Philippines to align trade policy with climate, development goalsMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has launched a new initiative to align its trade policy with its climate and development goals, stressing that climate action must be fair and development-oriented to be effective and sustainable. Speaking at the high-level roundtable on Trade, Climate and Sustainable Development in Geneva, Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla said trade, climate and development cannot be treated as separate tracks, particularly for a climate-vulnerable, middle-income country like the Philippines. He emphasized that international discussions on trade-related climate measures must respect the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities under climate law, as well as special and differential treatment in trade law, to gain broad support among developing countries. “Trade policy, if designed well, can help the Philippines manage adjustment to new climate measures abroad, strengthen our own competitiveness and support a just energy transition at home,” Teehankee said. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the University of the Philippines Law Center Institute of International Legal Studies and the Forum on Trade, Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fair weather, possible rain on Christmas Day seenMANILA, Philippines — Generally fair weather with chances of rain and thunderstorm may greet key areas in the country on Christmas Day, based on projections by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Weather in Metro Manila, Baguio City, Clark Freeport and Economic Zone, Subic Bay Olongapo, Tagaytay City, Lipa City, Legazpi City, Puerto Princesa City and the Kalayaan Island Group may become “partly cloudy to at times cloudy with rain showers and/or thunderstorms,” according to the state weather bureau’s extended weather outlook. Similar weather conditions may prevail over Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Metro Cebu and Tacloban City in the Visayas. Cagayan de Oro City, Valencia City, Metro Davao and Zamboanga City in Mindanao may experience the same conditions. Metro Manila and the rest of the country may expect generally fair weather with chances of rain showers or thunder storm due to the easterlies.

Another way to lose moneyNext week, after Christmas, my wife Beng and I are flying to a southern city – I won’t say yet exactly where – for a short break from the stresses of the season. Even before the pandemic, the country lagged regional peers in foreign arrivals – 8.2 million foreign visitors – well below Indonesia’s 16 million, Malaysia’s 26 million, Thailand’s 40 million and Singapore’s 15 million. Moreover, foreign tourists remain concentrated in a few destinations: the National Capital Region and Central Visayas (home to Cebu) account for over 60 percent of total foreign overnight stays. Then come the fees: ‘local support’ fee, environmental fee, parking fee, toilet fee, shower fee... That’s why some foreigners call it Feelippines. Now we need BBM to treat this like flood control: another way to lose a lot of money aside from thievery is not to make it when we very well could.

‘Cabral left complete list of budget insertions’MANILA, Philippines — The late Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral left behind a “complete list” of budget insertions for DPWH flood control projects, a neophyte congressman said yesterday. Batangas first district Rep. Leandro Leviste said Cabral gave him the files on the budget insertions, which he was willing to release. “The late undersecretary Cabral gave me files of DPWH insertions of the whole country, thanks to Secretary Vince (Dizon of DPWH). “(Former) undersecretary Cabral knows more than (former) undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo. The files, before the computers were discovered to be empty and in shambles, were with undersecretary Cabral.

PNP focuses on securing evidence in Cabral’s deathThe Philippine National Police Forensic Group is on site at Kennon Road in Benguet to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral's death. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has now shifted its focus to checking and securing evidence linked to the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. He said Cabral’s driver is being questioned as part of the investigation, along with other measures to determine what transpired before her death. While acknowledging the sensitivity of the case for Cabral’s family, Nartatez said securing possible evidence in her possession is necessary due to strong public interest. The NBI said the search warrant authorized agents to seize records and other items that could help shed light on Cabral’s death.

‘3 quakes, 2 typhoons killed 370 in PhilippinesRescuers pull an inflatable boat transporting residents during a forced evacuation at a village in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on November 11, 2025 as homes remained inundated due to heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Uwan. MANILA, Philippines — Three strong earthquakes and two devastating typhoons claimed the lives of around 370 people in the Philippines, mostly in Cebu, since September this year. Flash floods, landslides and damaged infrastructure injured and displaced hundreds of Filipinos and their families. Ten days later on Oct. 10, two powerful quakes hit Manay, Davao Oriental and nearby provinces, claiming eight lives. Tino had injured around 502 people and damaged 312,650 houses in Mimaropa, Negros, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Senate, House to sign bicam report on budget todayThe bicameral conference committee holds its first-ever livestreamed deliberations for the 2026 national budget on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian and his House counterpart, appropriations chair Mikaela Suansing believe Marcos won’t veto the proposed 2026 budget. The Senate and the House of Representatives contingents are to resume sessions today after previously being in a deadlock over the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways. ‘No reenacted budget for 2026’Following the bicam’s approval of the proposed 2026 national budget last week, fears of a reenacted budget for next year have been put to rest. Suansing rejected suggestions that the outcome of the bicam reflected concessions between the House and the Senate, stressing that discussions focused on producing a credible and accountable national budget.

