The toxicology report revealed the presence of the antidepressant medication Citalopram, as per an ABS-CBN News report. Maria Catalina Cabral tested positive for an antidepressant drug, according to the Philippine National Police. An earlier autopsy report detailed that Cabral had died of "blunt traumatic injury consistent with a fall." Cabral died after she allegedly fell from a ravine along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, on Dec. 18. Roberto Bernardo alleged that Cabral is involved in kickbacks that benefited several public officials.

Chinese fugitive deportedChinese authorities took custody of Shi, 40, upon his arrival in Jinjiang on a Xiamen Air flight, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday deported Chinese fugitive Shi Chunfang, who is wanted in China for kidnapping. Chinese authorities took custody of Shi, 40, upon his arrival in Jinjiang on a Xiamen Air flight, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said yesterday. Arrested on Dec. 14 in Taytay, Rizal, Shi faced an arrest warrant issued in 2024 by the Jinjiang public security bureau. Shi headed a shabu laboratory in Rizal, Viado said.

Spending Christmas with the farmers in LanginI gave my children and grandchildren a choice between spending Christmas in the U.S. or celebrating the birth of Jesus in the far-flung mountain village in Langin, Ronda, Cebu. They all voted to enjoy Christmas with the farmers in Langin. Langin is a small village with less than 2,000 people with houses far from each other. Langin was the land of my rebirth, where I really spent more than seven years of my youth. We also had a very memorable tree planting, whereby each of my seven grandchildren was tasked to plant 10 trees.

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DOH chief, 2 others face P98 million graft caseDepartment of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa answers questions from the media on May 22, 2024. The ombudsman has been asked to place Herbosa, acting DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo and director of the Health Promotion Bureau Ma. The respondents are facing charges for violating Republic Act 3019, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees as well as grave misconduct. The complainants alleged that the DOH officials financed the radio program using government funds. “The respondents did not merely approve a media program.

2 to 8 tropical cyclones likely in early 2026According to the forecast presented on Thursday by Ana Liza Solis during the 191st climate forum, tropical cyclone activity during the first half of 2026 is expected to be relatively low. Some areas may experience cooler-than-average conditions early in the year, followed by a gradual warming trend beginning in March. Rainfall forecasts indicate above-normal to near-normal rainfall in January across most regions, except in western Luzon, where below-normal rainfall is expected. May is expected to bring near-normal rainfall nationwide, while June will likely maintain near-normal conditions with some regional variations. It is expected to persist into early 2026, with a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions likely between January and March.

BOI approves P124.8 billion investmentsTotal investments for 2025 are expected to increase further as the BOI is still evaluating big-ticket projects. MANILA, Philippines — The Board of Investments (BOI) approved P124.81 billion worth of investments in mid-December, lifting the year-to-date tally to P977 billion. Total investments for 2025 are expected to increase further as the BOI is still evaluating big-ticket projects. In a statement yesterday, Trade Secretary and BOI chair Cristina Roque said the agency has approved 29 projects with a total investment value of P124.81 billion. In 2024, investments approved by the BOI hit an all-time high of P1.62 trillion.

Window dressing lifts PSEi ahead of Christmas breakThe bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched up by 0.01 percent or 0.65 points to end yesterday’s session at 6,041.91. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market posted a slight gain before the Christmas break amid some window dressing activities. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched up by 0.01 percent or 0.65 points to end yesterday’s session at 6,041.91. The broader All Shares index also posted slight gains, increasing by 0.04 percent or 1.23 points to close at 3,447.53. Ricafort, however, said that the market was in some holiday mode already in terms of reduced trading activities.

