Manila Standard - 2026 January 23 - Friday

Thursday said he is recovering from diverticulitis and assured the public that his condition is not life-threatening.

fine. I’m feeling very, very different from the way I was feeling before.

Palace open to talk to Co, stresses ‘truth’

Jonvic heading to Portugal to verify info on ex-lawmaker

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Thursday said it is open to dialogue and possible cooperation with resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, but stressed the administration’s priority is to establish the truth and ensure accountability in alleged anomalies involving government flood control projects. PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos

2 more impeach raps vs. Marcos filed with House

By Maricel Cruz and Charles Dantes

CIVIL society groups and opposition figures on Thursday filed -- or attempted to file – two more impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., accusing him of

ruption, betrayal of public trust, and constitutional violations linked largely to alleged anomalous flood control projects and budget insertions. Members of civil society, backed by the Makabayan bloc in Congress, accused Marcos of “systematically bilking taxpayers” through so-called ghost flood control projects. In their filing on Thursday morning, the group alleged that more than ₱545.6 billion was siphoned to favored allies and contractors and used as a “private war chest” for the 2025 midterm elections.

Presidential Communications Office

Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government would welcome information that could clarify the cases against Co, provided it contributes to uncovering the facts and help identify those responsible for the multibillion-peso scams the ex-congressmen has been implicated in.

“Ang nais lamang ng Pangulo ay lumabas ang katoto-

hanan at kung sinuman ang maaaring responsable sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects, sila ay maimbestigahan at managot,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

(The President only desires for the truth to come out and for anyone who may be responsible for the anomalous flood control projects to be investigated and held accountable.)

By Rolando Ng III and Jimbo Gulle

WIDESPREAD system malfunctions have forced the Department of Education (DepEd) to extend the conduct of the Computer-Based National Career Assessment Examination (CB-NCAE) by another month, to the end of February, as teachers and students alike called for its suspension.

The errors raised concerns about the DepEd’s readiness to implement nationwide simultaneous online activities on its platforms.

The NCAE, which used to be a penand-paper exam, is the standardized aptitude test administered to Filipino high school students for both public

By Rex Espiritu

illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Cumpio, 26, is the first Filipina journalist to be prosecuted under the terror financing laws, which defense lawyer Julianne Agpalo

said have become the government's "weapon of choice" for silencing dissent.

Cumpio and her former roommate, Domequil, broke down in tears and hugged each other as the guilty verdict was read and they were sentenced to up to 18 years in prison by judge Georgina Uy Perez of the Tacloban regional court. The duo, who were both acquitted on a lesser weapons charge, will be eligible for parole in about 12 and a half years.

By Vince Lopez

THE FIGHT GOES ON. Frenchie Mae Cumpio (right), a detained Filipino journalist, and her former

NEW CASE. Makabayan lawmakers Sara Elago, Antonio Tinio and Louise Co and Bayan leader Renato Reyes hold copies of an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after submitting the documents to the Office of the Secretary-General in the House of

in Quezon City.

‘WAG MASYADONG EXCITED.’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addresses rumors surrounding his health, saying his condition is not life-threatening.

Palace flags P60:$1 threshold

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Thursday emphasized that the Marcos administration will not allow the peso to weaken to 60 against the US dollar, even as it maintained there is no urgent need for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) intervention despite the currency’s recent slide to record lows.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government continues to de-

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Castro clarified that reports indicate Co is seeking to communicate with the Office of the Ombudsman—not with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or the administration—and noted that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla had earlier said his office would extend protection should Co decide to cooperate.

The Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges against Co and others before the Sandiganbayan over a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

“Kung ito po ay makakatulong para malaman natin ang katotohanan, ang gobyerno po ay open,” she said, adding that any dialogue would be up to the Ombudsman, which is constitu-

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Later in the day, a group led by former Marcos ally Mike Defensor also attempted but failed to formally file their complaint due to the absence of House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Garafil, the only person authorized under law to receive such cases.

Garafil was in Taiwan on official business -- to receive an award from the government in Taipei. She formerly headed the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the country’s diplomatic arm to the island state.

Defensor accused the House of violating its ministerial duty to receive impeachment complaints, saying there is “no discretion to reject, screen, delay, or block such filings.”

The former lawmaker and Cabinet secretary came with his co-complainants -- former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, former Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon, former presidential adviser and congressman Jacinto Paras, and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

Malacañang initially declined to comment in detail. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace would wait to review the contents of the complaints.

“Let’s wait (to see) its contents. We cannot address that as of now if we

Ang...

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been verified and came from government witness Julie Patidongan, who claimed Ang “has a way to reach Cambodia” and may have left the country through illegal routes.

“That’s possible. That’s the information that reached us,” Remulla said, noting there are no records showing Ang exited through ports or airports.

Authorities are now checking whether he used so-called “backdoor” routes.

Remulla said the government has not yet coordinated with Cambodia or Thailand, as investigators are still validating the reports. “Once it is confirmed, we will bring it up to the President and see what he decides to do,” he said, adding that any move would involve international relations.

Asked whether Ang is still considered armed and dangerous despite the surrender of firearms by his lawyer, Remulla said authorities remain cautious.

“Of course. If you earn P1 billion a day, it’s easy to acquire firearms, including loose firearms,” he said.

Remulla also ordered police to wear body cameras when attempting to arrest Ang to prevent bribery and other irregularities.

"I'm careful because it will be a

warrant intervention.

"That is still what was discussed for now, and again they will report to the President if intervention is really necessary," Castro said in Filipino.

She added that the President is keenly monitoring developments in the foreign exchange market.

fer to the central bank’s assessment and policy tools, noting that the BSP remains prepared to act if conditions

tionally independent of the executive branch.

“Nasa kamay na po iyan ng Ombudsman kung sila po ay magkikita,”

Castro said, stressing that there has been no proposal for Co to engage directly with the President or Cabinet officials.

(If this would help us uncover the truth, the government is open [to it]… That is now in the hands of the Ombudsman, whether or not they will meet.)

Interior and Local Government

Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, meanwhile, disclosed that Co is believed to be staying in a gated community in Lisbon, Portugal, based on surveillance reports.

“He is in Portugal. We’re pretty certain he is in Lisbon—in a gated community. He almost never leaves the house,” Remulla said in Filipino in an

don’t have the details,” Castro said, noting that Mr. Marcos was under medical observation at the time.

Castro later rejected the accusations as baseless, saying claims of corruption and kickbacks must be proven.

“They have to prove that,” she said. “If they cannot present proof, then they are merely fabricating stories. Kickbacks must also be proven. They cannot exist only in someone’s imagination.”

She said the President had ordered safeguards in budget implementation, vetoed several items in the General Appropriations Act, and directed the Department of Budget and Management to impose conditional implementation on others.

“Most of those marked for later release were not released at all because they lacked requirements,” Castro said, adding that Mr. Marcos is confident he committed no impeachable offense.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the House is handling all impeachment complaints in accordance with the Constitution and House rules.

“Referral to the Committee on Justice is a standard and substantive step in the impeachment process,” Adiong said, stressing that it does not prejudge the outcome.

He added that Garafil’s temporary absence due to an official overseas engagement does not affect the constitutional handling of impeachment matters.

The Makabayan filing claimed Mr. Marcos “institutionalized a mecha-

trap, so everyone should have a bodycam before the raid because if they see money, they'll be tempted again, right? So I'm really careful about that, so I'm very quiet during the inspection,” Remulla said.

Ang is the DILG’s most wanted person in connection with the disappearance of more than 30 sabungeros, with a P10-million bounty for his arrest.

Police have so far searched six of Ang’s properties, but he has not been found. Remulla said Ang was last seen at a residence in Mandaluyong.

He added that none of the active or retired police officers allegedly linked to Ang have been conclusively proven to be protecting him.

Meanwhile, Ang’s camp confirmed compliance with the revocation of his license to own and possess firearms and firearms registration.

His lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, said several firearms were surrendered to the Mandaluyong police, while a separate affidavit was filed for a reported lost firearm, stressing their compliance was in good faith and without prejudice to legal remedies.

Among the firearms surrendered to the Mandaluyong Police Station include a 5.56 rifle, a .38 revolver, and 3 9MM pistols with different make and models.

Villareal also reported a lost caliber .260 firearm attaching affidavit of loss thereto.

"The President does not want the exchange rate to reach 60 pesos," Castro said. “If it increases by 60 pesos, the value of the peso will decrease, our debt will definitely in-

interview with Dobol B TV.

“We have operatives watching and conducting surveillance. But he hardly goes out. Our team cannot enter that specific gated community,” he added.

Remulla revealed he will travel to Portugal soon to verify the info on Co’s whereabouts, as well as to reach out to the priest that the former lawmaker sent his feelers to the government through.

The brother of the Ombudsman, Remulla said efforts to apprehend Co are complicated by the absence of an extradition treaty between the Philippines and Portugal, as well as reports that Co holds a Portuguese passport.

Despite this, he said the government is exerting pressure through legal means, including asset seizures.

“Almost all of his assets are about to be seized. All of his money here is

nism” to divert flood control funds and directly solicited kickbacks—allegations partly anchored on claims by former congressman Zaldy Co, who left the country while under investigation.

Rage over alleged ghost infrastructure projects has intensified in recent months after large parts of the country were submerged by floods triggered by powerful typhoons.

A copy of the complaints were submitted to the House Office of the Secretary General, although it was not officially stamped received due to the absence of Garafil.

“The President institutionalized a mechanism to siphon over P545.6 billion in flood control funds,” the complaint’s summary stated.

The Makabayan bloc lawmakers — Reps. Antonio Tinio, Renee Co, and Sara Elago — separately filed what they described as a second impeach

ment complaint, also citing betrayal of public trust.

Former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said they left a copy at the Secretary General’s office despite Garafil’s absence.

“As far as the complainants are concerned, we have complied with the rules,” Casiño said.

The Makabayan coalition said the complaint cited documentary evidence including Department of Public Works and Highways records on the so-called “BBM parametric formula,” Special Allotment Release Orders covering

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Media organizations and journalism advocates assailed the conviction as a grave injustice, despite the respondents’ acquittal on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), condemned the court's decision as “absurd.”

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) cited the acquittal as a “partial victory,” but condemned the guilty verdict on the terrorism financing charge.

The University of the PhilippinesDiliman College of Media and Communication Student Council (CMC SC) condemned the ruling, describing it as a “blatant attack on press freedom.”

Aleksandra Bielakowska, advocacy manager for Reporters Without Borders, said the verdict demonstrated a "blatant disregard for press freedom."

Cumpio and Domequil were arrested on Feb. 7, 2020 at the office of alternative news outlet Eastern Vista in Tacloban City, along with rights advocates Alexander Philip Abinguna, Mira Legion, and Marissa Cabaljao. The group was known as “Tacloban 5.”

According to the defense lawyer, Legion and Cabaljao were out on bail, while proceedings involving Abinguna have yet to move forward.

In 2020, the military accused

crease because the exchange rate will increase.”

"Let us wait for what will be discussed further and what actions the BSP will take on the matter," she added. The PCO official said further depreciation would be detrimental to the broader economy.

The BSP has previously said it allows the peso to be largely market-determined, intervening only to smooth excessive volatility and prevent disorderly market conditions.

on hold. All of his properties, all of his businesses—the government is taking them,” Remulla said, stressing that authorities will act strictly within the bounds of the law.

Co left the Philippines last August, citing medical treatment abroad, as the Marcos administration intensified investigations into alleged flood control irregularities. He resigned as a partylist congressman the following month.

Since then, he has been labeled a fugitive, with authorities coordinating with foreign counterparts and Interpol, and his Philippine passport has been canceled.

In November 2025, warrants of arrest were issued against Co, several Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and directors of Sunwest Corp. in connection with allegedly anomalous flood control projects.

P213.8 billion in unprogrammed funds, affidavits from former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo detailing alleged kickback schemes, and documents known as the “Cabral files.”

“The flood control corruption scandal is not a case of isolated wrongdoing,” the complaint read, calling it a “systematic, institutionalized scheme of plunder.”

Defensor’s group listed alleged offenses including misuse of unprogrammed appropriations, graft and corruption, alleged drug use, questionable budget insertions, sugar importation without proper approval, and the extension of the Malampaya gas contract without public bidding.

Earlier this week, a separate impeachment complaint was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus, endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Rep. Jett Nisay, and has been transmitted to the Office of the Speaker, triggering the House’s internal process.

Political analyst Dennis Coronacion of the University of Santo Tomas said the complaints face long odds in a House dominated by Marcos allies.

“It has a very slim chance of getting the approval of the House Committee on Justice and even less so in the plenary,” Coronacion said.

Under the Constitution, impeachment requires approval by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate to remove a sitting president from office and bar him from future public positions. With AFP

Cumpio and Domequil of being members of an “identified Communist Terrorist Group,” and while serving a search warrant at the Eastern Vista office, they discovered a firearm, a fragmentation grenade, and a Communist Party of the Philippines flag.

Prior to the arrest, Cumpio informed alternative news network Altermidya that unidentified men had been casing the Eastern Vista’s office. In 2021, while already detained, the military filed a terrorism financing complaint against the Tacloban 5. Cumpio was Eastern Vista’s executive director, and for most of her career, she was known for covering issues such as the killing of farmers and land-grabbing in Leyte’s neighboring provinces. Domequil was a member of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines and has on many occasions advocated for the rights of farmers and peasant workers in Eastern Visayas.

NUJP said Cumpio’s case has become “emblematic of the deteriorating state of press freedom in the Philippines,” warning that the ruling could further discourage journalists from reporting on sensitive issues such as alleged abuses by state forces. Domequil’s sister, Kyle, also decried the court ruling. She appealed for freedom to be granted for both defendants.

“The only verdict we will accept is the acquittal of Frenchie and Marielle,” Kyle was quoted saying, according to a social media post by nonprofit organization Karapatan. With AFP

AFP probes ‘orchestrated’ disinformation campaign

By Rex Espiritu

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines has launched an investigation into what it described as a “deliberate and orchestrated disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining public confidence in the military.

This as the AFP also dismissed renewed allegations regarding P15-billion ghost projects within the military.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they are closely examining a series of developments, including press conferences, coordinated social media posts, and amplified online content that appear to follow a synchronized pattern.

