Another way to lose money
Another way to lose moneyNext week, after Christmas, my wife Beng and I are flying to a southern city – I won’t say yet exactly where – for a short break from the stresses of the season. Even before the pandemic, the country lagged regional peers in foreign arrivals – 8.2 million foreign visitors – well below Indonesia’s 16 million, Malaysia’s 26 million, Thailand’s 40 million and Singapore’s 15 million. Moreover, foreign tourists remain concentrated in a few destinations: the National Capital Region and Central Visayas (home to Cebu) account for over 60 percent of total foreign overnight stays. Then come the fees: ‘local support’ fee, environmental fee, parking fee, toilet fee, shower fee... That’s why some foreigners call it Feelippines. Now we need BBM to treat this like flood control: another way to lose a lot of money aside from thievery is not to make it when we very well could.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:34 UTC
‘Cabral left complete list of budget insertions’
‘Cabral left complete list of budget insertions’MANILA, Philippines — The late Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral left behind a “complete list” of budget insertions for DPWH flood control projects, a neophyte congressman said yesterday. Batangas first district Rep. Leandro Leviste said Cabral gave him the files on the budget insertions, which he was willing to release. “The late undersecretary Cabral gave me files of DPWH insertions of the whole country, thanks to Secretary Vince (Dizon of DPWH). “(Former) undersecretary Cabral knows more than (former) undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo. The files, before the computers were discovered to be empty and in shambles, were with undersecretary Cabral.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:33 UTC
PNP focuses on securing evidence in Cabral’s death
PNP focuses on securing evidence in Cabral’s deathThe Philippine National Police Forensic Group is on site at Kennon Road in Benguet to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral's death. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has now shifted its focus to checking and securing evidence linked to the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral. He said Cabral’s driver is being questioned as part of the investigation, along with other measures to determine what transpired before her death. While acknowledging the sensitivity of the case for Cabral’s family, Nartatez said securing possible evidence in her possession is necessary due to strong public interest. The NBI said the search warrant authorized agents to seize records and other items that could help shed light on Cabral’s death.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:13 UTC
‘3 quakes, 2 typhoons killed 370 in Philippines
‘3 quakes, 2 typhoons killed 370 in PhilippinesRescuers pull an inflatable boat transporting residents during a forced evacuation at a village in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on November 11, 2025 as homes remained inundated due to heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Uwan. MANILA, Philippines — Three strong earthquakes and two devastating typhoons claimed the lives of around 370 people in the Philippines, mostly in Cebu, since September this year. Flash floods, landslides and damaged infrastructure injured and displaced hundreds of Filipinos and their families. Ten days later on Oct. 10, two powerful quakes hit Manay, Davao Oriental and nearby provinces, claiming eight lives. Tino had injured around 502 people and damaged 312,650 houses in Mimaropa, Negros, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:13 UTC
Senate, House to sign bicam report on budget today
Senate, House to sign bicam report on budget todayThe bicameral conference committee holds its first-ever livestreamed deliberations for the 2026 national budget on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian and his House counterpart, appropriations chair Mikaela Suansing believe Marcos won’t veto the proposed 2026 budget. The Senate and the House of Representatives contingents are to resume sessions today after previously being in a deadlock over the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways. ‘No reenacted budget for 2026’Following the bicam’s approval of the proposed 2026 national budget last week, fears of a reenacted budget for next year have been put to rest. Suansing rejected suggestions that the outcome of the bicam reflected concessions between the House and the Senate, stressing that discussions focused on producing a credible and accountable national budget.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:13 UTC
Antipolo lawmaker Acop, ex-quad comm member, 78
Antipolo lawmaker Acop, ex-quad comm member, 78MANILA, Philippines — Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop passed away yesterday at a hospital in Antipolo City. He is the perfect example of one who has integrity in public service,” Speaker Faustino Dy III said. Acop served in the Philippine National Police for decades and rose to the rank of two-star general before resigning in January 2001. Former House speaker Martin Romualdez, under whose leadership Acop served as a panel chairman, paid tribute. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon vowed to continue the legacy of his co-chair in the 20th Congress’ quad committee.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:13 UTC
Philippines $2.5 billion US Defense Aid - Japan more Defense Aid - Oz major defence training/partner - India missile deal - S.Korea, France Etc
The United States Congress has approved $2.5 billion (roughly P146 billion) in new security assistance for the Philippines, locking in Washington's multi-year military funding for Manila at a time of flaring tensions in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:13 UTC
Use ‘Pinggang Pinoy’ in preparing holiday meals, families urged
Use ‘Pinggang Pinoy’ in preparing holiday meals, families urgedThe Department of Health is urging the public to celebrate Christmas safely by choosing healthy food and following the “Pinggang Pinoy” guide. MANILA, Philippines — The National Nutrition Council (NNC) is urging Filipino families to use the “Pinggang Pinoy” as a guide when preparing meals for the holiday season. “With Pinggang Pinoy, the greener your plate is, the better. The more vegetables, the better,” NNC Regional Nutrition Program coordinator Eileen Blanco said in a radio interview Saturday. The Pinggang Pinoy, developed by the Department of Science and Technology, serves as a visual guide to a balanced meal.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:10 UTC
DPWH execs behind overpricing face sanctions
