Flood control dike collapse in Pampanga under probeMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it will investigate the collapse of a flood control dike in Arayat, Pampanga. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the collapse may have been caused by a design flaw. “It would seem that the design for the flood control in Candating, Arayat is not correct,” Dizon said in Filipino. The design will be overhauled to ensure a structurally sound and permanent flood control system,” the DPWH said. The country has been grappling with corruption allegations involving public works projects, with the DPWH cited in reports of kickbacks involving lawmakers, officials, and contractors.

FPA readies rules for online sale of pesticides, fertilizersFPA said it is committed to developing a “robust” regulatory framework that would facilitate online sale of the key planting inputs once proper safeguards, licensing mechanisms, traceability systems and enforcement controls are in place. Until such systems are established, FPA pointed out that online selling of fertilizers and pesticides would remain unauthorized. The agency attached to the Department of Agriculture issued the clarificatory statement after it revoked its previous circular allowing the online sale of fertilizers and pesticides. However, since 2020, FPA observed the proliferation of unregistered imported fertilizers and pesticides online, which it argued pose risks to farmers, consumers and the environment. Furthermore, Estrada said fertilizers and pesticides sold online pass through multiple unregulated distribution channels that may lead to improper handling of the agricultural inputs.

PNP forms task force to hunt Shariff Aguak ambush mastermindsThe sports utility vehicle of the mayor of Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao del Sur, damaged by a B40 anti-tank rocket fired from a distance by men who ambushed their convoy in the municipality on Sunday morning, January 25, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special task force to investigate the ambush of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan in Maguindanao, as authorities move to identify those behind the attack. We will dismantle the networks that provide these gunmen with high-powered firearms," Nartatez said. We will dismantle the networks that provide these gunmen with high-powered firearms.) Ampatuan survived the ambush on Sunday, January 25, while traveling in Barangay Poblacion, Shariff Aguak.

The pay, however, was just an "embarrassingly small amount." “Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports, it’s an embarrassingly small amount. So in that case, yeah, an embarrassingly small amount." He had the full support and permission of Taipei 101 and the city government. This is not the first time Taipei 101 has been scaled.

While Makabayan files impeach rap vs Marcos, referral still uncertainMANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc formally endorsed and filed its impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 26, following the House Office of the Secretary General's refusal to receive it last week. With the impeachment complaint now successfully filed, it becomes the second lodged against the president in just a week. Unlike the first complaint, the second was submitted by 36 members of progressive groups representing workers, professionals, teachers, students, farmers and the urban poor. The complainants cited betrayal of public trust as the sole ground for impeaching President Marcos, alleging three specific instances. With Congress set to resume session on Monday, the first complaint may be referred to the committee then.

Lula Lahfah, a famous content creator in Indonesia, has died. According to the news outlet, Lahfah reportedly had several health issues. Indonesian pop group Weird Genius, whose members include Lahfah's boyfriend Reza Oktovian, cancelled their Jan. 23 gig following the news. “This situation is beyond our control, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” the band added. Lahfah, who became known for her lifestyle content, garnered 2.8 million followers on Instagram and 1.1 million followers on Tiktok.

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy claimed he had a phone throughout his time in detention in the Philippines, adding that he will "expose the corruption" soon. Vitaly alleged that he was in inhumane conditions during his PH detention, without toilet paper and using only buckets of water for showers. Vitaly added he feels fortunate enough to finally be free, considering his co-detainees were allegedly imprisoned longer for lighter charges. "Zdorovetskiy, who we consider an undesirable alien, continues to post rage-bait content to generate income from Filipinos online," Viado said. He was apprehended for harassing and disrespecting Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City for online content.

M8 World Championship headed outside Southeast AsiaJAKARTA, Indonesia — Moonton Games, the developer of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has announced that the M8 World Championship will be hosted in Turkiye, the first world MLBB world championship to be held outside Southeast Asia. The announcement was made at the tail end of the MLBB esports roadmap presentation ahead of the M7 World Championship grand finals between the Philippines' Aurora Gaming PH and Indonesia's Alter Ego. Starting 2026, Moonton Games will be implementing the MLBB Championship Tour, bringing together five regions: Southeast Asia, East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Americas, enabling more teams to reach the world stage. The M-Series World Championship has seen double hosts with Singapore (M2 and M3), Malaysia (M1 and M6), and Indonesia (M4 and M7), while the Philippines has hosted the world championship once back in 2023 (M5). The M8 World Championship is slated in January 2027.

