Alex Eala pulls off double win, advances to ASB Classic quarterfinals
Alex Eala is advancing to the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic after defeating Croatia's Petra Marčinko with a decisive win. She's obviously a very good player, and she's been doing really well, so I'm happy with how I played and how I handled it," she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WTA (@wta)"I think every start of the year comes differently. I’m happy with how I’m starting,” Eala added. Other than defeating Marčinko, Eal and USA's Iva Jovic came victorious from the Jan. 8 doubles match, defeating foes Jesika Malečková of the Czech Republic and Renata Zarazúa of Mexico via walkover.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 15:01 UTC
EXPLAINER: What constitutes reckless driving?
He also argued that his son's action, while a traffic violation, doesn't constitute reckless driving. "Reckless Driving isn’t just a heavier fine—it can also be a criminal offense under Philippine law that goes on permanent record. LTO chief Markus Lacanilao reiterated that Deakin's son committed reckless driving for crossing the double solid yellow line, as well as for driving an unregistered vehicle. A subpoena was served on Wednesday, Jan. 7, requiring Deakin's son to explain why the incident should not be classified as reckless driving. What does the law say about reckless driving?
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 15:01 UTC
For first time, DepEd feeding program to include pregnant students
For first time, DepEd feeding program to include pregnant studentsFourteen-year-old Maria (not her real name) stays at home in Payatas, Quezon City after she stopped attending school due to her pregnancy, in this photo taken January 17, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education will provide meals to pregnant students enrolled in public schools for the first time this year, part of a broader expansion of its feeding program that it says targets 4.6 million learners nationwide. DepEd will coordinate with the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of the Interior and Local Government to provide maternal and child health support alongside the feeding program. “That’s why we are expanding the School-Based Feeding Program so more learners can receive adequate nutrition.”The bulk of the program targets early grades: 1.52 million kindergarten students and 1.79 million Grade 1 students will receive meals for 200 days. Another 1.18 million students in Grades 2 to 6 classified as wasted or severely wasted will also get 200 feeding days.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 14:33 UTC
DepEd urged to review classroom observation policy after teacher's death
DepEd urged to review classroom observation policy after teacher's deathA teacher (L) works inside an empty classroom after in-person classes were suspended due to dangerous levels of heat, at an elementary school in Iloilo City on April 2, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Two major teachers' groups are pressing the Department of Education to review its conduct of classroom observations after a teacher in Muntinlupa City died earlier this week during a scheduled classroom observation. The Teachers' Dignity Coalition called on DepEd to "urgently review its policies on classroom observations as an integral part of the teachers' performance rating system," while the Alliance of Concerned Teachers demanded the immediate suspension of the practice. ACT went further, calling on DepEd to suspend classroom observations, especially as educators are returning from the holiday break. Teachers' groups have long questioned the volume of administrative requirements DepEd imposes on top of classroom instruction.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 14:25 UTC
AI to boost copper demand 50 percent by 2040, but more mines needed to ensure supply, S&P says
A worker transfers newly made copper slugs, to be pressed into bullets, at Barnes Bullets in Mona, Utah, in this January 6, 2016 file photo. Traders have been raising their bets on an even steeper decline in copper prices in the coming months, worried that Chinese demand is dwindling just as investment made when markets were booming unleashes a new wave of supply. REUTERS/George Frey/Files
Source:The Standard
January 08, 2026 13:49 UTC
No more overpriced farm-to-market roads, says DA
No more overpriced farm-to-market roads, says DAMANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday, January 9, said that there will no longer be overpriced farm-to-market (FMR) roads now that the establishment of these highways will be left to the agency. Lawmakers flagged the overpriced roads, with one project even costing more than 20 times the standard price. In a briefing, Tiu Laurel said there is a new costing under the Department of Agriculture (DA). The DA secretary said the proper costing will be established so that the contractor will still make a fair profit without inordinate excesses. Based on their current figures, Tiu Laurel said that they will offer P14.5 million per kilometer to companies, with value-added tax included.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 13:38 UTC
New lava dome forms as Mayon Volcano ejects pyroclastic flows
New lava dome forms as Mayon Volcano ejects pyroclastic flowsMANILA, Philippines — A new dark lava dome emerged at Mayon Volcano Thursday morning, January 8, as the volcano released lava and pyroclastic density currents that demonstrated the volcano’s rising unrest. Phivolcs’ bulletin showed that over 24 hours on January 7, Mayon Volcano generated 162 rockfalls, 50 pyroclastic density currents and one volcanic earthquake. The first escalation of Mayon Volcano’s alert level, from 1 to 2 on January 1, came in response to heightened magmatic activity and rockfalls. Phivolcs warned of potential hazards during Mayon's increasing unrest, including rockfalls, landslides, ballistic fragments, lava flows, lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, moderate-sized explosions and lahars amid heavy and prolonged rainfall. He also said authorities are prepared should Phivolcs raise Mayon Volcano's alert level to Alert Level 4.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 11:55 UTC
BIR slaps tax raps on Wawao Builders over Bulacan ghost flood project
