Philippines at midpoint of World Bank’s B-Ready report
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines placed 53rd out of 101 economies in the World Bank’s 2025 Business-Ready (B-Ready) report, which assesses the state of the business environment. The B-Ready report replaces and improves upon the World Bank’s Doing Business report, which was discontinued by the multilateral lender due to internal reports of data irregularities. While the 2024 B-Ready report assessed 50 economies, the latest edition covered 101 economies. In terms of operational efficiency, the Philippines got a score of 51.45 and ranked 80th out of 101 economies in the latest report. It also said reforms introduced after the period of the 2025 B-Ready report, including those implemented from late 2024 onwards, are expected to be reflected in future results.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:13 UTC
Education and justice that transforms
The CEBB experience demonstrates that while justice holds individuals accountable, it must also enable them to change. Justice Miranda spoke about equality before the law and the continuing task of correction. Justice Miranda often speaks of the two main goals of imprisonment: holding the offender accountable for the crime and providing the offender with the opportunity to reform. Justice Miranda knows change is possible because he has seen it. When a person leaves prison ready to live honestly and society allows him the chance to do so, justice has done its duty.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:11 UTC
DPWH working to adopt bottom-up budgeting – Dizon
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways is working to adopt a bottom-up budgeting framework to plan its budget for 2027. Secretary Vince Dizon said they were coordinating with the private sector and civil society for the effort. Catalina) Cabral.”According to the DPWH chief, identifying priority infrastructure projects based on local needs has long been government policy. The move forms part of the DPWH leadership’s broader push to make infrastructure budgeting more transparent, needs-based and insulated from political insertions, particularly as preparations begin for the 2027 national budget. Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, another panelist in the breakfast forum, said that he was willing to sponsor the filing of proposed legislation institutionalizing the BUB framework for the national government budgeting process.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:07 UTC
Villanueva files counter-affidavit
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva yesterday filed his counter-affidavit before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a malversation complaint against him in connection with the flood control scam. “Yes, he filed his counter-affidavit ahead of the PI (preliminary investigation) this Monday,” DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez confirmed to reporters. He was earlier granted an extension until Jan. 26 to file his counter-affidavit in one of the three complaints. Villanueva is also facing graft and direct bribery complaints at the DOJ over alleged receipt of P150 million in kickbacks from the flood control scam. Hernandez was the first one to reveal Villanueva’s alleged receipt of kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:06 UTC
Court urged to allow convicted journalist to post bail
MANILA, Philippines — Political prisoners’ group Kapatid yesterday urged the courts to allow community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and co-accused Mariel Domequil to post bail, citing “legal flaws” in their conviction. The Tacloban Regional Trial Court Branch 45 convicted Cumpio and Domequil on Thursday of terror financing but acquitted them of illegal possession of firearms. “Justice demands that Frenchie and Marielle be granted bail while the courts review a conviction that remains deeply contested for being legally infirm and constitutionally unsound,” Lim said. The Media Freedom Coalition Embassy Network in the Philippines also reiterated their call for the protection of press freedom following Cumpio’s conviction. “We urge all stakeholders to ensure that journalists can carry out their work without fear of persecution,” the statement read.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:06 UTC
SC sets oral arguments on petitions vs unprogrammed funds
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has set oral arguments on April 8 and April 22 on the four consolidated petitions for certiorari assailing the legality of unprogrammed appropriations and special accounts in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets. In a press release issued yesterday, SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the oral arguments on both dates will be held at the SC Session Hall in Baguio City at 10 a.m. Prior to the oral arguments, a preliminary conference will be held on Feb. 4 at the SC Session Hall in Manila. The petitioners were specifically seeking the nullification of various adjustments made by the bicameral conference committees in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2024, 2025 and 2026, which effectively inflated the government’s national budget for those years. The SC noted that among the provisions in the 2025 GAA being questioned by the FPJPM was the increased line-item appropriation for the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Special Road Fund to P34.748 billion from P16.756 billion.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:06 UTC
More vehicles blamed for metro traffic
More vehicles blamed for metro trafficMANILA, Philippines — Despite getting a lower rank in road congestion rates this year by an overseas firm that studies traffic navigation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) maintained road traffic conditions in Metro Manila did not improve as more vehicles traverse public roads and highways. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said an average of 200,000 vehicles were added to the daily traffic volume in the metropolis as of last year, or from 3.6 million vehicles to 3.8 million cars every day. Recently, the Netherlands-based Tomtom Traffic Index 2025 study revealed Manila ranked 40th out of 492 cities in the world in terms of road congestion in 2025, based on the study’s “City” category. The additional 200,000 cars out on the roads would probably also look for parking spaces, which Artes said may also contribute to traffic congestion. We are not promising to end traffic because of the sheer volume of vehicles but at least it won’t worsen and at best relieve the flow of traffic,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:06 UTC
Novak sees ‘good problem’ for Alex
