Ten reforms for growth acceleration
Ten reforms for growth accelerationFour of our Asian neighbors have reported their fourth quarter (Q4) GDP data and registered fast growth in full year 2025: Vietnam with eight percent; China, five percent; Malaysia, 4.9 percent; and Singapore, 4.7 percent. Those with Q1-Q3 data and registered fast growth are: Taiwan (7.1 percent), Indonesia and Philippines (five percent). Last week, the economic team met with many business leaders and introduced a new branding for the Philippines called “Big Bold Reforms” or BBR. The Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN this year is good timing for the BBR and related reforms towards more liberalization in trade, tourism and investment. Growth acceleration, peace and prosperity, We should have them, this year and beyond.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:49 UTC
‘Zaldy Co seeks dialogue with government
‘Zaldy Co seeks dialogue with governmentMANILA, Philippines — Former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co is seeking a dialogue with the government, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Speaking to reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the New Year’s call at Camp Crame, Remulla said Co has sent “feelers” through a group of priests for a possible dialogue. “One route that we are considering now is that if we issue him a legislative warrant, it can be coursed through the IPU. “Maybe through the IPU, we can request that he be deported, since there is already a red notice,” he added. He, however, gave assurance that Alcantara will still be able to attend Senate inquiries or other investigations if needed.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:45 UTC
‘China won’t be silent, will push back if defamed’
‘China won’t be silent, will push back if defamed’The Chinese embassy in Manila has been publicly attacking Philippine officials for statements opposing China’s aggressive acts in the West Philippine Sea. China has one of the world’s most restrictive media environments, relying on censorship to control information in the news, online, and on social media. China has one of the world’s most restrictive media environments, relying on censorship to control information in the news, online, and on social media. “If fake news are spread, if China is defamed or if hatred is incited, we will not remain patient and silent. Both sides hope to accelerate the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea we call COC.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:45 UTC
DA: Decline in food poverty linked to rice program
DA: Decline in food poverty linked to rice programA woman and her daughter share a simple rice meal along a busy street in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) linked the sharp decline in food poverty in the fourth quarter of 2025 to the expansion of government rice programs and other food supply interventions. The OCTA survey showed a sharp decline in self-rated overall poverty, which dropped by 17 percentage points from 54 percent to 37 percent quarter-on-quarter. Analysts attributed improvements in food poverty to programs that stabilize supply and prices, especially the P20-a-kilo rice initiative, the DA said. Economists said sustaining the gains would require continued support for production and effective price management, but noted that the survey signals progress in reducing food poverty.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:45 UTC
UP improves in 2026 world university rankings
UP improves in 2026 world university rankingsUndated photo shows the Oblation statue in the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines was ranked in 10 out of 11 subject areas in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The World University Rankings 2026 published yesterday noted that universities across Asia continue to improve in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields and are now rising faster than their European and North American rivals in other areas such as the arts. Except for Physical Sciences, UP maintained its standings across most subject areas, but was not ranked in Law this year. UP ranked 1201-1500 in THE World University Rankings 2026, earning its strongest score in the area of research quality.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:45 UTC
Garin: Leviste guilty of conflict of interest
Garin: Leviste guilty of conflict of interestMANILA, Philippines — Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste is guilty of conflict of interest for his failure to divest from the solar power firm that he formed prior to his election in Congress. “Under the 1987 Constitution, especially as a franchise holder, when you get a privilege or a contract, you should divest. That should be made prior, you can get elected, but before you even sit and take your oath, you should no longer be involved because that’s conflict of interest,” she explained. Garin disclosed that upon verification with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Leviste remains the owner of Solar Philippines. Of that figure, Leviste’s Solar Philippines held contracts amounting to 12,000 megawatts or 60 percent of the energy department projections, Garin said, owing to the fact that such company “failed to meet targets and derailed the agency’s plans.”
