Fuel prices climb for fifth straight weekA gas station attendant fills up cars at a station in Paco, Manila on January 12, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Pump prices are set to jump once more today, extending the streak of hikes for diesel and kerosene to five weeks. Jetti president Leo Bellas, meanwhile, said oil prices remained volatile due to lingering concerns over potential US military intervention in Iran. With these latest movements, the year-to-date net increase for gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices stands at P1.60, P3.80 and P2.70 per liter, respectively. Last week, oil firms implemented a per-liter price hike of P1 for gasoline, P2 for diesel and P1.50 for kerosene.

CIDG gets numerous tips on Atong locationMANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has received at least 40 pieces of information on the possible location of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang since the manhunt began, an official said yesterday. Some tips suggested Ang may have fled abroad, possibly to Cambodia or Thailand, following statements by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Guiagui said police attachés have been alerted, but stressed that the manhunt in the Philippines remains intensified. The CIDG has also served a subpoena on notaries involved in documents related to firearms surrendered by Ang’s group, including an affidavit of loss for a missing firearm. This is our mandate, not only to enforce the law but to give justice to those seeking answers,” Guiagui said.

Senate resumes session; Bato remains AWOLMANILA, Philippines — The Senate of the 20th Congress resumed session yesterday after the holiday break, but the continued absence of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was a mystery the Senate leadership has yet to resolve. While Dela Rosa broke his public silence last week when he marked his 64th birthday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he has not received any formal, personal communication from the senator. “Hindi pa eh… I have not heard any information from Senator Bato,” Sotto told reporters before opening the session. Dela Rosa had reportedly been carrying out his duties remotely, through most of his staff at the Senate. Despite his absence, Dela Rosa was able to sign the so-called minority report related to the flood control controversy, which further confounded Sotto.

LTFRB to deploy ‘mystery riders’ vs dilapidated PUVsTraditional jeepneys ply EDSA near the LRT–Taft Avenue station in Manila on September 16, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Cracking down on dilapidated public utility vehicles, “mystery riders” monitoring PUVs will be deployed nationwide, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Mystery riders, typically young people employed and trained by the LTFRB, will ride PUVs incognito to monitor and report substandard service, including dirty interiors, broken seats, defective lighting or excessively loud sound systems. The phaseout of dilapidated PUVs is being implemented by region, with each area setting its own timeline. Mendoza said vehicles with minor defects, such as paint or cosmetic issues, would be given a chance to comply before removal from service.

Basilan ferry sinking is Aleson’s second major tragedy in 3 yearsAleson Shipping Lines (logo) is the company that owns and operates MV Trisha Kerstin 3 (right), which sunk in the waters off Basilan early Monday, January 26. MANILA, Philippines — The sinking of an Aleson Shipping Lines ferry off Basilan early Monday, January 26, is the shipping company's second major tragedy in less than three years. Following the 2023 fire, Aleson Shipping Lines had issued a public apology stating it had "never had a tragedy like this" in nearly five decades of operations. Philstar.com has also reached out to Aleson Shipping Lines and is awaiting its response. In an official statement released Monday, Aleson Shipping Lines said it "immediately activated our quick response measures" after receiving the distress call.

"Panahon na para malaman talaga natin kung sino ang kumikikita, sino ang nag-aamplify, at sino ang mistulang megaphone ng China dito sa Pilipinas. Sen. Erwin Tulfo also criticized China, saying it must respect the Philippines' right to free speech. "To the Chinese Embassy officials: You do not have the moral authority to lecture Filipinos about freedom of speech—because freedom of speech does not exist in your country. Tulfo called the statement unacceptable, saying China cannot police the free speech of Filipinos. 256 condemning the recent statements of the Chinese Embassy.

