President Marcos renews call for discipline, unity in 2026
President Marcos renews call for discipline, unity in 2026MANILA, Philippines — As Filipinos welcome 2026, President Marcos is renewing his call for discipline, unity and readiness to choose service over self-interest for the nation’s progress. The Chief Executive also emphasized the value of personal discipline and collective effort in shaping the nation’s future. ‘Invitation to unite’For Vice President Sara Duterte, the New Year is “an invitation to unite and start a new vision.”The Vice President said that 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter, a new clean page filled with hope. Speaker Faustino Dy III said his wish is for the people to have “renewed hope and deeper faith” this 2026. “Once this transition is completed, we will be the first legislative body in Asia to adopt this technology,” Dy added.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:36 UTC
Pulse: Inflation, corruption among top concerns of Filipinos
Pulse: Inflation, corruption among top concerns of FilipinosShoppers crowd Blumentritt Market on December 31, 2025 as they rush to buy food and other essentials ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. MANILA, Philippines — With the flood control controversy grabbing the headlines in the second half of 2025, fighting graft and corruption has emerged as one of the urgent national concerns of Filipinos, a recent Pulse Asia survey showed. Results showed that 59 percent of the respondents selected inflation as among their three most urgent concerns, followed by 48 percent who selected fighting graft and corruption in the government. Inflation was the top concern among those in balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as respondents in socio-economic classes D and E.More respondents from Metro Manila and those socio-economic class C identified graft and corruption as their most urgent concern. Compared to the third quarter survey, respondents who identified inflation as their top concern increased by five points (from 54 percent), while those who selected fighting corruption dropped by three points (from 51 percent).
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:36 UTC
Welcoming the New Year with hope and vigilance
Welcoming the New Year with hope and vigilanceFor seniors like me, hope is more than a feeling- it is a lifeline. And as someone who has spent decades working in communications, I hope for truth- the kind that is free from the grip of disinformation. In 2026, I hope that we work toward strengthening our institutions to prevent another corruption scandal. As we welcome the new year, let’s pair hope with vigilance. But hope alone is not enough, we must guard it with vigilance.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:30 UTC
Supreme Court in 2025: Rulings that shaped jurisprudence
Supreme Court in 2025: Landmark rulings that shaped Philippine jurisprudenceThe Supreme Court handed down rulings in 2025 that reshaped Philippine law, from impeachment limits to elections, criminal accountability, and civil liberties. MANILA, Philippines — In 2025, the Supreme Court handed down decisions that clarified, expanded or reshaped key areas of Philippine law. RELATED: Supreme Court urged to disqualify Quiboloy from 2025 electionsOn the redistribution of parliament seats: Ali vs Bangsamoro Transition Authority ParliamentThe Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. But the Supreme Court ruling underscored that restrictions on electoral participation must be supported by evidence and grounded in law. RELATED: Why the Supreme Court lightened penalties for man who killed abusive fatherRape is not 'simple rape'The Supreme Court ruled that the correct legal term for the crime is simply “rape,” holding that the phrase “simple rape” is incorrect and inappropriate.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:24 UTC
Fingers crossed
This is the point where we let out a big sigh of relief now that 2025 has come to pass. That was quite a year for our country and for all of us, in ways big and small. It was the kind that malfunctions in the middle of the ride and leaves everyone hanging upside down. Where we were in January 2025 was nowhere near where we stood by the end of last year. This is where my hope comes from and I’m keeping my fingers crossed – that we will demand better governance, honest leadership and a future where relief comes not from surviving scandals, but from preventing them altogether.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:20 UTC
Be kind
Last Christmas we were told to be kind; life is hard for many Filipinos, not just financially or materially. Let’s be kind for the next 365 days, and hopefully it’ll become a habit that will last for many more 365 days to come. And then there is the EDSA rehab, started on Dec. 24 and is expected to last at least until May. And so yes, I was calm, and kind, and I’m not about to let EDSA be the grinch that steals kindness. A blessed, peaceful and kind New Year to all.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:20 UTC
Rebuild
We have no choice but to rebuild our badly shaken country. Our people speak their mind through the public opinion surveys – not through demagogues. The latest surveys almost replicate each other, showing President Bongbong Marcos’ trust rating move into net negative territory. Building new institutions to supplement those damaged in the runaway corruption we saw requires a higher level of democratic self-awareness. The Great 2025 Corruption Scandal must be the last nail in the coffin of the badly designed post-1987 constitutional order.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 16:20 UTC
Here's how much Prince William made in 2025
