Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Horse
Meta, TikTok and YouTube face landmark trial over youth addiction claimsFILE - Attendees visit the Meta booth at the Game Developers Conference 2023 in San Francisco on March 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Oil sheen found near MV Trisha Kerstin 3Oil sheen seen in the waters near where MV Trisha Kerstin was sunk during an aerial surveillance done by the Philippine Coast Guard on Jan. 27, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — An oil sheen has been spotted in the waters near where the MV Trisha Kerstin sank. In a message to reporters on Tuesday, January 27, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Noemi Cyabyab said that the PCG observed an oil sheen during its aerial surveillance. Earlier, the Department of Transportation grounded the shipping lines of the MV Trisha Kerstin’s operator, Aleson Shipping Lines, while the PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority are investigating the incident. On January 26, Aleson’s MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo, Sulu, when it sank in the waters off Basilan.
At Yiwu International Trade City, China’s largest wholesale market, customers crowd into a small shop searching for an unlikely bestseller ahead of the Lunar New Year. They are looking for a red plush horse with a downturned mouth, a gold bell around its neck, and eyes that appear to shy away from a viewer’s gaze. The toy has gone viral on Chinese social media ahead of the Spring Festival holiday, which this year marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Called the “crying horse” by online users, the toy was designed as a happy-faced Lunar New Year decoration, but a manufacturing mistake turned its smile into a frown. “A worker sewed the mouth on upside down by accident,” said Zhang Huoqing, owner of the Yiwu-based shop Happy Sister.
FDA: No one jailed yet over unregistered health productsSen. Raffy Tulfo slams the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during Tuesday’s public hearing, January 27, 2026, of the Committee on Health and Demography. MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Tuesday slammed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over their failure to imprison bad actors who sell fake or unregistered medical products. During the hearing of the Committee on Health and Demography, Sen. Erwin Tulfo questioned FDA officials if they have been able to file cases and imprison the sellers of fake or unregistered products. FDA Director General Paolo Teston said that the FDA has been able to file around 3,000 administrative cases. Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo slammed the FDA for allowing the proliferation of fake and unregistered goods online and in physical stores.
ICONS of education and its ‘internationalization’The winners of the Internationalization Leadership Award with CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis (third from right) and Commissioners. Just days after the CHED ICONS Awards 2025, the higher education community mourned the passing of Atty. She believed that Philippine higher education institutions could compete globally, and that internationalization should be inclusive, reaching state universities and colleges, even in the most far-flung areas. Particularly telling was the emphasis on the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure universities’ contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. She also announced that in 2026, the Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairship for Higher Education, with Artificial Intelligence as the regional theme.
BuCor explores solar power shift for prison facilitiesBuCor Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. (right) with BDLS Core Energy President Rommel Paradero (left) during the signing of the memorandum of understanding. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a private energy firm to explore transitioning its correctional facilities to solar power. Under the agreement, BDLS will conduct a technical and financial feasibility study on the use of solar energy and other renewable applications in the prison system. BuCor will provide the firm access to relevant correctional facilities and premises needed for the assessment. Of this amount, P102 million comes from just three facilities: the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, the BuCor National Headquarters, and the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Marcoleta echoes China's lines, drawing Hontiveros' rebuttalMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta said China is unhappy about being portrayed as the "kontrabida" in the West Philippine Sea dispute, relaying remarks he attributed to Beijing's envoy in Manila. Marcoleta said there was "relative peace" during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who had often echoed pro-China positions on the West Philippine Sea. Rather than defending Tarriela, however, Marcoleta said such statements should be avoided. Marcoleta also suggested that China could be an ally of the Philippines if differences were set aside. Hontiveros rejects Marcoleta's positionHontiveros countered Marcoleta's remarks, saying China has itself depicted the Philippine president and other leaders offensively, portraying them as puppets of foreign powers.
Retired SC justices attend House hearing on political dynastiesAmong those invited were retired chief justices Reynato Puno, a highly respected constitutionalist and Artemio Panganiban as well as former associate justices Adolf Azcuna and Antonio Carpio. “At this juncture, there is growing public groundswell to finally legislate the Constitution’s mandate on Congress to ban political dynasties,” Cendaña said. Before, we accepted political dynasties as part of reality. Akbayan’s “Comprehensive Anti-Political Dynasty Bill” or House Bill 5905 has been touted by some political reform advocates as among the strongest prohibitions on political dynasties. In December 2025, Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos filed House Bill 6771, marking the first major push by top House leaders to operationalize constitutional provisions intended to prohibit political dynasties.
EDITORIAL - Another tragedy at seaAs of last night, 18 people were confirmed dead from the sinking of the roll-on/roll-off vessel Trisha Kerstin 3 at around 1:50 a.m. yesterday off Basilan. But the tragedy should serve as a reminder that ensuring the seaworthiness of all ships operating in the country is a year-long undertaking. Near the site where the Trisha Kerstin 3 sank, off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, another Aleson vessel – the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 – caught fire while plying the same sea route in March 2023. In July 2002, the vessel Aleson Container Carrier 5 collided with another ship off Cebu; one fatality was reported. After the Lady Mary Joy disaster in 2023, the Maritime Industry Authority ordered an inspection of all Aleson vessels.
Ferry sinks off Basilan: 18 dead, 24 missingZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A passenger vessel sank yesterday off the coast of Basilan, leaving 18 people dead and 24 others missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Authorities rescued 317 people after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 encountered trouble amid rough sea conditions. Citing the accounts of some survivors, PCG spokesperson Cap. PNP officers rescuedAmong Trisha Kerstin 3’s passengers, 13 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were rescued and one died. CondolencesEuropean Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro said he was deeply saddened by the tragic ferry sinking off Basilan.
French lawmakers took a first step towards banning social media for under-15s, an effort championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time. The legislation, which also provides for a ban on mobile phones in high schools, follows Australia's ban on social media for under-16s in December, a world first. As social media has grown, so has concern that too much screen time is arresting child development and contributing to mental health problems. He added that "social media platforms will then have until Dec. 31 to deactivate existing accounts" that do not comply with the age limit. 'Destiny of our country'In addition to combating the impact of screens and social media on the mental health of young adolescents, Attal stressed that the measure would counter "a number of powers that, through social media platforms, want to colonise minds".