“It appears to be part of a sophisticated and multi-layered disinformation campaign. You can see the unfolding events. They are deliberate. The pattern is synchronized,” Padilla told reporters on Thursday.

“The narratives, even in social media, involving such issues, such as the press conference conducted by Chavit Singson, the social media posts of Colonel Audie Mongao, and others concerning the AFP, seem to indicate that these are not isolated issues,” she added. According to Padilla, the timing, content, and amplification of the narratives suggested a multi-layered information operation designed to not only weaken confidence in the AFP, but to also sow divisiveness in the ranks.

“We have to look at the timing, the content, and the amplification of issues that come out in social media,” Padilla said.

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About two million Grade 10 students were scheduled to take the test starting this week until the end of January. The NCAE’s goal is to provide career guidance to students by helping them identify their strengths, interests, and aptitudes before they move into Senior High School or pursue higher education.

But teachers nationwide cited technical limitations, server congestion, and outdated equipment in many schools in declaring a failure of examinations.

In memoranda issued through its regional offices and cascaded to school divisions on January 19, the DepEd said the administration of the online NCAE was extended until February 28, 2026.

In a statement, the department also said its Central Office’s decision “to shift the administration of a largescale assessment to a computer-based modality marks an important step in testing its capacity, readiness, and resilience in implementing digital examinations.”

“We recognize that such a transition is complex and, as seen in the experiences of other countries—including highly developed ones—inevitably comes with challenges.”

To manage this shift responsibly, the DepEd Central Office “selected a low-stakes examination” in the NCAE as the pilot for this reform, it added. The Standard also obtained a copy of a memo that directed school division superintendents, supervisors, school heads, and information technology officers to refer to Regional Memorandum No. 036, series of 2026, signed by DepEd Assistant Secretary Dr. Jocelyn Andaya.

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The problem was fixed,” Mr. Marcos told Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro in a video clip released by Malacañang. The President said doctors diagnosed him with diverticulitis, a common inflammatory condition of the digestive tract, which he linked to stress and age.

“What happened was I apparently now have diverticulitis. It’s a common complaint, apparently, among people who are heavily stressed and people who are, I must admit, growing old,” he said.

Asked whether doctors advised him to slow down his work schedule, Marcos acknowledged repeated reminders to rest but said the demands of the presidency make that difficult.

“Well, yes, of course, that’s what the doctor has been telling me. But how would I do that? There is so much work,” he said. He also addressed rumors about his health, stressing there was no cause for alarm. Charles Dantes

Torre retirement from PNP already resolved Palace

By Charles Dantes and Joel E. Zurbano

MALACAÑANG on Thursday said there is no conflict surrounding the appointment of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III, noting that the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding over his police retirement status.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Torre will proceed with his optional retirement from the Philippine National Police and will receive full benefits equivalent to his four-star rank.

She added that Torre has agreed to relinquish his four-star rank, which will be transferred to PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez.

“Accepted po niya iyon,” Castro said. “Dahil tinanggap niya ang posisyon, alam naman niya kung ano ang maaaring mangyari.”

(Torre accepted it. Because he accepted the position, he already knows what might happen.)

Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. validly appointed Torre to the MMDA post and that the former police official is actively performing his duties.

“We spoke directly with General Torre, and it turned out to be just a misunderstanding,” Castro said.

Torre, a former top police official, was appointed to lead the MMDA as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen traffic management and metropolitan governance.

Initial reports indicated that the acting chief of the Philippine National Police, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., is expected to be promoted to a four-star rank next week, following the “official retirement” of his predecessor, Torre.

Domestic abuse hikes dropout rates

By Rolando Ng III

CHILDREN who experience violence inside their homes show diminished interest in enrolling in school or classes, a report released by the congressional Second Educational Commission (EDCOM II) suggested.

It showed that nearly four out of 10 Filipinos aged 10 who bore physical struggles inside the household are less likely to attend school.

Adolescent students also have a 52 to

57 percent chance of showing the same, as they bear the psychological effects from these incidents.

Children of both genders are at risk of avoiding class as they cope with the

circumstances related to their abuse, the report added.

EDCOM II said 48% of boys age 14 were recorded to have lost their interest in school, while 66% of girls of the same age showed the same trend. This results in a negative trend on their scholastic performance, such as their capabilities in mathematics and science, although these findings are “not statistically important,” the panel said.

“While violence definitively disrupts school enrollment decisions, its impact

on test scores might manifest more gradually,” EDCOM wrote, adding there are other mechanisms that can be used to measure students’ attentiveness.

The commission recommended that intervention programs be conducted to address this concern that goes beyond the confines of the classroom.

“The authors recommend the sustained implementation and expansion of nationwide, multi-sectoral early intervention programs designed to prevent violence and improve parenting skills,” it wrote.

PREVENTION MEASURE. A worker from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office uses a fogging machine to drive away denguecarrying mosquitoes in Sampaloc, Manila on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Norman Cruz

Vlogger threatening to spread AIDS nabbed

By Vito Barcelo

BUREAU of Immigration authorities on Thursday arrested a Russian national who drew public attention after posting social media videos claiming he intended to spread HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) while in Metro Manila. Operatives of the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit apprehended Nikita Chekhov inside a condominium building in Quezon City, according to Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

Chekhov, who arrived in the Philippines on January 15 as a tourist, uploaded videos filmed in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig shortly after his arrival. In the videos, he made statements that authorities said caused public alarm and concern. The content was later described by officials as “rage-bait” material. The incident follows recent enforcement actions against other foreign content creators, including the deportation of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy and the arrest of Estonian YouTuber Siim Roosipuu, who was declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City over online content deemed inappropriate.

Rebuilt, Reopened, Ready to Care

By Angelica Villanueva

FOR residents of Barangay San Vicente and nearby communities, the reopening of the San Vicente Health Center is not only a physical upgrade but the fulfillment of a long-held promise of providing accessible and dignified primary health care within their own neighborhood.

Established in 1984, the twostorey, Quezon City–run facility has served generations of families in Barangays San Vicente, Old Capitol Site, UP Village, and Teachers Village East, covering an estimated 15,000 residents. After decades of minimal structural change, the health center now reopens following its latest round of renovations under the social good collaboration of the Quezon City government, Barangay San Vicente, and SM Foundation.

“This was once just a dream. Ngayon, katuparan na po ,” barangay chairman John Melchor Magusib said.

He credited the project to the collective efforts of the city government, SM Foundation, and partner organizations, assuring residents that the upgraded facility will be protected and maintained for long-term community use.

According to Dr. Dane Mikhael Calica, medical officer, the latest renovation focused on improving functionality, patient flow, and overall experience.

“Before, the building looked old and rundown. Ngayon, parang private na rin ang pakiramdam. Na-maximize na ang spaces, mas maayos na ang daloy ng pasyente, at mas nagiging komportable ang experience ng mga nagpapa-check-up,” Calica told Manila Standard.

Roofing issues were resolved, interior spaces were reorganized, and new furniture and equipment—such as examination tables, curtains, and chairs—were installed through SM Foundation’s support.

The upgraded facility now maximizes available space,

creating more consultation rooms and smoother triage. While the health center currently handles an average of 50 patients daily, Calica said the improved environment is expected to encourage more residents to seek preventive care.

The health center offers comprehensive primary and preventive services, including medical and dental consultations, maternal and child health care, routine immunizations, tuberculosis services, and mental health programs. It was recently recognized as a Child-Friendly Facility and now includes an adolescent room designed as a safe space for health education and preventive counseling. Preventive care remains a central focus.

“The best way to address public health problems is prevention,” Calica said, stressing the importance of improving vaccination coverage and prenatal care to reduce maternal deaths and prevent disease outbreaks.

Technology also plays a growing role in service delivery. The facility uses the Quezon City Health Information System for electronic medical records and patient tracking, supporting continuity of care and datadriven decision-making. SM Foundation’s DigiKonsulta will further aid digital recordkeeping for medical and dental services.

The facility’s health workers say the improvements will enhance efficiency without compromising care quality.

The renovation places the center several steps ahead as it prepares to apply for Primary Care Facility accreditation next year.

Probe on flood raps to take longer

By Rolando Ng III and Maricel V. Cruz

PROSECUTOR -General Richard Fadullon said the government’s investigations into anomalous flood control projects may take longer to resolve.

At a press conference in Quezon City, he admitted that the public had expected a December deadline, stemming from past “promises.”

“The department cannot be cowed by statements calling for rushed timelines simply because those statements were made. We still have to go through the

IN

BRIEF

process,” Fadullon said, speaking in mixed Filipino and English.

He added that government investigations will not rely solely on word-ofmouth testimonies from individuals, including those presented during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

“You need to conduct further inves-

DPWH chief inspects Araneta Avenue drainage works

DRAINAGE improvement works along Araneta Avenue are expected to be completed before the rainy season, with major sections set for completion by the end of February, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said. Dizon said the DPWH is fast-tracking drainage repairs and conducting continuous dredging along the floodprone thoroughfare.

He noted that Araneta Avenue is among the most flood-prone areas in Metro Manila, with past flooding reaching more than three meters and submerging vehicles during heavy rains.

“We are taking advantage of the dry weather. All works must be completed before June so that flooding in this area can at least be reduced,” Dizon said during an inspection. The project includes upgrading and realigning drainage lines to improve water flow toward the San Juan River, as well as the removal of illegal structures blocking drainage channels. Vito Barcelo

QC council OKs literature scholarship ordinance

THE Quezon City Council has passed Ordinance No. SP-3458 of 2025 establishing the Manuel L. Quezon Filipino Language and Literature Scholarship Program. Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed the ordinance, saying it strengthens the city’s commitment to accessible education, cultural development, and the promotion of the national language.

The measure amends the Expanded Scholarship Code of Quezon City to include support for students, educators, and researchers in Filipino language, literature, linguistics, translation, and related fields.

Qualified tertiary students may receive up to P160,000 per academic year in private schools or a P50,000 annual stipend in public institutions, while postgraduate scholars may receive up to P105,000 per year.

The ordinance also creates creative writing and literary grants of up to P40,000 to support original works in Filipino, reinforcing the legacy of President Manuel L. Quezon. Rio N. Araja

Bishop orders closure of chapel after desecration

THE Catholic bishop of Iba, Zambales has ordered the temporary closure of a chapel inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone following what he described as a serious desecration. Bishop Bartolome Santos Jr. said the San Roque Chapel and its adjoining adoration chapel were vandalized, causing distress among members of the Catholic community.

He said the Sacred Host placed in the monstrance was found shattered on the floor, while the monstrance and several sacred images were damaged.

The bishop declared the chapel desecrated and ordered the immediate suspension of Masses and other sacramental celebrations. Vito Barcelo

BAYANIHAN SA ESTERO. MMDA General Manager Usec. Nicolas Torre III personally oversees the conduct of Bayanihan sa Estero at the Kalabingkoho River in Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City, as authorities remove garbage and silt to help mitigate flooding. Andrew Rabulan

tigation that cannot rely only on statements from two individuals. It’s not necessarily that you simply file a case right away,” Fadullon explained, stressing that due process must be observed.

Although he assured that investigations are continuing, the ProsecutorGeneral said the public may need to wait longer due to difficulties encountered by investigators.

“Everyone wants to see immediate results. But I will just say, before it gets better, it gets worse. You really have to put in a lot of time,” Fadullon said as he appealed for patience.

“It is easy to file a case. The most difficult part is how to prove the cases that we file,” he added. Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla meanwhile appealed for fairness and respect for due process as her husband, former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., faced another detention over a malversation case linked to the flood control controversy.

“The cases involving my husband, former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., are now under judicial review. As his wife and a public servant myself, I ask for understanding, fairness, and respect for due process,” MercadoRevilla said in a social media post.

House urged to probe Andaya H’way in CamSur

By Maricel V. Cruz

CONGRESS was urged on Thursday to conduct a full-blown investigation into the increasingly decrepit condition of the Andaya Highway, the Camarines Sur portion of the strategic Quirino Highway that connects Metro Manila to Bicol, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the long neglect of the Andaya Highway is another indictment of massive fraud and inefficiency within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which he said had plagued the agency prior to the leadership shakeup last year that brought former transportation secretary Vince Dizon to its helm.

“With its defective structural design made worse by piecemeal rehabilitation work over the decades, the Andaya Highway has fallen into its current exasperating state of disrepair. It is time for the government to get to the bottom of why the DPWH, despite its resources and expertise, has allowed this to happen,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte, a former Camarines Sur representative, said he had already been calling for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the weather-beaten road when he was still a three-term congressman representing the province’s second district.

“The investigation can be done by the Office of the Ombudsman motu proprio, or by Congress or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” he said. “What is compelling at this point is for a no-nonsense probe to happen now so we can finally know who dropped the ball, who should be held accountable, and how we make sure this never happens again.”

Embassy warns Pinoys vs. visa scams in Mongolia

By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay

THE Philippine Embassy in Beijing on Thursday warned Filipinos in Mongolia against illegal recruiters and stressed that converting a tourist visa or visa waiver into a work visa is strictly prohibited. In an advisory, the embassy reminded Filipinos that the 21-day visa waiver is solely for tourism purposes and that entering Mongolia to seek employment under this arrangement is illegal.

“Do not believe fixers who promise an easy visa conversion upon arrival. This is a lie and against the law. You risk deportation and the loss of your money,” the advisory said.

The embassy emphasized that Filipinos who intend to work in Mongolia must first secure an employment contract and obtain a work visa from the Philippines before traveling.

“If you want to work, you must arrange your contract and work visa in the Philippines before flying to Mongolia. Do not be fooled. Follow the law,” it added. In December, the Philippine Embassy in Italy also warned Filipinos in Italy and the Philippines about reports of illegal recruitment, deception, and unauthorized collection of fees by certain individuals and groups operating in Rome, Caserta/Naples, and Milan. Similarly, in November, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt cautioned Filipinos against accepting job offers in Egypt without proper legal documentation and accreditation.

PARTNERSHIPS. Hotel101 Global CEO Hannah YuloLuccini and Horizon Group chairman Khaled Sharbatly share the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss sustainable hospitality during the “From Partnerships to Hypergrowth” session at the InvestPhilippines Business Pavilion.

