'VP Sara visited Teves in October, not Madriaga'MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte visited former lawmaker Arnie Teves Jr. at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in October, not Ramil Madriaga. This is according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who shared this information at a press conference Tuesday, December 23. "Pumunta sya doon pero kinausap nya si Arnie Teves, hindi si Madriaga (She did go to the facility, but it was Arnie Teves she visited, not Madriaga)," Remulla said at a press conference held by the National Police Commission (Napolcom). "I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time," she said. The vice president has at one point compared herself to Teves in terms of their shared legal troubles.

“Nagulat po ako kasi hindi ko po in-expect na makikita ko yung pamilya ko doon. Naiiyak po kasi hindi ko po in-expect na sasama siya sa surpresa na naganap po. “Ang saya po sa pakiramdam na na-surprise po namin si mama kasi ito po ‘yung first experience namin na ma-surprise po namin siya,” Nicole said. “Para po sa akin, buo ang Pasko kapag buo ‘yung aming pamilya at magkasama po kami,” she said. Check out the GrabFood Party Platters for easier ordering of ready-to-share sets to satisfy those hungry bellies.

The sudden death of former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral is now the subject of a House resolution seeking a congressional investigation filed by 12 lawmakers on Monday, Dec. 22. In addition to the resolution, Diokno is also looking to file more specific bills connected to death investigations and autopsy laws. A cyber warrant legalizes the seizing of digital evidence in an investigation. For Cabral's case, Diokno lamented how the application for a cyber warrant came too late. “Yet it’s only the other day, based on the news, na merong nag-apply for cyber warrants,” he said, referring to how the Ombudsman mentioned the cyber warrant after Cabral’s death.

French carrier Air France is set to halt its direct flights from Paris to Manila from May to October next year. "Air France, in recent schedule update, adjusted service to The Philippines, as Paris Charles de Gaulle – Manila route being converted to seasonal service in 2026. During Northern summer 2026 season, the Skyteam member will not operate the 3 weekly flights between [May 4, 2026 and Oct. 12, 2026]," it reported. In December 2024, Air France launched direct flights between Manila and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. Air France has yet to release a statement regarding the reason for the halt.

Is the United States after Venezuela's oil? Photo by PEDRO MATTEY / AFP Motorcyclists supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro take part in a motorcade to protest against the United States in Caracas on December 22, 2025.

Bong Go joins ‘Bring Him Home’ Christmas outreachMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go joined the “Bring Him Home: A Christmas Outreach – Isang Paskong May Pag-asa, Isang Paskong May Panalangin” held last Friday in Davao City, lending his presence to a holiday activity centered on prayer, solidarity and assistance for children battling cancer. The Christmas outreach, organized in a tradition long associated with former president Rodrigo Duterte, brought together caregivers, volunteers and young patients for a simple gathering that combined gift-giving with quiet reflection. Go participated in the distribution of assistance to pediatric cancer patients, echoing a practice he learned from his mentor and has consistently supported in various charity and hospital-based activities as a public servant. He added that the gathering was not only about expressing political support but about remembering those who continue to struggle with illness, particularly children undergoing cancer treatment. Through the years, the former chairman of the Senate committee on health has consistently advocated for increased funding for the Cancer Assistance Fund, highlighting its vital role in easing the financial burdens faced by patients and families.

Repurposing infraThis 2025 should be remembered for one thing – the way President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. repurposed infrastructure, public and private. And the best infra of all – quality infra that is free, provided by the private sector. In this connection, let me quote my Inquirer colleague, Jake Maderazo:“What sets President Marcos Jr. apart is the combination of vision and discipline. “Clearly, in reclamation, President Marcos Jr. has shown that fiscal prudence and ambition are not mutually exclusive. President Marcos directed chairman Alexander T. Lopez and the PRA with executing this vision – and they have been made accountable to it.

For Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), that consistency has once again been recognized, as it was named the Strongest Bank in the Philippines for 2025 by The Asian Banker. The annual Strongest Bank Rankings by The Asian Banker evaluate the world’s 1,000 largest banks based on balance sheet strength and financial performance. Institutions are assessed across six core criteria (ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality, and liquidity) covering 14 detailed performance indicators that reflect long-term resilience rather than short-term gains. Emerging as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines during that period set the tone for the years that followed. Strong financial fundamentalsMetrobank’s recent financial performance underscores this recognition.

Jonvic: Presidential bid possibleMANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday he may seek the presidency in 2028. It can be Senator Chiz (Escudero), but it has to be one-on-one,” Remulla said. “I think it should be a dichotomy – the Philippines will have to choose between one version of how to govern and one version of the truth,” he said. “The Philippines has to choose a common future that they think is believable. Remulla said his bid for president should be approved by his wife.

Recto, former PhilHealth boss face plunder rapsMANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. are facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman over the transfer of P60 billion in “excess” PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. The advocacy group said Recto and Ledesma must also be held administratively liable for grave misconduct. The complainants specifically wanted Recto to be held liable for his issuance of Department of Finance (DOF) Circular No. 003-2024 during his term as finance secretary, which included P89 billion in reserve funds of PhilHealth as among the reserve funds of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) ordered transferred to the national treasury. The complainants said Ledesma must be held liable with Recto as he acquiesced to the lattter’s “unlawful directive.” — Helen Flores

The staggering amounts looted from public works projects were made possible by a sophisticated conspiracy involving contractors, bureaucrats and politicians. To date, an executive secretary, a budget secretary and the previous public works secretary have resigned. She is neighbors with Martin Romualdez, Zaldy Co, Edwin Gardiola and others whose names have been associated with the public works scandal. The Cabral files is one important tactical issue. Cabral’s death was untimely – but also too convenient.

PEZA, Polish agency to boost trade, investmentsIn a statement yesterday, the investment promotion agency said that PEZA director general Tereso Panga and PAIH head Bartek Wasiewski signed two memoranda of understanding (MOU) on Dec. 11. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has partnered with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) to promote greater trade and investments between the two countries. Under the first MOU, PAIH was designated as PEZA’s official investment promotion partner to help expand bilateral trade and investment flows. Another MOU was also signed by PEZA and PAIH, representing Polish shipbuilder JPP Marine. As of Dec. 12, investments approved by PEZA reached P237.1 billion, exceeding last year’s total of P214.18 billion.

Christmas 2025Eerily, the holiday season this year reminds me of the uncertainty, anxiety and quiet grief of 2020, that year when the tumultuous pandemic era hit us like a thief in the night. “There were people who were with us last Christmas and are no longer with us this Christmas. And there are people who are with us this Christmas who may no longer be with us next Christmas. So why don’t we make it the best Christmas ever, with God, with our loved ones, with our people, with ourselves?” he said in his latest newspaper column. We can accept that Christmas is not always about joy unburdened, but about love that persists despite everything.

Bargain hunting propels PSEi above 6,000The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) soared by 2.03 percent or 120.39 points to close the session at 6,041.26. MANILA, Philippines — Stocks rallied as investors took advantage of lower prices following the market’s recent slump. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) soared by 2.03 percent or 120.39 points to close the session at 6,041.26. The market’s strong performance to open the shortened trading week was attributed primarily to bargain-hunting activities. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the PSEi gained and completely erased the previous day’s 1.8-percent decline.

On patrol off Zambales, BRP Jacinto test-fires 76mm gunThe Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) is seen here preparing to test fire its 76mm Oto Melara gun off the waters of Los Frailes Island, Zambales, on Dec. 18, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) conducted a maritime patrol off Zambales last week and test-fired its 76mm Italian-made gun. “The conduct of test fire is to ensure the operability, accuracy and effective operation of the 76MM Oto Melara Gun as well as to amplify the operator’s skill proficiency,” it said. The Northern Luzon Naval Command, through Emilio Jacinto, continues to monitor the area and ensure the safety of Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In Palawan, the Western Naval Command welcomed returning troops and mission team from the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).