Palace: Cabinet links to insertions hearsay Unless validated
Palace: Cabinet links to insertions hearsay Unless validatedRep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) holds a press conference on Monday, Aug. 26, 2025 after filing criminal cases against the district engineer who attempted to bribe him. MANILA, Philippines — Documents related to the flood control mess are mere “hearsay” unless validated by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Malacañang said, after Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste released what he described as DPWH files linking executive officials to the controversy. “Here is the summary of the DPWH budget per district for 2023-2026. Here we can see where the DPWH budget amounting to P3.5 trillion equivalent to P130,000 per Filipino family goes,” Leviste said. These are based on the DPWH data, with the approval of Secretary Vince Dizon, including our budget data compilation.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 20:31 UTC
DOE cancels more non-compliant RE contracts
DOE cancels more non-compliant RE contractsMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has intensified its crackdown on non-compliant developers, terminating eight more renewable energy (RE) contracts this year. “Renewable energy development must be fast, but it must also be accountable,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement. Service contracts are performance commitments, and renewable energy projects must deliver real, reliable power for Filipino consumers,” Garin said. The terminations follow a thorough technical and legal review of the affected project’s compliance with their service contracts. “Contract termination ensures that service contracts are awarded to capable, committed developers with the readiness and capacity to deliver,” the agency said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 19:50 UTC
NBI: Cabral cellphone still with family
NBI: Cabral cellphone still with familyDILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla has confirmed the selfie showing former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral seated near the edge of a cliff in Benguet was taken on the cellphone of her driver. “Considering that the cellphone is now in the possession of the family, if the investigation involves the death of Usec. Cabral, we really have to seek the consent of the family for the cellphone to be examined,” Mallari said in the interview. Authorities are conducting parallel investigations on her death and alleged irregularities in flood control projects linked to her office. Mallari also said the NBI continues to receive dashcam footage along Kennon Road, where Cabral was last seen.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 19:33 UTC
Police seize P500,000 worth of firecrackers
Police seize P500,000 worth of firecrackersCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — Police seized assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices from an illegal dealer during a sting in Barangay Camino Nuevo in Zamboanga City on Wednesday. Maj. Chester Natividad, police investigation and detective management unit chief in Zamboanga City, said trader Larry Tan Nebres Jr. was arrested after he was found selling the firecrackers along Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue without a permit. Members of the Zamboanga City Police Office launched the sting operation after a tipster informed them of Nebres’ alleged large-scale peddling of firecrackers in the city and nearby Basilan province. The seized firecrackers and pyrotechnics were turned over to the Zamboanga City Police Office as it prepares charges for violation of Republic Act 7183, which regulates the production and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in the country.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 19:02 UTC
2 guards shot dead; suspect nabbed
2 guards shot dead; suspect nabbedPolice yesterday arrested Charren Caboverde, 24, in Tondo, Manila after he fled the crime scene at the Commonwealth branch of a car dealership. MANILA, Philippines — Due to alleged constant bullying, a security guard shot dead two of his colleagues at a car dealership in Quezon City on Wednesday. Police yesterday arrested Charren Caboverde, 24, in Tondo, Manila after he fled the crime scene at the Commonwealth branch of a car dealership. After drinking alcohol with two other security guards identified as Renato and Mark John, Caboverde shot the victims while they were asleep at around 12:50 p.m.“The victims allegedly bullied him since he was a new hire and they were seniors,” Quezon City police director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio told reporters. Caboverde reportedly reached his tipping point after losing in a fistfight with one of the victims.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 19:01 UTC
Subsidies to GOCCs plunge 26% in end-November
Subsidies to GOCCs plunge 26% in end-NovemberAccording to the latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury, government subsidies for the 11-month period declined to P95.85 billion from P129.4 billion in the same period last year. MANILA, Philippines — The total amount of subsidies given to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) plummeted by 26 percent from January to November, with the bulk of the funding earmarked for food stability and irrigation. Government subsidies to major non-financial government corporations accounted for 61.5 percent of the total subsidies, followed by other government corporations at 38 percent and government financial corporations at 0.5 percent. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) received 41.4 percent of the total subsidies during the 11-month period, amounting to P39.73 billion. This was lower by 40.7 percent compared to the P67.05 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 18:58 UTC
Foreign-branded phone shipments in China more than doubled on year in Nov, CAICT data shows
Foreign-branded phone shipments in China more than doubled on year in Nov, CAICT data showsA new iPhone 17 Pro Max smartphone is displayed at the Apple store in Beijing's Sanlitun area during the start of sales in Beijing, China September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Source:The Standard
December 25, 2025 17:37 UTC
EDSA rehab begins: Plan travel, take detours
EDSA rehab begins: Plan travel, take detoursHeavy equipment take up lanes on EDSA in Pasay City as the DPWH begins the re- blocking of damaged sections. Road reblocking will be carried out along the inner lanes of EDSA southbound from P. Celle Street to Roxas Boulevard and from Tramo flyover to P. Celle Street. It will also be done along the inner lane of EDSA northbound from Roxas Boulevard to Tramo Avenue and from Park Avenue to Taft Avenue until Dec. 27. Mariano in Pasay City, Park Avenue in Pasay to Orense in Makati, and from Orense to McKinley Road in Makati. The EDSA rehabilitation program will undergo its first phase covering the area from Orense Street in Makati to Roxas Boulevard, which is expected to last until April or May 2026.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 17:31 UTC
Trump-backed Asfura wins Honduras presidency after disputed election
Presidential candidate Nasry Asfura of the National Party of Honduras (PN) speaks at a press conference on the day of the general election in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, November 30, 2025. REUTERS/Leonel Estrada
Source:The Standard
December 25, 2025 17:28 UTC
LIST: What sections of EDSA will be rehabilitated from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5?