Taiwan set to honor former Philippine envoy

By Maricel V. Cruz

TAIWAN’S Ministry of Foreign Affairs will confer the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, one of its highest civilian decorations, on former Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairperson and Resident Representative Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, MNSA. Garafil, who currently serves as Secretary General of the House of Representatives, will receive the award from Foreign Minister Lin Cialung on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). She previously served as MECO chairperson and resident representative, during which she worked to advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan.

“With humility, I share this honor with our colleagues and partners who worked tirelessly during my service,” Garafil said.

“This recognition reflects the work done to strengthen professional and constructive engagement between the Philippines and Taiwan,” she added.

PROUD FUR PARENT. A handler carries one of the winning dogs to the stage during the grooming contest on the opening day of the Philippine Circuit Dog Show 2026 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday. The five-day event features breed competitions and grooming contests. Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

OPINION

Malampaya natural gas discovery

THE announcement by President Marcos Jr. of a major natural gas discovery at the Malampaya East 1 (MAE-1) reservoir marks an important development for Philippine energy security. Coming more than a decade after the last significant find in the Malampaya area, the discovery highlights both the continuing relevance of indigenous natural gas and the urgency of sustaining domestic energy sources as the country confronts rising demand, volatile global fuel prices, and geopolitical supply risks.

The President described the MAE-1 discovery in concrete, relatable terms.

With an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of gas in place, he stressed its immediate and tangible impact on power supply: “This is equivalent to almost 14 billion kilowatthours of electricity for one year. In other words, this will supply power to around 5.7 million households, 9,500 buildings and almost 200,000 schoolrooms for a year.”

By translating technical reserve estimates into everyday metrics, Marcos emphasized why MAE-1 matters not merely as a geological success but as a social and economic asset. After all, we all know that electricity reliability directly affects household welfare, business operations, and public services such as education.

Beyond scale, the President emphasized the quality and productivity of the new reservoir.

Initial testing showed the well flowing at 60 million cubic feet per day, prompting him to note that “this indicates that the well has the potential to produce even more, confirming it is a high-productivity resource comparable to the original Malampaya wells.”

This comparison is significant. The original Malampaya gas field has long served as the backbone of Luzon’s power generation, supplying fuel to several major gas-fired plants.

As Malampaya’s original reserves thin out, fears of depletion have loomed large over energy planners. MAE-1, therefore, helps extend the life and relevance of the Malampaya system, buying the country valuable time as it transitions to a more diversified energy mix.

Marcos was explicit on this point, underscoring that MAE-1 “helps Malampaya’s contribution and strengthens the country’s domestic gas supply for many years to come.”

Domestic supply is a critical phrase. Natural gas imported as liquefied natural gas exposes the Philippines to foreign exchange pressures and global price shocks. Indigenous gas, by contrast, provides a measure of insulation and predictability, supporting both energy affordability and macroeconomic stability.

The discovery’s inclusion of condensate further enhances its strategic value. Condensate, described by the President as “a high-value liquid fuel,” can be sold or used to support power generation, helping “the stabilization of the country’s power supply.”

In an energy system where even marginal improvements in fuel availability can reduce the risk of brownouts or price spikes, such byproducts matter.

Equally notable is Marcos’ emphasis on process and stewardship.

“We are proud that Filipinos led the drilling, and finished the job without any accident or environmental incident,” he said.

This assertion serves multiple purposes.

It reinforces national technical capability, counters narratives that large-scale energy projects must rely entirely on foreign expertise, and addresses public concern about environmental risks.

—“—

When mapping errors mislead and misreporting costs trust

SENATOR Ping Lacson publicly announced that hundreds of flood control projects were wrongly labeled as “ghosts,” citing incorrect grid coordinates submitted by former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan as the source of confusion.

These misreported locations, reflected on the Sumbong sa Pangulo monitoring platform, gave the public the impression that millions in public funds were lost.

should not be penalized for administrative errors. In short: punish the guilty, but spare those who did the work correctly and in good faith.

and validated in official DPWH reports, showing that the works were carried out according to instructions. Contractors followed technical guidance in good faith, without discretion over placement. The discrepancies therefore largely reflect administrative and reporting errors rather than negligence or intentional non-delivery.

In a country where energy projects often face local opposition, demonstrating safe and responsible execution is essential for sustaining public trust.

MAE-1 has also been framed as a beginning rather than an endpoint. As the first milestone under the Malampaya Phase 4 Drilling Campaign, it sets the stage for further exploration, including Camago-3 and the Pag-asa well.

This forward-looking posture reflects a broader policy signal: energy security is not a one-off achievement but a continuous process requiring investment, exploration, and risk-taking.

Finally, Marcos placed the discovery within a governance and partnership framework.

Crediting the SC 38 Consortium led by Prime Energy, alongside PNOC Exploration Corporation and other partners, he argued that the project “offers ample proof that responsible stewardship of the environment and close collaboration between the government and the private sector will allow us to achieve stable energy supply for every Filipino.”

This statement aligns energy security with institutional cooperation and regulatory stability—conditions investors often cite as prerequisites for long-term commitments.

The MAE-1 discovery reinforces Malampaya’s role as a cornerstone of Philippine energy security while signaling renewed momentum in upstream exploration.

At a time of economic uncertainty and heightened public scrutiny of government performance, the President’s emphasis on concrete benefits, national capability, and responsible development positions energy security not just as a technical objective, but as a central pillar of economic resilience and public welfare.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Affidavit of hope

mercy on me.”

I HAVE been a devotee of the Nazareno for a long time, since childhood actually, every time we visited the Church of the Nazareno in Cagayan de Oro during the Visita Iglesia every Holy Week. As often as I could, I would go to mass in Quiapo and ask for the Nazareno’s interventions in many crises.

More recently, I have had an intense desire to participate in the Traslacion, which I was finally able to do in 2018 when the Rector of Quiapo Church was my classmate and student Monsignor Ding Coronel. I wrote about that experience then. I observed from the sidelines, using what I called “eyes of science and faith.” I touched the Andas before the midnight mass, kissed the feet of the image at the pahalik, attended the command center. But I did not dare join the procession itself.

I wrote: “During the actual procession, I would not dream of trying to go near the Andas. Someday, I might dare but not this year.” Fast forward to Aug. 2022, in Medical City, when I nearly died twice due to extreme blood loss after an operation.

During the first time, I lost consciousness and do not recall anything.

But the second time I nearly died, the physical pain due to a blockage in my bladder was so excruciating (10/10 as I kept shouting to the medical residents watching over me) that I was conscious all the time.

In between cries of pain, I would utter prayers for relief: “Jesus, Son of David, have

Beyond scale, the President emphasized the quality and productivity of the new reservoir —“—

The headlines raised alarm, but the public’s real concern is simple: are flood control systems in place to protect lives and communities, or are errors and misreporting threatening their reliability?

The issue was highlighted again during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Jan. 19, 2026, which reviewed flood control projects across the country.

The session drew public attention to the systemic problems in project mapping and reporting, reinforcing the need for transparency and verification in public infrastructure programs.

This episode highlights a broader issue: government reporting errors can mislead citizens and erode trust in critical infrastructure programs.

Hundreds of flood control works were mistakenly flagged, generating unnecessary anxiety about missing funds.

Accurate record-keeping, independent verification, and timely updates to public monitoring platforms are essential to ensure taxpayers’ money delivers real protection.

Fairness and accountability must go hand in hand.

Those who failed to deliver must be held fully accountable, while contractors who executed projects as instructed

Accurate recordkeeping, independent verification, and timely updates to public monitoring platforms are essential to ensure taxpayers’ money delivers real protection

Blurring the line between negligence and systemic reporting mistakes risks weakening public confidence, not just in contractors, but in the agencies responsible for safeguarding infrastructure.

Joint DPWH–contractor inspections, including in Bulacan, have since confirmed that many of the disputed projects do exist, though sometimes in locations different from those initially reported. These inspections were documented

Preliminary reports also indicate that some contractors may have faced undue pressure from certain accused DPWH personnel, including threats that they could be unfairly implicated if they did not comply with improper demands, a situation tantamount to extortion. While these claims remain under review, they underscore the need for impartial, evidence-based assessment that prioritizes transparency and public interest over finger-pointing.

At its core, this controversy is a reminder that accuracy, transparency, and oversight are as critical as construction itself. Correcting errors, clarifying facts, and distinguishing between administrative mistakes and genuine misconduct strengthens public trust. Flood control projects exist to protect communities.

Misreported geographical coordinates should not undermine that goal, nor should they obscure whether the system as a whole is functioning effectively. Ultimately, the public stakes are clear: reliable infrastructure saves lives and livelihoods.

Errors in reporting, even when unintentional, must be addressed swiftly. Transparency, verified data, routine inspections, and clear accountability will ensure flood control projects deliver on their purpose, and that public confidence in government programs is restored.

And then I had the vision of the Nazareno walking towards me, gesturing for me to come nearer. At first I thought He wanted me to come with Him, to leave this world and follow Him to heaven. I even told my wife Titay, let’s pray that we accept God’s will and plan, which I interpreted as dying.

Our God is a loving, kind, and merciful God

But then I heard the voice of Jesus Nazareno distinctly telling me: “No. You still have a mission in the world. I have come to accompany you in your pain, but I want you to live, to love more, to serve, and to witness.”

So I turned to Titay and said, let’s change our prayer and ask first for relief from pain and then for healing.

And shortly after I was injected with fentanyl, making the pain manageable, and my blood pressure, which had gone down to zero, started rising. And then I was brought to the ICU to be monitored and eventually recovered.

Many people less sick than me have died since I was diagnosed. I think I know why I am still here today.

When I was saved from the jaws of death, I thought that my remaining mission was about

GENEVA – Nuclear weapons testing has affected every single human on the planet, causing at least four million premature deaths from cancer and other diseases over time, according to a new report delving into the deadly legacy.

More than 2,400 nuclear devices were detonated in tests conducted worldwide between 1945 and 2017.

Of the nine countries known to possess nuclear weapons — Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea — only Pyongyang has conducted nuclear tests since the 1990s.

‘They poisoned us’: Grappling with deadly impact of nuclear testing —“—

But a new report from the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) humanitarian organization, provided exclusively to AFP, details how the effects of past tests are still being felt worldwide.

“They poisoned us,” Hinamoeura Cross, a 37-year-old Tahitian parliamentarian who was aged seven when France detonated its last nuclear explosion near her home in French Polynesia in 1996.

Seventeen years later, she was diagnosed with leukemia, in a family where her grandmother, mother and aunt already suffered from thyroid cancer.

The explosions are known to have caused enduring and widespread harm to human health, societies and ecosystems.

But the NPA report details over 304 pages how an ongoing culture of secrecy, along with lacking international engagement and a dearth of data, have left many affected communities scrambling for answers.

“Past nuclear testing continues to kill today,” said NPA chief Raymond Johansen, voicing hope the report would “strengthen the resolve to prevent nuclear weapons from ever being tested or used again.” Very dangerous’

The issue has gained fresh relevance after US President Donald Trump’s suggestion last November that Washington could resume nuclear testing, accusing Russia and China of already doing so — charges they

a dream project I was going to do in Mindanao. It turned out that was not the case. The mission I am called to, for which I have been given additional time, is not for any particular work but to simply proclaim: Our God is a loving, kind, and merciful God. Jesus saves us from our sins and accompanies us in our suffering. The Holy Spirit guides us always. I do this in my peace, human rights, and climate justice work and in following the itinerary of the Neocatechumanal Way to live a life of humility, simplicity, and praise, following the example of the Holy Family. Cardinal Tagle once said about the Trasla-

rejected.

“This is very, very, very dangerous,” warned Ivana Hughes, a Columbia University chemistry lecturer and head of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, who contributed to the NPA report.

“The nuclear testing period shows us that the consequences are extremely long-lasting and very serious,” she told AFP.

The heaviest burden of past tests has fallen on communities living near test sites

The heaviest burden of past tests has fallen on communities living near test sites, today located in 15 different countries, including many former colonies of nuclear-armed states.

Survivors there continue to face elevated rates of illness, congenital anomalies and trauma.

The impact is also felt globally.

“Every person alive today carries radioactive isotopes from atmospheric testing in their bones,” report co-author and University of South Carolina anthropology professor Magdalena Stawkowski told AFP.

Millions of early deaths

Hundreds of thousands of people around the globe are known to have already died from illnesses linked to past nuclear test detonations, the report highlighted. It pointed to strong scientific evidence connecting radiation exposure to DNA damage, cancer, cardiovascular disease and genetic effects, even at low doses.

“The risks that radiation poses are really much greater than previously thought,” report co-author Tilman Ruff told AFP.

The atmospheric tests alone, which were conducted up to 1980, are expected over

cion that “To understand the devotee, you have to be a devotee yourself.” In 2018, I was beginning to understand. In Medical City, the Nazareno made me understand fully what it means to be accompanied in suffering. In 2030, God willing, I will walk that understanding back to Him. This is my affidavit of hope. This is my promise. The Nazareno told me to live, and I am living. He told me to love more, and I am loving. He told me to serve, and I am serving. He told me to witness, and I am witnessing. And I still sing with all my heart: Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Sinasamba Ka namin, pinipintuho Ka

time to cause at least two million excess cancer deaths, he said.

And “the same number of additional early deaths (are expected) from heart attacks and strokes”, said Ruff, a Melbourne University public health fellow and co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, which won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ionizing radiation, or particles that can snap DNA bonds in cells and turn them cancerous, is “intensely biologically harmful,” he said.

“There is no level below which there are no effects.”

The risks are not uniform, with fetuses and young children most affected, and girls and women 52-percent more susceptible to the cancer-inducing effects of radiation than boys and men.

Culture of secrecy

The NPA report documented a persistent culture of secrecy among states that had tested nuclear weapons.

In Kiribati, for instance, studies by Britain and the United States on health and environmental impacts remain classified, preventing victims from learning what was done to them.

And in Algeria, the precise sites where France buried radioactive waste after its tests there remain undisclosed, the report said.

None of the nuclear-armed states has ever apologized for the tests, and even in cases where they eventually acknowledged damage, the report said compensation schemes have tended to “function more to limit liability than to help victims in good faith.”

Local communities, meanwhile, frequently lack adequate healthcare and health screening, as well as basic risk education — leaving people unaware of the dangers or how to protect themselves.

