House sets memorial service for former congressman
House sets memorial service for former congressmanMANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will hold on Monday a memorial service for the late Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop to pay tribute to his life of service and enduring contributions to legislation. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m., followed by the memorial service to be led by Speaker Faustino Dy III at the Plenary Hall. Acop served as representative of Antipolo City’s 2nd District during the 15th, 16th and 17th Congresses from 2010 to 2019, and again during the 19th and 20th Congresses from 2022 to 2025. Throughout his years in public service, Acop was widely respected for his integrity, firm principles and dedication to the rule of law. “The passing of Honorable Romeo Acop is a great loss not only to his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he served, but also to the Filipino people and to the country that benefited from his faithful and dedicated service,” read a portion of House Resolution 601, which recognized his service in government and contributions to public order, good governance and the rule of law.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
PNP intensifies operations vs illegal firecracker factories
PNP intensifies operations vs illegal firecracker factoriesMembers of Philippine National Police (PNP) Pangasinan, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), conducts the ceremonial destruction of confiscated illegal firecrackers, pyrotechnics, and improvised cannons locally known as “boga” at the provincial police headquarters in Lingayen on December 27, 2025MANILA, Philippines — After an explosion killed two people in a makeshift factory in Dagupan City in Pangasinan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to intensify its operations against illegal firecracker manufacturers ahead of the New Year’s Eve revelry. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for people who illegally manufacture and sell firecrackers. “You are not only violating the law, but you are also putting innocent lives at risk,” Nartatez said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this incident shows the deadly consequences when the law is ignored.”Nartatez has ordered an investigation to identify and hold accountable the people behind the makeshift factory.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
Accidental firing kills soldier in Abra
Accidental firing kills soldier in AbraMap of Abra showing the location of LacubBAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A soldier lost his life after getting hit by a bullet in Barangay Poblacion in Lacub, Abra, police said. According to a Lacub police report, PFC Archie Calawit was declared dead on arrival at the town’s Rural Health Unit on Dec. 24. Initial investigation showed that Calawit was inside a hut that served as kitchen for the Army’s 50th Infantry Brigade. A fellow soldier, whose identity is withheld, was reportedly cleaning his firearm in another hut when the gun accidentally discharged. Police said the soldier surrendered after the incident.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
Fintech forecasts
Fintech forecastsWhy the next phase of fintech will be defined not by speed or scale, but by intelligence, trust and responsibility. The coming year marks a structural shift in digital finance. While consumer fintech once captured attention, the real value creation in 2026 will be largely invisible. Lito Villanueva is the Philippines’ leading thought leader in inclusive digital finance. He is the founding chairman of FinTech Alliance PH, representing 95 percent of digital retail financial transactions, and the first global chairman of the Alliance of Digital Finance Associations.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
Marcos declares holidays in 5 areas
Marcos declares holidays in 5 areasMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has declared special non-working days in January to mark the founding anniversaries and celebrations of five more localities. In Proclamation 1124, the President declared Jan. 8 as a special non-working day in the Calubian town in Leyte to mark its founding anniversary. Under Proclamation 1120, Marcos declared Jan. 20 a special non-working day in Lipa City in Batangas for its Coffee Festival. The commemoration of the First Philippine Republic Inauguration Anniversary on Jan. 23 was declared a special non-working day in Bulacan under Proclamation 1122. Marcos also declared, through Proclamation 1121, Jan. 26 as a special non-working day in Carigara, Leyte for the town’s 455th Founding Anniversary.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
Toyota posts 45% rise in xEV sales
Toyota posts 45% rise in xEV salesIn a statement, TMP said its total xEV sales covering Toyota and Lexus models, reached 16,986 units as of end-November, up by 45 percent from 11,745 units in the same period last year. In a statement, TMP said its total xEV sales covering Toyota and Lexus models, reached 16,986 units as of end-November, up by 45 percent from 11,745 units in the same period last year. The growth in xEV sales was seen as TMP expands its xEV lineup. The Department of Energy expects xEV sales to reach 50,000 units by the end of the year. As of end-September, xEV sales reached around 41,000 units.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
Marikina fire leaves 47 families homeless
Marikina fire leaves 47 families homelessFirefighters respond to a first alarm fire that broke out in a residential area at 28th Avenue, Balubad Street in Barangay Nangka, Marikina on December 26, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Forty-seven families were left homeless after a fire engulfed a residential area in Marikina City on Friday night. The fire, which started at 6:44 p.m., destroyed several houses along 32nd Avenue in Barangay Nangka, the Bureau of Fire Protection’s National Capital Region office said in a report. The fire reached second alarm before it was controlled by firefighters at around 7:41 p.m. In an interview over ABS-CBN, barangay captain Celso delos Armas said the wind contributed to the spread of the fire.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
2 ex-4Ps students top teachers’ exam
2 ex-4Ps students top teachers’ exam“The department extends its congratulations to former 4Ps monitored children Chariz Ann Lucero and Clyde Zeph Payusan for demonstrating that effective government interventions, combined with hard work and dedication, can help achieve our mission of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a statement. Lucero and Payusan emerged as the 7th and 9th top placers in the LET for secondary and elementary levels, respectively. Passing the LET is a requirement for people to become licensed professional teachers in the country. This is a big opportunity to change my life and our family,” said Lucero, a native of San Vicente town in Ilocos Sur. According to Dumlao, the performance of the two former 4Ps monitored children “serve as proof of the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and human capital development.”
