Woman dies from cobra bite during New Year’s Day picnic
Woman dies from cobra bite during New Year’s Day picnicCOTABATO CITY, Philippines — A 34-year-old woman died in only about three hours after she was bitten by a cobra along a river in an upland area in Kulaman Valley in Arakan town in Cotabato on New Year’s Day. Employees of the Arakan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed reports on Sunday of the incident, which resulted in the death of Jenisa Clambog Mandi, who, along with friends, was on a picnic at a downstream stretch of a river in a hinterland area in Kulaman Valley. Her companions killed with stones the seven-foot cobra that attacked her, according to barangay officials. Municipal and barangay officials said on Sunday that Mandi, a resident of Barangay Binoongan in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, died in a medical dispensary in only about three hours after a cobra bit her in the leg. Local executives said Mandi travelled all the way from her hometown in Bukidnon to Arakan to visit friends and relatives and celebrate New Year’s Day with them.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 14:24 UTC
Philippines urges US, Venezuela to exercise restraint amid conflict
Philippines urges US, Venezuela to exercise restraint amid conflictA person flutters a national flag in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government urged restraint amid the actions by the United States in Venezuela following the arrest of its president, Nicolas Maduro. "The Philippines urges concerned parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and to exercise restraint to prevent escalation of conflict," it added. The DFA also said that the Philippine Embassy in Colombia is prepared to assist Filipinos in Venezuela. The following are the contact numbers of the Philippine Embassy in Colombia, in case Filipinos need assistance:
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 12:49 UTC
The high price of 'free education'
There is perhaps no greater national lie than the promise of “free education.” The Constitution enshrines it as a right and politicians routinely weaponize it as a talking point. For millions of learners, “free” means learning under collapsing roofs, sharing textbooks that arrive late or not at all, and crowding 50 to 70 students into rooms built for 30. They are the daily geography of inequality, carved into our school system by decades of neglect. This is the real price of “free” education: a country where opportunity is sold to those who can afford it, and withheld from those who cannot. Ad infinitum, free education is at risk.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 09:40 UTC
PCG: Fishers recover suspected rocket debris in Sulu
PCG: Fishers recover suspected rocket debris in SuluAlleged rocket debris discovered in Sulu on Dec. 30, 2025, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk have recovered debris believed to be from a rocket floating in waters off Barangay Suang Buna in Pangutaran, Sulu, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. According to the PCG, the debris was recovered and towed by fisherfolk on Dec. 30, 2025. “The recovered debris is currently under the custody of Barangay Suang Buna,” the PCG Sub-Station Pangutaran said. The PCG added that it is actively coordinating with barangay officials to facilitate the transfer of the debris for “proper handling and disposition.”In its statement, the PCG did not identify the country of origin of the alleged rocket debris.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 07:19 UTC
Grok under fire over generating sexualized images of women, minors
The button allows users to modify any image on the platform—with some users deciding to partially or completely remove clothing from women or children in pictures, according to complaints. Complaints of abuses began hitting X after an "edit image" button was rolled out on Grok in late December. Grok maker xAI, run by Musk, replied to an AFP query with a terse, automated response that said: "the mainstream media lies." The public prosecutor's office in Paris, meanwhile, expanded an investigation into X to include new accusations that Grok was being used for generating and disseminating child pornography. The initial investigation against X was opened in July following reports that the social network's algorithm was being manipulated for the purpose of foreign interference.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 07:12 UTC
Miss Universe, Raul Rocha deny Chavit Singson's claims of change in ownership
The Miss Universe Organization has denied claims that ownership of the pageant has changed, refuting recent statements made by ex-Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson that it is now up for possible acquisition. "Had a good chat with my daughter, Congresswoman Richelle Singson and Shawn McClain, former Miss Universe Vice President. He updated us with possible acquisition talks on Miss Universe Organization," Singson wrote. Miss Universe Organization also made a formal statement on its official social media pages reaffirming its "ownership, leadership, and long-term vision." "Such actions appear designed to deceive the public, improperly solicit investments, and exploit the Miss Universe brand for personal benefit, visibility, or advantage."
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 07:12 UTC
Was the US capture of Venezuela's president legal?