DPWH execs behind overpricing face sanctionsMANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon vowed sanctions against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional directors and district engineers who enforced the systematized overprice of construction materials and infrastructure projects. Dizon said that they have already centralized the CMPD setting process, with the Approved Budget Cost for procurement or bidding processes given to the DPWH Technical Services. “In the central office, it’s the office of Undersecretary Lara Marisse Esquibil that is going down (to the regional and district level to set the CMPD). We are not entrusting the canvassing to the regional and district offices,” Dizon said. Dizon recently posted that DPWH needs to hire more engineers after the scandalous DPWH ghost projects.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:10 UTC
PNP tightens security for Christmas season
PNP tightens security for Christmas seasonLocal police units have been directed to plan and adjust personnel deployment in major transport terminals to ensure the safe and orderly movement of passengers. More than 100,000 police personnel have been deployed nationwide for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, higher than last year’s 60,000. “Our security measures are in place, with regular adjustments based on the situation on the ground. We are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of people in terminals and along roads leading to transportation hubs. Police personnel will be on the ground around the clock to ensure safe travel of passengers as well as to secure business and residential areas during the Christmas season, according to Nartatez.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:01 UTC
DA extends sugar import ban to December 2026
DA extends sugar import ban to December 2026“The ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year – not September, when the current crop year ends – extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions,” the DA announced in a statement yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — Believing local production of sugar has improved, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is maintaining its ban on importing sugar until December 2026. “The ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year – not September, when the current crop year ends – extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions,” the DA announced in a statement yesterday. Also, land used to plant sugarcane enlarged from 380,000 hectares in 2022 to 409,000 hectares this year. Only after those obligations are met – and based on a predetermined ratio – will imports be permitted, subject to SRA approval,” the agencies explained.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 17:01 UTC
CA delists Pryde Henry Teves as terrorist
CA delists Pryde Henry Teves as terroristMANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the delisting of former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves as a terrorist, ruling that his designation by the government was baseless and constituted a grave abuse of discretion under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). In a 45-page decision penned by Associate Justice Ruben Reynaldo Roxas, the CA’s special former Sixth Division found that the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) designated Teves as a terrorist without establishing probable cause. The appellate court also ordered the lifting of the freeze order on Teves’ assets issued by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, saying it was likewise unjustified. In July 2023, the ATC designated Teves, his brother former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., and 11 others as terrorists following the assassination of then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. However, the CA ruled that ATC Resolution 43 failed to explain how Teves supposedly committed acts that warranted his designation as a terrorist.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 16:54 UTC
NAIA blacklists man for bomb joke
NAIA blacklists man for bomb jokeDuring a security check on Saturday, the suspect told airport staff that he carried a grenade. MANILA, Philippines — A male passenger departing for Singapore has been offloaded for making a bomb joke at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. During a security check on Saturday, the suspect told airport staff that he carried a grenade. After confirming the absence of a bomb in his luggage, authorities blacklisted the passenger. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy and will take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of airport operations,” acting police Aviation Security Group director Brig.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 16:54 UTC
QCPD: Missing bride-to-be faced financial woes
QCPD: Missing bride-to-be faced financial woesMANILA, Philippines — Missing bride-to-be Sherra de Juan had been dealing with financial problems related to her wedding and her father’s medical condition, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said. Based on a digital forensic examination of De Juan’s gadgets, QCPD chief Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said she had been suffering from emotional distress and money-related concerns prior to her disappearance. De Juan was last seen at around 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at a gas station along Commonwealth Avenue in North Fairview, Quezon City. The QCPD said efforts to trace De Juan’s whereabouts remain ongoing as police continue to assess all leads surrounding her disappearance. Police considered De Juan’s fiancé, Mark Arjay Reyes, as a person of interest but not as a suspect.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 16:24 UTC
MMFF 2025 features largely family-friendly lineup
MMFF 2025 features largely family-friendly lineupThe Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 promises a largely family-friendly lineup of films, with most entries receiving G or PG ratings from the MTRCB. MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has completed its evaluation of all eight official Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entries. MMFF is not just a festival, it is a celebration of the creativity, heart, and value of Filipino storytelling,” Sotto said. She encouraged the public to support all MMFF entries during the holiday season, noting that each film offers a unique experience that reflects the diversity and talent of Filipino filmmakers. With traffic measures in place and most films suitable for family viewing, MMFF 2025 promises to bring a festive holiday entertainment to Filipinos both on the streets and in theaters.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 16:24 UTC