DA halts agricultural land reclassification applicationsMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a six-month moratorium on new applications for agricultural land reclassification to review existing policies and strengthen regulation amid concerns over the rapid conversion of farmlands. 1 dated Jan. 5, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed an immediate halt to the receipt and processing of Land-Use Reclassification Certification applications until June, allowing previously filed applications to proceed while deferring all appeals for the duration of the moratorium. Analysts and agricultural groups have repeatedly warned that unchecked land conversion could undermine food self-sufficiency, particularly as global supply chains face recurring disruptions. The DA said the moratorium aligns with its broader agenda for 2026, which includes improving agricultural supply chains, strengthening farm infrastructure and expanding productivity support programs to boost local output. The DA said the outcome of the policy review during the moratorium period will guide future regulations on land-use reclassification and the long-term balance between development and agricultural sustainability.

17 rescued Filipino seafarers transferred to PhilippineThe Chinese Embassy in Manila shared the emotional reunion of the rescued Filipino crew members of the cargo vessel that capsized near Scarborough Shoal on January 23, 2026. “Seventeen people have been successfully rescued, two of which ended up losing their lives. Two Filipino sailors died while four are still missing after M/V Devon Bay, with 21 Filipino crewmembers, capsized on Friday. China said its coast guard rescued the Filipino sailors. Manila acknowledged the rescue of Filipino sailors, but underlined that humanitarian assistance does not override sovereign rights.

Man City drop points in chase of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd also draw

DBM rolls out third tranche of government salary hikesMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has ordered the implementation of the third tranche of the updated salary schedule for civilian government personnel starting Jan. 1, as part of the four-year pay adjustment program. The DBM laid down detailed rules on how agencies should adjust pay. Salaries of incumbents will be aligned with the corresponding step in the new schedule, while new hires will receive Step 1 of the salary grade of their position. For those whose current pay already exceeds Step 8 of their salary grade, the circular states that their salary will be capped at Step 8 and they “shall not be entitled to salary increase” under this tranche. The circular was signed by acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo and takes effect Jan. 1, marking the third step in the government’s four-tranche pay adjustment program that will run until 2027.

House resumes session, eyes passage of 36 LEDAC billsWorkers do renovation works around the House of Representatives within the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on July 3, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will resume session today, focusing on passing 36 remaining priority bills of President Marcos, under the 48 bills listed in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). The President’s son, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, vowed to “push for a faster and more disciplined pace in the House” as legislators report back to their legislative work. “We’ve proven that the House can move quickly when we agree on the urgency and do the committee work properly. Adiong said the measure reflects lessons learned from post-conflict and disaster rehabilitation efforts, where education access often lags behind housing and infrastructure.

Perez delivers killer blitzTNT forward Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser finds an open lane to the basket as Henry Galinato looks on in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals last night at the MOA Arena. MANILA, Philippines — When the chips were down, San Miguel Beer could count on CJ Perez to save the day. Mo Tautuaa (14) and Marcio Lassiter (10) also played solid ball in helping SMB seize control of the race-to-four contest, 2-1. Calvin Oftana produced his best output of the finals for TNT with 25. The Tropany 5G threatened to steal Game 3 as Rey Nambatac and Oftana combined for a 10-0 salvo that put them ahead at 89-86 with 50 seconds left.

Protocol and crowd controlToday, the first WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open begins in earnest. A country that has hungered for great tennis since the middle of the 1980s finally gets its wish. Frankly, it is a happy problem to have a larger audience, as acknowledged by tennis players who have seen the Filipino phenomenon. We are all happy for the return of great tennis to the Philippines. We have a great opportunity to show that we can also be refined and respectful when it is necessary.