The US captured Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro in a military operation early on Saturday morning, culminating a months-long pressure campaign by president Donald Trump's administration that drew condemnation from some international leaders. On Saturday, US forces attacked Venezuela and seized Maduro, who has been widely condemned as an illegitimate leader, and his wife Cilia Flores. What does the law say? International law prohibits the use of force in international relations except for narrow exceptions such as authorization by the U.N. Security Council or in self-defense. The US has not recognized Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela since 2019, following an election the US said was rigged.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 07:12 UTC
Senate to tackle ethics complaints
Senate to tackle ethics complaintsEmployees enter the Senate of the Philippines as seen in this photo release on August 5, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Ethics complaints filed last year against senators will be tackled next month by the Senate committee on ethics, its chairman Sen. JV Ejercito said yesterday. He also warned against attempts to pressure or intimidate lawmakers to favor certain complaints, noting that the committee would strictly follow procedure. Separate ethics complaints were filed against Senators Francis Escudero and Risa Hontiveros last year, both of which remain pending before the Senate ethics panel. Asked which ethics complaint was filed first, Ejercito declined to answer, saying there are several complaints involving different senators that still need to be evaluated.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2026 00:52 UTC
Filipina among ICE's mass arrest in US on New Year's Day
MANILA, Philippines — A 33-year-old Filipina with a criminal record was among several undocumented immigrants arrested by U.S. immigration authorities during New Year celebrations, according to American officials. Empaynado was convicted of burglary, grand theft and battery in Deltona, Florida. According to the Volusia County Corrections, she had already been arrested at least nine times before the New Year arrest. Just months after her release, she faced two charges of grand theft and witness tampering. ICE New Year arrestsOther individuals taken into custody by ICE include undocumented immigrants from Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Cuba — all of whom had a criminal record.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 17:46 UTC
Rider dies as car rams 3 motorcycles in Bulacan
Rider dies as car rams 3 motorcycles in BulacanThe fatality was identified as Relly Santuyo of Barangay Panghulo in Malabon City, while those injured were Michelle Silverio and Jocelyn Pasiola. MANILA, Philippines — A rider died while two others were injured when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) rammed three motorcycles at a gasoline station in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Friday. The fatality was identified as Relly Santuyo of Barangay Panghulo in Malabon City, while those injured were Michelle Silverio and Jocelyn Pasiola. The victims were waiting for a fuel refill at the Uno Gas Station in Barangay Sto. The victims were rushed to the Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, where Santuyo was declared dead on arrival.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 17:31 UTC
Lawmakers dared to reveal use of bonuses
Lawmakers dared to reveal use of bonusesMANILA, Philippines — For the sake of transparency, congressmen should post on Facebook how they used their P2-million “Christmas bonus,” said Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste. He said the “Christmas bonus” and the P18.58-billion MOOE of the House of Representatives for 2026 have become major transparency issues. “Let me make it clear, the issue here is not only the P2 million. He said he was glad Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno and Bicol Saro party-list Terry Ridon admitted receiving P2 million. Puno, however, denied that it was Christmas bonus, saying it was merely “additional funding” for the requirements of lawmakers’ districts.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 17:31 UTC
DPWH: No funding for new flood control projects
DPWH: No funding for new flood control projects“The Department of Public Works and Highways clarifies that its proposed 2026 budget contains no funding for new locally-funded flood control projects,” it said in a statement. “The Department of Public Works and Highways clarifies that its proposed 2026 budget contains no funding for new locally-funded flood control projects,” it said in a statement. The DPWH said the P2.49-billion allocation is meant for maintenance and other operating expenses of existing flood control projects, including the national’s government Oplan Kontra Baha program. The zero funding for new flood control projects is in compliance with President Marcos’ directive to streamline the DPWH’s expenditures. The agency has been under scrutiny due to ghost and substandard flood control projects wherein billions of taxpayers’ money were reportedly stolen.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 17:30 UTC
EDITORIAL — Don’t dash the hopes
EDITORIAL — Don’t dash the hopesAs in the past, a high percentage of Filipinos said in a survey that they were entering the new year with hope. The survey taken by Social Weather Stations from Nov. 24 to 30, however, showed that the 89 percent was the lowest in 16 years, matching the 89 percent registered in December 2009. The administration received the highest disapproval rating of 69 percent in controlling inflation, with only percent expressing approval. Fighting graft and corruption followed closely, with 68 percent expressing disapproval and 17 percent approving. Also with a high disapproval rating, at 67 percent, was the fight against the widespread sale and use of illegal drugs, with only 14 percent expressing approval.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 17:30 UTC
Scammer impersonates PNP official to solicit money
Scammer impersonates PNP official to solicit moneyIn a statement, the PNP said the scammer is using Banac’s name and falsely presenting a PNP Academy Class of 1992 seal in asking for money through the messaging app Viber. MANILA, Philippines — Scammers are using the name of Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, the second highest ranking officer of the Philippine National Police, to solicit money from unsuspecting people, the PNP warned. In a statement, the PNP said the scammer is using Banac’s name and falsely presenting a PNP Academy Class of 1992 seal in asking for money through the messaging app Viber. It also urged the public to ignore and report unsolicited messages requesting money using the identities of police officials. The Anti-Cybercrime Group and PNP intelligence units are investigating to identify the people using Banac’s name.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 17:29 UTC
The OG of marketing
The OG of marketingIn an age of AI, growth hacks and endless “hacks,” it’s easy to forget that marketing had a working system long before algorithms and large language models appeared. That’s why I’ve been following the work of Mark Schaefer, one of the world’s most respected marketing thinkers. In a recent episode of his podcast The Marketing Companion with Andy Crestodina, he revisits what he calls the “OG fundamentals” of marketing – timeless ideas that still drive results, even as tools and platforms change. We now optimize for everything – Google, social media, conversion, open rates – but as Schaefer points out:“The soul of marketing is still your brand.”Tactics change weekly. When you gather customers, partners, and peers in a room, you’re not just “doing marketing.” You’re building trust, memory and belonging.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 16:47 UTC