PNP to focus on securing evidence in Cabral’s deathMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has shifted its focus toward investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of former Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral and securing potential evidence related to a multi-billion-peso flood control controversy. “With the confirmation of her death, we were able to clear things up on the speculations of the identity of the remains. The PNP is also taking further measures to "shed light" on the former official’s final days before she was reported dead. The PNP is also coordinating with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and other government agencies to determine which pieces of evidence in Cabral's possession need to be prioritized for the flood control investigation. Before her death, the Department of Justice was set to refer a plunder complaint against her to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged anomalies in Bulacan's flood control systems.

Court of Appeals orders removal of Pryde Henry Teves from terrorism designationThis photo shows the facade of the Court of Appeals. MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has ordered the delisting from the terrorism designation of the brother of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. In a 45-page ruling dated Dec. 18, 2025, the appellate court granted Teves’ petition for certiorari, effectively nullifying his designation under the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act. With this, the Court of Appeals cleared Teves of his terrorism designation and ordered the government to unfreeze his assets. Accordingly, ATC Resolution Number 50 (2023) and ATC Resolution No.

It’s hard to say what happens next but the stakes are certainly high, and it’s difficult not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding her death. Given what she knew, her silence, for sure, would favor many people in high places. As I said, the stakes are certainly high. • Pledging to host the 2026 ASEAN Chinese Business Leaders Summit in Manila next October. This commitment follows the successful inaugural summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last October, which recognized Thailand’s Dhanin Chearavanont of the Charoen Pokphand Group as the ASEAN Chinese Business Leader of 2025.

Tumana water service restoredMarikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro (left), 1st District Rep. Marcy Teodoro (center), and members of the City Council went to the Manila Water office in Tumana on Dec. 20, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Water service to about 3,000 residents of Barangay Tumana in Marikina was restored yesterday after the payment of P15 million to Manila Water. Under the “Patubig sa Tumana” agreement, residents pay their water bills to the barangay, which is tasked to remit the collections to Manila Water. Yesterday, Teodoro and the city officials accompanied the water firm’s personnel in opening the 13 water gate valves in the barangay to ensure that water supply is restored. The reconnection capped a tense week for Tumana residents, whose water supply was cut on Dec. 18 after Manila Water cited the barangay’s unpaid obligations amounting to P37,192,199 as of Dec. 2.

USCIS updates guidance on marital petitionsPart 2The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated its Policy Manual (PM) on spousal petitions. The PM sets forth rules, regulations, policies, guidance and basic do’s and don’ts when pursuing various immigration benefits. When a couple is pursuing a marital petition, it is critical that they follow and meet the requirements contained in the PM. In a previous article, I discussed some highlights of the PM in connection with successful marital petitions. Similarly, if a divorce is valid where it was obtained, it is also recognized for immigration purposes.

MAGA civil war erupts into the open at Turning Point meetingPhoto by OLIVIER TOURON / AFP Conservative political commentator and podcast host Tucker Carlson speaks at Turning Point's annual AmericaFest conference, in remembrance of late right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona on December 18, 2025.

Firms brace for cautious hiring, expansion plansResults of the fourth quarter 2025 Business Expectations Survey (BES) showed that while firms may continue to hire in early 2026, the pace is expected to moderate. Results of the fourth quarter 2025 Business Expectations Survey (BES) showed that while firms may continue to hire in early 2026, the pace is expected to moderate. In contrast, hiring intentions over the next 12 months remained broadly stable. For the first quarter, the share of firms planning to expand declined to 13.6 percent from 16.1 percent, while expansion plans over the next 12 months fell to 15.4 percent from 19.9 percent. Still, a slightly higher proportion of households plan to acquire real property over the next 12 months, rising to 6.2 percent from 5.6 percent.

