‘Eradicating corruption will take several lifetimes’
‘Eradicating corruption will take several lifetimes’“Probably, if you want to correct government or correct corruption, then it would take several lifetimes, because then you would probably need to take out everyone who is part of the system,” Fajardo said on Tuesday during the 55th annual membership meeting and foundation day of the business-led non-governmental organization Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). The former DPWH chief has since returned to the agency as a member of a technical working group assessing new flood control projects. Meanwhile, the arraignment of former DPWH Bulacan First DEO engineer Arjay Domasig was reset to Feb. 9 as he was not represented by any lawyer during yesterday’s proceeding. Aside from Domasig, yet to be arraigned for their graft case are former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and former DPWH Bulacan First DEO accountant Juanito Mendoza. Another accused, former DPWH Bulacan First DEO engineer Emelita Juat, had already pleaded “not guilty” to graft during her arraignment last Jan. 23.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
Carpooling eyed on EDSA busway
Carpooling eyed on EDSA buswayPublic utility buses pass through the EDSA Bus Lane at the Santolan Station in Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — To help reduce traffic volume along the busiest thoroughfare in the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking at the possibility of allowing high-occupancy vehicles with at least 10 passengers to use the EDSA busway. MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III said the proposal is still under study, adding that it is among the options being considered to promote carpooling. The EDSA busway, also known as the Carousel, was launched in July 2020 as a dedicated median lane for buses to provide faster and safer public transport. He said carpooling and transport network vehicle services could help reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
Anti-dynasty bill passage seen before next polls
Anti-dynasty bill passage seen before next pollsMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday expressed optimism that a bill banning political dynasties – a priority measure of the administration – would be passed in time for the 2028 elections. Recto was asked whether he thought the bill against political dynasties would be approved before the filing of certificates of candidacy next year. Last month, President Marcos included the anti-dynasty bill in the list of his legislative priorities. “The meeting was held to come up with good provisions that can be included in the proposed legislation,” Castro told reporters last Jan. 22. The House suffrage and electoral reforms committee has started its hearings on the anti-dynasty measures.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
Sara slams ‘biased’ ICC
Sara slams ‘biased’ ICCMANILA, Philippines — After failing to get a ruling in favor of her father, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte accused the International Criminal Court (ICC) of being “biased.”“If they have already pre-judged the case of Rodrigo Duterte, we will also pre-judge the ICC as a biased political court. In a 25-page decision released yesterday, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously denied the defense’s request to indefinitely adjourn the proceedings due to Duterte’s supposed cognitive impairment. “The ICC cited the declarations of our family whether or not that happened on ‘Duterte Street’ or on other platforms. You should be factual about what you see in the case or the circumstances surrounding the case,” the Vice President said. I will ask that question tomorrow to former president Duterte,” the Vice President said after visiting her father in detention.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
1,500 socmed accounts covertly involved in 2022 polls – UP study
MANILA, Philippines — A study conducted by experts from the University of the Philippines and other foreign universities found that at least 1,500 social media influencer accounts were involved in covert or under-the-radar campaigning during the 2022 general elections. They added that the research built on early research that focuses on political influencers and the mediatization of politics. The research said that of the 1,425 influencer accounts across four social media platforms engaging in covert political campaigning, about three percent of the total influencer accounts were subjected to the 18 multi-dimensional index. Notably, TikTok had the least number of influencer accounts posting election-related content but almost 13 percent are deemed to be involved in covert political campaigning. The study said the influencer-campaigner accounts vary in their participation in covert political campaigns across the three dimensions of analysis and the platforms.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
Philippines seeks cooperation to boost tourism in ASEAN
Philippines seeks cooperation to boost tourism in ASEANASEAN’S BIGGEST TRAVEL EVENT AT MACTAN EXPO: The Philippines officially opened the Asean Travel Exchange, the biggest travel event for Asean member countries, at the newly opened Mactan Expo, an iconic convention center that is close to the beach, built by property giant Megaworld at The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. TRAVEX, which will run until Jan. 30, is one of the major events under the Asean Tourism Forum being hosted in Cebu, and is attended by tourism ministers, industry organizations, senior officials, exhibitors, business delegates and media from Asean countries. Buensuceso led the 63rd ASEAN National Tourism Organizations Meeting in Cebu City on Monday, which gathered senior tourism officials from ASEAN and other partner countries. Based on the tally from the Bureau of Immigration, the Philippines welcomed a total of 6,484,060 foreign tourists – composed of 5,940,975 foreigners and 543,085 Filipinos living overseas – in 2025. With the Philippines hosting both the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu this year, member-states are expected to meet with tourism officials from Australia, India, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
