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Poong Nazareno devotees who will participate in the procession of the image of Jesus the Nazarene on Jan. 9 are expected to exceed the eight million participants recorded last year, according to Quiapo church officials. Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno technical adviser Alex Irasga said the event will no longer be called Black Nazarene or Traslacion. “The …

Police Lt. Gen. General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) directed police commanders throughout the country to maintain strategic deployment of police personnel and other crime prevention measures so as to sustain the decrease in crime incidents achieved in 2025. Recently, the PNP reported a 12.4% decline on focus crimes throughout 2025, compared …

The country’s economic slump might continue in 2026 if concrete reforms are not instituted to address corruption and governance issues, according to former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo. “Unless the government is able to resolve the issue of corruption and bad governance, it will be very difficult to restore the trust of investors and businesses in …

The Philippines has lost its viability, based on recent tourism figures in Southeast Asia.  Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that the Philippines attracted 5.235 million tourists from January to November last year, a 2.16% drop from the 5.35 million recorded in the same period in 2024.  With 7,641 islands offering diverse cultures and sights – including Boracay and Palawan -and surfers continuing to flock to Siargao, the country should easily …

The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) of 2022 was enacted to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and democratize access to cleaner transportation. Yet barely years into its implementation, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) appears to be undermining both the spirit and the letter of the law by pushing to …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez Hunger remains one of the most painful realities for many Filipino families, especially among the poor and Indigenous Peoples in far-flung communities. Programs that directly address empty stomachs are not just acts of charity; they are investments in human dignity. This is why the continued implementation of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), strengthened by partnerships …

By Tracy Cabrera  QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila — The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) management has assured commuters there will be no fare increases in the coming year as it confirmed that it will be focusing instead on improving the line’s stations, particularly the escalators.  In a public statement, MRT-3 general manager Mike Capati announced plans to replace escalators at Taft …

By Tracy Cabrera  MALATE, Manila — A day after Christmas, China’s embassy in Manila publicized an incident involving a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warship that allegedly provided food and water to a Filipino fisherman, claiming coordination with Philippine authorities.  The incident was framed as humanitarian assistance but in truth, the narrative was clearly intended to portray China as a benign …

By Tracy Cabrera  PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER, Pasay City — Following yesterday’s signing of the bicameral conference committee report on the reconciled P6.7 trillion 2026 General Appropriations Bill, the stage has been set for its ratification and submission to Malacañan in a one-day extended session today. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the budget bill into law in …

The uneven treatment of whistleblowers in the unfolding budget manipulation controversy reveals less about the credibility of evidence and more about the power structures that decide what is worth believing. When fugitive, resigned congressman Zaldy Co released a series of videos naming alleged beneficiaries of commissions tied to budget distortions, his claims were swiftly dismissed. The reason: the statements were …