Marcos back from UAEPresident Marcos greets the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos returned yesterday from his two-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he witnessed the forging of two key agreements designed to strengthen trade and defense cooperation with the Middle Eastern country. According to the President, CEPA will expand Philippine market access in the Gulf region and diversify both sources and markets of essential goods. In a separate statement, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said free trade with the UAE is a major boost for Philippine exporters. During the meeting, Marcos and Sajwani discussed opportunities for collaboration in the Philippines’ digital infrastructure sector, underscoring the country’s potential as a hub for data centers, cloud services and AI-driven technologies.

Stronger resistance to VP impeachment seen in CongressMANILA, Philippines — Renewed impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte may face stiffer resistance in both chambers of Congress, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, as pro-Duterte supporters among legislators have increased amid the raging controversy over anomalies in flood control projects. That alone shows a big change here in the Senate,” Gatchalian said in English and Filipino. During impeachment proceedings, the Senate acts as the impeachment court while members of the House of Representatives – responsible for impeaching public officials – act as prosecutors. Then minority leader and now Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino and Hontiveros voted not to archive. ShiftLast year, the House secured 215 signatures – surpassing the one-third threshold required under the Constitution – to move forward with impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

Manhunt on for Atong Ang; 17 arrestedRelatives of missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts protest outside the Department of Justice in Manila on Oct. 30, 2025. A manhunt has been launched for Ang after Judge Mary Jean Cajandab-Ong of the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna issued the arrest warrants dated Jan. 13 for the gaming tycoon and 17 others for non-bailable cases of homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Also arrested were Ang’s supposed subordinates Rogelio Borican Jr., Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Carlo Zabala, Rodelo Anig-ig, Emman Falle, Julios Gumolon and Ronquillo Pacot Anding. CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said all 17 of Ang’s co-accused are already in police custody, including nine police officers previously placed under restrictive custody.

Rocket debris warning issued anewMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has issued a debris warning after China launched another rocket, the first for this year. Rocket debris may also fall in the waters off Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan, Pangutaran Island in Sulu and in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. PhilSA said it also disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities prior to the rocket launch. Unburned debris from rockets such as booster and faring are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. “There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and be washed ashore,” PhilSA said, noting that residents must report to authorities any sighting of suspected rocket debris.

Bonoan misled Marcos, gave wrong flood control coordinates — LacsonMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan submitted inaccurate map coordinates for thousands of flood control projects to Malacañang. The Sumbong sa Pangulo website was launched by Malacañang after President Marcos ordered an investigation into anomalous flood control projects and named the top 15 contractors that cornered P100 billion in contracts between 2022 and 2025. “So nililigaw niya para maweaken yung teorya o masira ang kredibilidad na ‘yung mga ghost flood control project ay talagang ghost,” Lacson said. (So he is misleading people to weaken the theory or undermine the credibility of claims that these ghost flood control projects are indeed ghost.) Senate to probe 'Cabral files'The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which has been conducting a legislative probe into the flood control corruption scandal, is set to resume its hearings on January 19.

Atong Ang's 17 co-accused now in police custodyBusinessman Charlie "Atong" Ang, accompanied by his lawyer Lorna Kapunan, files criminal charges before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office on July 3, 2025 against Julie "Dondon" Patidongan and Alan Bantiles for accusations related to the case of "missing sabungeros." Earlier, CIDG Director Robert Alexander Morico II said that 15 of Ang’s co-accused are in CIDG custody. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest against Ang and his co-accused. The six civilians, according to CIDG Director Robert Morico II, are Ang's former security personnel at his cockfight arena. It differs from a hold departure order, which is a court-issued directive preventing an individual from leaving the country.

Venezuela's furious street forces ready to 'fight' after US raidPhoto by JUAN BARRETO / AFP People display portraits of political prisoners during a demonstration by relatives at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas on January 13, 2026.

A worker stands on top of a cargo container as he assist the crane driver in arranging some containers at a shipping yard in Cavite city, south of Manila July 23, 2015. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Photo by HANDOUT / COURTESY OF FACEBOOK USER SMITH MIKLE / AFP This screen grab made from UGC handout video footage courtesy of Facebook user Smith Mikle taken and released on January 14, 2026 shows the wreckage of a train that crashed after a construction crane collapsed in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Yen and US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Cagayan court grants release of peasant advocate Amanda EchanisThis photo posted by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas shows Amanda Echanis and her baby. MANILA, Philippines — A Cagayan court has ordered the release of peasant advocate Amanda Echanis. The Tuguegarao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 granted her release after she spent five years in detention following her 2020 arrest. In acquitting Echanis, the court found that the police failed to comply with the "hierarchy of witnesses" rule under the Rules of Court. "The acquittal of Amanda Echanis is a resounding indictment of the military and police's campaign of political repression and fabrication of charges and evidence," Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay said.

Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP This photograph taken on January 6, 2026 shows Indian author Amitav Ghosh looking on during an interview with AFP amidst a promotional tour for his novel 'Ghost-Eye' in New Delhi.

DOE flags solar non-delivery, enforcing stricter executionFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventThe DOE flagged potential P24bn penalties for Solar Philippines following large-scale non-delivery of GEA-awarded solar projects, contributing to a total of 17.9GW of RE contracts terminated or relinquished by the DOE in 2024-2025. The terminations are concentrated among developers with aggressive bidding and limited execution progress. ViewThe disclosure reinforces execution and credibility risks within the GEA framework, rather than concern over system adequacy. We think the penalties help clean up awarded capacity and support more rational clearing prices in future rounds by reducing speculative overhang. CatalystWatch for additional developers flagged by the DOE, clarity on penalty enforcement, and whether terminated capacity is re-auctioned under tighter rules (higher bid bonds, stricter milestones).

FDI plunge reflects investment cautionFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventForeign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the Philippines fell nearly 40% YoY to US$642mn in October 2025, according to central bank data. While Japan, the US, and Singapore still provide capital, the overall pullback signals investment risk aversion. ActionPersistent FDI weakness adds a downside risk to capex-driven growth forecasts, keeping us cautious on industrial and construction exposure. Disclaimer: The information, analyses, and views contained herein is based on sources which we, AB Capital Securities, believe are reliable, but is not guaranteed by us and is not to be considered all inclusive. It is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy the securities herein mentioned.

Infrastructure spending target cut points to prolonged fiscal dragFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventThe Department of Budget and Management trimmed the Philippines’ 2026 infra spending target to 4.3% of GDP (i.e. The updated target reflects tighter scrutiny and slower execution in the wake of flood control project reviews. With infra spending below the level needed to meaningfully lift capex, its contribution to GDP is likely to remain muted without execution acceleration. Conversely, further slippage would deepen the fiscal drag and weigh on capex confidence. ActionIn our view, slower infra lift supports a continued underweight on construction-linked equities while favoring sectors with more stable demand fundamentals.