Investors waiting for arrest of big fish
Investors waiting for arrest of big fishStock market investors, like the rest of us, are waiting for the arrest of big players in this whole flood control corruption scandal. This is what I gathered from a recent press chat with Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president and CEO Ramon Monzon. How about all the other key players mentioned? Unfortunately, this is not the results that stock market investors and foreign fund managers want to see. As for the PSE, Monzon is optimistic that there will be a sustained increase in capital-raising activities this year.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:37 UTC
Marcos won’t oppose new impeach bid vs VP Sara
Marcos won’t oppose new impeach bid vs VP SaraMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will not oppose attempts to file another impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, a reversal of his earlier stance against it. Pressed whether Marcos would not stop the filing of another impeachment complaint against Duterte, Castro replied: “He (Marcos) will respect the process. The Vice President has denied all allegations and has challenged the legality of her impeachment before the Supreme Court. Any subsequent impeachment complaint against her may only be filed starting Feb. 6 this year. Castro advised Duterte’s allies who are seeking to impeach Marcos to help their “idol” answer the allegations against her.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:35 UTC
Meralco rates down this month; fuel prices up today
Meralco rates down this month; fuel prices up todayA lineman works on an electric post along Road 10 in Tondo, Manila yesterday. Meralco announced that electricity rates will decrease by P0.16 per kilowatt-hour in the January 2026 billing period. MANILA, Philippines — Meralco is cutting power rates by P0.1637 per kilowatt-hour this month, bringing down its overall rate to P12.9508 per kWh from December’s P13.1145 per kWh. Major oil companies, meanwhile, are set to hike fuel prices today amid recent geopolitical developments, with diesel going up by P0.20 per liter and gasoline and kerosene by P0.30 per liter. For the cut in power rates, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga pointed to lower transmission and generation charges despite upward pressures on certain cost components.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:35 UTC
Duterte’s health valid reason for interim release, lawyer insists
Duterte’s health valid reason for interim release, lawyer insistsMANILA, Philippines — Claiming that former president Rodrigo Duterte is already “an emaciated, infirm and incapacitated shadow of his former self,” his lawyer has again moved for his interim release from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The filing was part of the observations submitted by parties ahead of the first review of Duterte’s pre-trial detention. Under ICC’s rules, the Pre-Trial Chamber shall review a ruling on a suspect’s release or detention at least every 120 days. According to Kaufman, the supposed deterioration of Duterte’s health may be considered a “change in circumstance” that could warrant a new decision regarding the former president’s detention. On the contrary, recent developments lend further support for Mr. Duterte’s continued detention,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:25 UTC
Cyclicality
There is little in terms of backward- and forward-integration among our enterprises to support manufacturing growth. Exchange rates alone will not accomplish this outcome for as long as our domestic manufacturing sector is weak. For as long as we have a weak manufacturing base, we will be dependent on imports for our vital needs. We have not learned from the lessons of our neighbors: those that rapidly industrialized on the basis of strong state support for key industries. They are often vulnerable to “cyclicality” – demand shocks that destroy pricing.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:25 UTC
Recto, DAR, DSWD secretaries named government caretakers
Recto, DAR, DSWD secretaries named government caretakersMANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian have been designated as government caretakers during President Marcos’ trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Marcos’ visit reflects the accelerating momentum in bilateral relations with the Middle Eastern country, according to Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver. Marcos is also scheduled to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, their secondengagement in 14 months. Additionally, the Chief Executive will hold several business meetings and meet with the Filipino community during his visit to Abu Dhabi. Ver said UAE has “very highly” developed defense capabilities that the Philippines can benefit from.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:25 UTC
Imee: Does Ping want hair pulling match?