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:48 UTC
What most Filipinos wish for their country
What most Filipinos wish for their countryAs the year winds down, reflection and introspection come naturally. Overseas Filipinos do not expect miracles from their country. In many ways, Filipinos abroad serve as mirrors for what the country can become. Overseas Filipinos serve as a strong anchor to the people-to-people ties between the United States and the Philippines. From the many Fil-Am events I attended all around the United States, I see something else Filipinos wish for: respect.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:46 UTC
Marcos seeks passage of bill creating IPC
Marcos seeks passage of bill creating IPCMANILA, Philippines — Amid the resignation of two commissioners of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), President Marcos would rather see the passage of a bill seeking to create an Independent People’s Commission (IPC), Malacañang stressed yesterday. His priority is to see the passage of the Independent People’s Commission bill,” Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said in a Viber message to The STAR. The proposed Independent People’s Commission Act was one of the Marcos administration’s priority bills. Marcos earlier urged lawmakers to ensure that the proposed body would not be used for their vested interests. Senate Bill 1512 seeks to create the IPC to strengthen measures against anomalies in government infrastructure.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:42 UTC
The holidays at NAIA
It was the day when 171,306 passengers and 950 flight movements passed through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), marking the highest single-day totals ever recorded at the country’s primary international gateway. The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private consortium led by San Miguel Corp. and Incheon International Airport Corp. that took over the management and operations of NAIA in September of last year, revealed that operations remained stable despite these historic volumes. Just over a week ago, an e-gates system was launched at NAIA Terminal 3 with no less than President Marcos in attendance. In fact, NAIA has seen more improvements than it has in the past five to 10 years when this gateway was still being managed and operated by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). NAIA achieved Level 1 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation for meeting international standards in managing and improving passenger experience.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:35 UTC
Start strong and finish well
Start strong and finish wellSomeone reminded me we’re just days away from another New Year. Those rallies always emphasize the same idea: Start strong, finish well. There are things more important than income and assets if you want to finish strong and finish well. Start strong. May the coming year find you not just busier, but wiser, deeper, and closer to the finish line that truly matters.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:35 UTC
The STAR Cover (December 28, 2025)
The Department of Public Works and Highways began the rehabilitation of EDSA on Christmas Eve, starting at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, as the department advised motorists “to use other roads to avoid getting caught in possible slow-moving traffic.” Portions of the innermost lanes of EDSA reserved for the EDSA Bus Carousel, particularly near Roxas Boulevard, have been excavated, according to radio and television reports. The concrete barriers used for the busway were moved to the next lane.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:35 UTC
PAGASA: Fair to cloudy weather ahead
PAGASA: Fair to cloudy weather aheadCloudy skies with chances of rainshowers and/or thunderstorms can be expected over Legazpi City in Albay and Zamboanga City on Rizal Day and in Puerto Princesa City and the Kalayaan Island Group on Dec. 31. MANILA, Philippines — Key areas in the country may mark Rizal Day and the end of the year with cloudy weather and thunderstorms, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Cloudy skies with chances of rainshowers and/or thunderstorms can be expected over Legazpi City in Albay and Zamboanga City on Rizal Day and in Puerto Princesa City and the Kalayaan Island Group on Dec. 31. Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Baguio City and the Clark Zone may experience “partly cloudy to at times cloudy (skies) with rainshower” on both Rizal Day and the end of the year. Meanwhile, fair to cloudy weather with chances of rain may prevail over other areas, including Metro Manila.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:33 UTC
P20 per kilo rice extended to lower middle class
P20 per kilo rice extended to lower middle classDepartment of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and officials from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launch the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” project at the Manila Harbour Centre in Vitas, Tondo, Manila on June 13, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The government is set to expand the availability of the P20 per kilo rice to an estimated 15.6 million lower middle class households by January. He said qualified households may also be required to register in the centralized masterlist of the cheaper rice program. Presently, the P20 per kilo rice is available in all 82 provinces in the country through around 450 “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” centers set up in select NFA warehouses and local government units. With an estimated 2.2 million to 2.9 million bags of milled rice currently available, the expanded P20 per kilo rice program would be able to distribute a million bags monthly, Lacson said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2025 16:33 UTC