Government reviews AFP pension reform proposal
Government reviews AFP pension reform proposalThe pension of retired uniformed personnel is automatically indexed to the salary of active personnel of the same rank. This means that the pension of a retiree would increase if the basic pay of an active personnel of the same rank increases. The pension of retired uniformed personnel is automatically indexed to the salary of active personnel of the same rank. This means that the pension of a retiree would increase if the basic pay of an active personnel of the same rank increases. Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo said P6.3 billion has been allocated for the pension hike in this year’s national budget.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:38 UTC
No threat to Philippines ASEAN hosting – PNP
No threat to Philippines ASEAN hosting – PNPThe ASEAN Philippines 2026 logo is presented at the official launch of the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2026 at Foro de Intramuros in Manila on Friday. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has not monitored threats to the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this year even as security preparations are underway. As of now, we have not received or gathered any threats to the ASEAN Summit,” Nartatez said. The 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit will take place from May 8 to 9 in Cebu, bringing together leaders from the 11 ASEAN member-states. Later in the year, the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit is scheduled from Nov. 10 to 12 at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:38 UTC
EDITORIAL - Curbing epal
EDITORIAL - Curbing epalLawmakers and implementing executive agencies maintain that credit-grabbing or epal elective officials will not be given any role in the distribution of state-funded aid – whether in person or through the display of self-promoting materials at the distribution venues. The public is even being urged to take photos of epal moments and report such cases. A broad information campaign is needed about these avenues for reporting epal cases. In the past years, images of the epals appearing in person or on billboards and streamers posted at aid distribution sites have filled multimedia platforms. Apart from providing easily accessible mechanisms for reporting epal moments, authorities must ensure that the reports are promptly acted upon and sanctions imposed.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:38 UTC
Bank lending growth steadies at 10.3% in November
Bank lending growth steadies at 10.3% in NovemberPreliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks amounted to P13.99 trillion in November 2025, 10.3 percent higher than the P12.68 trillion recorded in the same month in 2024. “Bank lending held steady at 10.3 percent because the core drivers of the economy are still moving — business loans stayed solid across real estate, utilities, trade and transport, while consumer lending remained the real powerhouse with credit cards and salary loans growing over 20 percent,” Ravelas said. Credit card loans increased by 29.5 percent to P1.16 trillion, while motor vehicle loans jumped by 16.3 percent to P524.04 billion. The BSP said it closely monitors bank lending as it is “a key transmission channel of monetary policy.” Looking ahead, the central bank said it “will ensure that domestic liquidity and bank lending conditions remain aligned with its price and financial stability objectives.”Ravelas cautioned, however, that risks to confidence could slow momentum. If we fix that and inflation continues to ease, lending growth can pick up more strongly by mid-2026,” Ravelas said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
China has ‘selective amnesia’ — De Lima
De Lima then cited China’s “nine-dash line claim” where originated the maritime dispute, which stretched so far as to eventually extend beyond Beijing’s area and reach Philippine shores, encroaching on its 200-mile EEZ. “Regardless of the distinction between a territorial sea and an EEZ, it does not really matter because China itself is guilty of the most absurd disregard for legal distinctions when it claims the whole of the South China Sea as its territorial waters,” she remarked. “There is nothing that blurs the distinction between territorial sea and EEZ more than China’s preposterous and infantile nine-dash line fairy tale that, surprisingly, it keeps on using in serious international legal forums, expecting the rest of the world to be so stupid as to take it seriously,” she said. De Lima noted that “China conveniently skipped its own history of aggression in the Spratly Islands and Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in its litany of so-called provocative actions of the Philippines.”“China has selective amnesia about its island-building in the Spratly Islands,” De Lima said. “China now has seven military outposts in the area, which are the largest among claimant-countries.”Beijing likewise “failed to mention its own aggressive actions against Philippine fisherfolk and PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) personnel when it purportedly defends an imaginary Chinese coast 1,000 kilometers away from China.”“It is not the Philippines’ fault when the Chinese ram their own ships while chasing PCG vessels,” she stressed.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
DMPL sells more shares in Sundrop Brands
DMPL sells more shares in Sundrop BrandsIn a stock exchange filing, DMPL said it completed the sale of an additional 1.45 percent equity interest in Sundrop Brands following the satisfaction of the relevant conditions precedent. MANILA, Philippines — Singapore and Philippine-listed Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) has sold more shares in Sundrop Brands Ltd. as part of efforts to divest its shareholdings in India’s leading food and edible oils industry player. In a stock exchange filing, DMPL said it completed the sale of an additional 1.45 percent equity interest in Sundrop Brands following the satisfaction of the relevant conditions precedent. DMPL earlier raised $15 million from the sale of 4.99 percent stake in Sundrop Brands to CAG-Tech (Mauritius) Ltd., an investment holding company that acts as the promoter for Sundrop Brands. By divesting the company’s shareholdings in Sundrop Brands, DMPL is expected to enhance financial flexibility by unlocking value from non-core investments and refocus management and capital on businesses where the group has long-term strategic advantage.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
DepEd awards 99% of planned procurement in 2025
DepEd awards 99% of planned procurement in 2025This file photo shows a facade of the Department of Education. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has awarded 99 percent of its planned procurement in 2025, in line with President Marcos’ push to make government spending faster, more transparent and more responsive to public needs. “When we entered DepEd, the marching order from the President was that every peso approved for education should be felt in the classroom. He said DepEd accelerated implementation through early procurement activities, with 91 contracts for 2025 awarded as early as January and all EPA contracts completed by March. By the end of 2025, DepEd entered into contracts for 47 classrooms under the Last Mile Schools program, shifting to a design-and-build approach to address recurring project abandonment in remote areas.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
New Navy patrol ship en route to Manila
