Up to 60 contractors face blacklisting by DPWHWorkers of a new subcontractor of a flood control structure in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan, lay cement and steels on September 6, 2025 amidst the downpour of rain. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing the blacklisting of up to 60 contractors following massive infrastructure corruption within the agency. Billions of pesos were allegedly stolen through a systemic kickback scheme involving officials, lawmakers, and contractors, with public funds reportedly funneled into bogus flood control projects. “According to the DPWH, more than 60 contractors may be blacklisted,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino. The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board is also in the process of blacklisting 16 contractors involved in the flood control scandal.

Spain performs pioneering face transplant from donor who requested assisted dyingCarme, recipient of the world's first face transplant, poses for a photo with the Vall d'Hebron Hospital surgery team.

DepEd to review grade transmutation policy to end mass promotionMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education will review its policies that inadvertently move students up a grade level despite their poor performance, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Tuesday, February 3. Angara said DepEd will re-examine its grade transmutation matrix — where raw scores of 60 are converted to passing grades of 75 — and other practices that have the unintended effect of promoting unqualified students. Just about 30.5% of Grade 3 learners read at grade level, dropping sharply to 19.6% by Grade 6 and as low as 0.4% by Grade 12, according to DepEd data cited by the commission. "While there is no formal mass promotion policy, there are unintended policies that have that effect," Angara said. Angara said DepEd will evaluate its process of converting grades upward to ensure consistency across the education system.

00:36 Maybe when I'm talking about impeachment,00:38 I'm not sure. 01:02 Wala akong gusto. 01:04 Wala akong gusto. 01:06 If I am, for example, I have a desire for my leadership to talk about impeachment. 01:20 When I talk about impeachment, there is no doubt about it.

Here are the winning lotto combinations of the lotto draw results for the 9 p.m. draw on Monday, February 2. Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletinVisit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manilabulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin#ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNewsTranscript Display full video transcript 00:00 I'll see you next time.

Palace optimistic Zaldy Co will be arrestedFormer Rep. Elizaldy Co admits inserting P100 billion in the 2025 budget in a video released on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 while abroad. Discaya tax cases junkedThe Department of Justice has dismissed three excise tax complaints filed against contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya over their luxury cars. “The panel saw that Sarah and Curlee were not importers so they were not liable for non-payment of excise tax. The one liable to pay excise tax would be the importer – from whom they bought the cars,” he said. This is part of the five tax cases against the Discaya couple that underwent preliminary investigation at the DOJ.

Justice Committee Chair Rep. Gerville "Jinkybitrics" Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District), however, clarified that members' statements deeming an alleged offense insufficient in substance do not indicate whether the respondent is guilty or innocent of the charge. Marcos committed betrayal of public trust when he "failed to veto" the unprogrammed appropriations and other unconstitutional provisions in the General Appropriations Bill. On Marcos' alleged kickbacks. However, Collantes said the complaint does not demonstrate how the complainant had firsthand experience of the transactions in question. Concerning the final offense alleged in the De Jesus complaint, several lawmakers said the claim lacked any factual narration.

Major contractors eyed for highway rehabDPWH Sec. Vince Dizon could not escape the sight of the rough roads when he inspected the construction of the Lopez Viaduct and the rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway in Lopez and Calauag, Quezon, yesterday. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said they want to package into one big contract the Maharlika Highway road network project with components stretching from Cagayan to Mindanao. “Our plan here is we will pour all (rehabilitation funding for Maharlika Highway repair activities) into one (contract),” he said at Monday’s press conference in this city. Major contractors have expressed interest in helping implement President Marcos’ priority infrastructure programs, he added.

‘First impeach case vs Marcos likely to be junked’MANILA, Philippines — Even after hurdling its first test by being declared “sufficient in form,” the first impeachment complaint against President Marcos is doomed to fail, according to Manila Rep. Benny Abante. The other impeachment complaint, filed by former Gabriela congresswoman Liza Maza and other militants in the Makabayan bloc was also declared sufficient in form. Committee members made known their opinions as the panel chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro discussed Impeachment “Allegation No. Quezon City Rep. Jesus Suntay asked Nisay if the De Jesus complaint is supported by evidence other than those mentioned. 1 in the lengthy discussions, Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez moved for the dismissal of the De Jesus impeachment petition.

Putin says who owns Greenland is of no concern to Russia, says it might be worth $1 billion

2 ‘gunrunners’ arrested in LagunaRegie Abarquez, 25, and Abundio Alcaraz, 47, were collared in a sting in Barangay Sampiruhan, according to Lt. Col. Ganaban Ali, chief of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Calabarzon. CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Two suspected illegal gun dealers were arrested in Calamba, Laguna on Monday night. Police said they seized from Abarquez and Alcaraz two pistols, a grenade and ammunition. Records showed that Abarquez was arrested by members of the CIDG-Laguna for murder in 2022. He was also arrested by members of the Calamba police for homicide in October 2025.

Senators clash during China resolution debatesMANILA, Philippines — As senators struggled to have a resolution adopted condemning a Chinese diplomat’s criticism of Philippine officials, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was called out by his colleagues for seemingly lawyering for China – an accusation he vehemently denied. “I’m sorry, but I’m trying to understand the position of the good gentleman in his defense of China and their position,” Pangilinan said. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the caricature posted by Tarriela is just part of freedom of expression, which China does not have. The interpellation was suspended yesterday, further delaying a vote on Senate Resolution 256, which condemned the social media bullying tactics of the Chinese embassy in Manila. Of the nine minority senators, only Jinggoy Estrada signed the draft resolution, while among the majority, only Pia Cayetano did not sign it.

Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP Former French Culture minister Jack Lang leaves after attending the funeral ceremony for French-Italian actor Claudia Cardinale at the Saint-Roch Church in Paris on September 30, 2025.

Rewired by GratitudePraise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. She experienced firsthand that no matter how difficult the struggle, practices of gratitude can help us resist depression and “wire our brains to help us build resilience.”Costa’s powerful story reminded me that practicing gratitude isn’t just something believers do out of duty. Although it’s true that God deserves our gratitude, it’s also profoundly good for us. — Monica La RoseHow have you experienced healing through gratitude? Dear God, thank You for always giving me reasons for gratitude and hope.

Tropical depression Basyang enters PARPAGASA said Basyang entered PAR at 5:30 p.m., a few minutes before it was spotted 1,075 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao. MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) yesterday and was named Basyang, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. PAGASA said Basyang entered PAR at 5:30 p.m., a few minutes before it was spotted 1,075 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao. Basyang is the second tropical depression to enter the country this year. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.