‘Cargo liquefaction may have caused Devon Bay’s sinking’Fifteen Filipino crewmembers who survived the capsizing of Singaporean-flagged cargo ship M/V Devon Bay arrive at Pier 13 in Port Area, Manila yesterday, along with the remains of two crewmembers recovered at sea. “The initial statements of the crew suggest that the cargo – it was carrying around 55,000 tons of nickel ore and there was liquefaction. The ill-fated cargo ship had 21 officers and crewmembers. The China Coast Guard helped in the rescue of officers and crew of the Singaporean-flagged Devon Bay. “At this point, actually, what I want to highlight is the heroism of the captain of M/V Devon Bay, Captain Elimar Jucal from Negros Occidental.

Blue Ribbon probe absentees to be cited in contemptSenator Ping Lacson addresses the Senate's ongoing flood control investigation and other matters concerning the upper chamber during the "Kapihan sa Senado" on January 14, 2026. Lacson said nearly all of those issued show-cause orders for skipping last week’s hearing could be cited in contempt and detained, noting that the reasons given for their absence were not convincing. But there has to be a hearing to formally cite them in contempt,” Lacson, who is also Senate President Pro-Tempore, told reporters. Lacson also said the committee is close to completing a partial committee report on the flood control investigation. Meanwhile, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has not received a letter from Malacañang ordering its termination.

ICC: Duterte fit for pre-trial proceedingsMANILA, Philippines — After months of delay, the confirmation of charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte will finally push through next month after International Criminal Court judges found him fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings. In a 25-page decision released yesterday, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously denied the defense’s request to indefinitely adjourn the proceedings due to Duterte’s supposed cognitive impairment. It relied on reports submitted by the independent panel of medical experts, which was formed to determine Duterte’s fitness to participate in pre-trial proceedings. “Read holistically… the Chamber is satisfied that Mr. Duterte does have the ability to understand the charges against him and is able effectively to exercise his procedural rights,” it added. In their ruling, the pre-trial judges rejected the defense’s arguments that the medical experts’ findings cannot be considered as “dispositive” due to supposed contradictions.

Four Hong Kong defendants convicted of fraud in first illegal short-selling case prosecuted as fraud

Duterte’s ICC confirmation of charges hearing set for Feb. 23This photograph taken on March 14, 2025 shows a flag fluttering outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) is scheduled for February 23, the tribunal announced Monday. In a statement on January 26, Pre-Trial Chamber I judges declared Duterte fit to stand trial, meaning he will participate in pre-trial proceedings, including the confirmation of charges. Their request for interim release was also denied by the Pre-Trial Chamber I, which the Appeals Chamber later upheld. Why the confirmation hearing mattersThe confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to establish substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed the crimes charged.

Gold blasts past US$5,100 to record high on safe-haven rushUK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025.

Marcos wants probe into Russian vlogger's prison corruption claimsRussian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy at a plane bound to Russia on Jan. 17, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into possible corruption in a detention facility following Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy’s claim that "money talks" in the Philippines, the Palace said. (For now, the President has ordered a thorough investigation into this, and three courtesy resignations have been accepted—one warden and two deputies. Any video he may release, however, could still serve as evidence in the probe, Castro added. Should the investigation reveal abuses and corruption in the system, Castro said proper cases must be filed.

Slain gunmen who ambushed Shariff Aguak mayor wanted for multiple serious casesThe getaway vehicle of the three men who ambushed the convoy of the mayor of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur is now in the custody of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. COTABATO CITY— All three gunmen who ambushed the mayor of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday, January 25, were killed by pursuing soldiers and police officers. Pursuing volunteer community watchmen, policemen, and soldiers cornered the three suspects in Barangay Meta in nearby Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur. “We have tightened security in Shariff Aguak after the incident,” De Guzman said. Intelligence agents from the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, covering Maguindanao del Sur, are assisting PRO-BAR units in identifying those responsible for the ambush for prosecution.

India fetes EU at Republic Day parade ahead of trade dealBorder Security Force's (BSF) camel-mounted contingent marches during the country's 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026.