“The harm is underestimated, it’s undercommunicated, and it’s under-addressed,” Stawkowski said. AFP

namin Aral Mo ang aming buhay at kaligtasan Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Iligtas Mo kami sa kasalanan Ang Krus Mong kinamatayan Ay sagisag ng aming kaligtasan Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Dinarangal Ka namin Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Nilul’walhati Ka namin

Note: I borrow the phrase “affidavit of hope” from Tin Lao, whose beautiful book of poems is entitled “Affidavit of Loss.” Facebook, X, Instagram and Blue Sky: tonylavs Website: tonylavina.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2026 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Tiananmen vigil organizers go on trial

Bangladesh begins campaigns for 1st post-Hasina polls

SYLHET, Bangladesh – Bangladesh begins official campaigning on Thursday for hugely anticipated general elections next month, the first since the 2024 uprising ended the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.

The South Asian nation of 170 million people votes on Feb. 12 for 350 lawmakers, ushering in new leadership after prolonged political turmoil following the overthrow of Hasina’s government, reshaping domestic and regional power dynamics.

It comes against the backdrop of insecurity -- including the murder last month of a student leader of the antiHasina protests -- as well as warnings of a “flood” of online disinformation.

Hasina, 78, sentenced to death in absentia in November for crimes against humanity for the deadly crackdown on protesters in her failed bid to cling to power, remains in hiding in India.

European Union election observers say the vote will be the “biggest democratic process of 2026.”

Mass rallies are expected with hundreds of thousands of supporters gathering, as the frontrunners the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, formally launch their campaigns. AFP

IN BRIEF

Multiple people missing in N. Zealand landslips

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand – A landslide smashed into a campsite in rain-swept northern New Zealand on Thursday, leaving multiple people missing under tons of mud.

Mounds of earth buried a shower block at the site, which lies at the foot of extinct volcano Mount Maunganui.

Voices were briefly heard calling for help from beneath the rubble, witnesses and emergency officials said.

“Whilst the land’s still moving there, they’re in a rescue mission,” Assistant Police Commissioner Tim Anderson told reporters at the scene.

“I can’t be drawn on numbers. What I can say is that it is single figures.”

Rescuers used heavy machinery to search for survivors after the disaster, which struck after overnight rain lashed the area on New Zealand’s North Island. A separate landslip ploughed into a home in nearby Tauranga, Anderson said. Two people escaped but two others were still unaccounted for. AFP

Chile rights groups slam Cabinet picks

SANTIAGO – Chile’s rightwing president-elect drew sharp criticism from human rights groups Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) for announcing a cabinet that features two lawyers who defended the late dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Jose Antonio Kast, 60, will be sworn in on March 11 as the first far-right head of state in Chile since the exit of Pinochet, whose brutal regime left deep scars on the South American nation.

On Tuesday, he named Fernando Barros, 68, as his defense minister and Fernando Rabat, 53, as minister of justice and human rights.

Both served as lawyers for Pinochet, who led a dictatorship from 1973 to 1990 that left more than 3,200 people dead or missing, and tortured or imprisoned tens of thousands more.

These attorneys represented the dictator in cases involving human rights violations and embezzlement. AFP

Interim Venezuela leader to visit US DAVOS, Switzerland --Venezuela’s interim president will soon visit the United States, a senior US official said Wednesday, further signaling President Donald Trump’s willingness to embrace the oilrich country’s new leader.

Delcy Rodriguez would be the first

sitting Venezuelan president to visit the United States in more than a quarter century -- aside from presidents attending United Nations meetings in New York.

She said Wednesday that she approached any dialogue with the United States “without fear.”

“We are in a process of dialogue, of working with the United States, without any fear, to confront our differences and difficulties... and to address them through diplomacy,” said Rodriguez.

The invitation reflects a head-snapping shift in relations between Washington and Caracas since US Delta Force operatives swooped into Caracas, seized president Nicolas Maduro and spirited him to a US jail to face narcotrafficking charges. AFP

Trump to meet Zelenskyy, unveil ‘Board of Peace’

DAVOS, Switzerland – US President Donald Trump was scheduled to show off his new “Board of Peace” and meet Ukraine’s leader at Davos on Thursday -burnishing his claim to be a peacemaker a day after backing off his own threats against Greenland.

Trump abruptly announced on Wednesday that he was scrapping tariffs against Europe and ruling out military action to take Greenland from Denmark, partially defusing a crisis which has shaken the meeting of global elites.

On his second day at the Swiss ski resort, Trump will seek to promote the “Board of Peace”, his controversial body for resolving international conflicts, with

a signing ceremony for the organization’s charter.

The fledgling board boasts a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership and Trump has invited leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungary’s Viktor Orban to join.

“I think it’s the greatest board ever formed,” Trump said Wednesday as he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, another of the leaders who have agreed to join.

HONG KONG

– The national security trial of three Hong Kong activists who organized annual Tiananmen vigils began Thursday, with the trio facing up to 10 years in prison.

Hong Kong used to host yearly candlelight vigils to mark Beijing’s deadly crackdown on demonstrators in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989 -- but those events have been banned since 2020. That year, Beijing imposed a national security law on the former British colony in the wake of huge, sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.

The Tiananmen vigil organizer, known as the Hong Kong Alliance, shut down in 2021 after authorities arrested the three leaders now on trial.

The trio and the Alliance are charged with “incitement to subversion”, with the no-jury trial scheduled for 75 days.

Defendants Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan have been behind bars since 2021 and pleaded not guilty at the start of the hearing. The third defendant, Albert Ho, pleaded guilty.

Around 70 people queued in the cold on Thursday morning for the public gallery, while dozens of police were deployed around the court.

Simon Ng, a retiree in his 60s, said the Alliance’s vigils once reflected how the city’s political system was “fundamentally different from that of mainland China”, adding the activists were “honorable” in supporting China’s democratization. The Alliance had repeatedly called for the “end of one-party rule” in China, which prosecutors said amounted to subverting state power, according to a case document published Wednesday.

Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed skepticism but others have signed up, particularly in the Middle East where Trump-friendly Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have agreed to join. About 35 world leaders have committed so far out of the 50 or so invitations that went out, a senior Trump administration official told reporters on Wednesday. AFP

The launch of the board comes against the backdrop of Trump’s frustration at having failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his disputed claim to have ended eight conflicts. Originally meant to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza after the war between Hamas and Israel, the board’s charter does not limit its role to the Strip and has sparked concerns that Trump wants it to rival the United Nations.

US Republicans begin push to hold Clintons in contempt over Epstein

WASHINGTON, DC – A Republicanled US House panel voted Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) to launch contempt of Congress proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton over their refusal to testify before its probe into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Oversight Committee advanced resolutions accusing the Democratic ex-president and former secretary of state of defying subpoenas to appear in person to explain their links to the disgraced financier, who died in custody in 2019.

The full House of Representatives, also majority Republican, will now decide -at a date yet to be announced -- whether to formally cite the couple for contempt and refer them to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution.

“No witness, not a former president or a private citizen, may willfully defy a congressional subpoena without consequence,” committee chairman James Comer said.

“But that is what the Clintons did and that is why we are here today.”

Neither Trump nor the Clintons have been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein’s activities.

But Republicans say the Democratic couple’s past links to the business tycoon, including Bill Clinton’s use of his private jet in the early 2000s, justify in person questioning under oath.

In letters refusing to appear in Washington, the Clintons argue that the subpoenas are invalid because they lack a clear legislative purpose.

Instead, the couple submitted sworn written statements describing their knowledge of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking. The vote underscored how the Epstein affair continues to cast a long shadow over Washington, entangling some of

The prosecution will rely on company records, online material, clips of public speeches and evidence seized from the now-defunct Tiananmen museum operated by the group.

Amnesty International said on Thursday the trial was “not about national security -- it is about rewriting history”. Human Rights Watch urged Hong Kong to drop all charges and release the activists. AFP

Afghan resistance museum revamp in Taliban rule

GREENLAND FRAMEWORK. US President Donald Trump addresses the media as he leaves the congress center during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Wednesday. Trump said he had reached a framework of a deal that satisfies him on Greenland, as he backed down both on threats to seize the island by force from Denmark and on imposing tariffs against European allies. Trump made the

DPWH says EDSA rehab being hastened; now 31% complete

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday reported that more than 31 percent of the ongoing rehabilitation of Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) has been completed as workers continued asphalt overlay and concrete re-blocking to hasten the full reopening of the major thoroughfare to vehicular traffic.

In a statement, Public Works

Secretary Vince Dizon said work on the project has progressed steadily, with asphalt overlay being carried out

on several key stretches. On the northbound side, crews were working from Roxas Blvd. to Taft Ave. and Tramo to Magallanes,

while also continuing overlay from Magallanes back to Taft Ave.

On the southbound side, resurfacing started at Taft Ave. and extends toward Roxas Blvd., with work set to continue in the coming weeks, the DPWH said.

In addition, concrete re-blocking is underway at the P. Celle U-turn in lane four to improve pavement strength and durability.

Motorists have been advised to temporarily use alternative routes due to the ongoing repair works being carried out in phases to minimize disruption.

Advisories and detour information

continue to be disseminated to help commuters plan their travel amid lane closures and traffic adjustments.

The EDSA rehabilitation project, which began during the Christmas holiday period late last month is expected to run for about eight months, with works taking place around-the- clock to meet the targeted completion timeline.

“As part of traffic mitigation efforts, the EDSA Busway has been maintained and adapted where necessary to keep public transport operating even as adjacent vehicle lanes are resurfaced,” the DPWH said.

MMDA conducts desilting of Valenzuela waterway

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, in collaboration with the Valenzuela City government, carried out a river cleanup operation on Thursday as part of the agency’s “Bayanihan sa Estero” program, an initiative introduced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that seeks to mitigate flooding by eliminating waste and silt from waterways.

MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III, along with Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, spearheaded the cleanup initiative at the Kalabingkoho River in Barangay Malanday, with the assistance of the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office.

The operation aimed to prevent the buildup of waste and silt that could choke the two-kilometer Kalabingkoho River in order to enhance water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in nearby communities.

Torre emphasized that under the leadership of MMDA chairman Romando Artes, the agency remains committed to rehabilitating major waterways across Metro Manila.

“Upon the instruction of Chairman Artes, the agency has set a target to rehabilitate 25 major esteros or more by 2026, with the goal of completing key projects before the rainy season. This initiative underscores the importance of well-maintained waterways in flood prevention,” Torre said.

For his part, Gatchalian highlighted the importance of the Bayanihan sa Estero program for Valenzuela City, especially in areas bordering Meycuayan.

“When water levels rise, the flow of water toward MacArthur Highway is often obstructed, directly affecting communities along the Valenzuela–Meycuayan boundary,” the mayor noted.

“We are working together to continuously clean and maintain the creek. By deepening and widening it, we help ensure that it does not exceed its capacity during heavy rainfall,” he added.

Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, graced by Mayor Joy Belmonte accompanied by Joyride legal counsel Ariel Inton. Manny Palmero

Filipinos in Iraq told to be alert, vigilant amid unrest

By Katrina Manubay

THE Philippine Embassy in Iraq on Thursday issued an advisory for Filipinos in the Middle East country to exercise extreme caution and vigilance following an overnight drone attack in Erbil, Kurdistan.

The advisory reiterated that Iraq is currently at Alert Level 3.

“Filipinos already in Iraq are advised to avoid public places, to avoid protests and large gatherings and the area of the demonstrations, monitor ongoing news, exercise increased caution and remain vigilant for their own safety and security,” the advisory read. The embassy also encouraged the Filipinos expatriates to contact the

Cops foil P8-m smuggling bid, nab 2 Chinese

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, Jan. 22, said two Chinese nationals were arrested during in a routine checkpoint that also led to the seizure of over P8 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Labrador, Pangasinan.

In a statement, PNP acting chief Lt.

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the policemen manning the checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion intercepted a van carrying 101 boxes of undocumented cigarettes.

The two Chinese nationals on board the vehicle were taken into custody, with smuggling charges were being readied against them.

The confiscated cigarettes would be turned over to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for proper disposition even as criminal charges were being prepared against the suspects.

Nartatez said his men’s ability to foil the smuggling attempt manifested diligence in the performance of their duties.

“Sometimes what others think is just a checkpoint. But when enforcement is done properly and the police are alert, major crimes can be prevented, This is a clear example of how disciplined police work protects the public and our economy,” Nartatez said.

He emphasized that smuggling undermines lawful businesses and deprives the government of revenues meant for public services.

“This is not just about illegal products. Smuggling directly steals from the public treasury. That’s why the PNP is serious about this fight, and we won’t stop,” he added.

IN BRIEF

Bomb prank cancels Pinay’s plane travel

A FILIPINA bound for Bangkok, Thailand was ordered to deplane after cracking a bomb joke which is strictly prohibited in all airports across the country.

The Philippine National PoliceAviation Security Group said the incident took place Tuesday night, Jan. 20, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Investigations showed that the passenger was already seated when a flight attendant instructed the passengers to place their carry-on luggage in the overhead compartments. At that moment, the passenger quipped; “Palagay na lang kuya sa itaas, medyo mabigat lang at meron kasing dinamita” (“Can you put it up there. It’s a bit heavy because it has dynamite.”)

The steward promptly notified the PNP-Avsegroup which subsequently ordered the prankster out of the plane. She was also banned from future travels with the airline. Joel E. Zurbano

Mayor cites Makati cops’ gains versus theft cases

MAKATI Mayor Nancy Binay has lauded the local police force for its efficient handling of recent theft cases, highlighting her administration’s dedication to law and order in the city.

“I want to personally commend the quick action and relentless dedication of the Makati City Police. Their successful apprehension of the suspects is proof of our focused efforts on fighting crime,” Binay said.

Binay cited the police’s recent successful achievements by the local police, including the recovery of an influencer’s mobile phone, the capture of a well-known “salisi” suspect, and the detention of individuals involved in mobile phone theft.

The mayor noted that the quick response of the authorities validates the efficiency and vigilance of the Makati Police Department. Joel E. Zurbano

Lawyer Topacio named PDP deputy spokesman

embassy hotline at (+964 783 700 5457) for emergency assistance. Reports indicated that the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) announced on Wednesday that Iran had conducted a “missile and drone” attack on one of its headquarters in the Kurdistan Region, resulting in the death of a member of its armed wing.

On Jan. 13, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Tehran, reported that there have been no indications of Filipinos affected by the ongoing crisis in Iran.

