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REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. quipped, “Rumors of my death are highly exaggerated,” after being hospitalized, the remark carried humor but also a sobering truth: even the highest leader of the land is not exempt from fatigue, illness, and the need for rest. It was a reminder that beneath the title of “President,” there is still a …

By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN and JONATHAN P. GESMUNDO The year 2025 was filled with exciting challenges for the Department of Transportation (DOTr), some of which were not of its own making. DOTr was inadvertently enmeshed in the spill-over of the flood control scandal that hit the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a massive controversy involving past DPWH secretaries, undersecretaries, district engineers, and unit heads—in connivance with leaders of the House of Representatives, the Senate and Malacanang Palace.  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had to pull out then Transportation Secretary Vince …

The Credit Card Association of the Philippines  (CCAP) is not backing down on its desire to remove the cap on credit card rates, even as the group announced that it will follow up with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) the needed action on this request. CCAP Executive Director Alex Ilagan informed reporters this week that the association submitted a …

The recent back-and-forth arguments between Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela and the Chinese Embassy in Manila is more than a mere disagreement over words because at its core is a challenge to our country’s commitment to transparency in the West Philippine Sea.  In truth, the Chinese tirade is an attempt to silence the truth. According to patriotic …

Security has been tightened at airports and seaports across the country as the Philippine National Police ramps up efforts to arrest businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who is facing a court-issued arrest warrant in connection with the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units have been instructed to work closely with …

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto on Thursday said the Marcos administration has fully carried out the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds—and has gone further by increasing the agency’s budget to strengthen public health services. Recto said that while he respects the right of any party to seek legal remedies, his focus remains on enforcing …

Despite what he described as efforts to divert public attention, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Filipinos remain firmly focused on holding high-ranking officials accountable for corruption, particularly those implicated in the controversial flood control projects. Speaking at a recent media forum, Ridon dismissed concerns that public clamor for justice in the flood control scandal would fade, stressing that …

Construction has begun on two major port projects in the island municipality of Laoang, Northern Samar, in a move seen to boost maritime connectivity and spur long-term economic growth in the province, Mayor Charlene Lademora-Ongchuan said. Ongchuan said work on the Mualbual Port and Laoang Port officially started on January 13, 2026, following a coordination meeting with officials of the …

Japan and the Philippines have signaled their readiness to further deepen their trilateral partnership with the United States amid what both sides described as a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex regional security landscape. Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu made the statement after his bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in Pasay City on Thursday. “The Secretary …

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a strong warning against individuals or groups claiming to provide cash assistance through private messages by using supposed “backers” inside the agency. In a statement Thursday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao clarified that DSWD programs and services are never processed via private social media accounts, personal messages, or unauthorized intermediaries, and …