Works on P5.2 billion Taguig transport hub start soonTaguig City is the ninth most populous area in the country. Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the builder of the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (TCITX), is working on completing the final design of the project this quarter. Costing P5.2 billion, the TCITX is the Taguig counterpart of the PITX, which is estimated to handle more than 160,000 motorists and 5,200 vehicles daily. Pastor said the Department of Transportation is still looking for a location for the northern integrated terminal exchange. Although the DOTr is willing to finance the delivery of a northern integrated terminal exchange, it is open to the possibility of bidding it out as a public-private partnership.

Vehicle sales accelerate to record high last yearAccording to the sales figures from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and other available industry data, the country’s total vehicle sales reached 491,395 units last year, 3.7 percent higher than the previous record of 473,842 set in 2024. Of the total industry sales in 2025, CAMPI and TMA members contributed 463,646 units, down slightly from the 467,252 units sold in 2024. Electrified vehicles (xEVs) continued to gain ground last year, with total sales reaching 58,905 units, 142.5 percent higher year-on-year. In December 2025, total industry sales reached 47,371 units, making it the strongest monthly performance since 2017. Of CAMPI and TMA’s total sales last year, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. accounted for the biggest share at 49.49 percent.

VP Sara condemns attack on soldiersMANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the terrorist attack on an Army team that led to the death of four soldiers in Lanao del Norte on Jan. 23. Gilbert Arnoza and June Calga, and a Private Laniton lost their lives during the attack. The soldiers belonged to the civil-military operations battalion of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and were engaged in a humanitarian mission. Duterte appealed to government agencies to pursue those responsible for the attack and bring justice to the victims. Nartatez said that close monitoring have long been part of government protocol to preserve gains in peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

Pagcor sets gross gaming revenue share for sports bettingPhoto of an individual engaging in an online gambling site. MANILA, Philippines — State gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has set its share in the gross gaming revenues (GGR) of bookies for both live and virtual sports betting. In a memorandum order issued last Jan. 19, PAGCOR Electronic Gaming Licensing Department head Jessa Mariz Fernandez set PAGCOR’s share rates as 15 percent of the GGR for live sports games and 30 percent of the GGR of virtual sports games. The GGR share rate was set after a Jan. 8 meeting of the PAGCOR board of directors wherein it approved amendments to the Regulatory Framework for the Fees and Rates on Gaming venue Operations. “The above PAGCOR Share Rates shall apply retroactively to November 2025 billing period as originally scheduled,” Fernandez said.

He announced his succession plan months earlier, naming his replacement along with the timeline for his retirement. As a management discipline, succession planning is deemed critical, especially to investors and other stakeholders. It is fine for strategic business unit heads to provide a succession plan, but does the CEO need to worry about that? The matter of strategy and marketing depends on management and its continuing succession line. Warren Buffett, in our example above, gives this warning: “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” A clear succession plan is sure to provide a good cover after high tide.

29 trafficking victims back from CambodiaThe DMW said the victims arrived on Jan. 23 on a Philippine Airlines flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay. MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-nine human trafficking victims were recently repatriated from Cambodia, according to the Department of Migrant Workers. A DMW “salubong team” led by Migrant Workers Assistant Secretaries Maria Regina Angela Galias and Jerome Alcantara welcomed the repatriates. Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi is leading a team helping victims process their travel documents. The team is coordinating with the Migrant Workers Office-Singapore and the embassy in Phnom Penh, ensuring victims’ safe return to the Philippines.

‘Flood control probe should not be trial by headline’Pedestrians cross on a makeshift pathway along P. Burgos Street in Manila as gutter-deep floodwaters cover the road following a heavy downpour on September 6, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — House committee on good government and public accountability chair Rep. Joel Chua yesterday requested the Senate to refrain from what he described as “trial by headlines” in their inquiry into the flood control controversy. Due process protects the innocent as much as it punishes the guilty,” Chua said. “The allegations aired in the Senate are logically and physically impossible,” Fajardo said. Chua said that when evidence exists, it should be presented and examined through proper legal and institutional processes, but cautioned against naming people in public forums in the absence of proof.

Government earmarks P7.8 billion for upgrade of 19 airportsHouse minority leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan said the fresh funding will help strengthen inter-island air connectivity, boost tourism, support small businesses and generate employment in the regions. MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen airports across the country have been allotted a total of P7.8 billion by the Marcos administration this year to upgrade facilities and improve travelers’ experience. He identified the following airports as recipients of facilities development funding under the 2026 General Appropriations Act: New Dumaguete Airport, P2.5 billion; Tacloban Airport, P741.7 million; Mati Airport, P700 million; Laoag International Airport, P507.3 million; New Naga Airport,P444.6 million; Ormoc Airport, P433 million; Busuanga Airport, P415 million; Candon Airport, P350 million; New Manila International Airport, P200 million; Catbalogan Airport, P200 million; Kalibo International Airport, P195.5 million; Camiguin Airport, P150 million; Bukidnon Airport, P150 million; Daet Airport, P150 million; Bicol International Airport, P150 million; Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport, P100 million; Siargao Airport, P100 million; and Antique Airport, P99.5 million. He also noted that Busuanga Airport, Siargao Airport and Cauayan Airport will get additional funding of P70 million, P23 million and P160 million, respectively, for night-rating improvements. The move is intended to revive tourist arrivals from China and is expected to increase passenger traffic at major gateways and regional airports across the country.

