Philippine International Pyromusical Competition returning this February
Set every Saturday from Feb. 21 to March 21 at 7:30 p.m. along MOA’s Seaside Boulevard, the month-long event will showcase elite pyrotechnic teams from Europe, Asia, and North America in synchronized fireworks displays. You can experience the magic as fireworks light up the sky again in the 13th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition happening early this year. The opening night on Feb. 21 begins with an exhibition by local favorite Platinum Fireworks Inc., which will be followed by Spain’s Hermanos Caballer. It will end with a closing exhibition by Platinum Fireworks Inc.Tickets are priced from P200 to P3,000 for most show dates, while March 21 ticket prices begin at P250 for Silver seats. Interested viewers may contact the organizers at 09453791503, 09453602223, or 09754834946 for Globe/TM users or 09084807947 or 09614065565 for Smart users.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:58 UTC
Good news, GCash users: You can now receive OTPs in app
Thankfully, that's not the case anymore as the e-wallet platform has launched in-app OTPs. You can now receive OTPs directly via push notifications within the GCash app for better security against phishing, scams, and fraud. According to a BusinessWorld report, GCash Chief Information Security Officer Miguel Geronilla said that the move was made "to put an end to phishable SMS OTPs." The company pointed out that scammers have been using SMS-based authentication to enter user accounts illegally. "By sending OTP requests directly to the user’s authenticated GCash app, GCash ensures that only the intended users can receive and use the unique OTPs, protecting them from unauthorized access," GCash said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:58 UTC
NUP to sue Kiko Barzaga over claims of bribery for Romualdez
NUP to sue Kiko Barzaga over claims of bribery for RomualdezMANILA, Philippines — Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District) has already been suspended in the House of Representatives for behavior deemed “unbefitting of a lawmaker.” Now, he may have to face a legal complaint in court over his social media posts. Puno was referring to Barzaga’s claims that NUP members accepted bribes from tycoon Enrique Razon to back former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the 2025 midterm elections. Barzaga made the allegation on January 9, according to news reports, but the post has since been deleted from his Facebook page. The lawmaker has also shared disinformation online, with multiple posts later debunked by fact-checkers for making misleading and false claims about the corruption investigation. Separately, Barzaga is also facing a criminal complaint filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for allegedly inciting sedition and rebellion.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:35 UTC
Henry Alcantara won’t recant flood control statements — lawyer
Henry Alcantara won’t recant flood control statements — lawyerMANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:00 p.m.) — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara said he will stand by his earlier statements on the anomalous flood control projects. Lawyer Emil Karlo Joven, legal counsel for Alcantara, in a statement denied claims that Alcantara had recanted testimonies previously given before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Alcantara is not recanting his prior statements,” he added. Alcantara arrived at the Department of Justice on Tuesday, January 13, for the continuation of the preliminary investigation on the flood control projects in Bulacan. However, when asked if he would recant his statement, he did not answer.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:35 UTC
DILG seeks to axe 20 BFP officials over 'bid-rigging,' corruption
DILG seeks to axe 20 BFP officials over 'bid-rigging,' corruptionMembers of the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region (BFP-NCR) conduct a send-off deployment on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at Quirino Grandstand, in preparation for the upcoming New Year celebration. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government recommended the dismissal of 20 senior officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection over alleged corruption, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Remulla said the department is also preparing to file complaints against the 20 officials involved, adding that both the dismissals and the filing of cases could be implemented as early as next week. How does the alleged corruption work? He said the alleged corruption scheme involves BFP inspectors compelling business owners to buy fire safety equipment from preferred suppliers at inflated prices, with threats of withholding permits for noncompliance.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 05:38 UTC
Travel tax reform pushed anew at Senate amid rising airport fees
Travel tax reform pushed anew at Senate amid rising airport feesPassengers crowd Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 as Filipinos rush to catch flights while others arrive in Manila ahead of the Christmas celebration. MANILA, Philippines — A measure to remove the travel tax on economy class passengers has been pushed at Senate, arguing that it adds an undue financial burden on ordinary Filipinos. “This legislative measure seeks to exempt economy class passengers from the payment of travel tax.”Under current rules, the full travel tax amounts to about P1,620 for economy class travelers and P2,700 for first-class passengers. Another travel tax reform measure filed in 2025 sought to abolish the levy altogether. While supporters of reform argue that reducing barriers like the travel tax could ease the overall burden on Filipino travelers.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 04:32 UTC
Donald Trump versus the Federal Reserve - what you need to know