Promotion of 1,887 teachers awaits DBM approvalIn line with President Marcos’ commitment that no teacher should retire at the entry level, the agency said it has recommended the promotion of 1,887 retirable Teacher I positions to the DBM to accelerate career reform. MANILA, Philippines — The promotion of 1,887 retirable Teacher I positions is now pending approval by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed yesterday. In line with President Marcos’ commitment that no teacher should retire at the entry level, the agency said it has recommended the promotion of 1,887 retirable Teacher I positions to the DBM to accelerate career reform. Of this number, 16,025 teachers have received official appointment papers, while 39,296 reclassification applications remain under review, alongside the 1,887 pending cases involving retirable Teacher I positions. In line with the law, DepEd implemented the Expanded Career Progression system to address long-standing backlogs in teacher promotions.

Of Christmas pastAs we busily prepare for tonight, I am sure most of the adults are feeling harassed and stressed, especially if they are doing the hosting. In reality, Christmas is now mostly celebrated by nuclear families, comprising a mother and father and their children. More likely, the Christmas meals by most families would be store bought fried or roasted chicken, a bilao of pancit or spaghetti, perhaps orange is still in the budget, a cake and soft drinks. But take it from a Baby Boomer, embrace your family and the Christmas tradition, no matter how simple it may be, because they are still here. SMC said the toll waiver is intended to benefit motorists traveling late at night to reach their families during the holidays.

Palace: Deeper drug war probe warrantedMalacañang still needs to review the SC decision, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said. MANILA, Philippines — Calls for a deeper investigation into drug war killings are reinforced by the Supreme Court (SC)’s ruling affirming the conviction of three police officers for murdering 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, a Palace official said yesterday. Several House bills have been filed, seeking the creation of a truth commission to probe killings linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Facing life in prison, the three have been ordered to jointly pay Delos Santos’ family P275,000 in damages. Hontiveros said Delos Santos’ death, followed by the killing of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, showed systematic killings in the drug war.

Government sets P824 billion local borrowingIn an updated memorandum to all government security dealers, the BTr announced its plan to raise P824 billion through the issuance of short-term Treasury bills (T-bills) and long-term Treasury bonds (T-bonds) from January to March as part of its borrowing program. The government plans to auction P324 billion worth of T-bills in the first quarter of next year, set at P108 billion each month. The government plans to raise up to P160 billion in January, P200 billion in February and P140 billion in March. The Marcos administration’s first quarter borrowing plan is 88 percent higher than the P437 billion programmed for the last quarter of 2025. “Most of the national government’s borrowing mix will come from the local or domestic market to prevent foreign exchange risks, mainly through government securities,’’ he said.

Retail prices rise at faster pace in NovemberThe expansion in retail price index in Metro Manila was attributed mainly to the faster increase in food prices. MANILA, Philippines — Retail prices in Metro Manila picked up at a faster rate in November from the previous month due mainly to food price upticks. In November last year, the GRPI growth was also at 1.4 percent. The PSA said chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats, retained the previous month’s growth rate of 2.2 percent. From January to November, average GRPI growth stood at 1.1 percent.

NBA, FIBA explore European leagueThe two bodies said in a statement they would “in January move forward in their joint exploration” of creating a new professional league in Europe by “engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in the process to join.”MANILA, Philippines — The NBA and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced Monday they would begin prospecting teams and owners as part of their project of creating a pan-European men’s basketball league. The two bodies said in a statement they would “in January move forward in their joint exploration” of creating a new professional league in Europe by “engaging prospective teams and ownership groups in the process to join.”“Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision.

Marcos to Pinoys: Stay healthy, safe during the holidaysPresident Bongbong Marcos delivers a speech during the signing of the 2025 natinoal budget at Malacañang on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday reminded Filipinos to be mindful of their health and safety during the holiday season as he gamely answered funny questions from netizens. In a vlog posted on his official Facebook page, Marcos cautioned Filipinos against excessive eating during Christmas gatherings, citing reports of increasing heart attack cases during the season. On whether ninongs and ninangs can evade giving gifts to their godchildren, Marcos said the First Couple could not hide because they are easy to find. In concluding his vlog, Marcos wished Filipinos a happy and peaceful holiday with their families and friends.