Rains seen in Visayas, MindanaoPAGASA said the low-pressure area previously monitored as Bagyong Ada in the Mindanao Sea has dissipated, and no typhoons or low-pressure areas are currently affecting the Philippine area of responsibility. MANILA, Philippines — The shear line will continue to bring heavy rains and possible flooding in eastern Visayas and parts of Mindanao, while the northeast monsoon is expected to cause light rains in other parts of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. PAGASA said the low-pressure area previously monitored as Bagyong Ada in the Mindanao Sea has dissipated, and no typhoons or low-pressure areas are currently affecting the Philippine area of responsibility. Scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms are also expected in Caraga, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and parts of Central Visayas, while the rest of Luzon and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light rains due to the northeast monsoon. PAGASA also warned of rough seas in the eastern Visayas and Mindanao coasts, with waves between 2.8 and 4.0 meters, advising small sea vessels to exercise caution.

The concern extends beyond individual officials to the broader impact on Philippine institutions,” NSC spokesman Cornelio Valencia Jr. said in a statement. The response comes as China publicly criticized Philippine officials who are speaking out on West Philippine Sea (WPS) issues, with Beijing even summoning Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz. China, he said, welcomes constructive dialogue and discussion, including on differences and disputes, but opposes groundless attacks and smears. Erwin: No right to censureFor Sen. Erwin Tulfo, the Chinese embassy in Manila has “no right” to censure Philippine officials for speaking out on WPS issues. “If Chinese embassy officials do not like how democracy works in the Philippines, they can leave anytime,” he said.

The work starts nowThe last few weeks will mark the beginning of what I am sure will be a busy year for me. The First Couple has so graciously lent their support once again to ASEAN-BAC Philippines, something we in the private sector truly appreciate. President Cory Aquino hosted the Third ASEAN Summit in Manila in 1987, the first significant gathering of ASEAN leaders in over a decade. I continued his work when I became chair of ASEAN-BAC in 2017, under president Rodrigo Duterte. It’s work I will gladly carry on this year.

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives along with other opposition groups will refile today the impeachment complaint against President Marcos, following the absence of the receiving official last week. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes said the complainants in their suit endorsed by the Makabayan bloc are taxpayers, workers, farmers, students, teachers, urban poor, professionals and anti-corruption advocates. The Makabayan-led impeachment complaint will be the second one seeking to unseat the President, after private lawyer Andre de Jesus’ suit, whose complaint is now with the Office of the Speaker. “Referral to the committee on justice is a standard and substantive step in the impeachment process. It initiates formal review and does not pre-judge any outcome,” the chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms said.

GDP wait to sideline investorsThe Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fluctuated with sharp increases and declines last week, eventually finishing in negative territory at 6,333.26 Friday. MANILA, Philippines — Stocks are expected to remain trading sideways this week, with upcoming economic data serving as potential catalyst. “The local market snapped its four-week rally last week as offshore trade and geopolitical concerns weighed on investor sentiment. Aside from the upcoming GDP data, Tantiangco said investors are also expected to monitor the US’ moves as it continues its pursuit of Greenland. “Chartwise, the local market is still considered to be on an uptrend.

Leonen to Bar passers: Be better than usMANILA, Philippines — Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen urged the 2025 Bar passers not to be complacent and strive to become better public servants, saying his generation “did not do well” amid the country’s challenges. “I ask you, please be better than us. Do not succumb to comfort,” he said during the general assembly and inauguration of the 2020-2021 Bar examinations historical marker at the University of Makati last Jan. 19. Leonen recounted his term as chairperson of the 2020-2021 Bar examinations, which were conducted amid the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in the first-ever fully digitalized and regionalized Bar exams in the country. The SC senior associate justice commended the University of Makati and the Makati City government for their support and effort in accommodating examinees during the historic examinations that saw major reforms in its implementation.

Impeachment driven by politics weakens economy – GatchalianMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday warned colleagues in the legislative branch against pursuing impeachment for “mere political ends,” saying moves driven by partisanship rather than evidence could further divide the country and undermine the already fragile economy. Speaking with radio dzBB, Gatchalian cautioned lawmakers against filing or advancing impeachment complaints merely for political leverage, stressing that the country is in a “very sensitive” situation. Gatchalian said impeachment, while constitutionally provided, is largely a political exercise and inherently divisive – a situation that becomes worse if both the President and Vice President are targets. Gatchalian said the process in the House of Representatives has become “very strict,” likening it to passing through the eye of a needle following recent Supreme Court ruling on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment. Before this ruling, an impeachment case is automatically transmitted to the Senate upon the endorsement of one-third of House members.