Antipolo lawmaker Acop, ex-quad comm member, 78MANILA, Philippines — Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop passed away yesterday at a hospital in Antipolo City. He is the perfect example of one who has integrity in public service,” Speaker Faustino Dy III said. Acop served in the Philippine National Police for decades and rose to the rank of two-star general before resigning in January 2001. Former House speaker Martin Romualdez, under whose leadership Acop served as a panel chairman, paid tribute. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon vowed to continue the legacy of his co-chair in the 20th Congress’ quad committee.

The United States Congress has approved $2.5 billion (roughly P146 billion) in new security assistance for the Philippines, locking in Washington's multi-year military funding for Manila at a time of flaring tensions in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Use ‘Pinggang Pinoy’ in preparing holiday meals, families urgedThe Department of Health is urging the public to celebrate Christmas safely by choosing healthy food and following the “Pinggang Pinoy” guide. MANILA, Philippines — The National Nutrition Council (NNC) is urging Filipino families to use the “Pinggang Pinoy” as a guide when preparing meals for the holiday season. “With Pinggang Pinoy, the greener your plate is, the better. The more vegetables, the better,” NNC Regional Nutrition Program coordinator Eileen Blanco said in a radio interview Saturday. The Pinggang Pinoy, developed by the Department of Science and Technology, serves as a visual guide to a balanced meal.

DPWH execs behind overpricing face sanctionsMANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon vowed sanctions against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional directors and district engineers who enforced the systematized overprice of construction materials and infrastructure projects. Dizon said that they have already centralized the CMPD setting process, with the Approved Budget Cost for procurement or bidding processes given to the DPWH Technical Services. “In the central office, it’s the office of Undersecretary Lara Marisse Esquibil that is going down (to the regional and district level to set the CMPD). We are not entrusting the canvassing to the regional and district offices,” Dizon said. Dizon recently posted that DPWH needs to hire more engineers after the scandalous DPWH ghost projects.

PNP tightens security for Christmas seasonLocal police units have been directed to plan and adjust personnel deployment in major transport terminals to ensure the safe and orderly movement of passengers. More than 100,000 police personnel have been deployed nationwide for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, higher than last year’s 60,000. “Our security measures are in place, with regular adjustments based on the situation on the ground. We are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of people in terminals and along roads leading to transportation hubs. Police personnel will be on the ground around the clock to ensure safe travel of passengers as well as to secure business and residential areas during the Christmas season, according to Nartatez.

DA extends sugar import ban to December 2026“The ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year – not September, when the current crop year ends – extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions,” the DA announced in a statement yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — Believing local production of sugar has improved, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is maintaining its ban on importing sugar until December 2026. “The ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year – not September, when the current crop year ends – extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions,” the DA announced in a statement yesterday. Also, land used to plant sugarcane enlarged from 380,000 hectares in 2022 to 409,000 hectares this year. Only after those obligations are met – and based on a predetermined ratio – will imports be permitted, subject to SRA approval,” the agencies explained.

CA delists Pryde Henry Teves as terroristMANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the delisting of former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves as a terrorist, ruling that his designation by the government was baseless and constituted a grave abuse of discretion under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). In a 45-page decision penned by Associate Justice Ruben Reynaldo Roxas, the CA’s special former Sixth Division found that the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) designated Teves as a terrorist without establishing probable cause. The appellate court also ordered the lifting of the freeze order on Teves’ assets issued by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, saying it was likewise unjustified. In July 2023, the ATC designated Teves, his brother former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., and 11 others as terrorists following the assassination of then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. However, the CA ruled that ATC Resolution 43 failed to explain how Teves supposedly committed acts that warranted his designation as a terrorist.

NAIA blacklists man for bomb jokeDuring a security check on Saturday, the suspect told airport staff that he carried a grenade. MANILA, Philippines — A male passenger departing for Singapore has been offloaded for making a bomb joke at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. During a security check on Saturday, the suspect told airport staff that he carried a grenade. After confirming the absence of a bomb in his luggage, authorities blacklisted the passenger. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy and will take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of airport operations,” acting police Aviation Security Group director Brig.