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:45 UTC
Sara faces 2nd plunder complaint
Sara faces 2nd plunder complaintFormer senator Antonio Trillanes IV and members of civil soci- ety group The Silent Majority file a plunder complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte before the ombudsman in Quezon City yesterday. “Through this complaint, we are calling on Ombudsman Boying Remulla to give attention to this case. The complainants also cited the affidavit of former military agent Ramil Madriaga, the alleged bagman of the Vice President. This marked the second plunder complaint against Duterte at the ombudsman. The first complaint was filed last December by several civil society organizations, mainly focusing on her alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:35 UTC
CICC to lift ban on Grok AI
CICC to lift ban on Grok AICICC executive director Renato Paraiso said the decision to lift the ban, which started on Jan. 16, came after xAI, Grok’s developer, reached out to the government and pledged to modify the tool specifically for the local market. CICC executive director Renato Paraiso said the decision to lift the ban, which started on Jan. 16, came after xAI, Grok’s developer, reached out to the government and pledged to modify the tool specifically for the local market. Even after the ban is lifted, Paraiso said they would closely monitor the app to ensure it complies with the country’s regulations. The CICC and xAI are expected to meet to discuss the resumption of the tool in the country. DICT is also intensifying the rollout of its Bayanihan SIM Project to widen access to free WiFi and digital services, particularly in remote schools and communities.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:35 UTC
Ping: Minority report on flood control ‘disrespects’ Blue Ribbon Neil
Ping: Minority report on flood control ‘disrespects’ Blue Ribbon NeilSenate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, leads the launch of the probe into extortion and other abuses at the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson described as invalid and disrespectful the so-called minority report on the flood control controversy, stressing that only the Blue Ribbon committee can issue an official committee report under Senate rules. He noted that the minority report was backed by only six of nine minority senators and did not carry the authority of the committee. “So there is no other place for that ‘minority report’ but the trash bin,” he noted. She said the majority at that time agreed that the minority report will be attached to the “mother committee” report.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:35 UTC
‘ICI investigative work nearing completion’
‘ICI investigative work nearing completion’“As of now, all other cases referred to us are nearing completion,” Rodolfo Azurin Jr. told reporters on Wednesday. MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is about to be done with its investigative work, according to special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr.“As of now, all other cases referred to us are nearing completion,” Azurin told reporters on Wednesday. As for other cases that may still be referred to the ICI, Azurin said, “It will definitely be acted upon by the ICI as soon as possible.”The ICI is in the process of summarizing its “accomplishments” from September to December 2025 in a report to be submitted to the Office of the President. Despite the controversies surrounding the commission that Marcos himself conceived, the ICI is still keeping its head up. “The morale of our people is still OK,” Azurin said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:35 UTC
South Korea to delay US$20 billion investment in US, Bloomberg says
South Korea to delay US$20 billion investment in US, Bloomberg saysA South Korean war veteran holds the national flag during a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Cheorwon, South Korea, June 25, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Source:The Standard
January 21, 2026 16:22 UTC
Eala confirms Philippine Open entry
Eala confirms Philippine Open entryThe Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to USA's Alycia Parks during their women's singles match on Day 2 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 19, 2026. Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala will be participating in the Philippine Women’s Open next week, she confirmed on Wednesday. Eala touched down in the Philippines early Wednesday evening after her Australian Open debut. In a statement posted on the Philippine Women’s Open Facebook page, the 20-year-old tennis star said she will be seeing action in the historic tournament. Eala, before the Australian Open, said that it is a “dream” to have a home tournament.
Source:Philippine Star
January 21, 2026 16:20 UTC
Mbappe and Vinicius shine as Real Madrid thrash Monaco 6-1
Arsenal make it six out of six with easy win over Club Brugge
Source:The Standard
January 21, 2026 13:23 UTC
What are the military assets in the Arctic?
What are the military assets in the Arctic? Chief of Joint Arctic Command, Major General Soren Andersen speaks to members of the Danish and French armed forces during a military drill as Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian home guard units together with Danish, German and French troops take part in joint military drills in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, September 17, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
Source:The Standard
January 21, 2026 13:23 UTC