Imee: Does Ping want hair pulling match? FB image posted the other day shows Sen. Imee Marcos getting her hair done. A word war recently erupted between Marcos and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson (inset) over the national budget and the handling of the flood control investigation. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos dismissed Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson’s claims linking her to budget “allocables,” saying the items attributed to her were merely proposals that were never funded. She said Lacson appeared to be daring her to a “hair pulling” match that she could never win: “Parang masyadong gigil itong si Senator Ping sa akin, baka makipagsabunutan.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:25 UTC
ICI in limbo, seeks clarity from Palace
ICI in limbo, seeks clarity from PalaceIn an interview on One News’ “Storycon,” Azurin said the ICI is currently operating with only one commissioner following the resignation of Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo, which prevents it from holding hearings. MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) remains in limbo, as it has yet to receive any notice from Malacañang regarding its fate, special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said yesterday. In an interview on One News’ “Storycon,” Azurin said the ICI is currently operating with only one commissioner following the resignation of Rogelio Singson and Rossana Fajardo, which prevents it from holding hearings. According to Azurin, reports suggesting the ICI may be abolished by Feb. 1 remain unconfirmed, noting that new appointments are needed for the body to function fully. Despite the uncertainty, he vowed that the ICI will continue to perform its mandate, including coordination with law enforcement agencies on asset recovery and related investigations.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 16:17 UTC
Xpeng taps banks for possible Hong Kong IPO of flying car unit, Bloomberg reports
Xpeng taps banks for possible Hong Kong IPO of flying car unit, Bloomberg reportsA logo of XPeng is seen on the electric flying car XPeng Voyager X2 by XPeng AeroHT, before a demonstration flight in Beijing, China June 18, 2024.
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2026 14:40 UTC
Fed's Powell says administration has threatened him with a criminal indictment over his Senate testimony
Fed's Powell says administration has threatened him with a criminal indictment over his Senate testimonyU.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference, following the issuance of the Federal Open Market Committee's statement on interest rate policy, in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 17, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2026 14:25 UTC
Myanmar made Rohingya lives a nightmare, Gambia tells genocide case
Rohingya refugee Salma speaks to the press as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) starts two weeks of hearings in a landmark case brought by Gambia, which accuses Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya, a minority Muslim group, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2026 14:17 UTC
Families of Traslacion fatalities not suing Quiapo Church
Families of Traslacion fatalities not suing Quiapo ChurchDevotees flock the image of the Black Nazarene on Hidalgo St. in Manila on January 10, as it is en route to the San Sebastian Church for the 'dungaw.' MANILA, Philippines — Families of devotees who died during the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on February 9 and 10 have not expressed any intention to sue the Quiapo Church, the Philippine National Police said. (According to our homicide investigators, the family members have no plans or specific reasons at this time to sue the church over what happened to their relatives.) Deaths on the processionFour individuals died during the nearly 31-hour Traslacion procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. It began on January 9 at 4 a.m. and ended on January 10 at 10:50 a.m. — with reports from The STAR/Mark Villeza
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 14:05 UTC
Electric cable theft disrupts power to 8,000 in Quezon City
Electric cable theft disrupts power to 8,000 in Quezon CityMANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Company (Meralco) warned the public against the theft of electrical facilities, citing serious safety risks and service disruptions it could cause. In a statement on Monday, January 12, Meralco said a recent attempt to steal power cables in Quezon City temporarily disrupted electricity service to nearly 8,000 customers. Safety risks and penalties“This incident underscores the grave dangers of stealing power cables and electrical facilities. In 2025, Meralco recorded 285 incidents of theft involving electrical facilities, including power cables. The company said stealing power cables, electric meters, and other electrical facilities violates Republic Act 7832, or the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act, which carries penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 13:59 UTC
Cebu trash site operator ordered to stop operations after fatal landslide
Cebu trash site operator ordered to stop operations after fatal landslideMembers 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 — After the deadly landslide at a Cebu City landfill killed and injured many, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered landfill operator Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWSI) to suspend its operations. As of Monday, eight people have been confirmed dead, while 28 remain missing, according to the Cebu City Disaster Council. It was the primary drop station for garbage in Cebu City, according to Mayor Nestor Archival. LGUs are mandated by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to provide a 10-year plan to the Solid Waste Management Commission, detailing measures for waste collection, recovery and reduction.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 13:49 UTC
ICC blocks Duterte appeal bid over medical records anew
ICC blocks Duterte appeal bid over medical records anewThis photograph taken on March 14, 2025 shows the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The panel members were appointed to conduct a medical examination of Duterte under the court's Rules of Procedure and Evidence. Court: Defense sought to relitigate issuesThe chamber said, however, the defense was largely attempting to relitigate issues already addressed in the December disclosure decision. On January 7, the pre-trial chamber also rejected Duterte's request for an additional expert report on his medical condition. RELATED: ICC rejects Duterte's expert report bid
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2026 13:30 UTC