New Navy patrol ship en route to ManilaPhoto shows the Rajah Sulayman, the Philippine Navy’s newest offshore patrol ship, at a launching ceremony at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea on June 11, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy’s newest offshore patrol vessel (OPV), the first of six from South Korea, is now sailing for Manila and is expected to arrive in the country this month. After several months of fitting up and sea trials, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has sent the future BRP Rajah Sulayman on a delivery voyage to the Subic Naval Operating Base. The ship was officially launched on Independence Day last year in Ulsan, South Korea where it was unveiled for the first time as part of the military’s continuing effort to modernize and improve the capabilities of the Philippine Navy. “The launch of Offshore Patrol Vessel No.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
Smart nears launch of satellite service
Smart nears launch of satellite serviceSmart is poised to become the country’s first telco to offer direct-to-device satellite service following the success of its test for such a technology in partnership with Lynk Global Inc.First for Philippines telcoMANILA, Philippines — Local communities in remote islands and mountains will gain access to uninterrupted signals for internet use and text messaging once Smart Communications Inc. mounts its new satellite service by 2027. Smart is poised to become the country’s first telco to offer direct-to-device satellite service following the success of its test for such a technology in partnership with Lynk Global Inc. The direct-to-device satellite solution equips Smart with the capability to provide mobile services across all terrains, even in areas where it has few or no cellular towers. Smart chose Catanduanes — 360 kilometers south of Metro Manila — to determine how extensive the solution can cover. Smart head of network strategy and transformation Radames Zalameda said the telco would also wait for Lynk to send more satellites into space to expand service availability.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
Philippines seen to lead Southeast Asia growth
Philippines seen to lead Southeast Asia growthThe World Bank headquarters is seen in Washington, DCWorld Bank reportMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is projected to be the second fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia this year and the next, according to the World Bank. Both growth forecasts are unchanged from those provided by the World Bank in December last year. If realized, the Philippines will be the second fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia for this year and 2025. If this forecast is realized, the Philippines would remain the second fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam projected to post the highest growth at 6.7 percent in 2027. The World Bank said that the risks to the outlook in East Asia and the Pacific, which includes the Philippines, remain tilted to the downside.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
Castro to Phlilippines envoys: Don’t harbor fugitive Roque
Castro to Phlilippines envoys: Don’t harbor fugitive RoqueMANILA, Philippines — Continuing her word war with the fugitive Harry Roque, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro has advised the former presidential spokesman not to be a source of fake news. Bernas is the daughter of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is an ally of the Dutertes, just like Roque. “What we said is that as a representative of the Philippines, it would not be good to harbor a fugitive,” Castro pointed out. It would be better to help a fugitive return to the Philippines,” she added. “I categorically affirm that no Philippine diplomat is legally or ethically permitted to refuse assistance to a Filipino citizen based solely on unproven allegations,” Roque said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
Bato may be in Davao – Remulla
Bato may be in Davao – RemullaMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who has been absent from the Senate since November last year, is believed to be staying in Davao, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday. Remulla revealed that Dela Rosa is no longer staying at his residence in Cavite. As far as I know, he is in Davao with his family,” Remulla said in an interview on GMA News. Remulla said authorities cannot move against Dela Rosa without an official copy of the ICC warrant. “We cannot take any action on that until there is an actual warrant of arrest,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
DILG: Platforms for reporting epal politicians available
DILG: Platforms for reporting epal politicians availableMANILA, Philippines — There are established and accessible mechanisms where people can report politicians who violate anti-epal rules, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said yesterday. Among these platforms is the Bantay Korapsyon wherein the public can report integrity issues, abuse of authority and violations linked to government programs. The anti-corruption initiative serves as a framework for identifying and addressing corruption-related concerns as well as strengthening accountability of politicians. The DILG’s Public Assistance and Complaints Center is another venue for receiving complaints, requests for assistance and public inquiries. Remulla said through the PACC, concerns are formally recorded, reviewed and endorsed to appropriate offices for action.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:32 UTC
ICI vacancies not a hindrance in filing raps – Palace
ICI vacancies not a hindrance in filing raps – PalaceThe ICI, formed by President Marcos in September to investigate government infrastructure projects implemented in the last 10 years, was left with just one member after the resignation of two commissioners last month. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang does not see the vacancies in the one-person Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as a hindrance for recommending charges against those behind the multibillion-peso flood control scam. The ICI, formed by President Marcos in September to investigate government infrastructure projects implemented in the last 10 years, was left with just one member after the resignation of two commissioners last month. Asked to react to Azurin’s statement, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro claimed that the vacancies do not hinder the ICI from recommending charges to the ombudsman or justice department. Castro said she could not speculate on what is keeping the President from appointing new ICI commissioners.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:24 UTC
Marcos back from UAE
Marcos back from UAEPresident Marcos greets the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos returned yesterday from his two-day working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he witnessed the forging of two key agreements designed to strengthen trade and defense cooperation with the Middle Eastern country. According to the President, CEPA will expand Philippine market access in the Gulf region and diversify both sources and markets of essential goods. In a separate statement, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said free trade with the UAE is a major boost for Philippine exporters. During the meeting, Marcos and Sajwani discussed opportunities for collaboration in the Philippines’ digital infrastructure sector, underscoring the country’s potential as a hub for data centers, cloud services and AI-driven technologies.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2026 16:24 UTC