DOF rolls out IRR for new mining tax lawThe Department of Finance expects to generate P6.3 billion a year in additional revenue from the implementation of the new mining tax law. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) has issued the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 12253, also known as the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act, which outlines the updated tax, royalty and revenue-sharing provisions of the law. The rules impose ring-fencing, preventing large-scale metallic mining operators from consolidating income and costs across projects or offsetting losses against profits when computing royalties and windfall profit taxes. Metallic mining activities conducted in mineral reservations will be liable for a royalty equivalent to five percent of the total output of extracted or produced minerals or mineral products. For those outside mineral reservations, a margin-based royalty on income from metallic mining operations exceeding 60 percent will be subject to a five percent rate.

Late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is seen in this image from the U.S. Justice Department’s file of Epstein, released by the House Oversight Committee Democrats Washington, D.C., U.S., on December 18, 2025. House Oversight Committee Democrats/Handout via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — One of the two alleged Bondi Beach shooters visited a gun store during their stay in the Philippines, police said yesterday as they attempted to retrace the pair’s movements. “What we’ve seen is one of them visiting a gun shop,” Davao regional police spokesperson Catherine dela Rey said yesterday, adding later that it was 50-year-old Sajid Akram who had been seen. Police inquiries had also revealed that neither of the men had visited any of the city’s seven gun ranges, he said. The source could not recall any interaction with Sajid Akram, the father. The hotel staff could not determine what the contents of the bags were and whether they brought items from outside.

Tuba police chief sacked over lapsesPhoto provided by the Benguet police shows officers inspecting the spot where former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral (top inset) fell to her death in Sitio Marammal, Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Maj. Peter Camsol was relieved as Tuba police chief based on findings by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region. The regional police office, Tuaño said, found the Tuba police “remiss in securing pieces of evidence” in the conduct of the investigation. Police said Cabral’s family were initially against allowing an autopsy after her body was found in a ravine in Tuba, Benguet on Dec. 18. Dashcam footageTo aid its investigation into Cabral’s death, the NBI appealed to motorists who passed through Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on Dec. 18 to come forward with dashcam footage.

Giant lanterns light up Christmas in PampangaPhoto taken on Dec. 14 shows people at the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga. The dazzling display of lights, accompanied by religious and festive imagery and soundtracked by Filipino rap and Christmas carols, is part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. The giant lanterns, submitted for competition at the festival, use 12,000 50-watt bulbs synchronized by 15 kilometers (9.2 miles) of electric cables and symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Firefighters carrying extinguishers could be seen patrolling the area, as sparks flew from the rotors of at least three lanterns, AFP journalists at the event saw. “Almost all the lantern-makers here are related to each other or are friends with the others,” said Florante Parilla, 55, who has been designing the giant lanterns for 30 years.

No thanks to the hosts’ never-ending changes in eligibility rules in the months leading to the tournament, Black was forced to drastically alter his initial crew. “Akala nila kami lang, madali-dali lang. “Muntik pa maluto, buti na lang hilaw,” Gilas slotman Poy Erram said jokingly in his social media live post. I went four months not knowing what the eligibility rules were,” he said. So, I couldn’t really understand the eligibility rules in the tournament.

Wolves hand Thunder third loss of seasonMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes up for a shot against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Target Center on December 19, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. MINNEAPOLIS — The NBA Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder suffered just their third defeat of the season Friday, in a last-minute 112-107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA champion Thunder had held the lead with 40 seconds left on the clock, before an Edwards 24-foot three-point step back jump shot gave the Timberwolves the decisive advantage. We’ve won a lot of them,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.

Black-out in BangkokIt was a nightmarish experience for coach Norman Black in preparing Gilas for the SEA Games in Bangkok but when the curtains finally fell to end the journey last Friday, the gratification of victory had to be worth the headaches along the way. In 2011, Black piloted the national team to the gold medal in 5x5 basketball at the Jakarta SEA Games. When SBP looked for a capable coach to steer Gilas at the SEA Games, Black was the perfect choice. In forming his team, Black had asked for Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser from TNT, Robert Bolick from NLEX and Jason Brickman from Meralco. Black engineered a black-out of the opposition in Bangkok and the hard-earned triumph was a huge feather in his cap.