Donald Trump versus the Federal Reserve - what you need to knowFILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speak during a tour of the Federal Reserve Board building, which is currently undergoing renovations, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo/File Photo
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 04:00 UTC
What the Philippines should stand for as we welcome ASEAN
What the Philippines should stand for as we welcome ASEANWhen the Philippines hosts ASEAN, it is not just an exercise in diplomacy. As ASEAN gathers, the Philippines should be proud of one thing above all else. We have engineers working in the most advanced technology companies in the world. Other ASEAN countries moved earlier and more decisively. As we host ASEAN, let us present a Philippines that believes in its innovators.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 03:42 UTC
DA OKs export of 100,000 MT raw sugar to US
DA OKs export of 100,000 MT raw sugar to USIn a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to ship out raw sugar to the US has been approved. In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to ship out raw sugar to the US has been approved. The country’s raw sugar stocks are up by three-fourths on an annual basis to 430,713 MT from 245,892 MT, SRA data showed. “Since the new administration entered, our raw sugar production has been increasing, and we have activated the US exports. Each participating entity that buys four kilos of raw sugar will be allowed to export a kilo of raw sugar to the US.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 17:31 UTC
COA flags AFP’s unauthorized bank accounts, unliquidated cash advances
COA flags AFP’s unauthorized bank accounts, unliquidated cash advancesMANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) over its unauthorized maintenance of six bank accounts with a total balance of P72.86 million and unliquidated cash advances amounting to P201.86 million as of end of 2024. The AFP GHQ Central Office was also flagged for P201.86 million in unliquidated cash advances, 82.36 percent of which, or P166.25 million, was classified as past due as they remained outstanding for up to 43 years. Verification by the audit team revealed that the six bank accounts were retained despite a lack of legal basis or authorization from the Permanent Committee Board. The PSC, meanwhile, said it has completed the necessary steps for the closure of the two bank accounts under its name. As for the P201.86 million in unliquidated cash advances, the COA said, “Considering the period over which they remained unliquidated, these cash advances have most likely been expended and as such, misstated the affected asset and expense accounts.”
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 17:31 UTC
PDEA: Beware of mescaline
PDEA: Beware of mescalineThe PDEA said mescaline poses serious health risks to people since it is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday warned the public about mescaline, a prohibited dangerous drug found in the cactus species Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as peyote. The PDEA said mescaline poses serious health risks to people since it is classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Only Lophophora williamsii, which contains mescaline, is prohibited by law. The PDEA said laboratory analysis is required to determine whether a suspected Lophophora specimen contains mescaline, a psychedelic hallucinogen.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:37 UTC
EDSA busway ridership hits over 66 million in 2025
EDSA busway ridership hits over 66 million in 2025Public utility buses pass through the EDSA Bus Lane at the Santolan Station in Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — Commuters looking for a faster way to traverse EDSA rode carousel buses in 2025, increasing the busway ridership to a new high of nearly 67 million. Based on records from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the EDSA busway ridership jumped by six percent to 66.67 million last year from 63.02 million in 2024. During the Christmas season, the EDSA busway posted 6.53 million ridership in December alone. The DOTr recently awarded a P251.06-million contract to build new busway stations on EDSA to Tacloban-based company Unimasters Conglomeration Inc.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:37 UTC
Leading amid disruption: Key takeaways from KPMG’s 11th CEO outlook
Leading amid disruption: Key takeaways from KPMG’s 11th CEO outlookThe 11th edition of the KPMG CEO Outlook, a survey conducted with 1,350 CEOs globally between Aug. 5 and Sept. 10, 2025, provides unique insights into the mindsets, strategies and planning tactics of business leaders across key markets and industry sectors. Globally, 79 percent of CEOs remain confident in their organizations’ growth prospects. Philippine leaders appear deeply committed to talent transformation, ensuring their workforce remains competitive and future-ready. As investment decisions increasingly converge around talent, technology and workforce readiness, the challenge for organizations will be execution. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:37 UTC
Stocks surge on rate cut hopes
Stocks surge on rate cut hopesThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index surged by 1.13 percent or 71.82 points to cap off yesterday’s session at 6,419.96. MANILA, Philippines — The local stock market soared past the 6,400 mark, buoyed by expectations of an upcoming rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index surged by 1.13 percent or 71.82 points to cap off yesterday’s session at 6,419.96. Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital said the market’s strong performance was supported by sustained buying momentum throughout the session. “Market sentiment further improved following Nomura’s forecast that the BSP could possibly deliver 25 bps rate cuts in both February and April.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:37 UTC