BIR slaps tax raps on Wawao Builders over Bulacan ghost flood projectTax Commissioner Charlito Mendoza holds the complaint-affidavit against Wawao Builders’ sole proprietor, Mark Arevalo, at the Department of Justice on Jan. 8, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed tax evasion complaints against Mark Arevalo, sole proprietor of Wawao Builders, over a multi-million peso tax deficiency linked to a "ghost" infrastructure project. So, it's a ghost project, and then when he filed his returns, he declared costs for the alleged construction of the project,” Mendoza said in an interview with reporters. According to the BIR, Wawao Builders violated Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code, accused of tax evasion and failing to provide accurate information in its income tax and value-added tax (VAT) returns for the first two quarters of 2024. Previous tax complaints were filed by the bureau against contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya in October 2025, and in November 2025, against contractor Sally Santos.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 10:29 UTC
Marcos to visit UAE on January 12 to sign historic trade deal
First free trade pact with Middle East. A main highlight of Marcos' visit next week is the Philippines' first-ever free trade pact with a Middle Eastern nation, ending tariff barriers that have long limited Filipino exporters' access to the oil-rich Gulf. The deal — named the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) — aims to expand market access for Philippine products across the Middle East, Castro said. (The CEPA is the first free trade agreement of the Philippines with a country in the Middle East that that aims to expand the Philippines’ market access). Alongside the trade pact, a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation will formalize military technology sharing between Manila and Abu Dhabi, Castro said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 10:04 UTC
From review to results: 2025 Bar topnotchers on how they made it
According to her, preparation for the bar should start on the very first day of law school. "I was overwhelmed and deeply humbled, as I was not really expecting to be among the topnotchers for this year’s Bar exams. "My tip for aspiring lawyers is that your review for the bar exams starts on the very first day you step into law school. Another important thing to do is to "reinforce your knowledge during your fourth-year review classes, and fine-tune all the things you have learned in law school during your Bar review proper." "I enrolled with Legal Edge Review Center, Dean Ralph Sarmiento’s Mentoring Program, and earnestly participated Bukidnon State University - College of Law Bar Drills," she shared.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 09:19 UTC
Unprogrammed appropriations ‘constitutionally valid’ — DBM
Unprogrammed appropriations ‘constitutionally valid’ — DBMFacade of the Department of Budget and Management's building. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defended the existence of unprogrammed appropriations (UA) in the 2026 budget, saying it abided by the Constitution. In a statement on Thursday, January 8, the DBM said it respected the right to seek judicial remedies but maintained that the UA in the 2026 budget is legal. “The DBM maintains its position that the UAs under the FY 2026 General Appropriations Act are constitutionally valid. The UA for the 2026 budget currently stands at P150.9 billion—the lowest since the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 07:33 UTC
5 BuCor personnel pass 2025 Bar Examinations
5 BuCor personnel pass 2025 Bar ExaminationsNew Bilibid Prisons Reservation Area, Poblacion or Bagong Bilangguang Bilibid, constructed 1936-1940, is the main insular penitentiary in the PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:50 p.m.) — Five officers of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) cleared the 2025 Bar Examinations. In a statement on Thursday, January 8, BuCor Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. congratulated the officers who passed the Bar Exams. “With their newfound knowledge, they will contribute to a more robust understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding corrections and rehabilitation. The results of the 2025 Bar Examinations were released on January 7. Out of the 11,420 who finished the exams, only 5,594 passed, yielding a passing rate of 48.98%.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 07:33 UTC
Marcos: Philhealth to grant general amnesty for non-payers
Marcos: Philhealth to grant general amnesty for non-payersMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Philhealth has been ordered to grant a general amnesty for companies that have failed to pay their contributions to the state health insurer, giving them one year to catch up on missed payments. In a video statement posted on Thursday, January 8, Marcos said that he was aware of the impact that the 3% contribution to Philhealth has on citizens. “Inutusan ko po ang PhilHealth na magpatupad ng general amnesty para sa mga negosyante, private employer, mga self-employed na ating mga kababayan na hindi nabayarang kontribusyon sa PhilHealth,” Marcos said. (I have directed Philhealth to grant a general amnesty to the business heads, private employers, and self-employed citizens who have not paid their contributions to Philhealth.) Philhealth reported a large surge in contributions in 2025 compared to the year before, saying that benefit payments reached P289.26 billion— a 76% increase.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 06:39 UTC
'Tangled' live-action film casts its Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
According to Variety , Teagan Croft will be portraying Rapunzel while Milo Manheim is set to bring Flynn Rider's character to life. The upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled has found its Rapunzel and and Flynn Rider. The live-action adaptation of Tangled will be helmed by Michael Gracey, who is known for directing The Greatest Showman. Longing to explore the world beyond her confines, she crosses paths with charming thief Flynn Rider, and together they embark on an adventure filled with self-discovery, danger, and romance. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi lent their voices as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively.
Source:Philippine Star
January 08, 2026 06:38 UTC