Psychiatrists warn against linking antidepressants to suicide
Psychiatrists warn against linking antidepressants to suicideTrigger warning: suicide, mental health issuesMANILA, Philippines — Reckless speculation linking antidepressants to suicide risk distorts public understanding of mental health and may only drive people away from seeking treatment, the Philippine Psychiatric Association warned in a statement addressing recent public discourse on mental health medications. Depression treatment, not cause of suicideThe psychiatric association pushed back against framing antidepressants as contributing to the risk of suicide. It's depression, when untreated or inadequately treated, that creates substantial suicide risk, the association pointed out. The group called for responsible journalism and ethical public discourse on mental health, citing Department of Health and World Health Organization guidelines. --If you or someone you know is struggling, contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at +63 917 899 8727 or 7989 8727 for immediate support.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 14:02 UTC
Pulse Asia: Marcos, Duterte trust ratings fall as corruption woes drag on
Pulse Asia: Marcos, Duterte trust ratings fall as corruption woes drag onPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte answer questions from the media during the kickoff of Brigada Eskwela 2023 at Victorino Mapa High School in Manila on August 14, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The trust ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte both declined this December, according to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia. In a report released on Tuesday, December 30, the trust ratings of both Marcos and Duterte declined by two points, with the vice president still holding the higher trust score. Pulse Asia The trust ratings of President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara DuterteIn terms of performance, Duterte still had a high performance rating of 56 compared to Marcos’ 34—both had a one-point increase from their respective September ratings. Marcos scored the highest in his bailiwick of Luzon for both his trust and performance ratings.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 13:36 UTC
DOH logs 140 firecracker injuries week before New Year festivities
DOH logs 140 firecracker injuries week before New Year festivitiesMPD Juan Luna PCP commander P/Capt. The DOH recorded 140 firecracker-related injuries nationwide from December 21 to 4 a.m. of December 30, based on reports from 62 high-capacity hospitals it is monitoring. The tally is 23% lower than the 182 cases recorded over the same period last year, according to the department. The department also identified the "5-Star" firecracker, “boga,” and unidentified firecrackers as the leading causes of injury among the cases logged. The number of fire-cracker related injuries almost always spikes during the actual New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 08:29 UTC
Beyoncé declared a billionaire by Forbes magazine
US singer Beyoncé is now a billionaire, Forbes magazine said Monday, becoming only the fifth musician to achieve such a milestone. The 44-year-old entertainer joins a select club that includes her husband, rapper Jay-Z, as well as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna, according to the publication, known for its rankings of the world's richest people. Beyoncé reached the landmark after several very lucrative years. In 2023, her Renaissance World Tour grossed nearly $600 million (P35 billion).
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 07:22 UTC
EDSA busway to get three new stations in Cubao, Magallanes, and PITX
Three new stations will be added to the EDSA busway, the Department of Transportation announced. “Magkakaroon po tayo ng tatlong bagong istasyon sa EDSA Busway. The stations are expected to be finished by the following year, the transportation undersecretary added. Accessibile po ito at may elevators po dito,” Pastor said. The EDSA busway has 26 stations traveling along the main thoroughfare from Caloocan City to Parañaque.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 07:22 UTC
Leviste faces possible ethics complaint over Cabral files, says Ridon
Leviste faces possible ethics complaint over Cabral files, says RidonMANILA, Philippines — Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste may be in hot water over how he came into possession of the alleged files of the deceased former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Catalina Cabral, according to Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon on Tuesday, December 30. The young released portions of the files after Cabral fell to her death in Baguio earlier in December. While Leviste has claimed that he obtained the files with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s permission, the latter has denied this claim. An unnamed DPWH worker also told GMA News that Leviste forcibly took the files from Cabral, and she was injured in the process. What is unraveling today is not the acquisition of the Cabral files based on official authority, but the acquisition of documents based on an unlawful taking by Rep. Leviste,” Ridon said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 05:20 UTC
Palace begins 2026 budget review
Palace begins 2026 budget reviewPresident Marcos looks over items in the 2025 General Appropriations Act during a signing ceremony at Malacañang on December 30, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Any changes made to the budget are now up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the Palace received the ratified 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from Congress. Recto initially announced that the signing of the budget would be on Jan. 5, 2026—leaving the country on a reenacted budget for five days. “The public is assured that a brief period under a reenacted budget will not disrupt government operations. The 2026 budget is set to be the most delayed budget during the Marcos administration, with it being the first one to trigger a reenacted budget.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 03:34 UTC
Rizal Day: Marcos urges integrity, Sara cites freedom from 'disunity and evil'
Rizal Day: Marcos urges integrity, Sara cites freedom from 'disunity and evil'MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte touted the legacy of national hero Jose Rizal in separate Rizal Day messages on Tuesday, December 30, urging Filipinos — and public officials — to uphold integrity amid repeated calls for accountability from leaders. “Today, as Filipinos demand integrity and accountability from its leaders, we look up to his life to provide us with guidance and strength,” Marcos said. Duterte, in her own Rizal Day message, framed Rizal’s legacy as a broader struggle for freedom that goes beyond colonial rule, calling it a fight against abuse, division and moral decay. Rizal Day, observed every December 30, marks the 1896 execution of Jose Rizal by Spanish colonial authorities, an event that helped galvanize the Philippine revolution. Rizal’s body of work became mandatory reading in schools under Republic Act 1425, or the Rizal Law, passed in 1956.