China poses ‘greatest threat’ to Philippines – poll
China poses ‘greatest threat’ to Philippines – pollProtesters from the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement hold plac- ards outside the Chinese embassy in Makati yesterday. The same survey also asked respondents which of the countries on a list posed the greatest threat to the Philippines. North Korea and Saudi Arabia were selected by two percent, while one percent of the respondents selected Japan, Iran and Pakistan. None of the respondents selected Australia and India, while four percent said none of the countries in the list poses the greatest threat to the Philippines. From January 2021 through December 2025, China has been consistently identified by a clear majority of Filipinos as the Philippines’ greatest threat.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
‘Marcos Jr. canexpel China envoy’
President Marcos can simply declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata, embassy Counselor and Spokesman Ji Lingpeng said. “As Ambassador, he bears responsibility for all words and actions of the Chinese embassy,” Ji said in a statement last night. There is but one person who has the authority to ask Ambassador Jing to leave, and that is President Marcos,” Ji said. Marcos,” Ji said. “President Marcos has been clear and consistent: we will defend what is ours, anchored on law and diplomacy,” Ortega said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
DOH allays public fears on Nipah virus
DOH allays public fears on Nipah virus“The DOH’s Bureau of Quarantine continues to be vigilant in all of the country’s airports and seaports, 24 hours,” the DOH said in a statement yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is prepared for the possible entry of the Nipah virus following reported outbreaks in India and Bangladesh. The department said the Nipah virus is not new in the country as 17 cases had been detected in Sultan Kudarat in 2014. “No cases were seen after that and the DOH continues to monitor through its Epidemiology Bureau,” it added. According to the World Health Organization, Nipah virus, which can be deadly, is transmitted through several pathways, including animals to humans primarily through fruit bats via contaminated food or directly between humans.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 16:17 UTC
'Acting PNP chief' no more: Nartatez promoted to 4-star general
'Acting PNP chief' no more: Nartatez promoted to 4-star generalPNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. takes his oath of office before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the Presidential Communications Office on Jan. 28, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. was officially promoted to a four-star general on Wednesday, January 28, confirming his appointment as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Nartatez has served as PNP chief in an acting capacity since August 2025. Torre served as PNP chief for only two months. Although he held a four-star rank, Torre was set for mandatory retirement upon turning 56 on March 11.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 14:21 UTC
India says two Nipah virus cases, but situation contained
India says two Nipah virus cases, but situation containedMembers of a medical team from Kozhikode Medical College carry areca nut and guava fruit samples to conduct tests for Nipah virus in Maruthonkara village in Kozhikode district, Kerala, India, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer
Source:The Standard
January 28, 2026 14:15 UTC
EXPLAINER: What is diverticulitis?
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed on Jan. 22 that he had diverticulitis after Malacañang disclosed that he was hospitalized over experiencing discomfort. "Pinapa-relax muna ang ating pangulo, pero umattend po siya ng activity ngayon, naka-pagkaroon siya ng private meetings, so umiigi po ang kalusugan ng pangulo." But what exactly is diverticulitis? Dr. John Peter Lim, who specializes in gastroenterology at St. Luke's Medical Center - Quezon City and Cardinal Santos Medical Center, explained to PhilSTAR L!fe that diverticulitis stems from diverticulosis. Lim added that when there's inflammation, it becomes diverticulitis.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 12:31 UTC
Ben&Ben, HORI7ON to headline the 2026 ROUND Festival at the Araneta Center
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and KBS WORLD TV are officially pulling back the curtain on the 2026 ROUND Festival. This two-day music festival is happening on April 18-19, at the Araneta Coliseum. As the crown jewel of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship this year, this is the biggest, boldest, and most ambitious version of the festival yet. Leading the charge are the folk-pop icons Ben&Ben and the global P-pop sensation HORI7ON. Joining them to represent the Philippines are TJ Monterde and Cup of Joe.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 11:29 UTC
EXO to return to Manila this July
K-pop boy band EXO is heading back to Manila this July as part of their world tour. The group announced on Wednesday that they will be having their "EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon" concert in Manila for its eighth full-length album Reverxe. It will be held on July 4 and 5 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. This will be EXO's return to the Philippines as a group since “EXO PLANET 5 – EXplOration” in August 2019. visited the country in August 2025 for a fan meet, while Baekhyun brought his "Reverie" solo concert tour to Manila in October 2025.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2026 11:07 UTC