Zaldy Co challenges Ombudsman resolution accusing him of graft
Zaldy Co challenges Ombudsman resolution accusing him of graftComposite: Former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co (L) in February 2025 and Ombudsman Boying Remulla (R) answers questions from the media during an ambush interview in the Senate on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Former lawmaker Zaldy Co has filed a petition before the Supreme Court assailing the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman indicting him for graft and malversation. Co filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the high court on January 25, asking the Supreme Court to annul the Ombudsman resolution, which charged him over an Oriental Mindoro alleged ghost project. Co is also asking the high court for a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction to prevent the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the criminal cases while the high court reviews the legality of the indictment. The Sandiganbayan, which declared the former lawmaker a fugitive from justice, issued an arrest warrant against him in November 2025.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 12:43 UTC
Supreme Court upholds 'unconstitutionality' of VP Sara impeachment
Supreme Court upholds 'unconstitutionality' of VP Sara impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has denied the petition of the House of Representatives attempting to reverse the decision declaring the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte unconstitutional. In a unanimous vote of all participating justices on January 28, the high court, with finality, affirmed its July 25, 2025, decision, which declared the articles of impeachment unconstitutional. The high court also pointed out that the initiation must occur within the term of Congress to be valid. In July 2025, the Supreme Court declared the impeachment of Duterte unconstitutional, saying that the impeachment complaint is barred by the one-year rule. In a statement, Vice President Sara Duterte said that they acknowledged the Supreme Court's resolution.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 11:42 UTC
Shin Eun Soo, Yoo Seon Ho are dating
Shin Eun Soo and Yoo Seon Ho are confirmed to be dating. According to reports, the couple met at a gathering with friends and have been together for three months. Eun Soo, 23, debuted in 2016 in the film Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned. She has since appeared in several dramas, including Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, Chang-ok's Letter, and Light Shop, among others. He was a contestant on the survival reality show Produce 101 season 2, and has since appeared on several variety shows.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 10:38 UTC
IT-BPM revenues breach $40 billion mark
IT-BPM revenues breach $40 billion markMANILA, Philippines — Revenues of the country’s information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sector reached over $40 billion in 2025, surpassing the industry’s baseline target, driven by growth in the global capability centers and the banking and health care sectors. IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) president and CEO Jack Madrid told reporters that 2025 was a very successful year for the Philippine IT-BPM industry, with export revenues reaching “above $40 billion.”The IBPAP was aiming to generate $40 billion in revenues in 2025, up by five percent from $38 billion in 2024. He said the industry also outpaced the global IT-BPM industry’s three percent growth last year. The Philippine IT-BPM industry posted growth in revenue and employment despite a challenging geopolitical macroeconomic climate in 2025 that affected investor appetite and confidence. Every year, the IT-BPM sector is investing around P1.4 billion on talent development.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 10:17 UTC
Why Gen Z would rather talk than type their messages
Every week, PhilSTAR L!fe explores issues and topics from the perspectives of different age groups, encouraging healthy but meaningful conversations on why they matter. Voice messages can feel inconsiderate, demanding listening time without paalam.”I, for one, love the intimacy that comes with a lengthy, loaded voice note. I once had a friend send me voice messages as she was walking from her apartment to her office. It’s why recent criticism calling voice messages the death of conversation rubs me the wrong way. “Voice messages are not eroding communication but reshaping it.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 08:44 UTC
Zaldy Co hiding in Sweden
Zaldy Co hiding in SwedenFormer Rep. Elizaldy Co admits inserting P100 billion in the 2025 budget in a video released on Nov. 14, 2025 while abroad. MANILA, Philippines — Former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who has been hiding for a while, is in Sweden, court documents showed. This strikes down claims that the fugitive lawmaker is hiding in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Portugal. An apostille is a certification that authenticates public documents for use in foreign countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. On January 13, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities speculate that Zaldy Co is in Portugal.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 04:31 UTC