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 02:31 UTC
DepEd: 5-point agenda gained traction this year
DepEd: 5-point agenda gained traction this yearMANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s five-point agenda gained traction this year, the Department of Education said yesterday. The DepEd cited the promotion of over 16,000 public school teachers, as well as about three million students benefiting from the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program. About 41,183 teachers are undergoing the promotion process. Their applications have been submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for the next batch. Angara has ensured that teachers received their allowances and benefits, including the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act teaching allowance worth P10,000, medical allowance amounting to P7,000 and year-end bonuses, such as the Performance Enhancement Incentive (P5,000) and Service Recognition Incentive (P20,000).
Source:Philippine Star
December 30, 2025 01:29 UTC
Palace insists ‘no sacred cows’ in budget insertions probe
Palace insists ‘no sacred cows’ in budget insertions probeMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. “Regardless of who among the Cabinet is involved, if there is evidence, the investigation should continue so the wrongdoers will be identified. Cabral resigned as DPWH undersecretary for planning in September after she was tied to questionable budget insertions. Bersamin: No role in DPWH budgetFormer executive secretary Lucas Bersamin denied requesting, endorsing, approving or authorizing any DPWH project or budget allocation at any stage of the budget process. “I strongly urge that the so-called Cabral files should be thoroughly scrutinized to unmask those behind the budget manipulation,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 29, 2025 23:30 UTC
Acop eulogies delivered
Acop eulogies deliveredMANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III led yesterday’s eulogies for the late Antipolo congressman Romeo Acop, who died of a heart attack before Christmas. “We feel this loss deeply, not just because we lost a colleague, but because we lost a friend, a brother and a man who gave his whole heart to public service. Today, we gather as one House, one family, united in both grief and gratitude,” Dy said. Among those who delivered eulogies were Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno, former Surigao del Norte congressman Robert Ace Barbers, Manila Rep. Benny Abante and former Pangasinan lawmaker Leopoldo Bataoil.
Source:Philippine Star
December 29, 2025 17:31 UTC
Science lacking in flood control projects
Science lacking in flood control projectsWorkers of a new subcontractor of a flood control structure in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan, lay cement and steels on September 6, 2025 amidst the downpour of rain. MANILA, Philippines — One clear diagnosis from this year’s corruption scandal is the lack of science in planning and designing flood control projects, harming communities instead of protecting them during typhoons. Congressional hearings on anomalous flood control projects revealed a harsh truth: despite receiving P545 billion over the past three years, these projects were only used as a racketeering scheme. Most existing flood control projects are only capable of handling floods with a 25-year return period, even though recent cyclones battering the country have caused floods with a 100-year return period. The DPWH has scrapped over P250 billion from its proposed 2026 budget earmarked for flood control projects, requesting Congress to reallocate the funds elsewhere.
Source:Philippine Star
December 29, 2025 17:31 UTC
No super flu in Philippines
No super flu in PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — No case of the so-called super flu currently circulating overseas has been recorded in the country, according to the Department of Health. The health chief said senior citizens and people with comorbidities are most at risk of acquiring the strain, which can spread through the air. He noted that subclade K is being flagged abroad because it may evade protection from some flu vaccines used in winter. To identify the variants, Herbosa said, the DOH is conducting surveillance and random sampling. He said seniors and immunocompromised patients are being prioritized for flu shots to protect against the infection.
Source:Philippine Star
December 29, 2025 17:30 UTC
Troubled Souls, Honest Prayers
Troubled Souls, Honest PrayersFather, glorify your name! I was ready to face anything.”In John 12, Jesus acknowledged, “My soul is troubled” (v. 27). He was transparently honest about His internal disposition; still He was God-centered in His prayer. — Arthur JacksonWhat experiences have prompted prayers for God to be honored? Father, please help me to face challenging things honestly and prayerfully that are for my good and will bring You glory.
Source:Philippine Star
December 29, 2025 17:10 UTC