Since December 2025, demonstrations have taken place in various cities across Iran in response to widespread unrest concerning the government of the Islamic Republic and ongoing economic challenges.

LAWYER Ferdinand Topacio officially took his oath as deputy spokesman of the opposition Partido

Cusi said before

the oath to Topacio. In response, Topacio said he was “very happy to serve the PDP without any expectation of recompense... without any quid pro quo.” Apart from being a lawyer who has handled and won high-profile cases, Topacio is also a film producer and a member of the print and broadcast media. Itchie Cabayan

JOYRIDE ROLL OUT. Hundreds of driver applicants wait for their turn to sign up as TNVS driver-partners entitled to free top-up credits and other incentives during the launch of the 2026 JoyRide Car Grand Onboarding Event at the People’s Hall,

PROJECT READ. Gawad Kalinga and Pepsi Philippines launch the Reading for Excellence and Development (READ) program at Pinagsanhan Elementary School in Maragondon, Cavite, with Gawad Kalinga executive director Daniel Bercasio, Pepsi chief of environmental and social governance lawyer Carina Lenore Bayon, and school principal Lilibeth Marquez in attendance. Dennis Abrina

THE gold medalists in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games lead a long list of personalities to be given out with citations in the 2025 Philippine Sportswriters Association-San Miguel Corporation Awards Night slated on Feb. 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.

Three-gold medal winner Kayla Sanchez spearheads the Philippine team contingent that scored significant victories in a twoweek stretch of December in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand.

Sanchez emerged as the most bemedalled Filipino athlete from the largest Philippine delegation to be ever sent in the biennial meet as she also

bagged five silver medals in swimming Filipinas made history by capturing the country’s first ever football gold in SEA Games history, the same with the beach volleyball team of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Sunnie Villapando, and Diij Rodriguez. Likewise making their presence felt were Peter Groseclose in the men’s 500-meter speed skating, EJ Obiena in men’s pole vault and the rest of the track and field team, the Gilas Pilipinas men and women’s basketball squads, the practical shooting unit led by world champion Rolly Tecson, Kira Ellis and the triathlon group, among others.

Also part of the gold-winning national team is rising tennis star Alex Eala, who will be honored with the Athlete of the Year award together with two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo in the gala night co-presented by ArenaPlus and the Philippine Sports Commission. The 20-year-old Eala ended the

Djokovic rolls into Melbourne 3rd round; Keys defense alive

MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Naturelover Novak Djokovic strolled into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as an erratic Madison Keys wobbled but did enough to keep her title defense on track.

Men’s title-holder Jannik Sinner is also in action later on day five at a sunny but cooler Melbourne Park.

Djokovic sent 141st-ranked qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena.

The Serbian great is on his latest mission to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and dismissed the Italian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic faces China’s Shang Juncheng or Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands next.

Djokovic is well known for his sometimes unusual preparations, which include hugging a Brazilian fig tree in Melbourne’s botanical gardens.

“That is my oldest friend here in Melbourne,” said the 38-year-old former world number one, who has won 10 Australian titles, more than anyone in history.

“He has been there to heal my wounds and give me company.

“We have a friendship going over 20 years.”

Keys blew hot and cold before getting over the line 6-1, 7-5 against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger. Keys, who upset Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final, admitted after her laboured first-round win that she was a bundle of nerves and “too timid”.

The 29-year-old threw off the shackles in the first set against the 92nd-ranked Krueger, taking it in just 23 minutes on John Cain Arena before having to rally from 2-5 in the second.

“I started really well and Ash a little slowly,” said Keys, who began her season with quarter-final exits at Brisbane and Adelaide.

“I fully expected her to raise her level and she did. It got away from me a bit.” She meets the experienced Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic next. In another all-United States clash, the sixth seed Jessica Pegula made light work of her doubles partner McCartney Kessler in a rapid 6-0, 6-2 win. AFP

SEA Games gold medalists to be feted at PSA Awards SPORTS

country’s 26-year drought in the sport with her triumph in the women’s singles, and helped the 1,200-strong Philippine contingent finish sixth overall with a total of 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 154 bronzes.

Outside of the SEA Games gold winners, Grandmaster Joey Antonio and two-time World 10-ball and 9-ball champion Rubilen Amit banner the others to be cited by the country’s oldest media organization in the event also backed by major sponsors Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Cignal, Premier Volleyball League, Philippine Basketball Association, Akari, Rain or Shine, Capital1 Solar Energy and Acrocity. Jemyca Mendoza, Jennifer Tan Uy, Regie Ramirez, Darry Bernardo, Cheyzer Mendoza, Joshua Pacio, Carlos Baylon Jr., the women’s ice hockey team, and Sean Gibbons are likewise receiving citations during the traditional awards night.

Gregorio: Funds enough to

By Peter Atencio

WITH enough resources, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be able to complete the improvements being done on facilities under its care.

With the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) committing around P37 billion to the PSC over the next 10 years, the country will have upgraded sports venues that are up to international standards.

Chairman Patrick Gregorio said this with the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center nearing completion within the next two days and ready for staging of the 2026 Philippine Women’s Open Tennis WTA-125 Championships.

fix PSC facilities

under Republic Act No. 6847, with the gaming corporation increasing its monthly remittance to the PSC to around P500 million.

“This is more or less P37 billion and that’s 10 years,” said Gregorio.

The PAGCOR has agreed to remit 5% of its gross income per annum to the PSC, dating back from 1993 to the present. The deal will be done within the next 10 years, according to Gregorio.

“Nagkamayan na kami at nagkausap na kami ni chairman. And we will start getting for more funding by the end of January,” said Gregorio in his recent talks with PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco

FOUR stalwarts of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, fresh from earning cards on the lucrative China LPGA Tour, are set to spearhead the country’s bid in the ICTSI Philippine Masters, which reels off on Feb. 4 at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas. Florence Bisera bannered the Filipina charge in the recently concluded fourround China LPGA qualifier, finishing as the top local bet at solo eighth. The multi-titled LPGT standout was very much in contention for low medal honors before stumbling with a closing 77, but her overall showing was enough to fuel optimism as she embarks on her maiden season on the China circuit. Joining Bisera as new CLPGA card holders are Chanelle Avaricio, who tied for ninth, and Daniella Uy, who finished joint 22nd with former China Tour campaigner Mafy Singson – a solid haul for Philippine women’s golf against a deep, battle-tested international field. The four, however, are skipping the China LPGA Tour’s pre-season Orient Ningbo Challenge slated this week in Zhejiang, choosing instead to zero in on the PH Ladies Masters – a strategic move underscoring their determination to shine on home soil. The China LPGA Tour, which features at least 18 tournaments including four co-sanctioned LPGA events, officially launches its new season in March. But before turning their focus overseas, Bisera and her fellow LPGT mainstays are fully intent on making a bold statement against a formidable international cast at the PH Ladies Masters.

“So, this will be a new Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in 2026. Something you will be proud of,” said Gregorio.

Officials of the PSC and PAGCOR recently met to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the agency’s increased funding

She is also a key member of Filipina5 since 2021. Three other members of Tuloy FC Women’s Team will also take their cleats abroad. Jade Ann Jalique, Shien Payag and Arjhane Bolivar will call Phnom Penh home for a while after they signed to play for XO United FC in the Cambodian Women’s League (CWL). The three are expected to bolster XO United FC’s campaign when the CWL starts this April. “These players represent what is pos-

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is also remitting 30% of the charity fund from six sweepstakes or lottery draws annually, covering the period from 2006 to the present.

The Rizal Memorial Tennis Center will have its makeovers done and ready by Friday, in time for the qualifying rounds this weekend of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open.

sible for Philippine women’s football. Their journeys show that locally trained Filipina athletes can compete and succeed on the international stage,” said Father Rocky Evangelista, SDB, President of Tuloy Foundation and Tuloy Football Club in a press release shared by good friend Paolo Del Rosario to The Designated Kit Man.

All five girls are set to play for their respective new teams for at least one year. What is more exciting is the fact that the signings of Bandoja, Ortillo, Jalique, Payag and Bolivar continue the recent and most welcome wave of Filipino football players taking their acts abroad beginning this year.

Earlier, Noah Leddel, Kamil Amirul, Kenshiro Daniels, Chima Uzoka, Miggy Clarino Francis Tacardon and Alyssa Ube were tapped by teams to compete in Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Laos football leagues. Hoping that more Philippine-based footballers will get calls too not only in Southeast Asia but in other leagues as well.

Praying, too, that all is well at the Philippines Football League (PFL). Recent news claiming the struggles of several teams have been circulating as of late. One report even claimed that one team has lost at least nine players due to several reasons.

Laban lang, PFL!

Our favorite national sporting association has released its assessment of its accom-

plishment of the year’s past. It cited several “historic” performances including semifinal appearances and a first gold medal in women’s competition. Frankly, this NSA should be grateful to its women’s team for overachieving despite the challenges the squad has to hurdle on and off the pitch. Credit should also be given to the coach and his staff for keeping and motivating the team to overcome the odds.

The Designated Kit Man also found it interesting that the sporting association has distributed tens of thousands of balls, claiming this as one of its achievements in its grassroots programs. This fact elicited a comment from someone, who has been with the NSA and the current leadership for the longest time.

“Madali lang magpicture at mag abot ng bola pero hindi enough ito para ipakita na talagang may nangyayari. Pagkabigay mo ng bola, dapat may kasunod na programa siya. Tama rin naman na regional associations ang in charge pero dapat may follow up on their side, ‘yun ang kailangan. Hindi ako naniniwala na namigay ka lang ng bola ay ok na. Hindi ‘yan, malabo ‘yan,” he explained. There is something, too, that I wanted to see coming from the gods of Mt. Canley. Whatever accomplishments they may own in 2025, would be at its best, a footnote in 2026.

So what is the game plan for 2026? To be more specific, how are the preparations for the most important game for the men’s team this March? The Designated Kit Man is still waiting for a response from our equally favorite general secretary of this NSA. So Janti Miller is moving to UAAP because he doesn’t

The Designated Kit Man

Erel Cabatbat

Free Throw Shooter

Nathaniel Dela Cruz

The Designated Kit Man

Erel Cabatbat

Free Throw Shooter

Nathaniel Dela Cruz

In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano

In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic hits a shot against Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli during their men’s singles match on day ve of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Kayla Sanchez

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio makes an ocular inspection of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Florence Bisera

WHAT’S INSIDE?

PH to miss 2050 clean energy goals–S&P Global

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines may fail to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets under its clean energy scenario by 2050 due to persistent permitting delays and transmission infrastructure hurdles, a global research firm said Thursday.

S&P Global Commodity Insights APAC power and renewables director Vince Heo said during the Energyear Philippines 2026 forum that systemic challenges, particularly grid limitations, are likely to cause the country to miss the government’s highest benchmarks.

“I think the major one is the grid issue. There’s a big gap between the government target and the Green

SP NEW Energy Corp. (SPNEC) said Thursday its board has approved a change of its corporate name to MGEN Renewable Energy Holdings Inc. as part of a broader branding strategy under its new parent firm, Meralco PowerGen Corp.

The board also approved changes to the stock symbol and company logo to reflect the new corporate name. “This is part and parcel of the gradual rollout and implementation of the overall branding strategy of the Meralco PowerGen Corp. Group,” the company disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

SPNEC said the filing is intended to enhance clarity and ease of identification for stakeholders and does not involve any changes to SPNEC’s ownership structure, operations, or existing renewable energy projects and the company will continue to operate as usual.

SPNEC made the move after the Department of Energy announced the cancellation of nearly 12,000 megawatts of renewable energy contracts related to Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. and the imposition of fines totaling up to P24 billion.

SPPHI, led by Rep. Leandro Leviste, still owns 16.3 percent of SPNEC, while MGen holds 57.33 percent. The remainder is publicly owned.

To formalize the change, the board approved amending the articles of incorporation and bylaws. These amendments remain subject to the approval of stockholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company stated that the name change is not expected to have a material impact on its business, operations or capital structure once approved. Alena Mae S. Flores

Energy Auction. They always have a very big number, but when GEA4 was announced, we discounted the actual capacity to be installed, knowing there will be challenges in meeting all these targets,” he said. Under the government’s 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the clean energy scenario aims for a renewable energy share of 56.92 percent by 2040 and 64.86 percent by 2050.

“We are running software to see whether the system balance could be met, and it’s clearly not in the Philippines. You don’t have good grid planning here. Based on our forecast, the Philippines has to rely more on firm capacity, which is still coal and gas,” Heo said. S&P Global’s forecast suggests the country will more likely reach a 27 percent share by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050, aligning only with the government’s less aggressive base case scenario.

Heo said the lack of energy storage within the power grid remains a critical weakness. Even with a projected 7 gigawatts of solar projects becoming operational, the system cannot yet handle the intermittency of solar power.

He said the Philippines has poor grid planning and will have to continue relying on firm capacity from coal and gas to maintain system balance.

DOF vows to reform tax audit system before lifting suspension

By Thony Rose Lesaca

DEPARTMENT of Finance Secretary

Frederick Go said Wednesday the government is overhauling the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s audit system to improve accountability before resuming the issuance of tax investigation notices.

Speaking at the 2026 Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines inaugural meeting, Go said the tax agency could not function indefinitely without letters of authority, which are

the official documents required to authorize audits and collect unpaid revenues.

“The Bureau of Internal Revenue cannot also survive if these letters of authority are suspended forever. But before we restart it, what I’d like to assure you is that we’re working on several things,” said Go.

The bureau suspended the issuance of these letters in November 2025 following complaints from the private sector regarding audit practices and the conduct of tax examiners.

The proposed reforms focus on the digitization and institutionalization of a data-driven selection process for audits. Go said the new system is designed to minimize human discretion and strengthen oversight within the agency.

“Most importantly, when we resume this activity, we will reduce the number of departments within the BIR authorized to issue letters of authority, and reduce the number of letters of authority a taxpayer can receive in any given year,” said Go.

DEPARTMENT of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has urged private sector investors to capitalize on the country’s growing tourism industry, citing a looming shortage of more than 120,000 hotel rooms by 2028.

Speaking at the Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026 Investment Briefing on Jan. 16, Frasco said the sector now contributes nearly 9 percent to the gross domestic product.