Prince William took over ownership of the estate in September 2022 when his father, King Charles III, its previous owner, ascended to the throne. Since then, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton have been actively working as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. For fiscal year 2024-2025, 75% of the duchy's earnings came from property income. More roles for the Prince and Princess of WalesAside from heading the Duchy of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales has been assuming more roles lately as the first-in-line to the British throne. Additionally, beginning in 2026, King Charles has granted Prince William and Kate the power to hand out Royal Warrants.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 15:20 UTC
Actress Gina Rodriguez announces arrival of baby no. 2
On Dec. 30, Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez announced on social media that she and her husband, Jo LoCicero, welcomed their second baby earlier in the year. I love you forever baby girl," Rodriguez, 41, wrote on Instagram, along with a carousel of photos showing herself cuddling baby Lucille and kissing her husband. In mid-July, Rodriguez debuted her baby bump on the red carpet for Netflix's Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Speaking to People, Rodriguez revealed she was expecting a baby girl. Rodriguez and her husband met on the set of Jane the Virgin in 2016, where she played the titular character, and he portrayed a stripper.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 15:20 UTC
House leaders refute Leviste's P2-M 'Christmas bonus' claims
House leaders refute Leviste's P2-M 'Christmas bonus' claimsMANILA, Philippines — Three lawmakers have rejected the P2 million “Christmas bonus” that Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) claimed each congressman and party-list representative received through the maintenance and other operating expenditure budget. He also said they receive a mid-year bonus, also known as the 14th-month pay. “Parang 'di naman Christmas bonus ang binibigay sa mga kongresista. (It does not appear to be a Christmas bonus given to congressmen. Not a bonus, just for office needsHouse Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno also denied that the money disbursed this month was a lawmaker’s Christmas bonus, clarifying it was simply “additional funding” for a district’s needs to celebrate the holiday season.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 09:32 UTC
Coast Guard spots Chinese research vessel near Cagayan
WATCH: Coast Guard spots Chinese research vessel near CagayanMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard reported spotting a Chinese research vessel about 19 nautical miles off the coast of Cagayan province. The operation aimed to verify whether the Chinese Research Vessel Tan Suo Er Hao was conducting marine scientific research without clearance from the Philippine government and to assert the country’s sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone. Tarriela said PCG pilots also issued multiple radio challenges, asking the vessel about its intentions and reminding it of the requirement for consent to conduct marine scientific research in Philippine waters. The Chinese vessel, however, did not respond. Under international and Philippine law, foreign vessels must secure government approval before conducting marine scientific research within the country’s EEZ.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 08:18 UTC
Best wishes for 2026
Best wishes for 2026Neophyte lawmakers, mostly composed of so-called “nepo babies,” got their first brush with the numbers game in Congress. The “nepo babies” – they are either children of or belong to political dynasties in the Philippines – got dazed by the fast-break by which the 2026 GAA was ratified. The 2026 GAA bill proposes P6.793 trillion to support government operations next year. The soon-to-become 2026 budget law is coming out from the dark shadows of the “badly mangled” 2025 GAA that was approved by the defunct 19th Congress. “We will ensure that the 2026 GAA will satisfy not only the legal and technical requirements but, more importantly, the needs of the Filipino people,” Recto reassured the public.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 08:04 UTC
Royal Air Philippines to temporarily suspend commercial flights starting Jan. 4
Royal Air Philippines is temporarily suspending flights beginning Jan. 4, the budget airline announced on its website. While it did not provide a specific reason for the hiatus, it stated it is prioritizing refunds and ensuring customer rights. Those who have upcoming flights may email customercare@flyroyalair.com. Royal Air was founded in 2002 as an air charter service. In 2018, the airline launched commercial operations between Manila/Clark and Caticlan, eventually expanding to include international service between Caticlan and Taipei.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 07:23 UTC
GUIDE: What to do if you have mutilated banknotes
"One year ko po siya inipon, 25,000 po lahat 500 peso bill, bali one 500 peso bill lang naisalba," he narrated to GMA Integrated News, adding that the box was placed in a locker. "Chineck ko siya last week ng November wala pa namang anay, after 2 and a half weeks ganiyan na po nangyari. What to do with mutilated billsUnder the BSP Circular No. Mutilated banknotes should be taken to an authorized bank near you, which will forward them to the BSP for assessment of their condition. After the assessment, BSP will deposit the exchanged notes to the bank, which will be returned to the client.
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 07:22 UTC
WATCH: Eleven gears for the last fight in 'Stranger Things 5' series finale trailer
Stranger Things' final trailer is here. Eleven’s allies are shown standing their ground, bracing themselves for a confrontation with Vecna (Henry Creel) within the Abyss. The upcoming episode is the final installment of Stranger Things 5. Released in 2016, Stranger Things is set in the quiet town of Hawkins, Indiana, where a series of unsettling and supernatural events expose dark government experiments and supernatural forces from the parallel dimension. Watch the final trailer below:
Source:Philippine Star
December 31, 2025 07:22 UTC