing the towns being secured by their units from NPA presence. Units of the 601st Infantry Brigade have also worked out, with the help of LGUs, the surrender of 715 Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF terrorists in the past 36 months.
Singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo is clapping back against those who have been shaming him online following his performance at the UST Paskuhan 2025 last Dec. 19. Some social media users, however, mocked his appearance and claimed that he had an unpleasant odor. I also worked backstage nung paskuhan and let me tell you, si Zack ang pinakamabango," one user said. Lahat tayo tumatae, lahat tayo pinagpapawisan, lahat tayo nagkakamali sa buhay. Tabudlo started his music career when he competed on the first season of The Voice Kids under Bamboo Mañalac's mentorship.
Russell Brand is facing two new cases for rape and sexual assault, according to the Metropolitan Police. The cases allegedly happened back in 2009. These come after Brand was previously slapped with five offenses in April earlier this year: two counts of rape, one of indecent assault, and two of sexual assault. Another incident purported that the actor kissed and groped a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005, while the remaining cases allege that he committed oral rape and sexual assault against a woman in 2004. Brand became known internationally as the husband of pop star Katy Perry after forging a career in Britain with risque comedy routines.
What to know about SEC’s new beneficial ownership rulesMANILA, Philippines — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has issued a regulatory framework to improve the accuracy and timeliness of corporate beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures. “Strengthening transparency in beneficial ownership is a key regulatory reform to reduce the risk of corporate entities being misused for illicit activities,” SEC Chairperson Francis Lim said. The rules mandate a 20% reporting threshold for beneficial ownership, anchored in regulations issued by the Anti-Money Laundering Council. They also strengthen disclosure requirements by mandating nominee reporting and requiring timely notification of changes in beneficial ownership, according to the SEC. According to the SEC, the two corporations failed to disclose that Sarah Discaya was their beneficial owner, which violated SEC rules.
Johnson, Castle take charge as Spurs silence ThunderLOS ANGELES, United States — Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle combined for 49 points as the San Antonio Spurs produced a second-half scoring blitz to rout the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 130-110, on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time). Starting shooting guard Castle finished with 24 points, including four 3-pointers but the key contribution came from Johnson, who added 25 off the bench including five threes. The Thunder fell to 26-4 after the loss, while the Spurs improved to 22-7 to stay in second place in the West. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama finished with 12 points while reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder scoring with 33 points. Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who scored 47 points in Sunday's win over Miami, missed the game with a right ankle problem.
Probe Bicol Saro insertions – LevisteRep. 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. In his resolution, Leviste is also seeking a probe on insertions in the 2025 budget made by Bicol Saro party-list. He called on Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon to resign as chairman of the Housecommittee on public accounts to ensure a fair investigation. Leviste alleged that Cabral’s files show that Bicol Saro party-list proposed P150 million in road projects in the 2025 DPWH budget, later awarded to Bicol Goldrock for P73.5 million, or two percent below the approved budget. Ridon shouldn’t hide Bicol Saro Party-list’s insertions, whether for 2025 or 2026, if his party-list truly has no relationship with the Ibasco family, who own Bicol Goldrock and won the projects they proposed.
‘VP visited Teves, not Madriaga’Vice President Sara Duterte faces the media at the headquarters of the Office of the Vice President, hours after holding a thanksgiving lunch with them, Dec. 11, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte visited former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. in October at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. Lawyers of Duterte’s former aide Ramil Madriaga, however, maintained that the Vice President visited him twice. Joyce” allegedly linked to the Vice President had also visited Madriaga, they noted. It actually supports that Vice President Sara visited the jail,” they said.
Reenacted budget looms as review setRecto: Marcos mobilizes review teamsMANILA, Philippines — A week-long reenactment of the 2025 national budget won’t affect government operations, Malacañang said yesterday, as it emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining the P6.793-trillion proposed outlay for next year. President Marcos has decided to skip Christmas break so he can review the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, Malacañang said yesterday. On Monday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III raised the possibility of this year’s national budget being reenacted in the first week of January. The national budget for the preceding year is automatically reenacted if a new appropriations law is not enacted. The P6.793-trillion proposed national budget for next year was subjected to intense scrutiny as the government faced mounting calls to punish those involved in the multibillion-peso flood control mess.
No holiday visits for DuterteMANILA, Philippines — Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte will be spending Christmas and New Year without his family, following International Criminal Court (ICC) rules barring visitation during the holidays. Also, obviously, his foreign supporters,” Kitty said. Kitty arrived in The Hague on Dec. 19. “I think (the visit) today was better, also longer since I arrived before the time started. According to Kitty, her father is OK as they ended the visit with a prayer.