“The foundations of Philippine tourism are firm, and the demand for it is real. Therefore, the opportunity to invest is open. We invite you to partner with us in seeing the Philippines rise to its rightful place as a tourist powerhouse,” Frasco said.

investments

She described the industry as one of the country’s most vital economic pillars, supported by a significant surge in both domestic and international travel.

The Philippines has 335,592 hotel rooms nationwide, but Frasco noted that current demand projections indicate a substantial shortfall within the next two years. She identified this gap as an opportunity for sustainable and regionally balanced investments in urban centers, leisure destinations and emerging secondary hubs. Tourism delivers some of the high-

Go said the bureau would also limit the number of letters of authority a single taxpayer could receive within a calendar year to prevent harassment and redundant investigations.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Mendoza confirmed that a technical working group is in the final stages of refining these policies. The agency has launched a five-point reform agenda known as BIR DARES to modernize its operations.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said Thursday it approved a settlement proposal from an association of water refilling station operators following an investigation into coordinated pricing, the antitrust body announced on Thursday. The commission found that the association, composed of independently owned stations in a local market, had coordinated prices for certain water products and communicated those rates publicly. The regulator said these actions raised concerns under Section 14(a)(1) of the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibits competitors from entering into agreements to fix prices.

Under the terms of the settlement for Case No. 2025-002-SP, the association and its members reaffirmed they have ceased the coordinated pricing and committed to making independent business decisions. The agreement allows the case to be resolved before the issuance of a final decision under the commission’s rules of procedure.

“This settlement demonstrates the Commission’s vigilance in addressing price-fixing agreements that harm consumers and distort markets,” PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said. He said that by securing commitments to end anti-competitive conduct, the regulator aims to restore fair competition and ensure consumers benefit from competitive pricing and quality service.

Ayala plans P30-b fixed-rate bond offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ANOTICE ( Of Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate )

YALA Corp. said Thursday it is returning to the domestic bond market with a planned issuance of up to P30 billion worth of fixed-rate retail bonds.

Notice is hereby given to the public that the intestate estate of the late Edgardo

The conglomerate said in a stock exchange disclosure that its board of directors approved the registration of the bonds

under a shelf registration program. The program is intended to allow the company to undertake future issuances of Philippine pesodenominated bonds efficiently.

The company did not provide specific details regarding the timetable or the offer size for the initial tranche. The bonds will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ayala has earmarked P230 billion for 2025 capital expenditures to support expansion plans for its core real estate, power generation and telecommunications businesses.

Data from the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. show the company has P6 billion worth of bonds maturing in May 2026 with a coupon rate of 3.7874 percent

per annum. Another P7.5 billion worth of bonds with a coupon rate of 5.6239 percent is set to mature in May 2027.

The conglomerate last issued corporate bonds in 2022, when it raised P10 billion through a fixed-rate bond sale.

Several other companies have expressed interest in issuing retail bonds this year as interest rates begin to ease. Rockwell Land Corp. has lined up a P10 billion bond sale, while Haus Talk Inc. reported a P2 billion bond offering.

Government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines announced plans to raise P5 billion in green bonds. Financial institutions BDO Unibank Inc. and Bank of the Philippine Islands are also completing sustainability bond offerings.

THE local stock barometer regained its upward momentum Thursday as investors took advantage of four straight days of decline to accumulate stocks.

Asian stocks also rose after U.S. president Donald Trump eased tariff threats against European countries over Greenland.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index surged 68.50 points, or 1.08 percent, to close at 6,398.60, while the wider allshares index climbed 22.31 points, or 0.6 percent, to end at 3,619.00.

WIRELESS LASER. Globe Telecom is fast-tracking the Philippines’ 5G future as it rolls out more than 400 wireless laser links across the country over the next three years in partnership with Transcelestial. The Philippines is among the first in the world to explore

infrastructure at a national scale.

“The PSEi ended higher as concerns over global uncertainty and trade wars eased, improving overall market sentiment,” said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp. “Investors turned to bargain hunting, which provided support to the index.” Among the sectoral indices, only mining and oil ended in negative territory, down 1.83 percent as gold prices declined. Holding firms jumped 1.27 percent, followed by financials, which advanced 1.02 percent. Services, industrial and property also rose 0.96 percent, 0.89 percent and 0.57 percent, respectively. Value turnover was thin at P5.41 billion. Market breadth was positive as gainers outnumbered decliners 116 to 82, while 61 stocks were unchanged. Foreign investors were net buyers with inflows of P284.1 million.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. was the day’s top index gainer, advancing 2.25 percent to P14.52, while Emperador Inc. was at the bottom, declining 2.13 percent to P15.66. Jenniffer B. Austria

Cebu Pacific to move all turboprop flights from Manila to Clark in first quarter

CEBU Pacific said it will transfer its remaining turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 to Clark International Airport in the first quarter of 2026 to help ease congestion at the primary gateway of the Philippines.

The airline announced Thursday that the move follows a July 29, 2025 resolution from the Manila Slot Coordination Committee of the Department

of Transportation. The transition marks the final phase of a government-mandated plan to relocate smaller aircraft away from the capital to maximize air traffic flow.

Effective March 29, 2026, flights connecting Manila with Coron and Naga will operate out of Clark. Operations for AirSwift, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific that services El Nido, will also move to the Clark

THE new natural gas discovery in offshore Palawan Island is the first significant find in the Philippines over a decade.

And finding oil or gas in significant volume in the Philippines and other parts of the world is a rarity. The odds are low for a discovery and the exploration and

terminal from NAIA Terminal 2.

The Manila Slot Coordinating Committee originally set an October 2025 deadline for the phaseout but later extended the timeline to March 2026. The committee includes representatives from the Manila International Airport Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Civil Aeronautics Board and the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp.

PH back in the oil and gas exploration map

—“—

Discovering oil or gas in significant volume... is a rarity.

partners UC-38, PNOC Exploration Corp. and Prime Oil and Gas Inc., must have made a toast to celebrate the new gas find

field near the island of Palawan.

The latest discovery may pale in comparison with the proven reserves of the first Malampaya gas field. The original field had proven reserves of about 2.7 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas reserves and 85 million barrels of condensate.

Further tests and the drilling of more gas wells around the discovery field, however, could boost Malampaya’s natural gas production.

President Marcos said the volume at the Malampaya East 1 (MAE-1) was equivalent to roughly 14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

“Initial testing showed that the well flowed at 60 million cubic feet per day. This indicates that the well has the potential to produce even more, confirming it is a high-productivity resource comparable to the original Malampaya wells,” he said.

President Marcos had a direct hand in the revival of Malampaya when he approved the extension of SC 38 contract and pushed the enactment of the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act that provided the regulatory stability necessary for exploration.

MAE-1 is the first well under the Malampaya Phase 4 drilling program, which also includes the Camago-2 and Bagong Pag-asa wells.

Members of the SC-38 Consortium, led by Prime Energy Resources Development of port tycoon Enrique K. Razon Jr. and

“This gas discovery is a victory for the Filipino people,” Prime Energy said after the discovery. “When we assumed operatorship, we committed to the President and the nation to breathe new life into Malampaya and revitalize the indigenous natural gas sector. Today, we are delivering on that commitment.” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin is bullish. The new field reinforces Malampaya’s status as the nation’s sole indigenous gas source, boosting the existing field’s remaining recoverable volumes by an estimated 30 percent.

Garin says the discovery of the significant natural gas reservoir at MAE-1 will unlock indigenous resources and strengthen the country’s long-term energy security.

“This milestone is a testament to the world-class capability of Filipino engineers in securing our country’s energy future… Natural gas is a critical bridge in our energy mix, supporting power reliability while we scale renewables, energy storage and grid upgrades,” adds Garin.

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Company Name: Teslam Business Services Philippines Inc.

SEC Registration Number: 2023040096416-10

Corporate Tax Identification Number: 625- 828-446

The Malampaya project is a critical asset for the national government under the Department of Energy. Since its inception, the Malampaya venture has generated over P812 billion in revenues for the Philippine government while reducing the country’s reliance on imported fuel.

The first Malampaya field may not be as huge as those found in the Gulf of Thailand, North Sea in northern Europe and the vast lands of Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East. But Malampaya’s output in LNG form has been instrumental in providing fuel to gas-fired plants in Southern Luzon. Malampaya, thus, provides a certain degree of energy security to the Philippines. Besides, LNG is a much cleaner fossil fuel than oil and coal.

Developing our gas fields further, meanwhile, will protect us from the volatility of the world market for natural gas because the chances of supply disruption are real and not imagined, not to mention the higher freight cost of shipping imported LNG.

The full development of the natural gas industry will reduce our dependence on fuel imports and partially secure the country’s energy requirements, at least for the medium-term period.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

NOTICE OF AUCTION OF SALE OF DELINQUENT REAL PROPERTIES

Pursuant to Section 260 & 263 of RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the undersigned will sell at the public auction on February 26, 2026, Thursday, 9:00.a.m. at the Multi Purpose Hall, Capitol Bldg., City of Antipolo, Province of Rizal, the real properties herein enumerated below in bulk/in whole which are hereby certified to be delinquent in the payment of real property taxes and penalties due thereon as of this date to wit:

Philippine

Philippine

Philippine

Philippine Veterans

Philippine Veterans Bank 18-R-010-42000 345929 L/Res

Philippine Veterans Bank

Those who have already paid their taxes but whose name and property still appear herein may disregard this notice but should inform the office of the Provincial Treasurer.

The Provincial Government of Rizal would like to extend its gratitude to the provincial taxpayers and rest assured that all your taxes will be transformed into worthy projects and efficient delivery of basic services.

JANUARY 23, 2026

Asia to remain key growth hub

By Thony Rose Lesaca

ASIA is set to remain a primary destination for investors seeking growth and diversification in the first half of 2026 as domestic demand and structural reforms offset global economic volatility, according to Manulife Investment Management.

The firm’s latest market outlook suggests that the region’s policy flexibility and resilient internal markets continue to support long-term investment appeal despite persistent geopolitical risks and fiscal hurdles. Manulife maintains a constructive view on Asian assets, noting that equities outside of Japan performed strongly in 2025 due to a weaker US dollar and improved financial conditions.

Norway eyes deeper maritime relations with PH

By Othel V. Campos

NORWAY is seeking to deepen cooperation with the Philippines in shipping and maritime services as the industry undergoes a significant green and digital transformation, according to a top diplomat.

Speaking at the launch of the Doing Business in the Philippines publication on Thursday, Norway Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Lyster said maritime cooperation remains a primary pillar of bilateral ties. He said opportunities are expanding as the sector shifts toward decarbonization and digitalization.

“Maritime remains a cornerstone of our relationship,” Lyster said, noting that around 25,000 Filipino seafarers serve on Norwegian-controlled vessels, underscoring the Philippines’ role as a global maritime labor hub.

As shipping transitions toward cleaner technologies, Lyster said Norwegian companies see strong potential to partner with Philippine stakeholders to modernize domestic shipping. He specifically identified battery-electric and hybrid propulsion systems for ferries as a key area of interest.

Norway hosted the first Electric Ferries Conference in the Philippines last year, bringing together policymakers, shipbuilders and technology providers to explore low-emission solutions.

Lyster said a Norwegian-Filipino private sector partnership is currently developing the first hybrid propulsion ferry prototype in the country, with plans to support local manufacturing in Philippine shipyards.

“The shift towards electric ships and greener logistics is no longer optional. It is essential for long-term competitiveness and climate resilience,” he said.

Manulife head of multi-asset solutions in Asia Luke Browne said the firm enters 2026 with a modest overweight position in equities relative to fixed income. This stance reflects resilient corporate earnings and supportive government spending, though Browne cautioned that asset allocation must remain dynamic.

“At the same time, elevated valuations, inflation, geopolitics, the AI

trade debate, energy transition and a new Fed composition mean asset allocation decisions need to remain selective,” Browne said.

He said Asian assets provide essential diversification because their growth drivers are increasingly independent of developed market cycles.

In the fixed income sector, Manulife head of Asian fixed income Murray Collis said positive momentum from early 2026 is expected to persist.

Collis pointed to a lower US interest rate environment and a shift away from US dollar dominance as factors creating attractive opportunities within the Asian high-yield universe.

For the Philippines, Collis expects economic growth to rebound by the second half of 2026. This recovery is anticipated to be fueled by government spending, a

robust labor market and steady remittances from overseas workers.

However, the outlook for the Philippines includes a bias for yields to rise in the short term.

Collis said risks such as US tariff policies and weather-related disruptions could impact the market. He suggested that further monetary easing by the central bank is unlikely unless growth falls below 5 percent, as policymakers move toward the end of their easing cycle.

Collis said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas would focus on balancing currency stability and inflation control throughout the year. Within the broader ASEAN region, markets like the Philippines continue to benefit from infrastructure investment and the ongoing diversification of global supply chains.

BANK SCHOLARS. Security Bankers rally together at the close of 2025 to raise funds for 41 scholars under the Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) scholarship

agency personnel—including security guards, janitors, messengers and drivers—as well as their children.

Megawide signs lease for P1.2-b Baguio terminal

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp.

said Thursday it signed a lease agreement with the Baguio City government for the development of the P1.2 billion Baguio City Integrated Terminal (BCIT).

The agreement follows a notice of award issued on Oct. 17, 2025 and covers the construction, implementation and operation of a transport hub alongside a mixed-use commercial development.

Construction for the BCIT is expected to begin by the third quarter of 2026. The lease term will last until the 40th anniversary of the construction start date or the expiration of the applicable usufruct arrangement, whichever comes first.

The facility is designed to handle 25,000 passengers daily and will initially serve 7 southbound routes including La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila and Cavite.

The project is part of a broader infrastructure push by the company through its subsidiary Megawide One Mobility Corp., which is also developing the South Luzon Integrated Terminal Exchange (SLITX) in Carmona, Cavite.

The P800-million facility in Cavite is being built under a 30-year joint venture agreement with the Carmona City government.

The SLITX hub will serve as a southern gateway connecting destinations as far north as Baguio and as far south as Visayas and Mindanao.

With an initial capacity for 30,000 daily passengers, the terminal will provide direct access to the South Luzon Expressway via a new toll entry and exit.

It is also designed to connect to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and other Metro Manila hubs to provide easier access to central business districts and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

DA secures floor price of P17 per kilogram from rice traders for procurement

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture

Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Thursday the agency secured commitments from rice millers and importers to maintain local farmgate prices as the government manages import volumes to stabilize domestic supply.

