Tulfo: Hold DENR accountable for Cebu landfill collapse
Tulfo: Hold DENR accountable for Cebu landfill collapseMembers of the search and rescue team look for people after a landslide at the landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City on January 11, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should be held accountable for the deadly landfill collapse in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said yesterday, citing what he described as a failure of oversight that allowed a building to be constructed in a clearly dangerous area. The senator said the location had long posed a risk of collapse and that the tragedy could have been avoided had authorities acted properly. During his visit, Tulfo also coordinated with government agencies to ensure assistance for affected families. Based on Bureau of Fire Protection records, at least 36 people were killed and 18 others were injured in the landfill collapse, which occurred on Jan. 8.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 16:32 UTC
Palace declares local holidays
Palace declares local holidaysMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared special non-working days in several areas in the country to allow residents to fully participate in their respective celebrations. 1131 declared Jan. 22 a special non-working day in Guiguinto, Bulacan to mark the celebration of the Halamanan Festival. 1129 declared Feb. 10 a special non-working day in Bacolor, Pampanga to mark the celebration of Bacolor Day. The Palace also declared Feb. 17 a special non-working day in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay through Proclamation No. 1130 declared Feb. 21 a special non-working day in Marinduque for the celebration of the Araw ng Marinduque.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 16:32 UTC
Trump threatens Europe with tariffs over Greenland as protesters rally
Protesters wave Greenlandic flags as they take part in a rally under the slogans 'hands off Greenland' and 'Greenland for Greenlanders', in front of City Hall in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 17, 2026.
Source:The Standard
January 18, 2026 16:12 UTC
Marcos Jr. vows aviation upgrade as PAL unveils longest aircraft
Marcos Jr. vows aviation upgrade as PAL unveils longest aircraftPresident Marcos receives a souvenir from Philippine Airlines president and COO Lucio Tan III during the unveiling of PAL’s first Airbus A350- 1000 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay on Saturday. The unveiling of PAL’s latest aircraft – the first in Southeast Asia and 10th in the world – coincided with the celebration of the flag carrier’s 85th anniversary. “This step complements our efforts to modernize the aviation sector and embrace more sustainable practices for the future,” the President said. Joining the President at the celebration were First Lady Liza Marcos, PAL Holdings Inc. president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III, PAL board adviser Kyle Tan, PAL president Richard Nuttall, PAL executive vice president and chief operating officer Carlos Luis Fernandez, Cabinet officials, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps. The A350-1000 is viewed in the aviation industry as the most cost-efficient aircraft right now for long-range services.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 16:09 UTC
Lawmaker slams Leviste for ‘ghost’ solar projects
Lawmaker slams Leviste for ‘ghost’ solar projectsMANILA, Philippines — From alleging that lawmakers involved in ghost projects, Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Leviste has seemingly found himself in the middle of one. Leviste is currently under fire for his Solar Philippine Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPPHI) company, which he sold after being granted a 25-year franchise by Congress. Leviste, son of incumbent Sen. Loren Legarda, admitted owning SPPPHI during an interview with “On Point” on Bilyonaryo News Channel. Leviste filed a civil libel complaint against Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, accusing her of spreading false claims that he illegally sold the franchise of SPBC. Leviste, however, rejected the claim, saying the projects could not move forward because they were not issued permits to proceed.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 16:09 UTC
At least 32 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand
At least 32 killed after crane falls on train in ThailandCars drive next to a collapsed crane that crushed two vehicles during construction of an elevated highway in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, January 15, 2026.