LIST: What sections of EDSA will be rehabilitated from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5? MANILA, Philippines — Several sections of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) will be temporarily closed from December 28 to January 5 for rehabilitation work that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) began on Christmas Eve. DPWH via FB Map shows where concrete reblocking works will be carried out along the Southbound and Northbound roads along EDSA Avenue from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. DPWH via FB Map shows where concrete reblocking works will be carried out along the Southbound and Northbound roads along EDSA Avenue from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. DPWH via FB Map shows where concrete reblocking works will be carried out along the Southbound and Northbound roads along EDSA Avenue from Dec. 28, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 17:07 UTC
Marcos Jr. to Pinoys: Be grateful for blessings
Marcos Jr. to Pinoys: Be grateful for blessingsMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday expressed hope that Filipinos would enjoy good health and prosperity as he urged them to be grateful for the graces they received this year. As the year ends, let us be thankful for all the blessings we received,” the President said in a video message. The brief video message ended with the President, First Lady Liza Marcos and their children House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, Joseph Simon and William Vincent wishing the nation a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The greatest gift God has ever given me is a strong papa, who molded me into an even stronger woman. “Merry Christmas sweet papa, I will always be your bossy and chunky Kitty,” she added.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 16:01 UTC
Key real estate sectors urged to recalibrate entering into 2026
Key real estate sectors urged to recalibrate entering into 2026MANILA, Philippines — Key sectors in the real estate market are encouraged to recalibrate to address widening pricing gaps, infrastructure bottlenecks and intensifying global competition, as the industry enters 2026. Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) said that the residential market remains structurally sound and among the least susceptible to artificial intelligence disruption. The real estate brokerage firm said that a more actively traded secondary market, along with a tapering of primary price increases, is recommended to narrow the disconnect and bring primary–secondary pricing premiums closer to global norms. In terms of retail, LPC said that while traditional mall formats remain effective, evolving consumer behavior calls for more innovative approaches. The country must shift from fragmented sector-specific growth to a unified and sustainable growth pathway,” LPC director of investment sales Tam Angel said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 16:01 UTC
EDSA rehabilitation
EDSA rehabilitationCritics also say that DPWH will likely rip-up EDSA pavements that are still very much usable. They made him say that the EDSA rehab will just take advantage of the holiday season’s lower-than-usual traffic volume to get the work started. The EDSA rehab will not really improve traffic flow. We have worked to find a better way for the (EDSA rehabilitation) project. Even without the rehab, EDSA is already a major disruption.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 16:01 UTC
Investors’ Lease Act guidelines to boost foreign investments
Investors’ Lease Act guidelines to boost foreign investmentsIn a statement yesterday, the DTI said Trade Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) chair Cristina Roque and LRA administrator Gerardo Panga Sirios signed the IRR for Republic Act 12252 or the Investors’ Lease Act at a ceremony hosted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in New Clark City on Dec. 19. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Land Registration Authority (LRA) have signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Investors’ Lease Act, paving the way for longer lease periods of up to 99 years for foreign investors. The IRR operationalizes the extension of lease periods for private lands by foreign investors to an aggregate of 99 years from 75 years under the amended Investors’ Lease Act. By offering longer leasehold terms for foreign investors, the government aims is to attract a steady flow of long-term capital, advanced technology and global expertise. Roque said the Investors’ Lease Act and its IRR provide a boost to investor confidence through a stable and transparent regulatory environment.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 16:01 UTC
Pope: Denying help to poor is rejecting God
Pope: Denying help to poor is rejecting GodPope Leo XIV carrying the statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates the first Christmas mass of his pontificate at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. VATICAN CITY – The story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself, Pope Leo XIV said in a Christmas Eve sermon. “On Earth, there is no room for God if there is no room for the human person. Leo, the first US-born pope, is celebrating his first Christmas after being elected in May by the world’s cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis. Meanwhile, in his first Christmas message on Thursday, Pope Leo condemned the “senselessness” of war and the “open wounds” it leaves behind.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2025 16:01 UTC