Traders from major rice-producing hubs including Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pangasinan assured the department they would continue to purchase palay at no less than P17 per kilogram for wet crops and P21 per kg. for dry crops.

The price floor is intended to protect local farmers from a price collapse as the industry prepares for the upcoming harvest season.

Tiu Laurel said farmer prices are non-negotiable and that the administration’s priority is to prevent farmgate prices from falling during the peak harvest.

He said the National Food Authority would not compete with

DENZA to enter PH via AC Mobility tie-up

PREMIUM electric vehicle brand DENZA is positioning itself to make high-end technology more accessible to Filipino consumers by leveraging the manufacturing scale of BYD and its partnership with Ayala-led AC Mobility. BYD Asia Pacific auto sales division general-manager Liu Xueliang said the manufacturing scale of the company, combined with the local expertise of AC Mobility, places the Philippines within a global effort to widen access to premium electric vehicles and advance cleaner mobility. The company plans to showcase at least 3 DENZA models in the Philippines this year, marking the formal entry of the brand into the local market by Feb. 27. Originally established as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, DENZA is now fully owned and operated by BYD following a gradual restructuring.

“DENZA is a premium brand, and with our technology and innovation, we believe Filipino consumers will eventually recognize its value. With AC Mobility, we strongly believe DENZA will do well in the Philippines,” Liu said in a briefing Thursday. Liu said the company is not positioning DENZA as a direct competitor to existing luxury brands but as part of a broader strategy to widen access to advanced electric vehicle technology across different market segments. Othel V. Campos Ayala Land, Eton advance sustainability

AYALA Land Inc. and Eton Properties Philippines reinforced their commitment to developing the greenest urban estate in Metro Manila through a tree-planting activity at the Parklinks Eco Forest.

The event involved students from Multiple Intelligence

private traders as long as buying prices remain at or above the agreed minimum levels.

The Department of Agriculture is considering an initial import volume of about 300,000 metric tons in February.

The volume remains subject to review based on market developments.

Importers may now begin applying for sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances, with shipments expected to arrive in phases.

Milling operations in several regions are reliant on newly-harvested palay because stocks remain tight during the seasonal transition.

Harvesting has started in parts of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya, with Pangasinan, Ilocos, Bulacan and La Union expected to follow by February.

Larger harvest volumes are projected for mid-March, with milling activity set to increase by April.

Othel V. Campos

The masterplan prioritizes walkability and ecological connectivity to redefine sustainable living in the capital. ALI Eton Property Development Corp. and Ayala Land Estates president Christopher Maglanoc

Cirtek, Phoenix Petroleum skip paying dividends on lack of retained earnings

By Jenniffer B. Austria and Alena Mae S. Flores

LISTED electronics manufacturer

Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. and oil firm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. said they remain unable to pay dividends or redeem preferred shares due to a lack of unappropriated retained earnings.

Cirtek told the Philippine Stock Exchange Wednesday it continues to face significant challenges due to a global slowdown in market demand, which has affected its earnings and cash position. As a result, the company said it does not have sufficient unappropriated retained earnings to declare dividends or redeem the preferred shares. The company said it suspended dividend payments for the Preferred B-2 shares, including subseries A to D, as part of efforts to preserve cash and ensure long-term sustainability. Cirtek has not paid dividends since March 2025. To address liquidity concerns,

the manufacturer is implementing internal measures to improve cash flow and operational efficiency while exploring potential collaborations and funding options. The company is also seeking new investors and reviewing its debt obligations and capital structure. The Cirtek board of directors will reassess the availability of unrestricted retained earnings after the completion of its audited financial statements as of Dec 31, 2025. Phoenix Petroleum, led by chairman Dennis Uy, also informed the local bourse that it has no unappropriated retained earnings at present. The oil firm said is unable to declare or pay cash dividends on any class of shares, including its preferred shares. The company said it remains focused on managing resources to increase working capital and meet its obligations to both internal and external stakeholders. Phoenix Petroleum has been unable to declare dividends for preferred shares since 2023.

BEACHFRONT COMMUNITY. Seafront Residences, a beachfront community developed by Aboitiz Land in San Juan, Batangas wins the award for Best Waterfront Housing Development in Asia at the 20th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards. Seafront Residences is a 43-hectare beachfront community designed to blend the serenity of nature with modern living.

By Peter Paul Duran

DOTr@127:

PEOPLE SERVING PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

ATRANSPORTATION system that is safe, accessible, reliable and sustainable—this vision continues to guide the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as it marks its 127th anniversary.

Anchored in inclusive development, the department views transportation not merely as infrastructure but as a public service that connects communities, strengthens the economy, and improves the everyday lives of Filipinos.

Founded in 1899, the DOTr is among the oldest government institutions in the Philippines. Its long history mirrors the country’s own journey through colonial rule, independence, and modernization. Over 127 years, the department has transformed from overseeing basic transport functions to managing a complex, nationwide system covering land, rail, air, and maritime transportation. This evolution reflects the growing demands of a developing nation and the increasing importance of mobility in national progress.

The celebration of the DOTr’s anniversary is more than a ceremonial milestone. It serves as a moment of reflection on the department’s contributions to nation-building and

Moving the nation forward: DOTr at 127 Years

a reaffirmation of its mandate to serve the public. The anniversary highlights both achievements and challenges, reminding the agency of its responsibility to continuously improve transport systems amid rapid urbanization, climate concerns, and population growth.

Central to the DOTr’s work is its impact on the Filipino people. From modern railways and safer roads to improved airports, seaports, and public transport services, the department plays a direct role in easing daily travel and enhancing economic opportunities. Efficient transportation enables workers to reach their jobs, students to access education, and goods to move across regions—strengthening connectivity and national integration.

As it looks to the future, the DOTr continues to advance programs aligned with long-term development goals. These include the expansion of mass transit systems, the modernization of public

utility vehicles, improvements in transport safety standards, and the adoption of digital technologies to enhance efficiency and transparency. Sustainability and resilience remain key priorities as the department prepares for future mobility challenges.

Supporting these plans are ongoing infrastructure projects, policy reforms, and partnerships with local governments and the private sector. Rail expansions aim to decongest major urban centers, while airport and port upgrades enhance tourism and trade. Together, these efforts demonstrate the DOTr’s commitment to innovation, accountability, and people-centered governance.

At 127 years, the Department of Transportation stands as a symbol of enduring public service—continuing to move the nation forward by keeping Filipinos connected, empowered and on the path toward sustainable progress.

CIAC leads PH push for electric mobility

THE Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has become the first government agency in the Clark Freeport Zone to add electric vehicles (EVs) to its official fleet.

This acquisition of five EV units directly supports Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

Jojit Alcazar, CIAC president and chief exective said the acquisition of five EV units aligns with EVIDA, which mandates the gradual adoption of electric vehicles in government fleets to strengthen the local EV industry, cut fossil fuel dependence, and help decarbonize the transport sector.

“CIAC’s acquisition of electric vehicles is our concrete contribution to the EVIDA law and the national drive toward cleaner and more sustainable mobility,” Alcazar said. Alcazar noted CIAC has already disposed of several decades-old, unserviceable vehicles and replaced them with EVs as part of its fleet modernization program.

The initiative complements

Executive Order No. 62 (s. 2024), issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 20, 2024, which extended and expanded zero import duties on EVs and their components until 2028.

The order covers battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid EVs (HEVs), plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs), as well as e-motorcycles, e-bicycles, and e-tricycles, making electric mobility more affordable and accessible nationwide.

The Palace directive, which took effect in July 2024, targets a 10-percent EV share in government fleets and supports broader national goals of deploying millions of EVs by 2028.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) continues to fasttrack electric mobility through its Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), which aims for a 50-percent EV fleet share by 2040.

Under the roadmap, the country targets 2.45 million EVs, including cars, motorcycles, tricycles, buses, and public utility vehicles, by 2028.

Alcazar emphasized that CIAC’s transition to electric vehicles reflects a global shift toward green technologies and climate-resilient development.

“We have integrated EVs into our corporate operations to promote innovation in clean, sustainable, and energy-efficient solutions while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

Dizon calls on young professionals to lead DPWH reforms

PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon is calling on the youth and fresh graduates to participate in the change and reform in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and be part of the fight against corruption in the government.

Filipinos lost more time to traffic in 2025

FILIPINOS are wasting more time to gridlock in 2025 than they did a year ago with two Philippine cities ranked among the most congested globally.

According to the latest TomTom Traffic Index for 2025, Davao City remains the most congested city in the Philippines, ranking 12th out of 482 cities around the globe and ranked fourth out of 75 countries in Asia.

With congestion levels rising to 66.2 percent, the annual time lost to gridlock has reached 168 hours per commuter in 2025. This marks a year-over-year increase of 6 hour and 23 minutes, meaning residents now spend seven days and 40 minutes of their lives stuck in traffic every year.

On average, a 10-kilometer drive in Davao takes 34 minutes and 17 seconds, with rush hour speeds crawling at just 14 km/h.

Manila also ranks among the world’s most congested cities, placing 40th globally and 12th in Asia.

The city’s average congestion level rose to 57 percent in 2025—a 0.8

percentage point increase from the previous year.

This worsening gridlock cost commuters 143 hours, or nearly six full days, stuck in rush hour traffic, representing an additional 1 hour and 16 minutes of lost time compared to 2024.

Currently, a 10-kilometer drive in Manila averages 31 minutes and 45 seconds, with rush hour speeds averaging a sluggish 15.2 km/h.

According to the latest Index, Mexico City has emerged as the world’s most congested city with a score of 75.9. While a kilometer of road theoretically takes just 1 minute and 57 seconds to traverse under free-flow conditions, the real-world average has slowed to 3 minutes and 27 seconds. Following closely are Bengaluru, India, in second place (74.4) and

Dublin, Ireland, in third (72.9). Notably, Dublin also ranks as the sixth slowest city globally, with travel times mirroring Mexico City’s pace of 3 minutes and 27 seconds per kilometer.

“These cities epitomize the challenge of traffic and congestion and often feature highly on the Traffic Index. While traffic in these places ranks among the densest on Earth, there are many cities on much more alarming trajectories,’ TomTom said.

“As was the case last year, traffic has continued to worsen. It moves slower in cities all over globe and, overall, most cities show an increase in congestion and travel times,” it added.

TomTom calculates congestion by comparing the actual travel times recorded in a specific area against the ‘free-flow’ times—the travel times achieved when there is no traffic at all.

The TomTom Traffic Index is built from anonymized GPS data and real driving speeds recorded across trillions of kilometers. Darwin G. Amojelar

AirAsia raises P15 million for Cebu recovery

AIRASIA has raised P15 million to support Cebu’s rebuilding efforts following the success of the “To the Philippines With Love” campaign, announced during the Concert for a Cause held on January 16, 2026, in Cebu.

The concert gathered more than 40,000 attendees, turning the Sinulog celebration into a meaningful show of solidarity.

A key highlight of the evening was the announcement of AirAsia’s donation drive, aimed at extending much-needed support to the community it serves in Cebu, particularly those affected by the earthquake and typhoons that struck the province in the last quarter of 2025.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DPWH to recruit dynamic and idealistic young professionals to fill the 2,000 vacant positions in the DPWH.

“This is a golden opportunity for you, young engineers, to come in and be part of the solution. Because that’s what we need. We need more people to join us and try to solve all these problems. There are so many problems,” Dizon said at the opening of the DPWH Campus Job Fair at Mapúa University this Wednesday, which was attended by more than 300 student applicants.

“But we need you. We need to remove the rotten eggs and we need to bring in fresh blood,” he added.

Dizon was also pleased that many fresh graduates still attended the job fair, showing that there is hope for the agency to change with the help of the youth.

The fundraising initiative traces back to the reopening of AirAsia Philippines’ Cebu hub in November 2025, when the AirAsia Group committed to donating P15 for every seat sold from November 15, 2025, to January 14, 2026.

“This concert is driven by the purpose of standing with Cebu as it rebuilds. Cebu is a key part of our Philippine and ASEAN network, which is why we’re constantly finding meaningful ways---through this concert and donation drive---to

support the whole community where it is needed most,” Capt. Suresh Bang, AirAsia Philippines president and chief executive said. Through its philanthropic arm, AirAsia Foundation, the airline will disburse the funds to support local recovery working closely with grassroots organizations such as Bike Scouts, a social enterprise with more than a decade of on-the-ground experience in disaster response across the Philippines.

AirAsia Foundation will lead the review and selection of beneficiaries, and oversee the project implementation to ensure the funds are channeled to organisations that can deliver meaningful and lasting impact at the community level.

Proceeds will support post-disaster resilience and preparedness, the rebuilding of livelihoods, and the restoration of shared community infrastructure prioritizing communities hardest hit in identified hotspots, as well as vulnerable groups and areas cut off from immediate aid during times of crisis.

“At AirAsia, sustainability goes beyond reducing our environmental footprint. It is also about standing with communities when they need support the most. The ‘To the Philippines With Love’ campaign reflects the power of collective action to help rebuild community livelihoods,” Yap Mun Ching, AirAsia Foundation’s executive director and AirAsia’s Chief Sustainability Officer said.

“Through AirAsia Foundation and our local partners, we are committed to ensuring that these funds translate into long-term resilience, stronger livelihoods, and safer communities for Cebuanos as they recover and move forward,” she added.

FedEx names new president for Asia Pacific region

FEDERAL Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has announced the appointment of Salil Chari as the new president of its Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

Salil Chari, previously senior vice president of Marketing and Customer Experience APAC, FedEx, assumed his new role on January 1, 2026. He succeeds Kawal Preet, who has transitioned to a new role as executive vice president, Planning, Engineering and Transformation.

As regional president, Chari is responsible for the shaping strategic direction of the business and leading a team of nearly 30,000 across APAC to drive profitable growth, deliver outstanding customer experiences, and advance operational excellence throughout the region.

“I am excited to welcome Salil as the new president of Asia Pacific, marking an exciting new chapter for our APAC business,” Richard W. Smith, chief operating officer, international and chief executive officer, airline, FedEx said.

“Salil brings exceptional multi-regional leadership experience and a passion for delivering value to customers. With his deep

understanding of the region, I am confident he will lead our APAC business to new heights and reinforce the region’s importance to our global growth. Thanks to Kawal for her exceptional leadership; she will continue to advance our global transformation efforts,” he added.