Novak sees ‘good problem’ for AlexSerbia's Novak Djokovic hits a shot against Italy's Francesco Maestrelli during their men's singles match on Day 5 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala took an early exit in the Australian Open but the impact she left was recognized by the tennis greats, including former world No. “Having too much crowd on AO or any other tennis tournament is a very good problem to have. It’s a good sign.”Djokovic’s thoughts stemmed from the record-breaking AO opener with 101,696 spectators, surpassing the 95,290 last year. Lines were long even before Eala’s match at a smaller venue, which AO noted in its official social media account for consideration of bigger venues next time.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:04 UTC
2 Pinoys dead as vessel capsizes off Scarborough
2 Pinoys dead as vessel capsizes off ScarboroughPhoto released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a lifeboat from the capsized M/V Devon Bay (inset) during an aerial search for the Singaporean-flagged general cargo vessel carrying an all-Filipino crew of 21 yesterday. Lower photo from the Chinese embassy shows members of the China Coast Guard with a rescued Filipino seafarer, who later received medical treatment. China Coast Guard rescues 15 crewmen; 4 still missingMANILA, Philippines — Two Filipino sailors were reported dead while four are still missing after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel with 21 all-Filipino crew members capsized yesterday near Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, the Chinese embassy confirmed. The Chinese embassy said as of 12:30 p.m. yesterday, 17 were rescued, of whom 14 were in stable condition. It noted that two crew members have been confirmed dead and one was in critical condition and under emergency medical treatment.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:03 UTC
Government rolls out new scholarship for underserved students
Government rolls out new scholarship for underserved studentsEducation Secretary Sonny Angara, Commission on Higher Education chairperson Shirley Agrupis and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Kiko Benitez sign a joint memorandum circular establishing the framework for Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program under the PBBM-GABAY ng Bayan Program in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — Students from low- to middle-income families can now enroll in priority degree and technical-vocational courses through a newly launched merit-based scholarship program, the government announced yesterday. Highlighting the administration’s goal of expanding access to quality higher education, President Marcos formally rolled out yesterday the Bagong Pilipinas Merit-Based Scholarship Program (BPMSP) as part of the administration’s PBBM-GABAY ng Bayan initiatives. The BPMSP is a joint project of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Annual support for scholars in private institutions outside NCR may reach P98,000.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:03 UTC
Fuel price hikes seen next week
Fuel price hikes seen next weekBased on the four-day trading in the Mean of Platts Singapore, local industry experts indicated a potential price increase of P1.20 to P1.40 per liter for diesel and P0.30 to P0.50 per liter for gasoline next week. MANILA, Philippines — January is set to close with another price hike at the pump, as geopolitical risks and stronger demand drive global oil prices higher. Based on the four-day trading in the Mean of Platts Singapore, local industry experts indicated a potential price increase of P1.20 to P1.40 per liter for diesel and P0.30 to P0.50 per liter for gasoline next week. Kerosene prices, meanwhile, could climb by around P0.45 per liter. Final price adjustments will be announced on Monday and will take effect the following day.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 16:03 UTC
Bid to rein in Trump's Venezuela war powers fails in US House
A woman holds a Venezuelan flag as people gather outside the U.S. Capitol during Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's meeting with U.S. senators, following an earlier meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Source:The Standard
January 23, 2026 15:21 UTC
LIST: Staycation spots with the same vibe as the famous cottage in 'Heated Rivalry'
Purico's Cabin Resort Purico's Cabin Resort / InstagramIf you want a place that's just a two-hour drive from the Metro, check out Purico's Cabin Resort in Apalit, Pampanga. There are three types of units in the resort complex, but to fulfill your Heated Rivalry fantasy, opt for the three-bedroom pool cabin, which sleeps up to eight people. Laura's Place Laura's Place / FacebookIf you're eyeing a smaller but still cozy place, check out Laura's Place in Cabuyao, Laguna. Laura's Place / FacebookIt also comes with complete furniture and appliances, including a refrigerator, microwave, couch, television, and dining table. Laura's Place is located at Sitio Guinting, Barangay Casile, Cabuyao City, Laguna.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 14:19 UTC
BTS to hold free comeback concert in Seoul in March
BTS is set to hold a free concert to mark their comeback in Seoul in March 2026. According to a Forbes report, the Seoul Metropolitan government granted conditional approval for the upcoming show, which will be held in Gwanghwamun Square. There's no date for the concert yet, but reports say BTS aims to take the stage between the dates of March 20 and 22. Meanwhile, the Chosun Daily reports that the show is tentatively titled "K-Heritage and K-POP Fusion Performance." We aim to reaffirm BTS's roots as a group in Korea and express our love for the country through this performance," HYBE said, as per the outlet.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 12:58 UTC
Philippine Golf Championship to usher in Asian Tour season
Philippine Golf Championship to usher in Asian Tour seasonMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Golf Championship is the new name of the season-opening event on the Asian Tour — officials confirmed Friday. “If we can host and organize world-class sports tourism events every month, we will do it — from WTA tennis to the Asian Tour,” said PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio. Last year, it was the presenting partner for the hugely successful International Series Philippines. The tournament is expected to have a world-class experience, draw golf fans and media attention as all eyes will be on Wack Wack Golf & Country Club in the first week of February. With the opening event of the season on the Asian Tour starting on home territory, he has the perfect opportunity to begin backing up last year with greater success.
Source:Philippine Star
January 23, 2026 09:47 UTC