Source:The Standard
January 18, 2026 14:36 UTC
DOH notes rise in measles cases, pushes vaccination
DOH notes rise in measles cases, pushes vaccination“From Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 3, 2026, measles and rubella cases reached 5,159. This is 32 percent higher compared to 3,901 cases posted in 2024,” the DOH said in a televised public briefing. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded over 5,000 cases of measles and rubella (MR) nationwide. “From Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 3, 2026, measles and rubella cases reached 5,159. The DOH said there are several children in Mindanao with no vaccines yet against measles and rubella.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 14:20 UTC
Swan song: Strengthening US-Philippines ties
Swan song: Strengthening US-Philippines tiesBefore I arrived three and a half years ago, I spoke to every living previous US Ambassador to the Philippines and numerous others to prepare for my posting. In the Philippines, contacts become colleagues; colleagues become friends; and friends become family. The US-Philippines relationship as friends, partners and allies has never been stronger or more consequential. I am heartened to hear that a recent poll shows 82 percent of Filipinos trust the United States as their premier security partner. The United States introduced targeted maritime assistance programs, promoting freedom of navigation and countering coercion in the West Philippine Sea.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 13:11 UTC
Ex-DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan returns to Philippines
Ex-DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan returns to PhilippinesFormer DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan at the Immigration gates of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MANILA, Philippines — Manuel Bonoan, the former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways caught in the flood control scandal, has returned to the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said. Immigration authorities said Bonoan arrived without a travel companion. Bonoan left for the United States on November 11 amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged anomalies. In a DZBB interview on January 16, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Bonoan had requested a one-month extension of his stay in the United States, also citing his wife's medical procedure.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 12:30 UTC
Palace declares special non-working days in several areas
Palace declares special non-working days in several areasPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 commended the Filipino community in the United Arab Emirates for their significant contributions to both their host country and the Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has proclaimed several special non-working days this year in a province, four cities, and four municipalities to allow residents to participate in local celebrations and commemorative events. The special non-working days were declared through a series of proclamations signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The following localities will observe special non-working days on the indicated dates:January 15 — San Pablo City, Laguna (Coconut Festival)January 22 — Guiguinto, Bulacan (Halamanan Festival)February 2 — Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte (112th Araw ng Katipunan)February 2 — Mabalacat City, Pampanga (314th founding anniversary)February 3 — Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija (76th founding anniversary)February 6 — Consolacion, Cebu (106th founding anniversary)February 10 — Bacolor, Pampanga (Bacolor Day)February 11 — Candoni, Negros Occidental (Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival)February 17 — Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay (Araw ng Kabasalan)February 21 — Province of Marinduque (Araw ng Marinduque)May 7 — San Pablo City, Laguna (Charter anniversary)Candoni’s Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival honors early settlers who transformed forestlands into productive communities. The proclamations were issued to give residents the opportunity to fully participate in local events and celebrations.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 12:14 UTC
Vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy sent back to Russia – BI
Vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy sent back to Russia – BIMANILA, Philippines — Detained Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy has been deported to Russia, the Bureau of Immigration said. In a statement on Sunday, January 18, the bureau said Zdorovetskiy was deported on January 17 after boarding an IrAero flight bound for Irkutsk. During inquest proceedings, immigration authorities said Zdorovetskiy admitted to acts of harassment. While he sought bail during his detention at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, the bureau denied the request. RELATED: Russian vlogger to face criminal charges, won't be deported yet
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 12:00 UTC
Landslide kills two in Sorsogon during 'Ada' rains
Landslide kills two in Sorsogon during 'Ada' rainsImage showing Pajo River in Virac, Catanduanes during Tropical Storm "Ada" on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Two people have been reported dead due to Tropical Storm Ada (international name: Nokaen), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. Te deaths were caused by a landslide in Matnog, Sorsogon, triggered by heavy rains brought by the storm, the NDRRMC reported. As of 11 a.m., the state weather bureau PAGASA said Ada was located about 140 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. RELATED: 2 killed in Sorsogon landslide amid 'Ada' rains
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 11:41 UTC
PEAC, DepEd vow tighter controls for voucher program
PEAC, DepEd vow tighter controls for voucher programStudents attend their classes after their holiday break at Araullo High School in Manila on January 4, 2024. PEAC executive director Doris Ferrer said necessary safeguards are being implemented in the government’s SHS voucher program. “The integrity of the SHS voucher program is non-negotiable for us,” Ferrer said. Our role is to ensure that the voucher program continues to serve students while safeguarding public trust,” Ferrer said. SHS voucher program is a long-standing and cost-effective initiative that has played a vital role in expanding access to quality senior high school education for at least 6.7 million learners nationwide.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 11:37 UTC
Pope Leo XIV marks Cebu's Fiesta Señor with call to serve the poor
Pope Leo XIV marks Cebu's Fiesta Señor with call to serve the poorPeople carry religious icons of Baby Jesus during the annual Sto. MANILA, Philippines — Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to renew their commitment to serving the marginalized as he marked the feast of the Santo Niño. Leo, a former superior general of the Augustinian order, visited Cebu in 2004 while he was still a priest. Archdiocese of Cebu Pope Leo XIV (middle), when he was more known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, along with Augustinian missionaries when he visited the Philippines in 2004. On Saturday, a 400-vessel flotilla took part in the traditional fluvial procession, returning the image of the Santo Niño from Mactan to Cebu City.
Source:Philippine Star
January 18, 2026 11:36 UTC