Salil exemplifies FedEx long-standing practice of nurturing talent from within. He began his FedEx career in 1997 as a marketing analyst in Memphis. U.S. Through successive leadership roles across Latin America and the Caribbean, the Asia Pacific and Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to elevating customer experience and empowering businesses to expand their global reach and capture new market opportunities.

“It is an honor to lead such a talented team in a region that sits at the center of global trade,” Chari, regional president, Asia Pacific, FedEx said.

“Asia Pacific is home to some of the world’s most dynamic and fast-evolving trade corridors, creating powerful opportunities for businesses of all sizes to grow and compete globally. As we build on our strong foundation, my priority is to strengthen resilience, accelerate growth, and deepen the role FedEx plays as a valued partner for our customers and communities,” he added.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Jojit Alcazar (second from right) and Chief Operations Officer Brando Aguilar (extreme right) witness the blessing of the new electric vehicles acquired by the agency in accordance with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) of the National Government.

Salil Chari

Vince Dizon

Why small digital habits you ignore could cost you big

By Nickie Wang

DATA Privacy Day, which is observed each year on Jan. 28, can sound like another calendar reminder best swiped away. But this year, protecting personal data is no longer a niche concern for IT experts or corporate lawyers. It has quietly settled into everyday life. It now shapes how we send important messages, shop on our preferred online platforms, work remotely, and scroll through different social media sites or platforms on our phones.

As our digital footprint grows, so does the risk. Avoiding outright scams is only part of the story. The bigger picture lies in the daily habits that decide whether your personal information stays private or slips into the wrong hands. We have already broken down the most common scams. Now comes the more useful question: what can ordinary users actually do to protect themselves without technical know-how?

Be cautious with links and attachments. Messages that appear legitimate can still lead to fake websites or download malware designed to harvest personal details. If a link or attachment feels even slightly off, leave it unopened. Think twice before oversharing online. Birthdays,

IN RECENT weeks, the internet was filled with admiration for Zia Dantes, firstborn of GMA primetime A-listers Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Clips and photos from a recital released by RMA Studio Academy quickly went viral, drawing attention to what netizens casually call Zia’s “face card.”

But stopping there would mean missing the real story. What stands out about Zia, based on observation, is not just her face but her fearlessness. She seems to approach learning without the weight of being “showbiz royalty.” She tries. She explores. And most importantly, she shows up curious and prepared. On a platform as intimidating as the stage, that mindset is an advantage.

Shaped by curiosity (not by pressure)

According to Jade Riccio founder and CEO of RMA Studio Academy and Zia’s vocal coach, the young performer’s strength begins with versatility.

“Zia has a unique vocal quality, she can be good in any genre. I encourage my students to be versatile. As of now, she likes to explore genres, too, as she enjoys learning different songs,” she said.

The eagerness mirrors how Zia approaches life. Singing is a choice she keeps making.

Supported, not pushed Behind that confidence is a family culture that values joy over projection. Jade is candid about the role Zia’s parents play.

“I salute Zia’s parents,” the celebrity coach behind a number of artists in the music scene today said. “Marian is always there in all of Zia’s lessons. Sometimes, Dingdong is there too, but mostly, it’s Marian. She doesn’t impose, she suggests. She observes and appreciates Zia’s and my hard work. I really am thankful for their trust.”

Jade’s admiration is personal and professional. She said, “Marian wants Zia to be happy. I want to be like her, too, when I become a mom.” And Zia, she said, fits right in at RMA. “She is a nice kid! And she has a playful side like us [the team], so winwin!” Jade laughingly related.

locations, family details, and travel plans can be pieced together to build a profile of you. Reviewing privacy settings and limiting what you share publicly can reduce that risk.

Know your privacy rights. Understanding what data companies are allowed to collect, and what you can access, restrict, or delete gives you more control. These rights are not abstract. They apply to everyday apps, services and platforms.

Opt out where you can. Devices, browsers, and websites often default to collecting more data than necessary.

Tweaking privacy settings to limit tracking can significantly reduce how much information is gathered without affecting how you use the internet.

Guard your accounts carefully. One rule remains nonnegotiable: never share OTPs, passwords, or verification codes. Legitimate organizations, including Smart Communications, do not ask for these through calls, texts, or messages. Strong, unique passwords and extra security features add another layer of protection.

Pause before you respond. Scammers thrive on urgency. Messages demanding immediate action are designed to short-circuit judgment. Taking a moment to verify can prevent costly mistakes.

Even the most careful users will encounter suspicious messages. When that happens, do not engage. Instead, report questionable numbers, links or messages through the Smart Huliscam Portal. Reports help the network detect and block scam activity faster, protecting not just you but other subscribers as well.

Data Privacy Day 2026 is less about awareness campaigns and more about behavior. Protecting personal information is shaped by the small decisions we make every day: what we click, what we share, and what we allow.

Confidence is built

Asked whether Zia has always been this confident, Jade reframed the question by saying, “When students feel safe and prepared, they become more confident.”

The celebrity daughter’s journey, she explained, began with curiosity.

“Zia did lessons with me because she really wanted to sing well and sound better. It was her curiosity that led her to want to learn the techniques.”

Confidence followed discipline.

“She wasn’t always that confident, but when you are preparing for something, you train for it and just like any muscle, it will strengthen, it will develop, and build,” Jade emphasized. “Once that happens, you’ll see and feel results, so you’ll really end up having more confidence.”

And the stage, Jade said, is the ultimate test. “The stage is a scary place. You discover who can and cannot perform, who has star quality, who has stage presence, and all that. All those little things added up will end up having a huge result. It’s Zia’s second concert and she is a star. I cannot wait! She keeps getting better.”

Men’s Fashion Week opens in Paris with Louis Vuitton show

Fashion Week opened in Paris on Tuesday with a celebrity-filled Louis Vuitton show, as the industry mourned Italian fashion icon Valentino Garavani, who died on Monday aged 93.

Louis Vuitton menswear designer Pharrell Williams sent out models in long wool coats, loose suits, some paired with Bermuda shorts, short jackets, and fitted parkas with fur-trimmed hoods. The front row included Usher, John Legend, SZA, and Joe Keery, alongside LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, who praised Valentino’s “refined, radiant, and sumptuous fashion.” His death comes just four months after the passing of another Italian legend, Giorgio Armani

The Fall-Winter 2026 Paris Fashion Week follows Milan, where trendwatchers say oversized tailoring may be giving way to more classic cuts, a shift seen as both a response to global uncertainty and a safer commercial move as the luxury market slows.

The six-day event will also mark the departure of Hermès menswear designer Véronique Nichanian, who is stepping down after 37 years. She will be succeeded by Londonbased designer Grace Wales Bonner

Attention now turns to fresh faces. On Wednesday, Jaden Smith will present his debut collection for Christian Louboutin, after being named creative director last year. Dior designer Jonathan Anderson will also unveil his second Homme collection amid high expectations. The industry is undergoing rapid change after the post-pandemic boom, with weaker demand from China, US tariffs, and economic uncertainty weighing on sales.

Elsewhere, Japanese designers are out in force, while LVMH-owned Kenzo will stage a presentation at the former Paris home of founder Kenzo Takada. US designer Willy Chavarria returns for his third Paris season on Friday and has also paid tribute to Valentino, saying the fashion world would be “quieter” without him. AFP

Beyond the face card

Why Zia Dantes’ fearless love for learning deserves the spotlight

Discipline over hype RMA’s standards are clear and demanding, as Jade described when asked if anyone can just take singing lessons or if audition videos have to be submitted.

“Yes, I require video performances to be sent, or at least a singing video. I also ask what they want to be when they grow up so I know how much they want it. Once I observe no progress due to laziness, I remove them from my roster of students. I’m very strict but I’m cool too, just study your songs,” she smilingly explained.

The choice is hers

In a podcast interview with Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga on YouTube, Dingdong and Marian talked about their daughter Zia’s independence, musical inclination, and daredevil streak in a mix of

Tagalog and English. Dingdong said, “She has many activities she likes nowadays. But one of the things that really surprised us is her singing.”

That sparked a playful debate about who Zia got the gift of voice from, with Marian teasing, “From you.

Just accept it!”

“We are very supportive of whatever she wants,” Ding-

dong added, while Marian described Zia’s initiative. “She would say, ‘Mama, I want to learn this. I want to do this. I want to try this,’” the hands-on mom related, sounding amazed by how her daughter wants to dabble into horseback riding, swimming, and many others.

“It’s great that we don’t push her. [We don’t need to say] ‘Anak, try this.’ She herself laid things out for us,” Marian added. The proud mom noted Zia’s wideranging curiosity and confirmed it when asked by Janno if Zia’s a daredevil. Marian exaggerated a bit by saying that Zia is ten times a daredevil. “She likes being challenged. She does it even more. Our child is also competitive. She tries everything.” Marian shared how Dingdong summed up their stance: “As Dong told Zia, ‘Whatever you want, we will support you.’” She believes that in time, Zia will be able to filter out what it is she truly wants to pursue.

More than the pretty face Often described as one of the most beautiful celebrity kids today, Zia Dantes has singing performances to remind us that talent and confidence are not just inherited. They are built and developed over time.

Beyond the face is a child who shows up curious, unafraid, and eager to grow. In an industry that often rushes children into labels or compares them to their parents, Zia is quietly doing something more powerful—learning simply for the love of it. And that appears to be her strongest card yet. For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

Zia’s versatility and eagerness to explore different genres are her strengths, according to vocal coach Jade Riccio

Zia’s (left) mom, Marian, has been supportive to her passion ever since

RMA Studio Academy CEO Jade Riccio (left) has been helping Zia Dantes in developing her talent in singing

DOTr@127: PEOPLE SERVING PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

DOTr sets the pace for 2026

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

THE ability to move people and goods is the lifeblood of progress, as evident in the history of every progressive nation, from ancient times to the present.

Transportation acts as the invisible thread that connects a farmer in a remote province to the bustling markets of the city, or a student to their dreams in a distant university. Without a reliable way to get from one point to another, economic growth stalls, and the potential of a community remains locked behind geographical barriers.

In the Philippines, this movement has been a central part of the national story for over a century, serving as the foundation upon which commerce, tourism and daily life are built. For more than a century, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has championed the journey of mobility and modernization in the country.

As of early 2026, the department is marking a monumental milestone: its 127th anniversary. The agency is one of the oldest and most vital institutions in the Philippine government, with roots stretching all the way back to the founding of the First Philippine Republic under the Malolos Constitution in 1899. What began over a century ago as a small office focused on basic public works and communications has evolved into a massive department responsible for everything that moves on land, air, and sea. Today, it stands as the lead architect of the country’s physical connectivity, celebrating more than a hundred years of service while looking ahead to a future defined by unprecedented infrastructure growth. Celebrating 127 years is a chance to look back at how far the country has come—from

the days of horse-drawn carriages to the modern era of underground subways and high-speed railways.

Recent successes and modern breakthroughs

Over the past few years, the department has reached several major milestones that are beginning to change the daily lives of commuters. One of the most visible successes has been the revitalization of existing rail lines through consistent maintenance and innovation. Moreover, a major leap in the department’s digital transformation occurred in 2025 with the successful pilot and rollout of the “open-loop” ticketing system. In a landmark collaboration with various financial institutions and technology partners, the DOTr began allowing commuters to use existing debit cards, credit cards, and mobile e-wallets to pay for fares.

Another significant achievement involves the expansion of the Libreng Sakay, or free-ride,

initiatives during critical times and for specific groups such as students and senior citizens. These programs have provided immediate relief to many families struggling with rising costs.

On the road, the department has also been pushing forward with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. Although it has been a lengthy process, more modern, safer, and cleaner jeeps and buses are now appearing on the streets. These vehicles not only offer greater comfort for passengers but also help reduce pollution.

These recent wins demonstrate that the DOTr is focused on practical solutions that deliver immediate benefits, even as it works on much larger projects for the future.

Big plans and projects for 2026

Heading into 2026, the DOTr enters one of its busiest and most ambitious years yet. The government has proposed a significantly larger budget for the department, with nearly ₱197 billion allocated for major projects. This massive investment is a clear signal that transportation remains a top priority for the nation’s leadership.

One of the most anticipated projects is the Metro Manila Subway, which is now in full swing. By the start of 2026, the department will have secured nearly all the land required for the project, while massive tunnel-boring machines continue working deep underground to create the city’s first-ever subterranean rail system.

In addition to the subway, 2026 is a critical year for the North–South Commuter Railway.

This project aims to connect Clark in the north to Calamba in the south, effectively shrinking the distance between Central and Southern Luzon. Thousands of workers are currently on-site to ensure that tracks and stations are completed on schedule.

Plans for 2026 are not limited to Luzon.

The department is also prioritizing regional development, with upgrades and new airport projects planned for areas such as Antique, Dumaguete, and Cebu. These initiatives will

open more tourism and business opportunities in the provinces, helping distribute growth and progress more evenly across the country. While large-scale infrastructure projects often dominate headlines, the department is also focusing on immediate improvements for 2026. One key goal is the completion of the route rationalization plan, which involves redesigning bus and jeepney routes to ensure they serve actual commuter demand—minimizing unnecessary overlaps and eliminating service gaps. By the end of 2026, the DOTr aims to implement this system nationwide, leading to shorter wait times and more predictable travel for millions who rely on road-based public transportation every day.

Looking ahead, the 127th anniversary of the Department of Transportation serves as a launching pad for an even more connected future. The vision is one where a person can travel from the northern tip of Luzon to the southern reaches of Mindanao with ease and comfort. By 2026, the foundation for this vision is being laid through a mix of high-tech railways, modernized airports, and efficient road networks. The goal is not merely to build structures, but to create an integrated system that works seamlessly—where a single payment card functions across trains and buses, and flight schedules align smoothly with ferry departures. As the department celebrates over a century of service, it remains focused on its ultimate mission: improving the quality of life for every Filipino. Transportation is about dignity and the right to move safely within one’s own country. With ambitious plans set for 2026 and beyond, the Department of Transportation proves that even at 127 years old, it remains dynamic, forward-looking, and ready to lead the nation toward a brighter, more mobile future.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez vowed to speed up the construction of big ticket transport projects and resolve issues such as right-of-way to improve the country’s transport systems and enhance the Philippines long-term competitiveness.