‘Marcos presence in impeach proceedings up to legal team’
‘Marcos presence in impeach proceedings up to legal team’MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is leaving it up to President Marcos’ legal team to decide whether he would show up at the hearings of the House of Representatives’ justice committee on the impeachment complaint against him. The committee, led by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville Luistro, is set to start deliberations on the two referred impeachment complaints against Marcos on Feb. 2. They may have rules regarding that particular situation as to how they will treat simultaneous impeachment complaints against both the President and the Vice President. The Feb. 2 hearing of the justice committee would be held at 10 a.m. at the People’s Center at the Batasan complex. “Before we actually start the process before the justice committee, it really has to be consolidated because two complaints are not possible to be heard in the justice committee.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 02:41 UTC
RSA and SMC
In July 1998, ECJ took full control of SMC and ousted the Soriano family (which had barely 1.8 percent holdings, with which they ran SMC 100 percent, from 1986 to 1998). ECJ recruited trusted friend and business partner RSA, initially as SMC vice chairman, from Jan. 28, 1999 until June 11, 2024. Before ECJ, RSA was a tycoon in his own right. In 2001, with RSA in full command, SMC began its major expansion and diversification. In 2010, SMC acquired Petron Corp. RSA has spent $3 billion to make Petron Southeast Asia’s most efficient and most advanced oil refining and marketing company.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 02:18 UTC
JBL kicks off 2026 with the PartyBox Fest Truck in Antipolo: Live music, immersive sound, and exclusive deals up to 70% off
And JBL is soon rolling out the fun, as it brings its first PartyBox Fest Truck of the year to Antipolo on Feb. 7. Expect booming bass from JBL PartyBox speakers that will get your energy high and synchronized light shows that will sustain the hype. The best part—admission to the JBL PartyBox Fest Truck is free! In the past, the JBL PartyBox Fest Truck brought thumping music to Cebu, Davao, and La Union in 2025. Keep up with the latest PartyBox Fest Truck updates, exclusive deals, and upcoming locations by following JBL Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 01:11 UTC
'No. 1 fan': Nicki Minaj backs Trump
Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared she was Donald Trump's "number one fan," adding that "hate" directed at the US president made her support him more. Republican Trump called the provocative singer-songwriter up on stage after she announced her support for so-called "Trump Accounts," which provide trust funds for children. "I will say that I am probably the president's number one fan, and that's not going to change," said Minaj, who wore a furry white coat as she embraced Trump and took the podium. "And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. Previously a critic of Trump's hardline immigration policies, Minaj has moved in recent years to praising his leadership.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2026 00:27 UTC
An exquisite four-hands dinner
MILLIE: When two brilliant chefs come together to curate an outstanding four-hands dinner at The Peninsula Manila, sheer perfection happens. Amuse Bouche by chef Anne-Sophie, a smooth salmon mousse, roe with Jerusalem artichoke. Amuse Bouche by chef Remy, lightly salted fish roe I can only find in Paris called tarama in a bite-sized cannoli with caviar. This was paired perfectly with the Pizzolato Moscato Dolce “Muse” Veneto NV. The Peninsula Manila executive chef Remy Carmignani and visiting chef Anne-Sophie Nicolas from the legendary Gaddi’s Restaurant at The Peninsula Hong Kong.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 21:26 UTC
Le Bon Funk returns to a hungrier Manila
Buck brought the food from his Singapore neighborhood wine bar, Le Bon Funk, to Ayala Triangle Gardens, serving eight dishes that embodied everything his establishment stands for: playful, produce-driven, and deliberately unfussy. Le Bon Funk is a neighborhood wine bar with locations on Club Street and in Holland Village in Singapore. In Singapore, where Buck has operated Le Bon Funk for the past decade, the guide has long been part of the dining landscape. Both Le Bon Funk and Offbeat Bistro share a philosophy: thoughtful cooking that draws from carefully sourced market ingredients. *** Le Bon Funk is located at 29 Club St and 277 Holland Avenue, Singapore.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 21:25 UTC